Manila Standard - 2021 April 11 - Sunday

VOL. XXXV • NO. 55 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GRIM REMINDER. Workers at the Pasay City Cremation Center prepare the remains of a COVID-19 victim for incineration on Saturday. The workers then turn over the ashes to the bereaved family after two hours (inset) -- a grim reality repeated in crematoriums across the country as a record high 401 deaths due to the coronavirus were tallied Friday. Norman Cruz

Rody weighs lockdown options ECQ or MECQ? Decision out today as cases hit 2nd highest at 12,674

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

F

ACED with rising coronavirus cases and the pressures of reopening a faltering economy, President Rodrigo Duterte has deferred announcing the new community quarantine status for Metro Manila and the rest of the country to Sunday instead of Saturday as previously announced.

This as the Philippines on Saturday recorded 12,674 new cases of COVID-19, the country’s second-highest single-day tally so far, with active cases reaching an all-time high of 190,245 since the pandemic began last year.

As of Saturday night, Duterte is still “weighing the pros and cons before making his final decision regarding the quarantine classification of the National Capital Region Plus Area,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque – who was hospitalized for COVID-19 yesterday -- said in a statement (See related story on A2 -- Editors).

Roque said the President wanted to review data, including the healthcare utilization rate in these areas.

“We shall provide the necessary notice once everything has been made fi-

nal,” he added.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) met to discuss its recommendations on Saturday. Roque, who is also spokesperson of the IATF, did not disclose if the task force has already submitted its suggestions to the President.

The policy-making body of the government’s pandemic response was to submit its recommendation to the President whether to extend for another week the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which was scheduled to end today.

Metro Manila and its four adjacent provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal have been under ECQ for two weeks due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Earlier this week, Roque also said that

instead of extending the ECQ beyond April 11, Malacañang might downgrade it to a modified ECQ “assuming our PDITR strategies work at the end of the two-week ECQ.”Roque reiterated that it would be “highly unlikely” for Duterte to extend the ECQ status in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

But the OCTA Research Group recommended Saturday the extension of the ECQ in the so-called NCR Plus bubble to slow down the growth of infections further.

It said the reproduction number in Metro Manila decreased to 1.23 this week (April 3 to April 9) from 1.88 the week before ECQ, which means the strictest lockdown is slowing the virus spread.

However, one of its fellows, Guido David,

warned that the death toll could still rise in the country if infections continue to soar.

Also in a televised briefing, Department of Health spokesperson Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the IATF was meeting to decide on the new quarantine status.

The new quarantine status comes as the Philippines reported 401 deaths due to COVID-19 on Friday— the highest singleday tally since the start of the pandemic.

The new cases Saturday brought the total number to 853,209, as three laboratories were not able to submit their data on time, the DOH reported.

The active cases represent 22.3 percent of the total number of cases. Of the active cases, 97.2 percent were mild; 1.7 percent were asymptomatic; 0.4 percent were critical; 0.5 percent were severe; and 0.26 percent were moderate.

The DOH also reported that 593 recently recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 648,220, which is 76 percent of the total.

The DOH also reported 225 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 14,744, which is 1.73 percent of the total.

Based on its latest monitoring report,

“I’m not for the lockdown at all but I don’t think the government has any other choice,” media professional Neha Tyagi, 27, told AFP in Maharashtra’s megacity Mumbai.

“This lockdown could have been totally avoided if people would take the virus seriously.”

The crisis is being exacerbated by a shortage of vaccines.

India has so far inoculated 94 million of its 1.3 billion people, but The Times of India reported Friday that states on average had just over five days of stock left, citing health ministry data, with some regions already grappling with severe shortages.

Stay-at-home orders were also set to come into force for the eight million inhabitants of Bogota, as the Colombian capital battled a third wave of infections, adding to curfews already covering seven million across four other major cities. AFP

‘RELEASE ME, LET ME MOVE’ A YEAR after the Philippines was put into lockdown, the desire to move and escape confinement grows stronger.

LIFE / B1 twitter.com/ MlaStandard

RODY’S PROOF.

In these photos from Senator Christopher Go, President Rodrigo Duterte sits on a motorcycle after walking and jogging at night at an undisclosed location. The President had skipped his regular public address on the COVID-19 pandemic earlier in the week, prompting many to speculate on his whereabouts.

See story on A2.

‘Pointed’ demarche needed for China ‘incursion’ THE reported pursuit of a Filipino boat by two Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea last week “squarely calls for a demarche that is direct, purposeful and pointed” as the move was “tantamount to territorial incursion,” former Ambassador Albert del Rosario said Saturday.

In a statement, Del Rosario, chairman of the Stratbase ADR Institute, also repeated his call earlier in the week for the Duterte administration to inform the United Nations through the office of UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierres of China’s actions in the disputed waterway.

“China’s sea assets (first by her coast guard and then

by Type 022 Houbei fast attack craft with two mounted missiles) chase of a Philippine civilian boat in West Philippine Sea and already into Palawan is tantamount to territorial incursion,” the former Foreign Affairs secretary added.

“The incident squarely calls for a demarche that is direct, purposeful and pointed,” added Del Rosario.

As for informing the United Nations, “Such UN facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 10)

853,209 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

12,674 190,245 NEW

ACTIVE

14,744

225

648,220

593

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

OCTA said the reproduction number (R) in the National Capital Region decreased to 1.23 this week (April 3 to April 9) from 1.88 the week before ECQ, which means the strictest lockdown is slowing the virus spread.

‘Boat chasing’ issue possible red flag—DFA

As vaccine efforts stumble, countries close doors anew MUMBAI—Fresh lockdowns and curfews were imposed on tens of millions of people from India to Argentina on Saturday, as Covid-19 infections surged again, and vaccine rollouts were hampered by shortages and scares over side effects.

In India, the worst-hit state of Maharashtra was running out of vaccines as the health system buckled under the weight of the contagion, which has killed 2.9 million people worldwide.

Having let its guard down with mass religious festivals, political rallies and spectators at cricket matches, the world’s secondmost populous nation has added more than a million new infections sincelate March.

Every weekend from Saturday until the end of April, Maharashtra’s 125 million people will be confined to their homes unless travelling or shopping for food or medicine.

COVID-19 PH

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manilastandard.net

notification will form part of official PH communications, including those required under Article 51 of the UN Charter relating to individual and collective selfdefense,” he said.

“As previously submitted, we respectfully suggested that a joint patrol agreement of the WPS be revisited between the US and the Ph which had been approved by then-Deputy Secretary Anthony Blinken,” Del Rosario said.

The agreement was not pursued by President Rodrigo Duterte “as he was concerned that it would displease Beijing,” the former envoy said.

On Tuesday, del Rosario backed the filing of a demarche to protest through diplomatic channels the presence of over 200 Chinese militia vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef.

“Perhaps it is time to explore fully all possible options for other concrete actions with the United Nations, more so now, with the recent Western powers’ manifestations for the rule of law to prevail in line with the tribunal decision,” he said.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday it “would raise the matter with China” if reports of Chinese military vessels chasing away a Filipino boat carrying fishermen and an ABS-CBN television news crew in the West Philippine Sea earlier this week were confirmed.

The DFA issued the statement amid escalating tensions in the contested South China Sea, after Manila lodged a protest about a large number of Chinese vessels massed at Whitsun Reef, a feature in the Spratly Islands that is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has other claimants including Beijing.

The increased presence of China’s coastguard near islands in the East China Sea that are also claimed by Japan, and Beijing’s increasing “grey zone” warfare tactics against Taiwan, are among the other points of contention.

“Philippine authorities are looking into reports of Chinese vessels chasing after a television crew aboard a Philippine vessel in the West Philippine Sea. If proven to be true, the Department of Foreign Affairs will raise the matter with the Chinese government,” the foreign office said.

“In the meantime, the Department is thankful that the crew and the Filipino vessel are safe,” it said.

The DFA also urged the public to “coordinate with Philippine authorities when planning a visit to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.” This underlined a statement by the military on Friday, urging the media to “exercise prudence” in reporting from the West Philippine Sea, saying it was “concerned” for everyone’s well-being.

The ABS-CBN News team was in coordination with the military leadership throughout the trip. AFP

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Spokesman hospitalized; PCOO chief recovers

MORE ‘AYUDA’. Residents of Las Pinas receive the P4,000 in emergency cash assistance or ‘ayuda’ distributed by the Las Piñas City government in 500 sites across its different barangays to help those affected by the enforcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Meanwhile, some of the 228 families or 704 individuals from Barangay Maliksi 1 in Bacoor, Cavite show the financial aid they received from the province (inset).

