Manila Standard - 2019 November 30 - Saturday

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Local fotogs banned from covering opening ceremonies

By MJ Blancaflor, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

the opening ceremonies of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee announced Friday.

PHISGOC, however, said three or four PHOTOGRAPHERS from local media outlets were not allowed to cover photographers from wire services will be

allowed to cover the ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“For the opening ceremony, it’s really just the official photographer,” said Pauline Ick, PHISGOC director for

‘Monumento’ major landmark in birth of a nation

By Honor Blanco Cabie THE Philippines marks today the 156th anniversary of the birth of Katipunan’s supreme leader Andres Bonifacio, with focus once Turn to A3

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 289 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH rolls out red carpet

For 11-nation competing teams in 30th SEA Games

O

RGANIZERS have vowed to pull out all the stops as the Philippines formally opens its hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games today at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Over 1,800 Filipino athletes aim to the capital Manila. duplicate the overall championship Fourteen years ago, Team Philipthey won when the country last hosted pines reaped 290 total medals—112 the biennial multi-sport event in 2005, gold, 85 silver and 93 bronze—to edge when most of the events were held in Next page

LET THE GAMES BEGIN. The 30th SEA Games will formally begin today at the Philippine Arena (above) in Bocaue, Bulacan north of Manila, with more than 1,800 Filipino athletes aiming to duplicate they won when the Philippines hosted the biennial multi-sport spectacle in 2005. The Games will be ushered in with the traditional torch-lighting at the cauldron inside New Clark City (left) in Pampanga, with a festival of lights, sounds and music.

Rody pushes gross taxation over net income to curb BIR corruption Two powerful typhoons may rain out event PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on Congress to adopt his proposed shift to a gross taxation system from the net tax collection scheme to curb corruption at the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

He renewed his pitch to compute cor-

porate taxes based on gross revenue rather than taxable net income, which is the practice now.

He said his suggested change would remove the need for tax examiners.

“I’m challenging Congress now. Relay it to them now that if they want to

stop corruption in the BIR, we adopt the gross instead of the net,” Duterte said.

“There will be no examiner under the gross taxation scheme. Just show your payment receipt and then you’re done,” Duterte said.

“Under the net tax collection, there

are deductions. That’s how examiners earn money.”

Duterte earlier said the gross taxation system had already been adopted by countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

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Duterte: Fear not Sino role in power grid PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has brushed aside the claim that China is capable of controlling the Philippines’ power grid, adding he still trusts Beijing.

This came after retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, along with some lawmakers, raised concerns over China’s co-ownership of

A TYPHOON threatening to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this weekend could follow the same path of two deadly and destructive typhoons in 2004 and 2006, the weather bureau said Friday.

Chris Perez, weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised the alarm that Typhoon “Kammuri” could enter the country between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, just as the 30th Southeast Asian Games get underway.

The opening ceremony of the SEA Games is set on Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Once it enters the PAR, the typhoon will be named “Tisoy,” the 20th typhoon in 2019, the weather bureau said.

Perez likened “Tisoy” to Typhoons “Glenda” and “Reming” that battered

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By MJ Blancaflor, Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta

CHILD-FRIENDLY MUNICIPALITIES. President Rodrigo Duterte pushes Thursday for a ‘safe, empowering, and child-friendly

environment’ in the country, in a bid to ensure that Filipino youth will continue enjoying their rights. He made the statement when he presented the 2018 presidential awards for child-friendly municipalities and cities at the Palace’s Rizal Hall. Presidential Photo

DSWD, DOLE ordered to go after illegal recruiters

By MJ Blancaflor and Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment to intensify the government’s anti-illegal recruitment campaign to ensure the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

In a speech Thursday, Duterte asked Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista to form a “structure” to go after illegal recruiters.

“I used the word ‘general’ because I am sending [Bautista] a message now that you have to do more. Since you are a military man, then I hope you can come up with a structure, a bigger one, to go

after recruitment, and so goes for the Department of Labor and everybody,” the President said during the awarding rites of the Presidential Award for ChildFriendly Municipalities and Cities.

“My order is to really get them. You should know where to fish for them,” he added.

Next page

By Rio N. Araja and Alena Mae Flores

Karaoke championship for 15 minutes of fame IN A figure-hugging sparkly dress, Val Monique tears around the stage, whipping up the crowd as she channels her inner Tina Turner and belts out “Proud Mary.”

Monique is Panama’s representative in the Karaoke World Championships, one of 40 amateur warblers selected from 30,000 entrants for the competition, which is being held this year for the first time in its spiritual home of Japan.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Fel Maragay, ex-Standard Palace scribe, passes away FELICIANO "Fel" Maragay, one of the country's renowned political journalists as the chief Malacañang reporter for the Manila Standard and a respected columnist, died Thursday at their family residence in San Juan City. He was 68.

Maragay was found lifeless in his room by his wife and one of his daughters at around 10 a.m. A longtime political reporter, he covered the presidencies of Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the Standard's chief Palace reporter.

He was also a veteran of the Senate beat, and served as one of the Standard's esteemed columnists.

A political science graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, Maragay pursued his passion for letters, serving as a staff member of The Varsitarian, the university's official student publication.

As a budding student journalist, he wrote pieces critical of the Marcos administration, particularly the massive corruption and human rights abuses that marked the regime.

Fel is survived by wife Judy and children William Louie, Sheila, Carmella, Dave, Joseph and Judy Fe. His remains lie in state at St. Peter Chapels along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

Interment will be announced later.

Two...

From A1 the country on July 13 to July 17, 2004 and on Nov. 28 to Dec. 3, 2006, respectively.

In a statement, PAGASA disputed social media posts that “Kammuri” would become a super typhoon, but said it could steadily intensify before making landfall in southern Luzon.

At a media briefing, Perez said “Glenda” intensified after making landfall, resulting in 106 deaths, 1,250 injuries, five missing persons and damage to property reaching P38.616 billion.

He said “Tisoy,” once inside the PAR, would have “almost the same track” as of “Glenda” and “Reming.”

“Tisoy” is forecast to affect Bicol region; Northern, Southern and Central Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Eastern, Central and Western Visayas during the same period when Reming entered the PAR and made landfall.

He said the disaster risk reduction and management councils and local government units could use the “historical record” of “Glenda” and “Reming” as the basis for their preparations when ‘Tisoy” is already inside the PAR. “They can double-check if there has been a change in their urban or rural setting, and identify areas prone to landslides and floods and those places that were severely affected by the two previous typhoons,” he added.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, “Kammuri” was spotted at 1,470 kilometers east of Southern Luzon.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kms per hour near the center and gusts of 170 kph gusts, it was moving west at 25 kph.

SEA Games organizers said they would carry out contingency plans, particularly for outdoor events.

“Our games security and safety directorate have ready contingency plans but now we will put it into operational mode,” Tom Carrasco, executive director of Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV. Carrasco also ruled out an extension of the Games, despite the expected bad weather.

Duterte:...

From A1 the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a private consortium that has been operating the country’s power lines since 2009.

The CNN earlier reported the system was currently “under the full control” of the Chinese government, which has the “full capability to disrupt national power systems.”

“There are security issues that can be handled by the military. [Cannot] be a problem. The tower? I will just blow that up. I will cut the cable, it’s over,” Duterte told reporters Thursday night.

According to the CNN report, only Chinese engineers had access to key elements of the system, and that power could in theory be deactivated remotely

News

PNP okay with Duterte as top cop T HE Philippine National Police on Friday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement he would lead the police force himself if he could not appoint the next top cop.

“The PNP supports the President’s statement that he is willing to take the lead in the PNP and we see no problem as our commander-in-chief is the source of all our directives, guidance and orders,” PNP spokesman Bernard Banac said Friday.

Meanwhile, President Duterte has claimed he he has dumped bodies in Manila Bay and in Mountain Province, apparently irked by criticisms his administration has failed to arrest big-time drug lords.

“Did we announce that this drug lord was thrown into Manila Bay? The other one I threw in Mountain Province, into a

ravine. Do I have to advertise that? You fools,” Duterte said in a speech Thursday in Malacañang.

The President also threatened the columnists criticizing him for allegedly not targeting high-ranking members of drug syndicates.

But the PNP dismissed Duterte’s claim that he has dumped the bodies of drug lords into bays and ravines.

“The President likes to make these kinds of statements, but we don’t have reports about them,” Banac said.

Duterte is known for his foul mouth and exaggerated statements, but he

Local...

From A1

PH rolls...

From A1

broadcast and media.

“We are limiting media access tomorrow for the opening ceremony.

Everything will be broadcast live on ABS-CBN,” Ick added.

She said PHISGOC will release the official photos and media outlets could access the “photo service” that will be provided.

Roy Domingo, president of Press Photographers of the Philippines, questioned the exclusion of Filipino photographers.

“That is the question of many. There will be VIPs that will come tomorrow,” Domingo said in an interview with the Manila Standard.

President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to attend the opening of SEA Games and Filipino-American rapper Allan Pineda or apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas is slated to perform.

World gymnastics champion Carlos Edriel Yulo will be the torch bearer in the opening rites.

Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, Margielyn Didal, and Kiyomi Watanabe will be the Philippine flag bearers.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who heads the organizing committee, on Friday said none of the local media were responsible for spreading “fake news” about the event preparations.

“I was told by somebody from the media that money has been offered to find fault with the preparations of the SEA Games. But nobody accepted [it], thus fake news websites criticizing the preparations suddenly appeared on the web,” he said in Filipino.

House leaders, meanwhile, called on all Filipinos to unite for the success of the opening of the SEA Games today (Saturday).

Deputy Speakers Prospero Pichay Jr. and Dan Fernandez said the blame game will not solve the issues tied to preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games nor will it help boost the spirits of the country’s participating athletes.

“We should be united as a Filipino nation so that our athletes will definitely be inspired and have high morale to be able to capture the gold medals that we want them to win,” said Pichay.

Fernandez, congressman from Laguna, noted that the government and the organizing committee have taken sincere and swift steps at addressing complaints initially aired by some participating teams.

“Our officials have offered sincere apologies but this act of humility was merely exploited by rabble rousers in the social media to suit their regretful objectives,” Fernandez said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate would investigate the problems that beset the run-up to the Games opening.

He also said Filipinos “should not be hospitable when it comes to the battle for the gold.”

“If our rivals complain, they should lose. Then the gold will be ours. That is what they did to us,” Sotto said in Filipino, recalling his days as an athlete in the 1980s. With AFP

out regional rival Thailand. It gave the nation an extra warm glow going into the holidays back then, a feeling local athletes hope to duplicate this year for the event that will run until Dec.11.

Officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee said Pinoys can claim as many as 180 gold medals this year, buoyed no doubt by the hometown crowd that is expected to fill every venue of the competition.

This time, the SEA Games will be marked by its first major decentralization, with competition venues spread in 23 cities across the country divided into four clusters, all located in Luzon— Metro Manila, Clark, Subic and Olongapo, and a fourth cluster of standalone venues.

The opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena, following the traditional torch-lighing at the cauldron inside New Clark City in Pampanga, will be a festival of lights, sound and music highlighting the rich Filipino culture (See full story on A8).

This will be the Philippines’ fourth time to host the games, as it took the cudgels for Brunei, which was awarded the hosting in 2012 but withdrew in 2015, citing financial and logistical reasons.

The country also hosted the 1981 and 1991 editions of the games.

The 30th SEA Games is the first to include esports (electronic sports) and obstacle course as well as having the highest number of sports in the event’s history, a total of 56 medal competitions.

The Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee will give free tickets to the public for most of the sports events, except basketball, volleyball, and football, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Friday.

Cayetano, who chairs the Phisgoc, said the tickets for the SEA Games sports competitions will be made available subject to their availability and set mechanics.

However, the tickets for some sporting events, such as basketball, volleyball, and football, cannot be provided because the tickets are sold out.

Cayetano also noted that about 10,000 tickets for the closing ceremonies to be held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium will be distributed for free.

“The organizing committee has de-

on Beijing’s orders.

The Chinese government had previously denied that it is capable of controlling the Philippines’ power infrastructure.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said the Chinese partner only offers technical support to the Philippine side upon request.

“The allegation of China’s control over the Philippines’ power grid or threat to the country’s national security is completely groundless,” Geng said.

After dismissing the allegations as groundless, the official asked the public to look at the cooperation between the Philippines and China “in an open, objective and impartial manner.”

“There is no need to worry about the sky falling or imagine trouble where there is none,” Geng said.

DSWD,...

From A1 In a related development, Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other ports have been ordered to rigidly screen Filipinos traveling to Dubai following reports that human trafficking syndicates were using the emirate as a transit point for illegally deploying overseas Filipino workers to Iraq.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the order after the Department of Foreign Affairs recently alerted the bureau about the alleged recruitment by syndicates through social media of Filipino workers to Iraq despite the ongoing ban on the deployment of OFWs there.

Reports say that online ads advertising newly-opened job vacancies in Iraq allegedly circulated online and falsely

Karaoke...

From A1 Accountants, teachers and economists from as far afield as the Faroe Islands, Guatemala and Brazil are battling for the title of the world’s best karaoke singer in the competition run since 2003.

The Philippines has at least two contestants in the event that uses the machine—that in turn plays a central part of pop culture in the country.

Meagen Reyes bowed out after scor-

would sometimes backtrack on his claims, saying he was joking.

Banac also said the PNP leadership does not take Duterte's statement as an indication of loss of trust, particularly on the police’s top brass.

“It's not new to us. We are being given the policy guidance and instruction on the campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, corruption.

Whatever the decision of the President in this matter, the PNP is ready to implement and support,” he said.

Recently, Banac said the police force could still function despite having only an officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa.

Banac said Gamboa had the power to order the dismissal, recruitment or reshuffling of police officials as mandated by the National Police Commission.

But he said the PNP needed a per-

cided that all games that are not yet sold out will be opened and made free to the public. So far those that are either sold out or almost sold out are basketball and volleyball, and football where the Philippine team is playing,” Cayetano said.

He said subject to the availability of complimentary tickets in the first-come, first-serve basis, complimentary tickets for respective sports competitions and the closing ceremony may be obtained as follows: Through SM Ticket outlets for general admission; complimentary tickets should be claimed over the counter; allotted general admission tickets can be distributed to the residents of respective local government units having jurisdiction over particular venues: Manila, Pasay, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Sta. Rosa, Biñan, Tagaytay, Calatagan, Angeles, Pampanga, San Fernando, Pampanga, San Juan, La Union, Subic, and Capas for specific venues.

Additional general admission complimentary tickets for the opening of the SEA Games will be turned over to state universities near the Philippine Arena for distribution to students.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night rejected a call to suspend classes for the duration of the Games, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, saying this was too long.

Earlier, the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas called for the suspension of classes to help ease traffic congestion and to give students the opportunity to watch SEA Games events.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police earlier backed calls for class suspension for the duration of the SEA Games.

About 19 locations across Metro Manila were chosen for several SEA Games events.

Some schools and areas, however, have suspended classes to give way to the regional games.

Also on Friday, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez wished the best of luck to the Filipino athletes and coaches competing in the 30th SEA Games.

“Good luck to all our athletes and coaches competing in the SEA Games.

As long as we work hard, nothing can prevent the Team Philippines from becoming champion. Fight hard, play fair and win big,” Romualdez said.

MJ Blancaflor, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta with PNA

manent chief next year as Gamboa, being only an OIC, could not approve the disbursement of funds for projects and procurement of equipment.

Banac said by January, the PNP would procure new equipment and the signature of a permanent head was needed.

Duterte earlier said he was taking his time deciding who the next PNP chief would be because he was still conducting an “extensive background check” to ensure the next top cop was free of corruption cases.

Gamboa is one of the top candidates as PNP chief while the other contenders for the post are Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations, and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, former Metro Manila police director who now heads the directorial staff. PNA with MJ Blancaflor

Bicam budget members set to meet 1-on-1

By Maricel V. Cruz THE bicameral conference committee for next year’s national budget on Friday authorized the heads of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations and Senate committee on finance to meet one-on-one to resolve the conflicting provisions of the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget.

This developed even as Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters Friday the House under his leadership would maintain a no-insertions, no pork and no parking policy during the bicameral conference committee.

“As far as the House is concerned, the 2020 budget passed by the chamber contains no pork barrel by way of project insertions or parked funds,” Cayetano said.

“But still, the chamber is open to changes for the good of the country that will be benefited by the increase of funds by certain agencies.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, led the House contingent in seconding the motion of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to allow Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, who heads the House committee on appropriations, and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, to meet and resolve by themselves the disagreeing provisions of the 2020 national budget.

“We authorize them [Ungab and Angara] to meet one-on-one to address the conflicting provisions of the national budget for next year. This will help expedite the approval of our money measure, said Romualdez after members of the bicameral conference committee met Friday at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City to reconcile the 2020 national budget.

Rody...

From A1

claimed that the deployment ban has been lifted.

“Immigration officers are directed to exercise extra vigilance in clearing the departure of Filipino travelers bound for Dubai, particularly those who are departing as tourists, and make sure that they are not going to other foreign destinations in order to work,” Morente said.

Duterte also vowed to meet the needs of overseas Filipino workers by creating more work and livelihood opportunities for them in the country.

“Let me assure you that in return, we, in government, will continue to ensure that your efforts to uplift the lives of your families shall not be put in vain,” he said.

“The government’s ultimate goal [for] OFWs is to [provide] them sustainable work and livelihood opportunities in our country. So someday, somehow, this will remain as one of the top priorities of my government,” Duterte added.

Gross income tax is assessed against the money someone earns and applies to income from a job, as well as to funds that are set aside in an estate or trust.

Net tax, on the other hand, is levied on production less subsidies received and is paid to the government less transfer payments.

In September, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government would form a group composed of top legal and economic officials who will look into Duterte’s proposal to adopt a new system of taxation.

But any change tax scheme will need Congress’ approval.

In his latest statement, Duterte guaranteed that his proposed gross taxation system would end the irregularities within the BIR “overnight.”

“That’s why my challenge to Congress and everybody is, you want to end corruption in the BIR? We adopt the gross. Period,” Duterte said. PNA

ing a 66 in the first round of the solo competition, while Anjo Sarnate made it to the semifinals despite scoring an initial 62.

They were looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Pinoy Elsaida Alerta, who won the event in 2015 while representing Canada.

Although the world’s first karaoke machine, the Juke-8, was built by Japanese inventor and musician Daisuke Inoue in 1971, Filipino inventor Roberto del Rosario holds the machine’s patent

after he developed the Karaoke SingAlong System in 1975, according to a BBC.com article in 2011.

And like everyone around the world who has ever grabbed the mic, for a brief time under the spotlight, the contestants found their 15 minutes of fame.

“Karaoke can make everyone feel for one moment like a professional. Only karaoke can give you those few minutes of glory on the stage,” said Vladyslav Karasevych, contestant from Ukraine. AFP

News

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PCGG loses case anew vs. Marcoses, Tantocos

NEW COMELEC BUILDING.

Tingog Party-List Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (third from right) and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez (fourth from right) assisted by (from right) Tacloban City District Engineer Arnaldo Bonifacio, Region 8 Comelec Director Jose Nick Mendros, Comelec Samar lawyer Maria Corazon Montallana and Comelec Assistant Director lawyer Felisisimo Embalsado lowered the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new four-story Comelec building at Barangay 91, Abucay, Tacloban City, Congressman Yedda and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez helped fund the P45-million edifice while Mayor Alfred Romualdez donated the lot for the new Comelec building.

Ver Noveno

IN BRIEF ‘P3b set aside for nurses pay hike’ A TOTAL of P3 billion has been earmarked for the implementation of the “Ang Nars decision,” or nurses pay hike, included in the P32-billion funding for the increase in government workers’ salaries within the national budget for 2020, according to Senate Finance Committee Senator Sonny Angara.

“Well, the nurses, the funds for them is there,” Angara told reporters on Friday after emerging from the opening of the bicameral conference meeting on next year’s budget held at the Marco Polo club in Makati City.

He said there’s P32 billion for all government workers because based on the study of the Department of Budget and Management, they will all be covered.

“In fact, not just the public school teachers, also government employees.

Because what the other wanted, they should be given first the increase,” said Angara as he braces for a “smooth sailing” budget deliberation.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Bill on stricter GSIS remittance filed A PARTY-LIST legislator is seeking strict penalties, including prison time, for government officials who fail to remit their employees' contributions to the Government Service Insurance System.

