Manila Standard - 2021 February 15 - Monday

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AFP to guard 30 jab sites

House panel looks into 'most ambitious, large scale' vaccine rollout

By Rio N. Araja, Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HIRTY vaccination sites will be set up in military camps, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday.

AL FRESCO DINING.

Twinkling lights and colorful umbrellas under the sun offer a picture-perfect background for al fresco dining at a mall in Molino, Cavite. The Instagram-able area ensures that health protocols like social distancing are observed. Norman Cruz

VOL. XXXV • NO. 05 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

In an interview over radio dzBB, AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the Department of Health has already approved the sites as the country prepares to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines this month.

Arevalo said the AFP will provide security, medical, and logistical support in the country's COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

The military will secure the vaccines and inoculation teams, and deploy medical personnel to help health care workers administer shots to recipients, and offer their assets to transport the vaccines.

The House of Representatives, meanwhile, is set to conduct an inquiry into the government's national deployment and vaccination plan (NDVP) to determine if its main objective—to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos by the end of 2021—can be met.

Deputy Speaker and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said "the NDVP is the most ambitious and large-scale vaccination plan in the nation’s history."

The success of the plan "is crucial to end the threat posed by COVID-19 in the Philippines and to pave the way for a better normal that will allow the country to resume full social and economic activities," he said.

“The NDVP involves numerous government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, all of which must work Next page

Octa Team cautions Cebu against reopening UN Security Council sets debate

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta A MEMBER of the OCTA Research Team that has been tracking the COVID-19 pandemic cautioned against reopening Cebu province to tourism amid the rising cases there and the presence of the more transmissible UK variant. ‘‘It’s concerning if the UK variant is spreading in the area, and that’s going to be problematic. We can’t say for sure

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM FEB. 14)

549,176 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,928 25,918 NEW

11,515 DEATHS

ACTIVE

8

NEW

511,743 10,967 RECOVERIES

NEW

DFA chief hits out at UNHRC ‘hypocrites’

LOCAL ROUNDUP that its really spreading because not many samples underwent sequencing,” Dr. Guido David said.

In an interview on ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, Guido said other indicators on COVID-19 incidence across Cebu are also too high.

Guido said Cebu City has an average

of 165 cases per day. This is almost at the same level last year when the city was under enhanced community quarantine, he said. The only difference is that hospital occupancy is not yet full at 46 percent.

1,928 new cases logged The Philippines logged on Sunday 1,928 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) , bringing the total to 549,176, as five laboratories failed to submit their data on time, the Department of Next page Health (DOH) reported.

Next page

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE United Nations Security Council will debate on Wednesday the problem of global access to COVID-19 vaccines, raising issues that sharply divide council members.

How, for example, can vaccines be distributed fairly – without, as has been the case, going first to the richest countries in the North while those in the South suffer?

Should blue-helmeted UN peacekeeping troops in some 15 countries, along with other UN employees deployed Next page

Trump walks as Republicans close ranks DONALD Trump was acquitted Saturday on charges of inciting an insurrection at the US Capitol, after a majority of Senate Republicans closed ranks and refused to punish the former president in his historic second impeachment trial.

The five-day trial saw Democratic prosecutors argue – bolstered by dramatic video of the January 6 riot – that Trump betrayed his oath by whipping up his supporters into storming Congress in a last-ditch attempt to cling to power.

Next page

TRUCK V. TRIKES. One person was killed when a delivery truck collided with two tricycles along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Malicboy, Pagbilao, Quezon. Details about the truck and the passenger tricycles were sketchy as of press time. Peewee C. Bacuño

Cinema reopening: 300K jobs up

By Othel V. Campos

By Rey E. Requejo FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday criticized the United Nations Human Rights Council for “deliberately misinterpreting the Philippines’ remarks on the resolution calling for the restoration of the status quo ante” in Myanmar before the military coup that resulted in the arrest of its key leaders, including the democratic icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. “@UNGeneva deliberately misinterpreted the Philippine statement calling for “a complete restoration of the status quo ANTE with Suu Kyi back in her former power and influence, the Army in its protective role, the people enjoying again the measure of freedom she achieved. Won’t bow to the hypocrites,” Locsin said in a Twitter post.

“To the hypocrites @UNGeneva. Prepare evac of as many Filipinos to get

on problem of access to vaccines

IT'S SHOW TIME. Mall goers wait for a movie to begin at a cinema in Bacoor, Cavite on February 14, 2021. Reports have it that cinemas will soon b allowed to operate at a 50 percent capacity in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) while those under the modified enhanced community quarantine will operate at 75 percent capacity with the local government units exercising their discretion. Norman Cruz

Auckland goes into snap lockdown NEW Zealand three coronavirus Prime Minister cases emerged in Jacinda Ardern orthe community. dered the country's The Pacific biggest city Auckisland nation has land into a snap lockdown for the first been widely praised for its handling of time in nearly six months on Sunday after Next page

WORLD ROUNDUP

THE Department of Trade and Industry hopes to bring back soon the more than 300,000 people employed in cinemas and other related industries who were temporarily retrenched during the height of the pandemic.

Trade secretary Ramon Lopez said the reopening of theaters, cinemas and other industries like driving schools, video and interactive game arcades, libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers, meetings, incentives, conferences,

HYUN BIN, SON YE JIN TOGETHER AGAIN ENTERTAINMENT / C3

exhibitions and limited social events of establishments would hasten the reemployment of workers directly and indirectly employed in the entertainment industry.

“Cinemas in MGCQ areas have been opened already. So it’s the approximately half of the economy that is still in GCQ where cinemas will be opened,” Lopez said over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Labor department has renewed its bid to free more than half a million children who are into child labor and its worst forms amid reports Next page

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Police, NBI to share evidence J

By Rey E. Requejo

'Tililing' movie poster hits raw nerve at CHR

"PNP will share its evidence [speci- and finalize its report soon thereafter," mens, garments, mobile phones] with the Guevarra said in a message sent to reportNBI on Monday; the NBI will complete ers.

He said that after the NBI receives the evidence from the PNP, the agency will be able to finish its probe within the week and submit its final report to the Department of Justice.

"I was informed that after receiving certain specified pieces of evidence from the police on Monday, the NBI will be in a position to wind up its investigation within the week, and to submit its report to the DOJ for the consideration of the investigating prosecutor," Guevarra said.

Dacera was found dead at noon of January 1, 2021, after checking in to a Makati City with friends on Dec. 31, 2020, to

celebrate New Year's Eve together.

Police initially announced that three suspects had been arrested and charged with rape and homicide during inquest proceedings at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

The Makati City Prosecutor's Office later ordered the release of the three detained suspects, saying the pieces of evidence initially submitted by the police were insufficient in establishing that Dacera was raped.

The Dacera’s mother insists her daughter was raped, but a PNP report said she died of natural causes.

ents to be on stand-by in case some scheduled receivers of the shot fail to show up.

He said a vial of COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to four to five recipients.

The Department of Health (DOH) said vaccination will roll out by priority groups, starting with frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and uniformed personnel.

Earlier, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian noted that the city's online registration traffic for COVID-19 vaccination was sluggish.

In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte said only 37,899 out of 74,793 residents who answered a survey said they were willing to be vaccinated. She said 10,819 residents refused to get vaccinated while 26,725 said they were undecided.

Health experts said that Filipinos’ trust and confidence in vaccines may be the next challenge in responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

“Over and above the issue of safety, we’re dealing with a bigger issue of trust and vaccine confidence,” DOH technical advisory group member Dr. Anna Ong Lim said.

An earlier OCTA Research survey indi-

cated that only 25 percent of Metro Manila residents were willing to get vaccinated.

A separate survey by pollster Pulse Asia also showed that 47 percent of Filipinos were not inclined to get a COVID-19 jab, mostly due to safety reasons.

According to the DOH, an intensified information dissemination drive on the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine can increase vaccine confidence of up to 85 percent.

In another development, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara has filed a bill seeking to exempt donations of vaccines and other essential supplies from the donor's tax.

Now that the supply of COVID-19 vaccines is becoming widely available for purchase by the government and the private sector, Angara said donations of these lifesaving drugs and the supplies and equipment needed for its administration, delivery and storage should no longer be taxed.

He said the national government, local government units and the private sector are all in the thick of preparations for the arrival of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.

“Many of these vaccines will be made available to the public through the generosity of donors. We want to encourage more of these donations by exempting these from the donor’s tax,” Angara said.

“Similar incentives were already granted during the implementation of Bayanihan 1 and 2 in recognition of the need to increase the supplies of goods needed by our front liners,” Angara added.

Under Senate Bill 2046 filed by Angara last Feb. 10, donations of drugs, vaccines and medical supplies specifically prescribed and directly used for the treatment of COVID-19 will be exempted from the donor’s tax.

Also exempted are donations of capital equipment, spare parts and raw materials needed for the production of personal protective equipment components such as coveralls, gowns, surgical masks, goggles and face shields.

Donations of drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in clinical trials, including raw materials needed for the production of these drugs would also be exempted.

The bill also exempts donations of equipment for waste management, including waste segregation, storage, collection, sorting, treatment and disposal services.

The grant of donor’s tax exemptions will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023.

2020 when, after long and difficult negotiations to resolve sharp US-Chinese tensions, it passed a resolution encouraging ceasefires in countries in conflict in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Britain recently shared with a few other countries a draft resolution on vaccine management, diplomats said.

"There is a draft resolution," one said.

"The negotiations have just started. It will take some time."

Vaccination "is the big challenge now," said Olof Skoog, the European Union ambassador to the council. "A long way to go before people are fully vaccinated."

Skoog, who is Swedish, noted that the EU has contributed to creating the global COVAX initiative which, under UN auspices, aims to provide at least two billion doses by the end of the year, including at least 1.3 billion doses to 92 lower-income countries.

"What we don’t want to see is a kind of vaccine apartheid," with rich Northern countries receiving ample supplies and poorer Southern countries – as South Africa recently warned – going without, said the ambassador speaking anonymously.

He said negotiations over a Security Council resolution were likely to be "complicated," with some countries uncomfortable at the "transparency" involved in committing themselves to leave no country wanting for vaccine.

Several countries, including China, Russia and some Gulf nations, have already launched "vaccine diplomacy" initiatives, either showcasing their own production capacity or providing easier access to vaccine doses.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly sounded a warning that as the virus and its multiple vari-

ants spread around the world, global security can be assured only if everyone enjoys the same level of protection.

He has repeatedly called for vaccines to be treated as a "global public good," without specifying exactly how that might happen.

Asked recently about the eventual UN role in establishing a sort of counterfeit-proof "vaccination certificate," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that "there needs to be international coordination and standardization of these things moving forward."

Also of concern, he added, "is the criminal element of people falsifying vaccine certificates or, even worse, giving people false... vaccines that are not actual vaccines.

"So, I think the more international cooperation we can get on this, the better it is." With AFP

classes, beginning with those in health and medical courses.

“For as long as it is safe, limited, and complies with health protocols, I see no problem in the joint decision of CHED and DOH to slowly resume classroom learning,” said the chairman of the Senate committee on higher education.

Villanueva said medical schools should be trusted to “create a learning environment where one can acquire knowledge without acquiring the virus in the process.”

“Some skills should be learned hands on and in person,” he said. “There are limits to distance learning. The practical application of theories will have to be done in a laboratory or workshop setting."

But face-to-face instruction should not be at the expense of the student’s health and wellbeing, he added.

Trump...

nation and provoked widespread bipartisan outrage.

Democrats argued that Trump's behavior was an "open and shut" case of impeachable conduct, retracing how he spent two months repeating the falsehood that the election was stolen, before inciting his supporters to attack Congress and stop the certification of Biden's victory.

"He summoned his supporters to Washington... whipped them into a frenzy, and directed them at the Capitol," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote.

The defense team swatted the evidence away, arguing that Trump's appeal to supporters to "fight like hell, at the rally that preceded the attack," was merely rhetorical.

But their central argument was that the Senate had no constitutional jurisdiction to try a former president. Most Republican senators agreed.

'Practically and morally responsible' But Mitch McConnell, the powerful Senate minority leader who voted to acquit on those grounds, left no doubt he blames Trump for the riot – which sent lawmakers fleeing for safety as a marauding mob rampaged through the Capitol.

The former Trump ally unleashed a searing rebuke of the ex-president, calling his actions preceding the assault a "disgraceful dereliction" of duty.

"There's no question – none – that president Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day," McConnell told the chamber after the vote. AFP

out of harm’s way and of the PH embassy of course. I won’t have the Geneva hypocrites dictate on our ‘nuanced’ approach to work for the possible rather than the self-satisfying impossibility of whites.”

On Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement declaring it was dissociating itself from the UN resolution adopted by the UN human rights body calling for the freedom of Suu Kyi as well as the protection of Myanmar locals who are protesting against the military coup in their country, without calling for a vote.

“As a sovereign country in a world of sovereign states, the Philippines cannot stress strongly enough the primacy of national internal efforts towards democratic reforms, and never by imposition of foreign solutions whether in regional or multilateral contexts, including through this Council,” the department said. “We reaffirm our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar.”

Last week, Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Eduardo Kapunan Jr. said the embassy has been authorized to undertake “drastic measures” to ensure the safety of Filipinos should the situation there escalate.

“The Secretary of Foreign Affairs has given me the authority to take drastic measures in case things escalate, like for example, closing down the embassy and evacuating all Filipinos here by air, by sea, whatever,” Kapunan said in a radio interview.

Kapunan said he has already coordinated with Bangkok’s top diplomat in Myanmar for possible evacuation of Filipinos to Thailand.

“I already talked to the ambassador of Thailand here and they’re all willing to assist in any way so we can evacuate there by boat, by land. So we’re coordinating with them,” he said. “We also have a line-up of commercial vessels that we can use, if the need arises.”

Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs showed there are 1, 273 Filipinos in Myanmar as of June last year.

Many Filipinos in Myanmar work in the manufacturing industry as supervisors while some also work for the United Nations agencies and other international organizations there, the DFA said.

are doubling our efforts to eliminate this.

We have encountered difficulties in the implementation of the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now we are ready to intensify the profiling of children in the country,” Trayvilla said.

Areas in general community quarantine may soon start allowing cinemas to open at 50 percent capacity while modified general community quarantine areas have allowed cinemas to open at 75 percent capacity.

Lopez noted the technical working group of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases had reviewed the new directive in consulta-

tion with the DTI, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Finance.

The IATF also required cinema owners and operators for extra safety protocols such as ventilation, he said.

The cinemas and allied industries, Lopez said, had more or less 300,000 workers before the pandemic struck. The entertainment industry including film production and cinemas were valued at P13 billion.

“But the pandemic had greatly reduced this to P1.3 billion in 2020,” he said.

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday the Philippine National Police had agreed to share with the National Bureau of Investigation the evidence it had obtained in connection with the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera who died after celebrating New Year’s Eve in a hotel in Makati City.

AFP...

From A1

seamlessly together and be guided by data and science to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are properly administered to their intended recipients at the soonest possible time," the proposed measure read.

ON Jan. 26, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Covid-19 National Task Force (NTF) issued a memo to all implementing agencies, regional and local COVID-19 task forces, and regional and local vaccination operations centers informing them that the NDVP had been approved and ratified.

Also on Sunday, an infectious disease specialist warned of COVID-19 vaccines wastage if recipients fail to show up for their vaccination schedule.

Interviewed on radio dzBB, San Lazaro Hospital’s infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante pointed out the importance of every dose of vaccine.

“For example, if the vial was reconstituted and the person does not come, it’s wasted,” Solante said in Filipino.

To avoid wastage, Solante recommended preparing some backup recipi-

UN...

From A1

around the world, be declared essential workers and receive vaccine priority – including in countries yet to receive vaccine doses?

If so, who should provide the jabs – the United Nations, the troops' countries of origin or those where they are deployed?

"Vaccination is not really the job of the Security Council," said one ambassador, speaking on grounds of anonymity.

The Security Council, with a mission of maintaining peace and security around the world, has no special health expertise, the ambassador noted.

He added that no resolution on the matter is likely to come this week.

The Security Council's only direct involvement in the pandemic came in July

Local...

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The DOH reported eight new fatalities, bringing the death toll since the pandemic began to 11,515, which is 2.1 percent of total cases.

The DOH also reported that 10,967 patients recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 511,743, which is 93.2 percent of the total cases.

That left 25,918 active cases, which is 4.7 percent of the total. Of the active cases, 86 percent are mild; 7.2 percent are asymptomatic; 3 percent are critical; 2.9 percent are severe; and 0.91 percent are moderate.

Back-to-school plan supported Senator Joel Villanueva is rallying behind the government’s decision to gradually reopen colleges for face-to-face

World....

From A1

the pandemic, with just 25 deaths in a population of five million.

But almost two million residents were told on Sunday to stay at home from midnight, when the level-three lockdown begins, with schools and businesses to close except for essential services.

"The main thing we are asking people in Auckland to do is stay at home to avoid any risk of spread," Ardern said.

The city will also be ring-fenced from the rest of New Zealand, with travel in and out of the metropolis highly restricted for the next three days.

Germany tightens borders Germany on Sunday implemented more measures to keep coronavirus variants at bay, banning travel from Czech border regions and Austria's Tyrol after a troubling surge in contagious mutations.

A thousand police officers have been mobilized to ensure strict border controls and state-owned rail company Deutsche Bahn suspended services to and from the affected areas.

Germany in late January banned most travellers from countries classed as socalled mutation areas or places hardest hit by new, more contagious coronavirus

variants. These include Britain, South Africa, Brazil and Portugal.

Only a handful of exceptions are allowed to enter Germany from these countries, including returning Germans and essential workers such as doctors. Trade links will also be maintained.

Japan approves 1st vaccine Japan on Sunday approved its first coronavirus vaccine, clearing the way for mass inoculations as the nation prepares to host the postponed 2020 Olympics.

"The health minister today gave a special approval to the Pfizer vaccine," the prime minister's office said in a tweet.

Japan is now expected to put the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the arms of 10,000 to 20,000 medical workers from as early as Wednesday, before making it and other coronavirus vaccines available for more medical workers and the elderly from April.

EU to hasten jabs vs. variants The European Union has agreed to hasten approvals of vaccines updated to target coronavirus variants, the bloc's health commissioner said Sunday, following criticism of the EU's sluggish vaccine drive.

"We looked at the process together with the European Medicines Agency (EMA)," Stella Kyriakides told German daily Augsburger Allgemeine in an interview. AFP

From A1

It concluded as expected with a majority of Republicans declaring him not guilty, in a sign of the powerful grip the 74-year-old Trump continues to exert on his party.

But while the 57-43 majority that voted to convict fell short of the twothirds needed in the Senate, seven Republicans joined with Democrats to seek Trump's conviction, making it the most bipartisan impeachment trial in US history.

President Joe Biden said that despite the acquittal, the charges against Trump are "not in dispute" and called on Americans to defend democracy.

