Manila Standard - 2019 May 18 - Saturday

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 93 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

#2019PHVOTE:

Cynthia Villar 25,038,760

Cynthia Villar 23,610,580

Grace Poe 21,862,839

Grace Poe 20,711,849

Bong Go 20,364,281

Pia Cayetano 19,575,614

Bato Dela Rosa 18,719,312

Sonny Angara 17,994,079

Lito Lapid 16,832,796

Imee Marcos 15,686,230

Francis Tolentino 15,301,533

Bong Revilla Jr. 14,489,259

Koko Pimentel 14,486,480

Nancy Binay 14,409,333

PARTIAL AND OFFICIAL TALLY BY COMELEC AS OF 7:20 PM

PARTIAL AND UNOFFICIAL TALLY BY LENTE/TRANSPARENCY AS OF 7:20 PM

SENATORIAL RACE

COME TO ATTENTION. Members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force participate in the 36th Founding Anniversary at the NCRP Headquarters in Bicutan, Taguig on Friday. Norman Cruz

Winners out Sunday For senatorial, party-list races

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Bong Go 19,030,884

Pia Cayetano 18,550,012

T

HE Commission on Elections, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers for the May 13 midterm elections, plans to proclaim on Sunday all 12 winning senatorial candidates and the winners in the race for party-list representatives.

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Bato Dela Rosa 17,567,258

Sonny Angara 17,027,333

Lito Lapid 15,778,223

SUNDAY PROCLAMATION.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez (inset) tells a news briefing Friday the government’s election watchdog, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, will proclaim on Sunday the senatorial candidates in the winning circle as well as those who made it in the party-list race.

Comelec custodians, meanwhile, inspect and check the ballot boxes from Cavite before the start of the counting at the National Board Canvassing at the PICC. Lino Santos

Anti-crime pol Palace downplays probe calls on poll glitches group boosts lead further

By Vito Barcelo

Imee Marcos 14,775,948

THE party-list group Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) has

Francis Tolentino 14,387,602

Koko Pimentel 13,563,083

Nancy Binay 13,453,117

Bong Revilla Jr. 13,442,578

JV Ejercito 14,183,061

Bam Aquino 13,384,293

Bam Aquino 14,054,642

JV Ejercito 13,344,417

Next page Party-list Top 10: 1 - ACT-CIS, 2,147,970 votes; 2 - Ako Bicol (980,443); 3 - Bayan Muna (864,333); 4 - Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption or CIBAC (725,753); 5 - Ang Probinsyano (616,217); 6 - One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals or 1-Pacman (572,885); 7 - Probinsyano Ako (509,924); 8 - An Waray (421,050); 9 - Senior Citizens (415,308); 10 - Association of Philippines Electric Cooperatives (382,122).

MALACAÑANG believes that the result of the May 13 midterm elections are credible despite glitches experienced by the transparency server and

vote counting machines.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo assured the public that the Commission on Elections will be investigating the problems encountered by the transparency server, but noted

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‘Bato’ on EJK cases: So sue me Canada vows to get trash out

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FORMER Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, poised to land a Senate seat, on Friday challenged his critics to go after him for alleged extrajudicial killings in the government’s bloody war on drugs.

“Bring it on, bring it on. Whatever they want, I will not run away,” Dela

Rosa said in an interview over the ANC news channel.

Dela Rosa, who has also served as director of the Bureau of Corrections before he quit to run for a senator, was the top police officer when President Rodrigo Duterte mounted his drive against drug pushers and addicts.

“Whatever, whatever, whenever,” Next page

Toss coin decides winning bet

Austria not amused by cow-kissing dare

Teen commits suicide after Instagram poll

SOME say it is lovelier the second time around—and this time the victory was through a coin flip.

The challenger for the mayoral post in Araceli town in Palawan has been proclaimed winner in

VIENNA, Austria—The Austrian government Thursday warned Internet users to shun an online

KUALA LUMPUR—A Malaysian teenager who posted an Instagram poll asking if she should live or die took her own life after a majority of respondents voted for the latter,

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that this would not affect the election results.

“It doesn’t matter if it gets delayed.

Because if it’s just delayed, but has the same number of votes, what’s the

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Next page

By Macon Ramos-Araneta CANADA on Thursday vowed to work closely with the Philippines to send back tons of garbage that had been shipped to Philippine ports in 2013 and 2014.

The Canadian government issued this statement after the Philippines recalled ranking Filipino envoys Next page

‘Step up guard in disputed sea’ A SENIOR United States naval officer is encouraging Southeast Asian nations to determine their own response to China’s military expansion in the South China Sea. Speaking during the Asia-Pacific Media Hub telephonic conference on Thursday, US Naval Operations chief Admiral John Richardson specifically

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News

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

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FDA head denies corruption rap

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE accepted her termination “without ill-feelings,” but dismissed Food and Drug Administration Director-General Nela Charade Puno on Friday denied the corruption allegations lodged against her by Malacañang.

appointment in August 2016.

“I served as the director-general of the FDA for two years and 10 months with complete honesty, diligence, dedication and loyalty,” Puno said.

She said the FDA accomplished many things when she was at the helm, and that it received several certifications and recognition.

“It was during my tenure that the FDA gained three ISO certifications and ASEAN recognition as the fifth ASEAN-member country whose regulatory standards were so accredited,” Puno said.

“I also implemented the decentralization and regionalization of the FDA, the digitalization of its registration processes, the support of MSMEs in a joint effort with the Department of Trade

and Industry, and strict regulatory enforcement of FDA laws in cooperation with the Philippine National Police.”

Puno said she “consciously and vigorously resisted the regulatory capture of the FDA.” She said she would vacate her position with a “clear conscience.”

“I leave FDA with a clear conscience and what I believe to be a clean record, Puno said.

“It is completely unnecessary to sully the personal and professional reputations of people who sacrifice to render public service.”

On Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters that Puno’s dismissal was part of Duterte’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption in the government.

In a statement, Puno confirmed she received her termination letter on Thursday afternoon and accepted President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision.

But she said she was surprised by the corruption claims.

“I take exception to the mention of the socalled ‘corruption allegations’ because I am clueless as to what these are,” Puno said.

“I have not been charged in any legal proceedings nor am I aware of any of-

ficial investigations being undertaken in relation to corruption involving me.

“Of course, if there will be any such allegations forthcoming, I am more than ready to face these in any forum.”

Puno said her tenure as FDA chief revolved only around “honesty and loyalty.” She said she was “completely unfamiliar” with the “political maneuvering in the bureaucracy” for she had worked in the private sector before her

Palace...

From A1

Poll watchdog bucks Cardema’s move to party-list

problem there?” Panelo said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Meanwhile, party-list and various cause-oriented groups associated with the opposition denounced what they called “massive fraud” in the May 13 elections.

Former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales urged the COMELEC to conduct random manual audits for the party-list votes.

Also, the opposition Liberal Party, which seemed headed for a shutout in the senatorial race, asked the COMELEC to reveal the location of the nearly 2,000 VCMs that malfunctioned.

In a petition, the LP likewise requested the poll body to release the audit and system logs of the transparency server, and the technical report that would explain the seven-hour delay in the transmission of votes to the main server at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The letter was sent to the COMELEC four days after glitches cast doubt on the credibility of the midterm elections.

As for the glitches in the VCMs, Panelo said votes could always be counted manually—a statement that ran counter to the COMELEC position that precincts with defective VCMs should have waited for their replacement.

Panelo supported calls for an investigation into alleged ballot tempering in Lanao del Sur. Despite the overwhelming victory of pro-administration candidates, Panelo said the new senators would not follow the President blindly. With Macon Ramos-Araneta and PNA

‘Step up...

From A1 called on the Australian and Indonesian maritime forces to step up their presence in the contested waterway.

“I think every nation’s going to have to assess their situation and take their own approach,” Richardson said from Tokyo where he was on a visit.

“But, at some point, navies are meant to get under way and be present to provide options to their leadership, and how they choose to do that is a matter of their national sovereign approach.”

The Philippines has claims to the South China Sea and recently complained of Chinese incursions into its exclusive economic zone in the disputed area. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have partial claims there.

Indonesia claims sovereignty over a section of what it calls the North Natuna sea, and last year opened a small military base on an island there.

Australia has supported all the nations having access to the strategic sea lane, through which nearly one third of global shipping passes annually.

“Where we can see opportunities to work together, exercise together, be present together―those, I think, are things that we are constantly looking for. We’ve got a robust relationship with both of those navies, so we’ll just continue to do that,” Richardson said.

Austria...

From A1 cow-kissing challenge, calling it a “dangerous nuisance.”

A Swiss app called Castl launched the #KuhKussChallenge (“Cow Kiss Challenge”) on Wednesday, encouraging users in Switzerland and other German-speaking countries to kiss cows—”with or without tongues”—to raise money for charity.

But Austrian Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Koestinger branded the challenge a “dangerous nuisance” in a statement on Thursday.

“Pastures and meadows are not petting zoos—actions like these could

By Joel E. Zurbano ELECTION watchdog Kontra Daya is opposing the move of National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema to substitute as party-list nominee for Duterte Youth.

The group said the substitution would be the ultimate mockery of the partylist system.

Cardema filed his motion only on Thursday (May 16), or three days after

Winners...

From A1 The poll body has already sent out invitations to a proclamation ceremony at 4 p.m. tomorrow to certain winners such as Senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe, who were leading the tally as of Friday night, several news and radio outlets reported.

COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez told a news briefing Friday that the Sunday event was still “sobrang [super] tentative, but as a heads-up, it’s a reasonable date, but not confirmed yet.”

The move to go through with the simultaneous proclamation is seen as “more efficient [and] better for everyone,” he added.

“One of the directions we’re going is one proclamation for both Senate and party-list winners. But we cannot rush because we still need to compute [votes] in the party-list race,” Jimenez said.

In the 2016 elections, COMELEC proclaimed the country’s new senators on the afternoon of May 19, while the winners of the party-list race were proclaimed in the evening.

“With the party-lists, we still have to complete the computation. So the process is longer. Maybe three days apart.

But I can tell you that we are already preparing for [their proclamation],”

‘Bato’...

From A1 said Dela Rosa when confronted about the possibility of being investigated, even by the International Criminal Court, over what human rights activists described as summary executions.

Dela Rosa was among the respondents in crimes against humanity complaint filed by a Filipino lawyer with the ICC. The said court announced in February 2018 that it had started a prelimi-

Anti-crime...

From A1 surpassed two million votes in the latest partial and official count of the Commission on Elections.

ACT-CIS is leading all party-list groups with 2,147,970 votes, based on the certificates of canvass from 107 out of 130 clustered precincts counted by the Comelec sitting as the National Board of Canvassers as of Friday have serious consequences,” she added, pointing out that cows could become aggressive when defending their calves.

Balancing the activities of tourists and cattle farmers is a sensitive topic in Austria’s mountain regions, with both being key pillars of the region’s economy.

In February, a court in the Tyrol region caused uproar after ordering a farmer to pay 490,000 euros ($555,000) in compensation to the widower of a woman who was trampled to death by a herd of his cows in 2014.

The farmer is appealing the verdict and is being supported by Austria’s farmers’ federation, which has warned of the “end of our mountain pastures” if the verdict is allowed to stand. AFP

PH to sign 10 biz deals with Japan—DTI THE Philippines is expected to sign at least 10 business agreements during President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to Japan by the end of May, an official says.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said those deals were expected to allow Japanese companies to invest in the Philippines by expanding their businesses here.

“So far we have two MOUs [memorandums of understanding] and around eight letters of intent,” Lopez told reporters on Thursday.

“In other words, companies are already here that are intending to expand their operation, invest more, expand the operations.”

Lopez said those Japanese companies had decided to invest in the Philippines as an expression of their “support and confidence” in the current administration.

He said the deals included investments in electronics, manufacturing, data analytics, some services, the AI field, tourism and transportation.

He could not give an estimate as to the amount those investments would generate but said those would be “substantial.”

“Substantial, substantial. The big companies that are here, investment-wise they invest in a big way,” Lopez said.

He described the trade relations between the Philippines and Japan as a strong one. In particular, he said, the Philippines remained to be Japan’s biggest supplier of bananas.

“Since Japan is the big brother, the advanced economy, we’re asking them to open up all their markets,” Lopez said. PNA

the May 13 midterm polls ended.

But, according to Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao, there could be no substitution after the elections close.

“The rules are clear as may be gleaned from Sec. 8 of the Party-list System Act of 1995 and Sec. 18 of COMELEC Resolution No. 3307-A,” he said.

The group cited Sec. 18. Substitution of nominees. - A party-list nominee may be substituted only when he dies, or his nomination is withdrawn by the party, or

he becomes incapacitated to continue as such, or he withdraws his acceptance to the nomination. In any of these cases, the name of the substitute nominee shall be placed last in the list of nominees.

“No substitution shall be allowed by reason of withdrawal after the close of polls.”

Arao said Cardema was clearly circumventing the law.

He added that other public officials are deemed resigned when they accept a nomination for party-list representative.

Jimenez said.

As of Friday evening, the National Board of Canvassers had canvassed 146 out of the 167 Certificates of Canvass.

COMELEC invited some of the winning senatorial candidates to formal proclamation ceremonies tomorrow afternoon as the remaining votes that have yet to be transmitted can no longer affect the ranking for the first 10 positions.

Meanwhile, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada conceded defeat Friday in the senatorial race.

Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, still faces plunder charges for his alleged involvement in the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam.

Based on a partial, official COMELEC tally of votes as of 9:29 p.m. on Thursday, Villar remained on top with 19,383,224 votes, followed by Poe with 17,043,889.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s close aide former special assistant Christopher Go was in third place with 15,685,847 votes, followed by Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano with 15,330,363 votes, and former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa with 14,529,585 votes.

The COMELEC has so far canvassed 129 out of 167 certificates of canvass as of May 17, accounting for around 74.97 percent of registered voters.

Others who entered the winners’ circle were Juan Edgardo Angara,

14,023,811; Lito Lapid, 12,628,054; Imee Marcos, 12,618,428; Francis Tolentino, 11,975,435; Aquilino Pimentel III, 11,283,357; and Nancy Binay, 11,041,386.

The lone opposition candidate to make it to the top 12 was Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, with 11,001,047 votes.

Jimenez said the poll body still wanted to proclaim all 12 winners at the same time―even though the remaining uncounted votes could affect the contest for 11th and 12th place.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the victory of three neophytes― Go, Dela Rosa and Tolentino―was a measure of the trust people had in President Duterte’s endorsement.

But a fourth newcomer that Duterte endorsed, outgoing Maguindano Rep. Zajid Mangundadatu, failed to make it.

With the margins among those occupying the 10th, 11th and 12th spots, Sotto said, there still was hope for reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito.

In a statement, Estrada thanked those who supported and voted for him.

Estrada also said he would pray for former Senator Ramon Revilla who was at the 13th spot.

Estrada and Revilla were both detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over their alleged involvement in the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam.

Revilla, however, was acquitted.

nary examination into the Philippine war on drugs. But Dela Rosa said the police were just doing their job.

After assailing the ICC for its bias, Duterte canceled the Philippines’ membership in the ICC. Dela Rosa, who ranks fifth in the latest poll results, said the police need to protect themselves when dealing with drug suspects.

He said that the more than 5,000 suspected drug dealers whom police have killed in anti-narcotics operations had all put up a fight.

Responding to a statement by Car-

los Conde, Philippines researcher for Human Rights Watch, Dela Rosa told GMA News Online: “Let us pray that the bitterness in their hearts be flushed out. Nakailang Senate investigation na hindi pa sila nagsawa? (How many Senate investigations have been held and they’re still not satisfied?)”

In a blog post on Friday, Conde said said Dela Rosa “may still have a date with justice.”

“Now that Dela Rosa is a policymaker, there is renewed urgency in bringing all those responsible for ‘drug war’ crimes to justice,” he said.

from their posts in Canada.

“Canada is disappointed by this decision to recall the Philippine ambassador and consuls general. However, we will continue to closely engage with the Philippines to ensure a swift resolution of this important issue,” Guillaume Bérubé, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said in an e-mail sent to the Philippine News Agency.

Bérubé provided no estimate when the containers of trash will be pulled out, but reiterated Canada’s “commitment to promptly ship and dispose of the Canadian waste.”

“We remain committed to finalizing these arrangements for the return of the waste to Canada,” he said. “Canada values its deep and long-standing relationship with the Philippines.”

Global Affairs Canada, which manages Ottawa’s diplomatic relations and trade, is headed by ministers, including Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

The diplomatic rift between the two countries threatened to escalate after the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday night recalled its ambassador and consuls from Canada.

Ottawa missed the deadline set by the government on May 15, 2019, said DFA chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the order was to persuade Canada to speed up the process of retrieving more than 100 containers of waste that had been shipped in batches to the Port of Manila from 2013 to 2014. With PNA

night—more than a million votes ahead of Ako Bicol, which has 980,443 votes.

Of the 181 party-list groups that ran in the May 13 elections, at least eight were able to get at least 2 percent of the total number of votes cast for the system, giving them at least one seat out of 61 allocated for them in the House of Representatives.This means ACT-CIS, which has veteran broadcaster Erwin Tulfo as the first nominee, will have three seats in Congress.

Militant party-list group Bayan Muna

came in second with 4.03 percent of the votes, which is good for two seats.

The other party-list groups that met the minimum requirement of 2 percent for one seat are Ako Bicol (3.83 percent), CIBAC (3.36 percent), Ang Probinsyano (2.77 percent), 1Pacman (2.58 percent), Marino (2.43 percent), and Probinsyano Ako (2.28 percent).

Using Comelec’s algorithm, all the party-list groups that got at least 2 percent of the votes also stand to get a second seat. The rest of the 59 seats will be

distributed to the other party-list groups based on the votes they garnered.

Others in the party-list top 10 based on the 107 COCs are Bayan Muna (864,333 votes), Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption or CIBAC (725,753), Ang Probinsyano (616,217 votes), One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals or 1-Pacman (572,885), Probinsyano Ako (509,924 votes), An Waray (421,050 votes), Senior Citizens (415,308 votes) and Association of Philippines Electric Cooperatives (382,122 votes).

Toss coin...

From A1

In the flip, former mayor Sue Cudilla, who won against incumbent Noel Beronio in 2013 but won in 2016 during their second face-off, won against the latter in the best of three coin tosses by Election Officer Emil Alili Friday.

The canvassing of votes on Thursday revealed a tie for Beronio and Cudilla who both received 3,495 votes from 16

clustered precincts.

Their supporters had anticipated a tight race in Monday’s poll based on their experiences in past elections.

It was in 2013 when the two candidates first ran against each other for the mayoralty post where Cudilla won.

Beronio won 2016 elections against Cudilla with just a margin of 19 votes.

Facebook-owned picture-sharing platform.

Police have classified the case as “sudden death.”

“Really Important, Help Me Choose sparking calls for an investigation.

The unidentified 16-year-old from D/L,” she wrote, according to a report Kuching in eastern Sarawak state died on the news portal Astro Awani, with after posting the poll Monday on the the letters “D” and “L” apparently re-

ferring to “die” or “live” respectively.

Sixty-nine percent of votes cast were in favor of her ending her life, with just 31 percent against, local media quoted police as saying.

Lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh called for a probe into the circumstances of her death. AFP

election via a coin flip on Friday—done within range of the eagle eyes of representatives from the two political camps, the Municipal Board of Canvassers and watchers from both parties.

Teen...

