Manila Standard - 2020 March 26 - Thursday

Pandemic may cost gov’t P286B in lost revenues

By Julito Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez said a zero growth in gross domestic product due to the onslaught of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) this year will result in approximately

P286.4 billion in foregone revenues for the government In a Bloomberg interview Wednesday, Dominguez said these numbers were

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 52 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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TAKE HEED. Lessons learned from fighting tuberculosis in Philippine jails could help inform the fight against COVID-19 inside prisons. They include infection control protocols (proper entry screening and mass screenings inside detention facilities) and creating isolation units for infected patients to halt the disease's further spread. Overcrowding, poor ventilation and infrastructures, deficient health, hygiene and sanitation conditions favor the spread of infectious diseases – whether COVID-19 or tuberculosis. Jes Aznar/ICRC

All systems go to fight virus Duterte sets masterplan in full swing, calls on people to unite

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Vito Barcelo, Macon RamosAraneta and Maricel V. Cruz

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RMED with wide-ranging special powers and a declaration of national emergency, President Rodrigo Duterte swiftly ordered the implementation of a National Action Plan that will ensure a whole-of-government approach in battling the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Duterte signed into law Republic Act Before the signing, the President No. 11469 or the Bayanihan To Heal As called for unity as he assured the Filipino One Act at dawn Wednesday, and had it people of government protection during uploaded on the Official Gazette to trigger the crisis. its immediate implementation.

“I now call on every Filipino to

participate in this war by following the guidelines set by the national government and your local officials. Nothing is more important [now] than your cooperation. I repeat: Stay at home. Huwag matigas ang ulo. (Don’t be hardheaded.) The outcome of this war depends largely on you as well,” he said.

“To the Filipino people, rest assured that your entire government is working hand-in-hand to safeguard your health, safety and well-being in the face of the threat posed by COVID-19. Supplies of food, water and other essentials will be provided to you throughout this ordeal.

Financial assistance will also be extended especially to those in the margins and the Next page

PH cases: 638, deaths: 38; prov'l doctor new casualty

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PAMPANGA provincial health officer Dr. Marcelo Jaochico was the latest doctor who died while battling COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said, as it reported 636 confirmed cases and 38 deaths from new coronavirus, with 26 recoveries.

The death of Jaochico, former doctor-to-the-barrios, was reported on Facebook by his daughter Cielo. It was later confirmed by the Pampanga Public Information Office head Joel Mapiles.

In her post, Cielo appealed to readers to remember her father not as someone who succumbed to COVID-19, but

also one who had done so much for the province and for the country.

“When you speak of him, please speak only of good words. Please do not remember him as someone who just died because of COVID-19. Sobrang dami niyang ginawa para sa bayan. (He did so much for the country.) Please pray for his soul. Please pray for the souls of those who are still fighting,” she said.

Jaochico is the first doctor in the province to succumb to COVID19.

The lack of personal protective equipment places many health workers at risk to the highly-contagious disease.

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More health facilities going up

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

SOCIAL DISTANCING. Shoppers wearing face masks practice social distancing as they wait for their turn to enter the supermarket in San Mateo, Rizal. Ver Noveno

WORLD ROUNDUP

Trump sees crisis end as cases rise PRESIDENT Donald Trump declared the beginning of the end of the coronavirus crisis in the United States on Tuesday and called for a quick end to social distancing, following China's decision to end the lockdown in Hubei province where the disease (COVID-19) originated.

Trump, who is keen to get his reelection

campaign back on track, said that social distancing has caused too much pain to the US economy, with the Senate and the White House reaching an agreement on a $2 trillion stimulus package for the US economy and millions of Americans ravaged by the crisis.

"Our country—it's not built to shut down," he said on Fox News. "You can destroy a country this way by closing it down."

"I would love to have the country Next page

Prince Charles tests positive PRINCE Charles, the eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, is showing mild symptoms of the new coronavirus but "otherwise remains in good health," his office said on Wednesday.

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METRO Manila mayors have started converting local hospitals and buildings into dedicated facilities for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with the expected increase in the number of cases.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday said in preparation for a worst-case scenario, the 10-story Santa Ana Hospital will be turned into a dedicated COVID-19 facility.

Earlier, Domagoso launched the Santa Ana Hospital that now hosts the Manila Infectious Disease Control Center, accom-

Couturier shares fashion touch for health workers

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas WITH medical supplies running dangerously low and predictions of a surge of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, many known fashion designers are doing whatever they can to medical frontliners.

Celebrity fashion designer Michael Leyva, one of the top Filipino designers, joined a team of designers to help frontliners by sewing surgical masks and personal protective equipment for donation.

The celebrity designer has turned his studio into a pseudo-factory producing hazmat suits, masks and other personal protective equipment for Next page

MICHAEL LEYVA

modating patients who might be infected with COVID-19.

At the same time, Domagoso said the city government may convert public schools into quarantine areas for patients under investigation (PUIs) with mild symptoms.

He said if cases shoot up, they would have to segregate “the sick and the healthy.”

The Manila mayor also appealed for assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in connection with the distribution of relief supplies during the enhanced community quarantine.

“What we really need is food,” he said, Next page

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Cleaner hands, bluer skies: What has coronavirus done for us?

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EATHS, economic meltdown and a planet on lockdown: the coronavirus pandemic has brought us waves of bad news, but squint and you might just see a few bright spots.

From better hygiene that has reduced other infectious diseases to people reaching out as they self-isolate, here are some slivers of silver linings during a bleak moment.

Wash your hands!

The message from health professionals has been clear from the start of the outbreak: wash your hands.

Everyone from celebrities to politicians has had a go at demonstrating correct technique – including singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to make sure you scrub long enough, and hand sanitizer has flown off the shelves.

All that extra hygiene appears to be paying off, at least in some countries, in-

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vulnerable groups. Gagawin namin ang lahat. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan (We will do everything. We won’t abandon you),” Duterte added.

The law authorizes the President to: • Provide assistance to frontliners and health workers, such as giving them financial allowance, hazard pay and compensation or shouldering their medical expenses, and direct public transportation to ferry them to and from their workplaces; • Expedite the procurement of personal protective equipment and other medical equipment, exempt the importation of equipment needed to combat the spread of COVID-19 from duties, taxes and other fees, ensure that there will be no delays in the donation, acceptance and distribution of health items, and liberalize the grant of incentives for the manufacture and importation of critical and needed equipment; • Authorize alternative working arrangements for workers, and regulate and limit the operation of transportation and traffic, including ensuring that local government units are acting in accordance with the Act; • Provide subsidies to low-income households, implement an expanded and enhanced Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program to respond to the needs affected by the community quarantine, ensure availability of credit to productive sectors, reschedule deadlines for the filing of government requirements, and order a grace period on paying residential rents or loans; and • Enforce measures against hoarding, price manipulation, combinations in restraint of trade or other pernicious practices, and ensure the availability of essential goods, such as food and medicine, and adequate supply of power, fuel, energy and water.

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based on assumptions of the inter-agency Development Budget Coordinating Council.

“I'm looking it up right now because there have been constant meetings with the DBCC. And right now, they estimate, [that] if we have 0 percent growth, the drop in revenue will be P286 billion,” Dominguez said.

Assuming a -1 percent growth, the drop

cluding Japan, where the number of flu cases appears to be sharply down.

Japan recorded 7.21 million cases by early March – usually around the peak of the flu season that runs until May. That was far below figures for previous years, including the 21.04 million infections seen during the 2017/18 season.

"We estimate that one of the reasons behind it is that people are now much more aware about the need to wash hands... given the spread of the new coronavirus," Japanese health ministry official Daisha Inoue told AFP. Carbon curbs Factory shutdowns, travel bans and a squeeze on demand spell economic disaster,

but it isn't all bad news for the environment.

In the four weeks to March 1, China's CO2 emissions fell 200 million tonnes, or 25 percent, compared to the same period last year, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. That's a decline equivalent to annual CO2 emissions from Argentina, Egypt or Vietnam.

The slowdown in China also saw coal consumption at power plants there down 36 percent, and the use of oil at refineries drop by nearly as much.

Air travel is also grinding to a virtual halt, achieving at least a short-term dropoff in emissions from a highly polluting industry.

And there have been other environmental benefits, including crystal-clear waters in Venice canals usually choked with tourist-laden boats.

Unfortunately, experts say the cleaner air may be short-lived.

Once the health crisis is over, experts

expect countries will double down to try to make up for lost time, with climate change concerns likely to be sidelined in a race to recover economic growth.

Save the pangolins The source of the coronavirus remains in question, but early tracking focused on a market in China's Wuhan where a variety of live wildlife was on sale for consumption.

A number of animals, including bats and the highly endangered pangolin, have been identified as possible culprits for the virus.

As a result, China in February declared an immediate and "comprehensive" ban on the trade and consumption of wild animals that was welcomed by environmentalists.

Beijing implemented similar measures following the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, but the trade and consumption of wild animals, including bats and snakes, made a comeback. AFP

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will serve as chairman of the NAP and will give regular reports on the progress of the continuing fight against COVID 19, after the country recorded 552 confirmed COVID cases, and 35 deaths.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will serve as the policy-making body of the operations, while National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 will serve as the operational command to be headed by the Defense secretary.

Under this setup, the National Incident Command (NIC) will take charge of the day to day concerns and operations in the fight against COVID-19, Nograles added.

Congress granted the President special temporary powers on Tuesday to manage the COVID-19 outbreak, which continues despite the imposition of a Luzon-wide lockdown.

The law is effective only for two months but can be extended if the calamity persists.

The new law may also be withdrawn earlier through a congressional resolution or a presidential proclamation.

During a speech, Duterte thanked Congress for granting him the special powers to combat COVID-19.

“Finally, the executive department can move, decide, and act freely for the best interest of the Filipino people during this health crisis,” he said.

“First, let me reiterate my sincerest gratitude to all our courageous frontliners in this war, especially our healthcare workers—our doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and other allied health professionals. Maraming, maraming salamat. Asahan niyo ang suporta ng inyong gobyerno, (Many thanks. You can count on your government’s support,)” Duterte said.

After receiving reports that many doctors had sacrificed themselves to save the country, Duterte expressed his sadness but thanked them for their love of country

and the Filipino people.

“The virus has claimed the lives of our doctors along the way. They are all heroes,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English. “I rarely salute anyone, but when our doctors and health workers get sick or die, I salute them. You may no longer be in this world, but that’s how highly I regard you.”

Nograles said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has been directed by the IATF to transfer P420.58 million to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., which will be used to cover COVID-19-related packages.

Aside from this, the IATF also endorsed the proposal of the Department of Labor for the immediate release of the amount of P1.5 billion for financial assistance for overseas workers and repatriated overseas workers to be submitted to the Department of Budget.

Another recommended proposal involves directing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to allocate P25,000 burial assistance for indigent confirmed COVID-19 cases and PUIs, regardless of whether the patients were treated in a private or government hospital. It will also be given to those undergoing home quarantine.

Senator Grace Poe said tenants struggling financially because of the Luzon-wide lockdown can soon find relief due to the law signed by the President.

One provision that she pushed to include was a freeze on all hoome rents during the period of the enhanced community quarantine, Poe said.

The provision also states that interests, penalties, fees and other charges will not be imposed on tenants following the 30day moratorium on their rental payments.

“Many renters live paycheck to paycheck but during these extraordinary times… they might not have enough to pay for their rent and may even face the possibility of eviction,” Poe said.

She said the rent freeze will ensure that tenants, especially low-wage earners, will be in the safety and comfort of their

homes for the duration of the public health crisis. She acknowledged that some homeowners and landlords have already done so of their own accord.

In related developments: * A House leader warned that the new law granting the President powers also imposes a two-month sentence or a maximum fine of P1 million for those found guilty of sharing fake news and unverified reports on social media about COVID-19 that may cause fear, chaos, panic, and anarchy. Herrera warned that the full force of the emergency bill would be meted on those found spreading fake news reports. * Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano assured poor families forced to stay home by the government-imposed lockdown that they will receive financial assistance for three months under the Bayanihan to Heal As One law. “It is important for our people to know why we have this law. We have the law because we have to defeat COVID-19, and to be able to defeat it, our people have to stay at home so that our health workers can isolate those who are sick and treat them,” Cayetano said. He added that the administration’s economic team has identified at least P275 billion in off-budget funds the Bayanihan law allows President Duterte to use to help the poor during the public health emergency.

“Up to 18 million families will receive a monthly subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 depending on the amount of minimum wage in their regions,” he added. * The rights group Karapatan Alliance Philippines expressed alarm over the “fake news” provision of the recently signed law. “We assert that this amendment is dangerously unconstitutional, as it allows for powers that abridge the freedom of speech and expression. The lack of laws criminalizing ‘fake news’ makes this provision void,” the group said. Moreover, the provision offers no definition of fake news, and only the President has the power to define it, the group added. With Willie Casas, Francisco Tuyay

in revenue will be P318 billion, he said.

“Those are roughly the numbers, but at this point in time, we don't even have a very good estimate of what the GDP is going to look like. According to NEDA, it can be -0.66 percent to +4.3 percent. For sure, almost sure, the revenues from fuel will be down by about P14 billion because of combination of drop in demand and drop in prices,” Dominguez said.

Before the onset of the disease, the government earlier projected a 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth for 2020.

NEDA, however, said it was looking at a slower expansion of 5.5 to 6.5 percent two weeks ago because the tourism industry, one of the pillars of strength of the domestic economy, was badly hit by the pandemic.

Early this week, debt watcher S&P Global Ratings said it was expecting the Philippine economy to slow further to as low as 4.2 percent this year from the actual expansion of 5.9 percent in 2019, taking into consideration the assumptions of economists that COVID-19 will peak in August.

Couturier...

World Roundup

down on Wednesday, with a third of the world now under orders to stay indoors.

From A1 India ordered its 1.3 billion people—the world's second-biggest population—to stay at home for three weeks. opened up and just raring to go by Easter," said Trump, declarPrime Minister Narendra Modi's "total lockdown" call ing he could see "light at the end of the tunnel." The president doubled the number of people around the globe under said he looked forward to "packed" churches on Easter, which some form of movement restriction to more than 2.6 bilis on April 12 —less than three weeks away. lion people.

"To save India, to save its every citizen, you, your family... every street, every neighborhood is being put under lockdown," Modi said in a televised address.

Hubei lifts restrictions as China reports no new virus cases

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases.

But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country continued to swell.

In total, 474 imported infections have been diagnosed in China—mostly Chinese nationals returning home according to the foreign ministry. Four more people died, health officials said Wednesday, three in central Hubei province where the virus first emerged late last year.

The lockdown would be lifted on more than 50 million people in Hubei, with residents now allowed to leave if healthy, with some airports and train stations opening. The city of Wuhan—the initial epicenter of the outbreak—will allow residents to leave from April 8.

Industry races to meet demand for ventilators

Manufacturers are on a mission to produce desperately needed medical ventilators for the coronavirus pandemic, even if it means converting assembly lines now making auto parts.

Along with a shortage of masks and gloves, the spread of COVID-19 to almost every corner of the globe has highlighted a great need for specialized machines that help keep severely afflicted patients alive.

"As the global pandemic evolves, there is unprecedented demand for medical equipment, including ventilators," said Kieran Murphy, head of GE Healthcare.

