The Standard - 2015 April 19 - Sunday

S U N D AY : A P R I L 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

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BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

VOL. XXIX  NO. 63  3 Sections 24 Pages P18  SUNDAY : APRIL 19, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

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MADRELAND

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SPANISH

WEAK MEMORIES II

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CPP-NDF READY TO TALK PEACE

Photography by Isabel Martinez @isabelitavirtual

MADRELAND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SPANISH Mestizas Muse on their Heritage { C2 }

FLAVORS AND FUSIÓN Chefs dish out { C3 }

SPANISH STYLE

Spanish fashion in the Philippines { C4 }

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MILF WON’T YIELD, EARNS MARCOS IRE Next page

HEROES, TOO.

Filipino comics fans come in droves to mark the anniversary of the publication of the first Superman story at a QC mall on Saturday . DC Comics is asking fans to help set a new world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as DC Super Heroes. DANNY PATA

INT’L GROUPS NOMINATE NAZARENO AS CEO OF THE YEAR

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POINT GUARDS ARE TAKING OVER

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s u n d ay : a P R I L 1 9, 2 0 1 5

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Marcos hits MILF defiance

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

PUBLIC trust for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) may totally break down if the rebel group will not surrender the men who were involved in the deadly Mamasapano incident last January 25, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. warned on Saturday. at the same time, the Palace said it would be better for the MILF to air at a proper court of law its claim that its members participated in the Mamasapano incident only because they were trying to defend themselves.

“There are proper places for them to air such kind of a defense,” deputy Presidential spokesperson and lawyer abigail Valte said as Marcos stressed that the MILF position not to surrender the involved men does not help restore the public trust that was lost in the wake of the incident.

“Vice Chairman Jaafar’s statement clearly shows no respect for the rule of law and a blatant disregard to the feeling of the people crying out for justice for the saF killed by the MILF fighters in Mamasapano. This will not help in regaining the people’s trust in them,” Marcos said.

Marcos is the chairman of the senate Committee on Local Government, which is conducting public hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a measure that will create a Bangsamoro political entity to replace the current autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (aRMM).

Marcos said the government should make a clear stand that the Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro (CaB) and the Framework agreement signed by the government and the MILF allows the arrest of MILF members charged with criminal offenses under the existing laws of the land.

“The MILF’s non-cooperation will bring into question the wisdom of continuing with the BBL hearings,” said Marcos.

“If the MILF leadership will not surrender their members, then the belief that they are protecting wanted criminals and terrorists will be reinforced,” Marcos said.

Valte, on the other hand, did not comment on the assertion of MILF Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar that the rebel group will not surrender its men because they were only defending themselves.

“Mayroon pong tamang lugar para ilabas yung nga ganitong depensa, at lalo kung kaso naman po ang kakaharapin, ay doon na lang po din puedeng maipaliwanag yung ganyang depensa “There are proper places for them to air such a defense and they can explain such a defense in the proper court,” Valte said in an interview over state-owned Radyo ng Bayan.

Valte said the department of Justice should not be faulted for finding 90 members of the MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters criminally liable for the incident.

“The doJ is only doing its job of initiating prosecution against persons who may be guilty of some criminal acts under our law,” Valte stressed.

DelicAcieS on The STreeT. Residents and workers at Eastwood City pick out favorite Filipino delicacies that were offered on jeepneys during a food festival at the Quezon City business and residential enclave. MAnnY PAlMero

Joma: Reds ready for talks, but not PNoy

By Florante Solmerin and Francisco Tuyay ThE leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippinesnational democratic Front has expressed willingness to resume peace negotiations with the government that has remained stalled for four years now.

“The ndF continues to be ready to resume negotiations,” CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. sison said in a podcast from utrecht with the media outfit Kodao Productions released over the weekend.

“But it seems it is the government that is not ready. This makes the resumption of formal talks difficult. Malaca?ang has said that their attention now is

on the Bangsamoro Basic Law to complete the peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” he added. sison said until now, President Benigno aquino III has yet to firm up the composition of the government negotiating panel.

“It appears that the aquino regime has no interest in the peace talks and only want to use force to quell the revolutionary movement,” he said. ndF negotiating panel chairman Luis Jalandoni echoed sison’s statement, urging the government to concentrate on the stalled peace talks with the communist group while addressing issues with the MILF. “The aquino regime is preoccupied to the deepest extent in

the Mamasapano incident,” Jalandoni said in a separate statement. he said the administration must show “political will” for the peace negotiations to move forward.

Both sides were hoping to jumpstart the peace talks this year with backchannel talks that began in the last quarter of 2014, but were overtaken by the January 25 Mamasapano debacle. as this developed, armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. welcomed the statement of the communist leaders that they remain willing to return to the negotiating table. “(Gen. Catapang) said that the proposal is a manifestation that

the (CPP-ndF) continues to trust President aquino as a true advocate of peace. he also said that the aFP fully supports the government in its drive to end all internal armed conflicts and push peace and development in conflict affected areas,” aFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. harold Cabunoc said.

“Gen. Catapang also reiterates his call to the CPP-ndF and the new Peoples’ army to seriously talk peace with government by showing sincerity in its actions. he stressed that the CPP-ndFnPa must stop the abductions, killings, extortion activities, IEd attacks, and other criminal acts which benefit no one, except those who actually profit from violence,” Cabunoc added.

PH, RP start annual Balikatan war games Thousands of american and Filipino soldiers on Monday will kick off expanded wargames, showcasing a deepening defence alliance as alarm bells ring over China.

The 10-day exercises in the Philippines are an annual affair between the longtime allies, but this time they will involve double the number of soldiers as last year in a sign of their expanding military partnership.

The Philippines is seeking more us military and diplomatic support to fend off China’s increasing forcefulness in its bid to assert sovereignty in disputed areas of the south China sea.

In an interview with aFP last week, Philippine President Benigno aquino said the two

militaries operating side-by-side should offer a “deterrent aspect to any entity, be it a country or Islamic radicals”. aquino insisted the Balikatan (shoulder-toshoulder) wargames starting on Monday were not directed at China, pointing out they were annual exercises, but he discussed at length the Philippines’ reliance on the united states.

Foreign affairs secretary albert del Rosario also said last week the Philippines planned to ask Washington for extra help in containing China.

“We are, at this point, seeking additional support from the us in terms of being able to take a stronger position, in defending our position, which is to uphold the rule of law,” del Rosario told local broadcaster anC.

Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the strategically important south China sea, including areas just off the coasts of other asian nations, using vague demarcation lines that first appeared on Chinese maps in the 1940s.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

China has sought to expand its presence in disputed parts of the sea in recent years, including by taking control of a shoal that is a rich fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

It has also embarked on giant reclamation works on reefs and islets, turning some into islands capable of hosting military aircraft landing strips. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK S u n d ay : a p r i l 1 9, 2 0 1 5

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PH sets 2nd Plea for jailed Pinay

By Vito Barcelo

PlEAsE sPARE mY mAmA. Mar darrell Veloso, son of Mary jane Veloso who was caught with illegal drugs at an airport in indonesia, joins his grandfather Cesar Veloso in asking the indonesian government to review the death penalty imposed on Mary jane during a media briefing in Quezon City on saturday. mANNY PAlmERO

3-way battle for top afp post expected

By Florante s. solmerin

ASIDE from the vacant post of Philippine National Police director general, President Benigno Aquino III will also have to name a new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before July when military chief General Pio Catapang also retires from the armed services.

Catapang, like PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Loenardo Espina, will be reaching his mandatory retirement age of 56 in July, and the supporters of three senior generals are now jockeying to get their candidate named to the position.

The candidates for AFP chief of staff are Philippine Air Force chief Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado, Army Southern Luzon Command chief Major General Ricardo Visaya and Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Irriberi.

Both Visaya and Irriberi are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983 while Delgado belongs to the PMA Class of 1982.

Knowledgeable military sources said Aquino’s top choice is supposedly Delgado, whom he chose to be his senior military assistant when he because presi-

DElgADO

dent in 2010.

Delgado was a member of the Presidential Security Group during the administration of the President Corazon Aquino and was the chief close-in security of presidential sister and television host Kris Aquino.

Visaya is supposedly Aquino’s second choice and has served as presidential trouble-shooter on several occasions.

“Jeff (Delgado) and Bong (Visaya) undeniably have the full trust and confidence of the President,”

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

said a senior general staff officer who asked not be named for lack of authority to speak about the matter.

And while Aquino may not have known Irriberi as long as the two other officers, the incumbent Army chief is close to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

While he denies it, Gazmin is known to be so involved in the promotion of senior military officials that the Board of General (BOG), which screens and vets all top promotions in the military, is also halfjokingly referred to as “Board of Gazmin.”

During the PMA alumni homecoming last March, reports began to circulate that Delgado had supposedly “begged off” from being named AFP chief of staff in deference to Irriberi.

“Beg off? That is not true,” said a smiling Delgado, adding only that he would “cross the bridge when he gets there.”

THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said they will file a second appeal to the Indonesia Supreme Court to save Mary Jane Veloso from firing squad, hoping that the second appeal will be heard this time.

“Our first appeal to the Indonesian Supreme Court has been denied and a second appeal is what we are readying now,” Justice Undersecretary Francisco F. Baraan III said in a statement. “We will file for a second appeal for judicial review for better appreciation of the case.”

Baraan said President Benigno Aquino III has done his part by appealing to the compassion of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

“We appreciate the concern of all those who are working to save Mary Jane from execution, but whatever action we take now that is possible under our jurisdiction, like investigating the supposed princi-

pal of Mary Jane, a certain Kristina Sergio, and even filing a case against her if evidence warrants, may no longer result in a re-opening of the legal proceedings,” he said.

In her application for a judicial review, Veloso’s lawyers had reportedly argued that she was not provided with a capable translator during her first trial. “But we will continue to exhaust every possible remedy, legal and diplomatic, even as we must accord respect to the legal processes of Indonesia, Baraan said.

Veloso was caught at Yogyakarta Airport in Indonesia, on the main island of Java, carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin on a flight from Malaysia.

Indonesia, one of the countries with toughest anti-drugs laws in the world, is set to execute two high-profile Australian inmates and convicts from France, Brazil, Ghana and Nigeria to die by firing squad after their requests for presidential clemency were rejected.

eraP’s 3 birtHday wisHes

By Vito Barcelo FORMER President and Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada is turns 78 years old today and he has three wishes for his birthday.

First, Estrada wishes his former nemesis, former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo, would be granted her appeal to be detained at her house in Quezon City while she is being tried for plunder by the Sandiganbayan because of her frail health.

“I think former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not a flight risk,” said Estrada, who was himself detained from 2001 to 2007 while he was being tried for plunder by the Sandiganbayan when Arroyo was president.

The Sandiganbayan later convicted Estrada to 40 years in prison, but Arroyo issued a presidential pardon.

“She is a woman with failing health, and I wish the court will give her a little comfort through house arrest,” Estrada said.

Arroyo, who is now a Pampanga congresswoman, was also charged with plun-

der before the Sandiganbayan which order her detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center because of her frail health.

For his second wish, Estrada said he wished for security in Mindanao and peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front against which he ordered an “all-out war” in 2000 which resulted in the capture of MILF stronghold called Camp Abubakar.

“I wish to see a united and progressive country under one flag, one Constitution, and one democratic Republic,” he said.

Finally, Estrada’s last wish was for the City of Manila.

“Manila is my city of birth, where my career in the movies and in politics started and prospered. I wish to see Manila regain its stature as the premiere city of the country, with disciplined residents and progressive business climate.”

Estrada earlier said he already wants to retire but feels that the residents of Manila still need him and he was thus planning to seek reelection in 2016.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERAP. about 11, 000 Manila residents, led by mascots in the image of Mayor joseph estrada and Vice Mayor isko Moreno, dance the Zumba at the andres bonifacio shrine in Manila as part of the health program of the Chief justice jose abad santos General Hospital on saturday. DANNY PATA

S U N D AY, A P R I L 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A4

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

TWO HOURS, ONE WAY

A FILIPINO scientist this week received top distinction from Europe’s premier geosciences bureau.

Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, who heads the government’s Project NOAH -- Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards -- was given the Plinius Medal by the European Geosciences Union in Vienna, Austria for his “outstanding interdisciplinary natural-hazard research and natural-disaster engagement in the Philippines, particularly with respect to volcanic hazards, earthquakes, typhoons, landslides and floods.”

Lagmay holds a doctorate in geology and has devoted his career to the study of how science can help communities build resilience in the face of natural disasters.

He has published his work on various disasters hitting the Philippines from landslides, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and storm surges. The latest such study delved on how Daram, a small town in Samar, was able to survive deadly storm surges brought by typhoon Ruby last year.

Like any scientist, though, who prefers to work without the glare, Lagmay is quick to deflect the attention to the worthy projects he helped put together. For example, he said that the award was a testament that Project Noah is considered an example of best practice in disaster risk reduction and management.

In fact, during his trip to Vienna, he delivered a lecture on Project NOAH’s high-resolution hazards mapping feature.

The science, however, is but a part of the overall scheme to empower Filipinos, especially those living in vulnerable areas or belong to vulnerable sectors. Lagmay himself has been quoted as saying “no amount of science will work in disaster risk reduction if people to not embrace it.”

DRR is a mindset that prompts us to find out where we are most vulnerable and do things in a consistent and sustained manner to mitigate risks that have been identified. And when disasters do hit, a good plan will enable a community to rise better, faster. There would be little floundering and running around -- no surprises.

Lagmay says the mindset will lead people to take seriously the advisories and other information made available to them.

DRR is scientific, yes, but it as also administrative. There are things that have to be set up and done, not by scientists but by executives -- national and local. These include planning, organizing, and activating emergency systems in one cue, and after the disaster, responding to immediate effects as well as rebuilding and rehabilitating to a state better than the one prior to the tragedy.

Lagmay has certainly done much and helped many with his life work. Let’s hope that those in other aspects of DRR, specifically officials who claim they are in public service to, precisely, serve, take their roles as seriously and do as much with their own life work.

IN SEARCH OF TALENT BONG C. AUSTERO BETWEEN trying to catch up on our reading and trying to observe some traditions, what got us preoccupied during the recent Holy Week was watching reruns of episodes of Asia’s Got Talent on cable television. The show has since then moved into the semifinals and we’ve tried to catch subsequent editions of

discipline to another. It eventually boils down to individual preferences. But it’s often unfair because classically trained artists such as great ballet dancers or superb cellists cannot hope to win over a group of breakdancers who make our jaws drop not really because they are better dancers but because they perform routines that could kill them.

I always cringe when I see Filipinos who perform bizarre performance numbers, who flagellate or set them-

A5

ADELLE CHUA

LIFE WORK

the show whenever we could.

AGT is being held in Singapore.

The auditions were the usual merry mix of genuinely talented artists, notso-talented but superbly packaged performers, people with average talent but huge egos, and the usual bunch of dimwits who tried to elevate some perverse or weird ability into an art form. Shows like AGT are difficult to watch because it is almost impossible to compare objectively one performing art

EDITOR

CHASING HAPPY

[ EDI TORI A L ]

ARE WE THERE YET?

ADELLE CHUA

But then again, it’s a contest where winners are decided by popular vote, so there’s really no guarantee that the acts that display the best talent showcase will win.

selves on fire. In AGT, there was this Filipino impersonator who put on some kind of performance art that involved taking off layers of Halloween costumes from his body.

He was buzzed off midway. To be fair, we do not seem to have a monopoly of performance freaks. We noted that there were similar acts from other Asian countries as well.

