Manila Standard - 2022 February 1 - Tuesday

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WHAT A RUSH!

Philippine women’s football team goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel screams in delight as her Malditas teammates rush to her end of the field to celebrate their victory over Chinese Taipei on Sunday in Pune, India.

The victory booked for the Filipinas an historic first appearance in the Women’s World Cup next year in Australia.

Photos courtesy Asian Football Confederation

caption

VOL. XXXV • NO. 351 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Malditas reach World Cup

In historic first, PH women make it to football’s grandest stage

By Jimbo Gulle and Peter Atencio

3,560,202 14,546

190,818

54,003

112

3,315,381 26,500 (As of 4 PM, January 31)

NEDA chief bats for retention of alert level setup

By Julito G. Rada and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is not open to the idea of removing the alert level system in the country in favor of a standard health protocol amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

In an online media briefing on Monday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the proposal from Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion “merits some serious thinking” but said the alert level system must be retained because the pandemic is not over.

In offering his proposal, Concepcion said there was a need to start Next page

M

ALDITAS, Filipinas, call them whatever you like.

But the Philippine women’s national football team did something Sunday night that no one, man or woman, in this basketball-mad country has ever done – qualify for soccer’s World Cup.

The Malditas practically squeezed themselves into football’s grandest stage, tying Chinese-Taipei 1-1 at the end of 90 frenetic minutes then beating the Taiwanese women 4-3 in a penalty shootout, soccer’s mano-a-mano process that sifts the dreamers from the achievers and brings pride to a country that can last for generations.

With the victory at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India, the PH women punched their ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup next year in Australia, and also advanced to the semifinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where they will face formidable South Korea next.

Next page

Guanzon still mum on senator, Palace neutral OCTA: Worst

By Vito Barcelo

DEFIANT.

Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon speaks to the media and her supporters after attending Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Monday.

Danny Pata

ELECTIONS Commissioner Rowena Guanzon’s threat to reveal the senator supposedly involved in delaying the poll body’s decision on the disqualification petitions against presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. fizzled out on Monday, as the day passed without her naming names.

This was after fellow Commissioner Aimee Ferolino lashed out at Guanzon for accusing her of holding hostage the Commission on Elections resolution on Marcos, who is leading most surveys ahead of the May 9 national elections.

Meanwhile, Malacanang expressed confidence that the Comelec could settle its internal issues after poll Guanzon dared Ferolino to join her in resigning from their posts due to the perceived delay in the resolution of the Marcos case.

Palace acting spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Malacanang is Next page

Pharmally execs face estafa raps, 2 accused off hook

By Maricel V. Cruz THE woes of the owners and executives of the beleaguered medical items supplier Pharmally mounted on Monday as the House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Accountability recommended the filing of estafa charges against them.

However, the committee also let off the hook former presidential economic

over for most of the country

By Macon Ramos-Araneta NEW daily COVID-19 cases continued to fall, dropping to 14,546 on Monday, as independent pandemic researchers said the worst was likely over for most of the country.

Speaking at a forum Monday, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said COVID-19 infections driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant had probably peaked.

He pointed to the downward trend of new COVID-19 cases in the cities of Cebu and Davao.

David said the public should still be mindful of minimum health protocols because although the numbers were declining, the numbers are still substantial.

“We should still follow health protoNext page

adviser Michael Yang and Christopher Lloyd Lao, former executive director of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management, “due to lack of evidence.”

“The evidence does not warrant or is not enough for cases to hold against Yang and Lao,” the committee’s chairman, Rep. Michael Aglipay of DIWA party-list group, said.

Next page

LPG price up

by P4/kilo, fuel

by P0.75/liter

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PINAYS MOURN US ‘QUEEN’ KRYST

PAL TAPS EX-PILOT AS NEW PRESIDENT

NEWS / A2

BUSINESS / B4

LOCAL oil firms are increasing the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by P4 per kilo, equivalent to P44 per 11-kilo tank, to reflect the movement in the contract Next page

‘CNY’ DISPLAY. SM Mall of Asia’s Chinese New Year centerpiece is inspired by classic Chinese gardens with blooms of peonies, tall bamboos, and three moon gates decorated with red lanterns, which symbolizes birth and renewal, and wisteria flowers for long life. The main showpiece is a tiger measuring 16-by-12 feet, fully covered in flower petals, resting on a floral bed with gold coins and ingots welcoming fortune and prosperity in the Year of the Water Tiger.

A2

News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House passes 18 bills before polls

By Maricel V. Cruz

W

ITH only two session days left before it adjourns for the election period, the House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading several important bills, including the proposed Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers and mandatory continuing benefits to all medical workers during public health emergencies.

teacher education, and amending the contractors’ license law.

The House will hold another session on Wednesday, February 2, before adjourning for the election period.

Among the measures approved on third reading are House Bill (HB) 10701, which seeks to grant mandatory continuing benefits to public, private and barangay health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and other future public health emergencies, and HB 10699 or “An Act Providing for Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers.”

The House also passed on final reading HB 10697 entitled “An Act Establishing the National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute, Defining its Powers and Functions, Creating Regional Geriatric Specialty Centers in Department of Health-Re-

tained Hospitals, and Appropriating Funds Therefor.”

Also approved on final reading are the following national bills: * HB 10571 regulating the operation of motorcycles-for-hire; * HB 10575 enhancing the competitiveness of Philippine maritime trade by strengthening the oversight functions of relevant government agencies over charges imposed by international shipping lines; * HB 10612 providing for full and effective implementation of international maritime instruments to which the Philippines is a state party; * HB 10647 granting additional benefits to Filipino centenarians and recognizing octogenarians and nonagenarians; * HB 10648 granting legislative franchise to Oro Broadcasting Network Inc.;

The House is now on its final session week ahead of the May 9 local and national elections, and a few days before the start of the campaign period for nationally-elected posts on February 8.

In Monday’s session, the legislative chamber approved on final reading a total of 18 bills of national significance.

“Before we return to our districts to prepare for the upcoming electoral campaign, it is only necessary that we

approve all bills that are ready for final reading,” Velasco said.

“These measures reflect a lot of hard work and promise to positively and meaningfully impact the lives of people we represent,” he added.

Also on Monday, the House ratified the bicameral conference reports on the disagreeing provisions of the House and Senate versions of bills creating the Judicial Marshall Service, strengthening

Guanzon...

From A1

Pope picks Pinoy as Rwanda’s new apostolic nuncio

leaving it to the Comelec “to resolve their own issues.”

“Among the seven highest officials of Comelec, we are confident that they can address whatever internal issues they may have, and we are confident they can resolve it… using their own internal protocols,” Nograles said.

On her Twitter account, Guanzon maintained her position that Ferolino should have finished writing the ponencia (majority decision) of the Comelec First Division, to which they both belong, within a fortnight after hearing the disqualification case.

“Unlike the (Comelec) Chair, it is my duty ad Presiding Commissioner that this DQ case is resolved within 15 days as specified in our Rules. Madaming satsat wala pa ring sinulat (Lots of chatter, but nothing has been written),” Guanzon, who is retiring on February 3 (Thursday), tweeted last night.

In a memorandum responding to Guanzon’s demand for an explanation on the alleged delay, Ferolino said she is “judiciously scrutinizing all the attached evidence” in determining whether Marcos should be disqualified or allowed to run as president in the May elections.

“With all due respect, there is nothing to explain because I do not submit to your pronouncement that there is delay in the release of my ponencia (majority ruling) on the Marcos cases,” Ferolino wrote.

She asked Guanzon to “stop conditioning the minds of people that there is delay because there’s none” and that the January 17 “deadline” cited by Guanzon was not the collective decision of the First Division.

Guanzon is racing against time to make her vote to disqualify Marcos count. If the First Division promulgates its decision after her retirement on Thursday, her vote would not be counted.

Ferolino did not say when her draft ponencia would be ready. The other member of the First Division is Commissioner Marlon Casquejo.

Guanzon challenged Ferolino to release the resolution or resign if she could not release it before Guanzon retires on Feb. 3.

Ferolino said she was tasked to write a draft ruling on three separate disqualification petitions consolidated into one, and that she was only designated for the job on Jan. 10.

OCTA:...

From A1 cols as we go out. There’s still a significant number of cases. We still have to self-isolate if we’re feeling symptoms, we have to wear face masks,” he said.

David also said the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila was probably 1.8 times the number reported by the Department

LPG...

From A1 price of LPG in the world market.

This is on top of higher pump prices effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) by as much as P0.75 per liter for the fifth consecutive week.

“Please be advised that we are increasing our Solane-branded LPG price

by P4 per kg VAT inclusive effective February 1, 2022 at 6AM,” Solane said in its advisory.

Phoenix LPG Phils., Inc. also announced it will increase its Phoenix Super LPG by P4 per kilo and Auto LPG

by P2.24 per liter effective 12:01 a.m.

Pinay pageant queens mourn Miss USA Kryst TWO Filipino Miss Universe title holders – Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach – and the New York-based Miss Universe organization have mourned the passing of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst on January 30, aged 30.

Kryst was reported to have jumped from her Manhattan apartment in New York, and her body was found on the sidewalk outside the building, according to police investigators.

The cause of death was not indicated in the statement released by her family, but police confirmed it was death by suicide, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2019 Gazini Ganados also expressed grief, as well as actress Marian Rivera, who was with Kryst as one of the judges in the recent Miss Universe pageant.

“So sorry, Cheslie… you were so kind. Thank you. You’re an inspiration and loved by so many. Rest in peace, Cheslie,” Wurtzbach said.

“You will be missed my love! You were the sweetest. Heaven has gained another angel! I love you [so much] Rest easy,” Ganados stated.

Catriona, born Elisa Magnayon Gray, is a Filipino-Australian model, singer, beauty queen, television personality, youth advocate, and arts ambassador crowned Miss Universe 2018.

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, formerly known professionally as Pia Romero, is a Filipino-German model, actress and beauty queen known for being crowned Miss Universe 2015. She joined Binibining Pilipinas pageant three times and won in 2015 in her third attempt.

The Kryst family statement read via The Hollywood Reporter said “In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie. Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength.

POPE Francis has appointed Rev. Msgr.

Arnaldo Sanchez Catalan as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda, the Archdiocese of Manila said on Monday.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said the Pope announced Catalan’s appointment on January 31.

In a statement, Advincula expressed gratitude to the Holy Father “for this gift and honor and considers the appointment of Archbishop-elect Catalan as historic being the first priest of the Archdiocese of Manila to become

a Nuncio.”

He also greeted the new archbishop in the name of the clergy, religious men and women, and the laity of the Archdiocese.

Advincula also assured archbishopelect of their support and prayers as he takes on this new mission in Rwanda.

The 55-year-old Catalan has been serving as the Chargé ‘affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in China since 2019.

He has worked in the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See for the past 20 years. His previous assignments were

in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Zambia, India, Kuwait, Turkey, Argentina, Canada, and the Philippines.

The newly elected archbishop was ordained to the priesthood on March 25, 1994.

The archdiocese said the details of Catalan’s episcopal ordination are yet to be announced.

It was an historic appointment as Catalan will become the first priest of the Archdiocese of Manila to become a papal nuncio.

Malditas...

From A1 But that was the least of the worries of national team coach Alen Stajcic, saying the “once-in-a-lifetime” achievement can inspire a new generation of Filipino football players, boys and girls alike.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement by the group, it’s a moment in history for the country and no one can ever take that away from the group, it’s a new bar that’s been set,” said Stajcic, an Australian.

“Now every young kid, girl and boy, back in the Philippines knows they can be inspired and get to the World Cup themselves. I know the group is really proud of each other, but I know they’re even more proud that they’ve inspired the next generation,” added the coach, who only got the job last November.

“It’s a remarkable achievement, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime, one that’s never been done before. So, you just really have to soak up these moments,” he added.

The Malditas’ triumph drew praise from Malacanang, the Philippine Olympic Committee, various politicians and government officials, and, perhaps more fittingly, from Hidilyn Diaz – the woman who gave the country its first Olympic gold medal through weightlifting in the Tokyo Games last July.

“Nakakaiyak panoorin ito. Congrats, bound to the World Cup! Galing, nakakaproud, at nakakaiyak talaga makita ito (Watching it brought me to tears…

It’s great, makes me so proud, it really made me cry watching this),” Diaz wrote on her Instagram account.

“Nakita ko ang saya ng mga athletes nung nag-goal. Ramdam ko ang love

nila sa sports, at ginagawa nila ang best nila, at reaction ng mga coaches nila.

Salamat sa magandang balita. Salamat for bringing pride for our country,” the Olympian added.

[I saw the joy of the athletes when they scored the goal. I felt their love for sports, and they did their best, and the reaction of their coaches said it all.

Thanks for this great news.]

In the end, it came down to two Malditas – Olivia McDaniel and Sarina Bolden – to complete the Philippines’ date with World Cup history.

McDaniel, the Malditas’ goalkeeper, said she did not feel nervous when she took one of the five penalty kicks – tying the score 3-3 with a shot past Chinese-Taipei’s Cheng Ssu-yu to force sudden death, then deflecting Zhuo LiPing’s attempt to set up Bolden.

Llike her attempt against Indonesia earlier in the tournament, Bolden decided to slot the ball into the left side, and Cheng found the shot too fast to save as the former knocked the ball in to win it for the Malditas.

Zhuo’s penalty miss turned out to be a heartbreaker, as she had sent the match into extra time with an 82ndminute goal from outside the right elbow, canceling Quinley Quezada’s opening goal for the Philippine side in the 49th minute.

In college, McDaniel said she got used to hitting penalty shots with her varsity squad, the Milwaukee Panthers, during her days in US NCAA Division I. “I was more nervous to stop PK (penalty kicks) than to take PKs. I have been taking PKs for the Panthers. Now, I get no nerves, because you know, it’s gonna get to the back of the net,” said McDaniel.

Olivia, the elder sister of teammate Chandler McDaniel, got a chance to score the Philippines’ third goal when she momentarily left her goalkeeping chores to convert with a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner.

The feeling of confidence was in her psyche when she converted her attempts and made at least five good saves during the game.

McDaniels and Filipino-American striker Bolden then knocked in the last two goals for the Philippines, which joined Japan, Korea, and China to the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

In reaching the Asian Football Confederation semis, Alen Stajcic said they won’t be thinking of reaching the finals, now that the girls are in celebratory mode over their World Cup qualification.

“I can’t say that (we will go for the title). We just crawled our way up the World Cup tonight,” he said.

The Philippines’ first goal in the shootout came from Sarah Castaneda, who volleyed it in after Taiwanese booter Ting Chi scored.

The score got tied at 2-all after Wang Hsiang Wei and Tahnai Annis traded goals for their respective teams. Chen Ying-Hui sent in the third goal for Chinese Taipei following Jessica Miclat’s miss.

After that, McDaniel got in the way of the last two of three Taiwanese attempts from Hsu Yi Yun and Su Hsin Yun. South Korea also made it to the World Cup after beating Australia, 1-0, but the Australian Matildas still got a seat since the country is hosting the 2023 World Cup for Women.

Japan eased out Thailand, 1-0, to likewise reach the AFC semifinals.

of Health (DOH), based on random antigen tests conducted by the Department of Transportation.

Provinces still experiencing a “significant increase” in new cases include Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Negros Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, mostly in Mindanao, where the surge came later, after cases began to decline in the Na-

tional Capital Region, Cavite, and Rizal, he said.

The country logged 14,546 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, as the Department of Health said there were 112 new deaths and 26,500 new recoveries.

Region 11 (Davao Region) posted the highest number of new cases at 1,381 (14 percent) in the recent two weeks.

It was followed by Metro Manila with 1,053 (10 percent) and Region 7 (Central

Visayas) with 973 (10 percent).

There were 190,818 active cases—the first time since Jan. 11 that these dipped below the 200,000 mark.

Of the 190,818 active cases, 97.4 percent were mild or asymptomatic, 3,126 were moderate, 1,540 were severe, and 329 were critical.

