Manila Standard - 2019 April 4 - Thursday

Kill-Duterte plot exposed

By Nat Mariano

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte addressed a crowd in Malabon City behind bulletproof glass Tuesday night, saying that the Presidential Security Group insisted on the precaution amid word of an assassination plot against him.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 53 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

“You know, this picture frame, I don’t have control over this,” Duterte said, sounding apologetic about the bullet-proof glass in front of his podium during a campaign sortie for the ruling PDP-Laban.

“Even if I get mad... the security setup of the PSG… must be obeyed,” he said.

Despite admitting there were attempts on his life, the President poked fun at the situation.

“I think life is just about luck. If it’s really my time, then I can’t do anything about Next page

BULLET-PROOF. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has admitted there have been attempts against his life, speaks during the campaign hustings of the ruling PDP-Laban in Malabon City Tuesday in front of a bullet-proof glass, as locked by the Presidential Guards—with the chief executive quipping ‘life is just about luck.’

Presidential Photo

‘China only Duterte in a hurry: Three years to end drug war, cure PH of ills wants to befriend PH’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night said he is in a hurry to correct the country’s problems—including the illegal drug menace he vowed to wipe out as he became Chief Executive—as he has only three years left before his term ends in 2022.

By Nat Mariano

“I am in a hurry because there [are] only about three years left for me to correct the things that I wanted to do,” he said during a campaign rally of the ruling DP-Laban in Malabon.

President Duterte said he needs the help of the legislative branch to pursue

reforms, as he endorsed PDP-Laban senatorial bets and the slate’s guest candidates.

“You know how the game in politics goes,” he said in Filipino. “If I have a program, especially those of you without land, I will have to ask the authori-

Metro heats up; El Niño inflicts P5-b crop losses

WHILE the military warned of Chinese militia vessels near Pag-asa Island, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday defended his administration’s ties with China, saying Beijing only wants to be friends with the Philippines.

In a speech during the campaign sortie of the ruling PDP-Laban in Malabon City, the President said China provides military assistance to the Philippine government without asking for any of the country’s territories in return.

“You know, China just wants to be friends with us. They gave us arms, ammunition. I went there because America failed to deliver what we ordered,” Duterte said.

“Even until now they are not asking for anything. They do not even ask for a territory. The fight there I don’t think we can do it,” he added.

The President also said he did not campaign to boost the country’s infrastructure when he ran for president because he was unsure if China would back his endeavor.

“There were so many things I never mentioned, including the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program because I was not sure if China would deal with me when I become president,” he said.

“It was only when I went there and talked with them and Russia, while the Americans doubted,” he added.

The President said the Philippines

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—Age doesn’t matter when it comes to learning.

Generito Yosores, 64, single, a native of nearby Molave town, this province and a Next page

THE temperature in Metro Manila could soar to 38 degrees Celsius this month because of El Niño, which has caused P5 billion in agricultural damage, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

But the agency’s Ana Liza Solis said the figure was an “instantaneous value” and not an average temperature for the month, and that the region could experience that temperature at least once this April.

Amid the onslaught of El Niño,the Agriculture department said Wednesday it was assisting some 138,000 farmers grappling with the lack of rain.

El Niño had caused some P5 billion in agricultural losses in about 149,000 hectares of farmland, said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

He said the worst-hit areas included Cagayan Valley, Bicol,

WATER CONSERVATION.

Environment and agriculture authorities are advising farmers in Benguet, the vegetable basket north of Manila, to conserve water as the dry spell raised by the El Niño phenomenon sweeps much of the country—with a Benguet farmer, by her lonesome under the blazing sun, runs to the rescue of seedlings in her terraced land. Dave Leprozo Jr.

Rody ready to call in battalion of troops to crush politicians’ goons Pedicab driver, 64, pedals way to college

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POLITICIANS who will use violence through armed goons to intimidate voters in their areas could face an Army battalion sent by President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

zation and funding from Congress. If I do not have senators in favor of me, I will really have a hard time getting the funds,” he said.

The President credited China for his administration’s “Build, Build, Build”

This was the President’s warning on May 13 midterm elections.

Tuesday night at a campaign rally for In other poll-related developments: administration bets in Malabon City, • The Commission on Elections on as he reminded the police and the mili- Wednesday urged Filipinos working or tary to remain non-partisan ahead of the living abroad to participate in the over-

Fastfood giant’s vegan whopper

Martial arts star battles sex abuse

By Ayee Macaraig

NEW YORK—For decades, fast-food giant Burger King has been the undisputed Home of the Whopper— the chain’s signature sandwich Next page

seas absentee voting (OAV) for the May elections.

The poll body reminded Filipinos overseas that the OAV period will start on April 13.

Next page

ABANDONED and sexually abused as a young girl, Angelica, like thousands of minors in the Philippines—a global blackspot for child abuse— struggled to cope with the

Turn to A3

Health warns public vs ‘big year’ of dengue THE Health department on Wednesday again reminded the public to take precautions to avoid contracting dengue following the increase in dengue cases nationwide.

“We’re preparing because we’re Next page

DEFENSE METHOD. This photo, taken April 2, 2019, shows jiujutsu world champion Meggie Ochoa of the Philippines (right) sparring with a young opponent during a session at a gym in Manila.

Ochoa is teaching self-defense to victims of sexual abuse to give them tools to better recover from the trauma and to better protect themsevles futurely. AFP

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News

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

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Ressa bucks tax evasion raps R

APPLER chief executive Maria Ressa, whose news website is critical of President Rodrigo Duterte, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the first of a series of criminal charges she says are government attacks.

Ressa was arrested in her Manila office in mid-February on an online libel charge and was released on bail the next day.

She was again taken into custody on Friday, this time for allegedly violating the Philippines’ strict rules prohibiting foreign ownership of media with a 2015 investment from eBay founder Pierre Omidyar’s Omidyar Network.

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

After her second arrest the United States urged the Philippines to quickly

resolve the case against Ressa, who holds Filipino and US passports, and allow her and Rappler to “operate freely.”

“The freedom of expression is a cornerstone of any truly democratic society and a fundamental freedom recognized by both the United States and the Philippines,” a State Department spokesman said.

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

Ressa has been arrested twice in six weeks by Philippine authorities, prompting international criticism and allegations she is being targeted for her work.

She entered her plea in a Manila court to four tax-evasion charges stemming from a 2015 bond sale that raised money from a US-based investor for Rappler, the news site she co-founded.

If found guilty she could face up to 10

years behind bars on each charge.

The site has taken a tough stance on Duterte’s signature narcotics crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged drug dealers and users, but also cast a critical eye on his leadership and controversial public statements.

“I’m hoping for justice,” Ressa told reporters after the court hearing. “I still say all of these cases are politically motivated.”

Duterte...

From A1

Negros top cop also figured in hitman’s slay, solon says

infrastructure program in addition to his major campaign promises of battling illegal drugs, crime and corruption.

As the President talked about fighting crime, his son, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, denied accusations that he and Agriculture Assistant Secretary Waldo Carpio pocketed payoffs from a narcotics syndicate.

The younger Duterte attacked his accuser, a certain “J.S.,” who posted a video on YouTube linking him and Carpio to an illegal drug syndicate.

Carpio is the brother of Manases Carpio, the President’s son-in-law and husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

In a Facebook post, the former vice mayor said his accuser was making up stories to get at Waldo Carpio for blocking rice and sugar smuggling. He also said JS was also angry at him for snubbing him on a plane.

The Duterte administration also vowed to follow the rule of law and comply with the Supreme Court’s decision seeking the release of police documents on the government’s controversial war on drugs.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo assured the public the government will heed the high court’s order.

President Duterte has required the Office of the Solicitor General to furnish copies of “harsher drug war” records to two groups which seek to declare the crackdown on illegal drugs as unconstitutional.

“We always follow the rule of law.

The Supreme Court has spoken,” Panelo said.

“Unless it reverses itself upon a motion for reconsideration by the Solicitor General, obedience to its ruling should come as a matter of course,” he added.

Also on Wednesday, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde told CNN Philippines that he agreed with President Duterte’s plan to release the names of police officers linked to illegal drugs.

“I think that will be good for us so that we’ll be able to collate the information coming from the President himself and what we have so that we’ll be able to compare our lists,” he said.

Once the President’s list is revealed, they would immediately conduct an investigation, Albayalde said.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to release police reports of all “tokhang” operations. Nat Mariano, Rio N. Araja with PNA

Health...

From A1 expecting 2019 to be a big dengue year,” Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo said in a television interview.

“The way dengue behaves is that you get one or two years of low cases and on the third year it rises.”

The department’s Epidemiology Bureau reported 48,634 dengue cases in the first quarter of 2019 with 184 deaths.

The new figures compare with the 23,328 cases and 150 deaths in the same period last year.

Pedicab...

From A1 pedicab driver graduated Tuesday with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Major in English at the Western Mindanao State University-External Studies Unit (WMSU-ESU) - Molave Campus.

The graduation ceremony was held in this city with the combined 1,398 graduates from WMSU-ESU Pagadian, Molave, and Aurora campuses.

Poverty and age were never a hindrance to achieve his goal in finishing his

A CHIEF of police who was recently removed from his post over the killing of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental was also involved in a controversial arrest that resulted in the killing of an alleged hired killer six years ago, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

Former Negros Oriental police chief Raul Tacaca was head of the Batangas provincial intelligence branch in 2013 when operatives tried to arrest suspected hired killer Fernando Morales, who was killed for supposedly fighting au-

thorities, said Rep. Carlos Zarate.

He made his statement even as a farmer’s group said the killing of the 14 farmers in Negros Oriental might be connected to the government’s moves against communist rebels and land ownership issues in the region.

Negros remains the “hacienda capital of the Philippines,” with much of the land owned and controlled by “hacienderos” decades after a presidential decree and the agrarian reform law that ordered the redistribution of land to in-

dependent farmers, said Danilo Ramos, chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Tacaca allegedly worked for suspected jueteng lord Victor Siman, Zarate said.

Siman and 12 others were killed in a separate alleged rubout in Atimonan, Quezon, that same year.

But Morales’ family said the police did not present any warrant before dragging him outside their home, where he was repeatedly shot.

Kill-Duterte...

From A1

dicates, or the political opposition, Panelo said: “That’s it already, all of them; maybe among others or whichever.”

Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, current deputy commander of PSG, said they needed to put up the bullet-proof glass because the venue was an “open area.”

“PSG’s mandate is to protect the President, thus, multi-faceted threats are usual considerations. With or without [an] outstanding threat, it is but imperative for PSG to implement the highest security protocols,” Niembra said in a statement.

“In every engagement, assessment of the venue is conducted in order to determine the type of security measures needed to be enforced,” he continued.

“Whilst our President wanted to have close encounter and dialogues with the people, PSG acknowledges the need to balance security and accessibility of the President,” he added.

In his speech, Duterte warned politicians that he will send an army battalion to arrest politicians who will use violence and armed goons to intimidate voters.

“Make no mistake in using goons because I will be sending an army battalion, that’s true. I will order the Armed Forces to go in Malabon and seize all the arms,” Duterte said.

The President also reminded the police and the military forces not to involve themselves in partisan politics.

“Be neutral or I will cast you out.

You must be in the middle. I will not allow the police or the military to be used by anybody—whether they are in my party or [an] adversary in politics,” Duterte said.

“Their job is to maintain law and order without fear or favor. That’s the order of the Constitution, that’s what we must follow,” he added.

“Wherever you are in the world, you can vote and participate in the elections,” Comelec said on its Twitter account.

• Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, campaign manager of the administration slate Hugpong ng Pagbabago, skipped the regional party’s campaign sortie in Tangub, Misamis Occidental on Wednesday, with her staff saying “something came up” for the President’s daughter.

This was the second time in the 90day campaign period that Duterte-Carpio skipped a sortie. She was supposed to pitch for administration candidates until noon Wednesday, but she and her staff left Sindang, Zamboanga del Norte on her motorcycle around 6:30 a.m., her staff said.

The last time “Inday Sara” skipped a campaign sortie, HNP candidates barnstormed the Bicol Region a few weeks back.

• Opposition Otso Diretso senatorial bets believe there is a “deliberate effort” to use social media to distort their image as the campaign for the midterm elections intensifies.

Senatorial aspirants Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and Florin Hilbay noted how their slate has been barraged online by criticism, including jokes about their physical appearance and supposed errors on Facebook and Twitter, but they have not faced such harsh attacks in the streets.

“Don’t make the mistake of using those goons, because I will send an Army battalion against you, for real. I will order the Armed Forces to go to Malabon and arrest everyone with firearms,” Duterte said at the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Malabon City.

To government forces, he added: “Be neutral or I will remove you. You must be in the middle. I will not allow the police or the military to be used by anybody—whether partymates or political opponents.”

“Their job is to maintain law and order without fear or favor. That is what the Constitution mandates, that is what

we will follow,” he added.

Meanwhile, voters overseas will be participating in the national polls as they will only elect 12 senators and one party-list group.

There are a total of 1,822,173 overseas absentee voters, according to the data from the Comelec- Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV).

Of the number, most of them are landbased workers numbering to 1,779,140 while the rest are sea-based workers at 43,033.

The Middle East and African Region has the highest number of registered voters with 887,744; followed by the Asia Pacific Region with 401,390; North and Latin American Region with 345,415; and European Region with 187,624.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez noted that there are various modes in casting their votes under the OAV, automated voting using the vote counting machines (VCMs), manual voting through posting and personal voting.

“It depends on the area where one is casting his/her vote,” he said on his Twitter account. PNA

The bureau said Central Visayas had the highest number of cases this year with 5,421 followed by Metro Manila with 4,855, Calabarzon with 4,851, Caraga with 4,570 and Central Luzon with 4,009.

Domingo said the dengue cases were expected to rise in June, the start of the rainy season, but warned the public against the possible attack of denguecarrying mosquitoes in the summer.

“The dengue mosquito bites during the day, usually from dawn until an hour or two after sunset, so during the day dengue is still dangerous to children and the very old,” Domingo said

He said dengue mosquitoes also breed in stagnant waters, such as those in clogged gutters, sewers and discarded tires.

Those who have been injected with the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia are still susceptible to the disease, Domingo said.

“Those who have been vaccinated before, we tell them not to wait for the condition of the child to worsen,” he said.

“As long as they have fever, stomach pain, headache and pain in the eyes, bring them immediately to our hospitals.” PNA

dreamed college degree, Yosores said.

Yosores told the Philippine News Agency that he first enrolled with an agricultural course but later decided to become a teacher and took up BSED Major in English.

He dreamed of becoming a professional despite hardships in life, driving his pedicab during daytime and using all his energy to earn a living while attending night classes.

The audience went on a standing ovation when he received his diploma on stage.

Feeling elated, Yosores proudly said

he completed the degree in four straight years, studying late at night especially during examinations to make sure he passed all the tests given by his professors.

After graduation, Yosores wanted to take the next step: Look for a job and a family to complete his dream.

He also urged the youth to finish their studies which would lead them to a better future.

As Yosores became viral on the social media, netizens were inspired by his determination to finish his degree despite his age. PNA

it. Let’s just see how thick this [bulletproof glass] is. It seems bullets can’t penetrate this, but slingshots can,” he added to laughter from the crowd.

The Palace said not even assassination plots would keep the President from his public engagements.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said he did not have any specific information about such a plot, but said attempts to kill President Duterte are not new because he has many enemies.

“You know the President has a lot of enemies... And he wants to fight all those elements of evil in this country,” Panelo said in a radio interview with dzRH. Asked if the “enemies” he mentioned refer to leftist organizations, drug syn-

Rody...

From A1

Fastfood...

From A1 featuring one of its flame-grilled, “no nonsense” 100 percent beef patties.

So, what happens when the Whopper doesn’t actually have any meat?

BK is going vegan. That’s right, folks: Enter the Impossible Whopper, a meatless version of “America’s favorite burger.”

Made up of mostly soy and potato protein, and featuring coconut oil, sunflower oil and heme―an iron-rich protein that simulates the texture, color and taste of actual meat.

For years, Burger King has offered a veggie burger on the menu at its thousands of restaurants, but it was not marketed as anything even remotely resembling a juicy, tender slab of meat.

So far, the Impossible Whopper is only available at several dozen restaurants in the Midwestern city of St Louis.

But Burger King’s chief marketing officer Fernando Machado told The New York Times that the company expects to quickly expand availability nationwide if all goes well.

“I have high expectations that it’s going to be big business, not just a niche

‘China...

From A1 cannot square up to China, noting the country is no match for Beijing’s military might.

“If I go to war, my Navy will be crushed in a matter of minutes. If I wage a war with China, in seven minutes their missile will reach Manila,” he said.

“Why would I quarrel with them?

Why would I waste my police and soldiers? Life is at stake,” he added.

The President’s remarks came in the wake of the military command’s admission that Chinese militiamen have established a presence in the disputed waters near Pag-asa Island.

On Monday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said there are 275 Chinese fishing vessels near Pag-asa Island, one of the Philippine-claimed territories in the West Philippine Sea. He said an earlier report claiming 600 vessels was exaggerated.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua then said that while Panelo’s figures have yet to be verified, the Chinese vessels are manned only by fishermen, adding the Chinese government is in constant connection with its Philippine counterparts to “verify if there is any truth to that kind of report.”

The top Chinese envoy assured the Filipino people that they do not have to worry about the supposed deployment of militiamen in the disputed areas.

But Panelo said he was inclined to believe military reports that Chinese militia, and not fishermen, were in the boats.

“The military command says from their point of view, it’s militiamen.

So, who do I believe? The military, of course,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing Tuesday.

The Palace official has already said that a diplomatic protest over China’s supposed presence near Pag-asa island was “on the way” to Beijing to “thresh out the issue.”

Panelo twitted critics who did not believe the administration has filed a protest. With PNA

Metro...

From A1 Northern Mindanao and Occidental Mindoro.

The state-run Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. had released almost P100 million in insurance payment to farmers, Piñol told DZMM radio.

A lawmaker on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a state of emergency in the areas affected by El Niño to speed up the release of relief funds to those areas.

Rep. Ron Salo said residents in the affected areas needed immediate help to tide them over and help them plant crops that are not easily affected by the extended dry season.

“Now would also be a good time to tap the $500-million disaster relief fund of the World Bank that the Department of Finance said is available when needed. We need that now,” Salo said.

National Grid Corporation placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, reflecting the low power reserves even as the Energy department expects no power shortfall in the next two months.

The company placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as the power plants with a total capacity of 1,646 megawatts remained offline.

The highest temperature expected in Metro Manila this week is 33 degrees Celsius, according to the weather bureau’s website. Maricel V. Cruz and Alena Mae S. Flores

product,” Machado told the paper.

Burger King’s tie-up with start-up Impossible Foods is the latest, perhaps boldest move by a power player in an industry seeking to make inroads with customers on plant-based diets.

On Tuesday, Nestle announced plans to roll out “cook from raw” plant-based burgers in Europe―under the Garden Gourmet brand―and in the United States under the Sweet Earth label.

In December, Nestlé competitor Unilever said it had bought up Dutch brand De Vegetarische Slager (The Vegetarian Butcher) to position itself in the expanding sector.

Impossible Burgers are already on the menu at US chain restaurants White Castle and, as of Monday, Red Robin.

The Silicon Valley company, founded in 2011, is planning to launch its products in supermarkets later this year.

While soy burgers have existed for quite some time, several companies have taken the product up a notch by using sophisticated technology to make it taste, look and smell like meat.

Beyond Impossible Foods, other start-ups in the United States like Memphis Meats and Just, or Mosa Meats in The Netherlands, are working to develop meat from animal cells, not actual animals. AFP

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate OK sought on 2nd runway for Mactan-Cebu Int’l Airport THE House of Representatives has approved a bill which calls for the construction of a second runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport with its concomitant Access Taxiways and Rapid Exit Taxiways (RET), Runway Lighting Systems, and Navigational/ Landing Equipment.

House Bill 149 of Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar provides for the construction and establishment, under the supervision of the Department of Transportation, through the MactanCebu International Airport Authority, a second aerodrome runway of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in the City of Lapu-Lapu, in the province of Cebu. The bill was approved on second reading and will be passed on third and final reading when Congress resumes session in May. Under the bill, the DOTr, in coordination with the MCIAA, shall finance and conduct the feasibility studies and the formulation of the detailed engineering designs, standards, and specifications of the proposed runway as well as the concomitant access taxiways and rapid exit taxiways (RET), runway lighting systems, navigational/landing equipment, and other appurtenances as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Act. Del Mar said in his bill that the Secretary of Transportation shall include in the DOTr’s programs the procurement, construction, operationalization and maintenance of the second runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The Mactan (Cebu) International Airport is located in Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City. The airport is about 600 kilometers away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and serves as the southern hub of the air transportation system of the country. It is a vital international gateway to the country’s economic prosperity. Maricel V. Cruz

OSG justifies cancellation of $20-m seized Marcos assets

By Rey E. Requejo THE Office of the Solicitor General on Wednesday justified the decision of the government to decline the settlement agreement that will allow the distribution of $20-million seized assets of the Marcoses in the United States to martial law victims.