There’s no Filipino among the judges, but the show is ably hosted

Standard TODAY Manila

by Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez, two Filipinos who made a mark in the Asian version of The Amazing Race. Nelson and Fernandez are great on the show, bringing with them the perfect blend of eloquence, playfulness and professionalism. I hope other Filipino celebrities who are tapped to host similar talent shows, particularly the ones held in the country, are watching.

Hosts are supposed to enhance the

527-2057 (Credit and Collection). Fax numbers: 521-8340 (Advertising) 5275550. P.O. Box 2933, Manilaand Central 6406 P.O. Box 2933, Manila Post(Subscription).

Office, Manila.

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Central Post Office, Manila.

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St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. ONLINE Port Area, Telephone numbers MEMBER Telephone(connecting numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, MEMBER 521-8507 all departments), Philippine Press Institute 832-5558521-5581, (connecting all departments), (Editorial), (Editorial Fax) 521-7381 Philippine Press Institute The National Association (Advertising), 521-8507(Advertising), (MIS) 521-5591 (Editorial), 832-5546, 832The National Association of Philippine Newspapers of Philippine Newspapers (Sales and Distribution/Subscription) and

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whole viewing experience, not detract from it. They are supposed to move the show along - seamlessly and effortlessly, sometimes with humor, but always providing helpful information that makes the audience appreciate the experience better. Hosts are not supposed to call attention to themselves with tawdry shtick copied from some standup comic in a cheap comedy Continued on A6 bar.

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer

Ma. Editha D. Angeles Advertising Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

Since the office moved back to Makati last month, I have had to make adjustments to my work load and travel routines. One of the more mundane changes is on coming home every night. I have decided to avoid the MRT. I have had enough experience taking the same train in the past, long after the evening rush hour. Imagine being exhausted from the day’s activities, from mental exertions at work, and then walking to the station, putting yourself “out there” alongside equally exhausted bodies all desperate for a smooth ride. One look at the long lines -- for the tickets, for the bag inspections, at the platform, and you would tell yourself: “I work so hard I don’t deserve this!”

This early, I have settled on an alternative.

Actually, my house up north is just one ride away from work. A very long bus ride. And while the “very long” part may instantly conjure horror scenarios for others (like the thought of “very long” lines at the Ayala station on a payday Friday evening), I find that this arrangement works for me.

Why? Because I try to teach myself that going home time is strength recovery time. *** The journey is so long that it is impossible not to find yourself seated, and comfortably, at some point. And when you are , it is time to stop thinking about the ride as travel time.

Think, instead, me time. Imagine then two hours of being by yourself, cruising through Edsa and watching the metro as it winds down after another busy day.

Take out your music player and earphones and return to that playlist containing your favorite songs. What is the soundtrack of your day? Your state of mind?

Hum along (not too loud!) to familiar tunes as you observe other people traveling with you. Where might they have come from? Do they look like they had a rough day at the office? Or have they found a job to tide them through, in the first place? That man and woman sitting in front of you -- why are they together but not talking to each other?

Use your innate curiosity, too, to scan any potential threats to your security.

Learn the basics of clutching your bag close. Try not to fall asleep.

Continued on A6 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors P. Palacios News Editor FrancisJoel Lagniton News Editor Francis Lagniton Editor Joyce Pangco Pañares CityCity Editor Arman Armero Senior Deskman Adelle Chua Senior Deskman Leo A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez ArtPhotographer Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

S U N D AY, A P R I L 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A4

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

TWO HOURS, ONE WAY

A FILIPINO scientist this week received top distinction from Europe’s premier geosciences bureau.

Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, who heads the government’s Project NOAH -- Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards -- was given the Plinius Medal by the European Geosciences Union in Vienna, Austria for his “outstanding interdisciplinary natural-hazard research and natural-disaster engagement in the Philippines, particularly with respect to volcanic hazards, earthquakes, typhoons, landslides and floods.”

Lagmay holds a doctorate in geology and has devoted his career to the study of how science can help communities build resilience in the face of natural disasters.

He has published his work on various disasters hitting the Philippines from landslides, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and storm surges. The latest such study delved on how Daram, a small town in Samar, was able to survive deadly storm surges brought by typhoon Ruby last year.

Like any scientist, though, who prefers to work without the glare, Lagmay is quick to deflect the attention to the worthy projects he helped put together. For example, he said that the award was a testament that Project Noah is considered an example of best practice in disaster risk reduction and management.

In fact, during his trip to Vienna, he delivered a lecture on Project NOAH’s high-resolution hazards mapping feature.

The science, however, is but a part of the overall scheme to empower Filipinos, especially those living in vulnerable areas or belong to vulnerable sectors. Lagmay himself has been quoted as saying “no amount of science will work in disaster risk reduction if people to not embrace it.”

DRR is a mindset that prompts us to find out where we are most vulnerable and do things in a consistent and sustained manner to mitigate risks that have been identified. And when disasters do hit, a good plan will enable a community to rise better, faster. There would be little floundering and running around -- no surprises.

Lagmay says the mindset will lead people to take seriously the advisories and other information made available to them.

DRR is scientific, yes, but it as also administrative. There are things that have to be set up and done, not by scientists but by executives -- national and local. These include planning, organizing, and activating emergency systems in one cue, and after the disaster, responding to immediate effects as well as rebuilding and rehabilitating to a state better than the one prior to the tragedy.

Lagmay has certainly done much and helped many with his life work. Let’s hope that those in other aspects of DRR, specifically officials who claim they are in public service to, precisely, serve, take their roles as seriously and do as much with their own life work.

IN SEARCH OF TALENT BONG C. AUSTERO BETWEEN trying to catch up on our reading and trying to observe some traditions, what got us preoccupied during the recent Holy Week was watching reruns of episodes of Asia’s Got Talent on cable television. The show has since then moved into the semifinals and we’ve tried to catch subsequent editions of

discipline to another. It eventually boils down to individual preferences. But it’s often unfair because classically trained artists such as great ballet dancers or superb cellists cannot hope to win over a group of breakdancers who make our jaws drop not really because they are better dancers but because they perform routines that could kill them.

I always cringe when I see Filipinos who perform bizarre performance numbers, who flagellate or set them-

A5

ADELLE CHUA

LIFE WORK

the show whenever we could.

AGT is being held in Singapore.

The auditions were the usual merry mix of genuinely talented artists, notso-talented but superbly packaged performers, people with average talent but huge egos, and the usual bunch of dimwits who tried to elevate some perverse or weird ability into an art form. Shows like AGT are difficult to watch because it is almost impossible to compare objectively one performing art

EDITOR

CHASING HAPPY

[ EDI TORI A L ]

ARE WE THERE YET?

ADELLE CHUA

But then again, it’s a contest where winners are decided by popular vote, so there’s really no guarantee that the acts that display the best talent showcase will win.

selves on fire. In AGT, there was this Filipino impersonator who put on some kind of performance art that involved taking off layers of Halloween costumes from his body.

He was buzzed off midway. To be fair, we do not seem to have a monopoly of performance freaks. We noted that there were similar acts from other Asian countries as well.

There’s no Filipino among the judges, but the show is ably hosted

Standard TODAY Manila

by Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez, two Filipinos who made a mark in the Asian version of The Amazing Race. Nelson and Fernandez are great on the show, bringing with them the perfect blend of eloquence, playfulness and professionalism. I hope other Filipino celebrities who are tapped to host similar talent shows, particularly the ones held in the country, are watching.

Hosts are supposed to enhance the

527-2057 (Credit and Collection). Fax numbers: 521-8340 (Advertising) 5275550. P.O. Box 2933, Manilaand Central 6406 P.O. Box 2933, Manila Post(Subscription).

Office, Manila.

Website: www.

Central Post Office, Manila.

Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: mst@ contact@thestandard.com.ph PublishedMonday MondaytotoSunday Sundaybyby Philippine manilastandardtoday.com Published Kamahalan ndInc. at 6/F Manila Standard Publishing Publishing Corporation at 2 Floor PJI canbe beaccessed accessedat: at: Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo Roxas, can Building, Railroad corner 20th de Streets, www.manilastandardtoday.com ONLINE www.manilastandardtoday.com corner PereaManila.

St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. ONLINE Port Area, Telephone numbers MEMBER Telephone(connecting numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, MEMBER 521-8507 all departments), Philippine Press Institute 832-5558521-5581, (connecting all departments), (Editorial), (Editorial Fax) 521-7381 Philippine Press Institute The National Association (Advertising), 521-8507(Advertising), (MIS) 521-5591 (Editorial), 832-5546, 832The National Association of Philippine Newspapers of Philippine Newspapers (Sales and Distribution/Subscription) and

MST MST

PPI PPI

whole viewing experience, not detract from it. They are supposed to move the show along - seamlessly and effortlessly, sometimes with humor, but always providing helpful information that makes the audience appreciate the experience better. Hosts are not supposed to call attention to themselves with tawdry shtick copied from some standup comic in a cheap comedy Continued on A6 bar.

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer

Ma. Editha D. Angeles Advertising Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

Since the office moved back to Makati last month, I have had to make adjustments to my work load and travel routines. One of the more mundane changes is on coming home every night. I have decided to avoid the MRT. I have had enough experience taking the same train in the past, long after the evening rush hour. Imagine being exhausted from the day’s activities, from mental exertions at work, and then walking to the station, putting yourself “out there” alongside equally exhausted bodies all desperate for a smooth ride. One look at the long lines -- for the tickets, for the bag inspections, at the platform, and you would tell yourself: “I work so hard I don’t deserve this!”

This early, I have settled on an alternative.

Actually, my house up north is just one ride away from work. A very long bus ride. And while the “very long” part may instantly conjure horror scenarios for others (like the thought of “very long” lines at the Ayala station on a payday Friday evening), I find that this arrangement works for me.

Why? Because I try to teach myself that going home time is strength recovery time. *** The journey is so long that it is impossible not to find yourself seated, and comfortably, at some point. And when you are , it is time to stop thinking about the ride as travel time.

Think, instead, me time. Imagine then two hours of being by yourself, cruising through Edsa and watching the metro as it winds down after another busy day.

Take out your music player and earphones and return to that playlist containing your favorite songs. What is the soundtrack of your day? Your state of mind?

Hum along (not too loud!) to familiar tunes as you observe other people traveling with you. Where might they have come from? Do they look like they had a rough day at the office? Or have they found a job to tide them through, in the first place? That man and woman sitting in front of you -- why are they together but not talking to each other?

Use your innate curiosity, too, to scan any potential threats to your security.

Learn the basics of clutching your bag close. Try not to fall asleep.

Continued on A6 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors P. Palacios News Editor FrancisJoel Lagniton News Editor Francis Lagniton Editor Joyce Pangco Pañares CityCity Editor Arman Armero Senior Deskman Adelle Chua Senior Deskman Leo A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez ArtPhotographer Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

S U N D AY, A P R I L 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A6

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

AsiA’s Tough-Love AgendA for iMf

By William Pesek RAGHuRAM Rajan, the head of the Reserve Bank of India, has a theory for why wealthy economies have recently been underperforming: It’s because they’re hypocritical. When poor economies falter, he says, their wealthy neighbors demand structural reforms in service of making the global economy more vibrant.

But they have spared themselves the same tough love.

“They have tried everything new, continuing easy monetary policy, but they still don’t have sustainable growth that they would be happy with,” Rajan said in Pune recently. The bottom line, he declared, is that “we have been too quiet in the emerging markets, saying what the developed markets do is best for the global economy.”

Rajan isn’t alone in calling for developing economies to have a bigger say in the global economy.

But as officials gather in Washington for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, it’s fair to wonder what countries like India, China and Indonesia would do if they had the influence in those institutions that they desire. Here are three areas where emerging economies, drawing on their own experiences, would probably handle things differently.

First, they would likely insist that the global economy rely less on monetary policy. After the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, the IMF and World Bank gave governments in the region In search... From A5 As can be expected in a talent search, particularly one held in Asia, Filipino talents have been making quite an impression. In last Thursday’s semifinal round, 10-year old Gwyneth Dorado and the Velasco Brothers shared the limelight with a dance group from Japan, a harmonica player from Taiwan, a tambourine player

a lengthy to-do list: reduce debt; push through painful structural reforms; maintain responsible monetary policies. Since its own meltdown in 2008, the West has broken all these commandments —none more so than its edict against loose monetary policies.

The u.S. Federal Reserve is Exhibit A. Its quantitative easing programs have allowed the West to put off addressing the root causes of its economic problems and caused smaller economies to be flooded with unstable investments. Rajan rightly points out that if developing countries in Asia were to mimic Washington’s monetary policies -- or those of the Bank of Japan and European Central Bank -- they would be labeled currency manipulators and shamed accordingly in IMF and World Bank discussions.

Second, developing countries would want global economic institutions to be more responsive to regional needs. More specifically, they would want institutions like the IMF and World Bank to accelerate reforms that reduce global inequality.

As Yukon Huang, a former World Bank director, recently wrote in the Financial Times, China’s push for an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as an expression of its desire for international institutions that are more efficient and more responsive to Asian perspectives.

“The objective,” Huang wrote, “is not simply to duplicate the supposedly ‘highest standards’ of existing institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF and the

comedian from Japan, a sand artist from India, a trio from Indonesia, and a dance act that combined ballroom dancing with acrobatics from China. The last act automatically got a spot in the finals when they earned the judges’ golden buzzer last Thursday. Filipinos can still vote for Dorado and the Velasco Brothers by texting AGT5 to 2929 or through Facebook until tomorrow.

Asian Development Bank, but to use this unique opportunity to establish the ‘right standards.’”

Those include less bloat and bureaucracy; a greater focus on local governments’ evaluations of the utility and costs of projects; and a nimbler, more ad-hoc decision-making process.

Third, developing countries would want to grab a greater share of the spotlight in managing the institutions -- and in calling out the specific deficiencies of the West. The developed world, they believe, should show more humility on the global stage. By some measures, China’s economy is already bigger than America’s.

Indian growth, for its part, may outpace China’s this year for the first time since 1999. Meanwhile, the u.S. and Europe have been demanding that China and other Asian countries pay more to finance the IMF and World Bank, while reserving the right to run those institutions themselves.

With IMF chief Christine Lagarde now warning of stagnation and a “new mediocre,” it’s clear the West is struggling to manage the global economy. A dose of humility for richer economies seems only justified. If they open themselves up to a bit of criticism, it might even help them grow faster.

There’s no reason for emerging economies to delay asking for more say. “There is a concern that the rules of the game are not clearly set in the international world,” Rajan said. Starting in Washington this weekend, developing nations should demand a new rulebook. Bloomberg

As far as I know, at least three other Filipino talents, namely, the shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra, human beat box wonder Neil Rey Llanes, and singer Gerphil Flores are scheduled to compete in the next semifinals episodes. El Gamma Penumbra and Flores sailed straight to the semifinals when judges Anggun and David Foster pressed the golden buzzer after their perfor-

mances during the auditions.

It’s obviously too early to make bets on who will finally win the talent contest, although rooting for the Filipino acts is perfectly understandable. But then again, it’s a contest where winners are decided by popular vote, so there’s really no guarantee that the acts that display the best talent showcase will win. Pretty much like the contests that are

Two... From A5 Take a book out of your bag. Imagine having the time and opportunity to read again.

List the books you have always wanted to read and be amazed at how many you can finish in a month.

Or, you can look out the window and reflect on the events of the day. Seriously answer the question: How did your day go?

Did you get much done, or anything at all? Were you able to tick off most things on your list? Was there anything you would have done a different way?

How did you treat others today? How did you allow them to treat you?

Make plans, evaluate decisions, think about the future.

Is there anything in your life you wish changed and are you in a position to effect that change? Why do it at all?

Or, why not?

(When am I moving houses so that I am closer to everything?)

