Manila Standard - 2020 March 14 - Saturday

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net LOCKDOWN DRY RUN. Police from the Manila Police District conduct a dry run of a lockdown in the capital city, where individuals are prohibited from entering and leaving Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Norman Cruz

‘Arrest lockdown violators’ VOL. XXXIV • NO. 33 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cops to impose order as metrowide quarantine rolls out midnight tonight

By Vito Barcelo, Francisco Tuyay and Macon Ramos-Araneta

P

OLICE will arrest “unruly” violators of the community quarantine that President Rodrigo Duterte declared over Metro Manila to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, the region’s top cop said Friday.

The Regional Mobile Force Battalion Office will man all checkpoints in entry of the National Capital Region Police and exit points of the metropolis during

the implementation of a community quarantine beginning Sunday, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas said.

This developed as the government on Friday said it will issue guidelines for the suspension of travel to and from the National Capital Region (NCR) to avoid confusion once the community quarantine in Metro Manila takes effect.

“We will arrest those who will not fol-

low the guidelines,” Sinas said, adding that if somebody violates the quarantine and enters the region, the person would be charged with violation of quarantine law and the Revised Penal Code.

“So that they know that if you violate it, you will be apprehended. Ano ang gagawin naming dialogue? [What dialogue?] Those who will violate will be Next page

Disease infects PH diplomat in UN first case

FREQUENTLY asked questions and their answers on the “community quarantine” imposed on Metro Manila to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19: 1. When will it start and end?

Beginning 12:01 a.m. Sunday, March 15 until April 14, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

2. What happens during a community quarantine?

During the community quarantine period, travel in and out of Metro Manila will be restricted to control the spread of the disease. Classes in all levels and work in the executive branch are suspended, and the public is barred from holding mass gatherings.

Private companies are encouraged to

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja A PHILIPPINE diplomat in New York has tested positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in the first recorded case at United Nations headquarters in the city, diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

The diplomat, who had last visited the UN on Monday, showed symptoms of flu the following day and saw a doctor.

“She got the call today that she tested positive for COVID-19,” said a letter from the Philippine mission.

“As of today, the Philippine mission is in lockdown, and all personnel are instructed to self-quarantine,” said the letter.

Also on Friday, classes in all levels were suspended in Batangas on Friday after the province confirmed its first COVID-19 case, a person who had a history of travel to London.

In announcing the class suspension, Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas said the province needed to protect the welfare of its residents, especially its youth. No details about the patient were released.

Meanwhile, Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday declared a state of calamity in Quezon City, which has five confirmed coronavirus cases.

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COVID roundup

THERE THEY ARE. Quezon City health workers (left) conduct a house-to-house disinfection spray activity at Barangay Sta. Teresita as part of precautionary measures against COVID-19. Dr. Raul Destura (top) presents the UP Test Kit for COVID-19 (inset) during a news briefing at Genome Center in UP Diliman on Thursday. Manny Palmero with AFP

THERE will be no Masses in all churches under the Archdiocese of Manila, which covers five cities in Metro Manila, for six days starting on Saturday after the alert on COVID-19 was raised to Code Red Sub-level 2.

“We are enjoined to avoid large gatherings of people to avert the further spread of the virus. We heed this call not with panic but with care for charity to others and the common good,” said Apostolic Administrator and Bishop Broderick Pabillo in a Pastoral Letter dated March 13.

“Hence in the Archdiocese of Manila, I dispense all the faithful from the obligation of going to Mass this Sunday,” Pabillo said of the area that covers the cities of Manila, Makati, Next page

‘150m Americans could get COVID’

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Global cruise ships lay off thousands of Pinoy crew About 400,000 of the world’s 1.6 million

By Willie Casas, Joel E. Zurbano Coalition of Organizations said on Friday.

There is “widespread uncertainty” seafarers are Filipino, and in 2018, these and Che Santos THOUSANDS of Filipino workers are being sent home by global cruise ship operators amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the ACTS-OFW

Lockdown FAQ

now among Filipino staff on short-term workers sent $6 billion back to their councontracts with cruise ships, considering try in remittances, according to a New cruise operations around the world “have York Times article in November 2019. virtually ground to a halt,” said ACTSIn the bigger picture, the World Travel and Next page OFW chairperson Aniceto Bertiz III.

WASHINGTON—Between 70 to 150 and NBC News. million people in the United States “Congress’s attending physician told could eventually be infected with the the Senate that he expects between 70 novel coronavirus, according to a pro- to 150 million people to eventually jection shared with Congress, a lawNext page maker said Thursday.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib made the remarks during a hearing of the House of Representatives with members of the president’s coronavirus task force, confirming earlier reports

by US media outlets including Axios Story on A2

US, China spar on virus origin

Phoenix leads oil price rollback

by P3 per liter

By Alena Mae S. Flores

DEPARTURES GALORE. Departing foreign tourists (left) line up at the Immigration Centers as they wait for their papers processed before the deadline for departure from the capital while check-in counters for departing domestic passengers (right) flying out of the Centennial Terminal 2 are practically empty as compared to those of departing foreigners. Che Santos

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines announced a price rollback of P3 per liter of diesel and gasoline effective at 12 noon on March 13.

“Even while trading in the international market is ongoing, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will impleNext page

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

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China, US spar over origin of virus B

EIJING—A Chinese government campaign to cast doubt on the origin of the coronavirus pandemic is fueling a row with the United States, with a Beijing official promoting conspiracy theories and Washington calling it the “Wuhan virus.”

Dali Yang, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, said he believes Zhao was “tweeting in his official capacity.”

China’s intention in promoting the conspiracy theory is “to divert from domestic discontent” over the handling of the outbreak, which has killed more than 3,100 people in the country.

Asked if Zhao was representing the government’s view, fellow foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters on Friday that “the international community, including (people) in the United States, have different views on the source of the virus.”

“China from the beginning thinks this is a scientific issue, and that we need to listen to scientific and professional advice,” Geng said.

The push to question the origin of the

disease contradicts China’s own initial assessment about the source of the virus, which has now killed nearly 5,000 people worldwide.

Gao Fu, head of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said in January “we now know the source of the virus is wild animals sold at the seafood market” in Wuhan.

Chinese authorities themselves saw Wuhan and the rest of Hubei province as a threat as they placed the region of 56 million people under strict quarantine to contain the epidemic.

But Beijing began sowing doubts in late February, when Zhong Nanshan, a respected expert affiliated with the National Health Commission, told reporters “the epidemic first appeared in China, but didn’t necessarily originate in China.” AFP

national flights, but travelers flying to Metro Manila once the community quarantine starts on March 15 will have to stay within the metropolis until the domestic travel restriction is lifted.

“Regarding international flights, flights from Metro Manila going to and coming from abroad will be allowed, subject to travel restrictions that are currently in place,” Nograles said.

The Cabinet official also urged travelers whose destination is in the provinces to fly into the country through Clark and other airports outside Metro Manila.

“Anyone flying in from abroad via NAIA will remain in Metro Manila until the domestic travel ban is lifted,” Nograles said.

“If the ultimate destination is in the provinces, we suggest you fly in via Clark, Cebu and other airports not under quarantine so you can proceed to your ultimate destination in the provinces,” he added.

During the emergency, President Rodrigo Duterte will stay in Manila to preside over Cabinet meetings daily for the duration of the community quarantine, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Earlier, Duterte and his constant companion, Senator Christopher Go, underwent testing for COVID-19, but the Palace has not released the results.

“We are not doing this because we have symptoms of COVID-19. We are doing this to ensure that we are fit and healthy to engage the public and perform our duties in the coming days and weeks,” Go said.

Panelo said that Metro Manila is under a community quarantine that will suspend land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14, 2020.

“The President chose to remain in the capital despite a plea from his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, to fly to his hometown Davao City, where he usually spends his weekends,” Panelo said.

“He’s the President. And he says no because the face of the country is Manila and

the President had to be here so I’ll be here,’” Panelo said in a television interview.

“The quarantine will be implemented by the local government units assisted by the law enforcement agencies. And also the response will be swift because all the heads of departments are there to be apprised of any disturbing development and give an immediate and appropriate response,” Panelo added.

Duterte placed Metro Manila under community quarantine after the Department of Health (DOH) upgraded its alert on COVID-19 from Code Red 1 Sublevel 1 to Sublevel 2, due to evidence of community transmission and prevalence of cases beyond what the government can address.

The World Health Organization (WHO) now considers COVID-19 a pandemic, which describes sustained outbreaks in multiple regions of the world.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it will bar foreign visitors coming from countries with localized COVID-19 outbreaks starting next week as part of the government’s program to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval also urged Filipinos to postpone non-essential travel, but said Filipino citizens, their foreign spouse and children and holders of permanent resident and diplomat visas will be allowed to enter the country in any international airport and seaport in the country.

She said it is best to defer travel for leisure.

“This issue is already bigger than individuals, communities, or our country.

It’s a worldwide concern. Hence we all do our part, and make sacrifices to prevent the further spread of this virus,” Sandoval said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night announced an entry ban on persons coming from countries with localized COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens, their foreign spouse and children, and holders of permanent resident and diplomat visas.

The spat comes as China tries to deflect blame for the contagion and reframe itself as a country that took decisive steps to buy the world time by placing huge swathes of its population under quarantine.

With cases falling in China and soaring abroad, Beijing is now rejecting the widely held assessment that the city of Wuhan is the birthplace of the outbreak.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian went a step further on Thursday, saying on Twitter that “it might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan”—without providing any evidence.

He doubled down on his claim on Fri-

day by posting a link to an article from a website known for publishing conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks.

Censors usually vigilant against rumors have also allowed Chinese social media users to spread similar claims about the US being behind the virus.

A video showing a US health official saying some flu victims were posthumously diagnosed as having had COVID-19 was among the top searched items on China’s Twitter-like Weibo this week, with some users saying it was evidence the virus originated in the US. Zhao posted the clip on Twitter.

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She said the city council has passed a resolution allowing the use of the quick response fund by the city’s 142 barangays for emergency procurement.

Belmonte said she has called for a meeting with the Commission on Audit, the city’s budget officer and the village officers to ensure that the funds are used properly.

The Philippines has confirmed 52 cases of COVID-19 as of 7 p.m. Friday.

At the UN, the Filipino lady diplomat works at the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee, which deals with legal matters.

About 3,000 people are employed at the towering riverfront UN headquarters. Numerous other diplomats from the 193 UN member countries come and go between their own missions in the area and the Manhattan UN complex. There have been more than 1,600 cases in the United States.

In a tweet, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the infected female diplomat, whom he described as “spritely” and “smart,” is doing well and taking doctor-prescribed medicines.

She tested positive on Thursday, shortly after celebrating her birthday with friends, and had just returned from Florida.

Consul General Claro Cristobal said all consulate officers and staff will undergo self-quarantine for the protection of the community.

“The consulate will work closely with concerned authorities to facilitate the resumption of its operations,” Cristobal said in a statement.

All transactions at the consulate are temporarily transferred to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., which is about three-hour drive from New York City.

arrested. We will file charges once they violate,” he warned.

Sinas assured mediamen that all policemen to be deployed would have protective gear and their police cars would be sanitized and disinfected.

He added that roads to be closed were already identified and would be recommended to Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, for approval.

“We have already identified these roads. Recommending it to Camp Crame. If they will approve, then we will implement this. Those roads going to Region 3 or Region 4, all of them were identified,” he stressed.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said there will be exemptions to the rule, particularly on cargo, goods, produce, patients seeking medical attention in Metro Manila, and workers in NCR living outside the quarantined area.

The Palace official also assured Metro Manila residents they need not worry about the supply of produce, food, and other supplies in groceries as the transport of goods will continue, subject to guidelines.

“We will give out the details on exemptions for the patients, cargo, workers, and even government officials who are going to different places,” he said.

Nograles said workers living outside Metro Manila will need to show some kind of ID to get through checkpoints.

Nograles said private motorists will also be covered by the travel ban, noting that police will be posted along the borders of Metro Manila.

“You cannot enter or leave Metro Manila unless you show proof to law enforcers that you’re [covered by the] exemptions,” Nograles added..

The Palace official also said that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will remain open for inter-

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visas, and holders of diplomatic visas ing up ceremonies, originally scheduled on April 13 to 17, will be adjusted to a issued by the Philippine government.

Travel restrictions will be reviewed later time in areas in Metro Manila. on a daily basis, Nograles said.

6. Will government services be avail4. What transportation means able during the quarantine period?

Work in the executive branch of govare available during the community ernment is suspended until April 14 but quarantine period?

Mass public transports, particularly train agencies are required to maintain skellines such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT), etal workforces to maintain the delivery Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and Philippine of public service. Health and emergency National Railways (PNR) shall remain op- frontline services will remain in full erational throughout the quarantine period operation. Nograles said the public can provided that these transportation means still transact with government offices such as PhilHealth, GSIS, and SSS even adopt “social distancing guidelines.” if these agencies will maintain skeletal 5. What is the period for the sus- workforces. pension of classes?

7. Should I stock up on food and baClasses in all levels are suspended until April 12 in Metro Manila. This sic goods?

Nograles said Metro Manila residents may be extended depending on government review. President Duterte has en- “should not be worried” about the supcouraged students to stay at home dur- ply of goods and food in the market. He discouraged the public from hoarding. ing the class suspension.

The Department of Education said Transport of goods to and from Metro schedules of graduation rites and mov- Manila and other regions will remain

adopt “work from home” schemes during this period.

3. What travel restrictions are in place and until when?

Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila is suspended until April 14, subject to government review. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport will remain open for international flights but passengers must be from and are going to stay in Metro Manila. For those who will go to the provinces, passengers must fly via the Clark International Airport, Nograles said.

Foreigners coming from countries with confirmed local transmission of COVID-19 shall be denied entry to the Philippines, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. Exempted from this rule are foreign spouses and children of Filipinos, holders of permanent resident

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“There will be no public celebration of the Holy Mass and no public activities in all the churches in the Archdiocese for seven day, starting Saturday, March 14, till Friday, March 20,” he added.

Attendance in Masses discouraged

Two options

THE Health department is eyeing two options to ensure a continuing learning in schools following the month-long COVID-19 quarantine in Metro Manila.

The agency is working on a “transmutation formula” for students in Metro Manila and in other cities with class suspension, where the grades in the first three quarters will be averaged, Education Undersecretary Alain del Pascua said in a briefing.

Online tests and learning through mobile devices is also being considered, he said.

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III has urged the public to stop attending Masses and to stop going to cinemas.

“We will stop it for now because that Coverage expanded is where the virus will come from. It THE Bureau of Corrections on is like a petri dish,” said Duque when Friday expanded the coverage of the asked if the Health department will suspension of visitation rights of inrecommend a stop to attending Masses. mates from the New Bilibid Prison

in Muntinlupa City and its six other penal colonies to control the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier, the bureau implemented a suspension of the visitation for families and loved ones of inmates that started on March 11 and to last for one week.

Continuous delivery

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Friday assured the public of a continuing delivery of public service despite the COVID-19 scare.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario issued a number of guidelines, including enforcing a four-day work week, to ensure the continued delivery of public service as well as the agency’s policy-making functions. With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rey E. Requejo, Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo

subject to guidelines, he added.

8. Will there be a price increase in commodities?

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said there will be no price increase in basic commodities as he assured Filipinos of enough supply of goods. He also assured entrepreneurs there will be no business disruption during the community quarantine period in Metro Manila. A price freeze will also be in effect for 60 days starting Sunday which will cover medicines and medical supply, and some agricultural products, Lopez said.

9. Are Church masses, and mass gatherings allowed?

Mass gatherings whether “planned or spontaneous” shall be prohibited during the community quarantine period. The Archdiocese of Manila also declared that there will be no public celebration of the Holy Mass and public activities in all the churches covered by the archdiocese from March 14 until March 20.

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The other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned all online sellers that overpricing essential emergency medicines and supplies are not allowed.

The FDA said the online selling of any of its listed emergency medical supplies that are beyond the price ceiling/range set in the Department of Health’s earlier memorandum is “prohibited”.

Kenneth Pundanera, Unioil Philippines president, earlier said consumers may expect another round of price rollbacks next

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Latest figures from WTTC show that global travel could be adversely impacted by up to 25 percent in 2020.

“This is the equivalent to a loss of three months of global travel. This could lead to a corresponding reduction in jobs of between 12 and 14 percent,” Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said in a statement.

Bertiz said British-American cruise operator Carnival Corp. has suspended all voyages for 60 days and is sending home all its multinational crew, who are mostly Filipinos.

“More than half of the crew on Carnival’s 18 cruise ships are Filipinos earning an average of $1,400 a month on nine-month contracts, and they are being sent home upon disembarkation,” Bertiz, a former party-list lawmaker, said.

Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Co. S.A. has also temporarily ceased operations of MSC Cruises, another a huge employer of Filipinos, he added.

ACTS-OFW is counting on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Social Security System to provide financial assistance and unemployment insurance to the returning cruise ship staff, Bertiz said.

Countries around the world have blocked the entry of cruise ships, forcing operators to stop voyages. They have been deemed highly vulnerable to COVID-19 because about a third of their passengers are 60 years old and above, the group noted.

Meanwhile, major local airlines have started canceling domestic flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in support of the government’s one-month air travel restriction to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Cielo Villaluna, Philippine Airlines spokesperson, said 65 of the company’s domestic round-trip flights daily between Manila and domestic outlaying stations would be affected by the suspension of domestic travel to and from Manila, which takes effect Sunday, March 15, and will last until April 14.

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Meanwhile, Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche announced Friday it had received emergency approval from US regulators for a new and much faster test for diagnosing the deadly new coronavirus.

The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to commercialise the SARS-CoV-2 Test to detect the virus that has sparked the global COVID-19 pandemic, Roche said in a statement.

The test can be run in high volumes on fully automated equipment, Roche said, suggesting it could provide more results far faster than other tests available.

“We are increasing the speed definitely by a factor of 10,” Thomas Schinecker, head of Roche’s diagnostics unit, said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

Widespread testing is essential in the race to rein in the spread of the virus, which has so far infected more than 130,000 people and killed nearly 5,000 worldwide.

Axios had reported that doctor Brian Monahan conveyed the projection to Senate senior staff on Tuesday, telling them they should prepare for the worst and offering advice on how to remain healthy.

The upper end of the projection is about 46 percent of the US population of 327 million people. By comparison German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned this week that up to 70 percent of her country’s population could get the virus. week after the alliance between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries led by Saudi Arabia broke apart.

Saudi Arabia wanted to continue to tighten supply to prop up world oil prices to stem the impact of the coronavirus on global economies.

When Russia refused, Riyadh implemented a huge price cut in crude prices, causing market pandemonium.

On March 7, 9 and 10, most of the oil companies implemented a price rollback of P1.20 per liter of gasoline, P0.75 per liter of diesel and P1.05 per liter of kerosene.

The world’s economies are reeling from the impact of the coronavirus, which has severely affected air travel, shipping and other businesses worldwide.

The year-to-date adjustments stand at a net decrease of P5.10 per liter of gasoline, P6.75 per liter of diesel and P8.30 per liter of kerosene.

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MMDA set to suspend number-coding starting Mar. 13

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is suspending its number coding scheme in the National Capital Region beginning Friday (March 13).

“The number coding scheme is suspended indefinitely for all types of vehicles (private and public) effective today March 13, 2020,” the MMDA stated in its advisory.

The agency made the indefinite suspension of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) a day after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the entire Metro Manila will be placed under “community quarantine” as recommended by the Health department in view of the recent development on the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.

