Manila Standard - 2020 January 1 - Wednesday

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

Rody insists on face-off with Joma

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte mocked self-exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison over the latter’s purported difficulty in hearing, even as he renewed his invitation for a one-on-one talk.

In a speech Monday, President Duterte said he wants to ask his former professor

what he wants in exchange of ending the decades-long communist insurgency.

“We’re trying to have a talk. But what I want, I told Sison, ‘You come home and we will talk alone.’ Just the two of us. I don’t want a panel,” Duterte said.

“Sabi nila medyo bungol-bungol na daw. Ah, mas maganda ‘yan (They say he is hard of hearing. Ah, that’s better),” the President said.

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 321 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Better life, growth’ for Pinoys Palace sees exciting prospects in 2020 under maverick leader

By MJ Blancaflor

F

ILIPINOS should expect a better quality of life and an improved economy in 2020 under President Rodrigo Duterte’s “strong-willed maverick” and “incorruptible” leadership, the Palace said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the administration is optimistic that Filipinos would live comfortably this year.

“We feel it in our bones that there will be more productive and progressive changes to come as this administration led by this strong-willed maverick and incorruptible President charts the destiny of this nation beyond our wildest dreams,” Panelo said in his New Year message.

Panelo said the administration may face “greater challenges,” but he said there were also “exciting prospects for a better Philippines.”

“As we turn a new page in our history and face greater challenges and exciting prospects for a better Philippines, even as we learn from the lessons of the past, and draw inspirations from the changes that lifted us, we resolve to help one another in building a nation living in comfort, in peace and in progress,” the Palace official said.

That is the dream of the President and “we will be together in seeing that dream to fruition in all its splendor,” he added.

Results of recent Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia surveys showed that a majority of respondents are welcoming the new year with hope and positivity,

FINANCIAL AID. President

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Rodrigo Duterte leads the turnover of financial assistance worth P10 million to earthquake victims in Davao del Sur during the 60th founding anniversary of Cor Jesu College in Digos City on Monday.

Malacañang Photo

The President’s New Year message

THANKSGIVING PROCESSION. Thousands of Catholic devotees participate in the annual Thanksgiving procession with the image of the Black Nazarene in Manila on Tuesday. Thousands of barefoot devotees are expected to join the religious procession in the capital, starting New Year’s Eve and ending on Jan. 9, hoping to touch a centuries-old icon of Jesus Christ called the Black Nazarene, believed to have miraculous powers. AFP

Feast of Nazarene: Cops on full alert

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila police force will be on full alert during the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, on Jan. 9, officials said The National Capital Region Police Office is coordingting with the Armed Forces and local government officials to ensure peace and order during the Traslacion.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office said Tuesday it had

succeeded in shortening the duration of the Black Nazarene thanksgiving procession on Monday night following the implementation of a new security scheme.

“The NCRPO marked a safe and sound Black Nazarene thanksgiving procession which started at about 11:45 p.m.

Monday and ended at about 1:30 a.m.

Tuesday, as airtight security had been employed,” NCRPO acting chief Debold Sinas said in a statement.

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Fireworks injuries trigger call for ban AT LEAST 62 people have sustained injuries related to fireworks since Dec. 21, the Health department said Tuesday.

But that number is 63 percent lower than the five-year average of 169 cases recorded within the same period from 6 a.m. of Dec. 21 to 5:59 a.m. of Dec. 31.

Along with the department’s call on the public to skip firecrackers in their New Year celebration, Senator Win Gatchalian renewed his call to ban the sale and use

of firecrackers except for the authorized fireworks displays.

“Bagama’t naging bahagi na ng ating tradisyon ang pagpapaputok tuwing Bagong Taon, walang saysay ang pagpapanatili sa mga ito kung nalalagay naman sa panganib ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga kabataan,” Gatchalian said.

The fireworks victims were aged one Next page

AMPAW ENVELOPE.

One of lion dancers gets Tuesday the so-called ampaw envelope— called Hongbao in Mandarin and Lai See in Cantonese—in front of a stall along Binondo district in Manila as part of the New year tradition.

Lino Santos

I JOIN the entire Filipino nation and the global community in welcoming the New Year 2020. We celebrate this occasion with our loved ones, filled with gratitude for blessings received in the past and with much optimism for the wonderful possibilities ahead.

As this administration enters its fourth year, I am hopeful that all our policies and programs for the improved welfare of our citizens and the continued progress of the Philippines will be realized with the active participation of everyone. Let us begin

anew with a stronger commitment in our shared task of nation-building and ensure that all our development efforts will be made sustainable and inclusive.

While the New Year is indeed a time to reflect on lessons learned, it is also an opportune time to do better and aim higher.

With the guidance and grace of the Almighty and the enduring spirit of bayanihan and malasakit, I am confident that we will achieve a stronger and brighter future for our people.

DILG chief ‘ready’ for handler’s task INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said he is ready to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to supervise the Philippine National Police.

“The President is still searching for a permanent chief PNP and my job is to supervise the organization on his behalf as his alter ego, being the DILG secretary and chairman of National Police Commission [Napolcom]. I will do my job until the President chooses the next chief PNP,” Año said in a statement sent to reporters.

“I believe he has choices in his mind but he is closely watching the performance and conviction of these candidates, particularly on the fight against illegal drugs and professionalizing the PNP ranks,” he said.

The PNP is currently headed by Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa as officer in charge.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said Gamboa fully respects Next page

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NBI rules out sabotage over toxic ‘lambanog’

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday the National Bureau of Investigation has not found “any basis for a willful sabotage” in the lambanog poisoning incidents in Laguna and Quezon, but it is now identifying the people who could be held liable for other crimes.

He said the NBI already had a preliminary report on its probes on the lambanog or coconut wine-poisoning incidents that killed several people and hospitalized 300 others.

“The NBI did not find any basis for a willful sabotage angle, Guevarra said.

He said the investigation on the sabotage angle “pertains to the participation of persons other than the manufacturers or distillers of the liquor to willfully ruin the trade.”

But the NBI’s investigation is continuing to identify the people that could be held criminally liable for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, serious physical injuries.

“What the NBI has so far is a preliminary report. The NBI has to identify the culprits and charge them accordingly,” Guevarra said.

“The NBI is still in the process of identifying the manufacturers of the toxic liquor and preparing the appropriate charges against them.”

Guevarra said he expected the NBI to complete its investigation by January.

The NBI is basing its report on the information its agents gathered from the victims, those who were hospitalized, and the relatives of those who died after allegedly drinking lambanog.

The NBI said it did not find any third party who would deliberately attempt to ruin the business of lambanog makers.

The investigation showed that the victims consumed lambanog that was tested positive for methanol, a toxic substance that attacks the internal organs when ingested.

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posting 96 percent and 93 percent, respectively.

“As in previous years, all nations look forward for a better quality of life for them and an improved economy for their countries. We are no exception,” Panelo said.

He also expressed hopes that the remaining holidays be spent in energizing and strengthening physical and mental wellbeing to face the challenges that lie ahead.

“As we celebrate the new year with our loved ones, friends and acquaintances, the Palace and the President wish Filipinos all over the globe a healthy, joyous and prosperous New Year!” Panelo said.

In a speech Monday, President Duterte admitted that his presidency would be a “total failure” if he does not rid the country of illegal drugs, one of his campaign promises during the 2016 election.

“If we cannot control the flow of drugs, then I will consider my presidency a total failure. So I don’t want that to happen. Do not do it,” the President said Monday in a speech in Davao del Sur. Duterte, whose anti-narcotics crackdown claimed the lives of more than 5,000 drug suspects, said the drug menace is “big problem” that threatens families.

“I’m trying to save the next generation.

I’m not saying I’m the savior but I’m the president now. If I fail to control drugs by the time the graduating college students become fathers or mothers, they would have a problem,” Duterte said.

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Cory sought UK asylum amid EDSA B RITISH Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher granted Corazon Aquino’s request for asylum at the height of the uprising that swept her to power in the Philippines, according to newly declassified files released on Tuesday.

Aquino headed the four-day 1986 People Power Revolution that ended the 21-year rule of totalitarian President Ferdinand Marcos.

He had declared victory in a snap election tainted by fraud allegations.

During the turmoil, Aquino sought sanctuary in the British embassy or the ambassador’s residence in Manila, files released by Britain’s National Archives indicated.

ANXIETY BEHIND SMILE. In this file photo taken on Jan. 26, 1988, Corazon Aquino, swept to presidential power by a bloodless EDSA Revolution (center), outgoing Armed Forces chief Gen. Fidel Ramos (left) and new AFP chief Gen. Renato de Villa (right) attend the turnover rites on June 26 at the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher granted Aquino’s request for asylum at the height of the uprising that swept her to power, according to newly declassified files released on Dec. 31, 2019. AFP

Christmas typhoon death toll hits 50; 5 still missing THE number of people killed by a powerful storm that pummeled the Visayas over Christmas has risen to 50, authorities said Tuesday, making it the nation’s deadliest storm of 2019.

Typhoon “Phanfone’s” destructive winds and heavy rain brought down flimsy homes and destroyed commercial buildings mainly in the Visayas, affecting more than two million people.

At least 80,000 remain in emergency

shelters and might have to stay until the New Year, given the scale of destruction.

“We’re sad that some of our countrymen are still in evacuation centers, but we assure them they will continue to receive support until they get back on their feet,” national disaster agency spokesman Mark Timbal told AFP. Five people are still missing after the storm, which also left 143 injured.

The death toll―up from 41 on Sunday―included three sailors who died after their vessel capsized, a policeman electrocuted by a toppled post, and a man struck by a falling tree.

Typhoon “Phanfone”, locally called “Ursula”, was the 21st cyclone this year to hit the storm-prone Philippines.

Many of the storms wipe out harvests, homes and infrastructure, keeping millions of people in perpetual poverty. AFP

During the campaign, he vowed to put an end to drug trafficking within the first six months of his term. Last April, however, he admitted that the drug trade even worsened despite his tough stance on illegal drugs.

“You can read it every day, even in the crawler of the TV networks. There are billions worth of drugs. Before, it was only thousands. Drugs, I cannot control, son of a bitch, even if I ordered the deaths of these idiots,” Duterte said during a campaign rally for the midterm elections.

Duterte also said he had underestimated the extent of the problem.

His brutal campaign against drugs has been criticized by both local and foreign human rights groups due to reported police abuses, an allegation that has been denied by the Palace and the Philippine National Police.

In his speech, Duterte also renewed his threat against politicians and policemen involved in the drug trade.

“I am warning you again, be it the police, the mayors or the barangay captains: You will die. If you get involved in drugs, there is no other way to deal with you, except to kill you,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President justified the recent salary hike of military officers and policemen in 2018, saying the government needs people who are not afraid to die for the state’s security and order.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of complaints about why I doubled the salary of police, while teachers have yet to receive it. This country is a troubled land. I need soldiers and policemen, who are not afraid to die,” he said.

Police officers and soldiers deserve a good compensation for their service, Duterte added.

Duterte, however, did not say when public school teachers will receive a pay hike.

At the start of 2019, Duterte promised to increase the salaries of public school teachers.

On Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the administration expects to meet its goals of improving infrastructure in 2010 and in the succeeding years.

Nograles said the government has made “substantial gains” this year when it comes to implementing infrastructure projects.

“We are already experiencing some of the effects of Duterte governance: reduced poverty, higher wages, and low unemployment rates. But our job is not finished yet, and we expect even more positive metrics as more and more of the government’s infrastructure projects are completed,” he said in a statement.

“Government infrastructure accomplishments under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte will be felt in 2020 and beyond—a reflection of the President’s commitment to implement programs and projects that will improve the lives of Filipinos for years to come,” he added.

Nograles said he believed that improvements in several key infrastructure in 2019 will have a “tremendous positive impact” on the current administration’s efforts to meet the primary objective of the Philippine Development Plan 2017 to 2022.

He also expressed confidence that the PDP 2017 to 2022, a blueprint aimed at boosting the Philippine economy, will bring a “stable, prosperous, and peaceful life for all.”

Nograles noted that so far, the Department of Public Works and Highways was able to construct and rehabilitate around 9,845 kilometers of roads, 2,709 bridges, 4,536 flood mitigation structures, and 120,895 classrooms.

“This improved road infrastructure will allow for the faster and more efficient movement of people and goods around different parts of the country, lowering the costs of transportation and, consequently, the costs of commodities in the market,” he said.

Duterte will maximize the use of his “available” powers to ensure the full and effective implementation of his administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, Panelo had said in November.

Around P9 trillion has been earmarked for the implementation of around 100 flagship infrastructure projects and over 10,000 small infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

About 38 out of the revised list of 100 key infrastructure projects are expected to be completed by 2022, while 22 will be “partially operational or substantially completed” and the remaining 40 would be finished “beyond 2022.”

The 35 big-ticket infrastructure projects are ongoing, 32 will commence construction in the next six to eight months, 21 are in the advanced stages of government approval, and 12 in the advanced stages of a feasibility study. With PNA

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and supports the decision of the President designating Año to supervise the PNP for the meantime.

“As Napolcom chairman, Secretary Año is in the top hierarchy of the PNP chain of command and is in the best position to cascade the strategic direction of the Commander-in-Chief upon the PNP. We will now await further guidance and instructions from Secretary Año and we will give him our full support,” Banac told reporters when sought for a comment.

Duterte admitted he is still having trouble deciding on who to appoint as next PNP chief lamenting that the police force in Manila remained “problematic.”

He also warned police and local politicians involved in the illegal drug trade and corruption they would face the worst type of punishment if caught.

“If you enter the illegal drug trade, there is no other way to deal with you except to kill you,” Duterte said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Duterte earlier said it was not enough to be recommended with a list of contenders for the next PNP chief because he was expecting a “better deal.”

Banac said the police force can still function despite having only an officer-in-charge.

However, he said the PNP needs a permanent chief next year as Gamboa, being only an OIC, cannot approve the disbursement of funds for projects and procurement of equipment. PNA

to 71, and most of them―51 or 82 percent―were male. The blast or burn injuries comprised 47 or 76 percent of the cases, and 16 of them sustained eye injuries.

In two cases, the victims’ injuries required amputation.

The victims were from Metro Manila (27), the Ilocos Region (8), Cagayan Valley (4), Central Luzon (1), Calabarzon (4), Bicol (4), Mimaropa (1), Western Visayas (3), Central Visayas (6), Davao (1) and Soccsksargen (3) based on the reports from 50 of the 61 hospitals on the department’s watch list.

Nearly half of the cases of injuries (29) were caused by illegal firecrackers, the department said. The top fireworks involved were, in order, Piccolo, Boga, Kwitis, 5-star, and Luces.

Piccolo and Boga are among the firecrackers banned by the Philippine National Police.

The PNP earlier warned that its officers will be patrolling areas where fireworks are sold, and will be looking out for illegal firecrackers.

The following are the firecrackers declared illegal by the government: Piccolo, Watusi, Giant Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, Large Judas Belt, Super Lolo, Lolo Thunder, Atomic Bomb, Atomic Bomb Triangulo, Pillbox, Boga, Kwiton, Goodbye Earth, Goodbye Bading, Hello Colombia, Goodbye Philippines.

The manufacture, sale, distribution or use of illegal fireworks is punishable by imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of P20,000 to P30,000. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sinas said around 10,000 police officers of the NCRPO together with the Joint Task Force NCR, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, Task Force Quiapo and other force multipliers were fielded to maintain peace and order throughout the procession.

Southern Police District Chief Nolasco Bathan also assured the full support of his team in the traditional religious event in the capital.

“This coming Traslacion 2020 will be supported by policemen and the police force will be augmented within the NCRPO to work hand in hand in securing and maintaining peace and order, Bathan said in a statement Tuesday.

The NCRPO team led by Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas participated in the Thanksgiving Procession held at 12 midnight on Monday. Sinas was joined by his Command Group, District Staffs and augmented personnel from SPD Police Stations.

“General Sinas led the whole NCRPO Police Force in securing this significant activity. It also gives the opportunity to the police force to assess and formulate different strategies in securing this momentous event, Bathan said.

The SPD will deploy at least 1,000 uniformed policemen to help secure the event. With PNA

But Britain’s protection was ultimately not needed as Marcos stepped down the following day and the Aquino government was officially recognized.

The asylum request was in a Downing Street file on Britain’s relations with the Philippines spanning from 1981 to 1995.

On the evening of Feb. 24, 1986, Foreign Office diplomat Len Appleyard wrote to Charles Powell, Thatcher’s private secretary for foreign affairs.

He said Aquino had asked whether Britain would be prepared to offer sanctuary in the British embassy or residence at 8:00 a.m. local time the following morning midnight in Britain.

Appleyard said Aquino had rejected sanctuary with the Americans and the Japanese but turned to the British “because they are ‘friendly and reliable’.”

It was thought the request was a contingency in case the situation turned ugly.

Appleyard said Aquino had widespread support and was “almost certainly deprived of the presidency by fraud,” while the move would ensure warm relations with the likely next government.

But Britain feared it could not effectively guarantee her safety and the ambassador’s residence would be “impossible to defend” against government forces.

The residence would become the focus for “massive demonstrations of support” by her backers and opponents alike, with the risk of armed clashes, Appleyard wrote.

Aquino would in effect try to conduct a provisional government from the residence and therefore Britain would be involved in the country’s internal politics.

Britain’s foreign minister at the time, Geoffrey Howe, considered any offer of sanctuary as an “illusory gesture” which could drag Britain into Philippine internal affairs.

But Powell swiftly replied later that evening, with Thatcher’s approval “to offer such refuge as we have”, but warned: “For obvious reasons we cannot guarantee Mrs. Aquino’s safety.

“But we would not deny her what refuge we can offer if, on reflection she maintains her request.”

Ultimately, Marcos quit at around 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 25. AFP

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Sison earlier rejected Duterte’s invitation to hold peace talks in the Philippines, citing security risks, but expressed willingness to meet the President in a neutral venue near the country.

He also said the Royal Norwegian Government, as third party facilitator, should help in securing the necessary political, legal and security guarantees.

