Manila Standard - 2019 December 30 - Monday

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FREEDOM FIGHTER.

The Philippines marks today the 123rd death anniversary of the martyr and national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, freedom fighter and a man of many talents who was executed by a Spanish firing squad in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on Dec. 30, 1896. Malacañang says that President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has opted to be in ‘a different place’ from the focal point of the annual rites—the 103-year-old bronze-and-granite Rizal monument, which has been declared a national cultural treasure. Duterte has decided to pay tribute to other heroes, the Palace said. Norman Cruz

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 319 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US senator talks trash—Palace Called ignorant for demanding De Lima’s release

‘Cracker-related injuries rising despite ban

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Orlan Mauricio THE number of fireworks-related injuries surged by 34 on Sunday, two days before the New Year Day celebration, the Department of Health said.

Data from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau showed there were 12 additonal, bringing to 46 the total number of fireworks-related injuries from Dec. 21 to 29 recorded in 61 government hospitals.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the 46 injuries was the same as the number of cases during the same period in 2018.

However, this was 64 percent lower than the five year average (2014 to 2018) of the 129 cases, he said.

No deaths have been reported so far.

Most of the injuries were due to the use of boga—an improvised cannon made of PVC pipes—as well as luces and piccolo. The rest were caused by kwitis, whistle bomb, and five star.

Duque urged the public to use alternative noisemakers such as horns and kitchen utensils to avoid injuries.

The Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Next page

Police shorten Nazarene parade THE National Capital Region Police Office will implement a new security scheme for the Black Nazarene thanksgiving procession on Monday (Dec. 30) to shorten the duration of the religious activity.

NCRPO acting chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said the aim was to shorten the activity from the usual 10 hours to only six hours.

“The longer the time that we consume in the procession, the more it is susceptible to crime and threats,” he said.

Sinas said a patrol car will lead the procession, followed by Sinas and his district directors.

He said police officers will be around the Black Nazarene while devotees will be at the back of the procession.

“We want to be there to assure the public that the police are ready and we are on the ground,” Sinas said.

Next page

T KILOMETRIC QUEUE. Cargo trucks, bus units and other vehicles form a long line on their way to the port after being stranded for three days at the height of Typhoon Ursula’s onslaught that battered Eastern Visayas provinces. AFP

‘Ursula’ deaths reach 41, thousands still in evac sites THE number of deaths from Typhoon “Ursula” (international name: “Phanfone”) has climbed to 41, authorities said Sunday, with tens of thousands still in evacuation centers.

Ursula left the Philippines on Saturday after devastating several islands in the Visayas, including popular tourist destinations, but the extent of the damage continued to grow as assessments came in.

The death toll of 4—up from 28 on Friday—included three boat crew who died after their vessel capsized due to strong winds, a policeman electrocuted by a toppled post, and a man struck by a felled tree.

“We’re hoping that there will be no more fatalities,” national disaster agency spokesman Mark Timbal said, even as the authorities were still searching for 12 people missing.

The latest agency report showed over 1.6-million people were affected by the typhoon, which damaged over 260,000 houses and forced almost a 100,000 people to flee to emergency shelters.

Many of the affected residents celebrated Christmas in evacuation centers, where they may have to stay until the New Year given the scale of destruction.

The government estimated that the

storm has caused damage to agriculture and infrastructure worth $21 million.

Power lines and Internet connections remain down in some areas after Ursula’s powerful wind gusts of up to 200 kilometers per hour toppled electric posts and trees.

Ursula is the 21st cyclone to hit the storm-prone Philippines, which is the first major landmass facing the Pacific typhoon belt.

Many of the storms are deadly, and they typically wipe out harvests, homes and infrastructure, keeping millions of people perennially poor. AFP

HE Palace on Sunday slammed US Senator Patrick Leahy for saying the Philippine government should free detained lawmaker Leila de Lima instead of threatening to deny visas for American citizens.

Leahy, one of the American legislators whom President Rodrigo Duterte ordered barred from entering the Philippines, cried foul over the threat to require American citizens to secure a visa before entering the country.

“Rather than responding by irrationally threatening to deny visas to American citizens, the Duterte government should either release Senator De Lima immediately or provide her the fair, public trial she is entitled to,” Leahy said in a statement.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Leahy is “talking from ignorance” and should educate himself on the country’s legal processes to avoid embarrassment.

“The US Senator is talking nonsense.

He should educate himself on our processes re: Filing of cases against the Next page

‘Ex-rebels’ photo genuine, not fake’

By MJ Blancaflor THE Palace on Sunday defended the “photoshopped” photo of supposed rebel surrenderees distributed by the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division, saying it had not been manipulated since it was merely a “collage.”

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo claimed that the edited photo, which was supposedly taken on Dec. 26, were two photos that were combined in one collage.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and I were talking. The explanation to him was those were two photos that were combined. So it was just collaged. In other words, those were authentic,’’ Panelo said in a radio interview.

So that’s not manipulation. It would be different if the photo was fake to make it

appear that many people surrendered.”

Malacañang warned communist rebels to refrain from attacking government forces in the wake of the purported violations of the holiday ceasefire that will last until Jan. 7 next year.

This came after military forces cried foul at the New People’s Army for detonating an improvised explosive device in Iloilo and Camarines Norte on Dec. 23, the first day of the truce.

Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte remained open to resuming the talks with the rebels despite the recent incidents.

The President gave them another chance so they should avoid the repeat of attacks against government forces,’’ Panelo said.

And amid the plan to revive the peace negotiations, Malacañang on Sunday Next page

PHOTOSHOPPED? The original photo released by the Army’s 9th infantry division, 2nd IB, which came under fire from eagle-eyed netizens.

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News

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Make Grab pay for violations, senator urges commission

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the Philippine Competition Commission to impose stiffer penalties against the ride-hailing giant Grab Philippines for allegedly repeatedly violating competition rules since the departure of Uber in 2018.

He made the call after finding out that the PCC had penalized the Transport Network Company four times for breaching price and service quality promises in a span of more than a year, which for him was unacceptable.

After Grab acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia operations last year, the PCC fined Grab PH for violating key provisions of the Interim Measures Order during the merger review period of the antitrust authority.

Grab was penalized in October 2018 for its failure to maintain pre-merger conditions, such as pricing policies, rider incentives and service quality.

Citing more data from the PCC, the PCC fined Grab PH again in January 2019, and P6.5 million, for submitting “deficient, inconsistent and incorrect data” for the monitoring of its “compliance with its voluntary commitments.”

On Nov. 14, the regulator announced it had ordered Grab to return about �5.05 million in fares due to “overcharging” from customers who booked their services between February and May 2019. The PCC gave Grab 60 days to refund its customers.

On Dec. 19, the PCC imposed a fine of P14.15 million for Grab’s extraordinary deviation on its pricing commitment, and P2 million for exceeding driver cancellations at 7.76 percent instead of the committed 5 percent.

“PCC has seen many violations on Grab and even chided it for abuses committed on commuters so they were always imposed fines, Gathchalian said.

However, he said Grab had been fined for four times already in a matter of just one year.

“It would seem to appear that since they have been controlling a 93-percent share of the industry, pwede na nilang kontrolin ang merkado at ayos lang kahit na magmulta sila at lumabag sa itinakdang standards ng PCC, Gatchalian said.

’Ex-rebels’...

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appealed to the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing, the New People’s Army, to honor the ceasefire deal with the government troops.

Panelo said President Duterte had decided to ignore the recent attacks waged by the NPA rebels despite the implementation of the holiday truce for the sake of the planned resumption of the talks between the state peace negotiators and the members of the CPP’s political arm, the National Democratic Front.

Whatever the reason is, the President gave them another chance, so they should avoid the repeat of attacks against government forces,” Panelo said in an interview with dzIQ. The photo, sent to reporters with a press release, showed a group of people in Masbate lining up in front of a row of rifles placed on top of a desk.

Lorenzana earlier said he had directed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Noel Clement to conduct an inquiry and ensure that sanctions were out against those responsible for the manipulated photos.

This is very serious because it undermines the efforts of the whole Organization, the AFP,’’ he was quoted in a report.

The wrongdoing, Lorenzana said, was unacceptable while the military was enjoying an unprecedented high trust rating from the people.

The Philippine Army unit involved, through its spokesman Major Ricky Aguilar, has owned up to the mistake and apologized, saying they edited the picture to ensure the safety of former rebels and their families.

But the group stood by its claim that there were rebel surrenderees.

There were indeed 306 surrenderers in Masbate where negotiations began sometime in October 2019. The actual surrender was done Dec. 26, 2019,” Aguilar said.

In our ardent desire to release timely information, we were not able to double-check the pictures we attached in our press release.” With PNA

Tourism tack wins awards for PH 2 019 has been an impressive year for the Philippine tourism industry, with the country bagging several praises showing the efforts from the public and private sectors to promote tourism are paying off.

For one, the Philippines was named the leading diving destination in the 2019 World Travel Awards for the first time. The Department of Tourism was also cited as Asia’s Leading Tourism Board with its success in boosting the country’s arrivals last year.

Meanwhile, Palawan continues to dominate as a world-class tourist destination, landing on CNN Travel’s list of the world’s 10 most beautiful islands.

The same goes for Cebu and Boracay, two Philippine destinations included in the World’s Best Awards of the Travel + Leisure magazine this year.

Aside from the citations, the figures proved continuous growth in the country’s tourism industry.

From January to October 2019, the latest data provided by the Tourism department showed an upward trend in foreign tourist arrivals that tallied more than 6.8 million, up by at least 15.04 percent against the 5,911,161 visitors for the same period in 2018.

Although much needs to be done

especially on infrastructure, the private sector is also seeing positive development on the track the Philippine tourism is taking.

“There’s some catching up to do but despite that, I think because of the private sector’s efforts to provide continuity, we’re able to manage to continue the programs and at the end of the day, we’re still on track,” said Philippine Tour Operators Association president Cesar Cruz, referring to the transition period in the change of the Tourism department’s leadership.

“The marketing program that has been in place last year has been continuing. We still have about three years, so hopefully by next year 80 percent of these infrastructure, other airports, ferry terminals, the modernization of our roll-on-roll-off would contribute a lot.”

Cruz also hailed the development of several destinations, which started with the rehabilitation of the resort island of Boracay.

He described these moves as an introduction to Philippine tourism

that adheres to sustainability.

“The development regarding the destination in terms of sustainability is a plus factor, especially for travelers. The travelers now are very conscious that they just don’t go to the place because of the site, they want to visit a destination that is conscious of the environment and sustainability of the place,” said.

The Tourism department continues to acknowledge and adapt to the current trends in travel and tourism.

“We can no longer be just fixated with the headcount; we also have to look at the revenue stream, and at the sustainability part of our development efforts,” tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said in a recent year-end interview.

Following up on the Boracay rehabilitation that saw the island resort’s closure for six months in 2018, Bengzon said the department was able to establish “a new set of development guidelines,” which redefined their approach with respect to destination and promotions development.

“The Boracay experience has taught us, among other things, the need for convergence with the appropriate government agencies.

The Boracay experience has also taught us the importance of making sure that there is a strong buy-in coming from the local stakeholders

and the local community because, at the end of the day, it’s really going to be the locals who will be implementing these measures 24/7,” Bengson said.

With the prominent Boracay project, Bengzon said, the government had since recognized the need to strengthen sustainable tourism efforts. Looking at other destinations in the country, he said, stakeholders had also been visibly inspired by the successes achieved on the island.

“Now, other destinations are also coming up with their guidelines on carrying capacities, what to use and what not to use. Who would have thought five years or 10 years ago that we would be making a big issue out of sunscreen, but now we’re at that level. The appreciation is getting deeper as we achieve more successes,” he said.

This year, the government has shifted its focus on restoring the pristine condition of tourist sites in Coron and El Nido in Palawan.

In fact, it has tapped financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank to fund its cleanup initiatives in the two top destinations.

The assistance will focus on solid waste management as well as capacity building of local stakeholders to maintain a sustainable environment for the two areas. PNA

‘Cracker-related...

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8 MILLIONTH VISITOR. Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado shares light moment with Japanese

couple Yachiyo Imamoto (center) and her husband Tamio during a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday (Dec. 27), Imamoto received a free roundtrip ticket from Japan to Manila including a tour to Siargao for being the Philippines' eight millionth visitor for 2019. PNA

US...

From A1

accused and their release by the courts before blabbering so he would not embarrass the lofty position he is holding as well as the institution he represents.

He is talking from ignorance,” Panelo told Manila Standard.

Leahy, along with Senator Richard Durbin, introduced a provision in the 2020 US national budget that prohibits entry into the US of Philippine government officials linked to the “wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima, who has been detained since February 2017 due to her alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

This provision was later approved

by US President Donald Trump.

In an apparent retaliation, President Duterte ordered an entry ban on Leahy and Durbin and said he would require American citizens to secure a visa before entering the Philippines if the US enforces the ban on Philippine officials.

Panelo said the President’s order would not affect the bilateral ties between the Philippines and the US, or Filipino workers in the United States.

Leahy noted that De Lima’s imprisonment, as well as the threats against

journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, “have been criticized around the world, including by the US Department of State and the United Nations.”

In a tweet, Leahy said he has always stood up for journalists’ right to report news both in the US and around the world.

Two Cabinet officials on Sunday rebuffed US lawmakers calling for De Lima’s release.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the only way for De Lima to be released from detention is upon acquittal by the court and not upon the pressure exerted by Leahy and other American lawmakers.

“I wish Senator Leahy and his four other colleagues in the US Senate know that much of our constitutional law and rules on criminal procedure had their origin in US law. I also wish they know that Senator De Lima’s indictment was upheld by the Philippine Supreme Court and that she has been freely exercising all the rights of an accused in a fair and public trial,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra also dismissed suggestions by the American senators that De Lima is a victim of political persecution by the Duterte administration,

Police...

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He said that NCRPO will commit enough forces to secure the religious event.

Sinas said if the enhanced security approach for the thanksgiving procession will prove to be successful, the same will be implemented for the bigger “Traslacion” or the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church in Manila on Jan. 9.”

The MPD-Traffic Enforcement Unit advised motorists to

saying Leahy’s staff can come to the Philippines to see for themselves the evidence so far presented before the court against her.

Locsin argued that De Lima cannot just be released from detention unless she is able to controvert the evidence linking her to the illegal drug trade.

The country’s top diplomat even suggested that a speedy trial be conducted by the Muntinlupa regional trial courts hearing the drug cases against De Lima.

“This is a major concession: Trial, NOW! No postponements should be granted, “ Locsin said on his Twitter account.

Locsin noted that the “Supreme Court struck down with finality De Lima’s delaying tactic of challenging the sufficiency of the charges against her.”

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, meanwhile, said it would be pointless to file a diplomatic protest against the ban on the entry of Philippine officials involved in the imprisonment of De Lima.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Pimentel said a country controls who may or may not enter its territory.

He also said requiring Americans to obtain visas before entering the Philippines would result in a decline of US tourists.

take alternate routes on Monday due to the closure of some roads in Manila and the implementation of a traffic rerouting plan for the Black Nazarene thanksgiving procession.

The annual Black Nazarene procession will be taking this route: Plaza Miranda, left to Quezon Boulevard; right to CM Recto Avenue; right to Loyola Street; right to Bilibid Viejo Street; left to Gil Puyat Street; left to Z. F. de Guzman Street (Mendoza St.); right to R. Hidalgo Street; left to Quezon Boulevard through under Quezon Bridge, through Palanca Street; right to Villalobos Street; onward to Plaza Miranda. PNA

Gamboa said the following firecrackers are prohibited: Piccolo, watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang, large Judas belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, atomic bomb, atomic bomb triangular, pillbox, boga, kwiton, goodbye earth, goodbye bading, hello columbia and goodbye Philippines.

Gamboa also said only 124 firecracker dealers and 24 manufacturers were authorized in Bocaue. He added that they are closely monitoring firecracker-related concerns as New Year’s Day draws nearer.

Pyrotechnic traders in Bocaue were gloomy at the prospect of a total ban on their products— something that President Rodrigo Duterte did in Davao when he was still mayor.

The firecracker business should be regulated and not killed because it provides livelihood and employment, said Celso C. Cruz, president emeritus of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association.

Cruz said it was a tradition to use firecrackers to greet the New Year, and these products shouldn’t be banned.

“Children light and throw firecrackers because they have seen it being done by their father of elders.

Hence, as they grow, they continue [the] family tradition,” said Lita Gonzales, 65, a trader of firecrackers in Brgy. Bundukan, Bocaue.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said local executives should regulate the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in their jurisdictions to make the celebration of New Year and other special occasions safer and more environment-friendly.

Sotto has filed Senate Bill No. 493 proposing to institutionalize Executive Order 28 issued by President Duterte in June 2017 banning the uncontrolled and unregulated use of firecrackers and similar devices.

SBN 493, or the proposed Firecracker Ban Act, prohibits the unsupervised use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in any place regardless of occasion.

The measure allows the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices only in designated areas and requires authorization from local government units.

The use of the same will exclusively be done by professionals who have the technical skills and knowledge on the preparation and lighting of firecrackers and similar devices.

Any person caught violating the law will be punished by a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P 50,000 or imprisonment from six months to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

In filing the bill, the Senate President cited the huge drop in injuries and fatalities during the 2018 New Years’ celebration following the issuance of EO 28.

News Budget for remote towns, provinces ready—Ping

By Macon Ramos-Araneta FAR-FLUNG towns and provinces would no longer be “disconnected” from much-needed funding for their development programs, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the coming year may finally mark the beginning of the end for the “disconnect” that has shut them out.

He said he has high hopes for the Department of Budget and Management’s policy to require agencies to secure certifications from Regional Development Councils for projects to be included in the proposed national budget for 2021.

“For the P4.1-trillion budget for 2020, projects initiated by the Regional Development Councils accounted for only 25 percent of development projects in the National Expenditure Program or the President’s Budget that forms the basis of the budget bill,” said Lacson.

“Yet, local government units, especially those in far-flung areas, are in the best position to know their constituents’ needs and priorities,” added Lacson, an untiring watchdog of the national budget an advocate of local government empowerment.

The senator said he is thankful to DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado for requiring agencies to obtain certifications from RDCs to make sure projects have local support.

“This is a step in the right direction that we must follow,” he added.”

He said that Avisado had informed him that he ordered certifications ahead of the budget call for 2021.

This means departments seeking funding for projects need to submit certification from the RDCs. On the other hand, he said members of Congress, particularly district representatives, can still play an active role in pushing worthy local development projects by taking part in meetings of Local Development Councils, where they are members.

