Manila Standard - 2020 September 15 - Tuesday

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VOL. XXXIV • NO. 193• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESSSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

8 PhilHealth execs face raps Duterte okays probers’ findings, report censures Duque, board

COVID-19 task force divided over relaxed transport distancing

By Jimbo Gulle and Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved criminal and administrative charges against at least eight top officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for various violations of the Anti-Graft Law and the Revised Penal Code.

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas OFFICIALS of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) are divided on the easing of physical distancing rules in public transport, President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting with them on Monday night revealed.

On one hand, National Task Force Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez sided with the Department of Transportation, which on Monday reduced the recommended distancing inside public mass transport like trains and buses from one meter (3.3 feet) to 0.75 meter (2.5 feet).

In a televised meeting Monday night, Duterte revealed that Task Force Philhealth recommended several charges against the state health firm's former president and chief executive, Ricardo

Next page

Morales; executive vice president and chief operating officer Arnel de Jesus; two senior vice presidents, and other department heads and officers in charge.

The task force also recommended Next page

GETTING CLOSER. Passengers observe social distancing inside the LRT1 TRAIN on Monday, the first day of the implementation of reduced distance allowed between passengers in public transportation. The Department of Transportation reduced the distance allowed between passengers of public transportation from 1 meter down to 0.75 meter to increase ridership in mass transport vehicles. Norman Cruz

Galvez bares sad state of healthcare system, specialty hospitals

By Joyce Pangco Pañares and Jimbo Gulle SECRETARY Carlito Galvez, Chief Implementer of the National Task Force on the coronavirus, pleaded with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night to help

modernize the country's healthcare system and specialty hospitals.

"Kailangan na po nating i-modernize ang ating healthcare system. Matagal na pong napabayaan (It's been left to deteriorate)... High time na i-modernize na po natin," Galvez told the President in their meeting with other Cabinet officials.

The former general even mentioned a joke about the Lung Center of the Philippines, which he said was just operating "on one lung" with its lack of equipment to combat the coronavirus.

This developed as Duterte appealed to private hospitals to increase their bed capacity for COVID-19 patients as the num-

ber of cases continue to increase.

"I appeal to private hospitals to increase their bed capacity for COVID-19 patients," the President said on Monday night.

"The numbers are increasing and infections rate vary. In some areas, there is fast recovery rate, while others are lagging Next page behind."

Big ‘kickbacks’ behind plot to sell PH properties in Japan­—Locsin

By Rey E. Requejo

HEALING PROCESSION. Unmindful of the sudden downpour and physical distancing, hundreds of Catholic faithful lead a procession around Quiapo Church in Manila to pray for God's blessing against the coronavirus pandemic in the country. The country's bishops has asked for prayers for former Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in the Philippines from the Vatican last week. Norman Cruz

Lacson assures scrutiny of infra projects outlays

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz, and Rio N. Araja A DAY after calling out the Office of the President's P4.5-billion intelligence budget, Senator Panfilo Lacson vowed to scrutinize the 2021 National Expenditures Next page Program (NEP).

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has rejected any proposal to sell the Philippines’ four real estate properties in Japan, including the million-dollar Roponggi property in Tokyo, which the country acquired as part of World War II reparations.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the DFA has sent a position paper to Congress repudiating the sale, even as he revealed another bid to have the country’s real properties in Japan auctioned, a move he likened to the infamous Pearl Harbor raid, only this time perpetrated by Filipinos.

“There is another plot to dispose of 4 of our Japan properties,” Locsin said in a

Twitter post.

“This is a second Pearl Harbor perpetrated by Filipinos on our own patrimony,” he added.

The DFA chief suspected that huge kickbacks may have driven those behind the sale in the guise of invoking the plight of Filipino war veterans to justify the disposal of the properties.

“Dollar patriotism. Not while I am alive. Kaching, kaching. Disgusting!!!”

Locsin said.

The country’s top diplomat noted that “the plight of our poor veterans, so few of them left, have been invoked by every gang of officials who’ve run through the budgets of their own agencies.”

“There are other ways to help Veterans Next page

Tacloban holds first drive-in Mass service

By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—The St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Station opened its first "drive-in" Mass on Sept. 13 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I was thinking about this for so long,” said Fr. Kim Margallo of the mission station in Apitong village, Tacloban City.

Next page

DRIVE-IN MASS. The faithful sit in their cars as a priest celebrates Mass at the St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Station in Tacloban City on Sunday, the first 'drive-in' worship service held amid the coronavirus disease pandemic. Ronald Reyes

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 14)

265,888 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

4,699 53,754 NEW

ACTIVE

4,630

259

207,504

240

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Nationwide ban on ‘Undas’ visit to cemeteries eyed

By Willie Casas and Joel Zurbano THE Department of Health plans to recommend the closure of cemeteries nationwide during the coming observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day to prevent the spread of COVID-19, following the lead of mayors in Metro Manila.

“What Metro Manila mayors did is good practice,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in Filipino during a virtual briefing on Monday.

“When the time comes, we can recommend that as well across the country,” said Vergeire, replying to a question if the temporary closure was something they would recommend nationwide.

“We know that during All Saints Day, cemeteries get really crowded with people. And that is mass gathering already and we would like to prevent that,” she added.

Vergeire said it was also apt that the Next page

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

US court martial for Pemberton F

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement in an online press briefing, adding US authorities had promised that Pemberton would still face court martial and possibly sentenced for his crime.

Pemberton was deported on Sunday morning and was banned from returning to the Philippines.

Roque contradicted the Laude family’s claim that President Rodrigo Duterte had promised them he would keep Pemberton in jail while he was in office.

“From what I know, the President did not make such a promise,” Roque said.

“What the President promised was that justice would prevail for the death

of Jennifer Laude, and Pemberton was in fact jailed for nearly six years.”

Still, Roque assured the Laude family that Pemberton would be facing court martial proceedings in the United States.

He also claimed that Pemberton had already served his sentence here, and that Duterte had even extended financial assistance to the Laude family thrice.

Laude’s family, meanwhile, rejected the apology offered by Pemberton.

Laude’s lawyer Virgie Suarez said Pemberton’s apology, which was issued by his lawyer Rowena Garcia Flores hours before he was deported, was found

by Laude’s mother, Julita, as “insincere,” while his sister Marilou said it was “too scripted” to be accepted.

In a two-paragraph statement released

Duterte...

"I am sorry for them, but they will undergo trial, they have the presumption of innocence, unless the report of anoother agency says otherwise," he said.

Others cited for charges by the task force report for "wrongful acts" aside from Morales and de Jesus ― as mentioned by Duterte ― are Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Jovita Aragona; SVP Renato Limsiaco Jr.; SVP Israel Francis Pargas; and Information Technology department officers Calixto Gabuya Jr. and Bobby Crisostomo.

Earlier, the Department of Justice-led task force submitted to Duterte a 177-page report on the alleged widespread corruption and anomalies in the state-owned

firm, but declined to reveal its recommendation and findings.

The Office of the Ombudsman has preventively suspended 13 PhilHealth officials over the allegations. Its officers and officials of the Commission on Audit were also part of the task force commissioned by the President.

In a statement, the DOJ said it investigated 14 witnesses in the course of seven hearings on irregularities in the health insurer.

The DOJ said the task force also looked at reports and summaries of various cases, whether under investigation or for resolution; documents submitted by resource persons; and reports and recom-

mendations by other bodies, including the Senate.

“Task Force PhilHealth rendered the initial findings and submitted its recommendation to the President,” the statement said of the 177-page report, including voluminous annexes.

“As the task force awaits any further directives from the President, its composite teams will pursue further targeted investigations of specific acts of fraud or corruption committed by health providers and PhilHealth personnel alike,” the DOJ stressed.

Meanwhile, pending complaints and cases will be resolved by the agencies concerned with dispatch, it said.

closed vehicle like a train or bus would allow the virus to be circulated and even seep into face masks, Duterte said.

The President then said the IATF will discuss the proposal further on Wednesday, as he asked the task force for a visual diagram of the proposal.

The IATF, tasked to handle the country's COVID-19 response, will meet today to discuss the concerns on easing the physical distancing rules in public transport, Malacañang said earlier.

“We will not play deaf to the opinions of our medical frontliners, so we will reopen the discussions on this issue," Roque said in a televised briefing. “We will listen to them [on Tuesday].”

Reducing the distance required between public transport passengers is a move local doctors said could trigger a resurgence in coronavirus cases.

Experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) also advised the Duterte administration to reconsider cutting the distance between seats in public transport from at least one meter (three feet) to 0.75 meters (2.5 feet).

UP-OCTA Research Team Professor Ranjit Rye and Dr. Guido David discouraged the change in protocol in a television interview, saying they believed it would only lead to a rise in the transmission of the coronavirus.

Mayors in Metro Manila were likewise apprehensive over the move, with the group's spokesman saying health protocols should not be sacrificed for the opening of our economy.

Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, chairperson of the Metro Manila Council, told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo: "We have apprehension that physical distancing won’t be implemented. We know that our coronavirus curve has yet to flatten so we have to sustain our physical distancing."

The Department of Transportation on Monday implemented the 0.75 meter physi-

cal distancing inside public mass transport like trains and buses. It could be further reduced to 0.5 meters after two weeks and to 0.3 meters after another two weeks.

The department said this was to increase ridership in public transportation.

But Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said their agency values “the protection of lives and livelihoods” as well as the need “for spurring economic recovery.”

“The DoTr, being the lead agency, shall be responsible for issuing and enforcing transport guidelines to ensure that the public’s health and safety shall not be compromised,” Vergeire said, reading a DOH statement during a virtual briefing.

“Stay at home when you don’t need to go out,” she said, and appealed to senior citizens and those who are immunocompromised or ill to heed the advice.

The DOH did not categorically state if reducing the distance between passengers to less than a meter was advisable, but it asked “all Filipinos to be extra vigilant in situations where distancing cannot be practiced, and if possible choose to participate in activities or use transport options that can afford at least one meter distancing.”

Asked for DOH’s stand on the public transport policy, Vergeire said discussions were still ongoing.

She reminded the public to wear masks and face shields, and to continue practicing hand washing and physical distancing.

“Based on evidence, the level of protection increases when the practices are combined.”

In a tweet, former adviser of the national task force on COVID-19 response Dr. Tony Leachon said: “There’s no categorical statement from DOH to oppose the DOTr on these flawed public transport guidelines. The DOH statement is weak, confusing and arbitrary, and sends wrong and mixed messages to the community.”

Leachon earlier told ANC that the government’s decision to reduce the distance of passengers from each other to 0.75 meter is “a risky and confusing and counterintuitive measure.” It is also against the World Health Organization guideline of one meter.

Leachon pointed out that other health institutions abroad even recommend distances of up to two meters.

“Nowhere in the world literature that I went around to read that less than one meter would be beneficial in terms of risk reduction for prevention of COVID,” he said.

An infections disease doctor at the Philippine General Hospital agreed.

"The proposal to decrease the distance in public transport to less than one meter is problematic,” said Dr. Edsel Salvaña. “If there is a single COVID-19 positive person in the transport, anyone less than one meter from him or her after 15 minutes becomes a close contact who will need to quarantine and can potentially spread disease.”

Leachon warned that the public transport policy was reckless and could increase the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“This will be risky, reckless, counterintuitive and will derail the flattening of the curve in the National Capital Region which will...affect the entire Philippines.

We have flattened the curve, but that is not completely irreversible. We will cause resurgence of cases if we are reckless in our measure,” he said.

Leachon said that the one-meter physical distance between individuals is the bedrock of preventing virus transmission, and that wearing a face mask or face shield is just a complement to this basic preventive measure.

“The one-meter social distancing is backed by international safety standards.

You cannot bend the rules to perk up the economy,” he said.

"Now they are asking for a reservation fee. But they are not even at the advanced stage of their clinical trials.

There is no vaccine yet, there is nothing with finality and you want us to deposit? You must be crazy," Duterte added.

The chief executive recalled how Russia and China were the first to extend help to the Philippines when the government was scrambling for measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State of calamity likely to be extended The President is likely to extend the declaration of a state of calamity over the entire country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacanang said Monday.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President will likely extend Proclamation 929, which expires this week, until a vaccine or cure for COVID-19 is available.

Big...

property in Tokyo is considered one of the most expensive piece of real estate in the Japanese capital.

There were several attempts in the past to auction off the 3,179 square-meter Philippine property on 306 Roppongi St. 5-Chome Minato-ku, Tokyo either by sale or long-term lease.

During the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino, the Roppongi property was offered for sale for $225 million, or nearly P6 billion at the time, with a big chunk of the purchase price reportedly going to payment of taxes to the Japanese government.

However, the late Vice President Salvador Laurel opposed the sale of the property, which he described as “priceless” because it was “a monument to the bravery and sacrifice of the Filipino people in the face of an invader.”

Monday.

He said members of the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of the 17 mayors in the NCR, unanimously agreed to close all private and public cemeteries in their respective areas to prevent mass gathering to further curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Initially, the MMC proposed to the IATF to close private and public cemeteries all over the metropolis from October 28 to November 4.

“We will let the IATF to decide on their preferred date of closure of cemeteries during the All Saints Day holidays,” Garcia said.

Lacson...

REED US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton will face court martial proceedings in the United States for the brutal killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude, Malacañang said Monday.

From A1

that theå President "strongly admonish and remind" the board members of PhilHealth—which includes Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as its chairman —for their "careless approval" of procurement and fund release orders that led to corruption and has cost the government billions of pesos in taxpayers' funds.

"Everybody is placed in jeopardy by the actions of these officials," the President told Cabinet members present at the meeting, including Duque.

COVID...

From A1

However, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano sided with the Department of Health, which said the one-meter distance should stay even as it urged the public to just stay at home if they don’t really need to go out.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned the plan to shorten the physical distancing requirement in public transportation could lead to an additional 686 coronavirus cases every day.

Galvez Jr., however, warned against risk aversion, noting that virus transmission will remain low for as long as passengers will not remove their masks and will avoid talking and eating.

Duque cited a study conducted by the Health Professionals Alliance Against COVID ,which showed that reducing the one-meter requirement to 0.75 meter, at a 50 percent ridership capacity, will lead to 20,580 additional cases per month.

"If you multiply that by 1.6 percent, that's our case fatality rate, that will be 3,951 (additional) deaths per year," the Health chief added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, however, reminded Duque that when the proposal was being discussed during a previous meeting of the IATF, the representative from the Department of Health registered no objection when it was adopted by the body.

Roque said the belated warning from the DOH made it appear that two departments -- health and transportation -- were in conflict over the proposal.

The President, in the meeting with the task forced televised nationwide, noted that face shields would only be able to protect people wearing them from a direct hit of a cough from someone carrying the coronavirus.

However, air conditioning in an en-

Galvez...

From A1

"I am appealing this for the country and for the people. Your help will go a long way. Everybody will remember someday that there is a great epidemic that passed by our lives and we were able to deal with it with a lot of mutual help," Duterte added.

Duterte hits upfront fees for vaccine Duterte also criticized Western pharmaceutical firms that have been asking for a "reservation fee" to ensure the Philippines gets a supply of their vaccine once it is commercially available.

"Other countries, they want cash advance. It's all profit, profit, profit for them...That's why I said we will give preference to Russia and China provided their vaccine is as good as any other vaccine in the market," the President said.

