Manila Standard - 2020 December 4 - Friday

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FDA raises vaccine hopes ‘Doses may be ready for distribution by March at the earliest’

By Willie Casas

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VACCINE against COVID-19 may be available in the Philippines by as early as March 2021 following recent developments abroad, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo said Thursday.

Domingo made the projection at a Palace briefing a day after the UK approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use.

Domingo said there is information that the US FDA is also gearing toward the

issuance of emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna within two weeks.

He said if the drug companies applied here in January, they could be Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 273 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody ponders truce with Reds; AFP hawkish

WAR ON DRUGS.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte (left) oversees the destruction of illegal drugs in a ceremony at the Integrated Waste Management in Trece Martires City, Cavite on December 3, 2020. He is assisted by PDEA director-general Wilkins Villanueva and other officials.

The illegal drugs are destroyed in a pyrolysis machine in compliance with the President’s directive to immediately destroy confiscated drugs to prevent unscrupulous people from stealing and recycling them. RTVM screen grab

By Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

Gov’t managers forecast deeper GDP decline

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will give much weight to the military’s recommendation against a holiday truce with the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

In a press briefing from Palawan, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that although Duterte would take into account the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Roque said the decision remains with Duterte as the AFP’s commander-in-chief.

By Julito G. Rada THE interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee on Thursday revised its gross domestic product contraction target this year to a range of -8.5 to -9.5 percent, deeper from the previous estimate of -5.5 percent, taking into account the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council is composed of the secretaries of the Department of Finance,

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COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM DECEMBER 4)

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Unemployment rate eases to 8.7%; recovery signs—Neda

By Julito G. Rada

THE unemployment rate in the country improved to 8.7 percent in October from 10 percent in July and 17.6 percent in April as the government allowed more economic activities to resume despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Philip-

pine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

Economic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Karl Kendrick Chua said the latest results of the quarterly Labor Force Survey showed further signs of recovery.

“This improvement in the unemploy-

ment rate was driven by the reopening of the economy and it could have been lower if the economy were opened further, coupled with the provision of safe and sufficient public transport,” Chua said in a statement.

The PSA said about 3.8 million Filipinos were unemployed in October, down

from 4.57 million in July and 7.23 million in April. However, it was higher than the 2 million jobless individuals in October 2019 when the unemployment rate settled at 4.6 percent.

He said that while there were 800,000 fewer unemployed workers in October Next page

435,413 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,061 27,642 NEW

ACTIVE

8,446

10

399,325

328

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Mayors to parents: Keep kids away from malls or be penalized

By Joel E. Zurbano, Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas PARENTS and mall owners have been warned: They will be penalized if they allow children going inside shopping malls during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority made the warning Thursday after the 17 mayors in the National Capital Re-

gion finally decided not to allow persons aged 17 years old and below to go outdoors, including shopping malls, during the pandemic.

“There are corresponding penalties and it depends on the ordinance of the local government units,” said MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. Garcia reminded both the mall owners

LOCAL ROUNDUP

JOB PROSPECTS. Hundred of jobseekers flock to a pre-pandemic Job Fair organized

by several government agencies in this file photo. The Philippine Statistics Office says the unemployment rate has improved to 8.7 percent based on October data, compared to 10% in July and 17.6% in April, meaning more people have landed jobs as economic activities resume amid the coronavirus crisis.

Prison gangs remove tattoos to curb violence

By Ron Lopez

PRISON ART. An artist removes a tattoo of an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison in Manila in this file photo taken on Nov. 23, 2020. Prisoners use improvised tattooing machines to cover up symbols identifying their gang affiliation in an effort by NBP officials to curb jail violence. AFP

HEAVILY tattooed Philippine prisoners wince in pain as fellow inmates use improvised tattooing machines to cover up gang symbols – an effort to reduce jail violence that skeptics say is only skin-deep.

Deadly clashes between rival clans are common in the country’s notoriously overcrowded and under-resourced jails, where belonging to a gang can be a lifeline to food, medicine and protection.

Conditions inside prisons have worsened under President Rodrigo Duterte, whose anti-narcotics crackdown has sent thousands of people to jails already several times over their capacity.

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Virus pandemic helping drive a spike in online child sex abuse OUT-of-school kids and adult predators spending more time at home and on the internet during the coronavirus pandemic is the “perfect storm” driving a spike in online child sex abuse around the world, activists and police say.

From slums in the Philippines to Australia’s suburbs, the cross-border crime has mushroomed as offenders take advantage of school closures and lockdowns to reach children – either

in person or via social media, gaming sites and the dark web.

In Australia, federal police received more than 21,000 reports of child sex abuse in the 12 months to June 30, an increase of over 7,000 cases on the previous year.

Their investigators also recorded a 136 percent increase in online child sex exploitation material.

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PACQUIAO AS PDP-LABAN CHIEF

Shun all forms of corruption

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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DP-Laban Acting President Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who called on partymates to shun all forms of corruption, stressed they were not beholden to big businesses, foreign entities, nor vested interests, but only to the Filipino people.

“The corrupt officials are our enemy.

What they steal we even have as debt.

It is sad that millions of our countrymen are starving, falling sick, and losing hope while billions are being stolen by some people in the government,” ” lamented Pacquiao.

Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he “passed on the practical day-to-day leadership of the party to one with new modern ideas, and one who has the time, energy, and boldness to prepare the party for the 2022 national and local elections.”

He opted to relinquish his post from the party that was founded by his father, the late Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. so he could focus working in the background to further strengthen the party and focus on helping push for Duterte’s

legislative agenda.

Through Pacquiao, Pimentel who will now serve as the party’s executive vice-chairman, is confident that the PDP-Laban will continue to be the dominant party even after 2022.

After formally accepting Wednesday night the invitation for him to lead PDP-Laban, Pacquiao vowed to harness the administration’s party’s immense power and influence to fight corruption which he blames as root cause of poverty in the country.

Pacquiao promised to further strengthen the administration party while upholding PDP-Laban’s five guiding principles which are theism, authentic humanism, enlightened nationalism, democratic socialism and consultative participatory democracy.

“We are here to fight for the poor, the jobless, the homeless, the voiceless and the hopeless. This is what the PDP-Laban under Manny Pacquiao will stand for,” Pacquiao told the PDP-Laban members after accepting the invitation to lead the party.

Speaking before PDP-Laban members through a “hybrid” fellowship night at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Pacquiao said that to achieve these goals, the PDP-Laban must heed President Rodrigo

Duterte’s call for a more aggressive stance against corruption which he described as “a cancer that has tormented our government for generations.”

He said that members must lead by example by shunning all forms of corruption.

“I am very enraged with corrupt officials and also, corrupt government workers. They steal public funds intended for the government’s programs and projects which can help our people,” Paquaio said.

Rody...

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Food prices worldwide surge to six-year high

“He will listen to the recommendation, but ultimately it’s only the President who will decide,” he said.

In a press statement on Thursday, AFP spokesperson Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the AFP is not inclined to recommend a truce with CPP-NPA, noting that rebels had shown insincerity in previous ceasefire agreements.

Arevalo pointed out that the ceasefire period was just being used by the NPA to continue attacking and killing government troops and civilians.

There were cases in the past that the CPP-NPA reneged from their own ceasefire declaration, he said.

Quoting National Democratic Front of the Philippines negotiator Luis Jalandoni, Arevalo said the CPP-NPA will only seek peace talks to give themselves the chance to regroup, refurbish, recruit new members, and recoup their losses.

“Luis Jalandoni, an NDF (National Democratic Front) negotiator, boldly declared that they push for peace negotiations not really to bring about tranquility, but to pursue armed struggle. They broker peace covenants as a means to an end which is to overthrow the government,” he said.

He said the AFP will not allow the CPP-NPA to trample upon people’s desire for peace, especially during the holiday season.

However, he said the AFP will respect the President’s decision.

Malacañang on Thursday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure the welfare of the child of Amanda Echanis, who was arrested in Cagayan on Wednesday for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Police earlier said Echanis, the daughter of slain Anakpawis chairman Randy Echanis, had insisted on bringing her baby with her, contrary to the claim of some groups that her child was also arrested.

“I’m calling upon the DSWD to take steps to ensure that the welfare of the child will be protected, Roque said.

Police Regional Office II spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Andree Abella said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is coordinating with the DSWD regarding the arrangements for Echanis’ month-old baby.

Roque was reacting to a question on how the government would prevent Echanis’ baby from suffering the same fate as that of the daughter f detained activist Reina Mae Nasino.

Nasino had tried to get the court’s permission to visit her sick child at the hospital, but three-month-old River died on Oct. 9 of pneumonia before the judge could act on the motion.

Virus...

From A1 “Some of those dark web sites are actually crashing because they’re not coping with the amount of traffic,” Australian Federal Police detective superintendent Paula Hudson said.

She said police “directly attribute” the “incredible influx” to offenders and

Gov’t managers...

From A1 Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

But DBCC expects GDP to bounce back by 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth next year and 8 to 10 percent expansion in 2022.

In a joint statement issued to the media early evening of Thursday, DBCC said the deeper contraction

PNP looks into health protocol ‘violations’ THE Philippine National Police on Thursday said its probe on the alleged violations of health protocols by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao was expected to be completed next week.

PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the results of the investigation would then be submitted to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“I have set a deadline until Monday next week so we can forward the recommendations to Secretary Año so that he would see the results of the inquiry and the investigation conducted by our PNP commanders,” Sinas said in a television interview on Thursday.

Recently, Año directed the PNP to investigate Roque and Pacquiao after the events that they attended drew a large crowd, which violated quarantine protocols.

It was not clear where and when Pacquiao violated health protocols.

Large gatherings are currently prohibited under guidelines of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

On Tuesday, Roque slammed the supposed “unfair” coverage of some media outlets after netizens criticized his attendance in an event in Cebu province, which drew in a large crowd while failing to observe physical distancing.

In a press conference, Roque said he was resentful because media outlets were quick to point out how he was surrounded by crowds but seemingly ignored how Vice President Leni Robredo herself would even shake hands with individuals she would meet in relief operations and other activities.

GLOBAL food commodity prices rose sharply in November to their highest level in nearly six years, the UN food agency said Thursday, due in part to adverse weather conditions.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said prices of the most globally traded foodstuffs were up across the board, putting extra pressure in particular on 45 countries that need outside help feeding their populations.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 105 points during the month, up 3.9 percent from October and 6.5 percent from a year earlier.

“The monthly increase was the sharp-

est since July 2012, putting the index at its highest level since December 2014,” the Rome-based agency said.

The biggest rise was in the vegetable oil price index, which jumped 14.5 percent because of low palm oil stocks.

The cereal price index rose 2.5 percent from October – making it nearly 20 percent higher than a year ago.

Wheat export prices were also up, because of reduced harvest prospects in Argentina, as were maize prices, with lower output expectations in the US and Ukraine and large purchases by China, the FAO said.

The sugar price index was up 3.3 per-

cent month-on-month amid “growing expectations of a global production shortfall” as bad weather sparked weaker crop prospects in the EU, Russia and Thailand.

Dairy prices also rose 0.9 percent to near an 18-month high, in part because of a boom in sales in Europe. Meat prices were up 0.9 percent from October, but significantly down on a year ago, the report said.

The increase in prices is an extra burden for those who saw their income fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which the FAO said is proving to be “an important driver of the levels of global food insecurity.” AFP

FDA...

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Research and Development (PCHRD) said FDA approval of a drug or vaccine can be expected in 40 days or less now that it is allowed to issue an EUA. He added that the process will also be faster for drugs or vaccines that have been given EUA in other countries.

On Wednesday, Malacañang announced that President Rodrigo Duterte, through Executive Order 121, has allowed the FDA to issue an EUA for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

The Philippines hopes to acquire vaccines developed by the United States, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Domingo said the government would not force people to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and said persons would only be inoculated after full disclosure of the vaccine’s potential risks and potential benefits.

“You can’t be forced into it and this is not compulsory,” Domingo said in Filipino.

But to allay fears about the vaccines, which are seen to help turn the tide of the global pandemic, Domingo assured the public they would not compromise their safety.

“We would like to assure the public we take it very seriously. We will make sure that the benefits will outweigh the risk more than anything before giving the emergency use authorization for any vaccine,” he said.

To bolster public confidence, the Department of Health (DOH) is set to hold an education campaign about the vaccines to allow the public to make an informed decision, Domingo said.

The Department of Health (DOH), meanwhile, said it will identify the priority areas where COVID-19 vaccines developed by British firm AstraZeneca and Oxford University will be administered, the agency said.

“Since this would be a tripartite agreement and the EUA (emergency use authorization) will be issued by the [Philippine] government, the allocation framework that the companies would follow would be the one prescribed by the Department of Health,” the DOH said.

Earlier, the government and private companies signed an agreement with AstraZeneca for the acquisition of 2.6 million doses of the drug manufacturer’s COVID-19 vaccines.

Under the deal, 50 percent of the vaccines will be distributed to areas identified by the DOH. The remaining half will be given to geographical areas or sectors identified by the private firms that purchased the vaccine.

The Palace said Thursday that the President will attend a virtual session of the 31st special session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the COVID-19 pandemic from Dec. 3 to 4.

and the LGUs of their responsibility to ensure that no minors would be allowed to go inside their establishments and other outdoor areas.

“The responsibility will be on the mall owners. If you remember recently there were establishments that have been warned and in fact, a golf course has been closed.”

Garcia said parents allowing their children to go outdoors will also be held liable depending on the ordinance

set by the LGUs. “There will be no more new ordinance to make because there are already existing rules that allow only 18 to 65 years old, except for essentials,” he said.

Garcia said the Metro mayors, through the Metro Manila Council, unanimously agreed to the recommendation of Philippine Pediatrics Society and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines to disallow the entry of minors to commercial establishments and other outdoor areas such as shopping malls.

“Because of having high immune system, pediatrics experts said that minors who are

infected of COVID-19 are usually asymptomatic carriers of the virus. They might be transmitting the virus unknowingly, especially to those vulnerable,” said Garcia.

children spending more time at home because of lockdowns and school closures, with youngsters often left unsupervised as parents juggle work and care responsibilities.

“COVID-19 lockdowns created the perfect storm for increases in online sexual exploitation of children,” explained John Tanagho of the International Justice Mission in Manila.

