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Filipinas complete magical run

Win 1st Asean Football crown at expense of powerhouse Thais

By Peter Atencio

H

ISTORY was made on Sunday night as the Philippines completed its magical run and got past a tough Thailand team, 3-0, to claim its first ever crown in the 2022 ASEAN Women’s Football Championship before a loud and proud Filipino crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 152 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Fans totalling 8,527 erupted in wild cheering, singing and hollering before later giving the national team a standing ovation as the Filipinas took their historic first championship after goals from Jessica Kowart, Katrina Guillou and Sarina Bolden in the 7th, 20th and Next page

MAKING #HERSTORY. The national women's football team celebrates after defeating Thailand, 3-0, to win the ASEAN Football Federation Women's championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saunday, July 17, 2022.

Inset photo shows team captain Tahnai Annis (left) and Quinley Quezada (right) rushing to celebrate with Sarina Bolden and Katrina Guillou as the crowd cheers in jubilation for the Filipinas.

Danny Pata

5 provinces breach COVID-19 China ready to reopen talks on rail deals benchmark in positivity rate

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

By Willie Casas and Rey E. Requejo THE COVID-19 positivity rate in five provinces was more than 20 percent while the National Capital Region's (NCR's) rate remained higher than 10 percent, the independent monitoring OCTA Research Group said on Sunday.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David, in a tweet, said that Aklan’s posi-

tivity rate increased from 26.9 percent on July 9 to 31.9 percent on July 15.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 in relation to the total number of individuals tested.

Other provinces seen surpassing the 20 percent benchmark are Tarlac (27.5 percent), Pampanga (23.5 percent), Nueva Ecijia (22.9 percent), and Laguna (22.55 percent), he said.

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CHINA on Sunday said it is negotiating with the Philippines over the funding of some infrastructure projects after a transport official said Beijing had pulled its funding commitment to three bigticket railway projects.

The Chinese Embassy issued the clarification after Transport Undersec-

retary for Railways Cesar Chavez revealed that Beijing had failed to act on a government request for funding for the Philippine National Railways Bicol project, Subic-Clark Railway Project, and the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project.

Chavez earlier said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Transportation to renegotiate the loans with Beijing or open negotiation with other countries.

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More cops out Labor chief tells govt workers to fight crimes, rightsizing not outright cuts protect tourists

By Rio N. Araja

GET THAT JAB. The government continues to ramp up its vaccination drive as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Scientists have encouraged people to take a second booster shot when offered as the most contagious strain of Omicron is driving a new increase in cases globally. Norman Cruz

Two lawmakers, meanwhile, said renegotiations should include a lowering of interest rates on Chinese loans, which are higher than those offered by other countries.

In its statement, the Chinese Embassy did not directly mention the funding withdrawal, but vowed to “tap its own advantage and support the Philippines to improve its infrastructure.”

“Our two sides have been negotiating

THE leadership of the Philippine National Police has ordered police chiefs and station commanders to increase visibility and crime prevention measures, especially in tourist spots.

The order was issued in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to increase the deployment of policemen in tourism sites across the country to ensure local and foreign visitors were safe from criminals.

"We understand the logic behind the order of our Commander-InChief, President Marcos, to ensure that all areas in the country, especially tourist spots, are safe because tourism plays a big part in the economic recovery plan of the new administration," PNP director for operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon said in a statement over the weekend.

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday urged state workers not to be rattled by the government’s rightsizing plan for the bureaucracy, saying this did not necessarily mean cutbacks in the public labor force.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said rightsizing also connotes simplifying office procedures and can involve transferring personnel from one office to another to make the system more effective.

In the private sector where he came from, Laguesma s a i d rightsizi n g means streamlining of processes

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Militants spurn PNP's call to drop rally vs. SONA THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday called on those planning to hold protest rallies during the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 25 to listen to his plans for the country and monitor his performance during his term instead.

But the militant group Bagong

Alyansang Makabayan immediately rejected the appeal.

In a radio interview, PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon said the voice of the 31 million Filipinos who voted for Marcos during the elections should be respected.

"It will be good for our people to listen to what President Ferdinand

Marcos Jr. has to say regarding the direction of our country in the next six years. So, I hope our countrymen will no longer rally and just monitor what he will do throughout his term," e Leon said.

"If any of his plans will not push through, then there may be a Next page

BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE. Binibining Pilipinas candidate Mary Justinne Punsalang, a broadcast journalist from Cavite, dons her 'Pakpak ng Katotohanan' or 'Wings of Truth' costume to symbolize the fight against disinformation as well as women empowerment. Danny Pata

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

5 provinces...

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PHOTO OP. People pose for a photo beside the 3-inch/50-caliber gun mounted outside the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Sunday, July 17, 2022. Danny Pata

Filipinas...

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Coach Allen Stajcic said months of preparation, beginning in November for the girls have paid off as they await their coming stint in the 2023 FIFA World Cup for Women in July next year.

“It's exhilarating to have such a performance in front of this crowd. The players have pushed it,” said Stajcic in paying tribute to the Filipinas and their intense preparations, which saw them playing 15 matches in two continents for 25 days.

China...

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technical issues and made positive progress to move the projects forward,” the embassy said.

The embassy said “China is open for technical discussions over our G-to-G [government-to-government] projects, and is ready to carry our cooperation forward, in close communication with the Philippine new administration.”

The embassy added that China has helped the Philippines complete 17 projects while more than 20 projects are under implementation or in progress.

“Over the past two years, COVID-19 has impacted implementation of some projects, hindering the site availability, causing delays of procurement, affecting goods mobility, and so on.

Despite those difficulties and challenges, our two sides have worked tirelessly to push the projects forward and yielded rich outcomes, spanning

Labor...

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and structural reforms.

“When you talk of streamlining, it’s all about making work in a business easier and fruitful. On the other hand, structural reforms imply changes to the way the government works. I don’t see downsizing of the workforce in those definitions,” he said.

Laguesma called for calm among public servants who fear of losing their jobs because of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) proposal since increasing the number of jobless Filipinos is not the goal of the government.

“Let’s be more positive with rightsizing where the possibility of transferring or even hiring of more people by a government with lots of tasks to perform is very high,” Laguesma added.

Pushed by the DBM last week, the rightsizing proposal triggered talk of massive retrenchment among government workers, immediately drawing the ire of labor groups describing the plan as ill-timed and ill-motivated.

At any rate, Laguesma said DOLE would remain faithful in its mandate to promote the welfare of workers both in the private and public sectors.

“Whatever happens, DOLE will always champion the security and safety of our workers, whether they are government servants or employees of pri-

More...

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"Thus, the PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. wants to ensure that all our police commanders down to the precinct level and municipal police stations comply," he added.

Historically, the Philippines have met the Thais in 16 different tournaments since 1983, with the Thais winning all their 15 previous encounters, including their first match in the 1981 Asian Football Confederation competitions and their first AFF showdown in 1985.

The rainy evening turned into a night of partying among appreciative fans, who gave the Filipinas a standing ovation after they denied the Thais their fifth championship since 2011.

Kowart, a 5’8” Filipino American midfielder, led the attack, knocking in the Filipinas’ first goal after receiving a corner kick from Tahnai Annis and

heading it into the net from 15 meters.

Cheers of “Ole Ole Ole” came from the fans as they realized that the Filipinas were about to achieve what no other national women’s football squad has done before.

It got even noisier and more festive as Guillou and Bolden came forward with the second and third goals.

The 28-year old Guillou, an attacking midfielder for Swedish Damallsvenskan club Piteå IF, struck in the 20th minute when Jaclyn Sawicki rolled in a pass from 20 meters as she quickly flicked in the second marker from five meters away.

Bolden, who eventually ended up as

the most prolific scorer of the tournament with eight goals, finally knocked in the last goal with a header from inside a crowded penalty box after receiving corner kick from Sara Eggesvik.

The Thais, the silver medallists in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games, earned runners-up honors in the tournament after also finishing second to Vietnam back in 2019.

There were nine chances for the Thais to score, and four were on target but all of them missed, while the Filipinas managed 13, with seven of them within range and three finding the back of the net.

from anti-pandemic response, disaster relief to infrastructure, agriculture, and other fields,” the embassy said.

The Chinese Embassy described the phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Marcos on May 18 and recent high-level visits as having ushered in “a new era of ChinaPhilippine friendship.”

“Governments of the two countries are dedicated to further enhancing friendship and mutual trust, adhering to good-neighborliness and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. China’s policy towards the Philippines has always been and will continue to be consistent and stable as ever,” the embassy said.

The Chinese Embassy expressed confidence that “continuity” would be secured in relations between two countries as well as the bilateral practical cooperation.

Chavez said China's funding commitment for the railway projects was "deemed canceled" as China has been

unresponsive to the Philippine government's loan application since 2019.

He said the Chinese bank was asking for 3-percent interest on the loans, much higher than the 0.01-percent rate charged by Japan.

Senator Grace Poe said the renegotiation of loans should address interest rates and payment terms.

“The President’s directive presents an auspicious opportunity to go back to the drawing board and craft deals that are fair and will produce tangible benefits to the Filipino people,” Poe said in a statement.

“Renegotiation should iron out issues that saddled the previous agreements, including interest rates and payment terms.”

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House ways and means committee, urged the government to explore alternative financing options for the Calamba-Bicol railway, after the loan agreement between China and the Philippines for the 380-kilometer line was

deemed withdrawn.

“The interest rate for the loans appears to be on the high end, at 3 percent per annum, when Japan offers a 0.1 percent per annum rate,” Salceda said. “Of course, the Chinese yuan is generally a more stable currency than the Japanese Yen, but factoring exchange rate parity, the Japanese offer would still be significantly more attractive, by around 2.5 percentage points, even taking the worst peso performance versus the yen and the best peso performance versus the yuan,” he said.

“So what I gather is we asked for a better rate, and China appears to have stopped responding,” said Salceda, who noted that the Bicol railway would also benefit nearby regions.

He said if a Japanese offer comes in, the country should take it, even though it might cause some initial disruption.

“If China wants to continue the deal, they should offer more competitive rates. Anyway, I think we should open up to other offers,” he added.

vate institutions,” Laguesma said.

But Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Sunday said reducing the size of the government bureaucracy would only cause massive layoffs and more contractual workers in the government.

She hit the DBM proposal to rightsize the bureaucracy, saying this would only lead to mass layoffs, retrenchment and displacement, and worsen the problem of contractualization.

"The rightsizing of national government agencies is no different from the rationalization schemes of past administrations, which caused untold damage to government workers and to public service,” she added.

"Through this proposal, government agencies will hire more and more personnel on contracts of service and job orders who will not be considered government employees and will not be paid the salaries and job security as such," she said.

Citing the Inventory of Government Human Resources, as of Aug. 31, she said there are 582,378 contracts of service or job order personnel out of the 2,337,802 government employees.

"The Department of Budget and Management already knows that this proposal will affect 2 million government employees. The agency wants to save P14 billion in exchange for the jobs and security of tenure of 2 million Filipinos that would be affected by this proposal," she said.

Militants... legitimate issue. But for the meantime, let us respect the voice of the 31 million Filipinos," he added.

This proposal was spurned by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr., stressing the SONA was an occasion for the public to air their grievances and urge the government to act on their most pressing concerns.

“General de Leon again displays a narrow understanding of how democracy should work. All have the right to be heard, including critics of Mr. Marcos. Those who disagree with Mr. Marcos and are opposed to his policies have the right to protest against the government and demand redress of their grievances,” he said.

“What General de Leon seems to be suggesting is for people to simply stay at home and watch TV like and give up their democratic interests. This will not happen,” Reyes said.

De Leon stressed rallies would still be allowed on the day of the SONA but only in local government unit-permitted areas and freedom parks.

Demonstrations along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City going to Batasang Pambansa, the venue of the SONA, will also be prohibited to avoid traffic, he said.

In response, Reyes told the PNP

that it is not them, but the mayor of an LGU that grants permits under the law.

He said Bayan filed an application for a permit on July 15 before the Quezon City LGU to hold a rally along Batasan Road.

“In any case, the people will actively exercise their Constitutional right to peaceful protest despite the repression being imposed by the PNP and the Marcos regime. It is important that the true state of the nation be heard, as a counterpoint to lies and disinformation about the country’s situation,” Reyes said.

The National Capital Region Police Office said Saturday 21,853 policemen would be deployed for the event, up from the previous 15,000-strong security team.

A gun ban will also be imposed in Metro Manila from July 22 to July 27 to secure the SONA, according to the PNP. Security authorities said the 21,000 plus police include 16,964 organic NCRPO personnel, 1,905 men from PNP support units and 2,974 personnel from coordinating agencies and peacekeeping partners.

Road rerouting plans have also been laid down by the MMDA to pave the way for essential vehicles to freely utilize portions of Commonwealth Avenue, the main thoroughfare leading to the House of Representatives and where zipper lanes would be set up.

De Leon said the security measures in the country's tourist destinations should supplement the prior reminders to all police commanders to regularly update crime mapping in their respective areas of responsibility.

He added this should be accompanied by increased intelligence gathering efforts to identify criminals and threat

groups in various regions of the country.

"Crime mapping is essential because it gives our commanders an advantage in preparing and implementing measures to prevent crimes at a specific time and location.This should be paired with reliable intelligence data about which groups are operating in particular areas," De Leon said.

He also reminded police commanders

to comply with the order of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos to intensify efforts to account for loose firearms in the country, stating that loose firearms are usually the primary weapon used to commit crimes.

"Let's do our part for economic recovery by performing well in terms of peace and order, which will benefit our country," he said.

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“In provinces where the positivity rate is very high, i.e. above 20 percent, the public is strongly advised to practice necessary caution to prevent COVID infection,” David said.

David said that the positivity rate in the NCR also jumped from 10.9 percent on July 9 to 12.6 percent on July 15.

Aside from the NCR, he noted that Antique, Bataan, Bulacan, Capiz, Cavite, Iloilo, Isabela, Pangasinan and Rizal all recorded a positivity rate of over 10 percent.

An infectious disease expert had warned the public against "vaccine complacency" and urged them to get COVID-19 booster shots.

Many Filipinos have yet to receive their booster shots, said Rontgene Solante, a member of the government's vaccine expert panel (VEP).

Solante said the slow momentum in the government's booster program is rooted in the view that new infections are just mild.

“What we are seeing here is that because the symptoms are mild and the hospitals are not filling up, we have what we call vaccine complacency,” Solante said in Filipino on ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo. “But that should not be our attitude.”

