Manila Standard - 2019 April 14 - Sunday

POWER SUPPLY THIN—NGCP

By Alena Mae S. Flores, Maricel V. Cruz, and Macon Ramos-Araneta

alert advisory for the Luzon Grid from 10:01 AM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday.

The Department of Energy, CONSUMERS continue to face thin however, said, some power plants power supply over the weekend were back online to help manage when demand is low. power demand.

Grid operator National Grid Corp.

DOE said South Luzon Thermal of the Philippines issued a yellow Turn to A2

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 63 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH TO CHINA: HAGUE RULING STILL HOLDS

Moriones Festival, an annual event scheduled for the Holy Week, which starts today, Palm Sunday, and whose focal point is culture and religion Marinduque is sometimes described by some Filipinos as the heartbeat of this once described as Perla del Mar de Oriente. The festival’s unique name is derived from the armor worn by Roman soldiers. In the context of Philippines’ festivals, the word makes reference to the locals who play dress up adorning the costumes that Roman soldiers wore in past Biblical times.

File photo by Teddy Pelaez

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019

THE unrelenting whack by the dry spell El Niño has forced many local government units to declare a state of calamity, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

This developed as the weather bureau said the Visayas, Mindanao and parts of Luzon could experience flash floods during the 24-hour period ending at 4 am Sunday due to severe thunderstorms that might lash these areas.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the possibility, noting that the easterlies might bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as Luzon’s Bicol, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa regions.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms may occur in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, except Batanes province and the Babuyan Islsands, PAGASA said.

“Some of the thunderstorms expected in the Visayas, Mindanao and parts of Luzon may be severe – raising the possibility of flash floods,” PAGASA weather forecaster, Raymond Ordinario, said, adding that the thunderstorms, whether severe or not, can occur between noon and late evening. Turn to A2

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BI SEEKS DISCIPLINARY POWERS

By Vito Barcelo

I

MMIGRATION Commissioner Jaime Morente has sought additional powers to whip erring bureau personnel following the decision of the Department of Justice to sack eight job order workers implicated in the extortion of more than P9.2 million from 15 South Korean nationals. “(Having) disciplinary powers against erring personnel will enable the bureau to take a more swift action when needed,” Morente said.

“Our actions on previous incidents of alleged corruption show that we will not hesitate to weed out corrupt employees. The President’s directive

is clear. Corruption has no place in BI. Not on my watch,” he added.

The Korean nationals, who were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 6, filed a complaint before the Office of the President and the DOJ against 18 BI intelligence officers, including the job order workers, for

apprehending them despite having proper documents.

The erring BI personnel allegedly forced the Korean nationals to shell out various amounts of money under threat of detention.

Aside from the relief of the eight job order personnel, the 10 other officers have likewise been placed under preventive suspension.

Meanwhile, the bureau was placed on heightened alert after receiving a report that human trafficking syndicates are looking to take advantage of the Holy Week holiday to send their victims abroad.

All of the bureau’s airport terminal

heads and supervisors were ordered to immediately implement strict immigration assessment following the intelligence report.

“We have received intelligence reports that human traffickers and illegal recruiters will be sending many of their victims to travel abroad this week. They are mistaken if they think we will lower our guard during the peak season,” Morente said.

He said the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit was tasked to conduct secondary inspection on departing Filipinos with “doubtful purpose of travel.”

INCUMBENTS LEAD RACE IN METRO MANILA

By Joel E. Zurbano KNOWN political personalities remain the leading candidates for mayoral positions for the May 13 midterm polls in Metro Manila, a survey by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. released on Saturday showed.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from April 1 to 8, covered 8,000 registered voters that represent all demographic lines. It has a confidence level of 98 percent and a margin of error of +/-2 percent in different areas in Metro Manila.

The survey showed that if the elections for mayor are to be held today, the frontrunners and clear winners will be: Abigail Binay (67 percent) of Makati City, Joy Belmonte (62 percent) of Quezon City, Toby Tiangco (66 percent) of Navotas City, Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (71 percent) of Pasay City, Lino Cayetano (70 percent) of Taguig City, and Bobby Eusebio (68 percent) of Pasig City.

Binay, the incumbent mayor, was backed by her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, in her reelection bid over her brother, Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., who garnered a 36 percent rating.

In Quezon City, Vice Mayor Belmonte was ahead by 26 percentage points over Rep. Bingbong Crisologo (36 percent) and former Rep. Chuck Mathay (1 percent).

Rep. Tiangco was up by eight percentage points against Councilor Dan Ang (23 percent).

Another legislator, CalixtoRubiano was ahead by 55 percentage points over her rival, Chet Cuneta, son of former Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

In the City of Manila, former vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso led the race with 47 percent, followed by incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada (30 percent) and former mayor Alfredo Lim (15 percent).

In Taguig City, Cayetano, a former congressman, was ahead by 43 percentage points over Rep. Arnel Cerafica (27 percent).

CATHOLIC FEAST.

Vendors make palaspas (palm fronds) in preparation for Palm Sunday at Baclaran Church in Parañaque City.

Lino Santos

IN LOVE AND IN FAITH. Rosaries for sale are on display outside the Padre Pio Church in Libis, Quezon City. Sonny Espiritu

PALAWAN DIVIDED INTO 3 PROVINCES

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure dividing Palawan into three new provinces, namely: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. Duterte signed signed Republic Act 11259 dividing Palawan into three distinct provinces, with Palawan del Sur as

the mother province.

Under the law, the province of Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay and El Nido.

The province of Palawan Oriental, in turn, will be comprised of the municipalities of Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cayancillo, and San Vicente.

THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and 15 others for entering into a disadvantageous lease contract with SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) for government properties.

The anti-graft court’s second division found probable cause to hold Paulino and the others in trial for the graft charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman and ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest against them.

Court records showed aside from Paulino, ordered arrested were Aquilino Yorac Cortez, Jr.; Elena Calma Dabu; Benjamin Gregorio Cajudo II; Eduardo Guerrero Guerrero; Noel Yabut Atienza; Alruela Mauro Bundang-Ortiz; Edna Alviz Elane; Emerito Linus Dolantre Bacay; Randy Dela Cruz Sionzon; Egmidio Manzano Gonzales, Jr.; Tony-Kar Balde III; Cristiflor Buduhan; Anna Marin Florentina Sison; Mamerto B, Malabute; and Joy Fernandez Cahilig.

Paulino and the other accused were charged with violating Section 3 (e ) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for taking advantage of their official position to criminally fast track the awarding of the Lease and Development of the Olongapo City Civic Center Contract to SMPHI without complying with the provisions of RA 6957, or An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and for other Purposes.

Turn to A2

AMID EL NIÑO, FLASH FLOODS WARNING UP

MORIONES FESTIVAL.

A4

GRAFT COURT ORDERS ARREST OF 'GAPO MAYOR

Palawan del Sur as the “mother province” will be composed of the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balacbac and Kalayaan.

The three provinces will be created depending on the results of a plebiscite in the affected areas.

The plebiscite will be held on the second Monday of May 2020.

SCIENTISTS IMPLANT HUMAN GENES INTO MONKEYS HONG KONG—Chinese scientists have implanted human brain genes into monkeys, in a study intended to provide insights into the unique evolution of human intelligence.

Researchers inserted human versions of MCPH1, a gene that scientists believe plays a role in the development of the human brain, into 11 rhesus monkeys.

They found the monkeys’ brains—like those of humans— took longer to develop, and the animals performed better in tests of short-term memory as well as reaction time compared to wild monkeys.

However, the monkeys did not grow bigger brains than the control group.

The test, the latest in a series of biomedical experiments in China to have fueled medical ethics debates, has already drawn ethical concerns, and comparisons with dystopian sci-fi “Planet of the Apes.”

It was conducted by researchers at the Kunming Institute of Zoology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, working with US researchers at the University of North Carolina.

The study was published last month in Beijing-based journal National Science Review.

“Our findings demonstrated that transgenic nonhuman primates (excluding ape species) have the potential to provide important— and potentially unique —insights into basic questions of what actually makes human unique,” the authors wrote.

The monkeys underwent memory tests requiring them to remember colors and shapes on a screen, and were subjected to MRI scans.

Only five of the monkeys survived into the testing stage.

The authors said the rhesus monkey, though genetically closer to humans than rodents, is still distant enough to alleviate ethical concerns.

However, some questioned the ethics of the experiment.

“You just go to the ‘Planet of the Apes’ immediately in the popular imagination,” said Jacqueline Glover, a University of Colorado bioethicist.

“To humanize them is to cause harm. Where would they live and what would they do? Do not create a being that can’t have a meaningful life in any context,” she told MIT Technology Review.

Larry Baum, a researcher at Hong Kong University’s Center for Genomic Sciences, downplayed sci-fi comparisons. AFP

2 KILLED IN MULTIPLE COLLISION IN TAGUIG TWO persons were killed and at least eight other individuals were hurt following a collision involving five vehicles, including a 10-wheeler truck, in Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Saturday morning.

The fatalities were identified as Danilo Pedrosa and Gerald Iann Hernandez, who both died on the spot due to severe head and body injuries.

Police identified the injured as Ronald Ortega Villanueva, Jaime Ocfemia Berosil Jr., Rogelio Salinas Fernandez, Aldren Ano Sepe, Christopher Aquino Dalangin, Christel Castro Layosa, Cecile Marie Verin Moreno and Francis Varona Larita.

The authorities said those injured were

drivers and riders of a private car, two public utility jeeps, a motorcycle and two bicycles.

They were rushed to the hospital nearby, also due to head and body injuries.

Police arrested the truck driver, Roman Rafanan Marinas, 29 and his two helpers, Ronny Marinas, 19, and Julius Vallinan, 31.

The incident happened along Circumferential Road-6 in front of Lakeshore in Brgy. Lower Bicutan at around 6:20 am.

Based on the initial investigation report submitted to the Southern Police District, the truck driven by Marinas was on its way southbound to Rizal when it lost its brake, resulting in the multiple collision.

Joel E. Zurbano

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Philippine government will continue to assert its right at the disputed South China Sea, maintaining the decision handed down by the international arbitral tribunal in Hague in favor of the Philippines.

This, amid the statement the other day of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that China owned the entire disputed areas at the West Philippine Seas, Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“While we concur with the Chinese official’s statement that the dispute can be best threshed out through peaceful negotiation and consultation between the two countries just as it will strengthen the Philippines-China relationship towards a solid partnership beneficial to Filipino and Chinese communities, the arbitral ruling however has already been rendered and we remain steadfast in maintaining our claims with respect to our territory and exclusive economic zones pursuant not only to the said arbitral judgment Turn to A2 facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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DESSICATED DAM. A boatman, by his lonesome, walks on a cracked bank of the rock-filled Magat Dam reservoir in Ramon, Isabela, a major tributary of the 350-kilometer Cagayan River as the weather phonomenon El Nino dramatically porced its water level to drop to a critical level, the dam’s rock walls now parched by the unforgiving Isabela sun – putting 85,000 hectares of agricultural farms in Isabela, Quirino and Cagayan at highest risk. Ben Moses Ebreo Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BUDGET VETO LOOMS OVER 'INSERTIONS'

PUMP PRICES RESUME UPSWING

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III believes President Rodrigo Duterte is contemplating on vetoing the P3.757-trillion upon learning that “insertions and realignments” were made by House members after the national spending plan was ratified by both Houses of Congress.

“What were happening now had reached him, that it was true they did some insertions and now, they’re turning the tables on us, It has been reaching him, and he (President) knows the truth, so he said he will just veto it,” related Sotto in an interview over dwIZ on Saturday.

He recalled his earlier statement that it would reach this point -- the plan of the President to veto the budget, after House members led by appropriations committee chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya stood pat on their stand not to remove the insertions in the budget.

As of Saturday, Sotto said the President had already received the entire budget from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). He said the President and his legal staff were reviewing the budget during the weekend.

“So it is impossible to come up with a decision on Monday unless they say that the budget is now ok,” related Sotto.

Asked if the country’s economy would suffer with a reenacted budget, Sotto admitted it would have an effect, but described it as “very little.”

“First, the budget for 2018 was bigger so the money available to be used by the government would be bigger. So that already (would) dispel some issue,”said Sotto.

Secondly , the budget can be passed

by July or August. He also said they could pass a new and “good” budget, without “pork insertions” for this year.

“Their term ends on June 30 so by that time, that budget will no longer be beneficial to them,” he also said.

The Senate leader said it would be much easier if they just get the President’s National Expenditures Program, which had been untouched by the House and Senate.

“This can be finshed in a matter of juat 24 hous,” he said.

ONSUMERS will have to brace for higher fuel prices next week of up to P1 per liter due to the movement of prices in the world market.

GRAFT...

From A1

The order was signed by Associate Justice Oscar Herrera, Jr., second division chairperson, and Associate Justices Michael Frederick L. Musngi, and Lorifel L. Pahimna.

The Sandiganbayan set a bail of P30,000 each for their temporary liberty.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier ordered the 90-day suspension of the accused for the same case.

Meanwhile, private complainant Rodalyn Guinto Hanif welcomed the anti-graft court’s order. However, she expressed dismay that the accused were able to post bail and were not arrested.

C

MARKING TIME. An unidentified vendor on the side of the Quiapo church in Manila, patiently waits for customers to buy any in his stand of religious souvenir items on the eve of Palm Sunday, when Catholics wave traditional palm branches to mark the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It was adopted into Christian iconography to represent the victory of martyrs, or the victory of the spirit over the flesh. Lino Santos

PH TO CHINA:...

From A1 based on accepted principles of public international law but consistent with the directives of our Constitution and the aspirations of the Filipino people,” Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo made the statement after China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lu Kang maintained that Spratlys, which China calls the Nansha Islands, were Chinese territory.

China is insisting it has sufficient historical and legal basis to support its claim.

In related developments: — Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, in a statement issued Saturday, said: “What is currently notable is that Beijing is now clearly revisiting its excessive and unlawful claim in the SCS that has been ruled upon by the abitral tribunal which ruling is now

an integral part of international law.

“At the same time, amid aggressive moves by our northern neighbor in such areas as Pag-asa, in other areas and in other issues, it may be the right time to finally unshelve our arbitral outcome enabling our SFA (Secretary of Foreign Affairs) to develop recommendations for our President’s consideration.

“Ombudswoman Conchita Carpio Morales and I believe that now is the best time ito address the Arbitral Tribunal outcome.

“In this regard, we also humbly suggest that the government rely on the SFA to be responsible for all aspects of foreign relations.”

Panelo said while the government agreed with China that the dispute could be settled peacefully, it was already known that Spratlys belonged to the Philippines.

The International Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration found China’s nine-dash line was contrary

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week.

Diesel should go up by P0.60 to P0.70 per liter and gasoline should go up by P0.0.90 to P1 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said in its advisory.

The forecasted oil price hike will be the second consecutive weekly oil price increase after the oil firms increased pump prices by P0.25 per liter for gasoline, P0.20 per liter for diesel and P0.10 per liter for kerosene last April 9.

Last April 2, the country’s oil firms rolled back the price of diesel by P0.30 per liter, kerosene by P0.20 per liter and gasoline by P0.10 per liter.

Price adjustments since the start of the year to a net increase of P6.80 per liter for gasoline, P4.65 per liter for diesel and P3.45 per liter for kerosene.

World oil prices traded higher last week amid concerns of tight global supply arising from the reduction in output of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, sanctions imposed by the US against Iran and Venezuela and Libya’s ongoing civil war.

OPEC and producer allies such as Russia previously agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to prevent a supply overhang from growing.

DOE’s latest monitoring also showed that gasoline prices in Metro Manila ranged from P48.50 to P62.44 per liter, diesel from P40.10 to P48.75 and kerosene from P45.20 to P55 per liter. Prices vary depending on the location, brand and market forces.

to United Nations Convention on the Laws Of the Sea (UNLCOS) and had no basis in law.

The case was filed by the Philippines in 2013 since China took control of a reef about 140 miles from the Philippines coast.

The People’s Republic of China maintains it will not be bound by the ruling.

“It is our principled stand that the peace in the West Philippine Sea should be maintained and that China should avoid performing acts that will place at risk the Filipino fishermen fishing in the disputed areas and at the same time cause irritants that will disrupt the current friendly relations of the two countries as well as imperil future bilateral negotiations on matters of mutual concern,” the Palace said.

Panelo said that as a matter of protocol, the Philippine counterpart, the Department of Foreign Affairs, would issue an official statement on the matter.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier told China to lay off Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, saying the narrative would change once something bad happened to Filipinos there.

“Let us be friends but do not touch Pag-asa Island and the rest. Otherwise, things would be different. This is not a warning, this is just a word of advice to my friends because we are a friend of China,” he said.

Duterte also said he would not hesitate to shed blood if the Chinese would harm Filipinos in the Pag-asa Island.