They can then shepherd the projects once the NEP is submitted to Congress.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Gov’t nurses get extra base pay hike

By Maricel V. Cruz

G

OVERNMENT nurses will receive another 20-percent increase in their base monthly pay—from P30,531 to P36,619—over the next four years, Party-list Rep. Michael Defensor of Anakalusugan said Sunday.

“The starting pay of government nurses will be improved further by P6,088 – to be gradually given in four annual installments starting January 1, 2020 up to January 1, 2023 – under the salary standardization bill for civil servants already approved by both houses of Congress,” Defensor said.

President Duterte earlier certified the bill as urgent, and is expected to sign it into law shortly, according to Defensor, House health committee vice chairperson.

The Supreme Court earlier affirmed the grant of 47 percent (or P9,777) increase in the entry-level pay of govern-

ment nurses, from P20,754 to P30,531.

The high court upheld in October the validity of a provision in the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 that assigned Salary Grade (SG) 15 as the minimum pay allocation of government nurses.

At present, SG 15 has a minimum pay rate of P30,531 for Step 1 and a maximum rate of P33,279 for Step 8.

The pay rates for the same grade will steadily go up to P36,619 for Step 1 and P39,367 for Step 8 under the new salary standardization scheme, Defensor said.

“We are counting on the 76 percent [or P15,865] increase in the base pay— from P20,754 to P36,619—to help reduce the migration of Filipino nurses, and to encourage new nursing graduates to practice their profession,” De-

fensor said.

A number of nursing graduates have been opting out of their profession due to low pay, Defensor said “A starting monthly pay of P36,619 is not that bad, considering that government will also be paying a mid-year bonus equal to a month’s salary, on top of the 13th month pay and P5,000 yearend cash gift, among other standard incentives and allowances,” Defensor said.

Despite the pay increase, Defensor acknowledged that several Filipino nurses are likely to continue to move to the United States in particular.

“We simply can’t compete with the vastly superior working and living standards being offered by America to offer foreign nurses,” Defensor said.

FDA gets high rating from ASEAN states

SPECIAL VISITOR. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte interacts with one of the pediatric cancer patients he visited at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Children’s Cancer Institute in Davao City on Dec. 28. Presidential Photo

Du30 visits young cancer patients in Davao City medical center

By MJ Blancaflor AS PART of his annual tradition, President Rodrigo Duterte visited pediatric cancer patients in Davao City on Saturday.

The President, as shown in photos released by the Palace, gave gifts and kissed patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Children’s Cancer Institute.

The President was seen handing an “ampao” or Chinese red envelope usually used

to give cash gifts.

He was accompanied by his long-time aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. One of the young patients held a sign saying “I heart Kuya Bong Go, Tatay Digong.”

Visiting cancer patients in his hometown has been his tradition since he was still a mayor.

Like in previous years, President Duterte celebrated the holidays with his family in Davao City.

YEAR OF THE RAT. Manny Tangco, owner of Malabon Zoo and some children look at the Cloud Rat as a way of welcoming Year 2020 at the Malabon Zoo on Sunday, Dec. 29. Norman Cruz

Pay workers double on Jan. 1—DOLE PRIVATE sector workers who will report for work on Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day), which is a regular holiday, should get paid twice their regular daily wages, the labor department reminded employers.

This is contained in Labor Advisory No. 13, series of 2019, issued by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to guide employers on the proper payment of wages for the regular and special (non-working) days for the year 2020.

The advisory is pursuant to Proclamation No. 845 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 15.

Employees who will report for work on January 1 shall be paid 200 percent of their wage for the first eight hours [(basic wage + COLA) x 200 percent]; while employees who will not work shall be paid 100 percent of their wage for that day [(Basic wage + COLA) x 100 percent).

ASEAN Member States officially listed the Philippine Food and Drug Administration under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Good Manufacturing Practices for Medicinal Products during the 28th ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality Pharmaceutical Product Working Group Meeting in Indonesia.

Undersecretary of Health and FDA’s Officer-In-Charge Director General, Rolando Enrique D. Domingo underscored the importance of the inclusion of the FDA in the ASEAN registry for both the industry and consumers.

“For the industry, the inclusion will result in reduced duplication of inspections, cost reduction, facilitation of exports, enhanced market access, enhanced industry reputation, transparency in inspection standards and consistency of inspection,” he said.

The inclusion, he said, will also increase confidence in the quality of medicines for consumers, increase in reliability and quality of medicines, improved consumer safety and protection, better control of counterfeit medicines, and improved access to affordable quality medicines. Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Opinion

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

We were never brothers WE MAY have fought side by side with them during World War II, some of us may still look at them as the promise of redemption especially when we are hard-hit by local politics, but not, we were never brothers.

We have always been at the receiving end of their bullying tactics.

Where were Durbin and Leahy when former President Arroyo’s rights were being violated?

And it’s just right to hit ‘em back.

After the US Senate arrogantly voted to bar local officials allegedly involved in “jailing” Senator Leila de Lima from entering the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte struck back by barring two US senators, Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin— who spearheaded the said provision in the 2020 US Budget which was signed by President Donald Trump— from entering the Philippines.

According to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, President Duterte is immediately ordering the Bureau of Immigration to deny Durbin and Leahy, “the imperious, uninformed and gullible American legislators who introduced the subject provision in the US 2020 Budget, entry to the Philippines.”

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the ban on the two US lawmakers is effective immediately.

Duterte has also threatened the US the Philippines would impose a visa requirement for Americans planning to visit the country should the US

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

push through with the ban on Filipino officials over De Lima's case.

Of course, the US could always insists, as we could, too, that it is their right to decide whom to allow and whom to bar from entering their country. But the problem is that their decision to bar the “officials involved in the De Lima case” is a clear intervention in our internal affairs.

While the proponent senators claim De Lima has been wrongfully incarcerated and that hers is a case of her human rights violation, that is the farthest from truth.

De Lima is being charged for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. And even her lover cum bodyguard—yes, with whom she shares her most intimate secrets— has testified receiving money on her behalf and directly delivering them to her.

De Lima spending time in jail demonstrates how our present judicial system works unlike during, ironically, De Lima’s own stint as Justice Secretary.

Where were Durbin and Leahy when De Lima prevented former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from leaving the country to seek medical treatment abroad even in the absence of a hold-departure order issued by the proper court?

And De Lima “corrected” her act by committing another injustice against Arroyo when they railroaded the filing of a non-bailable case against the former president in less than 24 hours after illegally barring her from leaving the country.

Weren’t these acts clear violation of Arroyo’s human rights?

Where were Durbin and Leahy during those times?

Given their biased positions on the two cases—that of Arroyo and De Lima—we could clearly see their acts have nothing to do with their socalled promotion of human rights but

Rizal’s choice

J

OSE Rizal did not have to sacrifice his life for his country, and yet he chose to.

He was born to a life of greater privilege than what most enjoyed. While they did not belong to the ruling class, and while the family was big, his parents had the wherewithal to give him an education that allowed him to explore various interests, go to many places, and use brain instead of brawn.

He could have pursue any of his professional options, enjoyed his fame, and stayed away from his home country. He could have divorced himself from the difficulties that his people were experiencing. He could have written about art or music or any of the beautiful things that he came across in Europe.

Instead he chose to use the might of his pen to rail against injustice and

to shame his people’s oppressors through his literature.

He chose to come back home to be part of the movement to demand a better treatment, better life, and greater self-determination among his people. He paid dearly for it—with his life.

One hundred twenty-three years later, the nation Rizal fought for remembers this as we deal with our own struggles and our own forms of oppression. Like then, there are some people who are more privileged than others, while the rest are more vulnerable to the evils and imperfections of society. Like then, those in power wish to perpetuate themselves in their positions, believing that public office is an entitlement to a fiefdom.

Like then, ordinary people are witness to injustice every day, even if they don’t experience it themselves.

Then as now, we have a choice.

We can remain in our comfort zones, especially when we are surrounded by material comfort or privilege, such that we don’t experience how hard life truly is for the average Filipino. We can perhaps read about their woes over media, but we can always choose to go back to what we are comfortable with.

We say we care, but after we’ve written a lone or two or shared an article on social media, we become apathetic and distant yet again.

How many, then, will choose to be involved in this high-stakes game called love of country, where one calls out anybody who dared exploit others?

As we remember Rizal’s death today, may we be reminded that great things are occasioned not by token acts, but by genuine, committed involvement even when it's no longer easy, or convenient, or fashionable.

Turn to A5

Zimbabwe journalists suffer as Mnangagwa cracks down on critics

By Ish Mafundikwa

lice officers, he added.

FANUEL Mapfumo has been unable to lift heavy objects since a Zimbabwe police officer fractured his left arm as he was covering a story last August.

The 28-year-old journalist was filming a banned protest in the capital Harare when it happened.

Opposition supporters were voicing their discontent with the country's ailing economy when police descended on the crowd with batons.

Mapfumo, who works for the Zim Morning Post, said they ordered him to stop filming.

"I identified myself as a journalist," he told AFP. "But the next thing I remember is being dragged into a group of police officers who beat me all over my body."

Rights groups have accused Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa of persistently violating human rights since he took office in 2018.

In August last year, six people died after the army used force against civilians protesting a delay in the announcement of election results.

In January, the army attacked protesters marching against a hefty fuel price hike, leaving 17 dead.

And as Mnangagwa has tightened his stance on dissent, journalists have also suffered repercussions.

"We documented 18 cases of abuse of members of the media this year," said Tabani Moyo, who heads the Media Institute of Southern Africa—up from only one case in 2018.

Most of the incidents involved po-

263Chat under attack The rise of attacks on journalists has brought back memories of the regime under former President Robert Mugabe, whose increasingly despotic rule cracked down on the independent media.

Mugabe was toppled by a military putsch in 2017 after 37 years in power, which led some of the country's embattled media professionals to hope for better days.

That optimism was short-lived, however.

Costa Nkomo, 30, was injured by police officers in January while reporting on a skirmish with unlicensed street vendors in downtown Harare.

"A policeman to whom I identified myself as a journalist beat me up," said Nkomo, who was filming for a local news site named 263Chat.

Three months later, baton-wielding policemen chased one of Nkomo's colleagues into the 263Chat offices for filming a similar incident.

"We managed to push them out of the office," said Nkomo, who took refuge on the balcony with a dozen fellow reporters.

"They retaliated by firing a tear gas canister into the office and locking the door from outside."

That incident caused outrage, prompting the government to promise an investigation.

"Our constitution guarantees freedom of the media and government respects the constitution," tweeted the information ministry after the incident.

Turn to A5

2019’s unforeseen history-makers (Concluded from yesterday)

The fairytale rise of Lil Nas X A little over a year ago, Montero Hill had dropped out of university, was living with his sister, had no job, car or even a driver's licence.

Today—thanks to record-breaking single "Old Town Road"—he is the millionaire country-rap superstar known as Lil Nas X. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks between April and August, breaking a record dating to the mid-1990s when Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men spent 16 weeks at number one. Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with Justin Bieber also topped the charts for 16 weeks with "Despacito" in 2017.

All versions of "Old Town Road" have been played more than 1.3 billion times on streaming site Spotify.

Lil Nas X, 20, composed the song based on a beat he purchased for $30 from a Dutch record producer.

The result merged thumping bass and rap with a twangy banjo sound

more associated with country music.

Billboard barred the song from its rankings of country music songs, arguing that it did not have enough elements of that genre to merit inclusion.

A few days later, Lil Nas X released a remix of what was already a hit, starring country star Billy Ray Cyrus, father of pop star Miley Cyrus.

Even with the added legitimacy of Billy Cyrus, a two-time Grammy nominee in country categories, the remix was also left out of the country rankings.

Both versions went on to become number one in the main Billboard charts, catapulting the previously unknown artist into the celebrity stratosphere.

Lil Nas X has also seduced fans with his down-to-earth personality and humour. He has never hesitated to don traditional country clothing, including cowboy hat, jacket and boots.

After successfully achieving a rare marriage of rap and country tunes, the young artist shook the hip-hop world in early July by announcing

that he is gay.

Although some female rappers had already come out, such as Young M.A, Lil Nas X became the first prominent male rapper to do so.

It was a significant development for an industry that, while less macho than in the past, tends to present a more traditional side of masculinity.

The woman who photographed a black hole US computer scientist Katie Bouman became an overnight sensation in April for her role in developing a computer algorithm that allowed researchers to take the world's first image of a black hole.

The 30-year-old, currently an assistant professor at the California Institute of Technology, was a member of the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration when the team captured the image.

Bouman said she first began working on the EHT as a graduate student studying computer vision at MIT and Turn to A5

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Opinion

THE FIFTH GOSPEL JUDE ACIDRE WITH the appointment of Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle to the Roman Curia, the Archdiocese of Manila becomes officially a “sede vacante”—a vacant see. This will set in motion the search for Manila’s 33rd archbishop.

The Catholic Church teaches that bishops are successors to the apostles, that is the Twelve chosen by Christ himself. With the martyrdom of the early apostles, their closest collaborators were appointed to replace them within the Christian community. The process of selecting bishops, however, has significantly evolved throughout the history of the Church. In the first millennium of Christianity, it was common for the clergy of the diocese to elect a bishop, a tradition that continues today with the election of the pope, whose primary role is to be the bishop of Rome. Even today, a number of European bishops are nominated by a group of senior clergy, called the chapter of canons.

In the Middle Ages, and with the emergence of a “prince bishop” with a more political than pastoral role, the State also claimed the right to select the bishops. In fact, several modern-day governments continue to be consulted on the selection of bishops either exercising the right to nominate or to exclude a particular candidate for the episcopal office.

In fact, throughout the first three hundred years of Christianity in the Philippines, the archbishop of Manila was appointed upon nomination by the King of Spain in accordance with the terms of the Patronato Real, according to which the Crown exercised protection, and therefore rights of patronage over the Church in the Philippines.

The modern process in the appointment of Catholic bishops follows the provisions of the current Code of Canon Law. Properly speaking, Catholic bishops are elected, although there is only one elector involved—that is the pope. But given the fact that today there are currently more than five thousand Catholic bishops, the process requires several levels of consultations within the Church.

The process of electing (or selecting bishops) usually begins at the diocesan level. Most dioceses belong to a metropolitan province, each headed by an archbishop. Every bishop is usually requested to

2019’s...

From A4

found that black hole imaging shared striking similarities with work she had done on brain imaging based on limited data from an MRI scanner.

The EHT Collaboration had spent more than a decade building an Earth-sized computational telescope that combined signals received by various telescopes working in pairs around the world.

However, since there were a limited

Zimbabwe...

From A4

No protection Government spokesman Nick Mangwana told AFP the information ministry had "engaged the police over the issue of safety for journalists."

But he also said police had raised concerns about journalists "causing mayhem" by failing to respect safe distances without clearly identifying themselves.

But the press cards issued by the government to allow reporters to do their job do not always guarantee protection.

In August, journalist Leopold Munhende was arrested alongside a group of rural teachers demonstrating for better pay.

"A policeman grabbed me by the

Former bishops of the diocese, and other bishops serving in the metropolitan province, as well as the president of the bishops’ conference, are also consulted. Once the nuncio has compiled all the input and reviewed all information gathered, he prepares a report of three candidates— called the “terna”—indicating his preferences. The “terna” then is submitted to Rome for consideration for the Congregation for Bishops.

Bishops to be appointed to mission areas, however, are assessed by the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples, the same office to which Cardinal Tagle has been recently appointed.

The process is slightly different for archdioceses—such as in case of Manila. Normally, bishops within the metropolitan province are usually first considered, before a wider search is carried. For example, Manila’s first Filipino bishop, Rufino Cardinal Santos, first served as auxiliary bishop of Manila while Cardinal Tagle was bishop of Imus, which is part of the ecclesiastical province of Manila. Incumbent archbishops are also usually considered. Jaime Cardinal Sin was archbishop of Jaro while Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales was archbishop of Lipa before they were appointed archbishop of Manila. In appointing archbishops, the position and prominence of the archdiocese within the country as well as its unique needs and socio-economic realities are also well taken into consideration.

After the Congregation for Bishops (or the Congregation of the

Evangelization of Peoples for mission territories), its head, called the prefect, will approve the “terna” submitted by the nuncio and will ask that a summary of the information submitted be prepared. The same dossier is submitted to the members of the congregation, composed of cardinals and bishops from around the world. Members of the congregation meet at least twice a month to discuss the candidates and make a decision. The congregation can either affirm the recommendation made by the nuncio, choose another candidate named in the “terna” or ask that another “terna” be prepared and the process is repeated once again.

Once the congregation has made its decision, the prefect personally submits his report in a private audience with the pope, indicating the preferences of the congregation. The pope can then proceed with one of four likely decisions—he can confirm the decision of the congregation, choose another candidate on the “terna,” ask that another “terna” be prepared, or as in the case of several appointments made by Pope Francis—totally disregard the “terna” and choose his own candidate.

After the pope has made his choice, the congregation informs the nuncio, who immediately contacts the selected candidate, who is given the option to accept or refuse the appointment. If the candidate accepts the appointment, the nuncio arranges the date when the appointment will be announced. Within this two to four week period prior to the public announcement, the candidate must keep the matter strictly confidential.

The entire process of nominating and appointing a bishop usually takes six months to a year from the time a diocese becomes vacant.

Although, it could happen that the process commences even before the retirement of the outgoing bishops.

Canon law requires that a bishop must be least 35 years old and a priest for at least five years. He should be “outstanding in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues” and should be well versed in sacred Scripture, theology and canon law and, preferably, hold a doctorate in one of these fields. A bishop-elect must be ordained within three months following his nomination. This step in the process is omitted in the case of a candidate who is already a bishop at the time of his selection. Then, the process ends with the new bishop “taking possession” of his new diocese.

number of locations, the telescopes were able to capture only some light frequencies, leaving large gaps in information.

In 2016, Bouman developed an algorithm named CHIRP to sift through the true mountain of data and fill in the gaps, producing an image.

While the images were captured in 2017, the final result had to be independently validated by four EHT teams working around the world to avoid shared human bias.

On April 10, a final image was released—a moment that Bouman, then

a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, described as "truly amazing and one of my life's happiest memories."

Testifying before Congress in May about her research, Bouman praised her team that included several early-career scientists—like herself— whose work had been vital to the project.

"Like black holes, many early-career scientists with significant contributions often go unseen," she said.

But that's not the case with her anymore. AFP

belt and ordered me to join the teachers," said Munhende, who was detained for seven hours.

"I produced my accreditation card, but he wasn't interested."

themselves on "operational difficulties."

He added that "so-called freelance journalists" made it difficult for the police to relate to the media.