Or think about this country, what the news contains, and where our leaders are taking us. Try not to be depressed.

You can put together what to wear tomorrow, where to take the kids for the weekend lunch, or what you forgot in your grocery list.

You can find inspiration -what topics do you wish to read or write about next?

What adventure would you want to leap into?

How can you appreciate little joys, sleep more and complain less?

Before you know it, two hours will have passed. When you get home, and although it’s nearing midnight, you will be amazed at how you can still exchange stories with the family, watch some sensible TV, even put your feet up as you sip some wine.

And then get some serious rest, wake up for all the same things tomorrow, acknowledge that your life is full AND charmed -- and look forward to the opportunity to just sit still and soak up everything on your next ride home. adellechua@gmail.com

held here, it’s the performer people can relate to or empathize with who end up going home with the top prize.

Of course, those backed up by organized groups with resources also tend to dominate. This is why we just have to support our own artists if we want them to win.

There’s reason to be proud: the Filipino talents in AGT are comparable, if not better than the others.

S U N D AY : A p r i l 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Makati forks out P2.4M each year on relocation

By Joel Zurbano

Makati City officials on Saturday said they have been spending P2.4 million yearly for relocation projects in Laguna and Bulacan to support and improve the livelihood of residents.

They said they abide by the housing law and denied allegation that residents of Makati Homeville are living in inhumane conditions.

Ryan Barcelo, City Social Welfare Department officer-in-charge, said: “The truth is we strictly abide by the Urban Development Housing Act governing the relocation of informal settlers. We have

remained true to our commitment that we will not leave them and continue to provide social services until they are able to stand on their own.”

Barcelo made the clarification few days after a Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committtee hearing on alleged irregularities and corruption raised against Makati officials led by former mayor and now Vice President Jejomar Binay.

During the hearing, former Makati informal settlers recalled their experiences while living in Makati HomeVille in Calauan, Laguna. They also expressed their disappointment over the vice president who was the city mayor at the time of the their relocation.

The residents also told senators the inhumane living conditions they experienced upon relocating to a new residence without

electricity, water, food and livelihood.

But Barcelo said the city government continues to provide livelihood, social welfare and development programs for the residents, which include cash-for-work program, livelihood skills training and the creation of a cooperative.

“For the cash-for-work program alone, we are spending about P2.4 million yearly for our relocation projects in Calauan and in Bulacan. That excludes our other programs like leadership and values formation seminars and joint projects in partnership with non government organizations and academic institutions. We have invested so much for the well-being of our relocatees in Calauan,” he said.

Barcelo also clarified that originally, the commitment of the city government under then Mayor Jejomar Binay was only to pro-

For fast ad results, please call 832-55-50 or 832-55-47

vide a lot for each family at the relocation site, and the recipients will be responsible for putting up their own houses.

However, when Mayor Junjun Binay took over the helm, he noticed the slow progress being made by the residents in building their own homes, and initiated the construction of housing units for them.

“The housing component is not part of the commitment made by the city government to the beneficiaries of the relocation project in Calauan. But as you can see, we have gone beyond what have been committed by the city prior to their relocation,” Barcelo said.

Besides putting up an extension office to provide assistance to residents, the city government also trained them for agricultural livelihood, such as organic farming and communal gardening, to make the vast area of vacant land productive and useful.

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given to the public that the BOI Certificate of Registration No. 2010-131 issued to Marcventures Mining & Development Corporation on July 19, 2010 was declared loss as per Doc. No. 451; Page No. 92; Book No. 478 Series of 2015 before Notary Public Atty. Virgilio R. Batalla in Makati City.

(TS-Apr. 18 & 19, 2015)

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

InvItatIon to BId for tHE SUPPLY and dELIvErY of SUStaInaBILItY traInInGS for tHE aSSEt InforMatIon ManaGEMEnt ProGraM (aIMP)

Hidden treasure. Youngsters cool down at the Pawod Underwater Cave in Lapu-lapu City, rela-

tively unknown to non-residents. Hidden in Barangay “Agus” which means spring, the Underwater Cave measures 33 meters with cracks that form a small pool. ralpH piezas

‘Hot’ rice in 40 vans confiscated

FoRty container-vans of rice in sacks with markings of National Food Authority were confiscated Friday night by authorities after the supposed recipient refused to take delivery at Golden City in Barangay Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan.

Chief Inspector Chery Lou Donato, public information officer of the Police Regional office 3, said that members of the Bocaue Municipal Police Station confiscated the NFA rice believed to be smuggled.

She sad 40 container vans of rice were loaded on 20 trucks that were intercepted by elements of the police’s “Lambat Sibat” at around 8:30 p.m.

She said the rice were supposed to be delivered to the Great Harvest Rice Mill.

However, the rice mill denied having ordered teh shipment and said that they have filed a written complaint about the misuse of their company’s name on several occasions regarding the purchase of NFA rice,” Donato said.

She said Joey Gonsalvo of NFA Malolos City arrived and inspected the smuggled rice which was placed under the jurisdiction of his office. Florante s. solmerin

Bukidnon road paves access to sanctuary A NeWLy built road costing P150 million would provide easy access to hundreds of foreign and local tourists who would want to see Bukidnon’s largest flower sanctuary, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The sanctuary, built under the tourism Infrastructure Program is situated at Sitio Kalanganan, Barangay San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon.

Also known as the Rafflesia yard, it was declared by the Department of environment and Natural Resources as a critical habitat of the largest flower in the Philippines, the “rafflesia schadenbergiana’ also known as “bo-o” or “kolon busaw” to the Bogobo and Higaonon tribes of Bukidnon. It is also the second flower in the world, with diameter that can reach up to 80 centimeters.

“Local and international tourists who want to see one of the largest flowers in the world are invited to visit Bukidnon as we have improved the tour-

ism road to Rafflesia yard in the municipality of Baungon,” DPWH Region-10 Director evelyn t. Barroso said.

Following DPWH tourism road design standard, the 8-kilometer access road leading to Rafflesia yard is guaranteed to provide quality and safe travel of tourists with its carriageway’s 6.1 meters width and 0.23 meters concrete thickness.

Barroso said the newly concreted road would allow Baungon locals to showcase their place’s biodiversity, simultaneously promoting awareness on the protection of rafflesia, which is also categorized as critically endangered by the DeNR. Apart from its support to the tourism industry of Baungon, the improved access road is expected to provide easy transportation of people and goods to commercial and public places in Malaybalay City, consequently improving the lives of the people around the area.

Vito Barcelo

1.

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2015, intends to apply the sum of Four Million Pesos (PhP 4,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Supply and Delivery of Sustainability Trainings for the Asset Information Management Program (AIMP) (the “Project”). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The DOF, through its Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the Supply and Delivery of Sustainability Trainings for the Asset Information Management Program (AIMP).

Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC for the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/ fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

4.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens, sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the SBAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. St. Roxas Boulevard, Manila starting April 20, 2015 during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on April 20, 2015 at the General Services Division, 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, corner Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., Roxas Blvd., Manila upon payment of a non-refundable fee provided as follows: Lot No. Particulars 1 Java Development and MS Office Productivity Training 2 Network, Security and Operating Systems Training with Certification

ABC PhP 3,000,000.00

Non-refundable fee PhP 5,000.00

PhP 1,000,000.00

PhP 1,000.00

The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the PhilGEPS and the website of the DOF, provided that the Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows: ACTIVITIES Posting of Invitation to Bid Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Request for Clarification Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin Deadline for Submission of Bids Opening of Bids

7.

SCHEDULE April 19, 2015 Starting April 20, 2015 April 27, 2015, 12:00 pm May 1, 2015 (by email) May 4, 2015 May 11, 2015, 9:45 am May 11, 2015, 10:00 am

Bids must be delivered at the 7th Floor, EDPC Building cor. P. Ocampo Sr. St., Manila on or before May 11, 2015, 9:45 am. The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two (2) separate envelopes in the bid box located at the 7th Floor, General Services Division, EDPC Building, cor. P. Ocampo Sr. St., Malate Manila. All the Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Instructions to Bid (ITB) Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on the date indicated above at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

“LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.”

8.

9.

The DOF reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Lilia R. Tan, Head - SBAC Secretariat Department of Finance SBAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo, Sr. Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila Telephone No.: 526-8475 Telefax No.: 525-4227 Email Address: ltan@dof.gov.ph

(Sgd.) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-SBAC Chairman (TS-Apr. 19, 2015)

A8

SUNDAY: APRIL 19, 2015

editorial@the standard.com.ph

CojuangCo launChes projeCt for youth Tarlac ciTy—The Eduardo cojuangco Foundation has launched an unprecedented educational initiative called Project Hope in partnership with the Department of Education, TESDa (Technical Education and Skills Development authority), Department of labor and Employment, la Salle Greenhills and the provincial government of Tarlac to provide technical-vocational skills training and job opportunities for 1,000 out-of-school 18 to 30 year-olds.

EcF chairman ambassador Eduardo (Danding) cojuangco conceived the idea of empowering Tarlac’s out-of-school and unemployed population as a concrete way of building a productive work force in his home province and bringing hope to the marginalized sector for a better future.

Project Hope is EcF’s follow-up program to its highly-successful P42 Million Project Free where nearly 2,000 public school teachers were granted scholarships to earn Master’s and doctorate degrees in education at Tarlac State University under la Salle supervision and graduated with la Salle diplomas.

Project Free was launched in 2010 on the occasion of EcF’s 25th anniversary. Project Hope celebrates EcF’s 30th anniversary.

The budget for Project Hope is P10 Million for the first sevenmonth cycle. Once the cycle is completed, EcF will start the second cycle of 1,000 out-of-school 18 to 30 year-olds until the target of 5,000 is achieved. Project Hope is envisioned to be a model for replication in other provinces of the country as a self-reliant public and private collaboration. cojuangco attended the MOa signing program with rep. Enrique cojuangco of the first district of Tarlac and Department of Education region iii assistant regional director rizalino rosales, representing secretary Br. armin luistro, FSc. Signatories of the MOa were Gov. Victor yap, Department of Education (Tarlac) schools division superintendent Dr. May Eclar, TESDa Tarlac director Ben Hur Baniqued, DOlE Tarlac director Efren reyes, lasallian Ministry Office director Br. Emmanuel Hilado, FSc, De la Salle Philippines alternative Education commission chairman Br. Vincent H. Fernandez, FSc and EcF managing director Joaquin Henson.

Project HoPe. sMC Chairman eduardo “Danding” M. Cojuangco jr. delivers his message during the launching and Moa signing of eduardo Cojuangco foundation’s project hope scholarship program for tarlac’s out-of-school youth held at fortune restaurant, tarlac City. listening intently are (from left) Bro. Vincent fernandez, chairman of De la salle philippines alternative education Commission, Managing Director of eCf Quinito henson, tarlac governor Vic yap,Dr. May eclar, tarlac superintendent schools division, rep. enrique “henry” Cojuangco (1st district of tarlac), tesDa Tarlac Provincial Director Ben Hur Baniqued, DOLE Tarlac Director Efren Reyes and Bro. Emmanuel Hilado of Lasallian Ministry Office.

Poll bets dared: bare true assets

By Alena M. Flores

A watchdog has asked all candidates, especially those seeking national offices, for their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth when they file their certificates of candidacy in the interest of transparency.

“This will show their networth before seeking public office,” GOV’T WaTcH chairman raul T. concepcion said in a statement.

GOV’T WaTcH stressed that the commission on Elections should also strictly monitor campaign sounding as candidates may try to recover their expenses once elected.

Meanwhile, it urged Supreme court to fasttrack the resolution of the petition seeking to nullify the Smartmatic-Total Management information corp. (TiM)-comelec refurbishment deal so that the poll body can move forward and prepare for the crucial 2016 presidential elections.

The Supreme court has issued a temporary restraining order on the warranty contract between the government and Smartmatic-TiM which brought the repair,refurbishments and recalibration of the voting machines to a halt. concepcion said that once the Smartmatic case is resolved, comelec can immediately resume work on the PcOS machines or pursue alternate automated election technologies.

However, in case the TrO is lifted, he said comelec and Smartmatic should address allegations of past omission of certain requirements prescribed by the automated

Election law.

“These include the lack of UV lamps that prove the authenticity of ballots, voter verification-paper audit trail that correctly ensures that every vote is counted and enables an independent audit of results, digital signatures that authenticate results and electronic transmission and mandatory source code review that proves the integrity of digital instructions and commands,” said GOV’T WaTcH. it said that comelec must be prepared to bid, award, and procure alternative technologies such as Optical Mark reader (OMr) or even automated voting systems that do not require paper ballots.

“There must be a concerted and transparent effort to correct the perceived shortcomings of our automated election system in the few months that remain (before the 2016 national elections),” the watchdog said.

mango fest a thanksgiving gesture—ebdane iBa—The provincial government of Zambales led

by Governor Hermogenez Ebdane has concluded a four-day celebration of its 15th Dinumalag Festival in showcasing its top product, the country’s sweetest of the sweetest mango. colorfully dressed dancers holding a tray of mangoes each greeted the locals, tourists and visitors as they marched on the streets to mark the opening of the mango festival celebration with music, dances, sports and cultural presentation.

Highlights of this year’s festival held from april 15

to april 18 were the parade of dancers clad in mangoinspired costumes, giant parade of floats, inter-fait prayers, pinaka-lGU showcase, cultural show, marching band exhibition, arangkadahan sa mango festival or motocross challenge, trade fair and exhibit, aeta cultural showcase and the Bb. Zambales 2015 search.

Other activities were the Mt. Bike challenge, tangoytangoy challenge, skydiving exhibition, street dancing competition, Night of Talented Zambaleños, Mt. Tapulao ultra marathon, Dinamulag invitational

swimming competition, 4x4 off road challenge and other sports activities, The festival commenced with the Bb. Zambales 2015 grand pageant night.

During the four-day celebration, tourists came in droves and strolled on the pristine beaches and beautiful islands of Zambales.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the festival was a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of the province’s sweetest of the sweetest mango in the world that originated in Sta. cruz town.

“Mango production is un-

doubtedly a major industry in Zambales. Our produce is known worldwide as one of the sweetest and most loved mangoes,” he said. in 1995, the Guinness Book of World records cited the mangoes grown in Zambales as the world’s sweetest mangoes. in addition, in 2013, the Department of agriculture said the Zambales mangoes remained to be the country’s sweetest variety.

“Zambales has the besttasting fresh mangoes in the world, and it is our pride to share it to the world,” Ebdane said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SUNDAY: APRIL 19, 2015

Roderick T. dela Cruz EDITOR business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

B1

Proposed NRE plant in the Philippines

Rainbow Holdings president Grace Jeong

KOREAN SEEKS POWER FROM PH GARBAGE A KOREAN missionary discovered a large

flock of believers in the Philippines and a thriving market for innovative products and services in the early 1990s. She believes the country’s economic potential is so vast, even garbage in cities seem to offer ‘powerful’ opportunities.

Son Eun Kyoung became one of the first Korean entrepreneurs who established businesses here, long before the ‘Korean wave’ hit Philippine shores. Son, who is also known by the name Grace Jeong, is the president and chief executive of Rainbow Holdings Inc., a company which started as a travel agency and language training facility and later grew to become a trailblazer in the renewable energy sector.

“Actually, we were [Christian] missionaries when we first came to the Philippines. Then later on, we saw an opportunity to do business privately. We went through all the process

We went through all the process and built our way up to be a full Philippine corporation. and built our way up to be a fully incorporated Philippine corporation,” she says.

Grace has been serving as a missionary for more than two decades in the Philippines.

In 2002, Grace who has a

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Officials of Rainbow Holdings, Woojin Energy Ltd. and Tacloban City lead the groundbreaking of the Tacloban Resource Recovery System. With Rainbow Holdings president Grace Jeong (second from left) are Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romuldez (third from right) and Jerry Jeong of Woojing (third from left).