From A1

Canada...

From A1

News

A3

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MMDA collects 29 truckloads of post-election garbage

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has collected 29 truckloads of campaign posters and other electionrelated paraphernalia all over the metropolis during its clearing operations from March 1 to May 16.

The MMDA Metro Parkways Clearing Group said the volume of collection is equivalent to 200.37 tons or 705.34 cubic meters.

During post-election clearing operations, collected campaign trash reached 23.42 tons on May 14; 14.45 tons on May 15 and 17.08 tons on May 16 from major thoroughfares and vicinity of public schools in Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the campaign materials will not be thrown away at landfills but will be converted to bags, place mats, baskets, school supplies and other useful items.

Environmental groups who want to recycle the campaign materials may coordinate with the agency.

More than 100 personnel are involved in the taking down and removal of campaign materials in major thoroughfares and several public schools in Metro Manila.

On March 1, the government deputized various agencies and the police force to remove illegal posters and campaign materials for the midterm polls.

Environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition has denounced candidates and their supporters for posting political billboards and other election campaign materials outside the designated areas in Metro Manila.

The group reported seeing election posters nailed or wired on trees, taped on electric posts and traffic signages, and displayed on bridges, which constitute “prohibited forms of election propaganda” as per the Commission on Elections.

In the 2016 elections, the MMDA turned over to Ecowaste the removed illegal election campaign tarpaulins which were reproduced as seat covers, tents and other usable items.

The tarpaulins were among the truckloads of illegal campaign materials removed by the MMDA from foot bridges, lamp posts, cable wires and trees during their operation dubbed as “Operation Baklas.”

POLL-RELATED PROTEST. Concerned citizens troop to the Philippine International Convention Center to stage a protest rally demanding an investigation on the alleged

corrupted SD Cards and VCMs. The Commission on Elections, meanwhile, said that candidates in the recent elections who violated the law will be prosecuted and brought before the court. Lino Santos

‘Give poll teachers more pay for extra work due to glitches’

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HE Alliance of Concerned Teachers has asked the Commission on Elections to give extra pay to teachers who were forced to extend their working hours due to the defective SD cards.

In its letter to poll chairman Sheriff Abas, ACT also asked the Comelec for an urgent dialogue set on Monday, May 20, to discuss the matter.

ACT claimed that the glitch on SD cards have forced thousands of teachers to render poll service more than twice the time of the required period of service.

In an earlier statement, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said around 1,000 SD cards have encountered issues causing 450 vote counting machines to malfunction.

“The voting process in the precincts proceeded due mainly to the invaluable service and sacrifice of our teacher-poll-workers,” ACT said the letter.

It added the unfortunate but not inevitable issues have resulted in the teachers’ loss of time to rest and be with their families, as well as loss of opportunity to find other sources of income to make ends meet.

If added that the teachers will no longer have enough time to recuperate since they will have to render another

Prevent armed conflict, new solon urges MILF, gov’t

SC disbars two erring lawyers, suspends another

By Rey E. Requejo

By Nash B. Maulana COTABATO CITY—Maguindanao Congressman-elect Esmael Mangudadatu wants the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to help prevent the recurrence of armed conflict with a “war moratorium” in the province for one year.

Mangudadatu, Maguindanao’s three-term governor, said both the national government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should explore on a pacification campaign to achieve what he called a “war moratorium” in Maguindanao’s Saudi-Pagatin-MamasapanoShariff Aguak Box. “We pity those children,” Mangudadatu pointed out, apparently holding back tears in an interview with reporters on Thursday.

Mangudadatu said the time for pacification came perfectly with the MILF leadership now at the helm of the Bangsamoro Transition AuthorityBARMM to spearhead a whole year dialogue with the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters in the area.

Residents said SPMS Box has become a “frequent target” of helicopter gunship offensives hovering the area at night.

As elected representative of the province’s second congressional district, Mangudadatu said he will take to Congress the voice of every child orphaned by war, even as he feared a “cycle” of situations wherein children and youth losing their parents to shooting wars could breed a cycle of dissidence in the province.

Mangudadatu said the BARMM leadership should be allowed by the national government to explore pacification campaign among such groups whose members are also former members of the MILF or of the Moro National Liberation Front.

service as DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela kicks off next week, followed by in-service trainings for teachers, then school opening.

“Teachers had no choice but to stay with the VCMs as votes cannot be counted and results cannot be transmitted without functional SD cards, even if it meant staying at the precincts for two, three days straight,” ACT secretary general Raymond Basilio said in a press statement.

“They more than deserve to be given additional compensation at overtime rates,” he added.

“Honest labor should be accorded just compensation. Let us bring justice to hardworking teachers whose sacrifices are unparalleled by giving them just pay for their invaluable election service,” Basilio said.

BUY BUST. Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conduct a buy-

bust operation that resulted to the arrest of four suspects identified as Chinese national Wu Lianlai, Sunbenny Marquez, Florencio Serdon and Christopher dela Cruz and confiscated three kilos of shabu and buy-bust money at Cadena de Amor St., Barangay Maysan Pagasa Subdivision in Valenzuela City. Manny Palmero

Leyte road mishap kills eight, injures 11 others

By Francisco Tuyay TACLOBAN CITY—At least eight people were killed and 11 others were wounded when a passenger van collided with a six-wheeler truck along a national road in Babatngon, Leyte early Friday.

A van loaded with 18 passengers heading to this city from Babatngon town collided head-on to a truck carrying hogs, which was traveling in the opposite direction, the regional police office here reported.

Citing accounts of witnesses, the police said the truck was running fast when it strayed into the opposite lane and hit the van’s driver side. The incident took place in District III village just a few minutes after the van left the terminal in Babatngon.

“The municipal health officer declared dead on the spot the eight passengers while those injured were rushed to hospitals in Tacloban City,” the police report said.

The deadly road crash happened as advocates stepped up their drive to

prevent road accidents as the country celebrates Road Safety Month, aiming to promote road safety and raise awareness of the health impact and economic costs involved.

This year, the focus of the celebration is to generate demand from the public for stronger leadership for road safety worldwide.

In a radio interview, Police Lieutenant Melvin Ayay, acting chief of the Babatngon Police Station, said they have yet to identify the fatalities.

The 11 passengers of the van who survived the road mishap, most of them in critical condition were brought to a nearby hospital.

The truck was about to deliver the hogs at the Babatngon Public Market when the accident occurred.

Ayay said the area where the crash took place is an accident-prone site.

The truck was driven by Wenwen de Leon, a resident of North Cotabato, along with his helpers and the still unidentified driver of the van are being treated to a hospital in Tacloban City.

With PNA

THE Supreme Court has ordered the disbarment of two lawyers and suspended another from the practice of law for committing various administrative offenses.

In separate decisions, the SC disbarred Jorge C. Sacdalan and Renato B. Pagatpatan and ordered their names stricken off the Roll of Attorneys effective immediately for various violations of the lawyers’ code of ethics.

Sacdalan has been found to have violated Rules 1.01, 16.04, and 18.04 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

The high court ordered him to return to complainant Rosalie P. Domingo the P50,000 legal deposit to cover the expenses related to the expected litigation, and P100,000, as cash advance chargeable against his appearance fees and other fees, with interest of 6 percent per annum reckoned from the date of the receipt of this Decision until full payment.

It also penalized him to pay a fine of P5,000 for disobedience to the orders of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Commission on Bar Discipline.

Domingo engaged the services of Sacdalan in 2016 to recover possession of a parcel of land from illegal settlers in Binangonan, Rizal. She claimed that she even lent P100,000 to Sacdalan in the form of a cash advance charged against his appearance fees and other fees out of compassion since Sacdalan said the money was for his wife’s hospitalization. When Sacdalan did not give any updates on the status of her case, the complainant inquired directly with the Municipal Trial Court of Binangonan, Rizal and discovered that the former has yet to file any complaint for ejectment.

Bill on Masbate ecozone passed AT THE rate the House of Representatives is passing measures declaring certain areas as eco-tourism sites, the whole country might just end up one big area dedicated to ecological projects and tourism promotion.

Just before the present.17th Congress adjourns, the chamber approved on third and final reading House Bill 8726 declaring the islands of Nagarao, Naboctot, and Guin-Awayan in Placer, Masbate an ecotourism zone.

HB 8726, authored by Rep. Scott Davies Lanete of Masbate and former Davao City Rep and now Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, is just one of the half a dozen or so bills approved by the Lower House led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Arroyo-led House leadership believed that the conversion of these areas into eco-tourism zones will result in the faster development of the areas involved.

Lanete said “considering that it is the policy of the State to undertake the sustainable development of the environment simultaneously with the right of the people to a healthy and balanced ecology.”

“It is imperative that the national government provides the needed care and attention to the Island of Nagarao and its surrounding islands,” he added.

Maricel V. Cruz

Sandiganbayan to try ex-mayor for graft THE Sandiganbayan has decided to try the graft case filed against the former mayor of Lawaan, Eastern Samar to refute allegations that she used public funds to repair her own sportutility vehicle instead of seeking the outright dismissal of her case.

This as the anti-graft court’s Second Division denied Former Mayor Candida Gabornes’ motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence.

Gabornes was accused of using public funds amounting to P41,801.14 for the repair of her sports utility vehicle in 2012.

“After a careful review of the records of the case and the evidence of the prosecution, the court denies the motion of accused Candida. Accused failed to show that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to establish prima facie case against them,” the Sandiganbayan said. Maricel V. Cruz

Recognize party-list’s officers, poll body told A SENIOR citizens party-list group which poised to take a seat in congress urged the Commission on Elections to immediately act on their petition to recognize the legal officers of the party-list and accredit its official legitimate nominees.

The Coalition of Associations of Seniors Citizens/Elderly in the Philippines Inc., party-list clinched 505,850 votes in the 2019 midterm elections, securing them at least two seats in Congress.

Godofredo Villar-Arquiza, the Senior Citizens party-list president and first nominee, holds the party-list’s original registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Nov. 6, 2003 as amended on Nov. 27, 2013 and issued to him on Jan. 29, 2014 the original amended articles of incorporation and by-laws.

He said the party-list’s board of trustees issued a new resolution on May 6, 2019 naming its official legitimate nominees. The board resolution and the sworn certificates of acceptance signed by the official legitimate nominees were submitted to the Comelec’s s Law Department on May 10, 2019.

Vito Barcelo

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Loving your neighbor after the elections IN THE scripture reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus tells his disciples to keep his commandments, just as he had kept his Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

He commands them to love one another as he has loved you. For there is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends—considering those who keep his commandments as his friends. In the Gospel of John, the Glorified Lord exhorts his disciples to love one another. It is this love that sets Christ disciples apart from pagans. Jesus is telling his disciples that all will know that they are his disciples because of this love. It is a love that is selfless, willing to sacrifice for others, and unconditional.

No time for bitterness.

Pope Benedict’s encyclical Deus Carita Est “God is love” emphasizes the unbreakable bond between love of God and love of neighbor: “One is so closely connected to the other that to say that we love God becomes a lie if we are closed to our neighbor or hate him altogether. Saint John’s words should rather be interpreted to mean that love of neighbor is a path that leads to the encounter with God, and that closing our eyes to our neighbor

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

also blinds us to God. Benedict explains very well in that encyclical the distinction between three kinds of love: eros, philia, and agape: “That love between man and woman which is neither planned nor willed, but somehow imposes itself upon human beings, was called eros by the ancient Greeks. Let us note straight away that the Greek Old Testament uses the word eros only twice, while the New Testament does not use it at all: of the three Greek words for love, eros, philia (the love of friendship) and agape, New Testament writers prefer the last, which occurs rather infrequently in Greek usage. As for the term philia, the love of friendship, it is used with added depth of meaning in Saint John’s Gospel in order to express the relationship between Jesus and his disciples.”

It is not true that Christianity rejected and rejects eros. According to Benedict: “First, there is a certain relationship between love and the Divine: love promises infinity, eternity—a reality far greater and totally other than our everyday existence. Yet we have also seen that the way to attain this goal is not simply by submitting to instinct. Purification and growth in maturity are called for; and these also pass through the path of renunciation.

Far from rejecting or “poisoning” eros, they heal it and restore its true grandeur.”

There are of course people—we call them saints—who are called to agape—oblative love, described in Deus Est Caritas as expressing “the experience of a love which involves a real discovery of the other, moving beyond the selfish character that prevailed earlier.” Love as agape becomes concern and care for the other and no longer is self-seeking or a

Davids

O

NE of the striking features of Monday’s election was the emergence of challengers and younger candidates who won against the more established families that have controlled local positions. good. There is hope for the town, city, country, world.

But the real judgment should come not in these few days after the elections. After all, this is a time for mere promises and plans. We do not doubt that these newcomers are aware of what ails their LGUs and what must be changed. It will take them time to establish their own leadership brands—and actually deliver on their promises through small, day-to-day victories.

They must also have the humility to acknowledge legitimately worthy initiatives of their predecessors, and sustaining rather than overhauling them.

Most importantly, they must consistently evaluate themselves henceforth, to make sure that all they do would be in service of

It is not a sweeping trend, but the examples are many—and notable.

In Metro Manila alone, for instance, entrenched families known to control Pasig, San Juan and Manila, all had to give way to their younger and relatively lessknown opponents. In Makati City, the patriarch of an established clan lost a congressional seat even as his children went on to win their respective battles.

Filipinos are no strangers to numerous David-and-Goliath stories. The underdog, with hardly any resources and clout, defeats the powerful names because the people have grown tired of their ineffective at best, and corrupt at worst, leadership. The archetype is popular because it makes people—except the losers—feel

their constituents and not of their own agenda.

Filipinos are so parched for saviors. Many can hardly distinguish between those with a real desire to serve and those simply putting on a show.

This desire for deliverance— through a lionized individual on whom we pin all our hopes—has been responsible for our undue focus on personalities rather than institutions.

And all too often, we encounter only heartbreak: Everyone has feet of clay.

Many incumbents and dynasties continued their hold on power, but these relatively new names provide a refreshing and encouraging side to our political life. We hope these new faces do not squander their mandates by turning into that which they challenged.

We hope even more that people stop imagining saviors and superheroes. There are none— there are just public servants, with some more inclined to do good than others.

Turn to A5

Fixing our politics (Part 1) THE midterm election’s results saw the overwhelming victory of Duterteendorsed senatorial candidates. Based on the unofficial count, not one in the opposition won. However, the real winner here is Duterte, and by extension, China.

The loss of the opposition means a lot more than these candidates’ individual losses. This is really about the country’s sovereignty, democracy, and Filipinos’ human rights. To be more precise, Philippine democracy and sovereignty are in peril, and our human rights are more vulnerable to repression.

Duterte managed to have a supermajority in the Senate and only fools will believe assurances that the likes of Bong Go, Bato Dela Rosa, Bong Revilla, and Imee Marcos will say no to Duterte. I do not remember another time since EDSA1 when Malacañang could possibly order the Senate around.

This early, Senator Sotto has already confidently announced that the bill on lowering the age of criminal liability will be passed before the 17th Congress ends, and the death penalty, in the next Congress. These are two of Duterte’s pet bills that if passed, will result in further violations of human rights.

I suspect that the drive for Charter Change and federalism will go full steam starting late this year or early next year owing to the needed reorganization of both Houses of Congress.

They will not wait until Duterte’s last year because a sitting President becomes weakest during his/her term. By mid-2021, those with ambition to run in 2022 will all be busy preparing for their candidacies and will likely distance themselves from contentious issues like Charter Change.

China will benefit from the results of

the elections because of the absence of a strong opposition in the Senate.

Senators Drilon, Pangilinan, Hontiveros, and De Lima will not be able to block Duterte’s partiality to China at the expense of our sovereignty. Thus, expect more of our territories occupied, and our natural resources stolen right under our very noses.

Bato and Go in the Senate means that the war on drugs will continue to kill innocent people. After all, Bato as PNP Chief was Duterte’s executioner, and Go was an enabler. The PNP now has a champion in the Senate and this may embolden the police further in killing suspected drug pushers and users. I also do not see anything happening in relation with the revelations of

We need to fix our electoral system and culture, the hardware and software of our political life.

“Bikoy”. Like the whistleblowers who came before him, he will remain in hiding if not arrested and jailed.

There are important lessons to be learned from the last electoral exercise and unless we put them to good use, the succeeding elections (if there will be) will result in more of the same.

Many are frustrated and angry and this is understandable. However, we can use the anger to strengthen the struggle to protect our democracy, sovereignty, and human rights.

The fight is not over. As we continue to oppose this administration’s maneuvers to destroy our democracy, undermine our sovereignty, and violate human rights, we should also be working for long-term solutions to our problems.

In the end, we can rise above these Turn to A5

New laws of robotics needed to tackle AI: Expert

By Charles Onians DECADES after Isaac Asimov first wrote his laws for robots, their everexpanding role in our lives requires a radical new set of rules, legal and AI expert Frank Pasquale warned on Thursday.

The world has changed since scifi author Asimov in 1942 wrote his three rules for robots, including that they should never harm humans, and today's omnipresent computers and algorithms demand up-to-date measures.

According to Pasquale, author of "The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms Behind Money and Information," four new legally inspired rules should be applied to robots and AI in our daily lives.

"The first is that robots should complement rather than substitute for professionals" Pasquale told AFP on the sidelines of a robotics conference at the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

"Rather than having a robot doctor, you should hope that you have a doctor who really understands how

AI works and gets really good advice from AI, but ultimately it's a doctor’s decision to decide what to do and what not to do."

"The second is that we need to stop robotic arms races. There’s a lot of people right now who are investing in war robots, military robots, policing robots."

No humanoids Pasquale, a law lecturer at the University of Maryland, says it's important that any investment in military robotics or AI should provide some Turn to A5

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Smartmatic troubles, Noynoy’s legacy

Not a trade war

events took place during last May 13 elections where administration candidates dominated the senatorial race.

That is not to say, too, that the Yellows were dealt with “a dose of their own medicine,” rendering the Otso Diretso zero Senate seat in the incoming 18th Congress.

There are no evidence of fraud or cheating. Even the Opposition candidates like election lawyer Romy Macalintal acknowledge that.

But the procurement of Smartmatic AES simply did not prove worthy of the P2.1 billion it cost the taxpayers in the wake of the agony it subjected thousands of voters to.

As soon as the polling centers opened on Monday, live media coverage reported widespread incidents of malfunctioning vote counting machines. Many VCM units would not feed on the voters’ accomplished ballots, causing chaotic overcrowding as voters queued up for hours under the sun for their turn to vote.

Many VCMs SD cards turned out defective, either, and their supplier must not be compensated, and must be sanctioned instead.

Also for whatever reason, Comelec clustered together most populous precincts in one polling place in the upper floors of the schools, aggravating senior citizens and pregnant women.

How could you blame those who decided just to forgo casting their votes?

And yet, all this trouble rooted in legacy of the past Yellow administration is the same issue that critics and detractors of the Duterte administration are using to try to nullify Monday’s exercise altogether. These stupid desperados want a failure of election declared.

True the COMELEC must come clean and explain the issue of the “seven-hour glitch” that blocked media from receiving unofficial tallies and the use of a “meet-me-room” queue-server that received transmissions of the vote-counting machines before being sent to the COMELEC transparency server.

Thanks to Aquino’s Smartmatic, what otherwise would have been an unquestionably orderly, clean and honest election is now being stirred into a controversy by his own attack dogs.

it’s totally necessary to the task," said Pasquale, such as "care robots or sex robots."