In a statement yesterday, the OSG confirmed that the government has decided to instead pursue its claim to all of the recovered properties of the Marcoses in the cases pending before the Sandiganbayan.

However, the chief state counsel clarified that the decision was approved by the Department of Justice and the Presidential Commission on Good Government and not based on authorization by the government’s legal counsel alone.

The OSG said that all three agencies met to review the said settlement agreement upon order from the Palace.

In fact, the OSG said a case conference was held last March 11 by lawyers from DOJ, PCGG and OSG where the three agencies “unanimously agreed that, in the best interest of the Republic, it will no longer enter into the settlement agreement.”

Wrong figure

IN THE caption for the photo accompanying the story “PCSO donates P86 million for AFP’s treatment facilities,” which appeared on page A3 of our April 3 (Wednesday) issue, the caption reads: “Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman and OIC-General Manager Anselmo Simeon P. Pinili (right) leads the turnover of a check amounting to P5,946,975.00 to the Armed Forces of the Philippines...”

The peso figure in the caption should have read “P85,946,975.00” as it missed the crucial number 8 after the peso sign. The Standard regrets the error.

Dredging by alien ships suspended

SIGNATURE POSE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte strikes his signature pose with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng

Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial and guest candidates, as well as local candidates of Malabon City during a campaign rally at One Pinagtipunan Circle in Malabon City on April 2. Above, Otso Diretso senatorial candidates discussed several issues such as honesty in governance, the killing of farmers in Negros and social media regulation during their own press conference at Liberal Party Headquarters, Balay Expo, Cubao, Quezon City. They are (from left) Pilo Hilbay, Chel Diokno and Cash Cabochan. Presidential Photo, Manny Palmero

‘No conditional signing of 2019 national budget’

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday said Senate President Vicente Sotto III was “illadvised by his lawyers” when the latter expressed his “strong reservations” against the 2019 budget bill in a letter Sotto had sent to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It has no legal basis. It is just a personal request, which the President may or may not take heed,” Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., the panel’s chairman, said in a statement.

Andaya also maintained that the realignments did by the House—in the same manner that the Senate did— ”are fully constitutional as part of the budgetary process, and there is no constitutional provision which has been violated, as none was cited by the Senate President.”

Last March 26, Sotto signed the proposed P3.8-trillion national budget for this year. But he asked the President to veto the P75 billion worth of programs under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and

Highways as he believed these were “unconstitutionally” realigned by the House after it ratified the budget measure last Feb. 8.

Andaya said he sent separate letters to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Acting Secretary Janet Abuel of the Department of Budget and Management dated March 28, 2019 to counter Sotto’s arguments.

“In my letters, I emphasized that there is no such thing as ‘conditional signing of an enrolled bill.’ The Senate cannot clothe his signature to the 2019 General Appropriations Bill with ambivalence or dissent,” Andaya said.

“Signing an enrolled copy of the national budget is a legal act. The imprimatur of the Senate President on

the enrolled bill cannot be diminished by his ‘strong reservations’, which are completely unwarranted,” he added.

Andaya also said he told the two Palace officials that the “Senate President cannot interfere with the exercise by President Duterte of his veto power by suggesting what items should be vetoed in an enrolled bill, which bears his signature.”

“The arguments raised by the Senate President in his letter are completely baseless. For one, the realignments he cited were adjustments authorized by no less than the Bicameral Conference Committee Report, which was approved and signed by the conferees from both chambers,” Andaya said.

He said the Committee Report included a traditional Omnibus Motion, which unequivocally reads: “Technical Staff of the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Finance are authorized to effect corrections of typographical, grammatical and printing errors, as well as the necessary adjustments as a consequence of the amendments.”

Andaya added that the Omnibus Motion also explicitly stated: “In case of conflict between the Conference Committee Report and the Printed Copy of the Bill, the latter shall prevail.”

Explosion rocks Sultan Kudarat town; scores hurt POLICE in Sultan Kudarat said a ‘‘loud explosion’’ on Wednesday rocked a chicken restaurant a few minutes after 3 p.m. in Barangay Kalawag 2 in Isulan town, leaving several people injured.

A local disaster office said at least 18 people were wounded, including six minors and a pregnant woman.

But according to Isulan Mayor Maritess Pallasigue, her office did not receive any threat prior to the blast.

“No, wala. Kahit ano wala. Walang threat, walang report. Kahit text messages wala sa amin,” she said.

(No, nothing. We received nothing, no threat, no report. Not even text messages to us.)

“Generally our place is peaceful. I don’t know what happened, why this is happening in our place,” she added.

Due to the explosion, the mayor said she had ordered tighter security measures to be enforced in the area.

Meanwhile, supporters of two candidates running for mayor of Salvador town in Lanao del Norte engaged in a scuffle during a sortie on Wednesday.

The warring groups exchanged gunshots, which left four persons hurt.

Police Major Glyndo Pujanes said the motorcade of mayoralty candidate Bebot Umpa was passing along the municipal hall, where supporters of rival bet Farhanie Tawan Tawan were present.

The rival camps reportedly engaged in a shouting match that led to a commotion. Shots were also fired from both groups.

Authorities said they are now investigating the incident.

DICT, PNP remind public not to ‘share’ Paredes’ private video DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio reminded the public that those sharing private videos may be held liable for violating the cybercrime law.

Rio issued the statement after a ‘sex video’ involving singer Jim Paredes were leaked and had become viral online.

Rio said it should be common sense that people should not be sharing videos of this nature.

“Nasa cybercrime ‘yun... Do not share anything na talagang... that is a

private video... Common sense lang na hindi dapat ishare,” Rio said.

He added that sharing private videos is a criminal act.

“Criminal act na ‘yun. Tama naman ginawa niya, kinomplain na niya sa pulis. Kasi law enforcement na ang pag-settle ng kaniyang problem,” he added.

Rio also advised the public to be careful with their actions in order to prevent the incident from happening again.

“Whatever you think should not be done in the real world, do not do it in

the virtual world,” he said.

Paredes, meanwhile, said that the video was supposed to be private and not meant for public consumption.

Paredes, who rose to fame as member of the group Apo Hiking Society, has apologized for the incident.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it was “very much willing” to help Paredes as regards his private video, according to PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde.

The PNP likewise urged the public to stop sharing the video because doing so is illegal.

A DREDGING operation to be conducted by a foreign vessel in a mining area in Lobo, Batangas has been suspended because the ship lacked ‘appropriate documents.’

According to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, the ship belonging to the Seagate Engineering and Buildsystems already had an environmental compliance certificate (ECC), but still lacked a permit to operate and a permit to transport from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

Antiporda also added that the company’s letter requesting for permit for extraction was denied last February 2019.

“Since kulang po ‘yung permit nila, especially sa MGB, immediately pinasususpend na po lahat ng na-issue sa kanila na ECC, ending processing of their proper documents,” he said.

Antiporda also advised the Lobo local government unit to supersede its issued permits since 2008 by coming up with a resolution cancelling the permits.

PH judges train how to solve cybercrimes THE United States Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training and the Supreme Court of the Philippines conducted a training for nine SC magistrates and more than 30 Court of Appeals justices on resolving cases involving cybercrimes last March 25.

The US Embassy in the Philippines said OPDAT and the SC SubCommittee on Commercial Courts held the training as the country is in the process of implementing the new Rule on Cybercrime Warrants, which facilitates the detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime offenses.

This training supported the implementation of the RCW and addressed new issues posed by emerging computer-facilitated crimes, including digital security and privacy risks, the embassy statement said.

“This is part of an OPDAT partnership with the Philippines to build government capacity to effectively fight cyberenabled crimes,” the statement said.

During the training, Ovie Carroll, U.S. DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section Cybercrime Laboratory director, and Daniel Ogden, CCIPS Senior Digital Investigative analyst, discussed the nuances and evidentiary value of computer data in comparison to traditional evidence, as well as the security risks and benefits inherent in digital devices. Rey E. Requejo

Martial arts star...

From A1

horrors of her past, but a new campaign run by a sporting champion is giving her and other survivors fresh hope.

Filipina martial arts star Meggie Ochoa is teaching self-defense to victims of sexual abuse in a bid to give them tools to better recover from such trauma, but also to better protect themselves in the future.

Children’s charities have branded the Philippines a key hub for both the livestreaming of child sex abuse and for sex tourism, estimating that 60,000-100,000 children are involved in prostitution rings.

“Some of the kids that I’ve gotten to know... they saw themselves as worthless because of what they experienced. For me that’s so heartbreaking,” the jiujitsu world champion told AFP of her decision to launch advocacy campaign Fight to Protect.

In just two years, she has taught hundreds of sex abuse survivors. She offers two courses—one for those who wish to learn the sport, and another focused purely on self-defense.

“Jiu-jitsu taught me to be disciplined, confident and to face my fears,” Angelica, now aged 15, told AFP. “I can face the problems I encountered before and I am now comfortable interacting with people,” she added. AFP

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Opinion

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Drugs and celebrities

EDITORIAL

Arabia during the Gulf War, they mistakenly crossed the border between Saudi and Iraq. The Iraqi border patrol soldiers arrested them.

The next morning, they were told: “We have decided not to execute you and your men, but you will be injected the HIV and AIDS serum.”

Erap smiled. “I will take it.”

His staff members were alarmed and told him that it would be a slow and painful death.

Erap said: “Don’t worry; I am wearing a condom. “ *** In 2000, before Erap was accused of plunder and before he resigned constructively as president, Reli and I had wanted to come out with a second edition of the book.

Among the jokes we had planned on including were: There was a summit between Clinton, Kruschev and Erap.

Clinton was boasting about the American space program. “This year we will send American astronauts to Mars!”

Kruschev said: “That’s nothing. We will send Russians to Saturn.”

Erap said: “I will send Filipinos to the sun.”

The two other leaders said, “They will get burned halfway to the sun!”

Erap replied: “No problem, I will send them at night.”

These self-deprecating jokes have helped him a lot, and I know for a fact that even taipans and heads of conglomerates have asked for copies of the book. *** Malacañang and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have hesitated to come out with the list of movie and television stars who are using illegal drugs.

But why make an exception for them when the list of narco-politicians is also there?

I know that some celebrities do take drugs. It’s part of their work ethic and sense of belonging. Recall that even Nora Aunor was once accused of getting into drugs.

I think the hesitation comes from the

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada met with celebrities and entertainment scribes last week. He was his usual self, making self-deprecating jokes called Eraptions.

Eraptions was a book made of of Erap’s jokes. Public relations guru Reli German and I came up with it when Estrada was campaigning for president.

The late National Artist cartoonist Larry Alcala did the illustrations.

Santa Banana, that was an instant hit!

Young Filipinos look up to these famous personalities.

And when Erap, as president, went on foreign trips, OFWs and Filipino expatriates bought copies of the book.

Among the jokes in the compilation: Erap was complaining about unbearable pain on his knees. He went to his doctor, who told him to stop eating fatty food. “What have you been eating lately?”

“Lechon,” Erap said.

“That’s it!”

“No wonder Gloria has been giving me lechon. She wants to take over my presidency!”

Erap asked his doctor what he should eat instead. “Anything that swims or flies. Fish, fowl or chicken.”

After a week, the doctor visited Erap at Malacañang. He was told Erap was at the pool. “He’s exercising, that’s great!”

But the doctor saw Erap teaching a pig how to swim.

Another joke goes like this.

When Erap and his staff visited Saudi

Adelle Chua, Editor

F

What’s your number?

OR United States President Donald Trump, it’s 22 untrue things a day. In his first 802 days in office, Mr. Trump has made 9,451 false or misleading claims, according to the Washington Post Fact Checker.

The number has steadily climbed from just under six lies a day in his first year in office.

This is hardly cause for celebration, especially as Tuesday this week was dubbed as International Fact-Checking Day. CNN’s editor-at-large Chris Cilliza says lies are features, rather than bugs, in the Trump presidency. But Trump himself has taken the phrase “fake news” and fashioned it for his own purposes, using it to shoot down any item that is unfavorable to him.

Then again, Trump is not a rare animal. There’s plenty of the likes of him in many countries,

even in our part of the world.

How many of our public officials, current and aspiring, can we say have absolute reverence for truth and honesty?

What we hear instead are unverified information and misleading statements that seek to capitalize on Filipinos’ accepting, non-critical mind.

After all, it appears that we simply want leaders who convey some sense of empathy with our plight and a desire to make our lives better—never mind if it’s an act they’re putting on. Alas, we are too poor at telling when people are lying to our face. If they are nice, or good looking, or have mass appeal, or have

a prominent last name, we readily forgive them, too.

Fact-checking is an exercise that should not be there in the first place. Why can’t people trust the things that are being said to or shown them at face value, especially by those who purport to know better?

Alas, we’ve gone so low that fact-checking has become an actual profession.

Would it not be nice indeed if we can have a similar independent lie-counter here in the Philippines especially at this crucial time? Then again, even if we were faced with the numbers, would that even make a difference?

Telling the truth no matter how unsavory always trumps a feel-good lie. It gets worse when the lies in themselves are nonsensical, or designed to advance an interest.

What’s worse than lying?

Knowing you are being lied to, and then applauding like a fool, anyway.

Turn to A5

Mocking PWDs is not cool POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE IN THIS day of social media, followers, and likes, it’s cool to go viral, but not for the wrong reasons, as a group of young people discovered to their dismay.

A video was posted recently of ‘Zar’ in a wheelchair, making grimaces and uttering guttural sounds, obviously making fun of a person with a speech or cognitive disability. A girl was pushing him, another was walking close beside them taking video. There were a couple of other people also filming. All were laughing at Zar’s antics.

Many netizens, some of them nonFilipinos, were indignant, and rightfully so. @MokaToot empathized in her tweet: “Never pa ako nakakaencounter ng taong may ganitong disability pero I know kung gaano kahirap yung pinagdaanan nung pwd at parents nun.

Mocking them isn't a way to make people laugh.”

Others pointed to Zar’s companions as equally culpable. “Don’t forget to cancel his friends too,” said @ TaeWill20. “They just as guilty for taking part and laughing.”

Zar and his friends might not have expected the number of negative comments they received, but what’s worse is that they were doxxed and apparently messages were sent to their places of work, urging that they be fired. Messages were sent to Zar’s parents as well, along the lines of ‘we know you didn’t raise him to be that way.’

As a consequence of Zar and friends’ behavior, the internet response was harsh. But that is how the internet calls out and shames violators of social norms.

This isn’t the only recent case of netizens poking fun at the disabled. The other day a PWD’s graduation photo was being jeered at online. Disparaging and hurtful comments were made about his appearance.

This person graduated from a public university in Mindanao with a degree in secondary education major in Math-

ematics and is probably smarter than many of his detractors, who wouldn’t know what a quadratic equation was if it bit them in the leg.

The right of PWDs to live free of hurtful derision is protected by Republic Act No. 9442 (amending RA 7277, the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons).

It provides against public ridicule, which it defines as “an act of making fun or contemptuous imitating or making mockery of persons with disability whether in writing, or in words, or in action due to their impairment/s.”

Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.

Apart from the law’s stiff penalties, there is a price to pay for being cruel.

Not too long ago, former Communication Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson laughed at and filmed Drew Olivar mocking sign language. The Philippine Federation of the Deaf filed a complaint before the Ombudsman. This incident was among those that led to Uson’s downfall.

As of the 2010 census, there are over 1.44 million Filipinos living with disabilities. I suspect this figure is on the low end—it’s sure to be higher now.

This does not include the people who are living with cancer or survivors of cancer who will register as PWDs under the new Cancer Control Act. Disability can happen to anyone at any time, and some forms may be invisible or difficult to see. Given this, there needs to be more public discourse about disability communication, in the sense of talking or writing about people with disabilities.

As in all interactions with people, there must be respect and courtesy. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that ‘people first language’ be used “to speak appropriately and respectfully about an individual with disability.” It emphasizes

Turn to A5

On the road to progress WHILE Cagayan de Oro has always been well-represented in both Houses of Congress, it seems the city has benefited from big-time projects funded by the national government only on a few occasions.

Fortunately, under the present administration, it was a recipient of billionpeso projects both aimed at addressing the city’s premier woes—flooding and housing program for its informal set-

Here’s what’s happening in Cagayan de Oro. tlers.

Presently, construction works on two road drainage systems in Cagayan de Oro are now under way to alleviate the recurring flooding problem in the city.

Barangays Camaman-an and Lapasan are among the target areas of the Department of Public Works and High-

ways in Region 10 for its flood mitigation projects, which have a total budget of P1.84 billion, set to be disbursed in phases.

The diversion drainage line project in Barangay Camaman-an stretches 1.23 kilometers, with the reinforced concrete box culvert spanning from Bitanag Creek upstream to Kolambog Creek outfall.

Kolambog Creek is also included in DPWH-10’s channel improvement project, as water from the creek flows from Barangay Camaman-an to ButuanCagayan de Oro-Iligan Road and Macajalar Bay outfall in Barangay Lapasan. The project involves the costruction Turn to A5

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Opinion

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

The unwinnable drug problem THE President’s statement that the Philippine illegal drug problem has worsened instead of improving was a shock to a lot of people. This, after three years of a brutal war against illegal drugs wherein thousands have died with some estimates putting those who have been killed at around 5,000 to 20,000 people.

Since the President is the central repository of all intelligence information in the country, his statement has to be taken seriously. From a figure of 1.7 million estimated drug addicts, it has now ballooned to about 7 million to 8 million today, according to the President. This is in spite of a recent SWS survey saying that the public has been finding less drug addicts in their communities.

If the President’s figure is accurate, it would be a staggering deterioration of the problem. As various experts will tell us, the drug problem is a multi-dimensional problem. Yes, law enforcement is a major part of the solution but not the only one. Other factors come into play as well, such as rehabilitation and medical care.

Whether the President is now prepared to change gears and accept a multi-dimensional approach is hard to say. But judging from his impromptu speeches, it’s hard to expect a change.

As the saying goes, “You cannot teach old dogs new tricks.” So, we should expect more of the same approach.

The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the two principal organizations in the anti-drug campaign, came out with muted reactions to the President’s pronouncements. This is which is understandable. After three years of campaigning, their efforts have not dented the problem which must be devastating to the personnel of both organizations.

Part of the problem is that ever since the Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs

Board was fired for coming out with a figure contradicting the President’s, no one has dared come out with credible figure as to how many Filipinos are drug addicts. We only have the President’s figure and we do not know where he is getting them.

The President also mentioned the presence of foreign drug cartels and the country becoming a major transshipment point. But these have been known to the police for some time. Whether it has gotten worse is what has to be determined.

In recent weeks, hundreds of kilos of cocaine have been recovered along our shores. This reinforces the President’s claim because majority of Filipinos hooked on drugs prefer metham-

This is how you make a menace go away. phetamine, marijuana, and psychedelic drugs. Only a small percentage use cocaine, so the recovered cocaine are most certainly not intended for local consumption. At least not all.

The sensible thing to do would be for all stakeholders to meet and make an objective, professional, and credible evaluation of the current state of the anti-drug war. This should include a credible survey. This will not be an effort to undermine the wishes of the President but the stakeholders will be able to present a well-studied and researched recommendation.

Whether the President takes notice and considers it will depend on how well the position is presented to him. For the PDEA and the PNP to simply wait for further instructions from the President is not the way to go. Both agencies must initiate the next way forward.

With the magnitude of the problem it is prudent to tap other agencies for help.

The Department of Health for instance is in a much better position to help draft and implement drug rehabilitation pro-

grams. If the figure of the President is accurate, that is about 7.5 percent of the population—which is a lot considering the effort devoted by the law enforcement agencies and the President himself on the problem. I am sure that the PNP and PDEA think otherwise but it is up to them to find a way to convince their boss otherwise. *** To release or not to release. That is now the question being asked whether the government should release the names of persons who have been determined by intelligence agencies to be involved in illegal drugs. Aaron Aquino of PDEA appeared reluctant to release when asked while Oscar Albayalde of the PNP supports the Palace in its desire to release the list.

One wonders why this is still being asked considering that it has already been done before. What is surprising is that there are senior political leaders who support the release of the names.

In this country, there is a doctrine of presumption of innocence. An accused is deemed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. When a name is released, it is basically a guilty sentence.

