Manila Standard - 2019 November 11 - Monday

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GOKONGWEI, 93: PHILANTHROPIST WITH A PASSION

By Jenniffer B. Austria BUSINESS tycoon John Gokongwei Jr., the founder and chairman emeritus of one of the country’s top conglomerates JG Summit Holdings Inc. has passed away.

He was 93.

He is survived by his wife of 61years Elizabeth, and children Robina, Lance, Lisa, Faith, Hope and Marcia; his in-laws and grandchildren; brothers Eddie and James Go, sister Lily and nieces and nephews.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 270 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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John Gokongwei Jr.

Leni assured of drug war data Palace: Nothing to hide, will share intel on narcos

Budget okayed before X’mas, Angara vows

By MJ Blancaflor

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ALACAÑANG on Sunday it will share intelligence reports with Vice President Leni Robredo in line with the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, adding that the administration has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE chairman of the Senate Finance committee vowed Sunday to pass next year’s P4.1 trillion budget before Congress adjourns for the Christmas break to avoid last year’s deadlock that slowed down economic growth.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate finance panel, said he would sponsor the committee report on the budget Monday on the Senate floor so that plenary debates could begin.

He added that the Senate is on track to sending the general appropriations bill to the desk of the President for signature by the third week of December at the latest.

Emphasizing the importance of passing the spending plan on time, Angara said the country paid a price for the delay in this year’s budget in terms of a slower growth in gross domestic product (GDP).

The budget delay also stalled construction and repair of thousands of classrooms and delayed the payment of Next page

Military, Moros clash: 2,700 flee CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao— Some 2,700 people were displaced after Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) linked to the Islamic State (IS) harassed government forces stationed in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Saturday.

A rebel was killed while two others were wounded in a clash between the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) and the BIFF along Tukanalipao River, site of the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in 2015.

Ismael Hashim, chairperson of Barangay Tukanalipao, said the firefight erupted after rebels opened fire on soldiers stationed near the new bridge built across the river.

Citing information from locals, Hashim said the fleeing BIFF took their Next page

TOWERING TREE. Manila City Hall workers install a 40-ft high Christmas tree at the Bonifacio Shrine, backdropped by the imposing dome and tower of City Hall and preened to be a star attraction ahead of the Yuletide season. Norman Cruz

Du30 to take ‘ASEAN Train’ to Busan

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will leave for South Korea this month to attend the celebration of the 30th year of its partnership with Southeast Asian countries, the Palace said Sunday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed President Duterte’s attendance in the commemorative event, which will also be the biggest summit to be held in South Korea since the inauguration of President Moon Jae-in.

Busan was picked to host the summit on Nov. 25 to 26.

In a radio interview, Panelo also said Duterte and Moon would likely to hold

a bilateral meeting to discuss matters important to the Philippines and South Korea.

“Trade, security, all common concern of the two countries, Panelo said when asked about possible the topics in the bilateral meeting.

The event will be the third Commemorative Summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that South Korea will host, the first in Jeju in 2009 and in Busan in 2014.

Duterte last visited South Korea in June 2018, where he said the two countries were committed to “significantly strengthen” their partnership, especially in defense and security, trade and investments and infrastructure.

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Lights and lanterns

By Honor Blanco Cabie IN METRO Manila or elsewhere in this predominantly Christian country of 106 million people, Christmas lights and lanterns of different colors and shapes have started to deck public squares and major Turn to A3 highways.

“The government is not hiding anything in the record. It is open,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“The reports contain the names of those involved in drugs which guides agencies. What’s wrong with that?” the Palace official added.

Robredo, who accepted last week the post offered by the President as cochairperson of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD), vowed to pursue the campaign with “vigor, intensity and strength,” but with a firm commitment to adhere to the rule of law and to shun human rights violations and extra-judicial killings.

On Friday, Robredo sought a briefing from her ICAD co-chairperson, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Aaron Aquino, as to the data on the war against illegal narcotics.

“I requested my co-chair to make a report as to the status, not just on the accomplishments of ICAD, but on the data. When you say we are waging a war, we should first know who our enemies are. What is the universe that we are operating in? We need to understand the data,” she said.

Robredo had been critical of Duterte’s flagship campaign that has killed more than 5,000 drug suspects, according to government data, and she said it could be done without extrajudicial killings.

“She will work for it as she wants to as the head of the agency (ICAD). Let her do the job as she wants to,” Panelo said.

The latest PNP data showed there have been 5,779 drug suspects killed since Duterte took office in 2016 until Aug. 31 this year.

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Quake-hit town 6-mo waterless SOME 20,000 residents in the city and nearby Makilala town in Cotabato will have no water for the next six months, an official said Saturday.

Sandy Alqueza, assistant general manager of the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD), said a sevenkilometer stretch of their pipelines and other facilities were damaged by a strong quake and its aftershocks on Oct. 31.

Alqueza said three of the MKWD’s five supply lines were severely damaged, including the Lapaan springs in Barangay Perez, Ilian springs and Saguing River in Makilala town.

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‘Sneaker fever ‘ rages in China FORGET stocks, real estate, even cryptocurrencies—China’s hottest investment nowadays may be the Nike, Adidas, and Puma basketball shoes that “sneakerheads” like Hu Huaiyuan fight to get their hands on.

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PARCHED LAND.

Evacuees at Makilala, North Cotabato line up for water from a water tanker early morning of November 5, 2019. Officials said the series of quakes and aftershocks damaged pipelines. Geonarri Solmerano

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News

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ban on use of plastics Congress task MALACAÑANG said Sunday it was up to Congress to speed up legislation on banning single-use plastics, and days after President Rodrigo Duterte floated the idea.

Duterte said he was mulling over a nationwide plastic ban during the 43rd Cabinet meeting on Wednesday in response to environmental problems, even as he recognized that his plan would require legislative action.

“The President has broached that idea. It is for the members of Congress to adopt it, to use their initiative to have that kind of idea, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

He made the statement even as Sentor Francis Pangilinan said the ban on the importation, manufacture and use of single-use plastics was an urgent matter and should be done immediately.

“We appeal to the President to certify the bill as urgent. The world needs the ban on single-use plastic,” Pangilinan said over the weekend.

“And as the Philippines is one of the biggest producers of plastic waste, the world will benefit from such a ban.”

At the start of the 18th Congress, Pangilinan filed Senate Bill 40 seeking to phase out single-use plastic products by prohibiting their importation, manufacture and use in food establishments, stores, and markets.

The environmental group Greenpeace has called on the President to certify as urgent the proposed bills that would stop the use of plastic products.

Panelo said it would not be surprising if Duterte did so since he supported the idea of a nationwide plastic ban.

Two measures seeking the prohibition of single-use plastics have been filed by Pangilinan and Senator Cynthia Villar, but these proposals were still pending at the committee level.

Both bills seek to ban food establishments, stores, markets and retailers from issuing single-use plastics.

Single-use plastics include items such as grocery bags, food packaging, films and bags, manufacturing water bottles, straws, stirrers, containers, Styrofoam, cups, sachets and plastic cutlery.

In the House, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. earlier filed House Bill 4724 seeking to ban single-use plastics from all tourist sites and destinations.

Pending the nationwide ban on the use of plastic, Panelo stressed the need for a stricter implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The law mandates the state to adopt a “systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program.”

“We have to strictly enforce it, so concerned agencies will be compelled to perform their respective tasks since our ecology is suffering, Panelo said.

Filipinos use nearly 48 million shopping bags daily, 16.5 billion smaller, thinner, and transparent plastic bags yearly, and 60 billion sachets annually, according to the non-government organization Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.

The Philippines is the third biggest source of plastics dumped in the world’s oceans following China and Indonesia, a 2015 report said. MJ Blancaflor

’Aquino case up to Ombudsman’

By MJ Blancaflor

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HE Palace said Sunday it will not interfere with the work of the Office of the Ombudsman after a group sought to file a homicide case against former President Benigno Aquino III over the Mamasapano incident in 2015.

“We do not interfere with the processes in other co-equal branches of the government as well as in constitutional bodies, Presidential Spokesman Panelo said in a radio interview.

He made the statement after the Volunteers Against Crime and Cor-

ruption asked the Office of the Ombudsman to reopen the case on the police operation in Maguindanao that left 60 people dead, including 44 commandos of the Special Action Force.

The ill-planned Mamasapano op-

Leni...

Drug Enforcement Group deputy chief for operations Police Lt. Col. Alex dela Cerna said their data show that Luzon is a big problem as it has the biggest population among the three major islands.

In related developments: The President’s aide, Senator Christopher Go, mocked Robredo for her “zero killing” target, saying drug lords and pushers should not be treated with kids gloves.

Cavite Rep. Elipidio Barzaga Jr. on Sunday appealed to Robredo’s detractors to set aside politics and to give her the opportunity to do her work as the country’s new anti-drug czar.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said with Robredo’s appointment, he plans to “convey that message to (US) senators that I am going to meet in a couple of weeks in that we are trying to do to address this issue on human rights which I am sure the Vice President will be able to see for herself what the situation is like.”

“There is no doubt that this drug war has caused a lot of problems for the country in terms of our image abroad.

But the acceptance of VP Robredo is a very laudable one. Because it only goes to show that we are a country that in times of trouble, we will get together.

And her joining the particular body shows that she herself is willing to contribute to this very big problem that the country has,” Romualdez said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rio N. Araja

From A1

During the same period, the PNP said a total of 142,996 anti-drug operations were launched, where 1,499,474 drug personalities were captured.

Human rights watchdogs, however, claim the number of suspected drug personalities killed in the campaign could go as high as 20,000.

Robredo said the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) may step in to investigate and punish alleged abuses in the country’s drug war, but only if Philippine authorities fail to investigate and punish those involved in irregularities.

In July this year, In the UN Human Rights Council also passed a resolution to probe the human rights situation in the country amid Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Eighteen countries sponsored the Iceland-led resolution, which drew the ire of Duterte, prompting him to order all government agencies to reject loans and grants from the states which backed the inquiry.

Robredo also pushed for an evidencebased approach to the drug problem, saying it should be seen from the lens of a public health problem.

A top anti-drug official from the Philippine National Police on Sunday said Luzon remains the biggest drug problem area.

In an interview on radio dzBB, PNP-

Budget...

From A1

tuition of thousands of government scholars across the country, Angara said.

He recalled the country was on the brink of missing its growth target for the year because of the delay in the approval of the 2019 national budget but as a result of the aggressive catch-up spending implemented by some key agencies, the economy grew by 6.2 percent and is on pace to hit its full-year target of 6 percent to 7 percent.

“The experience has only underscored that for us to maintain our country’s momentum and upward trajectory, we can afford no more delays, especially when public spending can account for up to 20 percent of the entire economy,” Angara said.

As in previous years and as mandated by the Constitution, education will continue to take the biggest chunk of the allocations.

Angara said the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will be given the necessary budgetary support to ensure the students’ needs are met and the roadblocks to their uninterrupted studies are removed.

The same goes with health, the demands of which continue to grow as the population increases and with the government committed to provide all Filipinos with free health insurance coverage under the Universal Health Care Act. Improving and expanding the existing modes of public transport is one of the more critical programs of the administration. To complete as many of these at the soonest possible time, Angara said Congress will ensure they are covered by the necessary funding.

‘Sneaker...

From A1

Enthusiasts worldwide have fueled an expanding bubble in high-priced sneakers, often limited-edition collaborations between big names in sportswear and fashion, rappers or athletes.

But in China the craze is at fever pitch, with devotees driving soaring trading volumes on online “sneaker exchange” platforms, prompting warnings from authorities about dangerous speculation as resale profits approach 5,000 percent.

“The sneaker market is no longer just a game for enthusiasts. Speculators are flocking into the business now,” said Hu, who traveled 300 kilometers (187 miles) to Shanghai for the chance to buy the latest Nike Air Jordans.

It’s the 23-year-old’s lucky day.

After winning an online lottery for the right to even show up at a Nike store along with around 400 others vying for limited supplies, Hu secured the right to plonk down 1,299 yuan ($186) for a pair.

He plans to quickly “flip” them for double that on a bustling resale market.

“If I wasn’t so lucky today, it’s possible I wouldn’t be able to afford the shoes on the secondary market,” Hu said.

The craze’s appeal owes to two main factors.

NBA stars like Michael Jordan have been idolized for years in China, where basketball is arguably the most followed sport, and the associated streetwear culture finds a huge and growing market.

And with Chinese authorities limiting individual stockmarket price movements to contain volatility, sneakers are embraced by younger investors seeking quick profits in a commodity they can relate to.

Excessive speculation warning “If selling overpriced sneakers proves so worthwhile, why

not take it as a good source of income?” said Hu. The phenomenon is spurring quick growth in Chinese sneaker-trading platforms like Poizon, whose annual volume is around 15 billion yuan, according to Chinese tech consultancy iiMedia Research.

That is more than triple the volume of StockX, a leading US platform.

Platforms like Poizon and Nice also have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in investment from foreign and domestic venture capital, according to Chinese media reports.

The global market is taking notice. StockX rival GOAT launched an app-like mini-program on leading Chinese messaging platform WeChat in July. StockX executives say they also are crafting China plans.

The Shanghai branch of the central People’s Bank of China issued a warning last month about the financial risks of excessive sneaker speculation, and government-controlled media portray the phenomenon negatively.

That’s done little to deter people like Liu Xingfeng, a 23-year-old Chinese student at a university in Australia who collected sneakers as a hobby for years before jumping into it as a business this year.

He now has a loose network of people in the United States and Japan who, for a fee, apply on his behalf in online lotteries for new shoe releases, or queue outside stores.

Focusing on only the most sought-after models such as Air Jordans or the Adidas Yeezy, a collaboration with American rapper Kanye West, Liu estimates his monthly net profit is 50,000 yuan per month.

“The sneaker market hype has benefited me a lot,” said Liu. But he actually avoids China’s market due to the stiff competition.

“There are too many people queueing in China. Not enough shoes.” AFP

eration, also known as Oplan Exodus, was conducted to serve warrants on Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Filipino bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman.

Marwan was killed in the operation.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who used to lead the Criminal and Investigation and Detection Group, claimed that he and the VACC had new evidence to support the filing of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against Aquino, who is facing graft and usurpation of authority charges.

Charged with Aquino are former Philippine National Police chief Alan

Gokongwei,...

From A1

“We, the 75,000 strong employees of JG Summit Holdings and Robinsons Retail Holdings, join in the nation in paying tribute to the founder of the first Philippine multinational conglomerate, a philanthropist, with a passion,” JG Summit in a statement said.

“Mr. John, as we fondly called him, was a visionary. He was an inspiration to entrepreneurs and businessmen around the nation, with his pioneering ideas, his strong work ethic, his passion and perseverance,” it added.

The wake will be held from Monday Nov. 11 to Thursday Nov. 14 at Heritage Park, Taguig from 7p.m. to 11p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, Nov. 15 at 8 a.m. at Heritage Park.

“In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite charity,” the company said.

According to Forbes, Gokongwei was the country’s third richest man with a total net worth of $5.8 billion as of Nov. 10 largely from its diversified businesses that include air travel, real estate, food manufacturing and petrochemicals.

Malacañang expressed its condolences to Gokongwei’s family, saying he exemplied traits that should be emulated by Filipinos.

“He exemplified the traits that should endow us: industrious, disciplined, indefatigable, creative, generous, always hungry for knowledge, grateful and never forgetting his origins, and most of all, a loving person to his family and his country,” Presidential Spokesman Salva-

Purisima and former PNP-SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr. Aquino claims the botched anti-terror mission was not his fault, pinning the blame on Napeñas who, he said, disobeyed orders to coordinate with the Army.

In September, the Supreme Court dumped a petition seeking to charge Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas with homicide over the Mamasapano incident.

The Office of the Solicitor General earlier asked the high court to reverse the Ombudsman’s resolution that dismissed the complaint against Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas.

dor Panelo said.

Gokongwei founded the Gokongwei Group of Companies covering a wide range of sectors including food manufacturing (Universal Robina Corp.) to real estate (Robinsons Land), air transportation (Cebu Pacific), retail (Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.), banking (Robinsons Bank), and petrochemicals (JG Petrochemicals).

The Palace also recognized the tycoon, who together with his siblings, established the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, which donated P20 billion to education programs, describing it as “the biggest philanthropic endowment in Philippine history.”

Vice President Leni Robredo also offered condolences to the Gokongwei family as she said “his many contributions not only to the business community, but to helping our fellow Filipinos in need.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto described th late John Gokongwei was a “national flag carrier” who planted Filipino greatness in other lands and in the minds of his people that even a poor provincial can make it big.

“We can tally the jobs hus business created, the taxes paid, and the earnings they generated, but the inspiration he gave our young was the most important bottom line that was hard to quantify,” Recto said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said Gokongwei’s legendary zest for learning and his boldness in trying out new things and his love of work and creating—regardless of his age or appearance—have been a guidepost for how to live.

With MJ Blancaflor, Macon RamosAraneta, Rio N. Araja

Du30...

From A1

During that visit, Duterte was criticized for kissing a married Filipina during his meeting with the members of the Filipino community.

A series of side events will take place before and during the commemorative summit, including the "ASEAN Train" in which 200 citizens from Korea and the regional bloc will hop on a train to tour some of the country’s tourist attractions, including Busan, Gwangju and the Demilitarized Zone.

The ASEAN-ROK business and start-up expo, smart city fair, exhibition on Governance innovation will also be held in a bid to encourage a sustainable ASEANROK cooperation.

The ASEAN Pop music concert will also be organized before the summit.

Duterte also participated in the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Thailand from Nov. 2 to 4, despite having muscle spasms triggered by his October 16 motorcycle accident at the compound of the Presidential Security Group in Manila.

Military,...

From A1

dead and two wounded away following ground and artillery attacks by government forces.

“There was no reported casualty on the government side,” he told reporters here in a phone interview on Sunday.

Government troops, led by Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, 33IB commander, responded to reports from residents about BIFF massing up in the tri-borders of Tukanalipao, Tuka, and Pedsandawan villages, all in Mamasapano

town.

Hashim said all the residents of Barangay Tukanalipao have fled to adjacent villages for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.

More than 450 families or 2,700 individuals have sought refuge in nearby villages.

In January 2015, an elite police force operation against Malaysian terror bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan,” resulted in the killing of 44 SAF members.

Seventeen rebels and five civilians were also killed in the ensuing clashes that same day. PNA

Quake-hit...

From A1

He said the Lapaan springs alone, at least 263 liters per second of potable water supply was shut and 110 liters per second was cut from the Ilian springs.

The MKWD water system’s total pipe network is about 641,921 linear meters equivalent to 398.89 miles or 627.4 kilometers of transmission and distribution lines.

The damage to the facilities incurred was estimated at P82.7 million, the same amount the MKWD needs to repair and rehabilitate the facilities, including the damaged pipelines and filtration plants.

The most affected were the customers from Makilala after the Ilian spring was damaged.

But Alqueza said they had already applied for an emergency loan with the Local Water Utilities Administration, but the amount was still subject to approval.

News Peralta court to address case backlogs

By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta has vowed to give priority to addressing the huge backlog of cases pending in various courts in the country, totaling to 741,509 as of December 2018.

Peralta said that the Supreme Court under his leadership will institute various reforms to speed up disposition of cases pending at SC, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Regional Trial Courts and first level courts.

“One of the greatest challenges of the Court is its mammoth docket,” Peralta said, during his first press conference as chief justice on Friday.

As of December 2018, there are 8,852 pending cases with the Supreme Court; 19,732 cases with the Court of Appeals; 5,237 cases with the Sandiganbayan; 1,353 cases with the Court of Tax Appeals; 546,182, that is more than half of a million, with the Regional Trial Courts; and 160,153 cases with the first level courts, the top magistrate disclosed.

“Thus, the elimination of this backlog of cases is my highest priority,” the chief magistrate declared.

Peralta, who described himself not as a workaholic but someone who “loves to work”, is known for his speedy disposition of criminal cases.

He vowed to make it his personal agenda to resolve the large volume of backlog of cases.

“Our approach would be to make a periodic inventory of 2 cases and engage the Court En Banc to see what is choking up the system,” he said.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Lanao del Sur town mayor cheats death

I

LIGAN CITY—The convoy of the town mayor of Masiu, Lanao del Sur was ambushed by still unidentified gunmen, around 10 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Gata, Buadipuso Buntong town.

Col. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of Provincial Police Office in Lanao del Sur, said Mayor Nasser Pangandaman Jr., was on the way to his office from Marawi City when gunmen armed with high-powered firearms waylaid his convoy.

Pangandaman and his escorts cheated death but his police escort, Cpl. Jabbar Romato Pangandaman and other two civilian companions, Jamal Gabriel Pangandaman and Casanoding Mangandog onboard the other vehicle, were injured.

Mukaram said Pangandaman sustained a gunshot wound on his abdomen, Jamal on his right knee while Mangandog in his buttocks.

They are now in stable condition at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB), said Pangandaman was scheduled to preside the regular meeting of his Municipal Peace and Order Council at 10 a.m.

Masiu town is under the area of op-

eration (AOR) of the 49IB while Buadiposo Buntong, where the ambush happened, is under the AOR of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB).

Buadipos Buntong is around 10 kilometers away from Masiu.

