Manila Standard - 2020 December 23 - Wednesday

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PNP: No need to reform

Insists Tarlac murder 'isolated', but rights body debunks claim

By Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE killing of two unarmed civilians by a police officer in Tarlac will not trigger any changes in the Philippine National Police (PNP) because it was an isolated incident, a spokesman said Tuesday, but the Commission on Human Rights disputed this claim.

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 292 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Speaking to the ANC news channel, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said the incident in which Police Master Senior Sgt. Jonel Nuezca shot Sonia Gregorio, 55, and her son Frank Anthony, 25, in the head at point-blank range in Paniqui, Tarlac, due to a dispute over a holiday noisemaker, was an isolated incident and said it would “not even trigger any change at all in the PNP” because reforms were already in place.

Murder charges have been filed and Nuezca would soon be dismissed, he Next page said.

GRIEVING, DEFIANT. In this photo posted on Twitter, emotions run high on Monday night as family and friends gathered at the wake of Sonia Gregorio, 55, and her son Frank Anthony, 25, who were shot dead in broad daylight by Police Master Senior Sgt. Jonel Nuezca in Paniqui, Tarlac. Meanwhile, members of National Union of People's Lawyers rally in front of the Supreme Court (inset), expressing concern over recent attacks on lawyers and judges, including the death of retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Normandie Pizarro as announced Monday. Mai Bermudez/GMA News and Norman Cruz

3he standard the standard the Death penalty backed, bucked in wake of killings the standard the standard the

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

NBI zeroes in on four persons as Pizarro slay ‘near solution’

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he expected the National Bureau of Investigation to solve the mystery behind the abduction and killing of retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Normandie

Pizarro, whose remains were found seven days after he was reportedly missing on October 23.

“The NBI is still investigating, but this will be solved very soon,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

“The NBI is focusing on four persons of interest. One of them is willing to

SENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa, former chief of the National Police, revived on Tuesday his push to reinstate death penalty in the Philippines after a policeman shot dead an unarmed mother and her son in Tarlac during an argument.

In a text message to reporters, Dela Rosa said the killing of Sonya Gregorio, 55, and her 25-year old son Frank Anthony Gregorio could have been deterred if a law reviving death penalty in the country had been passed.

"That rouge cop deserves the death penalty," said the senator, referring to Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca.

In

Palace considers travel ban on UK; EU borders shut

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Virus surges; curbed mobility urged

By Willie Casas RESEARCHERS tracking the coronavirus pandemic have recommended stricter border controls to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 “within and between provinces” as they warned that a fresh surge of cases has

a related development, Malacañang said it would let Congress decide on the fate of the proposed reinstatement of the death penalty in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte wants to restore the capital punishment in the Philippines but his plan would only be possible once he gets the support of lawmakers, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual Palace Next page press briefing.

EUROPE scrambled Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to thrash out a coordinated response to a new strain of the coronavirus which has prompted an international suspension of travel links with the United Kingdom, while the United States saw its own caseload top 18 million.

Next page

begun in Metro Manila.

“Together with more effective screening and other controls in our ports and airports, this will be crucial to supporting the government’s plans to expand domestic as well international travel in the country,” the UP-OCTA Research Team said.

COVID-19 PH

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AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM DEC. 22)

462,815 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,341 24,375 GETTING THE JAB. US President-elect Joe Biden receives a Covid-19

vaccination from Tabe Mase, Nurse Practitioner and Head of Employee Health Services, at the Christiana Care campus in Newark, Delaware on Monday. AFP

KEY PARTNERS. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) chats with Speaker Lord Allan Velasco as he lauded the latter for leading the House to solid efficiency despite few session days left when Velasco assumed office last October. Ver Noveno

House delivers amid challenges

By Maricel V. Cruz

to pass President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda as the chamber THE House of Representatives, under processed 688 measures or an average the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan of 115 per session from October 12 to Velasco, fulfilled its commitment December 16, 2020 alone. Next page

New deal for 20m more doses eyed

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz THE government is eyeing to sign a deal for the procurement of another 20 million doses of AstraZeneca's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine by the end of December, National Policy Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Next page Galvez said.

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9,021

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429,419

247

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Rody to ink ’21 budget Dec. 28 Roque said five lawmakers each from The President is in his home province the Senate and the House of Representa- of Davao to spend Christmas with his tives would fly to Davao for the signing family. set on Dec. 28.

The Palace had earlier appealed to

Congress for the timely approval of the P4.5 trillion budget proposal to avert the prospect of having the government operating on a reenacted 2020 budget next year.

The budget bill ratified by Congress includes a P72 billion allocation for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

Roque said the President was expected to scrutinize the budget proposal and would readily veto any unlawful allocation he finds.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said

the 2021 budget would ensure an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The 2021 budget assures funding for the pandemic and assistance. Its priority is not just our health workers but about 70 percent of our people. They should be prioritized,” Sotto said, referring to free immunization for the poor.

The passage of the budge is the biggest accomplishment of the Senate espcially now that the country is in a pandemic, he said.

“We are just awaiting the President’s signature,” he said.

police operation, they would not share information. When there are vigilante killings, the investigation is not forthcoming," she said.

“Non-cooperation is really a signal that they're not open to engage and show and demonstrate that they’re trying to respond to the situation properly,” she added.

She also said leaders must be careful in their remarks to avoid being misconstrued by their subordinates.

"That's why we've been saying all along, the easiest thing to do is... change your language. Make it positive. The substance of the language should be to preserve human lives. It should be respectful of human rights," she said.

“Stop words that incite hatred, words that incite violence because that's the one that enables law enforcement agencies to commit this kind of acts,” she said.

The Palace urged the public not to use the Tarlac killings to generalize about the police.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said most police were respected because they put their lives on the line to do their job.

At the same time, he reminded police officers that “it takes only one of you to destroy the reputation and integrity of the institution.”

Although video footage left no doubt of the guilt of Nuezca, the PNP Internal Affairs Service said it would take a month to dismiss the killer.

NP-IAS Director General Alfegar Triambulo said in a radio interview that they would try to complete the process for dismissal in 30 days.

Triambulo said video taken during the incident is a big factor in the course of the investigation.

Despite Usana’s comments that the shooting would not trigger any changes in the police force, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said he would consider anger management training for cops.

Sinas said he had already consulted with experts from the PNP Health Service as to why Nuezca went berserk and shot and killed his two neighbors in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday.

“We might also have a new study on anger management of our people. I want to come up with a study and how it (the result of the study) could be converted to a module for anger management,” Sinas told reporters.

Citing the results of an initial discussion with PNP neuropsychiatrists, Sinas said that what happened in Paniqui was a case of mishandling a confrontation due to a sudden burst of anger.

He said this was manifested by Nuezca himself when he decided to surrender and face the charges, apparently after his anger simmered down.

On Monday, murder charges were filed before the Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court against Nuezca. No bail was

recommended by the prosecutors.

Meanwhile, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) on Tuesday appealed to the public to spare the 12-year-old daughter of Nuezca from condemnation and cyberbullying.

Nuezca's daughter became the subject of bullying on social media after the video of the shooting spread like wildfire on social media.

Nuezca’s daughter was seen on the video arguing with victim Sonya Gregorio moments before her father shot Sonya in the head.

“My father is a policeman!” she could be heard saying on the video.

"The child's behavior may have infuriated people, having spewed unintended words during the incident's filming. However, the child's cognitive ability to control emotional impulse and regulate emotions are still under development at the early stage of her childhood," the CWC said in a statement.

"In a simpler context, a child's behavior, in general, is a product of his or her environment. It will reflect the kind of parenting he or she received, how the key persons in his or her life behave and interact with one another, and possibly being raised in a prevailing culture of violence that tolerates impunity," it added.

"Alarmingly, the child has also witnessed the violent act committed by her own father towards his victims."

report showed a 99.99 percent DNA match,” Guevarra said.

The NBI said its initial investigation showed that Pizarro was killed in Tarlac seven days before he was found dead last October 30.

The top magistrate issued the statement after the NBI confirmed the cadaver recovered in Capas were Pizarro's remains.

“I also extend my sincerest condolences and sympathies to the family of retired Court of Appeals Justice Normandie Pizarro,” Peralta said.

Meanwhile, members of National Union of Peoples' Lawyers and Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties on Tuesday condemned the spate of killings involving lawyers, including the murder of Pizarro.

The NUPL and CLCL members staged a protest rally outside the Supreme Court, while holding placards containing a long list of work-related killings of lawyers since 2016.

The groups submitted a letter to the Supreme Court expressing alarm over the spate of killings of lawyers as they demanded justice for the victims by

making those responsible for the killings accountable.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines also called on the government authorities to stop the killings and to end impunity.

"The unabated killing of lawyers, too often with impunity, is a sad reflection of the spiraling violence and disregard of, if not contempt for the rule of law in our land," the IBP said in a statement.

Guevarra said he would request a meeting with the IBP leadership in the coming days “so that we could coordinate our action.”

“I will invite the leadership of the IBP in the coming days to discuss their concerns and coordinate our action to address the increasing number of killing of lawyers, judges and prosecutors,” Guevarra stressed.

The mandatory lawyers’ group stressed the need for concerted efforts of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government in ensuring the safety of lawyers in the country and justice for those who perished in previous killings.

"We appeal to those who have been entrusted with great authority, power and public funds to do more, better and faster lest shocking situations where law enforcers/peace keepers readily and publicly shoot helpless unarmed neighbors-mother and son become the norm," it said.

Some senators have filed resolutions seeking a legislative inquiry into the series of killings of lawyers, doctors, activists, and other members of the community, to break the culture of impunity in the country.

In the Senate, meanwhile, senators said the killing of a woman and her son by a police sergeant in Tarlac highlighted the prevailing culture of impunity among law enforcement agencies that should never be allowed to persist.

Senator Joel Villanueva said he and several senators had sought a public inquiry into the spate of unresolved, unlawful killings of citizens, including doctors, lawyers, journalists, and other advocates in different parts of the country, to break the cycle of violence perpetuated by the culture of impunity.

or dismissed.

He was also suspended for refusing to take a drug test in 2014 but dodged a case of grave misconduct in 2013 and of serious neglect of duty in 2016 for failing to appear as a prosecution witness in a drug case.

“His immediate superiors must be automatically included in the investigation, according to R.A. 8551,” Marcos said, citing the law meant to reform and reorganize the PNP. “Republic Act 8551 needs to be amended and strengthened. Clear lapses are being committed in the psychological and drug tests for police personnel, as well as the periodic review of their behavior,” Marcos explained.

Marcos said a strong padrino and frat system was defeating the PNP’s efforts since 2018 to prevent influencepeddling in police recruitment through the RONMEDDS (Robust, Neuro-Psychiatric, Medical and Dental System) program.

Palace...

contagious than, and genetically distinct from, more established variants.

“We will prod the DOTr because that's within their jurisdiction. For now, as long as we follow protocols before the result of the PCR test is released, I think we are safe. But you are right, it's time to consider a temporary travel ban on the UK,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

Senators also said the Philippines should temporarily ban travelers from Europe given the more infectious COVID-19 mutation spreading there, as well as the uncertainty on whether or not the vaccines would cover the new strain.

Sen. Grace Poe said the government should act on this matter decisively and promptly. She noted that considering tightening our borders will be for the good of nations concerned to contain the infection.

“It's the vaccine that should be spreading across borders, not the virus,” Poe pointed out. Macon RamosAraneta with AFP

activities for the holiday season in line with the directives of the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

They said that based on available data, “the period of the declining trend in cases observed in the NCR in the past few months has now ended.”

“The trend has been reversed with significant positive growth in new cases observed in the region. While it can be argued that the numbers are still relatively small, the rise in the reproduction number Rt as well as the rise in new cases in the NCR over the last week is the highest for the last two months,” they said.

“It is in this light that we believe, based on our analysis of the data and of the past trends in the NCR that a surge in its early stages has already started in the region. This is a serious cause for concern,” they said.

New...

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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RESIDENT Duterte is expected to sign the proposed 2021 national budget into law in Davao City next week, his spokesman Harry Roque said Tuesday.

PNP:...

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Usana added that Nuezca’s actions, which he said were abominable, did not represent the 221,000 officers in the police force.

The killing of the Gregorios was captured on video and widely shared on the internet, triggering public outrage and demands for police reform.

In a separate ANC interview, Human Rights Commissioner Karen Dumpit disputed police claims that the shooting was an isolated incident.

“It's not really an isolated case. If you take a look at the language, if you take a look at the applause that comes after each and every killing. And we're not just talking about this case, there have been many in the past," she said.

Following the killing of the Gregorios, the police chief of Bato town in Catanduanes, Police Capt. Ariel Buraga, said in a Facebook post that the shooting “will teach people, even if they have white hair, to respect police.”

Buraga has been relieved and his Facebook post has since been taken down.

Dumpit expressed disappointment over the PNP’s lack of cooperation in the CHR investigation into possible lapses in police operations.

“Whenever there's a death following a

NBI...

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divulge what he knows,” the Justice Secretary stressed.

At the same time, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on Tuesday condemned what he described as “barbaric” murder of Pizarro.

“The killing and murder of any person is never tolerated by our laws. In fact, our courts will always condemn it,” Peralta said in a statement.

“I ask our law enforcement agencies to press on with their investigation so that the perpetrators of this barbaric act can be caught and brought to justice,” he added.

According to Guevarra, the NBI was looking at all possible angles, including Pizarro’s previous work in the Court of Appeals.

Guevarra earlier confirmed that the remains found in Capas, Tarlac last October 30 were Pizarro’s after the NBI conducted DNA texts and other analyses on the cadaver.

“The NBI forensic chemistry division

Death...

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“The President’s stand is clear. He favors death penalty, especially for widescale drug trafficking. But that is still up to the lawmakers,” Roque said.

Public outcry for the reimposition of death penalty was revived after a video of a shooting incident in Tarlac involving a police officer went viral on social media.

Also in the Senate, Senator Imee Marcos said Nuezca was likely to have several protectors within and outside the police force, adding he “could even be a regular hitman.”

“Who are this guy’s sponsors? The guy is clearly inured to shooting people like target practice, using his service firearm,” Marcos noted.

Nuezca’s police record shows his involvement last year in two cases of homicide, both of which were either dropped

Virus...

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At the same time, the group proposed to local governments in Metro Manila to monitor and enforce the current GCQ (general community quarantine) limit of 10 persons per gathering in the region and to discourage office parties and other social events, especially during the Christmas season.

“Family gatherings like bubbles should be limited to the immediate family and gatherings should also be limited in size.

If larger gatherings have to happen, they should be celebrated outside (in openair or well-ventilated venues) to mitigate transmissions,” the group said.

They also said local government units should also issue clearer guidelines on

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With travelers in Europe facing a nightmare holiday season, European Union ambassadors were to meet Tuesday to try to nail down a unified approach and work out how to eventually lift the border restrictions with Britain -including by imposing a requirement for tests on all arrivals.

Initial studies of the new virus variant prompted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to tighten restrictions over Christmas, as more than two dozen countries from India to Argentina suspended flights from the UK -- offering a bleak reminder that the pandemic is far from over.

In the Philippines, Malacañang said on Tuesday it would prod the Department of Transportation to possibly ban travelers from the UK, where scientists have identified a new variant of the coronavirus that appears to be more

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"Maybe next week, either December 28 or 29, we are just waiting for the Ministry of Health Regulatory Authorization of the United Kingdom and we could sign the contract," Galvez said during the public briefing of President Rodrigo Duterte Monday night.

Galvez said out of the 20 million doses of vaccine, around 10 million will be allocated for local government units (LGUs) and the private sector.

Galvez also reported a positive outcome of the government's negotiation with pharmaceutical companies to secure COVID-19 vaccines.

"The results are positive with those

company owners and) country [representatives], they agree on strong support on non-profit–no loss concept," he said.

