Manila Standard - 2019 August 17 - Saturday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 184 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SINISTER SIGHT. A TV screen grab taken by ABS-CBN of a rather disquieting scene at the National Children’s Hospital, a tertiary and training medical center in Quezon City, where dengue patients are being treated, following the declaration by the Department of Health of a national dengue epidemic and the continuing rise in cases.

2 med groups shun vaccines to halt dengue TWO leading medical organizations have rejected the use of vaccines to deal with the current outbreak of dengue and recommended instead the Department of Health response of vector control and early consultation.

In a joint statement, the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines supported the DOH “4S Against Dengue” strategy: Searching and destroying mosquito larvae sites in surroundings; Self-protection measures such as wearing protective clothing and applying mosquito repellant; Seeking early medical consultation upon observation of fever and rashes that persist for 48 hours; and Saying no to indiscriminate fogging, which should only be implemented during outbreaks.

Noting that dengue has no specific anti-viral treatment, early recognition and prompt access to medical care are essential to lowering the mortality rate from the disease, the doctors said.

While the organizations recognize vaccination as an integral component in the global strategy for dengue prevention and control, “it is not currently recommended as part of outbreak response,” PIDSP president Dr. Anna Next page Lisa Ong-Lim said.

PDP-Laban plugs hole in member defections

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

China won’t sit by, watch unrest in HK

By Rey E. Requejo BEIJING warned Thursday that it will not “sit by and watch” the unrest unfolding in Hong Kong, as US President Donald Trump expressed concern over the risk of a violent response to pro-democracy protests.

Trump urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet with demonstrators, while US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned Beijing against creating a “new” Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong, referring to the deadly 1989 crackdown on protesters in Beijing.

In Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday reiterated Malacañng’s advice and told Filipino travelers ‘‘who have no urgent business’’ in Hong Kong to temporarily avoid its airport as a destination or transit point due to the unpredictable situation there.

The department, through the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, is monitoring the developments related to the series of protest actions against the government of the former British colony.

Hong Kong became a special administrative region of China after the British government transferred its sovereignty to Beijing in 1997.

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Ombudsman sets probe on Acosta

By Rio N. Araja ACCUSATIONS of corruption against Chief Public Attorney Persida RuedaAcosta will be “judiciously scrutinized,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said on Friday.

He also confirmed an earlier complaint filed by lawyer Wilfredo Garrido is now undergoing preliminary investigation at the Office of the Ombudsman.

This developed as lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office on Friday came forward and denied allegations of corruption within the agency, saying they have never executed an unsigned manifestation of complaint against Acosta.

Acosta, for her part, said the accusations against her have something to do with the filing of cases involving Dengvaxia-related deaths of schoolchildren before the Department of Justice.

“The corruption allegations against the high-ranking PAO officials will be judiciously scrutinized and the cases shall be resolved solely on the basis of Next page

HONG KONG HEIGHTS. French urban climber Alain Robert, popularly known as the ‘French Spiderman,’ secures a banner, showing Friday shaking hands below a depiction of the Chinese and Hong Kong flags during his defiant ascent of the Cheung Kong Center building in the city, which has been battered by 10 weeks of often violent pro-democracy protests. (Story on A7) AFP

US, PH ink deal for anti-terror training camp in Cavite

By Rey E. Requejo and Francisco Tuyay THE United States and Philippine governments have agreed to establish a P350-million state-of-the-art Regional Counterterrorism Training Center, which will be constructed on the grounds of the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite.

PNP Chief Police General Oscar D.

Albayalde and Deputy Chief of Mission John C. Law signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the center to provide counterterrorism training for law enforcement units and personnel from the Philippines and regional partner nations.

The US Department of State has secured P520 million or $10 million in counterterrorism partnership funds to establish and jointly operate the center with the PNP.

“The initiative comes in response to a request from the PNP for a state-of-theart facility to provide enhanced regional counterterrorism training,” a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila said.

“The establishment of this center reflects the US’ enduring commitment to support Philippine counterterrorism efforts and work together to address threats to peace and security in the region,” the embassy added.

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Yedda chairs House panel

Fake news alive, Lopez not dead

TINGOG Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez has been appointed as chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Committee on the Welfare of Children.

“FAKE news” of her death was greatly exaggerated.

Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez is still alive, contrary to strong rumors Friday and an online post that was quickly taken down. Next page

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O STEM the exodus of members to other parties, the ruling PDP-Laban has named Senator Manny Pacquiao and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as party leaders in their respective chambers of Congress.

Some 14 PDP-Laban members recently bolted the party to join the National Unity Party leaving the ruling party with only 70 members in the 306seat House of Representatives. Congressional insiders said 20 more were poised to leave the party for the Nacionalista Party of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

In the Senate, the PDP-Laban counts former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Paquiao and newly elected Senators Christopher Go, Ronald dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino in its ranks—giving it five of 24 seats.

The recent defections sparked a loyalty check by the PDP-Laban, and prompted party president Pimentel and Next page

‘Invisible Rody’ for a week now

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has not been visible to the public this week because of paperwork and private meetings, his spokesman and former aide said Friday.

President Duterte was last seen in public attending the 118th year of police service in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Aug. 9. He has had no public engagements since then.

“He has a lot of private meetings, courtesy calls. He told me last night he had many papers [to read], Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

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Baddeo, Pinoy couturier, 57 FASHION designer Eddie Baddeo, known for his avant-garde clothing creations, succumbed to cancer early Friday in Quezon City. He was 57.

In 2016, Baddeo was diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer.

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News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Recto: MMDA needs more workers, funds to tame traffic

By Macon Ramos-Araneta WITH the worsening road traffic in Metro Manila, the home of 2.8 million vehicles, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Friday hiring more traffic management personnel should be a priority.

He cited the MMDA post that, with only 2,000 traffic personnel in its payroll, the MMDA was 5,000 short of the 7,000 field staff it needed.

As a result, Recto said, he was supporting the appeal of the Metro Manila Development Authority for “funds and authority” to employ additional traffic personnel.

In other developments: • A leader of the House of Representatives on Friday called for the abolition of the manual fare system and have it replaced with the electronic card (E-card) or beep card system.

Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento of Samar, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation, said his proposal was part of the one-year road map that is envisioned to solve the monstrous EDSA traffic.

Sarmiento earlier pushed for a single super franchise to allow a synchronized dispatch system for the Metro Manila buses plying EDSA. • The MMDA resumed its road-clearing operation on Friday, this time in Quezon City, tagged as one of the most congested cities in the National Capital Region as a result of its many obstructions.

The MMDA, led by its chairman Danilo Lim, conducted the clearing operation with the help of officials and personnel of the the Interior department, the Philippine National Police and the Quezon City Government.

Recto said the surge in the number of vehicles, major roads and critical intersections in the capital region now required the “round-the-clock and rain-orshine” supervision of MMDA personnel.

With Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano

China...

From A1

The DFA also advised the Filipinos travelers departing from Hong Kong to contact their airlines at least five hours before their scheduled flights to check if their flights would push through.

Following are the airlines hot lines in Hong Kong: Philippine Airlines is (+852) 2769.7123; Cebu Pacific (+852) 3973.3800; and Cathay Pacific (+852) 2747.3333.

Based on the reports received by the consulate, the following is the schedule of the coming protests in Hong Kong: Aug. 17: Chater Garden, Central to Central Government Offices, Admiralty; Hung Hom Pier to Sung Wong Toi Garden, Kowloon; Aug. 18: Victoria Park, Causeway Bay to Chater Road, Central; Aug. 19: “Clean up MTR carriages”; Aug. 25: Kwai Tiang Theatre, Kwai Chung to Tsuen Wan Park.

“Filipinos are asked to avoid these areas during the protests, and to refrain from wearing clothing and/or carrying anything that could mistakenly identify them as part of the protest actions,” Foreign Affairs said.

In case of an emergency, Filipinos may get in touch with the Consulate General Hot line at (+852) 9155-4023 for consular assistance.

The weeks-long Hong Kong protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider—sometimes violent—all for democratic rights.

The movement represents the greatest challenge to Beijing’s authority since the city was handed back by the British in 1997 under a deal that allowed it to keep freedoms that many Hong Kongers feel are being eroded.

Images taken by AFP on Thursday showed thousands of Chinese military personnel waving red flags and parading at a sports stadium in the city of Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong.

Dozens of armored personnel carriers and supply trucks were also parked nearby.

Chinese state-run media reported this week that the elements of the People’s Armed Police, which is under the command of the Central Military Commission, were assembling in Shenzhen.

Analysts have said the potentially catastrophic economic and political consequences will deter Beijing from any overt boots-on-the ground intervention in the global financial hub.

Trump urged a peaceful solution on Thursday, telling reporters that he is “very concerned” over a possible crackdown and saying that if Xi “sat down with the protesters... I’ll bet he’d work it out in 15 minutes.” With AFP

Certify SOGIE bill as urgent, Du30 told

By MJ Blancaflor and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

RANSGENDER woman Gretchen Diez urged President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday to certify as urgent the anti-discrimination bill aimed at protecting the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Diez was referring to the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) bill which has been pending in the Congress for decades.

“I think it is a very big step that he signed the Bawal Ang Bastos Law and it is very admirable of him and it just shows how much he loves the community so Mr. President, I hope we follow through with the passage of the SOGIE equality bill,” Diez said in a press briefing at the Quezon

City Hall.

Recently, Duterte signed a law prohibiting sexual harassment of women, including catcalling.

Diez drew attention online after a female janitor barred her from entering a women’s toilet at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City. She tried to document the incident on her phone, angering the janitor who had her arrested.

The incident sparked the call for the pas-

TUCP urges monitoring for POGOs

PDP-Laban...

By Vito Barcelo THE country’s biggest labor group, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to create a tripartite monitoring body to protect the Chinese and other foreigners legally working and living in the country.

“There must be a single tripartite board that will address and manage the issues surrounding foreign workers,” TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza said.

“These foreign workers give additional revenues to the government, open opportunities and create jobs, but no one seems to take overall responsibility in the face of the atrocities and other problems facing these foreign workers.”

To address these issues, Mendoza said, the TUCP was proposing a tripartite body that would directly report to the President, and which would be composed of government agencies, workers’ groups and private business groups coordinating with the foreign embassies.

The body would have a mandate to inspect and manage the multi-dimensional needs and growth potentials of the industry and its workers.

“Right now, no one is in charge of this new multi-billion-dollar industry because government agencies have limitations and are unable to go beyond their respective mandates,” Mendoza said.

‘Invisible...

From A1 “The problem with us lawyers is we read the papers before signing them It takes so much of his time, Panelo said.

He described Duterte as a “workaholic.”

Senator Christopher Go, Duterte’s former aide, said the President was in his hometown. “[He’s in] Davao. Signing papers, etc.

I’m with him last night,” Go told Manila Standard in a text message.

Last week, Duterte attended several events, including the oath-taking of newly-appointed government officials and the assembly of city and province leaders. He also went to Iloilo following the sea mishap in Iloilo-Guimaras Strait where he provided financial assistance to the families of the fatalities.

The Palace could not tell if the President would have a public engagement next week. Duterte is rumored to have failing health, which officials have been denying.

He is scheduled to visit China later this month to discuss with Chinese President Xi Jinping the territorial dispute on the West Philippine Sea.

Baddeo,...

From A1

Edgar Medina, Baddeo’s long-time partner, posted the news on his Facebook page.

One of Baddeo’s muses, model-actress Marina Benipayo, said on her social media account: “Rest in God’s loving arms, our dear Eddie Baddeo. You will be missed.”

Baddeo became popular as a designer in the 1980s. He would use unusual materials, such as venetian blinds and compact discs, to create pieces of clothing.

He had been in the fashion business for 33 years, and continued to work even as he underwent treatment.

Rappler.com reported that in the days leading up to his death, Baddeo was celebrating his three decades in the industry, posting photos of his creations on Instagram. He was also gearing up for the launch of his book Obra Maestra in September, the site added. Rio N. Araja

From A1

vice chairman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and other party leaders to tap Pacquaio and Velasco to stop the bleeding.

Pimentel said he is confident that Pacquio and Velasco, who is supposed to become speaker in about 15 months under a term-sharing agreement with Cayetano, can do the job, saying they are loyal not just to the party but to the Filipino people.

The PDP president also expressed his appreciation to all its members who stayed loyal to the party, which is headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Pacquiao said he plans to gather PDPLaban members at least once a month to strengthen their party and address and resolve any issues.

“We need to have this at least once a month for the direction of the party,” Pacquiao said.

Ombudsman...

From A1

the evidence presented by the parties,” Martires said in a statement.

The Ombudsman said the scrutiny will include the recently filed manifestation by unnamed PAO lawyers accusing Acosta of deliberately overstocking on office supplies used in preparing Dengvaxia cases to be able to “obtain extra funds.”

Martires said that Garrido and Acosta were directed on Aug. 6 to submit their position papers.

Acosta tagged the effort to besmirch the reputation of PAO as “fake news, demolition job, black propaganda, hoax, sham, fictitious and obviously a white paper having been unsigned that should not be given any consideration at all.”

“We are filing a position paper on Aug. 20 and then, motion to submit the case for early resolution for being plain harassments and without factual and legal basis,” she told the Manila Standard.

At least 11 lawyers from PAO’s Executive Support Service, 15 from the Legal Research Service, 68 from the Special and Appealed Cases Service Special and 12 from the Field Operations and Statistics Service have executed a counter manifesto

Yedda...

From A1

Romualdez said Friday her appointment to one of the key positions at the House “is another opportunity to serve and we will embrace this with a deep sense of duty.”

“I am honored and thankful to this recognition. My heartfelt gratitude to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and my colleagues,” said Romualdez, wife of House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Yedda Romualdez served as the chairperson of the House committee on accounts under the 17th Congress, where she represented the First District of Leyte.

She succeeded Rep. Aurora Cerilles as chairman of the committee on the welfare of children.

This developed as 1-PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael Romero, president of the Party List Coalition Foundation Inc., said their group of sectoral lawmakers got more than what they asked for in key positions

sage of the bill which failed to pass in the 17th Congress.

If passed into a law, denial of access to establishments, facilities, services and utilities on the basis of sexual orientation will be prohibited. The proposed measure will also penalize verbal and physical harassment against LGBTQ+.

Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, the first elected transgender woman in Congress, also asked Duterte to mark the bill as urgent.

“I hope the needs of this sector will be given priority so they will be protected. I know the President supports the LGBT,” Roman said in a television interview Friday.

Earlier, Malacañang said President Duterte will support the proposed measure because he wants “fair treatment to all.”

The administration has repeatedly said Duterte holds the “supermajority” in the Congress, saying most of the lawmakers Velasco thanked all party members for their confidence and support during his bid for the speakership and vowed to do his best to lead other members of the PDPLaban in the House.

NUP, led by party chairman and former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, has more than doubled its House membership to 57 seats from just 25 after the last midterm elections.

Fifteen of the NUP’s newest members took their oath during the party’s annual meeting in Quezon City first week of August. They included House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante and 12 lawmakers from PDP-Laban.

NUP has also allied with 12 party-list lawmakers, some of whom are part of the 54-member party-list coalition.

Other PDP Laban leaders who were present at the PDP-Laban party meeting were Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel, Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales, party secretarygeneral Melvin Matibag, and spokesman Ronwald Munsayac. “of real PAO lawyers versus the demolition job by using fictitious manifesto at the Ombudsman.”

“In order to shed light on the matter, the undersigned public attorneys herein, categorically deny the alleged subject anonymous manifestation that has become the subject of fake news,” the group said.

“We did not write the subject manifestation, nay submitted the same to the Office of the Ombudsman,” it added.

“I have been here at PAO for almost two decades. We only have funds for the salaries [of the employees]. What is there to corrupt?” Acosta said.

She and PAO forensics chief Dr. Erwin Erfe, yesterday filed a manifestation with a motion to strike the unsigned manifesto.

“Thus, it [manifestation] must be treated as a mere scrap of paper with no value at all other than to be at the trash bin and deserves scant consideration, hence, must [be] stricken out of the records of this case,” PAO’s counter manifestation read.

Garrido accused Acosta of committing graft when she created the PAO forensics lab, which Garrido said is illegal because only Congress supposedly has the power to create such an office.

Acosta has defended the creation of a forensics lab as having the approval of the Department of Budget and Management. under the present Congress.

Romero was recently named deputy speaker along with Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Ilocos Sur Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano.

“Speaker [Alan] Cayetano not only gave the party-list bloc a 20 percent proportionate share, but he even gave more as he gave weight on the qualifications and background of party-list members who were best suited to the available positions,” said Romero.

“This 18th Congress, the party-list coalition got the respect that is due us,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hataman vowed “to work hard to enact laws that will not only have a significant impact on our respective constituencies, but to all Filipinos as well.”

“As a Mindanaoan, I will continue to champion the voice of Moros in the national leadership,” said the former ARMM chief. Maricel V. Cruz

Fake news...

From A1

ABS-CBN Foundation denied that Lopez, its former managing director and daughter of the TV network giant’s late founder, had passed away.

A representative for the foundation told GMA News Online: “No. Gina Lopez is still alive.”

Town&Country Philippines, a lifestyle website, had reported that the 65-year-old Lopez had died, but soon removed it online.

“Not true. The official statement will come from us,” the foundation representative added of Lopez, who was also chairman of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

In a video post on Facebook last month, Lopez said she is “having health challenges which I have found a blessing” as it showed entertainer Gary Valenciano singing a Christian song to her.

Regina Paz La’O Lopez was born Dec. 27, 1953. The former yoga missionary served as President Rodrigo Duterte’s first Environment secretary, but stepped down after the Commission on Appointments formally rejected her appointment on May 3, 2017. Rio N. Araja

were allies of the President.

While the President and his former aide, Senator Christopher Go, support the SOGIE bill, other senators were apprehensive about affording a preference to a particular group.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said some senators might opt to pass a bill banning discrimination against several sectors, instead of a proposed law that solely bars discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

Senator Joel Villanueva said the law should be equal—and that everyone should be equal.

“You cannot give special treatment for a particular law at the expense of another sector,” Villanueva said.

But Go expressed full support for the SOGIE bill, saying he was approached by Roman and Senator Risa Hontiveros to help them pass the bill.

2 med...

From A1

The vaccine “is for future protection for those who were diagnosed or have been known to have dengue or tested positive for dengue antibody,” added PPS president Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian. “With the availability of the vaccine, parents and patients will be informed of the benefits and risks, and an informed decision can be made,” she said.

The latest DOH data indicate 146,062 dengue cases recorded in the country from Jan.1 to July 20 this year, a 98 percent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2018. To date, a total of 622 deaths due to dengue has been reported.

The Army, meanwhile, is continuing to help victims of the disease in Iloilo City through its Dengue Mission Team.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, in a statement Thursday, said the effort is being spearheaded by the Army General Hospital.

He said the Dengue Mission Team was deployed to Iloilo City Aug. 11 to augment the medical personnel of the 3rd Infantry Division, Municipal Health Center and other civilian nurses and doctors who were addressing the alarming increase in dengue cases.

“The number of dengue cases being recorded is increasing and usually, it’s school children,” said team leader Maj. Ryan A. Morla.

He said the Dengue Mission Team will be in Iloilo City as long as there is an outbreak.

As of Thursday, about 30 dengue patients were admitted in the team’s Hydration Unit for appropriate medical treatment.

Recently, Army personnel also conducted a bloodletting activity for the benefit of dengue victims. PNA

US,...

From A1

On May 22, prosecutors, law enforcement officials and legal experts from the US, Philippines, and Indonesia gathered for a two-day workshop on effective investigations and prosecutions of terrorism cases.

The US Embassy, through the US Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training, partnered with the Philippine Department of Justice to train 52 participants from the three countries.

The embassy said the workshop was an opportunity for counterterrorism officials to share best practices and develop professional networks.

“I hope this is only the beginning of a lasting relationship and cooperation among our three countries in combatting terrorism. Your work will make a difference in global efforts to combat terrorism,” Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy John Law told workshop participants.