“The number coding is now lifted starting this hour until further notice,” “ MMDA spokesperson Pircelyn Pialago said.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the suspension will also allow people in Metro Manila more mobility as they start an exodus going to and from provinces before the ‘lockdown’ in the NCR starts 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

He added that lifting the number coding will ensure that there will be enough public utility vehicles to serve commuters heading to their respective provinces and allow motorists to use their vehicles going to their destinations.

The MMDA also advised passengers to inform the management of their chosen bus company if they encounter problems during their trip.

HEARING MASS. Devotees continue hearing Friday Masses at Manila’s Quiapo church on March 13. The Archdiocese of Manila will not hold large gatherings of people as part of its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, according to Apostolic Administrator of Manila Archdiocese Bishop Broderick Pabillo. Ey Acasio

regional Senate minority questions CPP head killed gov’t on travel ban from China in Baguio

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sara back at work after self-isolation DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is now back to work after completing her self-quarantine on Friday.

The presidential daughter and mayor went back to work after she was given clearance by the city’s health office.

Duterte-Carpio went into voluntary isolation on Thursday, a day after she attended a confirmation hearing at the Senate, where a resource person in a separate hearing tested positive for COVID-19.

She, however, did not have direct contact with the COVID-19 patient but had a lunch meeting with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian who attended two meetings with the infected individuals.

Cooperate with gov’t, IBP tells lawyers THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines has implored its employees and all Filipino lawyers to observe best practices and cooperate with authorities to avoid COVID-19.

Lawyer Domingo Egon Cayosa, IBP national president and chairman of the Board of Governors, also called on the public to “act responsibly, pray and care for each other especially for those who have less in life.”

The IBP, the country’s mandatory lawyers’ organization, has set up measures to maintain coordination with lawyers nationwide as the government upgraded the COVID-19 alert from Code Red Sub-level 1 to Code Red Sublevel 2 and imposed a land, sea, and air domestic travel restrictions to and from Metro Manila.

According to Cayosa, they have canceled the March 13 and 14 Board of Governors meeting as well as the meeting of the Commission on Bar Discipline. Rey E. Requejo

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HE Senate Minority Bloc on Friday questioned the Duterte administration on the status of the travel ban to and from China.

In a statement, the Minority Bloc composed of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan cited reports that flights from China continue.

They also said that Bacolod has allowed all vessels from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to dock at its seaports.

With the increasing cases of COVID infections, the opposition senators said they are willing to help work with the administration to enact emergency legislation needed so that government can respond more quickly to the crisis, as well as propose science-based and multi-sectoral, and people-centered and vulnerable-focused actions on communication, necessisities, medical services, budget and other resources, among others.

“The challenge is to minimize the

infection. We must do everything we can to prevent the situation where the growing number of COVID-19 patients overwhelms our entire healthcare workforce,” they said.

“The rate at which the COVID-19 cases multiply each day poses a very serious threat. If we fail to arrest the increase, our healthcare system, no matter how equipped it is, will face difficulty in dealing with COVID-19 cases.”

The minority also sought clarification on food supply particularly the entry and exit of trucks carrying food and other supplies to and from NCR ports, and wet markets, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.

“What happens to the scheduled arrival of semi-perishable and perishable goods estimated at billions of pesos during the lockdown period?

Will these goods be diverted? Will

Kerwin co-accused given until March 30 to answer drug raps STATE prosecutors gave 14 corespondents of Eastern Visayas drug kingpin Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa more time to refute the allegations against them.

Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Azarcon gave the respondents until March 30 to file their respective counter-affidavits to the allegations in the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation-Task Force Anti-Illegal Drugs.

The panel started its preliminary investigation of the complaint on Feb. 11.

The NBI-TFAID filed the complaint before the DOJ following the investigation it conducted on the admission by

Espinosa, the son of slain Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa.

Out of the original 26 respondents named in the complaint, only a dozen have filed their respective counter-affidavits before the panel last March 2.

Those who failed to submit counteraffidavits were Marcelo Adorco, Maba Limbona, Brian Anthony Zaldivar alias Tonypet, Galo Legaspi alias Kapre, Police Officer 3 Dennis Torrefel, Galo Bobares, Ferdinand Rondina alias Denan, Jose Antipuesto alias Joe, Jose Estrera alias Amang, Nickjune Canin, Alfred Batistis, Josela Dumaguit alias Jojie, Baysay L. Custodio and Vistor L. Espina Jr.

Adorco and Dumaguit are currently in the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management Penology.

Among those who were able to submit counter-affidavits were Espinosa, Police Brig. Gen. Asher Dolina, Police Maj. Wilfredo C. Abordo, Police Capt. Bernie Magamay, Police Staff Sgt. Roberto Arafol, Police Cpl. Marvin Parac, Police Chief Master Sgt. Eduardo Betuin, Martin L. Espina, Marites S. Ang, Police Col. Elizar Egloso, Police Capt. Eufracio Javines and Viberca Diano.

The allegations claimed that the respondents were involved in large-scale illegal drug operations in Eastern Visayas from 2011 to 2016.

firefight

By Francisco Tuyay A TOP regional head of the Communist Party of the Philippines and two of his colleagues were killed after they traded gunfire joint military and police teams out to serve warrant for their arrest in Baguio City early dawn Friday.

AFP officials identified the slain CPP’s top terrorists as Julius Soriano Giron, chairman of the CPP and member of the CPP-NPA Executive Committee and companions Lourdes Tan Torres, Executive Committee member of the National Health Bureau of the CPP and a still unidentified male believed to be a member of the National Military Commission.

“The death of Giron will further rattle the communist terror group and its dwindling force for losing its strategic leader. Giron is much closer and more relevant in NPA operations than the absentee Jose Maria Sison, and is thus more influential to their ranks,” said AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. A joint military and police intelligence teams were about to serve an arrest warrant against Giron at his hideout at Lourdes Subdivision Extension, Barangay Queen of Peace in Bagiuo City at around 3 a.m. Friday.

Reports said Giron and his two companions resisted arrest and fired at the authorities, which prompted the arresting team to retaliate that resulted to the death of the suspects.

Recovered from the suspects’ possession were one M1 rifle, a Colt cal.45 pistol and Cal. 4 Rock Island pistol, three hand grenades and a single magazine for M16 rifle.

“We commend our troops for the successful neutralization of this notorious NPA leader, landing a serious blow against the CTG, and bringing us closer to our goal of ending the local communist armed conflict in the country,” Santos said.

‘Pay gov’t workers after suspension due to virus’

PCSO to continue Lotto games, draws THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office today said its draws for its Lotto games will continue and operations of its outlets nationwide will remain open amid the worsening threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

PCSO general manager Royina Garma said, though, that witnesses and observers in the nightly live Lotto draws will be limited while Metro Manila is under community quarantine.

“We will be in full operations but will observe strict safety practices to ensure the health of our office and field staff. We have set in place precautionary steps so we can continue operating with the least risk of exposure to the virus,” Garma said.

Garma assured the public that the PCSO will play a proactive role in the fight against COVID-19 and will readily provide assistance to local government units in the implementation of community health initiatives.

these shipping entries be exempt from the lockdown?” they asked.

They also inquired into the number of persons monitored through contact tracing of those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

“If entry to and exit from NCR is restricted, what happens to the estimated four million non-Metro Manila residents from Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and even Pampanga who work in Metro Manila?” they asked.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has made some exceptions in the media after the President’s announcement on the lockdown but the opposition senators said protocols for these should be made clear.

Since Intra-NCR travel and mass transit in Metro Manila is locked down, they asked if residents can move freely within the metropolis.

“What are the protocols for MRT and LRT riders? For padyak, tricycle, Angkas/ habal-habal, jeepney, van, and bus riders?

Will the government deploy more trains?

Ease permits and franchises for other modes of transport?”

They also asked on what will be done with the informal settlements.

“How do we address the issue of close contact among people in informal?”

TIMELY DONATION. Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other Chinese community association, donated P100 million worth of medical supplies to the Department of Health for COVID-19 prevention in the Philippines, after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The FCCCI announced the donation during a press conference at the Kamuning Bakeshop in Quezon City.

NOTING that work suspension would affect the income of 30 percent of government workers, categorized as job order or contract of service, Senator Joel Villanueva has appealed to the government to continue paying them.

“The govenment must continue to pay for workers it contracted in the executive department to ensure they could fulfill the needs of their family with their source of income while work remains suspended in agencies under the Office of the President,” said Villanieva.

Villanueva, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development, pointed out that the work suspension, which was ordered to prevent the spread of COVID-19, would affect their livelihood.

“While we are in this emergency situation where we limit government operation, I plead with the Executive

to continue paying the contractual workers in government even if they don’t report to work to ensure their source of income during this period,” said Villanueva.

Data from the Civil Service Commission shows that of the 2.4 million workers in government, some 660,000 workers fall under job orders or contract of service.

“We are worried about the families who will be affected if contractual workers do not report to work. While there will be skeletal staffing in place, their take-home pay will significantly shrink, and they may have a harder time fulfilling their basic needs,” Villanueva said.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a work suspension in the executive branch, but instructed the head of government agencies to form skeletal staffing to ensure that the delivery of government services goes unimpeded.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Why corruption persists GOVERNMENT corruption has always been the bane of every administration. Today, it is the biggest headache of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Where there is human discretion, shady transactions cannot be far behind.

Corruption is embedded within a system of government where human discretion is made possible.

Take, for example, the Bureu of Customs. There is discretion in the examination and valuation of imports. While there exists a handbook for valuation, examiners and bureau officials are free to make their own assessment. I was business editor of The Philippines Herald for many years so I know how Customs operates. Corrupt individuals can always find ways to make importers shell out money.

Smuggling is another thing. Smugglers know too well that their deed can be made possible with the “cooperation” of corrupt brokers and Customs personnel. Would you believe that one form of smuggling at Customs is the disappearance of containers in dockyards? This is why many Customs employees, even security guards, upon a lifestyle check, are discovered to have luxury cars, my gulay!

There was a time when the mayor of Manila and a Customs chief almost had a duel at Luneta. The mayor wanted to intercept smuggled containers from Customs.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Another method of smuggling is transshipment of goods from the Manila Port to other ports. Remember how several containers which were supposed to be transferred to the Port of Batangas simply vanished?

They were never found. Much later, the highly dutiable goods were found at a duty-free shop in Subic. My gulay, I can go on and on about these miracles!

Yet another example of how human discretion contributes to corruption con is in the bidding for government contracts. Santa Banana, this is where government people make a killing.

The terms of reference are suited to the favored bidders. Note that whenever there are protests in connection with awards of government contracts, charges of graft and corruption are always leveled on the officials of the Bids and Awards Committee.

Government contracts are also from where mayors, governors and congressmen also make a killing.

The masses have the notion that local government officials have the obligation to “give back” to the people for supporting them during elections.

This is why you can see long lines of people seeking favors every day— money for funeral, for transportation to go somewhere, or even funds for the uniforms of a basketball team!

A congressman living in Metro Manila once told me that with his constituents asking him favors, he had to build a tent covering tables because he also had to feed them. They are there as early as six in the morning, eat all meals there, and ask for many things. Sometimes, a relatives dies twice or thrice in their story.

“Where do you think I get all the money for the people who ask for help?” my lawmaker friend asked me.

The answer is obvious—pork. But others are even more innovative.

These methods of corruption were found by the Philippine Center for

Don’t, don’t, please don’t

B

on nationwide television and radio to announce the lockdown and before he himself underwent the test as a pre-emptive step since he regularly meets up with his Cabinet, the well-heeled and the ordinary people have shifted gear and sprinted to drugstore chains and malls to buy items ranging from toilet paper to sanitizing wipes, disinfectants, canned goods and whatever else which could be good enough to last a family for the quarantine period of two weeks.

The trouble with panic buying is that panic buying begets panic buying.

And there are suggestions, which we find valid, that some are buying much more than what's needed for a fortnight emergency supply, prompting some notoriously undesirable units of society to increase prices of prime commodities and hoard a lot more to hike as well the demand.

But the Presidential prescription Thursday night should provide clear

E warned.

Panic buying, alternatively called fear-based hoarding, has shifted to high gear in Metro Manila, where nearly 12,900,000 people live, with tweets and videos on social media not helping ease the already stretched situation following the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19.

Before the weekend, scenes of thick people's lines in front of drugstore chains as well as grocery stores and malls have contributed to the strained scenario in the metropolis, where a community-wide lockdown was announced by President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday night.

Details of the quarantine are frenziedly worked out by the President's tasked men and members of his Cabinet, to protect people against COVID-19.

But even before the President went

direction to officials tasked to implement the law, which punishes government officials and employees, foreigners and others in hoarding supplies.

Going into buying more supplies excites a feeling of sense of control and thus releases them to think of other things than coronavirus.

There is a law that punishes hoarders. Republic Act 7581 provides protection to consumers by stabilizing the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, and prescribes measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and like occasions.

The coronavirus situation has exacted, by latest count, at least 52 infections, five patients of whom have since died. And panic buying, turned loose in such emergencies, can lead to genuine shortages regardless of whether the risk of a shortage is real or perceived as a form of what some call self-fulfilling prophecy.

Let's take heed.

Turn to A5

Locking Metro Manila down COPIES of Resolution No. 11 series of 2020 dated March 12 of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease were already circulating in various chat groups before President Rodrigo Duterte went on air on March 12 to address the nation on the New Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).

This resolution contained the interagency recommendations to the President in order to address the disease the biggest of which is the lockdown of the entirety of Metro Manila.

Thus, there were loud whispers about the impending lockdown. When after more than two hours of delay President Duterte finally addressed the people, he merely read and translated to Filipino the contents of the resolution that, as of Thursday (March 12) afternoon was signed by Secretaries Francisco Duque (Health), Año (Interior and Local Government), and Guevarra (Justice).

I would have wanted Duterte to delve more on what his administration is doing and will do (outside of the lockdown) to address COVID-19.

For instance, I would have wanted to know the specifics of how government will prevent the spread of the disease in various poor and congested communities in the country; how the livelihood of affected ordinary and poor workers will be protected; government plans to acquire much needed commodities that have disappeared from suppliers and groceries like: Masks especially for health providers who, in helping others, risk getting the disease themselves, alcohol, and hand sanitizers; when government expects to have more testing kits; how government is fast tracking

the process so the test kits developed

by University of the Philippines scientists can be used; and, how government plans to address the huge economic losses caused by COVID-19.

Outside of what has been said by the President, it would have been more complete and inspiring if he explained these things, too.

Still, locking down Metro Manila is a huge undertaking. More importantly, this will change how we in the metro live our lives in the next month at least. The major rationale for the lockdown is social distancing to prevent the rapid widespread of COVID-19. The plan prevents unnecessary travel to and from Metro Manila.

The implications are tremendous.

Specifically, according to Duterte: • sea and air travels are banned; • congregating is prohibited; • staying home is strongly encouraged; • work from home is encouraged; • classes are suspended so home study till the end of the school year will be the norm; • the Executive Department will only have skeletal force to perform the work; • the Legislative and Judiciary Departments will need to come out with their own plans on social distancing; • Filipinos coming from outside the country are welcome to come home (but if air travels are banned, I wonder how this will be done); • MRT, LRT, and PNR will remain operational but social distancing will be observed; • based on the resolution local government units may declare their own lock downs, and Turn to A5

Brace for water rationing amid COVID-19 IT'S bad enough that the country is already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. It's going to get worse with an imminent water crisis in Metro Manila as we enter the dry season.

We're likely to experience extended water supply rationing because of the reduced water allocation from Angat Dam, which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirements.

The two concessionaires in Metro Manila will implement a rotational water supply system. They have given assurances, however, that no household will have to suffer a lack of water for 24 hours straight.

The two concessionaires now serve some 16.5 million consumers combined in the east and west zones of Metro Manila and some parts of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Bulacan.

Since we are likely to endure another rationing scheme in the summer months, every consumer should conserve water. Turning off the tap when not in use and recycling water whenever possible are just among the many ways to save water.

While rotational water service interruptions are likely to happen, the two water concessionaires have also assured their customers that they have already crafted mitigation plans as early as last year, and are now

implementing proactive measures to ease Metro Manila’s water woes this summer.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. has already announced that it will mount cloud-seeding operations and deploy modular water treatment plants that will

Everyone should conserve water. draw water from small rivers in Cavite.

The cloud-seeding operations will start this month depending on the weather report from PAGASA on whether there are seedable clouds near Angat Dam. Maynilad is also optimizing the use of its two Putatan water treatment facilities in Muntinlupa, and reactivating several deep wells to increase Metro Manila’s water supply. The Putatan treatment plants now produce 300 mil-

lion liters of per day of water drawn from Laguna Lake.

Maynilad, which supplies water to Metro Manila’s west zone, is also reducing water leaks through the replacement of pipes and other repairs.

It should be pointed out that the concessionaire inherited one of the oldest pipe networks in Asia, with some segments dating back to the Spanish times. After pouring millions worth of investments, the company has already replaced over 2,500 kilometers of old pipes and repaired more than 360,000 pipe leaks since 2008.

These measures will definitely benefit consumers as these have resulted in supply recovery for distribution to customers.

Maynilad was expected last month to complete its NRW (non-revenue water) or leakage reduction program, which will add another 94 MLD. In December last year, Maynilad finished reactivating deep wells to supply another 94 MLD. It is expected to soon finish its Cavite dam, which will provide another 27 MLD. On top of all this, Maynilad is taking more mitigation steps, such as deploying 69 mobile water tankers and putting up 32 stationary water tankers.

With its NRW management program, Turn to A5

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Opinion Minimizing the effects of the community quarantine According to Nograles, the COVID-19 is already causing immeasurable effects not only on the country's economy but of the entire global community. The only way to fight back is to ensure that productivity will not grind to a halt and basic services are

BY THE time this article comes out, still delivered even in the event of a it would only be just a matter of hours large-scale lockdown. before we feel the effect of the government’s declaration of a Code Red Sublevel 2 Alert regarding the COVID-19, which essentially places the whole Let technology help. of Metro Manila under community quarantine, the primary of which is restricting travel to and from the metropolis.

Nograles said that public offices and Since we have yet to be provided private corporations should now conwith the details of the declaration and sider telecommuting as envisioned by how the government intends to provide RA 11165 to ensure that the country relief for those who will be affected, will survive the onslaught of the COVit’s a good thing two of our lawmakers ID-19 virus on the global economy. have already come out with proposals Under RA 11165, an employer in to mitigate its effect, particularly on private sector may offer a telecomthe economic and education fronts. muting program to its employees on a As workers and business enterprises voluntary basis, and upon such terms would surely feel the brunt of an eco- and conditions as they may mutually nomic slowdown following the quar- agree upon. antine, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta The law also provides that "such Rep. Jericho Nograles is proposing terms and conditions shall not be less the full implementation Republic Act than the minimum labor standards set 11165, otherwise know as the "Tel- by law, and shall include compensable ecommuting Act.” work hours, minimum number of work Telecommuting refers to a work hours, overtime, rest days, and entitlefrom an alternative workplace with ment to leave benefits." the use of telecommunications and/or By resorting to telecommuting, computer technologies. businesses will run as usual and its

workers will have to stay employed and paid, thus, minimizing the effects of the quarantine.

However, not all business and workers stand to benefit from the telecommuting program as some industries still require the physical presence of their workers.

As such, this corner is proposing the adopting of the Italian solution of suspending payments for mortgages and utility bills for at least a month or until the quarantine is lifted.

For his part, as classes will have to remain suspended until April 12, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas is proposing continuing schooling through online education.

By shifting to online learning, Vargas says the risk of the virus spreading throughout the community is greatly minimized as it reduces human-to-human contact between school personnel and the students.

At the same time, Vargas also appealed to school administrators to conduct disinfection activities in all their facilities. He also expressed support for the postponement of graduation and moving up ceremonies as an additional precautionary measure.

