The Standard - 2015 June 28 - Sunday

RotaRy club of manila newspapeR of the yeaR 2015 VOL. XXIX NO. 128 3 Sections 24 Pages P18 SuNday : JuNE 28, 2015 www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

RoXas, aBaYa EVasiVE, HaRP on VP casEs

By Francisco tuyay

‘PALACE CARPING AT PETTY ISSUES’

By Vito Barcelo

THE Palace was only being “petty” when Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda remarked that Vice President Jejomar Binay “is the only Vice President in Philippine history who was given an official residence,” Binay’s camp said on Saturday.

“Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has raised substantive issues

but Malacañang chose to be petty instead by raising the issue of the Coconut Palace,” Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado said after Lacierda criticized Binay for trying to portray an “underdog image” which he said is a “gross misrepresentation.”

“Sadly, they don’t have the complete facts,” Salgado said, noting that the government was duty-bound to provide him an office as vice president.

“The Coconut Palace is still owned by the Government Service Insurance System. The Office of the Vice President is a mere tenant.

In fact, since 2010 the GSIS has increased the rent from P400,000 a month to P440,000 a month,” Salgado said.

Next page

INSTEAD of twisting the truth about the Aquino administration, Vice President Jejomar Binay should answer the evidence that has been presented against him over his governance of Makati City, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said on Saturday.

“VP Binay, before you twist what I have said, maybe it would be better if you directly answer the mountain of evidence that has been in the Senate and other fora about the anomalies allegedly connected to your governance in Makati,” Roxas said in Davao City.

Roxas was in Davao to distribute police patrol jeeps, speak before the city’s chamber of commerce and meet with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who announced last week that he was no longer interested in running for president in 2016.

Aside from Roxas, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya also scored Binay for making the ongoing crisis of Metro Manila’s light rail transit system a political issue because the current technical problems can not be solved through politics.

Before he became interior secretary, Roxas used to be the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications and Binay also blamed him for the travails of hundreds of thousands of commuters who suffer the rail system’s maintenance problems.

Next page

Giant mascots of the participating schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) parade during the opening ceremony kicking off the league’s 91st season at the jampacked SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. EY acasio

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s U N d ay : j U N e 2 8 , 2 0 1 5

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news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Both Sangyaw and KaSadyaan. Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other Leyte officials hand out fiesta packs to Leyte folk who came to Tacloban City to celebrate the Kasadyaan festival which has united the Leyte first families. VER noVEno

FIESTA UNITES LEYTE LEADERS PALACE From A1...

“It seems that the Palace is now doing an accounting of the supposed favors extended by the President to the Vice President, treating public funds as personal monies given to officials and agencies who, in turn, are expected to be eternally grateful,” he said.

Salgado said Binay did not beg for supposed favors or alms, “he simply wanted an office for the Vice President befitting the second highest official of the land. Future Vice Presidents can now look forward to having such an address.”

The Coconut Palace was commissioned in 1978 by former First Lady Imelda Marcos as an official government guest house and was supposed to be first used by Pope John Paul II in 1981, but the pope chose to stay at the Apostolic Nunciature.

Salgado noted the Coconut Palace was eventually neglected and was nearly decrepit when it was given

RoxAs From A1...

“In my opinion, that is what is most important – direct answers instead of deceiving our countrymen and diverting the discussion to whatever,” Roxas said.

“You had five years to take up whatever you may have noticed, whatever you may have observed, whatever you you want changed,” Roxas told Binay.

“You could have told the President privately or formally in the Cabinet, but we heard nothing and all of a sudden you lash out,” Roxas

new relevance when the Vice President moved in.

“Instead of asking for an accounting of favors, it would have been better if the Palace instead answered the issue of widespread hunger and poverty and the gaping ineptness of the government,” Salgado said.

But Lacierda backtracked on on Saturday and said it was not questioning Binay’s use of the Coconut Palace as his official residence.

“It was respected in that every possible means was found, particularly if at the behest of the Vice President in order to be of service to the people, to give him every opportunity, dignity and convenience, to be useful,” Lacierda said in a statement.

“If today the Vice President’s spokesmen feel compelled to justify their principal or his actions or even motivations, that is their right—but irrelevant as to the opportunities the Vice President was given to be part of the solution and not part of the nation’s problems,” Lacierda said.

At the same time, the Palace also

admitted that poverty alleviation is taking time after a the independent think tank IBON Foundation revealed that Filipinos do not believe poverty or corruption had gone down in the last three months.

“We accept that,” said Lacierda’s deputy Abigail Valte. “Poverty alleviation takes time. No one can say that that can be considerably reduced or removed within three months,” Valte said in an interview with government-owned radio station dzRB. IBON’s survey conducted from May 13 to 23, but whose results were made public only June 25, showed 72.3 percent of Filipinos do not believe poverty has been reduced in the last three months.

Based on the survey, only 17.9 percent said they believe so, and 9.6 percent of the respondents answered they do not know.

A similar survey in January 2015 showed 71.7 percent said they do not believe poverty went down in the last three months, while only 17.1 percent believed it did.

added.

Roxas confirmed that he indeed met with Duterte at the sidelines of his two activities in the city, but he said that was not unusual because they frequently meet in many places, including Manila.

Meanwhile, Abaya said in an interview on radio dzMM, Abaya said politics should not be linked to the problems hounding the Metro Rail Transit-3.

“It is confusing for the Vice President to mix technical problems with politics because it is more important to analyze technical problems for solutions,” Abaya said.

“I am certain a technical problem can not be solved by a political solution. We should not mix that up because the MRT may even worsen if that is the analysis,” Abaya added.

Abaya said Binay never commented on the problems of the train system.

“That’s why I was surprised when he made a comment when he had already quit [the Cabinet],” Abaya said. “He could have easily commented on the matter. I’m always open, welcoming constructive comments. Maybe he chose that theme because 2016 is already near,” he added.

By Ronald o. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—Tacloban folk had another reason to celebrate during the city fiesta this year after Leyte province’s leading first families united for the Kasadyaan festival on Saturday.

“Today is a time for celebration. We are all happy that we are united. Hopefully, this festival will bring progress and unity to everyone,” said Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, scion of the family that organized the first tourism-oriented city fiesta in the 1980s.

That festival, called Sangyaw Festival, was organized

by Leyte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos in the 1980s, but it was replaced by the Pintados-Kasadyawan after the 1986.

For years, the original Sangyaw was replaced by the Kasadyawan, organized by the Petilla family, until 2007 when the congressman’s cousin, incumbent Mayor Alfred Romualdez, chose to restore the Sangyaw.

But this year, both families agreed to use the fiesta to spur unity rather than division.

“This festival will show how we can bounce back and bring inspiration not only in words but also in action,” Congressman Romualdez said. “We are here to be with you, all the joys and sorrows, we are all victims of typhoon Yolanda.”

The people cheered Romualdez’s words and Leyte

Gov. Leopoldo Dominic Petilla responded: “This event is not only for fiesta celebration but also to show our culture of strength and resilience as people. This is what we will celebrate.”

We have survived, and our recovery is also going faster. It is now time to thank and pray to God that we are given this time,” the governor added, before a gathering of some 50,000 people at the Leyte Sports Complex.

Gov. Petilla welcomed Rep. Romualdez on stage where he was also greeted by Palo, Leyte Mayor Remedios Matin Petilla and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.

On Saturday, at least 12 contingents from different towns in Leyte and Samar joined the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals on its grand parade in Tacloban City. On Monday evening, June 29, Tacloban city government will hold its Sangyaw Festival’s “Parade of Lights” with its colorful LED creations.

The two events mark the start of recovery in the city and the province after it was devastated by Yolanda in November 2013.

S U N D AY : J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 5

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

ACTIVISTS TO RALLY VS PNOY ON JULY 27

By Joel e. Zurbano MILITANT groups are preparing for a big rally in time for the sixth and final State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III on July 27.

“People want an end to this regime, the sooner the better. The people will also oppose Aquino’s plan to have his anointed one continue his anti-people programs beyond 2016,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. The group said the issues that have defined the Aquino administration include unemployment despite economic growth, continuing corruption and selective prosecution of graft cases, neglect and inadequate relief for calamity victims, questionable public-private partnership deals and its continuing human rights violations.

It also cited the killing of 44 police commandos in the Mamasapano, Maguidanao last January and the breakdown of mass transport systems such as the Metro Railway Transit and Light Railway Transit as among the issues.

“Blaming the past administration is old hat. Now at the end of his term, Aquino will have to account for the fiascos and problems that happened during his watch. The sham Daang Matuwid (Straight Path) has reached a dead end,” said Reyes.