The workshop introduced participants to a wide range of tools for investigating terrorism, such as digital forensics techniques and cyber investigations, identifying common types of explosives, pre- and post-blast crime scene investigation, and coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in terrorism cases.

Visiting experts from the United States also delivered presentations.

US DOJ National Security Division Counterterrorism Section prosecutor Mary Futcher discussed international perspectives on prosecuting terrorism cases, and US Federal Bureau of Investigation expert John Kowatch spoke about types of explosive devices commonly encountered in the region. Director of the US DOJ Cybercrime Laboratory Ovie Carroll discussed online investigations of terrorism cases, including on social media platforms.

Retired Regional Prosecutor for Philippines Region IX Peter Medalle, who presented on best practices in prosecuting terrorism cases, was recognized for his successful prosecution of terrorism cases in his region. With PNA

News

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DUTERTE’S FIST. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (center) flashes President Rodrigo Duterte’s fist sign together with other congressmen as they joined the Kadayawan Festival Celebration at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City hosted by Vice Mayor Baste Duterte (beside Romualdez) and Davao Rep. Claudine Diana Bautista. Ver Noveno

Palace issues EO reducing property taxes on power firms MALACAÑANG on Friday issued an executive order reducing real property taxes and penalties assessed on power generation facilities of independent power producers under the buildoperate-transfer contracts.

Executive Order 88, which was signed Tuesday, covered all liabilities for real property tax, including any special levies accruing to the Special Education Fund for calendar year 2018, on property, machinery and equipment actually used by IPPs for the production of electricity under a BOT scheme and similar contracts.

These contracts include power purchase, energy conversion or other contractual deals with governmentowned and controlled corporations which were assessed by entities authorized to impose real property tax for all years up to 2018 such as local government units.

“They are hereby reduced to an amount equivalent to the due computed tax based on an assessment level of 15 percent of the fair market value of the said property, machinery and equipment depreciated at the rate of two percent per annum, less any amounts already paid by the IPPs,” the EO read.

MJ Blancaflor

Kapa execs given more time to answer scam charges

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has given Kapa-Community Ministry founder and president Joel Apolinario and his 13 co-respondents more time to answer the complaint of the National Bureau of Investigation accusing the group of allegedly engaging in an investment scam.

The DOJ’s panel of prosecutors led

by Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Lourdes Uy made the decision after the respondents were unable to submit their counter-affidavits during the first preliminary investigation hearing on Thursday.

Uy told the respondents to file their counter-affidavits on Sept. 3.

Last July 7, the NBI filed a complaint before the DOJ against respondents Kapa founder and president and 13 of its officials for 5 counts of violations of Section 8 and 26 in relation to 73 of the Securities Regulation Code and 8 counts of syndicated estafa as defined and penalized in Presidential Decree 1689.

Aside from Apolinario, also impleaded as respondents were Kapa corporate secretary Reyna Apolinario; treasurer Modie Dagala; directors Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer, and Margie Danao; and incorporators Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelio Nino, Maria Pella Sevilla, Jouelyn del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad, and Joji Jusay.

“The modus/scheme of Kapa is basically solicitation of money/ investment from the public in the guise of ‘donation’ with a promise of perpetual monthly interest equivalent to 30 percent return/interest in the guise of ‘blessings’,” the complaint stated.

‘El Niño’ Task Force back to mitigate bad weather

By MJ Blancaflor

T

HE government is reactivating the El Niño Task Force tasked to enhance coordination in agencies and lessen the impact of the weather pattern in light of forecasts that reduced rainfall may persist until the end of the month.

In a memorandum released by Malacañang Friday, the Palace ordered the reactivation and reconstitution of the Presidential Task Force to mitigate the effects of El Niño on food and water security, energy, health, and safety.

The task force, headed by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, will also be asked to revise and update the existing Roadmap for Addressing the Impacts of El Niño which has been in place since 2015.

The task force was first engaged

in 2015 when the Philippines was reeling from one of the strongest El Niño occurrences on record, when the agriculture sector lost P15.2 billion worth of crops and livestock.

Under the memorandum, each cluster will be headed by a Cabinet secretary.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar will head the food security cluster, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on water security, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on energy security, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on

health, and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on safety.

The other members of the task force are the Department of Science and Technology, Department of National Defense, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Presidential Communications Operations Office, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Food Authority, National Irrigation Authority, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration were also part of the task force, according to the memorandum.

Current climate models of the DOST-PAGASA suggest that there is 75 percent probability that the El Niño phenomenon will persist from June until August.

De Lima’s ‘nephew’ nabbed on drug raps BSP urged to name banks asking for higher ATM fees AN ALLEGED ‘‘nephew’’ and former aide of detained Senator Leila de Lima was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation operatives after two years in hiding.

Jose Adrian Dera, De Lima’s co-accused in two drug cases who were charged for allegedly conspiring with the senator to sell illegal drugs inside the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa, was arrested in his house in Pampanga province, according to his lawyer Raymund Palad.

Two Bilibid inmates—Hans Tan and Peter Co—also accused Dera of orchestrating the arrest of the latter’s niece on drug charges and demanding millions of pesos and vehicles in exchange for her release.

De Lima, however, denied that she knew Dera.

“He is not a nephew or a relative

of mine of any degree. He has not worked for me as an aide or in any capacity,” she said in a statement.

De Lima, a a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive, has been detained at the national police headquarters in Quezon City since February 2017 over drug accusations which she said were part of political persecution.

“May I repeat this for the nth time—I did not demand, solicit, more so receive, directly or indirectly any drug money or any dirty / illegal money from anyone,” said De Lima.

Dera will be brought to the NBI headquarters in Manila for further investigation.

De Lima is not entitled to bail and if found guilty, faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

REHAB DEAL. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu (left) and AEV chief operating officer Sabin Aboitiz sign a memorandum of agreement to help rehabilitate the San Juan River at the DENR office in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

By Maricel V. Cruz A CONGRESSMAN on Friday urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to name the banks that have already submitted applications to increase their Automated Teller Machine user charges, following the lifting of a sixyear freeze.

Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said the banks are bound to be identified anyway, considering that both the House and the Senate are poised to launch separate inquiries.

The BSP has a Financial Consumer Protection Department that could release the names of the applicant banks, Campos said.

Campos was responding to a BSP official’s previous disclosure that “less than 10 banks” have already petitioned that they be allowed to raise their ATM transaction fees.

The BSP official also said that “at least one big bank” is actually seeking to slash its ATM user fee.

“That’s good news. If one big bank can bring down its ATM charge, presumably due to economies of scale, why can’t the rest of the big banks do the same?” Campos asked.

Economies of scale with respect to ATM operations simply means that the bigger banks with more machines achieve greater cost-savings from the higher level of use.

“While it might be understandable for the smaller banks with fewer ATMs to want to raise their fees, it might be harder for the bigger banks to justify their plans to jack up charges,” Campos said.

Banks currently charge between P10 to P15 per single interbank withdrawal transaction, and P2 to P2.50 per single interbank balance inquiry.

A number of banks had wanted to push up their ATM charges by as much as 50 percent before the BSP ordered a standstill in 2013.

Another member of Congress, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, earlier said that the BSP ought to explain why it suddenly decided to lift the moratorium.

Two players win P62-m lotto jackpot NOT merely one, but two supporters of PCSO’s charity cause received ultimate rewards by winning the Lotto 6/42 jackpot prize of Php 62,009,594.60 on Thursday, 15th of August, 2019.

According to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Gaming Sector, the tickets containing the numbers 16, 06, 33, 37, 27 and 21 were purchased at lotto outlets in Baguio City and San Jose del Monte, in Bulacan. Joining the two lucky winners were 41 ticket holders with 5 correct numbers winning P25,000.00 each, 1,539 supporters got 4 correct numbers with P570.00 each, and 24,803 Lotto 6/42 players who got 3 correct numbers won P24.00 each.

Lotto 6/42 is drawn live every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on PTV-4 every 9 p.m.

PCSO extends its sincerest appreciation to the millions of loyal supporters of PCSO lotto products.

“Because of your steadfast support by being patrons of our tickets, all health-related assistance and charity services are ensured to all our needy countrymen. With your unmatched support, your chances of becoming a millionaire increases while helping the less fortunate.”

Public info on food allergens pushed A LAWMAKER has filed a bill that promotes public awareness on the nature of food allergens in all forms of media, including social media.

Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa City, in House Bill 811 or the proposed “Food Allergens Awareness Act,” seeks to find ways to help increase public awareness on the potentially lethal effects of food allergens.

“It is easier to cope with these conditions once the causes of these allergic reactions are known, and awareness and prevention programs are undertaken,” said Biazon.

As defined in the bill, food allergens are normally harmless substances that trigger an abnormal response in an allergic person. The immune system of a person with allergies responds to an allergen in the same way the immune system responds to a germ or antigen.

Biazon said that a food allergy is an adverse immune to a food protein.

“They are distinct from other adverse responses to food, such as food intolerance, pharmacological reactions, and toxin-mediated reactions,” he said.

Maricel V. Cruz

Villar to support distressed OFWs TO ADDRESS the plight of distressed overseas Filipino workers, Senator Cynthia Villar vowed to continue to support adequate funding to finance government’s repatriation and assistance programs for them.

“It is very important that our countrymen abroad will have a place to run to and a system to rely on in case of problems,” said Villar.

“They should feel that there is a government that is ready to help them no matter where they may go,” also said Villar.

She noted that not all Filipinos who opted to seek greener pasture abroad became successful in their endeavor.

“Stories about our kababayans suffering maltreatment and abuse in the hands of their employers always break our hearts,” she said.

While the Philippine government continues to push for a more favorable working environment for OFWs in foreign lands, Villar also cited the need to help repatriated OFWs start anew and rebuild their lives through assistance.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The abominable Anti-Subversion Law

EDITORIAL

As for me, I make mine the words of the Manananggol Laban sa Extrajudicial Killings (Manlaban sa EJK), of which I am a convenor: “The reimposition of the Anti-Subversion Law is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and contradictory to the democratic process.”

Indeed it is. According to Manlaban: “No less than the Constitution, in Article 2, Section 4 says that ‘No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.’ The Constitution, which is the highest law of the land, makes it clear that any Filipino has the freedom to associate with groups they feel are aligned with their beliefs, and mere membership is not, and should not be, sufficient basis to have them charged in the court of law.

Under the proposal however, mere distribution of material considered by the Duterte administration as propaganda of the CPP, NPA, NDFP, any alleged front, or any person, for that matter, against the government will be sufficient to constitute an act of subversion.

Further, it is provided in Article III, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution that no “ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.” A bill of attainder is an act of the legislature which declares a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and prescribes their punishment, all without the benefit of a trial.

In a bill of attainder, the legislature as astaksumes the work of the judiciary, tak ing upon itself the pronouncement of the guilt of parties, even without the reception of evidence. At its core, it is a dangerous discretion, because it usually does not take into consideration the independent judgment that the courts should ideally arrive at.

To lump the CPP, the NPA, and the NDFP together, and declare these organizations criminal, and to have its

THE Anti-Subversion law, first enacted in 1957 as Republic Act 1700 (the Anti-Subversion Act) and later on revised and made more repressive by President Marcos through Presidential Decree No. 1835 (the Anti-Subversion Law of 1981) is one of the worst laws the Philippines has ever seen. It did not only fail in its main goal to defeat the communist insurgency but it had the opposite result of strengthening the revolutionary movement. The legislation on Anti-Subversion did not result in the defeat of the communist insurgency nor did it decimate the ranks of the movement. Instead by the 1980s, more people, especially the young, had joined the Communist Party of the Philippines and its allied organizations, driven to it by the repressive tactics of the US-Marcos dictatorship.

Let it stay deep on the graveyard of bad legislation.

There is no reason to believe that the same outcome will not be repeated if the Anti-Subversion Law is reenacted.

Yet top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, together with Local Government and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, have proposed its revival.

Thankfully, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and former PNP Chief Senator Panfilo Lacson, among others, seem to object to the proposal.

Adelle Chua, Editor

The restored white beach

W

E JOIN the government in raising a forbidding fist against those who have no manners in poking fun at the “antilittering” ordinance on the restored Boracay's erstwhile spotless white beach. churned out there.

Eventually, six months of government rehabilitation efforts appeared to have paid off, with Boracay's beach spotless yet again, the erstwhile powdery sands now unaccustomed to the toxic green algae that used to blight the coastline.

When it was reopened in October last year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources vowed to intensify the enforcement of environmental laws in Boracay, with a promise to set up permanent offices there, as in other top tourist destinations, to strictly implement environmental laws.

The malicious abasement of its water quality, caused by sewage from uncontrolled development, had in years taken a ravaging toll on the health of Boracay's coral reefs, fisheries, residents, and tourists.

Sans doubt, the government was aware of this, with President Rodrigo Duterte last year calling Boracay, one of the country's top tourist destinations, a cesspool.

The powder white sand beaches encouraged an influx of local and foreign tourists as well as people from other islands of this Southeast Asian archipelago who were desperate for income, the illusion high income wads were being

But what contemptuous behavior that had maligned the Filipinos—Exhibit A, a video which circulated online showing a tourist letting her child defecate on the beach while another was caught burying a diaper on the island's white sand, the two still unidentified but their actions graphic.

Beyond doubt, their disdainful behavior is appropriately “offensive to sight” which insults the government and the Filipinos who take pride in this tourist jewel.

It is high time the government went beyond the eloquence of expressed alarm and disquietude. Holding Exhibit A as piece of evidence, it should take an added step and punish those thick-skinned bipeds who are guilty of making government's rehabilitation efforts a laughingstock.

Turn to A5

Divorce in the Philippines: Then and now DIVORCE, is again a hot topic these days with the filing in both Houses of Congress of bills that will bring divorce back to the country. Yes, you read it right. We had divorce laws before despite not having it now.

We have heard senators express views against divorce on the basis of Filipino culture. They say that divorce is a foreign concept, it is not Filipino.

Yet, we had divorce-like practices before the Spaniards colonized us.

These practices are mentioned in several pieces of literature on pre-colonial Philippines. In fact, such are still being practiced by some of our indigenous peoples.

Also, Filipino Muslims did not lose this option under the law unlike their Christian counterparts. On June 18, 1949, the divorce law was repealed

by The Civil Code of the Philippines.

However, RA 349 was enacted in the same month allowing absolute divorce for Muslims in non-Christian provinces. In 1977, Ferdinand Marcos, incorporated this in PD No. 1083, “A Decree to Ordain and Promulgate a Code Recognizing the System of Filipino Muslim Laws, Codifying Muslim Personal Laws ...” Thus, Muslim Filipinos have continuously had divorce as an option to dissolve marriages.

The Spaniards must have been shocked at the “liberal” practices of the people they found here when they arrived. So they instituted Las Siete Partidas, the law that only allowed relative divorce, or legal separation.

This is the same law we now under which couples may be allowed to separate in terms of abode and properties WITHOUT invalidating their marriage. This means that neither party can legally remarry.

After the Philippine-American War, Siete Partidas was supplanted by Act. No. 2710, or the “Divorce Law” by the Americans on March 11, 1917.

Absolute divorce, the law that nulli-

fied valid marriages, was allowed on grounds of adultery on the part of the wife, and concubinage by the husband.

Even at that time there were already those advocating for a more liberal divorce law. Governor General Francis Burton asserted that the grounds were too restricted and impractical.

Associate Justice Fisher of the Supreme Court wrote a series of Articles in Manila Daily Bulletin saying that the law was inconsistent with the modern problems of Filipino families.

They wanted a more relaxed law on divorce.

It is most definitely not a foreign concept to Filipinos.

Eventually, a movement for easier divorce law composed of Filipinos emerged. Senators Camilo Osias and Benigno Aquino favored a more liberal law. They filed bills that were passed by both Houses of Congress only to be vetoed by the Governor General then. Since the bills were passed by a Congress of Filipinos, one can say that that Congress favored a liberal divorce law.

Then the Japanese came. Act. No. 2710 was supplanted by Executive Order No. 141 on March 25, 1943, through the Chair of the Philippine Executive Commission with the approval of the Imperial Japanese Forces in the Philippines. EO No. 141 allowed absolute divorce based on 11 grounds: adultery and concubinage; attempt on the life of one spouse by the other; a subsequent marriage by either party before the previous one was dissolved; loathsome contagious diseases contracted by either spouse; incurable insanity; impotency; repeated bodily violence by one against the other; intentional or unjustified desertion continuously for at least one year; unexplained absence from the last conjugal abode continuously for Turn to A5

Indonesia’s capital on the brink of sinking TIME is running out for Jakarta.

One of the fastest-sinking cities on earth, environmental experts warn that one-third of it could be submerged by 2050 if current rates continue.

Decades of uncontrolled and excessive depletion of groundwater reserves, rising sea-levels, and increasingly volatile weather patterns mean swathes of it have already started to disappear.

Existing environmental measures have had little impact, so authorities are taking drastic action: the nation will have a new capital.

Its location could be announced imminently, according to local reports.

“The capital of our country will move to the island of Borneo,” Indonesian leader Joko Widodo said on Twitter.

Relocating the country’s administrative and political heart may be an act of national preservation, but it effectively sounds the deathknell for Jakarta where many of the city’s 10 million residents have little means of escape.

“When the floods came I used to tremble,” food stall owner Rasdi told AFP. “I nearly drowned back in 2007— all my belongings were swept away and I had to start over again,” said from his home close to Jakarta’s northern port, one of the worst affected by sinking ground.

Built in an earthquake zone, on swamplands, near the confluence of 13 rivers, the city’s foundations have been further stressed by unchecked development, heavy traffic,

and poor urban planning.

Millions vulnerable Jakarta doesn’t have a piped water system in its northern reaches, so local industry and millions of residents tap into its aquifers.

This rampant groundwater extraction causes land subsidence, which is making Jakarta sink by as much as 25 centimeters (10 inches) a year in some areas—double the global average for major coastal cities.

Today some parts of it sit some four meters below sea level, irrevocably changing the landscape, and leaving millions vulnerable to natural disasters.

Flooding is common during the tropical nation’s wet season and that Turn to A5

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Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

A5

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NAIA ‘safe’ at last?

Identifying our enemies

the crowding, poor facilities and messy vehicular traffic at the gates why NAIA earned the title “The Worst International Airport in the World” during the previous administration.

Long after the rampant “tanim-bala” extortion racket by NAIA personnel was eradicated with President Duterte’s ultimatum, NAIA has had to cope with the TSA’s multiple assessment of its capability to deter the threat of terrorism, particularly from the sophisticated Islamic State movement and the Al-Qaida operators.

The TSA had decided that NAIA had failed miserably to adequately implement and maintain internationally security standards, and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation of 1944.

There is indeed a clear and present danger posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) Movement and its followers in the Philippines, the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, among those responsible for a series of attacks.

With the assistance of the TSA itself and a US$5-million donation, the Philippines Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) demonstrated that they are more than willing to improve NAIA’s security operations.

Kudos to DOTr Secretary Art Tugade and MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal for the accomplishment.

The question now is: How determined are the DOTr and MIAA authorities to sustain the improvements?

Also, how seriously are the traveling public, particularly Filipinos, willing to cooperate with the implementation of airport security measures?

Let’s just hope that there will not be another idiotic congressman who would pull a bomb hoax at NAIA. Then again, this security issue is just one of the perennial agonizing problems that we have to put up with at NAIA’s terminals. The public welcomed with excitement the news of the plan for new worldclass Manila international airport to be built in Bulakan, Bulacan Province.

No more “World’s Worst International Airport” tags!

process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”

I agree with Manlaban that the equalprotection clause is not absolute. I emphasize to my constitutional law students that one can differentiate classes of people based on reasonable classification. But such classification, as pointed out in the Manlaban statement, “(a) must be based on substantial distinctions which make for real differences; (b) must be germane to the purpose of the law; (c) must not be limited to existing conditions only; and (d) must apply equally to each member of the class.” Indeed, to “indiscriminately lump these groups together will deny the rights of the people to the equal protection of the laws.”

