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GDP UP TO 7.4% IN Q2 DESPITE HIGH INFLATION BUSINESS / B4 VOL. XXXVI • NO. 176 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WHO to replace expiring vax

PH to get new supply through COVAX facility

FVR LAID TO REST IN SOMBER STATE BURIAL

By Wille Casas

T

HE COVAX Facility has committed to replacing all expiring vaccines the Philippines has procured, including those bought by the private sector and local governments, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country’s vaccine wastage was less than 10 percent, the threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is behind the COVAX Facility.

She added that the DOH is open to investigations on expiring and wasted jabs.

“We’ve already gotten the commitment of Covax that they will be replacing all of these expired doses, even from the private and the local governments,” said Vergeire in a press briefing, adding the replacement jabs would be delivered by schedule.

The private sector led by former presidential adviser Joey Concepcion had repeatedly warned the government that P5.1 billion worth of vaccines the firms purchased were about to expire, some in July and others this month.

The DOH then said private companies that had bought COVID-19 vaccines that have expired knew what to do with them Next page

LAST SALUTE. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and military officials

salute the flag beside former First Lady Amelita Ramos and her family as they lay to rest the late President Fidel V. Ramos – whose grave is marked by a white cross like all military servicemen (inset) -- on Tuesday following the state funeral at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City. Revoli Cortez

FORMER president Fidel Ramos, a soldier regarded as one of the country’s most effective leaders, was interred at the National Heroes Cemetery on Tuesday in a somber state burial.

A low-flying military helicopter

dropped flowers as a wagon bearing the flag-draped coffin containing an urn with his ashes rolled through the leafy cemetery grounds, lined with white crosses marking the tombs of dead soldiers also buried at the site.

House forms special panel on nuke energy

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena Mae S. Flores THE House of Representatives has created the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy to be headed by Pangasinan Next page

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined the ex-leader’s widow, Amelita, and relatives as the silver urn with the cremated remains was lowered into the ground after a military parade and a 21gun salute.

A career soldier who oversaw a rare period of steady growth and peace in the turbulent years that followed the dictatorship of Marcos Jr’s father and namesake, Ramos died late last month aged 94. The Next page

FLOODING ALL AROUND.

More than 1,000 families in Kabacan, North Cotabato on Monday wade through floods triggered by nonstop rain over the past few days, which affected many areas in Mindanao and Luzon (see related story on A3). Kabacan LGU via Facebook

Gov’t eyes jab vs. monkeypox with ASEAN THE Philippines is now in talks with other member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the procurement of vaccines against monkeypox.

“We are coordinating with ASEAN member-states. The procurement of monkeypox vaccines is being discussed on that level of international membership,” Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday.

“We will be joining the ASEAN member-states if and when these plans will push through,” she added.

Vergeire said the Food and Drug Administration has already identified three manufacturers of the monkeypox vaccine.

LTO seeks suspension of NCAP by local govts Azurin shuffles ranking police officials to allow career growth

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel Cruz THE Land Transportation Office is urging local governments to temporarily suspend the no-contact apprehension Next page

Next page

PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered a sweeping reshuffle involving almost 80 ranking police officials, including the three top posts of the force’s command group.

Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., who was PNP

officer-in-charge before Azurin’s appointment, Santos as DCO. was removed as Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia was also removed as (DCO) and was designated as head of the Area Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA) and was Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao. reassigned as chief of the APC in the Visayas.

Danao was replaced by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Next page

‘Writ of Amparo protection vs. law enforcers’ abuse’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has declared that guaranteed rights to life, liberty, and security cannot be disregarded or trampled upon by law enforcers even if a person is arrested for an alleged criminal offense.

Next page

Issey Miyake

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos

Japan fashion icon Issey Miyake dies Story on A2

First Lady opens Facebook page Story on A4

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John succumbs to cancer Story on A2

Vice President Sara Duterte

VP Sara to Bello: Stop blaming me Story on A4

A2

News

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Biden concerned over China drills U

S PRESIDENT Joe Biden voiced his concern Monday over China’s extension of military drills around Taiwan, but added that he did not expect the tense situation to escalate further.

“China has used the drills in its military playbook to prepare for the invasion of Taiwan,” foreign minister Joseph Wu told a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday, accusing Beijing of using Pelosi’s visit as a pretext for military action.

“China’s real intention is to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and entire region.”

The Chinese military said its Taiwan drills continued Tuesday and involved air and sea units.

The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army said in a statement that it was conducting training exercises around the island, “focusing on joint blockade and joint support operations”.

Taiwan’s military said it detected 45

Chinese planes and 10 ships operating in the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, with 16 planes crossing the median line -- an unofficial demarcation between China and Taiwan that Beijing does not recognize.

Lasting just under an hour, Taiwan’s drill in the southern county of Pingtung included the firing of target flares and artillery, lasting just under an hour, said Lou Woei-jye, spokesman for Taiwan’s Eighth Army Corps.

Soldiers fired from howitzers tucked into the coast, hidden from view of the road that leads to popular beach destination Kenting.

The drills, which will also take place Thursday, included the deployment of hundreds of troops and about 40 howitzers, the army said.

Biden spoke to reporters after Beijing said it carried out fresh military drills around the self-ruled island on Monday, defying calls to end days of exercises in the wake of a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The military exercises, China’s largest-ever, had been expected to draw to a close on Sunday.

“I’m not worried, but I’m concerned they’re moving as much as they are. But I don’t think they’re going to do anything more than they are,” Biden told reporters at Dover Air Force Base.

Taiwan held an artillery drill Tuesday simulating defense against an attack as its top diplomat accused Beijing of preparing to invade the island after days of massive Chinese war games.

China launched its largest-ever air and sea exercises around Taiwan last week in a furious response to a tour by Pelosi, the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island in decades.

Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which views its neighbor as part of Chinese territory to be seized one day -- by force if necessary.

Azurin...

From A1

Ombudsman drops bribery raps vs. De Lima, Dayan

Sermonia was replaced by Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, the former chief of the directorial staff (TCDS) Maj. Gen. Arthur Bisnar left his post as chief of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) to serve as Malayo’s replacement at the TCDS. “The reorganization of personnel occupying key positions aims to provide opportunities and career growth,” said PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba in a statement.

“At the same time, this move shall strengthen and empower strategic offices and units with the placement of more seasoned and experienced senior officers at their helms to further hone the operational and administrative undertakings against criminality, enforcement of the law, and maintenance of peace and order,” Alba added.

Other senior officials who were moved to new posts include the following: Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo - acting director, National Capital Region Police Office; Maj. Gen. Alessandro Abella - from APC Northern Luzon to the Directorate for Research and Development (DRD); Maj. Gen. Michael John Dubria from the Directorate for Intelligence to serve as director of the Civil Security Group (CSG); Maj. Gen. Domingo Lucas - from DRD to the National Police Training Institute; Maj. Gen. Alexander Sampaga from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to Office of the Chief PNP (OCPNP); Maj. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr. - from CSG to Directorate for Comptrollership (DC); Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz - from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM); Maj. Gen. Patrick Villacorte - acting commander, APC Eastern Mindanao; Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad - from NCRPO chief to acting commander, APC Northern Luzon; Maj. Gen. Filmore Escobal - acting deputy commander, APC Visayas; and Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon - from director for operations (DO) to chief of Directorate for Information and Communication Technology (DICTM).

FVR...

From A1 cause of death was not specified.

Known as “Steady Eddie” for his unflappable demeanor during the country’s regular moments of upheaval, he was frequently pictured chewing unlit cigars as he guided the Philippines with a sure hand from 1992-1998.

His widow Amelita Ramos thanked Filipinos in a brief address at the end of the state burial, saying soldiers like him lived a “hard life.”

“It entailed difficult adjustments. He would be at home for two years and in the province two years after that,” she said, apart from overseas deployments in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Mrs. Ramos said that despite his busy life in the military, her husband was able to help raise a family.

“He was able to raise five daughters, eight grandsons and five granddaughters.” she said.

A graduate of the prestigious West Point military academy in the United States, Ramos also saw combat against communist guerrillas back at home.

He was later commander of the paramilitary Philippine Constabulary – the key institution that enforced the brutal repression of dissent after Marcos Sr declared martial law in 1972.

AFP, Vince Lopez, PNA

IN BRIEF Olivia Newton-John succumbs to cancer SINGER Olivia Newton-John, who gained worldwide fame as high school sweetheart Sandy in the hit musical movie “Grease,” died on Monday after a 30-year battle with cancer. She was 73.

Newton-John “passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” said a statement from her husband John Easterling posted on her official social media accounts.

The multiple Grammy-winning entertainer, whose career spanned more than five decades, including chart-topping songs such as “Physical,” devoted much of her time in later years to charities after first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. AFP

Japan fashion icon Issey Miyake dies

THE Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed bribery complaints against former senator Leila de Lima and her former bodyguard over an alleged P8million bribe from self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

In a ruling dated January 5 but only received by De Lima’s camp on Tuesday, the Ombudsman dismissed the direct and indirect bribery raps “for lack of probable cause.”

De Lima is accused of receiving the bribes allegedly through her former bodyguard Ronnie Dayan on four occa-

sions: In August 2015 with P2 million at a Pasay mall parking lot; In October 2015 with P1.7 million at a Pasay restaurant; In November 2015 with P2 million at Burnham Park in Baguio; and in February 2016 with P2.3 million at a Pasay mall parking lot.

The funds were supposedly intended to finance De Lima’s 2016 senatorial bid, which the lawmaker and Dayan denied.

The former senator and Justice secretary said Dayan had resigned from the Department of Justice as early as March 2015 and had since stopped reporting to her.

Dayan was also not part of her senatorial campaign team, De Lima said, as she denied planning a meeting with Espinosa in Baguio.

In ruling there was no probable cause to charge De Lima and Dayan, the Office of the Ombudsman cited the inconsistent statements of Espinosa and witness Marcelo Adorco.

While Espinosa claimed he gave the P8 million in four tranches to Dayan and not De Lima, Adorco said Espinosa handed the entire money to De Lima when they had lunch at a Pasay restaurant.

WHO...

From A1

cine manufacturer that has applied for a CPR, which would allow it to sell its product to the public.

“The FDA is currently reviewing and exercising the necessary work for Janssen’s application,” Vergeire said in a mix of Filipino and English.

The DOH has also presented to the Inter-Agency Task Force Against COVID-19 some considerations as the country’s state of calamity declaration is set to lapse next month, Vergeire said.

The country’s vaccination program is anchored on the state of calamity declaration and vaccines’ emergency use authorization will “cease to be valid” if it is not extended, she said.

The government’s emergency procurement, tax exemptions for donors, price controls for COVID-19 drugs and testing kits, and health workers’ benefits will also cease once the state of calamity expires, Vergeire said.

“We’re studying everything and coordinating with other agencies so we can manage all processes that will cease and everybody will still be protected,” she said.

Meanwhile, the independent OCTA Research Group said the country may experience a further increase in COVID-19 cases once schools resume inperson classes.

“We really have to set expectations that it’s very possible that there will be an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases when the children go back to school,” said OCTA Research fellow Guido David.

“However, we are not saying that we should not send them back to school be-

cause they have been stuck at home for more than two years now. The quality of education, children’s schooling, and their social life are affected, so we have to send them back to school,” he said.

The School Year 2022-2023 is set to open on Aug. 22 and will end on July 7, 2023.

To mitigate the COVID-19 infections in schools, David said protocols should be set in place with regards to air ventilation and physical distancing.

He also stressed the need for teachers and other school personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said it is coordinating with the DOH to roll out a mobile COVID-19 vaccination site and organize counseling sessions among unvaccinated learners in schools.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier said that the commingling of children who are vaccinated against COVID-19 and those who are not would not be a problem once face-to-face classes resume.

Also on Tuesday, the DOH said it has detected 927 more cases of the COVID-19’s Omicron subvariants BA.5, BA.4, and BA.2.12.1.

The government found 909 additional cases of the Omicron BA.5, 11 more cases of the BA.4, and seven new cases of the BA.2.12.1, Vergeire said.

The latest figures raise the country’s total to 4,013 BA.5 cases, 181 BA.2.12.1 cases, and 115 BA.4 cases, Vergeire said.

Of the 909 new BA.5 cases, a total of 814 have recovered, while 49 were undergoing isolation.

tion committed using his or her vehicle by command responsibility and on the presumption that they are also the drivers.

“We are now studying this. It seeks there is a gap in the policy that needs a review so that the driver himself should be held liable,” Guadiz said.

He urged local government units that drafted the NCAP guidelines to coordinate first with the LTO to finetune the provisions.

While the LTO is the one that sends the alarm for traffic violations, it is the

local government, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, that implements the NCAP. At the House of Representatives, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers sought a congressional inquiry into the alleged malpractice in the implementation of the NCAP. Barbers said he received reports and complaints from motorists, particularly motorbike drivers engaged in delivery services, who were penalized with enormous fees “without due process of law.”

A surge in monkeypox infections has been reported since May outside the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic.

Last month, the country detected its first case of monkeypox, days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the disease a global health emergency.

The United States on Thursday declared monkeypox a public health emergency, a move that should free up new funds, assist in data gathering and allow the deployment of additional personnel in the fight against the disease.

The US has so far delivered some 600,000 JYNNEOS vaccines – originally developed against monkeypox’s related virus, smallpox – but this number figure is still far short of the approximately 1.6 million people considered at highest risk and who need the vaccine most.

Some 99 percent of US cases have so far been among men who have sex with men, the Health and Human Services department said last week, and this is the population authorities are targeting in the national vaccination strategy.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only recommended monkeypox vaccines be offered to those who had confirmed exposures.

The first symptoms include fever, headaches, sharp muscle pains, fatigue, a rash, as well as swollen and painful lymph nodes.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allayed fears of Filipinos on monkeypox, saying it is not as infectious as COVID-19.

He said treatments and vaccines are available for monkeypox even as he called on the public to continue following health protocols to avoid the spread of the disease.

talks about establishing new nuclear power plants in the country.

Lotilla issued the statement amid renewed interest in nuclear power, including reports that business tycoon Manny Pangilinan was interested in investing in such technologies.

The DOE is also moving to secure the power supply in the off-grid or missionary areas amid high electricity prices as part of the government’s push toward total electrification.

During a briefing, Lotilla said that

off-grid areas must be provided power even as electricity costs have sky-rocketed given the high diesel prices.

The Energy Secretary said oil accounted for 89 percent, a whopping percentage of the fuel used by power plants in the off-grid areas.

The House said the newly established panel would be tasked to tackle “all matters directly and principally relating to the policies and programs to the production, utilization, and conservation of nuclear energy, including the development of nuclear power

infrastructure, as well as interaction of other energy sources with nuclear energy as a reliable, cost competitive, and environmentfriendly energy source to ensure energy security consistent with the national interest and the state’s policy of freedom from nuclear weapons.”

The committee is composed of 25 members.

In his manifestation, Cojuangco explained that nuclear energy is an energy source that is cheap, clean, and reliable regardless of weather conditions.

for a Writ of Amparo.

Writ of Amparo “is a special writ to protect or enforce a constitutional right other than physical liberty.”

The rules on the Writ of Amparo were approved by the SC in September 2007.

The SC through Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, upheld the issuance of a Writ of Amparo in favor of widow

Christina Gonzales whose husband was killed in the alleged illegal drugs operation conducted by the Antipolo City police.

The high court denied the petition for review filed by the Antipolo City law enforcement officers, who challenged the Nov. 26, 2018 ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA), which issued the Writ of

Amparo with a permanent protection order (PPO) in favor of Christina.

The CA decision recommended the filing of civil, criminal, and administrative charges against the police officers as it issued a PPO that barred the law enforcers from entering within a radius of one kilometer from Christina’s residences and work addresses.

as early as October last year.

At that time, the Health Department said the private sector was given the option of donating its vaccines directly to local government units.

