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Business
Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net
DROPOUT SENDS SCHOLARS TO PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITIES RISE OF THE HAPPY COWS
H
E dropped out of college in 1992 to start working, yet he now supports dozens of scholars who are enrolled in prestigious universities.
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His alma mater acknowledged him one of its most outstanding alumni in 2013, while a state university conferred on him an honorary doctorate degree in 2016 for his business insights and various charitable activities. Elmer Ngo, 46, is a co-owner and the president of Mileage Asia Corp., a company that provides high-quality roofs to Filipino families and played a crucial role in the rehabilitation of homes in Samar and Leyte which were destroyed by typhoon Yolanda in 2013. The company’s tagline is galvanizing the industry with Sumo GI sheets and roofing the nation with Cherrylume, referring to its two brands. Ngo is funding the education of several poor students at private institutions such as St. Scholastica’s College, San Beda College, University of Santo Tomas and De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde. On why he is supporting these scholars, Ngo says: “This is a part of my frustration, because I did not finish my course in the university. Now that I have my own business, I want to give something back to the nation.”
By Joyce Pangco Pañares
Mileage Asia Corp. president Elmer Ngo is conferred Doctor of Humanities (honoris causa) by Polytechnic University of the Philippines. From Facebook page of PUP
Mileage Asia, his company, imports, distributes and produces roofing materials such as galvanized iron sheets. It has a market share of nearly 70 percent in the CD income segment, the largest in the housing sector. Ngo says he allows his scholars to choose the schools and courses they like, including prestigious private universities. His only condition is that the students should come from poor families. Some of these students were the first in their families to reach tertiary education. The tuition of some of Ngo’s scholars even exceeds those of his two children who are studying at Chiang Kai Shek College. Ngo is also a supporter of sports, with Cherrylume being a major sponsor of the women’s volleyball team of the University of the East where he studied mechanical engineering. The Cherrylume Iron Lady Warriors are now a professional team playing in the Philippine Super Liga. Ngo was in his third year as a mechanical engineering student at UE when he dropped out at the age of 22 in order to start working. “My father, who retired from his business early, said I had to begin working at that time,” says Ngo, who is the youngest of seven siblings. “I started working on May 1, 1992 as a dealer of GI sheets.”
SPONSOR
Mileage Asia Corp. president Elmer Ngo
The family felt a financial crunch when their mother died, and they had to resort to borrowing money to help finance the funeral expenses. Ngo says while they had several properties, they were not liquid at that time. His father was into trading plywood, but retired from the business early. With liquidity running out, Ngo and his brother Erwin had to earn money on their own and established Mileage Asia Marketing Co. to distribute GI sheets produced by Tower Steel Corp. and later Apo Puyat Steel Corp., PhilSteel Holdings Corp., Rizal Steel and other companies. Ngo says the business has flourished because of diskarte and pakikisama—two Filipino concepts with no exact English translation. After a few years of distributing and importing GI sheets, they decided to produce roofing materials on their own. “We distributed a number of local and international brands which became popular in the provinces. But we felt we needed to introduce quality products in the roofing sector, so we took the opportunity to partner with companies from Japan and Australia,” says Ngo. “We want to offer products that will benefit the people, particularly the CD market. When a Japanese company approached us in 2006
and invited us to become a dealer of Sumo, we grabbed the opportunity,” he says. Another partner from Australia introduced the best roofing technology, while a company from China exemplified its production capacity at affordable cost. Armed with this technical know-how, Mileage Asia decided to put up manufacturing plants. The company now employs 100 people in three production sites in Quezon City, Meycauayan and Davao City. Both Sumo and Cherrylume are known for their superior quality. Sumo is popular for roof, wall, mufflers, car body and appliances parts while the midpriced Cherrylume GI sheet is now preferred because of its aluminum and zinc coating that toughens the roofing material. “I can attest to our products. Houses with Cherrylume roof can last six to seven years without being painted. After being painted in the seventh year, it can last another 15 years,” says Ngo. He says to protect the brands, Mileage Asia is selective of its dealers, distributors and hardware stores. “We don’t pick distributors who also sell low-quality products,” says Ngo. “Our price is competitive, but not too low. But quality-wise and longevity-wise, we guarantee Turn to C2
SUN LIFE INTRODUCES ESTATE PLANNING FOR RETIREES By Katrina Delos Santos and Jamie Turalba SUN Life Financial, an international financial services organization, introduces estate planning in the Philippines with its Living and Leaving a Legacy campaign. The insurance company which has been in the Philippines for 122 years offers a new segment from Sun Smarter Life. Sun Smarter Life is an insurance product which targets clients who are retired and those who want to enjoy their retirement. The product offers double life insurance coverage to the client up until he/she reaches 100 years of age. “Our mission is really to provide lifetime
Sun Life Financial Philippines chief marketing officer Mylene Daez-Lopa, brand ambassador Charo Santos-Concio and head of distribution support Jenny Del Mundo
financial security for Filipinos. In other words, we want Filipinos to have money
in every need that they have as they go through the different stages of their lives,” says Sun Life Financial Philippines chief marketing officer Mylene Lopa. The new segment of the product is focused on estate planning by providing the beneficiaries insurance proceeds which can be used to settle estate taxes. “We have come up with this campaign to ensure that whatever they [client] worked for during their working years, they can pass on to the next generation and to their loved ones,” says Lopa. Lopa says estate planning is for those “who want to make sure that their family or loved ones are provided for adequately.”
