Manila Standard - 2020 January 25 - Saturday

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Year of the Rat divines positive, negative energy

TAIPEI―As the world prepares to welcome the Year of the Rat, feng shui masters predict a lucky year for Donald Trump, but warn Harry and Meghan’s futures are less certain as they make a bid for freedom.

Meanwhile, in Manila, Marites Allen, the only Filipina to be awarded the title of “Master of Feng Shui” by the International Feng Shui Association, warned all Chinese astrology Next page

Gov’t begins process to end PH-US VFA pact Full story below

ROSY RAT. A giant rat lantern welcomes Friday well-wishers in Lucky Chinatown in Manila’s Binondo district, with the Lunar Calendar (right), as the plausibly world’s oldest Chinatown rings in the Year of the Metal Rat on the eve of the 15-day celebration. Passing under the lantern is believed to bring longevity and serve as protection from evil spirits. Norman Cruz

China isolates 13 cities • Quarantine affects 41-m people • Cases jump to 800 overnight • New hospital rushed in 10 days

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 345 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

• WHO yet to declare global crisis

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HINESE authorities rapidly expanded a mammoth quarantine effort aimed at containing a deadly contagion on Friday to 13 cities and a staggering 41-million people, as nervous residents were checked for fevers and the death toll climbed to 26.

While the World Health Organization held off on declaring a global emergency despite confirmed cases in half a dozen other countries, China expanded its lockdown to cover an area with a total population greater than Canada’s.

A range of Lunar New Year festivities have been canceled, while temporary closures of Beijing’s Forbidden City, Shanghai’s Disneyland and a section of the Great Wall were announced to prevent the disease from spreading further.

The previously unknown virus has caused alarm because of its similarity to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

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PROTECTIVE MASKS. Travelers wearing protective masks queue up at the departure hall of the West Kowloon rail station in Hong Kong on Thursday, after the international finance hub went on high alert for the mystery SARS-like virus which emerged within the Chinese city of Wuhan which has killed at least 26. AFP

Process to end Taal rumbles anew; no power, fuel in some areas VFA pact with US on—Palace

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

eral areas placed on lockdown due to the ongoing activity of Taal Volcano.

Energy Undersecretary and spokesTHE Department of Energy will tem- person Felix Fuentebella said the DOE porarily suspend electricity services will implement the order of the National and cut the supply of petroleum in sev- Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage-

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz THE government has started the process of terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order, a day after the Chief Executive lashed out at Washington for cancelling the visa of Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Friday the termination of the joint military pact with America was prompted by an “accumulation” of previous incidents.

“I asked him last night [Thursday], when will the process start?” Panelo Next page

ment and Council.

This developed as Taal’s main volcano crater emitted thick white steamladen plumes with ash starting 5 a.m., its most significant showing since its Next page

WHO says no global crisis yet; Duque piqued

By Macon Ramos-Araneta HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday he was somewhat piqued that the World Health Organization—which is based in Manila—is yet to decide whether to declare a global health emergency after the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) that has so far killed 26 people.

STEAM-LADEN PLUMES.

Authorities say Taal Volcano’s main crater has emitted substantial white steam-laden plumes, reaching 600 meters up, with ash early morning of Friday, with the volcano emitting low amount of sulfur dioxide at 224 tons per day, with nearly 89,000 families already displaced by Taal.

Screen grab from PHIVOLCS FB

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WEATHER Fog or ash? Whatever, it’s bad for the health IF YOU’VE noticed the foggy-like haze seen around Metro Manila on Friday, it was not fog or ash from Taal Volcano, a meteorologist said.

“It has nothing to do with Taal [Volcano]. It’s not fog either,” said UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology professor Next page

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News

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

’Second out-of-town session possible‘

By Maricel V. Cruz

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OUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Friday said the positive results in the holding of the first out-of-town regular session of the House of Representatives in Batangas City last Wednesday could inspire the leadership to hold another one if circumstances required.

Romualdez said.

As a result of the out-of-town session, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolutions 662 and 655, both seeking swift and permanent solutions to the problems of the Taal Volcano evacuees.

Cayetano said the regular session in Batangas City was carefully studied and many sectors were consulted, including the province’s officials.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu expressed gratitude to the House leadership for directly hearing their concerns.

Abu assured Batangueños that “the House will work very hard to expedite the passage of supplemental budget for the rehabilitation plan.”

The House is eying to pass a P50-billion supplemental budget for the areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

Abu, along with several other House members, attended Wednesday’s session and personally gave their donations

and contributions to the evacuees.

This developed as Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael Romero sought a P3-billion funding to finance the Phivolcs Modernization Act of 2019 to equip the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology with the latest state-of the-art instruments and equipment.

Romero filed House Bill 5763 that proposes a two-year implementation of the modernization program, which is expected to vastly improve PHIVOLCS’ capability for warning, assessing and monitoring devastating volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis.

In filing the bill, Romero said the amount being proposed was insignificant if compared to the hundreds of lives and billions of properties that might be saved due to more accurate readings and better assessment of the dangers triggered by deadly volcanic and seismic activities.

Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, said the out-oftown session initiated by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano greatly helped them get closer to the victims of Taal Volcano’s eruption, as they were able to know their need for appropriate action by the chamber in finding permanent solutions to their problems.

“We are encouraged by the positive results, and so [Cayetano] may request another out-of-town regular session of Congress,” said Romualdez who acted

as the floor leader during Wednesday’s unprecedented session at the Batangas City Convention Center attended by 204 lawmakers.

During the session, Romualdez said, “many of the representatives were able to engage directly with the locals here.

“We did not want to become a distraction but to be physically present and have personal knowledge of their individual needs, we are more in tune when we craft legislation and initiatives to help the evacuees,”

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The WHO said China faced a national emergency but stopped short of making a declaration that would have prompted greater global cooperation, including possible trade and travel restrictions.

The outbreak emerged in late December in Wuhan, an industrial and transport hub of 11-million people in China’s center, spreading to several other countries including the United States.

China is in the midst of its Lunar New Year holiday, a typically joyous time of family gatherings and public festivities.

But on Friday, Wuhan was a ghost town, its streets deserted and stores shuttered.

Hospitals bustled with worried patients being screened by staff wearing full-body protective suits.

At a temperature-check station, a medical staffer in bodysuit, face mask and goggles took a thermometer from a middle-aged woman, pausing to examine the reading before quickly turning back to the patient.

“Have you registered? Then go and see the doctor,” the staffer said.

One 35-year-old man surnamed Li voiced the fears of many.

“I have a fever and cough, so I’m worried that I’m infected,” he said. “I don’t know the results yet.”

With hundreds of millions of people on the move across China for the holiday, the government has halted all travel out of Wuhan, shut down its public transport and told

residents to stay home. Deepening the isolation, there were few flights available to the city.

“This year we have a very scary Chinese New Year. People are not going outside because of the virus,” said a taxi driver in the city, who asked not to be named.

But said a prolonged shutdown should not pose food-shortage problems because many Chinese had stocked up for the holiday.

Besides Wuhan, 12 other smaller cities nearby have battened down the hatches, with most of them going public on Friday with various measures ranging from closing public venues and restricting large gatherings to halting public transportation and asking citizens not to leave their cities.

Several of the cities have populations numbering several million, led by Huanggang, which has 7.5 million.

The pathogen—2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)—has caused many outlets in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities to sell out their stocks of face masks.

As reports surfaced of bed shortages in Wuhan hospitals, state media said authorities were rushing to build a new facility devoted to the outbreak in a mind-blowing 10 days.

The Wuhan hospital is targeted to be ready by Feb. 3. Dozens of excavators and trucks were filmed working on the site by state television.

To discourage nationwide travel, the government has said all tickets for rail, air, road, or water transport could be exchanged for a refund.

On Friday, staff in full body protective suits

were seen checking the temperatures of people entering a subway station in Beijing.

Thermal cameras scanned passengers arriving at Beijing’s West Railway Station.

Chinese authorities said the number of cases leapt overnight to more than 800, with 177 in serious condition. There were another 1,072 suspected cases.

Officials also said that a virus patient died in Heilongjiang province in China’s far northeast, the second death outside the Wuhan epicenter.

Beijing has been praised for its response in contrast to SARS, when it took months to report the disease and initially denied WHO experts any access.

Gao Fu, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, asked China’s people to forego New Year gatherings this year and confine themselves at home until the all-clear.

“If we all work as one, we can contain the virus in Wuhan and add no more cases exported from Wuhan, so as to stem the virus nationwide,” Gao told state TV. Beijing has cancelled popular New Year public events at temples in the capital, the historic Forbidden City will close from Saturday, and Shanghai Disneyland said it also will shut down for an indefinite period from Saturday to protect visitors and staff.

The pathogen, known by its technical name 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019nCoV), has caused nationwide alarm, with surgical masks selling out at many outlets in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities.

In the latest, the city of Huangshi, which

has more than 2 million people, announced Friday it had halted public transport and closed a major bridge.

Wuhan’s straitjacket tightened further Friday, with the city limiting the number of taxis allowed on roads. Leading Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing also said it was temporarily suspending service in Wuhan.

The respiratory virus emerged from a seafood and animal market in Wuhan in late December. It has spread to several other countries, including the United States.

The National Health Commission said that of the 830 cases in China so far, 177 are in serious condition. Authorities were also examining 1,072 suspected cases.

“This is an emergency in China, but it has not yet become a global health emergency,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters after two days of talks in Geneva.

Tedros hailed China’s preventive measures but expressed hope that they would be “short in their duration.”

Beijing has been praised for its response, in contrast to SARS, when it took months to report the disease and initially denied WHO experts any access.

China also on Friday confirmed the second virus death outside the Wuhan epicenter, saying a patient died in Heilongjiang province, 2,000 kilometers northeast of Wuhan.

Authorities have said most fatalities were aged between 48 and 89 and already suffered from pre-existing health conditions.

AFP

Taal...

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WHO...

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“Honestly, I feel a bit frustrated with WHO because they’ve had meetings in the last two days. I don’t understand why they haven’t reached a consensus yet although, of course, they explained that they see more mild cases than serious cases,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Board on Friday ordered all airlines operating in the Philippines to monitor events that may occur in other cities that may be affected by the spread of the coronavirus.

Almost 500 tourists in Kalibo, Aklan originating from Wuhan City are set to be sent back to China, the CAAP added Friday.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio told GMA News Online a total of 464 passengers in Kalibo are scheduled to be brought back to Wuhan on Jan. 23, 24 and 27.

The Jan. 27 flight already includes the 135 passengers who were able to leave Wuhan for the Philippines just hours before the lockdown of the city.

“All air carriers are directed to closely monitor the events that might transpire from other cities tha may be affected by the coronavirus, and to take the necessary precautions in ensuring that the health and safety of passengers are not jeopardized,” the board said in a statement.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal on Friday ordered terminal managers to ensure alltime availability of hand sanitizers in all four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Monreal’s directive came as part of the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus from Wuhan, China.

Duque said there was no confirmed case yet of the virus in the Philippines.

The DOH in Eastern Visayas also said there is no report of the dreaded nCoV in Tacloban City, following some social media reports of a person being admitted in one of the hospitals in the city after showing some symptoms of the mysterious SARS-like disease coming from China.

“If ever there are social media posts

(on suspected novel coronavirus patient in Tacloban), the DOH will not deny nor confirm it. We have to follow government protocol based on WHO issuances,” said DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon in a press briefing.

WHO Representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the committee was discussing the pros and cons of declaring the outbreak of the virus, first reported in Wuhan, China, as a public health emergency of international concern.

He said the declaration of the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern would depend on the mortality rate among patients.

He said most of the fatalities had preexisting medical conditions.

“We are not clear of the new deaths that have been unofficially reported, so WHO is working with authorities in China to better understand whether this virus is causing the death in otherwise healthy people, or it is more likely that it is causing death in people that have pre-existing medical condition,” Abeyasinghe said.

But the problem, he said, was that the virus is causing respiratory infection.

With the current flu season, he said, a lot of people may exhibit symptoms similar to the coronavirus infection like fever, cough, colds and sore throats.

“So to determine if somebody is actually infected with this virus, you need a definitive test as we have seen in the case of the child (the five-year-old Chinese boy) that was detected in Cebu City in the Philippines,” Abeyasinghe said.

Duque said WHO met again Thursday, so he would check if there was already a consensus to declare a global health emergency.

He also said the WHO deliberations Wednesday were “inconclusive,” but they were expecting some conclusions later today.

With the declaration of a global health emergency, Duque guaranteed the response to this novel coronavirus would be better as it would be coordinated and guidelines would be standardized.

Duque also said there were still no results on the throat samples of the Chinese boy who

recently traveled from Wuhan to Cebu City.

They were still awaiting the findings from his specimens sent to a laboratory in Melbourne, Australia, to determine if he was afflicted with the coronavirus that emerged in Whuan.

Earlier, the Chinese boy tested positive for “non-specific pancoronavirus assay.”

He also yielded negative results for SARSCoV and MERS-CoV. Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday called on the government to impose a temporary travel ban on all individuals for at least 30 days who came from or had passed through Wuhan.

Hontiveros issued the call in light of the asymptomatic nature and lengthy incubation period of the 2019-nCoV as determined by health authorities.

This call was on top of the Civil Aeronautics Board’s recent suspension of all flights from Wuhan to the Philippines.

In addition, she said, authorities must place the residents of Wuhan presently in the country and those with flu-like symptoms who had traveled through China in the past 14 days under health surveillance.

“I also strongly urge these individuals to self-quarantine and to report to health authorities any sign of sickness for appropriate medical observation and proper treatment,” she said.

The senator considers this a global concern that needs international cooperation.

“It is of the utmost importance that we consider similar precautionary measures being taken by Taiwan, Singapore and our other neighboring countries,” she said.

Senator Francis Tolentino called for the creation of the Office of the Surgeon General, which would serve as the national spokesperson on all matters relating to public health in the Philippines.

“The recent influx of diseases, such as the still unidentified strain of corona virus originating from Wuhan, China, necessitates the need for a proactive government body which focuses on a reliable communication system for disease prevention and control,” said Tolentino, who recently filed Senate Bill 1288. With Darwin Amojelar, Joel E. Zurbano and Ronald O. Reyes

crimes in the country, unless the crimes are “of particular importance to the Philippines.”

President Duterte’s decision to scrap the VFA came after the Dela Rosa confirmed the cancellation of his US visa, saying Washington officials informed him he could apply for another visa if he wished.

The neophyte senator was Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief and is known as the architect behind the administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

Apart from the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa, Panelo attributed the termination of VFA to other factors, such as the passage of the US government’s 2020 budget, which included a provision that bars entry of Philippine officials who were behind the

imprisonment of Senator Leila De Lima, who is on trial on drug charges.

De Lima claims the charges against her are fabricated and politically motivated.

Asked to describe the country’s diplomatic relations with the US, Panelo said: “Maybe, we can say that it’s not as warm as before. It’s lukewarm.”

Washington has long been an ally of the Philippines, but its criticism of the goverment’s war on drugs—marred by allegations of human rights violations— earned the ire of Duterte.

“When you assail the sovereignty of one state, that is a big deal. They’ve been intruding into our domestic affairs, bullying us into submission. We cannot allow that,” Panelo said. Willie N. Casas and AFP

eruption on Jan. 12, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on Friday.

PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum said the recorded tremors beneath the volcano island indicated there was boiling of groundwater inside Taal. Stronger volcanic quakes were also record in the past 24 hours following its calm activity in the past few days.

But Ma. Antonia Bornas, PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division head, said the latest volcanic activity was not that significant.

“We have to work under the umbrella of the Council, meaning when the Council has declared already the lockdown in the area, the energy family, the distribution utilities, the transmission group, the NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) and also the power plants, the oil companies will also have to implement this,” Fuentebella said at a press conference Friday in Taguig City.

Once an area is declared under lockdown, agencies under the DOE will suspend electricity services and the supply of downstream oil products in the area.

The NDRRMC has placed the Batangas towns of Lemery, Agoncillo, Laurel, San Nicolas and Talisay, which has “window hours” from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., under total lockdown.

Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Sta. Teresita, and Cuenca towns and the cities of Tanauan and Lipa are under partial lockdown.

While electricity services will be suspended in locked-down areas, Fuentebella said evacuation centers will have to be supplied with power or other energy services.

“This is to ensure that everyone, especially the people of Batangas and the other affected areas, are safe,” he said.

This developed as the number of families displaced by Taal Volcano’s eruption has climbed to 88,842, the NDRRMC said on Friday. With PNA

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said, referring to the VFA’s termination.

“Tonight,” Panelo said, quoting the President. “The process of starting it has commenced or will commence today.”

Ratified in 1999, the military accord outlined guidelines for the conduct of American troops visiting the Philippines.

The VFA was aimed at enhancing security relations between the Philippines and the US and for the American military to support the country against external aggression.

The agreement also allows the US government to retain jurisdiction over their military personnel accused of committing

Fog...

From A1 Gerry Bagtasa in a text message to ABSCBN News.

“Air is currently stagnant because of opposing winds over Metro Manila.

High humidity or light rain gives it the appearance of fog.”

The air-quality monitoring site Airtoday recorded “poor” air quality on Friday afternoon, with the level or air pollutants reaching 63 to 65 micrograms per cubic meter by 1 p.m. The World Health Organization standard for exposure to air pollution is at a maximum of 25 micrograms per cubic meter.

Air Intellipure also posted in its Facebook

Duterte vows quick payment for 16 Russian cargo choppers

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said the country would be “prompt” in paying to acquire cargo helicopters from Russia despite the limited funds of the government.

The President said the Philippines would not take advantage of its friendship with Russia to purchase the air assets needed for the military’s modernization program.

“I’m sure we will have to make the down payment and be prompt. Just because Russia is a friend, it doesn’t follow that we abscond or do not pay our debts,” he said to RT, a Russian television network.

“It’s still money, and we are really short of it, actually. We are not that rich,” he added.

The military was reportedly interested in buying 16 Mi-17 medium-lift Russian helicopters, which costs US$235 million.

“We had our priorities. I was buying for 12 cargo helicopters and you know we are not a rich country. However, we programmed the funds of government, how to budget it. There’s not always not enough to go around with,” President Duterte said.

Meanwhile, the President reiterated his desire for closer ties and investment opportunities between the Philippines and Russia.

“I’m sure Russia could come here and look for viable businesses than can help Russia. We do not consider the distance as a limit in our friendship in our desire to be a partner of Russia and the rest of the Eastern countries in trade and commerce,” he said.

“We don’t think that the distance is on the minus side. It’s a plus side and nothing can really be a hindrance if you really want to do it with another country,” he added.

Since he took office in 2016, Duterte has made two official trips to Russia, in 2017 and in 2019. His first visit to Moscow was cut short after a deadly terror siege erupted in Marawi City.

Last October, he made his second visit to Russia and took home $12.57 million worth of business agreements concerning exportation of Philippine products, exploration of nuclear power plants, and importation of technological products from Russian companies.

The President was also conferred with an honorary doctorate degree (honoris causa) by Moscow State Institute of International Relations University, a training ground for budding Russian diplomats.

Duterte also met with Russian businessmen in a forum.

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animal signs to be careful with their material things and temperament.

As rats are known to be mischievous creatures, “the Violence and Robbery Star has flown to the Center sector in 2020,” Allen said as she released her latest predictions on what’s in store for each of the Chinese zodiac signs.

The negative energy it brings may result to loss of material things and good reputation, she said. There is also a higher chance of possible break-ins, trust betrayal, and even lawsuits, Allen added.

The lucky signs for 2020, the Feng Shui master said, are Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Ox, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Both the US President and the Sussexes have begun 2020 with a bang.

The former is facing down an impeachment trial―and seeking reelection in November―while the latter are beginning a new chapter in Canada after consciously uncoupling from the gilded but pressured career of being a working British royal.

But if experts in the field of Chinese horoscopes are to be believed, it is the US president that will have the easier journey this year.

“Trump has a prosperous destiny,” Gao Yu-lin, a feng shui expert from Taiwan told AFP, after consulting his copy of “I Ching”—the ancient Chinese divination book used by many fortune-tellers.

“His destiny is like a ‘child of heaven’ which leans towards a safe, smooth ride and he can overcome all hindrances,” Gao added.

Wang Hsin-yi, who based her predictions from a divination system used in temples dedicated to the popular sea goddess Mazu, agreed that the stars are suggesting a second Trump term. AFP page that it measured 14.6 million particles per cubic foot in Makati.

“Air particle levels are the highest we have ever seen,” it said.

Bagtasa said with the high level of pollutants in the air, people should “refrain from outdoor activities and stay indoors” because it was bad for their health.

He said this had happened before because of the weather.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s Mariton Bornas, who heads the agency’s Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, said in a comment to reporters that it was also hard to tell if it was linked to volcanic ash.

Bornas also told ABS-CBN News that meteorologists were getting more information.

News

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

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Dengue cases down, but DOH tells public not to be too lax

House minority backs continued operation of motor taxis

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Maricel V. Cruz

DESPITE the apparent of dengue cases in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III exhorted the public not to be too complacent.

“While the steady decline in dengue cases is indeed a very welcome development, let us not be complacent.

We need to continually address the root causes of dengue and practice preventive measures all-year round," said Duque.

"I urge everyone to remain vigilant, and sustain the gains of the enhanced 4S strategy to keep dengue at bay,” he added.

Duque said the Dengue Surveillance R1eports for Jan. 17, 2020 showed only one region exceeded the alert threshold and another exceeded the epidemic threshold.

