Manila Standard - 2019 August 10 - Saturday

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Doctors group opposes reuse of Dengvaxia A GROUP of physicians on Friday rejected the proposal to lift the ban on Dengvaxia, saying the vaccine would not address the ongoing dengue outbreak, even as the number of infections continued to rise unabated.

In a press conference, Dr. Julie Caguiat, one of five doctors representing various medical groups, slammed drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur for lying to the public when it introduced the anti-dengue vaccine to the Philippines.

As hundreds die in the severe outbreak, many of them children, President Rodrigo Duterte said late Thursday he

was open to lifting his government’s blanket ban on Dengvaxia.

The latest figures from the Office of Civil Defense posted Friday morning showed 11 more deaths and 5,322 new cases from 11 regions it was monitoring, bringing its totals to 492 deaths and 122,112 dengue cases.

The official Department of Health figures as of July 20 are at 622 dengue casualties and 146,062 cases over seven months this year.

This moved House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda

Romualdez, to purchase four fogging machines from their personal funds to augment the number of misting machines used in anti-dengue operations in Leyte.

They said the fogging machines would be made available for free to local government units that need help in mosquito fogging operations.

LGUs only need to make the request to municipal coordinators, the couple said, and the machines with insecticides would be deployed to the affected barangays. Next page

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 177 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FIGHTING DENGUE. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III checks the dextrose of one of the dengue patients admitted at the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City, during his rounds in regional government hospitals on Wednesday. Official figures suggest Quezon has recorded 3,604 dengue cases with nine deaths from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3. Also in photo is Health Assistant Secretary Maria Francis Laxamana (center) and Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo Janairo. while a man harvests snake weed or asthma weed—tawwatawwa in Ilokano—(Euphorbia hirta Linn.) believed by herbalists to be the solution against dengue virus—taken at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City on Friday. DOH-Calabarzon, Lino Santos

China still to reject PH arbitral victory CONTRASTING VIEWS.

Even if Duterte brings it up with Xi—Sino envoy

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua (left) insists, despite Manila’s and Beijing’s ‘friendship,’ his country’s rejection of the Philippines’ arbitral victory over the disputed South China Sea will remain.

On the same day, President Rodrigo Duterte, who has led the Philippines in the pivot towards China, presides over the Joint Armed Forces of the PhilippinesNational Police Command Conference in Malacañang on issues regarding his country’s ‘friendship’ with China.

Presidential Photo/Manny Palmero

By Rey E. Requejo and MJ Blancaflor

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ESPITE the two countries’ “friendship,” Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on Friday said Beijing’s rejection of Manila’s arbitral victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration over the disputed South China Sea will remain—even if President Rodrigo Duterte finally brings it up with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping.

FOREVER TRAFFIC. Arrivals

at destinations in Metro Manila (above) have been detestably delayed for the past three days running as the MMDA started to strictly implement the yellow lane policy after authorities saw its nonenforcement last week but inadvertently worsened vehicular traffic, a sight that seems forever in the capital’s major EDSA thoroughfare. Below, long queue of trailer trucks are on the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard after the Port Area suspended their operation due to bad weather. Manny Palmero, Lino Santos

“Our position has been clearly stated at the very beginning of the filing of the arbitration.

And when the result of the arbitration [was Next page

Gov’t goes after illegal recruiters of POGO workers

By MJ Blancaflor and Maricel V. Cruz MALACAÑANG said the government will run after illegal recruiters of workers for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGOs. “Anything illegal, we will run after them,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters in a chance inter-

view Friday.

Panelo said this a day after the Chinese embassy urged the Duterte government to penalize gambling entities, including POGO operators, which illegally recruit Chinese citizens.

“It can be illegal if they do not observe the protocols imposed by the government,” Panelo said.

This came after the Philippine Amuse-

ment and Gaming Corp. proposed to contain POGOs in communities or “hubs” to reduce interaction with Filipinos due to the Chinese workers’ supposed unruly behavior.

“When PAGCOR refers to these hubs as ‘self-contained communities,’ it does not imply any restriction on the personal rights or liberties of the [Chinese] workers.

Next page

Rody says Joma blocks peace talks Think tank sees

By MJ Blancaflor

Port closure clogs Roxas Blvd., pier

By Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday communist leaders were “insisting” on reviving the peace talks with the government, but Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison denied it.

President Duterte said Fidel Agcaoili and Luis Jalandoni wanted to resume the peace talks that were terminated last year.

“I don’t know, but they are insisting on resuming the talks and the others,” Duterte said during the oathtaking of highranking police officials in Malacañang.

But Sison, the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines representing rebels in peace negotiations, said Duterte was “completely wrong” in saying they were insisting on resuming the talks.

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More than 2m begin hajj trip

HUNDREDS of trucks and delivery vans created a 7.6-kilometer long traffic jam along Roxas Boulevard from Port Area, Manila to Buendia, Pasay City Friday, after Manila South Harbor was closed due to bad weather.

The Philippine Ports Authority ordered Asian Terminal Inc., operator of the Manila South Harbor, not to allow trucks to enter the terminal even if their Terminal Appointment Booking

MECCA—More than 2 million Muslims begin the annual hajj on Friday as the Saudi hosts seek to deter politicization of the pilgrimage against a backdrop of simmering Gulf tensions.

The hajj, one of the world’s largest

Next page

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ISIS resurgence

WEATHER

Enhanced monsoon to bring more rain

THE country will continue to be under the influence of the southwest monsoon being enhanced by Typhoon “Lekima” (formerly Typhoon “Hanna”), the state weather bureau said.

Heavy rains that started early Friday morning led Malacañang to suspend afternoon work in government, public and private schools in Metro Manila owing to the continuing inclement weather.

Next page

By Jimbo Gulle A BIGGER problem is looming for the country’s security forces, if a prediction by a Washington-based think tank becomes true.

The terror group ISIS has started a Next page

US lifts security notice on NAIA

By Rey E. Requejo, Joel E. Zurbano, and Othel V. Campos THE United States Department of Homeland Security on Thursday Next page

News

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

OSG as ‘tuta‘ hit in sedition case

By Rey E. Requejo

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AWYERS of respondents on Friday assailed the decision of the Office Solicitor General to represent the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the sedition complaint filed against Vice President Leni Robredo and 35 others over their alleged involvement in a plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

During the start of preliminary investigation of the complaint at the Department of Justice, Assistant Solicitor General Angelita Miranda manifested her appearance as lead counsel for the complainant, PNP-CIDG.

Senate hearing on ‘hellish‘ EDSA jams set Tuesday SENATOR Grace Poe, head of the Senate public services committee, will question transport officials on Tuesday over the “hellish” traffic choking EDSA and bringing untold misery to the public.

Concerned sectors were also called to a public hearing on Aug. 13 to explain the gridlock on EDSA amid the test run for the EDSA provincial bus ban.

The panel will tackle Senate Resolution 954 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the proposed provincial bus ban along the major artery.

“Matinding kalbaryo na naman ang nararanasan ng ating mga kababayang dumadaan sa EDSA. Maniningil tayo ng paliwanag at hindi natin palalagpasin ang kailangang managot sa kaguluhang ito,” Poe said..

Meanwhile, the National Economic and Development Authority says the completion of the infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program will cut the transport cost in Metro Manila from P3.5 billion daily in 2017 to around P2.13 billion per day in 2022.

NEDA says this estimate could be achieved aside from reducing traffic congestion that has been a daily occurrence for the past several years in the metropolis.

In a meeting led by Public Works Secretary Mark Villar on Aug. 5, the committee endorsed for the NEDA board’s approval the results and recommendations of the Follow-up Survey on the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for the Greater Capital Region or the Roadmap 2.

Poe said the traffic schemes and policies should consider both vehicles and people.

The monstrous traffic reportedly came amid the implementation of the yellow lane for buses and the dry run for the provincial bus ban on EDSA. Poe said the proposed scheme should be thoroughly scrutinized, especially amid the public clamor to suspend it and the legal questions raised by some groups before the courts.

“We will thresh out all these issues in a productive dialogue where all stakeholders will have a voice and will be part of the solution,” Poe said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan has taken up the cudgels for commuters and called on the Metro Manila Development Authority to stop its “anti-family, anti-progress” experiments on EDSA. “Think of the commuters’ circumstances in the experiments to ease traffic jams,” Pangilinan said.

He said commuters who make up 70 percent of the road users use only 20 percent of the roads, but their space is further being limited.

“We ask not only for consideration but also for the use of logic,” said Pangilinan who has proposed the Magna Carta for Dignified Commuting. Macon RamosAraneta and Julito G. Rada

Rody...

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In 2017, Duterte signed Proclamation 360 declaring the termination of the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines, along with its political wing National Democratic Front of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army.

The resumption of the talks was scheduled in late June last year, but it was canceled as the government sought to review all agreements of the communists with the previous administrations.

The government and the CPP-NPA have also accused each other of violating ceasefire agreements.

Sison said the “peace negotiations and the Manila visit of Agcaoili and Jalandoni are impossible so long as Duterte is in power and does not remove the aforesaid obstacles that he himself is responsible for.”

Agcaoili is the NDFP’s chief peace negotiator while Jalandoni is a senior adviser to the negotiating panel.

Sison said the CPP had maintained its policy of keeping the doors “always open to [the] peace negotiations,” but claimed that the current political environment was not conducive to the talks.

“Peace negotiations are a mode of talking to the enemy, addressing the roots of the armed conflict and possibly ending the long-running civil war in the Philippines,” Sison said.

Duterte has been blaming the NPA for the torture and murder of four policemen in Ayungon town in Negros Oriental last month and for the spate of killings in the province.

But lawyers of the respondents, particularly former Senator Rene Saguisag, legal counsel of Senator Risa Hontiveros, objected to it.

“It [OSG] should not be the tuta [lapdog]

of the administration,” Saguisag told the panel of prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation.

This prompted Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas, who chairs the panel, to give the lawyers of respondents until Aug. 16 to file motions questioning the authority of the OSG to represent the PNPCIDG. The OSG, on the other hand, was given until Aug. 23 to file its comment over the motions.

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who is also one of the respondents in the complaint, said that he could not recall that OSG participated in any preliminary inves-

China...

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On Tuesday, Duterte said he plans to discuss the July 12, 2016 arbitral award with the Chinese president during his upcoming trip to Beijing, his fifth as President.

But Zhao expressed optimism that the friendly ties between China and the Philippines under the Duterte administration will not be affected by the President’s plan.

He added that he believes the President would not be confrontational when he brings up the award.

The arbitral award invalidated the China’s “nine-dash-line” claims over the South China Sea and clarified the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, including the West Philippine Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration also ruled in favor of the Philippines that the potentially oil-rich Recto (Reed) Bank was inside the country’s West Philippine Sea. For three years, Duterte chose not to bring the award up in talks with Beijing, preferring to pursue warmer ties with China.

On Tuesday, he said the time has come for him to assert Manila’s rights to the disputed sea.

The administration has been repeatedly criticized for setting aside the arbitral award in pursuit of warmer relations with Beijing and to attract investments from China.

The President also received flak over his verbal agreement with Xi on fishing in disputed waters after a Chinese ship hit and sank a Filipino fishing boat near Recto Bank in June, a case he called a simple maritime incident.

Meanwhile, Zhao said that Beijing will not seek a larger share of oil and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea in a joint venture.

“There is one thing I can assure you. China will not insist on a larger share than that of the Philippines from the perspective of the government. It’s really up to the enterprises concerned, the two sides to decide,” Zhao said, in an interview.

Zhao’s assurance came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would push

Doctors...

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parents blamed it for the deaths of several dozen children who were among more than 700,000 people immunized in a state-run trial program.

After the Dengvaxia scare caused Filipinos to shy away from vaccines, the country was hit withmeasles and dengue outbreaks that have so far killed nearly a thousand people this year. The government declared a dengue epidemic on Tuesday.

While he was “in a quandary” regarding the use of Dengvaxia, Duterte said the perceived risk had to be weighed against the 662 deaths from out of the 146,000-plus dengue cases monitored by the government so far this year.

“Yes, I am open to the use of Dengvaxia again. So many people are dead. It’s an epidemic. Now compare it vis-a-vis, with those who died (allegedly due to the vaccine),” Duterte told reporters.

Dengue, or hemorrhagic fever, is the world’s most common mosquito-borne virus and infects an estimated 390 million people in more than 120 countries each year—killing more than 25,000 of them, according to the World Health Organization.

It said Dengvaxia is now licensed for use in 20 other countries.

The dengue-prone Philippines in 2016 became the first nation to use Dengvaxia in a mass immunization program.

But controversy arose after Sanofi disclosed a year later that it could worsen symptoms for people not previously infected by the virus.Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz with AFP and PNA

rendered]... we also expressed that we will not accept it and we will not recognize it.

Our position has not changed, and will not be changed,” Zhao said on the sidelines of a ceremony at the Department of the Interior and Local Government to acknowledge a P10-million donation from the Chinese government to victims of the recent earthquake in Batanes.

On a parallel issue, Malacañang said Friday China should accord the Philippines the “courtesies” required of “friends” after Beijing’s research vessels and warships were sighted in the country’s waters.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said China did not ask for clearance before several of its warships passed through the Sibutu Strait in the country’s southern tip four time from February to July.

“We’re friends, we provide each other with courtesies required of friendship,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters Friday.

Panelo said he agrees with Lorenzana that Beijing should have asked Manila for clearance, but noted that it is yet to be confirmed whether the Chinese government allowed the incursions.

“Even on the basis of friendship, then a matter of courtesy require that we should be informed of any passage to our exclusive economic zone,” Panelo said.

Zhao also downplayed the rising tensions, saying Beijing is “not seeking trouble” amid the unresolved disputes in the vital waterway.

“There are a lot of ships that [are] navigating in the South China Sea. Within military, I think each one of the ships, particularly Navy ships, deserves careful observation.

Not only the Chinese and the Philippines know but also everyone,” Zhao said on the sidelines of an event.

“China will continue to be a good friend, a good neighbor and close relatives of the Filipino people,” he said.

Dr. Joshua San Pedro, a community doctor and co-convener of the Coalition for People’s Right to Health, said the DOH has failed to lead the “most important” phase of eradicating a “predictable” epidemic— prevention.

“DoH is reactive in its programs to strategically address preventable epidemic, like dengue,” he said. “On the ground, dengue prevention campaign, medical supplies adn health personnel are sorely lacking.

Caguiat, secretary of the Community Medicine Practitioners and Advocates Association or Compass, objected to the return of Dengvaxia, saying Sanofi has yet to publish the full result of its phase 3 trial or complete pre-planned subgroup analysis and the complete documents for phase 4.

“They lied to the people before. Why should physicians and the people trust them now?” Caguiat said.

Former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. director Anthony Leachon said eradicating the breeding places of mosquitoes and a massive clean-up of schools, workplaces and communities is more effective than vaccination with a “potentially dangerous vaccine.”

Another health expert, Dr. Antonio Dans, suggested that if the government is considering re-introducing Dengvaxia, it should be done properly this time.

Manila prohibited the import, sale and distribution of the drug—manufactured by French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi—after

Think tank...

From A1

comeback that could be “more deadly than the havoc it wreaked” at the height of its power in 2014, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War. The jihadist organization is “resurging” in Iraq and Syria five months after US President Donald Trump declared ISIS “100 per cent” defeated, the institute said as reported by Britain’s THE SUN newspaper.

This means that the Philippines will not see the last of ISIS-trained “homegrown” suicide bombers such as the ones that attacked a military camp in Sulu in June, which prompted local defense officials and military analysts to say it “raised the level of extremism” in the country.

If a new caliphate is set up in Iraq and Syria, the Washington institute said the terror group “will incite new waves of ISIS attacks across Europe” and possibly the Philippines, where ISIS-allied Abu Sayyaf forces seized and laid waste to Marawi City in 2017.

“ISIS’s next breakout success could be even more devastating than its 2014 campaign,” the report stated. “Its external provinces outside Iraq and Syria are contributing resources to its insurgency in those countries while giving the organization renewed global momentum.”

The terror group’s ability “to campaign simultaneously abroad and in Iraq and Syria gives it new opportunities,” the ISW added.

Port closure...

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System or TABS has been confirmed for Friday afternoon.

“The PPA has suspended TABS at the Manila South Harbor as inclement weather brought by Typhoon “Hanna” has enhanced monsoon rains,” PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said in a radio interview.

Asian Terminals, the private operator of POM, was instructed to call those that had bookings for Friday afternoon to turn around as ports are able to accommodate those that are already in the area.

Santiago said their operations were on “stop and go” basis due to the bad weather.

“The operations were not stopped. The port operates 24 hours but the problem was the bad weather. We cannot operate the equipment and the cranes because of strong winds,” he said. With PNA

US...

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rescinded, effective immediately, its public notice on the security concerns at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which was issued in December last year after noting significant improvements in NAIA’s security operations.

The travel advisory was published on Dec. 27, 2018, after multiple assessments of NAIA identified a failure to adequately implement and maintain international security

tigation in any criminal case before the DOJ. “The entire office had nothing to do with the... criminal investigation. I think if you look back at the history of the OSG, I don’t think the OSG did that,” he said, in an interview.

Hilbay said that when he was still solicitor general, he did not think of interfering in criminal matters because the power of the OSG in criminal cases is limited to appeals.

“The independence of that office will be lost if at that level it is already interfering,” he added.

Miranda defended the OSG decision to represent as lead counsel of the PNP-CIDG, saying it is not the first time it has done so.

for the joint exploitation of natural resources in the disputed waters when he meets Xi later this month.

Duterte said he sees nothing wrong with China’s proposal of 60-40 deal to split oil resources in the West Philippine Sea in Manila’s favor.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding concerning oil and gas exploration when Xi visited the country last year.

Duterte also signed an executive order earlier this year making it easier for the government to enter into oil exploration and development deals with third parties.

The Chief Executive is scheduled to visit China later this month to discuss maritime issues with Xi. It would be his fifth visit to China since he took office in 2016.

Duterte said the territorial dispute is “becoming a very big issue,” but saying he does not want trouble.

Duterte also said he will raise the creation of the binding code of conduct between the claimants in South China Sea. He said the creation of the code, which will outline the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, is being delayed by China.

The Palace said Friday that the President will get “something” out of his friendship with China.

Panelo said this was after Duterte had claimed that he will push joint oil exploration in the West Philippine Sea. “We have to get something out of this friendship. I think the joint exploration [deal] will be a good one given the fact that it was the Chinese government that offered the 60-40 deal,” Panelo said.

Duterte said that he favors China’s proposal to share oil resources in the West Philippine Sea, as long as the government will get a bigger share.

Panelo also said the government is hoping that China will change its aggressive stance in the disputed territories after Duterte’s visit.

“Friends can alter their positions because of friendships,” he said.

Gov’t...

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They are free to go wherever they may want to, do whatever they may want to, within the limits of the law,” the state gaming firm said Friday in a statement.

The Chinese embassy earlier claimed that Chinese workers were subjected to “extortion, physical abuse and torture as well as other ill-treatments” and their passports were taken away by some employers.

Meanwhile, Surigao Rep. Robert Ace Barbers is seeking safeguards to prevent POGOs from being used by criminal syndicates, including drug traffickers, as well as terrorists as money laundering vehicles.

Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, seeks the enactment of laws to institute such safeguards.

The hubs, Pagcor said, are intended to host the operations of the offshore gaming industry firms for the agency to improve its monitoring and regulatory capabilities.

The proponents of these hubs are required to develop within the property, office and residential spaces, food establishments, grocery or convenience stores, wellness and recreational facilities, service shops “and all others which may be needed by the workers hosted thereat,” Pagcor said.

“They are also required to provide free office spaces to government agencies exercising regulatory or oversight functions over the industry,” its statement added.

With POGO workers hosted in specific sites, PAGCOR “and other relevant government agencies can readily address all their concerns and protect them from harassment and harm.”

Barbers, however, said while the government, particularly the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Pagcor, see only the economic benefits of e-gaming, “it apparently appears blind on the possibility that it may be used by drug syndicates and other crime groups to launder their money.”

In another development, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday he will check on the possible security threats from the planned development of three islands that would host POGOs and could be used as footholds for Chinese activities.

One of the islands, Fuga, is in the Babuyan archipelago, “a very strategic crossing for our ships,” Lorenzana said.

Chiquita and Grande, the two other islands, are at the mouth of Subic Bay where “we are going to park a lot of our capital assets later on,” Lorenzana said. The area is also home to a freeport zone and a former US Navy base. Maricel V. Cruz standards and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944.

“Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan ordered, effective immediately, rescission of the public notice after the Philippine government has made significant improvements to the security operations NAIA,” the DHS said, in a statement posted on its website.

“Both the Manila International Airport Authority and the Government of the Phil-

Angara bashes DepEd for audit, ‘disappointing performance‘

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara on Friday rebuked the Education department over its disappointing performance in 2018.

The report by the Commission on Audit indicated that 27-million textbooks were not delivered for the use of the students, and that. There were error-filled textbooks worth P254 million.

State auditors cited the mistakes in the books for grade 3 pupils, which said Aurora and Zambales were coastal provinces and the Batangas port was an international gateway.

They also cited the use of water in a thermometer and a remark likening the retina to a curtain covering the eye.

“In effect, the errors/deficiencies found in subject learning materials that are provided to the learners and educators in public elementary schools rendered these instructional materials of poor quality,” the report said.

The report also showed there were zero deliveries for some items necessary for the success of the K-to-12 program.

“We are supposed to be showing progress in our educational system, but after seeing these figures, clearly we still have a long way to go,” Angara said.

“Education always gets the biggest share of the government’s funds and rightfully so, because this will ensure the country remains competitive with its people as its backbone,” Angara said.

“So why are we shortchanging our people on this front with such inefficiencies?”

Angara is set to file a resolution next week to look into the chronic delays in the procurement and distribution of critical Basic Education Facilities and the adverse effects of this on basic education outcomes, including the performance of students.

The department, in its performance report cited by the Commission on Audit in its 2018 report on the agency, said it was supposed to build 47,000 new classrooms for the year but only managed to complete 11.

“That’s not even one percent of the target,” Angara said. With Rio N. Araja

More...

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religious gatherings, is one of Islam’s five pillars and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.It consists of a series of religious rites which are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.

“All of the arms of state have been deployed [and] we are proud to serve as ‘God’s hosts’,” said security forces spokesman Bassam Attia.

In total some 2.5 million faithful, the majority from abroad, will undertake the pilgrimage this year, according to local media.

“More than 1.8 million visas were delivered online without the need for middlemen. It’s a success,” said hajj ministry official Hatim bin Hassan Qadi.

“We feel cleansed by achieving this pillar of Islam and meeting people from across the world. It’s marvellous,” said Mohamed Jaafar, a 40-year-old Egyptian pilgrim. AFP

Enhanced...

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The work suspension order took effect at 3 p.m., according to Memorandum Circular No. 64 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rain could be expected over Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the Batanes and Babuyan Islands, the Mindoro Provinces, and Palawan.