The Philippine government saw a 260

percent increase in reports of online child abuse materials from March to May – when the country was in a strict lockdown, UNICEF said.

Investigators are even “seeing COVID-specific child exploitation forums where (offenders) are discussing the opportunities that have arisen during the Covid period”, Hudson revealed, including one with 1,000 members.

Online sexual exploitation of children

is a “crime of opportunity” driven by demand from sex offenders, said Tanagho.

The abuse is often repeated regularly to create new material.

With jobs and income lost and more time spent at home as a result of strict virus measures, in the Philippines many of the victims are first abused by their own parents, who livestream the sexual violence for predators in wealthy Western nations. AFP

compared to the July survey, the labor force participation rate declined to 58.7 percent in October from 61.9 percent in July, resulting in a net employment reduction during the period.

The PSA said the lower labor force participation was led by a number of factors, including higher remittances and the opening of school with parents shifting from work to accompanying younger children in blended learning from home.

“The country was also hit by a succession of four typhoons in October alongside the monsoon and La Niña, resulting in significant employment loss in agriculture,” Chua said.

NEDA said that in the latter half of October, the country was hit by a string of destructive typhoons that reduced agriculture employment by 1.1 million, or about 70 percent of the 1.5 million jobs lost between July and October 2020.

Workers in the provinces also faced difficulty in returning to work given the inter-province transport restrictions, which contributed to the 500,000 jobs lost in the industry sector.

The employment loss was tempered by the services sector, which recorded a gain of 300,000 in employment relative to July 2020, as it benefitted from the increased operational capacity and further relaxation of quarantine restrictions.

Meanwhile, the underemployment rate improved to 14.4 percent in October from 17.3 percent in July and 18.9 percent in April.

“Decreasing underemployment means that the quality of jobs is improving. This proximity to normalcy means that the informal sector is performing and the impact on poverty may be less severe than initially estimated,” Chua said.

Chua cited the Senate’s recent approval of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises bill which would provide relief especially for MSMEs which comprise 99 percent of firms in the Philippines and employ about 60 percent of working Filipinos. With Joel E. Zurbano

“When inmates belong to a group or a gang, they have a sense of security,” said Gabriel Chaclag, spokesman for the Bureau of Corrections, who insisted the program that started in October was voluntary.

“But on the other hand, if you joined a gang that does bad things, you will also be a target of their rival gang.”

At Manila’s New Bilibid Prison – the country’s largest, with more than 28,000 inmates squeezed into a complex designed for about 6,000 – the vast majority of prisoners belong to a gang.

Bare-chested convicts wearing disposable masks sit on white plastic

chairs in the visiting room as other inmates draw thick black crosses over their gang symbols.

A sound like a dentist’s drill can be heard as the five amateur tattooists use confiscated devices to destroy what may have been their own original handiwork.

“Before, you had to help your fellow gang member when they were in a fight but not anymore,” said Mark, a convicted murderer, whose real name could not be used.

He joined the Batang Mindanao (Children of Mindanao) gang when he entered the prison this year. AFP

given emergency use authorization, a move that would improve the chances of having a vaccine ready for distribution by March.

He said this could even be as early as January, but this would depend on how soon the companies could ramp up production and when they would be able to allocate doses for the Philippines.

Domingo said if companies applied for an EUA, the FDA would be able to render a decision within 21 to 28 days.

He added that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine stands a good chance of securing an EUA in the Philippines if it applies for one.

He said the FDA’s counterpart in the United Kingdom, which granted an EUA to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, was a stringent regulatory authority that had thoroughly examined all the data.

Still, he said his agency would want information on the vaccine’s stability in a tropical environment.

He said they would also want to know if there were enough Asians or Filipinos among their test subjects to gauge the drug’s safety and efficacy on different ethnic groups.

In a separate interview, Dr. Jaime Montoya of the Philippine Council for Health

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target for this year was triggered by the “prolonged imposition of community quarantines in various regions of the country.”

“We have revised macroeconomic assumptions and targets to take into account recent positive developments that will help propel the economy to a strong recovery starting 2021. These developments include the better-thanexpected performance of the main revenue collections agencies, improvements in the employment situation, and the likely passage of key economic recovery bills,” DBCC said.

Prison...

From A1 Prisoners who join a gang get inked inside their congested cells, leaving them with a distinctive design signalling their solidarity.

Authorities hope that defacing these markings will stop inmates from being dragged into cellblock wars and strip them of loyalty to a particular group, making it harder for leaders to mobilize their network of followers to riot or trade in drugs.

‘Good decision’

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año commended the Metro Manila mayors’ decision, saying “I commend and I appreciate the NCR mayors for not allowing minors outside, they were the ones who brought up the idea so I said you come up with a decision, it should be uniform, you should only have one voice,” he told reporters in a phone interview.

Unemployment...

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‘Institutionalize Writ of Kalayaan’ Rey E. Requejo

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HE relatives and friends of political detainees on Thursday asked Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta to institutionalize what they called the “Writ of Kalayaan” that was previously proposed by Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen as a measure to address jail congestion in the country, and make it his legacy before he retires from the judiciary next year.

Bureau of Customs—Port of NAIA, in coordination with the Environment Protection Compliance Division of the Bureau of Customs, intercepted three packages weighing 28 kilos of Agarwood with an estimated street value of P2.4 million in a Fedex warehouse in Pasay City.

Expensive wood, cigarettes intercepted by Customs men

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano THE Bureau of Customs has intercepted 28 kilos of the world’s most expensive wood, the Agarwood worth P2.4 million in a Fedex warehouse in Pasay City.

Agarwood is classified as an Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, according to NAIA District Collector Carmelita Tuazon.

Meanwhile, the agency has also seized a truckload of smuggled cigarettes worth P3.5 million about to be delivered in Pawak village in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur. In a statement, the bureau said combined elements of Customs and PNP Lanao del Sur were conducting a routine quarantine control checkpoint when the truck driver failed to present their quarantine pass and medical cer-

tificates. Inspection revealed the cigarettes.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Agarwood is a resin valued for its distinctive fragrance. It is formed when the host tree becomes infected with a mold called Phialophoraparasitica.

The mold infection makes the tree produce a dark aromatic resin called aloes or aga in its heartwood. The fragrant resin is used to make incense, perfume and medicinal products particularly in the Middle East and Asia.

The DENR says the selling of agarwood or lapnisan is illegal in the Philippines. It is found only in the heart of the jungles in Mindanao and the Visayas. Foreigners are said to hike in remote villages in the country seeking to find the rare tree.

Agents seize P4.8 million worth of shabu in Angeles

By Jess Malabanan ANGELES CITY—Anti-narcotics agents arrested two traffickers in separate buy-bust operations in Balibago here late Wednesday night.

The suspects were identified as Jayson Crisostomo, 27, of Navotas City in Metro Manila whose base of operations include Tarlac and Pampanga, and Nihaya Salomabao, both high-value targets of the Central Luzon police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Crisostomo was arrested by PDEA3 agents along MacArthur Highway of in Balibago. He was about to meet a poseur buyer whom he agreed to meet there.

A paper bag carrying 500 grams of methamphetamine hydrochlo-

ride with an estimated street value of P3.4 million was confiscated from the suspect’s possession.

Salomabao was collared by agants of the Angeles City Drug Enforcement Unit shortly after the suspect handed illegal drugs to an undercover cop.

The suspect yielded 200 grams of shabu worth P1.360 million.

Crisostomo was brought to PDEA3 headquarters while Salomabao was taken to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) headquarters for further investigation.

Earlier on that day, the Pampanga Police arrested two suspected illegal drug traffickers during an operation in Bacolor town.

Operatives confiscated 200 grams from the suspects’ possession.

US official praises story of Filipino heroes, veterans US EMBASSY Deputy Chief of Mission John Law lauded the publication of the book Twilight Glory: A Tribute to Filipino Heroes and Veterans which was recently launched on National Heroes’ Day. In a video message, Deputy Chief of Mission Law said the book serves as a testament to the heroism and legacy of the Filipino veterans.

Twilight Glory is the story of the Filipino nation, chronicling the most significant events in the country’s history from the Spanish colonization to the present times.

More importantly, as the title carries, it is intended for the Filipino heroes and veterans who continue to fight for benefits and recognition not only in the Philip-

pines but also in the United States, highlighting the decades-old Philippine-American relations. The number of Filipino veterans is dwindling and it is high time that a book was dedicated to them to call attention to their plight.

Law congratulated book authors PVAO Administrator Ernesto Carolina, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil and Author-Publisher Melandrew T. Velasco for the inspiring and fascinating coffee table book.

“Our countries’ friendship is reinforced and refreshed when our soldiers became brothers in World War II fighting side by side against the common enemy,” he said as he acknowledged Filipino veterans’ profound love of country.

The appeal was contained in a letter sent to Peralta by the members of Kapatid, an organization of relatives and friends of political detainees.

Kapatid’s spokesperson Fides Lim said the Writ of Kalayaan would provide an extraordinary legal remedy grounded on social justice and humanity to address the congestion in the prison system amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lim, the wife of detained National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Vicente “Vic” Ladlad, said institutionalizing the writ of kalayaan would serve as the “lasting legacy of the Peralta Court” before his early retirement on March 2021.

“While we were upset by the Court’s remanding of our petition for the humanitarian release of at-risk prisoners during the pandemic, because this would mean another extremely long, arduous wait for us, the writ of kalayaan gives us hope that not all is lost especially for those of us with elderly and very sick kin saddled

with numerous manufactured cases that may outlast them beyond the grave,” the group said in the letter.

“We only seek justice and we appeal to your sense of compassion and sensitivity to urgently address the subhuman conditions in Philippine jails that have become systemic problems.”

The writ of kalayaan was proposed by Leonen in his separate opinion on the high court decision on the appeal of Ladlad and more than two dozen political detainees to be temporarily released on the ground that their medical condition and age made them vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

Among those who signed the petition last April was Reina Mae Nasino, who was detained at the Manila City Jail female dormitory.

Nasino gave birth last July but her baby died last October after her pleas first to allow her to care for her baby inside the jail and to visit her at the hospital was denied by the Manila regional trial court.

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lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

Tingog helps 100 residents of Marikina

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BOUT 100 residents of Marikina City have benefitted from a cash-for-work program mobilized by Tingog party-list that allowed them to clean their communities of mud and debris on the streets due to the flooding caused by Typhoon “Ulysses.”

The Marikina residents, mostly from Barangay Malanday, earned P3,000 each for a three-day clearing operation initiated by Tingog volunteers last month in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Barangay Malanday was one of the communities inundated

by Typhoon Ulysses, which left three people dead in Marikina last month.

“Our volunteers in Marikina identified the communities that needed help badly after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

Thanks to the cash-for-work program of the DSWD, we were able to mobilize residents who qualified as beneficiaries,” said Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez.

“These beneficiaries were the ones who cleared their communities of mud and debris, and they managed to wrap up the operations in three days’ time.

Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez

For their work, these residents were each given P1,000 allowance per day,” Romualdez explained.

Tingog’s clearing operation in Marikina has convinced Romualdez of the need for Congress to allocate more funds in the 2021 national budget for DSWD’s Risk Resiliency Program – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM) – Disaster Risk Reduction.

Local biz among Manila’s priorities too, Isko assures

By Willie Casas HELPING severely affected local businesses in the nation’s capital is among the Manila City government’s priorities on top of the efforts to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso assured the public Thursday.

Domagoso made the assurance to entrepreneurs and big business owners during the launch of the “Paskuhan sa Maynila” Christmas village and bazaar as the capital city begins to celebrate the pandemic-stricken holiday season.

With the help of the Manila City Bureau of Permits, the Mayor stressed that the city government will do its best to support businesses by launching initiatives that will stimulate the economy and boost consumer confidence.

“Ang inyong Pamahalaang Lungsod, through the leadership of Director Levi Facundo, has been engaging our business community in the City of Manila na kami ang maging tulay man lamang na sila ay makatawid sa kabilang dako ng dalampasigan kung saan may naghihintay na magandang bukas rin para sa ating lahat,” Domagoso said.

“If we’re going to be successful later on to help for these businesses to survive, then naturally we continue to protect the interest of employees who lost their jobs,” he added.

QC leptospirosis cases drop 83%

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City has recorded an 83 percent drop in leptospirosis cases, but officials continued to urge citizens to remain wary of the disease.

Despite the drop in leptospirosis cases in the first 11 months of 2020, the city government called on the residents to remain cautious and seek consultation if they experience any symptoms of the disease.

Based on the report from the city’s health department, 58 leptospirosis cases with three deaths were recorded from Jan. 1 to Nov. 21, or an 83 percent drop from the 345 cases re-

corded during the same period in 2019.

Dr. Rolando Cruz, City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit head, said the 83 percent decline is credited to the aggressive prevention campaign and the urgent medical attention given to responders and communities affected by recent typhoons and flooding.

“We immediately gave antibiotics such as doxycycline to our responders and citizens who were exposed to contaminated floodwaters. Thankfully, we were able to control the disease so far, and we hope to maintain this until the end of the year,” he said.

Caloocan files petition vs. CDI firm THE City Government of Caloocan has filed a petition to restrain Araneta-owned firm Carmel Development Inc. (CDI) from digging and dumping of soil in a creek inside Pangarap Village, which resulted to deep-waist flood and damage to houses amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, City Environmental Management Department (CEMD) head Engr. Jay Bernardo, Barangay 181 chair Bernardo Quiboy and Barangay 182 chair Rowel Brin, filed a petition for a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary/mandatory injunction on Nov. 23, 2020 before the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court.

In the petition, they said: “CDI’s illegal act of obstructing and impeding the natural flow of water in the creek appears intended for no reason but for the malevolent purpose of flooding the nearby residential community, imperiling the life and safety, and inflicting injury to, and damage to property of more than 34,000 hapless Pangarap residents.” Jun David

Opinion Small claim actions

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

Unlike an ordinary civil action which is commenced by filing a formal complaint with the assistance of a lawyer, the small claims action may be commenced without or with limited assistance of a lawyer.

The court submissions like the Statement of Claim (Complaint) and the Response DO YOU have a friend, neighbor or of- (Answer) are in the forms provided in the fice mate who has approached you for Rules on Small Claims which can be aca loan? They give us reasons such as an complished by the parties themselves.