Swedish group Getinge is also ramping up output to meet what it called exponential growth in demand from around the world. French group Air Liquide has plans to raise its ventilator production from 500 a month to 1,100 in April. Draeger, a German medical tech giant, says it has doubled the number of ventilators as well, while Loewenstein has a government order for 6,500 over the coming India's billion-plus population went into a three-week lock- three months. AFP

One third of humanity under virus lockdown

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medical workers and other frontliners battling COVID-19.

His cutting tables, now devoid of silk, sequins, beads and other materials for gowns, has been converted into a factory to make face masks, which will be donated to health workers.

His team is also working with waterproof fabric to help solve the scarcity of PPEs in the country.

"We are one with this. #teammichaelleyva will be donating PPEs, head covers and masks for our heroes #frontliners," Leyva said in an Instagram post.

"Mabuhay po kayo at salamat sa dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa ating bayan. (Long live, and thank you for your dedication and love of country.) This wouldn’t have been possible without my team’s dedication and willingness to help," he said.

Other designers who have pitched in to make face masks and PPEs were Mich Dulce, Steph Lim, Patrice Ramos Diaz, Rajo Laurel, Patty Ang and Puey Quinones who have tunred their ateliers into PPE production centers.

Beauty clinic Belo has also donated its stock of PPEs to hospitals and authorities manning checkpoints across Luzon.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) said that homemade face masks do not provide the same protection that N95 masks do, they can fend off the spread of COVID—and having a mask is better than nothing at all.

As of March 24, 552 patients in the Philippines tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 35 died, 20 recovered, while the rest continue to battle the disease.

The Philippine Medical Association, meanwhile, said that there is a shortage of PPEs, there is no shortage of doctors.

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Under the recently signed "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act," health workers who succumb to COVID-19 are entitled to a P -million death benefit each.

Health workers who would contract severe COVID-19 while performing their mandate will receive a compensation amounting to P100,000.

Meanwhile, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the red band she was wearing is a show of solidarity to the frontline health workers who continue to serve the public during the COVID-19 outbreak.

"This is a sign of support to our health care workers especially those who died and those who have been fighting, who took care of patients in all hospitals here in the Philippines," she said.

“Our hearts and support are with you,” she said in Filipino.

The Health official said the data on COVID-19 cases in the country could be more reflective of the actual situation in the coming days as testing capacities is improving.

She said the results being made public so far were not timely. "They could be there already, and we are just running after them," she said.

"It might be an artificial rise so we are telling the public not to be surprised, " she also said. “In these coming days, when we are able to remove the backlogs, we will see the true numbers in the increase or decrease here in our country.”

In a statement sent to Senate media, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said he tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the second senator after Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri to get the disease.

“I was informed late last night March 24, 2020 that I have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The swab was taken last Friday, March 20, 2020,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said he had tried his best to limit his movement since the last session day on March 11.

"I will call (to the best of my ability) those I remember meeting during those crucial days so that I can inform them of my test result,” the former Senate president said.

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noting “the snowball effect” of keeping people under quarantine.

On March 12, Domagoso unveiled the city government’s COVID-19 response plan that included a budget for information dissemination, provision for food and water, medicine and purchase of medical equipment to curtail the spread of the disease.

Domagoso set aside a budget for vitamin supplements for senior citizens, who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

As of Tuesday, Manila 89 patients under investigation (PUIs) and 30 positive cases, with two recovered, and two deceased, the Manila Public Information Office said.

Meanwhile, three buildings owned by the Villar family will be used by Las Piñas General Hospital as an extension, temporary housing for health care workers and a quarantine facility.

Senator Cynthia Villar turned over the three buildings to the hospital, saying temporary housing would spare health care workers from having to commute daily.

“The hospital can also use it to complement their existing facilities to better cope with the demand for beds and rooms,” said Villar.

"The number of COVID-19 patients are increasing as testing becomes readily available and hospitals are running out of space. The three buildings combined can help LPGH handle more patients and provide accommodation for their health care staff too,” she added.

The Villar family will also take care of the daily food needs of the Las Pinas General Hospital staff.

The buildings housed the Las Piñas Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) and the Provincial Board Members’ League, all in Barangay Ilaya, Las Pinas City.

The drug rehabilitation center will give up one of two buildings, Villar said.

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The 71-year-old and his wife Camilla—who does not have COVID-19—are currently self-isolating in Scotland, Clarence House said.

"The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus," it said in a statement, using his official title.

"He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual. The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) has also been tested but does not have the virus. In accordance with government and medical advice, the prince and the duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland."

The couple were tested by the state-run National Health Service (NHS) in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland, it said. AFP

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Makabayan welcomes ceasefire

By Maricel Cruz THE Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday welcomed the respective unilateral ceasefire declarations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and President Rodrigo Duterte in response to a global call to fight the pandemic caused by the deadly COVID-19.

“This is a welcome development as it will provide an enabling environment for everybody, including combatants in the ongoing armed conflict, to help in the war against the scourge of COVID-19,” one of the bloc’s members, Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, said.

The CPP’s Tuesday declaration, also affirmed by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), was in response to the call Monday, March 23, of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for a global ceasefire between warring parties for a united stand in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.To warring parties, I say: Silence the guns; stop the artillery; end the airstrikes,” said UN Secretary General Guterres.

Last March 18, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP and its armed wing, New People’s Army, effective March 19 to April 15.

“We hope that in this time of pandemic and crisis, this lockdown on armed hostilities will be done with sincerity by the parties, particularly the military and the police elements who continue to launch operations, particularly in the countryside, under the guise of the so-called whole-of-nation program to supposedly end the communist rebellion,” Zarate said.

“These ceasefires, we hope, will provide the necessary enabling environment and pave the way for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the parties,” added the former vice-chairman of the House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

TRAPPED, FINALLY. Two suspects in the government’s campaign against hoarders and profiteers during the Enhanced Community Quarantine—Dr. Cedric de Castro and Richard Beloy—were arrested following an entrapment operation set up by the National Bureau of Investigation in separate operations Monday and Tuesday in Metro Manila.

Gov’t arrests 2 suspected profiteers

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

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HE government scored a breakthrough this week against profiteering and overpricing as it shifted to higher gear its run after lawless elements amid the coronavirus pandemic which has killed and infected people in the country since COVID-19 stormed to many countries from Wuhan, China.

3 inmates die in NBP riot

By Rey E. Requejo THE Bureau of Corrections on Wednesday said that three inmates died in a stabbing incident inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday afternoon.

In a report to the Department of Justice, BuCor said inmate identified as Pedro Pagador suddenly stabbed fellow inmates Ryan Aringgo and Amber Caja using an improvised knife inside the national penitentiary’s Maximum Security Compound at 3:30 p.m.

Because of this, other inmates tried to stop Pagador, who sustained injuries during the riot.

Pagador and victims were rushed to the NBP Hospital where they later died at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The BuCor said inmates claimed Pagador became unruly due to his concern over his good conduct time allowance, which is a reward time to reduce an inmate’s prison term.

The DOJ said investigation was ongoing to determine Pagador’s motive behind the killing of his fellow inmates.

GARLOS O. GULLE, 62 GARLOS “Boy” Olaer Gulle of Las Pinas City and Surigao del Sur passed away Tuesday, March 24, due to cardiac arrest. He was 62.

Born July 18, 1957, Garlos ran his own business from his home in Soldiers Hills 2 village. He studied BS Commerce at the University of the East and finished high school at San Beda College. He is a cousin of Manila Standard City Editor Jimbo Gulle.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Nevado Gulle; son Charlemagne and his wife Jaya Faye; daughter Anne Laureen; son Gerard and his wife April; sisters Marian Magtajas and Pennylou Gulle; and grandchildren Tanya, Joakim, July Cairie, Jaywel Mae, and Sebastian.

His remains currently lie in state at Santuario Divino on 4102 Molino Boulevard in Bacoor, Cavite. Owing to the coronavirus quarantine, visiting hours are limited to 5 p.m. daily. Readers are requested to pray for the eternal rest of his soul and comfort for his family during this time of grief.

ASEAN FRIENDSHIP. Singapore Ambassador Gerard Ho formalizes his country’s contribution of 3,000 COVID-19 tests and one Polymerase chain reaction machine to the Philippines in a ceremonial handover to DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. They arrived Tuesday and were immediately brought to the recipient laboratories.

Chevron assures public of commitment

By Alena Mae S. Flores CHEVRON Philippines has given assurances it is committed to providing fuel to its customers safely, reliably, and affordably during the 30-day enhanced community quarantine aimed at mitigating the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Subject to limitations of a reduced workforce, our retail stations are generally open for business, especially since the energy industry has been classified as vital and therefore exempt from the enhanced community quarantine. Chevron’s fuel supply capabilities are also holding steady,” Raissa Bautista, Chevron Philippines policy, government and public affairs manager said in response to queries from Manila Standard.

She said the company had teams in place working and adjusting supply chains, terminal operations and customer deliveries “striving to continue to provide a reliable supply of quality fuels to customers in a safe manner.”

Bautista said Chevron, which markets the Caltex brand in the Philippines, was actively responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and continue to closely monitor the operating environment, utilizing the guidance of in-

ternational and local health authorities.

“The safety and health of our workforce, marketers, retailers, customers, and the communities where we do business are primary concerns. We are taking precautionary measures to reduce risks of exposure, and we have business continuity plans in place to help minimize impacts to operations,” Bautista said.

At the same time, Chevron is doing its part to help the country during this health crisis. The company partnered with one of its bus company customers, JAC Liner, to provide much-needed fuel to support the free bus shuttle services to transport our hospital workers from various points in Metro Manila.

“Together with Chevron Holdings Inc., which is our shared services center, Chevron Philippines is also donating Php500,000 to the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation, Inc., which is the country’s largest public tertiary hospital,” Bautista said.

She said the donation is meant to support the hospital’s much needed requirements for medical supplies and personal protective equipment that our frontline healthcare professionals need for proper patient management.

Barangay leader in Cabanatuan nabbed A BARANGAY watchman in Cabanatuan City has been arrested for for spreading fake news, Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas of Palayan City said Wednesday.

The watchman, also known as barangay tanod, was arrested by the police for spreading fake news, announcing in social media that Palayan City had recorded a COVID-19 case.

A report from Palayan chief of police Lt. Col. Renato Morales identified the suspect as Vener Cor-

tez, 42, married, of Barangay Cabu, Cabanatuan City.

Cuevas said Cortez was arrested for spreading unverified reports that Palayan already had a confirmed COVID-19 case thru his Facebook account.

In his post, Cortez even warned the residents to be careful to avoid contracting the disease.

“Mga kababayan kong taga Cabu may nag-positive na po sa Palayan city ng corona virus, kaya po magingat tayo sa pakikipaghalubilo sa mga taong hindi natin kakilala,” a

part of the post said.

The said post has caused fear and panic among residents of Palayan City, prompting Cuevas to order the police to look for Cortez and immediately arrest him.

The Mayor also belied the reports, saying that their city was still COVID-19-free.

“Walang pong katotohanan ang ipinakalat ni Vener Cortez, kaya siya ay ipinaaresto, magsilbing aral sana ito sa lahat sa pagpapakalat ng fake news,” Cuevas stressed.

In the Philippines alone, more than 30, including four doctors, have died and 600 either persons under investigation or persons under monitoring.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, under the Department of Justice, have arrested two individuals, including a medical practitioner, in two separate entrapment operations in Manila and Quezon City for overpricing medical supply worth P1.422 million, officials said Wednesday.

NBI Director Eric Distor identified the suspects as Richard Beloy, arrested in Manila on Monday, and Dr. Cedric Sarmiento de Castro, nabbed in Quezon City on Tuesday -- both in an entrapment operation by agents of the NBISpecial Action Unit (NBI-SAU).

De Castro is a registered Physician with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). He claimed being involved in fund-raising efforts that aims to help those in need.

The arrested subjects in the two operations have been charged with violation of Section 5 (2) (Profiteering) of R.A. 7581 in relation to R.A. 10623, or the Price Act of the Philippines as penalized under Section 15 in relation to DTI Memorandum Circular 20-07 dated March 19, 2020; and violation of Art. 52 (b) of R.A. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines as penalized under Art. 60 in relation to Art. 14 (7) of the Revised Penal Code.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the NBI agents arrested Dr. de Castro for allegedly selling thermal scanners that were intended as donation.

The thermal scanners were reportedly given to De Castro in the form of a donation, in his capacity as chapter president of Lions Club in New Manila Quezon City.

However, the NBI-SAU apprehended the doctor after it was learned he was selling thermal scanners for the price of P9,500 each, when its suggested retail price only ranges from P800 to P1,500 in the market.

The suspect was brought to the NBI main office for processing and then before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s office for inquest proceedings.

Air quality in Metro Manila improves under lockdown

By Rio N. Araja WITH Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine to fight the spread of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) disease, its air quality has significantly improved in recent days, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Air Quality Information System of the DENR-Environment Management Bureau showed a significant drop in the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the metro’s air quality based on the results gathered from air monitoring stations in the cities of Las Pinas, Marikina, Muntinlupa and Parañaque.

Last March 22, the 24-hour average level for PM10 in Las Piñas and Marikina went down to 31.67 and 27.21 micrograms per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) from a high 57.81 and 31.28 ug/Ncm, respectively, on March 9.

The acceptable threshold standard level of PM 10 is 60 ug/Ncm. Based on DENR Administrative Order 2013-13, the acceptable limit for PM 2.5 is 50 ug/Ncm for the short term 24-hour average level, and 35 µg/Ncm for the long term one year average level.

In Muntinlupa and Paranaque, PM 2.5 levels on March 22, 2020 were recorded at 10.78 and 14.29 ug/Ncm, respectively - much lower when they were recorded at 28.75 and 27.23 ug/Ncm, respectively, on March 10.

“We can see the drastic drop in numbers of PM 2.5 in Muntinlupa and Paranaque, and the drop in numbers of PM 10 in Las Pinas and Marikina. This explains why our sky now is clear and looks clean,” Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in a statement.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Inequality prevails SANTA Banana, in this time of crisis, the worst thing that can happen is social disparity where the rich and famous and the VIPs reign!

This is precisely what is happening now. There are politicians who get the privilege of being tested for COVID-19. The Department of Health may deny this, but we know for a fact that this is happening. Some reports have it that the tests are even being administered at these VIPs’ homes!

Welcome to the Philippines.

This is not surprising. This is the Philippines, after all. The powerful truly lord it over us mere mortals, especially during these times.

There is also the matter of allowing only one person per household to go out for supplies. But in gated communities, the rich go out with their drivers. How about the rest of us?

I should not be writing about this at a time when Filipinos need to come together for the common good. But I can’t keep silent about this. *** Somebody asked me why there seems to be no news about Filipinos from squatters’ areas getting afflicted with COVID-19 when the virus is already known to be transmitted locally.

I want to ask the Department of Health the same question.

A doctor told me that since people are usually packed in slum areas, living together in small rooms unable to

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

observe social distancing, and with no running water that will enable them to observe proper hygiene, they are really prone to contracting the disease.

Yes, they are given food by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and others. But it is important that they be given priority in testing.

My heart goes out to the squatters at this time.

Another thing that is happening is isolation. When a person gets infected he or she is isolated and can no longer be seen by his or her family.

Not even when the person is dying.

Immediate cremation is required. All wakes are banned, such that family and friends cannot express their sympathy to the bereaved. *** The House of Representatives, in a special session, has earmarked P275 billion for a fund to implement the nationwide emergency declared as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate, likewise in a special session, has given the President emergency powers to implement ways and means to contain the spread of the virus.

