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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 150 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PUMP PRICES ON UPSWING: P1 PER LITER

UN FLUMMOXED BY PH REACTION

By Alena Mae Flores CONSUMERS may have to brace for higher oil prices starting Tuesday this week as pump prices could go up by as much as P1 per liter. “Expect fuel prices to go up next week. Diesel should go up by P0.65 to P0.75 and gasoline should go up by P1.00 to P1.10,” Unioil Philippines said in its weekly price forecast. Last July 9, most of the oil companies increased the price of gasoline by P0.25 but cut the price of diesel and kerosene by P0.40 and P0.35, respectively. Oil companies adjust pump prices on a weekly basis while prices vary depending on the brand, location and market forces. Year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P5.15 per liter for gasoline, P3.30 per liter for diesel and P1.75 per liter for kerosene, according to the Energy Department. World oil prices fell in Asia during the trading week of July 1 to 5, weighted down by Energy Information Agency data report showing smaller-than-expected draw on US crude inventory stockpiles. DOE said weak demand from the US could be a sign of slowing economy. Turn to A2

ANTI-GRAFT EXEC TRAINS GUNS ON LENI

SATURDAY NIGHTMARE.

Residents of Madrid and Carmen towns in Surigao del Sur were awakened Saturday to levels of terror when a magnitude-5.8 earthquake rumbled underneath them at 4.42 a.m., more than 40 minutes before sunrise, injuring at least 51 and damaging several homes, churches like the Carmen Parish Church whose roof collapsed, other buildings and infrastructures (inset). The country’s seismology office has recorded seven less intense aftershocks. PIA

By Vito Barcelo VICE President Leni Robredo may be impeached for supporting the United Nations Human Rights Council’s planned probe into the Philippine government’s war on drugs, according to Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Manuelito Luna. In a statement, Luna said that Robredo’s expression of support to the UNHRC resolution against the Philippine government was considered a Constitutional violation for describing the Philippines as guilty of human rights violations “For the nth time, she has made it appear that the government is guilty of human rights abuses, and that’s betrayal of public trust,” Luna said, adding “It’s about time that she should be held to account for her political sins against the Filipino people.” According to Article XI, Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution, “The President, the Vice President, the Members of the Supreme Court, Turn to A2

51 HURT IN SURIGAO QUAKE; HOMES, CHURCHES DAMAGED FIFTY-ONE people were injured and several homes, churches and other buildings damaged on Saturday when an earthquake sent terrified residents of the southern Philippines fleeing their homes before dawn, police said. The 5.8-magnitude shallow quake struck the northeast coast of Mindanao island at 4:42 a.m., with the Philippine seismology office recording seven less intense aftershocks. Officers at the police station in Madrid town, near the epicenter, ducked beneath tables as the glass door of a filing cabinet splintered and

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

a television set fell to the floor and shattered, police chief Lieutenant Wilson Uanite said. “We saw people running out of their homes. A number of residences sustained minor damage like cracked walls,” Uanite told AFP by telephone. Patients were also evacuated briefly at the Madrid District Hospital, which sustained cracks on its concrete walls, he added. The roof of an old car park in Madrid collapsed, causing slight damage to the town’s two fire trucks and three cars, Uanite said. Turn to A2

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ARIGATO. Workers arrange the new set of rails that arrived from Japan Wednesday which are set to replace the stretch of the MRT 3’s main line tracks. Norman Cruz

ISKO: NO AMBITION TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT By Vito Barcelo M A N I L A M ayo r Fra n c i s co Domagoso, whose open governance effort have gone viral on social media platforms, said he has no ambition to run for the country’s highest office in 2022. “There’s more problem there (presidency) than in Manila, I owe it to the people of Manila and we deserve something else. I would rather focus on my mandate to the people Manila because they are expecting more,” Domagoso said. Moreno continues to hug the limelight for his unrelenting drive against illegal street and sidewalk vendors in Divisoria, Blumentritt, Quiapo ang Sta Cruz areas. He said that after his term ends as Manila mayor, he would rather teach on local governance. “Honestly, I have been teaching lectures in the local governments. I will share my experiences more than academic provisions syllabus and laws of Local Government Code,” he said. During the inspection of creeks and rivers in Manila, Moreno said the city government of Manila will cooperate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the rehabilitation of the polluted Malate creek. Moreno said they will meet with DENR staff at Manila City Hall on July 16 to plan for the cleanup of the Malate creek, which is a tributary that drains into the sea and pollutes Manila Bay.

AUCTION OF P1.7-B PROPERTIES SET By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City government on Saturday announced it is set to auction off real properties of owners who failed to settle tax obligation totaling P1.73 billion.

City chief legal officer Michael Camiña said the auction date will be finalized by the Office of the City Treasurer. He reminded all concerned property owners to act promptly to settle their dues or lose their property altogether. “We are calling on all property owners with delinquent real property tax payments to immediately settle your outstanding obligations with the city.

We are definitely going to auction off properties that remain delinquent despite several notices to the owners, including public notices in the newspapers,” Camiña said. Makati has a total of P5.50-billion tax delinquency, but only delinquent properties“without restrictions”totaling P1.73 billion will be put up for auction. Delinquent properties in the city

“with restrictions” with tax delinquency amounting to P3.76 billion are those that cannot be auctioned off because of various impediments, such as legal disputes, government properties, and street lots. These include the Metro Rail Transit with around P2 billion in outstanding tax obligation to the city and a pending court case. Camiña also reminded those who have bought properties in Makati to promptly register the transfer of ownership and update their tax declaration with the Assessment Department (Assessor’s Office) at the 2nd floor of Makati City Hall.

“The Treasurer’s Office has encountered a number of cases where billing notices remain undelivered as the owner cannot be located in the address on record. It may be because the property already has a new owner, and yet our official city records still reflect the name and address of the previous owner,” Camiña said. He said the new property owner should take the initiative to put the records of ownership in order and fulfill his or her obligation to pay the correct RPT amount on the due date. Otherwise, the property will continue to incur penalties and the payable amount will balloon over time.

LABOR GROUP DARES ANG PROBINSYANO REP. TO RESIGN THE labor group Partido Manggagawa demanded that Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred de los Santos resign as congressman if he is truly sorry for punching a waiter in Legazpi, Albay. “If De los Santos won’t voluntarily resign then he must be axed by his party-list group or the House Ethics Committee,” said Rene Magtubo, PM national chairman. “A student who punches his peer is liable to be expelled from school. A worker who hits a customer will definitely be terminated, and will probably be arrested and jailed. But De los Santos is still walking free and engaging in verbal acrobatics to assuage the public outrage.”

Magtubo said De los Santos is an example of how the party-list system has been “truly bastardized.” “On the one hand, we have a party-list rep who attacks and abuses a lowly worker. On the other hand, the richest House representative is a partylist congressman.” Magtubo said. “A party-list representative should bravely stand up for labor and take the government to task for the country being named as among the 10 worst countries for workers. Instead we have the sad spectacle of Ang Probinsyano Rep. De los Santos caught punching an ordinary worker,” he added. Vito Barcelo

CARS MAKE WAY FOR TWO-WHEEL REVOLUTION IN PARIS PARIS—With the wind rushing through their hair, they zip past on bikes, electric scooters and mono wheels, effortlessly passing lines of hot-and-bothered drivers stuck in the endless Paris traffic. In the French capital, the new mobility revolution has caught on fast, with locals and tourists embracing the growing array of app-based ways to get around. And with climate change bringing frequent heatwaves and more peak pollution alerts, Paris is beginning to push back against the dominance of the car. Not only is the city upgrading its public transport system offering of interurban trains, buses and the metro, it is also enjoying an unparalleled explosion of alternatives. “Our cities have been colonized by cars. They get into the smallest gaps, today we need to put them back into their proper place,” says Christophe Najdovski, the city’s deputy mayor who has responsibility for transport. “In Paris, they are only used for 10 percent of daily trips but they take up 50 percent of the public space.” Today, just over a third – 37 percent – of Parisian homes have a car, and that drops to one in five in the city center, according to the mayor’s office. “The priority is to enable city dwellers to get around,” says Jean-Pierre Orfeuil, an engineer who specializes in urban mobility. “Generally speaking, those who are using these new means of transport are people who used to use the metro,” he said. “So they haven’t played a role in easing the traffic.” AFP

GAY PENGUINS AND LIONS? MUNICH’S ‘WILD’ GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION MUNICH, Germany—Organizers of this year’s Gay Pride week in Munich have a group of rather wild partners— penguins, giraffes and lions at the city zoo where tours are being run about same-sex love in the animal kingdom. The Munich zoo has joined Pride week with an unusual look into the intimate lives of all creatures great and small, seeking to boost tolerance among humans. “It is important for us to talk about” homosexuality in the animal kingdom and show that same-sex love has its place in Nature, said Munich zoo spokesman Dennis Spaeth. “Because unfortunately in Germany we see more and more people from the reactionary right attacking LGBTQI rights.” While even mostly-Catholic Bavaria has grown more accepting and lawmakers legalized gay marriage in 2017, non-heterosexuals are sometimes still a target for violence. Police recorded 91 attacks based on the victim’s sexual orientation last year. In the safe confines of the zoo, the first stop on the Pride tour is the giraffes. The blotchy animals spare visitors only occasional curious glances from behind their long eyelashes as they enjoy a meal of hay. “Giraffes are bisexual. In some groups, 90 percent of the acts observed are in fact homosexual in nature,” explained biologist Guenter Strauss. AFP

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UNITED Nations senior official has warned there will be consequences if the Philippines would reject the results of the UN review of the country’s human rights situation, with one senator suggesting the Philippines cut ties immediately with Iceland. Iceland drafted a resolution on July 4 which pushed the United Nations Human Rights Council to call for concrete actions against the rising number of killings in the Philippines, including those under the violent anti-illegal drug campaign. Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, told CNN Philippines Friday: “Of course, it [the Philippines] can continue to reject the call of the international community, it can continue to ignore the calls from within the Philippines itself, it can continue to do all of those things. “However, I think every refusal will eventually have a much higher price that it does right now. Eventually, there facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

will be a cost attached to the denial and to the violations.” In related developments: • Former presidential spokesperson and human rights lawyer Harry Roque sees nothing wrong with the Philippine National Police releasing data on killings linked to anti-drug operations if they have nothing to hide. “Personally, it would be better for the police to prepare data and give the same to the High Commissioner on Human Rights,” he said in Tagalog, in an interview Saturday on Dobol B sa News TV heard nationwide. “They would be able to show there that many of those who died tried to fight back,” he added, still talking in Tagalog. Turn to A2

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Vice President Leni Robredo

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ANTI-GRAFT...

US, PH SET BILATERAL DIALOG ON DEFENSE, COUNTER TERROR

From A1

the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.” The PACC Commissioner said Robredo’s alleged portrayal of Duterte administration as guilty of human rights violations constituted betrayal of public trust. Robredo has urged the government to welcome the UN’s inquiry into the human rights situation in the Philippines, if the government is not hiding something. “It’s about time that she should be held to account for her political sins against the Filipino people,” Luna said. The Vice President has also said it is “shameful” that other countries have called for an investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. On Friday, the Commission on Human Rights supported the passage of a resolution by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate the rising killings in the Philippines, including under the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. “We, the Commission on Human Rights reiterate our previous calls for the Government to allow thorough, transparent, and independent investigations of all alleged violations of human rights in the country and in particular to fully cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights, victims’ groups, and other local and international stakeholders by demonstrating to the world that our local mechanisms are genuinely working and are sufficient to address demands for justice and the rule of law to prevail,” its statement read. The commission challenged the Duterte administration to welcome any probe. “Rather than maintaining acrimony and hurling threats of possible consequences, to show that it has nothing to hide and is willing to adhere to the global standards expected of a member of the UN Human Rights Council—the Philippine government must open spaces for dialogue with other nations that have expressed their concerns about the human rights situation in the country to show resolve that we can most certainly improve,” it said. “It must show both the international community and our own people that it is willing and able to hold perpetrators to account, to protect all human rights defenders, to stop the killings, and to end impunity,” it added. As an independent institution mandated by the Constitution to monitor State Compliance with All Human Rights Norms and Standards, the CHR as a constructive partner is ready to assist as best it can in the pursuit of this endeavor, its statement further read. Last July 4, Iceland filed a draft resolution urging the UNHRC to act on the rising number of killings in the Philippines, including those under the violent anti-illegal drug campaign. The draft resolution called on the government to cooperate with UN offices and mechanisms by facilitating country visits and “refraining from all acts of intimidation or retaliation.” Of the 47 nations under the UNHRC, 18 voted in favor of the draft resolution, while 14 voted in opposition. At least 15 abstained. The UNHRC approved the resolution seeking a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Philippines as well as extrajudicial killings in connection with the government’s drug war. With Rio N. Araja

PUMP PRICES...

From A1

Other developments also impacted on pump prices early this month such as the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to extend production cut by nine months. Fears of slowing oil demand growth resulting from uncertainties surrounding the China-US Trade development also had an impact on oil prices last week.

HE United States and the Philippines are scheduled to hold their two-day eighth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue Monday in Manila, with focus on bolstering the two nations’ ties in defense, criminal justice, and economics. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim will join the US delegation co-chaired by Assistant Secretary David Stilwell of State Department East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Assistant Secretary Randall Schriver of the US Department of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. The Philippine delegation will be co-chaired by Foreign Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo and

Defense Undersecretary for Operations Cesar Yano. The BSD is an annual consultation mechanism to discuss the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the US. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Fernandez said this year’s discussions would focus on strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism, defense and se-

curity, economics, law enforcement, and criminal justice, among others. Aside from Kim, Stilwell and Schriver, the US delegation will include Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Hugo Yon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Jorgan Andrews, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia Mark Clark. This will be Stilwell’s first trip to the region since becoming Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs last month. The previous BSD was held in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 30 to

Dec. 1, 2017, while the last BSD took place in Manila in January 2015. In the seventh BSD, the two sides explored ways to increase cooperation in the areas of science and technology, agriculture and fisheries, and health and environment. They also looked forward to expanding a free, fair and reciprocal bilateral trade, including through exploring a potential Free Trade Agreement. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea in the South China Sea, and stressed the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention. PNA

BATTLING FIRE.

Arson probers are trying to determine the cause of the fire that razed a residential block in Manila’s crowded Tondo district on Saturday, with firefighters atop roofs trying to hose down the flames while others are having difficulty penetrating the narrow streets and extinguishing the fire after exhausting their water tank used earlier to put out a fire in Quezon City. Norman Cruz

UN FLUMMOXED...