It noted that the law allows chief medical officers of private companies to make their own vaccine recipient lists and implement steps that could expedite vaccine deployment and avoid expiry.

However, Concepcion, the Go Negosyo founder, has been leading the private sector appeals to the DOH’s Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) since April to allow second booster vaccinations.

Private firms could only purchase COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturers in tripartite deals with the government.

A total of 71.9 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated as of Aug. 8, Vergeire said. Of the total figure, 16.6 million have received a booster, while 1.5 million have received a second booster, she added.

The government aims to administer 443,892 additional doses daily so the country can reach 23 million more booster shots by Oct. 8, which marks the 100th day of the Marcos administration.

Meanwhile, Vergeire said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing Janssen’s application for a certificate of product registration (CPR) for its COVID-19 vaccine.

Janssen, which received an emergency use authorization for its single-dose vaccine in April 2021, is the only vac-

LTO...

From A1 policy (NCAP), calling for its review to clarify the guidelines of the traffic policy.

LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz III issued the appeal after the agency received complaints from public utility vehicle operators about being charged fines for the traffic violations of their drivers.

Under the law, the registered owner of a vehicle must pay for the traffic viola-

House...

From A1 Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

The committee, which is tasked to determine the viability of nuclear power in the country, is in line with the energy policies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, meanwhile, said the Department of Energy (DOE) will create a nuclear regulatory framework first before going into

‘Writ...

From A1 In a decision, the SC stressed that for persons whose rights to life, liberty, and security are threatened by law enforcers, their proper remedy before the courts is to file a petition

JAPANESE fashion designer Issey Miyake, whose global career spanned more than half a century, has died aged 84, an employee at his office in Tokyo told AFP on Tuesday.

Public broadcaster NHK and other Japanese media reported the news of his passing, with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and other outlets saying he had died of liver cancer.

“He died on the evening of August 5,” the employee said over the telephone, without giving further details of his death and declining to be named.

Miyake’s funeral had already taken place, with “only relatives participating” in line with his wishes, and there were no plans for a public ceremony, she said. AFP

Gov’t...

From A1

News

A3

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Do not use toads, fish vs. dengue’

By Rio N. Araja

NEW FERRY. MMDA acting chairperson Carlo Dimayuga shakes the hands of Benedicto Lacsamana, director for Technology and Site Acquisition, DITO Telecoms (inset), during the formal turnover of the donated ferry boat by DITO Telecoms at the Guadalupe Ferry Station in Makati City. The air-conditioned 150-seater ferry boat will be added to the MMDA’s fleet. The Pasig River Ferry Service stretches 25 kilometers and has 11 stations in Manila, Pasig, Makati, and Mandaluyong. Manny Palmero

DPWH: Renovation works on drainage facing delays T

HE renovation work for three drainage systems leading to the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project faces delay due to the lack of funds, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.

The closure of the said drainage systems has been blamed for the recent floods in Manila.

DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan said the Padre Faure drainage, Remedios Drainage, and Estero de San Antonio were closed down to make way for renovations that would benefit the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach.

But the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday clarified that it is not the do-

lomite beach itself but the ongoing drainage systems project which caused flooding in some of the streets in Manila last Friday.

Bonoan, in an ABS-CBN News report, said that under the requirements of the dolomite project, the drainage systems must pump wastewater to a sewage treatment plant before flowing to Manila Bay near the beach.

The official said the DPWH needs to place longer

pipes and put more powerful pumps in the said drainage systems.

MMDA general manager Baltazar Melgar meanwhile said it is not the beach but the unfinished pumping stations and a pipeline near the area that caused the flood.

“Dolomite Beach has no connection to the recent flooding in the area. The reason why flood water subsided slowly during heavy rains last Friday was the ongoing construction of three pumping stations and a pipeline by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which is expected to be completed by October,” he said.

With Joel E. Zurbano

AMID rising cases of dengue cases, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday warned the public against releasing frogs and fish to eliminate dengue-causing mosquitoes.

Natividad Bernardino, Biodiversity Management Bureau chief, said frogs and fish in stagnant water and swamps could disrupt the ecological balance of the surrounding environment.

To place frogs and fish is not an effective solution to eliminate dengue-causing mosquitoes as they have “diverse diet from plant materials to small invertebrates, she clarified.

“While adult frogs eat a variety of things, mosquitoes do not appear to be a major part of the diet of any adult frog or toad,” she stressed.

Citing a 2016 study by biologist Jodi Rowley on the effectiveness of frogs to combat the Zika virus, Bernardino said that “mosquitoes make up only less than 1 percent of the frog’s diet.”

The cane toad, known as Rhinella marina, which is being released by several local government units supposedly to combat dengue, is one of the worst invasive alien species in the world, she warned.

“When introduced to a new environment, non-native species of frogs and fishes may become invasive and alter the biodiversity of the area,” she said.

According to Bernardino, the Convention on Biological Diversity defines invasive alien species as “organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health.”

She added that invasive species can negatively affect human health by directly infecting humans with new diseases, serving as vectors for certain diseases, or causing wounds through bites, stings, allergens or other toxins.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

HEAD OFFICE: PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, 1226 Makati City Customer Care: (02) 8777-2266 or 1-800-10-777-2266 (Domestic Toll Free) *Email: customercare@pbcom.com.ph*Website: www.pbcom.com.ph

BALANCE SHEET (Head Office and Branches) As of June 30, 2022

As of March 31, 2022

ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets - Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture & Equipment - Net Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net Other Assets - Net

P

1,147,707,129.20 9,246,604,113.88 829,881,635.53 231,925.78 5,619,599,540.36 20,803,421,501.54 72,534,679,564.62 71,720,676,230.71 1,308,132,487.00 494,129,153.09 653,617,734.58 20,586,775.06 1,439,634,324.70 807,750,090.40 5,394,560,538.22

TOTAL ASSETS

P

118,498,274,873.87

P

1,248,603,796.89 17,498,743,466.80 1,971,476,534.07 912,372.56 6,137,788,460.68 16,422,476,433.93 67,779,211,656.67 64,599,113,531.43 3,667,904,101.00 487,805,975.76 489,916,420.07 20,523,427.11 1,473,222,994.69 786,496,234.78 5,165,163,551.67

P 118,994,535,349.92

LIABILITIES

ARRIVAL HONORS. Philippine National Police new deputy chief for administration, Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo (3rd from left) and National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad give a salute during the 121st Police Service Anniversary celebration at the NCRPO Hinirang Multi-Purpose Hall, in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City on Tuesday. Malayo was named as the PNP’s second highest official effective Monday, replacing Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia. Joey O. Razon

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable: Interbank Loans Payable Other Deposit Substitutes Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

P

2,439,544.44 91,026,814,195.41 8,710,501,987.42 824,625,000.00 7,885,876,987.42 786,831,928.92 2,046,757,631.90

P

91,698,930,715.76 8,398,056,475.11 8,398,056,475.11 967,580,140.77 2,183,621,224.76

TOTAL LIABILITIES

P

102,573,345,288.09

P 103,248,188,556.40

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Poll exec: Congress needs to define ‘vote-buying’

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P

15,924,929,585.78

CONGRESS needs to clearly define vote-buying, after a bill has been filed that seeks to declare the election offense as a heinous crime, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Garcia.

“For these proposed penalties against vote-buying to be effective, we should define it properly. We should enumerate the acts that will be considered as vote-buying in our current times,” the poll official, in a GMA News report, said.

“Our respected lawmakers should also think of other amendments [ to the bill ] besides the implementation

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P

118,498,274,873.87

of heavier penalties and punishment.

It would be better if they were to point out the root of it all. What is the root of the problem? It would be better to concretize the true definition of vote buying,” he said.

Garcia also urged for the amendment of the 1985 Omnibus Election Code to which vote-buying penalties are still being imposed, as its definitions are not up-to-date with more contemporary methods of vote-buying.

“At the time, they cannot buy votes using online means and platforms and it is not considered as vote-buying yet. Therefore, the definition of vote-

buying in our current law is no longer effective,” he said.

Garcia said by defining what votebuying is, Congress “can address the loopholes of the existing law.”

Malasakit and Bayanihan PartyList Representative Anthony Golez has filed the said bill.

Under House Bill 1709, vote-buying is defined as giving and offering money or anything of value including the promise of employment in any office, and granting of a private or public contract in exchange of votes during elections. Gabriellea Parino and Chelsea Din

Pageant, awards highlight 15th Waterlily Festival

By Macon Ramos-Araneta dad of Brgy. Almanza Uno, 2nd ies and other wastes.

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar said she is grateful that the 15th Waterlily Festival was held this year after it was temporarily stopped for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event held at the Villar SIPAG grounds, was highlighted with the selection of 15th Ms. Las Piñas Water Lily 2022 and Sayaw Kabataan (SK) Para sa Kalikasan winners.

Therese Glorianne Almirez of Barangay Pilar clinched the 15th Ms. Las Piñas Water Lily 2022 title.

The other winners are Elka Norein Delos Reyes of Pamplona Uno, 1st runner up and Diana Trasha Clari-

runner up. Justine Kate Tingson of Bgy.Talon Uno won the Ms. Photogenic while Jacquelyn De Ocampo of Brgy. Ilaya was Ms. Congeniality.

Barangay Elias Aldana was the Grand Champion in the ‘ala TikTok’ dance competition which was participated by dance groups coming from the city’s 20 barangays.

Barangay Manuyo Uno was 1st runner-up and Barangay Talon 5 is the 2nd runner-up.

Villar, the chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, said she started the festival in 2005 to raise awareness on the clogging of the Las Piñas-Zapote River due to waterlil-

Through the Villar SIPAG, volunteers also collected all the waterlilies and used them in their livelihood programs. Residents have ventured into waterlily-making businesses to further boost the flowers’ usefulness.

“We have come a long way with the idea of transforming these flowers into unique arts and crafts. From swamping our waterways and causing floodings in our city, these lovely blooms have become stable sources of livelihood not only for Las Piñas residents but also for many of our kababayans, especially those who live near the rivers,” Villar said.

P

14,278,374,781.56 2,079,849,452.24 -433,294,648.02

P

14,278,374,781.56 1,745,759,003.78 -277,786,991.82

P

15,746,346,793.52

P 118,994,535,349.92

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Financial Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts Agency Accounts Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

P

911,431,386.59 1,263,688,131.67 1,143,434,857.84 882,400.00 2,665,294,044.77 9,837,429,391.13 1,539,593,865.43 8,297,835,525.70 304,685,511.67

P

866,686,707.81 2,855,190,356.22 613,959,947.84 882,400.00 2,547,478,400.88 9,192,752,730.05 1,600,449,759.38 7,592,302,970.67 227,041,359.44

P

16,126,845,723.67

P

16,303,991,902.24

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) 75,175,853,771.39 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 2,147,045,053.68 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 2,946,911,868.95 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 3.92% c. Net NPLs 1,149,792,605.19 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.53% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) 89.63% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) 72.86% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 13,989,124,889.79 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses 1,613,229.40 Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) 0.00% Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 3.54% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 5.00% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 8.76% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis as prescribed under existing regulations 16.55% a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) 14.10% c. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (%) 1/ 14.10% 1/ Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (%) is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial Banks and their subsidiary banks.

BASEL III Leverage Ratio Report, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Capital Measure 13,459,357,998.02 b Exposure Measure 121,373,273,118.39 c. Basel III Leverage Ratio 11.09% BASEL III Liquidity Coverage Ratio Report, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total Stock of High-Quality Liquid Assets 27,570,157,169.64 b Total Net Cash Outflows 15,715,542,854.28 c. Basel III Liquidity Coverage Ratio 175.43%

70,212,798,066.60 1,945,780,434.17 3,286,514,656.85 4.68% 1,674,015,824.14 2.38% 74.05% 59.20% 18,599,980,005.37 1,597,566.34 0.00% 0.00% 4.72% 5.46% 10.00% 17.58% 15.08% 15.08% 13,462,016,337.00 124,444,385,357.63 10.82% 34,306,846,840.39 15,067,261,257.96 227.69%

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) City of Makati ) S.S. We, Arlene M. Datu and Patricia May T. Siy, of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD.) ARLENE M. DATU Comptroller, SVP

(SGD.) PATRICIA MAY T. SIY President & CEO

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 27th day of July 2022 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their SSS nos.

0356633451 and 0373099955, respectively.

Doc. No. 103 Page No. 22 Book No. XXIII Series of 2022.

(SGD.) ATTY. GERVACIO B. ORTIZ JR. NOTARY PUBLIC City of Makati until December 31, 2022 IBP no. 05729 - Lifetime Member MCLE Compliance No. VI - 0024312 Appointment no. M-82 -(2021-2022) PTR No. 8852511 Jan. 3, 2022 Makati City Roll no. 40091 101 Urban Ave., Campos Rueda Bldg. Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City Member: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Maximum Deposit Insurance for each Deposit P500,000.00

A4

News

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2021

Villar, Ejercito named deputy majority leaders

STRONGER PH-JAPAN TIES. Speaker Martin Romualdez hands over a gift to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko during the envoy’s visit to the House of Representatives. Other photo shows National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos (5th from right) who also pays a courtesy call on the Speaker, accompanied by Kristel Anne Villanueva, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Tingog party-list Rep. Marie Romualdez, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, Eric Castillo, and Ako Bicol party- list Rep. Zaldy Co. Ver and Miko Noveno

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATORS Mark Villar and Joseph Victor Ejercito were designated on Tuesday as deputy majority leaders of the upper chamber.

Meanwhile, Sen. Cynthia Villar has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, but attended Tuesday’s session online.

Villar, a neophyte in the Senate, and Ejercito, a come backing senator, were also be members of all permanent committees, along with Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who was earlier designated as Assistant Minority Leader.

Hontiveros is the lone opposition senator who won in the last May 9 elections.

The first Senate Commitee on Rules hybrid hearing, chaired by Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, also tackled a proposal to create the Committees on Arts and Culture and Migrant Workers.

The committee also discussed the expansion of the Committee on Cultural Communities to include Muslim Affairs.

Present during the meeting were Senators Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Villar, Win Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano and Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. The 72-year old Sen. Cynthia Villar became the third member of the chamber to be afflicted with the coronavirus over the past two weeks.

Despite her current condition, Villar went virtual to attend yesterday’s session.

“I’m present,” Villar said when her name was called on the plenary.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced that Villar and two other senators- Alan Peter Cayetano and Imee Marcos—who were also afflicted with the virus, were virtually present.

Meanwhile, a staff of Cayetano said the lawmaker is just completing his isolation period.

Solon seeks probe on DepEd’s low BEFF 2021 rating A BICOL lawmaker on Tuesday called on Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte to look into the reported failure of the previous leadership of the Department of Education (DepEd) to fix and equip thousands of classrooms with chairs and tables despite having a P9.5 billion budget last year.

“We are hopeful that Vice President and concurrent DepEd Secretary Inday Sara (Duterte-Carpio) could look into her agency’s low accomplishment rate last year for its Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF)—as flagged by the COA (Commission on Audit)—in the hope that the Department could, on her watch, put on the front burner the overdue makeover of almost 9,000 classrooms whose repair was already tucked in the BEFF’s P9.467billion outlay in 2021,” Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said.

“Considering her solid record as a down-to-earth local chief executive when she was mayor of Davao City, I am sure Vice President and Secretary Inday Sara will not let this setback slide,” he added.

A three-term governor before his election to the House of Representatives, Villafuerte said that “in Camarines Sur alone, the DepEd failed last year to patch up more than 1,800 classrooms in Iriga City and 35 municipalities, even if the refurbishment of these facilities was already included in last year’s allocations for the BEFF and QRF (Quick Response Fund) for school repair and provision of new furniture for both students and their teachers.” Maricel V. Cruz

Romualdez reaffirms strong PH-Japan bilateral relations

By Maricel V. Cruz

S

PEAKER Martin Romualdez on Tuesday assured Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko that the Philippines will continue its strategic economic partnership with Japan.

“It’s really great that Japan remains and has been one of the country’s foremost trade, investment and development partner for a very long time.