Residents in these areas were advised to take precautionary measures against possible flashfloods in low-lying areas and landslides over mountainous areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration added.

The southwest monsoon would also bring cloudy conditions accompanied with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over the Western Visayas and the rest of Luzon, with partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms expected across the rest of the country, PAGASA said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also said the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon has so far affected 18,045 families or 72,802 persons in several regions. PNA ippines civil aviation security authorities have demonstrated they are willing to work toward sustaining those improvements,” it added.

This after the Transportation Security Administration found NAIA, the Philippines’ premier international gateway, demonstrating significant improvements to the security operations at the facility.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim also praised Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for the latest development.

News Comelec gets over 100,000 applications for voters

By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections has received more than 100,000 applications during the first week of the voter registration period which started Aug. 1, 2019.

In a statement , the Comelec said it received a total 100,399 applications nationwide since it opened the voter registration on Aug. 1.

The voter registration was opened ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled on May 11, 2020.

Of the number of registrants, 92,292 applications came from regular voters, or those who are 18 years old and above, while 8,107 were received from SK registrants with ages 15 to 17 years old, Comelec said.

The Comelec said Calabarzon had the highest turnout for regular voters with 19,651, while Visayas received the most number of SK registrants at 1,043.

It said also observed that there were more female applicants with 55,975 compared to the number of male applications, which is at 44,424.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez welcomed the turnout and expects more will still register in the coming days once it is ascertained that the May 2020 polls will be pushing through.

“The turnout seems to be good and huge, largely from the youth. There are more youths filing applications,” he said.

The voter registration will run until Sept. 30, 2019, the Comelec said.

Applications will be accepted from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, the Comelec added.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hundreds of Israel-born PH children risk exile I N THE heat of the summer, Sivan Noel and her sister Michal say they rarely venture outside of their family’s small, basement apartment in Tel Aviv.

The two girls, 11 and nine, risk being deported to the family’s home country, the Philippines, even though they’ve never set foot there.

“I was born here,” said Sivan, the 11-year-old.

“It’s really unfair that after being born here and having a family, friends, school and studies, we are being told that... we now must leave to a place that we hardly know.”

They and hundreds of other Filipino families in Israel are caught up in a legal battle that has put them at risk of deportation.

Many of the 28,000 Filipinos in Israel arrived to work as caregivers and domestic helpers, but according to the United Children of Israel (UCI) association, some 600 families could now face expulsion over a loss of residency status.

The issue holds particular resonance in Israel, where there are long-term fears about maintaining a Jewish majority in the country founded as a national homeland for Jews in the wake of the Holocaust.

But children such as Sivan and Michal pose a special case.

They were born in Israel, attend school in the country, speak and write on social media in Hebrew and dress in the same

tank tops, shorts and sandals as other children in Tel Aviv.

Their mother, Ramela Noel, arrived legally in the country in 2003 as a domestic worker.

She later met her husband, who is also Filipino, and became pregnant with Sivan, the oldest of the two girls.

She then faced a heartbreaking choice: either leave the country or send her child to the Philippines in order to maintain her visa, as spelled out in her employment contract. AFP

Ramela Noe, with her daughter, 11-year-old Sivan

AFP

4 dead in renewed fighting between troops, rebels

By Francisco Tuyay SECURITY forces chanced upon local armed terrorists extorting from residents in a remote village in Negros Occidental, sparking clashes, killing three cadres and wounding several others Thursday afternoon, military sources said Friday.

The fighting between government forces took place in Sitio Boyuron, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, which also resulted in the death of an army soldier and wounding of two others.

Military sources said the troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion responded to reports that guerrillas from the New People’s Army were extorting from local residents at about 2 p.m. Thursday.

As the troops, on combat operations focusing on the presence of NPAs, inched closer to the area, gunbursts occurred, triggering a fierce fight that lasted for about 30 minutes.

The troops claimed there were three dead terrorists and several of their wounded comrades were being dragged away from the site of encounter.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the CPP-NPA had force to recruit minors to fill up the decline in membership following the return of lowly cadres to the mainstream society.

“While we know for a fact the growing desperation of the CPP-NPANDF as their so-called “forces” and influence tremendously diminished,

their deceptive recruitment of minors is nothing new since they have been doing this for decades,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said the CPP-NPA had been using “legal front” organizations to advance people’s democratic rights and “they have freely operated in democratic spaces such as campuses and vulnerable communities to lure our citizens into joining sectoral organizations and eventually, the armed movement.”

He said, “That is why the defense and military establishments are very vocal against the deceptive recruitment of young Filipinos in our schools and other institutions, and strongly condemn the abhorrent practice of using children in armed conflict.”

Mining community fears loss of livelihood BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— Amid fear of losing their livelihood and jobs, sectoral leaders of Didipio and some workers held a dialogue with the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government Tuesday to air their sentiments on the impending temporary suspension of work in the Didipio mine.

Residents from Didipio appealed to Gov. Carlos Padilla to recall his order addressed to the barangay officials to “restrain the operation” of OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. The governor issued the order based on his position that the mining firm should not operate as the renewal was still pending as of June 20, 2019, despite confirmation from the national government that the company had the right to operate while the renewal was being finalized.

Acting on the Governor’s order, Didipio barangay officials put up a blockade that has impeded access to and from the mine since July 1, 2019.

OGPI holds the first Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement with the National Government with an initial term of 25 years, renewable for the same period.

David Way, OGPI general manager, said, “We have commenced the renewal process of our FTAA with the national government since March of last year.

Upon the expiry of the first term of our FTAA last June 20, 2019, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau authorized our continued operations at Didipio pending confirmation of the new FTAA. The Company filed a preliminary injunction request to the Regional Trial Court of Nueva Vizcaya to end what it considers as unauthorized restraint on its operation but was denied. Abe Almirol

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Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

Agriculture, the climate emergency, and the Philippines The Special Report addresses greenhouse gas fluxes in land-based ecosystems, land use and sustainable land management in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation, desertification, land degradation and food security.

According to the EVERY day, there is bad news related to climate change. Heat wave in IPCC, this report provides an updated Europe. In the Poles, Antartica, and assessment of the current state of Greenland—unprecedented melting of knowledge while striving for coherence glaciers and ice sheets that’s bound to and complementarity with other recent raise estimates of sea level rice. And reports, including the IPCC Special right here in our very own backyard, Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C), intense monsoon rains aggravated by a the Intergovernmental Science Policy typhoon that has resulted in successive Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Report on Land Degradation days of suspended classes.

But the mother of all news on cli- and Restoration, the IPBES Global mate change this week is the Intergov- Assessment Report on Biodiversity and ernmental Panel on Climate Change Ecosystem Services, and the Global Special Report on Climate Change and Land Outlook of the UN Convention to Land and the release of the report’s Sum- Combat Desertification.

The report mary for Policy begins with a Makers. And the clear undernews is not good standing of the either; in fact, it role of land for is alarming and In other words, we human society governments and well beand stakeholdare in trouble. ing: “Land is ers everywhere integral to humust take note man habitation and respond apand livelihoods, propriately and providing food effectively to its and resources, and also serves as a findings and recommendations.

The IPCC Special Report on Cli- source of identity and cultural meanmate Change and Land, was commis- ing.” It is also absolutely clear that sioned in 2016 and prepared by three “the combined impacts of climate working groups of 107 scientists from change, desertification, land degradamore than 50 countries across all re- tion and food insecurity pose obstagions of the world—with more than cles to resilient development and the half of the contributing authors from achievement of the Sustainable Dedeveloping nations. It consists of 1200 velopment Goals [SDGs].” In other pages with an executive summary and, words, we are in trouble, with experts following normal IPCC practice, in- warning that the rise in global tempercludes a Summary for Policy Makers atures, linked to increasing pressures that was negotiated and approved early on fertile soil, is now threatening food Turn to A5 this week.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

T

One fine mess

HIS week, a massive traffic jam on EDSA—Metro Manila’s main highway—did more than inconvenience commuters. It angered many more for highlighting the divide between the rich and the poor, and for showcasing the whimsical policymaking of those tasked to make things better in the first place.

Aside from the six traffic incidents recorded between 4 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Metro Manila Development Authority also enforced a rule that confined all buses—city or provincial—to within EDSA’s yellow (outermost) lane. This created queues that blocked private vehicles coming from Edsa’s side streets, making it difficult for them to reach the highway’s inner lanes and flyovers.

The gridlock was so bad that bus passengers spent hours on the road; some took to walking to reach their destinations. They also vented their anger on social media, lambasting the MMDA for coming up with such an insensitive traffic scheme.

The inclement weather did not make the commute any easier for passengers, either.

Images of the gridlock and of desperate passengers waiting for a ride remind us that Metro Manila, while supposed to be a vibrant metropolis full of opportunities, greatly immobilizes

its citizens with its oppressive, even dehumanizing, public transport system.

The Metro Rail Transit, for instance, should have helped ease congestion on EDSA. Unfortunately its ill maintenance and the resulting delays and long queues on stations have hardly given commuters a viable option to get to their destinations.

The proposed ban on provincial buses, which would force commuters to alight in exit points in the north or south to transfer to city buses, is also under scrutiny. A Senate committee hearing next week will attempt to shed light on the benefits and costs of the scheme.

Many groups claim there was hardly any consultation done in drafting the proposal.

Meanwhile, Malacañang has asked commuters to be “more patient” as the MMDA sorts through the menace of Metro Manila traffic.

“I’m sure the MMDA is doing enough,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

The MMDA’s head of traffic, Col.

Bong Nebrija, defended his agency in a television interview. “We’re just doing our job.”

A better way of doing the job might be to look at the numbers and behavioral patterns causing the perennial gridlock on EDSA, instead of making commuters guinea pigs for their policy experiments. In 2017, more that 360,000 vehicles on EDSA were private vehicles. Some 12,000 were city buses while 3,300 were provincial buses. Drivers of private vehicles, no doubt, behave differently from drivers of city or provincial buses.

Who, then, has the responsibility of getting these motorists to conduct themselves better on the road?

Who can figure out sound solutions that will last longer than anybody’s term?

In this part of the world, ownership of a vehicle is a testament to personal success and upward mobility. Given the sorry state of public transport, we can’t blame people for wanting to spend their time on the road in comfort and privacy.

We should remember, however, that this is not the ideal situation. The former mayor of Bogota, Colombia once said that a truly developed country is not where the poor have cars; it is where the rich use public transportation. If we use this yardstick, then we are a long way from development, indeed.

Distractions from the state of the nation unchecked influx of Chinese nationals that has prompted National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to call them “a threat” and PAGCOR to contemplate creating zones for Philippine offshore gaming operations because of some Chinese nationals’ THE Bea-Gerald-Julia thing has disorderly behavior. distracted us long enough from the Two POGO hubs are to be pressing issues confronting our society constructed in Clark and Cavite. that have been ignored for too long.

According to PAGCOR vice president What follows is a litany of sorrow, of Jose Tria, these hubs are “self-contained terror, of frustration. Of wanting better communities, na iiwas na natin ‘yong and knowing we are capable of better, interaction between the Filipinos and but that greed and duplicity on the part the foreign workers,” he said in an of some of our leaders bar us from interview uploaded to Youtube. achieving that, as does our own apathy “As soon as…the private and sense of powerlessness. participation is able to set up these While we were learning about hubs, then we will be canceling their ghosting in a relationship, that patriarchal authority to operate outside these hubs, attitudes still ipapasok na lang paint the woman namin sila doon, the hussy and para easier to seducer rather monitor,” he than the man, and added.

We are that for showbiz The Chinese overwhelmed by the people negative E m b a s s y publicity is immensity and weight expressed its still publicity “grave concern” of everything. and therefore over PAGCOR’s advantageous, plan and Tria’s more important words and said issues were it “strongly ignored by or urges the Philippine government to went under the radar of the majority of effectively protect the legitimate rights our kababayan. Among them: and interests of Chinese citizens in the In President Rodrigo Duterte’s Philippines.” fourth State of the Nation Address, In Negros Oriental, 15 people he basically knuckled under to China, were killed—murdered—within one under the reason of protecting the week. The casualties included four country from superior firepower intelligence officers, a lawyer, and a because war is implied if we stand up school principal. Seven of them were to the bully. killed on one day—July 25.

This is alarming considering the President Duterte offered a reward runaway inroads China has made into of P3 million for information leading to our politics, environment, economy, the slayers of the four policemen, and and territorial concerns. Related to this has threatened to impose martial law is the news that Chinese developers are upon the province, “to quell lawless eyeing the islands of Fuga in Cagayan violence.” province, and Grande and Chiquita in The provincial bus ban in Metro Subic Bay, Zambales province.

Manila left many people stranded the Senator Panfilo Lacson calls this day it was enforced. A photo taken move “suspicious” because these at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday at Coastal three islands are close to the country’s Mall showed pedestrians completely naval facilities. He added that this is blanketing the northbound lane of the a “security concern” especially after highway. some Chinese nationals were observed Meanwhile, the Metropolitan taking pictures of a naval facility in Manila Development Authority’s traffic Palawan. interventions on EDSA last Wednesday A connected issue is the practically Turn to A5

Ironic

WHILE the Department of Health is being held accountable for keeping in its warehouse roughly P3 billion of medicines about to expire soon, it is a pity or rather even weird government hospitals to run out of stock of vital supplies for their operation.

The other day, former media man Fernan Marasigan sent me a message relating to me the sad ordeal of his mother who was then scheduled to undergo brain surgery at the Philippine Heart Center.

An hour after his mother was wheeled into the operating room, Fernan said he was shocked to see the doctors walking out of the room to inform them they cannot proceed with

They could not proceed with the operation, after all, because the hospital was out of anesthesia.

the operation as the hospital was out of stock of anesthesia.

First, isn’t it standard operating procedure for the hospital to ensure the availability of stocks needed for an operation before they proceed?

So, didn’t the anesthesiologist inform the surgeons beforehand that they were out of anesthesia? And what did the doctors do during the entire hour they spent with the patient inside the

operating room? Pray over the patient?

It’s so ironic. The DOH caught redhanded with billions of pesos worth of medicines now about to expire and a government hospital virtually with no stock of medicine at all.

Somebody must be held accountable here. *** It’s not all negative news for the country’s leading producer of condiments and sauces.

Another refilling station was set up in a barangay in Bulacan on July 18 as part of the Refill Revolution campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its partners, including condiments maker NutriAsia Inc., to reduce plastic consumption in the region.

Residents of Barangay Caingin in Bocaue were able to buy NutriAsia products, such as Datu Puti vinegar and soy sauce, at much lower prices by bringing their own containers to Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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Opinion Justice for SAF44 afoot?

FINALLY, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel in search for justice for SAF44.

In rescinding the temporary restraining order against the Sandiganbayan proceedings against Noynoy Aquino, the Supreme Court gave impetus to the clamor for the filing of proper criminal charges against the former president in connection with the January 2015 Mamasapano Massacre.

Aquino et al would have made a mockery of the justice system with the help of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who filed misdemeanor charges—practically a slap on the wrist —against the despicable culprits.

Apparently, the High Court agrees there is clearly gross culpability on the part of Aquino, his sidekick Alan Purisima, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and several other police officials responsible for Oplan Exodus.

The SC granted the TRO sought by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) before the Sandiganbayan could arraign Aquino for the laughable charges concocted by

Distractions....

From A4

had public transport buses choking up two lanes and barely moving, while the rest of the lanes, cordoned off for private vehicles, were ghost-town empty. This prompted netizens to bash MMDA for being anti-poor and coming up with ‘solutions’ that benefit only those who can afford to own cars.

Space constraints prevents discussion on other issues: the alleged ISIS threat in Northern Luzon, the President’s statement that Cory Aquino lost her husband Ninoy Aquino to Marcos, the Iloilo-Guimaras sea mishaps, the

Agriculture,...

From A4

security for the planet.

The Special Report provides important information (there is high and medium confidence by the IPCC scientists in most of these conclusions) on the state of land in the planet and how climate is changing that: “People currently use one quarter to one third of land’s potential net primary production for food, feed, fiber, timber and energy. Land provides the basis for many other ecosystem functions and services, including cultural and regulating services, that are essential for humanity. In one economic approach, the world’s terrestrial ecosystem services have been valued on an annual basis to be approximately equivalent to the annual global Gross Domestic Product.”

“Land is both a source and a sink of greenhouse gases [GHGs] and plays a key role in the exchange of energy, water and aerosols between the land surface and atmosphere. Land ecosystems and biodiversity are vulnerable to ongoing climate change and weather and climate extremes, to different extents. Sustainable land management can contribute to reducing the negative impacts of multiple stressors, including climate change, on ecosystems and societies.”

“Data available since 1961show that global population growth and changes in per capita consumption of food, feed, fiber, timber and energy have caused unprecedented rates of land and freshwater use with agriculture currently accounting for ca. 70 percent of global fresh-water use. Expansion of areas under agriculture and forestry, including commercial production, and enhanced agriculture and forestry productivity have supported consumption and food availability for a growing population.” *** “Data available since 1961 shows the per capita supply of vegetable oils and meat has more than doubled and the supply of food calories per capita has increased by about one third. Currently, 25 to 30 percent of total food produced is lost or wasted. These factors are associated with additional GHG emissions. Changes in consumption

Ironic From A4

the designated refilling station.

Refill Revolution aims to promote environmental protection by encouraging households to recycle their clean plastic bottles instead of disposing them right away. The initiative was launched by the DENR’s Environmental

Morales, his loyal appointee.

Indeed, the bereaved families of SAF44 can hope for justice for the horrific deaths of their loved ones on that tragic day that shocked the Filipino nation.

Unfortunately for Aquino et al, they can no longer cover up or whitewash their murderous plot of sending the PNP Special Action Force on a suicide mission to kill Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, who was holed up in the camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

After killing Marwan before dawn, only then did the 200 SAF troops discover that they had no way of escaping unharmed as over 1,000 Muslim rebels surrounded them.

All day, the SAF troops practically looked like sitting ducks for target shooting for the MILF troops and their

ally, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Those captured were summarily executed and mutilated.

These killings were even recorded on video.

Instead of sending reinforcement, Aquino ordered the military command nearby to stand down, supposedly not to undermine the decades-old peace talks between the government and the MILF. It surfaced that the whole scheme ill-designed by Purisima, who was then suspended from police service over a multi-million peso graft case, was motivated by the US$10-million bounty offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for each of the head of Marwan and his aide Basit Usman, also a bomb expert.

According to the families of SAF44, former Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas is as culpable as Aquino for turning his back and abandoning the SAF troops under siege throughout that fateful day.

We share the grief of the SAF44 widows as they struggle for justice, almost five years after the Mamasapano tragedy.

Batanes quake, the President’s vetoing of the anti-endo bill, the dengue epidemic in several provinces and the ensuing discussion on whether to allow the use of Dengvaxia again, the President’s mocking of Senator Dick Gordon’s appearance and the latter’s limp acquiescence to the bullying, the ugly and naked ambition bared in Ronald Cardema’s desperate and pathetic attempts to become a congressman, the lawsuits against Vice-President Leni Robredo and other opposition stalwarts for alleged sedition, and so on.

This list is by no means complete.

I suspect we are using the Bea-GeraldJulia thing to distract us from the larger issues because we are overwhelmed by the immensity and weight of everything,

by the sense of pushing futilely against an immense immovable wall of circumstance and consequence.

But the late great writer Toni Morrison had some advice about the role of artists in society during troubled times. Swap ‘we all’ for ‘artists’ and this applies to everyone: “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” ***

patterns have contributed to about twobillion adults now being overweight or obese. An estimated 821-million people are still undernourished.” *** “Global warming has led to shifts of climate zones in many world regions, including expansion of arid climate zones and contraction of polar climate zones). As a consequence, many plant and animal species have experienced changes in their ranges, abundances, and shifts in their seasonal activities.” *** “Climate change has already affected food security due to warming, changing precipitation patterns, and greater frequency of some extreme events. In many lower-latitude regions, yields of some crops (e.g., maize and wheat) have declined, while in many higherlatitude regions, yields of some crops (e.g., maize, wheat and sugar beets) have increased over recent decades.

Climate change has resulted in lower animal growth rates and productivity in pastoral systems in Africa. There is robust evidence that agricultural pests and diseases have already responded to climate change resulting in both increases and decreases of infestations.

Based on indigenous and local knowledge, climate change is affecting food security in drylands, particularly those in Africa, and high mountain regions of Asia and South America.” *** “Climate change creates additional stresses on land, exacerbating existing risks to livelihoods, biodiversity, human and ecosystem health, infrastructure, and food systems, Increasing impacts on land are projected under all future GHG emission scenarios. Some regions will face higher risks, while some regions will face risks previously not. Cascading risks with impacts on multiple systems and sectors also vary across regions.”

To arrive at these conclusions, the authors of the IPCC Special Report examined thousands of studies and identified potential responses. Because of its forward looking approach, the report has been described as a vital guide for governments as climate change risks grow in a world with a growing population (we could get to 10 billion people by 2050 just when the worst impacts of climate change are expected to accelerate if business as usual continues).

Fortunately, the report finds that there are many solutions to reduce the impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security. But coordinated action is needed. In the press briefings held in Geneva, Valérie Masson-Delmotte, Co-Chair of one of three Working Groups, pointed out that: “It takes time for ecosystems, soils and trees to take up carbon, so early action gives more benefits. It also takes time for education, capacity building and training, so the practices are learnt and can be implemented. These reasons are why early action is particularly important in the land sector.”

The Philippines will not be spared from this threat of climate change.

Already, our agriculture sector and food security are under great stress from physical causes aggravated by economic, political, and governance mismanagement by several administrations.

That is why I welcome the appointment of William Dar as acting Secretary of Agriculture. What a relief that we finally have a professional in this crucial position and especially at this time of the climate emergency.

I have known Willie from the mid-1990s and has followed his outstanding work domestically as Estrada’s agriculture secretary from 1998 to 1999 and globally as a longtime director general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat).

As someone who was active in the governance of similar international agricultural research organizations (I was in the board for six years each of Icrisat’s sister research organizations Bioversity International and Center for Forestry Research), I am aware of how high Secretary Dar is looked up to by the global agriculture community, having led Icrisat for three five-year terms—from 2000 to 2014.

The week has seen bad news for agriculture and climate change.

Thankfully, we have had good news as well with Dar’s appointment. Because for sure Willie Dar knows what we need to do to respond to the climate emergency and its threat to our food security and the livelihoods of our farmers.

Management Bureau in Region 3 during the Earth Day celebration in Guiguinto, Bulacan, in March 2018.

According to EMB Central Luzon Director Lormelyn Claudio, the campaign is a practical solution to plastic pollution. It helps “cut back on plastic production, consumption and packaging and translate to less air and water pollution.”

“Decreasing the amount of waste created by disposable packaging will

be a very difficult task, but with the implementation of these different refill processes across Central Luzon, later on replicated in other regions, it may still be possible,” she said.