51 HURT... From A1

From A1

Roque was weighing in on a resolution adopted by the UNHRC which instructed UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet to write a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Philippines and present it to the council. As the report will look into thousands of deaths linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war, PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde claimed there was no need to do so as the country’s own Commission on Human Rights was capable of investigating the matter. As to whether the PNP would provide data to the UNHCR in line with the resolution, Albayalde said he would leave the decision to higher authorities. • In the Senate, Senator Imee Marcos wants the Philippines to immediately cut ties with Iceland, saying the Philippines should “cut diplomatic ties with Iceland ASAP,” citing how developed nations should not impose on other sovereign countries. “A strong statement is in order that the values and political agenda of other countries, many of them developed countries like Iceland, cannot be imposed on an independent country like the Philippines,” Marcos said in a statement Saturday. Marcos pointed out that “not even half” of the 47-member rights body voted for the resolution, echoing Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s response that “the resolution was not

universally adopted.” Marcos also hit developed nations for allowing abortion, saying this showed their “distorted values and double-standard morality.” “They point a finger at the Philippines for alleged human rights violations, yet they justify the killing of defenseless, unborn children,” said Marcos. Marcos said other countries “cannot presume to know better how we should enforce our own drug laws.” The Philippine government has condemned the UN Human Rights Council’s approval of a resolution on Thursday that asks the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to probe the killings and other alleged human rights abuses in the country. Locsin, Jr. said any probe resulting from the resolution “will not be allowed in the country” and warned “there will be consequences” as the human rights body has insulted Filipinos in passing a baseless measure. Callamard said, “rejection of the resolution itself may not have a cost, what will have a cost is the rejection of the findings of the inquiry.” “The cost can take many shapes—it can be sanctions, it can be something related to the assistance, developmental assistance, it can be symbolic, it can be economic, it can be political,” she explained. But Callamard stressed the sanctions were a “last remedy,” hoping that the Philippines would eventually

heed the call of the international community. “I’m hoping that the resolution is sending a signal to the government that they must proceed with the recommendations which are: investigate properly all the killings that have taken place at the hands of the police, put an end to the brutal war on drugs, adopt a human rights-based approach to fighting crimes,” Callamard said. “What we really, really want is for the government to do the right thing.” Iceland’s resolution, which 18 other states of the 47-member Human Rights Council voted to adopt, also urged the Philippines to conduct an independent investigation into the killings and alleged rights violations. Fourteen other nations, including the Philippines and China, voted against it. The remaining 15 abstained. On the part of the United Nations, Callamard said the next step would be for it to identify who will lead its probe, and determine how it will be conducted if the government would refuse access to investigators. Callamard herself previously tried to investigate the country’s bloody war on drugs but was repeatedly criticized and threatened by President Rodrigo Duterte. Callamard said it was “very unlikely” for her to be tapped to help out with the review now, noting that the investigation is all up to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The impact was also felt in four neighboring towns, damaging homes, two Catholic churches, a hotel, a gym, a bridge and a public market, while toppled power pylons blocked a key road, the civil defense office in the region said. A restaurant tipped over into a nearby river in Cantilan town, while residents reported broken plates and glass and ceramic decorative figurines in their homes, police officer Johannes Tipon told AFP by telephone. In Cantilan, masonry from a construction site fell through the roof of a neighboring house, injuring a girl and her father as they slept, Tipon added. The US Geological Service said Saturday’s quake occurred at a depth of 11.8 kilometers (7.3 miles). The Philippines is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. The country’s most recent deadly quake occurred in April when at least 11 people were killed and a supermarket collapsed in a 6.3-magnitude tremor that hit Pampanga north of Manila. AFP

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BRACING FOR THE BIG ONE: MMDA SETS MASSIVE DRILL By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Metro Manila Development Authority on Saturday urged various sectors in the National Capital Region to join and take seriously this year´s earthquake drill, which will be conducted at dawn on July 27, following a series of earthquakes that struck the Philippines, the latest of which hit

Siargao in Surigao Saturday dawn. The quake drill, which will start as early as 4 a.m., aims to inform the people about survival methods and the “do’s and dont’s” before, during and after the disaster. At least 25 people were injured and homes and other buildings were damaged during the Siargao

temblor that sent terrified residents fleeing their homes. MMDA assistant secretary and spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago appealed to the public to take the event as an opportunity to enhance their earthquake preparedness. “Let us all join this exercise as we try out our earthquake preparedness and capabilities at night. Earthquakes may occur anytime and it is best to be ready at all times,” said Pialago. She said the event is an annual event initiated by the agency in line with the government efforts to sustain information campaign on the risks and dangers of a strong quake. MMDA chief of staff Michael Salalima said they hope to elevate this year’s event with more realistic simulation of earthquake preparedness and response plans and protocols together with the local government units. “We want to simulate how long it will take for all concerned agencies and units to get to designated emergency operations center and staging areas. For the first time, agency personnel and response teams will not come from the office

but from their homes in wee hours,” said Salalima. “We want to test everything time on target. Once the signal starts at 4 a.m., that’s the only time our people will move, set up communications and various resources.,” he added. The MMDA also requested the participation of Manila Water, Maynilad, Meralco, Globe and Smart to provide them a semblance of close to life scenarios to be staged for the drill. The scenarios are based on studies that there will be more casualties during the evening where everyone’s mostly home than daytime when most people are in the schools or offices. “And for the first time also, we are seeing a wider and full participation of the private sector with no less than the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and National Resilience Council leading the initiatives,” Salalima stated. The MMDA is also coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission and telecommunication companies Globe, Smart and Sun for the short messaging service (SMS) that will be sent to the public informing them about the start of the drill.

DZRH TURNS 80 DZRH, the longest-running radio network in the Philippines, will celebrate its 80th anniversary on July 15, 2019. Recognized through the years as one of the most reliable sources of radio news, DZRH has evolved into a multimedia content creator, reaching tens of millions of readers, viewers, and listeners in the Philippines and all over the world. “The theme of our 80th anniversary celebration is 80 and Ready,” said Rudolph Jularbal, DZRH station manager. “This theme highlights the spirit of innovation that has made DZRH a timeless, iconic brand synonymous with credibility, fairness, and public service.” The radio news leader first ventured into creating audio content back in 2007 with the birth of DZRH News Television, a 24-hour cable news channel, which is now carried by1,000 cable providers including Cablelink, Cignal, SkyCable and GSAT. Embracing advancement in connectivity, social media, and digital technology, DZRH became one of the first radio stations to broadcast on the digital band and can now be heard over 96.3 MHz HD3. By creating engaging digital content, DZRH has amassed and continues to nurture huge social media communities on Facebook and YouTube. It also operates an online news portal, dzrhnews.copm.ph. DZRH first went on the air back on June 15, 1939 as “KZRH: The Voice of the Philippines,” run by H.E. Heacock, which owned a department store along Escolta, the bustling financial district of pre-war Manila. Under a directive of the Swiss Radio Commission in 1949, the “K” in all Philippine radio stations was replaced with the letter “D,”paving the way for the current callsign, DZRH.

MAKING HAY. While the sun shines, an unidentified pillow vendor roams the streets of Manila, braving the noonday heat and hoping to dispose of his wares before twilight. Sonny Espiritu

RECTO PUSHES WRITE-OFF OF FARMERS’ DEBTS SENATOR Ralph Recto is pushing for a measure seeking to condone all the debts farmers incurred in owning lands covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. “The measure seeks the write-off of all unpaid amortizations, interests, penalties, surcharges on loans secured under CARP,” said Recto. He said the agrarian reform beneficiaries shall be deemed rightful owners of the lands awarded to them once his proposal is approved. Recto explained that landowners whose properties were subjected to land distribution will still be paid. “Their right to be paid on time and based on the legal contracts will be

honored and will not be impaired.” The senator cited an official report, stating that only P2.5 billion of the P14.3 billion in amortization for loans granted to awardees of CARP from 1987 to 2004 was paid. Collection performance by the Land Bank of the Philippines on CARP loans, on the other hand, was about 51 percent as of March 2015. Recto said the total amount of land reform loans for forgiveness is small compared to the hundreds of billions in private sector loans it had written off over the past 40 years. “We have bailed out banks, paid for white elephant projects, amortized foreign loans of dubious benefits, lost

money in bankrupt firms, entered into joint ventures which left us holding the bag,” Recto said. “Government has a history of being generous to corporate deadbeats whose loans we guaranteed and eventually assumed. But we have not extended the same consideration to the farming poor. When can government be a white knight to indebted farmers who are being squeezed between rising production costs and falling crop prices?” he added. Recto said condoning the loans will be a big load off farmer’s backs and also from offices that manage these receivables. Joel E. Zurbano

MARK WPS VICTORY WITH HOLIDAY—SOLON

By Maricel V. Cruz

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Saturday said the date when the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the country against China over the West Philippine Sea should be commemorated every year through a special working holiday. The PCA’s ruling cemented the country’s claim on several islets and land features in the disputed area. Magdalo Party-list Rep. Manuel Cabochan filed House Bill 1947, hoping that the 18th Congress will give due attention this time to the measure and work for its eventual passage. “This is a well-intentioned measure highlighting one of the notable victories of our country,” Cabochan, a first-term congressman, said. “We need to preserve the significance of the PCA ruling for this showed to world that the Philippines, despite being seen as a small nation, can stand up for its rights as an independent and

sovereign state,” he added. HB 1947 also mandates the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to include in their respective curriculum the background of the West Philippine Sea as well as the events leading up to the PCA ruling on July 12, 2016. “The West Philippine Sea dispute will most likely remain as a central issue for our country in the coming years. The future generations of Filipinos should be educated on this matter and its importance to our country’s national security, and food and energy resources,” Cabochan said. The Magdalo solon said that the bill also aims to urge the Philippine government to recognize the PCA ruling. “This bill also hopes to encourage the administration to make use of the PCA ruling to strengthen our own claims. War is not our only option to fight for our rights in our territory, and the PCA ruling proves just that. Unfounded threats of war should not be an excuse to forget our duty to protect our independence and territorial integrity of our nation,” Cabochan added.

PARAMEDICS.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Road Emergency Group members administer first aid to a motorcycle rider who figured in an accident along the busy Libertad Street in Pasay City on Thursday, July 12, 2019. Norman Cruz

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu

CIMATU UPBEAT ON BAY REHAB AN AREA of the Manila Bay may be declared fit for swimming by the end of the year or even earlier, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said on Saturday. With the many projects of Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, who has made the city’s cleanup a priority, it would make rehabilitation work easier and quicker, Cimatu said. Cimatu inspected the baywalk and walked from the part of the bay near the US Embassy to the Manila Yacht Club. Six months since the Manila Bay rehabilitation officially started, Cimatu said there have been improvements in the water quality and that while there is still trash, it’s visibly less compared to that in previous years. That portion of the Manila Bay, while a popular viewing area for sunsets, became a dumping area and ts water quality deemed unsafe for swimming. Cimatu said he was happy with the effects of rehabilitation efforts so far. Cimatu said with the onset of the monsoon season, cleanup efforts may prove more difficult, but he assured that rehabilitation work, including dredging at the bay, would continue despite the rainy season. The Manila Bay cleanup campaign began earlier this year after President Rodrigo Duterte warned establishments along the bay to comply with environment regulations or face closure. Some 40,000 families living near the bay were also major contributors to pollution, according to the city government.

BARANGAY CENTER FOR ELDERLY EYED A LAWMAKER has proposed the creation of Senior Citizens Technology and Livelihood Center in every barangay in the country to motivate and encourage the elderly to take part in the development of society. Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) raised the proposal through House Bill 1347 which aims to maximize the efforts and contributions of senior citizens to nation-building. “To honor the hard work of the senior citizens during their more productive years, we should upheld this opportunity for them to make the most of their role in national development. One of the ways would be to establish a technology and livelihood center where they can learn new skills that would open the doors of opportunity for their gainful employment. It is the very intent of this bill to in fact and in effect widen their base of participation as senior citizens in the nation’s economic development,” Hipolito-Castelo said. The bill mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with the local government units, to 1) set up a Senior Citizens Technology and Livelihood Center in every barangay nationwide, 2) establish technology and livelihood programs and 3) provide guidelines and working mechanisms fitted to the elderly. Hipolito-Castelo said the funds needed to implement provisions of the Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law Hipolito-Castelo cited in the bill’s explanatory note that the State is mandated to prioritize the needs of the underprivileged and the senior citizens. Thus, it shall establish technology and livelihood programs for the benefit of the elderly, their families, and the rest of the community, she said. Maricel V. Cruz

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

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ARIGATO. Workers arrange the new set of rails that arrived from Japan Wednesday which are set to replace the stretch of the MRT 3’s main line tracks. Norman Cruz

AUCTION OF P1.7-B PROPERTIES SET By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City government on Saturday announced it is set to auction off real properties of owners who failed to settle tax obligation totaling P1.73 billion.

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LOST LESSONS: N. KOREANS GET ‘REEDUCATION’ IN SOUTH

EDITORIAL

COUNTRYMEN’S CONCERN

S THE country marked last Friday the third anniversary of the ruling by the arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands on the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea, we cannot ignore the rising sounds of protest against China’s growing sway in the Philippines. Before the weekend, two prominent and unswerving advocates raised once again their vibrant voices the government must assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, on the third anniversary of the Philippines’ victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague against China’s nine-dash line claim.

We share their sentiments and of millions of others the Duterte administration has done “absolutely nothing” to enforce the 2016 arbitral award. The statements by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario at a forum Friday on the West Philippine Sea followed a new survey which showed nine out of 10 Filipinos believe the government should assert the country’s rights to the disputed islands. Carpio himself said, “The (Philippine government’s) claim that enforcing the arbitral award means going to war with China, a war the Philippines will surely lose, is utterly false claim, designed to intimidate the Filipino people to submit to the will of China.” For his part, Del Rosario has underlined his lament that the Duterte administration has done

nothing to implement the arbitral award and instead allowed China to deprive the Filipinos of what is theirs by continuing to shelve the tribunal’s decision. Del Rosario said the Philippines is “still succumbing to threats of force including threat of war (and) war is not even a good option for China” since its economy is heavily dependent on global trade. Parallel to the rising concern and sentiments in Metro Manila, notably expressed by rallyists in front of the Chinese consulate, and elsewhere as gathered by the new survey, is the statement by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, saying it is standing by its petition with the Supreme Court seeking to compel the government to protect the marine resources in the West Philippine Sea. Manila must make the step now. Not tomorrow.

