Manila Standard - 2019 November 14 - Thursday

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Drug ploy leads to arrest of 2

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 273 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

AGENTS from the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and police seized one kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and arrested two persons believe to be members of a drug syndicate.

NAIA Customs district collector Carmelita Talusan identified the two suspects as Edison Chua and Brian Bantegui.

The package that contained shabu was consigned to Chua and was delivered to him at a sports bar in Makati City. His companion, Bantegui, was also arrested.

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Heavy traffic feared: Games dry run today

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advised commuters and motorists to brace for heavy traffic on major thoroughfares on Thursday, Nov. 14, as organizers of the Southeast Asian Games conduct a dry run of the opening ceremony.

MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago said the affected areas (northbound) during the simulation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. are: Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Megamall, Santolan, SM North, Muñoz and Balintawak.

On the southbound side, the affected portions are Balintawak, Muñoz, SM North, Cubao, Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Boni Serrano, Buendia corner Macapagal, Ayala Magallanes, and Roxas Boulevard.

The MMDA also identified chokepoint areas: northbound of South-Luzon Expressway; Mindanao AvenueNorth Ave to NLEX in Quezon City; Roxas Blvd corner Buendia, Roxas Blvd corner P. Ocampo, Roxas Blvd P. Burgos, Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo, Adriatico RMSC

TRAFFIC ADVISORY.

The MMDA has identified choke points and released a stop-and-go traffic scheme affected by a dry run activity today in connection with the Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony on Nov. 30.

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Robredo taps US for drug war Seeks assistance on how best to reduce demand

By Rio N. Araja

V

ICE President Leni Robredo on Wednesday met with representatives of the US Embassy, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development to discuss approaches in the country’s campaign against illegal drugs.

ANTI-DRUG COOPERATION. Vice President Leni Robredo, the new anti-illegal drug czar, meets Wednesday with US officials to discuss how Manila and Washington can cooperate in reducing the demand for illegal drugs in the Philippines.

Ex-Chief Justice ‘Build, Build, Build’ program scales down projects to 75 gets death threats By MJ Blancaflor

By Rey E. Requejo RETIRED Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin has received death threats recently and the Supreme Court has already provided security for him.

Court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed the death threats, saying Bersamin himself told him about it, but the Court official declined to provide details as to where the threats are coming from.

“I learned about that yesterday when I briefly talked to him just before the

HALFWAY through President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, the government has revised the list of its flagship projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program as some have been shelved and replaced by “doable” items.

Vince Dizon, presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects, admitted Wednesday that some of the infrastruc-

ture items in the initial list of 75 projects were “not feasible” as the government had only finished two in a span of three years.

But Dizon took exception to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s view that the government’s infrastructure program was a dismal failure.

Is Build, Build, Build a failure? Absolutely not, and the number speaks for themselves,” Dizon said.

“Construction is up, public spending on infrastructure is up and this has led to faster economic growth.”

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, on Wednesday filed a bill granting special powers to President Duterte to speed up the completion of the government’s infrastructure projects until 2022.

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By MJ Blancaflor

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Health advocates back ‘sin’ tax hike

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Anti-corruption desk launched THE Duterte administration has launched an anti-corruption program dubbed “Katarungan Desk,” which it says will serve as a reporting platform where the public can submit complaints against government irregularities.

The desks were launched by the

“We have talked about the shortcomings of the present campaign and the assistance they could extend to us to enable us to intensify the anti-drug campaign, including having clear-cut baseline data on the drug situation, to possibly amend the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act to keep abreast with the present needs and to strengthen programs on drug use prevention and community-based drug rehabilitation,” she said.

The US officials were invited by Robredo as the Interagency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs co-chairperson to

GALLERY OF LIGHTS. Ayala Land lights up the holiday season with bigger and brighter Gallery of Lights near the Ayala Triangle in Makati’s Central Business District near the Manila Standard office—with happy music, stunning projections and illuminated art installations raising to a higher level a memorable Christmas tradition. Lino Santos

HEALTH advocates from the Sin Tax Coalition praised the move to certify Senate Bill 1074, which proposes to significantly raise the taxes on alcoholic beverages, heated tobacco products and vapor products.

The certification was released by the office of the President on Tuesday.

For the past months, the Sin Tax Coalition has been writing to the office of the President asking it to release a certification of urgency for the measure to raise taxes on alcoholic beverages and e-cigarettes,’’ said Anthony Leachon, the coalition’s co-convener. Next page

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Ramon’ hoists storm signal over Samar, rest of Luzon TROPICAL depression “Ramon” intensified into a tropical storm on Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa on Wednesday ordered police officers to initiate safety measures in areas along the path of Ramon (international name ‘‘Kalmaegi’’).

Ramon threatens to bring occasional heavy rains over large portions of Luzon and the Visayas, as it is expected to make landfall in the IsabelaCagayan area.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the center of Ramon was estimated at 390 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, it was moving west northwest at 10 kph.

In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted over Catanduanes, Eastern Samar and the eastern portion of Northern Samar.

Gamboa said he ordered his men to coordinate with local disaster management officials to determine the scope of assistance police could provide in terms of manpower and resources.

“We assure the public that the PNP is always prepared to respond to any emergency, disaster or calamity to ensure the safety and security of our people,” Gamboa told reporters.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said their maritime forces were also instructed to assist in the possible evacuation of residents in coastal areas, as well in information dissemination on the adverse impact of the weather disturbance.

The PNP is always part of pre-disaster measures and post-disaster actions, he said.

“Our men on the ground are always alert and vigilant, and ready to provide assistance to the local government units, and the people anytime when needed,” said Banac.

“We assure the public that the PNP is always prepared to respond to any emergency, disaster or calamity to ensure the safety and security of our people,” he added.

Light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may be experienced over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains are expected over Camarines Norte, Masbate, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.

PAGASA also warned residents in Masbate as they are also expected to be battered by the weather disturbance. Rio N. Araja with PNA

Lacson hits out at budget insertions S

ENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday criticized the “insertions” made by lawmakers in the national budget, which he said would result in unused appropriations due to lack of consultation with government agencies.

Speaking to radio dzMM, Lacson said there was a disconnect between the needs of local governments and the national budget passed every year.

Lacson made his statement even as a leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday belied any pork or “parked” funds in the 2020 national budget.

Deputy Speaker for finance and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte made the statement in response to Lacson’s claim that

CONFIRMED. AFP Chief of Staff Noel Clement (left) and Navy Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi take their oath during the Commission on Appointment's confirmation hearing at the Senate. Lino Santos

Robredo...

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“assist the Philippine government’s efforts in drug demand reduction.”

“Our office has been coordinating with the US Embassy for the longest time. We have been helping one another in various projects,” Robredo said.

“I thank them for immediately meeting me right after my appointment. They have manifested their full support and cooperation in our campaign to stop the illegal drugs. And as a friend of the Philippines, they will do all for us to succeed in this battle,” she added.

The US Embassy said they gave a briefing on US-Philippines counternarcotics cooperation and potential USfunded programs.

Earlier, the vice president met with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime representatives and core members of the Community-Based Drug Rehab Alliance, a group advocating “public health-based manner of solving the demand side of the drug problem.”

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Area, Quirino corner Adriatico, in Manila City; Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer in Pasig City; N. Domingo-FilOil in San Juan City; and Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road in Taguig.

Pialago said a convoy of vehicles will travel from various hotels within Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Clark, and Subic to Philippine Arena, the venue of the opening ceremony of SEA Games 2019.

She said a stop-and-go traffic scheme will be implemented on identified roads.

The simulation will enable government officials to synchronize, coordinate, and familiarize themselves with the routes to be taken by the convoys.

The Philippines will be hosting the SEA Games from Nov.

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As such, we welcome the news that this important health measure has been certified as urgent. We now call on our senators to heed the call of the President and quickly approve the reform.”

Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s admonition to certify the sin tax law as urgent.

“We need funds to finance the Universal Health Care law,” said Barzaga, chairman of the House committee on natural resources.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the administration would need funds for its Build Build Build projects that will benefit the people.

“We have to look for sources of funds and this is one way to generate funds,”

The US embassy’s press attaché in Manila Heather Fabrikant confirmed that Robredo and officers from relevant US agencies met in Quezon City upon the vice president’s request.

Fabrikant said the interagency US government working-level delegation was comprised of officers from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of State and US Agency for International Development.

Although future US-funded programs were discussed, no commitments have been made, Fabrikant said.

In the past, Washington and Manila have worked on strengthening drug demand reduction initiatives in the country.

In May, at least 52 officers from the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Philippine Public Safety College, and Xavier University attended specialized training on substance use disorders, with the goal to provide the criminal justice sector with an evidence-based, public health approach to reducing drug demand.

30 to Dec. 11.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim has ordered the deployment of 2,000 personnel in key areas in the metropolis to supervise and help manage the traffic flow and provide assistance during the event.

The 12-day event is expected to gather thousands of athletes, sports off icials, coaches, spectators and guests at sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila.

Venues include the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.

Pimentel said.

Senate Bill 1074 was sponsored by Senate Ways and Means committee chairman Pia Cayetano. She aims to align the tax rate of HTPs and vape with traditional cigarettes at P45 beginning next year, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022 and P60 in 2023, and with a fivepercent annual increases from 2024 onwards.

For alcoholic beverages, Cayetano seeks to increase the tax on distilled spirits from P23.5 to P90 per proof liter with a 20-percent ad-valorem tax beginning next year.

Meanwhile, fermented liquors and alcopops would be taxed at P45 per liter, up from P25.40. Finally, a specific tax of P600 would be imposed on sparkling wines while a specific tax of P43 would be imposed on still and carbonated wines beginning 2020.

An increase in the excise tax on sin

products has long been considered an effective tool in curbing the consumption of these goods, particularly among the youth and the poor.

Meanwhile, Leachon also noted that one of the possible reasons for the certification of urgency was to bridge the growing funding gap for the Universal Health Care Law. As was revealed during the previous interpellations, the anticipated budget for health is lower than expected, which means that the funding shortfall for UHC is now greater,” Leachon said.

“A shortage of funds will lead to a delay in fulfilling the promise of quality and affordable health care for all Filipinos.”

According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Senate Bill 1074 is expected to raise at least P47.9 billion in incremental revenue in its first year of implementation. With Maricel V. Cruz

tions are adapted by the national government in the budget every year.

He said one problem contributing to a bloated budget was when lawmakers push for insertions at the plenary without properly consulting the government agencies involved.

This, he said, led to a rise in unobligated and unreleased funds as agencies scrambled to implement projects included in the General Appropriations Act. “When it comes to the plenary, lawmakers keep inserting without consultation with agencies, so there’s no planning involved,” Lacson said.

“Agencies are finding it difficult to implement projects because the planning does not come from them.

There’s really no planning.”

Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Araneta

‘Build,...

Drug...

"I want to restore the faith of the people on the capacity of the state to prompt consequences on the lives of the people.

I'm taking away any alibi by the administration not to deliver on the Build, Build, Build projects," Salceda said.

From the initial list of 75 infrastructure projects, Dizon said, the administration now had 100 items in its updated list costing about P4.3 trillion. ‘‘We wanted to look at the projects which are most urgent, covering the entire country as much as possible, and projects that we must begin now even after Duterte’s term,’’ Dizon told reporters. ‘‘But we are honest enough to tell everybody that, "Hey, it's not yet feasible." It's not yet feasible, so let's postpone its construction.”

Dizon said 35 of the 100 flagship projects were being built while 32 others were expected to begin in the next six to eight months.

Twenty-one projects were in the “advanced stages of government approval” while the remaining 12 were at the “advanced stages of feasibility studies,” he said.

Dizon said all the 100 big-ticket projects would start under Duterte’s term.

Of those, 22 were partially operational and 38 were expected to be completed by 2022.

The remaining 40 projects would be left to the succeeding administration to finish.

Among the biggest projects in the list are the P800-billion Calamba to Clark Railway and the P700-billion Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

The government has yet to release the updated list of projects as of this writing.

Dizon said focus was also being given to the Visayas and Mindanao.

While the administration initially shunned a public-private partnership agreement to fund the projects, 28 of the items in the updated list would be funded under a PPP arrangement, Dizon said. With Maricel V. Cruz

PDEA said they had intercepted the drugs at the FedEx warehouse but allowed the package to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers to secure evidence against the consignee.

The shabu was concealed in a water filter shipped from San Antonio, Texas.

The consignee and the seized shabu were turned over to the PDEA for inquest proceedings for violating laws on illegal drugs and smuggling.

Last week, the BOC arrested a Filipina passenger for trying to smuggle in six kilos of shabu in her backpack worth P40.8 million at the NAIA, the biggest seizure at the airport yet.

The suspect—Marie Ruzol, a resident of Marikina City—was arrested at the NAIA Terminal 3 after she arrived on board Cebu Pacific Air Flight 5J-258 from Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Talusan said similar shipments of shabu from Siem Reap, Cambodia were also seized in Terminal 1 and in Terminal 3 in October.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office arrested six people for drug dealing and seized more than P6 million worth of shabu in three separate police operations in Manila.

First to be arrested was Monawara Pakiang, 26, a native of Maguindanao and resident of Salas Street, Malate, Manila. The suspect was arrested in a buy-bust operation in front of Luneta Park along Kalaw Avenue around 3 p.m. Sunday.

A follow up buy-bust operation the next day in front of Banco de Oro in Harrison Plaza along F.B. Harrison Street resulted in the arrest of two other suspects—Sarah Sally alias “Sarah,” 22, and Sabel Gutirez, 25, both natives of Maguindanao and residents of Estrella Street, Pasay City.

On the same day, the NCRPO and Manila police operatives also arrested three other suspects Anowar Mocamad Usman, 31, and Tato Ameril Buisan, 21, and Fatima Garcia Sugarol, 29.

The suspects are now detained at the NCRPO Regional Drug Enforcement Unit in Taguig City.

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Heavy...

Health...

P20 billion worth of funds had no specific allocations under next year’s proposed P4.1-trillion national budget.

“We remain firm on our stand. The document speaks for itself, there’s no pork, there’s no parking,” Villafuerte told ANC. Villafuerte also thumbed down Lacson’s proposal to make public the deliberations on the budget.

“It will become a circus, you will just grandstand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara said there were no worries about the time to approve the bill extending the validity of certain items of the 2019 national budget.

“There's a lot of time. I don't think there's a reason to worry because we have about seven to eight weeks before the end of the year. We can pass it whether it's a bill or a resolution, said Angara, finance committee chairman.

He said a hearing would no longer be necessary for Senate Bill 1153, which he filed on Nov. 6, and that a committee report would just be presented in plenary for approval.

Lacson said local government units craft local development plans that are submitted to regional development councils for consolidation. However, only 25 percent of RDC recommenda-

Ex-Chief Justice...

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ceremony for his Doctors of Law conferment by the UE [University of the East],” Hosaka said.

However, Hosaka said Bersamin, who retired from the judiciary on Oct.18, remained unmoved by the threats and was taking them in stride.

“He was his normal self-confident self. I guess coming from a political family, they have encountered this sce-

Anti-corruption...

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Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday, and those will be put up in national and local government offices and other public places. ‘‘The purpose of the Katarungan Desk is to develop a responsive and safe reporting platform that will address all complaints of injustice and corruption, and which will be placed in every barangay, city hall and other public places,’’ PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said during the project’s launch in Malacañng.

The Katarungan Desk will have ‘dulugan’ forms. It’s the form that will be placed in drop boxes in government offices, barangays and city halls.”

The PACC will cooperate with government agencies and local government units to establish the desks within their areas. The agency will request the Philippine National Police to deploy trained Katarungan Desk officers, Belgica said.

Belgica assured the public that the corruption complaints will be submitted to the Office of the President and the Sen-

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nario before and they know how to handle it,” Hosaka said.

Bersamin’s brother Luis, then a congressman for Abra, was killed on Dec. 16, 2006 along with his bodyguard, SPO1 Adelfo Ortega, after he attended his daughter’s wedding at the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City.

“If former CJ Bersamin needs protection from the National Bureau of Investigation, or he wants to investigate where the threat is coming from, we will help,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. ate through weekly reports.

"The fight against corruption is heavily dependent on information," he said.

During the project launch, Senator Christopher Go expressed support for the anti-corruption campaign, which he said would serve as a one-stop shop for the public to lodge complaints over corrupt practices.

He also urged the public to file complaints against erring government officials through the Katarungan Desks.

"If you see corruption or shortcoming, those liable will be held accountable," Go said.

A manifesto of support for the campaign against corruption was also signed by government officials during the launch.

The manifesto included a commitment to “free ourselves from corruption activities,” combat corruption in their own districts and offices, cooperate with the government and set up Katarungan Desks in their areas of jurisdiction.

"Failure to fulfill our part in this manifesto should mean our voluntary resignation from our office, and if we fulfill our part, may the blessing of the Lord be upon us a hundred-fold," the manifesto says.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Recto says double PH’s defense spending

DOLE to OFWs: Stay off protests AS MASS actions in Hong Kong continue, the Department of Labor and Employment on Wednesday urged overseas Filipino workers anew to stay away from areas where protests are held.

“Follow the advisory to avoid joining protest actions, do not wear white or black clothes, and stay at home after work,” DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

Bello issued the advisory as violence is imminent from pro-democracy protests in the special administrative region.

For months, anti-government protests have rocked Hong Kong.

Police authorities have described the situation as being on the brink of a total breakdown.

Bello said there is no advisory yet from the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong to impose a deployment ban. PNA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday said the country’s defense spending should be doubled from its current P190 billion or even P200 billion, noting defense spending should be a minimum 2 percent of GDP. “Looking at the budget of DND, I was surprised to see that their budget is 4.6 percent of the national budget, but only 1 percent of GDP. Our GDP today is P20 trillion,” he said.

Since the country’s economy is P20 trillion, Recto said this meant only 1 percent. “So we should be spending double,” he said during the hearing of the proposed P191.3-billion DND budget for 2020.

During the interpellation, Recto told Senator Panfilo Lacson that he would like to put into perspective the defense budget with regard to the Philippines’ Asean neighbors.

“Mr. President, isn’t it true that one’s defense is dependent on the size of the economy and of the population?” asked Recto—to which Lacson replied that it should be a minimum of 2 percent of the economy.

In fact, Recto said US President Donald Trump called on Washington’s NATO allies to spend at least 2 percent, because some of them are spending less than that.

Of GDP, he said US spends roughly 3 percent of GDP for their armed forces, around $600 billion.

“If China spends $170 billion, the US outspends them 3:1. And that’s why they have the biggest navy in the world. And that’s why we use the US dollar as well in global trading,” said Recto.

He then inquired from Lacson the defense spending on the entire ASEAN region and asked on who should be our partners not only in trade, but also, supposedly, for defense.

Lacson responded saying that the Philippines was ranked number 5 among the ASEAN countries. He said Singapore, Indonesa, Malaysia is next to us at number 6.

Meanwhile, Minority Senator Francis Pangilinan raised espionage and data privacy questions on the entry of third telco Dito Telecommunity Corp., a consortium which includes a China-owned company, into Philippine military camps.

“Under their Counter-Espionage Law of 2014 and Chinese National Intelligence Law of 2017 the Chinese government lays down instances wherein its citizens and organizations can be mobilized in support of espionage activities as well as information and intelligence gathering,” he said.

“We are also concerned about personal information of our kababayans. Again this is information communication technology. We do hope that before an approval is made, there is serious assessment regarding putting safeguards in place to ensure that the personal information of those using this telco will be protected, that there would be no breach,” he added.

At the plenary budget hearing of the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Pangilinan asked the defense establishment about the co-location memorandum of agreement.

Pangilinan quoted provisions of the Chinese laws.