Trump, who has been secluded in his Florida club since leaving office on January 20, welcomed the verdict – denouncing the proceedings as "yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country."

Despite the stain of a second impeachment, Trump hinted at a possible political future, saying that "our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun."

"We have so much work ahead of us, and soon we will emerge with a vision for a bright, radiant, and limitless American future," he said in a statement.

Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives on January 13, a week after the chaotic assault that stunned the

Cinema...

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that cases of child labor spiked despite the restrictions due to the pandemic.

Maria Karina Trayvilla, director of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, said while the department had yet to receive the latest official data on the number of young Filipinos engaged in child labor, the government was nonetheless bent on removing about 630,000 of them from such condition by 2022.

“We understand that one of the root causes of child labor is poverty, but we

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Human Rights on Sunday slammed the movie poster of “Tililing” for being “insensitive” to mental health issues.

"Bagama't naniniwala ang CHR na mayroong artistic freedom ang mga manlilikha, ikinakabahala nito ang paglalabas ng poster ng pelikulang 'Tililing' na nagpapakita ng stereotypical at discriminating na imahe ng mga taong may iniindang mental health illnesses," the group’s Facebook post read.

"Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nahaharap sa iba't ibang mental health challenges na nahihirapang humingi ng tulong dahil sa stigma.

Kung kaya't kinakailangan nating maging mas sensitibo sa pagtalakay ng isyung ito lalo na sa larangan ng mass media."

The poster showed the actors—Baron Geisler, Gina Pareño, Chad Kinis, Donnalyn Bartolome, Candy Pangilinan and Yumi Lacsamana—making wacky poses with their tongues sticking out and eyeballs rolling.

"Marami nang miskonsepsyon na bumabalot sa usapin ng mental health at hindi makakatulong kung makakahon ito sa misleading na pagtingin," the CHR said.

The movie studio Vincentiments reacted to the CHR post.

"Mundo, Ito ang Pilipinas. [smiley face] Sino ang nangStereotype—ang poster o ang tumitingin. Sarili ang Suriin," the studio said in its Facebook post.

DFA...

From A1

News

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

Zapote road project to ease traffic gridlock

A3

FISH FLOWER BOUQUET.

A vendor makes a flower bouquet with vegetables and fish in it at a market in Manila on Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2021. AFP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta TRAFFIC gridlock and flooding will be further prevented in Las Pinas City after Sen. Cynthia Villar Environment Sec. Roy Cimatu, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar led the inauguration of the completed stage 5 of the Zapote River Drive in the city.

With the completion of the new road project along Zapote river, the senator said she expects a significant reduction in the volume of vehicles plying Alabang-Zapote Road, a major thoroughfare in Las Pinas.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has named Alabang-Zapote Road, a four-lane national road, as among the major bottleneck areas in the southern part of Metro Manila.

“The new road project will also lessen travel time by 70 percent from Cavitex to MCX,” according to the senator.

Villar said she is fully aware of the terrible traffic affecting Las Pinas residents and all motorists and commuters passing through the AlabangZapote Road.

“I understand their anger and frustrations so I am always finding ways to minimize their burden brought about by the heavy traffic,” Villar said.

Aside from faster traffic flow, the senator braced for easier business movements to and from Las Pinas and the adjacent areas.

“I initiated this road project to make travelling easier and less burdensome for our people,” said Villar, adding that this will also help lessen flooding in the city which resulted from the massive clean-up of Las Piñas and Zapote River.

Due to the clean-up component of the road project, we have to rid the river of tons of garbage and make it free flowing again. “We can help stop flooding in the city,” she further stated.

Villar said the completion of the road project involves a 3.2 kilometers road crossing Springvale Heights, Versailles, Enclave, Portofino to Evia at Daang Hari Road connecting to MCX.

Groups denounce use of child combatants

By Rio N. Araja

T

HREE cause-oriented groups on Sunday marked the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers by denouncing communist and Islamist terrorist groups that continue to recruit the youth as combatants in the Philippines.

Also known as Red Hand Day, the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers is marked every February 12. UNICEF and the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui on Friday called for urgent action to end grave violations against children, including their recruitment by armed groups, as children are increasingly vulnerable as conflicts abound.

In a joint statement, Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia, Secretary General of Liga Independencia Pilipinas; Grace Ibuna of Melchora Partylist For Women; and Miko Tiongco of Youth Power Against Destabilization and Terrorism, said: “If we remain silent and dumb it will continue to proliferate and take its toll on our children.”

“As we commemorate the International Day Against the Use of Child

Soldiers, we feel uneasiness and guilt on how nations allow such actions, and at the same time how some barbaric and terror groups exploit their innocence and idealism in pursuit of their violent and selfish motives,” they said.

“It is not just an effort of government and state to prevent such wrongdoings, but also us as individuals and collective groups through various peoples’ organizations have a moral ascendancy on this matter,” the group added.

They noted the Philippines is not spared of such crimes, as the continuous recruitment of children as terrorist combatants by the ISIS-Maute-Abu Sayyaf group and the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front“has degraded their war into barbaric proportions.”

PH Red Cross deploys mobile vaccine clinic

By Willie Casas THE Philippine Red Cross has deployed its mobile vaccine clinic to inoculate some 183 children in Metro Manila against measles and rubella, an official said Sunday.

The non-government organization has so far vaccinated some 175,000 children against polio, measles and rubella in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the entire Visayas, said PRC head for health services Mark Abrigo.

“When the COVID-19 vaccine arrives, the Philippine Red Cross will also help. Our vaccination team is ready,” he told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

The mobile vaccine clinic has a cold storage facility and 2 inoculation stations, Abrigo said.

“We want to practice and use this when the COVID-19 vaccine arrives in the coming months,” he said.

The humanitarian organization is aiming to get 6,000 additional volunteers for its COVID-19 vaccination effort, Abrigo said.

COVID-19 vaccines from global alliance COVAX Facility are expected to arrive as early as this week.

MURAL PAINTING.

People from different artist organizations join a mural painting activity in UP Diliman aimed at calling for the release of Amanda Echanis, daughter of slain KMP secretary-general Randall Echanis, Alvin Fortaliza, Cheryl Catalogo and other artist activists currently detained as political prisoners.

PonD News Asia

DENR to conduct dredging activity in Marikina City IN THE wake of the devastating floods that plunged Marikina City and several other cities of Metro Manila underwater in November last year, the Task Force Build Back Better announced that it will begin dredging activities in Marikina River on Feb. 17.

Environment Secretary and TF BBB chair Roy A. Cimatu made the announcement following reports that portions of the river have been illegally reclaimed, drastically reducing the ability of the waterway to contain excess rainwater during typhoons.

Cimatu also said a number of structures have been found occupying easement areas, in violation of Presidential Decree 1067 or Philippine Water Code.

“Using official land records dating back as far as 1914 and 1961, historical maps, and satellite photos from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority as basis, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region conducted aerial and ground verification surveys that confirm encroachments made not only in the river itself but in the designated legal easements as well,” Cimatu said in a news release on Sunday.

Article 51 of PD 1067 explicitly prohibits the construction of any permanent structure along three meters of the banks of rivers and streams and shores of seas and lakes in urban areas like Metro Manila, as these areas are reserved “for public use.”

Based on existing land records too, 25 lot parcels with a total area of 271,625 square meters (27 hectares) were reclaimed without necessary permits, either partially or completely encroaching into the Marikina River.

Singson seeks probe of SSS Manila Bay ‘several times filthier’ now—Atienza financial status LAST-MINUTE GIVING. On the last minute of Valentine’s Day there are still a lot of flower buyers in Dasmariñas, Cavite. JR. Josue

By Rio N. Araja BUHAY party-list Rep. Joselito Atienza on Sunday said the waters of Manila Bay are now “several times filthier” compared to 22 year ago.

He said Manila Bay was much cleaner before when concerned residents then filed a civil suit that prompted the Supreme Court to order government agencies to clean up Manila Bay. “We checked court records. Water

samples taken from Manila Bay way back in 1999 showed fecal coliform counts of 50,000 to 80,000 most probable number per milliliter (ml),” he said in a statement.

“In contrast, based on the most recent water samples taken from major outfalls along Roxas Boulevard, fecal coliform counts now range anywhere from 11 million to 54 million MPN per ml,” he added.

A very high fecal coliform count suggests the heavy presence of bacteria or viruses in the water that may cause dis-

eases, such as typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A. “This is really not surprising because up to now, of the 16.3 million water-served population in Metro Manila, only 15 percent or2.4 million are connected to a sewerage system,” the party-list lawmaker said.

“The bulk of Metro Manila’s household toilet waste continues to drain into waterways, including the Pasig River, that all empty out into the bay every day,” he added.

Negros cops seize P50m giant clams from botanical garden AT LEAST P50 million worth of giant clams were seized during an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the CIDG based in Negros Oriental.

The police operation stemmed from an information received by the CIDG that giant clams or ‘taklobo’ are being sold in the Fresh Sunny Botanical Garden compound, allegedly owned by a Taiwanese national.

The CIDG arrested during the entrapment operation 45-year-old RIcardio Sabtiana Dela Cruz Jr., who sold P5 million worth of giant clams to a police decoy.

Dela Cruz is said to be the trustee of

a Taiwanese national named Yan Han Hu Liang alias “Sunny,” owner of the said botanical garden.

Authorities were able to confiscate 1,000 kilos of giant clams that were part of the sale, another 9,000 kilos of giant clams and the entrapment money.

A caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .45 magazine, and seven rounds of caliber .45 ammunition were also seized from Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz, who is temporarily detained at the Bayawan City Police Station, will be facing charges for violations of RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code.

By Rio N. Araja

PROBINSYANO party-list Jose Singson Jr. on Sunday disclosed that the committee on public accounts, which he chairs, is seeking a probe of the financial condition of the Social Security System.

Singson has filed House Resolution 1563 calling for an inquiry to find out if any legislation is needed to address “weaknesses or excesses” in the social security program.

On Feb. 1, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the measures seeking to grant President Rodrigo Duterte the authority to suspend the scheduled increases in the contribution rates of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and SSS “in times of national emergencies.”

The committee on public accounts will brief SSS today (Monday).

“Congress has strengthened and continues to strengthen the SSS for the purpose of aiding the firm attain its main objectives as set forth in the law and the agency’s implementing rules and regulations,” Singson said.

Citing the Commission on Audit’s reports on the SSS for the past years, Singson noted some adverse observations in the management of members’ contributions, such as huge overpayments on loans to members which have yet to be refunded.

LGUs

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

A4

By Jun David

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

3.3k in Angeles gain milk, food from Lazatin ANGELES CITY—The city government here distributed milk, cereals, rice, and food packs to 3,300 indigent residents in Barangay Pandan, Pulung Maragul, Sta. Trinidad, and Pampang.

The formula milk was given to children aged 1 to 2 years old.

Amid the pandemic, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. vowed to continue bringing basic services to improve the lives of all Angelenos, especially those from the marginalized sectors.

“Gusto nating iparamdam sa kanila na hindi nakakalimot ang city government, at kahit maraming pagsubok na kinakaharap dahil sa pandemya, tuloy tuloy pa rin ang pagtugon natin sa mga pangangailangan nila,” the mayor said.

The items were distributed by Gender and Development Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Angeles City Barangay Outreach.

The city government thanked the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) Regional Office 3 for cereals given to them.

Since the start of the pandemic in April, the city government has also continuously distributed relief packs, vitamins, milk, and facemasks to indigent residents in Sitio Target, Sitio Babo, and Sitio Bliss in Barangay Sapangbato.

A total of P12 million was used for the procurement of milk for the 50,723 children in the city’s 33 barangays.

Another P5 million will be allotted for food and milk assistance for children six months to 6 years old who will be found malnourished.

A highlight of Lazatin’s program for children was achieving the number of target beneficiaries for the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,” a nationwide campaign of the Department of Health for the distribution of the oral anti-polio vaccine.

A total of 43,392 children were given the polio vaccine in the first wave and another 47,052 in the second wave, giving Angeles City the highest recorded number of vaccinations in Region 3. Butch Gunio

Caloocan hails love stories of senior couples CALOOCAN City Councilor Orvince Howard A. Hernandez has announced the five lovely senior couples selected as best love stories in the “Valentine’s Day Blog Making Contest,” a project he spearheaded for the celebration of Valentine’s Day this year.

Hernandez named the partners as Lolo Joe and Lola Dory, Duatin of Barangay 176, married for almost 60 years with 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren; Lolo Emong and Lola Carmelita Miranda of Barangay 174, married for 70 years with 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren; Lolo Eli and Lola Gemma Ranara of Barangay 167, married for more than 50 years with 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren; Lolo Tonyo and Lola Orang Ladignon of Barangay 177, married for more than 70 years with 12 children; and Lolo Lilis and Lola Nida Leona of Barangay 171, almost 50 years married with 3 children.

“Talagang nakakakilig ang mga ipinadalang love story sa ating ‘Valentine’s Day Blog Making Contest.’ Talagang dito sa Caloocan, may forever.

At kung lovelife forever din lang ang hanap natin, champion d’yan ang limang ‘tander couples’ na napili; sana all,” Hernandez said.

“Bilang pagpupugay sa kanila, bibigyan natin sila ng salo-salo with matching flowers kasama ang kanilang pamilya. Bibigyan din ang ating limang ‘love birds’ ng plake at kaunting cash,” he added.

AGELESS LOVE.

Lolo Tonyo and Lola Orang show their love for each other through the years, while Lolo Emong and Lola Carmelita get treated to dinner by Councilor Vince Hernandez (left, inset), who also gives them a certificate of recognition. Jun David

Puerto has 9 new virus hits

P

UERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan—There is community transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) here, city health officials said Saturday night.

Dr. Dean Palanca, head of the Incident Management Team (IMT) of Puerto Princesa, said they swabbed 46 suspect cases of COVID-19 and out of them nine were confirmed positive through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests at the Ospital ng Palawan (ONP).

Palanca said of the nine, two are im-

ported cases from outside Palawan, and seven are local transmissions, indexed to an 82-year-old patient from Barangay San Jose who died due to the coronavirus disease on Feb. 7 at the ONP. “So, we again have seven new additional local cases, and we are now in what we call community transmission,” he said.

Palanca said prior to the detection of the

seven new cases, 15 close contacts who lived in a compound with the deceased patient from San Jose had already been determined as COVID-19 positive.

One case was detected positive on Feb. 9, followed by 14 cases on Feb. 11, he added.

Palanca said all seven new cases are related to the local transmission case that emerged from San Jose. Four are from San Jose, one from Barangay Mandaragat, one from Barangay Milagrosa, and one from Barangay San Pedro.

“If you will see, the cases are no longer just from San Jose, but are from

other barangays as well. Right now, we’re still testing a few more from the San Jose compound, but those from Mandaragat, Milagrosa, and San Pedro -- they are all work colleagues of those who became positive cases from San Jose,” he said.

City IMT operations officer Kent Ventura said that due to the sudden spike in the number of local transmission cases, they have stepped up their contact tracing efforts and information dissemination campaign to prevent the further spread of the disease in Puerto Princesa.

Runruno gets P17.3-m village center

By Ben Moses Ebreo QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—Barangay Runruno here has started the construction of their P17.4-million barangay hall.

Barangay Captain John Babli-ing said the structure was funded under the Social Development and Management Program being implemented by FCF Minerals Corporation.

“At last, we now have a symbol of our partnership for the further development of our barangay. This has long been a dream

of every villager of Runruno, we are grateful for the help of the mining firm,” he said.

The construction of the two-storey barangay hall building with roof deck started August 20 last year and is expected to be completed this year.

Babli-ing said the project was funded under the 2020-2021 ASDMP of the mining company.

FCF Minerals Corporation operates the gold and molybdenum project in barangay Runruno.

MOBILE CLINIC LAUNCH.

Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas speaks at the launch of The Medical City South Luzon (TMC-SL) Mobile Clinic, followed

by Dr. Jose Enrico Juliano, hospital chief operating officer, and Dr. Cesar Ramon B. Espiritu, president and chief executive officer.

Roy Tomandao

Medical City-SL launches mobile clinic

By Roy Tomandao STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna – The Medical City South Luzon (TMC-SL) has launched a vehicle outfitted with medical equipment and virtual reality technology to help experts attend to patients remotely.

It is geared toward for laboratory and diagnostic services such as x-ray and ECG, ophthalmology screening, and referrals to ophthalmologists and other medical specialists for teleconsultation.

Part of TMC-SL, the vehicle brings quality healthcare services to patients and is an innovative step in providing care to all employees from different locators of industrial parks in the city.

These include the Laguna Technopark Inc., Laguna International Industrial Park, Carmelray 1 and 2, and First Philippine In-

dustrial Park, as well as residents of neighboring communities, giving them easy and convenient access to quality healthcare.

“This approach will allow experts to administer treatment on-site in the vehicle — shortening the time to treatment and broadening the area served by The Medical City,” said Dr. Jose Enrico Juliano, an ophthalmologist and the chief operating officer of TMC-SL. “Every 10-minute delay in treatment for these patients increases the chances of mortality by 15 to 25%. This technology and community partnership aims to save the lives of patients in scenarios which traditional first aid efforts have failed,” Juliano said.

The clinic will have a scheduled regular visit once a week in different companies and communities to provide easy and safe access to health care services.

Opinion Si Yorme

mas season, native capiz lamps festooned the trees and white parols with no epal messages decked the lampposts. How easy it would have been to print “I (heart) Manila,” which coincide with Isko Moreno’s initials, as has been wont in almost every other city in the metropolis. But Moreno found distasteful.

The neglected subterranean passages built by former mayors Lacson and Villegas of became alive with illuminated wall screens depicting the city’s colorful history and its storied attractions. Parks and gardens were spruced up, and new pocket gardens built.

Paying real estate taxes and business permits could now be done online, innovated by a mayor who understands modern communications technology. The young mayor spoke before almost every association of businessmen in the capital region including the elite Makati Business Club, engaging them to return to Manila and revive the city’s business environment.

Last week, new business applications in Manila went up by 42 percent year-on-year, despite the ongoing pandemic, a health crisis which Manila’s Yorme managed very well in sync with the national government.

Testing centers, “ayuda” distribution went smoothly, though in fairness other young NCR chief executives did well too. Manila took the lead in procuring the needed cold storage facilities for the forthcoming vaccines, all installed in a modern hospital in Sta. Ana district, for all types of temperature requirements. Vaccination simulation has been effected, to ensure that when the vaccines arrive, Manila could effect a seamless time and motion roll-out.

Last week, Yorme Isko announced the beginning of a six-month distribution of “food security packages” to each and every household in his city, all 700,000 of them, with an appeal to the more affluent to share their food packs with the less fortunate. This gesture of assistance is being done amid soaring food prices.

All these accomplishments are properly communicated through social media platforms, which also explain Yorme’s appeal to millennials and Gen Zers.