One is pronounced guilty and then the person has to go about proving his innocence when it should be the other way around. Only when a person is subjected to this kind of situation can he or she understand the problem that another goes through.

Someone from the Palace said that those whose names are released can go to court for redress. But courts only try people who are formally charged and not those who have been pronounced guilty using intelligence reports.

As everyone knows, intelligence reports, no matter how much validation is done, could still be wrong. If the government is so sure, why not file the case? The fact that no cases have been filed means that there are infirmities in the information.

Let us hope that reason will prevail and no release is made. There have been names released in the past who ended up being killed. This is not how you solve a problem.

The Sudanese cartoonist reaching out to the world

By Camille Bas-Wohlert

FROM his self-imposed exile in Denmark, political cartoonist Khalid Albaih sees himself as an "ambassador" for his native Sudan, with biting sketches that aim to unify rather than alienate.

His criticism of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, in power for three decades, has made it impossible for him to live in his homeland.

Albaih's social and political commentaries—often simple drawings in block colours and with clean lines—convey scathing criticisms of authoritarianism.

But they also express solidarity and hope for a better future.

"I see my role as that of an ambassador, because I try to tell the world what's happening in Sudan," says Albaih, who cuts a gentle yet looming figure at 1.96 meters (six foot four inches).

"Because of my social media following I can reach more people and I can translate what's happening," he tells AFP. He is perhaps most well-known internationally for his cartoon of Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback who started a 2016 kneeling protest against racial inequality and social injustice during the US national anthem played prior to games.

The cartoon features Kaepernick on one knee, his afro drawn in the shape of a large clenched fist.

American filmmaker Spike Lee wore a tee-shirt featuring the drawing, helping it to go viral.

'Start a conversation' With small, round glasses and a neatly trimmed beard, the 38-year-old Albaih speaks softly in an interview with AFP in the Copenhagen city library where he often works.

He left Sudan at the beginning of his teens and has not lived there since.

After spending more than 25 years living in Doha and briefly in the United States, he arrived in the Danish capital with his wife and children in October 2017.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Sudan 174th out of 180 countries in its World Press Freedom Index.

Sudan's powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) regularly confiscates entire print runs of newspapers that carry articles it deems inappropriate, especially those critical of authorities.

Albaih ended up in Copenhagen thanks to the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), which offers shelter to artists and writers persecuted, or at risk of persecution, in their home countries.

He posts his cartoons on social media, with nearly 25,000 followers on Twitter, slightly fewer on Instagram and almost 85,000 on his Facebook page "Khartoon"—a play on the words cartoon and the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

"I do these artworks because I want to start a conversation," he says.

Reaching out His aim, he adds, is to "reach the other side".

"We are trying to reach the governments, we are trying to reach the EU, we are trying to reach the American people to tell them what's happening."

To attract as many viewers as possible from all walks of life, he alternates his topics, sometimes covering top world news before moving on to something more regional.

Each cartoon is accompanied by a short caption in English.

"I could do something about America and I get everybody's attention... and then, I do something that they've never heard about, like the protests in Sudan," he says.

The deadly protests began in the African country in December, in response to a government decision to cut a vital bread subsidy.

They quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations calling on Bashir to resign in the biggest challenge to his rule.

In February, the veteran leader imposed a state of emergency to quell the demonstrations, which have since been largely confined to the capital.

Since the protests erupted, RSF says it has registered 90 arbitrary arrests of journalists and about 100 confiscations of newspaper issues.

Critical Albaih was born into a political family—his father was a diplomat and his uncle briefly led a military transitional government in the mid 1980s.

Living in Denmark has given him food for thought about his host country, but his pen has spared it so far, despite a highly restrictive, and often controversial, immigration policy.

He wants his work, he says, to help unify by provoking a dialogue.

And he is critical of a decision in 2005

by Danish daily Jyllands-Posten to publish a series of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, saying it was a meaningless provocation.

Citing freedom of expression, the newspaper published 12 cartoons, including portrayals of the prophet wearing a bomb inside a turban and as a knifewielding nomad flanked by shrouded women.

The depiction of prophets is strictly forbidden in Islam and the cartoons sparked deadly protests in the Muslim world.

Angry demonstrators burned Danish flags and torched diplomatic offices, while boycotts of Danish products led to a plunge in exports.

"Are they trying basically to lose one billion Muslims, telling them 'yes, we understand that this is something you don't approve of, but we are doing it anyway because we can'?," he says.

"For a cartoonist outside of the West, we draw cartoons for different reasons.

"Yes we provoke, yes we try to start a conversation, but we do it to build bridges," he says. AFP

Mocking...

And definitely do not film yourself in a wheelchair pretending to have spasms and speaking difficulties as your mates laugh.

It seems there is more hate than compassion in our society now. Empathy and kindness are in short supply with the rise of ‘bastusan’ culture and communication, whitewashed as ‘nagpapakatotoo lang’ or ‘nagpapatawa lang.’

To grow in a positive direction as a society we need to rethink the way we

communicate about PWDs. Each of us is struggling in different ways, some physical, others mental. It’s all part of the human condition.

Instead of demeaning, uplift. Instead of mocking, praise. Instead of schadenfreude, make it compassion and mudita, sympathetic or unselfish joy.

From A4

the person first, not their disability.

So instead of saying ‘the handicapped,’ say ‘person with a disability.’

Instead of using the words crippled, lame, deformed, invalid, just say, ‘person with a physical disability.’ ‘Person of short stature,” not ‘midget.’ ‘Person with epilepsy or seizure disorder,’ not ‘epileptic.’

Practice the Golden Rule. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated. / FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Here come the female taipans of Companies). Additionally, Ms. Dee represents the Yuchengco family on the board of directors of telecoms giant Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications Company.

Then there are Lisa and Robina, THOSE who eagerly await the publi- the daughters of the third wealthiest cation of the annual Forbes list of the Filipino, John Gokongwei, the JG of 20 wealthiest Filipinos were surprised holding company JG Summit. Togethwhen they saw the latest list, which er with brother Lance of Cebu Pacific was published a few weeks ago. For fame, Lisa and Robina preside over the first time ever, the list included one of the largest business fortunes in the name of a woman. Hitherto all the this country.

Another member of the group of names in the list had been names of the female second-generation Philippine wealthiest men in this country.

The unusual newcomer to the most taipans is Josephine Gotianun-Yap, the recent Forbes list was Tessie Sy-Co- daughter of Andrew and Mercedes Gotianun, founders son, the daughter of the FIlinvest of the late Henry group of comSy, the founder panies. Together of the biggest May their tribe with her brother business empire increase.

Jonathan, Josein this country, phine Yap now the SM conruns the increasglomerate. For ingly puissant very many years Filinvest corpoHenry Sy had been the No. 1 name in the list, with an rate group. Jonathan Gotianun is the estimated personal fortune of $16 bil- chairman of East West Bank and Ms. lion. When he passed away recently his Yap is the chairperson of flagship comfortune was divided by Forbes more or pany Filinvest Land Corporation. Still less equally among his daughter and another member of the small but growing coterie of female Philippine taipans five sons.

Tessie Sy-Coson, who heads the is Elizabeth, the daughter of mogul Lubanking side of the Sy empire (Banco cio Tan. Her father has over the years de Oro, China Banking Corporation, given Elizabeth more major operationPlanters Bank and a rural bank), has al responsibilities in his business emthus become the first Forbes-listed fe- pire, whose principal components are male taipan. But she is not the only fe- Philippine Airlines and the fifth-largest male taipan in this country, though the domestic commercial bank (Philippine others are not included in the Forbes National Bank). Elizabeth shares the power at the LT Group with her brothlist. There are numerous others.

Helen Yuchengco-Dee and her ers.

This is not a complete listing of the younger sister Yvonne Yuchengco, for instance. The two ladies are heir- upcoming female taipans in this counesses to the fortune of the late Alfonso try; they merely are the most visible.

Yuchengco, who inherited the insur- Like the other women who have not ance business of his father Enrique and been included in this listing, they are subsequently founded Rizal Commer- relatively young—mostly in their fifcial Banking Corporation (RCBC). Ms. ties and sixties—well-educated, astute Dee is the chairperson of RCBC, which and highly experienced.

Tessie Sy-Coson is going to be is now the ninth-largest domestic commercial bank, while Ms. Yuchengco joined in future Forbes lists of wealthiis the president of Malayan Insurance est Filipinos, in the years ahead, by the Co., one of the nation’s largest non-life likes of Helen Dee, Robina Gokonginsurance company. Together, the two wei-Pe and Josephine Yap. May their sisters run YGC (Yuchengco Group tribe increase.

On the road...

From A4

of an open canal, a 16-meter flat slab bridge, and an 894-meter reinforced concrete box culvert.

Other major project areas include Barangays Sapang and Carmen.

DPWH-10 expects to complete the construction works by 2022.

Earlier, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno stressed the need to upgrade the city’s drainage system to prevent massive flooding, especially during the typhoon season. Moreno also initiated programs to strengthen the city’s disaster preparedness and response.

The National Resilience Council has recognized Cagayan de Oro as a “model city” for disaster preparedness, prevention, and mitigation. The city also ranked fifth in the list of most competitive cities in the country.

With regard to the issue of decent housing program for the city’s informal settlers, Cagayan de Oro’s city government just handed the keys to 12,205 survivors of Typhoon Sendong for their new houses.

The City Government of Cagayan de Oro continues to provide decent housing to informal settlers in an effort to address the rural-to-urban migration and increasing population.

Drugs...

From A4

To gradually fulfill the housing needs of informal settler families, the city government has acquired more than 13 hectares of land, with plans to buy 39 hectares more. The government is also eyeing another 37 hectares for the ongoing project.

According to the city’s local shelter plan, at least 350,000 hectares of land are needed to accommodate the growing number of ISFs. Meanwhile, the City Housing and Urban Development Department has suggested tie-ups with real estate developers in developing ISF housing subdivisions. Such partnership would help reduce the high cost of constructing houses for ISFs. Last year, Moreno said a funding worth P28.5 billion is required to provide mass housing for ISFs. The amount would cover land purchase, site development, construction of housing units, and other needs of ISFs. The housing program is part of the city’s overall plan to further improve its infrastructure and social services.

By addressing those two primary concerns of the city, Cagayan de Oro City can be expected to maintain if not improve its fifth ranking in the 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index in terms of infrastructure. started withdrawing their dollar accounts from banks to the point that the country could no longer pay its dollar obligations.

Fortunately, then Trade Minister Roberto V. Ongpin came in and warned money exchangers in Binondo that he would have them arrested and put into stockade unless they got together and put up a money exchange center.

That started the so-called Binondo Central Bank, somehow stopping the country from collapse. *** In my column yesterday, there were a couple of mistakes. Martin Romualdez’s father’s name was misspelled as Koko.

Another mistake was the name of Julian Dycaico, nephew of Kokoy’s widow, Juliet Gomez Romualdez. Julian’s wife is the first cousin of my wife, Nenita Kapunan.

Nonetheless, I repeat: My bet for Speaker is Martin Romualdez. Any takers?

fact that many young Filipinos look up to these stars.

It’s not unusual, though, because of the nature and demands of their job. I say make that list public.

It also stands to reason why the Supreme Court must have all the records of the police and PDEA if the Supreme COurt must determine whether or not there have been extrajudicial killings. *** It was a good thing President Duterte has ordered a review of all government contracts so that onerous provisions can be removed. To his credit, he is the only president who has ordered such a review.

Contrary to what the Department of Finance said, that the Philippines has always been compliant in its loans, paying them on time, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that in 1983, right after the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., people www.emiljurado.weebly.com

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News

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Port stopped from collecting fees

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE House Transportation Oversight Committee on the Roll-Off Roll-On port system spearheaded by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has moved to stop the Cebu Port Authority from collecting questionable port fees from a Cebu port.

During the Oversight hearing Tuesday in Tabuelan, Cebu, attended by Arroyo and Cebu Representatives Peter Unabia, chairman of the oversight committee, Gwen Garcia and Benhur Salimbangon, the Committee found out that the CPA had been for the past five years questionably collecting its share from the port fees in Tabuelan without any legal basis.

It was established that in 2004, the CPA and the local government of Tabuelan entered into a 10-year compromise agreement that allowed the CPA to collect a 40-percent share from

the fees collected in Tabuelan.

The local government of Tabuelan had formally asked the CPA to lower its share collection to 20 percent upon the expiration of the compromise agreement in 2014 but it has yet to be acted upon by the body.

In the meantime, despite the lapse of the compromise agreement, the CPA has continued to collect its 40-percent share of the revenues.

This prompted Garcia to express dismay over the arrangement, saying it had unduly caused sufferings to the people of Tabuelan who had been de-

prived of the income to which they were legally entitled to as early as 2014.

“This is a strange situation we are finding ourselves in. You continue to collect on the 10-year MOA that has long expired, five years ago. Are you not estopped now? Why are you collecting? How is this justified?” Garcia said.

Garcia said since 2004 when the compromise agreement expired, the CPA had unduly collected some P35 million from Tabuelan without any legal or documentary basis to do so.

She then moved to stop CPA from further collecting its 40-percent share until a new agreement is forged between the agency and the local government of Tabuelan.

This was adopted by members of the committee, including Arroyo.

The oversight committee on the

Ro-Ro has conducted the hearing in Tabuelan after it was reported during the oversight hearings that the Tabuelan port was one of the ports charging stevedoring and handling fees without any of such services being carried out.

Arroyo said the undue fees being collected by CPA from Tabuelan was the reason why such fees were being imposed.

With the cessation of collection of the CPA share from the income of Tabuelan, the local government had promised to lower its fees and discontinue its collection of stevedoring and handling fees.

Arroyo has been holding the oversight committee hearings on the RORO in various parts of the country in a bid to revive and fully maximize the RO-RO port system which she started when she was president.

BOC intercepts 757 venomous tarantulas

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Customs has intercepted 757 live venomous tarantulas worth more than P300,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which came from Poland.

Customs District collector Carmelita Talusan has turned over the seized tarantulas to the Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit-Department of Environment and Natural Resources for safekeeping.

She said the confiscated tarantulas valued at P310, 000 were seized by Customs agents of the Port of NAIA at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City on Wednesday.

The tarantulas which were classified as endangered wildlife species were found concealed in gift-wrapped oatmeal and cookies.

“The shipment was sent from Poland by a certain Wojciech Pakasz and was consigned to Jesse Camaro, a resident of Caloocan City,” she said.

Gov’t loses appeal vs.

2013 power rate hikes

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Energy Regulatory Commission has lost its bid in the Court of Appeals to disallow the increase in power prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market during the shutdown of the Malampaya gas facility in 2013.

In a 20-page resolution dated March 29, the CA’s 15th Division through Associate Justice Marlene Gonzales—Sison dismissed the appeal of the ERC on its earlier decision that affirmed the power price increase in WESM, the country’s trading floor for electricity.

The appellate court instead affirmed its November 2017 decision that nullified four assailed orders of ERC which voided the power price hike.

This ruling leaves to the Manila Electric Co. the burden of shouldering the increase in power generation costs, which the power distributor was supposed to pass to consumers through its record rate hike of P4.15 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that was stopped by the Supreme Court through a temporary restraining order issued in December 2013.

The CA also denied the separate motions for reconsideration filed by Meralco in this case.

It sustained its ruling that the ERC had no authority to control the market prices through its orders dated March 3, March 27, May 4 and Oct. 15, 2014 under both the Constitution and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

Cebu Pacific to start direct flights to Narita

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Cebu Pacific Air has annouced it will start direct flight operation between Clark and Narita, Japan this coming month of August.

The flight service will mark the airline as the first Philippine carrier to mount flights between Clark and Narita.

The new international route aims to TUNA CAPITAL. Aerial shot of GenSan Fishing Village in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City, in South Cotabato, a modern harness the potential market of leisure fishport and dubbed as the tuna capital of the Philippines, which carries the flag for South Cotabato and significantly helps the domestic travelers from Central and North Lueconomy. Revoli Cortez zon; provide more travel options for CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Filipino migrant workers; and expand opportunities for inbound tourists as Manila Standard well as investors in the Clark, Subic TODAY and other special economic zones in the area.

Flights between Clark and Narita N OTICE NEW Social Security System presi- after the resignation of former PCEO curity Commission, the highest policywill run four times weekly (Monday, making body of the SSS, last Septemdent and Chief Executive Officer Au- Emmanuel Dooc in early March.

Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) beginning BULACAN, INC. with office address at LGF Bldg. B, rora Ignacio thanked President RodriIgnacio, as the new head of the SSS, ber 2018. She is a member of the variAug. 9.

Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las go Duterte for the trust and confidence will be responsible for the day-to-day ous committees of the SSC including Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board The flight departs Clark at 7a.m.— of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of given to her to oversee the operations operations of the agency as it journeys Investment Oversight, Governance, giving tourists ample time to reach Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the of the state-run pension fund follow- towards a strong and viable pension Coverage and Collection, Media and Tokyo by early afternoon; while the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Lumina Baliuag) with a capacity of 872 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer ing her official appointment on March fund that will ensure social security Communications, Risk Management, return flight leaves Narita at 1:15 status, with project site located at Brgy. Pagala, p.m. (Tokyo time) and arrives at 5 28. protection coverage for all working Information Technology, and Audit Baliuag, Bulacan. p.m. which allows for land travel to “I am grateful to President Duterte Filipinos here and abroad.

Ignacio has Committee, and serves as a nominee Any person with valid objection/s on the aboveneighboring provinces. mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, for the opportunity to serve his admin- set her sights on increasing revenue in some SSS investee corporations.

CEB earlier announced it would under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the istration in another capacity.

Rest asand improving service delivery for the Ignacio previously served as Asdate of this publication. begin direct flights between its hubs sured that the welfare of SSS members agency’s clients, the agency said in a sistant Secretary for Special Projects in Clark and Iloilo; as well as be(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA and pensioners will always be my pri- statement. under the Office of the President of the tween Clark and Bacolod on Aug. 9, Officer-In-Charge ority,” said Ignacio.

Prior to her appointment as SSS Philippines and was designated as the Infrastructure and Services Industries Service as well as daily flights between Clark Ignacio, 62, has been overseeing PCEO, she was named as the first Focal Person for Anti-Illegal Drugs by and Puerto Princesa in Palawan by the pension fund as Officer-in-Charge woman chairperson of the Social Se- virtue of Presidential Directive No. 5.

Oct. 9.

SSS’ Ignacio eyes stronger pension fund

(MS-APR. 4, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that FILINVEST LAND, INC. with office address at No. 79, Highway Hills, EDSA, Mandaluyong City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Sandia Homes Phase II) with a capacity of 785 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Cale, Tanauan City, Batangas.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-APR.. 4, 2019)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that GOLDSTAR REALTY & DEVT. CORPORATION. with office address at 2nd Floor, SGS Building, Karangalan Village, Felix Avenue, Cainta, Rizal is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Green Forbes Residences-Phase III) with a capacity of 341 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Loma de Castro,Marilao, Bulacan.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-APR. 4, 2019)

GSIS art competition

THE Government Service Insurance System is inviting all Filipino artists who are 18 years old and above to join the 2019 GSIS National Art Competition.

The one-day submission of entries to the art contest is set on May 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the GSIS Gymnasium located in the Head Office, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

“Now on its 15th year, the annual art tilt has raised the prizes at stake for its three open-themed categories,” GSIS President and General Manager Jesus Clint Aranas said in a statement.

The first prize winner in the two categories (mixed media and nonrepresentational) will now receive P400,000 (from the previous year’s P300,000); the second prize winner, P300,000 (from Php200,000); and third prize, P200,000 (from P100,000).

Five honorable mentions will each receive P100,000 (from P30,000).

In the third category—sculpture— the cash prize for first and second places has also been raised to P300,000 and P200,000, respectively (from P200,000 and P100,000).

SENATE HEARING.

Senator Win Gatchalian, chairman, Senate Committee on Energy, directs questions to Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Gerardo Erguiza (center) and Director Mario Marasigan during the Senate public hearing on Initial Public Offering and Rate Regulatory on Wednesday.

Lino Santos

Immigration orders deportation of American fugitive THE Bureau of Immigration has ordered the deportation of an American fugitive wanted for murder and other criminal cases in the US. Ordered deported was Antonio Marsonel Wilson, who is currently detained at the BI jail, who was earlier nabbed in Angeles City, Pampanga by agents from the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit.

Wilson is subject of an arrest warrant issued by the US district court in Warren County, Kentucky.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that aside from murder, Wilson was also indicted on charges of first-degree assault, domestic violence, first-degree wanton endangerment, possession of a firearm and handgun by a convicted felon, tampering with physical

evidence, trafficking in marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wilson had also pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and four counts of distributing crack cocaine.

