Manila Standard - 2019 December 1 - Sunday

SPECTACULAR SHOW

PH MAKES HISTORY AS SEAG HOST

VP LENI, SARA TOLD: DON'T SEEK PRESIDENCY NEWS A4

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 290 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Peter Atencio and Vito Barcelo

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HE 12-day 30th Southeast Asian Games opened Saturday with a dazzling spectacular of music, dance and performances beamed nationwide from the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena north of Manila, depicting the Filipinos’ rich cultural heritage and talent to enthrall audiences from TawiTawi to Batanes.

Directed by Palanca award-winning playwright Floy Quintos, the world-class performances featured homegrown talents and craftsmanship, while delivering a message of unity among Southeast Asian countries.

The Black Eyed Peas’ apl.de.ap and Lani Misalucha led the musical performances to welcome the 5,630 athletes to the Games, which the country is hosting for the fourth time, the first in 1981.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who officially declared the Games open, was wonderstruck as the musical performances unfurled and the best athletes from the 11 Southeast Turn to A2 Asian countries marched one after the other.

Turn to A2 Considered the biggest in the 30-year history of the Southeast Asian Games, this year’s staging of the biennial competition opens with a dazzling display of fireworks, dances and performances with two of the SEA leaders President Rodrigo Duterte, who declared the games open, and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (second panel from left) along with living legends taking part at the sprawling Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

GAMES VENUES FACE THREAT OF 'KAMMURI'

By Joel E. Zurbano

TYPHOON Kammuri, feared to drench several SEA Games venues next week, has slowed down but maintained its strength as it barreled closer to the Philippines, weather forecasters said Saturday.

“Intensification into a super typhoon is less likely at this time but not ruled out,”the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The moment it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Kammuri will be named Tisoy, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. advisory Saturday.

Most areas in Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Metro Manila—where SEA Games venues are located—will experience strong winds and heavy rains starting Tuesday, state weather forecasters said.

Kammuri is expected to enter PAR late Saturday and make landfall in Camarines Sur on Sunday.

As of 10 a.m., the typhoon was spotted 1,220 kilometers east of Southern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 158 kph.

Meanwhile, the environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition appealed to spectators to keep the venues of the 30th SEA Games waste-free as the multi-sport regional event officially started.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

QUARREL IF CHINA MEDDLES IN PH POWER PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, while minimizing the possibility of China shutting down the Philippine power supply, promised to “quarrel” with the Asian giant should it interfere with the latter’s electricity system.

“China, if you do that, there will be a quarrel. I may not overcome you but you will receive from me a mouthful then I will go to other places and look for help,” said Duterte on Friday night in an interview with CNN Philippines.

It was the first time in his presidency, after he made a China pivot three years ago, that he made the threat, although he underlined he did not think China would shut down the country’s power supply, a possibility floated by an internal report for Philippine lawmakers obtained by CNN. The report, prepared by an unnamed government agency, claimed that Chinese engineers had access to “key elements of the system, and that power could in theory be deactivated remotely on Beijing’s orders.”

Meanwhile, President Duterte said his countrymen should not be alarmed over China’s co-ownership of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, a private consortium that manages and operates the Philippines’ power grid.

“My answer to that is very simple. It’s a business so why would China cut it [power grid]?” he said.

In the interview with CNN Philippines, the President said China merely intended to earn money and had no intention to control the Philippines’ power transmission infrastructure.

“China just helped us. It acted in good faith because it wants to improve ties with other nations since most of them are Americans’ allies. So they are trying to help everybody,” Duterte added in a m ix of Filipino and English.

China’s State Grid Corp. controls 40 percent of the NGCP, which supervises the management and operation of the country’s power transmission lines owned by state-owned National Transmission Corp.

Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday said Beijing’s coownership of the NGCP should be a“cause for concern” because it has the capability to shut down the Philippines’ power grid.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said such claim was “completely groundless,” while the NGCP clarified that State Grid Corp.’s role is limited to being a “technical adviser.”

Duterte assured the public that China had no potential to stop the power grid’s operations.

He also said there was no basis for Beijing to take actions that were detrimental to its ties with Manila.

Duterte said while he considered China as a “friend,” he would not hesitate to pick a fight against Beijing, in case it would shut down the transmission lines. PNA

RODY EASES FEARS OVER HEALTH PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has allayed concerns over his health condition, saying the public need not worry as he could still perform his duties as the country’s highest elected official.

While he acknowledged Friday that he had various health issues, the 74-yearold President maintained there was no need for him to release a medical bulletin on his health.

“I’m 74 years old. Don’t ask me if I am in the pink of health. I am not. I have certain ailments,”Duterte said in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines.

“For purposes of performing my functions as president, I am all right.”

His latest assurance came after his recent admission that his age has been taking a toll on his health.

Duterte previously said he was suffering from muscle spasms, chronic back pains, and migraines.

He also said he had myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that weakens skeletal muscles responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body.

He also bared that he was suffering from Barrett’s esophagus, a potentially serious complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Buerger’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs.

In October last year, Duterte also told the nation the alleged “growth” found in his digestive tract tested negative for cancer.

The President’s health problems have raised growing concerns among the public. PNA

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3-DAY ULTIMATUM IMPOSED ON POGOS RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has imposed a three-day deadline for delinquent Philippine offshore gaming operators to settle their tax liabilities.

“I’m giving you at least three days [from Nov. 29]. That’s good enough, fair enough. Do you think it’s fair, three days? What do you think as a Filipino?

Three days would be a kind of parang (perhaps) a good grace period for them,” Duterte said in an exclu-

sive interview with CNN Philippines.

He warned that those who would snub his order would face sanctions.

“They are now ordered to register [at] BIR [and get a tag number]. Now, I’m telling them, POGOs—[these are not just] Chinese but Filipino, Filipino-Chinese—you better settle

that [liability],” Duterte added.

The Department of Finance earlier lamented the slow pace of collection of withholding income taxes from POGOs, despite the issuance of 130 demand letters to firms with tax liabilities amounting to P21.62 billion.

Latest data from the BIR revealed that the bureau has so far collected P1.63 billion in withdrawing taxes from POGOs from January to August this year, after collecting P175 million in 2017 and P579 million in 2018.

The DOF estimates P2 billion in

withholding taxes from foreigners working in the POGO industry.

The BIR has shut down the operations of tax-evading POGO firms Altech Innovations Business Outsourcing, Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp., and New Oriental Club88 for unpaid taxes.

Duterte said he would not tolerate these POGOs’ failure to pay the right amount of taxes to the government.

“I am telling you. Do not fool Filipinos because Filipinos are not fools,” he said. PNA

Choreography was done by Huling El Bimbo director and choreographer Dexter Santos, and these were witnessed by live audience estimated by organizers to be around 25,000.

“Our athletes are heroes in their own way because of the tremendous pride they bring to our nation,” stated Cayetano.

Musical performers singing pop ballads, slow kundimans, to a Francis M medley and the 2019 SEA Games theme song, “We Win as One,” which was originally sung by Lea Salonga.

The song “Pilipinas Kong Mahal,” sang and penned by Manila Standard sports ed Riera Mallari, was also heard on the air waves during the opening rites.

Performers also included Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona and KZ Tandingan.

The Team Philippines flagbearers included weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, jiujitsu fighter Meggie Ochoa, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxer Felix Eumir and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe who made a splash during the parade of athletes.

A day after the opening, action in triathlon fires off with Filipino bets seeking to deliver the county’s first gold medals.

The men’s and women’s events in triathlon will go on early Sunday morning at the Subic Bay Boardwalk inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

The men’s event begins at 6 a.m. and it will be a duel between local bets John Chicano, a silver medalist in the 2017 Malaysia SEAG, and Cebuano wunderkind Kim Remolino, who finished No. 17 ASTC Triathlon Cup held in Gyeongyu, South Korea last June.

Olympic hopeful Kim Mangrobang, who has been training in Europe, is the top favorite in retaining her women’s title.

Compatriot Kim Kilgroe is her main rival for the gold in the event which unfolds at 8 a.m.

In Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement the country remained unshaken by the recent SEA Games’ mishaps.

“Today, Nov. 30, the most awaited opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games is expected to take place at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. This event signals the official start of this biennial regional multi-sport event that is scheduled to run until Dec. 11,” Panelo said.

“We are undaunted by the initial snafus in logistics which were unfortunately aggravated by the proliferation of fake news, as we commence with excitement—and hope for a historic milestone—in hosting the 30th SEA Games,” he added.

Some of the foreign athletes from 10 other participating nations experienced problems on transportation, accommodation, and food ahead of the formal opening of the Games at the Philippine Arena on Saturday.

On Friday night, President Duterte apologized for the inconvenience, and assured the public that he would order an investigation into the possible negligence of Games’ organizers.

Panelo echoed the President’s remarks, and guaranteed a fair probe.

“At any rate, we wish to reiterate the country’s apology for whatever inconvenience the athletes went through, as well as this administration’s commitment to probe whatever irregularities there were, if any, in the preparation of the event,” he said.

The Palace official said the Philippines would exhaust all means to ensure the successful hosting of the sports event, as well as to “showcase the culture and hospitality of the Filipinos but also to contribute in the strengthening of our friendship with our neighbors in the region.”

He also expressed hope that all the athletes would give their best.

“May this occasion therefore push the athletes and their support staff to generate into friendly competitive action their trainings and preparations, and realize the true value of sports even as they experience it through cooperation, understanding and solidarity,” he said.

“We wish all participating athletes the best as they compete for honors for themselves and the countries they proudly represent,” Panelo added.

The threat of an approaching typhoon—weathermen said the weather disturbance would hit the north of the country next week— looms large.

Weathermen said Typhoon Kammuri—which is packing gusts of 185 kilometers per hour and maximum sustained winds of 150 kph—was heading right to the Games venues in the north of the country and was expected to make landfall on Tuesday.

As the build-up woes cast a shadow over the Games, Indonesia clinched the first gold medal of the competition with a historic victory, bringing Singapore’s 54-year stranglehold on the men’s water polo competition to an end.

With only sailing, windsurfing and netball on the sporting schedule on Saturday, all eyes were on the opening weekend ceremony.

This year’s Games in Clark, Manila and Subic, which run through to Dec. 11, are particularly complex with a record 56 sports across dozens of venues that are in some cases hours’ drives apart, even before Manila’s notorious gridlock traffic is factored in.

The 2019 SEA Games is expected to be the largest in the biennial event’s history. It will feature 10 new events, including esports, skateboarding and kurash, the Palace said.

“This event signals the official start of We are undaunted by the initial snafus in logistics which were unfortunately aggravated by the proliferation of fake news, as we commence with excitement—and hope for a historic milestone—in hosting the 30th SEA Games,” Panelo said.

“At any rate, we wish to reiterate the country’s apology for whatever inconvenience the athletes went through, as well as this Administration’s commitment to probe whatever irregularities there were, if any, in the preparation of the event,” he said.

“The Philippines took the challenge of hosting this event not only to showcase the culture and hospitality of the Filipinos but also to contribute in the strengthening of our friendship with our neighbors in the region,” Panelo said in a statement.

“May this occasion therefore push the athletes and their support staff to generate into friendly competitive action their trainings and preparations, and realize the true value of sports even as they experience it through cooperation, understanding and solidarity,” he said.

The hosting rights were originally awarded to Brunei in 2012, but the country pulled out days before the 2015 Southeast Asian Games due to “financial and logistical reasons.”

In July 2015, the Philippines agreed to host the games after Brunei’s withdrawal. However, the Philippines’hosting was left uncertain following the withdrawal of government support two years later as it planned to use the funds intended for the games for the rehabilitation of Marawi after being occupied by ISIS supporters.

Thailand and Indonesia offered to host the games with the latter planning to reuse the venues used for the 2018 Asian Games. However, by Aug. 16, 2017, the Philippine government announced the reversal of the withdrawal and agreed to host the game.

“We wish all participating athletes the best as they compete for honors for themselves and the countries they proudly represent,” he added.

Phisgoc executive director Ramon Suzara said “This will be the first time in SEA Games history that [the opening ceremonies] will be held indoors.”

Duterte was seen on camera swaying to “Kay Ganda ng Musika”—popularized by Hajji Alejandro—while waving his hands as Filipino athletes were called to the stage for the parade of athletes. With PNA, AFP

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He was later seen joyously clapping his hands as the 1,868-strong Philippine delegation paraded at the center of the arena to the tune of the song “Manila” by the iconic band Hotdog.

After speeches by Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano and SEAG Federation Council and Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, the President declared the games open.

“I declare open the Southeast Asian Games for the 30th time, celebrating the games of Southeast Asia.

Mabuhay kayong lahat,” Duterte said.

The opening of the Games, considered the biggest in history in terms of the number of events and participants, coincided with country’s celebration of the Bonifacio Day. “Today, we celebrate the birth of one of our greatest national heroes, Gat Andres Bonifacio, who was known for his courage and love for the Philippines. Coincidentally, we also celebrate the heroic feats of our Filipino athletes, who continue to raise the country’s flag through sports,” said Cayetano.

Earlier in the day, Duterte welcomed Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Malacañang Palace in Manila.

Bolkiah, who later joined the President at the Philippine Arena, is in the country for a two-day official visit in support of his son Prince Abdul Mateen Bolkiah, who plays for the Brunei polo team in the Games.

Athletes from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, Singapore and Vietnam are competing in 530 events from 56 sports from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Dancers from the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and dance troupes from various colleges and universities across the country took part in a range of dances, from traditional Filipino folk to modern hiphop. Choreography was done by Huling El Bimbo director and choreographer Dexter Santos.

There were two sets of flagbearers during the opening ceremonies.

Six athletes minus gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio did the flagbearing duties for the Philippine delegation.

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

After that, boxing great Manny Pacquiao and Petecio led the spectacular lighting of the cauldron at the New Clark City, triggering a splash of fireworks that lit up the Capas sky, 100 kilometers north of Manila.

There were traditional Filipino folk to modern hiphop.

GAMES...

From A1 “As host country for the biennial sporting event, let us show our esteemed guests and our own people that we care for our environment,” said Jove Benosa, the group’s zero waste campaigner.

“Not leaving any trash at the sports venues is a simple act that we can do to make the SEAG an eco-friendly experience for competitors and spectators alike,” he said.

Ecowaste also appealed to the people to be mindful of the ecological waste management system that should be in

place in all the sports venues in Clark, Subic, Laguna, Cavite, Metro Manila and other places. “Please put your discards in the segregated waste bins.”

To reduce the generation of garbage in the sports venues, the Ecowaste urged the public to heed the following waste prevention tips.

• Don’t bring in food and beverage to the venue if not permitted.

• If allowed, bring food and drinks in reusable containers to cut on single-use plastic and paper trash.

• Put candy wrappers in your pockets

and keep them with you until you see a bin.

• Dispose of spent chewing gum properly; do not throw it on the floor or stick it in under the seat.

• Refrain from tossing dirty tissues and wipes onto the ground.

• Don’t leave any trash on or under the bleachers; put discards in the bins provided.

• Observe the“no smoking, no vaping, no spitting” rule.

• Avoid using plastic cheering paraphernalia.

• Don’t throw confetti on the athletes.

• Never release balloons or sky lanterns to celebrate, which will only end up as litter on land or in the ocean.

“If a venue lacks a good system for managing waste, we request the public to consider bringing their discards home for proper recycling or disposal,” Benosa suggested.

“Let’s cheer for all the SEAG athletes and go for gold in terms of spotless venues and reduced garbage and pollution throughout the games,” the group stated.

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TOFIL AWARDEES EXEMPLIFY PINOYS AT THEIR BEST—FVR

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ORMER Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos congratulated this year’s The Outstanding Filipino awardees for their invaluable contributions to nation-building.

FVR said the winners are not only worth emulating, they also exemplify Filipinos at their best. “They have demonstrated and cultivated the culture of excellence that we all must strive to possess,” Ramos said.

“Excellence should become the driving force for us to become globally competitive,”.

Winners of this year’s TOFIL awards are San Miguel Corp. president and CEO Ramon S. Ang (Busi-

ness/Entrepreneurship); Dr. Glenn S. Banaguas (Environment Conservation and Science Diplomacy); Dr. Joselito R. Chavez (Medicine); Dr. Virgilio L. Malang (Science and Technology); Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal (Government/Public Service); and Nelly Siababa-Aggangan (Agriculture).

Ramos extended the congratulations to JCI Senator Melandrew T. Velasco, TOFIL 2019 National Chairman and JCI Senate Philippine PR Director, during the latter’s courtesy call to the former Chief Executive.

Now on its 30th year as a prestigious award giving body, TOFIL is a flagship project of JCI Senate Philippines in partnership with ANSA Foundation. According to Ramos while every citizen, regardless of economic or social position, has a hero’s heart,

this year’s awardees, however, do not only possess heroes’ hearts, they are nation-builders—among the few— who think beyond individual and family welfare to the interest of the larger community, the nation.