Nationwide...

From A1

mayors announced it early so residents would have a chance to visit the graves of their loved ones.

Manila was among the first to order the closure of cemeteries from October 31 to November 1.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority later said that all Metro Manila mayors agreed to have the cemeteries in their cities closed.

MMDA general managåer Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. announced this during a virtual meeting with reporters on

From A1

– BCDA [Bases Conversion Development Authority] was sold for them but proceeds were stolen. We already sent our position to Congress opposing it,” he tweeted.

“I will fight this to their end. Shet before I go down in ignominy as the guy who sold our Japan properties,” Locsin vowed.

According to Locsin, efforts to sell the Japan properties “usually happens toward the end of a term. Retirement fund of last resort.”

The Philippine government acquired the four properties in Tokyo and Kobe under the war reparation agreement with Japan on May 9, 1956.

Of the four properties, the Roppongi

From A1

Lacson said he would focus on “reappropriations” and “lump sum appropriations” involving infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH).

The senator said it involved the initial amount of P73.5 billion covering 2,933 items, which has now ballooned to P135.8 billion involving 5,913 projects.

He noted that this effectively increased the total questionable appropriations to P532.3 billion from the initial P469 billion

by Flores, Pemberton expressed his gratitude to Duterte for the absolute pardon granted him.

The pardon allowed Pemberton to be freed from detention after serving just six years of the 10-year sentence imposed by Branch 74 of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court and upheld by the Court of Appeals.

The pardon was issued just as the Olongapo City RTC had started hearing the motion for reconsideration filed by the Laudes on its order allowing Pemberton's release after he availed himself of the good conduct time allowance.

Pemberton then extended his "most sincere sympathy" to the Laudes and expressed the "depth of his sorrow and regret" for killing Laude in October 2014.

that the Senate exposed earlier including lump sums in the amount of P396.4 billion.

“Considering the projects under ‘Operations’ in the proposed budget of the DPWH, has a total appropriation of P613.1 billion, easily 87 percent or P532.3 billion is deemed questionable,” Lacson said.

The Palace remained silent on the intel funds issue on Monday, but defended the P16.44 billion budget proposed for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for 2021, disputing allegations that the anti-insurgency projects may be used as a pork barrel.

Senator wants transparency in oil prices

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Monday raised the need for transparency in the downstream oil industry in the pricing mechanism for pump prices of fuel products.

The Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee made the call following a Supreme Court ruling barring a Manila trial court from directing the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Commission on Audit to open and examine the books of accounts of Petron Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, and Chevron Philippines for alleged monopoly and collusion.

The Supreme Court even ruled that under Republic Act 8479, or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1988, the Department of Energy and the Department of Justice (DOE-DOJ) Task Force was mandated to investigate and file the necessary complaints with the proper court against erring oil companies.

“I’m planning to file a bill that will give more teeth to existing laws in the downstream oil industry and we are studying ways to strengthen the anti-trust safeguards in RA 8479 and how it can interact with the Philippine Competition Act,” Gatchalian said.

The Anti-Trust Safeguards stipulated in RA 8479 ensures fair competition and prevents cartels, monopolies, and predatory pricing in the industry.

Parojinog plea for reversal of raps denied

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has denied with finality the appeal of Reynaldo Parajinog Jr. to dismiss the illegal possession of firearms charges against him.

The court’s former Special Eight Division upheld its Aug. 30, 2019 decision affirming the order by the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City denying Parojinog’s motion.

Parojinog Jr. had urged the appellate court to dismiss the case on the ground that the pieces of evidence presented against him were illegally obtained.

He is the son of Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., the Ozamiz City mayor who was killed in a police raid on July 30, 2017.

The Parajinogs were among the local officials linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade.

“After going over the grounds raised in the motion for reconsideration… we resolve to deny the motion,” the appellate court said in a resolution written by Associate Justice Ramon Garcia.

“Petitioner has not shown any cogent or compelling reason to warrant a reversal or even modification of the aforesaid decision.”

Court records showed that on July 21, 2017, Police Chief Insp. Garman Manabat of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group applied for a search warrant against Parojinog Jr. and the other suspects.

Tacloban...

From A1

“Now is the right time since people are afraid to go to mass for fear of close contact, yet they are hungry for the Eucharist."

During the mass, the churchgoers parked their cars with no physical contacts as they could only stay inside their vehicles.

“There is no need for QR code and other prerequisites since they don’t go out of their cars,” Margallo said.

“Only during communion will they be able to roll down their windows, and Eucharistic ministers will go around to distribute communion with masks and face shields.”

During the church’s first opening on Sunday night, some 25 cars with family members inside came and attended the mass.

Those who did not have vehicles stayed inside the church and underwent the usual protocols.

With the quarantine being enforced in the city and elsewhere in the Archdiocese of Palo, Margallo says, the church has to come up with a creative way to continue its evangelization “to serve the people of God in the best place possible.

“People are clamoring for the physical attendance to the mass. That’s why I thought of adopting an outdoor mass, especially now that the coronavirus infections are increasing in our place,” Margallo told the Catholic news site Licas.news.

News BoC destroys imported unsafe hazardous goods

A3

Gov’t to hire 50k contact tracers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano MORE than 21 tons of unsafe and hazardous imported goods were destroyed by the Bureau of Customs worth several millions of pesos in Trece Martires, Cavite.

The destroyed items include vape products, medicines, chemicals, and food products which do not have clearances from the Food and Drug Administration and were thus found unfit for human consumption.

Vapes, for instance, are used for inhalation of vapor created by an electronic cigarette or other vaping devices. These e-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices and have cartridges filled with liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and chemicals.

The BOC said the condemnation aims to protect the public from health risks and to decongest warehouses with overstaying shipments.

“These e-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices and have cartridges filled with liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and chemicals,” the BOC said in a statement.

In November last year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to begin arresting people caught vaping in public and to confiscate the devices.

“Better stop it because I will order your arrest if you do it in a room. I am now ordering the law enforcement agencies to arrest anybody vaping in public. That is like smoking,” Duterte said.

Duterte called the devices “toxic” and said vaping introduced “chemicals” into the user’s body.

The importation and use of vape products are highly regulated by the FDA while the importation of unregistered vape products is prohibited under Republic Act No. 11467.

“Bureau of Customs NAIA will continue to protect the borders from illegal goods and support the directives of the Bureau of Customs Commissioner, Rey Leonardo Guerrero, to ensure vigilance in entry of goods without the necessary health permits,” the BOC said.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

S

ENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday reminded the Department of the Interior and Local Government to prioritize barangay health workers and displaced workers in the hiring of 50,000 contact tracers.

DRIVE-IN MASS. The St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Station in Tacloban City opened its first “drive-in” mass on Sunday, Sept. 13, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

‘Philhealth members may refund paid Covid-19 tests’

By Maricel V. Cruz PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. members who have paid for COVID-19 swab tests out of their own pocket are entitled to a refund, according to Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera.

Herrera said PhilHealth members who are classified as eligible for testing based on the guidelines issued by the Depart-

ment of Health could avail of the state health insurer’s COVID-19 testing benefit package worth up to P3,409.

“There is a PhilHealth circular that allows members who are eligible for testing to file reimbursement claims for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test, but unfortunately the public is not fully aware of this benefit,” Herrera said.

“I urge all qualified PhilHealth members, who have personally paid

for their COVID-19 tests, to directly file their reimbursement claims with PhilHealth to prevent unscrupulous private hospitals and testing centers from pocketing these funds by claiming the benefit on behalf of PhilHealth members,” she added.

Herrera earlier bared a new anomaly in PhilHealth in connection with the reimbursement of PCR tests already paid for personally by members.

“We should give priority to our barangay health workers, civil society organizations and parent-leaders from the 4Ps. They are already organized and their familiarity with the communities will make contact tracing faster,” Drilon said.

He said this is in accordance with the provision of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, otherwise known as Bayanihan 2.

Drilon introduced the provision in the law that mandates that contract tracing shall be immediately and properly done through the use of efficient technology for data collection and analysis, and by engaging contact tracers that may include, but not limited to, displaced workers both in the formal and informal sectors, from existing networks of barangay health workers, parent-leaders from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and members of dulyaccredited civil society organizations.”

“We proposed that provision in the Bayanihan 2 to boost our contact tracing capability. The newly-signed Bayanihan law made sure that the three T’s (test, trace and treatment) will have ample support and funding,” Drilon said.

The senator said that the faster the contact tracing is done, the better the chance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

He noted that there are 400 thousand barangay health workers and parent-leaders from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who can do contract tracing with ease and efficiency.

‘Probe deal to build cell cites in camps’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Monday asked her fellow senators senators to immediately investigate an agreement that would allow China-backed Dito Telecommunications to build cell sites inside Philippine military camps.

“Are we allowing us to be invaded? A China-owned telco inside our own military camp is doubtful, especially China which has not yet stopped in agressively claiming ownership over the West Philippine Sea, destroying our natural resources and abusing Filipino fishermen,” said Hontiveros.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto had said that military camps should be no-go zones for a possible electronic Trojan horse.

He said Dito Telecommunications can build their sites anywhere in the wide expanse of land in the country, and government should help them -- except in the 25 Navy bases and stations, 53 Army bases, and 17 air bases and stations.

These areas, Recto said, should be declared as no-go zones for this company.

He noted that the military is not that big a landlord whose holdings are crucial in a telco’s operations. “Why insist on building on military real estate?”

Earlier, Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 137 which seeks to investigate the national security implications of the agreement that allows the telco company to set up equipment and facilities within the military bases of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

‘Probe deal to build cell cites in camps’ Hontiveros said he will request the Committee on National Defense to immediately hear this resolution in the Senate.

This agreement, she pointed out, should be scrutinized because it is difficult to believe that China has no personal interest in building cell sites in our own military camps.

“Are there no other cell sites? Why do we need military bases? It’s as if the Chinese state itself is present within our military camps. Our national security is at risk here,” warned the opposition senator.

FREE MASKS. Kaizen Security Agency guards distribute free face masks to MRT-3

passengers at North Avenue, Cubao and Taft Avenue stations on Monday, September 14, 2020. At right, Korean national Sejong Chun also did his share, as he donates 1,000 faceshield for tricycle and pedicab drivers in Rosario, Cavite, as his way of celebrating Grandparents Day. JR Josue

IN BRIEF Imee urges gov’t to stop importing frozen pork Judge involved in dubious annulment cases sacked THE Supreme Court has dismissed a judge from Ilocos region after finding him administratively liable for his irregular disposal of cases on nullity of marriage.

In a decision, the SC found Judge Raphiel F. Alzate, acting presiding judge of both Cabugao, Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court, Branch 24, and Bucay, Abra RTC, Branch 58, guilty of gross ignorance of the law and gross misconduct.

The high court also ordered the forfeiture of all of Alzate’s benefits except accrued leave benefits. Alzate has also been ordered to be perpetually disqualified from public office.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Imee Marcos has called on the government to stop the importation of frozen pork, citing a National Meat Inspection Service’s August inventory which showed that imported frozen pork make 81% of the 43,124 kilos overall in the market.

“Stop the madness. Filipinos first!” said Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs.

The NMIS inventory also showed that

imported dressed chicken made up 58% of the total 60,810 kilos surveyed.

Marcos said the high volume of imported poultry products and their lower market prices were making the situation worse for local raisers who are already hurting from the sudden slash in market demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the government must help local livestock raisers become more pricecompetitive to survive the surge of imports that make up more than half of the poultry and pork products in the market.

Domestic demand for local pork and chicken has dwindled among food companies, hotels and restaurants that have scaled down operations or totally shut down amid extended community quarantines.

In the past week, wet market prices for imported pork cost P120 to P175 per kilo, compared to local pork being sold at P230 to P260.

Imported chicken ranged from P100 to P110 per kilo in the same period, cheaper than the P125 to P130 price range for local chicken.

Legislator seeks feedback on blended learning meetings A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Monday called on the Department of Education to hold online meetings with parents, teachers and students to get their feedback on blended learning.

Assistat Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas the virtual meetings will help DepEd adjust its programs for the new school year based on the assessment of education stakeholders.

“The DepEd will have a much better appreciation and understanding of challenges faced by teachers, parents and students with regard to the blended learning program because they will given the chance to interact,” Vargas, member of the House committee on basic education and culture, said. Maricel V. Cruz

JEEPNEY PROTEST. Jeepney drivers picket in front of the LTFRB office in Quezon City to demand the return of traditional jeepneys and allow them to ply their regular routes. Lino Santos

Workers file labor cases vs steel firm

By Jess Malabanan

SAN SIMON, Pampanga -- A group of workers, who reportedly suffered maltreatment and illegal detention from their Chinese employer, have filed criminal complaints against a steel manufacturing firm shortly after they were rescued by government authorities over the weekend.

The group also filed a separate case before the office of the Department of Labor and Employment 3 for alleged unfair labor practice and non-compliance of some provisions in the labor laws.

The rescue operation was launched after families and relatives of laborers at the Real Steel Factory sought assistance from authorities due to alleged inhuman treatment by the owner of the steel smelter plant situated at Barangay Sampaloc here.

“There are some violations including illegal deductions of salaries, health and life balance that we have noted during inspection and interview with workers inside the steel factory,” said DOLE3 Director Maria Zenaida Angara Campita.

Another complaint, Campita said., is that the workers were not allowed to go out of the factory compound for six months, “which is a violation of the quarantine protocols.”

“Napakahaba ng six months na lockdown para sa mga employees. Maganda ang intensyon pero hindi naipaliwanag ng management kaya nagkaproblema. The management said it wanted to maintain healthy and safe environment of their workers.” Campita said over the phone.

COVID patients, frontliners gain gifts via ‘BBM’

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

A4

By Maricel V. Cruz

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

‘APM’ MACHINES.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte observes Narvacan Mayor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson (standing left, inset) as he demonstrates the Gracia Telecom Automated Payment Machine (APM) on Monday at City Hall. The APM Machine can accept online payments of government taxes and purchases, withdraw and deposit money or remittances, and buy cellphone ‘loads.’

Lino Santos

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Pasay launches own contact tracing app

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Pasay City government launched on Monday a contact tracing online application for its employees as part of its intensified campaign against the coronavirus disease.

The “One Balikatan Contact Tracing” app, according to Mayor Imelda Rubiano, is the latest addition to the city’s comprehensive contact tracing approach to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

The app has an advanced digital contact tracing technology with case investigation, COVID-19 testing result, clinical information, and quarantine management all-in-one features.

“This is another step that we are undertaking as part of our overall COVID-19 response, particularly in the aspect of contact tracing, in this case, among our employees that are physically working here in City Hall as well as in our attached offices and in the field,” said Mayor Rubiano.

The city government has around 4,000 employees, majority of them still physically come to work on a regular basis, while the rest are on a work-from-home arrangement.

Rubiano announced earlier they were also developing Pasay QR Code Covid-19 Tracer App for commercial establishments in the city, which is an internet-based tracing app for a contactless transaction with a onetime registration process for people visiting said establishments.

QC, LMP install Gracia auto payment machines

By Rio N. Araja

Q

UEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte and League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) president Luis “Chavit” Singson have partnered to enhance the city’s digital platform in the community level amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Belmonte, Singson—also mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur—and Gracia Telecommunications Corp. president and chief executive officer Charisse Singson on Monday led the launch and turnover of automated payment machines (APM) to select barangays in Quezon City.