Master’s degree in Education Psychology from Kosin University, started working as the director of Han EOL Education Foundation Inc. based in Paranaque City.

She put up her own business, Hanbit Travel & Tour in Alabang, Muntinlupa City in 2004. The company was later renamed Rainbow

International Business Center Inc. From a travel agency, Rainbow Holdings now spans various businesses such as immigration liaison work, English language training, online education, business consulting, real estate consulting, trading, government project

consulting and recently renewable energy technology marketing.

Rainbow Holdings has recently signed an agreement with REMCo Ltd., another Korean company, and the local government of Tacloban City, for a solid waste management plan for the typhoon-ravaged CONTINUED ON B3

B2 IDEASPACE Foundation

Inc., the largest privately funded emerging market technology incubator based in the Philippines, announced the top startups that have made it to the incubation round of the 2015 technology startup competition.

Following three rounds of rigorous review and judging from the recordbreaking 1,028 early-stage startup ideas received by IdeaSpace for this year’s competition, 23 innovative ideas from around the country, including teams with founders from Australia and India, have made the cut and will advance to the ‘semi-finals’ of the competition.

“The diverse ideas we’ve received for this year’s competition speaks volumes about how the Philippines has become a center of innovation, with startups that could potentially penetrate the regional and even the global market,” said Earl Martin Valencia, president and co-founder at IdeaSpace and head for corporate innovation and development at Smart Communications Inc. “For over three years, we’ve seen innovative ideas from all over the country that have grown and matured to become full-fledged businesses, and we will continue on investing time and resources to discover such innovations that could push the Philippines forward,” Valencia said.

This year’s top 23 startups include: 1. iHarvest (Manila) – A solar powered humidifier-dryer for highvalue crops; 2. Farmbook (Soil Analyzer System) (Cagayan de Oro) - A system that helps farmers provide easier pH monitoring and limestone/sulfur calculation using MCU-GSM technology and a mobile application respectively; 3. Fame - Aviation and Maritime Real-time Tracking (Mandaluyong) Real-time tracking of general aviation aircraft and small ships and boats with accuracy similar to ADS-B and AIS using Lora; 4. FlexStrap (Makati) – A flexible stainless steel strap that can fit a range of pipe diameters in any material for water service connections; 5. Stream Energy: More Water, More Power (Quezon City) – A system that enables building establishments to generate hydro-electricity from their existing water consumption; 6. Agena (Pasay City) – Innovations

SUNDAY: APRIL 19, 2015

BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

IDEASPACE PICKS TOP 23 STARTUPS on medical equipment that promotes ergonomic and ecological awareness through creative product design, with an ergonomic bed pan as its first product; 7. GoCharge E-Trike Charging Platform (Batangas) - Charger system allowing electric tricycles to eliminate their short driving range disability using a queued charging management system; 8. Heat Stress Analyzer with Cloud Based Android Application (Davao) - Protects agricultural crops from irreversible effects of heat stress and analyzes the results for an improved next harvest; 9. Saffron Technologies (Safety, Fashion and Protection) (Pasig City) – Innovation that promotes commuter safety using a mixture of cutting-edge technology and day-to-day fashion.

10. Halina’t Bumasa (Laguna) - A game development team that aims to improve preschool education in the Philippines; 11. SigLaro (Games for Health) (Quezon City) - A game studio that focuses on developing games about health promotion and health education; 12. HIstoryA/Heritage Information Adventure App (Makati) - A mobile app allowing techie-travelers to access visual content through their mobile phone on a Philippine cultural or heritage site; 13.

PassForward (Makati) An e-service solution for mass transportation systems; 14. Places on Demand (Davao) - An online concierge system for condominiums, apartments and places to stay; 15. TASKminator (Mandaluyong) - An online and mobile platform for crowdsourcing everyday household errands to skilled, reliable and credible individuals near your area; 16. Rxpress Solutions (Makati and India) – A suite of solutions that help patients reduce their medical cost up to 20% and improve doctors’ practice management; 17. Squala (Taguig) – A startup that aims to be the information technology

arm of Philippine educational institutions; 18. Mathizen: A Math Review and Achiever Site (Tacloban City) - An online math review site for K1 to 12 students and an achievers site for outstanding members;

The Philippines has become a center of innovation, with startups that could penetrate the global market.

19. UberLessons (Las Pinas) Copyright free K12 Math, English, Science, AP and Filipino interactive on lessons and learning management system for public schools; 20. Sponsolab (Caloocan) - An online platform where sponsors and event planners discover, search and connect for partnerships; 21. Consumer Behavior Analytics (Quezon City) - Automated videoanalysis-based solutions for collecting consumer behavior data to improve business decision-making and facilitate better market research; 22. Gio (Geolocation in and out) (Caloocan) - Real-time geolocation employee and asset tracking system; and 23. Dextr Alphabetic Keyboard (Australia, Philippines, and India) - A faster, simpler, smarter and radically improved GUI for touchscreen keyboards that makes texting as easy as ABC. The 2015 IdeaSpace Startup

Competitions saw a wide variety of ideas enter the semi-final phase, with a varied mix of hardware and software startups that answer key challenges in a range of industries. Of the top 23 startups, nine are hardware-based, while software-based startups address needs in the field of gaming, tourism, finance, e-Commerce, education, media, enterprise, and mobile technology, among others.

This is also the first time that two teams with founders from outside the Philippines have made it to the semi-finals, a testament to the growing relevance of the country as an innovation hub in the region.

Incubation For qualifying in the semi-finals, each startup will receive an instant grant of P50,000 to work on their minimum viable product or prototypes during the six-week incubation period.

After the incubation phase, the IdeaSpace Board of Trustees will select the top ten startups that will enter the acceleration phase, an intensive 18-week program that will help each startup develop their products, set up their corporation and business permits, and conduct market validation, among others.

Each startup that successfully enters the acceleration phase will get P500,000 in seed funding, plus a separate grant worth at least another P500,000 inclusive of business management classes, marketing and financial consulting, intellectual property consulting and incorporation, office space, and business registration costs, among others.

A non-profit foundation, IdeaSpace is supported by the following companies: First Pacific, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., MPIC hospital group, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Meralco, Smart Communications, Inc (Smart), Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. and its mobile brand Sun Cellular, SPI Global, ePLDT, Indofood, Philex Mining, Maynilad, MediaQuest and TV5.

INTERNATIONAL BODIES NOMINATE NAZARENO AS CEO OF THE YEAR PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. and Smart Communications Inc. president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno has been nominated as CEO of the Year in two international awards programs for his contributions to the telecommunications industry.

Nazareno was shortlisted both in the Telecom Asia Awards organized by the Hong Kong-based industry magazine and Asia Communication Awards organized by London-based publication Total Telecom.

He already won Telecom Asia Awards’ CEO of the Year distinction in 2012.

Other contenders for the awards include David Thodey of Telstra, Hiroo Unoura of NTT Holdings, Sung Min Ha of SK Telecom and Saleh Abdooli of Etisalat.

The Telecom Asia Awards CEO of the Year will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts, “who will cast votes on the basis of innovation, financial performance, technology, market leadership, and corporate governance.” Awarding will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 20.

The ACA winner will be determined by an industry vote and assessment by a panel of judges, and will be announced on June 3 in Singapore.

Under Nazareno’s leadership, Smart continues to be the number one mobile service provider in the Philippines, in terms of both subscriber base and revenues. As of end-2014, Smart had over 56.4 million subscribers in its cellular and broadband services.

Together with Sun Cellular, the two

wireless units of PLDT remain the undisputed leaders of the industry with 72.8 million cellular and broadband subscribers. The two companies also posted combined revenues of P115 billion as of end-2014, about 47 percent higher than the competition’s.

Revenue growth is being led by mobile data usage, which jumped by 63 percent in 2014. Data adoption is being stimulated among Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text prepaid subscribers through Free Internet bundles, the Safezone platform which allows free access to selected applications, and Facebook’s Internet.org which gives free access to 24 websites.

The PLDT group is encouraging mobile data usage through a wide and growing array of music, video, and other multimedia services.

PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno

SUNDAY: APRIL 19, 2015

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BUSINESS business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

KOREAN SEEKS POWER FROM PH GARBAGE city.

The two South Korean companies are building Tacloban City’s first waste integrated management plant this year. The plant, the first of its kind in the country, will convert garbage into electricity for the use of Tacloban residents.

Solar plant donation Initially, a multi-million-dollar solar energy harvesting facility donated by the Koreans will be constructed to provide the necessary electricity requirement for the construction of the solid waste resource recovery facility. The solar energy system can produce at least 1 megawatt of electricity, which is more than enough to power 1,000 households.

Meanwhile, the resource recovery system will process the city’s solid waste and convert them into power for the city, with no harmful by-products released to the environment. Both technologies are acceptable and compliant “green” systems based on the guidelines set by the Solid Waste Management Act. Grace says she now sees Rainbow Holdings as a renewable energy technology provider, diversifying from its simple origin as a travel and tour company.

“We have gone through various fields and learned our way through the Philippine way of doing business. We started in the Philippines in 2004 as a travel and tour company. We later grew more in the travel industry, became a DOT accredited immigration liaison office, catered for exchange students, did online education and the likes. We also did real estate consulting, then did golf course and housing development, also bid for various Philippine government projects. And now we added renewable and alternative energy technologies in our profile,” she says.

She says from a service-oriented company that handled travel assistance, online education and real estate consultancy, Rainbow Holdings now aims to diversify into renewable energy. “We have various Korean-developed technologies that are highly efficient, globally accepted and internationally patented. These technologies have undergone and passed all Philippine test and accreditation requirements with the concerned agencies and we are proud to say that we have merited their approval and test results were very satisfactory,” she says.

Waste to fuel Among these technologies are solar energy systems, waste-to-fuel or waste-to-energy technologies and other customizable hybrid systems.

“Virtually anything in the field of renewable and alternative energy technologies available in Korea, we can bring in for the Philippines,” says Grace.

She says these technologies will help the economy, reduce the cost of power and create jobs for Filipinos. “Just imagine this, with the “green” technologies and projects we are bringing in, we can help provide a lot of local employment, provide alternative fuel, generate low-cost power and simultaneously address the perennial problem of waste management.”

Grace says Rainbow Holdings hurdled several challenges along the way before becoming what it is today. “Since our incorporation, as with all businesses, we had an uphill struggle, coping with all the bureaucracies, government compliance and product acceptance of the public.

We can now proudly say that we have overcome those challenges and have learned how to address them,” she says.

Grace says the growth of Rainbow Holdings is guided by the principles of honesty, customer satisfaction, new business approaches, global thinking and a firm faith towards excellence. “These are our guiding principles, but of course there will be a lot of challenges. In transacting with government alone is very difficult, the challenge of dealing with corruptions, red tapes and politicians with vested interest in the projects,” She says the company had to reject several

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projects. “We had to say no to many projects when we see these red flags. We need to stay focused and be an example to others that we can succeed in the midst of these challenges. We will rather do thing right and fair than just mere profit. We need to sow right seed to bear the right fruit – fruits that the next generation will enjoy. And yes, these are all possible,” she says.

“From a handful of staff from our different business groups, we have grown into as much as getting Korean experts to train Filipino staff with the technology transfer, up to training and employing

of waste management is with the LGUs, so we coordinate closely with them to be fully compliant with RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” she says.

Leadership by example Grace says as the head of Rainbow Holdings, she has to set an example for her staff to follow. “I am very focused. I stand by my words and my principles are not for sale. It is also important that everybody in the company must have the same philosophy. All must work together as a team - in harmony and a common goal,” she says.

She says while she spends of a lot of time meeting people and traveling, she makes sure weekend is family time. “There is no dull moment at work, but I do a lot of travels, meeting and continuous trainings. But there must always be balance. Work is work during the week, family for the weekend,” she says.

Grace says the company will have very hectic months ahead. “So far, we have numerous projects-real estate projects and government biddings and

personnel for the implementation of these multimillion-dollar projects. So, the numbers of current and incoming employees are now starting to build up even more as we implement the project sites.

These projects will promote local employment and more business opportunities with the local entrepreneurs,” she says.

Grace says the plan is to grow the renewable business in the Philippines, which requires a longterm commitment. “Definitely, we are here to stay, with long-term partnerships. We are helping to build a good future for the next generation. We are at the moment preparing our partnerships with different groups in different areas. We have 10 projects in the pipeline all around the Philippines,” she says.

Large investments Such investments involve tens of millions of dollars. “”We are trying to bring in more investors and partners. Investment-wise, it may range from $20 million for simple 100-tonner facility up to $40 million for a 200-tonner facility per site. As a renewable technology provider, we work closely with the government, complying with all its regulations and its advocacies,” she says.

The technologies and products, all from Korea, are suitable for the Philippines, she says. “We work closely with the local businesses for anything we can locally source out. Only the Korean proprietary equipment will be coming from Korea to maintain the quality standards. We would like to cater to both private and LGUs but at the moment, out pilot projects will be more with the private groups. In general, we do deal with all sectors, since most landfills, MRFs and waste management companies are typically outsourced and run by the private sectors in parts. We also know that the mandate

our renewable projects are now starting the next phases. We have done MOAs and groundbreakings and very soon, we will start constructions,” she says.

“These projects are milestones not only for our company but for the country. These are one of the first of its kind systems in the country. We hope to address the waste issues of the country and at the same time, with these technologies, we can help answer the employment, power and fuel needs of the country,” she says.

Business prospects Grace says “we are very optimistic” about the company’s long-term prospects. “Contracts and projects like these go to a minimum of 10 years or more. The renewable energy technologies alone will provide solution to the waste management issues, and it doesn’t happen overnight. The company is here to provide these solutions, as the need arises,” she says.

She advises other entrepreneurs to tap the vast opportunities available in the Philippines. “Stay focused, keep an open mind, open your eyes for opportunities. Be fair and honest. Stay away from negative people and keep good friends. Don’t be misled. Bad company corrupts good character.

Be resilient. Things will not always go as planned but press on, keep the faith and adapt to changes needed,” she says.

“Remember, we may not be perfect in everything, every time and we will at times fail. But, it is all a matter of attitude. No good deed will bear bad fruit.

For what you sow, you will reap. And that principle applies to all,” she says.

Grace says once a person achieves his or her business goals, the next thing to do is “stay humble and be thankful.” Roderick T. dela Cruz

We are helping build a good future for the next generation.

B4

WORLD

PLOT FOILED; PM URGES ANZAC DAY PRIME Minister Tony Abbott urged Australians not to avoid Anzac Day events next week after police said they arrested five Melbourne teenagers who had been planning a terror attack to disrupt the commemorations.

Two 18-year-old men were arrested Saturday for allegedly planning an attack at an Anzac Day activity in the city, including targeting police officers, the Australian Federal Police said in a statement. A third man was arrested on weapons offenses and two others are in custody, assisting with inquiries.

“This was the only attack we were aware of at an advanced stage of planning,” Abbott told reporters in Sydney. “People should turn up at Anzac Day events in the largest possible numbers. The best thing you can do in the face of those who do us harm is live your life normally.”

The government raised its terrorism alert to the highest level in a decade in September, citing the threat posed by local supporters of Islamic State militants. While police on Saturday said they believe the planned attack was Islamic State-inspired, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said at a televised conference that those arrested “were not people of faith, they don’t represent any culture.” Bloomberg

SUICIDE BOMB KILLS 33 AT AFGHAN BANK

A SUICIDE bomber killed 33 Afghan civilians and wounded more than a hundred outside a bank on Saturday in the deadliest attack this year in Afghanistan.