In the past three months, a steady decline in dengue cases was observed in all regions.

The report also indicated that for Dec. 22-31, 2019, there were only 815 dengue cases, which is 87 percent lower compared to the 6,125 cases reported over the same period in 2018.

On Aug. 6, 2019, DOH declared a national dengue epidemic when the recorded cases from January to July 2019 reached 146,062 (almost twice the number of cases recorded in the same period of 2018).

At the time, out of 17 regions, seven exceeded the epidemic threshold, while three exceeded the alert threshold for dengue.

As part of its response, DOH, with other government agencies, LGUs, schools, offices, and communities launched the “Sabayang 4 O’clock Habit paraDeng-Get Out’’ campaign, focusing on searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites.

“The success of the Sabayang 4 O’clock Habit paraDeng-Get Out campaign is attributed to its wholeof-government and whole-of-society approach," said Duque.

“It is through the concerted efforts of government agencies, our private sector and civil society organizations, development partners, schools, communities, and every Filipino that we were able to successfully address the dengue outbreak,” he added.

DOH continues to encourage the public to search and destroy mosquitobreeding sites, employ self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.

THE minority bloc in the House of Representatives on Friday backed the continued operation of motorcycle taxis.

At the same time, House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. said his group supports the effort of the chamber to craft a law allowing the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.

"Commuters in Metro Manila need more affordable and accessible modes of public transportation, and this is what is currently offered by motorcycle taxis," said Abante.

Abante said that "as long as mass transportation systems like the MRT run at sub-optimal levels and regularly break down, it is the obligation of government to offer options, not limit them."

He added that during the pilot-testing phase of motorcycle taxi operations, the said mode of transport "has proven to be a boon for commuters and a benefit for those wanting to earn a living."

"By all accounts, motorcycle taxis have also been established as safe and reliable, which is why they are so popular among commuters."

The legislator acknowledged the need for Congress to fast-track amendments to the 1964-enacted Land Transportation and Traffic Code that at present prohibits the use of twowheeled vehicles as PUVs. This, said Abante, was why members of the minority bloc committed to work with the House leadership to pass the necessary legislation that would allow for the continued operation of motorcycle taxis.

SPRING FESTIVAL. The Year of the Rat welcomes

the Chinese New Year as it is celebrated with Lion and Dragon dances to ward off the evil spirits on the eve of the celebration in Binondo, Manila. (Inset) A store owner garnished a statue of a rat as lucky charm for the Year of the Rat 2020 Chinese New Year in Binondo, Manila.

Norman Cruz

Du30 at it again, slams ‘rich and crazy’ in PH P

By MJ Blancaflor

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has slammed the “rich” and “crazy” in the country and said they should be killed, as he slammed businessmen involved in water concession agreements with the government whom he called “thieves.”

In a speech on Thursday, the President told his audience comprised of former rebels to just wait for his “signal” to kill the businessmen.

“There are rich people in the Philippines who are crazy. They’re the ones whom we should kill. Just wait for my go signal," Duterte said.

He also took a swipe anew against the Ayalas and the Pangilinans over the 1997 water concession agreement which he claimed contained provisions that were unfair and disadvantageous to the government.

“They are all thieves, those sons of bitch. That's the whole truth,” Duterte said.

“They are just distributors of water, yet they have become millionaires because

they overpowered the Filipino. That's why I am angry at them," he added.

He was referring to Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chair major concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad, respectively.

He said the two tycoons have "violated the rights of the people."

The government’s contract with the water concessionaires has been a recurring topic in the President’s speeches since December last year.

Duterte earlier ordered the Department of Justice to draft new contracts with the water firms without the “onerous” provisions. If the two companies refuse to accept the new contract, Duterte said he would take over their operations and nationalize the distribution of water.

The contracts were set to expire in 2022 after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System canceled the extension of the agreement that was supposed to be until 2037.

Aside from the water deal, the LRT1 concession agreement and the UP Ayala Technohub lease contract have also been placed under scrutiny by the administration on the orders of Duterte.

Meanwhile, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero de Vera III welcomed the instruction of President Duterte to review the contract between the University of the Philippines and Ayala Land Inc. for the development of the Technohub complex along Commonwealth Avenue, which is part of the 37-hectare land of UP Diliman.

In a statement Friday, De Vera said he would raise the issue in the meeting of the UP Board of Regents on Feb. 3.

He also urged the UP Board to provide “full support by instructing all UP offices to provide the necessary documents and ensuring that all individuals involved in the transactions will be interviewed” to determine if the 2006 lease contract was advantageous to the university.

Militant group Lemery port, industrial park breaks ground Sen. Villar pushes ban on single-use plastics seeks permanent evacuation programs

By Willie Casas THE national fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas on Friday sought for the institutionalization of permanent evacuation centers program as almost a million of residents of Batangas province languish at improvised evacuation centers after the Taal Volcano erupted last week.

PAMALAKAYA is referring to the program proposed by the House Bill No. 5259 filed by lawmakers under the Makabayan bloc, that two to three contiguous barangays should be constructed with a permanent evacuation center to accommodate population affected by natural calamities.

"Paulit-ulit na lang nating nakikita ang problema sa evacuation, akala natin ay magiging epektibo ang response ngayon dahil may mga aral na tayong nakuha sa karanasan sa bagyong Yolanda, pero may mga problema pa rin.

Makikitang nagkulang ang gubyerno sa kahandaan o plano," Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA national chairperson and a former Anakpawis Party-list lawmaker, said in a statement.

He added that aside from the socioeconomic conditions of poor sectors which is the main basis of their vulnerabilities to natural calamities, the absence of an institutionalized evacuation program adds to their miseries.

"Halimbawa nito ay may mga evacuation centers na nanawagan ng potable water, na batayang pangangailangan ng mamamayan. Sa isyung ito pa lamang, nagkulang na ang gubyerno," Hicap said.

THE Sinisian Lemery Batangas Port and Industrial Park Corp. recently broke ground for a billion-peso, six-hectare port and industrial park in Lemery, Batangas, which is seen as a major gateway to Southern Luzon upon its completion in 2021.

In a statement, SLBPIP president and Cohaco Merchandising and Development Corp. general manager Ferdinand Co said that the port and industrial park will be equipped with international and domestic deep port facilities to cater to industrial port and warehousing needs for import and export distribution.

Co added that the facility is intended to address congestion issues in the region as well as meet infrastructure demands by the government's "Build, Build, Build" program.

"The deep port can be up to 30 meters deep and 160 meters wide and can handle even up to a panamax vessel, which is very rare to have in the Philippines,” said Co. “Locators can use that port and use our warehouse for them to be able to import or export."

"If they import, they can use that as advantage--since we're located in Batangas--to distribute to Southern Luzon, Metro Manila or even nearby islands. If Subic Port is strategic for Central Luzon, then we're strategic for Southern Luzon," he added.

Cohaco which is one of the main stakeholders in the projectalso led the groundbreaking for the two anchor locators of the port and industrial park, the Lemery Cement Silo Tank Corp. and Lemery Oil Terminal Corp.

Construction for the three projects are expected to start by the first quarter of 2020, with operations slated to commence by the first quarter of 2021 and Co noted that the SLBPIP is on the lookout for oil importers for the oil terminal, which will be open to independent oil and fuel importers.

Co added that the Makati-based cement importer Cohaco itself will be one of the occupiers of the cement silo to warehouse high-quality, imported cement from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, among others.

STRESSING that plastics have been the leading cause of environmental destruction, Senator Cynthia Villar said the Senate will conduct a hearing on the proposed ban on the issuance of the single-use plastics by food establishments, stores, markets, and retailers.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources, said that despite some cities banning plastics in their localities, the problem on plastic remains big.

She added that the enormity of the problem calls for a nationwide ban, which is also favored by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The senator is the author of Senate Bill 333 or the Single-Use Plastic Product Regulation Act, which seeks to regulate the manufacturing, importation, and single-use of plastic products.

Under Villar's proposed measure, the issuance of single-use plastics by food establishments, stores, markets, and retailers will be prohibited.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Legislator pushes bill to help coffee farmers recover after Taal eruption A LEGISLATOR on Friday renewed the call for the immediate passage of the bill that provides better incentives for coffeee farmers.

The eruption of Taal Volcano wrought havoc on the coffee farms in Batangas and Cavite, further endangering the coffee industry.

Rep. Sharon Garin of AAMBISOWA Party-list said coffee growers and their workers need immediate relief from the destruction of their crops caused by the volcano eruption.

House Bill 3598, otherwise known as the Coffee Industry Development Act, once enacted, shall establish a national program that shall concretize support for the country’s coffee industry and introduce stronger measures that would safeguard the welfare of coffee farmers, Garin said.

The bill provides technical assistance in planting systems and rehabilitation of farms, as well as the development of effective production systems.

Garin also incorporated a provision that mandates the establishment and maintenance of a germplasm collection and gene bank for coffee.

The said provision intends to help farmers by ensuring that plant genetic material is preserved and readily available in cases of severe natural calamities.

Upon the enactment of the bill, a National Coffee Board to be chaired by the secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall be in charge of directing, supervising and monitoring the development and promotion of the coffee industry. Maricel V. Cruz REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointment of FELIMON T. SANTOS, JUNIOR to the rank of General in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointment to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 8329830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

24 January 2020.

TRADE HUB. Sinisian Lemery Batangas Port and Industrial Park Corp. president Ferdinand Co addresses guests during the groundbreaking ceremony of the SLBPIP project which he said will address congestion of ports in the region and augment infrastructure demands in southern Luzon outside of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the government.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-JAN. 25, 2020)

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Moving forward on motorcycle taxis LAST week was a big week for motorcycle taxis. Watershed hearings were conducted in the Senate and the House of Representatives, followed by the convening of the Technical Working Group that is conducting a study of this mode of public transportation. I was a resource person in the Senate hearing presided over by Senator Grace Poe of the Committee on Public Services.

I was also invited to attend the hearing conducted by the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation chaired by Rep. Edgar Sarmiento even as I was not able to attend it.

The future looks good.

Both hearings in Congress went well; the message of the senators and representatives attending ringing loud and clear—complete the study and pilot program and come back with clear recommendations on how to proceed with legalizing motorcycle taxis in a way that would ensure public safety.

The Technical Working Group, chaired by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board board member Antonio Gardiola Jr., immediately went back to work, inviting observers like me back to the process and correcting the mistake of making unilateral decisions on a cap on riders, etc. With the process back on track, I am hopeful this will result in good outcomes in the next few months.

Some argue that motorcycle taxis

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

are prohibited by law. I disagree. In an article I published in Rappler with my colleague Yla Paras, we noted that there is enough ambiguity in the law that allows for a provisional framework in regulating motorcycle taxis.

A similar approach was used in dealing with Uber and Grab when they began operating in the Philippines. Even without a law, the LTFRB established a system to regulate Transportation Network Companies and Transportation Network Vehicle Services that continues to be the regulatory framework for that type of service today.

The reality is that motorcycle taxis have become the most viable option for segments of the riding public seeking out a good, reliable, and (relatively) inexpensive transport system. Two years ago, I discovered this when many of my PUP law students told me that Angkas was their main mode of transportation.

Nowadays, students and commuters of all economic classes use motorcycle taxis. Just go to any mall and office building and one will see that the genie is out of the bottle.

Yla and I pointed out also how motorcycle taxi riders view motorcycles as a more convenient form of transportation because they are allowed to reach their destination on time beating traffic and are cheaper than taking a cab or Grab (making it more embraceable to the riding masses).

Motorcycle taxis also allow riders to be transported to bus, train, or jeepney stops more conveniently and ‘safely’, as pedestrian accommodations are not always friendly. It is also fuel-efficient, with an average consumption of 60 km per liter of gasoline, leaving less carbon footprint.

Motorcycles also allow for faster travel time because of their ability to split lanes and go through narrower spaces beating traffic in record time.

This reduces risks of losses in terms of income and productivity.

Hoisting hope

W

E JOIN the nearly 1.4 million Chinese Filipinos—verily one of the largest overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia—in celebrating today the Chinese New Year which will last up to Feb. 8, or a total 15 days.

This is the Year of the Rat, according to Chinese zodiac, with the main element being metal, which makes this leap year in the Gregorian calendar the Year of the Metal Rat—with the Chinese year lasting until Feb. 11, 2021. The Rat is a representation of diligence, kindness and generosity.

Only yesterday, many trooped to arguably one of the oldest Chinatowns in the country—some even say the world— where there was a countdown, as in other Chinatowns in Cebu, Davao, Baguio, San Fernando in La Union and Laoag in Ilocos Norte and other urban centers.

In Manila's Binondo district by the Pasig River, a countdown and a street party happened at the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, with performers and celebrity guests as colorful as the 30-minute long fireworks display.

Today, a Grand Float Parade is scheduled to take place down the streets of crowded Binondo and Sta. Cruz, with free admission to all the events.

We note that in Chinese astrology the year of the Metal Rat—also celebrated in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008—is predicted to be a lucky year.

The Chinese New Year, based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, has become one of the world's most important and popular festivals, given the increasing annual mass human migration in the world.

The holiday is being celebrated in nations like the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Australia as well as in countries in Europe with a big Chinese community.

But in the middle of the celebration, let us raise hope for others who could not watch the fireworks—like those affected by the recent Taal Volcano eruption and our ill at ease countrymen with their minds on the virus outbreak, which has affected at least nearly 600 people across China.

We join the rest in wishing the revelers great happiness and prosperity. As they say in Mandarin, gong xi fa cai.

Turn to A5

Perilous and uncertain times NEWS that the Taal Volcano is spewing thick white smoke broke as I write this. Since it erupted on Jan. 12, life has been very uncertain for people residing in areas affected in Batangas and Cavite. Alert level 4 is still raised and the volcano may erupt explosively any hour or day.

More than 71,717 families, or over 282,000 people are affected according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. The 39,052 families or 148,987 people are in various evacuation centers and 90,017 are outside, staying with friends and families.

Within the 14-kilometer danger zone are: Agoncillo, Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Lemery, the lakeside areas of Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Jose, San Nicolas, Sta. Teresita, Taal, Talisay, Tanauan City, and Tagaytay City.

Moreover, these areas are within the 17-kilometer danger zone: Balayan, Bauan, Calaca, Lian, Nasugbu, San Luis, Sto. Tomas, and Tuy, in Batangas.

In Cavite, Alfonso, Amadeo, Silang Mendez, and Indang are covered; and Calamba City in Laguna.

The estimated cost of agricultural damage due to Taal Volcano’s eruption runs to P3.22 billion. However, Batangas is much more than an agricultural province. It is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Tourism is a major industry and there is no estimate yet of the losses. Batangas also has industries and losses have yet to be determined.

The eruption and ensuing earthquakes also damaged or destroyed homes, roads, and other infrastructure.

For instance I saw from a picture that the historic Caysasay church in Taal town sustained what appeared to me as major cracks.

I will not be surprised if the losses and damages to Batangas particularly would add up to tens of billions.

Fourteen towns are on lockdown with 11 towns on total lockdown and three, only partial. Areas that are locked down enforced forced evacua-

tion of all residents. No one is allowed in except for those involved in, or given passes by the local government units.

Even these people are not allowed to stay for many hours in the locked down areas. Military and police personnel are quite strict in the implementation of the order.

On total lock down are these areas: Talisay, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Laurel, Alitagtag, Lemery, Sta. Teresita, Balete, Taal, Cuenca, and Malvar. Additionally, portions of Mataas na Kahoy, Lipa City and Tanauan City are locked down.

I will not be surprised if the losses and damages to Batangas particularly would add up to tens of billions.

How fashion uses greenwashing to hide its dirty secrets Yet some of the most fabled luxury houses in fashion—even some whose PARIS fashion fortnight began last designers are activists for change— week with an apocalyptic warning. have found themselves caught short.

"Our Mother Earth will not be able to support life, we will not be able to Luxury labels in dock breathe... If we don't open our hearts Dior's last women's show played hard and our minds, it's the End," a disem- on its eco-credentials. Set amid trees bodied voice intoned as hot Hollywood that were later used to create urban label Rhude made its Paris debut. parks, it went heavy on eco-friendly The very next show, Phipps' "Tree- hemp and raffia with models in Greta hugger, Tales of the Forest," was teased Thunberg plaits. on Instagram with pictures of rescued Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri told koalas from the Australian wildfires.

AFP that nature and "humans need to It was another sign that fashion now live together if humanity is to survive." sees itself on the climate change front"It is not just about image but action," line. she added.

But when AFP questioned Rhude deWeeks later a damning report by the signer Rhuigi Villasenor backstage, he Changing Markets Foundation on toxic admitted there was nothing sustainable pollution caused by viscose production about his collection. put Dior and a swathe of other luxury He had found the stirring speech on labels including Prada, Versace, Fendi, the Internet the day before, and didn't Armani, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs in know who had made it. the dock.

But he insisted his clothes were Dolce & Gabbana came in for par"timeless" and would "live through ages ticular criticism. and trends."

The much-vaunted biodegradable Campaigners say such "greenwash- fabric—which often is used like silk, ing" is typical of an industry "that is has been seen as a silver bullet for fashtalking the talk but not walking the ion's eco woes, a way to wean it off synwalk" on sustainability. thetic fibres that come from the petroWhile Rhude is a young brand, it has chemical industry. a starry roster of clients from Justin While some fast fashion groups like Bieber to rapper ASAP Rocky and El- H&M, C&A and ASOS—which luxulen DeGeneres. ry labels blame for fashion's pollution

By Fiachra Gibbons As I have written a number of times before, Batangas is dear to me. Particularly, I consider Taal, the Heritage town as my town. Thus, it distresses me (and no doubt others feel the same) whenever my friends who are allowed in say that our beloved Taal now looks like a ghost town. While it was a normally quiet and peaceful town, it was also a tourist destination because of its historicity and heritage homes. Thus, describing it as a ghost town is distressing. Multiply this feeling by hundreds of thousands and dread will surely overcome us.

My family and I are safe in Metro Manila. We are luckier than most of the affected families with nowhere to go but the evacuation centers, or temporarily seek shelter with friends or families without even the bare necessities needed to live as they did. Many of these families are with children, some with infants. A good number of those in evacuation centers are senior citizens.

I often imagine their living conditions and I get reminded that my family is a lot better off compared to them.

I was told by some of those staying in these centers that it gets really cold particularly at nights. I know for a fact that the coldest months in these areas are January and February when I enjoyed Turn to A5

and runaway overproduction—were praised for making progress in the indepth "Dirty Fashion Disrupted" study, designer labels were excoriated.

"Three quarters of the luxury brands we looked at were failing to take any meaningful action to clean up their viscose supply chain," its author Urska Trunk told AFP. Viscose, which comes from wood pulp, is now the third most used fibre in the world and "genuinely has the potential to be a sustainable," Trunk added.

"Unfortunately most of it is still produced in a very dirty process," causing water pollution and an alarming array of mental illnesses, strokes and cancer close to factories in India, China and Indonesia.

While she lauded British designer Stella McCartney for her transparency and ambition, "with most of the other luxury brands it is lip service, mostly hollow words... And that is a major concern."

Spin but little change

The report is the foundation's second tracking whether brands were cleaning up their act. With only a handful of firms producing almost all of the world's viscose, Trunk said pressure from brand could make "a massive difference."

Turn to A5

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A5

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Changing economy and politics Failing to understand the trade war with China for Pennsylvania workers

By Shaun Tandon WHITE plumes of smoke billow into the frigid air above the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, as scorching ovens bake the coal that rolls in by the trainload along the Monongahela River.

Built more than a century ago, Clairton is the largest plant in the United States to manufacture coke, a key component in steel—the longtime bedrock of a region now in economic and political flux.

As the US election season opens, a team of AFP journalists is seeking a closer look at the national mood by driving from Washington to Iowa, which on Feb. 3 holds the first contest to select presidential candidates.

Donald Trump in 2016 won historic Democratic stronghold Pennsylvania by fewer than 45,000 votes, one of several wins that stunned Washington political veterans and propelled the mogul to the White House.

Walking over the icy parking lot of the Clairton plant, 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Pittsburgh, union leader Don Furko acknowledged he had a delicate task in representing his 1,200 workers.

The United Steelworkers went all in for Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, but there was so much dissent in the ranks that the union has promised to poll its members this time.

"Trump spoke to a lot of our members," Furko said. "He was speaking directly to them, is what it seemed like."

"I don't think that it's changed here.

I don't know about other mills, but I know in my membership, the majority of them are still behind Trump," he said.

Working-class identity

Support for Trump is far from universal among the blue-collar workers, many of whom questioned how a billionaire could understand their lives.

"We've got the worst president ever in Donald Trump. He's got more money than China has rice," said Dennis Melvin, a 75-year-old retired glass factory worker who bemoaned how young people no longer have the same career opportunities.

With another coke factory in Erie, Pennsylvania, shutting down at the end of last year, union leaders at the US Steel plant in Clairton voice confidence in protections under their contract.

Trump has curtailed the collective rights of federal workers and has harshly criticized national unions, urging them to lower their dues and blaming them for plant closings.

But several workers saluted Trump's tough talk on trade and his negotiation of a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico, which prominent union leaders praised as an improvement.

In sharp differences from the Democrats, Trump has also attacked immigration and mocked the global scientific consensus on climate change.

Floyde Macheska, a retired thirdgeneration coal miner, shared his skep-

Perilous...

