Manila Standard - 2020 March 15 - Sunday

VIRUS DEATHS RISE TO 8 IN PH, CASES AT 98 THIRTY-FOUR new Corona Virus Disease-19 have been reported, with two additional confirmed deaths from the pandemic, bringing the death toll to eight.

The Department of Health said the latest brought the confirmed cases to 98. The details of these new cases are currently being validated

by DOH teams and will be provided to the public as soon as the information is available and verified by the Department. It said in a statement.

The national total was tallied as three confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Pampanga and one of them had died last March 11, Governor Dennis Pineda said.

The first known patient, named as PAMP 1, is a GRAB driver plying the Clark Freeport and Pampanga

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 34 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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ROUNDUP LOCAL

DUTERTE TESTED NEGATIVE DU30 TESTS NEGATIVE

READY, SIR. Equipped to the job policemen, in field service uniform, prepare Saturday for deployment at the Manila Police District headquarters in Manila, hours before the community quarantine in the metropolis. PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa earlier said up to 40,000 police officers would be deployed to enforce the lockdown and nine-hour curfew in Metro Manila. Norman Cruz

9-HOUR CURFEW, MALL CLOSURES UP

• MMC ADOPTS RESOLUTION • DOTR LIMITS PUV PASSENGERS

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Joel Zurbano, Vito Barcelo and Maricel Cruz

M

ETRO MANILA mayors have agreed to impose a nine-hour curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. while the National Capital Region is under a lockdown to arrest the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a resolution adopted by the Metro Manila Council, which counts as members all 17 Metro Manila mayors, malls and commercial estab-

lishments were likewise requested to temporarily halt operations to prevent non-essential movement within the metropolis.

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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“This means that there is no stopping the Chief Executive from performing his primary constitutional duty of serving and protecting the people, especially at this perilous time when our country is faced with a deathly disease that threatens the very lives of our countrymen,” Panelo said in a statement. “[Duterte] will continue to work with his usual passion and dedication for the nation. He will observe pre-emptive measures to secure his health as he steers the government in arresting the spread of the contagion,” he added.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Budget Secretary Turn to A2

ROUNDUP WORLD

TRUMP: U.S. UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY UNITED STATES

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has declared a national state of emergency after saying he would “likely” be tested soon for the novel coronavirus, although he stressed he was “displaying no symptoms.”

Trump was pressed repeatedly during a White House news conference on whether he should be tested after coming into contact with a Brazilian official now known to have COVID-19.

The president initially shut down the question, saying that per the advice of White House doctors, “I don’t have any of the symptoms.”

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SHOPPERS NONE, PASSENGERS MANY. Weekend scene of

ITALIANS GET FREE PORN ACCESS

a quintessential mall in Metro Manila, with shoppers none (topmost), while hundreds of cars transform the North Luzon Expressway into a vast parking lot, each trying to the beat the Metrowide lockdown. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (right), hundreds of foreign and domestic passengers in depths of anxiety while waiting for their March 14 flight out. Lino Santos, Andrew Rabulan, JR Josue

PETRON PRICE CUT WHOPPER: P4.50/LITER

NEWS A4

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL refiner Petron Corp. implemented a price cut of as much as P4.50 per liter, one of the biggest oil price rollbacks to date effective 6am March 17 (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

“Petron will implement the following price rollbacks effective 6 a.m. on March 17: P4.00 per liter for gasoline; P4 per liter for diesel; and P4.50 per liter for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron said.

Unioil Philippines and Pilipinas Shell also issuedseparate advisories of a price rollback of more than P4 per liter for next week from March 17 to 23, 2020.

“Diesel should go down more than P4 per liter. Gasoline should go down more than P4 per liter,” the company said.

On Friday, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines implemented a P3 per liter for diesel and gasoline.

“Even while trading in the international market is ongoing, Turn to A2

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BILL GATES QUITS MICROSOFT BOARD

NO-SAIL ZONE. Philippine Coast Guard personnel sail in their craft on Manila Bay waters to carry out maritime patrol after President Rodrigo Duterte announced Thursday a community quarantine in Metro Manila starting March 15. Norman Cruz

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VIRUS...

From A1

routes. He was confined in a Metro Manila hospital. His family resides in Porac town.

PAMP 2 worshipped in a prayer room in San Juan and was exposed to one confirmed case. PAMP 2 is now confined, quarantined and being treated at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, a facility managed by the Department of Health.

Participation needed Health Secretary Francisco III said: “Now it is our turn to do our part in mitigating the spread of the disease.

The DOH earnestly asks for everyone’s cooperation.

“Our frontline health workers and medical personnel are risking their safety to respond to the needs of the public, all we ask is for you to do your part: practice preventive measures, go on strict home quarantine if you are experiencing mild symptoms, and help halt the spread of fake news.

“The success of our measures to contain COVID-19 is hinged on your participation. We will get through this together.”

Duque added: “At this most trying time, our strongest weapon as a nation is Vigilance, Preparedness, and Solidarity. We are seeing these values at play now as DOH is receiving an influx of support from individuals and organizations who are willing to render assistance in any way they can.

“Let this be a reminder for all Filipinos to step up to the plate and heed the call for cooperation.”

DOH reported that the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) is limiting its services after several health personnel were exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case.

The confirmed case (PH37) was the previously announced mortality last March 12 who was admitted at PHC. PH37 was reported to have no history of travel and close contact to a confirmed patient. Several of the PUIs and PUMs were exposed to PH37. Prior to the confirmation of the PH37’s diagnosis, healthcare workers were managing the case as a non-communicable case and were unable to wear the required personal protective equipment.

Heart Center patients As of 2PM Saturday, PHC has 13 patients under investigation (PUIs) -12 health workers and one non-health person.

PHC sent home four patients under monitoring (PUMs) today who were previously quarantined in a restricted area in the hospital, while an additional six PUMs are still quarantined in the facility.

They are also currently verifying the number of PUMs in home quarantine.

As of now, PHC is limiting its hospital operations to accommodate in-patient and emergency cases only. Services in the Outpatient Department were temporarily stopped last March 11 and are expected to reopen on March 16.

The Catheterization Laboratory where PH37 had her procedure was also closed and disinfected. Hospital services for Z-benefit packages and elective cases are temporarily cancelled until further notice. Currently, the human resource complement of PHC is being realigned by the management to provide continuous service to the admitted patients.

In addition, Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City has also reported several health workers being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. DOH is still verifying data on the exact figures and the updated conditions of the health workers.

PETRON...

From A1

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will implement a decrease in the prices of diesel and gasoline by P3 per liter effective 12 noon 13 March 2020,” Phoenix said in its advisory.

Kenneth Pundanera, Unioil Philippines president, earlier said consumers may expect another round of price rollback next 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. Russia refused thus 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 for gasoline, P0.75 per liter for diesel and P1.05 per liter for kerosene.

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

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

9-HOUR...

From A1 “Mayors of NCR, acting in unity with the national government, in order to preserve and protect the lives and health of their constituents, do hereby declare and promulgate, acting as one body in the Metro Manila Council, strongly recommend to all Local Legislative Councils of the NCR to issue ordinances for curfew from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am subject to their necessary guidelines as they deem necessary,” said the resolution read by San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora on Saturday.

“We passed a resolution and it was unanimously approved. No one disagreed, so we will be having a curfew in Metro Manila,” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia.

While the lockdown takes effect today (March 15) Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the curfew will take effect Monday at the earliest as ordinances must still be issued by the local governments involved.

But Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the MMC resolution is still subject to the approval of the President. “The President has yet to consider it,” Panelo said.

As for the proposed mall closures, Zamora said businesses offering essential services will be exempted, such as groceries, pharmacies, res-

DUTERTE...

From A1 Wendel Avisado, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez also underwent self-quarantine to ensure that they were free of the virus after close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

ADB ROLLS OUT $3M GRANT THE Asian Development Bank has approved a $3 million grant to support the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to cover the purchase of emergency medical supplies and the delivery of effective health care services.

Incorporating ADB’s most flexible and expeditious procurement approaches, the assistance will allow the government to purchase diagnostic reagents and equipment, materials for makeshift hospitals, and personal protection supplies for health workers managing severe infection cases, among others.

“ADB’s assistance will help the Philippines, our host country, address the immediate financial and logistical constraints on the provision of emergency medical services during this extraordinary public health emergency,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

“This is the first step in what will be a broader program of working with the government to respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 to health and economic activity.”

EXPANDED TRAVEL BAN BUREAU of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that passengers who traveled to Iran or Italy were now restricted to enter the country under the expanded travel restrictions for foreign nationals amid the COVID-2019 outbreak.

According to Morente, following

TRUMP:...

From A1

“And we don’t want people without symptoms to go and do the test,” he told reporters.

But when grilled by reporters about his encounter with the official at his Florida resort, he changed tack, saying: “I didn’t say I wasn’t going to be tested” and that he “most likely” would be, “fairly soon.” Trump declared the state of emergency as the US House of Representatives early Saturday overwhelmingly passed a coronavirus relief package for Americans hit by the outbreak.

“To unleash the full power of the federal government, I’m officially declaring a national emergency,” Trump said, announcing $50 billion in federal funds to battle the contagion.

Wall Street stocks rallied Friday as financial markets endured a rollercoaster ride after a week of spectacular losses triggered by fears that the deadly outbreak will lead to a global recession.

EUROPE THE World Health Organization said Friday Europe was now the “epicenter” for the global coronavirus pandemic— and warned it was impossible to know when the outbreak would peak.

taurants with home deliveries, banks, and those offering medial services.

The Department of Transportation on Saturday also rolled out the social distancing measures it will implement for the duration of the lockdown or community quarantine: - LRT Lines 1 and 2 and MRT-3 will operate at a reduced capacity of 25 percent – from 1,000 passengers daily to only about 200 to 300; - Provincial buses and inter-regional trips of jeepneys and UV Express to and from Metro Manila shall be terminated at entry points as identified by the Philippine National Police.

• All domestic flights to and from Metro Manila will cease operations and will be diverted to Sangley and Clark airports, with the exception of cargo flights, air ambulances, government or military flights, maintenance and utility flights, and weather mitigation flights; • Passenger ships and maritime vessels will be prohibited from traveling to and from Metro Manila as the Philippine Coast Guard adopts a “no-sail zone;” • Public utility jeepneys are only allowed to carry half of their regular capacity, including the driver; • Public utility buses are only allowed to carry a maximum of 25 passengers, including driver and conductor; • Taxis and transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) should not have more than four passengers,

including the driver; and • UV Express should not have more than six passengers inside, including the driver.

All passengers entering and exiting Metro Manila must present not only a valid company ID (showing place of work) but also a government-issued ID (showing place of residence).

Año also appealed to religious leaders to suspend their mass or worship services during the duration of the quarantine that will last until April 14.

“We are under a public health emergency – the first time in our history. We need to act fast, otherwise the World Health Organization projects we will have 75,000 COVID cases and we do not have the resources to meet that kind of emergency. Thus, the best course of action now is to stop the spread and save the lives of our people,” he said.

All movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work-related gatherings will likewise be strictly prohibited within Metro Manila.

Starting today, local chief executives across the country are banned from traveling abroad for the duration of the lockdown, Año said, to allow them to focus on the efforts to stem the spread of the infection.

“Focus on your constituents.

Cockfighting operations are hereby suspended as well as road clearing

operations so you can keep your focus,” he said.

For its part, the Department of Labor and Employment appealed to businesses not to close shop and to use “flexible work arrangement” to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued Advisory No. 11 that supplements the flexible work arrangement and allows workers living outside the National Capital Region to enter for the duration of the community quarantine.

Año also asked employers to consider releasing the 13th month of employees who will be affected by the lockdown.

Outside Metro Manila, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia prohibited the entry of domestic passengers in Cebu via air travel from Clark, Legazpi City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Dumaguete City.

The Cebu City government also adopted a curfew starting yesterday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Domestic travel to and from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan have also been cancelled starting today until April 14.

Travel to Bohol island province has been suspended for five days starting March 16 to March 20.

Oriental Mindoro has undergone “community quarantine” and will ban entry into the province until March 25 after its neighboring province, Batangas, confirmed fresh COVID-19 cases.

the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte and as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease, the BI would implement additional travel restrictions for arriving passengers from Iran and Italy by 12 midnight of March 16, 2020.

“Passengers coming from, or has transited through Iran and Italy in the last fourteen days, shall be required to present a medical certificate issued by competent medical authorities within the last 48 hours prior to arrival in the country certifying that they are COVID-2019 free,” said Morente.

Morente added that should said passengers present a medical certificate, they would be referred to the Bureau of Quarantine for a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

“However, if they failed to present a medical certificate, they will be denied entry to the country,” Morente stated.

WORK SUSPENSION SPEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday announced the suspension of work of the House of Representatives from March 16 to April 12.

However the suspension of work at the House was not expected to affect the passage of bills since the House was on recess at that time.

House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales in a press statement said Cayetano echoed the order of Duterte to suspend government offices except those delivering front line services.

“With the health and safety of the employees of the House of Representatives in mind, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has decided to adopt a work schedule parallel to the one to be implemented by the Executive Department as announced by President Rodrigo Duterte on 12 March 2020,” Montales said.

Just like Duterte Cayetano will maintain a skeletal force in the chamber, said Montales.

Meanwhile, Deouty Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman called on the government to provide assistance to the most vulnerable sectors of society in the drive to check the virus.

INSURANCE BENEFITS WORKERS of tourism-related establishments who lose their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic should avail themselves of the one-time unemployment insurance benefit from the Social Security System (SSS), Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.

“We would urge all qualified employees who are involuntarily separated from their jobs to get their unemployment insurance subsidy from the SSS,” Pimentel said.

“The financial aid may not be much, but it will help. And the benefit is a handout. It is not a loan. The laid off worker does not have to pay it back,” Pimentel pointed out.

The National Economic Development Authority earlier projected that up to 60,000 employees in the tourism sector alone could initially lose their jobs if the coronavirus outbreak lasts until June.

“All SSS members who get laid off, including overseas Filipino workers whose contracts have been cut short – such as those discharged by global cruise ship operators – are actually entitled to the unemployment insurance assistance,” Pimentel said.

Under the law, workers who are covered by the SSS and who get involuntarily separated from their jobs get a one-off unemployment insurance payment equal to their average monthly salary credit.

SKELETAL FORCE MANILA City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed an

executive order adopting a skeletal force policy wherein all government employees, except those involved in frontline services of disaster risk reduction management, health, and sanitation, will follow a 4-day workweek arrangement.

Domagoso signed on March 12, Executive Order 15 to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease in the city government offices, departments, and units.

The implementation of the policy is in line with the declaration of the State of Public Health Emergency across the country and in compliance with the Civil Service Commission Circular 07 s. 2020.

Under the order, every employee shall render a total of 12 working hours – 8 am to 8 pm – per day provided that the last two working hours shall be devoted to cleaning and disinfecting of work areas.

TRANSPORT VEHICLES THE chairman of the House of Representatives’Committee on Transportation on Saturday said the crew members and passengers of public transport vehicles must use face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Panel chairman Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento also urged the government to order the use of nose and mouth covers before people are allowed to ride on all forms of public transport.