With the rising number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, Vargas encouraged everyone to promote and observe better hygiene practices and be responsive to any circumstances which may arise.

Kim Jong Un eschews masks AS HE watches his troops firing rockets and artillery shells, one of the many things that marks North Korean leader Kim Jong Un out from the officers alongside him is his coronavirus mask: it isn't there.

Kim has overseen multiple military drills in recent weeks as Pyongyang mounts an all-out drive to prevent an outbreak of the disease that has swept around the world from neighboring China.

Thousands have been quarantined and hundreds of foreigners, including diplomats, confined to their residences.

State media constantly exhort citizens to obey health directives and publish images showing universal face mask use—except by the supreme leader.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper, mouthpiece of the ruling party, and official news agency KCNA have shown Kim supervising firing exercises from a trench, tent or shelter four times in the last two weeks.

Locking...

From A4

Every time he has had his face uncovered under a black fur hat, while all the officers next to him have worn black masks.

The North carefully controls and calibrates imagery of Kim, and analysts said his uncovered features send an intended message.

"He may want to show people that he is not afraid of the virus, that he is above infection," said Rachel Minyoung Lee, senior analyst with specialist site NK News.

"It is consistent with the crux of North Korea's leadership propaganda: that the Kim leadership is exceptional in every way."

There would be no sense he was contradicting the official virus guidance, she added: "North Koreans know that he is in an altogether different league."

Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, said an image of Kim wearing a mask could risk "undermining his charisma...

as if he is some sort of a coward, afraid of catching the virus for his own sake.

"They aimed to project an image of Kim impervious to the coronavirus as the leader of the Paektu bloodline."

The "Paektu bloodline" is a term for the Kim family who have ruled the North for three generations.

It references the sacred mountain seen as the spiritual birthplace of the Korean people, where the North's founder Kim Il Sung is said to have fought Japanese occupiers during World War II. Kim was twice last year pictured riding a white horse up Mount Paektu in what was seen as a symbolic appropriation of his grandfather's leadership image.

The North often plays up physical and other similarities between the two men, and the fur hat Kim has been wearing in recent photos recalls old images of Kim Il Sung, including one reproduced on a stamp in 2013.

"It looks like he is going for his grandpa's fashion again," said Lee. AFP

the checkpoints.

What became evident after Duterte’s address is the fact that the guidelines for the implementation of the lockdown are yet to be developed. This, to me is a big let-down. The inter-agency that came up with the resolution should have already formulated the guidelines before the President faced the nation. The absence of such guidelines brought (and bring) about speculations and many questions that could have been prevented.

These guidelines must be made public before the lockdown officially starts on March 15 to prevent confusion and further disinformation.

As the lockdown is implemented, our lives as Metro Manilans will change. I hope this succeeds in containing COVID-19.

Moreover, as government implements this and addresses the disease, we should all prepare for the huge economic implications of the lockdown. Production of goods and delivery of commercial services will definitely suffer a big slump as people choose to stay home. This can lead to further lay-offs; unemployment can go up significantly.

Government needs to be ready. First and foremost, workers and the poor must be assisted.

As we try to avoid getting COVID, we should already prepare for the difficulties that lie ahead beyond the lockdown. Let us, in whatever way we can, help those who need help.

Locking down Metro Manila has tremendous implications. We need government to lead the way, in a responsive and comprehensive manner, in responding to the lock down’s impact.

• the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines together with LGUs and Barangay Captains will implement these measures.

There were many gaps in what Duterte said which immediately gave rise to questions on very specific situations in terms of implementing the Metro-wide lockdown. Will workers who live outside of but work in Metro Manila be allowed in and out? What about the delivery of supplies needed like food? Will workers who get paid daily but are asked to not report get paid? If not, will they be helped by government since businesses are expected to incur significant losses?

To respond to these questions, Cabinet members went on air and clarified things. Some of the things they said were: • workers from outside but work in the Metro will be allowed in and out provided they present proof such as company identification cards; • delivery of supplies to the Metro will be allowed (but there is no word yet on deliveries from the metro of commodities needed outside of it); and • provincial buses will still be allowed in and out but social distancing must be observed.

There will be checkpoints that will check if people can be allowed in or out of Metro Manila. Because this will be done on an individual basis, expect long lines and delays. I hope traffic would be lighter to compensate for this. I hope, too, that PNP and AFP personnel will respect people’s rights as they go about managing @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Brace...

From A4

Maynilad has managed to recover 979 MLD daily—a volume large enough to fill 390 Olympic-size pools per day that can supply potable water to 1.7-M households in the metropolis.

According to Maynilad, the dura-

tion of service interruptions per area is dependent on the hydraulic configuration of the pipelines. This means that some areas will experience longer or shorter service interruptions owing to their location (i.e., areas that are low in elevation, are near Maynilad’s reservoirs and pumping stations, and are conduits to reach fringe areas will naturally have shorter service inter-

ruptions).

The implementation of daily rotational service interruptions will be in effect for as long as the raw water allocation given to Maynilad from Angat Dam is below its requirement. These reduced allocations will remain in effect until June 2020.

As the number of water users increased exponentially since then, the

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

A5

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A time of fear and trembling TOMORROW is the third Sunday of Lent and the Gospel reading recall Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman. Tired from a journey, the Lord was sitting by the well, the Jacob’s well. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink. In those days, the Jews were not on speaking terms with the people of Samaria (today located in the northern West Bank) as both claim to be the true religion.

We crave to drink the water that will dispel our worry and anxiety.

look that it is in this very same situation that Jesus is inviting us to drink, like the Samaritan woman, the waters of eternal life.

In this context, as Fr. Roque Ferriols, SJ, the wisest living Filipino, taught me 40 years ago in a course on the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, the fear and trembling we now feel has immense value—if it pushes us to ask help for our unbelief and lead us to authentic faith.

Faith of course must never be an excuse for negligence and recklessness.

God gave us reason so that we can respond to events rationally. Science and good governance are gifts that come from a loving Almighty who wants us to have all the tools necessary to combat evil and bad things that come our way.

That is why I support fully the decision of Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, to give the faithful dispensation from going to mass this Sunday and to not have public activities in churches in the next week. This is why the churches in Rome are closing until early April. The Catholic Church has learned from history when some religious leaders recklessly exposed the faithful to danger by conducting novenas and processions during epidemics.

The Health Minister of Singapore is right when he said that in the days ahead, countries with an adequate public health system, good governance, and strong social capital will do better in responding to the coronavirus crisis. We don’t have all three and must work overtime to prepare us better for the tough days ahead.

With this in mind, we should pray every day the oratio imperata issued by the CBCP: “God our Father, We come to you in our need to ask your protection against the 2019 N-Corona Virus, that has claimed lives and has affected many.

We pray for your grace for the people tasked with studying the nature and cause of this virus and its disease and of stemming the tide of its transmission. Guide the hands and minds of medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion, and of those governments and private agencies that must find cure and solution to this epidemic.

We pray for those afflicted may they be restored to health soon. Grant us the grace to work for the good of all and to help those in need.

Grant this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Amen.

Mary Help of all Christians, pray for us. St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us. St. Rock, pray for us. St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.”

It is in this context that the Samaritan woman asked Jesus, a Jew, why he was asking for a drink from a woman of Samaria. To which Jesus answered, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." And further promised her that whosoever drinks of the water he will give them will never be thirsty. “The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life," the Lord added.

Although His answer might have been confusing to her as he was talking in cryptic and mysterious manner, the Samaritan woman readily accepted Jesus’ offer and asked for this water so that she may never be thirsty or have to keep coming to the well to draw water.

The Gospel reading teaches us a few things in life and in our faith in Jesus Christ: That salvation is inclusive and open to everybody even those who are considered different because of their race, ethnicity, gender or status in life as long as one believes in the message of Jesus Christ.

This is a time of fear and trembling.

We are worried and fearful because of the terrifying things happening around us. People are anxious and apprehensive about the contagion that has already infected more than a hundred thousand people, killed thousands, rapidly spreading in all corners of the globe, disrupting every social and economic fabric of most communities. Social distancing, lockdowns, and hospital triages have become common use words.

Much like in the Gospel reading, we are thirsty for security and assurance, and we crave to drink the water that will dispel our worry and lack of peace of mind. But in the mad frenzy to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the contagion and its at- Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina tendant consequences, we often over- Twitter: tonylavs

Why corruption...

From A4

Investigative Journalism, in a report that said big and small contractors often collaborate in winning public works and highways projects with the congressmen or senators. With kickbacks, of course.

This was why the projects sometimes do not even get finished. *** At the Bureau of Immigration, human discretion is at its worst. I covered it for a time, too, and I know that it is so easy to make money there.

This is from trafficking and the entry of undesirable aliens, like pedophiles and other criminals, into the country.

All they must do is pay a fee to Immigration people working in connivance with airport officials. There was a time when I went to the international airport and saw hangers-on who did not have any business there. I later

water supply problem has been compounded by erratic weather, including unpredictable rainfall due to global warming and climate change.

We are glad that the national government has already set in motion the longdelayed construction of the Kaliwa Dam as the national capital’s alternate water supply reservoir. But this will take four to five years to build at the cost of P12.2

learned they worked as “escorts.”

The practice apparently continues to the day. Look at that Senate hearing chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, which exposed the so-called pastillas scheme. Money is wrapped in rolledup white paper and mostly passes hands from undocumented Chinese to these corrupt government people.

These “guests” account for many of the crimes we are seeing today.

Santa Banana, of course it is bribery that allows syndicates to get into our borders!

One time, a secretary of the Interior and Local Government told me that on his first day at work, he got a call from somebody who asked for his bank account number. When he asked why, the caller said “We want to give you P50 million.” The secretary dropped the phone. Later, he found out that the agency was procuring helicopters and police cars.

Will we ever eradicate corruption in our country? I wonder.

billion.

In other words, the water woes of Metro Manila residents would get worse in the next half-decade before we get any relief by 2025. Hence, everyone should conserve water if we do not want a repeat of the water shortage we experienced last year. ernhil@yahoo.com

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News

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

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Belmonte plans 4-day work week sked

By Rio N. Araja

W

ITH six reported cases of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), Mayor Joy Belmonte is planning to adopt a four-day work week scheme.

In her official Facebook account, Belmonte said “your local government is working at all fronts to maintain regular operations under a four-day work week scheme to ensure regular services are being delivered to our citizens even as we face the threat of this virus.”

“Our city executives and council members are in coordination for the

passage of relevant policies that will help mitigate the effects of the virus,” she added.

She said the city government shall also ban mass gatherings, such as sports events, beauty pageants and fiesta celebrations in compliance with the resolution of a government interagency task force to place Metro Manila under

community quarantine.

Moreover, the city mayor said they would rent vacant establishments to be used as quarantine facilities.

“We will be renting establishments to try to augment quarantine facilities so people do not have to be crowded inside their houses. They can actually be quarantined in a separate facility with their own rooms,” she said when interviewed over ANC’s Early Edition.

“Quezon City stands wit President Rodrigo Duterte in keeping our citizens safe and secure as we implement immediate city-wide response against COVID-19,” she said.

The city has already recorded six confirmed cases of COVID-19.

“Given this, Quezon City is now under METRO MANILA WIDE QUARANTINE. This includes a travel suspension to and from Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14, 2020 to limit the spread of the virus,” Belmonte said.

She advised the residents to practice social distancing as the city government would continue its citywide disinfection to combat the spread of the disease, including the closure of identified public spaces, such as parks, covered courts, buildings and other facilities.

DENR: COVID-19 cancels ‘Love Boracay’ events THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday announced the cancellation of all “LoveBoracay” events in April to May due to threat of the COVID-19 disease.

According to Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, the decision to cancel Aklan’s Boracay Island’s most important event was arrived at during the Boracay InterAgency Task Force’s March 12 meeting.

“Since the COVID-19 situation has not improved, and with the health of attendees, organizers and stakeholders, a primary consideration, the BIATF has decided to cancel this event,” he said.

The task force, chaired by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, took into consideration the recent developments on COVID-19, particularly the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte of a state of public health emergency.

“LoveBoracay” has replaced the infamous “Laboracay,” a week-long series of events celebrating the rehabilitation of the world-famous resort island slated for April 26 to May 2.

“Should the island be contaminated, tourists will avoid the island, businesses will incur losses and workers may be laid off,” Antiporda said.

He warned of possible consequences should “LoveBoracay” push through since it could increase the risk of the virus entering the island.

Boracay remains COVID-19-free to date, he assured.

Meanwhile, Antiporda described the improvement on the island as “overwhelming” two years after it was closed to tourists for six months to pave the way for much-needed rehabilitation.

“The President’s order to BIATF, led by the DENR, DILG and DOT, was to restore the water quality of the island, which he described as a cesspool,” Antiporda pointed out. “The task force has already done this. It’s ‘mission accomplished’ for the task force,” he said. Rio N. Araja

DAR conducts CLOA validation TO DETERMINE actual tillers of farms under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the Department of Agrarian Reform is now conducting nationwide certificates of land ownership award validation.

The agency wants to know the true state of the country’s land reform program, and to see if the farm lots awarded to farmer-beneficiaries are still under their full control and possession, or transferred to private individuals or groups.

Undersecretary for Special Concerns Office Carim Panumpang told agency officials and employees in Cavite that CLOA validation process was being pursued vigorously to determine the current situation on the ground that shall serve as the basis for any future programs the department may consider undertaking.

“The real objective of the CARP is to develop agriculture. We award lots to the beneficiaries and the colatilla carried under this CLOA is for them to make the land productive,” he said.

On the other hand, Cavite’s provincial agrarian reform officer James Arthur Dubongco called for the support of barangay and the barangay agrarian reform committee officials “in what appears to be a taxing task,” saying they would play a major role in determining the actual tillers of the already awarded farmlands under CARP. “Once we started the CLOA-validation process, we will most likely interview individuals who may not have proper identification cards. It is here where the barangay and the BARC officials come into play by issuing certification, attesting the actual tillers of the farmlands, either the farmer-beneficiaries or the new owners,” he said.

DAR Special Concerns Executive Assistant III Dandamun Sultan Jr. cited the benefits the farmer-beneficiaries may derive from the CLOA-validation process —the provision of appropriate support services. Rio N. Araja

SLOW SALES. Small dealers of fresh immune system-boosting foods with lower prices experience slow sales before the weekend as panic buyers resort to instant packed, canned and frozen foods over fears of an upcoming travel ban to and from Metro Manila starting March 15 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ey Acasio

Makati City suspends privilege for free movies

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government has suspended temporarily the privilege of watching free movies afforded to senior citizens under the Blu Card program.

Mayor Abigail Binay issued the directive through an executive order she signed Friday in compliance with the directive of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group to impose stringent social distancing measures in Metro Manila for 30 days.

“With the end in view of protecting the health of the elderly and to ensure their safety in the ensuing COVID-19 outbreak, I have ordered the temporary suspension of free movie passes to Blu Card holders effective immediately,” Binay said.

She said the said directive was addressed to the owners and management of cinemas in Glorietta and Greenbelt, Century Mall, Power Plant Mall, Cash and Carry, and Waltermart.

“We are asking our partners to strictly comply with this directive, which is aimed to protect our elderly constituents who are very vulnerable to infection from the virus that attacks the respiratory system,” she added.

The city chief executive also appealed to Blu Card members for their understanding and cooperation.

“This is only a temporary situation to protect you from unnecessary exposure to the disease that has proved fatal particularly for the elderly and infirm. As soon as the situation returns to normal, we will lift the suspension order,” she said.

Unlimited free entrance in moviehouses is one of the privileges enjoyed by Makati’s senior citizens registered under the Blu Card.

Last year, the city government paid around P28.7 million to its cinema-partners for their tickets, and another P2 million for tickets given to qualified PWD. In 1997, the free movies benefit for the elderly started with the passage of City Ordinance No. 97-085, appropriating P500,000 as the 25-percent share of the city in cinema admission costs for senior citizens.

CHED to students, faculty: Stop reading, sharing fake news THE Commission on Higher Education is calling on college and university officials to advise students, faculty and staff “to stop reading, liking, and sharing fake news and unverified information from social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.”

The commission issued the guidelines for the prevention, control and

mitigation of the spread of COVID-19 acute respiratory disease in higher education institutions.

“HEIs are encouraged to only rely on and disseminate relevant information obtained from the Department of Health and World Health Organization via their official website, specifically the links provided above. It is also recommended that updates and guidance from the

DOH and WHO be made available to all students, faculty and staff via a link to these pages on your school’s website,” its communications channels.

The commission said “HEIs must create a trustworthy portal of information within their schools and ensure that official advisories from the WHO and DOH remain visible across multiple communication channels.”

Customs at NAIA seizes P400,000 cash from Filipina passenger

LOW BOOKINGS.

Angkas drivers in the metropolis kill their time under the protective shade of trees in Pasay City as they experience low bookings from prospective customers amid fears from rising cases of COVID-19 infection inside the National Capital Region.

Ey Acasio

By Vito Barcelo

Lawmaker cites House approval of OFW dept. measure

By Maricel V. Cruz THE recent passage by the House of Representatives of the bill that creates Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment (DFO) is a concrete example of what will happen if advocacy groups and the legislature operates, a congressman said on Friday.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the House’s approval of the measure was in keeping with the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on the establishment of a Cabinet-level Office to protect and advance the interests of the country’s over 10 million modern-day heroes.

Voting 173-11, the House on Wednesday approved on third and final reading House Bill 5832 that creates a new department that shall be the primary agency tasked to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas.

“We owe it to our over 10 million

“While gathering infomation online may be the easiest initial option, HEIs should advise everyone experiencing symptoms of an infection, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, to contact a doctor or if available, a specialist at the nearest medical center who is likely to have the most recent information about a previously unknown infectious illness like this,” it said. Rio N. Araja

modern-day Filipino heroes, who have helped keep our economy afloat amid all external and domestic challenges, to have a line Department in-charge of protecting and advancing their interests, in keeping with the commitment to them of President Duterte and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano,” Villafuerte, one of the principal authors of the approved consolidated bill, said.

On top of revving up the delivery of sector-specific services for migrant Filipinos, Villafuerte said the proposed Department would have to undertake proactive measures to finally address the problems buffeting them, particularly illegal recruitment, sexual abuse by employers and inadequate work benefits, among others.

The OFW sector has propped up the country’s fiscal position, having remitted a whopping $32 billion in 2018 alone, based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data.

President Duterte called on the 18th Congress to establish a Department for OFWs in

his 4th State of the Nation Address last July 22, 2019.

Prior to the chamber’s plenary discussions on this proposed DFO, Villafuerte, who represents CamSur’s second district in the chamber, has committed to OFW groups the speedy congressional approval of this Department, as earlier vowed by Speaker Cayetano.

Villafuerte, of Camarines Sur’ second district met last year at the House with leaders of the Alliance of Bonafide Recruiters for OFW’s Advancement and Development, which earlier submitted a position paper to Malacañang and the Congress identifying points of agreements and discussions on fine-tuning this priority bill of the Duterte Administration.

Villafuerte welcomed the partnership with lawmakers of the recruiters’ alliance and encouraged them to gather testimonials and cases to buttress the broad and deep support here and abroad for the creation of a new Department catering to OFWs.

CUSTOMS authorities at the Port of NAIA seized some P400,000 from a Filipina passenger while attempting to bring out of the country the Philippine currency without required written authorization from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

In a statement, the passenger, whose name was withheld pending investigation was held and will face criminal charges violating the Manual on Cross Border Local and Foreign Exchange Transaction under BSP Circular 922, Series of 2016.

The Filipina passenger is currently detained and will be fined with not less than P50,000 but not more than P200,000 or imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years, or both, at the discretion of the court, the BOC said.

The public is advised that for cross border transaction of local currency, if the amount sought to be exported or imported exceeds P50,000, a written priority authority from BSP is required.