“It is essential for those who want to control the disposition of their assets after their death and settle the tax imposed by the government on the estate,” she says. Lopa cites the importance of Sun Life focusing on the retirement stage and addressing the needs of those who are on their golden age. The insurance product is available in two variants: Classic and Elite. The two variants offer life insurance coverage until age 100 and an option to include supplementary benefits for accident, disability and illness. Only the Elite variant provides guaranteed cash benefits at the end of the 6th year and to the succeeding years.
“AUSTRALIAN cows are happy cows,” said Natasha Monks, trade commissioner of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, as she happily dug into the Thai beef salad served at New World Hotel Makati, one of the several stops in this year’s Australian grass-fed beef “culinary trail.” “About 97 percent of cattle in Australia is grass-fed. One cow is allocated an entire hectare of land to graze,” she said. Australia exported 74 percent of its total beef and veal production to 84 countries. It was the world’s largest beef exporter in 2015, accounting for around 3 percent of the world cattle and buffalo inventory, with India, Brazil and China taking the top three places. As of last year, Australia accounted for 40 percent of the Philippines’ total beef imports, or 37.76 million kilograms out of 93.72 million kg, data from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed. Monks said the volume was expected to increase this year as Australia sought to export more premium cut meat to the Philippines. “Australian beef is gaining more popularity because of it is of premium quality, safe and traceable. Our export volume is going up. For the Philippines, manufactured products such as patties, sausages and meatballs comprise the bulk of imported beef from Australia,” she said. “Australian grass-fed beef is considered the healthier beef as it is naturally low in fat and cholesterol while offering a high level of Omega 3 fatty acids known to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of certain cancers. It is not as marbled as corn-fed or grain-fed beef, which is sweeter. It tastes the way real beef should taste,” she said. For this year’s “Australian Grassfed Beef on the Menu” promotion, the embassy teamed up with 60 hotels and restaurants across Luzon, Cebu and Davao. Participating restaurants and hotels include Cafe 1228 in New World Makati; Red Ginger and Crystal Dragon in City of Dreams; Flame and Gilarmi Lounge in Discovery Primea; Raging Bull in Shangri-la The Fort; Blackbird; Bondi & Bourke; Chef Jessie Top of the City; Epicurious; Pink ’s; Dean & Deluca; Green Pastures; Abuela’s; Papa Diddi’s; Prime 101; and Vask Tapas Room. A c c o r d i n g t o Pa u l Pe r e z , consultant of the Meat and Livestock Australia, every major premium restaurant in the country carries one or two cuts of Australian grassfed beef. More local restaurants are also now offering a wide range of meat options, from restaurant grade cuts to hamburger patties and corned beef. “We at MLA also work closely w i t h va r i o u s a s s o c i at i o n s o f chefs, restaurateurs and high-end groceries. We give trainings on how to avoid mishandling the beef, especially since we are a tropical country and the meat can become stale if mishandled,” Perez said. Cafe 1228 executive chef Robert Davis said there was a marked difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef. “Grass-fed cattle is very natural, well-adapted, chemical-free and hormone-free. It can be a little chewy but that is the way beef should be – it should have a little chew, a little bite to it,” he said. “I am sure if Australian cattle can speak English, they would say how happy they are, up until their last day at least,” Davis said in jest.
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DROPOUT...