“Our police and Army troopers under the 82IB are now scouring the area for the possible arrest of the perpetrators.

An SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) will also be activated to help monitor the progress of this case,” Mukaram said. PNA

Romualdez lauds Du30 for PH growth

By Rio N. Araja HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Sunday led lawmakers in commending President Rodrigo Duterte after the Philippine economy grew at a faster pace in the third quarter of 2019.

“The economic growth is attributed to the sound economic policy of President Duterte who has been pursuing structural reforms needed to guarantee the country’s economic takeoff,” he said.

“Under the leadership of Speaker (Alan Peter) Cayetano, we will work on our important task of pursuing vital economic legislation needed to sustain higher productivity growth. Global industrial giants see a great potential in us,” he added.

The country’s economy measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) posted 6.2 percent growth compared to the 5.5 percent GDP growth in the second quarter and six percent in the third quarter of last year.

Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman partylist Rep. Mikee Romero predicted that the economy would hit a 6.5 percent economic growth by the end of the year.

“The whole economy will keep on running well at a sustained economic growth rate above 6 percent, onward to even 6.5 percent by this time next year and sustainable above 6.5 percent in 2021,” he noted.

Lights...

From A1

At the Ayala Avenue in Makati City’s Central Business District, switching on the Christmas lights began on November 5 near the two-hectare landscaped urban park, the Ayala Triangle Gardens, with the entire stretch of Ayala Avenue illuminated by eye-catching ornaments and installations.

These installations, as witness the lighted materials for the past few years, has highlighted craftsmanship and tradition, beckoning both local and foreign visitors to the Ayala Triangle, named after its owner and developer Ayala Land and opened to the publlic this week.

“This event has always been one of the things many Filipino families look forward to every year,” says Cathy Bengzon, adding “Ayala Land is honored to be part of this tradition...our way of bringing cheer to the community, and sending a positive message to everyone.”

This year’s design features Christmas trees and angel wings: elements that are more than just pretty displays that mark the holiday merriment and

FOR QUAKE VICTIMS. Coast Guard personnel load relief goods at the PCG Headquarters in the Port area in Manila for distribution to earthquake victims in Mindanao. Norman Cruz

PMA cadet dies of drowning, medical report shows Seniors, PWD THE autopsy report on Philippine Military Academy cadet has revealed that he died from suffocation due to drowning But according to the Baguio City, they have yet to find out if there was foul play involved in the cadet’s death, but they are reviewing Telan’s last

movements based on the CCTV footage provided by the PMA. The body of the 20-year old Telan was discovered at the bottom of the academy’s pool on Friday, following a swimming class.

Earlier, PMA officials discounted the possibility of foul play in Telan’s

death but later admitted that it observed some infractions and irregularities in the manner that the exercise was conducted.

On Saturday, the academy honored Telan and vowed to assist his family and give due military recognition to him.

Oil firms to raise gasoline prices by P0.85/liter THE country’s oil firms will raise the price of gasoline by P0.85 per liter but rolled back the prices of diesel by P0.15 per liter and kerosene by P0.10 per liter effective Tuesday to ref lect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

Pilipinas Shell, Petron Corp., Chev-

ron Philippines and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines issued separate advisories of the latest price adjustment. Other oil companies are expected to follow suit amid ongoing price volatility due to the US-China trade war.

“Phoenix Petroleum will decrease the price of diesel by P0.15 per liter and increase the price of gasoline by P0.85 per liter effective 6am of November

12,” the company said.

Last November 3 and 5, most of the oil companies implemented a price decrease of P0.10 per liter for gasoline, P0.25 per liter for diesel and P0.10 per liter for kerosene.

Year-to-date adjustments to date stand at a net increase of P5.06 per liter for gasoline, P3.67 per liter for diesel and P0.86 liter for kerosene.

festive celebrations.

“The trees have always been a symbol of life and light, and we wanted to use these elements to impart a message of hope and strength to everyone. It’s always a joy to be able to share a meaningful Christmas with every Filipino family through our installations,” continues Bengzon.

This year’s theme, designed by premier event stylist and interior designer Zenas Pineda, features bronze-colored, cone-shaped Christmas trees with intricate patterns reminiscent of the decors that lined and lit up the city’s lamp posts decades ago.

Local materials and products are being promoted through details and decors that showcase abanico-shaped installations and Capiz chandeliers, including solihiya and adarna feather patterns, which all signify what Ayala Land describes as “the rich heritage of Filipinos.”

Provinces north of Manila have also started lighting their giant lanterns in public squares near town halls, including national highway junctions to remind motorists passing by that the country’s longest festival – Christmas –

has begun, with the icy Siberian winds blowing south as early as September.

As early as the latter part of September up to the cold weeks of December, Gerona town in Tarlac provides stiff business competition to lantern makers in San Fernando, Pampanga, where the giant lantern parade has become an icon for Christmas festival in this country which received the Cross in the 16th century.

The highway in Caturay, a dominant agricultural economy with rice and sugar cane as main products of this second class town of Tarlac, the “melting pot” of Central Luzon, twinkles with different colors and lantern shapes from sundown to dawn.

Farther north, in Rosario town in La Union, 216 kms from Manila, a tree house at the junction is decked with multi-colored lanterns that provide lights to and tribute from night travelers passing by –- those from the Ilocos and Benguet or those driving from the metropolis for quick visits to the province at this time.

Some towns in La Union, like Aringay and Bacnotan, Ilocos Sur, like Cabugao and Sinait, and Ilocos Norte, like Badoc, the hometown of the Lunas, and the Darat junction in Pinili, where Filipino guerril-

las fought hand-to-hand combat against the Americans during the Philippine American War, have their share of the night lights from giant lanterns along the concrete MacArthur highway.

In the metropolis, particularly near the Greenhills shopping center, motorists can switch off their head lights with the bright gleam from lanterns of different shapes on both sides of Gilmore street.

At the busy Roxas Blvd. fronting Manila Bay, lanterns of different shapes and with several bulbs are hung on electric posts, making a kaleidoscopic skyline for the capital during the night.

The Christmas lanterns are like the carols being sung starting in September in this country, one of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia – the other is East Timor – which have become a lasting symbol for one of the biggest holidays in this archipelago of 7,100 islands.

The official observance does not begin until Dec. 16, with what Tagalogs call the “Simbang Gabi,” or what Ilocanos call “Miatinis,” or what Cebuanos call “Misa de Gallo” from the Spanish term which means Mass of the Rooster, and lasts until Epiphany.

By Alna Mae S. Flores

workers entitled to labor benefits THE labor department has reminded employers in the private sector to provide their senior citizens and differently-abled workers with equal wages and benefits.

Labor Assistant Secretary Benjo Santos Benavidez made the advise following the surfacing of photos on various social media sites such as Facebook of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) working for fast food chains and restaurants in Metro Manila.

“We noticed this good development in companies who employ senior citizens and PWDs because of the intensified advocacy of the government. However, we would like to remind them that these senior citizens and PWD workers are also entitled to equal wages and opportunities in the workplace,” Benavidez said.

In the fast-food industry, he said the fourhour work scheme of the employed senior citizens and PWDs should also be according to the minimum wage law while working for more than eight hours should be compensated with appropriate overtime pay.

“The department is glad to receive these reports because they are being given the chance to have income and participate in the economic activity of the country despite their age or disability,” the labor senior official added.

He said the government has policies that promote equal access to employment regardless of their gender, ability, and age, such as the Anti-Age Discrimination law which strictly prohibits any employer from discriminating a person from access to work because of their age.

Section 4 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10911 or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act states that employers are prohibited to discriminate the employment of an applicant and a worker in terms of age through any forms of publication or advertisement relating to employment, or decline employment application, promotion, or training opportunities due to the individual’s age.

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Opinion

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Odds against Leni’s success killings of suspects. Now the question is given the policy of restrained law enforcement, will the criminals get bolder and expand their operations?

Leni might score success in the area of human rights but will she achieve the same in reducing the scourge of I RECEIVED a lot of feedback illegal drug trafficking. ?

This is the tricky part in the win/ and good vibes on my last column “Gambit” about Vice President Leni loss ledger of the campaign against Robredo’s acceptance of the anti- drugs. We wish the Vice President drug czar post. This has prompted me success in walking the tight rope in performance of her delicate position. to do a follow-up.

Now, let us not underestimate the The most uplifting for me came from public relations practitioner Vice President. The widow of the Dennis Navarro. Now Dennis is not late Interior and Local Government your ordinary PR man. He’s been long Secretary Jesse Robredo was offered in the business and knows media well. the post of Regional Trial Court judge but she declined Aside from his and instead comment that ran and won as the column was Camarines Sur “incisive and representative. powerful,” I will This is make or break She then went not say more lest for the vice president. on to win the I’m perceived as vice presidency. blowing my own She has a law horn. degree which she What are the balances with her chances of VP Robredo’s success after all the accolade she got for sober approach which others think is accepting a job that was meant to fail? a sign of weakness. But the fact that If President Rodrigo Duterte failed she accepted the challenging task of to do it in three years of relentless anti-drug czar would show courage and and brutal war on drugs with all the undaunted character to dare the odds awesome power of the presidency, can against her.

This is a make-or-break challenge Veep Robredo do it in the short time she has plus the limited resources at for Leni Robredo. If she succeeds, her political capital would surge. If she her disposal?

In fairness to the President, he has fails as certain quarters want her to, ordered the Armed Forces and the then she should forget any ambition Philippine National Police plus the to run for the highest post in the land Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the 2022 presidential elections.

Voters in this country want winners to support VP Robredo’s campaign.

A word of caution to the Vice in their politicians. They are cold to President—there’s no need for you to losers. But this is realpolitik. How join law enforcers in their operations could you succeed in a bigger job if as you could only get in the way or you fail in a smaller one?

Given all the factors in the antieven get hurt as these drug traffickers are armed and dangerous. It’s enough drug campaign wherein there are that the anti-drug czar give the police persistent reports/rumors of police directions on how to do it without involvement, Robredo could be Turn to A5 incurring allegedly extra judicial

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Thirty days too long

N

EARLY ten years ago in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, 58 people were killed in what is regarded as the worst case of election-related violence and the bloodiest single-day attack on media workers in the Philippines.

Among the victims were family members of the Ampatuans’ political challenger, his supporters, and 32 journalists.

One hundred ninety-seven individuals have been charged in connection with the massacre.

Among them are the principal accused Andal Jr., Zaldy and Sajid Ampatuan. The first two are in jail, while Sajid is out on bail and is currently serving as mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao. Their father, alleged mastermind Andal Ampatuan Sr., died in July 2015.

One of the main challenges of the case was the testimony of witnesses —as many as 357 submitted statements. Some of them were killed, and some withdrew because of “offers,” or of threats to their lives in the course of the protracted trial.

Still, two key witnesses remained and stood by their accounts of what they saw and heard.

It was earlier announced that a verdict would be handed down

by Branch 211 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on November 20, or a few days before the November 23 anniversary of the massacre.

But now the Supreme Court has allowed the court’s request for 30 more days for the promulgation.

Chief Justice Disodado Peralta, finding the request meritorious, said that the High Court understood Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes’ predicament, because “there are so many accused and there are so many victims in that case.”

Private prosecutor Nena Santos, who represents 38 of the 58 victims, is confident of the conviction of at

least the principal accused. Even the Justice Secretary, Menardo Guevarra, believes the same.

Asked to comment on the additional 30 days of waiting, Santos said: “We have waited for 10 years. The 30 days is a short time to wait.”

It’s a short time, indeed, but one more day of waiting is one day longer in the quest for justice. The wait will only be given meaning if, fi nally in December, the court’s verdict tells us that impunity has no place in our country no matter how powerful, wealthy and wellconnected the perpetrators are.

“If there will be no conviction, I am sorry to say that press freedom in the Philippines is dead,” Santos said.

We would add to that: Anything less than a conviction would be a triumph of impunity.

The Ampatuan massacre rocked our belief in the both our sense of justice and the justice system to the core. Will that faith be restored, we wonder, or will the verdict tell us there are two kinds of justice in this country—one for the mighty, and one for the weak?

Traffic all over

SOME very drastic measures have to be undertaken by government to relieve people in mega-cities of the daily traffic problem that bedevils their lives.

I was in Davao to open, along with my TECO counterpart, Representative Michael Pei-yung Hsu and TAITRA Chairman James Huang the second Taiwan Expo in the Philippines last Friday, November 8.

It will be recalled that the first Taiwan Expo was held in Manila, at the SMX Convention Center in the MOA bay area on September 2017, and it was a very big success.

Our cities are becoming less and less habitable, with traffic unbearably horrible, and mobility unbearably difficult.

The ceremonies having been finished, my MECO team went to the former Daratex compound in Toril, just about 10 kilometers from the SMX Center in Lanang, Davao City.

Going through the diversion road, the trip to Daliao in Toril took us as about 40 minutes, but going back to City Hall from the former Davao Ramie Textile center, a shorter seven or eight kilometer distance, took us an hour.

Part of the reason is the construction of a bridge widening project before reaching Matina, the nearest district west of the big city that Davao is.

Still, a non-resident of the president’s home city could not but notice the number of vehicles that ply its main thoroughfares. Davao after all is where so many roads to the west,

from Davao City’s western districts to Davao del Sur and the Cotabato provinces, to the northern provinces and cities of Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro, as well as to the northeastern Agusan and Surigao provinces all converge, for business and people movement.

So many vehicles; so narrow thoroughfares. So many people, all converging on the true capital of the country over the last three years and a half, and for the next years and months before 2022.

Of course, if Mayor Inday Sara Duterte runs, and wins the presidency after her father in May 2022, the number of visitors from the rest of the country and even abroad would multiply even more.

But Davao’s huge territory is an advantage other mega-cities do not have—land. Thus, there is a coastal road being built, and so many diversion roads leading to the city’s mountain barangays. Traffic problems, after all the construction, are solvable.

They tell me the same traffic condition obtains in Cagayan de Oro, which is many times smaller than Davao City, a narrow stretch of land hemmed in by the Bukidnon highlands and the Mindanao Sea. I go to Cebu City, which along with Lapu-lapu and Mandaue cities, comprise what Metro Cebu, a megacity complex populated by almost 2 million with daily transients working or doing business in it numbering another half a million.

Cebu City is a narrow strip of land with a huge mountain area whereas population is concentrated on that narrow strip bounded by the sea.

To and from the business center in Lahug or the political center in Fuente Osmena and the Mactan International Airport should take you 40 minutes at night, or double that time during rush hours. There are times when traversing the less-thantwo-kilometer stretch from the Ayala Center to Waterfront Hotel in Lahug would take half an hour.

Our cities are becoming less and less habitable, with traffic unbearably horrible, and mobility unbearably difficult.

Try Baguio City, or Dagupan, or Turn to A5

ManilaStandard

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

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Manila Pen Show 2019 I SUPPOSE it’s because I am a writer that I am enamored of writing instruments, particularly fountain pens and ink, and the older, the better.

My favorite vintage pen is the Sheaffer Balance from the 1930s, with the gold nib and round and smooth barrel made of celluloid. The lever fill sacs are a pain to maintain, but that was state-of-the-art back then. It is an extension of my hand, and fits perfectly in it.

Ink is another sweet indulgence, because nowadays it comes in so many colors and effects—sheening, shimmering (they mean different things in ink lingo). Unlike conventional ballpoints or signpens, fountain pens can be filled with the ink color of your choice.

In the long run, they are better for the environment because they are used again and again. With care, a good fountain pen can last a lifetime.

For these and other reasons, there has been a resurgence of interest in fountain pens and ink and there are a

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Fountain pens teach mindfulness and appreciation for things that endure, a reaction to today’s throwaway culture.

great many to choose from nowadays, both vintage and new, even in this time when digital rules. Some say the interest in pens is a reaction to our high tech environments.

Pens are ‘slow’ writers—one must pause before using them to check the nib and ink level, perhaps take some minutes to refill, a few seconds to testwrite and get them going again. Like slow food, they invite an engagement of the senses, a deliberate interaction between brain, hand, and pen.

They teach mindfulness and appreciation for things that endure, a reaction to today’s throwaway culture, and provide the sheer enjoyment of using an artifact that’s decades old and perhaps pre-loved, or one that owes its design to the past.

Ten years ago I obeyed the call of novelist and retired University of the Philippines professor Jose ‘Butch’ Y. Dalisay Jr. to join a fountain pen group he set up to gather like-minded people together. That founding meeting was held at his home and there were just a handful of people there, perhaps less than 20.

Today that group, now called ‘Fountain Pen Network-Philippines,’ has over 8,700 members on its Facebook page while hundreds meet up regularly to discuss pens. The penmeets that used to fit around a restaurant table now take place in different cities with many different people. And to slake the thirst of the collector (which is practically all Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

Six years now IT HAS been six years now.

November 8, 2013—the strongest typhoon in recorded human history struck our home region of Leyte and Samar, resulting in an unprecedented loss of lives and property. The largest post-disaster rehabilitation effort in the country ensued.

But typhoon Yolanda is far from being a faint memory.

Behind the newly-built infrastructure and shelters, despite the upsurge in business and the economy, the scars from the tragedy that Yolanda was to the people of Eastern Visayas remain.

It is often said that every person from Tacloban and the other municipalities affected by the typhoon has his or her own Yolanda story. For many, it is a tale of pain and loss. For others, it is a story of hope and resilience. However the stories ended, the stories echoed loud enough to catch the attention of the entire world. They listened, and they came to our side in our hour of greatest need.

It even touched Pope Francis and moved him to visit Tacloban, less than two years after the typhoon happened.

So much has been accomplished, but so much more needs to be done.

Three things require our urgent action, taking into account the lessons learned from typhoon Yolanda.

First is the long-overdue creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience as the government’s primary disaster management agency. This shall integrate and define what needs to be done in the face of natural disasters, where it needs to be done, based on what standards, how it should be done and how well it should be done.

The present set-up under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council where authority is shared, responsibility is dispersed and resources are scattered, renders it difficult to operate an appropriate and immediate response, thus delaying critical disaster response and recovery.

It comes no surprise therefore that

one of the strongest advocates for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience is party-list representative Yedda Marie K. Romualdez. During her first term in the Seventeenth Congress representing the First District of Leyte, she already filed the said bill which was passed by the House of Representatives on third reading. However, the Senate failed to pass its counterpart version. Given her first-hand experience during typhoon Yolanda, Rep. Romualdez knows that the country account afford to have a focal disaster organization that only has coordinative functions and the urgent

These are enduring injustices that must be corrected.

need to upgrade the disaster response capabilities of the government, given its year-round exposure to natural disasters. This is why on her second term, now representing the partylist organization Tingog Sinirangan, and with the support of House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, she has refiled once more the Disaster Resilience Bill, which has been identified to be part of the priority legislative agenda of the Duterte administration.

Second is the need to have a comprehensive review of the postYolanda rehabilitation. So many lessons have been learned from the response and recovery efforts that need to be documented and best practices that must be institutionalized. Knowing what went well and what needs to be done better can serve as a benchmark for similar post-disaster efforts in the future. In the same way, it is important to ensure accountability among disaster rehabilitation stakeholders. Those who failed to carry out their duties at the time not only when the situation called for it, but more so because lives were at stake, must face the consequences of their actions.

A specific case in point is the yet-to-

Counter gambit? be-completed Yolanda housing projects in Tacloban. A year before the recent elections, investigations in both the House and the Senate were undertaken to examine alleged anomalies in the housing projects such as illegal subcontracting, sub-standard building materials and even the construction of such housing units in hazardous areas. Hearings were conducted, and resource persons were invited. In fact, a draft report based on the findings in the Senate investigations was prepared, confirming the anomalies in the implementation of the projects and implicating several building contractors, a number of them even linked with politicians. But such committee report was never officially released. Cases against erring officials and contractors were never filed. The injustice done to the residents who are supposed to be relocated to these housing projects continues to this day.

Third is a matter that is seldom raised, but which in my mind requires urgent attention. That is the need to officially account for all the lives lost during and immediately after the typhoon. The official government counts stopped at more than 6,000 casualties. But those who are from Tacloban and neighboring towns know that the figure is way higher, allegedly even double that number.

No effort has been officially made to identify once and for all those who died, or at the very least, those who are missing, and by now must be presumed to be dead.

The failure to fully account for those who died because of typhoon Yolanda is an enduring injustice that must be corrected. We cannot let it be that the number of those who died or are missing is a matter that we continue to avoid, or simply leave it at that. Only once each and every dead or missing person is duly identified and the total death toll is factually established, then can we truly say that justice has been served.

Six years have passed, and I pray that these three things won’t have to wait for the seventh, become they come to fulfillment.

May the souls of those who died during typhoon Haiyan, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!

MAIL MATTERS

I BRING to your attention the column of Mr Alejandro Del Rosario, “Gambit,” published on page A4 of your major daily on 08 November 2019.

In his column, Mr. Del Rosario mentioned the incident of the Chinese firing up flare warnings in the West Philippine Sea. The paragraph reads: “Incidentally, Chinese vessels fired warning flares against a Greek ship manned by a Filipino skipper.