Through strategic policy reforms, we will improve the business climate in the Philippines to attract more direct investments from Japan,” Romualdez said.

Koshikawa paid a courtesy call on Romualdez at the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon. With the Japa-

nese envoy were Kuronuma Kenji, senior representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Akihiko Hitomi, first secretary; and Yukari Koike, political officer.

Romualdez and Koshikawa discussed the long-standing bilateral and inter-parliamentary relations between the Philippines and Japan, and vowed to further expand the two countries’ cooperation.

In 2021, the Philippines’ total trade

with Japan amounted to $21.83 billion, up by 17.1 percent from the 2020 figure of $18.65 billion, making Japan the second largest trading partner of the Philippines as of last year.

Exports and imports were valued at $10.73 billion and $18.65 billion, respectively. Compared to 2020 levels, exports increased by seven percent, while imports went up by 28.9 percent.

Romualdez also thanked the Japanese government through JICA for the “immediate response in providing humanitarian assistance” to the Philippines following the recent earthquake in Northern Luzon.

“We deeply appreciate the aid provided and acknowledge the strong cooperation with Japan on humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” he said.

RITE OF PASSAGE. First year students called “freshmen” pass through the University of Sto. Tomas Arch on Espana Street, Manila in a traditional rite of passage symbolic of their quest for authentic Thomasian education. Danny Pata

VICE President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte slammed former vice presidential rival Walden Bello on Tuesday for accusing her of having a hand in his arrest over a libel case.

In a statement, Duterte said Bello should stop obsessing over her, considering she has long remained silent despite the latter’s offensive attacks during the campaign period.

“Mr. Bello should focus on salvaging what remains of his dignity and self-respect, I am asking him to stop obsessing over me — and stop blaming me for his fall from grace,” Duterte said.

The Vice President described Bello’s claim that the arrest was a political attack as “imaginary.”

“Instead of deflecting blame, playing the victim of an imaginary case of political persecution, and dragging me into his legal woes, I suggest that Mr. Bello be reminded of the fact that a civilized and democratic society does not respect hubris. The right to freedom of speech and expression does not protect anyone from defiling the name and reputation of others,” she said.

Duterte said Bello should “stop blaming [her] for his fall from grace.”

In an interview, Bello said he was not guilty of the charges against him.

“I say that I am innocent of the charges of libel that have been filed by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte. It is pure political persecution,” he said.

‘Friends Rescued’ FL opens own FB page ‘to keep public posted’ helps 37 graduate from ALS studies

FIRST Lady Louise “Liza” AranetaMarcos has launched her official Facebook page to keep the public posted about her activities.

On his official Facebook account, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. encouraged the netizens to follow his wife’s official Facebook page.

Marcos, in his Facebook post, also shared the link of the First Lady’s Facebook page.

“Samahan niyo kaming salubungin sa social media ang aking maybahay na si First Lady Liza Marcos! I-follow ang kanyang opisyal na Facebook page (Let us follow my wife, First Lady Liza Marcos, on social media.

Follow her official Facebook page),” he said.

Marcos also thanked those who continue to support and trust him.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong walang sawang pagmamahal at suporta (Thank you for all your endless love and support),” he said.

Araneta-Marcos’ official Facebook page has 139,357 followers, as of press time.

In the “About” section, Araneta-Marcos described herself as “the spouse of President Marcos and “the First Lady of the Philippines.”

Solon eyes stricter National Building Code A LAWMAKER has batted for the enactment of a bill seeking to repeal the country’s obsolete National Building Code.

Pleyto filed House Bill 1180 providing for more stringent laws governing the building construction industry.

In a privilege speech, Rep. Salvador Pleyto of Bulacan said the destruction brought about by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Abra underscored the need for a new and stricter law that will replace the 45-year-old National Building Code.

“The country’s situation vis-à-vis earthquakes demands extreme urgent response on the part of Congress, in light of the ‘Big One’ that is bound to happen again at any time,” Pleyto said.

Sara to Bello: Stop blaming me for your woes

“Indeed, it’s not a question of ‘if’ but rather of ‘when’ it will really happen,” the neophyte lawmaker reminded his colleagues. “With the enactment of this bill into law, our country will be better prepared to mitigate the loss of lives and damage to property.”

He cited the need to build houses, buildings, and infrastructures that are more resilient in meeting the effects of earthquakes and other calamities.

“Stopping the natural phenomenon of earthquake is certainly not humanly possible, but being prepared is all what mere mortals can do to possibly avoid extensive damage and loss of lives,” Pleyto, a civil engineer by profession and retired Public Works official, said. Maricel V. Cruz

INDIGENEOUS PEOPLES IN ACTION. Indigeneous peoples and environmental advocates stage a protest action in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office in Quezon City to commemorate National Indigenous People’s Day, and to demand cessation to the “decades of plunder” of their ancestral domain and continued attacks to the minorities.” Manny Palmero

THIRTY-SEVEN Friends Rescued (FRs) alumni of the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion’s (53IB) Project Good Life graduated from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) in a Graduation and Completion Ceremony held on July 29, 2022, at San Miguel Municipal Gymnasium, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur. The ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides opportunities for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners to develop basic and functional literacy skills, and to access equivalent pathways to complete basic education.

In a statement, 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said this marks a new beginning in the lives of the FRs. “Congratulations to all of you [FRs]. This is another milestone in your lives. Remember what you have learned and be responsible and proactive citizens of our society,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

“With this, you are now more ready and more equipped to hurdle the challenges that lie ahead of you,” he added.

Opinion Let the ICC investigate the drug war killings WE FIND it really unfortunate that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared that the Philippines has no intention of rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The President’s declaration came after convening a meeting with his key legal advisers that included Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. Joining them was Atty. Harry Roque, the presidential spokesperson during the previous administration that launched a brutal war on drugs starting in 2016 that led, according to human rights groups here and abroad, to as many as 30,000 deaths.

If that meeting reached a consensus on circling the wagons and keeping the ICC at bay, then we’re likely to see no end to the culture of impunity that has allowed crimes to be committed without punishment.

Where there’s been a crime, there should be punishment. But the apparent move to keep the withdrawal from the ICC permanently speaks volumes about the new administration’s frail commitment to due process and the rule of law in this country.

Recall that sometime back the Supreme Court ordered the Philippine National Police to release documents related to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs based on petitions by various human rights groups.

The PNP dutifully complied, but submitted to the court, news reports said, of records of only 52 cases out of more than 6,500 officially acknowledged deaths.

That’s not even one measly percent of the total number of deaths in the course of the war on drugs.

But human rights groups, after studying the police reports, described the police records as “rubbish” as these uniformly portrayed the victims as having fought back (“nanlaban”) when law enforcers arrived to bring them into custody for alleged involvement in the drug trade.

That, the human rights advocates said, was tantamount to a “cut and paste” operation intended to shield police operatives from any accountability for outright murder and mayhem.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte stands accused of crimes against humanity by the ICC for the thousands of deaths in the course of his war on illegal drugs, both in Davao City when he was still the mayor and when he assumed the presidency in 2016.

He has repeatedly said he does not recognize the authority of the ICC and would not allow it to come in and conduct an investigation.

Duterte and now President Marcos insist that we have a functioning judiciary and therefore the ICC cannot interfere with our judicial processes.

But if we’re not mistaken, only one case against police operatives accused of summary executions of suspected drug personalities has prospered in court: the premeditated killing of 17-year-old student Kian del los Santos of Caloocan City in 2016.

The accused policemen were meted stiff pris-

on terms after video evidence showed that the victim did not fight back as they had claimed but gunned down in a dark alley near his residence.

Between 2016 and 2022 is a good six years for the police to investigate the 6,500 or so cases of drug war killings.

But if only one case has been successfully resolved by our courts and the erring policemen sent to jail, then that shows that the government has deliberately ignored the clamor of the families of drug was victims for justice to be done.

Therefore, the ICC is well within its power to conduct a thorough investigation unsolved cases of summary executions or extrajudicial killings of alleged drug suspects.

Where there’s been a crime, there should be punishment. But the apparent move to keep the withdrawal from the ICC permanently speaks volumes about the new administration’s frail commitment to due process and the rule of law in this country We recognize that families of victims of summary executions are understandably afraid to speak out for fear of reprisals.

But if the ICC can gather evidence from them whether through actual testimony or through video, then we will get a clearer picture of what really happened in the past six years and whether crimes against humanity have been committed by the previous administration.

We urge the Marcos administration to reconsider its decision not to re-enter the ICC. After all, we signed the Rome Statute creating the ICC as part of a rules-based international order.

Rodrigo Duterte decided to quit the ICC out of spite for its decision to investigate him for his bloody war on drugs.

If we want the rule of law to prevail in this country, the ICC should be allowed to investigate Duterte for ordering the police to launch a takeno-prisoners approach to the drug problem.

Duterte’s order for the police to “kill-kill-kill” drug traffickers has been justified by his spokesmen and underlings as nothing more than a figure of speech, or even a joke.

But the scale of the war on drugs and the big number of casualties indicate that the police took his order quite literally. After all, whatever the president says has the effect of official policy.

The new administration has the opportunity to prove to the world that it respects human rights, due process and the rule of law by re-entering the ICC. If it chooses to permanently withdraw from the international judicial body, then it practically condones genocide, mass murder and crimes against humanity that civilized nations deem totally disdainful and totally unacceptable.

(Email:ernhil@yahoo.com)

As Beijing rages over Taiwan, mood on China’s streets muted

By Beiyi Seow CHINA’S thunderous response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit brought cross-Strait tensions to their highest level in years and sparked an outpouring of nationalist zeal online, but the mood on the streets in mainland China is a little more circumspect.

Enraged by Pelosi’s trip, Beijing last week launched some of its largest-ever military drills encircling the island while suspending cooperation with the United States on issues including climate change and defense.

China’s tight grip over the internet, with a massive system of censorship that scrubs posts casting the Communist Party’s policies in a negative light, has limited public debate over just how far Beijing should go in its showdown over Taiwan.

While it is difficult to gauge Chinese public opinion, experts say the public broadly supports reunification and would not accept moves suggesting acceptance of Taiwan’s independence.

But beyond the calls from more extreme citizens online -- with some even calling for war -Beijingers told AFP they still pinned their hopes on a peaceful process.

“I’m not too worried because I know it won’t happen... whoever turns to force first (over Pelosi’s visit) will be in the wrong,” said Zhao, a 29-year-old Beijing resident who only gave his surname.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day take it, by force if necessary, with the self-ruled island’s eventual reunification and absorption into the mainland an article of faith for many Chinese.

“Many Chinese hope for reunification with Taiwan. This is an idea that’s been instilled since childhood and is seen as politically correct,” Zhao added.

“But there has been less in-depth discussion, because the Internet does not allow for diverse

views and offline talks can easily land in conflict.”

For China’s President Xi Jinping, the timing of Pelosi’s visit could not have been worse, David Sacks, research fellow at think-tank Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP. Beijing’s leadership is keen to project stability and strength at home ahead of the Communist Party’s 20th congress -- at which Xi is expected to be anointed for an unprecedented third term.

“Xi likely felt as though he had to act, for fear of looking weak or like somebody who’s not in control of the most important relationship for China,” Sacks said.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day take it, by force if necessary, with the self-ruled island’s eventual reunification and absorption into the mainland an article of faith for many Chinese ‘They don’t need people’s support’ But while China’s military maneuvers have stirred pride among citizens, residents told AFP this does not always relate to support for those at the top.

“People are proud, but it’s mostly over China’s military might,” Zhao said. “They seldom mention the leaders.”

Another Beijing resident who gave her name as Guo said she didn’t “think this situation will change attitudes towards our top leadership”

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net

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Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022

B1

Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Need for more boosters ITH the forthcoming resumption of in-person classes later this month and the reopening of the domestic economy, it is expedient that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stressed the importance of vaccination or booster protection against COVID-19.

W

Verily, conducting face-to-face classes is not that simple, and the President is on track in emphasizing that this could be done successfully with proper presentation.

We agree, as the President has said in his YouTube vlog, that we must ensure everyone has availed themselves of booster shots, particularly the young in the population to be sure their bodies are ready when they return to school.

The Department of Education earlier announced that academic year 20222023 will officially begin on August 22, and with a target of 203 school days the school year will end on July 7, 2023.

The President has noted that about 15.2 million learners are expected to enroll this school year, interestingly a little less than the number of about 15.9 million who have received their first booster shots while only 1.2 million have received their second booster shots.

The President himself has said these numbers are not yet good compared to the government’s target of 100 percent, reason the national government keeps telling the local governments “to be more aggressive” in this campaign to have the booster shots.

We are glad that under the PinasLakas drive, the Department of Health is targeting to fully vaccinate 70 percent of the population or 78.1 million Filipinos and provide first boosters to 50 percent of the eligible population Earlier on, President Marcos said there was no need for a law making booster shots mandatory but maintained that the jabs help a lot in preventing severe COVID-19 cases.

Very recently, the national government launched the “PinasLakas” campaign aimed at administering COVID-19 booster shots to 23.8 million persons within Marcos’ first 100 days in office from June 30 when he took his presidential oath.

The President said: “If this campaign succeeds, it would not only mean a re-

turn to school but also a return of businesses, livelihood and development (and) will be a huge help to our extensive efforts to reopen the economy.”

And then the other day health authorities reported 4,203 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the number of confirmed cases in this country reeling from various subvariants of the coronavirus to 3,808,156.

The Department of Health said the number of active cases rose further to 37,942, and 30 more patients died from COVID-19 complications, pushing the death toll to 60,807, reporting additionally more than 4,000 daily caseload for the fifth straight day.

Guido David, a professor at the University of the Philippines and OCTA research fellow, said the infections will continue until the next few months, citing a “very high” positivity rate of over 20 percent in several areas.

The positivity rate is the percentage of people who test positive for the virus of those who have been tested. The key rate hit record high at 47.9 percent in January this year.

The Philippines reported its highest COVID-19 single-day tally of 39,004 new cases on Jan. 15. The country, with a population of around 111 million.

We are glad that under the PinasLakas drive, the Department of Health is targeting to fully vaccinate 70 percent of the population or 78.1 million Filipinos and provide first boosters to 50 percent of the eligible population.

MVP turns 76, holds high hopes A GOOD friend and compadre, Manuel V. Pangilinan, turned 76 on July 14.

MVP is chairman of PLDT, Inc., the Philippines’ largest telco. Its market value is P376.585 billion.

In the first half 2022, PLDT profits rose 30 percent to P16.92 billion despite revenues rising only 6 percent to P101.39 billion over the first semester of 2021.

PLDT credits “higher revenues from data and voice services from our Fixed Line business segment, partially offset by lower revenues from mobile and fixed wireless broadband services in our Wireless business segment.”

Manny is managing director and CEO of First Pacific Company Limited of Hongkong. First Pacific acquired PLDT from the Tonyboy Cojuangco family in 1998.

By 2000, FP had also acquired PLDT’s wireless company, Smart. During 2009 to 2011, MVP acquired control of power distribution monopoly Meralco (valued at P360.44 billion as of Aug. 9, 2022).

With PLDT and Meralco, Manny is the owner/controlling stockholder of the two biggest utility companies in the Philippines. His impact on the lifestyle of Filipinos is tremendous.

A Wharton MBA holder, MVP has built First Pacific into one of the largest, most diversified, and most profitable investment holding companies in Asia.

Its Philippine operations have been among the biggest contributors to First Pacific’s growth since 1981 when MVP founded FP. FP focuses on four major areas: agriculture and consumer food products, telecommunications, infrastructure and natural resources, with world-class ESG (environmental, social and governance) a crucial element to better manage risk and generate sustainable returns.

FP’s major investments are: 50.1 percent economic interest in Indofood; a controlling 25.6 percent in PLDT; 44.6 percent in MPIC; 31.2 percent, in Philex; 35.7 percent in PXP; 68.1 percent in FPM Power Holdings Ltd.; and 80.8 percent in FP Natural Resources Ltd. These companies have a strong or dominant market position in their respective sectors and potential for substantial cash flows.

among the public.