They also agreed to negotiate the COVID-19 vaccine at a lower price, he added.

"I think it will only cost P500 per two shots of vaccine," Galvez said.

With his talks with the country representative of the Serum Institute of India, a manufacturer of immunobiological drugs, Galvez said the company committed to comply with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184 also known as Government Procurement Reform Act. Galvez said the government expects to get 30 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. With AFP

Mine landslide claims 4 lives at Toledo site

By Othel V. Campos A MINING project in Toledo City in Cebu said Tuesday the slide incident that happened Monday had claimed four lives.

Carmen Copper Corporation announced in an update that the company was doing its best to locate six more missing people.

“As of this time we are in close coordination and communication with the affected immediate families and will continue to extend the needed support and assistance. We humbly ask the general public to exercise caution and responsibility in distributing information out of respect to the affected families,” the company said in a statement.

The company also cited the efforts by private groups and the Toledo City Government Emergency Response team for extending assistance in the search-and-rescue operations.

Company officials blamed the non-stop downpour that further softened the earth on the mining grounds, resulting in dangerously slippery grounds.

The company said it was in close coordination and communication with government agencies to address the situation.

It has suspended all activities in the mining site area to ensure the safety of employees and contractors.

Carmen Copper is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining Corporation. It has active mining operations in the Toledo Mines covering 1,645 hectares.

Early-morning quake shakes Quezon province A MAGNITUDE 4.9 earthquake of tectonic origin jolted Quezon province and nearby areas at 2:14 a.m. on Tuesday. It struck nine kilometers northwest of General Nakar and had a depth of 13 kilometers.

Intensity IV was felt in General Nakar, Quezon; Malolos City and San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Lumban, Laguna; Quezon City, Caloocan City and Makati City in Metro Manila; and Rodriguez, Rizal.

Intensity III was recorded in Lucban, Quezon, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija; Malabon City; Talim Island and Binangonan, Rizal; and Intensity II in Santa Cruz, Laguna; San Mateo, Antipolo City, and Tanay, Rizal; Marikina City; Navotas City; and Plaridel in Bulacan.

Intensity I was reported in Guinayangan, Quezon.

The following instrumental intensities were also recorded: Intensity IV - Navotas City.

Intensity III - Dolores, Quezon; Plaridel, Malolos City and Calumpit, Bulacan; Guagua, Pampanga; Marikina City; Quezon City; Pasig City; Mandaluyong City; Malabon City; San Juan City.

Intensity II - Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Baler, Aurora; Gumaca, Quezon; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Las Piñas City; San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Intensity I - Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Muntinlupa City; Guinayangan, Lucena City and Lucban, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Norte; Carmona and Bacoor City, Cavite. Rio N. Araja

House...

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This was despite the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the change in leadership, and the other disasters that struck the country this 2020, said House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez praised Speaker Velasco for leading the House to solid efficiency despite few session days left when he assumed office last October, as manifested in the passage of key legislations like the P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget which was passed on final reading on October 16.

“Despite this challenging year, we remain unfazed and true to our mandate to enact laws that will improve the lives of the Filipino people. The accomplishments that we have this year would not be possible without the hard work of our Speaker, our colleagues both in the majority and minority, as well as our staff,” Romualdez, chair of House Committee on Rules, said.

From July 22, 2019 to December 16, 2020, the House processed a total of 2,598 measures during 74 session days, 40 of which were enacted into law, 16 transmitted to the President, and 453 approved on third and final reading.

The average number of measures processed per session day was 35, while the total number of bills and resolutions filed during the same period was 9,743.

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wedNesday, december 23, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody spending Christmas with family in Davao

HONORING SOLDIERS. President Rodrigo

Roa Duterte recognizes the contributions of the country’s security forces in battling the coronavirus pandemic, among other achievements, during his virtual participation in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 85th Anniversary event on Monday. The President was at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City while the AFP event was at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. At the same time, Philippine Army Commander MGen. Andres C. Centino (inset) gives gifts to the wounded soldiers of the 4th Infantry Diamond Division at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital. Presidential Photo

Senate enacts just 14 of 1.9k bills since 2019

By Macon Ramos-Araneta tHe senate has enacted into law only 14 out of the 1,957 bills filed since the 18th Congress opened in July 2019.

Based on the statistical report sent by the senate to reporters on tuesday, 1,580 bills were passed during the first regular session, seven in the first special session and 370 in the second regular session.

Among the bills enacted into law by the senators from July 22, 2019 to dec. 16, 2020, were the Postponement of the Barangay and sanguniang Kabataan elections, the Anti-terrorism Act, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the subsequent Bayanihan to recover As One Act and GMrC and the Values education Act. the other senate bills enacted into law were the following: • Malasakit Centers Act • Salary Standardization Law of 2019 • Excise Tax on Alcohol Products • National Day of Remembrance for road Crash Victims • National Academy of Sports Act • Bicol Medical Center • Lengthening of the School Calendar • Las Pinas General Hospital and satellite trauma Center • Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

Four measures are also awaiting the signature of President rodrigo duterte after being approved by both the senate and the House of representatives.

Palace won’t budge on firecracker ban

M

ALACAñANG believes that one year is enough time for the firecracker manufacturers to prepare for next year’s ban on fireworks and look for new jobs, an official said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman roque made the remark after President rodrigo duterte reiterated his desire to have firecrackers banned next year, noting that public health and safety must be given priority.

He told reporters the President understands their plight, which was why he was giving them a one-year ultimatum to get ready by looking for new sources of income.

“He is giving these workers one more year. in a span of one year, we expect

affected workers to have looked for alternative livelihoods,” roque said.

He said duterte was bent on a total ban on firecrackers since his hometown, davao City, had a standing ordinance on the total ban of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. “the President wants something in comparison to an absolute ban on firecrackers in davao. so that’s what’s on the President’s mind,” roque said.

He said Metro Manila mayors as well as the Department of the Interior and Lo-

MILK DONATION.

Tarlac Heritage Foundation CoFounder Isa C. Suntay engages a mother and child after helping the 3MECH Infantry Battalion CMO Officer, CPT Rizalino Espineli Jr., and 1LT Dickson Melegrito, OIC of the 3Ist MECH Infantry Company of Philippine Army, distribute 571 plastic bags, each containing packs of organic Arla milk, in Capas, Tarlac on Tuesday. The recipients from Bgy Bueno in Capas walked a considerable distance to the distribution site to receive the milk donation.

In BrIef Rody: Zarate’s son studying in Europe President rodrigo duterte blasted Bayan Muna rep. Carlos Zarate Monday night, accusing the solon of using rebel taxation to pay for his son’s education in europe. duterte said Zarate was fooling everyone when he claimed that his mother was paying for his son’s tuition in a university in Poland. “i’d like to -- i’d like to call the attention of Carlos isagani Zarate, he’s a congressman. ‘Adre, may anak ka na nag-aaral sa europe. And sinasabi mo na si Xandro, ‘yung anak mo, ginagastusan ni -- ng lola (you have a son studying in europe. You said your son’s education is funded by his grandmother),” he said in a taped speech.

“You know you think you can fool Filipinos. the grandmother is already old, she has no income. How can she spend for that?” he added. Vito Barcelo

16.7 families affected by ‘Vicky’ – NDRRMC tHe number of families affected by tropical depression Vicky has now reached 16,762, the national disaster risk reduction and Management Council (ndrrMC) reported on tuesday. in its update, the agency said this is equivalent to 68,088 persons residing in 239 barangays in Central Visayas, eastern Visayas, davao region, and Caraga.

Of this figure, 1,053 families or 4,791 persons are now being served in 48 evacuation centers while 1,180 families or 4,627 individuals are now being aided outside.

Also, 235 houses were reported damaged in Central Visayas, davao region, and Caraga.

cal Government had also agreed to duterte’s plan to ban fireworks completely.

He says the DILG will instead promote centralized fireworks displays to cut down on death and injuries to the people setting off firecrackers. in a taped speech late Monday night, Duterte said he sympathized with firecracker manufacturers, but noted that it was the government’s duty to protect people’s health and safety. “i really understand you. i might even sympathize with you. Loss of earnings and you are driven out of business. But the problem is the higher duty of government to protect public interest, public health,” he said. duterte said it was the government’s job to intervene to prevent injuries and the death rates from rising.

LRT to shorten hours on eves of Xmas, New Year

By Darwin Amojelar tHe Light Rail Manila Corporation, the operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 said Tuesday it will implement shortened service hours on dec.

24 and dec. 31, which were both declared as special non-working days by the Philippine Government under Proclamation 845.

On Christmas Eve, LRT-1’s operating schedule will be from 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM both bounds, and 4:30 AM to 7:00 PM both bounds for new Year’s eve.

LRT-1 will continue to serve passengers on dec. 25, 2020, december 30, 2020 and Jan.1, 2021. the roosevelt station will remain temporarily closed until further notice to accommodate the still ongo-

ing construction by the government of the Common station or the Unified Grand Central station, which will connect the systems of LRT-1, MRT-3 and Mrt-7.

The last stop of LRT-1 will remain to be Balintawak station, northbound. the LRMC is working closely with the government to accelerate the reopening of roosevelt station.

President rodrigo duterte will spend Christmas with his family in his official residence in davao City, Malacañang said on tuesday. “it is certain that [President duterte] will be celebrating Christmas [in davao]),” presidential spokesman Harry roque said in a virtual presser. it will be the fifth time duterte will celebrate Christmas in davao City since he became president in 2016. this year’s celebration of Christmas is different from the previous years, as the Philippines and other countries are battling with the COVid-19 pandemic that has infected millions of people worldwide. duterte’s Christmas tradition is to celebrate it without fanfare and to visit young cancer patients at the southern Philippine Medical Center in davao City every year. roque, however, did not mention duterte’s possible activities on Christmas day.

On dec. 7, duterte called on his fellow Filipinos to skip Christmas festivities this year to prevent the potential surge of COVid-19 cases during the holiday season. roque says duterte wants to make sure that all Filipinos are safe since there is a possibility that COVid-19 infections might rise during the holidays should people become complacent.

He reminded the public to follow the government’s health and quarantine protocols to keep them safe.

“My countrymen, the President wants to keep us alive and healthy even after Christmas,” roque said.

As of Monday, the Philippines had recorded 461,505 COVid-19 cases, according to the government’s official tracker uploaded on the department of Health’s website.

Airports put on heightened alert for holiday travel

By Joel E. Zurbano tHe airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have been placed under heightened alert in anticipation of the surge in the number of travelers this holiday season. this is in line with the department of transportation’s program dubbed Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2020, which is running until Jan. 5, 2021.

CAAP chief information officer and spokesman eric Apolonio said security measures and the maximum deployment of service and security personnel were now being observed in all 12 airports nationwide to ensure safe, reliable and convenient airport operations as migrant Filipinos, civilians and tourists arrive. the government earlier granted visafree entry privileges to tourists under the Balikbayan Program beginning dec. 17. resolution 85 of the inter Agency task Force on infectious diseases allows the visa-free entry of ‘Balikbayans’. this visa-free privilege also applies to the foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, provided they travel with the Filipino nationals.

Apolonio says concerned government agencies operating at the airports, including the Office of transportation security and the Philippine national Police-Aviation security Group, have deployed personnel to ensure smooth passenger flow. those personnel are enforcing the new normal minimum health protocols such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields, social distancing, temperature checks and the provision of foot baths, hand sanitizing stations and routine disinfection and inspection of airport facilities.

‘Convert printed books to digital’

By Maricel V. Cruz

A LAwMAkER on Friday pushed for the approval of a bill that would overhaul the “Book Publishing industry development Act” in order to mandate the scanning or conversion into electronic copies and other digital formats of all textbooks, most especially amid the current shift to blended or distance learning this pandemic season.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said his proposal under House Bill 8020 requiring the digitization of all contents used by publishers participating in the Public school textbook Program would address the recurring shortage of printed modules in the public schools.

“it is no secret that textbooks in public elementary and high schools are limited in number and, as a result, our students are forced to share or borrow from one another,” Villafuerte said. “this difficulty is even more evident in the time of COVid-19 when there is a shift to blended or distance learning. the sharing of materials among groups of students still exists because of the shortage of printed modules.”

Villafuerte said requiring the digital reproduction of textbooks would allow students to have a copy or access to the contents of these learning materials in electronic format without the need for them to borrow from, or share resource materials with, their classmates.

CHEAP GAS. A gas attendant puts fuel priced at just P18.28 per liter in Dasmarinas, Cavite on Tuesday. All Petron gas stations in Cavite sold fuel at a 50% discount from 11 am to 1 pm as a yearend promotion of the oil firm. JR Josue

MARKET LIGHTS. Manila City Administrator Felix Espiritu and Architect Ralph Tecson lead the ceremonial switching of the Christmas lights and start the gift-giving activity at the Quinta Market and Fish Port in Quiapo, Manila on Monday night. Norman Cruz

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

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

QC dads pass safe cycling ordinance WITH the pandemic greatly reducing the capacity of public transportation options particularly in Metro Manila, the Quezon City Council has expressed its all-out support for safe cycling in the city through the QC Safe Cycling and Active Transport Ordinance authored by District 2 Councilor Fernando Miguel “Mikey” Belmonte.

“We want to go the extra mile for Quezon City’s residents by promoting cycling as a convenient alternative.

Cycling as an activity doesn’t just address the current problem of limited availability in transportation; it also promotes fitness and reduces pollution to protect the city,” Belmonte said.

The first term councilor highlighted the need for institutionalizing policies to support alternative transport. The new ordinance will create a Bicycle and Active Transport Section (BATS) under the Department of Public Order and Safety-Green Transport Office.

BATS will spearhead the identification and establishment of a network of cycling lanes and walking paths in order to create a comprehensive plan to include infrastructure and traffic engineering solutions to support active transport in the city.

According to Belmonte, a major provision of the ordinance includes laying down around ninety kilometers (90km) of bike lanes throughout the city.

Pasay places 3rd in cleanup of Manila Bay

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE City of Pasay was ranked third among compliant local government units in Metro Manila in implementing the Manila Bay Clean-Up Rehabilitation and Preservation Program.

The recognition came from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday.

The agency monitors LGUs regarding a Supreme Court ruling mandating them to strictly monitor compliance of their constituents with environmental laws aimed to prevent sewage water and industrial and human wastes from polluting rivers, esteros, and other waterways that form part of the tributary systems of the Manila Bay. Pasay passed scrutiny in terms of liquid waste management, solid waste management, informal settler families as well as information, education, and communication materials and institutional arrangements.

Mayor Imelda Rubiano said she was thankful that all the hard work of her city to fulfil its role in the restoration of Manila Bay to its former glory have paid off.

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Joy top performing mayor, per survey

Q

UEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has topped an independent, non-commissioned survey by the RP- Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc) on the performance of all mayors in Metro Manila for 2020.

The survey was conducted from Dec. 5 to 15 among registered voters in Metro Manila aged 18 to 70.

Belmonte received the highest approval rating among her constituents at 85 percent, followed by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig at 82 percent, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso at 77 percent, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian at 75 percent, and Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro at 72 percent.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco got 69 percent, Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano at 67 percent, Makati City

Mayor Abigail Binay at 64 percent, Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos at 55 percent, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora at 53 percent.

“Our previous survey, June 2020 NCR Mayor’s Performance Review in addressing and responding to COVID-19 situation pushed local government units to step up in their game. This time our survey was conducted with the intention to assess the overall performance of the National Capital Regions mayor for the year 2020 and to gauge their reelection bid,” Dr. Paul Martinez

of RPMDinc said.

Pasay City got 30 percent; Malabon City, 31 percent, and Las Pinas City, 34 percent.

Respondents were also asked who they would vote for reelection in 2022.

Sotto received 77 percent; Belmonte, 75 percent; Domagoso, 72 percent; Teodoro, 65 percent; Cayetano, 63 percent; Tiangco, 61 percent; Binay, 60 percent, and Abalos, 51 percent.