But Moyo at MISA, which along with other groups has organised several meetings with police officers, complained about the lack of cooperation.

"The police will make all kinds of excuses, even when [there is] video or picture evidence," he told AFP. "They will move the complainant from pillar to post, saying they are trying to locate the implicated officer.

"They pretend to be ignorant and incompetent when it suits them," he added.

Mapfumo, meanwhile, has taken matters into his own hands and is now suing the police commissioner general. AFP

This is how the process goes.

Munhende said an officer told him that he needed permission from the police to cover the demonstration.

"It's that kind of ignorance of the law that is disturbing," he added.

Munhende never reported the incident: he did not trust the police to investigate their own, he said.

All kinds of excuses "Any journalist who is abused by the police should report the matter," said police spokesman Paul Nyathi, adding that perpetrators "should be brought to book."

Nyathi blamed police mistreatment of journalists who had identified

A5

My 2019 top hits

‘Sede Vacante’ submit the names of priests whom he believes is competent and capable of serving as bishop. At least once a year, without reference to any particular diocese, the archbishop meets with the bishops to discuss and draw up a short list of suitable candidates for bishop, which is then submitted to the pope’s personal representative in the country who plays a significantly decisive role in the process.

Whenever a vacancy occurs in a diocese, whether by the death or resignation of a bishop—or as in the recent case of Manila, the transfer of a bishop to another office—the papal nuncio carries out his own confidential investigation to assess the candidates for the vacant diocese, requesting inputs from the clergy and lay people in the diocese.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

cuses on more innovation of plastic packaging. Governments should support the development of new technologies that use plants to create biodegradable plastics that disintegrate and break down and may even be used as IN A couple of days, we start the new compost material.” year 2020 ending what I think is one of Stratbase Group managing directhe most eventful years of a disruptive- tor and CEO, professor Dindo Manly exciting decade. Quite interesting hit said, “A smarter approach other and reflective of 2019 are the “Words than the traditional regulatory tools of the year” chosen by the leading dic- imposing bans or taxes is to focus on tionaries based on online searches. instilling discipline for consumers to Merriam-Webster, the dictio- responsibly dispose of trash in parnary that we Baby Boomers grew allel with enabling policies that enup with (no search engines in those courage new innovations for packagyears) chose the pronoun “they” now ing materials and waste management used as a “more inclusive” and gen- systems.” der-neutral pronoun instead of “he” 4th-World without waste. “All busior “she.” Dictionesses big and nary.com chose small must do “existential,” oftheir share. But ten linked with while the techLive Long and Prosper. raging issues on nological knowclimate change how to manage and violence. plastic waste As a retrospective year ender, here might be at hand, changing behavior is a top 10 list of my op-ed articles might be trickier. No matter how robased on Facebook hits, courtesy of bust our waste management systems social media monitoring data from become, the people component must consumer groups CitizenWatch.ph, also be present.”

BK3 (Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, 3rd-Borrowing and taxing for Kuryente), environmental advocacy Build, Build, Build, “While there is group Philippine Business for En- no question that an infrastructure vironmental Stewardship, and the push is long overdue, the sheer size of Stratbase Group. Here they are with the projects involved also make it imtheme snippets: perative that we closely watch these 10th-Vote for the trustworthy. “The trillion-peso deals. After all, for evelections represent one of the few ery loan and every new tax measure, rare opportunities in which the Fili- the burden inevitably accrues to the pino people, long mired in systemic ordinary Filipino.” problems exacerbated by corruption, 2nd-1,200 new megawatts by Decan break the status quo and begin cember, “Hopefully, the Supreme the genuine struggle for profound Court will see the folly of this tacchange.” tic and favor the strategic signifi9th-Eclipsing a bigger crisis. cance of the DOE’s first successful “Alongside the military and political CSP. [This] template should spark theaters of the ongoing row in the a surge of pro-consumer bids to reSouth China Sea is the potentially boot the long pending PSAs strandmore urgent matter of keeping the ed for years in bureaucratic limbo. marine ecosystem in the area alive If we don’t get these megawatts in until it’s too late.” time, the first to suffer from the 8th-The growing specter in ASE- inconvenience, the inflationary efAN. “On the part of the Philippine fect of brownouts and higher powgovernment, the 2016 Arbitral Award er rates will be the poor sectors of is the strongest leverage that our rep- the country which, ironically again, resentatives must use to inspire ASE- these leftist groups so loudly shout AN states to uphold international law to represent and fight for. Deceivfor sustainable peace and prosperity ingly, this is their objective.” in the region. Stakes are high and the 1st-45 yellow alerts and counting. consequences will hit all of us should “For any government, political surthe ASEAN fail to reverse this grow- vival will be precarious when these ing specter of conflict.” basic public services critical to the 7th-Acting On The Garbage Crisis. whole spectrum of society start dis“Secretary Cimatu rightly pointed rupting the already burdened way of out the need to modernize the in- life of its people. Failing to deliver efficient and outdated solid waste adequate, reliable, and affordable wamanagement systems, develop and ter and electricity will be a showstopenhance the policy approaches for per for the country’s economic moplastic waste management and a ho- mentum and a will be a self-inflicted listic or balanced approach to policy blow to the Duterte administration.” interventions.”

These Open Thoughts “top hits” “A smarter approach other than the for 2019, like this year’s “Words of traditional regulatory tools imposing the year,” aptly echo the people’s bans or taxes is to focus on instilling sentiments on the complex issues of discipline for consumers to responsi- the environment, delivery of public bly dispose of trash in parallel with en- utilities, power and energy, water, abling policies that encourage new in- the West Philippine Sea and Beinovations for packaging materials and jing’s continuing disrespect for the waste management systems,” Strat- rule of law and of course, our local base Group managing director and politics and governance problems, all CEO, professor Dindo Manhit said. in the context of gut consumer inter6th-Green energy without subsidy. ests. Concerning as these challenges “Renewables can be a game-changer, are, Filipinos have been consistently and it is only through a strategically hopeful that next year will be better balanced mix of power sources and as shown in the recent Pulse Asia enough plants that we can cross that survey. A testament of our people’s tightrope between growth and envi- unbeatable resilience and our “exisronmental stewardship.” tential” strength as a nation.

5th-A smarter approach. “Instead To quote my favorite Trekkie saluof banning plastics, some experts tation or blessing if you may: “LIVE support a smarter approach that fo- LONG AND PROSPER!”

We were...

From A4

more on reasserting their imposition on us, bullying us to submission as they have done ever since.

It’s time we learned to strike back. *** Congratulations are in order for Department of Tourism and for Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat for having breached the eight millionth mark for tourist arrivals, days to go before the end of 2019.

The lucky visitor was Yachiyo Imamoto who arrived from Yokohama, Japan at 1:33 in the afternoon with her husband Tamio last Dec. 27 via All Nippon Airways Flight NH 869. She was personally welcomed

by Assistant Secretary for Tourism

Development Roberto Alabado III. Not a stranger to the Philippines, the 71-year-old beauty product dealer already went to the country for eight times to visit her foster family whom they host in exchange in Japan.

"We are truly thankful to be chosen for this event. This our eighth visit here and we always visit our close friends in the Philippines," shared Yachiyo.

The couple, who are also certified beach lovers, have already been to popular tourist destinations like Cebu and Palawan and will tour in Baler this time around.

"The Filipinos are very hospitable.

I also keep coming back for mangoes, masarap," echoed husband Tamio.

Congratulations again, Secretary Romulo-Puyat and to the rest of the DoT.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019 Standard A6 TODAY Manila

Class

Rate (VAT-inclusive) Php 4.50/km Php 9.00/km Php 13.50/km

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

8. The TRB likewise confirmed the authority of the CALAX Concessionaire to charge the above VAT-inclusive approved-Initial Authorized Toll Rates5, subject, among others, to its compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulations, and the fulfillment of conditions for its implementation. The TRB Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 2014 is part of Annex “A” of the CALAX Concession Agreement.

1

. Capitalized words and expressions used in this Petition shall have the meanings set forth in Section 1.0 of the Concession Agreement. . Attached as Annex “A” of this Petition. . Subject to the approved Detailed Engineering Design and Independent Consultant certification.

4 . Attached as Annex “B” of this Petition.

5.

Should be read as Initial Base Toll.

2

3

9. In the interest of immediately opening the tollway facility to serve the motoring public, MPCALA is targeting the opening of Subsections 6, 7 and 8 of the CALAX to commercial operations on 17 December 2019. Progressive inspections have been conducted by representatives of the DPWH, the CALAX Independent Consultant, TRB, MPCALA, and its contractor.

10.As of date, civil works for Subsections 6, 7 and 8 are now 95% complete and MPCALA anticipates the issuance by the DPWH of the Certificate of Substantial Completion on 06 December 2019.

11. Pursuant to Section 2, Rule 4 of the 2013 Revised Rules of Procedure of the Toll Regulatory Board (“TRB Rules”), Presidential Decree No. 1112, and consistent with what is contemplated under the CALAX Concession Agreement, MPCALA most respectfully seeks the Honorable Board’s immediate issuance of a Notice to Start Collection effective 01January 2020, allowing the following: (i)

the implementation of the TRB-approved Initial Base Toll Rates for CALAX; and

(ii) the imposition of the corresponding Toll, computed by multiplying the Initial Base Toll Rates with the Road Section Lengths of the applicable Subsections, based on the Independent Consultant Certification and DPWH Certificate of Substantial Completion.

12. Furthermore, in view of the anticipated issuance of the Certificate of Substantial Completion by DPWH for Subsections 6, 7, and 8 of the CALAX and in accordance with the CALAX Concession Agreement, MPCALA most respectfully seeks for the Honorable Board’s issuance of a Toll Operation Permit, which will authorize MPCALA to operate the said Subsections in accordance with the CALAX Concession Agreement, including the collection of Toll.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL RELIEF 13. The implementation of the Initial Base Toll Rates for CALAX is a contractual right to which MPCALA is entitled under the CALAX Concession Agreement. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure the sustainability and viability of the CALAX and the comfort and safety of motorists and other users of the toll expressways.

14. The immediate end-to-end opening of Subsections 6, 7, and 8 of the CALAX to motorists has become imperative in view of the growing traffic demand in the various areas of Laguna and the need to decongest Laguna Boulevard and Aguinaldo Highway.

Likewise, the collection of the provisional end-to-end toll will ensure that high standards of safety, performance, and reliability shall be provided to motorists.

15. Thus, in order to attain the above-mentioned objectives, MPCALA respectfully prays that pursuant to Rule 5, Section 1 of the TRB Rules, which authorizes the Honorable Board to motu proprio or upon verified petition or motion grant the application for approval of provisional toll rates, including the date of its implementation, this Honorable Board allow the implementation of the VAT-inclusive TRB-approved Initial Base Toll Rates and the collection of the corresponding provisional initial toll: Vehicle Class Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Initial Base Toll Rates Php 4.50/km Php 9.00/km Php 13.50/km

Provisional initial toll for the entire 10.664km. length of Subsections 6, 7 and 8 PhP47.00 PhP95.00 PhP143.00

*Inclusive of Value Added Tax

16. MPCALA most respectfully submits the attached affidavit issued by its authorized representative, incorporated in the Verification and Certification hereof, showing that the above provisional initial toll conform to the Honorable Board’s VAT-inclusive approved rates, as indicated in the TRB Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 2014,that the matter is of extreme urgency, and MPCALA will suffer great damage and/or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/or failure to immediately implement and collect the provisional initial toll would unduly affect the Concessionaire and the progressive completion of the remaining Subsections of CALAX. 17. Pursuant to Rule 5, Section 1 (c) of the TRB Rules, MPCALA is willing to post a surety bond in such amount and under such terms and conditions as the Honorable Board may prescribe, to guarantee the refund of the provisional initial toll to affected toll users in such manner as the Honorable Board may determine, in case it is finally ascertained that MPCALA is not entitled thereto.

18. Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Board issue a Notice to Start Collection and an Order approving the implementation of the TRBapproved Base Toll Rate effective 01 January 2020, pending the resolution of the Petition.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, MPCALA most urgently and respectfully prays that the Honorable Board: (a) Immediately issue an Order ex parte granting MPCALA’s prayer for provisional relief, i.e. an Order implementing the initial Base Toll Rates and the corresponding provisional initial toll, effective 01 January 2020, and authorizing MPCALA to collect the same, as follows: Vehicle Class Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Initial Base Toll Rates Php 4.50/km Php 9.00/km Php 13.50/km

Provisional initial toll for the entire 10.664 km. length of Subsections 6, 7 and 8 PhP 47.00 PhP 95.00 PhP 143.00

*Inclusive of Value Added Tax

(b) Issue a Toll Operation Permit authorizing MPCALA to operate Subsections 6, 7, and 8 of the CALAX in accordance with the CALAX Concession Agreement, including the collection of Toll. (c) Upon the filing of this Petition, issue an Order:

DECEMBER 24, 2019

(i)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation

TOLL REGULATORY BOARD 2nd Floor, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Bldg., Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation TOLL REGULATORY BOARD Office of the Executive Director 5th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City IN RE: PETITION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APPROVED INITIAL BASE TOLL RATES AND CORRESPONDING TOLLWITH APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL RELIEF,

an Order finding the Petition sufficient in form and substance; and

(ii) an Order requiring the immediate publication for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, or on such date as the Honorable Board may direct, of this Petition, of the toll fees, and of a notice to all interested tollway users that they may file, within a period of thirty (30) days after the date of first publication, a petition for review of the corresponding Toll. (d) After due notice and publication, issue a Notice to Start Toll Collection of the provisional initial toll, authorizing MPCALA to implement the initial Base Toll Rates and collect the approved Toll effective 01 January 2020. (e) Issue an Order approving as final the Initial Base Toll Rates of the CALAX, and the corresponding Toll for implementation in all entries and exitsin Subsections 6, 7 and 8.

Other reliefs as may be just and equitable are likewise prayed for.

Makati City for Mandaluyong City, 06 December 2019.

TRB Case No. 2019-____

ELAINE ROSE Z. ESPIRITU Counsel for Petitioner MPCALA Holdings, Inc. 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street Legaspi Village, Makati City Roll of Attorneys No. 64615 PTR No. 7347683/1-10-2019/Makati City IBP No. 066749/1-10-2019/Pampanga MCLE Compliance No. VI-0017590/02-11-2019 E-mail address: ezespiritu@mptsouth.com

MPCALA HOLDINGS, INC. Petitioner. x---------------------------------------------------x PETITION (For the Implementation of the Approved Initial BaseToll Rates and corresponding Tollwith Application for Provisional Relief for theCavite-Laguna Expressway Project) Petitioner MPCALA HOLDINGS, INC. (“MPCALA”), by and through undersigned counsel, to this Honorable Board, most respectfully state: 1. MPCALA is a private corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, where it may be served with notices and legal processes of the Honorable Board.

2. MPCALA is the Concessionaire and Facility Operator of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (“CALAX”) Project by virtue of the Concession Agreement dated 10 July 20151 executed by and between the Department of Public Works and Highways (“DPWH”) and MPCALA. 3. The CALAX is an approximately 45-kilometer, four-lane expressway, which has two (2) Segments: (i) the Cavite Segment; and (ii) the Laguna Segment. It is composed of eight (8) Subsections, namely: Cavite Segment Subsection 1 Subsection 2 Subsection 3 Subsection 4 Laguna Segment Subsection 5 Subsection 6 Subsection 7 Subsection 8

Cavitex Connection to Open Canal Road Open Canal Road to Governor’s Drive Interchange Governor’s Drive Interchange to Silang Interchange Silang Interchange to Silang East Interchange Silang East Interchange to Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange to Laguna Blvd. Interchange Laguna Blvd. Interchange to Technopark Interchange Technopark Interchange to Greenfield

4. Under the CALAX Concession Agreement, MPCALA was granted the exclusive right to undertake the Construction and Operation and Maintenance of the CALAX. This right includes the exclusive right to impose and collect Toll during the Operation Period as provided for in Section 13.1.1 of the CALAX Concession Agreement: “13.1.1 During the Operation Period, the Concessionaire is authorized to impose and collect Toll from the users of the CALA Expressway at the Toll determined in accordance with Annex A, except from vehicles that may be exempted from paying Toll under the TRB regulations, subject to any Toll Rate Adjustments authorized under Section 13.2.” [Emphasis supplied] 5. Annex “A”2 of the CALAX Concession Agreement, which sets out the Initial Base Toll for CALAX, provides the following: “A. Initial Base Tolls The initial tolls, inclusive of VAT and rounding, for the appropriate vehicle class for motorists travelling on the CALA Expressway (“Initial Base Tolls”) are set below: Vehicle Class Class I: Cars, Jeepneys, Pick-ups, Vans Class II: -Light trucks, Tourist/School and PUB Class I – above 7ft in height except Class I exceeding 7ft due to top load of recreational equipment such as bikes, surfboards, and the like, securely attached and not intended for commercial use

Initial Base Toll Php [4.50]/km Php [9.00]/km

Class III: Heavy and Multi-Axled Trucks, Trailers

Php [13.50]/km

6. Said Annex “A” further states that the Toll to be charged and collected from users of the CALAX shall be the corresponding Initial Base Toll for each vehicle class multiplied by the distance travelled on the CALAX, in accordance with the Road Section Lengths3 indicated therein.

7. In its Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 20144, the Toll Regulatory Board (“TRB”) unanimously adopted the resolution to approve the following rates for the CALAX:

VERIFICATION/CERTIFICATION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) PHILIPPINES ) CITY OF _______________

) S.S.

I, ROBERTO V. BONTIA, of legal age, with office address at 32nd Floor, Rufino Pacific Tower, Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1. I am the duly authorized representative of MPCALA Holdings, Inc. (“MPCALA”), the Petitioner in the above entitled Petition For the Implementation of the Approved Initial Base Toll Rates and corresponding Toll with Application for Provisional Relief for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway Project (“Petition”).

2. On behalf of MPCALA, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition.

3. I have read the foregoing Petition and hereby certify that all the allegations contained therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records in the possession of MPCALA. 4. The computation of the provisional initial toll in the Petition conform to this Honorable Board’s VAT-inclusive approved rates, as indicated in the TRB Director’s Certificate dated 26 May 2014. The matter is of extreme urgency, and MPCALA will suffer great damage and/or irreparable injury before a decision on the merits can be rendered by the Honorable Board, and/or failure to immediately implement and collect the provisional initial toll would unduly affect the Concessionaire and the progressive completion of the remaining Subsections of CALAX. 5. I certify the MPCALA has complied with all existing laws, rules and regulations being implemented by the Toll Regulatory Board and that MPCALA has no pending financial or monetary obligation in the form, among others, of supervision fees, concession fees, penalties and other charges with the Board.