The reenactment of the Anti-Subversion Act will undermine the democratic process. According to Manlaban: “To threaten to charge people for their political ideas will create the results that the law initially wanted to remove. To remove from these people their right to petition for redress and to organize might prove to be far more dangerous in the long run. Mere affiliation in any organization is not a crime, and to render it criminal will precisely create the evil it avoids.”

Needless to say, the revival of the AntiSubversion Law will be a big blow against the peace process. As Manlaban points out, this “practically destroys the peace process and any effort at achieving a just and lasting peace in the country.”

Ironically, only a successful peace process can result in the outcome that Anti-Subversion Law supporters would like to achieve—the laying down of arms by a revolutionary movement. One only need to look at how much good the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro has done for Mindanao to conclude that such a peace agreement is the only way to end the longest communist insurgency in the world.

The Manlaban statement reminds us why the Anti-Subversion Law was repealed during the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos, himself a soldier and the best and wisest post-Marcos president the Philippines has had. Ramos justified the repeal using impeccable logic: “By assuring communist insurgents of political space, we also challenge them to compete under our constitutional system and free market of ideas—which are guaranteed by the rule of law.”

Manlaban is correct: “Laws are repealed for good reason, and to revive such dead law will simply revive the horrors that came with it when it was first promulgated.”

The Anti-Subversion Law is evil, regressive, and abominable, rightly laid to rest and buried. Let it stay deep on the graveyard of bad legislation and never again allow it to be the law of the land.

before it was adopted.

The Catholic lobby was very strong then. They succeeded in having Title IV on Divorce totally deleted and again replced with Legal Separation.

Interestingly also, the Chair of the Code Commission Jorge Bocobo, wrote in a newspaper that the divorce law was not liberalized despite the favorable sentiments of a good number of the Commission members because this was requested by the late President Manuel Roxas.

Roxas passed away due to a heart attack in 1948.

Thus, June 18, 1949, the day when The Civil Code of the Philippines was adopted marked the demise of the divorce law in the Philippines for nonMuslims and those not practicing indigenous customs.

Still, soon after its adoption, Senator Vicente Y. Sotto (the grandfather of the present Senate President Tito Sotto, another staunchly anti-divorce legislator) introduced a bill that would allow absolute divorce with grounds that were more liberal than the American era Act. No. 2710. Unfortunately, Sen. Sotto passed away on May 28, 1950 at the age of 73.

In recent history, other legislators filed bills that could have legalized divorce. Former Rep. Manuel Ortega filed

HB No. 6993 in 1999, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon filed SB No. 782 and Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo filed HB No. 878 in 2001. Since then, divorce bills have been subsequently and repeatedly filed by other legislators.

Last Congress, the House of Representatives passed on Third and Final Reading a liberal bill on absolute divorce filed by Representative Edcel Lagman. However, the Senate did not move on this. This Congress, bills have again been filed in both Houses. One of the former champions in the House who is now back in the Senate, Sen. Pia Cayetano, filed her bill and is expected to work hard for its passage.

Before Spain, we had divorce. After Spain, we had divorce for 32 years.

Muslims never stopped having the option and some of our indigenous peoples still practice it. Indeed, divorce is NOT alien to Filipinos as claimed by some. It is time to re-enact a progressive divorce law.

(Those interested may read “History of Divorce Legislation in the Philippines since 1900” by Deogracias T. Reyes, the main reference material for this piece.)

the yellow oligarchy, and the Church all sided with the US against Marcos although the Left insist in styling itself as anti-imperialist. The variation is that today they are all anti-China and the USA has more stakes to defend its enclave than in wanting to economiTO QUELL the insurgency movement, cally develop this country. This prothe country needs to identify our ene- saic alliance of the communists with mies by the ideology they are advanc- the various interest groups collatering to wage a revolutionary war to over- ally coagulates as an anti-Duterte allithrow the duly constituted authority. ance. The same elements are banking This is asked because the Communist on the Armed Forces to decisively tilt Party of the Philippines and its front or- in their favor just as what happened ganizations, despite their commitment in 1986. They hope a repetition could to the Marxist-Leninist Mao-Zedung again happen as a way to save them Thought, have lately become more anti- from political extinction.

The CPP and its front organizations China than being anti-imperialist in their struggle. This assessment is intended to are more virulent than their counterpart in their allilet us understand ance against China the enemies of the without them constate if the Duterte con sidering that most administration is Everything has of the arms suptruly committed plied to kill them to eradicating the become porous when came from the US. CPP/NDF and its it comes to ideological The shift in the front organizations.

CPP’s policy proOne must re- identification. nouncement has member that to connected many of entice followers, the political looseit has to openly adhere to certain political doctrines as ends that find themselves coagulating guide to their ideology. Admittedly, all in on the issues of anti-dictatorship. of them are committed to improving the US support for human rights has bewelfare of the people and society, and come their common denominator. This their ideology is supposed to be above issue is hastened today by President politics. Because of the intensifying Duterte’s policy of seeking an indeUS-China geo-political competition in pendent foreign policy. The strategy is this part of the globe, the local insur- for them to skewer Duterte’s support of gency movement has become more po- China’s policy even concocting a big litical than ideological. We are saying lie that Duterte has openly sold out or this because joining the race to politi- abandoned our claim over some of the cally isolate China is to reduce their fol- islands in the South China Sea. Objeclowers to one advocating political plat- tively the purposely is to put the Duterte forms not intended to sustain the needs administration on the defensive.

The weird accusation that China is of changing to our society and social system. The shift in the local commu- about to invade us is intended to connist movement‘s attitude towards China summate the propaganda to find justiis telling of a radical modification to the fication to US gunboat presence in the Philippines. The anti-China drumbeattenet Maoism.

One must bear in mind that once a ing is intended to challenge future plans political party descends to involve in of the Philippines to enter into a joint parochial issues, it opens itself to all venture with China to explore, develop forms of subjectivism, bigotry from na- and exploit the mineral resources in the tionalism and populism. For whatever South China Sea which is close to the reason the leadership of the party would Philippines. This joint venture agreedeny this fact is to deviate from raising ment could effectively edge out the US the banner of being an anti-imperialist in the South China Sea. The alliance of firebrand that today is posturing to fight the Left, the Church and the oligarchy for our freedom and democracy. Today, is pivotal for once the US vacates this the CPP’s anti-China rhetoric is a gam- part of the world, their control and dombit to make the party relevant. When the inance in our society which they have CPP through its National Democratic been lording it over for centuries will Font wing dropped in the early 70’s finally come to an end.

The Church has to consistently prothe slogan of down with cleric-fascism after they reached an unholy alliance vide support anything that would serve against the Church, it needs the Left to to preserve the status quo. For instance, help it against the inroads of state power it is to the interest of the Church to orseeking to implement the Constitutional chestrate anti-Duterte rallies because provision of taxing the Church while of his anti-clerical stand to amend the the Left wanting to keep the flickering Constitution and revive the provision of taxing the Church of its properties and movement alive.

The CPP and its front organiza- businesses as what the 1973 Constitutions, on the surface, still appear to be tion did. The church have come busia revolutionary movement. But for the ness partners of the oligarchy which fact that it has aligned itself on issues reason why the poor have been totally determinative of its quest for survival, aliened from them. Despite the rightist the classic slogan of one step backward initiative, the Left and the CPP continue to make two steps forward have not to receive support on the theory that it achieved what it wants for our people will eventually isolate the Duterte adand society. Once a social upheaval in- ministration. In other words, they still tensifies, there is a likely possibility the rely on the old anti-Marcos strategy.

The awkward position of the CPP to NPAS could find itself supported by the US like what is going on now in Mind- take a stand against China is the reaanao where some of the armed Islamic son why there has been a remarkable increase in insurgency movement. The separatist groups are supported by it.

Everything has become porous when problem is more difficult to understand it comes to ideological identification because the AFP remains indoctrinated where terrorist organizations like ISIS to the belief that the CPP is a Chinese is now acknowledged as being financed supported revolutionary organization and supported by US intelligence ser- engaged in a protracted war unmindful vices. It is no longer a question of ideo- that some of its funder are themselves logical affinity characterized by the allies of the US and of the Philippines. polarization of ideology but individual Many have not reconciled to the realcommitment by states to preserve its ity that the tax generated by the underempire from possible collapse. In fact, ground movement is partly consented to China is not even demanding the re- by the oligarchy and the by Church. The moval of the US bases but it is showing greatest irony is that Filipinos would signs of insecurity because of its inabil- deny outright that the CPP is possibly ity to provide economic assistance to its funded by the CIA, and the AFP fighting an enemy not what they have in once formable ally in Asia.

This is a repetition of the earlier mind. polarization that occurred in the early years of martial law. The communists, rpkapunan@gmail.com

“When I was a kid I used to swim over there,” he added, motioning off in the distance.

“Over time the water just kept getting higher and higher.”

Even as Widodo presses on with the plan for a 21st century capital in Borneo island, local authorities are desperately probing solutions for Jakarta.

A scheme to construct artificial islands in Jakarta’s bay, which would act as a buffer against the Java Sea, as well as a vast coastal wall was approved.

But there is no guarantee the estimated $40-billion project—which has been beset by years of delays—would solve the city’s sinking woes.

Building barriers has been tried before. A concrete wall was built along the shore in Rasdi’s district and other high-risk neighborhoods.

But they have cracked and show signs of sinking already. Water seeps through them, soaking the maze of narrow streets and shacks in the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

IT SERVES as a consolation to travelers that the United States Department of Homeland Security has rescinded its Public Notice on the security risks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

For over seven months since the DHS announcement on Dec. 27, 2018 categorizing NAIA as unsafe for international travelers, particularly American citizens, concerned Philippines authorities have worked hard to address the red flags.

The DHS issued the advisory resulting from the findings of the US Transportation Security Administration on the serious security deficiencies that terrorist might exploit to penetrate and mount an attack at the NAIA, the main gateway to the country that services some 33,000 airline passengers daily.

The issue of safety and security of arriving and departing travelers is actually one of the major reasons apart from

The abominable...

From A4

members and those affiliated with them charged with criminal offenses, expressly violates the proscription on the passing of bills of attainder. Without the benefit of trial, only prima facie evidence of being a member of the CPP, NPA, or NDFP or any supposedly front group of these organizations could land dissenters or the opposition in jail.

The revival of the anti-subversion law must be seen in the context of the alarming signs that we are in the cusp of the return of authoritarianism. Manlaban correctly observes that the Anti-Subversion Law will be used by the state as a repressive weapon not just at communists or national democrats but also at the opposition, student and youth activists, human rights lawyers and defenders, and other dissenters—all of whom will be lumped as NPA supporters or as ouster plotters. During the Marcos time, subversion was a catch-all term that government used to ensnare all those it thought were its enemies. Most of time, these were for imagined crimes.

The Anti-Subversion Act is inherently discriminatory. It violates the equal protection clause of the Bill of Rights found in Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution which states in no uncertain terms that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due

Divorce...

From A4

at least three years; and slander by deed or gross insult by one spouse against the other. Again, this liberal law came into effect in 1943, some 76 years ago.

After the Philippines was “liberated” by the Americans from Japan, General Douglas MacArthur as the Commanderin-Chief proclaimed that all laws shall revert to those that were valid during the Commonwealth era. This meant that on Oct. 23, 1944, EO 141 was again supplanted by Act. No. 2710. The divorce law was again more restrictive. Still, there was divorce.

Again, there were attempts at liberalizing the law. In 1946, bills were filed by Congresspersons Hermenegildo Atienza (uncle of Buhay Party-List Representative Lito Atienza, a most vocal opponent of the present divorce bills), and Marcos Calo for this purpose.

The subsequent drafting of the Civil Code of the Philippines in 1947 became the major arena for a more relaxed divorce law. Again, the fight was led by Rep. Atienza who was proposing amendments to the draft of the Civil Code that totally scrapped divorce up until the very last minutes

Indonesia’s...

From A4

is expected get worse as sea levels rise due to global warming.

The partly submerged skeleton of an abandoned mosque at the waterfront underscores the severity of the problem, while vast puddles scar the roads, and for some the ground floor of their homes is no longer habitable.

Murky green water flows along the floor of an abandoned building, while tiny shacks on stilts line the garbagestrewn waterfront.

“You can see it with your own eyes,” said Andri, a 42-year-old who liked many Indonesians goes by one name.

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@bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Cities at risk “Building walls is not a permanent solution,” said Heri Andreas, an earth scientist at the Bandung Institute of Technology.

“We need to go to the next step and fix our water management.”

The hub of Southeast Asia’s biggest

economy has seen breakneck development over the years. New buildings and skyscrapers are compressing the ground, which aggravates its sinking problem.

But the biggest culprit is excessive groundwater extraction, and the city has no way to meet demand without it due to a lack of water-retention facilities or a comprehensive piping network, Andreas said.

Jakarta is not the only sinking urban center.

Cities from Venice and Shanghai to New Orleans and Bangkok are also at risk, but Jakarta has done little to tackle the problem head on, according to Andreas.

“They’ve taken steps to mitigate it,” he said of other sinking cities.

“It’s expensive. But if we look at the future consequences, it’ll be worth it.

“The thing we always have problems with is where to start,” he added.

Many who earn their livelihood in Jakarta’s most dangerous neighborhoods don’t have the luxury of time to wait for a solution—or the means to escape.

“Of course I’m worried, but there’s nothing I can do,” said Rastini, who scrapes by de-shelling clams caught by local fishermen.

The 40-year-old added: “I’ve been here since I was a kid and I’ll stay here.” AFP

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Binay’s efforts valued by Makati Business Club COA flags 2 LTO offices for purchase of mobiles

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Land Transportation Office in the National Capital Region and Region 4A for a P3.98-million purchase of “expensive” mobile phones and “excessive” prepaid load.

In an annual audit report, the commission noted out of the P3.98 million, P3.3 million were used to buy mobile phones, while the remaining money was used for prepaid load.

State auditors said the purchase of the phones and load were deemed unnecessary and excessive in violation of COA Circular 2012-003, adding these were also non-responsive to the government’s call for judicious and prudent use of government funds and/or resources.

“The grant of cellular phones, tablets in LTO-NCR and postpaid mobile cellular phone units in

LTO-Region IV-A—for the same purpose and objective considering serviceability status of existing units and corresponding issuance of more than one unit to an individual as well as to an individual holding the position lower than Division Chief rank—are deemed excessive and unnecessary pursuant to the provision of the above-stated COA Circular,” the report read.

“Moreover, it signifies the agency’s non-responsiveness to the government’s call for judicious and prudent use of government funds and/or resources.”

“The granting of the monthly cellphone cards allowances is considered as irregular expenses due to the non-approval of the said Resolution by the Civil Service Commission Regional Office as amendment to the LTO PRAISE providing the granting of such benefits, thus not considered as legal bases for the granting of cell card benefits.”

The city chief executive also informed the group of the ongoing development of an enhanced business permit and licensing system or e-BPLS, a computerized system that will provide easy access to business permits through different platforms.

At the meeting, Binay also showed the MBC officers and members that Makati is well on its way to meeting its goal of becoming the country’s first certified Smart City. She apprised them of the progress made by the city government with a number of smart city initiatives undertaken with industry leaders through public-private partnerships.

These include the Makatizen Card, an all-purpose card that consolidates all health and social benefits for residents; the Makatizen App, the first-of-its-kind digital citizen app in the country that allows users to report crimes, emergencies, waste management concerns, and other issues; the Makati Public Wi-Fi System, which provides free internet connection to residents and visitors on certain periods daily; and the Makati Subway, the first intra-city mass transit in the Philippines that will create thousands of jobs and business opportunities for residents.

By Joel E. Zurbano

O

FFICERS and members of the Makati Business Club commended Mayor Abigail Binay for making it easier to do business in the city through strategic reforms implemented at city hall.

In a round table meeting hosted by the MBC at the Ayala Tower One last Thursday, Ayala Corp. president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Binay to improve Makati’s competitiveness.

“I commend Mayor Abby for easing doing business in Makati. Big improvement in terms of speed at which we can get our permits out, and I know this is one of the areas you are focusing on,” he said.

On the directive of Binay, the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office has streamlined the process of renewal and application of new business permits to only three easy steps, so that applicants with complete requirements can be issued a business permit within 35 minutes.

MBC chairman Edgar Chua, president and chief executive officer of Cavitex Holding Corp., expressed the desire of the business

community to have an active engagement with local government leaders, underscoring the important role of local governments in socioeconomic development.

“We believe that the LGUs actually are the main drivers of business, education, job creation, and we want to see how the business community can work with local governments, how we can work together to organize projects especially in areas like ease in doing business, infrastructures, labor and other issues,” he said.

Binay, for her part, welcomed the support of the business leaders of MBC, and acknowledged their vital role in promoting Makati’s sustainable and inclusive growth.

“The lifeblood of the city is business tax; it is not real property tax. As of May 31, the city has attained 66 percent of its target collections from business tax and 95 percent of its target for real property tax,” she said.

Petitioner: Calixto et al. case now with COMELEC

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 Petitioner thru counsel and unto this Honorable Court respectfully avers: 1.

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

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.

MISSING DOWN A RIVER.

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

Search and rescue operation for alleged two missing persons along Wangal Creek to Gayasi River in La Trinidad, Benguet led by La Trinidad PNP and civilian volunteers. The two are identified as Rommel Tadena and Harvey Rufino, riding in tandem on Monday, who apparently decided to cross the still low level water at the time but went missing after that fateful river crossing. Recovered at the river (inset) was the motorcycle they were riding. Photos courtesy of La Trinidad PNP

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

Lucena City for Balayan, Batangas 9 July 2018 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 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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

CAROLINA F. DE JESUS Presiding Judge (MS-AUG. 10, 17 & 24, 2019)

Bishops ask DOJ: Dismiss sedition raps

By Rey E. Requejo THREE Catholic bishops have asked the Department of Justice to dismiss for lack of merit and evidence the sedition and other criminal charges filed against them by the Philippine National Police, in connection with their alleged involvement in the plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte through destabilization and black propaganda.

In their separate counter-affidavits filed with the DOJ’s panel of prosecutor, Lingayen, Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. denied the allegations made by complainant PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which was based on the affidavit of Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula—the hooded figure in the viral “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos—accusing them of taking part in the conspiracy to oust Duterte.

The three respondents debunked as false the allegation that they were part of a “shadow group” providing financial and logistical support as well as security and accommodations to persons supposedly involved in “Project Sodoma.”

In his affidavit, Advincula claimed he met with Villegas, Fr. Albert Alejo and a certain

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH. Hyam Asher

Bolande (left seated), chairman of the Board DKT Philippines, Juan Antonio Alvarado Perez (center seated) Usec.

POPCOM; Benjamin de Leon (right) at the Friday Forum for Family Planning Development at the Ascot Hotel in Makati City. A campaign was launched urging Filipinos to show their support openly for family planning and reproductive health with the DO IT RIGHT slogan and a distinctive hand sign.

Lino Santos

Jonell, allegedly Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s security aide, at the Jesuit Residence at the Ateneo de Manila University on Dec. 12, 2018 at 6 p.m., where they supposedly talked about making an exposé implicating the President and his family in the illegal drug trade.

However, Villegas said he was in Orani, Bataan on that day, arriving at 3 p.m. at the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary to give a homily for a mass which ended at 7 p.m.

The Pangasinan prelate attached a copy of a video recording of the mass and an affidavit of the parish priest who invited him.

Nonetheless, Villegas admitted to meeting Advincula once—on April 24 this year, when Advincula approached him after breakfast at the Jesuit Residence in Ateneo to talk about his hardships in life.

“I was so moved that I gave him my personal rosary blessed by Pope Francis, prayed for him, and blessed him. Soon thereafter, I left for Dagupan City and never saw, spoke with, or in any way communicated with Mr. Advincula again,” he stressed.

Villegas even clarified that the meeting with Advincula lasted for about 30 minutes and there was no discussion about any plan to overthrow the President.

THE Commission on Elections is expected to rule soon on the disqualification case filed against Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano and her brother Rep. Antonino Calixto over charges of alleged widespread vote-buying activities in the 2019 local and national elections.