In addition, Sarmiento said that the government should continue to ensure that public transportation remains available.

Sarmiento also called on public transport operators, including the Philippine National Railways and the the Light Rail Transit systems, to regularly disinfect their vehicles and coaches to somehow reduce the chance of transmission.

The continent had now “more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Europe has now become the epicenter of the pandemic,” he said.

Tedros was speaking at news conference held virtually to avoid any potential spread of the virus among journalists.

“More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic,” he said, referring to the global numbers.

CANADA HIS children play with Lego in their rooms, his wife spends a lot of time on the phone: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday offered a glimpse into the Canadian first family’s COVID-19 quarantine while reassuring an anxious nation that he continues to govern.

“I want to be clear. I have no symptoms. I’m feeling good. Technology allows me to work from home,” Trudeau told a news conference outside his official residence in Ottawa.

Standing alone in front of the small brick cottage, journalists giving him several meters (yards) clearance, the prime minister spoke publicly for the first time since his wife Sophie tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The announcement was made late Thursday that the 48-year-old

Canadian leader, his 44-year-old wife and their three children, aged 6-12, would be confined for 14 days to the house a few kilometers (miles) from parliament.

Telegoverning, he said “is an inconvenience and somewhat frustrating.”

“We’re all social beings after all, but we have to do this.”

CHINA CHINA has reported 11 new infections of the coronavirus on Saturday, and for the first time since the start of the epidemic the majority of them were imported cases from overseas.

The National Health Commission said there were four more people infected in Hubei’s capital Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in December.

The daily tally is the lowest for Wuhan since China started reporting figures in January.

The other seven new infections -- four in Shanghai, two in Gansu province and one in Beijing -- were of people arriving from overseas, fueling fears that China’s strict containment measures may be undone by people coming in from hot spots in other countries.

Their nationality was not specified.

There have now been 95 imported cases.

Another 13 people died, bringing the national toll from the disease in mainland China to 3,189. Nearly 81,000 people have now been infected.

THE NETHERLANDS DUTCH national airline KLM said it would cut up to 2,000 jobs as it battled the impact of the new coronavirus outbreak, and announced other costcutting measures.

Chief executive Pieter Elbers said KLM -- which has around 33,000 employees – would also ask personnel to work shortened hours, while grounding its fleet of six Boeing 747s from April 1.

“In the coming months we’ll reduce 1,500 to 2,000 jobs to mean that not only in the coming weeks, but in the coming months we will have fewer colleagues,” Elbers said in a video message posted on KLM’s website.

The airline’s top official said the job cuts mainly included part-time workers, those destined for retirement and natural attrition.

“We believe this is adequate to ensure that there are no other forced retrenchments,” Elbers said.

SAUDI ARABIA SAUDI Arabia said Saturday it would suspend international flights for two weeks in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“The Kingdom’s government decided to suspend international flights for two weeks (Starting from Sunday March 15th) as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of #CoronaVirus,” the foreign ministry tweeted. AFP

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WORRISOME, SOLON SAYS OF LAWYERS’ KILLINGS

GRAFT COURT JUNKS ORTIGAS PLEA VS FM

HALK up another legal win for the Marcoses, according to the Sandiganbayan.

The antigraft court has rejected the petition of Ortigas & Co. Limited Partnership to nullify the sale of two parcels of land in Pasig to the late president Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda.

It ruled that the Ortigas firm failed to prove that the sale was brought about through threats and intimidation.

In a 61-page ruling, the court cast aside the claims of OCLP that it was forced to sell the two parcels of land -- 160,000 square meters and 24,000 square meters—for P40 per square meter to Marcos.

OCLP’s Ignacio Ortigas previously testified that his uncle, Francisco Ortigas, had claimed that he had been threatened by Marcos into selling the property.

“Were it not for the threats of President Marcos, [the] plaintiff would not have sold the 16-hectare

parcel of land at all, and worse, at the grossly unconscionable price of P40.00 per square meter or for the total amount of P6,400,000.00,” the OCLP had argued.

The court however said that a “witness can testify only on those facts which he knows of his personal knowledge, that is, which are derived from his own perception.”

“OCLP has failed to establish the presence of either intimidation or undue influence at any throughout the sale. Notably, not a single document that will corroborate the testimony of Atty. Ortigas about the alleged threat or intimidation was presented by OCLP, “ the decision read.

“Atty. Ortigas expressly admitted that the partnership never received any threats officially.

There was no letter or correspondence from Marcos or any representative, threatening, expressly or impliedly, the Ortigas and Co. to sell its properties,” it added.

The Sandiganbayan also dismissed the OCLP’s assertion that the price of P40 per square meter

By Maricel V. Cruz A FIRST-TERM congressman on Saturday expressed concern over the series of killings of lawyers since 2016.

Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles raised the alarm following the killing of lawyer Bayani Dalangin right inside his office in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Dalangin is the 48th lawyer to be killed since 2016.

“This culture of impunity that diminishes the value of a life should stop,” Nograles said.

The Congress, Nograles said, should conduct an investigation “to determine what the Executive Branch is doing to address the killing of lawyers.”

Nograles filed House Resolution 185 last year calling for an inquiry into the deaths of law practitioners.

The said resolution also urged the creation of a special task force composed of Department of Justice and Philippine National Police investigators, in close coordination with the Commission on Human Rights and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, that would bring to justice the killers, the masterminds and their financiers.

“We have to intensify calls for justice for the victims to make appropriate authorities move). We have to put a stop to these killings, which put our whole legal system under a cloud (of uncertainty),” Nograles, a Harvard University-trained lawyer, said.

He added that members of the law profession cannot be expected to properly function with the knowledge that they are easy picking for those who wish to influence legal proceedings through whatever means.

was “grossly unconscionable” which vitiated the contracts of the sale and rendered them null and void.

“Article 1470 of the New Civil Code provides that ‘gross inadequacy of price does not affect the validity of a contract of sale, except as it may indicate a defect in the consent, or that the parties really intended a donation or some other act or contract,’” the court said.

The court added that as OCLP was unable to prove undue influence or intimidation on the part of Marcos, “the annulment of the documents of sale on the ground of gross inadequacy of price is not warranted.”

The Sandiganbayan also said that OCLP received the full payment of P6.4 million for the land three years later.

“The court likewise notes the admission of f OCLP that the purchase price paid by Mid-Pasig, as well as its predecessor, Maharlika, in the total amount of P6,400,000.00 was integrated into the corporate funds of OCLP and accordingly used by the latter in its business operations.”

CEBU PACIFIC BOOKINGS GO ONLINE

BEATING THE LOCKDOWN.

Thousands of passengers gathered at bus terminals in Quezon City and at the Manila Domestic Airport with a common objective to beat the Metrowide community quarantine or lockdown whose month-long effect started midnight Saturday.

Manny Paalmero and Jr. Josue

30 INDIA NATIONALS NABBED FOR OVERSTAYING

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration, stepping up its campaign against illegal or overstaying foreigners arrested 30 Indian nationals who were found to be undocumented.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the bureau has adopted numerous changes to “ensure that only the legitimate and properly documented foreign nationals may stay in the country.”

The BI chief also warned all foreigners in the country to correct their documents or face outright deportation and will be included in the bureau’s blacklist order.

The arrested 30 undocumented Indian nationals tried to resist arrest by attacking the arresting

authorities with bladed weapons at the Capitol Estate, Diliman, Quezon City, the BI chief said.

“They were resisting arrest, even assaulting our Intelligence agents,” Morente said.

“Found in their possession were several sharp objects and weapons such as machetes,” Morente said.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. said that their agents were assaulted and chased with machetes by the illegal aliens during the operations.

“Thankfully no one got hurt. The incident shows the risks that we encounter during operations. There was even an instance in the past when one of our men were shot in the performance of our duties,” the

Intelligence chief said.

Morente renewed the warning to foreign nationals who do not adhere to the country’s laws saying, “we will not tolerate foreign nationals living and working in the country without proper visas.

“The BI will not rest until all undocumented aliens in the Philippines are hunted down and deported back to their home countries,” he warned.

The aliens were turned over to the BI’s Legal division pending deportation proceedings.

Meanwhile, the BI said it will bar entry to the country of foreign visitors coming from countries with localized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 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 seaports in the country.

She said it is best to defer for Filipinos to go abroad for leisure and do it once COVID-2019 has already been resolved, for everyone’s health and safety.

“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.

CEBU Pacific on Saturday said it was in the process of completing cancellations for March 15-April 14 flights in its system even as it revealed that all its domestic flights to and from Manila were fully booked as of March 14.

Affected passengers were advised not to go to the airport or ticket offices to avail of their rebooking, refund or travel fund options. They were advised to make bookings online instead. “This is for the health and safety of everyone,” the airline said.

It said it would notify affected passengers via email addresses provided to the airline upon booking, once their bookings can be managed online.

CARDINAL SEES SILVER LINING IN CRISIS, URGES SIMPLE LIVING FILIPINO Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on Friday asked the Catholic faithful around the world to find meaning in the COVID-19 pandemic besetting the world to better appreciate the Lenten Season.

The pandemic opens up a silver lining to better appreciate the Season whose three disciplines—fasting, alms giving and prayer – must be observed, Tagle said in a message posted on YouTube on March 11.

Tagle urged Filipinos to continue the obligation of praying and fasting and extending help to those in need, particularly in this time of crisis.

The former Manila Archbishop said fasting can also be in the form of staying away from old habits like shopping or watching movies.

“Baka ito ang paalala sa atin na ang mundo, na nasanay na tayo na lahat ng gusto natin ay makukuha natin, maging simple. Piliin kung ano talaga ang mahalaga at mag-ayuno,” he said.

NOTE TO THE FLOCK. The Malate Church in Manila posts a message temporarily suspending Mass May this serve as reminder for us to live simply and and public gatherings from March 14 to Aril 14, to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. choose only the things that are important, he said.

Norman Cruz

PEMC DRIVER NEGATIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Electricity Market Corp. on Saturday announced that Musbar Ampahani, a driver of one of the officials of the company who recently passed away and had a history of frequenting a prayer hall in Greenhills was found to be negative for COVID-19.

“With great relief, PEMC informs its concerned stakeholders that the COVID-19 testing of Mr. Musbar Ampahani is negative, according to Director Celia Carlos of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITCM), as related by chairperson Agnes Devanadera of the Energy Regulatory Commission,” PEMC said in a statement.

Ampahani is the driver and constant companion of PEMC’s chief governance officer Raul Tan, who died on March 5.

PEMC, which supervises the country’s Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the country’s trading floor of electricity, said the untimely death of Tan could not be fully isolated from COVID-19 noting that Tan and the 5th confirmed case of the country regularly visited the same Muslim prayer hall in Brgy. Greenhills.

The company said Tan’s confirmation for COVID-19 could not be performed as he was already buried in Zamboanga in observance of the Islamic Law. Hence, management decided to asked Ampahani to be tested for COVID-19.

With the assistance of Rep. Loren Legarda and the intercession of Devanadera and ERC commissioner Cate Maceda, Ampahani was tested on March 11 which eventually yielded negative results.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

News

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TWO POSSIBLE VIRUS ‘SUPER SPREADERS’

‘SEVERE’ COVID-19 SYMPTOMS RARE IN KIDS FOR reasons unknown, children rarely have severe symptoms when infected by COVID-19 and may even be a bit less likely to get the disease in the first place, experts told AFP. But that doesn’t mean infants, toddlers and teens are not carriers for the new coronavirus, which jumped from animals to humans in central China at the end of last year.

As of Friday, there were over 140,000 confirmed cases in 124 countries, with more than 5,000 deaths.

Experts estimate that the true number of infections—many with mild or no symptoms—is far higher.

“We know children get infected with the virus, but they don’t appear to get very sick or die,” said Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“What we don’t know is how much these asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic kids transmit,” he told AFP. “This is key to understanding their role in the epidemic.”

In a study from mid-February of 44,000 confirmed cases in and around the city of Wuhan, where the pandemic began, the 10-to-19 age bracket made up one percent of infections and a single death.

Patients under 10 comprised less than one percent, with no deaths reported.

“We are still trying to wrap our heads around the deficit of cases among those under 20,”said Cecile Viboud, an epidemiologist at the US National Institute of Health’s Fogarty International Center.

There are several theories as to why kids, especially young ones, are less prone to serious symptoms.

“Children see so many illnesses in the first years of life that their immune systems are tuned up and respond nicely to novel infection,” commented Sharon Nachman, head of paediatric infectious disease at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York state.

Whatever the reason, how easily children transmit the disease despite their relative imperviousness to illness “is directly relevant to the idea of closing schools,” according to Viboud.

FLATTENING THE CURVE On Thursday French President Emmanuel Macron said all schools in France—from kindergarten to college—would shut their doors as of Monday, until further notice. AFP

A girl wears a protective face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at Bolivar square in Bogota. Experts say children may even be a bit less likely to contract the disease. AFP

US SUMMONS BEIJING ENVOY OVER ‘CONSPIRACY’ T HE United States on Friday summoned China's ambassador after a senior official in Beijing tweeted the "ridiculous" suggestion that the US military started the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department said.

David Stilwell, the top US diplomat for Asia, issued a "stern representation" to Ambassador Cui Tiankai a day after foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian tweeted the conspiracy theory.

"China is seeking to deflect criticism for its role in starting a global pandemic and not telling the world," a State Department official said.

"Spreading conspiracy theories is dangerous and ridiculous.

We wanted to put the government on notice we won't tolerate it, for the good of the Chinese people and the world," the official said.

Zhao, in tweets in both Mandarin and English that gained wide traction on Chinese social media, a day earlier suggested that "patient zero" in the global pandemic may have come from the United States—not the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan, where cases were first reported in late 2019.

"It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan.

Be transparent! Make public your

data! US owe us an explanation," tweeted Zhao, who is known for his provocative statements on social media.

His comment came as President Donald Trump's administration, which has faced increasing criticism over its own coronavirus response, has increasingly highlighted the illness's foreign origins, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dubbing it the "Wuhan virus."

Cui, in contrast to Zhao, is known for his diplomatic approach. A day before he was summoned, Cui tweeted that China hoped to work closely with the United States to fight COVID-19 for "a more prosperous shared future."

Scientists widely believe that the pandemic started in a market in Wuhan that sold exotic animals for human consumption.

Trump, speaking to reporters to announce a state of emergency over the pandemic, also dismissed the Chinese conspiracy theory when asked about it.

"They know where it came from. We all know where it came

from," said Trump, who also voiced confidence that the row would not affect a first-phase deal to resolve a trade war.

RAMPANT CONSPIRACY THEORIES Conspiracy theories have been widely disseminated over social media as the novel coronavirus takes a heavy impact, with more than 5,300 people dead and 140,000 infected worldwide.

US officials earlier told AFP that Russia had systematically spread disinformation in an effort to damage the US reputation, with coordinated Facebook and Twitter posts that suggested that the United States was behind the novel coronavirus.

Russia denied responsibility for the social media effort, which recalled the former Soviet Union's campaign in the 1980s to link HIV to the US government.