The Department of Defense as usual downgraded the incident which happened in international waters in the South China Sea.” While there is indeed a report of Chinese flares being fired, this is a separate incident that happened in February 2019. The reported harassment of a Greek-owned oil tanker with its Filipino captain occurred near Panatag Shoal on September 30.

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More importantly, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana did not downplay the incident.

Secretary Lorenzana has issued the following statement on the matter: “We, however, would like to reiterate our call for all countries to exercise prudence and respect freedom of navigation and passage in the West Philippine Sea. Bajo de Masinloc is well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, and the 2016 arbitral ruling declared that it is a common fishing area. The Chinese government must respect international maritime laws if it wants to earn the respect of the international community.”

CAPT JONATHAN V ZATA PN(GSC) Chief, Public Affairs Office Armed Forces of the Philippines

of meth in a Muntinlupa raid and P1.8 billion worth of shabu at Manila’s port.

About a month ago, Vice President Robredo clarified statements in a radio interview saying that she was IN THE chess world, a counter calling on government to assess if gambit is a strategy of the it is using the right strategies or defending player to counter what to “tweak” the anti-illegal drug seems like a bad or a “sacrificial” campaign, not to stop its operations.

Quoted in news reports, the Vicemove of the attacking opponent. To some analysts, this seems to mirror President said, “We ask ourselves, the recent appointment signed ‘why is this still happening?’ The

by President Duterte designating president has already made very Vice-President Robredo as the Co- serious threats to drug syndicates, Chairperson of the Inter-agency to drug lords ... and yet it’s still Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, very prevalent, so obviously, it’s seen by some to be a clever not working.”

This sparked a series of divergent politically motivated move masked to look like another shooting-from- reactions from the President’s and the VP’s camps leading to what the-hip action.

To quote the instructions of the some analysts see to be liking to a presidential memorandum dated “King’s Gambit” or a bait, a political October 31, “The Philippine Drug trap to set up Robredo for failure and Enforcement Agency, Philippine political ruin. Early reactions from National Police, Dangerous Drugs VP’s side were clearly suspicious and questioned Board and the legal basis all other law of the snap enforcement appointment. agencies But in a surprise This should not be are hereby move, defying d i r e c t e d another political play. advice from to extend allies and what their full many saw as assistance and uncharacteristic cooperation of Robredo, to the Vice President to ensure the success of she accepted the challenge vowing the Government’s efforts in the war to go after the bigwigs of illegal drug networks and the policemen against illegal drugs.”

Police data estimates 7,000 in cahoots with seize and sell armed suspects resisting arrest operations of billions worth of have been killed but human rights captured shabu.

Political analyst and Stratbase groups refute these figures with their own count of over 22,000 CEO/President Prof. Dindo Manhit deaths, labelling these as extra- in news interview said, “I think judicial killings. These killings that the Vice-President knows that have prompted calls by United any public official elected and Nations special rapporteurs to asked to serve a specific purpose issue a rare joint statement for an cannot really step backward and independent investigation which reject an opportunity to serve the Malacañang has rejected outright country in whatever way. It will as unacceptable meddling into the be a challenge for her. You can hear negative comments already; country’s internal affairs.

The President’s war on drugs is that she is not capable or that she his principal campaign promise to is weak. But at the end of the day save the country from becoming a she might surprise us given enough “narco-state” or a situation wherein responsibility, power and resources drug lords will have lethal influence that were given to her as the Coover local and national government Chair. Maybe she can approach leaders to further expand illegal the drug war in a different way drugs networks victimizing but also take into consideration millions of Filipino citizens. This the different initiatives done by message still resonates well with government already.”

As a citizen, there is no debate the population and is confirmed by national surveys showing very high about the need to eradicate this scourge to Philippine society. I support of over 80 percent.

Ironically, in a statement by totally agree with focusing on the President Duterte last March, he very source of all these illegal drugs expressed his frustration stating and permanently dismantling the that “things have worsened.” distribution networks of these drug This even after the government’s syndicates. Success at this level continuing campaign which was will effectively close out the retail launched in July 2016 soon after operations at the street level. If this he assumed office. The Philippine happens, this will be good for all of National Police (PNP) confirmed us and will be a model that we can this reporting that “large volume be proud of.

This should not be another of illegal drugs” continue to be smuggled in by international political play for the next presidency. drug syndicate. The PNP cited as It is to the nation’s interest that this examples the seizure of millions becomes a successful “tweak” that of pesos of “floating cocaine” would do justice for the thousands bricks off the shores in different of lives that have fallen in this drug parts of the country, P1.1 billion war.

Manila...

From A4

Traffic all over From A4

Angeles City in Pampanga, even Cabanatuan and Talavera in Nueva Ecija, and imagine how few more years it would take before mobility becomes impossible all over the country.

When will we ever stop licensing and registering more motor vehicles?

And when are we going to complete all those planned mass transport systems that would make it more practical for people to travel through them rather than buy a car? Meanwhile, what?

As it is, our mega-cities are bursting at the seams, with migrants from the countryside preferring to find livelihood in them, on top of a baby

boom that is much too high for the carrying capacity of our many islands with a total land area smaller than the State of California.

And then, travelling by land from Davao to Butuan in Agusan del Norte to visit my mother’s grave, we passed through hectares of hectares of sparsely populated and un-cultivated land. Land where vegetable crops could be planted for nutritional food, yet laying idle due to idleness.

Sayang.

We eat too much rice because we eat too few vegetables, which are expensive for our poor people, who thrive instead on “unli” rice and sodium-laden tuyo or bagoong (bulad and ginamos in Visayan) to flavor the carbo-loading.

Still, Mindanaoans are looking

Odds...

From A4

hailed as the Filipino “Wonder Woman” if she overcomes all these overwhelming odds.

But that still does not guarantee her election as President in 2022 because Filipinos as voters are failures themselves.

This is the sad fact of Filipinos which contributes to our instability as a nation.

forward to better times. Because we now have, at long last, a president from Mindanao, Luzon’s oft-repeated but niggardly implemented promises for its 24 million residents are now coming to fruition.

In the Davao provinces as in the Cotabatos, the Agusans, the Surigaos, I have witnessed through the past three years so much progress brought about by new infrastructure.

While traffic in the national capital region is a nightmarish bane, with solutions still far from realization, in the once-forgotten “land of promise,” traffic is considered a consequence of true progress, and people grin and bear the temporary inconveniences because they know that once all the construction is done, life will be better.

Meanwhile, there are persistent reports of former President Noynoy Aquino’s failing health. People who have seen him lately say he is thin and pale. This, amid clamor that he be made accountable for the Mamasapano massacre wherein 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos were killed by combined elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Force and the criminal band of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Whatever the outcome of the probable prosecution of the former President, we wish him recovery from whatever ails him.

of us pen folk), businesses have sprung up to bring in the latest models and accouterments from here and abroad.

The first Manila Pen Show was a one-day event held last year to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary. This year, it’s a two-day event, set for Nov. 16 to 17 at the Holiday Inn and Suites Makati, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Instead of an entrance fee, raffle tickets will be issued in exchange for donations to charity, the same as last year.

Pen shows—you can think of them as ‘cons’—are done annually in many cities around the world, the most prominent perhaps being the DC Supershow in Washington, DC. There are also pen shows in other U.S. cities, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

At the 2nd Manila Pen Show, expect to find vintage and modern pens for sale, as well as fountain pen inks, paper products, and accessories. The participating international retailers include Aesthetic Bay (Singapore), Atelier Musubi (Singapore), Newton Pens (USA), Pengallery (Malaysia), Pierre Cardin (Hong Kong), Regalia Writing Labs (USA), and Straits Pen (Singapore).

Local retailers and brands represented at the pen show include Calibre and Friends, Cross Pens, Everything Calligraphy, Faber-Castell, Gav ‘n Sav, Guia’s Vintage Pens, Inks by Vinta, Kasama Pens, Lamy, National Bookstore/ Noteworthy, Pengrafik, Peter Bangayan, Scribe, Shibui, and Troublemaker Inks.

If you own old or non-functional fountain pens, you can have them repaired at the Manila Pen Show, where local nibmeisters John Raymond Lim and JP’s Pen Spa will be on hand to perform minor repairs and nib regrinds and tuning.

Workshops will also be conducted on both days of the event, on basic fountain pen maintenance, penmanship, journaling, and nib grinding. There will also be a talk on vintage pens by Butch Dalisay. You can sign up for workshops at the registration area, first come, first served. A portion of workshop fees will be donated to Manila Pen Show’s chosen charity.

On Instagram, follow @manilapenshow, and follow the official hashtags at #manilapenshow and #manilapenshow2019. *** The pen is mightier than the sword, and here’s your chance to own a pen as fine and beautiful as a sword. /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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News

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MORE: CA ruling on expropriation remains valid ILOILO City’s new distribution utility, More Electric and Power Corp.

(MORE), insisted yesterday that a Court of Appeals ruling that confirmed its power of eminent domain under the law restructuring the country’s electricity power industry remains valid.

This despite a case being heard by the Supreme Court to determine if a Mandaluyong court’s ruling against the company’s power of expropriation as a congressional franchise-holder is constitutional.

MORE also lamented how Panay Electric Co. (PECO), which was denied the renewal of its franchise to run Iloilo City’s electricity distribution system, deceived the public with its recent statement that the Supreme Court had threatened MORE and the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court with contempt in relation with the expropriation case.

MORE said the Supreme Court has yet to grant PECO’s petition to stop the trial court from proceeding with the expropriation case as it only directed his company and Iloilo City RTC Judge Yvette Go to comment on PECO’s petition.

Go earlier ruled for the expropriation case against PECO to proceed.

“To set the record straight, contrary to the claims of PECO that MORE and Judge Yvette Go of Iloilo were directed to show cause why they should not be declared in contempt of court, MORE and Judge Yvette Go were merely required to comment on PECO’s urgent motion for issuance of show cause order,” MORE said.

“There is an ocean of difference between a court issuing a show cause order vis-à-vis a court issuing an order requiring a party to comment on the motion to issue show cause order.”

DENR to hire 2,000 estero rangers

By Rio N. Araja

E

NVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu has given the green light to hire 2,000 estero rangers who shall help local government units within and near Manila Bay to address indiscriminate waste disposal and improve garbage collection.

Cimatu recently met with the agency’s senior officials and assigned them as river commanders to oversee rehabilitation activities under the Battle for Manila Bay program.

“We would like to impress upon the

public that we really need to overhaul the disposal system in Metro Manila, make it efficient and for the public to stop dumping trash into our waterways,” he said.

The DENR chief is the head of the

inter-agency Manila Bay Task Force.

According to Cimatu, two estero rangers per barangay would be initially deployed to 711 barangays where there are alleys traversed by esteros and not reached by garbage trucks.

He said these alleys are mostly populated by informal settler families. There are at least 203 creeks and waterways traversing the 711 barangays.

He gave a directive to look into the possibility of increasing the number of estero rangers to 2,000, so that four may be deployed to each barangay.

The estero rangers are to be endorsed

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY. House Majority Leader and Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association President Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (center) share a historic moment with members of Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1969 during its 50th Anniversary Celebration Saturday night at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Hotel in Parañaque City. Ver Noveno

‘Include socmed Gojek’ s entry seen to revive competition for Grab use in DepEd health program’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FOLLOWING reports linking increased smartphone and social media use to depression and anxiety among children and adolescents, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday called on the Department of Education to make responsible social media use a key component in mental health programs for schools.

“Experts have warned that the constant use of social media is one of the reasons for the increasing number of teenagers suffering from anxiety and depression,” the senator said.

“It’s alarming. We have been tagged the social media capital of the world so that it is important to teach the right use of internet and social media,” he added.

According to Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr. of the Medical City, the blue light of smartphones inhibits melatonin production and keeps young people awake at night.

When young people are sleep-deprived, Banaag said they become more prone to having depression and anxiety.

The Department of Health reported that around 3.3 million Filipinos suffer from depressive disorders.

According to the 2015 World Health Organization’s Global-based student health survey involving more than 8,000 high school students aged 13-17 in the Philippines, nearly 17 percent of its respondents had attempted suicide in the previous year. Almost 12 percent of the study’s participants also seriously considered committing suicide.

DepEd’s flagship health program “Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd” started including mental health this year.

According to Gatchalian, this should be leveraged to increase awareness-building and psycho-social intervention programs.

JAKARTA-BASED tech giant Gojek’s decision to finally move into the Philippines’ ride-hailing market has been welcomed by Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. “We’ve been longing for Gojek to come in after the Uber-Grab merger,” Campos said.

“We need competition in the ridehailing market. Consumers tend to get better prices and services when there is competition,” he added.

The lawmaker had previously urged Gojek to come in right away following the destruction of market competition when California-based Uber and Singapore-based Grab opted to combine their Philippine businesses, along with other

regional operations.

“We are now counting on Gojek’s entry to restore market competition,” Campos said.

Gojek co-chief executive officer Andre Soelistyo said last week the tech giant is ready to get the ball rolling in the Philippines.

“We are definitely going to expand into the Philippines and Malaysia next year. We have prepared everything to enter those markets,” Soelistyo said.

Gojek currently has ride-hailing services in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

Middle-class Filipinos families that have invested in new cars to capitalize on the ride-hailing market are likewise

bound to benefit from Gojek’s entry, said Campos, who is also author of House Bill 1894 which seeks to legalize the use of habal-habal or motorcyclesfor-hire in conveying both passengers and freight.

“Besides addressing the growing need for on-demand door-to-door public transportation, motorcycle taxis are already helping many Filipinos, including returning migrant workers and students, support themselves,” Campos said.

“Motorcycle taxis have been mainstreamed by mobile ride-hailing applications, so we might as well legalize their operations and set standards for drivers in order to safeguard the riding public,” he added.

HOLIDAY CHEER. SM City Taytay lights up its Funtastic Christmas Ride with mascots CTR1 and RR2, with Santa Claus bearing gifts for

kids. Norman Cruz

Tolentino: Without regulation, sale of vaping products illegal SINCE there is no law in the country that regulates the use of vaping products, Senator Francis Tolentino said Congress cannot levy additional taxes on these.

In a radio interview, Tolentino said there is still no regulation allowing vaping in the country.

“So how are we going to tax something which is not yet legal?” he said.

“If there is no regulation, it appears as something illegal. What I’m saying here

by their barangay officials in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Under the contract, an estero ranger gets a monthly salary of P8,500 for a five-day work week schedule, and is tasked to conduct removal of garbage from esteros fitted with trash traps and house-to-house garbage collection in selected alleys for transfer and storage at pickup points accessible to garbage trucks.

The estero rangers will be commissioned on Nov. 15 at the DENR central office grounds in Quezon City.

is why are we going to impose taxes on something which entered the [local] market, but is not yet legal,” he added.

Tolentino said vaping could even endanger one’s health, citing studies from the United States stating that Vitamin E acetate, a chemical found in vaping products, could cause lung injuries. He added that vaping products contain tetrahydrocannabinol which causes hallucinations, much like in marijuana.

“There is no proof yet that this is

harmless. Bakit natin papapasukin sa Pilipinas ito? Why should we legalize this?” he said.

For her part, Sen. Pia Cayetano said Senate Bill No. 1074 which she sponsored seeks to align the tax rate of heated tobacco products (HTPs) and vape with traditional cigarettes at P45 beginning next year, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022, and P60 in 2023, with five percent annual increases from 2024 onward.

Health advocates said an increase

in the funding gap for the Universal Health Care Law means efforts to increase excise taxes on alcoholic beverages, HTPs, and vapor products must now be a priority measure, according to health advocates.

“The amount anticipated to be received for the UHC through the national budget was P195 billion, but in fact, it is currently only P182 billion.

Because of that, the gap increases,” Cayetano said.

Solon seeks support for kin of slain judges

By Rio N. Araja

DEPUTY Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu on Sunday called on Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to prioritize the approval of a bill providing support for the surviving spouses and children of judges, justices and other judiciary officials who are killed intentionally while in the line of duty.

Abu made the appeal after the recent killing of Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez while on his way home on board his van in Barangay Mameltac, San Fernando City, La Union.

“We appeal to Speaker Cayetano to include in the priority list of his leadership the passage of my bill.

Throughout the years, the country has seen judiciary officials being murdered, assassinated and brutally killed by criminals in the hope of obstructing the ends of justice,” he said.

The Batangas lawmaker filed House Bill No. 2088 to look into the sorry state of the kin of the victims.

“The risk alongside the job of these judiciary officials should be counterbalanced by providing them with a grant that will encourage them to fully perform their duties and responsibilities.

Hence, this bill seeks to support the judiciary by granting benefits to their surviving heirs in case they are killed while dispensing justice,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta urged law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their probe to arrest Banez’ killers.

“I call on law enforcement agencies to exert their best efforts and be relentless in their investigation for the immediate apprehension of those responsible for this atrocious and dastardly act,” Peralta said.

Peralta earlier called for the establishment of a US Marshals Service-type agency to protect judges and justices.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said that of the 31 cases of judges killed since 1999, only five had been resolved so far.

Following the assassination, Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel also renewed his call for the creation of up to 3,000 new positions for armed judicial protection officers.

“We cannot allow these brazen attacks on judges to go on without a forceful answer,” said Pimentel, a representative of Surigao del Sur.

Sports

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Phisgoc workforce ready for SEAG staging PSC’s Children’s Games bring joy to Christian, Muslim and Lumad children in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

PSC brings cheers to 600 Mindanao kids DAVAO CITY—The Philippine Sports Commission, in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Institute brought cheers to some 600 children as UNESCO-cited Children’s Games held simultaneously in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental last Nov. 8 and 9.

PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez said the national sports agency has been faithful and committed to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s mandate to bring sports to the grassroots level.

“We have visited provinces which have never been visited by the PSC or any other sports program before,” the PSC chief said.

The road to JAS was tedious. From Davao City, PSC Mindanao staff, led by program coordinator Cholo Elegino, had to cross three rivers to reach the municipality, which was roughly 229 kilometers and a seven-hour trip from Davao City.

Some 300 kids eagerly anticipated a day of fun and games at Holy Cross of Caburan, while about 250 children in the municipality played tug of peace, sack race, piko, dodgeball, kadang-kadang and dampa.

On the side, Elegino conducted a basketball clinic to 20 budding dribblers, while veteran coach Mario Mojica facilitated the volleyball clinic to 31 participants.

Holy Cross of Caburan principal Sister Judalyn Caberos graced the twoday event, which also saw 30 Ate Kuya leadership training attendees. This was designed for volunteers who handled the Children’s Games participants.

Muslim children of the Kagan tribe from San Isidro Labrador Parish played with Christians and Lumads, showing that sports crosses barriers of religion, culture and socio-economic status.

“I’m happy that plenty of Muslim kids joined the Children’s Games. This just proves that sports is inclusive, a powerful vehicle for peace,” PSC Mindanao cluster head Ed Fernandez said.

Another 300 children joined the games, while 30 participated in the Ate Kuya leadership training.

SBP, Passerelle Visayas finals on TWO Cebu teams and a team each from Roxas and Bacolod will clash for the championship of the SBP and Passerelle divisions at the Visayas Regional Finals of the the 34th SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo at the Pototan Astrodome in Pototan, Iloilo.

In the SBP division, defending champion University of the Visayas of Cebu overcame Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion of Roxas, 42-32, then trounced Hua Siong College of Iloilo, 53-22 to go 2-0.

St. John’s Institute of Bacolod earned the other berth in the championship game after nipping Purisima, 57-56, and outlasting Hua Siong College of Iloilo, 50-47, to tie UV at the top of the team standings.

In the Passerelle division, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu scored a tough 59-55 win over St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo, before eliminating University of St. La Salle of Bacolod, 66-53. Roxas champion HERCOR College earned a berth in the championship for the first time in history after scoring wins over St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo, 68-57, and University of St. La Salle of Bacolod, 62-46.

The weekend tournament was graced

by Pototan Mayor Adi Lazaro and Provincial Board member Matt Palabrica, who delivered inspirational messages at the opening ceremony. The champions from the regional finals that is also supported by Rain or Shine, Chris Sports and SKLZ, will qualify for the national finals that will be held in Roxas City on Nov. 23 and 24.

CHAMPION RIDERS. Excellent Noodles Cycling Team rider Resty Aragon (right), champion of the Tour of Matabungkay, won the last lap and placed second overall in the Master’s Tour of Chiang Mai (MTCM) 2019 Thailand. Aragon also emerged as King of the Mountain. Alexander L. Billan (center), President of Jeverps Manufacturing Corporation and Team Owner of Excellent Noodles, placed third in the last Tour of Matabungkay and ranked sixth in the General Classification. Vernon Amaranto (left) was also a champion in the Tour of Matabungkay (Cat 6 below) as he won the Sprint King title. The Master’s Tour of Chiang Mai Thailand is an annual Bike Race participated in by international and former world champions in cycling.

PH sepak takraw equipped to aim for SEA Games’ glory

T

HE Philippine Sepak Takraw team is well equipped to shoot for glory in the 30th Southeast Asian Games the country is hosting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, 2019.

Following several training camps abroad and participation in prestigious international tournaments, the Filipino sepak takraw athletes are confident of delivering the goods in the biennial meet.

“I’d say that this is by far the most thorough, well planned and most funded campaign of our NSA (national sports association) in the recent years,” said Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association, Inc. President Karen Tanchanco-Caballero.