6. In compliance with Rule 7, Section of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, and with Rule 2, Section 2 of the 2013 Revised Rules of Procedure of the Toll Regulatory Board, I hereby certify that I have not commences any action or proceeding involving the same issued in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency.

7. If I should hereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals, or any other tribunal or agency, I hereby undertake to report that fact within five (5) days from knowledge thereof to the Honorable Board.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name this ________________ in ____________________________, Philippines.

ROBERTO V. BONTIA Affiant Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___________________ in __________________, Philippines, affiant exhibited to me competent evidence of identity in the form of ______________________________ issued on ____________________________.

Doc. No. _______ Page No. _______ Book No. _______ Series of 2019.

; ; ; (MS-DEC 24, 30 & JAN. 6, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Lowry powers Raptors past Boston Celtics LOS ANGELES, United States—Kyle Lowry scored 30 points as the Toronto Raptors avenged a Christmas Day loss to Boston with a 113-97 rematch victory over the Celtics on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

Serge Ibaka finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Raptors snapped a two-game losing streak which included a 118-102 loss to Boston on Wednesday, as the two Eastern Conference contenders were playing for the second time in less than 72 hours.

Patrick McCaw had 18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while a resurgent Fred VanVleet also scored 18 points in the win for the defending NBA champs. Lowry also had seven assists in front of the crowd of 19,100 at the Boston Garden arena.

Kemba Walker scored 30 points for the Celtics, who had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder has been fined $25,000 for intentionally making contact with a game official, the NBA announced.

The German player received a technical foul for the incident, which occurred with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s 104-102 overtime victory over the Hornets in Charlotte on Friday (Saturday Philippine time).

Schroder, irked that officials failed to call a foul on Charlotte’s Cody Zeller, batted the forearm of referee CJ Washington.

Schroder came off the bench to scored 24 points in the victory.

The Raptors managed to slow down Jaylen Brown, who finished with 17 points. Gordon Hayward (13), Jayson Tatum (12) and Enes Kanter (11) also reached double figures in scoring.

McCaw got a layup in the first quarter to give the Raptors the lead and start a quarter ending 19-8 run.

Terence Davis’ putback gave the Raptors an 89-79 lead heading into the fourth, and Ibaka’s layup with 10:11 remaining lengthened the lead to double digits for good. Toronto led by as many as 17 over the final 12 minutes.

The Raptors were playing without forwards Norman Powell (shoulder) and Pascal Siakam (groin), as well as centre Marc Gasol (hamstring). AFP

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) tries to dribble past Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

Monsalve, Uy cruise to easy victory at national doubles R YAN Monsalve and Lanz Uy played in sync all throughout and turned what was expected to be a tight finish into a runaway triumph, combining for a superb four-under 64 and a whopping eightstroke victory over Jed Dy and Mikha Fortuna in the National Doubles Amateur Golf Championship at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club yesterday.

Bracing for a wild finish after moving past first round leader Sean Ramos and Gabby Macalaguim by one following the aggregate play Saturday, Monsalve and Uy stood out in the deciding alternate shot format, pulling away early with three birdies in the first four holes then bouncing back from a bogey on No. 5 with three more birdies against another bogey at the back for a 34-30 card.

Counting their opening 62 and a second round 141, Monsalve and Uy finished

with a 267, beating Dy and Fortuna, who carded a 69 for a 275, by eight and besting Bianca Pagdanganan and Dy’s seven-shot win in last year’s staging of the annual event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

“He just played relaxed golf,” said Uy of his partner, who anchored their big second round charge with a 66 at the short but tight par-68 layout.

“Although the course is short, we were careful with our shots because it’s easy

to get into trouble since the fairways are tight and the roughs are thick. We actually played some holes short so we could set up good approach shots,” said Monsalve.

Ramos and Macalaguim, who took charge with a 61 in Friday’s opening fourball, lost in the face of Monsalve and Uy’s hot start and bombed out with a frontside 41. They failed to recover at the back and finished with a 75 to drop to joint third at 279 with the Ivan Monsalve-Aldo Barro pair, which shot a 71.

Luigi Guerrero and Dan Cruz also scored a 71 to end up tied for fifth at 280 with the Josh Jorge-Santino Laurel tandem, which groped for a 74, while Santino Diokno and Miguel Roque carded a 72 for seventh at 283 in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT National Amateur Golf Tour and backed by Cignal and Metro Pacific Investments.

Paolo Barro and Laia Barro ended up

eighth at 284 after a 70, Menard Ko and Roy Nodalo turned in a 76 for ninth at 289 while the pairs of Jonar Austria-Marco Olives and Sam Martirez-Diana Araneta pooled identical 74s for joint 10th at 290 with Gab Manotoc and Carlo Quimson, who struggled with a 76.

Meanwhile, registration for the 2020 National Stroke Play Championship set Jan. 7-10 at Riviera’s Langer course is ongoing. For details, call NGAP at telefax No. (02) 7065926 or at Riviera Golf Club, Inc. at (02) 888-9089 or 0956-8821149 email ngap2009handicap@yahoo.com.

Jona Magcalayo and Sunshine Zhang, on the other hand, combined for a 77 as they battled from two shots down to claim the Group II diadem with a 299, nipping erstwhile leaders Larry Patnongon and Jaime Patnongon, who fumbled with a 79 for a 300, by one.

Sophia Blanco and Alexi Blanco placed third with a 305 after a 77.

US skier Shiffrin bounces back

Disappointed Murray out of ATP Cup and 2020 Australian Open

LIENZ, Austria—Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a 63rd alpine skiing World Cup win on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) with a convincing victory in the giant slalom at Lienz, where she finished over a second ahead of her rivals.

Bouncing back from a 17th place slump in Courchevel last week the defending overall champion sped nervily down the icy Schlossberg slope in Austria’s East Tyrol to post the fastest time on both runs.

The 24-year-old American was a comfortable 1.36sec ahead of Italy’s Marta Bassino after the two runs with Austria’s home hope Katharina Liensberger in third.

On the podium Shiffrin punched the air and kissed her skis before the runners up hoisted her arms in the air in a jubilant atmosphere in downtown Lienz.

“It’s pretty hard to believe this right now, I know that sounds strange but it is,” a joyous Shiffrin told Eurosport.

“It sounds a little bit stupid to say that the last week was a tough time because I’ve still had already an amazing season ... it’s stupid really, but I care and it was tough.

“It was amazing to ski today, really excited. I’m excited!”

Shiffrin extends her lead at the top of the overall World Cup standings to 215 points ahead of Italian Federica Brignone, who sits top of the giant slalom standings despite finishing fourth on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

The win for Shiffrin, who has taken the last three overall titles, moves her one ahead of retired Austrian Annemarie Moser-Proell for individual women’s World Cup victories.

She is closing in on men’s skiing legend Marcel Hirscher’s total of 67 but still has some way to go to catch compatriot Lindsey Vonn, who racked up 82 wins before hanging up her skis at the end of last season. AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom—Andy Murray said he was “gutted” to be missing next month’s Australian Open after being ruled out of the first Grand Slam of 2020 with a pelvic injury.

The 32-year-old Scot suffered the injury playing for Britain in the Davis Cup last month and will also miss the inaugural ATP Cup team event across three Australian cities in early January.

“I’ve worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I’m gutted I’m not going to be able to play in Australia in January,” Murray said Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

“After the AO (Australian Open) this year, when I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to play again, I was excited about coming back to Australia and giving my best, and that makes this even more disappointing for me.

“Unfortunately I’ve had a setback recently and as a precaution, need to work through that before I get back on court competing.”

Murray had hoped to make his return to Grand Slam action in Melbourne following a hip operation in January.

But concerns over the fitness of the

Federica Brignone of Italy, who leads the standings in giant slalom, reacts after placing fourth in the women’s Giant Slalom event of the Alpine Skiing World Cup. AFP

Lakers’ James downplays talk of Kuzma rift

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (23) and Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers face off during their Christmas day game at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States—Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James isn’t about to be drawn into a social media spat with teammate Kyle Kuzma over critical comments from Kuzma’s trainer.

James, speaking to reporters on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) in Portland ahead of the Lakers’ NBA game against the Trail Blazers, said he’d spoken to Kuzma, and wasn’t bothered by the social media remarks of trainer Clint Parks apparently comparing James unfavorably to Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.

“Kuz came to me yesterday at practice and told me what’s going on, and that was it,” James said.

“I really don’t care for someone’s trainer or whatever the case may be. Everyone can have their own opinion.

“Any time someone wants to get some

notoriety, they can throw my name in it and people are going to pick it up. That’s why you asked me about it. My name was in it.

I’ve never met the guy. I don’t know the guy. I couldn’t care less about the guy.”

Meanwhile, former NBA All-Star Zach Randolph retired.

Randolph, who starred on the “grit and grind” Memphis Grizzlies teams that made seven straight NBA playoff appearances from 2011-2017 called time on his 17-year career.

The big man nicknamed Z-Bo announced his retirement on Twitter the day after scoring eight points in 15 minutes on the floor for the Sacramento Kings in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

“I gave this game my all, and it gave everything back and more,” the 38-year-old tweeted. AFP

five-time losing Australian Open finalist were raised when he cancelled a scheduled block of training in Miami.

As a result, he won’t be back at Melbourne Park, the scene of an emotional press conference this year where he suggested he might retire as a result of his hip injury.

Despite being less than fully fit Murray played a gruelling five-set loss to Roberto Bautista Agut.

A fortnight later the double Olympic gold medallist, twice a Wimbledon champion and the winner of the 2012 US Open singles, had hip resurfacing surgery and started his return to action at the Queen’s Club grass-court event in London in June.

October saw Murray win the European Open in Antwerp, a victory that suggested he could still contend for major honours.

But the latest announcement means he will not play again until February at the earliest.

“I know how excited Andy was about coming back to compete in Australia in January, and how disappointed he is not to make it for 2020,” said Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley, who praised his “determination and iron will.” AFP

10 athletics records set in 2019

By Peter Atencio TEN national records in athletics were set as the year 2019 ended.

These records were made after the Philippines settled for third place in athletics during the 30th Southeast Asian Games, pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and two promising tracksters found their spots in the national team.

Among the new marks that were made were from Obiena and fellow pole vaulter Natalie Uy. Obiena qualified for the Olympics when he cleared 5.81 meters during the Street Meet in Chiara, Italy last September.

Obiena broke his own national mark of 5.71 meters, which he set again back in April at the Doha Asian meet.

Uy is one of Philippine athletics’ latest sensation. The Filipino-American

kept setting the new national women’s pole vault record, with the last at 4.3 meters during the Spanish Club Championships last June 18.

Earlier this year, Uy cleared 4.12 meters in her first try that broke Deborah Samson’s 11-year-old record (4.11m) during her Philippine debut in the 2019 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship last March 6, at the Ilagan Sports Complex.

Then, Uy would make 4.25 meter during a Cincinnatti meet a month later, and duplicate this performance during the SEA Games.

Another Fil-American, Kristina Knott, who moved in from Florida to live in the Philippines last year, shattered the meet record twice in the women’s 200-meter dash, and she emerged as the most bemedalled Philippine athletes with two golds and two silvers.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

Soriano gets new home from athletes’ cash reward FOR 19-year-old Jedah Mae Soriano, winning a gold medal in a gold medal in the women’s padded stick event of arnis in the 30th Southeast Asian Games was an opportunity to bring changes in her family’s life.

She never expected to receive a total of P850,000 after beating her two rivals in the featherweight division two weeks ago.

“Nung pagpasok ko sa Philippine team, hindi ko expect na may mangyayaring ganito. Bigla na lang. Boom,” said Soriano, whose family lives in Villamor Air Base.

From the incentives that she earned, their family will have a chance to move out of their family’s residence, their home for so many years since her father is a non-commissioned officer attached to the Philippine Air Force.

“Tatay ko po kasi ay sundalo. Nasa Air Force po siya. Pag-retire niya.

Kailangan po namin ng bahay. Alis na po kami. Malaking tulong po ito,” she said.

After getting P100,000 from the Pasay City government, Soriano received a check worth P200,000 from the Philippine Olympic Committee, which gave out a total of P52.87-million in incentives to national athletes who won medals during the Games.

More will be coming when the government gives P300,000 in accordance with the law and President Durterte adds P250,000 when the medalists return to Malacanang on Wednesday.

Soriano said this gives her a chance to give back to her parents, Philippine Air Force staff sergeant Samuel Soriano and his wife Cecilia. Peter Atencio

Sports Juico wants more local athletes in 2020 Olympics T HE Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association won’t rest on its achievements in 2019 as it ramps up its preparations to send more athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

KRISTINA KNOTT

Patafa president Philip Juico said this on the heels of another successful year that sent the first Filipino qualifier to the Tokyo games, shattered several records and netted 11 golds, eight silvers and the same number of bronze medals for the national sports association of athletics in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

Pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena qualified for the Olympics when he cleared 5.81 meters during the Street Meet in Chiara, Italy last September. He capped his season with a new games’ record of 5.45 meters for the gold in the SEA Games.

“We have more work to do. I think there will be more qualifiers from athletics,” said Juico, citing trackster Kristina Knott, shot putter William Morrison and hurdles’ king Eric Cray.

Knott won two golds in the SEA Games in the 200 meters and 4x100 mixed relay. Her 23.07 seconds, a new SEAG record in the 200 meters, is very near the Olympic qualifying time of 22.08.

Morrison, on the other hand, also set a new games’ record of 18.38 in the shot put event of the SEAG. “Morrison is a candidate for the Olympics. Kaya niya because he is throwing the metal ball at the 20-meter range,” said Juico of Morrison’s marks, which is near the 21.1 Olympic standard. “Hopefully, Cray will make it, too.”

Juico is upbeat of the coming year following the national track and field team’s scintillating show in the SEA Games with a haul of 11 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals— PATAFA’s biggest harvest in the biennial meet since an 11-118 tally during Gintong Alay in the 1983 edition in Singapore.

Several records in athletics were set in the passing year, four of which were achieved in the SEA Games—the polevault leaps of Obiena and Natalie Uy, Knott’s 200-meter run and Morrison’s throw.

SKP looks forward to 2021 SEA Games

By Peter Atencio OFFICIALS of the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas are looking forward at having their sport included in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Secretary-General Wharton Chan said this after the Philippine kickboxing team ended its campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games with three gold medals.

“We are looking forward at the SEA Games. If we send athletes there, we are one step closer at being regular members,” said Chan.

Chan said the SKP in keen on becoming a regular member of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

During the biennial meet, Gina Iniong, Jean Claude Saclag, and Jerry Olsim emerged as gold medal winners in the discipline.

This was a stellar achievement for the Philippines with the sport celebrating its maiden stint in the Games.

Iniong clobbered Thailand’s Apichaya Mingkwan 3-0 to rule the women’s -55kg kick light division while Saclag pounced on Mohammed Mahmoud of Malaysia 3-0 in the men’s 63.5kg full contact.

Olsim gave the Philippines its first gold in the discipline on Monday in the men’s -69kg kick light division.

The Filipinos also claimed two silvers courtesy of Jomar Balangui and Renalyn Dacquel, and one bronze from Karl Manguide.

Overall, the Philippines placed second behind Vietnam in the sport.

Vietnam took the top honors in kickboxing with four golds and two bronzes, while Laos is third with its 1-0-3 gold-silver-bronze performance.

IN BRIEF

Dar endorses local fruits for New Year

AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar urged Filipinos to patronize and buy local fruits in keeping with the local tradition of preparing round fruits during the New Year for prosperity.

He said the move would achieve the twin goals of increasing farmers’ incomes and supporting the development and commercialization of the local fruit industry. “Let’s promote and take pride in our local fruits.

Let’s give the tradition a deeper meaning by nurturing our agricultural sector,” Dar said.

Most Filipinos prefer to buy imported fruits like apples, oranges and grapes to decorate their dinner table on New Year’s eve. Othel V. Campos

PH investment position improves THE country’s international investment position, which represents the country’s outstanding investments overseas minus the funds it receives from other countries, improved for the third consecutive quarter, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that the country registered a lower net liability of $33.9 billion in the third quarter, compared to $39.3 billion in the second quarter.

The BSP said in a statement that the 13.7-percent decline in net external liability position resulted from the 2.1-percent growth in the country’s total external financial assets or residents’ investments abroad to $192.8 billion, alongside a 0.7-percent decline in total external financial liabilities or non-residents’ investments in the Philippines amounting to $226.7 billion. Julito G. Rada

New China envoy agrees to infra talks THE newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian agreed to institutionalize the conduct of regular meetings between the two countries to thresh out issues involving the Duterte administration’s bigticket infrastructure and development projects that are being implemented with funding support from the Chinese government.

Huang made the commitment in response to the proposal of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to hold regular dialogs between high-level officials of the Philippines and China to address such concerns.

Julito G. Rada

Business DPWH still reviewing Boracay-Caticlan bridge

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Public Works Department is reviewing the proposal of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. to build the P5.5-billion Boracay bridge project amid the environmental issues raised by some residents of the resort island.

“The project is now pending … There are concerns from locals we need to address first. There’s environmental concern,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

Villar said the agency would consider the sentiments aired by Boracay residents before acting on SMC’s bid to build a 1.2-kilometer bring connecting Boracay and Caticlan, a barangay in Malay, Aklan

where the company operates an airport.

“It will really depend on locals when the project will be acceptable for them.

But we are still open to it. We need to talk to the stakeholders. We cannot ignore [them],” he said.

The proposed project is a 1.2-kilometer limited-access bridge between Boracay and Caticlan. It currently takes a 15-minute boat ride to reach

Boracay from Caticlan port.

San Miguel said the bridge was not envisioned to cater to vehicular through-traffic, so as not to congest the island. It will be provided with loading/ unloading areas on both ends to process the movement of commuters, solid waste, goods and supplies.

San Miguel currently operates the Boracay Airport in Caticlan and is upgrading the airstrip into a world-class airport.

San Miguel president Ramon Ang earlier said building the Caticlan-Boracay bridge would be a novel approach to resolve Boracay’s environmental woes and bring about growth to other areas in Aklan.

The bridge, he said, would reduce the need for tourists and tourism workers to stay on the island.

JICA lending $202m for Mindanao road network THE Japanese government is providing a $202-million loan to build roads in Mindanao that will help revitalize economic activities and improve access to social services in conflict areas.