The positivity rate was at 28.4 percent out of the 52,013 tests conducted on Jan. 29,the lowest rate since Jan. 4 (26.20 percent).

reviving the economy.

Meanwhile, a member of the University of the Philippines (UP) Pandemic Response Team said easing COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila should be delayed by a week.

“Metro Manila should ease its restrictions gradually to ensure proper implementation of protocols,” said UP professor Jomar Rabajante.

“What we’re suggesting is go slowly because we still don’t have any research how the natural immunity from Omicron can protect us,” he said.

According to OCTA Research on Monday, the National Capital Region may record fewer than 1,000 daily COVID-19 cases by mid-February, which may bring its moderate-risk classification one rung down to low-risk.

“The worst is probably over for most of the country because cases have peaked or are peaking,” OCTA’s Guido David said in an online forum (see banner story – Editors).

Rabajante also noted that in terms of transmission, the number of new COVID-19 cases is still in the thousands in Metro Manila, despite a decline.

“What we suggest is for protocols to be really implemented unlike in December,” he said.

Rabajante said the pandemic response team suggested that cities in Metro Manila need to have at least an average daily attack rate of less than 75 percent to ease its restrictions.

“What we suggest is to wait for 1 more week because our average daily attack rate is really high,” he said. “We can see next week if this will really decline and also if the positivity rate will decline,” he added.

of Feb. 1.

For pump prices, oil firms raised the price of gasoline and diesel by P0.75 per liter and kerosene by P0.45 per liter, as world prices continued to soar due to the series of supply disruptions, which raised fears of tight supply amid increasing demand.

“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will increase the prices of gasoline and diesel by P0.75 per liter effective 6am of 01 February 2022,” the company said in its advisory.

Caltex, Cleanfuel, Seaoil Philippines, and PetroGazz issued separate announcements of the latest oil price hike while other oil firms are expected to follow.

Pharmally...

From A1

ment of Justice.

Aglipay read a portion of the committee report and explained that the act of Pharmally officials in soliciting supply contracts from the government despite full knowledge that it was grossly unqualified to do so was a “fraudulent misrepresentation” that only resulted in damage to the government.

“These acts of Pharmally officials are grossly aggravated by the fact that these were committed during the height of pandemic. By taking advantage of the more lenient procurement regulations under Bayanihan Act One, this matter, Pharmally gravely abused the system to the insufferable preju-

dice of the government,” Aglipay said in a press briefing.

He added that the company received and misappropriated public funds amounting to P8.68 billion.

Aglipay also said the case of Pharmally is “compliant with the element of syndicated estafa that requires the participation of at least five persons.”

He said his committee after having conducted a series of congressional investigations described as “extremely deficient in genuinely evaluating the capacity of a supplier” the requirements imposed by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) on suppliers under the emergency procurement of the Bayanihan Act One.

The charges were recommended against the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. officials in connection with the government’s allegedly questionable purchase of medical supplies for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Aglipay said the committee recommended the filing of syndicated estafa charges against Pharmally chairman Huang Tzu Yen, treasurer Mohit Dargani, president Twinkle Dargani, Pharmally director Lincoln Ong, and company officials Justine Garado and Krizle Grace Mago before the Depart-

NEDA...

From A1

News

TUESDAY, FEBUARY 2, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GSIS readies P100m aid for education of members’ kin

Rody appoints another judge to CA position MALACAÑANG has promoted another regional trial court (RTC) judge as associate justice of the Court of Appeals, the second highest court in the country.

In a transmittal letter, President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo of the appointment of Manila RTC Judge Ana Marie Train Mas as CA associate justice.

Mas replaced then CA Associate Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos who was promoted to the Supreme Court (SC) in 2019 and eventually retired optionally in June 2021.

Her appointment was the fifth for the CA this month of January.

Earlier appointed were CA Associate Justices Jennifer Joy Chua Ong, Michael P. Ong, Maximo M. De Leon, and Jacinto Gavino Fajardo Jr. Chua Ong, Ong, and De Leon have taken their oaths of office before Chief Justice Gesmundo and thereafter assumed their posts in the appellate court.

It was not known immediately if Justice Fajardo has also taken his oath and assumed his new CA post.

Rey E. Requejo

IN BRIEF Makati City bettor bags P49.5-m lotto jackpot A BETTOR who bought his ticket in Makati City bagged the P49.5-million jackpot prize in Sunday night’s Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw.

In an advisory Monday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the lucky bettor guessed the winning combination of 22-02-14-30-10-35 with a jackpot of PHP49,500,000.

Some 28 bettors who guessed five correct numbers won second prize and will receive PHP120,000 each.

About 1,115 bettors got P2,000 each for getting four of the winning combinations while 18,593 bettors won P100 each for guessing three right combinations.

The 6/58 Ultra Lotto is drawn every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

This is the fifth time this month that a sole bettor bagged the jackpot prize of the government’s lo tery’s games.

As provided under the Tax R form for Acceleration and Inclusion law, lotto winnings of more than PHP10,000 shall be subject to a 20-percent tax.

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma urged the public to keep on patronizing the products of PCSO as a large chunk of its revenues goes to charity programs.

One of its key programs is the Medical Access Program, which is designed to augment the medical needs of Filipinos nationwide, particularly hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, and posttransplant medicines.

The program is funded by revenues from PCSO games nationwide.

Families get new homes under social housing plan AT least 36 families from Sampaloc, Manila will soon settle into their new homes after the turnover of units at the Villa Umami Homeowners’ Association Inc., a socialized onsite resettlement project of the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) for lowincome households in the nation’s capital.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, SHFC continues with the provision of adequate housing, which has become even more crucial now given that viruses spread fast in congested informal settlements.

The homeowners’ association thanked the government during the turnover rites held in Barangay 527 last Jan. 28. Built under the agency’s community mortgage program, the three-story building is composed of 12 units per floor, each measuring 35 square meters.

Each family will pay approximately P3,500 per month for a maximum of 30 years.

The housing program is designed to improve the living conditions of underprivileged families through the provision of an affordable financing scheme wherein they could borrow as a community to purchase the land they occupy or would like to relocate to.

The 36 partner-homeowners from Villa Umami are now part of the more than 383,000 families who were provided with secured homes through the CMP. Since its inception in 1988, the program has released more than P19.1 billion in loan assistance to finance over 3,000 housing projects across the country. Rio N. Araja

A3

DRAGON DANCE. Artist Therry Sicat puts

the finishing touches on a dragon figure at his shop in Ongpin, Binondo, Manila on Monday.

It will be used in a dragon dance performance in Pampanga for the celebration of the Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022. Chinese Lion and Dragon dancers from the Golden Lion Youth Club perform a traditional dance routine at a mall in Quezon City ahead of the celebration of Chinese New Year on February 1.

Danny Pata And Manny Palmero

SC adjusts work schedules after alert level adjustment

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday laid down new work schedules in all courts from the highest court to the lower trial courts starting February 2 until February 15 in compliance with the alert levels imposed by the government as measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

While the National Capital Region and seven provinces have been downgraded to Alert Level 2 starting Tuesday, February 1, until February 15, the government maintained Alert Level 3 in several cities and provinces nationwide.

In a memorandum order issued by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the Supreme Court will have 50 percent of personnel working onsite three days a week from Monday to Wednesday with the other 50 percent reporting physically

from Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Manila City government meanwhile will enforce road closures in the vicinity of three universities from midnight onward in connection with the BarExamination scheduled on Feb. 4 and 6.

The MMDA said affected areas are Westbound lane of España Blvd. from Lacson Ave. to P. Noval (University

of Santo Tomas); Westbound lane of N. Reyes St. from España Blvd. to CM Recto Ave. (Far Eastern University), and Southbound lane of Taft Ave. from Quirino Ave. to Estrada St. (De La Salle University).

The SC said personnel who are not reporting for work onsite have to work from home for two days to complete the mandated 40-hour workweek. For the Court of Appeals in Manila, the work arrangement is the same as that of the SC. CA stations in Cebu City for the Visayas and in Cagayan de Oro City for Mindanao are still physically closed since the two cities are still under Alert Level 3 until Feb. 15. But the two CA stations are operational despite their physical closure. At the Sandiganbayan offices in Quezon City, work is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday with at least 50 percent of the total workforce reporting onsite. Those not reporting physically have to work from home. With Joel E. Zurbano

MORE BENEFITS FOR HEALTH WORKERS. Health

workers from the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center on Monday staged a demonstration during their lunch break against the cut in their COVID-19 benefits. The health workers demand the continuation of their benefits such as special risk allowance, active hazard duty pay, meal accommodation, and transport allowance.

Norman Cruz

TO further improve access to vaccination against COVID-19 for its residents and workers, the Quezon City government is operating 140 sites throughout the city’s six districts on a daily basis.

The city is expanding and intensifying its vaccination program to accommodate the eligible population, estimated at 2.8 million residents, including 5- 11-yearold children.

The figure does not include the thousands of non-resident workers who also

Solon seeks House OK on for-hire bikes

By Maricel V. Cruz

QC continues to beef up vax efforts in 6 districts

By Rio N. Araja

THE Government Service Insurance ystem (GSIS) will release a total of P100 million to 10,000 kin of GSIS members to augment their college education expenses through the GSIS Educational Subsidy Program (GES) for academic year (AY) 2021 to 2022. Each college student will receive P10,000 from the GSIS. GSIS president and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the educational subsidy worth P10,000 will help legal dependents, especially those who are in college.

“Out of 15,770 qualified applicants, we chose 10,000 grantees who are in dire need of the educational assistance,” Macasaet said.

Out of nearly 17,300 received applications nationwide, the grantees for AY 20212022 were selected from different regions across the country, broken down as follows: 1,581 from NCR (15.81 percent); 1,994 from North Luzon (19.94 percent); 2,093 from South Luzon (20.93 percent); 2,078 from Visayas (20.78 percent); and 2,254 grantees from Mindanao (22.54 percent).

The grantees will receive the subsidy after submitting the requirements to GSIS. New grantees must submit the duly signed and notarized GESP agreement, the Information Sheet with two copies of the student’s latest 2x2 ID pictures, and a Land Bank of the Philippines account number. These requirements must be submitted to the nearest GSIS office within 60 calendar days from the publication of the list of qualified students in the GSIS website or official social media account.

The list of qualified grantees for 2021-2022 may be viewed through https://www.gsis.gov.ph/gsis-educational-subsidy-program-granteesay-2021-2022/.

A student-grantee may shift course or transfer to any CHED-registered school provided that the course is completed within the duration of the original course. Additionally, a written notice for the shift of course or transfer of school must be submitted to the Corporate Social Advocacies and Public Relations Facilities Department Manager, GSIS Pasay City.

get their shots in the city.

The sites are comprised of health centers, malls, schools, community venues, churches and special venues, such as the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Quezon Memorial Circle.

The city government is also conducting vaccinations inside subdivisions and private workspaces, government agencies, care homes, and other closed institutions.

Home vaccinations for bedridden and differently abled populations continue to be conducted, as are drive-thru jabs in several mall parking lots.

Most recently, pharmacy-based inocu-

lations have begun in coordination with the Department of Health.

Individuals may register to be vaccinated through the QC VaxEasy Portal www.qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph/ qcvaxeasy. The city government posts the schedule and the vaccination sites on their official website (www.quezoncity. gov.ph) and official Facebook page (Quezon City Government).

Citizens may also register at their barangays in order to book their vaccination schedules. Limited walk-in slots are also available in mall vaccination sites.

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Monday pushed for the passage on final reading of a bill that aims to regulate the operation of motorcycles-for-hire before Congress adjourns on February 5.

Rep. Sandro Gonzalez of Marino partylist group appealed to the House leadership to finish the plenary deliberation on House Bill 10571 (HB 10571), or the “Motorcycles-for-Hire Act,” and have it approved before the long session break.

“We only have a few session days left, or until February 4, before the adjournment. I appeal to my colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve on third and final reading House Bill No. 10571 before the adjournment,” Gonzalez said in a statement.

HB 10571, under Committee Report No. 1364, is a substitution to 19 bills filed separately by several congressmen with a similar objective of regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.

“We can pass it before February 5. It’s a way of thanking the motorcycles-forhire drivers for continuously serving the people since the start of the pandemic. It’s important to regulate their operations for their and their clients’ protection,” Gonzalez said.

The regulations under HB 10571 include, among others, the registration of motorcycles-for-hire with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which shall ensure their roadworthiness.

Gov’t should continue LPE peace program THE Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on Monday has urged the next administration to continue the Local Peace Engagement (LPE) with the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) as it is the most effective way to end local communist armed conflict.

At the virtual press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, chiefof-staff and OPAPRU spokesperson said they are recommending that LPE should remain in the peace process to finally put an end to the more than five-decade-old insurgency of the Communists Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army - National Democratic Front

(CPP-NPA-NDF).

“Like any other administration who has their own policy and directions, LPE is only part of our recommendation to the next administration, an effective way, to sustain the gain of peace we have experienced,” Mayor said, as results proved that LPE had placed the CPP-NPA-NDF in the losing end.

Mayor explained that when President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discarded the peace negotiations at the national level for the lack of sincerity from the CPP-NPA-NDF panel, this has been replaced by “the 6-points peace and development agenda” under Executive Order No. 70, which adopted a ‘whole-of-nation approach’ that centered mostly through LPE and the creation of NTF-ELCAC.

STILL MISSING. Families and relatives of missing cockfight enthusiasts from Bulacan, Malabon, Manila and Laguna troop near the Mendiola Bridge on Monday to ask President Rodrigo Duterte to help find their loved ones who were last seen in a cockfight. Danny Pata

News

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Jonvic: To call 50 yrs of public service ‘all talk’ a grave injustice

By Macon Ramos-Araneta CAVITE Governor Jonvic Remulla came to the defense of province mate and Partido Reporma standard-bearer Panfilo Lacson who was earlier described by Vice President Leni Robredo as an “all talk and no action” contender.

In a Facebook post, Remulla said it was an “injustice” to belittle Lacson’s over half a century in public service as having done nothing for the country.

Titling his FB post “Kakamping” – the moniker used by Lacson’s supporters – Remulla prefaced his message with the question-and-answer between talk show host Boy Abunda and Robredo in a recent televised interview on why the Partido Reporma bet should not be elected as the next Chief Executive.

“To describe him as ‘all talk and no action’ is an injustice to the man who embodies ‘leadership by example’ with 50 years of public service from law enforcement, legislation and humanitarian work,” the governor said.

“FYI. This post is not an endorsement.

Here in Cavite, registered voters are free to choose which candidate they will vote for. No coercion, influence, and especially no mind conditioning,” said Remulla.

“As a relative, province mate and fellow Imus/Cavite native, it’s just right for me to stand up and defend Senator Ping Lacson. If there’s a candidate that has the widest experience as a true public servant, there’s no other man than Sen. Ping,” Remulla added.

The governor expressed hope that Robredo would take heed of the advice he gave her before to avoid giving in to the hate.

“The same goes to her supporters. The best way to champion your candidate or political stand is not through hate and divisiveness. You can never convince other people to join your cause if all you do is look down, insult, ridicule and alienate those who do not share the same views as you. Let’s just all agree to disagree,” he said.

No resentment, grudges against Rody, says VP

By Rio N. Araja DESPITE their differences, Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said she bears no grudges against President Rodrigo Duterte. She, however, expressed regret that she was not able to establish a partnership with Duterte.

“None, none,” she said when asked over a radio interview if she was harboring any resentment against the President.

“Maybe, if there is something that I feel, it is regret. It is more on regret [because] even if we come from different positions, even if we have different beliefs, from the very start I believe there were things that we could have agreed on,” she said.

“We were given the opportunity to work together...[That it did not work out,] for me, it was regrettable,” Robredo added.

Meanwhile, Robredo urged the government to extend incentives to telecommunication firms to encourage them to be more aggressive in bringing their services to far-flung communities and arrest the slow internet connection in the country.