Ex-BOC official: Decongest ports DEFENSE BUDGET. Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman, Senate committee on National Defense and Security, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief Gen. Noel Clement during the Senate deliberation on 2020 proposed DND Budget at the Senate office in Pasay City. Lino Santos

House creates body to study hiring bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE House of Representatives has created a technical working group to study the feasibility of the bill extending workers’ six-month probationary period to two years.

The House Committee on Labor and Employment, chaired by 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Eric Pineda, created the TWG to discuss House Bill 4802 filed

by Probinsyano Ako Party-list Rep. Jose Singson Jr. At a hearing Wednesday, Labor Assistant Secretary Benjo Santos Benavidez echoed the opposition of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to the measure.

Bello earlier said the bill would deny workers their right to security of tenure, and that the current six-month

probationary period is enough.

“Delaying a worker’s assurance of permanent employment is no longer in keeping with the administration’s policy on security of tenure,” Bello said.

During the hearing, Benavidez said the proposal to lengthen the probationary employment period will not solve the contractualization.

“We are also of the opinion that this may not be the solution to the endo problem,” he said. “[Also], there are already rules and

jurisprudence allowing a longer period of time. These matters may well be lengthily discussed and considered in TWG [technical working group] scheduled in relation to the other measures on security on tenure,” he added.

But Singson appealed to his fellow legislators to give his bill a chance.

Singson told the panel that the intention of his bill is to make sure that workers are continuously employed even after the current six-month probationary period.

For his part, Louie Corral, vice chairman of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, also thumbed down Singson’s bill.

He said instead of helping the “non regular workers,” it will only prolong their “agony.”

“Why prolong the agony? If the question is competence, then you have already a six-month period to determine competence,” he said.

ICRC: Health care should also be given to prisoners

By Joel E. Zurbano THE vast majority of prisoners will return to society within a few years, and this is why health care is needed and should also be given to them.

This was the purpose of humanitarian network International Committee of the Red Cross when it organized the 3rd Asian and Pacific Conference on Prison Health in Manila.

Dubbed “Health Despite Bars”, the three-day (Nov. 13 to 15) conference provides a platform to health and detention authorities, academics and public health experts, to share research and best practices for the welfare of inmates getting sick while in detention.

The conference held at the New World Hotel in Makati City also aims to:

• promote a whole-of-government approach to prison health; • increase awareness of international standards; • encourage participants to be active members of the worldwide prison health research and engagement network.

“Prisoners deserve the same standards of health care as are available to the community, as well as access to health services without discrimination.

But often, the inmates’ health needs cannot be fully met due to challenges in the coordination among authorities concerned, lack of coherence in policies and procedures, inadequate health staff and facilities, among other reasons,” said Dr. Ziad Tohme, who works with ICRC as a regional specialist looking into the health-care needs in detention

facilities in Asia and the Pacific.

The ICRC stated that poor living conditions in many prisons across the world adversely impacted the health of inmates, worsening their pre-existing ailments or leading to new health concerns in prisons.

“Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases are significantly prevalent in prisons, and may spread to the community through staff, visitors and released prisoners who received inadequate treatment. Curative care must be supported by improving food and nutrition, water, sanitation and having activities for better health. It’s also critical to recognize that prison managers and other staff are just as responsible for prisoners’ health,” Tohme said.

Pagcor stops financial aid applications

By Vito Barcelo THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said Wednesday it would temporarily stop accepting medical financial assistance applications starting Nov. 4 this year.

Hundreds of thousands of poor Filipinos depend on PAGCOR subsidies for medical care, similar to the medical assistance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“PAGCOR decided to cease receiving requests for financial assistance following the incident involving a couple who attempted to defraud the agency by submitting spurious documents for fictitious medical cases,” it said in a statement.

The suspects, who were arrested

by Manila Police District operatives following an entrapment operation, are now facing charges for falsification of public documents by a private individual

and using false certificates.

They are now facing charges for falsification of public documents by a private individual and using false certificates.

PAGCOR said that pending the results of an ongoing investigation to the case, the state-run gaming firm freezes its accommodation of requests for medical aid.

PAGCOR is a 100 percent governmentowned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Under its charter, PAGCOR is mandated to generate revenues for the Philippine government’s socio-civic and national development programs, among others.

“PAGCOR likewise warns against all those who plan to do the same as it is employing meticulous measures to evaluate documents submitted to the agency for financial assistance,” it said.

MODULAR TENT. Evacuees in Makilala hit by a hail storm are transferred to a modular tent provided by Marikina City LGU through the DSWD inside Makilala National High School covered court while their tents are fixed in their designated evacuation centers.

RETIRED former Customs Chief Titus Villanueva has two proposal that he claims will finally eliminate graft and corruption at the Bureau of Customs and at the same time decongest the ports.

Villanueva said for 10 years the Bureau of Customs was literally free of graft and corruption when the Bureau installed the comprehensive preshipment inspection scheme.

He said that during his time the Bureau hired the services of the Societe Generale de Surveillance to conduct the pre-shipment inspection of all exports to the Philippines from the port of origin.

This was from 1991 to 2000.

However, the services of SGS did not last long because it was deemed too expensive as it covered all imports from all countries and ports of origin.

Group steps up children assistance SAVE the Children Philippines has delivered family hygiene kits and plastic tarpaulins to ease the suffering of children and their families affected by the series of strong earthquakes in Mindanao.

A total 1,051 family hygiene kits and 130 plastic tarpaulins have been distributed to children and their families in the most affected towns of Makilala and Magpet in North Cotabato to protect them from contagious diseases while in cramped evacuation centers and while temporary taking shelter in makeshift tents outside their damaged houses.

The humanitarian team of Save the Children Philippines will set up temporary learning spaces and distribute teaching kits starting this week to ensure displaced learners can resume classes.

Clement, Cusi get CA nod THE powerful Commission on Appointments on Wednesday gave its nod to the ad interim appointment of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Noel Clement and Philippine Military Academy superintendent Vice Adm. Allan Ferdinand Cusi.

Clement, who formerly headed the Cebu-based Central Command, assumed as AFP chief in late September. He is scheduled to retire in January 2020.

When asked during the hearing about the possible martial law extension in Mindanao that will expire on Dec. 31, 2019, Clement said he did not see it necessary to be extended in the entire region but only in selected areas.

He said the current security situation had improved a lot.

Senator Grace Poe endorsed the appointment of Clement whom she described as “one of the AFP’s best.”

“Here is a steady achiever who excelled at all levels of his military career; a true officer who is well liked by his seniors, peers, and juniors; and a fair leader who took care of his men the same way they took care of their missions,”said Poe. She noted that Clement’s appointment gives us a seasoned officer with an impressive track record in both field and management positions.

“Gen. Noel Clement is proof that it is indeed quality leadership and not length of command that is the true measure of success as the AFP Chief of Staff,” she added.

As this developed, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros said military men and women are at high risk of mental health problems as they are deployed to combat and disaster-stricken areas and being away from their families for a prolonged period.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

What is Olivarez waiting for?

LAST month, this corner came out with an article dealing with a 21-story condominium located in the City of Parañaque—the Diamond Bay Towers which was raided by personnel of the Philippine National Police over allegations of housing a Chinese-only prostitution den, the Manila Wellness Spa on the 3rd floor.

But aside from the alleged prostitution den, Diamond Bay Towers which is located in 150 Roxas Blvd, Baclaran, Parañaque owned by Standford Resources and Development Corp. and reportedly headed by one Bennie Cuason, is also suspected of hosting several POGO outfits as an unusual large number of Chinese entering the building, together with foreign construction workers.

The mayor should act now.

And most probably, these POGOs or any Chinese firm operating inside Diamond Bay Towers, could be illegal for the simple fact the said building and its owners, as documents secured by this writer reveal, have been operating for years without any valid business permit.

Accordingly, Cuason incorporated Standford Resources and Development Corp. in 1994 and one of its big projects was the development and construction of three condominium buildings called Diamond Bay Towers. It secured a development permit from the HLURB as well as a Building Permit from the City of Parañaque all named under Cuason as the owner.

But a new set of documents provided to this writer bare that the building has already been inspected by Office of the City Building Official of the City of Parañaque and was found to have been illegally accepting tenants despite the fact it was not issued a certificate of occupancy.

In fact, City Building Official, Architect Elmor Vita, has already notified the Office of Mayor Edwin Olivarez in a letter dated Sept. 26, 2019.

It’s been almost a month and a half since his office was notified of Diamond Bay Towers’ violation and yet, his office has to take any action.

It’s paramount for Olivarez to take action against Diamond Bay Towers and its owner, Standford Resources as apparently, the non-issuance of a certificate of occupancy is not the only issue it is dealing with.

As what this writer has written before, based on the documents, Standford enticed the general public to put in investment worth millions of pesos either as investors, creditors, unit buyers or all for the said project.

However, after reportedly getting the money from the aforesaid investors, creditors and unit buyers, Standford suddenly filed a petition for Rehabilitation and Suspension of Payments with the Securities and Exchange Commission apparently to purposely evade the continuation of the construction of the Diamond Bay Towers and to enable its officers Cuason and four others to hide behind the legal cloak of corporate rehabilitation thereby escaping payment from its investors, creditors, unit buyers, as well as local government taxes.

The petition, however, was dismissed on Oct. 13, 2000 and Standford was declared technically insolvent meaning that no further rehabilitation was possible. The company was placed under receivership for the purpose of liquidating all of its remaining assets to pay off creditors.

Interestingly and suspiciously, despite the supposed financial distress

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

B

Working together

Y INVITING the leader of the opposition, Vice President Leni Robredo, to head his administration’s anti-drug campaign, President Rodrigo Duterte has exhibited an openness to new ideas and a willingness to work with others to come to grips with a recalcitrant social menace. It is an example worthy of emulation, especially among some of his allies, who may see this as just another opportunity to snipe at the opposition.

In her first week as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), the vice president has enunciated a guiding principle that the anti-drug war can be won without killing thousands of drug suspects—especially if some of them turn out to be innocent.

Kian delos Santos and Reynaldo de Guzman—minors killed in questionable drug operations in 2017—are just two among many cases that inform the vice president’s call.

In the last week, she has also spoken to representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Community-Based Rehab Alliance, a network of organizations both from the

private and public sectors, to push for "balanced, people-centered, humane, and evidence-based solutions" to the country's drug problem.

Given that the President had invited the vice president to lead ICAD to bring in a fresh perspective, the search for new ideas should hardly be a subject of criticism.

Yet, some of the President’s allies continued to take an adversarial approach, as if they were not on the same team now. One urged the vice president to “stop talking and start working” and criticized her for “mouthing ideas and criticism of how the campaign is being implemented.”

The statement seems odd and out of step with the President’s stated reason for bringing Robredo into the Cabinet in the first place.

As the President’s spokesman said upon Robredo’s appointment: “The President was thinking... she must have some ideas in her mind that would effectively implement the drug war. When you’re saying that it’s ineffective, you must have some ideas to make it effective.”

It hardly seems helpful, then, to castigate the vice president for doing what she was precisely brought in to do—try out new ideas, especially given the President’s own recent admission that the drug problem was worsening, despite his war on drugs.

Formulating new approaches and talking about them—those qualify, too, as “working.”

We welcome the President’s moves to get everyone working together to combat the drug menace.

Those who offer only lip service to this notion of strength in unity might be well advised to stop flapping those lips for once.

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Pantoja-Hidalgo receives Gawad Dangal ng Lahi at 69th Palanca POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE ONE of the most scintillating stars of the literary firmament was recognized for her contributions to Philippine literature at the 69th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature held Nov. 8 at the Peninsula Manila.

University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies director Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo received the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi from the Palanca Foundation’s Carl Anthony S. Palanca and Mrs. Criselda ‘Dang’ Cecilio-Palanca.

Dr. Hidalgo was the guest of honor and speaker at this year's awarding ceremony. She has received three Palanca Awards including the Grand Prize for Novel. As a literature professor at the University of the Philippines, she mentored many students who have gone on to be awarded writers themselves.

In her speech, she spoke about “building a bridge between ‘hard literature’ and ‘pop fiction.’” The first term, she said, refers to the sort of literature that wins Palancas—“literature that is carefully crafted, literature that seeks to explore ideas which the writer feels strongly about, literature that is written, not just to share experiences, but to offer insights about its subject.”

Yet, she said, one must remain open to other forms of writing. She cited the plea of Precious Pages and Lampara publisher Jun Matias in a speech, who said that “so many young people [want] to share their stories, and so many people [want] to read them, that publishers who choose to continue to ignore it, or “judge” it—by which he meant, look down on it—run the risk of being left behind.”

An example of these works of popu-

lar fiction are the Wattpad books, some of which sell so phenomenally that fans treat their authors as rock stars. Another publisher has a deal to turn selected Wattpad novels into print.

Hidalgo added, “Actually, my initial reaction to the Wattpad phenomenon when I first heard of it was astonishment. I had no idea that so many people wanted to write fiction. But why not?

Looking back on my own teen years… didn’t I, too, want to write stories?”

And write they do indeed. Wattpad novel “She’s Dating a Gangster” by Bianca Bernardino became “not just a National Bookstore bestseller, but the first Wattpad novel to be turned into a movie (by Star Cinema, with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla in the lead roles).”

Hidalgo also mentioned the author ‘Jonaxx’ the most popular writer of a certain publishing house, who is “so big that the company has created an imprint just for her. According to her fan page she is the first Filipina Wattpad author to gain 1 million followers.” A Facebook page of that name has over 147,000 followers. Jonaxx is the pseudonym of 28-year-old pre-school teacher Jonah Mae Panen of Cagayan de Oro. Hidalgo acknowledged the natural talent of such writers, and suggested that as professional writers “they need some form of training, even if it be self-training.” She mentioned Charmaine M. Lasar, a 20-year-old Wattpad 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

Caring for our ‘lolos’ and ‘lolas’

She spoke about building a bridge between ‘hard literature’ and ‘pop fiction.’

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

LAST Tuesday, I attended the 24th Provincial Convention of Senior Citizens in Lucena, Quezon. Thousands of senior citizens from different municipalities in Quezon joined the event. Every year, Quezon province celebrates the significant contributions of its senior citizens in society, particularly in Quezon’s agricultural sector, social development, and economic growth, and gives back to honor them.

This year, the convention focused on improving health and productivity of the elderly. This is one important aspect of aging that should be given utmost importance. It has been a common notion that once people reach 60, they focus their attention to retirement. The compulsory retirement age gives private companies and the public sector the right to disengage workers upon reaching the age of 65 and grant them retirement benefits.

That being said, the sad reality is that many of the elderly strive to remain pro-

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

ductive. The rising costs of basic goods and services, especially medicines and health care, drives senior citizens to find jobs suitable for them to sustain the needs of their families. Some of the elderly live away from their children or receive less-than-adequate financial support from family members and the government. They are never freed from the obligation to work.

Lawmakers should address the gap.

While some of our seniors are constrained to work, some are left with nothing to do upon retirement, especially those who have been maintaining an active lifestyle and are capable of continuing their normal day work. Those who are still willing and able should be given the opportunity to be productive.

In this regard, I would like to call the attention of our lawmakers to address this gap. With the efforts of some of our distinguished legislators, there are bills filed in Congress that aim to expand existing

financial support to the elderly. One notable proposal was House Bill No. 5362 or the Senior Citizens Employment Opportunity Act authored by Honorable Representative Ronnie Ong. The bill seeks to expand the labor program to allow senior citizens to remain in the workforce and provide incentives to private companies.

This piece of legislation will definitely maximize the contributive efforts of our elderly and allow them to continue providing for their families, if needed.

Aside from this, the Honorable Representative of the Third District of Quezon, Congresswoman Aleta Suarez, has filed the Parental Welfare and Support Act which requires children to support their elderly parents. House Majority Assistant Floor Leader David “Jayjay” Suarez and ALONA Party-list Representative Anna Villaraza-Suarez have both proposed the increasing of the discounts granted to senior citizens from 20 percent to 30 percent on certain goods and services. These legislative measures endeavor to provide our senior citizens with the most benefits given their significant role as foundations of society. I fervently hope that these measures be given expedited response 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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Let’s give her some space SINCE the designation of VP Leni Robredo as the new anti-drug czar, the media has been abuzz with a lot of opinions as to why the VP accepted the appointment. Surprisingly, it is officials from the administration who were more welcoming than many analysts who are downright against it because of the magnitude of the undertaking and her simplistic approach towards the problem. To think that she has not even started to buckle down to work yet.

Maybe these people have very little confidence in the VP. Nonetheless, they should chill a little and give the VP some space. Let us not forget what she said when she announced her acceptance of the job. She said that as far as she is concerned, her primordial consideration is to stop all unjustified killing in the drug war and that if she can save just one life, it would have been all worth it. Since then, there has indeed been no reports of any fatalities in the anti-drug war. This is obviously due to the fact that there has been a pause in police operations since her appointment. Once it resumes, there is no saying what will happen next. In this kind of war, it is too much to ask that no one will die because anything can happen in any police operation more so if it involves illegal drugs. What is important, if I am reading the mind of the VP correctly, is that no one who do not deserve to die should die.

To help accomplish this, a simple procedure could be implemented. Any police personnel involved in any shooting that results in the death of a suspect should be temporarily grounded until cleared in a post operation investigation to ensure that the killing is justifiable. If the shooting is found to be unjustified, then the officer involved should be charged.

This kind of system is not new. It is being done in the United States and other countries and has been found to be effective in ensuring that all legal protocols are followed in the conduct of police operation. The reason why there has been a lot of outcry from critics of the anti-drug war is that many of the so-called “nanlaban” incidents— where suspects were killed because they allegedly resisted—did not undergo post-operation investigation to either clear or charge those involved.

The Vice President needs all the support she can get.

The VP’s activities the last few days have also given us a glimpse of how she intends to pursue her intentions.

Briefings are necessary when anyone starts a new job together with meeting with any agency whether local or international involved in illegal drugs for familiarization. Her meeting with people who have law enforcement experience like Senator Ping Lacson may not have been universally accepted but not necessarily a bad idea. What is a bad idea is the invitation of Aaron Aquino, the Director General of PDEA for her to join an anti-drug police operation.

What was Aquino thinking? For the VP to gain police experience so that she will get the feel of how it is to be in the field? Her job is to be able to provide leadership and the general direction on how to accomplish the objectives that she has set for herself and not to lead police operations.

It is interesting to note also that the Office of the President appears to be willing to give her a wide latitude and support including the scrapping of Oplan Tokhang. She also said that the intensity of the anti-drug war will be as vigorous as before, minus the unjusti-

fiable killing of suspects. In addition, education and rehabilitation which have taken a back seat in the past will be strengthened. One important thing that she announced is the validation of all past collected data like the number of drug users in the country and the exact number of people who have died as a result of the anti-drug campaign, whether justifiable or not. In the past, we simply relied on what President Duterte was saying. No one among his subordinates had the courage to contradict him. Those who did were fired simply for providing figures different from what the President mentioned.

This is extremely important because after more than three years and thousands of lives lost, we have to know what has been accomplished which will serve as a bench mark for future operations, data gathering promulgation of new policies. Whatever happens in the succeeding months, we should all wish Vice President Robredo and her team all the best. Let us also hope that her law enforcement arm regardless of their misgivings will give their utmost cooperation in order that the anti-drug campaign will succeed. *** Visitors to Baguio might have noticed the significant reduction of gasoline and diesel prices. It used to be that gas prices in the City were about P5 more than the prices in Rosario, La Union and about P7 or P8 more than Metro Manila prices. Prices now are about three pesos less which is a lot and a welcome relief. Unfortunately, this appears to have no significant effect on public transportation fares and the price of goods. The reduction of gas prices was due to the efforts of the new sheriff in town, Mayor Benjie Magalong. He recently met with the Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the Secretary of Energy to seek his help and in no time at all, the local gas dealers, were forced to reduce their prices.

This while only five months in office.