Norman Cruz and JR Josue

By Vito Barcelo

Cops collar 6 peddling fake swab tests

By Joel E. Zurbano THE government on Saturday reiterated its call to the public not to deal with unscrupulous individuals offering fake COVID-19 swab test results and other required documents relative to health and safety protocol.

On Wednesday, six persons engaged in falsification of RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test results and IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) travel authority were arrested in a police entrapment operation in Quiapo, Manila.

The suspects were identified as Jehan Cota, Jalilah Usman, Ahliyah Hadjijamil, Marie Ancia, Samanoden Ompia and Jhiad Hadjijamil. They were arrested inside Yang General Merchandise Shop located at No. 331 Bautista Street in Barangay 383, Zone 39 in Quiapo.

Recovered evidence from the suspects include the P93,000 marked money used in the entrapment operation, two computer monitors and two central processing units, four mobile phones, one computer printer, assorted documents of Red Cross COVID-19 RT-PCR Swab Test Result, and IATF Travel Authority issued by the PNP. National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the operation stemmed from information regarding the illegal activity at the said establishment, where operators allegedly manufacture and sell COVID-19 Swab Test Result using the standard laboratory result form of Red Cross and IATF Travel Authority issued by the Philippine National Police.

“Such a malicious scheme was investigated, monitored and verified by our operatives. Upon finding the information to be meritable, an entrapment operation was ensued against the six suspects,” said Danao.

DOH halts Astra jab use for under-60 for 2 weeks T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine on people 59 years and below will be halted for “about two weeks,” the Department of Health said after suspending inoculations, using the brand over clotting concerns.

This, as health authorities studied the vaccine’s link to a rare blood clot disease occurring among people within the age range.

In a public press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reiterated that the suspension was a “precautionary measure” and that vaccinations would still push through if the recommendations turn out to be positive.

Vergeire said: “For this temporary suspension, experts will study these incidents of adverse events, and we will wait for the WHO’s recommendation.

“So for this precautionary measure maybe it’s going to last about two weeks for us to have all of these recommendations...If the recommendations are positive, we will push through with vaccinating with AstraZeneca,” she added.

Vergeire said those who have been given AstraZeneca shots need not worry about the ban, as vials for the second dose are estimated to arrive between May and June, and are covered by the prescribed intervals for the two-shot regimen.

She added: “There are no noted incidents of adverse events in our country, that’s why we are saying that this suspension is just a precautionary measure...”

‘Think twice’ Earlier Saturday, Dr. Tony Leachon, former adviser to the government’s coronavirus task force, said authorities should think twice about suspending the use of AstraZeneca vaccines, saying it needed further study.

Rody to speak again Monday, Roque assures

FULL PROTECTION. An unidentified shopper wears full personal protective equipment as he shops at Mega Q-Mart in Quezon City on Saturday amid the rising cases of c oronavirus infections in Metro Manila.

Manny Palmero

‘Extend ITR filing deadline Groups: Red-tagging jab on NICA chief ‘baseless’ by 30 days’ A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Saturday asked the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to extend the deadline for the filing of the 2020 income tax returns by at least 30 days.

Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez made the statement as the BIR said it will not extend its deadline on Thursday next week, April 15.

“Because of the pandemic, the current lockdown and the policy that discourages people from going out of their homes and limits face-to-face interaction, the DOF and the BIR should give millions of taxpayers or their representatives longer time to file their tax returns and make payments,” Rodriguez said.

“NCR plus and other places have been under ECQ for 2 weeks now up to tomorrow and the filing will be only 4 days after on April 15. And there is talk on MECQ in the coming weeks,” he added.

He said it is not always possible for taxpayers or their representatives like accountants and bookkeepers to submit the returns online, since some supporting documents are kept in office premises that are closed due to the lockdown.

“In some instances, which I hope is not the case, some tax return filers may be sick and have to isolate themselves to prevent virus transmission, making it difficult if not impossible for them to comply with the filing requirement,” he said.

For those who want to personally file their returns, the lack of public transportation makes it hard for them to do so, he added. Maricel V. Cruz

VARIOUS multi-sectoral organizations advocating peace and the preservation of democracy have condemned the accusations of Sandigan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa sa Adhikain ng Demokratikong Organisasyon (SENADO) against National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director General Alex Monteagudo.

Liga Independencia Pilipinas, League of Parents of the Philippines, Duterte Youth Party-list and Youth Power Against Destabilization and Terrorism declared this in a joint statement Saturday.

“We condemn the baseless accusation against Director General Alex Monteagudo that he is red-tagging the entire members of SENADO, an association affiliated with COURAGE, when he said this group was infiltrated by communist elements and serves

PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed Saturday he was in hospital for COVID-19 treatment, 27 days after he said he was diagnosed with the infectious disease and eventually tested negative after two weeks.

“I am now admitted in a hospital for COVID treatment. This is to say that COVID-19 is more transmissible now so we have to do extra precaution,” Roque said in a statement.

It was not clear from his statement when he tested positive again, whether he was experiencing any symptoms, and neither did he mention in what hospital he was admitted.

But he said despite being in the unidentified hospital, the Palace official said he would still issue a statement on the new quarantine classifications for the NCR Plus.

“I am asking for your sincerest prayers to (sic) all afflicted with COVID-19 in the country and around the world. God bless and protect us all,” Roque said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, who confirmed March 29 he tested positive, has recovered from COVID-19 after completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine at home.

“I am pleased to share that I have fully recovered from COVID-19 after undergoing a 14-day home quarantine,” Andanar said in a press statement issued on Saturday.

The result of his March 27 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test turned positive. But he was asymptomatic.

Andanar took the swab test when he arrived in Manila after visiting Loreto, Dinagat Islands for the “Explain, Explain, Explain” information campaign on the National COVID-19 Vaccination Roadmap.

Alex Monteagudo

Jose Antonio Goitia

as the eyes and ears of the CPP-NPA-NDF in order to hijack government plans and programs,” they said.

The group said it was the mandate of the Director General as the head of NICA “to inform and raise the public’s level of con-

sciousness on the infiltration operations of the communists inside government institutions.”

Liga Independencia Pilipinas Secretary General Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia stressed that COURAGE is affiliated with Bayan and Bayan Muna, which had been publicly named by Communist Party of the Philippines founder and chairman Jose Ma. Sison as legal fronts of the CPP and the New People’s Army.

“The Director General’s assertions are morally correct since over a period of time, NICA amassed countless records and personal accounts describing COURAGE (which is the umbrella organization of public sector unions and employee associations) as acting on behalf of the communist organization,” Goitia said.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will deliver his regular public address “Talk to the People” on Monday, with Malacanang saying the Chief Executive was fit and healthy.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is in an unidentified hospital for COVID-19 treatment, issued the statement, after Duterte skipped his public address twice last week after more than 100 Presidential Security Group members tested positive with the virus.

To prove to the public that Duterte was doing well, Senator Christopher Go, Duterte’s long-time close associate, posted photos of the 76-year-old President jogging, walking and riding a motorcycle.

Duterte was seen wearing a face mask and face shield.

Go said the President needed public support, especially as the country continued to grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019.

Duterte decided to limit his public exposure due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country and the implementation of the most restrictive enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

It was not clear when the images were taken.

The images are Go’s followup to a post on Wednesday, which showed Duterte working on a desk, and him in the frame. He had said then the President was “just here” and was “swamped with work.” Vito Barcelo

Caloocan to probe inmate’s ‘takal’ death

By Jun David THE remains of Jerold Latara, an inmate at the Caloocan City Jail, who allegedly died due to “takal” or the practice of hitting prisoners with a wooden paddle or bat as punishment, are set to undergo an autopsy.

Latara’s younger sister went to the Caloocan City Police station on Saturday and formally filed a case against the jail officers on duty on March 19, 2021 when Latara died.

Caloocan City Police Chief PCol. Samuel Mina personally handled the complaint of Latara’s family in addition to giving them some financial assistance.

The family recently sought the help of the Caloocan City government, particularly Mayor Oca Malapitan and Mina, to clarify the real cause of his death.

Based on the statement by Latara’s wife, city jail personnel called his sister at around 1 p.m. on March 19 informing her that he was at the Caloocan City Medical Center (CCMC).

However, when they reached the hospital, they were sent to the morgue where they found Latara’s body.

Wanting to know what happened to her husband, Latara’s wife went to the jail and found out that her husband was beaten up, and allegedly fell ill after the beating that injured his leg.