Solante emphasized that immunity provided by vaccines dwindles over time.

Data show that protection against the severe form of COVID-19 derived from booster shots lasts about eight to 10 months, Solante said.

“What's important for the general population is to receive the first booster,” he added.

A second booster shot can now be offered to the general population for added protection.

At present, Department of Health (DOH) guidelines say that only health workers, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are allowed to get a second coronavirus booster shot.

But Solante said if there are sufficient vaccine doses, there is no reason not to give a second booster to anyone who wants it.

On the other hand, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, officer-in-charge at the DOH, said local government units should stick to the guidelines and not give second boosters to the general population.

But scientists in other countries are urging people to take a second booster shot if they get the chance because the most infectious strain of Omicron is driving a fresh surge of cases around the world.

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control this week expanded eligibility to the over-60s and vulnerable people of any age, citing the rise in the numbers needing treatment in hospital and intensive care.

In Britain, a second booster dose was offered to people aged over 75 years, care home residents and those with weakened immune systems. Australia has expanded the second booster to those over-30, while the US is reportedly looking to expand the current eligible group from the over-50s to all adults.

Over the weekend, the Supreme Court reintroduced reduced on-site work at its offices in Manila until July 31, following an increase in the positivity rate of COVID-19 in Metro Manila.

In a memorandum order, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said that in certain offices, only 50 percent or 80 percent of total personnel are allowed to report physically for work.

However, 100 percent of personnel are required to report physically in the SC’s Fiscal Management and Budget Office, Office of the Bar Confidant, Office of Administrative Services, and in the maintenance, security and motor pool sections.

The order also mandates that 80 percent personnel are required to report on-site in the Docket and Receiving Section of the Judicial Records Office, procurement and property division, and in the Office of the Court Administrator, which is engaged in processing clearances and payment of utilities.

In all other SC offices, 50 percent of personnel are required to report onsite.

On Saturday, President Marcos reiterated the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters, which he said were key to his recovery after contracting the virus for a second time.

"This is the second time I tested positive for COVID. And were it not for the vaccine and booster, I'm sure my condition would have been worse," the 64-year-old Marcos said.

But Marcos clarified he is not making booster shots mandatory.

"We do not need to mandate this because we are free to choose for our own health," he said.

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

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FDA: Lucky Me! noodles are safe for consumption

MASS FOR THE DISABLED.

A sign language communicator appears to have usurped center stage in this photo taken during a Mass celebrated at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila to mark the observance of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. Norman Cruz

By Willie Casas

PH, US Marines resume joint drills P

HASE II of a joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States dubbed Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) unfolds today in Zambales and in Taguig City, Metro Manila.

In a statement Sunday, the Philip- Marine Corps (USMC), for the second pine Marine Corps (PMC) said it will part of this year’s MASA to be held on join its American counterpart, the US July 18-22.

Activities include helicopter rope suspension training and aeromedical evacuation training.

Brig.Gen. Raul Jesus Caldez, acting PMC commandant and exercise director of MASA 2022, said that everything is set for the bilateral exercise.

Caldez said that through the activity, the PMC and USMC are expected to execute and refine their tactics, techniques, and procedures for interoperability.

MASA 2022 assistant training director Col. Gregorio Hernandez Jr. will be supervising the event and directing the demonstration of PMC’s aviation capabilities.

Phase I of the MASA 2022

was held on June 6-16 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

It focused on capacity enhancement training to develop the capabilities of the PMC with the Philippine Navy and Air Force assets as part of the national maneuver amphibious force.

The Philippines and U.S. forces also underwent trainings on Combined and Joint Forward Arming and Refueling, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration, and Unmanned Aviation Systems.

The Philippines and U.S. have a mutual defense treaty signed in 1951. The two countries’ armed forces hold a number of joint exercises and trainings, including the Balikatan.

THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared the locally produced Lucky Me! Noodle products safe for human consumption.

The FDA decision followed recent findings by an FDA-accredited international independent laboratory that Lucky Me! passed the medical standards for ethylene oxide (EtO).

“This result is consistent with our position that our products are and have always been safe. We are committed to being a source of high-quality food products and will remain so,” Lucky Me! producer Monde Nissin Corp. said in a statement.

Monde Nissin also reportedly passed several rigid inspections by FDA teams dispatched to find out if EtO was present in the local Lucky Me! plants.

“We fully cooperated with the FDA in this effort at establishing food safety and were declared totally compliant with all the rules and requirements needed for the production of Lucky Me!,” it added.

The FDA issued its advisory on the heels of news reports saying ethylene oxide was allegedly found in some Lucky Me! products sold abroad.

“As a precautionary measure, the FDA coordinated with the local manufacturer of Lucky Me! Brand Noodle Products to determine the levels of ethylene oxide in the food products. The local manufacturer of the Lucky Me! Brand Noodle Products reported to the FDA that, based on tests conducted by an independent laboratory in Vietnam, ethylene oxide was not detected in the samples submitted for the following variants: Pancit Canton Extra Hot Chili, Pancit Canton Regular, Pancit Canton Chilimansi and Instant Mami Beef Regular. These Lucky Me! instant noodle variants are safe for consumption,” the FDA advisory stated.

“The Food and Drug Administration has declared local Lucky Me! safe for consumption. The products’ compliance with food safety standards is further supported by the latest results from independent laboratory testing and analysis done abroad, showing that Lucky Me! passed the acceptable level for ethylene oxide,” Monde Nissin said in a statement posted on Facebook.

LANDBANK turns over grains complex to Isabela LGU to support small farmers PALM PRINTS FOR CARBON CREDITS. In keeping with its environmental advocacies, the

Maynilad Water Services Inc. observes its 15th anniversary with a tree planting activity at the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City. The affair also covers a symbolic display of grave concern for climate change and global warming, dubbed “Palm Prints for Carbon Credits.” Photo taken during the event show (from left) Million Trees Foundation Inc. president Melandrew Velasco; architect Nancy Esguerra of the Quezon City Mayor’s Office; Lester Patrick Ty of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS); Leonor C. Cleofas, MWSS administrator; Ramoncito Fernandez, Maynilad president and CEO; and Ignacio Almira, Jr., Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region director.

Maynilad marks 15th year with 2,000 trees planted at La Mesa watershed THE Maynilad Water Services Inc. marked its 15th anniversary Friday with the launch of Plant for Life 2022, highlighted by the planting of 2,000 tree saplings at the La Mesa watershed complex in Quezon City in keeping with its overarching goal of achieving climate neutrality by the year 2037.

Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez said during the roll out, held at the Million Tree Nursery and Eco-Learning Center at the La Mesa watershed, that they are eyeing one million trees planted by end-2022.

The affair also signified the water concessionaire’s support to the Annual Million Trees Challenge of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

Others present at the Plant for Life launch were MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas,

MWSS chief regulator Lester Patrick Ty, DENR regional director Ignacio Almira Jr, and Million Trees Foundation president Melandrew Velasco.

The group also took part in a handprints ceremony to dramatize their commitment to climate neutrality.

“Since we started this program in 2007, we have already covered around 570 hectares of land with more than 923,000 indigenous trees and mangroves. Planting a tree may seem simple enough. However, its impact can be tremendous as far as watershed protection is concerned. The more denuded forestlands we can recover, the better our chances of improving water security, and providing a sustainable environment for future generations,” Fernandez said in his welcome remarks.

Stray pets invade Angeles schools ANGELES CITY—Stray cats and dogs have reportedly invaded schools here, prompting Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. to order the implementation of trap-neuter-release (TNR) and anti-rabies vaccination in the premises of 53 public schools in the city.

The mayor’s move aimed to assist public schools’ administrators address the problem of proliferation of stray pets within school campuses, as well as ensure the safety of the schoolchildren against poten-

tial rabies infection.

“We understand the concerns of our schools in taking good care of stray pets practically living in the school,” Lazatin said.

Lazatin pointed out that through the TNR program he launched in 2020, the city was able to arrest “unwanted animal population.”

Lazatin aims to deploy the City Veterinary Office headed by Dr. Christian Arcilla to the 53 public schools. Butch Gunio

ECHAGUE, Isabela—The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially turnedover a grains complex located at Brgy. Ipil to the Provincial Government of Isabela in support of its Palay Procurement Program for small farmers.

The Province is leasing the grains complex from the staterun Bank with obligations to repair, rehabilitate and upgrade the facility, including the typhoon-damaged warehouse and rice mill buildings.

The grains complex is part of a P2-billion LANDBANK loan availed by the local government—of which P1 billion will be used as working capital for palay procurement, while the remaining P1 billion as standby credit for investment in equipment and machineries.

“LANDBANK fully supports initiatives that provide small farmers a reliable source of income, including access to postharvest facilities. We will also continue to service the development requirements of our local government partners towards food security, especially in the countryside,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Through the Palay Procurement Program, Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III aims to boost the productivity and income of small farmers in the area, by offering an assured and reasonable price for their produce while stabilizing the price of palay in the local market.

Around 16,667 small rice farmers from 34 municipalities, three (3) cities, and 1,055 barangays in the Province are targeted to

Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano, III (center) and LANDBANK Southern Isabela Lending Center head, vice president Bernard Bayangos (second from right) lead the turn-over of a grains complex to the Provincial Government of Isabela.

benefit from the Program.

“Ang actual Return of Investment dito ay hindi yung kikitain ng probinsya. Ang kita ng probinsya rito ay yung tulong sa farmers, para at least stable lang yung prices. Ang pinakaimportante dito ay nakatugon tayo doon sa mga farmers,” said Gov. Rodito.

LANDBANK remains the biggest lender to the agriculture sector, with

loans reaching P257.94 billion as of May 2022. The agriculture loans have financed various economic activities of major players in the industry, including local government units (LGUs).

While expanding its focus to assist other key sectors and industries in the country, LANDBANK remains steadfast in fulfilling its primary mandate to deliver intensified support to the agriculture sector.

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

Escudero hails decision to lift PH nursing ban

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

COSPLAY FAMILY. A family walks inside a mall clad in Japanese-inspired anime costumes to attend the anime and cosplay expo at the SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Sunday. Danny Pata

Solons seek COVID ‘reserve force’

By Rio N. Araja

F

OUR lawmakers from Camarines Sur, led by Rep. LRay Villafuerte, want the creation of a reserve force of highly skilled and medically trained professionals and volunteers.

This reserve force can then be mobilized at once to help the government enhance the national capacity to meet surges in the demand for our healthcare system and provide assistance as may be needed in times of health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is during times of national health emergencies that the members of the

Medical Reserve Corps may be called upon and mobilized to assist the national government and the local government units in their functions related to addressing medical needs. This measure allows our hospitals and medical facilities to handle the extreme demand for patient care in times of disaster and health emergencies,” Villafuerte said.

The bill’s co-authors are Representatives Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata and Nicolas Enciso VIII. Under House Bill No. 1093, the Medical Reserve Corps shall be composed of medical graduates, licensed and retired physicians, licensed allied health professionals, and registered nurses who may be called upon and mobilized to assist the national and local governments in their functions related to addressing the urgent needs of the country’s health-care system during times of health crises or emergencies.

Villafuerte, who filed a similar meas-

ure in the previous Congress, said the lack of medical personnel during the initial stages of the country’s fight against Covid-19 has underscored the urgency for the Marcos administration to establish an MRC to ensure that the healthcare system is not overwhelmed during health emergencies and threats.

In case of a declaration of a state of war, state of lawless violence, or state of calamity, the bill authors proposed that the DOH, by its own initiative, may recommend to the President the nationwide mobilization of the MRC, as a complement to the Armed Force of the Philippines Medical Corps.

SENATOR Chiz Escudero has lauded the decision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to lift its 11-year-old moratorium against prohibiting colleges and universities from offering undergraduate nursing programs.

Escudero, the incoming chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, said the move would ensure that the country has sufficient medical frontliners in case of another global health crisis in the future.

“I welcome the decision of the CHED led by Chairman Prospero de Vera III to finally allow all higher education institutions (HEIs) to offer nursing courses. It is really about time, especially with the lessons learned from our handling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Escudero said.

“We are still in a pandemic and we will be needing more medical workers. That is why we have to start rebuilding our workforce now so we don’t have to go through the same harrowing experience should another health crisis comes,” he added.

On Thursday, the HEIs were allowed to submit their applications to CHED following de Vera’s announcement on July 13 that the institution has decided en banc to lift the ban after a “very thorough review based on an exhaustive discussion.”

It will be recalled that in 2011, during the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III, the CHED imposed the moratorium due to, among others, the oversupply of nursing graduates with over 200,000 unemployed nurses.

“This moratorium which was imposed in 2011 has been reviewed at the height of the pandemic when there were calls to lift the moratorium on nursing because of the perceived lack of nurses especially at the height of COVID,” said De Vera on Wednesday.

Gatchalian urges BBM admin to decongest teachers’ workload

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Win Gatchalian is urging the new administration to decongest the workload of public school teachers so that they can focus on their teaching duties.

He emphasized that decongesting the workload of teachers affects the quality and delivery of education to the country’s K to 12 learners. In 2019, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) pointed out that the actual teaching is sidelined by other administrative and student support roles of teachers, as well as their participation in programs like mass immunizations, deworming, and elections.

One of the immediate steps that Gatchalian proposes is for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release funds for the 5,000

Agents seize cigarettes worth P6.2m in sea raid AUTHORITIES were able to seize more than P6.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a sea patrol operation at the coast of Manalipa Island in Zamboanga City.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. said seven suspects who were onboard a motorized wooden watercraft locally known as “jungkong” were nabbed on Saturday, GMA News reported.

The PNP said the suspects were identified as Benzar Jajales, Pajing Muknan, Binbin Asiril, Elnejin Asiril, Minkadra Sakili, Sherwin Masakin and Adzmir Bakki.

Personnel from 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company, Bureau of Customs (BOC), BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and BOCEnforcement Security Service confiscated 178 master cases of cigarettes with an estimated market value of P6,23 million.

“No pertinent documents were provided when authorities asked them. Thus, the need to apprehend those persons. The confiscated items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition,” Danao, in a statement, said.

FLOOD AFTER A DOWNPOUR.

A motorcycle rider wades through almost knee-deep floods at the corner of UN Avenue and Taft in Manila after a torrential downpour in Metro Manila on Saturday night.

Norman Cruz

Administrative Officers (AO) in public elementary and high schools under the Department of Education (DepEd).