Thousands of GSIS retirees are not getting what is due them because of their failure of their agencies to remit their full contributions to the state-run fund.

During the watch of Winston Garcia as GSIS head in the early 2000s, he sought and got an opinion from then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera that the benefits due GSIS members will only be to the extent of their remitted and posted contributions to the fund.

Thus, thousands of government retirees were not given their full benefits because their agencies were remiss in remitting GSIS contribution while the fund itself was careless in posting such contributions.

Assistant House of Representatives' Minority Leader France Castro expressed hope that House Bill 228 or An Act Further Strengthening the Government Service Insurance System will soon get enacted since it has been taken up for initial deliberations at the committe level.

Maricel V. Cruz

Comelec to quiz Cardema over ‘misrepresentation’ THE Commission on Elections on Thursday has subpoenaed former Duterte Youth first nominee Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema to personally submit his counteraffidavit on the case filed against him for material misrepresentation.

In a subpoena, the poll body through its Law Department ordered the former National Youth Commission chairman to answer the case filed against him for supposed violation of Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code and to appear before the said office on Dec. 13.

“Under and by virtue of authority and power vested in the Commission on Elections by Section 52 (d), Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa Blg. 881), you are hereby notified that a complaint has been filed against you for alleged violation Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code...” said the subpoena dated Nov. 27.

“Accordingly, you are hereby directed to submit your subscribed CounterAffidavit and other supporting documents of affidavit or witness/es as the case may be, and to personally appear at the Law 1Department, Commission on Elections, 8th Floor Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila on December 13, 2019 (Friday) at 10:00 o’clock in the morning for the conduct of hearing,” it added.

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By Maricel V. Cruz

Du30 wants a child-friendly safe environment for PH

By Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday advocated for a “safe, empowering, and child-friendly environment" in the country, in a bid to ensure that Filipino youth will continue enjoying their rights.

Duterte made the statement when he presented the 2018 presidential awards for child-friendly municipalities and cities at the Palace’s Rizal Hall.

“Through your continuing partnership and collaboration with our local government units, you have created an environment where we can achieve full realization of our vision for the Filipino children,” the President said in his speech.

“I hope that [this] gathering will encourage all stakeholders to further strengthen our ties and build new alliances as we work together in creating a safe, empowering, and child-friendly environment where children can fully enjoy their rights,” he added.

Cagayan de Oro City bagged the presidential award for child-friendly highly-urbanized city, while Naga City won the presidential award for childfriendly independent component city.

Duterte also conferred the presidential award for child-friendly component city on Tagaytay City, Cavite; presidential award for child-friendly first to third class municipality on Carmona, Cavite; and presidential award for fourth to sixth class municipality on Santo Tomas, La Union.

He hailed the awardees for their hard work, dedication, and strong commitment in promoting and protecting the rights of Filipino children in their localities.

He also lauded the Council for the Welfare of Children and its partners in facilitating the conferment of awards on child-friendly municipalities and cities since 1999.

“Our cooperation is indeed key [in] our goal to help [the youth] to grow to their fullest potential and become productive and responsible citizens,” he said.

The President is hopeful that the recognition of child-friendly municipalities would inspire everyone to

build a legacy of a “strong and progressive Philippines for the generations to come.”

“We, as adults, must therefore understand the important role that we play in promoting their well-being and ensuring their success as the next generation of leaders and future bearers of our nation’s patrimony,” Duterte said.

He promised that his administration will continue to pursue its fight against illegal drugs, criminality, corruption, terrorism, and environmental degradation.

“We will continue to persevere in this aspiration because we are committed in fostering a better and brighter future for the Filipino children,” he said.

In a related development, experts from the United States Department of Justice have conducted training to enhance the prosecutorial and investigation capabilities of 72 prosecutors and investigators of cases involving online sexual exploitation of children in the country.

The training, which was held under the auspices of the US Embassy in the Philippines, through the US Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training and the Philippines’ InterAgency Council Against Trafficking and the International Justice Mission, was held in Angeles City from Nov. 19 to 21.

With PNA

Private hospitals back DOH in vaccination to stop polio—Duque

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

GROHE AWARDS. Vocational students of Don Bosco Youth Center performed a Masskara Festival dancer number during last Friday’s GROHE International Certification awarding rites. A leading global bathroom and kitchen solutions, GROHE gave out awards to its first batch of internationally certified students who have completed their vocational courses, topped by trainee Rommel de Guzman with an average of 94 percent, at the GROHE Dual Tech training facility in Don Bosco Youth Center Tondo, Manila. Ey Acasio

Bonifacio...

From A1 more on what used to be called Monumento in Caloocan City.

This refers to the welcoming monument of Bonifacio, the 45-foot pylon and figures cast in bronze at the intersections of Samson Road, MacArthur Highway, Rizal Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue heretofore known as Highway 54.

The stone monument has been given a facelift, in the run up to the weekend anniversary of Bonifacio’s milestone, with history observers pointing to the three steps leading to the monument as representing the three centuries of Spanish rule (333 years).

In 21st century Metro Manila, the place has become the start of the line for the Light Railway Transit that begins at the Monumento Station on the north end of EDSA and leads all the way up to the Baclaran Station in Pasay City on the southside.

With the North Luzon Expressway now a major highway for travelers from the north

since the 1960s, not as many as decades back have been given the opportunity to wake up from their speeding buses to see the silhouette of the monument of Bonifacio, the Filipino nationalist and revolutionary.

Bonifacio (Nov. 30, 1863-May 10, 1897) is often called “the great plebeian,” “father of the Philippine Revolution,” and “father of the Katipunan.”

He was a founder and later “supreme leader” of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution.

Some historians consider him a de facto national hero of the Philippines, colonized

by Spain for nearly 400 years while others describe him as the first President, although he is not officially recognized as such.

Some critics find it ironic the monument of Bonifacio in Caloocan is better known than the one in Tondo, his birthplace— in front of Tutuban Center mall on C.M. Recto Avenue or the old Azcarraga in the waterfront district of Manila.

Bonifacio is depicted in the usual—

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday led the vaccination of children below five years old in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

Duque said private hospitals are supporting their campaign to stop polio from spreading.

“We are encouraging parents who have private doctors to have their 0 to 59 months old children vaccinated with polio regardless of their vaccination status,” Duque said.

He renewed his appeal to parents and caregivers to have their children who are less than five years old vaccinated against this debilitating disease.

The Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio campaign started its third round of vaccination in Metro Manila and the second round of vaccination in Mindanao last Nov. 25 that will last until Dec. 7. but false—bolo and trousers outfit, with historical critics suggesting Bonifacio was not stupid enough to wear red trousers and be an easy target of his Spanish enemies.

Students of history have learned for decades the Caloocan City “Monumento”—now a major landmark of the city—was designed and completed in 1933 by the country’s National Artist for the Visual Arts (Sculpture) in 1973, Guillermo Estrella Tolentino.

Historical critics say the three steps leading to the monument represents the three centuries of Spanish rule (333 years).

The octagonal base with the eight rays of the sun from the Philippine flag symbolizes the eight key provinces (as written on the surrounding pavement) where Martial Law was first declared by the Spanish governorgeneral.

It was also the place when the Katipunan held major uprisings there against the Spanish authorities—the very location of the monument actually depicting the place of the first such encounter by Bonifacio and the Katipunan with the Spanish colonial army on Aug. 30, 1896.

THE Sandiganbayan has denied the government's appeal for the reversal of the junking of a P1-billion civil case against the late former President Ferdinand Marcos, his wife Imelda, and their alleged dummies— Rustan Commercial Corp. founders Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. and Gliceria Tantoco.

In its motion for reconsideration, the Presidential Commission on Good Government, said that “the defendants admitted material allegations pertaining to the ill-gotten nature of Tourist Duty Free Shops assets.”

The PCGG also said that the Tantocos “indeed acted as dummies and agents of the Marcoses in acquiring ill-gotten wealth.”

The anti-graft court's Second Division, saying that the PCGG failed to present new arguments, denied the appeal for “lack of merit.” ”The arguments raised therein have already been judiciously passed upon and properly considered by the court in the assailed decision which states that the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the plaintiff are insufficient to prove the allegations in the expanded complaint," the court said in a resolution dated Nov. 20.

During the trial of the case, the Tantocos denied admitting the PCGG's “material allegations” regarding the illgotten nature of the TDFS assets.

They also said the government’s “conditionally admitted documentary exhibits and inconsequential witness testimonies” are insufficient.

In denying the government's appeal for the reversal of the junking of a P1billion civil case against the Marcoses and the Tantocos, the Sandiganbayan said the Supreme Court rulings show that motions for reconsideration should be denied when they only present rehashed issues previously put forward.

Program launched on responsible use of water

By Joel E. Zurbano THE government on Friday launched a program to promote responsible use of water.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority led the campaign in coordination with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Water Resources Board, Department of the Interior and Local Government and water concessionaires Manila Water Co. and Maynilad.

Dubbed “Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan”, the project seeks to encourage the people to be informed of the current water situation; to be prepared at all times in cases of water shortage and to be involved in a greater cause of using water conscientiously.

“We all need water to live and we can all do something to ensure that we continuously enjoy this precious resource even in our own little ways,'' said MMDA chairman Danilo Lim. According to Lim, water is very vital and every drop must not go to waste. He also said that water plays an important role most especially during disaster.

“We use water in our every day use and we use it more when natural disaster hits us. The demand for potable water increases in areas where calamities strike.”

Victims of calamities often ask for water as the supply is either always lacking or completely cut off.

“There is clearly a need for us to work together in this campaign especially with our current water situation. We need to reach as many Filipinos as we can and educate them on how we can help from the demand side,” Lim added.

Lim also said that the MMDA, as lead agency, will actively push for the participation of the local governments in Metro Manila.

Each of the Metro Manila LGUs also have their own advocacy videos to show their constituents their commitment for responsible water usage.

Based on the last data, Angat Dam, which is the primary source of water in Metro Manila, is currently at 188.6 meters—23.4 meters lower than the expected 212 meters elevation by the end of the year.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The irony of the NPC THIS made me laugh: A man asked the elevator girl: “Don’t you ever get bored, going up and down?”

The girl replied: “It’s all right. It’s the jerks I cannot stand.” ***

The agency violated its own guidelines.

My daughter Nina, who has a Facebook account, told me that my interview with Manila Standard’s opinion editor, Adelle Chua, which was on Facebook Live last Monday, got almost 200 likes with complimentary comments. Adelle asked me about the contents of my forthcoming book, “The Road Never Ends,” on my almost seven decades as a journalist.

My memoirs will be launched on Jan. 30 at Manila Golf and Country Club. *** Without doubt, many of you have seen public service announcements, usually played in cinemas, featuring National Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro giving advice on protecting your personal data.

In this day and age, especially given the technical tools and ever-improving modi operandi of digital criminals, one can never be too careful about protecting private information.

In truth, I have heard countless horror stories on how friends have been victimized by data-mining scams. Senior citizens are natural targets for this wrongdoing.

This is precisely why the NPC was created. The agency is tasked to oversee

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

the proper handling of personal and organizational data in terms of content, notice and regulatory obligations.

In practical terms, privacy concerns usually revolve around whether or not a situation calls for data sharing, how this data is shared (if necessary), how data is legally collected, shared and used.

It was perfectly within the NPC’s mandate, therefore, to investigate a number of online mobile lending applications, whose collecting efforts allegedly involve accessing and using the phonebook contacts of their clients without their consent. Using this phonebook data, these online lenders would reportedly inform delinquent clients’ friends and family that they were named as co-makers or character references by borrowers. Santa Banana, in some reports, these contacts were even asked to settle the loan!

Commissioner Liboro himself put it best when he said that “this (unauthorized use of phonebook data) targets the privacy of persons, practically making a profit out of people’s fear of losing face and dignity, These unethical practices simply have no place and must stop.” Liboro further noted that “the public shaming that they carried out has caused anxiety and depression, and has put the reputation and future of these online borrowers in jeopardy.”

Notwithstanding the careless presumption of guilt in Liboro’s statement, it was still well up to this point. But, Santa Banana, guess what the NPC— whose directive also includes the protection of citizens against malicious and unauthorized disclosure—did? It called a press conference and proceeded to distribute to the media the names and personal details of the directors of every online lending company that was the subject of a complaint. My gulay,, did not the NPC violate its own guidelines?

Let’s be clear here. The NPC aims to investigate the firms based on complaints, At this point, no final judgment

T

Thanksgiving amid adversities

HANKSGIVING, advisedly a borrowed tradition from the United States which introduced this in 1898, continues to make its mark in the Philippines.

Day tradition was continued as a special public holiday in November until the celebration was moved to September in 1972 following the declaration of martial law. But the tradition ceased, at least in official ceremonies, after the 1986 Catholic Churchbacked EDSA Revolution.

There have been similar markers for the term thanksgiving in the Philippines' various regions—for instance, pagpasalamat among Cebuanos, pasasalamat among Tagalogs, and panagyaman among northerners—which are seen in the manner they celebrate their festivals which include, but not limited to, the harvest season, reunions and homecomings as well as promotions and graduations.

But the essence of a Thanksgiving is often lost, amid the sounds of spoons, forks and knives on the table for luxuriant food, and gratitude to the Almighty for the gifts given to him in life.

And what need is there to be thankful for in face of adversities that chal-

During the American period (19011935), the Philippines, being an American colony and part of the territory of the United States, celebrated the holiday every year, also in November, with American governors-general issuing proclamations declaring Thanksgiving a holiday celebrated by Filipinos nationwide.

On May 6, 1943, during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, a ceremony was held at the Luneta “in thanksgiving to the great Japanese empire.” But the Americans and Filipinos continued to celebrate Thanksgiving Day in secret.

From 1944 to 1965, Thanksgiving

lenge the Filipinos in the different sectors of life: continuing poverty, corruption, lack of compassion, low wages while others have hefty takehome envelopes, illegal mining, coastal erosion, dynamite fishing, pollution, among others.

But it is in the nature of these adversities that the best in the Filipino is brought out, his abilities developed and his path of prosperity and progress pointedly paved.

Some have said, and we endorse the observation, that while adversities can be a struggle, they can also autograph triumph. They can knock down but they can also build up. Adversities can be a true test of mental strength, with those overcoming adversities learning consequential lessons in life.

Adversities can then be a proper plate—not for turkeys or any other meat—for thanksgiving: they build character, create resilience, draw out the Filipinos' true strengths, and mold behavior for the future.

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SEA Games snafus: Heads should roll I CHANCED upon a few tweets of #Tokyo2020 about the Summer Olympics that Japan will host on July 24 to Aug. 9, 2020 and was instantly amazed. It is still 2019 and the South East Asian (SEA Games) Games hosted by the Philippines on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 have just begun.

Yet, Japan is 100 percent ready for next year’s event.

In fact, the venues that will be used for the various games are now completely operational. Contrast this with the rushed, and as of a few days back, unfinished venues that the SEA Games will use. Reports have it that some events had to be cancelled, or moved to other venues because of the Philippines’ inability to finish the construction or repairs on time.

As expected, Japan’s technological advancement will be in full display and will be experienced by those who will be there for the games. This time, however, Japan is also showing the world that technology need not further destroy the environment.

For one, the toilets that will be used for the Olympics are of course, first class. Japan is known for its hightech toilets and this may not be very surprising. It’s completely in keeping with the country’s standards.

I cannot help but compare this with the video of the crude two-personsin-one-cubicle women’s toilet at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum that trended on social media. This has been corrected because two days after, pictures of the same toilet with a divider made the rounds of social media. Many were quick to label the first video as fake news but one look at the “corrected” toilets will reveal that the division was a late addition.

Both toilet bowls were right next to

the divider leaving the users no leg room. We all know that bowls are supposed to be positioned in the middle of the walls behind them.

The torch that Japan will use, following the cherry blossoms motif (very Japan!), is made from recycled materials. This torch will be lighted for the Olympics and will travel all over Japan. The medals and other collaterals are also made from recycled materials. Compare this with the PhP50-million worth of cauldron that we will use for the SEA Games.

A huge embarrassment, indeed.

Japan came out with Someity.

These are cute mascot-type robots that will welcome people in some of the games’ venues for the Summer Olympics. These colorful robots can move, shake hands, and even match people’s emotions! Well, we have our armless Pami. And I will stop here.

The Japanese have come out with different models of vehicles that will be used during the events.

There are new models of cars that can go driverless, completely fuelled by hydrogen, and thus, are emission-free. They also have the new very sleekly-designed accessible people mover vehicles that will be used for the Olympics. New buses that can comfortably sit twenty people will ferry delegations and athletes around. These buses are friendly to persons with disabilities and can also go driverless.

Japan’s futuristic vehicles will be fully enjoyed by those who will be there for the Olympics. What better advertising for these vehicles could there be?

For the SEA Games, remember the complaints of delegations that Turn to A5

The first Sunday of Advent THE first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, reminding us that Christmas is just around the corner. It is not only the beginning of a new calendar cycle for the Roman Catholic Church. It is also a call for renewal of the baptismal bows of the faithful, a rededication of one’s faith in Jesus Christ. It is a call to prayer and penance for a renewed impetus that reinvigorates our Christian commitment to the message of the bible; the message of Jesus Christ who became flesh for our salvation. In this season of Advent, mother church spurs us to be vigilant for the Lord’s coming, to await His coming with anticipation and joy. He is the mystery incarnate not of the past but of the present, who is never absent, always faithful and will never abandon us. He is the God who abides by His church and accompanies us in every step of our history.

In the Gospel of Matthew for the First Sunday of Advent, Jesus tells his disciples that the coming of the Son of Man will catch many people un-

‘I will fear no evil, for you are with me.’ prepared. Jesus tells his disciples that they are to always be ready for the day of the Lord. The Gospel is taken from Jesus’s discourse at Mt. Olivet. He is speaking about the destruction of the

Temple of Jerusalem which is interpreted by the ancient Jews as the symbolic end of the world. In the gospel, Jesus tells the Jews of God’s coming judgment against Jerusalem for its obstinate failure to obey the will for the Father. And indeed, this came to pass in 70 AD when Rome sacked and destroyed Jerusalem. Theologically, this refers to the coming judgment of the world, and the second coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ often referred to by the term parousia. In Matthew, Jesus warns that as in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. We know not when the Lord is coming, so we should be vigilant and prepare for as Jesus said “if the mas master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you Turn to A5

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Opinion Duterte Youth mess continues THIS farce perpetrated by Ronald Cardema and his so-called Duterte Youth Party-list continues to pester the Commission on Elections. This is simply disgusting.

Worse, the House leaders have gotten into it, as if to validate what is clearly a case of misrepresentation by Cardema and his cohorts.

Rep. Mikee Romero, president of the so-called Party-list Coalition Foundation, circulated among party-list congressmen a blank sheet of paper for them to sign, to be attached to House Resolution no. 552 purportedly to express their support to the proclamation of the representative of the duly elected Senior Citizen party-list.

Unfortunately, our very own colleagues in the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Through Community Involvement and Support—namely Representatives Jocelyn Tulfo and

SEA Games...

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arrived early? The Myanmar delegation minced no words when its members were asked to wait for hours before their ride arrived and the fact that they were cramped inside a vehicle that’s too small for them. Nothing of this sort should have happened. The problem has been solved since with the entry into the picture of private companies with their bigger and better buses.

Based on a #Tokyo2020 video, identification cards may not be needed to enter Olympic venues. What they will have is face recognition registration system where people will simply face a machine and push a button for registration and they will be able to come and go without hassle. No need for paper, ink, plastic casings, etc. Such an efficient way to register and get accredited!

Who will forget the difficulties faced by those who needed accreditation for the SEA Games? Journalists went to the appointed place on the appointed date only to find out that no ID cards could be released yet a few days before the start of the games.

Even athletes complained that their accreditation took a long time which contributed to more delays in their going to their hotels.

The first...

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also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” To wait means to prepare and watch our heart and soul so that when the Lord of Light comes we will be prepared to welcome Him. In his homily on this biblical passage, Pope Francis explains to us its meaning. He said: The passage of the Gospel (cf. Mt 24:37-44) introduces us to one of the most evocative themes of Advent: The visit of the Lord to humanity.

The first visit—we all know—occurred with the Incarnation, Jesus’ birth in the cave of Bethlehem; The second takes place in the present: The Lord visits us constantly, each day, walking alongside us and being a consoling presence; in the end, there will be the third, the last visit, which we proclaim each time

The irony...