In his speech, Duterte also slammed the communist rebels, calling them “plain bandits.”

“They are just plain bandits. There’s no ideology left. They collect from farm enterprises, burn trucks—it does not really make any sense,” he said.

Rebels have been losing supporters because many have already surrendered, Duterte said, echoing the military line.

The President said he had rendered the communist insurgency irrelevant with the distribution of some 180,000 hectares of land to farmers under the government’s agrarian reform program.

He also urged members of the New People’s Army to surrender to the government and reintegrate into mainstream society.

“I hope that the communists here will join the government. The government has funds and if you come down from the mountains, I’ll give you a condo,” he said.

Senator Christopher Go, a close aide of the President, renewed his appeal to the rebels to show sincerity in peace negotiations.

Go said he was addressing his plea to the organized Left and to the Moro fronts as he urged them to work for peace with the government.

“I want peace, especially in Mindanao, with the Moro rebels, and with the Left. The President also wants long lasting peace,” he said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

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DFA condemns death of OFW in Kuwait

By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

T

HE Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday demanded justice for the death of a Filipino migrant worker who was allegedly killed by her employer’s wife in Kuwait.

In a statement, the DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. conveyed to Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh the condemnation by the Philippine government of the killing of the Filipina victim who was identified by labor officials as Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende, who was allegedly beaten to death by her employer’s wife.

“She [employer] bashed her head. So I want the head of the employer’s wife who murdered their Filipina maid,”

Locsin said, on his Twitter account.

Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Salem Al Thuwaikh has been summoned to the DFA yesterday to express the government’s outrage over the death of a Filipino domestic helper allegedly by her employer’s wife.

“The friendship between your country which gives our people the jobs they cannot find at home and our people whose faithful service make the life of your people easier depends on justice being done the murdered maid,”

Locsin was quoted as telling the Kuwaiti ambassador.

“An eye for an eye, a life for a life.”

“I beg you give her justice. We will go after the Filipino recruiters and government officials who put her in harm’s way,” he said in a DFA statement.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment condemned the reported death of another Filipino worker in Kuwait.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Philippine government is offended over Villapende’s killing.

“The Labor Department is deeply saddened and outraged over the violent death of Filipino worker Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende in the hands of her Kuwaiti employer,” he said in a statement.

“The case is a clear violation of the agreement signed by both Kuwait and the Philippines in 2018 that seeks to uphold and promote the protection of the rights

and welfare of our workers in the Gulf state,” the DOLE chief added.

At the same time, Bello urged for the immediate resolution of the death of the household service worker .

“The Department looks forward to the swift resolution of the case and that justice will be served to Villavende and her family,” he said.

The DOLE head also assured that assistance will be provided to the family of the Filipino worker.

“The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will provide burial and livelihood assistance, as well as scholarship to the family members of Villavende,” he added.

Villavende’s death happened while there is an existing memorandum of agreement between Manila and Kuwait City involving the welfare and safety of OFWs signed in 2018.

In February last year, President Rodrigo

Duterte ordered the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to impose a four-month total deployment ban to Kuwait due to the continued abuses and maltreatment of OFWs there, particularly the killing of Joanna Demafelis.

The ban was later lifted as the Philippine and Kuwaiti governments entered into an agreement on the deployment and protection of OFWs in the Gulf state.

In a separate statement, the DOLE, said it condoles with the families of the two Filipinos who died in the car accident at the Lucky Plaza Mall in Singapore on Sunday which also left four other Filipinos injured.

Meanwhile, labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Tuesday said that the agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait governments to protect Filipino workers is not working, following the death of another domestic Filipino worker in that country.

CJ seeks full implementation of judicial reforms in 2020

By Rey E. Requejo

LECHON CAPITAL. People rush to order or buy lechon (roasted pork) in Laloma in Quezon City, considered as the lechon capital of the Philippines in time for the New Year’s Eve celebration welcoming Year 2020. Lino Santos

Du30 not threatening SC on dam projects—DOJ THE Department of Justice on Tuesday clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte is not threatening the judiciary when the Chief Executive warned court judges against issuance of temporary restraining order to stop the construction of the Kaliwa Dam and Wawa Dam projects, which he earlier approved to end the water supply problems in Metro Manila.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra explained that President Duterte was not threatening the judiciary or supressing the rights of parties to seek redress from courts.

“No. The president knows that the judiciary is independent of the executive branch. he was merely expressing, in his own usual tough style, a personal sentiment and hope that the courts will not obstruct the pursuit of major development projects,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Guevarra recalled that there is an existing law that prohibits all courts, except the Supreme court, from issuing restraining orders/preliminary injunctions against national government infrastructure projects.

The DOJ chief was referring to Republic Act 8975, entitled “An act to ensure the expeditious implementation and completion of government’s infrastructure projects by prohibiting lower courts from issuing TROs, preliminary [prohibitory] injunctions, and preliminary mandatory injunctions.”

“That law is still in effect and provides the legal basis for the President’s recent statement on the Kaliwa and Wawa dam projects,” Guevarra said. Rey E. Requejo

More benefits due to gov’t workers— solon

By Rio N. Araja

FOR LUCK. A street vendor in Bindo, ManiRla sells assorted round-shaped fruits which cost from P50 to P100 each for consumers who consider them symbols of good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Lino Santos

US senator hits Du30 for ‘visa’ threat

By MJ Blancaflor UNITED States Senator Richard Dublin said on Tuesday that the Duterte administration should release Senator de Lima instead of threatening its longtime allies by restricting entry of American citizens to the Philippines.

Dublin issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte issued an order barring Durbin and another US Senator, Patrick Leahy, from entering the country and threatened to require all US citizens to secure visas before entering the country.

It was Dublin and Leahy who proposed that the US prevent Filipino officials linked to the “wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima.

“The Duterte administration should

stop threatening the travel of these Filipino Americans and so many others who travel between our nations and instead release Senator De Lima or assure a quick and credible trial,” Durbin said in a statement.

Durbin described Duterte’s order as a “strong arm tactic” that “is an insult to the Filipino American community and the country’s democracy.”

Durbin and Leahy, introduced a provision in the US’ 2020 fiscal federal budget bill stating that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shall apply subsection (prohibition on entry) to foreign government officials about whom he “has credible information have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima.

ILIGAN City Rep. Frederick Siao has vowed to look into more benefits for government workers.

“Among the top priorities for the first half of 2020 are the bills on the professions, contractuals, civil service eligibility and qualifications, necessary leaves and service credits, and civil servants’ efficiency and integrity,” he said.

Siao is the House committee on civil service and professional regulation chairperson.

He said he would also keep a watchful eye on the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business or the AntiRed Tape Law. “We must have in 2020 some major cities and towns online and fullyfunctional as part of the one-stop-shop system and database.

Initial implementation must be rolled out well and fast,” he said.

“Our working target in the House committee on civil service is to complete work on at least one-third of the pending 142 measures in the committee by end of this current session in June,” he added.

Sia is also the author of House Bill 5728 which seeks to grant automatic civil service professional eligibility and career paths to athletes, their coaches, trainors, and management team, who achieve podium finish or set new competition records in international sports competitions.

He said that the next one-third is the goal for July to December, while the last chunk is for 2021.

“We will have several technical working groups working in parallel so we can get more work done in the limited time available to us. Each TWG will be conducting the necessary consultations and hearings in January

CHIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta on Tuesday expressed confidence for a full implementation of his 10-point judicial reform programs aimed at “providing swift, efficient, fair and responsive justice for all Filipinos” in the year 2020.

In his New Year’s message, Peralta said he is looking forward for the year 2020 for the attainment of his reform programs for the judiciary.

“Since I took over the helm of the judiciary two months ago as its 26th Chief Justice, I cannot help but feel encouraged and hopeful that the reforms I have presented for the Judiciary will soon gain traction in the New Year to come,” said Peralta, who has been appointed as 26th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court last Oct. 23 following the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin.

“These reforms are geared towards providing swift, efficient, fair, and responsive justice for all Filipinos regardless of stature,” he stressed.

The top magistrate admitted that in order for these initiatives to succeed, they would need the active participation of everyone in the Judiciary as well as the support of the Filipino people.

“I am therefore one with you all in prayer for a brighter and better Philippines; one which is governed peacefully under the Rule of Law,” he said.

Upon his assumption as chief justice, Peralta laid down his 10-point reform program intended to further strengthen the judiciary, including the creation of a security team patterned after the United States Marshal Service to provide security and protection justices and judges in the country.

Peralta also urged his colleagues, officials and employees of to unite and strictly follow the rule of law.

“I have other numerous plans for the judiciary especially as regards the strengthening of employees’ sense of self-worth so that each employee in the judiciary will take pride in saying that he/she is a public servant in the judiciary,” Peralta said.

The 67-year-old top magistrate said one of his concerns is the numerous incidents of killings involving justices and judges whom he said can be addressed by creating a security team patterned after the United States Marshal Service.

“We hope that we can devise a system either thru legislation or thru court initiative, the creation of security system patterned after the US Marshals,” Peralta said.

The US Marshals Service’s Judicial Security Division protects the judicial process by protecting their federal judges, jurors and other members of the judiciary.

One of the programs of the JDS is the National Center for Judicial Security and one of its functions is provide protection of the judicial family.

Reports showed that since year 1999, there have been 30 judges killed.

Peralta, who was appointed by President Duterte as the 26th SC Chief Justice last Oct. 23, promised to be a public servant who would lead by example.

Peralta, who is a known advocate of speedy disposition of cases in the judiciary, said the SC and all other courts should work toward the elimination of their case backlogs.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Economy grows despite slowdown FOR my yearender, allow me to quote verbatim the Dec. 18, 2019 yearend report of Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia: I am delighted that we will be closing this year upbeat in retrospect and optimistic looking forward.

Here is the Economic Planning Secretary in his own words.

Still fresh in our minds is the successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, where our country was crowned as the overall champion, garnering 149 gold medals, 117 silver medals, and 121 bronzes.

This just goes to show how much Filipinos can flourish and further blaze trails when they are given sufficient moral and financial support. This is exactly what the country’s long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040, aims to do, and I believe that we have made significant progress in making this a reality for every Filipino.

The economy has continued to grow this year despite its initial slowdown in the first two quarters and the obstacles that were thrown its way—from the El Niño phenomenon that resulted in water shortages, the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, to the US-China trade war, among other things.

The Philippines stayed as one of the best-performing economies in Asia posting a 6.2 percent growth in the

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

third quarter this. We are the second fastest growing major economy after Vietnam—ahead of China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

In the first three quarters of 2019, we recorded a 5.8-percent growth rate, which is just slightly below the lower-end of the 6.0-6.5 percent fullyear growth rate for 2019. This is backed by the robust growth in public spending, buoyant consumption spending amid the easing of inflation.

More importantly, growth has been more inclusive, as we were able to lift more Filipinos out of poverty in 2018 when population poverty incidence dropped to 16.6 percent of the population from 23.3 percent in 2015.

The number of poor Filipinos— or the magnitude of poverty—went down from 23.5-million Filipinos in 2015 to 17.6-million Filipinos in 2018. This means that we have lifted 5.9-million Filipinos from poverty between 2015 and 2018.

Prices, which are a major concern of ordinary Filipinos, have remained stable. Year-to-date headline inflation for 2019 stands at 2.5 percent, mainly driven by lower prices of food, primarily for and corn, relative to the previous year's level. In the case of non-food items, the decline in global oil prices resulted in price rollbacks for domestic petroleum products.

In terms of employment, another major concern among Filipinos is our labor market which remains strong with more and better quality jobs being created in the past three years. In fact, as of October 2019 Labor Force Survey, the country’s employment rate rose to 95.5 percent of the labor force, the highest in all previous October rounds of the Labor Force Survey in the last ten years. Our unemployment rate dropped from 5.1 percent

To be discerning

O

VER the past week, many users of Facebook Messenger received what looked to be a link coming from their “friends.” The link purported to be a holiday greeting that said: “I am send you a surprise message. Open this.”

Eventually there circulated an announcement that the greeting, which came from one of several different sites, was malicious, and could compromise the digital security of anyone who opened it.

As a result, all those who clicked on the link were told to change passwords for their email and social media accounts, as well as their banking credentials.

This is not the first time this has

happened. Hackers use all kinds of schemes designed to make unsuspecting people open an attachment or click on a link, so that their personal information and passwords can be stolen.

Being unsuspecting also comes in the form of believing and passing along fake news, even as ample warning has been given to check the source, the date, and generally test the article for authenticity. For a people spending so much time on social

media, Filipinos still can take many things at face value.

As 2020 comes, it’s a good aim to become more careful in whatever we see, hear and read. Sometimes, our folly could compromise our personal digital security; sometimes, it leads us to confuse and confound others.

This virtue, becoming more important in this age where there is a deluge of information, will also help us look at our political choices critically and see leaders and candidates for who they are instead of the persona they want us to see.

There are many good things to hope for in this new year, but Filipinos could best benefit from being less gullible and more discerning.

Turn to A5

China took their parents: The Uighur refugee children of Turkey

By Eric Randolph THE school on the outskirts of Istanbul is a rare place where Uighur child refugees from China can study their language and culture.

But for several, it has also become an impromptu orphanage.

Having fled a worsening crackdown on Uighur Muslims in northwest China, some of their parents thought it was still safe to return occasionally for business and to visit family, only to disappear into a shadowy network of re-education camps from which no communication is permitted.

Out of just over a hundred pupils at the school, 26 have lost one parent to the camps, seven have lost both, says its head Habibullah Kuseni.

Nine-year-old Fatima has only vague memories of her homeland—and now, of her father, too.

She remembers watching television with him: she wanted cartoons, but he liked watching the news especially about Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of the only leaders in the Muslim world willing to stand up for the Uighurs and risk China's wrath.

Her father flew back to China from time to time for business before anyone knew about the camps in the Xinjiang region.

"And then he was gone," she says, tears streaming down her face.

"I thought he would come back, but he never did."

No one has heard from him in three years.

Exiled Uighur activists in November released evidence of nearly 500 camps and prisons being used against their ethnic group in China, saying the overall number of inmates could be "far greater" than the one million usually cited.

When news of the camps first emerged in 2017, Beijing initially denied their existence.

Later, it claimed they were "voluntary" vocational centres aimed at combating extremism by teaching people Mandarin and job skills.

But leaked internal documents have shown they are run like prisons, while critics say they are aimed at eradicating local culture and religion of Uighurs and other, mostly Muslim, minorities.

Don't worry about us With some 50,000 Uighur refugees in Turkey, there are many more children like Fatima or even worse off.

Tursunay, 15, hasn't seen or spoken to either of her parents since July 2017.

"Don't worry about us," they said, in their last phone call on a trip back to China.

They said it was strange their passports had been confiscated but were sure it would be resolved soon.

Then, silence.

Tursunay remembers her life in China.

She recalls asking: "Why are they watching us, papa?" when cameras were installed at the entrance to their apartment.

It's because we are Muslims, her father said.

He burned their collection of religious CDs. Tursunay has just her little sister now and an older friend they met on the refugee trail who looks after them.

All forms of communication with every family member in China have been cut.

She longs for her parents so much— even just a brief message—that she says she must fight the urge to be angry with them for disappearing.

"I try to stay optimistic and remember that it's not my parents who have done this to me," she says.

Many children inside Xinjiang are also reportedly without parents.

Human Rights Watch said in Turn to A5

Kenya tea producers turn over a new leaf as prices stumble

By Nick Perry IN A humming factory in Kenya's highlands, tea is hand-plucked from the fields, cured and shredded into the fine leaves that have sated drinkers from London to Lahore for generations.

But Kenya's prized black tea isn't fetching the prices it once did, forcing the top supplier of the world's most popular drink to try something new.

In the bucolic hills around Nyeri, factory workers are experimenting with a range of boutique teas, deviating from decades of tradition in the quest for new customers and a buffer against unstable prices.

Like the bulk of Kenya's producers, they've been manufacturing one way for decades—the crush, tear and curl (CTC) method, turning out ultra-fine leaves well suited for teabags the world over.

Now however, between conveyor belts whizzing tonnes of Kenya's mainstay CTC into heaving sacks, huge rollers also gently and slowly massage green leaves under the watchful eye of workers, all freshly trained in the art of what is known as orthodox tea production.

The end result—a whole leaf, slow-processed variety, savored for its complex tones and appearance —is still being perfected at Gitugi, a factory in the foothills of the Ab-

erdare Range that has been trialing these teas since June.

It has been costly shifting into orthodox, and a cultural change for workers and farmers, said Antony Naftali, operations manager at Gitugi, in Nyeri some 85 kilometers (52 miles) north of Nairobi.

But the risk was necessary: prices for stalwart CTC at auction nosedived 21 percent in 2018-2019 compared to the prior financial year, underscoring the urgency to diversify and extract more from every tea bush.

"We have relied for so many years on traditional CTC. But the price has dropped. We want to reduce the pressure... but also, to explore this new market," Naftali told AFP. Market turmoil Even since prices have recovered somewhat, any fluctuations are still keenly felt in Kenya, the world's biggest exporter of CTC. Tea is a staple drink in Kenya, though, unlike other major producing countries, it consumes far less than it exports.

The humble cuppa is a pillar of the economy: one in 10 Kenyans depends on the tea industry, according to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), which represents 650,000 smallholder farmers by selling and marketing their tea.

The poor returns this year sparked

angry protests on estates, and tea companies registered losses.

Part of the problem is oversupply.

Higher prices in recent years spurred investment in tea planting, resulting in Kenya's best-ever haul in 2018—at 493 million kilos (1,086 pounds).

But Kenya also has long relied on too few buyers, shipping 70 percent of its tea to just four markets.

Its top three customers—Pakistan, Egypt and Britain—have all seen a weakening of their currencies in recent times, making tea imports pricey.

Other big buyers—Iran, Sudan and Yemen, chief among them—have struggled to make payments.

"Our key markets are in turmoil," Lerionka Tiampati, KTDA chief executive, told AFP. "When you cannot control the price, then there's not very much you can do. But what we are doing is we are trying to diversify the product."