Claudio recognized the contributions of LGUs and companies in raising awareness of the refill concept and its benefits to the environment.

“People ask me how we intend to sustain this initiative, and I always answer: It will need partners, both from

*** If art is the soul of the nation, artists are the nation’s conscience, defenders, and builders. /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Facebook: deantonylavs tonylavs

Twitter:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

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Who is manipulating the currency?

Despite the vast experience of Trump in business, it appears that he is rather ignorant on his economics that he even resorts to uncalled accusation of China “receiving billions of dollars it has been stealing via unfair trade practices and currency WHEN the yuan dropped to just manipulation.” below the 7-per-dollar threshold, US But looking back, the US began President Donald Trump on Twitter manipulating its currency way in 1971 screamed to accuse China of being when President Richard M. Nixon a currency manipulator. He said: decoupled the dollar from the gold “China and Europe being currency standard to offset its huge trade deficit manipulators are pumping money into because of the Vietnam War. Since the system in order to compete with then, the US dollar has lost much of USA. We should MARCH, or continue its value by 85 percent. According to being the dummies who sit back and the US Federal Reserve’s own data, politely watch as other countries it has lost around 96 percent of its continue to play their games—as they purchasing power since its founding have for many years!” in 1913. This explains why the US In responding, China said the continues to suffer trade deficit to sharp drop of the yuan is merely all the countries where it is heavily in reaction to the slowdown in the engaged in trade. economy caused by the imposition of To keep its economy afloat, it has a 10-percent tariff on the remaining to literally print more money nicely $300 billion worth of goods coming termed by economists as “quantitative from China to the US. Chinese exports easing.” This means the country’s are bearing the slowdown of imports central bank either expands or contacts of which the US, being the largest the money supply through the buying economy and importer of Chinese or selling of government securities in goods, is undoubtedly affected. As the open market. The goal is to reach a one observes, the escalating trade specified target for short-term interest war could unavoidably cross the that will have effect on all other threshold to affect the currencies of interests in the economy. the two economic giants. This is most But no matter how much they visible in the decline of US imports resort to this palliative measure, it has due to the imposition of tariff. China to free-float the dollar to encourage is thus correct in accusing the Trump buyers of government securities. administration of “unilateralism” and This was in exchange for its reneging “protectionism.” of the Bretton-Woods Agreement The drop in the value of the yuan signed in 1944 which set the value the is directly driven by the market forces currency of other nations to the US translated into the slowdown in US dollar, which was pegged to the price imports.

It of gold fixed at was the Trump $35 an ounce. Its administration most debilitating that made such effect is the drastic moves to continued Eliminating trade alter the market depreciation of deficit can never happen movement the US dollar now visibly because the problem resulting in the affecting corresponding boils down to an the currency increases in the overvalued dollar. exchange. To cost of wage allow the yuan and services to maintain its that eventually value to the preaffected the trade war level overall cost of would result production and in passing on the bucket like China cost of living in the US. shouldering the tariff imposed by the Exporters are having the last laugh US to its importers. China would be because the US could no longer pay subsidizing the cost of tariff which is what they have been in “stealing” equivalent to currency manipulation. because of the high cost of US exports In that sense, Trump and his economic to China and to other countries advisors are the ones inducing China like the Philippines. US exports of to engage in currency manipulation manufactured goods have considerably which is unacceptable in international shrunk, except for arms, military trade and currency exchange. equipment and communications to Yuan’s fall is merely in reaction sustain the needs of the economy. to the volatility of the current market Often, arms sales are made under forces that the US itself is closely duress because countries are made to safeguarding, it being the holy grail buy arms for their own defense, and of the capitalist ideology. It is the the US arms manufacturers are gladly US that is pushing the international delighted to see US military personnel economic order into chaos. According acting as their new salesmen. On the to Wikipedia, currency manipulation other hand, US exports continue to or currency intervention is a monetary pile up and their domestic market policy operation that occurs when a continues to shrink, an ominous sign government or central bank buys or of a withering economic system. As sells foreign currency in exchange for it is, only the US arms manufacturers their own domestic currency, generally and related industries and the banks at with the intention of influencing the Wall Street are the ones making money, exchange rate and trade policy. goaded to sustain the war economy.

China has not done any of these The US should instead thank measures. Rather, the yuan has been China for giving its economy a new moving according to the economic lease in life for the opening of its law of supply and demand, and maybe economy in 1978 by initially offering the dollar is reacting because US US manufacturers and producers low farmers and importers of Chinese- wages and production cost which made products have drastically lead many of them to consign their fallen because of the tariff it imposed production to that country. But instead unilaterally. Yes, the fall of the yuan of thanking China for its benevolence could work to the US advantage that allowed it to hurdle the economic because it means cheaper imports difficulties it went through, it is now from China. Out of this difficulty, attacking China for the formula it the Trump administration is trying to used to save the US economy. make a spin saying, “it refuses to pay Eliminating trade deficit can never the right amount of tariff.” happen because the problem boils But where did he get the idea that down to an overvalued dollar, which Chinese exports to the US should everybody knows is the result of US be paid by China and not be the currency manipulation. Unless they American importers? Possibly, as do something to anchor the dollar like said, Trump wants China to subsidize pegging it back to the value of gold the difference in the lowering in the and allowing it to sink back to its true value of the yuan to the dollar. But market value, the US will continue to then, when one overvalues its own suffer trade deficit due to woefully currency like subsidizing the value uncompetitive exports. of its exports, is it not tantamount to currency manipulation or dumping? rpkapunan@gmail.com the private and the public sectors, and, of course, it will need the cooperation of the citizenry. It’s high time that we adopt the discipline of reusing and recycling plastics. Let us all commit to be good caretakers of the environment,” Claudio said.

Claudio noted that NutriAsia was among the first companies to express full support to the campaign. “We hope that this recycling program becomes bigger than a one-day event. We hope

NutriAsia can have more refilling stations in the future, and that they will be able to participate in our future events as well as similar events as Refill Revolution gets replicated by local governments and establishments,” she added.

Since its launch last year, Refill Revolution has gained the participation and support of LGUs and at least 2,000 residents of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan.

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News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Saycon, political operator, dies at 69 PASTOR ‘Boy’ Saycon, widely known as a political operator, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 8, due to lung cancer.

Saycon, one of the original supporters and campaign tacticians of former President Fidel V. Ramos, died barely two months after he turned 69 last July 10.

Saycon lived near the Ramos residence at Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa.

After a successful campaign that installed Ramos to the presidency in 1992, Saycon later joined the camp of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, got into the inner circle of Chavit Singson when the latter exposed former President Joseph Estrada’s alleged links to jueteng operators. The exposé eventually resulted to Estrada’s downfall in 2001.

Arroyo, Estrada’s vice president, was catapulted to the presidency.

Saycon later severed his ties with Arroyo after a quarrel with GMA’s husband, Mike Arroyo.

Mrs. Arroyo once called Saycon an “anay” (termite) of her envisioned “strong republic,” especially after the latter exposed anomalies in the construction of the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City.

Makati grants lifetime Yellow Card T

By Joel E. Zurbano

he Makati City government, through its Health Plus Program, announced on Friday it has granted lifetime Yellow Card membership to 4,559 of the 83,119 cardholders from January 2017 to June 2019.

The Yellow Card provides government-subsidized health care to cardholders and registered dependents, city government workers and other qualified beneficiaries at the city-run Ospital ng Makati, the city’s 26 barangay health centers, satellite laboratories, and three birthing facilities.

Mayor Abigail Binay said lifetime Yellow Card members include senior citizens who own real property in Makati and have updated tax declarations, residents aged 80 and above who have been Yellow Card members for at least six years, and retired city government employees of Makati.

“By replacing the annual renewal of Yel-

low Cards with four types of validity period including lifetime membership, we have provided great relief and convenience to our constituents. Qualified members no longer have to go to City Hall every time their cards expire on their birthday,” she said said.

Based on the Makati Health Office’s report to the mayor, 458 Yellow Card holders were given lifetime membership for this year as of June 30, in addition to 2,687 approved in 2018 and 1,414 in 2017.

In 2016, the Makati Health Development Council chaired by Binay approved the revised program guidelines modifying the validity period of the Yellow Card, taking into consideration the age, status

of residency, and length of membership of the cardholder.

In addition to lifetime membership, the Yellow Card at present is also being issued in three types of validity period: one year, two years, and three years.

The Health office stated there were 6,573 new applications approved and 14,428 renewals from January to June 2019. It further reported the breakdown of Yellow Cards for the first half of this year issued by type, as follows: 6,602 family cards (with dependents); 9,164 solo cards; 3,594 senior citizens; and 1,183 city government employees.

The Yellow Card can also be used to partner-facilities like the Makati Medical Center to avail themselves of specialized medical and diagnostic services that may not be available at OsMak. “In Makati, we focus on improving the health and social services given to Makatizens to ensure a healthy citizenry. Residents are assured that medical experts will help them prevent and manage diseases,” Mayor Binay said.

Solon seeks probe of killing of ASG returnees

QC mayor lauded for cleanup drive THE Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday lauded the Quezon City government for its achievements on the first week of the 60-day period given to clear the roads and sidewalks in Metro Manila.

Local Government Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. cited the clearing operations made by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte even before President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address, saying local government units should prioritize clearing government structures that are obstructing the sidewalks.

“Silently, Quezon City has been doing its work even before the SONA,” he said.

Belmonte instructed the Department of Public Order and Safety, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, and Market Development and Administration Department to conduct their clearing and cleaning operations within thier areas since the start of her administration.

Throughout the review, Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo presented the city’s initial assessment and identified 22 areas of concern.

Over the past week, Belmonte was busy conducting dialogues with barangay officials, and market and sidewalk vendors who were directly affected by the clearing operations. Rio N. Araja

PDEA vows to build a drug-free country AS IT celebrated yesterday is 17th year anniversary, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency vowed to stay firm in building a drug-free country.

“Today is an exciting day, and as we celebrate the 17th anniversary of PDEA as the lead agency in the national campaign against illegal drugs, PDEA remains firm in building a drug-cleared country,” Director General Aaron Aquino said.

“As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past 17 years, we also look towards ways to continue to enhance our capabilities in ridding our country of illegal drugs and their purveyors,” he added.

Aquino welcomed the arrival of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano as guest of honor and speaker.

Cayetano promised to push for the legislation of measures that would help wipe out the illegal drug trade.

Among the highlights of the event was the granting of monetary rewards amounting to ₱11,224,980 to 18 confidential informants. Rio N. Araja

Also under the revised MHP guidelines, the color-coded payment scheme that was based on household monthly income was replaced with a uniform rate, as Binay vowed to pursue 100 percent Yellow Card coverage for all eligible Makatizens, including city hall employees.

Yellow Card patients at Osmak with total hospital bill amounting to P5,000 or less are free of charge, while those whose hospital bill exceeds P5,000 will be charged a uniform rate of P500 only, even if the amount reaches six or seven digits.

Apart from government-subsidized health care, the Yellow Card also gives cardholders access to free medicines, including maintenance medicines for hypertension, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases, as well as other pharmaceutical products.

To qualify for lifetime membership with the Yellow Card, applicants who are 60 to 79 years old must submit a Certified True Copy of the latest Certificate of Non-Delinquency of Real Property Taxes, with the tax declaration bearing the applicant’s name.

By Maricel V. Cruz

SUPPORTING LENI. Supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo gather in front of the Department of Justice in Manila on Friday, Aug. 9, during the start of the preliminary hearing on sedition charges filed by the police against her and other opposition personalities. Norman Cruz

Relax rules on creeks, ‘esteros,’ MMDA, DENR urged

By Macon Ramos-Araneta BRACING for population growth and boom in commerce amid limited spaces, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso is appealing to the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to relax its rules on esteros and creeks.

Speaking during the Senate local government committee briefing, Domagoso said that he and other local government unit officials are appealing to concerned government agencies, which have authority over these esteros and creeks, to allow them to conduct redevelopment of the waterways.

“The LGUs cannot do any job on esteros and creeks, which is under the supervision of the MMDA and authority of the DENR,” Moreno said.

The mayor said that LGU officials only obligation with regards to these waterways is to ensure people will not throw garbage in them to ensure their cleanliness.

Domagoso also agreed to lead the

initiative in taking care of esteros and creeks. He said LGUs wish to utilize open spaces like esteros and creeks in their respective municipalities and cities especially those coming from highlyurbanized cities in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.

In Manila, Domagoso said he wants to embark on several projects on the city’s waterways. He said they plan to use the spaces around and above them.

In redeveloping the waterways, the Manila mayor said that they would leave open spaces for cleaning and clearing operations.

He also made a guarantee that the redevelopment projects will not adversely affect the environment.

The mayor added that they plan to build a cantilever where there will still be a river and a service road.

A cantilever is a beam supported at one end while carrying a load at the other end or distributed along the unsupported portion.

“I can create perpendicular space to the road or perpendicular parking on both

sides. If I have 200 meter linear meter of creek or river, I can create 50 meters of space another 50 meter parking space, another 50 meter open space, 50 meter vending space,” he said.

Domagoso admitted that what they intend to do with the esteros in creeks in Manila, the nation’s capital, was not an original concept and are copied from different cities especially those in Europe.

“This is not my original idea. It’s a copycat of what they’re doing in other countries, but ours would be more innovative to address the challenges existing in our place,” said Domagoso who has brought significant changes to the city which has been lagging behind its nearby cities due to apparent mismanagement and neglect.

He said the city also plans to develop the Estero de Muelle de Binondo in Juan Luna, Binondo.

“If we will be allowed to do this kind of concept, everything in Juan Luna will be transferred to Muelle de Binondo as there will be more spaces,” he said.

PhilHealth clarifies issues raised by COA on ‘lapses’ IN RESPONSE to several issues raised in news items pertaining to Commission on Audit findings on alleged lapses in corporate bonds investments, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has issued a statement that PhilHealth’s investments in corporate bonds are all rated Triple “A” in strict compliance to Republic Act 10606 or the National Health Insurance Act of 2013.

Triple “A” is the highest credit rating conferred to long term investments and obligations of the highest quality; and virtually carries no risks.

On the issue of seven of the bond issuers’ prospectuses being not notarized, PhilHealth said that the minimum requirement for registration of securities with the SEC is only the submission of a preliminary prospectus and not the notarized prospectus as provided for in Securities Regulation Code Rule 8 and 12.

PhilHealth has already secured notarized prospectuses from the six of them while the remaining unnotarized prospectus considered official for the said Bond Issuance can be found in the website of the Philippine Dealing System.

On one bond issuer submitting unaudited financial statements, PhilHealth said that the unaudited financial statements cited by COA were obtained from secondary financial market data source which publishes audited financial statements of listed corporate bonds and securities.

On the non-presentation in paper of one of the Bond Issuer’s credit ratings, PhilHealth noted that considering that the said bond is a publicly listed company, all material reports such as credit ratings containing public disclosure of every material fact or event that occurs that would reasonably be expected to affect investor’s decisions are disclosed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is therefore public knowledge that the bond cited by COA is a blue chip company and rated Triple “A”.

PhilHealth, meanwhile, said that the negative list which restricts investments in coal and oil was approved by the PhilHealth Board only in 2018.

PhilHealth purchased the said bonds in February 2014. PhilHealth will no longer renew the said investment when it expires on 2021.

A CONGRESSMAN from Basilan on Friday denounced the killing of three former Abu Sayyaf bandits who have surrendered in a raid by policemen in Basilan.

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said the victims fatalities had helped military forces in the area.

“The three military assets are returnees from Abu Sayyaf. They are even helping us convince members of the Abu Sayyaf to surrender and live normal lives as citizens,” said Hataman, former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Hataman said “the killing of the three has jeopardized the government’s effort to attain lasting peace in my province.”

He sought a legislative investigation into the incident to determine the liability of the lawmen involved and to be the basis of a bill that he will be crafted to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“This incident comes at a time when the security situation in Basilan has greatly improved through the efforts of LGUs and security forces in the province. This will surely have an impact in our security campaign,” Hataman said.

Hataman filed House Resolution 210 urging the House Committee on Public Order and Safety to investigate the incident last Aug. 2. He said the inquiry is intended to determine if there was a breakdown in coordination between the police and military agencies.

“If there was no coordination, then we have a serious problem. Hindi pwedeng seek and destroy ang mentality ng civilian law enforcement agencies like PNP at NBI. They should have investigated and coordinated properly. It is a tragic loss that is both unnecessary and preventable.”

“In a way, the three were ambassadors or agents for peace. And they were killed in what appeared as an uncoordinated operation in my province, without the knowledge of the senior military officials in the area” Hataman said.

BOC acts vs. entry of toxic wastes in PH

By Vito Barcelo

PWD-FRIENDLY VEHICLE. Filipino-owned company Global Electric Transport officials present to Senators Miguel Zubiri and Win Gatchalian an electric vehicle, dubbed as the COMET, a 30-passenger bus that is PWD-accessible. Engine, batteries and the charging app are provided

by QEV Tech of Spain which specializes in Formula-e racing. On a full charge, the COMET can run up to 80 km. 80 percent charging is accomplished in 20 minutes spent or end-of-life batteries are returned to the supplier which they use for other functions other than running a vehicle. The current model, COMET2, which has a route operating at SM North to Katipunan via Congressional Avenue will soon be phased out to be replaced by COMET3. Lino Santos

THE Bureau of Customs has created a division which is tasked to monitor and control the entry of hazardous substances and other wastes into the country.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero has issued Customs Memorandum Order 38-2019, which institutionalizes the Environmental Protection and Compliance Division to address the unlawful entry of wastes from other countries.

The CMO was issued after Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez ordered the BOC to establish a strike team which will guard the country against the entry of waste materials.

Under the CMO, the EPCD shall monitor the processing of shipments of hazardous substances, waste products, nuclear wastes, recyclable products, and all other chemicals, products or substances under the regulatory control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

It shall recommend the issuance of alert orders and pre-lodgment control orders against shipments suspected of containing goods in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and environmental laws.

The division is also directed to investigate cases and to make recommendation for prosecution of violations of the CMTA, in relation to environmental and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN Manila Manila

Standard Standard TODAY

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission

TODAY

SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 17 Series of 2019

6.1

Government Debt Instruments – Bonds or any Evidence of Indebtedness of the Government of the Philippines, its political subdivisions and instrumentalities, or of government-owned or controlled corporations and entities; and

6.2

Equity Instruments 1. Shares of stock in “registered enterprises” under the Omnibus Investment Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 226);

REVISED GUIDELINES ON SECURITIES DEPOSIT OF BRANCH OFFICES OF FOREIGN CORPORATIONS

2. Shares of stock in domestic corporations registered in the stock exchange;

SECTION 1. POLICY STATEMENT

3. Shares of stock in domestic insurance corporations under the supervision and regulation of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner; and

Pursuant to Section 143 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, the Commission resolved to adopt this set of guidelines to provide reasonable assurance that branch offices of foreign corporations duly licensed to do business in the Philippines shall be able to settle their obligations incurred within the Philippines, and to ensure their compliance with investment requirements.

SECTION 2. COVERAGE AND SCHEDULE OF POSTING This Circular shall apply to all branch offices of foreign corporations duly licensed to do business in the Philippines that are mandated to deposit securities with the Commission in accordance with the following schedule:

4. Shares of stock in banks licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Cash, money market placement, time deposits and bank guaranty or standby letter of credit and similar instruments other than those falling in the foregoing enumeration shall not be acceptable as securities deposit.

SECTION 7. PROCEDURES IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF DEPOSIT

a.

Within 60 days after the issuance of its SEC license, securities with an actual market value of at least P500,000.00;

The following procedures shall be observed in the submission and acceptance of securities deposit:

b.

Additional securities shall be deposited within six months after the end of the fiscal year indicated in the Financial Statements (FS) in the following situations:

a. A written application to deposit securities mandated by law shall be filed with the Commission, signed under oath by the resident agent or a duly authorized representative of the licensee-foreign corporation;

i.

b. A monitoring fee equivalent to one-tenth of one percent (1/10 of 1%) of amount of securities deposit but not lower than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not exceeding Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) per year shall be charged by the Commission upon filing of said application to cover payment of space in the vault within the Commission’s secured premises at the Financial Management Department- Treasury Division;

ii.

If the licensee’s gross income within the Philippines for that fiscal year exceeds P10,000,000.00, additional securities with an actual market value equivalent to two percent (2%) of the increase in said gross income; and If the actual market value of the securities deposit or financial instruments has decreased by at least ten percent (10%) from the time it was deposited, additional securities with an actual market value that would cover the decrease.

Thereafter, the Commission shall issue a Certificate of deposit of additional securities.

The following corporations are not required to post securities deposit:

c. The Commission shall determine whether or not the securities deposited are acceptable, and its actual market value is at least P500,000.00; d. The securities submitted to the Commission shall be indorsed in blank; e. The Commission shall issue a Certificate of Acceptance of Deposit containing an inventory of such securities; and f. The branch office shall ensure that securities accepted remain unimpaired during the period that the foreign corporation engages/ transacts business in the Philippines.

a.

Foreign banking corporation including offshore banking units;

b.

Foreign insurance corporation;

c.

Foreign non-stock corporations including foreign religious corporations;

SECTION 8. SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

d.

Foreign corporations which have established representative offices in the Philippines;

e.

Regional or Area Headquarters of multinational companies; and

f.

Operating Regional Headquarters of multinational companies.

Upon proper application, the Commission may allow the licensee-foreign corporation to substitute other securities for those already on deposit as long as the licensee is solvent. Upon compliance with the requirements on the acceptance of deposits, the Commission shall issue a Certificate of Substitution of Securities Deposit.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS 3.1 Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

3.2 Gross Income as contemplated under Section 143 of the Revised Corporation Code and consistent with the definition of “Revenue” under Paragraph 7 of Philippine Accounting Standard (PAS) 18, shall mean the “gross inflow of economic benefits during the period arising in the course of the ordinary activities of an entity when those inflows result in increases in equity, other than increases relating to contributions from equity participants”. No deductions shall be allowed from the gross amount of income or revenue, except those direct cost and expense items that may be allowed by the Commission.

3.3 Foreign Corporation refers to licensee-foreign corporation (Philippine Branch) as defined under Section 140 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.

SECTION

4.

ITEMS DEDUCTIBLE FROM THE GROSS INCOME COMPUTATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF BRANCH OFFICES

4.1 Sales Returns, Allowances and Discounts A contra revenue account that reports (1) merchandise returned by a customer, and (2) the allowances granted to a customer because the seller shipped improper or defective merchandise. These will reduce the seller’s accounts receivable and are subtracted from sales (along with sales discounts) to arrive at net sales.

4.2 Direct Costs and Expenses Incurred with Foreign Entities and Related Parties The following direct costs and expenses incurred with foreign entities and related parties are allowable deductions from Gross Income: a.

Cost of sales incurred with foreign suppliers;

b.

Direct costs of services attributable to related party transactions outside the Philippines;

c.

Direct cost incurred attributable to foreign non-related party supplier;

d.

Depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible assets used directly for its manufacturing operations can be deducted from Gross Income provided the following conditions are met:

e.

4.3

i.

These expenses form part of the foreign corporation’s direct costs or cost of sales;

ii.

These expenses relate to assets that were imported or purchased from foreign vendors;

iii.

These expenses relate to assets that had been paid in full by the foreign corporation; and

iv.

These expenses relate to assets that are not subject to any mortgage, lien, or encumbrance.

Other foreign related direct cost and expense items.

Documentary Requirements

The deductions under Sub-Section 4.2 above shall be allowed subject to the submission of branch office’ Audited Special or Annual Income Statement showing separately the amounts of direct cost and expenses actually incurred with foreign entities and foreign related parties.

4.4

SECTION 9. RELEASE OF SECURITIES Upon proper application by the foreign corporation, the Commission may release part of the securities deposited by the licensee under the following circumstances:

4.4.2 The Property and Equipment should consist of large, permanent and non-mobile items. The buildings, equipment, and facilities that make up these assets may be deemed as immovable property, as they are attached to the ground.

=

Rate Derived Above x Gross Revenue in Philippine Operations

Amount of Security Deposit

=

5.2.3 The solvency ratio of the branch office of foreign airline company should indicate that it has sufficient assets to cover its obligations which include accrued expenses and payables arising from cost of sales or services entered into with Philippine residents and Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Therefore, if the branch office of foreign airline company is not solvent and not in sound financial condition, the Commission shall not allow the adoption of a modified formula under Sub-Section 5.1 above.

7 If the bidder who submitted the best offer refuses to push through with his / her proposed BID during and after the bidding, his / her Bid Bond shall be forfeited, and failure of bidding shall be declared.

8 ORMECO, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any Bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, Inc. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

ORMECO, INC. (SGD) ENGR. MICHAEL O. GUICO BAC-Chairperson (MS-AUG. 10, 2019)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region BRANCH IX Balayan, Batangas WILL OF TERESITA G. RAMOS, SPEC. PROC. NO. 5540 Probate of Will TERESITA G. RAMOS, Petitioner, x-----------------------------------------x PETITION

9.2 If the actual market value of the total securities deposit has increased by more than 10% of the actual market value of the securities at the time they were deposited.

2.

That last November 25, 2017, petitioner executed a holographic will in her own handwriting in English, a copy of which is attached and made an integral part hereof as Annex “A”, the original thereof to be presented to this Honorable Court at the time of probate;

3.

That petitioner herself will attest to the fact that she wrote the said will in her own handwriting and that she was of sound mind and memory without any undue influence, violence fraud or intimidation of whatever kind;

4.

That petitioner owns several untitled real properties located in Lucena City and Sariaya, Quezon willi a total assessed value of One Hundred Thousand Six Hundred ninety Thousand pesos (PI00,690.00) as per tax declaration attached herewith as Annex “B-1. B-2, B-3 & B-4” and a personal property located in Balayan, Batangas and a peso savings account at the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) with Account No. 0903-262-923 amounting to a few thousand pesos which petitioner give. devise and bequeath to her nephew Renato R. Ramos. Jr.

5.

That petitioner has a brother, Ramon G. Ramos Jr, who resides at 328 Bansalangin St, United Parañaque City and a sister, Ofelia G. Ramos who resides at Rotor Apt., Blk. 59, lot 1, San Rafael St., Villa San Pablo, lbabang Iyam, Lucena City.

6.

Petitioner has nephews and nieces namely; Renato R. Ramos JR. a resident of 50 Quezon Avenue; Ext., Brgy. Cotta, Lucena City, and Restituto R. Ramos, a resident of Rotor Apt., Blk. 59, lot 1, San Rafael St., Villa San Pablo, Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City, Anicia P. Ramos and Vanessa P. Ramos, address at Gomez Hardware c/o Consuelo G. Ramos, Brgy. Cotta Lucena City.

The Commission shall issue a Certificate of Partial Release of Securities.

However, the current balance of the security deposit should be maintained in the following circumstances: 9.3 If gross income is equal to allowable deductions under Section 4; or 9.4 If the gross income after allowable deductions under Section 4 would result to a negative amount.

SECTION 10. INTERESTS OR DIVIDENDS During the period of time that the securities are on deposit with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the branch office of the licensed foreign corporation (Philippine Branch) shall be entitled to collect the interest or dividends on the said securities.

Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed that after due notice and publication, this Honorable Court fix the date for the probate of said holographic will.

Petitioner prays for other relief necessary for the probate ofthe attached holographic will.

Lucena City for Balayan, Batangas

SECTION 11. RETURN OF SECURITIES

9 July 2018

Whenever a foreign corporation decides to withdraw from business in the Philippines, the Commission may return the securities deposited by such foreign corporation, subject to the following conditions:

Respectfully, submitted: CESARITO C. VILLARIBA Counsel for the Petitioner PTR No. 17950631 1/3/2018 Lucena City IDP OR NO. 1031621 12/28/2017 Lucena City MCLE Cert of Exemption No. V - 002346 April 14, 2019 58 St. Therese Bldg. Allarey St., Lucena City

11.1 A written application must be made therefore and signed under oath by its resident agent or by a duly authorized representative upon payment of a fee; and 11.2 It has ceased to do business in the Philippines by submitting a resolution of the Board of Directors of the foreign corporation to effect that they desire to withdraw the license to do business in the Philippines and that said company has no liabilities to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, to the public or private corporations, Philippine residents and or citizens.

VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, TERESITA G. RAMOS is a Filipino of legal age, single and resident of 435 Plaza Burgos, Brgy. 9, Balayan, Batangas, after being sworn to in accordance with law depose and say that: 1.

That I am the petitioner of this case;

2.

That I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition and hereby certify that the allegations therein are true and correct to the best of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records on hand;

3.

I have not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or In any other tribunal or agency and to the best of iny knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency; If ever I should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceedings has been filed or is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency, I undertake to report that fact within (5) days there from to the Court or agency wherein the original pleading and sworn certification contemplated herein have been filed

The Commission shall thereafter issue a Certificate of Return of Deposit.

SECTION 12. FINES AND PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE 12.1 Failure to post the required amount of security deposit within the prescribed period shall subject a foreign corporation to a daily penalty of equivalent to 1/100 of 1% of the amount of security deposit which should have been additionally posted until the requirement is fully complied.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my hand this _______________ at Lucena City.

12.2 A license granted to a foreign corporation shall be suspended or revoked for failure to post securities deposit despite notice and hearing.

12.3 The fines and surcharges for late deposit of securities shall be as follows: Initial Securities Deposit 1st Violation 2nd Violation 3rd Violation

Basic fine of P10,000.00; and surcharge of P500.00 per month of delay Basic fine of P10,000.00; and surcharge of P1,000.00 per month of delay Basic fine of P10,000.00; and surcharge of P1,500.00 per month of delay

TERESITA G. RAMOS AFFIANT SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___________ at Lucena City. Affiant exhibiting to me her __________________.

Additional Securities Deposit

Basic fine of P7,000.00; surcharge of P500.00 month of delay Basic fine of P7,000.00; surcharge of P1,000.00 month of delay Basic fine of P7,000.00; surcharge of P1,500.00 month of delay

and per and per and per

A fraction of a month shall be considered as one month for purposes of computation of the surcharge.

12.4 The above-mentioned penalties shall be without prejudice to the filing of criminal charges against the persons responsible for the violation, as provided for in Section 170 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, which states that:

5.2 In order to adopt the foregoing formula, the branch office should submit the following:

5.2.2 A notarized certification of the company on the extent of its operation in the Philippines; and

6 The winning bidder shall issue FIVE PERCENT (5%) in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT from a reputable bank, representing the PERFORMANCE BOND.

That petitioner Teresita G. Ramos is a Filipino of legal age, single and resident of 435 Plaza Burgos, Brgy. 9, Balayan, Batangas;

Revenue Allocated to Philippine Operations x 2%

5.2.1 A branch office’ Audited Special or Annual Income Statement showing separately the amounts of direct cost and expenses actually incurred in the Philippines and direct cost incurred for the entire Philippine operations;

5 ALL BIDS must be accompanied by a BID BOND payable to ORMECO, Inc. in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT issued by a reputable bank equivalent to TWO PERCENT (2%) of the Approved Budget Cost (ABC). No Bid Bond in the form of Surety Bond shall be accepted. The bidder with the lowest calculated bid will be considered the winning bidder.

1.

5.1 In the case of branch offices of foreign airline companies, a modified formula in the computation of their security deposits shall be adopted given their cross border operations, as follows: Total Direct Operating Cost & Expenses Incurred in the Philippines Direct Operating Cost Incurred for the Entire Philippine Operations

4 SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at 2:00 p.m. of September 2, 2019 for LOT - I and 2:00 p.m. of September 3, 2019 for LOT - II and 3:00 p.m. of September 3, 2019 for LOT - III, immediately after which, the said proposals will be opened during the actual bidding in the presence of the attending bidders.

9.1 If there is more than 10% decrease in gross income of the licenseeforeign corporation;

SECTION 5. MODIFIED FORMULA FOR BRANCH OFFICES OF FOREIGN AIRLINE COMPANIES

Revenue Allocated to Philippine Operations =

INVITATION TO BID All interested bidders are invited to participate in the actual bidding for these three (3) LOTs detailed as follows: LOT - I Supply of Maintenance Service Vehicle Quantity: Five (5) Units Approved Budget Cost: Php4,883,632.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Mode of Payment: Staggered Payment Upon the Availability of Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

NOTE: AWARDING PER LOT LOT - II Supply of Single Phase KWH Meter 10(60)A Approved Budget Cost: Php10,850,000.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Mode of Payment: Staggered Payment Upon the Availability of Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

NOTE: AWARDING PER LOT LOT - III Supply of Service Dropping Materials Approved Budget Cost: Php4,992,500.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: 5% Reinvestment Fund Mode of Payment: Staggered Payment Upon the Availability of Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper.

NOTE: AWARDING PER LOT GENERAL GUIDELINES 1 Interested bidders may secure BID DOCUMENTS and obtain further INFORMATIONS from the Bids and Award Committee (BAC)/Procurement Section, ORMECO, Inc., Simaron, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. A non-refundable fee in the amount of Php5,000.00 for LOT - I, Php10,000.00 for LOT - II and Php5,000.00 for LOT - III and shall be collected as payment for BID DOCUMENTS. 2 Interested bidders must be accredited as supplier before joining the pre-bidding conference and accreditation will start on August 12, 2019 at 8:00am until 5:00p.m. of August 16, 2019. You can call at telephone numbers 043-2882349/043-2869375 or send an email at ormeco_coop@yahoo.com.

3 PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at ORMECO, Inc. Board Room, Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro at 2:00 p.m. of August 19, 2019 for LOT - I and 2:00 p.m. of August 20, 2019 for LOT - II and 3:00 p.m. of August 20, 2019 for LOT - III.

Petitioner thru counsel and unto this Honorable Court respectfully avers:

Other Requirements 4.4.1 The solvency ratio of the foreign corporation-Philippine Branch should indicate that it has sufficient assets to cover its obligations which include accrued expenses and payables arising from cost of sales or services entered into with Philippine residents and Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Therefore, if the branch of licensee foreign company is not solvent and not in sound financial condition, the Commission shall not allow the deductions of the items under SubSection 4.2 above; and

ORIE NTA L MINDORO E LEC TRIC COOPE R ATIV E , INC. (O R M E C O) Simaron, Calapan Cit y

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region BRANCH IX Balayan, Batangas IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO PROVE THE HOLOGRAPHIC WILL OF TERESITA G. RAMOS, TERESITA G. RAMOS, Petitioner. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

SP. PROC. NO. 5540 ORDER

“Section 170. Other Violations of the Code; Separate Liability – Violations of any of the other provisions of this Code or its amendments not otherwise specifically penalized therein shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

If the violation is committed by a corporation, the same may, after notice and hearing, be dissolved in appropriate proceedings before the Commission: Provided, that such dissolution shall not preclude the institution of appropriate action against the director, trustee or officer of the corporation responsible for said violation: Provided, further, that nothing in this section shall be construed to repeal the other causes for dissolution of a corporation provided in this Code.

During today’s scheduled initia l hearing, present were petitioner’s legatee Renato Ramos, the representative of legatee Ramon Ramos in the person of Rustico Ramos and the counsel for the petitioner.

Liability for any of the foregoing offenses shall be separate from any other administrative, civil or criminal liability under this Code and other laws.

Let a copy of this Order and a copy of the petition be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the country.

To establish compliance with the jurisdictional requirements of the instant petition, the counsel for the petitioner marked the following exhibits, viz: Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit Exhibit

“A” - the petition: “B” - the Order of the Court dated April 2, 2019: “B-1” - LBC receipt addressed to Ramon Ramos: “B-2” - LBC receipt addressed to Renato Ramos: “B-3” - LBC receipt addressed to Ofelia G. Ramos; “B-4” - LBC receipt addressed to Anicia G. Ramos; “B-5” - LBC receipt addressed to Resituto G. Ramos; “B-6” - LBC receipt addressed to Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Balayan, Batangas; and Exhibit “B-7” - LBC receipt addressed to Vanessa P. Ramos.

The Court noted, however, that there were no requirements for posting and publication in the initial Order of the Court.

WHEREFORE, let this Order and a copy of the petition be posted at the Bulletin Board of the Hall of Justice, Regional Trial Court, Balayan, Batangas, and at the Bulletin Boards of the Municipal Building of Balayan, Batangas, Lucena City a nd Sariaya, Quezon.

Furnish the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Public Prosecutor, Balayan, Batangas with a copy of the petition and its annexes. The said offices may, if they so desire, file their opposition within fifteen (15) days frorn receipt hereof or frorn the last date of publication.

Pending compliance with the said directive, let this case be set for the continuation of hearing for the purpose of establishing full cornpliance with the jurisdictional requirernents on October 2, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning.

SO ORDERED.

SECTION 13. REPEALING CLAUSE This Circular supersedes the Memorandum Circular No. 2 Series of 2012 “Guidelines on Securities Deposit of Branch Offices of Foreign Corporations”. All other related rules and/or regulations of the Commission, which are not consistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Given in open Court this 25th day of July 2019 at Balayan, Batangas.

Copy furnished: Prosecutor`s Office Atty. Cesarito C. Villariba Petitioner

CAROLINA F. DE JESUS Presiding Judge

CFDJ/gmvb

SECTION 14. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon publication.

Signed this 31st day of July 2019, Pasay City, Philippines.

(MS-AUG. 10, 17 & 24, 2019)

For fast ad results, please call

SECTION 6. TYPES OF ACCEPTABLE SECURITIES EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson

The following securities or any combination of these kinds of securities are acceptable as deposit to the Commission under Section 143 of the Revised Corporation Code:

Advertising Department 832-5547

(MS-AUG. 10, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

Lions face Knights, eye solo lead Games Today

(Cuneta Astrodome) 12 noon San Beda vs Letran (jrs) 2 p.m. San Beda vs Letran (srs) 4 p.m. Mapua vs Arellano(srs) 6 p.m. Malayan vs Arellano (jrs)

AN opportunity to have three days of rest became 15 days, or more than two weeks for the defending champion San Beda University Red Lions.

After missing two games because of bad weather, the Red Lions now have a chance to recover from injuries and fatigue that members of its team sustained and felt when action in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament resumes today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Red Lions are expected to be a stronger team when they clash with the Letran Knights at 2 p.m. today.

“It’s the first time na mahaba-haba ang pahinga nila. And we have to come up with good defensive schemes,” said SBU coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Red Lions are unbeaten and they share the lead with the College of St. Benilde Blazers.

Getting past the Knights will allow the Red Lions to move ahead of the Blazers with their fifth straight win.

And they will be playing their toughest game yet after hurdling the San Sebastian Stags, 73-59, last July 26.

The Knights, who got 10 days or more than a week’s to rest following many cancellations of games, have a 5-1 slate after their 89-84 triumph over the Mapua Cardinals last July 30.

Beating the Red Lions will be their chance to gain solo third in the standings.

The Arellano Chiefs (1-4) will meet the Mapua Cardinals (0-5) at 4 p.m.

In the junior division, the San Beda Red Cubs will play without Rhayyan Amsali, when they clash with the Letran Squires at 12 noon.

Amsali was suspended following San Beda’s showdown with La Salle Green Hills, after he reportedly elbowed Lennox Valenzuela late in the fourth quarter and no whistle was blown. Peter Atencio

Joenard Rates and caddie take cover as rain spawned by Typhoon Hanna lash the course, prompting the stoppage of play in the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Classic.

POC pact to facilitate release of P6b to PSC

By Peter Atencio

and gave their nod to have POC president Abraham Tolentino as a signatory.

In the agreement, the Phisgoc will no TRIPARTITE agreement longer remit funds that it has gained from that should have been its marketing activities on the biennial signed a few months ago meet and will just report on its financial will finally happen. status with the POC. From the agreement, the POC, through The Philippine Olympic Committee the national sports associations, will focus will ink a pact with the Philippine Sports on the technical aspects of the Games, while Commission and the Philippine SEA the PSC will take care of the national athGames Organizing Committee. letes, and the release and accounting of the The accord will allow the Department funds before the Commission on Audit. of Budget Management to release the “It’s an old agreement. Hindi lang naGames’ budget of P6-billion to the pirmahan dahil sa mga gulo,” said TolenPhilippine Sports Commission. tino, referring to the resignation of boxing In turn, the Phisgoc will be able to avail chief Ricky Vargas as POC president. of the funds for the management of the Tolentino, the head of the national Games. sports association of cycling, will meet The executive board of the POC ap- PSC Chairman William Ramirez and proved this during a meeting yesterday PHISGOC president and chief executive

A

officer Ramon Suzara on Wednesday to finalize the agreement.

The pact went unsigned for months after the executive board raised questions when Vargas become one of the eight incorporators of Phisgoc after it was formed.

A total budget of P7.5 billion has been allocated for the Games, with P6-billion coming from the government.

On the other hand, the Phisgoc took care in raising the remaining P1.5 billion shortfall through sponsorship funds.

The signing of the agreement comes three weeks after Tolentino, the congressman representing the seventh district of Cavite (Tagaytay), came aboard as president.

“The board has approved and under the guidelines, there is no financial obligations on the part of the Phisgoc, just financial updates and reports to the POC,” said POC Chairman Steve Hontiveros.

Czechs blank Filipinos, 0-3 Magsayo eyes WBC Asia, IBF Pan-Pacific title THE Philippines was blanked by host Czech Republic, 0-3, in the International Tennis Federation World Junior Team Tennis quarterfinals in Prostejov.

It was the only main draw tie in the girls’ division that was settled in the doubles, according to the tournament’s official website.

Brenda Fruhvirtova led the way with a 6-1, 6-1 stopping of Alexa Joy Milliam in first singles at the clay court of the TK Plus Arena.

After that, Nikola Bartunkova gave the Czech a 2-0 lead when she beat lefthander Alexandra Eala, 6-2 7-5.

In the doubles, Bartunkova teamed up with Linda Fruhvirtova for a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Eala and Milliam.

This relegated the Filipinas to a playoff for 5th to eighth places with Ukraine, according to team chaperon Michael Francis Eala in a message to the Manila Standard.

So far, the seven-time champion United States, behind no.1 Clervie Ngounoue, overcame Japan, 3-0, to secure a place in semifinals in Prostejov.

With Japan leading, 1-0, Ngounoue recovered from a set down to edge Mio Mushika, 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4, in the second singles. Peter Atencio

FIT as a fiddle.

Ngayon mas handa na,” he said.

This is how boxing champion Mark “MagA misunderstading with his erstwhile mannifico” Magsayo described himself less than ager, ALA Promotions, forced Magsayo to a a month before his much-awaited title fight long two-year break before he returned to the against veteran Panya Uthok of Thailand for ring to knock out Erick Deztroyer of Indonethe “Pride of Bohol” boxing event. sia in Singapore only last April.

Buoyed by his sensational fourth-round “Everything is OK now. Sila talaga ang nag-alknockout victory in his most recent fight last aga ng husto kay Mark pero tapos na ‘yung konApril, Magsayo expressed confidence that he trata at hindi na na-renew. Nagpa-alam naman sa will beat his Thai opponent in his homecomkanila (ALA Promotions) si Mark. And now he’s ing fight for the vacant WBC Asia and IBF fighting under Vladimir Boxing Promotions,” Pan-Pacific featherweight titles. said Magsayo’s wife-manager Frances.

“Handang-handa na ako laban na ito. PipThe husband-and-wife tandem now hopes a ilitin ko talagang manalo para sa mga kabaconvincing victory over Uthok (53-6 win-loss bayan ko sa Bohol,” said Magsayo during his with 35 KOs) will line him up for a crack at appearance in the “Usapang Sports” by the Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo the elusive world title.

Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports at exudes confidence for his “We will have another fight for him (Magscheduled fight against Thai the National Press Club in Intramuros. sayo). Then maybe, he’ll be ready for a title “I’m really happy to be given the chance fighter during his appearance fight early next year,” added Frances. to fight again in front of my townmates, kaya at the ‘Usapang Sports’ of Magsayo’s coach, Rissan Muelas, said the Filitalagang puspusan ang paghahandang gina- the Tabloid Organization in pino will be a good match against the Thai veteran. gawa ko,” added the 24-year-old Magsayo, Philippine Sports.

“He (Magsayo) has the speed, the timing and who holds a handsome ring record of 19 the stamina to handle Uthok. The Thai likes to wins, including 14 by knockouts. get inside and mix it up, so we’re now working on Mark’s stamina It will be the second time in three years that Magsayo will to enable him to stay alert for 12 full rounds,” added Muelas. fight before his townmates since beating Shota Hayashi of Japan Also present during the weekly forum sponsored by the Philby unanimous decision to retain the WBO International feather- ippine Sports Commission, National Press Club, PAGCOR, weight belt in Tagbilaran, Bohol last November, 2017.

Community Basketball Association and HG Guyabano Tea Asked about his homecoming fight, Magsayo said he is now Leaf Drinks and shown on Facebook live via Glitter Livestream more relaxed and confident. was Games and Amusement Board Boxing and Other Contact “Nu’ng unang laban ko sa Bohol, medyo tense at excited. Sports officer-in charge Jackie Lou Cacho.

Birdie-binge puts Juvic 6 shots ahead SILANG, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan produced one of his best performances in perhaps one of the toughest conditions he had ever faced, coming through with a mindboggling four-birdie binge at the finish for a 67 that turned what had seemed to be a wild title chase to a virtual romp in the rain-hit ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday.

All looked at an unpredictable ending to a long day marred by three rain delays and gale-force winds with Pagunsan barely clinging to a two-stroke lead over Tony Lascuña and a charging Ferdie Aunzo with a bogey on the long par-3 No. 12.

But he quickly dashed their hopes with that explosive windup anchored on solid iron game, birdying No. 13 from 10 feet, adding two more from close range before capping his run with a 15-foot putt on No. 16 that left his rivals in awe and the outcome of the P2.5 million tournament practically beyond doubt with a 207 aggregate.