The fourth and final law is that any robot or AI should be "attributable to or owned by a person or a corporation made of persons because… we know how to punish people but we don’t know how to punish machines."

Two-tier tech “If we have drones flying about the place that are autonomous, cars that are autonomous, bots online that are speaking on Twitter or in finance trading stocks, all of those have to be attributed to a person.”

“There are companies like Facebook where they just fine the company but they never force any person to give up money or be incarcerated for doing something wrong. And that’s a problem.”

“We’ve already got a problem with corporations and if we allow robots to be out there without being attributable to a person or corporation it just

gets worse," said Pasquale, whose book "New Laws of Robotics" is due to be published by Harvard University Press.

What must be avoided at all costs is two-tier technology, such as proposed

by Boeing for their 737-MAX airliners, grounded after hundreds died in two crashes blamed on a sensor failing because of a software error. ‘‘They made a decision at a very high level that they would allow airlines to buy a second sensor but that would be an extra cost, I think it was 80,000 dollars extra per plane, and that to me foreshadows a ton of problems’’ ‘‘Part of what the law has to do is step in and say certain of these bargains we’re not going to allow, we’re going to say we have a standard for flying, it's a single standard it’s not like oh I need to look up whether Ryanair, American Airlines or Lufthansa bought the extra sensor, because that’s madness.” AFP

But what has love got to do with politics?

Everything.

Politics, as Pope Francis has frequently said, is one of the highest forms of charity because it serves the common good. This is explained very well in Deus Est Caritas: “Justice is both the aim and the intrinsic criterion of all politics. Politics is more than a mere mechanism for defining the rules of public life: its origin and its goal are found in justice, which by its very nature has to do with ethics. The State must inevitably face the question of how justice can be achieved here and now. But this presupposes an even more radical question: what is justice? The problem is one of practical reason; but if reason is to be exercised properly, it must undergo constant purification, since it can never be completely free of the danger of a certain ethical blindness caused by the dazzling effect of power and special interests.”

After divisive elections, what does it mean to love God and love our neighbor?

I think it means above all forgiving, reconciling, and moving on.

This is not to say one should not protest if the elections were tainted with fraud and incompetence. This is not to say that one should tolerate unethical strategies and tactics—including vote buying, red-tagging, use of government resources, use of violence, etc. It is important to make our voices heard on the defects of our democracy, especially because they keep being repeated.

By forgiving, I meant something more personal—the family, members, colleagues, and yes literally one’s neighbors in some cases, which I fought with or hurt (and vice versa) because of our political differences.

Long ago, with my family experience of politics, I know politics can break relationships and it can take years to heal. That is why I tell everyone willing to listen—never fight over politics with your loved ones. And especially not over politicians and even political ideas as politicians transform very fast while issues are ephemeral.

As for the country, for reconciliation and moving on to happen, I would follow my friend Gibo Teodoro (to many the President we should have elected in 2010 so we would not end up to where we are today) who posted in Facebook these wise words: “We should embrace and engage with those who are willing to listen and to learn.

Hubris is not only arrogant but dangerous. Humility is indeed a virtue of a true leader.”

This piece of wisdom applies to both winners and losers. No gloating.

No vote-shaming. No more personal attacks. No retaliation and settling of scores.

The election results were mixed.

Heartbreaking losses but exhilarating victories, too.

There will be another elections in three years. In the meantime, let’s build this country. Its challenges are big. There is no time for bitterness.

heads who are completely ignorant of what is going on bewail what they see as the “softness” of China when its merely imposed a $60-billion tariff on its US imports. Many experts see that China is logically and economically correct in imposing lower amount of tariff on US goods.

CHINESE television is now saying that For China to retaliate would amount to the 25 percent additional tariff imposed some kind of self-inflicted punishment.

by President Trump on Chinese goods is For ultimately it will be their importers actually an additional tax on American that will have to pay for the added tariff in importers. It is the Americans who will terms of higher prices. actually pay the additional tariff for the Adding puzzle is why the US is zerofact that it is a tax imposed on imported ing on China for its trade deficit. This goods. Effectively, this will mean high- is asked because the huge trade deficit er prices for imported Chinese. of the US with other countries appears The problem, however, is that US to come in bulk that if one would look trade negotiators lead by Robert Ligh- at the US as an entrepreneur, it might thizer and Treasury Secretary Steven be wise for one to suggest that it betMnuchin insist in looking at the prob- ter close shop. The US practically has lem in terms of figure, that the US as trade deficit in almost all the leading of 2018 incurred a trade deficit of $419 economies and exporters of the world. billion. The solution they offer either They are as follows: China—$660exacerbates the problem like importing billion traded with a $419-billion defimore from China or for it to revalue its cit; Canada—$617 billion traded with currency to narrow the trade deficit. In- a $20-billion deficit; Mexico—$611 stead, they continue to smear the issue billion traded with an $81-billion like accusing China of intellectual prop- deficit; Japan—$218 billion traded erty violation and forcing US business- with a $67.6-billion deficit; and Geres doing business many—$184 bilin China to enter lion traded with a into contracts that $68.2-billion defiwould subject their cit. so-called trade seThe most basic It is actually a war crets and patented and logical quesformulas to the on currency. tion is why the US possibility of being has singled out copied and pirated.

China for its trade Nonetheless, deficit. Trump caneven if such allenot argue that US gations exist, that cannot be the subject trade deficit with these countries cited of negotiations as there exists an inter- as instances cannot be cited as insignational arbitral body to decide on the nificant. Is it because China stands as matter for which a corresponding fine the highest in trade volume with, but and penalty can be impose if found to is comparatively lower in return for be true. Unless the US trade negotiators that the US import from these countake this step, there is no way China tries? According to statistics, more than could answer those charges specifically 65 percent of the US trade deficit in alleging that China has violated their goods is with China. The $419-billion intellectual property right or copied and deficit was created by $540-billion in pirated their copyrighted and patented imports. Main US imports from China formula without their consent. are consumer electronics, clothing, and Moreover, the Trump administration machinery. has rather chosen the wrong approach.

The irony is that the US remains siOne might say, the 25-percent hike on lent is that many of these imports are Chinese exports entering the US is actu- actually made by American companies ally a tax on American importers. The doing business in China. They ship raw President is lying between his teeth materials to be assembled in China for for even if the whole amount of excise a lower cost. They are counted as imtrade commonly called tariff that will ports even though they create income be collected will go directly to the cof- and profit for these US companies. This fers of the US treasury. It is initially the practice results in many outsourced US importers like Wal-Mart that will manufacturing jobs. Many American pay the 25-percent additional tariff to products are leading in sales in China be reimbursed to them by the Ameri- like Apple, Nike, Starbucks, Coca Cola, can consumers. The bottom line means and many more. America only exported higher prices for the already depleted $120 billion in goods to China. The top pockets of the consumers. three exports were agricultural prodWhat is clear is that the US has ucts, aircraft, and electrical machinery. used to trade negotiations China as While the US has made China its a propaganda forum to unjustifiably propaganda platform to castigate it for and maliciously castigate and accuse piracy, intellectual property right violaChina of unwarranted trade practices tion, dumping, and other forms of trade that on a second thought are problems violation, it has not said anything about of their own making. The US has to be its other European trading partners reminded that China never employed where it equally suffers from an acute any of its old practices to obtain trade trade deficit. Trade and political anaconcessions like resorting to the “gun- lysts could not help but suspect that the boat diplomacy” demanding an enclave US has chosen to single out China for to establish their freeport area, exterri- it to exact as much greater concession toriality to its personnel or establishing which no respectable nation would actheir so-called “American Quarter” as cede. Flase accusation partakes that of what they did in Shanghai and Peking an economic blackmail which China is (now Beijing) when US expeditionary not prepared to accept. troops were marching freely in China.

US trade deficit will continues to The World Trade Organization was widen because American importers and established in 1997, but it was until Dec. consumers will continue to buy Chinese 11, 2001 China was officially admitted as products not because they love Chinese member. The US could not recall that it products but like any consumer they too was behind the full membership of China would like to stretch the dollar to as much to the WTO because they see its growing goods their money could buy. Through economy as something that will work to the years, the US economy has become their advantage. US imports from China addicted to importing cheap goods proalmost doubled within five years from duced by cheap labor. What they, how$51.5 billion in 1996 to $102 billion in ever, failed to notice is while the hosanna 2001. Other important conditions im- of cheap imported goods continues, the posed by the US being the then dominant increasing value of the dollar just to keep economic power was to commit itself to that economic mechanism work in their multilateralism and to adhere to the basic favor is that the increase in the value the principle in international trade known as dollar would equally affect local wage “Most Favored Nation Clause” (MFN) the per capita income of workers now which is a commitment that a country will mostly confined to services. The effect extend to another country the lowest tar- was a gradual diminution in the indusiff rate it applies to any other country. All trial and manufacturing output of the US. member-countries of the WTO are com- This was an inevitable course for why mitted to apply. engaged in production when they can be It is for this why the international com- produced elsewhere at cheaper cost and munity are puzzled why it imposed a even better? $200-billion tariff on practically all goods from China entering the US. Some hotTo be continued

mation of winners at the national level because of doubts that cheating could have happened. By far, this is the worst election of the four computerized elections that have happened.

The seven-hour time lapse in the release of results because of glitches in COMELEC’s transparency server and the reverting of results from 93 percent to 40+percent in the early morning of May 14 must be thoroughly explained.

There were numerous reports of vote buying and some arrests were

made at the local level. Allegations of pre-shaded ballots abound. At the national level, there were numerous reports of voters whose receipts contained the names of either Bong Go or Bato dela Rosa despite NOT having voted for them. A video allegedly of the actual pre-shading of ballots in Lanao del Sur has gone viral. Lately, a picture of someone also pre-shading ballots has been going around social media. All these should be subjected to an independent investigation. Was

IT’S A shame we had to experience all the perennial troubles with Smartmatic’s automated election system that we inherited from the previous administration.

The Commission on Elections had opted to purchase instead of renting more than 97,000 VCMs at a cost of P2.1 billion right before COMELEC OIC chairman Robert Christian Lim retired.

Lim took over following the resignation of former COMELEC head Andres Bautista whose stewardship was marked by brazen poll irregularities.

So, this Aquino legacy lingers. It would have made Mar Roxas president if not for the insurmountable lead of then-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 presidential race.

But anyway, it helped install Leni Robredo to the vice president post in what I called “Smartmagic.”

Now that is not to say that similar

New laws...

From A4

advantage that's "not going to be just immediately canceled out by your enemies."

“It’s just depressing, it’s money down a hole, you build a robot that can tell if my robot can tell if your robot can tell if my robot is about to attack. It just never ends.”

The third, and most controversial, rule is not to make humanoid robots or AI, says Pasquale, citing the example of a Google assistant called Duplex that would call people to confirm hotel reservations without telling them they were talking to a computer.

“There was an immediate backlash to that because people thought that it was Google trying to pass its machines off as a human and I think that counterfeiting principle is the most important one, that we should not counterfeit humanity.”

Robots can look humanoid "only if

Loving...

From A4

sinking in the intoxication of happiness. It seeks the good of the beloved: becomes renunciation, ready and willing for sacrifice.

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta spent her life tending to the sick, the disabled and the most destitute, or the so-called dregs of society. She spent her life in sacrifice without asking for anything in return.

St. Maximillian Kolbe offered his life in place of a Nazi cowwwncentration camp prisoner. This noble soul loved unconditionally, to the point of giving their own life for others just as what Christ did for humanity.

St. Paul the Apostle persecuted Christians but he more than made up for this when upon his conversion he assiduously spread the message of the gospel to the gentiles. For their heroic virtues and their unbounded love for God and others, these saints were raised to the altar of the church as saints.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus inspires us to live each day with an unshakable confidence in God’s love.

“What matters in life,” she wrote in her autobiography entitled “Story of a Soul,” is not great deeds, but great love.” St. Therese wrote once, “You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.” She lived and taught a spirituality of attending to everyone and everything well and with love.

Fixing...

From A4

challenges and emerge as a mature, responsible, patriotic, and freedom-loving people. This will take time but let our love for country unite, not further divide us.

Most important for now is to make COMELEC accountable. The results of the elections should be credible. There are already calls to postpone the procla-

Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

there cheating in favor of these two major Duterte allies to ensure their victory?

Defective Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) and SD cards, bleeding markers as well as shortage of these markers, created delays during election day.

COMELEC has ONE job, and that is to ensure that we have clean and honest elections but many problems that created doubts on the results, especially at the national level. Unless an impartial investigation is done, it

will be hard to believe that there was no foul play. This is most important because people need to feel confident that their most sacred right to suffrage has not been violated.

In the long term, we need to fix our electoral system and culture, the hardware and software of our political life.

The problems are systemic and there are no quick fixes. (More next week) @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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NCRPO warns public: Beware of fake money

T

HE National Capital Region Police Office on Friday called on the public to be wary of counterfeit money, after the Pasay City police arrested three men for peddling fake currencies in casinos.

“We advise the residents to carefully examine their bills, so as not to be victimized by this illegal activity. We also call on the public to call the authorities for information that will lead to the arrest of those behind these counterfeit money,” NCRPO Director, Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, told the Philippine News Agency.

“Use of fake money is prohibited and our operations, including information gathering, against this illegal activity continues,” he added.

The suspects—Fernando Silanga, 44, a dismissed police officer; Tiange Wu, 31, a Chinese national and casino junket operator; and Song Ho Sang, 53, a South Korean national—were arrested at the Resorts World Manila on Wednesday night.

Silanga was last assigned to the Eastern Police District in San Juan City.

In 2009, he was charged with an administrative case, detained and released on bail.

He was ordered demoted in

April 2011 and was dismissed from the service in April last year.

The operation stemmed from a telephone call from the in-house security of RWM who reported that the three suspects allegedly attempted to transact using counterfeit currency.

They were questioned and arrested after the complaint against them was verified.

Investigation disclosed that the fake money came from another South Korean suspect, identified as James Park, who is now the subject of follow-up operation.

Confiscated from the suspects were fake US dollar bills worth P287,700, which they tried to change into casino chips worth PHP15 million.

“We already coordinated this with the US Embassy for their assistance. We also remind the public to be wary of transactions involving foreign currency. When it doubt, show it to authorities to determine if these are genuine or not,” Eleazar said. PNA

89 drivers positive for drugs A TOTAL of 89 people have tested positive for illegal drug use during the “Oplan Harabas,” a simultaneous drug test on drivers in key ports nationwide on Thursday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino said the drug test covered 5,009 drivers in major container terminals nationwide, including the country’s two biggest ports, the Manila International Container Port at the North Harbor in Tondo, Manila; and the Port of Manila at the South Harbor in Port Area, Manila.

“This is the first time that PDEA conducted a drug test on truck drivers,” Aquino said in a statement Friday.

The 5,009 truck drivers and public transport workers nationwide consisted of 584 van drivers, 1,507 tricycle drivers, 195 multi-cab drivers, 261 taxi drivers, 616 jeepney drivers, 1,252 delivery truck drivers, 22 habal-habal drivers, 12 local bus drivers, 111 mini-bus drivers, 440 truck helpers, one truck employee, one janitor, one multi-cab operator, five conductors, and one dispatcher.

The 89 who tested positive for illegal drugs consisted of 49 truck drivers, 11 tricycle drivers, nine truck helpers, nine van drivers, five jeepney drivers, three multi-cab drivers, two mini-bus drivers, and one truck employee.

Out of the total 1,693 truck workers who were subjected to the drug tests, 49 delivery truck drivers, nine truck helpers, and one truck employee tested positive for the use of shabu and marijuana. The results were undergoing confirmatory tests at the PDEA forensic laboratories as of press time.

He said the 11 tricycle drivers out of the 1,507 who submitted themselves to the drug test, also tested positive for drug use. PNA

Level 2, Multi Purpose Hall, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

Level 2, Multi Purpose Hall, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1. Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

2. Dropping of bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only.

Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted 3. Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is Where-Is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

4. Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

5. Purchase offer may either be in Cash or an accredited through External Financing Institution (EFI).

MODE

6.

Cash

PAYMENT DUE DATE Payable either in cash or Manager’s Checks within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension

EFI

Shall submit the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of bidding, without privilege of extension

Interested bidders through EFI must first secure a conditional loan approval with EFI accredited bank. Insert the document in the bid envelope along with the duly filled out and signed bid form 7. A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: a. Date of Bidding b. Name of the bidder c.

Exact address of property you are interested to bid d. Transfer Certificate of Title No. e. Mode of Payment f.

Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) g. Signature of the bidder/representative 8. Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

9. Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

10. The following shall be inserted on a sealed bid envelope: a. the properly accomplished bid form b. Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer c.

Pro-forma Certificate of due diligence (for occupied or unoccupied) d. the Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is an authorized representative e. Pre-conditional approval from PBCOM, if applicable f.

Two (2) proofs of occupancy, if applicable f.1. Barangay certificate that Bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property and any of the following: (1) Valid Government Issued IDs, or (2) Latest Billing Address under Bidder’s Name 11. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope)

12. The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: a. he/she is present during the bidding b. participated in actual bidding c. presently occupying the property subject of bidding supported by the following proofs of occupancy: c.1 Barangay certificate that he/she is occupying or residing in the subject property c.2. Any valid government identification document with his/her address similar to the address of the property he/.she is bidding.

13. If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/ she need not secure another bank pre-qualification corresponding to the matched offer. Instead, he/she shall pay the full 10% deposit based on the matched bid amount in cash on the day of bidding.

14. The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents: (a) duly accomplished Personal Profile/Company Profile/Corporate Profile, whichever is applicable (downloadable); (b) photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (one should be a government-issued ID); (c) Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, By-Laws and current General Information Sheet, for corporation/partnership, if applicable; (d) Registration Certificate from SEC for corporation/partnership, DTI for sole proprietorship and CDA for cooperatives, or any proof of such registration, if applicable; (e) current Mayor’s permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located, if applicable.

15. A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

16. In case the bid is in CASH, the 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension.

17 In case the bid is through EFI, winning bidder shall submit the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of bidding. The equity, if any, shall be paid in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of LOG by the GSIS. The equity is the amount corresponding to the difference between the Offered Bid Amount and LOG amount.

18. Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the 10% bidder’s deposit.

19. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, GSIS require him/her to pay the nonrefundable deposit equivalent to ten percent (10%) of his/her previously submitted bid amount and will be issued a NOAS. 20. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

21. For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunkline telephone numbers (02) 479-3500, (02) 479-3600 and (02) 976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396.

(MS-MAY 16,17,18, 2019)

MOTHER AND SON PROCLAIMED. Board of Canvasser Supervisor NOTICE OF Provincial DISSOLUTION lawyer Ericson Ogana proclaims Thursday MarkINC. Ronald D. Lambino (second TRADEVISER PASIFIC fromNotice left, top photo) as the newly elected vice governor of Pangasinan, while is hereby given that the Amended Articles of TRADEVISER PASIFIC INC. the of Canvassers proclaims Marilyn D. existence Lambinoand (center, with Municipal the TIN of Board 009-860-567-000, shortening the term of its thereby dissolving the said corporation as of May 1, 2019 a Balance Sheet showing that no lower photo) as the newly elected Mayor of Mangaldan, Pangasinan. creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at U-2404 # 25 SAN MIGUEL AVE. MEDICAL PLAZA ORTIGAS, ORTIGAS CENTER, SAN ANTONIO PASIG CITY for immediate settlement.

Work-based training stressed

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

companies where they train.

By Quezon Rio N.City.