Panelo earlier noted that despite the sea row, China gave the Philippines P370-million worth of arms and ammunition during the Marawi siege in 2017 and funded a 150-bed rehabilitation center in Agusan del Sur. He said part of the country’s effort to reciprocate China’s assistance was to be “diplomatically kind” while asserting Philippine sovereignty. With PNA

AMID...

From A1

NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator Ricardo Jalad said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday that 25 cities and municipalities and five provinces had declared a state of calamity as of Friday, allowing them to use their calamity funds.

The latest local government unit to declare a state of calamity is the town of T’boli in South Cotabato. Agricultural losses and damage in the town has already reached P47 million.

Cebu City was also placed under a state of calamity due to the dry spell, RGMA Cebu’s Norman Mendoza reported on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

A total 164,672 farmers in Regions CAR, I, II, III, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, and BARMM were affected.

Damage to agriculture was placed at P5,051,249,880.04 in Regions CAR, I, II, III, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, and BARMM. For Luzon’s northernmost Batanes province and the Babuyan Islands, however, PAGASA forecast cloudy skies with light rains due to the frontal system affecting these areas.

These conditions will have no significant impact, PAGASA noted.

Moderate to rough coastal waters, with waves up to 3.1 meters high, are likely in northern Luzon during the 24hour forecast period as moderate to strong winds blowing from northeast to east are possible.

PAGASA also forecast that the rest of the country would have slight to moderate coastal waters with waves as high as 2.1 meters, from light to moderate winds blowing southeastwards. PNA

POWER...

From A1 Energy Corp. (SLTEC) Unit 1 controlled by the Ayala Group was now running on full load. It was synchronized to the grid at 2:03 AM and achieved full load at 8:50 AM Saturday.

In related developments: --A militant legislator on Saturday expressed suspicion on what he called the “coordinated” shutdown of power plants in Luzon.

Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate raised the suspicion as Luzon was placed on power red alert for the fourth day due to the shut down of several power plants in the country’s largest island.

His suspicion of a “coordinated shutdown” prompted Zarate to ask President Rodrigo Dutetere to order agencies regulating the power sector to review power supply agreement between electricity producers and distributors to determine “if indeed they are the best deals for Filipino consumers.”

“With what is happening, the consumers are always on the losing end... the yellow alert was raised several weeks ago ang now, red alert is in force,” Zarate said at a news conference.

“They say [several] powerplants broke down at the same time. This has been happening since 2012,” he added.

--For his part, Sen. Win Gatchalian, describing as totally unacceptable the brownouts felt by constituents in Luzon these past few days, is calling for an investigation into the unexpected brownouts that hit several towns and

cities in Luzon.

Gatchalian issued the statement following the assurance by DOE that there was ample supply of electricity reserve throughout the dry season.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, also made the call amid the series of yellow and red alert warnings issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for the Luzon grid this past week.

The rnergy department guaranteed that even before the start of summer that there would be enough power supply in the country.

“If there’s enough power supply, then how come that there are towns and provinces in Luzon that are experiencing rotational brownouts,” asked Gatchalian.

“Definitely, heads must roll this time.

We owe it to the power consumers to give them accurate information on the power situation in the country,” he said.

DOE, however, said that starting 1:00 PM Saturday, the 420 MW total capacity of San Gabriel would be reduced by 210 MW due to gas volume restrictions.

“This restriction will only take effect over the weekend to give way to the necessary line pack recovery in preparation for weekday demand. In this regard, one unit of Santa Rita will be operating on liquid fuel to ensure that all units of the Santa Rita, San Lorenzo, and San Gabriel plants will be able to run on their maximum outputs,” the agency said.

DOE said initial NGCP assessment indicates that the changeover will not have any impact on the situation of the grid.

It said that the Limay A1 (70 MW) also went on forced outage yestefay due to

a tripping from actuation of turbine overspeed relay.

DOE is also hoping that San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SMCCPC) Limay Unit 2 and Pagbilao Unit 3 of Team Energy and Aboitiz Power Corp. and Sual Unit 1 of Team Energy will come online next week.

According to Zarate, Sual power plant, Calaca powerplant and Pagbilao power plant and even the Malaya powerplant were always on the list of those breaking down.

But there are new ones like SCPC, SLPGC and SLTEC. “Why is it that they always have to break down at the same time when demand is highest?,” Zarate asked.

The consumers can not be blamed for suspecting that the breakdowns are deliberately caused to increase power rates, he added.

“President Duterte should immediately order the review of the PSAs of these generation companies,” he added.

Citing a report from the NGCP, Gatchalian said at least seven provinces along with 40 cities and towns had so far been affected by the rotating brownouts due to the forced and unplanned outages of five generators in Luzon.

Gatchalian said part of the investigation to be conducted by the Senate Committee on Energy would center on DOE’s inaccurate electricity forecast throughout the summer season, as well as the department’s contingency measures in case of unexpected power interruptions.

The lawmaker pointed out that the DOE’s forecast did not include unplanned outages.

He added that the forecast also included the committed capacities in their available capacity, thus making the projection less realistic.

Comparing DOE forecast with the NGCP projections, Gatchalian said the projected available capacity of DOE is way above the level of the projected capacity of the NGCP. Gatchalian pointed out that on April 11, 2019, the DOE did forecast that there were at least 1,085 megawatts (MW) gross reserve, indicating that there was enough supply of electricity for Luzon.

He said this was in contrast with the forecast of the NGCP, which showed that the gross reserve for April 11 was only 236 MW, which, according to the lawmaker, was thin and below the required regulating reserve.

Moreover, on April 12, 2019, Gatchalian said DOE made another inaccurate forecast stating that there was still 1,006 MW gross reserve that was enough to power the Luzon grid.

However, the NGCP sounded alarm bells and issued a red alert status after it forecasted a gross reserve of only 21 MW for the same day, lower and way below the sum of the required regulating reserve.

The NGCP further reported that at least five generators – SCPC, Sual, SLPGC, Pagbilao, and SLTEC – remain in either forced or unplanned outages, resulting in the loss of 1,502 MW of electricity.

“Our power consumers deserve nothing but accurate information,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian reiterated his call to DOE to remain vigilant for possible collusion due to thin electricity reserves in the midst of high demand.

News

STAY VIGILANT VS MEASLES OUTBREAK —CAYETANO

ENRILE, LIKE ‘TINGOG’, SAYS LEYTE DESERVES ‘FAIR SHARE’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FORMER Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that he shared the view of the Tingog Sinirangan Party-list, whose first nominee is Leyte First District Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez, that Leyte should get at least four percent of the national budget.

Enrile said this percentage from the national budget is commensurate with its population of four million, or four percent of the national population.

The Tingog Sinirangan partylist had lamented that while Leyte and Samar comprise four percent of the country’s population, it has been receiving a little more than one percent share of the national budget for the past 10 years.

Romualdez said this funding that could have made more schools and hospitals, or build the needed infrastructure, or start up sustainable livelihoods to spur development in the Eastern Visayas Region.

The partylist nominess said their people deserve fair share so that they will have an equal opportunity to get out of poverty into a better and brighter future.

Enrile said that because of its current situation, Eastern Visayas remains one of the poorest in the country aside from the fact that it has been devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda.

“The people of Leyte and Samar deserve a better deal from the government, especially since this region remains still one of the poorest in the country,” said Enrile as he courted votes from Palo residents in Leyte.

“Let us hasten even more the recovery and development of the people who were most affected

by Typhoon Yolanda,” he added.

Enrile also supports the objectives of the Tingig Sinirangan party-list to prioritize through a legislative agenda the expansion of the Leyte Ecological-Industrial Zone as well as the institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to aid the province’s poor.

“I speak for neither Hugpong ng Pagbabago nor Otso Diretso.

I speak for the people, and I will be your voice in the Senate,” Enrile told residents at the Yolanda resettlement area where he was warmly welcomed.

By Maricel V. Cruz

LONG LENTEN BREAK. Passengers flock at a provincial bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City to spend the long Holy week vacation with their loved ones outside Metro Manila. Manny Palmero

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPENS; MWSS DRAFTS SECURITY ROADMAP

M

etropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco lauded the inauguration of the Putatan Water Treatment Plant 2 by Maynilad Water to ensure continuing water service in its concession areas.

“I commend Maynilad led by its Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and President Ramoncito S. Fernandez for their new facility that will help ensure adequate water supply to the West Zone concession area as part of our short term water supply projects,” Velasco said. “The utmost importance of this treatment facility cannot be overemphasized,” he added. With its operation, 100 MLD of potable water is now being supplied to Maynilad customers in Cavite, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque.

The Putatan Water Treatment Plant 2 is Maynilad’s second treatment facility that sources raw water from Laguna Lake. The output is expected to reach 150 MLD capacity, its maximum capacity in the latter part of the year. It uses a multi-stage process of Dissolved Air Flotation, Biological Aerated Filter, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and chlorination to treat the lake water and convert it to a product that complies with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) of the Department of Health.

According to Maynilad Chairman Pangilinan, PWTP 2 is a vital component of Maynilad’s plan to develop alternative sources of water to ensure long-term water security for its customers. This will also minimize dependence on Angat Dam which supplies 96 percent of the water requirement in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Maynilad’s first water treatment facility became operational in 2009, sourcing raw water from Laguna Lake.

Meanwhile, Manila Water President Ferdinand M. dela Cruz said that the Cardona Water Treatment Plant will be

operating at 50 MLD by April 15, which will increase to 100 MLD by August this year. The Cardona Water Treatment Plant is a component the Rizal Province Water Supply Improvement Project (RPWSIP), one of two Manila Water project proposals for additional raw water supply. The other proposal was the Tayabasan River Water Supply Project. The proposals were earlier disapproved by the past MWSS administration but two months before they stepped down on May 19, 2016, the RPWSIP was finally approved.

In a related development, Velasco said that he will recommend to President Duterte the issuance of an Executive Order as he has initiated moves to fast-track the water security roadmap for Metro Manila and its serviced areas.

With the concurrence of the MWSS Board, the water agency has crafted a short, medium and long water security roadmap that will provide potable and sustainable water supply in the next 5, 10 and even 50 years with at an increase of at least 1,518 MLD by 2022.

Being fast-tracked under the new water security roadmap are the following projects: 150 MLD Putatan (2019); 100 MLD Cardona (2019); 188 MLD Sumag (2020); 50 MLD Rizal Wellfield (2020); 80 MLD Calawis Wawa (2021); 100 MLD Putatan 3 (2022); and 250 MLD Lower Ipo. These, aside from the 600 MLD Kaliwa Dam projects whose implementation was began in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Being eyed as medium-term water source projects from 2023 to 2027 are the following: 420 MLD Wawa Dam; 250 MLD East Bay; 350 MLD Bayabas Dam; 550 MLD Angat Norzagaray Phase 2; 250 MLD East Bay; 750 MLD Sierra Madre; and 1,800 MLD Kanan River Phase 1.

According to Velasco, to complement the New Water Security Roadmap (2019-2022), there is the urgent need to fast track the completion of Aqueduct 6 and Tunnel 4, both started during the Duterte Administration by the present MWSS Board and Management. The two projects are expected to be operationalized by January 2020.

CONTROL DOG POPULATION, PREVENT RABIES —DOH-CALABARZON CHIEF SAYING that dogs are liable for over 99% of human deaths due to rabies, DOH-CALBARZON Regional Director Eduardo Janairo cited the importance of managing the dog population through responsible pet ownership, rabies vaccination and spaying/neutering to reduce the incidence of rabies in a community.

Records from the Regional Rabies Prevention and Control Unit showed a total of 92,474 animal bites cases in CALABARZON for 2018.

The province of Rizal has the highest number of cases with 28,430, followed

by Cavite with 20,857 and Batangas with 16,116; Laguna - 14,638 and Quezon - 12,433. There were 30 recorded deaths from rabies.

Janairo cited the need to limit dog population in the community specifically in areas where they are unmanaged and tends to roam around.

“We need to reduce the problems they may cause in order to facilitate more effective rabies control,” he said.

“Community cooperation is very important including responsible pet ownership, better veterinary care and regular dog vaccination will reduce the risk of rabies transmission,” he added.

To prevent and control rabies in areas where there is high incidence of animal bites cases, the DOH-Calabarzon region, introduced OPLAN RED to all Provincial Veterinary Offices and local government units.

Janairo said there is a need to fully

implement in these areas the plan including training on population control like neutering and spaying for rabies prevention and control.

It includes the identification and classification of provinces, municipalities, cities and barangays into high risk, medium, low, candidate free zone and officially rabies free zone.

He said spaying and neutering is part of the dog/cat population control activity under the Rabies Prevention and Control Program.

“This activity will not only reduce the number of unwanted dogs/cats roaming the streets but it will also be beneficial to the animals because it reduces the risk of acquiring reproductive related diseases and illnesses,” he said.

He added these are among the costeffective means to curb the spread of rabies in the community and to stop dogs from roaming around the roads “The less stray dogs in the streets the safer the people in the community,” Janairo said.

A total of 215 dogs and cats were spayed in Cavite during the four-day activity. There were 52 in Tanza, 55 in Trece Martires City, 58 in Cavite City and 50 in General Trias.

“It will also prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. I encouraged every responsible pet owner to spay your pet because it is the best protection from these diseases,” he added. Macon Ramos-Araneta

ADDRESS DELAY IN AUTOMATED POLL SYSTEM CERTIFICATION NOW—KOKO SENATOR Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III expressed dismay that the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), a body created under the Automated Election Law, has not yet certified the automated election system (AES) to be used in the coming national and local polls “with just a little over a month or around 30 days before May 13.”

The lawmaker explained that under Republic Act No. 8436, as amended

by R.A. No. 9369, the TEC is tasked to certify at least three months or 90 days before elections that the AES is operating properly, securely, and accurately.

The body is composed of representatives from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“The TEC failed again to meet the

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deadline to submit its certification three months before the May 13 polls, which should have been last February 13, 2019,” noted Pimentel, who chairs the Senate panel of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System (JCOCAES).

Under the law, the computer system undergoes rigorous hardware and software certification. The process includes field testing through mock elections, source code review, certification that the code is kept in escrow at the Bangko Sentral, and laying out a continuity plan in the event of a system failure.

“If in case the COMELEC decides to use the AES without the TEC’s certification, it must submit a letter to the JCOC-AES to explain the non-submission a month before the elections,” Pimentel said.

TATTOO FESTIVAL. Tattoo artists congregate during a tattoo festival in Quezon City. Photo shows several artists busy drawing at customers’ skins with their preferred tattoo artwork. Manny Palmero

A HOUSE leader on Saturday urged Filipino families to remain vigilant about the spread of measles in their communities, even after measles cases have started to drop in the past weeks.

Deputy Speaker and Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano made the call as the Department of Health (DOH) recently reported a downward trend in the number of new measles cases in the country, owing to the agency’s intensified immunization campaign.

The principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 10152 or the Mandatory Infants and Children Immunization Act, Cayetano commended the efforts of the DOH, local officials, and barangay health workers on the ground in convincing Filipino parents to have their children vaccinated.

On the other hand, she stressed that there is still no room for complacency when it comes to protecting the children from diseases.

“We are very delighted by DOH’s report that measles cases in the country are already decreasing. But everyone should continue to be vigilant, ready, and non-complacent,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said she has long been fighting for the promotion of preventive healthcare measures for Filipino families as a way to save them from premature deaths and unnecessary illnesses.

“During my first term in the Senate, I decided to fight for laws that sought to protect children from various diseases, because I do not want to see any child dying despite the presence of preventive measures and solutions like vaccines,” she said.

Cayetano added that she said she had been going around the country convincing Filipino families to restore their trust in vaccines, even before news broke out regarding the outbreak of measles in several provinces.

In February, Cayetano led an immunization drive for young children at the Rural Health Unit 3 of Barangay Mabiga in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

HOUSE APPROVES CREATION OF BISLIG ECONOMIC ZONE IN SURIGAO DEL SUR THE House of Representatives has approved a bill creating a special economic zone in the City of Bislig, Province of Surigao del Sur. House Bill 2672, authored by Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, principal author of the bill, said that special economic zones are created to lay alternative areas of investment across the country.

“They are intended to disperse economic development which has been confined in the main metropolitan areas,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel added that by introducing industrialization, rural communities are given equitable access to the said growth giving its people employment opportunities and growth.

“The same also contributes to the overall economic development of the country in establishing competitive centers,” he added.

Pimentel’s bill sought the establishment of the Bislig Special Economic Zone in the Province of Surigao del Sur, to be referred to as the Bislig Ecozone which shall cover a particular area located in the City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur. The bill was substituted by HB 9091.

HB 9091 mandates the creation of a body corporate to be known as the “Bislig Special Economic Zone Authority” to be referred as the BSEZA which shall manage and and operate the Bislig Special Economic Zone.