By Sunghee Hwang ONE of the first things North Korean defector Ri Kwang-myong did after reaching the South was to go back to school—12 years after finishing his education. North Korea claims a 100 percent literacy rate and boasts that its free compulsory education demonstrates the superiority of its socialist system. But those who escape from the impoverished country often struggle in the South from a lack of basic knowledge. Lessons at North Korean schools are peppered with praise for the leadership, defectors say, and for many, education is also disrupted by grinding poverty or their long journey to freedom. Ri, 31, is among a handful of adult students at Wooridul School in Seoul, an educational haven for North Korean students too old, or lagging academically and so unable to go to appropriate state schools. “Although I studied in the North and graduated, I don’t know much,” said Ri, who went back to school last year, six months after arriving in South Korea. Much of what he was taught in the North was not applicable in his new home, he added: “Everything I learned is different.” Revolutionary studies One of the most important subjects in the North Korean education curriculum is revolutionary studies, which focuses on the ruling Kim family. It starts with two hours a week at the age of six—when pupils are taught the official versions of the childhoods of the country’s founder Kim Il Sung and his son and successor Kim Jong Il, grandfather and father of the current leader Kim Jong Un. Soon afterwards Kim Jong Il’s mother Kim Jong Suk joins the pantheon, and in secondary school six classes a week are devoted to the subject—a significant percentage of the total teaching. When AFP visited Manbok high school in Sonbong, North Korea, principal Ri Myong Guk said: “Our students grow up in the love and care of the party and the state. “We believe it’s important to educate the students with political and revolutionary history so they appreciate the love and care of the great leaders,” he explained. The South Korean government describes the North’s education system as designed to instil “unconditional loyalty to the party and the leader as the most important aspect of life”. And Lee Mi-yeon, a former kindergarten teacher in the North who fled in 2010, added: “They are taught as mythical, God-like figures who created the country and made grenades out of pine cones.” Teachings about the leaders seep into other subjects as well, she said. “If we are teaching about the construction of a building, we have to spend about five minutes to tell a related story about the leader for ideological education,” Lee said. ‘Reeducation is essential’ According to defectors, many young North Koreans were forced to abandon their schooling when the country’s economy collapsed in the mid-1990s and a famine claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Lee Song-hee, a 27-year-old student at Wooridul School, said that after only four months of elementary school in the North she had to drop out to help her mother as they struggled to earn a living. “We roamed through mountains and hills to collect herbal medicines,” said Lee, who was almost illiterate when she first came to the institution in September 2017. Some 60 students are enrolled at the school, one of seven special-purpose academies across the country, offering defectors free education that its principal says is “crucial” for life in the South. “At the very least, re-education in culture, language, social studies and history is essential,” added Yun Dong-ju. It is an issue—along with gaping attitudinal and social differences, among others —that would pose fundamental challenges to any scenario of reunification between the Koreas. In the highly-competitive South - where more than 90 percent of the population finish high school and 40 percent go on to universities—current newcomers are bound to experience huge gaps in education and skills, Yun said. But many lack even the basic education normally given at elementary and middle schools. For school-age defectors, his institution offers a chance to catch up with South Korean cohorts at public schools—but there are some lessons they cannot learn there. Lee Hyung-jong, a researcher at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, warned special purpose schools may have unwanted side effects by reducing children’s interactions with South Koreans of their own age. “School is not just a place for studying,” he said, “but where a student learns how to socialize by building relations with the teachers and with their peers.” AFP

ETERNALLY STINKY CITY? ROME GARBAGE CRISIS SPARKS HEALTH FEARS By Raphaelle Griffon LANDFILLS in flames and rats feasting on waste in the streets have sparked health fears in Rome, as doctors warn families to steer clear of disease-ridden curbside garbage and locals launch a disgusting dumpster contest online. Crowds of summer tourists are forced to navigate overflowing bins in the stifling heat, as the pungent perfume of neglected garbage draws scavenging animals and the threat of disease to the Eternal City and locals fume over the city’s refuse management. Rome’s chief physician Antonio Magi has issued a “hygiene alert,” telling AFP this could be upgraded to a health warning, with disease spread through the feces of insects and animals banqueting on rotting waste. His warning prompted local prosecutors to open an investigation this week into the city’s refuse collection. In the meantime, furious Rome residents have launched a contest

on Twitter to find the most fetid dustbins. Discarded pizza boxes or the remains of spaghetti lunches and fruit rinds draw opportunistic seagulls, rats and even wild boars to the streets of Rome, with wolves also spotted closer to the city’s outskirts than ever before. Adding to the indignation of Rome residents is the steep price they are paying for their garbage to rot in the streets. The city spent more than 597 euros ($670) per inhabitant on household waste treatment in 2017—by far the highest in the country, ahead of Venice (353 euros) and Florence (266 euros), according to a report by the Openpolis Foundation. But the city lacks infrastructure: of its three main landfills, one has closed and the others were ravaged by fire in recent months. And two biological treatment sites have reduced their activities for maintenance work. ‘Degradation and abandonment’ Some residents make matters

worse by simply dumping their old mattresses, fridges and sofas next to garbage bins. But local Salvatore Orlando, 50, told AFP the council was entirely to blame. “Of course it’s the mayor’s fault. You certainly can’t blame the citizens,” he said. “They produce waste, they have to throw it away, and the public services have to collect it. It’s simple. We pay taxes for it”. Rome’s mayor and the president of the Lazio region both assured Italy’s environment minister Tuesday that the crisis would be resolved “within 15 days”. But to do so, more of the city’s 5,000 tons of daily waste will have to be sent for incineration elsewhere. “Everyone complains about waste but no one wants an incinerator. Instead, we take the waste abroad, to Austria, to Germany!”, another aggrieved resident said, declining to give his name. Even Pope Francis has com-

mented on the decline, lamenting in June Rome’s “degradation and abandonment”. Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, head of the far-right League, has jumped on the chance to use the crisis as a political weapon against mayor Virginia Raggi, who hails from the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S). The stench and sticky pavements have given him ammunition ahead of the next municipal elections, scheduled for 2021. But in a city where key sectors are riddled with inefficiency and corruption, residents will wonder whether Salvini has a magic recipe for resolving a situation that has stumped parties over the years across the political spectrum. In the meantime, rubbish is just one more daily challenge in a city with countless potholes, trees that topple at the first gust of wind and buses that catch fire—if their engines start at all. AFP

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NEW ZEALANDERS GIVE UP OVER 224 WEAPONS AFTER MOSQUE KILLINGS CHRISTCHURCH—Dozens of New Zealanders handed in their firearms Saturday as a gun buyback scheme went into operation aimed at ridding the country of semi-automatic weapons in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks. The first of more than 250 collections to be held nationwide was in Christchurch, where 51 Muslim worshippers were gunned down while at prayer less than four months ago. The government, with support from opposition parties, immediately rushed through legislation to tighten New Zealand’s gun laws. Police Minister Stuart Nash said the objective was to “remove the most dangerous weapons from circulation”. With armed police monitoring the handover, 169 firearms owners handed in 224 weapons and 217 parts and accessories. They were then crushed in hydraulic presses. More than NZ$433,600 ($290,300) was paid out in compensation. Regional police commander Mike Johnson said 903 gun owners in the Canterbury region, which includes Christchurch, had registered 1,415 firearms to be handed in. “Police recognize that this is a big change for the law-abiding firearms community, and we are hearing really positive feedback from people as they come through today that they are finding the process works well for them,” Johnson said. “Canterbury firearms owners’ attitude towards this process has been outstanding.” AFP

TAIWAN PRESIDENT SHORES UP SUPPORT IN CRISIS-HIT HAITI PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s choice of Port-au-Prince as the first stop in her Caribbean tour is highly symbolic of the diplomatic power struggle being played out in the region. Last year, the neighboring Dominican Republic dropped Taipei and threw in its diplomatic lot with Beijing, leaving Haiti as one of only 17 countries still officially recognizing Taiwan as a country. Since Tsai became president, China —which considers Taiwan part of its territory—has poached five of the island’s dwindling roster of allies, and some in Haiti think President Jovenel Moise should do more to leverage that diplomatic tension when the two leaders meet on Saturday. In May 2018, Moise visited Taiwan but failed to come away with any significant achievements. “There was nothing concrete, nothing new to come out of it except for a loan which had already been negotiated well ahead of the visit,” said Haitian economist Etzer Emile. While Chinese loans and investment offered to the Dominican Republic already amount to almost $3 billion, Taipei has offered Haiti $150 million for projects to expand its electrical power grid. Those funds have yet to be transferred because the loan hasn’t been ratified by the Haitian parliament. Lawmakers in the assembly prefer instead to lay blame for the weakness of relations between the two countries on the executive branch. “If Haiti hasn’t yet demanded much larger cooperation with Taiwan, we can’t say that having relations with Beijing would be more profitable,” said Alfredo Antoine, who heads the foreign affairs commission. AFP

$5B FINE SET VS FACEBOOK ON PRIVACY PROBE IN US

ASYLUM VIGIL. Alisa Davies, dressed as the Statue of Liberty and holding dolls, gathers with others to protest the treatment of immigrants in detention centers during the ‘Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps’ event in San Diego, California on Friday. Numerous vigils were held across the US as part of the Lights for Liberty movement’s campaign to call for an end to “inhumane conditions at the border” and the deportations of refugee asylum seekers. AFP

LOUISIANA BRACES FOR STORM ‘BARRY’

ORT SULPHUR, Louisiana—Millions of residents in Louisiana on Friday braced for impact from Tropical Storm Barry, which is threatening the southern US state and its largest city New Orleans with potentially disastrous rainfall and flooding. Authorities ramped up evacuations, airlines cancelled flights and flood gates slammed shut as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast the strengthening storm would reach hurricane status Saturday and roar ashore along the state’s central coast. The large storm system currently in the Gulf of Mexico brings heavy rains, a potential storm surge and flooding that pose a threat reminiscent of 2005’s deadly Hurricane Katrina. Thousands packed up and left their homes as flood waters hit low-lying areas like Plaquemines Parish, where road closures left some communities isolated as they braced for Barry’s arrival. By late Friday the storm was packing winds of 65 miles (100 kilometers) per hour, nine mph shy of hurricane strength.

Dozens took shelter in Plaquemines’s Belle Chasse auditorium, while others headed inland to stay with friends or relatives and avoid what the NHC called “life-threatening flooding” to coastal and river areas. Governor John Bel Edwards said New Orleans was well prepared to withstand the storm, but urged vigilance by residents there and across the state, as authorities called on people to stay off the streets. “No one should take this storm lightly, and I urge everyone to remain informed,” Edwards said on Twitter. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged people to stay indoors Friday night, but the city’s famed party atmosphere was far from extinguished just hours ahead of the storm. In the French Quarter entertainment district, revelers wearing plastic bead necklaces drank “hurricane” cocktails and sang arm in arm as they walked down Bourbon Street, while couples danced to a zydeco band in the Tropical Isle’s Bayou Club. If the storm becomes a hurricane, it would be the first of the Atlantic season, which runs from June to November. With Barry threatening massive rainfall across several southern states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee, states of emergency were being declared to help free up federal resources to address the storm. AFP

WASHINGTON—US regulators have approved a $5 billion penalty to be levied on Facebook to settle a probe into the social network’s privacy and data protection lapses, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. The newspaper said the Federal Trade Commission approved the settlement in a 3-2 vote, with the two Democratic members of the consumer protection agency dissenting. According to the report, the deal, which would be the largest penalty ever imposed by the FTC for privacy violations, still needs approval from the Justice Department before it is finalized. Although details have not yet been released, the deal will likely include restrictions on how Facebook is able to use personal data. Charlotte Slaiman of the consumer group Public Knowledge thinks it is unlikely the restrictions will be overly harsh. “We don’t yet know key aspects of the settlement: whether Facebook must make any changes to its business model or practices as a result,” said Charlotte Slaiman, the group’s Competition Policy Counsel. “By itself, this fine will not be sufficient to change Facebook’s behavior.” The outlook was more optimistic at the Center for Democracy and Technology, whose president Nuala O’Connor said the fine underscored the importance of “data stewardship” in the digital age. “The FTC has put all companies on notice that they must safeguard personal information,” O’Connor said. Facebook did not immediately respond to an AFP query on the agreement. The FTC announced last year it reopened its investigation into a 2011 privacy settlement with Facebook after revelations that personal data on tens of millions of users was hijacked by the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, which was working on the Donald Trump campaign in 2016. AFP

VP VISITS OVERCROWDED MIGRANT CAMP AMID ‘CRISIS’ WASHINGTON—US Vice President Mike Pence visited an overcrowded migrant camp in Texas on Friday, coming face to face with detainees held in horrific conditions and deploring an immigration crisis that he said was “overwhelming our system.” Pence traveled to the Mexico border as protesters rallied in several US cities urging the government to shut down what they call “concentration camps.” The vice president visited the McAllen Border Station, where he was taken to a sweltering outdoor portal where 384 men were held in a caged area. The stench was horrendous, according to reporters traveling with

Pence who were allowed into the area for 90 seconds. The men, who allegedly crossed the border illegally, were crammed into a space where there was not enough room for all of them to lie down on the concrete floor. They had no cots, mats or pillows, only silver polyester blankets. Grasping the chain link fencing, they shouted to reporters that they had been there 40 days or longer, were hungry and wanted to brush their teeth. “To be honest with you, I was not surprised by what I saw,” Pence said afterward. “I knew we would see a system that is overcrowded. It’s overwhelmed and that’s why Congress has to act.”

He has blamed Democrats for precipitating the crisis by resisting President Donald Trump’s push for border funding, as opposition lawmakers split with the administration over how the money should be spent. Democrats ultimately bowed to pressure last month as Congress approved $4.6 billion in emergency aid to ease the swelling crisis that has seen an influx of migrants flood into the United States, mostly from impoverished Central American countries. “What’s witnessed here today, and the overcrowding of this border station, and the overall crisis at our border, is that Congress must do more,” Pence said. “(This is) a crisis that is over-

whelming our system.” Michael Banks, the patrol agent in charge of the McAllen facility, disputed the detainees’ account of the conditions, saying they are allowed to brush their teeth once a day, and that the no one had been held there longer than 32 days. He said they were given three hot meals a day from local restaurants, as well as juice and crackers. Banks conceded that many of the men had not showered in 10 or 20 days but that the facility had added a trailer shower on Thursday. Pence earlier visited a twomonth-old migrant processing facility in nearby Donna, a series of large white tents holding 800 people with capacity for 1,000. AFP

BRITAIN SENDS SECOND WARSHIP TO GULF LONDON—Britain said Friday it was sending a second warship to the Gulf and raising the alert level in the oil-rich region as tensions spike after Iranian gunboats threatened a UK supertanker. The decision was disclosed as US President Donald Trump stepped up his war of words with the Islamic republic, which breached part of a nuclear accord already rejected by Washington. “Iran better be careful,” Trump told reporters outside the White House. “They’re treading on very dangerous territory. Iran, if you’re listening, you better be careful.” British officials said the naval deployment was part of a pre-planned rotation and meant to ensure a continued British naval presence in one of the most important but volatile

oil shipment routes in the world. But a source said the switchover was brought forward by several days and should see two of Britain’s most advanced warships jointly navigating the waters off Iran for a period that might last several weeks. A government spokesman said the HMS Duncan was “deploying to the region to ensure we maintain a continuous maritime security presence while HMS Montrose comes off task for pre-planned maintenance and crew changeover”. On Wednesday, HMS Montrose warned off three fast Iranian gunboats that UK officials said were trying to “impede” the progress of a British supertanker through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf. Iranian officials have denied the incident ever happened.

The British government decided at the start of the week to raise the alert level for ships travelling through Iranian waters to three on a threepoint scale, indicating a “critical” threat. HMS Duncan is an air defense destroyer that carries a set of heavy Harpoon anti-ship missiles and has a company and crew in excess of 280. After weeks of escalating tensions, Trump last month authorized an air strike on Iran over its downing of a US spy drone but backed away at the last minute. Alarmed that Trump’s hawkish stance could lead to war, the Democratic-led House of Representatives on Friday voted to bar funding for military operations against Iran unless they are in self-defense or explicitly authorized by Congress. AFP

BEHIND BARS. A prison guard walks in a corridor at the preventing radicalisation district at the Sante prison in Paris on Friday. Since June 24, the Prison de la Sante houses the 3rd QPR of France. AFP

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NO TO CHINA. Protesters hold placards during a rally in front of the Chinese consulate in Manila on Friday to coincide with the anniversarry of the arbitral ruling by the United Nations favoring the Philippines on the South China Sea. Protesters descended on the consulate to oppose the Asian superpower’s growing sway in the Philippines and as tensions rise over Beijing’s presence in the disputed South China Sea. AFP

MIDDAY HARVEST.

A salt worker harvests the spice in Guerande, western France, on Tuesday. AFP

HAILSTORM VICTIM. A caravan overturned by strong winds lies on a beach where a storm killed a Czech couple in Nea Plagia, in Chalkidiki, Northern Greece, on Thursday. Tornadoes and violent hailstorms killed six tourists in northern Greece late on Wednesday, police said, and dozens more were injured when strong winds hit the region of Halkidiki, near the city of Thessaloniki. AFP

NO MORE.