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has been rendered, and no official decision has been made by the proper court of law. More importantly, by its own admission, the NPC decided on which firms to investigate based on 689 official complaints and around 2,666 similar concerns the NPC received via email and social media, which were not filed as formal complaints.

Is this a valid reason to release people’s names and personal details to the media? The answer becomes evident when you consider the exact industry and service these online lenders provide.

Online or app-based lending is the modern equivalent of non-collateralized

Niña Taduran—were among those misled into signing HR 552. They are now constrained to issue a disclaimer/ clarification on the issue.

ACT-CIS Party-list first nominee Rep. Eric Yap strongly believes that the Duterte Youth's case should be left in the hands of the COMELEC and that any attempt to intrude into the poll body's independence merely puts the entire party-list system in bad light.

Show some respect for the COMELEC. The resolution, signed by at least 17 representatives, mostly members of the party-list coalition, urges the COMELEC to issue the certificate of proclamation for the Duterte Youth, as well as the Senior Citizens party-list.

They must realize that with the petition to cancel Duterte Youth's registration, they are still bound to deal with the COMELEC, anyway.

It further condemns the poll body

for “violating the Constitution” for failure to resolve the case on Duterte Youth, practically depriving its representation. This is nothing but hogwash.

Understandably, COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon went ballistic over the latest political maneuvering and manipulation among the lawmakers, and I empathize wholeheartedly.

In the first place, what business does the party-list coalition and the House leaders have encroaching and telling COMELEC, an independent constitutional body, what to do?

Asking COMELEC to issue the certificate of proclamation of the Duterte Youth Party-list would be sheer travesty, a mockery of the Omnibus Election Code. The case is mired in irregularities owing to the illegitimacy of overaged Cardema's nomination as youth representative.

The House leaders and the partylist leaders must show Comelec some respect and leave it to the poll body to resolve the issues revolving around Duterte Youth, which legitimate youth groups out there call a "fake youth party-list."

Some press IDs were also wrong.

For instance, journalist Raffy Tima posted on Facebook an ID that indicated the name Mariz Tima but bearing his picture. His name was inadvertently combined with that of his wife, Mariz, but who still goes

by Mariz Umali. Of course this sort of thing can happen in big events and should not be a big deal. However, combined with all the other snafus, this became news.

There were other complaints in terms of delays in accommodation where athletes needed to wait for many hours before they could checkin. The delegations of Timor Leste, Cambodia, and even Philippines suffered this. The number of athletes per room also became a problem with three, four, up to five athletes shared a room.

Complaints about the kind and volume of food and water served the athletes became big news. Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippine teams complained about the repetitive food, small servings, lack of halal food for Muslim athletes, lack of nutritional value of food, and inadequate amount of drinking water.

One report said that Thailand’s complaints reached the Prime Minister and the team resorted to buying their own food. Singapore did not mince words in their letter to the organizers. Kikiam trended on social media

when a Filipina coach said that they were served kikiam, egg, and rice for breakfast.

Filipino hospitality is something that Filipinos are proud of. We give the best to our visitors because we want them to have a good experience with us. This is true no matter how humble our station in life is. We value our guests’ impression of us as a family, people, and country. This is the reason why Filipinos could not accept these snafus that could have been completely prevented.

This is the fourth time that we are hosting the SEA Games. While not perfect, we did well in 1981, 1991, and 2005. I do not aspire to be like Japan at this point BUT there is no excuse for the lack of, and very poor preparations for the SEA Games. After all, it is not as if we only knew about our hosting this last year. If reports are to be believed, we even borrowed PhP11 BILLION from a Malaysian bank to host this event. Therefore, money is not a problem.

It all boils down to irresponsibility of those who were supposed to prepare for this. For now, we should do our best and cheer team Philippines. After, heads should roll for causing the country huge embarrassment.

that we recite the Creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” Today, the Lord speaks to us about this final visit, which will take place at the end of time, and he tells us where we will arrive on our journey.”

Since time immemorial, Christian culture has been obsessed with the end times or the apocalypse. Many Christian sects and denominations devote much discourse on how to prepare for the cataclysmic events preceding the Second Coming of Christ. Indeed, the Lord will come to us at the end of our life or by His second coming. But we know not when this is coming although it will come as sure as the sun rises for as the Lord Himself said His day will come like a thief in the night; it comes at an hour when we do not expect it.

Jesus emphatically said that only His heavenly Father when He will return. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,

nor the Son, but the Father alone," he added.

Perhaps, reflecting on one’s end is frightening. Weak as we are by nature, we are naturally terrified with what lies beyond; more so that the approach to this end entails suffering and pain.

But with the grace of God we can face this full of confidence, knowing that we are reconciled with God, and have completely surrendered ourselves to Him. Is there anything to fear when we have sincerely dealt with our transgressions and regrets? On this score, the Psalmist gives us encouragement, saying—Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. With this in mind, let us prepare for the coming of the Lord!

lending. As any aspiring entrepreneur knows, it is almost impossible to get a bank loan without any form of assetbased collateral.

Moving further down the socio-economic ladder, minimum wage earners, contractual employees and everyone else below the poverty line do not have any access to institutional lending firms. Even pawnshops require some form of asset, which leaves countless people to borrow at usurious rates in times of emergency. *** I can only be amused at the copout of those in the organizing committee for the Southeast Asian Games.

During a press conference, these characters, without any sense of shame, said they only had eight months to prepare because of budget delays. Worse,

they blamed the media for reporting the negative things that happened. But what media negativity are they talking about when it was clearly the organizers’ fault that foreign athletes were unable to get to their hotels, not given their rooms right away, were fed kikiam, and were booked far from their training ground?

To add to all these, the venues were still being constructed, and there were no scoreboards. Photos don’t lie, Santa Banana!

I said in an earlier column that all this snafu should be investigated. As a Filipino, I bow my head in shame. And to think this is our fourth time to host the Games, my gulay!

No less than the President is displeased. He wants an investigation, not only into the logistical blunders, but po-

@bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

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Goading the country to go to war A GREEK-OWNED tanker carrying a Liberian flag on its way to Longkou, China passed though the South China Sea on Sept. 30, 2019. The ship named Green Aura is owned by the Aegean Company and manned by a Filipino ship captain named Manolo Ebora with 22 Filipino crew members on board. Ebora is a reserve officer of the Philippine navy with the rank of lieutenant commander.

According to Ebora, he purposely opted to pass close to the disputed Scarborough Shoal because of inclement weather. As his ship neared the 12-nautical-mile mark of the disputed shoal, it received a radio call from the Chinese coast guard warning the ship to stay away from the area. Ebora responded saying the oil tanker is just making an innocent passage. The Chinese coast guard kept on repeating the call to change course until the Green Aura reached nearly 11 kilometers from the shoal.

After repeated warning, Ebora though radio told the Chinese coast guard, “This is Scarborough, we are just passing. May I know? Is this a Chinese territory water?

I think it’s not Chinese [territorial] water.”

The radio warning was getting tense until he saw five ships belonging to the Chinese Coast Guard and the Maritime Police approaching in an attempt to block Green Aura. The Chinese ships tailed Greed Aura until it left the area.

The captain’s conduct was in response to the Chinese coast guard instruction to change course. Instead, the Captain Ebora chose to question the Chinese coast guard. For that, Ebora nearly brought the country to the brink of armed confrontation with China all for his “nationalistic passion” that Scarborough Shoal is part of our territorial waters, it being within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Whether or not Scarborough Shoal is part of our territory is not for him to decide. His only duty is to secure the safety of the ship to reach its destination on time. He cannot act on his own judgment like using his vessel to incite the country to war. While his action cannot be interpreted as sufficient to start a war, rather his adventurist tendency clearly shows that his misplaced nationalism could push the country to an armed confrontation with China.

We are not saying he is right that Scarborough or Panatag Shoal is ours. However, his entry into an area now effectively occupied by China is an attempt to destabilize the peace in the region. Would China not interpret the intrusion an act of provocation that could give rise to acting in self-defense?

Even if the Philippines is absolved from being involved in that incident, claiming it was the act of a private citizen serving as captain of the oil tanker, the resulting damage that would ensue in the oil spill could ultimately result in the payment of horrendous damage just to restore the environment, he being a citizen acting recklessly in violation of his duty as ship captain.

If this unfortunate incident should happen again like what B.S Aquino did to intimidate China by arresting the Chinese fishermen and sending our navy cutter resulting in the loss of the Panatag Shoal to China, that could have been a repetition with clear signs that the incident was premeditated by an unhinged captain.

Worse, Ebora might have coordinated with the opposition to embarrass China.

Such insubordination can make Ebora liable for inciting to war or giving motives for reprisals under Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code which provides: “The penalty of reclusion temporal shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee, and that of prision mayor upon any private individuals, who, by unlawful or unauthorized acts, provoke or gives occasion for a war involving or tential corruption! It’s a national embarrassment. The irony of it all is that the Philippines, as usual, went overboard in spending for that cauldron.

I say that those responsible should be probed and punished. Why, they should be dumped into the Pasig River. *** With the overwhelming victory of the pro-democracy people of Hong Kong as members of the city council, the big question is: How is Hong Kong, now?

Will the violence finally end? And what will Beijing do?

I think eventually the protests will end and China will no longer have to intervene. This is also the sentiment of my friend in Hong Kong, where some 230,000 OFWs work.

My guess is that Chinese President Xi

liable to involve the Philippine islands or exposes Filipino citizens to reprisals on their persons or property.”

The captain had the gall to explain that upon hearing the radio message to change course, he invoked the principle of “innocent passage.” He should have realized that to question China’s jurisdiction over the Shoal is inconsistent to his claim of innocent passage. One cannot invoke that principle while questioning the country that is preventing the vessel from passing on the ground that the intercepting vessel has no jurisdiction over that territory. Claim of innocent passage must be done in good faith for there are strict limitations and conditions before the host state would allow the vessel to pass. This is based on the principle of mare liberum laid down by Hugo Grotius.

The ship captain set a dangerous precedent.

Beside, innocent passage does not apply in wide bodies of water beyond the 12 nautical mile called territorial waters from the shoreline of the adjacent state.

In which case, Green Aura could only claim freedom of navigation. Thus, when China Coast Guard requested Green Aura to change course, the Chinese were aware there was still an area for the ship to maneuver to allow it to proceed to its destination. The right of innocent passage has reference to that body of water where passing ships have no alternative but to pass the area, but must comply to the conditions stated in Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Had the incident been allowed to escalate with Ebora given a free hand to make his personal prejudgment that Panatag Shoal is ours, that instance could have created a very dangerous precedent. He would have tied the government to an unending wrangle with China over a disputed island to block many of the economic and developmental projects we have with the latter to the delight of the opposition and to the agitating Americans.

As this column has repeatedly stated, Spain and the US signed the Treaty of Paris on Dec. 10, 1898 demarcating the official boundary of the Philippines.

Unfortunately, the Treaty excluded many of the disputed islands including the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratlys. Ownership over these islands was reaffirmed in the Treaty of San Francisco in 1950 dictating to Japan to return its occupied islands in the South China Sea to China.

The ratification of UNCLOS in 1982 created new rights for states with bodies of water like the creation of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) allowing states the exclusive right to exploit mineral resources up to 200 nautical miles from their shoreline. This complicated the claims over certain areas in the South China Sea. Spratly Islands and in the Scarborough Shoal which are within the 200-mile limit of the country’s EEZ or 120 miles off the coast of Zambales but outside the 24-mile jurisdictional boundary defined as territorial waters and of the boundary demarcated by Spain and the US indicating the boundaries of the Philippine archipelago.

Many Filipinos subscribe to this position that Panatag is part of our territorial waters, considering it as the traditional and historic fishing ground of Filipino fisherman. This is part of the propaganda campaign. Despite the absence of any legal basis under international law, the PCA rendered a decision in our favor but unfortunately, not recognized by China.

Hence, the somersaulting of the US with regard to the ownership by China of those islands in the South China Sea continues to draw followers. This explains why the US sought to reintroduce its military basis in the Philippines. All these are reflective of the xenophobic fear of the US of being economically overtaken by China. rpkapunan@gmail.com Jinping will continue with his one country, two systems policy.

Can Hong Kong ever return to the way it was? I think it will recover and will continue to be a financial hub. Xi wants it that way. *** Filipinos distrust the intentions of the Chinese. There are fears over China’s potential control of the our national grid operation. Can the Chinese shut down our power infrastructure?

The assurance given to the people by the leaders of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and their remark that Chinese firms are only technical advisers, does not do much to assuage our fear.

All I can say is, beware of Chinese bearing gifts.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

A6

TODAY

News

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DENR body challenges mining firms T

By Rio N. Araja

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau on Friday challenged mining companies to meet higher standards on safety and environmental protection.

“We are challenging mining companies to meet the higher standards we’ve set in terms of protecting the environment and communities in mining areas. We know it’s not easy for them, but the MGB will leave no stone unturned in making sure all mining operations are compliant, safe, well-rehabilitated and responsible to their environment,” MGB director Wilfredo Moncano said.

“This goes for large-scale mining companies as well as small-scale mining players. You either mine responsibly or you don’t mine; there is no middle ground,” he added.

He encouraged the six companies that were presented with the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award during the recently concluded Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference as “good examples” for the rest of the mining industry to follow.

The companies awarded were Agata Mining Ventures Inc. and Cagdianao Mining Corp. for the surface mining category; Holcim

Mining and Development Corp. and Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc. for quarry operations category, Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc.; Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corp. for mineral processing category, and Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp. for mineral exploration category.

“For these awards, we don’t only award based on the safety and sustainability of their mining operations.

We scrutinize what they do after mining. How fast and thorough was rehabilitation done? How was the area reforested and how many trees were planted? How did they translate their economic gain to good public facilities such as schools and clinics for the local community? How were they able to work with indigenous communities?” Moncano asked.

“Definitely it’s good to have these examples to highlight the work that’s already being done in the industry, but so many other operators must catch up,” he said.

SPLENDID SICHUAN. Vice Governor Yang Xingping shows the photos of beautiful places in China’s Sichuan province to Department of Tourism officials during the meeting for cultural exchange between the Philippines and China. The meeting aims to promote the tourism sites in Sichuan at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel Mandaluyong. Norman Cruz

2 mobile courts resolve 33 cases in one day in Kudarat

By Rey E. Requejo

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1.

Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process.

Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

2.

Dropping of bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only. Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted.

3.

Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is, Where-is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is, Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

4.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

5.

Purchase offers are only accepted through CASH basis payable within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS), without privilege of extension.

6.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Date of Bidding Name of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Mode of Payment Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) Signature of the bidder/representative

7.

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

8.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of a MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

9.

The following shall be inserted in a sealed bid envelope: A.

ALL participating bidders must insert: a. properly accomplished BID FORM b.

MANAGER’S CHECK payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer

B.

If the bidder is being represented by an authorized representative, a corresponding Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must also be included

C.

If the bidder is the occupant of the subject property, two (2) proofs of occupancy must also be inserted. These are: a.

Barangay certificate that the bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property; and b.

Valid Government Issued ID with an address showing that the bidder is currently residing in the subject property, or the Latest Billing Statement under the Bidder’s Name that shows he/she is currently residing in the subject property.

10.

The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope).

11.

The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: A. He/she participated in actual bidding and B. Inserted the two (2) proofs of occupancy inside his/her bid envelope as indicated in Number 9 of these guidelines

12.

If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she shall adjust his/her initial deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder. He/she must also pay the adjusted deposit on the day of bidding.

13.

The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents:

A.

If the winning bidder is an individual, a. duly accomplished Personal Profile (with attached recent two (2) pieces of 2x2 ID pictures of the winning bidder) b. photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (at least one should be a government-issued ID)

B.

If the winning bidder is a corporate entity or partnership, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b.

Registration Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) c.

Articles of Incorporation (if corporation), Articles of Partnership (if partnership), General Information Sheet, and By-Laws duly certified by the SEC d.

Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

C.

If the winning bidder is a cooperative, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b.

Cooperative Development Authority Registration or any proof of such registration c.

Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

14.

A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

15.

The deposit equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the Bid Offer shall be paid on the day of bidding. The 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension.

16.

Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s total deposit.

17.

In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, he/she must remit the required non-refundable 10% deposit within three (3) working days after receipt of notice from GSIS.

18.

GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

19.

For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunk line numbers (02) 8479-3600, and (02) 7976-4900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396.

(MS-NOV. 29,30 & DEC.1, 2019)

THE Supreme Court’s Enhanced Justice on Wheels program continues to roll its wheels to deliver speedy justice where its 10 mobile courts have been fielded in farflung areas to expedite resolution of cases and decongestion of jails.

In particular, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta fielded two mobile courts in Sultan Kudarat last Thursday to conduct simultaneous hearings and mediation proceedings on pending cases involving detained persons.

Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, who supervised the EJOW in Sultan Kudarat, disclosed that 33 of the 42 cases heard in one day were dismissed and five detainees released.

While trial hearings inside the mobile courts were ongoing, professors of the Philippine Judicial Academy were giving lectures and information dissemination to more than 1,000 barangay leaders in Sul-

tan Kudarat’s capitol grounds.

SC officials, led by Marquez and Deputy Court Administrator for Mindanao Leo T. Madrazo, also visited the Isulan district jail where 1,200 persons are detained.

Medical and dental missions and a legal aid were also conducted inside the jail as part of EJOW, the Court Administrator said.

Marquez said a dialogue between and among the justice sector stakeholders in Sultan Kudarat were held to ensure expeditious resolution of cases and decongestion of jails.

The EJOW proceedings, particularly the jail visitation and medical and dental missions, were also attended by Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto T. Mangudadatu and his wife, Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu; members of the Sultan Kudarat provincial board, judges, prosecutors, lawyers from the Public Attorneys’ Office, and private law practitioners from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

UNICEF offers Basket of Hope IN THE spirit of the Christmas season, UNICEF Philippines recently launched Basket of Hope—an online campaign to give meaningful gifts to help children in need.

Said campaign enables people to give something different this Christmas while supporting a cause.

For every donation of P500 to the UNICEF Basket of Hope, an individual can help provide children with treatments for malnutrition, or education supplies, or access to clean water and hygiene essentials. The donation will go directly to children most urgently in need at the time of giving.

For education, a basket can provide backpacks and school supplies.

For health, children will be given life-saving treatment and ready-toeat therapeutic food packs.

For water, sanitation, and hygiene, children will get access to clean water and hygiene supplies during emergencies.

The UNICEF Basket of Hope campaign is led by UNICEF’s three Goodwill Ambassadors Gary Valenciano, Daphne Oseña-Paez, and Anne Curtis, and with the support of other celebrities and influencers.

To know more about the Basket of Hope and to make a donation, visit https://bit.ly/2O4XZD8.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Team Lakay bets seek SEAG golds THREE members of Baguio City’s famed Team Lakay are eyeing a gold medal as they compete in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines from November 30 to December 11.

Jerry Olsim, Jean Claude Saclag and Gina Iniong will rely on their experience as part of an eight-man kickboxing national team during the 30th edition of the biennial games.

Olsim, also known as the “Bokodian Warrior,” boasts of an impressive mixed martial arts record of 6-1. He will compete in the featherweight division.

Saclag, on the other hand, is a former world champion in wushu sanda. He is a former silver medalist in the under 60 kg men’s wushu sanda of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Just like Olsim, Saclag is shifting to kickboxing in a bid to boost the country’s hopes in the event.

Iniong, meanwhile, is a six-time national wushu champion and currently competes in the women’s atomweight division of ONE Championship. Nicknamed “Conviction,” Iniong has a professional mixed martial arts record of 8-4.

Aside from their impressive records, the three Team Lakay mainstays are coming off from extensive training in Taiwan and Cambodia. Despite a change in discipline, Olsim, Saclag and Iniong are confident to give their Thai and Vietnamese opponents, the favorites in the event, a hard time in the ring.

“Malakas ang mga kalaban pero ready kami.

Pinaghandaan namin ito at siyempre ayaw nam-

ing mapahiya sa harap ng ating mga kababayan at mga fans ng MMA (Our opponents are very strong but we are ready. We prepared very hard for this and we don’t want to disappoint our countrymen and MMA fans),” Iniong said.

Joining them will be their soft-spoken mentor, Coach Mark Sangiao, who is renowned for his mastery of wushu and mixed martial arts, was tapped to train the Philippine National Kickboxing Team a couple of months ago. Sangiao, himself won a gold medal at the Southeast Asia Games in 2001 and today is known as one of the best Martial Arts coaches in Asia.