Ramos cited TOFIL awardee Ramon S. Ang who successfully engineered San Miguel Corp. to become one of the country’s largest conglomerates. The diversification of SMC has enabled it to participate in the government’s massive infrastructure program. From being a food and beverage manufacturing corporation, it has embarked in energy, roads, water infrastructure, and recently airports notably the P700-billion Bulacan International Airport.

“Mr. Ang is a visionary, patriotic and strategic thinker,” Ramos said. Ramos

recalled that during his presidency the privatization of infrastructure projects, whether in the water, power and transportation sectors, were done through several variations of the build-operate-and transfer schemes.

This allowed the building of highpriority infrastructure projects where government does not have either the financial or managerial capacity to build and manage new facilities at the rate needed to sustain the vigor of a developing economy. With SMC now undertaking infrastructure projects identified and approved by the government, it has become an active partner in nation-building. “Development simply cannot proceed with adequate infrastructure and to fast-track this needs private sector participation,” he added.

CEBU DIOCESE MARKS 500 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY THE Archdiocese of Cebu is set to launch today the 500-day countdown to commemorate the first baptism in the country.

Fr. Mhar Balili, secretary general of the Quincentennial Anniversary, said the event will signify the start of the year-long celebration of the 500 years of Christianization in the Philippines which will be celebrated in 2021.

He added that the launching will begin with a Mass to be celebrated

by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma together with the priests of the archdiocese at 6 a.m. at the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño de Cebu.

“After sa Mass i-unveil natin ang countdown clock then ang blessing sa 2021 Jubilee Cross (After the Mass, we will unveil the countdown clockm then the blessing of the 2021 Jubilee Cross),” Balili told the Church-run Radio Veritas.

The Tindalo Cross or the replica of Magellan’s cross will visit dioceses and archdioceses around the country while preparing for the 2021 event.

Balili said after the blessing of the Jubilee Cross, it will be paraded with the pilgrim image of the Santo Niño de Cebu where it will first visit the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

He added that it was agreed upon by the archdiocese that the first 250 days, the Jubilee Cross and the image Santo Niño will visit parishes in Cebu while the remaining 250 days will make it rounds to different dioceses and archdiocese in the country.

Based on history, the first baptismal in the Philippines happened on April 14, 1521, where Ferdinand Magellan offered to Queen Juana the image of baby Jesus.

The coordination of the Augustine priests from the Order of St. Augustine Province of Santo Niño de Cebu to the Catholic Church is in full swing since they are the first missionaries in the country that take good care of the miraculous Sto. Niño image since the 15th Century.

Balili urged the faithful particularly in Cebu to join the important occasion for Roman Catholics. PNA

WIRETAP CRIMINALS IN SEX ABUSE CASES, NBI, POLICE URGED SHABU TEA? Members of the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized at least P455 million worth of suspected shabu packed in Chinese tea bags at an apartment in Las Piñas City Saturday morning. Norman Cruz

STUDY SAYS MEDICINE PRICE CONTROL BAD FOR PATIENTS THE proposed price controls on medicines will kill small retailers and force manufacturers to reconsider whether to launch new medicines in the country, or even withdraw existing products, hurting patients instead of helping them.

A study on the effect of price regulation in the Philippines in 2014 said that “these interventions should be carefully monitored as pharmaceutical policies, including price regulation, may not always lead to an overall benefit to the public and may even cause harm by discouraging introduction of new products to a country.”

In a joint position paper on the proposed Maximum Retail Price signed by professional pharmacist associations, pharmaceutical industry, hospital association, and pharmacy retail

groups, it said that “several smalland medium-sized drugstores were forced to close down or sold to larger chains, affecting not only businesses but also pharmacists employed in these drugstores.”

The joint position paper added that other studies on the impact of MRP reveal that price regulation did not significantly increase access to medicines. “In 2010, the Center for Legislative Development found that while prices are going down, medicines can still remain unaffordable due to low purchasing capacity, brought about by low income levels and limited, or lack of medicines financing. More is to be accomplished in relation to the high out-of-pocket spending for healthcare which remains at 55 percent.”

Teodoro Padilla, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines said that price control, while beneficial on the surface, has been found counterproductive and eventually withdrawn in other countries, including China. He added that other countries found that strong market competition trumps any price intervention.

When price controls were imposed in 2009, the industry lost P11 billion, small retailers closed down or were sold to bigger chains, and the targeted patients still were not able to buy at all or at the right dosages.

“We have been asking for a meeting with our officials to explain that there is a better way, that our prices are comparable to ASEAN countries, and that price control on medicines doesn’t

work. We hope we can explain our side before the government makes a decision on the proposed MRP,” he said.

Competition is robust in the industry, he said, with 350 manufacturers, 9,000 distributors, 23,000 retailers, and the public can choose between branded and generic medicines.

“A viable solution is for the DOH to make available the cheapest medicines because of lowered procurement cost from pharmaceutical companies,” he said.

This is made possible by bulk purchases by the government from the pharmaceutical companies.

“Our prices under this arrangement are low that medicines in government hospitals are priced at times at a fraction than those in the open market,” he said.

AN ADVOCATE of child rights in Congress has filed a bill enabling courts to authorize the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to conduct electronic and communications surveillance of criminals engaged in human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“House Bill 5651 empowers the courts, PNP, and NBI to fight the cybercriminals using the new technologies the criminals also have. This law updates the crime-fighting capabilities of the PNP, NBI and the courts,” Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said.

The House deputy majority leader also said, “HB 5651 adds the heads of the DICT, DOTr, DOH, OWWA, and NBI to the membership of the InterAgency Council on Trafficking for a more holistic approach to fighting human trafficking.”

“These updates to RA 9208 are in HB 5651’s most extensive and detailed amendments to the Anti-Human Trafficking Law (RA 9208) involve its Sections 8, 16, 20, 21, and 24,” Herrera pointed out. Maricel V. Cruz

TEACHER PROTECTION BILL GETS BACKING

By Maricel V. Cruz

PLEBEIANS PROTEST. Militant groups hold a protest rally at Liwasang Bonifacio Shrine to commemorate Andres Bonifacio’s 156th birth anniversary. Manny Palmero

A LEGISLATOR who belongs to a party-list group that advocates teachers’ rights on Saturday welcomed the filing in the Senate of a bill that shields teachers from “malicious accusations.”

Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro was referring to Senate Bill 1189 filed by Senator Grace Poe. Poe’s bill protects teachers from “malicious accusations of child abuse as well as provide them with support on matters of student discipline.”

“Now, more than ever, public school teachers need more champions to heed their calls to protect their rights and welfare in their workplaces.

Teachers have to assume large class sizes, multiple shifts each day, and the heavier and additional tasks. Many affirm that instilling discipline in their classrooms has become increasingly

difficult,” Castro said.

Castro authors House Bill 220 as counterpart Poe’s bill in the House of Representatives.

“The Teacher Protection Act would also aid teachers and prevent cases of alleged child abuse in the classroom when trying to discipline the pupils by providing teachers specific guidelines on how to discipline their students to protect them from being accused of violating the Child Abuse Law,” Castro said.

She added that “while child protection is necessary, teacher protection is also a must.”

Castro added, “Especially with the work conditions and the additional work that teachers have to accomplish everyday, clear guidelines on effective methods of classroom management would be a great help for teachers to not get charged of violating RA 7610.”

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VP LENI, SARA TOLD: DON’T SEEK PRESIDENCY

By Vito Barcelo

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte advised Vice President Leni Robredo not to run for president in the 2022 polls, calling her clueless days after firing her as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.

The President likewise ruled out the possibility of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will seek the presidency after he completes his term.

“Leni, don’t seek to cross over to the presidency. You don’t know anything,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines late Friday night.

Duterte earlier accused Robredo of

making “an asshole of herself” when she had reached out to foreign entities critical of the administration’s antinarcotics campaign. He also belittled Robredo, a fellow lawyer, for having to take the Bar exams twice.

Duterte fired Robredo as co-chair of the ICAD, 18 days since she assumed the post after insisting there can be no trust between them since they belong

to opposing political parties.

Robredo, however, said she will disclose matters she had discovered during her short-lived stint in ICAD. “In the coming days, I will give a report to the people. I will reveal what I discovered and my recommendations,” Robredo said.

“I assure you that even if I was stripped of the position, my determination to stop the killings, to make those accountable pay and to win our campaign against illegal drugs remains,” she added.

Meanwhile, the President also assured the public that his daughter will not seek the highest public office in 2022.

“I told her, ‘No, do not run.’ She will not run because I told her I will just end up pitying her. What will she do? These fools who think they are bright will think of all kinds of scenarios,” he said.

“I don’t like that. I would rather have someone else run for the presidency because they will just destroy and besmirch the reputation of my daughter,” he added.

Duterte-Carpio earlier floated the possibility of gunning for the presidency as she promised to make a decision by January 2021.

“My party-mates do not talk to me about politics. They know I easily get peeved,” the President said. With PNA

DUTERTE: CONTINUE BONIFACIO’S REVOLUTION PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday encouraged all Filipinos to continue the revolution started by Gat Andres Bonifacio by fighting corruption, illegal drugs and other social ills that beset the country.

“Today is an auspicious occasion to reflect on Andres Bonifacio’s legacy of awakening the Filipino consciousness to fight for our freedom and build an entire nation. The Father of the Philippine Revolution has taught us to embody patriotism and take a stand against our oppressors through the civic duties we fulfill as citizens of this great country,” the President said.

“We are challenged to continue his revolution as we liberate ourselves from corruption, criminality, terrorism, illegal drugs and other social ills that continue to plague our society,” he added.

The country yesterday marked the 156th anniversary of Bonifacio, who was born in 1863 in Tondo and fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Even in death, the President said Bonifacio’s great sacrifice “persists to ignite the spark of meaningful change” that can bring the country to greater heights.

“It is through Andres Bonifacio’s courage and selflessness that we have become an independent and vibrant nation that advances ever forward to the future. I urge everyone to emulate his love for country in our endeavors as we bring to life the strong and progressive Philippines that he had envisioned for us all,” Duterte said.

Bonifacio was one of the founders of the Kataas-taasang, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK), and later became the organization’s supreme leader.

Vito Barcelo and PNA

ART APPRECIATION. President Rodrigo Duterte admires the ‘Sagisag ng Bayan 2019’ sculpture given by sculptor Ramon Orlina at the Malacañan Palace on Nov. 29. Presidential Photo

VAPE CONSIDERED POISON, BAN UPHELD PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte justified his imposition of a total ban on vaping nationwide, saying he is merely wielding his power to protect the public from health risks.

Duterte, in an interview with CNN Philippines, said he had to order the prohibition against vaping devices because these are “another form of cigarettes” that also contain nicotine and other potentially toxic substances.

“Under our existing laws, you cannot smoke cigarette in public because there is nicotine, correct? Here comes vaping that is substitute for nicotine.

But it also has nicotine so you still contaminate,” he said.

“And all over the world, it’s now being banned. In Australia, in Singapore, it’s considered poison. So I have the

right to say—Do not allow it. Do not sell it,” the President added.

Duterte’s total ban on the use and manufacture of e-cigarettes came after the Department of Health confirmed that a 16-year-old girl from Central Visayas became the country’s first patient suffering from vape’s hazardous effects.

Around one million Filipinos use vaping devices and 25 percent of them are aged between 10 to 19 years old, according to DOH data.

The Health department had warned that e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals like nicotine, ultrafine particles, carcinogens, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds.

Duterte said he has to forbid the use of e-cigarettes as he does not

want to be remembered as “the President who did nothing to help the people in the health issues.”

“Now the government has the right to come out with measures to protect public interest, public health, public education, public works and so on and so forth. I cannot wait Congress because Congress knows that it has nicotine.

Congress knows that vaping cannot be used in public,” he said.

“And Congress should know that contraband should not be allowed to be sold because when you use it with other chemicals and nicotine. It produces another chemical of which government does not know. And it is my sworn duty to protect public health and public safety,” Duterte added. PNA

P455-M SHABU SEIZED IN LAS PIÑAS DRUG BUST

By Joel E. Zurbano AUTHORITIES seized more than P455 million worth of shabu during a raid in an apartment Saturday morning in Las Piñas City.

Las Piñas City police commander Col. Segundo Lagundi Jr. said Melanie Salem, who is renting Unit-A Lot 27 Blk 5 along F. Manalo Street, Golden Acres Subdivision in Barangay Talon 5 where the illegal drugs were found, is now in police custody.

He said a composite team from the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group, Southern Police District and the local police raided the apartment around 5:15 a.m. and found 67 kilograms of shabu placed in tea bags.

Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, PNP deputy chief for operations, led the raiding team.

“The team acted on a tip

by Maria Clavo, owner of the apartment, that her tenant allegedly brought the prohibited substance into the apartment,” said Lagundi.

The drugs were turned over to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition.

Police said Salem is the alleged live-in partner of Joel Bustamante, one of the suspects arrested in a buy-bust operation last Wednesday at a parking lot along C-5 Extension in Barangay Manuyo, also in Las Piñas City.

Bustamante and his brother Merwin, both residents of Tenejeros, Malabon City, were alleged couriers of Liu Chao who was apprehended in possession of P2.5 billion worth of illegal drugs in Makati City.

Police said 17 kilos of shabu worth P116 million were also seized from the Bustamantes when they were arrested.

Officials of PDEA, the lead government agency going after drug traffickers, said the country’s drug problem can now be classified as national security threat.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte had revealed that 40 percent of barangay officials are linked to illegal drugs.

SOLON WANTS PROTECTION FOR BOHOL’S CHOCOLATE HILLS

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEGISLATOR on Saturday asked fellow congressmen to speed up the passage of the bill strengthening the protection of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol province by declaring it as national treasure.

Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol said House Bill No. 2111 also protects the national heritage and geological monuments.

“Former President Fidel Ramos declared the Chocolate Hills as national geological monuments because of their exceptional characteristics, scientific importance, uniqueness, relevance to Philippine history and heritage as well as culture and development, their importance in the tourism industry as major

tourist attraction in the country, and high scenic value per the National Committee on Geological Sciences, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Tourism,” Aumentado said.

Aumentado said the Chocolate Hills, according to a German scientist’s study, were created over three million years ago —when Bohol was under seawater—by undersea currents and tidal action, which explains the perfect cone of some of the hills and the haycock formation of others.

The proposed “Chocolate Hills Protection Act” declares it the policy of the State to protect and preserve the Chocolate Hills located in 32 barangays in the municipalities of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan in Bohol.

BEAUTIFICATION. The newly-installed ornate lamp posts that line both sides of Jones Bridge serve to remind commuters and pedestrians of Manila’s historic past. Manny Palmero

Opinion B1

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ON EMIRATES’ GLITTERING COAST, PEARL TRADE LIVES ON

EDITORIAL

THE GAMES BEGIN

S

ATURDAY night’s opening of the Southeast Asian Games was, indeed, a spectacle, showcasing the best the Philippines had to offer in music and dance.

Make no mistake about it, however—beyond the pageantry, the extravaganza sought to convey deeper messages.

At the hands of creative director, veteran playwright Floy Quintos, and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, the opening ceremony showed the Philippines’ rich culture starting from pre-colonial days, and how it evolved over centuries amid countless factors and influences.

Quintos, who shared his

sentiments on social media, said the opening ceremonies were a “chance to show aspects of our culture that many modern Filipinos know little about or take for granted, buried under our own divisive neglect and lack of concern.”

Quintos said the number, the Warrior dances, trace the vigor, physicality and skill that is in the DNA of every great Filipino athlete.

He promised “no special effects, no fabulous, hitherto unseen

technological stage wizardry.”

Instead, there were good old energy, talent and joy. “The very things we return to. The very qualities that enable us to survive.”

The opening ceremonies showed that if we wanted to, and if we chose to, Filipinos could be united for a single cause.

No doubt the days leading up to the opening were marked with confusion and recrimination. It is just right that inquiries be made into the blunders committed that marred our neighbors’ perception of us. It is only proper that those who bungled their jobs must be held accountable for their mistakes.

But acknowledging that we

have many lessons to learn does not preclude us from reveling in the spirit of unity and camaraderie among our fellow Asean members.

It should not prevent us from being circumspect about the news stories and images we believe and share online. It is perfectly possible to advocate governance, competence and accountability while also reveling on goodwill among our people and among other countries in the region.

Ultimately, sports celebrates the indomitability of the human spirit, our affinity with others, and the drive to overcome all adversity to scale new heights. The Games have begun—interesting days ahead!

By Dana Moukhallati BEFORE the discovery of oil transformed the Gulf into one of the world's wealthiest regions, the fortunes of its people depended on pearling—a tradition that Abdullah al-Suwaidi hopes to revive.

Many Emirati families can trace their ancestry to a time when they were involved in the pearl trade, which served as the foundation of their modern-day wealth.

Although diving for the treasures is no longer necessary in an era where they can be cultured, Suwaidi said that after the death of his grandfather he felt "socially, culturally and historically" responsible for passing the knowledge on.