The BOC did not give details on where the female passenger will be going and her purpose of bringing the money outside of the country.

Sports

A7

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH Golf Tour cuts short Q-School PSC facilities closed for a month

By Peter Atencio ALL facilities under the care of the Philippine Sports Commission will be closed down for at least a month starting March 14 (Saturday).

Officials of the PSC said this on Friday, following the pronouncements made by President Rodrigo Duterte on the government’s measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

The lifting of the so-called community quarantine is said to take place after a month.

Access is limited to the skeletal force assigned by the agency, according to the PSC announcement.

For now, no training will be allowed inside the premises.

“The agency leaves it to the discretion of the national sports associations to decide if they will continue to train,” said agency officials.

The agency had backtracked on its earlier plans to put the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and Philsports Complex in Pasig will be placed on “restricted access..

And this was expected to go on for the next one month to ensure the safety of its national athletes, employees and the public.

The decision to close the facilities is in compliance with precautions being done in the light of the ongoing public health emergency concerning the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have to be pro-active in this situation and take these hard decisions for the safety of our athletes and employees,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez, following a Management Committee meeting recently.

Donovan Mitchell (right) helps Utah Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert from the floor during a recent game against Detroit in Michigan. Both Mitchell and Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. AFP

NBA shutdown ‘likely to be at least 30 days’

L

OS ANGELES—NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday the league shut-down because of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to last “at least 30 days.”

That would see the league shuttered through what would have been about the last month of its regular season.

“What we determined today is that this hiatus will be, most likely, at least 30 days,” Silver said on TNT’s “Inside The NBA” program.

The NBA suspended play on Wednesday after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

A second Jazz player, Donovan Mitchell, has reportedly also tested positive.

The regular season was scheduled to end on April 15 with the playoffs to begin on April 18.

Silver offered no indication of whether the league was considering shortening either the regular season or the playoffs, and indeed said it was hard to know at this point what the options might be.

Once the 30 days is up, he said, “the question becomes is there a protocol, frankly, with or without fans, where we can resume play.”

Silver discussed the talks league offi-

cials, teams and players union representatives were having before Gobert’s positive test about contingency plans in the face of increased coronavirus incidence in the United States.

“Up to a few days ago or even yesterday, the experts were unclear as to whether, as a public health matter, NBA arenas should be emptied,” he said.

On Wednesday league officials spoke with teams to get their views about the possibility of playing games with no fans in the stands or taking “some kind of hiatus.”

The decision ended up coming in dramatic style after Utah’s game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City was called off just as it was due to start and fans cleared from the arena.

Shortly thereafter the NBA announced that a Jazz player had tested positive for COVID-19 and that games would be suspended from Thursday.

For the time being NBA players have reportedly been told to remain in their team’s cities at least through Monday.

Group workouts and practice are not allowed, but team medical staff are in touch with players.

Economic impact Joe Lacob, the Golden State Warriors owner who has a masters degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in public health said in an interview with The Athletic that the eventual economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the league is “monumental.”

“We just lost virtually all of our revenues for the foreseeable future,” Lacob said. “But we have huge expenses that aren’t going away. I feel for these parttime employees and local restaurants and Uber drivers and all of the service people that make their living in and around events like ours “So many small businesses in the city of San Francisco will be impacted by this series of events.”

While that is undoubtedly true, Silver said that in further talks among owners on Thursday “not one team raised (the issue of) money.

“The entire discussion was about the safety and health of the players, the community around the NBA and our fans.” AFP

PGA Tour calls off Players’ tilt to begin season ‘pause’ MIAMI—The US PGA Tour has changed course and called off The Players Championship after just one round, the first in a string of several weeks of cancelations because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

“It is with regret that we are announcing the cancelation of The Players Championship,” a Tour spokesman said in a statement on Thursday night, adding to a list of major US sporting events on hold because of the global outbreak.

The players were reportedly told via text that the event was being scrubbed due to a “rapidly changing situation.”

The tour also announced it was canceling the Valspar Championship, the WGC Match-Play, the Texas Open in San Antonio and the Corales Puntacana Resort Championship in the Dominican Republic in the coming weeks.

The Valero Texas Open would have concluded on April 5, on the eve of the first practice round at Augusta National for the Masters which begins on April 8 and is still going ahead.

The tour had earlier decided to continue with the Players while barring fans, announcing the same plans for most tournaments in the coming weeks.

But as concerns mounted over the burgeoning number of coronavirus cases in

the United States, officials changed their minds.

“We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process,” the spokesman said.

“We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event throughout the weekend, and we were endeavoring to give our fans a much-needed respite from the current climate.

“But at this point—and as the situation continues to rapidly change—the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.”

One player who might have mixed feelings about the news is Hideki Matsuyama of Japan who shot a sparkling 63 in his opening round.

Fans were allowed to watch first-round play on Thursday but were then told they wouldn’t be welcome on Friday or allowed to watch the weekend rounds.

The decision to scrap three weeks of play comes less than a day after the Tour said competitions would go head, but without the fans.

Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said earlier Thursday that he spoke with US President Donald Trump as well as Florida state officials regarding the tour’s future plans. AFP

Club Racing Manager Antonio Alcasid Jr. and Jose Rodolfo Prado Jr. of Metro Manila Turf.

In the memo, the issuance of “racing permits” shall be temporarily stopped during the duration of the quarantine or until the proclamation has been formally lifted.

All racing clubs are also ordered to temporarily suspend all regular horse racing activities.

The exercise of race horses will be on the discretion of the host racing clubs in agreement with the horseowners and trainers concerned on the premise that the objective of the proclamation is not

Worldwide...

From A8

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays a shot on the 14th hole during the first round of The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. AFP

Philracom suspends all racing activities for a month THE Philippine Racing Commission is suspending all activities beginning Sunday in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement of a National Capital Region-wide community quarantine from March 15 to April 14 as a result of the government’s effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

This is contained in a memo sent by Philracom Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino to the heads of the three racing clubs in the country, namely Manila Jockey Club Racing Manager Jose Ramon Magboo, Philippine Racing

THE Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., acting on President Duterte’s directive raising the Code Alert System for COVID-19 to Code Red Sublevel 2 and placing the National Capital Region under “community quarantine” Thursday night, yesterday called off the final round of its 72-hole Qualifying School for local and foreign bidders at Splendido Taal Golf Club.

“President Duterte last night (Thursday) raised the Code Alert System for the coronavirus disease to Code Red Sublevel 2. With the safety and interest of the players and staff our utmost concern, the PGT Tournament Committee has decided to shorten the PGT Qualifying Tournament to three days,” the PGTI said in a statement.

It added that the qualifiers for the 11th season of the country’s premier circuit will be determined by the scores after three rounds with Lloyd Go and Arnold Villacencio sharing top honors in the local elims with identical 213 outputs and CJ Lee of the US topping the foreign side with a similar 213 total after 54 holes of play.

The 30-day community quarantine will start midnight of March 15, 2020, along with stringent distancing measures to help fight off the spread of the virus.

Domestic travel by land, sea and air into Metro Manila will also be suspended from March 15 to April 14, including all sorts of mass gatherings.

The top 30 in the local elims all gain Category 6 status in this year’s PGT starting fields, including Anthony Fernando (217), Tonton Asistio, Robert Pactolerin, Bonifacio Salahog, Dino Villanueva, who all pooled 218s, Belem Arancon, Cookie La’O, Ebarra Quiacho and Sean Talmadge, who all assembled 221s, Rey Pagunsan (222), Raymund Gonzales and Kuresh Samanodi, both with 223s, Francis Morilla (224), Rodrigo Cuello (225); Arnel Enema (226), amateur Luis Dacudao and Paul Miñoza, who scored identical 227s, Orlan Sumcad (228), Rolando Marabe Jr. and Joseph Suarez, both with 229s, Enrico Gallardo and Joeleo Torrecampo, with similar 230s, Johnel Bulawit (231), Kris Etter, Joseph Labajo and Allan Remata, with identical 232s.

Jun Bernis, Erwin Madrileño, Mharts Rivera and Gabo Santiago, who scored 233s, are fighting for the last slot.

Joining Lee in Category 7 of the tour proper are Aussie William Bruyeres, Japanese Gen Nagai and South Africa’s Romano Saincic, who all carded 218s, amateur Anthony Gutierez of the US (222), Korean Hwang Myung Chal and Argentine Emilio Parodi, who both had 228, Park Jun Sung of Korea (229), American Nathan Ouimette (230), Korean Kim Chang Hoi (231), Greg Gonzalez of the US (234) and Venezuela’s Rafael Parra (235).

violated, with Philracom veterinarians residing near the racing club/s assigned to monitor the activity together with the clubs’ veterinarians.

Racing clubs are also required to ensure the necessary precautions to prevent, contain and mitigate the possible transmission of the COVID-19 within their club’s premises in accordance with the general preventive measures by the Department of Heath.

The clubs are also told to expect regular visits and monitoring of their betting facilities by the commission and the Games and Amusements Board racing personnel. Buencamino

Tokyo, there is no option of cancellation at all.”

Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto said: “Neither the IOC nor the organising committee is thinking about delaying or cancelling the Games at all.”

Asked about the possibility of scaling back the number of spectators, Hashimoto said: “We are not thinking about that at all.”

In Melbourne, drivers were just hours from the first practice session when the season-opening Australian Grand Prix was axed on Friday, after a McLaren team member was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The last-minute cancellation raises fears for other races including next week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, which has already barred fans.

The Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed, while the inaugural Formula One race in Vietnam on April 5 is also at risk.

The Players Championship was called off after the first round as the PGA Tour cancelled another four tournaments leading up to the Masters, starting on April 8.

Premier League chiefs will hold emergency talks later on Friday “regarding future fixtures”, which look uncertain with Arsenal and Chelsea both in lockdown.

Arsenal’s game against Brighton was postponed after Arteta’s positive test, before Chelsea’s HudsonOdoi became the first Premier League player confirmed with the coronavirus.

Leicester City and Manchester City also have players in isolation because of fears over the disease.

Spain’s top two divisions have been suspended for at least two weeks after Real Madrid put its team in quarantine, while Italy’s Serie A is on hold and France’s Ligue 1 will continue in empty stadiums. AFP

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

Baseball Classic, MPBL finals postponed

By Peter Atencio THE World Baseball Classic qualifying round won’t push through as scheduled.

Organizers said this is part of Major League Baseball’s response to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

The WBC, which was supposed to be held in Tuczon, Arizona, will be a two six-team tournament, with the winners and runners-up from both tournaments gaining entry into the 2021 WBC. The first of these tournaments was set to take place from Friday through Wednesday, featuring South Africa, France, Germany, Nicaragua, Brazil and Pakistan.

The second was to run from March 20 to 25, with Great Britain, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Czech Republic, Panama and Spain making up the field.

The Philippines was supposed to field in in New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow.

Major League Baseball also announced in their website last Thursday that Spring Training games have been suspended and opening day of the 2020 campaign will be delayed by at least two weeks.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League are taking a proactive stance to the pandemic as they have decided to suspend indefinitely the division finals of the Lakan Season on Thursday night.

Among the affected matches were the Game 3 title deciders of both the North, between the San Juan Knights and the Makati Super Crunch, and South, between the Davao Occidental Tigers and Basilan Steel, slated on Saturday and the National Finals between the division champions.

“Public safety is our priority,” said MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes. “We don’t want to risk our players, spectators, team members and MPBL personnel contacting COVID-19.”

MPBL CEO Sen. Manny Pacquiao decided to suspend the remaining games because of the prevailing situation worldwide.

Though the MPBL has implemented precautionary measures such as temperature reading and deployment of health workers at the venues.

Organizers feel there are dangers involved, especially with the overflow crowd in the South Game 1 held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte and Game 2 staged in Lamitan City, Basilan.

The Steel bested the Tigers, 74-72, in the opener, but the Tigers levelled the series by taking Game 2, 81-76.

Meantime, the North playoffs saw the Knights, the MPBL Datu Cup champions, dump the Super Crunch, 76-60, in Game 1.

But the Super Crunch struck back, 91-88, in a game held behind closed doors at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

In football, the continuing spread of coronavirus has prompted the Philippine Football Federation and Philippines Football League to postpone the Philippines Football League.

The PFL was supposed to have a kick-off that was originally scheduled on March 21, and tournament was to go on until April 18.

The PFF and PFL is encouraging all football stakeholders and the general public to be mindful always of the risks posed by COVID-19, and by observing the recommendations on how to avoid the virus, by being safe and healthy during these times, and to help the nation combat the spread of COVID- 19.

A man wearing a face mask walks in the tunnel of a metro station with the board of the official 2020 Summer Olympics advertisment in Tokyo. Japan and Olympic organizers are at pains to insist this summer’s Games in Tokyo are on, despite the new coronavirus outbreak. AFP

Worldwide sports collapse piles pressure on Olympics

T

OKYO—The collapse of sports events worldwide over the rapidly spreading new coronavirus heaped pressure on the Tokyo Olympics on Friday as US President Donald Trump suggested delaying the Games by a year.

Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix and The Players Championship, one of golf’s most prestigious events, were the latest to fall in a period when the virus has laid waste to the sporting calendar.

Football’s Premier League, with a worldwide audience of billions, is also in question after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea midfielder were confirmed to have the disease.

The PGA Tour golf season, the men’s tennis tour, NBA basketball, Major League Baseball and a host of top-flight football leagues have all been put on hold or forced behind closed doors.

The impact of COVID-19, which has

killed nearly 5,000 people according to an AFP tally, is accelerating just over four months from the Tokyo Olympics’ start on July 24.

European football chiefs will consider whether to postpone Euro 2020, this year’s other major international sports event due to start in mid-June, at a meeting next week.

Tokyo Olympics organizers, Japan’s government and the International Olympic Committee have been adamant the Games will go ahead as planned despite the global panic.

But Trump became the first foreign leader to break ranks and raise the prospect of delaying the Olym-

pics until 2021.

“Maybe they postpone it for a year,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, 19 weeks before the opening ceremony in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.

“You know, I like that better than I like having empty stadiums all over the place. I think if you cancel it, make it a year later, that’s a better alternative than doing it with no crowd,” he said.

Trump’s comments came just hours after actresses dressed as ancient Greek priestesses held the ceremonial flame-lighting at a ruined temple in the original Olympia, Greece.

‘Lots of options!’

Trump later discussed the Olympics with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe by telephone, before tweeting there were “Lots of options!”

But Tokyo’s governor Yuriko Koike was unmoved, telling reporters on Friday: “For Turn to A7

Nabunturan hosts Children’s Games DAVAO CITY—Days before President Rodrigo D. Duterte declared a state of public health emergency amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Philippine Sports Commission conducted the Unesco-cited Sports for Peace Children’s Games with sports clinics at the Assumption College of Nabunturan recently, benefiting over 300 children and youth sports volunteers in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro recently.

Some 253 kids experienced a day of fun and friendship playing action relay, kalamansi relay, sack race, tug of peace, luksong tinik, three-ball race, dragon tail and kariling.

Participants were guided by their 25 Ates and Kuyas, who underwent a one-day leadership training under PSC national consultant Dr. Sergio V. Opeña and PSC Mindanao cluster head Ed Fernandez.

Seasoned Davao City coaches Pochollo Elegino (basketball), a Jr. NBA Coach of the Year, former Davao Aguilas Football Club coach Melchor Anzures and Ateneo de Davao University collegiate volleyball coach Mario Mojica, all of the PSC-Philippine Sports Institute, spearheaded the sports clinics to about 35 children.

Twelve-year-old Axel Dave Alivio, a sixth grader of Central Elementary School, thanked organizers for the opportunity to play outdoors with other children his age.

Alivio, who is from Pangantusan, Nabunturan, said, “Makalingaw kay nakadula mi sa mga dula nga dili namo perminte madula kay sa balay ug eskwelahan mag basketball ug ML raman

TUG OF PEACE. Participants of the Tug of Peace pull the rope during the PSC Sports for Peace Children’s Games in Nabunturan, Davao De Oro recently.

mi. Tapos maka proud kay kaduha lang mi napildi saamong mga dula (It was fun to play games we haven’t played before since we only play basketball and Mobile Legends at home. I’m proud we only lost in two games).”

He was thankful to have found five new friends during the event and he is excited to play with them even after the PSC-backed activity.

Meanwhile, Ycel Kim Cruz was amazed to see a lot of kids playing all at the same time.

“First time nako magdula kauban ang lahi-lahi na mga bata ug nakita nako si Jollibbee (It’s my first time

to play with a lot of kids and to see Jollibbee),” Cruz, of Purok 14 Nabunturan, said.

Participants were treated to free Jollibee snacks and lunch during the games and the clinics.

FMA Assumption College of Nabunturan president Sr. Myrna D. taganas, FMA, for her part, underscored the sports as a unifying factor where differences do not matter.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has been reiterating the importance of early peacemaking among children regardless of their socio-economic status, culture and religion.

Health department disinfects New Clark City Athletes’ Village THE New Clark City Athletes’ Village has undergone extensive cleaning and sanitation, after repatriates from the MV Diamond Princess completed their quarantine on March 11.

Wearing full protective gears, personnel from the Department of Health-

Central Luzon Center for Health Development disinfected and sanitized all the rooms used during the isolation of 445 repatriates from the cruise ship.

“We would like to assure everyone, especially those residing in the adjacent communities of New Clark City, that the

Athletes’ Village has been thoroughly sanitized by the DOH,” said BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon.

The DOH earlier announced that the rooms used by two crew members who tested positive for COVID-19 were immediately and thor-

oughly disinfected after they were transferred to the hospital.

“New Clark City will remain on lockdown in accordance with the government’s directive to the public to refrain from visiting public places,” Dizon added.

PBA Press Corps resets Awards Night THE PBA Press Corps decided to suspend at the last minute the staging of its 2019 Awards Night in the aftermath of President D u t e r t e’s order imposing a ‘c o m m u nity quarantine’ in the entire Metro Manila area to prevent the continuous Austria spread of the coronavirus disease.

The affair was scheduled to be held on March 16 at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City, or a day after the full implement ation of the safety measures which Cone the President announced Thursday night.

The decision to reschedule the event at a later date is to ensure the health and safety of the awardees, guests, friends, and members of the working press.

Highlight of the event, now on its 26th year and presented by CIGNAL TV, is the naming of the Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year award, being disputed by champion mentors Leo Austria of San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra’s Tim Cone.

The PBAPC had earlier announced the first batch of awardees for this year that includes six-time MVP winner June Mar Fajardo (Order of Merit), CJ Perez (Scoring champion), D-League Finals MVPs (Thirdy Ravena and Hesed Gabo), All-Interview Team (Kiefer Ravena, Christian Standhardinger, Vic Manuel, Arwind Santos, Beau Belga, and coach Yeng Guiao), All-Rookie Team (Perez, Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, Bobby Ray Parks, and Abu Tratter), and Game of the Season (NLEX vs.

NorthPort).

At the same time, the PBAPC extends its gratitude to the management of Novotel Manila for giving the group utmost flexibility following its move to call off the awards night even late in the day.

IN BRIEF

PAGCOR contributes P2b to fight COVID-19

STATE-RUN Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. on Friday said it donated P2 billion to the government to join the fight against the dreaded coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

PAGCOR said in a statement it turned over the amount to the Office of the President on March 11, 2020 to help fund the government’s efforts in its fight against the virus that originated in Wuhan, China and claimed the lives of more than 4,000 lives globally.

“The P2 billion was remitted to the Socio-Civic Projects Fund under the Office of the President in response to Proclamation No. 922, declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines brought about by the COVID-19 virus,” PAGCOR chairman and chief executive Andrea Domingo said.