“The technology of Gracia Telecoms

is of big help to enable us deliver aid and services to our residents under the new normal,” Belmonte said.

“Through this, we can limit face-to-face transactions at city hall so we could help prevent the spread of the disease,” she added.

The APM is a joint project of LMP and Gracia Telecoms to provide local

government units and their constituents with a safer and more convenient payment alternative.

Gracia Telecoms initially provided the city government with nine APM kiosks to be installed in select villages within Quezon City’s six districts and in strategic areas within the city hall complex.

The city will provide debit cards for free to residents for online payments, purchases and withdrawal of money.

Margarita Santos, QC Business Permits and Licensing Department chief, said the city government plans to include Gracia Telecoms as one of its gateways for tax payments and other fees due to the city in the long run.

IN BRIEF Toby not in favor of transpo change NAVOTAS Mayor Toby Tiangco has opposed the move to reduce physical distancing in public transport vehicles, saying it is inconsistent with the prevailing safety policies.

“Studies of health experts showed that social distancing, along with proper wearing of face mask and handwashing, help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease. Reducing distancing among commuters to increase ridership is inconsistent with the minimum safety standards that we have been teaching our people for six months now,” Tiangco said.

“Trains, air-conditioned buses, planes and other public transit are closed spaces.

The risk of infection in these spaces is higher than outdoors,” he added.

“We have been urging our constituents to practice social distancing even at home and in their workplace. Why would we allow them to forego this safety measure when taking public transportation?” he further said. Jun David

DRIVE THRU TEST. Dr. Cesar Ramon G. Espiritu, President and CEO of TMC South Luzon (in blue) and Dr. Jose Enrico Juliano, Chief Operations Officer (in lab suit) officially launch the hospital’s Labworks Drive-Thru to provide its patients a safer and more convenient option for laboratory services in Santa Rosa City. Roy Tomandao

TMC South drive-thru lab open to public

By Roy Tomandao SANTA ROSA, Laguna—The Medical City (TMC) South Luzon officially launched its Labworks Drive-Thru over the weekend to provide its patients a safer and more convenient option for laboratory services.

The Labworks Drive-Thru services include blood extractions for the most common blood chemistry tests, which are done in the comfort and convenience of the patient’s vehicle.

For X-Rays and ECGs, patients will be instructed to park in front of the clearly-marked tent where the tests can be done in less than 30 minutes.

“This program is our response to the growing requests of clients for a safe and convenient processto have their common lab exams done,” said Dr. Cesar Ramon G. Espiritu, President and CEO of TMC South Luzon.

“Through this, we eliminate the need to have to enter the hospital just for simple tests. Although this was spurred by the current health crisis, we foresee that this service will even outlive the pandemic because of its positive features and advantages,” Espiritu added.

Another idea of Dr.Jose Enrico Juliano, Opthalmologist and Chief Operations Officer of TMC South Luzon, they also offers homecare and teleconsultation services.

Through a phone-in appointment, the homecare staff will visit the patient at home at his or her requested schedule.

Sinas orders massive crackdown on illegal gambling in south Metro NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Monday ordered a massive crackdown against illegal gambling in the southern part of

Metro Manila as part of its continuing anti-criminality campaign.

The NCRPO chief wants to intensify police operations against jueteng at the Southern Police District under PBGen. Emmanuel Peralta after reports of ongoing illegal gambling operations continue to surface in the area.

The recent intensified campaign of the NCRPO resulted in the apprehension of several suspects, confiscation of gambling paraphernalia and cash. Violations of Presidential Decree 1602 were filed against the suspects in Muntinlupa City.

Sinas reiterate that he will not tol-

erate jueteng operations and instructed the Southern Police force to arrest and file appropriate charges to anyone who will continue to engage in illegal acts.

“I will not hesitate to relieve officers with reported inactions for illegal gambling,” Sinas said.

PRC molecular lab to rise in Isabela

By Jessica M. Bacud

Angeles closing cemeteries, too ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has ordered the closure of all public and private cemeteries in the city from October 30 until November 2, 2020 to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.

Saying he understands the value of traditional All Saints Day and All Souls Day observance for Filipino families, the city mayor appealed to local residents to just pray and light candles for their departed loved ones at their respective homes.

“While the city government respects the Filipino tradition of remembering our departed loved ones, the mass gathering of people in these days poses danger and may spread the deadly virus,” Lazatin said in his issued Executive Order No. 19. Butch Gunio

HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez distributed gift packs to 206 COVID-19 patients and 191 health workers at isolation facilities in Tacloban City on Sunday.

The project, in partnership with Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, was made in celebration of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ 63rd birthday.

“In celebration of Sen. Bongbong’s birthday, we are reminded to give back to the people, especially the medical frontliners and COVID-19 patients who were victimized by this pandemic. They continue to face the brunt of impact of the coronavirus and this gift giving is a simple message that as their representatives, we support them, and we are here for them,” the Romualdez couple said in a statement.

“We commit to aid our kababayans in ways that we can. The times may be uncertain and difficult but our spirit of service to the people shall persist,” they added of “BBM,” the House leader’s cousin.

The Romualdezes gave food and basic anti-pandemic essentials to COVID-19 patients staying in Tacloban at Budget Hotel, Ace Francis Hotel, GoHOTEL, Salvacion, and UNDP Cabalawan, and medical frontliners at Madison Park Hotel, and Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban, and the Schistomiasis Hospital in Palo, Leyte.

CORNERSTONE LAID. Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III and 1st District Rep.

Antonio Albano, local officials and PRC—Isabela Chapter lay the cornerstone of the molecular laboratory building at the PDRRMC Complex. photo courtesy PRC-Isabela Chapter

ILAGAN CITY—City and national government officials recently led the laying of the cornerstone of the Molecular Laboratory at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council complex here.

Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III and 1st District Rep. Antonio T. Albano were joined by LPGMA Rep. Allan Ty, 1st District Board Members Emmanuel Albano and Emmanuel Añes, former congresswoman Ana Go, San Pablo Mayor Jojo Miro, and chapter board members of the Philippine Red CrossIsabela chapter.

Rep. Albano, as PRC-Isabela Chapter chairman, expressed his gratitude to Senator Richard Gordon, PRC National

Chairman, for donating the laboratory equipment to be used once the building is completed.

He also thanked Governor “Rodito” Albano for the lot and building donation.

“This will be the first-ever PRC Molecular Laboratory to rise in Cagayan Valley, aimed to expand the testing capacity for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the region, “Albano stressed.

“Apart from being a COVID-19 testing facility, the lab will provide the blood bank services that is needed by our province. It will also help the disaster relief operations in cases of emergencies and calamities that hopefully will not be hazardous for the province,” he added.

Opinion Living and dying during martial law EAGLE EYES

TONY LA VIÑA CONTINUING with my series on martial law, I borrow from a book Living and Dying: In Memory of 11 Ateneo de Manila Martial Law Activists written by Cristina Jayme Montiel and published by the Ateneo University Press in 2007. The book chron-

Let us remember these young people who stood up to be counted and fought as darkness veiled our land. icles the life, times and death of 11 Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) activists.

Each chapter capsulizes the human journey of an Ateneo activist from childhood days to turning points in the radicalization process to stories about personal involvements at the peak of activism. Each biography concludes with the violent death inflicted by Marcosian military forces.

The book memorializes the life of 11 Ateneans who gave up their lives during the horrendous first 10 years of martial law.

These intrepid souls are—Ferdie Arceo, Bill Begg, Jun Celestial, Sonny Hizon, Ed Jopson, Eman Lacaba, Dante Perez, Ditto Sarmiento, Lazzie Silva, Nick Solana, and Manny Yap (whose body has not yet been found). In this column, I share the stories of Arceo, Begg, and Celestial.

They were misunderstood and often disowned by their alma mater. As Antonette Palma-Angeles put it in the foreword of the book: “Student activists were not always well-received in the Ateneo, for they questioned our traditions, disturbed our complacency, even set us against each other while they were with us. But now, 30 years or so after the declaration of martial law, we see with a clarity enhanced by time, that these young men did indeed absorb the best of our lessons to them, giving themselves up for justice, truly living as men-for-others.”

“Ferdie” Mirasol Arceo was born on 18 January 1952 at the Delgado Memorial Clinic along Kamuning Road Quezon City, the first child of Atty. Regaldo and Thelma Arceo. In 1968, he enrolled as an AB Humanities student at ADMU and in 1970 Ferdie, together with several fellow student activists, established the Ligang Demokratiko ng Ateneo (LDA), the first radical activist organization of Ateneo. The LDA later split into two factions: the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) and the Samahang Demokra-

tiko ng mga Kabataan (SDK).

Ferdie became involved in labor unions and decided to drop out of school to go full time into political activism. When martial law was declared in 1972, he joined the New People’s Army in Western Visayas.

On 29 July 1973, the 21-year old Ferdie was walking along with a companion in San Joaquin, Iloilo when military operatives bore down on them and gunned them down.

William Vincent “Bill” Acuna Begg was a native of Legazpi City, Albay. He was the third among five children born to John C. Begg, an engineer employed at the Clark Air Base, and Zenaida Acuna from Legazpi City.

At 14, Bill entered the seminary in Balintawak, Quezon City. In 1970, even as he excelled academically and was a leader in extracurricular activities in college, Bill was also active in nationalist student circle of radical students on campus. He joined Kabataang Makabayan (KM) and immersed himself in student and community organizing work.

In 1971 the writ of habeas corpus was suspended and Bill, together with three fellow KMs, were detained for putting up subversive posters in Marikina. Because of his radical activities, Bill was dismissed by the Board of Discipline. When martial law was declared, he joined the underground and three years later, in March 1975, while waiting for a doctor in a hut in Villa Rey Echague, Isabela, Bill’s NPA unit was attacked by the military. Bill was captured alive. Before killing him, the soldiers mercilessly tortured him, leaving him with 17 stab wounds and 11 gunshot wounds.

Finally, Artemio “Jun” Somoza Celestial Jr. was born 16 September 1950 in Maragondon Cavite, Jun was a son of Artemio Celestial, superintendent of Public Schools in Cavite, and Maria Celestial.

Jun entered college at a politically charged period. He joined the Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League (ACIL) and the Student Catholic Action (SCA). Due perhaps to his encounters with the military and martial law’s suppression of open political activist organizations, Jun’s political involvement and the extent of his participation from 1972 to 1974 became less clear-cut at this point.

The circumstances of Jun’s death have not been fully established. As far as the family recalls, he was gone for several days before they found his body in the Montalban River near the Wawa Dam in Rizal province on 21 February 1974. There was a big gash on his head, and his body was bloated. The police investigation established that Jun was held by a military unit in the mountains.

September is a month when we remember bad things that happened in this country.

But it is also a good time to remember our heroes, those brave and courageous young people—Ferdie, Bill, and Jun who stood up to be counted and fought as darkness veiled our land.

Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Race to develop COVID-19 vaccine heats up ABOUT TOWN

ERNESTO M. HILARIO AMPLE proof that Philippines-China ties remain robust despite the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea is that Beijing has already pledged to supply the country with vaccines for Covid-19. These vaccines are now at the final stages of field testing prior to large-scale manufacturing.

Ambassador Huang Xilian told the media recently that since the coronavirus outbreak, China has been actively engaging in vaccine research and development.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that there are now 34 vaccines already in clinical evaluation around the globe. Of the eight candidate vaccines in Phase 3 trial—the final phase before commercial use—fur are from Chinese vaccine developers, including 2 from Sinopharm, a subsidiary of China’s leading vaccine producer China National Pharmaceutical Group (CNBG), 1 from Sinovac Biotech and 1 from CanSino Biological.

Sinopharm has in fact already tapped around 1,500 Filipinos to participate in the Phase 3 clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the United Arab Emirates since June. These Filipinos are among more than 30,000 volunteers in the world's first Phase 3 clinical trial of a vaccine.

Hundreds of thousands of people have received vaccinations of Sinopharm’s vaccine since China launched emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines on July 22, with no cases of severe adverse effects or infection.

Tests of SinoPharm’s vaccine against major COVID-19 virus strains are reported to have shown promising results in both safety and efficacy.

The Sinopharm vaccine is likely to be out in the market by the end of December.

The company has built two high-level biosafety production facilities in Beijing and Wuhan, with an annual production capacity of 300 million doses. With the expansion of production capacity, the annual output will reach 800 million to 1 billion doses in the future, according to the Chinese ambassador.

The Sinopharm vaccine is likely to be out in the market by the end of December.

While the Chinese vaccine is welcome, we should also consider vaccines being developed by other countries, such as Russia, United States and Great Britain. And as we wrote last week, even our neighbor Indonesia is well on the way to developing its own vaccine that we can also use to control the spread of the deadly disease.

Pasig River expressway project Can we expect substantial relief from horrible traffic congestion in Metro Manila in, say, within the next five to 10 years?

Maybe, if the government and the private sector can get their act together.

At least there's light at the end of the tunnel.

We're talking about the project proposal of the conglomerate San Miguel Corpora-

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

A reckless plan T

HE government has approved a plan to increase the number of riders in mass transport vehicles by reducing the physical distance between commuters, even though health officials are still reporting thousands of new COVID-19 infections daily.

plan against COVID-19, Secretary Carlito Galvez, said “optimizing” physical distance among passengers would help ease transportation woes among commuters.

"With public transportation, there is faster recovery of lives and livelihoods as we push forward under the new normal,” Galvez said.

The new IATFapproved policy suggests a careless disregard for the safety of working men and women who have no choice but to take public transportation.

The new policy, approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), is clearly the handiwork of the Department of Transportation (DOTR), with Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade emphasizing the need to “safely optimize the carrying capacity” of public transport vehicles given that more employees are expected to return to their jobs as more industries resume their operations.

Tugade said his department is “receptive to an initial optimization of the physical distancing measure in public transport vehicles to .75 meters among commuters beginning Sept. 14.

This will “further be optimized to 0.5 meters after two weeks and to 0.3 meters after another two weeks," Tugade added.

Tugade argues that current health measures, such as the mandatory use of face masks and face shields meant that the one-meter physical distancing measure can be relaxed.

The chief implementer of the government’s

As the economy reels from the effects of the pandemic, this sentiment is understandable but could quickly become self-defeating if the number of COVID-19 cases begins to rise as a result.

To date, physical distancing has been a key component of most efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 around the world, along with good hygiene and hand washing and the use of face masks. Health experts—including those from the World Health Organization (WHO)--believe this

combination, and not just one component, face masks, can stop the spread of a highly contagious disease.

The notion that we can safely and gradually cut back from the WHO-prescribed one-meter distance down to one foot would be ludicrous, if it weren’t so potentially dangerous.

In fact, a former adviser to the IATF describes the public transportation plan as reckless.

Dr. Anthony Leachon said the one-meter physical distance between individuals is the bedrock of preventing virus transmission, and that wearing a face mask or face shield is just a complement to this basic preventive measure.

He added that the DOTR seemed to be working at cross-purposes from the Department of Health, which mandates the one-meter distance based on the WHO standard.