Pimentel said the establishment of the Bislig City Special Economic Zone shall again harness Bislig City and the contiguous areas within and around their immediate vicinities, maximizing them as an engine of socio-economic development in Caraga Region.

He described Bislig City as the seat of Paper Industries Corporation (PICP), one of the then major industries of the Philippines, saying it was both a national center for trade and commerce.

“Nevertheless, with the cessation of the PICOP operations in Surigao del Sur in the 1990s, so did the decline of the steady economic growth in the province,” Pimentel said.

Maricel V. Cruz

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BI SEEKS DISCIPLINARY POWERS

By Vito Barcelo

I

MMIGRATION Commissioner Jaime Morente has sought additional powers to whip erring bureau personnel following the decision of the Department of Justice to sack eight job order workers implicated in the extortion of more than P9.2 million from 15 South Korean nationals. “(Having) disciplinary powers against erring personnel will enable the bureau to take a more swift action when needed,” Morente said.

“Our actions on previous incidents of alleged corruption show that we will not hesitate to weed out corrupt employees. The President’s directive

is clear. Corruption has no place in BI. Not on my watch,” he added.

The Korean nationals, who were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 6, filed a complaint before the Office of the President and the DOJ against 18 BI intelligence officers, including the job order workers, for

apprehending them despite having proper documents.

The erring BI personnel allegedly forced the Korean nationals to shell out various amounts of money under threat of detention.

Aside from the relief of the eight job order personnel, the 10 other officers have likewise been placed under preventive suspension.

Meanwhile, the bureau was placed on heightened alert after receiving a report that human trafficking syndicates are looking to take advantage of the Holy Week holiday to send their victims abroad.

All of the bureau’s airport terminal

heads and supervisors were ordered to immediately implement strict immigration assessment following the intelligence report.

“We have received intelligence reports that human traffickers and illegal recruiters will be sending many of their victims to travel abroad this week. They are mistaken if they think we will lower our guard during the peak season,” Morente said.

He said the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit was tasked to conduct secondary inspection on departing Filipinos with “doubtful purpose of travel.”

INCUMBENTS LEAD RACE IN METRO MANILA

By Joel E. Zurbano KNOWN political personalities remain the leading candidates for mayoral positions for the May 13 midterm polls in Metro Manila, a survey by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. released on Saturday showed.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from April 1 to 8, covered 8,000 registered voters that represent all demographic lines. It has a confidence level of 98 percent and a margin of error of +/-2 percent in different areas in Metro Manila.

The survey showed that if the elections for mayor are to be held today, the frontrunners and clear winners will be: Abigail Binay (67 percent) of Makati City, Joy Belmonte (62 percent) of Quezon City, Toby Tiangco (66 percent) of Navotas City, Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (71 percent) of Pasay City, Lino Cayetano (70 percent) of Taguig City, and Bobby Eusebio (68 percent) of Pasig City.

Binay, the incumbent mayor, was backed by her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, in her reelection bid over her brother, Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., who garnered a 36 percent rating.

In Quezon City, Vice Mayor Belmonte was ahead by 26 percentage points over Rep. Bingbong Crisologo (36 percent) and former Rep. Chuck Mathay (1 percent).

Rep. Tiangco was up by eight percentage points against Councilor Dan Ang (23 percent).

Another legislator, CalixtoRubiano was ahead by 55 percentage points over her rival, Chet Cuneta, son of former Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

In the City of Manila, former vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso led the race with 47 percent, followed by incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada (30 percent) and former mayor Alfredo Lim (15 percent).

In Taguig City, Cayetano, a former congressman, was ahead by 43 percentage points over Rep. Arnel Cerafica (27 percent).

CATHOLIC FEAST.

Vendors make palaspas (palm fronds) in preparation for Palm Sunday at Baclaran Church in Parañaque City.

Lino Santos

IN LOVE AND IN FAITH. Rosaries for sale are on display outside the Padre Pio Church in Libis, Quezon City. Sonny Espiritu

PALAWAN DIVIDED INTO 3 PROVINCES

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure dividing Palawan into three new provinces, namely: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. Duterte signed signed Republic Act 11259 dividing Palawan into three distinct provinces, with Palawan del Sur as

the mother province.

Under the law, the province of Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay and El Nido.

The province of Palawan Oriental, in turn, will be comprised of the municipalities of Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cayancillo, and San Vicente.

Palawan del Sur as the “mother province” will be composed of the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balacbac and Kalayaan.

The three provinces will be created depending on the results of a plebiscite in the affected areas.

The plebiscite will be held on the second Monday of May 2020.

SCIENTISTS IMPLANT HUMAN GENES INTO MONKEYS HONG KONG—Chinese scientists have implanted human brain genes into monkeys, in a study intended to provide insights into the unique evolution of human intelligence.

Researchers inserted human versions of MCPH1, a gene that scientists believe plays a role in the development of the human brain, into 11 rhesus monkeys.

They found the monkeys’ brains—like those of humans— took longer to develop, and the animals performed better in tests of short-term memory as well as reaction time compared to wild monkeys.

However, the monkeys did not grow bigger brains than the control group.

The test, the latest in a series of biomedical experiments in China to have fueled medical ethics debates, has already drawn ethical concerns, and comparisons with dystopian sci-fi “Planet of the Apes.”

It was conducted by researchers at the Kunming Institute of Zoology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, working with US researchers at the University of North Carolina.

The study was published last month in Beijing-based journal National Science Review.

“Our findings demonstrated that transgenic nonhuman primates (excluding ape species) have the potential to provide important— and potentially unique —insights into basic questions of what actually makes human unique,” the authors wrote.

The monkeys underwent memory tests requiring them to remember colors and shapes on a screen, and were subjected to MRI scans.

Only five of the monkeys survived into the testing stage.

The authors said the rhesus monkey, though genetically closer to humans than rodents, is still distant enough to alleviate ethical concerns.

However, some questioned the ethics of the experiment.

“You just go to the ‘Planet of the Apes’ immediately in the popular imagination,” said Jacqueline Glover, a University of Colorado bioethicist.

“To humanize them is to cause harm. Where would they live and what would they do? Do not create a being that can’t have a meaningful life in any context,” she told MIT Technology Review.

Larry Baum, a researcher at Hong Kong University’s Center for Genomic Sciences, downplayed sci-fi comparisons. AFP

2 KILLED IN MULTIPLE COLLISION IN TAGUIG TWO persons were killed and at least eight other individuals were hurt following a collision involving five vehicles, including a 10-wheeler truck, in Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Saturday morning.

The fatalities were identified as Danilo Pedrosa and Gerald Iann Hernandez, who both died on the spot due to severe head and body injuries.

Police identified the injured as Ronald Ortega Villanueva, Jaime Ocfemia Berosil Jr., Rogelio Salinas Fernandez, Aldren Ano Sepe, Christopher Aquino Dalangin, Christel Castro Layosa, Cecile Marie Verin Moreno and Francis Varona Larita.

The authorities said those injured were

drivers and riders of a private car, two public utility jeeps, a motorcycle and two bicycles.

They were rushed to the hospital nearby, also due to head and body injuries.

Police arrested the truck driver, Roman Rafanan Marinas, 29 and his two helpers, Ronny Marinas, 19, and Julius Vallinan, 31.

The incident happened along Circumferential Road-6 in front of Lakeshore in Brgy. Lower Bicutan at around 6:20 am.

Based on the initial investigation report submitted to the Southern Police District, the truck driven by Marinas was on its way southbound to Rizal when it lost its brake, resulting in the multiple collision.

Joel E. Zurbano

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Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TO GET TO THE MOON IN 2024, THE ROCKET IS JUST NASA’S FIRST HEADACHE

EDITORIAL

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DISTURBINGLY DREADFUL

O BE poor in the Philippines, where 108 million people live, must now be a virtue, with an official of the Philippine Statistics Authority defending the P10,481 estimated minimum budget needed by a family of five to survive in a month.

The defense has roused flaming sparks flying haphazardly from Batanes to Tawi Tawi, not helped any by the endorsing argument of the Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo that if you ask the poor “they will tell you that they will get by with salt.”

That’s literally rubbing salt into the palpable poverty that cannot be concealed in the

economic rungs of our society.

We would have wished we had good reasons to be more prudent today, while majority of our countrymen commemorate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest on Maundy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday, which marks the final week of Lent.

Golgotha has come too soon, it seems, to the Filipinos crying for solutions and resolutions to their parasitic poverty, with defense of a token budget for a family of five people, shamelessly insulting and unrealistic, to say the least.

And a disobliging government even suggests that despite the rising costs of subsistence among Filipinos, it believes the poverty incidence has dropped, with the National Economic and Development Authority saying the 6.6 percent plunge in poverty rate can be attributed to what

it calls the sustained economic development and reforms undertaken by the Duterte administration.

We agree with those who say that the figures dished out by the PSA for a family’s survival are in the highest rung of self-absorption, an impudent daydream among those who never experience a gurgling stomach.

The argument at the same time tries to maintain a rigorously damaging status quo and stops employers, their pronouncements of care and disquietude notwithstanding, from addressing their employees’ growing grievance despite their unfailing productivity.

We have a sympathetic mind and heart for those who cry out for better wages to help them grapple with, among others, the traditional list of food, water, clothing, shelter, sanitation, healthcare, transportation, education and, in the modern list, the internet.

By Ivan Couronne IN THE shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Alan Campbell, a project manager for space systems at the famed Draper Laboratory that built the computer which took astronauts to the Moon 50 years ago, is waiting for news from NASA. His firm has continued to specialize in the advanced technology required for space travel and is a natural candidate to help the US space agency in its quest to return to the Moon by 2024—once final requests for proposals go out.

“We don’t know when those are going to be because NASA is all thrown into a loop right now,” Campbell told AFP from Draper’s booth at the 35th Space Symposium, which is being held in Colorado Springs.

“They’re still trying to figure it out,” he said.

“We can’t really work on their problems until they tell us, ‘These are the problems we want people to work on.’”

It’s a similar wait for hundreds of other companies, ranging from aerospace giants to the most specialized of sub-contractors, many of whom are at the annual space industry event.

Until March 26 of last year, American boots were set to return to the Moon in 2028 following the last such mission by Apollo 17 in 1972.

Last month though, the administration of President Donald Trump said it was speeding up that timetable by a full four years, throwing NASA into overdrive.

The first problem is linked to the super heavy rocket required for the lunar mission, the skyscraper-sized Space Launch System (SLS).

Boeing, the prime contractor, is years behind and isn’t certain it will be ready for its first test flight, without humans, in 2020.

At its booth, the US aerospace giant had relegated a model of the SLS to a corner.

Europeans await anxiously The Orion capsule that will transport the astronauts, built by competitor Lockheed Martin, should be ready, program manager Michael Hawes assures AFP, and it will be delivered in January to the Kennedy Space Center.

Lockheed Martin has proudly displayed a lifesize model of the Orion outside the conference hall.

But walking on the Moon will require more than a rocket and a capsule: NASA wants to assemble a mini-station in lunar orbit, called the Gateway, where the astronauts will make a stop-over before their descent to the lunar surface.

Sierra Nevada Corporation envisions an inflatable space habitat to house the astronauts while in moon-orbit.

At this stage, the company does not know when NASA wants it delivered.

Kimberly Schwandt, a spokeswoman for the company, is unperturbed. “Whatever NASA decides for the timetable, we are ready and willing,” she said at the company’s booth.

Europeans are also here in large numbers and ready to pitch in with a communications module.

“Technically, we know that we can do it,” said Johann-Dietrich Worner, director general of the European Space Agency (ESA). “And we hope that we can do it in time.

“It depends a little bit also on the calendar of the Americans,” Worner said.

The heads of European space agencies attending the symposium told NASA chief Jim Bridenstine they need a plan to be finalized before the fall because the ESA budget will be approved in November.

“I’d be happy to make a trip out to Europe in order to give their political leadership the assurances necessary,” said Bridenstine, aware that Trump’s abrupt shift in the Moon timetable was done without consultation with international partners.

Loosen NASA bureaucracy The most urgent priority, according to industry executives, is for NASA to come up with the full requirements for the lander that would take the astronauts from the Gateway to the Moon.

Some of the more experienced firms caution that it may already be too late to build one in keeping with the accelerated timetable.

“We need to be bending metal next year, which means tooling already has to be in house,” said Rob Chambers, director of Human Space Exploration Strategy at Lockheed Martin Space. “And I hope somebody ordered a bunch of aluminium.”

Others warned that NASA will need to loosen its legendary bureaucracy to move things ahead.

Lookheed Martin’s Hawes, the Orion program manager, pointed to development of the capsule to illustrate the point.

“Just to give you an example, on the Orion program we have 400 regularly scheduled meetings a week between the NASA team and the Lockheed Martin team,” Hawes said. “Does that speak urgency to you?”

Another issue is spacesuits.

“If you’re going to do something on the Moon, you need spacesuits,” said The Aerospace Corporation’s Dean Eppler, who has spent 20 years testing prototypes.

The current calendar calls for delivery of a new spacesuit prototype to NASA in 2023— for testing. AFP

JOY ROJAS’ THIRD SOLO SHOW, INSTITUTO CERVANTES’‘DIA DEL LIBRO’ ABSTRACTIONIST Jose Ferdinand ‘Joy’ M. Rojas II once again regales art aficionados with his trademark bold strokes of color and texture across canvas while at the same time offering artworks that trend in a bold new direction in his third solo exhibit, ‘Res Judicata.’

The show’s title holds several layers of meaning: that of the term itself, and it refers to the artist’s profession as a lawyer as well as the name of one of his racehorses.

In this exhibit, Rojas displays a fine sense of balance between restraint and abandon, between bold swathes of metallic colors and rough, angular striations that provide extreme texture across the surface of his canvases.

He shows fearlessness in exploring new territory. In a first for Rojas, he created screen dividers covered with retro images and florals that variously evoke our nation’s past as well as the artist’s travels and artistic inspirations.

Rojas is unafraid to play with color and symmetry. ‘Res Judicata’ is divided into three for three-quarters of its height; the final quarter bifurcates the canvas horizontally. Each section is painted a slightly different but harmonious color. Cool grays and silver predominate, with one section

a warm gray that is almost umber, providing striking contrast amid a somber mood.

Similarly, ‘Winter Dreams’ is mostly steel gray and industrial white, the bleakness relieved by two restrained strokes of red, crossed by equally carefully placed runnels of black and white.

In contrast, ‘Sunset at Malecon, Havana’ is a bright golden brown tempered with ash. A splash of orange evokes the sun, and slashes of yellow green bring to mind young leaves in spring.

‘Confetti 8’ is freer and looser, its ground of blues and purples undulating in random gradations across the surface, a rent of darker blue a seeming portal through which to peer as bright pink strokes draw the eye in.

Rojas breaks a new personal artistic ground with his ‘Time After Time’ series, mixed media panels covered with old maps and images from a Philippine past—the Love Bus, Rizal and other heroes, old buildings in Manila (among them the Cinerama theater owned by the Roman and Rojas families), vintage ads for Coke— all provoking a sense of nostalgia.

The artist turns to another of his design inspirations in his quadriptych

‘Flowers of Christian Dior’, an hommage to the 2017 Christian Dior Anniversary Exhibit in Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris. Tulips, tea roses, lilies, and other florals are strewn luxuriously across a ground of eaude-Nil and blush pink.

Rojas’s third show points to his flourishing maturity as an artist and continuous development of mastery over technique and narrative.

‘Res Judicata’ runs from April 14 to 30 at the Pinto Art Museum, Antipolo City.

••• Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Embassy of Spain, will be staging its annual celebration of Dia del Libro (International Book Day) on April 27 at Ayala Triangle, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Bookstores and publishing houses will be offering their wares at a discount, and, in the Spanish tradition, book buyers will be given a rose.

Instituto Cervantes will also be giving out hundreds of books for free upon purchase of a shirt featuring an excerpt from a Spanish poem.

Among the interesting cultural activities are a recital of national hero Jose Rizal’s ‘Mi Ultimo Adios,’ with 70 people each reading one line from the poem. The recitations

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE will be recorded, and the final edited video will be shown on the Instituto Cervantes Manila website and social media pages.

Likewise, the novel ‘Don Quijote’ will be rewritten by hand by volunteers.

‘Trese’ fans will be delighted to know that a new volume of the comics saga will be launched at the event.

Restaurants will provide Spanish fare, Instituto Cervantes will hold a free Spanish demo class, and for the kiddies, there will be storytelling, games, and coloring sessions.

The night will be enlivened by ‘Posporos,’ a concert of Filipino and Spanish musicians – our homegrown The Late Isabel, an art rock band, and Vulk, a Basque punk band from Bilbao.

