Manila Standard - 2021 December 18 - Saturday

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(Story on A4) Duterte to visit ‘FIERCE WINDS, RAINS LIKE TYPHOONS YOLANDA, SENDONG’ affected areas, aid rolled out

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he will visit this weekend parts of southern and central Philippines that were ravaged by Typhoon Odette.

This developed as Malacanang assured immediate assistance to families affected by the year’s strongest storm, saying concerned government agencies were working round the clock.

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VOL. XXXV • NO. 306 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TYPHOON Odette brought back ill memories of typhoons Yolanda and Sendong when they tore through the country at around the same time in 2013 and 2011, respectively.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, who saw his province flattened by the storm’s 195-kph winds and intense rain, said even their first responders -- the police, military, and disaster risk reduction officers as well as their families – were victimized by Odette.

“Yung first responders mismo, biktima Next page

Odette cuts swathes of damage Initial toll: 12 dead, 7 missing, 340k people displaced, infra destroyed SCENES OF DEVASTATION. Typhoon Odette barreled across the country Friday, uprooting trees and flooding villages. In Bohol province (inset, upper right), the typhoon caused the Loboc River to overflow, prompting Gov. Arthur Yap to liken the disaster to that of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. (Inset, lower left) Residents of Molo district in Iloilo City transferred to the Baluarte Elementary School which was transformed into a temporary evacuation center.

By Joyce Pañares, Rio Araja and Alena Mae Flores

A

T LEAST 12 were killed while seven remained missing as Odette, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year uprooted trees, toppled power lines and flooded villages, barrelling across the archipelago Friday.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad, in a briefing led by President Rodrigo Duterte, said some 338,664 individuals, or equivalent to 84,674 families, have been evacuated in Regions 4-B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and Caraga.

The damage to infrastructure caused by Odette, which at one point was classified by the US-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center as a super typhoon, has been Next page

Omicron spread in PH seen, strain as global threat feared

2,837,464 528

10,167

50,570

74

2,776,727

494

(As of 4 PM, DECEMBER 17)

26.14m Pinoys below poverty line in first sem

variant would eventually replace Delta as the dominant variant of the coronavirus in the Philippines.

"It's very likely that the Omicron variTHE World Health Organization (WHO) ant is going to replace the Delta variant said Friday the highly infectious Omicron as much as the Delta variant replaced

By Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

the earlier Alpha and Beta variants," Dr. spreading in the Philippines," he added.

Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO country Abeyasinghe’s remarks came after the representative for the Philippines, said in government confirmed the country’s first an interview with ANC. two Omicron cases, both imported.

"We have to prepare for that evenThey also came as the G7 called the Next page tuality when the Omicron variant starts

Biden warns unvaxxed of ‘winter death’

HOPE, LOVE AND FAITH. A

Philippine Postal Corporation staff shows the newly unveiled 'Paskong Pilipino 2021' stamps that depict hope, love, and faith.

Danny Pata

By Julito G. Rada THE incidence of poverty, or the proportion of Filipinos whose per capita income is not sufficient to meet their basic needs, rose to 23.7 percent in the first half of 2021, higher than the 21.1 percent in the same period in 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Friday.

The PSA said this translates to 26.14 million Filipinos, higher than 22.26 million Next page

20k volunteers needed for WHO vaccine trials OFFICIALS said Friday the country, hobbled by infections and deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, would need 15,000 to 20,000 participants for the World Health Organization's Solidarity

trial for COVID-19 vaccines. la Peña.

The clinical trial is aimed at getting This can be "beneficial for eventual safety and efficacy data directly attrib- application for product registration" uted to the Filipino people, said Science with the Food and Drug Administration Next page and Technology Secretary Fortunato de

US PRESIDENT Joe Biden warned of a "winter of severe illness and death" for those unvaccinated against COVID-19.

The stark words came as Britain saw more than 88,000 COVID-19 infections, a second consecutive record daily number, prompting France to impose "drastic" new limits on travel to the UK. Scientists remain uncertain how dangerous the highly mutated Omicron variant is, but early data suggests it can be more resistant to vaccines and is more transmissible than the Delta variant.

The World Health Organization said earlier this week that the strain has been reported in 77 countries and has "probably" spread to most nations undetected at a higher rate than any previous variant of the virus.

Countries worldwide have begun advising against foreign travel while ramping up domestic restrictions to battle Omicron and Next page bolstering vaccination efforts.

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News

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH, Korea ink $100m COVID loan In a statement released by the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, on behalf of the Philippines, and Country Chief Representative Jaejeong Moon, representing the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF) signed the agreement for the second phase of the Program Loan for COVID-19 Emergency Response Program—Vaccination Program (PLCERP II).

“This financial assistance from Korea will go a long way in helping the Duterte

administration rev up its mass vaccination program against COVID-19 that is crucial to the strong rebound by our domestic economy come 2022,” Dominguez said.

Korean Ambassador to Manila Kim Inchul said the agreement shows that Seoul is contributing to the country’s efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic and attain early economic recovery.

According to the International Finance Group of the Department of Finance (DOF-IFG), PLCERP II will help “secure financial sustainability

and fill the budgetary gap” in implementing the Department of Health (DOH)’s national COVID-19 vaccination program.

The Philippines has breached the 100 million mark of vaccine doses administered.

As of Dec. 16, the government administered a total of 100,019,137 of COVID-19 vaccine doses nationwide, according to the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC).

The NVOC also reported that 55,975,001 first doses have been administered, while 43,029,348 (55.78 percent of target population) were second doses and 1,014,788 were booster shots.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that 953,624 individuals were vaccinated during day 1 of the second round of the National Vaccination Days.

“We hope to be able to inch closer to

Odette..

its 9th landfall in the municipality of Roxas in Palawan Friday afternoon.

A total of 10,281 residents or 2,726 families in Palawan were staying in evacuation centers as Typhoon Odette moved towards the province on Friday, its provincial administrator said.

"We are seeing people walking in the streets, many of them shell-shocked," ABS-CBN correspondent Dennis Datu reported from the hard-hit city of Surigao on the southern island of Mindanao.

"All buildings sustained heavy damage, including the provincial disaster office. It looks like it's been hit by a bomb."

Datu said the main roads leading into the coastal city had been cut off by landslides, fallen trees and toppled

power poles.

"The wind was very strong. Everything sustained damage – roofs blown off, access roads blocked by landslides,” Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said.

"The devastation is hard to explain," said Joel Darunday, 37, a tour operator in the central island province of Bohol, who was hunkered down at home with his family when the storm ripped off the roof.

"It was very strong. The last time I experienced something like this was back in the 1980s."

Some 108 flights between Manila and various domestic routes were canceled as of Friday afternoon due to Odette, the Manila International Airport Authority said.

Odette has slightly weakened Friday night as it moved toward the West Philippine Sea. The typhoon is forecast to move west northwestward and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday morning or early afternoon.

The Philippines – ranked as one of the world's most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change – is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons every year, which typically wipe out harvests, homes and infrastructure in already impoverished areas.

The deadliest cyclone on record in the Philippines was Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing in 2013. AFP

"I am flying tomorrow to the area.

Also, I would maybe hit Leyte, Surigao, and if there is enough time, Bohol, then the day after I will try to visit Cebu, then dito sa eastern side of the islands, Bacolod, Iloilo,” Duterte told Jalad.

The President then asked for updates on Iloilo, to which Jalad replied that authorities were still gathering information on Region 6.

“I am not so much worried about damage to the structure, infrastructures of the government... Ang takot ko kung maraming namatay (I am more fearful of casualties). I am as eager as you to go there, to see for myself,” said Duterte.

He said officials are "trying to raise money" for the typhoon response as the COVID-19 crisis has "depleted" the national budget.

“We are trying to scrimp how much we can raise so that we can marshal it to areas affected,” the President said.

Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said more than 83,026 families or 332,855 in-

dividuals were evacuated in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and in the Zamboanga Peninsula, as the typhoon battered the southern half of the country.

Nograles said thousands of families affected by the typhoon were evacuated to safety and provided with food packs.

The Departments of Public Works and Highways, Social Welfare and Development, the Health and Local Governments were all coordinating to provide safety and ensure the immediate needs of the people in areas hit by the typhoon, Nograles said.

The DPWH reported that several road sections in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga regions are now impassable to all types of vehicles.

Several road sections now have limited access due to flooding, landslides, fallen trees, and damaged bridges left by the typhoon, the department added.

DPWH Acting Secretary Roger Mercado said total closures were recorded for two road sections in Central Visayas,

five in Northern Mindanao, and eight in Caraga.

“DPWH Quick Response Teams are closely-monitoring and working on clearing remaining closed roads in close coordination with concerned local government units,” Mercado said.

Meanwhile, the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau, including its Centers for Health Development, had raised their code alert while continuing to monitor and report untoward incidents in their respective area of responsibility.

It added that the Philippine Red Cross has also made available water tankers in North Cotabato, Passi, Bacolod, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Albay, and Batangas.

“Saddened to learn that Typhoon Odette has devastated and caused severe damages to families in the Visayas and Mindanao regions,” the Chinese embassy said.

“We stand in solidarity with all affected Filipino families in facing this challenge and are willing to offer assistance to help them tide over the difficulties in the spirit of Bayanihan,” it added.

ward beds, and 12 percent of ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 24 percent of ICU beds, 19 percent of isolation beds, 18 percent of ward beds, and 15 percent of ventilators, were in use.

The DOH also reported that the country’s COVID-19 positivity rate was at 1 percent, based on 33,545 tests conducted on Dec. 15.

Also on Friday, the independent OCTA Research Group said the number of cases of COVID-19 in Quezon City in December have been the lowest since March 2020.

The seven-day average in new daily COVID-19 cases in the city decreased to 17 for the week from Dec. 10 to 16.

This is 28 percent lower than the seven-day average of 24 for the week from Dec. 3-9.

The current number is the lowest seven-day average in Quezon City since March 21 to 27, 2020, just three weeks after the first case of COVID-19 in the city was reported.

The city’s reproduction number—which measures the number of people one case can infect—was 0.36 on Dec. 13, which is considered very low. A reproduction number below 1 indicates that virus infections are declining.

The RT-PCR testing positivity rate decreased to 1.0 percent, which is also considered very low.

“Quezon City, practically speaking, is a very low risk area using indicators based on covidactnow.org,” it added.

“Quezon City residents will have a merrier Christmas compared to 2020. Nevertheless, we urge the public to stay vigilant and follow minimum public health standards so that we will all enjoy a safe holiday season,” the group said.

Biden...

Biden's warning about the winter came as he urged Americans who have already had two shots to get boosters, and vaccine skeptics to step up and get jabbed.

"The only real protection is to get your shot," he said, with the White House saying the administration did not intend to take specific restrictive measures but would instead focus on vaccination.

"The tools that we have, we know are working," deputy White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding: "We're just going to continue pushing forward... to get Americans vaccinated and boosted."

The United States, the hardest-hit country in the world, is currently averaging 1,150 COVID-19 deaths per day, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the first two weeks of December, the average daily cases of infection spiked in the United States by 35 percent.

It was across the Atlantic, however, that the magnitude of the threat was being felt strongest, even as Britain stopped short of imposing formal limits on socializing as the government awaits further evidence of the severity of Omicron.

Last year, Christmas celebrations were drastically curtailed after the Alpha variant swept the country.

Britons had hoped that this year would be different, but cases have again shot up to record levels.

There are now fears the variant could overwhelm hospitals during the festive season, and many Britons are scrambling to change their plans.

Queen Elizabeth II canceled her traditional pre-Christmas family lunch next week as a precautionary measure, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying such gatherings could still go ahead.

The Premier League on Thursday postponed six more football matches, though it said it intended to "continue its current fixture schedule where safely possible."

With case levels exploding in Britain, France on Thursday banned all non-essential travel to and from the UK. From 2300 GMT Friday, travelers will need "an essential reason to travel to, or come from, the UK, both for the unvaccinated and vaccinated... People cannot travel for tourist or professional reasons."

Canada has also urged its citizens to avoid foreign travel over the Christmas holidays, with Health Minister JeanYves Duclos saying the Omicron variant "makes us fear the worst."

The Omicron risk also elbowed its way into an EU summit meeting in Brussels on Thursday, with predictions the variant could become dominant in the bloc as soon as next month.

But leaders are struggling to forge a united approach to stop the spread.

Omicron is "of significant concern obviously, in terms of the capacity of that variant to spread rapidly and create pressure on our societies and our health systems," Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin told journalists in Brussels.

"So today we'll be looking for greater coordination on a number of fronts," he said.

The Spanish government said meanwhile that boosters will soon be available for everyone aged 40 and older, down from 65 and older currently. AFP

infected, we reduce the number of people suffering and dying.”

Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, himself said: "We are not just looking after ourselves but after other people beyond our borders because we are contributing to the global effort to find the most effective vaccines for specific populations."

The trial at present involves 2 vaccines, a subunit vaccine and a DNA vaccine, with participants to be monitored for a year, according to principal investigators Marissa Alejandria and Jodor Lim. Participants may also receive a placebo, they said.

"After a participant is evaluated, they will be monitored every week for about a year to find out if they develop any symptoms and that will be the trigger whether these participants will undergo RT-PCR,"

Lim said.

The subunit vaccine targets the spike protein of the virus and is similar to hepatitis B vaccines in the country, according to Alejandria. The DNA vaccine also encodes the spike protein of the virus and does not yet have an emergency use authorization in the Philippines, she said.

Both vaccines are to be given in 2 doses, four weeks apart, and have a 2 to 8 degrees celsius storage requirement, she added.

By Rey E. Requejo, Julito G. Rada and Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Philippines and South Korea on Friday signed an agreement for a $100-million loan intended to boost the country’s coronavirus disease vaccination program.

From A1

initially placed at more than P178 million by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“These are only the roads and bridges, not included [are] the buildings, private structures,” Public Works Undersecretary Emerson Benitez said.

As of Friday noon, 16 road sections remained closed to traffic – two in Central Visayas, one in Eastern Visayas, five in Northern Mindanao, and eight in the Caraga region – due to fallen trees, flooding, soil collapse, landslide, road slip, damaged bridge, and vehicular accident.

Odette (international name: Rai) made

Duterte...

From A1

The Department of Health (DOH) had prepositioned more than P12.35 million worth of drugs, medicines, and other medical supplies to provinces affected by the typhoon.

In a Dec. 16 situational report released on Friday, the DOH said over P66 million worth of commodities is also available for deployment at its central office warehouse.

Meanwhile, China is ready to assist victims of Odette, its embassy in Manila said Friday.

On Twitter, the Chinese also expressed sadness over the devastation wrought by the typhoon in the Visayas and Mindanao.

During a televised meeting, Duterte asked Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Ricardo Jalad whether Surigao airport was operational.

Jalad said the terminal on Siargao Island was damaged, but its runway was usable.

Omicron...