“This [policy] will be risky, reckless, counter-intuitive and will derail the flattening of the curve in the National Capital Region, which will... affect the entire Philippines. We have flattened the curve, but that is not completely irreversible. We will cause [a] resurgence of cases if we are reckless,” he warned.

The newly approved policy also suggests a careless disregard for the safety of working men and women who have no choice but to take public transportation. Is it all right for them to be only a foot apart so long as the government officials who make the rules don’t need to sit beside them?

Walking dead LAST week was a bumper crop of inanity and illogic issuing from the opposition, especially the Red variety.

Consider, for example, the accusation by Makabayan party-listers in Congress that the administration was “Red-tagging” them.

In reply, anti-terrorism spokesman PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy offered to resign her post if those party-listers would do a couple of simple things: denounce communist violence and work with the rest of government to peaceably address its roots.

These are things any ordinary citizen should be willing to do, let alone elected legislators. But don’t hold your breath waiting for Makabayan to agree to this. *** In fact, the term “Red-tagging” dredges up old memories. In the late sixties, there was a House committee assigned to root out subversives masquerading as legal activists.

They came up with the catchy slogan, “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it must be a duck!”

The young firebrands of the Left had a field day making fun of this. But it turned out to be spot on. The big leftist youth groups did prove to be creations of the CPP. Those groups did become fertile recruitment grounds for the NPA. And when they bombed the LP rally in 1971 at Plaza Miranda to provoke martial law, the armed Left did serve notice that they bloody well meant bloody business.

Today the same Left is well represented in Congress itself by the Makabayan folks, although they remain unmoved by this undeserved concession of democratic space.

In no other conflict country I know about are members of an active rebellion allowed to participate in the business of government without first giving up their guns.

By alleging “Red-tagging”, these party-listers are disclaiming any connections to the CPP-NPA-NDF. But on the other hand,

tion (SMC) to build the P95.4 billion Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) that would basically follow the path of the waterway.

And what's good about it is that the project would also revive the heavily polluted Pasig River.

According to SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang, they will “not only be building a much-needed direct link between eastern and western Metro Manila, but we will also be leading a historic effort to bring the Pasig River back to health.”

“For so many decades, even when I was young, the Pasig River had been synonymous (with) pollution. Many Filipinos have long wanted to clean it and revive it, bring it back to its old glory. There were even high-profile fund-raising projects and similar initiatives to clean it. But unfortunately, not much has changed,” he explained.

The 27-kilometer Pasig River, which links Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, runs through the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig, and the municipality of Pateros in Metro Manila and Taytay in Rizal province.

PAREX will stretch a total of 19.4 kilometers and will start from Radial Road 10 (R10)

FORMATION

GARY OLIVAR Jose Maria Sison continues to boast about the size and growth of the NDF. Both of them can’t be telling the truth at the same time.

Either the Makabayan or Mr. Sison is lying. Either the NDF is alive and well, or it’s not. Or perhaps we’re being asked to believe that the NDF is actually populated by zombies, the undead. ***

Maybe the NDF is actually just made up of zombies.

Just as noisy was the yellow-led uproar over the DENR’s decision to pour tons of white dolomite sand onto stretches of the Manila Bay shoreline. Even Congress has been inveigled into launching a probe.

The DOH has already assured the public that we have nothing to fear from dolomite, either in its bulk state or granulated into beach sand. It’s also being used in other beaches all over the world. And if you’re dumb enough to inhale large amounts of sand, it really doesn’t matter whether it’s dolomite or not.

The DILG spokesman, Undersecretary Jon Malaya, also clarified that the total cost for the sand was actually less than P30 million, not the P389 million being alleged. So where did the rest of the pesos come from?

Well, probably from the same folks who

in Manila, and will end at a connection to the South East Metro Manila Expressway at Circumferential Road 6 (C6).

It will have entry and exit points at the University Belt area, San Juan, Buendia, Mandaluyong, Makati, Rockwell, Edsa, Pioneer St., Bonifacio Global City, C5, before terminating at C6.

The expressway is expected to provide an alternative and faster access to the business hubs Makati, Ortigas, and Bonifacio Global City.

No timetable has been set for the project, but we hope the government and SMC can sit down and discuss the terms of reference to get it off the ground as soon as possible.

This would certainly help boost mobility in the metropolis in the years ahead amid the expected growth in the urban population.

The Pasig River Expressway will be a game-changer if it is greenlighted by the government soon enough. Ramon Ang earlier said SMC already has a proposal to build a new highway on top of the existing EDSA. Whatever happened to that proposal? ernhil@yahoo.com

also took the actual police number of 3,000plus unexplained deaths in the war on drugs, and then inflated that number to thirty, forty, now fifty thousand….and still counting.

You can count on the opposition to put anything out of context. As a matter of fact, aside from the beach sanding, the DENR is also spending money on related programs like cleaning up the waterways that empty into Manila Bay, just as they first had to clear the bayfront of tons of garbage before bringing in the sand. But don’t expect the critics to praise them for that. *** Today the Church honors Our Lady of Sorrows. In one Gospel reading (Lk 2: 3335), the blind seer Simeon warns Mary that the fulfilment of her unborn Child’s mission will be like a sword piercing her heart. In the other reading (Jn 19:25-27), her heart is indeed pierced as she watches His death from the foot of the Cross.

Our Lady’s sorrows do not cease. My friend Baby Nebrida, film producer and homegrown visionary, recently conveyed to the President—in a private letter that’s gone viral—a Marian appeal for him to lead in consecrating the country to Our Lady and her Son, on pains of suffering “the Big One”, the long-feared earthquake along the Marikina fault that could hit 8.5 on the Richter. Baby subsequently confided to me that similar visions had also been received by others like her, with the Virgin Mary crying tears of blood.

It’s been amply documented in the past that such visions presaged great disasters if unheeded, but turned defeats into victories if heeded. It might be a good time for the Church hierarchy—with whom Duterte shares a deep mutual dislike—to take the first conciliatory steps towards convincing him to heed this latest Marian appeal.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ yahoo.com.

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Israel to reimpose nat’l virus lockdown J ERUSALEM—Israel said it will reimpose a national lockdown to battle a coronavirus surge, as the number of daily infections around the world reached a record high.

Britain, France, Austria and the Czech Republic also reported spikes, as global cases rapidly approached 29 million with more than 921,000 Covid-19 deaths, according to an AFP tally.

The Israel lockdown will last three weeks

starting Friday, keeping people to within 500 metres (yards) of their homes. It is the first developed economy to take such drastic steps to contain a second wave of infections.

“I know these measures will exact a heavy price from all of us,” said Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu.

The World Health Organization reported 307,930 new cases worldwide on Sunday, the highest daily figure in its database since the beginning of the pandemic.

The surge has sparked concern in Europe, where Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz warned that his country was facing “the beginning of the second wave.”

The World Health Organization expects Europe to see a rise in the daily number of Covid-19 deaths in October and November, the head of the body’s European branch told AFP on Monday.

“It’s going to get tougher. In October, November, we are going to see more mortality,” WHO Europe director Hans Kluge said, as the continent currently experiences a surge of cases though the number of deaths has re-

IN BRIEF

Japan ruling party elects Suga as PM successor

US, Iran battle over sanctions at UN court THE HAGUE—The United States and Iran will face off at the UN’s top court on Monday in the latest round of a battle over sanctions on Tehran reimposed by President Donald Trump.

Tehran dragged Washington to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in 2018 after Trump pulled the US out of a landmark international nuclear deal with Iran.

They will argue over the coming week about whether the court, set up after World War II to deal with disputes between UN member states, actually has jurisdiction in the case.

Iran says the sanctions brought back by the Trump administration breach the 1955 “Treaty of Amity” between the two countries, signed long before the 1979 Iranian revolution severed ties.

Tehran won an early victory in October 2018 when the ICJ ordered sanctions on humanitarian goods to be eased as an emergency measure while the overall lawsuit is dealt with. AFP

At Afghan peace talks, hard work begins DOHA―Afghan government negotiators expressed cautious optimism for progress on thorny issues including ceasefires as peace talks with the Taliban got underway in Doha on Sunday.

A slick opening ceremony in Doha on Saturday saw the Afghan government, and allies including the US, call for a ceasefire.

But the Taliban, who have fought a guerrilla campaign against both since they were forced from power in 2001, did not mention a truce as they came to the negotiating table.

The head of the peace process for the Afghan government, Abdullah Abdullah, suggested the Taliban could offer a ceasefire in exchange for the release of more of their jailed fighters.

“This could be one of their ideas or one of their demands,” said Abdullah who left Doha for Kabul on Sunday night as scheduled.

He said the talks should continue in the “spirit of moving towards peace”. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

NEW PM. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga reacts after being elected as new head of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party at the party’s leadership election in Tokyo on September 14, making him all but certain to replace Shinzo Abe as the country’s next prime minister. AFP

US wildfires ignite political row as bets head to Cali PORTLAND—President Donald Trump was due Monday to visit California for a briefing on record wildfires that have killed 35 people, as West Coast officials and political opponents accused him of being in denial about climate change.

The history-making blazes have now burned through nearly five million acres (two million hectares) across the US West, torching an area roughly the size of the state of New Jersey, with fears the death toll may rise.

Kamala Harris, the Democratic vicepresidential candidate who tweeted that Trump “denied evidence” the flames were “intensified by the climate crisis,” is also set to tour the damage, as the infer-

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225-QUEZON CITY JIMMY BONDOC VIRAY, Petitioner, -versus-

mained relatively stable.

The resurgence is however expected to lead to an increase in daily deaths, the WHO said.

“It’s a moment where countries don’t want to hear this bad news, and I understand,” Kluge told AFP in an interview, stressing that he wanted to send the “positive message” that the pandemic “is going to finish, at one moment or another.” AFP

Civil Case No. R-QZN-20-00537 For: Judicial Recognition of Foreign Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage

LYDIA SARIBAY BERZABAL, LOCAL CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY AND OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, Respondents, x----------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER A verified petition was filed on January 10, 2020 by petitioner through counsel praying that judgment be rendered: 1) granting judicial recognition of the judgment for dissolution of marriage dated February 9, 2017 issued in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations Division, Illinois, USA in Case No. 2017 D 230037, dissolving the marriage between petitioner Jimmy Bondoc Viray and Lydia Saribay Berzabal; and 2) ordering the Office of the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City, and the Philippine Statistics Authority, to record and register the Decision rendered by the Honorable Court in the proper Books of the Civil Registries and to cancel the registration of the marriage of Jimmy Bondoc Viray and Lydia Saribay Berzabal solemnized on May 2, 2007 in Quezon City.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto.

WHEREFORE, let the copy of this Order be Published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court Quezon City. Hearing on the verified petition is hereby set on October 1, 2020 at 10:30 o’clock in the morning at the Hall of Justice annex Building, Quezon City, at which time and place, any person having an interest in the petition may appear.

Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following place at the expense of petitioner.

1. at the main entrance of the City Hall Building Quezon City 2. on the Bulletin Board of the Court, Hall of Justice Building, Quezon City 3. at the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resided.

Let copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Consulate General of United States of America, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Further, petitioner through counsel is ordered to furnish respondent Lydia Saribay Berzabal with a copy of this Order together with the petition and its annexes at her given address and to show proof of compliance before the hearing date.

SO ORDERED. June 22, 2020, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) MARIA LUISA LESLEG GONZALES-BETIC Presiding Judge

Copy furnished:

Atty. Geraldine Grace F. Tibigar-Rabago – Rm. 207 ACRE Bldg., 137 Malakas St., Quezon City Jimmy Bondoc Viray c/o Atty. Geraldine Grace F. Tibigar-Rabago – Rm. 207 ACRE Bldg., 137 Malakas St., Quezon City Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City Office of the City Prosecutor, Quezon City Office of the Local Civil Registrar, Quezon City Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO) – Vibal Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Quezon City Embassy of United States of America – 1201 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City (MStandard - Sep. 1, 8 & 15, 2020)

nos ignite a political conflagration.

“This is climate change, and this is an administration that’s put its head in the sand,” Eric Garcetti, the Democratic mayor of Los Angeles, told CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday.

Of at least 35 people killed by the blazes since the beginning of summer, 27 died this week alone. Dozens were still missing on Sunday.

Trump has made little comment about the blazes in recent weeks, but at a Nevada campaign event on Saturday he acknowledged the scope of the disaster.

“They never had anything like this,” said Trump, who systematically downplays global warming. “Please remember

the words, very simple, forest management.”

He plans to meet Monday with the heads of California’s emergency services, while California senator Harris will tour the damage a day later.

Garcetti hit back at the president’s earlier remarks, saying that “anybody that lives in California is insulted by that.”

“Talk to a firefighter if you think that climate change isn’t real... This isn’t about forest management or raking.”

With battle lines drawn ahead of November’s election, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is also due to address the wildfires and their cause Monday. AFP

TOKYO—Japan’s ruling party on Monday elected chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga as its new leader, making him all but certain to replace Shinzo Abe as the country’s next prime minister.

Suga easily won the ballot, taking 377 of a total of 534 valid votes from Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and regional representatives.

His rivals, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida, trailed far behind.

Given the LDP’s legislative majority, Suga is expected to handily win a parliamentary vote Wednesday and become prime minister, taking over from Abe, who is resigning for health reasons.

A powerful government adviser and spokesman, 71-year-old Suga is seen as promising stability and a continuation of Abe’s policies.

He has specifically said his candidacy was motivated by a desire to continue the outgoing prime minister’s programmes.

Ishiba, who is popular with the Japanese public but less so within his own party, won just 68 votes, with Kishida, who was once considered Abe’s favoured successor, taking 89.

Abe, who smashed records as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister before being forced to resign after a recurrence of ulcerative colitis, declined to publicly endorse any candidate.

The son of a strawberry farmer, Suga was raised in Japan’s northern Akita region, and the issues of rural areas suffering depopulation are said to be among his top concerns.

But not much is known about his personal ideology, and he is generally viewed as an adherent of neither the LDP’s most hawkish nor its more reformist wings.

As prime minister, he will face a series of tough challenges, including containing the coronavirus and righting the world’s third-biggest economy, which was in recession even before the pandemic. AFP

Nevada outrage over Trump’s indoor rally plan HENDERSON, Nevada US President Donald Trump on Sunday held his first fully indoor rally in months, outraging officials in the state of Nevada who warned the gathering violated coronavirus restrictions on crowd sizes.

Indoor rallies during the pandemic have proven problematic for Trump, who was heavily criticized after one in June that was later linked to a spike in virus cases.

Trump used Sunday’s event, held in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, to applaud his own handling of the pandemic, which has killed nearly 195,000 Americans, the world’s highest toll.

“We have done an incredible job, we get absolutely no credit for the job we have done,” the Republican told the crowd at the Xtreme Manufacturing facility, adding that his leadership had “saved millions of lives.”

Governor Steve Sisolak tweeted that “tonight, President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada.”

“The President appears to have forgotten that this country is still in the middle of a global pandemic,” he said.

Trump called Sisolak, a Democrat, a “political hack” and urged the crowd to “tell your governor to open your state.”

Plans for the rally drew a rebuke from local authorities, who noted events with more than 50 people are not allowed due to the coronavirus.

“The City of Henderson has issued a compliance letter and verbal warning to the event organizer that the event as planned would be in direct violation of the governor’s COVID-19 emergency directives,” city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said in a statement.