••• “Politicians don’t bring people together. Artists do.” ~ Richard Daley, Former Mayor of Chicago / FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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BATTLES INTENSIFY AROUND TRIPOLI; DOZENS KILLED TRIPOLI, Libya—Forces answering to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar battled units that back Tripoli’s unity government on the edge of the capital Friday, days into a new round of conflict that has killed dozens and displaced thousands.

Gunfire and blasts rang out and smoke rose as forces backing the fragile UN-backed government of Fayez alSarraj attempted to block an offensive

by Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).

Dozens of people have been killed and more than 300 wounded over the last eight days, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

The United Nations said the fighting had driven 8,000 people from their homes and that “displacements from areas affected by the clashes in and around Tripoli continue to surge”.

“Many families remain stranded inside conflict-affected areas,” with supplies running short, UN spokesman Rheal Leblanc told reporters in Geneva.

French authorities said Friday they were in touch with all parties to Libya’s conflict.

But they did not confirm a report in Italy’s La Repubblica, citing a source at the French presidency, saying Haftar had sent envoys to Paris several hours before he launched his offensive on Tripoli on April 4.

“Like our partners, we talk to all parties in the Libya conflict, in order to obtain a ceasefire”, said Agnes von der Muhll, a spokesperson for France’s foreign ministry.

“We were not warned about the offensive on Tripoli, which we condemned when it was launched,” she said.

The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord on Friday expressed “hope” that the UN will act to halt Haftar’s offensive.

“We hope that the UN Security Council succeeds in stopping the force that is attacking the capital and convinces countries that are supporting it to change their positions”, the GNA’s foreign minister Tahar Siala told reporters on Friday. AFP

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SUDAN’S MILITARY HEAD QUITS, SAYS ‘NOT A COUP’

HARTOUM, Sudan—Sudan’s new military leader resigned on Friday just a day after being sworn in, as the country’s army rulers insisted they would pave the way for a civilian government.

The head of Sudan’s new ruling military council, General Awad Ibn Ouf, announced his departure after being sworn in late Thursday following the ouster of long-time president Omar al-Bashir.

His move came shortly after the council’s political chief Lieutenant General Omar Zain al-Abdin told Arab and African diplomats at a meeting broadcast on state television: “This is not a military coup, but taking the side of the people.”

Ouf’s departure was an apparent sign of confusion among the northeast African country’s new leaders after Thursday’s ousting of iron-fisted Bashir.

But there was jubilation at the news on the streets

DEFIANT FACE. A

Sudanese girl wearing face paint reading “fall again” in Arabic chants slogans during a demonstration demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy, outside the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Friday. Sudanese protestors vowed to chase out the country’s new military rulers, as the army offered talks on forming a civilian government after it ousted president Omar al-Bashir.

AFP

of Khartoum.

Tens of thousands of protestors had kept up a vigil at the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Friday angrily demanding that the military make way for a civilian government.

“I hereby announce my resignation as head of the Transitional Military Council,” Ibn Ouf said in an address to the nation, announcing he had chosen General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdulrahman to replace him.

He said he trusted in Abdulrahman’s “experience and suitability I trust to bring this ship to a safe shore”.

The Sudanese Professionals Association which has spearheaded the nationwide protest campaign hailed Ibn Ouf’s departure as “a victory of the people’s will”.

The umbrella group organizing the protests called on newly sworn-in ruler Burhan to “transfer the powers of the military council to a transitional civilian government.”

“If this does not happen we will continue with our

sit-in in front of the army headquarters and other towns,” it said in a statement.

The demonstrations against Bashir’s 30-year rule first erupted in December, triggered by a tripling of the bread prices in one of the world’s most impoverished countries.

But vast crowds have been thronging outside the army headquarters since Saturday in unprecedented scenes.

Sudan’s police said on Friday that 16 people were killed and another 20 wounded by “live ammunition” in Khartoum during protests over the past two days.

After denying charges of a military coup, Abdin said the transitional military council, due to stay in power for two years, would “open dialogue with political parties”.

There “will be a civilian government and we will not intervene in its composition”, he vowed.

He also appealed to foreign diplomats for “your donations, as we have some economic issues”, alluding to fuel and food shortages. AFP

KIM OPEN TO 3RD TRUMP SUMMIT TOWARD YEAREND

SEOUL, South Korea—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is willing meet with US President Donald Trump a third time if Washington comes to the table with the “right attitude”, state media reported Saturday.

Kim also said he would wait until the end of the year “for the US to make a courageous decision” on another meeting, after his most recent summit with Trump in Vietnam broke down and both sides left without agreement.

Washington has blamed the February deadlock on the North’s demands for sanctions relief in return for limited nuclear disarmament, but Pyongyang said it had wanted only some of the measures eased.

In a speech to Pyongyang’s rubber-stamp parliament Friday, Kim said the Hanoi meeting had made him question whether Washington is “genuinely interested” in improving its relations with Pyongyang.

“We are willing to give another try if the US offers to have a third summit with the right attitude and mutually acceptable terms,” he said, according to a report

by North Korean state media outlet KCNA. Kim added that his personal relationship with Trump remained strong, adding they could “write letters to each other” whenever they wanted.

“We will wait with patience until the end of the year for the US to make a courageous decision,” Kim said.

Trump and Kim held their first landmark summit in Singapore last June, where the pair signed a vaguely-worded agreement on the “denuclearization of the Korean peninsula”.

But the failure to reach agreement at their second summit in Hanoi has raised questions over the future of the accord. AFP

B4

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

BANDOLIS WINS 2 TENNIS TITLES IN LANAO PPS

Host University of Perpetual Help System Dalta President and NCAA Season 94 Policy Board Chairman Anthony Jose Moran Tamayo receives the elegant trophy for the General (Overall) Champion in the Juniors’, Division during the awarding ceremony Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Dennis Abrina

PERPETUAL CROWNED NCAA OVERALL JUNIOR CHAMPION

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HE University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Junior Altas captured their first-ever General Championship in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Season 94) since joining the oldest collegiate league in 1984.

The hosts garnered 365 points to reign supreme in the league, edging

five-time General Champion San Beda University by just 1.5 points, thereby denying the Red Cubs a “six-peat” overall championship.

The Tony Tamayo-owned school reigned in chess, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball and track and field to earn 50 points for each discipline, placed 1st runner-up in swimming for 40 points, 3rd runner-up in table tennis and football for 30 points each, earned 20 points in basketball and lawn tennis, 15 points in badminton and 10 points in taekwondo.

The Arellano Braves placed 2nd runner-up in overall with 302.5 points.

The awarding ceremony was held Thursday during the NCAA Cheerleading Championship at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We congratulate the whole team and the whole of UPHSD community is proud of the accomplishments,” said NCAA Policy Board Chair and UPHSD president Anthony Tamayo in an interview.

Chris Pondoyo of the Junior

Altas Chess Team, Hero Austria of Indoor Volleyball, Noel Micheal Kampton of Beach volleyball and Jerick ‘Toto’ Arzaga were this Season’s Most Valuable Players of their sports divisions, while FIDE Master Roel Abelgas of the Chess Team, Sandy Rieta of both Indoor and Outdoor Volleyball and Trece Academia were named as Coaches of the Year.

Tamayo received the elegant trophy for the General (Overall) Champion. Dennis Abrina

3RD PGT ASIA KICKS OFF AT LUISITA

Mondilla

THE Philippine Golf Tour Asia ushers in its third season tomorrow (Monday) with a power-packed cast from at least 19 countries gearing up for four days of battle of shotmaking and wits in the $100,000 event at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Aussie David Gleeson outlasted Filipino Erwin Arcillas on the third playoff hole to snare the crown last year with the same ending expected on Thursday given the depth of the field with the wind and the heat expected to add up to the various challenges offered by the tight layout.

Newly crowned Solaire Philippine Open champion and 2018 PGTA Order of Merit winner Clyde Mondilla banners the elite cast that also includes Thais Tawan Phongpun and Ratchapol Jantavara, Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Gregory Foo, Swede Sebastian Hansson, Rory Hie of Indonesia, Scot Ryan Hood, Hwang Myung Chal of Japan, Grant Jackson of England, Spain’s Marcos Pastor and Americans Lexus Keoninh, Charles Lee and Micah Shin.

Phongpun and Jantavara are actually coming into the 72-hole championship put up by ICTSI brimming with confidence after sharing top honors in the PGT Asia Qualifying Tournament last Friday also held at the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed course.

But the locals are also ready to take on the best from the foreign contingent with last year’s

PGT OOM winner Jobim Carlos out to atone for his abbreviated stint in the Phl Open where he withdrew after the first round due to injury.

Mondilla bucked the odds at the tough The Country Club layout and bested a talent-laden field to become the 18th Filipino and third from Del Monte to win the country’s premier championship and Asia’s oldest National Open.

But the 116-player field is teeming with talent, including those seeking redemption from the Phl Open debacle, including Asia’s former No. 1 and recent PGT Asia Riviera leg champion Juvic Pagunsan, four-time PGT Asia leg winner Jhonnel Ababa, veteran Elmer Salvador, multititled Tony Lascuña, PGT Asia leg titlist Joenard Rates and Gleeson, who all missed the cut in the Phl Open, which closed out the second season of the region’s newest circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Meanwhile, Mondilla plus a select group of pros test the challenging hazard-laden layout in today’s (Sunday) pro-am where they will be paired with guests and officials of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, , PLDT Enterprise, Meralco, BDO and PGT Asia official apparel Pin High.

Gleeson

KRISTINE Bandolis missed completing a rare three-title feat but proved dominating just the same as she ruled the girls’ 14- and 18-and-under divisions in the PPS-PEPP Kapatagan national age-grouper at the Kapatagan and Maranding courts in Lanao del Norte recently.

The rising Tubod star, 14, crushed Angel Vosotros, 6-1, 6-2, to reign in her age bracket then blasted April Cuizon, 6-1, 6-2, in the finals of the premier division of the Group 2 tournament hosted by Byron Atay and presented by Dunlop.

Ozamiz City’s Judy Ann Padilla, however, foiled her in the 16-U finals, scoring a 6-2, 6-2 reversal to share the spotlight in the week-long event serving as part of the nationwide, year-long circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Eric Tangub, meanwhile, hacked out a pair of tough wins to dominate the boys’ side as the Tucuran, Zambo del Sur ace held off Brent Cortes, 6-4, 6-4, for the 16-U crown then turned back Steven Sonsona in a thriller of a duel, 7-5, 4-6, 11-9, to share the MVP honors with Bandolis.

Up next in the circuit is the PPSPEPP Pangasinan leg, which got under way yesterday (Saturday) with another huge cast vying for top honors in various divisions at the Urdaneta Tennis Club. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

PH SALVAGES BRONZE MEDAL IN SEA SQUASH THE Philippines absorbed a stinging 2-3 setback to Singapore in the mixed team event semifinals of the 5th Southeast Asian Squash Cup Championships at the Kerry Sports courts inside the Shangri-la Hotel at the Fort in Taguig City late Friday Night.

With the best-of-5 tie knotted at 2-all, David Pelino suddenly lost his grip to Singapore’s Benedict Chan, who fashioned a comefrom-behind 8-11, 11-2, 13, 1111-2 win in the deciding fifth and final match, booking a ticket in the finals scheduled later yesterday in the tourney organized by the Philippine Squash Academy.

In a rematch of Group B semifinalists, the Singaporeans were to tangle with the Malaysians in the competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and the MVP Sports Foundation.

It was a heart-breaking end for the Kayod Pilipinas campaigners, who had scrambled back into contention on the heroics Robert Garcia and men’s individual champion Reymark Garcia after dropping the first two women’s singles matches.

The Singaporeans opened the series with Sneha Sivakumar blanking Yvonne Alyssa Dalida, 11-7, 115, 11-4 after which compatriot Aue Yeong Wai Yhan took down ailing Jemyca Aribado 11-3, 5-11, 13-11, 11-6 to give them a 2-0 lead.

CBA: REDISCOVERING ROOTS OF PH BASKETBALL

By Arman D. Armero THE Philippines is unquestionably a basketball-crazy nation, and proof of this is the ubiquitous presence of basketball courts in practically every corner of every barangay in the archipelago.

This is why the idea of establishing a basketball league in a community setting had appealed to former actor and ‘indie’ film director Carlo Maceda, who saw the need for a genuine grassroots program for basketball involving aspiring, talented players who will otherwise have little chances of making it to the more established leagues.

It didn’t hurt that as a young University of the Philippines student, Carlo loved to play the game, but realizing that he wasn’t that good enough to make it to the top echelon of varsity basketball at that time, he instead focused on his studies.

Over the years, Carlo’s career path took him to acting, directing and managing his

own business (Megapixel Marketing and Creative Services, Inc.), but his passion for the sport remained.

Last year, Carlo finally had a chance to rediscover his basketball roots, but this time he thought of forming an amateur basketball league with the community as focal point.

Together with wife Derlyn and friend Jeanette Beltran, they mapped out plans, called up some knowledgeable people for help and bravely plunged into organizing the fledgling league, which they dubbed as the Community Basketball League.

“At first, medyo nahirapan din kasi I came from a different world although meron din naman akong mga kilala sa basketball, some of them my former teammates sa UP. Pero with the help of some people, we decided to go ahead,” Carlo said.

The help Carlo got came from the likes of PBA coach and basketball legend Pido Jarencio and another veteran coach

in Bonnie Tan, who gladly lent their knowledge and expertise in running a new basketball league.

As producer and director, Carlo also made full use of not only his organizational skills, but the equipment and the tools needed to document the games.

Aside from the cameras and the equipment which CBA uses for coverage of the games, Carlo also put up Glitter via facebook, which covers the leagues’ activities and games through live streaming.

But the ‘final piece’ that proved cru-

cial for CBA was when IBC-13 agreed to air the games at primetime (starting at 6 p.m.) for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday games.

“We’re really thankful that IBC-13 came on board, kasi a basketball league needs an audience, and being covered by a network was definitely a big boost,” said Carlo.

The CBA started with 12 teams, counting Rizal, Malabon, Pasig and Paranaque as pioneers, but in less than a year since it started in June 2018, the league now boasts of 70 teams, spread over the National Capital Region, Visayas (Cebu alone has 42 teams) and Mindanao.

Carlo is undoubtedly proud of what had become of the CBA as an alternative basketball league in so short a time, but his excitement goes beyond the early success of the league.

“What is really exciting are the benefits that the league brings to the community.

This goes beyond basketball, because we also bring business sa community

kasi ‘pag may laro maraming tao, kumikita ‘yung mga tindahan sa area, maraming nabibigyan ng trabaho at pagkakakitaan.”

Needless to say, CBA also provides allowances for the players and pays the salaries for its staff and personnel. And because a league of this magnitude needs more personnel and logistics, Carlo decided to train out-of-school youths, specifically the ones from St. Mary’s School (Boys Town) in Cebu, and homeless people in the communities to be part of the league and earn their keep.

Still, the ultimate vision for the CBA is to discover, nurture and develop aspiring players as they showcase their skills in a league they can really call their own.

“CBA is a league for the community and the players living in communities, or even in far-flung areas in the country.

In CBA, we believe that organizing a basketball league is not about money, but what you can do to help the youth fulfill their dreams,” said Carlo.

C1

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019

Business

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

MILLENNIALS FIND THRIVING FUTURE IN C-STORE FRANCHISING

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Fashion designer Rajo Laurel signs a memorandum of agreement with NGCP and the Miagao Weavers Association to promote Project Baro.

RAJO LAUREL, NGCP SIGN DEAL TO PROMOTE LIVELIHOOD

RANCHISING offers many wonderful perks and opportunities for all, especially aspiring young investors seeking financial independence and flexible incomes as business owners.

While being a “franchisee” entails mature readiness, experience and business acumen essential qualities that many millennials are said to have yet to acquire and develop their determination and youthful zeal, plus finding the right franchise concept sets them up for the business and, eventually, lead them towards entrepreneurial success.

Starting smart Chalsea Trish Carating, a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management graduate of Enderun Colleges who is only in her 20s, proudly shares how she made the bold jump into franchising.

“My mother wanted me to start my own business as soon as I graduate so she decided that I start with franchising a convenience store.

We actually tried another c-store chain first, but my application was rejected because I was too young and they cannot guarantee my financial capacity even though my parents will back me up.

On the other hand, 7-Eleven encourages young entrepreneurs to look over their franchising package, that is why we decided to invest in a 7-Eleven store,” she says.

After accomplishing the one-month classroom and in-store training and the steady system support by the franchise advisors of Philippine Seven Corp., the exclusive local licensor of 7-Eleven, Carating successfully opened her first 7-Eleven franchise in Bayanan, Muntinlupa in October 2016.

“Through the help of my franchise specialist, we chose the best location out of all the options that she presented. We mainly focused on looking for a high foot traffic area. At first, it was not really hectic but the succeeding days were fine because new customers keep coming in and sales are going up. I felt really happy and proud because it’s finally happening right in front of my eyes,” she recalls.