Araja Philippines. May 6, 2019

He, along with Brian Levey, (SGD) RAVENAgency DENISE DE States forVERA InterTHE country’s business and the United Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 18, 2019) government of the United States of national Development’s Office of America have partnered to provide Education director, spearheaded NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION the launch of the PBED recruitwork-based training opportunities ATOZPRO IT SERVICES INC. for unemployed and out-of-school ment drive for 500 youth from Notice hereby givencan that be the gainAmendedQuezon Articles ofCity ATOZRO IT SERVICES INC. and San Juan City. youth “sois that they with the TIN of 009-593-401-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby The USAID and PBED fully employed at the soonest posdissolving the said corporation as of May 1, 2019 a Balance Sheet showing thatalso no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, been filed with the tapped have the YouthWorks PHSecurito ofsible time.” ties and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are fer a work-based training approach At atonews conference Que- office required present the same at in its principal at U404 4th Floor Peninsula Court Bldg., 8735 Paseo De Roxas, Brgy. Bel Air, Makati City forskills immediate settlement. providing certifi cates while zon City, Philippine Business for nancial Education chairperson This announcement will Ramon serve as adel noticereceiving to all partiestraining concernedand of the fi legal dissolution the saidthe corporation.

Rosarioof cited significance of support from partner-companies.

According to Karol Mark Yee, training theCity. young people in6,fastQuezon Philippines.

May 2019 PH chief of party, growing industries, wherein quali- YouthWorks (SGD) ELEONOR B. LABOR unemployed fied ones shall have the chance to there are one-million Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 18, 2019) become full-time employees at the youths nationwide.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Alcoseba makes mark in San Pablo Escudero Cup Chihiro Ikeda

Ikeda edges Del Rosasio, snares ladies’ golf crown

TAGAYTAY—Chihiro Ikeda watched Pauline del Rosario flub an eight-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole and banged in hers from six feet to snare the hotly disputed ICTSI Tagaytay Midlands Ladies Challenge crown at the Midlands course here yesterday.

Ikeda and Del Rosario pounced on erstwhile leader Daniella Uy’s final round meltdown to finish tied at 215 after 54 holes with Ikeda birdying the par-5 18th in regulation to save a 72 and force a playoff with Del Rosario, who rallied from seven down with a closing bogey-free 69 to pool a one-under overall total in the P750,000 championship which served as the ninth leg of the seventh season of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

Uy hung tough despite an opening 40 but the former Junior World titlist blew it all with a bogey on the 17th.

She wound up with a birdie-less 77 and ended up third instead at 217.

After both parred the first playoff hole, also on No. 18, they changed tactics in their third approach on the dogleg right finishing hole with Ikeda going for the right side of the green and Del Rosario opting to hit it on the left.

“I went for the right side because I felt the angle there is much easier,” said Ikeda, who pocketed the top P150,000 purse after nailing her first win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour in 15 months.

“I targeted the left side of the green because I had a hard time pitching on the right. It’s just too bad I missed my birdie putt,” said Del Rosario, who nearly pulled off one of the stirring comebacks in the circuit put up by ICTSI by battling back from seven down with a solid three-under card spiked by a birdie-birdie feat from No. 16.

But she missed winning it outright in regulation with a muffed birdie try on the 18th from just about the same distance in their second playoff hole.

Still, the runner-up finish and her runaway triumph at Royal Northwoods last month should be enough to boost her confidence as she hurriedly left for the US for a series of tournaments in Florida as part of her buildup for the LPGT Tour Qualifying School this August.

Brooks Koepka of the United States and Tiger Woods of the United States walk from the eighth tee during the first round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, New York. AFP

Koepka seizes control with 63; Tiger struggles

B

ETHPAGE—Defending champion Brooks Koepka, chasing his fourth victory in eight major starts, opened with a record-equalling low score to grab the lead at the 101st PGA Championship on Thursday while inconsistent Tiger Woods struggled at Bethpage Black.

Koepka fired a seven-under-par 63, the day’s only bogey-free round, to take a one-stroke lead over New Zealand’s Danny Lee after 18 holes while Woods, in his first start since snapping an 11-year major drought at last month’s Masters, settled for a 72 and a share of 51st.

Third-ranked Koepka closed with a 33foot birdie putt to set a course record and match the lowest round in tournament history.

“That was one of the best rounds I’ve played probably as a professional,” said Koepka, who turned pro in 2012.

It was the second 63 in as many years at a PGA Championship for the 29-yearold American, who joined Australian Greg Norman and Fiji’s Vijay Singh as the only players to shoot so low twice in majors.

“My putter was hot today. It hasn’t felt that good in a long time,” Koepka said.

“This was a crazy day, seven-under, it’s not going to happen every day.”

Lee closed with back-to-back birdies to shoot 64, added distance with his driver the key to his low round of 2019 and in 10 career major starts.

“I’m definitely hitting it further,” he said. “That’s a huge bonus for me. I’m interested myself in what I can do out there this week.”

Tommy Fleetwood, trying to become the first Englishman to win the PGA since Jim Barnes in 1919, shot 67 to stand a distant third, one stroke ahead of France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera, South Korean Kang Sung and Americans Chez Reavie, Luke List and Pat Perez.

A pack of eight on 69 included major winners Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and top-ranked Dustin Johnson. Spieth would complete a career Grand Slam with a win while Johnson’s

Go For Gold skateboarding Mindanao leg starts today

MPBL readies new guidelines THERE will be significant changes in the coming season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League as new guidelines will be implemented as new teams join the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league in the country.

Starting June 12, teams can now get two Fil-foreign players and include them in their 20-man roster (15 to play).

These Fil-foreign players, however, should not exceed the 6’4” height limit.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, MPBL founder and chief executive officer, approved the idea of having an additional Fil-foreign players to heed to the demand of several member squads.

League commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, however, clarified that these Fil-foreign players cannot play at the same time.

“Only one Fil-foreign player at a time,” said Duremdes, who also added that the league has approved the application of Mindoro to become the latest expansion squad.

Representatives from Mindoro, headed by Justin Tan, a member of La Salle Greenhills coaching staff in the NCAA, met with Senator Pacquiao during the team owners’ meeting held at the Century Park Hotel. Also in attendance is another aspirant from Iloilo, one of the two bidders for the city, represented by Norman Ramos.

Senator deferred from deciding on Iloilo’s behalf as Ramos awaits the decision of the Uygongco Family, his principal.

Mindoro is the newest team added this season after Bicol and Nueva Ecija, but the league is still awaiting developments on the Mandaluyong franchise expected to be taken over by new owners as well as the other bidder in the Iloilo franchise.

top ranking is vulnerable if he doesn’t claim the Wanamaker Trophy.

Both Koepka and playing partner Woods said his round could have been better, perhaps below the record 62 fired

by South Africa’s Branden Grace in the 2017 British Open.

“I parred both par-5s and missed a couple of eight-footers for birdie,” Koepka said. “It could have been a hell of a round.”

Koepka, who began on the back nine, holed a 40-foot birdie putt at 10 and sank a 20-foot birdie putt at the par-3 14th.

He charged with four birdies in six holes before sinking a 10-footer to save par at the sixth ahead of his closing heroics.

“He played well,” Woods said. “That was probably the highest score he could have shot out there. He left a few out there. He could easily have been a couple better.

“I wasn’t as close as I would have liked to have been for sure.”

Only two of eight prior players who fired major-opening 63s won titles, Jack Nicklaus at the 1980 US Open and Ray Floyd at the 1982 PGA. AFP

DAVAO’S Mark Alcoseba scored a “twinkill” in the PPS-PEPP Escudero Cup 2019, upending top seed Alberto Anasta, 7-5, 6-3, in the men’s singles then teaming up with Noel Damian Jr. to repulse Emmanuel Fuelas and Harvey Gilbuena, 7-5, 6-2, in the doubles finals at the Aera Tennis Club in San Pablo City recently.

The second-ranked Alcoseba and Anasta advanced to the finals in varying fashions with the former dominating his rivals in the lower half of the 32-player draw, including a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Deo Talatayod in the semis.

In contrast, Anasta, from Himaymaylan, Negros Occidental, needed a pair of extra sets to earn a crack at the crown, nipping a tough Aljuthor Moralde, 4-6, 7-5, 10-6, in the quarters and then thwarting Damian in a grueling semis battle, 6-4, 4-6, 15-13.

But Alcoseba proved steadier in the finals, wearing down Anasta in the first frame and sustaining his form to fashion out the straight-set victory in the revival of the tournament last held in 2006 and held as part of the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala circuit headed by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Alcoseba and Damian also had to rally from a set down to turn back Elvin Geluz and Stefano Gurria, 0-6, 6-2, 10-7, in the semis then foiling the Fuelas-Gilbuena pair to score a follow-up to their doubles romp in the Gov. Umali Cup in Oriental Mindoro last month.

Alcoseba pocketed the top P10,000 purse in singles then split the P10,000 purse with Damian in their doubles feat in the week-long tournament presented

by Royal Air and backed by Rep. Sol Aragones and Villa Escudero.

Sharing the spotlight in the event backed by Dunlop as official ball were Jomar Santos-Justino Buendia, Jonathan Bernardo-Aldrin Geluz, Henry Escalante-Jacky Tomacruz, and Ernie Dinio-Remo Librodo, who topped their respective divisions in the Legends doubles.

Santos and Buendia upset top seed Rollie Anasta and Alcoseba, 8-6, to snare the 30s crown; Bernardo and Geluz nipped Leo Mercado and Andy Tocino, 8-7(4), for the 40s diadem; Escalante and Tomacruz trounced Amid Torres and Aldrin Geluz, 8-5, for the 50s title; and Dinio and Librodo took the 60s plum with an 8-2 rout of the Resty Capina and Toto Ramirez.

Some 60 of the best skateboarders in the country todat are taking part in the 2019 Go For Gold Skateboarding National Championships.

THE bravest and boldest skaters from the south will try their luck to snatch a spot in the national team when the Mindanao leg of the 2019 Go For Gold Skateboarding National Championships unfolds today in Saranggani province.

Around 60 aspirants have signed up both for the downhill challenge in Barangay Bagacay in Alabel, Saranggani and the Game of Skate at Robinsons Mall in General Santos City. ``I believe skateboarding is a great sport to encourage our youth. It’s not so expensive and can be done almost anywhere,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go. Skaters Abigail Viloria and Arianne Mae Trinidad topped the women’s division during the Luzon leg almost two months ago while Charles Louise Paje and Tomas Romualdez shone on the men’s side. ``We are looking for the best skaters in the regionals,’’ said Monty Mendigoria, president of the Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines Inc. ``The top three participants from the regionals will get the chance to prove their worth in the national SEA Games qualifying championship,’’ added Mendigoria,

More reasons to tune in for UFC Fights on FOX+ UFC Fight Nights are always events to look forward to. This Sunday, it’s Rafael dos Anjos against Kevin Lee for the Welterweight class. Do you need any more reasons to watch? We’ve got some more!

Just in case you still don’t know yet, UFC is more than just guys beating each other up in a cage. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to build up the skills needed to get into the cage in the first place. Give these fighters the credit to put in the hard work, training, and discipline for their sport.

Beyond the skills, it’s the te-

nacity and stamina that is displayed in the cage. It takes a lot of beating and grappling to finally get the opponent to submit.

It’s a sport that can give you lots of feels. Sure, passion and enthusiasm, and of course competition run high on UFC fight nights, but there are also that pain of loss when the other fighter is defeated and that high elation of triumph of the victor.

Because different fighters bring different forms of martial arts, and even in the ways they combine them in a fight, UFC matches will never be boring. There are so many dif-

ferent ways a fighter can get their opponent to submit and each of those methods can be really exciting.

The players themselves are interesting. Get to know them better, listen to how they trash talk their opponents. Being invested in a particular fighter may lead to a life obsession, but at least these guys in the UFC are well-equipped to train themselves.

You can also catch UFC fights anywhere with FOX+ on your mobile devices. Just download the FOX+ app from the App store or Google Play Store. New subscribers get a 30-day free trial.

Dos Anjos

whose team found a very supportive godfather in Go for Gold Philippines.

According to Mendigoria, they have moved the Visayas qualifier on June 1 and 2 to the Iloilo skatepark from the original venue in Cebu City.

All of these aspirants are dreaming big to reach the level of Cebuana Margielyn Didal, the Filipino skateboarding idol who won the gold medal in the Asian Games and the country’s biggest bet for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. ``We feel that Margie and the skateboarding team will become our bright lights in the 2020 Olympics, and hopefully they can bring home our first Olympic gold medal,’’ said Go, vice president for marketing of Powerball Marketing and Logistics Corp., the prime mover behind the Go For Gold program.

The top performers from the three regional legs will advance to the national finals tentatively set on Aug. 24-25 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and vie for slots in the SEA Games on Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

Skateboarding in the Philippines catapulted to instant fame when the 19-year-old Didal made a name in the Asian Games in Indonesia last year.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

PH 3X3 squad heads to China PASIG Chooks-to-Go and Liman are set to cross paths anew.

First facing off during the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters, the Filipino ball club and the Serbian powerhouse are set for another battle in the levelnine FIBA 3X3 tourney, Huaqiao International Kunshan Challenger slated from May 18-19 in China.

Pasig Chooks is grouped in Pool A with Liman of Serbia, along with Russian team Sosnovy BorCopRosatom.

This looming match-up is definitely one to look forward to in the tourney that serves as the qualifier for the Chengdu Masters, given what had transpired in their last meeting that highlighted the first day of the Doha Masters.

Pasig Chooks shockingly took down then-world number one Liman, 19-16.

Eyes are on Pasig Chooks if they will be able to replicate such, but they might find it tougher to do so this time around as they will not have the services of imports Angelo Tsagarakis and Nikola Pavlovic no thanks to injuries.

Pavlovic is nursing a swollen left hand while Tsagarakis is still recovering from a semi-fractured rib, which he sustained during the Doha Masters.

Without the two World Tour veterans, Pasig Chooks will be fielding the team that won the inaugural Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup—Joshua Munzon and Taylor Statham will be rejoined by Troy Rike and Dylan Ababou.

“I have the utmost confidence in Troy and Dylan,” said Statham, who had nine points in the game to go along with five rebounds. “We played together for four months and it doesn’t matter how good players are, the team camaraderie is what’s so important. And you can’t replicate the experience.”

Munzon and Statham know that it will be challenging without Pavlovic and Tsagarakis, but that does not mean they are losing confidence with their chances against Liman. Their experience with one another will play a big factor, they said.

Filipinas reach semis of Asean U16 tilt THE Philippine girls under-15 national team are in the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation U16 Girls’ Championship 2019.

The Filipinas made it to the next stage following a resounding 12-0 win over Timor-Leste in the final match of Group A last Tuesday at the Institute of Physical Education in Chonburi, Thailand.

Before the match, the Philippines were already assured of a semifinal slot after Vietnam defeated Myanmar, 2-1, in a previous match.

The nationals got off to a good start, with Bianca Sy exploding with five goals in the rout.

The forward found the back of the net in the 7th, 19th, 49th, 51st, and 56th minutes.

Then, the Filipinas relied on Jonalyn Lucban (35’, 70’) and Lanie Ortillo (54’, 80’) who both netted twice.

There were scores from teammates Chenny Danoso (23’), Maegan Alforque (38’), and Celestine Luna (65’).

The Philippines tallied 2 wins and 1 loss in Group A to finish in second place with 6 points.

This will be the second time the Philippines has managed to advance to the knockout stages after its run to the final two years ago.

The national team’s participation is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the MVP Sports Foundation.

The Philippines will face the top team in Group B on Sunday.

Peter Atencio

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (right) dribbles past his brother Seth Curry (31) of the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Two of the 2019 Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at the ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2019 (May 17 Manila time) in Oakland, California. AFP

Do Warriors need Durant to win?

S

AN FRANCISCO, United States—No Durant, no problem.

The Golden State Warriors played without Kevin Durant for the second straight Western Conference Finals game and again came away with a victory to take a 2-0 lead in their NBA Western Conference finals series on Thursday (Friday Manila time).

Stephen Curry scored 37 points as the Golden State Warriors fought back to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-111.

Durant was also ruled out of game three and four in Portland as he struggles to recover from a calf strain.

Curry sparked a 14-3 run for the Warriors as the NBA champions overturned a 108-100 deficit with just over four minutes remaining in a pulsating battle at the Oracle Arena.

Earlier, the Trail Blazers had surged into a 17-point early in the second half only for the Warriors to hit back with a sustained points onslaught.

The Warriors erupted for 39 points in the third quarter to haul themselves back into the contest but Portland, led by Damian Lillard, refused to roll over.

A Meyers Leonard three-pointer put Portland eight points clear late in the

fourth but Curry then seized control.

Three nerveless free throws from Curry edged Golden State into a 110-108 lead, before a three-pointer for Portland from Curry’s younger brother Seth made it 111-110 for the visitors.

Kevon Looney’s alley-oop dunk shot put Golden State back in front at 112111 with 52 seconds remaining before a Draymond Green layup with 12 seconds left effectively sealed the win.

“We knew they were going to come out swinging,” Curry said.

“They gave us a great punishing. That third quarter was unbelievable. It was a true testament of everyone on the team.”

It was another huge performance from Curry, who has stepped into the void created by Kevin Durant’s injury absence to deliver back-to-back 30-point games in the opening two games of the series.

Curry finished with 37 points from 11 of 22 shooting, adding eight rebounds, eight assists and six turnovers.

Klay Thompson added 24 points while Green finished with 16 points. Looney (14 points) and Jordan Bell (11) also cracked double digits.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted that his team, who are chasing a third straight NBA championship this season and a fourth in five seasons, had been fortunate to escape with the win.

“We stole that game,” a relieved Kerr said. “I thought they outplayed us for much of the night, the majority of the night. But we’ve been here before.

“I think our experience helped us. We’ve done this a few times before. But we stole it tonight for sure. They outplayed us.”

Kerr said the Warriors had been expecting a backlash from Portland following their win in game one on Tuesday.

“They’ve had two days to stew on the first game and make their adjustments.

So we knew it was coming,” Kerr said.

“We didn’t find our edge until the third quarter. But the NBA game is a long, long game. With AFP

UST, Ateneo battle for UAAP supremacy

By Peter Atencio THE University of Santo Tomas Tigresses are not ready to give their claim to the crown that is at stake in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament.

Season MVP Cherry Rondina said she would do everything to win the crown for UST. ”Sabi ko sa kanila, di tayo susuko.

Di pa natin nakukuha ‘yung pangarap natin,” said Rondina, as the Tigresses prepare to meet the Lady Eagles for one last time in Game 3 at 4 p.m. today the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Eagles are expected to be better prepared to deal with the Tigresses and will battle for the crown with equal ferocity.

“We won’t go down without a fight. And this is what we told each other. Binigay na sa amin ni Lord ito. Why won’t we grab the opportunity, “said Maddie Madayag on behalf of her Lady Eagles teammates.

As UST team skipper, Rondina reminded her teammates that they should let their win in Game 1 inspire them.

“Di tayo talo, kasi nanalo tayo nu’ng Game 1. So Game 3 last na. Ibuhos na nating lahat,” said Rondina, who had 22

Patrice Bergeron (37) of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs AFP.

points in Game 2.

The Ateneo Lady Eagles claimed a 2624, 14-25, 25-21, 25-15, triumph over the Tigresses in Game 2 last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The series is now even at 1-all after Tigresses made a big stand in the third

set and put away the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20, last Saturday in Game 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rondina, who is from Cebu, is looking forward to a grand exit with a championship in indoor volleyball, and after collecting four titles and MVPs in beach volleyball.