“From the team composition, coaching staff, international training camps and foreign coaches plus several international exposure competitions, we have exhausted whatever support we can give to the PH Team to give them a strong fighting chance for golds in the SEA Games.

Thanks for Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and private/corporate sponsors,” she added.

Right after their campaign in Arafura

Games in Darwin, Australia, both the men’s and women’s squads set up camp in South Korea and Thailand for a few months before joining several leagues in Thailand to fine-tune their skills and get their competitive juices flowing.

“We went to train with several strong clubs in Thailand as part of our training camp and exposure (to actual tournaments). We also trained with Team Korea,” said Tanchanco-Caballero.

“We had a rigid training and periodization that started summer of this year with a month-long training camp in Korea.

April to May. Then, we were back in Manila for the morning and afternoon training session of skills and strength and conditioning. The team then left for Chonburi, Thailand in a camp that lasted three months from August to early November,” added Tanchanco-Caballer.

Six golds are at stake in the SEA Games

– 4 in men’s and 2 in women’s – with the Philippine team joining all of them.

Leading the charge for the Philippines in the quest for those golds are 2016 world champions and senior/seasoned athletes Jason Huerte, Rheyjey Ortouste, Mark Joseph Gonzales and Ronsted Gabayeron.

“The team is now back in the country and on to the last stretch of their daily training in Subic Gym, testing the actual competition venue for SEA Games. They will stay there all the way na until game time from Dec. 1 to 10,” the sepak tekraw chief said.

The Philippines placed fourth in the overall standings of the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games with two silvers and two bronzes to show. Thailand emerged as the overall champ with six golds and a silver.

Tanchanco-Caballero hopes it will be a different result this time around.

“We hope to be able to contribute sa overall medal haul and top medal standing of team PHI sa SEA Games. Halong saya, pressure, kaba at excitement to be able to bring this exciting sport at home and hopeful we will give our country, supporters and loved ones more reasons to be proud of us,” she concluded.

THE Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee held a pep rally on Saturday to motivate the workforce of the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games for a successful hosting of the 11-nation sportsfest.

House Speaker and Phisgoc Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano encouraged the 527 members of the workforce who will be deployed in various venues in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Subic and New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to work hard and come up with their best effort for the staging of the Games. ``Kung ano ang ating itatanim, ‘yun ang ating aanihin. We worked so hard for more than a year, itanim po natin itong SEA Games and the coming years and decades aanihin ng ating mga young athletes at next generation ito,’’ said Cayetano during the gathering held at the Cayetano Sports Complex in Taguig City.

The opening ceremony of the SEA Games is set Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan and will run until Dec. 11.

The closing ceremony has been penciled to be held at New Clark City.

The Games, however, will begin much earlier with polo scheduled to start on Nov. 22 while men’s football, netball and floorball will kick off Nov. 25. ``We appreciate your work. This (pep rally) is to celebrate you. We are all part of history,’’ said Phisgoc Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara.

During his speech, Cayetano also expressed his appreciation for the men and women behind the Phisgoc organization and gamely posed with them during the party.

The 30th SEA Games hosting is also supported by: Platinum sponsors - Ajinomoto, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MG Cars, Philippine Airlines, Skyworth and CooCaa. Gold Sponsors - MasterCard, Milo, Pocari Sweat, NLEX, PInco and Razer. Preferred - Asics, SM Lifestyle Inc. and BMW. Prestige Molten and Mikasa. Banking Partners - Chinabank and PNB. Media Partners - Bombo Radyo, Star FM and the Inquirer Group, CNN, United Neon and DOOH. Host Broadcaster - NEP. Official Broadcaster - Sports and Action, TV 5, Cignal, ESPN and PTV 4.

Warriors sweep UNTV Cup 1st round

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources continued its hot streak, claiming the scalp of National Housing Authority, 87-84, to sweep the Group B elims of the 8th UNTV Cup held recently at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Paul Parreno outshone five DENR players who scored in doubles figures as he knocked in the buzzer-beating trey that shattered a 77-all count as the Warriors notched their fifth straight in the annual tournament for public servants.

Ed Rivera scattered 17 points to lead a well-balanced DENR attack while Melvin Bangal and Archie Gamboa added 15 each and Des Ayson and Ryan Abanes combined for 21 points.

Parreno chipped in 9 points for the Warriors who matched the record of Group A topnotcher and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Meantime, former champion Philippine National Police kept its flickering second round hopes alive by downing GSIS, 94-63, thanks to

the efforts of Richard Villanueva and former University of the East player Olan Omiping.

With a 3-1 record, the PNP Responders need to hurdle their last Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. – Ombudsman vs PITC 4:30 p.m. – Judiciary vs PNP

assignment to advance to the second round of the elims in the annual tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

Department of Agriculture improved to 4-1 in Group A of the tournament offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team by downing SSS, 99-79.

After the first round, the fifth and sixth placers of each group will be eliminated.

Already out of it are SSS and GSIS. First Game DENR 87 – Rivera 17, Bangal 15,

Gamboa 15, Ayson 11, Abanes 10, Parreno 9, Lansang 8, Atablanco 2.

NHA 84 – Lustestica 27, Vitug 22, Mercado 16, J. Dizon 5, Prado 5, Alastoy 4, Tibay 3, Sumayang 2.

Quarters: 15-20, 38-34, 59-54, 87-84.

Second Game DA 99 – Casaysayan 24, Silva 18, Fernandez 18, Manigo 11, Dematera 8, Comeriase 7, Mastelero 6, Lim 5, Hassan 2.

SSS 79 – Quiambao 29, Aguila 25, Roman 14, Trinidad 4, Puno 3, Paclibare 2, David 2.

Quarters: 21-7, 47-33, 75-58, 9979.

Third Game PNP 94 – Villanueva 16, Omiping 15, Tolentino 11, Serrano 8, Cabahug 7, Abaya 7, Misola 6, Cabrera 6, Nicolas 6, Aniban 4, Decena 3, Elopre 3, Bayabao 2 GSIS 63 – Laurel 12, Nuyana 9, Gonzalez 9, Banzali 8, Cacatian 6, Ilano 5, Dela Cuadra 5, Gementera 3, Bunyi 2, Dorato 2, De Luna 2 Quarters: 28-9, 44-19, 64-44, 9463.

Ed Rivera led the DENR Warriors with 17 points.

PH women’s baseball team in winning Asia Cup start THE first-ever Philippine women’s fying tournament for the 2020 World Eight countries divided into two long event which ends on Nov. 15. baseball team did the country proud in Women’s Baseball World Cup. groups are seeing action in the weekTop seed Japan, host China, No. 5 India their international debut. and No. 6 Pakistan are in Group A. Led by veterans Esmeralda Tayag The Philippines is in Group B, and Wenchi Bacarisas, the Philipalong with second seed Chinese pines battered Hong Kong, 12-3, Taipei, third seed Korea and fourth before stunning Korea, 14-7, for a seed Hong Kong. winning start in the Baseball FedThe team closes out its eliminaeration of Asia-2nd Women’s Basetion-round campaign against Chiball Asian Cup in Zhongshan, China nese Taipei at 10 a.m. on Monday. on Saturday.

The top two teams from each group In a report by Philippine Amawill advance to the semifinal round teur Baseball Association secretary while the bottom two teams will be general Pepe Muñoz, the Filipinas relegated to the consolation pool. did very well against their foreign The gold-medal game and counterparts in the eight-team, twobronze-medal match will be played group competition serving as quali- Philippine women’s baseball team, with its coaches on Nov. 15.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

UST Growling Tigers guard Mark Nonoy (right) drives strong to the hoop against UP Fighting Maroons defender Javi Gomez de Liano. UST beat UP, 89-69, to force a sudden-death match on Wednesday. The winner advances to the Finals against the Ateneo De Manila TRAINING. Manny Pacquiao continues his training Saturday at the Elorde Gym Five E-Com Building in Pasay City for his fight against American WBA welterweight super University Senator Blue Eagles. champion Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 20. Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

Creamline’s Galanza shows full potential at PVL Open

UST Growling Tigers upset favored Maroons

CREAMLINE’S historic title run in the PVL Open Conference showed spiker Alyssa Valdez and setter Jia Morado remain the backbone of the Cool Smashers’ campaign. But Jema Galanza’s emergence as a go-to guy should make the team fiercer and tougher when the league’s next season is unveiled.

Not only did the former Adamson U standout share the Best Open spiker honors with PetroGazz counterpart Jovie Prado but she also came away with the conference’s most coveted award— the MVP trophy.

When Valdez went down with injury and had to honor her commitment, along with Morado, with the national team, the Cool Smashers hardly felt their absence as Galanza, along with Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato, Kyle Negrito, Kyla Atienza and the rest stepped up, leading to that first-ever sweep of a conference in the league organized by Sports Vision.

“For me, it feels so good since all our hard work, sacrifices bore fruit,” said Galanza, who normed 14.12 points in the elims as the Cool Smashers’ leading scorer. She had 36.43 percent success rate in attacks, landed a norm on 0.37 aces per set, averaged 3.10 digs per set and the top non-libero player in excellent receptions with 47.22 percent efficiency rate.

Posting a sweep of a conference – 20 games in all, is indeed one for the books. And Galanza personified efficiency, Finals MVP and best setter Morado showed consistency, and top libero Kyla Atienza, the most recognizable but oftentimes overlooked player in the court, proved as worthy as the rest with her spectacular saves, digs and all.

Put in Valdez and Gumabao, whose unquestioned leadership, not to mention power and experience, is second to none and with Risa Sato, Celine Domingo, Pau Soriano, Fille CaingletCayetano, Rosemarie Vargas, Heather Guino-o, and Melissa Gohing providing solid backup on and off the court, the crowd favorites could indeed be on their way to reign for a long time.

For Morado, emerging as best setter and Finals MVP did surprise her but the former Ateneo star won’t trade the thrill of clutching a championship trophy with her teammates than basking in personal glory.

By Peter Atencio

R

HENZ ABANDO, Beninese slotman Soulemane Chabit Yo and his teammates kept the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers championship aspirations alive.

The 21-year-old Abando unloaded 17 points for the Growling Tigers as they subdued the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 89-69, yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Their efforts along with Mark Nonoy, Sherwin Concepcion and CJ Cansino allowed the Growling Tigers to extend their stepladder semifinals clash with the twiceto-beat Fighting Maroons to a rubber match on Wednesday in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

Their composure and pressing defense kept the Maroons in check after the Growling Tigers built a 17-point lead at halftime, weathered UP’s repeated comebacks in the fourth period.

“It’s all about execution. Execution on both defense and offense. We executed our game plan. Lahat ng instructions, sinagot ng mga players ko. We were con-

joshua Pacio (left) acknowledges the cheers of fans after he beat Rene Catalan (right) during their the ONE Strawweight World Championship bout won by Pacio.

Antonio tries to improve 2nd place finish in 2019 World Seniors Chess FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Madrigal Antonio Jr. competes in the FIDE World Seniors 2019 Chess Championships, which begins today at the Rin Grand Hotel in Bucharest, Romania.

The 19th seed Antonio (elo rating of 2427), who bagged the runner-up trophy in the 2017 edition in Italy two years ago, will be pitted against top seed GM Kiril Georgiev (2582) of Republic of Macedonia, second seed GM Darcy Lima (2540) of Brazil, third seed GM Zurab Sturua (2540) of Georgia, fourth seed GM Alexander Shabalov (2528) of the United States, fifth seed GM Mihail Marin (2521) and sixth seed GM Vladislav Nevednichy (2518) of Romania, seventh seed GM Ivan Morovic Fernandez (2505) of Chile, eight seed GM Alex Yermolinsky (2498) of the United States, ninth

nected out there. Execution,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo. This may be a continuation of the UST’s best performance in 2015, the year that the Tigers took their 18th crown.

That year, the Growling Tigers beat the National Bulldogs, 64-55, in the Final Four to reach the finals.

Since the start of the season, the Growling Tigers have beaten the Maroons thrice, first claiming an 85-69 verdict in the first round, and then posting an 84-78 triumph in the next round.

The Fighting Maroons, who have a twice-to-beat incentive as the second seeded team, will have a chance to redeem themselves in a knockout match on Wednesday.

Nonoy fired 16 points, with his one of two triples in the last 2:38 finding their mark.

Nonoy’s trey and that of Concepcion’s

hit their target right after UP managed to trim UST’s edge down to nine.

His last of two three-pointers gave UST a 20-point spread, their biggest in the game, 85-65, and with 52 ticks to go.

Concepcion contributed 12 points off his four triples while Cansino had 11.

Javi Gomez de Liano topscored with 20 points for UP, who was forced to 22 turnovers all throughout.

The Growling Tigers outscored the Fighting Maroons in the first two periods.

The 6’2” Abando unloaded 12 points in the first half while Cansino had nine, including two charities which shattered a 7-all deadlock.

From there, UST moved away on an 11-0 blast and took control with a 19-13 lead.

Subido shot five points in the first 20 minutes of action while Ando chipped in four, with his basket in the start of the second period triggering a 7-2 blast.

When it was over, UST was in front by 14 points, 27-15, with 5:26 left.

Chabi Yo scored only four points in the last period of the first half for UST, which got two triples from Abando in the remaining 2:15 of the half to put UST up by their biggest lead, 38-20, in the remaining 2:15.

seed GM Semen I. Dvoirys (2490) of Russia and tenth seed GM Artashes Minasian (2486) of Armenia, among others.

Backed up by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the 57-years-old Antonio, who holds the record 13-time Philippine Open Champion, will try to surpass his runner-up finish in the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+) held in Acqui Terme, Italy in 2017.

“I’m ready. It’s a big challenge for me, but I will do my very best for flag and country,” said Antonio who tallied undefeated record of 41 wins and drew 4 games in a rare 45 board simultaneous exhibition last Saturday at the Xavier School in San Juan City.

Bolts secure twice-to-beat advantage

By Reuel Vidal ANJO Caram played the game of his career to power the Meralco Bolts past the NorthPort Batang Pier, 103-89, in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup yesterday November 10 at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Caram finished with 30 points (converting 11 of 15 attempts from the field), four steals and two rebounds to win Player of the Game honors.

Meralco import Allen Durham was his usual productive self with 26 points, 19 rebounds, three assists and one block.

With the victory the Bolts (8 wins, 2 losses) assured themselves of a top four finish in the elimination round (and the accompanying twice-to-beat advantage) because only three other teams – the NLEX Road Warriors (7-2), the TNT Katropa (7-2) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (6-3) can still earn 8 wins.

North Port (3-6) on the other hand dropped into a tie at eighth and ninth place with the Alaska Aces (3-6) and are in danger of dropping out of the playoff picture.

The other teams include the the San Miguel Beermen (6-4) and the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (5-4). Bringing up the rear are Columbian Dyip (4-6), the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters (3-7), Phoenix Fuel Masters (2-7) and the Blackwater Elite (2-8).

The top eight teams advance to the quarterfinals while the bottom four are eliminated.

The Bolts built a big lead early in the third quarter. They gradually lost ground but still managed to hold on to a 72-69 advantage after the third.

Chooks-to-Go wins Jakarta 3x3 tourney CHOOKS-to-Go Pilipinas, which is preparing to see action in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament, drew 10 points from Alvin Pasaol in putting away host Indonesia, 21-17, claim the Jakarta 3x3 International Invitational Challenge 2019 on Saturday evening.

Pasaol knocked down two free throws with 2:58 left, and this won the game for Team Philippines in this race-to-21 affair.

“We are preparing for the OQT. This is a good tournament to start. I’m really proud of the boys,” said team program director Eric Altamirano.

Joshua Munzon, who is the top Filipino player in the FIBA 3x3 ranking at world no. 105, added seven points while Santi Santillan added three.

Their triumph over Indonesia allowed the Philippines to complete five-game sweep of this cagefest which is hosted by Indonesian federation PERBASI as part of the SEA Games.

Pasaol, along with Munzon, are also getting ready to play for the Philippine national men’s 3x3 basketball team that will be formed for the 2020 FIBA 3X3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament this March in Delhi, India.

With the game tied at 17-all, Munzon forced his way underneath for a go-ahead bucket the broke the deadlock with less than four minutes to play.

Chooks 3x3 started their stint with a 21-10 triumph over world no. 40 Chinese-Taipei.

Then, they repulsed SEA Gamesbound squads Malaysia, 21-17, Indonesia,21-13, and Vietnam (19-14) to sweep the eliminations. Peter Atencio

Loss to Pacio helps Catalan prepare for SEA Games OSHUA Pacio gave challenger Rene Catalan a good lesson which will be helpful in his ongoing preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Pacio unmasked weaknesses in Catalan’s game when he freed himself from a leg lock in the first round before forcing Catalan to tap out in the second round of their clash for the ONE Strawweight World Championship on Friday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The experience gave Catalan a chance to refine his preparation for the 2019 SEA Games, where he is listed as a fighter in kickboxing.

“Hindi ako disappointed sa pagkatalo ko ngayon. I did my game plan. It’s a good experience for me and my team,” said Catalan.

The 40-year-old Catalan said he will need to increase the power of his punches

and kicks. He will also need to improve his conditioning.

This will help him go places when the SEA Games comes around.

Catalan added that he won’t just be competing in the SEA Games. He will be there to win a gold medal.

The 23-year-old Pacio subdued Catalan with an arm-triangle choke in the 2:29 mark of the second round.

“When I got him down, I worked on the little details on the technique that I applied on him. And maybe there were little things that he did not apply. That’s why I got him,” said Pacio.

The 115-lbs Pacio now has a 15-3 winloss record after pulling off his second straight win.

Pacio was among three Filipinos who won that evening, along with Geje Eustacio and Edward Folayang.

The former flyweight world titleholder Eustaquio got payback on his 2016 setback to CWFC bantamweight world champion Toni Tauru by using a technique he utilized for the first time.

Eustaquio unleashed a 180-degree reverse kick which knocked out Tauru at the 2:11 mark of the final round.

“I have been watching the spinning back kick of Kevin (Bellingon). I have been training for it early this year. But in my past two fights, I have not been able to apply it,” said Eustaquio.

The fight between Folayang and Mongolian opponent Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu got called off in the middle of the second round.

Tsogookhuu accidentally hit Folayang with a headbutt during a counterattack by the Filipino.

Folayang left with a huge cut on his left cheek area. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF Shell ready to start fuel marking scheme

PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. informed the Department of Finance that it is ready to start automated fuel marking this month at its 90-million-liter capacity North Mindanao Import Facility in Cagayan de Oro City that serves the requirements of Visayas and Mindanao.

Under the fuel marking program, a unique chemical marker will be introduced to all petroleum products—gasoline, diesel and kerosene—to make it traceable and difficult to dilute fuel, deliver it to a different destination or substitute it with a substandard grade.

The marking will serve as a deterrent to fuels smuggling, therefore enhancing government revenues, because it enables quicker detection of illicit fuels once the local market is fully saturated with marked petroleum products.

Pilipinas Shell said along with the SICPA-SGS consortium, it would install and commission an automated fuel marking injection system at its 110,000-barrel-perday refinery in Tabangao, Batangas City.

Alena Mae S. Flores

San Miguel adding Alabang viaduct ramp

San Miguel Corp. said over the weekend the installation of a temporary steel onramp to connect the Alabang viaduct to the Skyway would significantly improve traffic flow on the South Luzon Expressway, along with the ongoing construction of the Skyway Extension project.

The ramp ,which will have two lanes and operational by December 1, 2019, will expand the northbound section of SLEX in Alabang from three to five lanes.

“The limitations in the original design of the SLEX is that it has five lanes coming from Susana Heights heading to Alabang.

However, this narrows to four lanes at the Alabang viaduct and connects with the Skyway at-grade that has only three lanes.

This is the main reason why Alabang has always been a chokepoint for traffic,” said San Miguel president Ramon S. Ang. “This is the main reason why we are building the Skyway extension. We want to make the northbound and southbound sections five lanes each all throughout,” he added. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business PH threatens to restrict Thailand’s auto exports

By Othel V. Campos

T

he Philippines will exercise its right to retaliatory trade remedy measures against Thailand noncompliance with measures sanctioned by the World Trade Organization, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said over the weekend.

Rodolfo said the negotiating team of the Philippines planned to subject all vehicle imports from Thailand to quantitative restriction before the end of the year. The issue stemmed from the two countries’ seven-year dispute over cigarette exports.

“We are following WTO rules on dispute settlement, studying crosssector retaliation as an option allowed by the WTO. There are provisions that allow us to retaliate,” Rodolfo said.

He said the aggrieved country would normally initiate a measure to retaliate to the fullest extent possible

on the same product by increasing the tariff that should be equivalent to the injury.

Rodolfo, however, said finding the most vulnerable export of the non-compliant country, which in this case was automotive vehicles to the Philippines, and imposing cross-sector retaliation were allowed by the WTO. Automotive vehicles are the top imports of the Philippines from Thailand. Under the WTO, these vehicles have the headings of 8703 and 8704, one for the transfer of goods and the other for transport of passengers.

Rodolfo said the Philippines had won several times over Thailand on the issue of alleged export undervaluation of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc.’s cigarette exports to Thailand.

Using QR as trade remedy, the Philippines could impose higher tariff on imported vehicles once the volume of imports went beyond the threshold.