ANTIVIRAL DRUGS. MyMed Rx Plus Corporation President Jojo Soliman shows boxes of favipiravir and umifenovir at the Pure Force and Rescue Operation office in Manila. Both antiviral drugs are being used to treat COVID-19 cases through a compassionate permit of the Food and Drugs Administration. Soliman said the Pure Group of Companies have placed orders of 1 million tablets of favipiravir (Avigan) and 3 million tablets of umifenovir (Arbidol) to secure for hospitals and up to 200,000 patients who may need it. Norman Cruz

World Jack Ma’s firm Alibaba fined record $2.78b SHANGHAI—Chinese regulators hit ecommerce giant Alibaba with a record 18.2 billion yuan ($2.78 billion) fine on Saturday over practices deemed to be an abuse of the company’s dominant market position.

Alibaba, the Jack Ma-founded Chinese e-commerce leader and one of the world’s most valuable companies, said it accepted the penalty and pledged to outline plans on Monday for bringing its operations in compliance.

The fine appeared to cap a government crackdown on major Chinese tech platforms, and Alibaba in particular, over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data.

The State Administration for Market Regulation said it assessed the fine after concluding an investigation into Alibaba that began in December.

The probe centred on Alibaba’s practice of forbidding merchants who wish to sell their wares on its popular online marketplaces from simultaneously offering them on rival e-commerce sites.

“Since 2015, Alibaba Group has abused its dominant position in the market” with the exclusivity requirement, the regulator said.

The requirement harmed competition, innovation, and the interests of merchants and consumers, it added.

The fine was a record and nearly three times the almost $1 billion levied against Qualcomm in 2015, Bloomberg said.

The size of the penalty was determined after the market watchdog decided to fine Alibaba four percent of its 2019 sales of 455.7 billion yuan.

Shortly after the decision was announced Alibaba issued a contrite statement that used many of the government’s recent talking points on the issue, pledging to make changes to safeguard fair competition.

“We accept the penalty with sincerity and will ensure our compliance with determination,” it said.

The company added that it would hold a conference call with investors on Monday to share its “thoughts and plans for the long-term healthy development of our business in the future.”

“We are committed to ensuring an operating environment for our merchants and partners that is more open, more equitable, more efficient and more inclusive in sharing the fruits of growth,” it said. AFP

IN BRIEF ‘Withering testimony’ against Chauvin MINNEAPOLIS—Police and medical experts delivered withering testimony against Derek Chauvin in the second week of trial for the white former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd by kneeling on the Black man’s neck for more than nine minutes.

Chauvin listened impassively as the experts testified that he used inappropriate “deadly force” in subduing the handcuffed 46-year-old, in violation of police procedures.

Police chief Medaria Arradondo The chief of Minneapolis police said Monday that his former subordinate had violated the department’s training and its “values” in kneeling on a “prone, handcuffed individual.”

Kneeling on Floyd’s neck could have been reasonable during the “first few seconds” of his May 25, 2020 arrest but it should have ended quickly, he said.

“Once Mr. Floyd had stopped resisting, and certainly once he was in distress and trying to verbalize that, that should have stopped,” said Arradondo, 54, the first Black police chief in Minneapolis. AFP

St. Vincent volcano spewing ash, gravel ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda -- Ash and hot gravel rained down Friday on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, after powerful eruptions from a volcano that had been dormant for decades sent thousands of panicked locals fleeing to safety.

The initial blast from La Soufriere, the highest peak in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, sent plumes of hot ash and smoke 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) into the air Friday morning, the local emergency management agency said.

A second, smaller eruption took place Friday afternoon, belching out a 4,000-meter-high ash cloud, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre said.

“Evacuation of people in the red and orange zones to safe areas continues in earnest. Heavy ash fall has halted the process somewhat since visibility is extremely poor,” the National Emergency Management Ogranization said.

The 4,049-foot La Soufriere -French for “sulphur mine” -- had not erupted since 1979 and its largest blowup happened over a century ago, killing more than 1,000 people in 1902. AFP

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World leaders pay tribute to Prince Philip

FAREWELL, PRINCE. An ardent Royals supporter pays tribute outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, west of London, on April 9 following the announcement of the death of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The longest serving royal consort in British history who was a constant presence at Queen Elizabeth II’s side for decades, Prince Philip died on Friday aged 99, Buckingham Palace announced. AFP

Myanmar’s UN envoy urges ‘strong action’ against junta

Y

ANGON—Myanmar’s own ambassador to the United Nations has urged “strong action” against the junta, as reports emerged of scores killed in the military’s latest crackdown.

The country has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February, with protesters refusing to submit to the junta regime and continuing to demand a return to democracy.

With more than 600 people killed by security forces trying to quell the movement, the international community has increasingly raised the alarm on the crisis.

During a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Myanmar’s ambassador pushed for more concrete action -- proposing a no-fly zone, an arms embargo and more targeted sanctions against members of the military and their families.

“Your collective, strong action is needed immediately,” Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun told the meeting.

“Time is of the essence for us,” he said.

“Please, please take action.”

An independent analyst with the International Crisis Group also warned the council that Myanmar was “at the brink of state failure”.

“The vast majority of the population does not want military rule and will do whatever it takes to prevent that outcome.

Yet the military seems determined to impose its will,” said Richard Horsey.

“Its actions may be creating a situation where the country becomes ungovernable. That should be of grave concern to the region and to the broader international community.”

China and Russia wield veto power at the Security Council and generally oppose international sanctions.

However, Beijing -- the top ally of Myanmar’s military -- has voiced growing concern about instability, and has said it is speaking to “all parties”.

There have been reports that China has

opened contact with the CRPH, a group representing the ousted civilian government.

Bloodshed in Bago At least 618 civilians have been killed in the military’s crackdown on protests, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local monitoring group.

Efforts to verify deaths and confirm news of crackdowns have been greatly hindered by the junta’s throttling of mobile data within the country -- effectively shunting most of the population into an information blackout.

News emerged Saturday morning of more violence in the city of Bago, 65 kilometres (40 miles) northeast of Yangon—the site of a day-long crackdown that forced residents into hiding in nearby villages.

AFP-verified footage shot early Friday showed protesters hiding behind sandbag barricades wielding homemade rifles, as explosions could be heard in the background.

A resident told AFP that the military crackdown killed at least 40 protesters, and authorities refused to let rescue workers remove the bodies. AFP

LAVA FLOW. This photograph taken on April 10 shows lava erupting from Piton de la Fournaise volcano, on the southern side of the volcano, on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion. AFP

DMX, rap’s explosive, tortured star, dies at 50 NEW YORK—DMX, the hardcore hip-hop star whose raw, snarling raps chronicled the struggles of the American street and his own inner pain, has died. He was 50 years old.

The rapper’s longtime lawyer confirmed DMX’s death to AFP, with a statement from his family saying the artist, born Earl Simmons, died after nearly a week on life support following a heart attack.

“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end,” the statement released Friday read, saying the rapper died at White Plains Hospital north of New York City, with loved ones by his side.

“He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him,” the statement read.

The rapper -who reigned over the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits including “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” and “Party Up” -- was among hip-hop’s darkest yet most endearing stars.

He laid out his inner demons for the masses in gritty, hard-driving anthems, with a distinctive poetic vulnerability that gained him commercial and critical acclaim.

Raised in the New York suburb of Yonkers, the artist endured a grim childhood, growing up in housing projects with his mother and siblings where he suffered abuse.

Simmons was burdened with a reputation as a problem child, and shuffled in and out of homes for troubled boys for much of his youth.

At 14, he began struggling with addiction and entered a cycle of incarceration, both of which would persist throughout his life.

Even after achieving international celebrity for his artistry, DMX continued to have run-ins with the penal system, with charges including drug possession, animal cruelty, reckless driving, failure to pay child support and tax evasion. AFP

LONDON—Current and former world leaders joined a chorus of condolences from around the world following the death of Prince Philip on Friday at the age of 99.

Here are some reactions: Britain British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed Philip’s “extraordinary life”, sending his condolences to Queen Elizabeth after her husband’s death was announced.

Johnson said the Duke of Edinburgh “earned the affection of generations” at home, in the Commonwealth and across the world.

“We give thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” he added.

Former prime minister Tony Blair hailed Philip’s public service, calling him “a man of foresight, determination and courage”.

US US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Philip as a selfless servant of Britain and its people.

“From his service during World War II, to his 73 years alongside the Queen, and his entire life in the public eye -Prince Philip gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and to his family,” Biden said in a statement.

Former president Donald Trump said his death was an “irreplaceable” loss and expressed his and wife Melania’s “heartfelt sympathies” to the queen and her family.

On Facebook former president Barack Obama praised Philip as someone who took his job as husband to the queen with selflessness.