From A1

Omicron variant the "biggest current threat to global public health," saying its emergence meant it was "more important than ever" for countries to "closely cooperate.”

"Deeply concerned by the rise in cases, ministers agreed that these developments should be seen as the biggest current threat to global public health," Britain, which is currently chair of the group, said in a statement.

"It is more important than ever to closely cooperate, and monitor as well as share data," it added.

The G7 health ministers earlier held their final meeting hosted by Britain, which has seen spiraling case rates over recent days, registering a record 78,000 new cases in one day.

The ministers focussed on global access to diagnostics, genome sequencing, vaccines and therapeutics in a bid to combat its spread.

"They also agreed on the increasing importance of booster campaigns and regular testing alongside continued non-pharmaceutical measures," the statement said.

The Philippines logged 582 new COVID-19 cases on Friday bringing the total case count to 2,837,464.

There were 74 new fatalities reported, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 50,570.

The Department of Health (DOH) also reported 494 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 2,776,727.

There were 10,167 active cases, of which 539 are asymptomatic; 4,015 mild; 3,415 moderate; 1,815 severe; and 383 critical.

Nationwide, 22 percent of ICU beds, 23 percent of isolation beds, 12 percent of

20k...

From A1

and ramp up vaccine distribution, he said: He added in a recorded video message: "The quicker we find the most effective and safest vaccines of distribution, the earlier the world could reach WHO's immunization targets. When we hit these targets, we could prevent people from being

From A1

achieving 54 million with [the] second jab by the end of the year.” Duque said.

The Health secretary warned that the new COVID-19 variant Omicron is more transmissible than the Delta variant, but said that there is still no conclusive data yet on the new variant’s transmissibility.

“You have to understand, even if it is mild, it spreads faster. The chances of our hospital system getting overwhelmed are very, very high when you have more people infected, especially those who are unvaccinated,” Duque said.

He also said the government is wellprepared for the Omicron variant.

Last year amid a surge in cases in July and August, the country was able to bring the cases down despite having no vaccines at the time. The key, he said, was the people’s compliance with minimum health standards.

Fierce...

From A1

kaming lahat. So, this is Typhoon Haiyan [Yolanda] again,” the governor said -noting his own home was flooded up to the second floor, forcing his household members to climb to their rooftop.

Yap said they also monitored around 100 families trapped on roofs, and Bohol’s responders were trying to bring boats and rescue the affected residents.

He called on other first responders in Luzon to send their volunteers and help the victims in the province. ­­"Many people have seen many images of Bohol. It's a very beautiful province with a lot of trees and now all of those trees are down on the roads and they're blocking the way," he added. "It's very difficult. I cannot even assess at this point in time when we can get to the people we need to help."

“Loboc River is still rising, and hundreds of families are trapped on rooftops right now. It has rained hard since Thursday afternoon. The wind was so strong,” Yap said.

On Twitter, many were reminded by the onslaught of Sendong, which hit the country over a decade ago.

"I just remembered way back December 16, 2011 when Sendong battered Mindanao and killed thousands of people. And now Odette made its first landfall in Siargao, on the exact same date when Sendong first made its landfall,” user @trexielou25 said.

"A decade ago, Sendong took 1,472 lives in (Cagayan de Oro), the same as the exact date of Odette's landfall. I am hoping no life will perish from today's calamity," @aldreichlois tweeted Thursday.

Weather forecaster Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration told CNN Philippines' The Source how Odette differed from Yolanda and Sendong.

"Yolanda, as we all know, is a super typhoon. It had 225 kilometers per hour in peak intensity compared with Odette which recorded 195 kph," he noted.

Estareja explained that Odette's track was almost similar to that of Yolanda, but the latter had a wider eye, affecting more people.

He added that Sendong had a slower track when it traversed the country.

Odette, on the other hand, recorded "heavy to intense" but short-lived rains.

26.14m...

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in the first semester of 2018, who lived below the poverty threshold estimated at P12,082, on the average, for a family of five per month in the first semester of 2021.

On the other hand, subsistence incidence among Filipinos, or the proportion of Filipinos whose income is not enough to meet even the basic food needs, stood at 9.9 percent or about 10.94 million Filipinos in the first semester of 2021.

On the average, the monthly food threshold for a family of five for the same period was estimated at P8,393, higher than P7,374 in the first semester of 2018.

Among families, the first semester 2021 poverty incidence was estimated at 18.0 percent, higher than 16.2 percent in the first semester of 2018, which is equivalent to around 4.74 million poor families.

Meanwhile, the subsistence incidence among families was recorded at 7.1 percent from 6.2 percent in the first semester of 2018, or around 1.87 million food-poor families in the first semester of 2021..

At the regional level, the regions with the lowest poverty incidence among families in the first semester of 2021 continued to be the National Capital Region and CALABARZON with 5.2 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao consistently figured with the highest poverty incidence among families at 39.4 percent in the first semester of 2021.

Nine out of 17 regions posted significant changes in poverty incidence among families from first semester 2018 to first semester 2021. ARMM/ BARMM had the highest significant improvement from 55.9 percent in the first semester 2018 to 39.4 percent in the first semester of 2021.

At the provincial level, the provinces which belonged to the group with the least poverty incidence among families from first semester 2018 to first semester 2021 continued to include Benguet, Capiz, Cavite, Davao del Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Laguna, Pampanga, Quirino, Rizal, and Siquijor. The other provinces that joined this roster of least poor clusters in the first semester of 2021 were Batanes, Batangas and Lanao del Sur. On the other hand, the provinces that were consistently included in the cluster with relatively high poverty incidence among families in the first semesters of 2018 and 2021 were Basilan and Sulu.

New entrants in the poorest cluster of provinces in the first semester 2021 were Agusan del Sur, Cotabato City, Sarangani, Tawi-tawi, and Zamboanga del Norte.

News

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

A3

mst.daydesk@gmail.com SIMBANG GABI.

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Redemptorist Church) in Baclaran, Parañaque City lights up in various colors as devotees maintain their distance from each other while attending the second Misa de Gallo on Friday morning.

Norman Cruz

Clark Banaag

Banaag elected one of the directors of listed firm BKR CLARK Banaag assumed office as a director in Bright Kindle Resources (PSE: BKR), a publicly traded company listed in Philippine Stock Exchange, on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

At 25, Banaag is one of the firm’s youngest directors. The company elected 11 directors with four new directors (two regular, and two independent directors). Banaag was elected as one of the regular directors for 2021-2022.

Banaag stressed that he will contribute his management vision to secure the company’s success.

He is currently serving as the chief risk officer and director of BenguetCorp Nickel Mines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Benguet Corporation (PSE: BC) and vice president of Arrow Freight Corporation, a logistics and warehouse company based in Valenzuela City.

In 2018, he was elected in public office as the SK chairperson of Sampaga, Batangas City where he established “Banaag Project,” a free college entrance exam review program for underprivileged youth of Batangas Province.

Banaag earned his agricultural economics degree in UP Los Banos and his Juris Doctor in UP Diliman.

DMW will need more funding, Villanueva says

IN BRIEF

Cops seize P2.7m shabu, arrest 2 suspects in Makati

By Joel E. Zurbano

P

OLICE arrested two suspected drug dealers and seized shabu worth P2.7 million in a buy-bust operation late Thursday night in Makati City.

National Capital Region Police Office director P/Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. identified the suspects as Baby Madonna Vivero, 36; and Maria Sandra Esponilla, 36.

Danao said joint operatives of the Makati Station Drug Enforcement Unit, Sub-station 6, Southern Police District conducted the police operation along Burgos Extension in Barangay Poblacion around 10:30 p.m.

Seized from the suspects were 400

grams of shabu, a white paper bag, an eco bag, and the 499 pieces of boodle money and the cash used in the entrapment operation.

The recovered evidence was brought to the SDEU office for proper disposition while appropriate criminal charges will be filed against the suspects before the city prosecutor’s office.

Danao commended his men for their latest accomplishment, arresting bigtime drug dealers operating in southern

DAR vows ‘zero backlog’ in Central Visayas

Metro Manila.

“The relentless effort of Team NCRPO’s operatives on the fight against illegal drugs in the region is highly commendable. I also encourage the public to cooperate with the authorities by reporting or providing us information that could lead to the apprehension of those involved in criminal activities,” he said.

Authorities vowed that the government’s crackdown on drug dealing in the country will continue with the goal of catching traffickers.

In June, police also nabbed a Nigerian national and a Filipina companion and seized more than P2.7 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation, also in Makati City.

‘Oppose legalization of online gambling’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ENSURING that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will have sufficient funding is the next big step for the incoming administration next year, according to Senator Joel Villanueva.

Villanueva, principal sponsor and author of the Senate Bill No. 2234 creating the DMW, explained that one of the first acts of the next administration is to propose the new department’s maiden year budget that will be included in the 2023 national budget.

The chair of the Senate labor committee said the DMW bill, which the Senate passed Tuesday on third and final reading, “is a good blueprint for the new department.” He urged presidential aspirants to study the measure, which the House of Representatives adopted Wednesday and is on its way to the President’s desk for enactment.

“But for it to be able to live up to its promises, it must have the financial muscle,” Villanueva said. “Every policy must be matched with pesos. If there are no funds, the program can be implemented for more people,” he said.

Villanueva said the DMW bill boosts services to OFWs in four areas, which, for easy recall, he called the “4Ps.” “Proteksyon, personnel, pondo, and program. This is the simple checklist that should serve as our guidepost if we want the DMW to be a success,” the lawmaker said.

THE Department of Agrarian Reform has vowed to continue with zero-backlog case resolution and to provide assistance to Central Visayas.

Secretary Bernie Cruz promised to continue the OPLAN zero backlog thrust in the resolution of cases concerning the agrarian justice delivery program of the department.

He said he is fully supporting the authorization given by the DAR Adjudication Board vice-chairperson, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Office Luis Meinrado Pangulayan, to the regular board members, lawyers Jim Coleto, Annabelle Madayag-Oandasan, and DARAB secretariat, to provide the technical and administrative assistance for the newly designated Central Visayas officer in charge/regional adjudicator Leilani Carmelita Magbanua.

“DARAB Region 7 and DARAB Negros Oriental momentarily incurred delay in the processing of the pending cases due to compulsory retirement from the services of RARAD Rosalio Kintanar on Sept.

17,” Cruz said. Rio N. Araja

REP. Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig City on Friday urged different sectors, especially parents, teachers, and religious leaders, to oppose the legalization of e-sabong and other forms of online gambling.

Cayetano, leader of the Independent Bloc in the House of Representatives, said in a statement that speaking up against these vices is necessary to prevent them from spreading, especially among young people.

“Parents, teachers, priests, pastors, ministers, imams, we have to speak up so that we can stop the spread of vices that threaten to destroy our values,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said, unlike offline or physical gambling, e-sabong and other forms of online gambling are difficult to regulate. Maricel V. Cruz

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY. Kindergarten pupils compete in a stop-dance contest during a Christmas party at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School in San Andres Manila. About 100 schools and Metro Manila that opened face-to-face classes are going to have their Christmas break and they are back next year for the resumption of classes. Danny Pata

Renewal of Air Philippines franchise seen boosting tourism, transport

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEN. Grace Poe is optimistic that the franchise renewal of Air Philippines Corp. will support growth in the transport and tourism sectors.

She said it will also help buffer the negative impact of the corporate rehabilitation proceedings in the US involv-

ing its sister company, Philippine Airlines (PAL).

“The past two years had been extremely difficult for our airlines as they were grounded for a long period without income,” Poe said.

The Senate approved on third reading and final House Bill No. 10442 that gives Air Philippines Corp. the fran-

chise to fly for another 25 years.

“Globally, the aviation sector is one of the hardest hit by the ongoing pandemic. We must do our part to help an industry that employs thousands of Filipinos,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee and sponsor of the bill.

Under PAL Holdings Inc., Air

‘Approve bill for Pinoy athletes’

By Maricel V. Cruz

DRUG SUSPECT. Members of the Manila Police District, Traffic Enforcement Unit,

and Philippine Coast Guard arrested a female suspect for possession of “kush” or highgrade marijuana along Ayala bridge in Manila on Dec. 17. Norman Cruz

A LEGISLATOR on Friday appealed to his colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the enactment of twin measures that grant benefits to Filipino professional athletes who win in international sports competitions.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, principal author of the measures, said the bill aims to grant women equal opportunity to athletic scholarships and prizes; and the other one seeks to protect the rights of athletes to represent the Philippines as part of the national team.

“These bills will complete the fitting tribute to our athletes who bring pride and honor to our country. These measures along with the grant of benefits to them and the law establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) show that they will never be forgotten for their contributions to nation-building,” said Villafuerte.

House Bill (HB) 1962 and 9338, which both aim to grant retirement, health care, and death benefits to Filipino professional athletes who have won awards in international sports competitions, were recently approved by the House committee on youth and sports development.

Philippines Corp. operates as PAL Express and is the third-largest airline in the country. It has 770 employees and supports another 1,600 jobs in related industries. It mainly services secondary gateways and has been supportive of government efforts in promoting such gateways as Clark and Kalibo.

Manila

Standard

TODAY ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) JOSE RANDOLF M. SINOCRUZ

to the rank of BRIGADIER GENERAL

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointment in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 88310527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989.

16 December 2021.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-DEC. 18, 2021)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

News

Party-list groups gain SC TRO on poll registration

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court on Friday issued a temporary restraining order enjoining the Commission on Elections from dismissing the petitions for registration filed by two party-list groups for the 2022 elections.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo issued the TRO sought by the Alliance for Resilience, Sustainability and Empowerment (ARISE) and the Igorot Warriors International, Inc. (IWI).

It was learned that a third-partylist group, the Ang Tinig ng Seniors Citizens, Inc., had also asked the SC to nullify the Comelec’s order and resolution against its registration.

But the resolution which also reportedly contained a TRO has not been released by the SC on the senior citizens’ petition.

ARISE challenged Comelec’s order dated last Aug. 11 in Case No. 21-087 and Resolution No. 1075 dated last Dec. 1. The order and the resolution dismissed ARISE’s petition for registration and its motion for reconsideration, respectively.

In the case of IWI, assailed were Comelec’s order issued last Sept. 22 in Case No. 21-137 and the resolution dated last Dec. 1.

In separate resolutions, the SC ordered the Comelec to file its comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the resolutions.

The SC issued the TRO after it found the petitions of ARISE and IWI “were sufficient in form and substance.”

With the TROs, the SC enjoined the Comelec from “enforcing its orders and resolutions.”

Isko asks Manila dads to earmark funds for relief MANILA Mayor Francisco Domagoso called for a special session Friday of the Manila City Council to pass a resolution allotting funds intended for relief operations in Cebu province and other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao badly hit by Typhoon Odette.

“I have already asked the presiding officer of the City Council, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, to immediately hold a special session and a resolution be passed allocating a certain sum of money for the typhoon victims in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Domagoso said.

He also appealed to Manilenos to initiate a fund drive that could contribute to the relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Odette.