The Philippines instructed the WTO in Geneva to request the dispute settlement body secretariat for a meeting with Thailand to relay its plans.

The process, which is still ongoing, also gave Thailand the chance to lift its non-compliant measures.

The WTO ruled as early as 2001 that Thailand should correct the trade malpractice it subjected the Philippines and Philip Morris Thailand.

The non-compliance of Thailand on the rulings of the WTO is a disregard of the world cooperation on trade, according to the Philippines.

GCash Insure, AXA bare insurance tie-up

GCash Insure, the new comprehensive yet affordable insurance product for GCash users, has teamed up with AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, to underwrite coverage, with Micro Ensure, a global digital insurance provider, serving as administrator and distributor of the innovative offering.

With life and personal accident insurance coverage of up to P200,000 and daily hospital income insurance up to P10,000, GCash Insure allows Filipinos to have insurance for themselves and their families at an affordable monthly or annual premium.

Payments will be deducted from their GCash accounts, depending on the customer’s preferred and agreed-upon payment frequency.

Customers can choose among bronze, silver, gold or platinum benefit plans, which can cover the user and other beneficiaries, such as their families of up to three persons.

GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, has begun offering micro-insurance products to its users as a way of democratizing access to financial protection.

PHOENIX FUND-RAISING. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. holds a ceremonial bell ringing at the Philippine Stock Exchange after the company raised P7 billion from the issuance of series 4 preferred shares. Attending the ceremony are (from left) PNX chief operating officer Henry Albert Fadullon, senior vice president Alan Raymond Zorrilla, director Monico Jacob, treasurer and chief finance officer Concepcion De Claro and chairman and president Dennis Uy; PSE chairman Jose Pardo, directors Ma. Vivian Yuchengco, Wilson Sy and Roberto Cecilio Lim, chief operating officer Roel Refran and director Alejandro Yu.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

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WawaJVCo gets BDO loan to fund water supply project

By Jenniffer B. Austria WAWAJVCO, a joint venture of Enrique Razon’s Prime Infra and Oscar Violago’s San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders Group, signed a P20-billion term loan facility with BDO Unibank Inc.to jumpstart the construction of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project in Rizal province.

BDO Capital and Investments Corp. president Eduardo Francisco did not disclose the details of the loan but confirmed that an agreement was signed on Friday.

“A deal was signed. It shows that the project is bankable, feasible and that there will be support for the project,” Francisco said.

BDO Capital acted as the sole arranger and book runner ofr the deal.

The project is expected to address the recurring water supply problem in Metro Manila. It aims to deliver at least 80 million liters per day to east zone water concessionaire Manila Water Company which will be the offtaker of the project starting year 2021 and over 500 MLD by 2025.

The project is still awaiting the final approval of state-owned Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

MWSS chairman Reynaldo Velasco earlier said the company would give its final approval for the Wawa dam—a major flagship project of the Duterte administration’s water security program.

Velasco said the MWSS board would tackle and approve the Wawa Dam project to help address the water supply deficit in the east zone.

“The Wawa Dam is an integral part of the overall short-, medium- and longterm water flagship projects of MWSS to ensure water security,” Velasco said.

“We are in a catch-up mode as far as water supply source is concerned. Wawa Dam, which used to be the water source for Metro Manila before Angat Dam was completed in 1967 and became operational, has been identified by water experts as the best potential water supply source for Metro Manila,” Velasco said.

WawaJVCo signed an offtake agreement on Aug. 6 “We are ready to move forward and have been proactively working with all stakeholders, public and private, to progress this project since 2018. Wawa is the fastest and least expensive water source development and comes at no cost to the government,” said Prime Infra’s Enrique Razon.

Republic Cement plans to expand Aboitiz InfraCapital hesitant on Sangley airport over monopoly issue production by 25% By Darwin G. Amojelar REPUBLIC Cement, a unit of the Aboitiz Group, plans to expand capacity by 25 percent to 9.37 million metric tons in 2020 to fill up the shortfall in local output and the expected demand surge amid the major infrastructure works.

“We believe that the future of the Philippines should be built by locallymanufactured cement and that’s why we have invested in growing capacity,” said Republic Cement president and chief executive Nabil Francis.

He said local demand was currently hovering at around 33.5 million MT—a number that could go up to 35 million MT next year.

“The local industry could supply the demand. Then of course, the local industry is investing in order to follow up the increase of the demand,” Francis said.

He said the safeguard tariff imposed on imported cement did not have a significant impact on local prouction.

The Trade Department earlier subjected the cement industry to a moto propio investigation following the sudden increase in cement imports.

It was found that the high volume of cement imports had impacted the local industry that prompted the government to subject imports to safeguard tariff of P8.40 per bag.

Republic Cement is currently operating plants in strategically-located facilities across the country. It has four plants in Luzon, 1 in the Visayas and 1 in Mindanao.

“Out of the six plants, we have revamped five out of the six. It will be a mix of those five plants. The only one that will not change is the one in Visayas,” Francis said.

The reconfiguration of the five plants was a part of the company’s plan to increase output. Othel V. Campos

ABOITIZ InfraCapital Inc. said it is unsure if it can participate in the bidding for the $10-billion Sangley International Airport because of possible monopoly issue.

“We are looking at the terms and modality. We are looking at the structure.

We are looking at what we can and what we cannot do given that we have unsolicited proposal for NAIA [Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” InfraCapital chief operating officer Cosette Canilao said.

Canilao said monopoly was one of the issues that the company was considering as Aboitiz InfraCapital is a member of the NAIA Consortium that offered to rehabilitate and expand NAIA, the main gateway in Luzon.

Other members of the NAIA consortium are AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

DM Consunji Inc. earlier said the Sangley airport was not on its radar,

while SM Investments Corp. said it was not planning to participate in the project.

Ayala Land Inc. said it was still evaluating the bidding for the Sangley airport project.

The deadline for securing a bid is Nov. 11, while the submission of bids is on Nov. 25, 2019. Interested bidders could purchase bid documents for P10 million.

The provincial government of Cavite is the lead proponent and implementing agency of the project under the local public-private partnership scheme.

Cavite said it would no longer require the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority for the project’s implementation.

Cavite expects to award the project by end of November and start the construction by January next yer. It would separately bid out the operations and maintenance of the new international airport.

Once completed, the airport is expected to be at par with Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport.

BSP shuts down AMA, Maximum banks

By Julito G. Rada

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said it closed down two financially-ailing banks based in Mandaluyong City and Batangas City.

The board prohibited AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong Inc. and Maximum Savings Bank Inc. from doing business in the Philippines on Nov. 7 2019, pursuant to Section 30 of Republic Act No. 7653 (The New Central Bank Act), as amended.

This brought the number of banks placed under the receivership of Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. this year to 11.

It said the closures of AMA Rural Bank and Maximum Savings were “not expected to adversely affect the Philippine banking system considering their relatively small size.”

“As of June 30, 2019, their total assets are equivalent to only 0.02 percent and 0.002 percent, respectively, of the total assets of the banking system,” the BSP said.

AMA Rural Bank has a network of

10 branches with its main branch located in Mandaluyong City and the other branches in Pasig City; Cainta and Morong, Rizal; Bacoor, Cavite; San Pablo and Calamba cities in Laguna; Baliuag, Bulacan; San Fernando, Pampanga; and Baguio City.

The board said AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong had related companies but these were not under the supervision of the BSP. It said the BSP only took action on the bank pursuant to its mandate under Section 30 of its Charter.

Meanwhile, Maximum Savings Bank has a network of three branches with its main branch located in Batangas City and the other branches in Sabang and Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro.

“The overall Philippine banking system remains sound and stable with ample liquidity and high level of capitalization as BSP continues to promote good governance among its supervised institutions to ensure the soundness of the banking system and to protect the interest of the banking public,” the board further said.

GARMENT EXPO. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announces the holding of the Philippine Garment, Leather Industries and Textile Expo on Dec. 5 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Now in its second year, the expo will gather manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and stakeholders to help boost the country’s potential in producing garments, leather goods and textiles for export.

B2

Business

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market likely to stay above 8,000

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices are expected to stay above the 8,000-point level amid easing tension on the US-China trade war and an expected and sustained domestic economic growth.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said investors accumulated stocks following a betterthan-expected gross domestic product growth numbers.

The government last week reported that third-quarter grew 6.2 percent from 5.5 percent in the previous quarter, and better than the 6-percent median estimates.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales of Regina Capital Development Corp., said the latest MSCI rebalancing could affect the flow of foreign funds into the country.

“The latest announcement of MSCI re-

balancing implied that there would be a high exodus of foreign investors with the deletion of AGI (Alliance Global Group Inc) and DMC (DMCI Holdings Inc.),” Limlingan said.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index hit an intra-week high of 8,216.92 before edging 1.1 percent higher to close at 8,065.6. The broader All Shares Index also rose 0.8 percent to 4,823.80, as investors cheered the better than expected 6.2-percent third-quarter economic growth.

Four of the six sectoral indices registered week-on-week increases, led by

services (+2.6 percent), financials (+1.5 percent), holding firms (+1.3 percent) and industrial (+0.07 percent).

Mining and oil declined by 1.3 percent while property slipped 0.03 percent.

Weekly top price gainers were Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which rose 7.7 percent to P10.76; Robinsons Land Corp., which climbed 4.9 percent to P26.70; and International Container Terminal Services Inc., which gained 4.3 percent to P123.

Weekly top price losers were Alliance Global Group Inc., which fell 7.5 percent to P10.62; and DMCI Holdings Inc., which dropped 7.1 percent to P7.62.

Share prices of DMCI And AGI declined after the MSCI deleted the two stocks from its global standard indexes as a part of a quarterly index review.

Foreign investors were net buyers for the week by P602 million, while the average daily value traded stood stood at P6.79 billion from the previous week’s

average of P6.5 billion.

Global stocks, meanwhile, were mixed on Friday, with US indices pushing to fresh records as investors remained fairly upbeat on the prospects of a US-China trade deal despite some confusing signs on where things stand.

US President Donald Trump said he had not agreed to roll back any import tariffs as part of a partial trade deal the two sides are negotiating, contradicting Chinese government statements the prior day that had linked a rollback of some existing tariffs to the finalization of the partial “phase one” trade deal announced last month.

The remarks weighed on US stocks much of the day but markets pushed into positive territory at the end of the day, lifting all three major US indices to fresh records.

It was the S&P 500’s third record this week amid optimism that the US-China situation is progressing towards a deal.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

NOVEMBER 4-8, 2019 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

55 159.50 97.50 1.91 1.23 25.45 18.4 12.88 4.52 1.28 825.00 0.400 67.55 0.89 12.72 20.60 45.05 57.9 116.9 175 25.85 203 1866.00 60.10 1.09

18,700 6,906,610 13,777,730 2,169,000 434,000 594,200 14,500 6,145,000 443,000 235,000 1,110 740,000 15,770,640 916,000 35,600 500 201,300 16,760 90 4,320 831,200 1,623,590 630 117,210 14,000

FINANCIAL 1,028,355.00 1,092,132,054.00 1,350,716,363.50 4,187,530.00 510,030.00 15,224,060.00 267,360.00 79,302,028.00 2,013,080.00 297,020.00 885,700.00 296,450.00 1,058,576,439.50 808,400.00 462,646.00 10,310.00 9,115,565.00 961,975.00 11,302.00 755,853.00 21,656,080.00 329,189,485.00 1,172,465.00 7,139,164.00 15,310.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

AC Energy Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

39.6 2.59 13.8 0.65 1.3 4.09 0.247 102.7 18.02 2.5 15.32 125 8 65.15 70 31 2.13 5.54 5.3 8.780 15.5 10.60 7.00 1.65 24.7 78.75 50.50 2.2800 14.56 8.39 1.490 228.00 46.00 5.11 3.58 9.30 19.18 13.3 17.18 0.188 349.80 1.67 4.34 5.01 9.50 11.00 33.95 5.4 5.46 1.87 1.94 0.99 11.92 91 7.8 0.129 1.09 151.5 2.52 1.33 15.52 1.10

8,482,700 40,262,000 1,607,900 8,053,000 146,000 22,500,000 7,050,000 320 1,900 6,244,000 5,274,700 990 3,955,800 4,000 1,980 432,200 969,000 106,000 112,500 17,051,900 1,549,700 1,764,900 2,461,500 8,000 5,057,700 339,740 252,910 47,472,000 1,199,600 1,071,500 676,000 2,564,540 1,400 68,600 46,000 27,100 8,558,900 343,700 6,661,800 280,000 1,051,270 12,930,000 26,000 3,656,200 35,900 266,000 1,384,500 583,200 750,800 11,183,000 455,000 806,000 1,403,900 877,700 634,400 1,360,000 568,000 5,342,000 5,000 28,040,000 100 6,751,000

INDUSTRIAL 333,908,520.00 108,827,790.00 21,963,574.00 5,275,400.00 187,980.00 91,326,080.00 1,699,890.00 28,725.50 33,078.00 15,859,040.00 79,625,716.00 118,501.00 32,684,953.00 262,262.00 139,842.50 13,308,415.00 2,058,210.00 607,864.00 610,889.00 143,278,786.00 23,913,214.00 18,395,986.00 17,219,592.00 13,200.00 128,085,615.00 26,822,857.00 12,630,781.50 107,236,080.00 17,412,258.00 8,743,972.00 994,020.00 521,015,882.00 66,600.00 350,546.00 161,270.00 246,358.00 164,716,648.00 4,568,948.00 115,707,886.00 51,680.00 365,208,672.00 21,969,970.00 108,190.00 18,398,795.00 339,622.00 2,903,642.00 46,814,215.00 3,152,923.00 4,087,821.00 20,462,960.00 897,630.00 772,770.00 16,554,410.00 79,690,955.00 4,885,538.00 172,370.00 610,150.00 813,939,174.00 12,480.00 36,515,990.00 1,552.00 7,420,590.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ Asiabest Group ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land Log BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.820 56.00 10.62 0.74 6.60 12.88 1.130 1.170 848.5 3.530 1280.00 6.91 7.63 3.82 3.43 13.38 0.205 900 5.57 78.50 5.49 5.3 0.52 4.26 13.02 0.590 4.65 0.0370 1.460 2.36 170.00 2.25 1070.00 1.28 0.85 224.400 340.20 0.2120 0.220

25,566,000 4,838,670 115,161,400 682,000 6,966,300 71,200 2,871,000 32,000 3,534,990 3,835,000 20 17,813,300 135,353,100 5,000 400 71,900 700,000 290,400 321,300 7,564,590 1,000 100 205,000 7,480,000 11,098,500 1,493,000 126,237,000 6,800,000 903,000 22,000 759,520 317,000 3,180,665 832,000 348,000 1,520 20 3,820,000 1,360,000

HOLDING FIRMS 21,225,180.00 270,784,001.00 1,251,986,916.00 497,980.00 46,049,021.00 917,530.00 3,214,400.00 37,740.00 3,074,722,840.00 13,639,950.00 25,165.00 123,350,742.00 1,072,445,069.00 18,900.00 1,372.00 960,418.00 144,170.00 262,831,940.00 1,802,568.00 244,812,603,752.00 5,490.00 530.00 104,810.00 32,286,680.00 147,578,730.00 824,370.00 608,092,560.00 255,800.00 1,289,330.00 54,250.00 128,154,891.00 728,430.00 3,345,494,660.00 1,103,170.00 296,130.00 343,556.00 7,352.00 817,340.00 312,000.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

14.800 0.80 9.53 1.700 0.890 47.000 2 4.63 6.35 0.590 0.86 0.860 0.206 0.460 10.300 20.05 0.460 1.62 1.24 4.43 4.9 0.295 1.4600 0.4000 0.370 2.06

967,900 1,343,000 24,300 100,000 4,230,000 48,485,800 6,763,000 1,001,000 184,100 140,765,000 81,000 81,000 6,430,000 32,280,000 1,078,700 1,444,400 12,670,000 72,205,000 908,000 2,000 62,594,000 15,650,000 9,371,000 7,750,000 470,000 2,444,000

PROPERTY 14,398,476.00 1,083,190.00 232,579.00 170,420.00 3,741,270.00 2,321,184,050.00 13,518,570.00 4,627,000.00 1,153,516.00 84,366,410.00 62,230.00 69,520.00 1,293,330.00 15,808,800.00 11,076,441.00 29,360,954.00 6,004,550.00 117,788,760.00 1,130,670.00 8,830.00 307,035,970.00 4,544,200.00 14,261,920.00 3,092,700.00 175,650.00 4,962,110.00

OCTOBER 28-31, 2019 Close Volume Value 55 154.90 97.00 1.84 1.11 25.2 18 12.58 4.5

39,610 9,555,500 11,853,400 70,000 115,000 615,700 294,700 2,596,100 1,431,000

2,164,164.50 1,458,793,878.00 1,167,807,865.50 143,480.00 128,150.00 15,496,935.00 5,386,850.00 32,105,038.00 6,528,470.00

768.00 0.410 67.6 0.89 12.7 20.60 44.90 57.6 117.4 175 25.7 199.2 1840.00 60.15 1.14

50 230,000 18,271,540 1,854,000 117,000 2,500 404,600 10,780 2,100 3,420 480,650 1,728,960 785 82,370 1,000

38,400.00 96,450.00 1,220,413,189.00 1,654,090.00 1,523,578.00 51,690.00 17,898,925.00 629,063.50 271,604.00 597,938.00 91,107,249.00 350,489,890.00 1,454,550.00 4,965,764.50 1,140.00

39.95 2.79 13.38 0.68 1.29 3.89 0.249 105.5 18.12 2.51 15 113.1 8.7 65.4 72 30.5 2.1 5.75 5.32 8.530 15.5 10.26 7.00 1.59 24.8 78.9 48.50 2.2600 14.58 7.91 1.480 232.00 48.00 5.11 3.5 9.24 19.84 13.24 17.7 0.183 338.40 1.7 4.35 5.01 9.49 11.00 34 5.4 5.38 1.94 2.08 0.98 11.48 92 7.37 0.131 1.11 151 2.5 1.35

6,521,200 23,353,000 2,502,100 1,443,000 949,000 33,797,000 1,540,000 400 1,000 19,406,000 2,124,700 420 2,093,500 880 2,320 576,200 583,000 10,200 85,200 7,370,500 904,300 2,184,400 1,850,600 5,000 9,434,300 275,390 81,600 37,514,000 1,833,000 782,100 1,847,000 2,145,680 3,250 140,500 46,000 136,900 1,808,300 186,900 3,814,600 40,000 1,014,690 5,689,000 131,000 2,652,500 37,000 82,800 1,636,700 657,000 436,000 4,968,000 260,000 372,000 420,500 1,122,840 149,700 90,000 608,000 7,910,470 6,000 35,411,000

255,501,570.00 65,822,610.00 32,811,612.00 971,040.00 1,225,400.00 127,750,770.00 373,750.00 41,050.50 17,532.00 42,463,310.00 209,173,396.00 47,234.00 17,242,828.00 58,806.50 166,040.50 18,390,390.00 1,232,850.00 61,155.00 463,337.00 63,024,820.00 13,925,874.00 22,417,036.00 12,946,629.00 7,950.00 236,613,690.00 21,757,378.00 3,929,705.00 85,970,340.00 26,452,530.00 6,193,094.00 2,720,710.00 489,268,468.00 157,510.50 727,591.00 160,260.00 1,294,758.00 35,900,056.00 958,350.00 67,467,138.00 7,320.00 354,655,480.00 9,683,550.00 552,180.00 13,298,518.00 346,509.00 905,390.00 55,390,685.00 3,546,383.00 2,341,486.00 9,284,660.00 547,890.00 372,670.00 4,717,654.00 103,261,652.00 1,099,509.00 11,550.00 657,810.00 1,196,456,585.00 14,550.00 46,047,390.00

1.13

4,963,000

5,546,190.00

0.820 55.95 11.48 0.75 6.89 13.02 1.120 1.130 860 3.600

65,303,000 3,650,500 91,327,640 2,147,000 49,000 66,000 1,440,000 252,000 1,052,880 45,070,000

54,216,200.00 201,289,096.00 531,644,619.00 1,561,230.00 332,280.00 868,462.00 1,613,060.00 285,160.00 907,846,890.00 158,318,670.00

6.9 8.21 4.25

6,202,100 48,739,100 13,000

42,555,353.00 398,353,012.00 51,910.00

13.22 0.224 894 5.61 76.25

38,200 60,000 251,550 7,000 6,580,980

506,490.00 13,440.00 223,144,965.00 39,341.00 496,925,278.50

5.09 0.51 4.31 13.34 0.590 4.8 0.0380 1.460 2.80 167.00 2.34 1030.00 1.27 0.86 230.000 395.00 0.2180 0.220

18,300 220,000 2,248,000 14,071,800 1,600,000 108,787,000 20,800,000 524,000 6,000 644,990 1,172,000 4,348,665 9,000 953,000 403,390 40 570,000 2,160,000

100,764.00 108,345.00 9,700,320.00 186,717,580.00 924,070.00 523,217,120.00 783,400.00 751,070.00 16,840.00 109,964,131.00 2,750,730.00 4,449,705,285.00 45,780.00 827,950.00 87,948,092.00 15,900.00 124,000.00 480,400.00