“Those NCR mayors who were positively assessed by their constituents received a strong support for reelection bid. While those who were rated low toward their job performance rating also received low support to whether they will seek reelection or run for another public office. Notably, all NCR mayors improved in their performance ratings compared to June 2020,” Martinez said.

PLAYING SANTA. SM City Marilao employees surprise residents of Matadero Area in Abangan Sur as they took over the role of Santa Claus to spread hope and good cheer with the less fortunate through the Christmas Kalinga donation drive. Jun David

SM Bulacan malls in Xmas ‘Kalinga’ drive SM BULACAN Malls play Santa as they spread hope and good cheer for about 2,300 underprivileged families through its Christmas Kalinga donation drive.

A joint project of SM Supermalls, SM Retail, SM Markets, and SM Foundation, the Christmas Kalinga donation drive aims to provide essential items to residents and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent natural calamities.

A sum of 600 Christmas kalinga packs was distributed by SM City Marilao in Sitio Dulo (Matadero) Abangan Sur in Marilao. The recipients, who were pre-identified by the LGU and MSWD, came from the poorest and most displaced families living in slum areas.

Reaching out to the families of Dumagat tribes in the mountain terrain of Doña Remedios Trinidad, SM City Baliwag with the assistance of 48th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion Philippine Army distributed at least 600 Christmas Kalinga packs to the indigenous community nestled in Barangay Kabayunan. The mall likewise distributed additional 400 Christmas kalinga packs to the economically disadvantaged communities in Baliwag such as Barangay Poblacion, Tibag and Bagong Nayon Rounds of relief operations, on the other hand, were conducted by SM City San Jose Del Monte and SM Center Pulilan in Muzon and Sto. Cristo. A total of 200 Christmas kalinga packs were distributed

by SM City San Jose Del Monte to families living near Muzon Eco Park while SM Center Pulilan gave 500 packs to residents of Brgy. Sto Cristo in Pulilan. Jun David

Manila plans rollout of 24/7 emergency numbers Valenzuela measure lets bikers

By Willie Casas

MANILA will soon have emergency numbers that may be contacted 24/7 by those in need of medical attention, once the 12 newly purchased, high-tech ambulances of the local government are in use.

This was announced by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Doma-

goso, who said that nurses and doctors are now undergoing training on how to operate the said modern ambulances to the fullest, to save more lives.

“Alay namin ang lahat ng ‘yan sa mga Batang Maynila lalo ngayong kasagsagan ng pandemya. We are now training the drivers and the staff for the new ambulances, who will be operating the

high-tech equipment inside, because you deserve better,” Domagoso said.

According to Domagoso, the purchase of the 12 new ambulances, which were bought from the United States and are fully equipped with life support equipment, had been his and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna Pangan’s dream for the city, way before he became mayor.

STORE OF IDEAS. Sari-Saring Aralan originally conceived the sari-sari store as a venue where out-of-school youths can interact with teachers, mentors, and fellow learners. This photo shows the pilot site of Sari-Saring Aralan in Tondo, Manila.

omit face shields while riding

MAYOR Rex Gatchalian has signed Executive Order No. 2020–347 exempting solo bikers from wearing face shields while biking in Valenzuela City, effective Monday (Dec. 21).

Evidence shows and consultation among bikers reveals that biking while wearing a face shield is dangerous, Gatchalian said. On the experience of bikers, wearing a face shield obstructs the view, hampers their vision especially when there is a buildup of sweat and moisture

within the shield itself, and makes breathing difficult.

The Department of Health (DOH) also suggests exempting solo cyclists from the mandatory wearing of face shields, considering that oxygen is needed for any form of exercise.

“This Executive Order aims to increase mobility, productivity, and safety of the cyclists and to prevent danger to the biker while biking alone in Valenzuela City,” Gatchalian said. Jun David

‘Sari-Saring Aralan’ initiative starts in CdeO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Are there opportunities for growth and development for out-of-school youth and community youth in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Ayala Foundation, through its Sari-Saring Aralan initiative, believes so.

A 12-month community project, Sari-Saring Aralan encourages the youth to pursue one of three pathways—education, employment, or entrepreneurship. It originally sought to transform the sari-sari store as a hub for learning activities.

Unlike the old image of the sari-sari store is the place

where aimless “tambays” hang out, Sari-Saring Aralan transforms the sari-sari store as a venue where out-ofschool youths can interact with teachers, mentors, and fellow learners.

The first batch of Sari-Saring Aralan participants, all of whom come from Tondo, Manila, “graduated” from the project in 2019.

This year, Ayala Foundation partnered with Mitsubishi Corporation to bring Sari-Saring Aralan to new locations, giving the youth an opportunity to grow, even as communities across the country work to contain the pandemic.

Opinion Turmoil in Thailand

We’re eager to see how this develops.

Future Forward is led by a billionaire, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who has vowed to roll back Thai-Chinese relations and even threatened to replace Chinesebuilt high-speed rail projects already under construction.

Thailand’s opposition is openly backed by powerful foreign interests, particularly those in Washington. As the opposition attempts to secure power and help serve as a vector for Western special interests, the specter of a Western-sponsored “color revolution” increasingly looms over Thailand’s future.

Thailand is a key Southeast Asian nation, with the second largest economy in the Asean regional bloc. By disrupting Thailand’s political status quo, Washington apparently hopes to introduce block China’s regional and global rise.

While Future Forward’s de facto leader, Thanatorn, has clogged Bangkok’s downtown shopping district with followers to fight for “democracy” and “freedom,” what concerns observers are his open and deep ties to fellow billionaire, former Prime Minister and now fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin, like Thanathorn, is said to be backed by large foreign interests, particularly in Washington. For years he has reportedly secured the largest and most powerful lobbying firms in Washington to help shape Western media narratives favorably around his and his foreign sponsors’ agenda of tipping Thailand back West and away from its growing ties with Beijing.

Is the US backing political forces in Thailand so that these can one day assume power and serve as protector of US interests, or at the very least render Thailand divided and weakened to aid in and benefit from China’s regional and global rise? We’re eager to see what will happen from hereon. ernhil@yahoo.com

Lessons from Christmas 1918

THE year 1918 will forever be etched in the world’s collective memory as the time when a deadly pandemic, now known as the Spanish flu, swept through the ends of the earth and claimed millions of lives. First detected in a military base in Kansas which served as a recruitment ground for American soldiers being deployed to the European front during the First World War, the disease was initially warded off as just a bad case of influenza.

It was only after hundreds of cases popped up in a matter of days at the base and thousands more were reported in other states serving as deployment area for the European front that officials took heed. By then, the disease has spread through the US, UK and other countries.

What made things even worse were the crowd-drawing activities after the armistice and the end of the war was declared in mid-November 1918 just weeks before America was to celebrate Thanksgiving and, thereafter, Christmas. The celebrations that followed on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond became super spreader events, wrecking havoc across the board which eventually claimed almost a fourth of the population at that time.

It is this kind of super spreader activities which should concern us all.

Being cooped up for most of the year,

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

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EDITORIAL

of about 80 percent of its GDP, so export and import flows through a naval situation that is not free and open would be problematic.”

It gets curiouser and curiouser. Joseph Thomas, chief editor of the Thailand-based geopolitical journal “The New Atlas” and contributor to the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook,” claims that within Thailand itself the US government currently funds opposition groups now carrying out protests aimed at removing the current Thai government from power.

The Thai opposition Future Forward Party (FFP) is part of the current street protests. Though disenfranchised for violations of Thai election laws, the party spokesperson said the disbanded party would resort to street mobilizations to pursue its singleminded agenda of ousting the ruling government.

UNLESS you’ve been reading the foreign news sections of our dailies, you’re not likely to know that Thailand, among the five original members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Asean) and with whom we have longstanding friendly ties and economic cooperation, has been experiencing another round of political unrest this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth-led protests began in July to call for the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former junta leader, and for the drafting of a new Constitution. They later demanded reforms in the monarchy.

But what’s this we’ve been reading lately that while the street protests may be pro-democracy in essence, these are actually being fomented by politicians and even supported

by Washington as part of the US conflict with China?

Let’s tackle the China angle first. Thailand’s largest and most important economic partner is China. China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand is said to be over 13 times larger than that of the United States. Apart from China’s huge FDI in Thailand, it is also Thailand’s largest trading partner. China also gives a big boost to Thailand’s tourism industry, with over 10 million Chinese tourists visiting Thailand every year, a number larger than that of tourists arriving in Thailand from all other Western nations combined.

China is also an increasingly important military partner of Thailand, which is buying more hardware to replace its aging inventory of US-made military equipment.

Recent Thai purchases of Chinese military equipment include dozens of main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles as well as a jointly-developed guided missile system. The Thais are also planning to purchase their first modern submarines from China.

Thailand and China have also begun to conduct joint military exercises inside Thailand through the annual Thai-US “Cobra Gold” drills carried out since the 1980s.

Beyond trade and military ties, Thailand is a key partner of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). A joint Thai-Chinese high speed rail line that will ultimately connect China, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia is already under construction.

All this appears to make Washington very worried about China’s inroads in Thailand and thus wants to wean it away from further cozying up to Beijing in the years ahead.

The new US Ambassador to Thailand, Michael DeSombre, said recently that Washington is now focusing attention on the South China Sea to make sure that Beijing does not illegally extend its control over the waterway. “That is an important area for Thailand because Thailand, although not a claimant in the South China Sea, depends upon the freedom of navigation for exports

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

the urge to let our guard down and just go out, epecially during the holidays, has taken outsize importance to most people. We should take a deep breath and restrain ourselves. We have heeded health protocols and ensured our wellbeing as best we could. This is not the time to waste all the sacrifices we have gone through thus far for a moment of unprotected carousing.

Filipinos expect their leaders, in and out of government, to show the way out of this pandemic.

Excerpts from the article “What Missteps During The Spanish Flu Pandemic Can Teach Us About Celebrating Safely During Covid 19” written by Winnifred Forlick in Endocrine.com should give us pause and bring us back to reality: COVID-19 is still with us, In fact, the experts tell us that there is now a new strain spreading through Europe prompting re-imposition of stricter lockdowns. We should ensure that the missteps which happened in 1918 that triggered the unmitigated spread of the Spanish Flu. We should endeavor not only to keep ourselves and our families in good health but our neighbors and other communities as well. Here’s what happened in America in 1918 which eerily maybe enveloping those countries now experiencing COVID-19’s second

Enforcers’ enablers

“I

T’S an isolated case,” we are told, regarding the killing of Sonya and Frank Anthony Gregorio on Sunday by Police Master Senior Sgt. Jonel Nuezca.

A video that had gone viral showed Nuezca shooting, at close range, mother and son during an altercation.

But police records themselves showed that this was not the first case involving Nuezca. Last year, there were two cases of grave misconduct for homicide filed against him. These were dismissed for lack of evidence. In 2016, he was charged with serious neglect of duty; he did not show up at a court hearing as a witness in a court case.

In 2014, he refused to take a drug test and was suspended for a month for less grave neglect of duty.

Despite all these, Nuezca, until the Paniqui killings over the weekend, had been assigned at the Parañaque City police crime laboratory in active duty.

Astoundingly, despite the blatant inhumanity and impunity of the shooting – done in the presence of Nuezca’s own daughter – some people have managed to find excuses for Nuezca’s act.

The chief of police of Bato town in Catanduanes, Police Captain Ariel Buraga, said

the shooting should teach people to respect cops. “Kahit puti na ang buhok o ubanin na tayo, eh matuto tayong rumespeto sa ating mga kapulisan. Mahirap kalaban ang pagtitimpi at pagpapasensya (Even when our hair has turned white or gray, we must learn to respect our police. Restraint and patience are tough enemies.)”

We condemn and reject those who instill in the minds of policemen that they can get away with anything in the name of doing their job.

The town mayor, Juan Rodulfo, found Buraga’s comments offensive and requested that he be replaced. Buraga was sacked Tuesday.

And then the chief of the PNP, Debold Sinas, extolled Nuezca’s surrender. “If you would notice, he decided to surrender. He did not run away and hide. He chose character probably after his anger subsided so that already shows that he is ready to face the charges.”

“Character,” of course, is a complicated word especially coming from somebody who flouted lockdown rules to celebrate his

birthday.

Sinas also discouraged the public from taking videos and photos of crimes and uploading them on social media. Instead, he said, people should turn over these clips to the police who would know what to do with them.

It would not be difficult to imagine what cops might want to do about documentation of their own wrongdoing.

At the time of the shooting, Nuezca had just come home from his crime lab duty in howParanaque. He had with him his gun, how deciever, because of the administration’s deci sion to allow cops to keep their firearms during the holiday season even if they were off duty.

Certainly, killings perpetuated by law enforcers, mandated to protect the lives of especivilians, are not an isolated incident espe ilcially seen in the light of the war against il legal drugs. How many cases of shootings suphave we heard about, just because the sup posed suspects resisted arrest? How many cases have escaped our attention?

These things happen because some members of the police are heady with entitlement that just because they enjoy some authority, they could play god in deciding whether people would live or die. They do a disservice to their fellow cops who are decent, upright and conscientious.

We join the rest of the nation in condemning Nuezca’s brutality, the brutality perpetuated by those who are tasked to protect us, and their leaders and enablers who breed this despicable system.

No vaccines as Christmas gift

IN 2020, in the saddest Christmas of our life, the best gift probably is an anti-COVID-19 vaccine. It is a gift that will, if you believe scientists, save you a lot of aggravation, if not save even your life.

You won’t get an anti-COVID-19 inoculation as a gift this Christmas, even if our Christmas season is the longest in the world—from Dec, 16, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021, Three Kings Day. If you are lucky, you will get the vaccine at the earliest, July 2021—if at all. Thanks to what government bureaucrats would call red tape but what critics would describe as criminal neglect.

In July 2020, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Philippine Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez negotiated, with the help of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for Pfizer to supply up to ten million doses of Pfizer’s now legendary mRNA vaccine which has an efficacy rate of as high as 95 percent—for every 100 jabbed with it, 95 get immunity from COVID. Delivery was supposed to have been in January 2021, six months after the deal.

That deal is now gone for good, what Ambassador Romualdez describes as spilled milk. You cannot even make cheese out of the spilled milk.

The papers for the Pfizer vaccine purchase slept for two months at the Office of the Executive Secretary before they were forwarded to Health Secretary Francisco Duque’s office. It took Duque almost two months before he signed the required Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA).

Under the Ant-Red Tape Act of 2018, complex papers, like the Pfizer contract, require the government to take action in seven days; highly technical papers must be acted upon within 20 days. Whether it is seven or 20 days, both Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Duque appear to have violated the law on quick processing of papers.

or third wave and which we should try to avoid at all cost: “On November 11, the Armistice was signed, ending four long years of war.

They took to the streets and began holding social gatherings again. To make matters worse, the first post-war Thanksgiving and Christmas followed soon after.

There were some half-measure attempts to curtail mass gatherings, and many churches did the right thing and canceled their usual Christmas Eve services for fear of crowding and endangering members of their congregations.

“But without an official government order to shut down and stay home, stores all over the country remained open for Christmas shopping in crowded indoor spaces. On Christmas Eve, thousands of

Remember: This is a deal that is a matter of life or death for up to 5,000 people—the equivalent of killing 1,000 people per year for five years of insurgency war.

“Somebody dropped the ball,” sneered DFA chief Teddyboy Locsin. Senator Panfilo Lacson identified Duque as the guilty one. The senator observed that “the captain ball” always messes up but stays in power because “the coach refuses to replace him.”

As DOH chief, Duque co-chairs the InterAgency Task Force on infectious diseases.

“The more important question is, how many lives would be saved between January and when (if at all) the vaccines may be made available again to Filipinos,” mused Lacson, a former national police chief when it was still a badge of honor to be one. The senator has repeatedly called for Duque’s firing but to no avail.