“Both parties have already complied and completed the submission of required litigation documents on this pre-election case to the First Division of the COMELEC, thus, it can now resolve the case judiciously. The case is ripe for resolution,” said Bernardo Anabo Jr., petitioner in the case.

There was no immediate comment from the COMELEC. Anabo filed the disqualification case against Rubiano and Calixto on May 10, 2019, three days before the elections, at the Clerk of the Commission of the Comelec which was docketed under SPA Case No.: 19085 (DC).

“I have a very strong case against them, aside from the fact that extensive vote-buying activities of respondents on or before May 13 elections were of public knowledge—and that testimonies of witnesses on it could never be smashed by deceit and lies as first-hand facts and knowledge they have on vote-buying by Rubiano and Calixto will surely withstand all tests in court,” he said.

Anabo charged Rubiano and Calixto for violating Section 261 (a)(1), Article XXll of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines and Section 68 of Article lX of OECP. He said: “Section 68 Disqualification, states: Any candidate who, in an action or protest in which he is a party is declared by final decision of a competent court, guilty of, or found by the Commission of having (a) given money or other material considerations to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral functions. Benjamin Chavez

Cimatu: Bamboo good substitute ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Friday said the Philippines must embrace bamboo as a substitute for wood timber if it wants to increase the nation’s forest cover and fight climate change.

To use bamboo as an alternative to traditional hardwood building materials would eliminate the need to cut trees in the forest, thus helping lessen climate change impacts, he said.

“We are envisioning to produce engineered bamboo as a substitute for actual lumber instead of cutting trees that are there in the forest so that we will increase our forest cover in the next several years or decades to catch up with our ASEAN neighbors,” he said.

Only 23 percent of the country’s total land area is covered by forest, which makes the Philippines having one of the lowest forest covers in Southeast Asia.

The average forest cover in other countries in the region is between 30 and 35 percent.

“We are not competing that we should be the highest—that we should be there at the top of the forest cover, but it is a necessity for us because we used to have the biggest forest cover in the ASEAN, in Southeast Asia.

But not now because of our overuse of our timber,” Cimatu said.

He said that bamboo—technically a grass, not a tree—is not only a sustainable alternative to wood, but also has the potential to significantly offset carbon emissions. Rio N. Araja

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Lakers big man Cousins could miss whole season LOS ANGELES, United States—Injury-bugged Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins could miss the entire 2019-20 NBA season with a torn left knee ligament, the team confirmed Thursday (Friday Philippine time).

In a major setback for a club that added star big man Anthony Davis to four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James in July, Cousins suffered the injury working out in Las Vegas on Monday when he “bumped knees” with another player, according to ESPN. Team doctors in Los Angeles on Thursday confirmed the third serious leg injury for Cousins in 18 months, with no timetable set for surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Cousins was signed as a free agent in July, on a one-year deal for $3.5 million, after playing with the Golden State Warriors last season.

He spent most of the past campaign recovering from a left Achilles tendon tear in January 2018 but played 30 games for Golden State before suffering a torn quadriceps in the second game of the playoffs that sidelined him until the opening game of the NBA Finals, which the Warriors lost to the Toronto Raptors.

Cousins, 29, has played nine NBA seasons, averaging 21.2 points and 10.9 rebounds a game.

Losing Cousins would force some key changes into the Lakers’ frontline, potentially including moving Davis from power forward to center to replace Cousins.

It also figures to give backup center JaVale McGee more time in the middle, potentially a major role if the Lakers elect to keep Davis at forward, with playmaker James another versatile threat.

“It’s super unfortunate for a guy like DeMarcus because you can just tell how much he loves basketball through all of these injuries,” Lakers standout Kyle Kuzma said at a United States national team workout in Los Angeles on Thursday (Friday Philippine time).

“He was going to be a big part of what we’re going to do.”

Cousins played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, where he was an All-American in 2010.

He left Kentucky after one season and was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. In his first season with the Kings, Cousins was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. AFP

Triple bill ushers PVL collegiate tilt REIGNING UAAP champion Ateneo collides with Letran while Far Eastern U and San Beda square off with St. Benilde and Adamson, respectively, in early clashes of the fancied teams in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Collegiate Conference unfolding today, Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Lady Eagles parade a talentladen crew that anchored the team’s title run against the UST Tigresses in the UAAP women’s volley last May as they try to launch their drive for another championship in the league which drew 12 of the country’s leading colleges and universities.

They include reigning NCAA titlist Arellano, which kicks off its campaign tomorrow, Sunday against the Technological Institute of the Philippines side in another exciting triple-bill that includes the UST-Lyceum and Perpetual Help-San Beda clashes.

The Lady Blazers and the Lady Tams open hostilities at 8 a.m. with the Lady Eagles and the Lady Knights facing off at 10 a.m. and the Lady Red Lionesses and the Lady Falcons mixing it up at 12 noon.

The field is divided into two groups with Ateneo, Perpetual, Adamson, San Beda, San Sebastian and Letran making up Pool A and Arellano, St. Benilde, Lyceum of the Phl U, Technological Institute of the Phl, UST and Far Eastern U composing Pool B. The top two teams from each side after the single round robin prelims will advance to the crossover best-of-three semifinals with the winners disputing the crown in another best-of-three affair.

National U and University of the Phl, which swept FEU in the finals in the first two years, aren’t seeing action this season, leaving Ateneo and Arellano, along with FEU, the teams tipped to slug it out for the championship.

But the nine others are ready to spring surprises in the weekend-only tournament held side-by-side with the PVL Open Conference organized by Sports Vision.

‘French Spiderman’ scales Hong Kong skyscraper with ‘peace banner’ HONG KONG, China—Daredevil Alain Robert—dubbed the ‘French Spiderman’—climbed a Hong Kong skyscraper on Friday (Saturday Philippine time) and unfurled a “peace banner” as the financial hub is rocked by historic political unrest.

The 57-year-old adventurer, who specializes in unsanctioned ascents of tall buildings, shimmied up the 68-storey Cheung Kong Center in Hong Kong’s main business district in hot and humid conditions on Friday morning.

During the climb he attached a banner featuring the Hong Kong and Chinese flags, as well as two hands shaking.

Prior to the ascent Robert put out a statement saying the message of his climb was to make “an urgent appeal for peace and consultation between Hong Kong people and their government”.

“Perhaps what I do can lower the temperature and maybe raise a smile. That’s my hope anyway,” Robert said in his media statement.

But many were unimpressed.

“Do you really want (to) shake hands with butchers and dictators,” tweeted Australia-based Chinese dissident artist Badiucao.

“This shows many foreigners don’t understand the underlying issue between Hong Kong and China,” a user wrote on a popular forum.

Hong Kong has been battered by 10 weeks of huge—sometimes violent— democracy protests.

They were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights.

The movement represents the greatest challenge to Beijing’s authority since the city was handed back by the British in 1997 under a deal that allowed it to keep freedoms that many Hong Kongers feel are now being eroded.

So far neither Beijing, nor the city’s loyalist leaders, have made any major concessions to the movement.

Robert has regularly come to Hong Kong to scale buildings in a city that boasts the highest concentration of skyscrapers in the world.

He has climbed the Cheung Kong Center twice before.

Last August he was banned by a Hong Kong court from making any more climbs after he was charged over a 2011 illegal ascent of the 27-floor Hang Seng Bank building.

At the time he vowed to return to Hong Kong as soon as the ban expired.

In January he was arrested after climbing a 47-storey tower in Manila. AFP

Perpetual Altas skipper Edgar Charcos (3) glides to the hoop against San Beda U defender Jb Bahio during their match, Friday, August 16 at the 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 95 #GalingNCAA men’s basketball tournament held at Fil Oil Flying V Centre in San Juan City won by San Beda. Dennis Abrina

San Beda Red Lions wallop Altas, 102-56

By Peter Atencio

C

OACH Boyet Fernandez never expected a blowout. But the defending champion San Beda Red Lions went beyond his expectations and played their best game of the season yesterday in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

The Red Lions got balanced scoring from five mainstays as they crushed the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 10256, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sport Center in San Juan.

Donald Tankoua and AC Soberano each drilled 15 points while Evan Nelle and Clint Doliguez shot 12 apiece. James Canlas added 10 for the Red Lions as they marched to their sixth straight triumph.

The big efforts of the five allowed the Red Lions to post the season’s biggest winning margin with the 46-point advantage when it was over.

Not only that, the Red Lions went on to make a season-high 38 field goals made out of 79 attempts and a season-high 16

triples in a game.

The Red Lions, led by as much as 52, 10250, in the closing minutes, took charge right way during the first period, with Tankoua eking out eight in the first period.

Tankoua’s presence allowed the Mendiola dribblers to pull away, 30-17, before the second canto got under way with Soberano connecting with 5 of 9 triples as the Red Lions took a 47-27 halftime spread.

“I never expected a blowout against Perpetual. I have so much respect for the team. Now, this will give us confidence when we play against Lyceum next week,” said Fernandez.

The Red Lions are bracing for a big challenge when they meet the tough

Lyceum Pirates this Tuesday.

The Mapua Cardinals, with Laurenz Victoria and Paolo Hernandez making 24 and 20 points, posted their third consecutive victory in eight matches, with an 83-63, smothering of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.

Hernandez and Christian Bunag, who had 10 points, combined for 13 points in the third period as the Cardinals took a 58-46 spread before the start of the fourth.

Earlier, the San Beda Red Robins, behind Yukien Andrada and Rhayyan Amsali, downed the Junior Altas, 95-76, in the junior action. This improved their grip on the solo lead at 6-1.

The defending titlist Malayan Red Robins clawed their way from 14 points down to prevail over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 72-65, in overtime, and they improved to 2-5.

Andrada chipped in 19 points while Amsali returned from a one-game suspension with 16 markers, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.

Philam Vitality helps non-athletes have healthy lives HEALTHY and active lives are not just for athletes. Ordinary people with a little discipline can also be spared from medical expenses through healthy living with the help of Philam Vitality.

Being healthy is actually its own reward but this wellness program rewards users for living healthy.

Leonardo Tan, Chief Marketing Officer, PhilamLife said they made the Philam Vitality app to be different from the other insurance plans.

“I guess the first thing why we came up with Philam Vitality is Number 1 as a brand in the life insurance category we just talk about finances, we talk about protection. So we wanted something to be made different.

Something that will appeal to millennials and we thought of a program that will promote total wellness,” said Tan. “The first stage is knowing their wellness. So you go online for the assessment.

The second is improving your health so when you synch your steps using your device that gets logged and depending on the number of points, you get the reward.”

The Philam executive said millennials are very digital savvy and would be attracted with an app that is also an aid to wellness.

Philam Life Brand Ambassador Raymond Gutierrez addresses the media during the PhilAm Vitality briefing. With him are, from left: Rolan Enriquez, Philam Life Zone Head for the Visayas; Arnold Aninion, celebrity coach; Kats Cajucom, Philam Life Head of Vitality; Berns Chincuanco, Philam Life Head of Branding and Communications and Leo Tan, Philam Life Chief Marketing Officer.

“Everyone’s on Facebook. Everyone’s on Instagram. So we said it has to be digital. So that’s the reason we married digital technology and total wellness. That’s how we formed PhilAm Vitality. It’s already on its fourth year. A little bit young but not so

young. So we’re trying to promote a little more membership to it,” said Tan. “There are two platforms. One is for you to earn your points. The second is what we call the weekly rewards. The weekly rewards, that’s where you earn two cups of

coffee. Where you get free cinema.”

The app is also responsive to the fitness level of the user because otherwise it may bore the user if it’s too easy to use or may be too daunting to be interesting.

“What we do is depending on your fitness level we try to challenge you more.

So when you’re starting your exercise journey, konti lang ang requirements mo to get the points. But if you’re already that athlete—like an IRONMAN 70.3 athlete —we’ll challenge you with higher goals so that you won’t feel that this is too easy for me,” said Tan. “We have what we call dynamic rewards. Dynamic points and dynamic rewards. There’s an algorithm that we use based on the number of steps and the intensity that are logged into your fitness device and into the app. So ito na That’s how we set the targets for the user.”

Tan said PhilAm Vitality is a program that is used on all their markets across Asia.

It’s being used by 18 markets. Based in South Africa. However, the partners and the rewards are necessarily local because you need to have partners that are located here in the Philippines to be able to give rewards to Filipino users.

Go For Gold starts Fiba World Cup 2019 partnership

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

GO FOR GOLD has taken a bold initiative to create overwhelming enthusiasm among Filipino basketball fans for the coming Fiba World Cup 2019.

Making it possible is the partnership signed by Fiba with Go For Gold Philippines, which got the green light to run promotions related to the worldwide Fiba competitions in the Philippines until June 30, 2020.

“The theme would be to support our Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team in the Fiba World Cup and hopefully the Philippines does well in the tournament,” said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go. For starters, Go For Gold hopes to generate more interest on the na-

tional basketball team by raffling off two tickets for a single winner to watch the Gilas squad live against Angola during the elimination round on September 4 in Foshan, China.

Aside from taking on Angola, Gilas Pilipinas will also face Serbia and Italy in the preliminary group stages of the World Cup on August 29 to September 15.

Raffle contest participants should follow the mechanics at the Facebook page of Go For Gold PH and Scratchit for a chance to win tickets to the PH-Angola match in an all-expense-paid trip.

The Philippines will be appearing in its second consecutive Fiba World Cup with Gilas head coach Yeng

Guiao forming a formidable team made up of Philippine Basketball Association stars whose goal is to at least reach the second round.

The joint effort of Fiba and Go For Gold to gain more backing for the participation of Gilas Pilipinas in the world stage was recently sealed by Go and James White, Fiba marketing head of sales.

“Fiba normally goes global, but this is the first time that Fiba will work with a local sponsorship. It was a creative idea, very smart,” said White during the contract signing at the Tektite Tower office of Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation, the prime mover behind the Go For Gold program.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. AFP

Thai coasts to 6-shot victory

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IPA City, Batangas—Nemittra Juntanaket staved off an early threat from Ajira Nualraksa then hit a clutch birdie on No. 12 to check a brief skid and pull away en route to securing a breakthrough victory on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour with a 71 in the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Ladies Classic here yesterday.

Bracing for a final round shootout in hot, windy conditions with fellow Thais Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro and Nualraksa, Juntanaket outshot her rivals and went 3-up with birdies on Nos. 3 and 4 but stumbled with three bogeys in a six-hole stretch from No. 6, enabling the rest of the best to close in again.

But she quickly dashed their hopes with a birdie on the 12th as she built another three-stroke cushion over her nearest pursuer – and with no able to put up a strong finish, the 22-year-old Pha-Yao native rolled to a whopping six-stroke triumph on a 216 total she spiked with another birdie on the difficult closing hole. It was her first win in her two-year stint in the country’s premier circuit and second overall after ruling the Pan Thai Open in 2017.

“Had a good game and hung tough out there,” said Juntaket, who actually launched her bid in the P750,000 event put up by ICTSI with a triple-bogey 7 on the par-4 No. 1 on a lost ball off a wild drive on a rolling championship course that offers several options off the mound and requires precision to get the good landing spots on its undulating, tricky surface that shattered the bids of many a contender, including local ace Princess Superal.

But what came next was a series of well thought out shots as she produced three birdies in the last six

Motolite faces Chef’s Classic MOTOLITE tries to rebound from a shutout loss to powerhouse Creamline as it takes on debuting Chef’s Classic while BanKo-Perlas seeks to recover lost grounds against Air Force in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference today (Saturday) at the Filoil Flying F Center in San Juan.

The Power Builders hope to come out better, stronger after a rather disappointing stint against the Cool Smashers last Wednesday where they absorbed a stinging 14-25, 15-25, 14-25 defeat as they test the Red Spikers’ mettle in their 4 p.m. encounter.

Motolite top hitter Myla Pablo sets out to improve on her 11-hit performance against the defending champions although she would need to draw solid backup from the likes of Diana Carlos, Maristela Layug, Aie Gannaban and Isa Molde and Fil-Am setter Iris Tolenada to spoil the Red Spikers’ maiden stint in the league organized by Sports Vision.

Skippered by former La Salle standout Justine Tiu, Chef’s Classic will also be relying heavily on the fancied San Beda stalwarts and twins Nieza and Ella Viray along with Rebecca Cuevas, Trisha Paras, Cecilia Bangad and Aljan Pielago, setter Noreen Gabriana, and liberos Julia Angeles and Mialyn Manabat.

“No expectations, no pressure but we’ll give our 100 percent effort every game,” said Ella. “But we’re not new in this kind of competition though we are also willing to learn from the veterans of the league.”

The 6 p.m. clash between the Perlas Spikers and the Jet Spikers will also feature a lot of experienced players with the former trying to make up for their fourset defeat to the PacificTown Army Lady Troopers last Wednesday after stunning the Reinforced Conference champions PetroGazz Angels in last week’s inaugurals of the all-Filipino tournament backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC.

holes to even wrest control with a 72 after 18 holes then held sway in the next round despite a 73 marred by two bogeys in the last three holes to hang to a oneshot edge over Sangkagaro Thursday.

“I was fully motivated by the support of my team, including my swing coach and my parents and this victory will surely boost my confidence going to Summit Point,” said Juntanaket, who pocketed the top purse of P150,000, referring to The Women’s Championship at Summit Point, also here next week.

Three off Juntanaket with Superal and last year’s winner Onkanok Soisuwan after 36 holes, Nualraksa pulled to within one with a two-under card after eight holes, only to reel back with a double bogey on the ninth, a mishap that led to three more bogeys in the first six holes at the back. She wound up with a 75 for joint third with Korean Hwang Min-Jeong at 223.

Pimpadsorn skied to a 76 but still took the runner-up honors at 222 worth P90,000.

Hwang, who won here as an amateur in 2015 and scored her maiden pro win at Splendido last January, finally broke par with a 71 to break into the Thais’ domination of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Numa Gulyanamitta, also of Thailand, placed solo fifth at 224 after a 75 while Soisuwan, who posted

Thai Nemittra Juntanaket holds her trophy after snapping a two-year title drought on the Ladies PGT by winning the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Ladies Classic.

her maiden pro win in wire-to-wire fashion last year, ended up sixth at 226 after a 78 as the country’s perennial regional rivals took all but one of the top six spots in the 54-hole championship backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc.

PSC to fund foreign stints for athletes

By Peter Atencio THE Philippine Sports Commission will spend around P1.2-billion to get the national delegation ready for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Team Philippines Chef de Mission William Ramirez said the expenditure may not match what the other member nations will spend in their preparations.

But, this will help members of the national team in their bid to get foreign exposure in international meets.

“We have added P200-million for foreign exposures. And there in the past that such an amount has been appropriated,” said Ramirez.

The PSC chief said they had already allocated P600-million for training and exposure, aside from P400-million for equipment.

And this does not include the P6-billion budget that Philippine government has set aside for hosting the SEA Games this year.

Ramirez noted that Malaysia has set aside $2-billion for the preparations

done on their national team.

And there are a total of 9,840 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries who are expected to participate in the 30th SEA Games.

The Games will feature 530 events in 56 sports.

“The amount of P600-million might be short because of the additional events,” added Ramirez.

This will be the fourth time that the country will host the biennial meet. The Philippines hosted it in 1981, 1991 and 2005.

Caloocan, Makati extend respective runs HOST Caloocan and Makati sustained their winning runs Thursday night even as Marikina finally barged into the win column of the MPBL Lakan Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

The Victory Liner-supported Supremos notched their fourth straight win, this after whipping the SOCCKSARGEN Marlins-Armor On, 93-77.

Rene Pacquiao flexed his muscles, coming away with a double-double performance of 15 points and 12 rebounds as he imposed his will inside the shaded lane to guide the Supremos to the .500 win-loss mark for the first time in the tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

Caloocan improved its win-loss record to 5-5 and dealt SOCCSKSARGEN its eight straight loss as the team from Mindanao remains the only winless squad in the third season.

Marikina, the erstwhile winless squad, finally made it to the win column, this after the Shoemasters nipped the Valenzuela Classic, 70-65.