These are all considered in the wake of the infection of more than 600 Filipinos.

What bothers me though is that the emergency powers given to President Duterte may include the power to take over private business in times of emergency. This may include utilities like power, water and transportation.

At the moment. I don’t think there is a need for the President to exercise this power. I believe it is only when private businesses can no longer provide the service that government should step in.

We all know what could happen if government takes over private business. There is immense opportunity for abuse and corruption.

Wishful thinking is dangerous

D

ESPITE the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in his country, US President Donald Trump wants to rescind his government’s stay-athome directives and get America back to work by April 12, regardless of what the doctors say.

“We’re going to be opening our country up for business because our country was meant to be open,” Trump said, adding that he was thinking in terms of weeks rather than months.

He also seemed to wave off concerns from medical experts.

“If it were up to the doctors, they may say: ‘Let’s keep it shut down.

Let’s shut down the entire world’ ...And when we shut it down, that would be wonderful. And let’s keep it shut for a couple of years…. You know, you can’t do that. And you can’t do that with a country—especially the No. 1 economy in the world, by far.”

Some ideas under consideration by the White House, include a phased system that would see younger people return to the workplace first, keeping restrictions in place only on vulnerable people and senior citizens.

The White House could also lift the federal guidelines but explicitly endorse individual governors acting differently, or keep some federal

guidelines in place but changing others to allow states more leeway.

Playing to his political base of conservative Christians, Trump said Easter was “a beautiful time” to lift the social distancing restrictions that are keeping Americans safe.

"I think Easter Sunday and you'll have packed churches all over our country, I think it would be a beautiful time. And it's just about the timeline I think is right," he said in an interview with Fox News, despite the dire warnings from his own medical experts.

On a separate occasion, he kept saying the cure must not be worse than the disease—a clear indication that he was chomping at the bit to send everybody back to work to get the economy moving again regardless of the consequences.

He also tried again to play down the magnitude of the problem by saying more Americans die every year from car accidents.

“Look at automobile accidents, which are far greater than any numbers we’re talking about. That

doesn’t mean we’re going to tell everybody no more driving of cars.

So we have to do things to get our country open,” he said.

Ironically, Trump was talking about loosening up just as the World Health Organization said the US has the potential to be the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 continued to rapidly spread in many countries, including the United States, with cases worldwide topping 417,000. Since the last weekend, the US had the third-highest total confirmed cases in the world, with more than 53,000, more than half of which are in New York State.

There, the state governor said the new cases were doubling every three days and showing no signs of slowing down, while the number of deaths has climbed to at least 210.

Now, to put things in terms Trump might understand, if the number of car accidents doubled every three days, people would certainly stop driving them until they figured out what was wrong.

Wishful thinking has no place in a global medical crisis. If you are the leader of “the No. 1 economy in the world, by far,” it’s downright irresponsible.

Hope in the time of corona THIS is the tenth day of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine. While the numbers of confirmed COVID-positive patients increase, we also see drastic actions carried out by both national and local authorities. The Department of Health has already designated hospitals that will primarily deal with COVID-19 patients. Local government units have imposed stricter home quarantine while facilitating the distribution of medicines, food packs, and other forms of assistance to their constituents. Donation drives for personal protective equipment and food for health care workers have been put up by the members of the private sector. Other countries have conveyed their intent of donating thousands of test kits to our country.

Notwithstanding these prevention and containment measures against COVID-19, we need a cure for this disease. As much as we strive to remain optimistic, we have recorded, so far, more deaths than recoveries.

Many of our health care workers, especially doctors, have been afflicted by the disease they have been trying to fight.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an American organization which has been a long-standing institution in disease surveillance and health research, no drug has yet been approved specifically for the treatment of COVID-19. The standard clinical management so far is prevention and control measures, supportive care, and supplementary oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support when indicated. The World Health Organization released interim treatment

guidelines for COVID-19 patients.

For mild COVID-19 cases, the management includes treatment of symptoms, monitoring, and prevention of complications. For the severe cases, oxygen therapy is given as well as management of other co-morbidities, while also treating other symptoms and preventing other complications.

This underlines the importance of adequate medical supplies in hospitals to effectively manage the conditions of COVID-19 patients, especially in the provinces.

These developments show that we have a fighting chance against this disease.

Thankfully, certain medications are currently being studied by foreign institutions. One of these investigational and experimental drugs is Remdesivir, an antiviral drug which inhibits the replication of the virus.

This drug, according to CDC, is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States and China.While some confirmed cases have received this drug for compassionate use outside of the clinical trial setting in the US, its effect on COVID-19, though, has not yet been scientifically and clinically proven. We still need to wait for the completion and results of the clinical trials to determine whether the drug is effective and whether there are adverse side effects such as organ injuries, or other harm to the body during and after intake, immediately and in the long run.

Other medical institutions are also looking at antimalarial drugs to repurpose them as possible treatment for COVID-19. Others are exploring Turn to A5

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A wake-up call for repentance

By Ben Cal (Continued from last week) BROTHER Michael, one of the world’s greatest authorities on the message of Fatima and author of several books on the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, wrote that the Third Secret of Fatima has been unveiled. Each of the three messages in the Fatima Apparition has three distinct parts.

The first secret was a vision of Hell where it was described as an ocean of fire where demons and souls “in hu-

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

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

man form, like transparent burning embers…are floating in the conflagration…amid shrikes and groans of pain and despair.”

In the second secret the Blessed Virgin said that World War I which was then raging in Europe was about to end and it did end on Nov. 11, 1918, but the Blessed Mother also made a shocking revelation that another war, more devastating would break out “should men continue offending God.” There were 37 million casualties in World War I. As told by the Blessed Virgin, World War II broke out on Sept. 1, 1939 when Germany

under Adolf Hitler invaded Poland.

But earlier on Sept. 13, 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria that started the China-Japan conflict before the Pacific War erupted when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, followed by an attack on the Philippines on Dec. 8, 1941. World War II ended in Europe on Aug. 14, 1945 with the victory of the Allied Forces over Germany, while the Pacific War ended when Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945 after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first Turn to A5

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Emil P. Jurado

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion When sympathy turns into rage MY BLOOD boils as I browse through the screenshots of the exchange of messages in a chat group revealing how Senator Koko Pimentel supposedly turned the delivery room and other facilities of the Makati Medical Center into his own playground, loitering everywhere even as he had already reportedly was tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier in the morning, Pimentel issued a statement confirming he had tested positive for the deadly virus saying the results was relayed to him Tuesday night.

By mid-afternoon, reports leaked he accompanied his wife who was expected to deliver her baby anytime then, to the MMC, mingling with medical personnel at the delivery room, only for the hospital administration to discover they have a COVID-19-positive at that moment, sending the entire hospital and its staff to a state of panic.

Pimentel was quick to defend himself saying he only got hold of the result of his test stating he was COVID-19-positive while he was already in the hospital, prompting him to leave immediately. This version of the story was confirmed by a supposed statement coming from his wife.

However sources claim Pimentel already knew he was positive for the virus when he arrived at the hospital. According to the source, it was his private doctor who called MMC to inform them Pimentel is positive

for the virus and had already been presented the results, which would refute his claim he was unaware he is already a carrier.

I can’t wait for all of this to be over.

But assuming he indeed was only presented the results of his test when he was already at the MMC, why, in the first place, has he accompanied his wife to the hospital, knowing fully well he is already a person under monitoring (PUM) or even as a person under investigation (PUI)?

This is gross irresponsibility. We are running short of medical workers to attend to the growing numbers of COVID-19 patients and suspected carriers as well. We are even running short on medical gears, equipment and paraphernalia. Just how privileged he could get?

We have a law to deal with this kind of situation—RA 11332 which is about non-disclosure of medical condition, carrying with it a penalty of six months to one-year imprisonment and from P20,000 to P50,000 in fine. But I think that would be

A wake-up...

From A4

and only time so far a nuclear bomb was used in a war.

More than 60 million people were killed in the Second World War. The world was shaken when a Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca shot and wounded Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on May 13, 1981. The Holy Father sustained four gunshot wounds but miraculously survived which the Pope claimed that his survival was through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Incidentally, the incident took place during the 64th anniversary celebration of the Fatima apparition. Years later, the Pope visited Agca in his prison cell and in a massive display of humility forgave him for his crime.

It may be recalled that in 1989, the world was further stunned when the once powerful Soviet Union collapsed due to political and economic woes.

This was followed by the Gulf War in the early 1990s.

Prior to that there was a war between Iran and Iraq called the Persian Gulf conflict.

In 2003, Allied Forces led by the United States invaded Iraq. Today, insurgency is still raging in Iraq instigated by the al Qaeda terror group that has also gripped Afghanistan.

This is not to mention the 1956, 1967, and 1973 Middle East hostilities between Israel and Arab nations and the so-called Cuban Missile Crisis that almost triggered a head-on collision between America and Russia.

The catastrophic earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and massive floods in many parts of the world the past nine decades could be discerned as part of the Fatima prophecy.

The 9/11 murderous suicide attacks by terrorists in New York and Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2001 and the ongoing unrest in the Middle East and other parts of the globe are clear signs that the world is in for more troubles ahead.

The Blessed Virgin Mary said: “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end: but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light*, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and

Hope...

From A4

combinations of other antiviral drugs that can help weaken or destroy the virus. A Japanese flu drug has also been found promising in Chinese clinical trials. People who received the drug in the clinical trial were said to have been cleared of the virus in less than a week. Health research institutions have also been studying and developing vaccines against COVID-19. Note that these

too light for this highly irresponsible act of an elected official. It’s rather unfortunate the death penalty has been abolished. *** Reading through the newly-enacted Bayanihan Heal as One Act, I came across a provision which deals with red tape, particularly on the streamlining of the accreditation of the test kits.

Sec But to date, it seems Health Secretary Francisco Duque is holding ap hostage some of those seeking approval for their test kits. And that includes the laboratory the Marikina City Government had set up for COVID-19 testing.

Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro was even willing to offer a compromise saying they would willingly fund the project even if it would be the DOH which would operate the testing facility.

But Duque remains adamant, even as he himself admitted the figures of those who tested positive might only be half the actual number due to limited testing.

So, what is he waiting for? Why not expedite the approval of the Marikina City Laboratory? Why not direct the FDA to expedite the application of other test kits and that of other rapid test kits which are now being used in other countries?

Just like Pimentel, Duque is contributing to the spread of this virus.

We just can’t wait until this is over.

persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”

In his book, Brother Michael said that that “the prophecy of the Third Secret has been unfolding at the present time, before our eyes, since 1960. There is, in fact, a timetable, a chronicle in the realization of the prophecies of Fatima.”

The Secret of Fatima also predicts that “the Pope will have much to suffer. Jesus tells Sister Lucy of Fatima ‘Pray a great deal for the Holy Father…’ The revealing of the Third Secret will certainly be a great grace for the whole Church and will begin to relieve the terrible problems now burdening the Holy Father. But to do even this much, the Holy Father needs your prayers,” Brother Michael said.

As it is known all over the world through media, particularly the prevalence of the Internet that the Catholic Church has not been spared of scandals, particularly of priests involved in sexual affairs, including child abuse.

These incidents have been happening in various parts of the world.

Brother Michael further says: “It is therefore clear: all the material punishments which still threaten us, even the most dreadful, like nuclear war, or the expansion of Communism over the whole planet, are already foretold by our Lady in Her Second Secret, and we also know the supernatural means to avert them before it is too late. We can be certain, according to Father Alonso, that nothing about these material chastisements is repeated in the third part of the Secret. Or at least, I would add, if allusion to it is again made (as is quite possible), this will not be the essential message of the Third Secret. In effect, since the Secret is composed of three interrelated but distinct parts and whose date, for disclosure, fixed by heaven were not the same, one can be sure that the third part of the Secret is not going to repeat the same thing as the second in a few lines of space.”

He continued: “Doubtlessly, the Third Secret mainly refers to a spiritual chastisement. Far worst, even more fearsome than famine, wars, persecutions, for it concerns souls, their salvation or their eternal perdition.”

Brother Michael also said that “the Third Secret deals specifically with the loss of faith” This was echoed by then Pope Benedict XVI that the Third Secret concerned “the dangers threatening the faith and life of Christians.”

Thus, mankind is urged to do penance now. Not later and go back to God, and pray daily, especially the Rosary to attain a genuine and lasting peace in a troubled world and save man from eternal damnation.

Mr. Cal is the author of the book “Battle of Bessang Pass.”

are still in the investigatory and experimentation phases and no confirmation or validation has yet been issued by local and foreign health authorities. The clinical trials must be completed before any government agency can approve the use of these experimental medicines against COVID-19. (Taking of the said drugs without a proper doctor's prescription may produce harmful effects to the body such as toxicity or organ damage.)

These developments, however, show that we have a fighting chance against this disease. For

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EvEryman

China is ending the trouble while troublemakers are in trouble

By Luis T. Arriola (Continued from Wednesday) "THE virus will not have a chance against us. No nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States," Trump said in a televised address, repeating his calmness in the face of the growing outbreak. But the situation is getting worse.

Nafeez Ahmed, an investigative journalist and director of a third-party laboratory, published an article on how America and Britain are maximizing the coronavirus deaths. Without effective community isolation and containment, the highest case-fatality rate and worst-case scenario would be 1.5 million in the United Kingdom and 7.6 million in the United States, he said. He argues that the current response in the US and UK is leading to a trend towards higher fatality rates, rather than slowing the spread of infection. US President Donald Trump is about to preside over one of the most colossal public health disasters ever. Trump is only concerned about the direction of the stock market, he has banned European flights into the United States but it is too late, and he has not stopped the spread of the virus in the United States.

He said the UK and US governments have been unable to respond to the lack of health facilities and the coronavirus pandemic by trying to slowdown the spread of the virus and reduce the strain on overwhelmed health services, rather than focusing on national efforts to eliminate the virus at its source. There is even a theory in Britain of "herd immunity", in which 70-80% of Britain's population is infected with antibodies, given the lack of health facilities.

China's "collect as much as you can" and "treat as much as you can" measures aim to provide nucleic acid testing to those likely infected, for the decision of hospitalization. This effectively blocks the source of infection.

The effective Chinese action called "joint prevention and control" is based on the system's advantage, in which "mobilize the necessary resources for big undertakings" is a hallmark of China's social management system.

The measure of joint prevention and control associated with the community grid management enables governments at all levels perform efficiently the unified actions to backup each other. The logistics supply system combines with large-scale battlefield mode of medical reinforcement, such as using 10 to 15 days to build two large specialized hospitals. The cooperation of the people, the spirit of collectivism, professional dedication, are the basic factors of defeating disease in China. Very few countries are able to copy this unique system.

Professor Christian Drosten, a wellknown virologist in Germany and director of the Charite Virus Institute in Berlin, who was one of the co-discoverers of the SARS virus in 2003, believes that China's anti-epidemic measures are highly customized and the international community should thank the Chinese government and the people for their great efforts and collective spirit.

In fact, when the epidemic has become increasingly serious in Europe, the United States immediately ceased the flights with Europe, but China responded differently. 1.8 million of face masks and a hundred thousand of virus detection kits were shipped

now, let us stay put. Let us do our best to prevent further transmission of the virus to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 cases until we reach a downward trend. Testing kits will be available soon, but we need to prioritize those suspected cases, under the DOH protocols, to ensure that we provide the right treatment and management to patients and prevent the unnecessary use of the limited medical supplies in hospitals so that these can be reserved for the treatment of confirmed COVID-19 patients.