For his six-shot lead could prove to be too tough for Aunzo to overcome with just 18 holes to play in the 72-hole championship that stirred so much interest despite Pagunsan wresting control in the first 36 holes with a 68 and 72 as severe playing conditions kept the toughest in the hunt and the rest out of contention.

Until Pagunsan recalled his fierce form and proved he’s still a cut above the rest.

But the soft-spoken Negrense opted to downplay his chances, saying no lead is safe on a course as tough as Langer and against a field that “Kapit lang. Hindi pa ako nakakasiguro dito hanggang matapos. Anything can happen here,” said Pagunsan, all set and fired up to nail a record fourth win in row after sweeping the last Visayan legs in Bacolod, Negros and Iloilo last June.

Aunzo found the wet conditions to his liking, producing a gutsy run of pars and birdies on Nos. 12, 14 and 18 from close range.

He came out with the day’s lone bogey-free card but faced too tough a task despite an even 213 total.

“I just got lucky at the back after the rain,” said the former amateur hotshot out to snap a long slump in the circuit organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Lascuña, just two off Pagunsan with Japanese Keisuke Takahashi and Dutch Guido Van der Valk after 36 holes, kept Pagunsan in sight with an even par card after 12 holes. But the former three-time PGT Order of Merit winner failed to match Pagunsan’s hot finish and even dropped a stroke on No. 14. He ended up with a 72 and slipped to third at 217.

Takahashi and Van der Valk hobbled with similar 74s and remained tied but now at fourth at 216 with Clyde Mondilla, the reigning Philippine Open champion, also fumbling with a 74 for sixth at 217.

Family Run promotes exercise, nutrition for children

By Reuel Vidal

Children in flip-flops, with some running on bare feet, lead the Alaska Fun Run for the benefit of the residents of Barangay Gun-ob yesterday Friday at Newtown, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Jamil Buergo

MACTAN, Cebu—Alaska Milk teamed up with Sunrise Events to reach out and help a community in need in Cebu by staging the Alaska Family Fun Run held here yesterday at Mactan Newtown, Lapu-Lapu City.

The run—held for the benefit of residents of Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu—is a companion event of the 2019 Regent AGUILA IRONMAN 70.3 Powered by PhilAm Vitality to be held at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Lapu Lapu City tomorrow.

Alaska Milk Associate Brand Manager Diane Guerta said the Family Fun Run promotes the importance of exercise and proper nutrition especially for children.

“We wanted to involve the local community here in Cebu. We invited them to do a short run and participate in the Zumba

dance exercise to communicate our purpose. Our message is nutrition and action.

It’s the most important aspect in a child’s development,” said Guerta.

“Our cause is to help the public, in this case the residents of Barangay Gun-ob, including some who were victims of a recent fire. So we’re really glad that they joined.

And we’re also grateful for the support of Lapu-Lapu City.”

Punong Barangay Ele Tumulak Fontanoza said she requested that her constituents join the fun run and the Zumba dance exercise which would help lift the spirits of the residents of the community, especially the victims of a recent fire.

“Dinala natin sila dito para maka enjoy.

Sila ang mga fire victims. Sinabihan ko ang mga organizer kung pwede sila ang priority sa mga constituents natin sa Gun-Ob,” said Fontanoza.

“Para at least man lang—kasi mga fire victims sila—ngayon at least masaya sila. Nakikita natin na join sila sa fun run. At the same time, nandyan sila sa photo booth ngayon. So happy sila dahil nabigyan natin ng priority.”

Close to three hundred runners—including triathlon professionals led by Caroline Steffen, Tim Reed and Dimity Lee Duke who will vie for the top prize in the IRONMAN 70.3 race tomorrow— joined the run led by children and with the pledge from Alaska to donate milk for children of the barangay.

Meanwhile, one of the most anticipated swim-bike-run races for kids and teens kicks off its fourth year in Cebu today.

Close to 400 participants ages 6 to 14 years old will join the Alaska Fortified IRONKIDS Philippines and swim at the Shangri-La Mactan beach, bike at Mactan Newtown and run along the Punta Engaño road.

IN BRIEF

Robinsons Land hikes profit to P4b

ROBINSONS Land Corp., a unit of the Gokongwei Group, booked a net profit of P4 billion in the first six months of 2019, up 20 percent from P3.33 billion year-onyear.

Robinsons Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday first-half consolidated revenues climbed 13 percent to P14.79 billion from P13.1 billion on year on the sustained growth of residential business as well leasing business from office, malls and hotels portfolio.

“We continue to post strong earnings growth as we remain optimistic about new opportunities. We look forward with much enthusiasm to an even better financial performance in the near future,” said RLC president and chief executive Frederick Go. The group’s shopping malls division posted an 11-percent year-on-year growth in revenues to P6.45 billion.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Palawan55 to drill for oil in Palawan

PALAWAN55 Exploration & Production Corp. and its partners notified the Department of Energy of their commitment to drill a deepwater well in service contract 55 in southwest Palawan within the next two years.

Palawan55, a unit of Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal Inc., the operator and a partner in the consortium, informed the DoE of the consortium’s entry into the appraisal period effective August 26.

“The SC 55 consortium committed to drill one (1) deepwater well within the first two years of the appraisal period and, following reinterpretation of certain seismic data outside of the current study area, may undertake a new 3D seismic program to mature other prospects within SC 55 to drillable status,” said Phinma Petroleum in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. Alena Mae S. Flores

LandBank’s income jumps 36% to P10.6b

STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines, the fourth-largest lender in terms of assets, said net income in the first half jumped 36 percent to P10.58 billion from P7.79 billion a year ago, driven mainly by the aggressive expansion of its loan portfolio.

The bank said in a statement Friday the first-half net profit was 27 percent higher than the semestral target of P8.32 billion.

Return on equity during the six-month period was at a healthy 14.10 percent, while net interest margin stood at 3.53 percent, both above latest industry averages.

Driving the bank’s profits during the period was the substantial increase in income from loans, which jumped 60 percent due to higher yield and growth in its gross loan portfolio. Julito G. Rada

Phoenix’s earnings fall 7% to P896.8m

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines on Friday reported a 7-percent decline in net income in the first half to ₱896.83 million from P968.8 million year-on-year.

“Against a backdrop of challenging operating conditions, we continue to invest and build on our long term competitive advantages. We are building scale to drive efficiency in fuels and LPG. We are investing in the brand and more importantly, in capabilities that will allow ourselves to adapt and innovate in markets,” said Phoenix chief operating officer Henry Albert Fadullon.

Phoenix said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange first-half operating income rose 22 percent year-on-year to ₱2.07 billion. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

B1

Cebu Pacific launches 3 new flights from Clark

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific on Friday announced the expansion of its operations from Clark International Airport with the launch of new flights to Bacolod, Iloilo and Narita, Japan.

With the expansion of its route network in the Clark hub, the Gokongwei-led airline will become the largest carrier in Clark in terms of capacity by the end of 2019, capturing 28 percent of the total number of seats offered by all carriers operating in the Pampanga airport.

Flights from Clark to Bacolod and Iloilo run daily, while direct service to and from Narita is scheduled four times weekly. The carrier earlier anCebu Air Inc. president Lance Gokongwei (right) presents to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade a replica of a Cebu Pacific aircraft nounced it would begin flying daily during the launching of three new destinations from Clark Airport, namely Bacolod City, Iloilo City and Narita, Japan, on Friday at Marriot between Clark and Puerto Princesa in Hotel, Clark Pampanga. Revoli Cortez Palawan by the fourth quarter of 2019.

The four new routes will boost the airline’s total capacity in Clark by 40 percent in 2019, following a 75-percent increase in 2018 with the launch of direct commercial air service to and from Davao and Panglao (Bohol), as well as additional frequency for the Clark-Macau route.

“We have been operating flights in and out of Clark since 2006. The opening of these new routes is a testament of how committed we are to continuously develop this hub—we are not only establishing percent, well below the 6-percent to conducted by the Economic JournalBy Julito G. Rada seamless inter-island connections, but also 7-percent target range earlier set by the ists Association of the Philippines in opening up North Luzon to more potengovernment. partnership with the Aboitiz Group in tial entrepreneurs, both local and foreign, OR the second time Moody’s said in a report Friday the Makati City on May 29. tourism, trade and investment this year, global debt budget delay exacerbated external Moody’s further said in the report furthering opportunities in Clark and its surrounding weakness, and although domestic de- while the growth of the exports of goods watcher Moody’s areas,” said Lance Gokongwei, president mand was seen to recover, it would not and services decelerated on account of and chief executive of Cebu Pacific.

Investors Service trimmed be enough to propel growth to at least 6 weaker external demand, much of the Cebu Pacific flies to four other dopercent for the year. slowdown in the first half was driven by its growth forecast for the mestic destinations (Cebu, Caticlan, “Our expectation of a recovery in do- government spending.

Philippines in 2019 to 5.8 Tagbilaran, Davao); and three other mestic demand in the second half of this “After growing at a double-digit international routes(Singapore, Macau percent from a previous year and into next year underpins our pace since late 2017, both government Hong Kong) to and from Clark. estimate of 6 percent made full-year forecasts for real GDP growth consumption and public construction and“As we aim to fly 200 million pas5.8 percent in 2019 and 6.2 percent in slowed dramatically in the first two in May, taking into account of sengers by 2020; and 300 million by 2020,” Moody’s said. quarters of this year because of the de2022, trust that we have been and the economy’s lackluster Moody’s in May reduced its eco- lay in passing the budget law for 2019,” will always keep our customers at the performance in the first half. nomic growth assumption for the Phil- it said. heart of the business. Rest assured, we “The rise in government consumpEconomic growth eased further to 5.5 ippines this year to 6 percent from 6.2 will continue to cater to the growing percent in the second quarter of 2019, percent due to the slower-than-expected tion slumped to 7.1 percent in the first travel demand by enabling more Juans marking the slowest rate of expansion 5.6-percent expansion in the first quar- half of this year from 13.5 percent in the to travel conveniently and affordably ter. second half of 2018, while public consince early 2015. through our year-round low fares,” Moody’s senior credit officer Chris- struction contracted 22.1 percent from It was also slower than 5.6 percent Gokongwei said. a quarter ago. The figure brought the tian de Guzman announced the down- a 17.5-percent increase over the same average growth in the first half to 5.6 ward revision in an economic forum period,” it said.

Moody’s reduces 2019 growth forecast to 5.8% F

LEASING FRAMEWORK.

Almendras back as chief executive of Manila Water

Bases Conversion and Development Authority and partner MTD Clark Inc. forged a memorandum of agreement with LBP Leasing and Finance Corp. to offer a leasing and financing facility for government agencies planning to relocate to the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City.

Sealing the agreement with a handshake are Land Bank Leasing president and chief executive Francisco Leonor Jr. (second from left) and MTD Clark chairman Isaac David.

Jess Malabanan

By Jenniffer B. Austria MANILA Water Co. Inc., a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said its board elected Jose Rene Gregory Almendras as new president.

Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday Alemedras’ appointment as president, chief executive officer and chief sustainability officer of the company would become effective Sept. 1.

Almendras will replace Ferdinand dela Cruz, who resigned and availed of early retiremment. Dela Cruz resignation will take effect on Aug 31.

Almendras is also currently president and chief executive of AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp.

Almendras, prior to joining the government in June 2010, served as the company’s president and chief operating officer since March 30, 2009. The company achieved 100 percent customer satisfaction rating during his term.

He was instrumental for the expansion and growth of the Company beyond the East Zone. During his term, the company was awarded as one of the Best Managed Companies in Asia, the Best in Corporate Governance, one of the Greenest Companies in the Philippines, and hailed as the world’s Most Efficient Water Company.

Manila Water, which is the water concessionaire for the east zone of Metro Manila, experienced a supply shortage earlier this year.

As a result, tens of thousands of Manila Water customers suffered from prolonged service interruptions, low pressure and rationing.

Dela Cruz’s resignation comes after the Supreme Court slapped Manila Water with a ₱921.46-million fine for violations of the Philippine Clean Water Act, after it supposedly failed to put up sewage treatment facilities in its service areas as mandated by the law.

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

ERC: Supreme Court ruling affects P50-b power contracts

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday said some P50 billion worth of power supply contracts will be affected by the Supreme Court ruling on the competitive selection process.

“We will also need guidance on how prior settlements based on the affected contracts will be evaluated considering the rates that were implemented. Our initial calculations disclosed that about P50 billion worth of generated power is involved in the PSAs that were filed within the period covering June 30, 2015 to April 29, 2016, which we (the ERC) subsequently approved, and were implemented by the concerned parties in the PSA,” said ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera in a statement.

“Therefore, the P50 billion will be translated (in)to rate adjustments in the consumers’ electricity bill on top of the rate adjustment resulting from sourcing power from the electricity spot market,” Devanadera said.

ERC officials said the SC ruling on the CSP invalidated some contracts that had been implemented and on payments made from consumers to the distribution utilities to the generation companies.

The contracts, which will now emerge from the CSP, may have prices different from the implemented contracts.

Meanwhile, the ERC also warned of possible brownouts in Mindanao due to the Supreme Court ruling ordering the conduct of CSP or public bidding on all power supply agreements submitted by distribution utilities on or

after June 30, 2015.

ERC said it would seek clarification from the SC on how to implement its ruling, which denied ERC’s appeal.

The court ruling declared all PSAs filed on or before June 30, 2015 for ERC approval to comply with the 2018 DoE circular on the competitive selection process on procuring supply.

Devanadera said the ERC had not received a copy of the decision but “nevertheless, should that be the case, we will comply with the directive of the Supreme Court.”

“We only need to seek guidance through a motion for clarification on how to implement their decision, particularly on the rates and the continued supply of electricity to the affected public utilities” said Devanadera.

Security Bank forges tie-up with Krungsri of Thailand

SECURITY Bank Corp., the sixthlargest lender in terms of assets, formed a strategic partnership with Bank of Ayudhya, commonly known as Krungsri, the fifth largest financial group in Thailand, in a bid to provide more top-notch consumer finance products to Filipinos.

Security Bank said in a statement Thursday evening Krungsi would acquire a 50-percent stake in SB Finance Co. Inc., the bank’s consumer finance subsidiary. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

Security Bank president and chief executive Sanjiv Vohra said the partnership would see the two banks working together to provide top-notch consumer finance products to more Filipinos. The joint venture strengthens the relationship between the two institutions, which have MUFG Bank Ltd. as a common shareholder.

SB Finance is expected to expand its loan portfolio and loan products suite as the collaboration builds on the strengths of Security Bank in the country’s unsecured personal loan segment, while leveraging on Krungsri’s expertise in the Asean retail finance market, being the number one consumer finance provider in Thailand, with presence in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“SBC and Krungsri are both committed to accelerating customer-centricity in banking. By localizing the strategies that propelled Krungsri to become Thailand’s market leader in consumer finance, SBF is well positioned to scale the business faster, launch better and more innovative product variants, serve more customers and, in effect, substantially grow its market share in retail business,” Vohra said. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks retreat; Jollibee declines T HE stock market fell Friday, weighed down by the tepid economic expansion in the second quarter of 2019 and the disappointing corporate earnings of some listed companies in the same period.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 59.77 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,854.39 on a value turnover of P6.2 billion. Losers beat gainers, 114 to 84, with 47 issues unchanged.

Global debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service trimmed its growth forecast for the Philippines in 2019 to 5.8 percent from its previous estimate of 6 percent made last May, taking

into account the economy’s lackluster performance in the first half.

Economic growth eased further to a four-year low of 5.5 percent in the second quarter of 2019, marking the slowest rate of expansion since early 2015.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, declined 2.2 percent to P225, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, lost 3.5 percent to P125.50.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the biggest integrated property company in Southeast Asia, fell 2.7 percent to P35.50, while Filinvest Land Inc. of the Gotianun Group slipped 2.2 percent to P1.81.

The rest of Asian markets largely rallied Friday, tracking a rebound on Wall Street, as investors attempted to shrug off lingering US-China trade war fears.

Positive data out of Japan helped drive

the Nikkei index up by 0.4 percent, after figures showed the world’s third-biggest economy was growing faster than analysts had predicted.

The stronger-than-expected data showed Japan’s gross domestic product grew 0.4 percent from the previous quarter on robust consumer demand, beating analysts’ median forecast of 0.1 percent.

“The reading of the data itself was not a huge buying peg... but nonetheless it confirmed personal spending could pick up,” said Makoto Sengoku, market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute.

The Japanese data came a day after China released figures showing that its exports beat expectations to rise in July, even as shrinking imports pointed to weak demand at home.

Hong Kong and Sydney edged up 0.3 percent Friday, while Seoul climbed 0.9 percent. But Shanghai shed 0.3 percent.

Safe haven assets such as bonds, gold and the yen remained in demand, signaling that trade war fears would continue to weigh on markets.

Interest rate cuts by central banks in India, Thailand and New Zealand this week underscored investor anxiety with analysts saying markets believe further cuts are in the offing.

“The current market dynamics are such that the stabilization of risk assets will remain a function of improvement on the trade front or the Fed turning increasingly more dovish,” said Stephen Innes at VM Markets.

“With a near term trade agreement little more (than) wishful thinking at this stage the markets will lean on the dovish Fed narrative again as a critical circuit breaker to diffuse the markets’ stress overload from escalating trade and currency war tensions,” he added.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 2,240 94.25 3,044,760 2.27 1,000 146.5 2,030,730 1.18 86,000 26.65 279,400 18.3 1,100 11.92 737,900 4.7 58,000 1.3 6,000 0.455 370,000 71.75 2,458,870 1.02 254,000 13.1 21,900 49.5 603,000 190.8 150 58.5 2,090 29.5 55,000 193.5 1,746,730 1,751 10 59.55 3,680 1.12 4,000

129,515 287,283,164.50 2,270 297,628,051 98,930 7,479,875 20,170 8,853,322 268,980 7,800 169,050 176,853,748 253,910 286,910 29,918,160 28,667 122,975 1,630,930 346,897,724 17,510 218,594.50 4,480

147,267,368 -174,821,722 -653,080 -2,559,550 -59,906,077 -135,900 -17,286,345 29,700 215,396,273 -21,353 -

34.5 13.8 0.72 1.31 0.244 98 3.28 14.5 106.4 13.56 40 70 87 2.04 5.2 6.06 9.26 14.96 9.56 7.56 1.7 26.05 81.55 58.55 2.06 14.06 8.41 1.6 225 4.2 8.64 22.3 13.5 18.5 360 5.5 1.79 4.78 5.21 9.28 2.61 11.1 37.6 5.2 5.09 1.7 2.1 1.02 13.32 100.1 6.95 0.13 1.08 159 2.43 1.3 1.11

INDUSTRIAL 34.5 695,500 14 959,400 0.73 271,000 1.31 53,000 0.245 1,260,000 99.15 390 3.34 23,247,000 14.58 22,300 106.4 380 13.76 113,500 40 33,400 73.5 6,440 87 350 2.09 362,000 5.4 14,100 6.25 17,300 9.29 2,075,200 15.24 278,800 9.73 731,800 7.62 880,800 1.74 4,000 26.1 405,600 82.15 290,330 58.85 1,169,140 2.1 5,693,000 14.08 1,611,900 8.45 598,900 1.67 457,000 225 1,669,050 4.2 6,000 8.64 1,300 22.5 988,500 13.5 692,000 18.7 100,000 360 157,810 5.5 3,800 1.8 1,320,000 4.78 5,000 5.22 2,883,900 9.28 600 2.67 10,523,000 11.1 61,300 37.6 60,600 5.25 21,800 5.09 2,300 1.72 2,401,000 2.1 21,000 1.02 69,000 13.38 14,400 100.9 374,040 7.06 138,800 0.13 10,000 1.14 487,000 161 913,320 2.43 14,000 1.32 3,747,000 1.12 3,434,000

24,143,865 13,404,950 197,790 69,430 308,680 38,623 77,822,040 327,732 40,435 1,579,144 1,336,045 461,335.50 30,854.50 754,320 73,340 107,663 19,296,387 4,215,238 7,103,523 6,693,685 6,880 10,605,715 24,084,854 70,614,172.50 11,836,940 22,695,770 5,085,053 740,910 379,477,194 25,200 11,362 22,202,870 9,364,962 1,866,336 57,085,320 20,980 2,386,730 23,900 15,111,325 5,568 28,004,930 687,608 2,286,850 113,440 11,707 4,149,680 44,320 70,720 193,020 37,624,643 968,795 1,300 536,990 146,956,202 34,020 4,930,660 3,894,650

-18,235,220 -6,203,200 -14,800 38,920,830.00 -97,210 36,000 -2,090 -9,752,780 1,229,480 847,303 -838,780 870,105 -5,968,484 6,702,405 -467,470 -16,961,972 1,022,462 -121,262,914 -1,936,050 6,860,484 -749,494 -40,946,764 45,000 -8,960,832 -1,016,130 -753,755 -26,736 24,229,958 21,000 -67,553,948 21,870 -377,690 114,950.00

0.99 51.4 14.48 0.72 7 15.98 1.22 1.25 946 3.9 6.78 9.86 13.8 4.86 903 6.3 65.9 6.05 0.51 4.47 14.4 0.67 4.75 0.039 1.4 178.2 997 0.87 1.42 257 0.29

0.95 49.85 14.18 0.71 7 15.1 1.2 1.22 930.5 3.74 6.75 9.67 13.4 4.12 882 6.3 63.05 6.05 0.495 4.41 14.12 0.64 4.61 0.038 1.34 173.9 977.5 0.83 1.37 256 0.275

HOLDING FIRMS 0.95 23,481,000 49.85 1,380,800 14.18 2,398,100 0.71 60,000 7 39,500 15.18 52,200 1.21 683,000 1.25 89,000 938 297,850 3.74 5,976,000 6.77 181,300 9.67 7,007,300 13.8 121,000 4.12 6,000 882 45,740 6.3 5,000 63.05 966,730 6.05 100 0.51 519,000 4.47 160,000 14.2 223,800 0.67 1,062,000 4.61 9,504,000 0.038 800,000 1.35 258,000 177.1 194,010 986 375,500 0.86 1,116,000 1.41 287,000 257 860 0.275 2,580,000

22,774,640 68,944,665 34,168,420 42,940 276,500 795,218 826,790 108,910 279,489,630 22,709,030 1,226,240 68,093,337 1,667,900 27,310 40,705,850 31,500 61,950,159 605 257,885 705,660 3,176,120 688,380 44,449,650 30,600 352,340 34,206,003 370,273,700 942,060 402,530 220,360 715,550

987,270 -45,399,275 -23,523,072 -108,910 -6,938,835 843,260 -908,606 -46,505,660 -884,580 -23,221,110 -49,328,439 605 -75,030 -2,311,318 -17,862,310 -6,740,438 -118,540,260 -28,212 288,750