Reyes said Aquino’s last SONA will be an occasion for the people to render judgement on the President’s term. He added various organizations under the umbrella formation Bayan are preparing for nationwide protests in time for the July 27 event.

“Expect a torrent of lies from Aquino and praises from his allies on his final SONA. The public however will be more discerning. Yellow rhetoric won’t cut it anymore. There is worsening poverty, persistent corruption, and utter lack of sovereignty. More than five years of the Aquino regime and not much has really changed, a lot has gotten worse,” he said.

Bayan called on the people to make their voices heard above the political noise that diverts the public’s attention from the most pressing social problems.

“It may be election season for politicians but it’s still the daily grind for most people. The issues of the poor must be heard amid the escalating political noise and mudslinging among political factions. The SONA protests will be our opportunity to raise the most basic issues that the Aquino regime has failed to address,” Reyes added.

Demonstration run. Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista casts his sample vote during a mock election at the Bacoor National High School in Cavite on Saturday to test the partial-automation system, now called Precinct Automated Tallying System, proposed by former election commisioner Augusto Lagman and IT organizations. Pna

CHINA ACTIONS LIKE RUSSIAN ATTACK—US

By Vito Barcelo

CHINA’S terra-forming in disputed waters in the South China Sea is just like Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula and has become “a threat to peace and stability,” according to a senior United States diplomat.

“In both eastern Ukraine and the South China Sea, we’re witnessing efforts to unilaterally and coercively change the status quo -- transgressions that the United States and our allies stand united against,” Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Center for a New American Security in Washington.

Blinken reiterated Washington’s declared policy that the United States took no position on the merits of competing claims in the South China Sea, but it had a strong interest in how those were pursued and in preserving freedom of navigation.

“The way forward is for China, and all claimants, to freeze their reclamation activities and resolve their difference in accordance with the rule of law,” said Blinken, the second highest state department official.

The Department of Foreign Affairs could not comment on Saturday, but Malacañang had ear-

lier responded to Beijing’s criticism that Manila was trying to involve other nations in the ongoing disputes in a part of the South China Sea that is called the West Philippine Sea issue.

“We cannot be faulted if other countries have lauded the approach that we have decided to take in resolving this dispute that we have with our neighbor,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace.

Valte was asked to comment on the statement made by Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, during a regular press conference on Thursday that “some regional nations drag countries outside the region to interfere in the South China Sea issue, demonstrate muscles, and intentionally play up regional tensions.”

“This behavior would only bring harm to the situation in the South China Sea,” he said.

Valte noted that the issue concerns countries outside the region since 60 percent to 80 percent of global trade passes through the disputed waters.

Asked about the environmental harm that China’s reclamation works have created, Valte said she wants to leave it to the experts to assess the damage on coral reefs caused by China’s islandbuilding activities.

“More weight should be given to the opinion of experts when it comes to the destruction of marine resources and the coral reefs that are affected. We would defer to their judgment on that,” she said.

The Philippine government has filed a case be-

fore the international arbitral tribunal to resolve the dispute despite China’s refusal to participate.

It is also pushing for the crafting of a binding Code of Conduct in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to ease the tension in the contested territory.

Among the nations that has backed the country’s tack in the South China Sea dispute is Japan, whose top military officer said China’s recent moves to build artificial islands had created “very serious potential concerns” for Japan.

Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

“We don’t have any plans to conduct surveillance in the South China Sea currently but depending on the situation, I think there is a chance we could consider doing so,” the admiral was quoted as saying.

Kawano did not specify what actions by China might make the Japanese consider starting patrols, the Journal reported, and any activity by Japan’s military beyond its borders would likely raise concerns at home.

This week Japan and the Philippines flew patrol planes near the disputed South China Sea waters.

Kawano said he hoped to see more military cooperation with South Korea, an area that has suffered because of disagreements between Tokyo and Seoul over wartime history, the Journal said.

The two neighbors have exchanged warmer words in the past few days as they marked 50 years of ties.

ENVOY: PH HELPED PRESERVE KOREAN FREEDOM

By Ben Cal SOUTH Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-Shin cited the bravery and heroism of the 7,420man Philippine Expedition Force to Korea that fought in the Korean War, saying the Filipino combat troops “preserved the freedom of my people.”

Kim made the statement in a speech during the 65th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea

by North Korean forces on June 25, 1950 last Thursday at the Philippines-Korea Friendship Center in Taguig City.

Kim also said the bravery of the Filipino soldiers during the Korean War will never be forgotten by the

South Korean government The affair, which was attended by defense and military officials from both countries and surviving Peftok veterans, coincided with the unveiling of the historical marker containing the names of the 112 Filipino soldiers killed in action during the war.

The Korean War lasted for three years from 1950 to July 1953, but armed stalemate continues at the 38th Parallel between the two countries.

The Philippines was the first allied country that sent combat troops to Korea on Sept. 19, 1950, barely three months after the war broke out.

Peftok was composed of five Battalion Combat Teams – the 10th, 20th, 19th, 14th and the 2nd.

The 10th BCT had the most num-

ber of casualties. Of the 1,400 officers and men, 100 were killed in action, followed by the 19th BCT with 32 KIA, the 20th BCT with 15 KIA, and 14th BCT with five KIA. The 2nd BCT did not suffer any KIA. The most decorated Filipino Korean War hero was Capt. Conrado Yap who was awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest military award of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for his gallantry and intrepidity during the Battle of Yultong in North Korea on April 22-23, 1951.

The Battle of Yultong was a battle between the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army 44th Division and the Filipino 10th Battalion Combat Team, north of Yeoncheon. The Filipino BCT was part of the United

States’ 65th Infantry Regiment, which was trapped at the Yultong.

Although the 10th BCT had lost all contacts with the outside world, the Filipinos held their position until the Chinese stopped their attacks.

The 10th BCT’s action at Yultong allowed the US 3rd Infantry Division to successfully withdraw from the battlefield.

Another decorated PEFTOK officer was then Lt. Fidel V. Ramos who successfully led his troops in the capture of the strategic Eerie Hill after a daylong gun battle.

Ramos, who later became the Philippine Constabulary chief, AFP chief of staff, and defense secretary, was elected the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1992. Pna

KIM JAE-SHIN

S U N D AY, J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 5

A4

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A5

OPINION THE GIFTED GIVE BACK

[ EDI TORI A L ]

THE HECKLED DURING an LGBTQ pride event on Wednesday, United States President Barack Obama was heckled by a White House guest as he was speaking.

How he responded to the heckling was both classic and classy.

“You’re not going to get a good response from me by interrupting me like this,” he told the protester, transgender Jennicet Gutierrez, an undocumented immigrant.

Gutierrez assailed Obama for deportations of immigrants under his administration.

The US President, however, pointed out that while he usually does not respond to hecklers, he draws the line for people who do so in his own house.

All the others in the East Wing applauded Obama’s response and started chanting his name. Eventually, Gutierrez was escorted out of the room and the President resumed his speech.

The validity of Gutierrez’ gripe is not the issue. Unfortunately, the manner in which her message was delivered had the unintended consequence of diluting its importance. In the end, what was remembered was the behavior, not the question she was trying to raise.

People are not expected to agree with each other all the time. In fact, that is not democracy’s intention. In a truly free society, people are encouraged to exchange views, to express dissent and to arrive at solutions taking into consideration the good of the many.

There remain, however, basic rules of decency that everyone must observe, whatever the opinion they hold. This is true not only in the White House, but on the streets of all free societies in the world. To challenge each other, debate and question and criticize -- all are fair game. This is how we unearth the sentiments of the most marginalized.

Rudeness though is yet another language altogether. Because it recognizes no decency, and castigates everything that does not agree with it, it begets a dismissive response that renders its message meaningless even when it isn’t.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BIGOTRY AND PREJUDICE

AFTER the death of transgendered woman Jennifer Laude last year, one would expect that most people would have acquired some understanding of, or more empathy toward the issues of transgenders and other sexual minorities in this country. If we are to go by the way clubs such as Valkyrie—which happens to be partly owned by

one of the most famous crossdressers in the country, celebrity Vice Ganda—continue to discriminate against transgenders, we can say that very little has changed. Prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry still exist, particularly those directed at sexual minorities. This is sad, very sad, because we do have pretensions about being a country of tolerant, nurturing, caring people.

The separate incidents at Valkyrie where bouncers of the club barred designer Veejay Floresca and gay beauty queen

Why should we care? Simple. Because if we don’t care, the bigots and prejudiced people in this world will continue to think it is okay to treat other people with contempt just because they are different. They will not stop at transgenders.