The pandemic has stripped the US presidential campaign of its usual flood of events, but with less than two months to voting Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden have been making more appearances. AFP

ONE AGAINST ALL. An opposition supporter stands in front of law enforcement officers blocking the street during a rally to protest against the presidential election results in Minsk on September 13. Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, 66, who has been in power for 26 years, has vowed that he will not give up power to the opposition, which claims its candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was the rightful winner of the August 9 polls. AFP

Angry EU zaps Johnson’s claim of Brexit blockade BRUSSELS―The European Union on Sunday rejected an incendiary claim by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the bloc is plotting to destabilise the UK as another week of Brexit high drama beckoned, headlined by a stormy parliamentary debate in London.

The war of words escalated over a new British government bill that London admits is in violation of its EU divorce treaty—legislation that has sparked a furious response from former prime ministers Tony Blair and John Major, as well as sitting MPs. Johnson’s claim that the 27-nation EU is plotting to choke off food supplies via crippling new trade barriers

between Britain and Northern Ireland is “spin and not the truth,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told BBC television.

“There is no blockade proposed,” he added, calling it “inflammatory language coming from Number 10 (Downing Street).”

Charles Michel, who heads the EU Council of government chiefs, said Britain’s “international credibility” was at stake as both sides battle to unwind nearly 50 years of economic integration, following a deeply divisive referendum in the UK. EU trade negotiator Michel Barnier insisted that a Northern Irish protocol

in the EU treaty “is not a threat to the integrity of the UK”, as claimed by Johnson in Saturday’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Major and Blair, who led Britain through Northern Ireland’s historic peace talks in the 1990s, wrote in the Sunday Times that the government’s actions were “shaming itself and embarrassing our nation”.

Backed by the EU, Ireland stresses the provisions for Northern Ireland were agreed by both sides to ensure fair competition after Brexit, and to comply with a 1998 peace pact that ended three decades of unrest in the province. AFP

Business

B3

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Thai Airways obtains court approval for restructuring BANGKOK, Thailand—A Thailand court on Monday approved the restructuring of Thai Airways, which is billions of dollars in debt and struggling to survive the coronavirus tourism crash.

The global aviation sector was plunged into crisis by the pandemic as countries severely restricted travel, forcing airlines to ground vast numbers of planes and seek government help as they hemorrhaged cash.

The kingdom, once a majority shareholder in Thai, reduced its stake in May and went to the insolvency court to resolve the airline’s debt— which totaled 332.2 billion baht ($10.6 billion) by the end of June, according to local media.

“The problem that caused debtor’s financial situation is not from its business but from the rapid change in aviation, particularly the impact from Covid-19,” Bangkok’s Central Bankruptcy Court said Monday.

It approved Thai’s request for a rehabilitation plan, which would see its debt and company organization restructured.

Thai said after the ruling that it would propose that plan by the end of the year.

It has long been accused of mismanagement, and Thailand’s transport ministry found in August that some of its financial damage was due to corruption, including “bribes” paid for the acquisition of 10 aircraft.

The government was previously mulling over a 54-billion baht bailout for the airline, which was met with a public outcry.

Thai has restructured multiple times over the last several years but it never “went deep enough to resolve many of the longstanding systemic issues,” aviation expert Brendan Sobie told AFP. Thailand’s tourism-reliant economy has been battered by the pandemic, and is expected to shrink by more than seven percent this year according to government estimates. AFP

PSEi September 14, 2020

TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

JAKARTA LOCKDOWN. This aerial picture shows lighter than usual traffic near the landmark Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta on September 14, 2020, as the Jakarta government reimposed social restrictions across the city amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. AFP

Stocks rise; Megaworld, Ayala Land lead gainers T HE stock market rose slightly Monday after President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed into law Bayanihan 2, which provides for a P165billion COVID-19 relief package.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 29.18 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,997.14 on a value turnover of P4.7 billion.

Gainers beat losers, 110 to 99, with 37 issues unchanged.

The bulk of the relief measure covers a P140-billion aid package for industries negatively impacted by the pandemic.

A standby fund of P25.52 billion may be tapped by the government for additional COVID-related expenses before the 2021 budget takes effect.

Dito CME Holdings Corp., the third major telecommunications company, advanced 5.8 percent to P3.63, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. climbed 3 percent to P31.30.

Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, increased 2.9 percent to P3.16, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-largest telecom firm, rose 2.2 percent to P2,126.

The rest of Asian markets pushed higher Monday as investors creep back after a recent sell-off, with coronavirus vaccine hopes given a boost and traders looking ahead to the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting.

Hong Kong and Sydney both added 0.7 percent and Shanghai was up 0.6 percent.

Tokyo rallied 0.7 percent thanks to a surge of nine percent

in SoftBank after it said Monday it is to sell British chip designer Arm to NVIDIA of the US for up to $40 billion in what would be one of the biggest purchases in the world this year.

There was little reaction to the expected election of Yoshihide Suga as Japan’s new prime minister.

Seoul jumped more than one percent, Jakarta surged more than two percent and Taipei put on 0.9 percent. Wellington and Mumbai were also up.

But the reimposition of virus containment measures in several countries, worries about high stock valuations, Brexit tensions and uncertainty over the US presidential election are keeping gains in check.

Trials on one of the most adManila vanced vaccines resumed at the Standard REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Finance TODAY weekend after being paused briefSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, ly after a volunteer fell ill. British Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, 1307 regulators gave AstraZeneca and Oxford University the go-ahead MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT to push on following an investigation.

IN THE MATTER OF Oxford University said that “in large trials such as this, it is exMEGAWIDE CONSTRUCTION pected that some participants will CORPORATION Registration of Securities become unwell and every case x------------------------------------------x (Perpetual Preferred Shares must be carefully evaluated.”

Series 2) And AstraZeneca said it remained hopeful the vaccine NOTICE would still be available “by the end of this year, early next Notice is hereby given that on 12 August 2020, a sworn Registration year.” AFP Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf

Japanese restaurant chain curries favor with Indian market

of MEGAWIDE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION (the “Corporation”) for the registration of FIFTY MILLION1 (50,000,000) Perpetual Preferred Shares Series 2 at an offer price of up to ONE HUNDRED PESOS (PHP 100.00), amounting to FIVE BILLION PESOS (P5,000,000,000.00), broken down as follows:

By Abhaya Srivastava GURGAON, India—One of Japan’s most popular restaurant chains is embarking on what could become one of the all-time crowning achievements of salesmanship—selling curry to India.

Coco Ichibanya has more than 1,400 locations worldwide but its owners are eager to find a foothold in the world’s second-biggest nation, and favor among a middle class with a growing appetite for international food.

But it remains to be seen whether its own signature curry dish—a distinctive, thick brown sauce and sticky white rice—can lure diners accustomed to local varieties honed over thousands of years.

“We are not here to compete with Indian curries,” Ichibanya India’s assistant chief executive, Devesh SrivasManila tava, told AFP. Standard “We have a flavorful Japanese curry TODAY which is a bit different from the Indian In this photograph taken on August 26, 2020, a waiter carries a plate to serve lunch to customers at one... and the response has been pretty CoCo Ichibanya Japanese curry chain restaurant in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi. A popular good so far. People are coming back Japanese restaurant chain is taking on the challenge of wooing India’s growing affluent class with its as well.” version of a dish long synonymous with the South Asian nation—curry. AFP Beef and pork are absent from the tailor-made menu, in deference to religious requirements and local tastes.

Substitutes such as paneer and eggplant are on offer instead, making a unique global hybrid cuisine reflecting the chain’s dual origins.

Curry originated in India thousands of years ago but in the late 19th century British seafarers introduced it to Japan, where it NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING evolved into a beloved national comfort food.

Rising disposable incomes have left India an attractive market for Japanese companies, which are looking to offset declining conTo All Stockholders: sumer spending at home by expanding abroad.

Please be informed that the annual meeting of stockholders Ichibanya believes its successful step into Thailand, another curof MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) for ry-loving nation, is a sign the chain could succeed in India. the year 2020 which is scheduled to be held on September 25, “Initially there is going to be a lot of interest,” Kavita Devgan, an 2020 (Friday) has been postponed and reset to October 16, 2020 author and food columnist, told AFP. (Friday).

“If the curry works for the Indian palate and is not very unfamilThe purpose of the postponement is to give the Company iar, then it has a chance.” more time to prepare for additional matters that will be presented It has shrugged off the challenges of opening in India during the to the stockholders at the meeting. coronavirus pandemic, at a time when many restaurant-goers are tightening their purse strings and eating at home.

A Notice of Meeting will be issued in relation to the new meeting date on October 16, 2020.

Its first Indian franchise opened in August near the capital New Delhi and immediately piqued local interest.

Makati City, September 9, 2020.

Diners said they enjoyed exploring the contrast between the flavor of the Japanese sauce and the familiar Indian varieties laden with onion, tomatoes and local spices.

ROBERTO V. SAN JOSE Corporate Secretary “The taste is something that is very addictive,” said Aakash Nakra. “You want to eat more and more and more.” AFP (MS-SEPT. 15 & 16, 2020)

MOST ACTIVE

Primary Offer

30,000,000 Perpetual Preferred Shares Series 2

Over Subscription Option

20,000,000 Perpetual Preferred Shares Series 2

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the directors of the Corporation: Name

Position

Mr. Edgar B. Saavedra

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and President

Mr. Manuel Louie B. Ferrer

Director and Chief Corporate Affairs and Branding Officer

Mr. Oliver Y. Tan

Director

Mr. Leonilo G. Coronel

Independent Director

Former Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.

Independent Director

Mr. Celso P. Vivas

Independent Director

Mr. Alfredo E. Pascual

Independent Director

The following persons are the officers of the Company: Name

Position

Mr. Christopher A. Nadayag Mr. Ramon H. Diaz

Treasurer and Deputy Chief Finance Officer Chief Finance Officer

Mr. Raymund Jay S. Gomez

Chief Human Resource Officer Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Counsel and Data Privacy Officer

Mr. Anthony Velasco

Chief Audit Executive

Mr. Kama Neson Ganeson

Acting Chief Risk Officer and Head of Total Quality Management

Mr. Anthony Leonard G. Topacio

Corporate Secretary and Corporate Information Officer

Ms. Jennifer C. Lee

Assistant Corporate Secretary and Corporate Information Officer Assistant Corporate Secretary

Ms. Maria Belinda Morales

Ms. Charlotte Y. King

In order to implement necessary health protocols consistent with the directives and guidelines of the Department of Health for the protection of its employees and the investing public, the Commission hereby suspends the physical inspection of the RS and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively referred to as “Documents”) as well as (ii.) providing physical copies thereof to interested parties, until further Notice. In lieu thereof, the Commission has adopted an alternative mode of viewing and/or downloading the said Documents and any subsequent amendments thereto by enabling interested parties to access the same through the MSRD corner of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov.ph) or the Company’s website (www. megawide.com.ph).

signed VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director

1

The registration of 50,000,000 Perpetual Preferred Shares Series 2 shall be effective upon approval by the Commission of the company’s Amendment of Article Seventh of its Amended Articles of Incorporation which pertains to the increased in the authorized capital stock from Five Billion Pesos (Php5,000,000,000.00) divided into Four Billion Nine Hundred Thirty Million (4,930,000,000) common shares with par value of One Peso (php1.00) per share and Seventy Million (70,000,000) cumulative, non-voting, non-participating, non-convertible, perpetual preferred shares with par value of One Peso (Php1.00) per share to Five Billion Fifty-Four Million Pesos (Php5,054,000,000.00) divided into Four Billion Nine Hundred Thirty Million (4,930,000,000) common shares with par value of One Peso (php1.00) per share and One Hundred Twenty Four Million (124,000,000) cumulative, nonvoting, non-participating, non-convertible, perpetual preferred shares with par value of One Peso (Php1.00) per share.

(MS-SEPT. 8 & 15, 2020)

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

B4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

IN BRIEF PAL launches P688 promotional fares PHILIPPINE Airlines said Monday it launched promotional fares for as low as P688 for oneway domestic flights and $99 for round-trip international tickets.

PAL said travelers may purchase the promotional low fares from Sept. 14 to 20 for travel during the seven months from Nov. 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

The flag carrier said the initiative aligns with national efforts to support the livelihood of Filipino businesses and communities as the economy is gradually re-opened, while ensuring that strict safeguards to protect the health of all travelers.

It said the campaign invites travelers to once again “enjoy low fares and safe travels with the Heart of the Filipino”, whether they are flying home to reunite with loved ones, embarking on essential business travels, or planning for long overdue vacations.

For flexibility, PAL passengers may enjoy free rebooking on the same booking class seven days prior to departure date.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Bayanihan 2 exposes BSP to burden sharing AN ECONOMIST said Monday the newlysigned Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, or Bayanihan 2, opened the door for more “burden sharing” for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report the Bayanihan 2 law raised the cap on the amount the central bank can advance to the national government from 20 percent to 30 percent, translating into an increase in the ceiling from P540 billion to P850 billion.

“At the height of the crisis, BSP rode in to support the national government, unloading a cool P300 billion to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts at a time wherein the national government was struggling to collect revenues,” he said.

“The advance was made via a 3-month repurchase agreement [extendable to 6 months] that will expire at the end of this month and with the timely passage of Bayanihan 2, this opens the door for a more hefty ‘burden sharing’ arrangement between the fiscal and monetary authorities,” Mapa said.

He said the prospect of engaging in debt monetization always caused central bankers and investors to cringe given the probable negative implications on the currency and the inflation rate. Julito G. Rada

Fruitas eyes land, office acquisitions FOOD and beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings Inc. said Monday it will reallocate a portion of the proceeds from its initial public offering to fund land acquisitions and site expansion.

Fruitas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday that P165 million of the P470 million it initially allotted for store network expansion and store improvement would be re-allocated for site expansion and acquisitions.

Frutias said it would use P20 million from the IPO proceeds to acquire a 1,328-squaremeter site of its coconut water commissary in Quezon City which is under lease.

It will also rechannel P145 million from the IPO proceeds for the acquisition its head office in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The five-story building has a net floor area of at least 2,000 sq. m.

The site is strategically located in a busy commercial area. Fruitas said the excess space would be leased out to potential tenants.

The final terms of the acquisition of the properties are subject to negotiation.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines, the country’s fourth-largest lender in terms of assets, said Monday it rolled out an educational loan program to help students continue going to school despite the coronavirus-induced health and economic crisis.

LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who is also the bank’s board chairman, the Interim Students’ Loan for Tuition toward Upliftment of Education for the Development of the Youth or i-STUDY would benefit students from preschool to college who would enroll this school year.

The program will allow parents, guardians or benefactors of students in private schools to borrow an amount equivalent to one school year or two semesters—or up to P150,000 per student.

LandBank introduced the program in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call on the institution to support students during the crisis.

Loans under the i-STUDY program, which cannot exceed P300,000 per eligible borrower, carries an affordable fixed interest rate of 5 percent a year.