15.74 0.83 10.4 2.09 1.04 49.05 2.24 4.88 6.1 0.57 0.79 0.88 0.24 10.66 24 0.47 0.134 1.86 1.35 5.83 0.32 0.44 1.54 0.39 2.03 38.05 26

15.72 0.81 10.4 1.92 0.99 48.55 2.18 4.64 6.02 0.54 0.79 0.87 0.234 10 22.25 0.455 0.134 1.8 1.32 5.6 0.305 0.435 1.5 0.39 2.01 38.05 25

PROPERTY 15.74 226,400 0.83 217,000 10.4 20,000 2.02 588,000 1.03 8,796,000 48.65 9,555,100 2.2 85,000 4.8 592,000 6.02 82,200 0.55 58,809,000 0.79 7,000 0.87 128,000 0.24 3,940,000 10.4 1,531,600 23 1,693,100 0.465 3,730,000 0.134 100,000 1.81 60,124,000 1.35 1,220,000 5.7 44,431,700 0.31 24,590,000 0.435 160,000 1.53 1,833,000 0.39 100,000 2.03 64,000 38.05 100 25 2,088,000

3,559,274 177,910 208,000 1,170,410 8,960,870 466,557,360 187,010 2,798,250 494,860 32,653,630 5,530 112,590 926,420 15,701,460 38,804,970 1,716,150 13,400 109,375,830 1,628,010 254,167,342 7,687,750 69,750 2,787,930 39,000 128,780 3,805 52,835,575

-753,250 -830 208,000 -45,000.00 -2,820 -129,997,290 -26,430 171,950.00 -494,860.00 341,800 470,000 6,120,866.00 6,958,925 -92,500 -3,680,530 21,600 -106,314,351 154,300 15,300 -42,358,490

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57.25 94 2.27 146 1.15 26.6 18.7 12.18 4.64 1.3 0.465 71.8 1.03 13.1 49.5 191.7 59 30.4 192 1,751 60 1.12

58 94.9 2.27 147.9 1.18 27.05 18.7 12.2 4.7 1.3 0.465 72.15 1.03 13.12 50.1 191.7 59 30.4 202.2 1,751 60 1.12

57.25 94 2.27 146 1.15 26.55 18.3 11.92 4.53 1.3 0.455 71.75 0.99 13.1 48.6 190.8 58.4 29.5 190.4 1,751 59.1 1.12

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

35.25 14 0.74 1.31 0.25 98 3.28 15 106.4 14.2 40.05 75.5 88.65 2.05 5.2 6.32 9.32 15 9.94 7.62 1.7 26.2 83.7 65.75 2.08 14.08 8.6 1.64 230 4.2 8.9 22.8 13.6 18.5 368.4 5.54 1.83 4.78 5.35 9.28 2.66 11.3 38 5.2 5.09 1.79 2.31 1.02 13.44 101.5 7.1 0.13 1.1 161 2.43 1.36 1.18

35.3 14 0.74 1.31 0.25 99.15 3.39 15 106.5 14.26 40.05 75.5 88.65 2.1 5.4 6.32 9.4 15.36 9.94 7.62 1.74 26.5 83.75 65.75 2.1 14.12 8.6 1.67 231.6 4.2 8.9 22.8 13.8 18.8 368.4 5.54 1.84 4.78 5.35 9.28 2.7 11.3 38 5.35 5.09 1.79 2.31 1.04 13.44 101.5 7.1 0.13 1.15 163 2.43 1.37 1.18

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

0.97 49.95 14.46 0.71 7 15.4 1.22 1.23 930.5 3.9 6.76 9.8 13.8 4.49 900 6.3 65.8 6.05 0.51 4.41 14.4 0.65 4.73 0.038 1.35 176 990 0.87 1.4 256.2 0.28

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

15.74 0.83 10.4 1.96 1 48.55 2.23 4.8 6.1 0.57 0.79 0.88 0.239 10.4 24 0.47 0.134 1.85 1.35 5.75 0.315 0.44 1.52 0.39 2.01 38.05 25.3

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROCKWELL SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

2.33 36.5 2.17 5.85 0.8 7.69

2.35 36.7 2.25 5.89 0.8 7.69

2.3 35.5 2.15 5.81 0.8 7.53

2.3 35.5 2.23 5.81 0.8 7.57

372,000 5,528,400 2,984,000 118,100 47,000 7,173,700

858,820 198,997,460 6,557,690 689,307 37,600 54,369,800

-72,908,000 -11,150 -28,172,883

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

10.6 19 1.62 0.52 0.048 19.84 2.37 11.88 0.062 92.5 7 7.08 5.9 9.84 1,973 5.35 412 1.91 130 9.69 5.25 0.112 5.18 2.95 14.52 3.49 0.93 19.14 0.48 3.16 2.69 1.39 2.35 2.7 8.85 4.5 136 3.8 1,168 0.71 0.54 45 79.9 9.35 3.15 0.74 0.34 5.5 0.73 15.7

10.6 19.18 1.62 0.52 0.049 19.84 2.4 11.88 0.062 93.9 7 7.09 5.9 9.84 2,022 5.4 421 1.91 133.9 9.7 5.25 0.115 5.43 2.95 14.52 3.5 0.93 19.4 0.48 3.17 2.69 1.39 2.39 2.78 8.85 5.04 136 3.83 1,208 0.71 0.61 45 79.9 9.35 3.16 0.75 0.345 5.5 0.74 15.78

10 18.66 1.55 0.52 0.048 19.84 2.2 11.46 0.058 92 7 6.95 5.85 9.55 1,950 5.35 411 1.82 125.5 9.43 5.2 0.111 5.1 2.95 14.52 3.33 0.92 18.92 0.48 3.15 2.58 1.39 2.28 2.52 8.4 4.5 135 3.5 1,168 0.69 0.54 44.25 77.05 9.35 3.1 0.72 0.34 5.45 0.72 15.66

SERVICES 10 19.16 1.55 0.52 0.049 19.84 2.34 11.58 0.059 92.5 7 7.09 5.85 9.74 1,950 5.39 420 1.84 125.5 9.43 5.2 0.115 5.35 2.95 14.52 3.39 0.93 19.16 0.48 3.17 2.6 1.39 2.35 2.74 8.75 5.04 135 3.54 1,184 0.7 0.56 44.75 78.5 9.35 3.16 0.73 0.345 5.45 0.74 15.72

65,300 184,200 18,000 103,000 1,300,000 800 287,000 3,505,100 19,850,000 238,350 2,900 897,100 8,200 9,600 27,180 122,100 1,680 1,240,000 1,570,540 55,200 1,700 270,000 2,878,900 1,000 500 1,213,000 81,000 150,900 110,000 71,000 1,511,000 10,000 1,033,000 531,000 6,500 900 670 7,280,000 232,525 2,254,000 174,677,000 192,500 749,620 100 1,451,000 830,000 1,580,000 165,200 1,149,000 7,594,500

655,850 3,501,878 28,460 53,560 62,800 15,872 651,320 40,622,794 1,177,190 22,026,204 20,300 6,282,285 48,005 93,387 53,461,480 656,658 695,576 2,306,310 200,135,361 521,007 8,915 30,680 15,278,175 2,950 7,260 4,092,960 75,230 2,872,442 52,800 224,640 3,993,810 13,900 2,400,370 1,374,800 55,555 4,301 90,492 26,190,600 276,955,780 1,570,590 99,601,160 8,598,675 58,837,421.50 935 4,560,490 608,490 542,350 901,587 836,690 119,262,724

112,140 -8,397,116 4,640,449 -365,486 -32,450,255 -53,432 -75,056,452 -328,428 1,452 30,010 1,025,078 -321,710 -74,210 187,720 -6,390.00 70,200 -274,450 99,208,050 599,630 1,309,910.00 -4,776,945 35,808,922 1,375,000 188,670 253,350 -30,250 101,346,618

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

0.0017 1.28 2.74 13 2.7 0.27 7.7 1.49 0.207 0.108 0.112 0.0096 0.01 1.06 2.64 1.05 0.86 0.011 0.011 6.2 3.99 11.64 22.45

0.0018 1.32 2.74 13 2.72 0.27 7.82 1.49 0.207 0.111 0.119 0.0096 0.011 1.06 2.64 1.05 0.86 0.011 0.011 6.42 4.06 11.92 22.9

0.0017 1.28 2.74 12.32 2.69 0.27 7.69 1.44 0.199 0.108 0.112 0.0095 0.01 1.04 2.56 0.99 0.83 0.011 0.01 6 3.99 11.48 22.2

MINING & OIL 0.0017 1,402,000,000 1.3 6,151,000 2.74 23,000 12.86 9,500 2.72 554,000 0.27 70,000 7.79 1,200 1.46 775,000 0.205 250,000 0.111 1,010,000 0.119 30,000 0.0095 40,000,000 0.011 14,100,000 1.04 21,000 2.57 2,810,000 1 123,000 0.86 172,000 0.011 681,600,000 0.011 30,000,000 6 1,215,800 4 1,237,000 11.52 4,143,500 22.9 900,800

2,383,600 7,990,330 63,020 120,832 1,493,620 18,900 9,279 1,124,300 50,580 109,350 3,460 380,300 141,100 21,940 7,270,530 122,460 145,620 7,497,600 329,900 7,540,698 4,963,860 48,400,238 20,361,265

-3,400 -38,300 10,760 -1,543,420 49,500 -100,100 -123,400 140,660 251,834 -4,742,870

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.4 493 102 101.4 104.7 5.36 969 0.99 102.3 1,030 1,022 101.7 107.5 1.42 1,010 75.5 78 75.5 76 76.7 76 76 76

17.5 495 102 102 104.7 5.36 970 0.99 102.3 1,030 1,022 101.8 108 1.42 1,010 76.5 78.1 75.5 76 76.7 76.95 76.2 76

17.32 491 102 101 104.7 5.36 969 0.99 102.3 1,030 1,022 101.7 107.5 1.42 1,010 75.25 77.95 75.5 76 76.5 76 76 75

PREFERRED 17.38 48,100 493 4,540 102 1,430 101 10,990 104.7 3,040 5.36 40,000 970 50 0.99 90,000 102.3 60 1,030 50 1,022 30 101.8 2,350 108 1,560 1.42 1,000 1,010 5 76 14,160 77.95 78,230 75.5 6,800 76 1,470 76.5 15,500 76.95 4,670 76.2 53,410 76 56,840

837,008 2,234,250 145,860 1,110,370 318,288 214,400 48,490 89,100 6,138 51,500 30,660 239,145 167,705 1,420 5,050 1,069,610.50 6,102,120 513,400 111,720 1,186,150 356,469 4,061,160 4,289,895

-833,528 -192,960 -753,445.50 8,360

LR WARRANT

1.65

1.67

1.63

WARRANTS 1.63 192,000

315,500

-

11,206,161 2,377,580

-1,660 -152,110

833,063

-

44,908 52,000

-

NAME

MS ITALPINAS XURPAS

6.7 1

6.92 1.02

6.4 0.99

FIRST METRO ETF

119

119.5

118.1

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.3 10.4

10.3 10.4

10.3 10.4

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,167,192

INDUSTRIAL

71,819,239

HOLDING FIRMS

60,140,213

PROPERTY

248,817,023

SERVICES

239,389,699

MINING & OIL

2,189,306,975

GRAND TOTAL

2,825,683,039

6.7 1

SME

1,649,000 2,386,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.1 7,020 10.3 10.4

DDS

4,360 5,000

VALUE 1,851.60 (up) 4.13 1,195,870,702.68 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,804.27 (down) 127.10 1,123,216,141.11 HOLDING FIRMS 7,630.42 (down) 45.72 1,080,359,632.98 PROPERTY 4,100.02 (down) 61.53 1,591.59 (down) 20.24 1,637,665,587.65 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,152.22 (up) 29.61 1,004,791,321.23 PSEI 7,854.39 (down) 59.77 110,568,634.4665 All Shares Index 4,784.11 (down) 34.21 6,166,890,865.44 Gainers: 84; Losers: 114; Unchanged: 47; Total: 245

PNB posted P3.9-b profit in 6 months

By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifthlargest lender in terms of assets and controlled by airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, said net income in the first half fell 28 percent to P3.9 billion from P5.4 billion year-on-year.

The bank said in a statement Friday net profit in the first six months was lower than a year ago because of a “onetime gain” from the sale of foreclosed assets in 2018.

Total consolidated assets, however, jumped 24 percent to P1.09 trillion as of end-June 2019, or an increase of P211 billion over a year ago.

“We are heartened by the bank’s positive financial results in the first six months of this year. Excluding the impact of non-recurring earnings from the sale of foreclosed assets, the bank’s core net income grew by 45 percent,” said PNB president and chief executive Wick Veloso.

“The growth came from the sustained momentum of the core lending, investment and deposit-taking activities as the Philippine economy continued its growth trajectory,” he said.

He said PNB’s growth was a clear indication that the various strategic initiatives it had put in place earlier were gaining traction in the fast-moving economy.

“We have the momentum and are excited to unlock the significant revenue contribution of the forthcoming integration of PNB Savings Bank into PNB,” he said.

Loans and receivables, supported by the double-digit growth in loans to commercial and small and medium enterprise segments, increased 13 percent to P594.1 billion, better than the June 2018 balances. PNB’s stable retail banking franchise catapulted its deposit liabilities to a 15-percent growth to P775.1 billion.

Veloso noted the strong improvements in core revenues comprising of net interest income and net service fees and commissions. Net interest income, which account for 77 percent of total operating income, reached P14.7 billion, up 13 percent due to the expansion in interest-earning assets.

Net service fees and commissions, meanwhile, expanded 11 percent resulting from intensified efforts on crossselling deposits and credit cards to customers. The bank also benefited from the substantial improvements in trading gains, which reached P968 million from the previous year’s P98 million.

Max’s Group hikes income to P366.4m

By Jenniffer B. Austria MAX’S Group Inc., the country’s largest casual dining restaurant group, registered a net income of P227.8 million in the second quarter of 2019, up 9.4 percent from P208.3 million year-onyear, boosted by a steady growth in revenues.

MGI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday systemwide sales, a measure of all revenues, rose 5.9 recent to P5.1 billion from P4.9 billion on year.

Total revenues increased 4.8 percent to P3.7 billion from P3.5 billion in the same quarter last year.

The company’s profit in the first half of the year climbed 10.4 percent to P366.4 million from P332 million on year.

“Our first-half success is attributable to heightened brand relevance, improving market conditions, and the effectiveness of our enterprise-wide productivity measures. Similar to previous quarters, we have consistently delivered profitable growth. We aim to continue expanding our margins through more profitable bundles, commissary modernization, and supply-chain integration,” said MGI chief operating officer Ariel Fermin First-half systemwide sales increased 4.7 percent to P9.7 billion from P9.3 billion in 2018, while topline growth totaled P7.0 billion, up 4.5 percent from P6.7 billion reported in the same period last year.

Restaurant sales improved by 2.1 percent to P5.7 billion from P5.6 billion.

Due to a growing base of franchising operations, MGI’s commissary sales as well as franchising and other revenue rose 7.6 percent to P860.1 million and 37.1 percent to P460.8 million, respectively.

Online and delivery sales in the first six months of 2019 gained 13 percent to P845.5 million from P748.6 million in the comparable period in 2018.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Candidates descend on state fair to make pitch

IN BRIEF Super typhoon heads for China BEIJING―China issued a red alert Friday for incoming Super Typhoon Lekima, expected to batter eastern Zhejiang province early Saturday morning with high winds and torrential rainfall.

The ninth typhoon of the year is projected to move northwest up China’s coast Saturday with the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) focusing its attention on Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, Shanghai and Shandong provinces.

Lekima’s center was about 290 kilometers southeast of the city of Wenling in Zhejiang on Friday morning, with winds reaching 209 km per hour, official news agency Xinhua reported.

Authorities are preemptively canceling train routes in Zhejiang, Shanghai and elsewhere on Saturday, according to the CMA’s newspaper. They also issued a yellow alert for torrential rain and flooding for provinces in Lekima’s path.

Some airlines have canceled Saturday flights out of Shanghai as a preemptive measure, said the CMA. The “great evacuation” from the water is well under way, with ships returning to port and moving to safe areas, the newspaper added.

The storm is currently sweeping past the northern tip of Taiwan where three people were injured, some trees were downed and some 40,000 homes lost power temporarily before having electricity restored.

Rail services were suspended in some places in Taiwan but were expected to resume later Friday.

Last September, Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into mainland China where authorities evacuated 2.37 million people, after it left a trail of destruction in Hong Kong and Macau and killed at least 59 people in the northern Philippines. AFP

Cocaine haul believed from Australia WELLINGTON―A multi-million dollar haul of cocaine washed up on a New Zealand beach this week is believed to have drifted more than 2,100 kilometers across the Tasman Sea from Australia, police said Friday.

They linked the find of 20 packets of cocaine―with an estimated street value of NZ$3.0 million (US$2.0 million)―at Bethells Beach in West Auckland to packages dumped off the New South Wales coast in August 2018.

“A rigid inflatable boat was seen by Australian Border Force and Defense patrols off the northern New South Wales coast heading towards the mainland, and authorities were sent to intercept it,” New Zealand police detective inspector Colin Parmenter said.

“The two occupants of the inflatable were seen offloading the cocaine into the sea, and they were arrested.”

Part of the shipment was found at locations along the eastern Australian coastline, from northern Queensland to New South Wales, and the packages washed up in Auckland had similar markings.

“The product found on Bethells Beach appears to have been part of this same shipment and has drifted here over the last year, as the markings and packaging of the drugs is consistent with that seized in Australia,” Parmenter said.

Police are continuing to make helicopter sweeps over Bethells Beach and say “there remains a small possibility of further packages turning up”. AFP

STILL HOT. A young man dives in the river Treska near Skopje on August 8, 2019, as the temperatures reached 37 degrees Celsius. AFP

Protesters rally at airport to win support of visitors H ONG KONGHundreds of prodemocracy activists, some wearing face masks and helmets, staged a sitin at Hong Kong’s airport on Friday hoping to win support from international visitors for their movement.

“No rioters, only tyranny,” the demonstrators chanted as they began a three-day action―the latest in a string of protests that have rocked the international financial hub for more than two months.

Activists, some dressed in the movement’s signature black, sat on the floor in the airport’s arrivals hall and held up

signs in Chinese and English condemning police violence.

“Save Hong Kong from tyranny and police brutality!” read one sign on a piece of cardboard.

“Ask me about Hong Kong”, read signs in different languages attached to the sleeves of some of the approximately 1,000 people participating.

“We want to let more people know about what’s happening in Hong Kong,” said one protester, who asked to be identified only by her surname Choi.

The protests began two months ago in response to a controversial bill to allow extraditions to mainland China, but have morphed into a broader movement urging authorities to reverse a slide in democratic freedoms.

Protesters also want direct election of the city’s leader and an investigation into alleged police brutality towards

demonstrators.

The government has suspended the extradition bill, but failed to fully withdraw it, and demonstrations have become increasingly violent in recent weeks. Hundreds of people have been arrested.

“We want the government to withdraw the bill and set up an independent inquiry commission,” said Choi.

“I also want to be here to support those who were arrested because our goals are the same.”

The three-day airport rally was promoted online with a mock boarding pass reading “HK to freedom” and “warm pick-up to guests to HK”.

Passengers arriving at the airport appeared confused as they came into the hall to see the sit-in, with some stopping to take photos or look at leaflets being handed out by the demonstrators. AFP

Old people fulfill their dreams with virtual reality MIAMI-Nidia Silva had never realized her dream of swimming with dolphins until a Miami NGO gave her a pair of virtual reality glasses as part of an experimental treatment for depression and isolation in senior citizens.

“You’re in a world you don’t know, but it’s very beautiful and very important for me to see,” 78-year-old Silva said after taking off the virtual reality (VR) goggles.

She was sitting in Domino Park in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. It’s a popular spot for Cuban residents―especially older ones― to meet daily and play dominoes.

“I’m very excited,” said Silva, who felt like she had been swimming in the water around Cuba, from which she emigrated 19 years ago.

Around her, the clacking of dominoes and lively conversations sounded loud in Florida’s dense, sticky heat, but she paid it no mind.

Less accustomed to the climate was Alexandra Ivanovitch, who offered Silva the chance to try VR goggles.

Ivanovitch, who is French, was giving a VR demonstration to Cuban retirees, transporting them to the Malecon in Havana, to outer space, to the ocean floor or the tops of mountains. AFP

INVITATION TO BID for the Construction, Supply and Delivery of Line Extension and HousewiringTwentyFour (24) Sitios FOR THE BUSUANGA ISLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BISELCO) Public Bidding No. 19-002 Source of Funding: 2019 SEP Subsidy BISELCO invites suppliers to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder list of items: Item/Description

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Construction and Delivery Completion Period

₱ 22,445,979.37

90 days from issuance of Notice to Proceed

₱ 2,361,897.46

60 days from issuance of Notice to Proceed

Construction of Line Extension and Supply and Delivery line Hardwares for Twenty-Four (24) Sitios Housewiring Installation and Supply and Delivery of Housewiring Materials for Twenty-(24) Four Sitios.

Republic ofthe Philippines UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES Tamag. Vigan City 2700 llocos Sur

NOTICE OF THE EXTENSION OF FILING OF APPLICATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES (UNP) PRESIDENCY. The UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES BOARD OF REGENTS publicly announces that the deadline of submission of application for the UNP Presidency is EXTENDED UP TO AUGUST 15, 2019.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Not less than Thirty-Five (35) years old and not more than Sixty-One (61) years at the time of application. Sixty-one (61) years old means from actual date of birth and not a day older beyond 61 years old.

2. A natural born Filipino Citizen; 3. Holder of an earned doctorate degree from a reputable higher education institution; 4. Proven track record as an administrator (President, Vice President, Dean.

Campus Administrator, Director), preferably in the academe, whether in public or private, for at least Five (5) years; 5. For candidates who have not previously served as President, he/she must not have been convicted of any administrative offense or any crime involving moral turpitude, wherein the penalty is more than six (6) months.

An applicant who does not meet one of the abovementioned minimum qualifications and cannot submit pertinent supporting documentary evidences for these minimum qualifications on the set deadline shall be disqualified from the Search process.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS 1.

The complete set of documents shall include the following: A.

ACTIVITIES

TOKYO SIZZLES. People cool down in a swimming pool at the

Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo on August 9, 2019. AFP

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 216, Quezon City IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO CANCEL CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH with REGISTRY NO. 2006-16442 and TO CORRECT ENTRY IN CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH with REGISTRY NO. 200047200 OF DIONISIO E. APILADO DIONISIO E. APILADO, a.k.a. JAMES APELADO SUMAYAN, Petitioner, -versusR-QZN-18-13566-SP THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, JENNIFER ESCALANTE APELADO, DIONISIO ROSALES SUMAYAN, AND ALL INTERESTED PARTIES, Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

The petitioner, Dionisio E. Apilado, a.k.a.