As I have said before, let us remain hopeful

without delay from China to the virus seriously hit European countries including Italy and Spain, and medical experts were sent to Italy and Iran.

Spanish netizens compared the two countries, saying: "Donald Trump treats us like a pest while China helps us. We all got the meaning of civilization wrong before."

Diverting public anger towards China at the time when American politicians are incompetent to deal with the epidemic is also a selfish and immoral behavior. Chinese scientists point out that the coronavirus found in Wuhan may have been imported from other countries, not necessarily from China. At a briefing in Geneva on 28 February, WHO said the source of the coronavirus was still uncertain and that regional stigmatization should be avoided. The coronavirus is a global phenomenon, it exists all over the world. Its geographical origin is not blamable, and people should focus on how to deal with and contain the virus.

While the United States is facing an outbreak of the epidemic, U.S. Defense Secretary Esper on March 3 telephoned his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe to express appreciation for the efforts made by the Chinese military in the prevention and control of the epidemic. But just a week later, the USS McCampbell Destroyer entered China's Xisha Islands,the territorial waters on a "freedom of navigation" mission, which was followed, verified and warned off by Chinese naval and air forces.

The United States continued making troubles for China during its all-out fight against the epidemic. On January 28, the US House of Representatives passed the Tibet Policy and Support act of 2019. On Jan. 30, U.S. Commerce Secretary Ross said a coronavirus outbreak in China could help create jobs in the United States. On February 15, the US Secretary of State, Defense Secretary and House of Representatives launched a fierce attack on the 5G products and technologies of China's Huawei technologies at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. On Feb. 16, U.S. senator Tom Cotton said in an interview that the coronavirus may have come from a laboratory in Wuhan. On February 18, the Trump administration announced that it was listing five Chinese media organizations in the US as "diplomatic missions", requiring them to register their employees and property in the US with the state department. On February 28, U.S. senator Rick Scott used the coronavirus outbreak to incite the "US-China unhook theory" in his speech. On March 2, the U.S. government announced that China's official media staff in the U.S. be cut nearly in half.

Now China is on the verge of final victory against the coronavirus, and the United States is in the midst of an outbreak. The two countries' vastly different approaches to the outbreak underscore the soft power struggle between the world's two largest nations. The more trouble America gets into China, the more likely it is to get itself into trouble. Paul Hainle, a former national security council official, warned: "the Trump team is missing a golden opportunity to build trust with an increasingly powerful country, and as time goes by these sentiments and punitive policies will bite us back."

Mr. Arriola is president and publisher of AseanTimes Magazine.

and continue praying for our country. Let us pray for our researchers and scientists, that they may be able to find an effective cure for this disease which has already taken thousands of lives worldwide. Let us pray for our health workers, that they may be strengthened by the love and support of their fellow Filipinos. Let us pray for our leaders, that we may be able to continue providing the right solutions and measures needed by our country today. Let us pray for one another and let us continue abiding by the guidelines imposed for the protection of everyone.

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LGUs

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

Munti to use fund to buy testing kits; eyes mass testing

NON-STOP. Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert ‘Bistek’ Bautista attends a Command Conference with QCPD Director Ronnie Montejo and his team at Camp Karingal in QC. Together with other civilian volunteers, Bautista and his team are working non-stop to make sure all NON security details are taken care of and that limited resources and manpower are maximized in order to protect thousands under the enhanced quarantine in Quezon City. (Photo taken from Herbert Bautista’s Instagram account).

CDC inspects Clark firms allowed to operate inside Freeport CLARK Freeport - To ensure that safety protocols and guidelines on COVID-19 management are being observed, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) through its Health and Sanitation Division (HSD) is conducting inspection on various establishments that are allowed to continue operations in this Freeport under guidelines from the National Government.

A total of 38 firms have been visited by personnel from HSD. They monitor compliances with health protocols such as social distancing, use of face masks and other sanitation procedures.

Assuring the public on the availability of basic commodities and essentials amidst the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), CDC allowed the operations of selected vital establishments in the Freeport. These include groceries, hospitals, drugstores, petrol stations, banks, food establishments, and convenience stores.

Some of the petrol stations who were permitted to operate are Gasboy (5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Global Starbase Petroleum (6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wind Tunnel Gas Station (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sky Ace Petroleum Station (6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Accordingly, some of the banks that will also remain active inside this Freeport are Asia United Bank, China Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines, EastWest Bank, Landbank, Maybank, Metrobank, Philippine Veterans, Rizal Commercial Bank, RCBC, and Union Bank of the Philippines.

Food establishments such as Clark

Mac Enterprises, Fortune Hongkong Seafoods, Hometown Flavor Services, Inc., Jollibee, Jomar Omega Caillo, Omakase Sushi Japanese Restaurant, Pan and Tree Restaurant, Trust Pacific Food and Beverages Inc. (Kimbob Time), and Fins Café Inc. among others will also keep their operation.

However, dine-in and sit-downs are not allowed inside these establishments and only food take-out will be processed.

Selected convenience stores are also open in the Freeport. These are 7-Eleven establishments located at Stotsenberg Medical Center Donggwang Ode County along C.M. Recto Highway, and at Gihon Building along Jose Abad Santos Avenue. Also in active operation are Family Mart, G-Mart, Ministop, Puregold Duty-Free, and Monterey.

CDC, however clarified that these establishments may opt to operate on limited business hours, depending on their manpower CDC will continue to inspect these establishments throughout the course of the ECQ to make sure that the guidelines set by the state-owned firm and of the national government are being adhered to.

Meanwhile, the state-owned firm also expressed its appreciation and gratitude to its frontliners who continue to report to work amid the COVID-19 threat. These include personnel from CDC- HSD, CDC- Public Safety Division, CDC- Engineering, CDC-Transportation, and CDC-Trade Facilitation Division.

‘Bistek’ assumes frontliner role F

By Rio N. Araja

ORMER Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista is now the commanding general of the 1502 Ready Reserve Infant Battalion for the city.

He was appointed with the rank of a brigadier general of the Philippine Army.

In a Facebook post, Bautista, popularly known as Bistek, was seen wearing a full Army uniform when he visited Barangay Tandang Sora.

“Our team has been doing round the clock inspection of borders to ensure the safety of the city and also distributing goods to our constituents who are in need. We are helping them the best we can and we appreciate your support in every way. Please continue to Stay Home for the safety not just of our city

but most especially, our families. God Bless Us All,” his FB message read.

“The group together with other civilian volunteers, is tirelessly working nonstop to make sure all security details are taken care of and that our limited resources and manpower are maximized in order to protect thousands of others under quarantine in our city. My utmost respect to our Security Frontliners, GOOD JOB everyone!” he said.

Bautista recently made a comeback in showbusiness after his nine years as Quezon City mayor.

IN A bid to curb the rise in the number of novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) cases in Muntinlupa City, the local government is set to purchase testing kits through its Quick Response Fund and eyes to conduct mass testing of its city residents.

The Muntinlupa City Council approved a resolution allowing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi to procure Polymerase Chain Reaction machines and testing kits following the rise in confirmed cases and persons under monitoring and investigation in the city.

As of March 24, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded eight confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with 146 persons under monitoring and 72 patients under investigation.

Fresnedi said a more aggressive medical intervention is needed to effectively segregate, for quarantine purposes, the virus-stricken constituents of the city for appropriate medication and containment of the virus.

“Early detection of a COVID-19 infected person can deter the spread of the virus and the purchase of PCR machines and testing kits is critical in the determination of the medical assistance which must be administered to our constituents,” the chief local executive said.

While the City Government is willing to immediately purchase the testing kits to conduct a mass testing, Fresnedi said that the initiative is subject to the guidelines and regulatory standards of the Department of Health.

The Muntinlupa LGU has designated the Ospital ng Muntinlupa to house the testing area of the PCR machine upon the approval of DOH. A field hospital has been constructed in Ospital ng Muntinlupa to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Isolation areas in barangays are also in place for residents suspected to have contracted the virus for monitoring by the local health office.

Barangay health workers and physicians in barangay health centers are on high alert against sustained local transmission in the communities, while health personnel in the barangay daily monitors reported cases of persons under monitoring and patients under investigation.

The PUMs and PUIs in the communities are given vitamins and medicines, especially those with underlying conditions.

According to the Muntinlupa City Health Office, there are currently two city residents under the care of two community isolation areas in Barangay Tunasan and Sucat for monitoring.

Negros Occidental LGU assists seniors in fight vs pneumonia NEGROS Occidental continues to lead the health and welfare of its entire population, from the very young all the way up to its senior citizens.

According to Dr. Arniel Laurence Portuguez of the San Carlos City health office and Dr. Fernando Fernandez of the Kabankalan City health office, pneumonia has the highest morbidity and mortality rates among senior citizens in their respective localities, placing it as one of the province’s top 10 leading causes of death.

Thus the provincial government of Negros Occidental, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, partnered with the local government units of Kabankalan City and San Carlos City, as well as with the Department of Health and MSD in the Philippines, to kick off “Bakunado si Lolo at Lola, Iwas Pulmonya” pneumonia awareness program.

This multi-stakeholder disease awareness campaign aims to shed light on the real burden of pneumonia especially on the senior citizen population, and how immunization is one of the ways to prevent it.

The campaign also aims to show how the government help paves the way towards protecting the vulnerable elderly against this vaccine-preventable disease.

Informative lectures were recently held in Negros Occidental cities, focusing on the importance of vaccination across all

life stages in the pursuit of building a healthy citizenry.

Over 1,000 senior citizens from northern and southern Negros Occidental received free pneumonia vaccination from the government after a series of disease awareness and prevention lectures.

Governor Lacson himself was one of the first to receive the shot at the event’s kickoff in San Carlos City, where the respective LGU officials and members of various health sectors were also present.

Lacson acknowledged senior citizens as important members of the community who deserve to be treated with utmost care, and that their health must be considered a priority.

With the looming reality that complications brought by pneumonia remain to be some of the leading causes of death among the elderly, Lacson assured his constituents that the provincial government continually conducts programs in line with the national government’s initiative to provide basic health services to the people.

Republic Act (R.A.) 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 mandates immunization of indigent senior citizens against vaccine-preventable diseases such as pneumonia and influenza.

This was made more accessible to the elderly through the National Immunization Program of the DOH.

INSPECTION. Clark Development Corporation’s Health and Sanitation Division personnel conduct inspections on allowed firms to operate inside the Clark Freeport Zone amidst the Enhanced Community Quarantine. CDC-HSD monitors each establishment to ensure that they follow proper protocols and guidelines such as social distancing and utilization of hygiene materials and adherence to sanitation procedures.

N. Vizcaya sets aside P12.5M in fight vs COVID-19

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government has set aside P12.5 million as assistance to the province’s 275 barangays in mitigating the effects of the Enhanced Community Quarantine brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robert Corpuz, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said the financial assistance was

sourced from their Quick Response Fund to augment the scarce resources of the barangays.

“This will help our barangays in helping their respective communities, especially the poor who are the most vulnerable during the ECQ period. This is just an initial assistance and rest assured that the provincial government will also tap other sources to provide assistance to our poor villagers,” he said.

Corpuz also bared that P3 million

worth of food assistance is now ready for distribution to priority affected areas.

He added that they have already coordinated with the Association of Barangay Captains through board member Victor Gines for the scheduling of distribution of the barangay assistance.

“We are also grateful for the assistance of our partners from the national government agencies. Truly, we need a unified effort in providing assistance in this trying times,” Corpuz said.

World

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

A7

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF ‘Day of Silence’ hit by virus fears BALI—Bali’s “Day of Silence” was even quieter than usual this year as coronavirus fears prompted authorities to scale back an annual celebration that sees the Hindu-majority island in Indonesia come to a near standstill.

Known as Nyepi, the festival calls on locals to stay at home for 24 hours and reflect in a self-imposed lockdown.

Flights and internet connections are temporarily halted while tourist attractions are closed to allow time for meditation and introspection.

But the celebration, which was marked Wednesday, is usually preceded by street parades featuring colorful effigies known as Ogoh-Ogoh which are later burned, representing renewal and purification.

The parades were drastically scaled back Tuesday evening over fears of spreading the deadly virus, while authorities have also called off a related celebration featuring kissing couples.

Social distancing measures were in place for some traditional ceremonies that went ahead—with mixed results—and many gave offerings in hopes of warding off the virus.

“We hope the universe will help protect people from the outbreak,” said Nyepi organiser Cokorda Putra Wisnu Wardana.

“The offerings will be placed in the river to symbolize our wish that all illness, viruses and things that make us fearful will be swept away,” he added.

For Bali resident Dwi Antara, virus fears—which have already pounded the island’s key tourism sector—took the shine off the celebration. AFP

Gunmen storm Sikh-Hindu temple GUNMEN stormed a Sikh-Hindu temple in central Kabul on Wednesday and were locked in an ongoing battle with security forces, an official said, in the latest assault on the Afghan capital.

“At around 7:45 am (0315 GMT), a number of attackers entered a Hindu-Sikh temple,” interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP. “People are stuck inside the building and (security forces) are trying to rescue them.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but assaults on the country’s religious minorities are frequently orchestrated by Islamic State militants.

“There are about 150 people inside the temple. Families are living there and they usually gather to offer prayers in the mornings,” said Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a Sikh MP in the Afghan parliament.

“Some people inside the temple are hiding and their phones are off. I am very concerned.”

The attack comes as Afghanistan is facing myriad crises that have put the country on the brink including a raging insurgency, a political deadlock, a flailing peace process and rising coronavirus cases.

On March 6, IS jihadists killed 32 people and wounded dozens more in an attack at a political gathering in Kabul.

To add to the country’s woes, Washington slashed the amount of aid to the country this week. AFP

Youth warned vs. virus after US teen dies LOS ANGELES—California officials on Tuesday pleaded for young people to heed safety warnings over the new coronavirus after a teen tested positive and died.

It would be the first known juvenile death from the COVID-19 illness in the United States.

A statement by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned the cause of death “will require further evaluation.”

“Though earlier tests indicated a positive result for COVID-19, the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation for this fatality,” it said.

The novel coronavirus is not typically severe for juveniles, and the unidentified youth from Lancaster—just north of Los Angeles—did not have any pre-existing medical conditions, Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

“A teenager in good health succumbed to this virus,” said Garcetti, calling the fatality a “sober reminder that this can take anyone.”

“To the young people that are out there—this can hit you too. Know that your behavior can save a life, and can take a life. And that life could be yours,” he added.

Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris told the Los Angeles Times the patient was a teenage boy who died of septic shock and the boy’s father was also infected with coronavirus.

California Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that the teenager’s death should be a warning to all, noting that half of the people infected in California are between the ages of 18 and 49.

“What more evidence do you need than the loss of a young person’s life?” said Newsom. AFP

VIRUS TEST TO GO. Medical staff dressed in protective gear test a woman for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus at a drive-through testing centre at Vibhavadi Hospital in Bangkok on March 25. The test involves a nasal and throat swab with results expected between 5 to 7 days. AFP

‘Scorched-earth’ lockdown policies hit

B

RASILIA—Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro lashed out Tuesday at what he called “scorched-earth” quarantine policies to contain the coronavirus pandemic, saying they risked wrecking the economy.