"I lived and grew up around my grandfather," the 45-year-old told AFP. "He taught me a lot about pearl diving... because of my continuous stream of questions and requests for more information and stories of adventure."

Suwaidi Pearls is the only commercial pearl farm in the United Arab Emirates, at a time of increasing awareness of cultural traditions, such as falconry and camel racing, and efforts to promote and preserve them.

Last month, Abu Dhabi authorities announced that the world's oldest natural pearl had been discovered two years ago just off the capital at Marawah Island and would be displayed for the first time at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the local outpost of the famous Paris museum.

The 8,000-year-old pearl was hailed as proof that the objects have been traded along the coastline since Neolithic times.

"The fact that it is the oldest known pearl in the world is an important reminder of the antiquity of pearling and the deep connection that exists between the UAE people and the rich resources of the sea," said Peter Magee, head of the Department of Culture and Tourism's archeology section.

"Pearling was a major economic activity through large periods of UAE history," he said.

"From the 15th century onwards, the pearls from the waters of the UAE were prized possessions in Europe and throughout Asia."

DIVING INTO HISTORY Suwaidi's pearl farm lies off the coast of his hometown Al-Rams in the northern emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, situated against a backdrop of mangroves, with camels grazing near the waterline on one side and mountains rising up on the other.

The oysters live in cages suspended from buoys that float close to the shore.

After being "seeded," some 60 percent will produce pearls, compared with just one in 100 among wild oysters.

But it is the same place where Suwaidi as a young boy would accompany his grandfather to dive for the sea's natural treasures and it is that tradition which captivates him to this day.

No one dives commercially for pearls anymore but some people like Suwaidi still do it for the love of it and to show tourists how it is done.

Aboard a traditional dhow, the same vessel that Arab pearl divers of the past would set sail in for months at a time, Suwaidi changes from his traditional Emirati dress to an all-cotton black diving suit, or shamshool.

Feet first, he jumps into the water to demonstrate how his ancestors would pick up oysters off the seabed.

He sinks to the seafloor—weighed down by a rock attached to a rope—where he starts to gather and pick up oysters and place them in a basket hanging from his neck.

Once done, between one and two minutes, he tugs at the rope, and his assistant pulls him up to the surface.

His tools are simple: A sea rock that hangs off his foot to weigh him down, a nose plug or ftaim, and a basket.

IN US, CLIMATE ANXIETY CHURNS UP PSYCHOLOGICAL STORM

By Becca Milfeld IN THE melting Arctic, communities are racing to maintain their way of life. In the rising Pacific, residents are sounding alarm bells. And in Rhode Island, Kate Schapira and her husband are not having a baby.

Fears about climate change are prompting worldwide action, but one knock-on effect in the United States is mounting anxiety about everything from plastics to classbased environmental disparities.

Schapira, a 40-year-old senior lecturer in the English department at Brown University, is addressing that unease in a number of ways.

The decision not to have children was not just about concern for their future wellbeing amid environmental degradation, she explained, but also about not wanting "my sense of responsibility to the world to shrink down to the size of one person."

Schapira also says she has likely taken her last flight.

She said she was troubled that people were treating her climate fears "like a personal, individual problem," she said, and she wanted to "see if that was actually the case."

So in 2014, Schapira started setting up a "climate anxiety" booth in public spaces, such as farmers' markets. It's a bit like Lucy's psychiatry stall from the beloved comic "Peanuts."

"Climate anxiety counseling, 5

cents. The doctor is in," the booth's sign reads, welcoming passersby in Providence to talk about their fears.

As it turns out, Schapira was far from alone.

WIDESPREAD WORRY About six in 10 Americans say they are at least "somewhat worried" about global warming and 23 percent say they are "very worried," according to a survey conducted by Yale and George Mason universities in March and April.

Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, said Americans can be broken into six categories based on their reaction to climate change, ranging from alarmed to dismissive.

"The common wisdom is that only upper-middle-class, white, welleducated, latte-sipping liberals care about climate change. Turns out that's not true," Leiserowitz said.

None of the six groups is majorly driven by one demographic, he said, with the exception of the "dismissives"—where "well-educated conservative white men" reign.

They are "dramatically different in terms of how they perceive the risk than everybody else" he said, thanks in large part to "a worldview that we call individualism"—particularly pronounced in that group.

Of course, that same demographic

also happens to control the White House, half of Congress and many of the nation's richest companies, such as in the fossil fuel industry.

As the world's top experts head to Spain for the UN summit on climate change opening Monday, Americans must deal with the idea that President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Paris climate accord.

EVERYONE' HAS CLIMATE ANXIETY For Lise Van Susteren, a Washington-based psychiatrist who has been studying the mental health impacts of climate change for 15 years, refusal to recognize the potential hazards is common for "people who are trying to deny that they, too are vulnerable."

"I actually have no hesitation in saying that on some level, I believe that everyone now has some climate anxiety," Van Susteren said.

Psychological responses to climate change such as "conflict avoidance, fatalism, fear, helplessness and resignation are growing," according to a 2017 report by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica.

And they coincide with an array of physical health impacts, such as asthma and allergies.

At a happy hour for environmentalists in Washington, Alicia Cannon—who works in

environmental policy lobbying—was asked whether she was experiencing any climate anxiety.

Her response: "Oh God, yes."

"I think a lot of people that work in climate feel some kind of climate anxiety because it's such a large-scale issue and it's overwhelming and you feel that it's overwhelming because of helplessness," the 23-year-old said.

According to Van Susteren, such feelings can lead people to question whether their individual actions are meaningful in light of the vast nature of the problem.

"What we do individually is counted collectively," she said, indicating that one person's behaviors can help establish consequential social norms.

Debbie Chang, 43, who organized a group counseling session on dealing with climate anxiety on the National Mall in Washington in May, has also decided not to have kids and tries to follow a zero-waste policy.

She keeps chopsticks in her purse to avoid single-use plastic utensils, carries a handkerchief to substitute for paper napkins, and brings a steel container with her to restaurants for any leftovers she might want.

Chang said until not that long ago, it was difficult to find information on "climate anxiety, climate grief, climate despair, climate counseling."

Now "there's more... people are starting to realize it's a thing," she added. AFP

OIL BECAME KING The pearl industry once underpinned the economy of the UAE but the trade collapsed in the 1930s with the advent of Japanese cultured pearls and as global conflicts made them an unaffordable luxury.

"Cultured pearls were easier to produce and cheaper, thus devaluing the once prized status of the UAE's pearls," Magee said.

Instead, the Gulf nations turned to the oil industry, which dominates their economies to this day.

While Suwaidi does sell his pearls to local and international designers, he says the venture is not merely aimed at making money.

A pearl's value depends on its size, shape, color—white, cream, grey, yellow, blue, lavender—lustre, surface and nacre quality.

They can be sold for anywhere between 200 AED ($55) and 50,000 AED ($13,612), according to Suwaidi.

Round pearls tend to be most valuable, but pear, oval and irregular shaped ones are also sought after.

He hopes to keep the tradition alive by sharing pearling skills with the next generation of Emiratis, as well as the tourists who make the trek to his farm where he works alongside some 20 employees.

"When people come to the UAE, they want to see something they haven't seen anywhere else. Pearling is a main [cultural] factor," he said, adding that it also had a light environmental footprint.

"Look, we can enter calmly and we can leave calmly," he said, indicating that pearling was possible without disturbing nearby grazing camels and flamingos that have migrated to the area. AFP Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

LONDON BRIDGE ATTACK: TERROR CONVICT KILLS 2

L

ONDON—A man suspected of stabbing two people to death in a terror attack on London Bridge was an ex-prisoner convicted of terrorism offenses and released last year, police said Saturday.

The knifeman, wearing a suspected hoax explosive device, was shot dead by police after Friday's daylight assault that also saw bystanders intervene to try and disarm him.

Three more people were wounded in the stabbing spree that came less than two weeks before Britain votes in a general election, and revived memories of a three-man attack two years ago on London Bridge that killed eight.

Police named the suspect as 28-year-old Usman Khan, saying they were not actively seeking others in relation to the incident.

"This individual was known to authorities, having been convicted in 2012 for terrorism offenses. He was released from prison in December 2018 on licence," Neil Basu, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said in a statement.

In 2012 Khan, from Stoke in central England, was jailed along with zxz s n`eight others in a terrorist group inspired by Al-Qaeda

that had plotted to bomb targets including the London Stock Exchange.

He was sentenced to a minimum of eight years in prison and was also found guilty of making longer-term plans including taking part in "terrorist training" in Pakistan.

Basu said Khan had attended an event on Friday afternoon at Fishmonger's Hall, a historic building on the north side of the bridge in the center of the capital.

"We believe that the attack began inside before he left the building and proceeded onto London Bridge, where he was detained and subsequently confronted and shot by armed officers," he said.

Footage filmed by eyewitnesses and shared on social media showed a scrum of people tackling the suspect on the ground before the police arrived.

One man, wearing a suit and tie, was seen carrying a large knife away from the group. AFP

FIGHTING BACK. A feminist activist uses a slingshot during a protest against gender violence and patriarchy in Santiago, Chile on Nov. 29. Furious Chileans have since Oct. 18 been protesting social and economic inequality against an entrenched political elite that comes from a small number of the wealthiest families in the country, among other issues. AFP

CHINA BANS USE OF AI, VIRTUAL REALITY FOR FAKE NEWS 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)

BEIJING—China has issued new rules banning online video and audio providers from using artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality technologies to produce "fake news."

The regulation published Friday by China's cyberspace authority said that both providers and users of online video news and audio services are "not allowed" to use new technologies such as deep learning and virtual reality to create, distribute and broadcast "fake news."

"Fake news" has been generalized to mean anything from a mistake to a parody or a deliberate misinterpretation of facts.

The rules come into effect on January 1, 2020.

Failure to follow them could be considered a criminal offense, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said, without offering details on punishments.

The rules require videos and audio tracks produced using AI or virtual reality technologies to carry clear labels warning users.

The regulations particularly stressed the dangers of "deepfakes," or technology that manipulates videos to appear genuine but which depict events or speech that never happened. AFP

OLYMPIC VENUE CAN FIGHT HEAT TOKYO—Construction of the $1.4 billion main Tokyo Olympic venue has officially completed, constructors said on Saturday, and is set to fight excessive heat with a nature-inspired design.

Japan's summer heat is a major concern for Tokyo 2020 officials, with doctors warning the Games could see deadly medical emergencies.

The five-story stadium, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, will seat 60,000 fans and nods to traditional techniques through the prominent use of wood.

Around 2,000 cubic meters of cedar wood were brought in

from all of Japan’s 47 prefectures, with an emphasis on wood from the northern Tohoku region hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

The use of layered wooden canopies is also a reference to the 1,300-year-old five-story pagoda at Horyuji temple in western Nara prefecture, the oldest wooden building in the world.

"Today, we were able to welcome the completion of the new national stadium," Japan Sport Council (JSC) in charge of the project said in a press release.

"The new history will begin," it said. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Images

XMAS WISH. A participant holds up a placard to call for action on climate change during a march in Tokyo on Nov. 29. Millions of people took to the streets last month in nearly every major global city for a series of ‘climate strikes’ with the latest demonstrations coming as 200 nations prepare to gather in Madrid in early December for a 12-day UN climate conference. AFP

B3

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

STUFFED TURKEY? NOT TODAY. Bread and Butter, a pair of turkeys that were pardoned by US President Donald Trump in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. AFP

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK VAST BLUE. A man watches fish and sharks swim at the Miami Seaquarium on Nov. 27, in Miami, Florida. AFP

FOR A CAUSE. Nude members of a fraternity hold placards as they participate in an ‘Oblation Run’ at the University of the Philippines campus in Manila on Nov. 29. The annual event, which includes a nude run, was used to draw the attention to HIV/AIDS issues in the Philippines, which has a rapidly growing HIV epidemic. AFP

PROTEST UMBRELLAS. Activists holding umbrellas in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong stand in front of the Chinese consulate in the financial district of Manila on Nov. 27. AFP

B4

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Koh Jian Yang of Singapore (R) shoots past Juan Serrano Paolo of the Philippines during the men’s water polo round robin match between Singapore and Philippines at the SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) at the Aquatics Centre in Clark. AFP

T

EAM Philippines starts its quest to win the overall crown of the 30th Asian Games as hostilities go full blast in venues spread across New Clark City, Clark, Subic and Metro Manila.

After the pomp and pageantry of the inaugural rites of the SEA Games held in Bocaue, Bulacan Saturday night, a slew of sports will be bidding to deliver the country’s first gold medal in the regional sportsfest, hoping to spark the Filipino campaigners’ bid in regaining the overall crown they last held in the 2005 PH SEA Games.

That distinction could easily belong to triathlon as the Pinoy bets seek to complete another golden double in sweeping the men’s and women’s events early Sunday morning at the Subic Bay Boardwalk inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

With back-to-back SEA Games men’s triathlon champion Nikko Huelgas gone, the focus in the men’s event starting at 6 a.m. will be the local duel between John Chicano, a silver medalist in the 2017 Malaysia SEAG, and Cebuano wunderkind Kim Remolino, who finished No. 17 ASTC Triathlon

Cup held in Gyeongyu, South Korea last June.

Olympic hopeful Kim Mangrobang, who has been training in Europe, is the top favorite in retaining her women’s title with compatriot Kim Kilgroe emerging as her main rival for the gold in the event unfolding at 8 a.m.

Mangrobang and Kilgroe finished seventh and ninth, respectively, in the 2018 Asian Games, with just one minute and 47 seconds separating the two elite triathletes.

It is not far-fetched that the PH standardbearers could complete a 1-2 finish in both men’s and women’s divisions.

Also starting off early and hoping to produce the country’s opening-day mints are the cyclists in the men’s and women’s mountain bike downhill races in Laurel, Batangas featuring Eleazar Barba and John Derrick Farr in the first race while Lea Denise Belgira and Naomi Gardoce are vying on the distaff side.

The national polo team will be bidding to make history as it battles Malaysia for the gold in the 4-6 high goal event Sunday afternoon at the Miguel Romero field in Calatagan, Batangas.

Expecting to make his SEA Games golden debut is world men’s floor exercise gymnastics champion

Carlos Edriel Yulo, who is the hand’s down choice to rule the all-around event in men’s artistic gymnastics at the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Coliseum Sunday evening.

The Olympic-bound Yulo, who has been training in Tokyo for over the past three years under Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, is tipped to gobble up majority of the seven golds up for grabs in his division.

Hoping to make their golden contribution once again in the country’s SEAG overall championship campaign after an absence of 14 years are the Pinoy arnis exponents, who all loom as strong contenders in the eight golds at stake in the live stick event.

To be held at the modern Angeles University Foundation gym in Angeles, Pampanga, vying in the men’s division are Dexter Bolambao (men’s below-55 kilograms), Nino Talledo (men’s 55-60 kg), Villardo Cunamay (men’s above 60 kg) and Mike Banares (men’s above 65-kg.), according to head coach Richard Gialogo.

The women’s arnis standard-bearers are Jezebel Morcillo (below 60 kg), Jude Rodriguez (5055 kg.), Eza Rai Yalong (55-60 kg.) and Erl Busacay (above 60), Gialogo added.

CATALAN EYES SEAG GOLD, THIS TIME IN SANBO RENE ‘D’ Challenger’ Catalan may have lost his recent ONE Championship bout against a fellow Filipino, but he is still confident that he can contribute to the five gold medals that the Philippines is projected to deliver in the sambo competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Catalan values the experience he gained when he fought it out—and lost—to reigning Filipino champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio in the world title main event at ONE: Masters of Fate last November 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“I learned a good experience. I know that we (Philippine team) are strong. I will use it (experience) for my team,” said Catalan, who remained upbeat that he can deliver.

The 40-year-old Catalan saw his six-fight winning streak snapped when he was submitted by Pacio, in

Catalan

the second round.

Catalan, a former Asian Games and SEA Games gold medalist in wushu, will return to the games this time in Sambo, a martial arts and combat sports that traces its roots in Russia.

Eleven gold medals are at stake in this combat sport, to be held at

the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles, Pampanga, starting on Dec. 5.

Catalan’s credentials are top rate -winner of the Wushu World Championship and Wushu World Cup twice, while bagging gold medals at the Asian Championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian games.

“Since 2003 ko pa dinadala ang bandila ng Pilipinas,” added Catalan, who won a gold medal in the Sansou competitions of the 2005 SEA Games which the Philippines hosted.

His career as a wushu artist was cut short when he was asked to retire by officials to give way to younger fighters.

But Catalan proved that he still has plenty left in his arsenal when he joined the ONE Championship, where he strung up six straight wins, even against younger foes.

Along the way, he captured the

gold medal at the Southeast Asian Sambo Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Nakita nila ‘yung dedication ko kaya siguro ako nakabalik sa national team, this time in another sport,” said Catalan, who plans to use his SEA Games’ campaign as his swan song.

After the games, he plans coach the national team full-time.