The 47-year-old local executive suggested “Tulong ng Manilenyo sa mga Nasalanta ni Odette” as a fund-raising activity that could be initiated by local businessmen and volunteer groups supporting Moreno’s presidential bid.

“Thankful as we are that Metro Manila and Luzon were spared by the Typhoon Odette, I now appeal to kind-hearted Manilenos to share whatever they can for our Visayan and Mindanao brothers severely affected by the typhoon,” Domagoso said. Rey E. Requejo

YULE PROTEST. Union members of the Manila Public School Teachers’ Association (MPSTA), an affiliate of ACT NCR Union, held a Christmas-themed protest on Friday at Mendiola, Manila to mark day two of their ‘9 days of Christmas’ campaign. Norman Cruz

‘Poll bets must lead by example’

C

ANDIDATES in the 2022 national elections should set good examples in following minimum health standards and advocating for COVID-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization’s representative in the Philippines said Friday.

In an interview with ANC, WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the public needs to be “very, very careful” amid the threat of the more transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

“I wish every candidate will become an example and wears their masks and tries to maintain physical distancing.

I know when campaigning that’s not

easy,” Abeyasinghe told.

“I wish that every candidate will advocate for people to go and get their vaccine as early as possible.”

With vaccine supply now sufficient in the Philippines, the WHO official said the time is right for the candidates to “come together” and advocate vaccination regardless of political ideology.

“This is putting the national interest

ahead of you, over political interest,” Abeyasinghe said.

Latest government data show that at least 37.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Duterte administration is confident of reaching the target of fully vaccinating 54 million by the end of the year.

Abeyasinghe made the appeal amid social media videos showing crowds in events held by aspirants, particularly those running for national positions.

Based on the calendar of activities released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the start of the campaign period is on Feb. 8, 2022 for

Robredo flies to Bohol to see storm damage

STATE OF THE CITY. San Juan CIty Mayor

Francis M Zamora delivers his third State of the CIty Address at the FIl-oil FLying V arena on Friday. He covered various achievements such as the city’s efficient vaccination program, San Juan’s 18 waves of relief goods distribution, and other accomplishments. Manny Palmero

BBM-Sara team, Tingog prepare ‘Odette’ aid packs

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte tapped their network of volunteers to distribute relief goods to those affected by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette.

The BBM-Sara UniTeam volunteers have prepared relief packs containing 5 kilos of rice, assorted canned goods such as sardines, corned beef, meatloaf, milk, and instant coffee.

“The relief goods that we will dis-

tribute are ready, we have rice, grocery packs for the victims of the typhoon, the volunteers of BBM-Sara UniTeam have been alerted to come and distribute these aids,” said the UniTeam.

The UniTeam volunteer network has also prepositioned some relief goods in critical areas to facilitate its distribution.

“Our office is monitoring typhoon Odette and we are looking into what else the victims need. We are currently working with local governments to deliver these aids immediately,” they added.

The BBM-Sara UniTeam Alliance in partnership with its allies that include

national candidates and March 25 for local candidates.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said local government units will face sanctions if they do not enforce the guidelines he will issue regarding activities of electoral candidates—particularly caravans and other mass gatherings—ahead of the start of the official campaign period in February next year.

“I myself will issue guidelines to LGUs, what are the rules when there is a caravan and motorcade in your area and what we should watch out for and not allow,” Año said in a radio interview.

Tingog Party-list group has been pooling resources to help the victims of Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“We have to come together and help our people in the face of devastation left

by Typhoon Odette,” said House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, president of the LakasChristian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

He said the UniTeam in coordination with Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Romualdez is preparing relief goods at the Community Center in Tacloban City initially for distribution to Southern Leyte.

VICE President Leni Robredo is heading to areas in the southern and central Philippines that were battered by typhoon Odette to check relief operations, her office said Friday.

Robredo has left Manila for Bohol, one of the areas where Odette made landfall on Thursday, said her spokesman lawyer Barry Gutierrez.

He said the Vice President also planned to visit Leyte, Surigao, Cebu, and Negros provinces.

“We know that VP’s approach is hands-on, so she plans to go to areas that were hit by the storm, to see firsthand and talk to the affected people, and ensure the assistance that we could give them,” Gutierrez told reporters.

Robredo has converted her election volunteer headquarters in Quezon City as a hub for relief operations, the Office of the Vice President announced The 2022 presidential contender said Thursday it was important for leaders to get on the ground and personally check the welfare of calamity survivors.

“It gives people courage because number one, you send the message that you will not neglect them. Number 2, if you are there, a lot can be done,” she said.

You can talk to the agencies from whom help is required to appear on site.

Then the private sector, once they see you’re there and ask them for help, will be more willing to help because they know you know the situation on the ground,” Robredo said in a chance interview.

Sen. Lacson to Pacquiao: We assist and help, period

By Macon Ramos-Araneta RESPONDING to the call of Sen. Manny Pacquiao to help people from Visayas and Mindanao devastated by typhoon Odette, Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Friday instead lashed back at his fellow presidential candidate.

Since the call was done through media, Lacson emphasized it goes

against his principled belief that “calamity politics” is the lowest form of campaigning.

“In fact, I consider it abominable,” said Lacson, who once served as rehabilitation czar under the Aquino administration after the country was hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

If the call of Pacquiao was done through private communication, Lac-

son, chairman and standard bearer of Partido Reporma, said he would have responded privately as well.

Lacson said he would have “offered whatever resources we can share at our disposal in a coordinated effort.”

As in past calamities, he said his Senate office “as well as friends and supporters assisted without fanfare and without any media coverage.”

Solon calls anew for Disaster Resilience Department

By Maricel V. Cruz

FLUVIAL VESSEL. Workers prepare a ferry boat on Friday for the Metro Manila Film Festival fluvial parade on the Pasig River on Sunday. Manny Palmero

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Friday called for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, said that “nowhere

in the Philippines can now be considered safe from natural disasters with climate change” as Typhoon Odette strikes regions “not usually visited by typhoons.”

Salceda is the principal author of the measure creating the agency. His term as governor was also the model that the

measure is based upon.

“Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas aren’t areas that are used to typhoons. Bicol and the Waray region are. As a result, they are structurally and culturally as used to typhoon preparations as Bicol and Eastern Visayas are,” said Salceda.

Opinion Sneak preview of a Robredo presidency

CATEGORY 5 super typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) has been devastating parts of Visayas and Mindanao. Odette packed winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour with gusts over 300 kilometers per hour. It is said to be as strong as Yolanda (Haian). The Philippine Red Cross warned that millions of Filipinos living along the typhoon’s path were at risk.

Odette made landfall on Siargao Island before passing over Cebu. According to reports, other severely affected areas are Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Bohol, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del Norte.

As expected, social media has been replete with posts of people directly affected

by Odette. Many were providing updates about the situation in their places but there were also a lot of those directly asking for assistance because of the effects of torrential rains and very strong winds.

Forget the incumbent president.

Where were the candidates during and after the typhoon?

There have been communication and power outages as more than 30 transmission lines in Visayas and Mindanao were down. The Agay-ayan River in Misamis Oriental overflowed and resulted in flooding of streets and homes with muddy brown water.

As of the morning of December 16, around 198,000 people were evacuated from their homes to government shelters.

Of this number, 47,000 were from the Eastern Visayas region, more than 2,600 from Surigao, and over 2,000 families from Dinagat Island. As of this writing, Odette remains in the country so damage to lives and property has yet to be estimated.

However, one would think that the national government, led by (the still) President Rodrigo Duterte would be quite visible in assuring people that they are in control and that help will come to those who are in need. But like before, Malacanang has been silent and Duterte has yet to make an appearance or pronouncement. Some people quipped that they have forgotten that the country still has a president. Others, however, are again asking #NasaanAngPangulo like in previous calamities.

But what is most telling this time is how presidential candidates have been responding to this super typhoon. This is important because this can serve as a sneak preview of how they are going to act during calamities IF they get to be elected. This can help voters intelligently decide on whose name to

write on their ballots come May 2022.

The first I saw responding to Odette was Vice-President Leni Robredo who, while going live on social media, reminded people on the typhoon’s path to take precautions and follow the authorities when Odette hits their place. She also said that her office was already in touch and coordinating with the various local government units (LGUs) for needed assistance. She expressed the readiness of her office to immediately respond.

Throughout the night of the 15th, Robredo was visible coordinating, monitoring, and responding to social media posts of those needing help. She converted her Quezon City volunteers’ headquarters as the hub to receive donated relief goods. On the 17th, Robredo flew to Bohol to provide aid and personally monitor relief operations for those affected by Odette in the province.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao posted a call on social media addressed to his fellow candidates to set aside politics first and come together to help our people in the face of the devastation brought about by the super typhoon. The public saw how VP Leni Robredo responded to Pacquiao’s call. By then, the VP was already busy with helping out so it was easy for her to agree to coordinate their efforts in the provision of assistance. This is a very good example of political “adversaries” coming together for the people’s good.

Meanwhile, Isko Moreno reminded people to be prepared for Odette, to stay home, and monitor reports from PAGASA. As of this writing, Panfilo Lacson has yet to say anything about this calamity.

Marcos Jr. for his part, also reminded people to prepare for the typhoon and to coordinate with their LGU. However, on the evening of December 16, @marcosdaily_ph posted pictures of the dictator’s son partying with friends in his campaign headquarters. The post immediately caught the attention of many who readily criticized the candidate for his behavior while millions of Filipinos were fearing for their lives because of Odette.

On Facebook, Nereo Lujan was quick to post the similarity between the dictator and his son. Lujan pointed out that Marcos Jr. did as his parents did during the onslaught of typhoon Yoling in November 1970. From the paper of Prof. James Warren, Lujan said that when the weather was worsening in Manila, FM and Imelda brought their guest, Burmese General Ne Win, to Baguio. There, they played golf on the Mansion House course oblivious and uncaring of the havoc brought about by Yoling to Manila and nearby areas. The Marcoses were criticized then as their son is criticized now.

Indeed, these candidates’ showing during this calamity is a good gauge of how they will handle similar emergencies and crises during their term if they get elected. Hopefully, people are keenly observing them. We no longer want to ask for the president’s whereabouts as we do now, during times like this.

Prior to super typhoon Odette, when VP Leni Robredo was asked how she would handle disasters if elected president, she said that she will be very visible and handson before, during, and after the calamity strikes. She is showing us how she will be as President Robredo. @bethangsioco on Twitter

Peace in times of disaster

IN THE fourth Sunday of Advent, the last purple candle, which represents peace, is lit. Peace has always proven to be an elusive commodity since time immemorial.

Almost unconsciously but willfully, we are inclined to sin and continue the uprising that the first man and woman had started. Like them, we have the impulse to be like god ourselves, trying to usurp the power of God himself. This is why the Israelites, despite the many wonders that God has done for them in the wilderness, chose to worship a false idol in the form of a golden calf. As a result, many are slain by God’s burning wrath and only those who refuse to worship the idol are allowed to enter the Promised Land.

To this day, we continue to replicate and reenact the ways of the stiff-necked Israelites by pretending to be gods ourselves. We want to be autonomous from Him, acting in a way contrary to His will.

The consequence is sin and with it the lack of inner peace. The sinner is plagued with inner turmoil, and is tormented by

pangs of conscience. He is constantly in a state of emotional, psychological and spiritual chaos which deprives him of an enduring contentment and serenity.

But our sin is but a drop in the ocean of God’s mercy and love. God in his goodness promised us a redeemer; one who will free us from the shackles of our mutinous selves. He promised a Messiah, a Redeemer, to bridge the gap between God and man first caused by Adam and Eve. The one who is to come is Christ, the prince of peace and the embodiment of God’s love and mercy. With His coming, victory over Satan and his legions is achieved.

One can only wonder, man and the earth he inhabits is but a tiny speck in the whole universe, so nothing in the grand scheme of God’s creation, yet to God man is everything so much so that He sent His only begotten Son to suffer the ignominy of the cross and redeem us from certain death. It is truly a mystery that God, being all powerful, could only have willed it to save us from death and crush Satan to liberate us from his snares. Yet, God chose to live amongst us, and be like us except sin, ultimately offering himself as a sacrificial lamb in order to redeem us. If that is not the fullest expression of infinitesimal love and mercy what is?

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

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EDITORIAL

Reason for hope this Christmas

W

HILE two imported cases of the fastspreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been detected in the country, causing some damper on the celebration of Christmas in predominantly Christian Philippines, we have strong reason to believe hope is not lost.

Let’s still spread hope, peace, joy and love.

Indeed, how does one celebrate Christmas this year amid the pandemic?

We like to believe this would probably be one in contemporary times when we are motivated to celebrate the season in its essence and simplicity.

With our minds on the COVID virus, we are absorbed in guidelines on how to celebrate Christmas this 2021 – with only members of the family living in the same household to continue wearing face masks, observe physical distancing, or to wash hands frequently.

We are discouraged from visiting one another for our mutual protection and safety. The usual Christmas joy that we have been accustomed to is still not possible this year – at least to those who carry to the letter the basic health protocols and those who want to protect themselves and the others in the community, the eased restrictions despite.

But our Christmas celebration should not be lessened by COVID while we spread more hope, peace, joy and love

The entire country will remain under Alert Level 2 until the end of the year with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic still up, but authorities have taken what may be a positive step: banning travelers from eight countries from Dec 16 to 31 to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.

We also have the impending faceto-face classes next month on the expanded online learning experience, following the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in more than 100 public and private schools nationwide.

this Yuletide.

This is where we should remember the birth of Jesus, where the Christmas story is one of simplicity, when the Lord and Savior was born in a manger with only his mother and father, his guests were a shepherd, a few animals and the three magi.

Verily, a heart-warming reminder of the true reason for and during the season. Aptly, 2021 has been difficult for all of us but we cling to Hope.

That amid the confusion and fear that the pandemic has brought, God is with us, has always been and will always be with us. Appropriately, Jesus is the light of the world.

May the baby Jesus continue to have room in our hearts in deed, our lives reflect Christ’s presence, and our homes radiate God’s peace. With abundance of faith, hope and love, we can be assured we will all get through this crisis together.

Then the song composed by Septimus Winner (1827-1902) “Whispering hope” will have meaning: “When the dark midnight is over/ Watch for the breaking of day/ Whispering hope (whispering hope, whispering hope)...”

There is truly a good reason for Christmas, the pandemic nonetheless.

Inauspicious moment for a democracy summit during the visit of President Jimmy Carter to China in 1978; that there is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China.

China has set a red line for Taiwan not to declare independence.

The same can be said of the exclusion of Russia, which has a population of 144.1 million and the biggest country in land area. While the US invited 100 countries, only 89 came, with Pakistan making a last-minute decision not to attend because of differences with India.

This means, the US totally ignored the 93 member-countries of the UN either because they are not democratic or consider them unworthy of being invited.