Call it red tape – or criminal neglect.

The public perception is that with Duque in charge, the government has badly mismanaged its response to the COVID pandemic.

In January 2020, amid a looming pandemic, the Health secretary refused to ban the Chinese from flying to the Philippines despite the fact that the virus came from Wuhan, a bustling Chinese metropolis. Next, he initially did not believe face masks were necessary for the public, preferring that these be reserved for health care workers.

Then, Duque lied repeatedly about the pandemic. He claimed it had subsided. In May 2020, he talked about a “third wave” of cases, meaning the number of people getting infected daily had declined twice before rising again to create a third wave surge. At PhilHealth, which Duque chairs, the plunder of the people’s health insurance money was systematic and colossal.

There was no letup in the sharp rise in COVID case. There was neither a second wave nor a third wave surge, only a sharp upward upswing like a jet taking off.

On May 20, 2020, there were only 279

veterans traveled to New York City to attend lavish parties and festive dances. In Hamilton, Montana, a month’s long lockdown was lifted in late December, just in time to allow churches and movie theatres to have a Christmas Day opening.

The government’s refusal to give Americans firm guidance and their inability to resist gathering until it was safe to do so caused a third wave of influenza infections to sweep the entire globe as soldiers worldwide left crowded barracks to participate in similar welcoming ceremonies over the holidays in their own home countries. That third wave of avoidable mass illness and death would not subside until the spring.” full version at www.manilastandard.ph

daily cases and only five daily deaths. Three months later, on Aug. 10, 2020, new daily cases had peaked at a record 6,871, and daily deaths as 23, making the Philippines 19th in the world in total number of cases and the worst in ASEAN. Happily, as of Dec. 21, daily cases appeared to have stabilized at 1,721; daily deaths at 10. We are now No. 28 in number of cases.

What did not slacken was President Duterte’s lockdown, the longest and the harshest in the world (it began on March 15, 2020 and has not been lifted). The lockdowns killed consumption. Consumption by households is 75 percent of the Gross Domestic Product or national economic output. Government consumption adds another 12.9 percent. So for every P100 of economic production, nearly 88 percent is triggered by consumption; only 12 percent comes from investment or purchases of machinery, equipment, buildings, and other capital goods.

Because 88 percent of the economy was stifled by lockdowns, economic growth naturally declined by -11.5 percent in the third quarter and up to -11 percent in the whole of 2020.

In 2019, GDP amounted to P19.516 trillion. GDP should have expanded by 7 percent this year, to P20.882 trillion, without the pandemic. Instead, with 11 percent reduction, GDP would amount this year to only P17.369 trillion, or a loss of P3.5 trillion. That is the cost to the economy of the lockdowns. If it takes P2 million to create one job, a loss of P3.5 trillion is equivalent to 1.75 million jobs not being created.

Thanks to COVID and its mismanagement by this government.

The P3.5 trillion would have enabled the government to buy as much as 14 billion doses of vaccines, at an average price of P250 per dose. Now, 14 billion doses divided by two (doses) is 7 billion. Divide 7 billion by 110 million, you get 63.63—the number of times the entire Philippine population could be inoculated with the antiCOVID vaccine. That is like getting a dose of the vaccine once every month for the next five years and three months. biznewsasia@gmail.com

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IN BRIEF First direct commercial flight between Israel, Morocco takes off THE first direct commercial flight between Israel and Morocco took off from Tel Aviv on Tuesday, in a symbolic trip after the countries reached a US-brokered deal to normalise ties.

The El Al flight with US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner and Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat on board was headed to Rabat, where Moroccan and Israeli officials were due to sign a series of agreements.

The trip aims to showcase the achievements of the Trump administration in Middle East diplomacy, weeks before Trump is replaced at the White House by President-elect Joe Biden.

Morocco became the third Arab state this year, after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, to normalise ties with Israel under USbrokered deals, while Sudan has pledged to follow suit.

Speaking at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport before departure, Kushner stressed that the UAEIsrael deal had already created commercial opportunities for both countries. AFP

Coronavirus outbreak in Thai seafood market tops 1k cases A CORONAVIRUS outbreak linked to a seafood market in Thailand surpassed 1,000 cases on Tuesday, as authorities weighed whether to introduce a wider lockdown.

Thailand has been on tenterhooks since Thursday following the positive virus test of a 67-year-old prawn seller from Mahachai market, Samut Sakhon province, about 40 minutes southwest of Bangkok.

As of early Tuesday morning, there

were 1,063 confirmed positive cases out of 6,156 tested -- a major outbreak for a country which previously had 4,300 infections.

The majority of the new cases are workers from Myanmar, who toil on shrimp boats and in processing factories linked to the multi-billion-dollar Thai seafood industry.

Migrant Workers Rights Network coordinator Suthasinee Bik said Myanmar workers in quarantine were feeling anx-

ious and stressed.

“They want people who have been infected to be separated from everyone else. It’s a very crowded area,” Suthasinee told AFP. Initially, they did not have enough food but supplies were now sufficient, according to the rights group.

Samut Sakhon governor Veerasak Vijitsaengsri said the infection rate linked to the market is at about 27.91 percent

Germany bans arrivals from UK G

ERMANY on Tuesday extended a ban on arrivals from Britain, Northern Ireland and South Africa until January 6 after a new more infectious coronavirus strain appeared in the countries.

Kosovo invalidates last year’s polls as it calls for snap elections KOSOVO was preparing to call a snap poll Tuesday after its top court ruled last year’s election of Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti was unconstitutional, delivering fresh upheaval to the country’s crisis-hit politics.

The constitutional court said the parliamentary vote that installed Hoti in June was invalidated because one of the participating MPs had been convicted of corruption.

“Considering that the Government was not elected according to...the Constitution,” the country’s president now “announces elections, which must be held no later than forty (40) days from the day of their promulgation,” said the verdict published late Monday.

President Vjosa Osmani was expected to invite political parties for “consultations on the date of the early elections,” her office was quoted as telling local media.

Early elections have become routine in Kosovo, wearying a public that has low faith in a political class that seems to lurch from crisis to crisis. AFP

Kansas daily apologizes for ’racist’ reporting THE editor of the Kansas City Star apologized Monday on behalf of the American daily newspaper for decades of racist and discriminatory coverage of the Black minority.

The police killing of Black man George Floyd in May, which sparked protests across the US, had forced the paper to grapple with its historic coverage, editor in chief Mike Fannin told CNN. “We never put ourselves under the microscope to better understand how the Star had covered the Black community for years,” he said.

Fannin on Sunday published a long editorial in which he called the influential Midwestern paper’s history “the story of a powerful local business that has done wrong”.

The apology from the publication, where legendary American author Ernest Hemingway once served as a cub reporter, comes as the US reckons with its history of slavery, segregation and systemic racism after the mass protests.

“For 140 years, it has been one of the most influential forces in shaping Kansas City and the region,” he wrote. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONALT RIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 81, QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE CANCELLATION /CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE OF NIMFA PORNELA y Sotomayor, Petitioner.

-versus-

SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-QZN-20-05176-SP

SHOICHI NIWA, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL and OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x

ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING A verified petition had been filed by the petitioner praying that considering that respondent SHOICHI NIWA, a Japanese National, is residing outside of the Philippines, an Order be issued allowing the publication of the petition in a newspaper of general circulation to serve as notice to respondent SHOICIHI NIWA to acquire jurisdiction over his person; and that after due notice and hearing, the petition be granted, and the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, as well as the Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office (now Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA), Manila, be directed to remove the name of the petitioner as “wife” in the Marriage Certificate (registry number 2005-3168) subject of this case.

NOTICES IS HEREBY GIVEN that the petition will be heard by this Court on 19 JANUARY 2021 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, in the Hall of Justice Building, Regional Trial Court, Branch 81, Quezon City, on which date, time and place, all persons concerned may appear and show cause, if any, why the aforesaid petition should not be granted.

Let this Order and Notice of Hearing be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks and the same be posted at the bulletin boards of the Hall of Justice Buildig, Quezon City, at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 81, Quezon City, at the Office of the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City and at the Office of the Civil Registrar General Philippine Statistics Authority, Quezon City.

Likewise, let copies of this Order and Notice of Hearing together with the petition and its annexes be served upon the Solicitor General, the Quezon City Prosecutor, and the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City, the Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines thru the Department of Foreign Affairs and to SHOICHI NIWA at his last known address , all a the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers this 29th day of September 2020 in Quezon City.

(Sgd.) MADONNA C. ECHIVERRI Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Atty. Leonel P. Cadiz Counsel for petitioner Nimfa Pornela y Sotomayor Petitioner Shoichi Niwa Respondent The QC Prosecutor The Solicitor General The QC Civil Registrar The Civil Registrar General, P.S.A. The Embassy of Japan thru D.F.A. (MStandard - Dec. 23, 30, 2020 & Jan. 6, 2021)

but previously was 40 percent.

“We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he told reporters.

The market and its vicinity have been on lockdown since Saturday with the thousands living there barred from leaving.

Thai deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan said authorities were yet to make a decision on further lockdown measures and the fate of New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations was also undecided. AFP

EMPTY ROADS. Local traffic drives on an empty A20, the main route into Dover in Kent, south east England on December 22, 2020, as queuing trucks are organised and ‘stacked’ on the M20 and elsewhere waiting to continue their journeys after France closed its borders to accompanied freight arriving from the UK due to the rapid spread of a new coronavirus strain. Britain sought to sound a note of calm saying they were working as fast as possible to unblock trade across the Channel after France shut its borders to UK hauliers in a bid to contain a new variant of the coronavirus. AFP

Four doctors at Afghan prison killed in car bombing FOUR doctors who worked at an Afghan prison with hundreds of Taliban inmates were among five people killed Tuesday by a bomb attached to their car, police said.

The blast happened in a southern district of the city as the doctors travelled to the Pul-e-Charkhi prison where they worked, Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said.

Four doctors and a passer-by were killed when a “magnetic bomb” attached to the car detonated, Faramarz said, adding that another two people were wounded.

Hundreds of Taliban fighters and other criminals are incarcerated at Pul-e-

Charkhi, located on the eastern outskirts of Kabul.

The city has been hit by a wave of deadly violence in recent months despite the Taliban and the government engaging in peace talks.

Targeted killings of prominent figures, including journalists, politicians and rights activists have also become more common recently in Kabul and other provinces.

The jihadist Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for some of the recent attacks in Kabul, which have killed dozens of people.

Tuesday’s attack came just two days after a car bomb targeting a lawmaker

killed 10 people and wounded more than 50 in Kabul.

Lawmaker Khan Mohammad Wardak was wounded in the blast.

Days before that incident, deputy Kabul province governor Mahbobullah Mohebi was killed in a similar attack.

And on Monday, an Afghan journalist was shot dead by gunmen in the eastern city of Ghazni in what appeared to be a yet another targeted killing.

Rahmatullah Nekzad had contributed to the Associated Press news agency since 2007 and had also previously worked with the Al-Jazeera broadcast network. AFP

“The transport ban covers passenger traffic by train, bus, ship and flights directly from these countries,” the health ministry said in a statement.

“The order covers the period from December 22, 2020 until January 6, 2021.”

It added that people who have valid residency permits for Germany could return from January 1.

The ministry said that travellers who arrived from the affected countries or who spent time there in the last 10 days would be required to be tested for the coronavirus.

“Existing quarantine rules for arrivals from risk areas continue to apply,” it added.

Health Minister Jens Spahn said that “as long as it is possible”, Germany aimed to prevent “potentially dangerous virus mutations from spreading in continental Europe”.

“The entry ban from Britain, Northern Ireland and South Africa is a precautionary measure until we know more about the reported coronavirus mutations” in those countries, he said.

A string of nations around the continent on Sunday began suspending travel links with Britain to prevent the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus.

EU ambassadors were to meet Tuesday to try to thrash out a unified approach and work out how to eventually lift the border restrictions with Britain -- including by imposing a requirement for tests on all arrivals.

AFP

US lawmakers restore Sudan’s legal immunity \US LAWMAKERS on Monday backed legislation granting Sudan legal immunity for past militant attacks, a final step in a historic deal removing Khartoum from Washington’s blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism.

The text restores Sudan’s sovereign immunity with the exception of litigation already pending in US federal courts related to the September 11, 2001 attacks, and earmarks hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Khartoum.

The legislation was part of the massive omnibus bill to fund the government for the coming year, which is also due to include a new aid package to help millions of Americans and businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

Sudan was removed from the US state sponsors of terrorism blacklist Manila

a week ago, less than two months after the Arab nation pledged to normalize ties with Israel.

The move also promises aid, debt relief and investment to a country going through a rocky political transition and struggling under a severe economic crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sudan will receive $700 million in assistance funds and an additional $120 million toward the repayment of its debt to the International Monetary Fund.

As part of a deal, Sudan agreed to pay $335 million to compensate survivors and victims’ families from the 1998 al-Qaeda twin attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and a 2000 attack by the jihadist group on the USS Cole off Yemen’s coast. AFP

LEGAL NOTICE

Standard

TODAY

Notice is hereby given to the public that Cadbury Marketing Services Pty Ltd under the business name Cadbury Confectionery– Philippine Branch has ceased all its business operations on 13 November 2019 per the Board Resolution of its Head Office and has officially begun its winding up procedures.

This notice is in compliance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(MS-DEC 16, 17, 18,21, 23, 25,28, 29 & 31, 2020)

YASA’S WRATH. This handout picture taken on December 20, 2020 and released by Ponipate/IFRC

shows a resident standing in front of her destroyed house in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasa in northern CYAN Bua on Vanua Levu Island of Fiji. AFP

Russia bars EU countries over poisoning issue RUSSIA said Tuesday it was hitting several EU representatives with tit-for-tat sanctions in response to penalties imposed by the bloc over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The foreign ministry said that in response to “confrontational” EU actions, it had “decided to expand the list of representatives of EU member states and institutions who will be denied entry to the Russian Federation”.

The counter sanctions were announced after Moscow summoned senior diplomats from three EU countries where labs concluded Navalny was poisoned in August with Novichok, a Soviet-designed nerve agent.

German, French and Swedish representatives were called to the foreign ministry in “connection with the introduction of EU anti-Russian sanctions,” a spokeswoman told AFP. The European diplomats did not make

public statements.

The new sanctions came a day after Navalny said he had tricked a Russian agent into admitting the Federal Security Service tried to kill him by placing poison inside his underwear.

The FSB late Monday described evidence in Navalny’s claims as “fake” and said he was aided by foreign intelligence services.

Navalny, 44, fell violently ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August and was hospitalised in the city of Omsk before being transported to Berlin by medical aircraft.

In a statement earlier this week, the Russian foreign ministry repeated claims that EU countries had refused to cooperate with Russia over a probe into the incident.

Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations its security services played a role in the incident. AFP

Business

B3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market down again; MerryMart falls

T

HE stock market fell Tuesday on profit taking and concerns about soaring virus cases and new lockdowns in Europe and the United States.

The Philippine Stock Exchange slipped 22.50 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,202.39 on a value turnover of P10.1 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 203 to 39, with 33 issues unchanged.

Security Bank Corp., the seventh biggest lender in terms of assets, dropped 3.9 percent to P132.50, while DoubleDragon Properties Corp. slumped 4.6 percent to P15.76.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, declined 3.9 percent to P4.17, while MerryMart Consumers Corp. fell 4.4 percent to P5.93.

The rest of Asian equities and oil tumbled again Tuesday, while fears over a new strain in Britain and stuttering Brexit trade talks kept the pound under pressure.

The mutated virus, which is said to

be 70 percent more transmissible, has forced numerous countries around the world to shut their borders to the UK and has overshadowed the rollout of vaccines and news that US lawmakers had agreed a new stimulus.

Analysts said investors were taking the opportunity to cash in recent gains as they wound down for the festive break, with most saying 2021 will see a surge across markets as the economy opens up after people are inoculated.