The department has already requested the release of these funds.

In the long run, he said there should be enough non-teaching personnel based on the school structure and staffing pattern, which the DepEd Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development (BHROD) is expected to study and develop with the Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ).

Gatchalian urged the DepEd to adopt the proposal of PIDS to conduct evidencebased studies on teacher workload. This is to rationalize the job functions of public school teachers, allow them to balance their workload, and allocate more of their time to improve learner outcomes.

Lawmaker urges PSA, BSP to accelerate issuance of national ID

By Rio N. Araja DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Sunday urged the Philippine Statistics Authority and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to find ways to accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) project to further reduce red tape, and hasten the delivery of basic services and financial aid to poor families.

The Philsys or national ID system

will also complement the e-governance bill re-filed in the incoming 19th Congress that seeks to shift government transactions online, he said.

In addition, the national ID would help weed out “false” beneficiaries from social protection programs, thus assisting the government in better targeting those who need financial aid the most during times of crisis, he emphasized.

Under the administration of his fa-

ther, former President Rodrigo Duterte, he said the substantial funding releases were approved to fast-track the implementation of Philsys.

But 2021 report of the Commission on Audit on BSP showed BSP and its contractor tasked to deliver the physical Philsys cards were unable to meet their production targets, causing delays in the project.

“Accelerating the implementation of the national ID system will make the de-

CASH FOR GRADUATES.

The City Government of Navotas distributes cash incentives to this year’s graduates in public elementary and senior high schools. Of this number, 3,810 were Grade 6 and 2,067 were Grade 12 completers.

They received P500 and P1,000, respectively.

Andrew Rabulan

Navotas distributes cash rewards to grads

THE City Government of Navotas distributed cash incentives to this year’s graduates in public elementary and senior high schools.

Of this number, 3,810 were Grade 6 and 2,067 were Grade 12 completers. They received P500 and P1,000, respectively.

“We want to honor and show our appreciation to our graduates for pursuing their education, espe-

cially despite the challenges of the pandemic. The past school years have been difficult, but they persevered with the help and guidance of their parents and teachers,” Mayor John Rey Tiangco said.

Meanwhile, graduates of the Navotas Polytechnic College will also receive P1,500 in August. Navotas started giving graduation incentives in 2019 in accordance with City Ordinance 2019-3. Jun David

livery of financial assistance swift and efficient. Aside from that, a well-maintained national ID system will help the government clean up its database of beneficiaries of social protection programs, such as the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program). Even those who dupe the system by getting senior citizen ID cards even though they are not yet qualified to avail of the benefits for seniors will be weeded out,” Duterte said.

Villar files measure encouraging bike use

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Mark A. Villar has filed a bill that seeks to provide the rights of bicycle riders and convince others to use the bike as an alternative mode of transportation.

Villar’s bill or the Bicycle Act of 2022 also mandates the establishment of the Local Bikeway Office (LBO) to implement the rules and regulations of the Bicycle Act. The LBO will be tasked to manage the construction and maintenance of a bikeway network including the identification of a bikeway roadmap.

“The bill seeks to provide a framework for a bicycle law on a national level so that Filipino commuters may find a cheaper alternative to get to their destination while saving the environment from harmful emissions,” Villar said.

With the surge in fuel prices in the global market, Villar cited the need for a cost-efficient, cheaper, and environmentally friendly transportation like bicycles.

Opinion Musings by the bay

THRICE a week, starting at daybreak, I have been doing brisk walks, often by Manila Bay. For the first time since its creation, I saw the “dolomite beach” that I once defended in this space when so many were criticizing the project due to environmental fears and alleged health hazards.

Since dolomite is not indigenous to the sea and was “mined” from the mountains of Alcoy in Cebu, there was quite a furor over the DENRinitiated creation of a “white sand” beach in that stretch between the US Embassy and the Manila Yacht Club, a distance of less than two kilometers.

I wrote then that crushed dolomite has also been added to resorts in Mactan, after Boholanos raised a howl when the earlier resorts filled their craggy beachfronts with real white sand taken away from the beautiful seaside of Anda. So don’t fret too much about it, I stated then.

As of now, only half, perhaps less of that short stretch, has been filled with the crushed dolomite, and one wonders when the project will be finished, or whether its P389 million budget has been spent and funds have to be scrounged further in the 2023 GAA to complete the project.

Most of the visitors and family groups who troop to the bayside marvel at the “creation,” posing for pictures with the “white sand” as backdrop, and one is happy for the little pleasures they get in these difficult times. To the “masa,” all the concerns on the bay’s bio-diversity are washed away by these simple pleasures.

But wait! What is this rust-painted monstrosity in the area fronting the Aristocrat Restaurant, likely a water reservoir camouflaged as an armored tank, complete with a clumsily designed “cannon” aimed at the bay? Is this symbolic of how we will defend our city from the intruders of the West Philippine Sea should hostilities erupt?

Tacky as tacky could be.

One is left to wonder what would happen to the beige-colored crushed dolomite when strong waves pummel the shores come typhoon season?

So, to avert such, inflated rubber gabions are being installed some 200 meters away, anchored to bedrock I suppose, acting like a breakwater to lessen the impact of the periodic waves upon the “creation”. Will the gabions be like King Canute commanding the waves to stop? Vamos a ver.

And then, to protect the project from a swarm of onlookers, a white “picket” fence has been erected, and the public allowed into the beachfront through a gated entrance and exit manned by the ubiquitous security guards.

Two proudly emblazoned “public restrooms” were built in the middle of the project, covering the view of the Manila Bay and its marvelous sunset from passersby, pedestrian or motorized.

There is also a small “souvenir shop” with a glass front. Though yet unopened to the public, one wonders why these were built right smack into the center of the stretch, blocking the view?

But what takes the cake is a two-story building with a glass frontage on whose façade is emblazoned in gleaming stainless steel --- “Mandamus Agencies Office”. What a funny Latin name to identify an office which does nothing but obstruct the view.

Oh but they would say it was the Supreme Court which ordered the 13 agencies in 2008 through a writ of mandamus to “clean up, reha-

By Melandrew T. Velasco THIS year the Philippines and France are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Formal diplomatic ties were established with the signing of a Treaty of Amity by then Philippine Vice President and concurrent Foreign Secretary Elpidio Quirino and then French Foreign Minister Georges Bidault on June 26, 1947 in Paris.

Several activities have been scheduled to celebrate the occasion.

This year’s celebration is even more significant because another Filipino has been conferred the Legion of Honor, the highest distinction given by the French Government and one of the most famous in the world.

San Miguel Corporation President and CEO Ramon S. Ang joins the roster of distinguished Filipinos who have been presented with the highest French decoration by French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz.

Notable and eminent Filipinos who were conferred the Legion of Honor include former Philippine presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Elpidio Quirino, Corazon C. Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos; DFA Secretary Carlos P. Romulo, Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Rep. Jose De Venecia, diplomat Pura Castrence and Rear Admiral Romulo Espaldon , among others.

RSA was conferred the Legion of Honor with the rank of Officier (Officer) in recognition of his contributions in the promotion of Philippines-France bilateral relations by advancing shared economic goals and being a force for good.

The conferment ceremony was held at the French ambassador’s residence. Ambassador Boccoz expressed gratitude to RSA for the role he plays “as a businessman and as a philanthropist to strengthen those ties between France and

bilitate and preserve Manila Bay and maintain its waters to a level fit for swimming, skin diving and other forms of contact recreation”.

Yet there can be no swimming in the waters off the dolomite beach.

Granted, but why have an office in the middle of their beautification project? Do these mandamus officers and staff have to preen over their wonderful “creation” each time they meet? Any of these 13 agencies have space in their offices to spare, ne c’est pas.

Or, they could have lumped the offices, the souvenir shop, the water reservoir and the public restrooms on the end portions of the beach, to the north and south, bounded by the Manila Yacht Club and the US Embassy, right?

Gone are the days when one could gaze lazily at the beautiful orange orb of the setting sun majestically dying in the horizon of a clean bay, especially in the months of November till early March when cool winds waft in the air You need no architect (was there any?) to appreciate that consideration. Only a little bit of taste.

As you walk northwards, you reach the humongous compound of the US Embassy.

And you wonder why at this point, the sidewalk narrows down, and the embassy appropriated the walkway as a waiting area for the hundreds of Filipinos who line up for their alltoo-difficult quest at getting an entry visa to the once upon a not-too-distant time, land of milk and honey.

Why did the City of Manila, or was it the national government, allow this misappropriation of public land?

In some part, the sidewalk narrows down to around 40 centimeters which the pedestrian could use, only to reach an abandoned public toilet before the Museo Pambata, its state of disrepair openly displayed for locals and foreign visitors alike.

Gone are the days when one could gaze lazily at the beautiful orange orb of the setting sun majestically dying in the horizon of a clean bay, especially in the months of November till early March, when cool winds waft in the air.

But wait! Gone forever will this world-appreciated beauty be when the many side-by-side reclamation projects “steal” the sunset away from the hoi polloi. From Paranaque to Pasay to Manila to Navotas, Manila Bay will be appropriated for the exclusive use of the moneyed elite, with high-end skyscrapers dotting its western front.

By then, the waters fronting the dolomite beach enclosed by an inflatable gabion will likely be fetid, as the newly constructed islands on municipal waters will trap the free flow of the bay’s waters.

But that is another regretful story in the benighted land where the simple pleasures of ordinary folks are always stolen by the rich and the mighty.

the Philippines, and to promote friendship between our two peoples.”

The ambassador acknowledged RSA’s efforts to help in the delivery of humanitarian aid from France to the Philippines for Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims.

RSA was Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operations Officer when Typhoon Yolanda devastated Leyte and neighboring provinces.

France is one of our country’s largest trading partners and investors from the European Union.

Then French President Francois Hollande made a State visit to the Philippines in 2015, further bolstering the two countries’ relations “We will do everything we can to assist in government’s efforts to respond to the needs of our countrymen. We will continue to coordinate closely with government agencies to see where we can help. We are prepared to extend assistance any way we can,” he said.

Under his leadership PAL helped airlift not only donated relief goods, rescue workers and medical teams from local organizations but also from foreign donors, including France.

It was also at that time when a new Airbus jet was being delivered from Tolousse,

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EDITORIAL

A well-deserved honor Everyman

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

Divorce debate heats up anew

N

EVER give up on an issue that you feel very passionate about.

women experience spousal abuse.

“Unhealthy marriages bring trauma that is passed on for generations through children…The passage of a divorce law is one of the ultimate forms of freedom we can give Filipino women. We (should) give them the real chance to turn the page,” she said.

That appears to be the mindset of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the lone opposition member in the 19th Congress, as she filed another divorce proposal. This, after the Senate ignored last year House Bill . 7303 seeking to legalize divorce in the country.

The House of Representatives passed a divorce bill during the 17th Congress, but its counterpart bill in the Senate was left to die a natural death at the committee level.

Several lawmakers had made similar attempts during the 14th, 15th, and 16th Congress. All of them failed to get their respective bills passed.

In filing yet another divorce bill, Hontiveros said spouses in failed marriages, particularly women, “should be given all the chances available in this world to find true and meaningful relationships, and build nurturing families.”

Hontiveros insists that a divorce law would give freedom to many Filipinos, allow them to build new lives and show real respect for family and marriage.

“Not a few women have fallen victim to domestic violence and psychological abuse,” she said, citing a Philippine StatisticsAuthority report in 2018 that one in four

A divorce bill is likely to face an uphill climb that leads to nowhere — and those in failed marriages unable to break free from chains that bind them to each other But a divorce bill is likely to be met with stiff opposition as before.

Divorce has been a contentious issue in the Philippines for as long as we can remember. Those for it are just as fervent and unyielding in their advocacy as those against it.

The Philippines is the only other country in the world — the other is the Vatican, the seat of Catholicism — that does not have a divorce law. Does that tell us anything?

The Catholic clergy and the faithful are up in arms against the divorce bill and adamant and uncompromising in their stand.

Take a recent statement of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines: “Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society.

This disorder brings grave harm to the deserted spouse, to children traumatized by the separation of their parents and often torn between them, and because of its contagious effect which makes it truly a plague on society.”

The group emphasized that marriage and family is a “gift that should be protected” and expressed the hope that the Philippines “shall forever stand as a beacon of hope for the family and society.”

Over at the Senate, it appears that the majority of senators are opposed to legalizing divorce and instead prefer a proposal to streamline the annulment process “allowed by our faith and belief,” according to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Shortening and simplifying the process of church-decreed annulment would be a “more accepted” option for his colleagues in the Senate.

If that’s the case, then a divorce bill is likely to face an uphill climb that leads to nowhere—and those in failed marriages unable to break free from chains that bind them to each other.

Rightsizing for lean, efficient, and responsive governance offices or even abolition are possibilities.

Based on initial estimates of the DBM, about two million government employees may be affected by the rightsizing initiative. Quite a human resource management challenge that may prove to be the most sensitive element if this pushes thru.

Government agencies and GOCC’s are created, and their functions mandated by law and will require new legislation from Congress for any restructuring, more so for any mergers and abolitions to happen.

THE plan of the President Marcos Jr. government to transform the country’s bureaucracy to be “lean, efficient, and responsive” – qualities that are basic requisites of successful private enterprises – is a bold move that many administrations have tried to achieve tracing back to President Marcos Sr. The circumstances of the global pandemic that pushed every sector of our society to harness digital technologies to survive this existential threat has highlighted the need for a new mindset that must be open to the disruptive nature of innovation and demands very short adoption timelines.

This heightened appreciation of the urgency and the strategic benefits of a system wide digital transformation presents a great opportunity to shape up the overweight bureaucracy into a super system of public services.

According to published statements by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, redundant or overlapping functions in the programs of agencies will be streamlined with the objective of “rightsizing” into a smaller but more agile operation.

All of us have experienced several frustrating, inconvenient hours, for some really bad instances, even days wasted trying to comply with permits, licenses, and just trying to access government services that are sadly not very service-oriented.

To be fair, there are agencies which have been successful in greatly improving their frontline interactions with the help of digital solutions.

Secretary Pangandaman said the functions of 187 government agencies and governmentowned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) will be rationalized and restructured. Merging France to PAL under the flag carrier’s fleet renewal program initiated by RSA. Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, and the French government loaded the new aircraft with food aid and medicines for Yolanda victims.

Also transported were French doctors and first-responders to help with the relief and recovery effort.