Several members of Team Lakay compete in mixed martial arts bouts at ONE Championship events held in different parts of Asia throughout the year. Numerous members of Team Lakay are proud to serve as Globe ambassadors.

“We are asking all Filipinos to pray, support and rally behind our teams in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. The opposition will be tough and strong but we believe that our athletes’ big hearts and strong determination will help them succeed in bringing glory and honor to our country,” Nikko Acosta, Globe SVP for Content and Product Management Groups, added.

Aside from Olsim, Saclag and Iniong, Globe is also supporting the gold medal bids of Team Liyab’s Arena of Valor and Caviar “Enderr” Acampado in the SEA Games. The AoV squad and Enderr are part of the National Esports Team set to compete in the biggest regional sports event of the year.

Gina Iniong is a six-time national wushu champion and currently competes in the women’s atomweight division of ONE Championship. Nicknamed “Conviction,” Iniong has a professional mixed martial arts record of 8-4.

Araneta reelected football chief M

ARIANO “Nonong” Araneta vowed to support the further development of grassroots and youth programs after he was reelected as Philippine Football Federation president yesterday.

Fredrick Salamat hopes to lead Judiciary to a big win over defending champion AFP.

AFP 5 tries to boost bid for semifinals Games Sunday (San Juan City gym) 2 p.m. – Judiciary vs AFP 3:30 p.m. – DA vs NHA 5 p.m. – Malacañang-PSC vs PITC

DEFENDING champion Armed Force of the Philippines tries to boost its bid for an outright semis berth when it battles Judiciary on Sunday in the 8th UNTV Cup at the San Juan City gym.

Coming off a gutsy 86-84 win over the National Housing Authority Builders at the start of the second of elims, the AFP Cavaliers are slightly favored over the Magis in their 2 p.m. showdown in the event organized by UNTV President and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.

Out to lead the Cavaliers are Jerry Lumongsod and former Letran star Boyet Bautista who scored 19 and 17 points the last time with the latter finishing with 5-of-6 shooting from the trifectaville as the Cavaliers improved to 6-0.

The Builders are out to recover from that defeat when they collide with the Department of Agriculture Food Masters at 3:30 p.m.

The Food Masters need to bounce back from a 94-85 defeat to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Warriors if they are to improve their 4-2 mark.

Meantime, Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission looks to hike its 5-1 mark when it battles the PITC Global Traders at 5 p.m. of the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.

Araneta said this following elections during the 16th PFF Congress at Century Park Hotel in Manila.

“I am thankful for the trust and confidence that the regional football associations gave me and for giving me another term,” said Araneta.

The 65-year-old Araneta explained that his support for football development will not just be for the grassroots level, but also for the youth programs.

He won by a vote of 23-12 over Negros Football Association president Ricky Yanson.

Thirty-two regional football association heads joined the elections, along with three newly accepted clubs to the PFF in Ceres Negros, Kaya Iloilo and Stallion Laguna M’lang, Cotabato vice mayor Joselito Piñol was also re-elected vice-president, after running opposite Percy Guarin.

Lalaine Sarmiento was reelected as women’s representative to the board.

Jay Adriatico retained his post as board member for Luzon, along with Domingo Baluyot.

Azkals’ manager Dan Palami also kept his post as board member for Visayas,

with Rocelle Sombillo and Rodney Orale.

Atty. Lawrence Fortun is a new board member for Visayas, with Engr. Henry Sabale, Dr. Justine Faber and Arnel Garces.

Araneta also extended his hand in reconciliation to Yanson after a challenging campaign.

“Rest assured, we will do better and we will move on as one,” said Araneta.

“I enjoin everyone to unite for the good of Philippine football. I am extending my hand to my opponent so we can bring football further.”

Araneta said his four-year plan for the federation will include more infrastructure with the impending completion of the National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.

Qatar Airways, upon Araneta’s re-

Patong Patong rules Challenge Series PATONG PATONG stayed within strike distance at third three fourths of the way before making its move in the homestretch, taking the 2nd leg of the 2019 Philippine Racing Commission 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series by two lengths at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas on Sunday.

Ridden by first-time stakes race winner jockey Jonathan King Flores, Patong Patong blasted out in front in the final 300 meters, leaving Will To Win and Magtotobetsky behind en route to the victory in the 1,800-meter race, fashioned out in 1:52 with quartertimes of 14, 22, 24, 23 and 27.

“Noong medya milya, ramdam ko na kaya naman ng kabayo ko. Noong nag-tres octavo ako, hinanda ko na lang, dahil alam ko naman na naghahabulan sila. Halos sa diretso ko na lang kinuha dahil alam ko naman malakas pa kabayo ko,” said Flores, who notched his first stakes race victory in his young career.

“Sana dire-diretso na ito,” Flores said.

The Philippine Racing Commission shelled out P1.5 million for the race, with the first-place purse of P900,000 going to Patong Patong owner Narciso Morales.

Runner-up Will To Win (owner Wally Manalo) pocketed P337,500, while Magtotobetsky (owner Leonardo M. Javier Jr.) received P187,500 as third placer.

Mark of Excellence, owned by Mark Anthony Calixto, seized command of the race after the 7-horse field burst out of the gates, followed by Will to Win and Patong Patong, which kept its spot majority of the way, allowing the leaders to go at it up front. Will To

Patong Patong wins the Philracom 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series’ 2nd leg at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas on Sunday.

Win finally got the lead in the final 400 against a fading Mark of Excellence, but the control was shortlived as Patong Patong seized command of the race and held unto it to the finish.

Patong Patong will be trying to make it second win in a row in the third leg of the series next month against Kentucky-bred What A Feeling, which ruled the 1st leg.

Sunday’s races were part of the Klub Don Juan de Manila Racing Festival.

Other winners were Princess Eowyn (Klub Don Juan Stakes Race), Kaka and Bachi (Yorme Isko Moreno Trophy Race), Sky Candy (Juvenile Fillies), I Love Matty (Altheane Builders Trophy Race), One More One More (Equine In-

Independent...

From A8

CAGER NOW ENTREPRENEUR. Mike Advani, a former player of Ginebra San Miguel, is shown with his partner-cousins Anil and Ravi Sehwani as they opened recently their newest Shakey’s branch at Tiendesitas along C-5, where former San Beda and now assistant PBA coach Borgie Hermida was among the special guests. Photo shows the owners with Hermida.

Moreover, Jaime de Lange will be representing the Philippines at the downhill skateboard event. With over eight years of experience in the Philippine downhill scene, De Lange has raked several recognitions in the country and abroad.

He has attended several skateboarding events all over the world, like in the US, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan, not only as a racer but also as an organizer and coach. For the last four years, he has ranked number 1 in the Philippines and has been the highest ranked racer in Asia.

Lastly, the women of Gilas Pilipinas will send Filipino basketball fans into

ternational Airfreight Trophy Race), Yes I Will (Cong. Tony Calixto Trophy Race), King Polonius (Andok’s Litson Trophy Race), Chancetheracer (Manila Derby), Simlong Rock (Hygain Feeds Australia Trophy Race ), Helushka (Magic Millions Australia) and Du Pont Circle (DLTB Trophy Race) December proves to be the busiest horseracing month for big races with the Philracom’s holding of the 3rd leg of the Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Races on the 1st, the Grand Sprint Championship on the 15th, the Chairman’s Cup and the 3rd leg of the 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series on the 29th and the Juvenile Championship on the 31st. frenzy as they go against their toughest competitors in the region. With head coach Patrick Henry Aquino, the team is made up of 16 skilled and strong-willed players who have competed in different countries including Singapore, Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Mongolia, and New Zealand. Gilas Pilipinas is currently ranked number 7 in the FIBA Asia-Oceania zone. The current roster includes Jack Danielle Animam, Afril Bernardino, Gemma Miranda, Eunique Chan, Danica Therese Jose, Mary April Penaranda, Ria Joy Nabalan, Ana Alicia Katrina Castillo, Camille Claro, Maria Beatrice Daez, Marizze Andrea Tongco, France Mae Cabinbin, Janine Pontejos, Clare Castro, Kelli Hayes, and Kristina Deacon.For more information, visit http://blackwater. com.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/ blackwaterphofficial/.

quest, had agreed to a three-year deal as title sponsor of the PFL starting next year.

Yanson graciously acknowledged the victory of Araneta.

“I would like to thank my wife, my daughter, my family, my campaign team and all of my supporters for their unwavering dedication to our cause. Not once did they give up. As one Coach had said after a defeat, ‘Life goes on,’” Yanson said.

“Indeed, life goes on for me. I will continue to help Philippine Football through the “Football Para Sa Lahat” advocacy. I will continue the programs we’ve begun in Negros Occidental and will wholeheartedly partner with PFF in endeavors just like NOFA has done in the past. Nothing will change my love for the beautiful game.” Peter Atencio

Plana overall Chairman’s Cup champion JUN Plana gunned down several par-saving putts in the inward nine and made clutch birdies down the stretch to finish with a one-under 71 and emerge as the overall gross men’s champion in the Chairman’s Charity Cup Presented by Okada Manila held at the Manila Southwoods recently.

Plana shared equal podium honors with Lora Roberto, who had a level 72 for the overall ladies title, and Ricky Libago, who turned in a three-over 75 in the seniors’ category, in the event, held in honor of club chair Bob Sobrepena, which had the Autism Hearts Foundation as sole beneficiary.

In the regular men’s competitions, Jed Rosero topped Division I after scoring 41 Stableford points while Luis Tan’s 43 was the best output in Division II. Alex Santos signed for a 39 but won in Division III because of a lower handicap, the same as with Ronald Santiago, who shot 39 in Division IV. Claire Ong, Park Hye Young and Woo Jin Jo were triumphant in the ladies side.

Aside from Libago, the other elder golfers who went home with a trophy were Shean Bedi, Rex Salazar, Gus Adis and Jose Valle in the tournament that was also sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors/Alpine Motors, Royal Caribbean/Baron Travel, Mit-Air Sales Center, Agrexplore and Ogaawa.

Valle also brought home one of the grand prizes of an eight-day, sevennight Alaskan Cruise with airfare for two while Maria Fe Liza Jayme became the proud owner of a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 that was raffled off after no one made a holein-one.

Turf Company, Nutranta Inc. and Southwoods Club Fitter threw in their support with the CJH Golf Club, Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon San Jose Law Office, Club Leisure, Federal Management & Maintenance, Forest Hills, G&W and GG&A Club Shares, Greens N Turf, Golforce, Hydrotech Irrigation & Gen. Services, Mega Manila Pest Management, Minerva Sales, Nozomi Providers, Smart Probe, The Manor @CJH, Upside Down Museum and Warbird Securities.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

2 PAL crew members competing in games PHILIPPINE Airlines is raising the country’s flag for all Filipino athletes, two of whom are PAL crew competing in separate events.

PAL Captain Ditto Nestor Dinopol not only flies the Airbus A320 airplane in his day job, but will also vie for medals in shooting; while Flight Steward Christopher Policarpo is part of the Philippine Underwater Hockey team for the SEA Games.

Capt. “Dayno” Dinopol is a highly bemedaled practical shooter, having won a total of two gold and two silver medals at the 43rd Southeast Asia Shooting Championship in August 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The sharpshooting pilot will aim for a hometown victory at the shooting event on Dec. 3, 2019 at the Marine Corps Training Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

PAL Steward “Topz” Policarpo has been member of different underwater hockey teams, winning medals at the Australian National Underwater Hockey Championships - MVP in 2018 and gold medal in 2019, held in Perth; Asian Underwater Hockey Championship, silver in Jakarta 2015 & another silver in Beijing 2017; the 2015 Philippine National Games in Manila and the 2015 All Men’s Nations Cup in Jakarta.

Policarpo and his teammates are confident of winning more medals at the SEA Games underwater hockey event to be held at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite on Dec. 3, 2019.

As official carrier and one of the platinum sponsors, PAL has been flying in different SEA Games technical officials from participating countries.

PAL operates nonstop flights to Manila from eight Southeast Asian cities: Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Denpasar Bali.

Limited-edition SEA Games merchandise items coming from the PAL Boutique are available at the PAL booth-tents (called ‘FanZones’) located at the New Clark City in Tarlac; Subic; and selected venues in Metro Manila.

Flight Steward Christopher Policarpo, shown here holding the Philippine flag, is part of the Philippine Underwater Hockey team for the SEA Games.

SEA GAMES OPENING CEREMONIES

Rich Filipino culture in spotlight

By Peter Atencio

A

FESTIVAL of lights, sound and music depicting Filipino culture, physical dexterity and competitive spirit will be the centerpiece themes of the 30th Southeast Asian Games’ opening ceremonies Saturday at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, the first time the biennial meet commences in an indoor venue.

The hour-and-half spectacle, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature four major productions, each of which contains a musical performance, a dance and a textileinspired backdrop.

The show will be directed by Palanca award-winning writer and director Floy Quintos, who will be working with National Artist for Music and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Ryan Cayabyab, US-based Filipino companies Video Sonic and Stage Craft International Inc. and live content creator FiveCurrents, a 14-time Emmy Awardee, which produced the London 2012 and Sochi

2014 Winter Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies.

The performers will be led by international rap artist Apl d Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, singers Lani Misalucha (who will sing the Philippine National Anthem), Robert Sena, KZ Tandingan, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, the TNT Boys, Iñigo Pascual and Ana Fegi, together with folk dancers Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and hundreds of students from at least 12 different schools and colleges in Metro Manila.

The parade of athletes will be led by 11 beauty queens representing the participants of the games, with 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach being the Philippines’ muse.

Lea Salonga, who sang the games’ theme song “We Win As One,” will not be in attendance as she is out of the country for the musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.

Six athletes minus gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio will do the flag-bearing duties for the Philippine delegation.

Then, six sports greats led by Lydia de Vega-Mercado will carry the SEA Games Federation flag.

After that, boxing great Manny Pacquiao and Petecio will take care of the torch-bearing activities when the games are officially declared open.

The Team Philippines’ flagbearers include weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, skate-

New rule: 3rd Federation Council reaffirms support to PH player in 3-man tilt gets bronze A BRONZE medal can still be awarded even if there are only three countries entered in an event.

This new ruling was made known following a Southeast Asian Games Federation Council meeting yesterday in Clark Field, Pampanga.

SEA Games Executive Committee Chairman Celso Dayrit said this new rule was done upon the initiative of SEA Games Federation and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“The current rule is, if for instance in boxing, only 3 countries are entered in a certain weight category, only a gold and a silver medal are to be awarded. The third placer gets nothing,” said Dayrit.

Tolentino said that the Games are supposed to be “about the athletes.”

“So why penalize an athlete who sacrifices, trains and participates, places third and is deprived of a medal because other countries withdrew at the last minute? That’s not his fault,” said Tolentino.

The exemption from the current rule was sponsored by Prof. Charoen Watanasim of Thailand and got approved unanimously. Peter Atencio

THERE is a unanimous show of support for the Philippine hosting from members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, which had its meeting on Friday immediately before the official start of the 30th edition of the Games.

POC and SEA Games Federation President Abraham “ Bambol” Tolentino presided over the meeting at the Quest Hotel with all 11 member countries represented, assisted by Executive Committee Chairman Celso Dayrit.

Malaysian NOC President Mohamad Norza Zakaria said: “As the immediate past host of the SEA Games, we understand what you are going through and we express full support for all your efforts especially as this is the biggest ever, with a recordbreaking 56 sports.”

Normally, the games feature only about 36 or so disciplines.

Indonesian National Olympic Committee President Raja Sapta Oktohari echoed Zakaria’s statement saying “This hosting is historic and I commend my good friend President Tolentino for his pioneering effort in getting all these sports in the Philippine SEA GAMES.” The Games will open Saturday evening with colorful ceremonies at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, led by POC and SEA Games Federation President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino are shown here.

71 hopefuls join 2019 PBA Draft TWENTY-ONE aspirants beat Friday’s deadline for joining the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft.

In all, a total of 71 candidates made themselves available in the pool considered by observers as talent rich.

The 2019 PBA Rookie Draft will be held on Dec. 8 at the Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita.

Among the prospective first round picks are 6’8” Ateneo slotman Isaac Go and teammates Adrian Wong, Vince Tolentino and twins Matt and Mark Nieto.

Another Blue Eagle, Aaron Black, son of multi-titled Meralco coach Norman, San Sebastian shooting marksman Allyn Bulanadi, Adamson’s Sean Manganti, and Twin brothers Jayvee and Jaycee Marcelino of Lyceum, William McAloney of EAC, PCU’s Michael Ayonanyon and UE’s Rey Suerte are also among the bright choices for first round pick.

Applicants have until 5 p.m. of Saturday to withdraw.

Independent Filipino athletes get backing BLACKWATER, Ever Bilena Cosmetics’ personal grooming line, is all about bringing pride to the country as it supports independent athletes at the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Happening on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, the 2019 SEA Games will gather nearly 10,000 athletes from 11 nations, who will to participate in 530 events in 56 sports. As the sports event carries the theme “We Win As One,” Filipino athletes will try their best to raise the Philippine flag high and Blackwater will be backing some of them in this pursuit.

“I am a sportsman and it makes me happy when I see Filipino athletes succeed in the international arena. That’s why we are giving our support to inde-

pendent athletes because they are going to compete in the SEA Games practically on their own. I know that these athletes have worked so hard for so many years to bring pride to our nation and, in one way or another, we would like to help them and be a part of their success,” said Dioceldo Sy, president and CEO of Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. Blackwater has hand-picked their beneficiaries and all of them were introduced during a press conference at The Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

One of the said athletes is Jasmine Paler Alkhaldi, a 25-year-old swimmer who has represented the Philippines at the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics. A member of the Philip-

pine National Team since 2009, Alkhaldi has won 12 SEA Games medals -- two bronze medals in 2013, six bronze in 2015, and four bronze in 2017.

Another is 18-year-old wakeboarder Raphael Trinidad from Calamba, Laguna. The young athlete started wakeboarding at the age of 12. A few years later, he became the National Champion during the 9th Philippine Cable Wakeboarding Championship in 2015.

Since then, he has participated in several local and international competitions such as the IWWF Cable Wakeboard World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he won a silver medal in the Pro-Men Division.

Turn to A7

Alkhaldi

boarder Margielyn Didal, jiujitsu fighter Meggie Ochoa, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxer Felix Eumir and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe.

Mercado, who delivered honors for the country as sprinter in the instances that she represented the country in the SEA Games, will be joined by bowlers Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo, long jumper Elma Muros and boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said lighting of the actual cauldron situated in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac “will be a surprise.”

Meanwhile, the presence of all 11 competing nations in the 30th Philippine SEA Games was formally recognized on Friday morning during simple flagraising ceremonies held at the plaza of the Athletes Village at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

10,000 free tickets available AS per the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte, at least 10,000 tickets for the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games on December 11 at New Clark City in Tarlac will be given away for free to the public.

Apart from the closing, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Chair and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano announced earlier today that all sporting events are also free for public, with the exception of basketball, volleyball, and football, which are already sold-out or almost sold-out.

Tickets for the mentioned games which are not yet sold will be given away for free also.

The free tickets for the closing rites will be released at a few designated ticketing outlets, which locations will be announced later by PhiSGOC. Meanwhile, to maintain peace and order on all the sporting events, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee set a Clear Bag policy for the spectators who will be watching at the game venues games.

According to the committee, each person is limited to only one (1) plastic, vinyl or PVC bag, a transparent storage bag (which can be a one-gallon freezer bag, Ziploc bag or similar), or a small strapless clutch that do not exceed 4.5” in height and 6.5” in width.

Other kinds of bags such as backpacks, fanny packs, suitcases, purses, or duffle bags are strictly prohibited.

Apart from the mentioned, here is the list of the other prohibited items inside the game venues.

Venue security has the right to search all carried items, and confiscate any prohibited item upon entry.

IN BRIEF Liquidity rose 8.5% to P12.1t in October

DOMESTIC liquidity or the money supply circulating in the financial system expanded 8.5 percent to about P12.1 trillion in October year-on- year, faster than the 7.7-percent growth in September, driven primarily by the demand for credit, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

The regulator said on a month-onmonth seasonally-adjusted basis, domestic liquidity—also called M3—increased 0.9 percent.

“Demand for credit remained the principal driver of money supply growth.

Domestic claims grew by 6.7 percent in October from 7.5 percent in the previous month due mainly to the sustained growth in credit to the private sector,” the BSP said.