Morente described the American as a “hardened and incorrigible criminal whose presence here poses a serious threat to the lives and well-being of Filipinos.” Vito Barcelo

Sports

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Barro, Nocum pull ahead in PH amateur golf tourney PAOLO Barro endured the tough backside test that bedeviled the bids of a slew of rivals as he stormed into the lead by five despite a 74 while Kayla Nocum used a sizzling frontside assault to fire a 69 and move past Junia Gabasa halfway through the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite yesterday.

Barro recovered from a three-bogey, one-birdie stint at the front with two birdies against the same number of bogeys in the last nine holes, his closing 36 proving to be the best in windy conditions as he moved from second to the top at 147 heading to the final 36 holes of the Albatross division (15-18) of the third leg of this year’s PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.

Sean Ramos fought back from a mediocre opening 77 with a frontside 35 but hobbled with four bogeys in a birdie-less backside windup of 40, settling for second at 152 after a 75 while Aidric Chan and Carl Corpus moved to joint third with 153s after a 75 (36-39) and 77 (4037), respectively.

Paolo Wong, who showed up the field with a gutsy 72 Tuesday, failed to recover from a 39 start as he limped with a 42 for an 81, tumbling to Chan and Corpus’ group, now six strokes off the new leader in the 72-hole championship organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Josh Jorge also shot a 75 but lay nine strokes behind at 156 while the rest continued to sputter in tough conditions at one of the country’s toughest courses.

But Nocum tamed the frontside of the par72 layout with three birdies then held sway with a birdie-bogey backside for a 69, grabbing a one-stroke lead at 146 in the girls’ side of the centerpiece division of the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific.

Erstwhile leader Junia Gabasa reeled with bogeys in the last two holes and wound up with a 73, slipping to second at 147 with Korean Kang da Yun and Maria Tee at 151 and 152 after a 74 and 77, respectively.

Meanwhile, Wiggam Tapdasan skied to an 85 but still stood way ahead in the Ace division (19-and-above) at 166 with Gerrard Park pooling a 181 after an 86.

Korean Kim Tae Soo shot a 79 and padded his lead to two at 157 in the Eagle category (12-14) with Miguel Ilas taking the challenger’s role at 159 after a 77 in a tie with Jet Hernandez, who turned in an 80.

Cocolife Tigers nail MPBL South finals seat

Tawit Polthai blasts the field with a solid start

Thai tames field with a 67, leads by 4 shots S

TA. ROSA, Laguna—Thai Tawit Polthai crushed the stellar field and unraveled the dreaded The Country Club course with a bogey-free, eagle-spiked 67, finding himself a bewildered leader by four over Clyde Mondilla and two others at the start of the 101st Solaire Philippine Open here yesterday.

Polthai overcame the heat and severe conditions in afternoon play with a near-impeccable short game and solid putting, producing three birdies inside 15 feet and a 10-foot eagle on the par-5 eighth off a 6-iron second shot from 183 yards for a 32-35 card in a big surge for a player who struggled to finish joint 37th in last week’s ICTSI Riviera Challenge.

While majority groped and struggled trying to come up with a decent start in scorching heat at the wind-raked Tom Weiskoph-designed layout he had never played before, Polthai made it look easy – at least after the first 18 holes of the $500,000 event sponsored by Solaire Resort & Casino for the third straight year.

“It’s a very tough, windy course.

I’m really surprised to have shot a 67,” said the 25-year-old Polthai from Bangkok.

Mondilla, out to atone for his missed cut stint at Riviera, birdied two of the four par-5s and the par-3 third hole to negate his bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9 then parred the last eight holes to join Aussie Jack Sullivan and another Thai CharngTai Sudsomo at second with 71s.

“My irons, short game and putting finally clicked,” said Mondilla, who took the cudgels for the locals after the fancied Juvic Pagunsan and former champion Angelo Que succumbed to tough conditions and hobbled with identical 77s for joint 40th with Tony Lascuña and Thais Chawalit Plaphol and Poosit Supupramai in the 72-hole

championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Sudsom actually had a two-under card heading to the par-4 18th but holed out with a bogey, enabling Polthai to open with a huge cushion over a stellar international field in the event sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by ICTSI, PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High.

Nicholas Fung missed joining Mondilla and Sullivan with a bogey on No. 18 as the Malaysian ace dropped to a share of fifth at 72 with Thai Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, Sam Gillis of the US, Aussie Damien Jordan and locals Justin Quiban and Cookie La’O. Polthai did struggle off the mound, missing five fairways but the native banked on his wondrous touch both on his long and short irons and putter, saving pars in eight times that he went out of regulation and capping his daylong brilliance with 24 putts.

Allianz OCR Sunday completes 1st qualifying race for PH pool

By Paul David L. Gelario ALLIANZ Conquer Challenge completed at Filinvest, Alabang last Mar 31 its first of four qualifying races this year that will fill the national team pool.

The remaining three qualifying races will be the Front Row Warrior to be held at Philippine Arena on June 16, the Southeast Asian Games Simulation in Clark, Pampanga on July 13 and 14 and the last race set on September 7 and 8 at a still to be determined venue.

In the Conquer Challenge Elite male category, Mohammad Sherwin Managil grabbed first place with a time of 25 minutes and 29 seconds, outpacing VJ Miranda, who finished second with 25 minutes and 54 seconds, and Jeffrey Reginio, who landed third with 26 minutes and 37 seconds.

In the female Elite category, Jenny Mell Magannon bagged first place with 34 minutes and 41 seconds, Sandy Menchi Abahan placed second with 35 minutes and 35 seconds, and Glorien Merisco landed third with 36 minutes and 35 seconds.

Conquer Challenge Elite male category first placer, Muhammad Sherwin Managil (sixth from left), and Conquer Challenge Elite female category first placer, Jenny Mell Magannon (fifth from the left) hoist their Kettlebells. They are shown with the other top five finishers of the Allianz Conquer Challenge. Paul Gelario

Only the top three athletes in the Elite category with the lowest accumulated points in all the four qualifying races will join the national pool.

First place will earn four points, along with cash prizes totaling P10,000, while second place will get five points with P8,000. Third place receives six points and P5,000.

Danilo Yugyug, one of the five selected Aetas from Allianz’s social inclusion based in Porac Pampanga, placed among the Top 20 participants, giving him a chance to join the national pool.

“Maraming salamat po kasi dahil kahit nasa pinakasulok kami ng bundok, kinuha nila (Allianz) kami para makilahok,” the 20-year-old Yugyug said.

“Allianz is here for them to give the opportunity,” Allianz Chief Marketing Officer, Gae Martinez added.

The success of Allianz OCR Sunday and its growing number of participants gave high hopes for Pilipinas Obstacles Sports Federation Head Atty. Al Agra.

“It’s getting better and better,” Atty.

Al Agra said.

Red Bull champions embark on diving safari in South Africa ON THE lead up to the upcoming Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series – Season 11 kick-off in El Nido, Palawan, World Series Champions Rhiannan Iffland and Gary Hunt have embarked on a cliff diving safari in South Africa.

The record-breaking duo, Iffland and Hunt, scouted a number of locations that included majestic cataract falls and what is regarded as the greenest canyon on Earth at the Drakensberg escarpment in eastern Mpumalanga, South Africa. Iffland and Hunt found themselves particularly taken by Bourke’s Luck Potholes as an untouched diving spot.

“It was just incredible,” said 3-time Women’s World Series Champion, Rhiannan Iffland. “To come here, to experience the culture, to go on a safari and to dive at this mind-blowing location, it’s something special and

it’s really something that I’m going to remember.”

South Africa’s Mpumalanga province is decorated with numerous waterfalls that include the Lisbon and Berlin Falls. The glorious sight of the jadecoloured water basins and cylindrical rock sculptures in Bourke’s Luck Potholes inspired cliff diving’s most decorated athletes to execute free-falls of up to 27m at speeds in excess of 85km/h before the season opener in the Philippines.

“The first high dives of the year are always a little bit nerve-racking,” shares Gary Hunt. “I have enough experience now to not be in a situation where my legs are shaking so much. In previous years it’s been really tough, but I am much more confident in myself.”

Although 7-time champion Hunt is the one to catch, the ‘brilliant Brit’ knows it’s all up for grabs this sea-

son in the Men’s World Series. “My goal is to keep the title. It was a very close race last year and it was a shaky start so I would love to get off to a very strong start and stamp my foot down on this year’s title.”

For laid-back Rhiannan Iffland, the goal is to be more consistent and build bigger dives all through the season, while enjoying every adventure that comes along the way.

Catch the live broadcast from El Nido on Red Bull TV, Facebook and Youtube on April 13th, 2019. Viewers in the Philippines may also watch the full event, along with the remaining six stops of the 2019 World Series, on S+A and iWant Sports (iwant.ph), 5PLUS and 5plus.com.ph, FOX Sports, FOX Sports GO, FOX+ app, online at http://www.foxsports.ph and on iFlix VOD service.

THE Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers poured their might and applied their killer instinct to finally score a convincing victory against the Bacoor Strikers, 87-67, as they grabbed the first finals’ berth in the south division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cupover the weekend at the Batangas City Sports Center.

The Tigers will be entering the finals following a masterful 2-O sweep of the Strikers.

Unlike their Game 1 semis comefrom-behind win against the stubborn Strikers in a game where Philippine Basketball Association veterans Mark Yee, Bonbon Custodio and Leo Najorda needed to push themselves to the limit, the second game in the semifinals was virtually a breeze as they showed total domination from start to finish.

Davao’s homegrowns also put on a show in Game 2 for for the seriesclinching win.

Joseph Terso and Emman Calo scored 14 points apiece as the Cocolife Tigers built a huge 47-27 lead at the half en route to the lopsided victory.

The Tigers’ team is owned by Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU, backed by Cocolife President Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan.

“Finally ,we’re nearing our goal and we will definitely go for it,” coach Don Dulay said.

The Tigers will face the defending champion Batangas Athletics, who defeated Zamboanga, 80-72, for the south division title of the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Westbrook dedicates 20-20-20 to slain Hussle LOS ANGELES—Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook became only the second player after Wilt Chamberlain to score a ‘20-20-20’ tripledouble on Tuesday—and dedicated his achievement to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle.

Westbrook posted a remarkable 20 points, 20 rebounds and 21 assists in the Thunder’s 119-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, matching Chamberlain’s feat in 1968.

But he was emotional afterwards as he paid tribute to Hussle, a fellow southern California native who was gunned down in Los AnWestbrook geles on Sunday.

“That wasn’t for me,” Westbrook told broadcaster TNT after the game. “That was for my bro. That’s for Nipsey—20 plus 20 plus 20... that’s for my bro, rest in peace Nipsey.”

Westbrook, holder of the record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42, was already closing in on a third straight season averaging a triple-double -- achieving double digits in three key statistical categories.

“It’s huge, man,” he told reporters.

“I can’t honestly—I’m not gonna try to put it into words, but like I said on the floor, man, that’s who it’s for, and I’m going to leave it at that.”

Westbrook grabbed his 19th rebound with 1:04 to play when Oklahoma City’s Kiwi center Steven Adams missed the second of two free throws.

Westbrook, who waved off coach Billy Donovan’s attempt to sub him out of the contest, then pulled down his 20th in the final minute to put his name alongside that of Chamberlain, who had 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists in a 1968 game for the Philadelphia 76ers against Detroit.

Playoff-bound but losers of seven of their last 10, the Thunder are locked in combat for the seventh seed with the San Antonio Spurs, who beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-111 on Tuesday. AFP

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

Floyd a no-show at presser OOPS, Floyd Mayweather did it again.

The retired American boxer, known for his spotless 50-0 record, was a no-show in a scheduled press conference at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Tuesday.

Mayweather also skipped a presser when he visited Manila last year as he headed straight for Davao City.

This time around, scribes waited for more than eight hours for Mayweather, who decided to deviate from his itinerary, visiting places and malls in Makati City on Tuesday.

Members of the working media started their wait at 3 p.m.

When he did finally arrive at his hotel at around 11 p.m., Mayweather never even bothered to take a peek at the Grand Bar lounge to meet up with the tired and weary scribes.

Instead, he chose to quietly go to his room and never said a word about his plans to meet with up with his waiting guests, according to the RWM staff.

That’s when Resorts World Manila Corporate Communications Director Joee Guilas informed waiting scribes that Mayweather won’t be coming any more.

Before he retired for the night, he left RWM’s numerous drivers and chauffeurs and other hotel staff happy by having selfies with those who were on and off duty in the evening.

During his afternoon trip to Makati City, he spent an entire afternoon having a skin-tightening treatment with a wellknown dermatological doctor.

In what looked an endorsement activity, Mayweather got a Thermage procedure before he was introduced as the newest endorser of the Belo Medical Group in Makati.

After that, Mayweather went to buy some clothes and shoes at the Greenbelt malls.

On his way back to the hotel, he decided on a whim to try out chicken inasal somewhere at the Mall of Asia Arena. Peter Atencio

Magnolia’s Justin Melton is trapped by three NLEX defenders, headed by Bong Galanza and Juami Tiongson in a PBA game won by the Hotshots, 102-74.

400 PH athletes capable of winning SEAG medals

By Peter Atencio

S

OME 400 national athletes have big chances of winning medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez said this after the agency finalized its research on the performances of national athletes that are under its care.

“These are the athletes who have good chances of winning medals, and there 593 more. And they are still in training,” said Ramirez.

There are a total of 1,452 athletes receiving financial assistance from the PSC. And out of these, eight are in the platinum or elite program in billiards, bowling, taekwondo, weightlifting, wind surfing, while three are para (disabled) athletes.

Ramirez said it will be up to the

national sports associations and the national coaches to determine what medals they can win in the Games.

The PSC chief said this a week after the billeting areas at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and PhilSports Complex in Pasig City became available again for national athletes to use.

The facilities were closed down following three months of repairs.

National athletes from weightlifting and women’s wrestling are currently staying at the RMSC, with fencing, karatedo and muay thai located at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.

Last Dec. 14, many National Sports Associations were asked to pull out their athletes from the dormitories for repairs.

While the repairs went on, the agency covered the expenses of the national athletes for their temporary housing like rentals of condo or Philippine Sports Commission Chairman apartment units for the team.

William Ramirez

Foton battles Generika-Ayala, tries to avoid last-place finish forge a tie with the FOTON clashes with Lady Realtors at the Generika-Ayala for Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 2:00 p.m. -- Sta. Lucia vs United VC cellar of the eighta chance to avoid a 4:15 p.m. -- Cignal vs F2 Logistics team standings. last-place finish in the 7:00 p.m. -- Generika-Ayala vs Foton With that, the final classification phase of day of classification the Philippine Superwill be very crucial liga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. for both the Tornadoes and the Lady ReGame time is at 7 p.m., with the Tor- altors as the lose will not only sink at the nadoes looking for their third win in this bottom, but would also have a quarterfiprestigious women’s club tourney bank- nal date with spotless Petron in the quarrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, terfinals starting Saturday.

The winner, however, will occupy sevTeam Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, enth spot and punch a ticket against secCocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

Also looking to avoid last place is Sta. ond seed F2 Logistics in the next round.

Both Petron and F2 Logistics, the Lucia Realty, which will clash with United VC at 4:15 p.m., while Cignal formal- protagonists in the past few finals showizes its claim of a twice-to-beat incentive downs, will enjoy a twice-to-beat edge.

“We need this win coming into the when it battles F2 Logistics in the final day of classification of this tourney that quarterfinals,” said Foton coach Aaron also has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast Velez, who will bank anew on imports Milagros Collar, Courtney Felinski partners.

After booking a four-set win over Sta. and Jaja Santiago. “We’ll focus on this Lucia last Tuesday, the Tornadoes cap- game first before we think about what’s tured their second win in 13 matches to ahead.”

SOTTO SENDOFF. Chooks-to-Go brand ambassador and 7’2” basketball prodigy Kai Sotto receives a Philippine flag from officials of #MagingMagiting campaign partners, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. and Ayala Foundation Inc. during a send-off ceremony for the 16-year-old center who will spend the next two years in the United States to continue training towards his dream of becoming the first Filipino to play in the NBA. Bidding him good luck in his quest are BAVI president and general manager Ronald Mascariñas (2nd from right) and AFI president Ruel Maranan (3rd from left). Joining them are AFI corporate communications senior director Celerina Rosales-Amores and Kai’s father, Ervin Sotto.

Magnolia secures no. 6 spot, faces Ginebra next

By Jeric Lopez

WITH the No. 6 seed at stake, peaking Magnolia rose to the occasion to take it, dismantling NLEX, 10274, and putting itself in a fair and more favorable position entering the quarterfinals of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Paul Lee was in his fiery element, firing 18 of his game-high 26 points in the first half, while also adding five rebounds, to show the way for the Hotshots.

As a result, Magnolia, which won its third straight game, ended its elimination-round on the right note, claiming the No. 6 ranking with its 6-5 mark to face No. 3 seed Barangay Ginebra, its biggest rival, in the next phase in a much-anticipated best-ofthree affair.

As for NLEX, it now hopes that NorthPort loses to Barangay Ginebra in the final game of the eliminations to secure an outright berth in the quarters.

Otherwise, it shall face Alaska in a playoff for No. 8 if the Batang Pier wins and earns a spot in the next round.

Landing the sixth spot was critical as the victor will be guaranteed a best-ofthree series in the quarterfinals rather than a twice-to-win disadvantage.

Thankfully for Magnolia, it showed up to claim the disputed ranking in the battle for critical playoff positioning.

Using a second quarter explosion, the Hotshots were able to break free from the Road Warriors to set up the relatively easy victory.

Led by Lee’s offensive exploits, highlighted by four triples in the first 24 minutes of pl;ay, Magnolia ballooned its then four-point lead to 16, 46-30, at the half after outscoring NLEX, 26-14, in the second frame.

Carrying a huge lead and a lot of momentum into the second half, the Hotshots continued their assault in the second half, increasing their advantage to 20 points, 54-34, three minutes into the third after a Mark Barroca jumper.

It was then a cruise the rest of the way for Magnolia, who will enter the playoffs with renewed energy and a higher level of play, as the game was already out of reach at the end of the third.

Aldrech Ramos and Barroca came off the Hotshots bench striking as well, adding 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Ateneo booters want revenge RAW FURY. Top

featured fighters of the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) Global ‘Raw Fury’ were presented to the media by URCCMMA founder Alvin Aguilar and celebrity manager Arnold Vegafria during last Monday’s press conference (center) at the Okada Hotel in Manila. Fight night will be on April 27 at the Cove in Okada.

TABLE-TOPPING Ateneo and fierce ri- University of the Philippines in fourth val De La Salle clash today (Thursday) spot with 13 points, but the Taft-based in the UAAP Season 81 men’s football squad has an inferior goal difference.

Jarvey Gayoso, who leads all goaltournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch. scorers with seven, will The Blue Eagles hope to avenge their 1-2 loss to the Green Matches today (FEU-Diliman) banner the Eagles’ charge.

9 a.m. – NU vs FEU (Men) De La Salle was successArchers at the end of the first 1:30 p.m. – UE vs UST (Men) round in the match scheduled at 3:30 p.m. – DLSU vs Ateneo (Men) ful in neutralizing Gayoso in their first meeting with 3:30 p.m.

In other fixtures, Far Eastern University Ateneo.

The Tamaraws’ second-round strugplays National University at 9 a.m., while University of Santo Tomas and University gles continued, as they yielded the lead to the Eagles following last Sunday’s 0-1 of the East collide at 1:30 p.m.

After losing to De La Salle, Ateneo loss to the Growling Tigers.

FEU is running in second place with went into another goalscoring spree with 11 in the last two matches to seize the top 15 points, one clear of third-place UST. With 10 and eight points, respectively, spot with 16 points.

The Archers, for their part, are trying the Bulldogs and the Red Warriors canto get within the top four range. De La not afford to drop points from now on to Salle is level with defending champion keep their Final Four hopes alive.

IN BRIEF

New SSS head eyes stronger pension fund NEWLY-APPOINTED Social Security System president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio is eyeing a stronger pension fund and better service delivery under her leadership.

She was officially appointed on March 28, 2019, succeeding Emmanuel Dooc.

“I am grateful to President Duterte for the opportunity to serve his administration in another capacity. Rest assured that the welfare of SSS members and pensioners will always be my priority,” said Ignacio in a statement Wednesday.

Ignacio, 62, has been overseeing the pension fund as officer-in-charge after the resignation of former SSS chief Emmanuel Dooc in early March.

Ignacio, as the new head of the SSS, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency as it journeys towards a strong and viable pension fund that will ensure social security protection coverage for all working Filipinos here and abroad. She has set her sights on increasing revenue and improving service delivery for the agency’s clients.