STAYING ALIVE. Roger Federer returns the ball during a match where he saved two match points against Borna Coric to advance to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. AFP

POC head hails Mikee’s appointment PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas yesterday sent her congratulations to Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski.

Cojuangco-Jaworski, an International Olympic Committee member from the Philippines, has been named to four key posts from within the IOC hierarchy.

“This underscores the respect that the Olympic body has for her competence and initiatives. The POC joins the nation in wishing her well in her new responsibilities. Mabuhay!,” said Vargas.

The Education commission is a body that advises the IOC Session, the IOC Executive Board and the IOC President on the promotion of Olympic values-based education, and provides strategic direction on IOC programs and activities related to the education of youth through sport.

She is among three women who were given appointments by the IOC, and was named as president of the Commission for Olympic Education.

The IOC has added three female chairpersons in their 27-member commissions.

The IOC Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, will be chaired by Nicole Hoevertsz, IOC Member in Aruba and a member of the IOC Executive Board.

She is a former synchronised swimmer who competed at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, Sari Miriam Essayah, a Finnish retired race walker and a politician, is the chair for Sport and Active Society.

Since 2013, as a result of Olympic Agenda 2020, female participation in the IOC commissions has more than doubled.

Among the other new chairs who ave been appointed for the following six IOC commissions are: Richard L. Carrión for the Olympic Channel, Jiri Kejval for Marketing, Robin E. Mitchell for Olympic Solidarity, and Luis Alberto Moreno for Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport. Peter Atencio

Bruins claw their way to Stanley Cup final NEW YORK, United States— The Boston Bruins powered into the Stanley Cup final on Thursday (Friday Manila time), crushing the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0 to complete a series sweep in their Eastern Conference final.

Patrice Bergeron scored twice while Tuukka Rask made 24 saves as the Bruins booked their 20th appearance in the final and their third in the past nine seasons.

The Bruins will face either the San Jose Sharks or the St. Louis Blues in the final.

The Sharks lead the best-of-

seven Western Conference final 2-1.

With the Hurricanes needing a miracle to overturn a 3-0 series deficit, David Pastrnak shot Boston into the lead in the second period to silence the Hurricanes fans at Raleigh’s PNC Arena.

Bergeron then grabbed his first of the night to make it 2-0 before firing the Bruins into a 3-0 lead in the third period.

Brad Marchand completed the scoring for Boston, who will now look to bring yet

another professional sports championship back to the city following the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl win in February and the Boston Red Sox’s World Series triumph last year.

Hurricanes goaltender Curtis McElhinney made 19 saves as Carolina’s battling playoff campaign came to an end.

The Hurricanes had earlier eliminated the defending champion Washington Capitals in seven games in the first round before sweeping the New York Islanders. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

IN BRIEF TODAY

MORE, Kepco sign power supply deal

MORE Electric and Power Corp. has signed an interim power agreement with Kepco SPC Power Corp. to purchase five megawatts, with an option for another 5 MW of supply to Iloilo City.

“We are happy to be in partnership with KEPCO SPC as we commit to bring more to the lives of the Ilonggos by delivering cheaper power,” said MORE Power president and chief operating officer Roel Castro in a statement.

The agreement, signed at the KSPC Plant Office in Naga City, Cebu on May 15, will be effective for one year. KSPC agreed to supply reliable power to Iloilo City at a much lower rate than the current supplier of the city.

“KEPCO SPC is more than willing to assist MORE Power in its journey in giving Iloilo City secured, reliable and affordable power supply,” KSPC president and chief executive officer Jong Ryoon Yoon said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

DA bats for sorghum production vs drought

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The Department of Agriculture needs about 200,000 hectares of land to be cultivated for sorghum as an alternative to corn farming, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Andrew Villacorta told reporters Wednesday.

Villacorta said the department would identify the areas from different regions.

“DA research have it that sorghum is viable in tropical countries like the Philippines and it has a big market abroad,” said Villcorta.

He said the drought that hit the Philippines greatly affected corn farmers. The DA earlier reported corn production fell 20 percent in the first quarter due to the drought.

“This is why we encouraged our corn farmers to shift to sorghum production,” he said. “Sorghum production has been found out to be viable in Central Luzon and other farming regions throughout the country.”

Jess Malabanan

Hyundai auto sales surged 17% in April LEADING vehicle importer Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. reported sales of 2,795 units in April, up 17.4 percent from 2,381 units year-on-year.

Sales of HARI in the first four months of 2019 as a result rose 13.5 percent to 12,744 units from 11,224 units on year, bucking the flat growth trend in the industry.

“Coming from a challenging year, we are delighted to report three straight months of robust growth underpinned by strong sales of our core products, customer experience solutions, and strategic initiatives in place that are now bearing fruit. We have several projects in the pipeline that will further strengthen our existing business while giving us flexibility as we explore new revenue streams,” said Hyundai president and chief executive officer Ma. Fe PerezAgudo. Othel V. Campos

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

B1

DBP set to hike Mindanao funding

By Julito G. Rada

S

TATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines plans to finance more development projects in Mindanao, saying it is working closely with the national government in extending credits to critical development initiatives, especially in former strifetorn areas in the island.

DBP president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Herbosa said Friday the bank would capitalize on the improved peace and order situation in the island to pump in more funding support for public infrastructure, social services, food

HERBOSA

security and local industry development projects.

“We want to assist in food security projects and improve the level of social services and infrastructure to help Mindanao achieve its full potential,” said Herbosa.

The DBP chief, along with a contingent led by Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., went last week on a

two-day visit in the former Moro Islamic Liberation Front Camp Bilal to meet with Hadji Abdullah Makapaar, formerly known as Commander Bravo, to explore possible business opportunities in the area.

The camp, which was a former MILF stronghold, was one of six identified for transformation into “productive agricultural areas” under the flagship Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro of the national government.

Herbosa said last year DBP had an outstanding loan portfolio of P49.755 billion for developmental loans in Mindanao, which funded various projects including a banana plantation, bulk water systems, hydropower and solar projects, hospitals, solid waste projects and other developmental initiatives.

He said the bank had entered into a partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority to expedite flagship projects and programs for Mindanao under the 2017-to-2022 Philippine Development Plan.

San Miguel seeks SEC exemptive relief from tender offer

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission for an exemptive relief on the conduct of a tender offer to the minority shareholders of Holcim Philippines Inc. San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it requested the SEC to allow unit First Stronghold Cement Industries Inc. to conduct the mandatory tender offer for the Holcim shares after the Philippine Competition Commission, the government’s anti-trust body, approved the deal.

San Miguel said the tender offer should be conducted after the completion of the post closing purchase price

in accordance with the agreement by the parties, as the move could still result in the upward or downward adjustment in the final purchase price.

The deal requires PCC approval after the transaction exceeded the P2-billion threshold for mergers and acquisitions notifications.

FSCII, a wholly owned unit of San Miguel-owned San Miguel Equity Investments Inc., last week signed an agreement to acquire an 87.5-percent interest in Holcim, the local unit of Swtizerland-based cement giant LafargeHolcim Ltd. San Miguel said Holcim Philippines had an enterprise value of $2.15 billion.

San Miguel is required to conduct a tender offer for the remaining 14.27 per-

cent shares held by the public.

The acquisition is expected to boost Sn Miguel’s cement portfolio. The company through unit San Miguel Northern Cement is building a two-millionmetric-ton cement plant in Pangasinan province.

Holcim operates four integrated cement factories and one grinding plant with a combined annual capacity of 10 million MT. It is embarking on a $300-million expansion plan to increase capacity by 30 percent to 13 million metric tons by 2020.

Holcim reported a net income of P703.6 million in the first quarter of the year, slightly higher than P700 million recorded in the same period last year.

BDO finally completes sale of 15% ONB stake BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender in terms of assets and controlled by the Sy family, finally completed the sale of a 15-percent equity stake in rural bank unit One Network Bank Inc. to Osmanthus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd. Osmanthus is a unit of Singaporebased private equity firm Archipelago Capital Partners Pte. Ltd. that invests in small to mid-market companies in Southeast Asia. “... We inform the exchange that on May 16, 2019, BDO Unibank Inc. completed its transaction with Osmanthus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd. for the acquisition by Osmanthus of a 15-percent equity stake in One Network Bank Inc.,” the bank disclosed to the stock exchange Friday.

BDO in October 2018 told the exchange it was about to sell a 15-percent stake in One Network to Osmanthus.

BDO earlier signed an agreement with Osmanthus in which the Sy-led bank would retain 85-percent ownership of ONB. In partnering with Osmanthus, BDO said the latter would help One Network in developing the framework for its MSME lending business.

It said the partnership with Osmanthus would further strengthen ONB’s strategic foothold in the micro-finance business and contribute to the government’s efforts in improving financial inclusion.

Archipelago Capital Partners Pte. Ltd. is managed by former McKinsey and banking professionals, led by chief executive Jovasky Pang, who has an extensive experience in micro-finance in Asia. Julito G. Rada

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission IN THE MATTER OF

: : METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS : CORPORATION : : x----------------------------------------------x

MSRD Order No. 13 Series of 2019

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CORPORATION’S INFORMATION STATEMENT

ORDER WHEREAS, on 16 April 2019, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (“MPIC”) submitted its Definitive Information Statement (DIS) relative to the scheduled annual stockholders’ meeting on 27 May 2019.

WHEREAS, the company started distributing the DIS to its stockholders of reco rd on 27 April 2019, the approximate date of distribution as indicated in the DIS. In the said DIS, the nominees to the 2019 MPIC Board of Directors include Mr. Alfredo S. Panlilio. However, due to Mr. Panlilio’s recent appointment as Chief Revenue Officer of PLOT, Inc., he withdrew his previous acceptan ce of his nomination to the MPIC Board of Directors. Following such withdrawal, the MPIC Nomination Committee received the nomination of Mr. Jose Jesus G. Laurel, an incumbent director of MPIC, as Mr. Panlilio’s replacement.

WHEREAS, on 6 May 2019, the company filed with the Commission a request for approval for the amendment of MPIC’s DIS to reflect Mr. Laurel as a nominee to its Board of Directors in lieu of Mr. Panlilio.

WHEREFORE, pursuant to the authority given by the Commission en Banc in SEC Resolution No. 388, Series of 2016, the Markets and Securities Regulation Department hereby approves on 7 May 2019 the company’s request to make certain amendment to its previously filed DIS subject to its fu ll compliance of SRC Rule 20.3.3.4.

VICENTE GRACIANO FELIZMENIO, JR. Director Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MS-MAY 18, 2019)

Please be advised that the Company’s Definitive Information Statement (“DIS”) has been amended to reflect Mr. Jose Jesus G. Laurel as a nominee to the Company’s Board of Directors, in lieu of Mr. Alfredo S. Panlilio.

The foregoing amendment was approved by the Commission on May 7, 2019.

The Company shall distribute the amended pages of the DIS to the Company’s stockholders of record as of April 27, 2019, which shall include the following: (i) updated list of nominees under pages 3 and 29, and (ii) updated background information of Mr. Laurel under page 27 and (iii) revised proxy form providing for the updated list of nominees under page 5.

Very truly yours,

ANTONIO A. PICAZO Corporate Secretary

(MS-MAY 18, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Business

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks jump; banks lead gainers S HARE prices surged Friday as investors welcomed the move of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to reduce the reserve requirement ratio of universal and commercial banks by 200 basis points within two months to 16 percent from 18 percent.

The Philippine Stock Exchange jumped 108.66 points, or 1.4 percent, to 7,583.82 on a value turnover of P8.2 billion. Gainers beat losers, 122 to 72, with 40 issues unchanged.

The lower reserve requirement is expected to free up an additional liquidity of about P231 billion into the financial system.

Banks led the market rally. BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, rose 1.9 percent to P130.90, while Security Bank Corp., the sixth largest, advanced 8 percent to P175.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender, climbed 3.4 percent to P73.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, rallied 4 percent to P139.90.

The rest of Asian markets were mixed Friday as another rally on Wall Street and data indicating a strong US economy were offset by the increasingly tense trade and technology stand-off between China and the United States.

The Brexit saga also moved back into view, with the pound at three-month lows on renewed concerns Britain will leave the EU with no deal as Prime Minister Theresa May tries to push her divorce deal through again.

And oil prices sank as trade worries

overshadowed tensions in the Middle East where the US and Iran are growing increasingly hostile.

Hong Kong fell 1.2 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai tumbled 2.5 percent while Seoul shed 0.6 percent and Taipei dived 0.9 percent with Singapore dropping 0.7 percent.

Tokyo finished 0.9 percent higher, Sydney rose 0.6 percent and Mumbai jumped 0.8 percent.

New York’s three main indexes rose for a third successive day on the back of better-than-expected housing construction data and a dip in US jobless claims, while solid earnings from Walmart and tech firms Cisco Systems and Nvidia reinforced optimism.

The figures boosted sentiment after almost two weeks of volatility sparked

by Donald Trump’s threat, and implementation, of higher tariffs on Chinese imports.

The move threw a spanner in the

works for high-level China-US talks that seemed to be close to conclusion and led to a retaliation in kind from Beijing, fanning fears of a painful trade war between the economic titans.

Then on Wednesday Trump barred Chinese telecoms firms—effectively taking aim at giant Huawei—from the US market and added it to a blacklist restricting US sales to the firm.

China hit out at the move and warned against further harming trade ties.

But in light of the Wall Street rally, OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said investors seem “to have temporarily given up trying to predict the fluid situation that is US-China trade relations and concentrate on the here and now.”

However, Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank said it was “hard to get too excited as the news flows on the trade front points to an escalation rather than an ease in tensions.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 22,440 81 3,338,710 130.9 6,565,790 26.6 67,500 18.84 34,200 11.4 268,900 4.63 1,000 1.39 75,000 780 940 0.46 130,000 73 3,163,070 0.96 869,000 54.1 217,080 181 210 57.4 1,480 26.5 3,800 175 867,650 1,775 155 60 15,310

1,302,270 272,948,755.50 859,857,473 1,784,490 644,128 3,042,038 4,630 101,370 733,200 60,400 230,673,465 851,100 11,717,664 38,295 85,019 99,640 150,148,710 276,375 918,649

444,450 -101,942,046 -73,267,703 224,255 188,400 -49,346 -49,977,899 -70,080 9,038,379 49,430.50 -22,467,455 -484,825.50

34.15 15.1 0.71 1.37 0.248 2.67 13.82 110.8 26.4 16.8 45 66.2 63.1 1.9 5.65 10.04 15.84 8.98 7.49 1.69 20.85 76.25 37.5 2.28 13.66 9.97 1.7 277 3.47 9.5 21.5 13.72 21.5 355.6 0.188 5.75 1.21 4.41 5.51 1.97 11.66 42.5 4.62 4.9 1.59 1.29 12.72 104.6 6.38 0.128 0.86 152 2.5 1.23 1.01

INDUSTRIAL 34.7 1,355,500 15.46 303,700 0.72 1,428,000 1.37 21,000 0.26 9,800,000 2.7 13,994,000 14.2 968,800 118.1 510 28 251,500 16.8 100 45 600 66.2 10 63.1 10 1.92 80,000 5.65 6,800 10.1 2,400,300 16 272,000 9.39 2,081,100 7.49 1,709,900 1.69 1,000 21 1,539,300 76.55 430,410 39.7 392,200 2.33 7,791,000 14.32 2,793,800 10 1,056,100 1.7 106,000 277 2,318,150 3.47 8,000 10 38,700 21.7 2,475,500 13.94 530,300 21.7 2,705,100 360 295,200 0.188 170,000 5.8 101,600 1.24 1,679,000 4.56 18,000 5.52 3,980,300 2.04 22,819,000 11.96 52,400 42.6 82,000 4.7 343,000 4.95 99,000 1.67 53,000 1.29 4,000 13.24 71,500 109 466,930 6.5 175,200 0.128 720,000 0.87 836,000 152.5 1,098,530 2.51 39,000 1.26 2,483,000 1.05 1,846,000

47,263,190 4,690,228 1,033,850 28,810 2,491,930 38,314,510 13,713,134 56,611 6,840,520 1,680 27,000 662 631 153,480 38,675 24,301,146 4,348,734 19,277,993 12,812,199 1,690 32,311,365 32,939,882 15,283,475 18,096,790 39,614,110 10,565,155 181,300 649,423,562 27,760 378,343 53,684,885 7,387,198 59,074,765 106,191,968 32,140 588,680 2,085,000 79,700 22,164,903 46,678,520 626,438 3,498,755 1,625,730 487,400 84,860 5,160 922,338 50,550,084 1,134,629 92,160 749,220 168,857,717 97,840 3,086,140 1,897,320

-15,699,495 286,610 11,526,970 -5,776,108 38,340 -7,945 -14,924,300 -259,388 6,315,157 -10,009,214 -9,768,985 -8,580,913.50 3,840,180.00 221,180 14,777,304 -1,756,979 -275,547,802 22,819,200 -661,848 49,831,910 -52,792,236 1,590,300 -5,093,919 2,630,700 -27,436 -3,186,665 -532,920.00 14,800 498,782 32,356,868 69,300 -60,553,940 12,500 -195,600 2,060

0.61 47 13.5 0.75 6.7 15.2 1.26 1.28 838 7.1 9.71 13.64 800 6.09 56.25 5.9 0.5 4.51 16.38 4.21 0.039 1.18 3.1 177.5 880 0.82 1.33 265 0.233 0.295

HOLDING FIRMS 0.62 8,229,000 48.05 1,506,800 13.9 11,236,100 0.75 30,000 6.7 250,600 15.26 146,200 1.3 938,000 1.32 106,000 850 1,077,360 7.15 189,000 9.76 5,960,300 14 126,200 820 98,830 6.09 86,800 57 3,304,760 5.98 13,000 0.51 3,000 4.7 3,091,000 16.94 1,698,200 4.25 24,343,000 0.039 8,600,000 1.18 20,000 3.31 16,342,000 179.8 366,070 888 535,930 0.84 144,000 1.33 204,000 270 1,170 0.239 360,000 0.3 8,840,000

5,113,100 72,117,140 154,522,170 22,500 1,679,030 2,316,074 1,196,090 138,780 922,908,990 1,351,224 58,304,792 1,786,972 81,264,665 530,101 188,452,783.50 76,966 1,530 14,418,030 28,236,816 103,792,270 336,500 23,600 52,510,160 65,953,701 477,052,750 118,470 274,220 313,958 84,240 2,655,800

-173,600 -27,982,875 -50,012,178 1,672,320 -63,820 -149,742,765 -341,982 -36,052,559 -134,120 -25,989,205 -77,968,834 -1,105,720 -3,507,368.00 -31,505,710 -2,176,800 -3,131,990 -255,409,000 -16,098 18,300

806,752 71,190 50,310 429,690 617,850 517,615,400 265,010 10,773,660 1,280 5,854,710 11,480 1,800 148,800 75,000 1,023,524 30,369,715 234,950 9,127,550 1,402,220 173,592,684 7,413,100 226,700 1,528,540 129,450 624,450 30,839,305 2,505,020

45,838 93,600 -117,433,780 -23,210 -481,460 126,990 -30,480 -4,663,530 -192,000 -3,365,560 -89,470,222.00 6,600 17,180 -10,202,785 -321,340