THE meeting last week by US President Joe Biden was inauspicious because it was hosted at a time when the image of the US was at its lowest. It came after the US suffered another debacle in its continuing crusade to put international order from the clutches of “authoritarianism” and “dictatorship.” The hasty retreat of the US in Afghanistan may not be humiliating as in Vietnam in 1974. Nonetheless, the world saw the event as another milestone in the receding influence of an empire in our modern time.

It was a setback for whatever one may categorize the event. The US suffered so much that without it, the value of its democracy would be meaningless. No matter how other countries would pirouette their version of democracy, they could never attain perfection because the US has for its motivation how it should be interpreted.

Thus, when the US called for a Democracy Summit but specifically excluded China, which represents 1.4 billion of the world’s population, it was an imperfect democracy. Their exclusion came as a result of political prejudice for the US condemnation of Xingjiang for alleged “genocide” committed against the Uyghurs and for China’s alleged political repression of the people in Hong Kong.

What is unusual in the decision not to invite China and Russia? Their political differences have nothing to do with democracy but more on their refusal of the two countries to submit to what the US prescribes as its version of democracy.

The heightening tension with China over Taiwan is the result of the US’ refusal to honor the One-China principle signed

One may ask, why does sickness, hunger, hatred, persecution, and all sorts of suffering and death persist despite God’s promise of salvation?

One may ask, why does sickness, hunger, hatred, persecution, and all sorts of suffering and death persist despite God’s promise of salvation? Why the pandemic?

Why another deadly typhoon and just before Christmas? Is God merely giving us false hope when he promised salvation?

Christ does not promise us a utopian existence and a life without troubles. On the contrary, following him can be very difficult. Christ’s discipleship requires taking

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Anita F. Grefal

Baldwin R. Felipe

Edgar M. Valmorida

The attendees should only discuss views amenable to the host country.

Moreover, the 11 countries may also not have been invited to avoid embarrassment for they might talk about democracy contrary to the American view to equate it with freedom. Maybe we can count, in addition to China and Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, Syria, Belarus, Nicaragua and Hungary. The delisting of Nicaragua must have been triggered by President Ortega’s decision to break diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

It is anachronistic for a country to host a meeting that claims to uphold the universality of democracy. The US cannot be selective to countries it wants to attend. This betrays the truth that US president Joe Biden has a preconceived concept of democracy; that the attendees should only discuss views amenable to the host country.

Paradoxically, China is hosting the Winter Olympics in Beijing this year. As up one’s cross.

‘The gospel of Matthew says “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” God brings salvation and with it peace only to those who follow him and willingly heed his invitation to be his disciple. God is patient, not wanting any of us to perish. All are welcome to walk with Jesus. For narrow is the gate.

Yet God’s promise of salvation does not deprive us of free will and the freedom to choose. One can always opt to follow or part ways with God. This is why discipleship requires humility, lifelong commitment and a sincere desire never to give in to our baser instincts or fall prey to the snares of the enemy. For man this may be impossible but for God, through the help of the Holy Spirit, everything is possible.

After all is said and done, life’s worries

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

host, China would do its best to ensure the attendance of all countries. It cannot afford to take measures that would dampen the spirit of the participating athletes. To select the participants could spell a break in the spirit of the Olympic Games. Even Adolf Hitler, for all his adulation about the superiority of the German race, could not prevent the participation of a native American athlete Jessie Owens who won four gold medals in the 1936 XI Olympic games in Berlin.

China cannot exhibit prejudice against any country because that would be seen as their failure to meet the camaraderie of the sports. Rather, it was the US that was exposed when it refused to participate in the opening calling its decision a “diplomatic boycott.” Opportunism was very much evident in the US policy; that a total boycott could result in depriving its athletes of medals after their rigorous preparation for the games. Surely, many US athletes will vent their ire to US officials for mixing sports with politics.

When the Soviet Union granted independence to the Soviet Republics including Ukraine, the new Russian Federation offered to dismantle the Warsaw Pact and to withdraw all its troops in Eastern Europe. This offer was in exchange for the promise to end the “Cold War” after the last Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and US President George Bush signed the agreement.

The US should have reciprocated the Soviet gesture by dismantling the US-led North Atlantic alliance. Aside from denying the promise, it intensified the provocation by inviting instead the former members of the Eastern European bloc to join the alliance and allowed them to install anti-ballistic missiles in Romania, Poland and Lithuania to endanger Russian security because a missile launched from Europe could reach Moscow in less than five minutes.

Full version on www.manilastandard. and troubles will not vanish magically as we are seeing now with Typhoon Odette devastating the Visayas and Mindanao.

But Christ’s coming into the world has given us a way to peace and salvation despite these troubles. Yes, peace can exist in spite of all ferment and disorder. The requirement is if we are willing to allow Christ to reign in our hearts and let His spirit abide in us. As St. Teresa of Avila said – “Let nothing trouble you, nothing frighten you. All things are passing; God never changes…Whoever possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices.” Surely, with Christ in us, no amount of virus, or bickering, or material want can trouble us nor perturb our serenity. Christ brings peace to the troubled and joy to the suffering. This is the significance of Christ’s coming; the very essence of Christmas which we now celebrate.

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24 killed in building blaze in Osaka; police eye arson

RIBBONS OF HOPE. A South Korean guard post is seen through a military fence decorated with ribbons wishing for peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula at Imjingak peace park near the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas in Paju on December 17, 2021, on the tenth anniversary of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. AFP

AT LEAST 24 people were killed after a blaze gutted a mental health clinic in a commercial building in the Japanese city of Osaka on Friday, local media said, with police reportedly considering it a possible arson case.

The fire broke out mid-morning and raged for half an hour on the fourth floor of the clinic, which also provided general medical care.

The clinic’s charred interior was visible through burnt-out window frames as firefighters put up a tarpaulin to block the scene from view.

Public broadcaster NHK and other major Japanese media said 24 people had died, citing local police, who did not immediately confirm the toll.

Earlier on Friday, an Osaka fire department official feared 27 people had perished in the blaze. In Japan, only a doctor can officially certify a death.

“The municipal fire department is investigating the cause of the fire. I have received a report that Osaka police are

investigating the fire as possible arson,” regional governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said on Twitter.

Japanese media said a man in his 50s or 60s had allegedly dispersed a liquid to start the blaze.

Kyodo News, citing police sources, said the man had placed a paper bag containing a flammable liquid next to a heater, which he then kicked over to ignite.

Masakatsu Shinozaki, 74, the owner of a shop across the street from the building, told AFP he had seen a lot of smoke coming out of the windows.

“I saw a girl shouting for help from the sixth floor, but I didn’t realize there were so many people in the building,” he said.

“Fire is really scary. It takes away everything. A thief can take away some items. But a fire takes away everything.”

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered his “sincere condolences” to the victims and sympathy to those injured in the incident. AFP

US hits China with fresh sanctions

T

HE United States on Thursday unleashed a volley of actions to censure China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority, with lawmakers voting to curb trade and new sanctions slapped on the world’s top consumer drone maker.

The United States has ramped up pressure on China, with President Joe Biden’s administration a day earlier targeting producers of painkillers that contributed to America’s addiction crisis.

The US Senate unanimously voted to make the United States the first country to ban virtually all imports from China’s Xinjiang region over forced labor concerns.

“We know it’s happening at an alarming, horrific rate with the genocide that we now witness being carried out,” said Senator Marco Rubio, a driver behind the act, which has already passed the House of Representatives, and which the White House says Biden will sign.

After prolonged negotiations to secure its passage, Rubio lifted objections

and the Senate confirmed veteran diplomat Nicholas Burns as ambassador to China.

Burns, a former ambassador to Greece and NATO, has described China as an “aggressor” and denounced the “genocide” of the Uyghurs, but also expressed a willingness to cooperate on issues such as climate change.

Some US businesses had voiced unease about the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which bans the import of all goods from the region unless companies offer verifiable proof that production did not involve slavery.

An estimated 20 percent of garments imported into the US each year include

some cotton from Xinjiang.

Rights experts, witnesses and the US government say more than one million Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking Muslims are incarcerated in camps in an effort to root out their Islamic cultural traditions and forcibly assimilate them into China’s Han majority.

Beijing describes the sites as vocational training centers and says it is seeking to reduce the allure of radical Islam following deadly attacks.

Washington has described the campaign as genocide and, along with Australia, Britain and Canada, planned a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Games next year over the issue. AFP

Patriots? Students navigate HK classroom crackdown HONG KONG teenager Sum says he lives a double life.

In school he presents as a dutiful student, happy to learn a new “patriotic” curriculum and stand to attention at the now regular flag-raising ceremonies he must attend.

But when class ends the 16-year-old often heads to the courts to support friends being prosecuted for national security offenses.

“I can pretend to be a loyal patriot,” he told AFP after one recent hearing. “But I will also guard my heart by building both my body and my mind.”

Sum’s friends are part of a group of seven -- including four minors -- who were charged earlier this year with “inciting subversion” after authorities said they were discovered in possession of explosives and materials with pro-independence slogans.

The group includes a 15-year-old girl, the youngest person to be charged under a national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong after huge and often violent democracy protests swept the city two years ago.

Youngsters played a key role in those protests, as well as earlier democracy rallies in 2014 and 2012.

Of the more than 10,000 people arrested during the 2019 unrest, nearly 40 percent were students. Over 1,100 students have since been prosecuted, many of them serving time.

Beijing has dismissed the democracy movement, portraying it as an insidious “foreign plot” to destroy China, and says a lack of patriotic education allowed Hong Kongers to be misled and radicalized.

China has since moved to incubate loyalty within Hong Kong’s 960,000 students, part of a wider campaign to remold the once outspoken city in the authoritarian mainland’s image and root out dissent.

“Students educated in Hong Kong must not turn into individuals who only have a Chinese face but do not carry a Chinese heart,” senior Chinese official Tan Tieniu said in a speech earlier this year on education reform. AFP

UN: Ethiopia risks descent into ‘generalized violence’ THE United Nations warned Friday that all sides in Ethiopia’s 13-month conflict were committing severe abuses, and cautioned that generalized violence could ensue, with implications for the entire region.

Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, deputy rights chief Nada Al-Nashif warned that the risk in Ethiopia “of increasing hatred, violence and discrimination is very high.”

This, she said, could allow the already brutal conflict to “escalate into generalized violence, (with) major implications, not only for millions of people in Ethiopia, but also across the region.”

Her comments came at the start of an emergency council session to address the spiraling conflict which the UN says has left thousands dead, displaced more than two million people and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine.

The session was requested by the European Union, with the support of more than 50 countries, urging the body to “stand up to its responsibilities.”

“The international community has a moral obligation to try to prevent further atrocities and ensure accountability and justice for victims and survivors,” Lotte Knudsen, the EU ambassador in Geneva said in a statement earlier this week.

The EU and others are pushing for the council to launch an international investigation into abuses committed in the country since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray in November 2020 after accusing the region’s dissident ruling party of attacks on federal army camps.

The Nobel Peace laureate declared victory over the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, but rebel fighters staged a shock comeback, recapturing most of Tigray and pushing into neighboring Afar and Amhara. AFP

MINING ACCIDENT. Members of a rescue team transfer a mine worker out of a flooded coal mine in Xiaoyi city, in northern China’s Shanxi province on December 17, 2021. AFP

Top Taliban commander escapes drone strike A TOP leader of the Pakistan Taliban escaped unhurt from a suspected drone strike on a safe house in eastern Afghanistan, the militant group said Friday.

The strike on Thursday evening came a week after a ceasefire between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the government collapsed, with militants accusing Islamabad of killing its fighters.

The TTP – a separate movement but sharing common roots with Afghanistan’s new leaders – plunged Pakistan into a period of horrific violence after forming in 2007.

Two TTP sources currently in Afghanistan told AFP that Maulvi Faqir Mohammad was the target of what they described as a drone strike on a compound in Chawgam village, in the eastern province of Kunar bordering Pakistan.

“Maulvi Faqir Mohammad was not present at the time... two fighters of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan were wounded,” one source said.

The compound was being used as a base by

TTP fighters from Pakistan crossing the porous border with Afghanistan, he said.

Mohammad was arrested by the previous USbacked Kabul government and spent years in Afghanistan’s notorious Bagram prison, but was released after the Taliban’s lightning takeover of the country in August.

It was not clear who was responsible for Thursday’s attack, but both Pakistan and the United States have previously used unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct assassinations in the region.

Bilal Karimi, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, told AFP from Kabul that the strike was an explosive fired from the ground.

The TTP emerged 14 years ago and has been blamed for around 70,000 killings by successive Pakistani governments.

Thursday marked the seventh anniversary of the TTP massacre of nearly 150 schoolchildren in Peshawar, an atrocity that remains seared on Pakistan’s national consciousness.AFP

UK PM Johnson suffers crushing by-election defeat BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday suffered a crushing by-election defeat in a constituency never previously lost by his Conservative Party, a result which raises serious questions about his leadership.

His party won the seat in North Shropshire, central England, by a massive majority in 2019, but that was wiped out by the Liberal Democrats in Thursday’s vote in a result that will intensify the mutinous mood among Conservative MPs. Johnson, 57, was already reeling after roughly 100 of his MPs rebelled in parliament Tuesday against the government’s introduction of vaccine passes for large events.

The UK leader’s authority has also been clobbered repeatedly in recent weeks by claims of corruption and reports that he and his staff broke coronavirus restrictions last Christmas.

Weeks of bad headlines turned what would normally be a routine victory in the safe rural seat – won by 23,000 votes just two years ago – into a shattering defeat of almost 6,000 votes, while surging virus cases have added to a sense of crisis.

The government reported nearly 89,000 new infections Thursday, the second consecutive record daily tally.

Winning candidate Helen Morgan said that voters had sent a message “loudly and clearly” to Johnson that “the party’s over.”

“Your government, run on lies and bluster, will be held accountable.

It can and will be defeated,” she vowed.

Defeat will likely see more MPs filing letters of no-confidence in their leader, which could trigger an internal party vote to remove him.

The same process saw his predecessor Theresa May ousted in mid2019 after MPs including Johnson voted against her Brexit deal in parliament.

The Liberal Democrats appeared to have been helped by supporters of the main national opposition Labor party lending them their votes.

“I’ll be voting for the Liberal Democrats because I’m so offended by the performance of Johnson,” Martin Hill, 68, who normally votes Labor, told AFP earlier this week. AFP

Fortress Pyongyang: Kim shuts down outside influences WHEN he inherited power in North Korea 10 years ago, Swiss-educated basketball fan Kim Jong Un seemed open to foreign ideas and market reforms, but is increasingly shutting down outside influences as he enters his second decade in office.

North Korea has long been one of the world’s most isolated countries, with authorities seeking to maintain tight control over what information gets in or out.

These restrictions appeared to ease under Kim, who allowed the market to play a greater role in North Korea’s flagging economy, and invited an entourage of Kpop artists to perform in Pyongyang in 2018.