“Taking a step back, they don’t need people’s support either, they’re not picked by votes,” the 27-year-old said.

Coupled with wariness towards foreign powers, trade bans on Taiwan and military drills “will be welcomed” by the Chinese public, Jocelyn Chey, former Australian diplomat and visiting professor at the University of Sydney, told AFP. Pelosi’s visit also came in the wake of significant domestic hurdles for the ruling party -- unpopular lockdowns and debate surrounding Xi’s

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

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

PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk is the largest vertically integrated food company in Indonesia.

PLDT is the dominant integrated telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines with the largest fixed broadband network and the largest, most modern, and most sophisticated wireless network in the country.

MPIC is a leading infrastructure investment management and holding company in the Philippines, with holdings in the country’s largest electricity distributor, toll road operator, water distributor, and hospital group.

PLDT is the dominant integrated telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines with the largest fixed broadband network and the largest, most modern, and most sophisticated wireless network in the country MPIC also holds assets in the storage of petroleum products.

Philex is one of the largest metal mining companies in the Philippines, producing gold, copper and silver.

PXP is an upstream oil and gas company with a number of service contracts in the Philippines.

PLP is the operator of one of Singapore’s most efficient gas-fired power plants and RHI runs a sugar and ethanol business in the Philippines.

Celebrating FP’s 40th year in 2021, FP companies are firing on cylinders, says MVP, adding, “turnover and recurring profit reached record highs – peaks that we expect to be surpassed in the years ahead.”

Sums up FP Chair Anthoni Salim: “As the

zero-Covid policy, the closure of the international borders for travel, and woes in the property market, Chey notes.

But where criticism of the leadership is taking place, said Sacks, it is more often from those who believe China has not gone far enough in its spat over Taiwan.

This means officials will continue to calibrate their response and intensify it accordingly, he added.

“Unless this gets really out of control, even though there has been some pushback to Xi’s re-

Philippines gradually lifted movement restrictions, MPIC’s several businesses returned to growth. PLDT benefitted from continuing strong growth in demand for data services, led by the residential broadband offered by its Home business. Philex benefitted from surging metal prices.”

In 2021, PLDT delivered record service revenues by dominating in customer experience across both wireless and fixed-line businesses.

Its three engines of earnings growth – Individual, Home, and Enterprise – continue to perform strongly, taking turns leading the way.

After over a decade of robust capital expenditures, MVP says the gap in quality of customer experience between PLDT and its competitors now seems unsurmountable.

PLDT’s fintech investment, Voyager, saw its PayMaya digital payments business become the first and only telecommunications company to receive a Philippine digital banking license.

This, says MVP, suggests strong potential growth in valuations of its parent PLDT on the promise of strong earnings from an economy where more than two thirds of people lack a formal bank account. Continuing earnings growth is seen in the years ahead.

MPIC saw its two biggest businesses – electricity and toll roads – deliver double-digit earnings growth while its water business Maynilad saw flat earnings on lower volumes of water consumption.

MPIC’s core profit nearly doubled from the low set in 2020 as the Philippines began climbing out of pandemic-inspired movement restrictions.

MVP expects continuing demand growth for all three main businesses even as new investments add potential catalysts to MPIC’s earnings.

Philex rode on sharply higher copper prices.

Core profit more than doubled despite decline gold and copper volume produced.

Philex is excited about its new mining project in Mindanao, Silangan-- the future for the company.

Enthuses MVP: “I have not been more optimistic for our prospects at any time in the past four decades than I am now.”

Futurely, MVP seeks huge potential in agriculture. Expect the group to vigorously pursue big aggie deals. biznewsasia@gmail.com

sponse, I don’t think that it will in any way threaten his position at the upcoming party congress,” Sacks said.

For some however, the military escalation -blamed on Pelosi’s visit -- has opened new and concerning possibilities.

“Before this, some people around me felt that peaceful reunification could be achieved, as it was a matter between us and Taiwan,” said a Guangzhou resident surnamed Luo. “But with the US’ involvement, some are starting to see it as a battle with America.” AFP

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

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Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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Torrential rain, severe flooding kill 7 in Seoul; 7 more missing SEOUL—Subway stations and major roads were underwater in the South Korean capital Seoul after record-breaking rains caused severe flooding, with at least seven people dead and seven more missing, officials said Tuesday.

Authorities warned of more rain to come even as emergency workers tried to clear the hulks of flooded cars, which AFP reporters saw strewn across major intersections throughout the city.

Dramatic images shared on social media late Monday showed people wading through waist-deep water, metro stations overflowing, and cars halfsubmerged in Seoul’s posh Gangnam district, which was particularly hard-hit when torrential rain battered the city.

The downpour that began Monday is the heaviest rainfall in South Korea in 80 years, according to Seoul’s Yonhap News Agency.

“At least seven people died in the Seoul metropolitan area, while seven others are missing, due to heavy rain as of 7:30 this morning,” an official at Seoul’s Interior ministry told AFP.

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Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region Family Court Branch 13 Quezon City, Metro Manila JOANE O. PAGUIO, Petitioner, -versus -

Local reports said three people living in a banjiha—cramped basement flats of the kind made famous in Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite” -including a teenager, died as their apartment was inundated by floodwaters.

Gangnam, a wealthy district in southern Seoul—which was featured in Psy’s 2012 K-pop hit “Gangnam Style” -- received 326.5 millimetres of rainfall on Monday, data from the Korea Meteorological Administration showed.

Yonhap said the downpours were the heaviest recorded since 1942.

President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered government officials to evacuate residents from high-risk areas and encouraged businesses to allow employees flexible commuting hours on Tuesday morning.

“Record-breaking torrential downpours in the central region since yesterday have caused a lot of damage, including unfortunate casualties,” Yoon said on Facebook Tuesday, adding the RECORD FLOODING. People wade alongside submerged cars in a street during heavy rainfall in the Gangnam district of Seoul government would provide “prompt re- on August 8. The downpour that began Monday is the heaviest rainfall in South Korea in 80 years, according to Seoul’s Yonhap News covery and damage support.” AFP Agency. AFP

Civil Case No. R-QZN-21-10067-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage under Art. 36 of the Family Code

DENNIS JOSE ANGELO R. PAGUIO Respondent. x------------------------------------------------x SUMMONS (by publication) To: Dennis Jose Angelo R. Paguio No. 70 Lourdes Proper Ext., Queen of Peace Road, Baguio City GREETINGS:

17. The foregoing events, among others, have compelled JOANE to file the instant Petition. Indubitably, there is a clear failure on the part of DENNIS to comply with the essential obligations of loving, respecting, caring, and providing support to JOANE and HOPE, among others. xxxx 22.

In view of the psychological disorder of DENNIS to comply with the essential obligations of marriage, of which psychological incapacity has been clinically found to be incurable and existing prior to or before the celebration of marriage, there is a compelling necessity to declare the marriage a complete nullity under Article 36 of the New Family code.

23. JOANE and DENNIS do not have properties which may be subject to a property settlement. Neither do they have a pre-nuptial agreement. The property of the parties were governed by absolute community of property.

WHEREAS, a petition for declaration WHEREAS, in the petition, the relief/s of nullity of marriage under Article 36 of prayed for is hereby quoted as follows: the Family Code has been commenced by petitioner Joane O. Paguio against “WHEREFORE, premises considered, respondent Dennis Jose Angelo R. petitioner JOANE O. PAGUIO most Paguio; respectfully prays of this Honorable Court that after due notice and hearing, WHEREAS, on 16 December 2021, judgment be rendered declaring the this Court found the petition and its marriage between petitioner JOANE attachments compliant with A.M. No. O. PAGUIO and respondent DENNIS 02-11-10-SC or the Rule on Declaration JOSE ANGELO R. PAGUIO a complete of Absolute Nullity of Marriages and nullity ab initio under Article 36 of the Annulment of Voidable Marriages, and Family Code of the Philippines and that ordered the issuance of summons upon Petitioner be given custody of her child, respondent Dennis Jose Angelo R. GABRIELLE HOPE OCCIDENTAL Paguio whose given address is at No. PAGUIO. 70 Lourdes Proper Ext, Queen of Peace Road, Baguio City; NOW THEREFORE, YOU, respondent WHEREAS, on 23 June 2022, petitioner DENNIS JOSE ANGELO R. PAGUIO, filed a (Rule on Declaration of Absolute ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND within THIRTY (30) Nullity of Marriages and Annulment of REQUIRED Voidable Marriages, which prayed that CALENDAR DAYS from the last issue of summons be served upon respondent publication to ANSWER the petition and through publication, after his authorized to copy furnish the petitioner with a copy representative, who had been authorized of your Answer at No. 695 Tandang Sora for the said purposes, failed to serve Avenue, Old Balara, Quezon City, or her summons and a copy of the petition to counsel Atty. Marlon R. Dulnuan at 11 respondent at his last known address at Don Juan Street, Don Antonio Heights, No. 70 Lourdes Proper Ext., Queen of Quezon City. You are reminded of IBPPeace Raod, Baguio City as respondent OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint could not be found therein. in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses WHEREAS, the Petition states, to wit: in the Answer. If you fail to Answer within “I Petitioner JOANE O. PAGUIO (“JOANE” the time fixed, the Court shall order the for short) is female, Filipino, forty-three Public Prosecutor to investigate whether (43) years old and married to respondent. collusion exists, in accordance with She is a manager in the Business Process Section 8(3) of the Rule on Declaration Outsourcing (BPO) industry, and has of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and been a resident of No. 695 Tandang Sora Annulment of Voidable Marriages.

Avenue, Old Balara, Quezon City for three The Respondent in an action for (3) decades now.

Declaration of Nullity of Marriage must 2. Respondent DENNIS JOSE ANGELO strictly observe the above-prescribed R. PAGUIO (“DENNIS” for short) is male, period to file Answer.

Filipino, forty-eight (48) years old and married to petitioner. He is a businessman WHEREFORE, let this summons be and owner of GFQ Auto-repair Shop and published once a week for two (2) Detailing Specialist with office address consecutive weeks in a newspaper of at No. 70 Lourdes proper Ext., Queen of general circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079 at the expense of Peace Road, Baguio City. the petitioner. Likewise, let a copy of the 3. JOANE and DENNIS got married on summons be sent by registered mail to the 16 September 2005 at the Hall of Justice respondent at his known address. also at in Marikina City. They have a daughter, the expense of petitioner and to submit to GABRIELLE HOPE OCCIDENTAL this Court proof of compliance therewith.

PAGUlO, x x x.

WITNESS THE HON. LILY ANN M. 10. During their cohabitation, JOANE PADAEN Presiding Judge of this Court, observed the following trait on the this 27th day of June 2022. part of DENNIS: selfish-indulgence/ hedonism, grandiosity and superiority (Sgd.) NOLI A. ERMITANIO strivings, excessive need for admiration Court Legal Researcher II and infidelity, lack of empathy and Officer-in-Charge remorse, interpersonal abusiveness, and indifference towards the needs of spouse Copy furnished: and child. xxx Office of the Solicitor General 14. JOANE, then consulted a lawyer Counsel for the Republic of the Philippines about her marriage. The lawyer then 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, referred her to a clinical psychologist, Makati City who conducted a battery of tests and interviews on JOANE. ACP Vanessa Juvy O. Balita 15. After an assiduous analysis of JOANE’s case, the clinical psychologist concluded that DENNIS suffered from NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER WITH ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY FEATURES.

Public Prosecutor DOJ Building, Quezon City Hall Compound Brgy. Central, Diliman 1100, Quezon City

Atty. Marlon R. Dulnuan Counsel for Petitioner 11 Don Juan Street, Don Antonio Heights, 16. The clinical psychologist found that Quezon City the marriage contracted by the JOANE and DENNIS was non-existent because Joane O. Paguio DENNIS since the time of the celebration Petitioner of the marriage was psychologically- No. 695 Tandang Sora Avenue, Old Balara, incapacitated to comply with his essential Quezon City marital obligations.

(MStandard - August 3 & 10, 2022)

Russia launches Iranian satellite, raises eyebrows

A

LMATY—An Iranian satellite launched

by Russia blasted off from Kazakhstan early Tuesday and went into orbit amid controversy that Moscow might use it to improve its surveillance of military targets in Ukraine.

A live feed from Russian space agency Roscosmos showed the launch of the Soyuz2.1b rocket carrying the Khayyam satellite from the Russia-controlled Baikonur cosmo-

drome at the scheduled time of 0552 GMT. The Russian mission control confirmed its subsequent entry into orbit.

Iran, which has maintained ties with Moscow and refrained from criticism of the Ukraine invasion, has sought to deflect suspicions that Moscow could use Khayyam to spy on Ukraine.

Last week, US daily The Washington Post quoted anonymous Western intelligence officials as saying that Russia “plans to use the satellite for several months or longer” to assist its war efforts before allowing Iran to take control.

But the Iranian Space Agency said on Sunday that the Islamic republic would control the Khayyam satellite “from day one”.

“No third country is able to access the information” sent by the satellite due to its “encrypted algorithm,” it said.

The purpose of Khayyam is to “monitor the country’s borders”, enhance agricultural productivity and monitor water resources and natural disasters, the space agency said.

In a pre-launch statement on Monday ISA praised “the high reliability factor of the Soyuz launcher”.

“Due to Khayyam satellite’s weight of more than half a ton and the very high success rate of the Soyuz launcher, the launch of the Khayyam satellite has been entrusted to Russia,” the statement on the space agency’s website noted. AFP

Nagasaki mayor warns of ‘crisis’ of atom bomb

HELI BUCKET. A firefighter helicopter transports water to combat a massive fire at a fuel depot sparked by a lightning strike in Matanzas, Cuba, on August 8. A second oil tanker collapsed at midnight Sunday in western Cuba, which has left one dead and 16 missing, local authorities reported. AFP

3 dead, 40 hurt in Israeli West Bank raid NABLUS—Three people were killed and dozens wounded Tuesday, the Palestinian health ministry said, as Israeli forces raided a house in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.

The Israeli military said a senior militant commander was among the dead.

The latest violence comes two days after deadly fighting between Israel and Islamic Jihad militants in the coastal enclave of Gaza was halted by a truce.

In the old city of Nablus, an AFP correspondent reported Palestinians trading gunfire with Israeli security forces.

At least 40 Palestinians were wounded, four of them in serious condition, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

“The terrorist Ibrahim al-Nabulsi was killed in the city of Nablus,” the Israeli army said in a statement, adding that “another ter-

rorist who was staying in the house” also died.

Israeli forces said they launched a shoulder-fired missile at the house and detained four suspects in the raid.

Nabulsi was a commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, one of the main militant groups present in the West Bank operating under the ruling Fatah party.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Nablus hospital where Nabulsi was brought by a dozen gunmen, an AFP correspondent said.

Heavy gunfire was heard as dozens of Israeli military vehicles brought traffic in one of the West Bank’s largest cities to a standstill.

Clashes with the Israeli army also broke out in other parts of the city, as Palestinians hurled stones at the troops. AFP

TOKYO—Nuclear weapons present a “tangible and present crisis” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the mayor of Nagasaki said Tuesday, the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombing that destroyed the Japanese city.

On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki was flattened in an inferno that killed 74,000 people, three days after the world’s first nuclear bomb attack in Hiroshima.

The twin strikes by the United States led to the end of World War II, and to this day Japan remains the only country to be hit by atomic weapons in wartime.

But on Tuesday, mayor Tomihisa Taue sounded a note of alarm.

“In January this year, the leaders of the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China released a joint statement affirming that ‘a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought’,” he said.

“However, the very next month Russia invaded Ukraine. Threats of using nuclear weapons have been made, sending shivers throughout the globe.