“At the queen’s side or trailing the customary two steps behind, Prince Philip showed the world what it meant to be a supportive husband to a powerful woman.”

Ireland Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he was “saddened” by Philip’s death, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom.”

- Australia Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.

“There are many towering figures that the world has lost and known, but few have been before us in our lifetimes, for such a long time,” Morrison said Saturday.

“Above all, he was a man who was steadfast, who could be relied upon, always standing by his Queen,” said the leader of the Commonwealth nation. AFP

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Microsoft’s program promotes inclusivity in the workplace PARTICIPANTS of Microsoft’s Enabler Program are proving that with strong support and equal access to employment, persons with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the Philippines’ economy and society.

The Microsoft Enabler Program was launched in September 2020 to pioneer disability inclusive workplaces across Asia-Pacific by removing the barriers for a more diverse workforce.

A first of its kind globally, the program provides cloud and AI training for PWDs, accessibility education for employer partners and inclusive hiring from non-profit organizations supporting PWDs. “There are 650 million persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region alone, making accessibility and providing inclusive opportunities absolutely critical,” said Fides Ricasa, Microsoft Philippines chief partner officer.

“This is imperative to us as an organization, especially in the world we live in today. Access to digital skills and employment opportunities must be given to every community and individual as we look to rebuild our economies,” Ricasa said.

In addition to trainings and resources, the program provides tech consult sessions that PWDs can join to be connected to Microsoft volunteer technical subject matter experts to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Key to the Microsoft Enabler Program’s efforts in the Philippines is Microsoft’s partnership with local non-profit social enterprise, Virtualahan. They are a forimpact organization that provides trainings to commercial partners on how to become inclusive employers and pools potential candidates for vacancies within the organization.

“We envision for the Microsoft Enabler Program to change the employment landscape for Persons with Disabilities in the digital economy in the Asia-Pacific by serving as a sandbox for companies that are working hard to embrace disability inclusion in their respective organizations,” said Ryan Gersava, founder and president of Virtualahan.

In the Philippines, the Microsoft Enabler Program has successfully provided full-time employment opportunities for three individuals: Ritchell Anne de Loyola, Zeus Exequiel Seth Oliveros and Jefferson Cortez.

POPTV teams up with RD Pawnshops MORE Filipinos nationwide can now watch quality movies and series offered by the newest mobile streaming platform POPTV as it teams up with RD Pawnshops in making subscriptions more accessible to the mass market.

“We are grateful for this technology from POPTV. We now make it easier for you to enjoy high-quality programs that are our own by simply paying for a subscription at the nearest RD Pawnshop in your area. RD Pawnshop has more than 1,600 branches and can be easily found in the country, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said RD Pawnshop General Manager Alma Sid Pascual.

“We are happy that RD Pawnshop shares our vision of bringing affordable and quality entertainment more available to our kababayans. Especially now in this pandemic, we really want to manage our expenses so having a very affordable streaming service would hopefully give us some time to just relax either by ourselves or with our families,” said POPTV chief operating officer Jackeline Chua.

Users can either purchase POPTV49 valid for 10 days or POPTV99 valid for 30 days. To buy POPTV subscriptions, just go to the nearest RD Pawnshop, fillup the form, settle payment and wait for the subscription to be activated.

With POPTV, subscribers can enjoy hundreds of movies and series that include local blockbusters from ABS-CBN, VIVA, Regal, and TBA Studios and tagalized KDramas, BL series, animes, Asian movies and more.

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

Pampanga entrepreneur outruns largest PH telcos

A

n immigrant from China, who could not speak a local word when he came to the Philippines in 1977, is now trying to connect Filipinos all over the country.

Dennis Anthony Uy, 55, is the founder and chief executive of Converge ICT Solutions—the largest high-speed fixed broadband operator in the Philippines which aims to reach over 15 million or 55 percent of households by 2025.

“Back in the day, our lives and experiences as a family were never easy in China. To have one meal a day was considered a blessing for us back then. My family migrated to the Philippines with the help of our Uncle Johnny [Uy] who pioneered grocery stores in Angeles City,” Uy says via email.

Local boy Former Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan describes Uy as a true-blue Angeleno just the same. “Despite his success in business, he is still the same local boy from Angeles City,” Pamintuan says of Uy, in the foreword of a recently-published book.

Uy’s journey from Fujian province where he was born on June 1, 1966 to Hong Kong and the Philippines in 1977 amid the Cultural Revolution and his training as a store handyman, appliance repair technician and electrical engineer prepared him for this opportunity—as the leader of a pure endto-end high-speed fiber internet service provider.

As he could not speak English, Filipino or Kampampangan when he first set foot in the Philippines, he had to start from Grade 1 at 11 years old while working as a handyman at Johnny’s Supermarket owned by his uncle. Smart and gifted with technical skills, he finished Grade school in three years and became the student council president at Chevalier High School.

Passionate about technology, he attended vocational courses in refrigeration and airconditioning, general radio communications and electronics at Lorraine Technical School and took up Electrical Engineering at the Holy Angels University.

With business as his other passion, he teamed up with his brothers to establish Jack’s Video—a Betamax rental shop in 1983 while he was 16, sold computer units in schools and homes and put up Saver’s Appliance Store in 1985 which would later become a shopping mall.

Despite the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 which led to the evacuation of US Air Force personnel from Clark, Uy decided to pursue his dream of establishing Angeles City Cable Television Network which started offering the service in Clark when it was converted into a special economic zone.

In 1996, he formed internet service provider ComClark Network and Technology Corp. and started building the first fiber link between Angeles City and Clark Special Economic Zone.

“As we slowly grew and started introducing new services, I began to notice that the Philippines was still behind in terms of internet speed, so I researched extensively. I used the cable networks I acquired before and provided connections in areas outside of Clark like Bulacan, Bataan and Zambales.

The goal eventually evolved as we tried to reach Metro Manila,” Uy says.

Beginnings of Converge ComClark has evolved into Converge ICT. Today, Converge ICT employs more than 2,000 individuals who provide services to over a million residential subscribers. The company has a 25-percent household coverage across the Philippines, with 43-percent household coverage in Luzon.

On how Converge became a pioneer in the latest technologies, Uy says he frequently attended technology forums here and abroad and studies relevant innovations that he could bring to the Philippines. One such technology was micro-trenching, a process of creating a slot in the groundwork of an existing hard space to create a path for the installation and use of fiber optic cable lines.

“With this technology, we were able to expand and our company became Converge as we know it today,” he says.

In 2009, Converge ICT secured a congressional franchise to operate as a telecommunications company. Three years later, it focused on broadband operations, providing high-speed fiber broadband to households and businesses. In 2019, the company raised a $225-million investment from New Yorkbased Warburg Pincus to fund the expansion of its full-fiber optics network.

Uy says fiber optic internet is the faster, more reliable and more advanced solution

to data transfer than the antiquated copper-based digital subscriber line and cable internet.

Challenges Uy says he had to overcome challenges along the way. The Uy family believes in the proverb, “There is always opportunity in times of adversity. If you are hardworking and persevering, nothing is impossible.”

“I believe that to be a successful entrepreneur, one must have a deep understanding of what you are doing. Know the industry you are in, whether retail, appliances or food. We are in the communications industry, and we have to be wellversed. We study the available offers, keep updated with technology, understand the market trends and the viability for the customer,” he says.

“As we continue to expand in Metro Manila, I knew that Converge w i l l be up against a l -

ready established telco companies in the industry. It is definitely not easy but what sets Converge apart is our focus and grit. We provide pure end-to-end fiber internet network in the country. The Filipino people are hungry for fast, reliable internet connection and we aim to address this by bringing our network to millions of Filipinos across the country,” he says.

In 2020, the company faced a huge challenge amid the pandemic as demand suddenly went up dramatically. The problems stemmed from an overwhelmed system with surging demand and a customer support team who were also quarantined and isolated in their homes.

“These growing pains pushed us to create a more resilient and reliable business organization.

We increased the number of call center agents, purchased a fleet to manage installations and hired a seasoned customer service head to ensure that the issues are addressed,” he says.

“Our main challenge now is to be able to transform the organization to keep up with the fast growth. We are putting the right infrastructure with the support team to address the needs of our customers,” he says.

In October 2020, Converge ICT raised P25.3 billion from an initial public offering.