The verified Statement of Claim must urgent need to pay for an amortization of a house or a car, meet the tuition dead- have two duly certified photocopies of line of a child, meet a deadline for a good the actionable document, as well as the investment, meet unforeseen business affidavits of witnesses and other evidence to support the claim. The actionreverses, or address cash flow problems.

After loaning the amount, you call the able document is the source or basis of borrower to remind him to return it, but the claim or obligation to pay like promhe does not answer your phone calls. Nor issory notes, loan agreements, lease concan he be reached. You learn that he has tracts, service contracts, or sales contracts changed his address without informing (Section 6, Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases). you. You want to be It is imperative for paid but you do not the plaintiff or claimwant to seek the assisant lending company tance of a lawyer. For They are or bank to allege in you, engaging the seran inexpensive the Statement of Claim vices of a lawyer to colthat it is engaged in the lect your money will be remedy business of lending, an additional expense. banking and similar Knowledge of the activities including the Rules of Procedure number of small claims for Small Claims Cases (Rules on Small Claims) may help cases filed within the calendar year. No you with your collection problems. The evidence shall be allowed during the Rules is an effective tool in providing a hearing which was not attached to or simplified and inexpensive recourse for submitted together with the Statement of litigants to assert their small claims. The Claim (Section 6, Rules of Procedure for Rules were drafted to protect and ad- Small Claims Cases).

The court may, from an examination of vance the constitutional rights of persons to a speedy disposition of their cases, and the allegations of the Statement of Claim to introduce innovations and best practic- and the attached evidence, dismiss the es for the benefit of the underprivileged case outright. The order of dismissal shall (Section 3, Rules of Procedure for Small state if it is with or without prejudice.

Further, if the plaintiff misrepresents not Claims Cases).

The Rules on Small Claims shall gov- to be engaged in the business of banking ern the procedure for recovery of money or lending, the case shall be dismissed where the value of the claim does not ex- with prejudice and the plaintiff shall be ceed three hundred thousand pesos out- meted the appropriate sanctions, such side of Metro Manila and four hundred as direct contempt (Section 11, Rules of thousand pesos in Metro Manila exclu- Procedure for Small Claims Cases).

Once the defendant receives the sumsive of interest and costs (OCA Circular No. 45-2019). The action shall be filed mons and the Statement of Claim, a before the Metropolitan Trial Courts and verified Response must be filed within a Municipal Trial Courts (Section 2, Rules non-extendible period of ten (10) days.

The Response shall be accompanied by of Procedure for Small Claims Cases).

The actions covered by the Rules on certified photocopies of documents, as Small Claims are purely civil in nature well as affidavits of witnesses and other where the claim or relief sought by the evidence. No evidence shall be allowed plaintiff is solely for payment or reim- during the hearing which was not atbursement of a sum of money. The claim tached to or submitted together with the or demand may be for money owed un- Response (Section 13, Rules of Proceder any of the following: (a) Contract of dure for Small Claims Cases).

Should the defendant fail to file a ReLease; (b) Contract of Loan; (c) Contract of Services; (d) Contract of Sale; or (e) sponse within the required period, and Contract of Mortgage (Section 5, Rules likewise fail to appear on the date set for hearing, the court shall render judgment of Procedure for Small Claims Cases).

Also covered are claims for liquidat- on the same day. The defendant who ed damages arising from contracts, and fails to file a Response but appears on the enforcement of an amicable barangay date set for the hearing may offer his desettlement or an arbitration award in- fenses in court which shall constitute the volving a money claim covered by this Response, and the court shall proceed to Rule pursuant to Sec. 417 of Republic hear or adjudicate the case on the same Act 7160, otherwise known as The Local day as if a Response has been filed (SecGovernment Code of 1991. The Rules tion 14, Rules of Procedure for Small has excluded the civil aspect arising from Claims Cases). a criminal case (Section 5, Rules of ProFull version at www.manilastandard.net cedure for Small Claims Cases).

Time for drastic steps vs telcos

More are still unemployed

T

HE latest unemployment report issued by the government Thursday is a mix of bad and good news.

Joblessness in the country as of October this year is not as bad as it was three months ago—it has gone down—but the number of unemployed is higher by 2 million compared with the figure in the same period a year ago.

employed workers in October compared with the July survey, but the labor force participation rate fell to 58.7 percent in October from 61.9 percent in July.

The four successive typhoons that battered the country in October and heavy flooding caused a significant employment loss in the agriculture sector. About 1.1 million lost jobs in the agriculture sector in the latter half of October, or about 70 percent of the 1.5 million total recorded between July and October this year.

Quarantine restrictions, meanwhile, are still contributing significantly to the high number of jobless persons.

Workers in the provinces, for one, face difficulty in returning to their jobs given the current inter-province transport restrictions. These mobility constraints contributed to 500,000 jobs lost in the industry sector.

Reopening the economy further in the face of declining COVID-19 cases is the only solution to the high unemployment rate. Transport restrictions can be eased as long as strict enforcement of the health protocols are observed.

The number could have been lower if the economy were opened further “coupled with the provision of safe and sufficient public transport,” says the Neda DirectorGeneral. economy were opened further “coupled with the provision of safe and sufficient public transport.”

The unemployment rate in the country improved to 8.7 percent in October from 10 percent in July and 17.6 percent in April. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that about 3.8 million Filipinos were unemployed as of October, down from 4.57 million in July and 7.23 million in April. However, it was higher than the 2 million jobless individuals in October 2019 when the unemployment rate settled at 4.6 percent.

The statistical agency reported that there were 800,000 million less un-

The pandemic obviously has a lot do with the rising unemployment in the Philippines. Economic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Karl Kendrick Chua remains upbeat, though.

He sees the latest results of the quarterly Labor Force Survey as further signs of economic recovery.

The reopening of the economy led to an improvement in the unemployment rate but Mr. Chua noted that the number could have been lower if the

Can-do attitude: Wuhan virus lockdown captured in craft beer the city and its people endured, said the 36-year-old Wang.

The cans have a label that peels back to reveal a chronology of those long weeks with haunting black-andwhite photographs.

Pictures include medical personnel in hazmat suits, masked community workers and a deserted bridge running over the Yangtze River.

There is also a poem inscribed on the wrap-around label by the popular novelist Wang Xiaobo.

“If I can shine, don’t be afraid of darkness; if I am so beautiful, then all fear can be dispelled,” it reads.

“Wuhan Stay Strong” is a sweet, seasonal “sakura beer” inspired by the cherry blossom that gives parts of Wuhan a pink hue in spring.

‘It was devastating’ There are about 30 craft-beer bars in Wuhan and the scene is growing steadily, said brewer Wang.

His No. 18 Brewery is at the forefront locally and nationally, conjuring up beers that often incorporate features or ingredients that are particular to Wuhan and China.

They once made a “Breakfast Stout” that used black sesame seeds usually associated with a

By Peter Stebbings WHEN the coronavirus emerged in Wuhan and the Chinese city went into a strict 76-day lockdown, Wang Fan resolved to commemorate the turbulent period in the way he knew best— through beer.

Wang is a leading figure in the burgeoning world of Chinese craft beer and the Wuhan native founded one of the country’s first specialised breweries, the No. 18 Brewery, in 2013.

But his business—which includes four bars and a brewery in Wuhan— nearly folded after the central city of 11 million people was forced into a particularly tough lockdown on January 23 that would drag on until early April.

Life is now getting back to normal in Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected about a year ago before becoming a pandemic, but about 4,000 people died there and the mental scars remain.

That traumatic period is recalled in a beer made by Wang and his team called “Wuhan Jia Ha Zi You”, or “Wuhan Stay Strong”.

Released in April, it was a way to “let people know our story” of what

PRESIDENT Duterte, in his last State of the Nation Address, showed how he shares the day-to-day concerns of ordinary Filipinos when he called out Globe and Smart for their poor quality services.

The President dramatized the agony and frustration of Juan dela Cruz over the constant experience of poor phone connection, dropped calls, weak internet signal, and intermittent online connection.

Apparently fed up with the fact that the telcos have shamelessly shortchanged their tens of millions of subscribers, the President gave the two giant telcos until the end of the year to

improve their services – or face a shutdown.

“These companies providing public services better improve. Don’t make us wait for ten years to experience the kind of service being enjoyed by other countries,” he said.

The President went on to say that if Globe and Smart are not ready to improve, the government might just as well expropriate their assets and use them.

It’s been over four months since the annual address before the Congress and three weeks until Christmas Day but Digong is apparently not getting his wish of better phone and internet services for the Filipinos.

First, we were hoping that Globe and Smart/PLDT would be able to upgrade their internet services in time for the October 5 school opening which introduced 22.5 million students to “blended learning.”

But since then, students and teachers who try to conduct their class sessions online through group chat or online meetings have to put up with slow and erratic internet signal.

It is just not fair to customers considering the exorbitant fees that the two telcos charge for subscription and loads.

Both the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) have been inept and useless in addressing the problem.

Ayala-led Globe and Pangilinan’s PLDT/Smart said they have been in-

MORE OPINION ONLINE

DOH vs DILG vs the people

The root of communism

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Adelle Chua, Editor

well-known noodle dish eaten for breakfast in the city. Another beer used Chinese tea, while another coconut.

“Nine-Head Phoenix”, an India pale ale (IPA), is named after a mythical creature once worshipped in what is now Hubei, the province that Wuhan sits in.

The No. 18 Brewery sells its beer, which has won an array of awards, not only in mainland China but also in Taiwan and Macau.

But like many companies in Wuhan and beyond, the business has been hit hard by the pandemic.

For starters, they had to dump up to 12,000 litres (3,200 US gallons) of stock.

“It was devastating. We nearly collapsed. All of our bars were closed for more than three months,” Wang said.

Life resumed only very slowly when the lockdown was lifted, but the summer months brought a welcome boom as the people of Wuhan let their hair down.

All 100,000 cans of “Wuhan Stay Strong” were snapped up.

“It sold out the minute we released it because everyone wants to support Wuhan in some way,” said Wang. AFP

Filipinos have suffered enough. vesting heavily on technology and adding cell sites to upgrade their services.

This has remained an unfulfilled promise.

There are reportedly 18,000 local cell sites shared by about 30.4 million mobile phone users as of 2017.

Compare that to Thailand’s 60,000 cell sites for 26.5 million cell phone owners.

Everything you need to know about the CREATE bill

I would not blame Digong if he decides to take drastic steps against these companies and pave the way for the entry of a third telco player that may stir competition and, consequently, improve telco services.

A new telco player, Dito Telecommunity has recently delayed its technical launch, initially scheduled for July, by six months due to business disruptions from lockdowns.

Dito, led by Davao-based tycoon Dennis Uy who helped fund Duterte’s presidential campaign in 2016, said the company remains on track for its commercial launch next year.

Three milestones in 18 months

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US blocks cotton from China’s ‘slave labor’ T HE United States will block imports of cotton it says are harvested with “slave labor” in China’s Xinjiang region, authorities have announced.

Beijing has come under intense international criticism over its policies in the resource-rich territory, where rights groups say as many as one mil-

lion Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps.

The new rule allows Customs and Border Protection officials to detain shipments containing cotton originating from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a major paramilitary group already sanctioned by the US Treasury.

“The human rights abuses taking place at the hands of the Chinese Communist government will not be tolerated

by President Trump and the American people,” said senior Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli on Wednesday.

“DHS is taking the lead to enforce our laws to make sure human rights abusers, including US businesses, are not allowed to manipulate our system in order to profit from slave labor,” he added.

Xinjiang is a global hub for cotton, with one study by a labor group estimating that 20 percent of the

garments imported into the United States contain at least some yarn from the region.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in September that products from Xinjiang forced labour “often end up here in American stores and homes.”

Beijing has staunchly defended its policy in Xinjiang, where it says training programs, work schemes and better education have helped stamp out extremism.

But Homeland Security officials

have described the region’s training centers as facilities run like a “concentration camp.”

The US House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously in September to ban all imports from Xinjiang but the bill has yet to pass the Senate.

The country already bans products made through slavery but the proposed law would issue a blanket ban on products from the region, saying that forced labor is inextricably linked to its economy. AFP

HK media tycoon Lai charged with fraud; remanded into custody HONG KONG media tycoon Jimmy Lai was remanded into custody on Thursday after being charged with fraud, the latest in a string of prosecutions brought against high-profile Beijing critics and democracy campaigners.

Lai, 73, is the owner of Hong Kong’s bestselling Apple Daily, a popular tabloid that is unashamedly pro-democracy and fiercely critical of authorities.

He and two of the firm’s executives -- Royston Chow and Wong Wai-keung -- face fraud charges that court documents say are related to the paper’s offices allegedly being used for purposes not permitted by the building’s lease.

Police raided Apple Daily’s headquarters in August and arrested a string of senior company figures, including Lai, on suspicion of “collusion with foreign forces” under a vaguely worded new national security law that Beijing imposed on the city.

None has so far been charged with any national security breaches.

But Victor So, the magistrate overseeing Thursday’s hearing, is from a group of judges selected

by Hong Kong’s chief executive to try such cases.

So denied Lai bail but granted it to Wong and Chow, setting the next court date for April.

The decision means Lai, who was later photographed arriving at prison with his hands cuffed, faces months behind bars as police continue their investigation.

China’s clampdown on Hong Kong has dramatically accelerated since it imposed its sweeping security law in June, with opposition politicians disqualified and dozens of activists charged or investigated.

On Wednesday, three prominent young democracy campaigners—including Joshua Wong — were jailed for taking part in last year’s democracy protests.

Lai is also being prosecuted for his alleged part in those rallies in a separate prosecution.

‘Seditious’ DJ Judges have also denied bail to other activists prosecuted for their political views.

Radio DJ Tam Tak-chi has been in custody since mid-September after he became the first person since the 1997 handover from Britain to be charged with “uttering seditious words” under a colonial era law. AFP

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The public is hereby notified that KING’S POWER SECURITIES, INC. is voluntarily suspending its trading operations effective December 31, 2020.

Regarding your stock positions with us, please get in touch with our office for your instructions whether to uplift to certificates or to transfer to other brokers of your choice.

Thereafter, the distribution of certificates will also be handled by our office. For any inquiries, you may contact us at tel. # 8242-3048 or 8242-3049.

(MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

GUILTY? A correctional services bus purportedly carrying pro-democracy activists Agnes Chow, Ivan Lam

and Joshua Wong leaves the court in Hong Kong on December 2, 2020, after the three were sentenced after pleading guilty to inciting a rally during pro-democracy protests in 2019, deepening the crackdown against Beijing's critics. AFP

Ex-Japanese PM Abe faces corruption charge JAPANESE prosecutors are seeking to question former prime minister Shinzo Abe over a scandal involving the cost of events held for his supporters, local media said Thursday.

Under Japanese law, spending on political events must be reported, but prosecutors allege that Abe's office failed to do so for dinners his political group organised on the eve of government-sponsored cherry blossom viewing parties.

Public broadcaster NHK said the group paid more than eight million yen ($76,000) for the events over five years until 2019.

The Tokyo Prosecutors Office,

which declined to comment on the story, has already questioned Abe's secretaries for allegedly failing to properly report the cost of the dinners.

NHK and Jiji Press agency said prosecutors wanted to question Abe about his knowledge of the payments.

Abe, who has not yet responded to the prosecutors' request, has already denied any wrongdoing, saying guests, including voters in his constituency, attended at their own expense.

Abe resigned in September over health issues after becoming the coun-

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Regional Trial Court Branch 78 Quezon City

IN BRIEF Cyclone ‘Burevi’ hits Sri Lanka; India next

LIZA M. UMBERS, Petitioner, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-16-10949-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

STEPHEN GERALD UMBERS, Respondent. x------------------------------------------x

DECISION WHEREFORE, GRANTED.

premises

considered,

the

petition

is

Accordingly, the marriage between petitioner Liza Rivera Munar and respondent Stephen Gerald Umbers contracted on March 05, 1999 in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China is hereby declared null and void under Art. 36 of the Family Code, as amended.

Parties are restored to their single or unmarried status.

N OTICE

N OTICE

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND AND HOUSES, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg.

B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an expanding developer of economic housing project (Empresa Homes Mexico Pampanga) with a capacity of 26 economic housing units on a non-pioneer status with project site located at Brgy. Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga.

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC., (FORMERLY: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost housing project (Lumina Bacolod-Phase 2) with a capacity of 857 economic housing and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Brgy. Vista Alegre, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

The Decision becomes final upon expiration of fifteen (15) days from notice to the parties. Entry of Judgment/Certificate of Finality shall be made if no Motion for Reconsideration/New Trial or Appeal is filed by any of the parties, the public prosecutor, or the Office of the Solicitor General.

It appearing that summons was effected by publication and respondent failed to appear/participate, let the dispositive portion be published once in a newspaper of general circulation.

The Decision and the Entry of Judgment/Certificate of Finality shall be registered in the Iocal Civil Registry of-Quezon City where -this Family Court is located for its appropriate action.

After registration, the Court shall issue the corresponding decree subject to petitioner’s compliance of the provisions of Secs. 22 and 23 of A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC. Let a copy of this Decision be furnished the petitioner parties through counsel, the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, the Office of Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and Manila as well as Office of the Civil Registrar General.

the the the the

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, December 10, 2019.

(Sgd.) FERNANDO T. SAGUN, JR. Presiding Judge (MStandard-Dec. 4, 2020)

(MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

(MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

try's longest-serving premier.

He weathered several scandals while in office, including over the cherry blossom parties, a decades-old tradition intended to honour the great and good for their achievements.

Abe's government was accused of stacking the event with supporters, and even inviting a member of Japan's infamous Yakuza mafia.

When the opposition demanded a guest list be produced, it emerged the list had been shredded.

While the government denied wrongdoing, Abe's successor Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said he will not hold the event next year. AFP

CYCLONE Burevi hit Sri Lanka overnight, rattling the island nation but leaving it relatively unscathed on its way to southern India, officials said Thursday.

Burevi, the second cyclone in the southern Bay of Bengal in a week, slammed into north-eastern Sri Lanka just before midnight (1830 GMT).

Packing winds up to 100 kilometres (60 miles) an hour, it soaked parts of the country but caused no casualties and less devastation than feared.

“There was rain and strong winds, but the cyclone did not cause any major damage in our area,” Mangalanath Liyanarachchi, a local reporter in Trincomalee, 260 kilometres (160 miles) from Colombo, said by telephone.

Thousands of people living along the coast had been asked to seek temporary shelter inland, but they have now moved back to their homes, Liyanarachchi said.

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre had issued a red alert and asked fishermen not to venture out to sea.

Sri Lanka also ordered the closure of schools along the path of the cyclone for three days.

However, DMC officials said there were no reports of casualties and the damage was minimal as the cyclone weakened on its way through sparsely populated areas.

The weather system was expected to make landfall in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu overnight Thursday to Friday and move westwards into Kerala, Indian forecasters said.

India’s National Disaster Response Force said Wednesday that they had deployed around two dozen relief and rescue teams for the two states, for any emergency response after the cyclone.

Kerala’s chief minister Pinari Vijayan said around 2,500 relief camps had been identified to relocate people from coastal and low lying areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the central government was ready to provide “all possible support”.

“Praying for the safety and well-being of those staying in affected areas,” Modi said.

Last week, a more powerful cyclone skirted northern Sri Lanka but hit Tamil Nadu with full force, uprooting trees and delivering 30 centimetres (12 inches) of rain in some areas. AFP

Bangladesh transfers Rohingya refugees N OTICE

N OTICE

N OTICE

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC., (FORMERLY: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost housing project (Lumina Manaoag Subdivision) with a capacity of 736 economic housing and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Brgy. Lipit Sur, Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC., (FORMERLY: LUMINA HOMES, INC.) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and LowCost housing project (Lumina Butuan Phase 2 Subdivision) with a capacity of 141 economic and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Barangay. Taguibo, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND AND HOUSES, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg.

B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an expanding developer of economic housing project (Empresa Homes San Fernando Phase 3) with a capacity of 197 economic housing units on a non-pioneer status with project site located at Brgy. Calulut, San Fernando, Pampanga.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

(MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

BANGLADESH began transferring several hundred Rohingya refugees on Thursday to what the UN and rights groups worry is a dangerous lowlying island prone to cyclones and floods.

Almost a million Rohingya—most of whom fled a military offensive in neighbouring Myanmar in 2017—live in a vast network of squalid camps in south-east Bangladesh.

With many of them refusing to return without guarantees for their safety and rights, and with violent drug gangs and extremists active on the sites, the Bangladeshi government has grown increasingly impatient to clear out the camps.

On Thursday at least 10 buses left the camps in the Cox's Bazar region, headed for the port city of Chittagong, police said.

"Ten buses carrying some 400 have left for the island," local police chief Ahmed Sunjur Morshed told AFP. From Chittagong the refugees were due to be taken by military landing craft to the island of Bhashan Char on Friday, officials said. AFP

(MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Y

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Standard

NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extra-Judicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late Perpetua Perez Corpin, namely, David P. Corpin, Jaime P. Corpin, Marifides P. Corpin-Socorro, Marichu P. Corpin, David P. Corpin, Jr., and Leonel P. Corpin, all of legal age, over personal and real properties per deed executed on August 22, 2020 in the Philippine Consulate in Washington, D.C. before Philippine Consular Officer Mylhyn M. Acosta, per doc # ACK20-1046, series of 2020, service No. 5665, and Notary Public in the State of California before Samantha Wright, certified by the Secretary of State at Los Angeles, CA on September 2, 2020, # 92631.

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BOI approves RLC’s P4.1-b hotel project THE Board of Investments said Thursday it approved the P4.1-billion Westin Sonata Palace Hotel project of Robinsons Land Corp. in Mandaluyong City.

The Westin Manila Sonata Palace Hotel is RLC’s first Marriott International Hotel brand, a top-rate international brand in terms of facilities and excellent service.

“Tourism/accommodation is among the few industries to have registered a growth uptick among project approvals this year as new hotels are established with COVID-19 proofing measures to ensure tourists are safe and secure. With the much-needed government support by incentivizing their efforts, we prepare the country’s industry players for the postpandemic scenario wherein tourism will finally make its considerable presence felt in the economy,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

The project will have 303 rooms, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibition) facilities, food and beverage venues, recreational spaces, a fitness studio, a full-service spa and a swimming pool. It will also offer guestrooms equipped with the brand’s signature amenities, including an ergonomic work area. Othel V. Campos

LandBank, Globe sign P5-b loan agreement

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Thursday it borrowed P5 billion from Land Bank of the Philippines to partly finance capital expenditures.

The telecom unit of Ayala Corp. said it signed a loan facility with Land Bank for P5 billion to fund the requirements of capital expenditures.

Globe spent P33.4 billion on capex as of end-September, 81 percent of which was spent on data-related requirements.

“This investment has benefitted Globe’s customers as evidenced in the latest global report of Opensignal naming Globe as one of the most improved telecommunication companies in the world in terms of video experience,” Philippinesthe company said. and Natural Resources Globe said was on track to meet its AGEMENT BUREAU full-year Diliman Quezon City 1116guidance capex amounting to 7-25; Fax No.:P50 (632)billion 920-22-58with its continued focus on Email: mail@emb.gov.ph increasing capacity and upgrades nationwide for better internet experience HEARING for Filipinos. Darwin G. Amojelar T STATEMENT (EIS) of RESERVOIR DOE IRRIGATION finishes study ATION ADMINISTRATION on nuclear GATION MANAGEMENT energy IPALITY OF BUGALLON, THE Department of Energy said Thursday it is set to submit to President Rodrigo the study of the inter-government ho wish toDuterte give their opinion agency on the adoption of a national posioposed DUMOLOC SMALL on a nuclear energy program. to attend tion the Public Hearing “We’re scheduled to submit this proposal or national policy on Dec. 20.

Zoom Details After Dec. 20, it’s up to the President https://zoom.us/ if he will consider it,” Energy Assistant 40412372?pwd-VIlablpSWFSecretary Gerardo Erguiza said in a weK0JLN2tJRnVRTzJEdz09 binar Thursday.

Duterte signed Executive Order No. eeting ID: 945 4041 2372 Passcode: 116Dsrip2020 on July 24, providing for the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Intern connection with Committee the review chaired by DOE to Agency oject by the Environmental conduct the study. epartment The of Environment committee was tasked to submit its recommendation on a national position on nuclear energy to the Office of the : President.

“We have completed our discussions, Reservoir Irrigation Project presentations. Next week, we’re going to ugallon, Province finalize theofdraft of the report to the president and sub-committee reports,” Erguiza said.

45.3 hectares that once the recommendation 3 5.38 millionHemsaid was approved by the president, the Philn Administration Region ippines would have a policy of including rrigation Management nuclear power in the energy mix.

“It’s not putting up nuclear power plant. It’s a first step process to go furtend or ther participate in this in adopting nuclear power,” Erguiza confirm said. their Alena attendance/ Mae S. Flores on(s) in a concise position ACT ASSESSMENT AND of this Office through email before the Public Hearing o register or submit written to share their issues on the

1

CIP

LAST PRICE 158

2 3 4 5 6

VUL VITA MAB ABA BSC

1.26 1.03 0.011 0.65 0.33

0.16 0.1 0.001 0.05 0.025

14.55% 10.75% 10.00% 8.33% 8.20%

7 8 9 10

SECB V MPI BHI

132 1.1 4.5 0.035

8.5 0.07 0.27 0.002

6.88% 6.80% 6.38% 6.06%

STILL OPEN. People dine outdoors in Pasadena, California, the only city in Los Angeles County still allowing that service on December 2, 2020.Another round of coronavirus pandemic restrictions are mandated due to rising COVID-19 infection rates across Los Angeles County. AFP

TOP LOSERS

Stocks climb for 3 straight day; Metro Pacific, banks up T rd

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 113.51 points, or 1.6 percent, to 7,194.13 on a value turnover of P10.7 billion. Gainers beat losers, 121 to 98, with 43 issues unchanged.

Security Bank Corp., the seventh largest lender in terms of assets, advanced 6.9 percent to P132, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, rose 6.4 percent to P4.50.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdlargest bank, increased 5 percent to P84, while Robinsons Land Corp., the property unit of the Gokongwei Group, added 4.3 percent to P18.46.

Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly rose Thursday. After the first approval of a Covid-19 drug by Britain on Wednesday, traders are now focusing on regulators in

1

LAST PRICE 2.91

KEP

2 FPI 0.204 3 FFI 6.97 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 4 FAF 0.61 5 NOTICE SLF 1,889.00 Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extra-Judicial Settlement IS by the heirs of0.11 has been6 executed

HE stock market rallied for the third straight day Thursday, joining most of Asia as investors tracked renewed US stimulus talks in Washington while the mood remains upbeat owing to vaccine developments.

% CHANGE CHANGE 35.8 29.30%

the late Perpetua Perez Corpin,

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.34 -10.46%

-0.016 -0.47 -0.04 -111 -0.005

-7.27% -6.32% -6.15% -5.55% -4.35%

namely, David P. Corpin, Jaime P. down from Tuesday’s all-time high.

7 P.ABG -0.39 -4.30% Corpin, Marifides Corpin-Socorro,8.68 P. Corpin, David P. Corpin, Asia struggled in early trade but mostMarichu Jr., and8Leonel ARA P. Corpin, all of1.21 -0.05 -3.97% age, over personal and real markets managed to break out as the daylegal properties per deed executed on August 22, in the Philippine1.03 wore on.

9 2020 ATN -0.04 -3.74% Consulate in Washington, D.C. Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Singa-before Philippine Consular Officer 10Acosta,MRC -0.02 -3.70% M. per doc # ACK-0.52 pore, Jakarta and Bangkok all rose thoughMylhyn 20-1046, series of 2020, service the US and Europe, and the rollout that Shanghai, Taipei and Wellington wereNo. 5665, and Notary Public in the State of California before Samantha will allow life to get back to normal and slightly lower.

Wright, certified by the Secretary of State at Los Angeles, CA on the economy back on track.

Tokyo and Mumbai were barely moved.September 2, 2020, # 92631.

Observers pointed to a pick-up in TreaWhile the global rally that characterVOLUME VALUE (PHP) sury yields that suggests investors expect ized November has slowed this week, interest rates to rise in the future—a sign the general consensus is that a bright 1 I C E 722,755,070.00 MBTN O T 14,229,800 that the economy is improving. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK future awaits.