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that the product will last,” he says. His three manufacturing plants now produce a total of 5,000 pieces of roofing materials a day. Mileage Asia also imports 5,000 to 6,000 metrics tons of materials a month, which he estimates translate into 100,000 pieces. The International Organization for Migration, one of the largest groups that were involved in the rehabilitation of Samar and Leyte, tapped Mileage Asia in 2013 to supply roofing materials for homes that were flattened by typhoon Yolanda. “In my estimate, we supplied 60 percent of roofing materials to Tacloban, Samar and Leyte. Our plants in Quezon City and Meycauayan operated 24/7 that time to meet the requirements, and we supplied no less than 100,000 pieces,” he says. From manufacturing, Ngo is now diversifying into other businesses. He teamed up with broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio to put up Kapihan ni Igan, now a popular restaurant in Pasig City, with an outlet being considered in Makati City soon. He is also a partner in Rich Global Production, an events company that holds beauty pageants. He also plans to put up a consulting company on conference and seminars, a coffee shop at a new hotel along Makati Ave. in Makati City, a medical-aesthetic clinic in Fort Bonifacio and a resort in Antique province. He also is an investor in a foreign investment fund that helps companies grow. Moreover, Ngo is interested in teaming up with a foreign company to develop solar roofing for solar cars. Outside work, Ngo is an active member of Rotary Club of MakatiDasmariñas, where he participates in socio-civic activities. He supports the varsity teams of UE, as he himself was active in sports as a student. He plays golf regularly and finds time to jog around Ayala Heights in Quezon City where his family lives. Ngo says some of his scholars were able to complete their education and are now working at an airline company and an advertising agency. “I will continue the scholarship program as long as I can,” he says. UE awarded Ngo as one of its most outstanding alumni in 2013, although he did not complete his mechanical engineering course at the university. Ngo was the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremony of Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 2016 when he was conferred Doctor of Humanities (honoris causa). Looking back, Ngo says while he found success as a businessman without graduating from college, he still considers education as a key to success. “I believe that it still counts if you have knowledge and education,” the low-key businessman says. Ngo, a street-smart entrepreneur, says his business strategy is a c o m b i n a t i o n o f diskar te a n d pakikisama, sprinkled with luck. “You should know how to play your cards. You should learn how to play, how to lose and how to win,” he says. “Business is also like life, and its success depends on how you manage it. We need to find contentment. In being contented, you will be surprised once opportunity comes to you. I am now contented and good health is what I pray for,” says Ngo. Roderick T. dela Cruz
A Mice (meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions) activity in Taiwan
TAIWAN SET TO LIFT VISA TO WOO FILIPINO TRAVELERS By Othel V. Campos
T
HE Bureau of Foreign Trade of Taiwan has launched “Meet Taiwan,” a Mice (meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions) promotion in Manila, ahead of the lifting of visa requirement for Filipino travelers later this year.
To make events easier and hassle-free, Taiwan plans to extend visa-free privilege to Filipinos, with a formal announcement expected by September 2017. Holders of valid visa or permanent resident certificate issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, any of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, or the United States, are eligible for the visa exemption program. Meet Taiwan’s first networking event in Manila aims to introduce to the country Taiwan’s vast incentive travel options, Mice facilities and numerous resources. Meet Taiwan executive director Lily Su, brought over participants from Taiwan hotel representatives, travel agencies, professional conference and exhibition organizers, events companies to meet Philippine corporate buyers, and travel trade executives. Meet Taiwan introduces three themes woven into its “Asia Super Team” marketing campaign for Southeast Asian countries: team building, work and life balance and CSR activities. “The Mice agencies in Taiwan particularly travel agencies, hotels and conference/ exhibition companies are famous for their
creativity and innovation. We hope more companies in the Philippines would come to join us and learn about Taiwan’s vast MICE opportunities,” Su said. The networking event in Manila also targeted Taiwanese companies operating in the Philippines and who may bring their employees to Taiwan for meetings, trainings and leisure/travel. With this program, Taiwan hopes to bring more Mice visitors from the Philippines. Meet Taiwan underscores the region’s strengths and privileges that hope to put Taiwan in the Mice spotlight in the Southeast Asian region. It has implemented a number of successful programs that push for Taiwan’s role as a major player in Mice in the Southeast Asian region. The Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs have been aggressively improving Taiwan’s Mice industry since 2009. For continued investment in the industry, Taiwan’s Mice Promotion Program or Meet Taiwan, was launched to steer Taiwan’s Mice industry to penetrate the global market. Taiwan’s Mice Promotion Program is aimed at turning Taiwan into a leader for outstanding Mice services with the long-term objective to enhance the quality and efficiency of services, strengthen Taiwan’s brand and sharpen the competitive edge in the global market and make Taiwan one of the top destinations for Mice business. The task force under the program will continue to exploit advantages of Taiwan’s Mice industry to attract more business opportunities, maximize the visibility of Meet Taiwan and increase international recognition of Taiwan’s Mice industry. By doing so, Taiwan’s Mice industry services could become more visible internationally, bringing more international Mice events to