“They are not being aggressive now due to many hindrances. For example, the number one hindrance is that a telco is considered a public utility that needs a congressional franchise,” she said. The 85-year-old Public Service Act must be amended to ensure that a legislative franchise would no longer be needed for a telco company to operate, she said.

A common tower for all telcos and government intervention toward this end is also necessary to make “Government intervention is much needed because the government is the only one that could fix this by having all telcos work together. This is how we can level the investments,” she said.

DONATION. Former Vice President and former Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and City Administrator Claro Certeza today turn over COVID vaccines donated by the city government of Makati to officials of Malvar, Batangas and Meycauayan, Bulacan. Both localities are among the sister-LGUs that have accepted the vaccine donation offered by the city. To date, a total of 34,800 doses have been donated to seven local government units.

Campaign health protocol breach faces stiff sanctions

S

TIFF sanctions await political aspirants and their supporters who will be found breaking election campaign rules set during the pandemic, the spokesperson of the Department of the Interior and Local Government warned Monday.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said penalties for the campaign infractions vary depending on the nature of the violation.

“We are asking the cooperation and help of the politicians, their supporters and political parties to follow these guidelines since any violation of the rules and regulations implemented by the Comelec is an election offense,’’ Malaya said.

Malaya said the Comelec resolution is “stricter” than the guidelines of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Violators would be disqualified from holding public office and may also be disqualified from exercising the right to vote in future elections.

Persons violating the minimum public health standards face jail terms of not less than one month but not exceeding six months or payment of fine not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000.

“The penalties stated in the law are stiff. Hopefully the Comelec, DILG and our candidates, their supporters and political parties will join hands to achieve an

orderly political campaign,” he said.

The Comelec resolution, issued in November last year, states that contact campaigning, or handshakes, hugs, kisses, arm-and-arm or any action that involves physical contact among the candidates, their companions and the public are prohibited.

Other prohibited acts include house-tohouse campaigning even with the owner’s permission, taking selfies and distributing food and drinks.

Malaya issued the reminder to political aspirants ahead of the start of the campaign period for nationally-elected positions on February 8 and March 25 for local candidates.

Meanwhile, Monetary officials have assured the public of the security of source codes that will be used for the May elections, saying these will be escrowed with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Isko unveils 10-point ‘Bilis Kilos’ economic agenda

By Rey E. Requejo AKSYON Demokratiko presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday laid down the 10 pillars of what he described as “Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda” that will be his administration’s guiding principles to accelerate human and economic growth in the country.

Domagoso said the 10-point agenda covers development programs in the areas of housing, education, labor and employment, health, tourism and creatives, infrastructure, digital information and industry 4.0, agriculture, good governance, and smart governance.

Should he win as president, the national government will allot 1.3 percent of the gross domestic product to housing per year to build one million disaster-resilient housing units in six years for the country’s estimated 4.5 million homeless persons, 3 million of which are in Metro Manila.

This includes building vertical housing projects within cities and near workplaces – just like Manila’s Tondominium, Binondominium and Basecommunity – and prioritizing the passage of the National Land Use Act to hasten settlements development.

In education, the thrust of the Bilis Kilos agenda is to ensure that the Filipino youth are

FORWARD LOOKING. Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco

‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso presents his 10-point economic agenda that will be his administration’s guiding principles should he get elected as the next president of the country. Norman Cruz

competent, capable and ready for the digital transformation of manufacturing, production and related industries and value creation processes, also known as Industry 4.0.

Domagoso said he will increase the budget-to-GDP ratio of education from the present 3.17 percent to 4.3 percent, widen accessibility to quality education, and revise the curricula in all academic levels with focus on science,

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program.

Since vulnerable sectors will be the most affected by automation, with 50 percent of the workforce having automatable tasks, the government will also upgrade technical and vocational programs to train Filipino workers for the jobs of the future.

Training courses for public school teachers will be a continuing process.

PNP joins alleged ‘kill plot’ probe THE Philippine National Police is looking into an alleged assassination plot against former senator and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said Monday.

Carlos said police are gathering more information on the alleged plot.

“We will validate it. It has been coordinated with us. With regard to this report, we are open because our commitment is to secure everyone.

Our commitment is for a peaceful election,” he said.

The Department of Justice confirmed Sunday its Office of Cybercrime had received an online tip about an alleged plot to kill Marcos, which it referred to the National Bureau of Investigation for further probe.

“It was our Office of Cybercrime who received an online tip and acted immediately in view of the serious nature of the information received.

The NBI is now also on it,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

DOJ-OCC officer-in-charge Charito Zamora confirmed she got a text report last Friday “wherein the subject has commented a serious threat to a TikTok video posted by another TikTok account with username @ joiedevivre420. The said comment states in toto: Nagmemeeting kami araw araw para paghandaang ipa assassinate namin si BBM humanda kayo.”

“We emailed the Tik Tok Law Enforcement Outreach and requested the data related to the subject account preserved pending investigation by the law enforcement agents concerned,” Zamora said.

Zamora said Kerri Woods of the TikTok Law Enforcement Outreach was now working on the request of the DoJ cybercrime probers.

Davao de Oro execs launch Sara movement

By Maricel V. Cruz POLITICAL bigwigs in Monkayo, Davao de Oro on Monday afternoon launched the “Sara para sa Barangay” initiative to bring closer to the grassroots level the programs of government of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“Mayor Sara will champion the interest of grassroots folk in this historic initiative,” said Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, stalwart of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Aside from the governor, Rep. Manuel Zamora, Davao de Oro Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, mayors, board members, councilors and other community leaders adopted the concept of “Sara for the Barangays.”

Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Jr., Lakas-CMD secretary general, congratulated the local officials and organizers of the event that supported Duterte-Carpio, LakasCMD party chairperson.

“This is a very impressive event today and I am very proud that I am part of this history. Today we are launching the Sara for the Barangays.

We have so many programs in the government that need barangays as partners,” said Pichay.

“Mayor Sara’s heart is for the barangays, too,” Pichay added.

“We want to inform the people in barangays, including its officials, that Mayor Sara and Bongbong Marcos have good and better programs for them,” Pichay added.

New Ang Probinsyano solon joins House REP. Edward Delos Santos on Monday took his oath as the new representative of Ang Probinsyano partylist group.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco administered the oath of Delos Santos, who was accompanied by fellow Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos.

Rep. Edward replaced Ronnie Ong, who transferred to another party-list group last year.

Ong announced late last year that he has transferred to the Alliance of Public Transport Operators party-list as the sectors it represents are “aligned with our advocacies and the sectors we wanted to serve.”

The House leadership, through

Deputy Secretary General Jocelia Bighani Sipin, earlier advised Ang Probinsyano party-list to secure a resolution from the Commission on Elections or a Certificate of Proclamation recognizing Ong’s replacement.

Based on the Comelec certification signed by lawyer Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, Director IV, on Dec. 21, 2021, Delos Santos “is the Nominee No. 3 next-in-rank to Rep. Ronnie L. Ong of Ang Probinsyano Party-list in the 2019 National and Local Elections.”

The Ang Probinsyano party-list group represents farmers, fishers and other marginalized groups in the provinces or rural areas of the country. Maricel V. Cruz

STRENGTH FROM THE GRASSROOTS. Lakas-CMD Secretary General

and Deputy Speaker Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay Jr. delivers his message to 263 barangay community leaders during the launching of the 1st Barangays for Sara held at Octa Farm in Monkayo, Davao de Oro. Ver Noveno

Opinion The environmental requirement of good governance nation. As such, he or she is expected to behave properly and to treat his or her children, the Filipino people, with civility. No Chief Executive before Rodrigo Duterte - not even tough guy Joseph Ejercito Estrada had ever used cuss words in public.

The closest thing to a Presidential cuss word was Manuel Quezon’s “Puñeta.” But Rodrigo Duterte, during his days in Malacanang, elevated cussing to the level of an art.

JUDGED by any standard, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, now in its lame-duck stage, cannot be said to be one of the best of the 11 administrations that have run this country since 1946. Indeed, the Duterte administration arguably has been one of the worst. Rodrigo Duterte has himself only - and nobody else - to blame for that.

No nation in the world can be said to enjoy complete stability. There will always be differences and rivalries of one kind or another - ideological, racial, cultural, economic, etc. - among the citizenry. But a Chief Executive bent on bringing about the greatest amount of progress and well-being to his or her people will strive to create a national environment in which stability can flourish and discord is minimized.

A national environment of stability requires four elements principally - respect for the rule of law, patriotism, civility and good managerial skills.

Soon after Day One in office, Rodrigo Duterte made it apparent that he was not out to create a national environment of stability; on the contrary, the former mayor of Davao City seemed intent on settling old scores and unburdening himself of simmering frustrations. National stability has never had a chance under Mr. Duterte’s stewardship.

The first casualty of Rodrigo Duterte’s I’ll-doas-I-please governance style was the rule of law in relation to the treatment of illegal drug users and pushers. With Mr. Duterte’s first utterance of the word “kill,” PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel involved in the anti-illegal drugs campaign created what was to become the infamous EJK (extra-judicial killings) problem. No predecessor of Rodrigo Duterte had ever used the word “kill” in his or her public utterances; that is totally inappropriate for a President of the Republic. In the minds of the Filipino people - and eventually - in the minds of international human rights activists and ICC (International Criminal Court) investigations - the impression was that Rodrigo Duterte was determined to achieve his drug war objective within or outside the rule of law.

The President is the father (or mother) of the

Without national stability, there cannot be great progress Experts who may study and compare the records of this country’s 11 presidents with regard to management of men and resources are bound to not place Rodrigo Duterte at the top of the ranking.

It has been said that Mr. Duterte brought to Malacañang the managerial and decision-making styles of a city mayor and prosecutor. Unfortunately, the Office of the President of the Philippines is neither the Davao City mayor’s office nor the office of the Davao City prosecutor. Add to that Rodrigo Duterte’s willful and impulsive nature and you have an enormous problem. On May 9, 2022 the Filipino people must not elect a president, a man or woman who merely recycles foul-smelling public officials instead of throwing them out of the service.

A president is a Filipino who by oath is bound to defend and protect the patrimony. The ordinary Filipino does not have to take such an oath, but he feels very strongly about other countries’ attacks on the territory or intrusions into the sovereignty of the Philippines. President Duterte apparently does not realize the depth of the wound that his abject submission to China on the West Philippine Sea issue has caused in the heart and soul of every patriotic Filipino. There can be no national stability for as long as the Filipino people feel that their President is allowing other countries to get away with infringing upon the nation’s sovereignty.

The past six years have not been a period of stability in this country, which explains that the administration of Rodrigo Duterte has been, comparatively speaking, one of the worst-performing administrations in Philippine history. Without national stability, there cannot be great progress; the two are inseparable.

Study: Online election landscape ‘hostile to opposition’

SOME politicians have been running stealth campaigns for years on social media, and this may make voters “susceptible to manipulation” and “undermine the integrity of election process,” a team of communication researchers said.

Because of social media’s affordability and extensive reach, election candidates are using them more and traditional media less. In order to describe, analyze, and explain how political candidates are using social media in relation to the 2022 national elections, the Philippine Media Monitoring Laboratory (PMM), a consortium of communication, data science, and political science researchers, launched their Digital Public Pulse (DPP) project in October last year.

DPP team leaders Fatima Gaw and Jon Benedik Bunquin, assistant professors at the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Mass Communication, are presenting their consolidated findings tomorrow, February 2, in an online webinar on Philippine election actors and networks and social media.

Their research, entitled “Cross-platform analysis of Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube,” answers several questions, among them: who are the actors who dominate and get marginalized in social media conversations? What are the online campaign strategies related to coordinated messaging and posting? What is the role of influencers in the 2022 presidential elections?

The professors emphasized that the public needs to understand “how information moves in social media.”

Over the past month, the researchers have released their findings per platform: YouTube (Jan. 12): Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s YT channels and those of his campaigners and supporters, “spread across at least three communities,” were seen to grow in influence over election-related content, collectively accounting for the biggest network at 38%. Mainstream news media comprise 28% of the network.

Isko Moreno Domagoso was found to enter through entertainment and Manny Pacquiao from sports to politics, while Ping Lacson and Leni Robredo have minimal YT presence.

Some 2,057 YT channels and their videos were collected in the first two quarters of the study, from May to October 2021. During this time, the networks expanded from 650 to 1,407 and their connections from 6,000 to 18,000.

Twitter (Jan. 19): A social network analysis was conducted of over 2.1 million Tweets collected from May to October 2021. Robredo and the opposition are the largest politician-based community on Twitter, “but they have been met with antagonistic interactions. Meanwhile, Marcos [Jr.] and his supporters have catapulted as [sic] a central figure and community in the platform.”

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EDITORIAL

Much-needed protection under the law

T crime.

O almost universal acclaim, President Duterte signed a law in December 2021 making child marriages—a disturbingly common occurrence in the Philippines--a Against this backdrop, it was disheartening to learn that an appointed member of the Bangsamoro parliament spoke out against this law that she said “goes to the very heart of our practice and our faith.”

The new law imposes stiff penalties on any person who causes, fixes, facilitates or arranges a child marriage, including jail time of six year and a day to 10 years. If the person is an ascendant, parent, adoptive parent, step parent or guardian of the child, the prison time goes up to 10 years and a day to 12 years.

Anyone who performs or officiates a child marriage and an adult partner who cohabits with a child outside of wedlock will suffer similarly harsh penalties.

UNICEF Philippines called the “Prohibition of Child Marriage Law” a major milestone in child rights and addresses a serious social problem.

The 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey shows that one in six Filipino girls is married before she is 18 or the legal age of majority. The phenomenon of child marriage has been practiced in indigenous and Muslim communities in the country. Globally, the Philippines ranks 12th in the absolute number of child marriages. UNICEF notes that while community-based programs seek to address this problem, a law that strengthens the legal framework and protection for young children underscores the commitment of the state to fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This commitment has real-world consequences.

“Child marriage is a human rights violation that can result in a lifetime of suffering not just for young girls but for their children as well,” UNICEF notes. “Girls who marry before turning 18 are less likely to remain in school and more likely to experience domestic violence and abuse. Compared to women in their 20s, they are also more likely to die due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. If they survive pregnancy and childbirth, the likelihood of their infants to be stillborn or die in the first month of life is quite high.”

Child marriages are an avenue for abuse and consign young girls to misery and slave conditions.

In a privilege speech delivered this month, Anna Tarhata Basman argued the law goes against the autonomy that the Bangsamoro region enjoys as well as religious freedom.

First, she said the law not only discourages but penalizes “those who intend to take the more responsible route of marriage of other non-marital relations.” This, she said, sends a message to the young to do what they want “according to what is natural” – just don’t get married. “While this is acceptable for some, it is not for others, particularly the Muslims.”

Second, she said the law presumes the lack of consent purely based on the age of the bride. The law, she says, makes a 15-year-old responsible for his or her criminal acts but does not make the same assumption for marriage.

Third, she says, the law presumes the worst about parents in such unions and readily and easily attribute child abuse to them. While she acknowledges that there are parents who force their children into marriage, the law makes a blanket imputation of ill-will upon the parents of the marrying party.

Finally, she asks what happens to the children born within such marriages. While they would be protected and have rights as

legitimate children under Islamic law and earlier Philippine laws, the new law, she says, will consider them illegitimate.

Of course, these concerns should have been raised while Congress debated the law, not after the law has been passed.

Still, it is ludicrous to say the law encourages the young to be sexually promiscuous outside of marriage. Arranged marriages do not happen because a girl as young as 14 or a boy of 15 wants to have sex. Arranged marriages aren’t about doing “what is natural.”

It is also illogical to say that we should accept the “consent” of a 14-year-old girl to a marriage she knows nothing about, simply because a 15-year-old can be held liable for a crime. Marriage is not a crime—child marriage is.

Furthermore, it is irrelevant to argue that there is a blanket imputation of ill will.

Motivation is not punished by law, an act is. We do not say it is all right to murder someone because your intentions were good.

Finally, laws cannot be retroactively applied—and children already born of such child marriages cannot be penalized.