The IPO meant greater things for the company. “Being a public company now means a greater need to transform the organization to be world-class. We have world-class investors and we have retail investors. We need to make sure we run this company with their interests in mind,” says Uy. The company plans to spend P7.8 billion in net proceeds to build its proprietary end-to-end fiber network between 2021 and 2022. “For this year, we have allocated P20 billion for capital expenditures. Around 20 to 30 percent will be used to support the backbone infrastructure needed for the Visayas and Mindanao. The rest will fund the increase in fiber-to-the-home ports to deepen our network and other expenses such as further digitalization to support our customer experience team,” says Uy. Converge ICT doubled its subscriber base in 2020 from the previous year and reached 1.04 million residential subscribers as of endDecember 2020. “We are currently adding 70,000 subscribers per month, and this continues to accelerate allowing us to achieve record additions every month,” he says.

Uy says the company is well on track to meeting its goal of reaching over 15 million or 55 percent of Philippine households by 2025 and ready to serve the high-speed broadband requirements of the majority of the people. As of December 2020, Converge ICT recorded 6.1 million homes passed, accounting for 25 percent of total households.

“During the pandemic, we saw the surge in demand. This pushed us to scale up really

Buying, owning a BRIA Home now possible online

OVERSEAS Filipino workers are modern-day heroes.

Their loved ones know they choose to forego the comfort and familiarity of home to spend long hours at laborious jobs and give them a better life.

OFWs are also considered icons in the country. Their multi-billion-peso remittances help sustain the Philippine economy in good times and bad—but more especially during crises, such as when the pandemic hit.

The global health crisis served as a wake-up call to hardworking Filipinos who have learned a priceless lesson: life can be unpredictable. This has become doubly important as OFWs try to cope with the devastating effects of the global contagion.

As worldwide travel restrictions prevent OFWs from reuniting with their loved ones back home, they are instead focusing on finding wise and stable investments that can

support their goals moving forward. For OFWs who have learned financial literacy through the years, the best response to the crisis is to invest in a reliable future.

Towards this end, there are few better opportunities than those found in real estate. Due to the pandemic, property prices have been frozen for a significant period of time. This means that the cost of purchasing land right now is at its lowest, promising a considerable return of investment down the road.

Reports from the real estate industry disclosed that a significant number of OFWs are looking to buy properties that would serve as worthwhile investments or as retirement places in their hometowns. For this purpose, they need not look further than Bria Homes, which, as a leading real estate developer, touts more than 50 housing projects all over the country.

Nestle’ launches Parenting Index Converge ICT Solutions founder and chief executive Dennis Anthony H. Uy

fast. With the proper fundamentals in place, we were able to keep up with the need. We continue to strengthen our network and our customer experience capabilities. The next step for us is to push ahead with our Go National strategy, which is well on the way with our subsea fiber optic cables now being laid to reach the Visayas and Mindanao,” he says.

National expansion Uy says they will substantially complete their national fiber backbone by the first half of 2021. “We hope to commercially launch our services in the Visayas and Mindanao regions by the second half of the year so that we can reach more provinces in need of world-class fixed broadband services,” he says.

He says the goal is to further expand the fiber infrastructure network beyond Luzon and link the region to Visayas and Mindanao. As we continue to expand and to keep up with the increasing number of subscribers, we ensure to upgrade all of our services. This includes current efforts to have additional in-house repair teams, increased installation capacity and call center capacity, and more service channels such as the mobile app Converge Xperience,” he says.

The company’s rollout strategy is executed by construction management company MetroWorks ICT Construction Inc. Uy says the digital transformation in the lifestyles of Filipinos will sustain the growth of Converge ICT. “We make sure to be strategic with our expansion plans, so we can serve the unserved and underserved areas in need of quality connection.

I believe that expanding is a pursuit that every business aspires to do so. If there is an opportunity to expand, we consider how we can best take advantage of that, but it is also a matter of timing,” he says.

Aside from ICT, Uy eyes other businesses. “I am also interested in various industries, particularly in infrastructure and in data center gateways which can complement what we are currently doing. I am also interested in real estate,” he says.

Family life Uy, who married Grace Yao in 1998, says he makes sure he manages time between family and business.

“Family is very important to us, which is why I reserve my weekends for them.

There are times when I have to work on weekends, but as much as possible, I reserve that for them. On weekends, we like to go fishing. Because of the pandemic, we now only visit safe open spaces when we can. I also spend my free time reading up on the latest technology. I like to research and look for other innovations that we can bring to the Philippines,” says Uy. Roderick T. dela Cruz

By Othel V. Campos CONSUMER goods producer Nestlé launched the Parenting Index, a first-ofits-kind study into parenting experiences in 16 countries including the Philippines that identifies universal factors that impact on ease of parenting across the world.

Commissioned by Nestlé in Switzerland, the index is a component of the Nestlé Parenting Initiative as a part of the company’s commitment to support new parents in raising their children.

The study was conducted by Kantar, an evidence-based insight and consulting global company.

“The Nestlé Parenting Initiative aims to support parents during the first 1,000 days of their child’s life when the foundations for lifelong development, growth and health are created. Under this global Initiative, the Parenting Index Report is a resource not only for us but also for other stakeholders in the public and the private sectors, including policymakers, legislators, the academe and professionals in various fields. We recognize the importance and the value of working together in enabling parents to raise happy and healthy children,” said Nestlé Philippines chairman and chief executive Kais Marzouki.

The index tracked eight universal factors—absence of pressure, financial resilience, support for working life, an easy baby, health and well-being resources, a supportive environment, shared parenting and parenting confidence—to come up with a holistic, global truth.

In the Philippines, most parents surveyed who felt pessimistic about their parenting abilities were identified in the study as having to do with three key factors—high levels of pressure, low financial resilience, the feeling of less satisfaction or inadequacy.

The Philippine segment of the study showed that societal and internal pressure comes from traditional, collectivist culture, strong family ties and the demands of balancing childcare and work to help provide and care for the family.

Many Filipino parents hold highly traditional values and parenting attitudes, and they rely heavily on what they remember from their own childhood, or on advice from their parents or older relatives.

Parents in the Philippines are likely to live with extended families. Living in close quarters with older family members ensures the preservation of tradition, family values, respect and obedience to elders, and adherence to habits and practices of the previous generations while getting help in childcare.

Liquor traders vow to keep products away from minors LEADING alcoholic beverage producers, distributors and retailers committed to promote responsible selling and trading of the products to keep in check and fend off attempts by minors to buy alcoholic drinks online.

Members of the Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines signed a pledge to abide by this guidance. The pledge emphasized responsible sale of wines and spirits online in partnership with leading e-commerce platforms.

“This pledge marks a significant milestone in achieving a responsible eretailing environment for alcohol. Our member- companies actively advocate for responsible drinking and take our obligation to sell and market our products responsibly very seriously,” said ABAPI chairperson and Diageo Philippines general manager Kavita Hans.

“We commit to develop all possible safeguards to ensure that our products do not end up in the hands of minors. The pledge is the right step to ensuring a safe e-commerce environment and will give us the opportunity to learn from each other and share best practices,” he said.

The voluntary industry pledge aims to put safeguards in place across ecommerce platforms to uphold the responsible sale of alcohol online under the principle of self-governance with a strong focus on preventing minors from purchasing liquor online.

Signatories include members of ABAPI—an organization comprised of the leading international alcohol beverage producers and importers and distributors such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy and Brown-Forman—owners of alcohol brands such as Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy and Jack Daniels. Othel V. Campos

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Release me, let me move

One year into lockdown has gotten these young artists craving motion and action

By Lem Atienza

A

YEAR after the Philippines was put into lockdown, the desire to move and escape confinement grows stronger.

It is what this collaborative work is about.

On the surface, “GALAW! GALAW!” illustrates the craving of human bodies to be released from the confines of our homes. Dig deeper and you will see a commentary on the government’s slowpaced efforts in alleviating the effects of this health crisis in our country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has physically, mentally, and financially affected all Filipinos. We are physically barred and metaphorically constrained inside a box. As we float awake in the dark waters of our lives’ uncertainty, we shall vigorously move our way out of stagnancy and danger.

“GALAW! GALAW!” consists of nine traditional paintings and digital

photos made by student-artists from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila, Far Eastern University, Technological University of the Philippines, and University of the Philippines Diliman. The project also features apparel by Kelvin Morales and accessories by Joshua Baldomero of CraftStudioPH. 'GALAW! GALAW!' is a collaborative work launched on the first anniversary of the declaration of lockdown in Luzon.

Photography, editing, creative direction: Lem Atienza Artists: Jheco Lorica, Ikatlo Olis, Lorenz Rigonan Model: Joshua Enciso of Ballet Manila

(The author is a 21-year-old photographer and creative director currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in Digital Filmmaking at Benilde’s School of Design and Arts. He was one of the top five finalists in the Panasonic Manila Fashion Festival Season X photography contest.)