Iran's firebrand former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has written the World Health Organization to urge an investigation into the "biological war against humanity," questioning why US adversaries China and Iran have been so badly hit.

Italy, a close US ally, officially has the most cases of COVID-19 after China. AFP

GATES LEAVES MICROSOFT BOARD TO FOCUS ON CHARITY MICROSOFT on Friday announced that co-founder Bill Gates has left its board of directors to devote more time to philanthropy.

The 64-year-old stopped being involved in day-to-day operations at the firm more than a decade ago, turning his attention to the foundation he launched with his wife, Melinda.

Gates served as chairman of Microsoft's board of directors until early in 2014 and has now stepped away entirely, according to the Redmond-based technology giant.

"It's been a tremendous honor and In this file photo, US Microsoft founder and co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates privilege to have worked with and Foundation, Bill Gates, takes part in a conference call on Oct. 9, 2019, in Lyon, central learned from Bill over the years," Microeastern France, during the funding conference of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuber- soft chief executive and company vetculosis and Malaria. Microsoft on Friday announced that Gates has left its board of eran Satya Nadella said in a release.

"Bill founded our company with a bedirectors to devote more time to philanthropy. AFP

lief in the democratizing force of software and a passion to solve society's most pressing challenges; and Microsoft and the world are better for it."

Nadella said Microsoft would continue to benefit from Gates' "technical passion and advice" in his continuing role as a technical advisor.

"I am grateful for Bill's friendship and look forward to continuing to work alongside him," Nadella said.

COMPUTING AND COMPASSION Gates left his CEO position in 2000, handing the company reins to Steve Ballmer to devote more time to his charitable foundation.

He gave up the role of chairman at the same time Nadella became Microsoft's third CEO in 2014. AFP

CAN a single COVID-19 patient infect dozens of others? Although transmission rates in the current outbreak appear to be far lower, a variety of factors can lead to an individual infecting many.

The concept of so-called "superspreaders"—patients who typically infect far more people than the standard transmission rates— emerged in previous outbreaks of diseases such as Sars and Mers.

Amesh Adalja, an expert in emerging infectious diseases at John Hopkins University, said the term was not scientific and there was no set quantity of transmissions that would define a super-spreader.

"But, in general, it is usually a markedly higher figure when compared to that of other individuals," he told AFP. A range of variables govern how many people an individual infects, from how fast they shed the virus to how many people they come in to close contact with.

The novel coronavirus has a typical transmission rate of 2-3—that is, every confirmed case appears to infect between 2 and 3 other people on average.

But the pandemic has thrown up at least two patients who appear to have been super-spreaders.

SUSPECTED SUPER-SPREADERS One suspected super-spreader, a British national, appears to have infected a dozen others when he returned from Singapore and then went skiing in the Alps.

He recovered, but may have infected another five people after returning home.

In South Korea, which has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases outside of Italy, a woman known as Patient 31 appears to have infected dozens of others. AFP

ITALIANS GET FREE PORN ACCESS THE adult site Pornhub is offering free membership to millions of Italians who are under lockdown as Italy became the hardest-hit country in Europe by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a Twitter post, Pornhub, which is owned by the Canadian firm MindGeek, said the free access to its premium content aims to "help keep you (Italians) company during these next weeks at home."

The offer will last until April 23.

Italy on Saturday recorded its highest one-day toll with 250 deaths over the past 24 hours, making it a virus hotspot in Europe.

Meanwhile, global sales of adult toys rose significantly in areas largely affected by COVID-19.

"Many people and businesses are affected negatively by the virus and we saw it as a challenge for us as well," German sex toy brand Womanizer spokeswoman Johanna Rief said in a statement sent to CNN. "The numbers are therefore surprising,” she added.

The company said its global sales in the first two months of the year were 50 percent ahead of forecast.

It attributed the surge to higher demand from Italy, Hong Kong, the United States, Canada and Japan, in particular.

B1

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

THANK YOU!

T

HESE days are uncertain, frightening, confusing. It is easy to give in to our worst fears— to practically bathe ourselves in alcohol, to look at those who cough or sneeze with suspicion, and to stay within our home and work routines, limiting our interaction to the people we need to see.

Amid the chaos, medical professionals, frontliners and volunteers stand out as modern-day heroes.

They continue to don their uniforms and perform their sworn duty to attend to the medical concerns of anybody who walks into their facility. They care for

AS I write, many of us are still reeling from the turn of events that have taken place in rapid progression over the past few days.

Sure, we have been aware of the existence of the coronavirus, but for many weeks the threat was relatively far from home. That comfort was short-lived.

From three, the number has now risen to 98. Of this number, eight have died. Many of the known positive cases are Filipinos, with some of them not having any recent travel history.

That means they contracted the virus either from a place where an infected person had expelled droplets, or they had a direct contact with a carrier.

That carrier, in turn, could have been a patient, or could have not shown any symptoms and who may still be unaware of the fact.

I’ve heard statements like how COVID-19 is the great equalizer. Even high-profile personalities—say, the actor Tom Hanks, or Sophie Trudeau —have contracted it anyway. Here at home, several lawmakers and Cabinet members have gone on self-quarantine. The President and his aide Senator Bong Go went as far as having themselves tested.

on despite the risks. The rest of us face potential danger brought by this unseen menace; they, even more so by the very nature of their jobs. Some trolls on social media say they deserve no recognition since it is their job and they are getting paid for it, anyway. We disagree, and vehemently. So we pick up where Mr. Duterte chose to be silent and say to them: Thank you!

Amid today’s anxieties, we remain hopeful that one day the pandemic would seize spooking not just citizens of the world but economies as well. And since this crisis is unprecedented in our lifetime, we will come out of it with a renewed respect and appreciation for those who choose to show up for their jobs at all costs.

Antonio Guterres United Nations Secretary-General

WE WILL COME THROUGH THIS TOGETHER

By António Guterres THE upheaval caused by the coronavirus—COVID-19— is all around us. And I know many are anxious, worried and confused. That’s absolutely natural.

We are facing a health threat unlike any other in our lifetimes.

Meanwhile, the virus is spreading, the danger is growing, and our health systems, economies and day-to-day lives are being severely tested.

The most vulnerable are the most affected—particularly our elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, those without access to reliable health care, and those in poverty or living on the edge.

The social and economic fallout from the combination of the pandemic and slowing economies will affect most of us for some months.

But the spread of the virus will peak.

Our economies will recover.

Until then, we must act together to slow the spread of the virus and look after each other.

This is a time for prudence, not panic.

Science, not stigma. Facts, not fear.

Even though the situation has been classified as a pandemic, it is one we can control. We can slow down transmissions, prevent infections and save lives. But that will take unprecedented personal, national and international action.

COVID-19 is our common enemy.

We must declare war on this virus. That means countries have a responsibility to gear up, step up and scale up.

How? By implementing effective containment strategies; by activating and enhancing emergency response systems; by dramatically increasing testing capacity and care for patients; by readying hospitals, ensuring they have the space, supplies and needed personnel; and by developing life-saving medical interventions.

All of us have a responsibility, too —to follow medical advice and take simple, practical steps recommended by health authorities.

In addition to being a public health crisis, the virus is infecting the global economy.

Financial markets have been hard hit by the uncertainty. Global supply chains have been disrupted. Investment and consumer demand have plunged—with a real and rising risk of a global recession.

United Nations economists estimate that the virus could cost the global economy at least $1 trillion this year— and perhaps far more.

No country can do it alone. More than ever, governments must cooperate to revitalize economies, expand public investment, boost trade, and ensure targeted support for the people and communities most affected by the disease or more vulnerable to the negative economic impacts—including women who often shoulder a disproportionate burden of care work.

A pandemic drives home the essential interconnectedness of our human family. Preventing the further spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility for us all.

The United Nations—including the World Health Organization -- is fully mobilized.

As part of our human family, we are working 24/7 with governments, providing international guidance, helping the world take on this threat.

We are in this together—and we will get through this, together.

DISTANCE AND OTHER LUXURIES

LONG STORY SHORT ADELLE CHUA

those who need medical help, whatever the chief complaint. They themselves get tired and worried about their own exposure. No doubt they ask themselves if they may be exposing their own families to danger. Nonetheless, they continue to do their job.

In fact, some of them have themselves contracted the disease from their contact with their patients. Some remain on self-quarantine or under investigation. This is a likely continuing scenario as the virus spreads and until the threat abates.

If there is anybody the President should have thanked, and profusely, during his address to the nation on Thursday night, it should have been the doctors, nurses, and other health workers who soldier

I think however the virus scare and its repercussions do the contrary— highlighting instead how the things others take for granted could be a luxury for some.

Take this concept of working from home or, in the case of students, learning from home. It’s one of the benefits offered by technology. The Internet makes it possible for tasks, meetings, discussions and output submissions to be done remotely.

But the nature of blue collar jobs for instance demands physical presence—how else can you construct a house, clean offices, wait on tables, peddle your goods? Often, the arrangement is that they do not get paid if they don’t show up.

(If you are a student from a public school, perhaps your most common use of the Internet is social media on your phone if you save enough from your allowance to load your number. You don’t have a computer with which you can do research or download apps designed specifically for online learning.)

And so workers do need to show up if their employers decide to stay operational. Otherwise, there goes their living. But in showing up, they have to take public transportation.

They don’t own cars or have the budget for cabs or Grab. The trains

will run during the lockdown period, but at a greatly limited capacity. One shudders to think about the usual cramped conditions that workers had to endure in previous weeks, after the outbreak but before the lockdown.

Stay home, we are told. We disinfect our homes, cleaning and spraying obsessively. We wash our hands with soap and water or rub them wth alcohol to feel just a little more secure. Sometimes we wear masks.

When we run out of these supplies, we can always go to the supermarket or drugstore to replenish—sometimes, greedily so.

When we get bored or hungry at home, we watch movies or our favorite shows on our streaming services, and order food for delivery according to our craving, with the help of various delivery apps. We are happy to note that some concerts and museum exhibits are available online.

Meanwhile, virus threat or none, millions of Filipinos cannot even afford to buy soap, or do not have access to clean water with which to maintain basic hygiene. Their problem is not that it might not be safe to go out to eat, or that they are torn with eating their favorite “sinful” food and eating healthy. It is that they do not have money for the most basic food items in the first place.

And what distancing? Try telling that to those living in hovels in large numbers and in close proximity to one another. Tell that also to those in jail, for whom personal space is nonexistent. Has the government even pondered an outbreak in such communities?

Imagine a worker from these areas experiencing coughing and fever.

Going to the doctor would be such a hassle; the medicine might be expensive. The poor sleep away their sickness, hoping they would feel better in the morning, strong enough to fight their economic battles anew. Certainly they don’t even consider submitting themselves for COVID testing; they would not even know where to start.

We do what we can to keep ourselves and our families safe, and to have a semblance of normalcy despite these extraordinary times. We need to stay healthy, strong and informed.

Moreover, we have to show empathy in thinking about others more vulnerable than we are. Their concerns should be addressed in a compassionate and commonsensical manner. Now is not the time to be whimsical, arbitrary—or indifferent. adellechua@gmail.com

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard.com.ph;

can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

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Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

ONLINE MEMBER

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Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head-Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

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Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

World

B2

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

ONE YEAR AFTER ATTACK, NZ MUSLIMS FEEL UNSAFE WELLINGTON—New Zealand has cancelled a national remembrance service to mark Sunday’s first anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks because of coronavirus fears, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

“This is a pragmatic decision. We’re very saddened to cancel, but in remembering such a terrible tragedy, we shouldn’t create the risk of further harm being done,” Ardern said Saturday.

The service to mark the March 15 mass shooting, when a self-avowed white supremacist opened fire at two mosques during Friday prayers, killing 51, had been expected to attract several thousand people, with many travelling from overseas.

Ardern said New Zealand needed to take a precautionary approach.

CLOUD ‘BEAN’. People visit Cloud Gate statue, known as the ‘Bean’, in Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois, on March 13. US President

PENTAGON MULLS OVER MICROSOFT CLOUD DEAL

Donald Trump declared the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, a national emergency on Friday. AFP

ROCKETS HIT US AIR BASE IN IRAQ AMID IRAN TALKS

B

AGHDAD -- A fresh spate of rockets targeted an Iraqi base north of Baghdad on Saturday where foreign troops are deployed, Iraqi and US security sources told AFP, in a rare daytime attack.

The Katyusha rockets fired at the Taji air base came three days after American and British military personnel were killed in a similar attack, the deadliest thus far.

The US responded Friday with air strikes on arms depots it said were used by hardline members of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of armed groups incorporated into the Iraqi state, but which Washington has blamed for rocket attacks.

Meanwhile, after months of piling pressure on Tehran, the United States is seeing an unexpected new variable -the novel coronavirus, which has taken a

substantial toll not just on Iran but inside its government.

US policymakers are asking whether deaths within the regime are widespread enough that they could alter decision-making—although a deadly rocket attack Wednesday in Iraq, which Washington blamed on Iran, showed at least that the cycle of conflict between the countries is not abating.

COVID-19, which has infected tens of thousands of people around the world, has hit Iran’s government unusually hard, with a number of senior politicians and officials killed or infected by the disease including a vice president, a senior adviser to the foreign minister and a powerful cleric.

General Kenneth McKenzie, head of Central Command which covers the Middle East, said the United States believed the impact was worse than the more than 500 deaths reported—the world’s third highest toll after China and Italy -and said US policymakers were assessing

the political ramifications.

“Of course, death is permanent,” McKenzie told reporters Friday.

“In the short term, it’s going to make it a lot harder to make decisions. People are separated.”

A day earlier, McKenzie told a Senate hearing that the health crisis—two months after Iranian public outrage over the accidental downing of a civilian Ukrainian plane—made the leadership “more dangerous” as it would likely seek to “unite the masses of its people against an external target.”

“There is very little evidence in the history of warfare of a regime that has a crippling internal problem that decides to focus on the crippling internal problem,” he said.

President Donald Trump, closely allied with Iran’s regional adversaries Saudi Arabia and Israel, has sought to debilitate the Shiite clerical regime through sweeping sanctions including on Iran’s key export of oil. AFP

SAN FRANCISCO— The US Department of Defense said Thursday it wants to reconsider its decision to award a multibillion-dollar military cloud computing contract to Microsoft in a bidding process Amazon claims was tainted by politics.

A judge last month issued an order at Amazon’s request temporarily blocking the US military from starting work on the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract, or JEDI. In a filing late Thursday in a federal court, government attorneys asked for the matter to be “remanded,” or sent back, to the Pentagon “for 120 days to reconsider certain aspects of the challenged agency decision.”

The Pentagon attorneys said the motion came in response to the judge stalling the awarding of the JEDI contract on the grounds Amazon Web Services (AWS) would “likely be able to show” that the department erred in evaluating its proposal.

“We are pleased that the DoD has acknowledged ‘substantial and legitimate’ issues that affected the JEDI award decision, and that corrective action is necessary,” an AWS spokesperson said in a statement.

“We look forward to complete, fair, and effective corrective action that fully insulates the re-evaluation from political influence and corrects the many issues affecting the initial flawed award.”