Yves Sazon fell a rebound short from posting a doubledouble performance, finishing with 13 points and nine Marikina’s Von Tambeling (23) tries to smother Paolo Hubalde of boards. Daryl Pascual also ended up with 13 markers.

Sazon’s two free throws in the last 13 seconds of the game Valenzuela with his physical defense during their game. ensured the win for the Shoemasters, who finally stopped the bleeding after nine games.

The Super Crunch won despite getting outrebounded by Makati stretched its winning run to three following a the Steel, 52-35. hard-earned 86-80 triumph over equally formidable BasiMakati, however, took advantage of Basilan’s miserable lan. The Super Crunch picked up their seventh win in eight free throw shooting. The Steel missed a total of 25 free games to solidify their hold of the third spot. throws of the 46 they attempted.

Djokovic into final of Masters CINCINNATI, United States—World number one Novak Djokovic has a remarkably clear road to the ATP Cincinnati Masters final after producing an efficient victory Thursday (Friday Philippine time) while third seed Roger Federer crashed out of the US Open tuneup event.

Djokovic was never in danger in his 6-3, 6-4 triumph over 53rd-ranked Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, whom he finished off in 90 minutes.

Federer fell in a first-time meeting with Russian Andrey Rublev, who posted a 6-3, 6-4 upset.

Defending champion Djokovic will continue his quest in a Friday quarterfinal, taking on France’s Lucas Pouille, a 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2 winner over Russian Karen Khachanov.

Djokovic earned his eighth straight victory at Cincinnati on the first of two match points.

“I’m very pleased today. I beat a top quality player,” Djokovic said. “It was straight sets but the score doesn’t indicate how tough it was.

“He had break points in both sets and I got out of trouble with some good serves. Overall, it was a really good match.”

Federer, the seven-time Cincinnati champion who turned 38 last week, was unable to make an impression on Rublev, playing only his second match since losing the Wimbledon final to Djokovic.

“I struggled on my serve early on.

Got broken the first service games, and there you have it,” Federer said.

“That sort of set the tone for the match maybe a little bit.

“But the combination was tough: he was playing well. I was maybe struggling especially on the offensive. I didn’t think I was feeling the ball badly, but sometimes can’t rely on that serve to the one-two punch.”

Rublev, a 21-year-old Russian qualifier who missed months last season with injury, was shell-shocked at his win over the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

“It’s an amazing feeling when you play such a legend as Roger,” he said.

“At least 99 percent of the crowd was supporting him.

“Today I was just trying to do my best. I told myself I need to play every point to the end. No matter what the situation, I kept fighting.” AFP

Chooks to host 3X3 tilt TO HELP the country make the last push to reach the top 24 in the FIBA 3X3 World Rankings, Chooks-to-Go will host the Philippines’ first-ever Challenger tournament.

The Chooks-to-Go Manila Challenger, which is level nine in the FIBA 3x3 hierarchy, takes place September 7 to 8 at the SM Fairview Events Center.

And this is Bounty Agro Ventures Incorporated’s way of giving back to the Filipino people as the company is celebrating its 22nd anniversary on September 2.

“We are celebrating our 22nd anniversary and what better way for our company to give back than by making one last push for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league owner and BAVI general manager Ronald Mascariñas.

“We want to bring a quality tournament to the Filipino people.”

The Philippines is currently ranked at 27th in the men’s rankings with 6,748,080 points. The country needs to make it to the top 24 by October 31, 2019 to gain a berth in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“To put it quite simply, it’s very crucial for us to host a level nine tournament especially in this stage in the race for the FIBA 3X3 OQT,” said Mascariñas, who is grateful to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for helping in his company’s bid to host this season’s 23rd of 28 challengers.

“Last April, we hosted the world’s first-ever Super Quest which is a level eight tournament. I would like to thank FIBA for granting us this new opportunity. Even if they already have 27 Challengers in their calendar and still they allowed us to host this one.

Also, the SBP has been a huge help in this endeavor,” said Mascariñas.

Three local teams will compete in the meet, namely 27th-ranked team in the world Pasig, President’s Cup champions Isabela City (Basilan), and two-time Chooks 3x3 runner-up Balanga.

Teams that have signed up for this tourney that is a qualifier for the Jeddah Masters that will take place from October 18-19 are world no. 2 Riga of Latvia, no. 5 Amsterdam of Netherland, no. 10 Gagarin of Russia, no. 15 Kranj of Slovenia, no. 25 Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia, and Czech Republic’s Humpolec.

IN BRIEF

Tourism receipts hit $4.8b in six months

THE Philippines’ tourism industry has generated P245 ($4.8 billion) billion in foreign exchange receipts from international visitors during the first six months of the year, the Tourism Department said Friday.

The total receipts from the six-month arrivals increased 17.6 percent from P203.8 billion in revenues year-on-year.

Data provided by department show the highest monthly receipts of P42 billion in January. Spending in June, meanwhile, reached an estimated P38 billion, up 30.6 percent on year, while tourist per capita expenditure increased to $1,086.61 or 31 percent higher than a year ago.

The average daily expenditure and average length of stay per tourist reached $120.60 and 9.01 nights, respectively, up 28.6 percent and 1.81 percent on year, based on data from arrival and departure cards, shipping manifests and visitor sample survey.

“Tourism in 2018 was responsible for 5.4 million jobs in 2018, contributing 12.7 percent or P2.2 trillion to the country’s gross domestic product,” said Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Othel V. Campos

Business

Movenpick Resort, Visa sign new pact

MOVENPICK Resort & Spa Boracay signed a new agreement with VISA Philippines in support of its clients’ expansion strategies.

“VISA is one of the world’s leading payment companies, so we are delighted to extend this promotion to its esteemed customers. Under our new agreement, VISA Philippines cardholders will be able to experience everything our exquisite resort has to offer, from delectable dining to sublime spa treatments and much more,” said André Brulhart, general manager of Mövenpick Resort.

“We look forward to treating even more VISA customers to amazing experiences on the pure shores of Boracay in future,” he added.

As part of a new partnership with VISA Philippines, one of the world’s largest and most popular payment providers, Mövenpick Resort is giving cardholders a 30-percent discount on the best available rate for all types of accommodation, ranging from the stylish superior rooms to the spectacular Sol Marina Villa. Darwin G. Amojelar

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

B1

By Othel V. Campos

‘ISKOnek’ kiosk. The city of Manila and Eastern Communications, one of the premier telecommunications companies in the country, launch the first “ISKOnek” Digital Kiosk at the Bonifacio Park near Manila City Hall. Unveiled by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (in barong), ISKOnek powered by Eastern Communications offers free WiFi connection, calls and phone charging.

ING Bank still expects economy to expand 6% I

By Julito G. Rada

NG Bank Manila still expects the Philippine economy to grow within the 6-percent level this year despite the slower expansion in the first half, as the government plans to accelerate fiscal spending in the remainder of 2019.

Citing historical trend, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said Friday public construction had been able to perform quite well in the second half of 2016, 2017 and 2018 despite the presence of storms and the rainy season.

Mapa also said the government’s spending on the operations and maintenance of the bureaucracy remained in growth (up 9 percent in the first half) despite the budget impasse.

“With the latest DBM [Department of

Budget and Management] release showing the government’s resolve to boost growth via expenditures, we can expect growth to finish the year on a strong note,” Mapa said.

He said capital formation would rebound as construction and durable goods recover from their dip.

“With less than five months to go before the close of the year, DBM numbers do show the resolve of the government to get spending back to their 2018 ways and we can expect the Philippines to chase escape velocity to vault growth back into the 6-percent handle to finish the year,” Mapa said.

Economic growth in the second quarter further slowed to a four-year low of 5.5 percent from 5.6 percent a quarter ago and 6.2 percent a year ago, weighed down by the El Niño dry spell, rising protectionism in advanced economies, delay in the approval of the national budget for 2019, and the ban on construction activities in the run-up to the midterm elections last May.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said the sluggish and slower-than-expected expansion for the April-to-June period was the slowest since the 5.1-percent GDP expansion in the first quarter of 2015. It was also the second successive quarter that economic growth stood below 6 percent.

The second-quarter figure brought the first-half GDP average to just 5.6 percent, well below the low end of the target range of 6 to 7 percent earlier set by the government for the entire year.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the economy had to grow by an average of at least 6.4 percent in the second half to reach the low end of 6 to 7 percent target range in 2019.

Pernia said public construction dropped by 27.2 percent in the second quarter and offset the growth of private construction.

With the sluggish second-quarter GDP performance, Pernia conceded that the “realistic growth projection for the economy” was between 6 percent and 6.5 percent for 2019.

AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar predicts higher rice production and increased income of farmers toward the end of the year with the release of the P1.5-billion Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers.

The P1.5-billion fund was approved during 66th governing council meeting of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council on August 15.

“This loan assistance is a manifestation of the strong desire of the government to help Filipino rice farmers,” Dar said.

The fund aims to provide loan assistance to rice farmers affected by the reduction or loss of their farm income.

The program also intends to help rice farmers regain their capacity to continue their production.

“We will continue to look at measures to improve the living conditions of our rural stakeholders. Rest assured that with RCEF, farmers will increase productivity and earn more,” Dar said.

Under the aid program that will start on September 1, 2019, rice farmers who are tilling one hectare land and below may avail of a one-time, zerointerest loan amounting to P15,000, payable up to eight years.

In addition, the National Food Authority will buy the produce of rice farmers who were able to avail of the loan assistance under the program.

The ACPC governing council approved P1.5 billion of funding for the program to be implemented by Land Bank of the Philippines.

The implementing guidelines of the program will be jointly drawn up by the ACPC and LandBank.

The ACPC council is composed of the agriculture secretary as chair, governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as vice chair and the secretaries of the finance and budget departments and the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority as members.

Sulu Sea Energy close to bagging exploration deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores

French study shows vaping can lead to a decline in smoking ANOTHER scientific research, this time by the French, confirmed earlier findings that adult smokers using e-cigarettes also called vapes or electronic nicotine delivery systems were more likely to succeed in quitting tobacco smoking.

The recent study conducted by RamchandarGomanjee, a researcher from the Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health in France and published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, involved over 5,000 regular smokers and 2,025 former smokers for an average of two years.

It indicated that the number of combustible cigarettes used by regular smokers, or those who smoked daily, dropped by more than 4 percent within the two-year period.

Similarly, 67 percent more e-cigarette users were found to be more likely to quit cigarettes completely, compared with non-users.

The study also showed that newer vaping products considerably reduced the risk of relapsing to the use of combustible cigarettes, as these offered a better way of delivering nicotine into the smoker’s bloodstream, providing a sensation similar to the tobacco products.

According to Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, electronic nicotine delivery systems had undergone significant technological changes throughout the years to help cigarette users successfully transition to the use of less harmful smoking alternatives.

“Prior to technological advancements made around 2013, e-cigarette devices were difficult to use and only effective for the most dedicated of would-be quitters,” said Conley. Devices developed prior to 2013, he claimed, no longer bears any resemblance to current ENDS technology, “so using ancient data is not particularly helpful to understanding whether vaping products can help smokers quit today.”

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Dar expects increased rice output after fund release

DoF rejects claim of Petron vs TRAIN

FINANCE Undersecretary Gil Beltran on Friday rejected the claim of oil refiner Petron Corp. that the increase in fuel excise taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law led to a decline in its earnings in the first half of 2019.

Beltran, who is also the DoF’s chief economist, said in a statement the scenario presented by the petroleum company was “highly unlikely,” given the improved income performance reported during the same period by rivals like Pilipinas Shell Corp.

Petron released a statement on Aug. 8 declaring its net income in the first half of 2019 dropped significantly by 72 percent versus the same period last year.

Petron claimed that price increases resulting from the TRAIN’s implementation led to a decrease in its domestic fuel sales.

“We looked at their financials and it seems highly unlikely. It is misleading for Petron to blame TRAIN for their decrease in sales,” Beltran said. He added the DoF looked at recently released reports from other major players, including Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, which also has a refinery. Julito G. Rada

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

FAMILYDOC PARTNER. FamilyDOC, the country’s largest chain of primary care clinics under Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., teams up with Transportify, a full-service logistics marketplace, to promote primary healthcare behavior to over 20,000 drivers.

Launching the partnership are (from left) FamilyDOC sales and marketing manager KC De Leon, Transportify head of sales and marketing Noel Abelardo, FamilyDOC general manager Paul Darroca, Transportify regional chief operating officer and co-country Director Paulo Bengson and FamilyDOC operations head Dan Vilda.

Air Asia PH bullish, bares plan to fly to Guam and Saipan

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget airline has sought the permission of the Civil Aeronautics Board to fly to the United States.

Philippines Air Asia Inc., in a petition filed with the CAB, requested for a designation and allocation of entitlements under the PhilippinesUnited States of America Air Transport Agreement.

Air Asia Philippines in the same petition asked the CAB to revoke the designation of Air Philippines as the official carrier to the US. “The allocation of entitlements to the US is not a problem because it’s unlimited, but the designation as official Philippine carrier is limited,” Camerlo Arcilla, executive director of CAB, said.

He said the number of airlines allowed to be designated as official carrier to the US was only three, prompting Air Asia Philippines to seek the the revocation of Air Philippines’ designation to the US. Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific are currently designated as official Philippine carrier to the US. Arcilla said Air Philippines was not utilizing its permit to fly to the US. He added Air Asia Philippines planned to fly to US territories such as Guam and Saipan, and not the US mainland.

Air Asia Philippines earlier announced plans to expand its fleet from 23 to 50 aircraft within the next three years and increase revenues from P30 billion this year to P50 billion in the same period.

The airline has planned to conduct an initial public offering by November or December this year to raise $200 million to fund expansion.

The airline operates several flights to and from Manila, Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Caticlan (Boracay), Tacloban, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Clark and Iloilo in the Philippines.

It operates international flights to and from Shanghai, Taipei, Incheon (Seoul), Hong Kong, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Guangzhou, Vietnam, Shenzhen, Kaohshing, Bali, Shenzhen, Indonesia, Singapore and soon Japan.

F&S Holdings, owned by Rep. Michael Romero and his wife Sheila earlier acquired 28.8-percent shares in AirAsia Inc., bringing their total equity to 44.4 percent from just 15.7 percent.

THE Department of Energy will evaluate for 15 days the offer of Sulu Sea Energy Resources Development Corp. to explore for oil and gas in the Sulu Sea under the nomination process of the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program.

Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos said no company challenged Sulu Sea Energy’s nomination, adding its documentary submissions would undergo evaluation.

“We expected challengers but no one challenged. They (Sulu Sea Energy) are complete in form so we now have to see that they are substantially compliant,” Marcos said.

The agency opened applications for the Sulu Sea Basin on Friday for challengers of Sulu Sea Energy’s nomination for Area 1. The company, established in 2016, is a wholly Filipino-owned company based in Mindanao.

Major proponents of the company are residents and community leaders based in the Sulu and Tawi-tawi region.

The agency said nominating companies complied with area clearance and nomination requirements under PCECP guidelines.

The DOE waited for the challengers in Area 1 to submit offers until 11 a.m. yesterday before opening the bid of Sulu Sea Energy The DoE is also set to open applications for the Northwest Palawan Basin on August 19 and Southeast Luzon basin on August 20.

It has has set up a one-stop-shop at the venue located at the agency’s office in Taguig City to accommodate any last-minute submissions from challengers until the prescribed deadline.

The department is pushing to reinvigorate petroleum exploration and development activities in the country to serve as a cushioning measure against the volatility of oil prices, which has a direct impact on the costs of transport and power.

B2

Business

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks fall; JG Summit, BDO dip T HE stock market fell Friday as a modest rebound in US equities failed to ease fears over the US-China trade war and its impact on the world economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 32.88 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,795.98 on a value turnover of P8.7 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 127 to 73, with 47 issues unchanged.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei declined 4.5 percent to P63.50, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, lost 2.1 percent to P142.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. advanced 4.4 percent to P183.70, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity

distribution, railway operations and hospitals, rose 3.7 percent to P4.80.

The rest of Asian markets were jittery Friday. Fears of a global recession and a drawn-out trade spat between the world’s top two economies saw the Dow suffer its worst one-day fall of the year on Wednesday.

Although US stocks recovered slightly on Thursday, reassured by strong US retail sales and Walmart earnings, investors remained anxious, seeking out safe havens in the form of Treasury assets and gold, which continued to hover above the $1,500 level.

The yield on the 10-year US Treasury bond slid Wednesday below the yield on the two-year note, meaning the shortterm interest rates were higher than the longer-term rates.

The so-called “inversion” phenomenon has been a reliable harbinger of recession for decades since it suggests that markets

have a negative long-term outlook.

On Thursday the yield on the 30-year bond hit an all-time low, while the 10year note plunged to its lowest level in three years before staging a tepid recovery.

“Better-than-expected US data probably helped sentiment in US stock markets, though it seems to have been largely ignored by the bond market,” said Stephen Innes, managing partner at VM Markets.

In Asia, markets struggled to eke out marginal gains. Hong Kong was a bright spot, rising 0.8 percent while Shanghai edged up 0.3 percent. Tokyo was flat while Singapore and Seoul shed 0.6 percent.

Economists have warned for months that trade tensions would drag down sentiment, which was already suffering due to China’s economic slowdown and fears of Brexit’s impact on Britain and Europe.

The tensions have already hit global demand, with data this week showing China’s industrial output had plummeted to a 17-year low.

“There remains no end in sight” to the trade frictions, Tapas Strickland, senior analyst at National Australia Bank, said in a commentary.

“It is clear that China is willing to play the long game, meaning that to de-escalate tensions, any compromise will have to come from the US side,” he said, citing an editorial from China’s state-controlled media The Global Times.

But with US rhetoric showing few signs of softening, investors are not holding their breath for a speedy resolution.