BAD NEWS. An Indonesian customs officer holds up a newspaper from a container filled with trash

originating from Australia, which should have contained only waste paper, but authorities also found hazardous material and household trash, at a port in Surabaya on Tuesday. Indonesia said it would send more than 210 tons of garbage back to Australia, as Southeast Asian nations push back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign trash. AFP

South Korean animal rights activists hold likenesses of dead dogs during a protest against the dog meat trade in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Friday. Boiled dog meat has long been a part of the cuisine and remains a delicacy for some in South Korea, with about one million dogs believed to be eaten annually. AFP

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

KLEAN ATHLETE: RAISING BAR OF SPORTS NUTRITION C

HAMPIONSHIP athletes are keen on looking for the best available products to take them to that next level. Popular opinion will say there are no secrets to greatness other than proper coaching, hard work, and elite level preparation. But is that all there really is to it? Athletes of any sport will attest that proper nutrition is tantamount to winning at any level. And winning is a way of life. With this rationale, Klean Athlete products are manufactured through a simple paradigm: provide formulas that are proven through sound science, support your active lifestyle, and give you everything you need — and nothing you don’t. It offers a product line made by championship athletes, for championship athletes. These products have undergone the most rigorous and state of the art tests to ensure that they are made by the best, for the best. The Klean Athlete product line includes supplements for the specific purposes of a workout: Isolate Whey Protein, Electrolytes, Endurance D-Ribose Chews, and Recovery Drink. The thrust of Klean Athlete was always to raise the bar of sports nutrition, especially in terms of information and education through maximizing the platforms available to us today. Products are certified through the National Sanitation Foundation International, which ensures that they are of premium quality and pass international standards for food safety. Not only is Klean Athlete NSF Certified, it is NSF Certified for Sport®, a certification level which was created to meet the growing demands of athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals to guarantee that sports supplements are free from banned substances. Klean Athlete is the clean choice for complete nutrition for athletes, promoting peak performance by fueling and fortifying with a solid nutritional base to fully support an athlete’s training and

Klean Athlete Team members do some stretching.

overall well-being, thus making it the new frontier for sports nutrition. MEET THE KLEAN TEAM The Klean Athlete Ambassadors were introduced recently at venue partner, The City Club at Alphaland Makati Place. Get to know more about the ambassadors initiating the Klean Fight! Elle Adda is a multi-sport practitioner of Yoga, Running, Mixed Martial Arts, Crossfit and Obstacle Course Racing. Elle’s versatile and dynamic scope of the human body has also allowed her to build the fitness and wellness community as well as to spread awareness through various platforms

and her advocacy as a Klean Athlete Ambassador. Amy Berezowski is the CEO and Head Coach of the Philippines’ first exclusively women boxing clubhouse – Empowered Clubhouse. She’s a professional boxer and she uses Klean Athlete to make sure that she has everything she needs to stay at the top of her game in and out of the ring. Mark Hernandez uses Klean Isolate and Klean Recovery to give him the endurance and mental focus in training and racing as a triathlete. Being a champion runner, swimmer, and cyclist all in one is never easy and Mark ensures that his body is getting all the

Klean Athlete Team members during the open forum at The City Club in Alphaland, Makati.

UNIONPAY, PBA SEAL PARTNERSHIP UNIONPAY, a global payment brand, announced a yearlong partnership with the Philippine Basketball Association, the first professional basketball league established in Asia in 1975, and the second oldest professional basketball league globally after the National Basketball Association. As the PBA’s Official Payment Partner, the sponsorship is comprehensive and covers all three conferences --the Commissioner’s Cup, the Governor’s Cup and the Philippine Cup, together with the PBA Run for a Cause marathon to raise funds for various charities and the PBA All-Stars Week. Vincent Ling, Deputy General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia, said UnionPay is delighted to be the

PBA’S OFFICIAL PAYMENT PARTNER. UnionPay,

a global payment brand, announced on Wednesday it has entered into a one-year partnership with Philippine Basketball Association as the official payment partner of Asia’s first play for pay league. After the contract signing, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial (right) and Vincent Ling, Union Pay deputy general manager in Southeast Asia, sealed the deal with a handshake.

right fuel it needs. Multi-sport coach Jojo Macalintal is the owner and head coach of Trimac Coaching. Klean Athlete gives Coach Jo that boost of clean energy that keeps his body and mind in shape, ready to face any challenge. Triathlete Pablo Sospedra Miro’s secret to success is hard work and passion. There are no shortcuts. Being able to train regularly is gives him an edge on his competitors, this is where Klean products come in. They help him maintain his body’s strength by giving the nutrients and boost he needs. No matter where or what season he is competing. As a triathlete who travels the world, racing in different climates and terrains, Fabio Duque knows the value in keeping his body in top shape. As a Klean Athlete, he knows that what goes into his body is just as important as his training. Ignacio Escaño is a student athlete who understands at this early age that proper nutrition will pave the way for a long and successful career. He uses Klean Athlete to ensure proper preparation, leading to peak performance when he represents the Philippines as a member of the national team in baseball.

Official Payment Partner of the PBA. “The PBA partnership is our first major sponsorship in the country, and also our first basketball sponsorship globally. Our strategy is to always serve and connect on a deeper level with our consumers and local communities. As such, UnionPay is constantly engaging our Cardholders through exciting activities. With this, we hope to bring heightened excitement surrounding the games to fans and UnionPay Cardholders,” said Ling. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said: “We are thrilled to have UnionPay onboard as our first-ever payment partner. Over the years, PBA has elevated the level of professionalism and the standard of basketball in the country. We are proud to make the game ingrained in the fabric of the Pinoy society, and are pleased to partner with UnionPay, who has the same focus to fully serve local communities and residents.”

GO FOR GOLD SEALS PACT FOR FIBA WORLD CUP 2019 MIES, Switzerland—FIBA has signed a promotional partnership with Go for Gold Philippines, the leading lottery scratch card brand in the Philippines produced by Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation. The partnership comes into effect immediately and provides the ability for Go for Gold to run promotions related to the worldwide FIBA competitions in the Philippines until June 30, 2020. According to Powerball vice president for marketing Jeremy Go, the Go For Gold program is aimed to encourage more young individuals to pursue excellence through sports and is already involved with a variety of sports in the Philippines. This new partnership is designed to generate overwhelming enthusiasm among Filipino basketball fans with the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2019, where the Philippines Gilas team will appear in their second consecu-

tive World Cup. Director General of FIBA Media and Marketing Services (FMMS) Frank Leenders said: “The national team competitions within FIBA basketball are key. We want to capture more attention and more followers for FIBA basketball.’’ ``We want the fans to get excited about their national team moving towards our primary competitions. By seeking out partners in the Philippines and by bringing the FIBA Basketball World Cup Trophy to the country, we’re engaging our fans and helping them to feel a part of the World Cup competition this year,” added Leenders The collaboration will be launched with the attempt of Go For Gold to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of people dribbling basketballs simultaneously at the same venue. The record for most people dribbling simultaneously was

7,556 during an event organized by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine on 22 July, 2010. Go For Gold are aiming for at least 10,000 dribblers during the upcoming event held at the Mall of Asia on 21 July. Breaking the dribbling record will be followed by the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour, presented by Aeroflot, where FIBA will showcase the finely-crafted World Cup trophy. Go for Gold customers are encouraged to attend the event to register their cheer for the Filipino team in an effort to register the world’s largest virtual cheer. Finally, Go for Gold customers will have the chance to win a trip to cheer on the Gilas team live at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. The agreement was brokered by FIBA Marketing, the strategic partnership between FIBA and Infront.

Go For Gold head Jeremy Go (left) and James White, head of sales, APAC, Fiba Marketing seal the deal that allows Go For Gold to run promotions related to the worldwide FIBA competitions in the Philippines until June 30, 2020.

OBIENA STRIKES GOLD IN WORLD UNIVERSIADE ERNEST John Obiena set another national record of 5.76 meters in dominating the men’s pole vault event of the 2019 World Universiade in Napoli, Italy last Friday night. Obiena eclipsed his previous national mark of 5.71 he achieved in the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha last April. The 23-year-old Obiena tied and then beat Torben Blech of Germany in the countback for the gold medal. Ben Broeders of Belgium cleared 5.51 meters for the bronze. This makes Obiena and Blech as among the world’s top 20 pole vaulters, following an update of the International Amateur Athlerics Federation. Obiena was assisted in his feat by coach Joseph Sy and his good showing boosted his bid for a strong gold medal finish for the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games athletics meet. The 6’2” Obiena went to Italy to train under Russian coach Vitaly Petrov, who used to handle pole vault legend Sergei Bubka. Obiena’s stint was made possible with the help of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines. Last month, Obiena ruled the Piazza International Pole vault Meeting-PADOVA. Obiena took it in 5.5 meters to claim his second gold medal since winning the Asian Championship last April. Last April, Obiena cleared 5.71 meters to win the gold medal as he beat two Chinese foes during an Easter Sunday showdown in the 23rd Asian Athletics Championship at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Peter Atencio

CHAN RALLIES TO WIN JUNIOR WORLD CROWN AIDRIC Chan became the first Filipino to win a Junior World Championship crown in five years, hitting a clutch birdie on No. 16 to edge New Zealand’s Jimmy Zheng by one in the boys’ centerpiece division in the Junior World Championships at the Torrey Pines North in San Diego, California Friday. But Chan needed to gut it out in the last two holes to pull off the stirring victory, coming through with clutch pars and watching Zheng flub a pair of tying birdie putts to preserve the lead he gained with a solid drive and approach shot to within 8-10 feet which he banged in on the 16th. He closed out with a 69 for a 72hole total of 277, beating Zheng, who finished with a 71 for a 278. “I worked hard for the past few weeks and took some time competing on international soil and trying to finish well,” said Chan, who also banked on his superb putting to hack out the victory. “My putting has been well for the whole week and I knew I had to make it (putt on No. 16).” That practically shook off Zheng’s composure as the Kiwi muffed his own birdie bid from shorter range. “But I still had I had to play smart on the last two to buck the pressure,” said the incoming Univ. of Arizona student, who honed his talent and skills under the Manila Southwoods golf program. Despite a mediocre 72 start, Chan said he believed he could still rally and win “but I didn’t put that in mind.” “I just played my own game for the whole week. I felt like I had a chance at the end of the third day since I was at striking distance,” said Chan who also won the National pro-am diadem back home with Rey Pagunsan at Splendido last May. Daniella Uy was the last Pinoy winner in the annual event which features the world’s leading and rising age-groupers, winning the girls’ 15-17 in 2014. He actually strayed too far behind to contend with a three-birdie, threebogey start to fall six strokes off a hotstarting Andi Xu of California. But the former Ateneo stalwart worked his way back to joint fifth with a 69 in the second round still led by Xu then threatened to within two off new leader Walker Franklin, who sizzled with a 65, with a third day 67.

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

Business

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

CHINESE AI SCREENS FILIPINO BORROWERS

CHINESE financial technology company that provides electronic commerce and lending services employs artificial intelligence and big data to screen millions of Filipino borrowers who seek to borrow money or buy products on installment using a popular mobile app.

“The Philippine market is quite promising. When we first came here, we know there was a low penetration of credit card. Most of our users are unbanked users. That means banks don’t serve them. We brought the business from China. One of our investors is Ant Financial Services Group,” StreetCorner Lending Corp. chief operating officer Sean Du says in an interview in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. StreetCorner is the company behind Akulaku Philippines which is backed by Ant Financial. The company now has five million registered users of its app in the country and employs more than 200 Filipinos in its Or tigas headquar ters. Akulaku started in Malaysia before expanding to Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines in 2016. Du says Akulaku employs an AI system developed in China to monitor the qualifications of credit applicants. “All the decisions are made by the AI system. Among the people who sit in the office, no one has the power or ability to influence the results. The whole thing is done by the AI. That means individuals have different credit scores and credit history. Based on those things, the system gives different scores. Each borrower pays a different interest rate and has different repayment terms,” he says. He says the AI screening is important to manage bad debt. “The challenge is how to collect the money back. In order to prevent these things [unsettled loans] from happening, we implement a good AI. From the beginning when people submit the documents, the AI will do the assessment. The AI will divide the users into two groups: one group who will repay us and the others who won’t. From the very beginning, the AI will notice,” he says. “From the bank, it is very hard to identify the people. But with our system, it is easier to

Akulaku Philippines COO Sean Du

identify the users. We use technologies like facial or voice recognition to identify the users. As long as we identify the users, then it would be easier for us to collect the money back,” says Du. Du says Akulaku Philippines spent the last three years to develop its infrastructure. “We are expanding. We can say we are still in the infancy stage because we are a new player in this market. Now, we have 5 million registered users and transact $5 million each month,” he says.

As long as we identify the users, then it would be easier for us to collect the money back. Online lending companies have sprouted in the Philippines over the past three years amid the failure of the formal banking sector to reach out to Filipino borrowers. These online lenders, however, charge exorbitant interest rates amounting to 1 percent a day or more. They argue that their borrowers pay for convenience and quick cash that banks are not willing to extend. Akulaku concentrates on the

Southeast Asian market. Jasmine Tougan, business development officer of Akulaku Philippines, says the name is a Bahasa word which means ‘quick selling’. In the Philippines, Akulaku is promoted as the first online installment shopping mall in the country which allows customers to shop online on installment even without a credit card. Aside from the cardless installment shopping, the company also offers short-term cash loans of P2,500 or P5,000, bills payment on installment, mobile and game top-ups on installment and travel and leisure packages on installment. It competes with Czech company Home Credit, but the latter operates mainly offline. Akulaku says rather than competing with large e-commerce platforms such as Lazada or Shopee, it complements their services by offering installment solutions. Tougan says Akulaku now has a thousand sellers on its platform in the Philippines, including small and medium enterprises. Rex Pumihic, public relations officer of the company, says Akulaku encourages local companies to sell on its platform. “What is good about Akulaku here in the Philippines is that we really consider the local brands. It is a good platform for our local brands,” he says. The strength of the company lies in its financial services. “We promote it as credit application. In the Philippines, it is difficult to penetrate unbanked users. It is an opportunity for Filipinos to use this with low interest. We already have $5 million in monthly transactions, of which 98 percent are purchased on installments. Right now, we are also accepting straight payments for those people who were not approved because they did not achieve the

requirements,” Tougan says. Du says based on secondq u a r t e r f i g u re s, A k u l a k u Philippines now handles around $5 million in e -commerce transactions per month. Mobile phones remain the top sellers on the platform, he says. “We are also offering cash loan services. They just need to submit the documents to us and then we give them the credit and then they can withdraw the cash in any of the facilities that we provide them. Straight away, they can do the shopping,” says Du. Du admits that Akulaku could easily handle more borrowers if not for the high standards imposed by the AI system. He says the system decides on who can borrow at certain interest rates and repayment terms. Application for a credit limit is also done digitally. “Repayment is from one to 12 months, depending on the borrower’s individual credit scoring. That’s the purpose of our company coming here—to have credit scoring. We do have a good relationship with the credit bureaus. We share information with them,” says Du. “We don’t know if borrowers will be rejected because the whole thing is done by the AI algorithm. That’s why we are having this challenge of people complaining on social networks that their applications were rejected. People don’t complain to the banks because they are banks. We are not a bank so people post comments on the internet about us. But somehow, we try to address this because customer satisfaction is important for a company like us. We need to serve the people,” Du says. “I am thinking that we may lower our standards for young people who are not able to meet the requirements of our system,” he says. “We care more about user experience.” Lending companies require borrowers to have two government-issued identification cards. The strict screening, however, has helped online lending companies like Akulaku avoid the accumulation of overdue accounts or rising payment default. Du says Akulaku is hiring more employees in the Philippines to support its expansion including credit collectors. “Akulaku provides jobs opportunities in the Philippines. Right now, we have already 200 employees and we are expanding,” he says. “With five million users, we still have a lot of potential users in the Philippines. That means from this point, we need to expand and reach more users in the coming months and years. We need to work harder,” says Du. Roderick T. dela Cruz

PLDT senior vice president and group controller Chaye Cabal-Revilla

CABAL-REVILLA NAMED CFO OF THE YEAR PLDT Inc. senior vice president and group controller and Smart chief finance officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla was named CFO of the Year for the Telecoms Sector by CMO Asia at the Philippine Leadership Awards on June 7 at Dusit Thani Manila. The prestigious Philippine Leadership Awards is organized by CMO Asia, a global community established in 2010 that recognizes top C-executives and professionals and their outstanding contributions in various industries. The CFO of the Year award is given to exceptional leaders who demonstrate leadership excellence by developing innovative financial processes and help transform their organization and its financial performance through strategic directions and management. “PLDT and Smart have always set the bar through our industryleading initiatives to spearhead digital transformation,” Cabal-Revilla said. “I am grateful to CMO Asia for this recognition. I hope it inspires more Filipino leaders to continuously strive for excellence and transformative innovation in their respective industries,” she said. As CFO, Cabal-Revilla championed the digital transformation of PLDT and Smart by streamlining and standardizing its finance practices. She has spearheaded many of the company’s business modernization and transformation initiatives and supported the simplification and development of best practice business processes within the organization that delivered connected data and intelligence for on-time data-driven decisions, analytics, fraud and revenue management. As one of the youngest and most successful finance executives in the Philippines, Cabal-Revilla has received multiple awards and citations for her exemplary work in the telco industry. She is also a strong advocate for education and is widely recognized for her volunteer work as chairperson for Gabay Guro, PLDT-Smart Foundation’s advocacy program for teachers.