Short-term loans payable within one year are available for pre-school, primary and secondary school students under the program, while term loans

Monday, September 7, 2020 29.18 pts.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

1,128,350,001 75,958

TOTAL VALUE 4,710,045,891.72 ADVANCES 110

5,997.14

DECLINES 99 UNCHANGED 37

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5510

Japan

Yen

0.009426

0.4576

Survey says 51% of CEOs deferred investment plans

UK

Pound

1.279800

62.1356

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129029

6.2645

Switzerland

Franc

1.100352

53.4232

Canada

Dollar

0.758208

36.8118

Singapore

Dollar

0.731261

35.5035

Australia

Dollar

0.727700

35.3306

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652168

128.765

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

12.9449

Brunei

Dollar

0.728597

35.3741

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031918

1.5497

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2191

By Othel V. Campos

Euro

Euro

1.184300

57.4989

Korea

Won

0.000842

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.146310

7.1035

India

Rupee

0.013610

0.6608

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240906

11.6962

New Zealand

Dollar

0.665800

32.3253

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034151

1.6581

M

OST chief executives of Philippine companies have taken drastic measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of investment plans, according to a survey jointly organized by the Managers Association of the Philippines and Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines.

The PwC MAP 2020 CEO Survey which covered the months of July and August asked 161 chief executives about plans to adjust to the reality and recover from the impact of the pandemic.

It said 51 percent of the CEOs either deferred or canceled planned general capital investments following the effects of the pandemic, while 24 percent either deferred or canceled planned acquisitions.

MAP president Francis Lim said the strategy was to maintain liquidity or to preserve cash flow, as CEOs were making changes in their products and services to rebuild revenue streams.

The survey said 80 percent of the CEOs implemented cost containment to reduce the impact of the health crisis to operations and 57 percent shifted to sustainable practices.

About 22 percent of the CEOs also tapped loans to restart businesses, while 19 percent welcomed new equity partners and 7 percent exited overseas market to save on costs.

It said despite the downturn, most CEOs or 83 percent of them were optimistic of an economic recovery within the next three years.

Chief executives were also more positive about economic growth in 2021.

The survey said that while many did not believe the economy would be back to health soon, 84 percent of the respondents said the economy would grow in 2021.

The CEOs remain optimistic although conservative about the gross domestic product growth in the coming years. About 73 percent of respondents expect the economy to expand 1 percent to 5 percent in 2021 from a lower baseline in 2020.

PLANTING PROGRAM. Metro

Pacific Investments Foundation launches Bayan Tanim!—a program that aims to help disadvantaged communities recover from the adverse effects of Covid-19 pandemic by growing household crops from their backyard.

In partnership with First Pacific Company Ltd., MPIF turns over the first 100 Bayan Tanim! plant crates to the local government of Barangay 128 Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila.

The program is in support of the ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ campaign of the Department of Agriculture which supplied the seeds and the ‘Move Food Initiative’ of Agrea Agriculture System International Inc., which provided the planting crates.

Auto sales decreased 39.5% to 17,906 units in August AUTOMOTIVE sales fell 39.5 percent in August to 17,906 units from 29,599 units a year ago amid weak consumer confidence, two industry groups said Monday.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said the August sales were also 12.8 percent lower than 20,542 vehicles in July.

“Spending remains a challenge especially for big-ticket items such as cars.

This has resulted in another [month-onmonth] auto sales decline of nearly 13 percent,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.

Data showed sales of passenger cars dropped 11.4 percent to 5,454 units in

August from 6,157 units in July 2020, while those of commercial vehicles dipped 13.4 percent to 13,452 from 14,385 units.

Total sales in the first eight months also declined 47.5 percent to 124,489 units from 235,544 units in the same period in 2019.

“Economic recovery can be a gauge of the industry’s future performance, but it also depends on the policy environment. Any restrictive policies such as safeguard duty will only limit the industry’s capability to navigate the current crisis,” Gutierrez said.

He said the Department of Trade and Industry was conducting a safeguard investigation on imported automobiles following a petition filed by the Philip-

pine Metalworkers Association that predated the COVID-19 pandemic.

CAMPI expressed hope that the case evaluation by DTI would consider the impact of the pandemic on auto industry recovery.

The local automotive industry is turning to aggressive promotions to boost sales and achieve the revised sales forecast of 240,000 units in 2020.

Gutierrez said the objective is to achieve if not outperform the new target or “recovery will be even more difficult.”

Toyota Motors Philippines continued to lead sales in August with market share of 38.2 percent followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 18.92 percent.

LandBank launches education loan plan of up to P150,000 per student

By Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX CLOSING

payable up to a maximum of three years, inclusive of a one-year grace period on the principal amount are available for tertiary level students.

“This program will not only help families who have kids they want to send to school, but will also assist private schools and downstream industries to sustain and continue their operations,” Borromeo said.

Duterte earlier assured parents that he would open LandBank to them to assist in continuing the education of their children even amid the current health and economic crisis.

Borromeo also said an initial batch of over 60 private educational institutions expressed interest in tapping LandBank’s Access to Academic Development to Empower the Masses towards Endless Opportunities or ACADEME lending program that was launched earlier this year.

The LandBank board approved the application under the ACADEME program of four institutions for loans with a combined amount of P330 million as of Aug. 19.

The P3-billion ACADEME program aims to extend credit to private high schools, private technical-vocational education training institutions, colleges and universities with the goal of encouraging students to enroll under a “study now, pay later” setup by allowing their parents to issue promissory notes for their academic fees.

BUSINESS PARTNER. Despite the pandemic and the enforcement of the community quarantine, BDO Network Bank continues to serve clients, especially small businesses urgently in need of financial boost during these tough times. BDONB has been more than just a business in the communities that it serves. The rural bank has become a valuable member of each community, responding to their financial needs and even beyond.

Source: BSP

Meralco appeals penalty imposed

by ERC for high electricity billing

By Alena Mae S. Flores ELECTRICITY retailer Manila Electric Co. said Monday it appealed the P19-million fine imposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission for allegedly violating the advisories issued by the agency during the community quarantine period covering March to July.

“They filed an MR (motion for reconsideration) on our decision on the SCO [show cause order],” ERC commissioner and spokesman Floresinda Digal said.

Digal said the commission would evaluate the motion filed by Meralco against the ERC order dated Aug. 20 for failure to clearly indicate that the bills were estimated and failed to comply with the mandated installment payment arrangement.

The agency said based on its evaluation, Meralco incurred a total number of 190 days of violation.

Meralco head of regulatory management Jose Valles earlier said the company would study the order and “file the appropriate pleading after consultation with our lawyers.”

The ERC also directed Meralco to set to zero the distribution, supply and metering charges of lifeline consumers whose monthly energy consumption does not exceed 100 kilowatt-hours for one month effective the next billing cycle immediately upon receipt of the subject ERC decision.

It said the retail rate discount would provide temporary economic relief to more than 2 million lifeline consumers and their family members for at least a month. The DSM comprised 22.4 percent of the total retail rate.

The total discount to be provided to all lifeline consumers was estimated to be around P200 million, which should not be charged to the non-lifeline consumers.

Meralco earlier announced it would voluntary provide power rate discount totaling P101 million as relief to 2.77 million lifeline customers to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The company planned to extend the discount to 2.77 million lifeline customers or those with a monthly consumption of 100 kilowatt-hours and below.

The move, however, was put on hold due to the latest decision of the ERC. Meralco received flak from thousands of customers over the high power rates received during the quarantine period, prompting ERC, the Department of Energy and the lawmakers to conduct separate investigations. Meralco has since apologized for the bill shock suffered by consumers during the ECQ and assured lawmakers that customers were only charged for electricity they actually consumed.

The ERC is also evaluating the violations committed by other distribution utilities and electric cooperatives during the quarantine period.

Vivant Energy’s unit brings 3-MW generators to Bantayan VIVANT Energy Corp. said subsidiary Isla Norte Energy Corp. delivered power generators with a combined capacity of 3 megawatts to the distribution utility in Bantayan Island in northern Cebu to significantly reduce power outages.

INEC, a partnership of Vivant Energy and Gigawatt Power Inc., brought the generators to provide power to Bantayan Electric Cooperative amid the energy shortfall in the area.

“We’re honored to be given this opportunity to help the people of Bantayan, both by bringing in emergency power supply and through our long-term commitment to provide sufficient and reliable power with the INEC power plant,” Vivant Energy presi-

dent Arlo Sarmiento said in a statement.

INEC is constructing a 23.3-MW diesel power plant that will supply the long-term total power requirement of Bantayan Island.

“This is part of our commitment to help the social and economic development of Cebu, our home province,” said Sarmiento.

INEC was awarded a 15-year contract to supply BANELCO’s power requirements following a successful CSP. The INEC plant is expected to be completed by 2021.

BANELCO general manager Lee Rivera said the almost daily outages that the electric coop’s member-consumers expe-

rienced prompted them to procure emergency power supply.

“The problem of supply shortage has been eased because of the emergency power supply from INEC,” Rivera said.

BANELCO received an approval from the Department of Energy for exemption from the conduct of a competitive selection process for the procurement of the 3-MW emergency power supply.

“The welfare and comfort of BANELCO member-consumer-owners have been and will always be our utmost priority.

The past several months had been a nightmare and an unfortunate experience that we wish will not happen again,” Rivera said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Thiem vows: Future slams will be easier

Sports

NEW YORK—US Open champion Dominic Thiem said Sunday that chasing future Slams will be easier now that he has that elusive first tennis major under his belt following three near misses.

The second seeded Austrian thought he was heading for a fourth defeat in Grand Slam finals after going two sets down to fifth seeded German Alexander Zverev at Flushing Meadows.

But the 27-year-old rallied to complete a stunning comeback 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) against his 23-year-old friend to secure a maiden Grand Slam title.

With that monkey off his back, Thiem says he expects to be able to play more freely at Slams as he bids to snatch titles away from the “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“It’s going to be or I expect that it’s going to be easier for me now in the biggest tournaments,” Thiem told reporters.

“Because, of course, I had it in the back of my head that I had a great career so far, way better career than I could ever dreamt of, but until today there was still a big part, a big goal missing.

“With this goal achieved, I think and I hope that I’m going to be a little bit more relaxed and play a little bit more freely at the biggest events,” he added.

Thiem came into the US Open final having lost in five sets to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year.

He also lost in the final of the French Open in 2018 and 2019, both times to Nadal.

Thiem said the near misses were a chain around his neck during Sunday’s last-two showdown on Arthur Ashe as he was overcome with nerves in the first two sets.

“Honestly, I think it didn’t help me at all because I was so tight in the beginning,” he explained.

“I mean, I wanted this title so much, and of course there was also in my head that if I lose this one, it’s 0-4.

“It’s always in your head. Is this chance ever coming back again? All these thoughts, which are not great to play your best tennis, to play free,” he added.

Life’s work Thiem said lifting the US Open was a dream come true.

“I achieved a life goal, a dream of myself, which I had for many, many years. Of course, as a kid, as well, when I started to play tennis. But back then it’s so far away,” he told reporters.

“Then I got closer and closer to the top. At one point I realized that, ‘Wow, maybe one day I can really win one of the four biggest titles in tennis.’

“I put a lot of work in. I dedicated basically my whole life until this point to win one of the four majors. Now I did it. That’s also for myself a great accomplishment.” AFP

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

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Dominic Thiem of Austria lays down in celebration after winning championship point during his Men’s Singles final match against and Alexander Zverev of Germany in the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. AFP

Morrison raring to get back in shotput action

By Peter Atencio

A

FTER a series of lockdowns in the United States kept Fil-Am bet William Morrison from competing in top level shotput tournaments, he is now ready to get back into action again.

The 23-year-old Morrison said he plans to join at least two tournaments towards the end of the year and hit the Olympic qualifying mark.

Morrison discussed his plans following talks last week with Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico.

“We have a bit of catching up to do mainly because of the pandemic and Willie’s school commitments, but we hope to make,” said Juico.

The 6’3” Morrison is currently in Kansas City, with his personal coach, Danny Capps.

The Olympic qualifiers will be held on December 1 this year and is set to end on June 29, 2021, with Morrison seeking to hit the standard distance of 21.10 m.

According to Morrision, Capps has been his coach since his high school when lighter shots were still used.

William Morrison (FB)

Morrison’s best mark is 20.40 or about .7 m or 2’4” short of the standard with nine months to go.

And he is presently ranked 65th in the world despite the absence of competitions.

Last February, the Indiana University-based Morrison achieved a distance of 20.21 meters in the shotput event of a National Collegiate Athletic Association meet in Indiana.

Drex eyes return to PH before year ends FRESH off a resounding victory and a successful ONE Championship debut at ONE: A NEW BREED a couple of weeks ago, 31-year-old veteran Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga is with younger sister Denice, and together, they remain in Bangkok, Thailand to ride out the Covid-19 situation.

The Zamboanga siblings traveled to Thailand earlier in the year to train at various Thai gyms. But when national borders closed due to the pandemic, they found themselves marooned in the ‘Land of a Thousand Smiles.’

Nevertheless, Zamboanga says they are doing well now, and that it’s business as usual for them after a successful event.

“We’re all doing great here. We’ve had one full week of rest now, and it’s almost time to get back to our daily training routine. Time to get back to work,” said Zamboanga.

Zamboanga reveals that they are currently working on their extended visitor permit in Thailand, so they can continue training, but plan on returning home to the Philippines as soon as border restrictions begin to relax, presumably before the end of the year.

Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga (right) in Bangkok action

“Right now, we’re working on our long term visas so that in the future, we won’t have any issues going in and out of Thailand. The plan is to go back to the Philippines before December to celebrate Christmas with our fam-

ily and to continue training with our boxing coach there. We can’t wait to spend time with our family, maybe go on a little vacation,” said Zamboanga.

Every martial arts athlete devotes a level of sacrifice so they can focus on

training. For some, it’s giving up their favorite foods in order to make weight.

For others, it’s spending time away from their loved ones.

For the Zamboanga’s right now, it’s a combination of everything.

“It has been hard being away from home. But I used that sadness to motivate me to continue training here in Thailand.

Me and my sister dream of becoming World Champions. This has fueled our drive to continue working hard. I miss my mom’s cooking, especially paksiw na bangus and nilagang baka. I miss riding my motorcycle,” said Zamboanga.

“Don’t lose hope. I know that one day we will overcome this. God is in control and I hope our prayers will be answered, and this will all end soon.”

While both Drex and Denice have no imminent bout assignments anytime soon, the siblings are staying sharp and ready for any call that might come their way.

As a flyweight, Zamboanga is in a deep tank filled with sharks. Nevertheless, he is willing to face any challenge in the Circle, even if that is against a fellow Filipino athlete.

“We don’t have any fights lined up at the moment. But even then, we can’t take our foot off the pedal. We should still be prepared at all times, because that call can come at any time,” Zamboanga concluded.

Rosos, Sipin join Perpetual Spikers

Rosos

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

THREE-PEAT-SEEKING Perpetual Altas Men’s Volleyball Team of multi titled head coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar is tapping Kirth Patrick Rosos of the Junior Altas spikers and 6’2” Dumaguete City native Ramoel Christian Dorado Sipin to add more teeth to what is already a powerhouse cast of the Las Pinas-based tossers.

Rosos is a member of “five-peat” champion of National Collegiate Athletic Association.

He was Season 93 Most Valuable Player, best middle blocker of Season 92 and with a strong leadership as a captain ball, was also a member of the National Capital Region squad, champion of the 2016 Palarong Pambansa.