Addressing similar complaints, the Commission on Human Rights reminded some members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that the law went through rigorous deliberations and consultations with religious leaders and communities, especially with women and girls in Muslim and indigenous communities. Many representatives from their communities have already attested to the urgency of the law, it said.

“The claim then that this law lacks support from the Bangsamoro community couldn’t be further from the truth,” the commission continued. “They can only come from individuals who refuse to acknowledge and discount the critical participation of women and girls and who continue to cling to harmful practices even as they violate basic human rights.”

Child marriages are an avenue for abuse and consign young girls to misery and slave conditions. Nothing—not tradition nor the misapplication of religious norms—can justify that.

Statement on the Biden-Kishida summit

By Amb. Albert Del Rosario ON January 21, 2022, US President Joseph Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit video teleconference where they agreed, among others, to oppose China’s attempts to change the status quo in the South China Sea and China’s use of economic coercion to achieve its ends.

While the US and Japan are not coastal States in the South China Sea, they have a real and tangible interest in preserving the Rule of Law in

the region. International law grants all nations of the world, including the US and Japan, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea—which is critical for global economic trade and maintaining peace and security in the region.

The international law that applies in the South China Sea is embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and, specifically, the 2016 Arbitral Ruling won by the Philippines against China in The Hague.

Both the US and Japan have invoked the 2016

Arbitral Ruling against China’s illegal claims in the South China Sea. These US-Japan efforts to oppose China’s attempts to advance its illegal claims in the South China Sea—are aligned with the interest of the Philippines to preserve its own rights in the West Philippine Sea. As such, our country should undertake more concrete steps to enforce the 2016 Arbitral Ruling by solidifying the support of the international community.

Teaching during the pandemic

Findings will be presented tomorrow.

Actor analysis showed that “obscure actors composed of unidentifiable users” and users who have been “suspended or removed from the platform” have overtaken the news media as central actors in election-related discourse on Twitter.

Facebook (Jan. 28): A social network analysis of 96,590 public FB pages, profiles, and groups, showed that Marcos Jr.’s “growing influence” on the platform is enabled by FB accounts that “bridge partisan content from political pages to dispersed groups in the network.”

His community and FB accounts politically aligned with Sara Duterte, Bong Go, and Rodrigo Duterte also emerged as one of the superclusters in the analysis, “indicating overlapping affinities among these audiences.”

The study also noted, in general, the “spread of hyper-partisan channels and influencers which amplify on-ground political activities, launch ‘attack’ campaigns against the competition, opposition, and news media, as well as distort the political popularity of candidates through ‘kalye surveys.’”

Infotainment and entertainment clusters were used to expose “less politically engaged audiences” to “political content and discourse.”

Gaw and Bunquin’s cross-platform analysis, to be presented in today’s webinar, will reveal deeper and detailed insights into election-related conversations among social media actors and communities.

What are the implications of these findings for users of social media?

Gaw said political actors have been using social media for a long time, attempting to sway the public to accept and support their narratives.

Full version on www.manilastandard.net

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022

IT HAS been a great pleasure seeing the fruits of my teaching and mentoring – with many of my students and mentees now overtaking me in stature and knowledge. For a teacher, nothing is more satisfying than this experience of knowing that the people you taught, trained and coached are now better than you.

I do and teach, act and theorize. I keep crossing back and forth the worlds of academe, social development, law, politics, and governance. I share with my students my belief that while the real world is tough and fraught with challenges, it is possible to do good, indeed to be good – in what you do and as a human being.

I teach them skills of course – depending on the subject I am teaching – but beyond skills, I would like to think that I teach to my students an approach, an attitude to work, society, and life that will do them well later on.

I have developed a teaching methodology that encourages my students to work in teams and work collaboratively with each other to solve problems based on real-life situations. In the world today, good work is usually no longer a solitary product but a result of solidarity and collaboration.

I am able to accomplish a lot because I have many partners and co-workers who make it possible for me to do a range of things. At the core of a collaborative approach or attitude however is honesty and integrity. If you are to work collaboratively, you have to trust each other. Indeed, collaborative work requires a code of ethics based not only on intellectual honesty but also in sensitivity and respect for each other.

I am not a perfectionist. I have a high tolerance

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

for mistakes. This is because I too am imperfect, have made many professional and personal mistakes, and know I will continue to make such mistakes. I am, as a person and as a teacher, accepting and find it easy to forgive.

I beam with pride in seeing my students live good lives.

I probably err on the side of giving high grades for my students. I would have no problem forgiving a student who plagiarizes a paper or who cheats in an exam so long as there is admission and contrition. There also needs to be an acceptance of some kind of appropriate penalty. Overall, I give high grades, including quite a lot of 1s, 4s, 100s, and As. Students have to work hard to fail in my classes. I motivate students well so thankfully I do not fail many students.

For the issues I care about – protecting the environment, promoting indigenous people rights, achieving environmental, climate, and social justice, fighting social inequality, advocating human rights, ensuring permanent peace in Mindanao and our country, and achieving a just and well-governed society – teaching is the most effective way to make a difference.

These are huge issues, large problems, and almost insurmountable challenges. These battles cannot be won in a generation. We must outrun them, go far ahead of the problems, and find effective solutions early so that they do not repeat themselves in the future.

All these problems need a new generation of leaders, scientists, lawyers, social entrepreneurs, and activists. That is why I teach – so I can help

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

foster and support such a generation, a new community of changemakers.

The pandemic has been a mixed experience for teaching. In a way, the experiences of the pandemic are teaching my students directly and all I need to do is to facilitate their learning. But the burdens of studying and teaching virtually are real. Indeed, teaching and studying in a pandemic is teaching and studying under wartime conditions.

Even after 41 years of teaching, I am still nervous when, at the beginning of a semester or course, I meet my students for the first time. I still worry whether I will be a good teacher to this class, whether I can deliver to them the skills and values I want to impart.

At the end of the semester or course, I still shout for joy when I realize, from their exam answers or from private messages they send to me, that my students have truly learned and they will be/are better professionals and persons because of it. And I do jump, yes literally jump, for joy when I see former students, many years later, living what I have taught them.

I do not of course take credit for what they accomplish and what they have become. But I have to say that I beam with pride in seeing my students live good lives. Those moments are really the joy of teaching.

Whenever someone asks me, during speaking engagements, how I would like to be introduced, the standard phrases I suggest are: “Teacher, thinker, lawyer, social entrepreneur, and good governance, social entrepreneur, human rights and environmental justice advocate”. But if they press me to choose only one; without hesitation, quickly and with conviction, I would choose, “teacher”. It is a title I hope I will always deserve.

Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor

Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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World

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Nokor fires most powerful missile in tests since 2017 SEOUL—North Korea confirmed Monday it had fired its most powerful missile since 2017, capping a monthlong blitz of launches that has raised the spectre of leader Kim Jong Un restarting nuclear tests.

Pyongyang conducted a record seven weapons tests in January, the most ever in a calendar month, as it threatened to abandon a self-imposed moratorium on launching long-range and nuclear weapons, blaming US “hostile” policy for forcing its hand.

North Korean state media said Monday that the country had test-fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, last launched in 2017, which is powerful enough to put the US territory of Guam in range.

South Korea and the United States responded to the launch with concerns that long-range missiles and nuclear tests could be next on Kim’s agenda.

Pyongyang has “come close to destroying the moratorium declaration,”

RIFLE TRAINING. A military instructor teaches civilians holding wooden replicas of Kalashnikov rifles as they take part in a training session at an abandoned factory in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on January 30. As fears grow of a potential invasion by Russian troops massed on Ukraine’s border, the training is conducted by instructors with combat experience, members of the public initiative ‘Total Resistance.’ AFP

South Korean President Moon Jae-In said after an emergency National Security Council meeting Sunday.

He noted the North was showing a “similar pattern” to 2017, when it raised regional tensions by launching intermediate-range missiles and following them up with intercontinental ballistic missile tests.

A senior Biden administration official said Washington shared the concern.

“It’s not just what they did yesterday, it’s the fact that this is coming on the heels of quite a significant number of tests in this month,” he said.

“We obviously don’t want to see further testing and we’ve called upon to DPRK to refrain from further tests,” he added, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name.

South Korea said the Sunday test was of an “intermediate range ballistic missile” that flew around 800 kilometres (497 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles). AFP

UN Security Council meets on Ukraine UAE intercepts W Yemen rebel ASHINGTON—The UN Security Council meets Monday to discuss the Ukraine crisis, with Washington vowing to hold Moscow to account as it works with NATO allies to beef up sanctions should Russia invade its neighbor.

Fears of an imminent incursion have grown in recent days, despite denials from Moscow and pleas from Ukraine’s president to avoid stirring “panic” over the massive Russian military build-up on the border.

The United States and Britain on Sunday flagged new and “devastating” economic sanctions against Russia, as Washington and its allies step up efforts to deter any invasion of Ukraine.

With tensions soaring, the United

States said it was prepared to push back against any “disinformation” Moscow put forward in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched United Nations sessions in years.

Russia on Monday is likely to try to block the 15-member council from holding its US-requested meeting, “but the Security Council is unified. Our voices are unified in calling for the Russians to explain themselves,” Washington’s UN envoy Linda Thomas-Green-

2nd Macau junket boss arrested as curbs expand

field told ABC News.

“We’re going to go in the room prepared to listen to them, but we’re not going to be distracted by their propaganda,” she said Sunday. “And we’re going to be prepared to respond to any disinformation that they attempt to spread during this meeting.”

Amid a flurry of diplomatic contacts, US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland told CBS a proposal on security issues presented last week by the US and NATO to Russia may have stirred interest in Moscow.

The proposal includes the likelihood of new talks this week between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, meanwhile, took

a tough stance, saying it was crucial Washington send a powerful message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that any aggression against Ukraine would come at a very high cost.

“We cannot have a Munich moment again,” Senator Bob Menendez said on CNN. “Putin will not stop with Ukraine.”

He indicated some penalties could be levied over actions Russia has already taken in Ukraine, including cyberattacks, but there would be “devastating sanctions that ultimately would crush Russia” should Moscow invade.

Nuland said the White House was working closely with the Senate, and that any sanctions measures would be “very well-aligned” with those coming from European allies. AFP

SNOWY BEACH. A

MACAU—The head of Macau’s second largest junket group has been arrested by the city’s police, as authorities tighten the leash on the gambling hub’s multi-billiondollar industry.

The Chinese territory has seen increased scrutiny from the mainland, with a step up in crackdowns and tighter regulations for the gaming sector.

The latest move came Sunday when police arrested and detained key Macau player Chan Wen-ling.

Chan is the founder of Tak Chun Group, the second largest junket operator in the city—serving as go-betweens to bring high rollers from the mainland to Macau’s glittering casinos.

He is also chairman of Macau Legend Development, which runs hotels and casinos and confirmed his detention.

Shares in Hong Kong-listed Macau Legend plunged by nearly 30 percent on Monday morning.

Chan’s arrest comes months after his rival Alvin Chau, who led Macau’s largest junket operator Suncity, was detained by the city’s police in November.

Macau’s prosecution had accused Chau and 10 other senior executives of setting up an illegal online betting platform in the Philippines and soliciting mainland Chinese customers.

Police on Sunday said in a news conference that Chan’s arrest was related to the previous operation in November.

“Although the two operations are targeting two separate groups, we have sufficient evidence to show that they are in collaboration,” they said.

The former Portuguese colony is the only territory in China where gambling is permitted, and the vast majority of punters are mainlanders—brought in by junket operators like Suncity and Tak Chun. AFP

surfer makes his way down a snow covered rocky beach to the water in Winthrop, Massachusetts, on January 30.

Surfers looked to catch the waves caused by the winter storm on January 29. AFP

‘Unprecedented’ pressure facing foreign journalists in China BEIJING—Threats of legal action, online troll campaigns and dwindling numbers after the expulsion of colleagues -- foreign journalists in China are facing “unprecedented hurdles” from efforts to discredit independent reporting, a press group said Monday.

Beijing appears to be “encouraging a spate of lawsuits”, or the threat of legal action against foreign journalists, often filed long after sources agreed to interviews, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC) said in its annual report.

“The risk landscape is changing at the moment in unfamiliar ways,” said David Rennie, Beijing bureau chief for the Economist, in the report.

“In particular, news organizations face warnings that their reporting may

expose them to legal sanctions or civil lawsuits, or—most ominously—to national security investigations,” he added.

This marks a “worrying” shift from earlier tools to control the media, such as blacklisting them from events or via problems with press cards and visas, he said.

The increased threats of legal action come after the 2020 detention of Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei, who worked for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, and Haze Fan of Bloomberg News.

Chinese authorities have said they are being held on suspicion of endangering national security.

Meanwhile, foreign journalists and their organisations have developed emergency exit plans over heightened

risks, and “state-backed attacks... particularly trolling campaigns online” have made it tough for those remaining to operate, the FCCC report said.

Such moves foster growing feelings that foreign media are the enemy, the report added, noting that “coverage of China is suffering”.

The findings were based on a survey of 127 of its 192 members.

The report said that as journalists left due to excessive intimidation or state expulsions, covering China is “increasingly becoming an exercise in remote reporting”.

In 2020, China announced it would expel American journalists from three major US newspapers—The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. AFP

missile anew

DUBAI—The United Arab Emirates said Monday it shot down a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Huthi rebels, in the third such incident this month, as Israel’s president visited the country.

The defence ministry of the UAE, part of a Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels, said there were no casualties in the early morning attack.

“Air defence forces... intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Huthi terrorist group at the UAE,” the ministry said, according to the official WAM news agency.

It said fragments of debris fell “outside of populated areas”, without giving further details.

The ministry said it responded to the attack by destroying the missile launch site in Yemen’s northern AlJawf region.

It also released black-and-white footage of the explosion and plumes of black smoke.

Monday’s attack marks the third since a drone and missile assault that killed three oil workers on January 17. A second that was intercepted was fired at the UAE a week later.

The January 17 attack was the first deadly one on the UAE claimed by the Huthis, who have also vowed to keep up their assaults.

The latest attack took place as Isaac Herzog made the first ever visit to the UAE by an Israeli president since the two countries normalised ties in 2020.

However, a statement from his office on Monday said that he will “continue his visit as planned”.

The Iran-backed Huthis began targeting UAE interests after a series of defeats on the ground in Yemen, inflicted by the UAE-trained Giants Brigade militia.

In early January, the rebels seized a UAE-flagged ship in the Red Sea, saying it was carrying weapons -- a claim denied by the Emirates.

Rebel military spokesman Yahya Saree will announce details of a “large-scale military operation” targeting the UAE later on Monday, a Huthi statement said.

Saree “warned foreign companies, citizens and residents in the UAE that they would not hesitate to expand the targets to include more important sites and facilities”, it added. AFP

UK’s Johnson vows ‘Brexit Freedoms Bill’ to scrap EU laws LONDON—The UK government will introduce new legislation allowing it to change or scrap retained European Union laws, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday to mark two years since Brexit.

The new “Brexit Freedoms Bill” will make it easier to amend or remove what he called “outdated” EU laws that London has kept on its statute books as a “bridging measure” after leaving the bloc.

It will be part of what the British leader dubbed a “major cross-government drive to reform, repeal and replace” the European laws retained and cut red tape for businesses.

“The plans we have set out today will further unleash the benefits of Brexit and ensure that businesses can spend

more of their money investing, innovating and creating jobs,” Johnson said in a statement.

“Our new Brexit Freedoms Bill will end the special status of EU law in our legal framework and ensure that we can more easily amend or remove outdated EU law in future.”

The move is part of a flurry of announcements expected imminently from the government in key policy areas, as it also grapples with the growing international crisis over Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine.

However, critics have accused Johnson of rushing out half-baked plans and so-called “red meat” policies to shore up support among his own increasingly disgruntled Conservative MPs. That follows persistent calls for

him to resign over claims of lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street and several other recent scandals.

Britain left the EU on January 31, 2020 but continued to abide by most of its rules and regulations until the start of 2021 under the terms of its withdrawal deal.