GABAY GURO WELCOMES BIGGEST BATCH OF SCHOLAR GRADUATES GABAY Guro, the flagship teacher education program of the PLDT-Smart Foundation, recently celebrated the graduation of its 205 scholars in an event called Simpleng Handog. The event, with the theme Accelerated, feted the 205 scholars and future educators with 11 graduates grabbing magna cum laude honors and 78 with cum laude. To date, this is the biggest batch of scholar graduates for PSF’s Gabay Guro program. PLDT-Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan inspired the graduates during the event

and highlighted the importance of educators. “ We will continue to consider teachers as agents of transformation, as critical instruments of nation-building. You not only make our students attuned with the digital age, but you also offer hope to our youth. You teach them that dreams can fuel ambition, and ambition needs effort, and effort produces success,” he said. Pangilinan also emphasized the role of Gabay Guro as a program in equipping future educators with digital skills. “In this time of digital

transformation, our responsibility to our students, to our parents, to our people, is to level up the quality of education that can be relevant and useful to the future of our youth, and the way to do that is to be digital,” he said. According to Pangilinan, when Gabay Guro was conceived in 2007, the idea was to simply give every teacher an opportunity to be acknowledged and celebrated as an important part of our country’s educational system. PLDT senior vice president for financial reporting and controllership and Gabay Guro chairwoman Turn to C2

This year’s Gabay Guro program has 205 scholar graduates—the biggest batch to date.

Business

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019 business@manilastandard.net

BRIAH OMES BARES SECRET TO SUCCESS THERE are success stories, but the story of how Bria Homes, until recently a newly established player in the real estate industry, became the fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines is simply remarkable. From the start, Bria Homes’ vision has been to offer hardworking Filipinos their dream homes in the form of economical house and lot packages and budgetfriendly condominium units. Every single employee in Bria Homes is driven by this purpose—not merely to earn but to help ordinary Filipino families acquire superior quality, well-designed houses that will last a lifetime. Bria Homes has more than 50 housing projects spread on more than 700 hectares of land, which are located in over 40 of the Philippines’ progressive towns and cities nationwide, with more projects in the pipeline. This affirms that Bria Homes remains earnest in addressing the mass housing problem in the country. Towards this end, Bria Homes has developed a formula: affordability + superior quality = a beautiful Bria Home for Every Filipino.

This formula has empowered ordinary Filipinos—new entrepreneurs, blue collar workers, young professionals, newly married couples and small families—to go after their dream home for as low as P1,897 a month, through flexible payment options such as Pag-IBIG Funding or bank financing. Aspiring homeowners can choose from a wide range of house models, all located in pleasant and wholesome communities that are secured by guarded gates and perimeter fences and feature recreational facilities such as basketball courts and swimming pools. Bria communities also enjoy proximity to schools, religious institutions, hospitals, retail establishments, and major roads and highways. All these and more have made BRIA Homes a leading mass housing developer in the country. Bria Homes is a subsidiary of Golden Bria Holdings Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P200 billion. The fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, Bria Homes is primed to bring affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into Bria’s homes.

GABAY GURO... FromC1 Chaye Cabal-Revilla echoed this commitment. “In Gabay Guro, we believe passionately that education is a great equalizer. The ripple effect is even bigger when teachers benefit from higher education. They will pass on what they learn to the generations of students that they will mentor,” she said. “Simpleng Handog is a time for celebration,” Cabal-Revilla said. “We celebrate all the efforts and hard work of our scholar graduates. We hope that through the PSF and Gabay Guro, their lives have been changed for the better.” Through the years, Gabay Guro has reached out to thousands of students nationwide to help them achieve their dreams. One such student is 20-year-old Mel Vincent Salera from Cebu Technological University. Graduating cum laude, Salera finished his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, major in Mathematics. During his second year in high school, Salera took a leave of absence from studying in order to take care of his grandmother. One day, while he was with his grandmother selling fish in the market, a teacher chanced upon Salera and encouraged him to finish his education. Inspired by the teacher’s genuine kindness, Salera began his dream of becoming a teacher. “Who would have thought that the boy who used to sell fish in the market is now a cum laude graduate,” Salera said. “Here I am now fulfilling my dream of becoming a teacher – all thanks to Gabay Guro.”

QARABAO AIMS TO LIFT MSMES

BOUT 99.6 percent of the 1.39 million registered Filipino businesses in the Philippines are micro, small and medium enterprises and many proprietors struggle to keep their businesses alive and encounter trouble scaling up efficiently and effectively.

Whether they have disorganized inventory systems, inefficient processing methods and simply don’t have enough time in their workday to take care of orders, many small business owners believe that only large enterprises can afford to have digital and productivity tools that would help their businesses thrive. Recognizing that these needs should be addressed, three young marketing, technology and product experts banded together to create Qarabao (www.qarabao.com), a web application that would help do the heavy lifting for small businesses, with the mobile app version coming soon. After months of talking to Filipino business owners from different industries about their concerns and needs, the Qarabao founders and their specialized team of programmers, customer service managers, content creators and UI/UX designers developed an online ecosystem to uncomplicate the lives of entrepreneurs by optimizing key business processes in three easy steps. These steps include presenting accurate and organized inventory 24/7; helping create and track orders and manage customer details; and providing the setup for streamlined systems for ordering and receiving payments. “We found that many Filipinos are intimidated by the idea of even starting a business. We want to change this and empower every Filipino to follow their business dreams. We built Qarabao so that more Filipino entrepreneurs would have access to innovative tools that would help build their businesses which in turn would be a boon to our country’s economy,” said Michael Tiongson, the chief executive of Qarabao. Qarabao currently supports multiple payment channels: credit or debit card, online payments, bank deposit or transfer, over-the-counter payments through partners such as PayPal, PayMaya and Coins.ph and with cash on delivery soon to follow. Fully integrated shipping options will soon include Lalamove, Shippo, Fleet.ph.

Qarabao founders (from left) Michael Tiongson, Cookie Enriquez and Roy Patrick Nepomuceno

Further down the line, Zoom Courier, Xpost will also be integrated onto the platform. After a little more than a year in development which included three months of beta testing and detailed customer feedback, Qarabao officially launched on June 27, with the founders secure in their goal of being able to simplify the processes that come with managing businesses everyday. Roy Patrick Nepomuceno, the chief technology officer said it was important :that we built a system that would be easy for Filipinos with no tech background to learn to use and trust.” “From the get-go, we aimed to challenge the idea that learning to optimize your business would include a steep learning curve—so when you experience Qarabao, you’ll see that it’s tidy, timely, and convenient for the business owners to use and

so reliable that their customers will keep coming back,” he said. Qarabao is launching its standard plan for P490 a month which includes inventory tracking, order management, multiple payment channels, shipping management, customer relationship management and reports and analytics. Cookie Enriquez, the product manager, said it only costs P16 a day to use Qarabao. “We also have zero transaction fees, which means that we do not take from the sales earnings of the business owner.” “In the coming months, we will release new plans that include campaign management, e-commerce chatbot and website services. Many customers have been asking for a point-of-sale system, so that’s in Qarabao’s development pipeline as well,” she said.

AIM HONORS JOLLIBEE FOUNDER WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE THE Asian Institute of Management conferred an honorary Doctorate in Management on Jollibee Foods Corp. founder and chairman Tony Tan Caktiong on June 30, 2019. Dr. Tan Caktiong was honored for his visionary leadership of the first Filipino fast food global brand. With Caktiong at the helm of JFC, the company has established over 4,500 outlets in 21 countries, successfully introducing its iconic take on burgers, chicken and spaghetti as well as popularizing “panlasang Pinoy”. Caktiong’s entrepreneurial judgment and expertise have been rewarded with accolades both local and international. He is an Agora Awardee for Outstanding Marketing Achievement, an AIM Triple A Alumni Awardee, a TOYM Awardee for Entrepreneurship, two-time Star of Asia Awardee of BusinessWeek International and a Lifetime Achievement Awardee of the Hong Kong-based Asian Chain Restaurant Operators and Suppliers Series. Caktiong was also named 2002 Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines. Two years later, after receiving the Philippine Master

Dr. Tan Caktiong is flanked by Asian Institute Management president Dr. Jikyeong Kang (left) and AIM board chairman Peter Garrucho shortly after being conferred the AIM Honorary Degree in Management.

Entrepreneur award and the grand award as Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young, Caktiong went on to garner the prestigious World Entrepreneur of the Year award in Monaco. He has served the Philippines as one of its representatives to the APEC Business Advisory Council for six years and was chairman of the 2015 APEC CEO Summit held in Manila. For this

particularly significant contribution, he was given the Gawad Mabini award with the rank of Commander (Dakilang Kasugo) in 2016. Less heralded yet just as noteworthy is Caktiong’s advocacy for providing Fi l i p i n o s w i t h a c c e s s t o b a s i c community services. As chairman of the Jollibee Group Foundation, the social corporate responsibility flagship of Jollibee Foods, Caktiong’s community

ser vice endeavors provide livelihood programs for small farmers, leadership development for local organizations, educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth and disaster relief and rehabilitation for calamity-stricken areas. This commitment to upholding the social good while consistently driving shareholder value up makes Caktiong an admirable example of an AIM alumnus who has consistently lived up to our AIM mission by being a professional, entrepreneurial, and socially responsible leader committed to advancing Asian business and society. In the commencement address to the Class of 2019, Caktiong emphasized the importance of leadership and character. He advised the graduates not to prioritize financial rewards but also focus on giving back. In his experience, he said, the most important thing in his business was not “location, location, location” but “people, people, people”. It was important to always dream big, and then dream even bigger, but above all, “taking care of your people is paramount.”

SUMMIT TACKLES REGULATORY LANDSCAPE FOR PH TECH INITIATIVES ACHIE VING meaningful digital transformation in a nation will require a whole-of-the-nation approach in revamping key practices, behaviors and policies. The Philippines has been receptive to new technologies and has in fact made positive responses to innovation. Policies and regulations are expected to stay dynamic and keep up with the innovation wave. “With rising challenges in the face of disruptive and innovative technologies, we are quite positive that the Philippine regulatory and legal landscape will firm up and meet the demands of this generation,” said Atty. Mark Gorriceta, managing partner of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra. Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a full-service law firm and one of the leaders in the fields of capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, tech and taxation in the Philippines. The firm offers a full array of ser vices such as corporate and business law, technology media and

telecommunications, capital markets, M&A, taxation, estate planning, litigation, transportation law, intellectual property law, and labor law, among others. “An agile innovative industry must be enabled and supported by a robust and adaptable legal system and a synergetic legal culture. This will especially benefit thriving tech startups and corporations that are offering a service or product that barely existed five years or a decade ago,” he said. Recent data breaches here and abroad such as the Cambridge Analytica controversy show how legal regulations governing the cyberspace need to keep up in this day and age. In the recently concluded Law x Tech Summit held on June 25, 2019 at Dusit Thani Hotel, data protection and cyber-security were among the pressing topics discussed by speakers, panelists and participants. “Our digital footprint is everywhere and we can’t help it. Social media and mobile utility apps are not just engaging us—they impact our lives on

a fundamental level as they accelerate efficiency and guarantee convenience,” said Atty. Francis Africa, a partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra. He said that while consumers need to take up conscious habits in preventing fraud and identity theft, both regulators and tech providers must take on a deeper sense of responsibility in ensuring consumer protection and education in navigating the cyber-space. Due to the generous end-user accessibility made possible by the world wide web, IP protection laws in this century are disrupted and must, therefore, innovate. “Exponentially growing, cuttingedge competition for start-ups means a heightened need for intellectual property protection,” said Chiew Yu Sarn of Yusarn Audrey, a law firm based in Singapore with offices in Thailand and Malaysia that specializes in intellectual property and technology law. “In enabling the law and tech landscape in the Philippines as a space where intellectual property is duly

respected and attributed, we shared how companies in Singapore can better secure their brand, products, and services through our best practices in harnessing IP protection laws and regulations, and we’d like to share this expertise for the benefit of the growing sector of Philippine startups,” he said. Financial technology has become a buzzword in recent years. Most fintech companies offer loans with the aim of servicing unbanked and providing better access to financing. “FinTech requires an adoptable regulatory network that will help all tech stakeholders achieve the common goal of maximizing public benefits,” Gorriceta said. “Regulators must become agile and collaborative with innovators in coming up with viable financial services that are both optimally governed and optimally delivered to their target markets,” he said, explaining that gathering regulators, legal actors and startup leaders is a key objective of the Law x Tech Summit.