The bomber detonated his vest outside New Kabul Bank in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, said Police Chief Fazl Ahmad Sherzad, by phone. Doz-

ens of people were waiting to collect salaries at the bank. Taliban fighters denied any involvement, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said by phone.

The Taliban are trying to regain power as the U.S. reduces its military presence after 14 years of war.

Fighters have resumed attacks after the usual period of quiet during cold, winter months.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, who took office about six months ago condemned, the attack Saturday.

The violence is “inhuman and un-Islamic,” he said, an in e-mailed statement from his office. It “is adding to Afghan Muslims’ hatred against the perpetrators.”

On April 10, more than 20 soldiers were killed after Taliban members swarmed army posts in northeastern Badakhshan province. The Taliban

killed 18 people including prosecutors on April 9 at the attorney general’s branch office in northern Mazar-e-Sharif city.

After the attack at the bank Saturday, Afghan police disarmed two other explosive devices on motorcycles, according to an e-mailed statement from the Interior Ministry.

Bloomberg

AUSSIES TURN BACK REFUGEES AUSTRALIA is returning almost 50 Vietnamese asylum-seekers using a warship currently off the Asian nation’s coast after intercepting them at sea, a report said Friday, as Canberra enforces a tough immigration policy.

The asylum-seekers were found by customs and navy vessels north of Australia earlier this month before being transferred to amphibious landing ship HMAS Choules, The West Australian newspaper said.

The daily estimated that the cost of returning the asylum-seekers could reach Aus$1.4 million (US$1.1 million), adding that it was not known if they had already been transferred to local authorities.

A spokeswoman for the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said she was aware of the report but told AFP “we don’t comment on operational matters”. A spokesman for the Defence Minister Kevin Andrews referred all questions to the immigration department. AFP

Afghan security personal inspect the scene of a suicide attack outside a bank in Jalalabad on April 18, 2015. A suicide bomber killed at least 33 people and wounded 100 others in an attack on April 18 outside a bank in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, provincial officials said. AFP

INTENSE BOMBING, AL QAEDA ATTACK IN YEMEN INTENSE bombing by a Saudi-led coalition hit Yemen again Friday, three weeks into an air war against Iranian-backed rebels, as Al-Qaeda seized more ground in the chaos amid UN calls for peace.

Columns of smoke rose over an arms depot targeted by warplanes east of the capital Sanaa, witnesses said.

The facility belonged to the elite Republican Guard, which remains loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Renegade troops loyal to Saleh are allied with the Huthi rebels, whose sweeping advance forced President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee to

Riyadh last month.

Following heavy overnight air strikes in the north, coalition aircraft also hit the presidential palace in the southern city of Taez, the witnesses said.

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri said that “from this afternoon we have started operations in Taez”.

Speaking in Riyadh, he added that there had been 100 sorties in Yemen on Thursday, indicating that there is no end in sight to the operation.

“This works needs patience, persistence and precision. We are not in a hurry... We have the time and we have the capabilities.”

Air strikes on the southern port city of Aden killed a rebel, while at least 76 other people died in bombing and fighting around Aden and Taez, officials said.

The United Nations says hundreds of people have died and thousands of families fled their homes in the war, which has also killed six Saudi security personnel in border skirmishes.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire and began the hunt for a new peace envoy to the country, where Al-Qaeda is expanding its territory.

Yemen “is in flames,” he said Thursday, calling for an “immediate ceasefire in Yemen by all parties”. AFP

Smoke rises above the Alhva camp, east of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on April 17, 2015, following an alleged air strike by the Saudi-led alliance on Shiite Huthi rebels camps. Yemen’s President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled the country for Riyadh as the rebels supported by Iran advanced south. AFP

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WORLD editorial@thestandard.com.ph

IRAN DEAL STILL A WAYS TO GO HOLLAND INVESTIGATES UBER TAXI SERVICE APP THE HAGUE—Dutch prosecutors announced a criminal probe into Uber, in the latest salvo of an increasingly bitter battle between European governments and the popular taxi service app.

The move comes after a Dutch judge convicted three taxi drivers belonging to Uber’s low-cost service UberPOP of ferrying passengers without a permit and slapping each with a 1,500 euro ($1,600) fine.

“Uber is now a suspect in light of the judge’s verdict,” the Public Prosecutor’s office announced in a statement.

“This means launching a preliminary investigation to gather detail to determine whether Uber is guilty of commercial organisation of illegal passenger transport,” the statement added.

Dutch judges in December banned UberPOP from taking bookings via its smartphone app, threatening the US company with fines of up to 100,000 euros.

Uber said it would contest the ruling and continued to offer UberPOP. The Dutch government has since handed more than 50,000 euros in fines against Uber, Dutch media reported on Friday.

Uber uses mobile phone apps to put customers in touch with private drivers who then take them where they want to go, at prices lower than those of traditional taxis. AFP

ELUSIVE PEACE. While it is seeking the lifting of sanctions because of its nuclear program, Iran is also backing an Islamist rebellion in Yemen that has been assailed by other Muslim nations, particularly Saudi Arabia. A picture taken on April 17 shows the remains of the Republican Palace in Taez, Yemen after an air raid by the combined forces of Muslim nations. AFP

NEW YORK—President Barack Obama said the next round of talks with Iran will require some “creative negotiations” to reach a deal that has enforceable penalties if an agreement is violated.

The U.S. and its negotiating partners will be discussing how sanctions against Iran will be eased if there is an accord and how quickly those can be snapped back into place if the Islamic Republic doesn’t adhere to the terms.

“That goal can be met,” Obama said during a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at the White House on Friday.

Obama said the U.S. has worked painstakingly to build an international sanctions regime and that it’s crucial the negotiations play out to maintain that unity.

He said a deal in the Congress brokered by Republican Senator Bob Corker and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin is “a reasonable compromise” to give U.S. lawmak-

ers a voice on the agreement.

Negotiators from the U.S. and five other world powers are seeking to complete the details of a framework deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program by a June 30 deadline.

One of the most significant sticking points has been how quickly economic sanctions will be lifted on the Islamic Republic after an agreement is finished. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said earlier this month that all sanctions must be lifted as soon as the accord is signed.

A framework agreement with Iran, announced April 2 by the U.S. along with China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.K., would curb the Islamic Republic’s ability to enrich uranium in exchange for

relief from economic sanctions.

But Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in Lisbon on Friday that Iran is ready to resume nuclear enrichment “without any limitations” unless sanctions are totally and immediately removed at the end of negotiations.

Speaking to TV channel Euronews in Lisbon, Zarif said: “We can have the path of confrontation or we can have the path of co-operation, we cannot have a little bit of each.”

“If we take the path of confrontation, the US and the UN will continue with their sanctions, and Iran will continue with its enrichment programme. Without any limitations,” Zarif said.

“Unfortunately the United States started... using the phrase ‘phased sanctions’,” Zarif added.

“If you go through the joint statement you will not even see the word ‘suspension’ and you will not see the word ‘phase’. It’s clear that all sanctions, all economic and financial sanctions will be terminated.”

Global powers reached a framework agreement for a nuclear deal with Iran on April 2.

They must now resolve a series of technical issues by a June 30 deadline for a final deal, including the steps for lifting sanctions on Iran, and remaining questions over the possible military dimensions of its nuclear program.

Zarif told Euronews that there were discrepancies between the framework agreement and the “fact-sheet” released by the United States to explain what had been decided.

“On the day that we agree we will go to the Security Council and the Security Council will adopt a resolution which will terminate all the previous resolutions and will set the stage for termination of all sanctions.

This is very clear, there won’t be phased, there won’t be suspensions, it is very clear in the agreement that we announced.” he told Euronews. Bloomberg, AFP

FACEBOOK WINNING FIGHT VS BOUGHT ‘LIKES’ SAN FRANCISCO—Facebook said that its war against fake likes is paying off so well that many ‘bad actors’ who built businesses on the tactic are closing shop.

Advances in technology for recognizing suspicious patterns of likes has enabled the social network to block such activity by malicious software, fraudulent accounts, and click farm operations that employ armies of low-paid workers.

“We continue to adapt and improve the methods we use to prevent fake likes because scammers are constantly evolving and testing new methods to try to get around our spam prevention systems,” Facebook site security engineer H. Kerem Cevahir said in a blog post.

“This work has made it extremely difficult for the people selling fraudulent likes to ac-

tually deliver their promised likes to paying customers.”

During the past six months, Facebook has tripled the number of seemingly bogus likes

detected and blocked before reaching pages, according to Cevahir.

He credited the campaign with causing a large number of vendors hawking inauthentic likes to go out of business.

Facebook also removes fake likes from pages at the social network, notifying account administrators to the actions.

Cevahir said that fraudulent behavior was only “a tiny fraction” of the overall activity on Facebook.

“Likes created by fake accounts or people without real intent are bad for people on Facebook, advertisers and Facebook itself,” read a security guidance page at California-based online social network.

“We have a strong incentive to aggressively go after the bad actors behind fake likes because businesses and people who use our platform want real connections and results.” AFP

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S U N D AY : A P R I L 1 9, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

REUEL VIDAL EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

Rain Or Shine gunner Jeff Chan (16) eludes Marc Pingris. Chan returned from injury in time to lead the Elasto Painters to a 116-108 victory over Talk N Text.

ELASTO PAINTERS

PASS THROUGH CRUCIBLE

By Reuel Vidal

CHAMPIONSHIPS are won by teams which pass through a crucible and come out of the trial stronger than ever.

Last Friday, for the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters that crucible was eight consecutive defeats to the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, dating back to the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last season, and an 18-point deficit in the first half of the game.

The Elasto Painters overcame both obstacles to beat the Tropang Texters, 116-108, and tie their 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven Finals at one-all.

Rain Or Shine’s Paul Lee ignored a twisted ankle to tally 15 of his 20 points in the second half. Import Wayne Chism led the Elasto

PATRIOTS...

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Milo Energy Drink, UNILAB ActiveHealth, Mayo Productions Inc.,Pampanga’s Best, Alice Bakery & Grocery,Wescor Transformers Corp.,Excellent Noodles, Isport Botak, e-ventologists co., FM Ringor Engineering/Ad Events, BFAR Gitnang Luzon made the advocacy run’s 30th anniversary another successful and fruitful event.

In the early morning of April 9, patriotic runners continued their trail going to Guagua town and stopped for a while for a visita Iglesia in San Guillermo Church with Mayor Jomar Hizon then proceeded to the old and dead train station at

Painters with 30 points and 13 rebounds to tow Rain Or Shine to the hard-earned victory.

Talk N Text guard Jayson Castro exploded 44 points with 27 coming in the first half. Shadowed all game long by Rain Or Shine defensive specialist Jireh Ybañes, Castro gradually wilted as the game wore on and was a non-factor late in the game when the Elasto Painters put the game away.

Ibañes not only hounded Castro, he also contributed 12 points on six-of-six shooting from the field, grabbed a key rebound and tallied a crucial steal late in Bgy Sto Nino of Ciudad de San Fernando where City Mayor Edwin Santiago hosted a simple program along with other officials and the surviving veterans.

During the 1942 tragic event, the country’s fallen heroes were forcibly sandwiched inside train wagons bound for Camp O-Donnell in Capas, Tarlac by Japanese Soldiers.

This was the last stand of the occupying Japanese army which eventually surrendered to American and Filipino forces. The advocacy runners also paid their tribute in the camp marker located 12 kilometers from San Fernando.

The historic tribute run that started 30 years ago also at one time or another had been participated by Olympians Mona Sulaiman,cager Orly Bauzon,

the game to help preserve his team’s victory.

Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao praised his players for their resilience while noting that they are not about to celebrate just yet.

“I have to give credit to the guys, because they just fought back from an 18-point difference and we survived Jayson Castro’s incredible performance in the first half. We just tied the series, nothing’s happened yet. It’s just back to square one,” said Guiao.

Rain Or Shine shooter Jeff Chan, newly recovered from an ankle injury, came off the bench to score 17

Talk N Text Tropang Texters Fil-Am Matt Rosser (left) attempts to score while warding off defender Raymond Almazan (right) of the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters. The Elasto Painters beat the Tropang Texters, 116-108, and tied their 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven Finals at one-all.

points, after shooting a perfect three-of-three from the three-point line. Fil-Am Gabe Norwood added 14.

Talk N Text import Ivan Johnson, who just the day before was slapped with a hefty P150,000 fine for blindsiding

Guiao, finished with 20 points while he and the rest of the other Talk N Text players spent the game watching Castro try to do his thing.

Left unsaid was the catalyst which galvanized the Rain Or Shine team to play with renewed fire.

In Game 1 Johnson tried to intimidate the Elasto Painters by blindsiding the Rain Or Shine coach, bumping him from behind and sending him falling forward into their bench.

It was a dangerous move as replays showed a surprised Guiao with his head snapping back. He could just as easily have broken his neck or suffered whiplash.

The move, clearly meant to intimidate Guiao and his players, has apparently backfired as a ticked off Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters squad responded with players displaying a renewed resolve to win.

It wasn’t the first time Johnson did it against an opposing PBA team either.

Johnson, with a permanent scowl carved on his face, chooses the Alpha dog of a team (like Calvin Abueva of the Alaska Aces or Marc Pingris of the Purefoods Star Hotshots) and tries to intimidate this player.

If that player backs down then his teammates instinctively follow suit and tuck their tails between their legs. The ploy worked against most other teams as the Tropang Texters rolled to a tie at the top of the standings after the eliminations.

It certainly worked against the Star Hotshots who won Game 1 of a best-of-five playoff but lost three consecutive games, and the series, after Pingris was shouted down, berated and intimidated by Johnson in a post-game scrum early in the playoffs.

It’s a testament to Guiao’s leadership that Johnson didn’t try to go after any other Rain Or Shine Player but instead set his sights on the Rain Or Shine mentor.

The Tropang Texters could eventually go on to win the championship this conference. But if they do lose, you can credit Johnson for virtually poking a hornets’ nest when he blindsided Guiao in Game 1 of this championship playoff.

world skating champs Ian Cruz and Susie Quibol, fencing gold medalist Lorrie Bauzon, shooter Carolino Gonzales, long distance riunners Jona Gayumba Atienza, Jho Ann Banayag,Creis Sabal, Bernardo Desamito, the late PSC Commissioner Josie Bauzon and Cesar Guarin of Isport BOTAK .

“Muli na naman nating nalagpasan ang taunang bayanihang kaganapan na kahit na hirap sa pondo ng ‘modernong death march’ gaya ng mga nakalipas na taon at walang patlang nati itong naidaraos ant nagagampanan kada taon kaagapay ang mga apisyunado ng takbuhan para naman hindi makalimutan ng nakababatang henerasyon ang ating Marathon organizer Ed Paez poses with members of the SAFER Run Club at Sto. Nino in San mandirigmang WW2 Veternas ng Fernando in Mariverles, Bataan who joined the run as tribute to World War II veterans in the Bataan”said Paez. recent Araw Ng Kagitingan marathon. DANNY SIMON

S U N D aY : a p r i l 1 9, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

riera Mal ari EDITOR

B7

Joaco lives and breathes football

Joaco Cañas is a defender and center back of the loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club.

J

By Robbie Pangilinan

i grew up with a football beside me.

Joaquin ‘Joaco’ Cañas

OAQUIN “Joaco” Cañas is his name.

And football is his game. No, make that, football is his life.

“I grew up with a football beside me all the time, watching it. I was invited to enroll on teams of different sports like basketball, but I never did. I always played football my entire life,” said the Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club player.

The Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club is a Filipino professional football club originally based in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, playing in the first division of the United Football League, the highest level of Philippine Football. Its major victories are winning the UFL Cup twice (2012 and 2013), the UFL League in 2013 and the PFF National Men’s Club Championship in 2015.