It is something that his predecessor failed to do in nine years.

Art and AI: Computer-generated works set for New York sale

By Thomas Urbain TWO paintings up for auction in New York highlight a growing interest in artificial intelligence-created works—a technique that could transform how art is made and viewed but is also stirring up passionate debate.

The art world was stunned last year when an AI painting sold for $432,500, and auctioneers are keen to further test demand for computer-generated works.

"Art is a true reflection of what our society, what our environment responds to," said Max Moore of Sotheby's.

"And so it's just a natural continuation of the progression of art," he added.

Sotheby's will put two paintings by the French art collective Obvious up for sale on Thursday, including "Le Baron De Belamy."

The European classic style portrait is part of the same series as "Portrait of Edmond Belamy", which sold for more than 60 times the lowest estimate at Christie's during the 2018 fall auctions.

The paintings were made using a technique called "generative adversarial network," or GAN. GAN involves feeding thousands of images of the same style into a computer until the machine concludes that it has created a new portrait that it thinks accurately reflects that style.

"Katsuwaka of the Dawn Lagoon" was created in a Japanese style using the same GAN algorithm.

Auctioneers have put modest prices on the two paintings. "Katsuwaka" has a pre-sale estimate between $8,000 and

Pantoja-Hidalgo...

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writer who won a Palanca for the novel in Filipino in 2015, clarifying that Lasar was quoted to have said she “consciously deviated from her Wattpad writing style, which is looser and more carefree,” and opted to write something that was “medyo malalim” in terms of language.” Lasar, she said, is saving up to take a degree in creative writing.

Hidalgo says bridging the gap between popular fiction and serious literature can be done. “In concrete terms, this means: on the one hand, accepting the level at which most of our reading public is—what it’s willing to read, what it enjoys reading—and, on the other hand, committing at least a part

$12,000, while "Le Baron" has been priced between $20,000 and $30,000.

"We do not expect as big a result as last year," said Pierre Fautrel, one of the three members of Obvious.

"We just want to see if there are people who are ready to buy around these prices and if the market will continue to build," he added.

Moore said the sale of "Portrait of Edmond Belamy" showed that there is "a marketplace for this new body of work" but that it's still "in the very early stages."

"That will be a good indicator of where the market is," he said.

In the fledgling artificial intelligence market, Obvious is not the most sought-after group of artists.

Not for everyone

Steven Sacks, owner of the bitforms gallery in New York says his client, the Canadian-Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer has already made around $600,000 for an AI artwork.

Whereas Obvious's paintings are fixed, most of Lozano-Hemmer's works use software to change in real time according to data about each viewer's perspective.

Other prominent AI artists who are exhibiting their work across the world include Germany's Mario Klingemann and Turkish-born Refik Anadol.

Klingemann also makes portraits, sometimes tweaking the input data with voluntary glitches to avoid replication.

Anadol uses mostly video to produce abstract data-based animations.

of the resources available to producing books which will upgrade standards and tastes.”

And finally, she reminded writers of their duty to society and nation: “As writers, we all know that we must stay the course, most particularly in bleak times such as those that confront us now…

“We will observe, we will record, we will protest. Above all, we will remember. And we will endure.”

Named after businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards cultivate Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers. Over the years it has become the most prestigious literary contest in the country, and has been dubbed ‘the Philippine Pulitzer.’

With the bi-annual Novel and No-

Klingemann's "Memories of Passersby I," a stream of portraits created by a machine, sold for $40,000 at Sotheby's in London in March.

Sacks and several other artists AFP spoke to were critical of the "Bellamy" sale last year.

They feel that that painting is not representative of the potential of AI and argue that Obvious is imitating other works whereas they are creating something new.

"For me it was a problem because it wasn't authentic," said Sacks, who subscribes to a school of thought that works made by AI should constantly be changing, usually on screens.

Some also criticize Obvious for giving the impression that AI can create works of art without human interference.

"An artist chooses. He lightens, he reinforces. Can a computer do that?" asks French painter Ronan Barrot, who has collaborated with British AI artist Robbie Barrat.

The debate continues to rage. Fautrel of Obvious denies that his collective merely imitates other artworks and sees AI as a "tool" and not an end in itself.

Despite their differences, they all agree the market for AI paintings is growing and that the sale of "Bellamy" has drawn attention to the burgeoning technique.

"I don't think this new style is for everyone but I think you're going to start catching the attention of a lot of people that aren't necessarily art collectors but are very interested in the technology behind AI," said Sotheby's Moore. AFP

bela categories open this year, there were 22 writing categories. This year, the Foundation honored 56 writers, 32 of whom are first-time awardees.

Two of them bagged prizes in two separate categories, with one being a first-time winner.

Decorated writer Lamberto E. Antonio won his fifth first prize this year for Tula and was inducted into the Palanca Hall of Fame. Among the other first prize winners is Kate Osias for “James Machine,” Short Story. The Grand Prize for Novel went to Reine Arcache Melvin for “The Betrayed.”

Please visit the Palanca website for the full list of winners.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Palanca Awards! /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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Leni as ICAD chair: Political implications FOR a while there was widespread doubt as to whether the Vice President of the Philippines would accept President Rodrigo Duterte's offer of the co-chairship of the Inter-agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

But, as we now know, Leni Robredo decided to accept the offer, and with her acceptance, all sorts of recalculations and re-evaluations of the Philippine political firmament have had to be made. After all, what we now have is a situation in which the titular head of the leading Opposition party taking over the lead role in the implementation of the administration's principal domestic program.

What are the implications of Vice President Robredo's acceptance of the ICAD co-chairship for the so-called war on drugs? What are its implications for the woman who, barring any unforeseeable challenge, will be the Liberal Party's standard-bearer in the next Presidential election?

Whether she realized it at the time she made her decision, Vice President Robredo's acceptance of the ICAD position has had the effect of deodorizing the Duterte administration's war against illegal drugs. There can be no erasing the bad things that have been wrought by the war—especially the thousands of individuals, mostly poor, who have lost their lives in 'nanlaban' encounters with PNP (Philippine National Police) operatives—but, with a respected official like Vice President Robredo now at the war's helm, international institutions and foreign governments will have to reduce the harshness of their criticism of the war in deference to her. Clearly, the Vice President's entry into the picture has invested the Duterte administration's war on drugs with respectability that it has never had. In the view of its foreign critics, the war on illegal drugs has until now been run by things in uniform; now it is being overseen by one of the Philippines' most respected women.

Whatever caused him to think of offering the ICAD position to Vice President Robredo—it was sudden pique over Mrs. Robredo's latest criticism of the war on illegal drugs or a wellthought-out plan—the offer, and her acceptance of it, is a win-win situation for President Duterte. Having admit-

ted that he had failed to solve the illegal-drugs problem—a sad and pitiful act—Mr. Duterte has nothing more to lose. But he has everything to gain if Mrs. Robredo were to do a good job in her ICAD position; he could then claim credit for having exercised good judgment in appointing her to that position. And if the Vice President were to fail, he could say that her failure validated his admission that the illegal-drugs problem was a very tough nut to crack. Not only I but also Vice President Robredo could not solve the problem, the Chief Executive will be able to say.

And what would be the implications for Vice President Robredo of her embedding herself with the Duterte administration's illegal-drugs war as co-chair of the implementing committee? In deciding whether to accept the ICAD position, Leni doubtless realized that she was taking a calculated

Clearly, the Vice President’s entry into the picture has invested the Duterte administration’s war on drugs with the respectability that it has never had. risk. If she succeeds as drug co-chair, and, like all Filipinos, I fervently hope she does—everyone will have won and her reputation and status as the titular head of the main Opposition party will have been enormously enhanced. But if she were to do a bad job, she will be subject to the charge of having given aid and comfort to the enemy but to little avail. The saying "Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan" will this come into play.

Vice President Robredo is to be admired for accepting the ICAD position in order to be able to save even one innocent life. But I hope that that one saved life will not prove to be very costly to her in terms of professional stature and political security. Leni Robredo is the best that the Opposition can offer the nation in the next Presidential election. Let not her chances in the 2022 electoral season be spoiled by the booby-traps and land mines planted by those who don't want her to succeed in her latest mission.

Caring...

From A4

in both Houses, for the welfare of our senior citizens.

I also call on the expansion and improvement of the benefits received by the senior citizens, specifically the health care benefits and incentives. The provincial government of Quezon launched the health coupon program, also known as the Lingap Kalusugan Program, where senior citizens shall be exempted from paying the costs of certain medical services such as CT scan and MRI scanning. This has a potential in reducing necessary expenses by the senior citizens, thereby relieving them of the financial burden.

I seek the support of the national government in the enactment of these measures.

Our senior citizens have been our source of strength and wisdom. Let us allow them to live healthy and remain productive in their own ways. It is our duty to put their interests at heart, as they have put ours in theirs. Let us work together to give back as much as we can for their invaluable service and dedication to their families, their communities, and the nation.

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of Standford having been declared insolvent by the SEC, it was still able to continue the construction and development of the Diamond Bay Towers but allegedly with a different set of investors without the approval of the SEC, prompting the SEC to reprimand Cuason.

This incident is so alarming as the scheme victimizes the general public by using the cloak of corporate rehabilitation law, thereby circumventing the purpose of its enactment and giving the culprits a pale excuse to be free from their apparent liability to their creditors and investors, both civil and criminal. Lawmakers should take heed that the law they enacted is being used against the very public which it was designed to protect.

The project, while legally considered insolvent and for liquidation is still being brazenly being offered for sale and lease to the unsuspecting general public as of this writing. The company is said to now only accept Chinese buyers or lessors. No Filipino buyers allowed.

This is believed to be a scheme em-

ployed by the perpetrators in order to circumvent local authorities.

And aside from operating without the necessary permits, having been ordered for liquidation, other agencies, particularly the HLURB, the SEC, the Department of Labor and Employment and even the local government of Parañaque, have sent notices of various violations to Standford.

And how was Standford able to escape all these? According to the same set of documents this writer secured, Diamond Bay Towers is now operating under a different company name—Hua Shang Philippines Development and Management Company, but still points to Cuason as owner when employees of the building were asked.

However, Cuason seemed to overlook something as when he decided to change the name of the operator of Diamond Bay Towers, the original titles. The land title as well as the commercial unit titles are still under Standford’s name. It cannot feign ignorance or wash its hands clean of this incident.

Olivarez should act now, close the establishment and maybe initiate a full-blown investigation on Standford, Hua Shang and Cuason.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

‘Isko’ warns underpass vandals

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

M

ANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned vandals who would be caught writing on the wall of newly repainted underpass in Manila that they will be made to lick clean their writings.

Domagoso made the warning after the newly repainted Lagusnilad underpass which was cleared of vendors was vandalized with red paints like “presyo Ibaba, sahod itaas,US-China-alis!”

A cultural youth organization calling itself Panday Sining has apologized for vandalizing the Laguslinad underpass and expressed willingness to talk to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

However, the Manila mayor was upset by the writings made by the cultural group Panday Sining, which claimed that they conducted the “graffiesta” as a response to the worsening economic and political state of the country.

“The purpose of our protest art isn’t to

spite the citizens of Manila but to sound the alarm against these injustices.” it said.

Domagoso was earlier disappointed after conducting a surprise inspection on Ylaya Street in Binondo, Manila which was littered with tons of garbage left behind by vendors, prompting him to ban vendors from selling in the said street.

The ban was extended to the Binondo side of Recto Avenue but the government will allow vendors to sell goods on the other side of Recto Avenue which falls under the jurisdiction of Tondo.

Manila has a City Ordinance against littering. On Section 4 of the said ordinance, residents are prohibited from “leaving trash and other refuse in the

gutter, sidewalks, streets, alleyways.”

Meanwhile, a Basilan legislator urged Domagoso to help the people of Basilan promote the province as a haven for eco-tourism and refrain from reinforcing its former reputation as a terrorism stronghold.

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman issued the statement after the Manila City Mayor reportedly warned police scalawags that they woud be sent to Basilan if they do not reform.

“We fully understand that Mayor Isko Moreno is merely trying to make a point to corrupt policemen, but Basilan's bad rep of the old days are over. The people now need help in promoting the province as a premier tourist destination and a safe and secure place for investors and local businessmen,” said Hataman, a former governor of the nowdefunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“And statements like what the good mayor said make it twice as difficult for

us to change this bad perception. It is unfair to those who worked hard to overcome such an adversity in their lives, and it serves no useful purpose for a people trying to hurdle the effects of terrorism,” he added.

During his term as ARMM governor, Hataman said he implemented several programs that aimed to curb terrorism not only in Basilan but in other provinces in Mindanao.

In 2016, he said he established the Program Against Violent Extremism for Peace, which resulted to the surrender, reformation and reintegration of more than 200 violent extremists from the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Because of several reforms he implemented in the province, Hataman said "I can say that the situation in Basilan has greatly improved now compared to before because of our efforts before in ARMM and the convergence initiatives of people in the community, in close collaboration with LGUs and security sectors.

INJURED RIDER. Quezon

City rescue team members applied first aid to a motorcycle rider hit by an Isuzu I-Mux with body plate no ALA-2019 at the Eliptical Road at Quezon City circle around 10: 30 a.m. The injured rider was later brought to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention.

IN BRIEF Consumers urged: Beware of power deals THE left-leaning party-list group on Wednesday urged the public to be more vigilant on the conduct of bidding for power contracts may result in higher electricity rates.

Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares also called on the Energy department to intervene and set aside the difficult and one sided bidding terms imposed by power distributors to ensure that more bidders with lower price offers could come in.

He said the Energy department's call for Meralco to open the competitive selection process was a welcome development, as this will give more f lexibility for power suppliers bidding for its energy needs.

"Despite the difficult conditions imposed, some power suppliers were forced to bid on the two power supply contracts for 1,700 megawatts. Had the power distributors not imposed difficult conditions in the two bidding, the resulting bid prices would have been lower for after all, the price of electricity at the retail supply market is lower” Colmenares said in a statement sent to the House media.

Colmenares also said the bidding terms imposed on CSP should ensure a fair chance for all suppliers to make a bid at the lowest possible price.

Maricel V. Cruz

Maguindanao governor favors ML extension COTABATO CITY—Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu on Tuesday said she wants martial law to continue in Mindanao, particularly in her province.

“Martial law has given good results for the people of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu said over a radio station here Tuesday.

The governor believes martial law should continue in Maguindanao because this is what peace-loving Maguindanaons want.

A number of military and defense officials have said that martial law extension

is no longer necessary since normalcy has been restored in Marawi and most parts of the island.

But for Mangudadatu, the presence of military and state forces in crime-prone areas and communities vulnerable to violent extremism had helped a lot in preventing terrorism.

A random survey conducted by the provincial government showed that all 36 town mayors in Maguindanao favor the continuation of martial law, believing that it serves as a preemptive measure against extremists.

Mangudadatu said unless the

POST ON FIRE.

A barangay volunteer used a fire extinguisher to try to stop a burning portion of an electrical post located along Kamuning Road in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

PH to strengthen reproductive health THE Philippine government has strengthened its international commitments to improve programs in reproductive health in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia presented the milestones and policies already in place leading to real outcomes in an international conference being held in Nairobi, Kenya.

“We are one with the world in renewing with rigor our commitments to the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action and the Sustainable Development Agenda,” Pernia, who leads the Filipino delegation, said Wednesday.

“This is in line with our efforts to realize the aspirations of the Filipino people of a stable, peaceful, secure, and comfortable life,” he added, stressing the connection of the commitments with the AmBisyon Natin 2040, the Philippines’ long-term vision for all Filipinos.

He proceeded to enumerate the milestones on commitments the Philippines has already reached in recent years. Julito G. Rada

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is defeated, martial law must continue not only in Maguindanao but in neighboring areas as well.

In a separate interview, Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi also said that she favors the extension of martial law, saying it has led to more than 50 percent of the drop of crimes in the locality for the past two years.

“The City Council even came up with an overnight ‘discipline hour’ period just to maintain peace and order in support of the martial law declaration,” the mayor said. PNA

Hungarian firm, NDRRMC sign deal on safe water in quake-hit areas THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Hungarian Watertechnology Corp. on Wednesday signed a strategic cooperation agreement in a bid to beef up provision of safe and clean water in calamityhit areas.

NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad, HWTC chief executive office Adrian Kiss and Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Jozcef Bencze signed the agreement.

This formally forged the partnership of two entities in implementing the project titled “Delivery of a mobile water treatment compact unit to supply drinking water to the population during emergency situations and natural disasters in the Philippines.”

The equipment will be shipped in February 2020 and is expected to be commissioned by April.

In an interview with reporters, Jalad said the acquisition of the mobile water treatment compact unit will help address water supply concerns during times of calamities or disasters in the Philippines.

“We see that we need more of this kind of equipment that HWTC can provide for us. Especially the kind of equipment that can even process seawater.

This is a need that HWTC can provide in addressing the gaps whenever disaster happens,” the NDRRMC chief said.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal also said the agency welcomes the generosity of the HWTC and Hungary for the partnership and the water treatment technology being shared with the Philippines.

“This will boost our ability to respond to the needs of calamity-affected communities in terms of the provision of potable water” he added. PNA

Retired seaman wins house, lot in Villar ‘summit’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta A RETIRED seaman won this year’s grand raffle prize of house and lot at the 9th OFW and Family Summit, sponsored by the Villar Family, through its foundation- the Villar SIPAG. The name of Elmer Fernandez, 62, of Mandaluyong City, was drawn by former Senate President Manny Villar who was assisted by his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar, in front of over 7,000 summit attendees of overseas Filipino workers and their families.

Fernandez said he can’t believe he would go home with the grand prize. He was just praying for a minor prize.

He worked as a machinist/welder of Norwegian cargo vessel Grieg Philippines since 1985. He retired last year and since then tried working as an agent for an insurance company.

He said that the Lessandra house and lot unit will be a big help since he is also trying to recover the title of his house in Mandaluyong, which was used as a loan collateral from an Indian lender.

Also among the big winners during the OFW summit were Sonya Vidal of Novaliches, Quezon City, who won P100,000 worth of Home Makeover from All Home; and Arnel Conde of Makati City and Marilou Noya of Malabon who each won a motorcycle unit from Isuzu Cavite.

The senator thanked the participants in the summit, especially those who have been attending the annual gathering, being held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

In sponsoring the summit, Villar said they want migrant workers to make wise investments of their hard-earned money—their savings and remittances.

DOH-Calabarzan holds confab on non-hospital based clinical labs WORKING towards the implementation and achievement of universal health coverage, the Department of Health–CALABARZON conducted the “1st Regional Conference of Non-Hospital Based Clinical Laboratories” in the region to recognize their role in providing reliable laboratory data to medical professionals and patients.

Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said this would be an essential part in the delivery of quality health care.

“As we gear towards universal health coverage, we will be including diagnostic as a key component because most diseases and heath conditions cannot be managed

properly without a proper diagnosis,” he said.

He said that quality health care should start with the search of care and diagnosis to establish the right treatment.

“We cannot treat a sick person if we do not know his ailment and its cause. Also, we cannot stop the spread of any disease if it is not initially identified and primarily quickly, at dito pumapasok ang role ng clinical laboratories natin,” Janairo said.

In proceeding with the implementation of UHC in the region, Janairo said they will identify gaps and barriers including challenges to providing diagnostics for health care systems including lack of workforce, education, training, infrastructure and sys-

tems to support quality service.

He said a clinical laboratory provides accurate information and services that contribute to the effective delivery of care to an individual. Laboratory information enables a physician to provide the proper treatment for their patients.

There are more than 500 non-hospital based clinical laboratories operating in CALABARZON. According to Dr. Susana C. Castillo, Head of the Regional Health Facility Operation and Development Unit for CHO, RHU, BHS and other Health Facilities and lead convener of the conference, the regional office together

with other partner agencies and stakeholders will lobby for the standardization of medical technologists due to limited professional growth, under remuneration and imbalance workloads.