However, they pointed out that longterm optimism is being kept grounded by concerns about the immediate impact

of the latest wave of infections.

“What we’ve seen out of the UK is a scary thing for the markets, which could incentivize some profit-taking,” Steven Wieting, at Citigroup Private Bank, told Bloomberg TV. But the vaccination drive should be a “game-changer,” he added.

Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore and Jakarta all fell more than one percent. Tokyo shed one percent, while Sydney lost 1.1 percent as investors grew increasingly worried about a spike in new infections in the city that has led to the imposition of containment measures.

Taipei also lost more than one percent

US Congress okays $900-b relief package

PSEi December 22, 2020

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

CIP ABG

144.9 10.5

19.7 1.25

15.73% 13.51%

3

DAVIN

6.03

0.43

7.68%

4 5

JOH MED

5.2 0.395

0.27 0.02

5.48% 5.33%

6

SFIP

1.6

0.07

4.58%

7

MG

0.265

0.01

3.92%

8 9 10

DIZ HLCM DMPA1

8.29 7.65 10.3

0.28 0.25 0.3

3.50% 3.38% 3.00%

TOP LOSERS 1

SPM

LAST PRICE 1.81

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.25 -12.14%

2 3

JAS ECP

2.05 7.56

-0.27 -0.94

-11.64% -11.06%

4 5

IMP MAB

1.63 0.01

-0.19 -0.001

-10.44% -9.09%

6 7 8

BHI LIHC CEI

0.04 0.82 0.152

-0.004 -0.08 -0.014

-9.09% -8.89% -8.43%

9

COAL

0.275

-0.025

-8.33%

10

I

1.81

-0.16

-8.12%

MOST ACTIVE 1

DITO

VOLUME 122,927,400

VALUE (PHP) 1,045,590,580.00

2 3

BDO MBT

5,093,980 9,670,560

543,094,733.00 484,907,846.00

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SMPH MM GTCAP ACEN ALI SECB CNVRG

12,219,400 70,907,100 666,660 52,739,400 6,216,500 1,666,680 14,258,400

468,229,795.00 438,544,647.00 393,391,460.00 382,421,066.00 255,874,955.00 221,754,288.00 216,632,030.00

after news that Taiwan had seen its first locally transmitted infection since April.

There were also losses in Hong Kong and Mumbai, though Wellington and Bangkok rose.

The losses extended Monday’s selloff and a retreat on Wall Street.

Axi strategist Stephen Innes sounded a note of warning for early next year.

“You will read a lot of after-the-fact analysis suggesting (Monday) was a holiday-exaggerated selloff,” he said in a note. “To a large degree, that might be the case on some overbought positions like oil and short dollar.” With AFP

In this picture taken on November 1, 2020, farmers work in a saffron field in Pampore, south of Srinagar. Dry conditions blamed on climate change have seen yields of the world’s most expensive spice by weight down by half in the last two decades, threatening the future of a cash crop that has brought wealth to the region for 2,500 years. AFP

Climate change ruins Kashmir’s ‘red gold’ saffron crop

By PARVAIZ BUKHARI PAMPORE, India—On sweeping fields once blanketed in lush purple, a thin and bedraggled crop of flowers is all farmers in Indian-administered Kashmir’s saffron-growing region Pampore have to show for this year’s harvest.

Dry conditions blamed on climate change have seen yields of the world’s most expensive spice halved in the past two decades, threatening the future of a cash crop that has brought wealth to the region for 2,500 years.

“These fields used to be like goldmines,” said Abdul Ahad Mir in Pampore, just south of Indian-administered Kashmir’s main city Srinagar.

Saffron has long thrived there, and Mir’s family was reared in the delicate work of plucking the lucrative but tiny crimson threads from purple crocus flowers.

“In my childhood we needed 80 men over a week to pick the flowers,” Mir told AFP. “Today our family of six finish it in a day.”

Warming temperatures caused by

climate change have made rainfall erratic, depleting the thirsty saffron fields of water. Shrinking glaciers across the Himalayan region have also cut water flows to the foothills downstream.

It takes around 160,000 flowers to yield one kilogram of the precious spice, which will sell for around $1,350 in local markets.

But official figures show that harvests of the so-called “red gold” were just 1.4 kilograms per hectare in 2018—half the figure recorded in 1998.

Mohammad Ramzan Rather says his acreage in Pampore only produced around 30 grams of the crop this year, down from two kilograms 12 years ago.

The harvest season—which lasts for just two weeks at the end of autumn— has also been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as recent security lockdowns in response to a long-running insurgency in the disputed territory, claimed by both India and arch-rival Pakistan.

Ancient pride Historians say saffron has been cultivated in Kashmir since at least 500 BC.

Locally the spice is added to traditional dishes and used as an ingredient in Kehwa, a sweet drink served during special occasions such as marriages.

Elsewhere in the world, it is prized for its use in cooking and cosmetics and can fetch prices of more than $10,000 per kilogram on the international market.

Nearly 90 percent of the world’s saffron is grown in Iran, but experts consider Kashmir’s crop to be superior for its deep red color and distinct aroma.

In 2010, Indian authorities sought to halt the impact of climate change by launching a $54-million fund to introduce modern agricultural technology to farmers.

Authorities have touted it as a success, claiming it has rejuvenated Kashmir’s 3,700 acres of saffron fields.

But farmers disagree. They have ripped up plastic irrigation pipes that are now strewn across fields, saying they bring little water and make it harder to till the land.

Others say high-yield seed varieties introduced under the scheme have ruined their crops. AFP

Reboot IT IS the week of Christmas in this year that began with the eruption of Taal Volcano and slowly evolved into the year of the pandemic. As it became clear that we would essentially spend virtually the entire year of 2020 in some form of quarantine, we realized that this was the year we would be telling our children and grandchildren about. It was a year of challenge and reckoning, a year of tests and illumination.

As we prepare for this Christmas in quarantine, we look back to this year in lockdown with renewed hope. After the full late-stage trial data on their COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech on 18 November and release of data on the Moderna vaccine on 30 November, Britain, Canada and the US quickly approved shots for emergency use in December. Additional vaccines have since released full late-stage trial data. As the year ends, the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines has begun in the UK, the US and Canada and rollout is anticipated in other countries.

As we look the beginning of 2021, our thoughts are now on how to rebuild in a post-lockdown world.

After many months of essentially waiting for the when and how of a vaccine, it has become clear that the wait is over. It is now only a matter of time before we can begin to achieve a new “new normal.”

Clearly, it will be a different world. After the sobering experience of COVID-19, we will never again be quite as carefree or unprepared (or so we hope). It is, however, finally time for a reboot.

Unwinding Closer to home, I am also anticipating a reboot.

We had originally planned for 2020 to be a year of unwinding and travel. Clearly, travel was not meant

to be. The many months in lockdown though proved to be a different sort of unwinding, a period of reconnecting and strengthening bonds. As the year ended, I managed to begin to fulfill a promise made to myself–that of going back to this column. In this week before the traditional year-ender, in this new phase of Integrations, I thought it would be good idea to take a quick look back.

For those of you who have been with me since the beginning, this is a trip down memory lane. For new readers, it is an exploration of how this column came to be, and how it has changed.

Beginning with endings This column originally appeared on Fridays, signaling the end of the work week. I had been given an essentially blank work order with the assurance that Friday is when even business page readers are ready for something lighter.

I began the very first piece in this column with a quote from a novel written by one of my favorite authors. I continued with an explanation of origin of the column name, Integrations, and the concept for what the column was designed to be.

“Thou art God,” Mike repeated serenely. “That which groks. Anne is God. I am God. The happy grass are God. Jill groks in beauty always. Jill is God. All shaping and making and creating together -.” He croaked something in Martian and smiled.

—From Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein The human brain can really only hold on to about seven plus or minus two things at one time. At least, that is what many students of human psychology believe about human sort-term memory. Now, the reason you and I can function is we can rely on long-term memory–and what we know about human memory is that it is stored in multiply-linked chunks. This means that we store newly found information by finding the many ways that the new

information links to what we already know. This, by the way, is also the way we access specific information–by finding it through the relationships we recognized in the past.

Writers put this in a much more poetic manner. We create ourselves and our worlds based on the stories we choose to tell ourselves in order to make sense of our personal experiences–what we see, hear, read about, smell, taste, feel.

This happens, some would have it, in an unconscious way when we dream. At night, our brains try to make sense of the input for the day. The random firings of our neurons while this happens result in dreams.

It happens in a much more conscious way when we go through new information and attempt to separate fact from opinion, truth from fiction. And the quality of our understanding and future decisions is based on the quality of this initial weeding out and understanding and linking.

So it is Friday, the end of the week. Time for sifting, analyzing and telling ourselves the new story that we will use to make sense of our world as we move on to next week. Time to integrate.

2005 was a year when the pre-need industry was unraveling and the legislature was occupied first with an impeachment and then a proposal for charter change, both of which were unsuccessful. For me, it was a year that marked many beginnings. It was the first year of the second decade of Solutions and marked the year when I seriously began to be involved in research on corporate social responsibility.

2005 was also the year when I began to to seriously work on coursework for my doctorate.

Shifting to the Center Eleven and a half years passed until this column’s next existential moment. I was informed that the column would henceforth be moved to Wednesdays. As is the case with many writers, my column on 21st December 2016 was a reflection, not only of my sur-

WASHINGTON—US lawmakers on Monday approved a $900-billion relief package for the world’s biggest economy that will provide a long-sought boost for millions of Americans and businesses battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Overwhelming approval in the Senate and House of Representatives cleared the way for the legislation to be sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

Trump signed a stopgap measure early Tuesday to keep the federal government funded until December 28 and avert a shutdown.

“The American people can rest assured that more help is on the way, immediately,” Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said on Twitter.

As the COVID-19 death count rises amid a massive coronavirus resurgence that further threatens the economy, Republican and Democratic legislators have finally hammered out a bill after months of wrangling and partisan finger-pointing.

The deal will spare millions of jobless workers who were days away from seeing their unemployment benefits expire, and provide a new round of cash payouts.

Small businesses will benefit from more government grants, while the package also includes rental assistance and help to families facing eviction.

“It’s a good bipartisan deal,” Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “We will do some good with this legislation.”

But “as President-elect Joe Biden has said, it’s a first step, and we will need to do more. More to get virus assistance to crush the virus. More money to buy vaccines,” she said on the House floor.

The US is facing the world’s largest coronavirus outbreak, and cases have surged in recent months, threatening a tentative economic recovery. The death toll has topped 319,000.

Recent data showed retail sales slowed heading into the usually-strong holiday shopping season, while new applications for unemployment benefits have risen for four of the past five weeks after months of declines. AFP

roundings but also of my personal circumstances.

Below, I excerpt from the first Wednesday column.

Since this column began on the 24th of June in 2005, I have been writing for a Friday publication.

That, then editor-in-chief Jojo Robles, explained to me meant that I could essentially bridge the work week to the weekend–hence, a much more lighthearted take on business and management. This week, things change. This column will begin to appear Wednesdays.

I have been thinking of what it means to write for a Wednesday paper. The Friday edition, as I have now begun to think about it, was essentially an integration of events and news of the past week–an attempt to make sense of the week before it ended. Wednesday, however, is very different. It is smack in the middle of the week. It is a time for evaluation. It is a time for reviewing what has been done and what still needs to be done. It is a time for reckoning and decision-making.

Wednesday is a far more serious day than Friday.

I suppose this week, the penultimate week of 2016 is a great time to think about evaluation and reckoning. I will, after all, remember 2016 as a time of great change, and unexpected decisions.

I ended that column with an observation that has become even more meaningful this year.

The middle, after all, is really the core. When seeking to find our balance while traversing tricky paths, we are often told–find your center of gravity.

So this shift from the end of the week to the middle of the week, seems appropriate for me. This individual center, that core of peace within you—that is the foundation of true knowledge and contentment.

This year, as the world looks to reboot and I shift my life away from work and towards more personal matters, centers have become even more important.

As we close 2020 and plan for the new year, let us build on a strong foundation built solidly on what is truly important. Merry Christmas to all!

Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

Business

Ayala acquires Qualimed hospital chain

By Jenniffer B. Austria

wholly-owned unit of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., signed agreements to purchase a 54.2-percent stake in MGHI from ONGLOMERATE Ayala Land Inc. and the Mercado family.

Ayala Corp. said Healthway will also subscribe to Tuesday its healthcare 38.25 million preferred shares in MGHI from Ayala Land and Mercado Group group is acquiring a which will bring Healthway’s voting in70-percent stake in Mercado terest in the hospital chain to 70 percent.

The Qualimed Health Network inGeneral Hospital Inc., cludes four hospitals in Sta. Rosa Lawhich owns and operates guna, San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, the hospital chain Qualimed Iloilo City and Tanauan, Batangas.

Qualimed also operates an ambulatoHealth Network for an ry surgical center in UP-Philippine Genundisclosed amount. eral Hospital and has clinics in Makati, Ayala said in a disclosure to the stock Quezon City and Cebu IT Park.

“We have always believed in Qualexchange Healthway Philippines Inc., a

C

imed’s vision to deliver accessible and affordable healthcare to Filipinos. Over the past few years, we have built a strong partnership between Qualimed and Ayala Land, and we are delighted to integrate Qualimed into AC Health’s growing portfolio. The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed the Ayala Group’s commitment to invest in healthcare, and with this investment, we will be better positioned to provide much-needed healthcare services for the country,” said AC Health chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

With the acquisition, AC Health will have four general hospitals, more than 85 outpatient clinics and about 80 corporate clinics. It also has the country’s first cancer specialty hospital which the

company announced previously.

AC Health president Paolo Borromeo said the acquisition of Qualimed would complete the group’s hospital portfolio which includes patient care, from primary clinics, multi-specialty care and hospital care.

“We have taken a deliberate approach to building up our healthcare ecosystem, with the goal of delivering an integrated patient experience for more Filipinos. In addition to expanding our touchpoints, we are also excited about creating unique synergies in our network, such as patient referrals, expanded opportunities for our medical professionals, and greater operational efficiencies on pharmacy and diagnostics,” Borromeo said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, December 22, 2020 -22.50 PTS. 7,202.39

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

22,715,192,951 195,387

TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES

10,089,245,945.85 39

DECLINES UNCHANGED

203 33

Foreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0620

Japan

Yen

0.009681

0.4653

UK

Pound

1.347200

64.7491

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128982

6.1991

Switzerland

Franc

1.129305

54.2767

Canada

Dollar

0.777968

37.3907

Singapore

Dollar

0.750582

36.0745

Australia

Dollar

0.758500

36.4550

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

127.4854

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266553

12.8111

Brunei

Dollar

0.747775

35.9396

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033234

1.5973

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

13.0863

Euro

Euro

1.224600

58.8567

Korea

Won

0.000907

0.0436

China

Yuan

0.152669

7.3376

India

Rupee

0.013509

0.6493

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.246975

11.8701

New Zealand

Dollar

0.710200

34.1336

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035540

1.7081 Source: BSP

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi said his department will support the proposal to reclassify the 180,000-a-daybarrel refinery of Petron Corp. in Limay, Bataan as part of the Freeport Area of Bataan.

“We want the PEZA [Philippine Economic Zone Authority] zone to flourish in the country actively. As long as it is positively making a positive impact to our country, we want to promote that,” Cusi said in a virtual conference Monday.

Cusi said the move was a business decision of Petron and that the DOE would not oppose it once the company presented its proposal.

PEZA AWARDEE. PetroSolar Corp. is elevated to the Hall of Fame of PEZA Awards for winning the Outstanding Community Project Award for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019. The awarding ceremony was held on Dec. 10, 2020 in Pasay City.

Attending the awarding ceremony are (from left) House Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director-General Charito Plaza, PetroGreen Energy Corp. environmental and community relations Manager Yrel Ventura, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Army Lt. Gen. Cirilito Elola Sobejana.