Loans for production activities continued to be driven by lending to key sectors such as real estate activities; financial and insurance activities; construction; electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply; and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Loans for household consumption increased due to the growth in motor vehicle loans, credit card loans, and salarybased general purpose consumption loans during the month. Julito G. Rada

Business

Hyundai sales down 6% in first 10 months

HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc., the official distributor of Korean automotive brand in the country, reported a 17-percent increase in sales in October to 2,856 units from 2,433 units in September.

Sales of passenger cars in October rose 13.6 percent to 1,457 units from the previous month’s 1,282 units, while those of light commercial vehicles jumped 22.6 percent to 1,359 units from 1,108 units a month ago.

Hyundai’s sales in the first 10 months of the year, however, dropped 6 percent to 27,618 units from 29,407 units yearon-year.

Despite the drop, Hyundai remains optimistic it can sustain its momentum in the last two months with seasonal consumer spending, benign inflation and lower interest rates.

“While we don’t compete in some segments of the market, our volumes remain strong, underpinned by the quality of our vehicles and our focus on excellent aftersales services. Our models per segment remain competitive and this bodes well for the Hyundai brand in the Philippines,” said HARI president and chief executive officer Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

Othel V. Campos

SM AWARD. SM Investments Corp. receives a gold award for its 2018 Sustainability Report for the second consecutive year from the National Center for Sustainability Reporting in the recently-held Asia Sustainability Reporting Rating (ASR Rating) 2019 in Indonesia. SM vice president for Sustainability Koleen Davila Palaganas (second from right) receives the award on SM’s behalf from the NCSR. With her are (from left) Prof. Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, chairman, Institute of Certified Sustainability Practitioners; Michele Lemmens, Regional Head, Global Reporting Initiative ASEAN Hub; and Dr. Ali Darwin, chairman, NCSR.

BSP sees slightly higher November inflation rate T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday inflation in November likely picked up slightly from 0.8 percent a month ago on higher fuel and food items.

The BSP Department of Economic Research said in a statement the November inflation would settle within the 0.9-percent to 1.7-percent range.

“The increase in electricity rates as well as higher prices of gasoline, LPG [liquefied petroleum gas], and selected food items are seen as the primary sources of upward price pressures for the month,” it said.

“Meanwhile, inflation could be tempered by lower domestic rice prices and the appreciation of the peso,” it said.

Inflation in October dipped to a 42-month low of 0.8 percent from 0.9

percent a month ago, tempered mainly by base effects and slower increases in the prices of food and oil.

The October print was also significantly slower compared to the peak of 6.7 percent in the same month last year.

Tye figure brought the average in the first 10 months to 2.6 percent, way below the midpoint of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year.

The benign inflation environment prompted the policy-making Monetary Board of the BSP on Sept. 26 to cut the policy interest rates by 25 basis points to 4 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were likewise cut to 3.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.

The board the following day reduced the reserve requirement of banks from 16 percent to 15 percent in a bid to infuse more liquidity into the financial system. Analysts estimate that around P90 billion worth of additional liquidity is unleashed to the financial system for every 1 percent cut in RRR. On Oct. 24, 2019, the Monetary Board cut again the reserve require-

ment ratios of universal, commercial and thrift banks by 100 basis points or one percentage points effective the first week of December.

The board complemented the move with a reduction in RRR for non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions. The reduction will be effective on the first day of the first reserve week of December 2019. Overall, the BSP cut by 400 basis points or 4 percent the RRR this year.

The RRR for universal and commercial banks now stood at 14 percent from 15 percent, and 4 percent from 5 percent for thrift banks.

Then on Nov. 14, 2019, the board kept its benchmark policy rates amid the easing inflation rate and expected acceleration of economic growth in the second half.

The Monetary Board decided to maintain the interest rate on the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase facility at 4 percent. Accordingly, the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were held unchanged at 3.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.

Grab open to fare setting monitoring by govt regulator

By Darwin G. Amojelar GRAB Philippines said it is open to the monitoring of its fare setting by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

“We respect and welcome the LTFRB’s intent to conduct a review to monitor our fare setting. Grab continues to work with our regulators, and we maintain our position that our fares remain to be compliant with the LTFRB’s fare matrix,” said Grab Philippines president Brian Cu. Grab issued the statement after LTFRB said it would conduct a review to monitor the ride-hailing firm’s fare setting in order to determine any violation on the current fare structure issued by the board.

LTFRB, however, clarified that Grab’s P23-million overcharging fine by Philippine Competition Commission pertains to the failure of Grab to fulfill its commitment to PCC as embodied in Grab’s undertaking which it voluntarily submitted to PCC. The agency further said it had nothing to do with LTFRB’s fare structure.

“The LTFRB remains committed to its mandate of providing a transparent, accountable, safe, and timely service to the riding public,” LTFRM said.

“The agency shall continue to work closely with the PCC regarding this issue,” it added.

Out of the P23 million penalty, some P5 million will go to its passengers as refund.

Grab earlier said some three million passengers, who took trip from February to May 2019, would get refund.

Grab, however, clarified that every Grab ride had always been compliant with the fare matrix set and approved by the LTFRB.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

B1

South Korea, PH sign social security pact

STI Holdings posts P157.8-m net profit

STI Holdings, owner of one of the largest networks of private schools in the Philippines, reported a net income of ₱157.8 million for the three-month period ending September 30, 2019.

The amount is 20 percent or ₱26 million higher than ₱131.8 million during the same period last year.

Based on its quarterly report submitted to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the company also said gross revenues rose four percent or ₱31.3 million to ₱797.4 million from ₱766.1 million in the second quarter of last school year.

Gross profit, meanwhile, increased by five percent or ₱25.2 million year-onyear.

The increase stemmed from the 41 percent growth in new enrollees under programs regulated by the Commission on Higher Education that the group posted for this school year, resulting in a total of 45,902 tertiary education population.

This, in turn, accounts for 55 percent of the company’s 83,967 total student population for the current school year.

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

RESEARCH CENTER. SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. teams up with the University of Asia and Pacific Foundation Inc. (UA&P Foundation) and the provincial government of Batangas for the construction of a research and development center in the southern Luzon province. In photo are (from left) SteelAsia vice chairman Adrian Cristobal Jr., SteelAsia chairman and chief executive officer Benjamin Yao, UA&PFI board of trustees vice president Bernardo Villegas, and Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas during the simple turnover ceremonies held recently at the UA&P campus in Ortigas.

San Miguel’s Ang lauds DPWH, DoTR for easing SLEX traffic woes AHEAD of the December 1 opening of a new, two-lane Alabang-Skyway ramp, and the reopening of a third lane at the at-grade section, San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang lauded government’s efforts to ensure the project would be completed in time.

“Given the tight timetable we had to implement major engineering and construction works, we could not have completed the new ramp and the initial phase of construction for the Skyway Extension, without the “bayanihan” spirit demonstrated by the team of President Rodrigo Duterte, led by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation (DoTR),” Ang said.

“Recognizing both the importance of

the project and addressing the current traffic situation, the DPWH, through Secretary Mark Villar, lent us muchneeded resources, including bridge construction materials, to ensure that the new ramp will be built in time,” he added.

The ramp is part of preliminary works for the Skyway Extension project, a P10-billion initiative by Ssn Miguel to ease traffic on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), by giving motorists access to the Skyway from Susana Heights and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX).

“With the new ramp and the reopening of the third at-grade lane, northbound traffic will now have up to five lanes during rush hours. This is already a big improvement from what we had

prior to the start of construction, which was just three lanes on the Alabang viaduct and Skyway at-grade,” Ang said.

“With this, we expect the current traffic situation to improve, even as we continue construction of the Skyway Extension, which is set for completion by 2020,” he added.

“Apart from the DPWH, the DOTR, under Secretary Art Tugade, and the local government of Muntinlupa, led by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and the Council, were also a big help,” Ang said.

“Whatever help we needed, they were there to extend support. Because of their collective efforts and teamwork, we were able to complete all the work that was needed to ease the current traffic situation and lay the groundwork for the Skyway Extension,” he said.

MORE than 60,000 Filipinos in South Korea will soon enjoy the benefits of social security coverage and protection both from their host and mother countries following the signing of the bilateral agreement between the two countries on Nov. 25, 2019, state-run pension fund Social Security System said Friday.

Five agreements were signed during the sidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to South Korea for the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, including the Social Security Agreement that will address social security coverage of Filipinos in South Korea and Koreans in the Philippines.

“After almost 15 years, we are very glad that we have finally secured an agreement with South Korea that will ensure the protection of social security rights for the benefit and welfare of the respective nationals of both countries,” SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio said in a statement.

“The long wait is over, and we are now confident that we are nearing our goal to protect all Filipino workers inside and outside the Philippines from the hazards of the sudden loss of income due to unexpected contingencies,” Ignacio said.

Signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin and Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, the renegotiated SSA addressed the concerns of overseas Filipino workers in Korea where their social security coverage will remain under Korea’s National Pension Service.

The renegotiated agreement also provides an option for OFWs to refund their NPS contributions at the end of their overseas employment contract under the same conditions given to Korean nationals.

“We listened to the calls of our OFWs before, that’s why this is allowed even if it is believed that the other option of leaving behind their contributions under the National Pension Act of Korea for future benefit entitlement is more beneficial,” said Ignacio.

“We want our OFWs to understand that we are very much willing to listen to their concerns and if we could make ways to meet their demands, we’ll do it. In the end, it is really their welfare that we care much about,” she added.

Julito G. Rada

NEDA clears 7 big projects worth P187b THE board of the National Economic and Development Authority Board approved on Nov. 29 seven new projects amounting to P187.34 billion, which include three from the Department of Transportation, three from Department of Public Works and Highways, and one to be implemented by the Department of Health.

“Five out of seven of these new projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region. This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia in a statement.

The DOTr projects include the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol Panglao International Airport and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system for Davao City; the Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol International Airport project covers operations and maintenance and enhancement of the airport; and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport aims to address NAIA’s capacity constraint by reconfiguring and renovating facilities and enhancing O&M. The other four new projects include Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway; Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project; and Camarines Sur HighSpeed Highway of the DPWH; and the Development Objective Assistance Agreement: Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH. The Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway will provide access to various tourism sites and give a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan; the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project will reduce travel time and reliability constraints currently experienced through the use of ferry services; and the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway will serve as an alternate route from Legazpi or Caramoan to Manila, and vice versa. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; Fruitas up slightly

T

HE stock market fell Friday as investors wound down for the end of the month, while awaiting news of progress on China-US trade talks but with optimism tainted by the row over Hong Kong.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 29.70 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,738.96 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Losers routed gainers, 125 to 63, with 48 issues unchanged.

DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group, slumped 5.1 percent to P6.50, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, dropped 2.9 percent to P66.25.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest bank, declined 2.3 percent

to P85.95, but Fruitas Holdings Inc. rose 1.8 percent to P1.71 in its market debut from an initial public offering price of P1.68.

The rest of Asian markets fell on Friday.

Donald Trump’s decision to sign a bill in support of pro-democracy protesters in the city and back their rights sparked warnings of retaliation from Beijing and fueled fears for negotiations on a mini trade deal that are in their final straight.

However, China has not detailed what its response to the Hong Kong law will be and observers say it is unlikely to do anything to derail a tariffs agreement owing to its weakening economy.

“China’s threats to retaliate over the US Hong Kong law will probably remain just that; threats,” said Jeffrey Halley at OANDA. “China has its own issues, especially around corporate debt and regional bank

credit quality. It can ill-afford to waste any progress so far. Pragmatism should overcome anger.”

Still, the threat of serious measures continues to weigh on sentiment and with US markets closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, there were few catalysts to buy for Asian traders.

Hong Kong was the biggest loser, dropping two percent, while Shanghai fell 0.6 percent and Tokyo shed 0.5 percent.

Singapore lost 0.4 percent, and Seoul dropped 1.5 percent after the South Korean central bank lowered its growth outlook and decided against cutting interest rates despite the economy struggling.

Taipei dropped more than one percent and Mumbai fell 0.9 percent. However, Jakarta and Wellington posted healthy gains.

“Markets are on a sort of ‘wait and

hold’ in terms of that phase-one trade deal,” David Riley of BlueBay Asset Management told Bloomberg TV. “If there is a skinny deal, that will allow markets and risk assets to grind higher even if there is no real prospect of a phase two or subsequent detailed negotiation occurring this side of US Presidential elections.”

But AxiTrader’s Stephen Innes said investors “are probably getting a tad jittery about turning the page on November without a trade talk venue as December 15 and the possible imposition of 15 percent tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese goods looms ominously”.

On currency markets, the pound held gains on expectations the ruling Conservatives will win next month’s general election, allowing it to push through Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit agreement and avoid a no-deal divorce from the European Union. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Friday, noveMBer 29, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 53.7 60 85.95 2,641,780 1.85 1,000 151.8 1,081,930 25.1 32,900 18.2 10,000 12.82 553,600 4.25 206,000 0.38 50,000 66.25 2,132,190 0.85 5,000 12.7 9,100 22.15 1,300 37.5 501,100 176.2 1,550 57.6 500 24.75 59,600 205 547,740 1,805 255 59.55 1,480 1.06 744,000

3,222 228,536,549.50 1,850 164,323,475 829,105 182,000 7,079,082 849,190 19,000 141,696,918.50 4,250 115,570 26,815 18892950 272,104 28,800 1,484,185 111,844,032 461,015 87,485 788,640

-99,298,099 -55,447,593 17,680 4,441,982 11,400 -42,278,478 -10832194.9996 -83,914 -547,015 -39,742,568 -

34 2.45 12.84 0.57 1.23 3.3 0.225 2.25 15 5.03 64.65 67.7 1.99 5.33 5.25 8.73 14.88 10.3 7.18 23.5 75.05 1.71 40 1.87 13.64 7.8 1.32 192 4.65 3.56 7.75 18.5 12.12 16.9 315 5.25 1.32 4.5 9.9 11.08 32.8 4.96 5.45 1.92 0.94 10.64 88.5 8.65 0.115 1 150 1.1 0.93

INDUSTRIAL 34.45 1,197,100 2.46 3,497,000 13.96 848,900 0.57 624,000 1.25 65,000 3.35 8,702,000 0.238 210,000 2.28 1,220,000 15.22 175,500 5.08 527,000 70 1,110 67.7 700 2.06 842,000 5.33 12,000 5.25 8,200 8.77 333,400 14.98 227,000 10.3 464,200 7.2 301,600 25 2,292,000 75.05 192,480 1.71 675,655,000 40.5 10,800 1.87 7,490,000 13.96 148,700 7.86 29,200 1.32 183,000 192 779,240 4.75 95,000 3.56 5,000 8.2 15,200 18.7 1,480,400 12.5 125,900 17.08 1,029,900 319 67,140 5.25 1,100 1.32 2,741,000 4.54 473,000 10 42,000 11.08 10,000 33.1 806,700 4.96 53,000 5.46 5,400 1.95 2,368,000 0.99 134,000 10.78 2,083,900 90 26,780 8.67 561,500 0.115 7,950,000 1.04 542,000 150.1 798,680 1.11 4,134,000 0.94 1,586,000

40919575 8,625,370 11,656,696 363,720 80,010 29,631,130 47,560 2,769,020 2,656,472 2,684,346 72,350 47,453 1,699,520 63,990 43,170 2,920,911 3,399,660 4,781,424 2,170,948 56,831,295 14447501.5 1,409,662,200 433,970 14,358,480 2,062,562 228,995 242,480 150,808,104 450,140 17,830 119,202 27,691,040 1,573,528 17,607,432 21,394,758 5,817 3,690,310 2,147,540 419,610 110,800 26,670,865 263,360 29,456 4,657,560 130,920 22,445,156 2,404,260.50 4,922,973 932,490 545,530 119,890,072 4,624,430 1,517,620

-15972264.9996 -614,480 -265,222 6,810,250 -410,050 2,019,670 -4,306 -8,425 -1,431,321 -3,202,760 -2,747,044 -334,548 52,718,665 -13169968.5 4,087,350 -116,600 -272,910 -951,202 1,511 549,196 780 -3,541,738 -40,204.00 -1,992,188 2,651,440 582,990 -191,710 -9,910 19,608,300 9,600 -2,492,212 108,672.50 986,764.00 200,000 -80,892,794 7,910.00 91,550

0.79 49.5 11.18 0.74 6.8 12.5 0.94 0.97 807.5 3.4 7 6.83 13.38 0.209 895.5 5.4 77.9 5.4 5.22 0.51 4.07 11.86 0.57 4.35 0.039 1.4 3 161 2.25 1,090 0.8 1.26 219 0.223 0.213

0.76 48.25 11.04 0.7 6.75 12.2 0.92 0.95 795.5 3.38 6.75 6.5 13 0.209 880 5.33 75.5 5.09 5.22 0.5 4.03 11.06 0.54 4.28 0.037 1.24 3 157 2.25 1,056 0.78 1.22 213.4 0.223 0.211

HOLDING FIRMS 0.76 10,014,000 48.95 1,883,600 11.06 20,421,100 0.73 217,000 6.75 800 10,200 12.48 0.94 1,173,000 0.97 455,000 806 261,870 3.39 2,506,000 6.81 389,900 6.5 31,555,100 13.38 1,500 0.209 100,000 894.5 81,560 5.4 7,061,400 76.9 1,193,710 5.2 41,200 5.22 700 0.5 20,000 4.04 477,000 11.06 3,108,100 0.56 402,000 4.3 12,528,000 0.037 169,600,000 1.39 1,114,000 3 3,000 159.2 28,200 2.25 9,000 1,060 282,645 0.78 264,000 1.26 58,000 219 720 0.223 480,000 0.211 450,000

7,681,290 92,042,310 226,053,712 153,310 5,425 124,764 1,091,920 433,550 210,504,385 8,473,670 2,655,707 208,607,217 19,976 20,900 72,948,380 38,131,490 91,514,031 209,989 3,654 10,100 1927470 34,575,260 220,840 53,890,480 6,376,000 1,491,100 9,000 4,477,015 20,250 299,676,575 206,740 71,310 155,896 107,040 95,300

304,070 -25,532,215 -27,636,634 142,500 -17,416,590 -368,630 -413,038 -42,821,978 -2,620 7,958,680 -164,700 -22,715,390 -1725169.9998 18,429,762 2,506,980 263,800 -109,500 -1,104,992 -191,345,130 -

14.86 0.74 8.86 1.62 0.87 45.5 2.04 4.75 6.5 0.59 0.195 0.415 10.34 19.8 0.44 0.121 1.57 1.22 4.57 0.225 1.3 0.34 2.02 26.3

14.84 0.7 8.86 1.52 0.83 44.7 1.98 4.64 6.23 0.57 0.18 0.41 10.18 19.04 0.44 0.121 1.53 1.22 4.38 0.217 1.25 0.33 2 25.85

PROPERTY 14.86 49,700 0.71 1,835,000 8.86 2,900 1.6 240,000 0.83 2,517,000 45.5 7,226,900 2.04 148,000 4.7 211,000 6.47 77,200 0.58 28,449,000 0.18 28,920,000 0.41 1,010,000 10.34 30,500 19.6 359,300 0.44 410,000 0.121 20,000 1.54 6,277,000 1.22 15,000 4.43 14,306,000 0.217 16,760,000 1.27 1,531,000 0.33 310,000 2.01 189,000 1,727,700 26.2

737,566 1,292,940 25,694 379,150 2,105,430 326,715,450 299,060 993,320 497,816 16,611,190 5,245,190 414,250 312,212 6,969,790 180,400 2,420 9,685,160 18,300 63,338,440 3,670,120 1,945,350 104,300 379,860 45,247,200

-4,452 8,400 164,091,135 -12,130 -20,704 -57,230 2,623,100 -139,192 -5,491,710 -28,071,620 44,000 126,500 -14,771,600

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

53.7 88.2 1.85 154.8 25.3 18.2 12.88 4.14 0.38 67.9 0.85 12.7 20.5 38.3 173 57.6 25 204 1,879 59.55 1.06

53.7 88.4 1.85 154.8 25.3 18.2 12.92 4.3 0.38 67.9 0.85 12.7 22.15 38.35 176.2 57.6 25.05 205 1,879 59.55 1.06

53.7 85.6 1.85 151.1 25 18.2 12.7 4.1 0.38 66.25 0.85 12.7 20.5 37.5 173 57.6 24.75 199.4 1,805 59 1.06