Reading the leaves Orthodox production opens doors to markets where whole leaf, bespoke teas and custom infusions are rewarded with higher prices, says Grace Mogambi, KTDA's manager of specialty products, who has travelled the globe to learn what drinkers want.

Studying samples in Gitugi's cupTurn to A5

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Opinion Panama marks 20 years in charge of canal, faces climate threat

By Juan José Rodríguez PANAMA on Tuesday marks two decades of control over the vital interoceanic Canal following its return by the United States, but worries over weak traffic and climate change loom.

On December 31, 1999 at midday sharp, then-president Mireya Moscoso hoisted Panama's red, blue and white flag over the Canal administration building for the first time.

The entire Central American nation was swept with joy, having finally received sovereignty over the Canal after 85 years of management by the US, which built and inaugurated the ocean route in August 1914.

Twenty years later, recurrent droughts caused by climate change are the main threat to the 80 kilometer-long canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through which mostly American, Chinese and Japanese merchant ships pass.

"The impact of climate change is quite evident on the Panama Canal," warned its administrator Ricaurte Vasquez.

A historic deficit of rainfall has lowered the water level in the lakes which supply the Canal and the "challenge is now to find the solution to this lack of water for the next 50 years," he explained.

Future uncertain According to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), the rainfall deficit reached 27 percent in 2019 compared to the average.

In addition, the temperature of Gatun Lake, the main tributary of the Canal, has increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius over the past ten years, which causes significant loss of water by evaporation.

That has meant the Canal only had three billion cubic meters of water this year, instead of the 5.2 billion cubic meters needed for its normal operation.

"Climate change is already hitting us. For me, this is the main threat hanging over the Canal," former administrator Jorge Quijano told AFP.

China...

From A4

September that Chinese authorities have housed "countless" children whose parents are detained or in exile in state-run child welfare institutions and boarding schools without parental consent or access.

Cries of our brothers Many Turks feel historic bonds with the Uighurs, either as fellow Muslims or as part of the same Turkic-speaking ethnic group.

Back-to-back rallies were held in December in Istanbul, one by Islamists and another by ultra-nationalists.

"Haven't the cries of our brothers from East Turkestan reached you?" said Musa Bayoglu during one outside the Chinese consulate, using Uighur activists' preferred name for their region which is strictly outlawed

by China.

"Haven't the screams of our sisters passed through the walls of your palaces?"

Earlier this year, Turkey's foreign ministry called China's crackdown on Uighurs "a great embarrassment for humanity" but since then has been largely silent on the issue.

When Erdogan spoke at the UN General Assembly in September, he reeled off a list of Muslim groups facing persecution, from Palestinians to Myanmar's Rohingyas. Uighurs were notably absent.

Many fear he is bending to Chinese economic pressure, though Uighurs in Turkey remain hugely grateful for the asylum the country has offered.

"They are providing 50,000 Uighurs a peaceful place to live," said one Uighur activist in Istanbul.

"No other Muslim country did that, no Western country did that."

Kenya...

From A4

ping room, Mogambi reels off the qualities desired by discerning tea drinkers: Russians like whole leaves, Germans prize tips, Saudis demand jet black and Sri Lankans dislike stalks.

"Consumer taste preferences are

To remedy the situation, Panama is studying the possibility of finding other freshwater resources for the Canal, such as pumping or desalinating seawater, or even building reservoirs.

But these are costly and complicated solutions that could cut into the Canal's contributions to Panama's finances— nearly $1.8 billion in 2019.

Meanwhile, Canal authorities fear shipowners will prefer other sea routes that avoid the Central American isthmus, such as the Suez Canal, which, according to the ACP, has lowered its rights of passage by 60 percent.

In addition, global warming, by melting the polar ice, could open "especially in the north, new competitive maritime routes," Felipe Chapman, associate director of the economic consultancy Indesa, told AFP. Commercial traffic falls The Canal was widened in 2016 and is used mainly to link Asia to the east coast of the United States, but is also suffering from a decrease in commercial traffic as the global economy slows.

This danger is obviously "out of Panama's control, and stems from the consolidation of the Asian economies, especially China," Horacio Estribi, an advisor to the Panamanian economy minister, told AFP. Until recently, a little less than five percent of world trade transited through Panama, but this figure has fallen to 3.5 percent, according to the Canal's administrator.

The Canal nevertheless did record business in fiscal year 2019 with about $3.37 billion generated from tolls, services and the sale of electricity from its dams, along with 450.7 million tons of goods passing through.

But the center of gravity of world trade traffic has shifted to Asia and Europe, according to the Canal Authority.

"You have to see how the standoff over trade between the United States and China ends," said Quijano, who further warned, "As production moves further west from Asia, the route through Panama becomes less attractive." AFP

We will take it back The leaked internal documents detailed how Beijing runs the camps.

They included instructions that inmates should be cut off from the outside world and monitored at all times— including toilet breaks—to prevent escapes.

They also indicated that people should be held for at least a year, and released only after being assessed for "ideological transformation, study and training, and compliance with discipline."

At the Uighur school in Istanbul, such stories take a toll.

"I still want to listen to the news, but when I hear about it, I feel bad, uneasy; my stomach aches," says Rufine, 12, who wants to be a teacher or a doctor when she's older.

Her mother disappeared two years ago when she went back to look after Rufine's sick grandmother.

Kuseni, the headteacher, laughs when asked what items in the school would be illegal in China.

"Just coming on holiday to a Muslim country like Turkey would be enough to send you to a camp," he says.

"As for this stuff...," he points at the East Turkestan flag and the Uighur Arabic script on the wall, and makes a cutting motion across his throat.

"The Uighurs are facing extinction," adds 39-year-old teacher Mahmut Utfi.

"Our culture, our language. I see my job as a duty."

For Fatima, the repression has only made her more defiant.

Tears still streaming, her voice cracking, she has a fierce message for the Chinese government: "I would tell them: just wait a bit. You think we're weak, but you'll see. Our nation, our motherland will survive, you won't be able to stop it.

"Because they took it from us, we will have to take it back," she says. AFP

changing. Drinkers are becoming more aware of the type of tea they prefer," said Mogambi, clad in a white laboratory coat, before swirling a mouthful of tea and ejecting it into a spittoon.

"If I'm spending more money on a cup of tea, I prefer given characteristics to be present."

But orthodox and specialty lines represent only a tiny fraction of

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

A5

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Democracy Derailed CROSSROADS J.A. DE LA CRUZ "DEMOCRACY Derailed: Initiative Campaigns and the Power of Money" is the title of a book written at the turn of the 21st Century by the respected political analyst and columnist David S. Broder. In the book, Broder noted the increasing use of so-called "direct democratic action" by a group of people popularly known as initiative campaigns in almost half a dozen states in America and an increasing number of cities and municipalities meant to legislate matters outside of that provided for under the US Constitution—through elected legislative bodies. He held then that this undertaking although understandable at times given the public's increasing distrust not just of legislators but of elected, in this case essentially federal, officials (remember the call for draining the Washington swamp in almost every election) has become a way for special interest groups and moneyed people to subvert the very democracy under which American society is founded.

Given our very own democratic experiment thus far which has been essentially American influenced the troubling experience Broder elucidates in this very illuminating book should give us pause before we get entrapped in a very uncomfortable if not deadly embrace. This advisory has become even more critical at this point as President Duterte enters the last two and a half years of his six-year term and vowed to promote even more vigorously the interest of the masses of our people "undo the many abuses of the ruling oligarchy."

In his recent tirade against the elite, the President advised the Lopez family which holds the controlling interest in the publicly listed media behemoth ABS-CBN, the Chief Executive told the family to "just sell the outfit, because it is only now that the Filipino people can retaliate against your abuses..and I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever."

The President might as well have told this to the interest now lording it over our basic utilities and services, power, water, transportation and communications, as well as the lords of pharma, the cartels in basic commodities like rice, sugar and cooking oil, among others, and all those who have essentially greedily superimposed themselves in the interstices of our daily existence as a people.

We have no beef, of course, against the producers of essential goods and services or even those who have tak-

en it upon themselves to infuse capital, resources and technology to better serve the interests of our people. The people's grievances flow from the inordinate profits drawn out of onerous arrangements and whimsically if not contrived operations undertaken by these controlling groups and socializing these very profits and, yes, their inadequate, lousy services and far from healthy and properly produced goods on the backs of our people. We can all bear their whims and caprices if they deliver as expected and at a reasonable and accessible price and a quality we can all be proud of. Sadly, that has not been our experience since "People Power" and "public surveys" have become buzzwords in our polity.

Given the American experience and our most recent face off with contrived polls and special interest initiatives, I have decided to give space to some ex-

We pray that 2020 would be rewarding and beneficial to us all. cerpts from the Broder book to serve as a prism of things which we expect will be in the offing very, very soon as President Duterte rallies to promote the people's interest and rails against the oligarchy and special interest groups, in and out of the country.

As the book's blurb notes: "In his new book, the "dean of American political journalism"(Brille content) reveals how political operatives and moneyed interest groups are threatening our democracy."

"Today, a new form of government is sweeping across America: The initiative campaigns, available in half the states and hundreds of cities. Where once most state laws were passed by legislatures, now voters decide directly on such explosive issues as medical marijuana, affirmative action, casino gambling, assisted suicide, and human rights through a new form of "direct democracy," the very form of government the Founders feared most. The initiative process, ostensibly driven by public opinion, is, in reality, manipulated by moneyed interests, often funded by out-of-state millionaires pursuing their own agenda on a new frontier of American politics operating virtually without public scrutiny.."

"In this highly controversial book, David Broder tells how the initiative revolution came about. A movement that started with Proposition 13 in California is now a multi million dollar business in which lawyers, campaign consultants, sig-

nature gatherers, and advertising agencies sell their expertise to interest groups or to do-gooders with private agendas. Broder takes the reader into the heart of these battles as he talks with the field operatives, lobbyists, PR spinners, labor leaders and business executives—all of whom can profit from the manipulation of the political process."

As if reached out from the Founding Fathers, Broder advised: "The founders of the American Republic were almost as distrustful of democracy as they were rebellious against royal decrees. They were steeped in the writings of philosophers such as John Locke, whom proposed a social contract theory to justify representative government against the claims of absolute monarchy and Montesquieu, who urged the separation of legislative, executive and judicial branches as a safeguard against abuse of power in a democracy. As their disciples, the writers of the Constitution placed the legislative branch first in their document—and preeminent in power— with independent executive and judicial branches providing the necessary checks and balance."

"The founders were not naive. they recognized the potential danger that those elected to the national legislature might abuse power. So they divided that authority between two bodies—the House and the Senate— the first, numerous and of short tenure, to reflect the short term shifts in public opinion—and the latters, at one remove from the people and with a longer term, in order to apply a prudent check on those instant judgments by the House.”

"Further, they created a role in legislative matters for the executive, by arming him with veto power that could be over ruled only by a two thirds vote of the House and Senate.

And, implicitly, at least—or so John Marshall successfully argued—it empowered the Supreme Court to invalidate any legislation, and might we add, executive action that contradicted the terms of the Constitution."

So there. Given the many unfinished businesses in our very own social contract as a people not only with those in government and perhaps equally those holding the monies making this beloved country of ours go round and round, we are hopeful that the final products, as it were, will be as beneficial and acceptable by the vast majority of our people.

And make our democracy a real, responsive and responsible one. Not as derailed, debilitated and subverted as Broder saw in his journey across America. We are hopeful as we pray that 2020 will truly be as rewarding and beneficial to us all.

A Blessed New Year to one and all!

in 2018 to 4.5 percent this year, the lowest in the last ten years. Even our underemployment rate eased to 13.0 percent from 13.3 percent in 2018.

Moreover, labor force participation rate improved to 61.5 percent, due to the increase in labor force participation among women.

We have also climbed up the Global Innovation Index rankings for 2019, jumping to the 54th place out of 129 economies, from 73rd in 2018.

With our current efforts to provide incentives to innovative businesses and build our Science & Technology Innovation Ecosystem in general, we are optimistic that the country’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index will continue to improve.

In terms of trade and investments, we are currently pushing for the amendments to the Public Service

Act, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and the Foreign Investment Act since these priority bills will support the expansion of foreign direct investment and trade opportunities in the Philippines.

To support and sustain inclusive growth through infrastructure, I am glad to report that the NEDA board approved seven new projects, amounting to P187.34 billion, during our last meeting. Majority of these projects will be implemented outside Metro Manila, as we aim to develop growth centers in the regions and spread economic growth and development throughout the country.

Looking at these milestones in our journey, we see a stable economic performance for 2019, even as we remain vigilant and prepared to face risks such as the possible water shortages in 2020, weak global growth and stagnating world trade, disruptive technologies, and the volatility of oil prices. Our GDP growth is projected to be between 6.0 to

6.5 percent for 2019 and 6.5 to 7.5 percent in 2020 to 2022.

As Filipinos, there is much that we can look forward to in 2020, as we will continue to invest in the people’s future while addressing immediate and medium-term challenges.

For us in NEDA, as we celebrate the Socioeconomic Planning and Development Week, we are particularly excited about prospects as initiatives of legislators like Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Representative Joey Salceda who filed and re-filed bills intended to instill a culture of planning and strengthen our organization, are now gaining ground.

In 2020 and the coming years, I hope we will continue to have your support in enabling the Filipino family to enjoy a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay sa Pilipinas.

Thank you and mabuhay tayong lahat!

Kenya's exports, and critics say the KTDA—which accounts for 60 percent of the country's tea production— has been slow to adapt.

The board decided in 2000 to launch an orthodox range but, by the end of 2019, just 11 of its 69 factories were expected to be producing teas other than CTC. Some like Kangaita, a factory at the southern flank of Mount Kenya, have

been cultivating purple teas—a rare specialty unique to the region.

Other craft varieties include white premium, a loose leaf packaged in deluxe pyramidal teabags.

These appeal also to younger tea drinkers, a growing market demanding something other than run-of-themill black tea.

"Youthful tea drinkers are definitely looking for wellness, and other

health benefits in tea," said Gideon Mugo, chairman of the East African Tea Trade Association.

Major brands outside the KTDA have been targeting the youth segment.

Kericho Gold produces a line of "attitude teas" packaged in bright boxes, including one for "love" and another marketed as a hangover cure. AFP

Economy...

From A4

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A6

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cimatu says Manila Bay restoration on track

2020 CALENDARS.

A vendor arranges 2020 calendars at a shop along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, an absolute hot commodity this time of year as people start to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

BI agents stop 2 on flight to Macau

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities intercepted two women who posed as nannies of two minors at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when they tried to leave for Macau.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the foiled trafficking try was another modus operandi of human trafficking syndicates where female victims are made to pose as nannies of minor children so they could evade immigration scrutiny.

In a report to Morente, Immigration port operations division chief Grifton Medina said the two women were intercepted separately at the NAIA Terminal 3 while accompanying minors in going abroad, purportedly to visit the children’s parents.

Medina said intercepted was a 42-year-old woman who attempted to leave for Macau and presented herself as the guardian of a 14-yearold girl.

At the same rime, a 31-year-old woman was stopped from leaving for the United Arab Emirates with a 16-year-old boy.

“In both instances, the women pretended to be yayas or guardians of their minor companions. Indeed, these syndicates will stop at nothing in using every trick they can think of to skirt our ban on the departure of undocumented workers,” Medina said.

According to Ma. Timotea Barizo, chief of the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit, both passengers initially insisted that they were the nannies or guardians of their minor companions.

“They claimed that they were only asked by the children’s parents to accompany their daughter and son in leaving and joining them abroad,” Barizo added.

“Eventually, however, they confessed that they do not know their companions and they were merely asked to accompany them by the parents to be able to travel abroad.”

Subsequent investigation revealed that this was not the first time that the two minors travelled abroad with their alleged guardians.

Both of them also admitted that they previously departed with different guardians but returned without any companion.

BI records show that the girl had twice left the country for Macao with two different women while the boy once traveled to Dubai with another female guardian, but all their companions did not return anymore.

“We believe that those alleged yayas ended up working abroad without proper documentation,” Barizo said.

By Rio N. Araja

‘Challenging’ 2019 but CAAP fulfilled vision

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, which claims 2019 was a challenging year, says it has strove to improve the country’s aviation sector since becoming an independent regulatory body in 2008.

But under the leadership of Director General Jim Sydiongco with the support from the Department of Transportation, the Authority said it was able to accomplish several projects and initiatives last year, thus improving the country’s aviation system, and steadily fulfilling its vision of Filipinos having convenient access to air transport and a developed Philippines supported by aviation.

The accomplishments include the development of other gateways in the country, particularly the Sangley Airport in Cavite, to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport of air traffic.

CAAP also helped in improving the airlines’ On-Time Performance in close coordination with the Department of Tourism, Manila International Airport Authority and five major airlines in the country-Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine

Airlines, AirAsia, PAL Express, and CebGo. Consequently, in support of the ICAO’s (International Civil Aviation Organization) New Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiative, the CAAP has been working towards ensuring that there are enough qualified and competent professionals that will maintain the future of the country’s air transportation system.

“That is why this year, CAAP launched applications for its Comprehensive Air Traffic Service Course batch 15 (CATS 15), Communication Navigation Surveillance System Officer’s Course batch 42 (CNSSO 42), and Airfield Lighting and Power Technician’s Course batch 12 (ALPT 12), aiming to attract and encourage aspiring Air Traffic Management Officers (ATMOs), Air Navigation Officers and Technicians that will continue managing and leading the

country’s aviation sector and maintaining the safety of our airspace for the future,” said CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

To standardize and streamline its processes, CAAP also underwent a series of activities for the development of its quality management system to comply with ISO 9001:2015 standards.

With the help of the Development Academy of the Philippines, the Authority is receiving guidance in the adaptation of relevant ISO management systems and standards.

“These activities will integrate relevant provisions of pertinent laws and or rules and regulations that will help CAAP develop a culture of quality and integrity in governance that is characterized by citizen-focused and well-performing government organizations,” said Apolonio.