But the country’s situation is deteriorating under a self-imposed coronavirus blockade—a far more comprehensive measure than any of the international sanctions it is under for its nuclear program.

Strict rules have snapped back into place as Kim looks to reinforce internal solidarity and his grip on society during times of hardship, analysts say. AFP

PEDIATRIC VAX. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach vaccinates ten-yearold Frida at the vaccination center at the Zoo in Hanover on December 17, 2021 as inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 against the COVID-19 virus started this week in Germany. AFP

Business

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

IMF pulls out of Brazil after after criticism from minister

PSEi December 18, 2021

TOP GAINERS

LAST %

PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 OPMB 0.012 0.002 20.00% 2 DWC 2.15 0.35 19.44% 3 DIZ 5.66 0.56 10.98% 4 OPM 0.011 0.001 10.00% 5 MAH 1.21 0.09 8.04% 6 IPO 7.6 0.49 6.89% 7 ACEX 36.85 2.35 6.81% 8 OM 0.34 0.02 6.25% 9 TEL 1900 90 4.97% 10 AB 6.19 0.29 4.92%

TOP LOSERS

LAST %

PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 LCB 0.127 -0.017 -11.81% 2 MEDIC 1.3 -0.1 -7.14% 3 DITO 5.51 -0.34 -5.81% 4 JAS 1.7 -0.1 -5.56% 5 PHA 0.57 -0.03 -5.00% 6 CAT 13.18 -0.6 -4.35% 7 MONDE 15.32 -0.68 -4.25% 8 TFHI 124.9 -5 -3.85% 9 NI 1 -0.04 -3.85% 10 MRC 0.255 -0.01 -3.77%

MOST ACTIVE

1 MONDE 2 SPNEC 3 TEL 4 GLO 5 ALI 6 SMPH 7 CNVRG 8 BDO 9 SM 10 BPI

VOLUME VALUE (PHP) 287,555,800 4,417,753,218 1,717,314,000 1,612,470,800 492,810 929,739,700 214,470 762,505,520 17,623,900 618,641,975 12,514,800 440,864,650 10,880,900 346,191,235 2,583,450 322,200,521 253,940 251,839,125 2,620,160 245,563,699

FALLING LIRA. A fish shop owner waits for customers at historical Karakoy fish bazaar in Istanbul on December 16, 2021.

The Turkish lira hit fresh historic lows after the central bank bowed to President wishes and cut the main interest rate for the fourth successive month. The reduction of the main rate to 14 from 15 percent comes in face of an annual inflation rate that has surged past 20 percent and is expected to climb even higher in the coming weeks.

Stock market up; PLDT, GT Capital lead gainers S TOCKS rose Friday on growing optimism in the business sector amid the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the faster pace of the government’s vaccination rollout.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 64.40 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,297.66 on a value turnover of P14.5 billion. Losers, however, edged losers, 92 to 89, with 47 issues unchanged.

Results of the Business Expectations Survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show that the outlook of business owners on the economy turned optimistic in the fourth quarter as the overall confidence index reverted to the positive territory at 39.7 percent—the highest level since

the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country in the first quarter of 2020. That compares with negative 5.6 percent in the third quarter of 2021.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, advanced 5 percent to P1,900, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group climbed 4.1 percent to P590.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a major fiber broadband service provider, gained 3.6 percent at P32, but noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. fell 4.2 percent to P15.32.

The rest of Asian equities mostly fell Friday, pulling back from the previous day’s rally as traders consider central bank plans to combat soaring inflation by ending the era of ultra-cheap cash, while also navigating a COVID-19 infection spike that threatens an already fragile economic recovery.

Tokyo lost 1.8 percent while Singapore, Wellington, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta also dropped into the red.

Sydney, Seoul and Taipei edged up.

With prices rising at their fastest pace in four decades, the Fed this week set itself on a much more hawkish path to get them under control by pledging to end its vast bond-buying program by March and indicating a series of interest rate hikes that could run through 2023.

The news on Wednesday was met with a rally across US and Asian markets as investors welcomed an end to the some of the uncertainty that had hung over markets for months, and a Fed plan to rein in inflation.

OANDA’s Craig Erlam said a gauge of possible rate hikes “was towards the hawkish end of expectations, something investors welcomed with open arms.”

“It’s not often those two things have been said together since the global financial crisis. In fact, it may be a first. The last time the Fed raised rates, it faced strong criticism from some, most notably President Trump. With AFP

ECB begins ‘step-by-step’ stimulus exit as inflation rate surges

By Sebastien Ash FRANKFURT, Germany—The European Central Bank on Thursday said it would wind down pandemic-era bond buys as the eurozone comes under pressure from soaring inflation, even as concerns grow about the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The eurozone has “become better at coping with the pandemic waves,” said ECB president Christine Lagarde, adding that progress in the economic recovery “permits a step-by-step reduction in the pace of our asset purchases over the coming quarters.”

Lagarde admitted however that Omicron and the potential emergence of other variants created “extra uncertainty,” and said the bank was ready to react to any “negative shocks.”

The ECB’s chosen course sets its apart from the US Federal Reserve, which is speeding up its stimulus exit and has flagged a number of rate hikes over the coming years to tame inflation.

In Frankfurt, the ECB confirmed the end of its 1.85-trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) pandemic-era bond purchasing program (PEPP) in March 2022, and said it would start slowing the pace of purchases in the first quarter.

The pandemic emergency bond-buying program, currently hoovering up around 70 billion euros worth of assets every month, is the ECB’s main crisisfighting tool, aimed at keeping borrowing costs low to stoke economic growth.

To avoid an abrupt drop in its bondbuying in March, the ECB will ramp up its pre-crisis asset purchase program

European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde leaves after addressing a press conference following a meeting of the governing council of the ECB on the eurozone monetary policy in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on December 16, 2021. AFP

(APP) to soften the transition.

This would be increased in the second quarter to 40 billion euros, and reduced to 30 billion in the third quarter, the ECB said.

Purchases under the APP would continue thereafter at a pace of 20 billion euros “for as long as necessary” to support the ECB’s goals.

“With today’s decision, the ECB has entered into a very cautious tapering process,” said ING economist Carsten

Brzeski.

Diverging paths The ECB underlined the “flexibility” of its monetary response, singling out Greece as a target for support, and Lagarde said that PEPP purchases could be resumed “if necessary” should the pandemic situation worsen.

The ECB also left its interest rates at historic lows, including a negative deposit rate that means lenders pay to park excess cash at the central bank.

The Bank of England earlier surprised markets with a rate hike to combat runaway inflation.

Across the Atlantic, where the rise in inflation has been even steeper, the US Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it was doubling the pace of its withdrawal from asset purchases, bringing the end forward by several months.

Policymakers at the US central bank also indicated that they expected the Fed could raise its interest rates up to three times in 2022.

The possibility of the ECB following suit remains distant, with Lagarde reiterating that a rate hike was “very unlikely” in 2022 and in any case would only come after the end of the asset-purchasing schemes.

Inflation up While the ECB has up to now described the inflation spike as “transitory,” attributing it to one-off pandemic related factors, price rises in the 19-nation euro region has progressed at a rate that has exceeded observers’ expectations.

In November, consumer prices rose 4.9 percent year on year in the eurozone, a record in the history of the single currency.

In the US, Fed officials have dropped talk of “transitory” inflation.

The Omicron variant has raised fears of more disruption, aggravating supply bottlenecks that have pushed prices up faster and hampered economic growth. AFP

Bank of England raises rate to fight runaway prices in a surprise move LONDON—The Bank of England on Thursday lifted interest rates to 0.25 percent to combat decadehigh inflation, in a “finely balanced” decision due to mounting fears of economic fallout from Omicron.

The BoE’s monetary policy committee voted 8-1 to raise rates from a record low 0.10 percent but unanimously maintained quantitative easing stimulus, it said in a statement that flagged more hikes to come.

That marked the first increase in more than three years and made Britain the first of the G7 nations to lift borrowing costs since the start of the pandemic.

In reaction, the British pound jumped higher versus the dollar and euro as the move confounded most analysts’ expectations for no change.

The news comes after the Federal Reserve this week laid out inflation-fighting plans and paved the way for US hikes next year, but the European Central Bank held record-low eurozone interest rates and insisted it was very unlikely to raise them in 2022.

The BoE decision followed official data which showed Wednesday that UK inflation rocketed in November to 5.1 percent, more than double its 2.0-percent target.

“The Committee continues to judge that... some modest tightening of monetary policy over the forecast period is likely to be necessary to meet the inflation target sustainably,” read minutes from the meeting.

They continued: “Most members of the committee judged that an immediate, small increase in Bank Rate was warranted.

“Although the conditions for tightening set out in November had been met, the decision at this meeting was finely balanced because of the uncertainty around COVID developments.”

Policymakers cautioned that the Omicron coronavirus variant, which has forced Britain to re-impose COVID restrictions this week, posed downside eco-

nomic risks alongside the ongoing supply crunch.

Almost 80,000 people in Britain tested positive for COVID 19 in a 24-hour period on Wednesday—the highest daily number since the pandemic hit.

“Growth in many sectors has continued to be restrained by disruption in supply chains and shortages of labour,” the minutes added.

“The impact of the Omicron variant, associated additional measures introduced by the UK government and devolved administrations, and voluntary social distancing will push down” on the economy in December and in the first quarter of next year.

The BoE had slashed its main interest rate to a record-low 0.1 percent at the start of the pandemic in order to boost Britain’s COVID-ravaged economy.

However, global inflation has since accelerated sharply after the world emerged from lockdowns earlier this year, as companies struggled to meet demand for goods, energy and other services. AFP

BRASILIA, Brazil—The International Monetary Fund said Thursday it will close its Brazilian office, a day after receiving harsh criticism from Economy Minister Paulo Guedes over its forecasts for Latin America’s biggest economy.

The IMF said it would close its office in Brasilia when the current country representative’s mandate expires on June 30, 2022.

The move came after Guedes, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s ultra-liberal economy guru, said the IMF was overly pessimistic in its forecasts on Brazil and was no longer welcome.

“They can go take a walk,” he said Wednesday.

“They were here forecasting (Brazil’s economy) would contract by 9.7 percent (in 2020) and Britain’s would contract by four percent. In the end, we contracted by four percent, and Britain by 9.7 percent,” he said.

He also accused IMF officials in the country of being more interested in “football and feijoada”—a meat-and-bean stew that is one of Brazil’s most famous attractions—than in helping the economy.

The IMF opened its office in Brazil in 1999, when the country turned to the Washington institution for financing to help get out of an economic crisis.

That program ended in 2005.

The IMF said it had maintained the office to “facilitate dialogue,” but Guedes said that was no longer needed.

“They’ve been here long enough.

There was a lot of imbalance in the relationship,” he said.

Guedes and Bolsonaro have been at pains to shore up confidence in Brazil’s recession-hit economy as the president heads toward elections next October with his popularity at an all-time low.

Bolsonaro has alarmed investors by maneuvering to break Brazil’s constitutional spending cap in order to fund big social spending, a move condemned as economic populism by critics.

Guedes insists the pessimism is unwarranted and that the Bolsonaro administration will leave a stronger economy than it inherited. AFP

Britain, Australia finalize free trade deal valued at £10b LONDON—Britain and Australia finalized in a virtual ceremony on Thursday a free trade deal that is expected to unlock more than £10 billion in trade annually.

The deal, which was agreed in principle in June, is the first free trade deal that Britain negotiated from scratch since its EU exit earlier this year to have been signed.

Britain and Australia concluded the deal after the two nations addressed issues surrounding the farming sector.

British farmers will be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years, using tariff-rate quotas and other safeguards.

Britain’s Department for International Trade said the deal which will eliminate tariffs on all exports between the two nations will help create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

“Our UK-Australia trade deal is a landmark moment in the historic and vital relationship between our two commonwealth nations,” International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan was quoted as saying in a statement.

The deal is also a boost for Britain’s strong service sector as it eases access to Australian work visas for professionals like lawyers and accountants to an unprecedented extent.

The Confederation of British Industry welcomed the signing, the “agreement sets the bar high.”

“The signing of the UK-Australia trade deal has opened up new frontiers for British businesses,” CBI president Lord Karan Bilimoria said in a statement.

“With a complete elimination of tariffs that will boost UK exports, improving the ability for those in business and our young talent to move across borders.”

Britain’s Department for International Trade said “it is a deal tailored for the UK economy with cutting-edge agreements in areas where Britain is a world leader... along with increased access to Australia for the UK’s powerhouse service sectors.”

Young Britons can also work and travel in Australia for up to three years at a time.

The department also described the deal as “a gateway into the fast-growing IndoPacific region and will boost our bid to join CPTPP, one of the largest free trade areas in the world.” AFP

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

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

Business

IN BRIEF Arran completes AC Energy deal

AC ENERGY and Infrastructure Corp. said Friday Arran Investment Pte. Ltd., an affiliate of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC Private Limited, completed the acquisition of P9.32-billion worth of shares in AC Energy Corp.

ACEIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a share purchase agreement with Arran for the sale of 2,689,521,681 secondary AC Energy Corp. shares at P3.4678 apiece for a total of P9,326,723,285.37.

“The sale of secondary ACEN shares to Arran is meant to implement the investment agreement that the parties signed on Dec. 30, 2020 to enable Arran to own 17.5 percent of the outstanding capital stock of ACEN post completion of ACEN’s follow-on offering and the infusion by ACEIC of its international assets into ACEN,” ACEIC said.

It said the price for the sale of secondary ACEN shares to Arran is pursuant to the pricing mechanism as agreed by the parties in the Dec. 30, 2020 investment agreement, where pricing mechanism is independent of future market price movements. Alena Mae S. Flores

Malacañang names new head of NPC

SPNEC’S IPO. Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. concludes its initial public offering with the listing of its shares at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Dec.17. SPNEC is the first company to list under PSE’s supplemental listing and disclosure requirements for petroleum and renewable energy companies. Attending the bell-ringing ceremony are (by row, from left) SPNEC independent director Benjamin Espiritu and PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran; SPNEC director Hazel Iris Lafuente, SPNEC chairman, president and chief executive Leandro Antonio Leviste, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon and PSE issuer regulation division head Marigel Garcia; SGV chairman and managing partner Wilson Tan, Abacus Capital & Investment Corp. chairman and president Paulino Soo and Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating officer Renee Rubio.

Shareholders OK LBP-UCPB merger

By Julito G. Rada

U

NITED Coconut Planters Bank said Friday shareholders approved the planned merger with Land Bank of the Philippines, paving the way for the fusion of the two government-controlled banks into a unified and stronger financial institution.

UCPB said in a statement shareholders representing 97.2 percent of the total outstanding capital stock of UCPB voted in favor of the merger during the

stockholders’ meeting on Dec. 14.

As the surviving entity of the merger, LandBank’s total assets will grow to nearly P3.0 trillion, further solidifying its position as the country’s second-largest bank in terms of assets.