Taiwan. Meet Taiwan provides incentives and measures to land better business opportunities and boost industry growth. Mice initiatives have helped bolster Philippines-Taiwan relations in recent years. Taiwan has been among the country’s top five sources of investments. A major investor throughout Southeast Asia, Taiwan has made a strong imprint in a wide variety of industries in the Philippines, among them electronics, telecommunications, information technology and construction. Founded in 2015, Meet Taiwan has achieved significant gains since its inception. According to statistics released by the International Congress and Convention Association, Taiwan ranked fourth in Asia, exceeding Singapore, Thailand and India in 2015. Taiwan, the 24th largest economy in the world, is the eighth-largest trading partner of the Philippines, with $7.1 billion worth of bilateral trade in 2016, according to Global Trade Atlas. C o r r e s p o n d i n g t o Ta i w a n’s N e w Southbound Policy, an important program objective for 2017 is to increase the visibility of Taiwan companies at major events in Asean. More efforts will go to attract visitors/ buyers from 10 Asean countries including the Philippines, six South Asian countries, New Zealand and Australia through Mice events. Taiwan is looking forward to substantially expand its economy through infrastructure and public enterprise investments in 2017. Taiwan currently hosts some 135,000 Filipino workers and has consistently been a source of substantial development cooperation assistance, particularly in industrial design, agriculture, aquaculture, weather forecasting and technical skills training.
TOPNOTCH RETAILERS, EXPERTS TO LEAD STORES ASIA EXPO 2017 WORLD-CLASS retailers and experts will present tips and solutions on how to prepare for the fast-changing digital age during the 24th edition of the National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo 2017 on Aug. 10 and 11, 2017 at SMX Convention Center Manila. Bringing together the key movers and shakers of retail and its allied industries in a two-day conference, NRCE 2017 with the theme “FutureProofing Retail” will put together CEOs and top-level executives of companies all over the Philippines to talk about topics including new trends in retailing, branding design, future of shopping malls, creating niche in diverse market, online retailing, fashion retailing, impact of music in the marketplace, food retailing and engaging the millennial consumers, among others. The annual NRCE – the biggest and most important retail event in the country - is the flagship project of the
Philippine Retailers Association, the acknowledged national organization of retailers and suppliers nationwide. The NRCE 2017 will feature talks and panel discussions from industry experts and personalities led by Leyte Rep. and TV personality Lucy Torres-Gomez, Senator Sonny Angara and Rustan Supercenters Inc. chief executive Irwin Lee as keynote speakers for the two-day conference. Torres-Gomez is the representative of the 4th District of Leyte. Some of her legislative accomplishments include Republic Act No. 10390 or Act Revitalizing the People’s Television Network and RA 10541 or Act Creating An Additional Branch of the Regional Trial Court in Ormoc, Leyte. She is also active in conducting various projects in her district including construction of new school buildings, scholarship program, and provision of boats to fishermen. Senator Angara, who has served as
the representative of Aurora province for three terms before he was elected senator in 2013, is the Senate’s leading voice for tax reform to raise the takehome pay of ordinary workers and to make our country a more attractive investment destination. He is now the chairman of the Senate committees on local government, and ways and means. Lee, CEO of Rustan Supercenters earlier served as a board director at Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc. and a senior advisor at McKinsey & Co. He started his career at Procter & Gamble in the Philippines and rose to become chief financial officer in Indonesia, Japan/Korea and Greater China. He then held general manager and managing director roles in China and UK/Ireland, culminating as regional CEO for P&G Northern Europe. Other international speakers and presenters are Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
vice president and noted musician Jim Paredes, Zalora Philippines chief executive Paolo Campos, Google Philippines marketing manager Gabby Roxas, Springtime Design Limited Creative and managing director Chris Dingcong and organization development advisor Susan Grace Rivera. Two panels composed of young and upcoming retailers such as Apartment 8 president Sheira Lim, Sunnies Café finance director Eric Dee Jr. and Genki Sushi wwner Eric Teng will discuss the new generation of retailers and food retail as mall anchors. New for this year’s NRCE is the launch of the Supermarket Track dedicated to supermarkets and food retailers which will discuss modern retailing with a responsive Department of Trade, spatial planning, and supermarket trends in Asia Pacific. NRCE 2017 overall chairman Lorenzo Formoso said this year’s event
aims to create a deeper understanding of modern retail as well as open more opportunities for partnerships and networking. Back to back with the conference is the only focused and dedicated retail suppliers’ expo showcasing the “tools for global retailing” from over 100 exhibitors offering products and solutions for the retail industry such as retail solutions, e-commerce and m-commerce, shop fittings and store designs, digital marketing, commercial and real estate developers, web developers, non-traditional advertising, financial services, storage and distribution, HR solution and billboard locations. The Stores Asia Expo, which is the biggest in the Philippines and is one of the longest running retail suppliers’ expo in Asia, expects to draw more than 3,000 visitors and decision makers from the retail and related industries.