Catalan is bringing in another fighter whom he is training and coaching, Patrick Manicad, a 6-foot warrior entered in the lightweight class. Other members of the team are featherweight Mark Striegl, Nino Mondejar in the 90 kgs class and Chino Sy in the 80-kgs action.

Sambo fighters in the women’s side are Helen Aclopen, Marian Mariano, Jed Andrei Kim, Renzo Casinas, and Patrick dos Santos.

Mixed Martial Arts superstar Brandon Vera is the team manager.

UNIVERSITY OF VISAYAS, NATIONAL U CROWNED CHAMPS ROXAS CITY—University of Visayas and Nazareth School of National University were crowned champions in their respective divisions at the SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament National Finals in Roxas City, Capiz.

Around 120 student-athletes saw action at Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center, where they went head-to-head and competed for the biggest title in youth basketball.

UV toppled defending champion La Salle Greenhills in an epic showdown in the SBP division, while NU made a colossal feat for bagging the championships for the second straight time.

“These young basketeers have shown an excellent display of discipline, confidence and teamwork throughout the games, and that has been the underlining goal for MILO in supporting this year’s SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament,” said Veronica Cruz, Vice President, Nestlé Philippines-MILO. “We are honored to be a part of a program that provides an avenue for these kids to reach their full potential and acquire character-forming values that they can learn from the sport.”

Backed by leading beverage brand MILO, the National Finals of the SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament marked the culmination of the regional competition that took place in key cities in Metro Manila, Luzon (Baguio, Pangasinan, Pampanga), Visayas (Iloilo, Roxas, Cebu), and Mindanao (Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga).

UV ENDS LA SALLE’S 4-PEAT REIGN Young cagers of the University of Visayas passed the

Members of the UV team are shown after winning the SBP division cage title.

La Salle Greenhills test with flying colors, scoring a 6258 victory. UV Green Lancers went off to a strong start in the first half of the SPB division championship game, and kept its dominance until the finish.

“I told the kids to enjoy and play with all their heart,” said Ronald Bucao, head coach of the UV Green Lancers. “The kids from La Salle are big and tall, and mine are smaller, so I said to them, ‘once you step into the court, your heart should be bigger than the kids playing against you’. Our team had great communication on court. We were able to stick to our gameplan which was a lot of defense,” he added.

Completing the Top 3 of the SBP division was Corpus Christi School, who edged off Berkley School, 59-36.

NU TOPPLES ISBB IN HERCULEAN FEAT Nazareth School of National University showed master class in the Passerelle division against International School for Better Beginnings, taking a 25-point victory, 91-66. The NU Bullpups stood its ground as champion two times in a row, while ISBB took home the silver finish for the first time in its SBP-Passerelle history.

On the other hand, Hercor College landed third after relegating Xavier University High School, 67-61.

In recognition of the delegation that demonstrated the highest value of sportsmanship, MILO and BEST Center awarded the Special Sportsmanship Award to Berkley School of Baguio (SBP division) and Xavier University (Passerelle division) during the Fellowship Night and Awarding Ceremony. The Sportsmanship Award honors the delegation of players and parents who showed exemplary conduct both inside and outside the court.

“We applaud all the athletes, coaches and parents for demonstrating sportsmanship throughout the tournament,” said Luigi Pumaren, MILO Sports Executive. “May they continue to strive for excellence and exemplify the values as they go through their sporting journey.”

CHICANO, MANGROBANG POISED TO WIN TRIATHLON SUBIC—Kim Mangrobang and John Rambo Chicano are poised to rule the triathlon competition at Subic Bay Boradwalk on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Mangrobang, who claimed the gold medal in 2017, will see action in the individual women’s category at 8 a.m.

In her previous interviews, Mangrobang, who spent the last couple of years training in Portugal, has been always vocal, saying that she won’t settle for anything less than a gold medal.

Mangrobang will be paired with Filipino-foreign triathlete Kim Kilgroe in a bid for another 1-2 finish similar to the team’s feat in 2017 Malaysia.

The same goes for Chicano after a second-place finish to Nikko Huelgas in the individual men’s division in the 2017 edition of the biennial meet.

Cebuano triathlete Kim Remolino will likewise aim for the gold after topping a couple of Filipino elite races prior to the SEA Games.

“Siyempre nandoon pa rin ‘yung mindset na goal natin maka-gold para sa Philippines,” said Chicano, who’s gunning for his first SEA Games gold medal. “Doon lang kami nakatingin ngayon.” “‘Yung feeling na nire-represent mo ‘yung bansa, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam lalung lalo na kung nananalo ka para sa bayan mo,” he added.

Although they have the homecourt advantage, Chicano was quick to say that complacency has no room in the Philippine national team.

He mentioned Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam as their toughest competitor as they start the race at 6 a.m.

“Nandiyan pa rin ‘yung Singapore, malakas pa rin ‘yung lineup nila ngayon. Tinitignan din namin ‘yung Malaysia and Vietnam kasi malakas daw ‘yung swimmer nila so tignan natin,” said Chicano. “Pero gold pa rin ang target natin.”

THAILAND, PH RENEW WEIGHTLIFTING RIVALRY HEAVY favorites Philippines and Thailand renew rivalry as competition in the weiglifting event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games starts Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside RMSC Complex in Manila.

Thailand and host Philippines lead the cast of eight nations that include Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and Vietnam trying to dominate the fourday competition, which will end Wednesday.

At stake in the event are 10 gold medals, six in the women’s and four in the men’s division with the Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz ang Nestor Colonia among the top bets in their respective category.

The 28-year-old Diaz, aiming for her first gold in the Sea Games, had just won two bronzes in the 2019 IWF World Championship in Pattaya, Thailand, but she will be challenged in the women’s 55-kg by 20-year-old Khambao Surodchana of Thailand and 17-year-old Indonesian Juliana Klarissa, a 10th finisher in the 2019 World championship in Suva, Fiji.

Also in the same weight division is Vietnam’s Nguyin Thi Thuy, a 5th placer in the 2019 World Cup in China and 6th finisher in the 2019 Asian Championship in Ningbo, China.

In today’s first day of action featuring the Philippines’ John Fabliar Ceniza (55-kg) and Mary Flor Diaz (45-kg), the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will display her wares Monday, while also Olympian Nestor Colonia follow suit on Tuesday in the 67-kg. Men’s division.

Apart from the heavy loaded women’s 55-kg category, the rests will be vying for gold in the 45kg, 49-kg, 59-kg, 64-kg and 71-kg in the women’s division as well as 55-kg, 61-kg, 67-kg and 73-kg in the men’s class.

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LADY executive who returned to the country after working in Japan for more than 28 years has recently launched eco-friendly novelty products, including toys, made from cardboards.

“We would like to be a positive influencer to society with our choice of products. Of course, business is business, but we can be responsible in our choice of what to give the public. Our vision is to be a cornerstone of more responsible retailing,” says Veraldyn Simbulan, president of local retailer 4DPocket Inc. “Our mission is to introduce products and designs that will have positive effects to society.

We introduce eco-friendly products designed to educate and inspire people to become creative,” Simbulan says in an interview at the company’s warehouse in Makati City.

Simbulan teamed up with Japanese designer Eiichiro ‘EJ’ Nonomiya, president of Howay Philippines Inc., to initially offer toys such as kitchen and house replicas made from cardboards which toddlers and young kids can assemble and decorate with the help of their parents or grandparents.

“I was amazed that somethings like these can be made out of flat surfaces. The fun is in putting together the parts. It is a good tool for bonding among family members. Because it is made of paper, it is safe for children. When it is put together, they can decorate it as they want,” she says.

Simbulan says these toys are educational because they involve engineering and design.

“Because it is made of paper, it is also eco-friendly,” she says.

“As much as possible, I want to put these in the hands of students. I am targeting PTAs and nurseries, kindergartens, associations for child protection, social workers and centers that

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

FORMER OFW TURNS CARDBOARDS INTO TOYS P&A Grant Thornton chairperson and CEO Ma. Victoria Españo

PH FIRMS RELY HEAVILY ON SOFTWARE VS CYBER THREATS

By Othel V. Campos

4DPocket Inc. president Veraldyn Simbulan

develop children’s motor skills,” she says.

“As a businesswoman, I think there is a great potential for this kind of products. This is the first time we are introducing them because it took us years of research,” she says.

Simbulan says the toys under the Japanese brand Howay are perfect gifts for kids as these encourage them to bond with their parents and grandparents especially during the holiday season. Such safe and creative toys, she says, will divert the attention of children from electronic gadgets that do not hone family relationships.

“These toys are designed in Japan but made in the Philippines,” she clarifies. “They are safe because they have no sharp edges. These are cut by wave blades. It is very easy to dispose of and return to nature.”

Simbulan says when she returned to the Philippines five years ago, she established 4DPocket as a new retailing company and distributor of special products in the market. “We aim to give back to society by choosing the right products to sell. Howay toys is the first in our line of products,” she says.

She says she is bringing to the Philippines some of the wonderful things she discovered in Japan.

“Having lived in Japan, there were a lot of things I have learned. It was a big university for me, culturally and intellectually. I speak fluent Japanese, so I wanted to give back some of what I have learned also,” she says.

“I lived longer in Japan that I have lived here in the Philippines. I was there for more than 28 years. When I came back, I noticed that there were a lot of changes in

Philippine society, particularly with families,” she says.

“I was lucky to be born in the 1960s and played local games such as ‘taguan’ and ‘luksong baka’.

These games involved a lot of interaction. In the province, when there was no electricity or radio transmission, we used our imagination. We made houses made of hay,” she says.

Simbulan says she was surprised by the many changes that took place within Filipino families with the rise of modern technologies. “There was nothing wrong with technology, but I notice that when I go to malls or restaurants, there are families having dinner without talking to one another. Kids are focused on their games and parents are on their cellphones. Sometimes, the grandparents have no one to talk to,” she says.

She says it is one of the reasons she thought about introducing Howay toys in the country. “Five years ago, when I relocated here with my daughter, I was thinking of starting my own business. By chance, I met a Japanese designer and toymaker [Eiichiro] who has been going around Asia to expand his business. Somehow, he found the Philippines appealing. He is a third-generation president of a 63-year-old packaging company. When he took the reins of the company, he managed to grow the company to the next generation using the production of cardboard displays,” she says.

“In his heart, he wanted to put out something more creative. It was his enthusiasm for his products that touched me and I wanted to market his products here.

Out of the flat paper or cardboard, with a bit of engineering, design, cutting, folding and creasing, he designed wonderful products like these,” says Simbulan.

Eiichiro says he took inspiration from origami, or the Japanese art of paper folding. “Since the start of my 63-year-old company, even with packaging of boxes, it also has connections with paper folding.

We have never thought of packaging as creative, but actually, when it is on the drawing board and you are starting to make it, it is highly creative,” he says.

“I started to create products which can contribute to society by helping children become creative. These are the products that I came up with. Since it proved successful in Japan, and I came here five years ago doing business with our printing and packaging, I thought that this would also contribute in a positive way to Philippine society. I decided to bring the products here with the same intention,” says Eiichiro.

Simbulan is particularly hoping that Howay products will help foster a closer bond among children, their parents and grandparents.

“I feel somehow relieved that hopefully once I have a grandchild, there is finally a toy that I can play with my grandchild. With Howay toys, children will be more enticed to learn,” she says.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

PHILIPPINE companies rely heavily on technology to fight cyber threats, according to the latest International Business Report of Grant Thornton.

The study shows that about 42 percent of medium-scale businesses in the Philippines placed their ultimate trust on software in managing digital risks such as cybersecurity and data privacy, which is higher by nearly half than the ASEAN average of 28 percent or global average of 32 percent.

The report said that in managing digital risks, the over-reliance on software and related technology is one weakness that business organizations need to assess first.

Global organizations have spent billions of dollars on technology that promises to keep cyber threats at bay, with the US spending $170 billion for software that thwart off cyber attacks and cyber piracy.

A valid observation of the IBR was the fact that business leaders acknowledge this over-dependence on technology, but companies are called on to improve their employees’ awareness and specialist skills in cybersecurity.

“It is essential that businesses understand that investing in technology alone is not the only answer to reducing digital risk, and it will not protect them from losing customer trust should the worst happen. A key starting point for companies is understanding the type of business they are in, and the value they deliver to the customer,” said P&A Grant Thornton chairperson and CEO Ma. Victoria Españo.

P&A is Grant Thornton’s partner in the Philippines.

Españo said that investments for cybersecurity will not entail huge amount of investments as companies will be able to taper technology spending as they build on their business acumen, processes, and in-house skills.

Internal governance, processes and people are the other crucial ingredients to mitigating a potential breach. Non-tech measures are also important to protecting company information and processes.

IBR found out that 63 percent of Filipino mid-sized businesses employ mechanisms to review all digital risks, including cyber, data privacy and disruption to operations compared to 66 percent in the ASEAN and 67 percent of global.

BEYOND STEELMAKING THE current administration’s ‘Build! Build! Build’ program has fueled the significant growth of the Philippines’ infrastructure sector and along with it, the demand for quality and costeffective steel.

This presents a great opportunity for the steel industry. But for Melters Steel Corp., one of the major steel manufacturers in the country, growth is not just about being able to leverage the booming demand and capturing a significant market share, but most importantly, it is about helping the community.

On Nov. 15, MSC, together with AboitizPower and Aboitiz Foundation Inc., embarked on a medical mission for its host community in Pampanga. Around 85 residents of Barangay San Isidro, San Simon, Pampanga underwent free medical and dental consultations and received medicines worth a total of P200,000.

“We are very thankful to Melters that as their host barangay, we are able to reach out to them to address our needs, and they have always been willing to help,” San Isidro chairman Randie Flores said.

Apart from the medical mission, other corporate social

responsibility initiatives of MSC include disaster relief efforts, computer donation and cement donation for the rehabilitation of the community church.

“We try to help as much as we can. Anything with regard to the community, we’re always here to help,” MSC assistant vice president for human resources Lance Lim said.

MSC also recognized the value of its long-standing partnership with AboitizPower to community and nation-building.

“It’s a win-win situation. We can always do it on our own but it’s a lot better with the support of Aboitiz. We’re very happy with our partnership and when the time comes, we want to expand our business with Aboitiz and grow together with Aboitiz,” Lim said.

AboitizPower supplies reliable, cost-efficient and sustainable electricity to MSC’s smelting plant in Pampanga.

“AboitizPower is very professional, and we want to deal with people like that. They know what they’re doing. They know what they want, and they know the direction that they’re going to.

We’re thankful that we did not make a mistake in choosing them,” MSC president and chief executive Nena Lim said.

Since it was established in 2008, Melters Steel Corp. has sustained its efforts to improve the quality of life in its host community in Barangay San Isidro, San Simon, Pampanga.

Business

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IN BRIEF

GATCHALIAN PUSHES RETAIL LIBERALIZATION

VALENZUELA City Rep. Weslie Gatchalian is pushing for the amendments of Republic Act No. 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act to remove the barriers to foreign investments in the local retail sector.

Gatchalian, the chairman of the House committee on trade and industry, said House Bill No. 59 aims to open up the Philippine retail industry and promote a greater variety of products, more choices of goods for consumers, the inflow of new technology and employment of more Filipinos.

The new bill consolidates the related proposals filed by more than 40 members of the House of Representatives.

“The Philippines’ wholesale and retail trade industry is one of the most important sectors of the Philippine economy,” Gatchalian said in his sponsorship of the bill.

“Hence, if we can encourage more foreign investments into the country by liberalizing our retail trade sector, this would mean more employment opportunities for Filipinos,” he said.

The proposed bill seeks to reduce the minimum paid up capital and locally produced stock inventory requirements for foreign retail business enterprises.

He said RA 8762 imposes a steep minimum paid-up capitalization requirement for foreign ownership of a retail establishment in the Philippines. It requires a minimum paid-up capital of US$2.5 million which is considered restrictive, as shown by the fact that only 22 foreign retailers have entered the domestic market since the law was passed in 2000.

On top of the minimum paid-up capital requirement, the law requires that the investments for establishing a store shall not be less than US$830,000.00.

HB 59 proposes to lower the minimum paid-up capital required of foreign-owned partnerships, associations and corporations from US$2.5 million to US$200,000.

It also seeks to remove the requirements for foreign investors acquire shares of stock of local retailers offer a minimum of 30 percent of their equity to the public through any stock exchange.

The bill also proposes to eliminate the required net worth, number of retailing branches, and retailing track record conditions for foreign retailers to engage in retail trade in the Philippines.

It also aims to reduce the required locally manufactured products carried by foreign retailers from 30 percent to 10 percent of the aggregate cost of their stock inventory.

However, the bill states that only nationals from countries which allow the entry of Filipino retailers shall be allowed to engage in retail trade in the Philippines. “ The lowering of the paid-up capital requirement is expected to increase FDIs, foster competition and innovation in the retail industry, and most importantly, provide consumers with more choices of goods and services with better quality at lower prices. Further, with the influx of capital, this measure is expected to create more jobs for Filipinos,” Gatchalian said.