“If they present it to us, we’ll just look at it. I don’t see any problem,” the energy chief said.

Petron is looking for ways to cut back on costs as the COVID-19 slashed oil prices worldwide because of low demand.

Petron said it was plagued by an uneven playing field with oil importers that led the management to decide to shut down the refinery for economic reasons in January.

Cusi said DOE respected the decision of Petron to shut down the refinery given the market environment.

“On the tax issue, we brought that up already with the DOF [Department of Finance]. They are also evaluating.

They are looking in to the macro effect

to the economy,” Cusi said.

Cusi assured the country’s supply would not be affected despite the refinery shutdown.

“They will import the finished product and use their terminal as storage for clean product instead of crude oil.

Petron is also looking to keeping their market share, that will not affect the supply,” he said.

Petron president Ramon Ang earlier said the company would push through with the shutdown of the Bataan facility

by January amid the challenging market environment.

“Yes, January for economic shutdown,” Ang said, adding that under the economic shutdown, the refinery with a

capacity of 180,000 barrels a day might still reopen once the situation improved.

Ang said Petron, the only remaining refiner in the country, faced arduous taxation not encountered by fuel importers, aside from operating under a volatile business climate.

“We have several tax-related concerns which we have already raised with the government. Under the current regime, refiners are faced with the burden of paying so much more taxes than importers making it more difficult for us to preserve the viability of operating a refinery in the country. Of course, we want to keep our refinery running and hopefully with the government’s support, we will be able to do this more efficiently,” Ang said.

Bloomberry secures additional P20b in bank financing to support Solaire BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp., the owner and operator of Solaire Resorts and Casino, said Tuesday it is securing an additional P20-billion funding to support the cash flow of its gaming facility.

Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange unit Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. signed with a syndicate of banks an amendment to the P73.5-billion omnibus loan and security agreement for an additional facility in the principal amount of P20 billion. It said the facility was oversubscribed.

“Securing an additional funding option during this difficult time is a landmark achievement for our company and a resounding vote of confidence by our lenders,” Bloomberry chairman and chief executive Enrique Razon Jr. said.

The additional P20-billion facility will be available for two years from the signing of the amendment agreement and any amount borrowed will be payable within five years from the date of the first draw-

down, it said.

Bloomberry said the additional funding would be used to support the cash flow requirements of Solaire, partially finance capital expenditures for the improvement and refurbishment of existing facilities at Solaire and partially finance BRHI’s working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes.

Interest payments on the loan will be based on a floating rate, calculated on a quarterly basis.

“BRHI intends to draw only the amount that it requires for the purposes it has stated to minimize additional interest expenses,” Razon said, The syndicate of banks participating in the additional facility is composed of BDO Unibank Inc., China Banking Corp., Philippine National Bank, Robinsons Bank Corp., and United Coconut Planters Bank, all of whom are part of the original syndicate of banks that participated in the P73.5-billion loan facility. Jenniffer B. Austria

MVP GROUP DONATION. The MVP Group of Companies turns over Noche Buena packs to Manila Mayor Isko Domagoso (fourth from left) for distribution to families and communities in the capital city. The MVP Group is embarking on a country-wide donation drive called Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko where 22 companies and foundations under the leadership of Manuel Pangilinan are uniting to pool funds for Noche Buena packs for families to enjoy.

IFC eyes P750-m loan to CARD MRI Group to assist women entrepreneurs

By Othel V. Campos INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp., a member of the World Bank Group, said Tuesday it plans to issue up to P750 million in debt financing to CARD Bank Inc. and CARD SME Bank Inc. to reach out to women entrepreneurs in the Philippines who need financial support.

Card Bank and Card SME bank are part of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions Group.

“Filipino women entrepreneurs are

Nuclear study results sent to Malacanang ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Tuesday expressed confidence President Rodrigo Duterte would endorse the results of the study of the inter-government agency on the adoption of a national position on nuclear energy program.

The Department of Energy submitted to Duterte the inter-government study on nuclear on Friday.

“We submitted it. We did the work, and of course, positive expectation. We hope that it will be included—the decision to include it in our energy mix. Favorably decided, hopefully, I’m praying,” Cusi said.

Duterte signed Executive Order No. 116 on July 24 providing for the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee chaired by DOE to conduct the study.

The committee was tasked to submit its recommendation on a national position on nuclear energy to the Office of the President.

Alena Mae S. Flores

PH seen to post W-shaped recovery BANK of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, said Tuesday the country needs a stronger and more focused stimulus to recover quickly from the impact of COVID-19 health crisis.

BPI lead economist Jun Neri said in an online forum on global economic prospects for 2021 that production was responding positively to the easing of quarantine measures.

“But the country’s recovery may continue to fall behind our ASEAN neighbors if reopening remains slow and fiscal response remains too conservative,” Neri said.

The Philippine economy declined by 11.5 percent in the third quarter, with household consumption falling by 9.3 percent and investment dropping 41.1 percent.

Neri said instead of a V-shaped recovery, the country was looking at a more prolonged recession and a W-shaped rebound where the economy would begin to recover rapidly, but then fall into a double-dip recession, but ending with another sharp rise.

Julito G. Rada

27,000 CAR tourism workers to receive aid

DOE inclined to back Petron refinery’s bid to apply for PEZA incentives

By Alena Mae S. Flores

IN BRIEF

fighting to recover from the grave effects of the pandemic, and we are right behind them every step of the way” said CARD MRI founder and chairman emeritus Jaime Aristotle Alip.

The loan, which is part of the $8-billlon global COVID-19 fast-track financial facility, is expected to help businesses emerge profitable and save jobs in the process during this challenging period.

The investment aims to benefit over 60,000 companies that include 44,000 micro, small and medium enterprises owned or led by women.

The banks will serve as conduits to over 120 branches nationwide.

Support from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative or We-Fi in the form of performance-based incentives will help the banks reach pre-defined targets for lending to women-owned/led small and medium-sized enterprises.

The funding will provide critical working capital to MSMEs, which have been especially disadvantaged by the pandemic due to the lack of funding buffers and capacity to restart operations during strict quarantine periods.

The loans are being provided through IFC’s Working Capital Solutions Program, a $2-billion facility that provides funding to emerging-market banks to extend credit to help businesses shore up their working capital.

“We believe that a poverty-free Philippines can be achieved by empowering these women to reach their full potential. Through this partnership with IFC, we can reach more women-owned and led MSMEs and help them continue their journey towards a better future,” Alip said.

ABOUT 27,000 displaced tourism workers in the Cordillera Administrative Region will receive P5,000 cash assistance under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-001 of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Labor and Employment.

The DOT and DOLE awarded the financial assistance certificates to displaced tourism workers in Baguio City.

“I commend the city of Baguio, the province of Benguet and the entire Cordillera Administrative Region for proactively responding to the call to make the Bayanihan Act 2 Cash Assistance program accessible to the Displaced Tourism Workers in your area,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Signed in October, the DOT-DOLE JMC laid out the guidelines for the Bayanihan Act 2 cash assistance for tourism workers who were displaced amid the pandemic.

These include displaced DOT-accredited and local government unit-licensed tour guides; displaced employees of DOT-accredited primary tourism enterprises, displaced employees of DOT-accredited secondary tourism enterprises, LGU-licensed primary tourism enterprises, and members of registered community-based tourism organizations. Othel V. Campos

DOF extending deadline on tax amnesty to June

By Julito G. Rada THE Department of Finance said Tuesday it is extending again until the middle of 2021 the deadline on tax amnesty and voluntary assessment program to ease taxpayers’ burden under COVID-19-related mobility restrictions.

The DOF said in a statement it issued Revenue Regulations 32-2020 and 33-2020 extending until June 2021 the respective deadlines for availing of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies and Voluntary Assessment and Payment Program.

The original deadline for availing of the TAD was Dec. 31, 2020, as stated under RR No. 15-2020. This revenue regulation was an amendment to RR Nos. 11-2020, 10-2020 and 7-2020, which were issued by the BIR to implement Republic Act No. 11213 or the Tax Amnesty Law. “The new regulations were issued under RA 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, which allowed the extension of statutory deadlines and timelines to ease the taxpayers’ burden under COVID19-related mobility restrictions,” the DOF said.

RR No. 33-2020 also extended the deadline for availing of the VAPP. Initiated by the DOF and the Bureau of Internal Revenue under RR 212020, the VAPP lets taxpayers voluntarily settle their unpaid internal revenue tax, with or without an ongoing audit/investigation.

Those who will do so would not be audited for 2018 for the tax types availed.

The BIR said that as of end-November, it collected more than P200 million from the program with just three months of implementation.

The majority of the applicants were small business taxpayers who wish to settle their 2018 tax liabilities.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

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Pinay fencer Catantan to join Penn State’s Lions

Sports Taming the waves. Brazil’s Italo Ferreira rides a wave during the semifinal leg of the last day of the Pipeline Masters 2020 on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. AFP

Spitting Thuram banned for 6 matches BERLIN—French international Marcus Thuram was hit with a six-match suspension and a 40,000 euro fine ($49,000) by the German Football Association on Monday for spitting at an opponent during his club Borussia Munchengladbach’s defeat to Hoffenheim at the weekend.

The 23-year-old striker -- son of 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram -- was sent off after a video review showed him spitting in the face of Stefan Posch of Hoffenheim as the two argued during a Bundesliga match.

With Gladbach down to 10 men, Hoffenheim scored a late goal and won 2-1.

Thuram was also fined a month’s salary, to be paid to a charity, by his club.

According to Bild daily, the fine could be in the region of 150,000 euros and constitute a club record sanction.

“Marcus has accepted this and has also offered to engage with this social cause on his own behalf,” the club’s sporting director Max Eberl said in a statement on Sunday.

“I have come to know him as a reflective person with a great demeanour,” said Eberl. “He remains the same person we know, and we will stand.”

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has laid down the law to Leroy Sane, telling the former Manchester City winger that he needs to start delivering for the European champions.

A string of disappointing performances by Sane since he joined in a 50-million-euro ($61 million) move in the summer was capped on Saturday when he was removed just half an hour after entering the field as a substitute in Bayern’s 2-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen.

“We put everything possible in play” to acquire the German international, Rummenigge told Sport 1 TV, “and now he has to justify it”.

“He hasn’t yet really got into the DNA of Bayern. His task now has got to be to make his talent bear fruit,” the former Bayern forward said.

Rummenigge added: “I think he has got a good future ahead of him. We’re prepared to support any player but we have demands too. He must now take the next step.”

Sane, 24, admitted he had been surprised to be yanked off before the final whistle, telling Bild newspaper: “That is not something that has happened to me before.” AFP

PH boxers, karatekas, st jins 1 to train in bubble T

By Peter Atencio

HE training of national athletes will be continuous and regular in the first quarter of the coming year.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez made this assurance now that a bubble-type of training has been allowed for national athletes preparing for international meets.

These training activities will start off with boxing, karatedo and taekwondo.

“Unahin lang natin ang training nila.

Tapos, tuluy-tuloy na ito,” said Ramirez.

The agency is now making arrangements with businessman-sportsman Han Sy on the availability of the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and the Philsports Complex in Pasig remain unavailable for such activities at this time as both are being used as quarantine facilities for COVID-19 positive patients.

William Ramirez

The three national sports associations of boxing, taekwondo and karatedo will be the first ones to send athletes to the Laguna facility.

The duration of their training bubble is set for 90 days.

“If we succeed with the 10 guidelines and protocols (that we have set), we will expand this to other deserving and qualified athletes,” said Ramirez.

Numerous national athletes are getting ready for a busy year, with competitions set to be held in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Southeast Asian Games and the Tokyo Olympics.

Last week, a bubble type of setup has been approved by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Initially, 16 athletes from boxing will be sent to Calamba for training, along with five from taekwondo and eight from karatedo.

Ramirez said the owners have offered a 30 percent discount for billeting and food services.

The IATF’s nod came some nine months after the country went through a series of lockdowns to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

AS NATIONAL fencer Samantha Catantan leaves for the United States at the end of the month, her four other teammates are set to begin their training for international meets this January.

Catantan’s teammates will be getting ready to join an Olympic qualifier this April in Seoul.

“We have four athletes who are getting ready for the Olympics. As for Samantha, she is still a go with her scholarship in the US,” said PFA secretary general Rene Gacuma.

Catantan’s trip was made possible after the 18-year-old fencer decided to push through with her plans to accept an athletics’ scholarship at Penn State University in Pennsylvania.

Catantan, one of two national fencers who settled for bronze medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, is set to depart on Dec. 28 after getting her paper works completed.

Gacuma said lockdowns in the US to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic delayed Catantan’s trip.

Catantan, who studied at the University of the East, is seeking to be part of Penn State’s varsity team known as the Nittany Lions.

The Nittany Lions placed runner-up in Division I of the US National Collegiate Athletic Association competitions last year.

This year’s batch of foil players from Penn State will be led

by Lodovica Bicego.

Penn States’ preparations for the 2020 NCAA Championship was affected when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted around the world.

Among those Filipino fencers who are preparing for qualifiers are Nathaniel Perez and Noelito Jose in men’s epee.

There’s also CJ Concepcion in the men’s sabre.

In the women’s side are epee specialist Hanniel Abella and Jeleen Nicanor in sabre. Peter Atencio

Banario working on explosiveness, power FORMER ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario was among the very few bright spots for Team Lakay this year, as the 31-year-old veteran was able to return to his winning capacity with a victory back in February, just before COVID-19 hit.

After the Philippines announced a series of Community Quarantine measures that kept gyms closed and people locked away inside their homes, Banario and the rest of Team Lakay were able to spend some good quality time with their families.

“I think the biggest lesson I learned, especially in this pandemic, is to stay healthy—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Watching out for your family’s health and staying positive in times of crisis.”

Banario was last seen inside the ONE Circle last February, when he took apart highly-regarded featherweight contender, Thailand’s Shannon “OneShin” Wi-

PBA gets high marks from government exec

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and BCDA president Vince Dizon with PSA moderators Randy Caluag and Judith Caringal.

ratchai to win by a narrow split decision.

Banario maintains that he never picks and chooses his opponents, but that he can promise to be ready for whoever stands across from him in the Circle.

He tells fans he has something special planned for his return in 2021, and that everyone should pay attention to what he will bring to the cage.

“For me, I don’t have any expected opponent to face next year. I’ll be ready for who is in front of me. My goal is to get the belt so I’ll be ready for anyone,” said Banario.

“I’m working on a few things, adding a few skills and techniques, and working on my power. I want to end fights quicker.

I want to bring back my fire. Fans can expect a more explosive and exciting Honorio Banario next year.”

After a short stint at lightweight, Banario has since returned to featherweight, where many stark challengers await. Possible matchups include show-

THE recent PBA bubble received a high rating approval from no less than the Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan Against COVID-19.

Bases Conversion Development Authority president Vince Dizon said the league deserves more than just a passing grade after it managed to traverse its 45th season with the successful staging of the Philippine Cup at Clark, Pampanga.

Barangay Ginebra won the championship after beating TNT Tropang Giga in five games of the finals.

“Conservatively, siguro nasa mga 90 percent ang aking rating,” he said Tuesday when asked in the Philippine Sportswriters Association webcast Forum on how he would rate the bubble conference on a scale of 1 to 100. “Ang pinakaimportante ay walang nagkasakit.”

There were challenges met along the way, but Asia’s first play-for-league survived the test and got the job done in what was the most trying

downs with Martin Nguyen, Sage Northcutt, and Koyomi Matsushima.

Next, ONE Championship returns with ONE: COLLISION COURSE II, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium scheduled for broadcast on Friday, December 25.

In the main event, #2-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Jamal “Kherow” Yusupov of Russia takes on #4-ranked contender Samy “AK47” Sana of France and Algeria in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai showdown.