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SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017 reuelvidal@yahoo.com
PONTILLAS POWERS PETRON TO THRONE
NE of the most underrated players in local volleyball, Aiza MaizoPontillas again stepped up her game to power Petron back to the throne in local women’s volleyball. Petron overcame a gritty F2 Logistics squad, 26-24, 24-26, 24-26, 2523, 15-11, in Game 2 of the Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals showdown at the Filoil Flying V Centre. Skipper Frances Molina delivered the crucial hits in the fifth set that powered the Blaze Spikers to the thrilling victory but the brightest star was the veteran Maizo-Pontillas, who finished with 13 kills for 14 points after the cardiac battle that lasted for two hours and 27 minutes. Petron thus won the crown of this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Rebisco, Gold’s Gym and Belo with TV5 as official broadcast partner. Molina had 10 points while Sisi Rondina spearheaded the attack with 16 markers for Petron, which survived the furious fight back of the Cargo Movers in the deciding set through sheer hard work and determination on both ends. The former University of Santo Tomas star capped her season-long brilliance with a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in this tourney that also has Senoh, Mueller, Asics, Mikasa and Grand Sport as technical sponsors. It was sweet victory for the Blaze Spikers as they finally reclaimed the crown that eluded them for a year. It was also vindication for Maizo-Pontillas who not only led her team to the championship but also earned the tournament Most Valuable Player citation. Other winners of individual awards include: Ennajie Laure, 1st Best Outside Spiker; Ara Galang 2nd Best Outside Spiker; Majoy Baron, 1st Best Middle Blocker; Mika Reyes, 2nd Best Middle Blocker; Best Setter Rhea Dimaculangan, Best Opposite Spiker, Jaja Santiago; Best Libero Jheck Dionela. The first time Petron won the crown was in the Grand Prix of 2014
Steven Adams
ADAMS HEADLINES NBA 3X TOURNEY
Petron star player Aiza Maizo-Pontillas hammers the volleyball past a pair of F2 Logistics blockers. Maizo-Pontillas, finished with 13 kills for 14 points to lead her team to victory in the cardiac battle that lasted two hours and 27 minutes. PSL
with American sensation Alaina Bergsma and Brazilian playmaker Erika Adachi serving as reinforcements. The Blaze Spikers again clinched the title in the All-Filipino the following year as stars Aby Marano, Dindin Manabat and Rachel Anne Daquis assembled a powerful troika to register a historic 13-0 sweep of the tournament. Since then, it was all misfortune for Petron as Marano left to reunite with her former La Salle teammates while Daquis returned to the Philippine Army. Manabat also bolted out to join sister Jaja Santiago at Foton. The Blaze Spikers launched a massive overhaul and lured back Maizo-Pontillas as well as April Ross Hingpit, Bang Pineda and CJ Rosario to join holdovers Carmina Aganon and Molina. But the title remained elusive. The Blaze Spikers failed to advance to the finals of the Invitationals and All-Filipino last year before
Former teammates at perennial UAAP champion team DLSU Lady Archers Mika Reyes (3) and Kim Fajardo (9) find themselves at opposite sides of the net. Reyes plays for Petron while Fajardo is with F2 Logistics. PSL
bowing to the Tornadoes in the finals of the Grand Prix, prompting them to wage another wave of recruitment spree that led to the acquisition of Mika Reyes, Rhea Dimaculangan, Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Remy Palma and Marivic Meneses. And with such a star-studded roster, Petron proved that hard work and sacrifice would lead to a fluid chemistry and, eventually, back to the title. “It’s been two years since the last time we tasted the crown,” said Molina, who is one of the two remaining players from the Petron squad that won the All-Filipino crown two years ago. “We wanted it very badly. We were hungry and determined to win.”
Petron outside spiker Sisi Rondina (16) elevates as she smashes the volleyball through a pair of F2 Logistics defenders. PSL
Both teams traded punches early on. The Blaze Spikers were buried, 2422, before Rondina and Pons buckled down to work and took turns in unloading bombs from the open spot to grab the lead and the set point, 2524, in the first set. Reyes denied Kim Dy in the ensuing play to give Petron a 1-0 lead. But the Cargo Movers refused to surrender. Trailing by four in the crucial stretch, 20-24, Galang connected back-to-back kills before Tin Tiamzon scored on a block for the set point, 25-24. Then, Fajardo dropped an ace to equalize the match at one-set apiece.