“The use of nuclear weapons is not a ‘groundless fear’ but a ‘tangible and present crisis’,” Taue said, warning that they could be unleashed through mistaken judgements, malfunctions or in terror attacks.

Survivors and foreign dignitaries joined by hundreds of members of the public offered a silent prayer at 11:02 am (0202 GMT), the exact moment the bomb was dropped on the port city. AFP

Mexico to use underwater drone in search for trapped miners AGUJITA, Mexico—Rescuers will deploy an underwater drone as part of intensified efforts to save 10 workers trapped for five days in a flooded coal mine in northern Mexico, authorities said Monday.

The device provided by the navy has a highresolution camera and light to identify possible obstacles without putting lives at risk, civil defense national coordinator Laura Velazquez said.

Work continued to pump water from the mine in Agujita in the northern state of Coahuila to make it safe enough for rescuers to go inside.

The military said that it was hoped rescuers would be able to enter one of the shafts in the middle of this week if the water level drops to 1.5 meters (around five feet).

The mine shafts descend about 60 meters and the water inside the one that rescuers plan to go into was 19.4 meters deep, down from more than 30 meters initially, officials said.

“We’re hurrying to remove the water so that the rescuers can enter,” said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who visited the site on Sunday and urged greater efforts to save the miners.

Around 300 liters were being pumped out each second, he told reporters back in Mexico City.

“Everyone has faith. No one is thinking about anything other than the rescue,” he said.

Authorities said the miners had been carrying out excavation work when they hit an adjoining area full of water. AFP

TO THE RESCUE. A rescuer works in the flooded coal mine where 10 miners have been trapped since Wednesday after a landslide in the community of Agujita, Sabinas, Coahuila State, Mexico, on August 8. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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PSEi August 9, 2022

TOP GAINERS 1 2

TECHW MM

LAST PRICE 0.74 1.36

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.06 8.82% 0.11 8.80%

3 4 5

TECH APC MVC

3.39 0.215 5.45

0.25 0.015 0.35

7.96% 7.50% 6.86%

6 7

GREEN GMAP

1.79 11.36

0.11 0.62

6.55% 5.77%

8 9 10

TUGS ANI WEB

1.27 6 3.25

0.06 0.28 0.15

4.96% 4.90% 4.84%

TOP LOSERS 1 2

MJC MJIC

LAST PRICE 1.06 0.67

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.43 -28.86% -0.27 -28.72%

3 4 5

MG RLT MB

0.107 0.213 0.315

-0.012 -0.015 -0.02

-10.08% -6.58% -5.97%

6 7 8

PA ORE ROCK

2.07 0.75 1.26

-0.13 -0.03 -0.05

-5.91% -3.85% -3.82%

9 10

FOOD CEI

0.53 0.084

-0.02 -0.003

-3.64% -3.45%

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Q2 growth lifts stock market; Ayala Land and SM Prime rise

T

HE stock market rose Tuesday after the release of government data showing a decent economic growth rate of 7.4 percent in the second quarter of the year.

Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group climbed 3.5 percent to P805, while unit SM Prime Holdings Inc. gained 1.9 percent at P37.30.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group advanced 4.6 percent to P26.35, but International Container Terminal Services Inc. of business tycoon The Philippine Stock Exchange Index Enrique Razon Jr., the biggest port operaadded 34.73 points, or 0.5 percent, to tor, fell 1.6 percent to P181.

6,468.97 on a value turnover of P12.2 Most Asian markets, meanwhile, rose billion. Gainers beat losers, 112 to 82, Tuesday but investors moved cautiously with 42 issues unchanged. ahead of US inflation data later in the Gross domestic product rose 7.4 per- week, after a jobs report suggested the cent, slightly weaker than the 7.5 percent Federal Reserve would likely need to expected and down from 8.2 percent in continue its sharp interest rate hikes to Manila the previous three months,Standard Economic tame runaway prices.

TODAY

A rally across global markets from June lows appeared to have hit the buffers after Friday’s forecast-busting employment reading showed the world’s top economy remained resilient but meant more monetary tightening was on the cards.

Asian equities fluctuated in the morning but improved as the day progressed.

Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Taipei, Bangkok and Jakarta were in positive territory but Tokyo fell.

Hong Kong reversed a morning rally led by developers after the government denied claims it was considering removing an extra stamp duty for mainland Chinese buying property in the city.

There had been a hope that recent weak data—including one showing the US economy contracted for two straight quar-

ters—would allow the bank to take its foot off the pedal in lifting borrowing costs, and possibly begin cutting in 2023.

Now, investors are on edge ahead of Wednesday’s figures, with some observers warning that an above-estimate reading on inflation, which is already at a four-decade high, could spur another sharp market sell-off.

There is a growing expectation that central bank interest rate hikes will go too far and tip the global economy into recession.

Saira Malik, at investment manager Nuveen, told Bloomberg Television the losses could kick in when investors realize “the Fed is not going to pivot on interest-rate hikes in early 2023, inflation should remain pretty persistent and rate hikes should continue.” With AFP

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ALI ICT BDO SM AC MER URC MONDE SMPH SCC

VOLUME VALUE (PHP) 21,578,400 557,058,480 2,347,460 424,759,608 3,552,710 410,939,317 424,940 338,890,235 348,340 245,821,585 705,970 222,201,850 1,633,910 201,007,726 11,541,800 185,830,430 (MS-JULY 22, 2022) 4,583,800 169,708,810 4,298,600 169,485,025

VINTAGE VANS. Pedestrians walk past vintage Volkswagen Kombi (VW Combi) vans during the third Fromentine Vintage Cup in Fromentine, western France, on August 7, 2022. The Fromentine Cup is an annual gathering of vintage vans, Volkswagen Kombi trucks and surfboarding enthusiasts on the western coast of France. AFP

US regulators clear Boeing to resume deliveries of 787 Dreamliner WASHINGTON, United States—After more than a year, aviation giant Boeing will be allowed to resume deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft “in the coming days,” after the company made changes to its manufacturing process, US air safety regulators announced Monday.

Deliveries of the top-selling wide-body plane have been halted since spring 2021, so the news will be welcomed by US airlines and travelers who have suffered from massive delays and canceled flights in recent weeks, partly due to the shortage of aircraft.

“Boeing has made the necessary changes to ensure that the 787 Dreamliner meets all certification standards,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

The plane’s travails date to late summer 2020, when the company uncovered manufacturing flaws with some jets. Boeing sub-

sequently identified additional issues, including with the horizontal stabilizer.

The difficulties curtailed deliveries between November 2020 and March 2021.

Boeing suspended deliveries later in spring 2021 after more problems surfaced.

Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen met with safety inspectors in South Carolina last week to confirm they were satisfied with the company’s improvements, which were made to ensure they comply with standards and to identify potential risks after defects were uncovered on the plane.

“The FAA will inspect each aircraft before an airworthiness certificate is issued and cleared for delivery,” the statement said.

“We expect deliveries to resume in the coming days.”

A company spokesman told AFP that Boeing will “continue to work transparently with

Manila MS-AUG. 3 & 10, 2022

Standard

TODAY

the FAA and our customers toward resuming 787 deliveries,” but did not confirm the firm had received final FAA approval.

During a July 27 earnings conference call, Chief Executive Dave Calhoun described the company was “on the verge” of garnering approval, though he declined to give a precise target date.

At the end of June, Boeing had 120 Dreamliner planes in inventory and was producing the jet “at very low rates,” the company said in a filing.

The company’s stock price gained ground on the news, closing 0.5 percent higher.

Inability to deliver the Dreamliner has dragged down Boeing’s profits, which plunged 67 percent in the second quarter. And the manufacturing changes have led to billions in additional costs for the company. AFP

When the sun switches off the solar panels in Germany

By Ralf Isermann MUNICH, Germany—The more the sun shines in the southern German town of Aurach, the more likely it is that Jens Husemann’s solar panels will be disconnected from the grid—an exasperating paradox at a time when Germany is navigating an energy supply crisis.

“It’s being switched off every day,” Husemann told AFP during a recent sunny spell, saying there had been more than 120 days of forced shutdowns so far this year.

Husemann, who runs an energy conversion business near Munich, also owns a sprawling solar power system on the flat roof of a transport company in Aurach, Bavaria.

The energy generated flows into power lines run by grid operator NErgie, which then distributes it on the network.

But in sunny weather, the power lines are becoming overloaded—leading the grid operator to cut off supply from the solar panels.

“It’s a betrayal of the population,” said Husemann, pointing to soaring electricity prices and a continued push to install more solar panels across Germany.

Europe’s biggest economy is eyeing an ambitious switch to renewables making up 80 percent of its electricity from 2030 in a bid to go carbon neutral.

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put a spanner in the works.

(MS-JULY 22, 2022)

Moscow has cut gas supplies to Germany by 80 percent, in what is believed to be a bid to weaken the European powerhouse’s resolve in backing Ukraine.

As a result, Berlin has been scrambling for alternative sources across the world to replace the shortfall.

This makes it all the more frustrating for Husemann, whose solar panels normally generate enough electricity for 50 households. With the repeated shutdowns, he suspects they will only supply half of their capacity by the end of the year.

Grid bottlenecks Grid operator N-Ergie, which is responsible for harvesting electricity from Husemann’s panels, admits the situation is less than ideal.

There were 257 days last year when it had to

This file aerial view taken on August 2, 2022 with a drone shows solar panels on the roof of a logistics company’s freight processing hall in Aurach, southern Germany.

The more the sun shines in the southern German town of Aurach, the more likely it is that Jens Husemann’s solar panels will be disconnected from the grid. AFP

cut off supply from solar panels on parts of the grid.

“We are currently witnessing—and this is a good thing—an unprecedented boom in photovoltaic parks,” Rainer Kleedoerfer, head of N-Ergie’s development department, told AFP. But while it takes just a couple of years to commission a solar power plant, updating the necessary infrastructure takes between five and 10 years, he said.

“The number of interventions and the amount of curtailed energy have increased continuously in recent years” as a result, according to N-Ergie spokesman Michael Enderlein.

“The likelihood is that grid bottlenecks will actually increase in the coming years,” while resolving them will take several more years, Enderlein said. AFP

MS-AUG. 3 & 10, 2022

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IN BRIEF Globe: Fine DITO for fraudulent calls

GLOBE Telecom Inc. of the Ayala Group has asked the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to require DITO Telecommunity to pay P622 million because of rising fraudulent calls bypassing its network.

Globe said the penalties were brought about by fraudulent calls placed through DITO’s network to Globe, bypassing proper voice traffic channels.

An average of 1,000 fraudulent calls— identified as international in origin but masked as local calls– are allowed to pass through DITO’s network to Globe users every day in violation of interconnect rules, according to Globe.

“The penalty covering one year, from July 2021 to July 2022, has ballooned with DITO’s adamant refusal to compensate Globe, defying provisions of its interconnect agreement on bypass traffic. In comparison, zero or no bypass traffic has been allowed to pass from Globe to DITO due to its advanced monitoring systems and sophisticated network protection from illegal calls,” Globe said. Darwin G. Amojelar

ICTSI introduces new mobile app

INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. has rolled out a new mobile application that gives port users access to its newest digital services.

The company’s latest innovation grants port users real-time access to critical logistics data across ICTSI’s global operations.

Using the app, port stakeholders can monitor trucks, containers and vessels, as well as view payment estimates from corresponding ICTSI terminals in advance. These services enable port users to optimize their shipping experience through ICTSI and reduce costs.

“As the largest independent port operator across six continents, ICTSI is leveraging digital platforms to bring new levels of interactivity and supply chain visibility to our stakeholders. From shipper to vessel and vessel to consignee, ICTSI looks to provide the most transparent and most visible logistics process while maintaining our shipping line neutrality,” said Brian Hibbert, ICTSI Group chief information officer.

The ICTSI app eliminates conflicting and late information by providing users with real-time visibility at the palm of their hands.

Using the Watchlist feature, users can monitor containers, trucks and vessels and receive updates via email or SMS for every development on the container, truck or vessel being monitored. Darwin G. Amojelar

Stores Asia Expo 2022 invites retail executives

THE Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) invites thousands of retail executives and industry leaders to look out for the best retail trends geared toward innovation and tools in making their brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce marketplace digitally easy, efficient and effective to win customers every year.

Stores Asia Expo, the twin activity of the NRCE National Retail Conference, will have an essential go-to-shop for business of all sizes in this new retail market. The 28th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo (NRCE) scheduled on-site on August 11 to 12 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City will have the theme “Retail: Ready, Re/set/ GROW!” PRA president Rosemarie Bosch Ong, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wilcon Depot Inc., said the Stores Asia Expo since its launching has served as an ideal venue for retail suppliers to meet clients, build networks, and connect, collaborate and develop trust within the industry.

Business GDP expanded 7.4% in Q2 despite high inflation rate

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Philippine economy expanded 7.4 percent in the second quarter following the revised 8.2-percent expansion in the first quarter and 12.1 percent a year ago, despite the impact of high global commodity prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and supply chain disruptions in China.

“Timely changes in COVID-related policies, such as easing alert levels, removing tourism restrictions and accelerated vaccine rollout, helped increase economic activities. As of June 2022, around 85 percent of the economy was already under Alert Level 1. That these changes were implemented during the recently-held national and local elec-

tions demonstrate that, indeed, ‘living with the virus’ is possible,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Tuesday.

Balisacan said the second-quarter gross domestic product growth of the Philippines was the second fastest in the region, next to Vietnam’s 7.7 percent. It was faster than Indonesia’s 5.4

percent and China’s 0.4 percent.

Economic growth averaged 7.8 percent in the first half, above the 2022 target range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent set by the government.

National statistician and civil registrar general Dennis Mapa said in an online briefing the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector posted a 0.2-percent growth in the second quarter, while the industry sector expanded 6.3 percent.

The services sector grew 9.1 percent.

He said that on the demand side, household final consumption expenditure grew by 8.6 percent in the second quarter while government final consumption expenditure went up 11.1 percent. Gross capital formation increased 20.5 percent; exports of goods and services, 4.3 percent; and imports of goods and services, 13.6 percent.

ACCUCARE OPENING. Pagsanjan Mayor Cesar Areza (third from right) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of Accucare Diagnostic and Medical Center, a fully-compliant licensed secondary clinical laboratory at CLA Town Center Mall in Pagsanjan, Laguna. Also attending the event are (from second left) municipal administrator Gabriel Areza, Vice Mayor Teryl Gamit, ADMC president and chief executive Ronnel Manaig, vice president Myra Sumague, finance director Karen May Latay and corporate secretary Daniel Palentinos. Roy Tomandao

PNOC-EC to look into Razon Group’s acquisition of Malampaya

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE newly-appointed executives of state-run PNOC Exploration Corp. will conduct a due diligence on the sale of Shell Exploration Philippines B.V.’s 45-percent stake in the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project to MEXP Holding Pte. Ltd., which is now controlled by the Razon Group.

PNOC EC, representing the government, owns a 10-percent stake in Service Contract 38 in northwest Palawan.

The previous PNOC-EC board decided to withhold its consent to the sale

amid questions on the legal, financial and technical capability of the Udenna Group to operate Malampaya. However, the ownership of MEXP Holdings recently changed from Udenna Group of businessman Dennis Uy to Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. of businessman Enrique Razon Jr. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said he would review the sale from the Department of Energy standpoint and not as PNOC EC chairman.

“It would not be good for me to be participating in the deliberations of PNOC EC on this and then reviewing

myself later on,” Lotilla said in a briefing.

“I would have to get PNOC EC to address these issues, and President [Franz] Alvarez is heading this particular effort right now, and they would have to address these issues with the PNOC EC board soon because there are certain timelines that have to be met,” Lotilla said.

He said the DOE wanted to make sure the PNOC EC board would have a complement of professional and competent advisors or consultants “that would help them evaluate what is before them.”