From A4

ticism about climate change and renewable energy—and questioned whose interests the Democrats had at heart.

"The old-timers, they worked their way up, instead of having someone give them something," he said over breakfast with his wife—complaining that former President Barack Obama had unfairly championed renewables at the expense of coal.

"They always had the theory that Democrats were there for the working people. Things have changed," he said.

Macheska, who suffers from black lung, looks back nostalgically to the booming industry of his childhood.

"There were times when you couldn't even see where you were going it was so smoky. But we still had winters with lots of snow," he said.

Industry's impact in western Pennsylvania goes well beyond climate change.

A 2017 study by a pediatrician in Pittsburgh—whose tech industry has now eclipsed steel—found that 22 percent of the city's children had asthma, far exceeding the national average of 10 percent.

And a December 2018 fire at the Clairton plant temporarily sent sulfur dioxide levels skyrocketing, leading US Steel to promise $1 billion to curb pollution and other investments.

"In general politicians have always been very willing to give steel a pass, seeing them as a major employer," said Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania director of the Clean Water Action advocacy group.

After the fire, "more politicians are willing to say, this has gone too far."

Industry shifts

North on the Ohio River, Aliquippa bears witness to steel's decline. Much of downtown is boarded up, crumbling buildings inclining ominously on the slopes, from an economy that imploded when the steel mill shut in 1984.

But on the road into town, bustling life can be found at the bowling alley, packed on a weeknight with regulars drawn by specials, homemade pizzas and even an intimately grungy punk club.

Co-owner Jeannie D'Agostino said she has seen a change in young people's views on industry.

"Long ago, I remember hearing the older women saying that there would be soot from the mills on their porches and walkways and everybody should sweep and they don't mind—that means our men are working," she said.

"Now all you would hear are people complaining that it's so dirty, look what's happening to the environment."

Arnowitt, the environmentalist, said there were few fresh hires at the Clairton plant.

The city of Clairton's population, estimated at 6,566 by the Census Bureau, has declined by two-thirds since 1950.

"Especially young people understand that their future is being squandered.

They don't see a future for themselves in an industry that is employing fewer and fewer people," he said. AFP

THE signing of a truce in the trade war between the US and China dubbed as “Phase One” has elicited some kind of perplexing relief. This observation is not unusual, for it seems the US has not really managed to escape from the doctrine enunciated by the 17th century British economist David Ricardo who laid down the “comparative advantage theory” that he who can produce more at a lower cost is likely to emerge victorious. At the outset, US President Trump has expressed irritation about the trade imbalance making him the top honcho of the real estate dealers to win the presidency.

Trade has never been a one-sided affair.

If translated to trade, countries that buy more, or should we say import more, are likely to incur trade deficit. In that, one could see that the trade between the US and China revolves on the idea that the US is buying more while China buys less and the negotiation is to rebalance the trade which, strictly speaking, is contrary to the US ideological doctrine of free trade. Nonetheless, an agreement was reached between US trade negotiators Robert Lighthizer and treasury secretary Robert Mnuchin with vice Premier Liu He representing China.

As we all know, China enjoyed a tremendous trade surplus of $419.2 billion in 2018. US imports from China totalled $539.5 billion while China imported only about $179.3 billion for the same period.

Indeed, looking from within this framework, one could not help but prejudge China as taking advantage of the US. It is on this basis why the US-China trade agreement was signed on Jan. 15 with China promising to buy up to $200 billion worth of goods.

The agreement could compel China to reduce the trade deficit, which is rather considered a tall order. Others are less optimistic, such that the problem of trade deficit that saddles the US economy is not only with China but with many countries, foretelling that it is actually the US that has now become dependent on other countries for economic survival. While US’ trade deficit with China represents 47.9 percent as of 2018, it equally suffers the same malaise with 9.3 percent trade deficit with Mexico, 7.9 percent with Germany, 7.8 percent Japan, 5.5 percent Ireland, 4.6 percent Vietnam, 3.6 percent Italy, 3.1 percent Malaysia, 2.7 percent India, and 3 percent from Canada.

Theoretically, China’s trade surplus with the US may considerably shrink but it does not mean it will weaken China’s overall export performance.

Despite the acrimonious charges and

our people to get sick.

Since the January 12 eruption, this feeling of uncertainty and dread has not abated. With alert level 4 still up, PHIVOLCS maintains that the Taal Volcano may erupt anytime.

Mind you, the eruption they refer to is similar to the ones in 1700s which were really destructive. The threat to life and property is very real.

Every day before I sleep I check the status of the volcano. When I wake up the first thing I do is to check on how it behaved those hours that I was asleep and I repeat this several times during my waking hours. I guess this will continue until such time when things are more certain one way or the other.

However, despite the peril and uncertainty, and because there is nothing that we can do except wait, we better use our time to make life a bit easier for those who literally have nothing now.

staying in Taal the most. Very few of them have beddings, blankets, and clothes for cold weather.

A recent update from Tulong Taal Program, the initiative my group coordinates with in terms of relief operations and spearheaded by the Villavicencios and other private citizens of Taal, said that it appears that food is not a problem in most evacuation areas. What are urgently needed are mats, blankets, toiletries and the like.

Worse, Tulong Taal noted that those in schools-turnedevacuation-areas are in danger of being displaced because the schools already need to reopen. These evacuees may possibly be transferred to open areas where they will be exposed to the elements. If this happens, tents, sleeping mats, blankets, even used tarps will be crucial to at least offer them some protection. They have already been miserable, we should not allow @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

biggest luxury group.

Unlike its main rival Kering and 24 other major clothing companies, From A4 LVMH pointedly refused to sign up to For Christie Miedema, of the Dutch- "The Fashion Pact" on fighting climate based Clean Clothes Campaign, brands change at the G7 summit last year. have become expert as "eco messag'They will be found out' ing" with "one-off collections or clever Owner Bernard Arnault—the world's initiatives to make it looking like they are doing something" without actually richest man—later criticised teenage activist Greta Thunberg for "surrenderchanging the way they operate.

Versace, which came bottom only ing to total catastrophism" even as he to Walmart in the Changing Markets appointed McCartney his personal adtable, made the front pages by sending visor on sustainability in September.

Kering—which controls Gucci and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen to New York's Met Gala in a "100-per- Saint Laurent—has since said it has cent green eco-dress" while Prada— gone carbon neutral and has vowed to which is also deep in its "red zone"— halve greenhouse gas emissions in its got admiring media coverage for their supply chain within five years.

Joel Hazan, luxury goods analyst at Re-Nylon "eco handbag."

Dior is part of LVMH, the world's the Boston Consulting Group, said the

How fashion...

industry "had passed a tipping point," and warned those who pretend to embrace sustainability would be found out.

"The demographics will make the difference," he told AFP. "Eight out of 10 millennials expect labels to play a strong part socially and environmentally."

Since almost all growth in luxury goods in the next five years "is predicted to come from millennials, brands have no choice" but to change, Hazan argued.

Indeed Vetements, the hot youthful rebel brand which has shaken Paris fashion in recent years, used its men's show to pour scorn on its elders with slogans such as "Cutting down the bullshit," "Fully sustainable show" and "It costs $0 to be a nice person." AFP

counter charges, China’s growth remains steady and this is principally attributed to its unstoppable trade growth with other countries. As some would put it, there will only be a shift in the equilibrium in the trade pattern but objectively may not necessarily favor the US. This is shown by a steady economic growth of 6.1 percent in 2018. Others say it is an attribute of the resiliency of China’s economy due to its size and volume of exports.

However, many overlooked that trade has never been a one-sided affair. To begin with, the US completely forgot that it is contributory to the economic success of China; telling the world then that for a penny, Chinese workers will do everything for you. China’s opening up in 1978 resulted in a mad scramble of US companies all wanting to cash in on the cheap labor China can offer. It was as if a tornado passed to uproot almost all the factories, and instantly, was relocated to China with their corporate owners seeking more profit than ever.

Today, the era of outsourcing and production relocation may have receded, but many of those factories simply relocated elsewhere while the US continues to suffer from the depletion of factories, flight of skilled workers, and trade deficit but constantly putting plasma to its much dehydrated economy by its unmitigated revaluation of the dollar that equivocally buries its economy deeper in debt.

The US refuses to concede that tariff is an imposition on its consumers. It begins by exacting tariff from its own importers only to pass them on to their buyers representing the consumers. To be precise, the demand for imports is based on the same old Ricardian theory that it is much better for countries to import than produce them at higher cost. The viability of this theory has been augmented because of free trade, viz. elimination of tariff barriers and the fad for multilateralism. Taken in this context, it is much cheaper to import from countries that could produce them at cheaper cost and to offset it by concentrating on the production of high-value goods.

China retaliated by imposing tariff on US agricultural exports. It hit US famers. The US had to subsidize its farmers for more than $30 billion, which is more of politics than economic solution of just allowing the free market forces to play. Bluntly stated, there are now few products where the US remains competitive in the export market. The US tried to artificially resuscitate their declining productivity and increased unemployment by revaluing the value of the dollar, unmindful that it could lead to a debt trap of raising the cost of living and wages to mire them deeper in trade deficit. The US could not compete with China because most of its exports can be manufactured and produced elsewhere, notwithstanding that many countries are now engaged in the export of manufactured goods at cheaper prices.

On the other hand, US farmers have not much choice because for years they have been exporting their agricultural products to China, they continued to

rely heavily on the volume of Chinese imports. Today, US farmers cannot go on in receiving retaliatory tariff without hurting their own exports. Besides, it is difficult to find a new market substitute for Chinese imports. Moreover, other countries like Brazil, Argentina and Russia are ready to fill in the vacuum that will be vacated by the US exports. Once the supply chain is broken, other countries will easily fill in the gaps which will be a disaster to US farmers who mostly voted for Trump in the last election.

The US failed to understand and anticipate the motive why China has poured in so much effort and resources to carry out its Belt and Road Initiative. It failed to see that the emphasis is to promote the integration of China’s economy with the rest of its neighbors in North and Central Asia and onward to the Mediterranean. The opening of the oil pipeline between Russia and China that stretches 3,000 kilometers from the Russian Siberian gas fields to China’s coal mining north at a cost $400 billion to build is another dimension of the BRI. The new oil route will greatly ease the pressure for oil tankers passing through the South China Sea. Russian’s Gazprom expects the natural gas pipeline (LNG) to initially supply 4.6 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas in 2020 before ramping up to its full capacity of 38 BCM by 2025.

We could see that the ultimate goal is to integrate the economies of China, Russia and Central Asia. Their full economic development could reduce the US to an insignificant partner in trading. For then China, Russia and the whole of Central Asia will emerge as the biggest trading partners constituting more than 50 percent of the world’s goods which could increase further to 65 percent once the BRI is completed to connect Vladivostok and Shanghai, all the way to any of the major capitals in Europe. The US by then will be geographically isolated, both in distance and cost of shipping. The two oceans of the Pacific in the east and the Atlantic in the West will serve as wedge working against US economic interest with Asia and Europe becoming less dependent on US for trade.

The full integration of the economies of China, Russia and Central Asia as gateway to Europe will entirely change the dimension of global geopolitics.

The old Silk Road that used to transport goods in the ancient times will be revived not necessarily by China but by countries where the so-called ancient trade caravan made their stop-over, starting in Beijing on to Xingjian, and onward to Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Serbia and Greece. China, Russia, and even India and Pakistan will benefit from the enhanced trade as serving as their lifeline to economic connectivity.

By then, that would be the fulfillment of what President Xi Jinping envisions as “mankind rebuilding a community with shared future based on cooperation and multilateralism” in contrast to ruinous competition and arbitrariness of the US. rpkapunan@gmail.com

Moving...

From A4

In the interim, as we wait for the promise of mass transport and proper infrastructure that can ease our daily commute and make inclusive mobility a reality, the legalization of motorcycle taxis is a pathway forward.

A strong regulatory framework, one enforced with consistency, is however essential to make motorcycle taxis a safe form of transport. There must be better infrastructure in terms of providing proper motorcycle lanes (where motorcycles do not merge with other vehicles, especially bulkier ones) and an effective oversight arrangement for registration, monitoring, control of vehicle fleet, and safety standards for roads and products.

It goes without saying that whether it is cars or motorcycles, environmental considerations must be prioritized.

In any case, it is good that we are moving forward now on motorcycle taxis. I am grateful to Senator Poe and Representative Sarmiento for their leadership. I am also appreciative of the interventions of Senators Bong Go, Imee Marcos, Ralph Recto, Koko Pimentel, and Win Gatchalian, and Joel Villanueva. I thought their comments in the Senate hearing were really helpful.

I am also grateful for the attitude of the three TNCs—Angkas, JoyRide and Move It—allowed to participate in the pilot program. I found all of them transparent, respectful, and professional in their dealings with government.

I would like to particularly highlight Angeline Tham of Angkas. I know Angeline, have talked to her many times because of my interest in inclusive mobility.

She is a visionary and has the common good only as her motivation. She is fully integrated with Angkas riders, respects them and is in turn respected by them. And yes she loves the Philippines—and not just because she is married to a Filipino but she genuinely likes us.

The Department of Transport and in particular the LTFRB are of course at the center of this issue, being the regulator. I appreciate the openness of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to new mobility options. I am grateful to General Gardiola—a humble, competent public official that simply wants to do the right thing for the public.

Finally, I am happy to work again with LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra, a close friend for 40 years, my batchmate in the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines, and one of the most incorruptible public officials under this and any administration. We sometimes disagree on policy options and legal interpretation but that has never affected our friendship and complete trust in each other.

With the leadership of Tugade, Delgra, and Gardiola, the political guidance of Poe and Sarmiento, and the vision and commitment to public interest of entrepreneurs like Angkas founders Tham and George Royeca, and the participation of road safety, commuter, and environmental groups, the future looks good for motorcycle taxis.

Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

A6

News

TODAY JANUARY 25, 2020 SATURDAY,

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Bacoor City wins DILG gold award

QC wants ASF-tainted meat banned

M

the reduction of illegal settlers, establishments and structures along coast lines and prevent future occupation of these shorelines.

The Bacoor City Government expects to further boost its compliance with President Duterte’s Manila Bay clean up directive through the proposed 420-hectares Bacooor Reclamation Project, particularly through its program for relocation and resettlement of informal settler families living along 10 coastal barangays of the city.

During the public hearing held last Jan. 9, where the proposed projects earned overwhelming support of the city’s residents, Mayor Lani M. Revilla noted the failure of previous efforts to clean up Manila Bay despite spending around P50 billion.

ANILA Bay’s clean-up campaign has found a strong ally in the city of Bacoor.

For that Bacoor has received a gold award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government in recognition of its significant accomplishments in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for the clean-up of Manila Bay.

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday has issued an executive order to help prevent the entry of African swine fever-tainted meat in supermarkets and retail outlets.

At a media conference, Belmonte said “while people think that ASF is already long overdue, we want to show to the media that we have a closure on this issue.”

“That we are doing something about it... that our efforts are continued. My ultimate goal is for Quezon City to be declared by the Department of Agriculture, Secretary William Dar, that we are ASFfree,” she added.

She said her order was the result of a collaboration between the city government and private supermarkets to ensure that safe pork meat is being sold to the city residents.

“I cannot just imagine that reputable supermarkets, such as SM and Robinsons, would jeopardize their reputation for a few pieces of pork [meat],” she said.

In a related development, the local government unit in Binmaley, Pangasinan on Thursday evening declared a state of calamity due to the increasing number of hogs infected with ASF. In a special session, the Sangguniang Bayan unanimously passed a resolution that intends to use the municipality’s calamity fund to aid hog raisers with an initial P1,000 financial assistance per culled pig, and for the conduct of activities to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The LGU has “started culling operations within the 1-km. radius in the barangays affected by ASF and these resulted in massive losses for hog raisers,” the resolution read.

Among the affected barangays are Linoc, Canaoalan, Poblacion, and San Isidro Sur. With PNA

Mayor Lani M. Revilla received the award for Bacoor’s performance under the 2019 Manila Bay Clean Up Rehabilitation and Preservation Program LGU Compliance Assessment from the representatives of the DILG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The DILG is monitoring LGU compliance with environmental laws for the clean-up of Manila Bay pursuant to

Administrative Order No. 16 President Rodrigo Duterte issued last year. The order created a task force in compliance to the 2008 mandamus of the Supreme Court directing various government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay. The SC ordered the DENR to fully implement its Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy, which includes

Thai nabbed in entrapment operation

By Joel E. Zurbano POLICE arrested a Thai woman and seized P1.2 million worth of shabu from her possession during a drug entrapment operation in Pasay City Thursday afternoon.

The suspect, Narumon Sukkato, 30, was arrested around 12:15 p.m. at a fast food chain at the corner of Sunset Avenue and Pacific Drive in SM Mall of Asia Complex, police said.

Police from the Pasay City Station in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the buy-bust operation following a tip off from an informant about the foreigner’s illegal activity.

Recovered from the suspect was a transparent plastic sachet containing 200 grams of shabu.

The confiscated item was turned over to the Southern Police District-Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis while the suspect was detained at the Pasay City Police-Cus-

todial Facility, pending the filing of criminal charges against her before the city prosecutors office.

SPD director Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan commended the Pasay City police operatives for their successful drug operation. He said that SPD would be more aggressive in its war against drugs.

“As what our Chief PNP said we will focus more on intensified intelligence— driven anti-illegal drug operations. The SPD will deliver its positive output strictly following the rule of law in every operation,” Bathan said.

Last week, police also busted two suspected drug dealers and seized 2.5 kilos of shabu worth P17 million in Las Piñas City.

A team from the Las Piñas City Police Station and Philippine Drug Enforcement Group conducted the operation at Verdant Acres Subdivision in Barangay Pamplona Tres which resulted in the arrest of Jerrymias Suson and Miguel Castillo.

SELF-PORTRAIT PHOTO. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez takes a selfie shot with singer actress Zsa Zsa Padilla after an applauded performance serenading the birthday celebrator PHILCONSA chairman and CEO Justice Manuel Lazaro Thursday at the Okada Hotel in Parañaque City. Ver Noveno

ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (ORMECO, Inc.) Brgy. Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION

INVITATION TO BID ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ORMECO, INC.), through its BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC), hereby intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million Nine Hundred Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php 15,930,000.00), inclusive of all applicable taxes and fees, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), for the procurement, supply, and delivery of vehicles;

1.

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPOSITION OF SAFEGUARD MEASURE AGAINST IMPORTATIONS OF REFLECTIVE, TINTED AND CLEAR FLOAT GLASS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN 2017 Subheading Nos. 7005.10.90, 7005.21.90 and 7006.29.90)

2.

ORMECO, INC. now calls for the submission of Eligibility Documents.

Submission of the same by the interested bidders must be duly received by ORMECO, INC. BAC from 27-31 January 2020, at ORMECO, INC. Main Office, Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. Bidding documents will only be made available to the prospective bidder after it has been duly accredited by ORMECO, INC. The list of the ORMECO, INC. Eligibility Requirements may be viewed at https://web.facebook.com/OrmecoOGMOfficial, and may be requested through email ormeco_coop@yaho.com, including the numbers listed above;

3.

ORMECO, INC. now invites suppliers for the following:

FOR: SAFEGUARD MEASURE (Republic Act No. (RA) 8800) Investigation No. SG-2019-OC-Float Glass

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Section 712 of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) which adopts RA 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), notice is hereby given that marathon public hearings on the determination of the merits of the imposition of a definitive safeguard duty against importations of reflective, tinted and clear float glass (AHTN 2017 Subheading Nos. 7005.10.90, 7005.21.90 and 7006.29.90) from various countries (Investigation No. SG-20190C-Float Glass) will be held at the Conference Room of the Tariff Commission, 4F West Insula Condominium, No. 135 West Avenue, Quezon City, on the following dates and time: DATE

TIME

10 February 2020

9:00 a.m.

11 February 2020

9:00 a.m.

12 February 2020

9:00 a.m.

13 February 2020

9:00 a.m.

14 February 2020

9:00 a.m.

LOT

ITEM DESCRIPTION

I

1. Supply of seven (7) Vacuum Circuit Reclosers

3.Circuit breaker, type tested, vacuum AIS, 630A, MVSG with complete, accessories, draw out type, 15KV (1 set)

Issued this 24th day of January 2020 in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

4. Battery Bank, 125VDC (1 set) MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance

Securities and Exchange Commission

1. Single Phase, KWH meter 10(60) A (3,000 units)

Php 3,000,000.00

II-B

2. Electronic Kwh meter, Single Phase, CLASS 100, with Meter Base Socket, CL-100, 4 JAWS, 100 Amp.,600V (1,000 units)

Php 2,200,000.00

II-C

3. Electronic Kwh meter, Single Phase, CLASS 200, Form 1S, with Meter, Base Socket, CL-200, 4 JAWS (500 units)

Php 2,000,000.00

SEC-CGFD Order No. 227 Series of 2019

II-D

4. Electronic Kwh meter, 3 Phase, CLASS 20 FM48Am, 4W, 60Hz, 120-480V, with ERC sticker & seal (10 pieces)

Php 140,000.00

ORDER 3.

Upon consideration of the Amended Registration Statement filed by FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. the Commission, in its meeting held on November 21, 2019, resolved to approve the following amendments to its Registration Statement:

Fund Name

Original Provision One Wealthy Fund, Inc.