“I have been operating my Bayanan store for two years already, and I recently opened a new one in Sucat, Muntinlupa,” Carating says.

While managing a business is no walk in the park, Carating says running a c-store has many advantages. “The best thing about having my own business is I can be my own boss. I can do whatever I want and I keep learning new things.

As of now, my focus is on my Sucat and Bayanan branches, but if given a chance in the future, I would like to franchise more stores in order to expand my business and challenge myself to become a better entrepreneur,” she says.

On why aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business should try franchising a c-store, Carating says it’s because “franchising a business

Young entrepreneur Chalsea Carating in one of her 7-Eleven franchise outlets

is a better idea rather than starting your own because consumers are brand conscious; they go to or patronize the brand that they already kno w”.

“What makes 7-Eleven package worthy is they have already established a brand name, it wouldn’t be hard to attract customers into buying the products and also, the management support system which makes everything easier to handle,” she says.

Looking forward to her continued success with 7-Eleven, Carating says she plans to add another outlet when the time is right.

Young and unstoppable Another young entrepreneur, 24-year-old Jimmy Taguinod, has been successfully managing a number of food and beverage kiosks and a Snackbar Cinema prior to running a 7-Eleven c-store.

“Me and my partners had a vision to have our own company mainly focusing in franchising business. 7-Eleven is the strongest convenience store brand not just here in the Philippines but all over the world,” says Taguinod.

Together with his associates, they opened their first 7-Eleven store in January 2018 in Delpan. “The people love the store; it is their new one stop shop.

They always shop in our store everyday. I was quite pressured because everything was new for me but I was able to adjust,” he says.

To date, Taguinod is operating a total of four c-stores: Kamuning, Blumentritt, Delpan and Tondo Hospital.

Besides having an alternative income, Taguinod finds extra fulfillment in managing a c-store “because I can provide jobs while earning at the same time. Thus, I’m grateful for the opportunity. ” “I also feel blessed being a franchisee of 7-Eleven. PSC provides me system support, good locations and products that are salable. Most importantly, franchisees are valued. For those interested in trying out this business, go for it. It might be risky, but 7-Eleven can minimize those risks,” he said.

PSC business development division head Ulysses Borral says the multiple store franchise arrangement is gaining popularity among young adults, as more aspire to start young as business managers. PSC attributes this to the proven system support which provides those venturing into the franchise, most especially newbies, with full franchisor’s guidance throughout the process.

“We are seeing more young multiple store owners, or franchisees who own and operate more than one outlet. Franchising in general is an attractive and lucrative option for millennials who want more financial growth and freedom outside job employment. In fact, from the 20 to 26 year age brackets, there are already 43 7-Eleven franchisees,” says Borral.

PROJECT Baro, a corporate social responsibility project of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, gets a boost as renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel signed an agreement to use the project’s products for NGCP’s corporate uniform in 2020.

Project Baro is a sustainable livelihood project that aims to promote and sustain the indigenous art of weaving in the country. It hopes to improve the economic conditions of its partner communities by building their capacities.

Aside from the provision of trainings on various weaving techniques, raw materials and equipment to weavers, the project will also help increase their income through market linkage and access.

“It is important for the project to go full circle as the equipment and training will find no use if there is no market for them to sell their goods,” said NGCP. The collaboration between NGCP and Laurel will see the use of Iloilo’s Hablon fabric, produced by memberweavers of the Miagao Weavers’ Association in NGCP’s corporate uniforms. Laurel’s company, Laurel et Ross, which has been in the business of masterfully crafting uniform designs since 2001, will oversee the design and production of said uniforms.

“We believe that we should not stop our efforts by just giving them tools and training, but also keep them relevant by linking the communities with local and international entrepreneurs who are able to see the quality and design of Filipinos,” said NGCP. Laurel expressed his excitement over the project. “Weaving is a very strong, significant symbol of our country. Miagao is one of the most popular weaving communities and it is very important to not allow this identity to disappear. I’m very happy that NGCP got me for this project as this will help a lot of weavers,” Laurel said.

Around 75 weavers are expected to benefit from the project.

Aside from the MWA, NGCP also supports member-weavers of Kalinga Indigenous Weavers’ Association Etnika in Kalinga and Buhi OTOP Key Players Association in Camarines Sur. Both associations supply NGCP with their products and are linked to socio-ethical enterprises through the project.

“Through the support we give to our communities and local industries, we do not only enable their craft to mature, but we also give them better opportunities to showcase what Filipinos are capable of,” said NGCP.

ATENEO STUDENTS DECLARED ASIAN REGIONAL FINANCIAL RESEARCH CHAMPIONS SYDNEY—A team from Ateneo de Manila University has been named the Asia Pacific regional champions of the CFA Institute Research Challenge which was held in this city on March 29.

Twenty-seven university teams comprised of more than 120 students from all over Asia took part in the competition.

The winning team from Ateneo de Manila University will go on to compete in the global final on April 25 in New York City where they will compete against the winning teams from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The winning team presented and defended reports on D&L Industries Inc.to a panel of investment industry experts who presided as judges for the event.

The winning team included Katreena Dachelle Chang, Carina Monica Almonia Chua, Gabrielle Marie Tayag, Vince Benedict Say and Christine Yu. Over the past 13 years, the CFA Institute Research Challenge has seen a steady increase in participation globally, from 91 participants in 2006 to more than 6,200 this year.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a

global competition that tests the equity research and valuation, investment report writing and presentation skills of university students.

This annual educational initiative promotes best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills.

Through the course of the competition which requires hundreds of hours of preparation, par ticipants receive mentoring from a professional research analyst as they analyze a publicly-traded company, write a professional research report and present their research results and recommendations to a high-profile panel of experts.

Points are awarded to teams on the basis of their investment case, their poise and their ability to answer the judges’ questions. The teams are sponsored by local CFA Institute member societies or groups of volunteers, each of which previously hosted country heats of the challenge.

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials.

From left: CFA Institute managing director for Asia Pacific Nick Pollard; Ateneo Management Engineering seniors Carina Monica Chua, Christine Abigail Yu, Gabrielle Marie Tayag, Katreena Dachelle Chang and Vince Benedict Say; local society representative April-Lee Tan; industry mentor Mark Alan Canizares; and faculty adviser Alfonso Miguel Sevidal.

Business

C2

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 business@manilastandard.net

TECHNOLUX LAUNCHES FOOD BUSINESSES TECHNOLUX launched new business concepts with a quick return on investment at the recently-concluded Franchise Asia 2019 at SMX Convention Center at Mall of Asia in Pasay City Introduced to entrepreneurs and guests was Lechi that offers grilled/air-fried dishes such as roast chicken, lechon kawali and liempo using Convotherm Model Gas Easydial 6.10 Combi Oven.

TERMINATOR-INSPIRED ROBOTS COME TO HELP FILIPINO PATIENTS

As it doesn’t use charcoal like other roast chicken kiosks, Lechi is an innovative business concept that guarantees healthier dishes that are packed with flavor.

Lechi’s Chicken is roasted using Convotherm’s combination mode that combines convection and steam cooking methods to ensure that the chicken browns perfectly and maintains its moisture.

Lechon kawali, on the other hand, is air-fried using the crispy and tasty mode of Convotherm Oven. Frying it without oil makes it healthier than the usual lechon kawali. Lechi’s liempo is marinated for long hours and grilled to perfection.

Also introduced were the Frozen Fruity with Bursting Boba that uses Elmeco, a multipurpose cold beverage dispenser and Quiche and Tell Kiosk that sells quiches and tarts with a twist using Merrychef Oven.

LUXAVIATION, PHILJETS TEAM UP TO BOOST PH FLEET

Cyberdyne Inc. president and CEO Dr. Yoshiyuki Sankai (left) explains how the Hybrid Assistive Limb works.

A

JAPANESE company that has the same name as the fictional Cyberdyne in the Terminator movies came to the Philippines to enable stroke patients and others afflicted by immobility to walk.

PhilJets Group chairman Thierry Tea (left) and Luxaviation Helicopters CEO Charlotte Pedersen Luxaviation Helicopters, a part of the Luxaviation Group, said Philippines-based helicopter charter operator PhilJets became the latest member of the Luxaviation Helicopters Charter Alliance.

The integration of PhilJets into the Alliance will provide members with VIP helicopter charter access in the Asia-Pacific region. This complements the alliance’s existing global capabilities in the US, Europe and Africa.

“We are delighted to be joining the Luxaviation Helicopters Charter Alliance, providing our customers with more value and greater access across the globe and raising the profile of rotorcraft charter in the Asia-Pacific region. Luxaviation is one of the world’s leading business aviation companies, so we are very honoured that the hard work our teams have put in to reach our high safety and service standards have been recognized in this way,” said PhilJets Group chairman Thierry Tea. “It is our goal to have 20 aircraft in our fleet and, by venturing into new countries in Asia, we are looking forward to working and exchanging with the other members of the Alliance and extending our charter offerings to a greater audience,” said Tea. Luxaviation Helicopters chief executive Charlotte Pedersen said the company is very keen to work alongside leading regional VIP helicopter charter operators as part of the Luxaviation Helicopters Charter Alliance and is pleased to announce PhilJets as the latest addition.

“The concept of the Alliance is to provide a truly global service, whereby approved members can call upon each other to unlock new destinations for their clients. We look forward to welcoming more like-minded operators who have a commitment to quality and safety, and we are already speaking to other operators that we hope to confirm soon,” she said.

KMC RAISES NEW CAPITAL TO FUEL EXPANSION ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund invested in co-working and flexible workspace provider KMC Solutions to drive the company’s rapid expansion throughout the Philippines.

KMC Solutions said AIGF, with its extensive network and experience, is the right partner to support KMC Solutions to achieve its growth plan and create more value alongside the current shareholders.

AIGF said it believes that KMC Solutions has a very strong market-leading position as the company developed a set of value propositions that enabled it to capture a sizeable market share in the Philippines.

AIGF said it is very impressed with the dynamic management team and is excited to work together with KMC in its next phase of growth.

Founded in 2010, KMC Solutions is a pioneer in the Philippines’ co-working and flexible workspace industry and has experienced substantial growth since its inception.

KMC boasts of more than 13,000 members across 36 office floors in 21 buildings throughout Metro Manila, Cebu and Iloilo. The funding will help KMC Solutions achieve its aggressive growth targets for 2019. “ We have been growing organically since KMC Solutions was founded and today’s announcement further cements our commitment for continued expansion throughout the Philippines. We are in a leading position to support the increasing number of startups, multinationals, and IT-BPO players who prefer beautifully designed workspaces and flexible lease terms,” said KMC Solutions co-founder and managing director Michael McCullough.

Cyberdyne Inc., which is headquartered in Gakuen-Minami, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, teamed up with local medical equipment distributor Life1 Corp. to spread the use of Hybrid Assistive Limb or HAL, dubbed as the world’s first cyborgtype robot that enables a physically-challenged patient to move or walk by conveying the bioelectric signals from the brain to the artificial legs.

Cyberdyne says a patient wearing HAL leads to a fusion of man, machine and information. In the Terminator movies, Cyberdyne is the name of fictional company Cyberdyne Systems which developed Skynet, a network of supercomputers that eventually took over the world. HAL also has the same name as the supercomputer villain in the science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

“Technology should always support humans,”

says Cyberdyne president and chief executive Dr. Yoshiyuki Sankai, who is the inventor of HAL. The HAL lower limb model for medical use moves the patient’s legs to follow his or her intention. It taps the bio-electric signals from the brain and the skin surface to move the artificial legs, enabling the patient to stand up, walk or sit-down.

HAL is adjustable to embrace the patient’s body.

Sankai says his company is collaborating with Life1 to bring the cybernics technology in the Philippines.

“I love humans. When I was nine years old, I decided to be a scientist,” says Sankai, in explaining how he became a leading force in cybernics.

The machine he invented has sensors that interpret the signals from the brain into intention and wills the patient to stand up or walk. “The Philippines is the perfect venue for the spread of this technology all throughout Asia,” he says.

HAL is the next generation of remedial devices such as cane and wheelchair.

Sankai, a professor at University of Tsukuba, says that with cybernics, the Philippines can accelerate medical innovation challenges to help patients. Cybernics is a new academic field that is centered around cybernetics, mechatronics and informatics combined with other fields such as brain/neuroscience, robotics, biology, behavioral

science, psychology, law, ethics and business administration.

Sankai says his intention in establishing Cyberdyne is to create an enterprise that implements people-friendly technology for the benefit of society.

Life 1 Corp. president and chief executive Dr. Albert Zarate says victims of stroke and spinal injuries can greatly benefit from HAL. He says the first installations of Cyberdyne are already available at the showroom of A. Zarate General Hospital in Las Piñas.

Under the deal with Cyberdyne, patients can lease the HAL lower limb type model for an undisclosed amount. He says the plan is to bring down the cost of a 90-minute session using HAL to less than P3,000.

Zarate says he is in talks with government agencies such as Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to subsidize the cost of leasing the machines and make them affordable to poor Filipino patients.

A. Zarate Hospital started offering a dozen HAL models to patients with diseases and injuries related to the brain-nerve-muscular system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and others. About 17 patients already tested the HAL machines, according to Zarate.

Cyberdyne and A. Zarate Hospital recently held the Cyberdyne Robotic Medical Symposium at Okada Manila to introduce the technology to healthcare professionals.

Zarate says more Filipinos can benefit from HAL with the help of the government. “I, as a doctor myself, would like to spread this all over the country.

The only way I can do this is if our government will help us,” he says.

“This technology is not only for the rich. It is for all patients afflicted with immobility, secondary to any illness, spinal cord injuries. We hope to make this available to public and private hospitals. We hope that it can be afforded by all patients and we intend to spread this to all regions,” says Zarate.

“We would like this to be very accessible just like any other medical gadget. The more we will have government support, the more it will be cheaper.

As a doctor, I have seen so many patients who are not able to pay for their bills. I do not like this to be used by only people who can afford it,” he says.

Zarate clarifies that Cyberdyne and Life1 are not selling the machines. “This is one thing that is good with Cyberdyne. The machine is not for sale. It is only for rent on a per use [basis]. It is very good because we do not put too much strain on the hospital or the patient. It is important that we make it affordable. Cyberdyne has designed it to be affordable to all nations,” he says.

“Our company, Life1 Corp., in collaboration with Cyberdyne, already set the first installation [12 lower limb models] in our hospital in Las Piñas—A. Zarate General Hospital. We now have the showroom for this technology. We want to spread it all over the country,” he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

SMES IN ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SECTORS FACE COMPETITION SMALL and medium enterprises engaged in hotel, bed and breakfast, restaurant and food service sectors have benefited largely from the continuous growth of Philippine tourism with the rising number of visitors that hit 7.1 million in 2018, up by 7.65 percent from the previous year.

The sector, however, is facing new challenges from disruptive and technology-based players such as ondemand lodging, short-term rentals and online booking agencies that put local players at risk of competing for tourist dollars.

In a survey conducted by SGS Philippines, it was revealed that three main issues posed a threat to the continued growth of the tourism sector, namely: the entry of new players in the market; retention of skilled employees; and the lack of up-to-date marketing competency.

Cognizant of these problems that hounded the tourism stakeholders, Globe myBusiness is empowering the industry, particularly SMEs, through

digitalization. This is to help them sharpen their competitive edge against the new entrants, help them understand the causes of attrition so that they can improve their retention rate and enhance their marketing capabilities to be able to expand their market share and boost their businesses.

As a major provider of basic telecommunications ser vices to the business community, Globe myBusiness positions itself as a partner in the success of SMEs in the tourism industry by providing them with the right technology and digital solutions.

“We are committed to empower small and medium businesses to thrive despite the challenges they encounter day-to-day by helping them use innovative technologies as a business advantage,” said Michelle Tapia, head of strategy, innovation and transformation at Globe myBusiness.

“For the tourism industry, we’re not only helping them understand digital disruption but enabling them to take

advantage of it in creating the future of travel and tourism through talks on the changes and trends in their business environment and a visioning workshop to create the future of the tourism industry,” she said.

Globe myBusiness conducted the Breakthroughs: Tourism conference which was attended by various tourism stakeholders led by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Puyat said that in 2018, tourism receipts amounted to $7.8 billion, which was 14.7-percent higher than the previous year, with the industry contributing 12.2 percent to the gross domestic product.

Employment in tour ism was estimated at 5.3 million, or 13.06 p e rce nt o f t h e co u nt r y ’s to t a l employment picture.

Puyat said all these developments happened despite losing about 500,000 tourists when Boracay, one of the country’s top tourist island destinations, was closed for several months due to rehabilitation.

Michelle Tapia, head of strategy, innovation and transformation at Globe myBusiness talks before SMEs and other stakeholders who attended the Breakthroughs: Tourism conference.