“With this merger, we are looking forward to a stronger, more resilient and unified banking institution that will promote and broaden financial inclusion among Filipinos, especially those who belong to the underserved and unbanked sectors,” LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said.

LandBank said it is more than capable of absorbing the financial impact of the merger with UCPB, as its assets and liabilities would expand total deposits, loans and capital.

LandBank assured customers of both banks that deposits would remain intact

and secured in servicing branches, as banking services will continue to be unhampered and uninterrupted, while ensuring that the rights of all shareholders are upheld and protected.

The merger of the two banks is pursuant to Executive Order 142 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 25, 2021, which approved the merger to form a better capitalized and more resilient institution that would play a principal role in the national government’s development and financial inclusion agenda.

LandBank’s net income grew by 21.2 percent in the first three quarters to P16.72 billion from P13.8 billion in the same period last year, raising total assets by 13.6 percent to P2.564 trillion from P2.257 trillion. Capital also rose 25.77 percent to P208.17 billion from P165.52

SPNEC price up slightly in market debut

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, December 17, 2021

64.40 PTS. 7,297.66

TOTAL VOLUME

3,076,747,278

TOTAL TRADES 90,798 TOTAL VALUE 14,467,500,478.45 ADVANCES 89 DECLINES 92 UNCHANGED 47

F oreign E xchange R ate

By Jenniffer B. Austria SHARE price of Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp., the developer of what is expected to be the largest solar project in Southeast Asia, rose slight in its debut on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange Friday.

SPNEC opened lower at P0.95 per share from its initial public offering price of P1, but recovered in the afternoon to close at P1.01.

PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon congratulated SPNEC as the first company to list under PSE’s supplemental listing and disclosure rules for renewable energy companies approved by the PSE in 2011, which provides exemption from the PSE’s track record and operating history requirements.

“I am optimistic that this solar farm project will be equally successful and profitable as the two other solar farms of SPNEC’s parent company in Batangas and Tarlac,” Monzon said.

Monzon said aside from being the first to list under the supplemental rules for renewable energy, SPNEC’s IPO holds the record for having the youngest chairman of a listed company, Leandro Leviste at 28 years old.

“This should serve notice to other young entrepreneurs that they too can access capital through the stock market,” Monzon said.

Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Emilio Aquino said SPNEC’s IPO marked a step forward for renewable energy in the Philippines.

“Its public offering accomplishes two major milestones: First, with the proceeds of the IPO, SPNEC aims to develop a 500-megawatt solar power plant. This power plant will not only be larger than any solar power plant operating or committed in the Philippines today but it will be the largest solar project in Southeast Asia. Second, this listing marks the first time that a renewable energy company will list in the PSE under the supplemental and disclosure requirements for renewable energy companies,” Aquino said.

billion.

The bank consistently complied with the Agri-Agra Law, with agriculture loans reaching 76.95 percent of its total lending portfolio and 11.52 percent for agrarian reform credit as of December 2020.

LandBank said coconut farmers and other workers in the agricultural sector stand to benefit most from its enhanced financial muscle, as evidenced by its consistently growing agriculture lending from P222.05 billion in 2018, to P236.31 billion in 2019 and P237.62 billion in 2020.

Customers of LandBank and UCPB will also gain access to a wider branch and ATM network, with a combined 667 branches and 2,722 ATMs nationwide, and benefit from a wider range of products and services.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021

MRT-7 INSPECTION. President Rodrigo Duterte (seated, left), along with

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, leads the inspection of Metro Rail Transit Line 7’s brand-new trains, following their arrival from South Korea. With them are San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang (standing, second from right) and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go. MRT-7 is expected to conduct test runs by April and start passenger operations by December 2022.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.1350

Japan

Yen

0.008795

0.4409

UK

Pound

1.332300

66.7949

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128146

6.4246

Switzerland

Franc

1.088021

54.5479

Canada

Dollar

0.783085

39.2600

Singapore

Dollar

0.733676

36.7828

Australia

Dollar

0.718300

36.0120

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

132.9912

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266482

13.3601

Brunei

Dollar

0.730994

36.6484

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.029922

1.5001

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

13.6507

Euro

Euro

1.133200

56.8130

Korea

Won

0.000843

0.0423

China

Yuan

0.157011

7.8717

India

Rupee

0.013131

0.6583

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237869

11.9256

New Zealand

Dollar

0.679700

34.0768

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035961

1.8029 Source: BSP

Business sentiment turns positive on faster vaccination rollout

By Julito G. Rada BUSINESS sentiment in the country turned positive in the fourth quarter amid the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the faster pace of the vaccination rollout, latest results of the Business Expectations Survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The BSP said that in the fourth quarter, the overall confidence index reverted to the positive territory at 39.7 percent―the highest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020―from -5.6 percent in the third quarter of 2021.

The positive index resulted from the combined effects of the increase in the percentage of optimists and the decrease in the percentage of pessimists.

“The respondents’ optimism was attributed to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and opening of borders, increase in demand and sales, continuous vaccine rollout leading to herd immunity, seasonal factors such as the uptick in demand during the holiday season and start of mining and milling seasons, as well as decreasing number of COVID-19 cases,” the BSP said.

It said the release of positive economic news, such as the real GDP growth of 7.1 percent in the third quarter, might

have also influenced the more sanguine business expectations.

The BSP said that for the next quarter, the business sentiment improved as the overall confidence index increased to 52.8 percent from 31.9 percent a quarter ago. For the next 12 months, business sentiment was also more optimistic as the overall confidence index increased to 67.6 percent from previous quarter’s survey result of 56 percent.

The BSP said that unlike the business sentiment, the consumer sentiment weakened in the fourth quarter of 2021, although more optimistic for the first quarter of 2022 and the next 12 months.

MALACAÑANG Palace appointed John Henry Du Naga to a three-year term as the new commissioner of the National Privacy Commission effective Dec. 14.

Naga replaced Raymund Enriquez Liboro.

“I thank President Rodrigo Duterte for appointing Atty. John Henry Du Naga as the new privacy commissioner. With Atty. Naga’s appointment, I know that I am passing the baton to capable hands. I have great confidence that the new Privacy Commissioner will further cement the National Privacy Commission as a body committed to advancing data privacy and protection,” Liboro said.

Appointed as the country’s first Privacy Commissioner in March 2016 and having finished two consecutive terms, Liboro fasttracked data protection policy development in the country by issuing the Data Privacy Act’s implementing rules and regulations and essential policy circulars and advisories.

Liboro put the country on the global scene by earning the Philippines a voting seat on the exclusive 5-member executive committee of the Global Privacy Assembly in 2018. Othel V. Campos

JTI Batangas plant gets PEZA award

JAPAN Tobacco Inc.’s manufacturing arm, JTI Asia Manufacturing Corp., received the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Outstanding Employer Award for 2020.

This is the second consecutive year that the JTI-AMC factory inside the Lima Ecozone in Malvar, Batangas, was feted with the award.

JTI-AMC, which commenced operations in 2017, employs 900 people and serves 15 global markets where JTI has a presence.

PEZA also cited JTI-AMC for its outstanding community project, the first time it bestowed this award to JTI under the CSR category.

“We extend our sincerest gratitude to JTI for its notable efforts towards generating significant employment and providing excellent employee welfare programs together with social welfare programs that greatly benefit the Filipino community,” PEZA director-general Charito Plaza said.

Elena Trusova, president of JTI-AMC, said the two awards confirm the company’s deep commitment to its employees’ welfare and its continuing effort to give back to the communities where JTI does business.

“This PEZA award further validates our global top employer award which we have received for the past seven years. It was made sweeter by PEZA’s recognition of our community investment projects that are focused in sectors and communities where we believe we can make a real difference,” Trusova said.

SMIC plans to raise P15b from the sale of fixed-rate bonds CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Friday it is raising up to P15 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate bonds.

SM Investments said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue P10-billion worth of bonds with an oversubscription option for another P5 billion.

The bonds will be issued as a second tranche from SM Investments’ P30-billion bond shelf registration program approved by the SEC in 2020.

The proposed bonds were assigned a rating of PRS Aaa by the Philippine Ratings Services Corp. PRS Aaa is the highest rating assigned by PhilRatings, denoting that such obligations are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk and that the issuing company’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligations is extremely strong “The ratings reflect SMIC’s core businesses with strong market positions; its healthy balance sheet, with ample liquidity and sound capital structure; and expectations that improved profitability will be sustained, in line with the gradual re-opening and recovery of the domestic economy,” PhilRatings said.

“Moving forward, profitability measures will show annual improvement, supported by sustained revenue growth.

The expected completion of projects in the property business and the opening of new stores are expected to expand the group’s portfolio, sustaining growth over the projected period,” it said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Metro Pacific moves to expand operations, provide better customer services in 15 years INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. will remain focused on growing the business and providing better services to customers over the next 15 years, its top executive said Friday.

“The next 15 years promise only two things, more to come and better service. The reliability of our infrastructure, innovation driven by technology and corporate citizenship will help launch our nation into the next

few decades,” Metro Pacific chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a ceremony to celebrate the company’s 15th listing anniversary at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Pangilinan is set to take over as president of the conglomerate by January following the retirement of Jose Ma. Lim. The conglomerate has major investments in water utility, power generation, toll roads, healthcare and railway

sectors.

Lim said during the ceremony that Metro Pacific managed to grow Maynilad Water Services Inc. From losing two-thirds of its water revenues through leaks or theft, Metro Pacific invested heavily into Maynilad to increase water supply and household connections to current 9.9 million customers from 6.4 million in 2007.

Metro Pacific said it also invested heavily in infrastructure such as new

roads and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

“These new projects will double the size of our tollroads business by 20232024,” Lim said.

The group operates 230 kilometers of toll roads in the Philippines and another 174 km. In other countries.

Lim said Manila Electic Co. was aggressively pursuing renewable projects totalling 2,5000 megawatts over the next seven years. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 Maureen Schrijvers displays her two gold medals.

Commercial model hogs spotlight with 2 golds

By Peter Atencio

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AGUIO City—You may have seen her pretty face in countless commercials, including in a telco ad recently. But expect to see her more on the track in the coming months.

Commercial model Maureen Schrijvers found her way back into the national women’s team and as she snared her second gold medal on Friday at the conclusion of the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships at the Baguio Athletic Bowl here.

The 26-year-old Schrijvers took home her second crown at the end of the two-day meet after finishing ahead of Karen Janario in 26.03 seconds in the women’s 200-meter dash.

Schrijvers, who made a big comeback in 2019 by helping Team Philippines win two bronze medals in the women’s 4x400 m relays and the mixed event of the Southeast Asian Games on Thursday took the 400-meter honors in 58.53 seconds.

Dumper Cocolife Tigers win All-Star tiff DAVAO Occidental’s Dumper COCOLIFE Tigers proved too strong even against the Philippine Super League’s VisMin All-Stars in an exhibition game of the Dumper All-Star Event held Tuesday night at the Pagadian City Gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur. The visiting team, owned by Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, Rep. Claudine Bautista-Lim and supported by COCOLIFE president Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP Rowena Asnan and EVP Franz Joie Araque, exerted its might right from the opening salvo by their fluid offense en route to a 5842 halftime score.

They were led by veterans Billy Ray Robles, Joseph Terso Bonbon Custodio, Emman Calo, Robby Celis and gunner John Wilson.

VisMin’s John Jamon, Cyrus Tabi Jon Morada ignited a minor uprising highlighted by Raffy Oktubre’s backto-back conversions from beyond the arc, but Tigers Keith Agovida, Chris Lalata, Gab Dagangon, Celis and Custodio waxed hot, while Wilson’s torrid 7 of 10 shooting from downtown built their biggest lead of 20 at 96-76, with six minutes left on the way to a 111-99 victory.

The Davao squad is managed by Dinko Bautista assisted by Ray Alao.

Wilson’s 30 points and 5 rebounds netted for him the Dumper All Star Event’s Best Player of the Game.

The winning Tigers’ team composed of the MPBL Lakan Cup champion pocketed the grand P500,000 cash prize from event sponsors Dumper Party List, PSL’s Rocky Chan and Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co. In the other festive exhibition game, youngters Mur Prince Alao and Lanze Ronquillo played exceptional for the Dumper selection of young and adult cagers, but fell short against VisMin’s star executives, led

by Samuel Co,79-83. “ It’s a very successful evening that made the people very happy especially during this Christmas season.

Our hats off to Gov. Claude (Bautista), Ma’m Cong. Claudine (BautistaLim), Boss Tracker Lim, Pagadian Mayor Co and PSL,” Tigers’ deputy manager Alao said.

She was among four tracksters, who earned two gold medals after Baguio City fave Katherine Khay Santos first did it with Clinton Kingsley Bautista and Bernalyn Bejoy.

“I’m super happy. Kasi, two months na kami sa Baguio City nagte-training.

Before, I was just doing home workouts,” said Schrijvers, who laid low from competition in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines trackfests after suffering from a hamstring injury.

It was a long journey for Schrijvers, a Belgian-Chinese-Filipino studentathlete, who burst into the collegiate athletic scene after winning medals during the 2012 Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen.

“I’m super happy na nakapag-perform ako. At least above average,” said Schrijvers, who has been dabbling in commercial modelling before graduating as a Pyschology student at De La Salle University.

Schrijvers, who last appeared in a telecommunications commercial before heading to the City of Pines two months ago, surpassed the 26.5-second qualifying time in the 200-meters set by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association for her to able to stay as a member of the national squad.

She also eclipsed the 60-second qualifying in the 400-meters.

Bejoy, a student at DLSU-Manila, also kept her national team slot in bagging two golds, first in the women’s 800-meter, and then in the 400-meter run.

The 20-year-old Bejoy finished the women’s 400-meter run in 1:02.66, well within the 65-second qualification time. And she also met the 2:30.00 cut in the 800-meters in 2:15.99.

“I’m okay. I have found my rhythm.

I’m no longer hesitating when I’m getting close to the hurdles,” said Bejoy.

Twenty-two participants have so far hit the qualifying standard the PATAFA set for qualification to the national team.

Bautista, the reigning SEA Games 110-meter champion, earned qualification in his pet event and in the men’s 100-meter run.

Santos earlier met the qualifying standards set for those who wish to earn slots for the national team in the women’s long jump and in the 100-meter dash on Thursday.

SEA Games marathon queen Christine Hallasgo also rejoined the national squad with her 38:22.54 clocking in the 10,000 meter run, which has a qualifying time of 44:59.

So did newbies Junel Gobotia (men’s 3000-meter steeplechase), Frederick Ramirez and Edgardo Alejan in the men’s 400-meter run, Melissa Escoton in women’s 100-m hurdles and Melvin Calano (men’s javelin throw).

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SEAG slots, P135k up for grabs at PH women’s chess A CASH pot worth P135,000 plus a slot to next year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games will be up grabs when the 2021 Philippine National Women’s Championship comes off the wraps today at the PACE building in Quezon City.