Julito G. Rada

Business

C5 South Link finished

by June, says Cavitex CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. said Wednesday it expects to complete the construction of C5 South Link Expressway by June this year.

“The C5 South Link Expressway will soon benefit motorists coming from Cavite, Las Piñas and parts of Parañaque by having direct access to and from C5Taguig. When it connects to Cavitex, it will eventually provide a seamless connection to the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway which is also under construction,” said CIC president and general manager Roberto Bontia.

Segment 3A1 of C-5 South Link which began construction in April 2017 is now 87-percent complete. Once finished, it will connect Taguig to Merville, Parañaque.

It is comprised of sub-structures that will support the expressway’s elevated portions and the viaduct that crosses the at-grade portion of Skyway and South Luzon Expressway.

“This segment is an important portion of the C5-South Link project. Once completed, motorists using C5 can easily cross to Merville, Parañaque City with no trouble at all and will help decongest about 5,000 cars just for this segment alone,” said Public Works Secretary Mark Villar. Darwin G. Amojelar

Resort complex worth P6b to rise in Clark Freeport CLARK Development Corp. said Wednesday it signed a lease agreement with Isoc Holdings Inc. of businessman Michael Cosiquien to develop a P6-billion, seven-hectare property into an entertainment resort inside Clark Freeport Zone.

Isoc Holdings, the project developer, said it planned to build a harmonized recreational, entertainment, business and lifestyle complex, complete with hotels, offices, serviced condominiums and retail facilities.

Aidea Design lead architect Ricardo Reyes said during the signing ceremony that the project would be an environment-friendly development where the natural setting of the area would be incorporated in the design.

“What we envision for the project is a sustainable and energy-efficient development plan. We don’t want to alter the environment drastically but we want to blend it with our design,” Reyes said.

Isoc Holdings chairman Michael Cosiquien, a co-founder and director of Megawide Construction Corp., said the project would showcase Isoc’s thrust towards environmental sustainability.

“We see this project as a showpiece for Isoc’s very strong push towards environmental sustainability where we will maximize the natural attributes and resources of the property and incorporate them in the design, flow, construction and use of building and facilities,” Cosiquien said.

Othel V. Campos

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

B1

ADB reduces PH economic growth forecast to P6.4%

By Julito G. Rada

Cebu Pacific flying to Narita from Clark CEBU Pacific said it is set to fly to Narita in Japan from Clark International Airport starting August 9 this year.

The airline owned by industrialist John Gokongwei said the new international route aimed to harness the potential market of leisure travelers from Central and North Luzon.

“There is so much untapped potential in Clark, and we are committed to expanding our Clark hub to expand tourism, trade and investment opportunities,” said Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and distribution of Cebu Pacific.

“This will open up the areas around Clark to more investors and entrepreneurs,” she added.

Cebu Pacific earlier announced it would begin direct flights between its hubs in Clark and Iloilo, as well as between Clark and Bacolod on August 9, 2019 and daily flights between Clark and Puerto Princesa in Palawan by October 9, 2019.

The four new routes will boost the airline’s total capacity in Clark by 40 percent in 2019. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

CLARK ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX. Clark Development Corp. and I- Land sign a lease agreement over a sevenhectare land area in Clark which will be developed into a resort and entertainment complex. Aidea Design lead architect Ricardo Reyes (left) explains the master plan to CDC president and chief executive Noel Manankil (second from left). With them are (from left) CDC director Nestor Villaroman Jr., I-Land president Joseph Ramil Lombos, ISOC Holdings chairman Michael Cosiquien and Tajara Leisure and Hospitality president Cindy Jarabata.

NGCP seeks IPO delay amid TransCo’s threats

By Alena Mae S. Flores

N

ATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines is seeking an extension of the deadline for its initial public offering plan amid the threats made by staterun National Transmission Corp. against its concession.

NGCP said in a position paper delivered to the Senate by spokesman Cynthia Albanza the concession agreement was publicly threatened by TransCo. Albanza said conducting the IPO in this scenario would be disadvantageous to the government.

“It, thus, makes no sense and would

be downright irresponsible for NGCP to proceed with the IPO and ask the public to invest in a business the basic concession of which has been publicly threatened by the government. NGCP cannot perpetrate a fraud against the investors,” the company said.

NGCP said it was not asking for an exemption to comply with the requirement to list its shares, but was only seeking an extension.

“But it wants to do so with the same honesty and transparency with which it has conducted its business. It asks that it to be allowed to do so only when it is safe for the investing public to put in their money, when there is no more threat to the concession, and when the ERC issues the definitive final determination to enable the public to invest intelligently and with confidence and thereby maximize the optimum share price and funds raised from the IPO,” NGCP said.

“As everything goes back to the government at the end of the concession period, it is to the government’s interest as well, much as it is to NGCP and the investing public’s interest, that the extension is granted and the IPO is undertaken only when it is safe to do so and when share values are optimal,” the company said.

NGCP said while it would still comply with the requirement of listing its shares, it was asking for a reasonable extension of the period as expressly allowed under Section 8 of its franchise (Republic Act No. 9511) on the ground that the market condition was not suitable for such listing.

NGCP has a pending petition with the Energy Regulatory Commission for extension of the listing of the shares.

It said current market condition was not suitable for the listing and public offering in the absence of the final determination of price control arrangements

Japanese steel company building P142-m Subic factory

By Othel V. Campos

A JAPANESE steel company will bring the latest technology to the Philippines to produce gear parts for industrial robots and specialty steel products for the domestic and foreign markets.

Taiyo Subic Philippines Corp., a subsidiary of integrated special steel trading firm Taiyo Shoji Co. Ltd., leased a 6,200-square-meter facility at the Subic Techno Park in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said Taiyo Subic initially sub-leased a property with Nidec Subic Philippine Corp., another Japanese company which manufactures spindle motors for hard disk drives.

“But Taiyo Subic has committed to

construct its own factory here within this year at the cost of P142.5 million.

This only goes to show the continuing confidence among Japanese investorcompanies in Subic,” she said. She said the initial investments of Taiyo Subic could reach P392.5 million.

The new company established its presence in Subic to import and export special steel materials and manufacture parts for use in the automobile industry, industrial and plant machinery and information technology.

Taiyo Subic will import materials from Taiyo Japan and Daido Steel Co. which are considered among the world’s largest specialty steel manufacturers.

It will refine the metal and supply precision materials and gear parts to companies here and abroad.

Taiyo Subic plans to supply Nidec

Subic with 100,000 units of speed reducers per month by March 2020.

Eisma said the entry of another Japanese manufacturer heralded the resurgence of Japanese investments in Subic Bay. Nidec Shimpo, a sister company of Nidec Subic, launched in January an entirely new product line for super-silent speed reducers that are not manufactured elsewhere in the world.

This was followed in March by the opening of a research and product development facility by Sanyo Denki Philippines Inc. also at Subic Techno Park.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, who graced the Nidec Shimpo inauguration, said the new projects showed “the continuing Japanese investor confidence in the Philippines’ business potential.”

THE Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it reduced the 2019 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.4 percent from the previous estimate of 6.7 percent following the lower-than-expected gross domestic product growth of 6.2 percent in 2018.

The multilateral lender said, however, the Philippine economy was expected to outperform most of its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region.

Data showed the 6.4-percent growth forecast for the Philippines this year would exceed China’s 6.3 percent, Korea’s 2.5 percent, Taiwan’s 2.2 percent, Indonesia’s 5.2 percent, Malaysia’s 4.5 percent, Singapore’s 2.6 percent and Thailand’s 3.9 percent.

Only three countries in the region are expected to grow faster than the Philippines this year. These are Vietnam (6.8 percent), Bangladesh (8 percent) and India (7.2 percent).

The 6.4-percent growth forecast for the Philippines in 2020 would also surpass that of China (6.1 percent), Korea (2.5 percent), Taiwan (2 percent), Indonesia (5.3 percent), Malaysia (4.7 percent), Singapore (2.6 percent) and Thailand (3.7 percent).

Vietnam is expected to grow faster next year at 6.7 percent, as well as Bangladesh (8 percent) and India (7.3 percent).

ADB Philippines country manager Kelly Bird said in a recent forum the growth forecast for the Philippines this year might be lowered because of external and domestic factors such as the global economic slowdown and lower GDP expansion last year.

The 6.2-percent growth last year missed the official target range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent, pulled down by faster inflation and sluggish contribution of the agricultural sector to the economy.

Inflation peaked at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September and October but eased to 6 percent in November and 5.1 percent in December after the immediate measures implemented by the state to curb excessive prices of goods and services took effect.

ADB chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada said during the presentation of the Asian Development Outlook 2019 that the growth of the Southeast Asian region would moderate this year to 4.9 percent from 5.1 percent last year, before picking up to 5 percent in 2020.

“Global economic slowdown will impact the growth of domestic economies. But domestic consumption will support the growth of Asia-Pacific economies,” Sawada said.

Sawada said among the shortterm risks to growth in the region would be the prolonged US-China trade war, possible rapid interest rates hikes by the Federal Reserve and the further slowdown in developing economies.

Ascent begins helicopter ride-sharing service

By Darwin G. Amojelar TECHNOLOGY startup Ascent on Wednesday launched a helicopter ridesharing platform in the Philippines to spare commuters from the traffic congestion.

“Despite being one of the fastest growing business hubs in Southeast Asia, Manila’s traffic situation is also one of the most challenging in the region,” Ascent chief executive Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff said.

The Philippines is expected to lose P5.4 billion daily by 2035 despite interventions done for traffic congestion in Metro Manila, according to a 2017 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

“With the launch of Ascent in the Philippines, we hope to provide a solution that is highly relevant to the current times’ economic and productivity pitfalls caused by congested roads,” SinaiSinelnikoff said.

Passengers can buy their seat at a fin-

gertip and fly between locations such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, central business districts in Makati, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Quezon City as well as regional locations in Clark and Tagaytay.

The helicopter services will be operated by air operator Inaec Aviation Corp.

Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff said the CBDs in Metro Manila have an untapped transportation opportunity.

“There is a good number of helipads and helicopters with low utilization.

Through the Ascent platform, we aim to connect CBDs more easily and promote the country as an ideal destination to conduct business helped by urban air mobility,” Sinai-Sinelnikoff said.

Ascent also offers services such as luggage transport, on-ground guest assistance, airport transfers via helicopter, shuttle services to dedicated heliports and corporate packages. Ascent also offers dedicated enterprise solutions.

WATER SHARING. East zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. is undertaking pipe laying activities along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City to allow for the cross-border water sharing with west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services. Maynilad committed to share up to 50 million liters of water per day to help alleviate the water situation in the east zone.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rise slightly; Bloomberry up

T

HE stock market gained slightly Wednesday after investors adopted a waitand-see mode ahead of the release of the March inflation figures today.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 15.85 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,895.06 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Gainers edged losers, 100 to 99, with 45 issues unchanged.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said last week inflation rate in March likely eased to as low as 3.1 percent from 3.8 percent in February, pulled down by lower prices of rice and other agricultural products.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said earlier the

March inflation likely decelerated from 3.8 percent in February, enough to hit a three-month average that is within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. advanced 4.6 percent to P12.20, while Phinma Energy Corp. climbed 6.8 percent to P1.57.

Security Bank Corp., the sixth biggest lender in terms of assets, rose 1.9 percent to P175, but Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. slumped 15 percent to P2.26 after the cement company said it may conduct a stock rights offering to finance expansion.

The rest of Asian markets enjoyed another rally Wednesday as a report said China and the US were closing in on a deal to end their long-running trade row.

Hong Kong jumped more than one percent―having risen for six straight

days―Shanghai climbed 1.2 percent and Tokyo was one percent higher.

Sydney gained 0.7 percent, while Seoul rose 1.2 percent and Singapore piled on 0.9 percent, with Taipei, Mumbai and Bangkok also higher.

The pound extended gains after British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would look for another Brexit delay and softened her position on the issue to avert a calamitous no-deal divorce from the European Union.

While Wall Street provided a flat lead, Asian investors built on recent gains, with optimism given an extra boost by a report in the Financial Times saying Beijing and Washington were on course for a historic agreement.

Expectations that the world’s top two economies will eventually sign a deal has been a key driver of a global equities rally this year and the FT article adds to the general sense of hope.

It comes after better-than-expected factory data out of China and the US that eased worries about growth in the global economy, while a dovish turn from central banks has also provided support.

“Recent positives such as the US Federal Reserve pausing their interest rate increases, incremental signs of progress on China-US trade negotiations and a dovish bias from China’s (central bank) to support growth have given investors a sunnier attitude about risk assets,” Tai Hui, chief market strategist for Asia Pacific at JP Morgan Asset Management, said.

The pound extended Tuesday’s jump after May, who is struggling to get her Brexit agreement through parliament, said she would request a second delay to the April 12 divorce day that is “as short as possible and which ends when we pass a deal.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.1 84.1 2.22 131.9 1.3 26.8 19 12.32 4.17 0.67 800 78.2 0.9 13.86 21.4 58.2 196 57.5 26.35 171.6 62

58.6 85 2.26 132.2 1.3 26.9 19.1 12.32 4.25 0.67 800 79.25 0.91 13.86 21.4 58.2 196 57.5 26.35 177 62

58.1 84 2.21 131.3 1.29 26.7 18.9 12.12 4.16 0.67 795 77.8 0.9 13.86 21.4 57.75 194 57.1 26.25 171.6 60.8

FINANCIALS 58.6 4,170 84 526,890 2.26 25,000 131.7 1,629,650 1.3 56,000 26.8 163,700 18.9 2,600 12.12 371,900 4.25 4,000 0.67 2,000 795 90 79.25 722,150 0.91 109,000 13.86 35,300 21.4 1,000 57.8 71,190 196 2,360 57.1 870 26.35 33,300 175 735,810 61.05 16,660

244,027 44,300,565.50 55,540 214,699,238 72,420 4,383,915 49,310 4,514,558 16,740 1,340 71,800 56,524,307 98,510 489,258 21,400 4,127,969.50 459,219 49,865 876,170 128,392,237 1,016,336

229,498 5,660,176.50 67,624,544 -291,605 -2,876,100 5,001,461.50 -667,000 -5,880 -528,775 110,658,453 -350,092

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC 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 VULCAN INDL

35.25 15.46 0.96 1.4 0.24 2.62 15.6 29.45 14.52 43.95 1.89 6.1 11.58 15.78 9.45 7.4 21.7 81.1 28.15 2.59 10.96 12.52 1.82 317 52.25 4.05 10.6 24.5 14.22 21.45 385 0.194 6 1.4 4.38 6.41 9 1.47 11.96 45.2 5.62 4.67 1.72 2.42 1.28 12.2 104.9 7.16 0.128 1 152.4 1.68 1.08

35.5 16 0.99 1.44 0.242 2.63 15.62 29.45 15.1 44 1.9 6.2 11.7 15.9 9.63 7.4 21.7 81.95 29.35 2.6 10.96 12.7 1.82 319 52.25 4.05 10.96 24.5 14.78 21.7 385 0.197 6 1.48 4.42 6.44 9.02 1.58 12.22 45.65 5.62 4.67 1.8 2.42 1.33 12.9 104.9 7.16 0.128 1 153 1.69 1.08

34.6 15.46 0.94 1.4 0.233 2.19 15.28 28.8 14.52 43.5 1.89 5.99 11.34 15.7 9.45 7.28 21.1 80.45 28.15 2.47 10.64 12.52 1.77 316.4 52.2 4.04 10.4 23.3 14.22 21.35 375.2 0.19 5.96 1.38 4.34 6.4 9 1.45 11.94 45.2 5.44 4.66 1.71 2.41 1.28 12.14 103.4 7 0.128 0.97 151.6 1.67 1.02

INDUSTRIAL 35.1 581,200 15.84 378,600 0.96 1,597,000 1.44 82,000 0.24 540,000 2.26 118,225,000 15.28 1,676,100 29.45 75,800 14.52 5,000 43.5 3,900 1.9 220,000 5.99 73,400 11.34 1,407,500 15.88 77,800 9.5 827,500 7.3 5,200 21.65 339,900 80.6 70,630 29.35 52,100 2.54 10,682,000 10.8 3,082,600 12.54 390,400 1.82 424,000 318.8 389,250 52.2 820 4.05 120,000 10.78 25,400 23.3 911,900 14.62 2,632,600 21.6 928,800 375.2 216,500 0.194 510,000 5.96 11,600 1.45 16,152,000 4.34 70,000 6.42 749,700 9.02 11,000 1.57 96,844,000 12.22 185,900 45.55 110,200 5.44 791,500 4.67 1,391,000 1.72 62,000 2.42 15,000 1.33 67,000 12.7 4,777,700 104 83,360 7.13 91,400 0.128 80,000 0.97 149,000 153 836,510 1.68 2,039,000 1.03 3,754,000

20,362,620 5,984,040 1,524,010 116,150 126,180 276,121,990 26,009,768 2,223,695 74,470 170,540 417,910 441,108 16,056,106 1,232,812 7,888,664 38,025 7,287,250 5,727,188 1,515,610 26,991,220 33,356,248 4,923,674 760,030 123,880,212 42,824 485,800 268,210 21,446,310 38,367,376 20,014,570 81,964,354 98,740 69,180 23,246,580 306,820 4,812,288 99,160 147,525,960 2,221,578 5,016,970 4,357,925 6,495,960 106,730 36,290 87,010 60,090,826 8,658,592 646,015 10,240 144,690 127,609,962 25 3,419,600 3,902,040

-14,121,330 3,604,144 7,055,020 -7,811,370 -326,540 52,320 19,000 -240,727 -8,690,838 240,996 -2,297,280 -32,105 3,239,045 973,361 509,795 1,103,060 -13,830,090 -451,466 5,529,454 -11,158,185 1,181,098 10,179,910 -7,927,186 -6,514,370 -369,779 402,740 -1,898,460 -1,588,890 -1,824,122 -6,467,950 -31,032,398 -6,328,738 48,500 ,045,401.9998 174,160

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B 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 PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.61 59.6 16 0.81 6.5 20.3 1.35 1.37 928 7.64 11.76 15.5 4.4 0.24 890 6.96 64.5 5.2 0.53 5.33 16 0.55 4.72 0.04 2.92 174.2 941 1.05 1.36 420 262 0.235 0.39

0.61 60 16.16 0.83 6.5 20.3 1.39 1.41 930 7.66 11.92 15.5 4.5 0.249 907.5 6.96 64.5 5.2 0.53 5.39 16.06 0.57 4.74 0.041 2.95 174.2 947.5 1.08 1.36 420 273 0.249 0.4

0.56 59.25 15.94 0.79 6.5 19.28 1.35 1.37 924 7.58 11.76 14.84 4.4 0.24 890 6.95 63.6 5.2 0.5 5.25 15.92 0.55 4.64 0.038 2.88 173.5 935.5 1.01 1.33 390 262 0.23 0.375

HOLDING FIRMS 0.58 26,290,000 60 876,500 16.16 2,780,000 0.83 1,523,000 6.5 130,000 19.28 94,100 1.37 3,067,000 1.41 32,000 926 119,120 7.66 1,734,500 11.8 5,463,700 15.18 466,600 4.5 10,000 0.248 250,000 900 82,810 6.95 26,200 64.5 746,630 5.2 2,000 0.53 2,028,000 5.39 1,273,800 16 4,634,600 0.57 250,000 4.67 26,008,000 0.039 187,000,000 2.88 1,595,000 173.8 198,690 945 147,080 1.05 4,141,000 1.36 143,000 390 740 273 1,020 0.249 5,660,000 0.38 42,040,000

15,168,830 52,302,030.50 44,601,510 1,232,210 845,000 1,840,753 4,201,740 43,880 110,364,760 13,213,804 64,522,302 7,074,130 44,700 61,430 74,441,865 182,200 47,943,270 10,400 1,033,250 6,812,445 73,967,302 140,180 121,618,100 7,269,700 4,618,290 34,536,106 138,853,110 4,297,490 190,250 291,590 277,744 1,363,170 16,486,700

214,440 -10,364,892 27,482,792 333,450 96,640 -29,906,165 -7,649,569 16,950,670 1,794,304 -4,800 -42,747,555 -3,723,926 467,742 4,073,458 50,050 -64,869,650 76,000 996,570 -7,463,461 21,536,080 -10,400 2,660 -267,710 -78,564 3,800,150

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG

13 0.79 10.24 0.82 44.6 2.32 4.23 6.54 0.54 0.94 0.245 0.4 12.38 23.65 0.51 0.132 1.53 1.32 5.73 0.375 0.46 1.71 0.42 2.59 51.25 24.3 2.04 3.05 39.35