The 28-year-old defender and center back player started playing futsal when he was six. By 10, he joined his first football team, big pitch, 11-a-side. At 17, he signed his first football contract in Spain. He then moved to the Philippines in 2012 to play for the Stallions FC in the UFL. Joaco’s biggest challenge as a player happened in 2009, when he had a long-term injury. To make things worse, soon after recovering, he had a new injury, different from the previous one.

“It was a hard time, but it never crossed my mind to give up and stop playing foot-

ball,” he admitted.

Joaco’s toughest time was moving to the Philippines, far from his hometown in Spain. Also, he confesses that his first team in the country failed to take proper care of the players, some of them lived in bad conditions and received their salaries late or did not get them at all. Despite those problems, he is proud that his team managed to win both local trophies that season, the UFL League and Cup. Joaco, who is used to playing different sports, does not find anything hard in the training.

“There is no hard part in training, the more and harder you train, the better you become. Playing football is my passion and every time I am able to do it, nothing is hard,” he said.

Joaco also studied Sports Science in Spain and does fitness, kickboxing, wakeboarding, and yoga aside from football.

When not training or playing, he hangs out with friends, do other physical activities, go to the cinema or listens to music.

The bachelor admitted he is a family person, and misses his whole family who lives in Spain. They see each other through Skype every Sunday. Joaco said he is trying to keep his social life active, as he loves to socialize and meet different people.

“My love life is quiet, still single and waiting for the special one,” he said with a wink.

Joaco lives and breathes football. For him, everything one needs to learn about life can be learned from sports: discipline, courage, leadership, teamwork, effort, loyalty, and other important values.

“If there is an important lesson, it´s not to give up on your goals and dreams,” he said.

B8

S U N D AY : A p r i l 1 9, 2 0 1 5

Arman Armero EDITOR sports@thestandard.com.ph

SportS

PATRIOTS RuN fOR VETERANS

By Danny Simon

Paul Lee (left) of Rain Or Shine and Jason Castro of Talk N Text are considered two of the country’s top point guards who are taking the PBA by storm with their high-scoring acts and cerebral quarterbacking.

By Jeric Lopez

J

ust like in the National Basketball Association, point guards are ruling and making a good account of themselves these days in the Philippine Basketball Association as well.

The scintillating display of Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, John Wall, Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose are headlining the NBA on most days while in the PBA, the likes of Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, Terrence Romeo, Mark Barroca, Stanley Pringle, Jayvee Casio, Alex Cabagnot and LA Tenorio, among others, are strongly making waves.

This crop of point wizards in the PBA are taking center stage in this era and it appears that they are not just running their teams at the moment, but the league as well.

There’s no better evidence than the dominance and constant emergence of superstars Castro and Lee, who are carrying Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine on their burly backs as they, along

POINT GUARDS ARE TAKING OVER with their teams, fight for the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown at the moment.

They also happen to be the two contenders for the Best Player of the Conference award.

Everyone are taking notice of the two’s superb exploits as they continue to dazzle with no signs of putting their feet off the gas pedal. Expect these two to continue dominating the league for years to come.

As the stars of Casio and Lee continue to shine brighter, there are other upstart point guards who are likewise treading the same path.

Take the prolific backcourt tandem of GlobalPort of Terrence Romeo and top pick Stanley Pringle.

The Batang Pier squad is built around them and their enormous talents as they continue to prove their worth. It’s only a matter of time before they most likely be in the same stratosphere as Castro and Lee are now.

The likes of Barroca, Tenorio, Cabagnot, Casio, Mike Cortez, Chico Lanete and Jonas Villanueva are all still making their presence felt.

And then, there are also some interesting upstarts who are starting to make a name for themselves as they aim to join the elite cast of league quarterbacks.

Though they are playing on two expansion teams, LA Revilla and rookie Brian Heruela are slowly but surely showing everyone that they belong in the league and in the set of capable points guards.

Following a disappointing season with GlobalPort last year where he didn’t get any break, Revilla, from the start of the season, is showing consistency as he has become the chief playmaker of Kia Motors while Heruela, after a slow start to the season, is now finding his groove and has worked his way to become Blackwater’s man in charge.

The importance of having a good and capable point guard is

obviously becoming a necessity for all teams in the league at this time.

Point legends like recently retired Jimmy Alapag, Sonny Jaworski, Olsen Racela, Johnny Abarrientos and Hector Calma had their share of point brilliance during their time and in this era, these new kids on the block want to establish their names alongside these legends.

But there;s probably not a period in the league where point guards are more valued than now.

In the previous years, shooting guards and small forwards mostly dominate the league. Household names such as James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Mark Pingris, Arwind Santos, Kelly Williams, Ranidel De Ocampo, Cyrus Baguio, Gary David, among others, are the backbones of the league.

Now, they have to share the stage with the dominating floor generals.

PATRIOTIC runners never die, they just fade away.

In another display of patriotism and heroism that expect nothing in return, runners from different organization from Manila and nearby provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan and Tarlac voluntarily joined a non-competitive advocacy run in the 30th edition of Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra Marathon as a tribute to the heroism of Filipino World War II veterans commemorating the 1942 Death March Trail in Central Luzon last April 9.

Organized by veteran scribe Ed Paez, SAFER, a run relay from Mariveles in Bataan to San Fernando City in Pampanga, is the longest distance (114 kilometers) marathon as it traced the deadly route from Death March Kilomter Post 0 marker in Mariveles to the railway station in Sto. Nino in San Fernando.

Mariveles Mayor Jesse Concepcion and Veterans Federation of the Philippines Post Commander Peregrino Divinagracia hosted the opening event before the marathon proper in the historic town of Bataan with a simple program participated by members of an organization called the Sons and Daughters of World War 2 Heroes.

After lighting the symbolic torch, founding organizer Paez signaled his group Safer Runners of San Fernando along with Team Army, TRADOC, Sta Rosa City Runners of Laguna, Runners Plus,Tarlac City Team Mariveles RC and other volunteer runners composed of more than 200 to run along the one city and eight municipalities of Bataan on the first day of the mission on April 8, that had a stopover in Lubao, Pampanga for an overnight stay in Lubao Gymnasiium with a red carpet welcome from Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda and Lubao Mayor Mylyn Cayabyab.

With the full backing of the Pineda clan in cooperation with Turn to B6

S U N D AY : A P R I L 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

C1

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

WEAK MEMORIES II Photography by Isabel Martinez @isabelitavirtual

MADRELAND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SPANISH Mestizas Muse on their Heritage { C2 }

FLAVORS AND FUSIĂ“N Chefs dish out { C3 }

SPANISH STYLE

Spanish fashion in the Philippines { C4 }

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SUNDAY : APRIL 19 : 2015

C2

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

LA RIDÍCULA IDEA DE NO VOLVER A VERTE The last time I saw my THE VIEW tía-abuela in the sumFROM MY mer of 2012, she sat me IRONY TOWER down in her kitchen in Barcelona and proceeded to make me tortilla de patatas. I watched as she diced the potatoes and sautéed them, beat the eggs to a thick froth, sprinkled some salt, pepper and a dash of cayenne, and swirled everything in a sturdy, weathered pan that had seen better days, but that no doubt added to the flavour. She made it just the way I like it, the omelette fluffy and ever so slightly runny, the potatoes tender, and the flavour, the flavour was pure perfection, each bite imparting in equal measure comfort and nostalgia.

It’s a stunningly simple dish, yet there’s a certain skill involved in executing a successful tortilla. For my Tía Maria, it was second nature – cook, then flip, and serve. She was hardly the type to dwell on the philosophical implications of home and heritage contained in a bite of a potato-filled omelette.

But I had time to dwell, as she expected me to finish the entire plate she had just cooked for me, adding a side dish of freshly sliced, tantalizingly shiny Bellota ham. All before noon.

The alone time with my Tía Maria – just her and me, without my children or my many Spanish cousins around, wonderful as they are – was precious. She is my grandfather’s last surviving sister, and looks startlingly like him. While the rest of her brothers and sisters all died relatively young, she has charged into her 90s robustly, even if today, at 93, she has become frailer, her motion limited and her memory increasingly unreliable.

She doesn’t cook much these days, but I remember her cooking with fondness. She and her younger sister, my Tía Isabelita, seemed to be engaged in a contest to fatten me up when I was a student in Paris hopping over to Barcelona every few months for a quick break. The food was always hearty and down-to-earth, nothing fancy, and in those days, practically provincial next to the arguably more “evolved” French cuisine I was exposed to in Paris.

“Come más, come más,” they would exhort me to eat. “Por qué no comes?”

“Porque,” I would tell them, “no puedo más, gracias!” Not after a breakfast consisting of eggs and jamón, fresh fruit AND zumo de melocotón (peach nectar), plus toast with mermelada, and a glass – a glass! – of coffee that was more leche than café.

Sometimes, if my little cousin Marta was around, I’d get a P’tit Suisse, too. Small wonder I couldn’t manage more than a spoonful of callos or paella at lunch time.

Both my great-aunts never cooked seafood paella on a Monday, by the way, because the fish available at the market would have been left over from the day before and therefore not fresh. So we usually had meat on a Monday.

It was probably in the early 90s when I began to notice a subtle revolution afoot that was transforming Spanish cuisine, in Barcelona at least. It may have started when I was at La Venta, a restaurant in Tibidabo, when I first had erizos del mar – sea urchin – grilled and served in the shell, with a green foamy sauce on the side, meant to evoke the essence of the sea, obviously.

Then Ferran Adría burst into the scene alongside the likes of Juan Mari Arzak and Andoni Luis Aduriz, and Spain’s reputation as an exciting and innovative culinary destination was cemented. By the time I went to my cousin’s wedding in Montbuí, the heart of Catalunya, in 2010, partaking of olive oil- and jabugo-flavoured ice cream, I thought, Toto, we really aren’t in Franco’s Spain anymore.

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE This week’s cover image – to me wonderfully evocative of Spain - comes from the lovely Barcelonabased advertising creative, Isabel Martinez, who moonlights as a photographer via her Instagram account, @isabelitavirtual.

MESTIZA MUSINGS AMOR, COMIDA Y FUTBOL In a way, it’s a family hand-medown. My grandparents Nena & Luis Marty made sure to pass on MARGA their everyday MARTY Spanish ways to my father Antonio Marty. He in turn passed them on to me, but some traditions, like always having an abanico in my handbag, were directly inherited from my Lola Nena by me, and of course she made sure that I had an endless supply of fans.

Spanish is often spoken in our house, and at family gatherings.

While I still cannot fluently speak it, I hear the language often enough that I understand it quite well.

In an effort to speak Filipino, my dad would obviously be translating from Spanish and would end up giving instructions like “labahan mo ang mga plato.” I still laugh out loud every time I hear it and correct him gently: “You mean, hugasan ang mga plato, right?” It’s not surprising that many words like cubiertos (table cutlery), posporo (matches) and ropa sucia (dirty clothes), among many

others, have found their way into our everyday lives.

My Lola Nena used Spanish sayings to teach life lessons to my dad and he in turn continues to do the same with me. To teach patience we were told, “Da tiempo al tiempo” (Give time to time). To teach us about love and respect we were told, “Amor con amor se paga” (Love is paid with love). Just the other day I was complaining to my dad about an unpleasant incident and he texted me, “Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho” (From what is said and done there is a big gap).

What can be more Spanish than football? My dad played football all his life, and he was a very good player even if he retired long ago you can still see the skill he once possessed when he teaches his grandchildren to play. When I was in college, I joined the ladies football team of La Salle, but it was clear I did not have his athletic gifts. He went to our games, cheered us on, and when I got him, we both laughed about my lack of skill.

My father’s love for the game is quite infectious. Whenever we watch a game, we groan in unison when a

pass or goal is missed, but when our team scores a goal, we cheer even louder. During the 2010 World Cup, my daughter Rissa would shout, !Espana! whenever she would see a football game on TV, regardless of who was playing! This year she chose the right team, and my family from all over the world celebrated.

Mealtimes are very important in our home and we have strict rules.

The table is always properly set, and we wait for every member of the family to be seated, and we pray before meals. Growing up, one saying we had at the dinner table was, “El que canta en la mesa, loca se levanta,” because good manners dictated that you should not sing at the table.

Instead, we have lively conversations. Simple Spanish food like sopa de picadillo, torta de patata, salpicao, chorizo and fabada often made its way to our table. When my parents come over for dinner I try to be faithful to the recipes that my Lola Nena taught me, but I often put my own twist to these recipes.

Wife, mother and accomplished cook, Marga Marty comes from a family of die-hard Real Madrid supporters.

CORAZÓN, CORAZÓN I feel equal parts Spanish and Filipino, even if I was born here and lived most of my life here. My AMOR Spanish heritage PROPIO is such an integral part of who I am - it’s apparent in my looks, in my personality, in the way I relate to people.

When we were growing up, my father had a rule in the house. We had to speak Spanish from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. After that, we could speak English. Of course, the rule was often broken; nobody really followed it to the minute. But it was enough to instill a very strong sense of identity in me. To this day, I still think in Spanish. I even dream in Spanish.

It’s really my first language.

I didn’t get to go to Spain until I was seven, however. From then on, we would go every two years. But that first trip was wonderful. There was no social media then, but I knew who all my cousins were, and immediately we all bonded. And my grandmother, too, along with my aunts. It was like a homecoming, there was this deep feeling of belonging. Those days were so much fun - fishing trips, barbecues outside, paellas en el campo...

With my looks - I looked just like my cousins - naturally I blended right into Spanish society, whereas here in Manila, I stick out. But I also consider myself very Filipino; in fact, I speak Bisaya and Tagalog.

When I go to the market, any mar-

ket - fish market, meat market, any open market, I talk to the vendors in Tagalog or Bisaya and they look at me, shocked, because they’ve just tried to make the price higher. So I tell them, “huy, relax lang kayo, ha?”

I won’t pretend that I never wanted to go and live in Spain. I did. I lived there for some time, but I came back because of the existing ley de extranjeria then. I was Spanish in all but passport, you could say, and I didn’t want to be illegal. So I returned to Manila. The law has changed now, and I could get a passport, but the paperwork is a bit tiresome, so I haven’t done much about it, to be honest.

The food, what can I say? I love the food, especially in the South. We’re from Madrid, but the South is like a second home to me. It reminds me of being in the South here, Iloilo or Bacolod... The people are so nice, so warm, and the food is fantastic. And the lifestyle suits me. Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla especially, and even further south, like Jerez de la Frontera. It’s just such a wonderful area.

It is there that I feel most at home, most Spanish, most authentic.

Madrid or the South, I like the independence I have when I’m there. I can get on a train, hop on a bus, or walk anywhere. Not like here where you’re reliant on a car all the time.

Spanish men... That’s another story. I’m probably going to offend some people when I say that dating Filipino men is difficult, to put it mildly.

They’re very spoiled, and they do tend to feel entitled. Spanish men, they’re very independent, they do their own

thing. Spanish men help in the house, and they respect their women. Pinoy men are total señoritos, they don’t lift a finger to help at home. That whole notion of machismo is supposed to be a Spanish import, but it must be a pre-revolution thing because Spanish men are not chauvinistic at all. There is a real sense of equality between men and women among the Spanish, particularly in relationships.

And, Spanish men are very cariñoso. If you’re not careful, you can get your heart broken 10 million times!

They’re very cariñoso, so you get the notion that this guy is so into you only to be wrong. This is not to say that they are playing with your feelings, but it’s hard to gauge what their feelings are until they declare themselves. So you can drive yourself crazy making your own assumptions, only to end up reading the situation so spectacularly incorrectly, becoming miserable in the process.