“We are seeking to regulate and modernize the practice of medical technologists in the country because their practice and role has already extended beyond clinical laboratories,” said Some have assumed leadership positions and obtained-post graduate studies which only shows that it has shown maturity and development comparable with other health profession” she emphasized.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Growling Tigers beat Maroons again to reach UAAP Finals

Lady Volcanoes to join Tokyo 2020 qualifier

By Peter Atencio THE Battle of Katipunan will not happen again in the finals of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Two charities from Beninese big man Soulemane Chabi Yo in the last 4.4 seconds made sure of this as the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers escaped with a 69-65 triumph over the misfiring University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons yesterday at the jampacked Mall of Asia Arena.

The 6-foot-6 Chabi Yo’s charities came moments after three Maroons missed three successive attempts during a single possession, and this put the Growling Tigers in the best-of-three finals against the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.

“It was tough for us because of their adjustments. We tried to counter. We were able to get our shots kaya lang hindi pumapasok. I kept telling the boys to keep on taking those shots kasi ‘yun naman ‘yung mga tinitira namin,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo. The disappointing setback suffered by the Fighting Maroons in their two-game stepladder semifinals with the Growling Tigers will keep UP from confronting their Katipunan Avenue neighbor, the Blue Eagles, for the second straight season.

The sophomore Chabi Yo showed the way for the Growling Tigers with 22 points and 16 rebounds while teammate, point guard Renzo Subido added 14 points.

Bright Akhuetie finished with a gamehigh 16 points and 17 rebounds, and he could have won the game earlier in the last 5.6 seconds.

But, Akhuetie, Kobe Paras and Javi Gomez de Liano all missed their attempts that gave UST the chance to make it to the finals again after four years.

The 59” Subido sank his fourth trey of the game with 23.6 ticks left off Rhenz Abando’s pass, and this gave the lead back to the UST after UP took charge for four minutes.

June Manzo fired 12 points for UP, while Juan Gomez de Liano had eight, with his jumper with 5:16 remaining shattering a 57-all deadlock, and allowing the Fighting Maroons to gain the upper hand for the first time in the game.

NLEX Road Warriors bow to NorthPort Batang Pier THE league-leading NLEX Road Warriors bowed to the NorthPort Batang Pier, 102-94, in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, yesterday.

The Road Warriors actually had nothing to lose. Despite the loss to NorthPort the Road Warriors (8 wins, 2 losses) remained at the top of the standings in a tie with the Meralco Bolts (8-2).

With the victory NorthPort (4 wins, 6 losses) climbed into a tie at seventh and eighth place with the Columbian Dyip (4-6).

The top eight teams advance to the quarterfinals while the bottom four teams are eliminated. Additionally, the top four teams hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

NLEX, already with eight wins, are already assured of a top four finish regardless of the result of the game against NorthPort.

Christian Standhardinger played like an import and finished 23 points and 19 rebounds to win Player of the Game honors.

The Batang Pier, trailing early, took control of the game in the third. NorthPort held a slim, 81-78, advantage after three quarters.

Mike Qualls drilled a three-pointer followed by a scoreless spell by both teams.

Qualls added two more free throws as the Batang Pier extended their lead to 11 points, 98-87, to seal the result of the match with just two minutes left to play.

The other teams are TNT KaTropa (7-2), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (6-3), the San Miguel Beermen (6-4), the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (5-5), Bringing up the rear are the Alaska Aces (3-6), the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters (37), Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters (2-7) and the Blackwater Elite (2-8).

The scores: NorthPort Batang Pier 102—Mike Qualls 36, Christian Standhardinger 23, Sean Anthony 19, Kevin Ferrer 9, Nico Elorde 7, Paolo Taha 4, Garo Lanete 2, Sol Mercado 2, Jerramy King 0, Russel Escoto 0.

NLEX Road Warriors 94—Manny Harris 34, Kiefer Ravena 16, JR Quinahan 10, Poy Erram 7, Jervy Cruz 7, Larry Fonacier 6, Michael Miranda 5, Philip Paniamogan 4, Asi Taulava 3, Raul Soyud 2, Kevin Alas 0, Kenneth Ighalo 0.

Quarter scores: 25-28, 43-51, 81-78, 102-94.

UP Fighting Maroons forward Kobe Paras (6) tries to drive past UST Growling Tigers defender Ira Bataller (27) during their Do-or-Die Game, Wednesday, November 13, 2019 for the second finals berth of UAAP Men’s Basketball Tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Dennis Abrina

PSC launches national football tourney in 2020 P

HILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch Ramirez” has announced plans for a new national football tournament for Under-13 players to be held next year at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Stadium, in support of the “Football para sa lahat” development program of the country’s various Football Associations (FAs).

Ramirez made the announcement last Monday at the launch of the Luzon Cup football tournament for Under-12 players spearheaded by the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) and the Central Luzon Football Association (CLFA). The Luzon Cup will be held from Nov. 21 till Nov. 24 at the Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Complex in San Jose, Tarlac. The Luzon Cupis supported by the Tarlac provincial and local governments and the Department of Education.

Ramirez delighted the FAs and football enthusiasts present at the launch with his surprise announcement of a new national age-group tourney, with the PSC chair expressing his gratitude for the FAs’ efforts to promote sports development in

the regions. He said the new tourney can feature the champions of the NOFA Cup, Mindanao Cup, and the coming Luzon Cup, age-group tournaments backed by the NOFA and its partner FAs. “We will offer Rizal Memorial Stadium for the national championship to add some support, para tuluy-tuloy na kayo,” Ramirez told the enthusiastic crowd. The PSC chair bared that he has a special affinity for football, as his granddaughter who is based in the US competes at a high level for a spot in the US age-group teams.

Chairman Ramirez noted the NOFA’s efforts under its president Ricardo “Ricky” Yanson, Jr. to partner with other FAs throughout the country to replicate NOFA’s successful “Football

para sa lahat” development programs in the Visayas.

In cooperation with fellow football associations and football stakeholders, NOFA has been organizing tournaments for Under-12 and Under-13 boys, beginning with its own Bacolod-based NOFA Cup which has completed four successful editions since 2015. In October, the Davao Central Football Association and NOFA successfully held the Mindanao Cup in Davao City for 16 Under-12 teams, with Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte in attendance.

Yanson thanked Chairman Ramirez, saying a new national age-group tourney in Manila will be the perfect cap-stone to the triangle of Bacolod, Davao, and Tarlac age-group tourneys put up by the FAs. “Our dream, through ‘Football sa lahat’ is to support more tournaments and activities for all age groups. We want more Filipinos to enjoy football,” said Yanson.

CLFA General Secretary Ed Flaminiano said the upcoming Luzon Cup is a significant development.

PFF will hold more age-group competition WITH a global brand expected to back the country’s professional football league in the next three years, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta vowed to come up with more

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta

programs that will benefit the age-group players in the future.

Araneta said the impending sponsorship of Qatar Airways of the Philippines Football League will allow the PFF to allot funds for a national Under-17 tournament starting next year.

“We want to start the Under-17 tournament next year,” he said, noting that the PFF had also begun holding a national Under-15 tournament this year that is now in its final stages.

“We really have a lot of football activities coming in and I want to see that this is being implemented properly. We are not neglecting players in the agegroup level. In fact, we have been revitalizing our grassroots program to find more homegrown talents in the country.”

On top of the national Under-17 tournament, Araneta said the PFF will also hold Under-16 and Under-18 regional tournament for girls as part of its thrust to develop women’s football.

The PFF chief hopes these tournaments will lead to improved performances for the age-group teams in international tournaments.

Araneta is seeking a fresh term as PFF president in the coming elections on Nov. 29. He reportedly has the backing of 25 of the 32 regional football association representatives when he announced his candidacy in Bacolod City, the hometown of presidential hopeful, Ricky Yanson.

In his eight years as the country’s top football executive, Araneta steered the country’s men and women’s national teams to its highest FIFA ranking. The PFF was also feted by the Asian Football Confederation three times for its grassroots programs.

Araneta is hopeful the entry of Qatar Airways will trigger more support from local companies to football.

“Qatar Airways is a global brand and hopefully we have local brands that will join the sponsorship,” said Araneta.

THE Philippine Lady Volcanoes are joining the Tokyo 2020 Regional Olympic Qualifying Tournament this weekend.

The national women’s rugby will be in Guangzhou, China to be in games which will also serve as their final preparation for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

They will be up against two other neighboring countries, Singapore and Thailand.

The two will send teams to also prepare for the SEA Games.

Philippine Rugby Football Union General Manager Jake Letts said this will give the Philippines “a training ground moving forward with the top teams in Asia.”

“After a successful Trophy Series Gold Medal in August, the result has propelled the Philippines to the Top 8 in Asia, where they haven’t played since 2014,” said Letts in a statement.

Lett’s added that after a second place finish in the Trophy Series in 2018, the progression to a gold medal in 2019 was the next move in the right direction.

The Volcanoes are seeded in Pool B alongside Kazakstan, Thailand and Singapore.

Pool A will have China, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Korea.

The team that wins the tournament joins Japan in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The runner up will move to the next round of Olympic Qualifications early next year. Peter Atencio

Antonio draws opening match FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. battled to a draw Kazakh International Master (IM) Aitkazy Baimurzin in the opening round of the FIDE World Seniors 2019 Chess Championships Tuesday night at the Rin Grand Hotel in Bucharest, Romania.

Playing black, the 57-year-old Antonio (elo 2427), who placed 2nd in the 2017 edition of the event held in Acqui Terme, Italy, and Baimurzin (elo 1995) split the point after 30 moves of the Reti Opening game in the 50-andabove category.

The Quezon City resident Antonio, the country’s 13-time Philippine Open Champion who hails from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro held an early edge but a wrong sequence of moves resulted in white (Baimurzin) getting a slightly better position.

Baimurzin offered a draw on move 25. The game was drawn at move 30, as FIDE (World Chess Federation) per rules.

Antonio’s trip is sponsored by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by its chairman/president Representative Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chair and CEO Andrea Domingo.

He is also supported by Prage Management Corporation and Xavier School. Antonio takes on David Filipovich (elo 2050) of Canada in Round 2.

Filipovich, on the other hand, drew with Armenian Grandmaster (GM) Artashes Minasian (elo 2486) after 54 moves of English Opening.

“The first round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said eighteenth-seed Antonio.

“We hope to perform well in this event.”

Surging Los Angeles Lakers eclipse Phoenix Suns LOS ANGELES, United States—Kyle Kuzma drained two clutch three-pointers as the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back to score a 123-115 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday (Wednesday Philippine time).

Kuzma hit back-to-back threes in the final three minutes of a see-saw battle to finally sink the Suns, shortly after Phoenix had taken a 113-111 lead with 3min 29sec left at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

A LeBron James three-pointer put the Lakers 114-113 ahead before Kuzma weighed in to stretch the lead to 120-113.

Kuzma finished with 23 points off the bench while Anthony Davis led the Lakers’ scoring with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

“I’ve been finding my rhythm all season,” Kuzma said of his crucial pair of late three-pointers.

“I feel like every single game I’ve been getting better with my rhythm and timing. It kind of clicked a little bit. I know I can shoot.”

James added 19 points with 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Lakers made an instant return to

winning ways following Sunday’s loss to Toronto.

The win saw the Lakers improve to 8-2 at the top of the Western Conference, continuing the franchise’s resurgence under head coach Frank Vogel.

Phoenix meanwhile fell to 6-4 with the defeat.

Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio led the Suns scoring with 21 points apiece.

Elsewhere Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers improved to 7-3 in the Eastern Conference table with a gritty 98-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with 27 points, while hauling down 14 defensive rebounds. Josh Richardson added 17 points while Ben Simmons had 15.

But the Sixers were left sweating until the final seconds before Embiid slammed in the winning dunk with 13.2 sec on the clock to seal the win and prevent what would have been an upset defeat.

Sixers coach Brett Brown admitted the narrow victory had been too close for comfort. Asked if his team were playing with fire, Brown replied: “It’s a blow torch. A really big one.” AFP

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) protects the ball against Phoenix Suns defender Kelly Oubre Jr. during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. AFP

Business

IN BRIEF Coca-Cola to install 10,000 solar panels

COCA-COLA Beverages Philippines Inc., the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country, teamed up with Buskowitz Energy in the installation of approximately 10,000 solar panels equivalent to 3.9 megawatts in two of its bottling plants.

The move is part of the company’s sustainability roadmap for its operations.

“Our strategies in growing the business have always been aligned with our comprehensive sustainability efforts— this means growing the business the right way,” said Juan Lorenzo Tañada, CCBPI director for corporate and regulatory affairs.

The larger of the two installations in Misamis Oriental will be made up of approximately 7,000 solar panels with a capacity of 2.8 MW. The second facility in Bacolod will be made up of nearly 3,000 panels totaling 1.1 megawatts. The project has set a December 2019 completion date.

Alena Mae S. Flores

PayMaya: Users can now send to 40 banks

PAYMAYA Philippines Inc. said its users can now send money to over 40 local banks and financial institutions that can receive money via InstaPay. “This new feature will definitely make it easier for PayMaya account holders to manage their money conveniently,” said PayMaya president Shailesh Baidwan.

“Whether they’re sending money to an online seller or transferring money from one of their bank accounts to another, everything is instant and seamless with PayMaya’s new Send Money to Bank feature,” he added.

The new feature is also in accordance with the efforts of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to increase the percentage of digital transactions in the country to 20 percent by the year 2020, under the National Retail Payment System.

Earlier, PayMaya said it expected transaction volume to reach by 2023 as e-wallet account penetration was growing faster in the Philippines.

Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

B1

Megaworld’s net income up 14% to P12.8b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ABS-CBN increases profit 53% to P2.26b

ABS-CBN Corp. on Wednesday said net income rose 53 percent in the first nine months of the year on higher advertising revenues.

The media and entertainment company owned by the Lopez Group said net income amounted to P2.26 billion in the first nine months of the year from P1.48 billion year-on-year.

ABS-CBN generated consolidated revenues of P32 billion from advertising and consumer sales, up 8.6 percent on year.

Advertising revenues increased 15 percent, attributable to both political placements and growth in regular advertising.

Excluding political placements, regular advertising rose by 5.6 percent on year.

Consumer sales increased P302 million mainly resulting from higher TVPlus Boxes sold and higher subscription revenues from Sky Cable.

Darwin G. Amojelar

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

LEADERS’ FORUM. The 2019 Top Leaders Forum organized by SM Prime Holdings inc. once again gathers senior government officials, top-level executives from the private sector and local chief executives to discuss the country’s status on disaster risk reduction, preparedness, resiliency and sustainability. Joining the forum are (from left) ARISE Philippines board member and Kokusai Kogyo Co. Ltd. chairperson and chief executive officers Sandra Wu, ARISE board member and SM Prime Holdings executive committee chair Hans Sy, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mami Mizutori, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Leyte Rep. (4th District) Lucy Torres-Gomez.

Uy’s Udenna gets 45% stake in Malampaya gas

By Alena Mae S. Flores

U

DENNA Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy has signed an agreement to acquire the entire shareholdings of Chevron Malampaya LLC, a whollyowned subsidiary of Chevron Philippines Ltd.

“At Udenna, we believe in the benefit of promoting natural gas as an essential fuel to support the country’s growing energy needs and economic growth.

The acquisition of Chevron’s interest in the Malampaya gas field marks an important milestone for Udenna, fitting strategically with our long-term ambitions of developing a sustainable clean energy business in the Philippines,” said Uy, Udenna chief executive officer and

chairman, in a statement.

Udenna said the acquisition marked an important milestone in the bilateral discussions between Chevron and Udenna over the past 12 months, and demonstrated “our close collaboration in achieving a positive outcome for all parties involved.

UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned unit of Udenna, signed the sale and purchase agreement on October 25 that led to the acquisition of 100 perent of the shares of Chevron Malampaya, which owns a 45-percent interest in the Malampaya gas field in the Philippines.

Other Malampaya consortium members are Shell Philippines Exploration BV with am equal 45-percent stake and state-run PNOC Exploration Corp. with 10 percent.

“It’s a private transaction and as long as it meets the terms and standards in the concession agreement, the interest of the country is protected, it’s fine with us,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said

Dominguez says govt will not repeal rice tariffication law, cites agri modernization

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Wednesday the government will never repeal Republic Act 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, because the measure will not only make the country achieve greater food security but also revolutionize the agriculture sector.

In a speech during the World Rice Conference held in Makati City, Dominguez said there would be no turning back to the era of low rice productivity.

“There is no inclination to repeal, revise, or suspend the Rice Tariffication Law. The law gives an opportunity to revolutionize the agriculture sector and help farmers become more competitive in the global economy,” Dominguez said.

“We are now reaping the benefits of the rice tariffication law,” he added.

He said the rice industry “stagnated” in the previous years, trapping millions of Filipinos in poverty.

“We are no longer vulnerable to price spikes in rice,” he said, citing the peak of inflation rate in 2018 that reached 6.7 percent, driven mainly by high oil and rice prices.

He said latest data showed that the law brought down the price of rice by about P9 per

kilo. Inflation further eased to a 42-month low of 0.8 percent in October from 0.9 percent in the previous month, bringing the year-to-date average to 2.6 percent, below the midpoint of the target range of 2-4 percent for this year earlier set by the government.

Dominguez said the law also eased pressures on employers to raise the wages of their workers.

Dominguez said as of Oct. 31, 2019, the tariff revenues collected from rice reached P11.4 billion, already exceeding the P10billion earmarked for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

RCEF is authorized to take in P10 billion annually until 2024 from import tariffs.

RCEF will support greater mechanization, distribution of high-yield inbred seed, credit, and extension support and education in the rice industry.

The government in September released P2.462 billion for the credit and seed distribution components of the RCEF. The Department of Budget and Management allotted to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) P2.038 billion to fund promotion, and the purchase and distribution of certified seed to farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.

FastCash denounces collection malpractices FCASH Global Lending Inc., or FastCash, has denied reports that the company employs improper collection methods.

“Collection malpractices would not be tolerated in our company. Those who call and collect are third-party collection agencies these online lenders employ,” said lawyer Arnel Mateo, one of the legal representatives of FastCash “We, in FastCash, are trying our very best to slowly move our third-party collection agency to our own FastCash collection team. Rest assured that everything would be more proper than it was before. We apologize to those who have been offended by our third-party collection team. Thank you for making us better,” he said.

Mateo, who is also the president and CEO of ADM & Partners Data Privacy Consulting Inc., said the company had realized that debt collection was all about listening and empathizing, “about negotiation and working together with the borrower.”

“We are in the process of training our cus-

tomer care representatives. We are teaching them to be more sensitive and to show compassion and empathy. FastCash is also in the process of ensuring that third-party collectors comply with the requirements of the Data Privacy Act by demanding them to implement appropriate security and privacy measures,” Mateo said.

“We believe that each of our client has a story to tell and they need those stories told.

So we will listen to them. In fact, trainings on proper handling of personal data are conducted since October this year to make sure that client information is processed lawfully,” he added.

Collection agencies are companies hired on a commission basis by banks and online lending firms to collect on past-due accounts. The collection agencies may also purchase bad loan debt outright from financial institutions and other lenders. These debt buyers own the debt and the right to collect the full amount of the outstanding debt.

when asked about the deal.

The Malampaya gas field in offshore Palawan is an energy asset of significant national importance, being the Philippines’ largest and only commercially producing gas field.

Malampaya for over two decades has been the cornerstone of the country’s gas industry and continues to provide approximately 20 percent of the national demand for electricity.

Udenna said the strategic nature of the Chevron asset underpinned Udenna’s investment in Malampaya.

The company said it carefully assessed and established a plan for the future development of the Malampaya field and its surrounding areas to ensure the future of Philippines energy security.

The completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, including from the Philippine Competition Commission.

MEGAWORLD Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, said net income attributable to the parent company rose 14 percent to P12.8 billion from P11.3 billion year-on-year on double-digit growth in real estate, rental and hotel revenues.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues in the January-to-September period increased 17 percent to P48.1 billion from P41.3 billion a year ago on the strong performance of its core businesses.

Real estate sales climbed 11 percent to P30.7 billion from P27.6 billion on year.

Megaworld has launched P58.7 billion in new residential inventory since the start of the year, while reservation sales reached P114 billion.

“Megaworld’s consistent growth across all business segments is a clear indicator of where the company is going, and we are very optimistic to finish the year strong. We have already introduced quite a number of real estate projects this year, which reflects the kind of demand that we have been seeing since last year. Megaworld will always be market driven, and as long as we see this type of demand on the ground, then we will continue to launch projects aggressively,” said Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan. Rental revenues surged 19 percent in the first nine months of the year to P12.4 billion from P10.5 billion on year on the back of strong leasing from offices and mall developments.

Megaworld expects to complete another 192,000 square meters of office spaces before the end of the year to end the year with over two million sq. m.

The company is also set to build four new full-scale malls: The Capital Mall in Capital Town, Pampanga; Mactan Newtown Beach Walk in The Mactan Newtown, Cebu; Upper East Mall in The Upper East in Bacolod City; and Highland Mall in Highland City in Cainta, Rizal.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market falls; Jollibee down T HE stock market fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump failed to give investors enough reassurance over the progress of China trade talks.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 64.87 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,947.47 on a value turnover of P4.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 105 to 73, with 59 issues unchanged.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, declined 3.1 percent to P213.20, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-largest telecommunications firm, lost 2.1 percent to P1,870.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. fell 1.9 percent to P824, while DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group was down 2

percent to P7.90.

The rest of Asian markets also sank on Wednesday, while violent Hong Kong protests show no sign of letting up.

In a much-anticipated speech on Tuesday, Trump went into election mode, hailing a strong economy and saying a trade deal was close but also warning that he could ramp up tariffs if he did not get his way.

Global equities have been on a roll for weeks on optimism the economic superpowers will hammer out a mini deal as the first part of a wider agreement.

However, with a planned signing ceremony between Trump and Xi Jinping seemingly put back to December from this month, and scant news on developments of late, traders are becoming nervous.

“We’re close. A significant phase one trade deal with China could happen, it could happen soon,” Trump said at the Economic Club of New York.

But he then warned: “If we don’t make a deal, we’re going to substantially raise those tariffs. He added “that’s going to be true for other countries that mistreat us too.”

The remarks were seen as a big letdown for markets, which had hoped he would provide some updates on the trade talks, after being jolted by Trump’s denial of China’s claim last week that the two had a plan to remove some tariffs as negotiations progress.

“The president avoided commenting on whether a rollback in tariffs is part of a phase one deal, merely saying that he will only agree to what is beneficial for US businesses,” said Stephen Innes at AxiTrader.

“At this point, the market may have to wait until the actual signing of a deal (or not) to get confirmation on tariff rollbacks. And while the markets are still in the demilitarized trade war zone, inves-

tors remain in tariff rollback limbo.”

Tokyo and Seoul each ended 0.9 percent lower, Shanghai shed 0.3 percent and Sydney fell 0.8 percent.

Singapore was off 0.8 percent, while Wellington, Mumbai Taipei and Jakarta were also down.

Also darkening the mood was concern about fresh unrest in Hong Kong after the city suffered a night of rage as months of protests enter a more violent phase.

Police on Tuesday warned that the rule of law in the territory was on “the brink of total collapse.”

Businesses were braced for another day of chaos, with the transport system partially closed and businesses shuttering and sporadic fighting breaking out.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index plunged more than two percent, having dived a similar amount on Monday, with a small rebound Tuesday. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, noveMBer 13, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

54.15 96 2 155 1.14 25.1 18.4 13.5 4.44 0.415 68.4 0.87 13.1 45.3 175 57.9 25.85 195.5 60.25 1.09

54.65 96 2.1 156 1.15 25.45 18.4 13.64 4.54 0.415 68.45 0.87 13.18 45.3 175 57.9 25.9 195.5 61.2 1.11

54.15 94.5 2 154.5 1.14 25.1 18.2 13.24 4.44 0.415 67.55 0.87 13.1 44 174.5 57.15 25.8 193 60.1 1.09

FINANCIALS 54.55 4,130 95 1,439,230 2 8,990,000 155.3 1,377,250 1.15 29,000 25.15 26,900 18.2 15,500 13.58 1,255,900 4.53 67,000 0.415 40,000 67.65 803,860 0.87 79,000 13.18 12,500 44.3 38,000 174.5 1,080 57.9 460 25.8 4,700 195.3 951,940 60.1 6,330 1.11 150,000

225,034.50 136,733,009 17,983,010 213,583,539 33,180 677,325 282,920 17,024,676 300,470 16,600 54,436,585 68,730 164,528 1,686,435 188,585 26,559 121,490 184,642,567 380,545.50 164,500

-14,728.50 -15,485,324.50 -17,866,020 76,053,333 7,015,622 3,513,137 1,099,595 -130,875 -5,160 -27,189,284 -

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

37.75 2.77 13.7 0.67 1.32 4.1 0.241 90.65 2.52 15.14 8 65.1 73.65 2.1 5.88 5.04 8.7 15.2 10.5 7.25 24.35 78.5 47.5 2.19 14.2 8.1 1.44 219.8 48.95 5.11 9 19 13.06 16.98 347.2 1.76 4.12 5 9.6 10.92 33.4 5.2 5.49 1.97 0.97 11.8 90.45 7.8 0.128 1.08 156 1.3 1.09

37.75 2.77 13.8 0.67 1.32 4.1 0.247 103 2.62 15.16 8.4 65.1 73.65 2.1 5.88 5.3 8.81 15.2 10.52 7.29 24.5 78.5 47.5 2.21 14.4 8.1 1.48 220.4 49 5.11 9.19 19.2 13.06 17.26 347.2 1.83 4.2 5 9.6 11.1 33.45 5.2 5.49 1.97 0.97 11.88 91.75 7.9 0.137 1.08 156 1.3 1.1

37 2.68 13.6 0.64 1.25 3.88 0.24 90.6 2.52 15.12 7.86 65.1 68.05 2.08 5.5 5.03 8.7 15 10.4 7.24 24.25 78.3 46.15 2.16 14.2 8 1.43 212.4 45.1 5.1 9 18.9 12.76 16.6 341.2 1.75 4.12 4.96 9.5 10.92 32.6 5.2 4.9 1.89 0.95 11.8 90 7.8 0.128 1.05 150.1 1.27 1.06

INDUSTRIAL 37.1 1,383,800 2.71 4,883,000 13.7 135,000 0.64 811,000 1.31 12,000 3.9 2,980,000 0.247 230,000 103 180 2.61 2,278,000 15.14 5,802,900 7.97 887,700 65.1 300 70 450 2.1 147,000 5.5 89,400 5.05 154,200 8.78 737,500 15.1 477,900 10.52 116,500 7.25 198,600 24.35 565,200 78.4 330,830 46.2 140,500 2.18 5,443,000 14.4 72,800 8 86,600 1.45 92,000 213.2 1,331,770 45.1 5,000 5.1 10,000 9.19 6,600 18.92 1,913,400 12.8 595,500 17.26 1,576,600 347 86,500 1.79 6,240,000 4.2 19,000 4.97 752,700 9.5 11,300 11.1 28,100 32.8 552,400 5.2 187,700 5.47 115,100 1.91 199,000 0.95 116,000 11.82 626,800 91.7 266,080 7.87 50,400 0.136 6,080,000 1.07 61,000 154 575,480 1.27 5,874,000 1.1 633,000

51,409,730 13,248,790 1,847,050 522,770 15,130 11,786,370 55,400 16,436.50 5,882,990 87,855,560 7,237,045 19,530 31,690.50 307,330 515,736 777,905 6,477,994 7,215,908 1,222,122 1,440,319 13,760,035 25,961,594 6,569,800 11,891,810 1,045,920 694,960 132,650 286,276,128 227,050 51,016 59,509 36,207,632 7,631,800 27,011,040 29,854,668 11,167,910 78,410 3,744,569 108,014 311,170 18,221,565 976,040 616,144 381,780 110,780 7,426,912 24,335,330 394,865 812,990 64,500 88,568,583 7,548,870 682,860

-32,380,045 -673,800 436,720 49,260.00 1,907,120 1,950,072 -825,118 -53,606 -2,390,175 3,154,388 -684,398 -688,783 -8,204,690 -24,824,238 2,632,025 3,155,990 -383,260 25,822 -124,339,616 18,025,072 3,842,468 -13,875,246 -5,244,760 354,390 -2,246,512 -6,685,125 113,880 -263,106 179,654 -19,472,343.50 23,610 -32,680 -20,021,677 363,450 -7,560

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

0.87 54.25 11.7 0.73 6.54 12.22 1.13 1.16 839 3.55 6.92 8.06 13.18 0.203 903 77.35 6.98 5.7 0.51 4.16 12.42 0.55 4.65 0.037 1.34 163.8 1,068 0.84 1.26 220 0.23

0.87 55 11.72 0.74 6.89 12.5 1.13 1.16 839 3.55 6.92 8.07 13.18 0.204 903 78.4 6.98 6.92 0.52 4.16 12.5 0.58 4.7 0.037 1.38 165.2 1,068 0.86 1.27 225 0.233

0.84 54.05 11.5 0.73 6.54 12.2 1.05 1.1 822.5 3.5 6.8 7.87 13.18 0.201 871 77.3 5.5 5.19 0.5 4.15 12.42 0.55 4.65 0.037 1.33 163.4 1,051 0.84 1.24 220 0.23

HOLDING FIRMS 0.86 6,355,000 54.4 654,550 11.62 17,542,100 0.74 256,000 6.89 11,400 12.42 14,200 7,599,000 1.1 1.15 640,000 824 574,740 3.51 505,000 6.92 2,285,000 7.9 17,789,100 13.18 3,500 0.201 1,340,000 902 75,210 77.5 607,880 6.29 12,700 5.19 368,000 0.5 20,000 4.16 451,000 12.42 12,196,900 0.58 86,000 4.7 6,790,000 0.037 300,000 1.38 48,000 164 40,860 1,059 67,420 0.86 15,000 1.25 231,000 225 370 0.23 120,000

5,425,750 35,571,183 203,870,024 187,660 78,153 174,802 8,146,930 713,460 476,098,800 1,773,960 15,755,016 141,290,651 46,130 270,640 66,851,905 47,133,846 78,959 2,350,620 10,080 1,871,690 151,600,616 48,210 31,797,380 11,100 64,340 6,709,056 71,248,115 12,800 289,500 82,150 27,870

-303,680 -14,498,810 -74,650,626 11,038 -176,458,645 -292,110 1,677,577 -10,535,841 -6,590 7,132,080 30,094,882.50 -74,720 -4,924,814 3,460,910 -1,732,884 2,914,105 12,500 53,550 -

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

14.88 0.8 9.23 0.94 46.5 2.05 4.75 6.48 0.62 0.87 0.202 0.465 10.22 19.86 0.48 0.121 1.63 1.25 4.85 0.29 0.395 1.42 0.37 2.02 48 26.2 2.21 3.29

14.88 0.81 9.23 0.94 46.95 2.05 4.92 6.48 0.63 0.87 0.202 0.465 10.22 20.1 0.48 0.121 1.64 1.25 4.89 0.29 0.415 1.45 0.37 2.06 50 26.2 2.22 3.29

14.84 0.79 9.22 0.91 46 2.01 4.75 6.34 0.6 0.87 0.201 0.46 10.14 19.8 0.455 0.121 1.61 1.25 4.81 0.28 0.395 1.41 0.37 2.02 48 25.3 2.2 3.29

PROPERTY 14.84 45,600 0.8 603,000 9.22 1,400 0.92 1,538,000 46.95 6,290,200 2.01 418,000 4.84 1,726,000 6.35 78,600 0.61 27,383,000 0.87 25,000 0.201 450,000 0.465 510,000 10.22 33,900 19.82 283,300 0.46 1,290,000 0.121 170,000 1.64 10,517,000 1.25 100,000 4.89 12,537,000 0.28 5,660,000 0.415 40,000 1.43 1,090,000 0.37 40,000 2.04 1,146,000 50 1,000 25.8 571,000 2.2 107,000 3.29 1,000

677,704 481,070 12,917 1,421,660 291,459,100 843,890 8,388,820 499,021 16,857,520 21,750 90,850 236,600 345,780 5,637,192 591,300 20,570 17,098,690 125,000 61,112,090 1,589,750 16,200 1,558,910 14,800 2,330,650 49,800 14,713,390 235,470 3,290

-179,564 -133,836,005 -616,980.00 -1,006,030 123,718 -469,300 -769,088 1,560,270 5,295,550 -715,150 -8,415,880 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

39.75 2.45 1.57 7.69 5.49

39.75 2.45 1.62 7.7 5.49

39.1 2.41 1.53 7.66 5.32

39.15 2.43 1.56 7.69 5.32

6,301,700 815,000 14,310,000 3,097,800 21,800

247,007,110 1,967,660 22,595,840 23,811,243 117,960

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

10.1 18.16 1.57 11.34 0.52 0.041 2.6 11 94.7 7.18 6.59 9.17 1,908 5.26 432 1.57 1.73 122.4 8.5 0.107 4.73 2.28 3.08 0.91 19.8 0.405 3.4 2.44 1.05 3.24 2.75 8.23 158 2.99 1,101 0.67 0.465 38.4 76.05 9.12 2.82 0.68 0.335 0.67 17.68

10.32 18.3 1.61 11.34 0.52 0.041 2.62 11.12 95.45 7.18 6.6 9.17 1,909 5.28 432 1.59 1.73 124 8.52 0.109 4.73 2.28 3.16 0.91 19.8 0.42 3.4 2.46 1.05 3.31 2.75 8.23 158 3.04 1,110 0.68 0.47 40 76.05 9.12 2.91 0.68 0.345 0.67 17.96

10.08 18 1.52 11.24 0.495 0.041 2.59 10.84 93.4 7.18 6.48 9 1,865 5.26 419.2 1.57 1.72 122.2 8.5 0.107 4.68 2.28 3.05 0.91 19.22 0.405 3.4 2.36 1.04 3.24 2.75 8 158 2.96 1,100 0.66 0.465 38.3 75.6 8.94 2.74 0.67 0.335 0.66 17.54

SERVICES 10.22 18 1.55 11.34 0.5 0.041 2.6 10.96 95 7.18 6.6 9 1,870 5.28 419.2 1.58 1.72 124 8.52 0.109 4.68 2.28 3.07 0.91 19.22 0.42 3.4 2.36 1.04 3.27 2.75 8 158 2.97 1,100 0.67 0.47 38.5 75.8 8.94 2.86 0.67 0.34 0.67 17.8

13,400 67,300 26,000 5,357,300 2,251,000 11,000,000 168,000 1,858,500 37,310 1,400 287,800 15,200 52,990 50,400 310 297,000 15,000 503,860 10,500 480,000 1,323,000 1,000 453,000 2,000 143,400 80,000 113,000 1,558,000 19,000 2,211,000 10,000 20,500 10 251,000 69,365 1,093,000 3,130,000 789,400 1,008,010 24,000 7,608,000 107,000 8,080,000 993,000 4,289,500

135,594 1,215,042 40,240 60,678,518 1,132,990 451,000 436,710 20,460,030 3,521,165 10,052 1,879,683 136,933 99,485,640 266,069 130,238 467,390 25,900 62,283,986 89,370 51,590 6,217,030 2,280 1,416,350 1,820 2,764,560 33,450 384,200 3,723,650 19,800 7,242,280 27,500 167,160 1,580 746,620 76,503,870 729,730 1,460,100 30,557,025 76,354,001.50 216,540 21,657,240 71,740 2,735,400 655,660 76,257,404

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

0.0017 1.12 2.55 12.24 2.53 7.28 1.81 0.209 0.104 0.0088 0.0091 1.05 3.6 1.06 0.48 0.82 0.012 0.013 0.011 12.22 3.36 12.5 23.55 0.0061

0.0017 1.12 2.55 12.24 2.55 7.74 1.87 0.209 0.105 0.009 0.0091 1.06 3.67 1.06 0.48 0.84 0.012 0.013 0.011 12.6 3.4 12.68 23.6 0.0061

0.0017 1.11 2.55 11.58 2.51 7.23 1.8 0.204 0.103 0.0088 0.0091 1.05 3.56 1.03 0.48 0.81 0.012 0.013 0.011 11.8 3.36 12.34 23.2 0.0061

MINING & OIL 0.0017 89,000,000 1.12 212,000 2.55 1,000 12.24 15,500 2.53 1,201,000 7.74 2,400 1.87 19,548,000 0.208 190,000 0.105 760,000 0.009 16,000,000 0.0091 4,000,000 1.05 424,000 3.6 7,897,000 1.06 39,000 0.48 25,000 0.83 990,000 0.012 20,000,000 0.013 683,600,000 0.011 7,900,000 12.26 1,926,300 3.4 100,000 12.4 1,649,000 23.55 252,000 0.0061 1,000,000

151,300 236,700 2,550 187,164 3,032,670 17,657 36,170,240 39,040 78,940 143,400 36,400 445,710 28,516,980 40,350 12,000 804,660 240,000 8,886,800 86,900 23,529,684 337,720 20,628,302 5,906,360 6,100

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF C DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.4 508 101.1 101 109.5 506 5.23 980 1,000 96.6 1.01 101.1 1,035 1,050 1,080 101.9 109.5 1,031 1,000 78.15 75.1 76.15 75.5 75.15 75.8

17.4 508 101.1 101 109.5 506 5.24 980 1,000 96.6 1.01 101.1 1,035 1,050 1,080 102 109.5 1,033 1,000 78.5 75.1 76.15 75.5 75.3 75.8

17.1 508 101.1 101 109.5 506 5.23 975 1,000 96.6 1.01 101 1,035 1,050 1,060 101.9 109.5 1,030 1,000 78.1 75.05 76.1 75.5 75.15 75.7

PREFERRED 17.2 2,200 508 2,060 101.1 6,000 101 10 109.5 620 506 1,110 5.24 48,100 975 4,120 1,000 400 96.6 20 1.01 50,000 101 10,500 1,035 5 1,050 245 1,060 5,400 102 6,020 109.5 130 1,031 5,585 1,000 40 78.1 39,870 75.05 34,400 76.15 36,400 75.5 390 75.15 47,040 75.7 200,160

38,050 1,046,480 606,600 1,010 67,890 561,660 251,888 4,037,000 400,000 1,932 50,500 1,060,518 5,175 257,250 5,735,800 613,540 14,235 5,759,595 40,000 3,115,443.50 2,582,120 2,770,530 29,445 3,535,362 15,152,118

LR WARRANT

1.54

1.54

1.52

WARRANTS 1.54 131,000

200,990

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

6.89 13.88 1.07

7.23 14.3 1.08

6.88 13.28 1.04

SME 7.23 13.28 1.06

19,086,656 27,827,236 3,398,270

FIRST METRO ETF

119.4

119.4

118.7

USD TECH B2

0.96

0.96

0.96

MS Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,461,392

INDUSTRIAL

57,222,317

HOLDING FIRMS

77,636,525

PROPERTY

97,898,127

SERVICES

57,697,456

MINING & OIL

856,737,705

GRAND TOTAL

1,170,590,755

2,683,800 2,036,500 3,211,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119 5,400 0.96

DDS

18,600

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP -81,174,745 241,000 -2,666,439 -14,445,956 12,790 -2,620 8,055,392 279,892.50 -32,115 -35,834,310 -357,477 1,907,920 9,290 -1,225,804 -252,280 -29,520 -59,500 -20,099,230 -526,890 -219,700 -11,304,845 -36,993,396.50 3,913,080.00 -20,400 48,653,970 -113,120 42,950.00 1,043,140 21,000 -1,249,890 114,574 -3,073,836 424,435 -22,570 81,588 -20,640 1,188,437 287,604 -

643,101

9,520

17,856

-

VALUE 1,907.06 (down) 16.31 654,706,248.63 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,301.48 (down) 109.42 847,972,524.36 HOLDING FIRMS 7,832.75 (down) 64.52 1,570,756,296.55 PROPERTY 4,126.41 (down) 17.06 SERVICES 1,548.42 (down) 5.26 748,499,902.47 MINING & OIL 8,911.52 (up) 41.35 623,737,233.06 PSEI 7,947.47 (down) 64.87 129,550,296.695 All Shares Index 4,763.89 (down) 24.73 4,626,178,755.43 Gainers: 73; Losers: 105; Unchanged: 59; Total: 237

PNB says profit climbed 17% to P2.4b in 3rd quarter

By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE National Bank, the country’s fifth-largest lender in terms of assets and controlled by airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, posted a consolidated net income of P2.4 billion in the third quarter, up 17 percent yearon-year, on increased core lending and fee-based activities.