He has bought parcels of private land upon which will rise socialized housing buildings, complete with elevators, Tondominiums and Binondominiums, he calls these, where unusually spacious 42 square meter units will be leased to former illegal settlers. It is his way, Yorme explains, of giving back, considering his lowly “squatter” origins, moving from hovel to hovel.

And that is where his life narrative becomes very compelling.

The son of a stevedore in Manila’s North Harbor, and a housewife who peeled garlic in the urban warrens of Tondo and Parola, one from Antique and the other from Samar, Isko had to work at early age to add to the family income. He scoured garbage bins for bote dyaryo to re-sell, and “pagpag” or restaurant left-overs which his mother would wash and then re-cook for the night’s dinner. In short, he knows what it is like to be among the poorest of the poor.

He was only a “high school finish” when he was elected councilor of Manila, brought to politics after good looks made him an actor and television entertainer. But upon the prodding of then Vice-Mayor Danny Lacuna, whom he considers his second “tatay,” he enrolled for a college degree at age 26; thence to two years of law school; taking short governance courses at the University of the Philippines NCPAG. Later as vice-mayor, he was able to wangle training scholarships to Harvard and even Oxford, two of the world’s venerable institutions of high learning.

Yorme is obviously driven, a young man who will turn 47 in October this year, the same age as Duterte’s assistant and now senator Bong Go, but a bit older than Duterte’s daughter Inday Sara and the pugilist Pacman.

But he has thus far matched his ambitions with accomplishments never before seen in the nation’s capital city, which qualifies him in the public imagination as a president-to-be.

Poll surveys in the last month of 2020 show him a strong second or third in the public esteem behind front-runner Inday Sara Duterte, with a Bongbong Marcos close by.

Still qualified for easy and certain re-election as Manila mayor, will Yorme take a quick leap into the presidency of the benighted land?

He has to make up his mind soon, for the Comelec has just announced that the first week of October is filing time. Still, as everyone knows, preparations for the biggest political lotto takes months before filing.

Will Yorme take the leap?

OVER a dinner with friends last Saturday night, a highly respected advertising guru told a small group of political “animals” (guys who work on the sidelines to make politicians win elections but by themselves have no interest in running): “The coming elections are quite interesting. Two guys who lost in 2016, one for vice-president and another for senator, are the hottest presidentiables five years after, save for the President’s daughter.”

He was referring of course to Bongbong Marcos and Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso. Bongbong’s electoral protest against Leni Robredo is still pending before the Supreme Court. Isko was forced to run for Senate, goaded by then Mayor Joseph Estrada who reneged on a single-term promise made to his then vice-mayor in 2013, so as to come up with a single strong force against Mayor Fred Lim.

Will Domagoso take the leap?

Isko ran under the ticket of Grace Poe. Ample funding promised by Erap later turned out into dribbled trickles, while other senatorial candidates spent hundreds of millions. Still, Isko made a respectable showing: No. 16, beating a well-known brand, TG Guingona, whose father was senator and vice-president, by close to 800,000 votes nationwide.

Defeat in 2016 turned providential. Jobless, as in “PMA” or “pahinga muna ako,” which he told Pres. Duterte in a palace meeting.

The latter laughed and gave him a job, that of chairman and president of North Luzon Railways Corporation, the GOCC attached to DoTR which was supposed to oversee the re-construction of the PNR line from Tutuban to Ilocos. The project was botched during the GMA administration and mothballed by the succeeding Aquino presidency.

No longer “pahinga,” Isko had big plans, like a “tranvia” from the Camanava terminal of PNR to Manila, connecting Roxas Boulevard to the highly populous northern cities.

But somehow, he was “lectured” upon by DOTR Sec. Art Tugade in a stormy meeting of the board, which the young Isko could not take, and forthwith submitted his resignation.

Still, Duterte had him appointed as Undersecretary in the Social Welfare department, where he stayed a few months before filing his certificate of candidacy under Asenso Manileño for the mayorship of the city where he was born, grew up, and served as councilor for nine years and vice-mayor for another nine.

Setbacks, like the 2016 senatorial defeat, and the encounter with the voluble Tugade, followed by help from Duterte became stepping stones to greater political glory. For in stunning fashion, Isko Moreno won in 2019 over a former president and two-term mayor and another come-backing mayor who was once senator and DILG secretary.

Overnight, Isko Moreno became a political enfant terrible, a David who slew political giants with an overwhelming 51 percent of the vote in a three-cornered battle, and besting an entrenched incumbent by a 147,000 vote margin, a first in the history of the nation’s capital city.

And then the youngest mayor in the city’s history wowed Manileños and the rest of the country with decisive actions and projects that many who had given up on the city’s future found astounding.

In speedy successive manner, he rid Divisoria, the country’s lower middle class shopping mecca of illegal vendors who choked its streets, and who were fleeced day by miserable day for their street occupancy by “tong” collectors. Traffic which shunned the area began to move, and the vendors relocated so they would cease to obstruct both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The detritus that made Manila streets a “brokedown place” of ugly filth was now regularly collected; the streets cleaned up.

Darkened major thoroughfares were lit up, and even during the bleak COVID Christ-

Southern islands flavor of their dishes definitely reinforce how our diversities enrich the cultural tapestry that is the Filipino.

MY ENTIRE weekend was spent visiting JCI chapters in the country’s southernmost islands—Basilan and Sulu. It was my first time to visit this part of the Philippines, and this trip taught me a lot, not only about the region’s storied past and rich culture, but also about the everyday life of its people—including their cares and concerns.

I grew up in a Catholic household, so spending time among my Muslim friends was a real eye-opener. As it turned out, my Muslim friends in Mindanao were not in any way different, no less Filipino than those from Luzon and the Visayas. We share their love for family and kindness towards others. Their language and cuisine may be in some ways different from ours, but the fervor of their words and

The seas that separate our archipelago connect us all.

One important realization for me, though, is that our differences in creed was the least important among our divergences. Walking by the Jolo Cathedral, I passed by a tarpaulin installed on its wall, “We are all Tausugs, we are all Filipinos.” Such was a powerful statement of solidarity from a community whose resilience have been tested many times in the past—including the brutal twin bombing of the same Cathedral in 2019.

In a chance conversation, the parish priest of the Cathedral, Fr. Jeff Nadua, concluded that he was confident that the perpetrators were not from Jolo. Christians lived in har-

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

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EDITORIAL

T

Prudently watchful

HERE is sound judgment in the injunction of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire as regards the “collegial decision” of government officials to reopen leisure businesses, like cinemas, in places under the General Community Quarantine or GCQ, two rungs lower than the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

The government has announced that it would allow, as from today, February 15, the reopening of cinemas, arcades and leisure businesses—at a time when we should slowly be making forward steps to a return to the old normal before the lockdown in March 2020.

There are of course measures the people are reminded of, by particularly the OCTA research group, that certain minimum health protocols will still have to be implemented in the opened sectors during the coronavirus pandemic like open ventilation, people should wear face masks and face shields as well as physical distancing.

But like Secretary Vergeire told the Laging Handa public briefing last weekend, while others are starting to reopen for the domestic economy,

There is never a middle ground when it comes to the health of the people. there is still an urgent need to comply with minimum health protocols and stay away from indulging in self-congratulations with the government move to reopen these establishments.

Fact is, the movie houses are not even, as it were, essential for leisure for the population, mainly because there are streaming services now more accessible for people’s entertainment.

Any unfortified blitz to these houses, arcades and the like—on the pretext of priming the economy—is

greatly gratuitous at this point, when the infections and deaths ledgers continue to have added on statistics daily.

Several hours before we go off stone, cases of infections in the Philippines have reached 549,176 (against the world’s 107,838,255) and deaths 11,515 (2,373,398). And the cases continue to rise.

Which points to the need for calmness and watchfulness. There is a need to balance the requirements of a newly reopened domestic economy and the supreme prerequisite for the health of the general population.

This argument gains added density, given that a new variant of the unforgiving coronavirus strain has entered the Philippines, not to mention that leaders of local government units in the National Capital Region are opposed to the “collegial decision” to reopen these establishments.

Their opposition, from where we are, makes perfect sense.

There is never a middle ground when it comes to the health of the people, even while coronavirus vaccines may be gearing up for some rollout in the latter part of the quarter.

Sanctions and blame games won’t stop child porn

THE arrest of Filipinos exploiting their own children to engage in online pornography sparked another knee-jerk reaction from the President to impose sanctions on telcos and internet service providers (ISPs) for failing to stop online child pornography.

The National Telecommunications Commission has been directed to impose sanctions on ISPs “for failure to fulfill their duty” under Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009. 47 ISPs are accused of negligence and were directed to explain their non-compliance.

At the same time, legislators have been directed to prioritize bills that would exempt trafficking of persons from the Anti-Wiretapping Law, expand the inter-agency council on child pornography, and impose more obligations on ISPs and tourism establishments to fight child pornography.

Here we go again with yet another blame game that merely misdirects attention instead of engaging in deep focus to effectively address a serious societal scourge that has embedded itself online to propagate its evil business.

The typical public policy thought process is linear and regulatory by nature which has proven to be least effective in the dynamic creation and on-demand accessibility of online content. Yes, online child-porn is like any digital content that can be easily produced with some savviness and creativity. Online payment platforms and messaging apps have become powerful tools for child pornography and sex trafficking.

In fairness, Globe Telecom for its part has so far invested US$2.7 million in their content filtering system which logged a total of 2,521 domains with child porn related content

as part of its ‘PlayItRight’ advocacy program targeting online child pornography and illegal content. PLDT and Smart Communications reported blocking 3,030 child porn related sites and invested P2 billion this year in their advanced cybersecurity operations center.

Having the technology to hunt down and purge illegal content is a big step but will not stop the canny tech mercenaries of these porn

It is a societal malady that needs commitment from all sectors. sites because of how the internet was actually designed, to make it impossible to cut the exchange of data in the event of war.

Having the right and consistent policies in place is key, but the two telcos Globe Telecom and PLDT-Smart point out conflicting provisions between the Anti-Child Pornography and the Data Privacy Act. Apparently, the directive to identify and report child-pornography or other sites instigating terrorism, disinformation, and piracy, needs a clear empowerment of ISPs to see the content that their subscribers are uploading or accessing. This means allowing ISPs to monitor a user’s online activities to the extent of violating one’s privacy.

However, allowing ISPs to do this, which is technically possible, is in itself a scary scenario where whoever wields this power can do so much damage. You wouldn’t want anyone to be snooping around your email, web surfing habits, or your financial transactions, would you?

The telcos and ISPs know that fighting child pornography cannot be won by a technology war. It is a societal malady that needs an all-sectoral commitment, a systems-based approach versus the tendency to chase after harmful content because of the overwhelming

mony with the town’s Muslim majority, to a point that intermarriages between persons of the two faiths were common. Even my JCI colleagues from Jolo—Aileen and Deng— told me that in their province—regardless of their religion, Muslims and Christians were both considered Tausugs.

This affirms that the difference in religion was never a factor in the Mindanao conflict.

The underlying reasons for the years of unrest however cannot escape the observant eye.

While the major population centers of Jolo in Sulu as well as Isabela and Lamitan in Basilan were in no way different than any provincial capital in the country, one can notice that obviously much is wanting for the people to enjoy a much better quality of life.

Lasting peace in Mindanao, therefore, will not happen simply through political reforms. The words of the blessed pope Paul VI resonates in my mind, “Development is the new name of peace.”

What our Filipinos in Mindanao need are the means not only to improve their individual lives, but to build a strong social and economic environment that fosters growth and prosperity.

These observations have been raised many times before and these aspirations have already been there for a long time. Still, despite the many political solutions and economic packages extended to the region, much remains wanting. In fact, the situation appears to be too complicated that it would only be historically inaccurate but even politically unfair to pin responsibility squarely on either the

government and the local population.

In order to attain elusive progress of Mindanao, two things are essential. First, it is important to correct the historical injustices of the past, and second, to build on the inherent strengths of the region.

No matter how our contemporary history would project it, Muslim Mindanao, notably the Sultanate of Sulu long predates the Philippines as we know it. As the religion, culture and way of life of the Christian majority began to spread across our islands, admittedly these moves sidelined not only the longstanding Islamic faith, but even the cultural practices and social behavior of the people of our southernmost islands. With it came cultural and social influences from the West that significantly altered the ways of the people of Basilan and Sulu and in the end, the original settlers of these islands ended up alienated in their own land.

This is a historical mistake that should be addressed. For example, in teaching Philippine history, it is important to underscore the interesting story of pre-Hispanic Philippines.

During our tour to the Sulu Museum, we learned that as early as the fourteenth century, the Sultanate of Sulu had established not only economic but even political ties with China – more than a century before the Spaniards supposedly “discovered” the Philippines.

These historical mistakes, however, cannot be corrected by imputing guilt on past generations, whose thinking was perhaps only influenced by the prevailing mores and norms of

amount of offensive material out there.

Globe Telecom has engaged in reporting Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSAEC), advocacies with global organizations such as UNICEF, and the Digital Thumbprint Program espousing responsible behavior, overall online wellness, responsible digital citizenship, critical thinking, and prevention of online abuse. This has been integrated in the K-to-12 curriculum of public and private schools.

PLDT and Smart have been collaborating with law enforcement agencies on which sites to block as part of their open-source threat gathering and is a member of the UKbased Internet Watch Foundation dedicated to eliminating online child abuse content.

The world’s biggest social media platform, Facebook, has likewise been working with government and law enforcement agencies, global and local NGOs, academics, and experts to develop the best policies, build tools, and create safety resources and programs.

They constantly gather feedback from 500 safety organizations and offer digital literacy programs to empower communities. Policies to protect children are continuously refined to keep pace with evolving online behavior.

They have zero-tolerance for any child sexual exploitation content. New technologies like AI, machine learning, and computer vision are used to detect bad content. Live streaming videos violating community standards are stopped as soon as reported. All these and more interventions require a global team operating 24 by 7.

Microsoft and Google with their technology have been gaining ground in blocking child porn from their search engines – but this is an ongoing cyberwar.

Fighting OSEAC requires a global collaboration against a social pandemic that threatens to destroy the moral fabric of human society. Threatening ISPs with sanctions and more regulations is misdirected energy and resources that should instead be focused on the real perpetrators of child pornography. their time. After all, all these years of recorded human history have been a mute witness to succeeding generations of conquerors and the conquered—a cycle of violence that sadly continues to this day.

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7.3-MAGNITUDE earthquake off Fukushima in eastern Japan injured more than 100 people, authorities said Sunday, nearly a decade after the region suffered a devastating quake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown.

IN BRIEF

The vats unearthed in southern Egypt are thought to have been used to brew beer 5,000 years ago. AFP

Egypt unearths ‘world’s oldest’ mass-production brewery A HIGH-PRODUCTION brewery believed to be more than 5,000 years old has been uncovered by a team of archaeologists at a funerary site in southern Egypt, the tourism ministry said Saturday.

The site containing several “units” consisting of about 40 earthenware pots arranged in two rows was uncovered at North Abydos, Sohag, by a joint Egyptian-American team, the ministry said in a statement on its Facebook page.

The brewery likely dates back to the era of King Narmer, it quoted the secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziry, as saying, adding it believed the find to “be the oldest high-production brewery in the world.”

Narmer, who ruled more than 5,000 years ago, founded the First Dynasty and unified Upper and Lower Egypt.

British archaeologists first discovered the existence of the brewery at the beginning of the 20th century but its location was never precisely determined, the statement said.

The joint Egyptian-American team “was able to re-locate and uncover its contents”, it said.

According to Waziry, the brewery consisted of eight large areas which were used as “units for beer production”.

Each sector contained about 40 earthenware pots arranged in two rows.

A mixture of grains and water used for beer production was heated in the vats, with each basin “held in place by levers made of clay placed vertically in the form of rings”. AFP

Singapore swap shops offer alternative to fast fashion

SINGAPOREAN Sue-Anne Chng used to wear a different outfit on all 15 days of the Lunar New Year, when it is customary to don new clothes to symbolise a fresh start.

But this year she will wear secondhand items exchanged for her old clothes at a store catering to people concerned about the impact of fast fashion on the environment.

Several swapping initiatives, from permanent shops to pop-up events, have appeared in the affluent citystate in a bid to encourage consumers to make the most of what is already in their closets.

The fashion industry is responsible for up to a tenth of global carbon emissions, according to the United Nations’ environment programme.

Clothes cause emissions in a wide variety of ways -- from their manufacture to transportation and washing by the consumer.

On a recent trip to her favourite store, The Fashion Pulpit, Chng took along several dresses and a matching blouse and skirt, which a staff member assessed before crediting points to her account.

She spent her points on 17 items, including a yellow and green dress to wear for the first day of the new year as it looked like “an auspicious pineapple”.

The fruit, seen as a symbol of prosperity, is typically given as a gift or displayed during Lunar New Year in Singapore.

“I’ve always been brought up by my parents to have a new set of clothes every Chinese New Year, and I fell into that behaviour of consumerism,” the 35-year-old told AFP. AFP

More than 250 people took shelter at 173 emergency facilities in Fukushima and its surrounding regions, with social distancing in place. AFP

Homeschooling takes off in US amid pandemic FACED with long school closures because of the coronavirus pandemic, many US parents have taken to homeschooling to ensure their children’s education continues despite the massive disruptions of the past year.

“It’s all me: I make the lesson plan, execute the lesson plan, then do it again the next week,” said Catherine Strokes, whose daughter’s school shut last year because of the pandemic.

Homeschooling “exploded” when the virus caused school closures across the country in March 2020, according to the National Home School Association, based in Colorado.

The number of children being taught at home in the United States rose from between four and five million in 2019 to almost 10 million last year, the NHSA es-

timates.

Nearly 51 million students, from kindergarteners to 12th graders, were supposed to have gone to public schools after the summer of 2020, but most schools opted for online instruction instead.

Strokes, 37, who works part-time, made her decision in July, when school officials in Fredericksburg, Virginia were still undecided on how to start classes the following month.

More than fear of Covid-19, it was this uncertainty that pushed her into homeschooling.

“Like most people with a part-time job, I had to know what day my kids would go to school, but they kept canceling school at the last minute, lengthening break or going all virtual, it was this instability for me and my daughter,” she told AFP.

Isabelle, aged seven and in second grade, therefore joined her big brother Aidan, 10 and in the fifth grade, who had already been studying at home for more than a year with his mother, a member of the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers.

Many parents do not want their children to spend the day staring at a screen, believing it is bad for their health, or find it too difficult to supervise online courses, Andrea Cubelo-McKay, president of Virginia Homeschoolers, told AFP. Some religious communities also educate their children at home.

This type of instruction affords a certain “flexibility,” said Strokes.

“I decide when school starts, when our day is done, I decide when we take a break,” she said. AFP

No casualties have been reported after the late-night quake in the Pacific, which did not trigger a tsunami, and no abnormalities were observed at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.