James Apelado Sumayan, filed a verified amended petition praying for cancellation of his Certificate of Live of Birth with Registry No. 2006-16442.

The petitioner alleges that his biological parents are Jennifer Escalante Apelado and Dionisio Rosales Sumayan. He was born on July 10, 2000 and his birth was recorded in the Office of the Civil Registrar of Quezon City with Registry No. 2000-47200.

In an attempt to correct his name, his father caused the late registration of his birth with the same Office of the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City. He was issued a second Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 200616442. In this Certificate of Live Birth appears his name as James Apelado Sumayan. Since his birth he has been known and continuously using the name James Apelado Sumayan.

In the Entry No. 6 of his Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 2000-47200, his mother’s name appears as Jennifer Escalate Apilado but the correct spelling of his mother’s name is Jennifer Escalante Apelado.

Thus, petitioner prays for cancellation of his Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 200616442 issued by the Local Civil Registrar of

Quezon City and to correct his and his mother’s name in his Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 2000-47200, to correct the wrong and to make his records straight.

The Court hereby sets the Petition for hearing on August 12, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court sitting at the Second Floor, Rm. 237, Hall of Justice Bldg., Quezon City at which date, time and place, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any, why said petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, to be selected by raffle pursuant to PD 1079. The Office of the Clerk of Court is directed to report to the Court the result of the raffle, with notice to petitioner within ten (10) days from receipt hereof.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and any person who has any opposition hereto may file the same, within fifteen (15) days from notice of the petition, or from the last date of publication of such notice.

Furnish a copy of this Order and petition to the PSA, OSG, Office of the City Civil Registrar, Quezon City and the Office of the Civil Registrar General, Jennifer Escalante Apelado, Dionisio Rosales Sumayan and the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, May 15, 2019.

(Sgd.) ALFONSO C. RUIZ II Presiding Judge CC: Office of the Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village Makati City Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Counsel for the Petitioner DOJ Building, J. Cecilia Muñoz Palma Hall Quezon City Dionisio E. Apilado a.k.a. James Apelado Sumayan No. 7 University Valley, Old Balara, Quezon City Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO) Solicarel Bldg. 1 & 2 Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., Sta. Mesa, Manila Office of the City Civil Registrar Quezon City Hall Compound, Quezon City Jennifer Escalante Apelado and Dionisio Rosales Sumayan No. 7 University Valley, Old Balara, Quezon City (MStandard - Jul. 27, Aug. 3 & 10, 2019)

Deadline for Receipt Bids/Opening of Bids

SCHEDULE August 14, 2019 2:00 p.m. BISELCO Conference Room August 23, 2019, 2:00 p.m. BISELCO Conference Room

B.

Detailed curriculum vitae, signed under oath (personal data, educational qualifications, work experience including organizational chart of the institution showing the candidate’s position, research output and publications, extension activities, experience in resource generation, awards and certificates, conferences attended)

C.

Certified true copy of documents in support of the data stated in the Curriculum Vitae. The HR Officer of the organization where the applicant comes from shall certify to the authenticity of the documents provided that the original is presented to him/her for comparison.

D.

Proposed Vision, Mission and Development Goals for the SUC in not more than five (5) pages.

E.

Certificates/Clearances from the following government agencies, obtained not more than one (1) month from the date of filing of application, indicating applicant has no pending administrative and/or criminal case:

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184 otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

The complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased at the BISELCO Office upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty Thousand(PhP 20,000.00) for Lot 1and Five Thousand (5,000.00) for Lot 2.

The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open to all interested parties; however, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents may participate in the discussion at said conference.

The Pre-Bid Conference, Submission and Opening of Bids shall be held at BISELCO Office, Conference Room, Mabentangen Rd., Brgy. Poblacion 6, Coron, Palawan.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

F.

BISELCO reserves the right to waive any formality in the responses to the eligibility requirements and to this invitation. BISELCO further reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract, and makes no assurance that contract shall be entered into as a result of this invitation without thereby incurring any liability in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

(SGD) ENGR. SELWIN Y. ALILI BBAC Chairman

Sandiganbayan Civil Service Commission (CSC) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Ombudsman (for government employees) Institution / Company where applicant is presently employed

PSA (NSO) – authenticated Birth Certificate

G. Medical Certificate of Physical Fitness issued by a Physician from DOH accredited health institutions but not the same institution where the applicant is presently employed letterhead of hospital or clinic must indicate DOH accreditation number.

H.

Result of Neuropsychiatric examination conducted by a physician from a DOH accredited health institution but not the same institution where the applicant is presently employed. Result should be signed by a neuropsychiatric doctor.

Letterhead of clinic/hospital must indicate DOH accreditation number. The test result shall also include a statement indicating the purpose for which the test is taken, e. g., “this test was taken in connection with the applicant’s application for the presidency of UNP.”

I.

Duly accomplished CSC Form 212 made under oath.

The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two separate sealed envelopes in the bid box located at the abovementioned address.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from BISELCO BAC Secretariat with CP # 09274483532 during office hours.

Formal application letter addressed to: DR. PERFECTO A. ALIBIN Commissioner, CHED & Chair, UNP Board of Regents 4th Floor HEDC Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue UP Diliman. Quezon City

The schedule of bidding activities are as follows: Pre-Bid Conference

DES MOINES―Deep-fried corn dogs, a blistering summer sun, and discerning American voters greet the presidential candidates at Iowa’s state fair, a must stop on the early road to the White House.

Two dozen candidates―23 Democrats and a long shot Republican primary challenger to President Donald Trump―will step onto the political soapbox to make their case to attendees at the fair over its 11-day run.

The historic annual event in the state capital Des Moines is expected to host more than a million people this year, from all corners of this largely rural Midwestern state that votes first in the party presidential nomination battles.

With the fair such a crucial test of political viability in Iowa and beyond, it has become an essential campaign stop for candidates, like current Democratic front runner Joe Biden, who dropped in on Thursday to woo voters.

The fair is “pretty much the kickoff for the presidential candidates to get ready for the Iowa caucuses, to get their name out, get with the people,” Iowa County supervisor John Gahring told AFP. “The state fair is where everyone’s at.”

Candidates relish the opportunity to hone their message to attentive voters, but many also partake in the fair’s quirky traditions.

“You kind of have to pay your dues (and) eat the pork chop on the stick,” Kerry Waughtal, 50, a technology employee born and raised in Des Moines, said of the presidential candidates.

But aside from sampling culinary delights, glad-handing voters, or admiring the butter cow sculpture, candidates must be themselves in a venue where authenticity rules.

“I don’t need Elizabeth Warren to put on a pair of cowboy boots just because she’s coming to the fair,” Waughtal said of the senator who is currently tied for second in the race -- and will take to the soapbox on Saturday.

“I’d rather just have everybody be their most authentic self because that’s what we want to see.” AFP

The Search Committee for Presidency reserves the right to validate and verify the authenticity of documents submitted and the right to accept or reject any document that it deems to be questionable.

IMPORTANT: Interested applicants must submit one (1) set of original and six (6) sets of certified photocopies of documents (hard and soft copies)ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 15, 2019 AT 5:00 P.M. (PHILIPPINE STANDARD TIME) TO:

Noted by (SGD) RUTH L. GALANG General Manager

(MS-AUG. 10 , 2019)

(MS-AUG. 10, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

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OKYO, Japan — When Nomura Real Estate Development executive officer Atsushi Ogata (Inset) enters the meeting room of his company’s headquarters in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with the Marc Chagall masterpiece at one end and the panorama of Tokyo’s financial district from the window, he seamlessly eases into the Japanese corporate mode of energized calm and focus: he casually juggles small talk about the aesthetics of “wabisabi”, or the art of finding beauty in imperfection, while zeroing in on his company’s push to tap into the growing demand for luxury condominiums in SoutheastAsia.

“Wabi-sabi is about finding natural materials that have an unconscious aesthetic,” he explained to the Manila Standard, while giving a preview of The Season Residences, a joint venture between Filipino developer Federal Land, Nomura and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, a Japanese department store operator.

“The Japanese way of life and way of living at home — with its emphasis on technology and minimalist elegance — includes many warm brown and gray materials: the wood, stone, concrete and steel used in the interior all have knots and grains with very subtle imperfections, some of which will also change over time. It’s about celebrating what’s naturally incomplete, “ he said.

Balance and stylish efficiency To be built at the emerging 10-ha Grand Central Park in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, The Seasons will bear the Japanese hallmarks of balance and stylish efficiency. Ogata promised that

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

the project will be designed with precision, and features Japanese innovations meant to elevate the standards of comfort, convenience and functionality for its homeowners.

All four residential towers will feature Japanese elements that focus on technology, functionality, safety and harmony with the environment. Each tower will rise 41 to 50 stories high, with the first tower, Haru, offering 304 residential units with cuts ranging from 49 sqm to 175 sqm.

“We looked at a lot of condos in the Philippines and we may be a bit advanced given that Nomura already has 30 years experience in building residential projects, “Ogata said. But we believe that the Philippines is also already in that stage wherein it is making really good quality structures and if you combine that with our skills and technology, then I know that we will be able to create and build good quality buildings.”

Ogata added that The Seasons Residences will incorporate new technologies and features that the Philippine market may not have not seen before.

“We try to differentiate ourselves from the others through the quality of our projects,” he said. “For Nomura it just keeps getting better year after year

LIMA EXPERIENCE. Real estate developer AboitizLand recently marked its 25th anniversary by formally rolling out the expansion of its industry city Lima, in Lipa, Batangas.

Lima is an integrated township that is home to top global manufacturing companies, international and local retailers, and soon, to Filipino families with the launch of its residential area, the Villages at Lipa. “After more than 20 years of establishing a stronghold in Cebu’s real estate scene, we have been expanding in Luzon. Our recent launches include new properties in Batangas, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija,” said David Rafael, AboitizLand president and chief executive officer. The real estate firm is pouring in P7 billion worth of investments this year to complete the LIMA experience with additions to its residential and commercial components. The Villages at Lipa is a 49-hectare project that houses Sierra Village. It offers lot only packages, as well as townhouses with floor areas of 93 square meters (sqm); and single attached and single detached homes with floor areas ranging from 103 sqm to 150 sqm. At the launch were Rafael and AboitizLand first vice president of operations Rafael Fernandez De Mesa

SERVE CHAMPAGNE FOR THE PRICE OF BEER. The Privato Hotel Group, a five-yearold business chain, recently launched two more hotels, one in Quezon City, and soon in Makati, to add to its existing one in Ortigas across Capitol Commons. Gab Perez, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, oversaw the construction of two Privato hotels from the ground up, while the other is an acquisition. Privato Quezon City came by chance, when Perez received an offer from the Max’s Group to acquire its property (formerly the Meranti). Designed by the renowned firm of Budji Layug and Royal Pineda, and featuring furniture by Kenneth Cobonpue, the space already has Privato’s streamlined aesthetic, so changing its branding and look was no longer such a herculean task for Perez and his team. By June 1 of 2019, they took over operations. The young hotelier collaborated with Casas+Architects, Jose Aliling Construction Management, and Enderun Hotels for the design, construction management, and day-to-day operations of the hotels. Privato hotels’ main clients are either corporate accounts or business travelers, but there are many staycationers too. For more information about Privato, visit www.privatohotels.com

SEASON RESIDENCES BRINGS ZEN, STYLISH LIVING TO BGC

and this is the experience and skill that we are bringing to the Philippines. We put our expertise into this project so you will see that the residents of The Seasons will enjoy a safe comfortable and sustainable life.”

Tapping Asia’s real estate mother lode Ogata revealed that Japanese real estate developers and homebuilders have built 30,000 residential units in the Southeast region in the past five years, and are planning to develop around 80,000 more in the next five years, or about US$2.5 billion in joint ventures overseas, according to Nomura’s calculations.

In addition to healthy economic growth in the region, which is lifting demand for high-end housing, buyers’ similarities to Japanese make the market attractive for Japanese players.

Many of the same design principles and specifications Japanese condo developers use at home also work well in Southeast Asia.

He noted that Nomura’s team up with Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings and Federal Land, a subsidiary of GT Capital Holdings, aims to meet the demand which is outpacing supply in the Philippines’ housing market because of the growing ranks of middle-class consumers.

He added that housing and shopping complexes are just one of the many upmarket condo projects Japanese builders are engaged in Southeast Asia. “Local customers, for example, also appreciate housing fixtures and features designed to meet Japanese quality standards, such as sophisticated wet areas—bathrooms, kitchens and the like,” he said.

Because of the booming demand, Ogata said Nomura Real Estate is also looking into markets in Thailand and Singapore, where urbanization started early, and now neighboring countries, such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Another wild card is demand from Chinese investors. “Many of our luxury condos in the region have been bought by Chinese speculators,” he volunteered.

Ideal partnership Ogata said the joint venture with Federal Land was largely due to two companies’ “similar philosophy in real estate development and that GT Capital, the holding company of Federal Land, has a lot of experience working with Japanese companies, so they know how we work.”

The Seasons is Nomura’s first project in the Philippines. The project is 60 percent Federal Land, 20 percent Nomura, and 20 percent Mitsukoshi.

“The Philippines is a growing country with a young population,” he explained. “Japan has a decreasing and ageing population. Our average age is 45 and yours is 23. Also we have very

similar cultures and Japanese people are very comfortable when we go to the Philippines. So we see that we have a lot of opportunities in the Philippines.”

Turning Japanese Future residents are set to revel in a host of amenities that will bring the Japanese way of life to the fore at The Seasons. The amenity floor will be divided into zones that reflect the four seasons of Japan. Active Spring will house a well-equipped gym, daycare and tranquil gardens while Breezy Summer will feature pools, playground, game and karaoke rooms. A well-appointed business center, reading lounge and a music studio will be housed at Creative Autumn, while a spa with stone baths and a dry garden will be the main features of Dreamy Winter.

The amenity deck will also have one unique feature, The Guest House, a serene space with a tea room and bedroom where visitors can rest, relax and experience the Japanese lifestyle.

The innovative Japanese design can be seen in The Seasons’ space-maximizing fixtures such as the distinct shoe cabinet in the foyer, the kitchen floor storage,

and spacious kitchen and bedroom cabinets. The kitchen sink will be fitted with accessories to make food preparation more convenient, while a below-floor drainage system in the bathroom will allow for easier pipe maintenance and water leakage protection.

In bigger units, a separate shower and bathtub highlight the Japanese tradition of “ofura” which means bath. Bathing is almost a sacred ritual in Japan that is believed to help ease physical stress and boost mental wellness. The units are likewise equipped with a range hood with Japanese oil-filter technology as well as air washing tiles that minimize excess humidity, unpleasant doors and harmful substances in the air.

An interesting feature is the toilet technology that The Season’ will have as it recently partnered with Toto to install special washlets in specific units for its first tower. These seats are equipped with powerful automated deodorizers as well as a soft closing seat with varied temperature settings. All these functions can be conveniently controlled via a wireless remote with an illuminated touch pad.

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

@MStandardLIFE SATURDAY, AUGUST, 10 2019

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By Rhea Vitto Tabora

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“

F you are a local tourist or a foreign visitor who is coming to Manila only for a short while, Lakbay Museo is the best place to visit as the museum takes you to all 11 regions of the Philippines,” says Bobby Joseph, chairperson of the recently opened museum at S Maison in Conrad Manila.

LAVA WALK BY THE LAVA. The interactive Lakbay Museo lets visitors not only explore the Philippines but be part of the displays as well.

The colorful and interactive museum, Joseph says, “offers a unique opportunity to witness the country’s festivals, traditional dances, costumes, and food all under one roof.”

Travel across the country Lakbay Museo lets visitors experience the best of the country, appreciate the richness and diversity of Filipino culture, and, more notably, travel around Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao while taking photos in less than two hours.

Right at the entrance of the museum, a colorful jeepney, an airplane, and a vibrant vinta welcome guests, a reminder that the Philippines is an archipelago which visitors can explore by land, air, or water.

“Paano ka maglalakbay?” asks the display, letting guests choose their mode of entrance—either by riding the jeepney, climbing the airplane and sliding down, or walking through the vinta.

Featured destinations include Tondo streets complete with carinderia and sari-sari stores, Calle Crisologo in the heritage city of Vigan, the Ivatan house of Batanes, the vibrant Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, the Sto. Niño Shrine of Tacloban, the world-famous Mayon Volcano, the Mindanao royal house with tra-

Explore the Philippines

in less than two hours ditional clothing and musical instruments on display, and the underwater scene depicting the Visayas region’s rich marine resources and stunning beaches.

True enough, here, guests can go around interactive exhibits and have a sensorial experience of the Philippines—unlike in most museums where touching the displays are strictly prohibited.

Unique experiences Visitors are allowed to, say, bal“This is the first Philippine interac- ance a stack of palayok (they’re tive millennial museum,” beams Lak- made of rubber) on top of their head, bay Museo president Lawrence Tan. swim in a giant rice bowl, sit on a

Guests can also try some of the food and beverage items on display.

beautiful giant clamshell, touch various traditional textiles and tapestries, do the iconic lava walk inside the small tunnel of Mayon Volcano replica, or snap photos beside the 120-plus mannequins wearing authentic Filipino attire.

The museum has well-trained staff always ready to explain the Instagram-worthy displays and share

The Taboan Public Market replica features a huge collection of dried fish.

interesting information about each station.

Interestingly, Tan says, 90 percent of the staff working at Lakbay Museo are out-of-school youth. The company also employs a PWD (person with disability) and a senior citizen.

The museum also aims to raise environmental awareness. “We used recycled materials for most of the structures and displays here,” claims Tan. “We used over 4,000 rubber slippers, over 300 pieces of old rubber tires, old rubber mats, and other recyclable materials.”

There are also empty plastic bottles on display on the ceiling of the Visayas region station, a reminder for travelers to not just mindlessly throw plastic waste anywhere so that the destinations can still be enjoyed by the next generation, explained Ronaldo Salazar, a very knowledgeable and friendly staff at the museum.

Culinary journey The interactive museum also showcases lifelike replicas of over 600 local dishes and delicacies.

Among the food displays are adobo, sinigang, and lechon, as well as regional dishes such as sinanglaw Turn to C2

Inside Maxine Syjuco’s sanctuary VISUAL artist and poet Maxine Syjuco opens her soul and her studio—her literal and figurative sanctuaries—in her most intimate solo exhibition this year.

Inspired by the untamed passion of romance, dreams, and desire, her solo show, My Inner Sanctum features dark and surreal paintings that explore the depths of human emotion and the subconscious mind.

Featuring faceless children whose heads have eerily metamorphosed into broken wings, torn-open chests that reveal the raw human heart, and ghostly rooms ravaged by violent streams of water, each painting in this exhibition, Syjuco says, is a twisted fairytale filled with poetic symbolisms and psychological poignancies.

Known to push the envelope by exhibiting her work in venues other than the conventional, Syjuco’s My Inner Sanctum is no exception.

“Art, to me, is more than just the final outcome,” she explains. “It’s an entire creative process that’s extremely personal. From the moment the work is conceptualized, to the point when it’s completed, the whole experience—in-

cluding the environment in which it takes place—is as much a part of the work as the finished result.”

Syjuco continues, “My goal, there fore, is

tapestries of my soul) and literally (because the venue is my own private studio where my restless imagination runs wild and free).”

A recipient of the Editor’s Choice Prize at the Magnum Photography Awards in London, and a winner of the Independent Music Awards in ‘With a Pair of New York City for three consecuScissors, She tive years, the vocalist of experiSpoke’ (2019) mental art rock band Jack of None has exhibited and performed her art in numerous lo venues both locally and abroad.

Sanc My Inner Sanctum will be on view from August 12 to September 15 at ART LAB: Atelier Cesare and Jean Marie Inter to encapsulate the Syjuco.

Intertrue intimacy of art ested parties may as an experiential schedule visiting journey where the hours 24/7 by artist’s studio plays appointment via an integral role. In 0 917- 534 0 779, ar tlabmanila@ this exhibit, I open ‘I Think I’ll Pick the Bleeding Hearts the doors of my studio gmail.com, syjuMyself, She Said’ (2019) and invite viewers into coart@gmail. my inner sanctum both figuratively com, or www.facebook.com/artlab(because the pieces are confessional manila.

Visual and music artist Maxine Syjuco opens her studio where she stages her latest exhibition, My Inner Sanctum.

Life

C2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Casa de Memoria to auction off 19th-century chiffonier, ‘LVNA’ portrait AUCTION house Casa de Memoria is set to put under the hammer over 170 lots for its upcoming sale, dubbed “Age of Exploration: East meets West II” on Sept. 7.

“This is our 17th auction over the last three years and we are pleased that our breathe of offerings are making it to homes around the country,” notes marketing manager Camille Lhuillier. “We make collecting items of heritage and uniqueness within reach of budding connoisseurs.”

According to officials, “Age of Exploration: East meets West II” is about fascination for orientalia and intricate detail.

For Italian furniture, a 19th-century chiffonier, used to store bric-a-brac or clothing, with inlay and mythical figures is among the highlighted lots for Auction 17.

ALL-OUT SUPPORT. Conchitina Bernardo (9th from left) with her family, including husband Ambassador Joseph Bernardo (7th from left).

A runaway success for Conchitina Bernardo’s debut

A

LL 36 paintings of “late-bloomer” artist Conchitina Bernardo were sold out, bringing joy to her and to her beneficiary, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for Elderly.

Prominent art lovers, government officials, businessmen, and members of Manila’s social set recently gathered to celebrate Bernardo’s debut solo exhibition, Gilded Graphite’s success at Fra-

belle Corporate Plaza.

During the exhibit, Bernardo recalled how she never touched a paintbrush since her 30s when a

Bernardo’s portraits of her loved ones (clockwise) Margaux, Nicole, and Luisa.

Explore...

From C1

(beef innards stew from Ilocos), kansi (a beef shank soup from Bacolod which is a cross dish between bulalo and sinigang), and laswa (Ilonggo boiled vegetable soup).

Also present is a replica of Cebu’s famous Taboan Public Market which showcases a huge collection of dried fish, from boneless dilis and dalag baybay to tuyong lapad and dried ayungin; as well as Ilocos region’s “Instagrammable” longganisa and empanada installation.

Museum goers can also learn more about regional variations of vinegar (from Sukang Iloco to Sukang Paombong), different coffee beans (from barako to alamid), and rice grain varieties (from Mountain Province’s

ominio to Ifugao’s minaangan).

“We hope to do food tourism event starting with NCR and then the other regions so that we can feature and be proud of our diverse cuisine and the people who prepare them,” says Joseph.

Joseph is known in the hospitality and tourism industry for his tourism advocacies, one of which is the Save Manila Bay project which he launched in January 2019 in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Manila.

He reveals the young entrepreneurs of the Millennial Concept Factory, Inc. invited him to be their chairman and mentor. “I told them I will not impose any fee for my services,” he shares.