Nation

I n v e s t m e n t The Fund is designed Objective to seek ling-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in carefully selected listed and non-listed equity securities

Proposed Amendments First Metro Save & Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. (“SALPHIN”) The Fund`s investment objective is to replicate the performance of its market benchmark, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (“PSEi”) by gaining exposure in equity securities that make up the PSEi.

RACHEL ESTHER J. GUMTANG-REMALANTE Officer-In-Charge

(MS-JAN. 25, 2020)

Submission of Letter of Intent and Eligibility Documents

27-31 January 2020, Office Hours, at ORMECO, INC. Office of the General Manager 03 February 2020 (Monday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

2:00 pm for Lot I

04 February 2020 (Tuesday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

2:00 pm for Lot II

17 February 2020 (Monday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

2:00 pm for Lot I

18 February 2020 (Tuesday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

2:00 pm for Lot II

Post-Qualification

20-21 February 2020 (Thursday and Friday)

Delivery Schedule

15 days upon receipt of Purchase Order

Awarding

Per Lot

Mode of Payment

Staggered Payment upon the availability of funds

4.

SO ORDERED.

SCHEDULE 25 January 2020 (Saturday)

Deadline of Submission, Opening, and Evaluation of Bids

The company is directed to upload its final prospectus in its website www.fami. com.ph. and to publish this Order in a national newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines within two (2) business days from the receipt of this Order and furnish the Commission with a copy of the affidavit of publication of this Order within five (5) business days after publication thereof.

Php 10,000.00

Release of Invitation to Bid

Pre-Bid Conference

Search for 7 fishermen on; fishers rap Chinese

By Willie Casas A GROUP of fisherfolk on Friday urged the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Marines to expedite the search and rescue operations for the seven Filipino fishermen who went missing during a fishing expedition in West Philippine Sea last week.

The victims’ fishing vessel FB Narem made its last contact on the islands of Dasol and Camaso, Pangasinan last Jan. 13 in the afternoon, according to the owner of the vessel.

Aboard the boat were its captain Alberto Roldan and crew members Roderick Montemayor, Homar Maglantay, Ejay Dela Cruz, Jerome Maglantay, Larry Legaspi and Jefferson Bernabe.

In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said the PCG and Marines must “exert all possible efforts” to find the missing fishermen.

“Authorities must expedite their search and rescue operations to get the missing fishermen back at their

respective families,” said Hicap.

The group also demanded the government provide aid to the families of the missing fishermen as they are left with no household incomes due to the incident.

“We appeal to the government to provide relief for the victims’ families, as the fate of their loved ones are still uncertain,” Hicap, former Anakpawis Party-list solon added.

The group lamented that “Scarborough Shoal could have offered safety for the fishermen even in turbulent weather.”

“The victims could have optioned to seek refuge at the lagoon if not for the presence of Chinese vessels that are preventing our poor fishers from entering the safe harbor,” Hicap asserted.

The lagoon located inside the Scarborough Shoal used to be the traditional safe harbor for Filipino fishermen due to its calm condition amid turbulent weather. It has been occupied by at least four Chinese vessels, as reported by the oil tanker Green Aura, which was warned to keep 10-nautical miles away from Scarborough Shoal late last year.

GSIS opens P2.07-b loan for pensioners

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows: ACTIVITIES

Reason/s For Amendment Change in ownership of the Fund.

Based on studies, a passive/index fund has a more consistent performance than an actively managed fund.

The management decided to switch the Fund into an index fund to be able to offer a more diverse investment products to its clients

December 5, 2019.

Calamity Loan “Tisoy”

II-A

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Subject

Php 10,000.00

5. Battery Charger, 125VDC, 30A, Single Phase (1 set)

(MS-JAN. 25, 2020)

:

COST OF BID DOCUMENTS (NONREFUNDABLE)

ABC (INCLUSIVE OF VAT)

Php 8,590,000.00

2. Disconnect Switch with Earthing Switch, Double Side Break Type, motorized, 69KV (3 sets)

For any inquiries and other details, please contact Director Elvira C. Ignacio, Head of the Task Force on Float Glass, at Telephone Number (02) 8936-3319 or at email address TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph.

FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN : PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. : x------------------------------------------------------x

FUNDING SOURCE

Specification: a. 15KV-27kv maximum operating voltage b. 600A-1000A rated continuous current c. 50/60A Hz rated frequency d. outdoor and pole mounted recloser e. w/ test kits, program cd and hard copy technical manuals f. IEC 60870-5-104 compliant

All interested parties are directed to attend the first day of the public hearing. Should a party desire to submit additional issues for the public hearing, other than the issues on product comparability and volume of increased imports, the party shall submit the same on 5 February 2020. Parties are likewise required to submit affidavits of their witnesses on the same date, copy furnished the other parties.

In the matter of

“Ang nakikita natin, reclamation ang pinakamagandang long-term solution lalo na sa may Cavitex area,” she added. Revilla pointed out that the city is readying two resettlement sites for the ISFs and fishermen living along coastal areas who would be impacted by the reclamation projects.

“Masasabi natin na ito ay isa sa mga iilang reclamation projects sa Pilipinas na may in-city relocation,” Revilla had assured the Bacooreños.

President Duterte’s order, as well as the National Economic Development Authority’s “Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan” identified the need to relocate informal settlements along Manila Bay area as one of the major actions necessary for the success of the Manila Bay clean-up drive.

ORMECO, INC. reserves the right to accept or reject any bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, INC. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

Certified by:

Noted by:

(SGD) ENGR. MICHAEL O. GUICO Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)

(SGD) ATTY. NORBERTO M. MENDOZA Head Of Procuring Entity (HOPE) (MS-JAN. 25, 2020)

THE Government Service Insurance System has opened a P2.07-billion emergency loan window for its members and pensioners in nine Luzon areas who were affected by Typhoons “Tisoy” and “Quiel.”

A total 103,213 active members and old-age and disability pensioners in the following areas may apply for the P20,000 emergency loan: Cagayan, Albay, Marinduque, and Camarines Sur, including Naga City; and municipalities of Sta. Maria in Romblon, Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro, Palauan in Occidental Mindoro, Famy in Laguna, and Kalayaan in Palawan.

The application deadline for Cagayan is Feb. 2, while that for the remaining eight areas is Jan. 26.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given Qualified to apply for the loan are active memthat the estate of the bers who are working or residing in said calamity late LAMBERTO G. BAUTISTA of Quezon areas; have updated premium payments within the City who died intestate last six months prior to application; have no outon August 19, 2019, consisting of a house standing GSIS loan that is due and demandable; and lot and two (2) are not on leave of absence without pay; have no BDO Savings Accounts were settled by his legal pending administrative case or criminal charge; and heirs pursuant to an have a minimum net take-home pay of P5,000 after Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with waiver as deduction of monthly premium contributions and per Doc. 381 Page No. loan amortizations.

39 Book No. XXI-D and Series of 2020 of Notary Active old-age and disability pensioners living Public Maichael Darwin in the areas may apply for emergency loan if the M. Bayotas for and in Quezon City resulting net monthly pension after loan availment (MS-JAN18, 25 & FEB. 1, 2020) is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.

Emergency loan renewal is allowed provided NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL their loan payment is updated. The outstanding SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE emergency loan balance will be deducted from the (ADDENDUM) net proceeds of the new loan.

Notice is hereby given Active members may apply through the GSIS that the estate of the late PATRICIO L. DE Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk or over DIOS who died intestate the counter in any GSIS branch office. GWAPS kiosks on March 7, 1990 was extrajudicially settled are located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; among his heirs on March provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal 06, 2019 as per Doc. No. 12; Page No. 3; Book No. offices; large government agencies such as the DeIX; Series of 2019 of the partment of Education; Robinsons Malls; and selected Notarial Registry of, and before, Notary Public Atty.

SM City branches in North EDSA, Manila, PamEdgar V. Osting at Teresa, panga, Cebu, SM Aura in Taguig, SM Southmall in Rizal, Philippines.

(MS-JAN. 18, 25 & FEB. 1, 2020) Las Piñas, and Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Serena crashes out, but won’t give up chase for 24th Slam

LeBron’s triple-double lifts Lakers past Nets LOS ANGELES—LeBron James moved a step closer to passing Kobe Bryant on the all-time NBA scoring list with his 10th triple double of the season as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets 128-113.

James finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to post his 91st career triple double in front of a crowd of 17,700 at Barclays Arena that included former US President Bill Clinton.

James received a standing ovation from the Brooklyn crowd when he left the game for good late in the fourth quarter with the Lakers holding a big lead.

There was so little defence played in the first half of Thursday’s contest that for a while it appeared James might have a chance at catching Bryant for third place on the NBA all-time scoring list.

James ended the game at 33,626 points, 17 shy of Bryant. His next chance at passing Bryant will be Saturday in Philadelphia.

“To be linked with the greats that means a lot to me,” said James, who was named a starter for the 2020 NBA allstar game earlier in the day. “I grew up idolizing Michael (Jordan) and Kobe, gaining inspiration from their crafts and their stories.”

James shot 11 of 19 from the floor as the Lakers shot 50 percent overall and hit a season-high 19 three-pointers.

Anthony Davis added 16 points and 11 rebounds, Kyle Kuzma had 16 as the Lakers got 55 points from their bench.

Danny Green hit four three-pointers and contributed 14 points.

The Nets dropped their fifth straight game and fell to 2-12 in their last 14 games.

Kyrie Irving scored a team high 20 points, Taurean Prince added 18 while Caris LeVert contributed 16 as the Nets lost despite hitting 21 three-pointers.

Elsewhere, Bradley Beal scored 36 points as the Washington Wizards extended the Cleveland Cavaliers losing skid to six straight games with a 124-112 victory.

The visiting Wizards shot 55.3 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from threepoint range in front of a crowd of 19,400 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse arena.

Beal made 15 of 22 shots, one night after a 38-point performance in the Wizards’ 134-129 overtime loss to the Miami Heat. AFP

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in New York City. AFP

James, Giannis lead All-Star vote getters

L

OS ANGELES—LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo headline a star-studded group of starters for the 2020 NBA All-Star game that also includes second year European sensation Luka Doncic.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar James will captain the Western Conference team for the second consecutive season and Milwaukee Bucks reigning league MVP Antetokounmpo will once again take charge of the Eastern Conference side.

James and Antetokounmpo have the honor of choosing the sides for their respective conferences because they are the top two vote-getters.

The two captains select the rosters for their own teams on February 6 from the pool of available players—regardless of conference—for the Feb. 16 showcase in Chicago.

The polls closed with fan ballots counting for 50 percent, current NBA players having 25 percent say and a media panel having the other 25 percent say in selecting the 10 starters—two guards and three forwards from each conference.

Doncic is the fresh face in the starters list this season as the Slovenian standout

joins Houston Rockets star James Harden in the West backcourt. Los Angeles Clippers forward and 2019 finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Lakers forward Anthony Davis fill out the frontcourt.

“I remember all the years I would wake up in Europe at 3:00 am to watch the game and now I can be in it,” said Doncic. “I just have to keep working and getting better.”

Like Doncic, Atlanta Hawks Trae Young is a rising second-year star, who secured his first all-star selection.

Young will be joined in the East backcourt by Boston Celtics Kemba Walker.

Antetokounmpo will be flanked by Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid and Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam, another first time all-star and starter, in the East frontcourt.

James, who has helped the Lakers to an NBA best record of 35-9 this season, held off a charge from Doncic as the top votegetter by fans in the West.

James, with 6.27 million fan votes,

and Greek superstar Antetokounmpo, with 5.90 million fan votes, led their respective conferences. Doncic had 6.11 million fan votes.

It marks the third straight year that James, averaging 25.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and an NBA-best 10.8 assists per game this season, has led all players in all-star votes.

The only players who have received more all-star selections than James are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and Kobe Bryant (18).

With his 16th start, James will top the mark he currently shares with Bryant.

Doncic and Young, who were traded for each other on draft day, will forever be linked together.

They finished 1-2 in rookie-of-the year voting last season and this season they are the only two players in the NBA to rank in the top five in both points and assists.

Smooth transition Doncic has made a smooth transition from playing in Europe to North America.

“In Europe everything is less. Less minutes, less scoring, less free throws.

But my game is kind of the same,” he said on Thursday. AFP

Mondilla captures ICTSI Pradera Verde title in playoff IN A duel of the best, Clyde Mondilla came out better, edging Tony Lascuña with a birdie from practically the same spot on the second playoff hole (No. 9) to rule the hotly contested ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic in a rain-drenched thrilling finale in Lubao, Pampanga yesterday.

Five players actually finished tied at 284 in the most crowded playoff cast ever in the three-year PGTA and decade-long PGT circuits but halfway joint pacesetter Joe Knox of England, third round co-leader Toru Nakajima of Japan and Filipino Rupert Zaragosa failed to join the extended title chase with failed birdie bids on the par-5 ninth in downpour.

Knox, who blew a three-stroke lead in the stretch and wound up with a 71, dumped his third shot into the frontside bunker and blasted past the hole, Zaragosa, who bucked overwhelming odds to complete a four-straight 71, putted from near the fringe and missed his birdie try and Na-

kajima, who stormed ahead with Spain’s Marcos Pastor with a solid 67 Thursday, apparently cracked under pressure and missed an eight-footer after Mondilla buried his from 12 feet.

Lascuña hit a solid approach shot and tap-in for birdie.

But a confident Mondilla proved steadier in the end, rolling in a pressure-packed putt from 10 feet then watching Lascuña flub his own bid from eight feet to claim his second PGTA championship worth $17,500.

“I knew I have the edge on No. 9,” said the power-hitting Mondilla of the 600-yard hole, which he also birdied in regulation after missing an eagle try from 15 feet.

“I was actually a bit confident in the playoff.”

The victory capped an astounding comeback for the Del Monte star who has now won three and lost one in playoff matches as the 2017 winner of PGTA’s Riviera Classic and reigning PGTA Order of Merit champion rallied from

five down in joint 13th after 54 holes and snatched the win that was more of a triumph of the spirit for a player whose game went on a downswing after ruling the wild Philippine Open at The Country Club last year.

It was a sorry setback for Lascuña, who had looked forward to formalizing his claim on the PGTA OOM diadem but missed a potential clincher in regulation when his downhill, side-hiller putt on the 18th went past the cup.

“That’s golf. I could’ve extended it (playoff) but came up short in the end,” said Lascuna.

Mondilla, who headed straight to the airport to catch his late flight back home to Del Monte, never thought of figuring in such a classic ending as he bogeyed No. 2 to reel farther back in the early going of the final round in overcast skies. But he birdied the next then gunned down birdies on Nos. 5, 9, 12, 13 and 17 to fire a 67, the best in another unpredictable day.

Clyde Mondilla celebrates his title conquest.

MELBOURNE—Serena Williams will not give up on her chase for a recordequalling 24th Grand Slam title and believes she can still do it, despite crashing out of the Australian Open Friday.

The 38-year-old American legend has been stuck on 23 since winning in Melbourne in 2017, when she was pregnant with daughter Olympia.

She has lost four Slam finals since then, but this time did not get close, dumped out in the third round by China’s 27th seed Wang Qiang.

Williams, who was downbeat but not broken, said she will be back on the practice court on Saturday.

“I just made far too many errors to be a professional athlete today,” she said.

“I definitely do believe or I wouldn’t be on tour,” added Williams when asked if she thinks she can still reach Australian Margaret Court’s 24 Slams record.

“I don’t play just to have fun. To lose is really not fun.”

Williams dropped just one game in beating Wang in the quarter-finals at the US Open last year, but was stunned 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5 on Friday.

“She served well, I didn’t return like Serena,” said Williams, seeded eighth in Melbourne but who was the strong favourite, especially with Court’s record on the line.

“If we were just honest with ourselves, it’s all on my shoulders. I lost that match.

“Like I said, it’s not about the tournament, it’s just like I can’t play like that.

“I literally can’t do that again. That’s unprofessional. It’s not cool.”

Williams stressed that defeat was “not the end of the world”, but admitted that she was angry and hurting inside as much as any defeat in her long and glorious career.

“I am just a better actress, as I always say now,” she said.

“I’m no happier than I was 10 years ago, but I just have to pretend like I don’t want to punch the wall, but in reality, I do.” AFP

Smitten...

From A8

But it is more to do with his spearheading efforts to help out those who have suffered in Australia’s bushfire tragedy, said the opinion piece.

The country has been battling an unprecedented wave of wildfires since September that have devastated communities, killing at least 29 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes.

Players at the Australian Open and the tournament itself have come up with a variety of ways to donate to a relief fund, but it is Kyrgios who is seen as driving it.

“It seems as if in a matter of weeks the enfant terrible of Australian tennis has gone from childish brat to voice of reason,” the column said.

‘Not acceptable from me’ At Melbourne Arena on Thursday Kyrgios could do no wrong in front of a partisan and packed crowd for the match with Simon.

At the start of the month the powerserving Kyrgios pledged Aus$200 (US$205) for every ace he sends down during the Australian tennis summer.

So after the first of his 28 aces, a male voice in the crowd shouted out, “Thank you, Nick.”

That was followed by a separate, “We love you, Nick.”

His apology to his coaching team afterwards for berating them was more proof of his growing maturity, said his growing legion of fans.

“It’s not acceptable from me,” said Kyrgios.

But there is always a caveat with the colourful Kyrgios and this would not be the first time that observers have rushed to proclaim “the new Nick.” AFP

Hengxiang Cycling Team highly rated in Langkawi tour

Petronas LTdL 2020’s Stage 1 begins in Kuching, Sarawak on Feb. 7 and ends with Stage 8 in Langkawi Island, covering an overall distance of 1095.7km across nine states.

KUALA LUMPUR—The Hengxiang Cycling Team is no stranger to cycling enthusiasts in the country where focus will certainly be on this team from China when the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 takes off this year beginning with the team presentation in Kota Kinabalu on Feb. 5.

The highly rated Wang Meiyin rocked Cameron Highlands in the 2013 edition of LTdL with a fabulous solo climb to sweep three major jerseys as he finished fifth overall en route to be named named King of the Mountain.

Meiyin was once again back in his element three years later when he picked up his second King of the Mountain crown at LTdL 2016 before he was snapped up by World Tour team Bahrain-Merida for three seasons (2017-2019) before returning to

Hengxiang this season.

From the list of riders that was received by organizer Human Voyage Sdn Bhd, Meiyin is expected to challenge for the prestigious yellow jersey at Petronas LTdL 20202 in the team led by former Chinese national rider Li Liyu and where they have also listed Asia’s second best rider in Lyu Xianjing.

In addition to Meiyin and Xianjing, Hengxiang also lists Zhang Zheng, who is ranked 76th in Asia, and experienced Latvian-born racer Andris Vosekalns.

Two other members for the 25th edition of Petronas LTdL 2020 are Miao Chengshuo and Ma Xinyang.

Xianjing was ranked second in Asia last season after collecting 508 points behind Astana Pro Cycling rider Alexey Lutsenko.

He won the silver medal at the Asian

Cycling Championship in addition to taking the yellow jersey at the Tour of China II and the King of the Mountain at the Tour of Quanzhou Bay, which underlined his quality as a serious contender for the overall Petronas LTdL crown.

For Meiyin, the lack of opportunity to race in Europe in the colours of BahrainMerida meant that he will be an unknown entity although there is no denying as to the quality and experience of the 31-year-old, given his previous achievements.

Vosekalns, on the other hand, was considered one of Latvia’s biggest rider in his teengage years when he won the National Road Race and then the Individual Time trial in 2010. He emerged as Latvia National Champion in 2014 before Hengxiang signed him from Rietumu Delfin in 2018.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

Simple rites mark PSC’s 30th-year celebration “THE employees are the heart and soul of this anniversary celebration,” declared Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez as he addressed the employees at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum this Friday.

The PSC is donating its anniversary budget to the victims of Mt. Taal’s eruption. The celebration, simple as it seems, was filled with heartfelt gratitude and melancholic remembrances of the past 30 years of the sports agency.

In his speech, Ramirez said: “I humbly acknowledge those who have stood as chairman before me, all who steered the PSC ship in the direction that they know and believed in the hearts to be the best of the Philippine Sports. I am privileged Ramirez to be in their ranks. Marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat.”

Among the 10 chairmen of the commission, Ramirez has the special perspective of different times and situations being the only PSC chief who has served the agency twice and led the country’s two overall championships at the Southeast Asian Games in 2005 and 2019 as the Chef de Mission.

Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo of the Presidential Management Staff who served the PSC before joined his former officemates and thanked everyone for their service to the country, “I think we’re not just celebrating 30 years of public service, I think it’s more than 30 years because the sacrifices that you have rendered to the Filipino nation and to the country itself - overtime, travel, leaving behind your families, those are the additional time that you have shared to the PSC.” Also present were PSC Commissioners Celia Kiram, Arnold Agustin, Ramon Fernandez, and Charles Raymond Maxey.

“Mabuhay po ang Philippine Sports Commission. Ipagpatuloy po natin ang pagseserbisyo ng wagas.” said Commissioner Kiram.

Commissioner Agustin said that he would like to encourage “to continue working together to achieve our goals for the Philippine sports!” adding that the construction activities to uplift the facilities of the commission will continue as the board is united in their desire to leave a lasting, practical legacy to the Filipino athletes and people.

The grant of loyalty award is “pursuant to Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 02-0295. These policies were formulated to recognize the continuous and satisfactory service rendered in the government by officials and employees for a period of 10 years.”

“If we are all united and we work hand-in-hand, we can never go wrong,” said Commissioner Maxey during his speech, recalling his days as a media man visiting the Commission to cover.