Tech & Gadgets

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

PROMATE PORTABLE CHARGERS GET BOOST WITH POWER DELIVERY

ORTABLE chargers or power banks are important accessories in this digital age. Now that we’re all glued to our computers and phones, we need extra battery power to recharge our gadgets on the go. A power bank can also charge your other gadgets, such as gaming devices and cameras. If you’re using a smartphone and other high tech gadgets, then you probably have a power bank in your bag. Some people have two small ones or a big one, depending on their needs. But not all power banks are created equal. It is important that you buy yours from reputable brands. Promate Technologies, a global leader AuraWatch Black-02 brand in mobile accessories, IT peripherals, and digital lifestyle consumer electronics, is the first to have a Power Delivery system for its power banks. Designed to be a more ensures the quickest charge to your universal charging stansmartphone as well as the power bank dard, it allows a wide itself. PowerTank-20 has power indirange of devices—not cator LED along with the oneonly smartphones—to touch button that indicates charge quickly over a USB the amount of battery life connection. left. At ₱2,995, this comes in This technology is the latest adfour colors (black, grey, rose dition to Promate’s over 1000 products in gold and blue). its portfolio and it covers 17 major products The Promate Titan 20-C categories such as data and power cables, PowerTank-10 Black-01 is for those who want Bluetooth audio solutions like speakers a lot of power withand headsets, photography enhancements and hi- out having to give up style. The tech car gadgets. All products have global warranty Titan-20C is a high-capacity power for two years. bank with a powerful 20000mAh One of the primary objectives behind the de- lithium- polymer battery in a modern velopment of USB Power Delivery was to produce a minimalist design. Charging any USB single charging standard that could be used across all enabled devices with both USB-C and USB devices. USB-A high-speed charging ports. The There are a lot of power banks to choose from. Titan-20C (₱2,295 in blue, red, white and What you should get should be based on your life- black) features automatic voltage regulastyle. Some people need ones that are light and sleek. tion, which detects connected devices and Others are looking for ample power reserves. provides the optimum charging output. If you’re looking for a high capacity charger that is You can charge two devices simultaneously portable, the Promate Powertank-20 is a 20000mAh during your long trips with high capacity you power bank that is built to last wherever you go. will never run out of power. Along with 18W Power. The powerhouse of all power banks is the ProDelivery and Quick Charging 3.0 Port PowerTank-20 mate Capital-24, an 80W power delivery backup

battery with 24000mAh. With a Quick Charging 3.0 port, Capital-24 ensures the quickest charge to a USB-C device, MacBook or other PD enabled USB-C device at the optimal charging speed, up to 65W as well as the power bank itself. Capital-24 features power indicator LED along with the onetouch button that indicates the amount of battery life left. This comes in black and is priced at ₱4,995. Promate Energi-10C is lithium polymer power bank with USB-C 10000mAh. It is sleek and portable and comes in four colors (blue, white, pink and black). For ₱995, the Energi-10C is a bargain considering that it is from a reputable brand like Promate. Promate is known for innovative products such as the ProEnergi-10C White mate AuraWatch-1, which is not just a 6700mAh portable power bank for your phone but can also charge your Apple Watch when on the go. You can charge any other USB device via the 1A USB charging port on the AuraWatch-1 plus it’s sleek and not bulky so it will fit in small purses. This is another good buy for ₱3,995. Promate’s products are designed by a team of talented industrial designers and engineers, who also meticulously manage the technology to ensure the highest quality. For more information about Promate and its products, go to https://www.promate.net/collections/power. Get your Promate products from the following stores: Abenson, Abacus, AccentHub, All Home, AlMark Computer, AllWorld Computer, Avanza, BCG Bacolod, Complink Mktg, Concept Computer, Cubed Technologies, Denvers Computershoppe, Digital Interface, Electroworld, E-Central (Cebu), Fonestyle, In-Box, Infinity, Joneco, Machine & Computer Works, National Book Store, PCWorx, PCNet, Perfect Shot, Power Books Inc., Power Mac Center, SECC, Storm Technologies, TCA, The Loop, Thinking Tools Inc., Tomiko Mobile Shop, Ultrium, Villman Computer, Vivocom and Wilcon Home Depot. Order online at PowerTank-20 www.promate.ph and https://www.lazaPink 02 da.com.ph/shop/promate-store/.

SMART LTE UP IN MORE MOUNTAIN SITES MORE mountain barangays are now enjoying the best technology for fast, reliable, and affordable mobile internet connection with the activation of Smart Communications Inc. LTE cell sites. The latest is Barangay Linut-od, located 24 kilometers from Argao town proper in Cebu, or about an hour by motorcycle on rough road. Improved connectivity is boosting livelihood, community efficiency and the general well-being of residents of this farming and coal mining village. Seventy percent of households have members living elsewhere, and residents had to move from one place to another in search of a signal just to keep in touch, said former Argao Mayor Stanley Caminero. “So when Smart fired up its new LTE cell site, people were ecstatic!” Among them were farmer Luciano Zamora and wife Lorenza, who see their three grown children only on special occasions. “We are thankful that now the signal is strong even up here in the mountains. We can contact our children anytime, and we don’t even have to leave the house,” said Luciano. It is a comforting thought, in case of an emergency, he added. Now the couple even get to see their grandchildren, by making video calls using smartphones provided by their children, along with an “allowance” of credit load. Farmers like Zamora are also learning to search the internet for new and better farming methods, Caminero said. Improved connectivity could also help boost upland tourism through social media, he added. Councilor Resurreccion Gonzaga of barangay Cabantug said the new technology helps facilitates information dissemination and processing of documents, thus improving efficiency of local government units.

Better connectivity also means peace of mind for Linut-od residents, who can easily contact family especially in times of emergencies.

Aside from Linut-od, Smart has also fired up LTE sites in the mountain barangays of Colawin in Argao, and Guba and Bonbon in Cebu City. LTE can be quickly upgraded to LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), which can provide even greater capacity and speeds to users with capable smartphones. In Cebu, major cities like Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City already have LTE-A sites. To date, Smart has fulfilled its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover

at least 90 percent of cities and municipalities to address the growing demand for broadband infrastructure and internet access in the country. Supporting Smart’s mobile network is PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, now extending over 259,000 kilometers. PLDT and Smart’s nationwide network transformation efforts are backed by a historic-high capital expenditure of P78.4 billion this year. The capex investments are to further expand coverage and to increase capacity to handle the exponential growth in data traffic.

Filipino start-up companies stand a chance to build a global business in one of the world’s fastest growing travel markets.

SINGAPORE TOURISM ACCELERATOR OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS THE Singapore Tourism Board is calling for local and international companies to join the Singapore Tourism Accelerator, which aims to develop solutions that will push the boundaries of the tourism industry. The pilot program presents the perfect opportunity for innovative Filipino start-up companies to think up transformative solutions that will aid the tourism sector and turn their visions into realities. Mr Poh Chi Chuan, Director, Digital Transformation, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “With increasing disruption faced by the tourism sector, we are committed to help our industry partners meet the challenges and stay ahead of the competition. The Singapore Tourism Accelerator gives us a platform to work with companies with innovative solutions that can be applied across the industry and to enhance the overall visitor experience.” The Accelerator was first announced during the 2019 Tourism Industry Conference and will run for two years. Through the program, STB and partner Found8 will select start-ups already at the prototyping or business development stage, as well as those that have piloted a breakthrough solution in another city who are looking for opportunities to scale their solutions in Singapore and Asian markets. The Accelerator, located on STB’s premises, will take in its first batch of 12 companies in October. Philippine-based start-up businesses to be shortlisted will be able to learn and interact with upand-coming innovators from all over the world, as well as established industry players including Expedia Group, Sentosa Development Corporation, SingEx Holdings, Singapore Airlines and Marina Bay Sands. During the first stage of the program, companies go through workshops and informal sharing sessions, to help refine and adapt their solutions to meet the needs of Singapore’s tourism sector. Selected companies will move on to the next stage where they’ll receive funding support of 70% of qualifying costs, up to $25,000 per company, to test bed their solutions with an industry partner. The program concludes with a showcase where the chosen companies will pitch their business plans to industry stakeholders and investors. Ms Grace Sai, Co-Founder and CoCEO, Found8 said: “Having supported more than 90 corporates in their innovation journeys, we are excited to lend our expertise to STB in this unique collaboration between a national tourism organisation and the start-up community. We look forward to seeing breakthrough innovations come to fruition through the Accelerator.” Interested parties can apply via http:// apply.SGtourismaccelerator.com until Aug. 1, 2019. For more details, visit http:// SGtourismaccelerator.com.

HOME CREDIT’S 5TH MILLION CUSTOMER GETS P100,000 SURPRISE HEROES can come from the unlikeliest of places, and often, it is the unsung ones that deserve the biggest rewards. Gina Coy, a 45-year-old housekeeper, is a good example. And as the five millionth customer of Home Credit Philippines, the reward she received was bigger than she could ever have imagined. A Cebu local, Gina packed her bags eight years ago and took the chance to find work in Manila to support her four kids. She didn’t have any other plans other than going doorto-door to look for a job. Thankfully, her longtime friend helped her connect to a family looking for household help. “Masakit po talaga. Yung iwan mo yung pamilya mo. Pero kailangan kasi paano sila mabubuhay? [It was a really painful decision to leave your family behind. But you have to do it, because if not, how will they survive?],” Gina shared. Every week she would send money back to Cebu, leaving very little for herself. Constant communication was the only way that made her cope. Even with the dis-

tance, she kept updated with her family by calling them every day. So when her phone broke down, she had no other choice but to get a new one. The only problem was that it was way out of her budget, so she has to cut down her personal allowance and the money she can send back to her family.

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

That was when she came across Home Credit. “Pumunta po ako sa mall para bumili tapos nilapitan ako nung taga-Home Credit. Friendly po sila kaya nakinig ako dun sa offer. Kinuha ko na po yung [smart] phone kasi maliit lang yung babayaran. [I went to the mall to get a new phone and there was a Home Credit sales associate who approached me. She was really friendly and talked to me about their offer. So I decided to get the smartphone because it was affordable.]” Little did Gina know, a new smartphone wasn’t the only thing that she got that day. Home Credit, which has made shopping easier and more affordable for customers with its tech-driven, financially inclusive loans, was waiting for their five millionth customer that

day. Gina was lucky number five million. The company—which reached the three million customer mark just a year ago— wanted to do something special to celebrate serving its five millionth customer. Home Credit reached out to Gina to tell her that she was chosen to be featured in one of their videos, an excuse to cover up the bigger surprise waiting for her. Gina said she would be more than happy to share her story.

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT

When the day for the interview shoot finally came, it was obvious that she was nervous but willing. She openly talked about her story, how just a day ago she had to borrow a thousand pesos because her daughter called her asking for new shoes. Hers was already splitting at the seams and Gina had to send the rest of the money she has to her family. “Bahala na, [Come what may],” she said, when asked about how she would survive until her next payout. “Nanghiram ako ng isang libo sa kaibigan ko. Sana kasya na iyon. [I borrowed a thousand pesos from a friend. I hope that would be enough.]”

Shown here are (from left) HCPH CEO, Annica Witschard, five millionth customer, Gina Coy, and HCPH Chief Marketing and Product Officer, Franchette Cardona.

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

LG’S REFRIGERATORS PUT MORE WEIGHT ON FOOD FRESHNESS L

G ELECTRONICS is unveiling its latest Slim French-Door refrigerators for the Asian market. With sleek designs and handy features, LG’s competitive new lineup presents premium quality refrigeration solutions in space-friendly sizes. The first French-Door refrigerators to be fitted with the company’s cutting-edge Linear Cooling™ and DoorCooling+™ technologies, the slim models ensure that food stays fresher for longer. Engineered to satisfy discerning consumers throughout Asia, the new refrigerators are also equipped with LG’s advanced Inverter Linear Compressor, which helps lower energy consumption and comes backed by a 10-year warranty. The Slim French-Door refrigerators are just 835 millimeters wide, smaller than the 850-900-millimeter width of the average fridge space allocated in most kitchens. This means LG’s FrenchDoor fridges fit perfectly in practically any kitchen setting, regardless of scale. Additionally, the new models have a modern design—inside and outside— that is both practical and elegant. The flat-back interior of the Slim French-Door lineup exudes sophistication, adding to the refrigerators’ refined, luxurious appearance. LG’s innovative fridges are available in a variety of colors, including the new Matte Black finish. The Soft LED Panel Light and Square Pocket Handle contribute to the exclusive look and feel of these stunning new appliances. With its gentle yet bright glow, the LED lighting helps to protect users’ eyes whilst fully illuminating the contents inside the refrigerator. LG’s industry-leading tech lets users savor from-the-garden freshness, preventing the loss of mois-

New, compact French-door models fit perfectly in any kitchen, boast of upgraded freshness-keeping capabilities, durability and energy efficiency.

ture and allowing food to retain its original color and crispness. Linear Cooling™, powered by the Inverter Linear Compressor, keeps temperature fluctuation within ±0.5 degree Celsius.1 Meanwhile, DoorCooling+™ maintains an even temperature throughout the refrigerator and cools 19.7 percent faster2 than a conventional cooling system. DoorCooling+™, with air vents located on the top of the fridge, directs airflow to the door area

to keep items stored in the door basket at their best. This feature greatly reduces the temperature gap between the inner part of the storage compartment and the interior of the door. Moreover, the Slim French-Door refrigerators use 32 percent less energy and provide the ultimate durability thanks to LG’s Inverter Linear Compressor. Backed by a 10-year warranty, the compressor not only makes these fridges highly energy efficient, but 25 percent quieter than conventional LG models as well.3 This superior performance is mainly due to the linear piston drive employed in the compressor—other refrigerators typically use a less efficient reciprocating drive.

With various models including InstaView Door-in-Door™, LG’s slim and compact fridges are engineered with consumers in mind. Delivering unrivaled convenience, LG has included the compact SpacePlus™ Ice System for ice whenever it’s needed. Furthermore, the Folding Shelf helps to create extra space for tall and bulky items. Finally, the LG Smart ThinQ™ app offers a smart, effortless way for users to control their refrigerator, monitor its status, and quickly diagnose any issues. “We’re proud to be showcasing our supremely stylish and functional slimmed-down refrigerators,” said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “With LG’s cutting-edge technologies, these new models reflect consumers’ desire for longer-lasting food freshness and greater efficiency.” GROUNDBREAKING DUALCOOL WITH INVERTER TECH DELIVERS PERFORMANCE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY With Company’s Dual Inverter Compressor™, DUALCOOL Air Conditioner Cools 40 Percent Faster and Uses 70 Percent Less Energy Than Conventional Models. LG Electronics is showcasing its latest residential air conditioner (RAC), the DUALCOOL. The new model boasts innovative features and is the first air conditioner to utilize LG’s Dual Inverter Compressor™, which cuts energy consumption without sacrificing cooling capabilities. Along with outstanding performance and impressive energy efficiency, the DUALCOOL has a simplified structure that saves technicians time and effort during installation and maintenance. Thanks to LG’s proprietary Dual Inverter Compressor™, the first variablespeed compressor designed for residential air conditioners, the advanced DUALCOOL delivers quiet, effective cooling while using less power. LG’s revolutionary compressor technology lowers electricity consumption by up to 70 percent and enables the air conditioner to cool up to 40 percent faster than a typical non-inverter RAC.1 Additionally, the unparalleled Dual Inverter Compressor™ comes with a 10-year warranty.

LG’S FRONT-LOADER BRINGS OPTIMIZED WASHING TO ASIA

Deep Learning and Upgraded TurboWash 360 maximize washing effectiveness, minimize clothing damage.

LG ELECTRONICS is releasing its latest front-loader washing machine in Asia. Powered by the company’s new Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive (AI DD) with deep learning, it delivers thorough yet gentle care, determining the characteristics and volume of each load to minimize fabric damage. Also, with upgraded TurboWash 360, LG’s advanced front-loader gets clothes cleaner and completes cycles in less time. Featuring the enhanced DD motor, the new appliance expands the definition of ‘great washing performance’ to include meticulous fabric care. Using deep learning—which draws on a vast amount of data collected by LG—the AI DD enables finely-tuned washing patterns, automatically detecting the weight of laundry and accurately assessing fabric softness. This guarantees exceptional results every time, and reduces the occurrence of fabric damage by 18 percent, prolonging the lifespan of favorite clothing items.1

Thanks to TurboWash 360, the frontloader provides the convenience of Fast Wash, which takes just 39 minutes to complete—34 percent faster than the conventional TurboWash™ option.2 The washer sprays jets of water and laundry detergent in four different directions to get clothes cleaner. Steam™+ completes this comprehensive laundry solution, neutralizing 99.9 percent of allergens through a special sterilizing cycle, and removing 30 percent of annoying creases via Wrinkle Care.3 The new front-loader also showcases LG’s commitment to creating practical, userfriendly features. Durable and reliable, the washer boasts an energy rating of A+++-50 percent and comes with a 10-year warranty. Boosting convenience, the SmartThinQ™ app lets users remotely control and monitor the washer from their smartphone. Furthermore, the new front-loader can be turned into TWINWash™ by placing LG MiniWash directly underneath it, enabling user to wash two loads at the same time.