15.000 0.81 9.35 1.780 0.880 48.550 1.99 4.5 6.1 0.870 0.75 0.870 0.205 0.490 10.220 20.25 0.490 1.60 1.27 4.50 4.83 0.290 1.5600 0.4100 0.380 2.03

835,100 2,096,000 13,600 268,000 4,199,000 21,663,600 5,422,000 804,000 60,400 32,237,000 2,000 119,000 3,160,000 11,190,000 728,100 639,300 84,902,000 28,646,000 1,141,000 156,000 55,787,000 29,160,000 38,327,000 3,440,000 460,000 728,000

12,221,184.00 1,701,790.00 125,795.00 461,770.00 3,600,130.00 1,059,234,620.00 10,808,630.00 3,631,800.00 377,544.00 18,834,940.00 1,500.00 101,010.00 641,230.00 5,331,900.00 7,430,892.00 13,021,735.00 43,418,760.00 45,867,280.00 1,427,900.00 702,000.00 269,929,520.00 8,465,400.00 59,631,820.00 1,411,550.00 173,900.00 1,470,260.00

STOCKS

NOVEMBER 4-8, 2019 Close Volume

OCTOBER 28-31, 2019 Close Volume Value

Value

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes Vistamalls

26.70 2.26 3.3 40.00 2.56 1.490 7.730 5.500

7,305,500 694,000 164,000 53,573,300 9,067,000 244,656,000 14,220,700 125,900

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel AllHome APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. PH Resorts Group Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

10.98 18.2 1.59 11.38 0.510 0.040 18.34 2.52 10.76 94.35 6.9 6.47 5.90 2.06 9.08 920 1900 5.26 439.80 11.46 1.62 123.8 1.71 8 3.62 0.106 4.7700 2.3 13.64 3.16 0.91 19.50 14.22 0.405 3.4 2.50 1.05 1.09 3.550 2.79 8.00 2.65 4.82 155.00 3.03 1110.00 0.475 0.680 39.70 77.00 9.12 2.65 0.670 0.33 0.660 17.200

55,200 791,700 438,000 72,127,600 18,895,000 19,900,000 1,400 1,950,000 66,547,000 673,220 4,700 3,222,400 741,900 1,000 188,500 30 202,260 545,600 24,920 3,600 3,173,000 9,057,260 152,000 300 5,000 6,690,000 7,130,000 159,000 1,900 3,193,000 383,000 4,844,600 400 480,000 130,000 4,227,000 76,000 13,000 34,395,000 159,000 1,171,300 81,000 88,100 182,920 1,944,000 485,055 23,520,000 8,742,000 11,021,600 1,957,780 60,100 7,055,000 10,009,000 91,050,000 1,383,000 8,863,400

SERVICES 600,946.00 14,629,694.00 691,670.00 823,965,760.00 9,736,700.00 810,100.00 25,520.00 4,922,220.00 707,450,640.00 64,473,095.50 32,430.00 21,205,302.00 4,071,635.00 2,060.00 1,709,087.00 27,600.00 376,739,770.00 2,877,546.00 10,770,988.00 38,858.00 5,067,290.00 1,119,579,076.00 258,600.00 2,400.00 18,100.00 708,130.00 33,961,680.00 368,740.00 25,828.00 10,087,720.00 354,760.00 97,602,096.00 5,344.00 197,100.00 447,550.00 10,609,450.00 82,780.00 14,170.00 122,940,460.00 426,400.00 10,736,908.00 221,840.00 427,010.00 27,437,120.00 5,864,540.00 543,199,630.00 11,362,000.00 5,902,800.00 439,742,480.00 149,831,355.50 545,665.00 18,918,260.00 6,707,730.00 27,093,300.00 926,890.00 150,650,522.00

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0017 1.10 2.57 12.22 1.0900 1.1000 2.59 0.285 7.76 1.840 0.210 0.105 0.109 0.0089 0.0092 1.1 3.86 1.07 0.8300 0.0120 0.0120 3.44 12.16 0.0110 11.2000 23.80 0.0058

139,000,000 6,515,000 366,000 109,600 1,000 10,000 1,623,000 270,000 110,300 171,896,000 2,090,000 5,930,000 3,710,000 17,000,000 2,000,000 1,636,000 57,442,000 100,000 1,236,000 94,300,000 719,800,000 824,000 4,695,300 69,900,000 8,213,400 4,720,600 11,000,000

MINING & OIL 233,100.00 7,292,200.00 935,290.00 1,317,262.00 1,090.00 11,100.00 4,198,060.00 77,050.00 804,923.00 340,081,640.00 438,890.00 615,810.00 388,230.00 152,200.00 18,400.00 1,828,670.00 227,607,550.00 105,880.00 1,034,090.00 1,087,300.00 7,951,900.00 2,845,100.00 58,160,034.00 765,300.00 91,136,734.00 110,281,095.00 65,100.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ DD PREF First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred 1 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMPFC Preferred

17.5 100.1 503 101 109.5 505.5 5.14 990 980 99 1.01 101 1034 1050 1070 100.5 109 1036 999 78.2 75.15 75.1 76.1 75.2 75.15 75.7 1.73

396,200 17,930 14,360 208,310 25,900 33,200 399,500 5,690 300 75,610 622,000 183,120 150 4,720 1,750 5,000 1,560 32,165 2,250 122,940 94,410 46,340 328,660 13,400 269,970 803,560 20,000

LR Warrant

1.580

242,000

Italpinas Kepwealth Makati Fin. Corp.

Xurpas

6.89 12.48 2.56 1.12

3,646,300 4,032,400 30,000 100,114,000

120.6

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 54,870 6,637,281.00

10.3 10.2

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 17,200 175,628.60 14,430 141,648.00

First Metro ETF USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

193,096,765.00 1,574,590.00 540,190.00 357,596,817,866.00 22,558,080.00 405,867,530.00 109,416,386.00 684,458.00

PREFERRED 6,978,426.00 1,813,147.00 7,205,120.00 13,011,790.00 2,836,050.00 16,768,015.00 2,053,643.00 5,629,000.00 291,360.00 7,422,669.50 628,220.00 18,496,824.00 152,925.00 4,957,630.00 1,870,550.00 502,590.00 169,770.00 14,442,760.00 2,246,730.00 9,611,554.00 6,006,040.00 3,481,666.00 25,014,289.00 1,008,992.00 20,332,145.50 60,830,715.00 3,460.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 390,700.00 SME 24,955,670.00 48,520,682.00 76,850.00 108,163,590.00

25.45 2.32 3.29 39.00 2.63 1.710 7.690 5.580

8,479,100 952,000 41,000 33,761,500 3,580,000 193,469,000 13,553,700 146,700

218,295,535.00 2,150,670.00 134,040.00 1,311,368,195.00 9,294,820.00 319,149,250.00 104,181,763.00 793,218.00

11.18 18.6 1.63 11.48 0.530 0.041 19.6 2.4 9.99 10510 6.91 6.68 5.30 2.05 9.02 925 1824 5.26 431.00 11.92 1.62 118.7 1.73 8 3.86 0.110 4.7300 2.46 14 3.06 0.91 20.60 13.50 0.400 3.45 2.43 1.05

250,400 897,000 362,000 56,237,300 67,104,000 42,600,000 313,400 1,102,000 26,819,100 1,270,072 2,300 1,543,300 74,000 140,000 109,600 280 180,665 157,100 43,810 1,100 2,459,000 4,921,140 73,000 134,500 3,000 430,000 11,371,000 260,000 2,600 829,000 742,000 4,129,000 300 620,000 269,000 884,000 71,000

2,692,544.00 16,721,436.00 584,420.00 645,995,834.00 34,674,270.00 1,727,100.00 5,812,972.00 2,588,650.00 270,014,477.00 27,764,162.50 15,897.00 10,327,810.00 400,200.00 286,840.00 993,055.00 257,750.00 334,266,220.00 821,105.00 19,421,568.00 12,192.00 3,897,750.00 598,509,031.00 126,640.00 1,074,529.00 11,330.00 46,280.00 54,084,110.00 627,940.00 37,188.00 2,512,450.00 679,030.00 82,126,644.00 3,950.00 250,950.00 918,000.00 2,123,850.00 75,360.00

3.530 2.68 8.25 2.92 5.19 149.00 3.02 1100.00 0.485 0.670 40.85 75.85 9.20 2.58 0.680 0.325 0.670 16.500

36,025,000 257,000 25,700 2,000 13,000 681,540 1,540,000 479,695 36,681,000 6,768,000 2,130,800 3,610,250 115,900 5,256,000 33,350,000 10,000,000 1,285,000 2,583,700

123,940,560.00 705,110.00 206,560.00 5,860.00 67,091.00 98,140,177.00 4,628,800.00 526,014,625.00 18,021,215.00 4,551,650.00 85,326,145.00 277,819,271.50 1,059,449.00 13,559,030.00 22,578,860.00 3,210,600.00 860,170.00 43,457,562.00

0.0018 1.13 2.54 12.46 1.1000 1.1200 2.6 0.295 7.69 1.880 0.211 0.104 0.108 0.0091 0.0092 1.18 4.01 1.07 0.8900 0.0120 0.0120 3.53 12.80 0.0110 1038.0000 23.35 0.0062

175,000,000 7,628,000 610,000 37,200 177,000 6,000 842,000 500,000 19,900 122,931,000 1,680,000 12,360,000 990,000 44,000,000 5,000,000 1,321,000 58,681,000 521,000 738,000 31,700,000 1,882,100,000 856,000 12,872,700 160,100,000 1,911,000 3,851,400 13,000,000

298,000.00 8,727,660.00 1,565,470.00 451,220.00 195,140.00 6,720.00 2,172,640.00 144,050.00 151,186.00 226,601,310.00 348,560.00 1,313,280.00 106,700.00 400,400.00 46,000.00 1,570,750.00 242,459,820.00 541,080.00 644,970.00 368,600.00 21,985,000.00 3,045,120.00 169,727,154.00 1,742,500.00 19,951,854.00 89,846,960.00 79,300.00

17.7 103.3 498 100.4 109.5 501 5.14

298,700 2,370 3,000 809,330 27,920 400 30,200

5,307,932.00 244,829.00 1,494,000.00 81,691,726.00 3,051,403.00 200,400.00 154,886.00

950 98.15 1.01 101 1006 1051 1080 101.8 108

100 6,310 1,892,000 31,430 105 32,240 7,550 2,060 3,660

95,010.00 627,536.00 1,897,480.00 3,173,716.00 105,750.00 33,852,950.00 8,067,530.00 207,036.00 395,233.00

992 78.2 75.15 75.1 76.1 75.5 75.1 75.7

7,320 63,680 1,092,650 820,000 104,900 7,960 1,104,370 754,440

7,262,470.00 4,987,688.50 81,953,259.00 61,582,000.00 7,982,155.00 600,680.00 83,350,886.00 57,112,017.00

1.530

177,000

271,700.00

6.49 11.3

1,171,400 1,622,900

7,686,161.00 18,266,394.00

0.93

17,412,000

16,228,790.00

119.4

29,020

3,462,386.00

10.02 10

200 5,000

2,004.00 50,000.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. `B’ Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Ferronickel Century Property Abra Mining DMCI Holdings Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Alliance Global Inc. Xurpas Oriental Pet. `A’

VOLUME 719,800,000 244,656,000 171,896,000 140,765,000 139,000,000 135,353,100 126,237,000 115,161,400 100,114,000 94,300,000

STOCKS SM Prime Holdings JG Summit Holdings SM Investments Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land `B’ Bank of PI Alliance Global Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. DMCI Holdings

VALUE 357,596,817,866.00 244,812,603,752.00 3,345,494,660.00 3,074,722,840.00 2,321,184,050.00 1,350,716,363.50 1,251,986,916.00 1,119,579,076.00 1,092,132,054.00 1,072,445,069.00

Vista Land says 9-month net income up 12% to P9b

By Jenniffer B. Austria HOMEBUILDER Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. reported a net income of P9 billion in the first nine months of the year, up 12 percent from P8.1 billion year-on-year, boosted by higher residential and rental revenues.

Vista Land said in a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange over the weekend nine-month consolidated revenues climbed 9.4 percent year-on-year to P34.35 billion from P31.39 billion.

“We are well-poised to achieve another record year this 2019 as Vista Land continues to deliver solid performance both from our leasing and residential businesses,” said Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar Jr. He said reservation sales during the first nine-months of the year rose eight percent to P61.6 billion, with 90 percent accounted for by overseas Filipino workers.

“We remain bullish for the industry, given the sustained demand for our housing products as well as our success in our leasing business propelled by the steady growth in the disposable income, overseas Filipino remittances, sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals and the government’s drive to accelerate economic activities and infrastructure developments outside Metro Manila, where we have a competitive advantage given that we have the widest geographic reach around the country,” he added.

Real estate sales in the nine-month period amounted to P26.21 billion, up seven percent from ₱24.58 billion on year.

Rental income rose nine percent to P5.19 billion from ₱4,765 million on year.

“The increase was primarily attributable the additional gross floor area leased out of our investment properties during the period as well as increase in rental rates of our existing malls,” Vista Land said.

Vista land president and chief executive Manuel Paolo Villar expects the leasing portfolio to continue to grow to complement the company’s end-user housing business.

Vista Land as end of September had 1.4 million square meters of leasable space, mostly from retail and office projects.

Megaworld eyes P5.2-b sales from Sta. Cruz condo

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, aims to generate P5.2 billion in sales from a soon-to-belaunched residential project within the San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Megaworld said in a statement sent over the weekend the 34-story Kingsquare Residence would offer 961 units ranging from studio (up to 31 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 46 sq. m.), and two-bedroom (up to 61 sq.m.), all with their own balconies.

Units may also be combined to form into three to four bedrooms for big families.

“This new residential development is perfect for students, teachers, doctors and other professionals, including families who have kids studying within the area. It is very close to schools and universities, hospitals, and soon, a mall that will have a direct connection for residents,” Megaworld Manila first vice president for sales and marketing Wilson Sy said.

Kingsquare Residence is close to some popular educational institutions, such as University of Sto. Tomas, University of the East, Far Eastern University, San Beda University, Mapua Institute of Technology and Centro Escolar University.

It is also near some of Chinese schools, such as Chiang Kai Shek College, Hope Christian School, St. Stephen High School and Philippine Cultural High School.

Also within the area are some medical and health facilities. It close to major transport hubs, such as the LRT 1 Tayuman and Blumentritt stations and the Philippine National Railways Blumentritt station.

It is close to the España Interchange that is connected to the South Luzon Expressway and the North Luzon Expressway.

“Everything is just within easy reach, whether you want to go north or south.

It is also walkable to downtown Manila via Rizal Avenue (Radial Road 9), and Lacson Avenue (Circumferential Road 2),” added Sy.

World IN BRIEF Students see glacier melting VIK, Iceland―Icelandic seventhgrader Lilja Einarsdottir is on an unusual field trip with her class: they’re measuring the Solheimajokull glacier to see how much it has shrunk in the past year, witnessing climate change first-hand.

“It is very beautiful but at the same time it is very sad to see how much it has melted,” says Lilja, bundled up against the autumn chill in a blue pompom hat.

Each October since 2010, nowretired schoolteacher Jon Stefansson has brought students aged around 13 from a school in Hvolsvollur―a village about 60 kilometers away―to the glacier to record its evolution.

The results are chilling: nestled between two moss-covered mountain slopes, Solheimajokull has shrunk by an average of 40 meters per year in the past decade, according to the students’ measurements.

On this blustery October day, the youngsters―armed with a GPS, a measuring tape and two yellow flags―calculate the distances on foot from various spots, struggling against strong winds.

Once done, some of the students hop in a dinghy and cross a lake of brown melt water to reach an imposing wall of ice, the so-called terminus, or front of the glacier.

Here, they determine the gap between the terminus and a handpainted sign at the end of a footpath, where previous students have recorded their measurements over the years.

The numbers on the sign, pitched in black sand and steadied at the base by a pile of stones, indicate how many meters of ice have disappeared over the past years: “24”, “50”, “110”. AFP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

Aussies warned biggest bushfires may still come

T

AREE, Australia―Sydney is facing a “catastrophic” fire threat, authorities said on Sunday, as firefighters in eastern Australia raced to prepare for worsening conditions after ferocious bush fires devastated communities.

Fires have killed three people and razed more than 150 homes since Friday, but cooler weather overnight provided a welcome reprieve for firefighters and residents.

Authorities were assessing the damage on Sunday, with more than 100 fires still burning across New South Wales and Queensland, including several blazes that remained out of control.

Wider swathes of the states―including greater Sydney―are now bracing for perilous fire conditions predicted for the coming days, as is Western Australia state.

It is the first time Sydney has been warned of a “catastrophic” fire danger, the highest possible level, since the grading system was introduced in 2009.

Massive fires tore through several towns on Friday and Saturday.

The mayor of Glen Innes, where two people died, said residents were traumatized and still coming to terms with their losses.

“The fire was as high as 20 feet and raging with 80 kilometers-an-hour winds,” Carol Sparks told national broadcaster

ABC. Five people reported missing have been found, but the unpredictable nature of the disaster means officials have not ruled out the possibility that others could still be missing, NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Greg Allan told AFP. In Old Bar, which was spared the worst when the wind changed direction, hectares of bushland had turned charcoal and small pockets of flames continued to smolder.

Peter McKellar, 75, was clearing debris from his property as his neighbor’s home sat in ruins.

“The firies [firefighters] saved ours,” he told AFP. “They are doing a wonderful job. They’re angels.”

High temperatures, low humidity and strong winds forecast from the middle of the week are predicted to fuel blazes that authorities have warned they will be unable to contain ahead of time.

“We are ramping up for probably another 50 trucks full of crews to be deployed into New South Wales on Monday night ahead of conditions on Tuesday,” NSW Rural Fire Service

Commissioner Shan Fitzsimmons told reporters in Taree, one of the worst-hit areas.

“We have seen the gravity of the situation unfold... What we can expect is those sorts of conditions to prevail across a much broader geographic area as we head into Tuesday.”

‘Primed to burn’ In Queensland, where a state of emergency has been declared, more than 1,200 firefighters were battling over 50 active fires on Sunday.

“Queensland does not usually have a fire season like we’ve experienced this year and last year,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters.

With thousands of people forced to flee from their homes, Australia’s government was offering immediate emergency assistance payments of up to Aus$1,000 (US$685) to those affected and extended financial support for anyone unable to work as a result.

Many residents are now returning to their scorched communities to assess the extent of the fire-inflicted damage, amid warnings it could take months for them to rebuild their lives.

Emotions were running high at an evacuation center in Taree, with one man breaking down in tears as he was embraced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“People are under a lot of pressure,” Morrison told reporters. “The level of optimism, despite the circumstances, is quite inspiring.” AFP

Protesters seize state-run media LA PAZ―Opposition demonstrators in Bolivia overran two state-run media outlets and forced them off the air Saturday and some police stopped guarding the square where President Evo Morales’ palace is located, as tensions remained high after a disputed election.

Demonstrators burst into the offices of Bolivia TV and Radio Patria Nueva and forced employees to leave, accusing them of serving the interests of Morales, said the director of the latter of the two, Ivan Maldonado.

“We were evicted by force after receiving constant threats from people gathered outside,” Maldonado told AFP. Some 40 employees were seen leaving the building that the two news organizations share in La Paz, walking hand in hand as a crowd of some 300 demonstrators yelled insults. Afterward, both outlets broadcast only music.

It was the latest thrust of a movement protesting alleged vote-counting fraud in the election last month that gave Morales a fourth straight term.

Morales denounced the seizure of the media outlets. “They say they defend democracy, but they behave as if they were in a dictatorship,” he tweeted.

A radio station run by a farmers’ union was also seized by protesters, Morales said. AFP

Spain returns to the polls MADRID―Spain holds its fourth general election in as many years on Sunday with renewed tensions over Catalonia’s separatist movement in the foreground, an issue that has fueled a surge in support for upstart farright party Vox. Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the repeat polls after failing to secure support from other parties following an inconclusive election in April which saw his Socialist party win the most votes, but no working majority, in parliament.

Opinion polls however suggest this new election will fail to break the deadlock. Neither the left nor the right look likely to win a ruling majority in Spain’s 350-seat parliament.

The Socialists look set to finish top again, but with slightly fewer seats than the 123 they picked up in April. The main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) may also strengthen their parliamentary presence.

But the most striking development could be the rise of the far-right Vox party, which might even jump to third-largest in parliament, according to recent polling.

The Catalan question is still very much in the political foreground. AFP

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HK police watchdog unequipped to investigate HONG KONG―Hong Kong’s police watchdog is currently unequipped to investigate the force’s handling of months of pro-democracy protests, a panel of international experts appointed by the city’s own government has found.

The international finance hub has been upended by five months of huge and increasingly violent rallies, but Beijing has refused to give in to most of the movement’s demands.

One of the core demands, alongside fully free elections, is an independent inquiry into the police, who have been left to battle protesters for 24 consecutive weeks and are now loathed by large chunks of the deeply polarized population.

City leader Carrie Lam has repeatedly dismissed an independent probe, saying the current watchdog―the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)―is up to the job.