PIONEER RELEASES INSURESHOP PIONEERING Philippine insurer Pioneer has relaunched its retail e -commerce website InsureShop, anchored by its latest travel, medical and motorcycle insurance products and designed for the always-connected Filipino.

“There’s no better time than the present to secure insurance for some of the most relevant needs of the digital generation,” said Lorenzo Chan Jr., digital transformation head of the Pioneer group.

“That is why we have made InsureShop the easiest, most convenient way to get insured, especially in this age where more and more Filipinos are taking to e-commerce for many for their needs,” said Chan.

Led by e-commerce and ride-hailing services that have enjoyed an annualized growth of 47 percent and 35 percent respectively, the Philippines’ Internet economy is expected to hit $7 billion worth of gross merchandise value by the end of 2019, according to the latest e-Conomy SEA research of Google and Singaporean investment company, Temasek.

By bringing insurance to an accessible and easy-to-use e-commerce platform, Pioneer aims to make purchasing insurance as practical as buying new clothes, gadgets, and other necessities online.

“The relaunch of our new InsureShop is aligned with the digital transformation of the whole Pioneer group; at the heart of which is improving the insurance experience of our customers, allowing them to easily secure protection for the different needs & facets of their lives, especially given mobile and digital technologies that are readily available to them,” said Chan.

Pioneer’s new online shop carries three banner products that insure individuals for their travel, health and motoring needs. The products— SafeTrip, MediCash and RideSure –are now available for easy enrollment, simple purchase, and instant policy delivery all online via www.insureshop.ph so that one can be insured anytime and anywhere as long as one has an internet connection.

SafeTrip is travel insurance, available 24/7 with five well-designed plans to suit different travel needs depending on destinations, distances, and durations one will be away.

DBP SIGNS LANDMARK BANKING REFORMS A LONE Philippine bank is part of the founding signatories to a landmark global agreement outlining guidelines for sustainability in the financial sector.

The Development Bank of the Philippines is one of 130 banks worldwide who have signed to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, launched on the eve of the UN Climate Action Summit in New York on Sept. 23.

The principles commit the financial institutions to strategically align their business with the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 130 banks collectively hold $47 trillion in assets, comprising a third of the global banking sector.

“The UN Principles for Responsible Banking are a guide for the global banking industry to respond to, drive and benefit from a sustainable development economy. The principles create the accountability that can realize responsibility, and the ambition that can drive action,” said UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres in a statement.

DBP’s commitment to the seminal UN agreement has been lauded by environmentalist groups in the Philippines. “We welcome this development as a signal that the Philippine business sector, particularly the banking and finance industry, is finally taking the issue of climate change seriously,” said Rodne Galicha, lead convenor of the Catholic climate advocacy group Living Laudato Si–Philippines.

Living Laudato Si is a movement acting on the pronouncements of Pope Francis in his encyclical of the same name, urging the faithful to take concrete steps against climate change by supporting sustainable business development and divesting from destructive enterprises such as those involved in fossil fuels and mining.

MSMES: LIFEBLOOD OF PH ECONOMY

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LL over the Philippines, entrepreneurs sell everything from food to jewelry, accessories, to health supplements. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies says 99 percent of business establishments in the country are micro, small and medium enterprises.

enterprises have thrived and grown. The modest enterprises are just some of the thousands of MSMEs that received a big boost when they were able to partner with SM Supermalls.

Having started as a small business itself, SM Supermalls has opened its doors to thousands of MSMEs all over the country.

“These MSMEs are considered the main drivers of the economy, which is why there is a need to support their journey. At SM, 70 percent of our tenants—more than 14,000 of them—are MSMEs,” said SM Supermalls chief operating officer Steven Tan. The exposure the small businesses achieved by locating in a major mall chain helped their ideas, Creating jobs for many Filipinos and raising the products and services gain traction. quality of life of their families, increasing trade and “The partnership with SM has yielded growth promoting community development, MSMEs have for us. SM supports its tenants and the locations become the backbone of the country’s economy, they’ve given us have led to expansion that we’re helping fuel the country’s financial growth. very, very happy with,” said Binamira.

But many challenges hinder the growth of MSIn addition to good location, SM also provides MEs, such as lack of facilities and a good marketMSMEs with access to their Data Recovery Facility, ing strategy to promote their products, as well as or the Business Continuity Program, as part of its knowledge on how to grow and achieve success Disaster Risk Reduction efforts.

Marnie Alcantara, owner of perfume brand, that is sustainable.

SM tenants are given free data storage facility Prescripto Prescripto, Maxi Mango and Zubuchon are three MSMEs that were able to overcome chal- marketing work—no advertising, promotions or ce- for their operational and insurance documents so lenges to grow and achieve success. lebrity endorsers because we could not afford them.” that they can easily make their claims for insurance Perfume brand Prescripto started as a small Soft serve dessert brand Maxi Mango was payment to facilitate their businesses’ recovery home-grown enterprise. Prescripto owner Marnie founded by a young married couple Miki and after a disaster, as well as bounce forward instead Alcantara said, “On our first day as a business, my Ivan Velasquez, who had their roots in Davao. Miki of starting from scratch because important data brother and I did the selling in a small stall in SM said, “We were OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] in is saved, and easily retrieved.

“Assisting our MSME tenants in various ways Southmall. We did not have any sales background. London. We decided to come home to start our And like many new entrepreneurs, we worried be- own business. We launched our first Maxi Mango helps SM Supermalls achieve its own goal to grow the retail industry in the country, and as such, cause we were not businessmen. We did not do any pop-up with a lot of trepidation.”

Sustainability is a key measure of success for everyone benefits,” said Tan. Maxi Mango and other MSMEs. Starting out as a soft serve ice cream business, Maxi Mango worked with different ingredients and flavors and struck gold by focusing on one flavor: mango float in a cup. The innovation has helped Maxi Mango firmly establish itself as a viable enterprise.

But for Miki, it was not just the growth of their enterprise that made their venture worthwhile.

“A lot of pride comes from being able to provide jobs for Filipinos. When we started, we said, ‘We’re giving jobs to two people, my husband and myself.’

Then we had three employees. Now, with over 34 branches, we have over 40, maybe more. And we employ the young, senior citizens, we give opportunities to everyone.” Miki said.

Joel Binamira, owner of Cebu-based lechon restaurant Zubuchon, said, “Anthony Bourdain very kindly said Zubuchon was the best pig he’d ever eaten. Ten months after we served Mr. Bourdain, some of my staff sold our products at a weekend market to make some extra money. A writer was able to get a taste of our food, and then we got featured in a Cebu newspaper. That’s how the business started.”

Miki and Ivan Velasquez, owners of soft serve dessert Joel Binamira, owner of lechon restaurant By developing and nurturing a broad customer brand Maxi Mango Zubuchon base and finding prime locations, the three small

COCA-COLA PH NAMED SUSTAINABILITY TRAILBLAZER WORLD Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, the local arm of the world’s largest conservation organization, has recognized Coca-Cola Philippines as a sustainability trailblazer for its programs on water replenishment, women economic empowerment, energy efficiency and climate protection and for one of its most ambitious undertakings—its World Without Waste vision.

With a vast system in the Philippines that encompasses its bottling arm Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. as well as the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, the company mobilizes its system to work together, each playing SM an Supermalls important role Steven Tan at in ensuring that the CompanyCOO champions sustainthe Nikkei Business ability across the entire business and beyond.

Working toward a World WithoutForum Waste, CCBPI announced this year that it will invest in a P1billion pioneering, state-of-the-art, food-grade recycling facility that will help boost the country’s recycling rates and uplift livelihoods in the waste value chain. This represents Coca-Cola’s first major investment in a recycling facility in South East Asia Further to this, Coca-Cola has been pushing strongly toward packaging innovation. It launched its first-ever bottle made entirely of recycled plastic under the Viva! brand and introduced the Sprite clear bottle, a complete redesign prompted by the Company’s goal to increase the recyclability of its packaging.

Working with local communities, Coca-Cola aims to help strengthen solid waste management practices in areas where it is present.

It has piloted programs in host barangays in Iloilo and Bacolod; and has collaborated with local government units, including Boracay, Davao,

Coca-Cola Philippines, led by is recognized as a sustainability trailblazer by the World Wide Fund for Nature. Receiving the award are (from left) Coca-Cola Philippines public affairs and sustainability director Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. corporate and regulatory affairs director Atty.

Juan Lorenzo Tañada, CCBPI president and CEO Gareth McGeown and CCBPI stakeholder relations senior manager Atty. Marc Cox.

Siargao, and Palawan to champion environmental stewardship.

Through NGO partners, the Coca-Cola Foundation has also aided communities in Cavite, Bataan, Marinduque, Albay, Davao, Metro Manila, Boracay, La Union, Baler, Siargao, Negros Occidental and Saranggani through waste management workshops and the deployment of facilities and technologies needed for collection and recycling systems.

With environmentally conscious systems and policies in place, Coca-Cola has made the use of renewable energy prominent in its operations, with over 60 percent of its energy requirements being sourced from clean and renewable energy.

The company has continued on its green energy track, with the installation of approximately 10,000 solar panels in two of its manufacturing plants in Bacolod and Misamis Oriental.

The company’s holistic water leadership program has enabled it to achieve 108-percent water replenishment prior to its 2020 goal. In its operations, CCBPI has been constantly increasing its water efficiency, which has resulted in more than 5 billion liters of water saved through its water savings initiatives; while more than 17.5 million liters of water have been returned through to its waste-water treatment system. Going beyond the walls of its facilities, Coca-Cola Agos Program provides access to drinking water to far-flung, water-poor communities. The AGOS program has, thus far, reached 49 provinces.

On a global scale, the 5by20 program aims to empower 5 million women by 2020 and in the Philippines, Coca-Cola is underway to achieving this through the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources program, which provides skills training, peer mentoring and access to resources to grow their businesses. Coca-Cola has enabled 156,000 women since 2011.

Gareth McGeown, CCBPI president and CEO, thanked WWF Philippines for its recognition of the Company’s achievements and sustainability initiatives. “As we work toward our goals for the company,” said McGeown, “we will always strive to go beyond what we have accomplished this far and continue to find ways to improve our operations, further our environmental stewardship programs, and reach out to more communities across the Philippines.

PFIZER TREATS BREAST CANCER PATIENTS TO FREE RIDES SEVERE traffic jams, extreme heat, rain and floods are just some of the hazards that cancer patients experience whenever they take public transportation. Through the “CARe for Cancer” program, Pfizer Philippines Foundation Inc. seeks to address this problem and ease the burden of travel for breast cancer patients who are undergoing treatment.

The program, in partnership with Grab Philippines and ICanServe Foundation Inc., will bring underprivileged patients to and from their treatment facility for free.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting Filipino women. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Health, breast cancer comprises 30 percent of cancer cases among women.

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the household budget

Pfizer Philippines Foundation Inc. teams up with Grab Philippines and ICanServe Foundation Inc. to bring underprivileged patients to and from their treatment facility for free. Shown are the top executives of the three organizations during the signing ceremony.

needs to be reconfigured to take into account expenses surrounding the treatment of the patient. By providing the means of transportation for a patient and one companion, the issues surrounding transportation—the cost as well as the stress and distress the patient suffers—CARe for Cancer eliminates one worry for a cancer

patient. In addition, the money she would otherwise spend on this item can be allocated for food, medicines, or other household expenses.

ICanServe, through its vast network in Metro Manila and nearby areas, will screen candidates for the program. The initial number of patient-beneficiaries is 50. This will cover transportation

for a period of approximately six months—the typical time frame when breast cancer treatments and necessary doctor’s consultations occur.

Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, founding president of ICanServe, noted the importance of access to transportation in the treatment of the disease: “This gesture may seem small to some but it can mean the world to a patient and her family. Making a patient feel loved and special gives them strength to fight on. This gives patients savings, more time to rest, heal and bond with loved ones,” she said.

“Our motivation is for a healthier Philippines. This is our contribution to that. This is the pilot run so there will be birthing pains, but we will evaluate the program and later, we can expand it to include other cities in the Philippines, and even patients with other types of cancers,” said Geoffrey Garcia, manager of PPFI.

Tech & Gadgets

S

11 REASONS TO UPGRADE TO THE NEW IPHONE 11

TILL on the fence about getting a brand-new iPhone 11 in time for Christmas? Here are 11 reasons that might help you decide if Apple’s latest flagship smartphone is worth your hard-earned 13th month pay and bonus to serve as the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!

1. The dual-lens camera setup. The iPhone 11 marks the first time the iPhone gets an upgrade from its single-camera setup. The base model now has a standard wide-angle lens plus an ultra-wide lens that captures four times more scene in images, resulting in better picture quality. The new ultrawide camera also makes for better low-light night shots, a first for the iPhone series. Ultimately, this means it will be easier than ever to take IGready photos at your Christmas parties and holiday getaways!

2. The triple-lens camera setup on the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. The Pro and Pro Max models of the iPhone 11 take things to a whole new level with the addition of a telephoto lens, which gives you an optical zoom of up to 4x, so you can level up your creativity in capturing your precious moments.

3. A new 12MP front camera. The front-facing TrueDepth camera works better this time around, especially for Face ID. The front camera is now also able to take 120 fps slowmotion video or the “slofie” for cooler and leveled-up selfies.

4. Clearer, crisper videos. The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max’s camera set-up lets you take smooth and great-looking 60 fps 4K video, plus an audio zoom feature that matches the audio to whatever you’re shooting for better sound. Not to mention, the iPhone 11’s video ed-

iting tools are both easier and more powerful for anyone to use—handy for creating riveting content.

5. More colors to match your style. That’s right— the iPhone 11 comes in a glass body with various color options available so you’re free to express your personality and style by choosing from purple, yellow, green, and (Product) Red, along with the standard black and white. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max come in sophisticated colors to suit your taste - Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Midnight Green.

6.

Durable, water-resistant body. The iPhone 11 comes with what’s being called the toughest glass ever to be used on a smartphone, making it the most durable phone you’ll ever have. It also has IP68 water resistance, so you won’t have to worry so much about the occasional spills, or the impromptu outdoor adventures with friends and loved ones.

7. Immersive sound. The iPhone 11’s spatial audio and Dolby

purchases from the App Store, Apple Music and other Apple services with your Smart Postpaid bill through the Apple Direct Carrier Billing. This is a safe, secure, and convenient payment method that enables Smart Postpaid subscribers to easily charge all Apple purchases to their mobile phone bill—eliminating the need for a credit card. To activate this, just sign in with your Apple ID and Password, tap payment information, tap “Mobile Phone” and follow instructions to verify your registration.

11. Optimize it with Smart Signature Plans. Make the most of the new iPhone 11 with Smart Signature, the reimagined postpaid experience that prioritizes you on Smart’s awardwinning network, provides you with worry-free connections, and puts you in control of your digital lifestyle. The new iPhones are best experienced with Smart Signature Device Plan L, which comes with monthly 15GB data, Unli AnyNet Texts, Unli On-Net Calls and 150 minutes AnyNet Calls.

YOURS AT P2,499 PER MONTH Under Smart Signature Device Plan L, Smart offers the iPhone 11 (64GB) for P2,499 per month for 24 months with a one-time cash-out of P7,000. With the same plan, Smart also offers the iPhone 11 Pro (64GB) for P3,099 per month for 24 months with a one-time cash-out of P11,500 and the iPhone 11 Pro Max (64GB) for P3,299 per month for 24 months with a one-time cash-out of P12,910.

Smart also makes it a lot easier to get hold of the new iPhones with affordable cash amortization options under Smart Signature Plan M, which comes with monthly 10GB data, Unli AnyNet Texts, Unli On-Net Calls and 100 minutes AnyNet Calls.

Get the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max with Smart Signature at Smart Stores nationwide!

For more details on Smart pricing and data plans, visit www.smart.com.ph/ Postpaid/iPhone11 and www.smart. com.ph/Postpaid/iPhone11Pro.

Atmos support bring you a better surround sound experience. This is especially great if you’re an audiophile who want to get lost in your favorite tunes from time to time, or just listen to your daily dose of podcasts and playlists to unwind.

8. Longer battery life. The new iPhone lasts longer than old models.

You’ll get up to 17 hours of video, 10 hours of streaming video, and 65 hours of audio with the iPhone 11, and you can get even more with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max! The new iPhones also now support both fast and wireless charging, so you’ve now got more options to stay connected all the time.

9. The fastest phone you’ll ever have. It also comes with an A13 Bionic chip and a third-generation Neural Engine that allows the iPhone 11 to be faster than ever. Now you’ve got a phone that can keep up with your lifestyle.

10. Apple Direct Carrier Billing. You can now pay for online

BIGGER, BETTER CHRISTMAS WITH LG, NETFLIX WITH the goal of providing a Bigger & Better Christmas for all, LG combined Filipinos’ love for the holidays with the brand’s mission of always giving back to the community. In a media launch event recently held in One Canvas Events Place in Pasong Tamo, Makati, LG Philippines outlined the various initiatives they have lined up for the holiday season.