Trixie Maristela from entering the bar, allegedly because of the club’s dress code policies, were discriminatory. The club has

tried to contain the damage by insisting that it did not discriminate against transgenders, but the facts of the case are pretty

clear and straightforward. Even the club’s admission that their people need training is already an admission that something was wrong with their policies.

But what disappointed me more were the reactions of some people who basically dismissed the incident like it was a non-issue.

There were those who scoffed at those who are up in arms over the issue. The general drift of their opinion was that there are thousands of other bars in Manila—many of them friendly to transgenders—so why bother about bars

like Valkyrie. The answer is simple: Because discrimination is wrong, bigotry is wrong, regardless of who the victims or perpetrators are.

Bigotry and discrimination should have no place in a civilized society as these are deeply rooted in the same thing—hatred toward people they refuse to acknowledge as their equals and therefore view with contempt or derision.

Some have insisted that Valkyrie,

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

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

being a private club, has the right to impose its own dress codes and to refuse entry to anyone who did not meet the standards it has set. If Floresca and Maristela were refused entry because they were wearing slippers, or basketball shorts, or because they were stoned or drunk, people would not have raised a howl. But they were refused entry because of their sexual identity. Why should bars like Valkyrie be allowed to continue to make money out of Filipi-

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

nos while promoting a caste system in the country?

There were those who said transgenders are not the only people who have rights, bar owners and other customers also have theirs. I truly do not get the logic of this assertion because I just cannot fathom how the rights of others have been disregarded just because two transgenders wanted to attend a birthday party inside Valkyrie, which they were invited to in the first Continued on A6

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. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

LETICIA Penano-Ho, PhD has had decades of experience working with gifted children and their parents, but on that Monday morning she showed no signs of ever being tired. She seemed as spirited as the parents who had signed up to attend a lecture on Parenting the Gifted and the Talented.

Penano-Ho is a clinical psychologist, neurotherapist and retired education professor and former dean at the University of the Philippines. She is currently the chairman and president of the Philippine Association for the Gifted. She is a member of the Unesco National Commission and has represented the country in various forums on gifted education abroad.

“I am usually criticized as being elitist,” Penano-Ho said. “How is [what I do] interesting and useful for the country?”

The subsequent hours of her lecture answer her own question.

Penano-Ho describes gifted children as being that -- gifts, meant to be unwrapped, and here is where parents play a big role in their development. Giftedness is basically genetic; development of talents, a combination of environment and opportunity. This would require specific knowledge and attention.

Nor does mere giftedness guarantee success. According to Penano-Ho, success is a consequence of three aspects: intelligence/creativity, passion and values. Take out one, and the equation is not complete.

The attendees were parents of incoming Grade 7 students of the Philippine High School for the Arts. Their backgrounds were diverse, coming from the fields of visual arts, theater arts, dance, music and creative writing, and from all over the country as well.

Following stringent admission requirements, the children are government scholars, their tuition, Continued on A6 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

S U N D AY, J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 5

A4

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A5

OPINION THE GIFTED GIVE BACK

[ EDI TORI A L ]

THE HECKLED DURING an LGBTQ pride event on Wednesday, United States President Barack Obama was heckled by a White House guest as he was speaking.

How he responded to the heckling was both classic and classy.

“You’re not going to get a good response from me by interrupting me like this,” he told the protester, transgender Jennicet Gutierrez, an undocumented immigrant.

Gutierrez assailed Obama for deportations of immigrants under his administration.

The US President, however, pointed out that while he usually does not respond to hecklers, he draws the line for people who do so in his own house.

All the others in the East Wing applauded Obama’s response and started chanting his name. Eventually, Gutierrez was escorted out of the room and the President resumed his speech.

The validity of Gutierrez’ gripe is not the issue. Unfortunately, the manner in which her message was delivered had the unintended consequence of diluting its importance. In the end, what was remembered was the behavior, not the question she was trying to raise.

People are not expected to agree with each other all the time. In fact, that is not democracy’s intention. In a truly free society, people are encouraged to exchange views, to express dissent and to arrive at solutions taking into consideration the good of the many.

There remain, however, basic rules of decency that everyone must observe, whatever the opinion they hold. This is true not only in the White House, but on the streets of all free societies in the world. To challenge each other, debate and question and criticize -- all are fair game. This is how we unearth the sentiments of the most marginalized.

Rudeness though is yet another language altogether. Because it recognizes no decency, and castigates everything that does not agree with it, it begets a dismissive response that renders its message meaningless even when it isn’t.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BIGOTRY AND PREJUDICE

AFTER the death of transgendered woman Jennifer Laude last year, one would expect that most people would have acquired some understanding of, or more empathy toward the issues of transgenders and other sexual minorities in this country. If we are to go by the way clubs such as Valkyrie—which happens to be partly owned by

one of the most famous crossdressers in the country, celebrity Vice Ganda—continue to discriminate against transgenders, we can say that very little has changed. Prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry still exist, particularly those directed at sexual minorities. This is sad, very sad, because we do have pretensions about being a country of tolerant, nurturing, caring people.

The separate incidents at Valkyrie where bouncers of the club barred designer Veejay Floresca and gay beauty queen

Why should we care? Simple. Because if we don’t care, the bigots and prejudiced people in this world will continue to think it is okay to treat other people with contempt just because they are different. They will not stop at transgenders.

Trixie Maristela from entering the bar, allegedly because of the club’s dress code policies, were discriminatory. The club has

tried to contain the damage by insisting that it did not discriminate against transgenders, but the facts of the case are pretty

clear and straightforward. Even the club’s admission that their people need training is already an admission that something was wrong with their policies.

But what disappointed me more were the reactions of some people who basically dismissed the incident like it was a non-issue.

There were those who scoffed at those who are up in arms over the issue. The general drift of their opinion was that there are thousands of other bars in Manila—many of them friendly to transgenders—so why bother about bars

like Valkyrie. The answer is simple: Because discrimination is wrong, bigotry is wrong, regardless of who the victims or perpetrators are.

Bigotry and discrimination should have no place in a civilized society as these are deeply rooted in the same thing—hatred toward people they refuse to acknowledge as their equals and therefore view with contempt or derision.

Some have insisted that Valkyrie,

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

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

being a private club, has the right to impose its own dress codes and to refuse entry to anyone who did not meet the standards it has set. If Floresca and Maristela were refused entry because they were wearing slippers, or basketball shorts, or because they were stoned or drunk, people would not have raised a howl. But they were refused entry because of their sexual identity. Why should bars like Valkyrie be allowed to continue to make money out of Filipi-

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

nos while promoting a caste system in the country?

There were those who said transgenders are not the only people who have rights, bar owners and other customers also have theirs. I truly do not get the logic of this assertion because I just cannot fathom how the rights of others have been disregarded just because two transgenders wanted to attend a birthday party inside Valkyrie, which they were invited to in the first Continued on A6

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. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

LETICIA Penano-Ho, PhD has had decades of experience working with gifted children and their parents, but on that Monday morning she showed no signs of ever being tired. She seemed as spirited as the parents who had signed up to attend a lecture on Parenting the Gifted and the Talented.

Penano-Ho is a clinical psychologist, neurotherapist and retired education professor and former dean at the University of the Philippines. She is currently the chairman and president of the Philippine Association for the Gifted. She is a member of the Unesco National Commission and has represented the country in various forums on gifted education abroad.

“I am usually criticized as being elitist,” Penano-Ho said. “How is [what I do] interesting and useful for the country?”

The subsequent hours of her lecture answer her own question.

Penano-Ho describes gifted children as being that -- gifts, meant to be unwrapped, and here is where parents play a big role in their development. Giftedness is basically genetic; development of talents, a combination of environment and opportunity. This would require specific knowledge and attention.

Nor does mere giftedness guarantee success. According to Penano-Ho, success is a consequence of three aspects: intelligence/creativity, passion and values. Take out one, and the equation is not complete.

The attendees were parents of incoming Grade 7 students of the Philippine High School for the Arts. Their backgrounds were diverse, coming from the fields of visual arts, theater arts, dance, music and creative writing, and from all over the country as well.

Following stringent admission requirements, the children are government scholars, their tuition, Continued on A6 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

S U N D AY, J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 5

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A GAY-RIGHTS DECISION FOR THE AGES THIS one is for the ages.

Justice Anthony Kennedy’s opinion for the US Supreme Court announcing a right to gay marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges will take its place alongside Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia in the pantheon of great liberal opinions. The only tragic contrast with those landmarks in the history of equality is that both of those were decided unanimously.

Friday’s gay-rights opinion went 5-4, with each of the court’s conservative justices writing a dissent of his own.