Amazon argues it was shut out of the deal because of President Donald Trump’s vendetta against the company and its chief executive Jeff Bezos. AFP Manila

Standard

hundreds each day.

Conte has responded by shuttering most shops and all restaurants and other public places in the hope of stemming contagion and easing the burden on overstretched hospitals.

Italians have been told to avoid going outside without a good reason and machinegun toting soldiers now patrol city streets.

But churches have stayed open in the overwhelmingly Catholic country throughout what many now call Italy’s biggest crisis since

World War II. That changed when the vicar of Rome said Thursday he could no longer withstand government pressure and was closing all Catholic places of worship across the Italian capital.

The Rome diocese lists slightly over 1,000 churches —about 900 of them Catholic ones.

The pope’s response was unusually swift and blunt.

“Drastic measures are not always good,” the Argentine-born pope said in livestreamed Friday

morning prayer.

He prayed for “pastors to have the good judgement... not to leave the holy, faithful people of God alone.”

The vicar of Rome then issued a statement explaining that he had had “a further meeting” with the pontiff in which it was decided to let at least some churches to reopen their doors.

Vicar Angelo De Donatis said he ultimately decided that closing churches “will sow confusion” among the faithful and see some “feel even more isolated”. AFP

HEZBOLLAH WON’T OPPOSE IMF AID UNDER ‘REASONABLE CONDITIONS’ BEIRUT, Lebanon— Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah movement, which has strongly opposed foreign interference in the country’s crisis-hit economy, said Friday it could accept Beirut receiving an International Monetary Fund financial rescue package under “reasonable conditions”.

“Any help within reasonable conditions, there’s no problem with it in principle,” the Shiite movement’s chief Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address.

But he warned that “Lebanon must not fall under anybody’s trusteeship or hand over its financial and economic administration” to outside parties.

One of the most indebted countries in the world, Lebanon has been rocked by a months-long political and financial crisis.

The country’s pound has tumbled in value and banks have imposed strict limits on dollar withdrawals amid a strangulating liquidity crunch and mass protests against the political class.

Lebanon said last week it would default on its Eurobond debt for the first time, saying that was the only way to shore up its foreign currency reserves.

Banking experts have called for an IMF rescue package, saying it would secure desperately needed international assistance and reassure creditors.

But the powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah, which along with its allies holds a majority in parliament, has opposed such moves.

It has rejected conditions and “ready-made recipes” which global bodies could impose, warning against what it called “foreign guardianship” over the economy. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office

TODAY

VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER Padrigal St., Karuhatan, ValenzuelaCity Tel. No. 294-6711 to 16, Telefax 291-4259 Email address: valgen_hosp@yahoo.com

ROME CHURCHES REOPEN AFTER ANGRY POPE STEPS IN VATICAN CITY—Some of Rome’s Catholic churches reopened Friday after Pope Francis voiced displeasure with the Italian authorities’ push to shut them because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The rare standoff between the 83-year-old pontiff and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government came as Italy’s death toll reached 1,266.

The Mediterranean country has suffered more than half the COVID-19 fatalities reported outside China and has seen the toll grow by

“The advice we received for this event is that based on people travelling from different parts of the country and from overseas, if there was a case, it could be difficult to trace those who had come into contact with that person, so we are taking a cautious approach,” she said.

“March 15 now becomes an opportunity for every New Zealander to reflect in their own way on the events of a year ago.”

The unveiling of a remembrance plaque, also planned for Sunday morning at Christchurch’s main al-Noor mosque, has been postponed as a precautionary measure.

Mosque spokesman Tony Green said they had taken the advice of health professionals and it was right not to go ahead with the two remembrance services. AFP

Invitation to Bid Procurement of Various Drugs and Medicines CY 2020 (179 items) PB NO. VMC-2020-020 The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC), through the General Appropriations Act/Income CY 2020, intends to apply the sum of Philippine Currency: FIFTEEN MILLION EIGHTY THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY TWO PESOS & 90/100 ONLY, (P15, 083,892.90) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments for the Procurement of Various Drugs and Medicines CY 2020– (179 items)PUBLIC BIDDING NO. VMC-2020020.

1.

The VMC now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-captioned package. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, entitled “Instructions to Bidders”.

2.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act” and is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act No. 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

3.

Only Bids from Bidders who passed the eligibility check will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in Section II of the Bidding Documents entitled, “ITB”. The Bidder with the Lowest Calculated Bid (LCB) shall advance to the postqualification stage in order to finally determine the responsiveness of the bid submission to the technical and financial requirements of the project. The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during the post-qualification procedure.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the VMC and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm4:00pm starting March 14, 2020.

5.

The VMC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference for this bidding activity on March 20, 2020, 10:00 am at the Valenzuela Medical Center, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.

Only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the Pre-Bid Conference. Those who have not purchased the bidding documents may act as observers and submit written queries, subject to the guidelines as stated in the IRR of RA 9184.

6.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of:

ABC to be Bid

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso)

500,000 and below

500.00

More than 500,000 up to 1 Million

1,000.00

More than 1 Million up to 5 Million

5,000.00

More than 5 Million up to 10 Million

10,000.00

More than 10 Million and above

25,000.00

The method of payment will be in cash, manager’s check, bank guarantee or surety bond. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective bidder or his authorized representative. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity; Provided, that Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

ACTIVIST FREED. Pro-democracy activist and Occupy Central

co-founder Chan Kin-man (center right) poses for photos following his release from prison alongside Occupy Central co-founder Benny Tai (center left) and legislative councilor and pro-democracy activist Tanya Chan (third from left) outside Pik Uk prison in Hong Kong on March 14. The veteran Chan was released from jail on Saturday after serving 11 months for his role in organizing a wave of peaceful protests six years ago. AFP

7.

Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before April 03, 202010:00 am, at the VMC BAC Secretariats’ Office.

8.

Bid Opening and Eligibility Check will be on April 03, 2020, 10:00 am, Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late submission of bids will not be entertained. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the prescribed form, amount and validity period.

9.

The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariats’ Office Valenzuela Medical Center, Annex Building, 2nd Floor, Padrigal St., Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625

(SGD.) DONA D. SALMOS, RN, MAN Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee

(MS-MAR. 15, 2020)

Images

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SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EMPTY STREETS. Fewer vehicles are seen along the usually busy stretch of EDSA corner Ayala Avenue in Makati City as threats of infection from the novel coronavirus continue to hound the public and Metro Manila poised to go on lockdown starting midnight Saturday. Ey Acasio

EXODUS STARTS. Passengers wear face masks while waiting at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement of a local travel ban in the capital region. AFP

BIG DONATION. Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong (center with microphone) announces that the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) will donate P100 million to the Department of Health for medical supplies to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Dr. Lim is flanked by officers of the group representing 11 Filipino Chinese business, civic and cultural organizations. Manny Palmero LUNA BRIGHT.

A ‘super worm moon’ gleams in the sky at 5;34 p.m. Monday as seen from Quezon City. The worm moon is the last full moon before the March equinox and is called such because the ground begins to thaw and earthworms reappear, soon followed by the return of robins.

Ver Noveno

DISINFECTION GALORE. A utility man fires up a fogging machine to be used to disinfect Malacañang Palace in this photo from the Presidential Security Group on Friday. The scene was repeated at the Senate, where its function rooms were cleansed, and at a high school in Manila, where a misting ‘cannon’ is used. PSG FB Page, Senate PRIB, AFP

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Sports

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SPORTS CALENDAR SHREDDED AS COVID-19 RAVAGES EVENTS

P

ARIS—The collapse of sports events worldwide gathered pace Friday with England’s Premier League, Europe’s Champions League and the Masters golf major among competitions swept aside by the coronavirus pandemic.

As sports calendars were shredded worldwide, Formula One motor racing was in turmoil with the first three Grands Prix of the season—Australia, Bahrain and Vietnam—scrapped while the Masters, the first major golf tournament of the year at Augusta National, was postponed.

England’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka also fell victim to the virus while suspension of the Premier League until April 4 came shortly after the French Football League announced that all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games would be on hold until further notice.

The German Bundesliga then followed suit, announcing that the league would be halted for the first time since World War II. European football took a major hit when officials suspended next week’s programme of Champions League and Europa League ties.

And cycling’s first Grand Tour of the season, the Giro d’Italia, scheduled for May 9-31, was also put on hold as officials feared the impact of COVID-19.

The virus, which has killed 5,043 people according to an AFP tally, is accelerating just over four months from the Tokyo Olympics’ start on July 24.

Football’s Premier League, with a worldwide audience of billions, was suspended after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi were confirmed to have the disease.

“Following a meeting of shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time,” the Premier League said in a statement.

The decision by authorities in England, France and Germany to postpone top-flight football means that all Europe’s top leagues have ground to a halt. Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A have already suspended matches.

On Friday, four more players of Italian club Sampdoria tested positive for COVID-19, joining teammate Manolo Gabbiadini in contracting the virus.

European football’s governing body UEFA took the step of postponing matches after two of next week’s four scheduled Champions League last 16, second legs—between Manchester City and

A worker, wearing a facemask amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, walks past hoarding at the Formula One Vietnam Grand Prix race track site in Hanoi. Vietnam Formula One Grand Prix has been postponed due to coronavirus—organizers said. AFP Real Madrid, and between Juventus and Lyon—had already been called off.

“In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed,” UEFA said in a statement.

Sports across the globe have suffered major disruption because of the virus with the PGA Tour golf season, the men’s tennis tour, NBA basketball, Major League Baseball and a host of top-flight events interrupted.

LATEST VICTIMS England’s cricketers will be returning from Sri Lanka among the latest victims of the sporting chaos.

Their tour of Sri Lanka was scrapped on Friday as the team took part in a practice match ahead of the first of two Test matches due to start on March 19.

Rugby union was also affected with the last Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff scrapped one day ahead of Saturday’s scheduled kick-off.

More bad news could come as European football chiefs are to meet next week to consider whether to postpone Euro 2020, due to start in June and this year’s other major international sports along with the Olympics.

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 US President Donald Trump became the first foreign leader to break ranks and raise the prospect of delaying the Olympics 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.

Trump’s comments were followed by a decision by Greek organisers to scrap the Greek leg of the Olympic torch relay soon after it was launched because the large crowds had triggered concern over the spread of the virus.

For their part, Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto said there were no plans to delay or cancel the Games. AFP

LONG ROAD TO TOKYO CONTINUES FOR HIDILYN OLYMPIC Silver Medalist and Asian and Southeast Asian Games Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz (center) recently left to prepare for the upcoming weightlifting qualifying tournaments that will ensure her qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this JulyAugust. The Alsons Power GroupMindanao’s first private-sector power producer is Ms. Diaz’s partner in a scholarship program to ensure the education of 15 aspiring young athletes that are part of the national weightlifting team training pool in

Zamboanga City. Alsons Power’s Western Mindanao Power Corporation diesel power plant is the primary provider of electricity to Zamboanga City and the only major power plant within the City. Diaz was accompanied by her coach and trainer Julius Naranjo (2nd to the left). Seeing them off are (from left) Alsons Power Corporate Communications Head Junjun Contreras, Alsons Power CEO Tirso G. Santillan, Jr., and Alsons Power Corporate Communications Associate Shayne San Juan.

ACER PREDATOR-TNC INVADES CEBU WITH SEA’S LARGEST CYBER CAFE CEBU—TNC, one of the fastest-growing cyber cafe franchising in the Philippines, and Predator, premium gaming brand catering to professional and hardcore gamers, once again seal their commitment to nurturing the growing talent pool in the Southeast Asian region with the opening of Southeast Asia’s largest Acer Predator-equipped cyber café in Cebu.

Esports has grown exponentially in TNC and Acer Predator seal their commitment to nurturing the growing esports talent pool with the opening of the largest Acer Predatorequipped cyber café in Southeast Asia.

the past years rightfully earning a place in the recently concluded Southeast Asia Games as a medal sport. Along with this growth is the increasing number of individuals getting into the sport making it even more competitive than before.

With this in mind, TNC and Predator created an environment where gamers not only get to experience the most luxurious gaming set-ups, high-speed internet, and powerful Acer Predator

PCs but also a community that understands and supports them.

Located at Colon, Cebu City, the three-floor Cyber Cafe houses a total of 408 Predator units, which include Orion 3000 and 5000. One hundred eight (108) units of Orion 5000 are ready for use at the VIP floor or Predator floor while the other 300 units populate the rest of the other floors.

“With the continuous support of Acer Predator, we wanted to give the best gaming experience to the Queen City of the South. We hope that with this facility, we can encourage Cebuanos to dive in more to esports and hopefully develop more world-class talents,” said Eric Redulfin, TNC’s Founder and President.

TNC, formerly TheNet.Com Internet Café, committed another three years with Acer Predator naming it as the official hardware provider for its future gaming cafes.

Like any physical sport, esports athletes need to constantly practice to elevate their skills. Tournaments have become highly competitive that private companies are throwing their support to various teams and individuals who

want to compete internationally.

By having the most capable devices, gamers can get used to the pressure of playing against other highly skilled individuals. In the region, gamers have shown success and lots of potentials who can play side by side more experienced gamers.

In having this mindset, Predator and TNC are determined to work hand in hand so gamers will get the motivation to do even better than before especially when the time comes when they have to represent their own country.

At present, there are over a hundred TNC Cyber Café branches in the country equipped with Predator gaming laptops and PCs. In the next three years of the partnership, the two brands are looking at opening more venues for gamers all over the country to tap the untapped talents.

Coln and TNC Predator Team were present during the event to meet with fans at the opening of TNC Cebu Headquarters. After the opening, Predator hosted a mini-concert at Cebu Trade Hall for Coln. The band launched their featured music video for “Lakas”, a song composed for the Predator brand.

HUELGAS, BURGOS LEAD VERMOSA CHAMPIONS TWO-TIME Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas and Erika Nicole Burgos were a cut above the rest in the standard distance contest of the Vermosa Aquathlon 1, held recently at the world-class Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, Cavite.

Huelgas was unstoppable from start to finish as he finished the 500 meter swim- 5 kilometer run course in a swift 25 minutes and 54 seconds, easily winning the Male 25-29 age-group title.

Meanwhile, the next two fastest males were from the 18-24 category namely Juan Francisco Baniqued and Inaki Lorbes, who finished in 27:00 and 27:17, respectively.

Among the ladies in the event presented by Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, Standard Insurance, Apollo Petroleum Jelly, Alviera, LeGarde L-Carnitine, Smart, official timing partner Garmin, hydration partners Pocari Sweat and Sip Purified Water, shoe partner Saucony and recovery partner Air Relax Massage Guns Philippines, Erika Nicole Burgos emerged as the Female 18-24 champion after clocking in 30:33.

She was followed by Female 1517 champion Olivia Kwon with 33:25 while Female 18-24 entry Bea Marie Quiambao registered the 3rd fastest time of 34:30.

The relay champions declared were Team AA (All-Female) composed of Mikaela Arroyo and Boo Pascual, Team Good Boiz (AllMale) composed of Hjalmar Pasaylo and Lorenzo Joaquin Solda, and Team GG (Mixed) composed of Gabriella Venturina and Mark Garin.