WOUNDED SCOUT RANGERS RECEIVE BAKING LIVELIHOOD AID FROM ABOITIZ

After honorably serving the country, First Scout Rangers led by technical sergeant Arnold Cale were trained by the Aboitiz Group on how to bake and manage the newly-opened Panther’s Bakery at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.

TECHNICAL Sergeant Arnold Cale, a Mindanao native who lost his right leg during fierce fighting against the New People’s Army in Basilan in 2002, has something new to look forward to.

The opening of the Panther’s Bakery in Camp Tecson in San Miguel Bulacan on April 4 signaled a new opportunity for the wounded members of the Philippine Army Special Operations Command’s First Scout Ranger Regiment.

Cale heads the soldier-run bakery—a new livelihood opportunity provided by the Aboitiz Group through corporate social responsibility arm the Aboitiz Foundation and food business unit Pilmico, to help wounded soldiers become productive and self-sustaining.

“This is really a big help. For me alone, I now have added skills; if I wanted to

put up my own bakery, I could. For the soldiers here, they no longer have to go far to buy bread. Finally, this project is really helping those wounded in the war,” Cale said.

FSRR received moder n bak ing equipment and financial assistance for the construction of a complete on-site bakery from the Aboitiz Group. Twelve FSRR bakers also received comprehensive baking training from Pilmico as well as additional training through the University of the Philippines Institute of Small Scale Industries’ Start Your Own Business course.

“Some of them [FSRR soldiers] were wounded in action, and some of them were physically unable to pursue their operational activities. So we could help them out, we placed them here. We later

found out they already had some skills that just needed a bit of training,” said Brig.

Gen. William Gonzales, FSRR commander.

He said the proceeds from the bakery would go to the Scout Ranger foundation which they revived last year.

“I would like to thank the Aboitiz Group for this project. It has really helped a lot and this is a good project for our wounded soldiers. We cannot fully avoid injuries in war, but at least we have projects like this that can help,” Cale said.

“When we go back to visit this bakery again, we expect to hear moving stories of our soldiers who were successfully transformed into Panther Bakery’s strong, powerful, and pleasing bakers,” said Aboitiz Foundation first vice-president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Tech & Gadgets

Manila

Standard

TODAY

IMPORTANCE OF USING HIGH-TECH ENGINE OIL

COCO Martin is inarguably one of the most popular and bankable actors in local showbiz today, but what people usually say about him is that he hasn’t allowed his success to go to his head.

For one thing, Coco has always been proud of his roots—his beginnings as a tricycle driver and a dutiful son of a tireless jeepney driver.

Coco comes from a family of jeepney drivers and he’s not one to hide this fact. His grandfather made a living driving a jeepney and was able to provide for his family and meet the needed expenses in raising his children. Coco’s father continued this particular family legacy and provided for the family by driving a jeepney as well.

Humble beginnings

At an early age, the young Rodel Luis Pacheco Nacianceno or Coco to us now, learned to drive a tricycle and took passengers so he could earn enough for his school baon.

His father was also the one who taught him to drive a four-wheeled vehicle and would tag him along as his back ride. He would also almost always be asked to wash and sometime even fix the engine of the jeepney his father drove.

He saw how his father took very good care of their jeepney and would not scrimp on fuel and high-quality engine oil. Coco even remembers his father telling him that the engine oil is the lifeblood of any vehicle and that what we put inside the engine should be of good quality. “Using high-quality oil is critical when driving and maintaining a jeepney,” Coco’s father used to say.

With this in mind, Coco’s father

mainly used Shell Rimula as their jeepney’s motor oil. Coco recalls that his father used Shell Rimula because he wanted to achieve a cleaner and crisper engine sound, which Rimula gives.

“Naaalala ko na inaalagaan namin ng mabuti ang sasakyan na pinapasada niya nuon, kaya yung tatay ko Shell Rimula talaga ang ginagamit at wala nang iba,” Coco recalls. “Iba kasi ang takbo ng jeep na gamit ng tatay ko nuon pag Shell Rimula ang gamit eh.

Damang-dama mo ang hatak at ang lakas ng makina,” Coco adds.

Coco’s father did not own the jeepney he was driving and was just paying the operator the daily “boundary” so he could use it to ply his route.

So, when he was already earning enough from doing Indie films, Coco bought his father three tricycles as well as a brand-new jeepney, which his father still uses to ply the same route he has driven for the past 30 years.

Coco now says he has not forgotten the jeepney driver friends his father made all these years and applies the same friendship to his tricycle drivers now that he, too, is a tricycle operator. He says that growing up driving a tricycle, he knows everyone in the TODA in their area.

Pride in one’s roots

Considering his roots as the son of a jeepney driver, Coco has always had a high reverence for hardworking public utility drivers who brave the elements and the traffic gridlocks just to earn a decent living for their families.

“All drivers are deserving to be considered tsuperstars because it is not

Coco Martin

easy to drive all day under any road condition and in any kind of weather,” Coco stresses, adding that the service they provide the public every day is unparalleled and will always be considered noble, making the future in more ways than one.

And just like the legacy of Coco Martin’s family that has been passed on for generations, Shell’s legacy in its 105 years of operation has been the creation of high-quality engine oils that have been powering engines for decades now, while making the future for drivers by protecting engines, improving cleanliness, and decreasing engine wear.

Legacies are important and Coco Martin’s tsuperstar father and grandfather have been essential in shaping him to become the artist and achiever that he is today.

HUAWEI HOSTS SENDOFF DINNER FOR PH REPRESENTATIVES TO ICT CONTEST HUAWEI Technologies Philippines, Inc. through its Corporate Communications group, hosted a send-off dinner and presented the six students and their two mentors that will represent the Philippines for the first time in Huawei Regional ICT Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Huawei ICT Competition, one of the Key activities under Huawei ICT Academy, is a not for profit partnership program that authorizes academic institutions to deliver Huawei Certification training to their students. The purpose of the program is not only to cultivate local ICT talent and help students to prepare for employment but also aims to fill the Global ICT skills gap by creating a bridge between the Academy and the ICT Industry.

The journey to the Regional’s started last quarter of 2018 when the search for the qualifiers begun. The respective Universities agreed to sign up as Huawei ICT Academy and chosen professors were asked to take the “train the trainers program” with a Malaysian Instructor from Huawei’s pool of Academicians.

The Huawei Instructor conducted a oneweek intensive course leading to the ProfessorCertification program. As soon as at least one professor is duly certified, the University began the registration as Huawei ICT Academy.

Parallel to this, Huawei Team started its Roadshow to promote HUAWEI ICT Academy and Huawei ICT Competition.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that WUNDERBEAR CONFECTIONERY INC. is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Export Producer of Candy Products (such as but not limited to Gummy Bear Candies) with an annual capacity of 3,600 MT a Non-Pioneer Status located in Eldan Industrial Park, Patubig Road, 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.) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN Director Resource-Based Industries Service (MS-APR. 14, 2019)

The students were asked to register and take the online mock exam. The Top 40 students with the highest marks on the mock exam qualified for the Huawei local ICT Competition. Then, only the top 3 students from two universities achieved the honor to represent the Philippines and their University in the Huawei Regional ICT Competition namely: Jesreal Duque, Gabriel Christian Pisla, Jonas Serino from Mindanao State University-IIT, mentored by Professor Stephen Haim while the students from University of Southeastern Philippines are Justin Andre De Leon, Sheena May Halog and Jana Alexis Paner, mentored

by Professor Jamal Kay Rogers.

Guo Zhi, Vice President of Huawei Philippines said Huawei ICT Academy and ICT Competition, “is our way of giving back to the Philippines and supporting the government and DICT’s program to train and nurture local ICT talents. The local competition will help university students taking up Engineering and Technical courses to hone their skills. We know Colleges provide hands-on training in telecommunications and ICT. Focusing early in Local Talent Development especially in the ICT Industry will contribute to the growth of the Philippine economy.

Philippine graduates can easily find work not only locally but globally because of the new skills and competence obtained from Huawei Certification Courses.” Paula Reynoso

The Philippines' representatives to the Huawei Regional ICT Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with their mentor

URGENT NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

INNOVATION FOR ENHANCED MALLING EXPERIENCE AS PART of a series of innovations designed to improve customer malling experience, SM Supermalls raises the bar in customer service with the introduction of SAM, the country’s first-ever in-mall smart robot – launched at SM Megamall.

“Throughout the years, innovation has always been at the core of SM’s growth in delivering better malling experiences. This year, one of our key strategies is to leverage on the latest and most advanced technologies,” said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls COO. Created in partnership with the CalComp Technology (Philippines), a leading provider of electronic and original design manufacturing services, SAM is an artificial intelligent (AI) humanoid robot specially programmed to deliver a smoother, more personalized, and efficient interaction with customers.

SAM is designed to help with directions and provide mall information about the Manila latest deals, promos Standard and events.

Equipped TODAY with an advanced face recognition technology, it can also make personalized greetings to customers once they enter the mall.

Customers can also chat with SAM through the SM Supermalls Facebook page. It serves as a 24/7 online concierge that can provide information like branch locations, mall schedules and promos, to name a few.

SAM was recently launched at SM Megamall and can be found at the Mega Atrium, Mega Fashion Hall or Bank Drive. It will also be deployed in other SM malls soon.

For more information, visit SM Supermalls’ official website at https://www.smsupermalls.com/, or its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.

C3

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

AITRADES PHILIPPINES EVENT LAUNCH. AITrades Philippines is a trading and

mining platform company of Bitcoins and a manufacturer of Cryptomatic ATMs all over the world. The company harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.

Blending these two technologies enables the company to sort out large data in shorter duration so investment decisions can be made in less time and instantaneously. The integration of AI and cryptocurrency means transaction execution will be limitless, diversified and much easier than ever. The firm will also be distributing cryptocurrency ATMs in the country. Photo above shows (left) RV Palafox, President of AITrades Philippines and Mark Davis, Chief Communication Officer, AITrades Philippines during the launch.

VIBER CEO...

From C4 Therefore, I am calling on Facebook and the rest of the technology industry to join us in a Privacy Pledge: No reading or storing of any private chats No listening or recording of any private calls No scanning of any private media exchanged (pictures or video) No listening of live conversations through the microphone of a mobile phone By default, all settings (like end-toend encryption) will be set to the most secure option. If needed the users will

have to unlock those security features themselves and give explicit consent.

Further, these practices need to be explained to users in what engineers refer to as “human-readable” language, that means there needs to be clear and explicit consent that is easily understood and comprises no more than a couple of lines of text to explain.

This Pledge can revolutionize and enshrine the belief that if people are the center of our products, then the privacy rights of “we the people” are paramount. It’s time to show the world that tech is about more than hockey stick growth, IPOs and excess. It’s time to use the tools we’ve built to be not tools of exploitation, alienation and exhaustion, but instead beacons of fairness, respect and protection for our users.

The world is waiting. Your move Mr. Zuckerberg, will you do the right thing?

Manila

Standard

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

TODAY

Starting on the said date, the channel will be available only in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro and will temporarily not be available in Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao. ABS-CBN TVplus will advise subscribers when the channel will be available again in these areas.

Please be informed that MIDMAC Manpower Services & Placement Corporation – Iligan City Branch with address at Unit 3, A & R Apartment, 10th East Rosario Heights, Purok Lakambini – 1, Tubod, Iligan City, Philippines have already been closed and no longer operating its business there at effective April 01, 2019 due to very poor business climate in the area and the prevailing unstable peace and order condition including neighboring provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. Any transactions entered into by any persons for and in behalf of MIDMAC Manpower Services & Placement Corporation – Iligan City Branch effective APRIL 01, 2019 and onwards will no longer be entertained and honored by the Company.

(MS-APR. 14, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

2nd NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS DATE TIME VENUE

: MAY 11, 2019 (SATURDAY) : 5:00 p.m. : Conference Room, 4F One Burgundy Plaza Condominium No. 307 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City AGENDA

I. II. III. IV.

Call to Order Proof of Due Notice of Meeting Determination of Quorum Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the last Regular Meeting and Election of Board Members and Officers held on May 12, 2018.

V. President’s Report VI. Treasurer’s Report VII. Election of Board Members and Officers for 2019 - 2020 VIII. Adjournment

Attested by:

Knowledge Channel will continue to be available on SKYdirect, and SKYcable.

Thank you for your continued patronage of ABS-CBN TVplus.

(MS-APR. 14, 2019)

EDGAR ROSENDO DELA CRUZ, MD Corporate Secretary

JUAN A. KANAPI, JR. Ph.D President (MS-APR. 14, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN

C4

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

JBL REAFFIRMS AUDIO EDGE IN NEW PRODUCT LINE

H

also brought in the country new headphone models under the JBL Tune Series including the JBL Tune 500, JBL Tune 500BT, and the JBL Tune 600BTNC. The JBL Tune 500, while it’s the only model of the Tune Series that is wired, its cables are made tangle- free to assure that users can still freely move with the help of its lightweight and foldable design. It comes with Google Assistant accessible through the JBL Tune 500’s one-button remote and microphone.

For users who’d prefer wireless headphones, the JBL Tune series has the JBL Tune 500BT and the JBL Tune 600BTNC to offer.

Available in trendy colors of black, blue, pink, and white, the JBL Tune 500BT can last up to 16 hours of continuous music playback.

It also comes with a multi-point connection feature to allow seamless switching between multiple music sources like smartphones and laptops.

Joining JBL’s array of noisecancelling headphones is the JBL Tune 600BTNC which comes with 12 hours of battery life with its Active Noise-Cancelling feature on, and can be fully-charged in just two hours.

ARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, has unveiled its new series of earphones and speakers equipped with Google Assistant.

Providing more options for Filipino audiophiles, Harman International Philippines Rep Office has brought in the local market the JBL Live Series, Tune Series, Under Armour Series, Endurance Peak, and speaker series—all carrying the JBL® Signature Sound and each designed to fit every type of music lover.

PERSONAL AUDIO JBL Live Series

Made for users who make listening to their favorite tunes an important part of their lifestyle, the JBL Live Series combines premium sound and stylish design. First announced during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 in Las Vegas, the JBL Live Series is comprised of the JBL Live 400BT, JBL Live 500BT, JBL Live 650BTNC, Live 100, and the Live 200BT. Equipped with the Ambient Aware technology, both the JBL Live 400BT and JBL Live 500BT allow users to be aware of the surroundings even while wearing headphones. With Ambient Aware, users can adjust the volume of either the left or right earcup of the JBL Live 400BT and the JBL Live 500BT. An addition to this is the TalkThru feature which allows users to talk to other people without removing the headphones.

Another model of the Live series is the JBL Live 650BTNC which attribute its main selling point to its Google Assistant function accessible by just tapping its right earcup.

Amplifying more the signature JBL sound, the JBL Live 650BTNC, as its name suggests, has noise-

JBL Endurance Peak

cancelling capabilities to let users enjoy music without distractions.

Other notable features of the JBL Live 650BTNC include up to 30 hours of battery life, and a speed charging capability which equates a 15-minute charge to 2 hours of playtime. Sound settings of the JBL Live 650BTNC can also be tweaked using the My JBL

Headphones App available for free download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

For users who’d prefer to have in-ear earphones, the JBL Live series also has the JBL Live 100 and the

JBL Tune Series

Expanding its lifestyle lineup, Harman International Philippines Rep Office has

From lifestyle to active users, JBL has something to offer. An example is the new JBL Endurance Peak, one of the brand’s offerings under its true wireless sports earphones lineup.

A perfect gear for the adventurous, the JBL Endurance Peak can be used under different weather conditions as it comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating. Other than carrying the signature JBL premium sound, the JBL Endurance Peak is made to ergonomically fit the ears with its TwistLock and FlexSoft technologies.

Out of the box, the JBL Endurance Peak comes with a rugged smart charging case with 24 hours of total backup charge, and equates a 10-minute quick charge for 1 hour of music playback. Music control is also made seamless with the JBL Endurance Peak’s touch function.

iACADEMY, AMAZON INK PARTNERSHIP iACADEMY has been chosen by Amazon Web Services, a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms, as the first and only school in the Philippines to offer Cloud Computing Certification Courses.

This partnership allows iACADEMY to embed subjects in its curriculum that allow its graduates not only to have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree but also get certified in the various Cloud Computing Courses of Amazon.

“The demand for cloud computing professionals has risen tremendously for the past few years. This partnership will give our students the chance to become AWS certified cloud computing

took and passed the Cloud Computing Practitioner certification exam, namely Mel Obedoza, SHS Assistant Principal handling the specialized programs in SHS; Bennett Tanyag, Chairperson for Software Engineering and Web Development, and Mitch Andaya, Dean of iACADEMY School of Computing.

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Examination is awarded to deserving academic practitioners, individuals, and professionals who have the professionals thereby making them even more knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate an valuable and will increase their chance for employ- overall understanding of the AWS Cloud.