Although it then left the 27-member bloc’s single market and customs union, it kept many European laws on the books, pledging to change or repeal them individually post-Brexit.

Meanwhile the government insists it has made “huge strides” outside the EU, striking some trade deals with countries, and forging a new independent foreign policy built around a “global Britain” mantra. AFP

BLOODY SUNDAY MARCH. People take part in a remembrance march to

commemorate the victims of the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings, from the Creggan area, to the Bogside area of Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland, on January 30, on the 50th anniversary of the shootings. In one of the darkest days in modern UK history 50 years ago, British troops without provocation killed 13 unarmed civil rights protesters. AFP

Business

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks advance; Ayala Land climbs PSEi January 31, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 SFIP 2 SPM 3 RLT

LAST PRICE CHANGE 1.98 0.48 2.39 0.24 0.21 0.02

% CHANGE 32.00% 11.16% 10.53%

4 5 6

GEO X SGI

0.208 0.465 1.16

0.019 0.035 0.08

10.05% 8.14% 7.41%

7

EMP

23.75

1.45

6.50%

8 9 10

I MAC ATNB

0.83 5.4 0.78

0.05 0.3 0.04

6.41% 5.88% 5.41%

T

HE stock market gained Monday in step with the rest of Asia as the national capital region prepares for looser COVID-19 restrictions that will boost the economy further.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 109.68 points, or 1.5 percent, to 7,361.65 on a value turnover of P7.4 billion. Gainers beat losers, 123 to 77, with 40 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group advanced 5 percent to P35.90, while Aboitiz Power Corp. of the Aboitiz Group climbed 4.4 percent to P35.30.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group rose 2.6 percent to P35.10, but Globe Tele-

com Inc., the second-biggest telecommunications firm, fell 4 percent to P3,110.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets rose Monday after a late afternoon rally on Wall Street capped a volatile week for global equities, though traders remained nervous about the Federal Reserve’s plan to hike interest rates as it battles surging inflation.

The Nasdaq led the strong finish for US equities thanks to a seven percent bump for heavyweight Apple, which

posted eye-watering fourth quarter profits that lifted optimism about consumer spending and the economic recovery.

And the strong performance—which was also helped by strong US economic data—filtered through to Asia, where trade was thinned by investors winding down ahead of the three-day Lunar New Year break that starts Tuesday.

Tokyo, Hong Kong and Mumbai jumped more than one percent, while there were also gains in Singapore, Wellington, Bangkok and Jakarta, though Sydney edged down. Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei were closed for holidays.

The gains followed a period of upheaval across world markets as the Fed readies to withdraw the vast financial support put in place at the start of the

US Fed could raise interest rates by half a point—official

TOP LOSERS

1 MJIC 2 OPM 3 PHR

LAST PRICE CHANGE 1.11 -0.25 0.012 -0.001 0.74 -0.06

% CHANGE -18.38% -7.69% -7.50%

4 5 6 7

PRF3B ACE STR VUL

1052 1.5 3.6 0.82

-78 -0.08 -0.18 -0.04

-6.90% -5.06% -4.76% -4.65%

8

MG

0.139

-0.006

-4.14%

9 10

APX GLO

1.66 3110

-0.07 -130

-4.05% -4.01%

MOST ACTIVE

1 BDO 2 GLO

VOLUME 3,398,050 143,615

VALUE (PHP) 458,633,957 457,943,750

3 4

ALI AP

10,307,500 9,907,100

366,879,665 345,900,340

5

MONDE

20,138,800

329,677,018

6 7 8 9

MBT SMPH ICT SECB

4,874,670 8,127,000 1,337,330 2,370,090

287,136,752 285,606,815 267,885,221 256,323,557

10

SM

259,840

246,621,035

Ukraine crisis adds to inflation nerves as ECB sets meeting FRANKFURT, Germany—Soaring inflation will be in focus when European Central Bank governors meet on Thursday, as the threat of war in Ukraine risked further fueling already sky-high energy prices in the region.

Prices rose in the eurozone at an annual rate of five percent in December, the highest value on record for the currency bloc, which began keeping track of inflation in 1997.

New figures for January are set to be published by Eurostat on Wednesday, ahead of the meeting, with policymakers looking for indications as to whether inflation will come off the boil in 2022, as the ECB has said it expects to happen.

The Frankfurt-based institution projected a gradual return to inflation under its target of two percent when it published its most recent forecasts in December.

The forecast grounds the ECB’s decision to initiate a “step-by-step” reduction in its asset-purchasing stimulus program, a more cautious approach than its peers in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The massive bond-buying program has been the ECB’s main crisis-fighting tool, aimed at keeping borrowing costs low and stoking economic growth in the 19-nation euro club.

The meeting on Thursday was “unlikely to bring any policy changes,” said Carsten Brzeski, head of macro at ING. The 25 members of the governing council were increasingly sensitive to the risk that inflation could be higher than expected, Brzeski said, but would seek to “steer market expectations cautiously.” AFP

pandemic, which has been a key driver of a near two-year equity rally.

And while further volatility is expected as the bank lifts borrowing costs, commentators remain upbeat.

The recent selloff “marks a long overdue correction rather than the start of a bear market,” said analysts at BCA Research Inc. They added: “Stocks often suffer a period of indigestion when bond yields rise suddenly, but usually bounce back as long as yields do not move into economically restrictive territory.”

Still, observers continue to debate the Fed’s likely moves as inflation sits at a four-decade high, with some saying it could hike up to seven times before 2023, with an initial 50 basis point move in March. With AFP

LUNAR NEW YEAR. A vendor prepares roasted pigs for sale at a market ahead of the Lunar New Year in Phnom Penh on January 31, 2022, which ushers in the Year of the Tiger on February 1. AFP

Leading oil producers to meet amid record crude prices LONDON, United Kingdom—The world’s top oil-producing countries will meet on Wednesday to discuss a further increase in output, while crude prices have reached seven-year highs rattled by geopolitical tensions.

Part of their regular meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic shook markets, the 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their 10 allies convene by videoconference to set output.

Many analysts expect the grouping, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, to decide to continue to boost output by 400,000 barrels per day in March.

This will be in line with their strategy to slowly re-open the taps since May last year, after drastic cuts to curb slumping prices when the coronavirus first started spreading.

“With that said, we wouldn’t completely rule out a larger increase, given high oil

prices and recent OPEC+ underproduction,” Capital Economics analysts said.

Brent oil on Wednesday surpassed $90 per barrel, attaining a level last seen in October 2014.

The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude hit its highest level in more than seven years earlier this month, fueled by easing concerns about the Omicron COVID variant and geopolitical tensions.

The United States and Britain on Sunday flagged new and “devastating” economic sanctions against Russia, as Washington and its NATO allies step up efforts to deter any invasion of Ukraine.

Fears of an imminent invasion have grown in recent days, despite denials from Moscow and pleas from Ukraine’s president to avoid stirring “panic” over the massive Russian military build-up on the border.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine

would lead to “very hard sanctions” against Moscow, according to Bjarne Schieldrop, analyst at SEB. “It would halt exports of natural gas to Europe even more. Natural gas and power prices in Europe would be much higher than the current extremely high prices we have now,” he told AFP. In the Middle East, Yemen’s Iranbacked Huthi rebels—which have frequently targeted Saudi Arabia— launched two missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates this month.

The Emirates has had a major role in the Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Huthis.

Besides the geopolitical uncertainties, analysts have noted that OPEC nations and other key producers are struggling to meet targets to lift output by 400,000 barrels a month, adding to the upward pressure on prices. AFP

NEW YORK—The US Federal Reserve is not ruling out raising rates by half a percentage point if inflation remains high, Fed official Raphael Bostic said in an interview with the Financial Times.

The chair of the US central bank, Jerome Powell, signaled this week the Fed plans to hike interest rates in March, telling reporters the recovery in the world’s largest economy is strong enough that it can handle higher borrowing costs.

Powell declined to give details on the size of the planned increase, saying only that the Fed would be flexible. It typically raises rates by a quarter of a percentage point; a half-point increase would be uncommon.

In an interview with the Financial Times published Saturday night, Bostic, who heads the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, said that “every option is on the table for every meeting.”

He still expects three quarter-percentage-point hikes by the end of the year.

But “if the data say that things have evolved in a way that a 50 basis point move is required or (would) be appropriate, then I’m going to lean into that.” Fifty basis points equal half a percentage point.

Bostic stressed that he would be “comfortable” with the idea of making a decision “in successive meetings,” suggesting there could be a rate hike at each of the seven remaining meetings between now and the end of the year.

The Fed’s key rates were lowered to a range of 0 percent to 0.25 percent in March 2020 in an attempt to mitigate the shock to the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic.

With growth back on track, the priority now for the Fed is to slow inflation, including by raising rates.AFP

In food world, debate rages about recipe plagiarism

By Lea Dauple WASHINGTON, United States—Pastry chef Nick Malgieri was scrolling through a food blog when he came upon a recipe for panettone, a puffy sweet bread that the author said conjured up fond memories of Christmases spent with his Italian grandmother.

But it quickly became clear that the instructions were all too familiar.

“I started reading the recipe and I said, ‘This is my recipe!’” he recalled in an interview with AFP. Malgieri’s unpleasant experience was unfortunately not a one-time thing. After decades of work and 12 published cookbooks, the American expert baker has seen his work all over the internet—reproduced without his consent on numerous sites.

Some of his recipes have even been claimed by other chefs and included in their cookbooks. In one, he says he found a copy of his “food processor puff pastry, practically word for word.”

Plagiarism has become widespread in the food world. It is difficult to curb, and even more difficult to prosecute.

Given that the cookbook with Malgieri’s puff pastry recipe had a small circulation and likely minimal profits, Malgieri’s publishing house opted not to even file a complaint.

When chefs do look to the US courts for relief, the chances of getting recognition of their copyright or a monetary settlement are seen as remote, because recipes are generally not protected under intellectual property laws.

“A recipe is just a listing of ingredients and simple instructions,” New Yorkbased attorney Lynn Oberlander, who specializes in the area, told AFP.

In this file photo taken on November 9, 2012 French chef Paul Bocuse, at Collonges au Mont d’Or, works in l’Aubergede Pont de Collonges kitchen, during a culinary work shop, in Mont d’Or. Plagiarism has become widespread in the food world. It is difficult to curb, and even more difficult to prosecute. AFP

“How can you copyright, for example, scrambled eggs?”

Were that a possibility, she says, given there are not an infinite number of ways to prepare the dish, a chef could ultimately keep another from including the dish in a cookbook.

The only hope for chefs wishing to protect their concoctions may rest in recipes that include “enough original literary expression,” either in the instructions or in the historical narrative, to be considered unique, Oberlander says.

As recipe plagiarism has multiplied in recent years, cookbook authors have done just that, using “more descriptive stuff” in their written work, according to Jonathan

Bailey, a consultant on plagiarism issues.

The only risk? Readers sometimes find the extra verbiage “annoying,” he says.

Inspiration or outright copying?

Last October, a recipe scandal rocked the culinary world.

Singaporean chef and author Sharon Wee accused Elizabeth Haigh of having “copied or paraphrased” recipes and other passages from her 2012 book “Growing Up in a Nonya Kitchen,” which recounted her experiences cooking with her mother.

Wee said she was “distressed” by the incident, which resulted in Haigh’s book “Makan” being withdrawn from circulation.

But in a business where the reinven-

tion of classic dishes is commonplace, where does inspiration by another chef’s work end and plagiarism begin?

In France in the 1980s, chef Jacques Maximin wanted to launch a group that would protect chefs’ creations, to fill the legal loopholes.

His proposal prompted a firestorm of criticism from top chefs.

Paul Bocuse said he was “perplexed” by Maximin’s idea, saying all chefs “take inspiration from others” and admitting he had “nicked” the idea for one of his signature dishes from “an old guy” in France’s Lower Ardeche region.

There is still significant disagreement on the issue.

There have been calls on some food blogs to end plagiarism, with explicit instructions on how to correctly credit the work of another chef.

“The internet has made plagiarism a sport,” Malgieri says, with some recipes cropping up on “20 or 30” blogs at the same time.

For Kelli Marks, an Arkansas pastry chef who sells wedding cakes in the Little Rock area via her website, most food bloggers have no illusions about the idea that some of their content might eventually show up elsewhere.

When she wrote her first book last year, she said she was careful to “go through and check my recipes” to make sure she was only sharing ideas that she herself had created from scratch— a process her publishers requested.

Marks says she does not believe she has yet been the victim of plagiarism, but she is always on alert; she refuses to put some of her recipes online. AFP

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

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022

December bank loans rose 4.6% amid favorable PH prospects

By Julito G. Rada BANK loans grew at a faster rate in December on higher credit demand amid the improving economic outlook, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

Preliminary data showed outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the BSP, increased 4.6 percent year-on-year in December, faster than the 4.0-percent rise in November.

“Credit activity continued to improve due to a more favorable economic outlook from businesses and households amid the sustained rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and the easing of community restrictions during the month,” the BSP said in a statement.

It said that on a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding universal and commercial bank loans, net of RRPs, gained 0.4 percent.

Outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, increased 4.7 percent in December from 4.1 percent in the previous month, on faster growth in loans for production activities.

Outstanding loans for production activities went up by 5.8 percent in December, compared to 5.4 percent in November on continued rise in lending for real estate activities (9.1 percent); information and communication (27.3 percent); manufacturing (9.4 percent); financial and insurance activities (9.9 percent); and transportation and storage (9.1 percent).

Meanwhile, consumer loans to residents declined at a softer rate of 5.7 percent in December from a 7.1-percent decrease in November amid the year-on-year rise in credit card loans.

Outstanding loans to non-residents went up by 2.5 percent in December from 0.4 percent in November.

The BSP said that it would continue to monitor credit dynamics to ensure that its monetary policy settings remain appropriate amid signs of economic recovery, consistent with its price and financial stability mandates.

Business PAL on track to full recovery, appoints new president, COO

By Darwin G. Amojelar

P

HILIPPINE Airlines on Monday named a former pilot as its new president and chief operating officer to guide the airline’s full recovery from Chapter 11 restructuring.

The airline, controlled by tycoon Lucio Tan, appointed Capt. Stanley Ng, formerly the senior vice president for airline operations, as new president and COO in an acting capacity. The appointment was made after the end of Gilbert Santa Maria’s engagement as president and COO following the successful completion of the Chapter 11 restructuring.

PAL said its board expressed gratitude to Santa Maria for his steady stewardship of the company over the last two and a half years. It said Santa Maria would continue to make himself available to assist in the leadership transition over the next few weeks.

“The board expressed full trust and

confidence in Capt. Ng, as well as in its senior management team which remains intact, as the nation’s flag carrier looks to maintain the momentum toward full recovery,” PAL said.

An Airbus A320 commander, Capt.

Ng is the first pilot to assume the presidency of PAL since the early 1960s. He brings to the job a wealth of experience in the airline industry.

Ng started as a member of the flag carrier’s on-ground staff in 2003 before training at the PAL Aviation School. He started flying in 2008 as a second officer and rose up the ranks until he was promoted to senior vice president in 2019 in charge of the airline’s internationally-respected pilots and cabin crew and operational airport and engineering teams.

Ng recently completed an Advance Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is married to Lilybeth Tan, a daughter of Lucio Tan. He took up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Computer Applications at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde.

Ng said his priority is to contribute to the country’s transport infrastructure

buildup and sustainable development and make PAL worthy of Filipinos’ enduring trust and support.

“Giving back to the Philippines, giving back to the society—that’s really my purpose; not really trying to make a profit, a lot of profit out of PAL, but it’s really more of the purpose to continue providing the best service the Filipinos deserve,” he said in a separate statement.

The US Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York earlier approved the reorganization plan of PAL after receiving creditor support throughout the process.

The plan provides for over $2 billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from creditors, allows PAL to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25 percent, improves PAL’s critical operational agreements and includes $505-million investment in long-term equity and debt financing from PAL’s majority shareholder.