“They can tap on my connections and expertise in marketing and management. I’m happy to make

former teacher discouraged her by telling her to look for another hobby. This all changed when she visited the Sunshine Place and met Maestro Fidel Sarmiento, who is teaching an art class at the senior recreation center.

She related she asked if he could teach her despite her age. He, she said, “looked at me with a lot of wisdom in his eyes and he said every human being has an artist inside of him. It is just a question of bringing it out.”

Encouraged by her professor’s word, the septuagenarian picked up her art brush again, and went on to complete 36 exhibited paintings in three years.

“The success of this exhibit is testimony that the senior years can be your most productive years, artistically and spiritually,” enthused Bernardo, adding, “When the side of you that was so physically alert fades. There is another side that awakens. Your creative instincts begin to surprise you, like it did to me.”

She has come to realize that “in the quiet moments, in meditation, that in His infinite wisdom He continues to work through you. In my case, every painting is testimony to Him and to fatherly embrace I feel from Him daily. My cup over flows because I know I am loved.”

Among the artworks exhibited were the portraits which are dedicated to her loved ones, including her daughter Lia and her animal spirit, granddaughter Nicole, and grandnieces Margaux and Luisa.

the Lakbay Museo a part of my advocacy in tourism.”

Lakbay Museo offers a collage of experiences. “I hope that you give me a chance to prove to all Filipinos that they need to come here and enjoy the cultural shows, the tradition, the costume, and the food,” invites Tan. The museum is located at S Maison in Conrad Hotel Manila at the Mall of Asia complex. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last call is at 9:00 p.m.) The entrance fee includes 12 chips which guests can use as payment for different local treats and snacks inside the museum.

Goods normally cost around one to four chips each. Go to www.lakbaymuseo.ph.

Photos by Rhea Vitto Tabora

A 19th-century Italian chiffonier

Among the paintings and prints up for auction, a Picasso-Salinas lithograph dated January 1969, provides an opportunity for the cubist collector.

The creation of this piece led to what became known as Pablo Picasso’s famous 29 “Portraits Imaginaires”—including the Spanish artist’s rendition of

Untitled portrait by Juan Luna

Shakespeare, mustachioed Musketeers, among others. Collaborating with French-born, Egypt-based artist Laurent Marcel Salinas (1913-2010) to do the lithography, Picasso finalized details with his own soft signature.

Also part of the upcoming auction’s highlights is an untitled but signed “LVNA” portrait depicting an “Indio Igorote” in profile holding a stick and wearing an earring and teeth necklace.

As in every Casa de Memoria auction, woodwork, especially inlaid with bone and ivory, is a must-consider item.

Also from the 19th century, a French wooden trinket box done in Neo-Gothic style and decorated in opulent relief of eclectic foliage and animalia—a favorite subject of the period—is set to go under the hammer.

Religious iconography for the September auction include 42-centimeter Santo Niño from the 19th century. The ivory sculpture of Child Jesus in “Montañesino” is represented holding a long staff with cross on its end, with his feet on a cushion.

The aforementioned pieces and more will be available for viewing beginning August 20 until Sept. 6 at Palacio de Memoria, 95 Roxas Boulevard, Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City. The catalog will be available online at www.casadememoria.com.

PH brings contemporary design to Maison&Objet Paris 2019 THE Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions taps Filipino designers seasoned in trade shows to develop new products to showcase in this year’s Maison&Objet Paris.

This year, Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco will lead select Philippine manufacturers and exporters as they champion the country through new product designs and concepts at the Paris trade fair slated on Sept. 5-10.

Following the theme, “Kindred: A Design Collective,” the Philippine stand in Maison&Objet will be a showcase of collaboration and exquisite craftsmanship.

“We will focus on contemporary design and objects for this edition. As Filipinos are specialists in various design disciplines, we aim to harness this strength to catch the attention of M&O visitors this year,” shared Nazareno, creative director of S.C. Vizcarra and Zacarias 1925.

Nazareno is one of the esteemed exhibitors of Manila FAME, the Philippines’ premiere international design and lifestyle show. Her brands Zacarias 1925 and S.C. Vizcarra have been part of the show for many fruitful decades.

M&O Paris 2019 will be Nazareno’s first foray as lead curator and product developer for the Philippine participation. For this venture, she will be channeling her over a decade of experience and success in overseas trade shows such as Premiere Class Tuileries, Pitti, Salone, and M&O Paris and Singapore.

“I have been a part of many international events for my brand; so, this time, I look forward to curating the products

of a fabulous group of exhibitors with similar sensibilities,” shared the designer.

The Philippine team will, likewise, present an interesting collection of products fashioned from the collaborations among participating exhibitors.

Nazareno enthused, “HaloHalo and E. Murio, both new to M&O, will have a few pieces that they’ve collaborated on and that we are excited about. Vito Selma will release a new piece with a fantastic texture that we can’t wait to show. JB Woodcraft is also doing some very contemporary carvings that I am looking forward to. The eclectic artist behind ‘Garapata,’ Dex Fernandez, has worked with both South Sea Veneer and Zacarias 1925.”

“Garapata” is a character based on the fleas that once took over Fernandez’s childhood home. It symbolizes the artist’s direct and simpler approach to street art.

“The combined expertise of Rita and Gabby will surely give a different touch to our presentation in the upcoming M&O show. I am optimistic that we will further enhance our niche in the EU market as we showcase the evolving artistry and creativity of Philippine designers who create exquisite product lines for the world market,” shared CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

Other exhibitors joining this year are CSM Philippines, Schema, Finali, Weave Manila, Nature’s Legacy, CDO Handmade Paper, and Tali Handmade.

The Philippine delegation in M&O is also part of the 70th edition of the Manila FAME on Oct. 17-19.

Sari bag by Tali Handmade, one of the Philippine exhibitors in this year’s Maison&Objet Paris.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Lewinsky-produced drama to air weeks before US election

‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ goes global 'Hello, Love, Goodbye,' which has raked in more than P320 million at the box office as of this writing, is screening in numerous key cities around the world.

L

OVE and career are two of the important things that most people consider in making major decisions in their lives. Most generations were asked which they prioritize and often their answers vary—but what does the younger generation get to say about this topic?

This is the dilemma that the characters of Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards are facing in Hello, Love Goodbye, written by Carmi Raymundo and under the direction of Cathy Garcia-Molina.

Joy (Kathryn) and Ethan (Alden) are two overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong with different goals in life. Joy is a domestic helper who is determined to do everything to have a better life, compared to the life she had as a child. While Ethan is a bartender who is building a permanent life in Hong Kong but has always been afraid of commitments.

In the process of getting to know each other, Joy and Ethan also discover new things about themselves, which could possibly affect the plans they have with their respective lives.

Hello, Love, Goodbye marks the

first time that two of the prime stars today from Philippines’ media giants, ABS-CBN and GMA, are working on one project that tackles the lives of the overseas Filipinos.

“I appreciate the OFW more after seeing how hard their life is,” Kathryn said about portraying the life of an overseas Filipino. “In Hong Kong, they live a fast-phased life because they need to save. This movie opened me to different things and experiences that I can say made me whole. I salute the OFWs.” On the other hand, Alden shared a bit what the audiences will expect in watching the film.

“With this movie, the audience will see the struggles and the good side of being an OFW. Also, they will see how they evolved from the usual OFW whose only concern is the welfare of

their family into someone who also thinks of their self,” he said.

Also part of the film are Maymay Entrata, Jameson Blake, Joross Gamboa, Kakai Bautista, Lovely Abella, and Jeffrey Tam. The now blockbuster film started screening in Papua New Guinea on Aug. 1, Saipan and Guam (Aug. 2), Norway (Aug. 4), and in the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Brunei (Aug.8).

It started screening in the U.S., Canada, and Tel Aviv, and Israel yesterday, today in United Kingdom, tomorrow in Ireland, France, Austria, Italy, Malta, and Taiwan, Aug.18 in Hong Kong, Aug. 23 in Malaysia, Sept.

1 in Spain and Japan, Sept. 9 in Greece, Sept. 28 and 29 in South Korea, and coming soon in Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards graced the premieres in Dubai yesterday, in Abu Dhabi today, and in Singapore on Aug. 18. There will also be a special screening on Aug. 25 in Cambodia.

For the cinema list, visit usa.mytfc. com/hellolovegoodbye, emea.kapamilya. com, mytfc.com, or TFC’s official Facebook page applicable to your area.

ABS-CBN’s international presence gains strength with two series airing in Myanmar ABS-CBN’s footprint expansion in the international market continues to gain strength as two of its hit primetime TV series—The General’s Daughter and Ngayon at Kailanman —have been acquired by Sky Net International Drama Channel for airing in Myanmar.

The General’s Daughter premiered

on Aug. 4 and airs during primetime (Friday to Sunday, 7:00 p.m.), while Ngayon at Kailanman started airing on Sky Net last June 24. Both shows are subtitled in Burmese on Sky Net International Drama Channel.

The Kapamilya network’s successful deal with Sky Net solidifies ABSCBN’s reputation as a trusted producer

The principal cast of 'The General's Daughter' led by Angel Locsin

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, August 10, 2019

ACROSS 1 Livy contemporary 5 Tooth problem 9 Metallic sound 13 Be an omen of 14 Thud 15 Locales 17 Readies champagne 18 Hindu royalty 19 Ziegfeld show 20 Meeting 22 Prof’s place 24 Billions of years 25 Laughed heartily 26 Hits the trail 29 Wish for 31 Macaroni, e.g.

32 Electrical measure 33 Frosh’s digs 37 Refuge 38 Climbed a rope 41 Fawn parent 42 Diva — Ponselle 44 “Lonely Boy” singer 45 Kareem — -Jabbar 47 Causes to be disconcerted 49 Caused mirth in 50 Stump 53 Psyche’s suitor

54 Matriculates 56 Caught fire 60 Greek forum 61 “Wild West” showman 63 Urn homophone 64 Cuddly toy 65 Ayla’s creator Jean — 66 One of six in a hexagon 67 Red-ink item 68 Area of wet, swampy ground 69 Flip a coin DOWN 1 Kimono sashes 2 Sotto — 3 Unlucky time 4 Piece of cake, maybe 5 Kitchen wear 6 Big families 7 Sweetie-pie 8 “Aeneid” or “Beowulf” 9 Living room 10 Hibernia, now 11 Defiant reply 12 Dial 16 Flower product 21 Jots 23 Take the podium

26 Train for the ring 27 Poi source 28 Sets a price 29 Sharp tugs 30 Sight from Messina 32 Chablis or Chardonnay 34 Betting factor 35 Don Juan 36 Pinochle combo 39 Greenishbrown 40 Pythias’ friend

43 Grants 46 Most crowded 48 Soothes 49 Sporty sock 50 Win against 51 Theater backer 52 Tolkien hobbit 53 Sea duck 55 Swindle 57 Vocal group 58 Puts a stop to 59 Poor grades 62 Yes, on the Riviera

of exceptional content for international audiences.

The General’s Daughter and Ngayon at Kailanman’s presence in Myanmar follows the success of other narrative buys from ABS-CBN this 2019, including The Blood Sisters in Kazakhstan,Pangako Sa’Yo in the Dominican Republic, Halik in Tanzania, and ABS-CBN’s co-production with Limon Yapim of Hanggang Saan in Turkey.

ABS-CBN’s content, popular for its heartfelt Filipino stories, are available across other territories through ABSCBN International Distribution, recognized in the global arena as a reliable foreign content provider. It has been a premier source of highquality Filipino programming in over 50 territories all over the world and has sold over 50,000 hours of content worldwide. Living up to this recognition, ABS-CBN International Distribution commits to add to its first line-up of high-caliber programs and movies with cast and storylines that appeal to various cultures. Visit https://www.abs-cbn. com/internationalsales/about for more details.

MONICA Lewinsky will produce a major true crime series about impeachment proceedings against former US president Bill Clinton set to air just weeks before the 2020 election, the FX network said Tuesday.

The third season of the American Crime Story franchise will dramatize events that saw White House intern Lewinsky and two other women become “swept up ... in the country’s first impeachment proceedings in over a century,” FX said in a statement.

It follows the network’s first two seasons of ACS, which dealt with the trial of O.J. Simpson and the murder of Gianni Versace, respectively, and together earned a bevy of awards—and considerable controversy.

The first two installments won a total of 16 Emmys. Production on season three starts in February. AFP ***

Del Toro gets Hollywood star

MEXICAN director Guillermo del Toro was honored Tuesday with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, where he urged fellow immigrants to reject fear and division in the US. The double Oscar-winning filmmaker, 54, is known for creating surreal worlds filled with fantastical monsters in movies such as Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water.

Speaking in the aftermath of the El Paso mass shootings, he told the crowd that “great fear” was being used to divide people, but “those divisions are complete fantasies.”

“When people say, ‘You dwell in fantasy,’ I say, ‘I don’t. Politicians do, churches do, I don’t. I deal with facts of the soul and the stories.’”

Del Toro left Mexico in 1998 after his father was kidnapped for a $1 million ransom that he only managed to pay with the help of fellow director James Cameron.

He is now known as one of the “three amigos” of Mexican film along with fellow Oscar-winning directors Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Birdman, The Revenant”) and Alfonso Cuaron(Gravity).

He told the crowd how searching Tinseltown’s sidewalk in the 1970s for the stars of horror legends Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, and Alfred Hitchcock had inspired him in creating his famed horror universes. AFP ***

No host for the upcoming TV Emmy Award ceremony LIKE the Oscars before it, the upcoming 71st Emmy Awards ceremony will go on without a celebrity host, organizers announced Wednesday.

The decision will allow the September ceremony to dedicate more time to the television shows nominated for honors, said Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier.

“If you have a host and an opening number, that’s 15-20 minutes that you don’t have to salute the shows,” Collier said at a gathering of industry reporters.

The last time the Emmys skipped having a host was in 2003. It only happened two other times, in 1975 and 1998.

This year’s event honoring the best television shows is scheduled for Sept.

22.

The decision to go ahead without a host could help shake up a ceremony often considered too slow, which suffered from disappointing ratings last year. AFP

Couch Potato...

From C4

Puyat, Moreno work together for Manila’s tourism circuit Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat joined Manila Mayor Isko Moreno last Tuesday for an ocular inspection of major areas of the city’s “tourism circuit.”

This developed as the Department of Tourism (DOT) chief embraced the City chief executive’s initiative to help revive Manila’s historical and cultural sites to

bring back its old glory.

“We are grateful for Mayor Isko’s initiative to help the Duterte administration’s commitment to sustainable development. As far as DOT is concerned, that means preserving our heritage tourism sites, protecting and nurturing them for posterity,” says Sec. Puyat.

She assured full support for the redevelopment of the tourism industry in the capital city from the DOT National Capital Region and DOT’s attached agencies, namely: Intramuros Administration (IA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC).

She added that for the remaining three years of the President’s term, IA shall focus on the following: 1) Addressing the problem of informal settlers through the socialized housing program with Socialized Housing and Finance Corporation (SHFC); 2) Development of the Maestranza Creative Hub that will see a convergence of the creative economy, tourism and heritage that will principally benefit the City.

The NPDC on the other hand, along with TIEZA, shall be leading the redevelopment of Rizal Park, particularly the Esplanade and the Children’s Playground to attract people anew to visit Rizal Park.

“We see the City Government of Manila as an active partner and advocate in the promotion of sustainable tourism in the country. Sustainable Tourism isn’t limited to our beaches, but also in the urban area as well,” says Sec. Puyat.

“Being the capital city, we believe that Manila can be a template for sustainable tourism development in an urban setting.

This can be done through Mayor Isko’s efforts of reclaiming public spaces, parks, resolving traffic, deployment of police, and provision of basic services. Going back to the basics to encourage visitors not to skip Manila in their itinerary,” the DOT Chief goes on to say.

Entertainment

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

C4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

K-Pop’s VAV live in Manila K-POP’S top all-boys group VAV is performing live in their first full-length concert in Manila in VAV: 2019 Meet & Live In Manila on Sept. 7 at Skydome, SM North EDSA. VAV, which means Very Awesome Voice, debuted in late October 2015 under A-Team Entertainment and the group has since captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Their sexy and elegant image coupled with their electrifying talent made them win the Best Performance award at the 7th Thailand Daradaily Awards in 2018.

VAV’s single “Senorita,” which was released in 2018 is a Latin infused K-pop dance single and its official music video has 26 million views on YouTube while the official music video of their recent 2019 single “Thrilla Killa” has 23 million views on YouTube.

VAV’s latest single “Give Me More” features De La Ghetto and Grammy award-winning producers Play-NSkillz. The official music video of “Give Me More,” which now has 10 million views on YouTube, was shot here in The Philippines in scenic Bohol.

Tickets to VAV 2019 Meet & Live In Manila are available in all physical SM ticket outlets and online on www. smtickets.com and www.ticket2me. net. VIP ticketholders have the option to have a Q&A session or photo op or fan sign with VAV on the day of the live show.

Directed by Homer Espiritu, VAV 2019 Meet & Live In Manila is a jointproduction of Istudyo Ni Pipay and A-Team Entertainment with the support of arTEAsta. The concert is at 7:00 p.m..

SNAPSHOT

GMA Network inks partnership with S. Korean Embassy to the Philippines

GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon (left) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong Man (right) to promote the Korean culture in the Philippines. This is also in line with the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the Republic of the Philippines and South Korea.

“This is a welcome development because as you know, the Korean programs are very popular here in the Philippines. I just told the Ambassador that we are responsible for introducing the Korean programs to the Philippine audience. They know what we’re good at and we know what they’re good at. We’ll just put those things together and I think it will be a very good partnership,” said Gozon.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Han Dong Man shared that it is also his job to bring more Korean visitors to the Philippines. “To celebrate our anniversary, I think the role of the media is quite important. I think that GMA will play a certain role to promote the Korean culture as well as the Korean telenovela in the society of the Philippines.”

Also present to witness the signing were GMA First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia and GMA First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan.

COUCH POTATO IVY ROSSINI

New trend in Filipino movies I SENSE an upsurge in MayDecember affair in local movies lately. This may have been roused

by Glorious, a made-for-the-web movie streamed November last year on ABS-CBN’s digital platform iWant (it will now be available on free TV starting this month) about a 52-yearold woman and a young man 30 years her junior.

The film had made a buzz especially among the gay community that lauded Tony Labrusca for his audacious performance especially in the nearly explicit sex scenes with older actressAngel Aquino.

Just last week, Viva announced the release of the movie Just a Stranger, Jason Paul Laxamana’s take on a May-December affair with Anne Curtis playing the older woman, Mae Pimentel, and the new sweetheart of the showbiz gay community, Marco Gumabao, playing the young man.

The film according to its drumbeaters also features nearly graphic sex scenes between the two.

Now, another May-December affair will explode onscreen on Aug. 14.

This the French-titled debut film of a lawyer-turned-producer-turneddirector Joji Alonso.

The film, I heard, earned rave notices after it was screened as a competition entry at the 2019 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Now, Belle Douleur or Beautiful Pain is being touted to be the sexiest May-December love affair of the year.

And why? Well, it stars a competent

Kit Thompson and Mylene Dizon star in Cinemalaya entry 'Belle Douleur,' which literally means beautiful pain.

actress, Mylene Dizon, and possibly today’s hottest young actor Kit Thompson, whom fans saw in the iWant movie Momol Nights and in the ABSCBN series that recently ended Sino Ang Maysala. In the iWant version of that series, Thompson showed his uncovered butt in a lovemaking scene with Ivana Alawi.

Alonso has produced a string of movies for her own production company, Quantum Films.

Mylene plays Elizabeth, a self-made woman in her late 40s bent on living on her own for the rest of her days, despite societal pressures to settle down with someone.

After her mother passes away, she is convinced by her friends to do something “stupid, reckless, and irresponsible.” She then meets Josh (Kit), an antique collector 20 years her junior, who convinces her that love knows no age and that there are no limits to life’s beginnings.

They embark on a May-December affair that is very promising until Liz realizes that Josh has dreams she cannot be part of.

Can Belle Douleur upset the boxoffice potentials of Just a Stranger? Will know as they are being released in theaters just a week apart from each other. Then, we will know whom the butt-obsessed gay writers love more… is it Kit or is it Marco. As I always hear on TV, your guess is as good as mine. Continued on C3

South Korea's VAV currently consists of seven members namely St.Van, Baron, ACE, Ayno, Jacob, Lou, and Ziu.

Dennis Trillo takes you for the wild ride in ‘MINA-ANUD’ VERY WANG

T

NICKIE WANG

ODAY’S official closing film at Cinemaya 2019 is a feature based on reallife events that took place in 2009, when three tons of high-grade cocaine mysteriously wash up on the shores of a peaceful seaside community in Eastern Samar.

Entitled Mina-Anud, the provocative and socially relevant film stars 2018 MMFF Best Actor Dennis Trillo playing Ding, a local surfer who is lured into selling the cocaine bricks after his best friend Carlo (played

by Jerald Napoles) discovers the price people are willing to pay for the illicit substance.

“With the increasing frequency of cocaine landing incidents in the country, it is also a timely and relevant film,” says director Kerwin Go who witnessed the events, which the film is based on, with his own eyes. “‘It’s about an impoverished community where the characters succumb to the temptations of money and material stuff through illegal activity. It tells the story of people who resorted to illegal drug selling to earn instant cash and get a taste of luxuries of life, such as flat-screen televisions, motorcycles, cars, and jewelry,” he adds.

Meanwhile, lead actor Dennis believes that the movie itself would

Dennis Trillo with co-actor Jerald Napoles

serve as a moving illustration of the rampant illegal activities bring to the community where they happen.

“Through this movie, the audience will not only be made aware of how illegal drugs enter the country through its back doors, but also make them realize that resorting to illegal activities bring negative consequences and that many innocent lives get affected,” Dennis said of the message that the film would like to convey.

“But don’t get me wrong. Although it’s a social commentary, it’s a feel-good movie. It’s a black comedy so it is not too heavy and is just easy to digest. And what’s good about the film is the cast, I also like it that I’m working with coactors who are naturally funny. We didn’t need to act happy,” the actor shared.

Rounding out the cast are Alvin Anson, Mara Lopez, Anthony Falcon, Marc

Felix, Lou Veloso, Richard Manabat, Dionne Monsanto, Elia Ilano, Lui Manansala, and Luke Landrigan.

The film has been described as a refreshing combination of comedy, drama, action, with Pinoy surfing and beach culture thrown in the mix.

Mina-anud was produced by Bianca Balbuena-Liew, recipient of the 2017 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and FIAPF— International Federation of Film Producers Award in recognition of her strong contributions to the development of the Asia Pacific film industry.

Mina-Anud was a winner of the Basecamp Colour Prize for being one of the top two projects pitched at Singapore’s Southeast Asia Film Financing Forum in 2017.

The film will have its nationwide release, showing only in cinemas on Aug. 21.

The cast of Regal Film's 'Mina-Anud,' a film directed by Cebuano filmmaker Kerwin Go and features the real-life story of the locals in a not-so-crowded surfing town whose lives and principles changed after being confronted by an opulent opportunity.