It is funding a detailed design study that will cover two sub-projects of the Road Network Development Project in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao, including Matanog-Barira-Alamada-Libungan Road and Tapian Lebak Coastal Road.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said the Japan International Cooperation Agency agreed to

provide a $202.04-million official development loan for the detailed design and construction/ improvement of four other sub-projects under RNDPCAAM: Parang Balabagan Road, Marawi City Ring Road, Parang East Diversion Road, and Manuangan Parang Road.

The JICA-DPWH road project is part of JICA’s support to peace-building through infrastructure development in Mindanao.

Government data in 2015 showed that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was the poorest region in the Philippines with 53-percent

poverty incidence.

The armed conflict also affected the region’s connectivity with ARMM’s road density at 0.10, lower than the average in Mindanao.

“Through the road network project, people from conflict-affected areas will have links to markets, public facilities, and improve agribusiness potential of their place,” JICA senior representative Kiyo Kawabuchi said.

“Building roads in remote, conflictaffected communities will help bridge the economic gap in the region and help consolidate peace,” Kawabuchi said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

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Prices of housing projects jumped by 10.4% in Q3

By Julito G. Rada RESIDENTIAL real estate prices increased by 10.4 percent in the third quarter from a year ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said over the weekend.

The BSP said in a statement housing prices, as measured by the residential real estate price index, picked up from the 0.4-percent growth in the second quarter and 4.5 percent a year ago. This was also the highest growth rate observed since the first quarter of 2016.

“The increase in property prices was evident across all types of housing units. Prices of condominium units in Q3 2019 registered the highest growth rate since Q1 2016 at 29.1 percent. This was followed by duplexes at 24.8 percent, single detached/attached houses at 2.4 percent and townhouses at 6 percent,” the BSP said.

Data showed that on a quarter-onquarter basis, the price index rose by 9.5 percent, with all types of housing units registering price increases over the quarter.

The average residential property prices in the third quarter in both the National Capital Region and areas outside NCR increased by 22.2 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively, compared to their costs a year earlier.

“In the NCR, the increase in prices of duplexes and condominium units outweighed the decline in prices of single detached houses and townhouses. Meanwhile, price increases were observed across all types of housing in AONCR,” the BSP said.

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Business

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market capitalization hits P13.95t

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

TOCKS are expected to remain sluggish when trading opens this year on Jan. 2 as investors are returning from a three-day holiday.

Philippine Stock Exchange president Ramon Monzon said the market jitters would likely lessen once the issue involving water distribution companies was resolved.

Despite the heavy foreign selling in the last trading weeks of 2019, the bellwether PSE index gained 4.7 percent to close at 7,815.26 points on Dec. 27.

The broader all-share index also picked up 2.9 percent to settle at 4,649.67 points.

Four of the six sector indices finished in the positive territory led by the property index which posted the highest gain of 14.5 percent. The services index ended higher by 6.1 percent, while the financial and holding firms indices rose 4.7 per-

cent and 3.4 percent, respectively.

The industrial and mining and oil indices saw losses this year, declining 12 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.

“The PSEi still had a decent finish despite the hefty decline in the share price of index stocks in the water distribution business. We hope that the issues concerning their sector will soon be resolved to lessen market jitters,” Monzon said.

The local bourse’s market capitalization registered a three percent increase to P13.95 trillion. The average daily value turnover hit P7.29 billion, up from the P7.15 billion in 2018.

The market registered P14.50 billion worth of net foreign selling,

smaller than the P61.01 billion net foreign selling in 2018.

Total capital raised in 2019 reached P95.22 billion, around half of the P187.84 billion raised in 2018.

“The capital raising number this year was affected by issuers opting to tap the bond market or postponing their fund-raising plans. Also, two banks accounted for 60 percent of the capital raised in 2018, and we did not have similar big deals this year. We hope next year’s capital raising pipeline will be more robust,” Monzon said.

The PSE hopes to receive regulatory approval in 2020 to launch short selling and real estate investment trust and introduce the new sector classification.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

DECEMBER 23-27, 2019 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

53.1 158.00 87.90 1.87 1.11 25.05 8.49 18.42 12.06 3.83 7.00 0.72 1.16 0.375 66.3 0.83 12.7 20.50 34.50 57.5 130 175 23 195 1825.00 57.70

2,540 4,479,720 4,184,510 216,000 58,000 471,200 5,500 122,000 405,600 271,000 12,200 500,000 9,000 450,000 4,429,270 125,000 55,100 4,200 613,700 1,100 1,290 3,360 21,600 2,402,680 210 12,020

FINANCIAL 135,500.50 703,950,833.00 365,782,314.00 404,660.00 54,230.00 11,799,225.00 43,306.00 2,197,406.00 4,899,426.00 1,040,470.00 85,433.00 336,630.00 10,500.00 160,800.00 294,415,741.50 99,670.00 699,770.00 85,950.00 21,243,390.00 63,225.00 164,010.00 583,028.00 496,800.00 448,031,674.00 383,250.00 697,870.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

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

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

34.2 2.23 13.5 0.51 1.21 2.61 0.245 88.1 17.48 2.01 15.18 170 4.07 65 71.9 30 2.15 4.85 9.500 14.86 9.80 7.21 1.6 24.15 68.95 1.21 38.00 1.8700 13.60 7.89 1.300 216.00 41.65 4.86 3.5 6.19 10.36 12.4 16.38 0.153 317.00 5.43 1.92 4.10 3.86 10.00 10.06 11.95 32.8 5.06 5.30 2.17 1.8 0.85 9.9 85 8.19 0.117 1.02 145 2.6 1.2 15.12 0.86

3,509,400 7,735,000 1,120,200 4,777,000 554,000 18,287,000 9,940,000 650 4,600 6,612,000 1,094,410 1,030 3,199,000 3,190 6,650 56,500 989,000 18,900 7,630,100 429,300 1,003,700 1,346,600 12,000 4,714,300 144,920 81,573,000 332,600 20,538,000 1,390,900 1,164,900 118,000 936,660 1,200 11,000 1,000 271,800 165,885,200 548,500 4,486,700 80,000 660,930 10,400 16,582,000 17,000 3,716,000 5,138,000 3,004,300 512,500 1,321,500 909,500 64,300 3,369,000 31,000 325,000 2,212,400 554,720 324,500 750,000 407,000 1,486,300 2,000 57,309,000 3,000 2,095,000

INDUSTRIAL 118,239,335.00 17,554,580.00 10,459,358.00 2,419,710.00 680,310.00 48,230,930.00 2,374,340.00 57,268.00 79,770.00 13,429,590.00 16,698,152.00 172,849.00 13,757,740.00 206,890.00 481,299.00 1,570,350.00 2,143,600.00 93,296.00 72,421,102.00 6,222,614.00 9,772,055.00 9,706,792.00 19,200.00 112,486,605.00 9,799,617.50 97,095,700.00 12,824,085.00 38,187,920.00 18,928,100.00 9,169,071.00 153,730.00 203,235,392.00 49,980.00 50,860.00 3,500.00 1,644,023.00 1,611,142,065.00 6,641,520.00 73,662,724.00 12,240.00 198,963,002.00 47,530.00 31,806,550.00 68,530.00 14,361,110.00 51,258,862.00 30,083,148.00 6,035,676.00 43,409,450.00 4,547,277.00 337,489.00 7,286,250.00 54,860.00 262,410.00 21,962,291.00 47,194,152.00 2,675,899.00 86,150.00 401,190.00 219,361,420.00 5,170.00 65,806,550.00 45,360.00 1,816,790.00

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

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

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

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

0.860 51.50 11.66 0.69 6.42 10.46 0.930 0.960 785.5 2.990 6.84 6.61 3.99 13.00 0.203 847 5.20 80.80 6.65 5.18 5.79 0.5 3.71 11.98 0.570 3.48 4.7500 1.200 2.95 164.00 1043.00 1.22 0.79 214.000 195.00 0.2020 0.200

48,356,000 3,393,730 23,942,400 767,000 46,900 33,200 3,504,000 567,000 1,085,640 2,321,000 2,948,100 54,332,000 21,000 749,000 110,000 369,970 167,700 3,490,350 402,600 1,100 200,200 35,000 805,000 4,302,300 131,000 141,682,000 80,000 281,000 255,000 356,620 1,177,750 153,000 41,000 168,480 4,080 1,180,000 7,030,000

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

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

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Megaworld MRC Allied Ind.

14.740 0.71 8.95 1.470 0.810 45.500 1.99 4.83 6.8 0.550 0.85 0.850 0.188 0.380 9.900 18.9 0.430 0.100 1.50 1.20 4.01 0.191

6,634,300 1,189,000 1,000 109,000 1,355,000 24,119,400 758,000 2,717,000 406,700 33,663,000 9,000 65,000 1,560,000 720,000 669,100 2,007,700 200,000 1,440,000 10,133,000 1,381,000 66,224,000 24,440,000

DECEMBER 16-20, 2019 Close Volume Value 53.5 155.40 87.00 2.09 0.85 24.85 7.95 18.1 12.24 4.08 7.01 0.6 1.15 0.370 68 0.77 12.7 20.50 34.50 57.05 114 173 22.6 183 1800.00 58.40

4,750 12,910,030 19,289,910 310,000 444,000 477,800 200 9,900 3,946,700 252,000 22,700 4,000 49,000 440,000 20,780,440 178,000 451,500 502,100 1,193,500 37,880 150 18,720 375,000 4,964,910 635 86,610

255,379.50 2,014,091,467.00 1,625,021,649.00 596,290.00 402,200.00 11,883,440.00 1,411.00 179,322.00 48,759,814.00 980,480.00 159,127.00 2,260.00 57,310.00 165,350.00 1,354,071,840.50 137,490.00 5,730,972.00 10,293,050.00 41,946,965.00 2,162,408.50 16,853.00 3,235,759.00 8,627,635.00 936,553,178.00 1,159,495.00 5,012,416.00

34.05 2.31 13.3 0.54 1.22 2.54 0.239

10,119,200 16,895,000 1,782,800 1,723,000 578,000 13,838,000 7,540,000

336,267,000.00 37,830,260.00 23,981,826.00 918,510.00 709,260.00 35,985,370.00 1,804,230.00

17.52 1.97 15.5 162.5 3.82 64.5 66.55 28 2.19 5 9.300 14.06 9.72 7.20 1.61 22.9 66.95 1.07 40.00 1.9300 13.88 7.9 1.290 213.00 41.55 4.6 3.1 6.75 7.44 12.1 16.5 0.153 286.20 5.49 1.91 3.80 3.87 9.97

111,500 14,212,000 4,723,200 1,670 969,000 2,800 5,070 158,300 22,207,000 99,900 19,347,600 761,700 1,855,900 2,761,700 10,000 5,119,600 431,430 73,740,000 1,006,600 32,937,000 584,800 1,933,200 328,000 5,096,240 900 67,000 4,000 122,700 356,509,200 2,621,000 3,066,600 980,000 2,079,040 121,800 34,079,000 45,000 10,975,000 172,300

1,987,400.00 28,402,020.00 72,558,576.00 275,855.00 3,807,910.00 185,844.50 357,484.50 4,446,725.00 46,356,900.00 499,182.00 179,722,561.00 10,863,662.00 17,953,128.00 19,815,119.00 16,020.00 102,407,240.00 29,221,424.50 80,205,310.00 40,275,390.00 64,106,420.00 8,075,246.00 14,872,681.00 422,320.00 823,823,554.00 37,395.00 312,240.00 12,870.00 800,274.00 2,439,693,429.00 31,517,850.00 51,297,652.00 150,200.00 623,893,956.00 598,708.00 65,032,530.00 174,700.00 44,341,010.00 1,700,540.00

11.50 33.3 5 5.27 2.14 1.8 0.89 9.9 85.5 8.2 0.115 1.00 144 2.57 1.12 15.14 0.89

296,700 1,294,400 8,419,900 71,400 9,897,000 103,000 298,000 2,397,300 494,190 934,300 730,000 575,000 5,620,860 4,000 4,728,000 11,100 5,391,000

3,387,310.00 43,123,435.00 42,098,351.00 370,092.00 21,087,490.00 188,150.00 256,200.00 23,982,339.00 42,558,548.00 7,244,879.00 83,880.00 571,470.00 806,614,834.00 10,150.00 5,317,090.00 171,778.00 4,806,250.00

HOLDING FIRMS 41,588,510.00 175,167,302.50 278,700,500.00 515,630.00 309,689.00 343,252.00 3,229,760.00 538,350.00 854,090,590.00 6,953,010.00 19,766,037.00 359,734,310.00 84,550.00 9,921,444.00 22,520.00 317,856,930.00 880,015.00 282,434,300.00 2,547,200.00 5,698.00 1,173,165.00 16,905.00 2,995,740.00 50,514,574.00 71,290.00 495,687,740.00 361,570.00 325,180.00 752,000.00 57,150,774.00 1,247,182,010.00 186,700.00 30,750.00 35,993,006.00 802,401.00 258,610.00 1,403,890.00

0.820 51.55 11.50 0.71 6.42 10.76 0.930 0.930 779.5 2.980 6.65 6.38 4.24 13.20 0.213 839 5.26 80.10 5.96 5.2 5.22 0.5 3.73 12 0.560 3.26 4.3000 1.220 2.80 158.00 1065.00 1.22 0.80 214.000 175.00 0.2020 0.209

58,571,000 7,306,870 107,088,300 1,185,000 66,100 50,800 3,255,000 485,000 3,962,330 4,277,000 16,842,700 102,641,200 1,000 405,400 260,000 711,560 10,036,900 14,627,700 221,800 100 207,500 56,000 2,471,000 19,147,500 602,000 496,734,000 142,000 2,238,000 264,000 861,180 3,229,500 402,000 119,000 44,980 9,590 8,950,000 1,010,000

46,221,600.00 370,959,338.00 1,218,404,992.00 806,480.00 422,190.00 557,002.00 2,984,080.00 453,770.00 3,005,084,055.00 12,934,570.00 112,776,873.00 509,315,331.00 4,240.00 5,378,972.00 55,530.00 588,820,360.00 54,241,925.00 1,150,859,862.50 1,211,354.00 520.00 1,215,134.00 27,290.00 9,309,690.00 226,270,988.00 341,380.00 1,601,349,480.00 602,260.00 2,689,390.00 765,220.00 132,750,127.00 3,390,053,780.00 490,600.00 91,510.00 9,599,916.00 1,676,604.00 1,834,910.00 194,350.00

PROPERTY 97,919,952.00 836,450.00 8,950.00 149,860.00 1,077,180.00 1,113,236,205.00 1,499,640.00 13,028,660.00 2,757,190.00 18,131,010.00 7,390.00 52,380.00 284,000.00 272,800.00 6,662,175.00 38,156,836.00 83,300.00 144,270.00 15,324,460.00 1,600,610.00 270,775,070.00 4,672,420.00

14.760 0.70 8.82 1.300 0.800 46.000 1.97 4.73 6.47 0.560 0.76 0.870 0.178 0.385 9.960 19.08 0.410 0.100 1.50 1.20 4 0.190

2,331,000 2,833,000 100 980,000 13,203,000 66,655,600 1,876,000 2,223,000 125,900 92,944,000 137,000 290,000 6,740,000 1,364,800 802,600 1,644,800 2,000,000 5,980,000 51,082,000 754,000 150,384,000 56,270,000

34,463,720.00 1,971,270.00 882.00 1,314,700.00 10,638,260.00 3,057,120,505.00 3,728,290.00 10,461,220.00 813,037.00 51,372,670.00 101,460.00 239,490.00 1,203,240.00 507,000.00 7,975,071.00 31,520,132.00 826,150.00 619,500.00 76,060,650.00 875,660.00 611,334,120.00 11,344,730.00

STOCKS

DECEMBER 23-27, 2019 Close Volume

DECEMBER 16-20, 2019 Close Volume Value

Value

Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

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

1.2500 0.4300 0.300 49.95 2.09 27.55 2.04 3.2 42.10 2.48 1.230 7.730 5.660

2,145,000 130,000 1,100,000 2,200 3,164,000 5,722,600 148,000 401,000 23,808,300 621,000 33,167,000 12,513,100 2,031,800

2,668,150.00 55,300.00 335,900.00 99,990.00 6,527,940.00 159,303,820.00 309,740.00 1,232,030.00 995,375,780.00 1,499,610.00 39,516,900.00 93,741,719.00 11,151,678.00

1.2700 0.4300 0.300 45.00 2.07 27.50 2.09 3.1 41.45 2.48 1.170 7.300 5.480

4,660,000 1,200,000 1,830,000 1,000 3,089,000 12,292,700 435,000 316,000 62,606,700 1,607,000 45,711,000 17,430,800 462,100

5,811,670.00 493,000.00 579,100.00 45,000.00 6,317,410.00 331,372,955.00 914,910.00 994,950.00 2,543,426,210.00 3,893,330.00 51,313,830.00 127,771,261.00 2,504,542.00

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

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

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. PH Resorts Group Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

10.5 15.8 1.4 11.64 0.390 0.043 18.5 5.2 11.30 89.5 7.09 5.5 4.88 2.03 7.79 890 2020 5.33 436.00 10.66 1.07 128.6 9.49 7.00 0.104 3.4400 2 2.40 0.85 16.50 0.385 3.35 2.11 2.490 2.5 7.85 5.20 8.85 142.00 2.61 988.00 0.340 0.570 39.75 80.00 9.26 2.78 0.600 0.27 0.600 18.000

161,400 285,600 101,000 7,380,700 5,560,000 2,900,000 250,700 9,315,000 4,472,600 644,070 300 3,286,000 879,100 1,000 193,300 1,640 78,985 872,500 1,000 100 1,857,000 4,761,160 1,400 87,400 1,420,000 19,080,000 36,000 1,458,000 480,000 736,400 280,000 135,000 1,057,000 5,556,000 105,000 10,400 58,100 500 21,760 2,825,000 307,125 51,900,000 16,332,000 2,938,500 1,219,450 1,799,200 5,778,000 24,526,000 4,000,000 364,000 5,284,700

SERVICES 1,615,024.00 4,512,252.00 142,970.00 85,330,848.00 2,122,750.00 122,900.00 4,520,100.00 45,053,740.00 49,879,036.00 57,652,849.50 2,127.00 17,368,912.00 4,286,164.00 2,030.00 1,508,803.00 1,460,180.00 158,809,445.00 4,635,719.00 433,456.00 1,066.00 1,947,160.00 611,750,515.00 13,286.00 574,200.00 139,430.00 63,294,790.00 72,510.00 3,506,740.00 417,850.00 12,232,326.00 100,650.00 453,150.00 2,225,030.00 13,471,590.00 259,890.00 75,945.00 294,310.00 4,441.00 3,123,655.00 7,193,220.00 308,051,765.00 17,415,400.00 9,197,180.00 117,514,145.00 94,757,176.00 15,783,058.00 15,877,790.00 14,929,460.00 1,087,800.00 212,080.00 93,261,066.00