After markets closed Thursday, US President Donald Trump said trade negotiations set for September were “still on,” less than a week after suggesting they might be cancelled. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 10 89 2,106,160 2.09 10,000 142 1,534,850 26.2 163,300 18.58 700 11.7 96,000 4.9 52,000 0.52 90,000 710 100 69.7 3,241,880 0.99 277,000 46.3 893,100 189.8 20 58 6,910 28 48,900 182.4 300,030 1,800 5 59.8 64,690 1.17 3,000

580 187,905,914.50 19,870 219,029,238 4,271,625 12,862 1,109,192 255,440 46,860 71,000 227,409,112 269,560 41,382,140 3,798 400,363 1,368,410 55,574,835 9,000 3,820,337 3,390

-22,399,749 28,270,410 -1,880,920 -160,580 -61,683,243.50 -17,112,750 168,520 -3,233,558 -743,662.50 -

34.2 13.88 0.67 1.31 0.245 90.35 3.05 13.62 110 11.2 16.4 36 76 89.9 2.02 5.5 6.05 8.8 14.64 9.18 7.33 24.95 80.9 50.2 1.9 13.88 8.03 1.47 230.4 3.3 8.35 22.5 13.6 18.28 353 0.183 5.49 1.8 4.55 5.02 9.1 2.86 10.42 35.85 5 5.1 1.7 1.1 12.4 97.4 6.85 1.01 162 2.45 1.14 1.06

INDUSTRIAL 35.5 1,992,200 14.2 731,000 0.69 589,000 1.32 98,000 0.245 100,000 100 190 3.2 15,440,000 14.3 284,600 110 7,500 12 117,900 16.4 600 36 4,500 79.05 90,340 97.2 164,530 2.02 20,000 5.6 35,000 6.05 27,700 9.14 1,603,800 14.8 371,500 9.18 148,800 7.39 662,100 24.95 1,148,400 82.3 267,330 54.3 82,440 1.94 4,467,000 14 1,712,100 8.22 219,800 1.47 241,000 237 766,170 3.3 3,000 8.35 1,000 23 194,500 14 501,800 18.48 797,700 353 152,510 0.183 10,000 5.49 200 1.92 44,934,000 4.7 110,000 5.14 575,400 9.1 1,000 2.86 31,723,000 10.7 16,400 36.05 224,600 5 75,000 5.1 2,400 1.78 2,184,000 1.1 504,000 12.54 209,200 99 60,890 6.99 27,900 1.03 706,000 162 1,203,480 2.45 7,000 1.16 1,735,000 1.13 1,549,000

70,515,045 10,330,974 401,850 128,420 24,500 18,858.50 49,272,260 4,067,006 825,000 1,388,088 9,840 162,000 7,599,174 16,870,864 40,400 193,500 167,803 14,477,637 5,484,188 1,376,175 4,889,557 29,084,655 21,996,981 4,456,474.50 8,594,050 23,949,072 1,813,856 360,210 180,699,498 9,900 8,352 4,473,050 6,976,612 14,730,858 54,047,838 1,830 1,098 84,503,610 501,450 2,951,017 9,100 92,768,200 178,608 8,086,525 377,000 12,240 3,865,830 568,140 2,607,062 6,028,739 194,687 732,990 195,799,425 17,150 2,002,440 1,722,140

-22,861,855 -166,518 -5,280 6,276,850 -182,710 77,868 43,408 -109,685 -2,155,199 4,759,248 -171,121 -2,272,763 739,020 7,910,030 451,424.50 747,650 -18,461,472 -384,131.00 51,258,968 -253,510 1,533,446 11,699,846 3,505,634 -23,062,660 -1,167,315 2,968,310 -14,756 -5,871,660 12,600 -1,207,082 -3,819,340.50 -27,796,255 17,150 -43,180.00 -262,240.00

0.86 48.55 12.84 0.67 14.22 1.15 1.22 932.5 3.62 6.63 8.79 13.6 0.223 863 63.5 5.5 4.85 0.49 4.44 13.5 0.6 4.57 0.038 1.23 2.87 172.8 1,008 0.82 1.39 415 256.4 0.226 0.235

HOLDING FIRMS 0.86 15,748,000 49.5 1,596,800 13.02 14,742,400 0.7 13,000 14.34 93,800 1.19 2,012,000 1.23 10,000 935 699,410 3.73 2,190,000 6.89 229,300 9.25 8,829,700 13.8 527,500 0.239 100,000 870 151,840 63.5 1,559,450 5.5 1,400 4.85 1,000 0.49 9,000 4.65 4,317,000 13.5 1,188,200 0.63 292,000 4.8 39,006,000 0.038 4,800,000 1.26 232,000 2.87 10,000 183.7 637,630 1,027 1,552,140 0.83 157,000 1.39 14,000 415 30 256.4 150 0.237 250,000 0.25 2,990,000

13,681,130 78,327,705 191,677,272 9,020 1,349,302 2,369,330 12,290 657,536,215 8,149,050 1,558,644 80,950,751 7,175,300 22,460 132,387,950 99,666,770 7,939 4,850 4,470 19,898,160 16,074,096 177,270 185,972,280 182,400 292,590 28,700 116,609,574 1,592,543,725 131,720 19,460 12,454 38,464 56,720 747,950

541,800 -29,393,405 -75,465,120 -4,200 160,923,050 -260,700 29,801 -17,517,252 -73,140 -55,077,880 -10,443,408 -14,035,350 1,798,590 41,396,880 14,379,922 1,524,900 -2,568 -1,100

15.44 0.78 10 1.91 0.94 48.45 2.15 4.58 6 0.55 0.73 0.83 0.227 0.4 9.86 22.3 0.455 1.67 1.27 5.29 0.305 0.45 1.37 0.385 2 24.1 2.24 3.1 34.1

PROPERTY 15.5 499,900 0.81 324,000 10 8,600 1.97 169,000 0.96 2,733,000 49.25 17,231,900 2.19 1,272,000 4.68 329,000 6 200 0.56 9,314,000 0.79 33,000 0.83 97,000 0.227 30,000 0.405 1,090,000 10 1,624,900 23.3 307,900 0.46 140,000 1.71 37,769,000 1.29 298,000 5.29 28,555,200 0.31 4,800,000 0.45 410,000 1.4 1,871,000 0.385 40,000 2.02 64,000 24.9 2,685,500 2.35 399,000 3.25 785,000 34.1 27,162,300

7,730,324 256,700 86,002 331,070 2,629,720 846,146,885 2,738,670 1,534,350 1,200 5,133,130 24,150 80,510 6,890 439,750 16,096,702 7,037,340 64,150 64,395,240 384,120 152,194,888 1,474,900 185,550 2,613,970 15,450 128,460 66,828,910 921,180 2,570,520 944,109,930

-1,436,658 22,180 -114,184,405 -1,367,810 284,710 -1,200 -221,650 -10,790 1,382,540 4,396,170 3,925,120 4,448,290 -3,100 -141,000 13,986,210 9,600 371,828,235

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 89.9 1.96 144 26.3 18.22 11.38 4.9 0.53 710 70 0.97 46.8 190 58.1 28.1 189.3 1,800 59.55 1.11

58 90.9 2.09 146.5 26.5 18.58 11.7 5.04 0.53 710 71.4 0.99 46.8 190 58.1 28.1 190.1 1,800 60 1.17

58 88.05 1.95 142 26.1 18.22 11.38 4.85 0.52 710 69.7 0.97 46.25 189.8 57.5 27.9 182.4 1,800 59 1.11

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

35 14.18 0.68 1.31 0.245 99.6 3.1 13.62 110 11.4 16.4 36 91 144.9 2.02 5.5 6.05 8.8 14.66 9.2 7.39 25.75 81 52.9 1.9 13.9 8.14 1.48 234.6 3.3 8.36 23.4 13.6 18.28 360.6 0.183 5.49 1.82 4.75 5.03 9.1 2.96 10.42 35.95 5.34 5.1 1.78 1.14 12.5 97.4 6.95 1.06 164 2.45 1.14 1.08

35.6 14.2 0.69 1.32 0.245 109 3.25 14.5 110 12.3 16.4 36 93 145 2.02 5.6 6.25 9.14 15 9.5 7.4 26 83.2 55.15 1.94 14.02 8.38 1.53 239.2 3.3 8.36 23.4 14.1 18.48 360.6 0.183 5.49 1.93 4.75 5.23 9.1 3 11.06 36.1 5.34 5.1 1.81 1.15 12.6 100.7 7.04 1.08 165 2.45 1.17 1.14

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.89 49.25 12.88 0.67 14.28 1.16 1.23 935 3.62 6.7 8.81 13.7 0.223 865 66.4 6.39 4.85 0.51 4.47 14.06 0.6 4.64 0.038 1.24 2.87 176 1,018 0.84 1.39 415.2 256.4 0.226 0.26

0.9 49.9 13.1 0.7 15 1.2 1.23 953.5 3.76 6.9 9.28 13.8 0.239 881 66.4 6.39 4.85 0.51 4.65 14.06 0.63 4.8 0.038 1.3 2.87 183.7 1,037 0.84 1.39 415.2 256.8 0.237 0.26

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

15.44 0.78 10.02 1.91 0.97 48.5 2.18 4.58 6 0.56 0.73 0.83 0.235 0.405 9.86 22.9 0.455 1.67 1.27 5.39 0.305 0.455 1.37 0.39 2 24.4 2.24 3.2 34.1

15.5 0.81 10.02 1.97 0.99 49.25 2.19 4.71 6 0.56 0.79 0.83 0.235 0.405 10.08 23.3 0.46 1.73 1.3 5.4 0.31 0.455 1.42 0.39 2.02 25.1 2.35 3.28 35.25

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

2.4 5.58 0.81 7.4

2.5 5.88 0.81 7.71

2.4 5.58 0.8 7.33

2.49 5.87 0.8 7.71

4,665,000 58,200 58,000 6,525,000

11,528,950 339,163 46,410 49,603,118

99,200 -14,732,260

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS 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

10.4 18.1 1.58 0.5 0.047 18.52 2.29 10.72 0.059 93 6.99 6.65 8.72 1,960 5.35 419.8 9.78 1.59 1.86 124 9.24 5.45 0.11 5.08 3.2 0.87 19.02 0.42 3 2.51 1.2 2.11 2.63 8.1 2.91 5 143.2 3.46 1,141 0.69 0.52 44.2 77.5 9.38 3.01 0.7 0.31 5.46 0.68 15.7

10.4 18.4 1.6 0.52 0.048 18.52 2.29 10.76 0.059 94.5 6.99 6.8 9.4 1,988 5.35 425 9.78 1.7 2.05 129.2 9.24 5.45 0.113 5.13 3.27 0.89 19.08 0.47 3.2 2.59 1.2 2.17 2.7 8.15 3.04 5 144.5 3.47 1,184 0.7 0.57 44.75 78.05 9.38 3.03 0.71 0.32 5.46 0.7 15.88

10.3 18.1 1.58 0.5 0.047 18.5 2.27 10.3 0.057 91.7 6.99 6.65 8.39 1,915 5.31 419.8 9.78 1.57 1.86 124 9.22 5.25 0.11 5.04 3.2 0.87 18.94 0.42 3 2.51 1.2 2.11 2.61 8.1 2.91 4.65 143.2 3.36 1,131 0.68 0.51 43.95 76.8 9.38 2.82 0.69 0.31 5.44 0.67 15.7

SERVICES 10.3 18.34 1.6 0.52 0.048 18.5 2.27 10.3 0.059 93.5 6.99 6.79 9.28 1,915 5.35 425 9.78 1.61 1.86 128.5 9.22 5.25 0.113 5.13 3.25 0.89 18.94 0.45 3.2 2.51 1.2 2.17 2.66 8.15 3.04 4.68 144.5 3.42 1,131 0.69 0.56 44.45 76.8 9.38 2.87 0.71 0.315 5.46 0.7 15.84

6,700 30,200 58,000 2,046,000 600,000 900 13,000 4,788,600 1,300,000 316,730 5,000 997,000 14,700 48,505 65,700 4,450 300 847,000 72,000 1,017,040 11,300 8,000 610,000 814,600 172,000 142,000 221,800 190,000 11,000 208,000 6,000 684,000 220,000 9,700 6,000 20,000 460 1,176,000 152,215 1,050,000 46,918,000 1,826,700 773,920 1,300 7,790,000 915,000 1,400,000 10,632,100 1,330,000 353,600

69,320 553,472 92,700 1,023,040 28,300 16,660 29,570 50,280,696 75,420 29,644,892 34,950 6,711,537 130,719 94,218,380 349,327 1,880,832 2,934 1,372,150 138,430 129,821,748 104,395 42,825 67,400 4,145,036 555,500 125,340 4,211,638 84,700 33,200 526,880 7,200 1,474,750 583,760 78,985 17,590 94,180 66,431 3,997,790 174,181,445 716,040 26,063,520 80,812,830 59,488,958.50 12,194 22,591,780 643,720 440,900 57,953,436 904,680 5,591,938

1,030 -15,784,724 7,915,912 -26,960 -2,382,750 -47,500 46,129,305 10,177.00 625,654 -12,780 -93,160 2,660 -36,125 37,262,270 40,220 1,209,620 -19,079,605 30,466,399 -1,010,150 -5,955,930 -25,840 1,534,008

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

0.0016 1.31 2.63 12.62 1.1 1.14 2.7 0.275 7.89 1.42 0.206 0.115 0.116 0.0094 0.01 1.03 2.46 1.01 0.47 0.81 0.012 0.01 5.39 3.85 12.32 22.15 0.0063

0.0018 1.35 2.66 12.9 1.15 1.14 2.73 0.275 7.89 1.46 0.208 0.115 0.118 0.0095 0.011 1.06 2.54 1.01 0.49 0.83 0.012 0.011 5.52 3.94 12.9 22.65 0.0063

0.0016 1.29 2.55 12.5 1.1 1.11 2.7 0.275 7.74 1.42 0.206 0.114 0.116 0.009 0.01 1.03 2.46 1 0.45 0.81 0.011 0.01 5.36 3.67 12.32 22.15 0.0063

MINING & OIL 0.0018 29,000,000 1.35 5,189,000 2.57 858,000 12.86 9,200 1.15 11,000 1.11 337,000 2.73 16,000 0.275 10,000 7.84 2,600 1.45 745,000 0.207 70,000 0.114 710,000 0.118 20,000 0.0091 78,000,000 0.011 21,600,000 1.06 52,000 2.5 1,891,000 1 2,000 0.49 190,000 0.83 189,000 0.011 5,100,000 0.011 20,300,000 5.36 402,000 3.7 3,375,000 12.7 2,489,400 22.3 665,700 0.0063 1,000,000

48,800 6,802,630 2,220,880 115,260 12,350 381,940 43,590 2,750 20,363 1,079,110 14,480 81,590 2,340 713,800 221,300 53,820 4,749,850 2,010 86,300 153,580 57,200 211,900 2,179,503 12,714,730 31,509,902 14,920,165 6,300

-546,600 -1,939,730 -255,700.00 175,200 -486,090 163,200 42,660 -1,189,922 6,590,755 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

17.98 498.8 505 101.6 106 505 5.14 970 100 0.99 1,010 1,019 1,030 1,040 102 995 76 78.3 75.6 76.6 76.4 76.25

17.98 500 505 101.6 106 505 5.33 970 100 1 1,010 1,019 1,035 1,040 102 995 76 78.5 75.6 77 76.5 76.25

17.2 495 500 101.6 104.8 504.5 5.14 950 100 0.99 1,010 1,019 1,030 1,021 102 995 76 78 75.6 76.6 76.4 76

PREFERRED 17.5 4,100 495 3,270 505 1,030 101.6 30 104.8 32,930 505 12,340 5.33 24,400 950 180 100 1,000 1 2,353,000 1,010 10 1,019 5 1,035 5,210 1,021 245 102 30 995 890 76 12,000 78.5 1,610 75.6 400 77 67,290 76.5 5,000 76 5,070

71,748 1,633,652 515,140 3,048 3,490,532 6,231,600 127,155 172,080 100,000 2,334,990 10,100 5,095 5,392,100 252,565 3,060 885,550 912,000 125,888 30,240 5,180,747 382,300 385,337.50

-36,748 885,550 -

LR WARRANT

1.6

1.69

1.6

WARRANTS 1.69 3,000

4,890

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

6.91 2.38 0.96

7.07 2.38 0.98

6.8 2.38 0.96

6.8 2.38 0.98

9,834,261 20,706,000 1,340,060

-8,280 -79,910

FIRST METRO ETF

117.5

118

117.1

1,896,039

-23,530

USD DMPL A2

10.5

10.5

10.5

29,820

-

NAME

MS TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,269,406

INDUSTRIAL

119,480,474

HOLDING FIRMS

104,070,788

PROPERTY

172,662,624

SERVICES

95,955,699

MINING & OIL

172,570,169

GRAND TOTAL

692,529,402

SME

1,420,500 8,700,000 1,381,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 117.5 16,130 10.5

DDS

2,840

VALUE 1,779.29 (down) 26.42 930,959,264.25 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,844.32 (down) 13.80 1,050,831,071.40 HOLDING FIRMS 7,727.00 (up) 19.76 3,217,195,876.23 PROPERTY 4,036.97 (up) 9.03 1,568.85 (down) 3.51 2,452,449,298.93 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,051.19 (down) 21.14 932,174,876.09 PSEI 7,795.98 (down) 32.88 78,422,610.528 All Shares Index 4,741.14 (down) 5.21 8,695,813,370.54 Gainers: 127; Losers: 73; Unchanged: 47; Total: 247

San Miguel set to sell P10b worth of bonds before yearend

By Jenniffer B. Austria DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. plans to issue P10 billion worth of fixed rate bonds before the end of the year.

San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the P10 billion fixedrate bonds represented the final tranche of the P60-billion bond shelf registration earlier approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

San Miguel said it would file with the SEC an offer supplement on or before Aug. 22 regarding the planned bond offering.

The conglomerate will also conduct an investors’ briefing for qualified institutional buyers on Aug. 22 to discuss the terms of the bonds.

The company did not say how it would use the proceeds from the bond offering. It used the proceeds of previous bond offerings to finance debt obligations.

San Miguel last issued retail bonds in 2017. It offered P5 billion five-year bonds at a fixed interest rate of 5.1923 percent a year.

San Miguel early this week obtained the go-signal to pursue the P734-billion Bulacan International Airport project.

Under the plan, San Miguel Holdings Corp. will take care of the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning and operation and maintenance of the new international gateway.

The Bulacan International Airport is expected to begin construction by the end of the year and operate within four to six years.

San Miguel tapped the services of global firms Groupe ADPi, Meinhardt Group and Jacobs Engineering to design and build the New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.

The company is building the project on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan town, about 30 kilometers northeast of Metro Manila at no cost to the government.

San Miguel’s profit in the first half of the year declined five percent to P26.15 billion from P27.58 billion year-on-year, dragged down by the weak performance of the fuel and oil and food businesses.

First-half net sales rose two percent to P509.4 billion from P499 billion in the same period a year ago. As a result, income from operations fell 14 percent to P57.6 billion.

DoE extends Tanglawan’s LNG project

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi has extended the notice for Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc. to proceed with its $2-billion liquefied natural gas project in Batangas province.

“It is stated in the Philippine Natural Gas Regulation that in any case they can ask for extension,” Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos said Friday.

“It’s approved (by Secretary Alfonso Cusi), for another six months. The extension started last month mostly likely expire again on December, January,” Marcos said.

He said Tanglawan sought for extension due to permitting concerns.

He said Tanglawan’s request for extension did not have any material change from the previously approved NTP, but the agency is looking at significant developments in the LNG project.

The natural gas division of the Oil Industry Management Bureau of the agency earlier recommended the extension of the NTP. Tanglawan filed for an extension of the notice to proceed issued by the DoE for the $2 billion LNG project on June 20, 2019.

Tanglawan is the joint venture between Phoenix Petroleum Philippines of businessman Dennis Uy and China National Offshore Oil Corp.

Tanglawan is building a re-gasification terminal in Batangas costing $686 million and a power plant component that is estimated to cost $1.3 billion.

The notice to proceed expired on June 22.

The department earlier gave Tanglawan six months from the issuance of the NTP in December 2018 to comply with government conditions.

Tanglawan is supposed to break ground on the LNG regasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 metric tons per annum this year. Commercial operations were expected to start by 2023.

World

B3

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Trump wants US to buy Greenland WASHINGTON―President Donald Trump is asking advisers if it is possible for the US to buy Greenland, according to a report.

Trump has expressed interest in the self-governing part of Denmark―which is mostly covered in ice―asking advisors if it is possible for the US to acquire the territory, The Wall Street Journal said Thursday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The president has been curious about the area’s natural resources and geopolitical relevance, the paper reported.

Greenland is a self-governing region of Denmark, which colonized the twomillion-square-kilometer island in the 18th century, and is home to nearly 57,000 people, most of whom belong to the indigenous Inuit community.

There was no official comment from the White House, and the Danish embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

Some Trump advisers say acquiring Greenland, which is northeast of Canada, could be good for the US, while others called it only a “fleeting fascination” from the president, The Wall Street Journal said.

Others outside the White House say Trump’s interest could be a desire to secure a legacy achievement, the paper reported, and advisers wondered about the potential for research or greater military clout for the US. The US’s northern-most military base, Thule Air Base, has been located on Greenland for decades.

But Greenland doesn’t quite live up to its lush name―85 percent of the island is covered by a three-kilometer-thick ice sheet that contains 10 percent of the world’s fresh water.

The world’s largest island has suffered from climate change, scientists say, becoming a giant melting icicle that threatens to submerge the world’s coastal areas one day.

July saw unprecedented melting of the Greenland ice sheet, with 12 billion tons of ice flowing into the sea. AFP

Gay penguins adopt egg BERLIN―A pair of gay penguins in Germany who tried earnestly to hatch a stone now have the chance to become real parents.

Staff at Berlin Zoo recently presented the amorous male couple with an egg, which they swiftly began to incubate.

The egg came from another pair who in recent years “have not got along 100 percent and who have therefore often damaged their eggs”, said zookeepers Norbert Zahmel.

Ten-year-old Royal penguins Skipper and Ping were an “excellent” choice as adoptive parents, he added.

Zookeepers don’t know for certain if the egg is fertilized, but if it does hatch it would be the first birth of a penguin at the zoo in more than 20 years.