The third-quarter profit lifted the total consolidated net income to P6.4 billion in the nine-month period, albeit lower than P7.5 billion a year ago, due to nonrecurring gains from the sale of foreclosed assets in that year.

“PNB is reporting a solid nine months and third quarter, with good operational execution in our wholesale and retail businesses. Excluding the impact of non-recurring earnings from the sale of foreclosed assets, the bank’s core net income grew by 29 percent for the first nine months of the year,” PNB president and chief executive Wick Veloso said in a statement.

“Driven by our strategy focused on safe, aggressive growth, we continue to track the growth of the economy as we support our customers in key infrastructure projects throughout the archipelago. The economy continues to demonstrate strength, helping push our performance level up,” he said.

Net interest income rose 17 percent yearon-year to P23.4 billion on account of improved earnings from loans to corporate, commercial and small and medium enterprises, and other interest-earning assets.

Loan receivables continued to register double-digit growth, which now stand at P644.8 billion as of end September, higher by 11 percent from end December last year. Deposit liabilities amounting to P820.9 billion grew 12 percent from a year ago.

Net trading and foreign exchange gains expanded 33 percent resulting mainly from favorable opportunities in the market. Net fee-based revenues also posted increases with 14 percent growth year-on-year spurred by efforts in crossselling deposits and credit cards to customers, as well as revenues from underwriting deals.

DMCI, Phinma and Cosco book mixed earnings

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATES DMCI Holdings Inc., Cosco Capital Inc. and Phinma Corp. booked mixed earnings results in the first nine months of the year.

DMCI Holdings of the Consunji Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its nine-month net income declined 11 percent to P9.3 billion from P10.4 billion year-on-year.

It attributed the lower profit to lower income contributions from units Semirara Mining and Power Corp. D.M. Consunji Inc. and DMCI Mining Corp.

DMCI Holdings, however, booked a 47-percent increase in net income in the third quarter to P2.8 billion from P1.9 billion a year earlier due to the normalized coal operations of SMPC from a year ago when heavy rains in July and August caused a production slowdown.

“We had a strong third quarter but we still expect negative growth for the fullyear because of the scheduled shutdown of Calaca Units 1 and 2, low coal prices and lower construction accomplishments in our real estate business,” said DMCI chairman and president Isidro Consunji.

Cosco Capital Inc., the listed retail holding firm of tycoon Lucio Co, said consolidated net income jumped 137 percent to P14.52 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P6.12 billion on year on the strong performance of business units as well as one-time gain from the sale of Liquigaz.

Minus the one time gain, core attributable net income to equity holders grew rose 14 percent to P4.25 billion.

The group’s grocery retailing businesses, Puregold Price Club Inc. and S&R Membership Shopping Club, contributed 54 percent of total profits, followed by the commercial real estate segment with 22 percent and the liquor distribution with 17 percent.

Conglomerate Phinma Corp. also posted a 37-percent increase in ninemonth net income to P312 million from P227 million a year ago.

Manila

Business/World Standard

B3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY

IN BRIEF

REHEARSAL. Thai students hold a rehearsal at a school grounds in Bangkok on November 13, 2019, in preparation for Pope Francis’ visit. AFP

Too little, too late for PECO to invest PANAY Electric Co., or PECO, should quit while it’s ahead. It stands to gain money from an expropriation proceeding by re-investing the proceeds to another business venture.

There’s no use of hoping against hope that it will regain the business of distributing electricity in Iloilo City. Congress has already awarded the franchise to More Electric and Power Corp. The franchise award left PECO with nothing to hold on to.

Marcelo Cacho, a scion of the super-rich Cacho clan of Iloilo City that has lorded over the business and economic environment of the idyllic southern city of Iloilo, and his family are fighting a losing battle after a 95-year monopoly in the distribution of electricity.

Cacho, the public engagement and government affairs head of PECO, earlier announced the company would spend P1.1 billion in improving the city’s electricity distribution system. Cacho’s statement is baffling. Even if his family spends P1.1 billion on the distribution system, PECO can no longer retail electricity in Iloilo City and its nearby municipalities because Congress awarded the utility franchise to MORE late last year.

Cacho, to put in simple terms, is announcing an expansion plan for a business that no longer exists after losing the franchise, an authority under the Constitution that the state gives to any corporation to do a service business for the benefit of Filipino consumers.

Cacho’s statement would have made sense had the Court of Appeals upheld the family’s petition questioning the expropriation of its distribution assets by MORE, owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., who is also investing close to P10 billion in developing two Iloilo ports to serve as alternative cargo handling hub in this part of Southeast Asia.

The CA, in a 17-page decision handed down by Associate Justice Alfredo Ampuan, ruled that it had no jurisdiction over the case filed

by PECO. Only the Supreme Court, it said, had jurisdiction over distribution utilities, as provided in Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electricity Power Industry Reform Act. Ampuan said even if the CA had jurisdiction over the case, PECO still failed to show its business suffered from the expropriation of its distribution assets in Iloilo City. It no longer owns the DU franchise after Congress gave it to MORE. President Rodrigo Duterte subsequently signed Republic Act No. 11212 granting the franchise to MORE. PECO’s argument that MORE’s expropriation of its distribution assets would plunge Iloilo City into blackout also did not make sense. MORE, as the new franchise holder, would take over PECO’s aging distribution assets, Justice Ampuan noted.

“As for PECO’s fear of having Iloilo City plunged into darkness, suffice it to say that MORE is actually averting the same by pursuing its obligations as the grantee of a Legislative Franchise to operate,” he said.

Ampuan stressed in his decision that Congress granted MORE the distribution franchise in Iloilo City as part of its powers under EPIRA, a law that restructures the electricity industry to make it more efficient and ensure continuous supply of affordable electricity to Filipino consumers.

Congress ignored PECO’s own application to renew its DU franchise that expired early this year because of a cacophony of complaints from Iloilo consumers and businesses, which exploded into open anger when the utility’s billing system turned into a big mess. A Senate hearing exposed that PECO’s consumers received bills that were 1,000 percent higher than their previous bills.

Instead of acting on PECO’s application for the renewal of its congressional franchise, the House of Representatives and the Senate approved a franchise for Razon’s MORE. RA 11212, which put into law MORE’s legislative franchise, gave PECO a temporary permit to continue its operations until MORE had completed the transition. MORE has received the power of eminent domain so it could take over any asset, including electric poles and other distribution assets of PECO, and do the job assigned to it by Congress and Malacañang.

Had Marcelo Cacho made the announcement that PECO was spending P1.1 billion five years ago, he would have made sense.

It now appears to be a pathetic attempt to increase the value of whatever properties the company may be selling to MORE. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard. net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

New clashes erupt in Chile

Bush fire threat still high in Australia GLENREAGH, Australia―Australians on Wednesday began sifting through the ashes of hundreds of bush fires that have ravaged the country, relieved that their worst fears were unrealized—but wary of a long and brutal summer ahead.

Firefighters were still battling around 140 blazes across the country’s eastern seaboard, but a respite from “catastrophic” weather conditions meant the danger from many fires was downgraded.

The northern state of Queensland remained on high alert, with residents on the north shore of popular holiday town Noosa told to “leave immediately” to avoid an “unpredictable” fire burning nearby.

Underscoring the risks to residents and emergency responders, a firefighting helicopter crashed during water-bombing operations in the state.

The pilot survived with “non-life-threatening injuries”, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman told AFP. In the worst-hit areas of New South Wales, cooler southerly winds eased conditions -- a stark contrast with the gale-force gusts and high temperatures that plagued firefighters for much of Tuesday. AFP

SANTIAGO―Violent protests broke out in Chile’s capital Santiago on Tuesday as the country’s currency dropped to a historic low after weeks of mass street demonstrations that have left the South American country in crisis.

Clashes broke out between protesters demanding the resignation of President Sebastian Pinera and security forces close to the presidential palace.

Some 80,000 people took to the streets of Santiago as 100 organizations called a general strike.

The demonstrators are demanding greater social reform from Pinera, who has announced several measures in a bid to appease protesters, including a pledge to change the constitution that dates from the 1973-90 Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.

Pinera on Tuesday announced the recall of retired police officers to help curb the unrest, but did not re-issue a state of emergency, as he did at the outbreak of the crisis, which would allow the deployment of the military.

“The discontent is over many things,” said Karen Delgado, one of the protesters.

“Everything the president has offered is insufficient. It’s a joke,” added the 29-year-old office worker.

Demonstrators congregated at the Plaza Italia square, the epicenter of previous protests that have now lasted almost four weeks. AFP

Chaos as pro-democracy protesters block the city H ONG KONG― Pro-democracy protesters Wednesday stepped up a “blossom everywhere” campaign of road blocks and vandalism across Hong Kong that has crippled the international financial hub this week and ignited some of the worst violence in five months of unrest.

The new phase in the crisis, which has forced schools and shopping malls to close as well as the shutdown of large chunks of the vital train network, prompted police to warn on Tuesday the city was “on the brink of total collapse”.

China, facing the biggest challenge to its rule of the territory since it was handed back by the British in 1997, has insisted it will not buckle to the pressure and warned of even tougher security measures.

On Wednesday, commuters across many parts of the city woke to the increasingly familiar scenario of roads choked with bricks, bicycles, couches and other materials that had been laid out by the protesters overnight to block traffic.

Various lines on the subway―used by more than half of the city’s 7.5 million people daily―were also suspended due to vandalism, forcing many workers to stay home. Dozens of bus routes were also affected.

Meanwhile, masked protesters dressed in their signature black were locked in a series of tense standoffs at university campuses following battles on Tuesday that continued through the night, with police firing tear gas and

THE PROTEST CONTINUES. Protesters and office workers look towards police during a protest in the Central district in Hong Kong on Nov. 13, 2019. AFP

rubber bullets.

Monday.

Highlighting the growing security The already tense atmosphere esfears, mainland Chinese students began calated on Monday when a police fleeing Hong Kong on buses and boats officer shot an unarmed 21-year-old back across the border, according to po- protester, leaving him in a critical lice and universities. condition.

It was not immediately unclear It was only the third confirmed inhow many students were leaving on stance police had shot someone with Wednesday, although television footage live bullets since the unrest began in showed dozens of students lining up at June. AFP a Hong Kong ferry pier purportedly to get on a police boat and be taken away.

The chaos was part of the largely anonymous protest movement’s N OTICE new strategy of “blossom everyNotice is hereby given that UNITY REALTY & where”, in which small groups DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION with office address of people target as many parts of at 701-L State Center Building, Juan Luna Street, Binondo, Manila, is applying for registration with the the city as possible to cause maxi- Board of Investments (BOl) as a New Operator of mum disruption and stretch police Domestic Industrial Zone under the Preferred Activity - Infrastructure and Logistic including LGU-PPPs resources.

Domestic Industrial Zone (Pampanga Technopark Protesters had until this week Phase 1) on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site at largely confined their actions to Brgy. Tabun, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

Any person with valid objection/s on the aboveevenings and the weekends. project may file his/her objection in writing, The campaign began with an ef- mentioned under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the fort to shut down the train network date of this publication. and enforce a city-wide strike on

Seoul condemned for deporting ‘mass murderers’ to North Korea

SEOUL―An international human rights group on Wednesday condemned Seoul for deporting two alleged North Korean mass murderers, saying they were being handed back to Pyongyang’s “extremely brutal” legal system in breach of international law.

Seoul expelled the pair last week after investigators determined they had murdered 16 crewmates on their fishing boat before dumping the bodies at sea and fleeing to the South on the vessel.

It was the first-ever deportation from South to North since the end of the Korean War. Under Seoul’s constitution, all North Koreans are automatically considered citizens of the Republic of Korea, as the South is officially known, and those who reach its territory and express a desire to defect are routinely able to stay.

According to South Korean media reports, the two fishermen were blindfolded on their journey to the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone and only became aware of their fate when their masks were removed to reveal North Korean soldiers ready to take them into custody.

One of the two immediately collapsed, reported the South’s conservative Chosun Ilbo.

The opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) has accused the government of Moon Jae-in-who has long backed engagement with the nuclear-armed North―of handing them back to curry favor with LEGAL NOTICE Pyongyang.

Notice is hereby given to In a statement Wednesday, New York-based Human the public that an ExtraSettlement has Rights Watch said returning the men to North Korea Judicial been executed by the heirs the late Rosalinda Dela was illegal under international law “because of the of Cruz Barillos, represented likelihood they’ll be tortured”. by and with Special Power of to grand daughter Seoul should have itself prosecuted the two men for Attorney Iris Geleen B. Macamay, is legal age, OFW and their alleged criminal acts in accordance with domes- Benefit andover SSS Pension PNB bank accounts, per tic laws, it added. deed executed on 11 A Seoul government official previously said the two November 2019 before Public Atty. Jose were deported because they would “pose a threat” to Notary Floro P. Crisologo, per Doc. No. 414 Page No. society if accepted, and that as “brutal criminals” they 83; Book &No.415; VII-C; Series could not be recognized as refugees under internation- of 2019. al law. AFP (MS-NOV. 14,21 & 28, 2019

(SGD) DIRECTORANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Infrastructure and Services industries Service (MS-NOV. 14, 2019)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 102-QUEZON CITY HECTOR CRUZ CRISOSTOMO, Petitioner, - versus -

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-07411-CV FOR: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

REGINA CARMELA VISMANOS DE OCAMPO, Respondent. x ----------------------------------------------------------x ORDER of SUMMONS

by PUBLICATION In a verified petition filed on September 23, 2019, petitioner HECTOR CRUZ CRISOSTOMO, prays that after due hearing, his marriage to the respondent REGINA CARMELA VISMANOS DE OCAMPO, which was solemnized in a matrimony of marriage on May 15,1997 at Rm. 377 City Hall Manila, Arroceros St., Ermita, Manila, be declared NULL and VOID AB INITIO. On October 8, 2019, upon petitioner’s motion, service of summons on said respondent was allowed by the Court to be served by publication.

NOW, THEREFORE, respondent REGINA CARMELA VISMANOS DE OCAMPO, whose residence is last known at No. 748 Paz Estrella St., Poblacion, Malolos, Bulacan, is hereby summoned and required to file with Branch 102 of the Regional Trial Court, National Capital Judicial Region, Quezon City, her Answer to the instant Petition within THIRTY (30) DAYS from last date of publication of this summons. In the event of her failure to do so, this Court shall direct the Public Prosecutor to conduct an investigation of any collusion between the parties and if the Court is convinced that there is no collusion, the petitioner shall be allowed to present his evidence in support of the petition.

Let this Order be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation pursuant to P.D. 1079 at the expense of the petitioner.

Likewise, let a copy of the summons as well as a copy of the petition be deposited in the Post Office, postage pre-paid and sent registered mail addressed to the respondent at her last known address, also at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. Done in Quezon City, this 8th day of October 2019.

(Sgd.) MA. LOURDES A. GIRON Judge (MStandard-Nov. 14 & 21, 2019)

Iloilo solons urge ERC to conclude probe on PECO

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

B4

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

REGIONAL MEETING. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (left) and Cagayan Gov. Manuel N. Mamba share

thoughts as they preside over the meeting of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict at the Sangguniang Panglungsod Session Hall in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan last Thursday. They also met with the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security, Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano, and Directors of the Regional Peace and Order Council (inset), which Mamba chairs. Jessica M. Bacud

From fighters to forest guards Davao to host Malaysia-PH biz gab Nov. 20

By Ayunan G.Gunting MALAYSIA is strengthening its position among the Philippines’ top foreign investors and trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Malaysian companies will explore partnerships with Mindanao-based businessmen through its coming trade mission to Davao from Nov. 18 to 20 for the Malaysia-Philippines Business Forum and B2B meetings, which will be held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on Nov. 20.

Siti Azlina, the Malaysia Trade Commissioner based in Manila, said her office has been actively pursuing opportunities in the Philippines, especially in fast moving consumer goods, construction and building materials, as well as information and communications technology and logistics services.

“Given Mindanao’s strength in the agricultural sector and its abundance of natural resources, Malaysia would be interested to explore collaborations in this area and see where we can complement our manufacturing base,” added the Trade Commissioner.

MATRADE, Malaysia’s national trade promotion agency, is the main organizer of the Business Forum in cooperation with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It has identified five areas for potential businesses—food and beverage, personal and health care products, construction and building materials, ICT, and logistics services.

Thirty-eight Malaysian companies will be meeting with business leaders in Davao City and conduct market briefings and cluster visits to relevant prospectus partners.

The Malaysia-Philippines Business Forum on Nov. 20 is the highlight of the trade mission. It will be graced by Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Raszlan Abdul Rashid and Arturo M. Milan, President of the Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

By Nash B. Maulana

C

OTABATO CITY—More than 400 former Moro combatants will work as forest guards, side by side with their families, to grow trees in a bid to expand the government’s greening program in areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

BARMM Environment, Natural Resources and Energy Minister Al Mansoor Macacua said the regional government has earmarked P300 million for the Bangsamoro Regional Greening Program, which started in Maguindanao.

Macacua said the project took off from the erstwhile 10-year government program to help improve on the country’s forest cover rate, which has dwindled over years of exploitation.

Meanwhile, Macacua said he was as-

suming the post as concurrent BARMM executive secretary, “on a mandate of the appointment granted by Bangsamoro Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim.”

National officials have noted the BARMM has been on a “good start,” as shown by the region’s latest performance in the 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance in Manila on Nov. 5.

BARMM topped Mindanao regions and landed fifth overall in the country in terms of compliance to determinants of good governance in rated municipal and

An aerial view of the Sun Life Bright Circuit outdoor gym in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna shows the various equipment adults and children alike can use. Members of Sun Life’s health and wellness community, GoWell, can also avail of free community workouts in Nuvali every two months, led by fitness experts such as professional trainer Chippy Callanta and SunLife brand ambassador Enchong Dee (inset).

Sun Life interactive mural, outdoor gym up at Nuvali IN KEEPING with its mission of helping Filipinos live healthier lives, Sun Life Philippines launched last weekend an interactive mural and an outdoor gym in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, to inspire people in their health and wellness journey while offering a new venue for fitness activities.

The interactive mural was designed

by Jappy Agoncillo, an illustrator and muralist making waves in Manila, Los Angeles and New York City. His creation for Sun Life, which carries the company’s “Live Healthier Lives” battle cry, shows his signature dynamic and colorful art style.