9.42 15.82 1.49 11.48 0.390 0.042 18 4.5 11.26 90.4 6.9 4.9 5.50 1.9 7.78 890.5 2016 5.25 436.00 10.54 1.03 130 8.5 6.20 0.097 2.9000 1.89 2.42 0.84 16.52 0.370 3.35 2.08 2.340 2.49 7.30 5.00 7.6 148.00 2.43 1000.00 0.320 0.570 39.95 75.00 8.76 2.68 0.630 0.275 0.600 17.840

58,100 783,500 380,000 9,261,500 10,230,000 12,000,000 116,900 10,654,000 17,060,900 368,150 2,800 2,469,700 302,700 20,000 83,600 450 335,345 349,400 1,490 15,300 8,508,000 18,057,840 55,300 91,200 5,450,000 15,728,000 159,000 2,508,000 982,000 3,574,700 1,720,000 177,000 3,104,000 9,492,000 161,000 90,600 22,700 47,900 683,760 3,003,000 847,620 57,760,000 6,942,000 6,245,000 1,746,810 252,300 7,055,000 11,955,000 10,350,000 7,427,000 10,153,200

560,899.00 12,539,424.00 536,000.00 106,186,610.00 4,142,050.00 504,000.00 2,119,330.00 44,221,810.00 187,217,980.00 33,664,493.50 19,320.00 12,141,266.00 1,575,905.00 38,920.00 662,723.00 400,740.00 672,956,970.00 1,832,886.00 646,714.00 161,056.00 9,067,520.00 2,354,351,423.00 466,215.00 559,200.00 527,860.00 47,772,830.00 315,910.00 6,290,080.00 871,430.00 60,786,488.00 658,650.00 596,130.00 6,558,680.00 23,087,910.00 399,190.00 670,145.00 111,972.00 366,927.00 92,308,859.00 7,403,970.00 844,387,725.00 19,708,300.00 3,975,320.00 249,014,830.00 127,906,063.00 2,245,566.00 18,404,970.00 7,235,110.00 2,809,500.00 4,347,490.00 185,301,108.00

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

United Paragon

0.0015 0.99 2.50 10.96 1.1300 1.0200 2.88 0.270 6.93 1.790 0.202 0.091 0.0079 0.98 3.39 1.02 0.4700 0.7500 0.0110 0.0110 2.83 8.64 0.0110 7.3200 22.00 0.0052

40,000,000 4,992,000 55,000 1,200 1,000 18,000 8,232,000 400,000 1,005,200 9,984,000 710,000 2,100,000 5,000,000 1,403,000 28,472,000 46,000 120,000 579,000 4,000,000 509,700,000 885,000 1,271,200 49,400,000 1,075,400 3,968,600 5,000,000

MINING & OIL 60,000.00 4,913,150.00 137,460.00 13,060.00 1,130.00 18,390.00 22,631,300.00 108,000.00 6,946,089.00 17,808,220.00 140,800.00 192,360.00 37,900.00 1,267,810.00 92,596,040.00 45,640.00 52,800.00 424,940.00 44,000.00 6,106,800.00 2,474,540.00 10,783,292.00 533,600.00 7,928,816.00 87,126,115.00 26,300.00

0.0015 0.90 2.41 10.92

530,000,000 5,242,000 201,000 3,000

793,100.00 4,801,230.00 486,130.00 30,946.00

1.0300 2.67 0.270 6.91 1.700 0.204 0.092 0.0072 0.85 2.96 1 0.4200 0.7500 0.0110 0.0120 2.65 8.14 0.0100 7.2000 21.55 0.0053

44,000 4,293,000 250,000 1,164,700 65,528,000 1,080,000 3,880,000 146,000,000 1,723,000 19,510,000 766,000 840,000 468,000 324,400,000 2,452,900,000 3,319,000 2,088,900 136,100,000 1,230,000 7,408,400 11,000,000

47,180.00 11,503,360.00 116,400.00 8,042,648.00 108,114,380.00 216,280.00 359,590.00 1,155,600.00 1,461,740.00 57,662,780.00 740,640.00 355,900.00 346,720.00 3,588,400.00 27,633,800.00 9,215,590.00 17,563,489.00 1,491,200.00 8,460,119.00 156,666,690.00 58,600.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred 1 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMPFC Preferred

15.4 101.3 499 505 100.5 111.9 500 5.3 990 1000 99.7 100.3 1049 1031 1055 102.3 106.7 1022 997 77.5 75 77 75.8 76 75.2 77 1.36

254,400 3,600 60 5,820 6,560 2,270 230 245,200 90 10 3,290 5,500 55 8,125 41,355 710 370 19,010 80 29,470 887,510 900,020 1,520,930 600,020 1,209,450 832,010 1,000

14.7 101.3 501 505 101 107.9 508 5.06 995 990 99.8 101 1049 1050 1057 102.3 109 1030 997 77.8 75.2 74 75.55 75.2 75 75.2 1.36

689,500 140 3,000 18,000 51,590 1,580 4,210 66,700 200 8,510 23,020 4,290 45 17,305 6,965 290 350 5,060 2,330 52,850 12,800 62,030 101,250 1,330 42,510 62,010 1,000

10,414,754.00 14,402.00 1,503,000.00 9,090,000.00 5,194,951.00 170,874.00 2,136,590.00 344,161.00 199,000.00 8,509,500.00 2,263,731.00 428,390.00 46,860.00 17,986,130.00 7,361,220.00 29,497.00 38,125.00 5,208,955.00 2,324,510.00 4,116,628.50 962,250.00 4,665,248.50 7,652,552.00 100,016.00 3,167,410.00 4,739,582.50 1,360.00

LR Warrant

1.290

64,000

1.200

64,000

77,850.00

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

3.79 9.7 0.77

1,452,000 780,800 4,868,000

3.59 9.8 0.77

2,138,000 1,432,400 11,157,000

8,044,700.00 13,678,097.00 8,871,880.00

First Metro ETF

117.4

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 62,230 7,267,850.00

116.6

84,800

9,774,737.00

USD DMPL A1

10

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 3,330 33,550.00

10.28

29,130

296,261.20

PREFERRED 3,826,012.00 370,669.50 30,050.00 2,945,380.00 659,683.00 245,307.00 115,240.00 1,292,419.00 89,350.00 10,000.00 328,160.50 552,067.00 56,395.00 8,471,705.00 43,677,375.00 72,633.00 39,718.00 19,611,295.00 79,775.00 2,277,493.00 66,738,075.00 69,301,540.00 115,292,388.50 45,571,519.50 90,770,875.00 62,567,938.00 1,360.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 78,640.00 SME 5,460,570.00 7,725,313.00 3,731,210.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. `B’ Manila Water Co. Inc. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Fruitas Holdings Megaworld Vitarich Corp.

DMCI Holdings PremiereHorizon Philodrill Corp. `A’ Abacus Cons. `A’

VOLUME 509,700,000 165,885,200 141,682,000 81,573,000 66,224,000 57,309,000 54,332,000 51,900,000 49,400,000 48,356,000

STOCKS Manila Water Co. Inc. SM Investments Inc. Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Security Bank Bank of PI

VALUE 1,611,142,065.00 1,247,182,010.00 1,113,236,205.00 995,375,780.00 854,090,590.00 703,950,833.00 611,750,515.00 495,687,740.00 448,031,674.00 365,782,314.00

Italpinas secures P440m worth of loan from DBP

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Italpinas Development Corp. said it secured a P440million loan from state-run Development Bank of the Philippines to partially fund the development of a residential project in Cagayan de Oro City.

IDC said in a statement the loan would be used to finance the development of Citta Bella—the second phase of Primavera City complex which would start construction by the first quarter of 2020.

This is the second time that DBP extended a loan to IDC. Citta Verde at Primavera City which was the project’s first phase was also funded by DBP. The project started construction in September 2018 and would be ready for occupancy by June 2020.

IDC said DBP is one of its major valued partner banks.

The good relationship was further strengthened by current DBP president and chief executive Emmanuel Herbosa who reassured his support to Primavera City—IDC’s trademark sustainable green housing project for the middle market in Cgayan de Oro. IDC chairman Romolo Nati and IDC president Jose Leviste III expressed their appreciation for DBP’s continued support to development of Primavera City during the signing of loan documents on Dec. 12.

Upon completion, Primavera City is designed to be an iconic landmark edifice in Cagayan de Oro City consisting of six mix-used mid-rise condominium buildings and one high-rise condo.

“To date, we are pleased to inform our valued buyers and partners that Citta Verde, which is the first phase of Primavera City, will be ready for occupancy within the second quarter, 2020. We will also commence construction soon of Citta Bella, the second phase development of the Primavera City complex,” Nati said.

Leviste said that in terms of IDC sales performance for the first two phases of Primavera City, the company had sold 96 percent of the residential units inventory of Citta Verde with revenues worth P775 million as of end-November 2019.

He said for Citta Bella, around 60 percent of the residential units were already pre-sold with sales value of P273 million.

“We are indeed very pleased with the market acceptance of our projects and will continue to offer quality yet affordable housing products to our target market,” Nati said.

More awards, changing of the guard mark PAL’s year 2019 FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines harvested a new wave of international awards and a historic foreign airline investor in 2019, even as Asia’s oldest airline transitioned to a new management with a laser focus on regaining financial profitability while maintaining top-quality customer service.

PAL took in its first foreign airline partner in February 2019―All Nippon Airways through parent company ANA Holdings―prompting the election of an ANA representative (Mr. Ryuhei Maeda) to the PAL board of directors.

Other changes in the board include the appointment of Vivienne Tan, daughter of chairman Lucio Tan as director. Ms. Tan concurrently serves as PAL executive vice president/treasurer, representing the Tan family’s new leadership generation. The family mourned the untimely passing of namesake Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jr. who had been appointed head of parent company PAL Holdings.

Business processing outsourcing expert Gilbert Santa Maria was anointed as PAL’s new president in July, following the retirement of long-time head Jaime Bautista. Santa Maria is currently leading a digital transformation initiative to ensure that the airline’s needs are met by the most ideal technology solutions.

After re-certifying the airline’s 4-star rating earlier in the year, ratings giant Skytrax announced that PAL won top honors as the World’s Most Improved Airline of 2019 based on a global survey of more than a million passengers. The US-based airline passenger experience association also rated PAL a 4-Star Major Airline for 2020, based on customer votes.

In September 2019, PAL Express was included in the list of Asia’s Top 100 Best Employers for its employee engagement efforts, while PAL’s stirring 2018 Christmas video “Regalo” bested eight other finalists to win two awards at the YouTube Ads Awards Philippines.

PAL was also cited as a “Talent Accelerator” for its trend-setting virtual reality training for cabin crew at the 3rd Annual IDC Digital Transformation Awards.

World

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

Kim holds top party meeting as deadline

by US nears

IN BRIEF

Egypt road accidents kill 28 CAIRO―At least 28 people, including textile workers and several Asian tourists, were killed Saturday in two separate road crashes in Egypt, official media and other sources said.

The deadliest accident occurred when a bus transporting textile workers collided with a car on the road between the cities of Port Said and Damietta in northern Egypt, state-run Al-Ahram newspaper said on its website.

At least 22 men and women who worked for a clothing factory were killed and eight others injured, the report said.

The accident came only hours after two buses carrying tourists collided with a truck east of Cairo on the road to the Ain Sokhna resort on the Red Sea, according to a security official.

A medical source said two Malaysian women and an Indian man were killed along with three Egyptians―a bus driver, a tour guide and a security guard.

At least 24 others were injured, several of them tourists and some left in serious condition, the medical source said without giving further details.

Traffic accidents are common in Egypt where many roads are poorly maintained and regulations are laxly enforced.

But efforts by authorities to crack down on traffic violations, including speeding, appear to have borne fruit in recent years, with official figures showing a decline in road deaths.

In 2018 there were 8,480 road accidents compared with 11,098 the previous year, according to the bureau of statistics.

Deaths from traffic accidents fell from more than 5,000 in 2016 to 3,747 the following year and 3,087 in 2018, official figures show. AFP

Stabbing at rabbi’s house wounds five NEW YORK―An intruder stabbed and wounded five people at a rabbi’s house in upstate New York during a party to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah late Saturday, officials said.

The victims, all Hasidic members of the Jewish faith, were transported to local hospitals―two in a critical condition―the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC) tweeted after receiving a call at 9.50 pm.

The suspect has been taken into custody, local Ramapo Police said in a statement on Facebook.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement he was “horrified” by the “despicable and cowardly act”, and had directed the State Police hate crimes task force to investigate.

“We have a zero tolerance for antiSemitism in NY and we will hold the attacker accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he tweeted.

CBS New York reported that a man brandishing a machete went into the rabbi’s property in Monsey, New York State, an area with a large Jewish population, and knifed at least three people before fleeing.

“I was praying for my life,” witness Aron Kohn, 65, told the New York Times, describing the knife used by the attacker as “the size of a broomstick.”

Yossi Gestetner, a co-founder of the OJPAC for the Hudson Valley region, told the New York Times one of the victims was a son of the rabbi.

“The house had many dozens of people in there,” Gestetner said. “It was a Hanukkah celebration.”

In Israel, President Reuven [Ruvi] Rivlin expressed his “shock and outrage” regarding the attack.

“The rise of anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, and certainly not just the State of Israel’s problem,” he said in a statement.

“We must work together to confront this evil, which is raising its head again and is a genuine threat around the world.” AFP

STREET FESTIVAL. This photograph taken on December 28, 2019, shows actors preparing for a Chinese opera performance

by Thailand's Sai Bo Hong troupe on a makeshift stage at a street festival in Bangkok. An ancient world of swords, warriors and folklore roars to life on the darkened street, offering a momentary escape from the modern-day bustle of Bangkok's unstoppable development. AFP

Massive car bomb kills 79 in Somalia’s capital

M

OGADISHU―A massive car bomb exploded in a busy area of Mogadishu on Saturday, leaving at least 79 people dead and scores injured in Somalia’s deadliest attack in two years.

At least 16 of those killed were students from the capital’s private Banadir University, who had been traveling on a bus when the car bomb detonated at a busy intersection southwest of the Somali capital.

Scores of wounded were carried on stretchers from the site, where the force of the explosion left the charred and twisted remains of vehicles. Two Turkish nationals were also killed, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Twitter.

The area was often clogged with traffic due to a security checkpoint and a tax office collecting fees from buses and trucks passing through.

The attack has not been claimed, however Mogadishu is regularly h i t by car bombings and attacks

waged by Al-Shabaab Islamist militants allied to Al-Qaeda.

Somali police chief Abdi Hassan Mohamed told reporters that the “devastating” circumstances had made it hard to establish the number of casualties.

“Now we can elaborate on the death toll which stands 79 at the moment and the wounded are 100 plus. There can be one or two more people who may be dead” due to the high numbers of those injured, he said.

Earlier the director of the private Aamin Ambulance service, Abdukadir Abdirahman Haji, told AFP around 125 people were injured.

A student of Banadir University, who asked not to be named, told AFP he had rushed to the hospital after hearing of the blast, as his sister had been on one of two buses headed to the university.

Hers however, made it through before the explosion.

“What happened today was horrible.

I have counted the dead bodies of 16 male and female students some of them had parts of their bodies severed,” the student told AFP. “The minibus carried 17 students and only one of them who had gotten off the bus before the blast to get a pass

receipt from the tax collection point had survived,” he added.

Banadir University said they would shut for five days after the disaster.

“This was a black day, it was a day when parents who have sent their children to learn were sent back the dead bodies of their children,” University chairman Mohamed Mohamud Hassan said in an audio message released on Saturday evening.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo condemned the attack in comments carried by the Somalia national news agency SONNA. “This enemy works to implement the destructive will of international terrorism, they have never done anything positive for this our country, they have not constructed a road, never built hospitals and not education centres as well,” he said.

“All they do is destruction and killing and the Somali public are well informed about this.”

Turkey’s defence ministry wrote on Twitter it had sent a military plane “loaded with emergency aid equipment... in order to provide emergency aid to our Somalian brothers injured in the despicable terror attack in Somalia.” AFP

MAIN CHALLENGE. In this file photo taken on December 12, 2014, a bus drives for the first day on the new footbridge connecting the mainland to the MontSaint-Michel in northwestern France.

Mont Saint-Michel’s shuttles remain the main challenge to the touristic site. AFP

Two killed in Texas shooting HOUSTON―A shooting killed two people and wounded at least seven while they were filming a music video in the US state of Texas, authorities said Saturday.

“We are now at 9 total gunshot wound victims: 2 were confirmed deceased at scene, 1 was critical, the others remain hospitalized,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted.

The attack on a group of Hispanic men in their 20s occurred around 9:30 pm Friday (0330 GMT Saturday) at a parking lot in a residential Houston neighborhood, Gonzalez said at a media briefing that night.

A video posted on Twitter Saturday morning by a Houston Chronicle reporter showed bloodstains on the ground in the parking lot and cars dotted with bullet holes.

“There were other vehicles that were staged there, and they were filming some type of music video when, all of a sudden, basically they were ambushed, we believe by individuals in cars and/or foot that fired shots into the parking lot,” Gonzalez said in the media briefing.

Police do not yet know the motive for the shooting, he added.

According to government figures, around 40,000 people died from gunfire in 2017 in the US, a country that is plagued by frequent gun violence. AFP

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Africa still seeking the right model for growth PARIS―As 1960 dawned, sub-Saharan Africa braced for historic change: that year, 17 of its countries were destined to gain independence from European colonial powers.

But six decades on, the continent is mired in many problems. It is struggling to build an economic model that encourages enduring growth, addresses poverty and provides a future for its youth.

Here are some of the key issues: Africa’s population grew from 227 million in 1960 to more than one billion in 2018. More than 60 percent are aged under 25, according to the Brookings

Institution, a US think tank.

“The most striking change for me is the increasing reality of disaffected youth... a younger population that is ready to explode at any moment,” Cameroonian sociologist Francis Nyamnjoh told AFP. “They are hungry for political freedoms, they are hungry for economic opportunities and they are hungry for social fulfillment.”

Joblessness is a major peril. Unemployed youths are an easy prey for armed groups, particularly jihadist movements in the Sahel, or may be tempted to risk clandestine emigra-

tion, often at the cost of their lives.

The continent’s population is expected to double by 2050, led by Nigeria, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The proportion of Africa’s population living below the poverty line— less than $1.90 (1.7 euros) per day— fell from 54.7 percent in 1990 to 41.4 percent in 2015, according to the World Bank.