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY 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 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA 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

34.05 2.51 13.94 0.59 1.23 3.58 0.239 2.31 15.2 5.3 70 67.85 2.02 5.34 5.3 8.8 15.18 10.4 7.23 23.95 75.75 1.82 41 1.99 13.72 7.8 1.34 195 4.78 3.59 7.97 18.7 12.5 17.26 315 5.65 1.37 4.57 9.9 11.08 33.15 4.97 5.47 1.99 1.01 10.9 89 8.88 0.121 1.02 150 1.13 0.98

34.55 2.51 13.96 0.6 1.25 3.58 0.239 2.34 15.22 5.3 70 67.85 2.08 5.34 5.45 8.8 15.18 10.4 7.23 25 75.75 2.45 41 1.99 13.96 7.99 1.34 196 4.78 3.59 8.2 19.38 12.7 17.26 319.8 5.65 1.39 4.6 10 11.08 33.2 4.98 5.47 2 1.01 10.9 90 9 0.121 1.04 151.6 1.14 0.98

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 HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.79 48.25 11.06 0.7 6.8 12.5 0.92 0.95 806 3.4 6.95 6.83 13 0.209 880 5.4 76.3 5.1 5.22 0.51 4.06 11.86 0.55 4.28 0.038 1.25 3 160 2.25 1,090 0.8 1.22 215 0.223 0.212

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

14.84 0.73 8.86 1.52 0.84 44.7 1.98 4.75 6.47 0.59 0.189 0.415 10.24 19.5 0.44 0.121 1.56 1.22 4.56 0.225 1.29 0.34 2.01 25.9

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

2.12 3.2 39 2.42 1.36 7.57 5.46

2.2 3.2 39.2 2.49 1.38 7.6 5.5

2.12 3.18 38.85 2.39 1.28 7.53 5.12

2.14 3.2 39 2.44 1.33 7.6 5.5

56,000 9,000 6,758,800 785,000 12,283,000 2,416,400 68,900

119,640 28,680 263664125 1,899,080 16,359,730 18,310,533 359,216

38,600 -28,680 -44674479.9998 -10,129,046 -41,040

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

9.86 17.2 1.52 11.52 0.47 0.038 18.26 2.94 11.46 92.7 5.99 5.19 9.15 1,900 5.2 419 9.89 1.17 1.85 121.2 7.9 4.08 0.103 4.27 2.22 13.98 2.81 0.9 18.04 0.405 3.39 2.25 1.05 1.03 11.56 2.95 2.52 7.75 4.94 150 2.76 1,088 0.63 0.5 40.5 76 9.04 2.65 0.66 0.295 0.62 18.1

10.1 17.46 1.52 11.52 0.47 0.04 18.26 2.94 11.46 92.7 5.99 5.19 9.15 1,940 5.23 422 10.54 1.17 1.85 124 7.9 4.2 0.103 4.27 2.25 13.98 2.82 0.9 18.3 0.415 3.39 2.29 1.05 1.03 11.56 2.95 2.52 7.8 4.94 150 2.76 1,090 0.63 0.5 40.5 79 9.15 2.65 0.67 0.295 0.62 18.58

9.83 17 1.5 11.4 0.46 0.037 18 2.75 11.1 91.8 5.75 5.19 8.68 1,900 5.17 410 9.89 1.12 1.72 121.1 7.9 4.08 0.103 4.05 2.05 13.98 2.75 0.9 17.72 0.39 3.39 2.23 1.05 1.03 11.56 2.69 2.5 7.6 4.94 149.9 2.7 1,075 0.62 0.46 40.1 74.5 9 2.57 0.66 0.27 0.59 18.02

SERVICES 10.08 17.44 1.5 11.52 0.465 0.04 18 2.83 11.14 92.5 5.85 5.19 8.74 1,940 5.2 410 10.54 1.13 1.72 123.6 7.9 4.2 0.103 4.09 2.24 13.98 2.75 0.9 18 0.415 3.39 2.29 1.05 1.03 11.56 2.84 2.5 7.65 4.94 149.9 2.75 1,075 0.62 0.49 40.15 79 9 2.64 0.67 0.275 0.61 18.5

12,400 53,800 69,000 3,450,300 2,850,000 42,900,000 252,100 1,488,000 580,600 86,970 274,700 2,200 68,600 39,520 60,800 3,760 800 2,434,000 42,000 588,410 800 8,000 300,000 3,422,000 31,000 2,300 366,000 121,000 601,300 2,380,000 71,000 162,000 2,000 10,000 100 4,265,000 24,000 35,900 1,000 1,210 206,000 75,745 1,039,000 18,890,000 98,200 107,350 33,000 2,230,000 2,237,000 11,910,000 2,761,000 2,903,100

123,974 922,566 104,630 39,712,274 1,314,600 1,663,700 4,537,852 4,203,500 6,475,690 8,042,989.50 1,597,721 11,418 599,875 76,373,645 315,393 1,565,952 7,977 2,765,900 76,410 72,591,304 6,320 33,060 30,900 14,032,170 68,690 32,154 1,017,740 108,900 10,803,294 950,950 240,690 364,470 2,100 10,300 1,156 11,911,350 60,300 276,065 4,940 181,488 558,740 81,567,980 645,750 9,150,500 3,948,075 8,466,407 297,340 5,819,260 1,482,640 3,387,250 1,670,860 53,575,140

-19,760 -656,282 -4,650 4,534,200 -237,720 -3,322,632 4,139,768 -77,947 13,110 24,362,970 25,160 26,576,607 33,060 122,570 -341,220 -7,008,704 63,350 -50,300 -159,000 -29,880 -15,305,705 -82,850 48,970 22,485 -5,406,186 3,815,560 295,680 94,050.00 29,621,816

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

0.0015 9.74 1.06 2.55 11.46 2.52 7.23 1.72 0.212 0.099 0.104 1 3.21 1.05 0.5 0.8 0.011 0.011 3.28 10.6 21.85

0.0015 9.74 1.07 2.55 11.46 2.54 7.55 1.75 0.212 0.101 0.104 1.02 3.24 1.06 0.52 0.82 0.012 0.011 3.3 10.8 21.95

0.0015 9.01 1.06 2.4 11.46 2.52 7.22 1.64 0.199 0.099 0.102 0.95 3.02 1.03 0.49 0.79 0.011 0.01 3.28 10.48 21.75

MINING & OIL 0.0015 2,000,000 9.09 942,100 1.07 1,063,000 2.4 161,000 11.46 100 2.54 526,000 7.55 1,200 1.65 9,119,000 0.206 750,000 0.099 500,000 0.102 400,000 0.97 1,275,000 3.09 14,775,000 1.03 33,000 0.49 164,000 0.82 176,000 0.012 33,000,000 0.011 36,100,000 3.3 104,000 10.48 267,500 21.8 571,700

3,000 8,639,884 1,130,180 398,500 1,146 1,331,840 8,924 15,155,110 152,300 49,800 41,200 1,262,980 46,119,610 34,360 80,905 140,640 378,000 396,200 341,280 2,811,038 12,462,040

-503,733 37,450 2,550 -7,748,440 -39,160 407,500 -18,450,920 2,100 612,580

LR PREF ABS HLDG PDR SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2C HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF DD PREF FPH PREF C GLO PREF P AC PREF B2R AC PREF B1 GTCAP PREF B PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3A

1.01 16.8 75.1 75.2 75.3 75.8 78.4 98 100.1 101 499 500 505 509 995 1,026 1,028

1.01 16.8 75.95 75.5 75.45 75.8 78.4 98 101 101 499 500 505 509 1,000 1,028 1,030

1 16.8 75.05 75.15 75.3 75.2 77.95 97.05 100.1 100.1 499 500 501 509 995 1,024 1,028

PREFERRED 1.01 449,000 16.8 5,900 75.95 11,000 75.15 19,030 75.45 17,520 75.2 5,060 78 6,260 97.05 510 101 30 100.1 1,020 499 50 500 4,000 501 5,400 509 920 1,000 3,370 1,028 110 1,030 1,050

450,750 99,120 830,840 1,432,881.50 1,319,985 380,548 488,251.50 49,970.50 3,021 102,120 24,950 2,000,000 2,706,140 468,280 3,353,200 112,700 1,081,400

-99,120 -1,929,150 -

LR WARRANT

1.55

1.55

1.55

WARRANTS 1.55 1,000

1,550

-

2,455,500 16,053,672 4,444,120

471,710 -16,860 171,900

1,415,124

-

11,712

-

NAME

MS ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

4.37 11.62 0.88

4.37 11.62 0.89

4.18 10.84 0.86

FIRST METRO ETF

116.7

116.9

116

USD TECH B2

0.96

0.96

0.96

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,988,079

INDUSTRIAL

801,851,607

HOLDING FIRMS

284,891,658

PROPERTY

137,764,115

SERVICES

110,107,693

MINING & OIL

101,978,502

GRAND TOTAL

1,454,742,714

4.23 11 0.86

SME

579,000 1,444,000 5,120,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116 12,160 0.96

DDS

12,200

VALUE 1,841.80 (down) 29.74 888,413,431.50 FINANCIAL 9,781.29 (down) 4.11 INDUSTRIAL 2,188,305,500.39 7,630.43 (down) 31.63 HOLDING FIRMS 1,829,359,366.97 PROPERTY 4,043.60 (up) 17.39 1,546.48 (up) 1.24 SERVICES 909,141,773.067 8,054,07 (down) 155.31 MINING & OIL 436,339,477.20 7,738.96 (down) 29.70 PSEI 90,949,925.94 All Shares Index 4,632.84 (down) 18.11 6,366,902,301.07 Gainers: 63; Losers: 125; Unchanged: 48; Total: 236

SEC reviews Suncity Group investment in Suntrust Home

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing the investment of Hong Kong’s Suncity Group Holdings Ltd. in Suntrust Home Developers Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan to determine if some of the provisions of the Securities Regulation Code were violated.

SEC commissioner Ephyro Luis Amatong said in an interview Friday the Market Securities and Regulation Department was conducting the review.

Amatong said the review would determine if the Suncity Group would be required to conduct a tender offer to minority shareholders and possible violations that were committed.

“Initial representation to us is that there is no need for tender offer because control was achieved by the Hong Kong entity through purchases from the market. But MSRD is now looking to into that claim to verify. We are determining if no tender offer would have been appropriate,” Amatong said.

Suncity Group through its whollyowned unit Fortune Noble Ltd. last month acquired a 51-percent stake in Suntrust by purchasing 847.5 million in secondary shares through the open market from October 23 to 25.

Suntrust will also issue 5 billion common shares out of the increase in the company’s authorized capital stock.

Fortune will subscribe 2.55 billion shares of 5 billion shares while Suntrust parent Megaworld Corp. will buy 2.177 billion shares.

The Philippine Stock Exchange earlier suspended the trading of Suntrust shares, saying the deal was covered by the backdoor listing rule of the exchange.

It lifted the trading suspension after Suntrust submitted a comprehensive disclosure on the transaction.

Meanwhile, PSE president Ramon Monzon said the exchange was still waiting for the SEC’s stand on whether Suncity would be required to conduct a tender offer or not.

Suncity acquired the majority stake in Suntrust in a bid to join the development of Westside City Resorts World, an integrated resort and casino also owned by billionaire businessman Andrew Tan. Suntrust under the agreement will lease the Westside City Resorts project site for development of the main hotel casino. Suntrust will also be the appointed as the sole and exclusive operator and manager of the main hotel casino.

Vivant Energy set to buy shares of ET-Vivant partner

By Alena Mae S. Flores VIVANT Energy Corp. will acquire the shares of its joint venture partner in ETVivant Solar Corp. in a bid to bring new customer solutions and increase renewable energy portfolio.

Vivant Corp. disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange renewable energy unit Vivant Energy signed a deed of sale agreement with ET Energy Pilipinas Holding Corp.

“We took full control of the solar business because we want to provide total energy solutions to businesses that face the everyday challenge of managing their power-related costs,” said Vivant Energy chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia.

“We are currently working on a new brand that consolidates all of our business to business customer-facing energy solutions, one of which will be rooftop solar,” Garcia said.

Vivant Energy’s move contributes to an expanding renewables portfolio, which includes Sabang Renewable Energy Corp. that operates a hybrid power plant—combining solar panels, battery and diesel engines—and electricity distribution system.

Sabang recently began providing stable, reliable and renewable power in Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa City as authorized by the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“ET Energy Pilipinas was our partner in joint venture to develop rooftop solar projects. We acquired shares of the joint venture company,” said Vivant Energy vice president for commercial affairs and ET-Vivant chief operating officer Mark Habana.

Under the agreement, ETEPHC will sell to Vivant Energy 8,858,484 paid-up preferred shares and assign the rights over the 9,141,516 subscribed but unpaid preferred shares of ETEPHC in ET-Vivant Solar.

B3

World

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Mexico City’s traffic chaos a matter of life and death

AFTERMATH. Rescue teams and firefighters carry a victim found under the rubble of a collapsed building in the town of Durres,

western Albania, on November 28, 2019, after the strongest earthquake in decades hit the country. The death toll from the most powerful earthquake to strike Albania in decades rose to 40 after more bodies were pulled from the wreckage overnight in a tragedy that has wiped out whole families. The 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked the Balkan state while people were sleeping just before 4:00 am (0300 GMT) on November 26, razing buildings and trapping victims beneath the debris in towns near the Adriatic coast. AFP

MEXICO CITY―It’s a peculiar scene: in the middle of a busy Mexico City intersection, police officers earnestly blow their whistles, instructing oncoming traffic to stop―as indifferent drivers speed past them by the dozens.

Undeterred, the cars waiting on the cross street enter the intersection, too. They zigzag to avoid the others, sending pedestrians running for their lives as they try to cross Chapultepec Avenue, one of Mexico City’s vital but horribly clogged arteries.

“You have to be on the look-out. Here, cars run red lights, they ignore pedestrian crossings,” says one, Regina Serratos.

“Nobody stops for anybody,” adds her friend Ruben Esposito. “It’s horrible.”

The police standing guard wave their arms and blow their whistles constantly, but issue exactly zero traffic violations.

To the outside observer, this chaotic scene, set to a soundtrack of blaring horns and screeching tires, looks like something out of Dante. For residents of the Mexican capital, it is just another morning commute.

“The police blow their whistles, but no one cares. Public authorities are perceived as corrupt bribe-grubbers here. No one trusts them or respects them,” a high-ranking official at city hall told AFP, speaking on

HK set for fresh weekend rallies as police end siege of university H ONG KONG― Hong Kong police on Friday ended their two-week siege of a university campus that became a battleground with pro-democracy protesters as activists vowed to hold fresh rallies and strikes in the coming days.

Renewed calls to hit the streets came after Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam refused further political concessions despite a landslide victory for pro-democracy parties in local elections last weekend.

Sunday’s district council polls delivered a stinging rebuke to the financial hub’s pro-Beijing establishment and

undermined their argument that a silent majority were tired of the nearly six months of increasingly violent protests.

They also ushered in a rare period of calm following weeks of spiraling unrest, with no clashes or tear gas battles between protesters and police for more than a week.

But the calm spell looks set to end as public anger grows once more over the lack of response to the election results

by Beijing and Hong Kong’s leaders.

In China this week, state media has sought to downplay and discredit the weekend ballot while Lam, who boasts record-low approval ratings, has acknowledged public dissatisfaction but ruled out further concessions.

“I have every confidence that Hong Kong can bounce back as we always do,” Lam told reporters on Friday during an official visit to Thailand.

But online forums used to organize the

mass movement have filled with calls for a major rally on Sunday and a strike on Monday targeting the morning commute.

“If the communist Hong Kong government ignores public opinion, we will blossom everywhere for five or six days straight... We have to set a deadline,” read one post on the Reddit-like LIHKG forum, which got heavy approval from users.

The calls raise the specter of a return to the kind of weekly political chaos that has battered Hong Kong for nearly six months and helped tip the city into recession.

Hundreds of office workers held flash-mob rallies during their Friday lunch break in multiple locations across the city, prompting the deployment of riot police but the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Earlier in the day police said they were closing the book on one of the most violent chapters of the protest

movement—the siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The sprawling red-brick campus became a battleground on November 17 between police and protesters armed with bows and arrows as well as Molotov cocktails.

The standoff settled into a tense stalemate during which hundreds fled the campus―some making daring escapes, others caught and beaten by officers during failed breakouts―leaving a dwindling core of holdouts surrounded Manila Standard by police cordons.

TODAY After university leaders said almost all protesters had left, police teams moved in on Thursday to gather more than 4,000 Molotov cocktails and other weapons left behind after the occupation.

On Friday afternoon police removed the cordons surrounding the campus and departed, ending the 13-day siege. AFP

New Zealand raises measles aid to Samoa WELLINGTON―New Zealand announced extra aid for Samoa Friday as the Pacific nation’s measles epidemic raced past 3,000 cases and experts warned the number could double before the crisis was over.

Samoa’s government said the death toll from the outbreak had reached 42, up three in 24 hours, while the overall number of cases rose by 213 to 3,149 over the same period.

“The Samoan health system is under serious strain, with growing numbers of people, many of whom are very young, needing complex care as a result of the measles outbreak,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

He said Wellington was sending 100,000 doses of measles vaccine to Samoa, enough to immunize half the 200,000 population. UNICEF has already dispatched 110,000 doses.

Peters said more medical specialists were on their way from Wellington to help with Samoa’s compulsory vaccination program, as well as a much-needed oxygen-producing machine.

“New Zealand is also looking to provide psychological support for health workers in Samoa, who have been confronted with some distressing cases in very demanding conditions,” he added.

Australia has also sent medics to the island nation, and a 13-strong team of doctors and nurses from Britain is due to arrive on Sunday.

Infants aged four or under account for 38 of the deaths since the outbreak began in mid-October and the government said another 20 children were critically ill in hospital.

University of Auckland vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris said the climbing infection rates showed the outbreak was yet to peak and there could be 4,500 to 6,500 before they started trending downwards. AFP

condition of anonymity.

“Not to mention the fact that drivers usually have no idea why they’re being whistled at,” he said.

There is a reason for that.

Like several states across the country, Mexico City―whose greater urban area is home to more than 20 million people―does not require an exam to obtain a driver’s license. An ID, proof of residence and a fee of 754 pesos (about $40) are all it takes.

There is also the fact that the city government has defined the traffic police’s priority as keeping traffic moving.

Pedestrians and cyclists—whose protection is, notably, not the priority—have good reason to be afraid.

“Bikes and electric scooters are like motorcycles: a plague. Sometimes I try to watch out for them, and sometimes I don’t,” said taxi driver Jose-Carlos Mendoza, 59, from behind the wheel of his Chevy as he weaved through the traffic in a brutal staccato of stops and starts.

The city’s road accident statistics make for sobering reading.

There were 365,167 of them last year, according to the national statistics institute.

They killed 4,227 people—an average of nearly 12 per day—and injured 89,191. AFP

IN BRIEF Lennon’s sunglasses to be auctioned LONDON―A pair of John Lennon’s trademark round sunglasses are going up for auction along with a parking ticket given to Beatles drummer Ringo Starr―items kept for half a century by a former driver for the band.

Alan Herring, who worked as a chauffeur for Starr and bandmate George Harrison in the late 60s, said Lennon had given him the glasses after leaving them on the back seat of his Mercedes.

“When John got out of the car I noticed that he’d left these sunglasses on the back seat and one lens and one arm had become disconnected,” he said.

“I asked John if he’d like me to get them fixed for him. He told me not to worry, that they were just for the look.”

The vintage glasses and the parking ticket―issued on April 25, 1969 in London outside the band’s own label Apple Records― will be sold online by Sotheby’s with other Beatles memorabilia next month.

Herring said the decision to sell the objects was an emotional one, but that “the memories I have of this very special time in my life working with the Beatles are far more important to me”.

The brown, creased ￡2 parking ticket is expected to fetch ￡1,500 ($1,900, 1,700 euro), while the sunglasses-which Herring never did get mended-could sell for ￡8,000.