In addition to ensuring that the Authority’s processes, services, and products are of high quality, the ISO certification will also provide customers and stakeholders the assurance that CAAP’s services will be delivered on schedule and with fewer errors.

“Through the initiative, the CAAP hopes to embody the vision of its officials and employees, while also upholding the discipline of the agency,” added Apolonio.

Adiong repeats call for martial law extension MARAWI CITY—Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Bombit Adiong Jr. has reiterated his call for the extension of martial law, particularly in his province.

Adiong’s call followed the killing last week of Police Officer Amen Lucman Macalangan, acting municipal police station of Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, and his companion in Pagayawan town by still unidentified attackers.

The governor also sought public support in the police and military pursuit operations against suspects in

FOOD AID.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office 6 distributes Monday food packs to the families affected by Typhoon ‘Ursula’ in Aklan, declared in a state of calamity on Dec 26. Photo courtesy of DSWD-6

the killing of a town chief-of-police, and a Philippine Army Scout Ranger last week.

“Due to the killing of a police officer and soldiers in Pagayawan, Governor Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong Jr. reiterates the call for the extension of martial law,” a statement released Sunday by the Lanao Sur Provincial Information Office said.

The statement added “The security sector is one in maintaining peace and order in Lanao del Sur. We condemn the killing of Police Officer Amen Lucman

Macalangan, OIC of the Binidayan MPS, and his companion in the Municipality of Pagayawan by unknown perpetrators.

“Macalangan was passionate in his anti-criminality campaign and we applaud his dedication and hard work.”

Adiong urged the Philippine National Police “to be both vigilant and rigorous in [its pursuit] of those behind the merciless killings.”

“I also ask the public to bring any useful information to the police for prompt resolution of this case,” Adiong said. Nash B. Maulana

SECRETARY Roy Cimatu on Tuesday said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources “is more determined than ever to restore Manila Bay.” He vowed to be “more determined than ever to win the so-called Battle for Manila Bay,” saying the rehabilitation of the heavily polluted water body was an “extremely difficult task.”

He said much had been achieved since the Manila Bay cleanup and rehabilitation kicked off in January last year.

“Our effort to restore Manila Bay is now in full swing and we hope to sustain the momentum of restoring it to its former glory in the coming years,” he said.

He said the Manila Bay rehabilitation will remain a top priority of the government until 2022.

According to Cimatu, chairman of the Manila Bay Task Force, the rehabilitation was just in its first phase—the cleanup and water quality monitoring.

The next two phases would be relocation and rehabilitation, and education, protection and sustainment, he said.

As of Sept. 26, the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau and the Laguna Lake Development Authority inspected 9,708 commercial establishments around Manila Bay. Of this number, 2,478 were issued notices of violations and 107 were slapped with cease-and-desist orders.

Solon wants focus on climate crisis

By Macon Ramos-Araneta LIBERAL Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan has expressed hope the public will focus on climate crisis and food security this 2020.

“As 2019 winds down and we look toward 2020, let’s make a commitment to continue standing up for our rights and what is true, and for our future and our children,” he said.

“We will be faced with fresh challenges anew—higher prices triggered by TRAIN Law, low farmers’ incomes, climate crisis,” warned Pangilinan.

Despite the joy of 2019, he told the public to always remember “our countrymen who lost their homes, jobs and lives due to natural disasters.”

“It would be a bigger disaster if we will neglect and ignore the threats of climate crisis. climate crisis is a crisis of humanity,” he said.

He said this would affect food production or farming or fishing.

The task ahead, he said, is enormous, but the people’s fighting spirit is greater.

Due to this, he exhorted everybody to heed the call of scientists to lower our so-called carbon footprint and reduce pollution. Let us start in our home and community: Reduce, reuse, recycle ng mga gamit, kasama na ang tubig at kuryente.

Senator Juan Edgardo Anagara wished for a health care that would heal us when sickness strikes.

“Better schools for our children , so they can go through life as far and as fast as their talent will take them .

Jobs for all Filipinos, one that will put food on the table, roof over his head, and hope in the hearts of his loved ones. “ “For those who feed us, a better year, bumper harvest and bountiful catch.”

“To those who labor overseas, more reunions with loved ones, and finally, after dreams have been met, a one-way ticket to the homeland, for their families to be complete again.”

To civil servants, he said the continuing passion to serve the people, whether molding the minds of the youth, defending the country’s borders, or keeping the streets safe.

He also wanted entrepreneurs profit with honor, a just return to the audacity of their investments, including millennials in brave start-ups.

Sports

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Hero surfer Casugay is top athlete

Maria Sharapova of Russia, shown here during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi recently, is a wildcard entry at the Australian Open. AFP

Sharapova accepts wildcard in Brisbane: Still a lot of fire

B

RISBANE—Former world number one Maria Sharapova said Tuesday she still had “a lot of fire” as she attempts to resurrect her career after an injury-plagued 2019.

The five-time major winner will open her 2020 campaign in Brisbane after being awarded a wildcard by organisers in preparation for the Australian Open later in January.

“To be fair when I was younger I never saw myself playing past 30,” the 32-year-old Russian told reporters in Brisbane.

“But I still feel there is a lot in me to give. I still have a lot of fire in me and I am big competitor.”

Sharapova has not played since a first-round loss to career-long rival Serena Williams at the US Open in August.

She has slipped to 133 in the world rankings after a 2019 season ruined by a

shoulder injury which limited her to 15 competitive matches.

“As long as the shoulder stays healthy and my body allows me to, I hope there is a lot of time left for me,” she said.

Sharapova won the Brisbane title in 2015 and joins a high-class field for next week’s event spearheaded by Australia’s world number one Ashleigh Barty and Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.

World number two Karolina Pliskova is also playing as are fellow top 10 stars Elina Svitolina, Petra Kvitova and Kiki Bertens.

“It’s a fresh start after a tough last season,” said Sharapova. “There were a lot of ups and downs, there were times when I was ready but the shoulder wasn’t.

“But I have had a fairly good off season and I am motivated to compete. At this point in my career when I have that feeling, it’s a good sign.”

The Brisbane International begins on

January 6, with Sharapova then scheduled to play the Kooyong Classic exhibition event in Melbourne before the opening grand Slam of the year from January 20.

Meanwhile, Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open and the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open.

The former world number four, who has slipped to 13, said he was disappointed not to be able to begin his season as hoped for in January.

“Unfortunately I have to pull out of the ATP Cup and the Aussie Open,” he said in statement.

“Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not 100 per cent ready or healthy to compete at the highest level.

“This decision was not taken lightly as Australia is one of my favourite places to compete,” he added.

Nishikori’s elbow needed surgery in October and he has not played since.

Yoshihito Nishioka will replace him as the top-ranked player in Japan’s ATP Cup team in Perth. Yasutaka Uchiyama also withdrew from the event earlier this week, with Toshihide Matsui called up instead.

Nishikori’s absence follows Britain’s Andy Murray also pulling out of both tournaments over the weekend with a pelvic injury.

The innovative ATP Cup, from January 3-12, offers $15 million in prize money and a maximum of 750 singles and 250 doubles ATP rankings points in the new men’s warm-up tournament for the opening Grand Slam of the year.

It will see 24 nations split into six groups, with eight teams emerging from the round-robin stage to compete in the knockout phase.

Sydney will host the finals, along with group games which will also be held in Brisbane and Perth. AFP

British PM Major skipped ‘96 Olympics to watch cricket LONDON—British prime minister John Major dodged going to the Atlanta 1996 Olympics to stay in London and watch cricket instead, newly declassified files showed Tuesday.

Major

Major weighed up the pros and cons of going to the Games, with his advisors pushing him to attend, insisting he had “street cred” in sport and it would make for great pictures of him in “relaxed, jacket-off mode.”

But the cricket-loving premier stuck to his guns and missed seeing Britain’s only gold medal—to watch England lose to Pakistan instead in the first Test at Lord’s.

The files were released after 23 years in the vaults at the National Archives.

Major seemed keen on Atlanta when the idea was raised in February 1996 and flight plans were drawn up.

In a memo to Major on June 7, his private secretary Rachael Reynolds said she understood he was thinking of going to Lord’s rather than Atlanta and “it would be a pity” if he missed the Olympics.

The adviser told him US president Bill Clinton, South African president Nelson Mandela and French president Jacques Chirac were all going, and “even the King of Finland is turning up!”

The draft programme would have seen him witness oarsmen Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent win Britain’s only gold medal of the Games.

Street cred

In a further memo to Major on June 19, Reynolds said decision time was fast approaching and spelled out the advantages and disadvantages.

“You will be very tired at the end of July,” she wrote, of the negatives. “It is a long flight and the weather will be hot in Atlanta.

“Second, you will miss the Lord’s Test and you are unlikely to be able to

pick up a satellite channel in America which carries cricket.”

As for the advantages, she said it would likely be his last chance to attend an Olympics as prime minister, and there might be “snide remarks” if he did not show up to support the British team.

“Some of the best pictures we see of you are in relaxed, jacket-off mode and there would be plenty of opportunity for that,” Reynolds insisted.

“You cannot do too much of associating yourself with winners.”

She said Major was strongly linked with sport in a way “no other politician” was and “you should capitalise on this.”

“I do think it is worth doing, if you can bear it. You have established your street cred in this area so well, it would be a pity to miss an opportunity which only comes up every four years.” AFP

Moreno, Rotary Club of Manila Bay join hands THE housing complex inside the Boys Town property in Marikina City will soon be expanded, thanks to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and the Rotary Club of Manila Bay, led by its president, Andrew Rovie Buencamino, who is also the executive director of the Philippine Racing Commission.

The City of Manila, which owns Boys Town, and the Rotary Club of Manila Bay recently signed a memorandum of agreement tasking the latter to provide for the property’s rehabilitation.

“We are grateful that private sector organizations heeded to our call for help,” said Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso when he met with Rotary Club of Manila Bay president Buencamino.

Boys Town is a non-profit orphanage for the homeless, abandoned, forgotten and voluntarily surrendered children,

teenagers and senior citizens in Manila.

Under the agreement, the City of Manila will provide space in the 4,000-square meter property along Narra Blvd. to build five housing units for the elderly.

Buencamino said the Rotary Club of Manila Bay will fund the project to the tune of P12.5 million.

“We proposed a project to the City of Manila through our good Mayor for the improvement of Luwalhati na Maynila,” said the Philracom official.

Officials said there are 320 elderly people now housed and provided for by the City Government in Boys Town.

And since the facility can only support 200 when it was built in the 1950, the City Government now needs to expand the housing complex to accommodate more people, specifically the elderly ones.

Rotary Club of Manila Bay President Andrew Buencamino together with Past President Mark Dayrit and their members with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

SOUTHEAST Asian Games surfing champion and hero Roger Casugay earned the distinction as the “Athlete of the Month” for December by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports.

Casugay, who was hailed by the international surfing community for his heroic act, captured one of the two gold medals in surfing competitions held at the Monalisa Point in San Juan, La Union Province.

The 25-year-old Filipino champion bagged the gold in the men’s longboard category with a score of 14.50 in the overall round, only three points ahead of compatriot Rogelio “Jay-R” Esquivel Jr. But Casugay made newspaper headlines and went viral in various social media sites for his heroic effort to save his Indonesian opponent.

“It was truly a class act by Casugay,” said TOPS president Ed Andaya of People’s Tonight.

“Like many other outstanding athletes, who excelled during the SEA Games in this merry month of December, Casugay made all of us proud to be Filipinos,” added Andaya following deliberations with TOPS officers and members.

Andaya said that no less than Indonesian President Joko Widodo took to Twitter to express his appreciation for Casugay and his heroic effort “to save an Indonesian athlete from falling in the middle of the SEA Games 2019 men’s longboard event.”

Philippine Sports Commission William “Butch” Ramirez also personally picked Casugay to serve as the Philippines’ flag bearer in the SEAG closing ceremonies at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium last Dec. 11 in appreciation of his sportsmanship.

“The SEA Games are not only about medals. It is about character, resilience, love for one another and shoring up the faith of the person next to you, something that Casugay has exemplified,’’ said Ramirez.

Casugay earned the nods of the officers and members of the country’s leading tabloids over a long list of athletes who distinguished themselves during the 12-day, 12-nation biennial competition.

Casugay will join an elite list of monthly winners of TOPS. Past TOPS monthly awardees are Manny Pacquiao (January), Jasmin Mikaela Mojdeh (February), Natalie Uy (March), Ernest John Obiena (April), June Mar Fajardo (May), the Philippine Canoe Kayak and Dragon Boat Federation team (June), Obiena (July), Antonella Berthe Racasa (August), Obiena (September), Caloy Yulo (October) and Margielyn Didal (November).

‘Celtics’ fans racially abused striker Morelos’ GLASGOW—Rangers said on Monday Colombia striker Alfredo Morelos was racially abused by Celtic fans during last weekend’s Old Firm derby.

Morelos, 23, was sent off in the closing stages of Rangers’ 2-1 win on Sunday following a second bookable offence and his side claim it was at that point he was targeted by home supporters at Celtic Park.

“We believe Alfredo was racially abused and we would expect now that all measures will be taken to identify and deal with those responsible,” said a Rangers spokesman.

Celtic replied via a statement, saying: “We are aware of the gestures made by the player towards Celtic supporters.

“We have received no reports of any racial abuse but would fully investigate any should these be brought to our attention.”

Meanwhile Morelos himself made what some viewed as inflammatory gestures by moving his hand across his throat as he made his way off the field.

Morelos’s red card was his seventh in two seasons, with the forward still yet to score in an Old Firm game.

Rangers’ first win at the home of their arch Glasgow rivals in nine years left them two points behind league leaders Celtic, who are bidding to win a ninth successive Scottish Premiership title. AFP

Sports

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

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

Giannis Antetokounmpo (right) of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball as Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls looks on at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks won, 123-102. AFP

WADA better positioned to wipe out drug cheats MONTREAL—Outgoing WADA President Craig Reedie says the Russian doping scandal shows that clean sport is under attack, but the anti-doping organization now has the tools to better weed out drug cheats.

Taking stock of his six years at the helm of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the 78-year-old Briton insists the group is “stronger” than ever as it faces the “unprecedented” challenge of the doping crisis in Russia.

“Considering the last six years in particular, I am especially pleased to see how WADA responded to the challenges it faced since 2014, in particular the Russian doping crisis,” he said in his end-of-term message.

The crisis, he recalled, led to the creation within WADA of an “intelligence and investigations” service, which played “a decisive role” in the recent decision to exclude Russia from major world sports competitions for falsifying anti-doping data.

The Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA announced Friday that it has challenged the exclusion.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to rule on the matter, said Reedie, whose term officially ends Tuesday.

“Throughout this process WADA has shown it has the will, the expertise and the legal tools to stand up effectively to this unprecedented level of cheating and corruption,” he said.

WADA decided on December 9 to ban Russia from participating in major international events for four years, including the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup. Only handpicked Russian athletes will be able to participate in the competitions, but under a neutral flag and without the national anthem being played.

WADA estimated that Russia had “manipulated” the data of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory which were transmitted to it at the beginning of the year, an umpteenth rebound in a scandal which started with the revelation in 2015 of an institutional doping practiced since 2011 and involving senior officials, secret agents and trafficked urine vials.

The significant extent of state-sponsored doping in Russia, notably between 2011 and 2015, was revealed in an independent report by sports lawyer Richard McLaren, released in 2016.

The issue has dealt a colossal blow to the status of post-Soviet Russia as a major sports power after hosting events such as the 2013 World Athletics Championships, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 World Cup. The Sochi Games later became notorious for the number of doping violations by prominent Russian athletes. AFP

PH skateboarders seek seats in Tokyo Olympics

By Peter Atencio FOR their podium finish in the men’s downhill competitions, Jaime de Lange and teammate Duke Pandeagua will soon find themselves joining qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines president Monty Mendigoria said De Lange and Pandeagua are now preparing to take part in the World Championships in the downhill event.

De Lange, who is currently ranked no. 14 in the world, has a good chance of making it to the Olympic Games. This is because he made to no. 3 in the world rankings two years ago.

“He can bounce back since he was no.

3 in the world back then,” revealed Mendegoria, who added it will be easier if an Olympic qualifier can be done here since the Philippines now has a skate park in Tagaytay City.

“We are thinking of hosting since we already have the facilities in Tagaytay City,” said Mendegoria.

To prepare for the SEA Games, De Lange spent one and a half months training in Australia.

He even stayed with renowned racer Josh Evans and worked with world champion Harry Clarke on his game.

De Lange said his experience in winning the men’s downhill gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Maragondon, Cavite was a memorable one for him.

When his two teammates in the women’s division crashed before his race began, the 23-year-old De Lange and

Jaime de Lange (right) and teammate Duke Pandeagua (left) celebrate their 1-2 finish in the men’s downhill skateboarding competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Dennis Abrina.

Pandeagua decided to take things cautiously when their turn came in their finals’ run.

From there, De Lange and his teammate came up with a 1-2 finish. He took the gold medal in the 1.7-kilometer Maragondon road with a time of 1:27.

The clocking was two seconds short of the course record when the sport was introduced two years ago.

“Duke and I were sitting at the top and we decided that it was not about him nor about me. It was about the Philippines. So we just skated safe,” said De Lange when he looked back at how he won a gold.

De Lange is quite familiar with the road conditions since it has been previously used as a leg in two World Tours and in a local competition.

Giannis scores 23 in return from injury as Bucks rout Bulls, 123-102 LOS ANGELES—Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed two games with a back injury, tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks breezed to a 123-102 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Khris Middleton scored a team-high 25 points and Eric Bledsoe scored 15 points in his return from a leg injury for the first place Bucks, who won their third consecutive game.

Reigning NBA MVP Antetokounmpo had missed the previous two games because of back soreness, while Bledsoe had not played since December 13.

Antetokounmpo, the league’s second-leading scorer with an average of 30.5 points per game, played just 27 minutes and sat out the final five because of the one-sided margin.

“We won 30 games before January; It’s cool, but we can always do better,” Antetokounmpo said of the Bucks who have the best record in the league at 30-5. “We’ve got to keep improving because the goal is to play late in the season.”