“My part in the Chapter 11 filing was operations and safety. So, we’re able to actually perform well. In terms of operational safety, our standards are really high,” Ng said.

GUIMARAS IRRIGATION. Officials of the National Irrigation Administration led by administrator Ricardo Visaya (center) and executives of Silver Dragon Construction and Lumber and Glass Supply Inc. and Lorenzo Construction and Development Corp. sign the contract build the P545-million Cabano Earthfill Dam and its appurtenant structures in Guimaras province under the Small Reservoir Irrigation Project at the NIA Administrator’s Conference Room in Quezon City. The Cabano Earthfill Dam is located in Sitio Tiprosan, Barangay Aguilar, San Lorenzo, Guimaras. The project aims to provide substantial and timely water supply for irrigation, particularly in Region 6, in support to the agricultural development of the government.

percent quarter-on-quarter,” BPI said in a statement.

The bank booked provisions of P13.13 billion, or 53.1 percent lower compared to the P28 billion recorded in 2020. NPL ratio was at 2.49 percent, with NPL coverage ratio at 136.1 percent.

Total loans reached P1.48 trillion, a 4.9-percent increase year-on-year, on higher mortgage, credit card and microfinance loans. Total deposits grew by 13.9 percent to P1.96 trillion, coming from CASA and time deposit growth of 10.3 percent and 28.2 percent, respectively.

Total assets went up 8.4 percent to P2.42 trillion.

Meanwhile, UnionBank said net in-

Group of vehicle importers recorded 14% rise in 2021 sales to 51,851 units

By Othel V. Campos THE Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. said Monday its members sold 58,916 units in 2021, up 14 percent from 51,851 units in 2020.

“With unwavering confidence in the market and in the quality of our product and service offerings, AVID members are determined to build on these gains and look forward to an even better normal in 2022,” said AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

AVID said the light commercial vehicle segment recorded the largest market share with 73 percent and posted a 23-percent increase in sales to 42,871 units from 34,896 units in 2020.

Ford Motors Philippines Inc. led the segment with 18,324 units sold in 2021, or 3.3 percent higher than 13,770 units it sold in 2020. Suzuki followed with 11,314 units while Geely ranked third with 6,104 units.

Commercial vehicles also grew by

Monday, January 31, 2022

109.68 PTS. 7,361.65

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

1,281,988,598 87,777

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

7,418,691,817.00 123 77

UNCHANGED

40

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.2730

Japan

Yen

0.008675

0.4448

UK

Pound

1.340200

68.7161

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128340

6.5804

Switzerland

Franc

1.074691

55.1026

Canada

Dollar

0.783331

40.1637

Singapore

Dollar

0.738171

37.8482

Australia

Dollar

0.698500

35.8142

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

136.0099

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266539

13.6663

Brunei

Dollar

0.735456

37.7090

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029940

1.5351

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.9598

Euro

Euro

1.114700

57.1540

Korea

Won

0.000827

0.0424

China

Yuan

0.157011

8.0504

India

Rupee

0.013327

0.6833

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.238777

12.2428

New Zealand

Dollar

0.654400

33.5531

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035923

1.8419 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

AirAsia PH’s bookings unaffected by Omicron AIRASIA Philippines said Monday domestic travel booking in the first quarter was unaffected by the Omicron variant scare.

Data from AirAsia Philippines showed that the uptick in COVID-19 cases in January did not affect domestic travel, as the airline recouped 42 percent of its pre-COVID flight frequency this month.

The budget airline showed a 182-percent increase in capacity for the month of January from a year ago. The airline said seats sold for the month also increased by 200 percent while load factor improved by 10 percent.

AirAsia Philippines said Caticlan, Cebu and Tacloban dominated the top destinations for both leisure and essential travels. The airline started to gradually increase domestic flights for Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, Panglao and Kalibo in preparation for a possible influx of travelers in February.

“We will continue to service our guests this 2022 with safe and timely flights. We, in the travel industry, also have our sights set on cautiously restoring our pre-pandemic flight frequency this year as we are positive the pandemic will take a turn for the better before end2022,” said AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan. Darwin G. Amojelar

SEC looks at DITO’s rights offering issue

BPI registers 11.5% income growth to P23.9b; UnionBank earns P12.6b BOTH the Bank of the Philippine Islands and the Union Bank of the Philippines on Monday reported strong net income growth in 2021, on the back of higher deposits and loans.

BPI, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, said Monday net income went up 11.5 percent year-on-year to P23.88 billion, driven by lower provisions and record-high fee income.

It said fourth-quarter profit hit P6.4 billion, or 51.2 percent higher than in the same period in 2020, and 13.2 percent up quarter-on- quarter.

“Improving mobility conditions led to higher transaction volumes which fueled the sequential growth in revenues by 9.7

PSE INDEX CLOSING

212 percent to 936 units from 305 units, led by Hyundai trucks and buses.

Meanwhile, passenger car sales remained the most affected by the pandemic, with 9-percent decline in sales to 15,092 units in 2021 from 16,650 units in 2020.

Despite the year-on-year drop of 28 percent, the segment’s month-onmonth performance gradually improved by 3 percent to 1,140 units in December 2021 from 1,111 units in November.

Suzuki Philippines posted the highest sales of 8,079 units in 2021, or 2 percent higher than 768 units sold in November.

AVID expressed optimism for renewed opportunities in the Philippine automotive sector and said it was expecting better performance from all member-companies.

“You cannot downplay the importance of mobility in the reopening of the economy, gradual though it may be,” Agudo said.

come rose 9 percent in 2021 to P12.6 billion, driven by the strength of core businesses. The bank said this translated into an above-industry return on equity of 12.0 percent.

UnionBank president and chief executive Edwin Bautista said the 2021 performance was a validation of the bank’s digital transformation strategy. “We hit key strategic milestones that ramped up our growth aspirations. Customer accounts grew by 2.5 million this year, with close to 1 million accounts coming from our digital-only account opening offering,” he said.

Bautista said the current and savings account growth was at an all-time high

for the second consecutive year, owing to cash management solutions.

“UBX hit an inflection point with its e-commerce platforms, with transactions breaching the one million-mark in the month of December alone. Our digital bank, UnionDigital is also on track for commercial launch by middle of this year,” Bautista said.

Together with its digital initiatives, Bautista said the bank’s top priority in 2022 is the smooth transition and migration of Citi’s consumer banking business.

“We are committed to uphold Citi’s superior customer experience and provide a new home for all Citi employees in UnionBank,” he said. Julito G. Rada

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday it will look into the decision of DITO CME Holdings Corp. to defer its P8-billion stock rights offering that affected a large number of retail investors.

“Our team is looking into this very carefully to see if there has been any violations of the Securities Regulation Code or the Investment Houses Act,” SEC commissioner Ephyro Luis Amatong said in a text message.

Amatong said the SEC was also coordinating with the Philippine Stock Exchange, which is separately looking into the case.

COL Financial Inc., one of the largest online brokerage firms in the country’s, urged the PSE to quickly resolve the issue to protect minority shareholders that participated in the offering.

“We trust that our regulars will handle this development with protection of those investors in mind, especially since there is a large minority shareholders that participated in the offering,” COL Financial president Dino Bate said in a press briefing. Jenniffer B. Austria

Retail investors bullish on market RETAIL investors are more bullish on the stock market over the next six months despite concerns on the upcoming elections and the surge in COVID-19 cases, according to a client survey conducted by online brokerage COL Financial Group Inc. COL Financial Management Inc. president Marvin Fausto said in a press briefing that investor sentiment was shifting to more bullish, as 65 percent of investors expected the Philippine Stock Exchange index to go up over the next six months.

This is a significant improvement from 28 percent when COL Financial made a similar survey in the second half of 2021.

About 82 percent of the investors said they were planning to increase their exposure in the stock market over the next three to six months, while only 18 percent said they would decrease their exposure.

“People believe that the market will be better in the next six months and majority will increase their investments,” Fausto said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

INAUGURAL CALL. ICTSI Rio Brasil 1, a subsidiary of International Container Terminals Services Inc., kicks off its newest partnership with CMA CGM after receiving the inaugural call of the French shipping line’s Brazil Express Loop 2 service. The service was formally launched at the Port of Rio de Janeiro with the arrival of the 2,284-TEU CMA CGM Malta on Dec. 16. Operated by a fleet of five ships, the service rotates through Jamaica’s capital port Kingston, Port of Spain in Trinidad, the Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Navegantes and Vila de Conde and lastly Caucedo in the Dominican Republic, before heading back to Kingston.

PetroGreen eyes development of 4,000-MW offshore wind projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores PETROGREEN Energy Corp., the renewable energy unit of PetroEnergy Resources Corp., is studying the development of up to 4,000 megawatts of offshore wind power projects, data from the Department of Energy show.

The DOE said PGEC was looking at putting up a 2,000-MW offshore wind project in Ilocos Norte covering the areas of Burgos, Bangui and

Pagudpud. It also plans to develop a 1,000-MW offshore wind project in the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Batangas and an offshore wind project with a potential capacity of 500 MW to 1,000 MW in Iloilo and Guimaras.

PGEC received an approval from the DOE to conduct a grid impact study for the said projects.

The DOE estimated that the Philippines has an offshore wind power potential of over 170,000 MW, or more

than enough to cover the country’s full power requirements.

“Harnessing our wind energy resources would open up a limitless resource of reliable and indigenous clean energy, bringing us closer to our energy security and sustainability goals.

This development would also redound to the benefit of Filipinos through job generation, public health benefits, and the influx of significant inward capital investment,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said earlier.

Sports

TUESDAY, FEBUARY 1, 2022

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

PLDT, Smart laud PH lady booters for World Cup feat

The PH Malditas celebrate after defeating Chinese Taipei on penalties in a nail-biting quarterfinal game in Pune, India early Monday. This earned them a slot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 slated to take place in Australia. AFC

Miller in best shape of his life for ’22 Winter Olympics Y

ANQING, China—Asa Miller is in his best shape ever—wiser and more skilled from four years ago when as a teenager at 17, he competed in his first Winter Olympics.

Asa Miller is shown with his dad Kelly and chef de mission Bones Floro after accomplishing arrival procedures at the Yanqing Athletes’ Village.

Now 21 and with plenty of alpine skiing experience, Miller is all set to level up in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics that open on Friday.

After a 15-hour journey from San Francisco to Beijing via Narita, Miller and his father Kelly arrived in China on Monday, welcomed by chef de mission Bones Floro.

Miller has a several days to first shake off the jet lag brought about by the almost half-day difference in time zones.

“It’s good that we finally meet you face to face,” Miller told Floro upon his arrival at the Yanqing Olympic Vil-

lage. “It’s going to be a very busy week for me because we need time to get acquainted with the village, setup skis and go skiing.”

Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation President Jim Apelar said the Filipino-American Miller looked ready for action in the men’s slalom and giant slalom of alpine skiing, which get going on February 13.

“Asa is in the best shape of his life as an alpine skier representing the Philippines,” Apelar said. “He’s fit and lifting a lot of weights during his training prior to his departure for China.”

Apelar said the 5’8” Miller gained

more muscle since four years ago in Pyeongchang when he was a lanky teenager. And he has become matured.

“He’s more mature and he’s a true veteran now,” Apelar said. “He’s also gotten stronger and bigger this time.”

With a stockier physique, Miller, according to Apelar, has gotten the key points to become a strong skier—control, power— traits he need to navigate the pressure of a fast-paced race.

“That’s why fitness is so important particularly in both the slalom and giant slalom,” he said.

Miller made the rounds of competitions in the Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota, Winter Park Resort in Colorado, Snow King Mountains in Jackson and Wyoming and Snowbird Ski in Utah.

In Pyeongchang, Miller finished 70th in a field of 110 skiers in giant slalom.

“We’re sure he’ll do much better this time,” Apelar said.

Sultan returns to US training camp JONAS Sultan, the World Boxing Organization’s no. 4 and World Boxing Association’s no. 7 bantamweight, is back in the United States to solidify his bid for a shot at a world title.

The Zamboanga City-native Sultan left for the United States Saturday night after spending the holidays in a posh Cavite, house owned by Zamboanga Valientes owner Junnie Navarro.

The 30-year-old Sultan, who spent his entire Philippine vacation together with his family, will be joining stablemate and current world superflyweight kingpin Jerwin Ancajas in Los Angeles, California.

“While he is coming off a remarkable win last October in New York, Jonas is more eager to score another spectacular win for his next fight as he is getting a lot of inspiration from his newly-born child and hopefully, that next fight would be for a world title,” said Navarro.

Fighting as a heavy underdog in his last bout, Sultan (18-5, 11 knockouts) floored erstwhile unbeaten Carlos Caraballo of Puerto Rico four times en route to a 10-round unanimous decision win on

October 30, 2021 at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.

“Last December pa tuloy tuloy na training ko at kahit na nanganak misis ko, tuloy pa din training kasi ang isip ko dapat ready ako anytime na bigyan ng chance sa world title,” said Sultan, who snatched the WBO Intercontinental crown in beating Caraballo.

While in Los Angeles, Sultan will serve as one of the main sparmates of Ancajas, who is scheduled to defend his IBF crown against Fernando Martinez of Argentina on February 27, Manila time, in Las Vegas.

Currently, there are three holders of four bantamweight titles, two of them Filipinos namely Nonito Donaire, Jr. (World Boxing Council) and Johnriel Casimero (WBO).

Sultan hopes to challenge the third titleholder, Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue who owns the WBA WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Jonas Sultan and IBF belts.

“Si Inoue ang gusto ko kasi hindi maganda para laban, handa lang ako,” added Sultan who is now sa akin na Pinoy vs. Pinoy ang maglaban sa world solidly backed by Go For Gold, Globalport, MLV title. Pero kung ano talaga ang mas magandang Accounting and Finn Cotton.

Nadal, Barty give Aussie Open desperately needed happy ending MELBOURNE—An Australian Open like no other began in controversy with the deportation of Novak Djokovic but culminated in one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history by Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

Throw in Ashleigh Barty becoming the first home winner for 44 years, and local heroes Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis winning the men’s doubles, this was a Grand Slam that will live long in the memory for myriad reasons.

After the chaos that preceded the tournament, Tennis Australia couldn’t have dreamt of a happier ending—and it was one they desperately needed, after a competition riddled with unforced errors on the organisers’ parts.

It began with the spectacle of the nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic being detained in a notorious immigration hotel, suffering multiple court cases and eventual deportation—shocking no matter which side you sit in the COVID-19 vaccination debate.

When the first serve at Melbourne Park was struck on January 17, the world number one was in a Dubai airport transit lounge waiting for his connecting flight home to Belgrade.

It wasn’t just the Djokovic saga that cast a shadow over the first Grand Slam tournament of 2022.

Tennis Australia had to make a hasty and embarrassing U-turn after instructing staff to prevent spec-

C1

They also had to justify a largely voluntary Covid-19 testing protocol that came in for criticism from some players, notably world number three Alexander Zverev.

They may count themselves extremely lucky that there were only a handful of virus cases.

Booing and screaming Tennis Australia will no doubt bask in the glory of their two historic champions, Nadal and Barty.

Tournament director Craig Tiley was beaming through his mask during the presentation ceremonies.

But as a central figure in the pre-tournament chaos he, or his successor, must make sure the extraordinary scenes in the run-up to the tournament are never repeated.

Crowds were back in numbers after days of pandemicenforced empty arenas the year before, but spectators came in for flak for their raucous behaviour.

Kyrgios’s opponents in particular complained of yobbish jeering, whipped up by the Australian bad boy.

And in the final, booing and screaming between Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the men’s singles serves to try to put off Daniil Medvedev made Rod Laver final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev on day Arena seem more like Madrid during a Davis Cup tie -- a fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in feverishly pro-Nadal cauldron.

Melbourne. AFP The atmosphere degenerated further as the beer began tators wearing “Where is Peng Shuai?” T-shirts to to talk ever louder, with the epic match grinding on past highlight concern for the Chinese player.