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, August 9, 2022

34.73 PTS. 6,468.97

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

965,565,222 65,225 12,194,318,765.20 112

DECLINES UNCHANGED

82 42

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

55.5940

Japan

Yen

0.007409

0.4119

UK

Pound

1.208300

67.1742

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127390

7.0821

Switzerland

Franc

1.046792

58.1954

Canada

Dollar

0.777545

43.2268

Singapore

Dollar

0.725426

40.3293

Australia

Dollar

0.698200

38.8157

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

147.4759

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266078

14.7923

Brunei

Dollar

0.722804

40.1836

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028125

1.5636

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.1371

Euro

Euro

1.019500

56.6781

Korea

Won

0.000770

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.148131

8.2352

India

Rupee

0.012565

0.6985

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.224366

12.4734

New Zealand

Dollar

0.628400

34.9353

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033333

1.8531 Source: BSP

DMCI Holdings posted 6-month profit of P20.3b

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE DMCI Holdings Inc. said Tuesday net income hit a record P20.3 billion in the first half, surpassing the 2021 full year earnings of P18.4 billion as all subsidiaries delivered robust growth.

DMCI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income surged 73 percent in the second quarter to a record P9 billion from P5.2 billion the same period last year.

It said higher coal, electricity and nickel prices, coupled with higher revenue recognition from real estate business, drove the strong first-half and second-quarter results.

“We had a very strong first half because of elevated market prices.

If the current trend holds till October, we hope to declare another round of special dividends for our shareholders before year-end,” said DMCI chairman and president Isidro Consunji.

DMCI declared special dividends of P0.14 per share in April on top of regular cash dividends in the amount of P0.34 per share.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the group’s coal mining and power generation firm, contributed P6.1 billion to total second-quarter net income, up 161 percent year-on-year, on the back of all-time high average coal selling prices and higher spot sales volume amid elevated market prices.

Semirara coal’s average selling price improved by 126 percent to a record high of P5,399 per metric ton from P2,393/MT as index prices continued to spike during the period.

Property unit DMCI Homes also contributed P1.3-billion profit, up 63 percent than P804 million last year on higher revenue recognition from ongoing projects and upward adjustment in selling prices.

Construction arm DM Consunji Inc. accounted for P516 million of total net income, an increase of 467 percent from P91 million with the completion of some projects and conservative revenue take-up the previous year.

Trade deficit widened 66% to $29.8b on record-high imports in the 1st half

BEST SERVICE PROVIDER.

Sonny Magpuri, first vice president of BDO Singapore branch, accepts the award of BDO Unibank Inc. award as the Philippines’ Best Service Provider in Cash Management at The Asset Triple A Awards in Singapore. BDO Unibank successfully managed its clients’ cash flow through the bank’s efficient payments and collections process and effective application of technology. The Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Sustainable Supply Chain and Risk Management Awards recognize companies and financial institutions for their exemplary performance in implementing initiatives on treasury, trade, sustainable supply chain and risk management.

THE trade deficit widened 75.4 percent in June to a record $5.84 billion from $3.33 billion a year ago, as monthly imports reached an all-time high on higher oil prices and amid the geopolitical tension in Eastern Europe, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

The June trade deficit was also higher by 5.2 percent than the $5.56-billion shortfall in May. The latest data brought the first-half trade deficit to $29.793 billion, up 66 percent from the shortfall of $17.953 billion in the same period last year.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the recordhigh trade deficit in June was “bloated by elevated prices of global oil and other commodities imported by the country largely brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war since February 24, 2022.”

Ricacort said the pickup in imports and economic activities as the economy re-opened towards greater normalcy contributed to the increase in trade deficit.

“This partly weighed on the peso exchange rate in recent months [matching the record high of 56.45 posted on July 12 and 14, 2022] but already improved to the strongest in more than a month at 55.50 levels recently,” he said.

“However, trade deficit and imports, as bloated by elevated global commodity prices, could ease in the coming months, after global crude oil, wheat and other commodity prices already erased all the increase since the RussiaUkraine war started on Feb. 24, 2022, thereby could also help support/stabilize the peso exchange rate as well,” Ricafort said.Julito G. Rada

Megaworld registered 18% increase in net earnings to P5.9b in first semester as malls, hotels reopened PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Tuesday net income attributable to parent company climbed 18 percent in the first half to P5.9 billion from P5 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues rose 23 percent to P27.5 billion from P22.4 billion a year ago.

Megaworld chief strategy officer

Kevin Tan said residential sales, mall and office rentals and hotel operations posted double-digit growth.

“For the first time since the pandemic, we have achieved double-digit growth across all business segments.

This is a clear indication that we are on the right track in our goal to finally go back to the pre-pandemic levels of our core businesses,” Tan said.

First-half revenues from residential business rose 26 percent to P17 billion from P13.5 billion in the same period last year.

Megaworld said it launched P21 billion worth of new residential projects from January to June this year. Reservation sales went up 38 percent to P51 billion.

Rental revenues from office and mall developments climbed 19 percent to

P7.5 billion in the first six months from P6.3 billion last year.

Office rental income reached P6 billion in the first six months, up 15 percent year-on-year. Occupancy rate stood at 91 percent as the business process outsourcing industry remained resilient amid the pandemic.

Mall rental income increased by 41 percent to P1.5 billion as more tenants

were allowed to restart operations. Foot traffic also improved across mall properties on increased mobility.

Hotel revenues recovered in the first half, posting a 49-percent increase in sales to P1.1 billion.

The group operates 11 hotel properties with around 4,000 room keys in Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Tagaytay and Iloilo. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sports

Taiwanese shock High Speed Hitters, bolster bid

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022

C1

Game Friday (Filoil EcoOil Centre) 4 p.m. – Kingwhale vs Creamline

KINGWHALE-Taipei checked on its lapses while pouncing on PLDT ‘s blunders, pulling off a shock 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 victory to fuel its title drive while giving idle Creamline a free ride to the finals in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Tuesday.

The Taiwanese blew a 2-1 set lead but battled back from four points down late in the decider, closing out with a stinging 7-1 run aided by three PLDT miscues, including a Mika Reyes’ serve that failed to clear the net.

Jules Samonte scored on a superb PLDT combo play that made it 12-8 but failed on her backrow attack after a long frenetic rally for a key point that the visiting squad used as a springboard to launch its stirring comeback following a straight-set romp over Army in their PVL debut Monday.

Back-to-back through-the-block hits

by Chen Li-Jun put PLDT on pins and needles and the High Speed Hitters crack in the face of the Taiwanese mighty fightback with Tsai Qin-Yao’s off-speed hit leveling the count at 12.

A Chin Basas attack error shoved Kingwhale on top and Chen Li-Jung put the team at match point on a block touch before Jovie Prado ended the long PLDT spell with a blast on her second attack, sending Reyes to the service line.

But the former La Salle stalwart failed to deliver, enabling Kingwhale to clinch the draining two-hour, 25-minute lone match in the five-team semifinals of the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

With a 2-0 slate, Kingwhale seized solo second even as Creamline, unbeaten in three matches, took the first final berth without suiting up.

The Cool Smashers go for a sweep against Kingwhale on Friday back at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan as the league takes a two-day break today and tomorrow. The lone visiting squad closes out the semis phase against Cignal on Saturday.

It was another sorry defeat for PLDT, which also lost a five-setter to PLDT last Saturday. At 2-2, it could hope for Kingwhale to drop its last two games to force a three-way tie at second with the superior tiebreak points to face Creamline in a winner-take-all match on Sunday, back at the MOA Arena.

PLDT produced 73 attack points, 10 more than Kingwhale, a mix of young and old, but yielded 37 points in errors as the Taiwanese, who finished with 26 miscues, played it smart all throughout and never gave up to squeeze out the thrilling victory.

PH women chessers aim for best finish in Olympiad THE Philippines dealt regional rival Vietnam a vengeful 3-1 victory in the 10th and penultimate round Monday night to move on the verge of carving its best ever performance in the World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman International Masters Marie Antoinette San Diego and Kylen Joy Mordido came through with masterful wins on boards one, three and four, respectively, to seal the upset win.

Of the four, only WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda suffered the loss—a stinging result to WGM Nguyen Thi Ma Hung on the second board.

But it was hardly felt as the Filipinas, who are backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, won their games in the other boards that sealed the win and a spot at 22nd place with 10 other countries with 13 match points.

The country was clashing with 14th pick Cuba in the final round at press time and a triumph would seal the former its best finish in the biennial meet since placing 22nd in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1988 when powerhouse countries Soviet Union and Yugoslavia were still one countries and 26th in Turin, Italy in 2006 when the two nations dissolved into multiple republics.

The Filipinas had also surpassed its 67th place effort in the last over-theboard edition of the biennial tournament in Batumi, Georgia four years back regardless of the results of their last match.

Meanwhile, the Filipinos routed the Guatemalans, 4-0, to move up to an 18-nation tie at 41st spot with 12 points.

Kingwhale-Taipei players celebrate after beating the PLDT High Speed Hitters.

SBP confirms Clarkson inclusion in Gilas; Talks with Sotto ongoing T

HE final roster of the Gilas Pilipinas team for the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers will be revealed after the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

This was announced by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas spokesperson and executive director Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios following a discussion with national team coach Chot Reyes and his staff, stressing it would be better to make the announcement once the pair of ongoing semifinals series is over.

The all-Filipino Cup semis is almost halfway through and features Magnolia against defending champion TNT, and top seed San Miguel opposite Meralco.

“Hindi muna natin ire-release ‘yung pool until after the semifinals para hindi ma-distract ‘yung mga naglalaro pa,” said Barrios on Tuesday.

But he did announce in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum the names of non-PBA players included by the Gilas coaching staff in the training pool for the August 25-29 window, led by naturalized player Jordan Clarkson.

Named with Clarkson are Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr., Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, Francis Lopez, and Kevin Quiambao.

Still, majority of the pool will be coming from the PBA side especially from the 10 teams not playing in the coming bestof-seven finals.

“PBA players ang nakakarami sa pool

na tinitignan. Yan ang sa ngayon ang pinag-tutuunan natin ng pansin,” said Barrios, also the SBP executive director, in the weekly Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Gilas Pilipinas will play FIBA Asia Cup runner-up Lebanon in Beirut on the 25th, and then hosts Saudi Arabia on the

Jordan Clarkson

Kai Sotto

29th at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Barrios added the SBP is still in talks with young big man Kai Sotto, who is set to play another season with the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL Australia.

“Gusto niyang lumaro sa Gilas, but we’re still talking to him,” said the SBP spokesperson. “Nawa’y maging positive ang sagot ng kampo ni Kai sa ating panawagan.”

With regards to the country’s co-hosting of next year’s World Cup along with Japan and Indonesia, Barrios said there will be a one-year countdown to the official opening of the biggest gathering of the world’s best basketball teams come August 25.

On the 27th, the traditional Tissot Countdown Clock will be launched at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall to be attended by no less than FIBA president Hamane Niang and FIBA World Cup executive director David Crocker.

And finally, the highlight of the fiveday event is the qualifier game between Gilas Pilipinas and Saudi Arabia on the 29th featuring Clarkson playing on local soil for the first time ever as part of the national team.

The Utah Jazz guard previously suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games, but was held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Lucky 13 for Nueva Ecija; GenSan, Rizal beat foes PACESETTER Nueva Ecija met stiff resistance from Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines before pulling off its 13th straight win in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the overcrowded Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.

The Nueva Ecija Vanguards surged ahead, 71-61, behind Jonathan Uyloan’s three triples, but the Zamboanguenos bunched seven points, capped by Jhapz Bautista’s triple, to make the game a thriller.

John Bryon Villarias, Michael Mabulac and Hesed Gabo, however, joined forces to quell the rally, 80-74, with 44 seconds to go.

Chris Dumapig drove in for Zamboanga’s final basket, while Pamboy Raymundo split two charities with one

tick left to peg the final count that delighted the thousands of Novo Ecijanos in attendance, with hundreds more turned away, no end.

Michael Juico tallied 16 points and 6 rebounds for the Rice Vanguards, followed by Mabulac with 13 plus 7 rebounds and Uyloan with 12, all from triples.

Villarias accounted for 11 points, including 3 triples, while Hesed Gabo contributed 1o points plus 13 assists.

Jaycee Marcelino and Jhapz Bautista fired 15 points each for Zamboanga, which also got 12 points and 12 rebounds for Dumapig.

Big guys Jhaymo Eguilos and Jhaymo Grimaldo finally played, but it was evident they were not in peak form yet to help prevent Zamboanga from falling to 8-3 following three straight defeats.

Other games saw GenSan trounce Makati, 89-65, and Rizal Xentromall foil Quezon City MG Cars, 71-70.

The Gensan Warriors were led by Mark Cruz, Dhon Reverente and Cristopher Masaglang with 13, 12 and 10 points, respectively, in posting their fifth win in 10 starts in the elimination phase of the 22-team tournament Makati tumbled to 1-12 despite the 22-point output of Kobe Bryant Pableo.

Rizal Xentromall stretched its winning run to 4 and jumped to 7-3. Quezon City fell to 4-6.

The MPBL returns to the Strike Coliseum in Bacoor on Tuesday with another triple-bill featuring Caloocan against San Juan at 7 p.m. Manila tackles Laguna at 5 p.m. while host Bacoor tangles with Marikina at 9 p.m.

Obiena places 4th in Hungary tournament

By Peter Atencio

Ernest John Obiena

ERNEST John EJ Obiena, who is keeping an eye on how his top two rivals in the world rankings are faring, finished fourth in the 12th Gyulai Istvan Memorial Athletics Championships on a warm Monday afternoon (Tuesday morning, Manila time) at the athletics stadium in Szekesfehervar, Hungary.

The Formia, Italy-based Obiena was among three competitors, who cleared 5.45 meters in the two-day meet, which is a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Level Tournament.

Obiena, along with world no. 2 Chris Nilsen and Olen Tray Oats, landed far be-

hind Swedish champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden and French vaulters Renaud Lavillenie and Thibaut Collet.

Duplantis, the world’s top pole vaulter, went on to claim his ninth championship this season, after ruling the tournament with a 5.80-meter clearance, with the weather hovering between 23*C and 24*C. This allowed Duplantis to once again shatter another meet record, a 5.70-meter performance, which Pawel Wojciewski made back in 2014.

Lavillenie and Collet registered 5.70m and 5.60m, respectively, for the silver and the bronze.

“Yes, competition talaga ito.

Iyung mga diskarte, if they pass, jump or clear this height, it plays on how the other guys jump,” said Obi-

ena before he joined the meet.

Obiena, who is now ranked no.

3 in the world, first opted not to go for the heights of 5.15 and 5.3 meters and went for 5.45 meters on his first try to save energy on his next attempts.

He and world no. 2 Nilsen, along with another American Olen Tray Oates, cleared the same height of 5.45 meters, with Nilsen doing it on his second bid.

Meanwhile, Oates also successfully leapt to 5.45 meters, but on his third effort.

After that, the Tokyo Olympics veteran from the Philippines tried to reach 5.60 meters and failed on his first try.

Skipping his second attempt, Obiena sought to try his luck at 5.70 meters, and then bungled his two tries before quitting.

C2

Sports

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022

NBA Nets’ owner backs Nash, Marks after Durant ultimatum N EW YORK—Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai backed head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks on Monday after reports of a them-orme ultimatum from NBA superstar Kevin Durant.

After a report from The Athletic detailed Durant meeting Tsai in London and saying he won’t stay with the team as long as Nash and Marks remain in their jobs, Tsai made his position clear in a Twitter posting.

“Our front office and coaching staff have my support,” Tsai tweeted. “We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”

The decision likely burns the last bridge between the Nets and their top scorer, who asked for a trade in June.

Durant indicated that he lacks faith in the team’s direction after the Nets were swept out of the playoffs by Boston in the first round last season.

The 33-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion and 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player, is entering the first season of a four-year contract extension worth $198 million that he signed a year ago with the Nets.

Durant’s ultimatum came after the Nets struggled to a 44-38 record last season, when they traded James Harden to Philadelphia and watched Kyrie Irving miss most of the season with Covid-19 vaccination issues.