But this average masks enormous differences from one country to another, exemplified by Gabon (3.4 percent of the population in 2017) and Madagascar (77.6 percent in 2012). AFP

SEOUL―North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key meeting of top ruling party officials, state media said Sunday, ahead of a year-end deadline for Washington to shift its stance on the stalled nuclear talks.

The plenary session, which opened on Saturday, follows widespread speculation that Pyongyang is preparing to test an intercontinental ballistic missile―as a threatened “Christmas gift” for Washington.

Kim presided over the meeting that discussed a new “transparent, antiimperialist independent stand,” the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The ruling Workers’ Party of Korea will also “discuss important matters arising... in the building of the state and national defense,” KCNA added.

Talks on denuclearizing the Korean peninsula have been largely deadlocked since the second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump collapsed in Hanoi at the start of this year.

The opening of the plenary comes a week after Kim held a meeting of top defense officials and discussed boosting military capabilities, and ahead of the leader’s New Year speech on January 1, a key political set-piece in the isolated country.

Pyongyang has carried out a series of static tests at its Sohae rocket facility this month, after a number of weapons launches in recent weeks—some of them described as ballistic missiles

by Japan and others.

North Korea is under heavy US and United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, but it has been frustrated at the lack of relief after it declared a moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Russia and China―North Korea’s main ally―have proposed easing sanctions in a bid to de-escalate tensions. AFP

Australia to compensate fire volunteers SYDNEY―Volunteer firefighters in Australia will be offered government compensation after spending extended periods fighting bush fires raging across the country, authorities announced Sunday.

Rural Fire Service volunteers who have spent at least 10 days battling blazes in worst-hit New South Wales (NSW) state are immediately eligible for the scheme, which offers payments of up to Aus$300 ($209) per day for a maximum of Aus$6,000 per person.

“While I know RFS volunteers don’t seek payment for their service, I don’t want to see volunteers or their families unable to pay bills, or struggle financially as a result of the selfless contribution they are making,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“This is not about paying volunteers.

It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss.”

Morrison said the compensation scheme would be rolled out across other Australian states and territories if local authorities requested that assistance.

“They run their own shows; they know what their challenges are,” he said of the state governments.

The scheme―which applies only to self-employed volunteers and those working for small-and medium-sized businesses―is expected to cost about Aus$50 million in NSW, which boasts the world’s largest volunteer fire service at 70,000 people.

Volunteers who are also government employees were last week granted additional paid leave to help fight the blazes.

Morrisonhas come under increasing pressure in recent weeks over his response to the bush fire crisis, which has killed 10 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and scorched more than three million hectares.

The prime minister was forced to apologize for taking a family holiday to Hawaii as Australia battled the bush fires, a decision that sparked public outrage and prompted street protests.

Temperatures are set to soar again across large parts of south-eastern Australia, with elevated fire danger expected in the lead-up to New Year’s Day. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

NEW CENTENARIAN.

Mayor Toby Tiangco hands Teofilo Lopez Sr., who celebrates his 100th birthday, the P10,000 cash gift from the City Government of Navotas. The mayor reminded Navoteños that starting Jan. 1, 2020, resident senior citizens will receive P500 ‘NavoRegalo’ on their birthday.

Jun David

Baliuag orphanage kids get bountiful gifts from 2 malls

By Orlan L. Mauricio MALOLOS CITY—As a year-end treat, SM malls in Baliwag and Pulilan painted smiles across the faces of hundreds of children at the Bethlehem House of Bread, one of the oldest orphanages in Bulacan in Baliuag town.

Dubbed as “ChriSMiles”, volunteers from SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan chose to spend some quality time with less fortunate children by sharing gifts and fun entertainment.

‘Each year, we try to find meaningful ways to celebrate ChriSMiles, projects to reciprocate all the blessings that we receive throughout the year. This time, we are extending cheers to the ones who matter most, the children of Bethlehem House of Bread,” said SM City Baliwag Mall Manager Rodora Tolentino.

Children received toys, school supplies, food, footwear, cleaning materials, and SM “Bears of Joy” from SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan.

Employees also had their share of priceless moments with kids as they accompanied them to breakfast treats and served as their playmates for a day in various parlor games.

ChriSMiles is a yearly volunteerism activity of SM Supermalls that aims to make more children smile especially during the holiday season. The event is a nationwide employee volunteerism program that brings joy to the chosen beneficiaries of each mall.

The initiative started in 2012 and also encourages SM employees to be more appreciative of their individual blessings by sharing and caring.

402 Navoteños finish tech-voc skills courses

By Jun David SOME 402 Navoteños recently completed various courses from the Navotas Vocational Training and Assessment Institute.

Of this, 231 availed the NAVOTAAS Institute Scholarship Program funded by the city government while 171 were under programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Mayor Toby Tiangco congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to use the skills they acquired to build a sustainable livelihood.

“It is not enough to have skills. For you to succeed, you must work hard and persevere to achieve your goals and seek constant improvement,” he advised.

Navotas has four training centers that offer courses such as housekeeping, bread and pastry production, barista, wellness massage, contact center servicing, animation and visual graphics, among others.

They also hold special courses on Japanese and Korean language and culture, as well as trainings on processing of fish, meat and fruits and vegetables.

Aside from tech-voc courses, the institute also provides NavoHusay soft skills trainings including values formation seminar, basic English proficiency seminar, employability skills training, entrepreneurship seminar, and Labor Education for Graduating Students Seminar.

Recently, the NAVOTAAS Institute Annexes I and II established their respective child-minding rooms to allow parents to undergo training without fear about the safety of their children.

Bonafide residents of Navotas may study at the institute for free while non-Navoteños may enroll and take assessment exams for a fee, depending on the course they will take.

LGUs designate fireworks areas

By Maricel V. Cruz

I

N AN effort to regulate and control the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics to welcome 2020, the Quezon City government has designated zones where fireworks use and displays are allowed.

“We urge the public to use fireworks only within the permitted zones in the city. We hope everyone will cooperate with the city government in promoting safe and responsible celebration during the holidays,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte, stressing that the use of firecrackers this season must be carried out with utmost regard to its possible hazards and

to the safety of every citizen.

Meanwhile, the city government of Muntinlupa targets zero firecracker-related injuries and will apprehend motorists using open mufflers in the holiday season.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the City Government aims to have zero firecracker-related casualties when residents

welcome the New Year, as the government implements its Oplan Iwas Paputok campaign.

Several firecracker zones have been assigned in all 12 police stations under the Quezon City Police District’s areas of responsibility.

Each zone will be manned by a team comprised of barangay officials, Barangay Security and Development Officers, and volunteers.

These are: La Loma, PS1; Masambong, PS2; Talipapa, PS3 Novaliches, PS4; Fairview, PS5; Batasan, PS6; Cubao, PS7; Project 4, PS8; Anonas, PS9; Kamuning, PS10; Galas, PS11 and Eastwood, PS12

“We have assigned a total of 180 firecracker zones all over QC and we will deploy several police personnel who will make rounds of stations to ensure full implementation. Our objective is to ensure that the occurrence of fireworks-related injuries, damage to properties, and even death will be minimized,” said QCPD Police Major Alexander Barredo.

“The use of fireworks outside the designated zones and use of illegal fireworks are both prohibited,” added Barredo, citing Ordinance No. 2618, s.2017.

Anyone who will violate will be fined P5,000 and/or will be imprisoned by one year.

10th Pistang Pinoy attendees actively participate in the games prepared by SM Foundation.

SM Foundation holds 10th Pistang Pinoy for Nasugbu wards SM Foundation, together with its partners, threw a celebration for its program beneficiaries during its 10th Pistang Pinoy held last December 10 at Costa del Hamilo in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Led by SMFI, other participating companies were Pico de Loro, Pico Sands and Hotel; Costa del Hamilo De-

velopment Corp.; Manila Southcoast Development Corp.; Savemore and SM Hypermarket in Batangas.

These participating companies prepared an entertainment number and games with prizes for more than 600 beneficiaries who attended. The barangay beneficiaries also battled for the best folkdance team competition.

Moreover, a sumptuous lunch was served by the SM executives and everyone received their individual gifts.

SM Investments Corp. assistant vice president for corporate affairs Victor Chan said this annual celebration of social good is an expression of gratitude of SM Group of Companies for the residents of Barangays Papaya,

Looc, Calaya, and Bulihan, the host communities of SM in Nasugbu.

Chan said SMFI ensures that its social good initiatives in education (scholarship and school building), health and wellness (medical mission and health facilities upgrade), farmers’ training reach the grassroots communities.

Smart equips farmers with digital skills for better yield

SM volunteers from Baliwag and Pulilan share gifts to hundreds of orphans at the Bethlehem House of Bread in Baliuag. Orlan Mauricio

BORN to a farming family, Edralyn Ferre has been tilling the land in Alfonso, Cavite, for over 50 years, guided only by traditional knowledge handed down by his elders. Through the years, however, he sought to learn more and go beyond simply increasing and improving his yield.

Once, he attended a training session at the Department of Agriculture and learned how to ferment local fruits and make wine.

“I was able to tap a new source of income,” Ferre, 62, says in Filipino. He now realizes that the Philippine fruit wine industry has a lot of potential, even for international distribution. Not many farmers are aware of this, he adds.

“If only they know how relatively easy fruit wine-making is, and how it can extend the life of their produce, they can definitely avoid losses,” he explains.

He decided to share his newfound knowledge with the aid of technology: he made a video about fruit winemaking and posted it online.

Video-making is one of skills he learned through the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural

Training Institute (DA-ATI), Probe Media Foundation, and PLDT-subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. The program links technology-savvy youths with small-holder farmers so that the latter could tap the digital space, and consequently, establish a channel for exchanging ideas -- from using modern agricultural technologies to discovering time-tested farming traditions.

DFP aims to empower small-scale farmers through a ladderized education approach. The first phase focuses on the use of the smartphone and its features, Android capabilities, social media platforms, search engines, messaging channels, and internet safety.

Farmers are also trained in “phonetography,” or basic photography and videography. Complemented with production, interviewing, writing and editing workshops, they can develop local agri-related content.

The Digital Farmers Program combines technology, through Smart, with the expertise of Department of Agriculture— Agricultural Training Institute, Probe Media Foundation, and PLDT subsidiary Smart Communications Inc.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

C1

Jose Rizal loved tuyo and tinola

By Steph Llarena

M

UCH like any average Filipino, our national hero, Jose Rizal loved to eat. And despite living in Europe for several years, his palate remained truly Pinoy.

In fact, his love of food ref lected on his novels and journals, as well as on letters to his family (documented in Reminiscences and Travels of José Rizal and One Hundred Letters of José Rizal to his Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Relatives).

During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal would write his family, for instance his mother Teodora Alonso, requesting to send him mangoes, Laguna cheese, and foie gras.

He also wrote to his sister— during the time when vegetables and fish were scarce—to send tokwa, dried small fish, and monggo.

Monggo appeared to be one of his favorites as he also once served monggo soup with young leaves of ampalaya to his visiting nephews and nieces, according to his descendant

Chicken-based soup dish tinola is featured in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.

Like a true foodie, Jose Rizal’s love of food reflected on his works and letters to his family.

Francisco Rizal Lopez, as written by Milagros Enriquez in Kasaysayan ng Kaluto ng Bayan.

His cook in Dapitan revealed that Rizal’s meals consisted of three viands. And his favorite breakfast was composed of hot chocolate, rice, and sardinas secas (dried sardines or tuyo), according to Michael Datario, a junior grand lecturer at the Masonry in Pangasinan.

Rizal also favored lanzones, yema, toasted pastillas, and empanada.

He used his favorite soup dish tinola as a political and social symbol in his novel Noli Me Tangere, particularly in the part about the welcome home dinner hosted by Kapitan Tiago for Crisostomo Ibarra.

Food historian Rheeza Santiago, in a report on GMA News, said that tinola determined the characters’ class

in the society, which explained Padre Damaso’s reaction when he received the neck—considered an inferior part—of the chicken.

And on his last day, on Dec. 30, 1896, at 5:30 a.m. the beloved hero shared his last meal with his “cellmates.” The “poor rats” in his cell had their “fiesta” too as he threw some eggs in the corners, according to stories told to his sister Narcisa.

Singapore’s Michelin-starred restaurant opens at The Podium Clockwise from top left: Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak, Chicken Teriyaki with Rice, Beef Tapa with Scrambled Egg, and Uncle Chin’s Chicken RIce

2019 best in-flight menu The Vikings Group brings to the Philippines Putien restaurant that serves Cantonese-style cuisine with distinct Fujian flavors.

THE Vikings Group brings to the country the one Michelin-Star restaurant Putien. It has recently opened its first Philippine branch, its 67th worldwide, at The Podium in Ortigas.

“Putien serves characteristically light, down-to-earth, and flavorful food, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients,” said founder and chief executive Fong Chi Chung.

The Singapore-based restaurant was named after the founder’s hometown, Putian City—a coastal suburb in the

province of Fujian, China.

Unlike the Chinese cuisine most Filipinos are familiar with, Putien’s dishes are made with key ingredients harvested and obtained during specific seasons from certain places in Fujian alone.

Among these are the yellow croaker from the mudflats of Ningde, Duotou clam from the Duo Tou Village, Da Hong Pao from the high mountains, and many more.

“The Fujian flavor gives a unique twist to the usual Cantonese-style

food,” shared Charles Lee, Vikings Group marketing director.

“We’re excited for Filipinos to finally try this new type of cuisine that’s making waves in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and China for its good quality and service,” enthused Lee. Putien prides itself on offering intricately prepared dishes made of fresh ingredients, including the “No. 1 musttry” Bian Rou Soup that highlights the wrappers made from pork hind leg meat pounded and kneaded for at least one and a half hour. Signature dishes also include the 100-Second Stewed Yellow Croaker and Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee among others, with some made with specific seasonal ingredients imported from Putian.

Putien is located at Level 5, The Podium, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Email putienphilippines@ gmail.com or call (02) 8282-1888, (02) 8282-6888, or 0918-9193888 for inquiries and reservations.

Clockwise from left: Seaweed and Mini Shrimps, Braised Homemade Beancurd, Shredded Pork with Sesame Bun, Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychees, Deep-fried Pork Trotters, and Bamboo Herbal Prawn.

RICH Asian flavors are enjoyed up international, and vegetarian dishes.

Among the favorites from the Santan in the air thanks to Santan, AirAsia’s in-flight menu are Asean rice meals, award-winning in-flight menu.

The budget carrier’s menu has re- such as the Filipino favorite Beef Tapa cently received the Best In-flight Meal with Scrambled Egg, Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak, Uncle of 2019 from Chin’s Chicken Sunstar’s Best Rice, and Chickof Cebu, which en Teriyaki with highlights the Rice. best gastronomic The complete experiences and in-flight menu lifestyle brands can be accessed of the city. on the in-flight “We are gratemeals section on ful for the acairasia.com. They colade given to are available for us by Sunstar. pre-booking via As the best lowMy Bookings cost carrier in on the website. the world, we are Pre-booking proproud to say that vides guests with our appetizing c h e a p e r- t h a n in-flight menu airport prices at offers a delight46 percent off, a ful dining expechoice of water or rience that brings coffee as a bevertogether the diage, a wider variverse flavors of Vegetable Rice Bowl ety of meals, and Asean,” enthused priority meal delivAirAsia Philippine ery onboard. chief executive of“We will continue to try to satisfy ficer Ricky Isla.

Sunstar’s Best of Cebu awarded Ai- our guests’ palates with meals that do rAsia as the best in-flight meal, citing its not have to be served on a silver platvariety of options, which includes Asian, ter,” said Isla.

Life

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Ebi Mozzarella Aburi Maki

Ebi and Enoki Aburi Maki with Kimchi Aioli

Sushi till you drop J

Grilled Ika Tomato and Lettuce Roll Topped with Torched Tuna

Kani and Uni Maki with Mayo Crab Paste

Tokubetsu California Roll

APANESE restaurant Ogetsu Hime knows how to do allyou-can eat concept right, offering the full spectrum of flavors from the Land of the Rising Sun at reasonable rates.

The restaurant takes pride in using premium ingredients, such as fresh seafood from the famous Tsukiji Market, to craft top quality dishes.

Its Oget and Enjoy All-You-Can offer, available for P988 for lunch and P1,088 for dinner from Monday to Friday or P1,088 for lunch and dinner during holidays and weekends, includes US Angus Tenderloin, fresh sashimi, Matsusaka beef, katsudon, and more.

As an added treat, Ogetsu Hime is upgrading its buffet for an additional price of P100. The upgraded buffet promo includes unlimited servings of over 100 Japanese specialties, including Aburi sushi, Aburi roll, atarashi, sashimi, katsu, ramen, tempura, rice boxes, and more premium items to choose from.

“You can sample all the flavors of Ja-

pan and eat until you’re happily full,” the restaurant said in a statement.

In addition to the aforementioned Togarashi Niku dishes, diners can further make the Aburi Maki most out of the awesome eat-all-youcan deal and feast on limitless sushi, from the best selection of makimono to Ogetsu Hime’s signature specialty rolls like the Ogetsu Hime Roll, Goma Ebi Tempura Roll, Kaisen Fried Roll, Tokubetsu California Roll, and Momo Teri Maki.

Also available is Otoro, or blue fin tuna belly, a rare catch, and the most sought-after fixture of the sushi bar.

Hotategai are sweet, supple scallops that glide lazily across the tongue. Hamachi is the much-loved Japanese yellowtail, teppan, cooked by a Master Teppan Chef over a Japanese flat iron grill right boasting a smooth, buttery texture.

The US Angus Tenderloin (and other in front of diners.

Ogetsu Hime is at SM Megamall and meat and seafood) can be had as a tasty

First Kuya J Café opens in Makati

HOMEGROWN casual dining restaurant Kuya J has recently opened its first café at Park Square in Makati City.

The new Kuya J Café combines casual dining with a relaxing ambiance, an ideal spot for an afternoon of unwinding with friends or for a night of relaxation by yourself.

“Kuya J Café offers the best of both worlds. Aside from specially brewed coffee and delicious pastries, we also serve the well-loved Kuya J signature dishes,” said Francis Reyes, chief financial officer of Kuya J Group.

Reyes continued, “It is a place where you can either sit back and take a sip of your go-to comfort drink or enjoy a sumptuous dinner with your family,” Endorser Jericho Rosales graced the launch of the café and led a motorcade which went around Park Square.

Salmon Belly Maki

Scorpion Roll

SM Aura. Call (02) 8519-9840, 85199740, or 0917-8096585 (Aura) or (02) 8470-8241, 8637-7510, or 0917-5762377 (Megamall) for more information.