She further said the government had been addressing the need for additional funds to support the Department of Health in combating the pandemic. Among these are the procurement of personal protective equipment, operating expenses of the Bureau of Quarantine and support for the tests being conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Julito G. Rada

Business

NEA ups collections from electric co-ops

STATE-RUN National Electrification Administration ended 2019 with a collection of over P2 billion in loan amortization payments from electric cooperatives.

The agency, based on the collection performance report submitted by the NEA Finance Services Department to Administrator Edgardo Masongsong, collected P2.297 billion last year, an increase of P338 million from the corporate target of P1.959 billion.

The agency attributed the improvement in collection performance to the increase in advanced payment of amortizations and outstanding loans of the ECs. “The early payment of outstanding loans by some ECs amounting to P94.35 million and increase in advance payment made by ECs of P283 million contributed to the attainment of high collection efficiency,” Milagros Robles, acting director of Finance Services Department, said in a statement.

The 2019 collections also surpassed the P2.263 billion that NEA collected in 2018 by at least 15 percent.

Alena Mae S. Flores

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TELEPERFORMANCE AWARD. Teleperformance in the Philippines wins a gold award in the 55th Anvil Awards for its advocacy program HIV Awareness Program: Building a Circle of Advocates. The Anvil Awards is presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. It is the symbol of excellence in public relations. It is awarded to outstanding public relations programs and tools. Photos shows Teleperformance employees receiving the gold award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines during the 55th Anvil Awards held at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel on February 28, 2020.

Dominguez orders SSS, GSIS to boost PH stocks F

By Julito G. Rada

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ordered state-run pension funds Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System to support the reeling local bourse by increasing their daily investments to counter the impact of the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, to financial markets.

In a Viber message to reporters Friday, Dominguez said he instructed GSIS and SSS to “take advantage of the low stock prices as well as to support the stock market by at least doubling their daily average purchase volumes of last year.”

Dominguez did not say how much investments SSS and GSIS had made in stocks right now. “I don’t have those figures,” he said.

He said in an earlier comment the country and the government had all the tools—medical, financial, and monetary—to successfully handle the current situation.

Dominguez’s instruction came after the stock market on Thursday suf-

fered its second biggest single-day loss since the global financial crisis in 2008.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index plunged to a seven-year low after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 as a pandemic.

The 30-company Phisix sank 616 points, or 9.7 percent, to close at 5,736.27 Thursday. It was the second worst one-day drop since Oct. 27, 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis.

It plunged deeper by 10.33 percent at 2:53 p.m., triggering the circuit breaker that allowed the bourse to implement a 15-minute trading halt. The break aimed to give investors time to digest

the impact of an unusual market drop and help restore normalcy to the stock market.

The index was down more than 2,000 points, or 26.6 percent since the start of the year that signaled a bear market.

Anxiety over the virus heightened after the government reported new COVID-19 cases in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte underwent a precautionary test for the virus, along with Senator Bong Go, while Dominguez, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno and other Cabinet secretaries and a number of senators decided to go on a self-quarantine after they were exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

Dominguez also said the DoF secured P2.5 billion and P450 million from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, respectively, to fund the program of the Department of Health to combat the disease. Part of the funds will be use to finance the acquisition of the test kits.

“Moreover, the DoF successfully negotiated for the ADB to give a $3-million grant to the DoH for COVID-19 control,” Dominguez said.

Peso weakens to 15-day low of 51.03 vs dollar THE peso on Friday weakened Friday to a 15-day low against the US dollar as the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 continues to batter financial markets.

The local currency shed P0.18 to close at 51.03 per dollar from 50.85 a day ago. It was its weakest level since the 51.035 on Feb. 26, 2020. Total volume traded stood at $1.416 billion, up from $1.375 billion earlier.

But the Department of Finance said the peso remained firm despite the volatilities in the global economy, made more uncertain by the spread of COVID-19, the collapse of global stock markets and trade restrictions imposed on each other by the world’s top trading economies.

In an economic bulletin on currency issued Friday, the DoF said the peso, as of March 10, 2020, ranked fourth among the top currencies in Southeast Asia that maintained their value against the US dollar.

“Year-to-date, the peso appreciated by 0.28 percent relative to the US dollar, ranking fourth behind the Japanese yen, Hong Kong dollar and Chinese renminbi which all appreciated against the US dollar. All the other currencies depreciated against the US dollar,” the DoF said.

“The peso-dollar exchange rate also remains stable throughout the period, its coefficient of variation at 0.27 percent, ranking second behind the Vietnamese dong among 12 regional currencies and lower than the 1.19 percent Asian average. The Vietnamese dong was the beneficiary of export producers moving out from China,” it said.

Julito G. Rada

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

PAL, AirAsia, CEB suspend all domestic flights to NAIA

DBP raises funding for big infra projects

STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines, the 10th largest lender in terms of assets, will expand its assistance to the government’s big-ticket infrastructure projects through its Infrastructure Contractors Support program.

DBP president and chief executive Emmanuel Herbosa said in a statement Friday the bank aimed to broaden its financing support to high-impact public infrastructure projects such as tollways, bridges, railways and other mass transport systems that would enhance the country’s competitiveness and address problems caused by rapid urbanization.

“DBP is prepared to expand its support to the government’s priority infrastructure projects dealing with transport and mobility to improve the country’s competitiveness standing,” Herbosa said.

“We want to further build on the success of our ICONS program,” he said.

DBP has been designated as the infrastructure bank by the national government. As of end-2019, DBP’s total loan portfolio stood at P413.9 billion, up 25.9 percent from the P328.62 billion recorded in 2018. Julito G. Rada

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

GENDER EQUALITY RITE. Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. joins other global exchanges in the annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality program by hosting a closing bell event on March 11. Shown are PSE directors, guests and the bourse’s women employees joining the bell-ringing ceremony.

Ayala allots P275.1b in 2020 to fund property, telecom businesses

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. earmarked P275.1 billion in capital expenditures this year, up 30 percent from the actual spending of P215 billion in 2019, as core businesses continue to execute their growth strategies despite current market conditions.

Ayala said during a recent investors’ briefing unit Ayala Land Inc. would account for 42 percent of the total group capital spending for this year, followed

by Globe Telecom Inc. at 23 percent.

The group’s power generation unit AC Energy Inc. will account 16 percent of the total capital spending, while Manila Water Co. Inc. and Bank of the Phil-

ippine Islands will share nine percent and two percent, respectively.

Parent Ayala will spend P20.8 billion to fund the expansion of emerging businesses in its portfolio. These include infrastructure, health, manufacturing as well as its recent venture in Myanmar through a joint venture with Yoma Group.

Ayala in 2019 registered a net income of ₱35.3 billion, up 11 percent, backed by the strong consumer-driven revenue growth of Ayala Land, BPI and Globe.

Divestments gains of ₱23.6 billion from AC Education and AC Energy also helped temper a loss of ₱18.1 billion arising from the group’s reduced stake in Manila Water and the ₱2.4-billion net

loss incurred by AC Industrials.

Meanwhile, the conglomerate said AC Energy continued to build up its renewables portfolio with a current attributable capacity of over 1,800 megawatts.

Some 1,200 MW of various solar and wind projects in the pipeline are expected to reach financial closing this year.

The new projects will bring AC Energy’s renewable energy capacity close to 2,000 MW by the end of 2020, in line with its goal of achieving 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025.

The conglomerate in December announced a P10-billion share buyback program in a bid to enhance shareholders’ value.

LOCAL airlines on Friday announced the cancellation of all domestic flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport starting March 15 in compliance with the government’s directive imposing travel restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Philippine Airlines, Air Asia Philippines and Cebu Pacific called off all domestic flights to and from NAIA from March 15 to April 14.

The cancellation of flights aims to protect the public from COVID-19.

Clark International Airport, meanwhile, is ready and has the capacity for the expected influx of passengers.

Air Asia said flights not bound for Manila out of other hubs in the Philippines—Clark, Cebu and Kalibo—will continue their normal operations.

The budget airline is also offering passengers the option to make voluntary changes to their travel plans at no cost for domestic and international fights in the Philippines.

Air Asia said 102 domestic flights in and out of Manila in a day would be affected by the travel ban.

PAL also said its international flights and domestic flights on routes to and from Cebu, Clark and Davao (other than Manila) would continue to operate from March 15 to April 14.

PAL said 66 domestic flights were affected during the period.

“Our international flights from Manila shall continue to operate,” it added.

“This is a developing situation. We shall provide further updates. As of this time, we are awaiting the official guidelines in relation to the implementation of this temporary suspension of domestic flights to/from Manila,” PAL said.

PAL is also offering free rebooking for the affected flights or refund the full cost of the ticket with waivers of refund fees.

Budget surplus in January down by 48% to P23b THE government posted a P23-billion budget surplus in January this year, down 48 percent or P21.5 billion from last year’s level, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

The BTR said in a statement the lower surplus was a result of the 28-percent acceleration in government disbursements for the month that outpaced the 14.8-percent rise in revenue collection.

Data showed the January collections of P294.6 billion rose 14.8 percent or P37.9 billion from P256.7 billion in the same period a year ago.

“Of the total, 86 percent or P253.9 billion was sourced from tax collections while the remaining 14 percent or P40.8 billion came from non-tax revenue,” the Treasury said.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue achieved a 5.30-percent year-over-year increase in its January collections, which reached P194.9 billion. Collections by the Bureau of Customs amounting to P55.9 billion notched a double-digit growth of 15.5 percent over similar collections booked in January 2019.

Total income collected by the Bureau of the Treasury rose to P28.4 billion, almost three times last year’s P9.6 billion. The increase was propelled by the P17.3-billion dividend remittance from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and P1.4-billion increase in Bond Sinking Fund (BSF) investment income.

Revenue from other offices (other non-tax including privatization proceeds and fees and charges) in the first month of the year grew 3.9 percent on year to P12.4 billion.

Government spending for the month rose 28 percent or P59.4 billion to P271.6 billion over comparable disbursements in 2019.

“The acceleration in expenditure for the month was attributed to the timely release of the January 20201 Internal Revenue Allotment along with funds for the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as well as payments for negotiated checks issued in the latter part of 2019,” the Treasury said. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rebound; ICTSI advances T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE stock market rebounded Friday on last-minute bargain hunting, erasing early losses of more than 10 percent that again triggered the circuit breaker.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 57.67 points, or 1 percent, to 5,793.94 on a value turnover of P10.7 billion.

The index plunged 10.4 percent in the first minutes of trading to 5,138.04, triggering another 15-minute circuit breaker to give investors time to calm down.

Losers, however, beat gainers, 139 to 87, with 36 issues unchanged.

Analysts said investors reacted negatively on the month-long community lockdown of Metro Manila announced

by Malacañang Thursday evening.

Philstocks Financial Inc. said the market was boosted by reports that Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III instructed the government pension funds to increase their equities holdings to help bolster the local stock market.

“Panic sellers turned into bargain hunters after (big losses) triggered circuit breakers early in the session that temporarily halted trading for the second time this week,” Luis Limlingan, managing director of Regina Capital Development Corp., said.

“US Futures also began trading higher as indices have been vastly oversold this week,” he added.

But the rest of Asian equities tumbled, extending a global rout that saw markets experience their worst day in decades as fears of a worldwide recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic wiped trillions off valuations.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender

in terms of assets, advanced 5.8 percent to P127, while parent SM Investments Corp. climbed 5.2 percent to P831.50.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, rose 6.2 percent to P85, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest telecommunications firm, climbed 5.2 percent to P1,830.

Shellshocked investors in the rest of Asia, meanwhile, fled for the hills as governments across Europe and in the United States struggled to get a grip on the crisis that has swept the planet and shut communities down.

However, after a morning session wipeout across the region, most markets clawed back losses, even if they were still in negative territory as traders picked up bargain-basement stocks.

Tokyo, which fell as much as 10 percent at one point, ended down 6.1 percent, while Hong Kong was 1.6 percent lower in the afternoon having plunged around seven percent earlier.

Seoul, Bangkok and Singapore all managed to cut their losses by more than half, while Mumbai was up more than two percent just hours after a trading halt kicked in because it had fallen more than nine percent.

Shanghai ended down 1.2 percent.

Central bank moves to support financial markets have failed to staunch the bloodletting, while Donald Trump’s decision to shut the US border to European travelers added to the panic.

“Markets remain in a freefall as uncertainty persists with no reliable anchor which can create near-term stability,” Ben Emons, at Medley Global Advisors in New York, said.

“Despite continued uncertainty over the coronavirus spread, some market players with more optimistic outlooks will see current levels as good buying opportunities for medium and long term plays,” Nick Twidale, at IC Markets in Sydney. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Friday, March 13, 2020

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 48 19,500 68 3,398,170 127 4,985,210 0.76 17,000 20.95 99,100 17 64,400 8.9 415,100 3.25 102,000 6.11 200 1.03 7,000 0.31 1,010,000 45.2 6,392,300 0.58 312,000 10.6 203,600 17 4,300 24.35 1,209,600 148 2,110 43.95 1,900 18.2 80,200 126 1,161,680 1,485 110 56.1 45,830 1.15 142,000

863,455 218,573,856.50 604,011,766.50 12,820 1,984,488 1,094,886 3,535,710 298,410 1,222 7,210 314,000 280,733,340 174,270 1,506,949 73,100 27,026,590 312,240 75,240 1,458,446 140,461,308 170,600 2,456,294 144,760

325,575 -54,909,004 -100,692,319 -512,216 -33,920 -1,193,805 -78,362,070 50,930 15,300 -21,900,975 6,900 -58,486,536 -683,212 9,090

22.25 1.39 5.81 0.47 0.9 1.85 0.152 0.9 12.32 125 3.6 13.04 25 49.95 50 1.75 4.5 3.01 5.03 6.5 5.8 8.34 1.82 14 48 1 31.9 0.83 11.02 4 0.91 124.5 28 3.8 3.01 5.22 8.52 5.3 10.52 210.2 0.121 2.56 1.4 3.3 2.56 7.9 6.61 20.05 3.8 4.6 1.22 1.43 0.5 6.24 58 6.91 0.115 0.6 100 2.35 0.84 12 0.5

INDUSTRIAL 25.2 5,300,400 1.75 5,452,000 6.4 2,276,900 0.52 2,035,000 0.91 895,000 2.02 2,882,000 0.169 15,820,000 1.02 6,440,000 13.1 535,400 140 230 4.95 753,000 14.52 623,100 25 300 49.95 630 55 240 1.76 337,000 4.5 100,000 3.2 108,000 5.1 13,423,300 7.1 341,300 6.15 108,900 9.01 38,814,200 2.35 7,350,000 15.9 2,150,100 55.05 162,380 1.21 19,868,000 33.7 9,300 0.9 1,689,000 13.1 286,900 4.16 927,000 0.91 409,000 140.5 2,203,770 28 100 4.8 80,000 3.15 7,000 6.2 3,500 9.84 3,815,200 5.58 725,600 10.8 1,011,900 240 615,910 0.15 290,000 4.98 1,100 1.5 270,000 3.3 3,000 2.66 4,420,000 9.4 18,600 9.64 264,800 21 266,200 3.9 27,000 4.94 28,000 1.35 889,000 1.43 2,000 0.71 794,000 6.29 208,800 58.5 303,600 7.37 567,300 1,030,000 0.119 0.68 378,000 119 3,027,200 2.35 820,000 1 2,822,000 12 3,000 0.6 1,292,000

130,259,580 8,565,280 14,624,925 1,002,940 832,750 5,685,720 2,492,540 6,243,670 6,777,400 31,500 3,290,780 8,125,774 7,500 31,468.50 12,600 594,760 451,500 345,320 68,507,326 2,430,290 654,942 327,493,549 15,544,230 32,541,524 8,361,231.50 22,583,800 304,110 1,477,430 3,654,200 3,876,440 413,390 305,207,512 2,800 326,000 21,210 18,626 36,348,040 4,022,220 10,880,704 144,087,740 35,990 4,078 393,340 9,900 11,593,510 149,200 2,529,087 5,553,895 105,400 131,900 1,152,700 2,860 505,540 1,327,981 18,085,893 4,061,020 121,170 240,910 353,534,841 1,935,400 2,700,680 36,000 725,700

-31,803,020 1,358,380 -57,835 24,900 19,000 -1,653,520 -2,355,000 -528,410 2,538,952 -218,770 -8,100,448.00 155,560 -36,124,067 -932,754 -252,568,799 -51,230 5,334,816 -823,773 871,270 -446,350 14,406 -783,150 13,781,696 -19,000 6,786 -11,206,326 -1,765,909 -5,435,086 -54,288,372 4,500 -11,330 -6,200,380 -2,897,610 -9,450 36,600 -677,008 -1,574,168.50 537,295 -24,000 -169,470 -23,711,326 1,933,000 99,000 -3,000

6,982,215 124,520,355 292,893,901 34,650 112,601 239,381 1,989,790 551,356,260 2,097,290 14,253,918 72,845,590 462,857 151,500 94,684,706 1,004,400 314,185,324 2,098,800 100,032 640,170 164,350 2,823,440 14,059,698 21,700 339,688,000 87,080 51,840 258,000 25,633,741 1,214,304,745 175,140 517,780 46,850 129,256 144,400 250,770

134,300 -66,584,250 -29,480,056 88,151 37,000 -238,474,420 2,322,321 -49,464,810.00 -10,450 -141,400 -22,502,046 -1,004,400 -125,482,837.50 1,064,610 -5,312,493 -120,863,180 22,500 -6,009,975 299,005,935 -56,663 25,000

8,209,860 4,933,130 900 251,490 1,047,734,280 1,253,040 1,063,450 855,977 2,048,400 240,420 92,790 44,550 117,000 2,018,075 29,638,450 134,050 20,443,440 512,270 103,074,130 1,889,980 1,167,900 2,319,860 57,700 1,178,750 45,173,024

-56,000 -26,000 27,500 -326,052,685 30,300 -19,440 -218,365 41,000 19,500 33,590 725,798 -2,510,498 -12,786,520 -17,000 -61,619,520 26,000 -180,000 56,600 -830 -25,319,698

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

43.5 61.6 112.8 0.75 21 17.3 9 3.01 6.11 1.03 0.305 42.5 0.55 10.22 17 25 149 45 18.4 118.5 1,650 52 1.17

48 68 129.6 0.76 21 17.3 9 3.25 6.11 1.03 0.32 47.3 0.6 10.6 17 25 149 45 18.5 127.9 1,650 56.6 1.17

41.8 59 99 0.75 18 16.9 8 2.89 6.11 1.03 0.305 40.8 0.54 5.32 17 22 147 34.05 17.5 112.3 1,450 52 1.01

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL 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 LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY 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 VIVANT VULCAN INDL

24.95 1.41 6.19 0.54 0.96 1.97 0.17 1 13 140 3.95 13.22 25 49.95 50 1.77 4.8 3.01 5.6 7.2 6.02 8.39 2.06 14.26 55 1.08 33.8 0.94 12.5 4.25 1.01 145 28 4.3 3.01 5.3 9.5 5.75 11.02 220 0.121 2.56 1.48 3.3 2.76 8 9 22 3.8 4.61 1.28 1.43 0.7 6.38 60 7.5 0.115 0.6 109.1 2.4 0.98 12 0.5

27 1.75 6.5 0.54 0.96 2.04 0.17 1.03 13.1 140 5 14.52 25 49.95 55 1.8 4.8 3.25 5.6 7.7 6.15 9.1 2.49 16.36 55.2 1.23 33.8 0.94 13.1 4.35 1.07 145 28 4.8 3.15 6.2 10.28 5.75 11.18 253 0.15 4.98 1.5 3.3 2.76 9.4 9.8 22 4 4.95 1.39 1.43 0.71 6.8 65 7.55 0.12 0.68 121.7 2.4 1.01 12 0.61