1:00 a.m. Monday. AFP

PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. are celebrating the incredible win of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, booking a World Cup berth for the first time ever.

The team defeated Chinese Taipei 4-3 on penalties in a nail-biting quarterfinals game in Pune, India last night. This earned them a slot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 slated to take place in Australia.

“Our Women’s National Football Team demonstrated their resilience, skills, and unyielding spirit in the fight to qualify for the World Cup 2023. Congratulations as well to Philippine Football Federation President Nonong Araneta and Secretary General Ed Gastanes for their important role in this achievement and their leadership in developing this sport for Filipinos.

This is proof that if we give our athletes the support and training that they need, we can help them reach their goals. We are extremely proud to be part of their journey as they make herstory and bring glory to the country,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO. Panlilio is also the President of the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) and the First Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The Philippines will face South Korea next for the AFC Asian Women’s Cup semifinals on February 3.

Helping PH football PLDT and Smart, through MVPSF, have been supporting the PFF through its various programs. Following the breakthrough win of the Philippine Azkals in 2010, the MVP Group decided to invest in football across the country through the PFF-SMART National Club Championships 2011-2015. The foundation then began its support to the PFF’s Women’s National Team program when the organization decided to invest in Talent Identification of heritage Filipinas playing in the U.S., the FIFA Women’s World #1 ranked country.

In addition, MVPSF has been actively promoting football at the grassroots level, running leagues for U7, U9, and developing young talents with U11, U13 regional/provincial cluster festivals for both boys and girls.

PSA Forum tackles football, winter games THE country’s campaign in the coming Winter Olympics in Beijing and the historic win that gave the Philippine women’s football team a first ever ticket to the FIFA World Cup will be the main discussion in the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

Chef De Mission Bones Floro and Philippine Ski and Snow Board Federation president Jim Apelar talk about the bid of the Philippines in the Winter Games where skier Asa Miller will be the country’s lone representative.

The 21-year-old Fil-Am will be competing in the slalom and giant slalom, respectively, in his second straight Olympic stint.

The other half of the two-part session that starts at 10 a.m. will have no less than Philippine Football Federation president Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta reliving and discussing the impact of the women’s team advancing to the 2023 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The Filipina booters stunned Chinese Taipei in a penalty shootout, 4-3, early Monday to reach the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup in India and clinched a landmark berth in the World Cup. The weekly Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, Unilever, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Olympic Committee and social media and webcast partner Prime Edge.

The public sports program is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and officially shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 in its Facebook page.

Mariano Araneta

C2

Sports

TUESDAY, FEBUARY 1, 2022

Man United’s Greenwood arrested on assault charge

Suns, Hawks rally to keep NBA winning streaks alive LOS ANGELES—The Phoenix Suns erased a 12-point third-quarter deficit to beat San Antonio 115-110 and push their NBA winning streak to 10 games on a Sunday that saw Atlanta rally for a seventh straight win.

The lead changed hands nine times in the fourth quarter and the Suns trailed by two with 2:19 remaining when Devin Booker drained backto-back three-pointers to put Phoenix ahead for good.

The Suns became the first team in the league to reach 40 wins, pushing their NBA-best record to 40-9.

Booker led the way with 28 points.

Mikal Bridges added 26 and veteran point guard Chris Paul had 20 points and 19 assists.

Doug McDermott led the Spurs with 24 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 22 off the bench.

In Atlanta, Trae Young scored 36 points and handed out 12 assists as the high-flying Hawks won their seventh straight with a 129-121 come-frombehind win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Young scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and reserve Onyeka Okongwu, the US son of Nigerian immigrants, added 12 of his 16 points in the fourth to spark a rally from a 10191 deficit after three quarters.

The Lakers were without four-time NBA champion LeBron James, who missed a third consecutive game with a sore left knee.

Malik Monk, who led the Lakers with 33 points and 10 rebounds, noted that the superstar playmaker is “missed tremendously” but, he added: “It’s our job to figure out how to play without him.”

Anthony Davis had 27 points and Russell Westbrook chipped in 20 and 12 assists for Los Angeles.

The Hawks opened the fourth with a 16-5 run to seize the lead.

The Lakers pulled level on a Monk three-pointer with 1:52 left, but Young answered with a 30-foot three-pointer and two free throws as the Hawks pulled away.

“We have what it takes to win games,” Okongwu said. “No matter if we’re up or down, no matter how the game’s going, as long as we lock in.” AFP

Nick Scott of the Los Angeles Rams rests on the field after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. AFP

Rams, Bengals seal wins, set up Super Bowl faceoff

L

OS ANGELES—Quarterback Joe Burrow led the Cincinnati Bengals into their first Super Bowl since 1989 with a stunning upset of the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday as the Los Angeles Rams outmuscled the San Francisco 49ers to advance to the NFL showpiece.

After the nerve-shredding drama of the divisional round, Sunday’s conference championship games delivered more nail biting action as the battle for Super Bowl berths reached its climax.

In Kansas City, Burrow and the Bengals overturned a 21-3 first half deficit against the rampant Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes to snatch a 27-24 win in overtime.

Rookie Evan McPherson kicked the winning points for the Bengals after Burrow had hauled his team back into contention with a performance that included two touchdowns and 250 yards with 23 of 38 passes completed.

“Big win for us,” said Burrow. “This is something I always wanted, to play in a Super Bowl and I couldn’t be with a better group of guys.”

“We’re not done yet,” added Bengals coach Zac Taylor. “We’ve got a special team. Everyone stepped up, man. We knew it would come down to one team making the plays to win, and our guys did that.”

Victory was sweet for Burrow, whose rookie season last year was cut short by a horrific knee injury.

It was a stunning AFC Championship defeat for the host Chiefs, who were seeking a third consecutive Super Bowl trip after winning in 2020 and losing to Tampa Bay last year.

Cincinnati will try to win the Super Bowl for the first time since the club began play in 1968, having lost to San Francisco in 1982 and 1989 in its only prior appearances in the NFL spectacle.

Chiefs star Mahomes threw for 275

yards and three touchdowns but surrendered his first two interceptions in four AFC finals.

Mahomes could only look on in disbelief as the Bengals celebrated.

“When you’re up 21-3 in a game, you can’t lose it, and I put that on myself,” Mahomes told reporters later.

Rams win thriller As well as Burrow, the Bengals had the trusty boot of rookier kicker McPherson to thank for the win. McPherson had booted the Bengals into the AFC title game with a 52-yard effort to seal a 19-16 upset of Tennessee last week.

McPherson said the Bengals had stayed calm despite trailing by 18 points early in Sunday’s game.

“Nobody blinked an eye,” McPherson said. “I think we all thought we were definitely going to come back and find a way to win. That’s what we’ve done all throughout the whole year.”

In Los Angeles, the Rams ensured they will play a Super Bowl on home turf after staging a comeback of their own to beat the 49ers and end a sixgame losing streak against their Californian rivals. AFP

LONDON—Manchester police said they had arrested a man on suspicion of rape and assault on Sunday after Manchester United suspended England forward Mason Greenwood following allegations on social media.

“Greater Manchester Police was made aware earlier today (Sunday 30 January) of online social media images and videos posted by a woman reporting incidents of physical violence,” said a statement.

“An investigation was launched and following enquiries we can confirm a man in his 20s has since been arrested on suspicion of rape and assault.

“He remains in custody for questioning.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Under English law, alleged and actual victims of sexual offences cannot be named.

Images and allegations were reportedly visible on a woman’s Instagram on Sunday morning and were subsequently widely shared across other forms of social media.

They have, however, since been deleted.

In the afternoon, United announced that Greenwood, 20, had been suspended from training or playing with the Premier League giants.

“Mason Greenwood will not return to training or play matches until further notice,” said a club statement.

In an earlier statement, United had said they were aware of the allegations and images on social media, adding: “Manchester United does not condone violence of any kind.”

Greenwood, a product of United’s academy, has yet to make any public comment.

In September 2020 both Greenwood and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden were sent home from an England squad in Iceland after a breach of the team’s coronavirus guidelines following their senior international debuts.

That meant they did not travel to Denmark for a Nations League match, with Greenwood yet to earn a second England cap.

Allegations emerged in the Icelandic media that Foden and Greenwood were visited by two local girls during the trip but England manager Gareth Southgate said at the time: “Nobody from outside our party has been into the areas of the hotel that we occupy.” AFP

Lydia Ko holds off Kang for LPGA win MIAMI—World number three Lydia Ko held her nerve in the face of a strong challenge from Danielle Kang on Sunday, firing a three-under par 67 to win the LPGA at Boca Rio by one stroke.

New Zealand’s Ko started the day with a two-shot lead over America’s Kang, who was trying to go back-toback after winning the LPGA Tournament of champions in Orlando last week.

Kang gained ground quickly with birdies at the first and third as Ko opened with a birdie at the first and a bogey at the second at the Boca Raton, Florida, resort.

After matching birdies at the 11th, Kang edged ahead with a birdie at the 12th, but she bogeyed 13 and when Ko birdied 15 she was alone in first again.

Both birdied 16 from the same greenside bunker and arrived at 18 with Ko nursing a one-shot lead.

She found both a fairway bunker and a greenside bunker, but blasted out to a foot to save par as Kang was unable to get her mid-range birdie attempt to fall.

Although the conditions were sunny and warm compared to the blustery chill of Saturday, Ko admitted the round was “a grind.”

But she got herself out of trouble when she had to, going three-for-three on sand saves on the back nine to capture her 17th LPGA title against her long-time friend with a three-under par 69 for a 14-under total of 274.

“She’s obviously one of the players I’ve known for the longest time out here,” Ko said of Kang. “She has kind of taken me under her wing.

“I just tried to focus on me and tried to play the best golf I can. At points it was a bit of a grind but I’m glad that I could get that done.”

Kang closed with a 68 for 275, while

Japan’s Yuka Saso carded a 67 to finish in solo third on 276.

France’s Celine Boutier, who played in the final group, carded a 69 for 277 and shared fourth place with England’s Charley Hull, who signed for a 68.

Ko, who won her first LPGA title at the age of 15, rose to number one in the world, then struggled through a near three-year title drought.

But Ko won in Hawaii last year and said she feels she has turned a corner.

“I think last year was kind of a big turnaround year for me and even the fall of 2020,” said the 24-year-old, who also won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

“When we had that long time off it was a time for me to look back at what are the things I need to work on and just take a whole new approach to things.

“I feel like it has been much more consistent. Last year, even though I

Lydia Ko of New Zealand hits from a bunker on the 18th fairway during the final round of the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club on January 30, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. AFP

didn’t win on the LPGA at the end of the year, I put myself in contention quite a bit and when you keep knocking on the door you feel like at one point it’s going to open.”

Lacson to emulate traits of cage idols Jordan, LeBron, ‘Jawo’ as president LIKE most Filipinos, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson idolizes basketball icons Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Robert Jaworski—and it is their same grit, passion, and determination that he will bring to the presidency once elected following the May 9, 2022 polls.

Lacson admitted in the “Manila Bulletin Hot Seat” interview over the weekend that he has long admired Jordan, and “The King” James after him, as the great US National Basketball Association players are the only ones he follows, not any particular NBA team.

Locally, the longtime public servant has followed “The Living Legend” Robert Jaworski—whom he worked with in the Senate from 2001 to 2004—owing to his “Never Say Die” mentality as the revered player-coach of fan favorite Ginebra from the 1980s to 1990s.

“Talagang maski noong araw talagang number one idol ko sa NBA si Jordan. Maski ‘nung lumipat siya from Chicago to Wizards, doon ako sa Wizards ngayon nag-roo-root. Ganoon kasi ako.

Dalawa lang ‘yung players na talagang [idol ko] sa

NBA: Jordan and Lebron James,” Lacson said.

[Even back in the day, my number one idol in the NBA is (Michael) Jordan. Even when he moved from Chicago to (the Washington) Wizards, I was rooting for the Wizards—that’s how I am. I’ve only idolized two players in the NBA: Jordan and LeBron James.]

“Kaya marami na rin akong Lebron James na shirt at saka meron din akong sapatos ni Lebron James. But, you know, I think Jordan—Michael Jordan unequal pa rin up to this point. Wala na nga siya sa NBA kumikita [pa],” the three-term senator added, as people have noticed his casual attire accented by Air Jordan sneakers.

[That’s why I have a lot of LeBron James shirts, and I also have LeBron James’ shoes. But you know, I think Jordan—Michael Jordan is still unequaled up to this point. He’s not (playing) in the NBA anymore but he’s still earning.]

He clarified, however, that he doesn’t buy the Jordan or James merchandise, but wears them as gifts from his sons who are fellow basketball fanatics.

“Ako, pagbili ng anak ko nito para ibigay

sa akin, meron siyang (Jordan) royalty rito e, lagi siyang may royalty diyan,” Lacson told the Bulletin editors and hosts.

[When my son buys these items to give to me, (Jordan) gets a royalty from these, he always gets a royalty from them.]

Meanwhile, the former national police chief said he shares Jaworski’s “Never Say Die” mentality on the hardcourt, as he followed the Philippine Basketball Association legend throughout his career.

“Ang sinusundan ko naman noon si Jawo—Jaworski kasi gusto ko ‘yung… Alam mo ‘yung, kung hindi man smooth maglaro, ‘yung medyo—‘yung determined ba, ‘yung determination. Ganoon ang gusto ko talaga. ‘Yung nakita ko ‘yung passion, determination, parang hindi napapagod,” Lacson said.

[Back then, I was following ‘Jawo’—Jaworski because I liked… You know, even if he didn’t play smoothly, you could see he was determined, he had determination. That’s what I really like —to see the passion, determination, and playing tirelessly.]

Entertainment S

OLEIL Misalucha, Angelica Sengco, Reiner Espiel, and Joel Jabelosa may not ring a bell yet but for Madhouse Music, a record label founded

by OPM hitmaker Rannie Raymundo, they are the future of Filipino sound.

These artists joined forces on the last day of Mad“These artists are sincere musicians. house Music Album Launch, a three-day event held at the Social House, Circuit, They are brave enough to explore new Makati where fans witnessed live perfor- sounds. There are times that I wish I mances of original songs. was the one who wrote their songs, as a Soleil Misalucha, who is a teacher, musician myself, I admire these artists,” expressed her love for art, dancing, and Raymundo shared with Manila Standard songwriting. During the launch, she Entertainment. impressed the audience with her perfor“They want to make a difference. And mance with the simultaneous playing of I always tell that this man is far from the guitar while singing. She also showed over. There’s a lot of fire left in this man off her rapping skills. and I’m using that energy to help these Like Soleil, Angelica Sengco is also a artists introduce their sound,” he went on. teacher. The audience was amazed by her The hitmaker also appeals to call OPM beautiful bossa nova sound and charm- (Original Pilipino Music) as OFM (Origiing presence on stage. She also show- nal Filipino Music) explaining that the cased her beautiful original songs. latter encompasses all genres including Reiner Espiel caught the attention of songs written in other local dialects. the audience with his guitar skills. This “Here at Madhouse Music Record Lamulti-instrumentalist musician, who bel, we call it OFM. With all due respect is also a music arranger, endeared the to my great mentor Danny Javier who crowd with his original song creations. coined OPM, we’re calling it like that beThe last to take centerstage was Joel cause we are known globally as Filipinos, Jabelosa, a songwriter whose main goal not Pilipino,” he explained. is to be able to inspire people from all “It’s about time that we strengthen walks of life with his original songs that our brand overseas,” Raymundo conspeak about real experiences. cluded.

nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022

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New blood livens up local music circuit

Training the spotlight on Rob Gomez (From right) Reiner Espiel, Soleil Misalucha, Angelica Sengco, Joel Jabelosa and Rannie Raymundo

The young artists who will bring the future of Filipino sound

Spotify to link virus content to COVID facts after disinformation row MUSIC streaming giant Spotify announced Sunday that it would start guiding listeners of podcasts discussing Covid-19 to more information about the pandemic, following a row that saw artist Neil Young remove his music from the platform.