With the fleet renewal program, a long-term partnership between Airbus and PAL was established. Today, this partnership is very much visible in the key infrastructure projects of San Miguel Corporation.

One of these projects is the New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.

Being undertaken by San Miguel Aerocity, Inc., a company wholly owned by San Miguel Holdings Corporation, the new airport will decongest the existing airports in Metro Manila.

San Miguel Aerocity, Inc. will handle the financing, design, construction, operations and maintenance of the new airport.

RSA has tapped French expertise into SMC’s various projects.

For the New Manila International Airport

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

This heightened appreciation of the urgency and the strategic benefits of a system wide digital transformation presents a great opportunity to shape up the overweight bureaucracy into a super system of public services Having this listed as a priority bill by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council this early will put this on the top of mind of legislators and send a strong signal to expedite its passage.

This is a complete contrast to the Duterte administrations direction to even expand the bureaucracy with new offices and the lackadaisical treatment of legislators on rightsizing bills filed since 2016.

How the administration’s super majority in Congress will respond to this push for systemic changes in the bureaucracy will be interesting.

It will be almost miraculous to see if more than two years of pandemic crisis had somehow instilled a more forward and developmendevelopment, he has chosen Aéroports de Paris Group, an international airport operator based in Paris, as one of its consultants. He also tapped the Matiere, another French firm, for SMC’s various infrastructure projects.

The infrastructure projects where the French experts will be involved in are just among those being undertaken by SMC to help boost the economy and improve the lives of his countrymen.

During the conferment ceremony RSA thanked the French government for the honor he proudly shared with his colleagues in SMC. “This recognition inspires me and my colleagues in San Miguel Corp. to work even harder to deliver a better future for all and uphold the common values that we stand for and live by,” he said.

He emphasized that SMC remains committed to dedicating its resources to build back better, through initiatives that will help boost economic growth and that pursuing sustainability is essential to achieve this.

He also noted that the friendship between the two countries has never been stronger.

Bilateral relations between the Philippines

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

tal spirit of knowledge and technology driven nation building has emerged or if the agents of patronage politics that created, entrenched their influence, and used the bureaucracy for personal agendas, will still prevail.

Pangandaman said the savings will be significant and that more funds may be channeled to priority infrastructure projects, health care, social services, and strengthening the problematic agriculture sector.

Should 5 percent of government employees be affected, she said the equivalent savings will be P14.8 billion per year from personnel services. If you are a government employee, you might worry that your job may become part of those savings.

The Budget Secretary, however, assures that affected personnel will have the option to apply for new positions that will be created by the rightsizing bill and will have retooling programs in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission.

Those who choose to retire will be given retirement benefits.

Not covered by the rightsizing bill are government items in military, police, medical related positions, and public education related personnel.

The proposed rightsizing bill will be an important legislative initiative challenge that will test the political will of the President and the unity of the super majority in Congress.

With the speedy passage of this bill into law, the government will need the support of the private sector in harnessing the best and most secure digital technologies applicable to the performance of each government agencies’ role.

The time has come for our government institutions to take a more agile stance in anticipating the fast-evolving needs of its citizens who by themselves and by necessity must quickly adopt to every new challenge to their economic welfare. How we are surviving the pandemic proves this point.

Now it’s time for government to catch up with the demands of the people by shedding its fat, getting in shape, and become the empowering government we need to help us to economic recovery. and France covers many areas including trade and investment, cultural, climate change, defense cooperation, environment and biodiversity protection as well as people-to-people exchanges.

France is one of our country’s largest trading partners and investors from the European Union.

Then French President Francois Hollande made a State visit to the Philippines in 2015 further bolstering the two countries’ relations.

In 2019, RSA was named one of The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awardees for his contributions in nation-building. He was recognized with the Asia CEO Awards’ Lifetime Contributor Award in 2020. This year, it’s the Legion of Honor.

Recognitions are invaluable sources of pride not only for the recipients and their families. I too, am proud of my fellow Filipino. It is a welldeserved honor for RSA. (Velasco, the official biographer of FVR’s family, is a book author with at least 50 titles to his credit. His recent works include “Silver Linings” featuring some of the EDSA I heroes and a coffee-table book on Paranaque City.)

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

World

A6 || MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sri Lanka protest action reaches 100 days S RI Lanka’s protest movement reached its 100th day Sunday having forced one president from office and now turning its sights on his successor as the country’s economic crisis continues.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled his palace shortly before demonstrators invaded it last weekend and on Thursday resigned from the presidency.

His mismanagement is blamed for Sri Lanka’s financial turmoil, which has forced its 22 million people to endure shortages of food, fuel and medicines since late last year.

The campaign to oust Rajapaksa, organised mainly through posts on Face-

book, Twitter and TikTok, drew people from across Sri Lanka’s often unbridgeable ethnic divides.

United by economic hardships, minority Tamils and Muslims joined the majority Sinhalese to demand the ouster of the once-powerful Rajapaksa clan.

It began as a two-day protest on April 9, when tens of thousands of people set up camp in front of Rajapaksa’s office – a crowd so much larger than the or-

ganisers’ expectations that they decided to stay on.

Under Sri Lanka’s constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was automatically installed as acting president following Rajapaksa’s resignation, and is now the leading candidate to succeed him permanently in a parliamentary vote next week.

But the veteran politician is despised by the protesters as an ally of the Rajapaksa clan, four brothers who have dominated the island’s politics for years.

Social media activist and protest campaign supporter Prasad Welikumbura said Wickremesinghe too should go.

“Its been 100 days since it started,” Welikumbura said on Twitter.

“But, its still far from any concrete

change in the system. #GoHomeRanil, #NotMyPresident.”

Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda resigned as premier in May and he appointed Wickremesinghe to replace him – his sixth term in the post – despite his being an opposition MP representing a party with only one seat in parliament.

The move did little to assuage the protesters’ anger, and when they stormed Rajapaksa’s tightly-guarded 200-yearold Presidential Palace they also set Wickremesinghe’s private home ablaze.

Now the Rajapaksas’ SLPP party – which has more than 100 MPs in the 225-member parliament – is backing Wickremesinghe in the vote due Wednesday.

All 8 crew killed cargo plane crash near Greek city

IN BRIEF UK climate chief hints at resignation BRITAIN’s climate minister, who emotionally steered a UN summit to a deal last year, has threatened to quit as some of the contenders to become Conservative leader equivocate on the government’s net zero target.

The legally enshrined target to achieve net carbon emissions by 2050 has been questioned by four of the five remaining candidates to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson, citing the costs when Britain is tackling a cost-ofliving crisis.

Heading into a second TV debate by the candidates on Sunday evening, only former finance minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to stick by the target and by “green levies” to help pay for it.

COP26 president Alok Sharma told Sunday’s Observer newspaper that it was “absolutely a leadership issue,” as Britain and Europe face a record-breaking heatwave this weekend.

“Anyone aspiring to lead our country needs to demonstrate that they take this issue incredibly seriously, that they’re willing to continue to lead and take up the mantle that Boris Johnson started off,” the climate minister said. AFP

Forest fires rage in scorching Europe A SUMMER heatwave that has triggered devastating forest fires across southwest Europe showed no signs of abating Sunday, as parts of the continent readied for new temperature records early next week.

Firefighters in France, Portugal, Spain and Greece are battling forest blazes that have ravaged thousands of hectares of land and killed several personnel since the start of the week.

It is the second heatwave engulfing parts of southwest Europe in weeks as scientists blame climate change and predict more frequent and intense episodes of extreme weather.

Firefighters in the coastal town of Arcachon in France’s southwestern Gironde region were fighting to control two forest blazes that have devoured more than 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) since Tuesday.

“It’s a Herculean job,” said LieutenantColonel Olivier Chavatte from the fire and rescue service, which has 1,200 firefighters and five planes in action.

Further evacuation orders were given on Saturday for a few hundred residents, firefighter spokesman Arnaud Mendousse told AFP. “Several fires are still active in France,” interior minister Gerald Darmanin said in a tweet. AFP

A spokesman for the protesters told AFP: “We are now discussing with groups involved in the ‘Aragalaya’ (struggle) on turning the campaign against Ranil Wickremesinghe.”

Numbers at the protest site have diminished since Rajapaksa’s exit, and the demonstrators have vacated three key state buildings they occupied – the 200-year-old presidential palace, the Prime Minister’s official Temple Trees residence and his office.

Wickremesinghe has ordered the military and the police to do whatever it takes to ensure order and defence officials said additional troops and police will be poured to the capital on Monday to bolster security around parliament ahead of the vote. AFP

SPEAKS LOUDER THAN A THOUSAND WORDS. A handout picture released by the Saudi Royal Palace shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) bumping fists with US President Joe Biden at Al-Salam Palace in the Red Sea port of Jeddah. AFP

Biden’s fist-bump with Saudi crown prince criticized IT TOOK less than 24 hours in Saudi Arabia for US President Joe Biden to tarnish an image he has long cultivated: that of a fierce defender of human rights.

The life of any politician is dotted with campaign pledges that ultimately backfire, and for Biden that list now includes his 2019 vow to make the desert kingdom a “pariah” over its human rights record.

Similarly his solemn description, delivered last year on US Independence Day, of Washington’s role on the global stage: “We stand as a beacon to the world.”

It was difficult for many to reconcile those words with the single-most searing image from Biden’s first visit to the Middle East as president: his fist-bump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed

bin Salman.

US intelligence officials believe the crown prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, “approved” the 2018 operation that led to the killing and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Taken outside a palace in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, the fist-bump image was immediately distributed by official Saudi news outlets before doing the rounds on social media.

It eventually landed on the front page of The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing columnist.

Prior to Biden’s arrival in Jeddah, the White House took several measures to try to mitigate blowback from an encounter it knew was coming.

Biden published a column in the Post explaining his reasons for making the

trip, saying he wanted to “strengthen a strategic partnership” while insisting that “fundamental freedoms are always on the agenda when I travel abroad.”

At the start of the tour, which took him to Jerusalem and Bethlehem before Jeddah, his communications team said Biden would limit physical contact with those he met, citing coronavirus concerns.

Some journalists immediately speculated that the measures – which Biden ended up not fully adhering to – were motivated less by public health and more by fear of an awkward photo-op with Prince Mohammed, often referred to by his initials, MBS. In the end, the first-bump in Jeddah “was worse than a handshake – it was shameful,” the Post’s CEO Fred Ryan said in a statement. AFP

ALL eight crew members of a cargo plane that crashed near the Greek city of Kavala died in the accident, Serbia’s defense minister said on Sunday.

The Antonov An-12 was carrying around 11 tonnes of weapons as well as mines to Bangladesh when it crashed on Saturday night, Nebojsa Stefanovic said.

Videos shared by eyewitnesses on social media showed the plane engulfed by a giant fireball as it hit the ground.

“I think the crew were Ukrainian but I don’t have any information about that. They were not Serbian,” Stefanovic told a news conference.

The plane had taken off from Nis airport in Serbia at around 8:40 p.m. (1840 GMT) on Saturday, carrying weapons owned by private Serbian company Valir, he said.

Greek media said it had requested clearance to make an emergency landing at Kavala airport but had not managed to reach it.

Greek rescue services were using a drone on Sunday to monitor the wreckage of the aircraft as fears about the toxicity of the cargo were forcing them to keep at a distance.

State-run TV said the army, explosives experts and Greek Atomic Energy Commission staff would approach the crash site once it was deemed safe.

“Men from the fire service with special equipment and measuring instruments approached the point of impact of the aircraft and had a close look at the fuselage and other parts scattered in the fields,” fire brigade official Marios Apostolidis told reporters. AFP

G20 chair Indonesia says ‘many’ nations condemned Russia at talks

FALLEN COMRADES. People hold a candlelight vigil for the victims and

injured demonstrators during anti-government protests, in Colombo on July 16, 2022. AFP

MANY nations in the Group of 20 major economies condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for it to end the war during ministerial talks in Indonesia, the host said in its closing statement early Sunday.

A two-day gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors on the resort island of Bali ended without a joint communique because of disagreements with Russia about the war.

But Western nations pressed Russia over the military assault, accusing Moscow of sending a shockwave through the global economy and its technocrats of complicity in alleged war crimes committed during the invasion.

“Many members agreed that the recovery of the global economy has slowed and is facing a major setback as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which was strongly condemned, and called for an end to the war,” Indonesia said in the declaration.

Jakarta, which has been balancing its neutral foreign policy stance with hosting the G20 summit in November, replaced a joint communique with a 14-paragraph chair’s statement that did not fall under the forum’s banner and included two sections on members’ differences. AFP

IS ex-bastion in Syria hosts Jackie Chan film shoot A GHOST town since a 2018 operation to flush out jihadists, Hajar al-Aswad near the Syrian capital has come back to life as the location of a Jackie Chanproduced action movie.

“Home Operation” is inspired by China’s 2015 evacuation of Chinese and other foreign citizens from the war in Yemen, an operation that was seen as a landmark for Beijing.

Yemen was deemed too dangerous a venue to shoot and some scenes of the film, which is also backed by an Emirati production company, are being shot in Syria, although the

script only mentions a fictional country called “Poman.”

The ruins of Hajar al-Aswad on Thursday filled with a motley crew of actors in Yemeni tribal attire, Syrian extras in uniform and polo-wearing Chinese film crew members.

Jackie Chan is the main producer, although there are no plans for him to visit Syria.

The film pitches itself as a blockbuster that will glorify the role of the Chinese authorities in a heroic evacuation.

Speaking to reporters as his crew installed their equipment and tanks in hastily altered liv-

ery moved into position, director Yinxi Song confirmed the film’s propaganda credentials.

“It takes the perspective of diplomats who are Communist Party members, who braved a hail of bullets in a war-torn country and safely brought all Chinese compatriots onto the country’s warship unscathed,” he said.

The ambassador of China, one of few countries to have maintained good diplomatic relations with the regime of Syria President Bashar al-Assad, was present to launch the Syria shoot, which is expected to last several days. AFP

PRACTICE. German actress Edith Clever and German actor Lars Eidinger perform on stage during a rehearsal of Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s ‘Jedermann’ in Salzburg, Austria on July 16, 2022, ahead of the 2022 edition of the Salzburger Festspiele, the city’s festival for opera, drama and concerts that will take place from July 18 to August 31, 2022. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

Manila

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MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market likely to trade sideways

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

HE stock market will likely trade sideways this week on lack of incentives to accumulate on stocks.

Analysts expect the trading volume to remain thin as investors are still wary about the overall developments in the economy.