The event started off with LGEPH Product Marketing Manager Angelica Dumlao discussing the Evolution of Picture Quality and how LG has taken great strides in pushing for technological innovation. “We can see the advancement and the evolutionary journey of how TV resolution and picture quality have improved in the last 20 years. The evolution from analog to digital television technology was a slow process, and it wasn’t even until the mid-1990s that HDTV broadcasting began. At that time, most HDTVs were plasma TVs, which were expensive, so HDTV adoption was slow. By the mid-2000s however, affordable 40-inch LCDs started to be sold. By the end of the decade, LCDs were outselling traditional (CRT) TVs as well as plasma TVs. Post HDTVs,

companies started looking for newer technologies that could be offered to consumers. The last few years saw the arrival of curved screens, high dynamic range (HDR), smart TVs, OLED TVs, and 4K. Now with the hyper realistic detail and picture quality of 8K available to consumers.” She goes on to add “For us in LG, Life’s about more than having the latest technology.

It’s about the experiences technology creates. We are a pacesetter in the industry and we will continue to deliver consumer electronics that let you embrace life and prepare you for its greatest moments.”

Pushing forward with the holiday theme, the first gift that LG has for the community comes in the form of its partnership with Netflix. During the event, Netflix unveiled the streaming service’s holiday film headliner, Klaus.

The trailer for the destined Christmas classic, together with its behind the scenes footage, were all screened with the use of LG’s award-winning OLED TVs, the purchase of which comes with an accompanying gift of 6 months of Netflix.

Klaus, the headliner for Netflix’s holiday lineup, is an entirely 2D

LG, Netflix, and the members of the media, in the spirit of Klaus, also brought gifts and toys to give to the children of Shelter of Hope.

animated movie, a Netflix first, that harkens to the old Christmas shows we’ve come to know and love. Legendary actor J. K. Simmons provides the voice for the titular Klaus, a reclusive carpenter whom Jesper discovers living alone in a cabin, where he makes his own handmade toys. Like the movies of yore, Netflix hopes that Klaus becomes a Christ-

mas tradition that’s destined to be replayed every holiday season for the years to come. LG also invited the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) to share their thoughts on the use of 2D animation in Klaus, how LG OLED TVs are the best platform to view it on, as well as to discuss the state of the local animation industry as a whole.

PLDT, SMART ADVOCATE IT COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AT DEVCON MORE than 500 IT professionals, tech enthusiasts, and students from Mindanao joined the DevCon Summit 2019 held recently at Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro. DevCon 2019 is organized by Developers Connect Philippines in collaboration with the private sector, including PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. It featured talks by tech community leaders and breakout sessions focusing on how developers could leverage current trends for skills development, career opportunities, and best practices.

Highlighting the theme “The Future of Jobs, Embracing Industry 4.0,” PLDT Innolab lead Dara Ever Juan put emphasis on community collaboration in improving the skills of IT students and professionals.

“Being active in the community has helped me become empowered. From that experience, I have learned more tips on how I could improve our programs and create solutions for the community,” she said.

PLDT Innolab is the innovation laboratory of the company’s b2b arm, PLDT Enterprise. It serves as an incubator to test and develop upcoming products and

business solutions. It also focuses on business development with startups; strategic partnerships with the academe, government, and developer communities; and programs such as prototyping, innovation studio, and codevelopment with startups and universities.

“We’ve been active in supporting startup communities and meeting more students, leaders, and members who are interested to collaborate with PLDT. Today, we have innovation studios nationwide, and hopefully, we could have it also in Cagayan de Oro because the developer community here is very active,” she added.

Alyssa Primacio, a business administration student of Central Mindanao University and DevCon participant, said aspiring startups should look for the problem of the community first before creating solutions.

“Some farmers in Bukidnon have little to no access to vehicles to transport their products to their buyers.

Because of this, I started a minimum viable product or MVP that would help them reach their market, by transporting their products directly to the buyers,” she said.

“With technology, we could develop a website or an

DevCon Summit 2019: The Future of Jobs, Embracing Industry 4.0

app integrating this initiative to make the lives of our farmers easier,” she added.

PLDT Innolab is looking for startups, community partners, developers, and interns. Interested parties may email innolab@pldt.com.ph.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

MASS ACCESS TO HOME INTERNET INNOVATIONS KEY TO MORE CONNECTED PH A CONNECTED home is the first step towards a digitally powered nation, as the home is where most learnings in life start, according to Senior Vice President and Head of Broadband Business Martha Sazon at the recently concluded AfricaCom 2019 at Cape Town International Convention Center in South Africa.

Speaking at a VIP forum, Sazon discussed the business case of growing prepaid Internet penetration in a developing society such as the Philippines, where similar to South Africa, the mid to lower income segments are predominant and prepaid as a payment option is most relevant. She divulged on Globe’s broadband network strategy of pioneering prepaid home internet innovations as one of the primary catalysts in the digital transformation of the Philippines.

“We operate in a country that is small but highly social and connected. According to We Are Social’s PH Internet 2019 report, our internet usage is at 71% vs the 57% global benchmark...and we are very active in social media at 71% vs the global benchmark of 45%,” shared Sazon. “Internet at home in the Philippines is commonly used for entertainment and life enablement. For instance, moms now go online for their home businesses like reselling products from ecommerce platforms such as Lazada.

The youth, on the other hand, use the Internet as a “life-hack” tool for acquiring skills such as learning to code, or even getting access to job opportunities.”

Despite this huge demand for home Internet connectivity, there remains to be a huge percentage of Filipino households who have limited to no Internet access. Only 1 out of 5 homes in the country are said to have Internet access, with the majority of unconnected homes (19 million) belonging to the lower socio-economic segments (C2DE). This is due to the lack of more affordable home Internet packages in the market, and limited in-home coverage.

To address these pain points, Globe introduced the Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi in 2017—the first home prepaid Internet device in the country. A breakthrough in the industry, Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi is an affordable plugand-play reloadable device that is twice as fast and wider in coverage than the usual pocket WiFi. Customers also get free 10GB of data upon device activation that can easily be used by up to 6 devices for everyone in the family all for the price of just P1499 (USD30).

The introduction of this innovation proved to be instrumental in the sustained growth of the total broadband business of the telco giant, expanding its cumulative subscribers to over twice from the same period in 2018. Such development also paved way to the birth of another key innovation —the Globe Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid, the world’s first all-in-one device that serves as Prepaid WiFi device, Android TV, digital free TV box and karaoke-ready machine all for a one-time payment of P2999 (under USD60).

“We will continue making our fixed wireless network more robust in the succeeding years, for both prepaid segment and specific segments across the postpaid spectrum,” Sazon stated. “A digital nation takes root inside a connected home. This is why we aim to continuously transform Internet habituation in Filipino families— to upgrade home Internet experience and benefits from basic connectivity and entertainment to more sustainable ends like enablement opportunities through making it more accessible to more households.”

Globe at Home aims to connect 2M households through high-speed internet by 2020. With a solid expansion strategy and device innovations in place, this vision is well on its way to becoming a reality.

Learn more about Globe at Home via https://www.facebook. com/globeathome/.

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TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

EXTRAORDINARY FEATURES MAKE HONOR 9X STAND OUT combined with its Auto Ultra High ISO feature that reaches up to 25,600 ISO, making stunning portraits possible even in the lowest light scenarios. This combined feature also enables the user to zoom at maximum, while retaining photo quality.

“Even with the full zoom, you get good quality with your pictures,” Senolos said.

It is powered by the world’s first GPU Turbo and has an AI loading prediction technology to further optimize the user’s gaming experience to the next level.

“We have the AI loading technology. It can guess what’s the next action for gaming,” Honor Country Manager, Kevin Wu said.

Senolos said that the Honor 9X is adapting the USB Type C connector, making it the most affordable smartphone with the said feature.

The Honor 9X is available in the 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM variant. It is offered in two colors Midnight Black and Sapphire Blue.

It is now available in pre-orders until Dec. 6 in Lazada and Honor stores nationwide with the suggested retail price of P12,490.

During the launch, the Honor 20 Lite, Honor Flypods Lite, Honor Band 5, Honor Band 5 Sport, and the Honor Watch Magic were also unveiled.

By Paul David L. Gelario

H

ONOR recently launched at Milestone Building in BGC the Honor 9X, which is equipped with a wide range of extraordinary features.

The Honor 9X boasts of an elegant exterior design, triple camera features, and a powerful processor that will deliver an extraordinary experience to its users.

Its exterior design sports a 6.59” Honor FullView Display for a more immersive view. No notches or dots can disrupt the users’ view.

“With Honor 9x, we want to go further with the display. No dots, no notch,” Huawei Channel Director, Gerald Senolos said.

Its triple camera lineup includes a 48MP rear camera, an 8MP superwide + 2MP camera, and a 16MP pop-up front camera.

The camera is equipped with AIS Super Night Shot

Honor Country Manager Kevin Wu presents the features of the Honor 9X during its launch. Paul Gelario

ESCAPE CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC WITH SIF APP

Traffic congestion is expected to worsen over the holidays.

EVEN as the happiest time of the year approaches, it’s hard to keep one’s spirits up when faced with the impending increase in traffic.

On an average day, Metro Manila traffic is a hassle. Add in the Christmas rush and it becomes unbearable. SIF, the country’s first self-improvement app aggregator, is the perfect ondemand service app for the holidays with the various services it delivers directly to its users.

“As roadway congestion worsens, it’s important to find alternatives to accomplish errands that usually require spending time on the road. Aside from offering convenience on demand, SIF also gives back precious time to its users since it allows them to focus on more important things,” said Gino Jacinto, COO of SIF Philippines.

With a report of covering only one kilometer for every 4.9 minutes spent in Metro Manila roads, it’s apparent

that driving or commuting is a situation best avoided when possible.

SIF efficiently saves users’ time by having its team or partner members come over to a convenient location (e.g. house, hotel, etc.) for services like mani-pedi, blow-dry, and other selfimprovement services. This waives the time, effort, and money exhausted on hitting the road, paying for parking, and driving back home.

“As a working mom of four kids, I often struggle to find the time to fit everything in. I’m always rushing to appointments, meetings, shoots, and kid obligations. I love SIF because I’m able to save time with their home services. I can relax, spend time with the kids, and work from home, too!

Their blowdries are my favorite service,” said English model and lifestyle blogger Amanda Griffin.

Other services provided by SIF include fitness, where users can book a trainer, health, where lab testing is

brought to the users, skills training and more. Bookings can be done either on demand or by appointment.

SIF has undergone recent updates to expand its services and capabilities. The updates include the launch of SIF Shop, where users can order and purchase Davines products for hair styling, care, and treatment, and cashless transactions with PayMaya, further improving the convenience of the app.

Jacinto adds, “As saving and giving back control of people’s time is one of the main goals of SIF, it has plans in expanding the categories it offers. SIF Care, which offers therapy and rehabilitation exercises, and SIF Pets for the needs of furry friends will soon be made available on the app.”

Escape the holiday rush by downloading the app on the App Store or Google Play. For updates, visit facebook.com/homewithsif and follow sif.ph on Instagram.

WORDTEXT SYSTEMS URGES ENTERPRISES TO UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10 PRO MICROSOFT announced that after January 14, 2020, security updates or support for Windows 7 will cease as it channels its resources to supporting newer technologies. After this deadline, Windows 7 will continue to start and run, but users will no longer be able to receive both security and nonsecurity hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, and online technical content updates from Microsoft.

In a nutshell, outdated Windows OS such as Windows 7 are considered security risks and susceptible to threats, including malware, for businesses.

Thus, for enterprises to get the full service and security, Wordtext Systems Inc.—authorized Microsoft distributor—and its partners are urging companies and enterprises to consider upgrading their hardware; upgrading to Windows 10 Pro 3; and subscribing to the latest Microsoft Office solutions.

Considering that the end of support deadline is barely two months away, WSI is urging its corporate and enterprise customers to inquire on how to upgrade hardware and their Windows OS fast and seamlessly via their IT ecommerce site, www.wesellit.ph.

WESELLIT is the country’s first pure IT e-commerce site for Small and Midsize Businesses (SMBs).

The site offers a wide range of hardware and software brands and has partnered with authorized resellers nationwide, all equipped with technical capabilities. This assures SMBs that they will find IT products that would fit their different IT requirements on WESELLIT. Through partnerships with major IT vendors such as Microsoft and Autodesk, WESELLIT is proud to be the only e-commerce player that can offer Electronic Software Delivery (ESD) and license subscription online.

The site carries the latest HP computer products that will enable SMBs to upgrade to the latest Windows 10 Operating System and Microsoft Office licenses. As a certified and accredited e-marketplace for Microsoft products, WESELLIT guarantees business users that all products purchased through the site are genuine and authentic.

To know more about how to make the transition to Windows 10 fast and seamlessly for your company or business before January 2020, please visit www.

WESELLIT.PH or email microsoftgeox@wsiphil.com.ph

DAVAO EMBRACES TAIWAN TECHNOLOGIES FROM computer technology to design innovation, the 2019 Taiwan Expo has opened new doors of opportunities for different industries in Davao City.

Held last Nov. 8 to 9, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier Davao, the expo featured wellcurated product exhibits from various Taiwan brands and companies, as well as highly informative seminars conducted by product experts and innovators from Taiwan.

The anticipated Taiwan Healthcare Seminar, with the theme “Smart Medical Innovation Brightens Your Life,” brought together top biotech innovators from the best and most advanced hospitals in Taiwan.

Coming from reputable institutions Chang Chung Memorial Hospital, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Lite-Med Inc., Biomaterials & Surface Engineering IndustryAcademia Consortium, Taipei Tech University, Bionime Corporation, and Chung

Hua Institute for Economic Research, the speakers shared their latest innovations to healthcare practitioners and professionals from all over Davao and Mindanao.

Dr. Chun-Te Wu, MD, PhD, of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital discussed their many achievements in the fields of Liver Transplantation, Proton Therapy, Comprehensive Cancer Patient Care and Management, Cord Blood Transplantation, Craniofacial Reconstruction, and Orthognathic Surgery.

Through its premier medical facilities and equipment, including a dedicated Proton Therapy Center and Hybrid Operating Rooms equipped with MultiAxis System for Interventional Radiology and Da Vinci Surgical Systems, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has successfully served over 27,000 international patients in 2018 alone.

Dr. Ming-Nan Lin, MD, PhD, of the Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital shared their in-

stitution’s humble roots from being a charity medical foundation to being the first hospital in Taiwan to be certified with the Symbol of National Quality (SNQ).

Its Integrated Rheumatic Disease Care headlined by the Knee Health Promotion Option, a comprehensive treatment plan for knee osteoarthritis, has earned the hospital the recognition alongside its other top-quality services such as Arthroscopic Cartilage Regeneration Facilitating Procedure and surgical treatments for spinal diseases.

Meanwhile, Lite-Med Inc. (Lighten Taiwan Excellent Medical), a professional medical device developer and manufacturer established in 1991, is leading the Shock Wave Technology industry in Taiwan. Lite-Med’s machines such as the ESWT(Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) series is used for a variety of treatments, including blasting kidney and ureter stones and rehabilitating bone

Representatives of Good Young Co. Ltd., Mr. Sun International Tea Chain Co. Ltd. (Red Sun), and Great Eastern Food Co. Ltd. flank TAITRA Director Clement Chen and Atty. Francis Layog, chief-of-staff of Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste”Duterte (third and fourth from left, respectively) at the Taiwan Bubble Tea Pavilion.

fractures, and even includes a real-time ultrasound tracking and locking system that makes diagnosis and treatment much easier.

Also sharing their latest innovation at the Taiwan Healthcare Seminar was Bionime Corporation, which developed

Telehealth, a system that helps patients and doctors manage diabetes. Using an ergonomic strip to check blood samples, it provides accurate readings that are stored via cloud for easier access whether the patient is being treated at home or in a hospital.

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

CHRISTMAS

IN METRO MANILA

By Bernadette Lunas

I

NTERESTING how a few million light bulbs, strings of holiday trimmings, towering trees that sparkle in the right places, and a medley of Yuletide songs make Christmas a magical time.

More than just an occasion, Christmas has become a destination of twinkling lights that gathers loved ones together. Families make a day to go to the brightest and most dazzling displays. Friends meet up and take hundreds of groupies with the most colorful decorations.

If Oxford Street in London has LED curtains of lights, the Rockefeller Center in New York

has a 77-foot Norway spruce, and Nice in France has a Village de Noël, we have Ayala Triangle lights and sound show (“Dazzling dancing lights” published on Nov. 17), an animated Christmas display in Cubao (“Araneta City Christmas COD features classic stories” published on Nov. 23), a laser light symphony in Greenhills, and more.

The immersive House of Stars installation at Tiendesitas is the perfect backdrop for holiday photos.

Gift of Wonders at Tiendesitas Bigger-than-life installations and enchanting interactive visuals, perfect as background for those many holiday photos, await at the Gift of Wonders in Tiendesitas Food and Pet Village.