But residents preparing to mark the 10th anniversary of the triple disaster said they were frightened by Saturday’s jolt—which the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said was considered an aftershock of the massive tremor on March 11, 2011.

“I was at home... the shaking was so strong I became truly afraid for my physical safety,” Masami Nakai, a municipal official in Soma city in northern Fukushima, told AFP. Images posted online showed a car crushed by a rock lantern in the car park of a Shinto shrine, while another showed broken glass and items thrown from the shelves at a shop.

The disaster agency said 114 injuries -- six classed as “serious” -- were reported in the region and also around Tokyo, where the quake was felt strongly just after 11 pm on Saturday.

Authorities were assessing the impact of a landslide on a highway, government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said, and aerial TV footage showed another landslide at a remote race circuit.

The government reported partial damage to eight structures, mostly houses, while local media said dozens of buildings had suffered broken ceilings and broken water pipes.

Kato warned residents about the possibility of strong aftershocks in the next week and further landslides due to heavy rain forecast.

“Particularly for the next two to three days, there might be very strong earthquakes,” Kato said.

The quake came as Japan attempts to contain the spread of Covid-19 while preparing for the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics, due to start in July.

AFP

Myanmar spirit mediums take aim at military coup OTHERWORLDLY forces are displeased with the generals behind Myanmar’s coup, according to the ornately dressed spirit mediums joining street protests to denounce the country’s sudden turn back to army rule.

A group of the clairvoyants this week marched alongside civil servants, garment factory workers and students in the commercial capital Yangon to call for the release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. They channel the 37 great “nats” -- or deities -- venerated in Myanmar, a Buddhist-majority country where animist worship and superstitious beliefs are part of everyday life for some.”Nats do not want military rule,” insisted Achaintan Man Gay Oo, 48. “They also want the release of Mother Suu.” It has become apparent to the mediums that the spirits are “unhappy” with the sudden end to Myanmar’s nascent democracy, the 48-year-old told AFP. “Their withered faces show the hints of their dissatisfaction,” she added.

The presence of Achaintan Man Gay Oo and other mediums among anti-coup protesters may seem little more than a curiosity from outside the country.

But Myanmar’s military top brass have at times clamped down on spiritual practices led by popular soothsayers, mediums and sorcerers.

During the British colonial era and the half-century of junta rule that followed, the mediums channelled “weikza” -semi-divine Buddhist wizard-saints -- to fight their oppressors. AFP

Organizers said people from across the political spectrum took part in the demonstration. AFP

Clashes at Cyprus as protesters denounce corruption, virus curbs CYPRIOT police used water cannon and tear gas in rare clashes with protesters, as hundreds demonstrated on Saturday against government corruption and coronavirus restrictions.

Protesters had gathered at a park in central Nicosia where they were surrounded by dozens of police in riot gear.

Several groups, including left-wing and anti-fascist activists and trade unions, had used social media to call for the protest, citing “state authoritarianism” and corruption -- notably over a controversial “golden passport” scheme that was scrapped last year.

Organisers and protesters also voiced anger over the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has battered the Cypriot economy and triggered stringent lockdown restrictions.

Olivia Patsalou, a 37-year-old who is looking for work, said she was mainly protesting over the passport affair and “extreme” coronavirus restrictions that were making it harder for her to find a job.

She said she had hoped for “a peaceful demonstration to show our dissatisfaction with the government, with how it’s handled every scandal and how it’s handled the coronavirus situation”. AFP

Fight against smugglers rages on EU border with Belarus ON THE EU’s frozen frontier with Belarus, Latvian border guards are fighting a growing flow of contraband cigarettes reportedly benefitting organised crime and a close ally of authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

More than 200 trucks a day cross into European Union member Latvia at the Paternieki border point, some of them stuffed with smuggled cigarettes hidden among other cargo.

“We confiscated 21 million illegal cigarettes from Belarus last year in this border sector alone, which is double the amount for 2019,” Taivo Hanzens, deputy head of customs at Paternieki, told AFP at the crossing.

“And the contraband is still on the rise,” he added.

Hanzens said that border guards often find cigarettes hidden among bricks and roof tiles, or foodstuffs like pasta, as he

showed off piles of seized cigarettes.

To deal with the problem, the checkpoint is expanding and hiring more border guards, customs officers and veterinary officials to double its inspection capacity.

Despite the close screening and inspections, cigarettes are priced so low in Belarus and taxed so high in the European Union that contraband remains lucrative, even with millions of them being confiscated every month. AFP

US allows extradition to Japan of Ghosn allies REJECTING an emergency appeal, US Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer has cleared the way for the extradition to Japan of two Americans accused of helping former RenaultNissan boss Carlos Ghosn flee the Asian nation.

Breyer’s order, which followed similar rulings by lower courts, was issued without comment. The appeal went to Breyer as the justice overseeing the northeast region where the Americans, Michael Taylor and son Peter Taylor, live.

The Taylors were arrested in May 2020 after Japan issued a warrant accusing them of helping Ghosn flee Tokyo for Lebanon on December 29, 2019 -- reportedly secreted in a large box in a private jet -- as he faced financial charges in Japan.

Japan has also named a Lebanese national, George-Antoine Zayek, as an accomplice in the daring escape by onetime automobile titan Ghosn, who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese citizenship. AFP

City of London pays early price of hard Brexit Markets, oil prices down in Asia but bitcoin nears $50,000

LONDON—Europe’s financial capital is feeling the cold of Brexit but UK officials insist the City of London is suffering a temporary blip and is wellpositioned to profit from new trading horizons.

For the first time last month, as Britain’s withdrawal from the EU took full HONG KONG—Markets fell inlost Asia effect, London’s financial district its European trading crown to trade Amon Fridayshare in holiday-thinned sterdam. with investors awaiting developments at IHS in Researchers US stimulus talks,Markit whileattributed bitcoin the decline a “relatively hard towards Brexit,” hit a new to record as it crept and the UK government’s failure so far $50,000. to Oil persuade to grant full pricesBrussels also retreated fromtrading their rights to City-based firmsinvestors under a regime 13-month highs after were knownaasreality “equivalence.” given check on expectations trading volumes in forLondon’s demand daily this year, despite expecother areas such as derivatives and fortations the global economy will see a eign exchange still vastly outweigh its strong recovery.

European neighbors, and Catherine Equities across planet have McGuinness, policythe chair at the Cityralof lied this year on the back of vaccine London Corporation, played down the rollouts, falling infection and death development. rates, and optimism US that President Joe “We’ve always known some EUBiden will pushwould through of his facing business havemost to leave the $1.9-trillion rescue package.

City of London following Brexit, whatHopes for his spending ever the shape of the deal,” shedeal told were AFP. given a boost signifi Thursday news jobs that “However, cantlybyfewer first-time claims for City unemployment have shifted from the because of benefits fell than estimated last Brexit than wasless expected, and we remain very confident about the fundamental week. strengths of the City forNasdaq the future,” McThe S&P 500 and hit new Guinnessagain, said. though the Dow was records London “continues marginally lower. to go from strength to With strength” financial mostinofemerging Asia closed for thetechLunology (fintech) and tech investment, as nar New Year holiday, business was well as green fi nance, she added. limited. Tokyo and Wellington were to the Financial allIninJanuary, the red,according while Sydney was also Times, an average 9.2 billion hit by news of snapoflockdown in euros Mel($11.2 billion/£8.1 billion) of shares bourne. were traded each day on Euronext AmBut Axi’s strategist Stephen Innes sterdam together with two other Dutch said: “With vaccination rollouts on share markets. turbo boost and the current lockdown That was more than four times their abatement doing what it is supposed December figure, and overtook Lonto do by taming theof virus there don’s daily average 8.6 spread, billion euros, is solid chance theanewspaper said.that reported COVID-19 cases could close to zero in A spokesman forshift the Dutch Financial the second quarter.”

Markets Authority told AFP it was not a He added that Biden’s fiscal packsurprise. age andthink a planned infrastructure pro“We it’s a logical consequence gram that in the works probecause weisalready had a would strong trading standing with lift the off.

Euronext vide a “double As aAmsterresult, dam,”economic he added. mood music should the Financial services—a keyand driver of the attune higher in March, the reBritish economy—were covery could be set tolargely surge omitted in the from thequarter.” last-minute Brexit trade deal second agreed between London Brussels in Bitcoin continued to and hit new highs, late December. peaking at $48,930 Friday, having So from Britain’s financial been givenJanuary another1, boost after Massector lost access to the EU’s single marterCard and US bank BNY Mellon ket and its European “passport,” a means moved to make it easier for people to for UK financial products and services to use the cryptocurrency. AFP be sold in the EU. AFP

France to scrap expansion plans for Paris airport

Business

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

B3

B3

Market vulnerable to profit taking S TOP GAINERS

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARES prices are expected to keep their sideways movement over the near-term period as the benchmark index struggles to stay above the 7,000-point level.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the market remains fragile and susceptible to sell-offs.

This could be due to the continued concerns on the lingering impact of the pandemic and a spike in the inflation rate as these factors could both delay the recovery of the domestic economy.

Despite the higher January inflation rate, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last

week kept key interest rates unchanged at 2 percent. Given the rising trend in inflation rate, analysts are not expecting the BSP to further reduce interest rates during the first half of the year.

“More earnings report are expected to trickle in the next few sessions and with macro events in the horizon, anticipate heightened volatility especially near close,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia. com said.

“In Chinese zodiac sign, the bull represents hard work and patience—key attributes that the market rewards in the longrun as long as bets have sound revenue models and meaningful expansion stories in the pipeline,” it added.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week closed marginally lower on profit taking after the index traded higher during the first three days of the shortened trading week. The PSEi closed at 6,991, down 28 points from previous week’s close.

“The week’s close at 6,991.01 signals the current rally remain fragile and susFLOWER ceptible to sell-offs,” BDO Unibank INSPECTION. US Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Customs and Border Ravelas said.

Protection Agriculture Four of the six sectorial indices ended Specialists inspect flowers lower, led by industrial which 1.5 for foreign pestsdeclined or diseaseswhich in the dropped Avianca 1.3 percent and property Cargo Warehouse at Miami percent.

International Airport on But mining and oil rose by 3.4 percent 11, 2021 Miami, while holding February firms added 0.6inpercent week-on-week.Florida. As Valentine’s approaches, Miami imThe averageDay daily value turnover International Airport proved to P12.36 billion, up 24 percent 89 percent week-on-week receives even as foreign ofbuyers all US flower imports by turned net sellers. Domestic investors, air–a total of 240,162 tons however, continue to account for the bulk valued at $1.1 billion in of weekly transactions.

2019. In 2020, the peak Meanwhile, Wall Street finished season fromstocks January 1 a solid week at to all-time highs Friday amid February 15 alone anticipation ofbrought more US scal stimulus, 1.1fibillion stems while bitcoin slipped from record through back MIA. Despite the highs to below pandemic, $48,000. With AFP a MIA expects similar number of imports this year. AFP

A person walks by a boarded-up shop in Oakland, California on February 12, 2021. Racial minorities have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with higher rates of death, parts of the UK saw unemployment elements of the economy recover some ground in andlost business December, with hospitality, car sales failure, and and hairdressers all less seeing growth,” success said ONS deputy national statistician obtaining federal for economic statisticsgovernment Jonathan Athow, assistance adding that virus testing-and-tracing also boosted output. intended to providetorelief.

“The economy continued growAFP in

British economy shrank by a record 9.9% in 2020 L ONDON—Britain’s economy shrank by a record 9.9 percent last year on the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic despite managing strong growth in the second half, official data showed Friday.

The data has sparked hope that Britain could avoid a much-feared doubledip recession, despite the new strict lockdown that has been in place since January.

“Today’s figures show that the economy has experienced a serious shock as a result of the pandemic, which has been felt by countries around the world,” Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak said in reaction to the data.

“While there are some positive signs of the economy’s resilience over the winter, we know that the current lockdown continues to have a signifiRacial minorities have borne and the busibrunt cant impact on many people of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United nesses.

States, withwhy highermy rates of death, unemploy“That’s focus remains fixed ment and business failure, success on doing everything we and canless to protect obtaining federal government assistance injobs, businesses and livelihoods,” he tended to provide relief. said, adding he would set out further President Joe Biden hasupcoming argued hisbudprosupport measures in his posed $1.9-trillion spending package will both get on March 3. payThe for an aggressive vaccine campaign end ONS said the economy also to grew the virus that has strangled business, while also 1.2 percent in December alone, on the addressing the longstanding racial inequities back of looser virus restrictions in parts that have worsened during the pandemic. of “It theis acountry in the run-up topresident Christgreat effort,” Cathy Adams, mas. and CEO of the Oakland African American “Loosening of restrictions in many Chamber of Commerce, said of Biden’s plan.

the fourth quarter as a whole, despite additional restrictions in November.

“However, GDP for the year fell by nearly 10 percent, more than twice as much as the previous largest annual fall on record,” he noted.

The chamber’s members have managed Despite two successive quarters of to avoid in closure, but onlyhalf withof considerable growth the second last year, struggle, and Adams fears their future. the economy remains 7.8forpercent smallrightpre-pandemic here has hit us so hard,” she said. er “This than its level.

The world’s COVID-19 outbreak Much of thelargest UK re-entered lockdown has exacted an awful toll on the in early January to curb a variantUnited COStates, killing more thanwas 480,000 people and VID-19 strain that deemed more leading to mass layoffs, with 20.4 million transmissible, with restrictions similar people unemployed as of January, according to initial curbs imposed in late March to Labor Department data. last year.

But it has been a starkly unequal experience.

Friday’s data came one week after the The unemployment rate was at 5.7 percent for Bank of England updated its percent outlook, white Americans last month but 9.2 for citing the impact of Britain’s rapid vacAfrican Americans and 8.6 percent for Hispancines AFP ics, therollout.

Labor Department said. AFP

Minority entrepreneurs in America fear for survival

Finance minister Rishi Sunak said the economy had suffered a “serious shock” from the COVID-19 global health crisis.

The data came one the WASHINGTON—For theweek past 11after months, Bank England forecast economic reReign of Free has done everything she can covery the back of Britain’s successthink of on to keep her catering company open ful vaccines rollout. afterongoing the pandemic hit—a fight shared by many Black-owned businesses acrossGDP the “Over the year 2020 as a whole, United States. contracted by 9.9 percent, marking the As herannual businessfall driedinup,UK FreeGDP has taken largest on out reloans from the US government and other lendcord,” the Office for National Statistics ers and for new opportunities, but she said insearched a statement. wonders much longer Red Door Catering Grosshow domestic product grew 1.0 in Oakland, California can survive the percent in the fourth quarter orslump. three “We’retogetting crumbsafter and it’s enough. months December, an not upwardlyWe’re stillthird-quarter having hope, and still trying stay revised expansion ofto16.1 afl oat, but really we’re getting deeper and percent, it added. deeper into the hole,” she told AFP.

PSEi February 11, 2021

LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1

DAVIN

8.98

2.08

30.14%

2 3

VUL DWC

3.53 6.81

0.76 0.91

27.44% 15.42%

4

GPH

11.3

1.22

12.10%

5

DIZ

10.38

1

10.66%

6 7

NI TBGI

2.98 0.46

0.23 0.035

8.36% 8.24%

8

PAX

2.38

0.18

8.18%

9 10

FJP T

3.28 1.46

0.23 0.1

7.54% 7.35%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1

MFIN

3.05

-0.49

-13.84%

2 3

UPM PA

0.01 5.1

-0.001 -0.43

-9.09% -7.78%

4

ABA

1.23

-0.1

-7.52%

5 6 7

IMP ALHI JGS

1.9 7.77 64.6

-0.15 -0.57 -4.1

-7.32% -6.83% -5.97%

8 9 10

CEU PHA HOUSE

6.64 2.97 7.45

-0.39 -0.16 -0.32

-5.55% -5.11% -4.12%

MOST ACTIVE 1

FGENG

VOLUME 51,585,130

VALUE (PHP) 5,571,301,013.00

2 3

DITO AGI

70,354,600 57,961,300

1,237,244,740.00 632,767,742.00

4 5 6

PHA SM APL

199,211,000 613,345,400.00 557,330 595,050,545.00 1,656,280,000 392,866,840.00

7 8

ACEN BDO

42,474,800 2,651,980

336,336,082.00 285,268,185.00

9 10

VUL SECB

86,137,000 1,853,710

272,906,370.00 234,736,256.00

Young Singapore chefs serve upMy hope for street COVID storyfood’s future

By Catherine Lai

SINGAPORE—After the pandemic torpedoed his chance to work at a Michelin-starred New York restaurant, Lim Wei Keat returned to his roots by becoming a Singapore street-food chef PARIS—The French government has cooking local fare. decided to cancel a planned expansion The 25-year-old is among a growing of the country’s biggest airport, Paris’s number of young street-food vendors— Charles de Gaulle, a minister said in known as “hawkers” locally—fueling remarks published Thursday. hopes that a new generation will preserve Barbara Pompili, France’s the city-state’s culinary traditions. environment minister, told Le Monde Singapore is full of open-air food newspaper that boosting the airport’s courts offering a wide variety of cuisines capacity was not in keeping with influenced by the Southeast Asian efforts to fight global warming. nation’s ethnic Chinese, Indian and The government had therefore Muslim populations. askedwearing airport face operator ADP, Visitors masks lookin at which paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ‘The Even after the city-state ballooned it owns a majority stake, to scrap the Met,’ in New York City on February 9, 2021. AFP into an affluent financial hub, the hawker current project “and present a new one, tradition lived on, and remains a central more consistent with its objectives part of everyday life for many. concerning climate change and the The United Nations recognized this protection of the environment.” tradition as “intangible cultural heritage” ADP said the move was “one of the in December, describing the centers outcomes of the COVID-19 crisis” where hawkers toil as “community and said it would now begin “a period dining rooms” that bring together people of reflection” about the airport’s future quiat painting andbackgrounds. shipping it to a New York from diverse Byrole.

Eric Randolph facility withchefs a $100are label. many heading toward The decision comes a week after a storageBut Or fugitive Malaysian Jho Low, of retirement—their median ageaccused is 59—and PARIS, a Botticelli painting court France—When held the state had failed to take $137 million on art with youngsome Singaporeans often shun themontrade, went under themeasures hammer last at Sothe- spending sufficient to month halt climate “borrowed” fromhawker his country’s 1MDB stoking fears that traditions and by’s in Newa York forFrance. $92 million, it was as- ey he change, first in wealth fund. their delicious dishes could be lost. sumed thenow buyerdefunct was a Russian oligarch The plan called for since the sovereign ButLim some in the art market the new ap-an stumbled intofearbecoming theconstruction bidding was done an adviser to wealthy of abyfourth terminal by proach means they are being apprentice hawker, onlyessentially choosinghung to do Russians.

2037 to boost the airport’s capacity by as bait forcould criminals. as he not take up an internship Butmillion as art passengers journalist Scott Reyburn told out so 40 per year.