Basketball legend and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez could not let go of the chance to share that he was only 16 years old when he first set foot in the historic RMC as an athlete. He underscored the importance of sports in the lives of people explaining that “Hindi lang ito sports. Ang importante, we make a difference in our jobs. So let’s work together and hopefully magpatuloy ‘yung swerte, at magkaroon tayo ng Olympic gold this year.”

Members of the victorious Philippine team shows their medal haul at the recentl Malaysia-Philippines Riders Tour. They are Lara Zobel, Mohamed el Akkad, Paola Lorenzo, Nicole Camcam, Minxie Romualdez and Alex Ynares-Villalon, with team coach Joker Arroyo and team chef d’equipe and Equestrian Philippines Inc. president Carissa Coscolluela

PH rules Riders Tour in KL T

HE Philippine team emerged champion in the Malaysian edition of the Riders Tour, besting two home teams from the hosts at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.

Composed of Paola Lorenzo (1.20m category), Lara Zobel (1.10 meter category), Nicole Camcam (1.00m category), Mohamed el Akkad (0.90m category), Alex Ynares-Villalon (0.80m category) and Minxie Romualdez (0.70m category), the Philippine team followed up its triumphant run during the inaugural September stop of the Riders Tour, the borrowed horse

competition series between teams from Malaysia and the Philippines.

The Malaysian teams were composed of local riders ranging from young equestrians to members of the uniformed service in active mounted duty.

In a challenging format that tests the riders’ ability and adaptability, all riders competing in the Riders Tour were given 30 minutes to familiarize

themselves with the horses provided by the host country prior to riding a fiveminute test round the day before the actual competition.

The same format was employed at the inaugural edition of the event held in Manila last year, conceptualized by Equestrian Philippines, Inc. The series, which sees the return of the Philippines in team-borrowed horse shows in the Asian region, has been well received, with several clubs in different countries now proposing to stage similar events.

The Philippines ended on a faultfree score, while Malaysia Team A

Mighty Sports outlasts UAE in Dubai tilt MIGHTY Sports survived the vintage performance of Fadi El-Khatib and pulled off a pulsating 88-82 win over host United Arab Emirates at the start of the Dubai International Basketball Championship Thursday at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.

Still sharp and agile at 40, the Lebanese legend playing as import for the tiny but oil-rich Middle East nation erupted for 30 points but it was Fil-Am Mikey Williams who stood out in the end of Group B action of the 11-team tournament.

The 6’1” Williams gave the Alex Wongchuking-owned Mighty Sports an 82-78 breather with a trey following a UAE turnover—thanks to a perfect feed by naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche with 74 ticks left.

Backed by Creative Pacific of Bong Cuevas, Go for Gold, Oriental Group, Discovery Primea, and Gatorade, Mighty Sports hiked their lead to 84-78 after Williams found a cutting Renaldo Balkman for a jam.

The Emiratis—through the efforts of Rashed Ayman and El-Khatib—pulled to within 84-82, but Williams rose to the occasion once again by calmly sinking two pressure-packed charities before Thirdy Ravena sealed the deal with a layup off a defensive stop that had the crowd roaring in delight.

“It was a huge scare for us but we have to credit Mikey for showing great resolve. Big plays at crunch time,” said Wongchuking.

Nick Kyrgios

PH reiterates bid to host boxing meet

By Peter Atencio

Mighty Sports Renaldo Balkman scores easily during their game with hoist UAE in the 31st Dubai Championship Thursday at the Shabab Al Ahli Club.

Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu was a little disappointed with the team’s opening game but was still glad they were able to hurdle their first assignment.

“I have to be a bit more patient because this is technically our first game together.

But give credit to UAE, they played well, got to the free throw line a lot and ElKhatib is still a great player at his age,” said Tiu. “Mikey was also great. As I said I have complete trust in him,” said Tiu of his wily

guard who finished with 15 points not to mention several wondrous plays.

Import Jelan Kendrick topscored for Mighty with 19 points while Blatche and Balkman chipped in 15 points each apart from grabbing 11 and 9 boards, respectively.

Mighty, which is out to improve on its third place-finish last year, was battling Al Ittihad of Lebanon at presstime.

The game will have a replay on ESPN5 at 3:30 p.m.

Smitten Australia falls for ‘childish brat’ Kyrgios MELBOURNE—So often reviled for his antics on court, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios is now something of a national hero after his box-office performances at Melbourne Park and heartfelt support for the victims of deadly bushfires.

The 24-year-old’s apparent newfound maturity was lauded in local media after his four-set victory on Thursday over France’s Gilles Simon in the Australian Open second round.

A picture of the 23rd seed punching the air took up half the front page of Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper, proclaiming: “Kyrgios beats demons,

fi nished with 4 faults and Malaysia Team B with 20 faults.

Additionally, Lorenzo, Zobel and Ynares-Villalon claimed first place in their respective categories, while Romualdez and Camcam took secondplace honors. El Akkad was third place.

The MAS-PHI Riders Tour was held within the Bukit Kiara New Year Horse Show, which saw 71 riders competing in seven height categories.

Special awards were also given to Zobel as Best Rider, Camcam for Sportsmanship, and young Malaysian rider Hariz Kamaludin as Most Promising Rider.

wins admirers.”

He was on the back pages too after his 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory, which set up a third-round meeting with Karen Khachanov, the 16th seed from Russia.

There were flashes of the worst of Kyrgios, losing his temper with his court-side coaching team and threatening to unravel as the stubborn Simon refused to lie down.

“I could have gone to a very dark place in the fourth set,” the Australian, who has a suspension hanging over him following a litany of misdemeanours on court, admitted.

But a column in the Herald Sun summed up the changing attitude towards the temperamental Kyrgios, whose undoubted talent has long been overshadowed by rows with spectators and umpires, and accusations that he “tanked” matches.

“He was once our most unpopular sporting export but now he’s the unofficial people’s choice for Australian of the Year,” said the gushing column.

It was partly because he was winning matches, first at the ATP Cup for the home nation and now for himself in Turn to A7 Melbourne.

THE Philippines will continue pursuing its bid to host the Asia/ Oceania qualifying event for boxing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Ricky Vargas said this after a new date has been set by the organizers.

Competitions are now slated rom March 3 to 11 by International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force.

Wuhan was scheduled to host the Asia/Oceania qualifier from Feb. 3 to 14.

But it has been cancelled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.

“We are keenly considering hosting the event should the requirements be feasible,” said Vargas in his letter to the task force.

The qualifying events for boxing are now being managed by the IOC, which suspended the sport’s world governing body AIBA last June over a range of issues including governance, ethics, refereeing and judging, as well as finance.

The cancellation was announced on Wednesday after nine people were killed during the outbreak, believed to have began in Wuhan.

Because of this, the task force is now exploring the possibility of holding the qualifiers in other venues.

For now, the rest of qualifying events like the Africa qualifier in Dakar, Senegal from Feb 20 to 29 February, will go on, according to the IOC. The cancellation came within hours after local officials requested visitors to avoid the city, while residents stayed put in their homes.

IN BRIEF Jadestone, Mitra win case versus Total E&P

THE Singapore International Arbitration Center awarded Jadestone Energy Inc. monetary damages, plus a portion of the legal costs and expenses, as a result of an arbitration case filed against Total E&P Philippines BV on service contract 56.

Jadestone, through wholly-owned subsidiary Mitra Energy (Philippines SC-56) Ltd., filed the case against Total E&P Philippines BV. Mitra started the arbitration case in December 2017 in response to a breach of the 2012 farm out agreement with Total, claiming that Total failed to drill an exploration well on the deepwater Halcon prospect within service contract 56 in offshore Sulu Sea. “The tribunal found in favour of Mitra SC56... awarding monetary damages to Mitra SC56 of $11,075,000, less specific expenditures incurred prior to the breach to be agreed or determined if the parties cannot agree; and legal costs of approximately $4,300,000,” it said.

Total remains the operator of SC 56 with a 75-percent interest, with Mitra SC56 holding the balance.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

GSIS: 190,00 members saved from ‘5-6’ lenders

THE Government Service Insurance System has saved its 190,000 members who have fallen victims to loan sharks and ‘56’ lenders who offer quick financial relief but have left them buried deeper in debt with high interest rates.

“The GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL) program is our intervention measure in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to help end the cycle in which GSIS members fall prey to predatory lending businesses that charge staggering interest rates,” chairman and acting president and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

He said GFAL was a facility that enables GSIS members to pay their outstanding loans with lenders at a lower interest rate of 6 percent per annum and longer payment term of six years.

“The program ensures our members higher take-home pay, decent wage, and protection for their future benefits from unwanted deductions,” Macasaet added.

ROTARY SPEAKER. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez (third from left) is joined at the presidential table by Rotary Club of Makati West president Eric Tensuan (center), Rotary Club of Manila president Jackie Rodriguez (third from right) and (from left) RCMW secretary Franco del Rosario, RCMW past district governor Tony Rufino, RCMW past president Junvee Vital and Rotarian Cons Robertz.

The RCMW and the RCM held Thursday its second joint meeting for the year with Dominguez as guest of honor and speaker.

Inflation to remain benign in 2020 and 2021—Diokno

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno expects inflation to remain benign in the months ahead, as consumer prices in the fourth quarter of 2019 eased to 1.6 percent from 1.7 percent a quarter ago.

The latest data brought the full-year average to 2.5 percent, well within the target range and significantly slower compared to 5.2 percent a year ago.

“Inflation will continue to be within the target range of 2 to 4 percent in 2020 and 2021,” Diokno said during the Fourth Quarter 2019 Inflation briefing held at the Bangko Sentral.

Inflation slowed down slightly in the fourth quarter due mainly to lower food and non-food inflation. Core inflation also slowed to 2.7 percent in the fourth quarter from 2.9 percent a quarter ago.

But Diokno said upside risks to inflation over the near term could come mainly from potential volatility in international oil prices, as well as from the potential impact of the African Swine

Fever outbreak and recent weather disturbances and natural hazards on domestic food prices.

He said the subdued pace of global economic activity amid trade policy uncertainty and increased geopolitical tensions could temper upward pressure on commodity prices.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila said monetary authorities would consider a lot of factors during the next policy meeting on Feb. 6—such as the inflation outturn in the month of January and the gross domestic product growth of 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter—to see if there would be a need to change or not the current policy stance.

Diokno last week said monetary authorities were looking at the possible effect of the Taal Volcano eruption to inflation. He remained confident the increases in consumer prices this year would continue to be manageable.

Earlier, the Philippine National Bank said in a report the Taal Volcano eruption would have an impact on the trajectory of inflation in the days ahead because the southern Tagalog region was a main contributor to the supply of livestock and fish nationwide.

“We worry that the Taal eruption may put pressure on food prices of livestock particularly chicken and hogs (as well as fish supply) since CALABARZON—

Electric co-ops secure P700-m loans from NEA

Taal’s location and region most affected, is a significant contributor to local production of livestock,” PNB said.

The eruption of Taal Volcano last week resulted in around P4.314 billion in economic losses in the affected towns within the 14-kilometer radius or high-risk areas, according to the estimate of the National Economic and Development Authority.

NEDA said in a report this week the losse were equivalent to 0.17 percent of the 2018 gross regional domestic product of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) Region.

NEDA said of the amount, P3.167 billion was lost in the agriculture and fishery sector; P357.3 million in industry sector; and P789.1 million in the services sector. NEDA used 2018 as the basis for the loss computation.

The towns and cities within the 14-km radius considered as high-risk areas are San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Talisay, Laurel, Tanauan City, Tagaytay City, Cuenca, Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Lemery, Taal, Lipa City, Santa Teresita, Malvar, Alitagtag, and San Jose.

But the economic losses were even bigger if the towns within the 17-km radius from the eruption site are considered. NEDA said the foregone income in the economic sectors within the 17km radius reached P6.657 billion, or 0.26 percent of the 2018 gross regional domestic product of Calabarzon region.

SUN LIFE ANNIVERSARY.

Sun Life of Canada Inc., the first and longeststanding life insurer in the Philippines, is marking its 125th anniversary in the Philippines with the theme “Beyond Lifetimes,” as a testament to its longevity in the country and to reiterate Sun Life’s commitment to its purpose of helping Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Heading the celebration are (from left) Benedict Sison, chief executive officer and country head, Sun Life Philippines; Léo Grépin, president, Sun Life Asia; Dennis Funa, Insurance Commissioner; and Dean Connor, president and CEO, Sun Life Financial.

By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN National Electrification Administration through its Enhanced Lending Program extended over P700 million worth of loans to electric cooperatives last year, surpassing its fullyear target of P450 million.

The agency released P705 million to 31 ECs, with the bulk of the amount or P658.090 million bankrolling capital expenditure projects, citing data from the NEA Accounts Management and Guarantee Department.

The projects include construction of sub-transmission and distribution lines, substations, office buildings, rehabilitation and upgrading of distribution system and mini-hydro power plant, replacement of dilapidated poles and defective meters, and acquisition of vehicles and other tools and equipment.

Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. availed the biggest loan of P104.950 million, followed by Camarines Sur I Electric Cooperative Inc. with P60.963 million, Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative Inc. with P45.651 million, Dinagat Island Electric Cooperative Inc. with P45.298 million and Sorsogon I Electric Cooperative Inc. with P42.463 million.

NEA also granted stand-by credit loan to CASURECO I and Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative Inc. totaling P25million to strengthen their creditworthiness with generation companies.

Meanwhile, Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative Inc. secured P21.934 million for the procurement of modular generator sets.

Abra Electric Cooperative availed of a P10-million calamity loan which it used to rehabilitate distribution facilities damaged by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut).

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

B1

BPI lists peso bonds worth P15.3b after high demand

BDO waives fees on OFW donations

TO MAKE it easier for overseas Filipinos to provide financial assistance to thousands of victims of the Mt. Taal eruption, BDO Unibank Inc. has waived its remittance fees on cash donations that will be sent through the different BDO Remit offices abroad.

BDO has extensive remittance coverage across the globe, with overseas remittance offices and partners across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Cash donations sent through BDO Remit offices will then be coursed through different foundations, namely BDO Foundation, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc., GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. and Philippine Red Cross.

The remittance free campaign on cash donations to Taal victims runs from January 14 to March 31, 2020.

“We know overseas Filipinos, by the very nature of every Filipino, would love to help their kababayans in the Philippines who were most affected by the Mt. Taal eruption through cash donations.

BDO is serving as bridge to this by waiving regular remittance fees on donations sent through BDO remit offices,” said Genie Gloria, senior vice president and head of remittance of BDO.

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

PCC backs Senate bills favoring motorcycles as alternative vehicles

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Competition Commission expressed support to the passage of Senate bills amending the Land Transportation and Traffic Code to allow two-wheeled motorcycle vehicles as a mode of public transport.

The Senate bills are considered timely as they widen the choices for commuters and open opportunities for businesses and innovators.

“We understand that the results of the Motorcycle Taxi Service InterAgencyTechnical Working Group’s (TWG) pilot study will be critical to the future of this new market involving MC taxis and online ride-hailing,

especially in shaping regulations concerning safety, viability, and accreditation,” the PCC said.

“We acknowledge the legitimacy and objectives of the study, and the need to on-board as wide a set of perspectives as possible. With this in mind, we encourage the TWG to consider the pro-competitive effects of multi-homing in its study,” it added.

The use of motorcycle taxis as a mode of public transportation has given commuters an additional option amid worsening traffic conditions in urban areas. In many rural areas around the country, these habal-habal are widely used as main transport.

Multi-homing policy allows drivers to choose which platform to offer their services, the same way that passengers can choose among different apps.

Multi-homing also prods platforms to continuously innovate and compete to keep both drivers and passengers safe and satisfied.

Preventing multi-homing among drivers may lead to inefficiencies that will ultimately be detrimental to the riding public.

Whether in the experimental phase or once the law on motorcycles will be passed, competition must be recognized as an essential element in stakeholders’ operations that bear impact on the riding public.

AYALA-LED Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, listed on Friday its peso bonds worth P15.3 billion.

BPI said in a statement the bond offering exceeded the original target of P3 billion by five times. The fixed rate bonds have an interest rate of 4.2423 percent per annum payable quarterly, with a tenor of two years.

The bank plans to use proceeds from the bank to offer better financial services to Filipinos.

Dino Gasmen, BPI treasurer, attributed the successful bond offering to the trust and support of both retail and institutional investors to BPI. “Our bonds offer an attractive return to investors. The funds raised puts us in a better position to provide financial services to more clients—individuals, small and medium businesses, and big corporations to fund a housing project, a new car, or their businesses,” he said.

The bonds, whose availability was announced last Jan. 13, are now tradable on Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. The issuance is BPI’s second peso bond transaction, following its landmark P25-billion bond sale in 2018.

BPI Capital Corp. and the local branch of Standard Chartered Bank served as the joint lead arrangers of the bonds. BPI Capital was sole selling agent, while SCB was participating selling agent.

BPI remains one of the biggest universal and commercial banks in the country in terms of assets, loans, deposits and coverage.

BPI booked a 29.5-percent increase in net income to P22.03 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P17.01 billion a year ago after a strong performance in the third quarter.

Revenues surged 245 percent to P71 billion from January to September compared to P56.89 billion in the same period a year ago.

The bank’s loan book rose 8 percent to P1.37 trillion in the first nine months from P1.27 trillion a year ago due to higher consumer and corporate loans. Julito G. Rada

Britain decision on Huawei 5G likely next week LONDON—Britain is expected to announce next week whether to allow China’s Huawei to develop its 5G network, an official said on Friday, setting out reasons for agreeing despite US opposition.

The official said the decision had not yet been taken but it was likely to be next week.

There had been speculation that Britain would allow Huawei into “non-core” elements of the next-generation 5G mobile networks, such as antennae and base stations attached to masts and roofs.

The United States has banned Huawei from the rollout of its 5G network because of concerns—strongly denied—that the firm could be under the control of Beijing.

It has been lobbying Britain to do the same, even threatening to limit intelligence sharing between the two allies if the UK goes its own way.

British Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said this week that a decision would be made “soon,” adding that many factors were being considered.

These included “the availability of other providers” and “the work that Huawei has already done in the United Kingdom,” she said.

The senior official said Britain— unlike the United States—had been using Huawei technology in its systems for the past 15 years.

Security agencies believe they have managed the risk so far and will be able to do so with the 5G network, the official said.

Banning Huawei entirely could also cost “billions” of pounds and delay the rollout of 5G and full-fiber broadband, the official said.

There is also a problem in that few other firms have the technology that Huawei does. AFP

B2

Business

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slightly up; Jollibee gains T HE stock market rose slightly Friday, joining the rest of Asia as investor nerves eased after a week of volatility prompted by the rapid spread of a viral illness in China.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 7.06 points, or almost 0.1 percent, to 7,623.41 on a value turnover of P5.7 billion. Gainers beat losers, 106 to 70, with 60 issues unchanged.

Manila Water Co. Inc. climbed 4.4 percent to P10.40, while online game operator PhilWeb Corp. jumped 49.8 percent to P3.79.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, rose 2.6 percent to P217, but Cemex Holdings Corp. fell 5.2 percent to P1.64.

The rest of Asian markets halted their slide Friday after the World Health Organization has stopped short of declaring a global health emergency—a rare instrument used only for the worst outbreaks.

The coronavirus infection has killed at least 26 people while the number of confirmed cases has leapt to 830, health officials said.

Authorities have shut down public transport in 13 cities—together home to more than 40 million people--around the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan.

“Markets are fearful the virus could spread, and even if it doesn’t the impact on China could be large,” National Australia Bank analyst Tapas Strickland said in a note.

“The WHO has provided a hefty dose of market prescribed penicillin that has lowered investors’ fever for the time be-

ing,” said AxiCorp chief market strategist Stephen Innes.

Hong Kong was down nearly four percent for the week but closed 0.2 percent higher after a half-day session ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday.

Tokyo closed up 0.1 percent after sliding 1.2 percent since Monday, while Sydney finished the day 0.3 percent higher.

Mainland bourses began their weeklong break for the holiday, a day after the Shanghai exchange shed nearly three percent in its worst pre-Lunar New Year market fall on record.

Fears remain that the holiday—when hundreds of millions of people travel across China—could catalyze a further spread of the virus and knock-on market headwinds.

“The fact the virus has spread to Singapore, an overly scrutinized customs

entry point, suggests the best window for controlling the infection may have passed,” Innes said.

Oil benchmarks climbed slightly after shedding around 1.5 percent on Thursday on fears the viral outbreak would hit the aviation and transport sectors.

“Traders remain incredibly twitchy about the effects the coronavirus outbreak could have on Chinese GDP and air travel more broadly,” Innes said.

Further slides would “very much depend on the stream of outbreak headlines”, he added.

New York weathered the battering of global equities on Thursday with sentiment shifting after confirmation the WHO would not yet declare a global emergency.