13.28 0.79 10.24 0.83 44.85 2.36 4.23 6.57 0.54 0.94 0.245 0.4 12.38 23.8 0.52 0.134 1.53 1.35 5.73 0.38 0.54 1.74 0.42 2.61 51.25 24.75 2.05 3.05 39.65

12.9 0.77 10.24 0.8 44.5 2.32 4.2 6.1 0.52 0.92 0.242 0.39 11.86 22.65 0.5 0.13 1.5 1.31 5.65 0.37 0.46 1.6 0.415 2.59 50 24 2.02 3 39.2

27,944,000 498,730 5,120 1,203,780 212,325,055 909,680 1,772,880 329,057 8,055,390 88,160 43,680 23,900 19,429,090 11,000,360 1,363,270 5,300 32,502,880 2,517,910 37,922,999 4,022,050 14,972,150 6,705,220 387,400 376,420 101,030 69,741,595 262,540 870,300 173,281,660

-11,980,804 27,060 59,682,255 -18,340 -304,560 -657 302,430 24,200 158,814 1,748,700 -512,890 -12,905,450 -10,793,906 -26,250 140,000 181,560 -228,790 980,615 2,020 -30,000 -13,284,810

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.54 6.75 0.74 7.25

1.57 6.75 0.75 7.25

1.54 6.57 0.74 7.17

1.56 6.7 0.74 7.23

182,000 19,400 301,000 2,363,700

283,790 130,017 222,750 17,058,858

222,000 -4,259,616

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING 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

12.6 20.1 1.25 0.425 0.042 14.52 2.7 11.8 0.071 82.7 7.52 5.26 6.9 2.1 11.2 890.5 1,922 5.83 365 2.95 1.89 130 10.6 7.09 0.13 4.49 3.16 3.88 0.96 22.2 0.58 4.51 3.33 1.66 1.75 17.5 2.5 4.53 10.4 4.53 8.49 123 2.61 1,137 0.85 1.11 48.1 80.05 8.51 2.44 0.7 0.405 5.63 0.66 15.58

12.6 20.1 1.25 0.43 0.042 14.52 2.7 12.2 0.073 82.7 7.52 5.47 6.9 2.1 11.26 890.5 1,955 5.84 377 3.07 1.89 130 10.8 7.09 0.135 5.04 3.16 3.97 0.96 22.7 0.64 4.81 3.35 1.74 1.75 17.5 2.62 4.53 10.4 4.7 8.49 123 2.67 1,140 0.86 1.13 48.4 80.05 8.97 2.44 0.7 0.41 5.65 0.71 15.62

12.1 19.7 1.25 0.425 0.041 14.52 2.6 11.8 0.069 81.5 7.52 5.24 6.86 2.1 10.4 890.5 1,895 5.79 365 2.95 1.87 128.2 10.6 7.08 0.127 4.36 3.16 3.75 0.93 22.2 0.58 4.5 3.2 1.66 1.41 17.5 2.5 4.39 10.02 4.42 8.49 120 2.57 1,121 0.83 1.01 47.85 79.9 8.51 2.4 0.69 0.4 5.6 0.64 15.48

SERVICES 12.4 19.7 1.25 0.43 0.042 14.52 2.6 12.2 0.071 81.85 7.52 5.45 6.9 2.1 11.1 890.5 1,955 5.81 377 2.98 1.87 129.4 10.6 7.08 0.134 5.01 3.16 3.78 0.94 22.3 0.61 4.81 3.25 1.74 1.41 17.5 2.59 4.4 10.36 4.7 8.49 120 2.65 1,131 0.84 1.02 48.4 80 8.97 2.41 0.69 0.405 5.63 0.71 15.54

18,100 255,400 20,000 520,000 1,000,000 100 1,015,000 8,061,500 73,170,000 80,370 500 696,200 45,200 6,000 95,400 30 27,260 537,900 2,700 1,148,000 13,000 851,410 14,200 13,000 4,130,000 11,912,000 1,000 2,483,000 1,171,000 1,253,500 3,424,000 18,000 1,987,000 31,000 42,000 600 1,135,000 116,000 11,700 50,000 100 420 619,000 78,485 3,385,000 103,397,000 241,200 888,060 13,000 5,698,000 1,749,000 4,860,000 164,300 6,384,000 3,158,400

222,240 5,046,774 25,000 221,100 41,300 1,452 2,653,940 97,232,288 5,211,960 6,584,868 3,760 3,747,652 310,980 12,600 1,040,968 26,715 52,278,985 3,121,800 1,008,154 3,463,890 24,350 110,180,914 150,620 92,090 549,340 56,679,300 3,160 9,608,230 1,100,490 28,106,065 2,099,130 81,320 6,482,850 52,100 67,060 10,500 2,906,740 513,260 118,202 227,730 849 50,430 1,613,030 88,599,650 2,843,780 109,603,900 11,634,985 71,040,128 ( 116,128 13,750,650 1,213,500 1,968,100 924,616 4,392,280 49,128,976

-28,840 29,425,216 2,502,696.50 9,702 -12,600 6,387,545 -26,390 26,669,534 -44,540 1,147,160 3,547,540 27,900 -15,633,880 719,920 10,420 74,730.00 -49,200 144,290 19,770,690 -225,680 -592,980 -256,655 10,283,046.5) 3,754,390 109,220 331,800 -292,852 -2,470,610

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

0.0019 1.39 2.95 12.48 1.26 1.58 2.62 0.3 7.77 1.6 0.275 0.118 0.118 0.0084 1.12 2.52 1.04 0.59 0.89 0.012 0.013 0.012 3.38 9.5 22

0.0021 1.39 3.05 12.48 1.8 1.75 2.7 0.31 7.81 1.62 0.275 0.118 0.125 0.0084 1.12 2.55 1.04 0.64 0.92 0.012 0.013 0.012 3.39 9.56 22.2

0.0019 1.34 2.95 12.48 1.26 1.5 2.62 0.3 7.72 1.55 0.255 0.118 0.118 0.0084 1.06 2.5 1 0.59 0.89 0.012 0.013 0.011 3.37 9.25 21.7

MINING & OIL 0.002 243,000,000 1.36 2,058,000 3.05 204,000 12.48 7,600 1.7 930,000 1.66 622,000 2.66 1,346,000 0.3 2,470,000 7.81 3,900 1.58 2,359,000 0.27 4,200,000 0.118 60,000 0.118 350,000 0.0084 3,000,000 1.11 97,000 2.52 1,222,000 1.04 5,000 0.59 187,000 0.92 259,000 0.012 200,000 0.013 600,000 0.012 1,300,000 3.38 176,000 9.3 2,460,200 22 830,700

484,800 2,792,640 621,250 94,848 1,503,160 1,003,910 3,591,270 742,250 30,317 3,724,430 1,098,550 7,080 41,510 25,200 104,740 3,082,700 5,080 110,550 231,920 2,400 7,800 15,400 594,870 23,020,418 18,193,875

-278,750 62,400 149,120 21,440 -75,500 4,230 234,110 -6,500 -1,821,095 -1,047,720

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

19.08 495 97.5 104.3 5.61 900 95.85 0.99 102.9 106 1.3 74.75 75.5 71.7 74.2 74.95 74.25 73.5

19.08 495 97.5 104.3 5.61 900 95.85 0.99 102.9 106 1.3 75.1 76 71.7 74.25 74.95 74.25 73.5

19.02 490 97.5 104.3 5.61 900 95.85 0.99 102.9 106 1.3 74.75 75.2 71.7 74.2 74.75 74.25 73.5

PREFERRED 19.02 133,000 490 430 97.5 100 104.3 110 5.61 2,000 900 12,020 95.85 50 0.99 19,000 102.9 100 106 10 1.3 8,000 75.1 8,110 76 43,640 71.7 300 74.25 1,370 74.75 48,500 74.25 5,000 73.5 5,440

2,536,112 212,200 9,750 11,473 11,220 10,818,000 4,792.50 18,810 10,290 1,060 10,400 606,247 3,285,866 21,510 101,710.50 3,627,275 371,250 399,840

-2,452,424 -9,750 -

LR WARRANT

1.9

2.02

1.89

WARRANTS 1.9 306,000

588,830

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.87 1.15

4.98 1.23

4.87 1.15

4.97 1.21

FIRST METRO ETF

117.4

117.8

117.3

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10 0.99

10 1

10 0.98

MS

PROPERTY 13.28 0.77 10.24 0.82 44.6 2.34 4.22 6.54 0.53 0.94 0.242 0.4 12 23.25 0.5 0.13 1.51 1.34 5.69 0.37 0.54 1.69 0.415 2.6 50 24.75 2.04 3 39.35

2,152,600 640,000 500 1,490,000 4,761,300 390,000 421,000 53,900 15,218,000 94,000 180,000 60,000 1,609,900 474,200 2,693,000 40,000 21,524,000 1,882,000 6,659,900 10,810,000 28,980,000 3,973,000 930,000 145,000 1,990 2,871,600 129,000 290,000 4,402,800

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES 4,881,924

INDUSTRIAL

275,893,687

HOLDING FIRMS

319,254,858

PROPERTY

167,359,838

SERVICES

246,775,439

MINING & OIL

269,188,042

GRAND TOTAL

1,292,460,708

SME

50,000 9,050,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.8 4,670 10 0.98

DDS

26,890 15,100

244,460 10,828,610

-168,010

549,395

47,080

268,900 14,965

-

VALUE 1,751.36 (up) 8.30 508,828,168.26 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,701.17 (down) 53.53 1,329,017,514.79 HOLDING FIRMS 7,742.72 (up) 23.23 1,146,004,528.36 PROPERTY 4,083.86 (down) 9.59 1,599.68 (up) 5.46 2,606,111,070.30 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,704.60 (down) 12.78 784,518,500.48 PSEI 7,895.06 (up) 15.85 61,155,776.53 All Shares Index 4,840.34 (down) 4.52 6,447,259,273.37 Gainers: 100; Losers: 99; Unchanged: 45; Total: 244

Cemex eyes share sale to raise $250m

By Jenniffer B. Austria CEMEX Holdings Philippines Inc. plans to raise as much as $250 million through a share sale to finance plant expansion.

The cement company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the increase in the company’s capital stock to P18.31 billion from P5.195 billion to support the planned capital raising activity.

The planned capital hike will be subject to shareholders’ approval during the company’s annual meeting slated in June.

“The rationale for the amendment is for the ability to raise equity capital including, but not limited to, a rights offering, that the corporation may undertake, subject to the final decision and approval of the board of directors,” CHP said.

“The corporation is potentially looking to raise up to US$250 million which would allow it to improve its capital structure, fully fund the ongoing Solid Cement plant expansion and provide balance sheet flexibility,” it added.

The $235-million expansion plan involves the construction of an additional cement line in Antipolo, Rizal that is capable of producing 1.5 million metric tons annually. The expansion is expected to increase CHP’s cement capacity by 26 percent.

Solid Cement, one of CHP’s main subsidiaries, signed in October the procurement, construction, and installation agreement with CBMI Construction Co. Ltd of China for the company’s new cement production line scheduled to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Solid Cement in November secured a $75-million loan facility from Cemex Asia B.V. It also made an initial drawdown on the facility equivalent to approximately $40.7 million.

Solid Cement is producing 1.9 million metric tons of cement and is serving the markets of southern Luzon and the National Capital Region.

CHP in 2018 reported a net loss of P930 million, a sharp reversal from an income of P659 million in the previous year, due to higher income tax expenses, lower operating profit and higher foreign exchange losses.

Shakey’s says ‘18 sales rose by 12% to P9.36b

By Darwin G. Amojelar SHAKEY’S Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. said Wednesday system-wide sales last year increased 12 percent to P9.36 billion year-on-year, driven by the opening of 20 new stores in the Philippines.

The company’s same-store sales growth also remained healthy at 4 percent, in line with the annual target of 3 percent to 5 percent. Total revenues grew 8 percent to P7.58 billion.

Gross profit, meanwhile, rose 4 percent to P2.16 billion.

“2018 marks our fifteenth year of consecutive double-digit sales growth.

The sustainability of our expansion is a commendable feat by all measures.

Last year, however, was especially challenging given the headwinds in consumer spending and the continued entry of new competitors in the dining out space,” said president and chief executive Vicente Gregorio.

“Thankfully, we managed to weather these due to a loyal brand following, various value-for-money promotions, new product launches, and the reliable service execution that Shakey’s has always been known for,” he said.

The company in 2019 is set to open another 20 net new stores in the Philippines targeting a nationwide store count of 248 by the end of the year.

The company has three outlets in the Middle East, where strong sales are supported by a large overseas Filipino base.

With two international area development agreements signed up, the company aims to open at least 20 outlets over the next few years.

Shakey’s recently announced the acquisition of Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, an emerging fast casual and full service brand, which has demonstrated consistent profitability, brand strength, and robust growth in both system wide sales and store count over the last few years.

World

B3

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Brunei introduces stoning to death for gay sex, adultery

REMEMBERING THE UPRISING. Performers mark the 1948 Jeju uprising during a rememberence ceremony on Jeju island on April 3, 2019. South Korean police apologised for the first time on April 3 over the massacres that followed the uprising decades ago and the military expressed ‘deep regret’ as President Moon Jae-in seeks to re-examine history. AFP

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN―Brunei on Wednesday introduced harsh new sharia laws, including death by stoning for adultery and gay sex, despite a storm of global criticism from politicians, celebrities and rights groups.

The tough penal code in the tiny country on tropical Borneo island― ruled by the all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah―fully came into force following years of delays.

The laws, which also include amputation of hands and feet for thieves, make Brunei the first place in East or Southeast Asia to have a sharia penal code at the national level, joining several mostly Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Rape and robbery are also punishable by death under the code and many of the new laws, such as capital punishment for insulting the Prophet Mohammed, apply to non-Muslims as well as Muslims.

The decision to push ahead with the punishments has sparked alarm around the world, with the United Nations la-

beling them “cruel and inhumane” and celebrities, led by actor George Clooney and pop star Elton John, calling for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted.

In a public address to mark a special date in the Muslim calendar, the sultan called for stronger Islamic teachings but did not mention the new penal code.

“I want to see Islamic teachings in this country grow stronger,” he said in the nationally televised speech at a convention centre near the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

The sultan, who has been on the throne for over five decades, also insisted that Brunei was a “fair” country and the environment for visitors was “safe and harmonious”.

Government officials later confirmed the laws had entered into force.

The sharia laws have triggered worldwide condemnation, and Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, described the code as “barbaric to the core, imposing archaic punishments for acts that shouldn’t even be crimes”. AFP

Ex-PM goes on trial for mega-scandal

K

UALA LUMPUR― Malaysia’s disgraced former leader Najib Razak pleaded not guilty to all charges against him as he went on trial Wednesday over a multi-billion-dollar fraud.

The 65-year-old faced the first of several trials over his alleged involvement in the looting of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, a state investment vehicle established to develop the economy of the Southeast Asian nation.

The former premier and his cronies are accused of plundering billions of

dollars from the fund and spending it on everything from high-end real estate to artworks and a luxury yacht.

He had been tipped to win another term in office easily last year and extend his coalition’s six-decade stranglehold on power, only to be soundly defeated by his former boss, Mahathir Mohamad, who rode a wave of public anger over 1MDB to the premiership.

In the months that followed, once-dormant investigations into the controversy were relaunched and Najib was hit with dozens of corruption charges linked to the plundering of the fund.

A small crowd of supporters was waiting for Najib as he arrived at the Kuala Lumpur court ahead of his trial, and he prayed with them for a few minutes be-

fore entering the building to shouts of “Long Live Najib”.

Dressed in a dark blue suit, the former leader -- who was premier for almost a decade -- looked calm and smiled as he took his seat in the dock. His defense team made an 11th-hour bid to get proceedings delayed but the judge ruled against them.

He denied seven charges of corruption and money-laundering over claims he pocketed 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

It is only a fraction of the money allegedly stolen from 1MDB. Hundreds of millions of dollars are believed to have ended up in Najib’s accounts alone.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Najib was initially due to stand trial in February, but appeals by his defence team over procedural matters saw his case put on hold until a judge last week ruled the trial should finally proceed.

While many of his co-suspects have been caught and charged in Malaysian courts, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, playboy financier Jho Low, is still at large.

Fahmi Reza, a graphic artist who was jailed and fined for depicting Najib in a caricature as a sinister clown, said it was the ex-premier’s turn to “face justice”.

“Today, it is your turn to be dragged here to face justice for the crime of corruption and abuse of power during your reign,” he said in a tweet.

Najib’s mentor-turned-nemesis Maha-

IN BRIEF Venezuela’s Guaido stripped of immunity

CARACAS―Venezuelan lawmakers loyal to President Nicolas Maduro stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido’s immunity Tuesday―and authorized the high court to criminally prosecute him for proclaiming himself the crisis-hit country’s ruler.

Guaido―whose claim is recognized by over 50 countries―had earlier expressed fears of being abducted by government agents following a request by the Supreme Court to the Constituent Assembly to lift his parliamentary immunity.

Critics of the controversial two-year-old body say it was created to rubber-stamp Maduro’s decisions and sideline the oppositioncontrolled National Assembly.

The Constituent Assembly’s president, Diosdado Cabello, announced pro-Maduro lawmakers had unanimously authorized the Supreme Court to prosecute Guaido, leaving him also liable to be charged for breaching a January 29 government ban on leaving the country.

The court had been investigating Guaido for usurping Maduro’s powers by declaring himself interim president on January 23 -- a move which rapidly gained international support.

“The people are determined and nothing is going to stop us,” said a defiant Guaido in response. “There is no turning back in this process.” AFP

Black, gay woman elected Chicago mayor

CHICAGO―In a historic first, a gay African American woman was elected mayor of America’s third largest city Tuesday, as Chicago voters entrusted a political novice with tackling difficult problems of economic inequality and gun violence.

Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federal prosecutor and practicing lawyer who has never before held elected office, was elected the midwestern city’s mayor in a lopsided victory.

She beat out Toni Preckwinkle, who is also an African American woman, by a wide margin of 74 to 26 percent in early voting results with most ballots counted.

Lightfoot will become Chicago’s first openly gay mayor and the first African American woman to hold the post. Since 1837, Chicago voters have elected only one black mayor and one female mayor.

Preckwinkle is the chief executive of Cook County where Chicago is based, which analysts said worked against her during a change election as voters sought to shake up city hall.

“People [are] hoping for something different to come along. To be the vessel for that is overwhelming,” Lightfoot told reporters earlier after the polls opened.

Voters had left little doubt they want the next mayor to tackle major issues vexing the city of 2.7 million people-—especially economic disparities and gun violence that claims more lives than in other major American cities.

More than 550 people were killed in Chicago last year due to gang violence often fueled by the drug trade―most in economically-struggling and majority African American neighborhoods. AFP

SPECIAL SCREENING. Dakota Fanning, left, and Elle Fanning arrive at a special screening of Bleeker Street’s ‘Teen Spirit’ at the ArcLight Hollywood on April 02, 2019, in Hollywood, California. AFP

Abdication becoming more frequent in the modern age TOKYO―When the 85-year-old Japanese Emperor Akihito steps down on April 30, it will be the latest in a string of historic abdications that have included the pope and several monarchs.

As medical technology improves and lifespans grow, the concept of a lifetime of duty is gradually being eroded and abdications are becoming increasingly acceptable and frequent.

Here are some other recent abdications.

On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world with an announcement that he was stepping down due to ill health, the first pontiff to abdicate for medical reasons in 700 years.

In a speech in Latin at the Vatican, the 85-year-old German-born Benedict told cardinals that “due to an advanced age” his strength was “no longer suited to an adequate exercise” of his post.

Benedict, who suffered from arthritis and had a stroke while he was still a cardinal, eventually stepped aside on February 28, sparking an outpouring of emotion from the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

The only previous pope to step down because he considered himself unable to continue was Celestine V, a simple hermit elected against his will in 1294.

His decision to back out sparked derision and Italian poet Dante Alighieri famously condemned him in “The Divine

Comedy” to spend eternity in hell’s antechamber for his “cowardice” in making “the great refusal”.

In July 2013, the “King of the Belgians” Albert II announced to his divided country that he would be stepping down, saying he felt too ill and frail to continue.

“I am at an age never attained by predecessors. My age and my health do not allow me to exercise my duties as I would like,” said the then 79-year-old, after 20 years on the throne of the small European country.

It was the first voluntary abdication in the history of Belgium, which gained independence from the Netherlands in 1831.