Bulls guard Zach LaVine scored a team-high 19 points, Lauri Markkanen added 18 points and Wendell Carter finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Milwaukee shot a superb 71 percent from the field in the third quarter, putting the game out of reach by outscoring the Bulls 40-25 to increase their lead to 95-77.

Bucks guard Wesley Matthews sat out with a bruised right thigh.

“He’s been playing through it and I think it’s at a stage where him not playing is the right move,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Hopefully, it’s just a short-term thing.”

Elsewhere, Jordan McRae scored 29 points as the short-handed Washington Wizards snapped the Miami Heat’s five-game winning streak with a 123-105 win.

Garrison Mathews scored 28 and Ian Mahinmi added a career-high 25 points for the Wizards.

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points, and Bam Adebayo added 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for the Heat, who had been riding the league’s longest win streak.

Mathews scored 20 points in the second quarter for the Wizards who entered the game having lost nine of 11.

Washington were missing seven players due to injuries, including twotime all-star shooting guard Bradley Beal, who is out with a sore right knee.

Beal leads the team in scoring (27.8 points) and assists (6.7).

Beal had played 194 straight games before missing the past two contests.

The Wizards also played without John Wall (foot), Davis Bertans (quad), starting centre Thomas Bryant (foot), rookie Rui Hachimura (groin), C.J. Miles (wrist) and Moritz Wagner (ankle).

In Minneapolis, Shabazz Napier scored eight of his season-high 24 points in overtime as the Minnesota Timberwolves ended a nine-game home losing skid with a 122-115 win over the Brooklyn Nets. AFP

PLDT Group National Stroke Play draws stellar golf cast RYAN Monsalve seeks to open the new PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour season the way he closed out 2019, bannering the crack roster of players in the National Stroke Play Championship unfolding Jan. 7 at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

With partner Lanz Uy, Monsalve put on a strong windup as they routed the field by eight in the National Doubles Championship at Camp Aguinaldo last week with the latter ready to showcase his individual skills and talent in pursuit of the crown in the four-day tournament, which used to be the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship.

Uy has begged off due to academics but the depth of the field remains as talent-laden as ever with those who vied in the National Doubles also in the list, including Dan Cruz, Sean Ramos, Josh Jorge, Jonar Austria and Gabby Macalaguim among others.

Gen Nagai edged Thai ace and

Youth Olympics gold medalist Vanchai Luangnitikul in sudden death to snare the men’s crown last year while Lois Kaye Go edged Bianca Pagdanganan by one to top the women’s side with the same tight, unpredictable finish expected in the upcoming event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, next up for the new season is the 25th WExpress RVF Cup Amateur Open Golf Championship on Feb. 11-14 at Canlubang Golf and Country Club with Jolo Magcalayo and Junia Gabasa expected to defend their respective crowns. 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.

Others expected to join the National Stroke Play title hunt are young guns Eagle Ace Superal, Laurea Duque and Rianne Malixi.

MOST POINTS. Raymond Bunquin scored the most points (95) for Camp John Hay Manor that played the Am B division in the recent 70th Fil-Am Invitational in Baguio City. He is expected to be back next year to lead the team anew as they chase for the championship crown in the same division.

IN BRIEF Group monitors power supply deals

CLEAN energy advocates asked consumers to be vigilant and monitor the competitive selection process of retailer Manila Electric Co. in securing 1,200 megawatts of supply over the next 20 years.

Meralco recently issued the notice to bid on 1,200 MW of power requirement and set the bidding on Feb. 17.

“We welcome the changes that Meralco made in their terms of reference for this second bidding after the Department of Energy’ prod, but we have not forgotten how intent Meralco is on making sure their customers are burdened by costly and dirty electricity from coal,” said Gerry Arances, convenor of the Power for People Coalition.

The February bidding for the 1,200-MW supply is the second round of CSP for Meralco after the first bidding failed in September with only one bidder submitting an offer.

Meanwhile, Meralco’s successful CSP for its 1,200 MW 10-year and 500 MW five-year supply contracts are now pending approval with the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

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DA seeks ways to help rice farmers

THE Agriculture Department said it is seeking more ways to lessen the burden on rice farmers aside from regular programs, like the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers.

The department, Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines jointly launched the P3-billion Rice Farmer Financial Assistance program.

Starting Dec. 23, 600,000 rice farmers in 33 rice-producing provinces each received cash assistance worth P5,000 under the RFFA. The program will be piloted in the provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, which are among the top rice producing provinces in the country.

Dar said the RFFA guidelines were meticulously crafted and targeted to benefit the farmers who suffered from the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law. Agriculture Field Operations Service director and Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program coordinator Roy Abaya said that 36 percent of the P10 billion from RCEF was obligated for its first year of implementation beginning September 2019.

Othel V. Campos

6 rural bankers convicted for fraud

SIX former officers of two closed rural banks in Panay Island were convicted recently for violating the General Banking Law of 2000 due to fraudulent transactions, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in a statement.

The Regional Trial Court of Iloilo City convicted three officers of the closed Rural Bank of Badiangan (Iloilo) Inc. for 20 counts of violation of the General Banking Law of 2000. The convictions are results of a criminal complaint filed by the BSP against the three bank officers in 2016 for defrauding clients by soliciting deposits but willfully omitting said transactions in the books of the bank.

Investigations revealed that high interest rates were offered to entice the public to make such deposits.

The Monetary Board of the BSP placed the rural bank under the receivership of the state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. on July 5, 2012.

Meanwhile, the Regional Trial Court of Culasi, Antique convicted three officers of the closed Rural Bank of Sebaste (Antique) Inc. on criminal charges filed by the BSP. In a decision dated July 9, 2019, the court found the bank officials guiltyof violation of the General Banking Law of 2000.

SEC issues rules to shield non-profit organizations from money laundering

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said it finalized the guidelines to protect non-profit organizations from money laundering and terrorist financing abuse.

The SEC issued Memorandum Circular No. 25 on Dec. 27 requiring NPOs to make publicly accessible online, accurate, current and complete information regarding their status, finances, expenses, projects, activities and those who control such activities and their beneficial owners.

It said the requirement would promote transparency and maintain public trust in NPOs. The corporate regulator said that to promote accountability, the board of directors of NPOs would be required to conduct due diligence on individuals and organizations that donate money or funds to their group.

NPOs are also required to keep financial records of income, expenses and financial transactions throughout their operations. They are also required to maintain, for a period of at least five years, detailed records of domestic and international transactions to ensure that funds were received and spent in a manner consistent with the purpose and objectives of the organization.

MC 25 also empowered the SEC to conduct investigation as it may deem necessary to determine whether any person had violated or is about to violate the mandatory provisions of the guidelines or any NPO was being used for money laundering or terrorist financing.

The SEC also required non-stock corporations to submit the mandatory disclosure form until 30 days after the issuance of the new guidelines.

DBP LOAN. State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines signs a P590-million loan agreement with the provincial government to establish the Cavite Broadband Network, which is expected to boost the digitalization efforts of the province. DBP executive vice president Jose Gabino Dimayuga (fourth from left) shakes hands with Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla after the signing of the agreement. With them are (from left) DBP legal officer Jose Maria Villareal, DBP manager Edward Mansion, DBP senior vice president Abelardo Monarquia, DBP account officer Jian April Parker, DBP legal officer Raquel Enriquez and Cavite chief of staff Hubert Gervacio.

Cabinet committee clears P59.3-b MRT Line 4 project

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Department of Transportation said it expects to start the construction of the P59.3billion Metro Rail Transit Line 4 by 2021 after it was approved by a Cabinet committee.

MRT 4, a 15.56-kilometer rail-based transit system that will connect LRT Line 2 in Sta. Mesa, Manila to Taytay, Rizal, was approved by the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee on Dec. 20.

The rail-based transit system, which is scheduled for operation in 2025, aims to address the worsening traffic and inadequate road capacity in the denselypopulated areas of eastern Metro Manila including parts of Quezon City,

San Juan City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City and the Ortigas Center.

It will also link eastern Metro Manila to the neighboring municipalities of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal.

With an initial daily ridership projected at 234,433 passengers, the line system will serve 11 stations.

It is calendared for construction from 2021 to 2025 with official development assistance from the Asian Development Bank. The Department of Transportation is the proponent of the project.

DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade said that once operational, the project would greatly help connect eastern Metro Manila to the province of Rizal.

“Considering how densely-populated these areas are, which is made more difficult with the lack of road capacities and ever worsening traffic conditions, MRT-4 will be of great help in moving commuters between eastern Metro Manila and Rizal,” Tugade said.

Infrastructure cluster chairman and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar

said the approval by the ICC-CabCom of the MRT-4 project and other key transport and infrastructure projects would ensure their completion within the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“After passing the ICC-CabCom, we’ll be able to release the projects by early next year, allowing us time within the Duterte administration to significantly complete these game-changing projects. It’s crucial that we start these projects―we’ll be working on the procurement, that’s why we fast-tracked all these projects before the end of the year so that next year, we can focus purely on the detailed engineering and procurement of these big-ticket projects,” Villar said.

Also approved by the ICC-CabCom in its Dec. 20, 2019 meeting were the unsolicited operate-add-transfer proposal for the Davao International Airport and the Laguindingan Airport and the EDSA Greenways Projects and the Maritime Safety Enhancement Program.

US aid agency tells Ghana to restore Meralco-led power concession

By Alena Mae S. Flores AN INDEPENDENT audit by Millennium Challenge Corp., a US government aid agency, found that the suspension of the concession of Manila Electric Co. to operate and maintain the assets of the Electricity Company of Ghana had no basis.

The government of Ghana suspended on July 30 the concession of ECG, alleging that part of the financial transaction underlying the concession (a demand guarantee backed by reinsurance) was fraudulently obtained.

MCC conducted an independent audit of the transaction by a forensic auditing firm hired by the government of Ghana’s designated entity for compact implementation―the Millennium Development Authority.

MCC’s $498-million Ghana Power Compact funding aims to fight poverty by transforming the country’s energy sector. The compact is the largest US government transaction under Power Africa and is expected to stimulate billions of dollars in private energy investment.

“In contrast to the findings of the government of Ghana’s investigation of the matter, the independent audit concluded that there was no information to suggest fraud in the transaction. Based on the independent audit findings, MCC concluded that the government of Ghana’s suspension of the concession was unfounded and that the rights of Power Distribution Services as concessionaire should be restored,” MCC said.

MCC informed the government of Ghana of its finding and said that a failure to restore the concession would likely lead to

Bangko Sentral approves introductory regulations on Islamic banking in PH

By Julito G. Rada THE Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the introductory regulations on Islamic banks and the establishment of Islamic banking units in the country to encourage wider investor and consumer participation.

The Bangko Sentral said in a statement the board approved the preliminary policy initiatives to jumpstart the implementation of Republic Act No. 11439, or An Act Providing for the Regulation and Organization of Islamic Banks, and the relevant provisions on Islamic banking under R.A. No. 11054, also known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

R.A. 11439, which was signed into law on Aug. 22, 2019 and became effective on Sept. 15, 2019, provides the BSP with the legal authority to issue a broader set of rules and regulations on

Islamic banking.

“The BSP aims to create an enabling environment that will allow Islamic banks to operate alongside the conventional banks under the same regulatory and supervisory approach, taking into consideration the unique features of the Islamic banking operations,” the board said.

“The goal is to provide a coherent, consistent and comprehensive set of regulations and standards to encourage wider investor and consumer participation on Islamic banking and finance without any regulatory arbitrage,” it said.

The regulations, which resounded the BSP’s promotion of strong corporate governance and consumer protection, cover the licensing framework on the establishment of Islamic banks and Islamic banking units and the BSP’s expectations on the Shari’ah Governance Framework for Islamic banks and Islamic banking units.

reduction of funding by $190 million, as the private sector participation in the ECG was a central basis for the funding.

MCC said by terminating the existing concession arrangement, the government of Ghana materially breached an obligation and the board approved the termination of $190 million of compact funding, although other parts of the program funding would continue.

Meralco owns a 30-percent minority stake in PDS, which was awarded the concession for the ECG in March 2019.

Aside from Meralco through Meridian Power Ventures Ltd., other members of the PDS consortium are AEnergia SA, an Angolan company and Ghanaian firms TG Energy Solutions Ghana Limited, Santa Power Limited and GTS Power Ltd. Meralco president and chief execu-

PLDT selling more stake in Voyager to new investors

VOYAGER Innovations Inc., the digital innovations arm of PLDT Inc., is in talks with new financial investors to raise more money for expansion plans, according to a top executive.

“I think we’re close to it. I think we’re on the final stages. I think

by January we have a better sense of how much money to be raised,” PLDT and Voyager chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

“We try to stay within the 35-percent [share]. We’re about 47 to 48 percent,” he said.

International Finance Corp., the private sector arm of the World Bank and IFC Pangilinan Emerging Asia Fund completed a $40-million investment in Voyager in December 2018.

The investments completed the $215-million fund raised for Voyager that included $175 million from KKR and Tencent Holdings Inc. Voyager earlier said it would leverage the new capital and the significant expertise of KKR, Tencent, IFC and IFC Emerging Asia Fund to accelerate the digital and financial inclusion in the Philippines and enable the broader Filipino population to participate in the digital economy.

The company’s award-winning technology platforms support digital services such as PayMaya―the most recognized prepaid payment wallet service in the Philippines.

PayMya Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Voyager, earlier said it was expecting to process P1 trillion worth of cashless payment transactions by 2023 as e-wallet account penetration was growing faster in the Philippines.

PayMaya is processing over P200 billion worth of transactions annually. It is the only digital financial services company with an integrated suite of solutions for consumers and merchants complemented by the widest remittance partner agent network.

Darwin G. Amojelar

SSS-PAYMAYA DEAL. The Social

Security System signs a memorandum of agreement with PayMaya as the fund’s newest collection partner. Under the MOA, individual members such as self-employed, voluntary, overseas Filipino workers and non-working spouses can pay their contributions through the SSS mobile app using their PayMaya account or with any Visa, Mastercard or JCB credit, debit or prepaid card. Signing the agreement are SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio (left) and PayMaya founder and chief executive Orlando Vea.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Huawei says st survival is 1 priority in ‘20 after US row

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EIJING, China―Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei said Tuesday that “survival” was its first priority after announcing 2019 sales were expected to fall short of projections as a result of US sanctions.

20 YEARS IN CHARGE. This aerial file photo taken on May 11, 2016 shows the new Panama Canal expansion at the Gatun Locks in Colon, Panama. The lack of rains caused by climate change threatens operations at the Panama Canal, already jeopardized by the decline of trade, on the 20th anniversary of its handover from the US to the Panamanian government. AFP

HK, Asian stock markets down in thin year-end trading HONG KONG―Asian stocks were down Tuesday in thin end-of-year trading, following a subdued lead from the US where investors took profits.

Wall Street on Monday had its worst day in nearly a month, falling from record highs after the extended rally of recent days.

Hong Kong ended a half-day of trading almost 0.5 percent down, although the bourse rallied more than seven percent in December.

Shanghai was marginally up, Taipei was off, and Sydney shed almost two percent.

Jakarta, Tokyo, Manila, Seoul and Bangkok were all closed for a public holiday.

“While market volumes are predictably light, investors continue to strike a year-end cautionary tone as December optimism is gradually giving way to 2020’s uncertainty,” Stephen Innes,

chief Asia market strategist at AxiTrader, said in a note.

Asian investors were also watching for key policy announcements early in the New Year.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to give his New Year’s speech on Wednesday, with all eyes on nucleararmed Pyongyang’s threat of a “new way” after its end-of-year deadline for sanctions relief from the US, analysts said.

China’s Xi Jinping is also scheduled to give a New Year’s address.

In China, the closely watched Purchasing Managers’ Index, a gauge of activity in the country’s factories, was at 50.2 in December, according to official data published Tuesday.

The reading―slightly above the 50-point mark that separates growth and contraction―beat a forecast of 50.1 by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg, comes

amid a thaw in the US-China trade spat.

The better-than-expected macroeconomic data had an “indirect positive impact” on the Chinese bourse, said Zhang Qi, an analyst with Haitong Securities.

Reports on Monday also said the US and China would shortly sign a partial trade deal, with White House economic aide Peter Navarro telling Fox News the signing could occur “within a week or two.”

“The P1 (phase one) deal is still ‘skinny’ relative to a full trade de-escalation scenario,” cautioned AxiTrader’s Innes.

“Investors will then press to consider the P2 risks, after all―how much more progress can be realistically expected ahead of the US elections next year?”

Oil markets were largely unchanged, despite reports Iran had seized a vessel suspected of smuggling fuel near the Strait of Hormuz―a chokepoint for a third of the world’s seaborne oil. AFP

Chairman Eric Xu said Huawei― banned from working with American firms over national security fears―estimates sales revenue will reach 850 billion yuan for 2019 (US$121 billion)― up roughly 18 percent from the previous year, but much lower than initially expected.

In January this year, the company forecast sales revenue of US$125 billion.

In a New Year’s message addressed to employees, Xu said the US government was in the midst of a “strategic and long-term” campaign against the company that would create a “challenging environment for Huawei to survive and thrive.”

“Survival will be our first priority” in 2020, said Xu, the current chairman under the company’s rotating leadership scheme.

He said Huawei would need to “go all out” to build up its mobile services ecosystem–its answer to the Google apps and services―to “ensure that we can keep selling our smartphones in overseas markets.”

While telecom experts consider Huawei a global leader in 5G equipment―in terms of both technology and price―the company has faced obstacles and suspicion from the US and other foreign nations wary of its close relationship with the Chinese government.

US intelligence chiefs state flatly that Huawei cannot be trusted and its equipment is a threat to national security―an accusation the company has dismissed.

Founded in 1987 by former People’s Liberation Army engineer Ren Zhengfei, Huawei was dragged into the spotlight a year ago when Ren’s daughter, senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States.

Washington wants to put her on trial for allegedly lying to banks about violating Iran sanctions.

The backlash against Huawei has only grown since Meng’s arrest.