Protesters argue the IPCC lacks adequate investigatory powers, is stacked with pro-establishment figures and has previously been toothless when it comes to holding police to account.

In September, Lam appointed a panel of independent experts to advise the watchdog.

Chaired by Sir Dennis O’Connor― who was tasked by the UK government to look at police tactics following the 2011 London riots―it includes policing specialists from Britain, New Zealand and Canada.

It has now issued a damning assessment of the IPCC’s ability to do the job it has been tasked with and suggested a fully independent inquiry would be better suited for the task.

The report, dated 8 November, found “a shortfall in IPCC powers, capacity and independent investigative capability necessary to match the scale of events and the standards required of an international police watchdog operating in a city that values freedoms and rights”. AFP

Denmark and Iceland clash over manuscripts

COPENHAGEN―They recount tales of Viking raids, Norse history, kings and gods: a priceless collection of medieval manuscripts, bequeathed by an Icelandic scholar to the University of Copenhagen in the 18th century, that Iceland now wants back.

The UN cultural organization has called them “the single most important collection of early Scandinavian manuREENACTMENT. Reenactors under the direction of performance artist Dread Scott retrace the route of one of the largest slave rebellions in US history on November 09, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 1811 uprising of slaves, mostly armed with hand tools, scripts in existence”, with the earliest began in southeastern Louisiana, ultimately growing in size to roughly 200 to 500 slaves from sugar plantations in the area. AFP one dating from the 12th century.

Some of the texts―known as the Arnamagnaean Collection―have already been returned to Reykjavik, but 1,400 documents are still locked away in Copenhagen.

The jewel of the collection is an almost complete early 15th century copy of “Heimskringla”―the best known of the Old Norse kings’ sagas, originally WHAT makes for a successJudging from the experience of Juan written in the 13th century by Icelandic GEMMA ful business? There is no doubt Roig, being a virtuous leader does pay. poet and historian Snorri Sturluson.

Unlike many Icelandic medieval that organizational leadership Why then do we see many business U. REYES manuscripts, which have few decorahas a lot to do with it. This has leaders following the vicious and not the tive flourishes, this version of the Heimbeen proven by Juan Roig, the virtuous path? The simple answer is that skringla is richly illustrated with intripresident and majority owner of to be virtuous requires more effort. One cate red lettering on each page.

Mercadona, a supermarket giant that has over 1,600 stores must try to overcome the pull of the easy life, (which is not The Arnamagnaean Collection is and enjoys about 25 percent market share in the retail necessarily a happy life) in order to choose to be virtuous named after scholar Arni Magnusson, a sector in Spain. What is his secret? He follows an ethical and eventually find true happiness. Roig did not always historian and literature and language exmanagement model that provides value to all stakehold- have it easy. When he acquired Mercadona in 1981 from pert who was born in Iceland but died in ers. The company is known for quality products always at his father and implemented his ethical business model 1730 in Copenhagen, where he left his low prices. Employees have permanent contracts, receive with particular focus on quality products at affordable 3,000 or so manuscripts. high-quality training and above industry wages, as well prices, business did not pick up immediately.

Each time a document from the colas 25 percent of the company’s pre-tax earnings. Roig beBut with perseverance, the company was able to get lection is borrowed from the university, lieves that happy employees make happy customers. This their customers’ trust and eventually began to grow their it is insured for up to five million kroner strategy has earned for the company the continued patron- clientele. Building and sustaining trust among all stake(670,000 euros, $740,000). age of loyal customers. holders is key to long-term business success. This is not Keen to ensure good relations with its Virtue and happiness easy as it requires consistent effort to deliver value even former colony, Denmark granted IceI do not know if Juan Roig ever read Aristotle. But the in difficult situations which could justify relaxing certain land’s recurring request to return part way he runs Mercadona exemplifies the virtuous man who standards. Only virtuous leaders will stand their ground of the collection in the 1960s. A treaty for Aristotle is a happy man. And not only is Roig happy, and those who do (as well as the whole society) are all the signed in 1965 divvied up the goods. he has made many other people happy as well. But how better for it.

In line with that agreement, more than do we become virtuous? How do we become happy and We need more ethical business leaders who will put half of the manuscripts were turned over to Iceland between 1971 and 1997. make others happy? Aristotle wrote in his work Nicoma- the good of the stakeholders ahead of the company. Just The division chean Ethics: “He is happy who lives in accordance with like Juan Roig did. With more virtuous leaders, we could of documents complete virtue and is sufficiently equipped with exter- achieve the good life that Aristotle envisioned for all.

Manila between the nal goods, not for some chance period but throughout a Standard LEGAL NOTICE twoTODAY nations complete life.” Now, virtue is a good habit that can be Gemma U. Reyes is a Doctor of Business AdminisNotice is hereby given to had for years the public that an Extradeveloped through practice. We become what we repeat- tration student of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Judicial Settlement has been been unconedly do. If we keep telling the truth, we become honest. If Business and is an assistant professor at the Department executed by the heirs of the troversial, late Alfredo G. Fernando, we constantly overcome our fear we become courageous. of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneuship of namely: Maxima H. Fernando, but Iceland’s Through the continuous practice of the virtues, we devel- the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is curAdriano H. Fernando, Felix Culture and H. Fernando, Maria F. Disto, op our moral character, we achieve the excellence proper rently on full-time study leave. Her research interests are Sergio H. Fernando, Marina Education F. Marcelo, and Reynaldo H. to human beings. Our happiness then is in our hands, it sustainable entrepreneurship and organizational developMinister Lilja Fernando, all of legal age, depends on our choices. Every time we choose to do the ment. She can be reached at gemma_reyes@dlsu.edu.ph. over real properties, per deed Alfredsdotexecuted on 10 October 2019 right thing, we grow in virtue and as a consequence we The views expressed above are the author’s and do not tir now wants before Notary Public Atty. become happy. necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its facDante R. Cruz, per Doc. No. more of the 71; Page No. 16; Book No. I; Virtuous leaders and business success ulty, and its administrators. collection givSeries of 2019. en back. AFP

What has Aristotle got to do with business?

Choice not chance determines your destiny—Aristotle

Green LiGht

(MS-OCT. 28, NOV. 4 & 11, 2019)

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Employee volunteers from Smart Communications, Inc. and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation distribute 300 gallons of distilled water to residents affected by the earthquake staying at the evacuation center in Brgy.

Ilovamis, Kidapawan, North Cotabato (inset).

Pasay bans vapes in public P

ASAY City Government has started to get tough on smokers as it recently banned the use of vaping devices in public places.

Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said they will strictly impose City Ordinance 6061 which regulates use of vaping devices throughout Pasay City.

“It is high time to impose stricter measures on these substances to protect the youth and the general public against the ill-effects of cigarette smoking and vaping,” Mayor Calixto-Rubiano, who has been advocating for stringent health measures, said.

Health is a priority component in Mayor Calixto-Rubiano’s governance vision referred to as H.E.L.P., which

stands for (H) Health Care and Housing; € Education, Economic Growth and Environment; (L) Livelihood and Lifestyle; and (P) is Peace and Order, Palengke and Pamilya.

Based on international studies like the one made by America’s first research university, John Hopkins Medicine, it concluded that regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes are both “bad to people’s health.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a specific code for vaping-related illnesses in its International Classification of

Diseases. ICD-10 is an extensive code system that helps document and compile cases of different diseases across the world.

The code for “acutely ill-patients who have used e-cigarettes in the last 90 days, with no other plausible causes for illness” is U07.0.

While “the Philippines has made progress on tobacco control in recent years, people continue to die and become sick needlessly, and the costs to society from tobacco use continue to mount,” said the tobacco-monitoring group Tobacco Atlas, adding: “Every year more than 117,700 of its people are killed by tobacco-caused disease.

Still more than 94,000 children (aged 10 to 14 years old) and 12,838,000 adults (aged 15 years and above) con-

tinue to use tobacco each day.”

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, e-cigarettes pose a clear and present danger against the health of the public.

In approving City Ordinance 6061, the Pasay City Council led by Vice Mayor Noel Del Rosario banned the use of e-cigarettes indoors such as places of working, hospitals, other healthcare centers, government offices, educational facilities and recreational facilities as well as public conveyances.

In all other enclosed places that are open to the general public and private workplaces, the use of vaping devices will be allowed provided that the owner of such places informs the public that e-cigarette is allowed and there is a designated vaping area.

PLDT, Smart join Mindanao relief efforts PLDT, its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., and the companies’ PLDT-Smart Foundation are joining the relief efforts spearheaded by Tulong Kapatid, the consortium of the foundations of the companies led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

PLDT and Smart have deployed quick-response communications and relief assistance to residents in communities affected by the series of earthquakes that hit Cotabato starting Oct. 29.

PLDT provided internet connectivity for the use of responders at the command center in Kidapawan City, while Smart set up libreng tawag (free calls) stations at the municipal grounds of Tulunan, where the magnitude 6.6 earthquake first struck; the Makilala town hall, and in Kidapawan, as well as other locations in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Smart provided satellite emergency communications support, LTE pocket Wi-Fis, and mobile phone load to Philippine Red Cross responders.

The companies turned over to the LGU tents and old banners that may be used as makeshift shelters for those whose houses or buildings were damaged.

Employee-volunteers from Smart and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation also distributed 300 gallons of water to the affected residents staying at an evacuation center in Barangay Ilovamis in Kidapawan.

PLDT-Smart Foundation, meanwhile, brought relief packs containing rice, canned food, and cereal drink, and hygiene kits for the evacuees. PSF volunteer also distributed to students Sacks of Joy, which include notebooks, pens, crayons, and other school supplies.

Various companies under the Tulong Kapatid initiative have pooled their resources to bring food items, blankets, folding beds, and solar lamps, among other relief items.

These companies include Maynilad, which deployed a mobile treatment plant that can treat 7,000 gallons of water daily; One Meralco Foundation, which provided drinking water; Metro Pacific Investments Corp., table top water filters; Makati Medical Center Foundation, medical supplies and psychosocial materials; and Cignal TV, which donated tents to be used in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

Salceda pushes to put PAGASA under proposed DDR RECENT reports from three UN agencies revealing the Philippines’ higher risks from climate change render more crucial to survival the plan to position the Philippine Atmospherical Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) under the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

In separate reports, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have all categorized the Philippines to be at a higher risk to weather events spawned by climate change.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, House Ways and Means Committee chair and principal author of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) bill now pending in Congress, said the situation renders forecasting and early warning — more than ever — as a most critical factor to the disaster resilience program, and vital to the entire country’s survival.

“This finding renders the inclusion of the Philippine Atmospherical, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) into the proposed DDR a matter of vital necessity for national survival,” he noted. The DDR proposal is marked as a vital legislation fol-

lowing a series of earthquakes that rocked Mindanao recently. Senate officials said Congress could pass the proposal — certified urgent by President Duterte — before the Christmas break.

The bill proposes the transfer of PAGASA and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), presently under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), to the DDR among several other government agencies, to harmonize disaster risk assessment, reduction and mitigation, warning and response, along with relief, retrieval and rehabilitation under one roof.

Munti unveils 41 Davao families told to evacuate Xmas Santa Toy Factory display DEAL SEALED. PT. GCK Indonesia Director Ignasio Roring (right) and Aklan 2ndd District Rep. Teodorico ‘Nonong’ Haresco shake hands after PT GCK Indonesia agreed to invest in Aklan for Transportation (Cable car), Energy, and Aquaculture ventures on Saturday.

SM Marilao lights iconic holiday tree Nearly 20,000 LED lights and ornaments as well as hundred yards of garlands and wreaths bedecked the 30 feet Christmas tree as SM City Marilao lighted its iconic centerpiece for its two month-long celebration of the 2019 holidays.

Throughout the years, SM’s holiday centerpieces have always been a part of the longstanding tradition that ushers in Christmas time in the province.

“The Annual Christmas Launch is one of SM’s traditions that has been steadfast for more than a decade” said SM City Marilao Mall Manager Engr.

Emmanuel Gatmaitan.

This year’s launch is Royal British inspired; elegantly embellished with Christmas balls and ornaments in gold, silver and sparkling red. It is also sur-

rounded by life-size toy soldiers and more than a hundred golden gift boxes.

As tradition dictates, this intricately designed 30 ft. Christmas tree will serve as seasonal centerpiece in the mall’s busiest atrium. The sheer height and immense density of lights on the Christmas tree will surely make it picturesque and a ‘must-see’ attraction for both young and old. It will also set the stage for holiday shopping and entertainment while encouraging mall patrons to capture those picture-perfect holiday memories.

Because Christmas is all about magic, SM City Marilao makes the season unforgettable on the following weeks with dazzling entertainment, drone shows and family-filled Christmas activities that will surely thrill shoppers.

CHRISTMAS arrives early in Muntinlupa City as the local government opens Santa Toy Factory Themed display on Friday, November 8, 5:30pm This year’s display highlights the 45feet Christmas tree spectacle which serves as the centerpiece of attraction. The giant tree is ornamented with life-sized lollipops made from fiber glass materials and draped with colorful LED lights.

Muntinlupa City Hall compound turns into a magical playground as 1,000 stuffed toys, giant nutcrackers and candy canes cover the government facility. Children and children-at-heart visitors will be transported to a Christmas village as they are greeted by life-sized Santa Claus and reindeer displays. On top of these, a miniplayground is also installed for the kids.

Magical evening awaits city residents as the City Hall compound will be draped with over 400,000 colorful LED lights. Susana Heights and Centennial Avenue in Laguerta, will be also decorated with toy factory themed elements and Christmas lights.

A life-sized scene of the nativity, or what Filipinos refer to as Belen, is also installed in the foyer of the Muntinlupa City Hall.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi together with local officials led the annual Christmas lighting ceremony at the Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle. The program was followed by a gift-giving event to Muntinlupa kids.

DAVAO CITY—At least 41 families living in different areas here have been advised to evacuate due to the danger of landslides.

In a statement sent on Sunday by the City Information Office, the call came after a city government housing team validated that the ground structures in five areas of the city had weakened following the series of ground shaking the past weeks.

It can be recalled that the city was struck with three strong tremors in October.

The validation team has initially identified 41 families in DDF Village and Juario Village from this city as being at risk.

The Old Smokey Mountain along Carlos P. Garcia Highway or Diversion Road in Matina Pangi; Purok Damayan in Barangay Buhangin; and Purok 5 in Barangay Baganihan in Marilog are still being checked.

Davao City Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) chief Alfredo Baloran said the five areas were identified as danger zones after the series of earthquakes in the city.

“These areas are identified to be very susceptible to landslides. We recommended the immediate evacuation of the residents in the area to avoid any risks,” he said. PNA

ELEVATOR MEN. The International Elevator and Equipment Inc., distributor of Mitsubishi Electric in the Philippines, showcased its innovative air conditioner-related technology at the 30th Philconstruct Exhibit at the SMX Covention Center in Pasay City.

Pictured are (from left) Fortunato R. Davantes Jr., IEe Assistant Vice Preesident of AC & DG; Alfredo M. Pantaleon,IEE Assistant of E/E Installation and Localization; Itsuo Arakawa,IEE Executive Vice President; Ramoncito A. Ocampo,IEE President; Junichi Takahashi, Manager Overseas Marketing Section of Mitsubishi Electric, Nakatsugawa Works; and Melecio B. Vicencio,IEE Vice President and Treasurer. Manny Palmero

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, NIOVEMBER 11, 2019

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2-inch thick,

big-as-your-hand

fried chicken

By Bernadette Lunas

A

GOOD friend, who came from a weeklong trip in Taiwan, told me eating around there wasn’t such a problem. “They had this huge slab of chicken cutlet, sold almost anywhere, which was enough to last you two meals—with rice,” he shared.

I know that was the Pinoy in him talking, because apparently, wherever we may be, we want our fried chicken with rice.

This massive chicken cutlet from Taiwan, which has recently arrived in the Philippines, is enough for two, or one hungry fellow, as it comes in two-inch thick, bigger-than-your-hand size.

Taiwan’s most popular fried chicken cutlet chain Monga opens its first store in the Philippines at SM Megamall. It currently has over 70 outlets in Taiwan, and has since expanded to Canada, the US, the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore.

“Monga” was named after Taipei’s oldest district, now known as Wanhua District.

Co-founder Nono Chen, a famous comedian and, in his words, a “super idol” in Taiwan, led the opening of the first

Taiwan’s Monga is known for its twoinch, juicy chicken cutlet that’s bigger than most hands.

Monga store here in the country. Joining Nono at the opening were officials from the Vikings Group, which brought the brand to Manila in hopes of expanding their business venture.

“We decided to try out something we think the public will love—milk tea and fried chicken,” said Charles Lee of the Vikings Group.

Famous for their chain of buffet restaurants, Lee said he envisioned the brand to become another hit with Filipinos.

“When we tried this in Taiwan, we thought it was great because you have such a big chicken with rice for only P199 (without rice is priced at P189),” Lee told a small group of media during the Monga Megamall opening.

He continued, “We feel that it is so sulit (good value for money)—a sulit

Chee-Z Signature comes with cheese and tomato sauce or special chili.

concept for the Filipino market.”

After a year of R&D and training, during which the Taiwan team thought them how to make Monga’s signature two-inch fried chicken cutlet, which is made of chicken breast marinated for 24 hours in honey, and dipped in batter instead of dry flour, the group finally opened the Philippine store on Nov. 6.

Lee revealed the Taiwan team was very particular about the 24-hour marinating process, advising them to never skimp on it “because otherwise we wouldn’t get the same juicy and nongreasy taste.”

Monga comes in three signature variants: The King (salt and pepper seasoning), Hot Chick (homemade chili powder), and Taiker (Japanese sauce and seaweed powder). It’s also available in Chee-Z Signature that comes with cheese and tomato sauce or special chili. All variants come in huge slab, and can be eaten with hands—just like how

Monga’s Black Dragon milk tea

Taiker is made with Japanese sauce and seaweed powder.

they do it in Taiwan.

Non-cutlet variants are Monga Nuggets and Monga Crispy Chicken, both seasoned with salt and pepper. Customers have the option to choose a “with rice” variant for all main dishes.

Side dishes include the Taiwanese style Popcorn Chicken, Signature Fries, Seaweed Fries, Fries with Plum Powder, Monga Chicken Wings, Fried Broccoli, Fried King Oyster Mushroom, and Fried Chicken Skin.

Aside from fried chicken, Monga also serves another Taiwanese favorite—milk tea. Choices include Black Dragon, which is made of oolong, milk, and brown sugar bubble; and Green Dragon, made of matcha, milk, and brown sugar bubble.

But Lee recommends to pair the chicken dishes with Monga’s refreshing green teas—Grapefruit Green Tea and Orange Green Tea. “As a meal, I would get The King or

Taiker with rice and I would pair it with Grapefruit or Orange Green Tea,” Lee said, because green tea helps cleanse the palate, compared with eating something fried and pairing it with a sweet beverage which can be “too heavy.”

But should diners prefer to pair their fried chicken with milk tea, then, by all means!

Unlike other Monga stores abroad, only its Philippine branch serves chicken with rice. “They don’t serve rice in Taiwan, it’s only for the Philippine market,” revealed Lee. Monga PH also offers gravy to “enhance the taste.”

The Vikings Group gets Filipinos— we do love our fried chicken with rice.

Monga is located on the ground level of Mega A in SM Megamall. It will soon open its second branch at SM North Edsa.

Photos from Monga Philippines Facebook

SWEET TREATS Chewy fruit candies

Jollibee Cookies ‘n Cream Sundae

Creamy and crunchy sundae Fast food giant Jollibee Philippines has granted many customers’ long-time request for a sundae with cookies with its newest offering—Cookies ‘n Cream Sundae Twirl.

The new sundae features Jollibee’s thick vanilla soft-serve ice cream with crushed Oreo cookies and a whole Oreo cookie on top.

“The mix of crushed cookies, with white chocolate coating, and a whole Oreo on our popular

soft-serve ice cream is a delightful combination we can’t wait for everyone to experience,” said Kay Segismundo, Jollibee’s senior marketing manager for complementary.

Jollibee Cookies ‘n Cream Sundae Twirl is priced at P39, and available at all Jollibee stores nationwide for dine-in, takeout, delivery, or drive-thru. Angelica Villanueva

To make candies healthier and tastier, Welch’s offers its Fruit Snacks made of real fruits in assorted flavors.

The chewy bite-size candies come with 100 percent vitamin C and 25 percent vitamins A and E, and are free from preservatives, fats, and gluten. It comes in strawberry, white grape raspberry, orange, white grape peach, and Welch’s concord g r a p e flavors.

Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Welch’s Fruit Snacks are available in all leading supermarkets nationwide and on www.lazada.com.ph.

Life

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MONDAY, NIOVEMBER 11, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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NEW restaurant in Tagaytay offers a culinary experience that takes diners on a journey through Philippine history.

Dekada, from the same group that operates SumoSam, elevates authentic Filipino dining with its interpretation of well-loved local dishes named after heroes and historical events. The restaurant is located inside the newly opened Royale Parc Hotel.

Classic and contemporary merge throughout the restaurant. Its interior features traditional and modern elements—wood and capiz create a nostalgic atmosphere, while industrial finishes and pop artworks of Filipino heroes give it a touch of the present.