COACH AQUINO PROMISES GOOD SHOWING IN COMING TOURNAMENTS By Nathanielle Punay
Coach Patrick Aquino says the Perlas Pilipinas team is preparing for both the 2017 FIBA Asian Women’s Cup and the SEA Games.
Aquino also mentioned Perlas’ coordination with other teams as PERLAS Pilipinas coach Patrick “Pat” part of training. Aquino said his team is hard at work The team has been playing against preparing for coming tournaments. The various high school boys’ teams in order team has trained inside and outside the to see their progress and also went to a country in preparation for two of the mini-tournament in Malaysia last June. most-awaited games which are the FIBA Against high school teams, Perlas Asian Women’s Cup and the Southeast managed to score an average of 60-80 Asia Games. points which exceeded their coach’s “For now, we getting ready for the expectations. FIBA-Asia,” Aquino said. “It’s our first “The talent they have is not far time to be in Level One. So our competi- (from other teams). And I always say to tors here will be big-time countries. And them that they do not know how you we’re hoping that we will maintain our play and that the best strategy is to status as Level One.” represent Filipinas.” The Philippine team is in a bracket As for the teams competing in FIBA, with Japan, Australia and South Korea. Aquino said that Indonesia went to train The 2017 FIBA Asian Women’s Cup will for a month in the United States while be held July 23-29 in Bangalore, India. Thailand will field their veteran players.
“We’re going to fight,” Aquino said. “We’ll prove to them that we deserve to be the champion this year, especially in the SEA Games.” Perlas Pilipinas will be relying mostly on the same players and some new ones that are “younger but bigger”. “They really play together as a team. This team is really something.” Perlas Pilipinas will leave the country July 21 for FIBA while the SEA Games will be held on August 19-30 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The SEA Games is a biennial multisport event with participants from the 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia supervises the games.
ANOTHER National Basketball Association (NBA) star will visit the country when Oklahoma City Thunder player Steven Adams attends the NBA 3X Philippines presented by AXA from July 22-23 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. Former NBA coach Reggie Theus and the Laker Girls will be with Adams. NBA 3X Philippines 2017 will feature a 3-on-3 tournament featuring men’s and women’s teams of all skill levels as well as NBA entertainment throughout the weekend. The 2017 edition of NBA 3X Philippines began with a preliminary tournament July 15-16 at Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati that will determine the participants in the finals at the SM Mall of Asia. Additionally, the league will conduct an NBA Cares clinic for 10-14-year-old boys and girls at the indoor court of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Engineering on July 19. “I’m looking forward to meeting the Filipino fans and experiencing the country’s vibrant culture. I’m also excited to work with the talented athletes from across the Philippines at NBA 3X,” said Adams. Theus was equally pleased to part of the event saying, “This will be my first trip to the Philippines, and I can’t wait to see the passion Filipinos have for the game of basketball. With the inclusion of 3-on-3 basketball in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, NBA 3X is a testament to the growth and popularity of the game internationally,” said Theus. “We are excited to partner with NBA 3X Philippines and see this as a platform to elevate 3-on-3 basketball in the country,” said Raul Hora, President and CEO of AXA Philippines. “In the same way that we assist clients in making sound financial decisions, we look forward to seeing boys and girls of all ages showcase their skills, exhibit teamwork, and execute their gameplan to win on and off the court. With Steven, Reggie, and the Laker Girls in attendance, this event is a great opportunity to provide the NBA experience to fans.” The competitive 3-on-3 tournament includes divisions for boys (under-13, under-16, under-18, and open category), girls (under-16 and open category), an invitation only Celebrity Division featuring local personalities, as well as a new division exclusive to AXA employees and distributors. Adams, a 7’0” center from New Zealand, was drafted 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2013 NBA Draft. He was selected to the NBA AllRookie Second Team in 2014. During the 2016-17 season, Adams averaged 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1 block per game. Theus was drafted 9th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1978 NBA Draft and selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1979. A two-time NBA All-Star, Theus played 13 seasons in the NBA before playing internationally. He was named head coach of Sacramento Kings during the 2007-08 season before becoming an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2009-2011. He is currently the head coach of Cal State Northridge in the NCAA. NBA 3X Philippines 2017 is presented by AXA Philippines together with official partners CloudFone, Globe At Home and Globe Prepaid, Panasonic, as well as supporting partners SM Mall of Asia and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters for the event are ABSCBN Sports and Action, Basketball TV, and NBA Premium TV. All participants in NBA 3X Philippines 2017 will receive an NBA 3X jersey with special prizes for the winners of each division. Registration fees for the age divisions run at Php 1,000 per team, while open divisions run at Php 1,600 pesos per team. For more information on NBA 3X Philippines 2017 log on to www.nba3x.com/ philippines and follow www.facebook. com/nba3xasia.