But Spanish men, yes, they’re yum.

If there were no visa restrictions or I managed to get the paperwork together for my passport, I would move to Spain in a heartbeat. Why not?

My Spanishness is very much a part of me, it’s a feeling deep in my soul.

I don’t even try to explain how two very distinct identities coexist happily in me, but asi es (that’s how it is)!

Amor Propio prefers to remain anonymous. She says she feels just as much Filipino as she does Spanish, but the truth comes out when she swears - crisply, deliciously, politically incorrectly, and in Spanish, claro.

SUNDAY : APRIL 19 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

C3

EL COCINERO

Juan Carlos De Terry on the language of food

MI PAELLA

J. Gamboa of Cirkulo takes on a Spanish classic Since we opened in 1995, our Paella Negra and Paella Montaña have been very popular with our guests. Many people even order these dishes for take-out on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. I guess a celebration is just not complete without a Paella and another classic, Cochinillo, in the Filipino home.

PAELLA NEGRA Saffon Seasoned Rice with Baby Prawns, Squid, Sea Bass and Squid Ink SERVES 3-4 ¼ cup 1T 1t 2 pcs

Olive Oil Onions, minced Garlic, minced Squid, small, cleaned and sliced 6 pc Shrimp, peeled 50 gm Sea Bass fillet, diced ¼ cup Green Peppers, diced ¼ cup Red Peppers, diced ¼ cup Tomato Concasse 1t Paprika, Pimenton de la Vera 1 cup Short Grain Rice 2 cups Fish Stock 1 pinch Saffron 1T Squid Ink 6 pc Baby Prawns 4 pc Leeks, white part only 4 pc Roasted Red Peppers, sliced TT Salt and Pepper Heat paellera, add olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until a little brown.

Add seafood (except baby prawns) and continue to sauté. Then add peppers, tomato, and paprika.

Season. Add rice and sauté for 2 minutes. Add hot fish stock with saffron into mixture and boil for 5 minutes. Mix in Squid ink. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Top with baby prawns, peppers, leeks and cover. Continue to cook for 3 minutes until prawns are done. Finish with extra virgin olive oil and chopped parsley on the top.

PAELLA A LA MONTANA – WILD MUSHROOM PAELLA SERVES 3-4

COCHINILLO ASADO Spanish Style Roast Suckling Pig SERVES 12

1/4 cup Olive Oil 2 cloves Garlic, whole peeled ½ cup Onions, minced ½ cup Mushrooms, Shitake, Sliced ½ cup Mushrooms, Button, Sliced ½ cup Mushrooms, oyster, Sliced ½ cup Mushrooms, Abalone, Sliced (or 2 cups assorted mushrooms) pinch Saffron 1 cup Rice, Short Grain 2 cup Chicken Stock TT Salt and Pepper 1 cup Asparagus tips, blanched

5 kg.

Suckling Pig ½ cup olive oil Salt Pepper 1 Tbsp. Paprika

In a sauté pan or paellera, heat olive oil. Add garlic and sauté until golden brown.

Remove garlic and set aside.

To the oil, sauté the onions and all the mushrooms until soft. Set aside half of the mushrooms together with the garlic, this will be used as a topping later. To the remaining mushrooms add the saffron and rice. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.

Season with salt and pepper.

Bring down to a simmer and cover for 12 minutes or until rice is almost done.

Season asparagus with salt and pepper. Top the paella with asparagus and reserved mushrooms and garlic.

Drizzle with some olive oil.

Serve.

I think that cooking is like writing poetry. You get inspired by something, so it can be something Filipino, because I’ve lived here now for so many years, or it could be an ingredient I come across, really, it could be anything. I try to always create. I’m a person that never copies.

There are traditional recipes, of course. But if I am offering a symbol of a certain country, a gazpacho from Spain, for example, I never do something different, an unorthodox gazpacho. If I say, JC’s version of whatever, then I will create something but I will always pay absolute respect to the ingredients. So I will do something new with the ingredients. They will be managed in a different way, but never will I be impolite to them.

I am going to say this next week at the Madrid Fusión Manila: you have to listen to the ingredients. You have to let the ingredients speak by themselves. So once you understand the ingredients, that is when you can create something.

Anything from whatever country or region - if I am in Palawan or in Pangasinan, there is something that inspires me, and I create something.

At the Tapas Night at Green Sun Hotel, I did a kind of fusion, an omelette, a Spanish and Filipino tortilla. But I didn’t use potato. I used rice to fill the omelette, with longanisa from Ilocos. This is a creation, yes, but done with absolute respect for the garlic, to the rice and to the longanisa. This is my philosophy. You know, you don’t create a recipe with pen and paper, it comes from your brain, the memory of each ingredient, you recall it in your mind one by one and then you put them all together. I am fortunate that I am an oenologist, so I can create a dish and I can pair it with a certain wine, be because I have all my wines in my head.

I am enriched by the places I’ve lived in. I have Spain in my heart, I have Mexico in my heart, I have the Philippines in my heart. I have roots in many soils.

Juan Carlos de Terry of Terry’s, is from the south of Spain and comes from a family steeped in the tradition of winemaking and gastronomy.

Pimenton de la Vera

2-3 sprigs fresh parsley 1 sprig fresh thyme 2 bay leaves 2 cloves garlic 1 small onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 3 celery stalk, chopped 1 cup dry white wine Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Have your butcher butterfly the pig, or do it yourself by opening the underside, leaving the backbone and the head intact. Rub the skin with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Place the pig in a large clay casserole, skin-side down.

Chop the herbs, garlic, onion, celery and carrot and spread evenly across the body of the pig. Pour the wine and let marinate overnight. Place in oven and cook for an hour. Turn pig over, skin side up and cook until golden brown and crisp (about 90 minutes).

Pour off cooking liquid from pan, degrease, season and serve as sauce. Cochinillo Asado may be accompanied with a salad or surrounded with roast potatoes.

FUSIÓN FOCUS: QUIQUE DACOSTA LIQUEFIED GREEN TOMATOES AND HERBS FROM MONTGÓ (SOPA FRIA DE HIERBAS DE MONTGÓ Y GAMBAS ROJAS)

A light, flavorful soup served cold, intended for warmer summer climes.

INGREDIENTS The Juice

4kg green Raff tomatoes 200g aloe vera pulp soaked in 3 water baths 600ml Arbequina olive oil 1l mineral water 10g sprigs oregano 30g sprigs mint 15g fennel 30g common basil 10g lemon basil 5 giant green shiso leaves 10g hydrated Mertensia maritima leaves 20g lemon verbena

15g 3g

chervil

tarragon

TAPAS NIGHT Cirkulo 900 A. Arnaiz Avenue Makati City • www.elcirkulo.com

10g sherry vinegar 10g cava vinegar 35g Stevia rebaudiana salt flakes black pepper

The Crustaceans 1 4 2

lobster (500g) prawns (50g each) langoustines (200g each) 300ml mild Arbequina olive oil 12g rosemary 6g oregano 16g Mertensia maritima 4g lemon verbena 6 juniper berries 8g lemon peel oil salt flakes black pepper

Method • Purée all of the ingredients and then run through a juicer.

• Repeat this step 3 times and press well, obtain-

Tapas Night, an invitation-only food event at the Green Sun Hotel to kick off Madrid Fusión Manila, was a mouth-watering prelude for the much anticipated culinary gastronomic event scheduled on April 24-25, 2015.

ing all of the juice from the plants and causing the release of the herbs’ essential oils. Add salt to taste then refrigerate.

• Clean the crustaceans and extract their meat.

• Set aside on separate trays.

• Infuse the oil with the herbs. Marinate the crustaceans in the oil as if it were ceviche.

• Chop the crustaceans in a natural way, following the direction of their meat.

• Just before serving, drain well and season with a salt flake.

• On a deep plate with a small base, arrange alternate medallions of the different crustaceans with tomato wedges.

• Arrange the herb leaves and flowers over the top.

Finish by serving the very cold juice.

SOURCE: FOUR MAGAZINE

SCAN THIS ICON FOR MORE INFO ON TAPAS NIGHT AND MADRID FUSIÓN MANILA

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S U N D AY : A P R I L 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

Q&A with...

#SSILIFExTHESTANDARDLIFE

PATRICIA LIMCAOCO Senior Operations and Marketing Manager for Sfera

{ A S PA N I S H S U M M E R }

What do you love about Spain?

The similarities between Spain and the Philippines are found in the warm smiles and the easy fashion style of the locals. Like many Filipinos, travelling to Spain always gives me a nostalgic feeling, from seeing familiar faces – like family and friends, up to meeting with colleagues to know more about the current Spanish trends. Sfera, a popular fashion brand that originated in Madrid in 2000, is definitely a household name for its sophisticated and versatile looks. The brand has close to one hundred retail outlets found in the various locations around the country and in Europe.

Sfera works in the Philippine market because?

It’s got classic pieces and colour-based collections.

Filipinos are further drawn to the brand for its quality clothing—best sellers are white tops, soft knitwear, and neutral toned bottoms, achieving an elegant look. The brand also caters to the fashion needs of Men and Kids, providing stylish pieces embodying the Spanish Style.

#SSILIFExTHESTANDARDLIFE

What are the must-haves for summer?

The Sfera Spring/Summer Collection 2015 is a combination of White, Blue, and Khaki. My preferred colour palette would be a combination of the White and Blue collection, representing a fresh and feminine look for the season. Shirtdresses, graceful tunics, fluid tops, and relaxed fit trousers are definitely the must-haves this summer. The Sfera Accessories & Swimwear collection also shines this season with pieces set to achieve a chic bohemian look.

MIKI ESPE

#SSILIFExTHESTANDARDLIFE

Suiteblanco Senior Marketing Manager

What’s so great about Suiteblanco?

Suiteblanco exudes Spanish fashion in every thread. That’s why it’s so easy to build a capsule wardrobe especially now that summer is here.

What are your picks for the season?

Cross-back cropped top: It’s on-trend and very wearable this summer.

Tote bag with sling: Oftentimes the color pink brings out the best in you. And what better way to use and abuse this hue than by toting it, right?

Metallic heeled sandals: The perfect shoe is the culmination of a stunning OOTD. Nude ones are always the best.

#SSILIFExTHESTANDARDLIFE

SFERA 2nd floor of The SM Store In SM Makati • instagram: sferaph SUITEBLANCO Level 1, SM Aura Premier GF, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia 2nd Floor, The SM Store, SM Makati • instagram: suiteblancoph

@ssilifeph

GLOBAL FASHION FLAIR II Ambassadors of the diplomatic community, their spouses, and some members of the International Bazaar Foundation will take centerstage for a cause as Global Fashion Flair makes a comeback, on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 7:30 at the New World Makati Hotel.

Global Fashion Flair II is the brainchild of the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM).

Spearheaded by Madame Gretchen

V. del Rosario, spouse of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Albert del Rosario, and Madame Agnes Roscigno, spouse of HE Ambassador Massimo Roscigno of the Embassy of Italy, as well as event chair Mrs. Fortune A. Ledesma, Consul General of Monaco, the event is an encore of the immensely successful and much acclaimed Global Fashion Flair held two years ago.

SM, through the graciousness and generosity of Ms. Tessie Sy-Coson, will be the major sponsor of the show and will provide all the Filipiniana gowns, barongs, and accessories from Kultura; as well as clothes and shoes from the SM Store.

Mr. Farid Schoucair, General Manager of New World Makati Hotel, is delighted and honored to offer the elegant venue of his hotel and excellent services of his staff.

IBF and SHOM members, friends, and many supporters look forward to Global Fashion Flair II on Tuesday, 05 May 2015 at 7:30 in the evening. Proceeds of the show will go to the rehabilitation of houses devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte, and typhoon Ruby in Eastern Samar. There are still so many families struggling to recover and rebuild their lives and spirit.

Tickets are available at New World Makati at Esperanza St. corner Makati Avenue, Makati and at the 6th floor Special Projects Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Blvd.

Pasay City, as well as Tesoro’s at Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City.

For inquiries, please call IBF Secretariat at tel. no. 833-1320 or email: ibf.dfa@gmail.com

PARTNERS FOR A CAUSE: IBF Chairperson Gretchen del Rosario, Monaco Consul General and Event Chairperson Fortune Ledesma, Spouses of the Heads of Mission (SHOM) President Agnes Roscigno of Italy, and SM’s Senior Vice-President for Marketing Communications Millie Dizon collaborate for Global Fashion Flair II, which will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the New World Makati Hotel.

Members of the Spouses of the Heads of Mission (SHOM) and International Bazaar Foundation will model for a cause in Global Fashion Flair 2. IBF Chairperson Gretchen del Rosario, SHOM President Mme. Agnes Roscigno of Italy, and Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma are shown seated in the photo with (from left) IBF Executive Director Nora Salazar, Mme. Safdar Fehmina of Pakistan, Mme. Ziki Ralte of India. Mme. Toni Patchett of Chile, Mme. Masita Ahmad of Malaysia, and Mme. Michaela Vovkova of the Czech Republic. Standing are IBF’s Blessie Cabrera, Mme. Stephanie Wang of Austria, Mme. Yuko Ishikawa of Japan, Mme. Maria Jose Calvo of Spain, Dr. Kieu Phung of Denmark, Mme. Irene Reeder of Canada, Mme. Won Wha Soon of South Korea, Mme. Isabelle Garachon of France, Mme. Margaret Ledeoux of the European Union, Mme. Gracita Sieber of Switzerland

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SHOWBITZ

EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

INSTITUTO CERVANTES’ NIGHT OF BOOKS Experience a different kind of book fair as Instituto Cervantes celebrates the 10th edition of Día Internacional del Libro (International Book Day) on April 23.

Around 4,000 book titles will be gathered and for this year’s celebration, the Spanish cultural center will give away hundreds of books.

First introduced by Instituto Cervantes in Manila in 2006, the tradition of Día del Libro began in Barcelona inspired by an old legend involving chivalry. Until now, the tradition is commemorated on St. George’s Day (April 23) where gifts are exchanged between sweethearts: men and women exchange roses and books. This tradition encourages book lovers from all walks of life to gather and indulge their literary passion.

This date also commemorates the deaths of two of history’s greatest writers – Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare – who coincidentally also died in the same year, 1616.

NIGHT OF BOOK’S ACTIVITIES For this year’s celebration Instituto Cervantes will have a twist with La Noche de los Libros (The Night of Books). Through it, the Spanish Cultural Center will

provide free entertainment for an entire evening of leisure and activities, including a feast of Spanish food, games, music, poetry recitals and free Spanish classes.

Just like every year, Día del Libro will feature top exhibitors and bookstores that will be selling a wide selection of books – dictionaries, children and young adult titles, fiction and non-fiction novels – at a 20 percent discount. And following the tradition in Spain, every book purchase would entitle one to a free rose.

The first 100 people to come to Instituto Cervantes for La Noche de los Libros will receive a free book or a rose upon entrance. In addition, those who would sign up for a membership at the Instituto Cervantes Library would also get a free book.

This year also marks the 400th of the publication of the second volume of Don Quixote de La Mancha, Cervantes’ immortal work. Among the events organized by Instituto Cervantes to commemorate the date is the Re-Writing of

Don Quijote. The Spanish cultural center is looking for 500 book-lover volunteers to take part in a “Quixotic” endeavor: to hand-write Cervantes’ novel. Each volunteer will have two minutes to write by hand a few sentences of the novel. The writing-chain will start at 4 p.m. and finish at 11 p.m. The final hand-written book will be deposited in the Library Miguel Hernández of Instituto Cervantes. People interested in being part of the writing of Don Quijote can reserve their time slot by writing to this email: escriboelquijote@gmail.com. The participants in the handwriting chain will receive a free rose.