TikTok-inspired competition showcases high schoolers’ science knowledge

The winning entries of St. Bridget College Batangas’ Repertory Brigid in the Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition (clockwise from top): ‘Caballera’ (bronze in Solo category), ‘Bali’ (silver in Trio category), and ‘Sabbath’ (gold in Duo category).

Batangas college bags awards in Hong Kong dance cup THE talented students of St. Bridget College (SBC) Batangas’ Repertory Brigid were awarded gold, silver, and bronze in the Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition on April 5.

Under the training of SBC Performing Arts Office director Cir Garing, three entries from the school were awarded.

Andres Ruebens D. Comia and Vincent Edrian C. Mabilangan won gold in the Duo category for their performance

entitled “Sabbath.” Paula Gabrielle D. Acosta, Manuel M. Babasa, and Vera Khrizel M. Manalo received the silver award in the Trio category for their dance “Bali.” Danicka Floney T. Ebora bagged the bronze in the Solo category for her performance entitled “Caballera.”

Participants in the annual dance competition—conducted online this year—submitted their video entries in various categories, including ballet, jazz, and contemporary.

INSPIRED by the short-form video sharing app TikTok, popular among today’s young generation, the Search for Science Tech Tok from the Youth invited high school students across the country to showcase their knowledge and showmanship tackling topics on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

“Let’s Learn and be Mahu-Sci” of Frances Sophia D. Flores, Pia Bianca B. Laxa, and Raphaelle Erika P. Victoria (Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School in Malolos City, Bulacan) bagged the first place.

“Eropla-Knows” of Jose Gabriel G. Angeles, Sam Gabriel B. Austria, and Juliane Alyssa Mae B. Bautista (Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus in Angeles City, Pampanga) took the second place, followed by “How do mRNA Vaccines Work?” of Megumi Jireh Cruz, Samantha Nicole San Diego, and Rica Phoebe Jane Venturina (Carlos F. Gonzales High School in San Rafael, Bulacan) The winning groups received cash prizes worth P20,000, P15,000, and P10,000,

The ’Let’s Learn and be Mahu-Sci’ video by the students of Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School in Bulacan wins the first prize in the TikTok-inspired Search for Science Tech Tok from the Youth competition.

respectively, as well e-certificates awarded during a virtual ceremony on March 5.

The winning entries were judged based on content, originality and creativity, and visual appeal. The panel of judges consisted of Timothy James M. Dimacali, information officer at the Department of Science and Technology-Science Educa-

tion Institute; Elvira R. Galvez, education consultant at the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology; and Florencio T. Gando, Jr., senior designer and head of the Science Centrum Fabrication, Inc.’s Exhibit Development Division.

This year’s search was sponsored by DOST-SEI and PFST.

HEY, YOUTH!

SHARE your unpublished essays with the readers of Manila Send your essay (maximum of 800 words) with photo/s, Standard. Chosen essays will be published in the Young Life if available, to manilastandardlife@gmail.com with the subcorner that comes out every Sunday. ject: “Young Life - (title of your essay)” along with a brief This space is open for young writers, aged 13-29 years old. description of yourself.

B2

Home/Design

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

SAFETY A CORE PRIORITY. PowerSource First Bulacan Solar, Inc. (PFBSI) recently bagged 1.5 million safe man-hours without lost time incident, a milestone that shows the company’s commitment to safety and security at its power plant site in San Miguel, Bulacan. PFBSI is a joint venture between MGen Renewable Energy, Inc. (MGreen) and PowerSource Global Holdings Corporation. The solar project is MGreen’s first, and will form part of the 1,000MW renewable energy portfolio target of its parent company, Meralco PowerGen Corporation. Construction activities for the company’s 50MWac solar farm, which reached a peak of 1,500 workers on-site, are now on the final stretch. Early this month, PFBSI bestowed a plaque of recognition to SUMEC Complete Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd. – the project’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor.

Ryan Panela, PFBSI site and construction manager (shown in photo with SUMEC project director Lennon Zhong), lauded SUMEC for the “outstanding job it has done to achieve the safe man-hours feat.”

Dos and don’ts for an Instagrammable home N

OW that your home is your new place to be, it has to look good and spark joy. Be it a room renovation or simply a home décor purchase – surely you’ve tried to make your everyday spot a little more comfortable, especially when there are thousands of home inspiration photos all over the internet. While it’s easy to fall into that rabbit hole of pretty things, aesthetic should fall second to safety when redecorating your home. But that doesn’t mean it has to look bad.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you turn every corner of your home Instagrammable, without sacrificing safety.

Entryway Home sanitation stations can look minimalist with just a bottle of alcohol, but a well-planned and complete set up can look just as pleasing if done right and is definitely a lot safer for your home.

Establish a flow to create a space that makes sense. Start with a foot bath to clean shoe soles, followed by disinfectants to sanitize your hands, keys, and other items. Have a nearby hamper to leave dirty clothes in and a trash bin to dispose face masks. Finally, keep a clear path to the bathroom so you can immediately wash off remnants of the outside world.

Living room, home office, and bedroom Probably already the most decorated

areas of the house, these rooms should be given extra attention when it comes to safety since they are also the most frequented spots.

Achieve a safe walking area by keeping floors clear of cables, toys, and other clutter that you or others might trip on. If you’re aboard the plantita/ plantito train, research your houseplants and keep poisonous ones away from kids and pets. Also, never overload extension cords and always unplug electronics when not in use. Not only will this keep you safe from electrical hazards, but it will help you achieve a clean look in your rooms, too.

Bathroom Bathroom items can range from bath essentials to cleaning tools to blow dryers. It might be tempting to just stash them all in the cabinet, but proper storage and placement can keep this private space safe while looking good.

Ensure safety with small practices such as keeping your caddy within easy reach of the shower. Meanwhile, store chemical cleaners away from children’s reach and in a lidded container. You can keep that fancy rug by the door, but stick non-slip

bath grips underneath to keep it steady. Most importantly, place a good distance between your electrical devices and water sources.

Kitchen Now that you’re probably doing more home-cooking than ever, maintaining an organized and aesthetically pleasing kitchen 24/7 can be a challenge. The answer is a smart layout, lots of storage space, and the right tools.

Arrange appliances in a way that reduces movement since you’re often handling hot, sharp, or fragile tools. The typical kitchen flow is fridge, prep counter then stove. Keep seldom-used cooking appliances in cabinets to lessen countertop items and bring them out only when needed.

This can remind you to unplug them before leaving.

Lastly, keep your kitchen (and entire house) intact and beautiful by choosing only safe and trusted kitchen fuel like Solane LPG. These small things could mean the difference between staying safe and having a serious accident, so while you don’t need to let go of aesthetic, make sure you think of safety first when leveling up every corner of your home.

MAKING MORE SPACE TO CREATE.Phinma Properties recently developed Likha Residences, a lush sanctuary of townhomes within the bustling city of Muntinlupa. “Likha Residences was envisioned to provide homes customized to multiple lifestyles, taking into consideration the demands of the high-end market especially now that safety has become more important than ever before,” said Raphael Felix, president and CEO of Phinma Properties. Each 3-storey or 4-storey townhome was constructed to be a masterpiece in progressive Filipino design and ingenuity. Inspired by the traditional bahay kubo, all townhomes have awning windows, presentday versions a bangerahan which is a built-in dishwashing rack, and Señorita steps that makes going up and down every storey easy. A walk through in any of the well-thought-of ready-made units can inspire almost anyone to start dreaming up their future life stories. It also has an ultra-modern kitchen that fluidly opens up to a big open space that spans both the living and dining rooms meant for families to enjoy quality bonding moments together. Know more about Likha Residences at https://phinmaproperties.com/likha/.

AREIT eyes properties for share swap with ALI

Sun, sea and the Sands

A PRIZED investment one can make this year lies in the heart of the Philippine capital, the SMDC Sands Residences.

Located along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, known around the world for its beauty, history, culture, and investment potential, the Sands is designed to reflect the scenery outside.

The colors (Shown here) are gold and white, signifying luxury and brilliance, The edifice is 51 floors high with 43 residential floors. Units perfectly complementing each other. range in size from 21sqm to 38sqm.

A sense of grandeur immediately welcomes you with a Reminiscent of world-class hotels, the Sands offers shops high-ceiling and spacious lobby that elegantly combines and restaurants at the integrated retail center, a gym, function the elements of the sunset and a sandy beach. under a clear rooms and a sunset lounge beside a breathtaking pool (Inset), sky. overlooking Manila Bay.

AREIT, Inc. (AREIT) recently identified the ten properties included in its P15 billion-property-for-share swap transaction with its sponsor, Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI).