“They don’t report enough at a say US werestaurant last yearpeople, due to “ThePompili Week in Art” podcast, it’s not“obsolete” always that called the project that’s becausetravel we don’t do sales if we get a curbs. simple: “Sometimes very wealthy collectors but coronavirus because it no longer corresponded that the doubtful shady,” hebuyer feelsis he has or found hissaid true usetotelephone bidders that imply a certain na- sense But the government’s environmental Papillon, who runs a Paris gallery and calling. tionality guarantee own anonympolicyjust andto the needs their of “a sector in Marion a group representing the trade. dishes would disappear if ity... throw us off the scent,” he said. fullto transformation towards the green heads “Local “Tracfi (France’s youngn people did anti-money-laundering not take over stalls or The ultra-wealthy prize that sort of confiaircraft of the future”. actually to complete learn (to cook)wants theseusdishes,” Limthe told dentiality, and it with also helps build the mystique The plan, an estimated cost of authority) so we can report them,” she told AFP. andbetween theater seven in which houses euros like to saleAFP. andauction nine billion ‘Cut-throat’ drape themselves. ($7.5-10.9 billion), had already run Dealers also worry about the financial imLately,resistance however, regulators in Europe and into from environmental theactivists United States outpoliticians to spoil the fun, argu- pact, not least because secrecy about their cliand are local as well ingasthat this culture of secrecy is ripe for ex- ents’ identity is often their most prized asset. from the national environmental “Remember, it’s a completely cut-throat ploitation criminals. agency,bywhich said it fell short in said Tom Christopherson, an art law New of anti-money-laundering LONDON—Half of British businesses terms climate protection. rules mean business,” Bonhams house in Union Lonart and dealers in Britain anddid the consultant exportingforgoods to auction the European Le antiquities Monde said the government soon as something expensive is sold at EUnot must nowtherecord actualtobenefi ciaries are “As experiencing difficulties due to Brexit, want next the project focus on don. withinbody seconds whole art market is of any theirextension sales for the first time. US Congress auction, a UK trade saidthe Thursday. of capacity. out who bidderChamber was. Every-of approved last month that trying In toa work survey, thethat British “We similar will legislation always need planes, one wants to cut(BCC) out the found middle-man.” should place by 2022.towards a more Commerce 49 percent of but be weinmust move There are were more finding immediate too, asor Some high-profi over the deexporters it costs, “difficult” reasonable use le of cases air travel, andpast reach independent galleries cade seem to justify clampdown, such as even “verysmall difficult” to work underwill theneed new a reduction in thethe sector’s greenhouse start running background as if theyto disgraced Brazilian fiPompili nancier Edemar and called for thechecks government gas emissions,” said. Cid Fer- torules reira A buying an $8-million Bas- were help.a bank. AFP sharp fall in Jean-Michel air passenger Among manufacturers, who are highly numbers following COVID-19 dependent on the EU market, an even restrictions worldwide recently higher figure of 52 percent described the prompted Transport Minister Jeansituation since Brexit took full effect in Baptiste Djebbari to say that boosting

Will new money laundering laws end art world’s culture of secrecy?

TODAY is 02/02/2021, and I just got back in the office after a half month of isolation.

Last January 12, my mom was brought to the hospital in Cabanatuan City due to continuous vomiting and a terrible headache. My sister, a doctor, told me that we need to go to Cabanatuan City to take care of my mom. So my sister, my fiancé, and I rushed to her side. We got there around 1 a.m., and my sister took care of her all night in the hospital.

On the other hand, my fiancé and I went straight to the apartment in Cabanatuan City, where my brother is currently staying with my mom.

My brother has a seizure disorder, and he is considered a PWD; that is why he also needs to be monitored.

We slept together with my brother in an air-conditioned room that night.

The morning after my mom’s CT scan, my sister and the attending doctor advised us to transfer my mom to St. Luke’s Quezon City, which has an acute stroke unit, because they saw something mom’s head, through a small He got in themyapprenticeship hemorrhage, soinitiatives we panicked because government aimed at it might indicate an aneurysm.

We safeguarding the street food culture, were able arrange the transfer by which has to helped dozens of younger ambulance, chefs join thewith trade.my sister riding with ‘This flavour disappear’ her. Since no onewill will take care of focustoon just him one or myHawkers brother,usually I decided bring to two dishes, from ricewith noodles Parañaque, wherefried I stay my and unturnip cake tocitizen curry with puffs.

Limillness. chose cle, a senior heart an ever-popular traditional favorite— My uncle kindly allowed my brother Hainanese chicken to to stay in the houserice—and while my likes mother cook it the old-fashioned way. was confined.

“I so whyprotocol, not start Aslove partchicken of the rice, admission with something that I love and I’m my mom got tested for COVID-19.

She tested positive for the virus. We were all shocked since she was never symptomatic. Thus, everyone she had contact with for the last 48 hours needed to be quarantined and monibusinesses January 8 and tored for 14 between days.

31, including 70 exporters of goods We did not know what to do; it all and services. happened so fast like everyone from Business owners said they faced higher our family got emotional.

Until I costs and administrative red tape, asrealwell ized thatand myconfusion brother, over who which lives with as delays rules my mom, who I brought to my uncle’s to follow. house, couldbusinesses—and also be positive.the The UK’s next “Trading morning, brother and Irecovery— went to chances at amy strong economic

Makati Medical Center to take the swab test. Around 8 p.m., we got the results.

I got a negative result, but my brother tested positive for COVID-19. Upon hearing the results, my uncle wanted us out of his house immediately.

Upon my mother’s advice, my brother and I decided to go back Cabanatuan City and do the quarantine there. She said that many people would help us there. When we arrived, my brother started his isolation in one room. On the other hand, I listed all the plans and all the things we needed, such as groceries, to survive the quarantine. My mom is a department head in a local government unit in Cabanatuan City and her staff helped us get the things that we needed.

They provided PPE, food and medicines. It was so touching. I appreciated them a lot since they were not scared of us and even dedicated their time to helped us during our quarantine. I was also working remotely; it was hard for me to do everything. I learned how to cook and clean my brother’s chamber pot so we could limit his movements out of the about?” room. We did video calls to passionate know is happening him Cheng inside His what mentor, 61-year-oldtoNeo the room to time.

Andfor good Leong, hasfrom beentime selling the dish 30 thing he was doing okay, except that he years. hasHecoughs were the makesandit colds. from Those scratch every morning at hishe had. stall, cleaning the only symptoms chicken, poaching at just My mom, on the it other hand,the wasright retemperature, then cooking rice 17 in leased from the hospital last the January chicken broth, her withisolation ginger and and continued in ascallionhotel in infused oil. City. After the quarantine Cabanatuan Cuts all of of theustender meattested are served period, three got thru a with a plate of the resultant fragrant rice rapid test. My mom and I got a negative with garlic chili sauce sweetened soy result; however, my and brother was still sauce, all for just Sg$3 ($2.3). positive. My mom decided to go back home to help me take care of my brother. However, I am hesitant because she still might carry the virus since it was not a swab test. The house has only two rooms, so my mom decided to sleep reached onThe the free sofa trade until agreement I returned was to Manila. late last year, but officials left “businesses Moving forward, I got swabbed last in the dark on the detail right until the last January 29 and got a negative result, minute,” making it hard for them to so get Iready decided to return to Manila, February in time, said Marshall.

1. We still firms waitingthese for the next rapid For are some concerns put test of my brother, and hopefully, he their future in doubt, he warned, urging will be alright. to do all it can to reduce the government So why I tell my COVID story? hassle at thedid borders.

This photograph taken on January 7, 2021 KARIZZA APRILshows hawker apprentice OCA Lim Wei Keat (center, in red) preparing a dish at a chicken Based on my readings, Integral Human rice stall in Development (IHD) promotes the good Singapore. of every person and the whole Lim is amongperson. And with my experience, I have a small but seen the goodness of each person growing who helped us with open arms.

And I think number that is integrality: to beofcomplete, young you need to do something for other people Singaporean especially loved ones. street I tookfood the risk to take care for them without vendors,thinking or that I might be infected “hawkers, too, but ”due to fueling hopes God’s will, He did not let me have it. thatwrote, a new IHD Also, as Pope Francis generation and involves “integrating individuality preserve community dimensions.will The self and city-state’s the community are not the in competition culinary with each other, but the self can matraditions.

AFP ture only in the presence of authen-

GREEN LIGHT

tic relationships, and the community is His generative members are, two sons,when both its in their early 20s, are studying university and no together and atindividually.

Thishave is even interest in takingto over the stall after more applicable the family, which is seeing how parents for the first cellhard of their society and worked where we three said Neo.I agree with him, learn decades, to live together.”

“If I don’t teach (apprentices) thenbeen this and I believe my family and I have flavor will into disappear from Singapore,” integrated the community through Neo AFP. my told experience.

Without them, we OncenotLim has completed his would have succeeded in this COgovernment training program—which VID journey. includes two months of training under This pandemic has been very hard for Neo, and cooking for a panel of judges— everyone. praying hard and trusting he can rentBy a stall at a heavily subsidized God, we remain hopeful.

Keep the rate for 15 months.AFP faith strong, and everything will be ok in God’s time. Just wait and see God’s power. We can survive this!

Brexit disruptions hit half of Britain’s exporters to the European Union, says survey

are being hit hard by changes at the border,” said Adam Marshall, the BCC’s director-general.

While the UK and the EU eliminated some trade frictions in their divorce deal,

The BCC said the situation could get worse if the UK sticks to plans to introduce additional checks on food and plants in April and full customs checks on imports in July.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del College of Busicompared withRosario last year. ness, De La Thisand ar-the It cited theSalle effectsUniversity. both of Brexit ticle is part of her blog for the course coronavirus pandemic.

Integral The Human British Development. government has long

warned that Brexit would bring short-term The views expressed above are the upheaval. author’s do not are necessarily reflectto Britishand exporters now required the position De LaofSalle University,to show a largeofamount documentation its faculty, its administrators prove theirand goods can enter the European single market, which is proving costly and time-consuming and clogging up border crossings.

The boss of sports fashion retailer JD Sports, Peter Cowgill, told the BBC

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

B4

MONDAY, SATURDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY15, 13,2021 2021

PSE INDEX Thursday, February 11, 2021

-91.14 PTS. 6,991.01

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

22,920,353,778 156,366 15,090,510,481.69 95 131 44

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0400

Japan

Yen

0.009563

0.4594

UK

Pound

1.383700

66.4729

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128996

6.1970

Switzerland

Franc

1.123596

53.9776

Canada

Dollar

0.787464

37.8298

Singapore

Dollar

0.753920

36.2183

Australia

Dollar

0.772100

37.0917

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

127.4372

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

12.8083

Brunei

Dollar

0.751089

36.0823

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000072

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.033445

1.6067

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0799

Euro

Euro

1.212000

58.2245

Korea

Won

0.000905

0.0435

China

Yuan

0.155419

7.4663

India

Rupee

0.013738

0.6600

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247402

11.8852

New Zealand

Dollar

0.721300

34.6513

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035679

1.7140 Source: BSP

BSP: Depositors LandBank’s net benefitfell from7%new profit to ATM feeinmethod P17.1b 2020, deposits hit P2t

By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday the implementation of the STATE-RUN Land Bank the Philipacquirer-based ATM fee of charging of pines said over theApril weekend net income banks beginning will benefit the declinedas7 itpercent 2020 to P17.1and bilpublic entailsintransparency lion from P18.5 billion in 2019 as the give consumers the option to choose COVID-19 pandemic reduced ecothe banks that satisfy their needs. nomic activities the period.

Starting Aprilduring 7, banks will adopt LandBank president and charging, chief exacquirer-based ATM fee ecutive Cecilia Borromeo said despite which is one of the requirements of the challenging environment, the bank the Bangko forassets lifting posted markedSentral growth in and the demoratorium on ATM feeachievement adjustment posits in 2020—a record implemented in 2013.economic impact given the widespread A cardholder is currently charged of the health crisis. by“We his/her willbank buildthe on same these ATM gains fees and for transacting at other continue along this path toATM bettertermiserve nals.

With ABFC, a financial our priority sectors, especiallyinstitusmall tion canand set fiATM for small non-cusfarmers shers,fees micro, and tomers, continuing to offer mediumwhile enterprises and other keyfree deATM withdrawal andBorromeo balance inquiry velopment players,” said in a statement. services to customers.

Deposits breached the P2-trillion “The method is more advantamark which the bank to record geous to theallowed transacting public as it a 16.1-percent increase in assets promotes transparency andtotal empowof P2.362 trillion 2020 the from P2.033 ers consumers to in choose financial trillion in 2019. institution that satisfies their needs in Deposits to of P2.093 trilterms of feesexpanded and quality service,” lion,BSP or 17.4 the said.percent higher than P1.783 trillion in the 2019.

This also fueled a sigIt said new scheme would alnifi cant 41.4-percent growth in investlow financial institutions that deploy ments from P694.9 billion to P982.5 ATMs to be reasonably compensated billion. forMeanwhile, servicing year-end non-customers, capital and inthis also incentivizes them to set up creased by 13 percent to P168.3 billion more ATM terminals, which widens from P149.0 billion in 2019. theThe reach of banking services in the bank said financial ratios recountry. mained strong despite the challenges ATM The services set“Providing by the pandemic. bank entails posted cost, including and a return on equitytheof counting 10.80 percent, transporting of cash andaverage. its loading above the latest industry Rein ATMs; using electricity; providing turn on assets stood at 0.78 percent and security; and otheratexpenses to opernet interest margin 3.16 percent.

Equity 1 ratioBSPconateCommon and maintain saidTier machines. tinued its steady growth year-on-year supervised financial institutions are from 12.74 15.17 percent. required to percent employtosafeguards to enLandBank with can increased sure that theirsaid clients safelyfocus and on supportinguse the ATMs,” agriculture toconveniently thesector, banking tal loan portfolio to farming and fi shing regulator said. industries expanded from bilATM withdrawal fees P236.31 range from lion in P237.62 in 2020.

P10 to 2019 P15, to which has billion been the case Of the amount, P43.98years. billionBywent to for more than seven April small farmers and fi shers, cooperatives 7, ATM withdrawal fees are expected and farmers’ associations, rural finanto range from P10 to P18. cial institutions and other conduits.

The review and The BSP bank said said itit would assisted 2.67 milapprove all requests for ATM fee lion farmers and fishers nationwideadas justments and the reasonof end-2020, or aconsider 133.5-percent accomable cost for the reliability plishment rate ensuring over the full-year target and security of ATM services. of two million.

About 718,875 small farmers were assisted through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance and Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers Programs jointly implemented with the Department of Agriculture.

LandBank is present in all 81 provinces through 411 branches, 66 branch-lite units and 55 lending centers. Julito G. Rada

Business Lufthansa Technik moves to retrench 300 employees

package will be consistent with regulations on separation of employees set by the Department of Labor and Employment, it said.

IRCRAFT maintenance provider The company said it took extraordinary measures to proLufthansa Technik Philippines said vide employment and aid to employees even at the start of Friday it will lay off 300 employees the pandemic. These measures included flexible work arrangements that provided equal opportunity for employees to in a rightsizing program to reduce its share in available work, provision of additional and advanced workforce by 20 percent to 2,700. leaves to help secure employees’ finances and provision of Lufthansa Technik said in a statement it reached the deci- tools to secure employees’ health such as face masks and vision after a careful study and consideration of the company’s tamins. state of finances that reeled from the effects of the pandemic, Lutter said that apart from the annual physical examinaboth on the local and global aviation industry. tions accorded to all employees, the company also extended It said the rightsizing program, similar to other programs health care program to include the care of the mental health implemented in the past year, aimed to secure the fiscal health of employees. of the company to tide it through the critical period. It said “Employees are provided with a facility to privately book the program would be temporary until the industry fully re- sessions with expert counselors. Throughout this difficult pePRICE National Price Coordinating Council andon thethe Sub-Task covered.CEILING. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, chairperson of the riod, employees were regularly updated business situGroup Intelligence, deploys the Fairprovider Trade Enforcement Bureauand personnel headed by director Ronnel Abrenica to assist “Ason a Economic maintenance, repair and overhaul for air- ation provided context for every management decision. the Department of Agriculture in the conduct of specialbyprice and supply monitoring of agricultural products in Quezon City and craft, the significant fleet reductions announced various They were also provided a venue to easily share sentiments, Mandaluyong City. Joining Lopezalready in the inspection of theproceedmarkets are Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Metro Manila Development [customer] airlines with some in bankruptcy concerns, and suggestions through a dedicated helpline,” he Authority chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. ings have a direct negative effect on LTP’s business,” said said.

Lufthansa Technik president and chief executive Elmar LutHe said the company’s commitment to the welfare of emter. ployees would continue even after separation. Qualified emThe program will be implemented in two phases—first ployees affected by the rightsizing program would have the by voluntary separation and retrenchment, in the event the option to enroll in the Salute Program that is designed to keep first option fails to meet the target retrenchment number. The skills and authorizations current.

By Othel V. Campos

A

BIR eyes 7.23% increase in 2021 tax haul to P2.08t T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue expects to increase tax collection by 7.23 percent to P2.08 trillion this year from P1.94 trillion in 2020 on improving tax compliance among all taxpayers, Commissioner Caesar Dulay said in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

Dulay said the effort would be sup- Integrated System in the first quarter to ported by strengthening its budget step up the campaign against cigarette management system, speeding up smuggling. recruitment and promotion of emThe nationwide rollout of the Internal ployees, expanding computerization Revenue Integrated System which will efforts and intensifying enforcement serve as the BIR’s central tool and reposiactivities such as Oplan Kandado, tory to process taxpayers’ information is Run After Tax Evaders program and expected in the fourth quarter along with tax audits. pilot implementation PORT OF SUBIC AWARD. Bureau oftheCustoms Port of Subic of the Electronic Dulaycollector said theMaritess BIR planned roll outfrom Invoicing System, he said.of district Martinto(second right) receives a plaque the Enhanced Internal Revenue Stamp The On-Line and Upcommendation from Finance Secretary Carlos Domiguez III andRegistration Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero for her outstanding performance that resulted in the revenue collection of P28,677,000, with a surplus of P3.38 billion or a 13.4-percent positive deviation on its collection target in 2020. The Port of Subic was also commended for its significant contribution in the achievement of the BOC’s collection target.

JG Summit teaming up with NielsenIQ to offer personalized shopping service

By Jenniffer B. Austria JG SUMMIT Holdings Inc. said Friday it teamed up with NielsenIQ, a global measurement company, to offer consumers a more personalized shopping experience.

JG Summit through unit Data Analytics Ventures Inc. and NielsenIQ will use Advanced Analytics Platform to provide customized and relevant product offers to Robinsons Rewards loyalty members.