Never one to shy from controversy, the far-right leader condemned the containment measures taken by authorities in places such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, saying they risked killing people’s jobs in a misguided effort to save lives.

“Some state and local authorities need to abandon the scorched-earth concept: blocking transport, closing businesses and confining people en masse,” he said in a national address.

“We need to preserve jobs and families’ livelihoods.”

Bolsonaro, 65, has repeatedly courted controversy with his statements on the new coronavirus, calling it a “little flu” that has provoked an

“overblown” reaction.

His latest comments came the same day the city and state of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s economic capital, began a partial quarantine in a bid to slow transmission of the virus.

The state, home to 46 million people—roughly the size of Spain—has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro, the country’s second city and the second-most affected by new coronavirus, has also taken drastic containment measures, including shutting schools, restaurants and its beaches and tourist attractions.

Bolsonaro, whose in-your-face style

has earned him the nickname of “Tropical Trump,” insisted there was no need for extreme measures.

“The at-risk group (for the virus) is people over 60. So why close the schools?” he said.

He also repeated his accusation that the news media have created unjustified “hysteria” around the pandemic, and said Brazil’s relatively young population and warm climate would help protect it from the impact.

Brazil is Latin America’s biggest economy and the country hardest hit by the pandemic so far in the region, with 2,201 confirmed cases of COVID-19 illness and 46 deaths.

“This will be over soon. We have to get on with our lives.... We have to get back to normal,” he said.

The statements drew immediate criticism and a made-for-quarantine protest, as opponents in various cities banged pots and pans from their windows during the speech to show their dissent. AFP

RESPITE FROM THE MADNESS. A passenger wearing a face mask sleeps as the train stops at the railway station in Macheng, in China’s central Hubei province on March 25. China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases. AFP

Passengers desperate to dock soon SANTIAGO, CHILE—More than 1,800 people stuck onboard a cruise ship off the Pacific coast of South America, with 42 complaining of flu-like symptoms, are desperately hoping to be allowed to dock—somewhere.

“Testing times,” Australian couple Dimiti and Neal Bates wrote on Facebook. “Please don’t forget us.”

The Zaandam liner run by Holland America left Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 and was supposed to arrive last Saturday at San Antonio, near Santiago in Chile.

Its plight is the latest affecting the global cruise industry, which has seen vessels refused entry to ports and others locked down after new coronavirus cases were confirmed onboard during the pandemic.

Along the way, the Zaandam docked in Punta Arenas, in Chile’s far south, before leaving there just days before Chilean President Sebastian Pinera closed the country’s borders on March 18.

Soon after, the company suspended all its cruises due to measures including the closure of land, air and sea borders imposed by governments all over the world to prevent the pandemic’s spread.

It headed back to Punta Arenas in a bid to arrange for its more than 1,200 passengers and almost 600 crew to take flights back to their home countries.

“Despite previous confirmations that guests could disembark in Punta Arenas, Chile, for flights, we were not permitted to do so,” Holland America said in a statement on its website.

“No one has been off the ship since March 14 in Punta Arenas.”

The 42 showing flu-like symptoms are quarantined.

Locals throwing rocks “We heard that one ship that managed to dock at Punta Arenas was greeted by locals throwing rocks!” Bates, who boarded the Zaandam in Buenos Aires in a group of 20 Australians, said on Facebook.

The ship sailed to Valparaiso in Chile where it remained at anchor last Friday to Saturday while taking on fuel, provisions and medication before continuing to San Antonio.

Rear Admiral Yerko Marcic, the head of Chile’s national defense at Valparaiso port, said eight Chileans were allowed to disembark, along with two French people for humanitarian reasons because “they had a high risk chronic illness and their medication was not going to last until the ship reached land.” AFP

Online gaming booms as virus lockdowns keep millions at home HONG KONG—When two Spanish footballers took to the controls of “FIFA 20” after the coronavirus pandemic saw their La Liga match cancelled, a stadium-sized virtual audience watched online.

The huge digital crowd last week is part of a spectacular boom for the digital gaming industry, as record numbers flock to online servers for distraction, entertainment and friendship with the “real world” seemingly falling apart.

Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias kicked the winning goal using his own digital likeness in the 6-5 battle against Sevilla, which was broadcast on popular video game streaming platform Twitch.

It took place at the same time the original derby had been scheduled, before Spain’s premier tournament was postponed as part of containment measures that have also seen the country’s 46 million people largely confined to their homes.

“We do all of this to entertain all of you, so that you can be at home enjoying it, insofar as it is possible with this epidemic,” the host of the broadcast told his audience of 60,000.

Nearly every country around the globe has reported cases of COVID-19 infection, with frantic efforts to contain the disease prompting the near total shutdown of some of the world’s biggest cities.

Online gaming has proved a welcome diversion for many people chafing at movement restrictions, the cancellation of countless public events and a relentless onslaught of news about the pandemic.

“It made me feel less depressed about being in a small space for a long time,” said Yang An, who was made to quarantine for two weeks in China after returning to Shanghai from her hometown last month.

She told AFP that she passed the time by playing for up to eight hours a day on her Nintendo Switch handheld console.

Surging demand Internet providers have scrambled to shore up their networks in the face

of surging demand.

Gaming traffic on Verizon’s network shot up an “unprecedented” 75 percent in the space of a week, the US telco said recently.

Software companies have also rushed to accommodate a record number of users.

Rockstar Games, publisher of the Wild West-themed adventure title “Red Dead Redemption,” promised players it would keep its online servers running smoothly after it told its global workforce to work from home.

The company also teased a roll-out of extra in-game activities to keep housebound player glued to their controllers. AFP

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

Lito ‘Thunder Kid’ Adiwang (right) in action during the ONE Warrior Series

Olympic postponement right decision, says POC president

By Peter Atencio

T

HE move to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games until next summer is the right decision.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino believes so after the Olympiad was finally postponed late Tuesday evening.

postponed during a peacetime situation.

The last time the Olympics was not held was when World War II broke out.

With only four Filipino athletes earning Olympic qualification slots, the postponement will give the Philippines a chance to have more qualifiers.

“Meron chance pa rin tayo sa medals (gold/s) for those who qualified because they can train more and have chances to qualify more,” said Tolentino.

Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics have calendared 33 sports disciplines.

And all disciplines have yet to complete their qualifiers because of the impact the virus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said he will also ask the organizers of the 31st Southeast Asian Games to reschedule the biennial meet to a later date.

“We will recommend that Vietnam

host the 31st SEA Games during the latter part of the year (2021),” said Tolentino.

When the SEA Federation Council meets in the coming months, Tolentino said he will push to have the Games moved to Nov. 21 to Dec. 2.

So far, no date has been approved by the Council.

“Those dates provide enough window from Tokyo (Olympics), which could be in the July to August period,” explained Tolentino.

The Federation is slated to have a council meeting from May 20 to 21.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission has mobilized its sports psychology unit to check on national athletes that under its care.

PSC chairman William Ramirez said this is being done because the safety and health of everyone is a top priority.

“It’s the right decision, for athletes, officials, organizers and spectators. For everybody in the Philippines, globally and for safety,” said Tolentino The shelving of the quadrennial meet for next year was reached following talks between Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach.

Abe made this decision late Tuesday night, stating that Japan had reached an agreement with Bach and the IOC.

The threat posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was the major reason for the delay of the Games.

“It’s (postponement) better because it is not cancellation of the Games,” added Tolentino.

In their meeting, Abe and Bach agreed to stage the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics “by the summer of 2021 at the latest.”

Observers noted that this will be the first time that the Games will be

Mineski launches Lockdown Games

Obiena scales down on Olympic training

IN LIGHT of the COVID-19 situation in the country, Mineski Global launched Lockdown Games on March 24 at 5 p.m.

It is a fundraising tournament where gamers of popular mobile titles such as Mobile Legends, Marvel Super War, and Call of Duty Mobile come together through a series of online battles to help the medical frontliners in Metro Manila such as UP Medical Foundation, which is one of its chief beneficiaries.

Catch some of the PBA superstars like Junmar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar, and Kiefer Ravena go head to head in a virtual arena. Esports fans can tune in to MineskiTV’s Facebook channel (https://www.facebook.com/MineskiTV/) to watch the matches, cheer for their favorite teams, and contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

Interested parties may donate any amount via an email pledge sent to mineskitv2@mineski.net, via text at 09272798615, or through Mineski Global’s GCash, via 09178747768.

Be part of the bigger battle and help donate to Mineski Global’s fundraising tournament to help COVID-19 frontliners in “Lockdown Games.

ITALY-BASED pole vaulter EJ Obiena will scale down on his training program for the Tokyo Olympics next year.

It won’t be as strict as what he usually does, now that the Games have been postponed and delayed for a year because of the threat posed by the coronavirus virus pandemic, which has hit Italy hard.

“He is in transition. Hindi na magiging masyadong regimented ang training niya. It’s now more on staying healthy,” said his father and coach Emerson Obiena, following talks with his son.

The 24-year-old Obiena is among a few select Olympicbound athletes allowed to continue training in the Italy.

So far, they are prevented from leaving their quarters in Formia, Italy—a seaside town located between Rome and Naples.

Their preparations only get interrupted when they are tested for the virus, or whenever their training facility is sanitized.

“Nag-uusap-usap kami dahil sa cancellation,” said EJ’s father.

With the Games expected to be slated for next year, Obiena will just cross training in other sports in order to stay fit.

He will return to his preparations once things settle down.

Obiena is the first Filipino to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He secured a berth in the 2020 Summer Olympics by surpassing the qualifying standard of 5.80 meters, making a leap of 5.81 in a tournament in Chiara, Italy on September 3, 2019.

His feat set a new national record at that time.

“That kind of just keeps you on target and motivated each day on what you need to do, what you need to achieve. That helps a lot, to be honest—just having a direction,” said EJ in a statement.

EJ is coached by Ukrainian pole vaulter Vitaly Petrov, who is known for mentoring world champions like Sergey Bubka,

EJ Obiena: The goal now is to stay healthy

Yelena Isinbayeva and Giuseppe Gibilisco.

Italy, which has a high death toll on the coronavirus, is currently on a nationwide lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Peter Atencio

Cancel them! For Olympic opponents in Japan, a delay isn’t enough

The logo for the Tokyo 2020 torch relay is pictured as the Olympic flame goes on display at the Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium in Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture, the day after the historic decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. AFP

TOKYO—For many in Japan, the postponement of the Olympics is a heartbreaking necessity. But for a small and motley crew opposed to the Games altogether, it doesn’t go far enough.

“Damn it! We absolutely reject postponement. The Olympics should be cancelled and abolished,” an umbrella group of anti-Games activists tweeted after the historic delay to the 2020 Olympics was announced.

Just minutes before Tuesday’s dramatic decision, triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, a handful of activists gathered in central Tokyo holding one of their regular protests against the Games.

“We’ve been doing a monthly rally

for various reasons. One of the things that most annoys me is the commercialism of the event,” said 59-year-old Toshio Miyazaki, standing with protesters holding signs reading: “We are opposed to the Tokyo Olympics.”

Miyazaki works for the Tokyo city government, a key partner in organizing the 2020 Games, but he is vocal about his opposition to the event.

“The coronavirus situation is pushing them to postpone the Games, but I think Japanese people should think twice about whether it is really necessary to host the Olympics,” he told AFP. The prospect of hosting the Olympics remains largely popular in Japan, with 4.5 million tickets already sold through an oversubscribed lottery

system that was so popular it was expanded for an additional round.

In domestic surveys, only around 10 percent of respondents think the Games should be cancelled, even with the global coronavirus pandemic stalking the globe.

And those who oppose the Games do so for a variety of reasons.

‘Recovery Olympics’ Kumiko Sudo, who was among the protesters out on Tuesday, said she was uncomfortable with the nationalist undertones she feels are associated with the Games.

“Hosting the Olympics was proposed to boost a sense of nationalism” by then-Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishikawa, she told AFP. AFP

Adiwang’s lost love for downhill biking AS IF you cannot tell from his recent performances in the ONE Circle, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is the type of person who loves to push himself to his limits. So it comes as no surprise that before being a star in ONE Championship, he was into another extreme sport—downhill trail riding. Adiwang enjoyed the fast life when he was younger, but he was later advised against pursuing it as he was too aggressive, often pushing his mountain bike past its limits, leaving him vulnerable to injuries.

“I did downhill mountain bike riding. I really loved it, but I eventually stopped it on the advice from others,” Adiwang said.

“They told me that I was too aggressive for the sport and it can actually lead to me being in an accident, so I really had to stop it.”

It’s a good thing Adiwang listened.

“Thunder Kid” is now one of the most sought after athletes in The Home Of Martial Arts, owing to his exciting performances in Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series, and his consecutive first-round mainroster wins over Senzo Ikeda and Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit.

Tough luck for him. He could have been riding with teammates Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly, who also love to ride, but the 27-year-old has no plans of jumping on the seat again.

“I did that way earlier, way before them, so when I saw them doing it, I was excited for them because I know how fun of a sport this is,” Adiwang said.

Though he misses it from time to time, “Thunder Kid” knows it is better to be safe than sorry—or worse, injured.

“Of course I miss it, but I am in a different career now. I can’t afford to get injured.”Catch all the ONE Championship action live and for free by downloading the ONE Super App.

New York virus lockdown puts US Open in limbo NEW YORK—The closure of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, because of coronavirus concerns has at least temporarily halted preparations there for the 2020 US Open.

The US Golf Association said in a statement to GolfChannel. com that it continues “to hold the dates for the US Open at Winged Foot in June” while it also monitors guidance and regulations from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and state and local authorities.

In the meantime, work that had begun on tournament infrastructure such as corporate hospitality tents and grandstands has been halted.

The USGA acknowledged that the championship, scheduled for June 18-21, might have to be postponed, but said it was too soon to make that call.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation and making relevant contingency plans,” USGA chief brand officer Craig Annis told the Journal News newspaper that serves Westchester County.

“We expect to make a decision sometime in the middle of April.”

The first two major championships, the Masters and PGA Championship, have already been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in England is still scheduled for July 16-19.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo warned Tuesday of “troubling and astronomical numbers” in the rate of coronavirus infections in the state, saying they were doubling every three days. AFP

IN BRIEF

ADB: Virus weighs on Asian bond marts

THE Manila-based Asian Development Bank said Wednesday the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and deepening global economic uncertainty are weighing heavily on local currency bond markets of emerging East Asian economies, including the Philippines.

In the latest issue of ADB’s Asia Bond Monitor, ADB chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada said financial markets in the region were already feeling the brunt of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with foreign investment and sector activities on the downside, coupled with ongoing trade issues.

“Efforts to cushion the negative impacts of the pandemic through stimulus packages and monetary measures to support affected households, businesses, and financial markets should continue,” Sawada said.

Emerging East Asia comprises China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysi, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sawada said apart from emerging East Asia, government bond yields also declined in major advanced economies and select European markets between Dec. 31, 2019 and Feb. 29, 2020. Julito G. Rada

Business

DOTR orders three bodies to remit P10b THE Transportation Department ordered the Philippine Ports Authority, the Manila International Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to remit in advance their combined dividends of P10 billion,to the Department of Finance by Friday.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said the dividends from the three DOTr agencies would greatly help in funding the government’s campaign against COVID-19, as well as other government projects.