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

1.76 2.75 28 2.19 1.13 5.8 4.01

1.88 3 32.2 2.31 1.24 5.8 4.14

1.7 2.75 27 1.85 1.02 5.13 3.71

1.7 2.9 30 2.16 1.22 5.55 4.07

970,000 116,000 32,331,700 241,000 1,616,000 17,481,200 255,000

1,689,800 335,610 972,686,710 483,430 1,832,770 96,925,162 988,720

-324,583,885 -8,490,074 -

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES 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 RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

6 15.7 1.2 8.19 0.32 0.037 16.28 1.8 5.97 0.028 45 6.02 2.4 1.61 5.21 830 1,690 5 300.2 12.88 0.71 1.1 80.05 0.078 1.04 1.43 11.32 1.33 0.7 5.7 0.38 2 1.38 1.4 1.24 1.16 1.8 6.1 3.21 7.9 145 1.49 920 0.325 0.206 30.6 48.1 1.05 0.43 0.15 0.43 13.8

6.05 18.5 1.2 8.19 0.33 0.043 16.28 2.35 6.3 0.031 52.85 6.02 2.69 1.61 5.21 830 1,853 5.1 355.4 12.88 0.75 1.14 88 0.079 1.2 1.97 11.32 1.33 0.73 6.2 0.39 2 1.42 1.8 1.9 1.38 1.8 6.2 3.22 8.96 145 1.49 1,059 0.35 0.21 33 57 1.21 0.435 0.158 0.43 15.5

4.5 14.8 1.2 7.03 0.3 0.037 16.1 1.5 5.7 0.027 45 6 2 1.61 4.85 830 1,590 4.7 270 12.88 0.56 1.1 72 0.078 1 1.43 11 1.13 0.7 4.84 0.35 1.99 1.16 1.21 1.24 1 1.7 5.5 3.2 7.9 140 1.2 880 0.305 0.181 29.85 48 1.01 0.38 0.15 0.36 10.5

SERVICES 6.05 18.38 1.2 7.49 0.31 0.04 16.28 2.2 6.2 0.03 48 6 2.68 1.61 4.86 830 1,830 5.1 355 12.88 0.72 1.1 85 0.078 1.18 1.97 11 1.25 0.73 5.99 0.39 1.99 1.35 1.72 1.89 1.36 1.73 5.99 3.22 8.96 142 1.48 1,029 0.34 0.21 31.9 54 1.2 0.435 0.158 0.425 15.5

84,600 814,300 20,000 1,983,200 1,030,000 4,100,000 10,000 93,000 14,488,800 14,700,000 573,610 17,000 1,490,000 2,000 60,100 10 158,395 448,900 1,430 100 2,236,000 46,000 4,499,310 510,000 37,813,000 12,000 131,600 19,974,000 430,000 1,762,700 870,000 30,000 3,455,000 6,297,000 118,000 3,989,000 57,000 32,100 23,000 2,200 21,800 2,941,000 321,740 10,880,000 2,930,000 4,637,200 140,780 2,232,000 6,920,000 2,230,000 970,000 9,034,500

440,928 13,279,382 24,000 14,927,794 314,700 156,300 162,746 154,070 88,194,161 438,900 27,874,401 102,051 3,597,470 3,220 299,015 8,300 275,792,120 2,235,041 468,202 1,288 1,477,860 50,880 373,548,400.50 40,120 42,245,450 18,590 1,451,764 24,963,750 305,500 10,168,938 322,100 59,970 4,611,620 9,680,520 183,420 4,543,580 99,610 182,313 73,890 17,592 3,093,570 3,955,480 311,671,435 3,504,750 587,760 147,616,365 7,403,279.50 2,506,670 2,945,150 337,950 379,200 124,829,646

46,980 -3,673,418 19,536 -6,787,518 -11,592,678 95,451 -35,880 67,001,785 61,702,012.50 90,860 8,800 -1,597,002 2,394,910.00 -50,280 -1,800 -4,660.00 3,200 212,800 -613,920 -94,299,780 38,200 -39,638,410 -2,267,126.50 131,290 -1,649,550 -12,080 -167,850 3,695,638

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

0.0011 5.64 0.7 1.9 10.6 0.96 2.5 0.26 5.98 0.5 0.184 0.09 0.08 0.0057 0.005 0.51 1.67 0.8 0.495 0.01 2.1 4.3 14.38 0.004

0.0012 5.64 0.75 1.9 10.6 0.96 2.6 0.26 6.7 0.64 0.184 0.09 0.085 0.0058 0.005 0.56 1.95 0.86 0.495 0.01 2.24 4.8 14.38 0.004

0.0011 5 0.65 1.8 9 0.96 2.5 0.25 5.54 0.46 0.178 0.07 0.08 0.0057 0.005 0.51 1.45 0.8 0.49 0.009 2 4.1 11.42 0.004

MINING & OIL 0.0012 93,000,000 5.39 406,400 0.75 2,902,000 1.8 25,000 10.6 25,900 0.96 5,000 2.6 124,000 0.25 500,000 6.2 18,600 0.61 5,903,000 0.184 4,500,000 0.085 6,130,000 0.085 1,510,000 0.0058 5,000,000 0.005 1,000,000 0.56 108,000 1.86 5,764,000 0.83 103,000 0.495 43,000 0.009 16,000,000 2.24 1,060,000 4.5 603,000 12.8 5,069,600 0.004 1,000,000

103,100 2,068,618 2,012,450 45,500 258,008 4,800 319,100 126,300 109,481 3,268,110 825,380 451,590 120,850 28,900 5,000 56,580 9,793,000 87,410 21,245 152,000 2,215,980 2,708,960 64,205,374 4,000

-92,267 73,330 27,500 15,600 17,030 -4,715,150 3,960 -160,500 760,820 -27,800,498 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B ALCO PREF C CPG PREF A DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

15.54 500 498 100.5 100.2 102 100.6 502 4.7 1,000 990 100.9 100.5 1,049 1,061 99.6 103 1,015 78 75.8 76 76 75.75 75.75 76.5

16 505 500 102.3 100.2 102 102 502 5.07 1,000 990 100.9 100.5 1,050 1,061 101 105 1,015 78 75.9 76 76.9 75.75 75.75 76.85

14 500 498 100.5 100.2 101 100.6 502 4.55 1,000 990 100 100 1,047 1,061 99.6 103 1,006 77.95 75.4 76 76 75.45 75.75 76.5

PREERRED 16 78,600 505 2,690 498 810 102.3 3,510 100.2 500 101 13,210 101 49,010 502 12,400 5.07 57,000 420 1,000 990 10,890 100 18,710 100.4 290,730 1,047 12,450 1,061 34,680 101 10,720 105 360 1,010 1,990 77.95 5,500 75.4 78,800 76 27,900 76.9 10,300 75.45 23,500 75.75 17,400 76.85 66,500

1,179,110 1,345,450 403,400 353,624 50,100 1,338,020 4,948,420 6,224,800 267,715 420,000 10,781,100 1,871,099 29,153,683 13,059,325 36,795,480 1,073,812 37,560 2,011,550 428,975 5,944,056 2,120,400 783,430 1,777,577.50 1,318,050 5,094,775

215,586 -99,559 -

LR WARRANT

0.72

0.72

0.71

WARRANTS 0.71 3,000

2,140

-

1,112,340 755,962 1,304,460

18,450 -6,210 -43,500

18,330,685.50

-397,006.50

50,418 100,364.20 95

-

NAME

MS

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

0.52 35.45 9.55 0.55 5.8 7.4 0.68 550 1.84 6 4.31 9.5 0.202 550 3.6 50.45 6.36 5.21 5.51 0.43 3.68 7.4 0.27 2.84 2.4 0.75 2.5 109 725 0.52 0.9 182 140 0.19 0.131

0.55 38.5 9.75 0.55 6 7.9 0.7 594 1.86 6.05 5.06 10 0.202 586 3.6 54.7 6.36 5.21 5.51 0.43 3.68 7.52 0.52 3.27 2.7 0.79 2.5 110 847.5 0.73 0.9 182 145 0.19 0.146

0.46 33.1 8.8 0.55 5.7 6.32 0.65 519 1.66 5.32 4.31 9.5 0.202 470 3.6 42 6.36 5.21 5.5 0.415 3.48 6.75 0.27 2.61 2.4 0.75 2.48 98 685 0.52 0.8 170 125 0.19 0.125

HOLDING FIRMS 0.54 13,632,000 38 3,451,500 9.05 32,285,100 0.55 63,000 6 19,400 6.7 35,600 0.69 2,969,000 570 973,350 1.82 1,220,000 5.71 2,493,800 5.02 14,895,000 10 47,600 0.202 750,000 570 171,410 3.6 279,000 54.2 6,096,540 6.36 330,000 5.21 19,200 5.5 116,200 0.415 390,000 3.66 794,000 7.13 1,974,700 0.52 60,000 3.2 110,016,000 2.63 33,000 0.79 68,000 2.48 104,000 109.5 246,390 831.5 1,530,940 0.71 272,000 0.88 589,000 170 270 145 990 0.19 760,000 0.146 1,920,000

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT 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 0.56 9 0.55 31.1 1.32 4.01 5.72 0.44 0.7 0.73 0.135 0.28 7.12 14.38 0.32 0.92 0.86 2.75 0.139 0.3 0.68 0.25 1.3 16.92

14.02 0.66 9 0.65 33.8 1.35 4.2 6 0.44 0.7 0.75 0.135 0.28 7.5 16.16 0.32 1.03 0.86 2.9 0.139 0.36 0.7 0.255 1.89 18

14 0.51 9 0.55 30 1.2 3.88 5.23 0.4 0.65 0.68 0.135 0.27 6.4 11 0.3 0.8 0.8 2.52 0.105 0.3 0.55 0.25 1.08 15.8

PROPERTY 14 586,000 0.64 8,191,000 9 100 0.62 423,000 33 32,470,900 1.34 980,000 4.15 266,000 6 151,200 0.43 4,980,000 0.7 362,000 0.75 132,000 330,000 0.135 0.27 430,000 7.5 298,900 15.98 2,070,300 0.315 440,000 0.96 21,650,000 0.85 603,000 2.88 37,048,000 0.13 15,100,000 0.36 3,450,000 0.7 3,451,000 0.255 230,000 1.8 839,000 17.2 2,662,400

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

1.56 5.9 0.5

1.9 6.5 0.55

1.5 5 0.4

FIRST METRO ETF

84

92

78.5

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.2 10.1 0.95

Trading Summary

10.2 10.1 0.95

SHARES

FINANCIAL

19,677,818

INDUSTRIAL

185,673,506

HOLDING FIRMS

222,591,418

PROPERTY

191,110,532

SERVICES

175,477,282

MINING & OIL

152,113,913

GRAND TOTAL

950,234,207

10 10.02 0.95

1.9 6.4 0.55

SME

638,000 129,700 2,607,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 91.05 213,920 DDS

10 10.02 0.95

5,000 10,000 100

VALUE 1,415.66 (up) 51.65 1,285,448,662.04 FINANCIAL 7,071.11 (down) 46.07 INDUSTRIAL 1,924,357,473.67 5,673.65 (up) 72.75 HOLDING FIRMS 3,399,566,315.87 PROPERTY 2,985.40 (up) 76.46 1,187.61 (up) 39.30 2,384,063,089.689 SERVICES 4,727.81 (down) 233.94 MINING & OIL 1,617,028,511.815 5,793.94 (up) 57.67 PSEI 89,018,305.74 All Shares Index 3,493.64 (up) 0.87 10,720,988,092.72 Gainers: 87; Losers: 139; Unchanged: 36; Total: 262

NLEX opens interchange in Bocaue to ease traffic

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. on Friday opened an interchange to provide another access to the public traveling to and from Bocaue and other eastern Bulacan towns.

Being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways and NLEX Corp., the new Tambubong Interchange aims to decongest traffic at the Bocaue Interchange by serving as an alternate route going to NLEX from Sta. Maria, Angat, Pandi and vice versa.

“Our motorists may now travel with ease and bypass the congestion along Gov. Halili Road in Bocaue as we are opening these entry and exit roads that will link NLEX to the eastern parts of Bulacan,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said, citing that building new roads leading to growth corridors was included in the agency’s strategic infrastructure program.

The Tambubong Interchange features a two-lane, 290-meter southbound entry; a two-lane, 180-meter northbound entry; and a three-lane, 240-meter northbound exit.

“With these new access roads, we are expecting to enhance mobility within the Bulacan road network and help alleviate heavy traffic conditions at the Bocaue Interchange,” said J. Luigi Bautista, NLEX president and general manager.

“Through the years, vehicles coming from and bound for the towns of Bocaue and Sta. Maria have grown due to their booming industries and heightened economic activities. The new interchange is expected to reduce travel time and complement other developments in Bulacan,” DPWH Region 3 director Roseller Tolentino added.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2018 cited the province as one of the viable business destinations in Luzon considering its proximity to Metro Manila and upcoming major infrastructure projects, including the proposed international airport.

The provincial government of Bulacan last year announced that a 400-hectare mega city traversing the municipalities of Pandi, Bocaue and Balagtas would also be built which comprised of manufacturing firms, warehouses, business process outsourcing companies, outlet stores and a shopping mall.

Govt partnership to ease impact of outbreak—Aboitiz GREATER and closer collaboration between the government and the private sector on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis can mitigate its impact on the Philippine economy as well as ease the people’s anxiety.

Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz conceded that the COVID-19 crisis created a lot of uncertainty. But he said the Philippines could be shielded from further disruptions if the government and private sector focused on boosting the economy and supporting the state’s COVID-19 information campaign.

“There is no question of the coronavirus’ impact on the economy,” Aboitiz said, stressing “it is during these times when the government and private sector must work closer together—really together to effectively mitigate the crisis.”

In a briefing with financial analysts on March 11, Aboitiz noted the implementation of both government- and private sector-led infrastructure projects can counter the economic impact posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

He noted Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III’s declaration that the current administration’s Build, Build, Build program will go full blast “is the right thing to do.”

“One sure way to keep the economy stimulated is the immediate implementation of the government’s infrastructure program—especially the projects of national significance,” Aboitiz said. “It generates jobs, it triggers economic activity, and there is definitely no question about the long-term benefits.”

“We in Aboitiz have always been ready to invest time and money to build the infrastructure we Filipinos deserve,” Aboitiz said.

Another way the government can further bolster the economy is by adopting policies that give preference to goods produced and services provided by Philippine manufacturers and companies, he said.

Aboitiz cited Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s instruction to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Manila International Airport Authority to defer the collection of take-off, landing and parking fees of local airlines.

World

B3

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pandemic shuts Nepal’s mountains K ATHMANDU― Nepal on Friday barred climbers from all mountains―including Everest―over the coronavirus pandemic, in a major blow to its tourism industry.

The Himalayan country, which has so far confirmed one coronavirus case, earns 4.4 million dollars a year from climbing permits while the losses to expedition organizers will be even higher.

As well as suspending all climbing permits, Nepal stopped issuing tourist visas on arrival, Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation told AFP. “The government has decided to suspend all spring expeditions and scrap permits for the time being. The deci-

sion can be reviewed after analyzing the global scenario over the coming month,” tourism minister Yogesh Bhattara told AFP. Expedition organizers and Nepal tourism professionals said the move, which came a day after China barred access from its side, was justified but would cause a financial disaster.

Nepal, still recovering from a devastating 2015 earthquake, was also hoping to attract two million tourists for the first time in 2020, celebrating it as a visit Nepal year.

US-based Furtenbach Adventures canceled a move to shift its operations to Nepal after China closed the mountain on Thursday.

“This is disappointing news for both our expedition leaders and our clients who have trained for months for this year’s climb,” expedition organizer Lukas Furtenbach said in a statement.

Every spring a tented city of hundreds of foreign climbers and support staff grows at the foot of Everest and other peaks. All have to live in close quarters.

As the air thins, breathing is already difficult at higher altitude―adding to medical risks if there is an outbreak of any kind among climbers.

“We understand the dire consequences a COVID-19 outbreak at base camp would have. Sadly, we have to agree that this is a responsible call to make right now,” Furtenbach said.

Nepal has issued only five permits for the season but none for Everest so far.

Everest attracts hundreds of mountaineers from all over the world each spring, when a window of good weather opens up between late April and the end of May, prompting a rush for the summit.

Last year’s spring window saw a record 885 people summit Everest, 644

of them from Nepal and 241 from the northern flank in Tibet.

The traffic-clogged season saw 11 deaths on the mountain, with at least four blamed on overcrowding.

But the expedition is not cheap. An Everest permit costs $11,000 and the total cost of the climb can be anything between $30,000 and $80,000.

This will be the third time in the last decade that Everest’s summit will remain empty.

Climbers abandoned the mountain after the 2015 earthquake triggered an avalanche which killed 18 people at Everest base camp before the season began.

Only one climber reached the summit in 2014, when an avalanche claimed the lives of 16 Nepali guides on the notorious Khumbu icefall that sits above base camp, forcing organisers to cancel their expeditions. AFP

US retaliates across Iraq for deadly rocket attack WASHINGTON―The US military launched air strikes against a proIranian group in Iraq following the deaths of two Americans and a Briton in a rocket attack, US military officials told AFP on Thursday.

The operation targeted five weapons facilities of the Kataeb Hezbollah armed faction across Iraq, the Pentagon said in a statement.

“These weapons storage facilities include facilities that housed weapons used to target US and coalition troops,” the statement said.

The strikes were “defensive, proportional, and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who continue to attack bases” hosting troops that are part of the international coalition fighting Islamic State jihadists.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said the United States “will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies.”

“As we have demonstrated in recent months, we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region,” he said in a statement.

Esper had earlier warned that “all options are on the table” to respond to the death of the three soldiers in a barrage of about 18 rockets on the Taji air base on Wednesday.

Troops from the United States and other countries in the Operation Inherent Resolve coalition reside at the base, and have been targets of previous rocket attacks attributed to Iranbacked Iraqi Shiite militia.

Wednesday’s attack on the Taji air base was the 22nd on US installations in Iraq, including the American embassy, since late October.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Washington has blamed Iran-backed factions from the Hashed al-Shaabi network, a state-sponsored umbrella group that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, for recent similar violence.

Fourteen others were wounded in the attack Wednesday, including Americans, Brits, and Poles. AFP

IN BRIEF First march for democracy BANGKOK―Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters marched on parliament in Bangkok Friday, wearing black T-shirts to mourn the state of Thailand under an army-aligned government, in the first street protest for several years.

Discontent with the government of exarmy chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha is seething, with a progressive opposition party disbanded and the country’s economy faltering as the COVID-19 crisis batters the key tourism industry.

Protesters have met inside university campuses in recent weeks but are now edging back onto the streets of the capital, which has played host to rival―and often deadly―rounds of street politics over the last 14 years.

Thailand voted Prayut’s conservative government into power a year ago.

It was the first election since a 2014 coup and held under an army-scripted constitution that critics say gave Prayut an unfair advantage.

The boisterous but peaceful ‘Black Friday’ rally, calling for the government to quit, is the latest reflection of his unpopularity. AFP

Iranian dissidents plot a revolution

DISINFECTION. Employees of the Istanbul Municipality wearing protective gear disinfect a subway carriage to prevent the

spread of the COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, in Istanbul on March 12, 2020. Turkey announced on March 11, 2020, its first coronavirus case, a man who had recently travelled to Europe and is in good health. Turkey has announced several measures in recent weeks to try and stop the virus reaching the country, including thermal cameras at airports, cancelling flights to affected countries and closing its border with Iran. AFP

New homes offer relief to displaced Syrians KAFR LUSIN―Hamad al-Abdallah has installed wifi and insulation in his new concrete room, trying to make the most of the desperate conditions his family has endured since fleeing Syrian regime bombardments.