Nikko Huelgas, who won the SEA Games gold medals in 2015 and 2017, had high praise for the quality of the design of the race course stating that the lanes in the Olympic-sized swimming pool were spacious, while the angular roads around Vermosa provided nice challenge. This was also his first time ever to race in the venue.

DE GUZMAN, ZAFRA RULE BADMINTON LANZ Ralf Zafra and Mikaela Joy Miranda De Guzman bested their respective foes to win the open singles titles of the 13th Prima Pasta Badminton Championships at the Powersmash badminton courts in Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City recently.

Zafra delivered his best performance against 2018 Prima Pasta open singles’ champion Rabie Jayson Oba-ob to score a 21-7, 19-21, 21-15 victory in the men’s singles finale to take home the crown of the annual competition organized by Prima Pasta Chairman Alex Lim. Zafra, a member of the Philippine team, dethroned last year defending champion Malaysian Shahrul Shazwan, 16-21, 21-11, 21-16, in the quarterfinals before outlasting Ros Leenard Pedrosa in the semifinals, 21-19, 21-7, to get into the finals.

De Guzman upset Sarah Joy Barredo, 21-13, 21-18, to bring home the women’s open singles’ title.

In the doubles open categories, Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada beat Philip Joper Escueta and Paul John Pantig, 21-19, 2115, to capture the men’s doubles open crown.

Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo and Thea Marie Pomar outlasted Jochelle Alvarez and Joella Geva Ramos De Vera, 21-13, 21-14, to win the women’s doubles open trophy.

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Business

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

GOING CASHLESS REDUCES RISKS OF VIRUS SPREAD, SAYS GCASH

Filipino Inventors Society Multi-Purpose Cooperative president Francisco ‘Popoy’ Pagayon (right) and Dr. Bryan Soberon show the ethyl alcohol solutions and face masks that they will soon make available at the cooperative’s showroom at Cortez Building along EDSA, South Triangle, Quezon City.

Philippine Development Movement head and LandBank director Atty. Jayvee Hinlo Jr. (right) and Popoy Pagayon

FILIPINO INVENTORS STEP UP TO HELP CONTAIN COVID-19 F

ILIPINO inventors are stepping up to help contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 which has infected more than 50 people in the country and forced the declaration of Manila under “community quarantine”.

Filipino Inventors Society Multi-Purpose Cooperative president Francisco ‘Popoy’ Pagayon says his group was challenged by Philippine Development Movement head Atty. Jayvee Hinlo Jr. to fill the gap in the supply of disinfectant solutions and face masks amid the threat of COVID-19.

“Atty. Hinlo, who is also a director of Land Bank of the Philippines, challenged our ‘inventrepreneurs’ to help find solutions to this crisis such as the lack of alcohol and face masks,” Pagayon says in an interview in Quezon City.

Pagayon says FISMPC will respond to the challenge by making available locallyproduced alcohol solutions and face masks at the cooperative’s showroom at Cortez Building along EDSA, South Triangle, Quezon City as early as next week.

He says his group has already obtained an approval from the Food and Drug Administration to produce ethyl alcohol-based solutions. He says the products have anti-bacterial ingredients to fight off disease-causing germs but are not too harsh on the skin.

“Wholesale and retail buyers are the target market so that we can help ease the lack of supply in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. We will try our best to put them in our shelves starting next week,” says Pagayon who is credited for various inventions such as Portasol solar dryer and Probaton—short for police reconnaissance operation baton.

Pagayon says LandBank had expressed interest to place bulk orders for alcohol-based solutions for the use of its branches nationwide. “Atty. Hinlo challenged us to increase production to meet the overwhelming demand,” he says.

Pagayon says this is also in line with the program of LandBank to help inventrepreneurs as well micro, small and medium enterprises to industrialize their production so that they will attain economies of scale. “The idea is to become partners to industrialize the manufacturing sector,” he says.

Another inventor and entrepreneur, Edgardo ‘Gary’ Vazquez, is also using a technology he

The Turbo Kool mist dispensing machine designed by inventor Gary Vazquez

designed to help disinfect areas and surfaces visited by individuals who turned out to be COVID-19 patients.

Vazquez brought two Turbo Kool machines to Malacañang Palace, Greenhills Shopping Center and Wack Wack Golf and Country Club early this month for disinfection and sanitation activities.

The disinfecting team was organized by former Metro Manila Development Authority general manager Tim Orbos and Vazquez to combat the virus. Vazquez is the inventor of the mist-dispensing apparatus under the ‘Misty Kool’ trademark.

Vazquez says misting is the best solution to combat the virus on surface areas, as it lands on objects and lives for several days. Misty Kool transforms liquid solutions into mists to make it flow through the air and land on all areas.

“Only Misty Kool high-pressure misting system can convert the liquid into molecules and make it float in the air,”Vazquez says in a social media post.

The Misty Kool machine consists of a misting fan, high-pressure pumps, fine nozzles, switches, oil indicator, programmable timer, automatic shut-off mechanism, hose, 41-liter water tank and heavy-duty wheels with locking mechanism.

Vasquez offers the technology in several forms

such as a line machine, electric fan-type unit that can produce Baguio-like breeze instantly and a bigger machine called Turbo Kool.

The last product is a remote-controlled, elevated dust suppression control system that can blow cool fine mist hundreds of meters into the air that can capture dust and other particulates and bring them down to the ground. It can also lower temperature by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.

Vazquez says that in engineering, it is called the flash point. Vazquez, who is also known as the inventor of the Vazbuilt modular housing technology, says that when water is subjected to a high pressure to go through a very fine nozzle, it automatically becomes mist and floats in the air.

He says that amid the increasing demand for his two Turbo Kool machines, he is building another one to sanitize not only commercial establishments but also ordinary neighborhoods.

“It is perfect for heavy-duty cleaning of schools, sports arenas, malls, government and private offices, etc.,” he says.

Vazquez is also designing misting tents as well as mobile indoor/outdoor disinfectants to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in communities.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

PAPER money can carry the viruses and bacteria that they contract with for several days, including the deadly novel coronavirus disease 2019, according to the World Health Organization.

To take precautionary measures on the spread of the dreaded disease, the public is advised to regularly sanitize their hands whenever they are handling money, or use contactless payments instead.

Banknotes, according to the international body, may harbor the deadly virus for several days, thus have the potential to get a person infected. Studies have shown that human coronaviruses stay on the surface of paper money for as long as nine days at room temperature.

Thus, the United Nations body recommended the public to use contactless payment options to mitigate the health risks related to cash handling and the circulation of paper money. In the US, consumers are reportedly more inclined to use frictionless payments for their purchases.

In the Philippines, a more prevalent form of contactless payment is financial technology (fintech), which has been available to Filipinos for more than a decade now. Since it was introduced, fintech has allowed end-users to transact with physical and online stores through their mobile phones, providing a frictionless payments solution for transactions.

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, believes that it can contribute to mitigating the spread of Covid-19 by encouraging Filipinos to use digital financial tools to reduce contact with potentially contaminated money.

“Through frictionless payments such as that of mobile digital finance, we are removing potential health risks related to cash handling.

We at GCash believe that this is the most opportune time for Filipinos to consider cashless payment options for their transactions,” GCash president Anthony Thomas said.

GCash has become a popular means of transac ting in the Philippines. Aside from its use as a digital payments facility for online transactions, GCash wallets may also be used to pay for physical transactions in 70,000 merchants nationwide.

Co n s u m e r s c a n b u y t h e i r groceries from GCash partner Puregold or their on-the-go needs from convenience store chain 7/11, both of which use the Scan-toPay (STP) via Barcode payment system. To use the STP via Barcode, customers need only to generate a unique barcode via their GCash apps and have the cashier scan the code via the scanner guns.

Aside from this, GCash users may also use their digital wallets to purchase medicines and vitamins from Mercury Drug, food and other supplies from Lazada, and their meals at different restaurants and food kiosks nationwide.

“We are one with the government and private groups in pursuing measures to prevent the global pandemic from spreading further.

We hope that through our platform, we are helping Filipinos reduce the risk of having contact with the virus,” Thomas said.

CONSUMER GROUP EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER VIRULENT CORRUPTION AN ADVOCACY group has expressed concern over the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 and the perception of increasing corruption in the country on Filipino consumers.

“Corruption is a disease now destroying our institutions, a viral plague that has been victimizing our people for generations,” Louie Montemar, convenor of Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3), said in a statement.

Montemar issued the statement after the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night placed

Metro Manila under community quarantine to limit the movements of the people.

Montermar said that “just like COVID-19, the global corruption has also spread unabatedly” and that “there has been no potent cure to eradicate corruption and fraud”.

Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion and other illicit financial flows cost developing countries $1.26 trillion per year, according to Transparency International.

Montemar said that in the Philippines, an official of the Ombudsman estimated that the government is losing P700 billion a

year because of corruption.

A study based on 5,000 businessmen from 99 countries revealed that over $42 billion were lost to corrupt transactions. This is according to the recent Pricewaterhouse Coopers Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey covering the last two years.

About 14 percent of respondents claimed losing business to companies who paid bribes.

President Duterte has repeatedly expressed frustration over the problem of pervasive corruption in government despite his stern warnings and firing of some suspected government officials.

Montemar said the PWC study reinforces the results of the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index where the Philippines dropped to 34 points on a scale where the perfect score of 100 is “very clean” and zero is “highly corrupt”. The Asia Pacific region averaged 43 while the international average is 45 points.

“It is very alarming that the recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation revealed P14 billion in ‘suspicious transactions’ disclosed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and foreign currency smuggling estimated at $633 million are linked to POGOs. This can only be done under

the tolerated operations of criminal syndicates,” Montemar said.

“Why is our government tolerating what seems like a creeping invasion of Chinese nationals working in an industry outlawed in their own country?” “ This obvious preference is suspicious while some of the most established local enterprises like Manila Water, Maynilad and ABS-CBN are under threat with punishment, takeover or closure because of alleged violations. The timing and weaponized rule of law tactics shows that there must be a hidden agenda,” Montemar said.

Business

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SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 business@manilastandard.net

IN BRIEF

Cunningham Lindsey Philippines new country head Nick Higson

CUNNINGHAM REBRANDS INTO TCS

CUNNINGHAM Lindsey Philippines, an independent claims specialist, rebranded as Total Claim Specialists.

Following the appointment of new country head Nick Higson and supported by long-term president Valentino Aboy, the rebranding allows TCS to continue expansion within the Philippines and overseas.

Higson was previously the regional leader of the Major and Complex Loss team for the global adjusting company responsible for nine countries.

Recognizing the growth opportunities in the Philippines, he joined CLP—now TCS as country head in June 2018. Higson has significant experience leading large loss teams throughout the Asia-Pacific at some of the highest-profile recent insurance events.

“For insurance claims services to work in the Philippines, local regulations strictly require international insurers, reinsurers and loss adjusters to partner with a Philippine-based company for legal compliance. We have extensive knowledge not only in the Philippines but also in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Asia. We have vast direct experience in handling some of the most significant insurance events in Asia and providing individual solutions for our clients following those events,” said Higson.

“For over 25 years, TCS was the sole preferred agent of a single global client. Now, we are pleased and able to offer our services to all interested clients, not just one. We have rebranded as an independent, stand-alone business, to provide a more direct and solution-focused service. We look forward to working closely with all our partners both in the Philippines and overseas,” he said.

BPI-PHILAM LIFE NAMED TOP INSURER BPI-Philam Life Assurance Corp.’s digital habits and customer service got the nod from London-based international business and finance magazine World Finance which hailed the company as the Best Life Insurance Company in the Philippines in 2019. This marked its third consecutive year of receiving the award.

The World Finance Global Insurance Awards celebrates the industry’s most innovative players and top insurers that help drive the sector forward. BPIPhilam has proven its resilience towards challenges and practices its progressive mentality by expanding reach to various areas across the Philippines in its aim to close the protection gap in the country.

“BPI-Philam is proud and grateful to receive the award for the third consecutive year. We are racing against risk to protect as many lives as we can, especially as the country is highly vulnerable to different disasters. Several recent events rocked both the nation and the world and have once again urged the pressing need for insurance. Our goal is to touch base with the most vulnerable sectors, and we are continuously working hard to do that,” said BPI-Philam CEO Surendra Menon.

BPI-Philam supports these efforts with consumer education programs that drive the importance of insurance home. Bancassurance sales executives are also stationed in BPI branches nationwide to address any insurance-related concerns.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show that 526 cities and municipalities remain unbanked as of the second quarter of 2019. Of this number, 458 have other access points, which BPI-Philam has begun to tap through strategic partnerships with other notable service providers like Tambunting Pawnshop.

PRIVATE EMISSION TESTING CENTERS SEEK GOV’T SUPPORT THE National Public Transport Coalition asked the Department of Transportation to support the private emission testing centers’ evolution (migration) into Motor Vehicle Inspection System where they will have a broader function of undergoing all motor vehicles in road safety and smoke emission tests prior to their annual renewal of motor vehicle registration.

The coalition said that under DOTR’s accredited MVIS, testing costs would be three times more expensive, time spent going to accredited MVICs would lead to longer lines because of the limited number of favored MVICs and there would be no specific standard to test tricycles.

It said if DOTR would allow the private emission testing centers which have been serving the transport sector for decades to evolve themselves into MVICs with compact and modern test equipment better suited to the Philippine environment, the transport sector would benefit more in terms of savings and convenience.

It said PETCs have adequate number of testing centers. With thousands of PETCs already deployed and operating nationwide compared to DOTR’s plan of authorizing only 138 favored MVICs, the PETCs would be more dependable to provide the needed service expected by the transport sector from the government for several years, it added.

It said the 138 MVICs are not enough to service 28,000,000 motor vehicles as their proposed high tech but cumbersome test machines have limitations as to the number of units to be tested a day.

Frans Velkers (left), chief operating officer of OMRON Healthcare Asia Pacific Region and Jannette Jakosalem, chief executive of Metro Drug Inc. sign a distribution partnership to expand OMRON’s distribution network in the Philippines.

OMRON EXPANDS PH DISTRIBUTION

O

MRON Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Philippine Branch signed an agreement with pharmaceutical sales and distribution company Metro Drug Inc. to broaden its distribution network for OMRON Healthcare Philippines’ blood pressure monitors, nebulizers, thermometers, body composition monitors and TENS massagers.

Under the partnership, OMRON products will now be available in independent pharmacies, hospitals and other medical institutions nationwide.

The newly forged collaboration with Metro Drug is a part of OMRON’s aggressive expansion plans in line with its goal of boosting its share of the local healthcare market. Metro Drug has more than 50 principal local and multinational partners, 28,000 accounts nationwide and 100 percent

coverage of relevant market.

“OMRON Healthcare is dedicated to its mission of improving lives and contributing to a better society. In line with this, we work rigorously to ensure that our state-of-the-art products are conveniently accessible to every Filipino, thus allowing them to take charge of their health in the comfort of their own homes. We are happy that our partnership with Metro Drug lets us reach more customers across the country,” said Frans Velkers, chief operating officer of OMRON Healthcare Asia Pacific Region.