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

58 81.9 130.1 26.25 18.84 11.2 4.63 1.35 780 0.475 71.05 0.96 53.3 182.9 57.45 26.2 162.3 1,825 60

58.1 83.2 132.4 26.6 18.84 11.4 4.63 1.39 780 0.475 73.9 1 54.65 182.9 57.5 26.5 175 1,825 60.5

58 81 130.1 26.25 18.82 11.2 4.63 1.35 780 0.46 71.05 0.96 53.3 181 57.4 26.2 162.3 1,775 60

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

34.15 15.3 0.71 1.38 0.255 2.67 13.86 110.9 26.75 16.8 45 66.2 63.1 1.94 5.7 10.3 15.9 8.99 7.51 1.69 21.15 76.5 37.5 2.3 13.9 10.18 1.75 286.4 3.47 10 21.55 13.72 21.85 355.6 0.189 5.85 1.22 4.41 5.6 1.98 11.66 42.7 4.8 4.99 1.61 1.29 12.72 109 6.38 0.128 0.87 152 2.51 1.25 1.06

35.5 15.56 0.74 1.38 0.26 2.8 14.2 118.1 28 16.8 45 66.2 63.1 1.94 5.7 10.3 16 9.4 7.51 1.69 21.15 77.3 39.85 2.36 14.38 10.2 1.75 289.2 3.47 10.24 22 14.1 22 364 0.195 5.85 1.25 4.56 5.72 2.08 12.02 43 4.81 4.99 1.67 1.29 13.24 109 6.67 0.128 0.97 156 2.51 1.26 1.06

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

0.62 47 13.5 0.75 6.7 15.3 1.27 1.28 838 7.12 9.71 13.66 800.5 6.11 56.25 5.9 0.52 4.51 16.6 4.21 0.04 1.18 3.1 180.3 880 0.84 1.37 268 0.235 0.31

0.64 49 14.12 0.75 6.71 16.48 1.3 1.32 868.5 7.3 9.86 14.54 840 6.12 57.55 5.98 0.52 4.8 16.96 4.3 0.04 1.18 3.31 183.7 897.5 0.84 1.37 270 0.24 0.31

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

14.3 0.73 11.18 2.11 0.81 46.3 2.36 4.85 6.4 0.51 0.82 0.9 0.24 0.375 10.08 25.7 0.47 1.54 1.33 5.27 0.33 0.48 1.7 0.415 2.22 23.1 2

14.3 0.73 11.18 2.18 0.81 47.8 2.36 4.93 6.4 0.52 0.82 0.9 0.24 0.375 10.3 26.35 0.48 1.56 1.34 5.6 0.33 0.48 1.75 0.43 2.32 24 2

14.2 0.71 11.18 2.11 0.78 46.3 2.32 4.82 6.4 0.5 0.82 0.9 0.24 0.375 10.08 25.2 0.47 1.51 1.32 5.25 0.31 0.47 1.68 0.415 2.22 23.1 1.99

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

2.98 38 1.81 6.65 0.72 7.15

3 39.25 1.89 6.8 0.72 7.18

2.98 38 1.8 6.65 0.72 7.11

3 39.1 1.8 6.8 0.72 7.16

91,000 9,628,000 5,182,000 106,100 8,000 3,618,200

272,820 375,523,095 9,398,880 712,037 5,760 25,898,576

210,000 -95,977,935 18,312,370

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

11.98 19.02 1.27 0.4 0.043 19.9 2.45 11 0.065 83.05 7.13 6.4 11.02 1,930 5.35 410 2.43 1.75 137.1 10.98 6.2 0.122 6 15.1 4.23 0.78 18.62 0.55 3.7 2.67 1.75 15 2.08 3.34 9.74 4.32 123 3.09 1,230 0.67 0.94 44.7 69.85 9.49 3.3 0.67 0.34 5.6 0.68 16.54

11.98 19.2 1.27 0.4 0.045 19.9 2.5 11.2 0.067 85 7.13 6.45 11.3 2,000 5.42 410 2.43 1.75 142.7 10.98 6.97 0.122 6.09 15.1 4.3 0.79 19 0.55 3.85 2.76 1.75 15 2.17 3.4 10 4.32 123 3.15 1,264 0.71 0.95 45.5 71.05 9.49 3.4 0.67 0.34 5.6 0.69 16.76

11.7 19.02 1.27 0.4 0.043 19 2.39 10.8 0.065 83.05 7 6.33 11 1,930 5.33 397.2 2.39 1.75 135.1 10.6 6.15 0.122 5.98 14.8 4.1 0.78 18.62 0.52 3.7 2.67 1.75 15 2.05 3.34 9.7 4.3 123 2.98 1,230 0.66 0.91 44.6 69.1 9 3.15 0.65 0.32 5.6 0.67 16.52

SERVICES 11.7 19.1 1.27 0.4 0.045 19.88 2.47 11.2 0.066 84.3 7 6.39 11.18 1,999 5.4 397.2 2.4 1.75 139.9 10.9 6.97 0.122 6.09 14.8 4.25 0.79 18.98 0.52 3.85 2.73 1.75 15 2.11 3.34 9.7 4.3 123 3.08 1,255 0.69 0.93 45.5 71.05 9 3.2 0.66 0.335 5.6 0.68 16.58

12,700 166,200 34,000 200,000 3,600,000 30,800 175,000 6,178,900 1,830,000 341,430 20,000 2,917,000 39,200 76,295 764,400 3,450 294,000 73,000 3,908,240 6,400 2,000 340,000 4,196,800 31,500 3,242,000 21,000 2,266,900 146,000 65,000 3,918,000 13,000 600 1,097,000 87,000 17,000 15,000 25,430 1,156,000 145,410 8,253,000 45,660,000 273,600 1,234,310 72,400 14,652,000 449,000 2,600,000 49,600 1,528,000 1,901,000

149,762 3,185,642 43,180 80,000 159,200 603,654 427,900 68,113,804 119,250 28,659,006.50 140,570 18,661,335 435,848 151,522,495 4,101,586 1,373,102 706,670 127,750 546,193,287 69,010 12,760 41,480 25,369,136 471,300 13,622,960 16,390 43,035,262 76,680 243,990 10,707,580 22,750 9,000 2,291,110 291,380 168,114 64,560 3,127,890 3,524,000 182,363,730 5,714,640 42,751,920 12,384,825 86,194,885 653,288 47,797,230 295,490 858,950 277,760 1,036,300 31,550,092

200,000 -7,290 -6,545,010 -1,176,198.50 58,959 98,670 30,779,375 17,500 79,705,693 -12,160 2,142,870 16,481,560 449,110 -104,800 -6,590 52,890 -1,440,010 39,567,215 -823,740 -783,070 361,495 -20,996,577.50 1,196,370 -12,470 13,679,486

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

0.0018 1.21 2.79 12 1.23 2.76 0.29 7.84 1.57 0.237 0.107 0.111 0.008 0.008 1.03 2.2 1.01 0.56 0.88 0.011 0.011 3.67 2.95 8.3 21.9

0.0019 1.23 2.79 12 1.23 2.78 0.295 7.84 1.58 0.237 0.107 0.111 0.008 0.008 1.03 2.25 1.01 0.6 0.88 0.013 0.012 3.67 2.95 8.49 22.35

0.0018 1.18 2.75 12 1.15 2.75 0.28 7.7 1.53 0.228 0.106 0.104 0.0079 0.008 1 2.16 0.99 0.56 0.87 0.011 0.011 3.67 2.89 8.23 21.85

MINING & OIL 0.0019 99,000,000 1.2 1,827,000 2.76 405,000 12 200 1.15 19,000 2.76 649,000 0.295 1,100,000 7.73 15,200 1.56 7,360,000 0.234 720,000 0.106 700,000 0.106 2,000,000 0.0079 27,000,000 0.008 1,000,000 1.01 58,000 2.17 1,857,000 0.99 23,000 0.59 261,000 0.88 119,000 0.012 87,300,000 0.012 248,600,000 3.67 22,000 2.94 652,000 8.4 518,300 21.95 2,300,200

178,400 2,190,660 1,122,070 2,400 22,730 1,801,670 310,650 117,603 11,568,980 165,880 74,500 212,400 214,400 8,000 59,270 4,074,170 22,850 153,350 103,880 1,046,500 2,970,400 80,740 1,907,860 4,322,106 50,550,345

-1,663,340 83,160 -9,400 -192,260 -1,391,320 -6,000 -254,320 226,914 40,926,895

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

18.9 478.2 97.95 486 5.26 0.98 1,020 104 105.9 975 75.1 76.1 72 71.7 74 73 71.85

18.9 478.2 98 486 5.4 0.98 1,020 104 106 975 75.95 76.3 72 71.7 74 73 73.5

18.2 473.8 97.8 486 5.25 0.97 992 104 105.9 975 75 76.1 71.5 71.7 73.8 73 71.8

PREFERRED 18.2 566,500 473.8 1,110 98 1,700 486 100 5.4 226,700 0.97 240,000 992 4,320 104 300 106 150 975 90 75.95 1,380 76.3 9,100 71.5 12,150 71.7 60,000 73.8 12,820 73 6,000 73.5 17,280

10,417,864 526,922 166,471 48,600 1,217,792 235,120 4,406,120 31,200 15,886 87,750 103,584 692,810 874,675 4,302,000 946,590 438,000 1,246,625

-9,161,014 4,860 -810,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.04

2.1

1.95

WARRANTS 2.06 816,000

1,658,720

-

1,653,060 5,457,900

19,320 -447,160

940,204

37,588

81,374

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 14.28 0.71 11.18 2.18 0.78 46.75 2.32 4.89 6.4 0.51 0.82 0.9 0.24 0.375 10.24 25.6 0.48 1.55 1.33 5.45 0.315 0.47 1.75 0.42 2.24 23.5 1.99

56,500 99,000 4,500 200,000 779,000 10,989,800 114,000 2,207,000 200 11,449,000 14,000 2,000 620,000 200,000 100,900 1,175,100 490,000 5,922,000 1,058,000 31,926,800 23,080,000 480,000 884,000 310,000 274,000 1,309,100 1,253,000

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.78 1.05

4.85 1.06

4.76 1.03

FIRST METRO ETF

112.9

115.2

112.9

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.2

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,038,571

INDUSTRIAL

94,485,228

HOLDING FIRMS

98,004,722

PROPERTY

119,845,619

SERVICES

118,159,427

MINING & OIL

483,752,441

GRAND TOTAL

935,860,355

10.1

4.81 1.06

SME

344,000 5,220,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114.2 8,210 10.2

DDS

8,020

VALUE 1,700.73 (up) 37.35 1,566,961,793.49 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,058.42 (down) 32.55 1,540,463,472.428 HOLDING FIRMS 7,069.90 (up) 74.45 2,271,718,610.92 PROPERTY 4,138.89 (up) 65.62 1,636.59 (up) 38.37 1,240,201,108.975 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,256.66 (down) 31.28 1,496,671,075.34 PSEI 7,583.82 (up) 108.66 83,297,929.486 All Shares Index 4,713.27 (up) 50.41 8,207,374,032.41 Gainers: 122; Losers: 72; Unchanged: 40; Total: 234

DMCI Holdings registered net profit of P2.9b in first quarter

By Jenniffer B. Austria DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group posted a net profit of P2.9 billion in the first three months of 2019, down 26 percent from P3.9 billion, due to weak income contributions from the coal and energy businesses.

Minus non-recurring losses of P91 million during the period and one-time losses of P239 million in the same quarter last year, core net income fell 28 percent P3 billion from P4.1 billion a year ago.

First-quarter consolidated revenues declined three percent to P19.7 billion mainly due to lower coal prices and reduced power generation.

“All our other businesses did well in the first quarter but their combined results were not enough to mitigate the earnings slowdown of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation,” said DMCI Holdings chairman and president Isidro Consunji.

Consunji expects the company’s financial results to improve in the coming periods with the completion of the rehabilitation of the Unit 1 power plant of SEM-Calaca Power Corp.

Net income contributions from SMPC plunged 49 percent to P1.4 billion after an 18-percent decline in the average selling price of coal and the 21-percent drop in total power generation.

Income share from construction unit D.M. Consunji Inc. rose seven percent from P336 million to P359 million on the higher accomplishment of ongoing infrastructure projects.

DMCI Homes contributed P481 million, up five percent from a restated firstquarter earnings of P460 million last year.

DMCI Homes attributed the growth to lower cost of real estate development during the period.

Earnings share from DMCI Power Corp. rose 32 percent to P100 million on the back of higher energy sales in Masbate, Palawan and Oriental Mindoro provinces.

DMCI Mining Corp. posted a 129-percent increase in net income contribution to P103 million from P45 million as nickel ore shipments surged 118 percent from 156,000 wet metric tons to 338,000 tons.

GMA subsidiary, Singaporean firm form partnership

By Darwin G. Amojelar GMA New Media Inc. said Friday it teamed up with Singapore Media Exchange, an advertising exchange set up by media companies Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp, to further expand the network’s reach worldwide.

The subsidiary of GMA Network Inc. said SMX’s mastery of the media terrain in Singapore could be implemented in many territories worldwide.

GNMI chief operating officer and president Judd Gallares said the collaboration dovetailed with the goal of expanding the audience reach of GMA worldwide, and thus build preference for the brand across various cultures and territories in ways that were not previously possible.

“We are thrilled to work with SMX and see this as an opportunity to leverage the strength of media giants like Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp through SMX, “ Gallares said.

“The partnership is a significant enabler not just for premium content providers like GMA but for advertisers as well since the synergies it creates will be instrumental to achieving our goals in terms of revenue targets, market penetration, and cost efficiency, among others,” he added.

SMX, meanwhile, aims to establish itself in the South East Asian market through the creation of several partnerships in the region.

The expansion offers advertisers a onestop selection of programmatic brand-safe options to reach top-quality audiences across Southeast Asia, including exclusive access to premium formats.

SMX will also have more opportunities to combine its own first-party data with those of its partners, creating richer audience data for more precise and effective targeting.

“These regional partnerships I believe will propel SMX towards a strong regional offering that reinforces our ability to provide buyers with rich audiences, precision targeting and innovative ad formats while making the supply accessible with more buying options and across bidders,” said SMX chief executive Hari Shankar.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

B3

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Taiwan okays same-sex marriage, a first in Asia

IN BRIEF 10 drug smugglers sentenced to death HANOI―Vietnam has sentenced 10 people to death for smuggling meth, ketamine and ecstasy across the country by train, state media reported Friday as the communist country deepens its crackdown on drugs.

The gang shifted 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of drugs from northern Vietnam to the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City between 2015 and 2016, according to state-run media on Friday.

Five men and five women were given the death penalty after the trial this week in Hanoi, while two others got life in prison.

“The two ringleaders were paid hundreds thousands of dollars,” for trafficking the drugs, state-run Vietnamnet news site reported.

Court officials could not be reached for comment on Friday.

The trial comes on the heels of several massive drugs busts in Vietnam, which boasts some of the world’s toughest drug laws.

Anyone caught with more than 600 grams (21 ounces) of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine can face the death penalty.

Last week police seized half a tonne of ketamine in Ho Chi Minh City and arrested three Taiwanese and one Chinese citizen in the bust.

That bust came just weeks after a similar haul of one tonne of crystal meth―or “ice”―and around one tonne of ketamine in the city.

Young Vietnamese are increasingly turning to synthetics like ketamine, ecstasy and meth.

The suspected overdose deaths of seven youngsters at a music festival in Hanoi last year stunned the conservative communist capital. AFP

Two US death row inmates executed WASHINGTON—A Tennessee man who killed his wife and an Alabama man convicted of a quadruple murder were executed by lethal injection Thursday.

Donnie Edward Johnson, 68, was convicted in 1984 of murdering his wife, Connie Johnson, in Memphis, Tennessee, by stuffing a plastic garbage bag down her throat and suffocating her.

Michael Brandon Samra, 41, was convicted in 1998 for his involvement in the murders of Randy Duke, Duke’s girlfriend Dedra Mims Hunt, and Hunt’s six-year-old and sevenyear-old daughters.

Samra, who is described as being of “borderline intelligence” in court documents, was 19 years old at the time of the 1997 murders in Pelham, Alabama.

He carried out the slayings with Duke’s 16-year-old son, Mark Duke, who was angry because his father had denied him the use of his truck.

Randy Duke and Dedra Mims Hunt were shot to death while the two young girls had their throats slit.

Mark Duke was also sentenced to death but his sentence was changed to life in prison after the US Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that offenders who were under 18 years old at the time of their crimes should not be executed.

Samra had appealed his death sentence on the grounds that the death penalty should not be applied to offenders who were under 21 years old at the time of their crimes but the Supreme Court has declined to raise the age.

His lawyers had also asked Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to grant Samra clemency on the same grounds. But she refused, saying Thursday’s execution showed “justice has been delivered” and that “Alabama does not tolerate murderous acts of any nature.”

In Tennessee, Johnson asked Governor Bill Lee to stay his execution because he had been redeemed through Seventh-Day Adventist religious practice during his time in prison. AFP

THERE FOR THE SCREENING. From left, 5B cast members, guest, Australian actor Keiynan, US male nurse Guy Vandenberg, US actress Julianne Moore, guest and US director Dan Krauss pose as they arrive for the screening of the film "5B" at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2019. AFP

Southeast Asia’s children eyed by online predators B ANGKOK―Southeast Asia is in the grip of a fresh surge of pedophile activity with predators orchestrating and watching abuse on live-streaming sites and via webcams, and paying for it with nearuntraceable cryptocurrency, victims and children’s charities warn.

With widespread poverty, lax laws, and creaking judicial systems, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines have long been seen as soft spots by foreign and local pedophiles seeking out underage sex in person.

Tougher policing and greater awareness has deterred some offenders, but technology has shifted the patterns of abuse in a region with growing access to broadband internet and encrypted technology.

Pedophiles can now use an array of mobile and online tools-including social networks, video-sharing sites,

ON THE STREET. People buy fruits on a street in Beijing on May 17, 2019. AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION TRADEVISER PASIFIC INC. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of TRADEVISER PASIFIC INC. with the TIN of 009-860-567-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of May 1, 2019 a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at U-2404 # 25 SAN MIGUEL AVE. MEDICAL PLAZA ORTIGAS, ORTIGAS CENTER, SAN ANTONIO PASIG CITY for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Quezon City. Philippines. May 6, 2019 (SGD) RAVEN DENISE DE VERA Corporate Secretary

(MS-MAY 18, 2019)

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION ATOZPRO IT SERVICES INC. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of ATOZRO IT SERVICES INC. with the TIN of 009-593-401-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of May 1, 2019 a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at U404 4th Floor Peninsula Court Bldg., 8735 Paseo De Roxas, Brgy. Bel Air, Makati City for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Quezon City. Philippines. May 6, 2019

(MS-MAY 18, 2019)

and the dark web―to direct and watch child rape and sexual abuse with anonymity, experts warn.

“Predators watch the rapes on large platforms that are not likely to close,” said François Xavier Souchet, of Thai-based NGO Terre des Hommes.

“It’s live, nothing is recorded... everything is encrypted. They pay more and more in Bitcoins, encrypted money makes their transactions as secure as possible,” he added.

This week online giants including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook are giving evidence to

the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, which is being held in London and will look at how to prevent online sex crimes as part of its remit.

Demand for child sexual abuse via webcam is an increasing cause of human trafficking, according to a UN report, with suggestions Thailand has become a hub in the trade, as well as the Philippines.