In the co-main event, former ONE Flyweight World Champion and #3-ranked flyweight contender Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov faces “Ottogi” Dae Hwan Kim of South Korea in a catch weight mixed martial arts contest.

Watch the event on One Sports or One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). Also, TV5 will air the action on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, December 26.

time in its long, rich history.

That wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation and help of the PBA hierarchy led by commissioner Willie Marcial, who joined Dizon in the online session presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “‘Yung PBA bubble ay hindi magiging successful kung hindi dahil sa tulong at kooperasyon ng PBA leadership sa pamumuno ni Commissioner Willie,” said Dizon, also president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, while not failing to mention as well the help extended by the PBA owners, members of the Board, commissioner’s staff, players, coaches, and other team personnel.

“Napakaganda ng samahan na nangyari noong PBA bubble dala na rin ng objective natin na siguraduhin na maging healthy and safe yung bubble.”

Marcial added self discipline in strictly fol-

Honorio Banario

lowing the health protocols and seeking the advice of medical experts and government officials like Dizon, helped the league get through its only conference for the season.

“Sundin lang nila ‘yung mga nilatag na protocols, palagay ko hindi na kayo magkakamali kasi nagawa namin,” he said in the same forum presented by Smart and Upstream Media as webcast partner.

The PBA chief there’s still no concrete plan yet whether the league will undergo another bubble season or shift to the more moderate closed-circuit system where teams and players all have the same house-gym-house routine during the course of the conference.

Dizon, who is also OIC-chairman of the Clark Development Corp., agreed with Marcial that it’s still too early to tell if the league needs to go through a bubble set-up again, considering the time frame between now and the projected opening of Season 46 in early April.

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Sports

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

Westwood wins Euro award for 4th time LONDON—Veteran Lee Westwood has been named European Golfer of the Year for the fourth time, over 20 years after he first won the award.

The 47-year-old Englishman rediscovered his old form in 2020, beginning when he won the Abu Dhabi Championship in January to make him the first active golfer to win a tour event across four separate decades.

He rounded off the coronavirus-affected season by winning the Race to Dubai after finishing runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick in the World Tour Championship earlier this month.

He was the oldest ever winner of the Race to Dubai at 47 years, seven months and 20 days.

The one thing Westwood still lacks is a Major.

Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington said based on his form this year, Westwood could entertain dreams of playing in next year’s Europe v USA contest which would be his 11th appearance.

“I am very honoured and extremely flattered to have been named European Tour Golfer of the Year as I know the competition for the award this year would have been extremely high,” said Westwood, who also won the award in 1998, 2000 and 2009.

“Thank you to the media for voting for me and also huge congratulations again to everyone at the European Tour who did a tremendous job this year managing to put on a full international schedule under such difficult times.”

Meanwhile, world number one Ko Jin-young pulled away from secondranked Kim Sei-young with five backnine birdies Sunday to win the LPGA’s season-ending Tour Championship by five strokes.

Ko, who was playing just her fourth LPGA event of the pandemic-disrupted season, had only squeezed into the elite field with a tie for second on Monday at the US Women’s Open.

But the 25-year-old South Korean made the most of her opportunity, firing seven birdies in her six-under par 66 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. AFP

Silver: NBA won’t jump line for vaccine

L

OS ANGELES—NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday the league would not “jump the line” for the Covid-19 vaccine as the league prepared to tip off its new season amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the United States.

Speaking on a conference call ahead of the start of the 2020-2021 season on Tuesday, Silver emphasized that the NBA would “wait our turn” to obtain the vaccine, which began to be administered for the first time last week.

“It goes without saying that in no form or way will we jump the line,” Silver told reporters. “We will wait our turn to get the vaccine.”

Silver said he hoped NBA players and staff would eventually play a role in helping to assure the public of the benefits of getting the vaccine.

“It’s my hope that when we are eligible, members of the NBA community will want to get vaccinated and it’s our plan to be involved with governmental efforts in terms of public messaging as to the benefit of taking the vaccine,” he said.

The NBA was shut down for four months last season as the pandemic swept across North America before resuming in July with teams based in a protective quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.

However the new season will take place with teams playing in their home markets, a move that represents myriad logistical challenges for the NBA and its 30 teams amid skyrocketing Covid-19 cases in many states.

Season bubble ‘untenable’ Silver said playing an entire season in a bubble-like campus environment was deemed to be “untenable” but insisted he was confident of health and safety protocols put in place to mitigate the risk from the virus.

“I’ve been asked many times ‘Why are you starting your season now, given the state of the pandemic?’” Silver said.

“It’s a fair question and the short answer is that we’re comfortable with the health and safety protocols we’ve designed in consultation with the players association and our medical experts.

“We would not be opening our season

if we did not believe it was safe and responsible to do so.”

Silver added however that the league was preparing for disruption, referring to a sense of “trepidation” about Tuesday’s tip-off.

NBA chiefs have only released a schedule of games for the first half of the abbreviated 72-game season, and will finalise the second half of the calender at a later date.

“We do anticipate there will be bumps in the road along the way,” Silver said.

“We’re waiting to see how this plays out before issuing the second half of the season. We know it’s possible we may have to reschedule games along the way.”

Silver said only six teams would start the season with fans in attendance at their arenas and described the return of spectators as a “huge p r io rity.”

Anthem hope “But at the same time I recognise that until we have mass distribution of the vaccine it’s unlikely that we’re going to return to the point of having full arenas,” he cautioned, adding that the league estimated a 40% dip in total revenues if no fans at all were present during the season.

Silver meanwhile said that after the social justice initiatives adopted last season following the death of George Floyd in May, when “Black Lives Matter” adorned every court following the restart and players kneeled for the national anthem, he hoped play-

ers would return to standing for the anthem.

“It’s a national ritual of sorts that I hope, personally, isn’t something that’s lost,” Silver said.

“Because there are very few things that bring us together these days. So it’s my expectation that going into the season we’re going to return to the practice that’s been part of this league for many decades, and that is standing for the national anthem.”

NBA rules require players to stand for the pre-game anthem ritual.

Silver emphasised however that the league would not punish players who chose to protest the anthem by taking a knee. AFP

NBA commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that the NBA would “wait our turn” to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. AFP

Golf’s 2020 talking points: Bryson’s 7, Tiger’s 10 HONG KONG—In a year dominated by the coronavirus off the course and world number one Dustin Johnson on it, AFP Sport recalls some of golf’s talking points of 2020.

Length isn’t everything After Bryson DeChambeau, bulked up by protein shakes and weightlifting during lockdown, blasted 350 yard-plus drives to dismantle the feared Winged Foot and win the US Open in September, concerns turned to what he might do to Augusta National at the virus-delayed Masters in November.

But the traditionalists needn’t have worried.

Despite DeChambeau’s pre-tournament claims that he would play Augusta’s par-72 layout as a “par 67”, he only squeezed through to the weekend right on the cut line after rounds of 70 and 74, including a triple-bogey seven on the Friday after a lost ball.

DeChambeau ended up playing his final round alongside two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer who, at the age of 63, humbled the big-hitter 36 years his junior by two strokes on the day, and one stroke for the week.

DeChambeau hasn’t been seen on a course since.

- Tiger’s imperfect 10 If DeChambeau thought he was having a bad week at Augusta, spare a thought for defending champion Tiger Woods.

The 15-time major-winner carded a septuple bogey 10 at the short par-three 12th in the final round after dunking his ball in Rae’s Creek three times.

Playing partner and Open champion Shane Lowry, enjoying a round with his childhood hero for the first time, could hardly believe what was unfolding.

“To watch him do that was a bit like, ‘Oh my God’,” confessed Lowry.

Woods then went on a tear, rattling in birdies at five of the remaining six holes.

“He basically hit every shot stiff. It was incredible to watch him.” said the Irishman.

Quite a few more “Oh my God” moments.

Fowler’s foul-up The stop-start year did Rickie Fowler no favours.

One of golf’s ‘Mr. Nice Guys’, the American this month dropped out of world’s top 50 for the first time since his rookie season in 2009.

Fowler failed to register a top-10 after the June resumption, but nothing summed up his abject year more than a tiny putt on the sixth hole of his second round of the US PGA Championship in August.

Four inches for a tap-in par, easy right?

But no. His putter struck only thin air and the whiff cost him a bogey. He missed the cut by one, in a major. Ouch.

Fowler will, like many, be glad to see the back of 2020.

Lawrie signs off Paul Lawrie retired from the European Tour in October at his home Scottish Open, with no fans and little fanfare.

Lawrie’s sole major win, the 1999 Open Champion at Carnoustie, is forever remembered for Jean Van de Velde’s water-wading antics that blew a three-shot Tiger Woods of the United States hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the final round of lead at the last. AFP the PNC Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. AFP

Make and break THREE decades ago, Purefoods, the hotdog brand, was feeling the stiff competition in the market as Swift was also making its presence felt.

Yet, time and again, Purefoods was able to keep its hold as the leading hotdog brand in the country, while keeping its image that was associated to its young audience.

Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera and Jojo Lastimosa each had their own participation in the commercial as management came up with different storylines, making them more endearing to the fans.

Since entering the PBA two years earlier, the

“kolehiyalas” were frequent visitors of their practices. Girls from Maryknoll would pack the Blue Eagle gym for the team’s practices. And even when they transferred to Aquinas School and Reyes Gym, every session will be filled with onlookers -- from casual workers nearby who would sneak in from their offices, tricycle drivers and avid fans.

“Kung nagpa-ticket kami nu’n, baka kumita pa ‘yung team,” recalled Codinera, attesting the bankability of their appeal to the fans.

Codinera may have a point as not long after, he and Patrimonio, and another fellow young cager and former national team teammate Bong Alvarez would have their own film -- Last Two Minutes produced by Mother Lily Monteverde. Believe it or not, it became the biggest hit in the Manila Film Festival during that time.

These Purefoods stars had ce-

mented their place in the hearts of the young fans while the brand kept its foothold in the hotdog wars.

But while they were no.1 in these areas, Purefoods, the basketball team, was like a king without a crown.

Several times, they would end up as bridesmaids. In just its first season, the team nearly made a Cinderella Finish, moving a win away from becoming the first expansion team to win a PBA title.

But with David Thirdkill, then the reigning Best Import, held to just 16 points in the seventh and deciding game and was completely outplayed

by Norman Black in the last two games of the series, there was no way the Hotdogs could beat the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.

Purefoods would once again make its way back to the finals in the AllFilipino conference and was favored to beat the Robert Jaworski-mentored

Anejo Rhum 65ers, but a controversy involving Mon Fernandez hurt the Hotdogs’ chances and lost to the league’s most popular team.

The following season, the Hotdogs would get another shot of winning the title only to be denied again. In the AllFilipino, they were beaten by the much experienced Beermen and in the Third Conference, they were abandoned by head case import Dexter Shouse on the eve of their knockout game for the finals.

Finally in 1990, they would win their first title, but prior to capturing their first crown, another setback happened when the heavily favored Hotdogs lost the All-Filipino to the Allan Caidic-less Presto Tivoli.

The moment for greatness finally came for Purefoods in the 1990 Third Conference when Al Solis hit a dagger trey that bailed the team out of trouble and gave the franchise its first title.

It was a make -- and break moment

Fuji Electric joins AFF Suzuki Cup as sponsor SINGAPORE—Japanese electrical equipment company Fuji Electric has joined the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 as an Official Supporter, in the company’s first-ever partnership with South East Asia’s most prestigious football tournament. The deal was brokered by SPORTFIVE, the exclusive commercial partner of the AFF Suzuki Cup. As an Official Supporter, Fuji Electric will have the right to use the tournament event mark and official status across its marketing platforms, collateral and merchandise produced. In addition, the brand will benefit from significant brand exposure across the region – through being featured on the official tournament collateral, the event’s digital channels, in-stadia TV commercials and on perimeter advertising boards in every stadium where a match is held. As part of the partnership, Fuji Electric will also get to host fan engagement and promotional activities to connect with fans in South East Asia.

The sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 is an extension of Fuji Electric’s business expansion plans in South East Asia. With the region becoming a diverse market for the company, getting the opportunity to gain a stronger brand presence and understand the market needs will help Fuji Electric optimise its product planning as well as improve its sales in ASEAN. AFP -- as by the end of the season, players were shipped to other squads.

Lastimosa was traded to Alaska for Bong Alvarez. Solis and the late Jack Tanuan went to Purefoods’ corporate rival RFM and the veterans like Bernie Fabiosa, Bai Cristobal and Naning Valenciano were gone, too.

It wouldn’t take long before the late great Baby Dalupan would desert the squad as well. He had his run-ins with the young players and the management and differences in philosophies somehow triggered this make and break moment for the squad.

But it turned out that this make and break moment turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the key members.

Patrimonio won four MVPs on top of six titles. Codinera bagged five. Lastimosa won a grand slam with Alaska and Capacio and Solis would flourish playing their new roles for their respective squads.

Entertainment VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

I

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES IN HIS recent interview in the TV 5 program Usapang Real Life, hosted by Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Billy Crawford revealed that he and wife Coleen Garcia had plans to leave the country for good after the shutdown of ABS-CBN. “I really felt sad with that particular development,” he averred. “It was a dark period for everybody. This includes artists, Production Assistants…I mean, every personnel working for the station.”

This episode made him and his young family almost consider migrating abroad.

“I guess it was a logical decision to make at that time because our careers were in a standstill. Nothing’s definite.

I was planning to sell all our properties and move out of this country.

“I felt there’s nothing for me to do here. I didn’t have a job. You know what I’m saying? And if I did, it wasn’t really sustainable. I couldn’t sustain my family.”

The singer-actor and TV host admitted that he got so depressed because of what happened to his home studio.

“I won’t deny the fact that there were a lot of nights that I cried. Imagine I’m jobless at a time when I’m just starting a family. There were a lot of nights that I called most of my friends at ABS-CBN,” he said.

“We would talk and pour out our sentiments. Until now, I am still in touch with my Kapamilya colleagues. All of us remain friends despite the fact that some,

‘Coming Home’ is a family drama that features an ensemble cast led

by Sylvia Sanchez and Jinggoy Estrada.

core Pinoy family values, the main strength of the film lies in the exemplary performance of the main cast members. It features a formidable ensemble led by award-winning actors Martin del Rosario and Edgar Allan Guzman, Jake Ejercito, Shaira Diaz, Vin Abrenica, Janna Agoncillo, and Julian Estrada, together with Smokey Manaloto, Samantha Lopez, Almira Muhlach, Luis Hontiveros, Alvin Anson, Chanel Morales, and Orlan Wamar, with the special participation of Geneva Cruz.

Line produced by ALV Films and produced by Maverick Films, Coming Home is directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr., with screenplay by Gina Marissa Tagasa.

Coming Home tackles the complex dynamics of a Filipino family dealing with

What made Billy stay

Billy Crawford with wife Colleen Garcia and son Amari Jaden.

including me, sought job opportunities in other networks,” he added.

In his case, Billy is very grateful that TV 5 signed him up to host Masked Singer Pilipinas (MSP) and for including him as one of the main hosts in the noontime program Lunch Out Loud.

“I will also have a new project after the season finale of MSP. Right now, I’m really

Quest keeps on with ‘Tuloy Tuloy’ AFTER inspiring his fans earlier this year with quarantine releases, Quest drops another single to add to his uplifting discography.

Entitled "Tuloy Tuloy" or keep on keeping on, the song aims to encourage everyone to keep doing what they have started in line with their dreams despite what has happened this year.

“The main message of this song is to keep going. That we should never let anything in the outside world dictate how we dream. Lalo na ngayon na biglang may pandemic tapos typhoon. Some of us will be faced with fear, worry, and hopelessness. But our dreams should not stop. We can rest, pause, take a break. but never stop. Maybe you got tired or you got hurt. I hope this song brings you back on track,” Quest reveals.