Nash, a 48-year-old Canadian and two-time NBA MVP as a guard, got his first coaching job with the Nets in 2020 and has gone 92-62 in two seasons guiding Brooklyn.

Marks, 46, was the first player from New Zealand in the NBA and won two league titles, one as a forward with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and the other as an assistant coach with the Spurs in 2014.

He spent most of the next two seasons as the Spurs’ assistant general manager before being

Kevin Durant of Brooklyn, shown here during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics, told Nets’ owner Joe Tsai that he must choose between keeping him or head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, The Athletic reported. AFP

hired to oversee the rebuilding Nets.

The team’s best record in his six full seasons with Brooklyn was 48-24 in 2020-21, Nash’s first season as coach.

Tsai has said it will take a king’s ransom to pry loose Durant from the Nets, a price tag of players and NBA Draft picks that leaves most of the NBA unable to contend without complex multi-team swaps.

Irving has opted into a $36.5 million option to stay

Abelar stays in golf hunt; Arejola, Malixi in danger zone

with the Nets next season but the club’s long-term future depends upon Durant’s fate.

The Nets also hope that Australian guard Ben Simmons will recover from back surgery and provide a backcourt lift after coming over from Philadelphia in the Harden deal.

The Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are considered top candidates to obtain Durant. AFP

Adalem five, Builders eye last semis slot Game Wednesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 11 a.m. - Adalem Construction-St. Clare vs Builders Warehouse-UST

ADALEM Construction-St. Clare and Builders Warehouse-UST battle for the last semifinal ticket up for grabs in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a 0-6 start, the sixth-seeded Growling Tigers, strung up four straight victories and found themselves a win away from the Final Four.

Even interim coach Albert Alocillo is left in awe of how the Espana boys have turned things around with Sherwin Concepcion and Nic Cabanero leading the charge.

But in Friday’s do-or-die game against three-seed Adalem-St. Clare, UST turned to rookie Kean Baclaan, who singlehandedly carried the Growling Tigers by exploding for 35 points to stun the Saints, 98-93, leading to this sudden death.

Still, Alocillo warned his charges against complacency ahead of the 11 a.m. game, saying that while momentum is on the Growling Tigers’ side, the Saints remain a formidable foe.

“St. Clare is a champion team kaya hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax. Ipagpapatuloy lang namin yung trabaho at magpe-prepare lang kami,” he said.

It’s more of the same mantra for AdalemSt. Clare with coach Jinino Manansala urging his side to put the Game One loss in the rearview and focus on this do-ordie matchup for the right to face two-seed EcoOil-La Salle in the semis which starts on Friday.

“Hindi namin ginusto ‘yung ending, pero lalaban pa rin ‘yung boys ko. Tiwala pa rin kami na kaya naming makuha ‘yung panalo,” said Manansala, who will be relying on Joshua Fontanilla, John Rojas, and NAASCU MVP Johnsherick Estrada.

Tyson slams Hulu series for ‘stealing’ life story LOS ANGELES—Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has accused an unauthorized television drama of stealing his life story, comparing the streaming platform behind the upcoming series to a “slave master.”

“Mike,” which premieres on US streamer Hulu August 25, is a scripted drama that re-enacts moments from the controversial fighter’s life, from his early childhood and through his 1992 rape conviction.

“Hulu is the streaming version of the slave master. They stole my story and didn’t pay me,” wrote Tyson on Instagram.

He added: “I don’t support their story about my life. It’s not 1822. It’s 2022. They stole my life story and didn’t pay me.”

“To Hulu executives I’m just a n****r they can sell on the auction block,” he wrote, using asterisks in place of letters.

Hulu, which is only available in the United States, is majorityowned by Disney.

The show depicts Tyson being bullied as a young child with a lisp, his teenage years in and out of prison after joining a Brooklyn street gang, and his early start in boxing.

While the eight-part limited series shows Tyson in the ring during various famous bouts, it

NICOLE Abelar put up a big ing Angela Liu, Laney Frye and backside charge to salvage a Casey Weidenfeld, all from the one-under 72 and get into the US, another three carded 69s, early mix of things but Tomi led by Aussies Kelsey Bennett Arejola and Rianne Malixi and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, sputtered with 76 and 77, re- and American Brooke Seay, spectively, and in danger of and four others shot a 70 each, missing the cut in the US Wom- led by recent Women’s Western en’s Amateur at Chambers Bay Amateur champion Taglao Jeerin University Place, Washing- avivitaporn of Thailand, Rachel ton Monday.

Kuehn and fellow Americans Abelar, playing out of the Lauren Gomez and Cassie Kim, Univ. of Houston, sprang back setting the stage for a spirited from a two-over card after 10 chase for medal honors and the holes with three birdies in the top seeding in the match play. last eight in a fine display of reThe top 64 after the stroke siliency as she barged into joint play elims will move to the 21st on a 38-34 card at the start match play phase starting of the 36-hole stroke play elims Wednesday with Arejola and of the world’s premier amateur Malixi hard-pressed to churn championship. out low rounds to salvage spots The Filipina ace, who gained in the knockout rounds.

Also starting at the front, Areentry into the 156-player field by placing fourth in the New jola, now with Campbell UniJersey qualifier, hopes to match versity after spending her first her strong finish at the backside two years at Fairleigh Dickinson of the par-73 layout where she U in New Jersey, faltered with a would launch her second day 41 marred by a double bogey on the par-5 No. 8. drive Tuesday.

Like Abelar, she fought back Thirteen-year-old Alice June 21, Zhao 2022 of China, meantime, up- with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13 staged her more experienced ri- but unlike the former, she stumTO: MANILA vals as she sizzled in a STANDARD backside bled with a bogey on the closing start, hitting six birdies that par-5 hole and ended up with a 35 Attention: ERIC JUTIC – Advertising Coordinator cushioned theMR. impact of her for a 76 and a share of 78th. two-birdie, two-bogey frontWorse was Malixi, who came RE: QUOTATION FOR ADVERTISEMENT into the event exuding confiside card for the lead at six-under 67, the new women’s course dence but lost track of her game Please find below Notice on New President thatafter we intend to publish on August 10, 2022. Kindly record atour Chambers Bay. early dropping two strokes provide us with your present the following size: But three posted rate 68s,for includright on the par-4 No. 10.

Former boxer Mike Tyson attends the junior welterweight bout between Montana Love and Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tyson has accused an unauthorized television drama of stealing his life story, comparing the streaming platform behind the upcoming series to a “slave master.” AFP

concentrates on his turbulent private life.

One episode focuses on Desiree Washington, the 18-yearold beauty pageant contestant who accused Tyson of rape in 1991. He was convicted the following year, and jailed for three years.

The episode tells the events of the rape in an Indianapolis hotel room, and the ensuing trial, from Washington’s perspective and with her narration.

Creator and screenwriter Steven Rogers said the filmmakers actually “couldn’t talk to” Tyson because “his life rights were already taken” by another project.

But he also pointed to the benefits of an unauthorized take on Tyson’s life, saying “I don’t like to be reliant on just one source.”

“I really like to do the research, and get all these different opinions, and then put a story around all of that,” he told a recent Television Critics Asso-

ciation panel.

“I don’t like to be beholden to just one person.”

Trevante Rhodes, who plays Tyson in the eight-part limited series, said “it feels best at least to detach yourself as much as you can.”

Asked if he was worried about angering Tyson -- considered one of the best heavyweights of all time, who infamously bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear in a 1997 bout—Rhodes simply replied: “Nah.” ‘Baddest man on the planet’ While confronting allegations of domestic violence, the show also contextualizes the violence Tyson suffered as a child, the early loss of his mother to cancer, his drug addiction issues, and efforts by establishment figures to take advantage of Tyson’s lucrative success in the ring.

“When I was researching it, I found that a lot of the issues that we’re struggling with today—like Black Lives Matter, and MeToo, and prison reform and addiction and mental health issues all the stuff that we’re struggling with—have their roots in this one man’s story,” said showrunner Karin Gist. AFP

Rivas extends PPS winning streak in Lapu-Lapu

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK topping the Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Apalit, PamTennis Club in Cebu last Monday.

Manila The top seeded Rivas yielded just seven games panga legs of the country’s longest talent-search Standard NOTICE July 07, 2022 TODAY in five matches, capping his romp with a 6-1, 6-0 presented by Dunlop last month.

Brodeth likewise lived up to her top billing in triumph over No. 5 Ivan Manila as the Quezon Please be informed thatSTANDARD CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES, INC. has a TO: MANILA City ace annexed his third straight victory after her side of the battle, ripping No. 2 Shara Paliwag new President. from Valencia, Negros Oriental, 6-0, 6-2, and Attention: MR. ERIC JUTIC – Advertising Coordinator though she fell short of her bid in the 18-U class, As adopted by its Board of Directors and Shareholders on June 10,2022. the rising Ormoc City star clinched the MVP RE: QUOTATION FOR ADVERTISEMENT honors with Rivas, who also reached the semis of Liberato A. Capayas – President the centerpiece division of the weeklong Group Please find below our Notice on New President that we intend to publish on August 10, 2022. Kindly 2 tournament which kicked off a four-leg Cebu th Company holds office at 7the Floor Sage House provide The us with your present rate for following size: Bldg. 110 V. A. Rufino swing of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Street, Legazpi Village Makati City, 1229 Tiffany Nocos, also from QC, stopped Brodeth, 6-1, 6-3, and Ormoc’s John David Velez repulsed Marc Jarata, 6-3, 6-2, as they shared NOTICE the 18-U honors, while Paliwag, a former Size: 3cols x 5cm MVP at La Carlota, and Kenzo Brodeth split Please be informed that CASSIOPEIA MARINE SERVICES, INC. has a new Kindly send quotation accordingly. the 14-U crowns via 6-3, 6-0 and 6-1, 7-6(11) President. victories over Kate Imalay and Juvels Velos, Thanks and best regards, both from Danao, Cebu, respectively.

As adopted by its Board of Directors and Shareholders on June 13,2022.

Zita Clarke from Camiguin Island and CaStar Light Buauqina banatuan City, Nueva Ecija’s Lexious Cruz, Arnold U. Mendoza – President Receptionist meanwhile, provided the sparks by snaring the 12-U titles with the former holding off The Company holds office at 8 Floor Sage House Bldg. 110 V. A. Rufino top seed Ma. Caroliean Fiel tormentor Mary Mateo Rivas (second from right) and Kimi Brodeth hold their trophies as they pose with Jasmine Street, Legazpi Village Makati City, 1229 Brigoli, 7-6(3), 6-3, in the semis then clipping Chan, who represented Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Cindi Chan, and Lapu-Lapu Tennis Club president Mae Diamante, 6-2, 6-4.

Fiscal Ruso Zaragosa.

MATEO Rivas continued to flash top form, dominating the 16-and-under division with Ormoc’s Kimi Brodeth as they led the mix of winners in the PPS-PEPP Rep. Cindi Chan national age-group title 2022 at the Lapu-Lapu

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Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022

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Beyonce tops US songs chart for first time in over a decade AFTER releasing her much-anticipated album Renaissance, Beyonce has scored the number one spot on the top US songs chart for the first time in well over a decade.

Her lead single “Break My Soul” is the 40-year-old’s first solo song to hit the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 since 2008’s “Single Ladies,” the industry tracker said Monday.

Her seventh solo studio album also opened at number one on Billboard’s top

albums chart, the entertainment outlet said.

It’s the second-highest debut of the year, following Harry Styles’s “Harry’s House.”

Renaissance also unseated Latin trap global sensation Bad Bunny from the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart, where his “Un Verano Sin Ti” had held the top spot for five straight weeks, along with two peaks when it first came out in May for a total of seven weeks at

number one.

In the weeks preceding the album’s release, Beyonce teased it with a steady stream of the glossy, curated portraits of herself that over the past decade have become her signature.

But though she’s received wide praise for keeping the world of music videos on the cutting edge, Beyonce put out her latest record sans visuals (they’re promised at a later date).

For all her cultural clout and an

indisputable throne in music’s pantheon, Beyonce’s songs historically have not seen the same commercial dominance as other contemporary global stars.

On Monday, the megastar released a series of portraits on Instagram including a clip of her in a disco ball of an outfit, smiling for the camera as she waved her finger to signal her number-one status. AFP

‘Return to Paradise’ director shares secrets to creating chemistry between lead stars

While on the island, Derrick (left) and Elle depend on each other to get the scene done

By Patricia Taculao

T

HERE’S a new television series from GMA that explores a new level of intimacy and drama to keep viewers glued to their screens.

Titled Return to Paradise, the series features the first-time pairing of lead actor Derrick Monasterio and GMA Sparkle artist Elle Villanueva.

Yet despite their first time working on-screen, the pair have strong chemistry that significantly supports the sexy and steamy scenes in the series. ‘ According to director Don Michael Perez, “Napakalaking tulong yung workshop na ginawa namin bago kami sumabak sa shooting.

During the workshop, si Elle at saka si Derrick, they got to know each other very well. By the time we got to the island, very comfortable na sila with each other.”

Perez credits their “excellent” acting coaches because his job of directing the two lead stars easier while on the island.

In Return to Paradise, Derrick and Elle play two college students and athletes stranded on an island after surviving a plane crash. As they try to navigate their way through their predicament, they find themselves falling in love with each other.

He shared another secret to making the production easier is by shooting the scenes chronologically to help the lead stars grow along with their characters.

“By the time we got to the scenes na kailangan na nila maging intimate, kailangan na nila mag-bond, kailangan na nilang ipakita ‘yung love for each other, naging organic ‘yung development nung characters nila,” Perez said.

Yet even before Derrick and Elle met for their workshop, he was already following her on

social media. During their first meeting, Derrick shared he complimented Elle, saying she’s more attractive in person.

“I found her mysterious too. Hindi ko siya pa masyadong nade-decode nung first time namin nag-meet,” Derrick said.

He also shared that Elle had a chill vibe, which coincided with his personality. Eventually, the pair trusted each other, allowing them to jump into the workshop and do what was required.

“Kaming dalawa, noong nasa island kami, kasi kaming dalawa lang yung actors doon at first, talagang nag-depend kami sa isa’t isa. Not just as Red and Eden (their characters’ names), but also as Derrick and Elle,” he said.

While Derrick already felt comfortable around Elle, the Sparkle artist had some trouble during their intimate scenes, particularly with kissing and skin-toskin interactions.

Luckily, the workshop helped her overcome the challenges, and she’s grateful to have Derrick as the leading man for her first series on the network.

“Pagdating doon sa eksena, akala ko mahihirapan ako pero dahil sa kaniya, napadali,” Elle said.

Aside from building chemistry on-screen, the two lead actors will keep viewers at the

Garrett Bolden bags role of John Thomas in ‘Miss Saigon’ Kapuso Soul Balladeer Garrett Bolden makes his theater debut in the musical stage production of ‘Miss Saigon’ in Guam

edge of their seats as the series’ story gets complicated. When their characters return to the mainland, they discover their parents have an irreconcilable feud that will tear them apart.

The new afternoon show also stars a roster of established celebrities including Eula Valdez, Teresa Loyzaga, Karel Marquez, Liezel Lopez, Kiray Celis, Paolo Paraiso, and Allen Dizon.

Return to Paradise premiered on August 1 on GMA Afternoon Prime.

BALLADEER and The Clash Season 1 finalist Garrett Bolden makes his theater debut in the musical stage production of Miss Saigon in Guam.

He is set to play the role of John Thomas, an American GI deployed in Saigon at the time of the Vietnam War, and the best friend of Chris Scott.

Garrett admitted that his journey in joining Miss Saigon was unexpected and a brand new experience for him, “I didn’t plan on auditioning. It so happened that a friend of mine told me that there’s an audition for a theater. Although I did theater before, that was high school days, for my experience as a professional, this is going to be my first.”