Cassie, a Filipino victim, said she was just 12 when she was forced to commit sexual acts―both with an adult man and alone―in front of a webcam.

She moved to Manila to work as a maid but was exploited by her mother’s employer. The torment went on for five years.

She said “I felt trapped, betrayed and alone. I was thinking, ‘I want to die, I want to die because of this pain, but I can’t’.” AFP

(SGD) ELEONOR B. LABOR Corporate Secretary

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

TAIPEI―Taiwan’s parliament legalized same-sex marriage on Friday in a landmark first for Asia as the government survived a last-minute attempt by conservatives to pass watered-down legislation.

Lawmakers comfortably passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to form “exclusive permanent unions” and another clause that would let them apply for a “marriage registration” with government agencies.

The vote―which took place on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia―is a major victory for the island’s LGBT community and it places the island at the vanguard of Asia’s burgeoning gay rights movement.

Thousands of gay rights supporters gathered outside parliament despite heavy downpours, waving rainbow flags, flashing victory signs and breaking into cheers as the news filtered out.

In recent months conservatives had mobilized to rid the law of any reference to marriage, instead putting forward rival bills that offered something closer to limited same-sex unions. But those bills struggled to receive enough votes.

Gay rights groups hailed the vote on Friday, saying the ability to apply for a “marriage registration”―known as Clause Four―put their community much closer to parity with heterosexual couples. AFP

N. Korea says drought could be the worst SEOUL—North Korea is experiencing its worst drought in over a century, official media reported Friday, days after the World Food Program expressed “very serious concerns” about the situation in the country.

The isolated, impoverished North― which is under several sets of sanctions over its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs―has long struggled to feed itself, and suffers chronic food shortages.

It recorded its worst harvest for a decade last year, according to the United Nations, down by 500,000 tons as natural disasters combined with its lack of arable land and inefficient agriculture to hit production.

In the year to Wednesday the North received just 56.3 millimeters of rain or snow, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported Friday, the lowest since 1917.

Water was running out in the country’s lakes and reservoirs, said the paper, the official mouthpiece of the ruling Workers’ Party, adding: “The ongoing drought is causing a significant effect on the cultivation of wheat, barley, corn, potatoes and beans.”

In their most recent estimates, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program said about 10.1 million North Koreans―40 percent of the population―were suffering from severe food shortages, a similar figure to recent years.

Hundreds of thousands are believed to have died during a famine in the mid to late 1990s, a period known as the “Arduous March” in the North. AFP

‘Angry glances’: How Paris met Pei’s Louvre pyramid PARIS―The modernist architect I. M. Pei, who has died aged 102, was once pilloried for plonking a glass pyramid into the courtyard of the Louvre, but his controversial creation is now a landmark of the French capital.

The Chinese-American designer endured a roasting from critics before the giant glass structure opened in 1989, with up to 90 percent of Parisians said to be against the project at one point.

“I received many angry glances in the streets of Paris,” Pei later said, confessing that “after the Louvre I thought no project would be too difficult”.

Yet in the end even that stern critic of modernist “carbuncles”, Britain’s Prince Charles, pronounced it “marvelous”.

And the French daily Le Figaro, which had led the campaign against the “atrocious” design, celebrated its genius with a supplement on the 10th anniversary of its opening.

In March, the pyramid celebrated its 30th

birthday and it remains a cherished architectural landmark.

Pei’s masterstroke was to link the three wings of the world’s most visited museum with vast underground galleries bathed in light from his glass and steel pyramid.

It also served as the museum’s main entrance, making its subterranean concourse bright even on the most overcast of days.

Pei, who grew up in Hong Kong and Shanghai before studying at Harvard with the Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, was not the most obvious choice for the job, having never worked on a historic building before.

But the then French president Francois Mitterrand was so impressed with his modernist extension to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC that he insisted he was the man for the Louvre.

The Socialist leader was in the midst of attempting to transform Paris with a series of architectural projects that included the Bas-

tille Opera and La Grande Arche de La Defense, a huge modernist archway in the west of Paris.

Already in his mid-60s and an established star in the United States for his elegant John F. Kennedy Library and Dallas City Hall, Pei was unprepared for the hostility of the reception his radical plans would receive.

He needed all his tact and dry sense of humor to survive a series of encounters with planning officials and historians.

One meeting with the French historic monuments commission in January 1984 ended in uproar, with Pei unable even to present his ideas.

“You are not in Dallas now!” one of the experts shouted at him during what he recalled was a “terrible session”, where he felt the target of anti-Chinese racism.

He had won the Pritzker Prize, the “Nobel of architecture”, in 1983, but even that didn’t seem to assuage his detractors. AFP

S

IGVARD selections’ showroom has been at LRI Design Plaza since 2015. Recently, creative minds behind the furniture shop revamped it into a space that showcases customized creations combining exquisite design and high-quality craftsmanship.

“At Sigvard selections, home furnishing is more than just pieces to fill the home,” said Oliver Ortiz, managing partner. “That’s what we want our clients to see when they visit our store,” Ortiz and his business partner, Jigs Adefuin, wanted to create a place where clients can experience the wide selection of home furnishing products and furniture.

Adefuin reinvented the lifestyleconcept store as a space with a design narrative and immersive shopping experience.

Today, the store’s look remains true to the designer’s philosophy of quality and exclusivity. Upon entering Sigvard selections, shoppers get to envision their ideal home with the way the furniture pieces are arranged, and curated around the showroom.

ASPIRATIONAL White walls serve as backdrop for artworks from Philippine masters, carefully selected and illuminated with overhead lighting systems.

The wood flooring serves as the stage for the furniture pieces and selected home accessories, curated to suit the preferences of homeowners.

Sigvard maximizes the store

B4

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

DESIGNER’S CREATIVE NEST Home furnishing shopping at Sigvard

space with a floor layout that gives customers ample room to browse the products on display, and find the pieces that suit their style.

Sigvard offers a range of products from classic-inspired sofas, art deco side tables and sleek center tables for the living rooms; beds and other necessities that bring comfort, contemporary cabinets

the starting point of Adefuin’s creative process.

Adefuin understands and treats each furniture piece with great value and care. Each piece emanates with his respect for the materials he used, especially Philippine wood.

Serving the demand for creativity he defies the “one size fits all” philosophy. He tailors each piece according to the people who will be using them.

Sigvard selections is at the ground floor of LRI Design Plaza, along Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air II, Makati City. with distinct details; eye-catching wall accents, soft furnishing, and gravitasladen artworks.

PERSONALIZED PIECES More than just a showroom, Sigvard selections is a living space. It embodies the designer’s consideration to details and materials that enable clients to appreciate the beauty of home furnishing and designing.

The Sigvard showroom represents

TACKLING THE HOUSING BACKLOG. Affordable-housing developer BRIA Homes is addressing the mass-housing backlog in the Philippines. With a portfolio that includes 700 hectares of land, the company is planning to launch more than 50 housing developments, featuring homes as low as P1,897 per month. BRIA is building projects in Pangasinan (Urdaneta), Tarlac (Paniqui), Pampanga (Magalang and San Fernando), Bataan (Mariveles and Hermosa), Cavite (General Trias, Trece Martires, and Indang), Batangas (Balayan and Lipa), Bulacan (Plaridel, Malolos, Santa Maria, San Jose Del Monte, and Norzagaray), Rizal (Teresa, Binangonan, and Baras), Laguna (Calauan, Calamba, Sta. Cruz, San Pablo, Alaminos, and Bay), and Camarines Sur (Pili and Iriga).

In the Visayas and Mindanao, the company’s housing options are in the provinces of Negros Oriental (Dumaguete), Samar (Calbayog), Leyte (Ormoc), Misamis Oriental (Cagayan de Oro, Balingasag, and Gingoog), Bukidnon (Manolo Fortich, Valencia), Davao del Norte (Tagum, Panabo, and Carmen), Davao del Sur (Davao City and Digos), North Cotabato (Kidapawan), and South Cotabato (General Santos City).

CRAVING FOR THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE. The south is experiencing a real estate boom with the development of properties in Makati, Laguna, and Alabang. CALABARZON is one of the fastest-growing regions in the Philippines, with properties and business sprouting all around. AboitizLand’s industry city, LIMA, is one of them, an integrated township that is home to communities in Barangay Bugtong na Pulo in Lipa and Malvar, Batangas. Completing the LIMA experience this year is The Villages at Lipa, a 49-hectare cluster of homes inspired by the architecture of the “bahay na bato.” The Villages offers 115m² townhouses, and single attached and single detached homes ranging from 132m² to 150m². Brook Village has 50m² townhouses and 100m² single attached homes. Sierra Village property prices range from Php 3.1M to 7.1M, while Brook Villages are from Php1.5M to 3.6M. Both villages provide clubhouses, swimming pools, parks, and greenbelts. “We are excited to introduce The Villages, our residential property that completes our offerings in LIMA,” said David Rafael, AboitizLand chief executive officer.

EVERDAY IS A HAPPY DAY.

Ever Malls is evolving into an interesting destination for shopping, entertainment, and leisurely chill in Quezon City. To boost the “community-feel” that currently draws customers to visit and stay a bit longer, Ever Malls along Commonwealth Avenue went the extra mile this summer by incorporating various “happy” elements into its branding concept. “EVERday” aims to instill everyday positivity in life as shopping should be one of life’s delightful experiences,” explained Chie Arao-Santos, head of corporate marketing. To jump-start the new campaign, compelling images of happy faces are currently emblazoned all over the mall, to depict an enjoyable experience. Customers enjoy just that especially at the new lifestyle strip at the ground floor, Calle Bistro, where an exciting gaggle of dining and drinks establishments hold court every night of the week (shown here when “Jewel of the World” beauty candidates dropped by recently at swinging Elm’s Kapihan and Bar).

BUILDING SOLUTIONS. Holcim Philippines recently launched a new high-performane blended cement product called Holcim Solido. Solido is designed as a better alternative for infrastructure building to the commonly used ordinary Portland cement. Designed to provide concrete with higher strength as well as better workability for faster application, Holcim Solido has been accepted by the company’s clients nationwide since its launch in March. The product is also more environmentally friendly since it is produced with lower emissions. Another product that has been well-received by the market is Superfast-Crete (SFCrete), a one-day concrete technology for quick road repairs in highly-urban areas. SFCrete has been used to re-block several sections of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

LIVING IT UP DOWN SOUTH. One of Alabang’s most premium residential options, Botanika Nature Residences, in Filinvest City, is now ready for occupancy. Its first tower has 101 units, each offering a gracious living space with the same layout as single detached homes, a rarity in typical condos today.

It basically provides the same suburban lifestyle found in opulent subdivisions without the stress of maintaining a garden, or a huge house. A flagship development by real estate brand Filigree, Botanika has easy access to all that Metro South has to offer—from business centers, learning institutions and medical facilities, to retail and lifestyle hubs. Amenities include tiered children’s and lap pools set amidst lush greeneries, outdoor play area for family bonding moments and indoor facilities like a library and business center—all meticulously designed to suit the residents’ varying lifestyles. Members also have direct access to nearby Palms Country Club.

Life

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

YOUNG LIFE

@MStandardLIFE SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

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A community

filled with possibilities WHEN IN METRO SOUTH. Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa City celebrates Festival of Possibilities as its way to express appreciation to the community.

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HE community in Filinvest City sure knows how to party with the resounding success of the Festival of Possibilities held recently at the events grounds.

Drawing an astounding 11,000 festival goers, the second installation of the festival has become one of the highlights of the summer season in the metro south.

The Filinvest City community, together with guests from other parts of the metro, had an unforgettable day of music and play as they enjoyed performances from the country’s hottest bands such as Itchyworms, Rivermaya, Spongecola, I Belong To The Zoo, and This Band, among others.

Other fun attractions and activities that excited attendees were the stilt walkers, arcade booths, and board games set amidst the city’s signature fresh air and lush, soothing landscapes. There was also a food bazaar that featured a selection of delectable snacks.

As with last year’s event, the Fes-

tival of Possibilities is Filinvest City’s way of expressing its thanks and appreciation to the community—in the spirit of giving and celebration.

“We’re extremely pleased that the Festival of Possibilities 2019 was another huge success,” said Don Ubaldo, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. vice president for townships. “We believe in creating a community that’s conducive for work and productivity as well as fun and leisure. As such, we expect to mount more fun events like these in the near future.”

Inflatable slides and stilt walkers entertain festival goers.

Fun attractions and activities such as arcade booths and board games set amidst the community’s lush landscape provide attendees with hours of excitement.

Workshops to nurture youth’s digital, non-digital skills CHILDREN and teens looking to learn more skills are invited to join Power Mac Center’s series of summer workshops ongoing until July 27.

“Now on its 12th year, the PMC Summer Workshop is once again opening up playgrounds for kids as they explore the world, especially the exciting world of technology. Our workshops are designed to pave the way for the youth into the technology-driven future,” said Joey Alvarez, Power Mac Center director of product management and marketing.

Workshop courses include the following:

and bring life to their envisioned worlds This crafts-based workshop is open or delve into webtoon-making through to children four to six years old. Kids classes on film conceptualization, creawill experience creative and challeng- tion of storyboard and characters, aniing activities involving art forms of dif- mation, and film editing. ferent styles to allow them to discover Swift Programming their own style.

Participants can discover their Silicon Valley potential with a series of Digital Arts and Animation Kids creative imagination will be programming lessons catering to 9- to sharpened with these hands-on work- 13-year-olds. Here, students will learn shops in Multimedia Animation suited how to code in a fun and interactive for 7- to 12-year-olds. Attendees will way and create basic apps that are combe able to explore augmented reality patible with Apple devices.

Arts and Crafts

Workshop participants will be guided by expert instructors.

Technology in Performing Arts als required per course. Courses run for

Power Mac Center’s series of summer workshops teaches young participants art and technology through lessons and hands-on trainings.

Perfect for aspiring social influencers and theater mavens, participants, aged 12-16, will be given in-depth lessons on video blogging—from conceptualization, video shooting, and editing, to uploading the final output online, or theatrical production via providing hands-on trainings and lessons on the use of digital backgrounds, additional video effects, and artistic projections.

The workshop rate is at P5,900 per course module, inclusive of the use of Apple devices with installed applications, as well as other learning materi-

two hours each, with morning and afternoon schedules held at TriNoma and Greenbelt 3.

At the end of the workshop, participants will be given a course kit with a certificate of participation and a flash drive containing the individual projects they created.

Interested parents and kids can visit PMC stores at Greenbelt 3 and TriNoma, or the Apple Authorized Global Training Provider office at Cedar Executive Building 1, Makati City to reserve slots.

Life

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SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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7 tips for taking a great selfie

E ALL want to take that tap-worthy, great selfie that captures our best features and gets the most “likes.” And there are ways to take selfies and look good on them without resorting to too much filter that we can no longer recognize our face.

Natural lighting is best

Using natural light doesn’t mean exposing yourself to harsh sunlight.

Position yourself near an open window or door with nice, soft natural light streaming in and avoid overly bright fluorescents. When outdoors, don’t face directly into the sun, as it will cause you to squint your eyes and create shadows that enhance undereye circles and blemishes.

Further, don’t position yourself turning away from the sun. With the sun at your back, the photo will be backlit and result in an unflattering silhouette.

Instead, keep your camera or phone between you and the source of light. It is best to shoot during the golden hours: during sunrise and sunset, when the lighting is at its most flattering.

(without too much filter)

Take the photo from an upward angle

The basic rule is to keep your chin down (but avoid the double chin!) and the camera up. Try raising your phone until the bottom is at level with your eyes. Or use a selfie stick which holds your phone higher and farther away from you so you naturally extend your head away from your neck, giving you a longer neck and sharper jawline. This also allows you to fit more of the background inside the frame.

Smile

ACE THAT SELFIE. No need to over-edit or over-filter, as it is possible to take selfies and look good on them. like your smile is forced, try closing your eyes then open them and smile the moment you click on the camera.

Your smile will look fresh and more relaxed. If you choose not to show teeth, smile with your eyes or “smize” by thinking happy thoughts while you take your selfie.

A genuine smile always makes for a striking photo. To avoid looking

Practice, practice, practice

The advice of celebrities and mod-

els? Take lots and lots of selfies. There’s bound to be at least one or two that you like. As you click away, try tilting your head in different directions and changing the angles slightly so your selfies don’t look exactly the same. Find out which angle or side of your face looks best when photographed.

Style it right

Make sure your photo stands out on

social media by styling yourself correctly. Wear a stunning outfit and use accessories strategically so that they will add more depth to your look. If you’re taking a selfie on the beach, add a stylish cover-up or beach hat to up your look. If you’re heading somewhere cold, a stylish jacket will make you look chic.

Edit, but don’t overdo it

Once you’ve taken the perfect shot, take advantage of the many filters and photo editing options available on apps and camera phone settings nowadays.

However, make sure not to over-edit to the point that it doesn’t look like you anymore. Go for minor touch-ups such as adjusting the contrast, brightness, and saturation to improve the image, while keeping it looking natural.

Start with selfie-ready skin

It’s possible to take #nofilter shots as long as you have beautifully glowing skin. Keep your skin feeling fresh even after spending time under the hot summer sun with the cooling effect of Jergens Soothing Aloe Lotion. It comes in a travel-friendly size that unlocks skin’s optimal combination of tone, texture, and luminosity for visibly more refreshed skin wherever you go. Its unique, fast-absorbing formula contains an illuminating Hydralucence blend as well as eucalyptus, cucumber extract, and aloe vera ingredients to help soothe, heal, relieve, and revive the skin’s natural moisture factor.

Make your photo stand out by wearing stylish outfits and accessories and showing the right amount of that beautifully glowing skin.

Taking the photo from an upward angle gives a longer neck and sharper jawline.

A genuine smile alaways makes for a striking photo.

Ari for Givenchy POP superstar Ariana Grande is the new face of French luxury fashion house Givenchy.

According to the label, the Grammy Award-winning artist naturally embodies the spirit of the Givenchy woman with impertinence, generosity, and a lightning wit—all cloaked in a touch of mystery.

“I am so proud to be the new face of Givenchy. It is a House I have forever admired and to now be part of that family is such an honor,” enthused Ari. She added, “I love this clothing and the confidence and joy it brings to the people wearing it. Not only is the clothing timeless and beautiful but I’m proud to work with a brand that makes people feel celebrated for w h o they Ariana Grande embodies the Givenchy woman.

are, and u n ap ologet ic about whatever they want to be.”

The full Givenchy fall/ winter 2019 campaign starring Ariana Grande will be unveiled in July.

Fashion photographer BJ Pascual

Filmmaker Samantha Lee

BJ Pascual, Samantha Lee on mobile photography ON THE second leg of Samsung’s PASS10N Lab series of workshops, sought-after photographer BJ Pascual and rising filmmaker Samantha Lee talked about taking mobile photography and videography to the next level.

Pascual is one of the Philippines’ most in-demand photographers, having shot many of the country’s most beautiful faces. A household name in the fashion industry, his photos have graced the covers of magazines in the country and abroad.

Despite his having all the necessary tools, Pascual said, “You don’t need a professional camera to take great snapshots. You can use a smartphone with good features to have a well-curated Instagram page. One of the things I look at, whether it’s with my camera or my phone, is the lighting.”

Meanwhile, Lee, one of the fastestrising filmmakers of her generation,

strongly advocates better representation of women and the LGBTQ+ community in the local cinema. She is the director of the award-winning film Baka Bukas and the FAMAS Award-nominated Billie & Emma.