Eventually, legal equality for gay people will seem just as automatic and natural as legal equality for blacks. But history will recall that when decided, Obergefell didn’t reflect national consensus, much less the consensus of the court itself.

Kennedy’s opinion offered two different yet interrelated constitutional rationales, one focused on the institution of marriage, the other on the equality of gay people. First, he made the case that marriage is a fundamental liberty right under the due process clause of the Constitution, which says no one may be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. Applying what’s known as “substantive” due process analysis, Kennedy held that the government may not infringe the liberty to marry absent a compelling interest and along narrowly tailored lines to achieve that interest. Because no such interest exists, gay people as well as straight people must have the right to marry. This same approach was used by the court in the Loving case, which struck down laws barring interracial marriage. It was symbolically important for Kennedy to connect same-sex marriage to

marriage between the races.

Kennedy’s favorite concept of dignity figured large in the finding that marriage is a fundamental right. “The lifelong union of a man and a woman always has promised nobility and dignity to all persons, without regard to their station in life.” The reference to dignity connected the decision to Kennedy’s earlier gay-rights decisions, which featured the concept centrally. It is now an important part of our constitutional law -- no matter that it doesn’t appear in the Constitution.

Another crucial feature of the opinion was Kennedy’s recognition that marriage has evolved over time. This acknowledgement counteracted the conservatives’ emphasis on tradition in their dissents. It also resonated with the doctrine of due process, which looks to evolving tradition to identify the content of protected liberty.

When it came to equality, Kennedy avoided announcing that laws burdening gay people would be subject to especially strict scrutiny, like laws burdening racial minorities, or even what’s called intermediate scrutiny, like laws differentially burdening the sexes.

Instead, he spoke of the “synergy” between due process and equality. In legal terms, this almost certainly meant that once a fundamental right is invoked, any distinction between people for any reason requires strict scrutiny -- a longtime doctrinal norm.

But Kennedy didn’t quite say so, probably because he wanted to preserve the legacy of earlier gay-rights opinions in which he never said that he was engaged in close scrutiny, but rather said that the laws were discriminatory on their face. In a sense, Kennedy in Friday’s opinion was trying to defend and sharpen the legal rationales

of those earlier decisions, which have been criticized especially strongly by Justice Antonin Scalia.

Scalia, of course, led the conservative charge in his dissent. “What really astounds,” he wrote, “is the hubris reflected in today’s judicial Putsch.” The topic of gay rights apparently puts Scalia in mind of the German language -- dissenting from Kennedy’s first gayrights opinion, Romer v.

Evans, he accused the court of mistaking a “kulturkampf for a fit of spite.” Scalia was

at pains to insist that he wasn’t homophobic, just indifferent to gay rights. “The substance of today’s decree is not of immense personal importance to me,” he insisted.

What was really at stake according to Scalia was democracy itself. Nine unrepresentative justices made the decision, or rather a subset of them. Scalia, a New Yorker who went to Harvard Law School, criticized the fact that all the members of the current court went to Harvard or Yale law schools and that four of them are from New York, while none is an evangelical or any kind of Protestant at all. The irony of Scalia, an opponent of affirmative action, presenting himself as an advocate for diversity on the Supreme Court is, well, noteworthy.

Chief Justice John Roberts’s dissent was more to the point. Roberts has a legitimate legacy as an advocate of judicial restraint. Logically, then, Roberts was in a position to criticize Kennedy’s opinion for judicial activism -- which it unquestionably is.

Among lawyers, the Lochner case stands for unbridled activism and the imposition of an ideology not found in the Constitution. Analytically, Roberts is right that Friday’s decision reflects changing beliefs about what counts as liberty and equality. Where he is wrong is in thinking that the public will generally reverse itself on the topic of gay rights. When it comes to equality and liberty, the modern trend is to extend rights, not contract them. Roberts’s dissent is truly unfortunate, therefore, for his legacy: It reflects a commitment to judicial restraint, but in the long run it will be seen as having weighed in on the wrong side of history.

Justice Clarence Thomas dissented separately to say that there’s no such thing as substantive liberty in the due process clause, and if there were, it wouldn’t include gay marriage.

That left it to Justice Samuel Alito to try to defend the traditional definition of marriage -- and to defend its defenders. The decision, he claimed, “will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy.” Here’s hoping he’s wrong about that. The truth is that religious liberty remains a central American value. The gay-marriage decision shouldn’t touch that First Amendment tradition, either legally or symbolically. The case is a victory for liberty and equality -- and that’s the sort of orthodoxy everyone should be able to embrace.

(Bloomberg)

The gifted... From A5 food, board and lodging and even a stipend covered by the scholarship so long as they maintain specific averages in both their academic subjects and in their respective art fields.

According to Penano-Ho, she always encourages the gifted children she works with to come back and give back to their country in the manner they are most capable of giving.

••• Indeed it is easy to overlook the giving-back part

when one is in the field of arts and in the company of accomplished, internationally acclaimed masters. It is easy to just focus on one’s own advancement and the numerous opportunities— fame and money included—that abound.

All these are good, and gifted, hardworking children deserve all the success they can get.

Then again, as the saying goes—from whom much is given, much is also expected.

“What is learning, if not

applied? What is learning, if not transformative?” she asked.

••• At the other end of the spectrum is the government, society and even family units that sometimes fail to see “the gift.”

Lack of support may translate to loss of creative potential and enthusiasm for educational success.

And because some gifted children display behavior that is different from most others, it is easy to dismiss them as being weird, or

odd. In fact, some gifted kids can be bullied for not being able to conform to the majority.

Families who are too preoccupied with other things—earning a living, for instance—may not be able to see their kids’ giftedness, or dismiss them because of other pressing things.

Government, for its part, may not show enough recognition for those who have the potential of doing this country proud. What happened to Wesley So, who now plays for the United

By Noah Feldman

Eventually, legal equality for gay people will seem just as automatic and natural as legal equality for blacks.

There... From A5 place. What exactly is taken away from everyone else when transgenders and other sexual minorities demand humane or equal treatment?

I read some shoutouts from people who used the incident to generalize, pointing out that many transgenders have been taking way too much liberty parading in plazas or acting indecently in public.

I will admit that I have also been in situations where I was critical of the behaviors of one or two transgenders inside a church. But here’s the catch – I don’t think rudeness, crudeness, insensitivity, etc, are traits that are specific to transgenders. It’s not fair to generalize and judge all transgenders because of the actions of some, just as it is unfair to generalize that all heterosexual men are drunks or chauvinists just because we know some who are. Stereotyping is wrong and dangerous.

Then there were those who insisted that the issue was not discrimination, but security for everyone else - that the club was just protecting everyone. It’s as if transgenders have been known to start trouble anywhere. And the assertion is exactly the reasoning behind prejudice directed at blacks, or hispanics, or even Filipinos in certain places abroad. It’s like saying certain people are associated with troublesome behavior, just because of the color of their skin or their sexual identity.

Why should we care? Simple. Because if we don’t care, the bigots and prejudiced people in this world will continue to think it is okay to treat other people with contempt just because they are different. They will not stop at transgenders.

Valkyrie was wrong to practice discrimination and we should condemn the people behind the bar for doing so.

States, is an example.

These are sad stories that must be the exception, not the rule.

Gifted children have their entire lives ahead of them, with a little advantage over others. That they optimize this advantage to make themselves reach their full potential, through hard work and self-mastery, to the point of being able to give back and inspire others to be their best -- this is the goal of gifted education.

S U N D AY : J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 5

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NEWS editorial@thestandard.com.ph

NBI TAPPED FOR PROBE OF BAKERS AND MILLERS

By Othel V. Campos

AGAINST PROSTITUTION. An awareness and education campaign aimed at combatting online child prostitution has just been launched at the Quezon Heritage House in Quezon City complete with a read-along session staged byGabriela women’s party and Akap Bata. An illustrated children’s book, May Mumu Sa Loob Ng Computer (There’s A Ghost In The Computer), tackles the danger of online child prostitution. The groups also feature the Mumu Mascot, a character based on the book which portrays the “mumu” that lurks online. MANNY PALMERO

TAX RELIEF SOUGHT IN CALAMITY AREAS

By Maricel V. Cruz

AN ADMINISTRATION lawmaker has sought to grant additional tax relief to victims of calamities in the form of real property tax moratorium in the affected areas for two fiscal years from the date of declaration of a state of calamity by the proper local sanggunian.

In filing House Bill 5827, Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap said his proposal aims to ease the sufferings of the victims of calamities by granting them a reasonable relief from their tax liabilities on their real properties affected by the calamity within a specified period of time to accelerate their pace of economic recovery.