“We are very excited that NielsenIQ’s best-in-class and robust analytics platform will equip us to make stronger, relevant and more responsive marketing andDarwin merchandising recommendations By G. Amojelar to our network of partner suppliers,” said Robina Gokongwei Pe, the president GLOBE Telecom Inc. asked Antiand chief Retail Red Tape executive Authority of to Robinsons remind some local government Holdings Inc. units in Metro Manila and“Through other provinces to comply with the this collaboration, we will Bayanihan 2. the development of be able to Act enhance The telecom unit of tothe Ayala products and services meet the Group needs said several LGUs in the National Capital of Robinsons Rewards members.

The Region, Negros Bulacan, Cebu, partnership alsoOriental, strengthens collaboraKalinga, Ilocos Sur and Cagayan should be reminded that locational clearances, conformity to local zoning ordinances, Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution, neighbors consent and barangay resolution requirements were no longer needed in granting permits to build new cell sites.

These permits were no longer required under the Bayanihan Act 2,

tion and our relationship with our supplier partners, so we succeed and grow together while we serve our shoppers better,” she said.

The partnership, a first in the Philippines, will provide insights about market demands and transactions to help improve shopping experience.

Through data-driven decisions, DAVI said the platform would lead to identifying the right price, promotional campaigns and product assortment to provide better value for Robinsons loyalty members.

“To widen our understanding of the swiftly changing Filipino consumer behavior, we have to go deeper into according to Globe. shopper Through It saidinsights.

Bayanihan Act 2loyalty reduceddata, the we are able to understand the spending number of local and national permits habits oftoour shoppers andtowers connect the needed construct new across dotscountry. to identify new programs to enrich the commendlives. several of our local govour“We customer’s These insights can ernment unitsbewho have followed the immediately acted upon throughtoperletter the provisions Bayanihan Act 2. sonalized campaignsoftailored for specifWe wish that other LGUs, which chief until ic individuals,” said Jojo Malolos, now didn’tofhave a one-stop shop for perexecutive DAVI. mitting concerns in their respective municipal or city halls, will also comply as soon as possible,” Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said. LANDBANK LOAN. “By doing so, we can also extend to Mahinog, in our our customers the improvements Camiguin call, SMS and browsing service Mayor that we Rogerio Acleof(left) have implemented in other areas the and Land Bank of country,” he said.

date System, a web-based system that will provide an end-to-end process for registration and updating of taxpayer registration information, is also due for implementation in the fourth quarter, he said.

Dulay said that in the first quarter this year, the BIR’s Collection Performance Dashboard would be up and running.

This will enable the central office to check the collection performance of each collecting office/revenue region of the BIR against the assigned goal, compare it with the previous year and classify it by type of collection, he said.

The BIR will also allow taxpayers to book online appointments with revenue officers regarding tax-related concerns starting this year, Dulay said.

NEW CDC CHAIRMAN. Clark

for online food job

this new feature on Viber, especially now that people are still encouraged to stay at home amid the ongoing pandemic. With QR codes, both our FoodPH partner merchants and their customers are now able to seamlessly transact with each forward other. As we’ve “We need to move as demand made the experience as convenient for connectivity continues to build up as for possible, customers and us to it doencourages this, we need the full to support local businesses andLGUs,” order cooperation and support of all their food Castelo said.from MSMEs,” said David Tse, seniorLGUs directorinof Palawan, Rakuten Viber.

Several Nueva “And we’reOriental, proud thatOriental we’re doing Ecija, Negros MindthisOccidental with Globe myBusiness, oro, Mindoro, Quezon,which Batanis Cavite the country’s leading for gas, and Ifugao set uppartner their respecMSMEs, GCash, which is the tive one-stopand shops last year. leading in theand PhilipMakati, mobile Manila,wallet Marikina, Manpines with at least 30 million subdaluyong in Metro Manila; and Calamba Our Viber users deserve no inscribers.

Laguna were also among the forwardless,” he said.complying with the provilooking LGUs The QR codes been first made sions, according to have Globe. available merchants on FoodPh,of Globe saidfor since the implementation Viber’s own Act food2,directory. the Bayanihan it saw a marked inUnder partnership, FoodPH crease in thethe number of issued permits for merchants tower builds. can make online food orders more convenient for buyers. To receive payments, they can simply send GCash QR code to customers, who can easily scan the code using the GCash app to pay for orders. up toNew P750,000 for socialized condominium FoodPH merchants can get units, 3 percent per annum, a special rate theirat own GCash QR code upon provided minimum and low-wage signingtoup, while existing ones workcan ers May 2017. dosince the same via a link that’s provided loanvia program also features a 100-pertoThe them the bot. centMaridol loan-to-value ratio allowing Ylanan, head ofborrowers market-to enjoy purchase of housing units. ing equity-free and strategy at Globe myBusiPag-IBIG chief executive Acmad ness, said Fund her company has always Rizaldy Moti said the agency keptentreofferbeen committed to providing ing the lowest in the market preneurs withinterest digitalratesolutions and because of itstotax-exempt provided know-how help themstatus succeed in under Act No. 9679. theirRepublic ventures.

Pag-IBIG Fund financed socialized housing loans of 16,975 low-income members in 2020 Pag-IBIG Fund financed the socialized housing loans of 16,975 members belonging to the minimum-wage and low-income sectors in 2020 despite the pandemic, top executives said Thursday.

Socialized housing loans represented 27 percent of the 63,750 units financed by the agency and amounted to P7.18 billion out of the P63.75 billion in total housing loans it released last year.

“Pag-IBIG Fund’s Affordable Housing Loan Program offers the lowest rate and

longest term for minimum and low-wage workers. Even as the pandemic posed numerous challenges last year, we were still able to provide many of our workers belonging to this sector the means to acquire their own homes, under the most affordable terms. This is our way of adhering to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive to government institutions to provide programs that serve the needs of the underserved sector,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairperson of the Department of

up to P580,000 to buy socialized houses, or

A CONSUMER group called on the Energy Regulatory Commission to approve the petition of Manila Electric Co. to refund P13.88 billion, equivalent to P0.1528 per kilowatthour, to customers over a 24-month period as part of its application for the true-up calculaBy S. Flores tion Alena of actualMae weighted average tariff against the previously approved rate in 2015.

GEOTHERMAL powertheproducer “We laud and commend proactive Enprogram of Meralco… That Corp. is why we tookFriday it upon ergy Development said to intervene support this initiative of by itourselves teamed up withtoPlastic Flamingo Meralco. Any refund, especially done on volunFrance for its plastic-to-shelter projtary basis, is welcome news for consumers, espeect part this of its mission to achieve a ciallyasduring period of the challenging panregenerative and isdecarbonized demic, where money hard to come by future. for most “We knewconsumers,” that there’sLaban always a way poor Filipino Konsyumer Inc.do LKI president Vic Dimagiba said intoa have stateto more, to have less waste, ment overenvironmental the weekend. better impact—which Dimagiba said Meralco’s petition “is laudled to our desire to have zero waste in able on the part of the distribution utility to EDC. Our came year come up withbigger its ownhurdle initiative that last it will rewhen startedAlena working from home fund to we customers.”

Mae S. Flores

due to the COVID-19 pandemic and realized that all those food and grocery Charter’s economic deliveries and items ordered online that provisions restrictive came in layers of bubble wrap have resulted in accumulation of plastic waste FEARS that politicians will “hijack” proposin employees’ respective houses,” als our to amend the 34-year-old Constitution for said EDC purposes corporate support functions self-serving should not deter efforts to address restrictivevice economic provisions, head anditsassistant president Reaccording to a business analyst. gina Victoria Pascual.

Wallaceled Forum founder Peter said “This to our search forWallace a partner this fear “has been with us through four presithat can help us manage our personal dencies; time and time again, constitutional plastic waste and convert into change has been deferred because them of this fear.” sustainable she us said.

“Well, that products,” fear will be with in the next administration next, and thewas one after EDC said and thethePhilippines the that. We have bite the polluter bullet some time. world’s thirdtobiggest with 2.7I believe that time is tons now, while we havewastes a Presmillion metric of plastic ident in favor of opening up the economy,” generated annually based on the reWallace wrote in his column. port by McKinsey Center for BusiHe said with the whole world in the midst ness and Environment 2020. needs of a global depression, the in Philippines as EDC, much foreign direct investments possible the country’s largestas renewfor theenergy economypower to recover and that business able producer, said it restrictions no longer make sense a glofound it necessary to help inunder eliminatbalized economy. ing plastic waste materials towards a “The only ones who might object to openregenerative and decarbonized future. ing up are Filipino businessmen who’d see PLAF is aopportunities French social enterprise their business threatened,” said Wallace, whoproject is also the honorary chair ofthat the with a pilot in the Philippines Australian-New Chamber Comaims to developZealand a solution to fightofmarine merce ofpollution the Philippines. plastic in emerging countries.

EDC signed an agreement with seek PLAF ISPs to realize the power company’s aim of plastic-free, and eventually, against child pornzerowaste company.

CONSUMER advocacy asked the Pascual said waste groups management is government to for empower nothing new EDCtelecommunications as the company companies Internet sustainability Service Providersreto has been and releasing work with all sectors to stop child pornograports since 2010, following the Globphy, instead of imposing more sanctions and al Reporting Initiative that includes regulations. how it manages hazardous and nonCitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Tim Abejo, in reaction to government moves to imhazardous wastes. pose sanctions for failure to fulfill duties mandated under Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, said “the government should empower the telcos and ISPs as allies in fighting the societal menace of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children instead of imposing more sanctions and even more regulations.”

“The best approach would be to work together in a systemic, whole-of-society approach that will harnessCarlos all the Dominguez technology and FINANCE Secretary III resources enforcement said Fridayofthegovernment, P12.5-billionlaw capital infusion agencies, the academe, local NGOs, into Development Bankglobal of theand Philippines will and technology experts develop the responprovide additional fundstofor the state lending sive policies,COVID-19 and digitalresponse tools, inprograms. developing institution’s andDominguez implementing programs,” heinclude said. saidsafety in a statement these “Harmonizing government laws to togive extending low-interest, easy-to-pay loans the telcos, ISPs and other online platforms transport, healthcare, education sectors along with micro, small and enterprises and enough authority to medium hunt down and purge other affected industries. harmful websites while protecting the data He saidoftheindividual DBP would act as a wholesale privacy consumers will be bank would buy the loanssaid. of smaller banks, morethat constructive,” Abejo cooperatives and other institutions to free up more credit for the benefit of other industries that need to recover from the pandemic-induced impact on the global economy.

Under the P12.5-billion appropriations approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, the fund will be allocated as P5 billion for the transportation sector with 68 transport cooperatives as beneficiaries; P2 billion for healthcare assistance to 20 hospitals ; P500 million for 17 schools; and P5 billion for 230 MSMEs and other businesses. Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

DBP obtains capital infusion of P12.5b

Group backs DOE’s Rakuten Viber gets move to enforce 5% Globe myBusiness coco-biodiesel mix

Development Corp. chairman Edgardo (Pamintuan (right) takes his oath before Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon (left) who administered the ceremony. Pamintuan

By Darwin G. Amojelar has vast experience as a public servant and served RAKUTEN Viber capacities said Friday in various in localit tapped Globe myBusiness government, as a cabinetand GCash formember a safe and way to andefficient presidential order foodadviser, online and through QR codes. in international “We’re extremely to roll out panels andexcited undertakings.

Some LGUs fail to reduce permitting process on tower rollout

the PhilippinesCamiguin branch manager Adrian Lloyd Tan (right) sign five loan agreements Human Settlements and Urban Developworth P50.3 Fund ment and the 11-member Pag-IBIG million to board of trustees. finance the local Pag-IBIG Fund’s Affordable Housing Progovernment’s gram offers a subsidized rate of 3 percent per construction and annum for members earning not more than improvement P15,000 per month withinofthe National Capiinfrastructure tal Region, and not moreprojects than P12,000 and theper month for members outside of NCR,of who will purchase two buy socialized housing units. units of heavy Under the program, members can borrow equipment.

EDC French INtaps BRIEF Consumers welcome firm to transform P13-b Meralco refund plastic wastes into housing materials

ByUPSI Alenato Mae S. Flores build power

line forindustry Bataan projectexCoconut stakeholders

UNIVERSAL Power to Solutions Inc. is seekingof pressed support the Department the approval plan of the to Energy Regulatory Energy’s increase the Comcocomission to develop dedicated point-to-point biodiesel blend in automotive diesel limited transmission facilities to connect theto 5 percent from 2 percent.

40-megawatt Bataan integrated renewable power hub-battery energy Association storage sysThefacility Philippine Biodiesel tem the Luzon grid. in atostatement over the weekend assured order toof provide as a the“Inindustry stableancillary supply services of coconuts, regulating reserve and contingency reserve to the adding plan there would lead for toUPSI greater Luzon gridthe in 2021, is a need to livelihoodoperations securityinfor farmers. commence 2021…The construction of the dedicated facility project is a pre-requisite TPBA spokesperson Jun Lao said for the testing and ultimately, there wouldandbecommissioning, more than enough cocothe commercial operations of the Bataan R-HUB nut supply to support the shift to B5.

BESS,” UPSI said in its application.

“There overcapacity among coco UPSI will is connect its point-to-point dedicatmethyl ester facility producers serving the ed transmission via theinBataan 69 KV Substation of the National Corporation of current B2 blend, theGrid capacities were the Philippines. built in anticipation of the shift to B5 “A provisional authority is thus urgently as guided by the Energy Department’s needed to enable UPSI to achieve the target Philippineoperations Energy plan,” commercial date ofLao the said.

Bataan R“The atancillary present HUB BESScombined

by July 2021capacity and provide services to the grid,” the company is around 850 million liters,said. more than Alena liters Mae S.of Flores enough to treat 17 billion auto-

motive diesel per year,” he said.

GOMO SIMmade gains CME is a biofuel from coconutaccess oil that isto converted into a dieselGCash app substitute while exhibiting GOMO, the game-changing telco combustionbrand, is proimproving properties harmful viding more ways for users totogetlower their SIM faster to start enjoying emissions and GOMO’s improveno-expiry mileage.data and provide innovative ways to access the internet.RaMeanwhile, biofuels consultant Customers canB5 now usetested the GCash app to fael Diaz said was and proven buy 5G-ready GOMO SIM through the GCash by transportation experts GLife section. From Feb. 8 to to 14,register new usersan extra mileage boostSIM of around 6 up 12 can purchase a GOMO with 30GB of to ‘noexpiry data’ P299 through a GCash exclupercent perforliter. siveDiaz promo. who purchase through the saidThose the inherent lubricating and app can also enjoy free delivery. combustion-improving properties of GCash may also be used by existing GOMO CME provides subscribers to purchasestronger additional engine ‘no expiry’perfordata. mance andoption cleaner emissions.

Another for customers who want to get “Less their GOMO SIM right away is purchasing engine breakdown is savGOMO through GrabMart.

GrabMart ings; combined with GOMO improved milestore on the Grab app will allow users to get age translates to more than 4 pesos per 5G-ready SIM card delivered in as short as an kilometer huge savings,” said Diaz, hour in selectisareas in Metro Manila.

Customwho thefreecomputation oncode the ers can based also enjoy delivery with the GOMOFRDEL. GOMO store is mileage testsThe done

by GrabMart the University open fromPhilippine 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Sundays. of the National Center for Grab charges a service fee of P40 depending on Transportation Studies. the delivery area.

Shortly after Republic Act 9367 or so the “With GOMO, we make things simple Biofuels actdoofmore 2006awesome was signed intosaid law, that we can things,” Eric Tanbauco, of head of GOMO. “And diesel now, the blending 1 percent in local we’re expanding our channels to to reach more started.

It was then increased 2 percent people, so they can enjoy GOMO’s services.” in 2007.

Sports

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

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Coach Shaw unsure when Sotto can join Ignite squad

By Peter Atencio

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) tries to dribble past Golden State Warriors defenders Kelly Oubre, Jr. (12) and Draymond Green during the game between the two teams at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. AFP

Eala fares well versus ranked foes in ITF tour EXPECTATIONS were not that high when world no. 3 junior player Alex Eala started competing in the International Tennis Federation women’s tour in the final week of January.

With many experienced players focused on the big games of rivals who have better rankings than Eala, she went on to win in the finals of one leg of a $15000 event of a threestage netfest in Manacor, Spain.

Later, Eala made it to the quarterfinals of the last two legs, before Polish bet Maja Chwalinska put an end to Eala’s campaign at the Trophee de la Ville, a $25,000 ITF tournament in Grenoble, France.

“I’m quite new to them, and most of them are experienced. It can be intimidating when you’re on court.

But it really shouldn’t matter,” said the 15-year-old Eala on Noli Eala’s weekly “Power and Play” program.

Eala had been taking on older opponents and higher ranked netters while in Grenoble.

This included two top 200 players whom she defeated. Those were world No. 190 Laura-Ioana Paar of Romania, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in in the first round and world No. 164 Cristina Bucsa of Spain, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(8), in the second.

These players knew nothing about her, according to Eala, and it sort of helped that they didn’t.

“Well, I guess to a certain degree (that they did not know her). I had no pressure to perform or anything,” said Eala.

The Grenoble quarterfinals was Eala’s fourth straight professional quarterfinal appearance for the year.

And among her immediate goals will be to improve on her rankings in the professional circuit.

And Eala’s ranking remains at world no, 942 since start of the month of February.

Last week, Eala was among the 15 recipients of the ITF junior grant which went as high as $25000.

The other junior girls players are world no. 2 Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, Weronika Baszak of Poland, Kristina Dmitruk (Belarus), Julia Garcia of Mexico, Yasmine Kabbaj (Morroco), Mell Elizabeth Reasco Gonzalez (Ecuador) and Vivian Yang of New Zealand). Peter Atencio

Jordan Spieth of the United States plays his third shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

AFP

Nets dominate in Durant’s victorious return to Oakland

L

OS ANGELES, United States—Kevin Durant made a triumphant return to the San Francisco Bay Area Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), scoring 20 points to boost the Brooklyn Nets to a convincing 134-117 NBA victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Durant won titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, earning NBA Finals MVP honors each year before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the 2019 championship series and then departing Golden State for the Nets.

His return came in the new arena in San Francisco that the Warriors moved into last season, where the lack of fans in the stadium made his appearance a more muted affair.

“It was good to see everybody,” said Durant, who had hugs for former teammates Draymond Green and Stephen Curry and Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

“Wish Klay (Thompson) was healthy, but it’s good to be back in the Bay Area.

I loved my time here, I loved playing for this team.

“But I’m glad we got a good ‘W,’” Durant added.

- Booker shines for Suns In Phoenix, Devin Booker scored 36 points to pace the Suns in a 120-111 victory over the Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia 76ers.

Chris Paul added 18 points and 10 assists and the Phoenix bench delivered 56 points as the Suns won their fifth straight and their eighth in nine games.

The Suns shot 60.8% from the field, leaving Sixers coach Doc Rivers to bemoan his team’s defensive breakdowns -- especially when the reserve unit was on the floor.

“It’s funny, the first eight minutes, I thought defensively, were pretty good, and then right when we went to the bench is when our defense struggled,” Rivers said.