The Belgian monarch plays a crucial role in fostering national unity in a country which is sharply divided between French-speaking Wallonia and Flemish-speaking Flanders.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands also stepped down in the abdication-heavy year of 2013, but the energetic and popular monarch did not abdicate due to ill health but rather because she wanted to pass the torch to her son Willem Alexander.

The then 74-year-old told the nation: “I’m not standing down because public service is too heavy for me, but because of the belief that responsibility for our country should be in the hands of a new generation.”

Thousands of Dutch party-goers wearing orange suits, wigs and sunglasses, flooded the streets of Amsterdam to celebrate the handover of power to their first king in more than 120 years.

In June 2014, King Juan Carlos of Spain stepped down in favour of his son, bringing to a close a 39-year reign that won praise for guiding the country to democracy after the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975 but also had its share of scandals.

Carlos walked with a cane after several hip operations but, like Queen Beatrix, justified his abdication by saying that “a younger generation deserves to step into the front line”.

His reign was marred by a corruption scandal implicating the king’s youngest daughter Cristina and her husband, and he outraged Spaniards in 2012 by going on a luxurious African elephant-hunting safari during a recession.

Also in 2013, the emir of gas-rich Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, abdicated after 18 years on the throne -a rarity in the Arab world.

The emir, then 61, suffered from kidney problems but officials insisted his motivation for stepping down was not health-related but rather a determination to bring a younger leadership to the fore.

His son Sheikh Tamim, then 33, took over. AFP

thir, now 93 and in his second stint in office, has pledged to bring the younger man to justice and bring back the huge sums of cash stolen from 1MDB. The US Department of Justice, which is investigating the controversy as money was allegedly laundered through the US financial system, believes $4.5 billion in total was looted from 1MDB. Malaysia has also charged Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs over the scandal, alleging the bank and its former employees stole billions of dollars from 1MDB. Goldman units and two ex-bankers are accused of misappropriating $2.7 billion, bribing officials and giving false statements in relation to bond issues they arranged for the fund. The bank has vowed to fight the charges. AFP

Pilots followed the guidelines before crash WASHINGTON―The pilots of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX plane that crashed last month initially took the emergency steps outlined by the manufacturer but still could not regain control, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The airliner went down soon after taking off on March 10, killing 157 people in the second deadly crash of a 737 MAX aircraft in less than five months, forcing a worldwide grounding of the model.

The first―a Lion Air crash in Indonesia that killed 189 people in October―led to Boeing issuing a bulletin reminding operators of emergency guidelines to override a specially developed anti-stall system on MAX planes.

The pilots trying to regain control of the Ethiopian jet at first followed those procedures to switch off the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) but failed to recover control, the WSJ said, citing the people briefed on the crash investigation’s preliminary findings.

They then switched the system back as they tried to find other ways to control the jet before it crashed, the newspaper added.

Its sources said “the latest details are based on data downloaded from the plane’s black-box recorders”.

The preliminary report on the accident will likely be issued this week, the Ethiopian government has said.

The MCAS is believed to have been a key factor in both 737 MAX crashes.

It is designed to automatically lower the aircraft’s nose if it detects a stall or loss of airspeed.

Before it crashed, the pilots of the Lion Air 737 MAX struggled to control it as the MCAS repeatedly pushed the plane’s nose down, according to its flight data recorder.

Both the Lion Air and Ethiopian planes—MAX 8 models—reportedly experienced erratic steep climbs and descents, as well as fluctuating airspeeds, before crashing shortly after takeoff.

Ethiopia has said there were “clear similarities” in the two crashes.

Boeing last week gathered hundreds of pilots and reporters for a presentation on proposed MCAS changes -- including the system no longer repeatedly making corrections when pilots try to regain control.AFP

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

Pilgrims flock to Pampanga’s old churches

By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The annual observance of Holy Week in Pampanga continues to attract more pilgrims visiting centuries-old churches in the province.

The pilgrims, on board 10 to 15 tourist buses and coaches a day, have flocked to churches in the towns of Lubao, San Fernando, Sta. Rita, Guagua, Minalin, Bacolor, and Angeles City, among others.

Previously, the pilgrims only visited the churches on weekend, but now do it almost every day, causing traffic in this already-congested city and streets throughout the province, officials said.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 policemen were deployed to the different cities and municipalities in Central Luzon to provide security and manage traffic during the observance of the Holy Week in the region.

Brigadier General Joel Napoleon Coronel, regional director of the Police Regional Office 3, said a total of 5,215 policemen were deployed effective March 25 and will last up to June.

Called “Sum-Vac 2019,” the annual program aims to ensure the safety and security of motorists and commuters during the Lenten Season from April 14 to 20, Coronel said.

He also ordered intensified foot and mobile patrols and the establishment of police assistance desks and help centers in the region’s convergence points such as bus terminals, airports, recreational areas, highways, main thoroughfares, and crime-prone areas.

Coronel ordered his men to coordinate with local government units, non government organizations, volunteers groups, and other organizations operating in the region for the safety of people.

The favourite church of pilgrims from Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon is the century-old church of San Guillermo Parish in Bacolor.

Established by Augustinians Friars in 1576, the church was partially damaged and buried by 20 feet deep lahar and other volcanic materials when Mt.Pinatubo erupted in 1993.

The Neo-classical Metropolitan Cathedral in San Fernando also attract several pilgrims specially during weekend.

The seat of the Archdiocese of San Fernando was built by Architect Fernando Ocampo in 1948.

Tourists also visit old houses along V. Tiomico St. near the cathedral.

Others destinations of pilgrims are the Baroque-inspired church of St. James Apostle. also called Betis Church. which was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and Arts.

‘BALUT SA PUTI’. The town of Pateros celebrates its ‘Balut sa Puti’ Festival every March 30, a food fest that features a cooking competition using the Filipino egg delicacy. Residents also gather for street dancing and parties (inset) while pairing balut with an ice-cold beer or other beverages. Teddy Pelaez

Makati eyes free meals for public school kids

By Joel E. Zurbano

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HE Makati City government announced on Wednesday it is planning to provide public schoolchildren in the city with free meals to lessen the burden of their parents and promote proper nutrition among the youth.

Mayor Abigail Binay tapped city education officials to conduct a study on how this additional benefits for the youth can be integrated into the existing program, Project FREE (Free Relevant and Excellent Education), and implemented in the city’s public schools.

“As a mother, I can empathize with parents worrying about being able to provide enough allowance for their children so they won’t go hungry while in school. But instead of giving them the traditional ‘baon’ in cash, we will give free meals,” Binay said.

“With this added benefit, we would lessen the financial burden of parents and, at the same time, address malnu-

trition among our students,” she added.

Binay said the city government will see to it that free meals served to students will be nutritious and balanced to promote their well-being and enhance their learning abilities.

“We will consult qualified nutritionist-dietitians in preparing the meal plan.

We want our students to be well-nourished to have the energy and the mental acuity to perform well, if not excel, in class and in outdoor school activities,” the mayor said.

Binay also expressed hope that through the project, the students will adopt healthful eating habits and refrain from buying street foods, which are unregulated and may pose serious

health risks.

The city chief executive also called on parents to complement the school project with their own efforts to make nutritious meals for their children at home.

“Proper nutrition should also be observed at home as well, to optimize the project’s health benefits derived by our students,” she said.

Mayor Binay said the project study also includes the use of produce from organic gardens being maintained in the city’s schools in the preparation of free meals.

Currently, fruits and vegetables harvested from the gardens are being used for the supplementary feeding program for undernourished students. Excess produce are then sold to parents and small eateries nearby, and the proceeds are used by the school to maintain the gardens.

Among the fruits grown in the school gardens are banana, Indian mango, Carabao mango, blackberry, rambutan, guyabano, kiat-kiat, and grapes.

Navotas seniors now get cinema passes for free

By Jun David SENIOR citizens in Navotas City may now enter cinemas and watch films for free.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Robert Raymond del Rosario, president of Lalaland Funtertainment Inc., have signed an agreement allowing Navoteño seniors free movie access at Fishermall-Malabon.

Seniors need to bring their senior citizens identification card to avail the free cinema pass at the said mall every Monday and Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is but an expression of our gratitude to our Navoteño seniors for their invaluable contribution to the progress of Navotas,” Tiangco said.

“We want them to enjoy their time and we hope this simple perk will make them feel valued and cared for,” he added.

Navotas has around 15,000 senior citizens. To support their well-being, the city government, in partnership with the Navotas Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, yearly holds free pneumococcal and flu vaccination, sports tournament, health seminars, and others.

ZAMBO WATER DEAL. The Local Water Utilities Administration enters into two deals with private contractors to build sewage

treatment plants and water and sewer system for the Zamboanga City Water District. The contracts, amounting to P480 million, were signed by LWUA Acting Administrator Jeci Lapus (seated, third from left) at the agency’s office in Balara, Quezon City. Witnessing are LWUA Acting Deputy Administrator for Finance Service Redentor Talavera (seated right) and contractor representatives from Mactan Rock Industries Inc. and Verzontal Builders Inc.

Herbert declares Araneta Center as tourism area

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has declared the 35-hectare Araneta Center in Cubao a tourism district.

He approved Ordinance 2796, declaring the commercial mixed use area as the city’s newest tourism district.

He cited the Araneta Center’s six decades of success and breakthrough transformation as the country’s pioneer in commercial center operations for the distinction.

Araneta Center has pioneered hosting of historic events and the building of shopping malls in one destination, he said.

“Cubao also introduced the central bus station concept in the country with buses that reach as far south as Davao,” the ordinance read.

The measure mentioned Cubao’s old and new institutions, such as the Farmers’ Market, the Kia Theater (formerly the New Frontier Theatre), Novotel Manila, Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art, Cubao X and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

As a tourism district, Cubao is expected to undertake massive promotion and marketing campaigns of different significant events and activities such as concerts, media launches, food and book fairs, art competitions, cultural shows and sporting events, among others.

The QC Tourism District, for its part, would hold educational guided tours of Araneta Center Cubao for visitors and guests.

The management of Araneta Center Inc. is set to provide the Quezon City government a location for the visitor information center and souvenir shop, which will be equipped with information materials.

AFAB cites top locators, firms

By Butch Gunio MARIVELES, Bataan—The Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan awarded a number of locators for their outstanding performance in terms of export output and employment during “Stakeholders Night” here on Wednesday.

The top exporter awardees for category above 1,000 workers were FPF Corp., Mitsumi Phils. Inc., and DLX Bags Phils. Inc; for category 500 to 1,000 workers Dunlop International (Phils.) Inc., Perpetual Prime Manufacturing, Inc. and Dong-In Recreational Equipment Manufacturing Corp.; and for category below 500 workers FD Global Footwear, Manufacturing Inc., Composite Design Technologies, and Bahrain Fiberglass International.

Top employer awardees for category large enterprises were FCF Manufacturing, Corp., FPF Corp., Desk Top Bags Phils. Inc; category medium enterprises DLX Bags Phils. Inc., Chun Chiang Enterprises Mfg. Co. Inc., and Sea Asia Nectar Port Services, Inc.; and category micro-small enterprises, Medtecs Materials Tech. Corp., Wire Harness Takachi Corp., and Shinten Phils. Co., Inc. Top community builder awardees were Perpetual Prime Mfg. Inc., Essilor Mfg. Phils. Inc., and Sea Asia Nectar Port Services, Inc. The FABnership awardees were Home Development Mutual Fund, Mariveles Police Station, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, Vista Land Empressa Homes Inc. and FAB Investors and Locators Association.

Exemplary awards were also given to FAB workers with outstanding performance.

The awarding was headed by AFAB Chairman and Administrator Emmanuel Pineda and Bataan 2nd District Rep. Joet Garcia.

Makiling parks, LB school gain water facilities LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—A water firm has turned over cleaning stations to the Makiling Rainforest Park and Makiling Botanic Garden, part of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems here, to benefit visitors of both parks.

Officials of the Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corp. led the inauguration of the cleaning stations, a project that was started two years ago, according to MCME Deputy Director Dr. Rogelio T. Andrada.

“Upon consultation with UPLB [University of the Philippines in Los Baños, LARC expressed their interest in donating the cleaning stations,” Andrada said.

LARC also provided a handwashing facility to the Los Baños National High School to ensure access of students and

teachers to a safe water supply and support good hygiene practices and a healthy school environment in general.

Anna Karenina Lim-Puerto, LARC Community Relations and External Affairs Manager, said the two-part event was part of the firm’s activities for this year’s World Water Day celebration.

Lim-Puerto stressed these are part of LARC’s corporate social responsibility program called “Alalay sa Barangay,” which aims to help locals through community outreach activities.

“The cleaning stations give the MCME parks additional amenities that tourists and guests can use, while LBNHS now has access to safe and reliable water service here in Los Baños,” she said

Students of Los Baños National High School wash their hands at the new cleaning station donated by Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corp., represented by its Community Relations and External Affairs Manager, Anna Karenina Lim-Puerto (right). Roy Tomandao

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

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Bria on a roll

A HOME FOR EVERY FILIPINO. Mass housing developer Bria has a portfolio of 50 developments in 40 of the country’s most progressive towns and cities, allowing families to own an affordable home in a great location.

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Boasting a portfolio of 50 development s across 40 of the country’s most progressive towns and cities, Bria Homes, a subsidiary of Golden Bria Holdings, Inc., a company with a market capitalization of over P200 billion, eyes continual growth and expansion.

In Luzon, Bria has projects in the provinces of Pangasinan (Urdaneta), Tarlac (Paniqui), Pampanga (Magalang and San Fernando), Bataan (Mariveles and Hermosa), Cavite (General Trias, Trece Mar-

tires, and Indang), Batangas (Balayan and Lipa), Bulacan (Plaridel, Santa Maria, San Jose Del Monte, and Norzagaray), Rizal (Teresa, Binangonan, and Baras), Laguna (Calauan, Calamba, Sta. Cruz, San Pablo, Alaminos, and Bay), and Camarines Sur (Pili and Iriga).

In Visayas and Mindanao, the residential property developer brings affordable housing to Negros Oriental (Dumaguete), Samar (Calbayog), Leyte

ASS housing developer Bria Homes has allowed many Filipinos to own fine-quality abode in pleasant, thriving, and strategically placed communities in the country.

(Ormoc), Misamis Oriental (Cagayan de Oro, Balingasag, and Gingoog), Bukidnon (Manolo Fortich, Valencia), Davao del Norte (Tagum, Panabo, and Carmen), Davao del Sur (Davao City and Digos), North Cotabato (Kidapawan), and South Cotabato (General Santos City).

“These notable locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, which are near commercial centers and job opportunities, are meant to bring an upgrade in the quality of life of average Filipino families. They are the people who are most in need quality housing, after all,” said Red Rosales of Bria Homes.

Living big in Elena, a 22-square-meter unit on a 36-square-meter lot.

Rosales added, “Due to very high demand for our projects, we are looking to expand further and remain committed to our long-term mission of addressing the country’s housing problem and helping thousands of Filipino families achieve the dream home that they deserve.”

Bria offers modern and trendy house models that suit the varying needs and preferences of its prospective homeowners: Elena, a 22 square meter unit on a 36 square meter lot; Bettina, a 44 square meter unit on a 36 square meter lot; and Alecza, a 36 square meter unit on a 81 square meter lot.

Each unit its offers is affordable (going for as low as P1,897 per month), has fast construction time, and made with beautiful architectural designs.

Further, residents enjoy pleasant and healthy social interactions in its communities and enjoy the comfort and convenience of being in proximity to various places of interest.

On top of these, Bria affords its homeowners access to various amenities and services such as playgrounds for kids, covered courts for events and recreation, retail establishments, and shuttle service.

44-square-meter Bettina allows homeowners to style their space.

Spring cleaning guide: Organizing home, Scandinavian-style graded allergy filter which can capture 99.99 percent of micro-dust particles and allergens, and a new nozzle system for better pick up of fine dust, pet allergens, and bacteria.

It’s also cordless and comes with the new high-performance lithium turbo powered battery.

SCANDINAVIANS are popular with their “less is more” mindset, and design concept characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and functionality.

Espousing the style of Nordics in organizing home lets one declutter their space while injecting a clean, streamlined aesthetic.

Electrolux, a Swedish company and a global leader in home and professional appliances, shares some Scandinavian-inspired tips on keeping house tidy and cozy this summer.

Organize closet

Keep things that are truly important

Hang oft-used clothes in a metal rack.

Keep only what’s important to maintain a clutterfree home.

Electrolux advises to only keep things that you truly love and are important. Same with Marie Kondo’s advice, don’t begin any decluttering by going through anything that brings back memories. Going through old photographs, letters, keepsakes, and the likes might distract you from decluttering, ergo unfinished mission.

Work with large items first then smaller items. “Will anyone be happier if I save this?” is a good guiding question to ask and will help you stay on track as you start to make decisions on what is worth keeping and what should be tossed out. And for things to be tossed out, consider re-gifting them.

Care for clothes by washing them in Electrolux UltimateCare500.

as home decoration. Set up cupboards or wall shelves at home with baskets or boxes made of metal or wood. Having decorative hooks where you can hang coats, hats, or small bags also saves space while adding a design accent to your home. It’s also nice to have plants to bring an earthy element in the natural, muted look.

Look for smart storage With clutter safely stowed away, solutions Combine beauty with functionality it’s easier to dust shelves and f loors. by using storage solutions that double Electrolux Ergorapido has an up-

Keep your favorite pieces then select items you want to give away or donate, especially the old ones that no longer fit. Use dividers for intimates, daily wear, dresses, and shoes.

Use a metal garment rack in the room where you can hang some of the pieces you regularly wear or the outfits you intend to wear for the week. For out-of-season clothing such as sweaters, it’s best to keep them folded or keep them in a linen or cotton storage after washing them.

When it comes to getting rid of clothes, keep those that are easy to mix and match. To help them last longer, consider getting a washing machine designed to care for clothes like the Electrolux UltimateCare 500 washing machines and dryers. It has a Vapour Action feature designed to soften fabric and reduce wrinkles by up to 22 percent so they’ll need less ironing. The Vapour Action also eliminates 99.9 percent of allergens and germs.

Ergorapido captures 99.99 percent of dust particles and allergens.

Life

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Big success

for a small business

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FISHBALL maker from Bulacan was able to turn his simple business into a larger-scale production

As the 16th Citi Microentrepreneurship Award national winner, Erwin Ramos never misses a chance to inspire others by telling regaling stories of how he and his wife, Lanie, grew their small venture.

Ramos started with his fishball making business using the fishball recipe he inherited from his father-in-law. He experimented with bidbid, a fish considered a pest by bangus growers and marketed his product not only in his hometown but also in neighboring areas like Calumpit, Malolos, Hagonoy, Santa Rosa, Santa Maria, Pampanga, and Metro Manila.

By offering samples and using his wit and good social skills, he was able to make his fishball known.

Ramos now produces more than 2,000 kilos of fishballs every day. He has also gone into the production of daing (dried fish) and Paombong vinegar.

He received financial support for his business from his microfinance institution partner UPLIFT

Philippines, Inc. From an initial loan of P5,000, Ramos is now on his 11th loan cycle with a loan amount of P200,000, which was used to buy production machinery and a van.

Through perseverance, determination, and hard work, Ramos is able to send his children to private schools and help provide jobs in the community.

When asked what advice he can give aspiring Filipino microentrepreneurs, he shares, “First, you have to put God in the center of your life. Second, sipag at tiyaga (hardwork and perseverance). And, lastly, save so you are prepared for unforeseen circumstances.”

Made possible through the combined efforts of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Citi Philippines, and the MCPI, the CMA provides entrepreneurs with resources to strengthen their business and enables individuals to create economic sustainability for themselves, their families, and their communities.

From left: UPLIFT Philippines, Inc. area manager Magdalena Casillano, operations manager Mico Saño, and capability building services Flor Cachola

16th Citi Microentrepreneurship Award national winner Erwin Ramos

Citi Philippines assistant vice president for corporate citizenship Jackie Ampil and MCPI executive director Allan Robert Sicat

Bundle promos upgrade home entertainment

Toshiba says all its products bear the hallmark of the Takumi sprit.

Appliance brand highlights Japanese craftsmanship ELECTRONICS and appliances brand Toshiba embodies a Japanese craftsman’s approach to work and attention to detail in pursuit of perfection.

Dubbed the Takaumi spirit, it is developed through rigid path that requires devoted hours to reach the highest level of craftsmanship.

Toshiba boasts all its products bear the hallmark of a work ethic that guided Hisashige Tanaka when he founded the company in 1875.

Tanaka initially ventured into the business of manufacturing telegraph equipment and grew the company into the Japanese manufacturing giant Toshiba.

Through the fusion of craftsmanship, precision, and pursuit of perfection, the company developed heavy electrical machinery and appliances, producing many groundbreaking firsts in the process:

Japan’s first electric fan in 1894, first electric washing machine in 1930, thermal cookers in 1955, microwave ovens in 1959, and air conditioners in 1961.