For more information about the School ment both here and abroad,” said Vanessa Tanco, of Computing degree programs, visit www.

President and CEO of iACADEMY. Three of iACADEMY’s full time faculty recently iacademy.edu.ph.

TAKE PHOTOS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL WITH VIVO V15 PRO

By Paul David L. Gelario VIVO Philippines showcased its next level smart phone, the V15 Pro, in an adventure-packed, four-day trip in Boracay, Aklan last April 7 to 10 to selected media folks.

The second day of the trip includes a series of islandhopping escapades proving that the V15 Pro means business in the smartphone category.

Even when our boat sailed at full speed, the smartphone consistently captured high definition photos of the island in great detail thanks to its AI-powered triple camera feature.

The front camera includes an elevating 32MP front camera, the smartphone industry’s breakthrough camera design, where the front camera will emerge at the phone’s upper right corner if activated and descend if deactivated.

The triple camera feature is composed of the 48M Quad Pixel Sensor1, 8MP AI Super-Wide Angle Camera, and a 5 MP depth camera.

The main camera’s 48M Quad Pixel Sensor enhances photosensitivity and is specifically designed for night scenarios, which transforms underexposed and often blurry photos into high definition.

For extremely lowlight situations, a feature called AI Super Night Mode takes several photos at different

exposures and combines it to synthesize the best photo.

The AI Super-Wide Angle Camera extends up to 120 degrees of vision making group photos with friends more convenient.

The AI Body Shaping feature is also added for users to modify their waist and legs to give them an ideal and sculpted body.

Its design called Ultra Fullview Display hides the three sensors: ear, proximity, and light sensors from the user’s view to appear seamless from top to bottom.

The security feature, the In-Display Fingerprint

Scanning Technology 5.0, allows for an instantaneous unlocking feature followed with a unique futuristic animation once the fingerprint portion is tapped and the system recognizes the user.

Users can enjoy downloading hundreds of apps, store thousands of pictures, and hundreds videos as it carries an immense internal memory capacity of 128 GB that is expandable up to 256 GB. The smartphone is available in two colors, the Topaz Blue and Glamour Red, with a suggested retail price of P23,999.

Images are still captured in high definition even when the photographer’s boat was cruising at full speed. Paul Gelario

VIBER CEO TELLS ZUCKERBERG: DO THE RIGHT THING

By Djamel Agaoua, CEO for Viber I READ Mark Zuckerberg’s opinion in the WSJ with great interest.

Therein he attempts in unusually clear and jargon-free language for Silicon Valley, to explain how and why his Internet platform uses our data and our personal relationships to operate and critically, to make money. Zuckerberg’s article reads as an open and honest Djamel Agaoua, apologia.

CEO for Viber It is also a good lens by which to view the overall state of consumer technology, and the choice we must make between greed and good.

Zuckerberg’s letter is a stark reminder of the simple fact that the technology industry has failed users in numerous, key ways. Largely these failures are failures of omission, not commission. However, these failures are symptoms of a larger disease of greed that we are all prone to contracting in the pursuit of profit. This disease is the willingness to if not break the rules, then to bend them to suit one’s own ends. While many of the practices and abuses of privacy and user data that have been exposed in the recent months are not per se, illegal, they are clear violations of the spirit of holding our users — also called people—at the center of our moral and business universe.

At Rakuten Viber, we are not philanthropists or activists, nor are we radicals or politicians. We are a business. But we live by the belief that messaging tools are vital for freedom of expression, which is a fundamental human right, and should remain free in all senses of the word. This naturally means that we must generate revenue as a business to keep it so.

And there’s the problem.

There are only two ways to do this sustainably: (1) become a foundation (Wikipedia model) or (2) open the doors of monetizable partnerships with brands who want to access our users. We have chosen the latter and are succeeding. We know we can build large and scalable businesses without exploitation. In fact, as Mr. Zuckerberg points out, most tech companies are naturally aligned with protecting user data and integrity in order to maintain their competitive advantages. Targeted advertising that is based on opt-in user consent, clear EULAs, and anonymized metadata are all fair and sustainable ways to operate a consumer platform.

Problems arise, however, when some mega ambitious entrepreneurs seek to push the limits, when “move fast and break things”and we’ll fix later trumps respecting the sanctity of our private communications.

Technology companies, like human beings, must be judged not on what they say, but on what they do.

It’s becoming abundantly clear that companies that enshrine and build in privacy protection features like endto-end encryption and cautiously manage user data can be trusted to be honest and responsible stewards of our digital lives. And ultimately those who move fast, and break things will do just that—they will break our trust.

As a product and as a business Facebook has done so many things right—on a scale that’s never been seen before in the world. These achievements are monumental and bring with them far-reaching consequences for our societies.

Also, with these achievements comes the clear and unavoidable responsibility to behave in a way that sets the standard for the rest of the industry and the rest of the world to follow. I believe Facebook can change not just the technology industry, but the fabric of our culture by pledging to protect user privacy and safeguard encryption by default.

Turn to C3

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

AWAY ON EASTER SUNDAY

T

HE Holy Week provides an opportunity for individuals to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with the things or the people that matter most.

During this period, hotels and other establishments in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces offer promotions and activities kids and kids-atheart will enjoy.

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Magic fair at New World Makati

Kids can enjoy fun fair activities at New World Makati.

Diners and “staycationers” at New World Makati Hotel don’t only get to enjoy sumptuous meals and relaxing stay, as they also earn an entry for their kids to the Easter Magic Fair by the poolside on April 21. Children will be transported to a magical wonderland with a whole host of fun fair games and activities such as bounce castle, Velcro wall, egg-painting, and egg-hunt.

An overnight stay starts at P7,000, inclusive of perks and two passes to Easter fair and egg hunt activity. Stay dates are from April 12 to 21. Diners at Café 1228 will receive one pass, and two passes for those dining at Jasmine.

Call (02) 811-6888 ext. 3679.

‘Eggsploration’ at Crimson Hotel

Friendly dinosaurs abound at the Dino Easter Eggsploration event.

Dino eggs are hatching at Crimson Hotel on Easter Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Activities include Easter snack buffet, interactive show at the Grand Ballroom, dinosaur egg hunting for kids, and others. Ticket for 3 years old and above is P1,100 net, while 2-yearolds with one paying companion are free of charge.

The Muntinlupa hotel offers staycation packages from April 19 to 22 that come with free pass to the Dino Easter Eggsploration event. Overnight stay in a Deluxe room starts at P4,960++, while a threeday/two-night stay starts at P10,080++.

Call (02) 863-2222.

Turn to D2

Choose your Easter adventure at Resorts World Manila Families spending the Holy Week in the city can avail of the special summer promotional rates at select Resorts World Manila hotels and enjoy the easy accessibility of St. Therese of the Child Jesus parish church where they can fulfill their religious obligations.

With eight hotel brands and nearly 70 dining options, RWM has something for every family’s budget and preference – from international five star brands such as the Hilton Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, and the Manila Marriott Hotel, to smart stay options such as the Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City, Belmont Hotel Manila, and The Savoy Hotel Manila.

RWM signature restaurants have seafood selections throughout the Holy Week. In addition to its expansive seafood specialties, Passion Cantonese Restaurant at Maxims Hotel has the Passion Mixed Seafood with Crab Meat Adlai in Tomato Sauce available from April 15-21 to give a fresh take on abstinent dining.

Families looking for five-star Easter treats can check out the Hilton Manila’s Easter Carnival which features a sumptuous Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet, magic show and an egg hunt with premium prizes from 3-5 p.m. Tickets to the Hilton Manila Easter Carnival are Php 2,500 ++ inclusive of brunch. Diners at other Hilton Manila restaurants can also get a free Easter Carnival ticket with a minimum Php 5,000++ spend at Kusina, Hua Ting-Brasserie Chinoise, or Madison.

The Hilton Manila also has a special Easter bed and breakfast package for only Php 7,210++ for an overnight stay in a standard guest room with breakfast for two at Kusina.

The newly-opened Sheraton Manila Hotel also has a five-star Easter package for April 1321. With rates starting at Php 12,500 per night per room, Sheraton staycationers can enjoy a breakfast buffet for two at the S Kitchen and Php 3,000 worth of food and beverage credits that can be used at any Sheraton Manila Hotel restaurant during their stay.

Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City (HIEx Manila), Belmont Hotel Manila, and Savoy Hotel Manila have special package rates for enjoyable

Celebrate Easter and the summer season with a fun family day by enjoying one of the many beautiful swimming pools at RWM hotels.

RWM Easter

Sheraton Manila guests can enjoy their Minecraft-themed activity including face painting and egg hunt at the Kids Club.

stays at excellent value.

The Belmont Hotel Manila’s Hop and Hunt in Candyland Easter Lunch Buffet has special treats for both children and adults. For only Php 600 nett, kids aged 4 to 12 years old and below have access to a delightful kiddie buffet, egg and face painting

sessions, a magic show, an Easter egg hunt and games, and a loot bag. Adults can also enjoy a special buffet spread and will receive a raffle ticket for only Php 800 nett per person.

For a sumptuous family feast that won’t break the bank, Savoy Hotel Manila’s Hip Hoppin’ Easter Brunch Buffet at the Savoy Café lets diners have their fill of festive treats from around the world for only Php 1,400 nett per person. The brunch comes with a free pass to the hotel’s Easter Kiddie Corner.

Guests who are checked into any RWM-based hotel from April 20-21 can get a free pass to the RWM Easter Builders’ Playland which they may claim from their hotel’s front desk.Receipts from dining outlets from Belmont Hotel Manila, The Savoy Hotel Manila, and HIExManila that meet the date and purchase amount requirements are also valid for redemption at the Easter Builders’ Playland.

Families with kids aged four to 12 may join the Easter Builders’ Playland at The Plaza in Newport Mall from 10AM-6PM. Entrance is free for guests with a P2,000 minimum single-receipt purchase from any Newport Mall shop or restaurant.

Receipts from any RWM signature restaurant will also be honored. Only receipts from transactions dated April 13-21, 2019 will be honored, and each receipt admits one child and one adult.

Kids and their families can enjoy play building activities and sponsor booths all day, and be treated to a special magic show and friendly competitive games from 4-6PM. A special appearance from Dora the Explorer and Boots will surely delight young fans.

Newport Mall at RWM will be open from10AM to 12 MN on Palm Sunday (April 14), 12NN to 12MN on Holy Monday until Maundy Thursday (April 15-18) and from 10AM to 12MN on Black Saturday (April 20) and Easter Sunday (April 21).

The mall will only be closed on Good Friday (April 19).

Download the RWM Mobile App free on the AppStore and GooglePlay or visit www.rwmanila. com for updates on RWM Holy Week offers and events. Call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 9088833 for inquiries and reservations.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Destinations

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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

AWAY...

From D1

Easter fun for the family in Baguio

Holiday Inn Baguio’s ‘eggstravaganza’

On April 19-21, Holiday Inn Baguio serves special dining and room packages for Easter revelers.

Lamisaan Dining & Bar’s Good Friday Seafood Dinner on April 19 will showcase the freshest catch cooked in the Visayan method of su-tu-kil (sugba, tuwa, kilaw), along with other dishes. Come April 21, it will be offering a complete station buffet with live grill station for Easter Lunch Special that will come with one complimentary Easter Egg Hunt pass for every two dining adults.

Three-day/two-night stay in the hotel comes with complimentary buffet and Easter Egg Hunt passes, among other perks.

WALK AROUND WESTEROS I

T’S one thing to watch every stunning scene of the hit television series Game of Thrones, it’s another to actually feel like being in that scene as you take the same steps the characters took in the filming locations.

Inside Alcázar of Seville, the location for Dorne's Water Palace of Sunspear.

As the final season of GoT kicks off this weekend, travel booking platform Klook invites travelers to relive some of the show’s most iconic moments. Featuring the series’ breathtaking filming locations

around Europe, the Game of Thronesthemed experiences include visits to world heritage sites, major tourist attractions, and small towns around Dubrovnik, Spain, and Northern Iceland.

King’s Landing

Walking Tour in Dubrovnik City better known as King’s Landing

The culturally rich medieval Old Town in Dubrovnik hosts the show’s main plot line and the one thing every major player fights for: the Iron Throne.

The new Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour takes fans through the halls of the Lovrijenac Fortress, the Trsteno Arboretum, and the Lokrum Island, while the new Cruise and Walking Tour allows travelers to embark on Daenerys Targaryen’s ship upon the Adriatic Sea with a Dragon Blood cocktail in hand. Thrillseekers can explore Dubrovnik’s less-frequented alleyways on the Legends Evening Walking Tour, led by an engaging tour guide with a wealth of local insights and secrets about the show.

Call (074) 620-3333 or (02) 571-6079.

Easter Chocolate Eggs at COD Manila

Lenten break at Nobu Hotel Manila

Nobu Hotel’s Easter Break package comes in two options: overnight accommodation that starts at P13,188 or a two-night stay that starts at P23,388.

Each includes a complimentary breakfast for two at Nobu Restaurant; a special turndown amenity; and a choice between two DreamPlay “Easter Eggstravaganza” tickets on Easter Sunday, or three DreamPlay tickets and four VR Zone tickets to be used during the guests’ stay dates.

Call (02) 800-8080.

A UNESCO-registered World Heritage site home to the palace of House Martell.

Dorne

The home of House Martell is an exotic destination filled with some of GoT’s most interesting characters.

Curious fans who want to see more of Oberyn Martell’s birthplace may join Klook’s Spanish Cathedral, Alcazar, and Giralda Guided Tour in Seville, Spain. The tour includes a visit to the home of House Martell.

Indoor hot tub at Lake Mývatn, made popular by Jon Snow and Ygritte.

Beyond the Wall

Relive the bittersweet love story of Jon Snow and Ygritte with a trip to Northern Iceland, where visitors can have a unique opportunity to see that Grjótagjá Rift.

The Lake Mývatn Hike and Bath Tour includes a visit to where Jon Snow took a faithful leap to break his celibacy on a romantic rendezvous with Ygritte.

CONRAD MANILA’S CHINESE TREASURE Easter egg hunting at Dino Land

Dino land at Quest Plus Clark

Kids are guaranteed fun as they roam around Dino Land hunting for Easter eggs filled with sweet treats and rare golden eggs to get a chance to win an overnight stay in Quest Plus Clark’s Villa Deluxe.

Snacks and loot bags filled with sweet treats are also ready for the participating kids. Tickets for kids are priced at P500. Tickets are sold at the hotel lobby and at the registration booth during the event.

Call (045) 599-8000.

Kids can dress up as their favorite character

Spectacle at Diamond Hotel

April 21 is the day for creative children at Diamond Hotel. The Easter Spectacle: Kids’ Party on Parade, happening from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is a day full of surprises for kids in costume. They can attend the event as a superhero or a princess or an adorable animal character. Best in costume takes home prizes.

In addition to fun Easter activities are staycation packages. Easter Staycation Package, available from April 14 to 21 starts at P6,500 nett, while the Easterrific Getaway Package, from April 1521, starts at P5,500 nett.

Call (02) 528-3000 ext. 1141.

I WAS one of the fortunate individuals young Jereme to shape his own fuwho had the opportunity to check-in ture in the confines of the kitchen. at Conrad Manila on its opening day. Needless to say, he’s very happy with The caring and efficient Front Office the career path he chose as he conteam gave me what tinues to excel in it.

I think is the best His seemingly room in the house magical culinary aside, of course, talent has brought from the Presidenhim worldwide tial Suite. That same fame, with an army room is my favorite of loyal foodies who to this day and, for swear to their love the many times I for anything Chef have checked in at MERCURY RISING Jereme whips up the hotel since its in the kitchen. This

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO opening, I always ask reputation has made for that same room. it possible for him to It’s a corner suite right in front of the put up successful restaurant ventures giant-sized ferris wheel on the prom- in Singapore, Shanghai, Male, Macau, enade, and has a breathtaking view one in Europe, and another one in the of the tranquil Manila Bay and its glo- Mediterranean. He is also featured in rious sunset. The design of the room, the in-flight cuisine of Delta Airlines. the positioning of the king-sized bed All these achievements have and the furniture in the living area are earned for the Hong Kong-born chef so conducive to de-stressing, which is not just once, but twice, the Star the main reason why it was “love at Diamond Award from the American first sight” for me with Conrad Manila. Academy of Hospitality Science. He Fast forward to today: Just like me, was also a judge in the Chinese edithose who go for the finer things in tion of the highly popular Master life have fallen in love with the hotel. Chef television program. He is widely And it’s not just the guest rooms and recognized as a pioneering chef who facilities that they like, they also fill up perfectly blends the concept of modits restaurants, especially China Blue ern Chinese cuisine with classical,

by Jereme Leung. This offers a mod- provincial Chinese food. ern Chinese dining experience with When I asked him if any of our own a specially curated menu that blends Philippine-grown ingredients make it contemporary cooking techniques to his specially crafted menu items, with local flair. Small wonder why the he readily replied with a big “YES” metro’s foodies troop to this restau- and immediately pointed out his rant when they crave for real good Coconut Charcoal Ice Cream which Chinese cuisine. is now available at China Blue, and Just the other day, I had a casual served with Crispy Cheese Cracker chat with Chef Jereme Leung, the and Toasted Bread. I could easmulti-awarded kitchen wizard who ily describe this dessert item to you has painstakingly crafted every item but that would spoil your fun of dison China Blue’s menu. The 49-year- covering what this “Jereme Leung old chef started to hone his culinary exclusive” is all about. But, to tease skills when he was only 13 years old. you some more, I posted a photo of It could have been the influence of it somewhere on this page. All I can his father, who worked as a cook in say is—you have to try it to get your a cruise ship, which attracted the share of heaven!