SHOPEE TO RAFFLE OFF MOTORCYCLE FOR ONLY P1 SHOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will raffle off a brand-new motorcycle during its Game for Shopee Free Shipping Festival. From July 10 to August 8, consumers can look forward to a month of free shipping with P0 minimum spend on selected brands or categories daily, ₱1 Game, and 100% cashback vouchers. On July 15, consumers can score premium items including a Xiaomi Mi Pad 4, Nintendo Switch, ASUS Vivobook, and more at just ₱1. To join, consumers have to pay ₱1 upon check out and one lucky winner will be chosen to take home the featured item of the day. Here are some of the things you can win for only P1 on July 15: Rusi Mojo 200 Motorcycle The Rusi Mojo 200 is a durable and fast motorcycle that can get you to places in style. With a powerful engine and a 13-liter fuel capacity, get this bike for only ₱1 on July 15 for Shopee Free Shipping Festival. Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Tablet The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 boasts a slim and elegant design with a full HD resolution screen, giving you a versatile tablet that can handle all your day to day activities. Nintendo Switch Take your gaming experience wherever and whenever you want with the Nintendo Switch gaming console. It is the perfect entertainment accessory with its versatile joycon controllers and compact design. Available for only P1 on July 15. ASUS Vivobook X407 14” Score the ASUS Vivobook that can help you stay on top of your everyday tasks for only P1. It has the latest processor, amazing data speeds, and a large storage capacity to help you easily surf the web. ZOLO MOJO Bluetooth Speaker Listening to music at home is a breeze with the Zolo Mojo, a voiceactivated speaker with Google Assistant built-in. Get this compact and powerful device at the Shopee Free Shipping Festival on July 15. Hanabishi HPM600 Professional Stand Mixer This professional stand mixer has 8 speed multiple functions, aluminum dough hooks, and a beater guard that is perfect for beginner bakers and cooks. Chicco 2 in 1 Sterilizer The Chicco 2 in 1 Sterilizer is compatible with most feeding bottles, breast pumps, and accessories on the market. It can kill 99.9% of household germs and is the perfect tool for new mothers. Get it for only ₱1 at the Shopee Free Shipping Festival.

LIVE INSPIRED ANYTIME, ANYWHERE WITH THESE SAMSUNG GALAXY TABS SAMSUNG launched its newest line of Galaxy tablets for today’s passionate go-getters. Because of their lifestyle, they have found ways to entertain themselves whether they’re on the road, in between meetings, or during their downtime. For these individuals, having the right device to keep them productive will help them find creative inspiration whenever, wherever. The Galaxy Tab A with S Pen comes with an embedded S Pen to help creators bring their ideas to life. It is designed as the ultimate on-the-go productivity tool as they can sketch, write, and take notes even while they’re commuting. The tablet also offers an optimal viewing experience with its 8.0” screen with a narrow bezel, so streaming content becomes a cinematic experience with bright, crisp, and vibrant details. Its 4,200mAh battery means they won’t have to worry about losing battery while binge-watching their favorite series.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S5e is the slimmest, lightest tablet in its class, weighing at 400g and measuring 5.5mm thin. During transit, creators can stream their favorite movies and TV shows with the tablet’s 10.5inch sAMOLED display. This allows for stunning color reproduction and a vivid display, immersing viewers in their favorite titles. It is complemented by a Quad Speaker system by acoustic specialist AKG and Dolby Atmos’ surround sound to offer a rich and true-to-life audio experience. Power will not be an issue, no matter how bad the traffic, the quick-charging 7,040 mAh battery life means they can enjoy up to 15 hours of viewing in the backseat. Lastly, the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 offers a premium viewing experience without having to pay a premium. It comes with a 10.1 inch WUXGA display allowing for stunning color reproduction and optimal screen brightness. The Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound means viewers are fully

immersed in the movie or TV show they are watching. Its thin and compact design, wrapped in a sleek metal unibody, makes it easy to carry and comfortable to use anytime. Traffic or delays won’t be so bad with its 6,150mAh battery. Samsung has partnered with Netflix to deliver thousands of hours of content to fuel their creativity when writing, directing, or sketching. Now, they can watch movies and TV shows on the go, allowing them to be entertained and inspired. The devices are now available at any Samsung Authorized store nationwide. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen is available in black and grey colors at a suggested retail price of P15,990. The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 and Galaxy Tab S5e come in black and gold colors, at a suggested retail price of P16,990 and P26,990, respectively. For more information on the newest line up of Galaxy Tablets, visit the Samsung Facebook page or log on to samsung.com/ph.

The newly-unveiled Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen (left), Tab S5e (right), and Tab A 10.1 (top) are specially crafted for creators so they can live inspired wherever they are.

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

MUSING OVER SUBIC BAY’S TOURISM

MERCURY RISING BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

COUPLE of weeks ago, an active and well-known investor in Subic Bay’s tourism industry invited us to her city. Josephine Floresca, managing director of the beautiful Le Charme Suites, known for its supersized rooms and very convenient location, wanted to hear from us, heads of the various tourism organizations in the country, random feedback on how to further increase tourism to Subic. She also invited the Tourism Director of Region 3 and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Officer, just in case they find our feedback valuable. The afternoon session started with the Tourism Regional Director telling us what is currently being done in Subic, and the SBMA Tourism Officer followed with her own version of current tourism activities. However, right after their talk they both left without any regard to the individual presentations each of us painstakingly prepared for the occasion. Although it was quite disheartening to see them go, we proceeded

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

The aerial view of Subic Bay shows its great potential to achieve a much bigger chunk of the tourist arrivals pie, with the wharf at right which can accommodate the biggest cruise ships, and the Subic International Airport on the left, which can handle all types of jumbo aircraft.

with the program as our host was still very much around, and interested to hear from us, thus, today’s column is actually a written version of what I presented. As an airline veteran, having been the Commercial Account Manager for PAN AM for 12 years and as Country Manager of the Northwest Airlines GSA for 18 years, it pains

me to see that the 9,000-ft runway of Cubi Point, now Subic Bay International Airport, is not being used to bring loads of passengers to Subic. I know that during the 1996 APEC, the private Airbus 340 of the Sultan of Brunei, the Boeing 747 of the Japanese Prime Minister, and the Air Force One of President Clinton landed on that airstrip.

If that runway could accommodate those large aircraft, why aren’t the airlines taking advantage of it? Could it be that they don’t see the potential of the destination as a tourist draw? Right now, the airport is being used only by commuter aircraft and by small courier companies. I find this a waste of resources. What’s worse is that Subic-bound passengers have to

depend on Clark Airport’s availability as they have to transit there first before reaching Subic. If the airlines don’t see any potential for Subic as a tourist magnet, I may have an explanation for that. I took a close look at tourist attractions Subic currently offers and decided to segregate them into two categories—those Turn to D2

Subic is home to an interesting variety of tourist attractions, including (from left) the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail, Inflatable Island, and Subic Tree Top Adventure. (Photos from their Facebook pages)

BEST LOCAL DESTINATIONS FOR DIFFERENT KINDS OF BARKADA PLANNING a trip with friends can be tricky—everyone’s availability must be considered, the budget must be set, and the group’s consensus on where to go and what to do must be achieved. Failing to finalize these factors often lead to cancelled plans, or as they call it, “drawing na hindi nakulayan.” To ensure those travel plans happen, consider what the group wants to do to determine where the group goes. Here are some local destinations for three kinds of barkada.

tions are just three or four hours outside of the metro, so friends can easily hop on a bus or organize a road trip. For starters, the trails of Mount Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal is an easy climb and usually takes three hours to reach the summit. Though the climb is pretty steep in the beginning, the majestic view at the top makes all the sweat worth it. Another awesome option is Batad, Ifugao where the group can trek along the breathtaking Batad Rice Terraces. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is believed to be sculpted by the Recreational hikers Ifugao and a trip here will make thrill-seekers No need to go far; some local hiking destina- appreciate their stunning work of ingenuity.

Drinks aboard TawHai, the biggest floating bar in Asia, located at Negros Occidental’s Lakawon Island. (Photo from lakawon.com.ph)

Beach bums

The Island Garden City of Samal in Davao is blessed with white sand resorts where one can lounge and relax under the sun. The island is also home to rich marine life and exotic flora and fauna which travelers can explore with the help of friendly locals. Negros Occidental’s best-kept secret paradise, Lakawon Island, is also a must-visit for those looking for a peaceful beach retreat. This 16-hectare island is home to the biggest floating bar in Asia, TawHai, where it is best to enjoy drinks while enjoying a stunning view of the open water.

The view from from the summit of Mount Daraitan makes the steep climb worth it. (Photo from shopback.ph)

Adventure seekers

For squads who have a knack for thrilling activities, a day trip to Masungi Georeserve is a must in the barkada bucket list. This eco tourist spot in Rizal brings visitors closer to nature with its trails that showcase natural rock formations and lush rainforests in the area. They can also take an Instagram-worthy shot atop its famous “Sapot” which is similar to a spider web and offers a clear 360-view of the province. The gang may also opt to drive north to Ilocos Norte and visit La Paz Sand Dunes, where they can go sand boarding or enjoy an ATV ride. A few miles off Ilocos, the Province of Abra is also a favorite spot for its hot springs and waterfalls hidden in the mountains. Lucky barkadas have a chance to win all-expense-paid trips to these destinations when they join C2 Cool and Clean’s contest. Interested participants simply have to share a photo of their travel kit or essentials with C2 on the official Facebook page @C2CoolandClean or post a photo to their Instagram and tag C2’s official account @c2coolandclean.

Thrill-seekers can take an adventurous day trip to Masungi Georeserve. (Photo from Masungi Georeserve/Facebook)

Destinations

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

TOYS’ TAKEOVER TO HONG KONG AND BEYOND. Woody and Buzz Lightyear welcome

Kids and kids-at-heart can test their driving skills at Duke Caboom: Kart Race.

Guests who will donate a toy to Forky’s Toy Classroom will get a special gift.

guests to the Toy Story interactive carnival at Harbour City Hong Kong.

OODY, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang are at Harbour City Hong Kong in celebration of the premiere of Toy Story 4. The beloved franchise comes to life at the shopping center today until August 4.

Harbour City has transformed into a Toy Storythemed carnival with different games and challenges. Figures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Slinky Dog welcome guests at the seven-metertall giant arch entrance at Ocean Terminal Forecourt, while they can snap photos with other characters like Bo Peep, Duke Caboom, Jessie, and the Aliens at the balloon ticket booth, roller coaster, and merry-go-round. Game tokens can be used at different games and challenges, including Forky: Get Me Outta Here, Gabby Gabby: I Love You, Potato Heads: Fix Me Please, and Aliens: Oooohh the Chosen Ones. The carnival continues at the Ocean Terminal Deck, with three installations and two exciting games against the backdrop of the spectacular Victoria Harbour. Fans can pose and snap a few photos with the six-meter-tall Buzz Lightyear Ferris Wheel and Summer Road Trip Camping Van, or step up and help Bo Peep save the Aliens at Bo Beep: I’m in Charge. Visitors can also show off their driving skills at the exhilarating car racing challenge Duke Caboom: Kart Race. While the Toy Story friends all gather at Harbour City, their new owner Bonnie cannot be missed. So Harbour City is welcoming everyone named Bonnie from around the world to the carnival party. Those named Bonnie simply need to present a passport,

official ID, or any proof showing their name is Bonnie to redeem a set of tokens for free to enjoy the carnival games. Guests can get to know the lovable little girl and walk through Bonnie’s Classroom, and follow along with the giant storybook installation to check out fun facts about the movie with Forky. They can even turn themselves into Forky with the Kinect Experience. In addition to the carnival, fans can experience other fun, immersive activities throughout the mall including The Art of Toy Story 4 exhibit, kids’ workshops, an interactive digital game, a Toy Doctor consultation, and a Toy Story pop-up store. Harbour City is working with The Salvation Army to collect pre-loved toys to share with those in need, giving old toys a new home and allowing more kids to create happy memories of their own. Guests who bring a new or gently used toy to Bonnie and Forky’s Toy Classroom will get a special surprise gift. To access the Toy Story experience at Harbour City, pre-register for an Our Toy Stories Passport for free. This lets passport holders enjoy the activities and collect commemorative stamps, and gives them the chance to win a limited edition Toy Story 4 Puzzle if they make it through all the stops. Go to www.harbourcity.com.hk to know more.

MUSING... From D1

But what I would like to see is a tourist site that is uniquely Subic. Just like in Thailand, they have an auappreciated by foreigners and those ap- thentic Thai village in the outskirts of Chiang Mai, inhabited by Thai folk in pealing to domestic tourists. Foreigners may be attracted by the their traditional attire, going about their Inflatable Island because it is supposed daily lives. One sector of the village has to be the biggest in Asia. Foreign deep an orchid garden while another part sea divers will also be thrilled by the shows women weaving silk and producUSS New York Wreck, because it offers ing items that are sold to tourists. They have the same thing in Plyma combination of history and meaningouth, Massachusetts where the Mayful diving. They will also like the El Kabayo Water- flower unloaded the first Pilgrims from falls cliff dive because cliff diving’s popu- Europe. In that village, all the residents larity is now surging. The most popular are dressed in their period costumes, cliff diving destination used to be only in and even their language and diction Cancun, Mexico, but now there are new are those of the early American settlers. It definitely is fascinating for tourones in other parts of the world. The natural beauty of the Pamulak- ists to see how early Americans lived. For Subic, why can’t there be an lakin Trail gives foreigners an idea of the exotic flora and fauna our coun- honest-to-goodness Aeta Village so that tourists can try offers, with see how the earbird watching ly Filipinos who showcasing our YOUR WEEKEND settled in the area various species approximately of fowl. The Tree CHUCKLE 10,000 years ago Top Adventure is WISE HUSBAND: Two secrets to lived. The village quite unique and keep your marriage brimming: must be real and seldom found in Whenever you’re wrong, admit it. not something other countries. Whenever you’re right, shut up! that’s just for All the other display. It must published Subic show the Aetas attractions are also offered by many other countries cooking their meals, hunting for their abroad, thus, may appeal only to local food, doing their daily chores, etc. If marketed properly, this uniquely tourists. The purpose of this segregation is for those involved to market Subic attraction might just appeal to them effectively, with their money foreigners, especially when juxtaposed well-spent on promotional campaigns with our having become a nation of of each of the attractions which should Miss Universe beauties. I know there is an existing Aeta Village zero in on the corresponding market. If it is confirmed that potential for- that is open to tourists, but it’s something eign tourists see a dearth of crowd- that’s just for display. The visitors see it as drawers in this destination, then an ex- just a “put on” and not a real one. Furthertensive marketing campaign should be more, the authenticity of the attraction conducted at those popular trade fairs is negated by the presence of a Chinese temple right where the village is. here and abroad.