Colorful displays highlight the borderless beauty of the season.

The House of Stars is an immersive installation with vibrant colors and dancing lights that capture the light and warmth of a Filipino Christmas. Meanwhile, the animated installation Pets Unleashed highlights the grandeur of the planet through the eyes of various animals.

After a few snaps, guests may check out the Christmas Bazaar every weekend or watch the Bughaw Folkloric Dance Group on all Sundays

of December from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m on the 2nd level of the Food Village.

Kids can share with Santa their wishes every Saturday of December on the 1st level of the Food Village, from 6:00 p.m. onwards. While pets have their own Pets Christmas Paw-ty on Dec. 14 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A 42-foot tree at the Water Garden serves as the centerpiece of the Magical Holiday Village.

Magical Christmas Village at Filinvest City Life-sized Christmas installations and a towering 42-foot tree transform the Water Garden at Festival Mall into a magical holiday village.

Residents of the CBD in Alabang others from the south will be treated to fireworks display and musical performances by local musicians such as

I Belong To The Zoo, Unique, This Band, Leanne and Naara, and Silent Sanctuary every Saturday.

Come Sunday, Santa will be at the Magical Christmas Village to meet kids who want to share their Christmas wishes or pose for photos with him.

Larger-than-life toys and other decorations are scattered throughout the Toy Town at Eastwood City.

Christmas Toy Town at Eastwood

Two expert laser dancers perform nightly at Greenhills' Laser Light Symphony.

Laser light symphony at Greenhills This holiday season is special for the San Juan shopping center Greenhills as it launches its Laser Light Symphony.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, this brilliant—quite literally—show, staged in collaboration with Smart, features two expert laser dancers showcasing their talents with the play of laser lights.

The admission-free laser show, which started on Nov. 15, runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until Jan. 5, 2020 at the G-Strip Parking Area.

The Laser Light Symphony provides a bright

and colorful accompaniment to the Christmas Night Market at the same venue. Shoppers looking for more items may also check out the Wonderland Bazaar at the VMall Lobby and the Holiday Tiangge Fair at the Center Mall, both open until 10:00 p.m.

Kids and kids-at-heart who want to meet Santa must block their calendars as St. Nick will be at VMall on Greenhills’ Giant Santa Chair waiting for guests every Saturday. Further, Simbang Gabi Masses will be held nightly from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23 at the Chapel of the Holy Family.

Megaworld’s premier township in Quezon City has transformed into a huge playground with larger-than-life toys, gift boxes, and more decorations.

Adorned with boxes of gifts and toys, Eastwood City’s giant Christmas tree embodies the essence of giving and receiving presents, hence, in addition to the colorful decorations, the township has also launched a toy donation drive.

Proceeds will be given to Kythe Foundation, a non-profit, non-stock organization that aims to improve the quality of life of children hospitalized with cancer and other chronic illness.

More fun events await guests at Eastwood. Among the fairs, big events, and activities include Amplified Artist Search, Gaddiel Christmas Decors Pop-up, Warner Pop Expo, Eraserheads Vinyl Launch, Barbie 60th Anniversary Life-sized Dreamhouse, Pink Fong’s Baby Shark Meet and Greet, and Oh Wonder LIVE performance.

There's also the Christmas Village at Citywalk and the Christmas Fair at Central Plaza.

Some of the hottest music artists in the country will perform at the weekly Christmas Music Series, and Santa Claus is present for meet and greet this December.

Destinations

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

THE TOURISM CONVENTION

WORLD-RENOWNED. The six-month rehabilitation of Boracay has greatly helped restore its beauty that charms the world and wins awards. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

T

HE Philippine Tourism Convention hosted by the Department of Tourism the other day at the Philippine International Convention Center was a much needed respite from our daily routine, as events like this keep the fire “ablaze” in the hearts of tourism stakeholders with very interesting insights on various aspects of the industry.

However, I was quite disappointed to see that attendance was sparse. In fact, only half of the hall was occupied. It could be that the announcement of the event came too late, or maybe because the professionals in the industry were already too busy preparing for the onslaught of business in the coming holiday season.

Nevertheless, those who failed to join missed quite a lot of valuable information which they could use when they prepare their respective marketing plans.

I learned from the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) representative, who was one of the speakers, that 348 million tourists travel around the world, and 25 percent of these travel to the Asia Pacific region, which experienced a 7 percent increase in arrivals last year.

This surge in tourism is perceived by most industry insiders as very good news. However, when we take a closer look at what “overtourism” can do to any destination, we should right away recall what happened to Boracay. Thus, everywhere else in the world, the mantra these days is Responsible Tourism towards Sustainable Tourism.

The dictionary describes Responsible Tourism as that which minimizes negative social, economic, and environmental impacts, as well as generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of the host communities.

Sustainable Tourism is that which is committed to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping generate future employment and development of the community.

Be that as it may, it is also important for us, stakeholders in the industry, to realize that our customers expect us to continuously innovate, be creative and always have customer focus.

This is the reason why the more successful enterprises are those that continuously evolve.

Tourism department Undersecretary Art Boncato, Jr. gave us a clearer picture of the

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

While the surge in tourism is good, 'overtourism,' like what happened in Boracay, can adversely affect the environment and local culture. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Tourism Undersecretary Art Boncato, Jr.

status of Boracay after its six-month rehabilitation. First of all, he announced that Conde Nast Traveller magazine proclaimed the island as the eighth among the 20 Best Beach Destinations in the Asia Pacific Region, and the Best Dive Destination. In addition to these recognitions, our Tourism Secretary recently went to Japan to accept the Travel Award for the successful rehabilitation of Boracay.

Local and international tourists continue to rave about the island‘s now pristine white beaches and crystal clear water, something that hasn’t been seen there for many decades.

Because of this almost-miraculous change, the island has become the “poster boy” for Tourism Sustainability in the world.

In order to preserve these positive changes, hotels and resorts now go for quality of tourists instead of quantity because the government has set a maximum number of tourists that can stay in the island at any given day. That number has been set at 19,215. Tourists without

confirmed room reservations are not allowed With regards to the concern of some travel to enter the island. industry insiders that cruise ships cause negaFrom the previous number of 500-plus, there tive consequences on the island’s sustainabilare now only 386 resorts and hotels accred- ity, the Department of Tourism allows only ited by the Departthose vessels with a ment of Tourism maximum of 2,000 which made sure passengers, and that those estabonly during the low YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE lishments not folseason.

WIFE: Look at that drunk guy. lowing the strictly The best news HUSBAND: Who is he? enforced island that was anWIFE: (Proudly) Ten years ago, he proposed ordinances were nounced by Bonto me, but I rejected him. closed down. But cato was the fact HUSBAND: OMG, he’s still celebrating! because the curthat sophisticated (The husband has been three weeks in the hosrently approved medical facilities pital, recovering from broken jaw and ribs.) establishments are now available offer only a total on the island and of 14,161 rooms, all types of medical which are not enough to accommodate visitors emergencies can now be handled onsite. during the peak season, the DoT continues to With all these positive changes, Boracay is accredit establishments that follow the govern- now the template used by other beach desment’s guidelines. tinations in the country, in their efforts to The sources of Boracay’s market have sur- continuously attract more visitors and still prisingly changed during the last few months. ensure their sustainability.

Although domestic visitors still account for the Let’s all work for Responsible and Sustainbiggest slice of the pie, China now leads in to- able Tourism. tal arrivals followed by South Korea, Japan, and Germany, in that order.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

PSA

LAST DAY TO SCORE HOLIDAY PIECES AT #VANICXWEARSYOYA

Immaculate Conception Academy Batch 2000 (Vanicx) teams up with a homegrown fashion label for a shopping party for a cause.

WOMEN looking for “glam-meets-utilitarian” pieces to wear at holiday parties have one more day to shop at the #VanicxWearsYoya trunk show.

Organized by the Batch 2000 (named Vanicx) of the Immaculate Conception Academy, the three-day shopping party, which started on Nov. 29 and runs until Dec. 1, features creations from YOYA, a homegrown fashion label by Canadabased designer and ICA alumna Yoya Gueco.

YOYA is a ready-to-wear womenswear brand designed for the independent-minded women who effortlessly stand out from the rest without being governed by the latest trends.

The shopping party features YOYA’s first-ever holiday collection, which underscores the essence of looking festive without being flamboyant. Each piece, which is available in limited quantities, is characterized by deep and bold

colors, angular lines, and a playful vibe combined with minimalist bent.

“Each piece in our holiday collection is so versatile and can withstand seasons and occasions. And our pieces are always designed to support and enable the modern woman’s many various needs, lifestyles, and moods,” said Gueco.

The trunk show is happening from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Casa Bella Headquarters, 8 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati.

Proceeds from the sales will go to the ICA Batch 2000 fund, which will be used for the ICA Alumni Association initiatives such as the ICA Scholarship Foundation, teacher assistance, and medical missions.

Contact the event organizers through ica2000vanicx@gmail.com for more information.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

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Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

GAZINI

GANADOS EMBARKS ON BACK-TO-BACK QUEST AT MISS UNIVERSE

Gazini proudly holds the Philippine flag as she arrives in Atlanta

By Eton Concepcion

S

FIVE REASONS

WHY‘HELLO, LOVE, GOODBYE’IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE STORY HELLO Love, Goodbye, Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richard’s box office record-breaking and first movie team-up is set to make hearts swoon once more as it makes its TV debut this December with its airing on ABSCBN TVplus’ KBO. Directed by the award-winning director Cathy Garcia Molina, it depicts the stories of the OFWs in Hong Kong and the love story of Joy (Kath), an OFW aspiring to migrate to Canada, and Ethan (Alden), a bartender awaiting his residency status.

As their lives intertwine, viewers will see how this film is more than just a love story. Here are some of the lessons people can pick-up from the film: Putting family first In the movie, Joy decides to take risks by taking on multiple jobs as she tries to balance sending helping her family and saving up for what she considers a better future in Canada.

For her, selflessness must take over when her family’s future is at stake.

HE was savoring and making the most of the moment, the thrill and excitement of finally heading to the prestigious Miss Universe pageant.

Adopting the official hashtag - #GaziniGanado5 – referring to the possible back-to-back and fifth Miss Universe title for the Philippines, Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados got a warm sendoff Twitter party from friends, relatives and avid supporters at the NAIA Terminal 2 VIP Lounge Tuesday midnight just before she took her flight to Atlanta, USA. “I can’t thank everyone enough and I am continuously asking for your prayers and support,” she told her fans at VIP lounge of the NAIA. “I feel excited. My wardrobe is complete, everything has settled down. At first, I was stressed out because I haven’t packed yet. But now, since I know I’m fully set, I can relax and enjoy,” Gazing added.

Looking absolutely beautiful in a blue Filipiniana pantsuit and all-ready for the 10-day hectic Miss Universe schedule, the 23-year-old Cebuana left with some 30 suitcases and boxes packed up the night before under supervision of mentor and Kagandahan Flores head Rodgil Flores and staff including her team from Cebu.

Her competition gowns and national costume are designed and created by Gazini’s favorite Cebubased Cary Santiago who also made her Bb. Pilipinas winning fuchsia “Phoenix” evening gown. Giving a hint on what her national costume will be, Gazini said it was inspired by the country’s national bird. “ We have prepared two evening gowns for the pageant’s preliminary round and finals night. As for my natcos [national costume], it is gorgeous... Feeling ko ito ‘yong pinakabonggang natcos that I will ever wear in my whole life and the Philippines will ever see,” she said.

Follow Gazini’s journey in Miss Universe as she vies against some 90 candidates from around the world to become reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray’s successor.

On winning the crown, which will be a historical back-to-back feat for the Philippines in Miss Universe, Gazini believes that it is not impossible.

“I heard MUO [Miss Universe Organization] is the fairest pageant among all. So, it’s not impossible, if I think the girl is really deserving. I’m not saying I’m that girl but if you really worked hard for it, then no questions, yes,” she said in a previous interview.

Miss Universe finals night is happening at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec. 8 (Monday morning, Dec. 9, Manila time).

OFWs’ everyday struggle The film showed how working abroad is not always rainbows and butterflies as many would think. Like a lot of OFWs, Joy tried to make ends meet as she juggled doing household chores, caring for the young and the elderly, illegally selling online products, waiting tables and washing dishes in a bar. Our OFWs need our utmost understanding and concern because leaving their families to help them entails a lot of sacrifice.

Self-forgiveness Ethan is trying to fix his life after giving up his residency in Hong Kong to be with his ex-girlfriend and neglecting his familial duties.

However, as he tries hard to regain his family, especially his brother’s trust, he also still blames himself for his wrong decisions. But with the help of Joy, he then forgives himself.

Gazini Ganadoz aims to continue the 10-year placement streak in Miss Universe and possibly win the second back-toback victory in Miss Universe history.

Photos by Raymond Saldaña

HAVING FUN WITH SCIENCE

Chris Tiu and the iBilib gang doing the snake bubble challenge

TODAY, learn about science and have fun as you watch iBilib featuring Street Genius.

Join the cool experiments with award-winning host Chris Tiu, kids stars John Kenneth “Dekdek Giduco, Rein Adriano, Ralph Landicho, Roadfill of Moymoy Palaboy, Ella Crist ofani, Skelly, Chichirita, Starstruck Ulimate Male Survivor Kim de Leon, and actress Ashley Ortega.

For their first experiment, discover the answer in the Street Genius experiments: Shower Stopper (learn what material—bread, fake snow, kitty litter or paper towel—can soak up water and stop it from spilling; Exploding Elephant Toothpaste; and Mixing Oil and Water hands-free ex-

periment where you’d know what you can use to make oil and water mix without touching any of the liquids.

Have you seen a snake bubble? Learn how you can make one while having fun with your friend in the Snake Bubble Challenge.

If you kiss a ball, will it stick long enough so you can carry it? Find out in the Bilibabol Kiss That Ball Challenge.

For her ”Huling Hirit,” Ashley Ortega makes us feel the Christmas spirit with her life hack on how to recycle ordinary items into an extraordinary Mega Christmas Ball.

Remember, make your Sunday mornings more fun and educational with iBilib.

Help from a friend “Need a friend today,” was Ethan’s persistent messages to Joy when he was bugging her to be his friend.

Sometimes a text message will suffice to comfort a friend who is coping up with a problem.

People who will change your life Not everyone who you meet will be permanent in your lives. Sometimes they are only instruments to make you better. They may not stay in your lives but the memories and lessons you learn from them can help you throughout your life.

Enjoy Ethan and Joy’s story and don’t miss the chance to catch the TV premiere of Hello Love Goodbye this December on KBO, simply register using any prepaid or postpaid SIM.

D4

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Desiree Carlos, Editor

Pets

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

ADOPTING ASPINS AND LOVING IT PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS

By David Christopher Hizon

I

HAVE five Asong Pinoy or aspins.

The oldest is Ranger, a black and white aspin who we got back in 2014.

He was a pup when we adopted him.

We felt like our then senior dog Cola (who has crossed the rainbow bridge) needed a friend as he was our only dog for almost 10 years. So we got him his puppy buddy in the form of Ranger.

The next puppy we adopted was a “semi-rescue” because because he was rejected by his mother and was nursing off of a cat. This was Buster Bear, a hairy brown aspin. He was only a few months younger than Ranger, and they soon became best of friends. He was such a baby that he tries to nurse on Ranger’s belly when they're lying anywhere together.

Fast forward two years later and my mom adopted a dog from her co-worker. This was when Juego came into our lives. Juego first lived with my mom for a year. Because my mom was getting older and her activities required her to be at the church or in the province all the time, Juego was usually left with her co-worker when she is gone. Instead of Juego being a constant transient guest, we welcomed him to our house permanently. There was a bit of an issue at first as Ranger is used to being the alpha male and Juego was also used to living alone. They used to clash but soon enough, they started finding their place in the pack. That brought my total dog count then to three (3).

Our next adopted pup is Princess Lina McLadybabe, or lovingly known as Lady. She was our true 100 per cent rescue off the streets. While filling up gas at a station along Aguinaldo Highway (Imus), we saw a puppy running around without a collar, dirty and mangey (skin disease or galis) with patches all over.

I rushed to it, picked it up, and asked around if anybody owned it, and the gasoline boys said it arrived at the gas station with an older stray dog the day before. The older dog (presumably the mother) left Lady. We decided to bring

Lady, an abandoned pup rescued from a gas station survived parvo and now a beautiful doggy.

her with us on the motorcycle and take her home. She was very tiny, almost just as big as the palm of my hand. That was in June 2017 and she is very healthy and happy now. This, despite the fact that on her second month with us, she was diagnosed with parvo. We thought she would not make it but with prompt veterinary action, she survived. She was confined for four days at EMC Clinic in Imus and was released when she started eating again.