“The song is an unfinished material I started writing back in 2017. I never got the chance to finish it until this pandemic. Bigla ko na lang sya naalala after all the crazy things that’s been

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

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A heartwarming family drama

N ONE of the moving scenes in Coming Home, paraphrasing what Sylvia Sanchez’s character told her bestfriend played by Samantha Lopez, “Marami na ang umalis sa akin, siya lang ang bumalik. Hindi ko pa ba siya tatanggapin?”

She was referring to her husband played by former senator Jinggoy Estrada who left her and her family after finding himself smitten by the charm of Mercy Dungca (played by Ariella Arida), who eventually ends up as his “reluctant mistress.”

It may be a dumb statement to some who have not experienced Salve’s (Sylvia) situation but delving deeper into what her character is going through, it’s a statement full of compassion and forgiveness. It reinforces the idea that family will always be a place where you can go back to, it’s a safe place.

Initially earmarked for the 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, it recently made the cut as one of the 10 official entries in this year’s online edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Coming Home, touted as the perfect Christmas Day offering due to its focus on

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

happening and since I have all the time in the world I decided to focus on it.”

The song was released under Warner Music Philippines and hit all music platforms on Nov. 20.

Quest previously released "Rise"—a powerful track dedicated to our pandemic front liners. He also joined forces with pop punk band Simple Plan for their single “Summer Paradise” released in June. The following month, he joined several Asian artists in a global collaboration project for "ME ME WE." Meanwhile, the multi-talented artist who has been sharing his weight loss journey on social media is currently creating fitness content for his renewed YouTube channel.

His exclusive merchandise, The Pagpupugay Collection in partnership with Simmer Studios, will also be launching soon.

"We will not only send a message of hope and encouragement through the merch but we will also support organizations that are helping

eventually provide for his family’s brighter future as he works as an OFW in Qatar. But even the toughest and most loyal patriarchs can stumble and succumb to temptation.

Through all her family’s turbulent storms, Salve Librada (Sylvia) threshes out her role as martyr wife to the hilt—maxing her strength and sacrificing her own interests just to keep her family together, and even doing her best to conceal her terminal illness until it’s too late.

Adding more color to the compelling family drama are the equally intricate relationships the Librada siblings Ned (EA), Yuri (Martin), Enji (Jake), and Sally (Shaira) get embroiled in.

Inspired in part by true-to-life events, Coming Home climaxes with a heartwrenching twist that will leave viewers in tears, as it brings to fore the indomitable

Scenes from the MMFF 2020 entry featuring actors EA de Guzman, Jake Ejercito, and Julian Estrada.

issues and challenges that threaten to tear it apart, but eventually brought together, in the end, thanks to the prevailing power of love, forgiveness, and redemption. thankful that I have a job. It’s a blessing to still being able to do what I love at my age.

I want this to be sustainable for my family,” ended Billy. *** In a recent interview, Aga Muhlach announced that he has no concrete plans for his showbiz career at this point.

“Well, Masked Singer Pilipinas (MSP) where I am one of the resident judges already had its last taping. What’s next for me after this? I don’t know. It depends,” he said.

Since 2021 is nearing, people get excited about his future offerings after dishing out a few projects this 2020.

“Should I say this? Yes! Next year, it’s either I do it or forget about it. If I’m not at my fittest next year, then I should be done.”

Many notice that he gained some weight. Aga explains that this is the main reason why he came to such decision.

“For one, I cannot short-change my viewers, my audience. If I want to do nice films, believable character, I have to look like an actor which is like to be fit. I think that’s the responsibility of an actor, you should look physically presentable and believable.”

The multi-awarded actor plans to shy away from the public eye in the coming days if his weight remains the same.

“I guess it’s about time that if I’m not going to be at my fittest in 2021, people won’t be seeing me in the meantime in the big and small screens.”

While waiting for his grand screen comeback, the handsome actor wants to venture into a related field.

“Radio! Yes, I want to try it. I’m always hooked on watching tele-radyos. Radio is light. People here are as real as it gets,” Aga stated.

Rapper and songwriter Quest

people in their pursuit to a better life by giving a portion of sales to them," Quest explains.

For further updates, stay connected with Warner Music Philippines and Quest on their respective pages.

The story revolves around the triumphs and travails of Benedicto “Benny” Librada (Jinggoy) who rises from his humble beginnings to further his studies and

Filipino family spirit, tempered by faith and forgiveness.

Coming Home is showing via Upstream. ph starting Christmas Day.

ABS-CBN wins Best Station at 18th Gawad Tanglaw KAPAMILYA Network garnered over 40 distinctions, including Best TV Station, at the 18th Gawad Tanglaw for the news and entertainment it has provided Filipinos in the previous year.

ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak was also awarded with the Gawad Natatanging Filipino sa Pamamahalang Broadcast Media (Telebisyon at Radyo), while Kapamilya stars Angel Locsin and Enchong Dee were recipients of the Gawad Tanglaw para sa Sining ng Sangkatauhan and Gawad Natatanging Kabataang Filipino para sa Sining at Kultura, respectively.

ABS-CBN Integrated News was a big winner with flagship newscast TV Patrol (including TV Patrol Weekend)) winning Best News Program while Heroes in the Hot Zone and ANC’s Beyond Politics took home Best TV Documentary and Best Public Affairs Show, respectively.

ANC's Christian Esguerra was also named Best News Presenter for Matters of Fact, while veteran journalists Doris Bigornia, Alvin Elchico, and Jorge Cariño were each given the Jury Award for Excellence in Philippine Media Reportage.

Christian also received the Jury Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for Television, alongside former Market Edge and The Boss anchor Cathy Yang, and Headstart anchor Karen Davila.

Meanwhile, Gawad Tanglaw recognized both Sports U and Game Time as Best Sports Program with hosts Dyan Castillejo and Migs Bustos also sharing the Best Sports Program Host trophy. Martin Nievera also won Best Talk Show host for his ANC program LSS: The Martin Nievera Show alongside Boy Abunda for Tonight With Boy Abunda.

For radio, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 was hailed as the Best AM Station while Pasada sa TeleRadyo anchor Peter Musngi and erstwhile Failon Ngayon anchor Ted Failon were recipients of the Gawad Dr. Debbie F. Dianco Para Sa Sining ng Komunikasyon.

In entertainment, ASAP Natin 'To got the nod as Best Variety Show, MMK won Best Drama Anthology, and Pamilya Ko notched this year's Best Drama Series award. Irma Adlawan's moving performance in the "Passport" episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya also won her Best Actress in a Single Performance.

Former The General’s Daughter co-stars Maricel Soriano Soriano, Janice De Belen, Eula Valdez, and Angel Locsin were co-winners in the Best Actress in a Drama Series category, while Arjo Atayde won Best Actor in a Drama Series for the role he played in the same program.

Arjo Atayde wins this year’s Gawad Tanglaw best actor trophy for his performance in ‘The General’s Daughter.’

For lifestyle, Metro Channel's Pia's Postcards won as Best Travel Show, with former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach securing the Best Travel Show Host distinction.

Similarly, ANC’s Cityscape was named Best Lifestyle Show while its host Marie Lozano got Best Lifestyle Show host. Metro Channel’s Casa Daza was recognized too, with a Jury Award for Excellence in Culinary Arts in Philippine Television.

Gawad Tanglaw also presented the Jury Award for Arts and Sciences in Philippine Television (Posthumous) to the late Gina Lopez for her role in the creation of classic ETV shows Hiraya Manawari, Sine’skwela, and MathTinik, the travel and environmental show G Diaries, and Knowledge Channel.

Documentary series Dayaw, which is hosted and conceptualized by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, was also honored with the Jury Award for Culture and Arts in Philippine Television.

In the field of cinema, the winning streak of Star Cinema’s Hello, Love, Goodbye was extended anew as Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards both won a Jury Award for Film Acting, while their co-star Joross Gamboa accepted the Best Supporting Actor award. Kapamilya actor Carlo Aquino was also given a Jury Award for Film Acting for his role in Black Sheep's Isa Pa With Feelings.

The Gawad Tanglaw, or Gawad Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw, is comprised of film critics, scholars, historians, and members of the academe. It aims to recognize the exemplary works in film and television. The virtual awarding ceremony was streamed on the Gawad Tanglaw Facebook page (www. facebook.com/Gawad-Tanglaw) on Dec. 20.

CNN Philippines gives back to its audience through ‘The Joy of Giving’ THE season is set as CNN Philippines celebrates another year of expressing gratitude through the Christmas campaign, ‘The Joy of Giving.’As a treat to its audience, the network has lined up special programs as well as giveaway promos.

CNN Philippines will give viewers the chance to participate in the Misa de Gallo or ‘Simbang Gabi’ masses — the devotional nine-day mass that leads to Christmas Day. It is a popular Filipino tradition that many might be unable to observe physically because of health protocols.

In partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the dawn masses are broadcast at 5:00 a.m. until Dec. 24.

Different parishes from all over the country will host the Eucharistic celebrations.

For those who prefer to hear the anticipated Simbang Gabi, they can watch through the CNN Philippines Kumu channel. The nineday mass is streamed live at 8:00 p.m. until Dec. 23. This is also made possible by CCP and Kumu.

CNN Philippines will also broadcast Christmas Day masses on Dec. 25. Viewers may watch at 4:30 a.m., where Pope Francis will celebrate the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord from St. Peter’s Basilica, or watch the 3:00 p.m. mass which will be presided by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy.

The Urbi at Orbi, where Pope Francis will deliver his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and the world, will be at 7:00 p.m. on Christmas Day.

CNN Philippines will also broadcast two ballet productions from CCP as part of its holiday special programming. The Nutcracker Suite, Tchaikovsky’s sweeping music from Act II of the Nutcracker, will be brought to life through dances from distant lands. All wrapped together and spun by the Sugarplum Fairy herself, this holiday treat is sure to warm your hearts and fill you with the joy of the season.

The Nutcracker Suite is choreographed by Adam Sage with additional choreography by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes and directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. The Nutcracker Suite will air on Dec. 24, 5:00 p.m. and Dec. 25, 2:00 p.m..

Tuloy ang Pasko which will be broadcast on Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 25, 6:30 a.m. and

6:30 p.m., features music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and is also directed

by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. It tells the story of Lolo Val, a Filipino in Los Angeles, U.S.A., who celebrates Christmas alone in the new normal.

While the season is a time to reminisce past celebrations by his lonesome, Lolo Val’s Christmas Eve eventually turns into a joyous occasion as he reconnects with his old barkada through a video call. He realizes that celebrating Christmas transcends space, time, and conditions.

CNN Philippines is also running a monthlong giveaway promo through its Viber Community. Promo codes from partner brands Shopee, Viu, and Booky will be given away weekly. To join, simply type @

CNNPhilippines in the search box or click this link (bit.ly/2Fa7Bqh) to be part of the community.

Life

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

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FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

Bayong, but make it fashionable Designer presents Filipiniana-themed hand-woven totes

T

HE pandemic has forced nearly everyone to make a change, to shift into what works in the current situation.

When flamboyant parties and other affairs were put on hold, Iloilo-born fashion designer G Magalona had to transform her label, G Magalona Couture, which customized gowns and attires for her patrons, into one that creates unique, Filipininathemed hand-painted bayongs.

During the lockdown, she immediately explored other possible projects, and found herself surrounded with bayongs, which her mother bought on the road in the municipality of San Marcelino.

“My mom, who is also a designer and artist, encouraged me to try painting on the bayong, since she knew that I really loved doing it ever since I was a child,” recalled Magalona, an alumna of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

“It felt like I was rediscovering old talents to create new opportunities.”

She delicately hand-painted each tote with elements reminiscent of the country’s Spanish colonial past, to include images of the traditional Filipina ala Maria Clara in her elegant traje de mestiza, as well as vibrant landscapes highlighting the bahay na bato and Baroque churches. She likewise reimagined 18thcentury Rococo romantic paintings.

Much to her surprise, the first five pieces she posted on social media were

instantly sold out. All of a sudden, commissions and requests for various personalized designs started to pour in.

Through her collection, the artistfashion designer wishes to elevate the existing craftsmanship of the bayong and use it as a canvas to further showcase the rich Philippine tradition. “It promotes native handicrafts and ecofriendly fashion. But more importantly, it echoes the statement mahalin ang sariling atin,” enthused Magalona.

“I want to emphasize that it is a beautiful piece made with so much love and effort.

I don’t want it to be just another souvenir from our country. It is something we could use and more importantly, be proud of.”

Currently based in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, Magalona is eyeing on expanding her collection with new designs that will contribute to making the local tote a quintessential piece.

She continues to accept custom artworks and specialized couture pieces under her label. She has likewise completely immersed herself in her love for painting as she found her way back to canvasses. Her pieces are showcased on her Facebook (G Paris Magalona) and Instagram (@gistheheiress and ART ON BAYONG. While parties are put on hold, artist and fashion designer G Magalona has expanded her couture business to include her hand-painted bayongs featuring Filipiniana themes. g.magalona.couture) accounts.

With hand-woven tote bags as her canvas, G Magalona paints traditional women in their elegant traje de mestiza as well as other elements reminiscent of the country’s Spanish colonial past.

Merry Miniso Christmas

The Guess Originals x NIKI Moonchild capsule collection includes hoodies and jogger pants (left) and women’s tank top with matching biker shorts.

Guess Originals launches ‘Moonchild’ capsule collection

AMERICAN fashion retailer Guess I remember regularly perusing the Inc. has recently launched its limited stores with her as a teenager!” edition capsule inspired by Indonesian The capsule is available in Philippine singer NIKI’s latest album Moonchild. stores beginning Dec. 19. Prices of the The Guess Originals x NIKI Moon- pieces range from P1,898 to P5,498. child is a nine-piece capsule that in“Even before the album was complete, cludes a women’s tank top Sean of 88rising and everythat pairs with a matching one else was very confident biker short in a constellain NIKI as an artist,” shares tion print.

Nicolai Marciano, director of Other items in the colbrand partnerships. lection are suitable for both “The first time NIKI had men and women: a selecan in-store appearance for tion of short sleeve T-shirts, us, her presence created hoodies, jogger pants, and pandemonium with fans. baseball hats in both black Once there was more music, and purple hues that mimic I was able to check it out at the lunar-themed album. the studio and she immediThe garments feature NIately impressed me with her The nine-piece collection features KI’s signature Moonchild sound and vision to market black and purple logo across the back. the album. To see it come hues.

“To have my own full circle through our partGuess Originals x NIKI nership is really meaningful Moonchild collection is like a fever for both brands.” dream!” enthuses NIKI. “I used to NIKI shares, “To see an album that I play dress-up in my mom’s Guess worked on for two years take on a new shoes and handbags as a little girl. life in fashion is a dream come true!”

HUGGABLE plush toys and festive Christmas costumes are aplenty at Miniso branches this holiday season.

Perfect for gifting or as décor are Santa Claus, reindeer, gingerbread, and snowman plush toys. Also available are the always adorable Grizzly, Panda, and Ice Bear stuffed toys in their merriest Christmas costumes.

It’s easy to achieve that fun, holiday look with Miniso’s stylish holiday headbands.

The aforementioned products and more items are available at Miniso stores located in most SM Supermalls nationwide, and can be also ordered at shop. minisoph.com.

Cute and merry are the (clockwise, from top left) sitting moose plush toy, reindeer headbands, Gingerbread Man, Panda, Grizzly, and Santa Claus plush toys from Miniso.

SPOTTED

Lily Collins wears Cartier at MTV Awards LILY Collins didn’t need much to match her black Saint Laurent latex dress she wore at the recent MTV Movie and TV Awards— she just had Cartier.

The Emily in Paris star wore Cartier Love earrings made of 18k white gold and Trinity de Cartier ring made of 18k white gold and ceramic as she made an appearance on the red carpet.

Lily Collins in black latex dress.

Cartier is located at Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza, and Solaire Resort and Casino.

Cartier Love earrings and Trinity de Cartier ring.