Under current tax laws, Yap explained that relief for losses as a result of calamities is granted only to individuals or corporations engaged in trade or business or prac-

tice of profession.

“Losses of property used in trade or business, resulting from fires, storms or other casualties, that are actually sustained during the taxable year and not compensated for by insurance or other forms of indemnity can be claimed as deductions for income tax purposes. The amount of the deductible casualty loss is limited to the difference between the value of the property immediately preceding the casualty and its value thereafter,” Yap, chair

of the House committee on reforestation, said.

Yap said while the government depends upon taxation to serve the people for whose benefit taxes are collected, it must also be sensitive to the needs of victims of natural calamities and assist in the alleviation of their serious economic dislocations.

HB 5827, or the proposed “Calamity Tax Relief Act of 2015,” acknowledges the State policy to assist taxpayers in areas affected by natural calamities, through tax relief, to reasonably recover from the financial burden caused upon them by such natural disasters.

In such cases of severe suffering of the people, there is a need to balance the government’s primordial need for funds and the people’s right to life, liberty and property according to the measure.

Likewise, the bill provides it

shall also be the State policy to provide tax exemption to donations and assistance given to victims of calamities in order to encourage donors and for the maximum utilization of the donations extended.

The bill, now pending at the House Committee on Ways and Means, defines calamity as a state of extreme distress or misfortune, produced by some adverse circumstance or event cause by natural forces such as, but not limited to, typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or similar natural disasters.

The measure provides that a declaration of a state of calamity by the proper local sanggunian shall make effective certain tax reliefs. One of these is that the real property tax in the affected area shall not be assessed and collected for two fiscal years, starting from the date of declaration of a state of calamity.

THE Trade Department has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation for a probe of alleged profiteering by certain bakers and flour millers and turned over pertinent documents to the NBI’s anti-graft division in a meeting Friday.

Trade undersecretary for consumer protection Victorio Dimagiba said the department has also recommended an investigation on the alleged collusion between the flour milling and bread industries.

“Part of the process is for the investigating agency to summon or issue subpoena to the flour millers and bakers to require them to submit documents related to the case. In every investigation, it is standard protocol to get both sides of the story to be able to arrive at accurate conclusions on the case,” he said.

The Department turned over documents that include correspondences between the Trade Departrment, local flour millers and bakers; import documents of flour millers from the Bureau of Customs; and price computations by the Department based on the submissions from the flour millers and bakers.

“Since we have observed the declining trend in world market price of wheat in 2011, we have continuously clamored before the flour milling and bread industries to review their prices and adjust accordingly. However, none of them really heeded to our call. As such, we decided to take this alternative course of action to ensure that prices of goods particularly flour and bread are sold at reasonable prices,” said Dimagiba.

DTI wrote three separate letters to 10 local flour millers asking these companies lower their prices, and to 12 bakers to submit documents showing their flour procurement costs, but only a handful replied to their letter, each stating their respective reasons for failing to respond to the call to lower the cost of products.

SOLON PUSHES BIKE LANES A PARTY-LIST lawmaker has filed a measure establishing bicycle lanes in all primary and secondary roads in the country.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said his proposed “Bicycle Lane Act of 2015” under House Bill 5810 will ensure the safety of those who are using bicycle as mode of transportation.

Pagdilao said the urgency of establishing a viable measure for road safety will also protect the bicycle-using labor force from injuries and deaths since “they have been rarely given attention primarily because the victims belongs to a marginal-

ized sector that has limited clout to influence government actions.”

Citing the 2013 National Labor Force Survey, Pagdilao said 87 percent or 37.917 million Filipinos choose bicycle as the primary mode of transportation.

“Many of these Filipinos are construction workers, messengers and other low income earners who pedal to work everyday not necessarily to promote a healthy environment but merely to cut the cost of their transportation expenses,” said Pagdilao, vice chair of House committee on public order and safety.

Pagdilao said the number of bicyclists involved in road accidents is already alarming with 6,496 or 37 percent of the 17,557 killed in road accidents in 2011 all over the country.

“In Metro Manila, 7,464 families of disabled cyclists were plunged deeper into poverty because their breadwinners have been maimed and are no longer capable to work,” Pagdilao said.

Under the measure, Local Bikeways Office (LBO) shall be created under the direct administration and supervision of the Local Government Units (LGUs).

Maricel V. Cruz

AGAINST TORTURE. Commission on Human Rights Chairman Jose Luis ‘Chito’ Gascon joins

members of the United Against Torture Coalition in a parade dubbed as BRAT: Basta! Run Against Torture IX from the CHR grounds to Commonwealth Avenue and QC Memorial Circle. EY ACASIO

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SUNDAY: JUNE 28, 2015

editorial@the standard.com.ph

FARMERS PRESS RAPS VS AFP

By Ferdie Domingo

PALAYAN CITY— Some 200 farmers from five barangays in this city and neighboring Cabanatuan are not about to wish outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. a warm send-off as he retires from the military service next month.

The farmers want Catapang’s retirement benefits withheld pending the resolution of a class suit filed against him and two other military officers for allegedly grabbing portions of their farmlands two years ago.

Catapang, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 11, has been making farewell calls to troops this week.He said he just wants to have some rest after his 38-year military career.

Fourteen of the protesting farmers are the petitioners in a civil case for forcible entry against Catapang and Lieutenant Colonels Benito Doniego Jr. and Alfredo Patarata.

A petition for review of the case has been filed by them before the Court of Appeals.

At the time the suit was filed, Catapang - of Philippine Military Academy class 1981 - was a major general of the Philippine Army and commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division stationed at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation here.

The 14 are Julius Bautista, Carmelita Manayan, Rufino Flores, GarvacioAregando and ArsenioLaranangof Barangay Caballero; Florentina Juan, BienvenidoBaldemor, ElizaldeEstigoy, Julio Diaz and Wenceslao Bautista, all of Barangay Ganaderia; Carmelita Valmote of Barangay Caimito, Jose Ginnodela Merced of Barangay Manacnac, all of this city; DalisayGadian of Barangay Bangad and Gideon Acosta of Barangay KapitanPepe, both of Cabanatuan City.

They faced the media on Thursday night to press for justice in connection with the case.

The petitioners are tilling a 200-hectare farmland in Caballero and Ganaderia for at least 10 years, with other farmers claiming a longerperiod.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) described the farmlands, a titled property owned by the city government, as a “patrimonial property” or a registered property in the name of the Republic.

Laranang, a retired sergeant, said he has been tilling his threehectare land since 1984 when he was still a private first class. He took the place of original petitioner Florentina Juan who was already deceased.

STREET PARADE in Tacloban City marks the week-long fiesta celebrations that will culminate on June 30. WILMARK AMAZONA (Story on A2).

TRIPS OFFICIAL, NOT EARLY CAMPAIGNING—MMDA CHIEF

By Joel E. Zurbano METRO Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino dismissed accusations from his detractors that he has started campaigning for his potential senatorial bid in 2016 and used public funds during his provincial visits.

The accusation came on the heels of opposition lawmakers’ call to Cabinet officials seeking elective posts next year to follow the lead of Vice President Jejomar Binay and resign from their posts.

Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza said members of the Cabinet should resign “out of delicadeza” instead of having their work take a backseat to their efforts to

further their political ambitions.

Atienza said Tolentino should vacate his post because he has been going around the country instead of trying to solve traffic problem in the metropolis.

But Tolentino denied the charges “No government funds involved. It was personal (trip) and when you say going around, it means you are campaigning,” said Tolentino in a morning TV show.

In his social media account, Tolentino himself posted photos of his numerous speaking engagements and other activities outside Metro Manila since March this year.

On March 30, Tolentino posted a photo showing him with

movie actress Jennylyn Mercado attending a Kalinga Dance event in Rizal, Kalinga.

Last April 11, the MMDA chief posted a picture with a caption “Speaking before thousands of motorcycle riders in Tagaytay City at the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines Convention.

You must respect your fellow riders, respect the law. Always reach out the hand of solidarity and friendship. Help them in times of need and distress.

Magmalasakit sa kapwa. Good evening Philippines!”

April 12 post showed Tolentino as a guest speaker in Cagayan State University in Gonzaga, Cagayan while the April 13 post

showed him in Lipa City Hall in Batangas.

Tolentino also attended a festive event in Cauayan City in Isabela in his April 15 photo while in his April 19 and April 21 (posts), he was a guest speaker in Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Cebu City, respectively.

He also posted “Buntis Congress in Legazpi City” on April 23 and the “Numancia, Aklan Agro Trade Fair” on April 29.