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna will be player to watch in the 12-player field staking P50,000 to the champion, P30,000 and P15,000 for the second and third placers, respectively, plus trophies.

The 24-year-old Frayna was coming off an appearance in the recently concluded National Open Championship in Mactan, Cebu where she was its lone female participant and finished 10th of 12 with four points.

“I’m hoping for the best but the field is really tough because all participants have a chance to win it also,” said Frayna.

Expected to give Frayna a run for her money are former national titlists Shania Mae Mendoza and Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Olympiad veteran Bernadette Galas and WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido.

Also seeing action in the 11-round event are Marie Antoinette San Diego, Rinoa Mariel Sadey, Marian Calimbo, Ruelle Canino, Allaney Jia Doroy, Lexie Grace Hernandez and Francois Marie Magpily.

The event is backed by PSC chair Butch Ramirez, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot, PCSO general manager Royina Garma, Endgame Sports founder Atty. Cris Aspiras, POC president Bambol Tolentino, NCFP chief Butch Pichay and Atty. Roel Canobas.

Southwoods takes Fil-Am golf crown BAGUIO CITY – It was a walk in the park for Manila Southwoods, but it was a struggle for Time Cargo Logistics which literally went through the needle’s eye to win the Am Championship of the 71st Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament today.

Manila Southwoods closed out with 122 for a four-day total of 504 and a 32-point win over Luisita Golf and Country Club, which came out with a 121 and a 472 total in a Fil-Am. The six-day tournament followed strict health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic and at least three antigen tests for the 388 players.

Ryan Mosalve led the Carmona, Laguna-based team with a one over 35 at the Baguio Country Club, even as Sean Ramos and Ivan Monsalve accounted for 32 and 29, respectively for the team which got a pair of 26s from Masaichi Otake and Lsnce Uy, one of which did not count.

Jed Dy made a team-flight best and Baguio Country Club’s best score of 37 to lead Luisita to 121 for the team’s 472 total and runner up finish in the premier Fil Champship.

Scoring for the team are Jet Hernandez with 30, 25 from Gabriel Manotoc and 25 from Leandro Bagtas.

After trailing third-round leader Forest Hillls by four points, Time Cargo Logistics came back strong on the last day of tournament to score 99 and escape with a six-shot victory in the Am Championship.

Gary Sales led with 28, Junjun Plana chipped in 26, while Ruel Cabral and Rustico Bayani, Jr. added 23 and 22, respectively for Time Cargo, which finished with 419 aggregate.

Forest Hills managed an 89 for a 413 total on the 31 of Jose Inigo, 25 of Augusto Pacheco, 21 of Rodel Mangulabnan and 12 from Dennis Nicomedes.

X1R Mizuno settled with 91 en route to a 406 to finish third place.

Manila Southwoods, meanwhile, took the Seniors’ Fil Championship crown by 25 points over co-host CJH team Southwoods closed with 114 and 423 total, while CJH had 111 and 398 for second place.

Co-host BCC finished third with 355 after a 104.

Members of the Manila Southwoods team (from left) Lanz Uy, Ivan Monsalve, Josh Jorge, Ryan Monsalve, Masaichi Otake and Sean Ramos celebrate their win.

PBA legends, celebrities join charity event THE stars from the local basketball circuit and the entertainment industry will collide in one charity event before Christmas Day. Billed as SV Battle Of The All-Stars: Play To Inspire, this charity event will feature PBA legends Marc Pingris and and Jayjay Helterbrand, celebrity ballers

Gerald Anderson, JC Tiuseco and DJ Loonyo and some of the finest cagers in the country who will join forces for this two-day charity basketball event starting December 22 at the SV Ball Park.

A member of the PBA’s grand slam team from the old Purefoods franchise, Pingris, a nine-time champion, will be

Sam Verzosa (middle), chief executive officer and president of Frontrow, is shown with PBA legend Jayjay Helterbrand (second from right) during the press launching of the SV Battle of the All-Stars: Play To Inspire charity basketball event. Joining the two in photo are former PBA player Jerwin Gaco (right), 3 x 3 international player Mac Tallo (second from left), and Dan Reducto.

back on the hard court since announcing his retirement playing in Asia’s pioneering professional basketball league.

This time, he’ll be playing in the 3 x 3 basketball event where he will share the court with former rival, Helterbrand, the former Barangay Ginebra star, who was the PBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2009.

Joining the two in their PBA Moto Vlog squad are fellow former PBA players Billy Mamaril, Rico Maierhofer, and KG Canaleta.

Anderson, Tiuseco and Loonyo, a professional disc jockey and artist, will be playing on different teams.

Sam Verzosa, the event founder, who is also the man behind Frontrow Enterprise, put up this event for its main beneficiary -- the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, an organization which takes care for individuals with disfigurations and other debilitating conditions like people with cleft lip, and persons with eye conditions such as cataract and clubfoot and prosthetics.

“This charity basketball event is all about, not just inspiring, but helping.

We, at Frontrow, are always in the business of helping and changing people’s lives. Of course, this is also for the love

of the game of basketball, for the players and our chosen beneficiary,” said Verzosa.

“We’ve been doing charities for the past 10 years and we’ve been giving donations. Now, we want to change lives, so we chose Mabuhay Deseret, the people who need surgeries like cataract surgeries, cleft lip and clubfoot surgeries.

This will be a life-changing experience for them. We want to be a part of that.”

The SV Battle Of The Stars: ‘Play To Inspire’ charity basketball event is sponsored by Tutok To Win Party List and Frontrow Cares with Wilson as the official ball.

Other notable players taking part in this event are former PBA stars Mac Cardona and Ryan Arana, and 3 x 3 specialist Jay-R Alabanza, who will see action for Spade Vapes, international player Mac Tallo, Dan Reducto, Mark Yee and Jerwin Gaco, who will play for SV Squad, Fran Yu, who will backstop Luxxe Slim, brothers Ricci and Prince Rivero and Jojo Cunanan seeing action for Frontrow Cares, former PBA star Ronald Tubid, playing for Luxxe White and Paolo and Derrick Hubalde seeing action for Luxx3 Protect.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

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

Home/Design ‘Vacc to the Future’ GT CAPITAL Holdings, Inc. and its property arm, Federal Land, Inc. recently donated 5,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine to the local government of Pasay City.

“GT Capital Holdings, Inc. and Federal Land, Inc. are committed to supporting the local government’s effort in overcoming

T

HE Makati Commerce Tower, a Grade A, LEED Gold-certified office development along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, is now structurally complete with construction reaching its 36th, and highest level.

Covid-19,” said Federal Land township business unit head, Mr. John Cabato.

Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano thanked GT Capital Holdings, Inc. and Federal Land, Inc., saying the donation is a big help to sustaining the city government’s “Vacc to the

Future” vaccination program.

Federal Land, Inc. is present in Pasay City with a 36-hectare master-planned community development, Metro Park. At the turnover were (from left) : Jose Crisol, Jr., GT Capital SVP and head of investor relations; Mayor Calixto-Rubiano; and Cabato.

Redefining sustainability

The building, which officially welcomes its first tenants in Q3 2022, underpins the importance of sustainability in building office towers of the future.

“This building will set a new benchmark in terms of what occupiers can expect from their office space in the Philippines,” said Lyndon Lim, principal at BPEA Real Estate, parent company of developer Empresas Diesel Development Inc. The Makati Commerce Tower will have 25 floors of office space, two floors with retail units, and a food court. It will also have eight podium parking levels and two basement parking levels, with 784 parking slots.

Some of the building’s sustainability features include touchless access all the way from the car park to the office floors, destination-control elevator access, IT and back-up power infrastructure, bicycle parking, and charging ports for electric vehicles.

BPI launches all-in home loan solution

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) unveiled this week its new “all-in” home financing product with the option of paying zero upfront fees.

Loan fees can be included in monthly amortization allowing clients to “maintain their savings while at the same time afford their dream home,” BPI Family Savings Bank president Ma. Cristina L. Go said in an online press briefing.

Finance charges are usually about three percent of the total loan amount.

With the average housing loan of P3.5 million, clients won’t need to pay P105,000 upfront using the “all-in”

product, added BPI head of retail loans Dennis Fronda.

“You don’t have to shell out big amount of money right away, allowing you to allocate funds to other financing priorities,” he said.

Interest rate ranges from 6 percent to 7.25 percent depending on the loan period, the bank said.

Payments will also be automatically paid through an auto-debit arrangement (ADA) account with BPI, the bank said.

Fronda said the loan can be applied to over 10 partner developers, including Ayala Land and SMDC, among others.

LEARNING FROM THE PANDEMIC. BRIA Homes expects a greater demand for their solidly built value-for-money homes, having culled some lessons from the pandemic experience. The property developer plans to feature layouts for its condo and housing units that suit the varying requirements of Filipino homebuyers, whether they are single young professionals or starting families. These in include flexible work and learning arrangements. President and COO, Eduardo T. Aguilar, said BRIA Homes has both online and offline marketing activities in the pipeline for its clients and prospective buyers. He added that BRIA projects will offer facilities such as multi-purpose halls, basketball courts, eco-friendly spaces, and play areas. “Pandemic or no pandemic, BRIA will render the best services to Filipinos,” Aguilar vowed. Interested property buyers and investors can check out various BRIA house-and-lot and condominium options via its 360 Virtual Tours in the official BRIA website.

Luxury, mid-income segments recover

PROSPECTS for the real estate industry are looking brighter for 2022, as the demand for luxury and mid-income residential projects point to a gradual, but sustainable recovery.

The challenge for property developers is to showcase its strengths in style and substance to pique the interest of investors willing to spend for design, aesthetics, and use.

For Shang Properties Inc. (SPI), developing residential spaces all boils down to making it uniquely personal, a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Shang Residences at Wack Wack in Mandaluyong

NATURE’S BOUNTY IN CALAMBA. Sta. Lucia Land recently launched its farm lot development, La Huerta in Calamba, Laguna, to tap the growing interest in communities close to nature and the concept of living sustainably.

“Through farm lot developments like La Huerta, we hope to give homebuyers that unique opportunity to try their hand on growing their own produce,” said Sta. Lucia Land Inc. President Exequiel Robles. “Over the past year, we have seen how the pandemic encouraged many to turn to backyard or urban farming to ensure that there’s always a steady supply of fresh produce on their table.”

The 50-hectare La Huerta Farm and Residences is Sta. Lucia Land’s first venture into the idea of leisure farms and residences. “We hope to provide families and individuals the opportunity to find the concept of farming as more than just a weekend activity but rather as a way of life and an integral part of the whole family’s quest for a healthier lifestyle,” Robles said. For more information, email info@staluciamarketing.com

promises privacy and exclusivity for residences.

Beautifully designed amenities such as the lap pool, the well-manicured landscape, and the club lounge with a resort feel are complemented by effortless connections to Ortigas.

In North Makati, The Rise Makati breathes new life in the area known for its art, design, and cuisine.

A stone’s throw away from the financial capital’s business district, its facilities and amenities are tailor-fit for the active lifestyle of young, tech-savvy professionals and budding families.

Tech & Gadgets

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

PH startup KodeGo wins big at Singtel regional program

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ODEGO, a startup under Globe’s corporate venture builder, 917Ventures, secured SG$30,000 and landed a spot in the top six finalists of the recently concluded 2021 Singtel Group Future Makers Program.

Singtel Group Future Makers, Singtel’s regional social innovation and capacity building program aims to support promising social impact start-ups with innovative technology solutions that help address social and healthcare challenges faced by the vulnerable in society. This year, the program sought to identify high potential start-ups with the ability to foster shared value opportunities with regional partners to create impactful social and business solutions for people and the markets that the Singtel Group operates in.

Among the four organizations nominated by Globe, KodeGo gained the highest recognition, cited for its highimpact and highly-scalable innovation, its potential to address unemployment effectively and upskilling challenges in other countries.

“Our mission, as a company, has always been to raise the caliber of Filipino software engineers and address unemployment gaps in the country. This recognition from the Singtel Group and our leaders from Globe is only the beginning for us, as we venture into scaling our business and touch more lives with our digital solutions,” said Francis Simisim, Head of Ideation & Incubation of 917Ventures, Entrepreneur-in-Residence for KodeGo. Simisim shared that they have a longterm goal of helping solve the talent shortage in the tech industry through their training and placement interventions. In the next two years, they are targeting to generate 27,000 program graduates.

Through KodeGo’s offerings and ser-

KodeGo was cited for its high-impact and highlyscalable innovation, its potential to address unemployment effectively and upskilling challenges in other countries.

vices, graduates can secure higher-paying jobs in the tech industry. According to the company’s tracking, participants of the KodeGo Bootcamp showed a 93% job placement success rate, within two weeks after completion.

“We are proud of KodeGo’s achievement and are happy that we can play a part in their journey, as they further develop and build their company. We will continue to support them, along with our other social ventures as we drive innovation through Globe’s wide network of services and solutions,” said Yoly C. Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

This year, a total of 20 alumni impact start-ups participated in Singtel Group’s Future Makers program with the hopes of regional expansion and collaboration to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as UN SDG No. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), UN SDG No. 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and UN SDG No. 10 (Reduce Inequalities).

The program supports social innovators through financial, technical, and marketing assistance to scale up their projects. Likewise, Singtel Group Future Makers provides them with capacity-building support, such as coaching and structured workshops, which can help sharpen their value proposition, and pitching capabilities.

“We are excited to see how KodeGo will grow over the coming months and year. As our newest portfolio company, we know that this recognition will only motivate us and our teams in ushering our customers into further digital transformation,” shared 917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat.

KodeGo, together with EdVenture, BentaTV, and Inon, represented the Philippines in the competition after a rigorous selection process through the Globe Future Makers (GFM) program. Similar to the regional program, GFM aims to help build an ecosystem of support for local social innovators who use technology to solve the country’s most challenging social problems.

Since GFM’s debut in 2017, 13 different local and international start-ups have been given a chance to build their brand and contribute to social development.

These unique and pioneering start-ups focused on projects dealing with learning and education, health and well-being, climate change and displacement, and ecommerce.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs. To know more about KodeGo, you may visit https://kodego.ph/. Meanwhile, you may also visit https://virtualsgfm2021.com/ to find out more about the Singtel Group Future Makers Regional Programme.

For additional information about Globe’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html.

PH superheroes in PUBG Mobile world?

HAVE you ever imagined Pinoy superheroes like Captain Barbell, Lastik Man, Ang Panday, and Darna as featured characters in the PUBG Mobile world?

In a recent showmatch, eight gamersstreamers, also considered key opinion leaders (KOLs) namely Bella Joyce, Ace Gaming, Cherizawa, Franzelle, Onepipti, Sang, Vigor, and ZenPro, casted their votes for their preferred Filipino superheroes in the event that a collaboration is brokered with PUBG Mobile.

The result: Captain Barbell and Darna topped the list over eight characters— Lastikman, Gagamboy, Panday, Pepeng Agimat, Mulawin, Encantadia, Victor Magtanggol, and Alexandra Trese.