RECIPE FILES

Take a sip of the merry season INDULGE in the remaining days of the holiday season with these delectable concoctions courtesy of Torani and Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation.

Chestnut Berry Frappe

Ingredients: 60cc 20ml 15ml 120ml

Jericho Rosales (center) graces the opening of Kuya J Café at Park Square in Makati City.

The Filipino restaurant and café offers exclusive blends and brews.

As the doors opened to the public, Kuya J Café introduced its own blends and brews. Drinks range from the Kuya J Café House Blend, which offers a tantalizing aroma and bold flavors that will blanket anyone who partake with warmth and comfort, to the unique sago’t gulaman coffee for that familiar sweet taste and rich, chocolatey kick.

In addition to fresh coffee, it also offers exclusive menu items like the light and fruity guava cake, the rich and delectable tablea cake, or the smooth and creamy salted egg cheesecake.

Single servings of Kuya J’s best-sellers such as Grilled Scallops, Beef Caldereta, and Chorizo Dinamitas to name a few are also available.

Mocafe Madagascar Vanilla Powder Torani Chestnut Praline Syrup Torani Puree Strawberry Gippy Milk Ambiante Whipped Cream ice

Procedure: 1. Drizzle puree in a glass and set aside.

2. Put all ingredients in a blender except Ambiante.

3. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass.

4. Top with whipped cream and strawberry puree.

Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate

Ingredients: 60cc Café Essential Chocoholics Choice Powder 15ml Torani Toasted Marshmallow Syrup 120ml Gippy Milk 3 pcs. toasted marshmallow ice Ambiante Whipped Cream dark chocolate sauce

Keep your drinks warm or cold DISPOSABLE bottles, out. Insulated tumblers, in.

Aside from being environment friendly, these reusable cups and tumblers let users enjoy warm or cold drinks longer.

Shark Bottle, for instance, uses shark insulation technology that traps the temperature of drinks. Shark cups and tumblers keep beverage up to eight hours hot and 16 hours cold, while Shark bottles are up to 12 hours hot and up to 24 hours cold.

Each bottle, tumbler, and cup of the brand is BPA-free, stainless steel, and double walled (versus most hydro flasks which only have a single wall).

The Shark Insulation Technology utilizes a silver coating on the inner layer of the bottle that prevents temperature transfer by radiation. A vacuum, pressed between its double walls, keeps heat or cold from moving by convection. And finally, a thick glass barrier stops the heat or cold from entering or leaving the flask.

“We mean business when we say, ‘Shark Bottles keep the temperature of your drinks’,” the brand said in a statement.

Low maintenance, high quality materials ensure each bottle is durable as well as sweat- and leak-free. It’s available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from 350ml to 1900ml.

Procedure: 1. Put all ingredients in a blender except Ambiante Whipped Cream, dark choco sauce, and toasted marshmallow.

2. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass.

3. Top with whipped cream, dark chocolate sauce, and toasted marshmallow.

Fruitcake

Ingredients: 60 cc 120ml 15ml

Shark Bottle cups, which can be personalized, keep beverages hot for up to eight hours and cold for up to 16 hours.

In addition to efficiency, Shark Bottle lets consumers personalize their bottle with wide array of fonts, colors, and templates to mix and match.

“We’ve created a stylish canvas that can work with countless designs to fit their owners’ aesthetic and lifestyle.

We also partnered with Trend Artisans Lifestyle to give you the absolute

freedom to imagine and see your Shark Bottles come to life,” said the brand.

It clarified, however, that its designs are not made of flimsy stickers, “you can be confident that your designs are as sturdy as your Shark Bottles.”

Go to www.sharkbottle.com/shop to know more.

Café Essentials Chocolate Truffle Gippy Milk Torani Balsamic Fig Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce whipped cream candy sprinkle

Procedure: 1. Spread whipped cream and dark chocolate sauce in the glass and set aside.

2. Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Pour into the glass.

3. Garnish with whipped cream and candy sprinkle.

Entertainment

A film that gives ordinary Filipinos a wake-up call

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Members of Dulaang UP perform an excerpt from the play ‘Fuente Ovejuna.’

Singer-actor Markki Stroem performs a number during the CCP Institutional Press Conference.

BRIA Homes affirms a lesson in its newly released film, ‘Upa’: why rent a tiny dwelling when, like the happy couple in the film, the family that moves into a beautiful BRIA home can be you?

The ‘wake up call’ in ‘Upa’ comes when the wife discovers the joys of living in a BRIA community through a friend, a BRIA homeowner.

I

F YOU live in a tiny rented room, put up with nosey and noisy neighbors, or worry about your family’s safety in a congested neighborhood, you know how it is to be an ordinary Filipino. Yes, the hapless Filipino wage earner whose dream to own a home is often quashed by the daunting task of paying for food, utilities, and life’s other obligations.

This is the scenario that tugs at your heart as Upa, a film released by BRIA Homes, depicts the story of a small Filipino family as they deal with the manifold problems of living in a rented room. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Chris Cahilig, with Lyka Bernal and Juan Carlo Tarobal as lead stars, Upa wields an important lesson as the couple’s troubles come to a head: sometimes, the hard knocks are life’s ‘wake up’ call.

Indeed, losing their rent money to theft and their dinner to freeloading kapitbahays are just two of the eye-openers that finally rouse the couple into action. Seeing their dear friend happily settled down in a beautiful BRIA home, husband and wife check out a family-friendly BRIA community—and like what they see: well-designed homes in a wholesome and secure environment that boasts modern amenities and facilities designed for its residents’ enjoyment.

The production team of Upa includes Lorraine Shaira Mae Intes for screenplay; Noel Teehankee for cinematography; Henry Ramirez for offline editing; Kenneth

Amparo for online editing; Richard Gonzales for scoring; Joe-Nico Ebora for coloring; and Kat Salinas for sound design.

The film was shot at BRIA Homes in San Pablo City, Laguna, showcasing an airy BRIA Home with sleek interiors and the different perks of living in a wholesome community such as its recreational and security amenities (basketball court, an eco-friendly park, CCTV cameras, guarded entrance and exits, and perimeter fences).

Other key features of BRIA developments are also highlighted in the film, like its proximity to schools, hospitals, churches, retail establishments, public transport options, and major roads and highways.

More importantly, BRIA’s winning formula—Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = a Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino—proves to viewers that ordinary Filipinos can purchase a home for as low as P1,897 per month, through bank financing and Pag-IBIG funding.

Upa affirms the lesson: why rent a tiny dwelling when, like the characters in the film, the family that moves into a beautiful BRIA home can be you?

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN BRIA Holdings, Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P200B. The fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, BRIA Homes is primed to bring affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into Bria’s homes.

To know more about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@ TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram.

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CCP vice president and artistic director Chris Millado presents the CCP’s 2020 performance season

CCP unveils lineup for 2020 performance season THE Cultural Center of the Philippines unveiled its 2020 performance season.

CCP vice president and artistic director Chris Millado presented the CCP’s year-long programming in a press conference held recently at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute.

CCP welcomes the new year with forthcoming productions from its resident companies - the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan Dance Company, UST Symphony Orchestra, National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Local and international outreach performance tours are likewise set for some of the resident companies throughout the year.

A University Theater Season is set in 2020 wherein select universitybased theater groups take to the CCP venues to showcase next-generation talent in their productions of original Filipino works, adaptations of classics and experimental work. The season of university theater productions ramps up to the 13th International University Theater Association’s (IUTA) Congress and Festival to be held in August.

International Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu leads a stellar international cast from Italy and Manila in the staging of the opera Lucia Di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti, the Italian-language libretto written

by Salvadore Cammarano based upon Sir Walter Scott’s historical novel The Bride of Lammermoor.

Ternocon II, a unique competition involving the young designers in a mentoring atelier workshop with established designers in a process that engages the history, technique, and construction of the classic Filipino terno, culminates in a grand fashion concert where the winners are announced.

Other events include concerts (Triple Threats), festivals (CCP Jazz Festival in Baguio City, Banda Rito Banda Roon: Symphonic Band and Clarinet, The Rainbow LGBTQI Arts; Festival of Arts and Ideas), plays (Tanghalang Pilipino’s Batang Mujahideen and LamAng, an Ethno-Epic Musical), a production of Senadala at Persyanus: Ang Bagong Mukha ng Moro by community-based theater organization Komedya ng Don Galo, and other productions.

Highlights of the 2020 CCP season calendar include the inauguration of the CCP’s newest venue Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), the first CCP Arts and Social Media Festival, Launching of Rare Digitized CCP Performances Collection of the CCP Library and Archives, and the Genesis Magazine Anniversary Edition, CCP Digital Time Capsule, Luces: Festival of Illuminations, CCP Arthouse Cinema screenings, Philippine Hip-Hop Dance Championship and the like.

The CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (EPA) will soon be available digitally in 2020 including a Digital Installation, Website launch, Mobile Application, and Offline Version as well.

There are also the CCP regular events such as the Pasinaya, considered the largest multi-arts festival in the country; the Virgin Labfest, the annual festival of raw, untested and unstaged one-act plays, followed by an Extra Virgin LabFest to be held in other regions; Cinemalaya, the largest independent film festival with the aim to support cinematic works by upcoming and veteran Filipino filmmakers.

Proud of its art education and outreach programs, the CCP continues to hold various training and workshops for national rondalla, national folk dance for teachers, choral groups, and summer dance, to name some.

Must-see exhibitions include the following: “1986 People Power Revolution - The aftermath from Cultural Center of the Philippines to Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas: The Center in the Midst of Change”, “Valerio Nofuente and Emmanuel Sanchez Collections: The Banned Library Materials During the Martial Law Era”, “Allegories And Realities Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi: In Retrospect”, Launching of the 21AM (21st Century Arts Museum), “1st of May: The Roles of Amado Vera Hernandez and Isabelo Florentino De Los Reyes in the History of the Labor Movement in the Struggle for Social Justice and Liberation”, Severino Rivera Reyes (1861-1942) “Father of the Tagalog Sarsuwela”, “Launch of the CCP Print Folio: 20/30 I & II: A Limited Edition Print Portfolios in Celebration of the 50th Year Anniversary of CCP”, Cinemalaya Eye Fix, among other shows.

For more information, please call CCP at 8832-1125 and visit www. culturalcenter.gov.ph.

Ben&Ben gives new flavor to Bread’s classic hit INDIE folk-pop band Ben&Ben lends their unique musicality for a touching rendition of the song “Make It With You,” which will be used as the official theme song of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s return to television in 2020.

Originally sung by American soft rock band Bread, “Make It With You” reflects on the freshness and beauty of finding someone that you want to be with despite the uncertainty of love. It also evokes hope of togetherness, of wanting to be with a special person through thick and thin.

The band members were obviously thrilled to announce the new project under Star Music, writing “ma, may

teleserye theme song na kami huhu,” on their Facebook page.

Ben&Ben rose to fame through popular hits such as “Kathang Isip,” “Leaves,” “Pagtingin” and “Maybe The Night.” Just recently, the nine-member group was also named as one of the most streamed artists on Spotify in the Philippines for 2019.

Meanwhile, the LizQuen-starrer series Make It With You is set for an early 2020 airing on ABS-CBN. The story revolves around an OFW working in Croatia—where some of the show’s scenes have been shot—and a young man finding joy in his life.

Top indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben

Entertainment

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

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019

THE WOMEN OF CULION.

Jasmine CurtisSmith, Meryll Soriano, and Iza Calzado grace MEGA magazine's period-themed photo series.

Kylie Minogue, 51, in 'Matesong,' a tourism campaign ad aimed at encouraging Britons to take a break in Australia.

Pop icon Kylie Minogue invites Brits Down Under

The passion of ‘CULION’

P

ERIOD drama Culion follows a long line of “passion projects” that have been released in 2019 and the previous years. And for talent manager and producer Shandii Bacolod, this project deserves to be seen by a wide audience.

“We are passionate about this film because it is a story that has never been told especially commercially,” Bacolod said in a previous interview.

Like a good “passion project,” Culion resonates beyond a good story. The big screen project is one of those movies where you can feel the personal touch of the people behind it.

“People should watch it because it is our story. Kwento ito ng mga Pinoy.

Kwento ito ng bansa natin. It is a “passion project” that started two years ago and our inclusion at MMFF is already a huge victory for the team,”Bacolod added.

Written by Ricky Lee and directed

by Alvin Yapan with cinematography

by Neil Daza, Culion follows the story of three best friends who are afflicted by a then incurable disease known as Leprosy or Hansen’s Disease. Set in 1940 Culion,

A scene from the period film shot entirely in Palawan.

a former leprosarium in Palawan that is now a flourishing municipality, the film recounts some of the historical island’s untold stories and hopes to deliver a very important message to us all.

Lead star Iza Calzado agrees that Culion is more than just a film project saying that it is a story of unity, hope, and love.

“Its theme is timeless. It’s a kind of story where after you watch it, you can think, or it could change your perspective in a positive way, in a better way,” she told reporters during a kickoff cast party held at the Christmas Village located at the Water Garden of Filinvest Festival Mall.

“When you believe in the material enough, you know also you’ll play a big part in it, and not just in front of the camera,” she added.

The kickoff cast party was in

partnership with Filinvest City Lights of Wonder. VIP Media and the general public were invited and enjoyed a miniprogram presented by the whole cast and production of the film.

Special games, media interviews, and cast engagement took place. This was culminated by the Christmas Light Show that served as a perfect backdrop for the event, which also included a Christmas Light Show with a magnificent 42-foot tree lit up at the Magical Christmas Village until Dec. 31.

For more information, visit www facebook.com/FilinvestCityOFCIAL Culion premiered on Christmas Day as an official entry to the 45th edition of Metro Manila Film Festival. It also stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Meryll Soriano, and Joem Bascon, with a special cameo of John Lloyd Cruz.

AUSTRALIA has launched a new tourism campaign starring singer Kylie Minogue aiming to attract British tourists fatigued by Brexit to escape on a laid-back Down Under holiday.

The three-minute advertisement, which premiered ahead of the queen’s televised Christmas Day address in Britain, begins with a primly dressed Minogue apparently at Sandringham, the monarch’s country home, before the set disappears to show the pop star on a beach of the same name in Australia.

London-based Minogue begins by singing “This year’s been tough and confusing, but progress is moving” before antipodean comedian Adam Hills jumps in with “Well,

at a glacial pace.”

“But all of Australia loves you, and we’ll never judge you,” the 51-year-old former Neighbours star continues.

The “Matesong” video later alludes to Brexit again with the lyrics “negotiating tricky trade deals is a shocker”.

Tourism Australia said the Aus$15 million ($10 million) campaign was its largest investment in the British market for more than a decade.

The ad—which also features world tennis number one Ashleigh Barty, Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe and ex-cricketer Shane Warne—is part of a three-year global Tourism Australia campaign worth Aus$38 million. AFP

Star Magic gives back GIFT-GIVING started early once again with the brightest Star Magic artists as Star Magic, marked the annual charity event Star Magic Gives Back.

Proving that the Yuletide Season is always better when you share your blessings and your heart, Star Magic has chosen four institutions this year with whom the artists shared their time, talent, laughter and gifts with.

The chosen institutions composed of families, orphaned kids and abandoned elderlies were Graces Home for the Elderly in Bago Bantay Quezon City, Paradise Farm Community in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan, and the Bantay Bata Children’s Village in Norzagaray Bulacan.

The happiness in the eyes of the kids at the Bantay Bata Children’s Village were incomparable as they spent quality time with Jane De Leon, Edward Barber, Maymay Entrata, Kirst Viray, Aya Fernandez, Patrick Quiroz, Chantal Videla, Glen Vargas, Margaux Montana, KD Estrada, Josh De Guzman, Raikko Mateo, JB Agustin, Marc Santiago, Chun Sa Jung, Lily Yulores, Sharlene San Pedro, Vivoree Esclito, Charles Kieron, Sophia Reola, Jordan Lim, and Gerald Anderson.

A fun yet heartfelt program and giftgiving event marked the elderlies’ day in Graces Home for the elderly as Enrique Gil, Inigo Pascual, Pokwang, Melai Cantiveros, Nikki Valdez, Matt Evans, Miko Raval, Henz Villaraiz, Mitoy Yonting, Alexa Macanan, Yong Muhajil, Pamu Pamorada, Neil Coleta, Zeppi Borromeo, Hannah Ledesma, Maika

Rivera, Yasmyne Suarez, AC Bonifacio, Jerome Ponce, Joshua Garcia, Loisa Andalio, Maris Racal, RK Bagatsing, Sue Ramirez, and Liza Soberano came to visit, as well as child stars, JJ Quilantang, Erika Clemente, Lance Lucido, CX Navarro, Hannah Lopez Vito, Bourne Luna, Omar Uddin, and Robbie Wachtel.

Finally, families in Paradise Farm Community had unique entertainment and fun games together with Star Magic Circle 2019’s Kyle Echarri, Javi Benitez, Arabella Del Rosario, Kendru Garcia, Melizza Jimenez, RA Lewis, Eisel Serrano, Sophie Reyes, Jeremiah Lisbo, Aiyana Waggoner, Gillian Vicencio and Belle Mariano, Ronnie Alonte, Francine Diaz, Jameson Blake, Zaijian Jaranilla, Jairus Aquino, Louise Abuel, Luke Alford, Krystal Brimner, Krystal Mejes, Bea Basa, Yesha Camile, Nhikzy Calma, James Graham, Marco Masa, Marcus Cabais, Elisia Parmisano, Alexia Javier, Gabby Nagayama, Martina Wassertheurer, Nathan Bulalacau, Erik Nicolas, and Nash Aguas.

Star Magic Gives Back 2019 wouldn’t have been possible if not for the generosity of the following sponsors: Asian Notebooks, Bioderm, Birch tree, Casino Alcohol, City Mall, Colgate, Creamsilk, Ellie palm oil, Ever Bilena, Faces & Curves, Garner Micellar, Gibi, Gluta-C, Grand Diapers and Fasclean from Megasoft, Guitar Apparel, Juan Life, Kopiko, Natasha, P&G, Palmolive, RC Cola, Refresh, Unilever, Adobo Connection, Chowking, Greenwich, Jollibee, Lugaw Republic, Mang Inasal, and Shakey’s.

Star Magic talents join together for a charity event

The cast of 'Culion' at the kickoff cast party held at Filinvest Festival Mall in Alabang.

Kyle Echarri and Francine Diaz join other stars in a charity event in Paradise Farm Community

Jane de Leon brings happiness to the kids at Bantay Bata Children’s Village in Bulacan.