He revealed that his personal connection with his audition piece helped him get the role, “Hearing ‘Bui Doi’ for the first time actually hit me. The song is very relatable sa akin kasi I had this time before na I was looking for my real dad. So siguro ‘yung nabigay kong feelings doon sa audition song, ‘yun po ‘yung naging way para ma-consider nila ako for the next stages of auditions.”

The Sparkle star also took dance lessons to prepare for his stint in Miss Saigon, “Kinondisyon ko po ang sarili ko na kapag teatro, hindi lang po ito kantahan. It’s actually your whole body going to portray the character and the message, and it’s something that I am excited po. For sure po maninibago ako pero I’m willing to learn po lahat ng dapat kong matutunan to portray this role.”

Lastly, he feels that Miss Saigon’s story is still relevant up to this day, “For me, the interpretation of Miss Saigon is it’s not actually about the love story, but it’s about abandonment.

I myself experienced it, there was a long time when I was looking for my father. In this Miss Saigon, ang dami palang mga batang naabandona and you know it’s important for a child to know who his father is, who their parents are. And napakalaki ng impact no’n sa bata.”

Garrett will debut on Miss Saigon Guam stage in September.

For tickets, visit www.misssaigonguam.com.

Elle admits to having trouble with intimate scenes but eventually overcame it with the help of Derrick, Direk Don, and the crew

The Kapuso leading man is comfortable with having Elle as a co-star

International pop superstar Beyonce (Photo from Harper’s Bazaar)

Christian Bables in ‘Big Night!’

Morissette lends voice to powerful anthem After performing ‘Power’ at the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 coronation night, Morissette continues to receive positive support from her fans

SINGER Morissette pulled out all the stops for her newest single “Power,” a soaring anthem on claiming strength in femininity.

She first performed the song on April 30 at the 2022 Miss Universe Philippines Coronation Night. Since then, “Power” has garnered clamor for release, with many fans across social media touting it as “a perfect Miss Universe anthem” that can be used on the main coronation night.

The track, released under Empire Records, is now available on all streaming platforms. It was composed by Kiko Salazar, who wrote Morissette’s iconic hit “Akin Ka Na Lang.”

“The song is a celebration,

celebrating the capability and strength of a woman. It was specifically written for the woman empowerment segment on 2022 Miss Universe PH,” Salazar said.

“The concept came from Jonas Gaffud after he decided to put a segment on Miss Universe PH for Women Empowerment. He wanted something that’s uplifting and unexpected from a pageant. With this song, I want to tell women that you have all the right to dream of and live the life that you want, regardless of society’s dictates and standards. Fly high,” Salazar added.

Morissette said she felt honored and privileged to be chosen to sing the song, especially since she performed “Power” in front of all the candidates and four Miss Universe titleholders.

Sharing a fun fact, Morissette said performing “Power” at the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night was the first time she debuted a song even before finishing the studio recording.

Morissette, who is celebrating her 12th anniversary in show business, got her big break after finishing

in the top 8 of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Philippines: Season 1. In 2017, she represented the Philippines in the 14th Asia Song Festival in Busan, South Korea, and returned the following year for the 15th Asia Song Festival.

Since then, she has been called “Asia’s Phoenix” for her soaring performances. Morissette is currently a “Jukeboss” (judge) in the TV5 show Sing Galing Kids, with new episodes every Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

Morissette is one of the exclusive talents under NYMA, a talent agency focused on nurturing trailblazers to break through all media spaces. She currently posts vlogs on her channel: https://www. youtube.com/c/MorissettePH on YouTube, https:// www.facebook.com/MorissettePh on Facebook, and https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmorissette on TikTok. NYMA’s vision is to be the home of the best Filipino talents in the country and the world. The agency is one of eight brands under “tradigital” entertainment company KROMA. To know more about NYMA, visit nyma.ph.

Directors Darryl Yap, Vincent Tañada claim controversial films aren’t political pieces

By Julian Cardenas CONTROVERSIAL director Darryl Yap and award-winning filmmaker Vincent Tañada show different sides of history surrounding the former Marcos administration and the EDSA revolution back in 1986.

The movies in question are Maid in Malacañang, produced by Viva pictures and directed by Yap, and Katips, directed by Tañada. The first shows the revolution from the perspective of the Marcos family’s last 72 hours in the palace, while the latter

shows the life of everyday Filipinos under martial law.

Both films aim to tell the two sides of history on what transpired during the Marcos regime, and the directors themselves said their films were not political statements and are not taking any sides.

Tañada dedicated his film to the people who lived during the Martial Law period in the Philippines.

“This is about the experience of ordinary Filipinos who lived during the martial law period. There are positives and negatives. We must know, and we must watch,” he said.

Yap made a similar comment on his film, saying it was for the critics and bashers who gave the film attention and publicity.

“I still believe that true critics are those who say that they won’t watch it, but they would still watch it,” said Yap in a press conference at Manila Hotel.

Katips and Maid in Malacanang premiered on the same day on August 3. Both films revolve around the different perspectives of history on what occurred during the Marcos regime from the Martial Law period Darryl Yap (left) and Vince Tañada are up until the EDSA revolution that the talk of the town for directing two toppled them in 1986. movies on Philippine history

Jun Lana’s ‘Big Night!’ in Prime Video Southeast Asia, bags major plums in FAMAS CRITICALLY-ACCLAimed film, Big Night!, is now exclusively available across Southeast Asia on Prime Video starting August 1. This gives subscribers here and abroad the opportunity to watch this highly acclaimed masterpiece by writer-director Jun Robles Lana.

The launch came on the heels of the film’s most recent wins at the 70th FAMAS Awards held on July 30.

Truly embodying Cignal Entertainment’s top-caliber and global quality productions, Big Night! bagged the coveted awards for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Janice De Belen.

Since November 2021, Big Night!, which story centers on the country’s war on drugs, has been recognized by local and international film festivals and award-giving bodies such as the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, Osaka Asian Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival, Asian Film Festival, and the Metro Manila Film Festival where the film garnered eight awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for its lead Christian Bables.

“It’s a great honor to see a Cignal Entertainment film such as Big Night! make its mark both in the local and international scenes. This is one of our most celebrated films because of all the awards and recognitions it has been garnering. I would like to congratulate those behind the successes of Big Night!, especially the actors and the creative and production teams for their outstanding contribution to this remarkable film,” shared Cignal TV President and CEO Robert P. Galang.

Co-produced by The IdeaFirst Company, OctoberTrain, and Quantum Films, Big Night! is now available on Prime Video as part of the video streaming platform’s offerings starting this month.

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

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022

Life

Mr. Music’s secret to finding inspiration

By Patricia Taculao WITH 20 years in the music industry and counting, Jonathan Manalo, aka Mr. Music, is more than capable of creating hit songs that entertain and inspire listeners.

Despite his evident creativity as a musician, one can’t help but wonder how Manalo continues to find inspiration for his craft.

The answer lies in his faith. Manalo finds the time to turn to God in search of inspiration when creating music. He allows himself to receive divine inspiration from a higher power and uses that in composing relevant pieces that often describe a generation.

Manalo also avoids creative burnout by taking some time to rest whenever necessary. He uses his free time wisely to practice his faith and recuperate his senses to use his abilities to the fullest.

As a prominent music industry member, Manalo began his career in 2001 after winning the grand prize for the 2001 JAM: Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan Competition for his now iconic song

“Tara, Tena.” Since then, he has written and produced more than 200 albums.

He is also the creative mind behind popular albums and entire discographies of some of the country’s respected music artists, including Erik Santos, Charice, Moira Dela Torre, and Yeng Constantino, among others in the country.

Following his critical and commercial success, along with having the right platforms to promote his numerous works, Mr. Music became one of the significant artists of his generation to shape the popular taste for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) from 2010 to 2020.

In celebration of two decades in the industry, Mr. Music, with his good friend and Artist on a Mission, Kristine Lim, are again collaborating for an exhibition that

Jonathan Manalo, aka Mr. Music, with his good friend and “Artist on a Mission”, Kristine Lim, are again collaborating for an exhibition that features their prowess in visual arts and music.

features their prowess in visual arts and music.

The art exhibit, titled Kwento ng Alon (As Told by the Waves), will use select OPM songs by Manalo, which Lim will interpret as artworks for the multi-venue and multi-country art exhibition and coffee

table.

Waves are the central imagery that ties the entire project together because it also represents emotions and sounds, the vehicle where Manalo’s music is transmitted and popularized.

Kwento ng Alon isn’t the first time Manalo and Lim worked together for an exhibit. They met during the pandemic and have since developed a friendship where they push and support each other to achieve new heights. The pair also share a strong faith, with Lim being active in missionary and charity works.

Before Lim met Manalo, she was

The abstraction of artist Imelda

Climate emergency exhibit showcases 28 international art agencies Tropical Climate Forensics by Derek Tumala, rendered by Justin Lanuza

F

OR the span of her career, artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya has been known for her representational artistic style. She creates images that are clearly recognizable for what they purport to be.

But there was a time when the artist produced timelessly elegant and stunning modern prints that went beyond the normal styles during the 1970s to late 1990s.

The Abstractions of CajipeEndaya exhibit at Imahica Art reveals a different facet of the renowned painter and printmaker.

The print collection shows her abstract side and style, which not many people know about.

In this solo exhibit, the artist shares with the public her hidden interest as an artist – her love for experimenting with abstraction.

The various sophisticated prints in limited edition are abstracted interpretations of objects commonly related to the Filipino identity and everyday life, which Cajipe Endaya executes playfully.

Among these are salted eggs, rice paddies, archeological diggings, fiesta buntings, indigenous patterns, and Filipino Kinikita-kita ko ang Masaganang Ani edition landscapes – all deconstructed, abstracted, and simplified using 7 of 8 1970 20 x 16.5 in painstaking, labor intensive, and complex printmaking processes such as etching, aquatint, and collagraph.

Her cosmopolitan and contemporary style peppered with quaint Filipino touches will appeal to the global Filipinos, particularly the millennials, in this digital age.

One of the most renowned painters and printmakers in the Philippines, Imelda realized she had the talent for drawing while she was a grade school at the College of the Holy Spirit. She later graduated with a degree in visual communication from UP College of Fine Arts.

Itlog Na Maalat I 1974 20 x 21 in While working as a researcher

From 1960s to 1970s, CajipeEndaya and other Filipino artists pioneered the search for the Filipino identity in culture and the art. Along with this search came the integration of the findings and insights into her artworks, which eventually became her trademark.

Isda edition 22 of 50 1991 16.5 x 19.5 in

already listening to his songs and found them inspiring.

Among the 20 songs Lim will interpret for the exhibit, “Tara, Tena” resonated with her the most. Aside from being catchy, it’s also the first song that propelled Manalo to become Mr. Music. Moreover, the song is also a call to action for the youth to use their talents for good.

Other songs include “Pinoy Tayo,” “Pagbigyang Muli,” “Para Lang Sa ‘Yo,” “Patuloy Ang Pangarap,” and more.

Kwento ng Alon will launch on September 27 in the Main Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya

on special projects with the Nationa Library and other institutions, she was exposed to more knowledge of Philippine history. This serves as an inspiration for her works.

Some of her works can be seen at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the National Museum of the Philippines, the Met Museum of Manila, and Ateneo Arete.

Security Bank Corporation, PLDT, and BDO are among the financial institutions that have acquired her works for their collection. Internationally, one can look at her works at the National Gallery of Singapore and the Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Fukuoka Art Museum.

If you want to see her usual representational art style, she will have a retrospective exhibition this September at the CCP Main Gallery.

Imelda-Cajipe-Endaya: Pagtutol at Pag-Asa will be the first retrospective exhibit of the CCP Thirteen Artists awardee. It will open on September 3, right after the Cinemalaya film fest.

But for now, you have two more days, until August 12 to visit us at Imahica Art, located 2/F Lee Gardens, Shaw Blvd., Old Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong. For more information, call 0917-894 5646 or 7622-4008 or email thegallery@imahica.art.

Multiform 1 edition 29 of 100 1976 28 x 33.5 in

WORLD Weather Network, a exhibition of Benilde MCAD. community of creatives reporting on The 28 weather stations likewise weather and climate, has launched include Lichens Never Lie in an international online exhibition Grasse, France by Nicoletta Fiorucci that features a constellation of 28 arts Foundation; Robert Smithson’s Spiral agencies from around the world.

Jetty in Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA by Dubbed as Weather Stations, each Holt-Smithson Foundation; The Library of the institutions demonstrates the of Water in Stykkishólmur, Iceland by respective country’s atmospheric Icelandic Art Center; Coastline, Andes, condition through artworks, stories, and Rainforest in Peru by MALI-Museo reflections, and images to create an de Arte Lima; NJAF Cemetary and archipelago of world views and voices. Mesopotamanian Marshes in Iraq by Thus, it better depicts the issue of Ruya Foundation; and Guiana Shield climate change across multiple localities Rainfest, Guyana, South America by and languages.

Sophia Point Research Center.

The Philippine Weather Station The Comporta Weather Station in is represented by Tropical Climate Tomar, Portugal by Terra Foundation; Forensics by Filipino trans-disciplinary Great Ocean of Kiwa in Auckland, artist Derek Tumala.

New Zealand by Te Tuhi; Cloud Atlas It is a virtual world that provides an in- – the Tang, Aranya Gold Coast in depth look at the anchors of the crisis in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China the tropics across the past, present, and by UCCA Center for Contemporary Art a speculative future. It features a single and Aranya Art Center; Seoul Weather crosshatch plane that holds biomes Station in Seoul, South Korea by Art that float as seemingly independent Sonje Center; Wodiwodi in New South entities. A world in its own right, each Wales, Australia by Bundanon Arts diorama encapsulates a timeline of Organization; and The Farm, Ijebu, climate decisions that led to the current Nigeria by Yinka Shonibare Foundation catastrophe. are also included in the map.

The collection includes Init The climate emergency was likewise (Heat), Bulkan (Volcanoes), Bagyo presented through the perspectives of (Typhoon), Tubig (Water), Gubat diverse towns, cities, and countries, such (Forest), Komunidad (Community) and as Turin, Guarene, and Venice in Italy by Obserbatoryo (Observatory).

Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo; It drew inspiration from the artist’s Fogo Island, Canady by Fogo Island residency, through an Art Fair Philippines Arts; Dubai, Jeddah, and Arabian grant, at the Manila Observatory, one of Peninsula by Art Jameel; Basque the oldest meteorological observatories Country in Spain by Artingenium Art in Southeast Asia. Built by the Jesuit Office; and Bangladesh by Dhaka Art fathers in 1865, the scientific research Summit. institution immersed Tumala into Other participating art agencies and archival research which eventually institutions include Enoura Observatory shed light on the shifting patterns of the in Kanagawa, Japan; Artangel in weather and climate in the country and London, UK; IHME Helsinki/Pro in the region.

Arte Foundation in Helsinki, Finland; For the project, Tumala brings with NEON Organization in Athens, Greece; him remarkable artistry that delves into Office for Contemporary Art Norway in the intersections of art, science, and Oslo, Norway; POOL in Johannesburg, technology. His exploratory works, South Africa; The Waag in Amsterdam, which mostly engage new media, have Netherlands; SAHA Association in been shown at Art Basel Hong Kong, Istanbul, Turkey; and 32° East Arts Salzburg Global Seminar, Tokyo Design Center in Kampala, Uganda.

Week, and Beyond Time Residency The exhibition will run until July Poland. He likewise initiated Mvltiverse, 2023. a group of multimedia artists that View the Philippine weather station explores the wonders of moving images at https://worldweathernetwork.org/ and STEAM/Projects, a collective of station/mcad/. For more information, technologists and artists. visit the World Weather Network at Tumala was commissioned by http://worldweathernetwork.org/. the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, with support from the British Council’s Creative Commissions for Climate Action, a global program exploring climate change through art, science, and digital technology.

The Philippine Islands: Tropical Climate Forensics is Diorama of the Climate Crisis by Derek Tumala, the first fully online rendered by Justin Lanuza