Lee shared, “I find inspiration everywhere. My feed is composed of the food I eat, the countries I visit, and just beautiful things I find in Manila and the world. I try to stay aware of my surroundings and notice the beauty in the little things.”

Both Pascual and Lee use the next generation Samsung Galaxy S10 to capture great moments for their social media accounts. The Galaxy S10’s True Vision Multi-Camera allows both content creators to take photos and videos when inspiration hits them.

The photographer elevates everyday moments with the Galaxy S10’s triple cameras, including the 12MP Dual Aperture Lens, the 16MP Ultra-Wide Lens for panoramic photos, and the 12MP Telephoto Lens for impressive optical zooming. His selfies also become magazine-worthy with the smartphone’s front cameras, which offer a 10MP Dual Pixel UHD Selfie Lens.

The Galaxy S10 suggests the best composition for all photos and automatically adjusts settings based on the subject.

In her job as a director, Lee takes advantage of Galaxy S10’s 4K UHD Video, which can also be used on the front camera. The smartphone lets her shoot footage as if she was using a pro-level action camera as it automatically stabilizes the scene with Super Steady.

At the same time, the HDR10+ Recording lets the filmmaker shoot scenes and play it back with all the details, thanks to the Galaxy S10’s rich color, contrast, and Dynamic Tone Mapping.

“The Galaxy S10 is already equipped with the best camera in the market,” said Pascual. “I’m confident going around Manila or even outside the country with just my smartphone because I know I can shoot something that I can confidently submit to a magazine editor or post on my social media feed.”

Lee shared the same sentiment. “I like to explore and now I can just carry my essentials, including my Galaxy S10. I can take photos and shoot footage without having to worry about quality.”

Entertainment GMA New Media technocreative arm propels SM Supermalls to Stevie Gold A PROJECT by GMA New Media’s subsidiary, Digify, Inc., with SM Supermalls bagged Gold at the 2019 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

The leading mall chain in the country received a Gold Award for #SMoments in a Click: How Customer Centricity Gave a Rebirth to the SM Supermalls Corporate Website, a revamp effort that Digify was tasked to lead and implement in order to strengthen SM Supermalls’ official website. By making patrons the focus of web content, design and usability features, average monthly page views grew by 380% or 1.6M since the site was launched in December 2017. The reworked site also generated approximately 54,000 new website registrations.

Of the win, Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing said, “We take pride in co-creating the revamped SMSUPERMALLS. COM with our shoppers and we share this recognition with them.”

“Our website boldly hinged its new look, content, and interactivity on the results of an online website improvement survey participated by over 11,000 shoppers,” said San Agustin. “Indeed, listening and responding to our customers’ needs were key in innovating our corporate platform from a laid back advertising tool into an interactive, fun digital experience that bannered Filipino netizens’ most valued ‘SM moments’ in just a click.”

The Digify-SM Supermalls partnership began in late 2015.

The notable project that earned a Stevie recognition is just one of the initiatives that Digify and SM Supermalls have pursued with the goal of engaging customers in new and innovative ways using digital media. In 2017, the Stevie Awards also recognized Digify’s work on the SM Supermalls Mobile App ‘Download & Win’ for Innovation in General Information and General Utility Apps, that earned a Gold Award.

Each year, the award-giving body honors the achievements of companies and business people worldwide. Besting a pool of over 900 nominations, Digify’s output for SM Supermalls will be awarded on May 31 in Singapore.

Digify’s General Manager Evert Miranda attributes their efficient working relationship with SM Supermalls to the passionate teams behind the projects. “As a tech company, we strive to be nimble and keep our ears to the ground to remain relevant and keen on opportunities. The driving force of Digify has always been our talented teams in technology and creatives,” Miranda said.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of GMA New Media, Digify provides leading edge sensor technologies for mixed reality applications, beacon proximity marketing, and tech applications. The technocreative lab has also established its expertise in content production and end-to-end software solutions for standalone digital and integrated marketing campaigns.

DOWN 1 Kitchen item 2 In charge of 3 Only 4 Annoys 5 Cacti defense 6 Respiratory organ 7 Implored 8 “New” prefix 9 Figure out 10 Point the finger 11 Tern cousin 12 Eurasian range 13 House shaders 21 Revise 22 Furtive whisper 25 Automatons 26 Poet’s black 27 Give feedback 28 Chain mail 29 Tougher 31 Synthetic silk 32 Sweater style (hyph.)

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Charlize Theron in a few scenes from 'Tully,’ which stream on FOX+

S

TARRING Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, Tully is a comedy-drama that shows us a raw and emotional side to motherhood that might not have gotten the spotlight before, as well as the importance of solidarity and empathy towards mothers.

The film is written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman, marking the fourth project that the pair has collaborated on. In the past, Cody and Reitman have worked on Jennifer’s Body (2009), the critically acclaimed Juno (2007), and most recently, Young Adult (2011), which also starred Charlize Theron.

Theron, who plays Marlo in Tully, is

a mother of two with a third on the way. This unplanned pregnancy has not come at the best time for Marlo and her husband Drew, due to how young their first children are and the fact that one of them, Jonah, has an undiagnosed developmental disorder. Marlo’s world is brimming with tension and stress— between Drew always being pulled

away on business trips, her pregnancy, and two children who need more attention that she could possibly give, it’s a warzone. And if that’s not enough, their new-born enters the picture and the anarchy has tripled.

Moviegoers are no strangers to seeing the pressures of motherhood on screen, but what Tully does differently is in the biting honesty of its portrayal. Theron is fearless in her role, displaying each and every unglamorous reality of maternity.

“I have found people watching the trailer going, ‘So what happens? Does the nanny kill you?’” Theron shares in an interview with Vulture. “No, she actually rescues me. We have been so inundated with those ideas that a woman can’t care for another woman, and that’s so sad.”

It’s Davis’ and Theron’s portrayals as well as the script’s depiction of women that has gotten Tully so much praise and critical acclaim. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich says: “Tully never pulls at your heartstrings quite

as hard as it might, but there’s something beautiful about the way these two women both learn to love themselves, and in a way that also makes it easier for them to love each other.” Several other critics have also commended the brutally powerful and moving performances from both actresses, each carving out the soul of the film for audiences to see.

Tully ends in a stroke of genius from the writers — with a twist that has the whole internet buzzing. But for reasons that go without saying, curious movie-watchers will have to find out for themselves.

Safe to say, however, that the film is a beautiful and honest ode to the experience of motherhood and the importance of empathizing with them. It delves into the heart and soul of the journey—beauty, madness, strength and all, for the rest of the world to see and be unendingly grateful for.

Stream something new and catch Tully on FOX+.

An election postscript

BEFORE I even congratulate all the winners in the recently concluded political exercise that was the mid-term election, let me enumerate first the realities that happened which we can no longer deny: we do not have any solid Catholic vote; we do not follow our Church leaders; we don’t believe in their pastoral letters; and we don’t take the words of the holy, hook, line and sinker.

No rich and famous vote either. Who wins or loses in the election is the least of their worries. We cannot count on the intellectual, literati or culturati vote. They are very few and are only noisy on social media. We also don’t have the power of the pink vote. Some claim that 10 percent of a given population is supposedly gay, the majority were asleep during the election exercise and those who wanted to vote, opted not to because of the scorching heat.

Another demographic, the 26 million strong youth vote did not muster enough number to rock the boat and shake the status quo. They were too busy playing their online games and yes, sad to say, it seems that they’d rather watch

Saturday, May 18, 2019

59 Panache 61 Lectern’s place 63 Gambling stake 64 Where’s —?

65 Women’s links org.

66 Football cheers 67 Parcels out 68 Itches

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A side of motherhood we hardly see

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Splendor 5 Threw 10 Feverish chill 14 State definitely 15 Reduce to mush 16 Biceps exercise 17 Successor to Claudius 18 Silver bar 19 Chowder morsel 20 Retaliation 22 Tows 23 Type of poem 24 Sheath 27 Dashing 30 Remark 34 Jaunty lid 35 Monastic head 37 Miller or Blyth 38 Edible tubers 39 Sing like Bing 40 Looked over 41 Kind of system 42 Egypt’s Anwar — 43 Alliances 44 Freaky 46 Drew up 48 Rows of seats 50 To date 51 Place in a larger urn 54 Infuriates 58 Norse deity

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

34 Parting words 36 Glamorous wrap 39 Canary’s home 40 Jubilantly 42 Foul mood 43 Propagated 45 Sets right 47 Water-powered electrical generators 49 Pint-sized 51 Lion’s bellow 52 Novelist — Ferber

53 — helmet (safari wear) 55 Candy striper 56 Ponytail site 57 Billboard 59 Send along an email, briefly 60 Thai language 62 Airline to Stockholm

WINNER'S CIRCLE. Actors turned politicians Vilma Santos, Richard Gomez, Isko Moreno, and Alfred Vargas are among those celebrities who triumphed in the recently concluded mid-term elections. and be turned on with the daily flirtation and shenanigans that transpire between Vice Ganda and his alleged lover, Ion Perez in It’s Showtime.

With the counting of winners nearing its end, celebrities, even those with showbiz affiliations, associations, and the ordinary voters that flocked to the polling centers, many are feeling triumphant, even overjoyed with victories of Isko Moreno as Mayor of Manila and Vico Sotto, as Mayor of Pasig. A new hope has finally started.

Alfred Vargas, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Yul Servo and Vilma Santos-Recto all secured once more their seats in Congress because of their track record.

Other major winners are: Daniel Fer-

nando won as governor of Bulacan; Dan Fernandez as congressman of Laguna; Precious Hipolito-Castelo as congresswoman of 2nd Dist., QC.; and Lani Mercado as the Mayor of Bacoor, Cavite.

Victorious as well: Imelda Papin, vice governor; Ina Alegre, mayor of Pola, Oriental Mindoro; Lino Cayetano, mayor of Taguig City; and Richard Gomez is still stationed as mayor of Ormoc.

Also claiming their rightful places are councilors Hero Bautista (QC), Jhong Hilario (Makati), Charee Pineda (Valenzuela), Boy Christopher (Sto. Tomas, Batangas), Vandolph Quizon, Jomari Yllana, and Ryan Yllana of Parañaque, JC Parker of Angeles City, and King Gutierrez in Bacoor.

Part of the winners’ circle are Rizal Provincial Board Member Jestoni Alarcon and Angelica Jones in Laguna. Jolo Revilla is uncontested as vice governor of Cavite. Girlie ‘Maita’ Ejercito also won as Vice Mayor of Pagsanjan.

Edu Manzano did not realize his dream of becoming a congressman despite superstar Coco Martin’s all-out support. But he was successful with Lito Lapid and the party-list bearing the title of his longest running action drama. Yassi Pressman was with him in its political advertisement.

Not all celebrities were destined to win. Some premium examples, ER Ejercito, Gary Estrada, Roderick Paulate, Monsour del Rosario, Richard Yap, Long Mejia, Dominic Ochoa, Rochelle Barrameda, Jeremy Marquez, Andrea del Rosario, Dagul, Jan Marini, Aileen Papin, Maricel Morales, Sheryl Cruz, Mark Lapid, and Rommel Padilla.

With regard to Rommel, the presence of his son Daniel Padilla and his girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo, as well as the supposedly Queen Mother, Karla Estrada, in his campaign was not enough to convince the voters to give him his congressional chance.

The Gonzaga’s sisters, Alex and Toni, have not blessed their father with his dream to become a mayor? Can we safely conclude that the once-dynamic sisters are no longer influencers and popular?

Kris Aquino’s endorsement of Bam Aquino and JunJun Binay did not matter as well.

My consolations, which made me smile, now that election is almost a done deal, the oldest senatorial aspirant, his political career finally ended.

The reign of the Estradas also concluded. Defeated in Manila (Erap). Vanquished in San Juan (Janella). Obliterated in the Senate (JV and Jinggoy).

Though Bong Revilla’s sins are already forgiven and forgotten by the majority of the populace, one small victory to end today’s ARIAS, Mocha Uson’s party list was weighed unworthy. We win some, we lose some, indeed.

Entertainment

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

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SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

Extra sweet in new chapter TONI Gonzaga’s new beginning in Home Sweetie, Home became extra sweet as television viewers continued to support her and the show’s new set of characters last Saturday (May 11).

According to Kantar Media, more Filipinos were hooked to the laughs rought by Julie’s new family as the show registered 27.3 percent versus Pepito Manaloto’s 18.7 percent.

Aside from winning the ratings games, the Saturday comedy show also notched the number one slot in the trend chart of Twitter nationwide.

Netizens expressed their happiness upon seeing Vhong Navarro, Alex Gonzaga, Bayani Agbayani, and Luis Manzano, in one show. Fans of PBB Otso adult housemates, Fumiya Sankaiand Yamyam Gucong, applauded the tandem’s performance

in their first episode.

Last Saturday (May 11), Julie moved into her Tita Oya’s (Rio Locsin) house after losing her own to a fire. Coincidentally, she gets to meet Mikee (Alex) for the first time after her Tita Oya allowed her sister to stay after the mother of the latter was convicted of fraud.

Apart from her sister, she gained a new set of friends in her co-borders, Pip (Luis), Edwin (Bayani), and Ferdie (Vhong) plus the other people living in the barangay, Hiro (Fumiya), an exchange student, Bogs (Yamyam), a caretaker of the ‘pera padala’ owned by Kap Frank (Bobot Mortiz), the captain of the barangay.

Keep watching Julie and her new family in Home Sweetie Home every Saturday after TV-Patrol.

The new cast of 'Home Sweetie, Home' led by Toni Gonzaga (2nd from left) with Bayani Agbayani, Vhong Navarro, and Alex Gonzaga. (Inset) Fumiya and Yamyam.

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ULTIHYPHENATE star Matteo Guidicelli is NICKIE WANG embarking on a new journey.

From karting driver to being a triathlete, and from being an actor to a singer, the 29-year-old Fil-Italian is seriously considering joining the military force. In fact, he has already joined the Philippine Army as a reservist in April.

A photo with President Rody Duterte where Matteo discussed his projects for the Philippine Army.

Matteo officially joined the Philippine Army as a reservist in April

“ I want to start doing things on my own, doing different things. I wanted to learn about the military so I can contribute more,” he told Manila Standard in an interview.

Matteo will launch “Sundo” in a show on May 24 at the Music Hall at Metrowalk, a few days before he undergoes military training from May 27 to July 1. He is joining the scout ranger training in Camp Pecson in Bulacan.

We asked if the “rigid training” is still part of the Armed Forces’ reservist program, the singer-actor replied: “ It’s different from being a reservist where you’ll be taking basic military skills.

When I was skydiving, I saw some soldiers training and I asked them. They said it was for scout rangers training. It’s a 45-day course for you to become a scout ranger. If you pass it, you can take the sixmonth ranger course. Of course, I cannot take the six months because of my work.

So, I said maybe 45 days is possible.”

Little did many people know, Matteo

has always been interested in joining the military. He even encourages his celebrity friends to follow suit and help him lobby the reinstatement of ROTC. “It’s preparing you for that day if ever your country needs you. Along those lines, you can also do so much as a reservist. This is our advocacy so I’ve been going to schools, trying to push for ROTC again. Why? The youth nowadays, the patriotism that people had before, is not there anymore. So, we’re trying to put that back, to promote love for country,” he affirmed.

“Look at Singapore and Korea, they have a big number of reservists. We also need that here,” he added.

The Fil-Italian mutt clarified that he’s not getting any monetary compensation for being part of the reservist program.

He’s doing it because he wants to serve the country and pay his respects to soldiers.

“We have over a hundred soldiers who died for our country. As a civilian, how can I help? How can I show importance

SNAPSHOT

Miss Teen Philippines grand coronation on ABS-CBN WATCH the country’s premier beauty search for smart and confident teens tomorrow, May 19, on ABS-CBN, 11:30 p.m., right after Gandang Gabi Vice. More than just a beauty search, the pageant also serves as a platform for the eventual winners to become youth ambassadors and potential beauty queens.

The coronation is mastered to the

fullest, presented on a 24 state of the art LED stage. A DJ (disc jockey) in a consistent musical presentation with IV of Spades serenading the 31 finalists on stage together with Inigo Pascual and the G-Force Dancers. Produced by YETE Foundation, MTP 2019 is hosted by actor-model Matteo Guidicelli and singer-actress Tippy Dos Santos.

Meet nd 2 Lt. Matteo Guidicelli

to soldiers? A new opportunity came, the reservist came, and this is my advocacy on reminding Filipinos to be proud of Filipinos. We look at the flag and we should be proud to be Filipino. Despite many things happening and people disagreeing, at the end of the day, we are proud to be Pinoy.”

Being away for 45 days means Matteo will not have any communication with the outside world, including his family and girlfriend Sarah Geronimo, since mobile phones are banned during training.

“At first, they were scared. Not just Sarah, but also my parents. ‘Matteo, why are you doing this? You have a career.

Do you wanna go to war?’” the singeractor shared adding that the 45 days that he’s going to be away will be the biggest challenge of his life.

“I’ve been trying to prepare myself physically, but mentally, I don’t know. I don’t have a military background, I don’t know what I’m gonna go through. This will be something new and challenging.

So, I feel that I’ll learn about discipline and leadership. Hopefully, everything will go

With girlfriend Sarah Geronimo

well,” he said.

Meanwhile, before his training, Matteo will headline a show to launch his new single “Sundo.”This is his first single under his new record label, Viva Records after he signed with the company just a few months ago.

It might have taken Matteo two years before releasing a new track but his fans patiently waited for this highly- anticipated comeback. This may as well be because of how he throws himself completely in everything he does. Whether it was being a skilled race car driver during his younger years, or faring well on the famous Ironman triathlon, or having a laser-like focus on his career, Matteo makes sure that his passion comes through every endeavor he takes.

For latest updates, you can follow him on his social media accounts: Facebook: (facebook.com/ matteog) Matteo Guidicelli Twitter: matteoguidicelli Instagram: matteog

‘The Clash’ Season 2 gears up for series of auditions nationwide THE search for the next singing sensation is back.

After its successful first season, GMA Network’s musical competition The Clash opens its doors once again to all talented Filipinos who will become the country’s next singing superstar.

“This year, we are looking forward to welcome a fresh batch of talented individuals who have what it takes to earn the title,” said director Bert de Leon who is also one of the members of the screening panel. “We are so excited to see what the hopefuls have to offer this time. The search is wider this time.”

After scouring Zamboanga, Iloilo, and Cebu for the first leg of auditions, The Clash is ready to discover aspirants in Pangasinan today (May 18). Joining the auditions at Magic Mall MMX Event Center are The Clash alumni Garrett Bolden, Psalms David, Esterlina Olmedo, Anthony Rosaldo and last year’s champion Golden Cañedo who will be performing special intermission numbers.

Auditions will be from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..

The competition is open to all male and

female Filipinos, amateur and professional, 16 years old and above. Interested applicants need to bring the original and photocopy of their birth certificate and one recent photo (4R half body). They also need to prepare at least two songs for the audition with minus-1 on a USB flash drive.

The next auditions will be held on the following dates and venues: Veranza Mall, General Santos City (May 25); NCCC Mall Buhangin, Davao City (May 26); Robinsons Place, Iligan (May 31); and Robinsons Place, Bacolod (June 1).

Aside from these schedules, there will be more auditions for the competition including Metro Manila which will be announced on GMA and will be posted on the show’s official Facebook page @TheClashGMA. Catch the return of The Clash soon on GMA.

'The Clash' season 1 champion Golden Cañedo