Center Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 35 points. Ben Simmons and Tobias Har-

ris added 18 apiece.

In Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Bojan Bogdanovic delivered 19 as the red-hot Utah Jazz defeated the Miami Heat 112-94 for their seventh straight win.

Rudy Gobert tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds and had three blocks while Mitchell scored eight points in a decisive third quarter as the Jazz turned a five-point halftime lead into a 21-point cushion.

Kendrick Nunn led Miami with 23 points, while Jimmy Butler and Max Strus each had 15 points in the loss.

Durant was back on the floor after a week in quarantine because of NBA coronavirus protocols.

But the All-Star forward meshed seamlessly with star teammates Kyrie Irving and James Harden, with the Nets not only delivering offensively but also shutting down the potentially explosive Warriors offense.

Irving scored 23 points to lead six Nets players in double figures. Harden added 19 with 16 assists and the Nets held the Warriors to 48.9% shooting – 26.5% from three-point range – in a comfortable win.

AFP

THE fate of Kai Sotto, who left for the United States last night, is still up in the air.

Ignite head coach Brian Shaw is unsure when the 7’3” Sotto will be able to rejoin Team Ignite once he gets to Orlando Florida.

Shaw said this after Ignite pulled off 113-105 triumph over Raptors 905 for their third straight overall victory in the NBA G League season at the AdentHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida.

“Right now, I’m just concerned about the guys that are here, and coaching them and we’ll see what happens when we get to that point,” said Shaw.

The 18-year-old Sotto has gone back to the US since he could no longer play for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.

The coming campaign of Gilas Pilipinas in Qatar for the final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers has been called off.

The Saudi Basketball Federation was forced to cancel the third window in Doha, Qatar and in Manama, Bahrain because of travel restrictions due to the rising coronavirus cases in the region.

Because of this Sotto is set to miss as much as 11 game in the first month of the season.

According to the protocols which has been set by the NBA last season, a player must have four negative RT-PCR results for four consecutive days before he can enter the bubble.

Last Friday, FIBA Asia Executive Director Hagop Khajirian said in a letter to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that Philippines will again re-host the final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers with Lebanon.

“Fixing the dates of the ‘windows to be created’ under this unexpected and extraordinary situation will still need about 10 days to be finalized,” said Khajirian in his statement.

There are four national federations which have already expressed their support to FIBA to host one or more groups in their country to play the matches that were affected, according to Khajirian.

Qatar was supposed to host of Groups A, B, and E games from February 17 to 23.

Usman stops Burns in 3rd round at UFC 258 in Las Vegas

By Reuel Vidal KAMARU Usman put on a clinical display of precision and power to stop challenger Gilbert Burns in the third round and retain his UFC welterweight title yesterday, February 14, 2021 at UFC 258 in Las Vegas.

Usman and a battered Burns faced off at the center of the Octagon early in the third. Usman then switched to southpaw and knocked down Burns with a right hand jab. As Burns fell backward into the canvas Usman jumped forward and swarmed him with groundand-pound forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.

“It was amazing. This one was a tough one. It was a very, very tough one. You know the whole gym situation and me leaving. You cannot dismiss what Gilbert Burns has done in this division. After being knocked out at lightweight, he regrouped, put it all together, moved up a weight class and started tearing through these guys,” said Usman.

The two were friends and long-time sparring partners working out of Sanford MMA in Florida for years before the showdown. After the fight was announced Usman had to switch gyms and turned to coach Trevor Wittman in preparation for the defense of his title.

“It’s hard to come in without all the emotion. Gilbert is someone I’ve known from the beginning. And I love him. But inside the ring. There are no friends in there. I am the welterweight champ for a reason,” said

Usman.

“I knew he (Burns) could hit hard. That was how our sparring went. He caught me in the first round with one of those big hooks. And I caught it. So okay.”

Usman knocked Burns down in the second. He moved forward leading with a jab then cracked Burns with a solid right straight. Burns staggered backward and Usman continued to walk forward occasionally switching southpaw to be able to lead with powerful right hand jabs. Burns barely survived the second round before eventually going out just 34 seconds into the third.

“That was the thing with me. Even when I first kind of started and was striking, it was a lot of that Dutch kickboxing. It gets you tough and lets you defend a lot of shots. I wanted to work that southpaw, and I wanted to work that jab. I just worked it, and worked it a lot,” said Usman.

Burns came out swinging in the first round and connected with a roundhouse right to the temple knocking Usman down. Usman was up almost immediately and Burns was unable to capitalize. Usman composed himself and was traded shots at the center of the Octagon on even terms with Burns the rest of the first round.

In the co-main event Alexa Grasso outboxed and outgrappled Maycee Barber to win by unanimous decision in women’s flyweight division action.

In other fights of the main card Kelvin Gastelum

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has his hand raised in victory in this file photo of his fight against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251 last July, 2020. AFP

Resurgent Spieth takes two-shot lead at Pebble Beach SAN FRANCISCO, United States – Jordan Spieth holed out from the fairway for a sensational eagle at 16 on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) on the way to a one-under par 71 and a two-shot lead in the US PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Spieth took another step toward ending a title drought that stretches to his 2017 British Open triumph, his 13-under total of 203 putting him two strokes in front of a group of five players headlined by world number 15 Daniel Berger.

Spieth shook off an early bogey with three birdies on the front nine – including an up-and-down from a greenside

bunker at the sixth.

But the 27-year-old looked to be in trouble with bogeys at the 10th, 12th and 14th as the scenic course overlooking the Pacific Ocean played tough in unpredictable, gusting winds.

He was two behind playing partner Berger arriving at the 16th, where his eight-iron second shot from 160 yards out in the fairway hit the green and spun left straight into the cup.

It was Spieth’s second hole-out from more than 100 yards out this week, after his eagle at the 10th on Thursday.

“In the air I thought it was going to be

really good, and as it landed it was just exactly where I was trying to hit it, certainly a bonus for it to drop.”

Spieth said his back nine was a “good lesson” to take into Sunday: “how quickly things can change out here.”

Berger surrendered his share of the lead with a double-bogey at the par-five 18th, where his tee shot landed out of bounds beyond a cart path right of the fairway.

Berger was buoyed early by an eagle at the par-four fourth, where he drove the green and drained an eight-footer.

“It was nice to get that nice big bounce up there and make the putt,” he said.

“One of the few good things to happen to me today.”

He gave a shot back with a three-putt bogey at the seventh, but birdied the 11th and held steady on the back nine until his disastrous finishing hole.

“I hit a bunch of really good golf shots today,” said Berger, who has nine top-10 finishes since the PGA Tour resumed after it’s coronavirus hiatus ended last June at Colonial – where Berger won in a playoff.

Berger was joined on 205 by Scotland’s Russell Knox and Americans Nate Lashley, Tom Hoge and Patrick Cantlay.

AFP

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Sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

Champions KO stages begin under virus cloud PARIS—This week the glamour of a tie between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain heralds the dawn of the Champions League knockout phase, but the world’s most lucrative and compelling club competition returns still overshadowed by the coronavirus crisis as well as by looming changes to the tournament itself.

Four years ago, when PSG last visited the Camp Nou, they arrived with a 4-0 first-leg advantage and left eliminated after a 6-1 defeat on a night the 96,000 spectators present will never forget.

On Tuesday Neymar, now with the Parisians, will miss the return to his old home due to injury. The fans will be missing too, yet the spectacle of a huge European game going ahead behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions is no longer so unusual.

What is new is the extent to which travel bans are creating havoc and have already forced UEFA to switch several ties to neutral venues.

RB Leipzig have been denied home advantage in their first leg against Liverpool on Tuesday due to a ban by German authorities on travellers from the UK. That game now goes ahead in Budapest, which will also host Borussia Moenchengladbach against Manchester City the following week.

Similar restrictions on travellers from Britain entering Spain have forced Atletico Madrid’s first leg at home to Chelsea to be moved 3,000 kilometres to Bucharest.

“A last-16 Champions League tie is a huge event for Borussia Moenchengladbach, which we now cannot play in our own ground or with any fans in attendance,” admitted Gladbach CEO Stephan Schippers.

“Nevertheless, we’re pleased that we can play the game at all and we are of conscious of the overall situation.”

- UEFA cede more ground It may be football in an empty stadium, often on neutral ground, but the Champions League knockout stages remain the absolute pinnacle of the club game, the theatre in which so many memorable matches have been played in recent times. AFP

Brady to have minor knee surgery W ASHINGTON—Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFL title Sunday, will undergo minor knee surgery to ease nagging discomfort, according to multiple reports Thursday.

It was unclear which knee will have the procedure, which Bucs coach Bruce Arians described to the Tampa Bay Times as “a clean up” in what is a largely routine surgery.

Brady was wearing a brace on his left knee during a boat parade celebration Wednesday and wore a left knee brace during the Super Bowl.

The NFL Network and ESPN also cited unnamed sources in confirming Brady will soon undergo the procedure for what was not a recent injury and had been in the works for months

after Brady played through the pain most of the campaign.

The 43-year-old NFL superstar captured his fifth Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award, throwing three touchdown passes to spark the Bucs over Kansas City 31-9 in Sunday’s championship spectacle at Tampa.

Brady completed 21-of-29 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns against the Chiefs and says he plans to play at least another season.

Meanwhile, Chris Doyle has resigned as director of sports perfor-

mance for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars after renewed attention to accusations of racism and bullying of players in his prior job.

A Friday night statement from Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and team general manager Trent Baalke announced the move, which came only a day after new coach Meyer announced Doyle would be on his staff.

“Chris Doyle came to us this evening to submit his resignation and we have accepted,” the statement said.

“Chris did not want to be a distraction to what we are building in Jacksonville.

“We are responsible for all aspects of our program and, in retrospect, should have given greater consideration to how his appointment may have affected all involved. We wish him the best as he moves forward in his career.”

Thiem falls as Osaka, Serena survive at Aussie Open

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before playing against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFL title Sunday, will undergo minor knee surgery to ease nagging discomfort, according to multiple reports.AFP

Road Warriors give back to students by providing laptop, tablets, pocket wifi IN LINE with their advocacy of helping students in their online education, members of the NLEX Road Warriors fully support the team’s online game for its fans -- the Arangkada! NLEX Road Warriors Online Assist.

The team is giving away 15 tablets and a laptop for the grand prize winner, plus a pocket wifi to each gadgets won during the online contest where participants are tasked to guess the No.3 and No. 4 picks of the squad in the first round of the coming PBA Rookie Draft to be held on March 14.

“For the players, they’re contributing at least one tablet as a way to help the students and learn online. Kasi that’s the trend now. In order to be able to continue school or do some business, actually, a lot of businesses are now going online,” said NLEX Road Warriors’ general manager and head coach Yeng Guiao. “‘Yung sa akin, laptop, which is actually the grand prize. The players contributed a Huawei tablet each. We have 15 players doing that, so that’s 15 units, then ‘yung isa kong laptop, that makes it 16 prizes.

Every unit will also be given a pocket wifi, para mas madali para sa winners.

We wanted to help out, we wanted to show appreciation and combined it with a little fun,” Guiao added.

Participants of the Arangkada! NLEX Road Warriors Online Assist will be required to guess the team’s No. 3 and No.

THE COACH MIKE OCHOSA

Sports rising FOR one brief moment in our history, the world stood still. Late in 2019, when the virus was first detected, mankind stopped. COVID-19 was a democratic virus which did not anyone and placed everyone at risk. Life as we knew it was halted.

Every government, business, university, household and individual’s existence was questioned. It was back to square

Doyle worked as a strength an conditioning coach for the University of Iowa football team for nearly two decades but departed last June after numerous former players spoke out about his treatment of players.

Meyer defended his friend Doyle on Thursday when asked about the accusations, saying the Jaguars “did a very good job vetting” Doyle and saying he was “very confident” there would not be any issues with Doyle on the Jaguars.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance, a foundation championing NFL diversity named for the league’s first black head coach, came out strongly against Doyle’s hiring Friday in a statement titled “A Failure of Leadership by The Jacksonville Jaguars” opposing the move. AFP

4 picks, respectively, in the first round of the PBA Rookie Draft’s regular order of selection.

The special draft for Gilas Pilipinas is not included.

“Magkatuwaan tayong hulaan nila kung sino ida-draft namin at No. 3 and 4. Kailangan tama ‘yung order. Kailangan No.3, tama ‘yung pangalan and No. 4, tama rin ‘yung pangalan. Hindi puwedeng ma-interchange ‘yun. We’re asking our fans to join us in this fun and at the same time, our contribution to online learning or business, whatever it is.

Gagawin natin ito, March 14 is the draft.

At 12 in the afternoon is the deadline.

The draft is going to happen in the afternoon. Then, on March 18, we will draw the winners. All the winners who made the right guesses will be put together in a glass jar and will be raffled to determine the winners of the 15 tablets and one laptop,” added Guiao.

Submission of entries to the Arangkada! NLEX Road Warriors Online Assist had just started and details of the mechanics of the contest are already posted in the team’s official Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/ ArangkadaNLEX).

In the first session of the Arangkada!

Breakfast With The NLEX Road Warriors, players of the team strongly supported the advocacy of helping the students in these very challenging times.

“I feel very blessed because we know how tough the times are right now. We one for all. One year hence, some have come back, but many have succumbed to the pressure, presumably never to be seen again.

It is no different in sports.

COVID-19 displaced sports In the hierarchy of needs, sports did not seem integral compared to the essentials to survive. Everyone was scrambling for safety and safeguarding their source of sustenance. Sports in any form did not play a role in any of this.

Sporting events, big or small screeched to a halt.

Leisure sporting activities were banned.

Both athletes and fans, for a brief moment, split the ties that bound them.

Sports journalists from all platforms had nothing to do, nothing to report. Sports as a source of livelihood ceased to exist.

Sports kept fighting to get back After over a year, it still remains unclear if sports as we know it will ever come back.

The NLEX Warriors

just wanted to give back to the community and help out,” said forward Anthony Semerad.

Team captain Kevin Alas said it’s a small gesture of helping the students, providing them essential things needed for the modern day education.

“It’s a small way of the NLEX Road Warriors to give back. Sobrang blessed namin kasi salaries namin tuluy-tuloy.

It’s a small gesture for the team to give back kasi ang daming kababayan natin nahihirapan, nawalaan ng trabaho, nagkasakit. Maliit na bagay lang ito para makatulong kami,” added Alas.

Guard Kenneth Ighalo acknowledged the challenges the students are facing right now and he feels proud to be a part of such a noble endeavor.

“Nakikita natin sa news everyday, na maraming estudyante ‘yung nahihiraSeveral of the huge sporting events like the NBA, MLB, NFL, several tennis and golf major events have successfully made a comeback in one form or another, but not without absorbing losses.

Locally, although the PBA has successfully organized a conference in a “bubble,” there were additional costs to bear and revenue losses to absorb.

After over a year, the situation remains the same, the future continues to be vague.

A personal commitment As this uncertainty looms, I find myself presented with this opportunity to start a sports column. It is an odd moment to receive this break. It is a period where we sportswriters are wanting of content, topics to write about and events to journal. It would be very logical to wait a while, allow the dust to settle, anticipate the arrival of a vaccine or simply accept the offer when we reach herd immunity.

But, it is my firm belief that sports is vital

pan na maka-join sa class nila kasi nga walang gadget or walang internet. Sobrang happy namin na makakatulong sa mga kababayan,” said Ighalo.

Bong Galanza, Jericho Cruz, veteran center JR Quinahan and the rest of the players felt they’re blessed to receive their salaries even when they were idle for about nine months brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and taking part in this project is their own little way of helping out.

“Sobrang blessed namin, it’s time to give blessings sa iba, lalo na ngayon pandemic, ‘yung iba walang work. Kami tuluy-tuloy pa rin (‘yung suweldo),” said Galanza.

“Marami akong kakilala na kapos rin, humihingi ng tulong. Sana sa maliit na tulong namin napapasaya namin sila,” added Quiñahan. to character formation and nation building.

Its absence today is already writing the future of generations to come.

Armed with this commitment, this, my first piece is evidence to accepting this challenge.

I see this troubled moment as an opportunity to restart. It opens an original and innovative door for all. Rather than shrink from the darkness in front of us, let’s fight through it and let light through.

This is the value of sports.

Sports Rising Anyone who is deeply involved in sports completely understands that adversity is a stepping stone to greatness. Numerous stories about teams, athletes, and coaches have time and again demonstrated the unrelenting spirit of man. This is the time, maybe the most important moment in all our lifetimes, that we rise together.

I pray that the stories in this column entertain you.

MELBOURNE—US Open champion Dominic m became the first major men’s casualty of the Australian Open on Sunday, as Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams survived scares to reach the quarter-finals.

A fatigued-looking Thiem, coming off a five-set win over Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, slumped in straight sets to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov who took it 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in just over two hours.

Dimitrov’s victory against Thiem, the third seed and last year’s runnerup, sets up a quarter-final with surprise package Aslan Karatsev, who is into the last eight on his Grand Slam debut.

“Whether it’s a fairytale or not, it’s a match and you’ve got to be ready,” Bulgaria’s Dimitrov said of the unheralded Russian.

“I’ve seen a little bit of his matches, clearly he’s a dangerous player.”

Earlier, Japan’s Osaka edged a thriller with fellow major-winner Garbine Muguruza and Williams came through a physical test against Aryna Sabalenka to maintain her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Karatsev beat Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei, 35, reached the last eight for the first time after 16 years of trying.

Later, all eyes will be on whether eight-time winner Novak Djokovic can recover from a serious abdominal injury in time for his night match with Milos Raonic, last up on Rod Laver Arena.

Second seed Simona Halep will also be looking for revenge against Polish teenager Iga Swiatek, who beat the Romanian easily on the way to a maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last year.

- ‘Teeing off on every shot’ In an empty Rod Laver Arena, with fans barred on the second day of a five-day, state-wide coronavirus lockdown, Osaka was on the verge of elimination at 3-5, 15-40 on her serve in the third set.

But the three-time major champion rattled off four points in a row and then twice broke Muguruza’s serve to prevail 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

“I felt like I was intimidated because she was playing so well,” said Osaka, after her first meeting with last year’s beaten finalist.

“On the stressful points, I had to play within myself.” AFP

I wish that the tales in this column engage you.

Above all, I yearn that the words that come out in this column encourage you to be better in all that you do and in all that you are.

Let sports rise.

(Mike Ochosa is an avid sportsman. He has written for various broadsheets and on line publication providing his thoughts and insights on various sports. He is a freelance TV boxing analyst having sat ringside in 14 of Pacquiao’s fights and for various international sports networks as well. He was President of Punchout Boxing Club and is currently President and Program Director of Philippine Habagat Baseball.)