AREIT announced that a total of 205 thousand sq. meters of leasable space, primarily composed of office leasing properties located within Ayala Land’s prime estates in the country, will form part of its roster of REIT assets.

These are Vertis North Commercial Development which has three office buildings and a retail podium located in Quezon City; One and Two Evotech in Nuvali Santa Rosa, Laguna; Bacolod Capitol Corporate Center and Ayala Northpoint Technohub, both located in Negros Occidental; and office condominium units at BPI-Philam Life buildings in Makati CBD and Madrigal Business Park in Alabang.

The largest of these properties is Vertis North commercial development (Shown in photo) with125,000 sq. meters of leasable space and a retail podium of 39,000 sq. meters. The three office buildings are 97% occupied and are leased to large BPO locators including Google Services Philippines, Teleperformance, Telus and Global Payments.

The retail component is operated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of ALI under the Ayala Malls brand and will pay a monthly guaranteed building lease to AREIT for a period of 36 years. Vertis North commercial development is LEED certified.

Compelling yields If the transaction is approved, AREIT’s outstanding common shares will increase to 1,508,910,810 from 1,025,656,435 wherein ALI will own approximately 66% of the total shares.

AREIT’s deposited property value will increase from P37 billion to P52 billion and its leasing portfolio will expand further from 344 to 549 thousand sq. meters.

“This transaction demonstrates the priority of a well-designed REIT which is to generate compelling yields for its shareholders,” said Carol T. Mills, AREIT president and CEO.

Entertainment

B3

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

EA Guzman marks another milestone in his career

W

INNING an acting award is arguably one of the greatest milestones in any screen actor’s career.

It’s a proof of his talent and accomplishment.

Edgar Allan Guzman won Best Supporting Actor at the 4th Entertainment Editors’ Choice (The EDDYS), organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd).

When Edgar Allan Guzman attended last Sunday’s Entertainment Editors’ Choice or The EDDYS—organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd)—he was not expecting his name to be called as the winner. He was up against Ricky Davao, Zanjoe Marudo, Enzo Pineda, and Matteo Guidecelli in the Best Supporting Actor race.

He earned the award for his exceptional role as Neb in the 2020 drama film Coming Home, which also starred Sylvia Sanchez and Jinggoy Estrada.

“The win was unexpected. I attended the event, just like in 2018, to show my appreciation to EDDYS for recognizing my talent, my work in Coming Home. When they announced my name, I couldn’t believe it that’s why I said ‘Oh My God’ three times,” the actor told Manila Standard Entertainment in an interview.

For the 32-year-old actor, winning an award is synonymous to being recog-

nized for your hardworking and dedication to your craft.

“Winning an award means a lot to me.

When you are holding the trophy given to you by an award giving body, parang hawak mo na rin yung pinaghirapan mo. For me it’s the reason why I continue to love my job and endeavor to be better t it. And I embrace this kind of moment because it’s a gift from God,” he stated.

Amid the pandemic, EA is still busy with projects given to him by his mother network. Currently, he is gearing up for his upcoming projects including Heartful Cafe on GTV and another series called Agimat ng Agila.

“Being given a few projects this pandemic is a reflection of my being a loyal Kapuso. Mahal ko yung network and that’s why I always give my 101 percent to the projects assigned to me. I’m just really thankful that bosses also recognize my hard work,” he ends.

Watch Dua Lipa’s ‘Studio 2054’ for free on iWantTFC Animated short film calls for end to cosmetic testing on animals HOLLYWOOD filmmakers and movie stars have joined forces with Humane Society International (HSI) to produce a powerful stop-motion animated short film, Save Ralph, calling for an end to cosmetic testing on animals around the world.

Although banned in 40 countries, the practice is still perfectly legal in most of the world, including the Philippines, and is even making a comeback in some regions, subjecting untold thousands of animals to needless suffering and death.

Taika Waititi, Ricky Gervais, Zac Efron, Olivia Munn, Pom Klementieff, Tricia Helfer and others have come together to help HSI change that by providing the voices for the Save Ralph film, which aims to shine a light on the suffering animals endure and engage consumers and policy makers in HSI’s mission to ban it.

Writer and director Spencer Susser (Hesher, The Greatest Showman) and producer Jeff Vespa (Voices of Parkland) teamed up with the Arch Model studio of puppet maker supreme Andy Gent on the production to bring Ralph to life.

The film is also being launched in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese with Rodrigo Santoro, Gad Elmelah, Denis Villeneuve, George Lopez and others voicing the characters in those languages, and Maggie Q providing a video message of support.

Find the short film and educational materials on the current status of animal testing and how you can help at hsi.org/Ralph.

Zac Efron lends his voice to the stop motion animated short movie ’Save Ralph.’

FILIPINO fans of Grammy award-winApril 20 at 3:00 p.m.. The Story Behind ning artist Dua Lipa will get to dance The Show, meanwhile, will air on April 21 and sing along to the singer’s most at 8:00 p.m., with replays on April 25 at popular tracks as her virtual concert 10:00 p.m. and April 27 at 3:00 p.m..

Studio 2054 becomes available for free Fans can also watch the digital concert on iWantTFC and MYX on April 14 at and documentary on A2Z and Kapami8:00 p.m., and on Kapamilya Channel lya Channel on April 18 at 9:45 p.m. and and A2Z on April 18.

10:45 p.m., respectively.

By simply downloading the app and Songs featured in the concert include registering online, iWantTFC users in the Dua’s smash hits “Levitating” and “Don’t Philippines can enjoy video-on-demand Start Now,” as well as fan-favorites “One streaming of the virtual concert, which feaKiss” and “New Rules.” tures songs from Future Nostalgia, Dua’s Studio 2054 received rave reviews second studio album that recently won a from American and British media when Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album. it first came out in November 2020.

Aside from the concert that features speHarper’s Bazaar commended it for its cial guests Elton John, Kylie Minogue, “star-studded disco-inspired extravaMiley Cyrus, FKA Twigs, J Balvin, Bad ganza,” while The Guardian said it is a Bunny, Tainy, Angèle, and The Blessed “celebration of up-close disco joy.”

Madonna, fans will also be treated with Viewers can also enjoy watching the ‘Studio 2054’ was a livestream concert by pop exclusive behind the scenes footage of show on a bigger screen through select singer Dua Lipa in support of her second studio Dua’s preparation for the show and neverdevices on VEWD, ROKU streaming album, ‘Future Nostalgia.’ before-seen clips in The Story Behind the devices, select Samsung Smart TV Show documentary, which will also be available for video-on-demand models, and Android TV. iWantTFC is also available via chromestreaming on iWantTFC starting on April 21 at 8:00 p.m.. cast and airplay. For the complete list of compatible devices, sign MYX, the country’s number one music channel, will also air the digital in instructions, and account activation, visit https://iwanttfc.com/ concert on April 14 at 8:00 p.m., with replays on April 18 at 10:00 p.m. and help#tfc-on-smart-tv.

2021’s most exciting artist arrives with debut EP EMERGING as 2021’s most thrilling breakthrough artist, enigmatic singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Eddie Benjamin has unveiled his debut EP entitled Emotional.

Alongside the project’s arrival, he premiered the music video for the song “Speechless” last week. The clip is directed

by Audrey Ellis Fox (Rina Sawayama, My Chemical Romance) and co-stars Maddie Ziegler. It unveils a show-stopping choreographed interpretation of the meditative ballad’s sparse sonics and soulful lyrics.

Released late last year, the song itself has earned acclaim, with Wonderland Magazine fittingly describing it as “dreamy.”

“The story is about an important moment in a relationship where you feel like you’re nearing the breaking point and how we sometimes go to crazy measures to show and prove our love,” Eddie says of the music video.

Elsewhere on the EP, he gets funky for the disruptively addicting title track “Emotional.” Strutting along on a wild wahdrenched riff, it culminates on the instantly catchy chant, “You’re making me emotional, and I don’t get emotional.”

Then, there’s “Diamond Eyes” with Sia.

Together, their voices entwine in a fascinating and fiery call-and-response as the hook glows brightly. Additionally, he puts his own spin on the Amy Winehouse classic “Back To Black.”

Just weeks ago, Eddie revealed an intimate live performance video of the cover, recorded in New York. Sitting alone at piano solo in the accompanying performance, his dynamic and enthralling vocals take center stage.

With each release, Eddie Benjamin continues to leave a mark and receive critical praise for his spellbinding take on pop. In February, he revealed his first-ever official music video for the stand-alone single “Running Away From Home” which Paper Magazine exclaimed was Eddie “fully coming into his own.”