The Department of Health reported the Philippines as of March 24 had a total of 552 confirmed COVID-19 cases and a death toll of 35. The number of recoveries, meanwhile, was at 20.

The PPA is set to remit P4 billion in dividends to the DOF, with MIAA and CAAP handing over P3 billion each.

Tugade ordered the three agencies to directly issue the dividend checks to the DOF by Friday.

“We are now engaged in a war against COVID-19 and the government now needs to muster every financial support it can get to contain and eliminate this deadly disease,” Tugade said. Darwin G. Amojelar

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

B1

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ALCOHOL DONATION. The Lucio Tan Group’s Tanduay Distillers Inc., along with Absolut Distillers Inc., starts the production of ethyl alcohol being distributed to the Department of Health and hospitals. Gerry Tee (third from left), chief operating officer of Absolut Distillers and overall general manager of the distillery operation of Lucio Tan Group, leads the donation of disinfectant ethyl alcohol to different healthcare institutions.

DOTR preparing contingency measures for airline industry

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

he Department of Transportation said Wednesday it is preparing contingency measures to help the aviation sector amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon designed to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the agency mapped out plans and did a scenario analysis to assure readiness of the government in the event of worst-case situations resulting in the stoppage of airline operations and closure of airports.

“We need to be prepared for any possible scenario and to employ all possible countermeasures including what may appear to be drastic and extreme ones.

But we, at the DOTR, remain committed to the government’s effort to protect our country and the health of its citizens against this deadly coronavirus,” Tugade said.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia Philippines, Cebgo and PAL Express ceased domestic operations and some international flights over COVID-19.

Tugade instructed the Manila International Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to extend to airport concessionaires “rental holidays” for one month and a deferral of rental charges in the succeeding month to cover the enhanced community quarantine period, with further extensions if required, subject to regular monthly review.

He said the “rental holiday” and the deferral of payment of rental charges for airport concessionaires were immediately executory.

Tugade said that such moves were needed to cushion the economic impact of COVID-19 on the country’s aviation industry and its stakeholders.

AC Energy signs deal to pursue 2nd phase of wind farm project in Vietnam

The International Air Transport Association projected that the industry passenger revenues could plummet $252 billion or 44 percent below 2019’s figure. This scenario is based on assumptions of severe travel restrictions lasting for up to three months, followed by a gradual economic recovery later this year.

“The airline industry faces its gravest crisis. Within a matter of a few weeks, our previous worst case scenario is looking better than our latest estimates. But without immediate government relief measures, there will not be an industry left standing,” IATA director-general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said.

“Airlines need $200 billion in liquidity support simply to make it through.

Some governments have already stepped forward, but many more need to follow suit,” he said.

The latest analysis envisions that under this scenario, severe restrictions on travel are lifted after three months. The recovery in travel demand later this year is weakened by the impact of global recession on jobs and confidence.

FOOD DONATION.

Team members of Pilmico Foods Corp., the food business unit of the Aboitiz Group, turn over the first batch of donations to the Tarlac Provincial Anti-COVID-19 Task Force at the Tarlac Capitol Incident Command Center.

The center is the main drop-off point for all donations to Tarlac Provincial Hospital.

By Alena Mae S. Flores AC ENERGY Inc., the power unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., and The Blue Circle signed a notice to proceed with General Electric Renewable Energy to use Cypress wind turbines in the second phase of the Mui Ne Wind Farm in Binh Thuan province, Vietnam.

The Mui Ne wind project is being built in phases and can accommodate up to 170 megawatts of capacity.

The eight turbines from GE Renewable Energy, with a unit capacity of 5 MW each for a total of 40 MW covering the second phase of the wind project, will carry the largest rotor diameter for an onshore project in Asia (158 meters) and will be the first to transport blades in two pieces before assembly on site.

“This latest addition to the Mui Ne project is a significant stride towards AC Energy’s 2025 goal of reaching five gigawatts [5,000 MW] of renewables capacity in the Philippines and around the region,” Patrice Clausse, chief operating officer of AC Energy International, said in a statement.

“We have strongly pushed for the adoption of new technologies and best practices to grow our assets in renewables with the continuous support to pursue innovation from partners like The Blue Circle,” he said.

Hervé Grillot, TBC chief construction officer, said the 5-MW turbine technology “is a game-changer for onshore sites as it will allow larger capacity machines, lowering our cost of energy and enhancing competitiveness of wind energy.”

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

SM Prime raises P15b from fixed-rate bond offering

Globe gives P14m to PGH foundation

GLOBE Telecom Inc. on Wednesday said it raised and turned over P14 million to the PGH Medical Foundation Inc. (PGH-MFI) for the acquisition of medical supplies and personal protective equipment.

The Ayala-led telecommunications firm said the amount was raised through the joint efforts of loyal Globe customers, who donated over P9 million thorugh their Rewards points, and the company’s initial pledge of P5 million in cash donation.

This is part of Globe’s comprehensive efforts in providing immediate aid to medical frontliners at the PGH, which is now a designated exclusive COVID-19 hospital by the Department of Health.

The funds were used by PGH-MFI to purchase much-needed test kits, alcohol and complete sets of personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks, face shields and surgical gowns.\ Globe also turned over 50 mobile phones preloaded with unlimited calls and texts to all networks valid for 30 days to serve the communication needs of healthcare workers and frontliners at PGH. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

SMC hikes alcohol production to 100,000 liters for frontliners

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said Wednesday it increased ethyl alcohol production to 100,000 liters a day to address the needs of frontliners, local government units and provinces nationwide in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said the company activated all the facilities of liquor unit Ginebra San Miguel Inc. to produce 70-percent ethyl alcohol round-the-clock nationwide, even as the company continued to find more ways to reach out and support the government and private sector with response efforts.

Ang also thanked the Food and Drug

Administration for its quick response in getting Ginebra’s Cabuyao plant and the rest of its facilities to produce rubbing alcohol for distribution to frontliners.

“So far, we have donated 29,300 liters of 70-percent ethyl alcohol to 77 hospitals throughout Metro Manila as well as the Department of Health, crisis centers, local government units, law enforcement agencies and other vital institutions. This is just the start. As we navigate through the challenges, we will continue to provide help where it’s needed,” Ang said.

“This is our way of thanking and supporting all our brave doctors, nurses, policemen, military, security personnel, delivery workers, employees of vital industries and so many others who

are on the frontlines of this battle, saving lives and making sure the system is in order,” he said.

The bulk of alcohol production is being done at Ginebra’s Cabuyao plant in Laguna. With other five Ginebra facilities producing the same rubbing alcohol, the reach of the initiative will widen and benefit more Filipinos nationwide.

“Right now we are only able to serve NCR, but we have already mobilized our other facilities to produce alcohol as well for nationwide delivery,” Ang said.

These include Ginebra plants in Mandaue, Cebu; Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; Destileria Bago in Negros Occidental; Cauayan, Isabela; and Ligao, Albay.

PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. said Wednesday it raised P15 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate bonds.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it issued P15 billion worth of five-year and seven-year bonds with interest rates of 4.8643 percent and 5.0583 percent yearly, respectively.

The P15-billon fixed rate bonds represent the first tranche of the company’s P60-billion bond shelf registration program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This means that SM Prime still has P45 billion worth of bonds that it can issue over the next three years.

SM Prime initially planned to issue P15 billion worth of bonds with an oversubscription option for another P5 billion.

It did not exercise the P5-billion oversubscription option as the country undergoes enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

SM Prime earmarked P80 billion in capital expenditures for 2020, up 16 percent from P69 billion it spent in 2019. This year’s capital expenditures will support the expansion of SM malls and residential businesses as well as landbanking activities.

The company said that of the P80 billion programmed for the year, 39 percent would be for residential business while 37 percent would be for mall expansion.

The remaining 24 percent will be allotted for land acquisitions for future projects and expansion of other businesses such as hotels, office and convention centers.

The property firm said the P80-billion program would be funded by a combination of local borrowings and internal funds.

SM Prime is set to open five new malls in the Philippines this year including those in in Butuan, Zamboanga, Daet, Caloocan and Roxas City.

Nextflix agrees to cut traffic on request of NTC amid quarantine MEDIA-SERVICES provider Netflix Pte. Ltd. agreed to cut its traffic in the Philippines during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, according to the National Telecommunications Commission.

The Internet television giant moved to cut traffic in the country after the NTC requested Netflix to work with the government and telecommunication partners by “effectively and efficiently managing its streaming bitrate to ease data congestion for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine. “ “The measure will help free-up bandwidth as the increased demand by subscribers may risk overloading network capacity during the quarantine period,” the NTC said.

The agency said data consumption was expected to surge because of the work-from-home arrangements and increased government, private and education demands.

Netflix agreed to the measure and “conveyed solidarity and support to the Philippine government’s efforts, recognizing that the internet should continue to run smoothly at this time.”

Netflix said it developed a way to reduce traffic on the telecommunication networks by 25 percent while maintaining the quality of service.

The company said consumers should continue to get the quality that comes with their plan—whether ultrahigh, high or standard definition.

Netflix’s move will provide significant relief to congested networks for the next 30 days, according to the company. Darwin G. Amojelar

B2

Business

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; Megaworld advances T HE stock market jumped Wednesday along with the rest of Asia, after US lawmakers finally agreed on a mammoth stimulus package to support the world’s top economy against the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 253.49 points, or 5.3 percent, to 5,027.76 on a value turnover of P8.3 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 158 to 44, with 29 issues unchanged.

Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, advanced 8 percent to P2.15, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group rose 7.2 percent to P49.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group rallied 7 percent to P800, while

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdlargest lender in terms of assets, climbed 6.5 percent to P55.40.

The rest of Asian equities soared again Wednesday. While the deadly disease continues to spread, traders have a rare semblance of optimism after weeks of carnage across global markets, with eyes fixed on Washington where lawmakers in the early hours thrashed out an emergency bill worth as much as $2 trillion—around 10 percent of US gross domestic product.

“At last, we have a deal,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, citing the massive “wartime level of investment into our nation”.

The prospect of a massive spending splurge, combined with the Federal Reserve’s pledge to essentially print as much cash is needed, sent Wall Street into overdrive Tuesday, with the Dow seeing its biggest rise since 1933, while the S&P 500 enjoyed its best day in more than a decade.

And the gains spread into Asia, which rallied for a second straight day, with extra impetus later in the day coming from the news out of Washington.

Tokyo ended eight percent higher, with investors there were also relieved that the 2020 Olympics had been postponed rather than cancelled.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore climbed more than two percent, Sydney rallied more than five percent and Seoul piled on more than four percent.

Taipei added almost four percent, while Bangkok and Wellington were also well up.

Adding to the more upbeat mood was the G7’s promise to do “whatever is necessary.”

The unprecedented moves are part of a worldwide response to the rapid financial shock caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, which has locked down countries including the US and brought the global economy to a juddering halt.

“Risk assets are enjoying a nice rebound as the market digests the Fed’s broadening QE move into the corporate space while the prospect of a big US fiscal stimulus edges closer to fruition,” said National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril.

Hopes for the US deal and the Fed’s promise to ramp up its bond-buying also sent the dollar lower, a relief to investors as demand for the unit had seen it soar against peers, including a 35-year high against the pound.

The crude market—which has been hammered by the outbreak’s impact on demand, as well as a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia—also enjoyed a much-needed lift, though analysts cautioned the commodity still faced uncertainty.

However, observers warned that world markets were not out of the woods just yet as the number of infections and deaths continues to rise rapidly and the full economic impact is still unknown.

With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, March 25, 2020

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

43 55.8 98.3 22.4 15.9 7.1 2.61 0.92 750 0.3 37.9 18.8 155.1 36.05 16.5 107 52.3 1.17

44 56.9 100.5 22.4 15.9 7.84 3.19 0.92 750 0.3 38.05 19.46 179 36.15 18.1 113 53.95 1.17

43 54.6 96.8 20.9 15.1 7.1 2.61 0.91 750 0.27 35.9 18.8 155.1 34.2 16.5 105.6 52.1 1.16

FINANCIALS 44 5,400 55.4 4,533,620 100 3,254,710 21.1 84,000 15.8 17,700 7.31 189,200 3.19 2,000 0.91 11,000 750 20 0.28 180,000 35.9 5,714,700 19.24 412,700 156.5 6,470 34.2 6,000 16.9 82,400 109 254,590 52.3 19,690 1.16 2,000

235,550 252,717,414.50 322,367,856 1,760,950 273,110 1,394,361 5,800 10,020 15,000 51,250 210,083,675 7,910,892 1,076,901 213,715 1,395,630 27,593,255 1,033,190.50 2,330

192,550 -16,479,326.50 -35,158,927 -539,850 13,620 -102,248 -98,106,215 -408,230 341,667 -1,386,580 -876,174 -452,576 -

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

24.9 1.6 6.2 0.5 0.9 1.95 0.169 1.02 10.88 4.34 60 60 1.77 2.9 4.6 6.78 5.52 7.18 1.94 15.92 45 1.11 30 0.66 10.7 3.71 0.98 101.8 4.75 9.08 5 6.41 218 0.145 1.34 3 2.11 8.9 9.4 18.5 3.9 4.4 1.27 0.74 5.01 50 7.4 0.117 0.7 98.15 0.77 0.59

26.5 1.67 6.31 0.5 0.9 2.04 0.174 1.03 11.06 5.7 60 60 1.86 3.3 5.03 7 6 7.26 2 16.1 45.55 1.16 30 0.71 12.3 3.99 1.02 101.8 5.22 9.31 5.1 6.84 220 0.145 1.37 3 2.17 8.95 9.65 19.02 4 4.5 1.47 0.77 5.01 50.85 8.17 0.117 0.7 100.8 0.8 0.59

24.5 1.6 6.04 0.48 0.9 1.95 0.169 0.99 10.78 4.32 60 60 1.77 2.9 4.51 6.74 5.45 7.08 1.88 15.92 44.85 1.11 27.8 0.66 10.7 3.71 0.92 98 4.75 9.08 4.7 6.33 210.2 0.145 1.2 2.73 2.09 8.9 9.3 18.5 3.9 4.01 1.25 0.6 4.9 49 7.4 0.117 0.7 96.85 0.76 0.53

INDUSTRIAL 26.5 3,905,700 1.67 6,258,000 6.27 156,400 0.48 180,000 0.9 20,000 2.04 864,000 0.172 2,080,000 1 7,047,000 11.04 339,200 5.7 2,828,000 60 200 60 100 1.86 11,000 3.3 141,000 4.51 5,829,000 6.86 208,200 5.47 789,100 7.2 18,913,200 1.91 2,273,000 16.08 8,247,200 45.05 719,200 1.14 14,736,000 30 165,100 0.7 463,000 12.28 114,900 3.84 244,000 0.98 420,000 98.45 4,027,090 4.78 85,700 9.24 2,169,600 4.7 1,138,000 6.33 346,400 212.4 382,370 0.145 1,000,000 1.35 81,000 2.73 6,000 2.1 3,697,000 8.95 3,200 9.65 228,200 18.7 645,000 4 10,000 4.5 37,000 1.45 2,200,000 0.74 900,000 4.95 543,000 49.1 75,000 8 299,600 0.117 250,000 0.7 70,000 98.4 2,362,760 0.8 1,495,000 0.57 445,000