PUBG Mobile player and KOL John Vincent Almodal, popularly known as “Vigor” in the game streaming Facebook (FB) community said that “Captain Bar-

bell is one of the Filipino childhood superheroes.”

It first appeared in Pinoy Komiks in 1963, Captain Barbell is a fictional Filipino comics superhero created by writer, Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez.

His characteristics are similar to American fictional superheroes Superman, DC Comics’ Captain Marvel, and Thor but Ravelo based his backstory on Captain America.

Another KOL and prominent gaming public figure Cherisse Barnacha, popularly known as Cherizawa, shared that “Darna is a classic Filipino superhero.”

Created by the same writer, Ravelo and illustrator Nestor Redondo, in 1947, Darna is the iconic Filipina superheroine who fights against both common criminals as well as greater forces of evil, most famously the snake-haired

Tokyo Tokyo offers exclusive deals via newly launched app TOKYO Tokyo, the country’s leading Japanese restaurant chain, has launched its own mobile app to give customers a more convenient access to its products and exclusive offers in this New Normal.

The Tokyo Tokyo app, already available for download inAndroid and iOS phones, can now be used for deliveries in Metro Manila; Malolos, San Jose Del Monte, and Mecauayan in Bulacan; Bacoor and Imus in Cavite; Calamba, San Pedro, Sta. Rosa, and Biñan in Laguna; and Antipolo, Cainta, and Taytay in Rizal.

More areas will be serviced soon as Tokyo Tokyocontinues to expand and open trailer-type outlets nationwide.

Downloading the mobile app is very easy: simply look for the Tokyo Tokyo app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on any mobile device and tap “Get” or “Download” and create an account.

In the app’s interface, us-

OPPO gives treat to gamers

ers are welcomed with a sleek modern design and five simple and hassle free steps: 1. Launch the Tokyo Tokyo app 2. Input your delivery details 3. Select your order 4. Input your check-out details 5. Place your order Use of the app will not entail additional expenses for the customers aside from the delivery fees depending on their location. Users can even avail themselves of regular discounts, bonuses, and other exclusive Tokyo Tokyo offers such as a free Red Iced Tea with the 3pcs Tempura Bento for P210.00, an exclusive Beef Misono Bundle for P250, or a 6pcs + 2pcs Tempura Platter Promo for only P200.

Aside from having their food delivered at their doorsteps, customers can also use the app to schedule pick-ups at any Tokyo Tokyo outlet.

DESPITE having to celebrate the holidays this year at home, being able to spend the holidays with warmth, joy, and blessings with our family and loved ones is something to be thankful for.

A way to feel the joy of Christmas is through the act of gift-giving. Although the majority of us are being reunited digitally, the act of being able to share gifts to our loved ones makes the holiday much merrier.

This holiday season, OPPO wants to share the holiday spirit to the gaming community with the Joy-Full OPPO Sale.

This annual year-end promo will be packed with freebies and giveaways which is perfect for all their OPPO gamers to feel the holiday joy.

The Joy-full OPPO Sale, starting from December 11 to December 31, can win you exclusive gifts such as a 5G globe sim card and exclusive Mobile Legends T-shirt, 5G Globe sim card and 300 ML diamonds, or a 5G Globe sim card with 400 ML diamonds. All you must do is purchase an OPPO A95, download and register the MY OPPO App and you will automatically have a chance to win an exclusive price by playing with an instore randomizer.

The fun doesn’t end there: OPPO gamers will get a chance to win their very own OPPO A95 all thanks to OPPO’s 12 Joy-Full Days of Gaming! For 12 days, which started on December 13, a giveaway from their gaming influencers Eruption, Ashley Gosiengfiao, Kang Dupet, Shai Ortile and GLOCO, e-Sports leagues such as Weeknight Showdown, PPGL, Mineski Global and YEP and the OG Game On Group will be giving away an OPPO A95 to one lucky winner. Stay tuned and you just might be the next lucky winner of an OPPO A95!

Stay Joy-full and holiday-ready and head over to your nearest OPPO Brand Store or partner retailers nationwide and bask in the holiday spirit with OPPO freebies, prizes, and giveaways.

For more updates and detailed promotion mechanics about the sale, visit OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPhilippines).

woman Valentina.

Recently, League of Legends characters crossed over to the world of PUBG Mobile. Who knows? Pinoy superheroes Captain Barbell and Darna may follow soon. Collaboration with key entertainment properties in movies and gaming is PUBG Mobile’s way of providing new, interesting, and engaging content to its players.

Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is coming to PUBG Mobile soon. Exclusive content from Spider-Man: No Way Home will appear in the upcoming PUBG MOBILE Version 1.8 update, the game’s first collaboration with Sony Pictures.

Starting December 10, players around the world will have the opportunities to get exclusive items such as collaboration graffiti by completing in-game missions. Spider-Man is coming to PUBG Mobile soon.

Lenovo introduces new lineup of ThinkVision large format displays A FEW weeks before CES 2022, Lenovo™ introduced a new line-up of ThinkVision™ large format displays for meeting rooms and education spaces.

ThinkVision T86, T75 and T65 offer effective collaboration for in-room and remote people thanks to bright 4K displays, integrated whiteboard software with a comfortable writing experience, built-in speakers, microphones, and a modular webcam for smarter video conferencing.

Powered by a high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) with embedded Android™ operating system1, the displays feature a simple graphical user interface

to access the most common functions and applications. Deliver effective presentations on screen directly from the embedded software or from a PC device through a wired connection with video cable or wireless connection with the W20 wireless dongle. The 8-array microphone will ensure that no voice goes unheard and the 4K AI-enhanced webcam with 122-degree field of view and 4x digital zoom guarantees that remote workers will see everyone, further enhanced by the voice tracking function to focus on the speaker.

The webcam is connected via a cableless USB connector, is secured by an anti-theft

screw, and includes a lens shutter and privacy light.

Lenovo Smart Whiteboard adds a new dimension to the ThinkVision LFD portfolio. With a large 86-, 75- or 65-inch canvas on which to record ideas, write notes and even maximize brainstorming efficiency, the T-series displays increase engagement and involvement of participants. Annotations can be highlighted, copied or deleted and users can zoom in or out of specific areas of notes or drawings.

All ThinkVision LFD display feature the same technical specifications, including: • 4K resolution up to 400nits brightness with Antiglare coating • Infrared touch with +-1mm touch accuracy • High performance system-on-chip with embedded Android, 4G RAM and 64GB Flash memory • Wireless projection through W20 wireless dongle • Multiple input and output ports including USB Type-C, USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, Serial interface, and Audio.

• Ambient light sensor adapts brightness to suit room conditions • Human presence sensor will save energy by detecting user presence and automatically turns display on, and will turn off once all participants have left the room • 2 x 15-Watt speakers, built-in 8-array microphone and 4K AI-enhanced camera Visit http://www.lenovo.com/CES for more information.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

Motoring

'22 Toyota Camry HEV The Hybrid-Electric Vehicle for the everyday exec

By Milo Rivera

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S TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) begins to cap off a 2021 full of momentous accomplishments - including a good number of new model introductions, the inaugural Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) Gran Turismo (GT) Cup, and a successful revival season for the GR Vios Cup, among others - they have given the motoring public one last treat before the year draws to a close.

Coinciding with their holiday thanksgiving festivities, TMP officially revealed the latest addition to their

aggressively growing Hybrid-Electric Vehicle (HEV) lineup: The 2022 Toyota Camry HEV. The ever popular executive sedan has further re-asserted itself as a top choice in its class - providing quality, durability, reliability, and elegance as a standard. And now, we can include “environmental friendliness” in there too as the Camry finally makes its smooth transition from a conventional gasoline engine to a hybrid-electric system. This is all part of Toyota’s drive to broaden electrification in the global industry.

Although it’s pretty difficult to aesthetically decipher what’s new with the 2022 Camry at a first glance, Toyota assures that this is “all part of the plan” as an intricate refresh instead of a pervasive makeover was made to retain its distinguished, prominent identity.

Yet for those who want to delve deep into “what’s new” with the new Toyota Camry, you would first notice its more aggressive stare thanks to prominently black bumper and grille finishes with chrome trimmings. In addition, look out for the 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system (Apple CarPlay and Android Audio compatible) at the heart of the interior the moment you step in, along with a new leather upholstery finish to further boost the dignified experience.

For the passengers at the back, you now have full independence over the rear climate control and rear door automation with the use of the digital control panel found on the rear center armrest.

Rounding off the highlights for the new Camry include a 9-speaker JBL sound system, z o n a l automatic climate control, wireless p h o n e charging, a new

moonroof feature, LED ambient lighting, a Blind Spot and Panoramic View monitor, and a Rear Cross Traffic alert.

The 2022 Toyota Camry’s 2.5-ltr, four-cylinder gasoline engine itself produces a maximum output of 178 PS with 221 Nm of torque. Combine it with its electric motor and you get a total system maximum output of 211 PS. And to complement the exquisite performance handed out by this sedan is its extensive provision of safety through a more comprehensive “Toyota Safety Sense” system. This system comprises more intelligent pre-collision and Lane Departure and Tracing assists - in addition to the standard ABS, EBD, stability and traction control technologies.

Lastly, this executive eye-catcher comes in three color options: Platinum White Pearl Mica, Metal Stream Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica.

In a country wherein SUVs, pick-ups, and compact sedans are pretty much the mainstream choices nowadays, a holistically sound executive sedan would honestly be a good preference to take you from point A to B with utmost comfort, safety, and functionality - not to mention if you want to “arrive in style” as well. As for the 2022 Toyota Camry, not only would you appreciate the fruits of its prestigious character, you’d also be assured that each drive is journeyed with an invaluable purpose, as its predecessors have proven as well. And for a price tag starting at PHP 2,335,000, this car might just be all that fits your desire.

INSPIRING BETTER CONNECTIVITY FINSI, Kia partner to improve mobility

NLEX-Meycauayan East Service Road now open to public NLEX Corporation, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have formally granted public access to the Meycauayan East Service Road. Connecting Libtong in Meycauayan City and Lawang Bato in Valenzuela City, the new access road will ease traffic both for northbound and southbound travelers.

Using a portion of the NLEX rightof-way, the DPWH constructed this onekilometer, two-laned service road as an alternate route for those traveling between the cities of Meycauayan and Valenzuela bypassing MacArthur Highway. With the opening of this route, motorists coming from Paso de Blas in Valenzuela City may reach Malhacan in Meycauayan City faster - compared to using other local, more congested roads.

The new service road aims to provide motorists with a direct local route and help improve traffic flow especially during rush hours at Meycauayan Interchange. The project is part of the Bulacan Road Network improvements to encourage economic growth and travel safety.

Over the years, vehicular traffic on both the east and west directions of Meycauayan has dramatically increased owing to the City’s growing economy and expanding developments.

••• Construction of the NLEX - Sta. Mesa Section Connector Officially Underway Recently, the NLEX Corporation signed

an agreement with China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) for the civil works contract of the NLEX Connector “Phase 2” project between the future España and Sta. Mesa interchanges in Manila City. This therefore officially kicked off construction as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEX Corporation subsequently led the groundbreaking ceremony for the remaining three kilometers of the elevated expressway.

The entire NLEX Connector, which spans a total of eight kilometers, uses portions of the PNR right-of-way. It extends the expressway southward from the NLEX Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange, 5th Avenue/C3 Road all the way to the Skyway Stage 3 Interchange located above the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) vicinity in Sta. Mesa, Manila - passing through España and R. Magsaysay Blvds.

The NLEX Connector is crucial in improving mobility since it shall beneficially divert cargo trucks to the elevated expressway, thereby decongesting local roads. In addition, the said route shall not have any truck bans and will be accessible 24/7. Aimed at spurring growth, the NLEX Connector will enable the supply chain and logistics sector to achieve 24/7 unhampered delivery of goods, which are vital contributors in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Once opened, around 35,000 motorists are expected to traverse this new expressway which runs mostly above the PNR alignment.

FIBER Infrastructure and Network Services Inc. (FINSI) is one of the country’s leading providers of towers, infrastructures, and other services essential to telecommunications and

technology industries. FINSI serves companies in the business of creating connections such as Globe Telecom, among others.

Its VISION: to become the leading

local solutions provider for the telecommunications and technology industries. Its MISSION: to accelerate the status of the Philippines as a wellconnected nation.

To achieve such a challenging goal requires hard work and dedication for the good of the country, and that’s exactly why FINSI needed a dependable partner: Kia Philippines.

To be able to better provide the said services, FINSI chose to rely on the Kia K2500 Karga wherein as of today, thirty (30) units have already been turned over.

The company and its employees are now better equipped to achieve their company objectives - and by doing so, empowering and inspiring Filipinos nationwide.

With Kia providing transportation solutions that allows FINSI to spread the fiber network around the country, more Filipinos will have access to stable internet connections; albeit, more lucrative opportunities and possibilities.

New MINI Countryman launched in PH

By Milo Rivera IN ANTICIPATION of the Yuletide cheer, The Autohub Group recently hosted a Christmas gathering for all members of the local motoring media; striking updates, fun prizes, and fond memories were definitely a huge takeaway after an afternoon of “adding inspiration” to the season.

However, one of the main highlights of the event was the much anticipated unveiling of the 2022 MINI Countryman - 19 months after its global introduction. Being the largest, albeit the most versatile member of the MINI family, this facelifted Countryman possesses a precisely refined design with attractive additions to its external features, as well as added operational technology inside which underline the exceptional identity of this new model within the premium compact segment.

To briefly dissect what’s new with the 2022 MINI Countryman, we start off with what can be seen on the outside. Boasting a sharper front grille, MINI’s signature Piano Black exterior trim, and contoured LED head and fog lights, the new Countryman stares right at you with a sophisticated grunt. In addition, a redesigned rear apron along with MINI’s signature “Union Jack” taillights

give the Countryman that distinguished identity on the road - not to mention its classy 19-inch alloy wheels.

Onto the interior and the first thing you’ll notice is the new 5-inch digital cockpit display which replaces the traditional MINI analog gauges found in most, if not, all of their prior models.

You now have a more ”new-aged” experience of viewing the speedometer, multi-information display, and other gauges (among others) whilst driving your Countryman. In addition, the steering wheel also features a more sporty finish with added media controls, which can all be mainly monitored and administered through its 8.8-inch center touchscreen infotainment system.

The facelifted Countryman also comes with the newly-introduced MINI “Connected Media” and “Connected Navigation” features wherein Apple Carplay, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity come in as standard.

Finally, the new MINI Countryman is powered by a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter TwinPowerTurbo engine producing 192HP with 280Nm of torque (0-100KPH in 7.5 seconds), all driven by a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 2022 MINI Countryman comes in a wide selection of colorways, with its two new finishes - Sage Green Metallic and White Silver Metallic - headlining your choices AND can be yours for the SRP of PHP 3,750,000.00.