Aside from ambience, its location also plays a role in its menu. As Tagaytay is known for its abundance of local produce, diners can expect to feast on freshly prepared dishes made with ingredients sourced straight from the local market.

Dekada’s walk down Philippine history starts with Lumpiang Palabok, bitesize palabok wrapped in rice paper with grilled mahi-mahi. This dish is inspired

by Antonio Pigafetta’s first account of the Spaniards’ visit to the Philippines when they were served roasted mahimahi with rice wrapped in leaves.

Fresh greens, which are abundant in Tagaytay, are featured heavily in Dekada through Ensaladas de Alianza (Salads of Alliance), which refer to the first alliances of Filipinos and Spaniards, inspired by the best regional flavors. The Legazpi (Sinuglaw Salad), meanwhile, hails from Cebu and Davao with its tanigue and smoked liempo, finished off with Davao’s pomelo and sinamak vinaigrette, a famous spiced vinegar from Iloilo.

Comforting soups come in the form of Melchora, Dekada’s version of chicken binakol named after the “Grand Woman of the Revolution.”

Diners looking for a hearty bulalo can savor it in La Solidaridad.

Dekada’s main dishes involve a short history lesson on the Sons of the Revolution, which includes Del Pilar (chicken inasal), Aguinaldo (twice-cooked adobo), and Pinoy-style oven-roasted chicken named Ponce.

The piece-de-resistance is named after Jose Rizal: sizzling bulalo steak made with Tagaytay’s freshest beef.

Sinful choices are also available in indulgent Dekada Crispy Pata and its garlic version called Malvar.

For a sweet ending to this gastronomic journey, the restaurant serves Sweet Nos-

Filipino dishes with a story Traditional and contemporary elements, with pop artworks of Filipino heroes make Dekada restaurant in Royale Parc Hotel a much more interesting dining destination.

Del Pilar, a chicken inasal dish.

talgia, a medley of chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, and banana Q. There’s also the creative Suman at Mangga Pandan Crepe Rolls, Choknut Turon ala Mode, and Taho at Kesong Puti Cheesecake.

Wash down the meal with the Thirst for Freedom lineup: fresh juice and shake flavors like dalandan, calaman-

Bagnet Kare-kare

si, and watermelon, as well as dessert drinks like Ube Shake and Mango Sago.

Finally, Dekada offers its own version of buko pie—the quintessential pasalubong item. The restaurant’s Buko Crumble Pie is filled with soft coconut meat with a warm pie crust topped with delectable crumble that is perfect with coffee or tea.

Dekada is at Royale Parc Hotel Tagaytay, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Junction West, Tagaytay City. It is open daily, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Call 0923-0889055, 0915-6959588, (02) 9841297 or (046) 402-1980, or send email to sales.royaleparctagaytay@gmail. com for inquiries.

Sizzling Pork Sisig

Dare to eat: 5 bizarre food items in the Philippines IF CAMBODIA has crispy tarantulas, Laos has white ant eggs for soup, and Canada has jellied moose nose, the Philippines certainly does not fall short on such unique food finds. Here are five, bordering on bizarre, food items our country offers to those who are brave to try.

Soup No. 5

Soup nos. 1 to 4 refer to the most common ingredients used to make broth: chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. Soup No. 5 is soup made from the testes of a bull. This bowl of balls originated in Manila’s Chinatown district and is believed to have aphrodisiac properties.

Many Filipinos, especially men, believe that by eating this soup, they inherit the physical attributes of a bull.

Soup No. 5 Chicken Afritada with mushroom

Adobong Uok

Pork Adobo with mushroom

Upgrading dishes with mushroom

LEADING canned mushroom brand Jolly Mushroom provides a variety of easy-to-use products that help home cooks elevate their dishes or incorporate mushroom in everyday cooking.

“By simply adding one can (400g) of Jolly Whole Mushroom, moms can make any dish extra special and ‘mushmasarap’—making them ‘mush-madiskarte’ in the kitchen,” the brand said in

a statement.

Marilou Acuña, Fly Ace Corporation group product manager for Jolly Food Line, said, “Jolly Mushroom can add depth and flavor to one’s cooking. It can be a hearty addition to your favorite ulam, giving it an exciting twist for the whole family to enjoy.”

Mushrooms can be added into familiar dishes and Filipino classics such as

BITES

adobo, chicken afritada, and burger steak—recipes Jolly shares on its YouTube channel. More recipes that integrate mushrooms, such as pork giniling and chicken teriyaki, will be introduced in the coming months.

Jolly Mushroom (whole mushrooms, and pieces and stems) is available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

A twist on the usual pork or chicken adobo, this one is cooked using beetle larvae. Having it as is may not be as appetizing, but marinated with soy sauce and vinegar and sautéed with some garlic and onion make this dish easier to try.

Adobong Uok

Adobong Sawa

Speaking of adobo, here’s another one that Filipinos cooked up. Just like Soup No. 5, Adobong Sawa is also considered to have aphrodisiac properties, while some claim feeling a certain warmth after eating it. It’s a popular pulutan, or food served alongside alcoholic drinks.

Adobong Sawa

Betute Tugak

Fancy a serving of a dressed frog stuffed with minced frog meat and finely chopped fresh herbs and spices? This stuffed tugak (frog) is called betute because of its bulging belly. Filipino elders advise those who are hesitant to eat this delicacy to close their eyes and imagine they’re eating chicken because it does taste like it.

Chocolate for coffee lovers

ITALIAN artisanal chocolate brand Villa Del Conte brings choco and coffee together in one bite with its new Coffee Bean Dragees. The new item features roasted coffee beans covered in mildly sweet, extra dark chocolate.

Villa del Conte Coffee Bean Dragees is available at Greenbelt 5 and SM Megamall. Call (02) 893-2575 for inquiries.

Villa Del Conte Coffee Bean Dragees

Betute Tugak

Balut

A popular nighttime street food, balut is a developing duck embryo covered in broth. Looking at what’s inside the shell, this hard-boiled egg can be quite terrifying to eat. It has a distinct savory taste.

Learn more about different countries’ bizarre food items in Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations S8, preBalut miering on Nov. 12 on TLC.

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Viewers nationwide continue to watch ABS-CBN programs in October Very Wang...

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ILIPINOS across the country still tune into ABSCBN for their daily news and entertainment fare as the network logged an average audience share of 44 percent in October, versus GMA’s 31 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, (35 percent) the country’s longest running primetime program for four years now, is still the top choice of viewers nationwide, while The General’s Daughter (34.1 percent) ended its run strongly.

The Voice Kids (30.2 percent) remained as the most-watched weekend show, while Parasite Island (28.8 percent) proved to be a hit among viewers. Rounding out the top five most watched programs nationwide is TV Patrol (28.2 percent).

Making its debut in the top ten is new Kapamilya teleserye Starla (28.1 percent). Completing the list are Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet (25.5 percent), Maalaala Mo Kaya (24.6 percent), and Rated K: Handa Na Ba Kayo? (23.2 percent).

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also won all time blocks in October, asserting its lead in primetime (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn) where it recorded 47 percent share, versus GMA’s 32 percent; in the afternoon block (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) with 45 percent, compared to GMA’s 34 percent; in the noontime block (12:00 nn to 3:00 p.m.) with 44 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent, and in the morning

From C4

block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn) with 38 percent, in contrast to GMA’s 27 percent.

Likewise, the Kapamilya network also emerged triumphant again Metro Manila as it registered 41 percent share, versus GMA’s 25 percent. In Mega Manila, ABS-CBN registered 35 percent, while GMA got 32 percent.

In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN earned 40 percent, versus GMA’s 33 percent. It also won in Total Visayas with 53 percent, beating GMA’s 25 percent, as well as in Total Mindanao with 49 percent, trailing GMA’s 28 percent.

Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

‘Starla’ starring Judy Ann Santos enters most-watched programs list

The Reverie line of Beautéderm Home includes Into The Woods (Bamboo Scent), Smells Like Candy (Cherry Scent), Time To Bloom (Fresh Rose Scent), Something Minty (Eucalyptus Scent), and Rest & Relaxation (Lavender Scent).

“I am so happy to represent Beautéderm Home,” says Marian.

“Beautéderm Home is like a family to me. I literally feel like I’m at home every time I’m with them and every time I work with their team.

Rhea has always made me feel so comfortable and my partnership with her is really something that is very dear to my heart. I am grateful that Beautéderm Home has renewed me for another year and I am humbled for the trust that they are giving me.”

Rhea on the other hand has very exciting news. “Beautéderm Home and Marian are currently developing new products that will be added to the line due to the success of Reverie,” says Rhea.

“We at Beautéderm really felt the ‘Marian fever’ when we launched her last year and we continue to feel that now because of the very good sales of Reverie. We are ecstatic to have her onboard and we can’t wait to work with her again for another fruitful year.”

For more exciting news and cool updates on both Marian RiveraDantes and Beautéderm Home, follow @beautédermcorporation on Instagram and like Beautéderm on Facebook.

Matteo...

From C4

Global pop stars Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa lead AMA 2019 performances

Americancuban pop star Camila Cabello

DICK clark productions and ABC has recently announced that Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Lizzo will each take the stage to perform at the 2019 American Music Awards.

Multi-platinum singer/ songwriter, four-time American Music Award winner and 2019 nominee Camila Cabello will once again grace the stage after giving an unforgettable performance last year, while breakout artist and six-time American Music Award nominee Billie Eilish will take the stage for her very first awards show performance.

Grammy award-winning singer/ songwriter Dua Lipa also returns to the American Music Awards stage after delivering one of the most talkedabout performances last year and chart-topping superstar Lizzo, who received three nominations this year, will bring her unstoppable energy to the American Music Awards stage for the very first time.

Cabello, Eilish, Lipa and Lizzo join previously announced performers Selena Gomez, as well as Taylor Swift, the 2019 American Music Awards Artist of the Decade award recipient.

The 2019 American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 25 at 8:00am (GMT+8) on Blue Ant Entertainment.

The American Music Awards is where the world’s biggest artists and pop culture icons come together to honor idols, newcomers and recordbreakers in the contemporary music scene. As the decade comes to a close, this year’s show celebrates the past ten years with some of the best moments in music and live

performances from the biggest names in the industry. From Pop and Rock, to Country, Hip Hop and beyond, it only happens here.

For the latest American Music

Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

Smart’s Giga Promos lets you celebrate all your passions because it is powered by Smart LTE, the country’s undisputed fastest mobile network, as awarded by third-party organizations such as Ookla, OpenSignal, Tutela, and P3 in their respective crowd-sourcebased studies on mobile internet services in the Philippines.

Here’s how the Smart Giga Mania Raffle works: 1.The raffle is open to all prepaid subscribers of Smart, Sun, TNT, and Smart Bro. Register to the raffle promo by dialing *123#.

Start earning raffle entries by subscribing to any Smart Giga promo (Giga Video, Giga Games, and Giga Stories) by dialing *123# on your smartphone until Jan. 31, 2020 to earn raffle entries.

Every week, lucky winners get exciting prizes of smartphones, 30GB mobile data, and one winner will win P1 million.

On the grand draw on Feb. 3, 2020, one very lucky winner will win P15 million.

To find out more about the Smart Giga Mania Raffle and the all the Giga promos, visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/ gigaraffle/ and https://smart.com.ph/ Prepaid/promos, like Smart Communications on Facebook, and follow @ LiveSmart on Instagram and Twitter.

Extra International...

From C4

English singer and model Dua Lipa

Drake will own 60 percent of the company, while Canopy will retain a 40-percent stake and distribution rights, and run its day-to-day operations.

“Drake’s perspective as a culture leader and entrepreneur combined with Canopy Growth’s breadth of cannabis knowledge will allow our new company to bring an unmatched cannabis experience to global markets,” Canopy chief executive Mark Zekulin said in a statement.

For his part, Drake called the business venture “really exciting.”

“The idea of being able to build something special in an industry that is ever growing has been inspiring. More Life and More Blessing,” he said.

Comedians Rogen and Goldberg (Superbad, Pineapple Express and This is the End) launched Houseplant in March with Canopy Growth.

Rapper Snoop Dogg partnered with the Smith Falls, Ontario company in 2016 to create the brand “Leafs by Snoop” or LBS, while his friend and lifestyle guru Stewart plays an advisory role in the development of its CBD or cannabidiol products. AFP

Entertainment

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

C4

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

Matteo, Julia and AC in new Smart TVC KAPAMILYA stars Matteo Guidicelli, AC Bonifacio, and Julia Barretto are the faces of Smart’s latest television commercial that encourages prepaid subscribers to celebrate all their life’s passions by giving them a chance to win huge prizes through the Smart Giga Mania Raffle Promo.

The three celebrities allow subscribers to “Gigafy” their passions by registering to Smart’s various Giga promos—Giga Video, Giga Games, and Giga Stories— to automatically earn raffle entries for a chance to win up to P30 million worth of cash prizes, smartphones, and mobile data until Jan. 31, 2020.

Have a passion that you want to grow?

Want to keep indulging in your interests?

Videos can be the best way to keep in touch with the things you love—be it keeping up to date, finding inspiration, or simply spending more time with your passions.

Giga Video lets you binge-watch as much as you want! With up to 1 hour or 1 GB per day of Video Every Day for YouTube, iflix, iWant, NBA, and Cignal Play on top of open-access data for any site and app, you can find yourself exploring your passions more every day.

If you’re looking to be great at mobile gaming, Giga Games has got you

covered. Level up rank by rank and up your gaming skills all you want with up to 1 GB per day of Games All Day for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena of Valor, Clash of Clans, and Clash Royale.

This also comes with open-access data that lets you find more gaming tips and techniques so you can make your game great.

Finally, find yourself discovering more to every story with Giga Stories as you get to enjoy up to 1 GB per day of Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok which also has open-access data on top so you can explore more stories every day. Continued on C3

MARIAN RIVERA goes local

Marian Rivera renews her ties with Beautederm as the face of its home line Reverie.

S

CREEN superstar Marian Rivera is a walking mannequin that parades modern Filipiana top and ensembles made from local fabrics and natural fibers.

It’s a conscious effort on her part as she wanted to promote local brands and designers.

The 35-year-old actress, who’s married to GMA’s A-list host and actor Dingdong Dantes, even revealed that her children Zia and Ziggy are not wearing any branded clothes.

“I sold my branded clothes and opted to wear clothes made by local designers,” she told reporters during a her contract renewal with Beautéderm Corporation, which got her service for another full year as the face Reverie by Beautéderm Home line.

“We wanted Filipino made clothing and products in our home para mas maging makabuluhan andg pagsusuot ko ng ganito,” referring to the modern Filipinana top she was wearing during the event. “I sold all my branded clothes and then I bought native clothes.”

“Since I started endorsing a local brand, I started to realize how good our

local designers are,” she affirmed.

Continued partnership The partnership between Beautéderm and Marian started last year and it was a massive success that broke social media and trended in almost every news platform in the country.

Beautéderm was founded and established in 2009 by its President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan. The company embodies Rhea’s principle that beauty begins by taking care of one’s self, and by doing so a person will become more healthy and shall exude beauty not only

Marian Rivera with Beautederm's President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan (photo by Kate Adajar of Random Republika)

in the outside but in the inside as well.

As one of today’s top leaders in the beauty and wellness industry, Beautéderm prioritizes safety and effectiveness above all with its FDA Notified products, which only uses natural ingredients that are perfectly synergized to deliver the fastest and most effective long-term and sustainable results. A consistent Superbrands awardee, some of the flagship brands of Beautéderm are Beautéderm Skin Set which includes its patented soap, toner, day cream, and night creams; Beautéderm’s Purifie Facial Wash; and Beautéderm’s Origin Senses perfume line for men as well as a new set of fabulous products such as Beauté Balm, Au Revoir Skin Soothing Oil, and Cristaux Gold Elixir Serum— all of which are top-selling products in the market today.

Currently, Beautéderm has physical stores throughout the country and one in Singapore, and has almost a thousand resellers and distributors both locally and internationally.

Reverie by Beautederm Home is an exquisite line of home scents— from soy candles to room and linen sprays—created by Beautéderm in close collaboration with Marian. Continued on C3

Matteo Guidicelli, AC Bonifacio, and Julia Barretto

‘Reporter’s Notebook,’ ‘The Atom Araullo Specials’ triumph at broadcasting awards in London TWO compelling documentaries produced by GMA Network—Reporter’s Notebook: Batas ng Karagatan and The Atom Araullo Specials: Babies4sale.

Ph —gave honors to the Philippines at the prestigious 2019 Association for International Broadcasting Awards (AIBs) held in London on Nov. 6.

Investigative news magazine program Reporter’s Notebook received the “Highly Commended” award in the Politics and Business category for its “Batas ng Karagatan”episode while The Atom Araullo Specials: Babies4sale.Ph earned another “Highly Commended” honor in the Investigative Documentary category.

In the three-part special “Batas ng Karagatan”, Reporter’s Notebook embarked on a journey aboard a 76-foot boat to document the lives of Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal—a traditional fishing ground within the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

Here the fishermen revealed that the Chinese Coast Guard had made a habit of taking the best among their catch.

They also decried the destruction of the shoal’s coral bed. Reporter’s Notebook team documented up close, for the first time, the rubble of dead coral underwater. This report by Jun Veneracion and Maki Pulido prompted a direct response from Malacañang and China.

Meanwhile, “Babies4Sale.Ph” probed deeper into the appalling practice perpetrated by “adoption pages” on Facebook.

Atom met with 20-year-old “Christine”, who admitted to being a B-Mom or Birth Mom—a person selling her newborn. Her baby’s fa-

‘Baby Shark’ comes to PH for the first time BABY Shark’s simple “Do Rut Dut Dut Dut Do Do” song, believe it or not, has been played over 3.7 billion times as per You Tube. Ever wonder why?

If you are a recent mom, pop, grandpa or grandma, you’ll know what this means and the good thing about it is, it will be performed for the first time in the Philippines by non-other than the guys behind it themselves led by Pink Fong.

Pink Fong is the sly Pink Fox in the story. The story revolves around the loss of Baby Shark and the recurring missteps of the entire Shark family till they employ the services of the all magical Pink Fong.

Of course, included in story is the whole Shark family singing the ever so popular sing-along of Baby Shark.

This Baby Shark special has been touring the world since last year (2018) and this is the first time they come to the Philippines, under the auspices of Circles

formidable magic.

“That one question was just the beginning though,” returning director Jennifer Lee told Disney’s recent D23 fan convention.

“Why was Anna born the way she was?

Where were their parents really going when that ship went down? Is there really such a thing as happily ever after?”

After a prologue set in the past, Frozen II sees a mysterious voice return to haunt grown-up Elsa. It urges her to leave her happy castle and embark upon a new, perilous quest to a far-away enchanted forest.

The first Frozen (2013) reigned as the topgrossing animated film of all time, taking nearly $1.3 bn worldwide, until this year’s Lion King remake came along to steal its crown.

Entertainment, organizer.

Baby Shark will only appear four times.

Twice on Dec. 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Theater in Solaire.

Tickets to the show are available online at Ticket World and its outlets.

Sly fox Pink Fong with Baby Shark

Rapper Drake launches cannabis brand

Disney thaws ‘Frozen’ for blockbuster sequel SIX years ago, Frozen shattered box office records, melted the hearts of youngsters and spawned a franchise so popular Disney was never likely to let it go.

And so Queen Elsa and Princess Anna return this month in Frozen II—a sequel its creators promise will be “even bigger and more epic,” with its world premiere taking place in Los Angeles Thursday night.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, the original followed Anna on her journey to find sister Elsa, whose hard-to-control icy powers had trapped their kingdom in eternal winter.

The sequel, out Nov. 22, explores the royal family’s backstory and promises to answer fans’ questions, including the source of Elsa’s

ther allegedly left her and she’d rather sell her two-month-old child for P35,000, than raise the child on her own.

While the team was working on this special report, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) uncovered this illegal practice and organized an entrapment operation. They arrested a group that included a mother and an agent or middleman, who were caught selling an 11-day-old baby for P40,000.

The team coordinated with Facebook Philippines and at the same day of the worldwide airing, Facebook took down the “adoption pages” that sell babies.

Receiving the awards for the Philippines and GMA Network were Senior AVP for GMA Public Affairs Arlene Carnay, Reporter’s Notebook Program Manager AngeliAtienza, and Public Affairs host Atom Araullo.

The Association for International Broadcasting is the “only global alliance of media companies that deliver, or support the delivery of, cross-border and multi-platform international broadcasting”.

The AIBs is its annual production awards which recognizes factual video, audio, and interactive productions across all continents.

'Frozen II' is sequel its creators promise will be even bigger and more epic.

“It became an absolute phenomenon— the music, the characters, the stories really resonated,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with Comscore.

The movie’s success was all the more remarkable as, unlike Disney’s highly lucrative series of “liveaction” remakes of classic animations, Frozen was an entirely new brand. AFP

US RAPPER Drake has partnered with Canopy Growth on a new cannabis venture, the company announced Thursday, expanding the Canadian pot giant’s list of celebrity backers.

He joins Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Martha Stewart, and Snoop Dogg in partnering with Canopy Growth.

The new company, More Life Growth Company, will be based in Drake’s hometown of Toronto.

Continued on C3

American rapper Drake