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SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor / Randy Caluag, Issue Editor
sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR SHELL ACTIVE CHESS
By Peter Atencio
A
FTER 25 years of engaging the hearts and minds of young players, proponents of the Shell Active Youth Chess believe it had accomplished its mission and will be leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
The longest-running grassroots chess program bid farewell with its NCR leg that served as the last and final competition at the SM Mall of Asia recently. “Shell Chess has been my training ground,” said newly minted Woman International Master Mikee Charlene Suede, who was guest speaker in the final leg, recalling how she achieved the WIM title and the GM norm. The tournament had been her training ground that helped her become one of only three Filipina chess players to get a grandmaster norm. “My cousins and I, together with my dad who had thought us the rudiments of the game, would prepare for Shell Active Chess months ahead. Aside from experience and the accomplishments I got, it sort of became a bonding moment for us as well, and it helped boost my personality. I‘m grateful to Shell for sponsoring tournaments like these for 25 years now,” she said. Most of the country’s top chessers started out as young prodigies who honed their skills with the help of their parents or mentors in school. In recent years though, grassroots programs like Shell Active Chess have also started to create an impact in creating awareness and better appreciation for this mind game Suede, now 22 years old, eventually plans to improve on her game and get the two remaining norms she needs for the WGM title by playing in chess competitions outside the country. When that happens, she’ll join Janelle Mae Frayna, also a Shell Chess alumna, as the second Filipina to secure a WGM title.
Francois Marie Magpily in full concentration as she looks for the winning moves.
threw caution to the wind and pressed for an early attack,” said Magpily. “Unfortunately, I lost. So I played more cautiously in the next rounds, settling for draws whenever necessary. What I learned from years of joining this competition—to not feel disheartened after a loss—has finally paid off,” added the student of General Pio Del Pilar National High School.
The Beginning
Executives of Pilipinas Shell conceived Shell Active Chess in 1992 to promote Filipino youth development as part of the energy company’s social investment efforts to give back to the community and contribute to nation-building. The mental sport was chosen because like basketball, chess was already becoming a part of Philippine culture, being a popular pastime at that time, thanks to GM Eugene Torre, whose own exploits in the board game in the 70s and the 80s has
inspired many others to play chess. Shell Active Chess was opened to all non-titled chess players age 7-20 years old. Participants are categorized into kiddies (8-12), juniors (13-16) and seniors (17-20). Players compete in qualifying legs conducted in NCR, Southern Luzon, Visayas, as well as in Northern and Southern Mindanao. Once the top players in each leg have been named, the final leg is then held in Manila. Winners in qualifying legs and in the grand finals are awarded trophies and cash prizes. Pilipinas Shell has living up to its commitment of fuelling dreams for many generations of Filipinos through innovative projects like Shell Active Chess and through initiatives promoting energy security and energy efficiency. Shell might have put an end to a long-running chapter of Shell Active Chess, but it’s opening a new window of opportunity for another social project which it will be announcing very soon.
Training for the brain
There are many scientific studies proving the benefits of playing chess in young children. And all of them found that it helps kids perform well in school by improving their intelligence. Because chess is a problemsolving game, the brain is trained to be alert, analyze, plan, strategize and make logical decisions. Equipped with such mental skills, students who play chess are able to learn faster than their classmates. Playing chess doesn’t only sharpen thinking in a developing brain. Studies have also shown that it improves emotional intelligence. Suede’s is just one of the many success stories of chess-playing students achieving success in school and in life. Another product of Shell National Youth Active Chess is 14-year-old is Francois Marie Magpily, who has
Women’s International Master Charlene Suede, who is one of the many products of Shell Active Youth Chess, sharing her stories to participants of the NCR leg
developed the attitude of never giving up. Magpily, this year’s top female performer and overall champion in the juniors division of the NCR leg of Shell Chess, has been joining this innovative competition for many years. “I’ve been playing to win each game at the start and was lucky to have won the first five games. My confidence was so high that when I faced the tournament’s top seed, I
Topping the seniors division of Shell’s longest-running chess tilt held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City recently is Dale Bernardo (center) of Far Eastern University. With him are Francois Marie Magpily (right) of General Pio National High School, juniors champion and also the Top Female player awardee; and kiddies champ Cyrus Vladimir Francisco (left) of San Beda College. The three received their trophies and cash prizes from WIM Mikee Charlene Suede, a former Shell Active Chess participant and the first Filipina to win the Asian Juniors Chess Championship, and Karla Lukban Zarate, Shell ER Brand Adviser. Aside from Shell V-Power, Shell Advance, Shell Rimula, Shell Helix, Shell Fuel Save and Shell Card, the country’s longest-running search for chess talents sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines is also being held in partnership with SM Supermalls.