The market may be ripe for a technical rebound due to its recent decline, but analysts said investors will be quick to cash in on gains.

Meanwhile, First Metro Investments Corp. head of research Cristina Ulang still expects the Philippine Stock Exchange Index to reach 7,100 points by the end of the year, fueled by attractive valuation and positive investor sentiment.

Ulang said the new government’s pronouncement to continue policy reforms, economic expansion, infrastructure rollout, and market-friendly

measures were among the factors that would drive the market upward in the second half of the year.

She said the higher-than-expected domestic inflation and interest rates, the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war and other geopolitical events were some of the risks that could affect market sentiments.

The PSEi last week closed at 6,195.26, down 2.6 percent from the previous week’s level, while the broader All Shares Index declined 1.9 percent to 3,345.73.

Four of the sectoral indices ended in the red led by holding firms, which dropped 4.7 percent; property which sank 4.3 percent; mining and oil which fell 2.9 percent; and services which slipped 2.7 percent.

The industrial index rose 0.6 percent while financials inched added 0.04 percent.

Foreign investors were net sellers

by P2.58 billion, while the average CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK daily value traded was steady at P4.8 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Monde Nissin Corp., which climbed 8.1 percent to P14.10, Emperador Inc. which advanced 6.5 percent to P18.40,

and Manila Electric Co., which increased 3.7 percent to P363.

Standard Weekly top losers were Ayala Land Inc. which slumped 13 percent to Manila

TODAY

P22.55, Puregold Price Club Inc. which dropped 10.6 percent to P29, and Ayala Corp., which fell 10.5 percent to P575.

Meanwhile, US stocks soared Friday after retail sales data showed that US consumers continue to spend more in the latest signal of the economy’s resilience despite high inflation and rising interest rates.

Better-than-expected results from Citigroup also helped temper concerns about what lies ahead for investors as more companies report secondquarter results. With AFP

Macau extends shutdown of businesses and casinos HONG KONG, China—Macau is set to begin another working week of partial lockdown, after the city extended the closure of its casinos and non-essential businesses to try and eradicate its worst coronavirus outbreak yet.

Authorities had announced a week of “static management” starting June 11 after recording more than 1,500 infections in the previous three weeks despite multiple rounds of compulsory mass testing of the city’s population.

The restrictions had been due to lift on Monday, but cases have continued to climb, with the Macau government saying Sunday there had been 1,733 cases

recorded since the start of the outbreak.

Daily case numbers are comparatively small by global standards, but authorities have moved quickly to stamp out transmission as they adhere to mainland China’s strict zero-COVID-19 policy.

On Saturday the government announced that the “static management” period would be extended through Friday.

All residents have to stay home except to go shopping for daily necessities and to get tested for the virus, with rulebreakers facing up to two years in jail.

Some public services and businesses such as supermarkets and pharmacies are allowed to stay

open, but casinos—which in normal times account for around 80 percent

of government revenue—need to keep their doors closed. AFP

Are business organizations ready for another pandemic?

SOME economists have forecast that the Philippine economy will improve by the end of this year. No less than former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua believes the economy will return to its pre-pandemic state before 2022 ends, according to a statement his office released earlier this year.

A month ago, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed full capacity for indoor gatherings and activities for fully vaccinated individuals. This latest directive of the agency indicates that we are gradually winning the war against COVID-19. However, just when everybody started havManila ing a sense of normalcy, and most Standard TODAYbegan operating establishments normally after more than two years into the pandemic, COVID-19 cases have risen again.

The Department of Health and OCTA Research have confirmed that new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila increased a month ago.

(MS-(JULY 18 & 19, 2022) On top of this, health authorities are continuously monitoring the different entry ports of the country in case a new virus, like the monkeypox, reaches our borders.

As a proactive response, employers are again encouraged to implement their work-from-home arrangements to help contain the spread of the virus.

Are business organizations in the Philippines prepared to face another wave of crisis?

To mitigate the debilitating effects of another crisis from disrupting business operations, most business leaders have started to think of ways to future-proof their businesses. Management and organization scholars have dedicated considerable time and effort to understand how organizations can avoid operational paralysis and become resilient enough to survive another crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resilient Organizations, a consulting and research group specializing in organizational risk and resilience, has identified three interdependent attributes and thirteen indicators that affect an organization’s response and recovery practices. More about that can be viewed on their website. In line with this, a study I conducted last year about organizational resilience, or how organizations bounce back after experiencing a crisis, confirmed that the three interdependent attributes of leadership and culture, networks and relations, and change readiness affect an organization’s response time during an emergency.

Practices that increase organizational resilience Out of the thirteen resilience indicators, organizations said that breaking silos, planning strategies, leadership, staff engagement and effective partnerships helped them during the implementation of stricter measures last year.

Practices that pertain to breaking silos include clear and continuous communication plans, seamless coordination across all levels and (MS-(JULY 18 & 19, 2022)

CHOLO E. JAVIER

Green Light

teamwork. For planning, having enough cash on hand helped one organization implement its contingency plans. For leadership, they identified that having top-driven clear directions and responsive leaders kept them afloat during the pandemic. Being open to employees’ ideas and having new techniques in managing people were the practices mentioned for staff engagement. At the same time, active collaboration and adjusting to stakeholder needs were considered essential practices in creating effective partnerships.

Measuring Organizational Resilience Several tools and instruments are available to measure organizational resilience. The Benchmark Resilience Tool, Resilient Organizations, and The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs are among those available online. The Benchmark Resilience Tool has three versions: BRT53, a survey composed of 53 questions, BRT13A, and BRT13-B. The last two are shortened versions of the BRT-53, composed of 13 questions representing one question per indicator.

Resilient Organizations is a social enterprise based in New Zealand. It helps different organizations become future-ready by developing or improving resiliency among organizations. Its organizational resilience tool is available upon request on its website.

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs developed an Organizational Resilience Health Check tool that uses the thirteen leading indicators grouped into three organizational resilience factors: leadership and culture, networks and partnerships and change readiness.

The tools can help business leaders and risk managers gauge where they are in terms of overall organizational resilience. No matter how much organizations prepare, crises will affect their operations. Only resilient organizations will survive them. The ultimate test of resilience is measured during a crisis.

Prepare now before another crisis hits your organization.

Cholo E. Javier is the Associate Dean of the Milleret School of Business and Management for Women at Assumption College San Lorenzo. He is also a Doctor of Business Administration student at the Department of Management and Organization of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. His research interests include organizational resilience, organizational development, and human resource development. He can be reached at cholo_javier@dlsu.edu.ph The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

(MS-(JULY 18 & 19, 2022)

(MS-(JUL

Manila

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TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING DEAR STOCKHOLDERS:

(MS-(JULY 18 & 19, 2022)

Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Dumaguete Doctors Inc. will be held on August 11, 2022 (Thursday) at 8:00 o’clock in the morning, via Zoom Webinar, to ensure the safety of our stockholders who will be attending the meeting.

For the conduct of the Webinar, please register on or before August 10, 2022, through the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/ webinar/register/WN_DdvF6JiRShGsRVkbK9nIRQ. The link will provide you the process for the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting. Voting will be done via the online tool which you can access once you have logged in to the Webinar.

The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference.

The Agenda: I. Call to Order II. Invocation III. Determination of Quorum IV. Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board V. Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting VI. Approval of the Y2021 Audited Financial Statement VII. President’s Report VIII. Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation IX. Election of the Board of Directors 2022-2023 X. Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2022 XI. Approval of amendment of Article 3 of Articles of Incorporation, change of principal office address XII. Other Matters XIII. Adjournment Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 22, 2022 (Friday) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at office staff at acedumaguetedoctors@yahoo.com.ph not later than August 10,2022 on or before 5:00 PM but preferably by August 8, 2022, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. A sample proxy form is posted at the Corporation’s website for your reference.

[NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies.]

The Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are available at the Corporation’s website at www. acedumaguetedoctors.com You may contact the undersigned via email office staff at acedumaguetedoctors@yahoo.com.ph or at telephone number: (035) 523 5957 if you have inquiries/concerns regarding the meeting.

Very Truly Yours,

Marietta T. Samoy Corporate Secretary (MS-(JULY 18 & 19, 2022)

(MS-(JULY 18 & 19, 2022)

(MS-JULY 18 & 19, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

A8

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

IN BRIEF Cebu Pacific, Air Asia resume foreign flights CEBU Pacific and AirAsia Philippines announced the resumption of their international flights amid rising travel demand.

The Gokongwei-led airline said direct flight from Cebu to Singapore started on July 15, boosting its international operations from Cebu. This is the second international destination the airline has resumed this month.

“We are excited to bring this route back to allow more passengers from Cebu and the rest of our network, especially those in the Visayas and Mindanao regions to fly internationally without passing through Manila. This route resumption is part of our continuous efforts to restore our pre-pandemic systemwide capacity,” said Cebu Pacific chief commercial officer Xander Lao. AirAsia Philippines, meanwhile, resumed flights to Bangkok, Thailand; and Bali, Indonesia on July 17—both key markets for the brand internationally.

Darwin G. Amojelar

PNOC sells banked gas to San Miguel unit STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co (PNOC) sold its remaining uncontracted banked gas to South Premiere Power Corp., a unit of San Miguel Corp.

PNOC said the banked gas will supply fuel to the 1,200-megawatts Ilijan power plant in Batangas until the total contract quantity is delivered on or before February 23, 2024.

“However, delivery has not commenced, as the SC38 Consortium and its operator, Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), have yet to heed the series of directives by the Department of Energy (DOE), requiring them to immediately resume the supply and maintain the allocation of natural gas minimum daily contract quantity of banked gas to the Ilijan power plant pursuant to the GSPA,” said PNOC. Spex, which owns a 45-percent interest in the Malampaya consortium, has not issued a statement on why it did not respond on the directives of the DOE. Alena Mae S. Flores

RCBC and Sun Life extend partnership THE Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc. are optimistic of a sustained business growth ahead after the two firms extended their bancassurance partnership for another 10 years.

Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc. is a joint-venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life).

RCBC president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo said the partnership had both direct and indirect impact on the bank.

“Bancassurance makes bank people better sales people... Our sales people who do well in bancassurance also do well in other bank products... So it gives us a lift...,” said Acevedo.

“We are seeing bancassurance earnings quadruple as we near our ten-year journey. Our number of customers also grew significantly...,” Acevedo said.

Richard Lim, president of Sun Life Grepa, said renewing and strengthening the successful bancassurance partnership with RCBC was an affirmation of a sustainable joint venture and an expression of commitment and service to the Filipinos. Julito G. Rada

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, July 15, 2022

-52.87 PTS. 6,195.26

ETRO Pacific Tollways Corp. said over the weekend it will revive unsolicited proposals to the Department of Public Works and Highways to build four new expressways in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

MPCT chief financial officer Christopher Lizo said the company would reengage with the new secretary of the DPWH on the proposed P22.4-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway, P71.9-billion C-5 Expressway, P92-billion NLEX -Cavitex Port Expressway Link and the P16-billion Harbor Link Port Access Mobility Facility.

“We just need to revive those proposals with the new secretary,” Lizo said, referring to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who used to head SMC Tollways.

Lizo said MPTC wanted to pursue and implement immediately the construction of CTBEx because of the heavy traffic in Tagaytay.

The Public Works Department granted the original proponent status to MPTC for the construction of CTBEX in 2018. CTBEX is a 50.4-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

CTBEX is expected to decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from the nearby thoroughfares.

The project will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.

MPTC also proposed to construct NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Link―a 15-kilometer, six-lane expressway with elevated and tunnel portions, from NLEX Segment 10 to Cavitex. This is expected to provide an ideal truck route to and from Manila Port Area.

The company also submitted an unsolicited proposal to build the C-5 Expressway―a 20 kilometer, six-lane elevated expressway from the end of NLEX Segment 8.2 in Quezon City to Cavitex C-5 South Link in Taguig City.

It will complete the missing segment of the C-5 Circumferential Expressway alignment, a crucial component of the Metro Manila Urban Expressway Network.

MPTC is now building the P23billion NLEX Connector Road, which is expected to provide 35,000 motorists better access to Manila ports and airports such as NAIA and Clark.

This will also enable faster transport of goods and services between Metro Manila and Luzon provinces.

AHUNAN Power Inc., a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., offered to supply retailer Manila Electric Co. with 500 megawatts from a pumped storage hydropower project.

Meralco’s third-party bids and awards committee granted the original proponent status to Ahunan on June 29.

“Meralco continues to be guided by the DOE’s [Department of Energy] CSP [competitive selection process] rules and its mandate under the EPIRA [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] to provide least-cost supply through this competitive bidding and all other CSP

CEBUANA BANK.

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank opens its first branch in the Visayas region, setting another expansion milestone pioneering Cebu City. The move is in line with the bank’s mission of providing financial inclusion to every Filipino, especially to clients from the countryside. Attending the inauguration ceremony are (from left) Cebuana Lhuillier Bank president Dennis Valdes, Edna Lhuillier, PJ Lhuillier Inc. chairman and founder Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Camille Lhuillier-Albani, Andrea Albani and Cebuana Lhuillier Bank vice president Jimmy Ang.

DECLINES UNCHANGED

124 44

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

56.2420

Japan

Yen

0.007195

0.4047

UK

Pound

1.182900

66.5287

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127392

7.1648

Switzerland

Franc

1.016880

57.1914

Canada

Dollar

0.762195

42.8674

Singapore

Dollar

0.712657

40.0813

Australia

Dollar

0.674400

37.9296

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653153

149.2186

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266397

14.9827

Brunei

Dollar

0.710126

39.9389

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.027360

1.5388

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.3135

Euro

Euro

1.002000

56.3545

Korea

Won

0.000760

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.147971

8.3222

India

Rupee

0.012517

0.7040

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.225124

12.6614

New Zealand

Dollar

0.612300

34.4370

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033395

1.8782 Source: BSP

TMP relaunches Toyota Lite Ace trucks and vans

By Othel V. Campos TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. relaunched the Toyota Lite Ace as a light commercial vehicle fit for family and business use.

TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto said the return of the vehicle to the market was in response to long-time request of customers for a light commercial vehicle.

“We are confident that the All-New Lite Ace is a game-changer, not just in uplifting the auto industry, but more importantly in improving the way homegrown businesses move people and goods,” Okamoto said the launch Friday.

He said the car firm was upbeat its 72-strong dealership network nationwide would support the return of the All-New Lite Ace to more businesses in various industries across the country, especially in regions where efficient transportation is critical to the timely delivery of goods and services.