Photo buffs may also submit their best photos taken during Día del Libro.

Cool prizes await those who would win in this contest.

Visit La Noche de los Libros and experience a jampacked evening of excitement, brought to you by Instituto Cervantes.

Día del Libro is organized

by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and the Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID).

Admission to all Día del libro activities is FREE on a FIRSTCOME, FIRST-SERVED basis.

For further information please log on to: Instituto Cervantes’ website www. manila.cervantes.es or www. facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila, or contact Instituto Cervantes de Manila at (632) 526-1482 local 111.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 80 84 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 99 100 101 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Ming thing 5 Add power (2 wds.)

11 Copper “rust” 17 Yikes! (hyph.)

21 Runner — Zatopek 22 Rococo 23 “Venus” singer 24 Leaf juncture 25 Cameo, maybe 26 Padded envelope 27 King’s stand-in 28 Peau de — 29 Skewer 31 Thunders 33 Established 35 Silly laugh (hyph.)

36 Loud 37 Huge blossom 38 Tooth-fillers’ org.

41 Drapery support 42 Author Neville — 43 Obtained 44 Madrid’s Louvre 48 Confer 50 Rinds

ISAH V. RED

51 52 53 54 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 78 79

Dedicated to Money handler Like a quad’s walls Dull Like Pisa’s tower DA’s degree Pocket jingler Move without effort Evacuation Handle problems Anka’s “— Beso” Opponent of Martina Some godmothers?

Jazz pianist — Hines Journalist Eric — Peeples of TV — Lingus Dinosaur bone Fmr. airline Four-footed pal Half a couple Polite chap Rap music (hyph.)

However Miss Piggy’s pronoun

102 103 104 105 106 107 109 110 112 115 116 120 121 123 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133

Not skepticism Scallion Kind of sandwich Red-waxed cheese Novelist — Rand Movie mogul Fishing bait Collapses “Java” trumpeter Al — Sardine holder Ballpark employees Che’s compadre Canine relative Perfect world Say “What?”

Fall colors Time of the mammals Urban transport Map dir.

“Wooly —” Navy noncom Woodland creature Ms. Davis of films Beeps Ripple fabric Meals Zeppo’s brother Sky before sunup (2 wds.)

Annexes Londoner’s wit Kook Cloudy — Ben Adhem Galvanize Dodged, as taxes Feels under par Shoulder enhancers Drew nigh Hit the sack Croupier’s tool

FILIPINO SHORT FILM IN MIDDLE EAST’S CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL Pipo, a short film starring Lou Veloso, Chanel Latorre, and Maliksi Morales, competes in the Children’s International Film Festival, United Arab Emirates 2015 edition.

This annual event is the biggest international film festival in the Arab World that is solely dedicated to children.

The festival will be held from April 23 to May 2 at the Madinat Jumeirah and the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and UNESCO Laureate artist Richard Soriano Legaspi, the lone entry from the Philippines in the competition program of the festival is vying for the Audience Choice Award in the International Short Category.

Pipo tells of a young boy’s dream to have his family picture taken. It is Legaspi’s second installment from his Collective Memoirs short film trilogy. It shows the relationship of memories and how the past and present will marry in a simple narrative.

The film was a competitive grant winner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and with the support funding from Università delle Idee and ILLY – Italy.

Legaspi’s achievements gained more importance when he represented the Philippines in major festivals and won a prestigious award in Italy. His

The Filipino short Pipo competes in the Children’s International Film Festival, United Arab Emirates 2015 edition

first full-length film Paano Ko Sasabihin? with Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales won the Special Jury Prize, Audience Award and Best in Editing at the 2009 Cinema One Originals. It was a finalist at the Babel Film Festival in Italy.

He is also the director and writer of award-winning films like Manenaya, Special Jury Prize winner at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and the opening film of Asiatica Film Mediale in Rome in 2012, and Ambulancia, which earned the Miglior Montaggio Award at the San Gio Film Festival and was a finalist at the Dubai Interna-

tional Film Festival (IFF).

A prolific filmmaker, Legaspi also directed PamatidGutom, Kinulayang Kiti, Pagtakas sa Kawalan, Dimensions of Belonging, and Fare L’Amore con il Vento. His first documentary is Ang Walang Kapagurang Paglalakbay ng Pulang Maleta (L’instancabile viaggio della valigia rossa). GMA News TV produced it for the CineTotoo International Documentary Film Festival 2014.

His works are more focused on raising consciousness and creating space for dialogue on communal issues, responsible transformation of society and creative activation through contemporary art.

A two-time Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) awardee in 2010 and 2011, Carlos Palanca Awardee for Literature in 2012 for the screenplay “Primera Bella,” and a Gawad Urian nominee for Manenaya, he received the prestigious UNESCO Laureate artist recognition in 2013, eventually becoming a resident artist of the Università delle Idee, Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto and ILLY CAN PRIZE WINNER – Art for Social Change in Italy.

Filipinos in Dubai will have the chance to watch Pipo on its international premiere at the Vox Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates on April 25, , at 3 p.m. (UAE time).

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

DOWN 1 Is or was 2 Omnia vincit — 3 Barn neighbor 4 Put in office 5 By hook or crook 6 Took the dais 7 Come together 8 Wan 9 Sporty truck 10 “Cinderella” writer 11 Float locale 12 Murphy Brown’s kid 13 License plates 14 Ait, on the Seine 15 Like skim milk 16 Composer — Dvorak 17 Disentangle 18 Homeboy’s turf 19 Comics pooch 20 Pay attention to 30 Salome’s audience 32 Inning enders 34 Dismantle a tent 36 War of 1812 treaty site 37 More hackneyed 38 Stays 39 Think up 40 Isaac of sci-fi 42 Grinch creator 43 Puck stoppers 45 Divvies up 46 Greek oracle site 47 Nightmare 49 Golf bag item 50 Like tartan 51 Italian auto 52 Big bang letters 54 Eyewash acid 55 52, to Tiberius 56 Conditions 59 Low-cost 60 Battery size 61 Immobile class 63 Sing like Bing

64 65 67 68 70 72 73 74 75 76 77

Dovetail Turner ex Loathe ABC or NBC Looks after the hens Facial feature (2 wds.)

Carnaby St. style Thin porridge Spa amenity (2 wds.)

As located (2 wds.)

Spinet and upright

78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 90 91 92 94

Kerchief Oct. and Nov. Bays Hit dead-center Rostand hero Main course Ear-splitting noise Surprised yelps Dizzy Drop — — line Green around the — This, in Latin Grippers

95 96 98 100 101 103 104 105 108 109 110 111

Fan or gumshoe Lone Ranger portrayer Winged horse Big swig Part of a serial Guarantee Latched More wintry Hawke of “Gattaca” Grounds — Gras Whodunit award

112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 122

Pick pears Corsica neighbor Lumber along Clock hand Royal decree Diva’s tune Saunter Wall St. landmark Kiwi’s extinct cousin 124 Festive night

S U N D AY : A P R I L 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

PHILIPPINES’ BIGGEST WINNER

G

MA Network is the Philippines’ biggest winner at the 2015 New York Festivals, with four World Medals and four Finalist Certificates for its News and Public Affairs programs.

GMA’s late-night documentary program Front Row led the winners after bagging the Gold World Medal in the Best Public Affairs Program category for its feature on the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The documentary took viewers beyond the viral Ice Bucket Challenge and showed the real story behind the disease in the eyes of ALS patients and their families.

The GMA afternoon program Reporter’s Notebook won a Bronze World Medal in the Community Portraits category for its “Burak at Pangarap” episode. The story centered on 12-year-old Junjun whose home was razed by fire along with more than a hundred other houses in Malabon City leaving his family literally homeless.

GMA News TV’s Motorcycle Diaries took home a Bronze World Medal in the Human Concerns category for its “Karapatan ng Bata” episode. The episode showed how poverty denies countless Filipino children their basic rights.

Meanwhile, GMA TV’s “May Pagasa” Station ID also won a Bronze World Medal in the Station/Image Promotion category. It is a collection of stories that revealed the little known tragedies and challenges behind the success of the channel’s on-camera personalities.

Four GMA entries also received Final-

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ist recognitions. These included Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Katipunan, Reel Time, and Walang Rape sa Bontok, one of the winners in the first Cine Totoo Philippine Documentary Festival produced by GMA News TV. The New York Festivals awarded its 2015 winners at a ceremony held at the National Association of Broadcasters’ Conference in Las Vegas on April 14.

Now on its 57th year, the Festivals honored the world’s best TV programs and films from among entries submitted by over 50 countries.

HHHHH ABS-CBN Corporation is ranked the third best mid-cap company in the Philippines in the latest survey of FinanceAsia, one of the most respected finance magazines in the region. It is the only media company in this year’s list.

The rankings are part of the magazine’s “Asia’s Best Companies 2015” poll of over 250 portfolio managers and buyside analysts in the region, or those who identify investment opportunities for Asia’s leading mutual funds, pension funds, trusts, and hedge funds.

ABS-CBN is the only entertainment and multimedia company included in the list for the mid-cap (middle capitalization) category. Security Bank was ranked 3rd equal.

“This recognition is a strong vote of confidence for ABS-CBN and a good indicator that we are on the right track,” said ABS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos-Concio. “We are indeed

honored to be in this prestigious list of FinanceAsia.”

This is FinanceAsia’s 15th year to conduct this survey to find out which publicly listed companies investors consider to be the best-managed in Asia, who the best senior executives are, and which companies excel in corporate governance, investor relations, and other key metrics.

Chief Operating Officer Carlo Katigbak stated that the company is encouraged by this recognition and will continue to strive for innovation and excellence.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure that our strategies are attuned to technological trends and developments, and that our content remains relevant and sensitive to the needs of our various audiences. This is part of nation-building, of shaping our culture, to be ‘in the service of the Filipino’,” he said.

In 2014, ABS-CBN won a Gold Stevie Award in the “Company of the Year -- Media and Entertainment Company” category at the 11th International Business Awards, while Concio won a Gold Stevie Award in the “Female Executive of the Year in Asia, Australia, or New Zealand” category at the prestigious Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

ABS-CBN also bagged a Grand Stevie Award and the Gold Stevie Award in the “Services Company of the Year” category, while Concio also received the Gold Stevie Award for the “Woman of the Year” category for all Asia-Pacific nations (except Australia and South Korea) at the 2014 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

Manny Pacquiao

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Front Row Exec. Producer Joseph Conrad Rubio, Motorcycle Diaries host Jay Taruc, Reporter’s Notebookhost Maki Pulido and Exec. Producer Ian Carlos Simbulan and Program Manager Nena Dumol at the 2015 New York Festivals

Charo Santos-Concio

Carlo Katigbak

Floyd Mayweather

GET FRONT-ROW SEAT FOR PACQUIAO FIGHT ON CIGNAL Fans on both sides of the Pacific are eagerly awaiting the much-talked about Pacquiao-Mayweather boxing match as the Filipino and American sports icons battle it out for the title of best “pound for pound” boxer in living memory.

In the Philippines, boxing fans will surely be glued to their TV sets and Cignal TV makes it available via Pay-Per-View live as it happens in Las Vegas.

For a commercial free viewing, you just have to shell out P2,500.00. Cignal postpaid subscribers who would like to see this historic boxing bout in real time and without commercials, can simply order online by visiting the Cignal website. Active prepaid subscribers may look for the nearest Cignal partner or Smart load retailer to load PPV2000.

Likewise, PLDT Fibr account holders can order through the PLDT Fibr hotline (632) 101-3427.

Don’t miss this chance to witness live this boxing match of the century with ringside clarity. Show your support to our People’s Champ, Manny Pacquiao as he goes against Floyd “Pretty Boy’’ Mayweather Jr. for the undisputed crown of greatest “pound for pound” fighter of the world.

Cignal TV is the country’s biggest pay TV provider and its direct to home (DTH) satellite system offers the best quality transmission and picture perfect image for your viewing pleasure.

To know more about Cignal Pay-Per-View and other Cignal promos visit http://cignal.tv/

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S U N D AY : A P R I L 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

‘NATHANIEL’ IS KAPAMILYA’S REJOINDER TO KAPUSO’S ‘PARI KOY’ Religious themed dramas seem a surefire stuff on primetime television.

Throw in a child character as anchor and – presto! – a flock of TV drama fanatics will huddle before the set for the next half hour. And before the network executives can wink, they have a hit.

The two fierce rival channels are banking on this formula either to maintain their position as the industry’s leader or wrest the lead from the competition.

ABS-CBN recently launched its newest primetime drama series.

It’s called Nathaniel, and, from the looks of it, the series is a clear response to the growing popularity of Pari Koy on the rival channel. It may be, but the Kapamilya network will easily retort that it started the trend of religiousthemed series. Remember May Bukas Pa, 100 Days to Heaven and Honesto?

The new Kapamilya series has no priest in it as a central figure unlike the one on the other channel. What it has is a a child who is also an angel.

Says the spinmeisters at the Mother Ignacia broadcast monolith, “It will inspire and remind Filipinos about the innate goodness of people.” Wow1 It sounds too lofty for the masses in Payatas to fathom, but that’s what the producers really want the show to project. The series with Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, and newest child actor Marco Masa premieres tomorrow.

“Nathaniel’s’ story will surely help in uplifting the spirits of TV viewers especially in our time now (sic) where Filipinos are going through a lot of difficulties,” shares Gerald at the press conference in ABS-CBN. “Our series is perfect for the whole family because of the lessons, values, and inspiration it will give not only to kids, but to everyone,” adds Shaina.

The series tells the story of Nathaniel (Marco), an angel who comes to earth in order to restore the belief of humanity in God and remind them about the innate goodness that everyone possesses in their hearts.

Nathaniel’s faith in humans will be put to

a test after experiencing the struggles, pains, and cruelty.

That is the core of the series. Will that experience ISAH V. RED change how he looks at humans? What will he do to strengthen the loyalty and devotion of people to God? Pokwang, Isabelle Daza, Benjie Paras, Jayson Gainza, Ogie Diaz, Sharlene San Pedro, Jairus Aquino, Yesha Camile, David Chua, Young JV, Fourth and Fifth Pagotan, and Coney Reyes also play important roles in the new series.

Nathaniel is the latest offering of ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment Television, the group that created toprating inspirational series May Bukas Pa,100 Days to Heaven, and Honesto.

For more information about the program, visit the official social networking site of Dreamscape Entertainment Television at Facebook.com/DreamscapePH, Twitter. com/DreamscapePH, and Instagram.com/ DreamscapePH. ★★★★★ The 2015 Billboard Music Awards® will culminate with Taylor Swift and Sam Smith going head-to-head for eight of the show’s biggest awards including Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist and Top Digital Song Artists. Swift tops all the finalists with 14 entries in 13 categories while Smith is nominated with 13 entries in 13 categories.

Broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 18, Monday at 9:00am, the 2015 Billboard Music Awards will showcase this year’s hottest and biggest music stars hosted by TV host and supermodel Chrissy Teigen and hiphop superstar and actor Ludacris.

Teigen is the 2014 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model and television host.

Ludacris has sold more than 15 million albums and has just released his eighth studio album, “Ludaversal.” This will be Ludacris’ second consecutive year hosting the Billboard Music Awards.

SIMPLY RED

The series tells the story of Nathaniel (Marco), an angel who comes to earth in order to restore the belief of humanity in God and remind them about the innate goodness that everyone possesses in their hearts

Continued on C7

ABS-CBN’s new primetime drama series stars the network’s biggest talents including Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, Marco Masa, and Isabelle Diaz directly challenging competitors in the ratings race

Talylor Swift and Sam Smith lead nominees in the upcoming Billboard Music Awards