The partnership will broaden Metro Drug’s medical device portfolio. “We are delighted to welcome the world-renowned OMRON Healthcare products into the Metro Drug family.

Our kababayans deserve only the best, especially when it comes to healthcare, and we are confident that with OMRON, we can offer them the topcaliber devices they need and deserve,” Metro Drug chief executive Janette Jakosalem.

Omron provides clinically proven, innovative medical equipment for health monitoring and therapy. Its product portfolio includes blood pressure monitors, nebulizers, electronic

thermometers, blood glucose monitors and activity counters as well as body composition monitors and professional medical devices. For many decades, its devices have helped people prevent, treat and manage lifestyle diseases both at home and in clinical practice in more than 100 countries in the world.

Omron is headquartered in Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

Meanwhile, MDI was established in 1997 as MDDI—a joint venture company held by The Zuellig Corp. and Marsman & Co., Inc. MDDI was in the business of both consumer goods distribution and pharmaceutical distribution. In 1997, the pharmaceutical business split off and MDI was formed as a result. Two years later, in 1999, the senior management structure was changed to what it is today: a lean, flat organization enabled to move rapidly in response to customers’ changing needs and demands.

The organization has positioned itself to become one of the largest and most efficient distributors of pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics and healthcare products in the country.

MCM OPENS FIRST PH STORE AT DUTY FREE LUXE LUXURY travel and accessories brand MCM Worldwide has opened its first Philippine store at the country’s newest shopping destination—the Duty Free Luxe.

Located at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, the 92-square meter boutique offers handbags, luggage, travel bags, and accessories, encapsulating the MCM’s bold and rebellious spirit.

“The opening of MCM complements our thrust to always be the first Philippine retail brand to deliver new luxury offerings to our target market,” said Duty Free Philippines Corp. chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala.

“We genuinely appreciate the trust and confidence of major luxury brands at DFPC,” he said.

MCM is a luxury lifestyle brand founded with an attitude defined by the cultural Zeitgeist and its German heritage with a focus on functional innovation, including the use of cutting edge techniques.

The brand is committed to unrivaled quality and detail featuring a unique layout dichotomized between two core themes: MCM’s collections and culture of innovation. Bold graphic signage, delicate lighting, uniquely curated wooden and brass fixtures bring the brand’s German heritage of innovation to life, constructed with brazened panels that envelop the façade of the boutique.

Its Luxe boutique currently features the Spring/

Summer 2020 collection.

MCM is a luxury lifestyle brand founded with an attitude defined by the cultural Zeitgeist and its German heritage with a focus on functional innovation, including the use of cutting edge

techniques.

MCM has currently 650 stores worldwide including Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and the Middle East.

CEMENT MAKER TURNS 170,000 TONS OF WASTE INTO FUEL CEMENT maker Holcim Philippines Inc. plans to increase its consumption of qualified and properly segregated and pre -processed waste as alternative fuels and raw materials to manage costs and help ease the garbage challenge in the country.

Through its waste management unit Geocycle, Holcim Philippines used in 2019 more than 170,000 tons of waste materials from industries and communities as alternative fuels and raw materials with its co-processing technology. This allowed the company to avoid coal in cement production for 38 days leading to lower carbon emissions and fuel costs while helping its partners manage their wastes in an eco-friendly manner.

Holcim Philippines president and CEO John Stull said that the company would continue to drive co-processing operations and consumption of alternative fuels and raw materials to manage costs and have a more positive impact on the country.

Holcim Philippines Inc. officials led by president and CEO John Stull (fifth from left) and vice president for Geocycle Frederic Vallat (third from left) visit Senator Cynthia Villar (fourth from left), chairperson of the Senate committee on environment, natural resources and climate change to share the company’s efforts to contribute to addressing the waste management challenges in the country.

“Aside from its business benefits, our Geocycle unit enables us to further contribute to Philippine development in a sustainable manner. Through our co-processing operations, we are able to lower our carbon footprint and

help ease the waste management challenges of the countr y while producing an essential building material for development,” he said.

In 2019, Holcim Philippines agreed to pre-process as alternative fuel

the segregated wastes of several local governments near its plants in Luzon and Mindanao and expressed readiness to help more communities on this matter. The company has also co-processed tens of thousand

tons of non-recyclable plastics as it continues to provide waste management services to partners in various industries.

Holcim Philippines officials also stepped up engagement with key government officials such as Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on environment, natural resources and climate change, to express the company’s commitment to support sustainable waste management in the country through co-processing.

In co-processing, qualified waste materials after pre-processed as alternative fuel and fed into the hightemperature kilns along with other raw materials to produce cement.

This process transform wastes into alternative fuel and converts them into energy for cement production.

Th e te c h n o l o g y i s re co gn i ze d globally and is approved by the Philippine authorities due to its proven advantages in environmental and safety performance.

Tech & Gadgets

ON MISSION TO EXPUNGE VIRUS, CHINA FIRMS SEE UV LIGHT B

EIJING—Ultraviolet light is being beamed through public buses and lifts in China to wipe out any possible germs as part of efforts to clear the country of the deadly coronavirus epidemic.

With companies under pressure to meet strict prevention measures for the virus, which has killed more than 3,100 people in China, some are turning to new technology to keep everything clean.

Shanghai public transport firm Yanggao has converted a regular cleaning room into a UV light disinfection chamber for buses—cutting a 40-minute process down to just five minutes.

“After the epidemic happened... we were actively searching for a more efficient disinfection method,” Qin Jin, deputy general manager at Yanggao told AFP. He said that normally the process required the full attention of two staff, who sprayed disinfectant on surfaces in the bus before wiping them down.

“The problem with this was that it might not reach certain corners,” said Qin. The group partnered with a technology supplier to set up an ultraviolet cleaning system and now, some of its buses are cleaned by UV rays.

Staff drive one bus at a time into the chamber— which has been equipped with 210 UV tubes— and leave the room before activating the system, bathing the vehicle in a blue-white hue.

Two cleaning rooms have been converted and each can disinfect up to 250 buses a day, Qin added.

With around 1,000 buses needing disinfection daily, the UV system has reduced the amount of staff overtime and manpower needed for regular public transport disinfection.

In Johannesburg. South African health care company Netcare is using UV light robots instead of classic hydrogen peroxide disinfectant to sanitize hospitals facilities amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, a measure that cuts the cleaning time from hours to 5-10 minutes and doesn’t pose any risk for hospitals’ personnel.

But the World Health Organization has cautioned that UV lamps should not be used to

Light coming from an ultraviolet (UV) pulse lights disinfecting robot is seen at the Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg. South African health care company Netcare is using UV light robots instead of classic hydrogen peroxide disinfectant to sanitise hospitals facilities amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, a measure that cuts the cleaning time from hours to 5-10 minutes and doesn’t pose any risk for hospitals’ personnel. AFP sterilize hands or other areas of skin—as UV radiation can cause skin irritation—but Qin said the chambers are closed off and activated by staff outside.

Health experts told AFP that UV light is not typically used to disinfect public areas, but can be effective if done right.

Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said UV disinfection is effective but needs to be used with care as the light can cause skin cancer.

“UV disinfection is widely used in hospitals worldwide after patients have left a room,” he said.

“This is used for antimicrobial resistant pathogens, tuberculosis and other infectious agents.”

While it is not usually used on public transport, “there is no good reason why (it) would not work.”

SMART LIFTS Yanggao is not the only organisation investing in UV disinfection.

China’s central bank said in February it was disinfecting and isolating used banknotes using UV lights in its efforts to combat the coronavirus.

A market supervision bureau in southern Guangdong province proposes a “smart UV elevator disinfection system”, which it says eliminates the risk of missing corners or irritating passengers with remnants of cleaning fluids.

UV tubes are installed in lifts and activated when the system detects no one is inside, sweeping the area with penetrating UV rays and automatically turning off when it’s done.

The plan is to eventually install the system in public spaces such as hospital elevators. AFP

TW STEEL: ALWAYS TEEMING WITH IDEAS A WATCH is a must-have accessory for any busy individual. Staying on track with one’s commitments is always doable with proper time management.

But keeping track of time need not be ordinary or boring. In fact, there are so many stylish options to choose from, especially from TW Steel.

A well-loved purveyor of style for luxury timepieces, TW Steel was a true game changer back in 2005 when it introduced its bold designs that became a quick hit in the international market.

Headed by design innovator, Ton Cobelens, TW Steel has been coming out with one successful collection after another, resulting to 300 watch designs in the past 10 years. Always teeming with ideas, Cobelens’ ability to come up with

unique, modern, and stylish designs matched with exceptional craftsmanship and quality materials, make every TW Steel collection something to watch out for.

Admittedly, inspiration can hit him literally from anywhere—in the park or from the technical elements of a motorcycle engine. Coblens’ talent in understanding how a design can work, without too much complication and use of the right materials is his “Midas Touch”.

Dutch by design, big in attitude, and peerless in class, TW Steel was able to successfully introduce a new school for time. Its bold approach to design and fearless exploration to try something out of the box—taking strength from size, it has created a niche in the watch market, that’s admired, even copied by others.

A growing global brand, TW Steel

When it comes to high impact and function, bigger is better for TW Steel.

can be found in over 500 retail outlets, spread across over 100 countries - don’t miss out on upgrading to the “bigtime.,” TW Steel boutiques are located at Alabang Town Center, Century Mall,

SM Clark, SM Makati, SM Megamall, and SM Seaside Cebu.

Also available at Chronos boutiques in Shangri-La Plaza and SM North Edsa. Log on to twsteel.com or follow @twsteel on Instagram.

ROBINSONS BANK TREASURY IT SOLUTIONS OPICS HONORED

Shown here are (from left) Finastra Global Delivery Director Elaine Fontarum, Robinsons Bank President and CEO Elfren Antonio S. Sarte, Finastra Regional Field Sales and Account Manager Adam Mason, Fx Trading Group Head Andy Gaerlan, IT Group Head Eric Macalintal, IT Project Manager Niel Navarro, Treasurer Ma. Regina N. Lumain, and PESO Fixed Income Dealership Division Head Galo Yabut.

THE Treasury Group caps off Robinsons Bank’s award-filled year when Finastra, the third largest Financial Technology provider in the world, presented RBank with the “2019 Project of the Year” award.

RBank’s Treasury IT Solutions Opics project aims to fuel the growing Treasury business activities of the bank.

Furthermore, recognized for its fast and seamless progression from negotiations to implementation, RBank’s Treasury IT Solutions Opics Project surpassed standards as it made project timelines three months faster #than the market average.

Finastra also acknowledged RBank’s collaborative communication, strong point of contact, and firm expectations as key players to the excellence that the Bank exhibited.

The “2019 Project of the Year” award is one of many recognitions

given to RBank in 2019. In addition, last October 2019, the Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRating) issued RBank a high PRS credit rating of Aa minus with a Stable Outlook in light of its recent corporate bond issuance.

Early in 2019, RBank was recognized as the Fastest Growing Commercial Bank in the Philippines by Global Business Outlook (GBO) and the Best Commercial Bank in the Philippines by the International Banker. Its Robinsons Bank DOS Mastercard was also recognized as the Most Innovative Credit Card Product by GBO; while the Simple Savings product was awarded as the Most Innovative Banking Product and Best Financial Inclusion Program by GBO and the Bank Marketing Awards, respectively. In addition to these awards, RBank was recognized by Visa for having the highest number of contactless transactions in 2019.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

INNOVATIONS AT MINI THAILAND WEEK 2020 THE Department of International Trade Promotion, under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, through the Thai Trade Center in Manila, has brought together Thai firms and trade businesses for this year’s edition of Mini Thailand Week.

The event, held on March 5 to 8, at the SMX Convention Center, Hall 4, will showcase Thai culture and highlight a variety of world-class Thai products—from food and beverage, cosmetics, gems and jewelry, garments, and home decoration to pet products.

Over 100 Thai and Philippine businesses participated in the event.

Mini Thailand Week, an event that blends culture and trade, has been organized in the Philippines for over a decade, and is always well received by Filipinos and foreigners living in the Philippines.

For visitors, it’s an opportunity to appreciate and learn more about Thai culture and its organic, environmentally friendly, and quality products. The event will have cooking demos from restaurants with Thai Select Certificates in Manila—a certification awarded by DITP to Thai restaurants all over the world that recognizes quality food and authentic Thai hospitality. Visitors can sample dishes made by Thai chefs.

Mini Thailand Week also serves as an opportunity for Thai businesses to find their niche in the country and learn more about the Philippine market and its various consumer palettes. The event is also a reaffirmation of the flourishing 70-year friendship between the countries, with bilateral merchandise trade from 2014 to

Mini Thailand Week 2020 officially opened last March 5 SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Shown during the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) Rosvi Gaetos, Assistant Secretary Trade and Investments Promotions Group Department of Trade of Industry; H.E. Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines; Senator Imee Marcos; Eusebio Tanco, Chairman Philippines-Thailand Business Council; Janthana Chotimunee, Director of Thai Trade Center in Manila and Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation.

2018 growing at an average of 16.54%, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. In 2018, total bilateral trade reached $10.32 billion, and Thailand is 7th among the Philippines’ top export markets.

“This is our 12th year holding Mini Thailand Week in the Philippines and we are always amazed by the warm response Filipinos have over this event” said Janthana Chotimunee, Director of the Thai Trade Center Manila, one of the main organizers of the event. “Our Thai exhibitors who are optimistic about the prospects of doing business in the Philippines and expanding their market will experience genuine demand and interest for their products. Business matching is our key element to ensure that our exhibitors create the right linkages with Filipino buyers, entrepreneurs, and investors. Mini Thailand Week will also be a platform to further strengthen the bilateral trade between Thailand and the Philippines.”

For more information, contact Thai Trade Center in Manila, at tel nos.

88940406; 88940403, email at thaicommnl@ymail.com or fax at 88160698.

FOOD...

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design and styles to optimize aesthetics in the catering industry. This exhibition will also become a high-quality procurement platform for hotel supplies.

The annual Taipei International Food Show is not only a professional exhibition of Taiwan’s agricultural and aquatic products, fruits and vegetables, and frozen and processed food products, but also a premier procurement platform for the food industry in Asia. This year’s exhibition will feature major leading brands and companies in the food industry.

Among the participants are global retail group Carrefour, which will be joining the exhibition for the first time, I-MEI Foods, a well-known food brand in Taiwan; Laureate Corporation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year; and Nice Garden, a high-quality agricultural and meat company. Together, these brands will also be creating ample business opportunities with other participants, namely Anyong Freshmart, Inc., and San Shu Gong Food Co., Ltd.

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TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP: FORM MEETS FUNCTION

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AST year, Samsung defined a new category when it introduced the Galaxy Fold. Its foldable display defied expectations and changed how users interact with their smartphones.

Now, the Korean tech brand is changing the shape of the future once again with the Galaxy Z Flip, a foldable device that combines both style and function.

Be fashion-ready with Samsung’s most stylish device yet The Galaxy Z Flip comes in Mirror Black and Mirror Purple variants, two eye-catching colors that can match any outfit. The smartphone has a foldable body that makes it compact, durable, and chic. When opened, it offers a cinematic experience with incredible color quality, thanks to the Dynamic AMOLED Infinity FlexO Display. Through these features, browsing through social media and staying updated is a breeze.