Notice is hereby given that FACTURA 2 BPIOPC. is applying 7,646,670 631,250,573.50 for registration with the “The market has almost immediately “Following two weeks of terror inSOFTWARE, NOTICE Board of Investments (BOI) as New Services Export priced in a better-than-expected 2021, par- March, the post-pandemic 3 BDO 5,558,350 591,712,646.00 market Notice is hereby given to the publicnarra-Provider under Export Activities - Services Exports an Extra-Judicialfrom Settlement (BPO - Software Development of Cloud-based ticularly in the second half, and that’s what tive has moved that seamlessly policyhas been executed by the heirs of 4 Point ALI Sales) on14,150,300 569,789,950.00 Mobile a non-pioneer status with CYANhere, MAGENTA we are seeing and on theYELLOW yield curve BLACK as driven to mobility-driven the late Perpetua Perez to Corpin, vaccine-office and project site located at Units 1-4, 2nd Floor namely, David P. Corpin, Jaime P. Greenfield City, Brgy. Don well,” Alicia Levine, at BNY Mellon Invest- NOTICE Marifides P. Stephen Corpin-Socorro,Innes.Laguna 5 Central SECB Building3,472,770 449,820,363.00 driven,” said AxiCorpin, strategist Marichu P. Corpin, David P. Corpin, Jose, Sta Rosa, Laguna. ment Management, told Bloomberg TV. Notice is hereby given to the public “The vaccine has big prize for Jr., andbeen Leonel the P. Corpin, all of an Extra-Judicial Settlement 6 ICT 3,682,210 445,662,246.00 legal age, over personal and real “The message here really is thatthat better Any person with valid objection/s on the abovehas been executed the heirs of as healthcare riskby markets concerns properties per deed executed on see a the late Perpetua Perez Corpin, mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, August 22, 2020 in the Philippine days are ahead and that dips and consolirapid dropP. in the global virus counts inunder7 oath,AC 494,610three (3)424,099,690.00 namely, David P. Corpin, Jaime Consulate in Washington, D.C. with the BOI within days from the Marifides P. Corpin-Socorro, before Consular This Officer willdate of this publication. dations are eminently buyable.” Corpin, theDavidsecond of Philippine next year.

Marichu P. Corpin, P. Corpin, halfMylhyn M. Acosta, per doc # ACK8 SMPH 10,784,000 411,984,310.00 Jr., and Leonel P. Corpin, all of Wall Street enjoyed another broadly 20-1046, series of 2020,lift service in real a collective demand for the legal age, overresult personal and (SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA No. 5665, and Notary Public in the properties per world deed executed on positive day, with the S&P 500 chalking State of California before Samantha Director 403,568,055.00 economy, (while) global geopoliti9 SM 390,685 August 22, 2020 in the Philippine Wright, certified by the Secretary Infrastructure and Services Industries Service up another record close, while theConsulate Dow in cal Washington, D.C. alsoof diminished risk has after State at Los Angeles, CA the on US Philippine Consular Officer September 2, 2020, # 92631.

10 RLC 21,020,000 386,737,728.00 also advanced, though the Nasdaq before inched Mylhyn M. Acosta, per doc # ACK- election.” AFP presidential

MOST ACTIVE

(MS-DEC. 4,11 & 18, 2020)

(MS-DEC. 4,11 & 18, 2020)

20-1046, series of 2020, service No. 5665, and Notary Public in the State of California before Samantha Wright, certified by the Secretary of State at Los Angeles, CA on September 2, 2020, # 92631.

(MS-DEC. 4, 2020)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU

(MS-DEC. 4,11 & 18, 2020)

DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City 1116 Telephone Nos.: (632)927-15-17, 928-37-25; Fax No.: (632) 920-22-58 Website: http://www.emb.gov.ph / Email: mail@emb.gov.ph

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) of the proposed DUMOLOC SMALL RESERVOIR IRRIGATION PROJECT of the NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION REGION I – PANGASINAN IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT OFFICE to be located in the MUNICIPALITY OF BUGALLON, PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN. Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed DUMOLOC SMALL RESERVOIR IRRIGATION PROJECT to attend the Public Hearing scheduled on:

Shoppers are seen in London’s main high-street shopping district on Oxford Street with non-essential shops reopening in London on December 2, 2020 as England emerges from a month-long lockdown to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. England on December 2 exited a month-long lockdown into a new 3-tiered system of curbs with non-essential retail, leisure centers and salons all reopening but with some sectors, including hospitality, seeing tighter restrictions. AFP

Shoppers flock to England’s high streets as lockdown ends

Date

Time

18 December 2020 (Friday)

9:00 AM Registrations starts at 8:30 AM

Zoom Details https://zoom.us/ j/94540412372?pwd-VIlablpSWFluK0JLN2tJRnVRTzJEdz09 Meeting ID: 945 4041 2372 Passcode: Dsrip2020

The Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the EIS of the aforementioned project by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The following is the project information:

N O T IDumoloc C E Small Reservoir Irrigation Project

Project Name

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Notice is hereby given that FACTURA Municipality Bugallon, Province of SOFTWARE, OPC. is applying for registrationofwith the Project Location vivor, succeeded in winning a vote on the measures in parBy Callum Paton NOTICE Board of Investments (BOI) Pangasinan as New Services Export liament on Tuesday night, despite opposition within his own Provider under Export Activities - Services Exports Notice is hereby given to the public that an Extra-Judicial Settlement (BPO - Software Development of Cloud-based mmary LONDON--Shoppers for the Public are returned to England’s high streets Conservative ranks.

Reservoir Area: 45.3 hectares Project Capacity has been executed by the heirs of Mobile Point Sales) on a Storage non-pioneer status with access the Notice of Volume: 5.38 million m3 the late Perpetua Perez Corpin, Wednesday asPublic shops reopened following the end of a fourEconomic concerns office and project site located at Units 1-4, 2nd Floor namely, David P. Corpin, Jaime P. r website) while copies will week coronavirus lockdown.

Hopes that life could return to normal came a step closer Laguna Central Building Greenfield Brgy. Don Corpin, Marifides P. Corpin-Socorro, NationalCity, Irrigation Administration Region Marichu P. Corpin, David P. Corpin, Jose, Sta Rosa, Laguna.

On a day dubbed “Wild Wednesday” because of an ex- after Britain announced approval had been given to roll out Proponent I – Pangasinan Irrigation Management Jr., and Leonel P. Corpin, all of legal age, over personal and real pectation of huge numbers of shoppers, customers wear- Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid jab from next week.

Any person with valid Office objection/s on the aboveproperties per deed executed on ing masks and laden with bags flocked to stores on Oxford The government, under pressure after 59,000 deaths in the mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, August 22, 2020 in the Philippine of Center, Sevilla, City of San Consulate in Washington, D.C. under oath, with theparties BOI withinwho three wish (3) daystofrom the All interested attend or participate in this Street in central London. outbreak, hopes to use it and other vaccines due to be given the before Philippine Consular Officer ON date of this publication.

Public Hearing should preferably confirm their attendance/ Mylhyn M. Acosta, per doc # ACKOne customer, Charlotte Cobb, told AFP the latest lockgreen light alongside rapid community testing.

ON 20-1046, series of 2020, service participation(SGD.) and ANGELITA may giveF. their opinion(s) in a concise position down had been “tricky” but said she was “just so happy to be ARCELLANA Relief also came for some of the most vulnerable as family No. 5665, and Notary Public in the NT State of California before Samantha Director paper to the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND back.” “With Christmas, it’s just brilliant,” she said. and friends were allowed to visit care home residents for the ON, Wright, certified by the Secretary Infrastructure and Services(EIAMD) Industries Service MANAGEMENT DIVISION of this Office through email of State at Los Angeles, CA on “I’m really excited.” first time in eight months. y, Bugallon, Pangasinan September 2, 2020, # 92631. at eia@emb.gov.ph, three (3) days before the Public Hearing At Selfridges’ fl agship department store, staff greeted Two visitors for each resident will be allowed twice a week, 2 (MS-DEC. 4, 2020) schedule. Those who will not be able to register or submit written crowds with applause and a sequined Santa Claus danced un- provided the visitors test negative for the virus. Physical conion positions may be given the opportunity to share their issues on the der glittering disco balls as customers shopped.

LL tact is allowed using infection conAMD Division at thissilver Office Republic of the Philippines day of the hearing itself. ing look forStore director,case Maeve Wall said it was a Christmas “like no trol measures. and the project Department of Environment and Natural Resources and “certainly not one we would have anticipated.” ngr. Joelother,” Polintan.

Mixing of households outside ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU Summary for the Public are TheVisayas project’s Executive DENR Compound, Avenue, EIS Dilimanand Quezon City 1116 “It’s about making the experience as pleasurable as we support bubbles remains banned Telephone Nos.: (632)927-15-17, 928-37-25; Fax No.: (632) 920-22-58 downloadable on our website: (kindly access the Notice of Public Website: http://www.emb.gov.ph / Email: mail@emb.gov.ph can for customers, so we will maintain the fun and excite- under the guidelines, although Hearing/ Consultation link found in our website) while copies will N O T I C E ment,” she added. individuals can meet in groups of Favailable inHEARING the following offices: NOTICEbeOF PUBLIC MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK The easing of restrictions has come as a relief toCYAN the hard-hit six outside.

Notice is hereby given that FACTURA SOFTWARE, OPC. is applying for registration with the retail industry. Non-essential shops were forced to close, comLondon—Britain’s capital and 1) EMB Region I On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) of NOTICE Board of Investments (BOI) as New Services Export pounding losses made during lockdown from March to June. driving force of the UK economy— DENR RESERVOIR Building, Government Center, Sevilla, City of San the- proposed DUMOLOC SMALL IRRIGATION Provider under Export Activities Services Exports Notice is hereby given to the public But a new regional system for curbing the spread of the is in Tier 2, meaning pubs where food La Union 2500 that an Extra-Judicial Settlement (BPO - Software Development of Cloud-based PROJECT of the NATIONAL Fernando, IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION has been executed by the heirs of Mobile Point Sales) on a non-pioneer coronavirus is now in place, with parts of the country in the is served and restaurants reopen, 607-3377 MANAGEMENT ew REGION status I – with PANGASINAN(072) IRRIGATION the late Perpetuacan Perez Corpin, office and project site located at Units 1-4, 2nd Floor David P. Corpin, Jaime P. highest of three tiers still effectively shuttered. obeying socialnamely, distancing rules. ntal OFFICE to be located in the MUNICIPALITY OF BUGALLON, Laguna Central Building Greenfield City, Brgy. Don Corpin, Marifides P. Corpin-Socorro, 2) LGU – Bugallon, Pangasinan The system—designed to allow families and friends to ent PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN. But in Tier Marichu 3 areas, which take P. Corpin, David P. Corpin,in Jose, Sta Rosa, Laguna.

Jr., and Leonel P. Corpin, all of Municipal Hall, Romulo Highway, Bugallon, Pangasinan gather at Christmas—has been criticized as doing little to some 23 million includes legalpeople age, over and personal and real Any person with valid objection/s onhereby the above(075)who 632-2419; 632-7842 properties per Birmingham, deed executed on Notice is given to all parties wish to(075) give their opinion reinstate cherished freedoms and help the ailing economy.

Britain’s second city mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, August 22, 2020 in the Philippine the implementation of the proposed DUMOLOC SMALL Most of England’s 55 million population has gone straight hospitality venues willin remain closed Consulate Washington, D.C. under oath, with the BOI withinregarding three (3) days from the before Philippine Consular Officer ForPROJECT more details, pleasethe contact EIAMD Division at this Office RESERVOIR IRRIGATION to attend Publicthe Hearing date of this publication. into Tier 2 or 3, depending on local infection rates, limiting except for takeaways.

Mylhyn M. Acosta, per doc # ACKct at telephone number 8920-2240 to 41 and look for the project case scheduled on: seriesin of Manches2020, service household mixing and the reopening of the hospitality sector.

Shopkeeper20-1046, Robert, (SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA No. 5665, and Notary Public in the handlers Engr. Dexter Tabada and Engr. Joel Polintan.

Just one percent of the country—the southwest county ter, northwest State England, of Californiasaid before rates Samanthaof Director Date Time Zoom Details Wright, certified by the Secretary Infrastructure and Services Industries Service of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight in the infection had offallen cityCAand https://zoom.us/ State atin Losthe Angeles, on September 2, 2020, weeks, # 92631. but south—are in the least restrictive Tier 1. surrounding area in recent j/94540412372?pwd-VIlablpSWF18 9:00 AM (MS-DEC. 4, 2020) (MS-DEC. 4, 2020) luK0JLN2tJRnVRTzJEdz09 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, himself a COVID-19 sur- the area was in Tier 3.AFP December Registrations (MS-DEC. 4,11 & 18, 2020)

(MS-DEC. 4,11 & 18, 2020)

2020 Republic of the Philippines (Friday) Department of Environment and Natural Resources

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU

DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City 1116 Telephone Nos.: (632)927-15-17, 928-37-25; Fax No.: (632) 920-22-58

starts at 8:30 AM

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Meeting ID: 945 4041 2372 Passcode: Dsrip2020

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

B4 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020 PSE INDEX

Thursday, December 3, 2020

113.51 PTS. 7,194.13

Total Volume Total Trades Total Value

3,649,639,526 181,720 10,739,106,964.69

Advances Declines Unchanged

121 98 43

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0440

Japan

Yen

0.009579

0.4602

UK

Pound

1.336700

64.2204

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129006

6.1980

Switzerland

Franc

1.118318

53.7285

Canada

Dollar

0.774114

37.1915

Singapore

Dollar

0.747775

35.9261

Australia

Dollar

0.741500

35.6246

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657525

127.6781

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

12.8093

Brunei

Dollar

0.744990

35.7923

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033080

1.5893

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0810

Euro

Euro

1.211700

58.2149

Korea

Won

0.000909

0.0437

China

Yuan

0.152365

7.3202

India

Rupee

0.013557

0.6513

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.245399

11.7899

New Zealand

Dollar

0.706900

33.9623

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035111

1.6869 Source: BSP

Business PH bond sale raises $2.75b on strong investor demand T

By Julito G. Rada

HE government raised $2.75 billion from the international capital market this week with its offering of dual tranche 10.5-year and 25-year global bonds, the Department of Finance said Thursday.