Today, Toshiba continues to produce state-of-the-art appliances, from top-of-the-line refrigerators and washing machines to innovative water dispensers, rice cookers, cordless vacuum cleaners, and even portable, countertop dishwashers.

Despite their futuristic designs, the company said its products are still manufactured and developed guided by the Takumi spirit.

Toshiba introduced recently in the Philippines its new lifestyle products, including the T-07 Washer and the flagship T-07 Washer/Dryer, the 3-system OriginFRESH Refrigerator, and the top load water dispenser.

Toshiba introduces its new home appliances, including a refrigerator, and washing machines.

SAMSUNG makes lounging at home, watching shows on TV with its bundle promo available this April.

A purchase of Samsung 65-inch Curved UHD TV now comes with the Samsung HW-K350 Soundbar for only P62,999. This bundle is equivalent to 40 percent discount.

Samsung UHD TVs offer sharper and more detailed images with four times more pixels than a Full HD TV. They also provide access to different online content sites like YouTube, Netflix, and iFlix.

Samsung Soundbars, meanwhile, transform every family’s TV viewing into a cinema-like experience with two built-in speakers and a 6.5inch subwoofer that wirelessly connects to the TV to produce clearer and more impactful cinematic sound.

The Samsung TV bundle promo also features the Samsung 65-inch UHD TV and Samsung HW-K350 Soundbar for only P59,999, while the Samsung 49-inch UHD TV with the Samsung HW-N300 Soundbar is available for only P34,999.

Promo runs until April 30.

Samsung offers bundles of its UHD televisions and soundbars.

NOW SHOWING AT HOME

‘Our Planet’ on Netflix THE majestic beauty and fragility of Mother Earth is captured in Netflix’s most ambitious nature docuseries to date, Our Planet.

The eight-part series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, features never-before-seen footage of wildlife and their habitats— while also revealing why the natural world matters to us all and what steps must be taken to preserve it.

The series is accompanied by behind-the-scenes content which will launch simultaneously on Netflix.

It has been filmed in 50 countries across all the continents of the world, with over 600 crew members. It focuses on the remarkable diversity of habitats around the world, from the remote Arctic wilderness and mysterious deep oceans to the vast landscapes of Africa and diverse jungles of South America.

Globe At Home and Postpaid subscribers can catch this captivating series. Existing Globe At Home customers who want to subscribe to Netflix and charge it to their account, simply visit globe.com.ph/broadband/add-ons.

Globe Postpaid customers, on the other hand, can stream this docuseries and their other favorite Netflix shows and movies with ThePLAN. They only need to go to netflix.globe.com.ph to register their Globe Postpaid account.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

MARC NELSON for stylish, sustainable lighting

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V PERSONALITY and events host Marc Nelson is what one would consider these days as a ‘multi-hyphenate’ personality. Apart from his work in front of the camera as a model and reality show star, Marc is also, unbeknownst to many, a supporter of numerous advocacies and causes.

A scene from Disney's 'Dumbo' featuring Collin Farrel and child actors Finley Hobbins and Nico Parker

DISNEY’S new live-action film Dumbo failed to soar at the box office as expected on its opening weekend in North America, taking in $46 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations found Monday.

Analysts had expected Tim Burton’s live-action remake of the 1941 classic about a small elephant with huge, magical ears to pick up at least $50 million in its opening threeday weekend. The film had a $170 million production budget.

With a cast including Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Eva Green, and Danny DeVito, Dumbo may yet catch on overseas, where it has taken in $71 million. The last Burton/Disney live-action collaboration, Alice in Wonderland, earned $1.02 billion worldwide.

Dumbo pushed last weekend’s box office leader, Us, down to second place, but the Universal horror film still brought in a respectable $33.2 million.

Written and directed by Jordan Peele, Us stars Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke as a couple frighteningly confronted by their

Free catch-up viewing of

‘GAME OF THRONES’ AN EPIC throwback awaits Game of Thrones fans as SKY exclusively offers its subscribers free access to HBO GO, giving them a chance to relive the phenomenal television series anytime, anywhere until April 15.

The offer will delight all kinds of viewers, whether they’re new to the world of Westeros or already hooked to the behemoth series, as all seven seasons are available for streaming.

As the show’s previous season saw the

English actress Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the highly popular HBO series, 'Game of Thrones.'

Night King heading to Eastwatch with the undead Viserion and the White Walkers marching South, this season is set to bow out with its biggest episodes ever. With only six episodes, Season 8 is expected to be packed with epic turns of events, including its biggest battle—bigger than what many fans consider its most monumental, the massacre at Hardhome.

Fans can also anticipate the formation of new alliances.

HBO GO is HBO’s an online streaming service that gives subscribers a chance to watch and enjoy the world’s best movies, HBO Originals and more through the website or the mobile app. Subscription to the app also gives SKY subscribers free access to cable channels-HBO Hits, HBO Family, and HBO Signature.

The free access to HBO GO is available to all digital SKYcable and SKY Fiber Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans 8Mbps and 16Mbps subscribers nationwide with HBO channel in their cable line-up. Download the HBO GO app now and register to catch up in time for the premiere of Season 8 on April 15, at 9:00 a.m.. Visit mysky.com.ph/ freehbogo for details.

For more exciting updates on Game of Thrones, log on to mysky.com.ph/got.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, April 4, 2019

ACROSS 1 Part of Batman’s garb 5 Spouse 9 Twitches 14 Shampoo additive 15 Perfect place 16 Senseless 17 Walleyed fish 18 Extend credit 19 Judge’s prop 20 Alligator habitat 23 Banquet 24 Had a hunch 25 Keeps safe 27 Alaskan seaport 30 Electric swimmer 31 Dentist’s assistant 36 Zippo 40 Quit working 41 Rocker — John 43 Ricci of fashion 44 Smudge 46 Laundry need 48 Today 50 Loose garment 51 Black mark 55 Extends 60 WWII’s Gen. — Bradley 61 Equal 64 Sand mandala builders 66 Gulls’ cries

67 Fork prong 68 October sign 69 Estrada or Satie 70 Sleuth’s find 71 Does in 72 Senhora 73 Next in line DOWN 1 Headlands 2 Dark complexion 3 Roused up 4 Unpleasant glances 5 “Good job!” (2 wds.)

6 Game plan 7 Manage for oneself 8 Wrapped up 9 Fishing lure 10 Painting 11 Poe’s night visitor 12 Work dough 13 Puts on the market 21 Kelly or Barry 22 Take in 26 City in Morocco 28 Gentle 29 Organic compound 31 Coll. credit units 32 Nonetheless 33 Federal man-

From caring for orphans and disadvantaged kids, to promoting disaster preparedness and resiliency, environmental issues are also very close to his heart, leading to his being named as celebrity ambassador of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global organization.

It is because of these qualities and more that Marc was chosen as the newest brand ambassador of Landlite Philippines Corporation (LPC), a leading distributor of lighting fixtures and solutions in the country, and a recognized pioneer in LED lighting. Some of the brands exclusively distributed by LPC are Landlite, Faro and Uozu.

“I’m very honored to be part of the Landlite family,” says Marc. ”Landlite and I have a lot of very similar directions in life, as well as sharing in similar ideas and viewpoints.”

Specifically, Marc did not hesitate to accept the offer to be LPC’s brand ambassador because of Landlite’s thrust towards sustainable and eco-friendly light products, best represented by their extensive line of LED lighting solutions. After all, the company is credited with bringing in LED lighting technologies to the country, which allows for lower energy consumption and are longer lasting compared to regular bulbs.

“As a brand they are very conscious of the environment and of the community,” Marc relates. “I believe in what they do and what they stand for.

I’m really after efficiency and practicality without sacrificing aesthetics. So Landlite’s decorative lightings plus LED bulbs are for me.”

Apart from helping spread the word on the value and importance of environmentally-friendly lighting through Landlite’s products, Marc, together with LPC CEO Jocelyn Li, are also collaborating on a number of environmental-related initiatives. One of the projects they did was to help provide clean water supply for the people of Paly Island in Palawan.

“From the moment we got Marc to host our event for the opening of our Lux Décor showroom in 2018, we already knew he was the perfect fit to be our ambassador,” LPC executive says. “We really couldn’t have chosen a better partner.”

doppelgangers.

In third spot was another Disney film, Captain Marvel, with North American ticket sales of $20.7 million, pushing its cumulative worldwide total to just under $1 billion.

Oscar winner Brie Larson stars as a former fighter pilot with superpowers.

Fourth place went to new release Unplanned from Christian production company Pure Flix, at $6.4 million—a shade over its $6 million production budget. Ashley Bratcher stars in the true story of a young Planned Parenthood employee who becomes an anti-abortion activist.

Lionsgate’s Five Feet Apart, featuring Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse as a pair of enamored teens who must keep their distance as they deal with cystic fibrosis, came in fifth at $6.2 million. AFP

agement org.

34 Travel plan 35 Oz canine 37 Twist the truth 38 “Early Start” airer 39 Kind of rack 42 Omaha’s state 45 Eur. nation 47 Paper quantity 49 Clever person 51 Toy-store stock 52 Inbox filler 53 Deadly snake 54 Docile 56 V-shaped cut

57 Duplicity 58 Listlessness 59 Guide 62 Caligula’s nephew 63 Minnesota baseballer 65 Stockholm carrier

TV personality Marc Nelson launched as an ambassador of a leading distributor of lighting fixtures and solutions.

GMAKF’s ‘Rebuild Marawi Project’ gets multi-million grant from Japan GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), GMA Network’s socio-civic arm, received a historic grant from the Embassy of Japan (EOJ) for its ”Rebuild Marawi Project.”

In the signing ceremonies held at the Japanese embassy on March 22, GMAKF

Executive Vice President and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda inked GMAKF’s first ever grant, which will fund the construction of a three-storey, seven-classroom school building in Datu Saber Elementary

GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog (front row, left) and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda (front row, right). Witnessing the signing were DepEd Procurement and Administration Asec. Salvador Malana III (2nd row, 3rd from left) and representatives from GMAKF.

School in Marawi City. The grant was awarded under EOJ’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

“The joy and opportunity that the ‘Rebuild Marawi Project’ gave to students and teachers inspired GMAKF to seek foreign funding to construct its third and most challenging school in Marawi City.

This grant from Japan is a very big help for us because they will fund the entire construction of our first three-storey small space saving school building which stands on only 330 square meters. Datu Saber Elementary School is unique because despite the cramped space, its students garnered high scores in consecutive National Aptitude Tests,” said EscuderoCatibog.

“We are grateful to the Embassy of Japan for sharing the same dream of giving these children a chance to have a bright future through education,” she expressed.

Haneda, on the other hand, shared why the EOJ selected GMAKF as one of the recipients of the grant which is also a part of their Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-Bird). “We understand that Datu Saber School is a very good school. We hope that these children’s education is the key to the future and the development of this country. With the GMA [Kapuso Foundation] project, we thought that they would be very good vehicle to invest in the future. We are very glad to be of help to rehabilitate Marawi City.”

GMAKF’s ”Rebuild Marawi Project” aims to foster integral education by providing decent and functional classrooms with water distribution to cater to the needs of underserved students including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and teachers of public elementary schools. It also aims to provide a healthy educational environment to impoverished children including those who were displaced by the armed conflict.

The Datu Saber Elementary School will be the third Kapuso school that GMAKF is rebuilding in Marawi City following the successful inaugurations of Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School in October 2018 and Pendolonan Elementary School in December 2018. GMAKF was the first institution to rebuild a school one year after the 2017 siege. The new school building of Datu Saber Elementary School is expected to be turned over to the Department of Education’s Marawi Schools District in December this year.

To donate to GMAKF’s projects, visit www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/donate.

Entertainment

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

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019

Backstreet Boys on the road anew

American vocal group The Backstreet Boys, composed of AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell, embarks on a world tour in support of the band's latest record.

MMI Live together with Live Nation are thrilled to bring Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour in Manila on Oct. 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Beginning in May in Portugal, the DNA World Tour is Backstreet Boys’ biggest arena tour in 18 years as they will be performing all over Europe, North America, and Asia.

The BSB DNA World Tour follows the release of their latest album DNA —the group’s 10th studio album that features songs written by Lauv (Charli XCX), Andy Grammer, Stuart Crichton (DNCE) and Mike Sabbath (J Balvin). The record was released in January this year on RCA Records and debuted at No.1 on Billboard album chart.

“When this group started 26 years ago—and through all the highs and lows of our career—we’ve had to

learn it wasn’t about us as individuals but about what’s best for the group,” says Howie D. “That’s what I love about this album,” adds Kevin Richardson.

“We were able to bring all of our influences and styles into one coherent piece of work. These songs are a great representation of who we are as individuals and who we are as a group.

It’s our DNA. We’re really proud of that.”

“The journey is ongoing with us and there is so much left to do,” says Brian Littrell. “We’re living the next chapter that hasn’t been told yet, and that’s exciting.”

After 14 months of setting and breaking records in Las Vegas, BSB’s residency Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life will come to an end in April 2019.

“Vegas has been amazing and these next set of dates are going to be a party,” says Howie. “Then it’s time for us to visit our fans all over the world.”

BSB popularized the songs “Quit Playing Games With My Heart”, “I Want It That Way”, “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”, “Incomplete”, “Shape Of My Heart”, “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely”, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and more.

Tickets to the concert will go on sale starting April 28 at 10:00 a.m. via www.mmilive.com.

BSB Fan Club will have access to purchase pre-sale and upgrade to meet and greet tickets on April 26 to 27 at https://www.backstreetboys.com.

For more information, please follow MMI Live (on Facebook), and @ mmilive (on Instagram, and Twitter), or visit mmilive.com for details.

PAULO AVELINO entertains PHirst Park Homes unit buyers

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KAPAMILYA actor Paulo Avelino was a special guest at the grand launch of PHirst Park Homes’ 18.5-hectare development in San Pablo, Laguna held on March 16.

The 30-year-old The General’s Daughter star serenaded the crowd with songs including his version of a Michael Buble classic, Alamid’s “Your Love,” and Sud’s “Sila.”

Hosted by TV personality Marc Nelson, the event unveiled the development, which is a joint venture company of Century Properties Group Inc. (PSE: CPG) and the global business enterprise Mitsubishi Corporation.

Located in Maharlika Highway, Barangay San Ignacio, PHirst Park Homes is accessible via South Luzon Expressway through the Santo Tomas Exit and is 15 minutes away from SM City San Pablo. Weather in the area is generally cooler, as the City of the Seven Lakes is surrounded

by Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Makiling, and the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges.

After Lipa and San Pablo, PPHI is set to launch more communities in north and south Luzon, which the company has identified as growth areas with a high concentration of OFW families, unmet demand for housing, and where infrastructure projects are in place. Within the next 4 to 5 years, PPHI will launch 15 masterplanned communities in Calabarzon and Central Luzon with approximately 33,000 homes.

“PPHI is proud to launch a PHirst Park Homes community in San Pablo, Laguna. True to our brand mission of delivering first homes that are beautiful, well-designed, and of good quality at attainable prices, we continue to raise the bar in the affordable housing market,” said Loren Sales, PPHI’s Customer Management Group Vice President.

FTER months of speculations, top athlete and A-list actor Derek Ramsay has finally inked an exclusivecontract with GMA Network. Yes, the actor is officially back as a Kapuso.

Early this year, the 42-year-old actor teased his fans regarding his return to television. He said that he would be seen on the small screen again but he couldn’t divulge which station it’s going to be.

“They reached out to my folks and we had a great meeting…the way they approached me and my family, it was, again, with so much respect,” he told the media in a press conference held after the contract signing.

Derek admitted that he was already contemplating about slowing down in showbiz and pursuing a career in golf. However, his parents, Derek Ramsay, Sr. and Remedios ‘Medy’ Baggao-Ramsay, were all-out in their support of him becoming a Kapuso.

“I talked to my parents and they were the first ones to say that they like the people that we just met and they think I’m a perfect fit to be working with people like them,” Derek shared alluding to his parents’ encouragement to finally ink an exclusive contract with GMA. In earlier interviews, the actor said that his plan for 2019 was already to focus to going pro in golf.

“I really wanted to give that a go but plans change. Another blessing was given to me.

I’m really excited about what’s going to happen. I’m just thankful and happy for this opportunity that GMA has given me.”

Although it took them months to finally put the agreement in black and white, he said that returning to GMA has been one of the best decisions he made.

“After all the hard work, after all the movies and teleseryes, hindi ko alam kung ano ang next chapter ng buhay ko and I’ve been doing a lot of charity work...all of these things are falling into place, GMA gave me the time to prepare my mind, my body,” Derek said.

Early in the 2000s, Derek found work as an MTV VJ, a model, as well as TV commercial actor. He started his career on TV as one of the co-hosts in the longest running noontime show Eat Bulaga from 2001 to 2004. He then transferred to ABS-CBN and became known for his supporting roles in television series

including Isabella, Habang May Buhay, and Magkaribal.

Derek has built a name as one of the more reliable leading men in local showbiz having appeared in commercially successful films like I Love You, Goodbye, The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin, No Other Woman, The Escort, and most recently, Kasal.

In April 2012, he signed a three-year contract and transferred to TV5. His first show on TV5 was The Amazing Race Philippines. After his contract expired in February 2015, he signed another threeyear contract with the network.

For his first assignment as a Kapuso, he is going to be paired with Andrea Torres in a TV series, which Derek described as a small screen project “that is very sexy and has a lot of action.”

The series is entitled The Better Woman where Derek’s love interest Andrea plays “a very challenging role.”

“I’m just excited about the many things that I am going to do here in GMA. I love the fact that they take risks, and that’s what I do with my life.The bigger the risk you take, the bigger the success,” Dereck concluded.

Pop goes the Asians YUGEL LOSORATA MAINSTREAM audiences will eventually crave for sing-and-dance groups with new faces, or should we say, from other races.

This is what a dream project called Z-POP seemed to be truly addressing with the launch of concert brand Z-Pop Dream Live last February in Seoul, featuring the groups Z-Boys and Z-Girls, which are comprised of talents from seven Asian countries, namely, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Japan, Taiwan, and, well, the Philippines.

Open auditions were done in these countries and those picked were sent to Korea for a kind of training that successfully produced K-Pop groups. For the Manila auditions, former Pop Girls member Carlyn Ocampo and G-Force dancer Josh Bautista deservingly made it to the roster.

The Z in their tag pertains to Generation Z, implying they are young talents born from 1995 onwards. Curiously, it essentially suggests that millennials will enter the coming decade no longer in the forefront of youth revolution.

Z-MUSIC. The Z-Girls and Z-Boys, the newest groups to break into the K-Pop music scene, made their Manila stop to promote their music.

Yet, this changing of the guard seems to be eyeing for an emphatic Asian domination in the pop scene, hence the shift from K to Z. “It is the opening of a new chapter of cultural exchange for Asia as the Z-pop shows will be held in different major Asian city every year,” said K-Pop visionary and Zenith Media Contents CEO Jun Kang who met the Filipino press last week.

The Z-Stars, the collective labeling for the chosen boys and girls, are currently in Manila and will perform at the CR3W concert tomorrow, April 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Viva Communications, partner for the

Grace Lee-spearheaded Glimmer which represents Z-Pop in Manila, is largely making the special guesting possible.

Viva Chairman and CEO Vic Del Rosario, Jr., noted, “This goes beyond K-Pop and has a One-Asia goal that will not only create stars but revolutionize the methods used and how it affects the global entertainment industry.”

It’s no secret that the Korean way is admired all over the world and following its lead shouldn’t hurt at all. If it gets to benefit the Asian branding in a global sense, then all the more it should be embraced by fans in the world’s largest continent.

Lee added, “We hope to be able to widen the K-Pop arena and pave the way for other Asian dreamers to fully realize their potential.”

Three songs expectedly pop and written by some hit factory have been put out to help promote the Gen Z acts, with Z-Girls singing “What You Waiting For” and Z-Boys taking on “No Limit.” A collaborative track is called “Our Galaxy.”

Asked how they deal with diversified roots and language barriers, one of the popsters admitted, “We use translator apps or get help from interpreters.”

Another mentioned about the challenge of perfecting K-Pop’s distinct dance moves, stating, “We practice to match every move of every member in detail so that we’ll have that knife-like precision.”

The 2020s look promising for young Asian talents on a scale broader than ever. For all its worth, it is the grandest expression of gratitude that K-Pop can offer its beloved mother continent, and the world.

Paulo Avelino endearing the crown in San Pablo, Laguna during the unveiling of PHirst Park Homes’ development project in the bustling province.