TMP said it supports the new category by providing its signature quality, durability and reliability that translates into minimal downtimes for the vehicle, ensuring business continuity and avoiding time and financial losses or extra expenditures for repairs.

“With this, we are assuring that the All-New Lite Ace is an easy-toacquire vehicle, giving MSMEs ease when purchasing,” TMP said.

Toyota Financial Services Philippines is offering the All-New Lite Ace under unique financing packages that allow customers to acquire units under a weekly payment scheme with rates that go as low as P2,903.50 per month.

The All-New Lite Ace comes in two variants—a pickup truck with an open bed for fast and flexible loading and a panel van with sliding enclosure for a more secure cargo transport.

Both vehicles have heavy-duty and wide capacity for any heavy-load transportation needs.

The panel van is ideal for businesses like e-commerce parcel transportation, while the dropside pickup can be utilized for agricultural and industrial needs.

The Pickup Lite Ace retails at P570,000, while the Panel Van Lite Ace has a retail price of P655,000.

Both vans are available in white color.

Prime Infra unit obtains original proponent status on Meralco supply exercises,” said Meralco vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez when asked for comment.

Ahunan’s offer is subject to competitive challenge under the DOE rules, with Ahunan having the right to match any comparative proposals.

“We are pleased to continue putting forward innovative solutions to Meralco and consequently having been granted the original proponent status to Ahunan. We look forward to the opportunity of further providing renewable energy sources that are reliable and sustainable,” said Razon, chairman of Prime Infra in a statement.

Ahunan nominated two pumped hydro plants, either of which can sup-

62,119 5,641,383,244.59 70

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022

PASAY RECLAMATION. The city government of Pasay welcomes the approval of the P57-billion syndicated loan agreement to fund the 265-hectare Harbor City Reclamation Project. The joint-venture project of Pasay City and Pasay City Harbor City Corp. is part of the Pasay Eco City Grand Vision to build a sustainable, eco-friendly and world-class metropolis. The city government recognizes the PHCC leadership through chairman Carlos Gonzalez, president Manuel Gonzalez, lawyer Roan Libarios of Libra Law and lawyer Santiago Gabionza of VGD Law for forging the partnership.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

784,991,848

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

F oreign E xchange R ate

MPTC reviving proposals on four new expressways M

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TOTAL VOLUME

ply the needed 500 MW, to ensure the timely supply to Meralco.

The first in Laguna is undergoing pre-development, while the second is a pumped hydro plant in Wawa, Rizal under pre-development by Olympia Violago Water & Power Inc. Ahunan signed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in OVWPI. “This project is a testament to our goal of integrating ESG in the critical infrastructure assets that we deliver.

Prime Infra will continue to pioneer energy and other infrastructure projects that are environmentally resilient and socially relevant,” said Prime Infra president and chief executive Guillaume Lucci.

ORCA Cold Chain plans to build 5 new facilities to double capacity

By Jenniffer B. Austria ORCA Cold Chain Solutions Inc., a cold storage company led by businessman Michael Cosiquien that plans to go public this year, said over the weekend it will build five new facilities to double its capacity by 2027.

The company said it would establish the plants in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Tarlac, Pangasinan and Davao as part of the plan to increase capacity to 69,292 pallets (69.2 million kilograms) from 34,342 pallets (34.3 million kg).

“This expansion should allow ORCA to broaden its logistics footprint, capture more market share and increase both

topline and profitability,” ORCA said.

The company has two operating plants in Taguig and Caloocan.

ORCA said the planned facility in Cagayan de Oro would have a capacity of over 8,450 pallets and would be operational by 2023. The Cebu facility with 10,000 pallets will commence operations in 2024.

The company plans to partially fund the construction of the two new facilities using proceeds from the planned P1.5billion initial public offering.

It said the Tarlac, Pangasinan and Davao facilities would have a capacity of 5,500 pallets each and would start operations by 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Economist expects remittances to sustain growth as more countries that host OFWs recover from crisis

By Julito G. Rada REMITTANCES are expected to improve in the coming months as global economies continue to recover from the health crisis, an economist said over the weekend.

“OFW remittances could improve further in the coming months that support the country’s economic recovery prospects from COVID-19, as the global

economic recovery would still improve further as more countries, especially those that host large numbers of OFWs around the world would reach population protection/herd immunity in the coming months, fundamentally entailing the creation of more job/employment opportunities for OFWs,” said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort in a report.

“The continued year-on-year growth

in OFW remittances has been somewhat defying the pandemic, as some OFWs are economic and medical frontliners as well as essential workers in various host countries worldwide, especially those with aging populations, thereby a sign of resilience/bright spot/greenshoots,” he said.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday showed that cash remittances in May increased 1.8 percent to

$2.43 billion from $2.38 billion a year ago. This brought cash remittances in the first five months to $12.59 billion, up by 2.5 percent from $12.28 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, reached $2.70 billion in May, or 2 percent higher than $2.65 billion posted in the same month last year.

This resulted in the 2.5-percent increase in personal remittances to $14.02 billion

in the first five months from $13.68 billion a year earlier.

Ricafort said the Philippines was the fourth biggest destination of remittances in the world, next to India, China and Mexico. He said the Philippines is also among the biggest suppliers of nurses accounting for at least 20 percent globally and the biggest supplier of seafarers representing about 20 percent to 25 percent of the total.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

B1

Tour de France leader loses ally

Meralco’s Aaron Black defies the defense of SMB’s Paul Zamar in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Bolts, 89-86.

Bolts halt Beermen’s 6-game win run, nail quarterfinal seat

By Peter Atencio

A

LLEIN Maliksi shot 18 points, including 10 in the fourth period as he led the Meralco Bolts to an 89-86 triumph over the San Miguel Beermen and to a quarterfinal seat on Sunday night in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 34-year-old Maliksi forced an 82-all tie and moved the Bolts out of trouble with the last of the four triples he scored to hand Meralco the upperhand in the final 1:21.

With the Bolts holding onto an 85-83

HD Spikers brace for test against Smashers THREE wins and counting, Cignal HD heads to its next outing with the same mindset that has carried it to the top of the heap in the early going of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.

“We don’t consider our team strong,” said coach Shaq delos Santos, whose enviable blend of stars has produced a mix of results – a four-set win over Army, a five-set escape over Choco Mucho and a sweep of Chery Tiggo to set the pace in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

“What we wanted is to stay focused, give our best effort,” he added. “Producing good results does not necessarily mean we’re strong. We just hope to get better.

It’s a process and we’re staying humble, simple.”

They must also need to get stronger – and a lot tougher – as they set out against the most feared team in the fold in what could be their biggest test – a much awaited duel with Creamline on Thursday.

The 5:30 p.m. tussle at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna promises nothing but a dogfight, a test of will and character with the Cool Smashers likewise looking good and ready for another title run following back-to-back wins over Petro Gazz and PLDT. “It will be an exciting match but we’ll be the underdogs,” said delos Santos of their upcoming clash with the Open Conference champions.

“They’re an established team with a powerhouse cast.”

edge, they got a chance to move comfortably ahead following a bungled layup by Vic Manuel in the 1:12 mark.

Aaron Black then shot the game’s final trey for the Bolts in the last 50 seconds, allowing them to enjoy a five-

point edge, 88-83.

Black’s triple came following Maliksi’s rebound off Manuel’s missed attempt.

Assistant coach Luigi Trillo praised Maliksi for his all-around game.

“He played both ends of the court. He had 44 minutes in the last game. This guy leads by example, and not only in offense. In defense, he brought it down,” said Trillo.

Now in fourth place with their 6-4 win-loss record, the Bolts have bounced back from an 88-97 overtime loss to Magnolia last Friday.

The Bolts, with Chris Newsome and Black making 15 points, are looking to

IRONMAN 70.3 girds for grand Cebu return THE IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines is all primed for a big bounce back after a long hiatus, drawing a merry mix of bidders from all over while providing a new racing experience for close to 2,000 triathletes when it is held Aug. 7 in Mactan, Cebu.

While the upcoming test of power, speed and endurance may not draw the usual numbers that marked each IRONMAN 70.3 staging in pre-pandemic times, organizers have guaranteed an event like no other in a virtual re-start to what had been an enduring triathlon series.

“We have overcome so many challenges to make this race possible and I think by being at the starting line for all of us – from participants, sponsors,

government, it’s a start,” said Princess Galura, general manager of the organizing IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. The grueling 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run event will fire off and end at the Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, which has hosted a number of 70.3 races, the last in 2019 ruled by Aussie Tim Reed, also the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 world champion, with Swiss Caroline Steffen topping the distaff side.

“We are delighted to return to Cebu with a new venue at Mactan Newtown and refreshed course that takes athletes over the CCLEX Bridge,” said IRONMAN Asia managing director Jeff Edwards, referring to the country’s newest longest bridge (the Cebu-Cordova Link

Expressway). “We know all athletes are going to be in for an incredible event experience both on and off the course.”

The 8.9 km toll bridge freeway in Metro Cebu linking the city and Cordova will serve as the bike course while the new race central at Megaworld will host the swim leg and transition as well as the finish line, guaranteeing a new racing experience not just for the triathletes but for the Cebuanos and local and foreign tourists as well.

“It’s a bit hard bringing the IM 70.3 back to Cebu but with everybody’s cooperation and support, we are just as thrilled and confident that we’ll be able to match, if not surpass the success of the recent Sun Life 5150 in Bohol,” added Galura.

Son-daughter-father team tops BMX freestyle nationals

Games tomorrow (Tuesday) 2:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Army 5:30 p.m. – PLDT vs Petro Gazz

win their last elimination game against Terrafirma Dyip on Thursday.

This will give the Bolts their best place at the end of the elims and put them in a better quarterfinal spot.

The loss, however, had no effect on SMB, which already clinched a twice-to-beat advantage over the no.

8 team in the quarterfinals with its last victory against Terrafirma Dyip on Thursday. The Beermen, whose six-game winning run was snapped, now tote a 9-2 card.

SMB was led by JuneMar Fajardo with 21 points and Marcio Lassiter, who had 12 points.

RODEZ, France—Tour de France leader Jonas Vingegaard took a body blow as his co-captain Primoz Roglic pulled out of the 21-day bike race ahead of Sunday’s stage 15 run to Carcassonne.

Vingegaard is locked in a desperate struggle with defending champion Tadej Pogacar after wrestling the lead from him in spectacular manner in the Alps.

Roglic was injured in a fall on the cobbles of the northern French mining roads on stage five, but was fundamental in causing Pogacar’s meltdown on the Col du Granon on the second of three Alpine stages this week.

Vingegaard and Roglic started the Tour as co-captains of JumboVisma, but the older of the two now trails by over 30 minutes.

On Saturday’s stage Roglic actually joked that he was now preparing for the Vuelta a Espana, of which he is three-time defending champion.

But Sunday’s announcement not only comes as a surprise, it also weakens Vingegaard, who leads Pogacar by 2min 22sec thanks to the collective efforts of his team.

Roglic said he was leaving to “allow my injuries to heal properly.”

“We have decided that I won’t start today,” Roglic said on the Jumbo-Visma team Twitter account.

“I’m proud of my contribution to the current standings and I trust that the team will realize our yellow and green ambitions.”

The move will also give him ten days extra to prepare for the Vuelta.

Former ski-jumper Roglic, 32, has been suffering from shoulder and lower back problems.

- ‘Work together’ Roglic and Vingegaard both came second to arch-rival Pogacar in 2020 and 2021 respectively, but said ahead of this Tour the UAE Team Emirates’ 23-year-old Slovenian can be beaten by their united front.

“As long as we work together, doing as good as possible together, we believe that we can beat him,” Roglic said two days before the 109th edition started with three stages in Denmark.

Vingegaard, 25, a modest former fish-factory worker, said he and Roglic enjoyed going for a beer together and the pair had been working well together.

The Slovenian had gradually built up a 39sec lead on Vingegaard over the first week, even when he lost two teammates to Covid-19 he seemed untouchable.

Until that is Roglic launched a series of savage attacks on Pogacar on the Col du Granon, and against all hope, the double-defending champion went into meltdown in the sizzling heat, leaving Vingegaard in full control. AFP

The Marianos--father Armand (right), son Guetler (left) and daughter Asianity

A FAMILY of park riders—father Armand, son Guetler and daughter Asianity Mariano—hogged the spotlight in Sunday’s PhilCycling National Championships for BMX Freestyle that started with a heated competition at mid-morning but wound up wet and cold—no thanks to a heavy early afternoon rain.

The son, 18-year-old Guetler, upstaged the father, 43-year-old Armand, but they wound up 1-2 in the men’s competition of the championships that featured tricks with varied degrees of difficulties with the BMX bikes.

Guetler Mariano collected 99.18 points for the gold and Armand got 96.10 points for the silver medal.

Paulo Diaz Jr. settled for the bronze with 95.18 points in the competitions supported by Tagaytay City, now led by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PhilCycling President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, POC and the Eighth District and Province of Cavite.

The daughter, Asianity, 19, also made their native Navotas proud by ruling the women’s contest with 94.80 points, winning by a mile over Rhea Marie Aldamar (77.40).

Georich Cardino and Angelina de Guzman, meanwhile, topped the flatland competitions, also by virture of

the qualification round results.

Cardino, who flew all the way from Tagbilaran City along with five of his teammates, scored 66.005 points to bag flatland’s men’s gold medal, beating Deodes Tan (63.40) and Dwyne Lopena (62.75), who completed the podium.

De Guzman, competing out of Tanay, scored 51.30 points to win gold by two-tenths point over Kristal Jane Hernandez. Sarah Melissa Diaz bagged bronze with 49.05 points.

PhilCycling freestyle coach Renz Viaje said heavy rain forced the cancelation of the finals that were set for 2 p.m. at the Tagaytay City Skate and BMX Park, which were built for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

Officials went to the qualifications results to determine the winners in the first national championships for BMX’s freestyle and racing that were ruled on Saturday by former Asian junior champion and Olympic Solidarity scholar Patrick Coo (Under 23) and cross-downhill champion John Derick Farr (Elite).

“Too bad the rain fell, but these championships will kickstart BMX competitions, an Olympic event,” Tolentino said. “We envision BMX [racing and freestyle] as a sport where Filipinos could potentially excel in.”