OLIVAREZ CUP TENNIS FESTIVAL LIST-UP ON THE Olivarez Cup, an annual tennis festival featuring the leading and upcoming agegroupers and elite players, will be held Aug. 4-16 with another banner field tipped to clash for top honors in various divisions at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque. Registration is ongoing for the two-week long ranking tournament culminating in the Open Championship among the country’s top players, including members of the national pool and team. Deadline for listup is on July 24. Entries can be emailed to bobbymangunay@ yahoo.com. For details, call tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay, also the PPS-PEPP sports program development director, at 0915-4046464. All the winners in the various legs of this year’s Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala age-grouper are competing in the top-ranking tournament, ensuring a spirited chase for the 10-unisex and boys’ and girls’ 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-under singles titles and the doubles in 10-U, 14- and 18-U sides. “This is going to be exciting with all the winners of the previous PPS-PEPP legs competin and are raring to prove their worth against each other,” said Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who helped put up the event along with Rep. Eric Olivarez and Dr. Pablo Olivarez as par t of the family ’s long-time commitment to develop the sport and help in the country’s talent-search. The age-grouper is set Aug. 4-9 while the InterSchool non-ranking tournament for men’s and women’s featuring the singles and doubles competitions will be played from Aug. 10-15. The centerpiece Open, to be led by defending champions Johnny Arcilla and Khim Iglupas, will be held Aug. 1016 with the qualifying rounds slated Aug. 8-10. Palawan Pawnshop, the long-time backer of Philippine tennis, is throwing its all out support to the event again with Slazenger as the official ball. “It is our desire to help and further help develop the sport and produce world-class players because we believe Filipino netters can be at par with the world’s best,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ COO Bobby Castro.
STEPHAN LHUILLIER: YOUNG MAN WITH BIG DREAMS FOR TENNIS AS A young tennis player, Stephan Lhuillier had the opportunity to develop his game from some of the best instructors and coaches in the land. After all, his father is sportsmanbusinessman Jean Henri Lhuillier whose passion and support for sports, including tennis, is unquestioned. Stephan also had the chance to interact with tennis trainers, particularly in the provinces whenever he played in agegroup tournaments sponsored by his father’s firm, Cebuana Lhuillier. From what he has learned, this 17-year-old was prompted to do a personal advocacy and put up the Pinoy Tennis Trainers Program. The program was aimed specifically at
helping struggling tennis trainers to improve their skills and knowledge and improve their lives as they can get paid better. The program, with national coach Roland Kraut at the helm, was launched last year with three legs. And with its initial success, Stephan ramped up ten legs nationwide this year. The program had so far completed seven legs including those held in Bohol, Negros Oriental, Butuan, Cebu, Bulacan, and Palawan. The last three legs for the year are scheduled in Oroquieta, Cavite, and Olongapo, and incidentally, all the locations are also venues for the tennis grassroots development program initiated by his father and is currently the longest-running pro-
gram of its kind in the country, with the two programs perfectly complementing one another--one aimed at young players and the other at trainers and coaches. The best thing about this program, which is a combination of lecture and on-court instructional drills, is that it is free of charge for all the participants with some of them even receiving free tennis rackets as a result of Stephan’s Adopt-A-Racket program. Some companies and private individuals like Babolat and Dunlop and national players Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales also helped in making the whole Pinoy Tennis Trainers truly a unique, sustainable program. In two years’ time, Stephan is looking at a yield of 200 new coaches, all former trainers, something that he speaks with
pride, “ I am happy about the response we have received from the participants, they really appreciate the program knowing it will benefit them and the sport as well, it is good to know that with this developmental program, I am able to help change and improve lives, “ said the young Lhuillier. This early, he is already looking far beyond 2017, aiming to hold an annual tournament for the program graduates, at the same time collect a total of 500 tennis rackets. He also aims to provide the chance to some of the top graduates to have the much needed international exposure in international tournaments and international coaching seminars, something that he actually already started last year.
Stephan Lhuillier in one of his lectures