On May 6, Tolentino posted he was a guest speaker at Dinaklisan Festival in Currimao, Ilocos Norte where he met Mayor Gladys Go Cue while in his May 14 post, he was seen walking with the people of Capalonga in Camarines Norte.

TWO SAMAR JAIL ESCAPEES CAPTURED

By Marvin T. Modelo

SECOND PHASE COMPLETED. In celebration of the 65th

year of the erection of the parish on June 30, 2015, the Wong Chu King Foundation has completed the refurbishing of the pews of Sta. Rosa de Lima in addition to the renovation of its dilapidated roofing and ceiling as requested by Rev. Fr. Fredel Agatep thru the permission of Archbishop Sergio L. Utleg, D.D.

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar - Two of the three inmates who bolted the Samar Provincial Jail on Monday, June 22, were captured by members of Samar PNP last Friday, June 26, at a checkpoint purposely set up to corner the fugitives.

Samar PNP Provincial Director Sr.Supt. Elmer Pelubillo identified the recaptured inmates as Erwin Cabrillas and Ronnie Gonzaga while still at large is Rely Cabugoy.

Gonzaga and Cabugoy both face murder charges while Cabrillas is charged with robbery in band.

Pelubillo said that immediately after the discovery of the escape of the three inmates, they had set up

a manhunt operation. Early evening of Friday a tipster informed him that the two escapees were riding in a motorcycle towards the direction of Calbayog City so they hastily set up a checkpoint to intercept the fugitives.

Upon seeing the checkpoint, the two tried to runaway resulting in a brief chase but eventually cornered by the policemen. Pelubillo said.

Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan ordered an investigation of the incident as it was reported that only one of the four jail guards onduty was present when the three inmates escaped using an improvised ladder.

The three are known members of a private armed groups allegedly financed by a powerful politician in Samar.

SUNDAY: JUNE 28, 2015

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

BUSINESS

B1

COMPANY BIG ENOUGH TO EMPLOY A WHOLE CITY

A COMPANY has become so big in the Philippines that its employees can fill a whole town or even a city, thanks to the rise of business process outsourcing as a potent economic sector.

Teleperformance, a French company dubbed as the world’s largest call center operator, puts more than 42,000 Filipinos on a regular payroll--a workforce even bigger than the 33,000 population of Palayan City in Nueva Ecija.

“We have over 42,000 employees. We are No. 2, I believe, in terms of overall employee count in the Philippines. We are still the largest BPO company in the world,” Teleperformance Philippines managing director Travis Coates says during the inauguration of the company’s 16th site in the country at SM Aura Office Tower in Taguig City.

Teleperformance is the second largest private sector employer in the Philippines, next only to Convergys Philippines Services Corp., which has around 60,000 employees.

Teleperformance doubled in size last year, when it took over Aegis USA’s outsourcing operations in the Philippines, the United States and Costa Rica from Essar Global Fund’s AGC Holdings.

From only 100 employees when it started its operations in 1996 in Taguig, then a quiet town, Teleperformance grew to become one of the largest job generators in the Philippines. It recently opened a new facility at SM Aura Office Tower in Fort Bonifacio, which emerges as the prime commercial business district in Metro Manila.

Coates says Teleperformance is back in Taguig to tap the talents in the area. “It has been growing significantly. It is home to a number of multinational companies that we can draw talent from. It is homecoming for us. We think it is really a good move for us,” he says.

The new facility, occupying six floors of SM Aura Office Tower, will employ 2,000, bringing Teleperformance’s work force in the Philippines to more than 42,000. Among those who witnessed the official launching of the facility are Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano, Contact Center Association of the Philippines executive director Joselito Uligan, Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines president Jose Mari Mercado and SM Supermalls assistant vice president for BPO Sam Calvo.

Teleperformance SM Aura covers more than 10,000 square meters of office space. It has a gym, clinic, gaming room, sleeping quarters, pantry, park/garden and individual lockers for employees.

Coates believes that new jobs are the biggest contribution of Teleperformance to the economy, along with “the opportunity to give Filipino workers the ability to bring home compensation and wage that allows them to be successful with their families.”

New employees at Teleperformance earn at least P20,000 a month, including salary, allowances and bonuses.

Coates says the salary range varies, depending on the client. “Obviously, we have a healthy base compensation, a number of different allowances CONTINUED ON B3

Teleperformance Philippines recently inaugurated its 16th facility in the Philippines at SM Aura Office Tower. Shown are (from left) Teleperformance Philippines senior vice president for human capital resource management Jeffrey Johnson, managing director Travis Coates and regional communications and marketing director Marilyn Ventenilla.

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SUNDAY: JUNE 28, 2015

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

HOW ZEST-O BECAME A GLOBAL BRAND

Zest-O Corp. founder Alfredo Yao was awarded the Grand MVP Bossing in 2013. Photo courtesy of PLDT SME Nation, which conducts the annual nationwide search for top Filipino entrepreneurs.

ONE product, one plant, one truck, and a multitude of love, care and motivation can build a globally renowned brand. Engaging himself in the Philippine workforce at the age of 17, businessman Alfredo Yao has proven that his formula to success is verifiable with the experiences of his own corporation, Zest-O. Celebrating 35 years of touching lives this year, Yao mustered time to dive down memory lane – immersing himself into both the struggles and the pay-offs that compose a good fraction of his life.

First venture Catapulting himself to the business industry, Yao built a printing press service directed to various forms of product packaging. This business venture, which he called Solemar, was named after his mother, Soledad.

Yao was able to move the company forward, extending services to local candy and biscuit companies.

Later on, he successfully came to ties with multi-national brands such as Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive, Procter and Gamble and some pharmaceutical companies to name a few.

Turning point The year 1979 marked a revolutionary business venture for Yao. Attending a trade exhibit in France, he saw an opportunity no one in the country had foreseen. He was introduced to the doy pack technology, which became the mechanism and the heart of his success.

He purchased the machinery and was convinced that the technology would be fitting for the Filipino consumer. Although at that time, juice corporations showed low interest for his new packaging service, which prompted the turning point of his career.

The consequence of this fortunate mishap produced what millions of people enjoy today – Zest-O juice drink. With the blows and the no’s Yao received for his technological investment, he was directed to journey to the business of juice drinks.

Mon Deliosa, a UST Fine Arts Professor, assisted in branding the promising product of Yao. He presented the product design and gave an excellent, timeless brand name. Zest means lively in English and citrus peel in French, while the letter “O” was added to create a more roundsounding brand name.

Building blocks Yao and his team cannot say that introducing Zest-O in the market did not have its own set of challenges. Having one product to sell was a

trying factor in penetrating supermarkets.

The company was unknown at that time, which even added to the snobbishness of retailers. But with the leadership and philosophies of Yao, Zest-O eventually stormed the shelves of major supermarkets and sari-sari stores – making them the number 1 juice drink in the country.

His unparalleled skill to push his people to work resulted in company’s growth and more importantly, strong work relationships within their office.

His business work ethic earned him recognition in the business community, including the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur in 2005. Zest-O also earned the first and remains to be the only Filipino corporation that received the Most Admired Asean Enterprise award for innovation in the Asean Business Awards in Singapore.

With Yao’s never fading determination to bring Zest-O to its well-deserved recognition, he was able to multiply his product line

from the Zest-O brand to forty other highly competitive brands.

These include Zest-O Ready-toDrink Juices, Choc-O Chocolate Milk Drink, Zest-O Carbonated Soft Drinks, Quick Chow Noodles, Sunglo, Big 250, Plus Juice Drink, Zest-O Iced Tea, OK, Jr, One Tea Bottled Tea Drink, Slice Bottled Juice Drink and Tita Frita.

Aside from the increase in number of products, Zest-O Corp. also expanded its number of their plants, and trucks for product circulation.

Currently, the company has five plants and 13 branches nationwide to ensure that their products are widely available and ready to consume by Filipinos. On top of that, Zest-O products are exported to 44 countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Singapore. The expanded reach of the corporation even brought more fortune – acquiring plants in the United States. Yao hopes that his products will soon be produced in the US to capture an even bigger market.

Alfredo M. Yao Foundation Jumping into business after his high school education, Yao never had the chance to experience university life as a whole. He spent two years at Mapua Institute of Technology but was unable to finish his degree due to financial challenges.

On his 60th birthday, he decided to build the Alfredo M. Yao Foundation (AMY Foundation) to financially help underprivileged kids finish their schooling. He says that it is his way of paying back to society.

For years, Zest-O Corp. has implemented outreach programs and granted hundreds of scholarships to students to secure their future.