However, the experience of viewing the mural levels up with the help of

Guimaras farmers complete KSK training at SM Iloilo JORDAN, Guimaras—The 12-week dual-tech training program in vegetable farming for 160 participants has culminated in a graduation ceremony held at SM City Iloilo.

The graduates comprised Batch 211 of SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Rural Farmers’ Training Program, which was conducted in Balcon Maravilla in Guimaras’ capital town here.

Through the program, the participants are equipped with knowledge in organic farming, given a values formation seminar to learn the life principles of SM founder Mr. Henry Sy Sr., taught financial literacy, and assisted in making of

provincial levels.

Regional Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said: “[It] was a good harvest for the Bangsamoro Government in the area of good local governance in the region.

Twenty-eight LGUs were conferred with the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance.”

Ebrahim had earlier revamped his Cabinet, appointing BARMM Finance and Budget Minister Eduard Guerra as caretaker for the Ministry of Public Works, where he replaced Macacua.

Macacua said the BARMM Greening Program is seen to widen the region’s forest cover, which had increased to 70 percent in 2016, according to transition reports audit from the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

sustainability plans.

During the graduation ceremony, Cristie Angeles, SM Foundation Vice President for Outreach and Livelihood Programs, exhorted the graduates to pursue their dreams of becoming farmer-entrepreneurs by forming associations and to replicate what they learned in their respective farm lots.

Jordan Mayor Ruben Corpuz delivered an inspirational message, while Norma Ruth Raymundo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office said the agency was very happy to help the farmers. She also told the graduates to be proud as farm-

ers, reminding them that farmers feed the people.

As part of the graduation activities, the graduates were given a market tour of SM Supermarket Mandurriao by Jufel Subosa, Assistant Store Manager. A son of a farmer, Subosa said the supermarket is always there to assist the graduates.

SM Foundation’s project partners for this KSK training program are Harbest Agribusiness Corp., the local government of Jordan, the Municipal Agriculture Office, DSWD Region VI, BDO Foundation, SM City Iloilo, SM Hypermarket Iloilo, SM Supermarket Mandurriao, and Savemore Iloilo.

a mobile phone, and the link https:// bit.ly/SLmural. The link opens the phone’s camera which, when pointed at the mural, will make certain elements of the design come alive. Users could record a video, save it, then share it on social media to affirm their commitment to their own health and wellness journey.

ILOILO CITY lawmakers are urging the Energy Regulatory Commission to conclude and, if needed, impose penalties against Panay Electric Co. regarding the numerous incidents of electric pole fires that are safety hazards to the residents.

Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda lauded Mayor Jerry Treñas for asking Malacanang and the ERC to investigate PECO and the pole fires due allegedly to aged transformers or overloaded wires.

“The authorities must look into the matter with dispatch to avert any further fire incident,” Baronda said.

“Our national government authorities should look into the complaint of the people of Iloilo City, which Mayor Treñas brought before their attention.

We do not want another fire to cost a life or property before we do a concrete action,” the solon added.

“I fully support the action taken by our mayor. Let us see what the outcome will be and when the results come out, if needed I will raise the matter before the House Committee on Energy,” she said.

The ERC has sent a technical team to Iloilo City to verify the complaint of Trenas but the team is still preparing its report. The regulator also checked the compliance of PECO’s distribution system with existing technical standards.

Baronda expressed alarm over the report of the Bureau of Fire Protection to Treñas that the alleged lack of maintenance of the distribution equipment and overloading caused nine pole fires in three days from October 19 to 21 alone.

Baronda said the ERC finding— especially if it proves PECO’s failure to do maintenance or replace its aged distribution equipment and electricity poles caused the fires—could be a strong basis for the commission to cancel the utility firm’s two-year provisional certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Monthly stipend of Parañaque HS students assured THE P500 monthly allowance or financial educational assistance to all junior and senior high school students in Parañaque City is ongoing and it will be long-term project, a ranking city hall official assured.

Covered under the “special allowance” program are students from Grade 7 to 12 of public schools within the territorial jurisdiction of Parañaque, and those listed in the Department of Education roster, City Treasurer Dr. Anthony Pulmano said.

Under the implementing rules and regulations, qualified students will receive their monthly allowance through an automated teller machine card from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Pulmano assured parents of the qualified and deserving students the city government has allocated P240 million until June next year for 48,000 high school students.

“The city has set aside the funds for this, and this will not be touched as this is meant for the high school students. We wish to assure the parents that this is not just a campaign promise,” he pointed out.

Pulmano explained that some students did not receive their monthly allowance on time because the DBP failed to distribute enough ATMs since the program started this June. It was learned that the semi-government bank handed only 24,000 ATMs to students as of October.

School and city hall officials led

by Mayor Edwin Olivarez personally handed last week the P500 cash allowance to the school campuses of students who have not yet received their ATMs up to this month.

Jordan, Guimaras Mayor Ruben Corpuz addresses the KSK trainees during their graduation ceremony at SM City Iloilo, as Jufel Subosa, assistant store manager of SM Supermarket Mandurriao, tours the graduates afterward (inset).

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

@MStandardLIFE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

C1

Home for the holidays SANTA’S HERE. Santa Claus, the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, and the rest of the gang lead the Christmas tree lighting at SM Mall of Asia, marking the beginning of the holiday celebration at the Pasay mall.

W

HEN leading shopping mall SM made the promise that “they’ve got it all” for its customers, it appears that it included festive—magical, even— holiday celebrations. Here are four of its malls unveiling to the public their spectacular Christmas trees and interactive exhibits.

Mall of Asia’s Yuletide centerpiece is a 60-feet Christmas tree adorned with red accents.

Super-size celebrations SM Megamall’s 40-feet Christmas centerpiece is inspired by London streetlights with its string of gems, crystals, snowflakes, red telephone booths, and toy soldiers.

From London to Santa’s Crystal Castle SM Megamall’s 40-feet spectacle of a Christmas tree captures London’s vitality with its string of gems, crystals, snowflakes, and metal ornaments—including red telephone booths and toy soldiers.

In addition to London streetlights-inspired tree, the centerpiece features an interactive Crystal Room that has over a thousand fairy lights where shoppers can experience and capture moments.

The interactive room is mounted in partnership with Canon Philippines.

“This year, to light up our Yuletide celebration, we will bring Santa’s Crystal Castle here at SM Megamall. The 40-feet Christmas centerpiece and exciting events will give our shoppers a one-of-a-

kind English Christmas experience,” said Christian Mathay, assistant vice president of operations for Premier 2 Malls.

To make the celebration more special for young shoppers, Thomas and Friends will perform Holiday dance numbers at the Event Center of Mega A from Dec. 2 to 12. In partnership with McDonald’s, lucky shoppers will get a chance to win one out of three Thomas-themed birthday parties and more.

A Lego Christmas event is happening on Dec. 16-25, during which Lego fans can enjoy a meet and greet with Lego characters, a free play area, a family Lego building competition, and the Lego Christmas tree display.

The Mall of Asia lives up to its name, even in its holiday décor and celebrations. The mall recently unveiled to the public its 60-feet Christmas tree with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra providing a sumptuous live musical performance.

SM MoA also showcases its first indoor music and lights show delivering a medley of holiday music and lights, which guests can enjoy until Dec. 31, starting at 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends.

The music and lights show extends outside with drone lights up the sky at SM By the Bay, and dazzling decorations sprawled all over the Christmas Shoppers can spread the joy by purchasing SM Bears of Joy, which will give one teddy bear to a kid from Bahay Tuluyan.

Forest of Lights Show at the Central Park.

Santa and his magical friends will be at the Shoppers can also spread the love with SM mall every Saturdays and Sundays, and the much-awaited Grand Festival of Lights Parade Bears of Joy. For P200, they will get two bears, featuring the MoA Royal Marching Band is hap- one for them and one to share with a kid from Bapening at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, from Nov. 30 hay Tuluyan.

Turn to C2 until Dec. 25.

SHOPPING

What’s in store at Circuit night market THIS year’s night market at Circuit Makati, happening on Nov. 15-17, will feature homegrown delights ideal for holiday gifts.

The Regional District features unique, locally produced products and delicacies from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Shoppers can score classic and flavored coffee beans, an assortment of snacks and spreads, leather goods and proudly Marikina-made shoes, among other local specialties.

Meanwhile, the Wandergram-led Lifestyle District delivers a gifting option for everyone on the list: from sustainable, zero-waste presents for that environmentalist best friend to skincare and makeup finds for everyone’s fa-

vorite beauty junkie.

At Celebrity District, organized in partnership with children’s book author and celebrity mom Tin Tin Babao, guests can shop celebrity-made and -owned items from up to 30 merchants including Diana Zubiri, Miriam Quiambao, Tippy Dos Santos, Nene Tamayo, and Yana Asistio, among others.

Meanwhile, the Student District is a joint effort with the UP Organization of Business Economics Majors to support student entrepreneurs in their business ventures, such as baked goods, artisanal soaps, and other one-of-a-kind, giftworthy products.

Turn to C2

Nene Tamayo’s Bangus in Olive Oil

This year’s Circuit Holiday Night Market features homegrown brands, including Delfas Food Products, Amario by Ina Tuason, GK Pocket Hardin, Cazee-Natz, and more.

Life

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Grand Wine Experience 2019 highlights the legacy of wine

By Pete Dacuycuy

T

HIS year’s Grand Wine Experience, the biggest wines and spirits event in Southeast Asia, will highlight the story of wine as one legacy.

Happening on Nov. 15 at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, the 19th GWE, dubbed “Generations,” aims to surpass all previous editions by serving over 700 varieties of wines, spirits, sakes, and beers, alongside a gloriously decadent buffet of unparalleled proportions.

The event is organized by the Philippine Wine Merchants and Ralph’s Wines and Spirits.

According to the organizers, “The event will emphasize that winemaking is not just an art, but a tradition passed down from one custodian of the land to another, from one family to the next. Families preserve the reputation and protect the brand and estate. They cultivate and refine the methods and practices handed down to them by their forbears, and bequeath them to their most immediate, most trusted, and most loved.”

On Oct. 22, select members of the print and online media, as well as partners from the trade (GCRM, Moët Hennessy Philippines, Pernod Ricard Philippines, and Golden Wines) were given a preview of the wine event as Executive Chef Meik Brammer and his staff prepared a four-course lunch supplemented by three superb wines.

In attendance were Philippine Wine Merchants director Ronald Lim Jo- Montes Alba Special Pinot Noir seph, Ryan Joseph, Robi Joseph, Marriott Manila F&B director Mo Ali, Resorts World Manila corporate communications director Joee Guilas, and Philippine Wine Merchants director Raymond Lim Joseph.

For appetizer, we were served Crab and Apple Salad (cherry tomato glaze, pine nut gremolata, avocado mousseline, crème fraiche) which was paired with Freixenet Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut Rosé (a sparkling wine from Spain with nice and fresh aromas of raspberry and strawberry with a hint of mint).

It was followed by Smoked Egg Yolk Ravioli Soup (lobster consommé, stuffed morels) paired with a 2016 Haart to Heart, a rich, delicious and elegant, easy to sip Mosel Riesling with plenty of fruit (peaches, blackcurrant, and pineapples).

The main course was Grilled Grass-Fed Cape Grim Rib Eye (truffle potato puree, brussels sprout, pickle shallots, pinot noir glaze) which went great with the Montes Alpha Special Pinot Noit, a ruby red wine offering red fruit aromas of cherries, raspberries, red currants, and ripe plums.

The lunch culminated with a dessert of Pear and Chocolate (caramelized chocolate crumb, pear mousse, milk chocolate whipped ganache, poached mini pears, dark chocolate sorbet, micro vanilla sponge, and coral tulle).

Start building your retirement fund today to give you more time to grow your savings.

‘Petsa de peligro?’

5 ways to grow your money NO ONE likes to be caught cashless, especially when sudden expenses come up. Here is when savings are truly important. Financial security offers peace of mind not only to an individual but to their loved ones.

To achieve financial security, it pays to be responsible. Here are five ways to make sure petsa de peligro will be a thing in the past.

Invest in yourself

While this isn’t necessarily saving money or making some, but actually spending it, investing in yourself can be beneficial in the long-term. Study a new skill or language, get a graduate or post-graduate degree, or take personal development programs. Use your resources to improve yourself and enhance your skills. You can reap the benefits in the future, such as higher income and long-term financial security.

Cut back on small expenses

Pear and Chocolate dessert

thing else with your money, take something for yourself first. Save a portion of your income before settling your other financial obligations.

While financial obligations are important, prioritize yourself and the future you want for your loved ones.

Plan for retirement

Experts agree that the earlier one plans and saves for their retirement, the better the yield in the future.

Everyone has to plan ahead for the time when whey don’t have regular income anymore. Setting a financial goal will not only keep you from spending beyond your means, but will prepare you for your future.

Start building your retirement fund today to give you more time to grow your savings before you reach retirement age.

Get an insurance and investment plan

Here’s another one where you actually have to spend cash. Insurance plays a significant role in a person’s financial well-being, as it protects assets from financial losses. An insurance and investment plan can help secure your family’s financial future and let them sustain their lifestyle even when you are no longer around.

Axa Philippines (www.axa.com) has an extensive portfolio of insurance Pay yourself first and investment plans for every reBefore paying bills or doing any- quirement, preference, and budget.

You may not realize it but those small, extra expenses add up every day.

A sugary drink with your meal, recliner seats at the cinema, and even bottled water purchases do add up. But these expenses are usually things you can do without. Tracking expenses is helpful to determine in which places to cut. Be frugal and live below your means.

2016 Haart to Heart

SALE ALERT

Metro

pre-Christmas

sale

PWM director Ronald Lim Joseph, Ryan Joseph, Marriott Manila F&B director Mo Ali, RWM corporate communications director Joee Guilas, and PWM director Raymond Lim Joseph grace the media preview of the 19th GWE.

HOLIDAY shopping starts this week as Metro Department Store holds its preChristmas sale across all branches on Nov. 15-17.

The exclusive sale will feature items from all departments at discounted prices of up to 50 percent off.

Freixenet Elyssia Noir Brut Rosé

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Take a flight to the lights The Yuletide season at SM Aura is marked by a Chinoiserie-inspired display and two interactive art and light exhibits guests may enjoy until January next year.

A sight to behold, the mall’s 33-feet Christmas tree is adorned with golden eventails, opulent feathers, and a resplendent phoenix. SM Aura officially unveiled the tree with a circus performance featuring international and local acrobats, jugglers, and aerialists.

With the phoenix as its inspiration, the two interactive displays, mounted in partnership with Huawei Mobile Philippines, is dubbed “Flight of Lights.”

The first display, located by the Christmas tree, is a golden bird cage into which the public can enter. As participants form their hands into a particular shape, a phoenix will emerge and take flight. Meanwhile, on the fifth floor are swing sets which glow in vivid colors. Surrounding the swing sets are moving lights that mimic fireflies. Both displays are open to all for free until Jan. 7, 2020.

SM Aura treats customers to a harp exhibit by HarpRoom on Nov. 22-24 at the main entrance. Guests can enjoy chorale performances on Dec. 1-8, Letters to Santa workshops on Dec. 6-7, and Santa’s Meet and Greet on Dec. 24-25.

SM Aura features two interactive exhibits, dubbed the ‘Flight of Lights,’ inspired by the phoenix.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is the queen in the North as she graces the unveiling of the Magical Holiday at SM City North Edsa.

Snow in the North It is a little frozen over at SM North Edsa what with its 45-feet Snowflake Christmas tree standing at the center of a winter wonderland.

“This year, we bring the magic of ice and snow to life through a fun-filled Christmas experience, the Magical Holiday at SM City North Edsa, to light up the holiday season of our shoppers,” said SM Supermalls chief operating officer Steven Tan. Gracing the launch was Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. Magical performances by singer Marynor Madamesila and Ballet Manila complemented the unveiling.

Some of the highlights of the celebration are activities celebrating the upcom-

ing release of Disney’s Frozen 2. Kids and families can meet and greet Elsa and Anna on Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1 at The Block Atrium. Frozen 2 merchandise will also be available at The Block Atrium.

Shoppers can look forward to a magical ballet featuring Ballet Manila on Dec. 14 and 21 at The Block. Other activities include a Magical Science Show on Dec. 14, Santa Meet and Greet on Dec. 8, 15, 22 to 25, and Christmas Carols by National University Chorale on Dec. 15, all at The Block.

Lighting up the celebration is a firework show on Nov. 8, Dec. 14, 21, and 28, and Skygarden Live: Christmas Series concert on Dec. 6, 13, 20, and 27 at the Skygarden.

Over at the Cuisine District, up to 30 merchants will be serving up delectable dishes, mouthwatering snacks, and refreshing beverages. Organized by Mercato Centrale, guests can expect a curated selection of sumptuous Filipino and international food choices from home-based vendors.

Those who are gifted with a green thumb may consider dropping by the Green District. Organized in partnership with the Landscape Management Group and Ayala Property Management Corporation, it will offer more than just succulents and houseplants (although there will be plenty of those, too).

Several performances await shoppers and those looking to hang out with friends and loved ones. Every evening, from 5:30 to 11:00 p.m., the Globe Circuit Events Grounds will set the stage for CineCircuit outdoor movie screenings, contemporary arts and dance performances, live chorale performances, and sets by some of OPM’s finest—indie band Munimuni on Nov. 15, Inadayo on Nov. 16, and Lola Amour on Nov. 17.

Shoppers and other guests can enjoy taking photos at the Interactive Wall Mural along Symphony Drive, which was painted by artist Nini Andrada Sacro with the help of artistic Makatizens. Reg Yuson’s artwork located by the water along Circuit Lane will be unveiled soon.

Entertainment

Sizzling on-screen chemistry ‘Mia’ is a romantic comedy film about a doctor named Mia Salazar (Coleen) and a nerdy forester Jay Policarpio (EA).

Coleen Garcia and EA Guzman’s on-screen chemistry sizzles in the official trailer of their latest film, ‘Mia.’

L

The Movie, CinemaBravo, and Design Pirate PH, also features the film’s official soundtrack titled “Sa Iba Na Lang” performed by duo B.O.U. and written

by Jayson Dedal.

Other cast members include veteran actors Yayo Aguila and William Martinez, Billy Crawford, Star Orjaliza, Jeremy Domingo, Sunshine Teodoro, Pau Benitez, andXenia Barrameda.

The screenplay was co-written by Velasco and Jinky Laurel while Noel Teehankee served as its director of photography.

Produced by public relations and digital marketing expert Chris Cahilig, Mia is scheduled to be in cinemas on Jan. 15, 2020.

EAD actors Coleen Garcia and Edgar Allan Guzman display exceptional on-screen chemistry in the official trailer of their latest film, Mia, released by Insight 360 Films in partnership with Viva Films.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Veronica Velasco, Mia is a romantic comedy film about a doctor Mia Salazar (Coleen) and a nerdy forester Jay Policarpio (EA).

Jay, who transforms mined-out land into rainforests, pursues the selfdestructive alcoholic, Mia, who recently joined the government’s Doctor To The

Barrios program to heal from the tragedy of her fiance’s death.

Showing that conflict sometimes belies an undercurrent of passion, Mia and Jay’s occasional clashes soon create compelling chemistry between them.

The trailer, which was released on various prominent Youtube and Facebook channels including Insight 360, Mia:

ABS-CBN announces comeback series of KathNiel, LizQuen, KimXi ABS-CBN officially unveiled its roster of upcoming television series featuring the much-awaited TV comeback of the country’s most sought-after love teams, KathNiel and LizQuen, Bea Alonzo and Richard Gutierrez’s first team-up, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, and Yam Concepcion’s romance drama, and Gerald Anderson’s inspiring action series at the ABS-CBN Christmas Trade Party held Oct. 30.

After the record-breaking movie The Hows of Us, the award-winning pair of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla will make their return to television with a newteleserye to be shot in Mexico.