Washington has banned US companies from selling equipment to Huawei, locking out the smartphone giant from access to Google’s Android operating system.

European telecommunications operators including Norway’s Telenor and Sweden’s Telia have also passed over Huawei as a supplier for their 5G networks as intelligence agencies warned against working with them.

Australia and Japan have meanwhile taken steps to block or tightly restrict the firm’s participation in their rollouts of 5G networks. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also strongly hinted that Britain would follow suit.

Chinese law requires individuals and organizations to assist and cooperate with national intelligence efforts.

Xu also said cybersecurity and user privacy were at the “absolute top” of Huawei’s agenda, and that the company would “continue to adhere to all related laws and regulations in the markets where we operate.” AFP

Russia and Ukraine finalize 5-year gas transit deal just before deadline US and China are biggest WTO winners—study

By Ania Tsoukanova

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany― Membership of the World Trade Organization has benefitted the US and China more than any other nations, a study published Monday found, as the two powers seek to defuse a months-long trade conflict.

The Bertelsmann Foundation research showed WTO membership has boosted the US’s gross domestic product by $87 billion in the 25 years since the country joined.

China, which became a member only in 2001, gained $86 billion, while Germany added $66 billion.

“Even if no organization is perfect, anyone who believes they can rely on a system of bilateral trade agreements instead of the WTO risks enormous losses of prosperity in international trade,” said Bertelsmann trade expert Christian Bluth.

With 164 member countries, the WTO will celebrate a rocky 25th anniversary on January 1, 2020.

Washington refuses to name new judges to its appellate body, blocking arbitration of trade disputes.

Washington and Beijing have nonetheless struck a truce in their tit-for-tat tariff war, hoping to sign a preliminary trade deal in January.

Around the world, Bertelsmann found WTO members gained on average 4.5 percent of GDP from membership.

The total increase reached $855 billion or one percent of global output, the study showed.

And around the world, WTO members’ exports increased an average of 14 percent between 1980 and 2016, while non-members’ exports fell almost six percent.

So far, “nations with strong exports and production are the main beneficiaries” of WTO membership, the Bertelsmann Foundation said in a statement, pointing to countries such as South Korea and Mexico as further winners.

European countries with smaller manufacturing sectors have not been able to make such large gains from WTO membership. AFP

KIEV, UKRAINE―Moscow and Kiev on Monday signed a five-year agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, finalizing months of difficult talks just ahead of a New Year deadline.

The current deal between the two exSoviet countries expires Tuesday and ties between them have been shredded since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and supported a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

About 18 percent of the European Union’s annual natural gas consumption comes from Russia via Ukraine, putting additional pressure on EU officials who helped to broker the deal.

“Ukraine has signed a five-year transit contract,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on his Facebook page, nearly two weeks after a provisional deal was reached.

A wide range of documents and contracts were involved, and together formed “a package deal which has reestablished the balance of interests,” Alexei Miller, the boss of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, was cited as saying in a statement.

The documents were signed after five days of non-stop talks.

Gazprom is expected to ship at least 65 billion cubic meters (2.3 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas via Ukraine next year, and at least 40 billion per year from 2021 to 2024, said Zelensky, from which Kiev would earn “more than sev-

en billion dollars.”

Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called the deal a “compromise” and added in a message on Facebook that “all mutual grievances have been ended.”

EU Commission vice president in charge of energy Maros Sevcovic called the deal “great news for Europe’s energy security.”

“All pieces for the transit of gas via the Ukrainian route are now in place,” he wrote on Twitter.

Last year, Gazprom supplied Europe with 200.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas, about 40 percent of which passed through Ukraine for roughly three billion dollars in transit fees.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said

earlier this month that Moscow wanted to keep some gas flowing through Ukraine, despite having built several pipelines to Europe since the current deal was agreed a decade ago.

The new agreement comes days after Gazprom paid $2.9 billion to Ukraine’s Naftogaz to settle a long-running dispute over transit fees that had blocked the deal.

Meanwhile, Russia is pursuing work on the Nord Stream 2 project that is to be completed by the end of next year and would double gas shipments to Germany.

The United States has long opposed the 9.5-billion-euro ($10.6-billion) project and the US Senate voted last week to levy sanctions on companies working on it. AFP

Grown from necessity—vertical farming takes off in aging Japan

By Karyn Nishimura KYOTO, Japan—The nondescript building on an industrial site near Kyoto gives little hint to the productivity inside: 30,000 heads of lettuce grow here daily, under artificial light and with barely any human intervention.

This “vegetable factory,” using the latest vertical farming techniques, is part of a trend born out of necessity in Japan, where traditional farming faces a double threat from the aging population and migration towards the cities.

With the average age of a farmer in Japan at 67 and few candidates to replace those dying out, the country has been forced to become a pioneer in socalled vertical farming.

Globally renowned firms such as Panasonic, Toshiba and Fujitsu have tried their hand—converting old semiconductor production lines with varying levels of success.

One of the few companies to turn a quick profit, Spread produces 11 million heads of lettuce annually from its latest factory in Kyoto, a vast sterile area where the vegetables are stacked on shelves several meters high.

Machines shift the lettuces around the factory to areas where the light, temperature and humidity are ideal for

This photo taken on November 12, 2019 shows an employee walking down an aisle past lettuce growing in a facility that uses vertical farming techniques, in Kyoto. AFP

that stage of growth. The process works without soil or pesticide, and only a dozen or so humans are employed to collect the lettuce at the end.

Other countries have employed vertical farming techniques—notably in Denmark and the United States—but Japan’s population crisis means the farmers are dying out, with question marks over how the world’s third-biggest economy will feed itself.

“Given the lack of manpower and decline in agricultural production, I felt a new system was needed,” Shinji

Inada, Spread’s boss, told AFP. Spread has taken some time to make the process nearly fully automated: an older factory in Kyoto still employs several dozen humans to move the lettuce—a “difficult task,” admits one staff member.

But the advantages are clear: “We can produce in large quantities and at a stable rate all year round, without being affected by temperature changes,” said Inada.

“The other benefit is that we have few losses because our products are preserved for longer,” added the veg-

etable tycoon.

‘Sustainable agriculture’ Inada said the firm initially experienced some difficulty in selling the lettuce, but they have now grown a good brand by producing consistent quality at a consistent price—in a country where prices vary considerably depending on the season.

Spread’s lettuce are found on supermarket shelves in Kyoto and the capital Tokyo and Inada has grand expansion visions to move production closer to where the vegetables are consumed.

The firm is building a factory in Narita near Tokyo and is eyeing further afield to countries where the climate is not suited for such agriculture. “We can easily export our production system to very warm or very cold climates to grow lettuce,” said Inada.

But is this system environmentally friendly? Inada said he hesitated before launching the concept over this very question but finally reasoned the pros outweighed the cons.

“It’s true that we use more energy compared to production using the sun, but on the other hand our productivity is higher over a similar surface area,” he said.

The system allows the firm to produce eight crops of lettuce per year, irrespective of the season. Spread also uses significantly less water than traditional agricultural methods.AFP

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Bolivia row with Spain, Mexico worsens with envoy expulsions

OPENING. Guests attend the opening of International Smoke Las Vegas at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on Dec. 30, 2019. AFP

LA PAZ―Bolivia’s interim president, Jeanine Anez, announced Monday that the country will expel Mexico’s ambassador and two Spanish diplomats, drawing a tit-for-tat response from Madrid as a dispute over an alleged attempt to extract an ex-government aide escalated.

The row erupted after Bolivia’s rightwing interim government accused Spain of attempting to spirit a wanted former aide to ex-president Evo Morales out of the Mexican embassy in La Paz. Former minister Juan Ramon Quintana has been holed up at the Mexican embassy with around 10 other members of the former leftist government since seeking asylum after Morales quit power on November 10.

Quintana, another ex-minister Wilma Alanoca and the others have all been charged with sedition and terrorism offenses by the new government, which has refused them safe passage out of the country.

But Bolivia was incensed by what it called an attempt by Spanish embassy staff to infiltrate the Mexican mission in La Paz last Friday to extract Quintana, who has been Morales’ right-hand man

Thousands trapped on beaches S YDNEY―Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia Tuesday, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land.

Four thousand people were trapped on the foreshore of the town of Mallacoota and many others sought refuge on beaches in fire-encircled seaside towns up and down a 200-kilometer strip of coast.

Some residents with boats even took to the sea, hoping for refuge from one the worst days yet in Australia’s months-long bush fire crisis.

Dozens of properties were feared to have been destroyed since late Monday and at least seven people were unaccounted for in New South Wales and Victoria states as flames reached well-populated towns like Batemans Bay. In some places the blazes were so intense, the smoke so thick and the fire-provoked dry lightning storms so severe that aerial reconnaissance and water bombing had to be halted, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said.

In Mallacoota, smoke turned day to night and the authorities said nearby fires were causing extreme thunderstorms and

“ember attacks”.

“We’ve got a fire that looks like it’s about to impact on Mallacoota,” Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp told public broadcaster ABC, adding that firefighters had been deployed to protect the group.

Authorities had for days been warning tens of thousands of tourists enjoying Australia’s summer holidays to leave the area but for thousands it was now too late to leave.

“We’ve got three strike teams in Mallacoota that will be looking after 4,000 people down on the beach there,” Crisp said.

“We’re naturally very concerned about communities that have become isolated.”

Preparations were reportedly under way for an evacuation by sea or air if needed.

On social media, residents said they fled on boat or were putting on life jackets in case they need to seek refuge from the fire in the water.

Temperatures in bush fire areas can hit

hundreds of degrees Celsius (Fahrenheit) killing anyone nearby long before the flames reach them.

Fleeing into the ocean is a “last resort option” according to Victoria’s emergency management agency.

Local radio journalist Francesca Winterson said she was watching the fire approach the town and her own home while she tried to broadcast emergency warnings amid a power cut.

“I’d rather be alive than have a house,” she told ABC Gippsland.

Australia’s unprecedented bush fires have been burning for months, but the latest in a series of heat waves and high winds have wrought new devastation.

The crisis has hit cities like Sydney and Melbourne, home to several million people.

On Monday, around 100,000 people were urged to flee five Melbourne suburbs as the spiraling bush fire crisis killed a volunteer firefighter battling a separate blaze in the countryside.

Authorities in the country’s secondbiggest city downgraded an earlier bush fire emergency warning but said residents should steer clear of the blaze, which has burned through 40 hectares (nearly 100 acres) of grassland.

New York Jews scared, defiant following attacks NEW YORK―At a Hasidic synagogue in Brooklyn, police, state troopers and civilian volunteers stand guard as Orthodox Jews mark the end of Hanukkah under heightened security following a spate of attacks.

Worshipers express a mixture of fear and defiance, rushing into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights two days after a stabbing spree at a rabbi’s house wounded five people.

“Anti-Semitism has never been so bad. It’s becoming more and more of an issue. It’s crazy,” 23-year-old Chaim Kaplan tells AFP after completing his prayers Monday morning.

New York, home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, had long been a place where Jews felt safe.

But after Saturday’s stabbing frenzy in New York’s Rockland County, and a shooting earlier this month at a kosher deli in suburban New York’s Jersey City that left six dead, the community is on edge.

“What are you gonna do?” asks Kaplan. “It’s never been the Jewish attitude to back off. We’ve always been persecuted. It is what it is. We gotta fight it with love.”

Others echoed his defiant attitude.

“I tell my family to go on and do whatever they have to do, like go to school and go to pray,” said Ron Fulop in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, also home to a large ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.

“Hiding doesn’t help. The main thing is we pray to God that we be safe,” the 40-year-old told AFP. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a series of measures to tackle what he called an anti-Semitism “crisis” sweeping the United States.

“It has taken a more and more violent form,” de Blasio told NPR, adding that the “forces of hate have been unleashed.”

De Blasio’s remarks came after Grafton Thomas, 37, allegedly entered Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg’s house during Saturday evening Hanukkah celebrations and stabbed several people with a machete before fleeing. AFP

Local media showed images of water bombers flying over neighborhoods, and families hosing down their homes in the hope of halting the fire’s spread.

A volunteer firefighter died in New South Wales state and two others suffered burns while working on a blaze more than five hours southwest of Sydney, the Rural Fire Service said.

“It’s believed that the truck rolled when hit by extreme winds,” the agency said, adding that the man left behind a pregnant wife.

Ten others, including two volunteer firefighters, have been killed so far this fire season.

The blazes have destroyed more than 1,000 homes and scorched more than three million hectares-an area bigger than Belgium.

The mercury reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 Fahrenheit) in Western Australia and topped 40 degrees in every region -including the usually temperate island of Tasmania.

The crisis has focused attention on climate change—which scientists say is creating a longer and more intense bush fire season—and sparked street protests calling for immediate action to tackle global warming. AFP

FOGGY AMRITSAR. People do exercises amid dense fog at a garden in Amritsar on Dec. 30, 2019.

AFP

since his early days in power.

“The constitutional government that I preside over has decided to declare persona non grata the ambassador of Mexico in Bolivia, Maria Teresa Mercado, the charge d’affaires of Spain, Cristina Borreguero, and the (Spanish) consul, Alvaro Fernandez,” Anez said.

She accused the diplomats of having “seriously harmed the sovereignty and dignity of the people and the constitutional government of Bolivia” and gave them 72 hours to depart.

Bolivia’s Foreign Minister Karen Longaric later Monday said the expulsions “do not imply any break in diplomatic relations.”

Mexico’s foreign ministry denounced the “political” decision and said it had instructed Mercado to return home.

Relations with Bolivia have cooled since Mexico offered Morales political asylum and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called the ex-leader the victim of a coup.

Morales—who resigned in November after weeks of protests over his controversial re-election—stands accused of sedition and terrorism and is now living in exile in Argentina. AFP

IN BRIEF

Kim calls for ‘counter measures’

SEOUL―North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for “diplomatic and military countermeasures”, state media said Tuesday, ahead of a year-end deadline for Washington to change its stance on the stalled nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

His latest comments, made during a meeting of top ruling party officials in Pyongyang on Monday, came ahead of his set-piece New Year speech that could flesh out a threat to seek a “new way” forward after the expiration of the yearend deadline.

He spoke for seven hours during the ruling Workers’ Party meeting, the North’s official KCNA news agency said in a report released Tuesday, calling for measures to rebuild its economy and “diplomatic and military countermeasures for firmly preserving the sovereignty and security” of the isolated nation.

The party meeting will continue to review an unspecified “important document”, it 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. AFP

Trainees sacked for Nazi salute

WASHINGTON―Thirty apprentice prison officers in the eastern United States will be fired for making a Nazi salute in a group photo, the state governor said on Monday.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice condemned the photo “in the strongest possible terms” and in a statement said: “This kind of behavior will not be tolerated on my watch in any agency of state government.”

His announcement coincided with rising concern over anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, where a machetewaving intruder wounded five people on the weekend at a New York Hanukkah celebration.

US media in early December published the photo of the apprentice prison officers, which was taken after several weeks of training.

It depicts about 30 apprentices in uniform making a Nazi salute under the legend “Hail Byrd!” a reference to their trainer, Kassie Byrd.

According to a report from the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, a member of the prison administration expressed her concerns to Byrd after receiving the photo.

Byrd replied, “There is nothing wrong with it. We have people of all colors and backgrounds in the picture and every one of them are participating.” AFP

Winter storm cancels flights

Iraq warns US relations at stake after deadly air strikes BAGHDAD―Iraq’s government warned Monday that its relations with the United States were at risk after deadly American air strikes against a pro-Iran group sparked anger on the streets, with protesters torching US flags.

Baghdad said it would summon the US ambassador while Washington responded by accusing Iraqi authorities of having failed to “protect” US interests.

At least 25 fighters were killed in Sunday night’s attacks, which saw US planes hit several bases belonging to the Hezbollah Brigades, one of the most radical factions of Hashed al-Shaabi, a Tehranbacked Iraqi paramilitary coalition.

The attacks came as Iraq is caught up in mounting tensions between its allies Tehran and Washington while it also grapples with huge street protests against corruption and Iran’s growing political influence in the country.

The strikes “killed 25 and wounded 51, including commanders and fighters, and the toll could yet rise,” said the Hashed, which holds major sway in Iraq.

Victims were still being pulled from the rubble of bases near Al-Qaim, an Iraqi district bordering Syria, on Monday, it said.

The Hezbollah Brigades said they will hold a mass funeral ceremony on Tuesday in Baghdad near the high-security Green Zone, where the US embassy is located.

Iraq’s government, acting in a caretaker capacity following the resignation of prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi in the face of street protests, denounced the strikes and warned they could affect ties with Washington.

“American forces acted on their political priorities, not those of the Iraqis,” a statement said, adding that such strikes “violate the sovereignty of Iraq”.

The attacks “force Iraq to review its relations and its security, political and legal framework to protect its sovereignty”, the government added.

The warning came as demonstrators torched US flags in the Shiite-dominated southern cities of Basra and Najaf as well as in Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, while lawmakers called for US troops to be booted

out of Iraq.

In a phone call on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “agreed that the Iranian regime and its proxies continue to be a destabilizing force in the region and that nations have a right to defend themselves in the face of these threats,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

Pompeo “underscored that attacks by the Iranian regime, or their proxies of any identity, that harm Americans, our allies, or our interests will be answered with a decisive response, as demonstrated yesterday.”

Dozens of lawmakers called on the government to review an agreement allowing the deployment of 5,200 US soldiers in the country, saying the strikes amount to a violation that renders the pact obsolete.

US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker said the strikes were a “proportionate” response for the death Friday of a US civilian contractor in Kirkuk in a Hezbollah Brigades rocket attack. AFP

MONTREAL―A winter storm in eastern Canada led to the cancellation of nearly 200 flights on Monday, and came too late for a White Christmas.

The mix of snow and freezing rain disrupted both departures and arrivals at airports in Montreal, the capital Ottawa, and the country’s largest city Toronto, an AFP count showed.

Worst-affected was Montreal-Trudeau International Airport with more than 100 cancellations, mostly to Ontario and the northeast United States, an airport spokesperson told AFP. Snow accumulations of 15-20 centimeters (six to eight inches) were expected by Tuesday evening in southern Quebec, according to the federal environment ministry.