Same-sex love among penguins is nothing new, with homosexual behavior among the species reported in zoos and in the wild.

During gay Pride week, London Zoo mounted a banner above its penguin beach, declaring: “Some penguins are gay. Get over it,” in a nod to a human campaign against homophobia. AFP

FOLK PARADE.

Members of the group 'The Carriers of the Giants of the Province of Liege' prepare a giant puppet for a folk parade on August 15, 2019, in Outremeuse, Liege, Belgium on August 15, 2019 during Assumption Day celebrations. AFP

‘No need for China intervention’ HK protesters H face crucial ONG KONG―Hong Kong’s police are confident they have the resources to continue battling pro-democracy protesters, even if violence escalates further, pouring cold water on concerns that the authoritarian mainland might need to intervene.

Three senior commanders said they were unaware of any plans by China to bolster their own ranks with mainland troops or police officers, even if the political chaos worsens.

And they admitted that any move to do so would place the city’s police force in uncharted waters.

But, they insisted, the issue was moot because the local force could handle the crisis.

“I can’t envisage it,” said one senior commander. “At the operational level we have considerable depth. I think we have the determination, the cohesiveness and the depth of resources to keep going.”

The three officers agreed to sit down with a group of foreign journalists on condition of anonymity so they could speak more freely during the worst unrest the force has faced since leftist riots in the late 1960s.

Hong Kong’s summer of rage was sparked by broad opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but has since morphed into a wider

call for democratic rights in the semiautonomous city.

Millions have hit the streets while clashes have broken out between police and small groups of hardcore protesters for ten consecutive weeks in the greatest challenge to Beijing’s authority since the city’s 1997 handover.

With neither Beijing nor Hong Kong’s leaders willing to offer any compromises, the police have become the loathed face of the government.

The chant “hak geng”-corrupt cops― has become routine, both from protesters and, more recently, local residents infuriated by police engaging in near nightly battles in their neighborhoods.

Protesters, rights groups and the UN’s rights chief have accused police of using excessive force, with videos of teargas and rubber bullets generating renewed public outrage each weekend.

But officers insist they have deployed proportionate force against increasingly violent protesters armed with slingshots, petrol bombs and bricks, and said they remained confident a “silent

majority” of Hong Kongers still supported them.

The three officers painted a picture of a force challenged by wildcat protests and hinted at frustration over the intransigence of Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam. “This is a political issue. And a political issue needs a political solution to solve it,” said one.

But they also said attacks and insults directed towards their ranks had only reinforced morale and that there were ample reserves to call upon.

Of the 28,000 people in uniform, around 3,000 are engaged in front line crowd control but there are hundreds of immediate reserves and a “scaling up” plan in place should the protests escalate.

“We’re not at full mobilisation by any stage yet,” said one officer, a commander on the ground.

As China takes an increasingly hardline tone, state media have published images of military personnel and armoured vehicles across the border in Shenzhen this week.

The United States has warned Beijing against sending in troops, a move many analysts say would be a reputational and economic disaster for China. AFP

North Korea fires two projectiles SEOUL―North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles into the sea on Friday and launched a scathing attack on “foolish” calls for dialogue from South Korean President Moon Jae-in, rejecting further peace talks with the South.

It was the sixth round of launches in recent weeks in protest at the ongoing joint military drills between Seoul and the US. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has described the tests as a “solemn warning” to the South.

Pyongyang has routinely expressed anger at the war games, which it considers rehearsals for invasion, but in the past has avoided carrying out tests while the maneuvers are taking place.

The South Korean military said the projectiles were fired from near the city of Tongchon, and flew some 230 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan, which is also known as the East Sea. The latest test came as the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country said it rejected the comments by Moon on Thursday outlining his desire for unification, and said it had nothing more to discuss with the South.

It called Moon―who has long favored dialogue with the North―an “impudent guy rare to be found”, for hoping for a resumption of inter-Korean talks while continuing military drills with Washington.

In a speech on Thursday marking the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan’s 1910-45 rule, Moon outlined a goal of “achieving peace and unification by 2045”, although his single five-year term presidency ends in 2022. AFP

FESTIVAL. Swiss pianist and composer Alain Roche performs ‘Chantier’ suspended in the air with his grand piano under a moving crane at dawn on August 16, during the 20th ‘Jeux du Castrum’, a festival that takes place until August 18 in Yverdon-les-Bains. AFP

weekend test after setback

HONG KONG―Hong Kong’s prodemocracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing’s next move.

Ten weeks of protests have plunged the international finance hub into crisis with the communist mainland taking an increasingly hard-line tone, including labeling the more violent protester actions “terrorist-like.”

Chinese state media have put out images of military personnel and armored personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, while the United States has warned Beijing against sending in troops, a move many analysts say would be a reputational and economic disaster for China.

The nationalistic Global Times newspaper said there would not be a repeat of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, in which hundreds―or even thousands―are believed to have been killed, if Beijing moves to quash the protests.

“The incident in Hong Kong won’t be a repeat of the June 4th political incident in 1989,” it said, insisting the country now had more sophisticated approaches.

It was a rare reference to the bloody events, which are taboo in China.

Hong Kong’s protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city.

Millions of people have hit the streets while clashes have broken out between police and small groups of hardcore protesters for ten consecutive weekends.

For most of that time, US President Donald Trump has taken a handsoff approach to the unrest but began speaking up this week, suggesting any potential trade deal with Beijing could be upended by a violent response from the mainland.

Speaking on Thursday, Trump urged Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet protesters and solve the crisis “humanely.”

If Xi sat down with the protesters, Trump said, “I’ll bet he’d work it out in 15 minutes.” AFP

Climate change forces Chile ski station to make artificial snow SANTIAGO―Once deep in powder this time of year, Chile’s ski stations are fighting the ravages of climate change and pollution that have brought less and less snow to the central Andes.

Just a few decades ago, the Andes mountain range could be buried under four meters of snow, forcing the closure of access roads and requiring the use of tractors to get around.

But this year, it’s snowed only three times in the Chilean Andes, and never more than 30 centimeters.

It’s not just Chile that’s affected: the whole of the Andes where the area of snow cover in the central zone has di-

minished by five to 10 percent each decade, according to Raul Cordero, an academic at the University of Santiago.

“But it’s not just snow cover that’s decreasing, the thickness of the snow cover is also reducing,” he said.

“So when we talk about a decrease of the cover of five to 10 percent, this probably signifies a much greater reduction in the volume of available snow over the Andes.”

Rising temperatures mean the snow line―above which snow never melts all year round―keeps creeping upwards.

The snow melt is even more pronounced in the central zone due to pol-

lution from the Chilean capital, one of the most contaminated urban areas in the region.

A recent study led by Cordero found that soot, or black carbon, from Santiago was settling in the Andes and accelerating the snow melt.

As it’s black, it absorbs more solar radiation and heats up quicker.

“When this pollution is over the cities it poisons people and when the wind blows, this pollution goes and is deposited on the mountains and contributes to the snow melt,” said Cordero.

The upshot is that Chile’s ski stations have had a difficult season.

But thanks to the snow cannons, the erection of fences and a tailored piste management policy, the resorts have managed to stay open throughout a winter in which there has been almost no snow.

“All the ski centers in the central zone are without natural snow. However, thanks to the fabrication of snow we’ve been able to keep open pistes that without this fabrication would not have been able to stay open,” Fernando Montenegro, the operations director at Andacor, which operates the El Colorado and Parque Farellones ski stations, told AFP. AFP

The North remembers, Ayala Land Premier delivers B4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

REITS ARE IT. The third installment of The Outlook media roundtable series 2019 recently offered insights on how Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) benefit not just the real-estate sector but the economy at large. Held by Lamudi, in partnership with Colliers International Philippines, the Subdivision and Housing Developers’ Association, and Holcim Philippines, the roundtable explored how companies , using REITs, can raise capital to fund and promote real estate investments. Hannah Yulo, chief investment officer of DoubleDragon Properties Corporation, said that REIT “answers investors’ demand for a tax-efficient and yield-driven vehicle as they provide greater liquidity and more stable return.” Gary Hablero, director for commercial investments at RE/MAX Capital, emphasized how REIT is a viable investment for those who are saving for retirement. Reggie Cariaso, head of strategy, products, and support under the Corporate Banking Group of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), said REITs are very affordable from a quantitative standpoint. “On average, the minimum investment is from Php5,000 to Php10,000,” he explained. Joey Bondoc, research manager of Colliers International Philippines, noted that harnessing the full potential of the REITs will make the Philippines at par with other Southeast Asian markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Bhavna Suresh, CEO of Lamudi, moderated the media roundtable discussion.

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YALA Land Premier (ALP) this week introduced its first AAA, premium-grade office product in Vertis North, Quezon City. The developer, best known for luxury residential towers and exclusive suburban enclaves, has ventured into office spaces for sale through the 43-storey One Vertis Plaza.

ALP’s foray comes from rising demand in the office sector, which has typically targeted the growth in business process outsourcing and gaming operations. One Vertis Plaza caters to an unserved market of companies in need of larger, headquarters-type, corporate offices, in Quezon City and in areas north of Metro Manila.

Quezon City is home to key government offices, major institutions, vibrant shopping centers, and upscale residential subdivisions. But private sector offices have sprouted in various locations from the lack of a central business district (CBD). Offices have been located in Cubao, South Triangle and over the last decade, along C5-Libis.

“What the 45-hectare Vertis North presents is a large scale, master-planned city center

enhanced by an unbeatable, highly-connected location,” said Mike Jugo, ALP managing director. “With over 50% of its total area dedicated to offices and commercial establishments, Vertis North encourages enterprise and sets the ideal address for growing businesses,” Indeed, Vertis North has all the trappings of becoming a prime CBD just by its location alone.. The project is a convergence point for major commercial areas, existing transport developments and Mega Manila’s upcoming infrastructure projects such as MRT 7 and the Unified Grand Central station, set to open by 2020 and 2022 respectively, as well as the Metro Manila subway, targeted for full completion by 2025.

GROWING ESTATE Since its launch in 2012, Vertis North has grown with an array of high-rise residences, a hotel, shopping mall, and corporate offices.

The estate has added more than 40,000 sqm. of gross leasable space through Ayala Malls Vertis North, complementing Trinoma’s 215,000 sqm. of retail spaces.

Perched above the mall is Vertis North Corporate Center, offering over 123,000 sqm. of leasable office inventory with its first three towers, with two more towers underway. Notable multinational and homegrown companies have moved their offices to the

development, including Google, Telus, and Teleperformance.

Nine residential towers have been launched by ALI residential brands Alveo and Avida thus far, offering a total of almost 7,000 residential units. To date, over 90% of the existing residential inventory has already been sold.

“With the estate’s connectivity being bordered by EDSA and North Avenue, coupled with its access to key transportation hubs, commercial centers and adjacency to Vertis North Gardens, the location presented an attractive address for One Vertis Plaza,” said Jugo.

LOW DENSITY One Vertis Plaza offers a maximum of only 10 office units per floor ranging from 101 to 325 sqm. in size.

The configuration and layouts of the units allow for the easy combination of units to create larger office spaces covering up to 1,648 sqm., or an entire floor.

All office spaces are enveloped by a glass curtain wall, offering abundant natural light and impressive views, with half of the units overlooking Vertis North Gardens.

Close to 70% of the available office spaces have been taken up with an average price of P352,193 per square meter.

One Vertis Plaza is set for completion in 2024.

‘BUHAY AT BAHAY’. Laguna-based P.A. Alvarez Properties recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a photography competition, “Buhay at Bahay.” This is part of a series of activities highlighting the milestones achieved by the developer, which will culminate in December with the company’s silver anniversary festival for its business partners. “Buhay at Bahay,” showcases special moments and stories of individuals and families who live in communities developed by the company. The contest is open to all aspiring photographers, 18 years old and above. They simply need to capture unique moments happening in all P.A. Properties communities. Since 1994, P.A. Properties has developed more than 50 affordable housing communities in Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas and Metro Manila. Participants can submit a maximum of three entries. Exciting prizes are in store for the winning entries while selected photos will be featured in the company’s 25th anniversary exhibit in December.

FILIPINO-JAPANESE HOUSING PROJECT IN QUEZON PROVINCE. Malate Construction and Development Corporation (MCDC) and

Fukuoka, Japan-based Kyushu Yaesu, recently signed an agreement to housing projects in the Philippines. The first undertaking of the joint venture will be a 1,700home project located in Candelaria, Quezon province. “We felt that our partnership with MCDC is perfect,” said Hisao Nakashima, executive vice president of Kyushu Yaesu. “ In Japan, we are known for our quality homes sold at affordable prices for more than 40 years, and this is also the same with MCDC which has a solid track record for 30 years.”

The partnership was facilitated by Asian Mergers & Acquisitions Link (AMAL), which was founded by CEO Hideki Tanifuji (Shown here). Aside from the Candelaria project both companies are looking at various provinces to build their next projects such as townhouses and villages.

UNIQUE WELCOME IN QUEZON CITY. Century Properties recently launched the Residences at Commonwealth, a project comprising eight multi-level towers with a design that lets residents enjoy natural light and ventilation. It features an undulating façade that takes inspiration from the land’s natural topographical lines, creating expansive balconies where one can take in the view of the amenities below, or the city skyline. Commonwealth by Century lets one savor fresh air and the outdoors at the ‘great lawn’, an open space that mirrors Quezon City’s easygoing vibe. Designed to cater to different lifestyles, amenities at Commonwealth by Century include areas for outdoor activities like the basketball court, an athletic boot camp, lap pool and a kiddie pool. The project’s common areas are designed by Chat Fores. From the scent and furniture, to the décor and lighting pieces, homeowners and their visitors are guaranteed to receive a unique welcome every day.

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

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OSTALGIA, romance, enchantment, and sophisticated rhythmic movements. These are the highlights of Ballet Manila’s upcoming production of Snow White.

The show, which will open the company’s 24th season “On Pointé, will feature an all original choreography by prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

Since Snow White, unlike the other installments of the Princess Trilogy (Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty), has no existing ballet performance, Macuja-Elizalde has decided to create an entirely new take on it.

“I chose Snow White to be the second ballet because it has never been done before. It was something completely new that I wanted to do,” she said.

From the music and choreography, to the costume and sets, Macuja-Elizalde was hands-on to perfect her masterpiece and give the viewers a new interpretation of the classic fairy tale.

She said, “For me, as a choreographer, the most important thing is the music, and that was the problem with creating Snow White—it has no preexisting musical score.”

“What I did was I listened to a lot of music, and the first thing I heard was the music during the chasing scene between the dwarves and the evil witch. That was from Jules Massenet. So I decided to use a collection of suites by Massenet for the rest of the ballet.”

In addition to the music of Massanet, it will also feature melodies from the Disney animated film. Meanwhile, the overall look took inspiration from the story based on the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen.

“I was very inspired by my cast of dancers and my prospective audience of children. I always try to choreograph with the audience in mind. Wanting to create a ballet that they would want to come back to again and again because of all the good feelings the performance evokes,” added Macuja-Elizade.

Following the September 7 (2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.) and September 8 (3:00 p.m.) shows of Snow White, are Giselle, a romantic ballet in two acts; Sleeping Beauty, the last installment in the Princess Trilogy; and Carmina Burana and La Traviata, a collaboration of opera, ballet, and live orchestra music.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

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Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

presents ‘Snow White’

To buy tickets, call (02) 891-9999 or go to www.ticketworld.com.ph. Visit www.balletmanila.com.ph for more information.

MIRROR ON THE WALL. The 24th season of Ballet Manila opens with ‘Snow White,’ which features an all original choreography by the company’s artistic director, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

NAMCYA champions in concert

By Angelica Villanueva

NAMCYA president Dr. Renato Lucas

Throughout the years, NAMCYA has been known as a platform of discovering outstanding young Filipino musicians across the country. It aims to encourage young Filipino musicians to share their talents and to “honor nationalism and Philippine culture by fostering of diverse musical heritage.”

NAMCYA also hopes that more people will be encouraged in supporting and patronizing young musicians as they continue to share their talents across the globe.

The celebration of music continues on August 24 with “NAMCYA @ ALABANG 400: The Cellist and The Apprentice,” a free mini-concert at Alabang 400 Village Clubhouse. It will feature Dr. Lucas and Joshua Ethan Dakanay with Denzel Abarquez.

FILIPINO classical and contemporary music take center stage on August 23 as the National Music Competitions for Young Artist presents “Alab ng Musika: Wagi #galingNAMCYA” at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The concert, which celebrates the competition’s 46 years of showcasing homegrown talent, will feature NAMCYA winners who have proved their talents locally and internationally.

Performers include award-winning cellist Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales, choir champion DYCI Dagalak, and Most Outstanding Conductor awardee Nelson dela Cruz.

Also taking the stage is Pundaquit Virtuosi, a young musician who has performed in different parts of the world and won multiple times in the Youth Orchestra; Alfonso Bolipata, one of the leading musicians in the country; Dr. Renato Lucas, the current president of NAMCYA and the principal cellist of the Philharmonic Contact NAMCYA Secretariat at Orchestra for 30 years; and the UST (02) 836-4928, 836-4929 or 0949993-2592 for ticket inquiries.

Symphony Orchestra.

Award-winning cellist Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales

Life

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Trade show to highlight Liliw footwear

10 movies to watch at the first Indian film festival in Manila TEN Bollywood movies are coming to the Philippine silver screen during the Mabuhay Bollywood film festival at Shangri-La Plaza on August 23-25.

The first-ever Indian film festival, organized in partnership with the Embassy of India in Manila and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, will showcase the vivacity of the country’s unique culture.

Neerja (August 23)

BEST FOOTWEAR FORWARD. The October 2019 edition of Manila FAME will feature two shoe companies from Liliw, Laguna.

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HE quaint town of Liliw in Laguna is home to many local footwear makers and distributors. Two rags-to-riches shoemakers are joining the October 2019 edition of Manila FAME, showcasing the best of Laguna’s shoe capital.

Based on the true-to-life events of the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986, this Ram Madhvani film focuses on how young flight attendant Neerja Bhanot made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of the passengers on board.

Bahubali: The Beginning (August 24) and Bahubali 2: The Conclusion (August 25)

The two films follow the life of Sivudu, a foundling at a small village, who learns about the truth of his heritage after meeting the beautiful warrior Avanthika on a quest to save her queen.

The story continues with the hero’s gutsy mission to reclaim his identity.

Queen (August 23)

This dramedy centers on 24-yearold Rani, who decides to go on her honeymoon trip alone after her fiancé calls off their wedding. As she travels around Europe, Rani gains new experiences that will help her move on.

Corazon Coligado

Nephtali Moneda

Ai-She Footwear

Just a year in the business, Ai-She Footwear already made its first foray in Manila FAME, which paved the way for opportunities owner Corazon Coligado never imagined could happen.

“Because of Manila FAME, we are now a long way from retaining two employees and having a small nipa hut as a makeshift factory. Our first exhibit in the Manila FAME marked our very first export to Panama,” enthused Coligado.

Ai-She’s mere nipa hut turned into a full-blown factory located in a vast land where the Coligado family now lives and where their employees, which grew from 10 to 60, have a place to raise their families.

“In Manila FAME, we meet new foreign clients every year.

We were also able to join international exhibitions like the China-Asean Expo,” added Coligado.

Ai-She’s main raw material is abaca. They use it for their most famous product, the espadrilles.

“To keep the interest of our local and international clients, we keep on developing new designs. We also source from areas such as Zamboanga and Ilocos as they deliver highgrade raw materials perfect to maintain the quality of our products,” she added.

Jhaz Footwear

“Shoemaking is already in my blood, that is why at the first test of fate, I came back to this industry that I love most,” shared Nephtali Moneda, owner of Jhaz Footwear.

He started his business by borrowing shoe stocks from friends and reselling them to different provinces around the country. The income generated were used to support Moneda’s growing family.

In a place where throngs of creative shoemakers are everywhere, he needed a venue to market his shoe designs and elevate his game. He found an opportunity when he was introduced to the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Moneda’s first Manila FAME was in 2011. This edition introduced him to a Japanese buyer who has been their client ever since.