The Galaxy Z Flip’s frame is almost non-existent, making it an immersive experience with zero interruptions. Its stylish body is complemented by the world’s first Ultra-thin Folding Glass, a sleek design that’s guaranteed to turn heads. The foldable glass display further enhances the smartphone’s design and promises a satisfying and secure fold motion with Samsung’s Free-stop Angles Hideaway Hinge.

Capture OOTDs with an influencer-ready camera The smartphone comes with unmatched flexibility and agility during impromptu photoshoots as it can be manipulated into a variety of ways.

The device’s 12MP Wide and Ultra-Wide Front Cameras capture selfies and videos from angles that were not possible before. For example, lowangle shots, which are favored by many influencers, are now easier to pull off. With Quick Selfie,

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY ACCELERATOR NOW OPEN FOR APPLICANTS

The smartphone has a foldable body that makes it compact, durable, and chic.

self-portraits can be snapped even when the device is folded as the cover screen can show a preview of the photo.

There’s a variety of styles to choose from with the Flip. Make use of an artistic bokeh to blur the background or opt for a broader field of vision with your shots. Aspiring photographers can further experiment by applying filters and trying different formats like Single Take, which allows users to shoot once and get different options for photos and videos. Those looking to explore vlogging will find it effortless with the smartphone’s 16:9 ratio video recording mode, the ideal resolution for YouTube. It also features Super Steady to stabilize high-motion footage.

A stylish yet functional experience There is more to the Galaxy Z Flip than just

its striking form. Using it is seamless as the cover screen can show a preview of important messages and alerts. When a notification is tapped, the App Continuity function will automatically transition to the program when the smartphone is unfolded. This feature is perfect for busy days, especially for those on the go. For particularly hectic moments, Flex Mode turns the device into a handheld laptop while the Multi-Tray Window can display two apps at once.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is a bold and fashionable choice for those who live to express themselves. It is available in all authorized Samsung Experience Stores for P79,990.

For more information about the Galaxy Z Flip, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-z-flip/

SMART'S TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT TECH4DEV. Smart Communications, Inc. recently held an experiential exhibit on the 17 projects it carries out under the flagship corporate social responsibility program, Smart Communities. Organized by the Public Affairs Group, the exhibit underscored that the telco’s most valuable partners are its employees. At the opening were: Hoyle Disuanco, Smart VisMin Regional Sales and Distribution Head; Precy Katigbak, Smart FVP and Head for National Key Accounts; John Palanca, Smart VP and Regional Head for Consumer Business—Customer Development; Alex O. Caeg, PLDT-Smart Senior Vice President & Head of the Consumer Sales Group; Gina Marina P. Ordoñez,PLDT-Smart Chief People Officer; Chaye Cabal-Revilla, PLDT Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Smart Chief Financial Officer; Joachim Horn, PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor; Alfredo Panlilio, Smart President and CEO; Annabelle L. Chua, PLDT Chief Financial Officer; Esther O. Santos, PLDT-Smart Foundation President; and Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Head.

FOOD TAIPEI TO SHOWCASE TECHNOLOGICAL FEATS IN SUPPLY CHAINS

Wen Chung-Chang (left) of Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office and Director Clement Chen of the Taiwan Trade Center

Jay Jaboneta pitches the HOPE Summit during Meet-up 2 of the Facebook Community Leadership Program.

ON its 30th anniversary, Food Taipei will once again lead the movement and set the latest trends in Taiwan’s enormous food industry.

Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the 2020 Food Taipei will be held in grand fashion at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1 and Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Halls 1 and 2 in Taipei, Taiwan, from June 17 to 20.

This six-in-one exhibition is going to be the largest-ever with as many as 5,000 booths participating in the various segments: FOOD TAIPEI, TAIPEI PACK, FOODTECH TAIPEI, Bio/Pharmatech Taiwan, Taiwan HORECA and HALAL TAIWAN. This is the most anticipated annual event in the Asian food industry and is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors from 110 countries, including the Philippines.

“In 2019, the Philippines ranked third among the visitors of Food Taipei, next to Japan and China. This year, we are expecting to welcome more Filipino companies and even small entrepreneurs as we are excited to showcase the latest innovations from the Taiwan Food Industry, as well as 40 other countries who will also be exhibiting their latest products,” Director Clement Chen of the Taiwan Trade Center told the media after a short briefing on March 5 at the Manila Hotel.

The 2020 Food Taipei creates a comprehensive view of the whole food supply chain covering the upstream, midstream, downstream sections of the food industry and peripheral equipment sectors. Domestic and foreign high-quality food products, food processing machinery, biotechnology, pharmaceutical equipment, packaging machinery and equipment, catering and hotel supplies, as well as halal products, will be gathered as the top food exhibition platform for people in the global food industry.

At the exhibition promotion briefing sessions, the current status, advantages, future trends, and cooperation

opportunities of Taiwan’s food and food-related industries will be introduced to the participants. Meanwhile, the features, international characteristics, and effectiveness of the exhibition will also be introduced actively.

The National Pavilion and Taiwan International HALAL Expo will be set up at the Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 and showcase specialty food products from 40 countries.

This is the largest exhibition platform for the halal industry in Northeast Asia, demonstrating exotic high-quality food products and innovation momentum.

Taipei Pack, situated in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Halls 1 and 2, will set up the “Taipei Pack Selection” for smart packaging and printing needs, as well as innovative materials for the first time. The exhibitors’ quality products this year are carefully selected to present smart packaging machinery and innovative packaging materials--including those that utilize big data technology such as QR code systems and lockchain--which will give visitors and potential customers a refreshing experience.

The Bio/Pharmatech Taipei will be held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2 for the first time, showing Taiwan’s equipment manufacturing capabilities for the development of high-end biological and pharmaceutical technologies. Meanwhile, the smart food manufacturing capabilities will also be demonstrated through Foodtech Taipei. A well-known machinery and equipment manufacturer will be presenting its special projects on the periphery of the exhibition, introducing innovative products and technologies to show the advantages that Taiwan’s industry has.

Finally, the Taiwan Internationall Hotel, Restaurant & Catering Show, to be held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2, will showcase innovative and convenient Michelin-level equipment and supplies. The exhibition will emphasize on hotel supplies and kitchenware with great functionality, as well as excellent Turn to C3

FACEBOOK recently unveiled Community Accelerator, a six-month program providing training, mentorship, and funding for community leaders from 13 different countries to help them grow their communities.

“We are extremely proud to launch the Community Accelerator, the natural evolution of our Fellowship program. Building community is at the heart of our mission and the program serves to invest in and support the community leaders who offer encouragement, build bridges, and drive change,” explained John Cantarella, VP of Social Good and Community Partnerships at Facebook.

“Our past participants have created positive, lasting change in their communities, which makes us all the more excited to welcome the next cohort through our new, purpose-built program.”

“Community leaders in the Philippines often tell us that some of the biggest challenges they face are a lack of access, training, and funding. We are excited to continue to invest in and support them through the Community Accelerator,” said Head of Community Partnerships for Facebook APAC, Grace Clapham.

“Last year, participants in the Facebook Community Leadership Program touched the lives of over 580,000 people in Asia Pacific through their community initiatives. In the Philippines, Jay Jaboneta from the Yellow Boat of Hope successfully brought together volunteers, schools, government, and nonprofit organizations from over 130 communities in the first HOPE Summit,” added Clapham.

Back in 2010, Jay Jaboneta learned that there are kids out there who have to swim just to get to school. Moved by the amazing lengths that these kids go just to get an education, he decided to post a status about it. The post caught the attention of people who wanted to get together and see how they can help these children, and thus, the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation was born.

After being selected for the Facebook Community Leadership Program and going through the training process, Jaboneta found the learnings immediately useful for the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation’s cause.

“The Yellow Boat of Hope started with one Facebook post and from there, we connected with people, and built a strong community of volunteers—HOPE Paddlers, who are passionate about bridging the gap in education. The Facebook Community Leadership Program helped us maximize Facebook tools to grow and strengthen our community while reaching more like-minded people, who are just as determined to make an impact in their communities,” said Jay Jaboneta, Co-Founder and Chief Storyteller of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation.

Ten years later, the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation has provided over 4,000 boats to nearly 200 communities nationwide and counting.

If you run an impactful, established community, are ready to grow using Facebook’s apps, and have the time and energy to invest in this program, we encourage you to apply here: https:// www.facebook.com/community/ accelerator/.

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

THAT ‘LITTLE’ HOTEL

@MStandardLIFE

SUMMER IN THE CITY

By Steph Llarena THE community quarantine imposed in Metro Manila starting March 15 has canceled many a travel plan of those living in the region.

Heartbreaking still is that the onemonth quarantine falls on this year’s holy week—a precious time for many who only have these few days of absolute rest (as in no work) in a year.

But we as citizens have the responsibility to take care of ourselves and be mindful of others’ welfare. So while it is disappointing to be stuck in the city, it’s better than putting each other at risk.

SMALL SIZE, BIG OFFERINGS. What the 25-room Hotel Celeste in Makati City lacks in size, it makes up for

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exceptional amenities and services, making it a favorite of local and foreign businessmen.

VERY time I hear people ask where Hotel Celeste is located, almost always, I hear this reply, “It’s that LITTLE hotel right at the Makati Avenue entrance to San Lorenzo Village.”

Succulent steak served at 22 Prime.

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

Ever since I discovered the hotel soza, I have fallen in love with the through its director of sales and property. It could be because of its marketing, Onelle Pacheco-Ver- size; it only has 25 guest rooms and

A typical room at the hotel features exquisite design with an old world charm.

Owner’s representative Daisy Andrade, hotel owner Mike Sarabia, and director of sales and marketing Onelle Pacheco-Verzosa

five suites. It could also be because of its location; it’s right at the doorstep of the Makati Business District.

Or probably, it’s because it sits on the lot formerly occupied by my favorite entertainment venue of yesteryears, Mars Disco. That was where I have a truck load of precious memories, surviving through the years as a single parent in this fun metropolis.

Hotel Celeste is a 12-year-old property owned by the Sarabia Family and, when you take a closer look, its size betrays the many offerings it has. At Hemingway’s, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet, one can easily be mesmerized by its wide array of breakfast menus— American, French, Spanish, English, Filipino, Swiss, and Japanese.

If these choices can’t please anyone, I don’t know what else can.

The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Edward & Wallis, is where you can find the juiciest steaks

and melt-in-your-mouth salmon.

No wonder one has to make reservations for such an exquisite dining experience. What I find exciting is that the management will soon be making the hotel’s open-air roof deck available to guests who can order their favorite food and beverage items inside to be enjoyed while enjoying the cool breeze blowing from all directions outside.

As a personal favorite, I always enjoy the live band at the lobby because it plays the favorite songs of my youth. I never fail to jam with them, even for just one song, to remind me how much music has become a part of my growing up years.

The hotel rooms are spacious and very well designed, funcTurn to D2

Aside from taking advantage of these days reading books, doing chores, or binge-watching, we can still enjoy the sunny season by using this month-long quarantine to plan our next vacation or quick getaway in the city.

For instance, Discovery Primea in Makati City has a special overnight rate that includes dining and spa. Starting at P9,100 nett for a Business Flat, guests can enjoy the luxury of a gourmet breakfast, complimentary one carafe of Summer Mocktail at Edge or Tapenade, and 20 percent discount on in-room dining service and select Terazi Spa treatments, and a 50 percent discount on the famous brick-oven pizzas of Tapenade.

Meanwhile, at the heart of Ortigas Center, the Discovery Suites has rates starting at P4,074++ for a Junior Suite, which comes with breakfast buffet for two persons, access to the children’s activity every Saturday, and 10 percent savings on Restaurant 5 and 22 Prime.

Have fun under the sun sipping cocktails at the poolside of Discovery Primea in Makati.

Both promotions are available for stays until June. Go to www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com for more information.

In Manila, Century Park Hotel treats Turn to D2

FRONT DESK

SOLAIRE MARKS 7TH YEAR WITH 5-STAR AWARD FIVE-STAR resort and casino Solaire celebrates its 7th anniversary with a four-peat recognition of its luxury amenities and exceptional service.

The resort takes pride in its modern design, ornate interiors, intricate pieces plastered on walls and embellishing ceilings and spaces, and works of art by Filipino masters.

But according to Solaire, these are just part of its defining qualities, earning for itself numerous accolades including a fouryear peat in the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards list which has named its 17-story Sky Tower as one of the best since 2017.

“Solaire’s commitment to excellence and exceptional service goes beyond the property’s facilities and amenities,” said senior vice president for operations David Batchelor.

He added, “This commitment includes

harnessing the exemplary talent and full potential of our team members through rigorous training, that in turn allows them to create the experience that’s distinct to Solaire.”

The Sky Tower is an all-suite hotel with 312 well-appointed rooms that showcase the property’s signature style and design made more prominent by luxe finishes and amenities.

According to Solaire, the property sets itself apart by exhibiting a kind of excellence in service that harnesses local talent and much-embraced Filipino hospitality, and merging it with the decadent juxtaposition found in its hardware.

“This recognition is possible through the dedication, persistence, and hard work of our team. It is gratifying that we are recognized as one of the finest properties in the world, Turn to D2

Solaire's Sky Tower receives its fourth consecutive Five Star award from Forbes Travel Guide this year.

Destinations

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SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

SUMMER...

From D1

birthday celebrants to a 2+1 promo. The year-round promotion (ongoing until Dec. 30) treats celebrants, with two fullpaying guests, to a free Seafood and Prime Rib lunch or dinner buffet.

The birthday promo can be availed on the day itself, seven days prior, or seven days after the birthday. A complimentary birthday cake also awaits the celebrant.

DIVING IN SARANGANI BAY

Ortigas-based hotel Discovery Suites offers a summer overnight rate available until June.

Buffet at Café in the Park now features prime ribs and a flavorful variety of fresh seafood for P1,695 net for adults and P847.50 net for children 6 to 10 years old.

Assorted cold cuts and other bestselling dishes will also be served, as well as heavenly cakes and desserts made exclusively by the hotel’s Deli Snack pastry chefs.

“With the start of a fresh decade, we want our guests to experience hospitality from no other than their home away from home, and indulge in boundless pleasures that we offer,” said CPH general manager Anthony Tan. Call Café in the Park at (02) 8528-5827 or send an email to foodbev@centurypark. com.ph for inquiries.

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and to receive our fourth consecutive 5-star award from the Forbes Travel Guide,” said Batchelor.

Quest and Crimson hotels offer summer packages

Quest Hotels and Crimson Hotels and Resorts launched their annual summer campaign in partnership with Klook and Philippine Airlines on March 11 at Quest Plus Clark to an intimate gathering of guests and partners.

Guests availing the Hello Summer package will have a chance to win P10,000 worth of Klook credits or roundtrip tickets for two to any Asian destination via Philippine Airlines. Guests may book directly at www.questhotelsandresorts.com/clark and use the promo code HELLOSUMMER. Quest Plus Clark also partnered with Clark Development Corporation, Dinosaurs Island and Insectlandia, Aqua Planet, and El Kabayo to promote Clark as the destination to discover and visit north of the metro.