100,014,055 10,305,460 978,369 87,500 18,000 1,748,610 359,750 7,115,270 3,718,402 14,476,170 12,000 6,000 19,610 456,040 28,180,430 1,431,593 4,343,782 135,790,324 4,357,890 132,281,988 32,321,250 16,792,260 4,934,570 325,310 1,411,684 929,210 403,820 399,879,070.50 407,459 20,001,049 5,502,500 2,250,626 81,721,478 145,000 107,640 17,730 7,840,410 28,490 2,171,092 12,065,248 39,800 157,990 3,018,150 648,850 2,704,850 3,711,720 2,364,356 29,250 49,000 232,693,525.50 1,179,710 251,900

16,979,580 -652,440 -807,712 12,030.00 -814,910 -1,393,644 337,260 -201,940 -9,270,580 -1,008,668 -4,133,981.00 -134,365,876 13,581,190 -3,150,900 450,170 2,103,525 -16,320 -517,772 -1,120 -89,366,198 9,500 339,659 -3,623,630 -1,494,370 -6,226,690 -62,050 -3,631,980 -143,250 -8,629,114 -145,150 21,050 -484,270 -1,346,020 -143,524 -93,828,938.50 32,380 -28,500.00

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

0.475 31.9 6.4 6.22 5.78 0.52 0.51 470 1.56 4.5 3.55 7 418 3.6 48.2 0.4 2.8 6.5 0.49 2.51 2.6 0.73 2.6 88 762 0.61 0.81 130 0.163 0.13

0.49 32 6.65 6.65 5.9 0.54 0.57 497.8 1.59 4.82 3.6 7.8 430 3.6 51 0.455 2.83 6.8 0.49 2.53 2.7 0.74 2.6 90 800 0.65 0.83 159 0.179 0.13

0.475 29.1 6.3 6.2 5.5 0.45 0.5 460 1.5 4.5 3.42 7 402.2 3.6 46.05 0.395 2.78 6.21 0.49 2.4 2.6 0.7 2.6 86.8 753.5 0.61 0.78 130 0.163 0.117

HOLDING FIRMS 0.485 3,730,000 29.1 1,405,700 6.4 167,252,600 6.55 132,600 5.5 25,100 0.495 3,832,000 0.57 2,120,000 460 723,300 1.58 411,000 4.7 1,775,000 3.44 9,192,000 7.78 19,000 430 145,270 3.6 4,000 49 2,321,400 0.405 120,000 2.83 294,000 6.38 32,741,600 0.49 20,000 2.46 57,756,000 2.7 21,000 0.7 8,000 2.6 3,000 87 334,340 800 477,820 0.62 133,000 0.83 80,000 159 130 0.179 110,000 0.125 530,000

1,792,900 42,920,220 1,081,369,149 868,352 143,733 1,833,625 1,135,100 343,555,236 632,800 8,346,870 32,020,600 141,640 60,617,316 14,400 113,438,260 50,950 831,230 209,411,503 9,800 142,370,390 56,300 5,830 7,800 29,283,209 373,664,055 83,340 64,950 18,860 19,050 66,390

38,200 503,505 -734,668,227 1,000,100 -49,791,526 1,754,310 -3,789,260 40,102 -4,657,254 -14,400 41,852,970 -14,130 -815,760 -8,579,040.00 -7,488,225 -49,981,440 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

13 0.52 1.2 0.54 31.1 1.21 3.87 5.9 0.355 0.222 7 16.24 0.32 0.84 0.68 2.11 0.125 0.3 0.67 0.249 1.6 12.94 1.6 3 26.95 2.06 0.99 3.4 3.2

13.16 0.54 1.2 0.58 31.9 1.31 4 6.1 0.355 0.222 7 16.34 0.325 0.87 0.7 2.18 0.13 0.3 0.67 0.249 1.7 13.2 1.6 3 27.85 2.38 1.1 3.43 3.5

12.8 0.5 1.2 0.53 30 1.21 3.69 5.5 0.345 0.222 6.8 16.2 0.32 0.82 0.68 2.06 0.123 0.3 0.63 0.225 1.6 12.42 1.58 2.9 26 2.06 0.99 3.32 3.1

PROPERTY 13 903,000 0.51 2,996,000 1.2 21,000 0.55 572,000 30.7 20,502,600 1.31 899,000 4 478,000 6.1 13,500 0.35 3,950,000 0.222 10,000 7 157,600 16.2 515,900 0.325 230,000 0.86 12,861,000 0.7 404,000 2.15 80,202,000 0.129 7,040,000 0.3 10,000 0.63 661,000 0.24 260,000 1.7 29,000 12.6 3,175,900 1.58 469,000 2.9 2,000 27 17,829,700 2.29 8,967,000 1.1 1,182,000 3.36 2,372,000 3.12 122,000

11,686,922 1,555,080 25,200 319,460 639,638,340 1,125,910 1,853,880 79,560 1,378,950 2,220 1,100,270 8,377,490 74,150 10,789,960 280,640 171,164,490 905,400 3,000 425,500 61,270 46,500 40,694,478 748,040 5,900 482,341,645 21,130,780 1,225,460 7,976,950 397,770

154,152 24,000 -37,022,365 1,010,490 -531,910 -610 57,070 -2,758,940.00 -2,006,830 -28,463,790 -7,560 -7,884,014 -80,000 -77,595,730 -111,430 -61,800 -845,870 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

51,500 184,700 41,000 1,076,000 5,260,000 3,000,000 100 27,000 9,835,000 4,900,000 659,400 1,845,000 78,000 46,540 374,000 10 546,000 2,225,660 990,000 25,085,000 100 757,000 30,000 1,648,000 240,000 8,000 2,201,000 2,516,000 88,000 3,735,000 22,900 5,000 500 1,046,520 1,132,000 235,460 7,730,000 4,270,000 3,226,400 426,100 600 2,164,000 1,450,000 2,360,000 130,000 4,702,600

318,821 2,977,242 46,340 4,952,910 1,380,150 115,800 1,588 55,560 46,446,920 127,300 26,289,860 3,925,800 378,700 85,688,915 1,827,050 3,000 368,490 153,867,546.50 66,230 31,885,190 1,176 1,001,050 21,000 7,723,330 79,700 16,800 2,884,420 3,572,590 122,200 4,799,180 142,710 19,570 3,800 134,496,661 1,561,620 224,430,665 2,166,450 774,870 102,866,175 21,922,695 3,600 2,277,190 577,750 358,050 48,750 62,043,756

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

6 16 1.02 4.79 0.29 0.035 15.88 2.04 4.89 0.026 37 2.11 4.8 1,837 4.7 300 0.68 69.5 0.067 1.25 11.76 1.31 0.7 4.97 0.32 2.1 1.25 1.44 1.66 1.18 5.61 3.8 7.6 130.9 1.4 945 0.275 0.18 32 52 6 1 0.4 0.152 0.37 13

6.55 16.4 1.28 4.79 0.29 0.039 15.88 2.1 4.89 0.026 42.5 2.16 5 1,885 5.05 300 0.7 70.95 0.069 1.32 11.76 1.4 0.7 4.97 0.34 2.1 1.37 1.5 1.66 1.34 6.5 3.99 7.6 131.9 1.42 971 0.295 0.19 32.3 53.95 6 1.1 0.41 0.158 0.395 13.9

5.9 15.96 1.02 4.51 0.25 0.035 15.88 2.04 4.5 0.025 37 2.08 4.75 1,820 4.65 300 0.65 68 0.066 1.21 11.76 1.3 0.7 4.5 0.32 2.1 1.25 1.36 1.38 1.18 5.61 3.8 7.6 126.1 1.32 936 0.27 0.18 31.6 50.3 6 0.98 0.39 0.15 0.37 12.5

SERVICES 6 16.1 1.28 4.51 0.26 0.039 15.88 2.1 4.67 0.025 38.5 2.11 5 1,840 5 300 0.68 69 0.068 1.29 11.76 1.3 0.7 4.62 0.335 2.1 1.29 1.38 1.4 1.28 6.5 3.99 7.6 131 1.42 971 0.295 0.185 31.7 51.45 6 1.09 0.395 0.154 0.39 12.5

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

0.0011 4.74 0.68 1.9 10.46 2.48 0.24 6.51 0.51 0.18 0.068 0.071 0.0061 0.0071 0.54 1.53 0.86 0.31 0.45 0.0081 0.0083 0.007 2.02 3.85 10.84 0.0041

0.0011 5.2 0.77 1.9 10.5 2.48 0.25 6.51 0.57 0.2 0.071 0.08 0.0061 0.0071 0.56 1.55 0.89 0.33 0.45 0.0081 0.0093 0.007 2.1 3.9 11 0.0041

0.001 4.74 0.68 1.8 10.4 2.46 0.24 6 0.51 0.178 0.065 0.065 0.0061 0.0071 0.5 1.49 0.83 0.31 0.45 0.0081 0.0083 0.0068 2.02 3.7 10.42 0.0041

MINING & OIL 0.0011 60,000,000 5.16 192,000 0.71 1,562,000 1.81 53,000 10.5 15,700 2.48 31,000 0.25 110,000 6.2 13,800 0.56 2,846,000 0.179 670,000 0.066 2,560,000 0.066 180,000 0.0061 4,000,000 0.0071 1,000,000 0.53 340,000 1.5 3,425,000 0.85 422,000 0.33 30,000 0.45 80,000 0.0081 2,000,000 0.0093 6,000,000 0.007 20,000,000 2.05 326,000 3.8 707,000 10.8 4,071,900 0.0041 3,000,000

60,900 959,440 1,144,100 96,240 163,982 76,800 27,400 88,511 1,543,470 121,420 177,580 12,220 24,400 7,100 175,660 5,204,730 363,870 9,600 36,000 16,200 52,800 136,800 667,160 2,724,000 43,743,160 12,300

-192,000 81,560 36,000 -356,760 -1,190,060 -255,670 685,580 -27,300,328 -

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

14.5 501 496 99 97.8 107.4 498 4.8 930 94 99.9 1,030 1,002 1,004 103 990 75.55 75 74.05 74.55 74 74 75

14.98 501 496 99 98 107.4 498 5 931 94.1 99.9 1,039 1,002 1,007 103 999 76 75 74.05 75 75.1 75 75

14.5 500 496 99 97.8 107.4 498 4.8 930 94 99.9 1,030 1,002 990 103 990 75.2 75 74.05 74.55 74 74 74.9

PREFERRED 14.5 50,200 500 4,340 496 1,600 99 3,160 98 4,540 107.4 900 498 90 5 3,131,000 930 60 94 9,870 99.9 80 1,039 1,300 1,002 45 1,007 2,635 103 100 999 2,790 76 17,100 75 1,500,000 74.05 1,340 75 5,600 74.1 7,950 74 11,620 75 1,012,420

731,860 2,170,010 793,600 312,840 444,852 96,660 44,820 15,029,000 55,810 927,790 7,992 1,341,700 45,090 2,642,085 10,300 2,762,710 1,287,902.50 112,500,000 99,227 418,380 588,937.50 860,650 75,931,300

4,950 9,780 -15,029,000 4,700 -

LR WARRANT

0.7

0.77

0.7

WARRANTS 0.76 8,000

6,030

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

1.75 5.49 0.51

1.9 6 0.51

1.75 5.49 0.48

1.83 5.6 0.49

FIRST METRO ETF

77.5

79

76.5

MS USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.02 0.89

Trading Summary

10.02 0.89

SHARES

FINANCIAL

16,777,245

INDUSTRIAL

118,002,128

HOLDING FIRMS

410,916,038

PROPERTY

166,893,431

SERVICES

99,673,262

MINING & OIL

115,629,615

GRAND TOTAL

929,067,823

10 0.87

SME

381,000 46,700 700,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 77 37,470 10 0.87

DDS

6,500 12,500

-112,999 -2,298,720.00 -1,135,000.00 -7,238,230.00 -13,287,420 82,850 -85,000 -4,094,950 -6,635,528.50 1,523,230 -3,877,680 21,000 -160,910 6,500 2,494 -497,240 63,719,880 94,400 90,000 -33,558,490 -3,770,445 94,250 -365,550 -36,000 -18,423,814

-

705,620 271,298 347,000

18,300 -54,360 20,000

2,906,851

18,610

65,010 10,971

89

VALUE 1,158.80 (up) 54.93 933,698,969.40 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 5,999.63 (up) 247.10 1,425,525,328.79 HOLDING FIRMS 4,967.76 (up) 265.11 3,492,808,358.31 PROPERTY 2,667.26 (up) 135.80 1,069.03 (up) 38.49 1,407,162,602.42 SERVICES MINING & OIL 4,057.44 (up) 110.68 978,600,709.04 PSEI 5,027.76 (up) 253.49 57,667,007.7911 All Shares Index 3,065.13 (up) 117.18 8,299,700,949.52 Gainers: 158; Losers: 44; Unchanged: 29; Total: 231

RCBC raises over P3b from fixed-rate peso bond offering

By Julito G. Rada RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the ninth-largest lender in terms of assets, said Wednesday it raised over P3 billion in two-year peso fixed-rate bonds .

The bank said the bond offering, with an original size of P3 billion, was closed earlier than expected due to oversubscription from investors.

The offering was part of the bank’s P100-billion bond and commercial paper program. The bank told the stock exchange it closed the offering period on Wednesday, or two days earlier than the original date of March 27, 2020.

“RCBC’s fourth foray into the peso bond market was met with strong demand from investors, allowing the bank to raise more than its target size of P3 billion.

Proceeds from the offering will be used to support the bank’s asset growth, re-finance maturing liabilities, and fund other general purposes,” it said.

“The bank is thankful for the support of its investors with orders reaching more than double its original volume, following its public offering period which started March 23, 2020,” RCBC added.

It said it decided to shorten the public offering period in order to provide sufficient time for the submission of the documentary requirements in light of the logistical challenges amid the enhanced community quarantine brought about by COVID-19 outbreak.

“This is in line with RCBC’s commitment to restore normalization in the capital markets and support business activity despite current execution challenges,” it said.

It offered the bonds in denominations of P100,000 and increments of P10,000 thereafter at a coupon of 4.848 percent yearly. The bonds will be listed with Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on April 7, 2020.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. was mandated as the sole lead arranger and book-runner of the offering, along with RCBC Capital Corp. as the financial advisor. The selling agents are HSBC and RCBC. RCBC, one of the largest banks in the country, is a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, one of the oldest and largest conglomerates in Southeast Asia.

The bank’s net income in 2019 jumped 25 percent to P5.4 billion on the back of sustained expansion in its core businesses.

Bank president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo said the performance last year set the stage for the kind of growth the bank wanted to see in the future.

Wenceslao Group creates emergency fund worth P100m

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY and construction company DM Wensceslao Group has created a P100-million emergency contingency fund to help its employees cope up with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

DM Wenceslao chairman Delfin Wenceslao said the company would use the P100-million contingency fund pay the salaries of workers and extend financial assistance to them.

“To commence this support and to alleviate the concerns of our people, we are announcing that the salaries for the next two successive period shall be disbursed, in advance effective immediately,” Wenceslao said.

The company said it would also provide rent concessions to tenants affected by the closure due to COVID-19.

DM Wenceslao allocated funds and donations to address and assist communities bordering its projects and developments.

“As we have always stated, DM Wenceslao Group always views any relationship with our stakeholders, both internal and external, as long-term partnerships. We shall continue to have a positive and landing impact in our communities, whenever and wherever our company is present and needed,” Wenceslao said.