They were among the lucky ones to move into the new, 24-square-meter concrete homes provided by a Turkish charity last month after almost a year living in a tent in the huge, squalid camps along Syria’s northern border with Turkey.

Abdallah fled with his wife and four children when the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, began their assault on the last rebel holdout of Idlib.

“It’s big enough and we feel comfortable,” he said, welcoming AFP into his humble new, two-bedroom house.

“If one day we can go home, we will.

But so long as the Syrian army does not pull back, we can’t because most of us

are wanted by the regime.

“With young children, we can’t try to get into Turkey either, so we will stay here,” he added.

Turkey, which already hosts more than 3.6 million Syrians, has refused to let any more enter, but its NGOs are busy building an enormous stretch of new housing inside Syrian territory to deal with the latest wave of displacement—now numbering close to a million people in Idlib.

Despite a ceasefire agreed on March 6 between Turkey and Russia, few believe the Syrian regime will back off its plans to eventually retake the province, leaving few options for the displaced.

The camps stretch out as far as the eye can see—thousands upon thousands of tents on either side of the road linking Turkey to the city of Idlib, but now with a smattering of new concreteblock houses built by Turkish NGOs. Along the dirt tracks of the camp in

the area of Kafr Lusin, children play while groups of women chat around washing lines, and a flock of sheep nose around the rubbish piles.

Many tents have their own solar panels to charge batteries and provide light.

Some occupants have managed to make a small living here—there is a hairdresser, grocery, even a dress shop—while some blocks serve as makeshift classrooms.

There are public toilets, though the smell from open sewers remains overpowering.

Ankara encouraged the construction of more permanent structures as a way to stop refugees trying to breach the border.

According to IHH, the main Turkish NGO working here, the new concrete homes are reserved for families of six or more who earned less than $150.

Spokesman Selim Tosun said the charity was aiming to build 15,000 homes, and had so far completed 1,000. AFP

MANZA, Albania―In a gleaming compound built from scratch on an Albanian hillside, thousands of Iranians dedicate their waking hours to toppling the regime in Tehran 3,000 kilometers away.

They believe the end of their exile is near.

“I think this year will be very decisive,” says Zohreh Akhiani, the 56-yearold mayor of “Ashraf 3,” a mini-city of some 2,800 exiled Iranians from the opposition movement the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI).

The dissidents hope an onslaught of crises in their homeland will aid their cause, from increasingly harsh US sanctions to recent anti-government protests and the new coronavirus, which has infected top officials.

Even if toppling Tehran is an uphill battle, unrelenting optimism fuels work in the central Albanian compound, the entrance of which is marked by a triumphal arch and metal gates.

“Victory is ours! The future is ours,” is inscribed on the arch’s pillars.

The PMOI settled in their unlikely home in Albania, a poor Balkan state in southeast Europe, under a UN and USbacked deal in 2013 after their camp in Iraq was bombed.

On farmland outside the capital Tirana, the group has built a sprawling complex with remarkable speed. The undisclosed cost of construction was funded by the diaspora and members themselves, the group says. AFP

Colliding trains injure 13 in Cairo CAIRO—Thirteen people were injured when two passenger trains collided Thursday in the Egyptian capital, the health ministry said, triggering a brief suspension in nationwide rail services.

It said the casualties of the crash involving passengers from Upper Egypt were ferried to Cairo hospitals.

The signals tower was not functioning because of bad weather conditions, the rail services said, leading to one train crashing into the other which was stationary.

Rail authorities had suspended services after the accident but later reversed its decision after “checks were carried out to ensure that all the signals were properly functioning,” a statement said.

The government had declared Thursday a holiday because of heavy rains and strong winds.

Egypt’s rundown railways have a history of disasters.

In February 2019, a hurtling locomotive crashed, derailed and caught fire at Cairo’s main train station, killing more than 20 people. AFP

Chef leaves without warning

RUSH HOUR. Commuters walk through Grand Central Terminal during rush hour on March 12, 2020, in New York City. As the coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, many professional events have been canceled and some businesses are starting to have their employees work from home. AFP

SAINT-SULPICE-LE-VERDON― Without warning prepaid customers, Michelin-star chef Thierry Drapeau has suddenly but sheepishly pulled up stakes in western France and left for Asia to start new restaurants.

A woman hoping to celebrate her 50th birthday recalled considering dining at McDonald’s after she and her husband drove 45 minutes in their best clothes only to find the restaurant closed.

The woman told AFP they had paid to reserve the occasion well in advance.

But Drapeau had closed his Logis de La Chabotterie restaurant in Saint-Sulpice-le-Verdon and his four-star hotel of the same name on March 2.

Staff were told of the closure just a few days before it took effect, a source close to the matter said.

The chef, who lost his second Michelin Guide star last year, wrote on Facebook he had decided to “live beside his wife Kim in her country, Vietnam, which had adopted him already,

in order to see their son (Tan) grow up.”

He announced he would “very soon” open his signature restaurant Thierry Drapeau in Bangkok, “as a new dream that begins,” and also “Le Cheval Blanc by Thierry Drapeau in Cambodia.

“For all those who feel wounded and betrayed by this sudden departure... thinking about them made my decision so much harder,” the chef claimed.

He did not say whether he would reimburse customers however, and AFP was unable to reach him for comment.

Sandrine, who gave only her first name, told AFP of her shock after having paid months in advance to celebrate her 50th birthday at the now one-star restaurant.

“Dressed up, we drove three-quarters of an hour with my husband to find ourselves before a closed restaurant door, without any explanation,” she said.

“However, we had received a confirmation message the night before,” she added. AFP

B4

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

C

OLLABORATION is needed to seamlessly fuse Japanese innovation with Filipino hospitality and create a unique development that will redefine the real estate market.

The Seasons Residences in Bonifacio Global City, the Japanese-inspired condominium project by Federal Land, Inc. in partnership with Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., is an example of such synergy.

Through the shared expertise of the developer and its partners, the design and structure of Seasons Residences make it more than just a technical collaboration, but of cultural harmony as well.

Industry experts from design, architecture, and engineering from both Tokyo and Manila were commissioned for the project, making Seasons Residences a masterwork of collaborative design.

SPACE VISUALIZATION The master plan is designed by Nikken Sekkei, a Japanese architectural firm ranked #2 in Building Design’s 2019 World Architecture top 100 list. Established in 1900, Nikken Sekkei has completed over 20,000 projects in 40 countries and 200 cities worldwide.

Renowned for its “space creation” and “space visualization” philosophies, the company is tasked to design the commercial area to incorporate distinct Japanese spatial characteristics.

The concept behind the façade of the podium, on the other hand, is the brainchild of Torafu Architects led

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

COLLABORATIVE DESIGN AT SEASONS RESIDENCES BGC What does it take to bring a piece of Japan to Manila? by up-and-coming designers, Koichi Suzuno and Shinya Kamuro. The company has established itself on a wide array of projects ranging from architectural design, interior design, exhibition space design, to product design. Working hand-in-hand with Torafu’s façade concept is Asao Tokolo, a modern master of pattern design and the artist behind the Tokyo Olympics 2020 emblem.

Working with Japanese partners are elite groups of Filipino architects and engineers.

Arch.

Carmelo Casas of Casas+Architects spearheads the construction process of Seasons Residences as the project architect. Known for landmarks such as the Grand Hyatt Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino, Casas+Architects is sought after for their expertise in high-rise residential

and office building design and master planning.

DAMPING TECHNOLOGY AGAINST EARTHQUAKES Since both Japan and the Philippines experience frequent earthquakes, Seasons Residences commissioned Engr.

Raul Manlapig of Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong to provide structural, wind, and seismic engineering services.

The company equips Seasons Residences with Viscoelastic Coupling Dampers (VCDs), a Japanese damping technology which absorbs wind, or quake-induced vibrations in tall buildings.

ZEN-INSPIRED To complete the Japanese aesthetics of Seasons Residences, GF & Partners provides a Zen-inspired interior design to the amenities and common areas in collaboration with Japanese partners.

Malaysian companies at Worldbex 2020 MALAYSIA External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), together with 18 Malaysian companies, are participating in the Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX) 2019 at the World Trade Centre, Manila from 18-22 March 2020.

This year marked MATRADE’s 6th participation in WORLDBEX exhibition.

Among the products to be promoted during the exhibition are fibre mastic asphalt, IBS and scaffolding system, decorative wood panel, paints and water-proofing coating, and eco-friendly flooring deck.

Malaysia will also be sharing its techno-

logical know-how in Building Information Management (BIM, as well as sustainable architecture and urban planning through series of seminars organised by Worldbex. Siti Azlina Ali Hanafiah, Malaysia trade commissioner based in Manila, said Worldbex provides a strategic platform for Malaysia to create awareness about its high quality and innovative products.

Matrade has been actively pursuing opportunities in the construction and building materials in the Philippines, thanks to the booming infrastructure industry, she added..

ARCHITECTURAL TRAILBLAZER. Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s Terminal 2 was the sole awardee in the Architecture and Allied Arts category at the recent 12th Ani ng Dangal (harvest of honors) Awards held at Malacañang Palace.

GMCAC is the private company developing and operating the MCIA. “We are honored to contribute to the promotion of Filipino arts and culture in the global stage,” said Louie Ferrer, GMCAC president. Organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the award recognized the achievements of MCIA Terminal 2 in the international architecture scene. MCIA Terminal 2 was designed by Integrated Design Associates (IDA) Hong Kong led by its principal architect Winston Shu. IDA is the same architecture firm that designed the new passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport that is currently being built by GMR Megawide. At the awarding ceremonies were: GMCAC head of corporate affairs Jason Torres; GMCAC president Louie Ferrer; and GMCAC chief executive adviser Andrew Acquuah-Harrison, with officials of the NCCA.

SUSTAINABILITY IN URBAN LIVING. SM Development Corp.

(SMDC) recently unveiled its 2020 campaign, reflecting the new direction that the company is taking – redefining urban living by offering more amenities, choices and investment opportunities through its developments. Called “So much more to life”, SMDC is allowing its residents well-appointed amenities for the entire family; a slew of dining, entertainment and retail shops within its developments; an integrated lifestyle district that allows more time for family and home, and opportunities to get rewarded for one’s hard work.. Last year, SMDC’s community engagements won two Anvil Awards for its programs on the elderly and for crime awareness and emergency preparedness. Its Happynings: Building a Sphere of Happy, Thriving and Healthy Communities program received a merit award for customer service from the Philippine Quill Awards.

LAMUDI PH CELEBRATES 6TH YEAR. Lamudi Philippines recently celebrated its sixth year of helping people find their dream homes, with just a few clicks. Bhavna Suresh, Lamudi PH CEO, said Lamudi has become a household name in the real estate industry. The company has expanded its digital scope with the acquisition of MyProperty.ph, offering thousands of property listings to seekers. It organizes housing fairs to gather developers, real estate professionals, and property seekers; the Outlook awards: the Philippine buyers’ choice property awards, which puts together renowned real estate professionals and some 10,000 property seekers in the process of selection; the Outlook: real estate conferences, to talk about the most pressing issues in real estate; and the broker awards night, to acknowledge the top property agents all over the country. It likewise set up the Lamudi Academy, to teach brokers and agents about digital marketing and online selling. “In the years to come, Lamudi will continue to fulfill its central goal of Filipinos find their dream property online,” Suresh vowed.

FIABCI Philippines president Architect Nestor S. Mangio

URBAN LIVING INNOVATIONS

THE country’s top property firms will showcase innovations in healthy and energy-efficient urban living at the world real estate congress in Manila this May. Leading congress exhibitors are Megaworld Corporation, Federal Land Inc., Robinson’s Land Corporation, and Prime Homes Real Estate Development Inc., among others.

Their exhibits will be viewed by the participants from the Paris-based International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), whose membership covers 100 national associations, 95 academic institutions, 2,300 companies, 40 professions and over a million individual members in five continents spanning 72 countries, including the Philippines.

FIABCI Philippines president Architect Nestor S. Mangio said the Filipino firms will showcase their unique attributes to a widely cosmopolitan market vis-à-vis a foreign supply and value chain with its own world-class capabilities.

The congress theme is “Urban Revolution”, which is about planning how the global cities of the future must take shape in the light of today’s threats and challenges.

Supporting the congress are the UN-Habitat, Grant Thornton, Reed Midem, and World Urban Campaign as sponsors, with FIABCI-Philippines (fiabci.phil@gmail.com) as the organizer.

Life

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

ARTS AND CULTURE

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Beauty of nature on canvas

ARIDEE Rodriguez can be considered a late-bloomer in the visual art scene.

Her passion for the arts began when she was in high school, doodling comic characters such as Dagwood, Richie Rich, and Little Lotta, among others.

At an early age, she wanted to further explore her love for the arts, but it was only after getting married that she got a chance to pursue it.

Rodriguez explored her artistic ideations by taking up painting lessons with notable artists such as Rody Herrera, Agnes Sison, Jeffrey Consumo, Nick Calma, Ramon Vivas, and Roland Santos.

She enjoys using different media for her paintings—from charcoal, pen and ink, and pastel, to acrylic, oil, and watercolor. While Rodriguez considers herself a realist and impressionist, she has tried various styles ranging from abstract to pointillism.

Today, she has finally mounted her solo art exhibition featuring a collection of paintings that captures her natureinspired artistic soul. For Rodriguez, the world we live in is “paradise, God’s

creation and gift.”

Entitled Paradise on Canvas, the show at The Podium serves as Rodriguez’s way to present God’s creations through her artwork.

With artist Jeffrey Consumo, known as former President Corazon Aquino’s art teacher, as her mentor, Rodriguez has given life to paintings featuring idyllic landscapes, lush and colorful flora, quaint streetscapes, and moving renditions of everyday life.

Aside from celebrating the beauty of nature and artistic exploration, Paradise on Canvas is also an exhibition for a cause, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the St. Madeleine Sophie Foundation in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The foundation channels its efforts toward molding and educating young minds in the hometown of her husband, former Congressman Isidro Rodriguez, Jr. It provides preschool education, as well as school supplies and nutritional food to about a hundred children yearly, and also offers free tutorials to students.

Family members, friends, and art lovers gathered for the opening of the exhibition.

SM assistant vice president Ian Mathay and SM senior vice president Millie Dizon Turn to C2

‘Window,’ 18x24 acrylic on canvas

PARADISE. Maridee Rodriguez stages a fundraising solo exhibition entitled Paradise on Canvas that features a collection of natureinspired paintings such as (in photo) ‘Red Forest,’ 44x62 acrylic on canvas.

‘Paradise,’ 16x20 acrylic on canvas

‘Door,’ 30x24 acrylic on canvas

‘Patio 2,’ 20x16 acrylic on canvas

ON THE SHELF

Millennials guiding Gen Zs

BORN tethered to technology, Gen Zs—or those born from 1997 to 2012—are exposed to a barrage of information and stimulants that can easily influence the way they see themselves and the world around them.

To help today’s young people better understand life and lies (e.g. “Right and wrong change over time,” “I need to stay connected 24/7,” and “My value depends on the number of ‘likes’ I receive”), bestselling author and founder of the Lovestruck Movement, Pastor Ronald Molmisa gathered five millennials to write Kaya Ko Pa, Bes! (And Other Lies I Tell Myself).

A devotional aimed at the Gen Z crowd, it contains 52 entries that tack-

le how Gen Zs can be strong amid the challenges they face. The book also shares reflections on how each person’s story is connected to the Lord’s great plan for everyone.

Gen Zs who want to stay “woke” can read the “Woke Prayers,” short and sweet prayers that they can use to jumpstart their conversations with God. Meanwhile, the “Challenge Accepted” activity section encourages readers to apply the lessons they learned in the reflections.

Published by OMF Literature, Kaya Ko Pa, Bes! is available at OMF Lit Bookshop and other leading bookstores nationwide and at shop.omflit. com for P225.

Conceiçao Praun rides a jeepney in Manila.

EXHIBIT

Manila through a Brazilian’s lens

‘Kaya Ko Pa, Bes! And Other Lies I Tell Myself’ tackles how Gen Zs can be strong amid challenges.

PHOTOGRAPHS featuring the daily life in Manila captured by Brazilian photographer Conceiçao Praun are on display on March 14 at Leica Store in Greenbelt 5, Makati.

Leica Store Manila presents “Through Her Lens,” an exhibition of photographs from Praun’s recent trip in Southeast Asia as well as images from the trips she has taken since 1995 in different continents around the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Moreover, Praun will share her observations from a perspective of a woman, her encounters with these cultures and fascination with emerging societies, and other highlights of her travels.

In the past year, she visited countries in SouthThrough Her Lens exhibition features a collection of Praun’s travel photographs. east Asia and is now in Manila.

Life

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Y Mimiyuuuh

on the road

OUTUBE vlogger and influencer Mimiyuuuh is back to the recording studio to add more phrases for her voice option in the community-based navigation app Waze.

Easing Filipinos’ stress while on the road, Mimiyuuuh joined Miss Universe Catriona Gray as an exclusive Waze voice option in December last year.

Due to popular demand from fans, Mimiyuuuh (real name: Jeremy Sancebuche) adds the following phrases: “May crash reported ahead daw po, opo! Traffic ang abot natin nito, magvocalizationism ka muna dya-an!”

“Turn left! Rawr rawr rawr!”

The 23-year-old vlogger and fashion design graduate expressed gratitude for the support she has received.

“Rawrrr! Thank you po talaga sa mga natuwa sa Waze voice ko po. Ito pong latest update sa aking Waze voice ay pinili ko from the suggestions ng aking mga supporters. Sana po mas magustuhan pa ng marami yung update,” enthused Mimiyuuuh.

She added, “Super thankful din po ako sa Lazada at Waze for making this possible. Nag-enjoy po ako ng sobra magrecord ng voice. Don’t forget to watch my latest vlog tungkol dito po, opo.”

The voice option is available to users in the Philippines until March 31. To change the Waze voice option, go to Settings > Voice Directions > Mimiyuuuh.

“Waze is dedicated to giving our users the best time on the road. Now we’re able to make their drives even more enjoyable by having Mimiyuuuh continue to guide and entertain them on their way to their destinations,” said Sarah Rodriguez, country manager of Waze PH. The exclusive Lazada Ambassador’s Waze voice option is a collaboration with Lazada aimed at delivering the best driving and navigation experience for its users.

IT’S YOUR GIRL. YouTube vlogger and influencer Mimiyuuuh records new phrases for her voice option in the Waze app, hoping to ease Filipinos’ stress while on the road.

Additional photos from @mimiyuuuh/Instagram

PH film legacy on spotlight THE recent Art Fair 2020 highlighted the legacy of Philippine films in the past 100 years.

In its eighth year as the exclusive partner of Art Fair Philippines, Globe Platinum celebrated the ingenious past, present, and future of Philippine film by inaugurating the first-ever film program during the event on Feb. 21-23.

The film program featured a daily screening of films curated by awardwinning writer, editor, and film com-

poser Erwin Romulo, film historian Teddy Co, and film critic Philbert Dy. Showcasing the diversity of Philippine cinema, the program included feature-length and short films, narrative and experimental films, documentaries, and animated films. Throughout the program, a panel of film experts and enthusiasts exchanged views on the future of Philippine cinema.

Art Fair Philippines 2020 showcased the works of 61 finest local and

foreign artists in more than 13,000 square meters of The Link in Ayala Center, Makati.

Other highlights in this year’s fair included an “Open Studios” where revered artists and culture experts held workshops and demos; Julie Lluch’s “Irresistible Grace,” a dramatic modern take on the Juan Luna magnum opus “Spoliarium;” and the Visayan group political exhibit “Giatay” that depicted today’s political climate.