Wisdom of Alfredo Yao “I still dream of seeing Zest-O become an international brand like Coke or a Pepsi. I don’t stop dreaming,” he says.

Yao confidently says that he and the rest of Zest-O Corp. will continue to improve their products, build better facilities, and update their technology in order to better serve the Filipino people.

SUNDAY: JUNE 28, 2015

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

COMPANY BIG ENOUGH TO EMPLOY...

FROM B1

that are available and bonus opportunities for performance typical to what you would see in the market. Starting salary is P14,000 in the industry. We are at P15,000 today. Total compensation is about P20,000, including allowance and variable bonuses,” he says.

Coates says Teleperformance thrives in the Philippines, given the country’s “very highly educated, very service-oriented people.”

“We have found over the last 19 years an excellent work force for us to be successful with clients. Overall, we have seen the quality of English language skills improve over the last 19 years as we have grown in the market,” he says.

Reaching a scale of immense importance on the local economy, BPO companies employ more than a million young Filipinos as call center representatives, technical support or help desk specialists, collections agents, sales executives, technical solutions associates, directory assistants, computer programmers, medical transcriptionists, encoders, healthcare specialists, graphics artists, Website designers, game designers, animators, bookkeepers, accountants, writers, architects, consultants and others.

Information Business Processing Association of the Philippines president Jose Mari Mercado says employment in the sector is expected to reach 1.2 million by the end of 2015. He says the sector has been growing at 12 percent to 15 percent annually.

Rep. Roman Romulo of Pasig City says BPO companies have become the leading job genera-

Teleperformance Philippines’ 16th facility at SM Aura Office Tower has a gaming room for relaxation. tors in the country. He says the 45 largest BPO companies will likely absorb around 250,000 new employees over the next two years.

Aside from Teleperformance (Telephilippines Inc.) and Convergys, other large BPO companies are Accenture Inc., 24/7 Customer Philippines Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.-Philippine Global Service Center, Sutherland Global Services Philippines Inc., Hewlett-Packard AP (Hong Kong) Ltd., Stream International Global Services Philippines Inc.,

SM Aura Office Tower has become a famous landmark in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Teleperformance Philippines recently opened a site at SM Aura.

Teletech Offshore Investments B.V., IBM Daksh Business Process Services Philippines Inc. (P6.307 billion); Sitel Philippines Corp. and TeleTech Customer Care Management Philippines Inc. ITBAP expects the whole industry to generate $27 billion in annual revenues and employ over 1.3 million Filipinos by 2016. A new 2020 roadmap is being drafted to guide the industry over the next five years.

Coates says Teleperformance for one remains on an expansion

mode.

“We continue to invest millions of dollars in annualized basis. The Philippine market in general is something that we are still heavily investing in and growing in. It is probably one of the largest Teleperformance geographies overall in terms of employee count and importance to Teleperformance, overall,” he says.

“I think we have been growing in line with [industry growth of] 9 percent to 12 percent, depending on the conditions per client,” says Coates.

He says the company will sustain its expansion, and is in fact looking for its 17th site. “We are heavily invested in looking across Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. We continue to look outside Metro Manila for opportunities to leverage talent. We expand across the entire regions,” he says.

Teleperformance is among the first BPO companies to build call centers outside Metro Manila, including Antipolo, Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu and Davao. Its largest facility is located in Cebu while its center in Davao has 2,600 employees.

“If you add up all the provincial sites, it is probably close to half of Metro Manila,” he says.

Mindanao is an area that Teleperformance considers for expansion, Coates says. “We have been very successful in Davao. Our site there, which we launched a year and a half ago, has been very successful. We continue to grow that site. Potential expansion is both beyond Davao and elsewhere in Mindanao. We expect to do that within the next 12 to 24 months,” he says.

“We have got 2,600 people in Davao today. We are very interested in growing that market.

We will definitely grow in Mindanao. We continue to consider Mindanao [for next site], because

we have been successful there,” he says.

“Wherever we could find the talent base, the education, the profile requirements to meet our clients’ needs, we are constantly looking for opportunities to leverage that,” says Coates.

He says with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic integration in 2016, “we continue to look at opportunities for our multinational companies that operate within the Asian region to relocate in the Philippines.”

“We also operate a number of call centers throughout the Asian region. If we have the opportunity to leverage the Filipino talents to serve the needs of Asian clients, we will do that,” he says.

Coates says the French company has a solid financial performance that will sustain the employment of thousands of Filipinos. “We are a very healthy company,” he says.

Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of $3.7 billion in 2014. Globally, Teleperformance operates 135,000 computerized workstations, with close to 182,000 employees across 274 contact centers in 62 countries and serving more than 160 markets.

It manages programs in 75 languages and dialects on behalf of major international companies operating in a wide variety of industries.

He says the company expects to continue to grow with the Philippine economy and its people. “We are constantly looking for opportunities to improve our recruiting and our efforts to recruit. The Philippines graduates tons and tons of people every single year who are looking for excellent jobs and we are here to provide those for them,” says Coates.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

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world

Belgium tourists leave Tunisia at the Enfidha International airport on June 27, 2015, in the aftermath of a shooting attack on the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse south of the capital Tunis. Thousands of scared foreign holidaymakers were being flown from Tunisia after an Islamist gunman killed at least 38 people, most of them British tourists, at the beach resort. AFP

TOURISTS SCRAMBLE TO LEAVE TUNISIA after i.s. gunmen attack that killed 38 people Thousands of scared foreign holidaymakers were being flown from Tunisia on Saturday after an Islamist gunman killed 38 people, most of them British tourists, at a beach resort.

The Islamic State jihadist group, which controls swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest in Tunisia’s recent history.

Dozens more people were wounded when the assailant pulled a gun from inside a beach umbrella and opened fire on

crowds of tourists on the beach and by a hotel pool in the popular Mediterranean resort of Port el Kantaoui.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid announced that from next month armed tourist security officers would be deployed all along the coast and inside hotels.

But a heavy blow had already been delivered to the key tourism industry with British tour operator Thomas Cook announcing it would offer all customers the possibility to change bookings to Tunisia up to and including July 24.

The Association of British Travel Agents said it was consulting with the Foreign office about the longer term.

The Tunisian prime minister said that most of the dead were British but that they also included Germans, Belgians and French.

The attack, the second against

tourists in Tunisia this year, came on the same day that 26 people were killed at a Shiite mosque in Kuwait and a suspected Islamist attacked a factory in France.

IS claimed both the Kuwait bombing and the Tunisia attack, which came just days before the first anniversary of the group declaring its territory in Iraq and Syria a “caliphate”.

IS said the gunman was a «soldier of the caliphate» who had targeted enemies of the jihadist group and «dens (of...) fornication, vice and apostasy». AFP

KURDS DRIVE BACK JIHADISTS FROM KOBANE TOWN KurDISH fighters ousted the Islamic State group from the Syrian border town of Kobane on Saturday, two days after the jihadists had seized several neighbourhoods, a monitor and activists said.

IS’s bloody attack on the town had left at least 174 civilians dead as well as 70 combatants, the Syrian observatory for Human rights said.

“The Kurdish People’s Protection units (YPG) took back control of IS positions in Kobane,” the Britain-based group said.

“The YPG were able to take back the town’s boys’ high school, where the last of the IS fighters were holed up, after setA picture taken from the Turkish side of the border in Suruc, Sanliurfa province, shows Syrian ting off explosions.”

Kurds waiting behind barbed wire on the Syrian border after they fled Kobane, also known as The jihadist group entered Kobane at dawn on Thursday, Ain al-Arab, on June 27, 2015, a day after a deadly suicide bombing occurred. AFP

seizing several buildings in the town’s south and southwest.

Hours later, YPG reinforcements encircled the IS positions— where the jihadists were holding civilians—and slowly began retaking control of the buildings.

Local journalist rudi Mohammad Amin told AFP that “all of Kobane is again under the control of the YPG.” “The YPG detonated explosives outside of the school, then stormed it,” Amin said, speaking via the Internet from a position near Kobane.

“This military operation was carried out after ensuring that there were no civilians left in the school,” he added.

Amin said he believed all the IS fighters in the school were killed. AFP

14 THAI STUDENTS HELD, FACE JAIL TERM FourTEEn Thai students were taken into custody early Saturday after staging an anti-coup rally on charges that could see them jailed for seven years, police said, as the ruling junta escalates its chokehold on dissent.

The pro-democracy campaigners are among the few activists that have dared to publicly challenge Thailand’s military rulers, who imposed severe curbs on civil liberties after seizing power from an elected government last year.

Their arrests Friday followed a peaceful protest calling for an end to junta rule at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument a day earlier, where spirited speeches and songs were met with claps and cheers from dozens of supporters.