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Sports

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

McIlroy, Hovland share 4-shot lead going into British Open final round S

T. ANDREWS—Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland share the lead going into the final round of the 150th British Open on Sunday with St Andrews poised for a shoot-out between the two to decide who takes the Claret Jug. The duo sit level on 16 under par and are four clear of their nearest challengers, Cameron Young of the United States and Cameron Smith of Australia, who had led at the halfway stage.

McIlroy and Hovland, of Norway, will go out in the final pairing on Sunday at 2:50pm (1350 GMT), with Smith and Young teeing off together 10 minutes earlier, by which time forecast morning showers are expected to have cleared.

The loudest support around the Old Course is likely to be for McIlroy, who was the favourite coming into the week

and has so far lived up to the hype with rounds of 66, 68 and 66.

That is identical to his first three rounds at Hoylake in 2014, when he won his only British Open to date.

McIlroy followed that victory by winning the PGA Championship a few weeks later but he has not added to his tally of four major titles since then, famously missing the chance to defend his title in the last Open at St Andrews in 2015 after injuring an ankle playing football.

Yet his recent form suggested he has

been building up to this, as the 33-yearold came second at the Masters in April, tied fifth at the US Open and won the Canadian Open in between.

“I’m playing a golf tournament and I’ve got myself in a great position after three days. I’ve finished off enough golf tournaments in my time to feel like I know what to do tomorrow,” he said on Saturday.

“I’m not going to take anything for granted. Nothing’s given to you and I have to go out there and earn it just like I’ve earned everything else in my career.”

McIlroy and Hovland fed off each other as they played together on Saturday, both shooting rounds of 66.

The highlight of McIlroy’s day was a sensational chip-in from a bunker for an eagle two at the 10th, while he also had

five birdies with the one blemish on his card a bogey at the 17th.

- ‘I’m the underdog’ Hovland’s own round featured six birdies and not a single dropped shot.

“Obviously I’m probably the underdog, but I don’t mind that at all and hopefully we can push each other again,” said Hovland, who could become the first Norwegian ever to win a major.

“I don’t think there’s any other place that would top it. To win a major that’s closest to home, that would be really cool.”

Whatever happens on Sunday, the 24-year-old world number nine seems certain to claim his best ever finish in a major, better than his 12th place in last year’s Open.

Japan’s world athletics’ team rocked by virus outbreak EUGENE—Seven members of Japan’s team at the World Athletics Championships, including two marathon runners, have tested positive for Covid-19, organizers said Saturday.

A joint statement from World Athletics, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and local organisers said the outbreak had hit endurance athletes and staff at the championships in Oregon.

Two marathon runners, four support staff and the head coach of the team had returned positive tests.

The identities of the individuals involved were not disclosed.

The statement said the seven individuals had already been isolated and will remain in isolation for five days.

“Steps are being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 both within the Japanese delegation as well as amongst all the teams present for the Championships,” the statement said.

“All athletes have been fully vaccinated as a requirement for participation in these Championships.”

As a precaution, all remaining members of the Japanese delegation would be required not to share common spaces with other delegations.

It said Japanese team members would “as much as possible, be housed independently to prevent the spread of contamination within the Japanese delegation.”

The outbreak comes amid a surge of infections across the United States as new variants of Covid-19 take hold.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week that 21 of Oregon’s 36 counties were now deemed to be at “high” risk of the virus.

Earlier Saturday, British athlete Morgan Lake announced she had been forced to withdraw from the World Championships after testing positive for Covid-19.

Lake said she had spent five days in isolation without showing any symptoms but was still testing positive for the virus.

“There’s bad timing and there’s being exposed to Covid on the week of world champs,” Lake wrote on Twitter. AFP

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy watches his drive from the 13th tee during his third round on day 3 of The 150th British Open Golf Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. AFP

Kerley wins world 100m gold in US cleansweep EUGENE­—American Fred Kerley led a US cleansweep as he stormed to victory in the men’s 100m at the World Championships in Oregon on Saturday.

Kerley, in lane four, trailed Marvin Bracy for 95 metres of the tight race, but managed to outdip his teammate for victory in 9.86 seconds at Eugene’s Hayward Field.

Bracy took silver in 9.88sec, Trayvon Bromell claiming bronze in the same time for a third-ever 100m world championship cleansweep for the United States after 1983 and 1991.

The fourth of the strong US quartet, Christian Coleman, the reigning world champion from Doha in 2019 who was banned from the Tokyo Olympics for missing three doping tests, finished sixth (10.01) despite an electric start.

“We said we were going to do it and we did! USA, baby!” Olympic silver medallist Kerley said to roars of approval and applause from a partisan home crowd.

“I didn’t know until I looked up and saw the clock with my name ‘Fred Kerley’ on it,” added Kerley, whose path to gold was made easier by the withdrawal of Italy’s Olympic champion Marcell

Jacobs earlier Saturday.

“It means a lot and I’ve done something not many 400m runners have done,” Kerley said, adding: “I know today opened up many doors for me. The future is bright for me.”

The last US cleansweep featured Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell and Dennis Mitchell, something not lost on the modest Kerley or silver medallist Bracy.

“It’s amazing to be among the great, they did it in 1991, we did in 2022,” Bracy said.

“This is history, to be part of something that has only happened three times ever just means the world to me.”

Bracy meanwhile paid tribute to Kerley’s remarkable versatility. The 27-yearold started his career as a 400m specialist before switching down to the shorter 100m.

“The guy’s special, he’s a rare talent to be able to do all three events, his range is limitless. He might do 800m next year, we don’t know!

“He’s a special cat, amongst an elite group of people like the (Usain) Bolts the Wayde van Niekerks.”

Kerley has now set his sights on the 200m starting Monday, and is also not ruling out runs in the 4x100m and

Dhon Reverente delivers for GenSan.

Lleyton Hewitt

Hewitt inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame NEWPORT—Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, a ceremony delayed from 2021 by Covid-19.

Hewitt won the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon titles among 30 career ATP triumphs and helped Australia capture the Davis Cup in 1999 and 2003.

The 41-year-old from Adelaide was unable to travel to the Hall of Fame last year from Australia so his induction was postponed for a year and staged after Saturday’s ATP Hall of Fame Open semi-finals.

“I think I needed that extra year to come up with some proper words,” Hewitt said. “This is an incredible honor for me. It has made it all the more special to be able to have my family and friends here.”

The ceremony was staged on the court where Hewitt won his first ATP grass court match as a teen in 1998.

Hewitt was a year-end world number one in 2001 and 2002 and his intense emotion combined with speed and skilled shotmaking made him a threat on any surface, great shots usually followed by the scream, “Come on.”

Hewitt finished with a career record of 616-262 in ATP singles play.

The Aussie icon won his first ATP title in Adelaide in 1998 and his last in 2014 at the Hall of Fame Open, defeating Ivo Karlovic. AFP

USA’s Fred Kerley (center) crosses the finish line ahead of compatriots Trayvon Bromell (left) and Marvin Bracy to win the men’s 100m final during the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. AFP

4x400m relays. form Kerley, who set out his stall with “If the coach allows me!” Kerley a heat-winning 9.79sec on Friday, as all told reporters. the sprinters got off to a good start.

Bracy and Coleman looked like they might deprive Kerley of a gold many Late-charging Kerley It was far from plain sailing for the in- had predicted he would win. AFP

GenSan, Muntinlupa continue recovery in OKbet-MPBL GENSAN and Muntinlupa continued their recovery in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme with victories on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.

The GenSan Warriors beat the Pasig Realtors, 6151, in the second game, while the Muntinlupa Cagers bested the Marikina Shoemasters, 69-64, in the nightcap of the triple-header.

As expected, the Batangas City Embassy Chill overpowered Makati MNL Kingpins, 93-59, in the opener and vaulted to 8-0 in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 22-team tournament.

Mark Cruz and Nikko Panganiban led the offense while Dhon Reverente took care of the boards as GenSan, which is being supported by title sponsor OKbet, posted its third straight win and improved to 4-4.

Cruz tallied 19 points, 3 rebounds and 4 steals while Panganiban contributed 13 points. Reverente hauled down 24 rebounds, 16 on the defensive end, and added 10 points for the Warriors, who hardly missed the services of homegrown actor Gerald Anderson.

Pasig, which absorbed its 3rd loss in seven starts, got 12 points from Jun Manzo, 11 points and 12 rebounds from Marc Tamayo and 11 points and 8 rebounds from Alvin Baetiong.

Banking on John Cantimbuhan Jr. and Domark Matillano, Muntinlupa foiled Marikina’s final assault to make it back-to-back after dropping its first game.

Cantimbuhan wound up with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Matillano posted 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals for Muntinlupa.

Marikina, also backed by OKbet, absorbed its seventh straight defeat after winning its first game.

Buenaventura Raflores posted 19 points, only 2 coming in the second half, 8 rebounds and 3 steals for Marikina, which got 13 points from Ryan Isaac Sual, 12 from Antonio Joson and 10 from Top Gun Yves Sazon.

Playing against Makati, their former team which dumped them, Cedric Ablaza, Jeckster Apinan, Rudy Lingganay and Jhong Baloria showed no compassion and pulled down the MNL Kingpins to 1-9.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

B3

After sensational trial, Johnny Depp releases an album FRESH off his highly publicized, controversial defamation suit, actor Johnny Depp sought to show his creative career was back on track Friday, releasing an album with English rocker Jeff Beck.

The 13-track album “18” on which Depp sings and plays guitar features mainly covers, and so far it has been critically panned.

It’s a record unlikely to figure prominently in the repertoire of Beck, the 78-year-old former member of The Yardbirds.

The album includes renditions of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and John Lennon’s “Isolation,” as well as the Velvet Underground classic “Venus In Furs.”

The choice to include a song focused on sado-masochism might seem bizarre to some, given the ultra-mediatized trial centered on alleged domestic abuse between Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard, the actor best known for her role in

“Aquaman.”

The album also includes two songs the 59-year-old “Pirates of the Caribbean” star penned himself: “This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr,” and “Sad Motherfuckin’ Parade.”

“Erased by the same world that made her a star / Spun out of beauty, trapped by its web,” Depp sings of Lamarr, who secluded herself in the final years of her life.

Depp and Beck met in 2016, bonding “over cars and guitars” before the latter said he began to appreciate “Depp’s serious songwriting skills and ear for music.”

They began working on this LP in 2019.

It’s far from Depp’s first foray into music: the actor for more than a decade has recorded and toured with the Hollywood Vampires, a supergroup he started with Alice Cooper and Joe Perry.

Beck is currently on tour in Europe with Depp as a special guest.

This spring Depp won $15 million in the defamation suit against Heard, who was awarded $2 million.

The jury found that Heard, 36, defamed Depp in describing herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” in a 2018 op-ed published in The Washington Post, although she did not identify the actor by name. Depp held he suffered reputational damage following its publication.

Heard received $2 million in damages because the jury found that one of Depp’s lawyers had defamed her.

The six-week trial gained widespread attention not least because it was televised and livestreamed, with clips making their way to social media as Heard became a target of online vitriol and mockery.

In its aftermath Depp is embarking on a return to acting, set to star in the forthcoming French movie “La Favorite.”

He will play King Louis XV, with filming locations including Versailles. AFP

Ready for the big league Kyle Echarri goes solo in coming-of-age summer series

Chie (left) plays a character who attempts to win over Kyle in ‘Beach Bros’

Creative writer (from left) Nathan Arciaga, Angelica Lao, Chie Filomeno, Kyle Echarri, Kira Balinger, Brent Manalo, and Direk Victor Villanueva

K

YLE Echarri is on a quest to transform his image and with the approval of director Victor Villanueva who said that the teen star “does his homework really well,” he may succeed in doing just that.

In iWanTFC original series Beach Bros, which premiered on July 16, the 19-yearold actor proved that he’s ready for the big league.

“I’m ready but whatever the management thinks is fitting for me, I will do. I’m ready for mature roles, not just showing my body but I’m looking to show my versatility as an actor,” Kyle told Manila Standard Entertainment during the series’ grand media conference held at the Dolphy Theater.

“I’m thankful to Dreamscape for trusting me with this lead role. It’s a very big career path change which I must admit, I initially got scared to accept but I’m happy and so grateful for this,” he added mentioning Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal as instrumental for his transition into becoming a solo and mature actor.

Alluding to Beach Bros director, Kyle stated that he’s never content with his

performance, which he carefully explained as being in a constant process of learning new things.

“I never want to say that I have perfected the role. Of course, I’d like to continue giving my best. With this series, I’m happy with my role. Actually, everyone in the series — from the cast all the way down to the guests — napakasaya at sobrang nag-connect po kami, and that I think made the show extra special.”

In Beach Bros, Kyle reunites with Chie Filomeno who attempts to win him over in the story. The iWantTFC series also stars Angelica Lao, Kira Balinger, Brent Manalo, Raven Rigor, Sean Tristan, and Lance Carr.

Kyle and Chie, who spread ‘kilig’ as former housemates of PBB Kumunity celebrity edition, play each other’s love interest. Dave (Kyle) is the charming leader of a group of happy-go-lucky teenage boys known as the “Baler Boys” Billy, Jeremy, Jason, and Pete (Lance, Sean, Brent, and Raven).

The five boys are working hard as waiters and pool boys at a luxury resort in order to fulfill

‘Beach Bros’ tells the story of five boys working hard to live a comfortable life and moving to Manila

their dreams of living a comfortable life and moving to Manila.

Despite their easy-going attitude, they are also dealing with their own inner struggles. Dave is trying to convince his mother to allow him to go to Manila for college; Billy is having problems with his goal-oriented girlfriend Yasmine (Angelica); Jason is secretly in love with rich girl Erika (Kira); while Pete has suppressed feelings for his best friend.

The boys’ lives will change when they get entangled in the affairs of Nicole (Chie), an alluring, mysterious, and hot chick who will seemingly help them navigate through their teenage crises.

As Nicole gets closer to the boys, especially to Dave who seems to have fallen in love with her, they will soon find out that Nicole actually has a scheming hidden agenda.

The boys will find themselves going on a crazy adventure as a series of revelations, betrayals, and mishaps begin to unravel that will ultimately test their maturity, and most importantly, their friendship.

Kyle (left) and Chie spread ‘kilig’ as they play each other’s love interests

Taguig dance troupe wins virtual dance competition with number promoting peace

By Marron Joshua F. Mendoza TAGUIG City-based dance troupe Indayaw Dance Company won the grand prize at the first Dance 4 Peace Virtual Dance Competition organized by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) on Thursday, July 7, with a performance advocating for world peace.