Kicking off the year, People named him among “The Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark on the Musical Landscape in 2021” and raved, “This artist will leave you ‘Speechless’.”

He graced the winter 2020-2021 cover of Wonderland Magazine who wrote, “His first few tracks have already demonstrated his range, both sonically and lyrically, as an artist.” Meanwhile, Flaunt Magazine called him “Your favorite artist’s favorite artist.”

It’s not hard to see why.

Eddie Benjamin is a young prodigy in the making. At only 18 years old, the Australianbred, Los Angeles-based musician can play a slew of instruments, with a burning passion for the bass.

B4

Features SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

A screen grab from a YouTube video by Elon Muk shows a macaque monkey named 'Pager' playing Pong by essentially using only its mind.

HANDS-FREE:

Monkey plays video game—with its brain

E

LON MUSK'S startup devoted to meshing brains with computers was closer to its dream on Friday, having gotten a monkey to play video game Pong using only its mind.

Musk has long contended that merging minds with machines is vital if people are going to avoid being outpaced by artificial intelligence.

A video posted on YouTube by the entrepreneur's Neuralink startup showed a macaque monkey named "Pager" playing Pong by essentially using thought to

move paddles that bounce digital balls back and forth on screen.

"To control his paddle, Pager simply thinks about moving his hand up or down," said a voice narrating the video.

"As you can see, Pager is amazingly good at MindPong."

Neuralink devices were implanted on

two sides of Pager's brain to sense neuron activity, then the monkey played the game a few minutes using a joystick to let software figure out the signals associated with hand movements.

Pager's reward was banana smoothly served through a straw when he successfully batted the digital ball from one paddle to the other, according to the demonstration.

After a few minutes, the "decoder" program figured out what neuron signals to look for and the joystick was no longer

Funny old world: The week's offbeat news Let's be ladies about this

THE reigning "Mrs World" has been arrested after pulling the crown off the head of her successor as "Mrs Sri Lanka" at the ceremony in Colombo.

Caroline Jurie yanked the tiara from Pushpika de Silva, claiming she was not fit to wear it.

Dressing room mirrors and the stage set were also smashed up as the beauty pageant turned ugly.

De Silva needed hospital treatment when Jurie laid into her old rival in front of stunned spectators.

Sequins flew as de Silva won, with Jurie and a sidekick invading the stage to declare that she could never be "Mrs Sri Lanka" as she was divorced.

De Silva is estranged from her husband, but insisted she is still legally married.

With calls growing for Jurie to be stripped of her "Mrs World" crown, social media has already dubbed her "Mrs Under World."

all such human vanity and malign discriminatory sexism.

Or maybe not.

A near empty British holiday flight almost didn't get off the ground because its onboard computer calculated the weight of anyone checked in as "Miss" as children.

Pilots averted disaster but later discovered that the Boeing 737's software classified women who called themselves "Ms" as adults whereas Misses were put down as lightweights with some growing up still to do.

Zlatan, we need to talk

Superhuman Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have finally bitten off more than he can chew.

The 39-year-old AC Milan striker recalled by his country for the Euros, is to make his big screen debut in the next Asterix film.

He will play towering Roman centurion Caius Antivirus.

It's a nod to his cult COVID advert where he claims to have seen off the viNear Miss Thankfully computers are devoid of rus with a Zlatan stare.

Clockwise: The winner of Mrs. Sri Lanka 2021 literally lost her crown after her predecessor yanked it off her head, saying she was unfit to wear it. In Brisbane, Australian art director David Marriott shows off his quarantine cowboy steed named Russell, made of brown paper bags used to deliver his meals while under quarantine. In Zambia, an Ethipian airlines pilot landed at the wrong airport that was still under construction. File photo shows an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-760 aircraft. AFP

"But you are not Zlatan," he deadpans in the Italian ad. "So don't defy the virus, follow the rules..."

Clearly no one has had the courage to tell Zlatan that Romans don't tend to fare well in Asterix stories.

needed for Pager to play the game.

"A monkey is literally playing a video game telepathically using a brain chip!!"

Musk tweeted triumphantly.

The decoder could be calibrated to enable a person to guide a cursor on a computer screen, potentially letting them type emails, text messages, or browse the internet just by thinking, according to a blog post at neuralink.com.

"Our first goal is to give people with paralysis their digital freedom back," the Neuralink team said in the post.

Members of the team last year shared a "wish list" that ranged from technology returning mobility to the paralyzed and sight to the blind, to enabling telepathy and the uploading of memories for later reference -- or perhaps to be downloaded into re-

placement bodies.

For now, Neuralink is being tested in animals with the team working on the potential for clinical trials.

With the help of a surgical robot, a piece of the skull is replaced with a Neuralink disk, and its wispy wires are strategically inserted into the brain, a previous demonstration showed.

The disk registers nerve activity, relaying the information via common Bluetooth wireless signal to a device such as a smartphone, according to Musk.

"It actually fits quite nicely in your skull. It could be under your hair and you wouldn't know."

Experts and academics remain cautious about his vision of symbiotically merging minds with super-powered computing. AFP

Horsing around

Our lockdown hero of the week is the brilliant Australian art director David Marriott who had to return to London after his father Harry died of COVID. Faced with being locked up alone for a fortnight in a Brisbane quarantine hotel on his return from the funeral, Marriott made himself a friend... a trusty steed called Russell.

Marriott fashioned the horse from the brown paper bags his meals were delivered in and the ironing board and desk lamp in his room.

He then made himself a Don Quixote knight's costume, complete with medieval hat and chaps.

His photos of Russell washing his teeth and doing what horses do in the toilet have since gone viral on social media.

"It made my mum laugh," Marriott said. "To see her laughing again made it all worthwhile."

Oops, wrong airport

Spare a thought for the Ethiopian Airlines pilot who landed at the wrong airport in Zambia, touching down 15 kilometers away on a runway that was still being built.

Alarm bells went off at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in northern Copperbelt province when the pilot told the control tower he was about to land but they could see no sign of a plane.

"We can't see you," they cried.

Too late to turn around, the cargo flight landed at the unfinished strip before the pilot took off again embarrassed but unscathed for the real airport.

No pleasing some people

A lot less shamed-faced was the man who tried to ski around Norway's quarantine rules but found himself having to be rescued from the snow-bound mountains after a storm blew up.

But far from being thankful, the man was unapologetic when found by a reindeer breeder after attempting a 40-kilometer trek from Sweden over difficult terrain.

His mood wasn't helped when rescue services turned him over to the police.

He will face the courts after serving out a 10-day hotel quarantine. AFP

Martial arts student Fatima Batool of the Hazara community practises Shaolin Kung Fu during a self-defence martial arts training class, on the outskirts of Quetta. Hundreds of Pakistani Hazara women are learning how to deliver side kicks and elbow blows as martial arts booms within the marginalized community. AFP

Pakistan's Hazara women strike back with martial arts

HUNDREDS of Pakistani Hazara women are learning how to deliver side kicks and elbow blows as martial arts booms within the marginalized community.

Hazaras, who are mainly Shia Muslims, have faced decades of sectarian violence in the southwestern city of Quetta, living in two separate enclaves cordoned off by checkpoints and armed guards to protect them.

Women must also contend with routine harassment from men, with groping commonplace in crowded markets or public transport.

"We can't stop bomb blasts with karate, but with self-defence, I have learnt to feel confident," 20-year-old Nargis Batool told AFP. "Everyone here knows that I am going to the club. Nobody dares say anything to me while I am out."

Up to 4,000 people are attending regular classes in more than 25 clubs in Balochistan province, of which Quetta is the capital, according to Ishaq Ali, head of the Balochistan Wushu Kung Fu Association, which oversees the sport.

The city's two largest academies, which train around 250 people each, told AFP the majority of their students

were young Hazara women.

Many of them go on to earn money from the sport, taking part in frequent competitions.

It is still unusual for women to play sport in deeply conservative Pakistan where families often forbid it, but martial arts teacher Fida Hussain Kazmi says exceptions are being made.

"In general, women cannot exercise in our society... but for the sake of self-defense and her family, they are being allowed."

The uptake is also credited to national champions Nargis Hazara and Kulsoom Hazara, who have won medals in international competitions.

Kazmi says he has trained hundreds of women over the years, after learning the sport from a Chinese master in the eastern city of Lahore.

The 41-year-old offers two hours of training six days a week for 500 rupees ($3) but gives free classes to women who have lost a relative to militant violence.

"The Hazara community is facing many problems... but with karate we can begin to feel safe," said 18-year-old student Syeda Qubra, whose brother was killed in a bomb blast in 2013. AFP