“Manila FAME made a big impact to our little shoe business. My mind was opened to export possibilities and opportunities and we were obligated to further develop our factory and our products,” he added.

The upcoming Manila FAME is slated on October 17-19 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, Philippines.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (August 25)

Starring Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor, it revolves around the life of Milkha “The Flying Sikh” Singh, a world champion runner and Olympian, who overcame the killings of his famMary Kom (August 24) ily members and the cruelty of the civil The Omung Kumar-directed film high- war during the India-Pakistan partition lights Magnificent Mary’s—a title Mary to become one of India’s sports icons.

Kom earned after winning the 2008 World Boxing Championships—grit to defy the odds, shattering records to eventually become a boxing legend in her homeland and beyond. It stars Priyanka Chopra.

AYDA 2019: Designing a sustainable future FOR this year’s Asia Young Designer Awards, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Inc. calls on bright and creative architecture and interior design students to use their talents to transform future environments by providing practical design solutions.

With the theme “FORWARD: A Sustainable Future,” participants are required to come up with designs that are realistic within the urban context and sustainable for future generations.

The design competition is open to architecture and interior design students, third year and onwards. Each student is allowed to submit one entry in a CD or flash drive with files in JPEG format at 300dpi resolution. Deadline for submission of entries is on November 22.

Criteria for judging in the Architecture category is Sustainable Design Concept (20 percent), Design Innovation (15 percent), Color Usage (10 percent), Planning and Functionality (20 percent), Sustainability and Relevance (15 percent), Aesthetic and Visual Im-

Bang Bang! (August 25)

Nippon Paint general manager Michael Francisco and president Mark Owen Webb (6th and 7th from left) with this year’s panel of judges in Architecture and Interior Design categories.

pact (10 percent), Theme Compatibility and Forward Thinking (5 percent), and Delivery and Presence (5 percent).

For the Interior Design category, judging is based on Design Concept (20 percent), Design Innovation (15 percent), Color Usage (15 percent), Planning and Functionality (20 percent), Sustainabil-

The Nippon Paint Young Designer Awards was first introduced in 2008 to inspire interior design and architecture students to apply their creativity in coming up with practical design solutions.

ity and Relevance (15 percent), Theme Compatibility and Forward Thinking (10 percent), and Delivery and Presence (5 percent).

Winners will take home P50,000 cash prize and an internship opportunity at JSLA Architects (for Architecture category) and internship opportunity at AIDEA and Santa Fe Interior Architecture Sdn Bhd (for Interior Design category).

They will also go abroad and compete against AYDA Gold Awardees from 14 other countries for a chance to be proclaimed “Asia Young Designer of the Year,” which comes with an allexpense-paid, six-week learning experience under the Design Discovery Program of the Harvard University School of Design in the US. Go to www.youngdesigneraward.ph to know more.

A remake of the hit Hollywood film Knight and Day, the film’s plot follows a bank receptionist living a ho-hum Pink (August 24) life until she meets a handsome thief The film follows the story of three who turns her life around. It’s directed young women accused of a crime against by Siddharth Anand and stars Hrithik a well-connected man. Apart from the Roshan and Katrina Kaif. twists and turns of a court drama, the Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury-helmed movie puts women’s rights and dignity front and center of the story.

Tanu Weds Manu (August 25)

Kahaani (August 24)

Sujoy Ghosh’s mystery film is about a pregnant woman who arrives in Kolkata from London to find her missing husband.

When all clues seem to reach a dead end, she might have to come to terms with the fact that her husband doesn’t exist.

A failed arranged marriage, guns and goons, and a fighting spirit are just some of the elements in Aanand L. Rai’s romantic drama about a London-based doctor who comes to India to choose a bride. The thing is, the woman he likes doesn’t believe in arranged marriages.

Entertainment

Redefining the concept of beauty SCHOLAR, educator, writer, thespian, film artist and arts advocate Sunita Mukhi sought to redefine the concept of beauty as she unraveled it from within the spectators in an interactive performance at the recently concluded Storytelling and the Body: Inclusive Interdisciplinary Conference held in Hotel San Marco in Verona, Italy.

Mukhi, the Associate Dean of the Arts and Culture Cluster of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA) and the Artistic Director of DeviDiva Productions, represented the institute in the twoday international convention.

Organized by Progressive Connexions, a United Kingdomregistered non-profit research, development and accreditation association, the forum showcased the power of diverse narratives on physical bodies in theological, ideological, ontological, aesthetic and political grounds.

The live and improvised presentation entitled My Eyes Adore You: You Are Beautiful To Me of Mukhi aimed to face the “contentious, uplifting, complex concept of beauty” as an idea that

also compels, destroys, and inspires people.

“A multi-billion dollar industry insures that women are forever insecure by their lack of beauty, and yet there are efforts by activists, humanists and feminists to redefine and reclaim what beauty is,” she posited in her abstract. “Spiritual exegesis assert that outer beauty is ephemeral and true beauty is within. And yet studies have shown that attractive people are more successful, even happier, in the world,” she continued.

In an act that transcended the norms of theater, Mukhi enticed the audience through the endearment “you are beautiful to me” and engaged them in an intimate confession of a particular aspect of their physical appearance they criticize the most.

In reflection of the Japanese art form kintsugi, which patches broken pottery with gold and turns the flaw into aesthetics, Mukhi then generously commended the individual beginning with “My eyes adore you, you are beautiful to me…” followed by improvised comforting and encouraging statements that helped transform the person’s socalled imperfection into something beautiful.

“I complimented in the kindest voice while maintaining eye contact the historical, folk and contemporary notions of physical attributes, beauty, and well-being mined from various cultures,” she shared.

My Eyes Adore You: You Are Beautiful To Me was first performed as part of the South Asian Women’s Creative Collective’s suite of performances entitled Beauty mounted at the 2014 Dumbo Arts Festival in New York, hailed as the largest free art event during its time. Its second iteration was at DLS-CSB’s 2017 Reinterpretations exhibition mounted at the Alto Mondo Gallery, The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences in Makati City.

Associate Dean of the Arts and Culture Cluster of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Sunita Mukhi represented the country and the Benildean community in an international forum in Italy.

Snapshot...

From C4

This is the third straight winning year for McCann Worldgroup after picking up Bronze for MRM’s MMDA “May Huli Ba?” web solution in 2017, before leveling up in 2018 with two Golds, One Silver and Two Bronze Effies in 2018 for its hugely successful, “Kwentong Jollibee” digital film series.

The agency followed this up by being named Agency of the Year at the 2019 Asia-Pacific Tambuli Awards last June with three Golds (Two for Nestlé KitKat and One for Jollibee), and five Bronzes for Jollibee, Philippine Airlines and San Miguel. The APAC Tambuli awards measures business results through advertising and solutions which promote good values.

“Winning for big brands like San

Miguel, Jollibee, Philippine Airlines, RiteMed and Nestlé, as well as SMEs and organizations like Fully Booked and MMDA and is just a reminder that we invest the same level of excellence into all our clients’ brands, no matter the size,” Mon Garcia, McCann Worldgroup Philippines’ COO shares.

On top of bringing in great numbers for their clients, McCann also remains one of the country’s most consistent performers at leading international creativity award shows like Cannes, AdFest, Spikes, LIA, The One Show, New York Festivals and the local Kidlat Awards.

The company is part of McCann Worldgroup Worldwide, which was named 2019 Network of the Year by both the Effies and Cannes Lions, stamping its class in both Effectiveness and Creative Excellence.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, August 17, 2019

ACROSS 1 Met celeb 5 Green minerals 10 Secret writing 14 Mother lodes 15 Spring month 16 Tony’s cousin 17 Trail mix 18 Worn out 19 Lanolin source 20 Aquarium scavenger 22 More spindly 24 Violinist’s aid 27 Mama’s boy 28 Calmed 31 Righted a wrong 34 Footed vase 35 Potato or egg — 37 Turned back on 39 Mellowed 41 Like notebook paper 43 Old Norse poem 44 Train station 46 Scruffs 48 Wildlife refuge 49 Mighty 51 Pet restraints 53 Stooge with bangs 54 Debate topic 55 Tear gas targets 58 Cheesy snack 62 Bolivia neigh-

bor 63 Shoulder muscles 66 Wept over 67 Squirrel hangouts 68 Onion relatives 69 Three musicians 70 Otherwise 71 “Rocket Man” singer — John 72 Monsieur, in Berlin DOWN 1 Musher’s team 2 Hemoglobin component 3 “Alice” waitress 4 Have hopes 5 Talk, talk, talk 6 Long-armed chest-thumper 7 Sketched 8 Dublin’s land 9 Most crafty 10 Dead-heat competitor 11 Band member 12 Designer label 13 Electric fish 21 Land parcels 23 Way out 25 Close off 26 Running in neutral 28 Thigh muscle,

in the gym 29 Presses 30 Not very competent 31 Skilled persons 32 Avoid capture 33 Cafe 36 Nurses’ org.

38 Decades 40 Small rodent 42 Poor grades 45 Play the trumpet 47 Blow away 50 Sewing kit item 52 Fireside

54 Cay 55 Very, informally 56 Provokes 57 Get dizzy 59 Salt or smoke 60 Estate beneficiary 61 Garbage bin output 62 “The Raven” author 64 Bout ender 65 Tax-form ID

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

RICKY REYES

sets things straight

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EAUTY and hair innovator Ricky Reyes does it again—solving every Filipina’s immediate beauty problem with a groundbreaking hair treatment.

A before and after photo of a model who had STR8 Xpress treatment

Beauty and hair guru Ricky Reyes talks about the latest innovation, STR8 Xpress.

“After long and extensive research and development in collaboration with my hair science partners abroad, we are now ready to give our clients another dream solution to their problems,” said Reyes during the launch of Star8 Xpress, a new generation treatment product resulting in a much more glorious straight hair minus the long wait, or lesser waiting time to process.

“With our new Str8 Xpress services, which will soon be available to the public, this novel hair straightening solution will prove to be time-efficient and cost effective, cutting processing time from four hours to just an hour and without costing you an arm and a leg, so to speak. Our service price for Str8 Xpress ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 pesos,”Reyes added.

Made continued that having a long, soft and bouncy straight hair need not be expensive. With their new technique, patrons can say goodbye to hair rebond. Str8 Xpress guarantees that you can move in style and walk with confidence.

Reyes said this knowing that life in the city with the advances in technology, specifically information technology, has become faster than ever.

“People from all over are now, in fact, living in the IT (information technology) age where the rule of the day is ‘fast’,” Mader quipped.

Reyes recalled those days when rebonding was still new in the hairdressing business. And even before that, he said, women already had issues with curly or kinky hair. “That’s why salons all over the country offered services to give women straight hair.

Those straightening treatment services, unfortunately and more often than not, resulted in damaging the hair and even the scalp.

When rebonding was made available at Gandang Ricky Reyes (GRR) Salons, it became an instant hit and women started queuing up at GRR Salons. The process though was long and some clients would be uneasy and bored sitting through a four to five-hour treatment procedure.

But with Reyes’ clients, the results of hair were simply amazing. Clients would not mind coughing up a big sum for the steep price of each treatment and enduring the agonizing four to five hours processing time. The price of hair rebonding then ranged from P4 to 5 thousand pesos for the service.

Yet, it was the only way to straighten curly and kinky hair.

Later in the years that followed, Reyes would closely collaborate with a hair laboratory overseas to address other hair problems. He would consequently introduce HairReborn, HairShining, Soft Wave and Cryo Treatment. These unique treatments yielded good results, earning for the GRR Salons the moniker “hair clinic” that solves all sorts of hair problems.

Truly an innovator and a trendsetter, I remember when Mader Ricky introduced Crazy Colors in the country in the early 80’s. It was a huge hit that celebrities took to wearing colors on their tresses— Sharon Cuneta, Pops Fernandez, Helen Gamboa, Nadia Montenegro and Amy Perez—among them.

And didn’t hair rebonding become a byword among women in the late 90s till today?

Reyes demonstrated how quick curly hair is transformed to straight hair in just an hour during the launch of the service.

Models sashayed their new look for members of the press after a sumptuous lunch.

And Mader Ricky couldn’t hide his excitement over the new product that is made from rice grains. He even told an anecdote about how in the olden days in China when girls with curly or wavy hair wanted to have straight hair, their mothers would prepare congee and use it to relax the girls’ hair. It was something that struck me, but perhaps true as we saw the transformation of the two models during the launch.

Reyes is excited that he again is able to pioneer and offer this unique hair treatment to his clients.

For reservations and special appointments, call 0975-3939608 and 0921-4424581.

Entertainment

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

C4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

Binibining Pilipinas 2019 queens in an afternoon with kids at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC)

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

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EAUTY contests these days are no longer about women possessing sensation figures, beautiful faces, and having the ability to quickly communicate their thoughts when asked with questions ranging from politics to environmental concerns, and from social and pressing issues to matters that involve international relations.

Beauty queens now are more equipped not just on the way they present themselves on the catwalk but also on how they brand themselves as ambassadors of beauty and goodwill.

One major component of this branding is the cause that they promote. And this is very crucial.

One can’t just join a beauty tilt and then decide that she needs something to beef up her portfolio by randomly selecting a charity to carry just to say she has an advocacy to support her bid for the crown.

Take Gazini Ganados and Patricia “Patch” Magtanong, who won two of the most coveted crowns at the Binibining Pilipinas 2019, for example.

Gazini, who is seeking a backto-back win for the Philippines by succeeding Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, has an advocacy that is uncommon in pageants. The daughter of an overseas Filipina worker and was raised by her grandparents supports the welfare of the elderly. And given her background, you would know where she’s coming from.

“Being a Miss Universe candidate is already an elevation of my platform. I’m just glad that the government has just passed the law and I’m happy that there are people like Mayor Isko Moreno who is focusing on the plight of the elderly,” Gazini told Manila Standard in an interview.

The 23-year-old beauty wanted to meet Manila’s leader “so we could have a conversation on how we could work together to improvise and innovate the system on elderly care.”

Patch, on the other hand, is out to prove that she is a queen with beauty, brains, and substance. The newly minted lawyer wanted to use her influence to promote her advocacy in helping inmates fight for their rights.

“My interested in this matter started when I was in college. In law school, I was part of an organization where we visited jails and provided help for them,” Patch told Manila Standard in an exclusive interview.

The 25-year-old Patch is also part of an NGO (non-government organization) where the members educate the inmates in different city and municipality jails about their rights.

“We teach them the legal

The heart of a

BEAUTY QUEEN

Juancho Triviño starts another journey as an exclusive contract artist of GMA Network.

Juancho calls GMA his ‘home’ AFTER renewing his exclusive contract with GMA Network on Aug. 8, leading man Juancho Triviño said that he is now looking forward to start another fruitful journey as a Kapuso.

The 26-year-old actor is grateful for the trust that the network has been giving him for the past seven years.

“I’m very thankful for the trust they gave me. I’ve been with them since the very beginning of my career. There’s no place I’d rather be than GMA, it feels like home.

I couldn’t imagine being elsewhere,” he said.

Juancho recalled quite the journey he took to get to where he is at right now.

From modeling and venturing to being a host, to now top-billing GMA’s upcoming Afternoon Prime seriesMadrasta where he will be paired with actresses Arra San Agustin and Thea Tolentino.

“I have a long way to go, Madrasta is just the start, marami pa akong kailangang patunayan. More importantly, I need to portray my character well,” he shared.

To show full support for Juancho, present during the signing of his exclusive contract with the network were GMA bigwigs including Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Redgie A. Magno, Gigi Santiago-Lara, Cheryl Ching-Sy, Ali Nokom Dedicatoria, and Cathy Ochoa Perez, and Juancho’s co-manager Maristel Sampedro.

Rasonable said that GMA will continue to provide quality projects for Juancho. She also praised his growth and improvements in his craft, “We’re very glad that he feels that way because he’s a homegrown talent. He’s like a son to us, and when you see your son doing great in his chosen field, it makes you feel very proud.”

Maja’s new series kills competition

Binibining Pilipinas International 2019 Patricia Magtanong takes a selfie with a kid patient at PCMC during a visit at the medical center

Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados promotes BCPI's desire for its candidates to go Beyond Beauty.

process. The state has the right to punish them but it also has the obligation to rehabilitate them.

Competing at Miss International in November is already a way to elevate my advocacy. I would love to know more about Japan’s penal system and how they promote personal reform,” Patch said adding that she’ll be flying to Japan on Oct. 25 to represent the country at Miss International.

On top of their personal advocacies, Gazing and Patch are active in their roles as Binibining Pilipinas winners supporting the well-meaning causes that the pageant promotes. Despite their hectic schedules filled with media interviews, training for their upcoming pageants, and other appearances, Gazini and Patch and other Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Queens still commit themselves to giving back to charitable institutions. That’s why last Aug. 8, the Binibinis spent the afternoon with kids at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in partnership with Dairy Queen.

Dairy Queen Philippines has committed itself to fulfilling its mission of giving joy to everyone through its corporate social responsibility project called “Upside,” which aims to let less fortunate kids experience life’s upsides.

Given Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated’s (BPCI) desire for its candidates to go Beyond Beauty, it was a partnership that was only fitting.

Joining Gazini and Patch during the afternoon’s festivities were Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo, Binibining Pilipinas

Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista, and first runner-up Aya Abesamis. Each Queen was more than thrilled to mingle with the kids and their parents who were all invited to participate.

After distributing gift sets to the kids, the Queens spent time with them for afternoon snacks courtesy of not just DQ but Pizza Hut as well. Sitting with the families, the Queens listened to the kids’ stories, and posed for pictures with them. The highlight of the afternoon was a magic show for the kids to enjoy.

For audience participation, the bubble show was a treat with the magician making giant bubbles around some of the volunteer kids from the audience, as well as some of the Queens.

The kids were all smiles as they participated with the different activities.

But even more evident was how joyful the Queens looked during the course of the event. “Earlier, I was hoping to bring smiles to these kids but things went quite differently as it was them who brought us the smiles,” said Gazini noted about her visit to the PCMC. “To know that you are helping others, especially the kids, is hugely empowering and, in turn, makes us feel happier and more fulfilled,” added Emma.

The Queens now shift their focus back to their preparations for their upcoming pageants. Training will continue as their international competitions draw near, and the BPCI will soon announce dates for its send-off activities for the Binibinis.

A B S - C B N ’s n e w e s t television series The K i l l e r Bride became an instant hit as more Filipinos tuned in to its pilot episode and witnessed the passionate yet tragic love story of Camila (Maja Salvador) and Vito (Geoff Eigenmann) on Monday, Aug. 12.

The Killer Bride recorded a national TV rating of 23.1 percent, compared to its rival show ’s 10.1 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

The primetime series was also a hit online as it’s official hashtag #TheKillerBrideFirstDance topped the

list of trending topics on Twitter.

Seen during the premiere telecast, from being perfect, Camila’s world turned upside down as she was found guilty for killing the brother of her fiancé Vito, ultimately dying as the jail she was in was destroyed by fire, separating her from her child.

But a a new chapter in the lives of people in Las Espadas (the fictional province that serves as the series’ setting) will open with the arrival of Emma (Janella Salvador), the woman who will remind everyone about the killer bride’s sworn vengeance.

SNAPSHOT

McCann Worldgroup shines spotlight on PH in APAC region MCCANN Worldgroup Philippines bolsters its reputation as the country’s most effective agency by recently emerging as the best performing Philippine agency at two of the most recognized effectiveness award shows that tracks business results.

At this year’s prestigious Asia Pacific Effies, McCann/MRM won a Gold and Silver for its KitKat “Break In Case Of Emotional Emergencies” idea for Nestlé Philippines. It was the only Philippine Agency to pick up a win this year at what is acknowledged as the industry’s most important effectiveness award show.

“Marketing efforts are a dime a dozen but only a handful sticks with you and far less few truly disrupts and most of the time it is only those content that meant something to you,” Raul Castro, McCann Worldgroup Philippines’ Chairman and CEO answered when asked for a formula. Continued on C3

McCann Worldgroup Philippines is a top-of-mind advertising brand and a leading marketing services company in the country.