The storm came after Montreal had a snowless Christmas, something that happens about once every five years, the ministry said. Only five inches of snow had fallen in December, compared with an average of 49 centimeters for that month.

Neighboring parts of the United States in the northeast and New England regions have also experienced heavy snow and rain or freezing rain. Moisture from that system was surging northward, the US National Weather Service said. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

FOR GOOD LUCK. A girl blows a plastic horn (torotot) at a stall in San Andres, Manila. (Inset) Assorted round fruits are sold at the San Andres market —believed to bring wealth and good luck as the country ushers in the Year of the Metal Rat.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Major infra projects lined up for Cebu

C

EBU CITY—The province of Cebu concluded 2019 with a bullish investment program on infrastructure development aimed at addressing traffic congestion and flooding.

“In the pipeline are the big-ticket projects which the Duterte administration is determined to finance to boost socioeconomic development in Central Visayas and to ease our burden due to traffic problem,” said Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino.

He enumerated the seven big-ticket projects that include infrastructure developments meant to ad-

Pangasinan agri sector gets a shot in the arm from gov’t, LGUs LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Amid the challenges encountered in 2019, the agriculture industry in the province of Pangasinan remained steadfast due to the support from the national government and the local government units.

While the El Niño phenomenon has brought severe damages to the crops in farmlands of other provinces, the farmers in Pangasinan have prepared for it with the help of the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Department of Agriculture as well as the Department of Agrarian Reform, among other agencies.

The province’s agriculture office provided technical assistance, while the DA and DAR provided farm machinery, such as water pumps.

“Since we already knew of the coming dry-spell as forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, we asked the farmers to plant ahead of their schedule, and to choose crops that will not require much water,” provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya said. Moya said most of the farmlands in the province have already been irrigated.

Weather disturbances in August, such as Tropical Storm “Ineng” and Tropical Depression “Jenny” benefited some 180,000 hectares of farmland in the province with the rains they brought during the dryspell. However, the onslaught of the southwest monsoon (habagat) caused P63.7-million losses in agriculture in the province.

In response, the DA, Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council launched the Survival and Recovery Assistance loan program that benefited 5,000 farmers.

“This is just an initial assistance as the agriculture sector in the country faces many challenges so we hope this program will help you.

The local government unit and the national government are working together to uplift [the] economic condition of the agri-fisheries sector,” Moya added.

dress traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.

The 73.75-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway that will span from Naga City in the south to Danao City in the north is a long high standard arterial road to meet existing and future traffic demands, he said.

Traversing mountain slopes of the province, this P28.1-billion expressway is expected to serve as another north-south backbone highway aimed to provide seamless traffic flow from Naga City to Danao City.

Next to the expressway is the Talisay-Minglanilla-Naga and Mandaue-Consolacion-Liloan bypass roads worth P200 million each.

The two bypass roads that are also seen to unclog main thoroughfares in Metro Cebu are on the list of the proposed priority programs, activities, and projects of the regional Department of Public

Works and Highways (DPWH-7) for fiscal year 2020.

Apart from these two bypass roads, the Guadalupe-Lahug Diversion Road is also among the infrastructure projects of DPWH-7 that will ease the traffic flow around the uptown district of this city.

Edgar Tabacon, DPWH-7 regional director, said the detailed engineering design for the P40-million diversion road project is part of the list of projects included in the 2020 budget proposal of the DPWH central office.

The General Appropriations Act of 2019 allocated P90 million for the detailed engineering design of the Metro Cebu Flood Control and Drainage Master Plan, he said.

The provincial government of Cebu, through a resolution sponsored by Provincial Board Member

Glenn Anthony Soco, encouraged local government units in the metro to align their respective drainage and anti-flood projects to the master plan.

The Fourth Mandaue-Mactan link bridge with a segment for the Mandaue Coastal Road is also a high impact project to be funded through the Official Development Assistance from the Japanese government.

Dino said the New Cebu International Container Port at the Cebu South Coastal Road in Talisay City which is now under construction is likewise expected to decongest both the container yard in the existing Cebu International Port and the traffic congestion along the service road that runs parallel with the S. Osmeña Street leading to a big mall at the North Reclamation Area and Mandaue Reclamation Area. PNA

3 hospitals, 10 health centers reactivated in QC for NY revelry

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has activated three city-run hospitals and 10 super health centers to treat possible victims of firecracker-related incidents in connection with the New Year’s celebration.

Belmonte said the city-run hospitals – QC General Hospital, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital and Novaliches District Hospital—and 10 super

health centers are ready to take in and treat firecracker victims.

“It’s better to be prepared for any eventuality than be caught off guard in case of emergencies,” said Belmonte.

The 10 super health centers placed on standby are located in the following barangays: San Francisco in District 1; Batasan, NGC, Betty Go Belmonte, Payatas and Bagong Silangan in District 2; Murphy in District 3; Kamuning in District 4; and

AJ Maximo and Sta. Lucia in District 5.

“Our 10 Super Health Centers are open 24 hours and are activated to assist and treat firecracker victims while our barangay health centers are placed on call to assist constituents with minor injuries,” she said.

Belmonte has likewise tasked the City Health Department to submit to her office centralized data on all firecrackerrelated cases.

The mayor has placed the Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management office on yellow alert and will monitor the 180 firecracker/fireworks zones and the four major New Year countdown events in Eastwood, Quezon Memorial Circle, SB Plaza in Novaliches Proper, and La Loma.

The DRRM, in partnership with the barangays, will also ensure that the ambulances deployed in each of the city’s 142 barangays will have medical personnel and drivers on call for immediate response during emergencies.

‘Ursula’ victims in Aklan receive food packs

RAVAGED. Photo shows the devastation left by Typhoon Ursula in Balasan town, Iloilo. Damage brought by the typhoon in Iloilo hit P104 million. Gail Momblan/PNA

45 police chiefs, station heads in Northern Mindanao reshuffled CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Forty-five police chiefs in Northern Mindanao region have been reshuffled to avoid “overfamiliarity,” which the police organization believes could hamper an officer’s effectiveness in the job.

Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan, director of Police Regional Office-10, said the realignment covers the positions of chief of police or station commanders of municipal police stations in cities and provincial levels.

“The said realignment is to pre-

vent familiarization of their area of responsibility that causes them ineffective in the performance of their duty and also it’s for their career enhancement to hone their leadership skills even if they are outside in their comfort zone. It is my desire to aspire for excellence and make PRO-10 as one among the best regional police offices nationwide,” Anduyan said.

Anduyan said the reshuffling begun on Dec. 16. The province with the most number of reshuffled officers is Misamis Oriental with 11,

followed by Bukidnon with nine.

Anduyan urged the police personnel to extend their “utmost commitment and support” to their new police chiefs and commanders.

He also ordered the chiefs of police and station commanders to “prove their worth” by accepting the challenges that may be encountered “in pursuing better services to people wherever they will be assigned.”

PRO-10 has also asked the public to support their local police units “since without it the efforts of the police force will be wasted.” PNA

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 6 has released 5,900 family food packs to those affected by Typhoon “Ursula” in Aklan province.

Luna Moscoso, DSWD-6 chief of the Disaster Response and Management Division, said the province of Aklan was placed under a state of calamity last Dec. 26 and the regional office immediately started sending family food packs for the affected residents totaling some P2,124,000.

“There are 59,920 families and 260,449 persons affected by Typhoon Ursula in Aklan province,” she said.

Moscoso said that as of Monday, there are still 342 families or 1,660 persons remaining in the evacuation centers in the towns of Altavas, Banga, Batan, Ibajay, Malay, Madalag, Malinao, Nabas, New Washington and Tangalan.

“The evacuees have remained in the evacuation centers because of their damaged houses,” she said.

She added the victims were provided with food packs worth P360 each that would last for about two days for a family of five.

The food packs contain rice, assorted canned goods and coffee.

Moscoso added that Aklan has 472 totally damaged houses and 5,257 partially damaged houses due to the typhoon.

She said only the towns of Kalibo, New Washington, Banga and Numancia have electricity while the rest have no power supply because poles had been toppled down by the typhoon.

PNA

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020

C1

TRAVEL IN STYLE. One-stop adventure shop SM Outdoors keeps travelers and urban warriors hydrated and ready for any kind of journey.

New adventures in the new year

T

ODAY is not only special because it is the first day of the year, it is also the first day of the decade; the beginning of the 2020s, another year and decade to explore the world and embark on new adventures.

Activities outdoors have long been proven beneficial to one’s health. Getting that extended period of fresh air, exercise, and enjoyment gives mind and body a real boost. It doesn’t hurt feeling refreshed once in a while before going back to the grind.

Those whose New Year’s resolutions include traveling and going on more adventures, getting new functional—and stylish, too—apparel and accessories must be on top of the list.

After all, a can-do attitude and open mind paired with equipment that let one survive delays at the airport or sleeping out under the sun in a far distant land is the perfect combination for any kind of adventure.

Outdoors by SM, which opened on the second level of SM Makati last year, offers a wide array of premier brands featuring advanced technology and innovative designs. It is both a one-stop shop for every adventure need and a go-

to store for the urban dweller.

Outdoors by SM now carries more than 40 premier brands, including countless luggage options from Dakine, Deuter, Eagle Creek, Osprey, Pacsafe, Thule, Timbuk2, Cabin Zero, and Travelon as well as backpacks from Fjallraven, Herschel, JanSport, and Parkland.

There are outdoor gear from The North Face, Columbia, and Mountain Hardware along with camping and hiking essentials from Black Diamond, Coghlan’s, Discovery Adventures, Gerber, and Sea to Summit.

Klean Kanteen, Hydro Flask, 360 Degrees, Nalgene, Hydrapak, and Stanley help keep one hydrated whether up

On-the-go city dwellers pack their essentials in Osprey’s Daylite Travel Pack.

in the mountains or even while in the office. There is also a large footwear assortment as aside from Merrell, Salomon, Palladium, Timberland, German brand Birkenstocks, and iconic Filipino brand Sandugo, brands such as Fit Flop, Native, and Freewaters are also now

available.

Outdoors by SM has recently expanded its merchandise options with swim and surf brands Quicksilver, Roxy and Billabong. Other new brands include Kovea, Science in Sport, Ultimate Direction and photography brand DJI.

From left: The North Face backpack, Fjallraven Vidda Pro jacket, Vidda Pro jacket and trousers for men, OUTline shoes from Salomon.

Sanctuary in the urban jungle

French stylist Brice Boidin ensures clients get the best service that lets them relax while being beautiful.

Text and photos by Ayunan Gunting A MONTH into operation, Koop Studio in BGC has already been named one of Manila’s top 10 celebrity-approved salons.

It’s not just the roster of international dressers that have lured the likes of actress Cristine Reyes, model and host Lauren Reid, blogger Kryz Uy, and singer Denise Laurel. The place lends itself to privacy.

Koop is a pun on the word “coupe,” the French word for haircut. Owned by AngloFilipino businessman Michael Needham and French master technician Brice Boidin (pronounced brees bwahdohn), the hair studio gathers stylists who are experts in their own way.

Boidin, the salon’s 30-year-old chief executive officer, spent half of his life honing his craft in precision cut and male hairdressing. Israeli colorist Fendi Dudi is known for his multidimensional highlights. Fil-Am hairdresser Leslie Espinosa specializes in curly hair.

When Boidin arrived in Manila, he researched on the salon interiors, management structure, and the pricing strategy. He noted that the most popular salons could not provide a relaxing ambiance with the noises from blasting hair-dryers and chattering clients.

Like a sanctuary in the middle of the city, the 160-square-meter Koop hair salon in BGC features a calming minimalist interiors and a hundred plants serving as partitions.

minimalist interiors. In the middle of the concrete and glass jungle of BGC, the salon is like a sanctuary, filled with a hundred plants.

British architect Liamh Treacy executed an industrial look—raw concrete walls and ceiling, exposed lighting fixtures, tempered glass windows, and terra cotta finishes contrasted by parquet flooring from reclaimed narra wood.

Concrete and wood are easily prone to scratches, little cracks, stains, and timeBeauty in peace worn patina. To Boidin, the flaws on the The French stylist thus envisioned Koop Stu- surfaces merely express the Japanese aesdio to provide a calming experience through its thetics of wabi-sabi, the acceptance of im-

perfections. The perceived flaws lend the feeling of being lived-in.

This aesthetic also conveys Koop’s philosophy that customers should embrace their individual looks instead of aspiring to the ideals of beauty espoused by social media.

“We want to change people’s perception of beauty,” says Boidin.

The 160-square-meter salon is enlivened with lush plants that line the modular metal shelves and walls. The owners consulted an expert who recommended the best plants Turn to C2

Life

C2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Bring it all in 2020

B

RING all the things you need to get through this year in these new released bags.

The Bond tote bag from Givenchy features a spacious structure and practical features.

Tote everything Go from one place to another with all the things you need in Givenchy’s Bond oversized shopper, the first signature tote designed by artistic director Clare Waight Keller.

First unveiled at the spring pre-collection, the Bond is designed like an invitation to escape: in a snap, its wide-paneled structure unfastens to lie completely flat in a suitcase, and reassumes its shape as needed for carrying treasures picked up along the way.

Straps are long enough for shoulder- or handcarrying, while a removable inner pouch in canvas (for leather styles) or in leather (for canvas styles) lets the wearer securely stow essentials inside the bag, or carry separately.

Its available in oil blue, aubergine, or black embossed leather; in ecru cotton canvas edged in aubergine leather, or in an oil blue and white jacquard with the Givenchy chain motif.

Longchamp’s second version of Cavalcade is made of crocodile-style cowhide leather.

Just the essentials Phone, wallet, keys, and a few more essentials fit quite nicely in Longchamp Cavalcade.

The iconic line is known for its equestrian spirit and feminine look, as well as eclectic and seductive appeal.

The line’s subtle, low-key allure turns sassier in its second version which features crocodile-style cowhide leather. Available in camel or blue mist, this wilder look transforms the little crossbody bag, belt bag, and wallet on chain into truly exotic accessories.

Givenchy is located at Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza East Wing, and Solaire Resort and Casino.

So many stuff? No problem!

Phone, wallet, keys, and off you go!

Longchamp is located at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Cebu, and Greenbelt 5.

Stelton Dermascience BGC now open

The kids of Bantay Bata and SOS Children’s Villages Philippines pose after their shopping spree at Uniqlo Megamall.

Fashion gives back

DURING the holiday season, Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo played Santa to children of Bantay Bata and SOS Children’s Villages Philippines.

Over 100 children were treated to a holiday shopping spree from the brand’s wide array of LifeWear essentials for Uniqlo’s “Give the Gift of LifeWear.”

During the event held at Uniqlo SM Megamall, Jose Mari Chan and Lea Salonga gave a warm Christmas serenade to the kids and other guests. Joining the festivities and shopping were Uniqlo Philippines’ partners, influencers, and media.

“Filipinos have always welcomed us from the time we introduced Uniqlo here in 2012, so we want to reciprocate that by giving back to those in need,” said Geraldine Sia, Uniqlo Philippines co-chief operating officer.

“More than just bringing good clothing to our customers through our apparel, it is also our mission to share our LifeWear to members of our community who don’t have access to our clothing and to our stores,” she added.

The company is committed to making the world a better place especially to those in need. As of August 2019, it

Jose Mari Chan and Lea Salonga serenade the guests.

has managed to collect 90.79 million articles of clothing globally through its All-Product Recycling Initiative.

These items have been delivered to communities in need, disaster survivors, and refugees in 22 countries and regions around the globe.

SKIN care center Stelton Dermascience has recently opened its second branch in BGC, Taguig.

Located on the third floor of One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Stelton Dermascience uses the latest innovations in skin care. Its doctors, registered nurses and highly-trained aestheticians carry out the affordable and sustainable services for both men and women.

“Our customers get quality beauty and wellness services without having to break the bank. This way, they can sustain their regimen because that’s the only way to achieve the ideal results,” says marketing head Janyll Palisoc.

Services include facials and peels such as Revitalizing Facial (cleanses thoroughly to remove impurities, detoxify, and allow the skin to breathe); Pimple Free (cleanses deeply to extract impurities and prevent breakouts); DermaScience (radio frequency combined with a special massage technique), and Hydrajet Facial (a combination of serum and RF).

Stelton Dermacience also has anti-aging and laser treatments sans the surgery.

These include S-Face contouring, a feelgood 30-minute procedure that tightens the skin and contours the face without any downtime. For pore minimizing, the CO2 laser is the ideal treatment.

The clinic also offers Ulthralift, a highintensity focus ultrasound meant to lift and tighten the skin with results that can last for six months or even longer.

Meanwhile, the Liquid Facelift is a doctor-assisted botox technique that provides instant lifting and prevents fine lines from becoming deep wrinkles—using only an injection. Those who want to achieve a perfectly contoured face are recommended to try the minimally invasive Threadlift for a V-

Sanctuary...

From C1

that thrive in air-conditioned rooms.

The plants on the dividers obscure the client from other customers.

At the end of the room, a corner is enclosed by a frosted glass divider that serves as a visual barrier, thus blocking a direct view into the workings of the hairdresser on the client.

The salon invested in Dyson hair dryers not only because of its heat controls but the brand is one of the quietest.

The minimalist design and the metal modules allow the salon to be transformed into an events or exhibition place.

Koop Studio recently hosted Tresemmé’s launch of Detox and Nourish lines which was attended by beauty influencers.

The powerhouse team

The children are all smiles during Uniqlo’s Give the Gift of LifeWear event.

Boidin began his career at the age of 15 at a salon in Paris, working his way up from shampooing the customers’ hair and cleaning the floor to hair cut-

S-Body Contouring

Hydrajet Facial

shaped face silhouette.

Injectables (Stelton Dermascience Dermal Fillers, Glow–PRP, Varicose Vein Therapy, Fitness Drip, Botox, and Keloid Injections) are also available for instant results with minimal downtime.