Other items going under the hammer between December 6 to 13 include a cigarette lighter kept in Herring’s car, shirts worn by the Fab Four and Harrison’s guitar with a predicted price of ￡60,000. AFP

Hong Kong Airlines delays salaries

LIGHTNING RALLY. People attend a lunchtime flash mob rally in the Cheung Sha Wan district on November 29, 2019. -Hong Kong has been battered by months of mass rallies and violent clashes pitting police against protesters who are agitating for direct popular elections of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's government, as well as a probe into alleged police brutality. AFP

Global climate protests kick off in Sydney SYDNEY―Protesters in smoke-covered Sydney kicked off a fresh round of global demonstrations against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of bush fire-ravaged Australia’s ruling party.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the offices of the conservative Liberal party, as protesters in several Asia-Pacific cities heeded the call to action from 16-year-old climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The protests have taken on extra urgency in Australia―the country’s southeast has been devastated by hundreds of damaging bush fires in recent weeks.

Brandishing placards that read “You’re burning our future” and chanting “we will rise”, the demonstrators turned out as Sydney was again enveloped in toxic smoke caused by the fires that have blanketed the city for much of the last month.

“My home town was on the front lines,”

said student Sam Galvin who was protesting in Melbourne. “That kind of shocked me into realizing that this is something that is happening and it’s time I do something about it.”

Six people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the crisis, which scientists say has been worsened by rising temperatures.

Drought and unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fueled the unprecedented blazes.

The target of the protesters’ ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has angrily denied any link between the fires and climate change while defending his support for fossil fuels.

“Our government’s inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bush fires,” said school strike leader Shiann Broderick.

“People are hurting. Communities like ours are being devastated. Summer hasn’t even begun.” AFP

HONG KONG―Low-cost carrier Hong Kong Airlines said Friday it will delay salary payments to some staff, warning its business has been “severely affected” by the political unrest in the city.

Nearly six months of protests in the international finance hub have dealt its tourism sector a massive blow, and airlines serving the city have struggled.

“Hong Kong Airlines’ business is severely affected by the social unrest in Hong Kong and a sustained weak travel demand,” the carrier said in a statement.

“With November being a low travel season, our revenue has dipped significantly, impacting our payroll for the month.”

It said November salaries for all staff except cabin crew and overseas employees would now be delayed until December 6, but insisted the “one-off salary arrangement does not impact our daily operation.”

Hong Kong Airlines is owned by struggling Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, which has been looking to lower its debt burden.

Earlier this year it unloaded another lowcost carrier―HK Express-to rival Cathay Pacific and it also cut some operations.

In early November, Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau ordered the airline to take further steps to improve its financial situation. AFP

NOTICE OF LOST STOCK CERTIFICATE Notice is hereby given that Stock Certificate No. 000472 representing one (1) corporate share of THE SUBIC BAY YACHT CLUB. INC. (“Club”) which is registered in the name of VISION AIR & SEA SERVICES, INC. has been lost. Any person who may come into possession of said stock certificate is advised to immediately deliver the same to the Club’s offices at Rizal Highway cor. Burgos St., Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

After the expiration of one (1) year from the date of last publication of this notice, if no contest is presented to the Club regarding Stock Certificate No. 000472, the right to contest shall be barred and the Club shall cancel in its books Stock Certificate No. 000472 and issue a new certificate to VISION AIR & SEA SERVICES, INC. If any contest is presented to the Club or is pending in court, the issuance of the new certificate will be suspended until the final decision by the court regarding ownership has been made.

(MS-NOV. 16, 23 & 30, 2019)

CHRISTMAS CHEER

IN A PHILIPPINE HOME F UN FACT: Filipinos are known to celebrate the longest Yuletide season in the world. Christmas trees start to dot Philippine streets, and the familiar Jose Marie Chan Christmas jingle begins to waft through supermarkets as early as September. Homeowners also start to decorate their respective places as the festive Christmas spirit starts to seep into everyone.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

Lamudi recently tackled the modern and unique Christmas trends in season, so that homeowners, renters, and the like, can start preparing for the best Christmas to date. Read on to find out how to transform your home aesthetics in line with the latest Christmas décor styles.

GO NEUTRAL, GO MINIMALIST As people always say, the simpler, the better. Should homeowners like you want to shake things up a bit, drop the classic red and green décor, and go for something modern and chic. Try purchasing a slim and sparse Christmas tree, and dot it with neutralcolored ornaments that match the overall theme of your house. It will be easy on the eyes, and subtle colors like white, grey, and beige will make any room feel spacious and airy.

Deck the halls by scaling back on the saturated holiday décor, giving your home an understated modern feel.

When creating a minimalist setting, focus only on the essentials: a tree, some lights, and the star on top.

GO WITH BLACK AND WHITE, WITH A DASH OF COLOR Less is more in modern times.

The black-and-white theme is one of the go-to contemporary trends that never go out of style. Design your home using black and white décor, interspersed with another happy color to make every corner of the room pop.

The combo will lend a modern take without making your home seem too pale and boring.

DESIGN ASYMMETRIC WREATHS Christmas wreaths are an age-old tradition that Filipinos have always practiced. Almost every homeowner’s door houses a wreath to welcome

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com guests with a little holiday spirit. In this age of modernization, however, Christmas wreaths now come in all shapes and sizes—some even take an asymmetric shape.

Try designing one of your own, using real or fake flowers that pop against wooden branches, all wrapped around a copper frame. Add a modern feel to it by incorporating geometric designs.

BUY A TRADITIONAL PAROL Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the uniquely Filipino parols, or Christmas lanterns. Most parols nowadays no longer follow the traditional design. Creators are now adding a more modern touch, with the usual five-pointed stars now coming in 4-, 8-, 10-, and even 16-pointed-star shapes.

Buy one for yourself, and light up your house with the Filipino symbol of welcoming the Yuletide season.

Parols never go out of style. Homeowners will always have this décor to fall back on, should purchasing ornaments be too much of an effort for you. Buy one, hang it up, and you’re all set.

GO WITH THE CLASSICS: RED, GREEN, AND GOLD NEVER FAIL The red-green-and-gold combination may be old, but it will never be outdated. It’s tradition, after all! Purchase for your home some ornaments of this color scheme, and pair them up with candles and Christmas lights.

In 2019, in fact, lighting has gotten a huge makeover. Lighting displays will be a huge draw for visitors and are now working towards becoming one of the 2019 favorite trends.

Stay festive, and keep to the classics with this mix.

FUN IN BGC THIS WEEKEND.

Bonifacio Global City kicks off today “BGC Passionfest”, a yearly city fiesta that let’s the city’s citizens share their passions in interactive ways. The whole stretch of Bonifacio High Street will be transformed starting this morning into one “passion playground”, subdivided into blocks. Within each zone are fun activities, workshops, and performances that can be enjoyed throughout the day. Headlining the festivities is the comeback of the Run BGC with Run Rio at 5th Avenue. Consumers can join the first-ever Palarong Pinoy, a series of popular Filipino games that will pit companies and BGCitizens together in a fun and friendly competition.

BGC Passionfest 2019 will end with a bang tomorrow as BGC, in partnership with Coke Studio, brings together Sarah Geronimo, St. Wolf, and The Juans in a grand concert at the Amphitheater. Check out https://www.facebook. com/BoniHighStreet/ and https://www.facebook. com/bonifacioglobalcityph/ for details of the two-day festival.

SOCIALIZED HOUSING IN MANDALUYONG. Residents of Barangay

San Ignacio, Plainview in Mandaluyong are set to benefit from the development of MCA Homes, a joint venture project between CDC Homes Development & Ventures Inc. (CDC Homes), an affiliate of CDC Holdings, and the city government of Mandaluyong.

Set to rise on a 348-sqm land in Plainview, the sixfloor MCA Homes will be offered to priority buyers of San Ignacio, and to the families to be affected by the Pantaleon-Estrella Bridge renovation, as well as to the minimum-wage Pag-IBIG members of the barangay.

Scheduled to be completed in 16 months-time, MCA Homes is CDC’s first foray into socialized housing. At the signing of the memorandum of agreement for MCA Homes were (from left to right): CDC Holdings CEO Elsie Chua; Mandaluyong Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos; and Pag-IBIG Fund senior vice president for lending operations Fermin Sta. Teresa.

CLARK RAMPS UP ITS VISION. Infrastructure and construction conglomerate Megawide Construction Corp., recently partnered with Global Gateway Development Corp. (GGDC), to build a 177-hectare master-planned, mixed-use development metropolis in Pampanga. Envisioned to decongest Metro Manila. GGDC is part of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy’s property development arm, Udenna Land. Megawide hopes to realize P3 billion in revenue as a general contractor of the Clark Global City (CGC) development. Uy, Udenna Land CEO, Edgar Saavedra, Megawide chairman, Clark Freeport officials and real-estate developers of Clark Global City—the SM Group, Century Properties, DataLand, W Group, Suyen—led the groundbreaking ceremony. (Shown in photo). “Megawide is excited to be working on such a transformative project not just for Clark but for Central Luzon,” Saavedra said.

Over 45 hectares of the estate have already been installed with what GGDC describes as a “world-class” and “disaster-ready” horizontal infrastructure, including 50-year storm water drainage systems, state-of-the-art sewer system, an underground infrastructure network and eight-road lanes with bike lanes and 50 meters of right-of-way priority. Megawide has committed to construct 12 kilometers of roads and fully develop the balance of infrastructure requirements in the next 22 months.

BOUTIQUE COMMUNITY IN CAGAYAN DE ORO.

Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation, the residential development arm of the ICCP Group, builds distinctive homes at its newest development in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Grove at Pueblo Golf is a boutique community made up of residential townhouses with a modern Filipino design aesthetic. Each townhouse has three bedrooms, three toilets & baths, a flexi-room, and a balcony offering a view of the golf course. The unit has a carport, with a provision for a second carport. Lot sizes at The Grove range from 88 to 133 sqm, with floor areas from 107 to 121 sqm. It boasts a low density of only 92 two-storey units within the 1.66-hectare development. The Grove is part of the 400-hectare Pueblo de Oro Township, a master-planned community in uptown Cagayan de Oro City near educational institutions such as Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) and Corpus Christi School, and the par-72 Pueblo de Oro Golf & Country Club.

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

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Waterfalls and Rainbows in Iceland

From building homes

to capturing moments For Antonio, photography is not just a respite from the daily grind of corporate life. He uses it to channel the passion and drive for excellence in his commercial ventures into a new field where the T’S not common for a real estate mogul, whose objectives are different. company owns 26 buildings with more than 1.3 “In photography, my objective is how to capture the moment and million square meters of gross floor area, to sleep produce something that others can enjoy.” on the floor of a monastery in Korea.

Antonio shares his experiences with other people in his first solo exhibition entitled “Across the Continents: A Travelogue Series by But it did happen to Century Properties Group founder and ex- Jose E.B. Antonio,” which opened on Nov. 21 at the newly launched ecutive chairman Jose E.B. Antonio during one of his photogra- Antonio Gallery at Century City Mall in Makati. phy expeditions.

Currently mounted at the new venue are 30 pho“They invited me to stay overnight in the montos from his adventures and National Geographic astery. I slept on the floor. It was an experience,” expeditions in Asia, North and South America, recalled the businessman. and Europe.

When asked how many nights he spent sleeping Some of his collections include rare experiences on the floor, Antonio exclaimed, “One night only!” in the deserts of Mongolia; the Tiger’s Nest Monbefore cracking up. astery, 7,000 feet above sea level in the Kingdom “But, of course, it was an honor because they don’t of Bhutan; and the arresting Antelope Canyons in usually invite people to stay over,” he enthused.

Arizona, among others.

Antonio has a photo of a Buddhist monk standing His photographs of an Aeta in a river in Zambales on a stone bridge to show for his stay in the monasand the freezing winter in Lake Placid, New York tery near Korea’s Jeju Island. are also on display.

It was not the only time the 72-year-old mogul Also on exhibit are two photographs that creativeand self-taught photographer had a unique advenly feature his association with the late architect I. M. ture in pursuit of his passion.

Pei and US President Donald Trump.

He shared he once took his family to Harbin in “This photo of the Louvre in Paris shows the glass China during the dead of winter where they endured pyramid designed by I.M. Pei, who also designed “minus 27-degree Centigrade.” That, aside from his Century Properties Group founder Essensa (condominium in East Forbes),” he shared. expeditions in Iceland and New York’s Lake Placand executive chairman Jose Another photo features the name of Trump, with E. B. Antonio showcases his id—also in winter. whom they partnered for the Trump Tower. photographs taken in different His passion for traveling has led him to pursue Antonio said he personally selected the photos parts of the globe. photography. on display. Patrons can purchase the images, with “Traveling is my passion. But Mrs. Antonio each photo printed 20 times, while the limited ediwould ask me, ‘How come I don’t see any of your tion will only be printed 10 times, and each master pictures?’ Then I decided I might as well document it,” he related. edition is only available in three copies.

“I started eight or 10 years ago, using my first digital camera, a “I will then sign it, write the edition, and give you a certificate of Canon dSLR,” shared Antonio. authenticity,” he said.

He currently uses Hasselblad, Leica, and Fujifilm cameras to Proceeds of the exhibit sale and venue fees will be donated by the capture images whenever he’s traveling. He also uses a Huawei P30 J Antonio Foundation to Operation Smile Philippines and Haven for smartphone, which he claimed is “one of the best.” the Elderly (formerly Golden Acres Home for the Aged).

When he’s not busy drawing plans to further propel his business, Antonio Gallery on the Sky Loft of Century City Mall is open to Antonio actively contributes entries for exhibitions to the Camera individuals and groups showcasing their works or holding special Club of the Philippines and Leica Club Manila, where he is a member. lectures and talks.

By Bernadette Lunas

I

DAYS before the scheduled performances of Ballet Manila’s production of Giselle, the dance company’s home stage was damaged in the fire that razed Star City.

But the show went on.

Despite the tragic event on Oct. 2 that destroyed the Star City compound and rendered Aliw Theater inoperative, Ballet Manila did not fail to live up to the theme of its 24th performance season.

During its performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater on Oct. 17, Ballet Manila chief executive officer and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde tried to hold back tears as she assured the crowd that they will work harder and rise once again.

Before the show began, Macuja-Elizalde gave an emotional speech to thank the people who supported her dance company.

“I realized that, in the wake of tragedy, divine providence has stirred many hands and hearts to encourage and help us,” she said, adding “We are determined to continue our mission and vision to bring the ballet to the people, and more people to the ballet.”

As the show began, enchanting music filled the CCP Main Theater. Conductor Alexander Vikulov and the Manila Symphony Orchestra provided the live music accompaniment which transported the audience to the medieval Rhineland village.

The curtains rose and, at first glance, the set, costumes, and props were a visual delight.

The nobleman Albrecht in his disguise as Loys, played by principal dancer Elpidio Magat, joined the peasants and his character was immediately masked by his charisma and sophisticated dancing prowess, which made the titular character fall in love with him.

Yick Fat Building in Hong Kong

Kecak Dance in Bali, Indonesia

Saving Giselle

Ballet Manila gracefully dances despite losing home

Ballet Manila’s production of ‘Giselle’ is on point despite the unexpected setback that required them to perform on a different stage.

Principal dancer Joan Sia in the role of Giselle was a match made in heaven. The moment she stepped out of her little cruck house, her radiating smile perfectly captured her character’s charm, grace, and naiveté.

Her Act I variation was a true stand out. Sia’s movement, from her arabesques to her piqué turns,

was the right combination of energy and daintiness.

The scene of her madness and death was also a stunning and heartbreaking display.

Principal dancer Mark Sumaylo breathed new life to the character of Hilarion. His portrayal was relatable for someone who has nothing to give but love to the person he cares about.

When Act II commenced, the 24 Wilis and their synchronized movements were a treat to the eyes.

When Hilarion met his demise after he visited Giselle’s grave, it showed Sumaylo’s strength as a dancer. The way he danced the grueling and demanding choreography with so much emotion made the audience feel sorry for what his character had to endure.

However, the height of Act II was Giselle and Albrecht’s pas de deux. Sia and Magat left a lasting impression with their take on love after death. Giselle never blamed Albrecht for her death and even protected him from the fatal punishment of the Wilis.

The nobleman almost had the same fate as Hilarion but it was Giselle’s forgiveness and undying love that kept him alive. As the sun rises and the Wilis fade, Albrecht ran to Giselle tomb’s and wept to show his regret—which brought the bittersweet ending.

Giselle showed the company’s resilience and strength. According to Ballet Manila, many people thought that their 24th performance season was over after the fire that damaged the company’s home base, but they were still able to come up with a powerful and spectacular production.

“I would like to thank CCP, Ballet Philippines, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the ballet and performing arts community for lifting our spirits and pledging their support,” said Macuja-Elizalde.

The two remaining shows for this season, The Sleeping Beauty and Carmina Burana and La Traviata, will be performed on new dates and venues which will be announced soon.

Ballet Manila said tickets purchased for the original dates will honored on the new dates. Buyers can also avail of a refund.

Life

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Holiday auctions feature fine PH art and furniture I

N CELEBRATION of the holiday season, premier auction house Salcedo Auctions and its subsidiary Gavel&Block have mounted a sale series entitled “Under The Tree.”

Salcedo Auctions on Nov. 23 staged “Under The Tree: The Wishlist” which featured carefully selected fine Philippine art pieces by National Artists BenCab, Vicente Manansala, Napoleon Abueva, and Arturo Luz. Modern masters such as Sanso and Malang, along with sought-after contemporary works by Tapaya and Taniguchi, rare furniture, and tribal and ethnographic art also comprised the auction lineup.

According to the auction house, each lot has been selected not just for its value, but also for its inherent beauty and the appreciation it deserves. “The Wishlist” was held at Salcedo Auctions’ headquarters at NEX Tower in Makati City.

Meanwhile, “Under The Tree: The Holiday Sale” by Gavel&Block puts the emerging collector in focus as it features pieces that are covetable by accessible.

Pieces were chosen for the value they add in terms of design, as, being the contemporary subsidiary of Salcedo Auctions, Gavel&Block is for those who desire to explore a more diverse and inclusive lineup of art.

Fine art and furniture pieces to be auctioned off on Nov. 30 include paintings by artists like Malang, Emmanuel Garibay, Nena Saquil, and Bernardo

Pacquing as well as original prints by Lao Lianben, Cesar Legaspi, and BenCab. Unique furniture, design collectibles, historic memorabilia, and the like will also go under the hammer.

“At Salcedo Auctions, we have always strived to create experiences that people will remember, whether it’s through purchasing art or participating in the auction process,” explains managing director Victor Silvino.

The Gavel&Block sale is happening today at The Podium.

“With Gavel&Block at The Podium, we hope to not only bring the auction experience to a whole new set of art and design enthusiasts, but also to reinforce the robust retail environment that is so crucial in the upwardly mobile, progressive direction that our country is headed,” enthused Silvino.

To reinforce the spirit of giving that “Under the Tree” represents, Salcedo Auctions has also launched Bid for the Future, an online platform that allows patrons to make charitable donations and give back to society with a focus on arts, culture, educational, and environmental initiatives.

The platform was conceptualized by Joaquin Lerma, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student at the International School Ma-

From left: Salcedo Auctions founders Karen Kua-Lerma (vice chair and chief financial officer) and Richie Lerma (chairman and chief specialist), SM senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, Salcedo Auctions managing director Victor Silvino, Ça Va Creperie and Floral Atelier co-owner Emi Jorge, and Escuella Taller officer in charge Jeffrey Cobilla.

‘Homage to Isamu Noguchi’ by Arturo Luz

KAWS ‘Holiday Japan’ figurines in black, grey and brown, 2019 Chopard’s ‘Happy Spirit’ diamond earrings and necklace set in rose gold

Cartier’s ‘Tank Francaise’ stainless steel and diamond set wristwatch

‘Untitled (Carabao)’ 2007

by Napoleon Abueva

nila and son of Salcedo Auctions founders Richie and Karen Lerma.

Joaquin started giving art tours at the age of 11 and has been involved in organizing and writing for Gavel&Block benefit auctions over the past two years. His passion for history, informed by travels to heritage sites around the world, led him to select Escuela Taller as the first beneficiary of this new donation platform.

Escuela Taller is an nongovernment organization that educates and trains underprivileged youth to gain the skills necessary to preserve and restore the country’s built cultural heritage. Its graduates are deployed under the supervision of experts to work on historical buildings in Manila as well as in Bohol, Batanes, and Pampanga.

Through their endeavors, the young Lerma believes that a whole new generation of Filipinos will be empowered to help secure and contribute to the appreciation of the country’s rich history, in addition to learning specialized skills that will provide livelihood not only for themselves, but also to entire communities through the educational and touristic programs that it generates.