The move comes after artists, spearheaded by Neil Young, earlier this week demanded the streaming service remove their music or drop podcaster Joe Rogan after a call from medical professionals to prevent Rogan from promoting “several falsehoods about COVID-19 vaccines.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also flagged concerns over misinformation on Spotify’s platform, but reiterated their commitment to continue using it to publish their content.

“We are working to add a content advi-

sory to any podcast episode that includes a discussion about Covid-19,” Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said in a statement.

“This advisory will direct listeners to our dedicated Covid-19 Hub, a resource that provides easy access to data-driven facts, up-todate information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics, and public health authorities around the world, as well as links to trusted sources,” Ek said.

The “new effort to combat misinformation” would roll out in the next few days, he added.

Rogan, 54, has discouraged vaccination in young people and promoted the offlabel use of the anti-parasitic

drug ivermectin to treat the virus.

The podcaster, who has a $100-million (90 million euros) multi-year exclusive deal with Spotify, was kept on, and Spotify complied with Young’s demand and started removing his catalog of songs. AFP, Read full story on manilastandard.net Neil Young demanded Spotify remove his music or drop podcaster Joe Rogan after acall from medical professionals to prevent Rogan from promoting ‘several falsehoods about COVID-19 vaccines’

SKY, HBO, History Channel mobilize virtual run fundraiser for Odette survivors

ABS-CBN Foundation’s “100 Hakbang Challenge” aims to provide aid to survivors ofthe Typhoon Odette

MORE than a million Filipinos are still struggling to get back on their feet after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette. To provide help, SKY with the support of its channel partners HBO and History Channel is joining ABS-CBN Foundation’s relief efforts with its own project.

Called “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run,” the event starts today and participants can donate money and do the “100 Hakbang

Challenge” to help provide aid to Odette survivors.

Participants can enter this virtual run for a good cause by simply sending a donation of P100 or P400 via the GCash, PayMaya, or PayPal QR Code of “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run.” They may also deposit their cash donation through BDO (0039300-86136) or BPI (3051-1156-26). A P100 donation can provide a food pack containing 1kg rice and two canned goods for one person while a P400 donation can provide 5kg rice and six canned goods for a family.

After sending their donation, participants should go to www.runrio.com to sign up for “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run” and submit their proof of donation. Further instructions on how to track the results of the virtual run are detailed on the website.

Participants can also go the extra mile by donating more and joining the Top Up Run Categories. A donation of P800 or P1,200 will allow them to join the 5K or 10K Vir-

WITH the current success of the GMA primetime offering Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune in the ratings game, screen newbie Rob Gomez expresses his gratitude for being part of the primetime program.

Rob considers his exposure as a step up to becoming a household byword. In fact, his social media following steadily increases and his tandem with Barbie Forteza is continuously gaining more attention.

“I’m really very thankful to play the part of Joseph Chan in the soap opera,” Rob avers. “For people to recognize the work we put in definitely feels good.

I’m thrilled with all the positive comments we’ve been receiving since the program started airing. I’m also glad that people appreciate my tandem with Barbie. It’s an honor to share the frame with such a great actress like her.”

The showbiz newbie has nothing but good words for his leading lady noting that “Barbie is

tual Run, while also helping provide food packs to more families.

Registered participants can complete their 100 steps, 5K, or 10K virtual run, anywhere and anytime from February 5 to 28. Runners are encouraged to share their progress or show their unlocked achievement by posting it on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #100HakbangSaPagtutulungan and tag other friends to do the challenge too.

Finishers of the “100 Hakbang Challenge” will receive an e-badge while finishers of the 5K and 10K Virtual Runs will receive an e-badge, e-bib, and personalized e-certificate.

ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation launched “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan,” the second phase of their fund drive for the benefit of Odette survivors. As of Jan. 25, ABS-CBN Foundation has delivered food and basic necessities to a total of 141,634 families in different areas in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao with the help of donations.

amazing and a very good actress.”

“She’s kind and super approachable as well.

Definitely, I’m learning a lot from her and I do hope to collaborate with her more in future projects,” he states.

Being part of Mano Po makes Rob appreciate his fans more. He considers them as his inspiration to be his best self.

At present, Rob has a growing fan base due to the popularity of the soap he’s appearing in.

“That’s why I challenge myself every day to be the best person that I can be, stay nice and humble, and of course work harder. I am praying for more opportunities to come my way,” he says.

Rob also feels flattered when people commend his acting skill and it excites him more to showcase more of his talent doing leading man roles in the future.

“I am still in shock with the praises I receive. My heart is simply full of gratitude. I just want to do better in return and give back to the show’s followers as well as GMA and Regal Entertainment.”

Many say that he has a strong resemblance to his uncle Gary Estrada.

Some people even say that he moves like him.

“It’s an honor to be compared to him. I look highly of him. He’s an amazing fellow who knows how to respect people and people respect him in return. He’s my idol when I was in my growing up years,” he admits.

“It would be hard to duplicate his life and career achievements. I think we have different approaches when it comes to acting. But as I’ve said earlier, to be compared to him is a compliment.”

One thing that Rob is proud of is the fact that he is gradually getting recognized through his own merits and not because he is a member of the illustrious Ejercito clan in showbiz.

Kapuso actor Rob Gomez

Czech Republic docu fest features PH as country in focus in 2022 ONE of Europe’s leading documentary film festivals spotlights the Philippines for the upcoming Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (IDFF) in Jihlava, Czech Republic, for 2022.

A partnership between the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the organizers of Ji.hlava was signed to formally lay out the research and retrospective of Philippine documentary films bound to be presented at the 26th edition of IDFF set on Oct. 25 to 30.

It was announced in last year’s Ji.hlava closing event that the Philippines would be featured as IDFF’s country in focus for this year.

Around 18 Filipino films have been featured for exhibition and competition in the various categories of IDFF for the past 10 editions. In 2014, the festival honored a tribute for the Father of Filipino Independent Film, Kidlat Tahimik, who also con-

brid, and experimental ducted a Masterclass documentary films— for the participants that which I believe to be same year. one of our strong suits.

What started from Our country and our a group of high school talents have a lot to ofstudents in 1997, IDFF fer in this genre, and I’m turned to be a signifiproud that our country cant gathering of over 1 will get special attention 000 documentary film in next year’s edition,” professionals 25 years later, making it one ‘And Mother’s Land (Panambi)’ by Jane Mariane Biyo, Katya Diño said.

Two Filipino documenof the most important Marie Corazon Puertollano, and Myra Angeline Soriaso documentary film festivals in Central and Eastern tary films competed in the recently concluded IDFF 2021 — Liryc Dela Cruz’s Santelmo, under the Europe.

FDCP CEO & Chairperson Liza Diño notes that Opus Bonum competition section, where the selected Ji.hlava is an event that is worth looking forward films competed for the Best World Documentary to.

Film prize.

“Ji.hlava focuses on featuring documentary, hyAnd Mother’s Land (Panambi) by Jane Mariane

Biyo, Katya Marie Corazon Puertollano, and Myra Angeline Soriaso for the Short Joy competition, the counterpart section for short documentary films.

The Philippines also played a big part in the festival’s latest edition as Khavn De La Cruz, a prominent name in the local independent cinema, designed its official spot. Aside from this notable participation, he has been in collaboration with the festival to lead its Academy workshop for upcoming filmmakers and is among the jurors and authors of the festival diary. Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival has been following the filmmaker’s works since 2006.

The Ji.hlava (IDFF) is one of the festivals where winners are granted eligibility for pre-selection on the prestigious Academy Awards (better known as the Oscars) and the European Film Award.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 , 2022

A traditional lion dance

By Patricia Taculao

T

ODAY, the Chinese community celebrates the most festive holiday in their culture, Lunar New Year. The event marks the new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Preparations usually start long before the day itself.

If you’ve been to Binondo before or during the Lunar New Year, you’ll see that the streets are adorned with bright red Chinese lanterns and bustling with activity as residents in the area as they prepare the food, events, and other festivities to commemorate the celebration. They even go far as arranging fireworks to light up the night sky on the eve of the new year.

However, since the Chinese believe in many superstitions, there are other customs that they adhere to for the Lunar New Year.

The most common tradition is already evident in the streets, stores, and homes as they’re embellished from top to bottom with gold and red decorations because they believe that these invite good fortune. But decorating with symbolic items is only one of the many customs practiced during the Lunar New Year.

Some stores and houses even decorate their entrances with small fruit-bearing trees like mandarin orange because the round fruits signify wealth.

Another good example is how the Chinese clean and declutter their homes to remove the bad luck that accumulated from the previous year.

Cleaning the house may seem more like a chore than a tradition, but it also signifies a fresh start. But cleaning the house shouldn’t reach Red is midnight since it’s considered bad luck to clean during the first day of associated the new year as it may wipe away the good luck that has just entered a with home or establishment. fortune Speaking of cleaning up, it’s customary to tie loose ends before a new and some people place year to prevent debts or unsettled accounts from becoming a problem fruit-bearing that will follow you into the next year. trees at the Going shopping is also a common tradition during Chinese New entrance Year. Historically, the new year was a chance for hardworking Chinese of their hoes workers to relax and spend their hard-earned money on new clothes, to invite wealth. furniture, and gifts for their loved ones since gift-giving is a usual practice in Chinese culture.

Unfortunately, the surging COVID-19 cases are posing a threat to the annual celebration that used to bring lively sounds, colors, and captivating performances from taking to the streets. But many in the Chinese Scarlet paper lanterns community didn’t let this dampen their festive spirits as they found hang from streets, new ways to celebrate the joyous event without risking their health and homes, and establishments safety. to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Food is another staple in celebrating the Lunar New Year. Families gather around to partake in a delectable meal that brings them together.

While they usually visit Chinese restaurants to dine, opting to have food delivered in their homes is one way to keep with tradition without risking their health and that of their families.

Praying in temples also counts as an important tradition in the preparation for the Lunar New Year. The once crowded places of worship are now facing dwindling attendees because of the global pandemic. Devout believers took the practice of praying to their gods and ancestors inside the safety of their homes by establishing prayer altars.

There are several customs that the Chinese community follows during the Lunar New Year. Although it may vary from family to family, celebrating the Lunar New Year is a festive event that brings people together as they welcome a fresh start abundant with prosperity and fortune.

The streets were once filled with lively performance of dancers doing the lion dance.

Celebrating

Chinese New Year

Crystal Dragon, Nobu Manila ring in Year of the Tiger with auspicious offerings

IN CELEBRATION of Chinese New Year, sauce with broccoli; steamed live grouper auspicious offerings await diners at City of fish in sour broth with white shimeji mushDreams Manila’s award-winning restau- rooms; crispy roasted duck marinated in rants Crystal Dragon and Nobu Manila. truffle sauce; slowly braised spicy pork To augur the Year of the Water Tiger, the trotter; steamed taro rice with Chinese liver two premium restaurants highlight boun- sausage, lap cheong (Chinese sausage), tiful feasts of fine Cantonese cuisine and mushroom and diced chicken; and panregional Chinese specialties, and new-style fried fragrant taro nian gao (tikoy or sticky Japanese cuisine, respectively, for fully vac- rice cake) with pandan coconut compote.

Located on the upper ground of Nüwa cinated diners.

Diners can look forward to Crystal Drag- Manila, Crystal Dragon is open from 12:00 on’s Lunar New Year ala carte menu that noon to 11:00 p.m. is currently offered until Feb. 6. The menu Nobu Manila Guests can ring in the Year consists of culinary delights that symbolize of the Tiger with a roaring fare influenced good fortune, abundance, and happiness by the new-style Japanese cuisine globally highlighting Crystal Dragon’s luxurious popularized by the legendary Chef Nobu and enhanced rendition of the Yu Sheng, a Matsuhisa. popular Chinese New Year fare.

Nobu Manila’s Chinese New Year ala The restaurant’s Prosperity Abalone carte menu, which is offered for the whole salad consists of sliced abalone, colorful month of February, features an indulgent julienned papaya, pomelo, carrots, radish, array of Nobu-style assorted sushi cups and onion leeks, chopped peanuts, and deep- maki platter of ama ebi (sweet shrimp), uni fried flour crisps drizzled with oil and sweet (sea urchin), yellowtail, tuna, hokkigai (surf plum sauce. clam), white fish, unagi (freshwater eel), Customarily tossed by diners with shouts scallop, and salmon. of well-wishes to invoke a prosperous year The menu also offers whole crispy lapuahead, the belief is that the lapu (grouper) with sweet higher one tosses the salad, the chili cilantro sauce and asgreater one’s fortune will be. sorted vegetables; and Iberico The Prosperity Abalone pork yaki udon, a noodle Yu Sheng’s ingredients are dish with Iberico pork jowl, thoughtfully put together tofu, shitake mushrooms, bok to symbolize abundance of choy, and baby corn. wealth and long life, with Located at Level 1, Nobu the abalone signifying abunHotel, Nobu Manila restaudance; the oil representing rant also provides a leisurely wishes for a smooth sailing al fresco dining experience at year; the chopped peanuts and the open-air floating cabanas. deep-fried flour crisps sym- Crystal Dragon’s The restaurant is open Sunbolizing prosperity, and the Prosperity Abalone Yu day to Thursday from 5:00 sweet plum sauce denoting Sheng Salad p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and until a sweet and harmonious 11:00 p.m. on Friday and family relationship.

Saturday.

Also offered in Crystal Reservations are enDragon’s special Lunar couraged by calling 8800-8080 or e-mailing New Year menu are dishes to augur good fortune: guestservices@codbraised dried oysters, sea manila.com. For more cucumber, duo mush- Nobu-style assorted sushi cups information, visit www. rooms in supreme soy and maki platter cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Good food, good fortune A togetherness box

King Chef’s Roast Duck

WELCOME the Year of the Tiger with a sumptuous spread of good food and good fortune from SM City North EDSA’s Chinese restaurants. Or give a gift of good fortune from the mall’s Chinese delis and bakeries.

Here’s what to keep in mind when celebrating a delicious and auspicious Chinese New Year with family and friends: a whole fish that highlights family togetherness and unity as well as abundance; duck dishes that represent fertility; oranges, tangerines, and pomelos are believed to bring good luck and happiness; wontons that symbolize a wish for a good start; and dumplings, which resemble ancient Chinese money (called pockets of fortune).

Share the good fortune with delicious dumplings from Tim Ho Wan (Ground floor City Center), Mann Hann (2F City

Jim’s Recipe Sponge Cake

Center), King Chef (GF The Block), Hap Chan (The Block), Fat Fook (GF City Center), and DECS (SM Supermarket).

Spring rolls, also called ‘spring pancakes’ are a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Try out Chowking Lumpiang Shanghai with Rice Meal or Group Platter, David’s Tea House (North Towers) Shanghai Spring Roll filled with pork, vegetables, and deep-fried to golden perfection, and Mann Hann’s Meaty Crunch Fried Spring Rolls. Noodles symbolize a wish for longevity and are said to be even luckier when not cut or if these can be eaten without biting through the strands, it’s considered even luckier. Try out Hawker Chan’s Michelin Star Charsiew Noodles and Panda Express’s Chow Mien.

Chinese delis and bakeries like

Spicy Beef Noodle Set, Chicken Chop Noodle Set, Porkchop Rice Set

Eng Bee Tin, Soy and Bean, Salazar Bakery, and Polland Hopia, are also a treasure trove of lucky food. Nian Gao or Tikoy symbolizes progress, advancement, and growth. Hopia is also considered a lucky food because of its round shape and sweetness. Kee Wah Bakery’s Tray of Togetherness is a platter of sweets families traditionally uase to welcome visiting guests around the Lunar New Year. Each tray or box usually has six or eight compartments (the number six symbolizing luck, and eight for fortune) filled with symbolic edible items.

Apart from lucky food, you can also activate your lucky stars at SM City North EDSA by having your photo taken at the Interactive Lucky Giant Tiger at the Block Atrium surrounded by a Chinese-inspired garden.

King Chef Sliced Abalone with 3 Treasures Congee