The wait is nearly over for LizQuen fans as Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil reunite with blockbuster director Cathy GarciaMolina for romantic comedy Make It With You where the real-life couple is set to portray two quirky strangers who meet and fall in love in the picturesque country of Croatia.

Bea Alonzo gets caught in a love triangle in her first project with Rafael Rosell and Richard Gutierrez in Kahit Minsan Lang, while Xian Lim becomes conflicted between his wife Yam Concepcion and her half-sister Kim Chiu in Love Thy Woman.

Gerald Anderson leads the pack in the action-drama series A Soldier’s Heart, which also stars Elmo Magalona, Nash

KathNiel

LizQuen

Aguas, Jerome Ponce, Yves Flores, Vin Abrenica,and Carlo Aquino as his comrades.

Meanwhile, breakthrough two-in-one talent search Your Moment featuring judges Billy Crawford, Nadine Lustre, and Boy Abunda premiered on Nov. 9 and 10, while Filipino teenagers will have another chance at becoming a singing superstar as The Voice Teens returns soon. iWant also continues to beef up its variety of content with a second season of Arjo Atayde’s Bagman, whose second installment will feature Carlo

Aquino, two Nathalie Hart starrers entitled Uncoupling and Barbara Reimagined, Iza Calzado’s Loving Emily, Sam Milby and Yassi Pressman’s Tapes, and The Gold Squad’s digital films—Little Red Shoes starring Kyle Echarri and Francine Diaz, and Wild Little Love starring Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin.

Jodi Sta. Maria’s first project as a producer entitled My Single Lady, starring Ian Veneracion, Zanjoe Marudo, and Jodi herself, will also stream soon on iWant.

PH Embassy in Portugal supports 100 years of local cinema with producers should an Embassy THE support for Philippine or Consulate wish to screen a film Cinema has intensified worldwide that is not part of the list. over the past couple of years as Moreover, FDCP has shouldered various Philippine Embassies and subtitling fees and has taken care Consulates have held film festivals of Philippine Cinema lectures to highlight the country’s cinematic and conferences by sending film achievements. ambassadors to serve as guest The latest film champion speakers. For the past two years since supporting the 100 Years of PH PEAP was launched, FDCP has Cinema is the Philippine Embassy supported more than 30 Philippine in Portugal with Ambassador Celia Embassies and Consulates in Anna “Cookie” Feria at the helm. mounting their events and film Until Nov. 30, Cinema das screenings.

Three Philippine Filipinas–Nos Cem Anos do Cinema Embassy-led film festivals have Filipino (Philippine Cinema–In FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño (left) with been organized this year: Rome, the Hundred Years of Filipino Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Cookie Feria Italy in September, and Portugal and Cinema) will be held at Cinemateca Singapore in November.

Portuguesa - Museu do Cinema in “I’m very pleased that more and more Philippine Lisbon. This PH Cinema Retrospective is made possible through the collaboration among the Philippine Embassy in Portugal, embassies are now seeing cinema as a way to promote our Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and stories and our people. We cannot just have one narrative out there about the Philippines. Sometimes, hindi maiiwasan Cinemateca Portuguesa-Museu do Cinema.

Cinema das Filipinas–Nos Cem Anos do Cinema Filipino is pagdating sa A-list film festivals, dahil sila ang nag-cua project under the Philippine Embassies Assistance Program curate, the gritty side of the Philippines lang ang na-sho (PEAP) of FDCP in partnership with the Department of Foreign showcase,” commented FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

“But the Philippines is more than that and there should be Affairs (DFA) and DFA Cultural Diplomacy Unit. PEAP aims to encourage all Philippine Embassies and Consulates to organize more focused efforts in showing the diversity of our cinema film-related cultural activities so that overseas Pinoys and and the different facets of the Philippines. Through a wellnationalities from their respective countries of assignment can curated government-led Filipino film festival, we take charge of the narratives we want to share with the world. It’s all about discover and appreciate Philippine Cinema.

Through thematic curation, FDCP assists the Embassies and collaboration and seeing the bigger picture,” Diño added.

All Philippine Embassies around the globe can avail of the Consulates in coming up with a lineup of films and securing screening rights. The lineup is curated by FDCP according PEAP. A request made through an accomplished application form to the preference of the Embassies and Consulates, with must be sent to the FDCP International Relations Division at least themes such as contemporary, classic, tourism, culinary, and two months prior to the event. This will give FDCP ample time to genre. FDCP provides a comprehensive list, updated annually, that guarantee the timely delivery of the requested films. The import features films that FDCP has full, partial, or non-exclusive rights and export of the films can be done by the Embassies by using to, as well as films that the national film agency can acquire at a their diplomatic pouches or by coordinating with the DFA Cultural discounted screening fee rate. FDCP also facilitates coordination Diplomacy Unit.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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SNAPSHOT

‘Last Christmas’ premieres in London ENGLISH actress Emilia Clarke was the picture of glamour as she attended the UK premiere of Last Christmas.

She was in good company as she arrived arm-in-arm with her co-star Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians), who plays her love interest in the film. The premiere was held at the BFI Southbank

in south-east London on Monday evening.

In the film, written by Emma and her husband Greg Wise, Emilia’s character Kate, who has often been unlucky, finds work as a Santa’s elf for a department store and unexpectedly finds love with Tom, played by Henry. AFP

NatGeo’s most celebrated science show returns THE most beloved, wonder-filled science franchise in television history returns with a new, 13-episode, mind-blowing adventure when Cosmos: Possible Worlds premieres March 10, 2020 (same day as the U.S.) on National Geographic in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia and on video-streaming service, FOX+.

This out-of-this-world trip through space and time will transport viewers across 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution and deep into the future.

The next chapter of Cosmos, announced in celebration of what would have been visionary Carl Sagan’s 85th birthday on Nov. 9, continues the legacy of the groundbreaking series co-written with Ann Druyan and Steven Soter, which was broadcast to a global audience 40 years ago.

Cosmos: Possible Worlds airs on National Geographic in 172 countries and 43 languages. The previous season was seen by over 135 million people worldwide.

This Emmy-winning, worldwide phenomenon is the brainchild of Emmy and Peabody Award winner Ann Druyan, creative director of NASA’s legendary Voyager Interstellar Message, who serves as creator, executive producer, writer and director, and Emmy-winning and Academy Awardnominated executive producers Seth MacFarlane (The Orville, Family Guy), Brannon Braga (The Orville, Star Trek) and Jason Clark (The Orville, The Long Road Home).

Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History, host of the four-time Emmynominated StarTalk series and best-selling author (Death by Black Hole, Letters from an Astrophysicist), returns as host and series executive science editor.

This season begins with him on the shores of the cosmic ocean as Cosmos’ enhanced and upgraded ‘Ship of the Imagination’ and ‘Cosmic Calendar’ return, taking viewers on a journey through time and spanning a stunning variety of worlds. Throughout these adventurous episodes, Cosmos: Possible Worlds integrates one-of-a-kind VFX, animations, holograms and stylized reenactments to carry viewers to neverbefore-seen worlds and meet unsung superheroes who have made possible our understanding of life’s spectacular voyage —from its origin at the bottom of the sea to its possible future on the exotic worlds of distant stars.

“This third season of Cosmos: Possible Worlds is our boldest yet,” says Druyan.

“The ‘Ship of the Imagination’ will carry us places we never dared to venture before: lost worlds and worlds to come, deep into the future and straight through that hole in the curtain masking other realities – and all of it rigorously informed by science and made real by lavish VFX.” “National Geographic is proud to be the world’s leading destination for viewers who are passionate about science and exploration,” says Courteney Monroe, president of global television networks at National Geographic. “Which is why we’re excited for the next chapter of the most-beloved and most-watched science show to date, Cosmos, to return to our air. Cosmos: Possible Worlds takes complex themes from astrophysics, astronomy and anthropology and makes Cosmos, the hit science docuseries, is set to return to National Geographic.

A teaser has been released announcing that the series will return on March 9, 2020.

them accessible and entertaining for millions of people around the world to devour.”

Cosmos: Possible Worlds ventures to previously uncharted territories: starting back to the dawning of our universe, moving forward to the futuristic 2039 New York World’s Fair and then far beyond into the distant future on other worlds. Visit an open house in the first apartment ever built and climb a 10,000-year-old stairway to the stars. Return to the foreboding ‘Halls of Extinction,’ with living dioramas of the broken branches on the tree of life, and venture to the new, glorious ‘Palace of Life,’ with its soaring towers filled with vibrant marine creatures. Stand beneath its ‘Arch of Experience’ to know what it’s like to soar with the eagles or swim with the whales on their epic voyages.

Associated with the series are some of television and film’s most revered creatives across all crafts, including Emmy-nominated cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub (Independence Day, Stargate); Academy Awardwinning and Emmy-nominated costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther, Roots); Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated composer Alan Silvestri (The Avengers,Forrest Gump, Contact); visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun (Clash of the Titans, Blood Diamond); and supervising animation directors Lucas Gray (The Simpsons, Family Guy), Emmy-nominated Brent Woods (American Dad!, Family Guy) and Academy Award-nominated Duke Johnson (Anomalisa, Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole).

Many celebrities compose the noteworthy corps of actors who lend their voices to Cosmos: Possible Worlds. This season includes Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Awardwinning actor Seth MacFarlane (The Orville, Family Guy) as President Truman; Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek,X-Men) as German, British-born astronomer William Herschel; Academy Award-nominated Viggo Mortensen (The Green Book, The Lord of the Rings) as Soviet plant geneticist Nikolai Vavilov; and Judd Hirsch (A Beautiful Mind, Independence Day) as Robert Oppenheimer, famously known as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” Druyan and Sagan’s daughter, author Sasha Sagan, appears in a recurring live-action role as Sagan’s mother, Rachel Gruber Sagan.

In conjunction with the launch of the new season, National Geographic Books is publishing a companion book, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, by Druyan, the longawaited follow-up to Sagan’s international bestseller, Cosmos.

Cosmos: Possible Worlds is produced for National Geographic and FOX by Cosmos Studios, the company Ann Druyan co-founded in 2000, and Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door. Druyan and Brannon Braga are the series’ writers and directors. Druyan, MacFarlane, Braga and Jason Clark executive produce. Kara Vallow (Family Guy,American Dad!) co-executive produces, and Joseph Micucci (Patriots Day, Ted 2) produces.

For National Geographic, Kevin Mohs is executive producer and Geoff Daniels is EVP of global unscripted entertainment.

Entertainment

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

C4

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Pinoy dance troupe

wins gold in South Korea

‘Bubble Gang’ cast (from left) Michael V, Kim Domingo, Betong Sumaya, and Jak Roberto in character.

Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC), the resident dance team of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) represented the Philippines at the recently concluded All Generation Championships (AGC) held in Seoul, South Korea.

PHILIPPINE Representative Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC), the resident dance team of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), conquered the world stage and took home the much-coveted gold from the recently concluded All Generation Championships (AGC) held at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

The AGC is a gathering that unites urban movers from different age groups across the region through the ever-growing growing hip hop scene. It recognizes rhythmic skills under their respective groupings, namely, Super Kidz, Highteen, Top University, Adult, Over 40, Silver Star, Pay Back, and All Style Solo Battle.

AGC Founder Austin Jiseong Heo, specially invited the SBRDC to contend in their country after they met at the USorganized Hip Hop International held in Manila, of which he is the Affiliate Director for Korea.

SBRDC, currently spearheaded and coached by one of the most renowned names in the industry Xernan Alfonso, exhibited remarkable timing, rhythm, power, skill and movement in South Korea with a two-minute-and-thirty-second street dance routine filled with headturning dance moves including hip hop, vogue and locking. They finished off with a total score of 9.245 under the Adult Cat-

egory and a new championship title on their name.

Other finalists included Power Light Crew from Mongolia, Oreo Crew and TDI Kru from Indonesia, Redemption, Waack Out Loud, and Embrace Cluster from Thailand, and DUD Crew, D.T.B. and PHEROMONE from the host country.

The newly-earned citation joins SBRDC’s impressive roster of awards and recognitions from competitions here and abroad, including being the Third Runner-Up at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2014 in Las Vegas, Silver Medalist at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2015 in San Diego, and First Runner-up at the Hip Hop International Philippines 2016 in Manila.

They have likewise been hailed as the three-peat National Champion of Hip Hop International Philippines 2014, 2015, and 2016 in Manila, and has received the three-peat Gold Medal Award for the Philippines in the 2018 Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition.

“It was a huge blessing and opportunity for us to showcase our hard work, dedication, perseverance, cooperation and passion for dance and to present the Philippine touch to an international stage,” SBRDC Company Manager Maui Lucas and Assistant Company Manager Iñigo Villegas imparted. “Benilde has this kind of talent to show the world.”

21st century Maria Clara dance sequences IN AN age where a members of the awardnumber of Filipino winning Philippine Allwomen can be seen Stars. posting their selves in Abby’s previous bikini, short shorts, or in YUGEL singles were “Darating all-too-revealing outfits LOSORATA Ka Rin,” “If You Don’t without a care in the Want To Fall,” “When world, the release of a track titled “María Clara” may be seen as I’m With You,” and “Beautiful,” wherein the music video had her appear without plainly outdated and corny.

Yet in the care of Abby Asistio whose wearing a wig or artificial hairpiece. She musicality is positively pushed forth by once said she purposely did that to urge her brave image as alopecia awareness people to be open to embracing their advocate, the piece becomes a sensible uniqueness.

The singer-songwriter wrote the newly counterflow to what is current.

“I want women to embrace who they out piece late last year and feels that are, know their worth, have standards, the perfect timing to release the track is and know what they deserve,” expressed now as this decade where Filipino girls Abby whose self-titled debut album came have become most liberated, as reflected clearest in the eyes of netizens, nears its out in 2015.

She released two singles in 2014 and end.

Emphasizing her advice to women another two in 2017. This “María Clara” song, released on Spotify, Apple Music, whose values may be different with hers, and Deezer just last Oct. 30, is somewhat she said, “You deserve love and respect so of a comeback the fact she’s giving her please act the way you want to be treated.”

Simply put, one can argue that there’s sound a new vibe: modern kundiman.

The song’s fusion of old and new, nothing wrong with flaunting shapely its official music video featuring Abby curves and flawless skins. However, the donning María Clara dress as elegantly manner by which it is done, and in some depicted in Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tángere, cases, the mere point of doing it, must and straight-to-the-point lyrical pull likely be among our national hero’s concerns had he climaxing with the bull’s eye line “Di been living ako panandalian lang” give it the teethtoday. marked bite that would have otherwise been lousy or too-cute in the hands of someone who cannot breathe the essence of women empowerment as Abby does.

As she strongly noted, with obviously a little swipe at women no longer imbibing the apparent classic Maria Clara persona, “No one’s talking about choosing the right one anymore or saving yourself for what you are looking for. You’re too choosy which picture to post on Instagram yet you’re not picky with your lovelife?!”

The “Maria Clara” music video is directed by Gorio Vicuna and involved in carefully choreographed Singer-songwriter Abby Asistio delivers an upbeat modern kundiman in a new women empowerment track aptly titled ‘Maria Clara.’

BUBBLE GANG

goes action in ambitious 24th anniversary special ‘Bubble Gang,’ cast (from left) the country’s longestrunning gag show celebrates its 24th year with an ambitious television movie titled ‘The ScAvengers.’

A

T THE grand media conference for Bubble Gang’s anniversary special, the members of the entertainment press did not bother to ask what the secret of the show’s longevity was. Besides, being the country’s longest-running and multiawarded gag show, it’s easy to know why it is still on air.

“We are very comfortable with each other, and the Bubble Gang’s set has become a very collaborative environment,” Michael V. told the media.

The comedian, whose monumental contributions for Bubble Gang lead to the show’s unwavering success, playfully shared what loyal viewers and fresh audiences alike should look forward to in the anniversary special.

“It’s a crazy project and pretty ambitious. To tell you honestly, we just wanted to play and yet gusto namin ipakita na kahit kami naglalaro, ‘yung quality hindi mawawala. So this time around, it’s a visual treat na talagang sa teaser pa lang gugulatin namin kayo,” he shared.

The gag show treats its viewers with a two-part superhero telemovie special for its 24th anniversary entitled The ScAvengers airing on Nov. 15 and 22.

“We have new audience every single day and episode. It’s like our duty and also our pleasure to create something for these new audiences, sa mga bagong sumusuporta at sumusubaybay. At the same time, we are maintaining ‘yung mga suki na namin,”

he added.

The ScAvengers, which is a word play on Marvel Studio’s eponymous characters, the Avengers, revolves around an outcast group of homeless NICKIE people who scavenge for a living and WANG find extraordinary scraps which fell from the outer space. Little do they know that these garbage possess superpowers that will transform them from outcasts to their barangay’s greatest superheroes collectively called as The ScAvengers.

Michael V. is Allan Peter Kuya Thanos, the main villain who is determined to wipe half of the universe’s population with a snap of his fingers; and the ScAvengers whose mission is to stop him and save the world are: Antonio Aquitania as Thorpe/ Tor; Paolo Contis as Plantsa Man/Mr. Tonio; Kim Domingo as Black Panty/Tasia; Boy 2 Quizon as Capt.

American Tiki Tiki/Esteban; Sef Cadayona as HukayUkay/Boy Pana; Betong Sumaya as Hulkluban/ T’yo Bruce; Analyn Barro as Regyula.; Archie Alemania as Mang Stan; Mikoy Morales as Squatterman/Pedrito; and Chariz Solomon as Gumorah. Valeen Montenegro, Lovely Abella, Arra San Agustin, Jak Roberto, and Denise Barbacena play Kuya Thanos’ cohorts, while Arny Ross, Liezel Lopez, Roadfill, Mykah, and Diego are townspeople.

The ScAvengers also features the special participation of Manila mayor Isko Moreno as Yorme and Spiderman star Jacob Batalon as Need.

Under the helm of esteemed creative heads Chito Francisco and Caesar Cosme and directors Rico Gutierrez and Bert de Leon, don’t miss Bubble Gang’s two-part anniversary special The ScAvengers after One of the Baes on GMA Telebabad.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA L

VERY WANG

Michael Learns To Rock revisits PH DANISH soft rock, pop rock group Micheal Learns to Rock (MLTR), who has captured the hearts of many Filipinos since the early 90s, is coming over on Dec. 4 to captivate local fans once more with their millions-seller hit songs. MLTR’s comeback show is organized by Eternal Entertainment with Steve O’Neal Productions as promoter.

Michael Learns To Rock was formed in 1988 in Aarhus, Denmark with Jascha Richter, Mikkel Lentz, Kare Wanscher, and Soren Madsen as original members. The band now performs without Soren Madsen. MLTR has sold over 11 million records over the course of their career with majority sold in Europe and Asia.

The group’s 2nd album has sold over 11 million records and counting. The album includes the singles “Out of the Blue,” “Sleeping Child” and “25 Minutes.” Their next album has hits like “Someday,” “That’s Why (You Go Away)” “Paint My Love,” “Nothing To Lose” and many more.

Another of their hit songs, “Take Me To Your Heart” was released in 1991. In 1993, “Sleeping Child” was included in their album “Colours.” In 1996, Michael Learns To Rock came out with “Paint My Love - Greatest Hits,” their first greatest hit album. Their album “Nothing to Lose” was released in 1997, and “Blue Night” was released in 2000. Included in their 3rd studio album was “That’s Why (You Go Away,)” a ballad written

by Jascha Richter who also wrote most of their hits songs.

MLTR’s concert on Dec. 4 will be at The Theatre at Solaire,

Michael Learns to Rock (also known as MLTR) is a Danish soft rock, pop rock band, composed of Jascha Richter, Mikkel Lentz, and Kåre Wanscher.

MLTR fans are enjoined to celebrate love as they watch them live.

Tickets are available at all Ticketworld online and outlets. www. ticketworld.com.ph