DM Wenceslao is the master developer and primary owner of Aseana City, a development project with a total land area of 107.5 hectares along the coastal waters of Manila Bay.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Vance Larena debuts as recording artist with ‘Tama’ AS PEOPLE go through this challenging time brought about by a global health pandemic, up-and-coming star Vance Larena reminds people to have faith even when feeling lost through his debut song under Star POP titled “Tama.”

“My first single is finally here! What used to be just a dream is now real,” shared Vance.

“This song is for every Filipino. My little share in the midst of what we’re all currently going through. Hope you’ll

love it!” he added.

The melancholic track, written and arranged by David Dimaguila and produced by Star POP head Rox Santos, explores the value of trust, especially at times of accusation of infidelity in romantic relationships.

The underlying message of the song though, is how a committed person should choose to have faith in his partner despite doubts, and to always believe in God’s plan rather than his own.

Even though “Tama” is the first official record under his name, Vance is no stranger to music, having starred on the musical film Bakwit Boys and playing the lead role in the musical theatre adaptation of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere dubbed Kanser, both in 2018.

He also played a lead role in several original Filipino musical plays of Philippine Stagers Foundation such as San Vicente, Enzo Santo, Troy Avenue,

B3

Actor and now music artist Vance Larena

Ako Si Ninoy, and Katips, as well as the role of Zelim in Dulaang UP’s Orosman at Zafira.

Vance also garnered praise for his impressive performance in the criticallyacclaimed Netflix original Filipino film Dead Kids last year, and can also be seen on two of iWant’s original offerings, Story of My Life and Hush.

Make the right choice and listen to Vance’s debut single “Tama” on various digital streaming platforms.

Music artists create fund-raising platform vs COVID-19 pandemic LAUNCHED last weekend, the Bayanihan Musikahan concert can be enjoyed on Facebook until April 15, creating the opportunity for every Filipino to be at the forefront of efforts to help combat the lethal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab at the helm, Bayanihan Musikahan calls on nearly the entire spectrum of the country’s musical talents to spur a massive community effort to raise funds for food, protection kits, and barangay quarantine spaces for the most vulnerable Filipinos.

The artists engage online with their fans and new audiences as they rally the fighting spirit of the Filipino: to come together as a nation of song, imagination, grit, and a strong sense of camaraderie. In rousing and uplifting this spirit, the artists ultimately shed light and hope.

The funds

raised through the Bayanihan Musikahan will be supporting urban poor communities in various cities of Metro Manila that are reached by the organizations Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pangtawid, Likhaan, and Caritas Manila.

PLDT donates P1-M to Bayanihan Musikahan Responding to the call of some of the country’s musicians and artists, PLDT donated P1-million to the Bayanihan Musikahan initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Through its Balik-Baterya funds, PLDT is among the pioneer sponsors of this initiative. It is one of the first three companies to respond to this effort. Moreover, PayMaya serves as the official donation platform of the Bayanihan Musikahan initiative.

“In these trying times, it is important that we come together to help fight COVID-19. We must extend our support to those whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the pandemic,” PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

Launched in 2006, the MotolitePBSP Balik-Baterya Program involves the collection of used leadacid batteries (ULABs) for proper recycling and production of new automotive and industrial batteries as well as corporate social responsibility projects.

To donate, click on https:// donate.paymaya.com/products/philippine-business-forsocial-progress. To watch some of your favorite artists live from your home, watch the Bayanihan Musikahan at https://www.facebook. com/bayanihanmusikahan/.

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab

GMA Network supports frontliners, ordinary Filipinos via ‘Operation Bayanihan COVID-19’

GMA Network rolls out various efforts to extend support to its employees, frontliners, and Filipinos in need during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The network, which recently announced that it will provide financial assistance for Kapuso employees, talents, and support personnel, has earmarked an estimate of P350 million to cover the salaries, cash equivalent of rice benefits, and cash advances while operating on a skeletal work force and adapting special work arrangements.

GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), the broadcast giant’s sociocivic arm, also launched

the ‘Labanan ang COVID-19’ campaign for the workers at the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. The funds raised are to be used to purchase face masks, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and gloves for medical workers of public government hospitals and frontliners at the border points.

Also under the said campaign is the ‘Operation Bayanihan: COVID-19’ fund raising drive which aims to help Filipinos in poverty stricken areas in Metro Manila. Grocery packs and hygiene kits will be donated to daily wage earners and their families who lack the means to access basic needs and have lost their source of income following the quarantine

‘Operation Bayanihan’ is a fund raising drive that aims to help the network’s artists and employees, and Filipinos in poverty stricken areas in Metro Manila.

The Pub Forties in an outdoor shoot prior to social distancing. From left, the author, James Casas, Aries Espinosa, Manny Tocol, and Vince Borromeo.

YUGEL LOSORATA

RECORDING RUSH

HE first two months of 2020 suddenly seemed like an old world detached from us. Few had expected this March madness that’s bound for extension next month.

And the next, who knows, with what’s happening.

T

While I think I could have done more had I known of this home quarantine coming, I still felt blessed I accomplished during that same stretch the recording of two of my song creations and a non-composition I record-produced for release.

The first, called “Sandalan” and sung by The Voice Kids alumnus Angel Andal, came out in digital stores last Feb. 21 and made the Spotify’s New Music Friday shortlist. Two full weeks later, the country plunged to the shock of coronavirus pandemic.

The Tagalog track is personally poignant considering I wrote it for my wife Kaye. I was jamming with bandmates when both chorus tune and words popped off my head.

Normally a guy would sing a song I penned. But for “Sandalan,” a strong female voice was needed. Enter Angel whom I met for interview and appeared on this column many months back. When she joined The Voice and I saw her sing Mon Del Rosario’s “Sino Ang Baliw,” I contacted her parents.

Forgiven Music Studio owner and mixing engineer Mark Anthony Zoleta has efficiently handled the recent recordings I was

involved in. Last quarter of 2019 we, with my group The Pub Forties, canned the Cabalen jingle “Busog Sulit Ang Treat,” which I was commissioned to compose.

A few days into the New Year, we went back to start recording a song I dedicate for my son Ryde titled “Next Big Thing.” While that may sound like a big declaration by a father with a kid who’s into basketball; and the song does contain lines like “seize the moment when the ball arrives,” it was simply a direct nod to a phrase the book The Love You Make (by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines) often spelled in bold letters.

Belter Angel Andal released her debut single last month. A Facebook post of her and the master track has strongly generated views from netizens.

That controversial book repeatedly noted that John Lennon was always on to the NEXT BIG THING. Backed by the Kean Cipriano and Chynna Ortaleza-led OC Records, The Pub Forties single is released today which happens to be the

The author finished producing her niece Kira Irish’s debut single Invisible To You just a few days before Metro Manila went under community quarantine resulting from COVID-19 pandemic.

birthday of our lead vocalist Aries Espinosa whose voice, in my ears, is the sound of a kind of freedom in this lockdown.

By fate I chose to record songs I wrote for loved ones I am gladly with since the world stood still in the face of a vicious virus.

Lastly, right before COVID-19 became full-blown scare, I was back at the studio with my niece Kira Irish, recording her composition “Invisible To You” with guitarist Kean Harvey Sidon.

Then I also got word that FILSCAP (Filipino composers’ group) transferred financial assistance to my account. It’s the association’s initiative to help boost the morale of its members in this difficult time.

That felt like extra appreciation for the focus I directed to those songs. Once again we are reminded not to procrastinate for the world, as we now know, may just stop.

Life

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

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HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

Linda and her sisters A morality tale on how one copes and recovers from a major national challenge

By Ambassador (ret.) Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

I

N THE midst of what the American government now calls a war against the coronavirus disease or COVID-19, it is heartening to view a picture of postwar Philippines of three women who had emerged triumphant from what had been a traumatic global conflict, World War II and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1941-1945.

These were, my mother, Erlinda (“Linda”) and her sisters, Aurora (“Nene”) and Vilma (“Vil”) in the 1950s, piquantly posed in the Dior fashions of the day in front of their aunt Sarah Tempongko-de la Paz’s home in Banaue Street, Quezon City.

They had enjoyed the normal prosperity of middle-class Filipinos living in Manila before the war. Since their father, Dr. Vivencio Alcantara of Capiz, was a physician practicing at the Philippine General Hospital and their mother, Professor Esther TempongkoAlcantara from Manila, an accomplished homemaker, they had belonged to a secure

home in Pasay City and had the reassuring presence of their relatives in Malate and Ermita.

They schooled at Philippine Women’s University, which was a nonsectarian alternative to the many Catholic girls’ colleges which dotted the city. This represented the modern trend away from the Catholic Church and towards the liberal democracy and capitalism introduced by the Americans.

Along with Tagalog and a sprinkling of Spanish, they also spoke with fresh aplomb the language of the Yankees, which had been bolstered both by school and media. This

was the heyday of Hollywood in Manila, when art deco cinema theaters dotted the city and its denizens were up-to-date with what was trendy on the mainland. Manila was on the route of opera companies and symphony orchestras which also docked in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The ‘30s had been a heady time for the Philippines, whose Commonwealth was inaugurated in 1935 and which looked forward to Independence in a decade. Though there were political rumblings from the peasants, President Manuel L. Quezon and his elegant wife Aurora and family were proud symbols of the up-and-coming Republic and its aspirations.

Manila was one of the finest capitals in the Orient, with its blend of Asian, Latin American, European, and American architecture.

Conflict seemed to be far away, even when Hitler and Mussolini were making their presence felt on the European continent, and the Japanese had begun their stranglehold on the Chinese mainland. Filipinos still felt reassured by the presence of the American Governor-General and General Douglas MacArthur, compadre of President Quezon who now occupied the penthouse of the Manila

Erlinda (left) and her sisters Aurora and Vilma in the 1950s, smiling and hopeful for what’s in store for them after a traumatic global conflict.

Meet you in the Highlands THE year 2020 continues to be a challenge for many. But despite all the blows, we stand up mightier and stronger—and hopefully better prepared for next time.

When the dust settles and things go back to normal—better still, better than what we deem is normal—Tagaytay Highlands invites guests to visit again as it has reopened its doors that the Taal Volcano phreatic eruption closed in January.

However, at the moment the Highlands limits its operations as part of its COVID-19 safety measures. As per its March 20 announcement on Facebook, the conve-

A fresh sight awaits at Tagaytay Highlands which has recently reopened its doors after the clearing and restoration.

Images of rubble and damaged buildings and other landmarks, including the Manila Post Office and the Legislative Building, in the aftermath of the Battle of Manila in 1945. (Photos from Wikimedia Commons)

Hotel as one of his perks as the main military consultant of the fledgling Philippine Army.

Filipino cadets were doing regular military drills and even nighttime blackouts were practiced by civilians. And yet shockingly, the highly vulnerable Philippines did not figure in the US master plan of protection. The Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor and in Clark Field in December 1941 was to catch all of them off guard in that “day of infamy.”

What followed was what COVID-19 became in 2020, everyone’s nightmare made flesh. The sudden occupation of Manila and the Philippines in January 1942 brought the Filipinos down to their knees and to a harsh reality, with acute scarcity; limitation to freedom, movement, and expression; and oppression.

The year 1941 had also been a turning point for Linda since, having precociously graduated near the top of her high school class at age 14, it was also the year in which she had wed my father Virgilio Reyes, Sr., at age 15 as a virtual child bride.

The advent of the war had also prompted similar couples for pledging their troth at this time. The new couple was to move in with her parents in a house on Bautista Street in Singalong. Their eldest boy was to be the apple of their grandparents’ eye, a small boon in those hard times. My grandparents who had never had a boy, now had a surrogate son and a grandson with them.

With their father’s stroke, their mother Esther had become the breadwinner of the family. She became a home economics teacher at her grade school alma mater, the Assumption Convent, on Herran Street, where the daughters of President Quezon also became her students. At one time, she brought her grandson to show them how to bathe a baby.

As Manila came into a normalcy of sorts, she began baking cakes and selling them at her Tempongko aunts’ restaurant. At the end of the war, she had $800 in hard currency and not in “Mickey Mouse money” (as they called the inflationary pesos printed at that time, with which one shopped in bayongs or straw bags.) Some of her brothers were busy selling goods to keep body and soul together,

others were in the guerrilla movement.

What kept people busy was the new dispensation. Japanese was taught in the schools. One had to bow to sentries or be slapped. American movies and books were available but highly censored and controlled, with sections blacked out or removed by the authorities. Tagalog was encouraged as a way of replacing colonial English and names of major streets replaced by either Japanese or Tagalog names. Theaters were packed as Pugo and Tugo made fun of the Japanese or as English classics were translated into the vernacular. Schools began to re-open and it became possible to study once more.

As food became scarce in Manila and with two children by 1944, Linda and Virgilio (or Heyo) decided to evacuate to his home province of Batangas. This turned out to be fortuitous for them as the worst was yet to come—the rape of Manila, with carpetbombing by the Americans and the massacre of civilians by the Japanese.

Barely in their teens, the younger sisters Vilma and Aurora were left with their parents and grandparents in Paco as their main support when the holocaust began. Their father had been lamed by a stroke and their grandfather was no longer the pillar of strength that he had been.

Their grandmother Leocadia L’heritier Tempongko had prayed that should anything happen to her family, it should be her alone who would suffer and it did happen that way. As the first bombs exploded in Lanuza Street, she was the one whom a shrapnel hit directly in the upper body. However, she did not expire immediately and was still carried in a carretón or rolling wagon as the family fled their burning home towards the north shore of Pasig, which the Americans and their Filipino allies already controlled.

Fortunately, the Japanese in their area had not been as cruel or as vicious as they were in Ermita and Malate, where they had brought the women of the crème de la crème to be raped in Bayview Hotel.

(Please read the rest of the article on manilastandard.net)

Manila and the rest of the world face another challenge, the coronavirus disease. (Photos from Manila Public Information Office)

nience store is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while its restaurants—Great Room at The Spa and Lodge, Highlander Steakhouse, and Highlands China Palace—only offer takeout and delivery services To date, the Highlands’ major roads, driveways, golf courses, and other facilities have been cleared. The top management oversaw the continuous cleaning operations at the estate to ensure that all properties and facilities were operational in time for the return of the Highlands’ homeowners, members, and their guests.

In February, Tagaytay Highlands scaled up operations at the Midlands and Greenlands, including but not limited to the restoration of power and water supplies, rehabilitation of landscapes, and repairs of roofs and major spine roads, among others.

Major facilities such as The Spa and Lodge and the Tagaytay Highlands Golf Course likewise resumed operations in February. Dining places and indoor fa-

cilities of the Sports Center were also reopened.

While cleanup efforts were ongoing at the Highlands, the animals of the estate’s Animal Farm were temporarily housed at animal shelters to ensure their safety.

In conjunction with all this, club members, property owners, and sales teams successfully carried out relief operations for Highlands’ workers and residents of nearby communities—with donations from SM Cares and SM Foundation, Inc. The Highlands team likewise initiated similar efforts benefiting residents of the neighboring barangays of Bunggo and Kalabuso in Calamba, Laguna, and Tanauan, Batangas.

On March 1, Tagaytay Highlands held a Thanksgiving Golf Tournament at its reopened Tagaytay Midlands Golf Course.

Led by Hans T. Sy, chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime, the tournament kicked off the formal reopening of the golf course and other Highlands amenities. Steph Llarena