For a lighter and glowing skin, there are IV Glutathione/Placenta/Cindella, Clear Laser, Skin Reveal, White Crystal Drip, and Ultima Drip treatments.

Stelton Dermascience can likewise help with acne concerns through Clear Laser, Skin Reveal, and CO2 Laser. Clear Laser is a treatment that reduces skin pigments, dark spots, and age spots, as well as lightens skin. Meanwhile, Warts Removal and CO2 Laser are for more serious dermatological issues such as warts, pigments, and syringomas. Those who want to improve body silhouette may choose from the S-body Contouring, MesoShrink, and UlthraBody HIFU. “Aside from skin care, we also have our Laser Hair Removal that uses cut-

ting-edge machines that remove not only coarse black hair but are also effective to those who have unwanted white or light hairs, making it a painless procedure. HairGrowPRP promotes hair growth,” adds Palisoc.

The BGC branch boasts its own wellness pod called the Cocoon, a cutting-edge technology that operates on mid- and infrared light. This light produces “dry heat treatment” system and offers an experience likened to stepping into a dry sauna.

The dry heat from the Cocoon speeds up metabolism and allows the body to sweat toxins and calories off. It also has a cooling facial fan, mood lights, and its own aromatherapy system (using Himalayan salt crystals and jade stones) for that ultimate multi-function wellness experience.

ting. Seeking better opportunities, he moved to London in 2014 despite the fact that he didn’t speak any English.

He learned the language by engaging with his customers and sharing his experience to colleagues. Over time, he acquired a slight clipped British accent.

In London, Boidin met Needham who worked in finance. Needham wanted to try his luck in the Philippines. For 18 months, Boidin shuttled between London and Manila to oversee the construction of the salon.

While Boidin was hiring the staff, he encountered Dudi and Espinosa who were at the crossroads of their careers.

Work had become a daily grind for them, and the hierarchical culture of salons in the Philippines—senior stylists, junior stylists, assistants, et al.—hardly enabled flexibility and long-term career planning, and lacked communication which invariably could not foster strong team work.

“I don’t like that mindset. I want people to be happy at work,” asserts Boidin.

He believes in creating a democratic salon culture where the staffers are free to express themselves and could be trained

to move up the career ladder.

He adds, “I want people to feel they are working with us not for us. Team work makes the dream team. We are putting together the best of our qualities and expertise.”

Koop Studio makes the pricing competitive with a haircut at P1,800 and coloring for P6,000.

The French artiste doesn’t believe in following trends. He styles the hair according to the face shape, the hair texture and movement, and the client’s lifestyle.

“It’s bespoke service. We ask the clients how they want to look. Will the style be good for their hair? The cut should make people feel more confident about themselves,” he says.

In all, Koop Studio sets itself from the conventional salon service in the country. “Koop is a lifestyle and a mindset,” enthuses Boidin.

Stelton Dermascience BGC is open Monday to Sunday at 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Call (02) 7917-7640 or 09951479654 for inquiries and reservations.

Koop is located at 2/F High Street South Corporate Plaza, cor. 26th and 9th Avenue, BGC, Taguig. Call 0916-7666429 for inquiries.

Entertainment SNAPSHOT

wednesday, january 1, 2020

From C4

HoLLyWooD heavyweight Tom Hanks (left) was awarded honorary Greek citizenship on Friday, the state Athens News Agency said, adding an official touch to a long love affair with the country.

A document that confirmed the distinction was signed

by Greek president Prokopis Pavlopoulos, ANA said.

The 63-year-old actor and filmmaker’s wife (center), producer Rita Wilson, is also of Greek origin on her mother’s side.

There is considerable pride in Greece that Hanks, one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, has a summer house on the picturesque island of Antiparos and visits every year.

Hanks has said that he feels “110 percent Greek...I’m more Greek than a Greek is” by being married to Wilson, producer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. AFP

GMA Network wins big at

2019 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards

Bb. Pilipinas-International Bea Patricia “Patch” Magtanong, 25, was one of the Top 8 finalists of Miss International 2019. The lawyer, and a cum laude Law graduate from the University of the Philippines, clapped in a pageant won by Miss Thailand Sireethorn Leearamwat on Nov. 12 in Tokyo, Japan.

Flordeliz Mabao, a 21-yearold native of Taytay, rizal and Communication Arts graduate of University of Santo Tomas was named 2nd runner-up in Miss Scuba International 2019 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on Nov. 16. The title was won by Miss Australia Michaela Shuttleworth.

Fil-Pakistani model and Psychology student from Buluan, Maguindanao, Resham Saeed, 25, finished in the Top 25 at Miss Supranational 2019. The beauty tilt held in Silecia, Poland on Dec. 7 was won

by Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild.

Miss Universe-Philippines Gazini Ganados, finished in the Top 20 of Miss Universe 2019. The 24-year-old Tourism graduate from Cebu took home the Best National Costume Award in the pageant held in Atlanta Georgia on Dec. 8. The coveted crown was won

by Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi.

Catriona Gray made her traditional final walk before passing on her crown.

Miss World-Philippines Michelle Dee, 24, was named Top 12 semifinalist in Miss World 2019. The oldest beauty pageant in the world was held in London on Dec. 14 and was won by Miss Jamaica Toni Ann. World Top Model Philippines April May Short finished in the Top 12 of World Top Model International 2019. It was held in Monte Carlo, Monaco on Dec. 14.

The 24-year-old, Zamboanga native won a scholarship training from the World Top Model Training Academy in Italy.

Emma Mary Tiglao, a 24-year-old Tourism graduate from Pampanga, finished in the Top 20 of Miss Intercontinental 2018 where the Philippines’ Karen Gallman crowned her successor Miss Hungary Fanni Miko in the finals held Sharm-El Sheik, Egypt on Dec. 20. on the spear side (male), Police Corporal Willy Quinto was crowned the first Mr. Working Men International 2019. The male pageant was held in

GMA News’ Howie Severino received the award for ‘I-Witness’

Binibining Pilipinas International 2019 Patch Magtanong

GMAI First VP and Head Joseph Francia (center) and Eric Quizon received the award for Best Regular TV Program on Migration.

F

Winning the Best TV Series on Migration was GMA Public Affairs’ award-winning weekly drama anthology Tadhana.

Hosted by Marian Rivera, Tadhana features the stories of struggle, failure, hope, and triumphs of oFWs. Meanwhile, pioneering and longest-running documentary program I-Witness and investigative news magazine program Reporter’s Notebook were both awarded Best TV Episodic Program on Migration.

I-Witness’ “Laban.DH”, a documentary by GMA News’ Howie Severino, narrated the full-cycle journey of Filipino domestic workers in Kuwait. Anchored to their dreams of seeking employment abroad, their vulnerabilities had exposed them to a life of constant violence on-site and were often faced with difficulties upon their return to the Philippines.

C3

Pageant Concept...

Tom Hanks becomes honorary Greek citizen

or raising awareness on Filipino migration issues and championing the cause of Filipinos overseas, leading broadcast company GMA Network was recognized with multiple awards in the television category of the 2019 Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards by the Commission on Filipino overseas held last Dec. 17.

nickie.standard@gmail.com

The winning episode of Reporter’s Notebook “Mga Nagkukubling Anghel”, on the other hand, featured the story of children born in Sabah of Filipino parents. The story by Maki Pulido showed how these children were not registered with the Malaysian authorities nor had registration documents that officially declare them as Filipino citizens, thus making them stateless.

GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Network’s flagship international channel, also earned honors for the Network as well through its two original shows.

Becoming Pinoy, a short-form documentary that features Filipinos who were born of mixed ancestry and raised in different cultures, was named as the winner of the Best TV Interstitial on Migration under the Television Journalism Award category.

Becoming Pinoy was recognized for featuring Filipinos born and raised abroad, showing how they survived discrimination, found and appreciated their Filipino roots/heritage, and thrived in their chosen career. GMA International, through its Programming team, has already produced 26 episodes to date.

Under the same category, the informative program Pusong Pinoy sa Amerika hosted by immigration attorney Lou Tancinco with Eric Quizon was named as the Best regular TV Program on Migration. Featuring immigration law concerns and Fil-Am stories, the show is now on its 15th season on GMA Pinoy TV. It explores the labyrinths of immigration law to guide the Kapuso abroad on their rights and privileges under the ever-changing immigration system.

-30-

Bangkok, Thailand on oct. 21.

The ‘Dancing Cop’ of Valenzuela who won the “Gwapulis” 2016 contest became the second member of the national police to win an international title after Mr. International 2014Mariano Flormata, Jr., a.k.a. Neil Perez.

John Jeffrey ‘Janjep’ Carlos, 41, was crowned Mr. Gay World 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa on May 5.

He’s the second Filipino to win the title after John Raspado in 2017.

More titles in minor male pageants were won by Philippine representatives. yves Campos of Cebu won the Mister Tourism and Culture Universe 2019 title in Myanmar on Aug. 31.

Mark Avila won the first Gentlemen of the World pageant held in Manado, Indonesia on oct. 24.

Martin Domingo Sardiña was crowned Mister Icon World 2019 in

Extra International...

From C4

The next two on the list are also superhero movies.

Black Widow, which kicks off a new phase of Marvel movies, gives Scarlett Johansson’s popular recurring character her own film. Out in May, it is helmed by Cate Shortland.

It is followed by Chloe Zhao’s The Eternals, which in November will introduce a host of new Marvel characters played by a star-studded ensemble cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek,

Actress Alma Concepcion at the Ms. & Mrs. Grand/Classic Universe 2019 pageant

Mumbai, India on Nov. 25.

Trevor Goldman, representing FilUSA Community, was named the firstever Mr. World Noble King 2019 on Dec. 15.

John Paul Ocat, a model from Cebu, was named 4th runner-up at Man of the World 2019 finals held at the Fil-Oil Flying V Center in San Juan City on July 11. Mr. BulgariaDaniel Georgiev snatched the title.

JB Saliba snagged the Mr. World Asia/ Pacific continental title at Mr. World 2019 held at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 23. Mr. England Jack Heslewood walked home with the title.

Denver Hernández finished in the Top 20 of Mr. Supranational 2019. The contest was held in Katowice, Poland, on Dec. 7 and was dominated by Mr. USA Nate Crnkovich. on the side of married women, Avon Morales was crowned Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019 held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on May 18.

Named Top 10 finalists were Glynes Olbes in Mrs. Asia Pacific Intercontinental; Marjorie Orito and Police Master Sergeant Mary Chris Camacho in Mrs. Asia Pacific 2019.

While Llena Tan won 2nd runner-up in Mrs. Worldwide 2019 in Singapore on oct. 20.

Shiela Teodoro – DeForest won Mrs. ECo International Pageant 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on June 29.

Actress Alma Concepcion was crowned Mrs. Grand/Classic Universe 2019 during the pageant held at Tanghalang Pasigueño in Pasig City on Sept. 27.

Former sexy star and singer Patricia Javier-Walcher claimed the Noble Queen of the Universe 2019 title held at the Manila Hotel on Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, in an interesting turn of events, Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta, chairperson of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), gave up the national franchise for Miss UniversePhilippines.

The BPCI had 55 productive years winning four Miss Universe titles before the Miss Universe organization (MUo) decided not to renew its license with the Araneta-led organization.

Health and fitness advocate JB Saliba competed in Mr. World 2019

and Kit Harington.

The new year’s fourth-most anticipated film is Mulan from Niki Caro, the latest in Disney’s string of live-action remakes of cartoon classics, out March.

Another female-directed superhero movie Birds of Prey, a spinoff from 2016’s Suicide Squad which sees Margot Robbie returning as Harley Quinn, also appears on the list, in seventh. Cathy Yan oversees the February movie.

Other 2020 films piquing interest include James Bond title No Time to Die, Pixar’s otherworldly jazz animation Soul, and Fast & Furious 9 -- the latest in the evergreen petrolhead franchise. AFP

Entertainment

nickie wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

wednesday, january 1, 2020

A bronze Stevie for ABS-CBN MEDIA giant ABS-CBN’s swift action to protect the stakeholders of one of its digital properties was honored with a Bronze Stevie Award at the 16th International Business Awards, the world’s premier business awards.

The network triumphed in the Communications or Pr Campaign of the year - Crisis Management category for its quick, decisive, and effective response to a data breach of its online shopping website (store.abs-cbn. com).

More than 1,000 professionals around the world enter the prestigious Stevie Award judging process annually.

In previous years, other winners from ABS-CBN include ABS-CBN TVplus, its “Moonchasers” website for La Luna Sangre, and its social media campaigns for partners like McDonalds and Unilever Philippines.

ABS-CBN Data Protection officer Jay Gomez

From left David Davila, Coleen Garcia, and Karen Davila

GAOC founder marks star-studded 50th birthday oNE of the country’s finest dental Dr. Gan indeed marked an important practitioners, Dr. Steve Mark Gan of milestone in his life with close family GAoC, welcomed his golden 50th year and friends and a memorable celebration with a grand birthday bash at The revel full of love and laughter.

Bar in Taguig City, which has seen some of the hottest names in showbiz grace the event.

Among those who partied with Dr. Gan until the early hours of the morning were his celebrity clients and friends including Vina Morales, Sam Milby, Erich Gonzales, Ruffa Gutierrez, Coleen Garcia-Crawford, Janeena Chan and Gab Valenciano just to name a few. Media friends who attended include Anton San Diego, Ben Tulfo, Tim Yap, Mocha Uson, Wilson Lee-Flores, Dolly Anne Carvajal, and Karen Davila who brought his son David along.

Making his birthday celebration even more memorable were cherished loved ones, close friends and colleagues, some of which flew in from different parts of the world to personally extend their well-wishes to Dr. Gan. Dr. Steve Mark Gan and Vina Morales

A year on pageant scene Clappers, thank-you girls, and minor crowns I

T WAS not a banner year for Philippine representatives on the international pageant stage. A replacement for a disqualified delegate was the lone major winner for the country in 2019.

Cyrille Payumo, a 22-year-old Tourism Management graduate, was asked to fill the shoes of Mutya PilipinasTourism International 2019 Tyra Goldman who was disqualified.

Payumo went on to win the Miss Tourism International 2019 title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Nov. 8. The statuesque Pampanga native became the fifth Filipina to snag the crown.

Fil-Australian beauty Karen Gallman, 26, bested 80 plus delegates to win the 2018 Miss Intercontinental crown at the finals held on Jan. 26 at the Mall of Asia.

Kimi Mugford, 18, a Fil-Am based in Los Angeles, California with roots in Bauko, Mountain Province, was named in the Top 5 of Miss Multinational 2019. The pageant held in New Delhi, India on Jan. 21 was won by Miss USA Daniela Nieto succeeding the Philippines’ Sophia Senoron.

Catriona Gray made a triumphant homecoming victory parade in Manila on Feb. 21—a proud moment for millions of Filipinos, especially, pageant aficionados—two months after winning Miss Universe 2018 in Thailand.

Maureen Montagne, 24, a Fil-French, Marketing graduate from Arizona, USA, and winner of Century Tuna Superbods

Miss Universe 2019 thank-you girl Gazini Ganados won Best in National Costume in the pageant held in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec. 9.

Women take charge in Hollywood’s hottest 2020 movies—survey FEMALE directors look set for a breakthrough year in Hollywood in 2020, according to a survey published Friday that found the four most anticipated films of the year are all helmed by women.

It is a rare trend in a town which has only ever nominated five women for the best director oscar, and whose sometimes ambivalent attitude toward misogyny was laid bare by the

#MeToo movement which brought down Harvey Weinstein.

Wonder Woman 1984, the Gal Gadot-starring sequel out in June, was selected as the year’s most anticipated film by more than 2,000 moviegoers polled by Fandango website.

Patty Jenkins returns to direct after the first film, based on the DC Comics’ Amazonian heroine, took a spectacular $820 million worldwide in 2017. Continued on C3

Director Patty Jenkins (left) and actress Gal Gadot will return for ‘Wonder Woman 1984,’ selected as 2020’s most anticipated film.

Miss Tourism International Cyrille Payumo was the only Filipina beauty queen to win an international pageant crown in 2019

2018, was named 1st runner-up in Miss Eco International 2019 held in Egypt on March 29. The crown was won by Miss Peru Suheyn Cipriani succeeding the Philippines’ Cynthia Thomalla.

Letelle Perez was named Miss Lumiere International 2019 3rd runner-up in Miss Global Universe 2019 held in Singapore on June 23.

Twenty-three-year-old model Sharmaine Rose Magdasoc snagged the Miss Fashion World 2019 title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 21.

Gabrielle Camille Basiano, 21, a Tourism student from Tacloban City, was named 1st runner-up in Miss Friendship International 2019 held in Chengdu, China on July 27 won by Miss Serbia Emilia Dobreva.

Camille Joy Ang was a Top 10 finalist in Miss Tourism Worldwide 2019 in Batam, Indonesia on Sept. 22.

Leren Mae Bautista was the bestperforming Bb. Pilipinas queen for 2019.

The 26-year-old Laguna native, who won the Miss Tourism Queen of the year International in 2015, was named 2nd runner-up in Miss Globe 2019 held in Ulcini, Montenegro on oct. 21. The title was won by Miss Mexico Alejandra Soler.

Davao’s Klyza Castro, 19, made it to the Top 25 of Miss Asia Pacific International 2019 held in resorts World Manila on oct. 9. The pageant saw the crowning of Miss SpainChaiyenne Huisman, who walked home with the title.

Yves Campos, 26, was crowned Mister Tourism and Culture Universe 2019 in Yangon, Myanmar.

Leren Mae Bautista, who competed in Miss Globe 2019, was the most successful Binibini in 2019.

TV host Janelle Tee, 28, finished in the Top 20 of Miss Earth 2019. The pageant, which was held in okada Manila on oct.

26, was won by Miss Puerto rico Nellys Pimentel.

Kayesha Chua, 26, a flight attendant from Legaspi City, Albay, won Miss Asia Awards 2019. She was crowned in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Nov 3.

Chua, graduated Cum Laude in Hotel and restaurant Management at the University of Santo Tomas and was former Miss Bicolandia 2017. Continued on C3