It said in a statement the new 10.5-year global bonds "were priced at US Treasury spreads of T+ 70 basis points (bps) and a coupon of 1.648 percent, after an initial pricing guidance of T+ 100 bps area.”

The 25-year tranche was priced at 2.65 percent, or 35 bps tighter than the initial pricing guidance of 3 percent area.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said the success of the issuance was a testament of the resilience and resolve shown by the government to overcome the suffer-

ings brought about by the pandemic.

"It also manifests the administration’s ability to identify and capture favorable market windows in such uncertain times.

Large portion of this success can be attributed to reforms intended to provide the catalysts to accelerate recovery and put the economy back on a strong growth momentum," she said.

The global bonds were assigned investment grade ratings by major credit watchers Moody’s Investors Service, S&P

Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. The transaction is expected to settle on Dec. 10, 2020.

It said the positive news on the COVID-19 vaccine trials over the past couple of weeks had created strong inflows in the Asia-Pacific credit markets, which illustrated the government’s ability to capitalize on favorable market dynamics.

This deal followed the government’s $2.35-billion dual tranche global bond offering in May and the EUR1.2-billion dual tranche global bond offering in January.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the success of the third offering in the international capital market underpinned the international investor community’s recognition of the Philippine economy's strong fundamentals despite the global economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

DTI remains upbeat on reaching export target of $122b by 2022

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Trade and Industry remains optimistic on hitting the export target of at least $122 billion by 2022 despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic this year, an official said Thursday.

Trade Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman said the agency was assessing strategy indicators and export targets estimated under the Philippine Export Development Plan.

“Currently, we are reviewing and assessing the PEDP’s strategies indicators and export targets to see if such are still doable or not and continue to be optimis-

tic that we will be able to still achieve even the low-end target of $122 billion in 2022 hand-in-hand,” Macatoman said Thursday in the virtual National Export Congress 2020.

He said various stakeholders in the export industry were playing a critical role in sustaining the economic performance of the country. These include exporters, small and medium enterprises, government policymakers, trade support institutions, the academe, development partners and international organizations.

The NEC is consistent with the thrust of the Philippine export industry to be at the cutting edge of innovation and con-

nectivity as a competitiveness strategy.

“We will showcase export companies in the field of manufacturing, digital payments, logistics and skills upgrading and retooling who were able to navigate and embrace the abrupt shift of the changing business landscape towards a post COVID-19 world,” Macatoman said.

The NEC highlighted policy reforms and solutions that were enforced to address the COVID-19 pandemic in digitalization, e-commerce, logistics and education and training.

“This pandemic may have changed our lives, but I fervently hope that the spark is still within us, the passion to continue on what we’re all doing before

the pandemic struck the country—that is, boosting the export sector as well as continuing to assist the country’s MSMEs in sustaining their markets and products despite the current challenges they are facing.,” he said.

“I urge the export sector to help the government in crafting policy reforms that will not only improve and boost the performance of our export but to generate the much-needed revenues for the economy and jobs for our people,” he said.

The NEC was jointly organized by the DTI, Export Development Council and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.

San Miguel to infuse P3b into Petron’s insurance unit

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said Thursday it is investing P3 billion in Petrogen Insurance Corp., a whollyowned subsidiary of Petron Corp.

San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board of directors approved the P3-billion equity investments in Petrogen.

“With the investment, the corporation will have a direct equity interest in Petrogen in additional to its current indirect equity interest through Petron,” San Miguel said.

“The additional investments by the corporation in Petrogen will enable it to expand its instance business,” the conglomerate said.

Petrogen is duly licensed and authorized to conduct insurance business by the Insurance Commission.

It is engaged in the business and operation of all kinds of insurance and reinsurance for sea and land; for properties, goods and merchandise; for transportation or conveyance; and against fire, earthquake, marine perils, and accidents, except life insurance.

Petrogen reported a net income of P79.1 million in 2019, down 2 percent from P80.5 million it reported in 2018.

Gross premiums written amounted to P724.8 million in 2019, up 20 percent from P600.8 million a year earlier.

After successfully raising P20 billion from the issuance of preferred shares in October, San Miguel plans to raise another P20 billion from the second tranche of preferred shares offering.

San Miguel is offering 133.333 million Series 2-K preferred shares with an oversubscription option for another 133.33 million preferred shares with an initial dividend rate of 4.5 percent per annum The shares will be sold at P75 each.

The net proceeds from the fundraising activity will used to repay fully or partially existing obligation, fund additional investments in the airport and airport-related projects and in Bank of Commerce.

Uplifting lives through the SM School Building Program

By P.Y. Deligero

A

MID the COVID-19 pandemic, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) through SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), continues its corporate social responsibility programs by recently providing a new school building to help address the lack of facilities and allow its students to have a conducive learning experience in one of its host communities in Tanza, Cavite.

HANDWASHING. PES teachers utilize the 10-faucet handwashing facility installed in front of their newly turned over SM school building. where pupils can be given first aid treatment or isolated at the onset of early symptoms of illness.

The SM School building at PES also boasts a 10-faucet hand washing The two-story, four-classroom area that intends to promote handschool building was turned over to washing in the community. With such Punta Elementary School (PES) last a feature, SMFI aims to spread the November 20. The new classrooms culture of good hygiene to prevent are scheduled to be used by Grade the spread of harmful viruses and dis2 pupils once the threat of the eases especially after the worldwide pandemic declines. health risk that transpired.

Dr. Gloria Casiano, the school’s And to promote the culture of enprincipal, said that before the vironmental conservation, SM FounCOVID pandemic, some of their dation also developed an area of the classes were held in their covered PES into a study garden or “green court. But with the new school space” by putting four tables and building from SM, it will help eight benches around a 50-year-old LIBRARY HUB. Literacy and numeracy corner to further help address their room shortages and tree. With the green space, SM hopes in the cognitive development of learners. will improve their current classroom to provide students and teachers with to student ratio of 1:50.

“The program is anchored on the gram making their buildings and an additional learning area as well as “We are overwhelmed and thank- belief of our founder, Tatang Henry facilities PWD-friendly, as per their reduce the stress of the children, enful to SM Foundation and SM Prime Sy, that every student should have a default design. hance their mental health, concentrafor continuing with the project despite conducive learning environment in The infrastructure is fully-fur- tion and environmental awareness. the COVID-19 pandemic. This school order to develop their skills to their full nished, PWD-friendly and emergen“At SM, we believe that school building will serve as a haven in nurtur- potential,” said Juris Soliman, SMFI’s cy-ready. The SM Foundation also improvement is about raising stuing the young minds of our Puntaceño School Building Program Head during tapped members of the Foundation dent achievement through enhancing learners,” Dr. Casiano said. an interview with Manila Standard. of These-Abled Persons to make the the teaching–learning process and PROVIDING FACILITIES WITH ITS At present, SM’s School Building teacher’s desk sets and student arm- the conditions which support it. It is SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM Program has constructed more than chairs. Through this strategy, SMFI about strategies for improving the Through its School Building Pro- 100 school buildings, equipped with enables the PWDs to be economi- school’s capacity for providing qualgram, SMFI acts as an active partner key facilities in more than 100 cities cally self-sufficient and at the same ity education,” Soliman said. of the Department of Education’s or municipalities. The program has time, highlights their valuable conSoliman added that through SMFI’s Adopt-a-School program which is been providing a safe and conducive tribution in nation-building.

School Building Program, they intend to a social good initiative that aims to learning environment for more than Other than the classrooms estab- yield measurable results which include promote quality public education by 16,700 students in single shift class- lished and furnishings found in the improved academic performance in building classrooms with key facili- es located in grassroot communities. two-story building that was given national exams, reduced absenteeism, and ties and equipment nationwide.

PROVIDING AN OVERALL to PES, there were other facilities improved reading and comprehension in Under SMFI’s Education program, REFRESHING EXPERIENCE that SM added to make the overall their host communities. the social good project specifically FOR ALL learning process and time in school HELPING MORE SCHOOLS intends to address dilemma of our One of SM’s advocacies is cre- comfortable for everyone.

IN THE FUTURE public education in terms of the yearly ating a community that’s inclusive Additional features installed inAside from PES, SM’s School increase in student population— and making sure that no one gets cluded a literacy and numeracy cor- Building Program is set to turn over a which demands continuous allocation left behind. SMFI translated this ner, guidance and counselling room, fully-furnished school building in Janufor new school buildings. idea into their School Building Pro- and a clinic with an isolation room ary 2021 to Basud Elementary School

SM School Building at Punta Elementary School in Tanza, Cavite.

GREEN SPACE.Teachers prepare for their lessons using the laptops from SM Foundation.

CLINIC. A dedicated room where students and teachers can get first aid treatment in case of emergency. in Sorsogon City, and Banisil Elementary School in General Santos.

The SM Foundation is also looking to add more improvements in their future facilities to help students and teachers alike be comfortable in their learning environments.

“We are starting to implement innovations for the program like equipping our teachers with digital technologies like laptops with the help of our social good partners.

This program innovation will help our teachers at PES in performing their blended learning operations.

We are also looking at this project component as a strategy in strengthening PES’ digital capabilities in order for them to be globally competitive,” Soliman said.

Soliman also added that as part of their continuous improvement process, they conduct community consultations in order to identify the specific and localized needs for each of their adopted schools—which in turn, address the education challenges of their host communities.

While there is a long way to go in addressing school congestion nationwide, the DepEd has a strong fighting chance in addressing this challenge with partners such as SM. With programs such as the SM School building program, communities can now improve the learning environment for the youth— which will eventually empower them to become well-educated and eventually globally competitive as they use their knowledge and skills for the greater good.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

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Pacquiao life story featured in game app

By Peter Atencio

LeBron James (center) of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with teammates after winning the 2020 NBA Championship in Game Six at AdventHealth Arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AFP

Spanish-born booter granted Filipino citizenship

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives’ committee on justice has approved the bill granting Filipino citizenship to Spanish-born Bienvenido Marañon, one of the leading football players in the country.

The committee, during its virtual meeting Wednesday, unanimously approved House Bill (HB) 7427 authored by Manila Rep. Manuel Luis Lopez.

According to Lopez, Marañon, 34, resided to the Philippines in 2015 and joined Ceres Football Club.

Marañon, Lopez said, played for the Ceres-Negros Team in the Asian Football Club Confederation (AFC) Championship League.

The star football player is the leading goal scorer of the Philippine Football League and the alltime top scorer in the AFC Cup after scoring his 35th goal in Ceres-Negros’s 4-0 win against Bali United on March 11, 2020.

“If granted the opportunity to play for the Philippines, Marañon will undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to the national football team, the Azkals and bring pride and honor to the country,” said Lopez Marañon, for his part, expressed his desire to become a Filipino after attending the hearing via Zoom.

“For me, I will like to become Filipino because I love the country, I love the people. I feel much love from the people. And I would like to give them the love that I received,” said Marañon.

Marañon added that he wanted to be part of the Azkals and help them reach the World Cup. Marañon now resides in Bacolod.

48 NBA players test positive for COVID-19 L

OS ANGELES, United States—The NBA announced Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) that 48 players have tested positive for the coronavirus, a dramatic increase over the zero positive tests reported during last season’s quarantine bubble in Florida.

The league said the positive tests are the result of 546 tests carried out between November 24-30 as the NBA gets set to begin preseason games in nine days.

The zero positive tests were from the beginning of last season’s quarantine bubble to the end of the season in midOctober.

One team, the Golden State Warriors, has already delayed the beginning of their individual workouts by a day this week because of players testing positive.

This was the initial round of tests for players as they returned to their teams ahead of the start of individual workouts on Tuesday.

The NBA says it will be testing all of its

players daily throughout the season.

Meanwhile, reigning NBA finals MVP LeBron James, who will turn 36 this month, has agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent Rich Paul said.

The extension means James will make $39.2 million next season and will be a Laker through the 2022-23 season, American sports broadcaster ESPN reported Paul as saying.

James will also make $41.1 million in 2021-22 and $44.5 million in 2022-23. By the time his contract ends he will have played two decades in the NBA. Last season, James averaged 25.3

points and led the NBA in assists with 10.2 per game.

The present infection rate number is higher than the 46 players that tested positive for Covid-19 in the weeks ahead of the start of the pandemic-disrupted season. The new results show the league has a positivity rate of 8.8 percent, which is high.

Under the league’s tough new Covid-19 protocols, a player who tests positive has to refrain from workouts for at least 10 days and more if he is showing symptoms.

The NBA’s first preseason games are December 11 with the regular season scheduled to begin less than two weeks later.

James was named playoff MVP after the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in six games for the NBA championship.

He became the first player in NBA history to win the award with three different teams. He also was finals MVP with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 and with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. AFP

EIGHT-division champion Manny Pacquiao is hoping that his life story will serve as an inspiration to millions of Filipinos.

Pacquiao said this following the upcoming release of a video game called Fighting Pride: The Manny Pacquiao Saga!

“I’m excited to show my life story in this mobile game,” said Pacquiao in a recent statement on Zoom during a round table discussion with its developers last week.

The game, which adapts a 2.5-D format, is beat-‘emup sports-adventure game features a thrilling, actionpacked, and addictive adaptation of Pacquiao’s life story.

It will be available and will be free to download on mobile platforms in early 2021.

OMG President Mike Ochosa, one of the game’s co-developers, said idea started way back in 2017 when Pacquiao was set to fight Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.

Back then, he was able to pitch his idea to Pacquiao, who eventually agreed.

“That’s when I sought Manny out to present the idea,” said Ochosa.

In playing the game, players join Manny Pacquiao on his life’s journey.

It starts with his humble beginnings as a young boy in the streets of his hometown, General Santos.

From there, the game tackles his career as a seasoned world champion fighting opponents in arenas around the world.

Mariano heroics propel Ginebra to 2-0 lead over TNT ALJON Mariano had an off-night in Game 1.

But Mariano’s good showing in Game 2 helped push the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings to their second straight win.

“Coming into the game, masama ang nilaro ko nung weekend. I needed to be aggressive on both ends of the floor.

So iyun, nag-focus lang ako. Lumabas na lang laro ko,” said the 28-year-old Mariano.