Cliff diving at El Kabayo Waterfalls is a popular activity in Subic. Less adventurous tourists, meanwhile, can go for a picnic. (Photo from explore.traveloka.com) Of course, I am very happy to note that Subic is getting its fair share of the cruise line market. There were 19 ocean liners that docked there last year, and the authorities are expecting a hefty increase in those numbers this year. Ninety percent of last year’s ships were from Costa Cruises while the remaining 10 percent were from Royal Caribbean. It is quite encouraging to note that the latter has confirmed to double up the calls their ships will make on Subic Port this year. Taking into consideration the increase in cruise arrivals, I think it’s time Subic builds a cruise terminal. Meantime, the authorities must monitor the merchandise being sold in stalls at the wharf for

arriving passengers. When Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas docked there last year, I saw stalls selling silk scarves (which are aplenty in China) and leather bags (which Thailand also sells many of). Why can’t these stalls sell uniquely Filipino or Subic handicraft items? Going around Subic, I noticed that the streets are too dark at night. Traffic discipline must always be enforced. In fact, I like driving in the SBMA area because it makes me feel like driving in the US. These days, however, friends have mentioned to me that vehicular discipline is enforced off-and-on, which should not be. Lastly, why doesn’t Subic have an annual festival that attracts the whole

family, like the Sinulog of Cebu, the Ati-Atihan of Kalibo, the Panagbenga of Baguio, etc. The Subic festivals that are currently in place are niche events, appealing only to a select group of enthusiasts. A family-type festival during the low season could easily fill up all of the city’s accommodations for several days, if marketed properly. I’m glad I had the opportunity to share with our gracious host, Jho Floresca, my thoughts on Subic’s tourism potential. With somebody as committed and as proactive as she, I have no doubt it will always be on the upswing. For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

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

A SILVER PLAY BUTTON FOR JEEPNEY TV’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL Newly-crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2019 Janelle Lazo Tee (center) with her elemental court Revoli Cortez

JANELLE TEE CAPTURES MISS PHILIPPINES EARTH CROWN

ABS-CBN subsidiary Jeepney TV marks a digital milestone after it became eligible for YouTube’s silver play button.

By Eton Concepcion

RE-PAGEANT frontrunner and fan-favorite Janelle Lazo Tee of Pasig City was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2019 edging out 39 other candidates during the coronation night held at The Cove, Okada Manila, in Parañaque on Wednesday.

WINNING FORM.

Janelle flaunts her sensational curves during the swimsuit round of Miss Philippines Earth pageant held at The Cove in Okada Manila. Revoli Cortez

Fil-Chinese Janelle Lazo Tee is an eco-advocate and a former TV host Revoli Cortez

The 27-year-old Davao-born eco-tourism advocate is the third Miss Philippines Earth winner with Chinese lineage after 2001’s Carlene Aguilar and 2015 Miss Earth Angelia Ong. Ana Monica Tan of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental was named Miss Philippines Air while top favorite Chelsea Fernandez of Tacloban City was named Miss Philippines Water. The rest of the Top 5 elemental winners were Alexandra Dayrit of Marikina City and Karen Nicole Piccio of Maasin, Iloilo who were crowned Miss Philippines Fire and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism, respectively. Miss Earth Philippines 2018 Silvia Celeste Cortesi, who is currently based in Italy, was not around to pass on her crown. During the nerve-wracking Q and A portion, each of the Top 5 finalists were asked the same question: “Which do you think is a better strategy to encourage people to be environmentally conscious—give incentives for good environmental practice or penalize bad eco-habits? Why?” “I would choose to give incentives because as a productive country we know that we have a lot of communities that need help in terms of livelihood projects

and that’s what I’ve been doing with ABS-CBN Foundation. We have to teach them how to fish rather than just give them a fish for a day, something they can do for a living to sustain them,” Fil-Chinese beauty and former TV host replied. Tee, who works with ABS-CBN Foundation, had a stint as co-host in Willie Revillame’s Wowowin, which airs on GMA-7. Apart from the popular game show she also appeared on ANC’s Chinoy TV. Rounding out the Top 10 were Theressa Anne Mariano of Fil-Queensland, Australia, Brazzierie Yanson of Fil-Vienna, Austria, Jean de Jesus of San Rafael, Bulacan, Berjayneth Chee of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Halimatu Yushawu of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay, Nathalie Louise Rozas of Dumaguete City, Marla Alforque of Cebu City, Lovly Lamptey of Taguig City, and Zahra Bianca Saldua of Las Piñas City. Among the panel of judges were Michelle Tañada, founder Miss Earth Foundation, Lorraine Schuck, Executive VP of Carousel Productions, Jeffrey de la Paz, Manager of Diamond Hotel, beauty expert Ricky Reyes, Margot Chua, CEO HANA Cosmetics, and TV Host/ CNN News Anchor Christine Jacobs-Sandejas.

JEEPNEY TV, one of the brands under ABS-CBN’s subsidiary, Creative Programs Inc., thanks its online viewers as its YouTube channel becomes eligible for the platform’s Silver Play Button. From just 12,000 subscribers in February this year, Jeepney TV’s YouTube channel breached the 100K mark in only five months. It has logged almost 16 million views, with 92.4 million minutes of watch time from 2019 alone. Subscribers and non-subscribers alike are engaged by its fast cut episodes of classic ABSCBN programs, such as Home Along Da Riles, Palibhasa Lalake, and G-mik, plus in-depth celebrity interviews from its original production, Showbiz Pa More. Jeepney TV’s fast growth on the digital space also extends to its official Facebook page which to date has amassed over 1.5 million followers, with an impressive 336.5 million minutes of total video views from January to June 2019. Among its top viewed content are #RelateMuchKaBa and Trending, which are re-purposed content from Kapamilya shows. Jeepney TV began as a cable TV channel in June 2012 and remains to be among the Top 25 cable and niche channels nationwide. The channel’s coverage further expanded when it was launched among the new DTT channels of ABS-CBN TVplus in August 2018. It currently ranks as the No. 5 channel among households with ABSCBN TVplus boxes. Watch Jeepney TV on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 11, SKYcable channel 9, Destiny Cable Analog 41 and Digital 9. Subscribe to its YouTube channel for online access to great Kapamilya classics and other exciting programs, and follow @JeepneyTV on Facebook.

GATEWAY HOSTS ‘HELLO, LOVE, GOODBYE’ MALL TOUR HELLO, Love, Goodbye lead stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards will take the Gateway Activity Area stage at 4:00 p.m. today to promote the movie. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, this movie is a love story between two Filipino workers in Hong Kong played by the two A-list celebrities. The film has already created a buzz among expectant fans, with this being the two stars’ first movie together, and stories floating around about other cast members not speaking to Kathryn on set to get her into her character’s headspace. For fans to get a first glimpse of Kathryn and Alden’s working chemistry are invited to come to Gateway Mall and be among the lucky ones to see them

up close. A purchase of Hello, Love, Goodbye movie ticket at the Gateway activity area on the day of the event gives one access to the activity area for the much-awaited mall show with exciting games. Senior and discounted tickets purchased there are excluded from this promo. Araneta Center’s Gateway Mall has been a go-to site for visitors looking to enjoy more than just a shopping spree. It has hosted numerous wellattended activities,

including Darren Espanto’s album launch, a performance of famed Japanese drum troupe Drum Tao, the Japanese Tsugaru Shamisen player Keisho Ohno to celebrate and promote the 22nd Eigasai film festival, and movie mall tours of Sid & Aya featuring Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis, and First Love with stars Bea Alonzo and Aga Muhlach entertaining audiences, among many others. More celebrity-laden activities are expected to thrill shoppers when Gateway Mall

2 opens soon with a bigger activity area. Gateway Mall 2, the much-awaited extension of the multi-awarded mall, is situated beside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and is easily accessible via LRT and MRT through Gateway Mall and Farmers Plaza, respectively. For more information on events at Gateway Mall and in and around Araneta Center, visit www.aranetacenter.net and follow @TheAranetaCenter on Facebook and Instagram and @ AranetaCenter on Twitter. Kapuso leading man Alden Richards teams up with Kapamilya star Kathryn Bernardo in the much awaited film, ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye.’

Desiree Carlos, Editor

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

A GUIDE TO OWNING A CAT

ATS are such cute, lovable pets. But one should be ready for a lifetime companion before getting a cat.

ESSENTIAL oils have many healing qualities. For example, chamomile calms and lavender balances. Humans have grown to love essential oils for these healing properties. Some essential oils however are not good for pets. The aroma or smell of some oils can be toxic to animals when inhaled. In Essential Oils for Pets: The Best & Worst Oils to Help Your Furry Friends posted in Dr. Axe site, Annie Price (CHHC) gave a list of essential oils that are good for animals and another list identifying oils that are bad for dogs and cats. “Essential oils are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds that come from the seeds, bark, stems, flowers and roots of plants. If you’ve used them before, I’m sure you’re already familiar with how incredibly potent, fragrant and beneficial they can be to your health, but have you ever tried essential oils for pets?” Price wrote. The American Kennel Club said: “Preliminary research suggests that these potent oils may have some health benefits for dogs and humans, and many holistic veterinarians incorporate essential oils into their practices.” Today, many pet owners use some products with essentials oils due to health concerns such as flea and tick infestation and prevention, skin issues, and behavior problems like anxiety. While some oils have been beneficial for

THIS corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals. For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

To those considering getting or adopting a cat, please read these 10 tips from PetMD. “1. Cats are indeed independent by nature, but they're not quite able to take care of themselves. Before you adopt, make sure that your lifestyle can make room for a feline. How busy you are and the amount of time you spend at home will dictate the kind of cat you should get -- very busy people may find it difficult to find the time for a cat that needs a lot of grooming and attention, especially the highly intelligent and active cats. But, there are cats that are ideal for the working lifestyle. Do your research. 2. What if your circumstances change after the adoption? Or if you work long hours and still want a friendly face to greet you at the door at the end of the day? Adopting a buddy for the cat to play with can be an excellent solution. 3. Do you have any allergies? If you do suffer from severe allergic reactions, consider testing yourself for feline allergies before bringing a cat home. Then again, some people with allergies might adapt to their own pet, but still be allergic to other cats. A safe bet is to choose a cat with low allergens. Consult your vet, books, or animal shelter employees for suggestions. 4. Before you bring your cat home, take it for a checkup and immunizations. Also, schedule it to be neutered as soon as age permits. This can mean the difference between a healthy and happy cat, and a miserable cat trying to claw its way through the windows or spraying your furniture. 5. Get a good cat litter box and quality cat litter. An enclosed litter box can allow you and your cat more privacy, and clumping litter is easier to maintain. Keep the box clean, for the comfort of your cat and your nose. Also, make sure you buy well-balanced, age-appropriate food for your cat. Ask your vet, (and) the representatives at your local pet store.. for some advice. 6. Cats love to play. Toy mice, string, feathers, and even empty boxes make for great amusement. Playthings needn't be expensive (they can even be homemade), just make sure there's enough to keep your cat happy, active, and mentally occupied. 7. If you don't want your sofa shredded, or your new Louis Vuitton bag ruined, invest in a scratching post. 8. Catnip, and those little freeze-dried cat treats are excellent tools for cat bribery and training. 9. Get pet insurance. We hope you won't need it, but like they always say, "It's better to be safe than sorry." 10. If it's a kitten you're bringing home, make sure you start a grooming routine early. Bathing, brushing, and trimming claws will be an event to look forward to, rather than something to dread.” Do plan for a life with a cat for around 20 years as cats often live this long. You and your cat deserve to enjoy the best life and this can happen only if you are prepared for the long, magic-filled journey with your new cat.

(First of two parts)

MY FURRY BESTIE

Sweetheart, female, 1.5 -2 years old

Borhap and Gali, males, 9-10 months

The cats/ kittens in the photos were rescued by Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), an animal welfare group. They are all for adoption. If you can be a lifetime furparent to any of the kittens, please contact admins Maricel Mondejar and Julie Rodriguez. All have been spayed/ neutered and are vaccinated.

YOKO, three-year-old male furbaby of Gie Dee, loves running around the house and playing fetch. “He's in a constant fight with a rubber slipper. He is a very excited boy who has high energy to consume,” furparent Gie says. “Yoko's best part of the day is breakfast!! He loves pandesal!, “ Gie adds. Yoko also loves to travel with Gie.

ZOEY, a seven- year-old, yellow lab, is Mai's very playful baby. She has a big appetite and patiently waits for her brothers’ and sisters' food plates for a “clean up”. Furmom Mai Enzo Zoe thus calls her a “piglador.” She loves to play fetch and is crazy about squeeze balls. She sleeps beside her hooman belly up and snores. Z loves driving around for fun, especially when she knows they are heading to the dog spa. Editor's note: These stories were compiled by admin Miks Lim of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), a SEC-registered animal welfare group that helps animals in need, and encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from fosters, shelters and pounds, and spaying and neutering of pets to control animal population in the country, among others.

Capri and Ollie, females, 9-10 months

ESSENTIAL OILS AND PETS

Dathir, 1.5-year-old rescued pup, enjoys a weekly bath using a shampoo with some essential oils to repel ticks and fleas. pets’ well-being, some oils may have an adverse effect on some pets such as allergies and even poisoning. “Similar to the use of oils with children, it’s absolutely crucial to remember that a little goes a long, long way with pets, “Price said. “There are a good amount of essential oils that have been deemed safe and, even better helpful, to pet health. However, there are also many essential oils toxic to dogs and cats (and animals in general),” she added.

5 Best Oils for Dogs and Their Uses Price said the following oils have “impressive potential benefits.” 1. Lavender Oil Lavender oil, a popular choice among pet owners, has helpful effects on cases of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD and has an anti-anxiety ability, according to studies, Price said. Thus, this oil will likely calm you and your pet. “For pets like dogs, lavender essential oil’s calming effects can be very helpful for anxiety (often induced by visits to the vet or car rides), car sickness or sleep troubles,” Price said. “A 2006 clinical trial looked at the effects of lavender essential oil on 32 dogs with a history of travel-induced excitement in their owners’ cars. What did they find? The dogs exposed to the scent of lavender oil spent a significant amount more time resting and sitting and a lot less time moving around and vocalizing, “ Price added. Price said the researchers concluded, “Traditional treatments for travel-induced excitement in dogs may be time-consuming, expensive, or associated with adverse effects. Aromatherapy in the form of diffused lavender odor may offer a practical alternative treatment for travel-induced excitement in this species.”

Lavender oil is also a topical remedy for canine skin concerns like allergies and burns. It is also good for dog wounds and dog’s itching. 2. Peppermint Oil Peppermint is known to help get rid of fleas. It is found in some dog flea repellant. Price quoted Dr. Janet Roark, a veterinarian and the owner of Hill Country Mobile Veterinary Service in Austin, Texas: “Peppermint essential oil can be used to cool sore muscles, energize tired animals, and soothe upset stomachs. It refreshes the air when diffused and can freshen breath with taken internally. This oil can open the airways and promote a healthy respiratory tract, as well as soothe aching joints.” Peppermint also energizes and is a great mood booster for animals. Roark, who is also known as the “Essential Oil Vet,” said peppermint oil is best used topically with dogs. Using a shampoo with peppermint regularly will help kill fleas on dogs. 3. Chamomile Oil Roman chamomile oil is known for its anti-inflammatory property, making it a great choice for both humans and dogs if the problem is a skin irritation, burns, wounds, ulcers or eczema. “This is a very gentle essential oil that can

also help calm a stressed-out dog,” said Price. 4. Frankincense Oil Dr. Richard Palmquist, chief of integrative health services at Centinela Animal Hospital in Inglewood, Calif., said frankincense oil can be helpful in some cases of cancer. “The use of frankincense oil in pet cancer isn’t that surprising when you consider that research has shown the powerful potential for frankincense oil to help fight some forms of human cancer, including bladder cancer,” Price said. Frankincense oil has potent antimicrobial abilities, thus it is also a good choice for fighting germs and boosting the immune system, Price added. “Research using animal models (mice) also shows that this ancient oil has powerful anti-depressive effects, “ Price said. 5. Cedarwood Oil Cedarwood oil, according to Dogs Naturally Magazine, is an efficient and natural pest repellent. “Cedarwood essential oil when used in dogs also can act as an antiseptic for the lungs, expectorant for coughs (like kennel cough), circulation stimulator (making it helpful for bodily pains and arthritis), hair growth booster and dandruff reducer, diuretic, and a general calming agent that can help with behavior concerns like shyness or nervous aggression, “ Price said. DC Next week: 5 essential oils for cats, oild toxic to pets, and how to use essential oils for pets.