On the other hand, Sipin can play

both middle blocker and opposite hitter and is one of promising recruits for the coming season.

They will be joining mainstays JC Enarciso, Ridzuan Muhali, Jeric Atentar, EJ Casana, Kc Andrade, Louie Ramirez, JR Baggayan, Aljoe Sereno, Awoe Abdulla, Ronniel Rosales, Joshua Zareno, Philip Pepito and Hero Austria once the Inter Agency Task Force for Infectious Disease IATFID and the NCAA allows each team to hold physical practice together.

“For now, we are doing Zoom meetings, kahit nasa mga kani-kanilang bahay sila. They are doing conditioning training para fit sila,” said coach Acaylar said.

“To our two new recruits, welcome to Altas Spikers.” Dennis Abrina

Sipin

2 shooters strengthen SBC roster TWO new recruits are expected to provide answers to the San Beda Red Lions’ need to have accurate shooters in their roster.

This is where new recruits JV Gallego and Brendon Ocampo come in.

The 5’11” Gallego, who normed 7.2 points on 40-percent shooting, to go with 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists, is coming in from the National University Bulldogs and can suit up for the Lions after a year of residency.

On the other hand, the 6’1” Ocampo is Filipino-Canadian combo guard, who came over a few years back, playing for the Durham Crossovers in the NBTC. The 19-year-old Ocampo, who averaged 15.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, will be ready when Season 96 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament comes.

Team manager Jude Roque said the two will fill in spots in the Red Lions’ roster, following the departure of AC Soberano and Evan Nelle.

Roque said Ocampo reminds him of Robert Bollick Jr., a former Red Lion now playing in the Philippine Basketball Association for NorthPort.

“I like his passion and energy on the floor. He reminds of a young Robert Bollick,” added Roque.

Soberano, like Bollick, has graduated, while Nelle has transferred to the La Salle Green Archers.

The Red Lions lost their bid to claim their 23rd cage title to the Letran Knights last year.

Peter Atencio

PSA Forum tackles MILO Best, MPBL IT’S going to be an all-basketball discussion in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online Forum as MILOBEST Center and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League serve as the special guests this Tuesday.

MILO Ambassador and BEST Center graduate Kiefer Ravena of NLEX joins Luigi Pumaren, MILO sports executive, and BEST Center Executive Vice President Monica Jorge in talking about the latest collaboration between MILO and Best Center in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duremdes, meanwhile, will discuss how the MPBL goes about the remaining playoff games and the finals of the Lakan Cup with the possible return of non-pro sports leagues.

The two-part session is presented

by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, with Upstream Media as webcast partner and powered by Smart.

The 10 a.m. public sports program is aired live via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

Sports

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Nuggets level series with Clippers M

IAMI—Denver’s Nikola Jokic had game highs of 34 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists Sunday, powering the Nuggets over the Los Angeles Clippers 111-98 to level their NBA playoff series.

The Nuggets, who also had 21 points from Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, recovered from a 19-point deficit in the third quarter to match the Clippers at 3-3 in the Western Conference semifinal, setting up a winner-take-all game seven on Tuesday.

“We don’t have pressure,” Jokic said. “All the pressure is on them. We have to play at a high level and give our best.

“To us it’s just another game seven.

We’re going to go out there and play.”

It’s the fourth consecutive playoff series over two seasons in which the Nuggets have faced a seventh game.

They are 5-0 in elimination games and have rallied from 16-point or worse deficits in the past three such games.

“The effort was amazing,” Jokic said. “We were down 16 last time, down 16 to Utah -- we don’t want it but maybe we like it. We’re good at it.

“The whole team played well. It was an amazing game for us.”

The 25-year-old 7-foot (2.13m) Serbian center hit 13-of-22 shots, 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.

“I think it’s defense, “Jokic said.

“When we get a couple stops, we are flying and the ball is moving. When we start running the offense, we’re a really good team.”

The Clippers, who have squandered a 3-1 series edge, have never reached a conference final in their 50-year history.

They missed 10 shots in a row in the third period during a 17-0 Nuggets run.

“They came down and scored or got fouled in the third quarter and we couldn’t buy a basket,” Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said.

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against Paul George of the LA Clippers during Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals at The AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. AFP

“We’ve just got to leave it all out on the floor, communicate and play hard on the defensive end.”

Paul George scored 33 points and Leonard, last year’s NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for Toronto, added 25 to lead the Clippers, who were outscored 64-35 in the second half.

“It was beautiful playing,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “Then we stopped moving the ball, stopped playing. That’s what let them get back in the game.

“We clearly have the right formula.

We just lost it. We lost our pace.”

The Nuggets became the first team since the 1970 Los Angeles Lakers to force multiple game sevens in the same playoff run.

No team has ever recovered from a 3-1 deficit twice in the same playoff run but the Nuggets could be the first.

“I’m running out of superlatives to say about our team. I love our team. I love our toughness,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

“We were down 16 at half. We weren’t down on ourselves. We knew what we were going to have to go through. The question was how are we going to get out of it.

“One of the best third quarters I can ever remember in my five years.”

‘Lot of work to do’ Malone has no idea what gives his team the ability to climb out of deep deficits.

“I think it’s an inner belief, a confidence. We believe we have what it takes to win a championship,” said Malone.

“We have a tremendous belief and confidence in who we are, how we play and what our talent level is. We’re enjoying this. We’re embracing this.

“But we have a lot of work to do.”

Tuesday will also see Miami and Boston meet in the Eastern Conference final opener. All games are being played without spectators in a coronavirus quarantine bubble at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Torrey Craig’s 3-pointer a minute into the fourth quarter gave the Nuggets an 82-79 lead, their first edge since 8-7 in the first quarter. AFP

POC welcomes PESO as associate member PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino has welcomed the Philippine Esports Organization as associate member shortly after its proclamation as the official National Sports Association for esports on the Philippines.

“I personally welcome the PESO as an Associate Member of the Philippine Olympic Committee after successfully complying with all the requisites for membership and gaining approval from the POC General Assembly last August 29, 2020,” said POC President Mr. Abraham Tolentino in a statement.

“Esports is undoubtedly the current rage with millions of active participants worldwide. And the fact that many Filipino exponents of the game have distinguished themselves as top performers in the sport, gives us reason to feel encouraged and proud,” he added.

Call for unity and support Tolentino also encouraged all stakeholders of Philippine esports to unite and support PESO as it fulfills its role as the official Nationals Sports Association for esports in the Philippines.

“I urge the practitioners of the sport to rally around the PESO NSA in order

FREE THROW SHOOTER NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ IT WAS an interesting guessing game that started even before the 2019-20 season of the NBA commenced: how far will the Houston Rockets go playing their brand of small ball?

Now we have an answer: a 1-4 secondround exit compliments of the Los Angeles Lakers and their four-game masterclass on roster-tweaking and defense that adapts.

Houston now faces a fork in the road: Mike D’Antoni has left. It will not be a simple matter of getting a new coach to fill the vacancy because there is the question of whether or not they get to keep the offense-focused small ball identity they’ve built. Mike D’Antoni is the best in the business for this particular type of approach to winning games, and it plays to the strengths of James Harden and company.

Will Houston hire a new coach who promises to continue this particular brand of Houston Rockets basketball, or will they choose a coach who will lead the team towards a different direction?

to forge a united and formidable front in international competitions. I congratulate the men and women behind PESO and exhort them to continue the winning ways that their Team Sibol displayed in the last SEA Games, which they dominated. With the legitimacy afforded by their membership in the International Esports Federation (IESF) and now in the POC, I have no doubt the Philippines can look forward to more stellar performances from Esports in the near future.

Mabuhay!” said Tolentino.

PH Dominance in 2019 SEA Games PESO’s member organizations, including those previously under the Esports National Association of the Philippines, emerged as top performers in the sport especially at the 2019 SEA Games Esports Tournament. To prepare for the launch of esports as a medal event, decorated esports athletes were directly invited and competed in open qualifiers ran by the Philippine Esports Union. The PSEU was the organization tasked to create the Philippine Esports Team and the SEA Games Esports Tournament.

ESNAP, as part of the PSEU, provided valuable contributions to Team Sibol,

THE much-awaited 2019-20 NBA Playoffs are upon us and Filipino fans are in to watch a whole new game.

However, the pandemic has changed the way we enjoy entertainment and sports. We can no longer go to packed stadiums to watch our favorite sports teams, feel the buzz in our body as the cheers, music and drums pump into our ears, listen to the sports announcers’ thrilling commentaries, and feel the excitement of seeing our favorite players up close.

In spite of this challenging time, Filipinos can’t let their favorite basketball games play in silence. With the NBA Playoffs under way, nothing should stop Filipino fans from supporting their favorite players and teams compete for the NBA championship. Good thing, PLDT Home partnered with NBA to bring a whole new game to the fans with NBA League Pass,the league’s premium live game subscription service.

With PLDT Home FIBR’s NBA League Pass, basketball fans can be closer to the game as they enjoy the thrilling NBA action without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes. Priced at only P485/month, fans can subscribe to a 30-dayaccess to all NBA games and cheer for their favorite teams.

Fans can catch all the marquee matchups between the best teams of the Eastern and Western Conference as they watch the games live and on-demand on their TVs, computers, and mobile devices. They can also immerse themselves with the high-level plays on the courtand 24/7 NBA coverage including game analysis, playerfeatures, and more!

Additionally, fans can also watch the condensed highlights of NBA games, so theycan save time by watching the game’s most pivotal moments. And with PLDT Home Fibr’s strongest connections at home, basketball fans can have a seamless streaming experience as they follow the NBA postseason.

No matter what happens, the love for sports brings families closer together at home. Catch a glimpse of how you can enjoy a whole new NBA game at home in this latest PLDT Home video.

To learn more and subscribe to NBA League Pass through your PLDT Home subscription, visit pldthome.com/nbaleaguepass.

2 more players leave UST five

By Peter Atencio

Team Sibol with ESNAP

the Philippine National Team for esports.

Among the said contributions of PESO member organizations who were then under ESNAP included valuable funding and training for esports athletes who carried our flag.

PESO member organizations provided funding for to form and train Team Sibol with the support of Smart Communications, Inc, TV5 Network Inc. and Cignal TV Inc. Moreover, PESO member organizations managed and coached the

country’s representatives to dominate esports at the 2019 SEA GAMES, winning three of the six gold medals up for grabs.

These included PESO’s Jess Tamboboy, who managed the StarCraft 2 Team with Mineski athlete Caviar Acampado winning a gold medal; Tier One Entertainment’s Paolo Bago who coached the DOTA 2 Team to take home a gold medal; and Bren Esports’ Jab Escutin who managed the Mobile Legend Team, which also snagged a gold medal.

Big lesson on small ball If Houston’s front office chooses a coach with the deliberate intention of rebuilding from the ground up, this is them saying they’ve given up on their 3-and-D style of play.

Reconfiguring roster, roles, and approach to both ends of the floor means changing Houston basketball and (possibly) changing James Harden basketball as well. Some will support it, others will dislike it. Regardless, it is too early to say whether this change is good or bad.

However, a massive facelift heading to the 2020-21 season certainly means we don’t get to see Houston’s small ball reach its full potential.

It is unfortunate because Houston’s small ball has shown promise and sting (when players play it the right way). It is the reason why Houston finished fourth overall in a very competitive Western Conference ahead of talented squads like Utah, Dallas, OKC, and Portland.

Losing to the Los Angeles Lakers should be more of a learning experience for the Rockets rather than a sign to start moving towards a different direction. The problem in that series is that after Game 1, LA made changes, but Houston didn’t; a

A whole new game with NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home

classic survival of the fittest.

Three things define small ball: movement, three-point shooting, and defense. The Golden State Warriors were nearly invincible because they are all aces in all three categories.

Houston, in their series with LA, shot itself in the foot because of lackadaisical defense.

If there is one thing Houston should let go, it is the notion that they can get away with not playing defense hoping their offense will tow them to the finish line first.

An overwhelming offense is not always promised, but effective defense always rewards the diligent and committed.

Houston should start having an appreciation in combining berserker-level threepoint shooting with bear hug-level stifling defense. They can do it. They’ve done it before. It is just a matter of being consistent and raising the intensity as demanded by playoff basketball.

Another key takeaway from the LA-Houston series is movement. Houston should be more creative, but more importantly, the players on the floor should be constantly dynamic and have purposeful motion. It was evident what LA wanted to do to Houston: double

team Harden or play box-and-one when Eric Gordon is the primary shooter. Even when this was revealed and plain evident, I noticed how action on Houston’s offensive sets didn’t show any significant change enough to force LA’s defense to scramble or suffer its penalty.

Priding itself as a haven for legit gunners, it is surprising that Houston didn’t make LA pay for double-teaming Harden or playing box-and-one. I think the reason why is because they fell into the trap set by LA: encourage Houston to abandon swinging the ball across the arc and opt to attack the perimeter instead. It got Westbrook and Jeff Green going, but at a cost: losing their overall rhythm as a three-point shooting team.

It got so bad that at one point, even Austin Rivers is hesitant to shoot an open three, and when he did, you can see the form is off and the confidence in the shot is not there.

Contrary to what others say that Houston will win or lose by Harden’s hand, I think this year’s Rockets have proven that they’ve shifted towards winning by committee and Harden is getting better and better in his role as playmaker.

Where (or how) they go next season—big or small—will be our new guessing game.

THE exodus of players from the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers men’s basketball team camp continues.

Two more team members are set to leave the squad and are reportedly planning to join the La Salle Green Archers.

But the plans of Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao to move over to the Taftbased Archers will still depend on former coach Aldin Ayo’s fate.

Ayo is set to appeal his indefinite suspension from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

If the appeal is reconsidered, Nonoy and Cuajao would most likely stay put.

The 5’8” Nonoy is the leading point guard of the Growling Tigers, while Cuajao is a 6’1” shooting guard.

Both players have been loyal to Ayo since he became their coach three years ago.

Nonoy earlier discussed with Adamson coach Franz Pumaren his plan to become a Falcon.

If the two leave the Growling Tigers, a total of seven players will have left the team since controversy involving the squad began last August 20, following a training camp in Sorsogon at the height of the pandemic It was triggered when skipper CJ Cansino was removed from from the team after he made efforts to explain to Ayo his mental health issues at that time.

Cansino eventually transferred to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Also leaving for other schools were Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller, Brent Paraiso and Ferdinand Asuncion.

When Ayo gave up his post, assistant coaches McJour Luib and Jinino Manansala also quit.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Entertainment

Sanya Lopez hopeful new international airport can help Bulakeños, country recover

I

N THE midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanya Lopez can’t help but worry about her hometown Malolos, Bulacan. And that’s why she is happy with each positive news about the province, including the one that San Miguel Corporation will soon build -- a world-class airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.

“I feel proud because taga-Bulacan ako and we’re going to have an airport here,” Sanya says.

Sanya knows that the airport will provide hope for his provincemates who have lost their jobs and whose businesses were affected by the pandemic. She learned that the New Manila International Airport can accommodate 100 million passengers every year, has four runways with a provision for two more, and a seamless transport system. Over a million direct and indirect jobs will be created, new businesses will develop, and the tourism industry will get a shot in the arm.

“San Miguel is doing a big favor for the people of Bulacan. It will not only generate jobs for my kababayan it will also help generate more businesses and attract more tourists,” she says.