The 6’3” Mariano tallied a careerhigh 20 points and nine rebounds, backing up Stanley Pringle’s game-high 34 points for the Gin Kings when they pulled off a 92-90 win over TNT Tropang Giga.

This allowed the Gin Kings to take a 2-0 lead in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup finals series at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center.

This was better than what Mariano proBarangay Ginebra player Aljon Mariano (31) glides to the hoop for a layup during Game duced when he only had six points and eight rebounds in Game 1 when the Gin 2 of the championship playoff between the Gin Kings and TNT Tropang Giga. PBA

Kings prevailed in overtime, 100-94.

The Ginebra were struggling, nd were behind by two at the start of the fourth quarter, 68-70.

But, Mariano’s layup at the start of the period, tied the count, 70-all, and allowed Ginebra to stay in range.

Mariano’s timely baskets for the rest of the game, including two charities in the last 8:24, allowed Ginebra to stay in control, 79-84.

Eventually, triples from Stanley Pringle and Scottie Thompson during an 8-2 run in the last 30 seconds pushed the Gin Kings ahead, 92-87.

“When they started to stretch the lead out, we didn’t panic. We weren’t forcing things. We were still taking our time, trying to methodically work back in the game,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Roger Pogoy struck with 38 points, including five 3-pointers for the Tropang Giga.

Ray Parks was in uniform, but he did not see action due to a left calf strain.

Peter Atencio

Hermansson, Vettori square off at UFC Vegas 16

By Reuel Vidal

MARVIN Vettori gets a lucky break and will fight in the main event of UFC Vegas 16 against Jack Hermansson on December 6, Sunday in Las Vegas.

Vettori stepped in to replace Kevin Holland who was pulled from the middleweight bout after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Vettori, who was originally scheduled to face Jacare Souza at UFC 256 on December 13, can only thank his lucky stars for the chance to be the main event in the live UFC card. He’ll have to fight one week earlier but being in the main event against Hermansson more than makes up for that.

Hermansson seemed to be one win away

from a title fight in this division. But his steady climb was derailed late last year when he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Jared Cannonier.

He submitted Kelvin Gastelum with a heel hook just last July and another victory should put him right back in the mix for contenders to the title.

Vettori on the other hand is riding a hot steak. He hasn’t lost since April, 2018 when he dropped a split decision to middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. A victory over Hermansson should earn him a rematch against the middleweight king.

In the co-main event Ovince Saint Preux squares off against Jamahal Hill in a light heavyweight bout.

Saint Preux has a mixed bag of results in his last seven fights, winning three but losing the other four. He increases his chances for victory over Hill if he can take the fight to the ground where he can try for a submission.

Saint Preux will have his hands full against the hard-hitting Hill who knocked out Klidson Abreu in the first round last May. That result was overturned into a No Contest but there will be no denying the striking power of Hill when they square off inside the Octagon.

In other fights of the day Gabriel Benitez battles Justin Jaynes at lightweight; Montana Dela Rosa takes on Taila Santos at women’s flyweight; Roman Dolidze faces John Allan at light heavyweight; and NateLandwehr squares off against Movsar Evloev at featherweight.

Jack Hermansson (left) batters Jacare Souza inside the Octagon in this file photo of their five round fight held April 27, 2019 won by unanimous decision by Hermansson. AFP

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Sports

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

F1 set for breakneck race sans Hamilton

S Mick Schumacher

Schumacher’s son gets dream F1 spot with Haas SAKHIR, Bahrain—Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, says his childhood dream has come true following Wednesday’s announcement he will drive in Formula One for the first time with Haas next season.

“It’s incredible and it definitely hasn’t sunk in yet,” the 21-year-old said in a press conference.

“I’m happy it’s been decided -- I have been chasing this dream since I was three years old.”

Schumacher junior will partner Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, another Formula One debutant, in the Haas line-up.

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner welcomed his new drivers, tweeting: “Super excited about having two rookies in our team for next year! Welcome, Mick!”

They replace Haas’s current driver pairing of Romain Grosjean -- who escaped a fiery crash in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix -- and Kevin Magnussen.

Haas will be counting on their 2021 pairing to prove their mettle on the track after Grosjean and Magnussen’s frugal haul of just three points between them this campaign with two races to go.

Schumacher has shone in Formula Two this season and leads the standings by 14 points after achieving 10 podium finishes and feature-race victories at Monza and Sochi.

He will get a taste of what is needed at the elite level when he takes part in Haas’ free practice ahead of the 2020 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 11 before participating in testing a few days later.

Confirming the news 24 hours after Mazepin’s appointment, Haas announced that they had signed Schumacher “in a multi-year agreement”. AFP

AKHIR, Bahrain—Just days after Romain Grosjean’s fireball crash and miraculous escape at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Formula One circus returns to the same venue besieged by breaking news, but set to deliver the fastest laps of the year.

This weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix may be raced at the same Bahrain International Circuit, but it will run on a different track –- the high-speed outer loop -– on which lap times are forecast to be around 55 seconds in qualifying and below 60 in the race.

After a fast-moving few days that have seen Grosjean understandably ruled out of action by Haas as he heals and rests, following his 245 km/h crash, and newly-crowned seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton placed in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19, F1 offers an intriguing and unpredictable spectacle.

There will be much interest in how Haas reserve Pietro Fittipaldi fares on his debut in the Frenchman’s place and perhaps more in studying George Russell’s progress in Hamilton’s Mercedes after stepping up from stragglers Williams.

It is the first time Hamilton has missed a race since his debut at Melbourne in 2007.

Russell has two seasons’ experience, but has yet to score a point and his opportunity to run alongside Valtteri Bottas in the ‘black arrows’ is expected to end that sequence.

The Finn, who clocked the year’s briefest lap in taking pole in 1:02.939 on his way to victory at the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix in July, will be seeking his first win in six races -– and aiming for pole along the way.

Only one driver, Niki Lauda at the 1974 French Grand Prix, has previously recorded a sub-60 seconds pole position lap and his came on the outer track at Dijon, which had fewer corners than its alternative layout.

Bottas, resisting Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s challenge for runners-up place behind Hamilton, will hope to emulate that feat on a circuit dubbed “an almost oval track” by F1’s motorsports chief Ross Brawn. Lauda clocked 58.79 seconds.

While the inner track at Bahrain has 15 corners, the outer loop has only 11 and is almost one kilometre shorter, making it a novel challenge. It has never been used

Thomas takes center stage at year’s final PGA event

William’s British driver George Russell is pictured on the pits during the third practice session of the F1 Mexico Grand Prix at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City. Russell will step up from Williams to replace world champion Lewis Hamilton, who tested positive for Covid-19, at Formula One’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, Mercedes announced. Williams reserve Jack Aitken will replace Russell at Williams this weekend, joining regular driver Nicholas Latifi. AFP

Rockets ship Westbrook to Wizards for Wall Russell Westbrook headed to Washington

Partnering with China’s sports federations

By Graham C. Lim I WAS born at a time when China was mired in profound poverty and was still years away from becoming a progressive nation.

The winds of change have come with the transformation of Mainlanders from rags to riches as the world soon took notice of China’s tough and audacious road to prosperity.

Hard work has been the passport to success by the Chinese people -- a bunch of dreamers, who are industrious and innovative as they continued to meet the challenges brought about by new busi-

previously for an international race weekend –- and, to add drama, both qualifying and the 87-lap race will take place at night under lights.

Title-chasing Schumacher on standby Additional intrigue will be added by seeing Mick Schumacher, who was confirmed on Wednesday as joining Haas next season alongside Nikita Mazepin, bidding to seal the Formula Two title.

He is poised to make an early F1 appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a week later, in Friday practice – and, if Grosjean fails in his bid to recover for a personal F1 finale at the Yas Marina circuit, in the final race of the season.

“Obviously, it would be a challenge, but definitely, I think I would be able to get to know the car more to be even better prepared for next year,” said Schumacher, the 21-year-old son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. AFP

LOS ANGELES—The Houston Rockets agreed to send disgruntled point guard Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for former first round draft pick John Wall, the Wizards announced on Wednesday.

The Wizards also received a first round draft pick in the blockbuster deal which reunites Westbrook with former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks.

The trade ends a single season in Houston for the 32-year-old Westbrook, who spent the previous 11 years with the Thunder.

After the underachievi n g

Rockets were eliminated in this season’s playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, head coach Mike D’Antoni decided to leave the team. Westbrook and James Harden then reportedly told the Rockets they wanted to be traded.

“Russell’s accomplishments and honors on the court speak for themselves, but his drive and will to win are what separate him as a truly unique player,” Brooks said.

“As much as I’m looking forward to reuniting with him, I’m equally sad to say goodbye to John. He is one of the toughest and most gifted players I’ve ever been around and we all wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

Wall was originally the first overall pick by Washington in the 2010 entry draft.

In 573 career games for the Wizards, he averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.70 steals. Wall joins Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history with career averages of at least 19.0 points per game, 9.0 assists per game, and 4.0 rebounds per game.

ness methodologies.

China hosted the Summer Olympic Games for the first time as it was held in Beijing in 2008. With great joy, the Games impacted all the Chinese from across the globe and in all walks of life elsewhere.

Many national and private conglomerates provided support through sponsorship as billions of dollars were delivered to ensure the rousing success of the Olympic Games in the name of patriotism.

It is said that sports mirrors society. Indeed, it does.

Sports is one of the most progressive avenues to a strong and progressive country, and China lived up to the billing in playing host to various international sporting events.

Through the years, I have worked hard to align my various organizations to partner and work with China’s sports federations.

When it hosted the 2011 World University Games (also known as the 21st Summer Universiade) in Shenzhen featuring more than 180 countries, China further strengthened its claim to being the world’s ultimate forum for first-class international sports competitions.

The 2011 Summer Universiade was held under the auspices of the International

University Sports Federation or FISU. The international university sports-governing body became a phenomenon when it patterned its competitions after the Olympic concept that it had adopted with the hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

This is where we come to align our organizations, such as the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines for the university events and the Philippine School Sport Association for the secondary events.

The FESSAP has already submitted its letter of intent to participate in the 31st World University Games (31st Summer Universiade) that will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China from August 18 to 29, 2021. This event, held in cooperation with the Federation of University Sports of China, Sichuan Provincial Government, and Chengdu City Government, is sanctioned by the FISU. The PISSA has also submitted its letter of intent to compete in the 18th World School Games (18th Gymnasiade) that will be held in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China from October 16 to 23, 2021. This event is held in cooperation with China School Sport Federation, Jinjiang City Government, and is recognized by the International School Sport Federation.

Over the past six seasons, Wall is the only player in the league to have averaged at least 20.0 ppg and 10.0 apg. The five-time all-star ranks sixth in NBA history in assists per game and is second to Chris Paul among active players.

Westbrook has career averages of 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 878 games (861 starts). He has 146 career triple-doubles, which ranks second all-time behind Hall of Famer Robertson’s 181.

Westbrook is slated to make $41.4 million in 2020-21.

“Having the opportunity to acquire a player of Russell’s caliber and character was something that we could not pass up when looking at both the immediate and long-term future of our team,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said.

“With that said, the decision to part ways with John, one of the greatest players in franchise history, was extremely difficult. What he has meant to our organization and our community is immeasurable and will not be forgotten.” AFP

LOS ANGELES—Justin Thomas is the only top 10 player in the field and a heavy favorite to win the Mayakoba Golf Classic, the final event of the USPGA Tour’s 2020 season.

World No. 3 Thomas became the frontrunner when Dustin Johnson, who is ranked No. 1, decided not to take part in the event at El Camaleon Golf Club.

Thomas, who has two wins in 2020, is coming off a fourth place finish at the Masters and has five straight top15 finishes.

When he looks back at his year, Thomas likes what he sees but says it could have been even better.

“I was, you know, probably four or five rounds away from having another historic year, but it doesn’t mean that can’t happen next year,” he said.

“I still see no reason why someone can’t win eight, nine, 10, 11 times in a season. I know it’s not likely and a lot of people (think) it probably can’t happen. But, like I said, I was a couple rounds away in a short season from winning five or six times.”

One of Thomas’s biggest challengers will be four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, who is coming off another injury break. Koepka finished runner-up to Thomas at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

Former winner Harris English is also in the field. English has played solid golf this season finishing in the top 20 in 12 of his last 17 tournaments.

He placed solo fifth at this event last year.

Daniel Berger has also been a consistent player in 2020. Berger, who did not qualify for the Masters, has placed in the top 10 in seven of his last nine events.

The Mayakoba has been like a second home for 44-year-old Pat Perez. A long-time regular in this tournament, he won in 2016 for one of his three career victories.

The home country favorite is Mexico’s Abraham Ancer who is coming off a strong performance in the Masters. Ancer is seeking to win in his home country for the first time. AFP

Shown here are (from left) Yang Hua Hong, CEO of Omni Electrical and Lighting company; PISSA president Alvin Tai Lian and FESSAP president Angel Ngu.

I am deeply grateful for some Filipino Chinese businessmen who have provided moral support to the success of our international commitments. These include corporate partnerships with businessmenphilanthropist, such as PISSA President and FESSAP Chairman Tai Lian of Bestank Corporation; FESSAP president

Angel Ngu and George Hock Huy Chiu of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association chairman Yang Hua Hong of Omni Electrical and Lighting, and Ambassador Francis Chua of the Philippine Chamber and Commerce Industries.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

Heart

Evangelista

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Heart Evangelista

joins Global Town Hall 2020 VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Introducing Ricky Gumera

N

EWCOMER Ricky Gumera is one daring actor. In fact, at the recent media conference for Anak Ng Macho Dancer—a sequel to the 1988 sexy drama starring Allan Paule and Daniel Fernando and helmed by Lino Brocka—the 21-year-old former pageant winner stripped down to his tiny undies and flaunted his chiseled physique.

“I guess I got the confidence from joining pageants. In male beauty contest, you need to showcase yourself in front of many people. That’s how I got comfortable,” the 5-foot-10 Ricky said in Tagalog.

Considered a male pageant veteran, the fledgling actor started joining male beauty contest in 2016 until he represented the country at Mister Global 2019 where he finished as one of the 16 finalists.