The Nasdaq edged to a new record, while the Dow finished slightly negative. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Friday, January 24, 2020

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 53.5 4,000 82.25 3,024,200 3.16 1,927,000 156 597,160 25.1 104,000 18.46 95,400 12.1 344,300 4.15 58,000 850 10 0.42 1,140,000 64.55 2,744,860 0.85 195,000 20.5 10,000 31.2 947,100 172 3,500 59.2 9,370 22 62,400 190 94,090 1,855 105 59.8 15,020

213,100 248,803,391 6,135,070 93,101,406 2,608,840 1,760,920 4,153,590 239,750 8,500 477,200 177,213,529.50 162,750 205,000 29,473,810 601,022 554,087 1,374,840 17,781,153 195,525 897,735

106,500 -110,420,856 19,020 -29,208,489 -536,085 738,400 -726,030 -85,195,032.50 17,000 -22,669,720 356,977 -264,159 1,018,959 -290,595

32.55 2.13 11.9 0.55 1.23 3.23 0.227 1.62 15.36 11.2 30.6 62.5 67 2.12 5 8.81 13 8.88 7.22 1.69 20.7 66 1.77 37 1.95 12.84 7.68 1.29 211 42 3.01 6.89 10 10.9 14.78 290 5 1.85 3.9 9.67 11.72 31.35 4.7 5.24 1.74 1.76 1.19 9.48 73 8.84 0.119 0.99 160 2.56 1.2 0.97

INDUSTRIAL 33.3 916,300 2.15 4,172,000 12.02 1,735,500 0.59 8,206,000 1.23 4,000 3.6 16,769,000 0.232 540,000 1.64 34,030,000 15.36 1,900 11.48 5,983,500 30.6 600 62.5 240 67 190 2.17 31,000 5 6,000 8.88 557,900 13.6 1,707,000 9.09 6,600 7.23 276,500 1.69 8,000 21.2 750,100 66.4 14,510 1.83 60,264,000 37.25 151,300 1.99 2,886,000 12.9 167,500 7.74 194,700 1.3 512,000 217 596,560 42 100 3.18 8,000 6.89 5,300 10.4 17,236,700 11 26,700 15 811,200 302.4 118,100 5.37 11,000 1.85 787,000 4 1,635,000 9.95 2,100 11.96 36,400 31.5 18,900 4.7 22,000 5.24 18,000 1.76 301,000 1.76 21,000 1.25 5,403,000 9.5 81,600 78 102,240 9.1 187,900 0.12 400,000 1.02 678,000 162 1,164,330 2.56 3,000 1.3 25,979,000 0.99 780,000

30,208,820 9,084,970 20,851,146 4,740,020 4,920 59,765,600 122,870 56,779,250 29,366 70,202,872 18,630 15,000 12,730 66,770 30,000 4,971,789 23,176,584 59,556 1,999,079 13,520 15,906,880 962,953.50 110,238,380 5,634,885 5,717,370 2,159,820 1,501,619 669,320 127,502,338 4,200 24,930 36,561 179,313,026 292,324 12,129,924 35,046,060 58,410 1,466,800 6,479,550 20,531 434,352 598,890 103,500 94,440 526,200 37,410 6,743,450 774,892 7,761,163.50 1,693,438 47,900 677,810 188,391,765 7,680 33,077,510 762,720

-1,361,440 -335,380 -9,955,150 56,000 -480,000 -2,022,660 -10,802 361,308 270 355,392 -7,941,070 -1,810,392 -4,658,475 319,260 -82,440 5,538,650 1,910,100 -48,810 -132,692 21,202,088 -9,030 28,496,480 -59,252 -3,881,110 -482,050 360,290 -32,140 -347,944 -114,225 -94,440 -17,800 26,870 -660,070 -760,004 -282,100 69,630,306 -179,140 -

0.86 51.3 10.86 0.74 11.2 0.95 0.99 730 2.67 6.42 6.2 12.98 0.209 781 5.41 74.65 5.95 0.485 3.69 10.02 0.58 3.32 2.56 4.32 1.19 144.2 1,025 0.85 1.22 175 180 0.21 0.22

HOLDING FIRMS 0.86 6,376,000 52.95 775,000 11.1 881,500 4,555,000 0.76 11.36 24,500 0.95 902,000 0.99 62,000 740 198,800 2.72 2,993,000 6.42 125,200 6.2 7,447,500 13.1 56,200 0.209 50,000 791 60,200 5.41 100 77 727,730 6.72 20,000 0.5 212,000 3.71 632,000 10.2 7,648,200 0.6 142,000 3.35 25,285,000 2.56 5,000 4.63 17,000 1.23 158,000 150 149,950 1,032 396,510 0.88 545,000 1.22 1,000 190 780 199.9 6,100 0.216 630,000 0.22 410,000

5,520,660 40,758,291.50 9,721,184 3,588,120 277,516 867,120 61,920 146,905,800 8,097,190 807,038 46,797,049 733,696 10,450 47,337,590 541 55,349,428 130,005 104,175 2,359,670 79,647,490 83,200 84,903,150 12,800 74,630 192,250 22,102,794 409,136,790 482,700 1,220 145,430 1,120,314 135,330 90,410

82,560 -3,093,299.50 -2,157,162 -205,740 15,645,475 -1,182,930 433,422 -33,014,339 -9,100 -24,248,445 7,468,350.50 -826,400 51,798,646 -31,651,090 -10,155,042.00 -161,154,070 -5,940 44,200

14.72 0.69 1.51 0.81 41 1.61 4.6 0.51 0.75 0.182 0.39 9.27 17.84 0.41 1.51 1.07 4.26 0.241 0.405 1.19 0.36 2.2 27.6

PROPERTY 14.72 398,300 0.7 747,000 1.54 27,000 0.83 496,000 41.4 30,293,000 1.7 2,373,000 4.6 368,000 0.53 3,340,000 0.75 3,000 0.186 300,000 0.39 2,310,000 9.27 225,400 18 1,909,500 0.41 660,000 1.52 3,227,000 1.11 696,000 4.28 10,295,000 0.249 16,070,000 0.405 90,000 1.2 1,073,000 0.365 900,000 2.24 553,000 28.3 597,000

5,862,978 524,420 41,460 407,280 1,255,608,370 3,993,290 1,698,880 1,756,920 2,250 54,640 917,050 2,110,835 34,372,072 270,800 4,879,760 754,280 44,029,250 3,983,470 36,450 1,291,590 328,550 1,237,550 16,794,245

-199,767,805 -386,290 -1,227,230 -316,096 -4,187,858 578,000 -20,755,370 -106,550 18,000 4,282,295

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

53 82.15 3.04 155.5 25.1 18.02 12.18 4.15 850 0.42 64.7 0.83 20.5 30.95 173 59 22.15 188 1,865 60

53.5 82.55 3.35 156.9 25.15 18.46 12.18 4.15 850 0.435 64.75 0.85 20.5 31.4 173 59.25 22.2 190 1,865 60

53 82.15 3 155.4 25.05 18.02 12 4.05 850 0.415 64 0.82 20.5 30.8 170 58.85 21.95 186.1 1,855 59.5

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

33.2 2.25 12.06 0.56 1.23 3.36 0.231 1.75 15.48 11.52 31.5 62.5 67 2.12 5 8.9 13.7 8.88 7.22 1.69 21.25 66 1.78 37.05 2 12.84 8.05 1.35 211.6 42 3.01 6.9 10 10.92 14.96 299.8 5.2 1.87 4 9.67 11.72 32 4.71 5.3 1.76 1.8 1.31 9.48 73 8.84 0.119 1 162 2.56 1.22 1

33.3 2.28 12.06 0.62 1.23 3.71 0.232 1.76 15.48 12.06 31.5 62.5 67 2.17 5 9 13.7 9.1 7.23 1.69 21.5 66.85 1.87 37.25 2 12.9 8.05 1.36 217 42 3.18 6.9 10.64 11.16 15 302.4 5.7 1.89 4.04 9.95 11.98 32 4.71 5.3 1.77 1.8 1.35 9.5 78 9.2 0.12 1.03 163.4 2.56 1.31 1.01

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

0.86 53 11.06 0.76 11.3 0.97 1 730 2.68 6.59 6.3 12.98 0.209 790.5 5.41 76 5.95 0.5 3.69 10.12 0.6 3.5 2.56 4.32 1.2 145.7 1,046 0.88 1.22 175 203.4 0.21 0.222

0.88 53 11.1 0.84 11.8 1 1 745 2.74 6.59 6.4 13.1 0.209 792 5.41 77 6.72 0.5 3.75 10.58 0.6 3.5 2.56 4.64 1.24 150 1,049 0.92 1.22 190 203.4 0.216 0.222

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

14.72 0.71 1.54 0.82 41.35 1.64 4.63 0.52 0.75 0.182 0.415 9.27 17.84 0.415 1.53 1.11 4.28 0.245 0.405 1.2 0.37 2.24 28.35

14.74 0.72 1.54 0.83 41.7 1.73 4.65 0.53 0.75 0.186 0.415 9.48 18.06 0.415 1.53 1.11 4.3 0.25 0.405 1.23 0.37 2.29 28.35

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

2.1 3.19 41.15 2.46 2.2 7.29 5.85

2.1 3.19 41.35 2.58 2.23 7.3 5.87

2.05 3.15 40.8 2.46 2 7.22 5.73

2.08 3.17 40.8 2.55 2.04 7.29 5.87

37,000 38,000 7,855,400 1,382,000 19,734,000 8,288,700 21,700

76,810 120,540 321,592,710 3,485,250 41,666,790 60,407,977 127,129

-2,060 44,520 -1,007,015 -3,892,466 -

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

9.6 17.5 1.4 11.4 0.46 0.044 18.5 3.05 10.2 83 7.05 5.35 4.99 8.55 2,004 5.32 437 12.9 1.49 1.54 132.5 9.42 7.5 0.109 3.82 13.86 2.43 0.94 12.98 0.405 3.15 2.05 0.94 0.99 2.45 2.13 7.4 4.9 135.5 2.59 1,054 0.55 0.42 39.7 79.5 9 2.56 0.61 0.29 0.6 18.78

9.69 17.8 1.42 11.44 0.465 0.047 18.6 3.34 10.32 84.95 7.05 5.47 6 8.83 2,048 5.35 438 13.88 1.49 1.54 132.5 9.42 7.5 0.111 3.93 13.86 3.1 0.95 13.14 0.435 3.15 2.08 0.94 0.99 2.56 3.15 7.5 4.9 140 3.79 1,061 0.59 0.445 39.8 79.5 9.19 2.6 0.64 0.29 0.61 18.9

9.4 17.04 1.33 11.2 0.425 0.044 18.5 3.05 10.2 83 7.05 5.31 4.91 8.44 1,990 5.3 437 12.6 1.31 1.54 131.5 9.42 7.5 0.105 3.8 13.86 2.43 0.94 12.12 0.405 3.15 2.03 0.94 0.99 2.42 2.12 7.4 4.9 135.5 2.59 1,040 0.55 0.39 39 77 9 2.47 0.61 0.28 0.6 18.76

SERVICES 9.59 17.04 1.42 11.3 0.44 0.047 18.6 3.2 10.32 83.8 7.05 5.4 5.2 8.8 2,004 5.31 437 13.34 1.35 1.54 132.5 9.42 7.5 0.107 3.88 13.86 2.75 0.95 12.16 0.435 3.15 2.06 0.94 0.99 2.55 2.72 7.5 4.9 139.9 3.79 1,061 0.56 0.4 39.8 79 9.19 2.56 0.62 0.285 0.61 18.82

5,700 407,600 120,000 970,300 2,560,000 10,100,000 300 2,272,000 1,655,500 17,790 100 600,800 298,000 57,800 17,235 427,100 180 1,100 9,147,000 4,000 622,140 100 2,000 3,640,000 1,691,000 400 5,255,000 11,000 3,839,800 60,000 5,000 476,000 28,000 11,000 2,399,000 4,622,000 3,400 1,000 83,950 35,560,000 22,230 13,805,000 60,030,000 811,400 119,420 16,300 1,047,000 15,823,000 2,800,000 229,000 2,001,600

53,963 7,105,874 168,140 10,958,508 1,118,300 472,900 5,560 7,298,190 17,013,270 1,487,352.50 705 3,239,421 1,601,440 500,393 34,569,880 2,267,987 78,710 14,456 12,592,840 6,160 82,353,259 942 15,000 385,040 6,557,470 5,544 15,079,100 10,350 47,838,104 25,750 15,750 977,640 26,320 10,890 5,993,430 12,948,450 25,480 4,900 11,388,022 121,968,560 23,507,470 7,853,470 25,325,150 32,043,835 9,364,094 149,215 2,634,610 9,860,280 796,850 137,500 37,700,510

1,880 -61,050 -9,180,804.00 -665,101 -7,928,390 1,300 327,750 -28,371,131 282,280 -673,280 -10,882,922 -465,430.00 -2,088,580 523,369 538,220 -6,248,510 -2,186,760 -404,800 -2,335,665 -553,253 43,940 251,500 24,030,666

6,000 842,712 1,733,750 374,850 271,426 2,369,810 2,700 2,669,250 283,620 288,720 24,370 7,800 360,490 9,883,790 106,200 4,500 37,820 410,700 1,100 2,203,100 598,310 3,227,109 5,238,005 11,600

130,118 -131,300 39,280 -750,210 -179,036.00 -14,995 -

MS ABRA MINING ACE ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0015 8.11 1.12 2.49 10.92 3.24 0.27 1.53 0.213 0.094 0.094 0.0078 0.81 3.12 1.04 0.45 0.72 0.011 0.011 0.01 2.92 9 21.5 0.0058

0.0015 8.35 1.12 2.5 10.92 3.24 0.27 1.55 0.213 0.098 0.101 0.0078 0.81 3.24 1.04 0.45 0.73 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.95 9 22 0.0058

0.0015 8.09 1.09 2.49 10 3.11 0.27 1.49 0.203 0.094 0.094 0.0078 0.8 3.1 1.01 0.45 0.69 0.01 0.011 0.01 2.9 8.8 21 0.0058

MINING & OIL 0.0015 4,000,000 8.1 102,900 1.09 1,570,000 2.5 150,000 10 26,800 3.11 755,000 0.27 10,000 1.55 1,743,000 0.212 1,380,000 0.095 3,030,000 0.1 250,000 0.0078 1,000,000 0.81 448,000 3.17 3,124,000 1.04 105,000 0.45 10,000 0.73 54,000 0.01 39,600,000 0.011 100,000 0.011 200,300,000 2.95 205,000 8.93 364,400 22 242,500 0.0058 2,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR CPG PREF A DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

16 101.9 101 105.2 5.14 99 100.1 1,040 1,050 101.5 1,030 77 75.1 76.05 75.65 76

16 101.9 101 105.2 5.14 99 100.1 1,040 1,050 101.5 1,030 77 75.5 76.05 75.65 76

15.42 101.9 100.5 105.2 5.14 99 100 1,040 1,050 101.5 1,030 76.6 74.8 76 75.65 76

PREFERRED 15.5 158,700 101.9 1,000 100.9 60,060 105.2 14,810 5.14 461,000 99 32,230 100.1 131,780 1,040 450 1,050 40 101.5 28,590 1,030 990 77 77,570 75.5 33,560 76 101,510 75.65 5,000 76 196,670

2,482,300 101,900 6,052,035 1,558,012 2,369,540 3,190,770 13,179,106 468,000 42,000 2,901,885 1,019,700 5,964,836 2,511,814 7,717,260 378,250 14,946,920

-2,467,900 42,080 -2,318,140 -208,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.21

1.53

1.21

WARRANTS 1.33 2,340,000

3,209,610

-

295,110 23,306,468 2,941,660

-555,818 -5,280

1,059,218

11,400

30,600

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.81 9.5 0.85

3.94 11 0.89

3.75 9.42 0.85

FIRST METRO ETF

114.2

115

113.6

USD DMPL A1

10.2

10.2

10.2

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,669,586

INDUSTRIAL

196,655,770

HOLDING FIRMS

66,040,459

PROPERTY

117,418,303

SERVICES

186,941,593

MINING & OIL

261,706,443

GRAND TOTAL

847,153,563

3.88 10.2 0.89

SME

76,000 2,268,600 3,364,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114.4 9,270 10.2

DDS

3,000

VALUE 1,810.37 (down) 2.71 695,467,063.385 FINANCIAL 9,728.72 (up) 59.46 INDUSTRIAL 1,087,709,720.118 7,348.36 (down) 27.81 HOLDING FIRMS 1,343,757,811.42 PROPERTY 3,962.32 (up) 26.19 1,544.66 (up) 9.23 SERVICES 1,940,252,553.99 7,968.19 (up) 88.68 MINING & OIL 596,518,122.97 7,623.41 (up) 7.06 PSEI 30,975,382.6592 All Shares Index 4,523.57 (up) 19.37 5,722,294,303.18 Gainers: 106; Losers: 70; Unchanged: 60; Total: 236

NLEX harbor road link to partially open in February

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Public Works and Highways on Friday said the C3-R10 Section of NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the elevated expressway that will provide direct access between R10 in Navotas City and NLEX, is set for partial opening next month.

“The project is now 75 percent complete. We are on track to open the C3 to Dagat-Dagatan Avenue by February and the entire C3-R10 Section by March to help decongest major roads such as EDSA and C5,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.

“With the full completion of the project, we expect to reduce travel time from Port Area to NLEX to just 10 minutes,” Villar said.

Featured as one of the legacy projects of the Duterte administration, the 2.6-kilometer C3-R10 Section from Caloocan Interchange, C3 Road, Caloocan City to Radial Road 10, Navotas City will connect to the 5.65-kilometer NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 that passes through Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, Governor Pascual Avenue in Malabon City, and 5th Avenue/C3 Road, Caloocan City.

“We’re very excited to fulfill our vision of decongesting Metro Manila traffic, which is one of the major thrusts of the administration’s infrastructure program,” Villar said.

Apart from alleviating the daily traffic woes of motorists and commuters, the project will significantly benefit the transport logistics industry as cargo trucks will have 24/7 access from the port to NLEX, sparing them from truck ban and congested local roads.

It is also envisioned to boost trade performance and lead to on-time delivery of goods to different inland destinations in Central and North Luzon.

“Now that the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 C3-R10 Section is about to be completed, we are aiming to contribute more to the productive capacity of the economy, generate jobs, and ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” said NLEX president and general manager Luigi Bautista.

The NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 will improve the accessibility and connectivity between the key areas of Metro Manila and the northern provinces of Luzon via NLEx.

SEC warns public against investing in Billford Trading

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission urged the public to stop investing in the scheme being offered by Billford Trading Company and Bill Ford VIP Trading Inc. The SEC in an advisory posted on its website it received reports that Billford Trading and Bill Ford VIP, which are being operated allegedly by a certain Billy Ford Delos Santos Andrada, enticed the public to invest in the companies by buying one pig for the price of P2,500 with a promise of getting the investment back amounting to P4,375.00 in just three months.

The firms, however, are not authorized to solicit investments from the public as these entities did not secure prior registration or license to solicit investment from the Commission as prescribed by the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).

“In view thereof, the public is hereby advised to stop investing in the investment scheme being offered by the said entities and by Billy Ford Delos Santos Andrada,” the SEC said.

The corporate regulator also warned that those acting as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents of the two two companies might be held criminally liable under the SRC and penalized with a maximum of P5 million or imprisonment of 21 years or both.

The SEC said the names of all those involved would be reported to the Bureau of Internal Revenue so that the appropriate penalties or taxes could be correspondingly assessed.

The SEC since the start of the year issued advisory against three other firms, namely Teachers Financial Coaching Program/Teachers Financial Freedon Program, Inochi/Inochi Rewards and Jethclick/ Jethclick International by Jethro and Jethro Corp.

The companies are not authorized to sell investment contracts or securities to the public for failing to secure prior approval from the SEC. The SEC said has been going after investment scams like pyramiding and Ponzi schemes that are using popular and free social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to lure investors.

World IN BRIEF 19-year jail term for Benghazi attack WASHINGTON―A 47-year-old Libyan man who was captured by US special forces in Libya and brought to the United States for trial was sentenced to prison on Thursday for his role in the 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi.

Mustafa al-Imam, who was convicted of terrorism charges and other offenses in June 2019 after a six-week trial, was sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison by a US District Court judge.

US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans died in the September 11, 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi and the CIA annex there.

“Each sacrificed his life promoting American ideals,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement, adding that Al-Imam’s sentencing “sends a strong message to those who would attempt to commit such a heinous crime.”

Imam was captured by US troops in Libya in October 2017 and brought to the United States.

“Imam played an important role in the terrorist attack that destroyed the US mission and the CIA annex in Benghazi,” US attorney Jessie Liu said in a statement. AFP

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Official: Trump ‘should be removed’ W ASHINGTON―Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country’s interests ahead of his own.

“The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first,” said Schiff.

His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump’s illicit scheme to pressure Ukraine to help his 2020 reelection campaign.

“You know, you can’t trust this president to do what is right for this country.

You can trust he will do what’s right for Donald Trump,” Schiff added.

“He’ll do it now. He’s done it before.

He’ll do it for the next several months.

He’ll do it in the election if he’s allowed

to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed.”

“Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise we are lost.”

As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House impeachment managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers.

Schiff’s prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force Kiev to help him tarnish

Thousands of backers of Iran cleric join protest

TRAINING SESSION. French explorers at ski Matthieu Bellanger

(ahead) and Loury Lag train in Alta, Finnmark Region, Northern Norway, on January 14, 2020, ahead of an expedition of 130 days planned at the end of February, aiming at crossing the continent from East Canada to West Alaska through the North-West route, with 60kgs of survival equipment. The French skiing explorers pull 60kgs of survival gear by 10 Celsius degrees and in the polar night, with only 4 hours of blue day light at this time of the year, just below the Arctic Circle. AFP

Postman did not deliver the letters TOKYO—A former Japanese postman faces possible charges after police discovered he stockpiled a mountain of mail at his home, reportedly saying it was “too much bother” to deliver the items.