Campaign against gender-based violence marks 1st year THE nationwide campaign #RespetoNaman marks its first anniversary by going to Naga City to further raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Philippines.

Launched in November 2018, the campaign is a collaboration among the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo, the Embassy of Sweden in the Philippines, SPARK! Philippines, UN Women, Empower, Terre des Hommes through Girls Advocacy Alliance, and Para sa Sining. #RespetoNaman will be bringing the conversation to Naga City, through the #DontTellThemHowToDress exhibit, which features the stories of GBV victims, as well as educational forums. #RespetoNaman partners (from left) Office of Vice President Leni Robreodo spokesperson Barry Gutierrez, Empower Philippines founder Kat Alano, Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines H.E. Harald Fries, and SPARK! Philippines executive director Maica Teves.

#RespetoNaman marks its first year of raising awareness of gender-based violence.

Robredo, who hails from Naga City, has emphasized the importance of making safe spaces for women to thrive.

“Women empowerment in the 21st century is no longer just about representation and activism,” she said. “Each one of us is called to go beyond lip service, and be more proactive in championing the cause of making our spaces not only safe for women, but conducive to their success.”

For her part, SPARK! executive director Maica Teves said, “The past year has been amazing for us, the #RespetoNaman campaign has reached great heights in raising awareness on the issue of gender-based violence.”

“For the coming year we’re gearing towards a more action-oriented approach, focusing on working with

communities to create sustainable and lasting solutions to end violence in the Philippines,” added Teves.

In its second year, the campaign aims to create stronger policies with better implementation, offer more holistic support for victim-survivors, and increase prevention efforts by working with local government units, the private sector, law schools, and civil-society organizations.

The campaign will have additional forums in Metro Manila, covering topics on building safe spaces in schools and at the workplace, and the laws governing gender-based violence. It will also launch an online platform for the campaign with a version of the #DontTellMeHowToDressExhibit to make it more accessible.

20th-century neoclassical style tambol aparador

Online marketplace FilipinoArt.ph features curated contemporary artworks by Filipino artists for sale. (Photo from the website)

Online marketplace for Filipino artists launched THERE is a reason why many believe “there is no money in art.”

Our country is replete with talented visual artists, but not everyone gets a chance to secure financial stability due to a number of factors, one of which is the lack of proper channels to market their artworks.

“Back then, I saw a lot of young artists in the Philippines who couldn’t give their hearts a time to breathe for their creativity to grow,” lamented Yuri Stegeman. “Most of these artists grew up from families that think that being an artist is not a decent career path because it cannot ensure financial stability.”

Stegeman then had the idea to launch an online marketing platform dedicated to showcase and sell original artworks by local artists across the Philippines.

A first of its kind in the Philippines, FilipinoArt.ph is developed by Internet solutions company Chanz Global. It currently features curated contemporary artworks such as paintings, drawings, and mixed media. Sculptures and photographs will be available in the coming months.

FilipinoArt.ph mounted a group exhibition to formally launch the online platform. “Sariling Sining,” held at Art Circle Gallery in Ayala Malls Circuit, featured six artists whose works evoked varied emotions by exploring local cultural influences with distinctly Philippine themes.

The featured artists included cubist Hermel Alejandre from Camarines Sur; expressionist Pamela Lei Bermudez from Las Piñas City; expressionist Jose Ehric Egualada from Boracay, Aklan; portrait artist Ryan Orig from Iloilo City, and abstract artist August Punzal from Taytay, Rizal.

In a talkback session, the artists were asked about their repeated motivations, struggles, and frustrations as creators of art.

“One of the things that could help us artists is a platform such as this; it’s not the usual platform that is common in the past but a modern social media platform,” said Punzal. “We’re just a fraction of the artists around the country, and through this platform, we would be able to tell our stories and experiences to a more global audience.”

FilipinoArt.ph founder and chief executive Yuri Stegeman (sixth from left) with (from left) Ryan D. Orig, Eduard Delegero, Christopher Dela Pena, Monique Ventura, Weyn Relleve, Kimberly Go, Richard Go, Jose Ehric Egualada, and August Punzal.

Entertainment

saturday, november 30, 2019 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Discovering new things to love

about the Philippines in ‘Filipinized’ M

any may have already heard the old adage “home is where your heart is,” but only a few understand what this really means, and among them are the foreign nationals featured on TFC’s Filipinized, which is now streaming on TFC Online and TFC IPTV.

Macmillian dictionary defines Filipinized simply as “to alter someone or something in order to make them Filipino”, and in the digital series Filipinized, the foreign nationals who have been in the Philippines for at least six months will each share their stories of how they fell in love with the Philippines and why they have decided to extend their stay, with some even choosing to live the rest of their lives in the country.

“We Filipinos believe that there is a lot to love about the Philippines and its people, but it brings us a sense of pride when people from other countries are the ones telling their story why the Philippines is such a beautiful country and fell in love with it, which they will share in this digital series,” said aBS-CBn Global Content Head Ned Legaspi.

Get to know and discover new things to love about the Philippines through the stories of these foreign nationals on 'Filipinized,' now streaming on TFC Online and TFC IPTV.

In the 10 episodes of Filipinized, 26 foreign nationals will share how they got in the Philippines and what about the country’s people, culture, or environment made them feel they have found their forever home.

Know their stories and know the Philippines through the eyes of these

foreign nationals on TFC’s Filipinized, streaming via TFC Online (www.

TFC.tv) and TFC IPTV, free for all Premium subscribers. Get a glimpse of Filipinized by watching its first episode streaming for FREE on TFC The Filipino Channel youTube channel.

World’s most beloved sheep is back FROM the successful TV series to a smashing full length feature film hit in 2015, a-list star Shaun The Sheep is back on the big screen in Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon as he boldly goes where no sheep has gone before.

Taking the audience for a hilarious intergalactic adventure, Farmageddon breaks Shaun’s blissful and mischievous daily existence on the arrival of an crazy and sparkly purpleblue alien named Lu-La. Her magical alien powers, irrepressible mischief and galactic sized burps soon have the flock enchanted and Shaun takes his new extra-terrestrial friend on a roadtrip to Mossingham Forest to find her lost spaceship.

Little do the pair know, though, that they are being pursued at every turn by a mysterious alien-hunting government agency, spearheaded by the formidable agent Red and her bunch of hapless, hazmat-suited goons.

Directed by Will Belcher and Richard Phelan, the exciting sequel isn’t just a movie for its directors, but rather a dream, not without its nightmarish moments that elevates the world of Shaun to epic new genre heights.

“This is a movie that’s about friends and responsibility and what it’s about to meet someone and become

Extra International From C4

But it would seem that Netflix had bigger plans. “now, the iconic theater will be kept open and become a home for special Netflix events, screenings, and theatrical releases,” the company said Monday in a series of Twitter messages.

The details of the deal were not disclosed, but industry site Deadline Hollywood said it was a 10-year lease agreement.

Biggest names...

From C4

Toni Braxton celebrated the 25th anniversary of her first AMAs performance, and had the audience singing along to her chart-topping hits “Breathe again” and “Unbreak My Heart.”

The night was also filled with incredible collaborations including the world television premiere of Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World’s new single “Fall On Me,” plus an electrifying performance

A scene from 'Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon,' which unspools in Philippine theaters on Dec. 4

best friends. But then we also bring some villains in. We’re always asking ourselves questions like, ‘What if Lu-La is as cheeky as Shaun? Why do they get along so well? Is her home a bit like his home?’ We’re always playing with those ideas,” shares Phelan.

Shaun’s stories are told through the eyes of a boy and his mates. and there’s limitless appeal to a sheep doing things in the human world that the humans don’t

see. He’s a challenge to create because in some ways the possibilities are limitless.

But there are certain rules without dialogue. We have to tell the character story as well as make it fun and slapstick.

But I just love it. a lot of this is based on ideas that relate to our lives. Things that are universal in appeal, hopefully.”

Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon opens Dec. 4 in cinemas nationwide.

Netflix has been in a low-grade battle with traditional Hollywood for some time over the Oscar eligibility requirements that films in contention run in regular theaters for a certain period of time.

But many major theater chains have refused to deal with Netflix unless it consents to longer runs of its films -- and a longer waiting period between any film’s theatrical release and its streaming debut.

Currently, the waiting period generally agreed upon by studios and the major chains is 90 days.

That means Netflix has relied thus far on indie movie houses for its releases,

but the leasing of the Paris Theater would seem to mark a new phase in its strategy.

For months, it has reportedly been in talks to buy the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

On Monday, Deadline Hollywood reported that Netflix had indeed acquired a majority stake in that Los Angeles venue, but Netflix has yet to confirm the deal.

The Paris opened in 1948, when screen legend Marlene Dietrich cut the ribbon.

It turned into one of the country’s most notable art house theaters, focusing on films often ignored by multiplexes. AFP

from Post Malone featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott and WATT for the world television premiere of their new song “Take What you Want.”

The show included additional knockout performances from Camila Cabello with “Living Proof,” Shawn Mendes and Cabello with “Señorita,” Dua Lipa with “Don’t Start now,” Halsey with “Graveyard,” Kesha feat. Big Freedia with “Raising Hell” and “TiK ToK,” and Thomas Rhett with “Look What God Gave Her.” The night ended on a high, with the entire audience on their feet for Shania Twain’s return to the american Music Awards stage for the first time in 16

years. The country icon performed a crowd-pleasing medley of her biggest hits: “you’re Still the One,” “any Man of Mine,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” a big winner with two new trophies, presenter Carrie Underwood, now holds the record for most wins in the Favorite album – Country category, surpassing legendKenny Rogers, with whom she was previously tied.

Talent in attendance tonight included Jonas Brothers, Paula Abdul, Kelsea Ballerini, Tyra Banks, Chadwick Boseman, Kane Brown, Misty Copeland, Tyler the Creator,

Benjamin alves on pursuit of passion SCREEn actor Benjamin Alves renewed his ties to GMa network by signing another management contract on nov. 12.

Present in the contract-signing were GMa Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMa Senior assistant Vice President for alternative Productions Gigi SantiagoLara, GMa artist Center assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer, GMa artist Center Senior Talent Manager Daryl Zamora, and Benjamin’s co-manager and Empire PH President Jonas Gaffud.

Benjamin, who started his career as a Kapuso in 2012, expressed his gratitude for all the support he received from GMa all these years.

He said, “This has always been my home, I always felt at home here from the time that I started, never po akong nag-isip or nag-doubt na that I really feel like I belong here. From the start, when I signed my first contract, they never made me feel like I wasn’t welcomed or part of the

family and that means a lot. I think I want to show that appreciation by doing well with the shows that they’re giving me and to stay loyal to the network.” apart from exhibiting his acting caliber in various Kapuso programs, Benjamin is also an inspiration to the young generation.

Being the GMa network Excellence awards (GnEa) ambassador for four years now, he sees this platform to advocate his passion for learning and through this, he continues to discover more of the Filipino youth’s exemplary performance in academics and leadership, and to inspire them on social responsibility.

Rasonable shared that she is proud of Ben’s growth as a well-rounded artist and sees that he constantly finds ways to further hone his skills, “Nakita mo ‘yung ang layo na ng narating niya sa kaniyang craft, itong huling ginawa niya na Dahil Sa Pag-ibig, we saw a different Ben, he did it very well so it’s very gratifying to see someone like him na mag-grow as an actor here in GMa.”

Actor Benjamin Alves renews his ties with GMA Network

Rivers Cuomo, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan + Shay, Jenna Dewan, David Dobrik, Michael Ealy, Maddie Hasson, Maya Hawke, Jameela Jamil, Jharrel Jerome, Taran Killam, Carole King, Regina King, Heidi Klum, Katherine Langford, Dan Levy, Megan Thee Stallion, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Cobie Smulders, Pete Wentz, Constance Wu; “aMas Red Carpet Live Presented by Security Benefit” hosts Sofia Carson, AJ Gibson, Jaymes Vaughan, Lauren Jauregui, Raja Kumari, and Nick Viall; Special Guests X Ambassadors, Blanco Brown, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, Meg

Donnelly, Andy Grammar, Rich The Kid, Ella Mai, Meek Mill, Agnez Mo, Shiva Safai, Alyson Stoner, Lil Nas X and many more. american Music awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring.

The american Music awards winners are voted entirely by fans.

For the latest american Music awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the aMas on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

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

C4

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019

Comb on the run YUGEL LOSORATA

SunLife ambassador Matteo Guidicelli pauses for a while to take a selfie with Sun Life Cycle PH participants.

N

URTURING the Filipinos’ growing love for cycling, Sun Life Cycle PH, a part of SunPiology, recently took cyclists on fun and exciting routes around BGC and Pasay City over the weekend.

Now on its third year, Sun Life Cycle PH welcomed participants of all fitness levels.

Categories include Tricycle Ride (100 or 500 meters) designed for children ages two to five; Kids Ride (30-minute Solo or Family Ride) for children between the ages six to

SunPiology marks another

milestone

15; Short Ride (20 kilometers) for participants 10 years old and above; and Long Ride (40 kilometers) for participants 14 years old and above.

With partially closed roads and kid-friendly biking paths, the event served as a chance for the participants and their families to bond. It also served as an introduction to races for cycling enthusiasts. A finisher’s shirt, a medal, and a loot bag awaited those who successfully completed their respective categories.

Participants anticipated riding alongside celebrities, as Sun Life Cycle PH once again was attended by three-time Tour de France champion Robbie Mc Ewen, Sun Life brand ambassadors Piolo Pascual and Matteo Guidicelli, and various Star Magic artists.

As a part of SunPiology, Sun Life Cycle PH is a three-part sporting event created by Sun Life Philippines, in line with its mission to help Filipinos live healthier lives. The other two events are the Sun Life Virtual Run, which is currently ongoing, and Sun Life Resolution Run, which will take place in January 2020.

“Sun Life aims to offer Filipinos more avenues to pursue their health goals. With SunPiology, we are able to make the pursuit fun and engaging through a variety of sporting events,” Sun Life Chief Marketing and Client Officer Mylene Lopa said. “We are thankful that our community continues to grow and more people are embracing the importance of living healthier lives.”

SunPiololy exponent and SunLife ambassador Piolo Pascual led the third edition of Sun Life Cycle PH, which nurtures the growing love of Filipinos for cycling.

Biggest names in music

deliver show-stopping numbers at AMA 2019 THE world’s biggest artists and pop culture icons came together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers at the “2019 American Music Awards.”

Multi-platinum selling artist Ciara hosted the show, and kicked the night off with a performance of her new single, “Melanin.” The show aired live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Blue Ant Entertainment.

In one of the most talked-about musical performances of the year, Artist of the Decade Award recipient, Taylor Swift, brought the house down with a medley of her biggest hits from the past ten years including “The Man,” “Love Story,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off,” where she was joined by Halsey andCamila Cabello, and “Lover.”

She accepted her award with an impassioned speech, telling her fans that all artists want to do is “create something that will last,” and thanking them for the “fun, incredible, exhilarating times” and countless memories they have shared together

over the years.

Having won six awards tonight, Swift also broke Michael Jackson’s long-standing record of most American Music Award wins of all time; she now tops the list with a total of 29.

Selena Gomez delivered an emotional opening to the show, taking the stage for the first time in two years for the world television premiere of her new songs, “Lose You To Love Me” and “Look At Her Now.” There were performances for everyone, featuring newcomers and American Music Awards veterans alike.

Breakout artist Billie Eilish crushed her very first award show performance, with a fiery rendition of “all the good girls go to hell.” Superstar Lizzo graced the AMA stage for the first time with a passionate performance of her single “Jerome.”

Three-time American Music Award winners, Green Day, celebrated the 25th anniversary of their legendary 1994 album, Dookie, with a performance of “Basket Case,” as well as their latest hit, “Father of All…” Continued on C3

EVERY once in a while, a talented Pinay singer gets discovered, quickly earns a moniker, and then after a significant stretch gets lost in the pool of ever-changing faces of wannabes and hopefuls.

Interestingly, Katrina Velarde, amusingly dubbed Suklay Diva, looks poised to keep herself in the thick of the fight for long. Thanks to her noticeably strong talent in singing a la some iconic voices and her separate ability to deliver her own unique voice as a recording artist.

Often, someone impersonating famous personalities won’t go beyond the act itself and loses momentum before she even gets to carve her own identity.

Katrina seems to be that type of skillful act who will eventually graduate from the impersonations and takes her career path somewhere grander.

“There’s more to Katrina than singing,” said a press release that in a way stresses that point.

The think tank at Viva Live Inc. must have likewise seen this kind of career trajectory in Katrina. Small wonder she is very much in the loop, with her special solo show titled Sikati2! staged last night at the New Frontier Theater, Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City.

“The famous Suklay Diva has been packing halls with adoring fans ecstatic over her powerhouse vocals,” observed insiders.

A quick check on her social media presence proved she is wowing not just compatriots, but foreign critics as well.

She sings with calmness and confidence, dramatically ensuring spectators into a safe zone. She is also able to deliver her own sense of humor to entertain locals, making her organically likable and an easy-watch -- not ever falling into that dead-air traps.

Katrina had been tagged Suklay Diva after a number of her videos showing her sing other artists’ hits with a plastic comb as microphone went viral. Her take onBeyonce’s “Dangerously In

Suklay Diva Katrina Velarde is holds another major concert, her second big show in 2019.

Love” turned out to be her defining moment as impersonator.

As talent of Viva Artist Agency, she released two singles “Taksil” and “Lason Mong Halik.” She interpreted the entry “Tama Na” at the Philipop 2018 Finals Night.

Directed by Miggy Tanchanco, with Mon Faustino as musical director, Sikati2! brought her muchtalked-about performing style to a bigger venue for her growing following.

The organizer hinted at never-beforeseen showstopping versions of hits from divas she mimics with respect, as well as heart-pounding live renditions of her own sellers like ”Magkaibang Mundo.”

The girl has paid her dues, kicking off her long run upon joining a singing contest at age seven. Even the likes of Gary Valenciano saw her potential and mentored her.

Sikati2! was the tail-end spectacle of Viva Live Inc.’s November Treats which geared up last Nov. 8 with the Music Museum concert of pop balladeer Ronnie Liang, calledLove X Romance. He was joined by movie soundtrack hit singer Janine Tenoso, social media celebrity-access Ella Cruz, and pop royalty Sarah Geronimo.

‘Frozen 2’ ices out competition at the tills DISNEY’S new release Frozen 2 trampled its competitors to top North American box offices over the weekend, taking in an estimated $127 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

The film follows the beloved characters from 2013 hit Frozen, as they travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest in search of the origin of Queen Elsa’s (voiced by Idina Menzel) magical ice powers.

Frozen 2, which has come out just in time for the winter holidays, set a November record for an animated movie and secured the third-best start for an animated film behind fellow Disney titles Incredibles 2 (2018) and Finding Dory (2016), according to Variety.

In second was last week’s leader, Ford v. Ferrari, with an estimated $16 million. The Fox film is based on the true story of how a team at Ford built a car to challenge Ferrari’s longtime dominance of France’s classic 24-hour Le Mans race.

New Sony release A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a drama about a journalist’s relationship with beloved television star Fred Rogers (played by Tom Hanks), debuted in third place with an estimated $13.5 million.

Thriller 21 Bridges opened at fourth, taking in an estimated $9.2 million. The new movie from STX Films stars Chadwick Boseman as an NYPD detective who shuts down all 21 of Manhattan’s bridges to find two suspected cop killers. AFP US actors Josh Gad (3rd from left), Idina Menzel (center) and Jonathan Groff (3rd from right) pose at the European premiere of the film 'Frozen 2' in London on Nov. 17.

Netflix makes deal to keep one of NY’s oldest theaters open STREAMING giant Netflix will use New York’s historic Paris theater, which had been shuttered earlier this year, for special events and screenings of its films—the latest twist in the company’s ongoing spat with the traditional film industry.

The theater—the city’s last single-screen movie house, located in the heart of Manhattan on 57th Street, not far from Central Park and the Plaza hotel--closed in late August after 71 years in business.

It had reopened in early November for what seemed like a one-off event--a limited theatrical run for Netflix’s Oscar contender Marriage Story by New York director Noah Baumbach. Continued on C3 Artist of the Decade Taylor Swift has finally performed her hits on AMA stage after a monthlong tussle with her former label.

Netflix used The Paris for a limited run of its Oscar-bait film "Marriage Story;" now, it has signed a longterm lease on the movie house.