Their number, inspired by recent global issues such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, features a young girl dreaming about being in conflict and inequality after watching news coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war and hoping for world peace and unity for future generations.

Apart from earning a trophy and a cash prize of P50,000, the Indayaw Dance Company will also sign a Memorandum

Of Understanding (MOU) with IPYG and become an official “peace messenger” for the group.

“Thank you for this opportunity po na may klaseng ganitong platform na pinapakita po ‘yung mga skills and talent po

Indayaw Dance Company is a Taguig-based dance troupe

ng mga kabataan na ayun po ang nagiging center po dapat ngayon,” the group said in their victory message.

The Indayaw Dance Company, whose name came from the words “index” and “sayaw,” is based at Signal Village National High School in Taguig. The group performs various types of dances from folk to modern to contemporary and festivals and has won several championship awards from regional and division dance competitions.

The Dance 4 Peace Virtual Dance Competition is a joint project organized by IPYG, the youth wing of the South Koreabased international non-governmental organization (NGO) Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and the Rotary Club of Manila Metro.

In this file photo taken on June 19, 2022 Johnny Depp performs on stage with Jeff Beck during the Helsinki Blues Festival in Helsinki. Depp is releasing an album with the English rocker Beck, the 78-yearold former member of The Yardbirds. AFP

Honoring golden icons of today

AN ICON, according to an online dictionary is “a person or thing widely admired, especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.”

In this respect, the chosen ones of the recently concluded first Asia’s Golden Icons Award 2022, the entertainment category most especially - Wilma Galvante (Most Influential Showbiz Personality of the Year), Senator Robin Padilla (Asia’s Most Iconic Showbiz Personality of the Year), Ara Mina (Asia’s Most Exceptional Actress of the Decade), Pia Guanio (Best Entertainment Anchor of the Year), popular celebrity sisters Toni Gonzaga (Most Influential and Inspiring Talk Show Host of the Year) and Alex Gonzaga (Asia’s Most Iconic Content Creator of the Year), plus Gladys Reyes (Most Iconic Actress and Inspiring TV Host of the Year), Mariel Rodriguez (Asia’s Most Empowered Actress and Vlogger of the Year), Ana Jalandoni (Most Empowered Celebrity of the Year), the mother and son tandem of Teresa Loyzaga (Most Admired Actress of Philippine Cinema) and Diego Loyzaga (Most Versatile Actor of the Millennium – all of them, fit the definition to the letter.

President of Asia’s Golden Icons Award Dr. Ronnel P. Ybañez, a multi-awarded businessman, who received prestigious awards like Empowered Man of Excellence in Real Estate Business in Viral Awards 2022 and Multi Awarded Real Estate Broker of the Year in the 5th Luminaire Awards last March explains that their our mission is to give recognition and appreciation to those outstanding individuals

and business entities that have a significant impact, achievements, and contributions to our society.

“We hope by identifying and naming them as golden icons, their expertise and legacies will not only be appreciated but will serve as inspiration to all. You know, we must not only read about icons, we must see them, hear about them, and learn from what they have achieved. Their successes did not happen overnight.

They materialized because of hard work, discipline, dedication, and love for what their respective professions became vocations for them,” Dr. Ybañez said.

“I didn’t expect it, nung nalaman ko po yun. Sabi ko wow, nung natanggap ko yung award. Parang ang dami kong natulungan hindi lang babae pati lalaki,” said actress and model Ana Jalandoni.

“I am grateful to the men and women behind the Asia’s Golden Icons Award for the recognition. I am relatively new in the acting field so this recognition gives me that you know, that drive to continue to do good in my new field, and be a fine example sa mga aspiring artist. My thanks to Director Perry and Doc. Rommel for making me an honoree,” Kirst Viray, who recently became part of Sparkle Artist Management, shared.

The awards night held at the grand ballroom of Okada Manila was star-studded. Dr.Ybanez was most grateful to the celebrities who graced the event.

Giving their stellar presence at the awards night were Teresa Loyzaga, the power couple Senator Robinhood Ferdinand Padilla and Marie Erlinda Lucille TermuloPadilla, who we all know as television host Mariel Rodriguez, Gladys Reyes, Ahron Villena, Ara Mina, and many more.

It cannot be denied that the first Asian Golden Icon Awards was a successful endeavor and a muchtalked-about shindig where “real influencers”, “market trendsetters” and icons whose lives and body of work are not only aspirational but inspirational as well.

Yes, the season of Asia’s Golden Icons is now.

Ana Jalandoni wins Most Empowered Celebrity of the Year

Kirst Viray is among those recognized in the Asia’s Golden Icons Award

KMJS is PH’s most followed news publisher on TikTok ‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’ is now the most followed Philippine news publisher onTikTok

AWARD-WINNING news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) sets another record as it becomes the most followed Philippine news publisher on TikTok. Hosted by GMA News pillar Jessica Soho, KMJS now has 3.1 million followers on TikTok. Its account has over 39.6 million likes w i t h

over 550 million lifetime views.

GMA Public Affairs, which previously led the list, is at second spot with 2.9 million followers.

This comes on the heels of an earlier milestone recorded by KMJS on another popular social media platform, Facebook.

Still the most followed Philippine TV program on Facebook, KMJS now has 28 million followers. For the first half of 2022 alone, it has already amassed over 1.2 billion views on the platform.

The show continues to be a force to be reckoned with on other social media platforms. On Instagram, KMJS has 2.1 million followers. On Twitter – where it regularly trends – the show has over 1 million followers.

A multi-platform leader, KMJS is also one of the main drivers of GMA Public Affairs’ YouTube channel. For 2022, KMJS’ videos generated over 570 million views on YouTube.

On television, KMJS remains the Filipinos’ favorite Sunday viewing habit.

Based on Nielsen Philippines’ National Urban TV Audience Measurement data for January to June 2022, KMJS remains the leading weekend program with 16.2 percent people rating. Further, it is the viewers’ preferred show in its timeslot with 69 percent audience share.

KMJS also ruled among weekend programs and during its timeslot in Total Philippines, posting 14.2 percent people rating and 66.8 percent people audience

share for the same period.

At the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards (NYF), KMJS once again made the country proud after winning the Bronze medal for the “Bestida ni Ranelyn (Ranelyn’s Dress)” segment in the Documentary: Health/Medical Information category.

Soho remains one of the most trusted news personalities in the country. At the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards 2022, she was conferred the “Most Trusted TV Host for News and Current Affairs” award for the 13th consecutive year.

Catch Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, Sundays, after Happy ToGetHer on GMA Network.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

B4

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022

T

HE MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) sector of the tourism industry is the most lucrative, which is the reason why countries all over the world compete for the hosting of such events. Participants in these events spend more money than the average tourists – they stay in more expensive hotels, eat at fine dining restaurants, and shop for more expensive items because they usually are company officers traveling on an expense account.

Central Luzon is ready for MICE

SMHCC President Elizabeth Sy

SMHCC Executive Vice-President Peggy Angeles delivering her welcome remarks

The SMX Convention Center Clark is adjacent to Park Inn by Radisson Clark and the SM City Clark

This is why it is very important for a country to have venues that can host these events for its tourism industry to grow by leaps and bounds. Manila already has the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the World Trade Center, the SMX Convention Centers, and in the suburbs, the Philippine Arena.

However, other parts of our country need a large, well-managed, dependable venue to attract MICE events and share in its bounty. The good news is that SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) recently opened the SMX Convention Center in Clark, to service the MICE requirements of Central Luzon, a muchneeded tourism infrastructure in the area, especially with the recent reopening of the renovated Clark International Airport.

SMHCC officers and local government officials during the ribbon cutting ceremony The brand new facility is the second stand-alone convention center after SMX Manila. It has this new MICE icon MICE venue’s presence in Clark solidifies a gross leaswell within the in- the company’s unprecedented growth and YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE istegrated able space of business and optimism as Clark Freeport is poised to more than 4000 What breed of dog can jump higher leisure hub intercon- become the preferred MICE and tourism square meters, than buildings? Any breed…because nected by the SM Sky destination in the Asia-Pacific region by comprising of buildings can’t jump!

Line providing seam- 2030. At the inauguration, she said, “What two-level event less synergy among the you have seen today are just a few of the venues and a retail, entertainment, countless and creative ways of transformmezzanine floor for offices. What makes it corporate, and educational establishments ing these event spaces at SMX into slicemore attractive is its location. It is adjacent to in the complex. It is a 16-minute drive from of-life representations that exude dynaPark Inn by Radisson Clark and the boom- Clark airport and a 20-minute drive from the mism, rhythm, and energy.” ing SM City Clark development.

Clark East Perimeter Road.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led With three trade halls, three function SMHCC Executive Vice-President by SMHCC President Elizabeth Sy, Marooms, and fourteen smaller meeting rooms, Peggy Angeles declared that this new balacat Mayor Cris Garbo, chairman of

The beautiful Clark Airport is only a 16-minute drive from the new SMX Convention Center Clark

the SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee Hans Sy, SMHCC EVP Angeles, SMHCC SVP for Operations Walid Wafik, Clark Development Corp.’s Dennis Legaspi, Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s Michelle de Vera, Department of Tourism Region 3 Division Chief Ronsan Pelariza, and SMX Convention Center Clark Senior Branch Manager Miguel Morato.

Currently, the SMHCC portfolio has nine hotel properties with a combined inventory of more than 2,200 rooms and over 41,000 square meters of leasable

convention space—Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, Radisson Blu Cebu, Pak Inn by Radisson Clark, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Park Inn

by Radisson Iloilo, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, and the SMX Convention Centers and Trade Halls.

More information on SMX Convention Center Clark may be obtained from (632) 8857-0100 or www.smhotels.com.ph For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado @gmail.com

Cavite farms named DOT Centers for Fun

The Pinas Muna Hub is Sheraton Manila’s first-ever, in-house souvenir shop that features proudly all-Filipino fare

It’s Filipino first at Pinas Muna Hub SHERATON Manila Hotel at the Newport Grand Wing has opened its first-ever, in-house souvenir shop that features proudly all-Filipino fare. Filled to the brim with expertly crafted and locally made products, gift items, single-origin coffee, and a variety of delicacies, the Pinas Muna Hub is a celebration of all things Filipinos are proud of.

Located at the front and center of the upscale hotel’s lobby, the Pinas Muna Hub is an eye-catcher for guests coming in and out of Sheraton Manila. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the souvenir shop’s curated inventory includes a line of Filipino signature embroidered long-sleeved formal wear, Barong Tagalog.

Hand-woven pouches made from locally-sourced upcycled textiles by community women in Marikina are also featured.

Single-origin Hineleban Farms coffee and award-winning Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates are just some highlights of the available delicacies.

You know you want to try the Philippines’ best at Newport City. For more information on the latest thrills Newport City has to offer, visit www.rwmanila.com.

Queen’s Strawberry Farm

THE Filipino folk song “Magtanim Ay Di Biro” may no longer hold true in Cavite province as some of its farms have been named “Centers for Fun” by the Department of Tourism Calabarzon Region, and have been included in its travel circuits.

Included in the prestigious list are farm-themed

Shambala Silang

establishments such as Sonya’s Garden, Queen’s Strawberry Farm, and Luntiang Republika in Alfonso; EMV Flower Farm and Bounty Harvest Farm in Indang; and Yoki’s Farm and Paradizoo in Mendez.

Other accredited farm tourism sites on the list are Shambala Silang, Teofely’s Farm, The Weekend Farmer in Silang, and Terraverde Farm in Maragondon.

Farm and garden-inspired dining establishments include Asiong’s Caviteno Restaurant in Silang and Farmer’s Table at Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City.

Among educational institutions, the Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, and the Far Eastern University in Silang are being tapped for countryside-themed tours for students and tourists.

The five-hectare CvSU, formerly the Don Severino Delas Alas Agricultural College, has an Agri Eco Tourism Park which boasts of thousands of endemic plants and tree species. It also produces the premium Aguinaldo Blend, which is roasted and blended with Cavite Barako, Robusta, and arabica beans.

Located in the upland portions of Cavite, these

Sonya’s Garden in Alfonso, Cavite

farms take pride in their cool climate the whole year round, lush greeneries, cozy boutique lodgings, healthy food and beverage, and less dense tourist traffic which ensures physical distancing.

According to DOT Calabarzon acting regional director Marites Castro, the Centers for Fun program integrates tourism efforts of local government units, tour operators, and industry stakeholders to ensure observance of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

She said that the program, which is part of the DOT’s national Tourism Recovery and Response Plan, incorporates faith, food, and farm destinations which can be customized into travel itineraries within the province and the region.

She added that the initiative highlights the region’s rich culinary traditions in line with the thrust of DOT Secretary Christina Frasco on food tourism and the development of alternative destinations across the archipelago.

The DOT Calabarzon earlier launched the farmto-table dining experience and the Green Corridor Initiatives in the region’s other provinces such as Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, where similar tourism clusters are being developed.

EMV Flower Farm in Indang

Filipino team triumphs at international business case competitions IN MARCH, undergraduate business students from Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) won six international case competitions at both the undergraduate and MBA level.

Ateneo Management Engineering students Reich Tiamson and Leila Clemente ranked first in the American University in Cairo International Undergraduate Business Case Competition (March 5 to 6) as well as the Macewan University Undergraduate Case Competition (March 26), outperforming teams from around the world in

their respective finals, including top-tier undergraduate teams from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, New York University and the University of North Carolina from the USA, École libre des Sciences Politiques, University of Lyons, and the University of Eindhoven from Europe, and the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Edmonton from Canada.

The team also garnered first runners-up in four international business competitions at the MBA level, competing in the Indian Institute of Management

Kozhikode Finance Case Competition (March 3 to 14), Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur Consulting Case Competition (March 12 to 24), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Marketing Case Competition (March 13 to 26), and the University of Delhi Rajguru Business Case Competition (March 1 to 5), where they outperformed top-ranking MBA teams from the Indian School of Business, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow from the AsiaPacific region.

During this streak of competition placements, the team tackled cases from a diverse set of industries including fintech, e-commerce, and food tech, presenting innovative solutions which included international market expansion strategies, IPO financial valuations, and branding pivot strategies to judges from esteemed companies and universities from around the world including the Boston Consulting Group, Goldman-Sachs, the Central Bank of Egypt, Royal Bank of Canada, and Lancaster University.

Leila Clemente and Reich Tiamson bags first place in the American University in Cairo International Undergraduate Business Case Competition