The man was “referred to prosecutors for allegedly violating postal law,” a Kanagawa prefectural police spokesman told AFP on Friday.

Local media reported the 61-year-old had around 24,000 undelivered items from between 2003 and 2019 at his home in Kanagawa, near Tokyo.

He reportedly told the police “it was too much bother to deliver them.”

“I didn’t want my colleagues to think I was less capable than younger people,” he added.

If convicted, the man faces prison time of less than three years or fines of up to 500,000 yen ($4,500), the police spokesman said.

Japan Post fired the man after the issue came to light late last year, and it apologised for the failure to deliver, pledging to ensure the newly discovered items of mail finally make it to their intended destinations. AFP

Singapore sued over fake news law KUALA LUMPUR―Singapore’s interior minister was sued Friday by a Malaysian human rights group in a bid to prevent the city-state from enforcing its law against false information in Malaysia.

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, wielding a new law to fight misinformation, had ordered Lawyers for Liberty to correct last week’s post alleging the city-state used a brutal “coup de grace” to finish off botched executions.

Singapore has denied the allegations as “untrue, baseless and preposterous” but the Malaysian rights group stood by its claims and refused to issue a correction notice.

Under Singapore’s law, failure to comply with a correction directive is an offence punishable with a fine and jail term.

N. Surendran, an advisor for Lawyers for Liberty, said the group were asking the Malaysian High Court to declare the Singapore directive “null and void” and unenforceable in Malaysia.

“This is an attempt by Singapore to encroach upon or to stifle or to crackdown on freedom of speech in our country,” Surendran told reporters.

“It is an attempt to reach out their tentacles and impose their own oppressive fake news act on Malaysians issuing statements in Malaysia.”

Under the law, Singaporean authorities can order corrections placed next to posts they deem false. Malaysia repealed a similar power in 2019. AFP

Hopes fade for five missing French tourists MONTREAL―Hopes faded Thursday for five French tourists who went missing after their snowmobiles fell through ice into a frozen lake while on an excursion in Quebec.

Police said they had found a total of six snowmobiles at the bottom of Saint-Jean Lake near where the accident occurred.

On the ground, authorities scaled back most search operations late Thursday and said they would resume again in the morning.

The group consisted of eight French tourists, three of whom survived, and their Canadian guide, who died after they crashed through ice while snowmobiling Tuesday evening at a dangerous spot where the lake funnels into a river.

Provincial authorities pledged to tighten safety measures on the use of snowmobiles Thursday as a 30-member team, including divers and sonar operators, carried out search efforts.

Dozens of police officers, backed by two helicopters, were also deployed in the area, near the town of Saint-Henride-Taillon, about 225 kilometers (140 miles) north of Quebec City.

However hope was dimming of find-

ing the five, who crashed in an area of water off limits to snowmobiles because the ice is thinner there.

Canadian police identified the missing snowmobilers as Yan Thierry, 24; Jean-Rene Dumoulin, 24; Arnaud Antoine, 25; Julien Benoit, 34; and Gilles Claude, 58.

Investigators earlier in the day said they were still hopeful that the French tourists managed to find refuge on an island or a chalet but had been unable to communicate.

Police said they were alerted by two of the tourists who had rescued a third from the water.

The 42-year-old guide, Benoit L’Esperance of Montreal, was pulled out by emergency response teams and taken to hospital, but died overnight.

The surviving tourists were briefly hospitalized and treated for exposure and shock.

Investigators do not know why the group left the approved paths to venture “off-piste” at nightfall, but some experts believe they may have been trying to take a shortcut to their destination.

One of the missing, Gilles Claude, is the father of three international biath-

his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden.

“President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit,” House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber.

“Since President George Washington took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way,” Nadler said.

“The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president’s conduct is wrong. It is illegal.

And it is dangerous.” AFP

letes, according to French media.

“There was a tragic accident in Canada involving my father,” said one of Claude’s sons, Fabien, in an interview on the channel L’Equipe after winning a bronze medal at Thursday’s Biathlon World Cup in Slovenia.

“This podium is for him, I am sure he is proud of us and I am proud of what I have done today,” he told L’Equipe, speaking with his brother Florent by his side.

The Quebec provincial government on Thursday said it wants to make training mandatory for guides and tourists who use snowmobiles.

“Lessons will be learned and actions will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future,” said Quebec Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx.

In addition, effective Thursday, nature and adventure tourism businesses in the province will require quality and safety certification in order to be eligible for financial assistance from the tourism ministry.

Quebec, with some 33,000 kilometers (20,505 miles) of marked trails in postcard settings, is popular with snowmobile enthusiasts, especially foreigners. AFP

BAGHDAD―Thousands of supporters of volatile Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr gathered in Baghdad on Friday for a “million-strong” march to demand the ouster of US troops, putting the protest-hit capital on edge.

The march has rattled the separate, months-old protest movement that has gripped the capital and the Shiite-majority south since October, demanding a government overhaul, early elections and more accountability.

In the early hours of Friday, thousands of men, women and children of all ages massed under gray skies in the Jadiriyah district of east Baghdad.

“Get out, get out, occupier!” some shouted, while others chanted, “Yes to sovereignty!”

The American military presence has been a hot-button issue in Iraq since a US drone strike killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad airport on January 3.

Two days later, parliament voted for all foreign troops—including some 5,200 US personnel—to leave the country.

The vote was non-binding and a senior US official sad Thursday that Washington had yet to open talks with Baghdad on a troop pullout.

“There has not been any real engagement,” said ambassador James Jeffrey, the US special envoy for Syria and the coalition against the Islamic State group.

But he added that operations against the jihadists had been on hold since the drone strike, which triggered retaliatory Iranian missile strikes targeting US troops in Iraq.

“Coalition operations have been primarily on pause in Iraq as we focus on force protection and looking into the way forward with the Iraqi government,” Jeffrey said.

Long opposed to the US troop presence, Sadr seized on the public anger over the drone strike to call “a millionstrong, peaceful, unified demonstration to condemn the American presence and its violations”.

Several pro-Iran factions from the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force, usually rivals of Sadr, have backed his call and pledged to join.

Preparations were in full swing as early as noon on Thursday, with additional checkpoints across Baghdad to secure the protest area and buses ferrying in people for the rally. AFP

Mexico detains 800 migrants CIUDAD HIDALGO―Mexican troops used tear gas to detain 800 migrants who surged into Mexico Thursday after wading across a river on the country’s southern border with Guatemala.

National Guard forces in the southern state of Chiapas prevented them from continuing their journey by forming a human fence along a road, as panic erupted among some of the migrants.

The Central Americans, who were trekking on foot towards the city of Ciudad Hidalgo, were intercepted by troops who used tear gas and scuffled with the migrants to halt their progress, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.

The Interior Ministry later said 800 migrants of Central American origin were “rescued” after crossing the border at the Suchiate River.

Following their detention, the migrants were taken to buses run by the National Migration Institute, the agency that will determine their official immigration status and manage deportations.

Officials said that they were still

looking for another 200 migrants who managed to avoid detention.

Thousands of Central Americans have crossed Mexico toward the United States in caravans in recent years, fleeing chronic poverty and brutal gang violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The so-called “2020 Caravan” left Honduras on January 14, gathering an estimated 3,500 people as it made its way across Guatemala. The bulk of the caravan crossed into Mexico at the weekend.

Mexican National Guard troops also fired tear gas on Monday to force back migrants attempting to enter the country, leading to scenes of chaos as huge crowds of people flailed across the Suchiate River.

About 500 were able to enter the country illegally, though more than 400 of them were later arrested at a roadblock.

The Interior Ministry said it deported 460 Hondurans via official planes and buses following Monday’s clashes. AFP

CELEBRATION. Singer Bebe Rexha attends the 11th Annual GRAMMY in the Schools Live! A Celebration of Music & Education presented by Ford Motor Company Fund at The Wilshire Ebell Theater on January 23, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Lamudi-JLL reports surge in BPO, POGO, tourism B4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

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Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

HE Philippines experienced favorable investment conditions in the third quarter of 2019, contributing to the uptake of real estate properties, anchored heavily on drivers such as the BPO, POGO, and tourism industries.

‘WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST AIRPORT’ JUST GOT BIGGER, BRIGHTER. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently unveiled a commemorative

marker at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 1, which signified the completion of its P1.8 B renovation. With the President were Senator Bong Go, presidential assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines deputy director-general Donaldo Mendoza, Department of Tourism 7 director Shalimar Tamano, Lapu-Lapu City mayor Junard Chan, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) general manager and CEO Steve Dicdican, Megawide chairman Edgar Saavedra, GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) president Louie Ferrer, and GMCAC chief executive advisor Andrew Acquaah-Harrison. Designed by Manila-based architectural firm Budji + Royal Design, Terminal 1 features a resort-type design complementing the overall branding of MCIA as the “world’s friendliest resort airport,.” The renovation is part of the P17 B investment made by GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) to improve the services and facilities of both Terminals 1 and 2 at the MCIA. Ferrer said Terminal 1 can now accommodate up to 11 million passengers every year from eight million per year. Along with the 4.1 million passengers being accommodated by Terminal 2, the two terminals at MCIA can now accommodate 15.1 million passengers a year.

ECO-FRIENDLY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CAVITE. PHirst

Park Homes, Inc. (PPHI), a fast-growing affordable housing firm in the Philippines, is ramping up its land bank in the Calabarzon area with the acquisition of a 30-hectare property located in Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. PPHI will allot an estimated P 550 million of capital expenditures for the entire Nasugbu project, which will be developed in phases. The Nasugbu project will be launched in the first quarter of 2020, but PPHI president Ricky Celis said initial selling for the first 13 hectares with 1,021 units started this January. Celis said the project will have a mix of modern and rustic ambiance with tree-lined streets and wide-open spaces. He added that the master plan design will be more distinctive compared to other PHirst Park Homes brand by introducing new components in the project, such as a commercial center and new house models that are eco-friendly.

PERSONALIZED CEBU EXPERIENCE. Soon-to-open Citadines Cebu ensures long-stay guests a personalized stay by taking the Ascott host program to new levels and combined with Visayan hospitality. The warm, yet unobtrusive, presence of your Ascott hosts ensure that your Cebu experience is exactly what you would like it to be. Citadines Cebu boasts spacious apartments that combine all the conveniences of a modern home and the services of a hotel. For business travelers, it also has conference and meeting facilities, as well as a gym to help tenants stay fit.

Citadines Cebu, located at Baseline Center along Juana Osmeña Street, is the fourth Citadines Apart’hotel property in the Philippines, joining Citadines Salcedo Makati, Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila, and Citadines Bay City Manila.

Metro Manila, the most popular place for real estate investments, continued to hold the majority of supply, but the country’s overall stable economic performance and the growing investor appetite from different regions opened the door to investments in the outskirts of Manila, and even outside of Luzon.

Real estate, renting on uptrend Metro Manila real estate market exhibited stable performance through sustained demand despite facing headwinds. On the other hand, outlook remains upbeat, pushed by positive market sentiment from key stakeholders and continued property development across Metro Manila.

Real estate, renting, and business activities improved by 4.2 percent in the third quarter of 2019, making up 20.3 percent of the total service sector and 12.1 percent of the total third quarter GDP. Fast growth in office property market Other sub-sectors with notable growth were the construction under the industry sector with 16.3 percent, and financial intermediation under the services sector with 10 percent growth.

The office property market maintained growth through new supply completions and sustained stable demand despite headwinds in primary drivers. Around 403,500 sqm of office spaces were added in the third quarter coming from Taguig City, Quezon City, and Mandaluyong City. Approximately 526,200 sqm more is slated to be added to the total office stock, mainly from Pasig City, and Quezon City.

POGO’s still rocking the market Meanwhile, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators made up 27 percent of the completed deals in the same quarter. The industry stays intact with the government’s initiative to further strengthen the framework through cracking down on illegal operations.

Flexible space operators also made up a notable portion of the leasing activity.

The sustained demand in the office sector is seen to support stable growth of rents. Makati City and Taguig City command the highest asking monthly rental rate due to the presence of premium quality buildings, accessibility, and existing headquarters of major players from their respective industries mainly located in Makati CBD and BGC.

HEALTHY BUILDINGS HERE TO STAY.

Business hubs in Bay City within Pasay City and Parañaque City are also seeing higher asking rental rates pushed by the robust demand from POGOs and other interest from mainland Chinese businesses.

Residential projects fast off the blocks The residential condominium market in Metro Manila sees stability with continuous development launches and supply completions.

About 6,100 units were added to the total residential stock in 3Q19, mostly coming from residential projects completed in the emerging townships in Quezon City, such as Cloverleaf and Vertis North, as well as Circuit Market, in Makati City.

The sales market sustained strong interest from high net-worth individuals and investors, as overall sales rate in Metro Manila posted 95 percent as of 3Q19.

In terms of the rental market, corporate housing for expatriate employees continue to drive the upper-mid to luxury development within Makati CBD, BGC, and Ortigas CBD where MNCs, O&O firms, embassies, and consulates are typically headquartered.

Staff housing for POGOs also support the strong leasing demand in Bay City, spreading towards other areas such as Quezon City and Muntinlupa City due to emergence of presence in these areas.

Local employees and students also make up a portion of the leasing demand as they opt to reside in half-way homes near their workplaces and schools, respectively.

Retail, hospitality still the way to go The retail property market grew with expansions and launches of new developments across Metro Manila. The completion of Ayala Malls Manila Bay added around 160,000 sqm GLA while the expansion in Robinsons Magnolia added another 15,000 sqm GLA to the total stock in 3Q19.

The hospitality sector expanded in 3Q19, driven by the rise in hotel investments and tourist arrivals.

About 580 rooms were added to the total stock during 3Q19, coming from Sheraton Manila Bay by Alliance Global Inc. in Manila City, Summit Hotel Greenhills by Robinsons Land Corporation in San Juan City, and Park Inn by Radisson–North EDSA by

SM Prime Holdings in Quezon City.

The hotel market also anticipates the expansion of budget chains such as RedDoorz and OYO in key areas.

‘Staycation’ phenom here to stay Apart from the typical demand drivers of MICE, the local ‘staycation’ phenomenon, and casino patrons in Bay Area, the hotel market saw the rise of POGO employees as longstaying guests, notably in Pasig City, Mandaluyong City, and Muntinlupa City.

The strong demand accommodation has spilled over to hotels due to the limited residential options in the said areas.

Overall, the Metro Manila property market remained stable across all sectors as seen in the sustained growth spurred by their respective demand drivers.

Despite issues on PEZA and the moratorium and crackdown on POGOs, the office market remains to have stable leasing activity from IT-BPM and online gaming firms.

At the same time, foreign and local buyers of residential projects continue to have positive investment sentiment banking on the development of key areas in Metro Manila. The retail market saw growth with the entry and expansion of both local and foreign brands in F&B and emerging operators. The large new supply completed so far in 2019 may have entered the market at the same time as when the headwinds popped up, but the current developments on policies, infrastructure, and investment direction from both local and foreign source pave way for sustained growth moving forward.

Millennials lead charge in property leads The 25-34-year-old age group dominates activity on the Lamudi platform, generating leads almost as much as the sum of leads from all other age groups combined. The secondmost prolific searchers are in the 35-44 age group. Overall figures show that females contribute to 62 percent of total real estate searches.

Looking at Philippine real estate as a whole, houses account for most forsale inquiries, generating 33.78% of leads. In terms of rentals, apartments rank first, with 42 percent of all rental inquiries. Condominiums for rent also contribute to 34.98 percent of leads, showing the diversified interest in real estate investments all over the country.

Menarco Development founder Carmen Jimenez-Ong believes the country’s property development sector has what it takes to meet global standards in building healthier structures. Her maiden project, Menarco Tower, located in Bonifacio Global City (Inset), is one such project, after receiving LEED and WELL certification at the Gold level. Speaking at the the Sustainable Building Forum 2019 organized by Arcadis Philippines, Inc., Jimenez-Ong emphasized the qualitative returns of having both certifications. “I believe that Menarco has set the new normal in putting people and planet first, and I hope to stir the consciousness among my fellow builders about what is possible in our country,” she said. Citing the World Green Building Trends of 2018 in Southeast Asia, Jimenez-Ong said that there is a growing preference for buildings that promote improved health and well-being of its occupants in Southeast Asia. She explained that Menarco added approximately 2.4% only to the original building cost to create a sustainable space that meets the gold standards of LEED and WELL. She expects to recoup this supplementary investment within 4 to 5 years because of substantial savings the Tower has gained from operational costs. At the forum, were (from left to right): Samantha Allen, director of International WELL Building Institute Asia; Carmen Jimenez-Ong, founder & CEO, Menarco Development Corporation; Rowena Ramos, chair of the PHILGBC BERDE Committee

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

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STREET DANCE FOR THE SAVIOR. Pandacan, Manila’s Buling Buling Festival, held during the third Sunday of January, is highlighted by colorful street dance performances with hand movements hoisting the image of the Sto. Niño, believed to be the savior of Pandacan during the Spanish colonial period. The performing women wear colorful raiment in the old Spanish fashion, while men don barong Tagalog.

Buling Buling Festival: History with a high Text and photos by Diana B. Noche

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ANDACAN in the 6th District of Manila is known for its oil depot located along the banks of Pasig River. It used to be a farming community, mostly inhabited by Tagalog migrants from Bulacan whose rice and sugar produce were sold to the Spaniards in Intramuros.

At the turn of the 20th century, the oil depot serviced more than half of the fuel requirement of the country. There now remain three oil companies in the Pandacan depot—Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, and San Miguel Energy Corp.

Petron Philippines. Others have transferred to various locations outside Metro Manila.

During the 19th century, Pandacan was known as the “Little Venice” because of the many canals and tributaries in that area leading to the Pasig River.

Afternoon siestas by the river banks was a favorite pastime, and the river became Francisco Balagtas’ idyllic mentions in some of his works.

The first modern manufacturing company to settle in Pandacan was the Compana General de Tabacos de Filipinas in 1887 which produced cigars.

The high density industrialization of

Images of Sto. Niño in decked out carriages are showcased during the fiesta.

Pandacan became evident during the American period where most of the country’s commercial establishments were located.

Pandacan was home to Apolinario Mabini, and the house where he used to live in has been declared a national historical shrine.

Francisco Baltazar, also known as Francisco Balagtas, came to Pandacan from Bigaa, Bulacan in 1835. In his honor, the Plaza Balagtas sits atop the Estero de Beata. Several streets in Pandacan were named after the characters from

his “Florante at Laura,” there’s also one called “Kapitan Tikong” Subdivision, as well as Flerida and Balagtas Streets.

Pandacan was also home to Lope K. Santos; Ladislao Bonus, the “Father of Filipino Opera;” and Father Jacinto for whom a monument was erected on the spot where his house was. There is also a Zamora Street in Pandacan.

Daniel Romualdez was a Cabeza de Barangay in Pandacan. The paternal grandfather of former Leyte Congressman Daniel Romualdez, the older Romualdez built his mansion, a pre-war

residential building, on Jesus corner San Luis Streets, in an intricate façade of grills and floral engravings.

Imelda Romualdez Marcos, a distant cousin of the younger Romualdez, traces her Manila connection to a house in Pandacan where she resided prior to her marriage to Ferdinand Marcos.

The first Catholic church in Pandacan was built in 1732 by Father Francisco del Rosario and was completed in 1760.

An image of the Sto. Nino lays on the church altar.

Legend has it that the Sto. Nino was

recovered from a well near the church and that the water from the well had healing powers. The well has since been polluted and sealed to the public. A shrine still stands on the same spot.

Every third Sunday of January, the feast of the Sto. Nino is a cultural and religious festivity celebrated in most parts of the Philippines. In Pandacan, the feast coincides with the district’s fiesta, centering on giving thanks to the child saint for saving Pandacan from the Spanish cannon siege.

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Celdran drawings, contemporary artworks go under the hammer THE 10th year of auction house Salcedo Auctions opens with a Gavel&Block sale of nearly 300 valuable collectibles.

D u b b e d art+design, the auction, slated on Feb. 8 at NEX Tower in Makati City, features piec‘Untitled’ (2016), mixed media by Zean Cabangis

‘A pair of ink sketches’ by Carlos Celdran

es perfect for emerging collectors who are starting to grow their collections, as well as established connoisseurs looking to add depth to their troves.

Notable pieces on auction include a pair of drawings by the late performance artist Carlos Celdran. The sketches, marking his first appearance at a Gavel&Block auction, mirror his cultural activism. The inclusion, Salcedo Auctions said, is a recognition of his legacy and a tribute to his artistic career.

Celdran passed on Oct. 8, 2019.

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Widus Hotel and Casino in Clark, Pampanga welcomes the Year of the Metal Rat.

Widus Hotel and Casino Clark celebrates Chinese New Year PAMPANGA hotel Widus Hotel and Casino ushers in good fortune, happiness, and prosperity in the Year of the Metal Rat. Festivities on Jan. 25 include a dragon and lion dance performance, coin tossing, and lighting of firecrackers at the hotel’s grand lobby entrance.

Guests are welcome to partake of delightful feast featuring various traditional and modern gourmet dishes at Salt Resto. Lunch and dinner buffets are priced at P1,200 net per person.

Guests may book a room for a relaxing staycation, with rates starting at P7,500. Room packages are inclusive of breakfast buffet for two, complimentary welcome drinks, use of gym amenities and swimming pool, and unlimited Wi-Fi access.