And last but not the least, the youngest is Holly. A fellow member, June, from the group Guardians of the Fur mentioned that she needed homes for a group of puppies being nursed by a mother dog. The mother dog is owned by an old lady somewhere in Imus. The old lady wanted to throw the puppies away. So I reached out to June of GOTF to share my interest in keeping one of the puppies. We chose the white one and named her Holly, because we were scheduled to adopt her sometimesecond week of December, 2017. She was so tiny that she fit in an ice cream bucket layered with a thick jacket for warmth. She was such a crybaby and she grew up to be

one of our sweetest pups. She never outgrew the “babiness” in her.

Aspins are great for many reasons.

First, aspins are very smart. They are not just intelligent that they can do tricks, they are street smart too.

Usually they know what to do, where to go, and can find their way home if they accidentally escape—at least based on my experience.

Second, for some reason, I feel like aspins are more thankful and appreciative of humans taking care of them.

They show their affection all the time and are very, very fond of their people.

This is true specially for stray dogs that you adopt. They become the most loyal and trustworthy companions.

Third, based on my experience, they are somewhat hardier or stronger than most dogs. Because of the mixing of the genes from different breeds, I feel like they are able to withstand the most compared to purebreds.

Lady is not my first parvo survivor.

Clairebear, another aspin in our family, also survived parvo. Ranger, on the other hand, survived a rat poisoning incident with the help of Buster Bear who was his blood donor.

David's dogs are all aspins who were either adopted or rescued.

Fourth, aspins are generally lowmaintenance dogs who have high durability. You can never go wrong with an aspin who is well-fed. They're also the least picky eaters and can eat almost anything—although I'd have to say that Buster Bear recently developed an allergic reaction to any type of meat except lamb, so all my 5 dogs are on a strict lamb dog food diet.

Fifth, I love how different aspins look when they grow up. The transformation from puppy to adult dog is amazing.

When you adopt a puppy aspin, you never really know what he/she would look like when he/she gets bigger—and that, to me, is always an exciting surprise.

Pure-breed dogs would always look the same (although they are beautiful too in their own ways), but you would never know and can never tell with an aspin. Sometimes they would look exactly the same as how they did when they were young (just like in Ranger's case), but then you would get dogs like Buster Bear who started out looking literally like a bear cub with that fluffy brown hair and black snout, but

WHAT TO DO WHEN A DOG HAS NO APPETITE

IT IS stressful for dog owners, specially for a human who is a first time owner, when the dog would not eat.

It is more stressful for those who just got the new puppy and the puppy would not eat.

There are many reasons why dogs would not eat.

WebMD, in the article “Dog Not Eating?

Possible Causes and Appetite Solutions,” says, “ It is important to determine the cause in order to design the best treatment plan.”

“The first thing to keep in mind is how you’re judging your dog’s appetite. If you’re concerned because your dog isn’t eating as

much as the guidelines state on the food you purchase, remember that these are only averages. Many perfectly healthy dogs eat only 60% to 70% of the amount stated on the packaging,” WebMD stressed.

Loss of appetite can mean your dog is sick. It is one of the symptoms of most illnesses in pets.

Please bring your dog to the vet immediately when a dog has lost his appetite or you have noticed a change in his/her eating habits.

“It is especially important to respond promptly to a refusal to eat in dogs that usually eat well,” WebMD said.

Chelsea, a TVT cancer survivor rescued by Save ALL Inc. loves to play and roll in the grass. After play time, she eats a lot!

Possible causes

then all of that would go away and he would look so different in a year's time!

Watching your aspin grow older is always a beautiful experience.

Author David with Ranger (black and white) and Busty Bear.

About the Author: David is an accountancy graduate who has been a communications trainer for a BPO company for the past 5 years. David wants do volunteer work in shelters.

If he has the funds also, David wants to build a free-roam shelter for dogs.

A pet owner since he was a kid, he has taken care of dogs, cats, hamsters, rats, pigeons, and budgerigars.

MY FURRY BESTIE

WebMD enumerated the possible causes for a change in eating habit or loss of appetite: • Illness • Dental disease • Recent vaccination • Travel and unfamiliar surroundings • Pickiness or behavior issues

THIS corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals.

What to do

For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

How to help your dog will depend on the cause of the loss of appetite.

“If your dog’s loss of appetite is caused by illness, the vet may recommend a prescription diet to meet your pet’s nutritional needs while the underlying disease is being addressed. Sometimes these diets are not particularly tasty, especially if your dog is used to regular treats or people food. If your dog is already ill, never starve your pet in an attempt to force it to eat the prescribed diet. Instead, talk with your veterinarian about alternatives. In more severe cases, your vet may prescribe appetite-stimulating medications, recommend syringe-feeding a liquid diet, or insert a feeding tube,” WebMD said.

If the cause is a behavior problem, you can do the following, according to WebMD: • Cut back on treats.

• Feed your pet on a regular schedule, usually at least twice a day.

• Make mealtime a fun time by allowing your pet to play with a toy that dispenses food or reward your dog with a treat after doing a trick.

• Take your dog for a walk before mealtime.

• Change your dog’s feeding situation.

“If you normally feed your pet with other animals, try feeding him alone. Or try using different bowls or plates at different heights to see what your dog prefers.

(You might even put a few pieces of food on the floor next to the feeding dish.),” WedMD said.

• Try a different kind of food, such as canned food if you usually feed your dog dry food. DC

ZIGGY was adopted from a neighbor who was moving out of their residence when Ziggy was a week old, says new owner Zelda Tantuan.

“She had three siblings and they got adopted too,” Zelda says.

Zelda shares Ziggy is given cat food and she loves fish also.

“Ziggy, who is now eight months old, would often be seen lying on the garage floor maybe because Sticky (our other puspin) stays there, too. It took a while for them to get along. Sticky is the jealous one. At night, they both sleep on the foot part of my bed. Sometimes they purr their way to sleep beside me,” Zelda says.

“I so love my babies and I promise to take good care of them,” Zelda adds.

Editor's note: These stories were compiled by admin Miks Lim of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), a SEC-registered animal welfare group that helps animals in need, and encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from fosters, shelters and pounds, and spaying and neutering of pets to control animal population in the country, among others.

AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONSIBLE MINING

advertise@manilastandard.net

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Creating sustainable growth through responsible mining

By Peter Paul Duran

N

ICKEL is the fifth most abundant element on Earth.

In the Philippines, the hard and silvery-white metal known for its ductility and resistance to heat and corrosion is not hard to miss.

In fact, the country is second only to Indonesia as the world’s biggest supplier of the valuable element.

Extremely useful in making various materials, Nickel is the metal that makes up almost everything that humans use, from everyday coins to high-caliber medical equipment.

“It is something we use every day.

We see it every day,” said Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) President Atty. Dante R. Bravo in an interview with Manila Standard at their Makati office recently.

The amiable company executive says that every day, we use and encounter an end product made entirely out of or in part by nickel.

From food consumption to essential hospital supply, nickel is important to humans.

“Actually nickel has thousands of applications to make our lives

“Our mission is to deliver value by carrying out our activities in an environmentally, socially and financially responsible manner for the benefit of the nation, the communities where we operate, our employees, customers and other stakeholders.”

– Atty. Dante R. Bravo comfortable, make our lives safer, and make our lives more convenient and modernized,” Atty. Bravo further said.

From coinage to aerospace, DRB, as he is fondly called by his FNI

family, says nickel is “so important” to humans that its “practically hard to live without nickel.”

Given that the natural resource is abundant and in many aspects a key driver for growth in a myriad of industries, is there a way for people to take advantage of its benefits without harming the environment?

FNI is conscious of it’s role in environment protection. That’s why

FNI, together with its operating arm Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), is at the forefront of sustainable mining practices, a duty the company is committed to spearhead as a leading nickel ore producer.

And their efforts have not been put to waste. PGMC has been given the 2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA)

Platinum Group Metals Corporation is the recipient of the 2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) Platinum Achievement Award, Surface Mining Operation Category. The award is bestowed to deserving companies for their outstanding levels of dedication, initaitives and innovations in the pursuit of excellence in environmental protection, safety and health management and social/community development. In the photo during the awarding ceremonies are MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano, PMIEA President Joey Ayson, PGMC Mine Operations Manager Richard C. Gimenez and PGMC President Atty. Dante R. Bravo.

Platinum Achievement Award in the Surface Mining Operation Category, a feat the company says is an affirmation of their sincere drive for responsible mining.

“It’s a confirmation of our being a responsible and responsive mining company,” said Atty. Bravo.

This is not the first time they won an award for pioneering ethical standards in the mining industry.

For years FNI has been adhering to the best global practices in all facets of their operations especially on environmental and socio-economic requirements.

“We are ISO certified, we use modern practices, the best equipment, the best software to help us optimize the use of our resources,” said Atty. Bravo.

Talking about how their recent achievement will impact their future operations, he says this will inspire the company to become more efficient and to show the regulators, the public, and their people that they are “doing things right.”

“We want to show that there’s integrity in what we do and that we also want to be a shining example for other mining companies. Because in the end, really, mining companies are also leaders in environment protection,” adds Atty. Bravo.

FNI looks forward to not only being compliant with the standards but becoming the standard in sustainable growth.

PGMC upholds the principles of a positive safety culture HEALTH and safety are integral parts of PGMC’s personnel policies. The Company comprehensive safety program is designed to minimize health risks arising out of work activities and to assure compliance with occupational health and safety standards and rules and regulations that apply to our operations.

Managers and supervisors regularly conduct safety briefings and new employees undergo safety orientation. First aid and emergency equipment are installed strategically in all work areas and PGMC’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) stands ready 24/7.

In fact, PGMC’s ERT can always be c ounted upon to assist in emergencies outside the confines of the mine site. During the recent earthquake in North Cotabato, PGMC’s ERT was one of the first responders and assisted in rescue operations and the packing and distribution of relief goods and drinking water.

As testament to their professionalism, the team won 1st Runner-up honors in the Fire Brigade Competition during the Safety Field Competition in connection with the 66TH Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City.

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AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONSIBLE MINING

Coral Transplantation in Lambason Marine Sanctuary "We believe in the principle of stewardship by protecting and caring for the environment for a sustainable future."

C

ORAL reefs are widely recognized to be important ecologically and biologically. They are the most diverse of all marine ecosystems and about 25 percent of all known marine species depend on them for food, shelter and breeding.

PGMC is an active participant of the National Greening Program NATIONAL Greening Program of the Philippine government was launched in 2011 by virtue of under Presidential Executive Order No. 26. This seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares throughout the country. It has a four-pronged agenda: food production, poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. As of 2018, the company has already covered 588.92 hectares.

During this year’s Earth Day celebration, PGMC together with over 200 volunteers from the local community planted over 1,000 indigenous trees in a water reservation area in Barangay Cagdianao.

But coral reefs around the world are threatened by natural and man-made disturbances. The same is true with the coral reefs in Lambason island in Surigao del Norte which have been under stress because of destructive fishing methods. To remedy the situation, the local government of Cagdi-

anao, Surigao del Norte, through the support of PGMC, declared portions of the island’s reef area as a marine sanctuary for protection and enhancement. As part of the rehabilitation efforts, PGMC’s technical team with the help of local fisherfolks, conducted coral transplantation through asexual

method wherein fragments were taken from an already-detached colony called coral of opportunity. Apart from facilitating the speedy recovery of the stressed corals, the activity also raised awareness among the local community about the vital role of coral reefs.

AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONSIBLE MINING

advertise@manilastandard.net

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Proactive supporter of the government’s Temporary Revegetation Program

P

GMC is one of the first to implement temporary revegetation, based on the government’s call to promote a sustainable environment in mining operations, through the establishment of grass and shrub plantation in all inactive mining areas. The company set its sights to temporarily revegetate 47 hectares located in CAGA 2 and CAGA 4 using grasses, vines, shrubs, and other leguminous plants within 2018 on top of it's Annual Mined-Out Rehabilitation commitment of 60.0 hectares. This will result to erosion prevention, aesthetics improvement and reduction of carbon footprint.

Congratulations to

Platinum Group Metals Corporation!

2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMEA) Platinum Achievement Awardee Surface Mining Operation Category

Greetings from: 5.11 million

31.55 million

Occupational Safety and Health Program spending for 2018

Social Development and Management Project budget for 2018

Mines helping minds PGMC believes that quality education is the best tool to fight poverty.

That is why we maintain a program that awards scholarships and other forms of aid to deserving students, including those who are members of the indigenous groups. These scholarships and other forms of aid include payment of tuition, stipend allowances and provision of school supplies and uniforms.

Education projects also involve the

improvement of school facilities, provision of educational materials teachers’ training programs, and payment of teachers’ honoraria.

At our Cagdianao Mine, we have constructed a seven school building, a library, and one (1) atrium for the community.

The school provides free education and school materials to about 521 students from barangays cagdianao and hayanggabon. communities.

In addition, we provide assistance under the Alternative Learning System project, an accredited program under the Department of Education. The company also provides salaries for six teachers who work with public schools in the communities where our Cagdianao Mine is located. Along with these programs, we have also initiated schoolto-school campaign promoting knowledge in mining and sponsorship for inter-school educational competitions.

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AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONSIBLE MINING

PGMC fetes scholars PGMC recently hosted a party to celebrate the graduation of 29 beneficiaries of its scholarship program. The activity aims to recognize the perseverance and sacrifice of student grantees in attaining their educational dreams.

“PGMC shouldered my daughter’s tuition and provided a minimum of P6,000 monthly allowance and an additional P10,000 assistance for her to complete her thesis. An additional P5,000 in incentives during graduation were also provided for all scholars. Even after graduation, PGMC’s generosity still extended to my daughter by providing P28,000 financial assistance for

her review in San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City,” said Mrs. Elizabeth E. Sarmiento, mother of full scholar grantee Michelle Anne Sarmiento, BS Accountancy graduate of Saint Paul University in Surigao City.

“Thank you PGMC for helping us financially in our studies.

I could never imagine that this program would become a way to start a new beginning in my life. To all scholars who are in the middle of their college life, I know that one day you will be one of us. Just always pray and have faith in God," said Cristine Joyce Sumido addressing her fellow scholars.

We implement programs and projects that improve the quality of life through capability development such as better education and generating livelihood.

SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED. Giveaways, shirts and medals were provided to the grantees during the recognition followed by a dinner.

Successful Egg Production Project expands to non-mining barangays

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PROJECT worth 1 million pesos was turned over to Sabang Tayaga Poultry Livelihood Association (SATAPOLA) by PGMC, making it the first-ever bigticket livelihood project implemented outside its host communities. After the success of a similar Egg Production Project with Punta Naga Sustainable Livelihood Association (PUNASULA) in Barangay Cagdianao, PGMC was encouraged to replicate the project to other nonmining barangays in Claver.

“In spite of being a non-mining barangay, we are able to receive this livelihood project.

We assure PGMC that we will work hard for the success of this project,” said Ancelmo Olvez, SATAPOLA President. Members of SATAPOLA were empowered

by PGMC through a series of trainings such as Philippines BizCamp and a 1-month actual farm management training in Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur accredited by TESDA. “PGMC doesn’t only work for their business to prosper but also for the welfare of the whole of Claver because as we can see they're expanding the coverage of their SDMP to the non-mining barangays.” Hon. Arnel P. Laurena, Punong Barangay of Tayaga said.

PGMC ushers Claver as CARAGA Handicraft Capital HANDICRAFT plays a vital role in providing an alternative source of income among households in the countryside. Products produced from Cebu and Bohol are known worldwide because of their outstanding quality, unique designs and competitive costs. But unbeknownst to many, Mindanao, particularly Caraga, is abundant with raw materials for the handicraft industry.

To develop this potential, PGMC partnered with Cebu-based Giant Q Exports, one of the country’s top manufacturers and exporters of Philippine handicraft made from indigenous materials, to make Claver

Surigao del Norte the center of handicraft production in CARAGA. Through its 2019 Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), PGMC allocated 1 million pesos into developing a handicraft livelihood program. The program was started by providing hands-on training to residents barangays Cagdianao and Hayanggabon.

Sixty-two beneficiaries, between the ages 29 to 65 years old, underwent training through the guidance of industry experts. At present, many of their products are alreadybeing sold for export.

Turnover of school bus, Grow Negosyo Center and production facility to support chipmaking and woodcraft livelihood projects PGMC Chairman Joseph C. Sy and President Atty. Dante R. Bravo led the turnover of the Grow Negosyo Center which will serve as a one-stop shop for barangay Hayanggabon’s printing needs. On a separate occasion, Atty. Bravo presided over the turnover of the production facility and display center for the Chipmakers Association of Cagdianao (CMAC) and the Cagdianao Woodcraft Association (CWA) and a brand new mini school bus worth PHP 3.4 million pesos. The new bus will be a blessing to many schoolchildren who have to walk several kilometers each day to attend classes.

“Today marks another breakthrough for the people of barangay Cagdianao as these will help

improve the well-being of the local community. PGMC is well- positioned as a key contributor to this

success. More than the physical infrastructures, the unseen message is that the people of Cagdianao will

continue to reap the benefits of mining beyond the life of the mine,” said Vice Mayor Narlito G. Jamesula.