“It’s a great feeling that you are not just representing yourself, you're representing the whole country. I made a lot of friends in male pageants, especially in the international pageant. Up until now I get to chat with Mr. USA,” Ricky shared adding that he’s no longer interested in joining male pageants, instead, he wanted to just help out those who aspire to be successful in the field.

Meanwhile, acting in his very first film, Ricky had only good words to share about the experience he had shooting for Anak Ng Macho Dancer, which is helmed by acclaimed director Joel Lamangan.

“I did audition for the role, and why not, it’s a Joel Lamangan film,” he started.

“I learned a lot from the director. He’s very strict. I got scolded a few times but I’m proud to say that for the most part, I was able to deliver. I really made an effort to read the script and practice with my co-actors especially when it comes to executing the daring scenes.

We didn’t want to do multiple takes,” he carried on.

Portraying a daring role, a macho dancer at that with steamy scenes with his fellow male co-actors, Ricky believes that the film aims to open the minds of the public and teach them valuable lessons about the life of the not-so-priviledged and those who are not fortunate to get a better opportunity.

“It’s an extremely daring film. There are intimate scenes that could make some people feel uncomfortable. But the movie

SCREEN star and mental health advocate Heart Evangelista was one of the speakers at the virtual Global Town Hall on “Rebuilding From The COVID-19 World,” which was held last Friday, Nov. 20.

Heart was the only Filipina among the speakers who shared their personal experiences and message of hope during these uncertain times. She was joined by the Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia H.E. Syed Saddiq and Indonesian Entertainer and Entrepreneur Cinta Laura Kiehl during their session.

"In a way, I feel like every time a Filipino goes somewhere I'm very proud.

I'm also very proud I was given a platform to talk about the things I'm passionate about. It inspires me to do more. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that someone would contact me to talk about what I'm really passionate about. It gives more meaning to what I do," said the Kapuso star.

As someone who has been vocal about her own experiences dealing with mental health issues behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment scene and the social media, Heart spoke about the need to create awareness and reduce the stigma attached to mental health.

"It's something not a lot of people talk about openly. It's not as normalized as it should be. This is a personal topic for me. I, myself, for what I've been doing for 24 years—all the pressure of show business, trying to be beautiful, trying not to be scandalous, and all of that—that does something to you subconsciously, in a way damages your soul,” she shared during the international discussion.

Heart also highlighted the importance of prioritizing looking after one’s own mental wellbeing, "You know in your heart you care. You know in your heart that when given a chance, you'll give back to your country. But at the end of the day, you also have to take care of yourself and your mental health. Because how will you function when you're not feeling right about yourself?"

She continued, "Don’t pressure yourself because people are pressuring you. Do it on your own time, your own pace, and that’s what is important because if you take care of yourself, you'll be able to take care of more people."

Initiated by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), the Global Town Hall is a virtual meeting that provides a platform for leading minds across the world to discuss, in a marathon one-day discussion, the state of play in the COVID-19 world. The event was attended by a global audience from more than 65 countries around the world.

Meet the 14 official housemates of Pinoy Big Brother’s latest edition Mister Global Philippines 2019 and showbiz newbie Ricky Gumera debuts in the sexy drama ‘Anak Ng Macho Dancer,’ a film directed by Joel Lamangan.

depicts life. We have to put ourselves in their shoes to understand why they act the way they do and why they chose the profession,” the showbiz newbie explained.

Ricky also assures that the film has other good intentions other than “waking up the viewers’ senses.”

“We wanted the film to go places.

Hopefully, the film gets approved to be shown on Netflix. That’s the goal of the producer,” he said and shared that a special screening is also being planned from Dec. 15 to 20 and an actual movie playdate might commence next year apart from being available for streaming online before the MMFF. "Just watch the uncut version. I'm going to show everything," he teased.

Produced by Godfather Productions led by Joed Serrano, the drama film is

‘iBilib’ is a television informative show broadcast

by GMA.

written by Henry King Quitain also stars Sean De Guzman in the lead role. Jaclyn Jose, Emilio Garcia, Rossana Roces, Jay Manalo, and Allan Paule complete the cast. ***

This Sunday on ‘iBilib’

Pinoy James delos Santos, the world no.1 in virtual kata (karate forms) competitions graces the show and teaches us how martial arts is sound, scientifically.

In “Bilibabols,” Kapuso teens Shayne Sava and Anjo Damiles try to outdo each Former PBB housemates Robi Domingo (left) and Gino Roque in a runup digital event before the ’big reveal’ that will introduce the reality show’s 14 new housemates. other by transferring a pingpong ball from cup to cup in a rotating box.

THE countdown to the Pinoy Big Brother Pangasinan,” and “Dong Diskarte ng The hosts experiment with soap and Connect kickoff on Dec. 6 continues as Zamboanga Del Sur.” All 14 passed their PVC pipes to make a toy tesseract, while the show begins to reveal the 14 official medical, psychological, and COVID-19 in “Lifehacks,” Shaira Diaz fashions a housemates on Kumu, It’s Showtime, and exams to become full-fledged housemates. tool case out of an upcycled rectangular TV Patrol this week.

Chosen from over 177,000 auditionees plastic bottle.

Already introduced were Andrea from all over the world, the 14 housemates All these on your favorite science show Abaya, the “Cheerdance Sweetheart were first introduced in “PBB Kumulitan,” hosted by Chris Tiu with Roadfill. ng Paranaque,” Justin Dizon, the a digital show on the livestreaming app “Courageous Cabalen ng Pampanga,” Kumu, where auditions for this season Kobie Brown, the “Charming Striker ng were also held.

PBB host Robi Domingo tried to guess Paranaque” and Jie-Ann Armero, the the identities of the housemates, who “Kwelang Fangirl ng Sarangani.”

Viewers will also be given a brief look were wearing face shields and masks, and into the personalities, talents, and life whose voices were distorted. Joining him stories of the ten other official housemates in the show were his fellow former PBB on these programs even before they enter housemates Kiara Takahashi, Shawntel the famous Big Brother house on Sunday Cruz, Jem Macatuno, Lie Reposposa, and Gino Roque IV. (Dec. 6).

Kiara, Shawntel, Jem, and Lie wrote They are “Single Momshie-kap ng Bataan,” “Striving Footballer ng Cebu,” and sang the official soundtrack of PBB “Ra-kweentera ng Quezon,” “Alluring Connect titled “Connected Na Tayo.”

Accountant ng Australia,” “Shy Biker The lyric video for the song is now up on Boy ng Butuan,” “Bunsong Boksingero Facebook and YouTube.

Stay tuned for its kickoff this Sunday ng General Santos City,” “Miss Malakas ng Misamis Oriental,” “Military Son on Kapamilya Online Live, Kapamilya ng Palawan,” “Makatang Marikit ng Channel, A2Z channel 11, and Kumu.

Stream world-class concerts this December ‘Ogie and the Hurados’ that features the singersongwriter Ogie Alcasid and the TNT Hurados streams on ktx. ph.

WHAT better way to spend weekends than a back-to-back musical salvo featuring some of the most respected personalities in the local music industry in Aegis na Aegis: A Story of Us and Ogie and the Hurados at the comfort of your homes this month via the online streaming platform www.ktx.ph.

The iconic OPM band Aegis will take audiences on a rock journey down memory lane once again with Aegis na Aegis: A Story of Us just as they rocked RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater back in 2017. The show also features The Draybers frontman and The Voice of the Philippines season 1 winner, Mitoy Yonting.

Presented by Resorts World Manila (RWM) in cooperation with Full House Theater Company and Ultimate Shows, Inc., Aegis na Aegis: A Story of Us will be available via online streaming on the following show dates: today at 8:00 p.m.; Dec. 5 at 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.; and Dec. 6 at 3:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.

Highlighting the many accomplishments of Ogie Alcasid and the Hurados over the years, Ogie and the Hurados, which was held at RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater in 2019, features the most iconic and recognizable Hurados in Showtime’s reality talent search Tawag ng Tanghalan led by Zsa Zsa Padilla,

Randy Santiago, K Brosas, Karylle, Jed Madela, and Rey Valera.

Presented by RWM in cooperation with Full House Theater Co., A-Team and Ultimate Shows, Inc., Ogie and the Hurados will be available online on the following show dates: Dec. 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Dec. 12 at 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.; and Dec. 13 at 3:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m..

Tickets for both shows are now available via www.ktx.ph. Regular ticket price is at P750.

To know more about RWM concerts and events, visit www. rwmanila.com or download the RWM Mobile App for free on the AppStore or GooglePlay.

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

C4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

The view from the top

Life TRAVEL & LEISURE

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

W

HAT is it about panoramic views seen from an altitude that people find so endearing and relaxing?

I remember our Psychology professor in college telling us that looking at these breathtaking vistas affects that part of our brain responsible for making us relax, suppressing whatever anxiety or fear we might have as a result of being stressed out too often or for long periods of time.

This is why it is important for those of us who are continuously exposed to the hustle and bustle of the “urban jungle” to seek the comforts of a “mental escape”-destination every now and then. Such destination tones down our emotions towards eliminating stress, making us regain our strength, and ready to face more challenges, be they mental or physical.

I’m sure I am not alone in my constant desire to hie off to any of these places that will help me keep my sanity and survive whatever challenges our world

The hardworking general manager of Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila, Antoine Weinstein.

The breathtaking daytime view of the metro’s various cities from The Roof at the Penthouse of Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila.

brings on, especially now that we are faced with this pandemic In fact, my heart doctor has advised me to find refuge in places that offer scenic views because these can reduce blood pressure and enable me to sleep better at night. This is why I am constantly in search of these treasured places and, boy, was I happy to have found another one to add to my list!

The Roof is the penthouse resto-bar of the de luxe Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila in the Ortigas Business District. Located on the 43rd floor of the hotel, this approximately 150-squaremeter food and beverage outlet is now the popular after-office rendezvous of busy business executives, name-droppable personalities, and those who enjoy the finer things in life.

I have never heard of this venue before and, to think, it opened its doors to the metro’s fun-lovers as early as two years ago. I could bang myself in the head for this lapse in my “fun radar.”

The resto-bar serves customers from 5:00 p.m. onwards, daily, and people go there to enjoy al fresco dining, spiced up by the awesome cityscape that soothes any tired individual. People also troop to the place to lift their spirits up with a dose or several of the world’s best cocktail mixes.

Aside from the captivating view, the venue’s other attraction is its Sundown Barbecue which continues to attract

EXHIBITS 'Pila' (2020), 12x18 relief print by Leonilo Doloricon

'Verse 1' (2020), 12x12 acrylic on canvas

by Benjie Cabangis

ArtGifts 2020 presents pieces about hope, solidarity

THIS year’s art exhibition-sale of University of the Philippines features works that resonate with the themes of hope, solidarity, and sharing in the time of a challenging pandemic.

Available at the onsite and online exhibit-sale of ArtGifts 2020 are drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, illustrations, digital art, sculptures, ceramics, pottery, objects, and other small works produced dur-

ing the lockdown.

Proceeds of the sales will go to supporting the Faculty Development Program of the college which also now quietly supports colleagues in need.

The exhibit opens today and will run until Dec. 30 at UP Fine Arts, Gallery Two (schedule an appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to visit). Contact Neil Doloricon at 0956-8596478 for more information.

The nighttime view, with millions of lights sparkling from below.

The Greenhouse provides exclusivity and privacy amidst the homey ambience of lush plants.

meat lovers hankering for an honest-to- skills, and rated only by kind words from ing a heated indoor pool, and its locagoodness quality meal. friends. I have promised myself to head to tion right across the metro’s large malls, For some privacy, one of the venue’s this room much sooner than later.

I’m convinced that Joy Nostalg Hotel private rooms has been and Suites Manila is the transformed into The perfect place to be “away Greenhouse. Here, groups from it all.” can have a more relaxed Staying at this hotel, and YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE and communal experience availing of its luxurious I’VE FINALLY REACHED MY WONDER YEARS: Wonder in the exclusivity of the facilities and seamless serwhere I parked my car. Wonder where I left my phone. space, elegantly decorated vice during the four-day Wonder where my glasses are. Wonder what day it is! with lush green plants, and five-day weekends giving it a pleasantly of the coming Holidays homey ambience. would certainly be a great Another private room has been conI’m so glad that I now have The Roof, way to have a Merry Christmas! verted into The Studio, a private kara- my newly discovered destination for reoke room where kindred spirits can sing laxation. With the hotel’s de luxe suites, For feedback, I’m at their hearts out, displaying their musical top-of-the-line wellness center, includbobzozobrado@gmail.com.

Booking platform offers local travel packages LOCAL tourism is gradually reopening in the country, with many destinations beginning to welcome guests again— Coron in Palawan being the latest on Dec. 1—in a bid to help the hard-hit tourism sector rebound.

But as many remain apprehensive about traveling or feel burdened by figuring out requirements, a booking platform launches a campaign that aims to make domestic travels easier for Filipinos.

With its “Pilipinas, You’re Worth the Wait,” Klook rolls out a wide range of staycation and activity packages, including discounts and bundled offers.

Enjoy up to 50 percent off on hotel bookings at Shangri-La Hotels, Anya Resort Tagaytay, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, and more. The staycation products include bundled offers with food and beverage credits, free messages, tours, and day passes.

For day trips and quick getaways, there are Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens Spa in Antipolo, Nurture Wellness Spa in Tagaytay, Enchanted Kingdom, Inflatable Island, and Zoobic Safari.

Considering safety as one of the primary concerns of customers, Klook said it had ensured all featured activities comply with enhanced safety and cleanliness protocols such as body temperature checks, personal protective equipment for staff,

Luljetta's Hanging Gardens in Antipolo City awaits guests.

and regular sanitation.

It has also launched its Klook-powered Contact Tracing System for local attractions to use for free. This is currently being implemented at Cebu Ocean Park and Bakebe and will soon be launched at Manila Ocean Park, The Dessert Museum, Art in Island, Zoobic Safari, and more.

The activities are open-dated and val-

id until December 2021. To make payments easier, travelers can also choose to pay for their hotel getaways in installment for up to 24 months through Klook’s partnership with Tendopay.

The platform also has weekend flash sale events until Dec. 13. Go to www. klook.com/en-PH/promo/ph-worththewait for more information.

Klook offers packages for various local destinations including (clockwise) Anya Resort Tagaytay, Cebu Ocean Park, Nurture Wellness Village, and Bakebe.