Call (045) 499-1000 or visit www. widus.com for inquiries and more information. Widus Hotel and Casino is located at Manuel A. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Life

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Disney animator’s toy

WORKSHOP

collection on display

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ERMAN artist Hans Bacher, the production designer behind Mulan and many other Disney movies, shares in a special exhibition his personal collection of toys from popular animated films from Disney Pictures and its subsidiary Pixar Animation Studios.

‘Mulan’ production designer Hans Bacher showcases his toy collection composed of beloved Disney characters.

Bacher’s assemblage of toys is composed of much-coveted official stuffed plushies and figures from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo, as well as Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, Toy Story, and Monster’s Inc., among many other titles.

Spearheaded by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Center for Campus Art and Animation Program, “The Toy Collection of Hans Bacher” exhibition is open to the public today until Feb. 22.

Students of the porcelain plate painting workshop at Sunshine Place will learn the basics of the art, from transferring an image on a plate to heating in a kiln.

Porcelain painting, fundamentals of drawing

The showcase is at the Animation Hallway, on the 11th floor of School of Design and Arts Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila.

MALAYSIAN painter and teacher sult is achieved.

Mee Lee Casey is once again holding Porcelain painted plates are popuclasses on porcelain plate painting lar as home décor or gifts, and can be at Sunshine Place senior recreation used in serving cold food. center.

Meanwhile, After the first visual artist and batch, whose Art Association lessons end toof the Philipday, Jan. 25, the pines president second batch of Fidel Sarmiento students is schedwill hold a Satuled on Jan. 28, urday workshop 30, Feb 1. Batch on Fundamentals 3 is on Feb. 4, 6, of Drawing from 7; Batch 4 on Feb. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 11 and 14; Batch 5 p.m. on Feb. 8, 15, on Feb. 17, 21, 25; 22, 29, and March Batch 6 on March 7 and 14.

16, 19, 21; and The six-sesBatch 7 on March sion workshop 24, 26, 30. will tackle lines, During the shapes, tonal valclass, which beues, 3D shapes Fidel Sarmiento’s six-session workshop gins at 10:00 a.m. drawing, still life until 4:00 p.m., on Fundamentals of Drawing will tackle drawing, landlines, shapes, and more. students learn the scape, and porbasics in porcetraiture. lain painting from transferring an image on a plate and painting on it Call (02) 856-4144 or 856-4162 or 0917with porcelain paint, to heating the 515-5656 or email seniorhubjupiter@ image in a kiln until the desired re- gmail.com for more information.

Bacher’s collection of stuffed plushies and figures from Lilo & Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, and A Bug’s Life, among others.

Celdran...

From C1

Men in barong Tagalog perform graceful, well-practiced dance steps in praise of the Sto. Niño.

Buling...

From C1

In 1896, the Spanish forces learned that Pandacan was the meeting place of Filipino revolutionaries. A “Juez de Cuchillo”—meaning, the town would be bombarded—was declared. Several cannons were set up in Nagtahan and were aimed at the church. A small child, believed to be the Sto. Nino, was seen on top of the cannons. At such scenario, the siege was aborted and not one cannon was fired.

Pandacan was saved by a child.

Pandacan celebrates its fiesta with the carnival-like atmosphere of Buling Buling Festival, whose highlight are the street dances characterized by graceful and well-practiced dance steps—four steps, moving the body to the left and right—with hand movements hoisting the image of the Sto. Nino on a threefourth time signature.

Colorful and detailed raiment in the old Spanish fashion was the attire for women and the barong Tagalog for men.

The Buling Buling Festival is a street dance for praise, giving respect and offering to the Sto. Nino.

Buling Buling means “buling buli”—well-prepared, signifying something or someone who is wellgroomed and all prepped up for an event or an important occasion.

The festival started in the 1800s and ended during World War II. It was revived in the late 1970s and continues to this day with updated costumes, more rhythmic beats, and a lot more frenzied blasts of street funk.

In 2005, a city ordinance, City Council Resolution No. 65, declared the “Buling Buling” as Manila’s official dance identity.

Pandacan, in every fiesta celebration, opens its doors wide to all faiths and cultures in a euphoria that saturates its streets like a hypertrophied factory of fun.

Once sparsely populated, Pandacan’s booming human population has successfully embraced sustainable tourism with an emphasis on preserving its unique heritage. Traces of the old ways are still close at hand and its historic houses let us take a look at a period we are fortunate today to be accustomed to.

Buling Buling Festival gets our body and spirit harmonize in one euphoric harmony. It’s one big heap of fun, and we don’t have to go to Disneyland.

Other artworks to go under the hammer are abstract works such as ethereal watercolors by Nena Saguil; three early paintings by Roberto Chabet, and pieces from artists Gus Albor and Romulo Olazo.

Folk-genre makes a strong presence in this auction with the likes of Oscar Zalameda, Angelito Antonio, Tam Austria, Cesar Buenaventura, Elias Laxa, Simeon Saulog.

The aforementioned serve as historical counterpoints to works by leading contemporary artists such as Jigger Cruz, Zean Cabangis, and Jayson Oliveria. art+design also features a diverse line-up of fine and decorative art, crystal, porcelain, silver, rare books, maps, and memorabilia.

Also gracing the auction is a collection that ranges from classic to contemporary design-centered collectibles for the home, including refined heirloom pieces made of jade and semi-precious stones. Cocktail jewelry and crystal by Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Baccarat, Lalique, and Rosenthal as well as Limoges bone china and baroque silver epergnes also add character to the sale.

“We are excited to open our 10th year with this sale, which emphasizes the joy of collecting,” says managing director Victor Silvino.

‘Vendor’ (2010), oil on canvas by Angelito Antonio

Silvino adds, “Through art+design, we hope that more people will be able to experience the thrill of auctions, discovering a piece to start or add to their existing collections.”

The Salcedo Auctions boasts works from renowned modern and contemporary Filipino artists such as National Artists Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya,

‘Untitled (View of a Lake)’ (1980), oil on canvas by Cesar Buenaventura

and BenCab, together with iconic pieces by Chabet and Juvenal Sansó, among other established artists.

Gavel&Block will be holding art+design Vernissage on Feb. 1. Public preview runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 1-7. The sale is happening on Feb. 8 at 2:00 p.m.

‘Untitled’ (1981) watercolor on paper by Nena Saguil

Entertainment

saturDaY, JaNuarY 25, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

C3

‘Stage KiSS’

Valentine’s perfect date event Studio Ghibli beloved classics will be available worldwide on Netflix beginning Feb. 1.

Netflix unveils expansive

catalogue from award-winning Japanese art house

The cast of 'Stage Kiss'

F

antasy or reality?

Which is which?

When does a stage kiss cross the delicate line into a real one?

In Stage Kiss, Repertory Philippines’ exciting season opener, the intoxicating desire for romance is shattered by the sobering bite of reality. It is clever and funny and—underneath its delicious comic layers—thought-provoking at its core.

Stage Kiss is the quintessential mustsee for the month of love, hearts, and of course, kisses. named Critic’s Pick by The New York Times, Stage Kiss is a wickedly insightful romantic comedy about the blurred lines in a relationship.

When an out-of-work stage actress (she) auditions for the lead in a forgettable 1930s melodrama, all the drama she’s hoping for is onstage.

Little does she realize she’ll be in for a whole lot more drama than what she’s signed up for. When her romantic c0-star (He) walks in on the first day of rehearsals, it turns out to be her real-life ex! now, He and she will have to tackle their underlying feelings for each other while playing onstage lovers, all while sharing many, many stage kisses. as they lock lips, smoldering embers spark. are they still actors playing a scene, or offstage lovers in a moment of passion?

In this rib-tickling play-within-a-play, life simulates art and art simulates life. It gets tricky telling one from the other, keeping the audience in constant wonder.

With a book by american playwright Sarah Ruhl, REP’s

'Stage Kiss,' which will be brought to life by multi-awarded film and stage director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, is a wickedly insightful romantic comedy about the blurred lines in a relationship.

production of Stage Kiss will be brought to life by multi-awarded film and stage director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, known for films like Azucena, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, and Hari ng Tondo.

Playing the romantic leads she and He are Missy Maramara and Tarek El Tayech. Rounding out the cast are REP veterans Robbie Guevara and Jamie Wilson, REP’s up-and-coming young stars Andres Borromeo, Justine Narciso, and Mica Pineda, as well as celebrated pianist Nick Nañgit. smooching, hugging, touching—there are lots of those. and the humor is so risqué, theatergoers will be laughing and blushing. and beneath all the fun, Stage Kiss will make us ponder the bittersweet longing for how we want things to be

versus how they really are. as she rekindles her love for He, slipping further into the fantasy, she finds out who she truly is. Is she the actress, the wife, the lover, or all of them? Maybe, none of the above? If you’re way past fairy tales and run-of-the-mill love stories, Stage Kiss is that edgy romcom that’s your surefire pick for Valentine’s.

Stage Kiss runs from Feb. 7 to March 1.

Get your tickets now by calling REP at 8451-1474, 0966-905-4013, Ticketworld at 8891-9999, or by logging on to www. repertoryphilippines.ph For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.

World...

From C4

“an ‘urban revolution’ has started to take shape, globally redefining real estate in the context of today’s challenges while highlighting it as a sunrise industry with progressive demand-driven and consumer-focused property developments,” said Dr. Romero, also the chairman of the 2020 FIaBCI World Real Estate Congress. “and as the theme of the Congress, ‘Urban Revolution’ will be aptly mounted in the Philippines to gather momentum in this part of the world where it is needed most,” added architect Mangio in referring to the country’s vulnerability to all such challenges.

Being an archipelagic country and situated at the “ring of fire” in the Pacific rim, the Philippines and many of its cities are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, climatic swings, rising sea levels, logistical snags, and other nature-related socioeconomic hurdles. “add to that the ever-increasing volume of vehicular traffic, air pollution, household, and industrial wastes, urban sprawl and migration, costs of fuel and electricity, and all the support infrastructure necessities, and you end up with a perfect recipe for a social catastrophe,” Mangio stressed. “nonetheless, the industry has been coming up with various urban planning and technological solutions that can create ‘ergonomic’ cities,

2019 FIABCI World President Walid Moussa

optimize land resource development and utilization, enhance the integrity, flexibility and energy efficiencies of physical structures, and thus improve the lives of residents,” Dr. Romero said of walkable and bikeable modern CBD development, use of aerated concrete and insulated concrete formworks (ICFs), passive, earthship, and net zero housing technologies, and vertical urban farming for intra-city food supply, among many others.

Topshop London Global Design Director Anthony Cuthbertson

these and many other new technologies and demand-driven business opportunities are expected to be discussed and presented by the speakers, according to FIaBCI-Philippines chairman emeritus Florentino Dulalia Jr., the incoming president of FIaBCI International and the first Filipino to assume such position at the staging of the Congress. among the Congress speakers are Usbased national association of Realtors

nEtFLIx has announced that beginning on Feb. 1, 21 films from studio Ghibli, the academy award®-winning Japanese art house, will be made available on the service globally (excluding Us, Canada, Japan), through distribution partner Wild Bunch International, as part of the company’s continued efforts to grow its best-in-class library of animated films.

For the first time, this expansive catalogue of Studio Ghibli films will be subtitled in 28 languages, and dubbed in up to 20 languages. the partnership will enable fans in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, africa and Latin america to enjoy beloved classics, such as academy award®-winner Spirited Away,Princess Mononoke, Arrietty, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, among others, in their native languages.

Producer Toshio Suzuki at studio Ghibli said, “In this day and age, there are various great ways a film can reach audiences. We’ve listened to our fans and have made the definitive decision to stream our film catalogue. We hope people around the world will discover the world of studio Ghibli through this experience”.

Vincent Maraval, Chief Executive Officer at Wild Bunch International said, “In finding the best digital partner for studio Ghibli, our most valuable and faithful collaborators for 20 years, the Netflix team convinced us with their consistent love and energy for finding the best ways to promote the incredible and unique catalogue worldwide with respect to the studio Ghibli philosophy”.

Aram Yacoubian, Director of Original Animation at Netflix, said, “studio Ghibli is world-renowned for creating visually stunning, original animated films that have enthralled fans for over 35 years.

We are excited and humbled to help make this catalogue of films

president Vince Malta, outgoing FIaBCI World president Walid Moussa, global design directorAnthony Cuthbertson of topshop London, a representative from Foster and Partner UK, president Kevin Tan of Megaworld, and sustainable design development advocateDaniel Watch who has masters degrees in architecture and city planning from the University of Pennsylvania. the Congress topics include the future and leadership in real estate, township and urban development, digital technology’s huge role in transforming cities, and insights on new and emerging industry prospects, and their investment and business opportunities, among others.

Other congress activities include leadership training sessions, exhibits, general assembly, board and professional meetings, and such ticketed events as the Prix D’ Excellence, Medal Holder’s Dinner, International young Members’ Party, study/social tours, and the Gala/ Farewell Dinner, each generating business networking opportunities on a global scale for local participants. supported by Un-Habitat, Grant thornton, Reed Midem, and World Urban Campaign as sponsors, the 71st World Congress is being organized

by FIABCI-Philippines (fiabci.phil@ gmail.com; tel: +632 3456-4511, +632 8928-6517) to help put the global industry on the best track for urban development while generating momentum along its course.

Congress registration link is at https:// fiabciphilippines.org/.

easier to discover and access, and believe that these masterpieces will resonate with even more fans around the world now that they are available in more languages.

We look forward to welcoming a new generation of fans into the whimsical worlds and wonderful protagonists created by the amazing artists of studio Ghibli.”

Below is the release schedule for Studio Ghibli films on Netflix: Feb. 1: Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Only Yesterday (1991), Porco Rosso (1992), Ocean Waves (1993), and Tales from Earthsea (2006); March 1: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Princess Mononoke (1997), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), Spirited Away (2001), The Cat Returns (2002), Arrietty (2010),and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013); April 1: Pom Poko (1994), Whisper of the Heart (1995), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), The Wind Rises (2013),and When Marnie Was There (2014)

Producer Toshio Suzuki

Snapshot...

From C4

Escudero-Catibog expressed how the group’s generous donation will fund the organization’s medical mission for the taal evacuees. “We are very grateful to anvil as they turned over a onemillion-peso donation specifically for the victims of the displacement caused by the eruption of taal Volcano. It will be of great help because at the end of the month, GMa Kapuso Foundation will conduct medical missions since a lot of children there are now having upper respiratory infections. We’re going there with our volunteer doctors and will give out free medicines and vitamins just to make sure that everybody stays healthy.”

Chua, on the other hand, shared how much anvil Business Club gives importance to giving back to society, especially in reaching out to the less fortunate. “We believe that GMa Kapuso Foundation is the best way for us to be able to reach them, especially as the track record of the foundation is very good–really uplifting the lives of the less fortunate Filipinos.”

GMaKF has been conducting relief operations since the volcano erupted on Jan. 12. Its program, Operation Bayanihan, was able to help over 36,000 individuals in in various areas in Batangas and Cavite.

GMaKF continues to accept donations in cash, check, or in kind. to donate, visit www.gmanetwork.com/ kapusofoundation/donate.

Entertainment

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

C4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

Kathryn Bernardo has established her name as one of the most reliable celebrity endorsers in the country.

FIFTH TIME’S THE CHARM

Pamela Anderson marries movie producer Jon Peters 30 years after they first dated FORMER Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has tied the knot for a fifth time, to hairdresser-turned-Hollywood mogul Jon Peters.

The actress and animal rights activist wed Batman producer Peters on Monday, Jan. 20, more than three decades after the pair first dated.

“They were married yesterday in a private ceremony in Malibu. They love each other very much,” a source connected to the couple told AFP. Penning a lovestruck statement in the form of a poem after the nuptials, Anderson dubbed Peters “the original ‘bad boy’ of Hollywood.”

“No one compares—I love him deeply like family,” Anderson wrote to The Hollywood Reporter.

Canadian-born Anderson, 52, has previously been married to rockers Tommy Lee and Kid Rock. She twice wed professional poker player Rick Salomon.

More recently she dated French soccer star Adil Rami, with whom she lived in France.

Peters, 74, a former hairstylist, rose to Hollywood prominence after a high-profile romance with Barbra Streisand, going on to produce her 1976 version of A Star Is Born.

He subsequently oversaw the Tim Burton Batman films in the 1980s and 1990s, and brought another DC comic books icon back to the screen in 2006’s Superman Returns.

He was co-chairman of Columbia Pictures for a stint in the 1990s.

Peters told THR: “There are beautiful

girls everywhere. I could have my pick, but —for 35 years—I’ve only wanted Pamela.”

Peters reportedly first met Anderson at the Playboy Mansion in the 1980s, and proposed to her shortly after.

But until recently the pair had grown apart— when asked about their

T

HIS isn’t another heartbreak story, rather, it’s a reunion between a young female talent and a brand whom the first had promoted even before her star catapulted into atmospheric heights.

Pamela Anderson (circa 1992) in her iconic one-piece swimsuit portraying CJ Parker in 'Baywatch.' (Inset) With husband Jon Peters.

relationship in an interview with THR in 2017, Peters said: “You’ll have to do your research. I can’t even remember anymore.”

The wedding is also Peters’ fifth time at the altar, with his most recent marriage ending in 2004.

“His life used to scare me. So much for a girl like me,” wrote Anderson. “Now I’ve seen more of life and realize .. He’s been there all along.”

Anderson, a prolific social media user, has yet to mention the wedding on those platforms.

But on Monday she posted a series of black-and-white photo portraits on Instagram captioned with romance-themed quotes.

One read: “Love is in the air.”

World experts to mount urban ‘revolution’ in PH CONSTRUCTION and real estate experts from all over the world are coming to Manila to virtually mount an “urban revolution” geared at addressing the challenges of climate change, global warming, rising sea levels, earthquakes, natural calamities, environmental pollution, and the socioeconomic pressures from spiraling energy costs, among many others, all impacting the quality of city life.

Many of the experts are among the 2,300 members of the Paris-based international real estate federation spanning some 70 countries across the globe.

This was revealed by chairman Dr. Reghis M. Romero II and president Arch. Nestor Mangio of the Philippines’ chapter of the Federacion Internationale des Adminstrateurs de Biens Conceils et Immobiliers (FIABCI), whose historic 71st World Congress

SNAPSHOT

National Association of Realtors president Vince Malta

will be staged at the Marriott Convention Center on May 26 to 30.

Continued on C3

Rice In A Box (RBX) has had Kathryn Bernardo as its celebrity endorser.

And as the rice meal take-out company celebrates its 20th year, they’ve got some big announcements that aim to strengthen their partnership with the young superstar.

“Any kind of reunion is special. This is like a homecoming for me with the brand that I really love. There are so many things that will happen this year now that we got reunited,” the 23-year-old actress said during RBX grand anniversary party held on Jan. 18 at Conrad Hotel.

“I am grateful that I have come home to my RBX. We grew up literally together, we both came from humble beginnings.

Somehow RBX and my career are parallel, slowly but surely we have been able to build something, and until now I am a fan of the brand, it’s something that complements my on-the-go lifestyle,” Kathryn added.

“She has this magic in her, which we started to discover when she was very young. When I saw her in Mara Clara and Goin’ Bulilit, I told myself she’s going to be a big star. She’s going to be the next Judy Ann Santos or Nora Aunor. She should be the next queen, and look at her right now,” said Lester Pimentel, owner and CEO of the 20-year-old RBX brand.

RBX started in the food business in 2000 in Manila’s Chinatown. It specializes in high-quality food at an affordable price. The company’s main products include a variety of fried rice and rice toppings that are prepared fresh in front of the customers. These are uniquely packed in convenient take-out boxes served hot and ready for people on the go.

From food carts, RBX has found its way to stalls, mini-diners, and restaurants in major malls, supermarkets, hospitals, transport terminals, and universities.

For the past 20 years, RBX has established more than 200 outlets serving quality food and service for its customers in and around Metro Manila to date. The legacy of RBX is on its way to expand in major cities of provinces

Kathryn Bernardo returns to her FIRST LOVE

Apart from being an actress, she's known as a young entrepreneur. She has a nail salon, a barbershop (with beau Daniel Padilla), and now a Rice In A Box franchise.

outside Metro Manila.

From its first branch in what used be the Masagana Mall in Pasay City, it is now a sprawling business covering much o f Mega Manila a n d

key cities in Luzon. The familiar, handy packaging becoming synonymous with Pinoy’s on-the-go lifestyle, whatever his life status may be.

“We are happy that RBX was embraced by our kababayans for two decades, maybe because we understood the need to be the companion to every on-the-go student, working professional, even families who do not have time to prepare their meals the traditional way,” Lester shared.

“As the years progressed we have committed to providing quality, filling meals without hurting their wallets.”

RBX, together with its partnership and parallelism with Kathryn, continues to live on its 200 branches nationwide.

Visit www.rbx.com.ph or follow @rbxriceinabox on Instagram for updates.

Kathryn flanked by RBX CEO Lester Pimentel and wife Rossettee

GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Taal relief efforts get P1 million from Anvil Business Club GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) received a one-million-peso donation from Anvil Business Club, Inc., an organization of young Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs, to support its on-going relief operations for those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

Present in the courtesy visit and donation turnover were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and GMAKF Executive Vice President and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with the officers of the Anvil Business Club headed by chairman Wilson Lee Flores and president Hubert Henry Chua. Continued on C3

GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon (8th from left) and GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog (9th from right) received the P1 million check from officers of the Anvil Business Club.