She’s asking Filipinos, particularly her provincemates, not to lose hope and keep following health protocols to avoid contracting the dreaded illness.

“I’m encouraging everyone to stay safe and to take care of themselves. Follow safety protocols. Wear mask and face shields. Let’s wash our hands regularly. And practice social distancing. Tatlo lang naman yon na ating tatandaan para makaiwas tayo sa COVID. And let’s not lose hope. Let’s learn how to cope. Hindi naman tayo bibigyan ng problema na hindi natin kaya,” she states.

“Likas naman sa ating mga Bulakenyo ang pagiging matulungin kaya magtulungan tayo ang keep the Bayanihan spirit within us. Darating ang panahon at malalagpasan din natin ito sa awa ng Diyos,” she adds.

Sanya said she is growing accustomed to the new normal.

“I still don’t leave the house puro work from home lang ang ginagawa ko na binibigay sa akin ng GMA and endorsements.

If I may count it mga three times

lang akong nakalabas, yung nagtaping ako for Wish Ko Lang and isa pang show,” she carries on.

And due to limited movements to prevent the prevent spread of COVID-19, Sanya has to forego travel plans for now.

“It’s sad because it’s really my dream to tour around and visit different places,” the actress shares noting Japan, Boracay, and Canada among the best places she’s been to so far.

“I enjoyed Japan because of its food. Favorite ko rin kasi ang ramen lalo na sa kanila is authentic talaga. I had a great bonding time with my brother (Jak Roberto) and Barbie (Forteza) dahil kasama ko sila noon.”

“I like my stay in Boracay because it was the first time that I was able to take a vacation after three years of working straight without any time to unwind.

After Encantadia ay nabigyan agad ako ng project ng GMA kaya medyo hindi ako nakapag-bakasyon. Nagandahan naman ako sa Canada although it was just a short visit. I also admire their being so disciplined,” she relates.

Sanya is optimistic that once the pandemic has passed, everything will be back to normal and will be better for her hometown and the country.

“This, too, shall pass and scything will go back to normal. Mabibisita ko pa rin yung mga lugar na di ko pa napupuntahan,” Sanya assures.

And who knows, one of her upcoming flights could be at the world-class airport in Bulacan.

LA BULAQUEÑA. Kapuso star Sanya Lopez is optimistic that despite the ongoing crisis, her province will be able to bounce back with a new gateway set to be built in Bulacan.

Make life more colorful with Camille Prats BEGINNING today, GMA Network brings moms and kids a more colorful morning via the new edu-tainment program Makulay ang Buhay that brings together music, storytelling, and other fun activities — all while educating children on food and nutrition.

Airing every Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. with replays every Saturday at 9:45 a.m., Makulay ang Buhay is hosted

by Camille Prats.

As a mother of three and an educator herself, Camille or “Mom C” brings to the program her experience in raising kids and teaching them about eating healthy.

“I was so happy when I learned about the project, I feel really grateful and excited. It’s been awhile since we had a show like this for children and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” Camille expresses her excitement for the new show.

In Makulay ang Buhay, she shares her new adventures with kid viewers and co-mommies, and at the same time learn together new things about food and nutrition. Mom C underscores the importance of having an edu-tain-

Camille Prats hosts a new edu-tainment show on GMA 7.

ment program like Makulay ang Buhay especially now.

“I really think the best way for kids to learn is by having fun. Makulay Ang Buhay is fun, interactive, and informative. Now is the perfect time

to have a show like this for kids since most of them are stuck at home and are not having physical classes. Let›s give them something fun to watch and at the same time encourage them to eat their greens because these days, nothing is more important than our health,” shares Camille.

Joining Camille are two lovable puppets: Benjie and his best friend dog Penpen. Benjie is a 9-year-old boy who is cheerful and just like other kids, is very curious and loves to play. Meanwhile, his friend Penpen is an Aspin pet dog of Mom C. Penpen loves to dance and knows a lot of trivia.

“It’s going to be fun, informative, and interactive,” Camille further says about the show. “Parents and their kids can watch it together and use the time to bond and teach their kids about what they have learned from the show. We have storytime that teaches values, easy recipes for moms, and interactive games for the whole family.

You guys are gonna love the adorable Penpen and Benjie.”

Makulay ang Buhay is produced in partnership with Knorr.

EXTRA INTERNATIONAL

Vanessa Kirby’s Venice win makes her Hollywood royalty VANESSA Kirby’s best actress win at the Venice film festival on Saturday confirms her ascension to Hollywood royalty after breaking through playing a real royal in Netflix’s The Crown.

The 32-year-old British star was the rebellious Princess Margaret, the British queen’s younger sister, in the streamer’s flagship series.

Kirby had two films vying for the Golden Lion in Venice, the lesbian love story The World to Come, and the tough drama Pieces of a Woman, for which she won the prize. Both made big demands on a woman that Variety called the “outstanding stage actress of her generation”.

Pieces of a Woman opens with Kirby in a jaw-dropping 25-minute childbirth scene, which was filmed in one shot.

The film was inspired by the grief the film’s Hungarian director Kornel Mundruczo and his screenwriter partner Kata Weber suffered when they lost their own child.

Kirby threw herself “really deep” into her first lead role in a movie, she told reporters. But she admitted trying to be true to the suffering of the women she talked to before the shoot was “really scary”, and she named and thanked them and their lost children in her acceptance speech.

As tears welled up in her eyes, she said she wanted to share the prize with all those parents “who have lost children... sometimes before even life began.”

“We can connect through our pain and heal through it,” she said. AFP

Kim Chiu’s star remains bright KAPAMILYA actress Kim Chiu is grateful that despite the shutdown of mother studio and the current pandemic, she still has projects to keep her afloat, so to speak.

Apart from her soap opera Love Thy Woman, which ended on a high note, she dominates the online world with her infamous “Bawal Lumabas” single and a dance cover of ITZY’s “Not Shy,” and has resumed shooting for her latest potboiler U Turn.

“I’m still able to do various things in the midst of the quarantine. Of course, there are things which are prohibited to do during this period but I’m thankful that I’m busy. There’s work, which is very important. I also found time to do things for my YouTube account,” she avers.

After the closure of ABS-CBN, some of its resident stars accepted offers from other networks, like TV 5. A few Kapamilya stars are still being wooed by other networks to sign up as their talents, and Kim was one of those.

“I did receive an offer but because of the fact that the Kapamilya network is still giving me assignments, I opt to remain with them. Well, I still have a contract with them in the first place,” she says adding that some people tell her not to close her doors to the possibility of doing shows for other stations.

Kim Chiu remains a relevant star despite network shutdown and ongoing pandemic.

“Of course, if you’ll ask me now if I can do it, my answer is a resounding ‘No!’ I just can’t do it. It’s awkward to see yourself appearing in other networks after everything that has happened to your mother studio. It’s a matter of debt of gratitude. ABS-CBN is the reason I have this kind of life now. The house that I go home to, the car that I use...it’s all because of ABS-CBN. I can’t turn my back just like that on my home studio,” she asserts.

Kim admits that 2020 is a challenging and unforgettable year for every Filipino.

“We haven’t reached the remainder of the year and yet, there are many developments. Our main goal for this year is to survive. There are lots of tragedies and unpleasant things that happened which we haven’t prepared for. We just need to survive them all,” she states.

Kim Chiu with Yam Concepcion in a trending scene from ‘Love Thy Woman.’

Vanessa Kirby made her name starring as Princess Margaret, the British queen’s younger sister, in ‘The Crown.’

*** Kapuso star Kyline Alcantara recently celebrated her 18th birthday sans the glitz and fanfare due to COVID-19.

In a recent interview, the young actress said that she was originally considering a grand debut party but because of the pandemic, she had to postpone it.

“Actually, during the initial months of COVID when we got quarantined, I was hoping that everything would end before my birthday this month. But as days went by, I just accepted that it’s impossible to push through with a huge celebration. The country is facing a serious health crisis. I

just didn’t harbor any negative emotion,” she says.

Instead, the GMA actress had a simple celebration. She went to Tagaytay with her family and some friends to have an intimate and private gathering.

Part of her birthday wish is to be able to face challenges and handle them well.

“I need to be extra responsible. I admit that I still have a long way to go in life. I still have to discover lots of lessons and insights. In the days to come, I promise to do my best and ask the Lord for guidance,” ends Kyline.

Life

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

C4

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Coping with ‘quarantine fatigue’ DOWN AND DRAINED.

By Monica Sanchez

Experts define ‘quarantine fatigue’ as exhaustion associated with the new restrictive lifestyle adopted to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

A

RTHUR, 28, has been cooped up in his apartment since quarantine measures were imposed on Metro Manila in March. He lives alone and works from home, only going out for quick grocery runs or any essential errands that can’t be done digitally.

“The first few months were relatively easy. I quickly adjusted to the situation, and, thank God for digital services, was able to create a micro world at home where everything is within my reach,” shares Arthur, who works for an international auditing firm.

While he considers himself luckier than many, he admits the long period of isolation and the need to adjust to this unfamiliar way of life have been recently taking a toll on his mental well-being which then extends to his physical health.

“Even though I’m mostly at home, I’ve been feeling down and exhausted lately; I can’t explain this feeling,” he relates.

“I’ve become more anxious, thinking about the future and what would happen in the next days or weeks or months.”

What Arthur and many have been going through lately is what experts call “quarantine fatigue.”

“Quarantine fatigue may look different from person to person, but overall, it’s defined as exhaustion associated with the new restrictive lifestyle that’s been adopted to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Luna Marques of Massachusetts General Hospital Community Psychiatry said in an article published on the in-

stitution’s website.

Symptoms, according to Dr. Marques, may include feeling tense, irritable, or anxious; changes in eating or sleeping habits; loss of motivation or reduced productivity; racing thoughts; interpersonal conflict; and social withdrawal.

The Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC), led by its director El Anelio Barnachea, MA, RGC, in partnership with vice president for Lasallian Mission and Student Life Neil Pariñas, notes that this “gloomy weariness” may attack in different ways in varying intensities.

To help in coping with q u a r-

antine fatigue, the BWC offers the fol- the future is unclear, undefined, and lowing tips. uncertain. This may include sleeping and waking at the same hour every day, Understand the difference eating nutritious food, and engaging in physical activities all while practicing between wants and needs According to the well-being center, mindfulness. the first step toward healing is to underTo uplift mood, explore outdoors ocstand and acknowledge the difference casionally and safely to soak up some between wants and needs, and placing sunlight and change the scenery. more importance to what’s essential.

“It is important to prioritize the basic Acknowledge and validate needs such as food, water, shelter, clothnegative feelings ing, sleep, safety, and support. If you People may push away fears, anxieare struggling with meeting your basic ties, frustrations, helplessness, sadness, needs, reach out for help.” and powerlessness in their efforts to cope, but experts say it’s better to acExplore your wants knowledge them and harness them in Once the foundational needs are met, productive ways.

BWC recommends moving on to the “We must acknowledge, accept, and things “that you want to accomplish such consider sharing them with family, as to read books, cultivate new skill sets, friends, partners, or professionals. One engage in hobbies such as baking, garden- can maintain a daily or weekly jouring, art, or even learn a new language.” nal to note down and express feelings, Pursuing education and growth amid which can be reflected on at the end of the quarantine helps break the danger- the week.” ously boring monotony of everyday life.

Maintain a routine A routine serves as an anchor when

rewards can also be helpful, providing an immediate sense of purpose and accomplishment, according to experts.

“Identify something within your control such as completing simple projects, de-cluttering a drawer or some documents, or finishing a chapter in a book.”

Practice new forms of self-care Extra unstructured time provides a chance to explore different self-care habits. “This is the perfect opportunity to try the activities you’ve always wanted to do such as indulging in a healthier diet, daily exercises, or skin care routines.”

Consider making time for therapy

Feel free to seek help from a professional. However, if office appointments are not available, BWC recommends online or telephone sessions.

“This is a very good time to understand yourself more deeply, learn how Seek short-term rewards by to control and recognize your emotions. These will equip us to eventusetting manageable goals Instant gratification from short-term ally grow as a person.”

GOING GREEN

Mall promotes biking with infrastructures, facilities s may oomy wearines The feeling of gl nt ways in varying attack in differe may be feeling ever one ns inte ities; how valid in its own right. is

BIKING’S health and environmental benefits have long been established, but it was only when public transportation has been limited during the quarantine that its value was finally noted.

With bicycles now more widely used, SM Supermalls, through SM Cares, goes beyond delegating bike lanes as it creates infrastructures and facilities to provide safety and convenience to bike commuters and enthusiasts.

The Bike-Friendly SM initiative has rolled out at SM Mall of Asia this September, and across all SM malls nationwide in the coming months.

“By transforming our malls into bike-friendly establishments, we hope to support inclusive and safe mobility, and promote a culture of cycling,” says SM Engineering, Design, and Development president Hans Sy Jr., who conceptualized and spearheads the project.

According to Sy, “It is part of a comprehensive plan to make communities where SM malls are located, more inclusive, livable, and sustainable.”

Through this initiative, SM will build a connected network of bike lanes on all roads in the MOA Complex stretching up to 18 kilometers, including a dedicated bike lane along J.W. Diokno Boulevard. Future plans consist of connecting SM’s network of bicycle lanes to major roads in the metro.

SM plans to build a connected network of bike lanes on all roads in the Mall of Asia Complex, stretching up to 18 kilometers.

MOA Complex’s bicycle lanes feature clearly visible bike-centric road signs to provide riders and motorists easy and orderly routing within the Complex. SM’s road signage is based on National Association of City Trans-

portation Officials US Standards implemented by member cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. In addition, SM will enhance its bike parking capacity by 50 percent, with additional bike racks and new streetlevel bike parking zones steps away from mall and shop entrances.

Repair stations will be installed in strategic locations to assist the pedaling public in their emergencies and maintenance. Each station will be equipped with a bike stand, floor pump, and essential tools customers can use for free.

Bikers can leave their helmets at the helmet depository located at Ocean Drive, while riding essentials such as bike tubes, lights/blinkers, bike locks, repair kits, tire patch kits, and more are available at “bike vendo machines.” A separate vending machine for hydration and energy snacks will also be available.

“We have designed our bike facilities to be enjoyed by all members of the community across all ages and biking abilities, whether it be for utilitarian or recreational purposes,” adds Sy. In addition to bike infrastructures, SM will spearhead information sessions on road safety, first-aid, basic bike repair, and biker and motorist etiquette in partnership with biking communities.

Barley Max is made of pure, natural, and organic barley sourced from New Zealand.

Vitamin C in barley ONE of the rich sources of vitamin C, which fights bacterial infections and strengthens the immune system, is barley, said a brand of barleybased products.

According to Barley Max, nutrientrich young barley grass provides energy, stamina, strength, and immunity-boosting vitamins. “It contains so much vitamin C that the barley grass

drink is said to have close to seven times the vitamin C in oranges.”

Barley Max is made of pure, natural, and organic New Zealand barley.

Handy and convenient to use anywhere and anytime, each sachet or capsule contains pure barley grass powder.

Barley Max is available at Mercury Drug and Watsons nationwide. Call 0917-564-2233 to order.

Street-level bike parking zone and bike racks for cyclists.

Vending machines offering a range of essential bike supplies and gear, as well as snacks.