A Chef Jereme exclusive: Coconut Charcoal Ice Cream

Chef Jereme draws his inspiration it flexibility, so there’s always somefrom traditional recipes, emphasizing thing good and tasty for everyone.”

The rest of the afternoon I spent the time he spends choosing the right ingredients, as he declares that his skills trying out some of China Blue’s rich, are not as important as the ingredients epicurean harvest of dishes specially he chooses, when coming up with a prepared by Chef Jereme. You can perfect dish. This is why he innovates imagine the joy of being in a Chiall the time and explores the value of nese culinary heaven, albeit just for a few hours. The the different wide variety of food elements, fresh ingrediwhich result to YOUR WEEKEND ents featured in the quintessenCHUCKLE the restaurant’s tial dishes that exquisitely he is known for.

SUCCESS is RELATIVE...the more crafted dishes is He’s happy the success, the more the relatives! definitely someto note that thing worth ravmany Filipino ing about. Chef food items are similar to those in China, and singled Jereme’s kitchen magic assures China out our puto. He says it is exactly Blue the continuous patronage of the the same—the same look, the same metro’s well-heeled, who know good taste—as the White Sugar Cake, a food when they see one. No wonder, favorite snack item in Guangdong in such a short time, China Blue has become Conrad Manila’s most valuProvince in China.

What makes Chinese cuisine a fa- able Chinese treasure. vorite the world over? Chef Jereme For feedback, I’m at quickly intoned, “The variety of inbobzozobrado@gmail.com. gredients in any Chinese dish gives

Entertainment

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019

‘STAND FOR TRUTH’

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF ONLINE NEWS

By Nickie Wang

G

MA News and Public Affairs is branding its newest online newscast Stand for Truth, which starts streaming on GMA Network digital platforms beginning tomorrow, April 15, as a program “produced and reported by the young, for the young.”

Anchored by multi-awarded broadcast journalist Atom Araullo, with political analyst Richard Heydarian, and TV host Joyce Pring, the weeknight online news airs Monday to Friday at 8:00 p.m.. The 15-minute newscast is livestreamed via GMA Public Affairs’ YouTube account and GMA News Online, and shared on GMA Network’s various social media sites.

Stand for Truth incorporates music, the latest in mobile journalism, and new storytelling tools for online publishing.

“This will revolutionize the way news is presented and at the same time will change the way the audience consume news and information,” Atom said during the program’s

media launch.

Leading the young team of reporters, the multi-awarded young documentarist, writer, photographer, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) advocate anchors the digital program from the middle of the GMA Social Media Hub. GMA resident political analyst Richard Heydarian provides on-the-spot analysis of the biggest news of the day. He will also present a data-driven segment showing the numbers involved in an issue, the history, and the policies behind it.

Born in Baguio, Richard took up Political Science at the University of the PhilippinesDiliman and previously taught at De La Salle University and the Ateneo De Manila University.

Richard is known for his expertise in the South China Sea dispute and Philippine current affairs.

Meanwhile, Joyce Pring is in charge of the music segment of Stand for Truth using the language and #hugots of the generation. The Kapuso host will also interview some of today’s biggest bands and musicians in the country.

Joyce is one of the hosts of the longest-running morning show Unang Hirit and GMANetwork. com’s Kapuso Artistambayan. She also produces the podcast #AdultingWithJoycePring and uploads vlogs on her YouTube channel every week.

Aside from these experienced media personalities, a new breed of young reporters will take the spotlight in Stand for Truth. Young,

aspiring journalists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao sent in their sample mobile video reports using GMA’s YouScoop facility.

They went through several levels of audition process until only 10 of them were chosen to undergo training and workshops by some of the country’s most-awarded and highly-esteemed broadcast journalists to continue the legacy of the GMA newsroom.

These short-listed Stand for Truth reporters are: Bhea Jeem Docyogen, an Igorot and radio disc jockey from Baguio; Anthony Esguerra, a multimedia reporter, fellow in New Media and Journalism at Ball State University, Indiana, USA; Asmarie Labao, a former forester and DENR Information Officer from Marawi; Shai Lagarde, former TV producer and currently a lifestyle vlogger; Ardo Miravalles, Certified Public Account specializing in the media and entertainment industry; Darwin Quirino, Communications Officer for Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Middle East and African Affairs; Manal Sugadol, a licensed English teacher and a former administrative assistant from Cotabato; Larize Lee, ChineseFilipino and GMA Artist Center’s Public Relations Executive; Eduard Faraon, a Senior High School campus journalist; and Jerald Uy, former TV reporter, Road Safety Advocate, and vlogger.

Catch Stand for Truth, Monday to Friday, 8:00 p.m. on www.gmanetwork.com/news and www:// youtube.com/gmapublicaffairs.

Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo, political analyst Richard Heydarian, and TV host Joyce Pring anchor ‘Stand for Truth,’ GMA’s grounbreaking online newscast.

AFTER an intensive 10-week search in Asia which saw hundreds of hopeful acts from across 17 countries auditioning for that one big break, the viewers have voted, and their votes have crowned nimble-fingered magician from Taiwan, Eric Chien, as the winner of Asia’s Got Talent Season 3.

His poetic sleight-of-hand tricks set him apart from other Asia’s Got Talent performers, dazzling millions across Asia, and eventually clinching him the win this evening. It is the first time a Taiwanese has landed on this accolade since Asia’s Got Talent started its Season 1 in 2015.

It was a tough competition in last week’s Grand Final show with eight other talented Grand Finalists—hip hop and street dance 16-member crew Junior Good Vibes from the Philippines, Taiwanese dance crew Maniac Family, the feminine yet strong hijab-clad girl group Nama from Malaysia, contemporary acrobatic dance duo Power Duo from the Philippines, nimblefingered shadow play master Shadow Ace from the Philippines, powerful and groovy singer Siti Saniyah from Indonesia, human calculator Yaashwin Sarawanan from Malaysia, and gravity-defying Cyr Wheel performer Yang Shih Hao from Taiwan.

Chien had ultimately proven to be the crowd’s favorite, rallying the most votes to walk away with the grand prize of $100,000.

Asia’s Got Talent Season 3 culminated at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, with a star-studded performance by powerhouse

TAIWANESE MAGICIAN CROWNED WINNER OF ‘ASIA’S GOT TALENT’

Eric Chen and Philippines’ Power Duo flanked the program hosts during the announcement of winner.

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

SPOTIFY UNVEILS LISTENING TRENDS FOR

‘GAME OF THRONES’

A candid photo shoot with the cast of ‘Game of Thrones’

HBO original series Game of Thrones is as much about sounds as sights, and as the beloved show prepares to enter its final season, we dug into how it has influenced listening on Spotify.

With more than 380 million streams of all Game of Thrones soundtracks and related playlists on Spotify since Jan. 1, 2016, it’s clear that fans of the show are also fans of the music. More than 250,000 listeners have created their own Game of Thrones-themed playlists, and many more have created character playlists.

In fact, with what could be a hint as to who Spotify listeners think should sit on the Iron Throne, Tyrion Lannister has the most fan-made playlists with more than 7,700.

Also a big draw is the Game of Thrones soundtrack, scored by composer Ramin Djawadi, which provides instant recall of the characters’ most dramatic moments. “Light of the Seven,” the piece you hear when Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor in the hairraising Season 6 finale, is the moststreamed Djawadi composition since Jan. 1, 2016, followed by the show’s eponymous “Main Title” and then “The Winds Of Winter,” which accompanies Arya as she sails to Braavos at the conclusion of Season 4.

As fans prepare to return to Westeros for Season 8, Spotify proudly unveils a refresh of its rock-influenced playlist, “Game of Thrones: The End Is Coming” (formerly named “Songs of Ice and Fire”), a collaboration between Game of Thrones co-creators David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Spotify.

“We were looking for songs that made us feel the way the show made us feel,” Benioff and Weiss told For The Record, Spotify’s blog.

Are you House Stark, Lannister or Targaryen? Wherever your allegiance lies, you can stream seven different house-themed playlists curated

by HBO and featuring Djawadi score songs that relate to each family’s journey on Game of Thrones.

Pledge your house allegiance and check out the individual playlists: House Baratheon, House Targaryen, House Stark, House Lannister, The White Walkers, The Night’s Watch, and The Great Houses.

Meanwhile, the most-streamed songs from official Game of Thrones soundtracks (from Jan. 1, 2016 - April 1, 2019) in the Philippines are: “Light of the Seven,” used when Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor Season 6, Ep. 10; “Main Titles,” a longer version that’s featured during every episode; “The Winds of Winter,” used when Arya sails to Braavos at the conclusion of Season 4; and “Main Title - From The Game Of Thrones Soundtrack.”

judges David Foster, Anggun, and Jay Park.

The live audience gave thunderous applause when David opened the judges’ performance proving his legendary status as a 16-time Grammy Award winner. He elevated the show with the addition of American Idol sensation Pia Toscano and classical crossover vocalist Fernando Varela who stunned the audiences with their powerful vocal prowess singing “You Raise Me Up” and “All By Myself”.

Anggun breathed new life into Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla’s famous classic “Caruso,” delivering an impossible operatic duet with the late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Finally, Jay Park brought the house down with the premiere performance of his long-awaited new single “K-Town,” which was produced in collaboration with famed American Record Producer Hit Boy, first on Asia’s Got Talent.

“Asia’s Got Talent has really been an important platform that allowed me to showcase my magic to the world. Given the stiff competition, I didn’t see this win coming. It’s a humbling experience,” said Chien.

“As the first Taiwanese act to come out top, I really hope I’ve made everyone back at home proud and inspired more magicians to come forward,” he added.

Asia’s Got Talent is the 67th adaptation of the Guinness-WorldRecord-breaking hit Got Talent format, which was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced by FremantleMedia.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets MY FURRY BESTIE

OPENED CHIP BAGS CAN KILL YOUR DOG PET TALES

Lucas' smile widens when he sees and smells food.

BY DESIREE CARLOS

H

UMANS love potato chips, nachos, marshmallows and other snacks from grocery stores.

But those chip bags left on counter tops, computer tables or anywhere inside the house can kill your pet.

Andrea Powell, in “A Common Mistake Killed Her Dog, Now She Is Sharing His Story To Save Others,” said it is common for pets to suffocate due to an opened chip bag because the dog tried to reach for the crumbs, and inhaled while doing so, making the bag tighter. This subsequently led to suffociation.

“Christina Young had to endure the sudden loss of her beloved dog, Petey, after a common mistake was made. This could be happening in many homes right now!” Powell said.

She narrated: “Young’s boyfriend, Christian, came home one day expecting Petey to greet him with a wagging tail and wet nose, but that didn’t happen. When he entered their home and Petey was not at the door, he became alarmed. Christian went further into the home, where he found their best friend, lifeless on the floor with a chip bag over his head.

Powell said Young, in a post in Facebook, shared: “He was able to get them off the counter [and] we will forever blame ourselves for leaving [them] out. He ate every chip out but, of course, went back for crumbs…. With there being nothing left inside, every time he would go for more he would inhale, making the bag tighter and tighter around his head…ultimately resulting in suffocation .”

that this is common in households where opened chip bags are left by humans on counter tops and other areas.

Young learned “3-5 pet suffocations get reported every week, and 42 percent of those occur while the owner is in the next room. It only takes about 3 minutes for their oxygen to drop to fatal levels.”

Please remember this: Any bag with food has to be kept in places that your dog can not reach it.

Shakti is happiest when she knows she is going to a resto for lasagna for dogs.

Powell said Young could not believe Petey could not get the bag off his head with his paws, thus, Young decide to do extensive research about this. She found out

Here are some tips from Young and Powell: 1. Put all your food in a cabinet when you leave the room or the house. “Dogs are very intelligent and love to eat, so they will amaze you at what they are able to get to do. “

2. When have eaten the content of the bag, please cut the bottom off and put directly in the trash bin.

3. It is best to keep trash cans out of reach of dogs too. Make sure your dog cannot get into the trash.

(Editor’s note: You can choose to buy trash cans with a cover. ) “Baby locks work great if you have a curious pup. Help spread this story and save other dogs, “ Powell said.

It will also help if you will read up on what food are toxic to dogs.

Please avoid leaving these food around the house or where dogs can reach them. Discard toxic food by putting them inside a plastic bag, then tie the plastic bag at the top. Please throw this in the trash bin outside your house.

FREE DOG TRAINING TIPS IN THE PACK WALK PROJECT DO YOU have a problem with your dog? Does your dog have a problem socializing with other dogs or dealing with humans?

Lestre Zapanta, known as The Pinoy Dog Whisperer, conducts training seminars with dog owners and their pets where he shares his expertise on dog behavior, responsible pet ownership, and dog training.

Today (April 14), Zapanta will discuss dog behavior and train a dog on the spot during the first leg of the mall tour of The Pack Walk Project at the Fishermall, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In the past years, The Pack Walk Project organized by Zapanta has been encouraging dog owners to train with their dogs.

Zapanta, an event speaker and TV/radio host, recently went to Asia and America to film with Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer.

Millan described Zapanta as having “first class” and “masterful” dog training skills.

With over 223,000 followers on social media, Zapanta reaches the dog-owning community in the Philippines and even kababayans abroad. He also creates valuable content through photos and videos that attract interest, engagement, and repeat visits.

Lestre & his pets have appeared in many TV and film productions - commercials like Compañero Brandy; TV series like Encantadia, Kalye Wars, & Pepito Manaloto; and various features in Jessica Soho, Front Row, & Brigada. His pets have been cast in films with Ms. Nora Aufare advocates, and other special guests; a pet parade and nor, Ms. Janice de Belen, fashion show; and lots of raffle games and contests. and other celebrities.

There will also be a pet bazaar throughout the day.

This summer, The Pack The highlight of the whole-day event will be the training Walk project started by ZaLestre Zapanta, Pinoy Dog Whisperer, and demo of Zapanta where he will tame unruly dogs on panta will be a mall tour that with Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer the spot. focuses on rabies prevention The registration and training are free. But please bring and dog training as part of rethe vaccination card of your pet. sponsible pet ownership.

Sign up via http://www.lestrezapanta.com/register for the other The program will consist of talks and seminars by canine health and behavior experts, related government agencies, animal wel- upcoming events.

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

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

JAGGER, almost one year old, was adopted from a friend by Cris Ramos.

"Jagger gets our attention by rubbing himself on us and calls for playtime," Cris says.

"Giving me tummy massages is one thing Jagger does best, " Cris adds.

Cris also shares: "He also loves to tag along whenever his human hits the shower as if it's his only time to make kwentuhan on how their day went. In short, Jagger doesn't give care about privacy. Hahaha. He is very vocal with what he wants whether it be food or water. He jumps right into bed when he know it's lights off. Such a character indeed."

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

SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM IN CAVITE A TOTAL of 81 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered in Cavite City to help control animal population in the area.

This is aimed at preventing bite incidents in the city and eventually, in the whole province of Cavite.

The Department of Health (DOH) Calabarzon and the Cavite City Veterinary Office conducted free spaying (removal of cervix in female animals) and neutering (removal of balls in male animals) last April 4 in Barangay 20-A, Ronquillo, Caridad, Cavite City.

The program aims to stop the increase in the number of stray or abandoned dogs and cats.

Within seven hours, 52 dogs and 29 cats were spayed or neutered.

Araceli Sese, chairwoman of Barangay 29-A Village, said "We had a rabies case in October last year. Two teenagers were bitten by a stray dog along the Ronquillo street. We want to avoid more bite incidents in the future."

If the number of stray dogs will go down, bite incidents will also go down, she said.

Spaying and neutering are part of the provincial government’s program to eliminate rabies cases in the city.

"This is the first of a series of spay and castration operation in the entire province to bring down the population of dogs and cats, aside from the free anti-rabies vaccine, " said Dr. Gloria Digma, officer-incharge of Cavite Provincial Veterinary Office. Dennis Abrina

Pet owners are waiting for their pet dogs and cats to wake up after they were spayed/neutered. Dennis Abrina