Follow him on social media: Website: mikeochosa.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/coachmikeochosa/, IG:@coachmike.—Twitter account, https://twitter.com/ mikeochosa

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

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Power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin send fans’ hearts aflutter on V-Day SMART Communications, Inc. has done what seemed impossible by putting reel and real-life couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin together in one project a month after they confirmed their relationship. As a huge Valentine's Day treat, the mobile services provider made the romantic wishes of K-Drama fans come true with the launch of a new TVC featuring the Crash Landing On You (CLOY) stars.

The TVC—which features Ben & Ben’s original song “Inevitable” in the background—sees the two searching for each other in a crowded city aided by 5G technology. Their pairing in this commercial evokes a sense of doing the impossible, much like how subscribers are able to achieve more when they are connected to Smart 5G. Ben & Ben purposely wrote the music for this TVC in partnership with Smart.

Much like a climax to a trilogy, the latest TVC wrapped up an online clamor that

VERY WANG

A

NICKIE WANG

FTER a difficult year for everyone, Lovi Poe is finding ways to feel positive about everything in her personal life and showbiz career.

Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment on her birthday on Feb. 11, the singer and actress admitted that despite going through rough times in 2020, she considers 2021 a year of possibilities.

“There’s going to be a big change in 2021. I don’t know it yet but I just feel it and that change, whether it’s for work or just within me, it’s going to be something life-changing. 2020 was a learning experience for everyone, and this year is actually our transition where we are kind of being reborn, suddenly we learned a lot of things last year that made us different now, different people,” she started.

“My wish, of course, is for this pandemic to finally end but apart from that, my personal wish is to have more work this year. I’m so excited to work and share this excitement with the audience through the things I am going to do,” Lovi expressed alluding to her birthday wish.

In speaking of work, Lovi was excited to announce that she will be releasing a new single. Entitled “Under,” which officially launches her music career in the US, was produced by LA-based record label VIM Entertainment.

The progressive pop smash will be available on all music platforms on Feb. 25, and its music video will be unveiled the next day on her YouTube channel. The project serves as the springboard to her long-awaited EP set for May release.

“It’s just one of the great things that I'm looking forward to this year. Music, movies, and television projects. I’m just so excited to work,” she mused.

While it seems that she’s very much in control of the things that are happening now in her career, she gives credit to the people that surround her for keeping her sane.

“I’m just fortunate that I'm surrounded by amazing people. We need a support system right now. Call me weird but I randomly message people, even if you just crossed my mind, just to check up

started last June when Smart crash-landed into fans’ hearts via Hyun Bin’s "Simple.

Smart Ako" TVC, followed by another much-talked-about Smart Signature TVC featuring Son Ye Jin last August.

These TVCs fueled anticipation for a joint TVC among fans, who made their wish loud and clear using the hashtag #InSmartWeTrust.

It will be recalled that Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio first teased the public of a possible project involving the CLOY couple almost during the virtual press conference that launched Hyun Bin’s ad.

“Finally! The wait is over for all of us K-fans who have been wishing for Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin to be together again.

We heard your clamor, and we read all your #InSmartWeTrust posts so we knew this was inevitable. We had to make this happen. You are all part of this sweet journey, and we owe this to you, our dear subscribers. Enjoy,” said

Jane J, Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart The latest evolution in wireless communications, 5G offers superfast data speeds and fiber-like low latency, which enable users to upload and download heavy files in seconds, stream highresolution videos seamlessly, play online games without noticeable lag, and benefit from other cutting-edge apps and services on their smartphone with fiber-like speeds.

Smart is at the forefront of the 5G revolution in the Philippines with the continued nationwide roll-out of its ultrafast 5G network, which includes strategic sites in Metro Manila, Boracay, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, New Clark City in Pampanga, and Rizal.

To know more about Smart 5G, visit 5g.smart and follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook at facebook.com/ SmartCommunications, and Twitter and Instagram at @LiveSmart.

LOVI POE

stays optimistic amid rough times

Birthday girl Lovi Poe is set to release a new single, which she recorded in LA. The track marks the official launch of her music career in the US.

on that person. I wouldn’t miss the chance to check up on someone who suddenly crosses my mind,” she said.

And with optimism as her main shield against all the challenges that have been confronting her, she finds solace in the company of people who matter to her.

“Sometimes we tend to forget, because of all the stress that we have been through, like even the small things make me paranoid, even if it’s just a headache, but then, just seeing the birthday greetings of my friends and my family, it made me realize that there are so many things to be grateful for,” she enthused.

“It sounds so cliche but sometimes we are so busy making a living, working, and ensuring that we are on track reaching our goal, especially for me, I’m such a go-getter and so perfectionist when it comes to my work, that I tend to forget that there are people around me as well.

It helps that I get reminded that there are people who matter to you. I'm just very thankful that I have met new friends and I have old friends since high school, genuine friends. Without them, mentally I'd be falling apart,” she carried on.

undergrad, quits her studies and takes on several jobs to keep her family’s finances afloat. Selfless almost to a fault, she is driven by her positive attitude that with hard work, she will someday reap her much-deserved rewards. Always on the go because opportunities are not to be wasted, she has little time for herself much less for romance.

Meanwhile, Doc Migs is a heart surgeon at Centimos Medical Hospital.

He is also a financial adviser on an online show called “Alcancia ng Bayan.”

Migs grew up in a broken family and was raised mostly by his beloved Lolo Badong (Leo Martinez) who taught him the value of hard work and saving money.

But now that Lolo Badong suffers from middle-stage dementia, Migs is desperate to delay the effects of the disease and of forever losing his only family.

Fate and a series of unfortunate events - from paying off her father’s gambling losses to shouldering her youngest sibling’s hospital bills - lead Sensen to become financially indebted to Migs. So they forge a deal where Sensen pays off her loan by working as Lolo Badong’s caregiver because, for some inexplicable reason, Owe My Love Sensen’s presence delays the symptoms of On the television front, Lovi is Lolo Badong’s dementia. It’s not as simple starring in a romantic comedy opposite as it seems however because Lolo Badong Benjamin Alves. is convinced that Sensen and Migs are From the team behind the top- married. To keep his grandfather happy, rating and well-loved primetime Migs asks Sensen to keep up the pretense series Naku, Boss Ko!, Inday while she works off her debt.

Will Always Love You, TODA But what happens when their pretend One I Love, and One of the marriage develops into a real romance?

Baes comes Owe My Love, a Will debt keep Sensen and Doc Migs timely show about the value together or will it tear them apart? of true love airing on GMA Completing the cast of Owe My Love Telebabad the day after are Aiai Delas Alas, WinWyn Marquez, Valentines (Feb. 15).

Jackie Lou Blanco, Nova Villa, Ruby The romantic comedy Rodriguez, Pekto Nacua, Buboy Villar, follows the story of Kiray Celis, Ryan Eigenmann, Jelai Pacencia “Sensen” Andres, Jon Gutierrez, Jason Francisco, Guipit (Lovi) and Dr. Divine Tetay, Terry Gian, and Mahal.

Miguel “Migs” Alcancia Directed by Rember Gelera and Ray (Benjamin) whose lives Gibraltar, and penned by head writer intertwine in a world of Volta Delos Santos, based on the original debt, near-death, and dogged concept from Joseph Conrad Rubio. dedication to family.

Catch the series tonight at 9:35 on GMA Sensen, a nursing school Telebabad.

Korean superstars and real-life couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin in a scene from the latest Smart television commercial launched on Valentine’s Day.

Skewered by Britney fans, Justin Timberlake apologizes POP star Justin Timberlake on Friday apologized for moments he "fell short" and condoned misogyny, one week after the release of a blockbuster documentary on Britney Spears saw the behavior of the former boy band star come under sharp criticism.

The film, produced by FX and The New York Times, explores the vitriol both the media and entertainment industry aimed at Spears, who soared to global fame before publicly suffering a mental health crisis and becoming a paparazzi punching bag in the mid-to-late 2000s.

Spears and Timberlake famously dated several years around the turn of the millennium, having met as children while cast members of Disney's Mickey Mouse Club variety show.

The popular narrative of their breakup cast Spears as a cheating heartbreaker, offering sympathy to Timberlake especially after he released a revenge fantasy music video for the break-up hit "Cry Me A River."

Former lovers Britney Spears (left) and Justin Timberlake at the 29th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles in January 2002.

The documentary Framing Britney Spears includes audio from a 2002 radio interview in which Timberlake jokes about the couple's sex life; Spears for years was needled over the state of her virginity prior to the break-up.

"So when are you apologizing to Britney?" asked Spears fans on social media, flooding Timberlake's accounts with tags.

"I've seen the messages, tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond," Timberlake said Friday on Instagram.

"I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right," he wrote. "I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism."

Timberlake, 40, said he "specifically wanted to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed."

In Jackson's case the former NSYNC star was referring to the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" Jackson suffered during a much-watched Super Bowl halftime show when Timberlake appeared to pull off part of her outfit and expose her breast.

The 2004 scandal triggered widespread outcry, with much of the criticism aimed at Jackson.

In both cases, Jackson's and Spears' careers took serious hits, while Timberlake's popularity remained largely unscathed.

"As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this," Timberlake wrote, nearly two decades after the incidents in question. AFP

ABS-CBN inspires Filipinos with Valentine plug ABS-CBN brings back its yearly “Feb-ibig” campaign to inspire Filipinos to make their love felt by those special to them despite the present limitations. The Valentine-themed plug, featuring stars from hit Kapamilya programs, shows that distance and pandemic notwithstanding, love always finds a way.

Now a popular term widely mentioned by brands and common folk alike to refer to the love month, “Feb-ibig” was first used by ABS-CBN as a theme in 2007. It is a word coined by Patrick De Leon, the former creative group head and wordsmith of the ABS-CBN Creative Communication Management (CCM) division. CCM is also the team behind the well-loved Kapamilya station IDs. The combination of the words “February” and the Filipino word for love “pag-ibig” has been a recurring Valentine’s theme for ABS-CBN for over a decade. After 2007, it was used again as the handle for February campaigns in 2013, 2014, and 2015. It even inspired episodes of shows such as ASAP and the musical drama anthology show Your Song Presents.

Some of its iterations include 2016’s “Febibig Wins” campaign, 2017’s “Feb-ibig is the Answer,” and 2018’s “Feb-ibig Forever.”

For 2017 and 2018, stars even performed the “Feb-ibig” theme song. First, it was by Bea Alonzo and Ian Veneracion and then by lead stars of Sana Dalawa Ang Puso led by Jodi Sta. Maria in the following year. This song was used once more in 2019 and can be heard again in the 2021 promotion which features shows like Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin, Bagong Umaga, It’s Showtime, Walang

Hanggang Paalam, Magandang Buhay, MMK, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan, I Can See Your Voice, Iba ‘Yan!, and ASAP Natin ‘To. CCM entertainment promo head, Johnny Delos Santos, said that like the network’s summer and Christmas IDs, “Feb-ibig” plugs have also become an opportunity for ABS-CBN to spread light and joy among Filipinos.

“For more than a decade, we’ve used the “Feb-ibig” theme to show the different aspects of love - romantic love, self-love, and love for God, friends, and family.

We are touched how it has continued to resonate with Kapamilyas through the years.

Nowadays, the usual greeting is no longer just Happy Valentine’s Day. There’s also Happy Feb-ibig,” he said.

The current “Feb-ibig” plug also includes upcoming programs like Your Face Sounds Familiar hosted by Luis Manzano with judges Gary Valenciano, Sharon Cuneta, and Ogie Alcasid, as well as shows headlined by today’s hottest loveteams like “Huwag Kang Mangamba” featuring the Gold Squad, Princess DayaReese starring MayWard, LoiNie’s Unloving U, and DonBelle’s He’s Into Her. Bringing more romance to the video are the appearances of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, and Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

Most of ABS-CBN’s programs can now be seen on the Kapamilya Channel on cable, A2Z Channel 11 on free TV and digital TV, and Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and Facebook. ASAP Natin 'To and FPJ: Da King are now also shown every Sunday on TV5.

From left: Kapamilya love teams KathNiel, MayWard, and LizQuen

Life

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

C4

FOOD

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

BITES Heart on your sleeve and in your chocolate Mondelez Philippines’ Cadbury Dairy Milk not only wears its heart on its sleeve, so to speak, but also puts it in the chocolate.

In time for the love month, the brand released its special edition Valentine’s Day variant with a pop-heart bar as well as sleeves where chocolate givers can write messages for the receiver.

The Cadbury Dairy Milk pack is available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and e-commerce stores in 62g for P55.50 and 160g for P155, while the pop-heart bar Cadbury Dairy Milk pop heart comes in 150g for P140.

COLORFUL SALAD. The contemporary Yee Sang is said to be modified by four master chefs in Singapore in the ‘60s. In photo are China Blue by Jereme Leung’s Yee Sang, peking duck, and suckling pig available for takeaway.

Chef Jereme Leung tosses for prosperity

By Bernadette Lunas

I

N A virtual event held a day before Chinese New Year, noted chef Jereme Leung, known for his restaurants serving modern and refined reinterpretation of the traditional Chinese cuisine, tossed and talked about the recent occasion’s popular salad, Yee Sang.

Yee Sang or Yu Sheng or Prosperity Salad is a raw fish salad popularly eaten during Chinese New Year. Each ingredient of this multicolored dish symbolizes (based on their names) abundance, luck, fortune, happiness, and other blessings and well-wishes.

Ingredients are mixed together and tossed by those who will eat it—as high as they can—while chanting auspicious New Year’s wishes: xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year), xi qi yang yang (joy is in the air), and gong xi fa cai (may you be rich and wealthy).

Yes, you are bound to make a mess, because according to tradition, the higher the toss, the better your year will be. Or at the very least, it’s a great way to ensure every bit is coated by the sweet and sour plum sauce.

Chef Leung’s restaurant here in the Philippines, China Blue by Jereme Leung located in Conrad Manila, offered

My, oh, mango Like the bright sun rising, local bakeshop Red Ribbon’s newest cake flavor is a refreshing treat.

The Mango Sunrise Cake is made with soft chiffon cake, layered and topped with mango cream and real mango chunks, arranged in a way that resembles the sun.

Coinciding with the launch of the

mango cake is the introduction of the brand’s bread rolls, available in chocolate, raisin, and classic flavors.

The cake is now available in stores in regular size for P700 and in junior size for P490. The chocolate and raisin bread rolls, meanwhile, come in 8-pack for P65 and the classic bread rolls in 16-pack retails at P70.

Serenitea milk tea Celebrated chef Jereme Leung shows how to toss the fish and vegetable salad traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year.

Yee Sang for takeaway for those who wanted to attract the best things it symbolizes or to just enjoy a rather refreshing and flavorful salad that’s as delicious as it is pleasing to look at.

But according to him, this dish which has become associated with a Chinese celebration, is not as popular in China as it is in Southeast Asia.

“The habit of eating Yee Sang became first popular in Southeast Asia and was only imported to China in recent years,” said Chef Leung.

The dish, he said, was inspired by a traditional raw fish salad in Guangdong province and was developed and introduced in Malaysia in the 1940s.

It was then modified by four master

chefs (Tham Mui Kai, Lau Yoke Pui, Hooi Kok Wai, and Sin Leong) in Singapore in the ‘60s to what we know of today.

The contemporary Yee Sang usually consists of fish (usually salmon), carrots, green radish, white radish, pomelo or lime juice, sesame seeds, ground peanuts, pepper, Chinese Five-Spice powder, fried crisps, peanut oil, sesame oil, and plum sauce.

In his demonstration, Chef Leung first prepared the sauce by mixing peanut oil, pepper, Five-Spice, lime juice, and plum sauce. He then put the salmon to the salad, topped it with fried crisps, and drizzled the sauce before tossing them together.

How to prepare a picnic at home PUT a twist to the usual ordering-inand-dining-at-home set-up that’s been popular amid the pandemic with a little twist—picnic-style.

Known originally for its Laing Longganisa, Bicol Express Longganisa, and other Bicolano food products, Que Rica by Chef Rica Buenaflor offers a picnic bundle complete with food and picnic essentials.

The Que Rica Romantic Picnic Set is put together by Chef Rica’s team, with each item carefully prepared and wrapped so its recipients get to enjoy a special, hassle-free picnic. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the picnic set for two: 1. Set the mood by way of the special Spotify playlist curated by the Que Rica team (just scan the QR code on the card).

Prefer to Netflix and chill? The team also picked out a few Netflix hits for you.

2. In the kitchen, prepare the Bicol Express Longganisa and Spicy Pork Laing Longganisa sampler (350g, four pieces each variant) by slicing them into bite sizes and serving as a skewer appetizer. Cooking instructions are available on Que Rica’s YouTube channel.

3. Deep-fry the rainbow-colored Rakenrol Chips (multi-colored cassava chips) that’s perfect with the microwavable Sinantolan Dip (minced cotton

Red Ribbon’s Mango Sunrise Cake

Goldilocks cake

Macao Imperial Tea milk tea

Shakey’s pizza

Food deals for single, taken, and ‘it’s complicated’ ON-DEMAND food delivery service foodpanda celebrates all kinds of relationship with its food deals for those who are single, taken, and in a complicated status.

The promo codes are available for food delivery via foodpanda today until Feb. 20 at the following establishments: Serenitea – Get P111 off for a minimum order of P499 using the code SINGLE. The milk tea shop offers buy one, take one offer through the Love Bun-

dles promo on foodpanda.

Macao Imperial Tea – Get P143 off for a minimum order of P699 using the code TAKEN. Goldilocks – Get P38 off for a minimum order of P234 using the code COMPLICATED. Select cakes and snacks are also available at 20 percent off.

Shakey’s – Order Valentine’s Bundle that includes pizza.

Red Ribbon – All items on the platform are at 15 percent off.

SIP

Lolea Mini Sangria

Que Rica’s Picnic Set consists of food and other picnic essentials.

fruit in coconut milk).

4. Prepare to bake the Pili Chocolate Chip Cookies (half a dozen) in an oven.

This bestseller could be a fun activity for couples. How-to-make video is also available on the brand’s YouTube channel.

5. On a charcuterie board, place the Pili Nuts with Truffle Pecorino (50g) with some crackers and cheese. This is perfect with the two bottles of Lolea Mini Sangria included in the kit.

6. Set the atmosphere with a mood candle, some dried flowers, and an upcycled heart-shaped decor in denim made by Bicolano artist Bidibidi— which are also part of the set.

7. Exchange some love notes written on a card by Bicolano artist Pen Prestado.

All the aforementioned goods are delivered in a special canvas tote. The Romantic Picnic Set is priced at P1,900 and available at querica.ph

Marks and Spencer wines are on sale until March 31.

Wines on sale

FOR Valentine’s Day and the days after that, Marks and Spencer is offering its wines at 45 percent off.

The promo, ongoing until March 31, includes the brand’s range of affordable wines such as the Classics Mineralstein Riesling, Prosecco, Merlot, Classics

Barossa Chardonnay, and Wave Break White Zinfandel.

The bottles can be purchased in stores, on MetroMart, and via Marks and Spencer Philippines Viber Community and foodpanda.