Colorful design templates that celebrate women.

Design platform launches new ‘women at work’ stock images IN CELEBRATION of International Women’s Day, design platform Canva has released a new collection of design templates and free stock photography featuring its own employees who volunteered as models.

The photo collection, entitled Canva Studio Women, showcases Canva’s women at work, building on this year’s theme of #GenerationEquality which highlights the importance of a collective effort to forge a path towards gender equality.

“With over 70 percent of women feeling underrepresented in everyday images in the media, our new stock photography collection aims to shine a light on the amazing diversity of women in the workplace,” shared Canva studio curator Elle Hughes.

Hughes added, “We have so many talented women in Canva—what better way to showcase a diverse team than through a fun photoshoot—and then giving it away as a completely free stock photo collection?” she added.

Yani Hornilla-Donato, country manager of Canva Philippines said, “Since inception, Canva has placed a key focus on diversity and inclusion. Having our employees in the Manila office be part of this shows how committed we are to empower women and provide them with a platform to freely express themselves.”

Canva has also released an additional 50 design templates, encouraging its design community around the world to celebrate women this International Women’s Day.

Canva releases a collection of stock images featuring women at work, with its own employees as models.

The film program at Art Fair 2020 hosts a daily screening of Filipino films.

The Many Faces of the Teacher now accepts nominations BATO Balani Foundation Inc., with the support of Diwa Learning Systems Inc, has opened the nomination for educators in the country who have taken their role of improving lives beyond the four walls of the classroom.

“The Many Faces of the Teacher” search is open to educators of all ages who are actively teaching in private or public elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

The nominee must have a project or program that has significantly improved lives or contributed to society.

The nominee must also demonstrate exceptional performance in teaching; has employed creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness in teaching; and importantly, lives out their esteemed values in teaching, family, and personal life.

Nominees should also have a deep sense of nationalism and are committed to teaching for the benefit of the country and its people. They must be respected in the school and community, and a role model for students, colleagues, and family. They must also be an active member of the community Family and friends in full support for artist Maridee Rodriguez’s debut solo exhibition for a cause.

From left: husband and former Rizal Representative Isidro Rodriguez Jr., former Pangasinan Representative Gina de Venecia, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Tetta Agustin-Baverey and husband Christian Baverey

Last year’s winners in the search for outstanding educators, The Many Faces of the Teacher.

and be engaged in socio-civic activities.

Partner organizations, school associations, religious organizations, the Department of Education, as well as school heads, students, and teachers can submit their

nominations to bbfi@diwamail.com, batobalanifoundation@gmail.com, or BBFI office, 6/F PDCP Bank Center, V.A.Rufino cor. Leviste Streets, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Deadline is on April 30.

Beauty...

From C1

welcomed the guests, which included Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos, former Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia and wife Gina, international model Tetta Agustin and husband Christian Baverey, and Rodriguez’s classmates from Assumption College.

Entertainment

SATSURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Get a taste of St. Patrick’s Day with Jameson Irish Whiskey

Aga Muhlach and Claudine Barretto in a scene from the 2002 romantic drama, 'Kailangan Kita.'

Restored version of ‘Kailangan Kita’ opens ‘Weekend Cinema Classics’

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OVIEGOERS will get a chance to relive the chemistry of Aga Muhlach and Claudine Barretto on the big screen as the digitally restored version of their iconic film Kailangan Kita is opening ABS-CBN Film Restoration’s “Weekend Cinema Classics,” which starts today at Greenbelt 1 Cinema 1.

The film’s cinematographer Shayne Sarte, who won a Gawad Urian for the movie, and its creative assistant Temi Abad, consider Kailangan Kita as one of the best projects they have done.

“It’s the most cinematic set that I’ve ever worked on. The experience was life-changing. We worked for eight months. So we became very close,” told Shayne.

Temi added, “My fondest memory about the film was the food. Every time the shoot ends, there’s a feast. I’m just proud of

this film. I think it is the best I’ve done as part of the creatives of Star Cinema,” Sarte shared during the film’s red carpet premiere last Tuesday, March 10.

Directed by Rory B. Quintos, Kailangan Kita revolves around the love story of Carl (Aga) and Lena (Claudine), two people whose lives are different but bounded by their love for cooking. They slowly fall for each other, but problems arise as Chrissy, Carl’s fiancé, gets in their way.

Aside from the Best Cinematography award from Gawad Urian, the film bagged numerous recognitions from FAMAS Awards, namely Best Screenplay, Best Story, Best Production Design, and Best Movie Theme Song.

In partnership with Ayala Malls Cinemas, “Weekend Cinema Classics” features restored classic every Friday and Saturday from March 13 to April 4 at Greenbelt 1 Cinema 1.

Included in weekend screenings are Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, Sana Maulit Muli, Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang?, Eskapo, Misteryo sa Tuwa,Karnal, Minsa’y Isang GamuGamo, High School Scandal, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Mga Bilanggong Birhen, Omeng Satanasia, Tisoy!, Bulaklak Sa City Jail, and Moral.

Prices are at P180 for regular patrons, while tickets for students are priced at P150.

The cast and crew of 'Kailangan Kita' with Ayala Malls Cinemas president Charmaine Bauzon and ABS-CBN Film Restoration Head Leo Katigbak.

Charo Santos...

From C4

Project Foreword was launched last Monday, March 9, with the introduction of its four mentors Ricky, Ardy, Makiwander, and Charo.

First on the list of mentors is ABSCBN’s chief content officer and author of My Journey: The Story of an Unexpected Leader Charo SantosConcio, who aside from being a media icon has also established herself as an award-winning dramatic actress and the voice of compelling life stories through the drama anthology program MMK.” As such, Charo said she deeply values characterization in a story. “The characters have to resonate with me; I really have to know them so well. So the narrative that you bring your characters to has to be engaging.”

Award-winning entrepreneur and sought-after inspirational speaker Ardy Roberto, who has also authored multiple books, including The Happy Entrepreneur and The Heart of Healing—which won the Gintong Aklat Award for Best Inspirational Book in 2010—is also one of the mentors.

“The fastest-growing segment in publishing is inspirational books. So, me, I’m looking for writers and authors who still believe that miracles still happen and that heroes still exist. . .,” Ardy said.

Meanwhile, Mari Kris De Luna Ogang, known by her readers as Makiwander, is a writer who amassed a following on Wattpad. A winner of The Watty Awards, Maki has already published nine books including the

novel adaptation of the Black Sheep film Between Maybes.

“This is a good opportunity to invite new generation of writers, they don’t have to be young or new, this is also for those who are dreaming to submit and be published by ABS-CBN,” she shared.

Completing the roster of mentors is multi-awarded screenwriter, novelist, and playwright Ricky Lee, who is perhaps one of the most respected writers in the country for his immense contribution in Philippine theater and cinema. Some of his brainchild include the films Himala, Karnal, Muro-Ami, andAnak, as well as the screenplay

manual Trip To Quiapo and the novel Para Kay B. “If you want to write, you write— whether you’re inspired, have a deadline, to be paid, or joining a contest, you write.

Like a baker who makes bread, or a doctor who treats illnesses, as a writer, you write. Don’t wait for any reason, it’s your deal, you write,” Ricky advised budding writers.

Interested writers can submit their original, previously unpublished works until April 6 for a chance to be a part of Project Foreword.

Visit noink.abs-cbn.com for the full mechanics.

ABS-CBN Books head of print publishing Mark Yambot with the 'Project Foreword' mentors.

WHERE will you be on St. Patrick’s Day? If your answer isn’t “having a glass or two of Jameson,” then you might want to rethink that. Jameson Irish Whiskey, makers of their famed triple-distilled smooth and great-tasting whiskey, is releasing a special limited-edition St. Patrick’s Day bottle that you’re going to want to cop.

These special bottles have a vibrant and playful label created by Dublin-based illustrator and designer Stephen “Hephee” Heffernan. The limited-edition design evokes the moments that happen when friends get together for a round or two, or more.

What’s even better is that you can design your own Jameson Original label, too. Just grab the bottle, take your phone, and scan the QR code on it to make your own label with icons Heffernan also designed. Then share your label on social media for the world to see!

“We want to make everyone’s St. Patrick’s Day truly memorable,” said Jameson Brand Manager MJ Wong. “And what better way to have a great holiday than to have some of the best Irish whiskey you’ve ever tasted?”

The limited-edition Jameson Original bottle will be available in S&R branches

in Shaw Boulevard, Bonifacio Global City, and Congressional Avenue, Quezon City; Boozy.ph; and selected bars in Poblacion, Makati on St. Patrick’s Day. Better get them while they last.

Jameson is also ringing in St. Patrick’s Day this year by unveiling their four Tastemakers, who represent the Jameson taste in fashion, lifestyle, music, and art.

They are DJ and music producer CRWN for music, local visual artist and designer Raizel “Raise Hell” Go for graffiti art, streetwear brand Twelfth House owner Mikki dela Rea for fashion, and P&P Tattoo owner DJ Ron Poe for the ink lifestyle. They’ll each be releasing a special IGTV episode about themselves and what they do, so stay tuned for that.

“Through the Tastemakers initiative, we are able to define the Jameson vibe, not only through our whiskey, but in art, music, and way of life,” added Jameson Brand Executive Frances Favila.

For more info and updates on Jameson products, like Jameson Irish Whiskey on Facebook at facebook.com/ JamesonWhiskeyPH, follow @jamesonph on Instagram, or visit their website at jamesonwhiskey.ph.

From left: From left to right: Anthony Atayde, Head of Marketing, Frances Favila, Brand Executive, Julien Rubio, Jameson Brand Ambassador, Mary Jane Wong, Brand Manager, John O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Philippines.

K-Drama actor Ji Soo joins Team Penshoppe SOUTH Korean actor Ji Soo makes his way to capture the hearts of Filipino koreaboos as the newest member of Team Penshoppe.

The 27-year-old Ji Soo has the makings of a star. Charm and killer looks aside, his versatility in acting sets him apart from your usual male drama leads. He started out as an actor trainee early in his career, appearing only in cameos on TV. The actor gained popularity after his skillful performances in the dramas Angry Mom and Sassy Go Go in 2015.

Offers kept rolling in after that, landing him his breakout roles in the romantic comedy “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon,” fantasy romance “Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” and action-packed “Bad Guys: City of Evil.”

He also played cameo roles in “Doctors” and “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo,” where he appeared alongside his best friend and Team Penshoppe’s very own Nam Joo Hyuk.

Most recently, Ji Soo headlined Netflix’s My First First Love and will soon be returning to TV as the lead role for webtoon-adaptation drama Amanza, which tells the story of a 26-year-old man with terminal cancer.

“We’re very excited to have Ji Soo join Penshoppe’s growing pack of international ambassadors. He is an endearing person and the utmost professional. His boldness, confidence, and taste for fashion that’s

Mel Tiango...

From C4

A loyal Kapuso since 1996, Tiangco co-anchors GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras and also hosts the award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman. On top of her TV stint, she concurrently serves as the founder and ambassador of GMA Kapuso Foundation, the Network’s socio-civic arm.

Tiangco shares how grateful she is with the Network’s management and looks forward to more years of providing Serbisyong Totoo. “Walang sawa ang aking pagpapasalamat sa GMA dahil sa mahigit dalawang dekada naming pagsasama ay walang sawa rin ang mabuting pakikitungo nila sa akin. And I always thank the Lord na patuloy akong binibigyan ng lakas upang makapagsilbi at makapagbahagi ng aking kakayahan sa mga Kapuso. I hope and pray na magtuloy-tuloy pa ang pagtitiwala at pagmamahal nila sa akin sa mas marami pang mga taon,” the

both stylish and comfortable align well with Penshoppe,” says Golden ABC Vice President for Brand Management Jeff Bascon.

Ji Soo joins Millie Bobby Brown, Blackpink’s Lisa Manoban and Jordan Barrett in the brand’s Spring/Summer 2020 Campaign. The collection blurs the style line between beach-inspired easy living and the increasingly ironic urban zeitgeist with pieces such as utility pants, jumpsuits, and vests in refined nylons, seersuckers, liquid surfaces, and satins - all perfect to mix-andmatch.

The Penshoppe Spring/Summer 2020 Collection is available in all Penshoppe boutiques and online at www.penshoppe.com.

K-Drama star Ji Soo

veteran broadcaster says.

Gozon equally shared how fortunate GMA is to have Tiangco as a Kapuso. “Alam naman ng lahat kung gaano kagaling si Mel Tiangco as an anchor.

Hindi lang sa news, pati na rin sa toprating program na Magpakailanman. At ‘yung kanyang sincerity na makapagserbisyo sa mga tao sa Kapuso Foundation ay talagang hindi mo maku-question.

Kaya naman talagang we are lucky to have Mel Tiangco with us,” he says.

The Kapuso news pillar is the first broadcast journalist to receive the Rotary Peace Award in 2019, the highest award given by the Rotary International District 3830. Last Feb. 12, Tiangco was hailed the 2020 Distinguished Woman of Service Award by the San Beda University Alumni Association.

She was also named “Outstanding Lasallian Media Practitioner for Public Service” by the De La Salle University’s Gawad Midya 2019 and was awarded the Las Damas de Rizal Excellence for Women in Media and Public Engagement by the Las Damas de Rizal-Philippines in 2018.

Mel Tiangco reaffirms commitment to Serbisyong Totoo, signs with GMA anew.

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

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SATSURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020

GMA News pillar and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco reaffirms her commitment to Serbisyong Totoo as she renewed her contract with GMA Network on Wednesday.

Present during the contract signing were GMA Network chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, and SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores. Joining them were Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio. Continued n C3

Charo Santos mentors aspiring authors ABS-CBN’s chief content officer Charo SantosConcio joins Ardy Roberto, Makiwander, and Ricky Lee in training aspiring authors in the first-ever author search and mentoring program of ABS-CBN Books dubbed “Project Foreword.”

Through this new program, writer-participants have a chance to collaborate with some of the country’s most respected authors in creating and having their original works published and promoted by ABS-CBN Books. Continues on C3

How MYLENE DIZON got mesmerized by superstar NORA AUNOR

The twoweekend Coachella festival set for April will now take place over the weekends starting October 9 and 16.

Coachella postponed over COVID-19 fears ORGANIZERS on Tuesday rescheduled the Coachella music festival for October over coronavirus concerns, following a directive from local health authorities.

“While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff, and community very seriously,” Goldenvoice, the company that puts on the massive event in the California desert, said in a statement.

The two-weekend festival set for April will Mylene Dizon reacts to the myth that Nora Aunor (inset), her co-star in the TV adaptation of 'Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit,' works a different kind of magic.

M

ANILA Standard former entertainment editor, Isah V. Red, a certified Noranian, would always tell me that the eyes of Nora Aunor are out of this world and that she can cast a spell on you when you come close to her, face to face.

She couldn’t miss the chance to work with the superstar, who her mother admires so much. Mylene grew up seeing magazines, which her mother used to collect, with Nora’s face on the cover.

“It’s the first time that I got an offer with Ate Guy. Tapos fan pa ang mommy ko fan niya To be honest I grew up around Kislap magazines. Kulang na nga lang i-plastic cover ni mommy yung Kislap,” Mylene recalled.

“One time, Ate Guy told me that she would like to slow down. ‘Tumatanda na ang ate mo,’ she told me. And I replied, ‘Don’t say that! I’m here because of you!’ And we would just be laughing on the set,” she ended. *** On ‘Centerstage’ this Sunday This week, Rain Barquin faces his greatest challenge on Centerstage as he attempts to be the first-ever grand finalist. But first, he must defend his spot for one final battle against the new batch of “bida” kids.

Witness another heart-stopping vocal showdown and find out who among the new hopefuls will go head to head with the current defending “bida.”

Will it be Sofia Santos, the 12-year-old “musesician” from Bulacan? Or will it be the 11-year-old “singer-calligrapher” from Pasig City, AJ Vicente?

Also joining the race are Nathan Contreras, the 12-year-old kiddie vocalist from Sta. Maria Bulacan and Angeles City’s “kidtrepreneur”, Velle Sigua.

Meanwhile, watch out for the episode’s special batch of Bida Voters featuring Clash Vocal Coach, Jai Sabas-Aracama and Clash Season 2 Grand Finalist, Thea Astley, Jeniffer Maravilla, Nef Medina with Grand Champion, Jeremiah Tiangco.

Will Centerstage finally have its first grand finalist?

Or will Rain Barquin finally meet his match?

Find out this Sunday, 7:40 p.m. only on Centerstage.

Mr. Red would rave about Nora’s eyes having the power to convey a range of emotions, and that she can talk in silence and the audience can already glean the emotion by just looking at her eyes.

In an intimate pocket press conference organized

by GMA Network for Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit star Mylene Dizon, I had to ask the seasoned actress how is it working with La Aunor, and if it’s true that her eyes really work a different kind of magic.

“Totoo ang chismis . Once she stares at you, it’s just like, wow! It’s not intimidating or scary. It’s not something to be nervous about. But you can’t just help but admire,” Mylene started. “You know how cartoon characters’ eyes would light up? That must have been how I looked like when we first met.”

Mylene stars with the veteran actress along with Kylene Alcantara in the television adaptation of Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit, a classic Elwood Perez film that Nora Aunor top-billed in 1989.

“I spend time with her while waiting for the production crew to finish with the setup. She would tell me about how it all started for her...things we already know. But she’s humble like that. She would talk about how different show biz is now compared to her days,” the 43-year-old actress toldManila Standard.

Mylene revealed that the superstar was the reason why she accepted the role in Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit. She was already planning to slow down after her stint in Sahaya, another GMA television series where she played the role of a mother to Bianca Umali’s character.

“My boys are growing up fast. Tomas is already 14.

We now live in the province, and there have been a lot of changes in their lives. I know things aren’t easy for them. That’s why I want to be with them as often as I could,” Mylene, who is now based in Laguna, explained.

Centerstage’ host Alden Richards

now take place on Oct. 9 and 16.

“This decision was not taken lightly or without consideration of many factors,” Riverside County’s public health officer, Cameron Kaiser, said in a statement.

No doubt it will impact many people, but my top priority is to protect the health of the entire community.”

Tickets bought for the April dates will be valid in October, and those unable to attend will be able to obtain a refund, organizers said. AFP

Hugely-popular Houston rodeo canceled due to virus outbreak THE Houston Rodeo, which attracts 2.5 million “This decision has not come easily. But the visitors a year, was abruptly canceled on health and safety of the people in our region is Wednesday midway through its 20-day run due paramount,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. AFP to the coronavirus outbreak, organizers said.

The event includes rodeo competitions, livestock and horse shows, farm displays and star-studded concerts as well as barbecues, retail stalls, and a fairground carnival.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and our community is our top priority,” the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo said in a statement.

“Out of precaution, the city has decided that this is the best course of action for our community...

Having to close early is extremely difficult.”

About $390 million was spent at the 2019 rodeo, supporting nearly 6,000 jobs in Texas, according to official figures.

Acts booked for this year’s event Rapper Cardi B performs at the 2019 included Lizzo and Gwen Stefani, both triple RodeoHouston. The 2020 edition has been Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriters. canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

SNAPSHOT

Gerald Anderson appointed Youth Kasama ambassador

STAR Magic actor Gerald Anderson was officially recognized as the Ambassador of Goodwill and Spokesperson of Philippine Youth KASAMA held yesterday at the Plenary Hall of the House of Congress in Batasan.

Apart from House Speaker Alan Cayetano (3rd from right) and Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez (leftmost) Congresswoman Elenita Ermitaand Congresswoman Aleta Suarez,, Gerald was also welcomed by Congresswoman Vilma Santos- Recto (inset). The Star for All Seasons expressed her interest in doing future projects with Gerald and Philippine Youth.