Call (045) 599-8000 for inquiries and more information.

Quest Hotels and Crimson Hotels and Resorts launch a summer promotion.

Underwater photography contest first prize winner in Wide Angle category by Bretch Garcinez.

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ARANGANI Bay recently highlighted its coastal and marine conservation efforts during the commemoration of its 24th year as a Protected Seascape.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12, in collaboration with the Protected Area Management Board, launched the first-ever Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) Week on March 1-5.

Held in General Santos City and various parts of Sarangani province, the weeklong observance consisted of mall exhibits of marine species and simultaneous bay-wide cleanups participated in by the 68 barangays as well as business and tourism establishments along the bay’s coast.

A dive safari and underwater photography contest held at Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim towns showcased Sarangani’s emerging scuba diving sites. Topping the three-day photo tilt were Bretch Garcinez of General Santos City and East Pardillo of Davao City who won the wide and macro categories, respectively.

Fringe activities included a three-day en-

The rich marine biodiversity in Sarangani captured by Paul Partridge, third prize winner in Wide Angle category.

vironmental forum and enforcement summit, trash to art, mass dance and logo making competitions, and the search for the Ambassadress of SBPS. The bay was declared a Protected Seascape by former president Fidel Ramos under Proclamation No. 756 in 1996, covering an area of 215,950 hectares.

It was also listed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a Key Marine Biodiversity Area, with coral resources covering 2,293 hectares, 60 important live

Sarangani Bay celebrates its 24th year as a Protected Seascape.

hard coral genera, 411 reef species, and 11 species of seagrass.

The DENR has also monitored various dolphin species, killer whales, dwarf and pygmy sperm whales in the bay, attesting to its rich biodiversity.

According to the local government, the SBPS Protected Area Management Board passed a resolution declaring March 5 as the annual SBPS Day, and directing local government units, major stakeholders, and partner organizations to take part in the observance.

A marine species exhibition at a mall.

rate of 90 percent, with businessmen, foreign and local, as its regular patrons.

When one takes a closer look at tionally and aesthetically, making any guest enjoy every minute of Hotel Celeste’s array of culinary delights, and ophis stay. portunities to At a recent enjoy the finer event honoring YOUR WEEKEND things in life, the hotel’s top CHUCKLE one can easily producers, I was see that this not surprised to I tried to catch the hilltop fog hotel is not so hear the counyesterday. Mist it!

LITTLE after try’s big-name all. This is one tour operators instance when and travel agencies being announced. I’m sure these SIZE DOESN’T MATTER. establishments realized what a gem For feedback, I’m at this LITTLE hotel is. bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

As expected, the hotel runs an enviable year-round occupancy

THAT 'LITTLE'...

From D1

The boutique hotel takes pride in its well-appointed guest rooms and suites, other facilities, and excellent service.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

D3

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

SHANIAH,

THE TEEN SINGER

By Nickie Wang

S

HE was named after the country singer Shania Twain, but 15-yearold Shaniah Rollo, who first captivated the hearts of millions when she sang a riveting rendition of “True Colors” on Ireland’s Got Talent two years ago, admitted that she’s not familiar with the bestselling female artist in country music history.

“My mom is a fan of Shania, but I didn’t grow up listening to her songs.

I’m not familiar with the records she’s made,” the teen singer told Manila Standard in an interview.

This amazing young girl grew up listening to the music of Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. And just like girls her age, she also adores Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Jimin of BTS. Born in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, it was apparent that she was born to live up to her name’s deeper meaning, “God’s gracious gift,” as she began to exhibit her fascination for music at a very young age.

Shaniah’s parents are both musicians who worked in Vietnam and in South

Korea, which explains why she can sing in Korean. Her sister Mia Kyarra Rollo, who used to do covers and backup vocals for Universal Records, also teaches her to sing.

Just like any child prodigy, her musicality became evident even before she was a year old—she started to sing different genres, and eventually, played with various musical instruments and wrote her own songs.

After her stint in Ireland’s Got Talent in 2018 where she was adjudged semi-finalist, she made waves at 2018 Ireland Junior Eurovision Song Contest where she sang an original Irish Gaelic.

“I’m a shy person, so it was really difficult for me to sing in front of a crowd. Before Got Talent, I have never competed in any kind of singing competition, especially that I’m not a belter. I have a different style as a singer,” she related.

“Back then, I would hold on to my mother’s arms whenever I had to sing. I needed her by my side all the time. Then, I realized, I need to overcome my being shy since becoming a singer and performer is my dream,” she carried on.

Opportunity started knocking on her door. Shania was invited and interviewed to join the ABS-CBN Pinoy Big Brother Teens.

Then August last year, she appeared as guest on the network’s iWant ASAP. “Her phenomenal talent is meant to be heard,” said Rosabella Jao-Arribas who founded RJA Productions LLC to handle deserving talents.

“Shaniah’s voice is meant to create a ripple effect in the music industry worldwide. I’m simply here to help make that happen,” Rosabella added and acknowledgds her composer friend, Nathaniel Cabanero, who is also based in Ireland, as the person instrumental to this rare discovery.

Shania was in town to promote her single. Entitled “Too Young” and released in February on different music platform, she considers having her own song is a dream come true for a timid girl who had to compose herself every time she steps on a stage to perform.

Written by Arnie Mendaros, the song gives a scenario where the young daughter is put in a dilemma if she wants to follow her desires as a teenage girl or follow her mother’s advice not to rush anything in life because of her tender age.

IN ABS-CBN TELESERYE LIKE the female characters in our favorite TV shows, women in real life carry the weight of balancing their lives and dreams, their loved ones’ needs, and even other people’s opinions of them.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of TV heroines whose resilience jumps out of the screen and tells us that yes, we can do it, too.

Every day, and especially this Women’s Month, we celebrate these inspiring women in Kapamilya TV series who remind us of our own strength:

1. Alyana of ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ More than just beauty and grace, Alyana (Yassi Pressman) started off as a persistent journalist with a drive for the truth. Now, she is loved by many not just as Mrs. Dalisay, but as Kapitana, a leader and a protector whose fighting spirit never faltered despite the struggles her family has had to go through.

2. Billy of ‘Make It With You’ Hardworking Billy (Liza Soberano) went overseas to Croatia, away from her family, just to provide for them—even taking on unconventional jobs. Despite having feelings for Gabo (Enrique Gil), she did not yield when she was at war with him over her pudding recipe. And now that she’s working for him, she has become an asset in his company by being assertive, persistent, and resourceful.

3. Lourdes of ‘A Soldier’s Heart’ She may be the only woman in their squad, but Lourdes (Sue Ramirez) is its steadfast leader. A certified badass, she is stern when she needs to be, and is empathetic when her team needs it. She remains strong and courageous while fighting for the country – all while she’s nursing a grieving heart.

Shaniah Rollo, the Laguna-born who stunned judges at the 2018 'Ireland’s Got Talent,' was in town to promote her debut single.

KIDS RULE THIS SUNDAY ON ‘IBILIB’ ‘iBilib’ host Chris Tiu

5 STRONG WOMEN

IN TODAY’S episode of the infotainment show, iBilib, kids rule as young ones Leanne Bautista of Sunday Pinasaya and JK “Dekdek” Giducos of My Special Tatay join the young at heart Shaira Diaz and Chris Tiu conduct a few experiments.

The gang is on a mission to extinguishing a lighted match without blowing on it and making a caramelized sugar sculpture with the help of ice.

In “Bilibabols” segment, the challengers don helmets on which food are attached by way of springs; the slightest move causes the springs and food to change in position, making it hard for them to consume the most food in the fastest time.

Meanwhile, the “Street Genius” team discovers the extraordinary strength of a mere vacuum as it “fuses” two steel sheets together. They will also find the answer which among propane, gasoline, butane or diesel is the most explosive.

Lastly, in “Huling Hirit,” the gang’s ingenuity is tested when Chris asks them to divide a cake into eight equal pieces, using just three straight cuts.

All these and more on your favorite science show every Sunday morning on GMA.

4. Jia of ‘Love Thy Woman’ As the daughter of her father’s second wife, Jia (Kim Chiu)was raised to be generous and independent even when she struggled to prove her place in the family and their company. After being shunned away by her family, beating cancer, and mourning the death of her baby, Jia rose like a phoenix from the ashes and is all set to make a name for herself.

5. Mia of ‘24/7’ Despite working the night shift, Mia (Julia Montes) never fails to make time for her son. She supports his fascination with science at a young age, and even takes up extra work just to save up for a laptop that he could use. All hell broke loose when Xander’s life was on the line, and she had to go against powerful people just to get the cure—even if it costs her own life.

D4

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

ANTI-RABIES SHOT TO STOP DEATHS OF HUMANS AND PETS PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS

R

ABIES kills one person every 10 minutes.

This was revealed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in the paper “Escaping Rabies’ Death Crawl: PH’s combat against the deadline disease.”

Most of the deaths due to rabies happened in Asia and Africa.

Half of the number involved children who were 15 years old and younger, RITM reported, quoting a study done by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Rabies hits the nervous system, causing death in a few days.

But rabies is preventable.

Knowing this and the terrible consequence of being bitten by a rabid dog, the Meycauayan city veterinarian office (Bulacan), Barangay Lawa officials and the Ciudad Grande Homeowners’ Association offered free anti-rabies vaccination to dogs and cats in the the barangay last March 5.

A total of 366 dogs and cats were given the anti-rabies shot.

Animal welfare groups Save ALL Inc- Save Animals of Love and Light and Whelps helped organize the event.

In photo are: Meycauayan city vet Dr. Imelda Arguelles; baranggay chairman Richard De la Cruz, homeowners association president Rolando Hernandez; Save ALL representative Sylvia P. Ongsing; Whelps founder Chie Dayday; Barangay Lawa officials Carmen Fugaban, Olivia Librando, Letecia Santos, Maritess Pasua, and Aillien Pallasigui; association officers Susana Ogaco, Felomena, Marquez Gemma Asoi; Dra.Clarissa Castro of the city vet office; and Estanislao Reyes, Leonarda Condecido, Arlyn Robles, Julieta Benitez, Criselda Ramos, Erlinda Molina, Sevilla Lebreja.

Sylvia P. Ongsing, Save ALL representative for Bulacan, coordinated with the city vet, the barangay and the homeowners’ association to ensure most if not all of the pets in the barangay are given the shot.

The homeowners association led by president Rolando Hernandez hosted the anti-rabies drive in the subdivision’s basketball court.

Barkin” Bakes Healthy Pet Food, through

their generous donors, sent free dog food and cat food as treats to the furbabies, most of whom were afraid but still smiled after being injected.

Anti-rabies injection must be given to all dogs and cats yearly. The first shot is given when they are pups or kittens, or at about eight weeks of age. The injection will ensure both humans, cats and dogs are safe from rabies.

Dr. Clarissa Castro Nobida and Doc Steve of the Meycauayan city vet office injected antirabies vaccines on hundred of dogs and cats with other vets.

From left: Vilma Olibar Abud (blue shirt) and Rica Araque (yellow shirt) of the homeowners association and Olive Librando, mother leader of the association assisted the city vet and baarnagay officials.In the background are the free dog food and cat food given by Barkin' Bakes Healthy Pet Food.

The best line: Responsible owners brought their pets for vaccination.

The dogs waiting for their turn.

The cats waited too.

SAFE HERBS FOR CATS IF YOU have a garden or a balcony where you can plant herbs in pots, there are a number of herbs that are safe for you cats for some common ailments.

In “10 Herbs to Improve Your Cat's Health,” PetMD shared that there are herbs which are very good for your cat’s health and are easy to grow.

However, PetMD stressed that you must consult your vet if the herbs can be given to your cat if he /she has a condition and because your vet knows your cat the most.

Catnip

This herb makes your cat very happy.

“It’s sort of like an after work cocktail for cats, relieving them of stress and nervousness. Also, if your cat is always scratching, and seems to have itchy skin, a catnip ‘tea bath’ can soothe kitty’s skin,” PetMD said.

Cat Thyme

This is recommended for a cat who doesn’t react to catnip.

“That is, if you can withstand its awful odor. Cat thyme has the same soothing effects as catnip, with the at- Angel sleeping after his night watch. He has assigned himself as guard for the night at the terrace. His favorite herbs? Catnip and basil. tendant feelings of contentment. And everyone loves a content cat. If you do go for cat thyme, however, you may “Pair this with the fact that cats ac“Discuss with your veterinarian how want to pot a few plants, as they are tually like eating the plant and you’ve they best serve your cat and in what very slow growing,” PetMD said. got the perfect formula for a healthy, form. Many veterinary herbalists prefurry feline, “ PetMD added. pare chamomile, calendula and echiValerian nacea as tinctures,” PetMD said.

This herb helps people relax and Chamomile, Calendula have a good night’s sleep. But it Licorice Root and Echinacea works as a stimulant for cats.

These three herbs have purported This tastes good to cats.

It is “good for transforming lazy, medicinal properties which include “As a natural cortisone, licorice fat cats into exercise machines, “ alleviation of certain skin issues such root can be used to soothe itchy kitPetMD said. as itching. ties with allergies, endocrine (the

endocrine gland affects metabolism, growth and mood) and digestive issues, as well as respiratory problems like colds, since it soothes mucus membranes, “ said PetMD. “Other benefits of the licorice root include blood cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be very useful for cats with arthritis,” it added.

Cat’s Claw and Dandelion Root

These herbs are good for both cat and owner.

“A tincture made out of dandelion root and cat’s claw can help with itching for cats, especially those with allergies, as it contains natural cortisone. If kitty is trying to watch her figure, try making her a salad with dandelion leaves,” PetMD said.

Goldenseal

This herb is useful for your cat, PetMD said.

“Goldenseal can be used as a natural disinfectant on wounds and, in conjunction with saline, may help shrink swollen eyes due to infections and allergies,” PetMD said.

Vet approval

Please consult your vet before using the herbs, PetMD urged.

“You can also check in with your local holistic pet store for advice, and read our how-to guide for growing an indoor or outdoor herb garden Like you, your cat should benefit from these natural wellness boosters, but only under professional supervision. Happy herb growing,” PetMD said.

Dr. Imelda Arguelles, Meycauayan, Bulacan city vet, injecting anti-rabies vaccine to a dog brought by an owner.

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

LOVE

THERE are thousands of dogs and cats who have not been hugged or kissed. There are thousands who have been waiting to experience how it is to be loved.

Instead of buying a pup or kitten for P30,000 to even P100,000 plus, and making pet store owners rich, why not adopt a rescued dog or cat?

Here are some of the rescued dogs and cats in the care of animal welfare group Save ALL Inc.- Save Animals of Love and Light.

In the first photo are Borhap and Gali, bonded brothers who were abandoned when they were days old beside the busy Commonwealth avenue in Quezon City. They have been neutered In the second photo is Macky, a 4 year old Belgian Malinois. Her owner died fo cancer. She has been spayed.

Please contact admin Is La or Miks Lim in Facebook or message Save ALL for online screening and home visit/personal interview.