Thailand’s generals have banned all political gatherings and criticism of the junta, frequently arresting critics and censoring the media.

Colonel Chumphol Chanchanayothin, superintendent of a police station in the capital’s historic area, said the students were taken to a remand prison in northern Bangkok in the early hours of Saturday.

They have each been charged with “violating national security”, he told AFP, an offence under section 116 of Thailand’s criminal code that carries up to seven years in jail.

A lawyer for some of the activists and rights groups have described the charge as “sedition”. AFP

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B5

WORLD editorial@thestandard.com.ph

KERRY SEEKS TO SEAL IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL US Secretary of State John Kerry was set Saturday to try and seal a historic deal with Iran that would curb its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from painful sanctions.

But just days ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for Iran and six major powers to nail down the accord they hope will end a 13-year standoff, diplomats on both sides said Friday that major differences remain.

As a result, the June 30 target date may slip—if only for a few days—setting the stage after almost two years of hard bargaining for yet another bruising and lengthy round of talks.

“Some major problems exist which are still blocking the work... but in other areas we have made good progress,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

told state television Friday from Vienna, where the talks will be held. “overall, the work is moving ahead slowly and with difficulty,” he added.

This was echoed by a Western diplomat, who said that several key issues including a stalled UN probe into Iran’s past activities and the timing of sanctions relief remain “extremely problematic”.

“The most difficult issues need to be resolved in the coming days: transparency, inspections, PMD (possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme), sanctions... on the major issues there is major disagree-

ment,” the diplomat said.

A senior State Department official said Kerry would meet Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday morning “to discuss the ongoing P5+1 nuclear negotiations”.

A deal, it is hoped, would put an end to a crisis dating back to 2002 that has threatened to escalate into war and has poisoned the Islamic republic’s relations with the outside world.

Even if negotiators manage a deal, it will be closely scrutinised by hardliners both in Iran and the United States, as well as Iran’s regional rivals Israel, widely assumed to have nuclear weapons itself, and Saudi Arabia.

In return for downsizing its activities and allowing closer UN inspections, Iran, which denies wanting nuclear

weapons, would see the progressive lifting of UN and Western sanctions that have choked its economy.

In what was hailed as a massive breakthrough, the P5+1 and Iran in April reached an accord in Lausanne, Switzerland, on the main outlines of a deal, aiming to finalise it by the end of this month.

These include Iran slashing by more than two-thirds the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges, which can make fuel for nuclear power or the core of a nuclear bomb, and shrinking its uranium stockpile by 98 percent.

Iran also agreed to change the design of a planned reactor at Arak so that it cannot produce weaponsgrade plutonium and to no longer use its Fordo facility—built into a mountain to protect it from attack —for uranium enrichment. AFP

us secretary of state John Kerry talks to reporters before leaving for Vienna, austria, at andrews air Force base in maryland on June 26, 2015. Kerry flies to Vienna on Friday to join negotiators from six powers and Iran seeking an agreement under which Tehran would curb its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions that have crippled its economy. AFP

burunDi goVt says poll Will pusH tHru BURUNDI’S ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council on Friday that elections will go ahead as planned on Monday despite a call from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a postponement.

“The government simply cannot accept to tumble head-first into an institutional vacuum, into a chasm,” Ambassador Albert Shingiro told the 15-member council.

“That is why we’re going to move forward to elections on Monday.”

Parliamentary elections are set to be held on Monday and a presidential vote follows on July 15 despite months of turmoil over the president’s bid for a third term in office.

Earlier Friday, Ban Ki-moon called for a postponement after the opposition announced a boycott, saying in a statement that the delay was needed to create “a conducive environment for inclusive, peaceful and transparent elections.”

Speaking to an emergency session of the council, the ambassador defended the move to hold elections and accused the opposition of acting {like spoiled brats” who are never satisfied.

Shingiro argued that {95 percent of the population wants to move forward to the election and not remain hostage to this radical minority, which does not want to see elections, which wishes to see a government of transition to ensure that they can occupy posts without having to respect the results of the vote.”

Burundi has been plunged into violent turmoil since April when the president launched a drive to serve a third consecutive five-year term. opponents say President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for another term is unconstitutional and violates a peace accord that ended 13 years of civil war in 2006.

At least 70 people have been killed and tens of thousands have fled Burundi seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

In a statement adopted after days of negotiations, the 15-member council called for dialogue but shied away from proposing a delay after Russia raised objections, diplomats said. AFP

us celebrities praise sc ruling on gay marriage PoP stars, Hollywood celebrities and even a few sporting figures were quick to join the chorus of praise Friday after the US Supreme Court legalized gay marriage across the country.

“Really encouraged to be an American today,” singer Katy Perry wrote on Twitter, where she has the mostfollowed account.

“Love should live beyond labels & intolerance! #LoveWins #EqualityForAll,” she added, using popular hashtags that were trending on Twitter.

Many high-profile entertainment industry figures have long been outspoken advocates of progressive causes, and gay marriage was no exception.

“Big moment for our country. Thank you, #SCo-

TUS,” actor-director Ben Affleck wrote on Twitter, using the acronym for the Supreme Court of the United States. openly gay stars weighed in on the historic day. Ellen DeGeneres, who hosts a popular television talk show, tweeted: “Love won. #MarriageEquality.”

British actor Ian McKellen, who came out publicly in the 1980s and is known for starring roles in “Lord of the Rings” and “X-Men,” tweeted: “Congratulations, particularly to those who made the case for equality.”

Latin sex-symbol/pop singer Ricky Martin, who came out as gay in 2010, wrote that the Supreme Court “just announced that love is equal across the nation!!! #Marria-

geEquality #LoveAlwaysWins #Loveislove.”

In sports, an often macho realm where gay players have traditionally been reluctant to come out, a few big names chimed in with their support for gay marriage.

Former US soccer captain Landon Donovan wrote: “What an amazing day for our country.

So happy for all the people who can now live their lives the way they want to. #proud.” openly gay tennis legend Martina Navratilova wrote: “Last year on June 26th, my wife Julia’s birthday, DoMA (the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between a man and a woman) was overturned. This year Same Sex Marriage is a right for all of us - yeah!!!!” AFP

people take photos of the White House lightened in the rainbow colors in Washington on June 26. 2015. The US Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay marriage is a nationwide right, a landmark decision in one of the most keenly awaited announcements in decades and sparking scenes of jubilation. AFP

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SPORTS

REUEL VIDAL EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers head coach Vergel Meneses (second from left) leads the team in celebration after winning the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup. Their souped up bench led by veteran players make the Bombers a credible threat to defending champion San Beda Red Lions who are trying to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association record six consecutive championships. PETER ATENCIO

BOMBERS

SEEN AS TITLE THREATS IN NCAA

By Peter Atencio

THINGS are looking up for the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers after they claimed the men’s division crown of the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament last week.

Veteran players, led by team captain Paolo Pontejos and Dave Sanchez, make the Bombers a credible threat to defending champion San Beda Red Lions who are trying to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association record six consecutive championships.

In the title clinching game Pontejos and Sanchez had 13 points each for the Heavy Bombers, who emerged unbeaten after finishing their pre-season campaign with

nine straight wins when action ended at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

This is supposed to be final year of Pontejos with the Heavy Bombers. But new developments in the league have made him reconsider an earlier decision to turn pro this year after the NCAA basketball season.

When he turns 25 next season, Pontejos will have a chance to do great things for the Heavy Bombers.

By 2016, student-athletes can still play in varsity competitions until they are 25 years old. This after the NCAA recently changed the age limit of student-athletes from 24 years old to 25 starting next year.

The decision will give more playing years to incoming freshman who will be affected by the K-12 system implemented recently by the Department Education.

This means the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers will be contenders not just in season 91 of the NCAA but also next year. It’s possible that Season 91 will not be his final year with the squad.

The new education system will extend the high school years for students from four to six years.

Because of this, incom-

ing first year athletes will be denied some eligibility years when t h e y start to play in college.

T h i s could a l s o deny college teams some fresh recruits straight from high school hence the need for the league to make changes in its rules.

“Puede pa rin ako sa team next year, kaya pinag-iisipan ko ito,” said Pontejos, whom JRU coach Vergel Meneses considers as one of the vital cogs in the team’s rotation.

The season opened June 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay with Arellano Uni-

versity meeting JRU in the main game at 4 p.m.

JRU, which placed third last season, seeking a return trip to the Final Four.

They have fortified their roster in the pre-season stints.

Pontejos will be reinforced by the addition of inside operator, African Abdel Poutouochi, who will play a supporting role to Rassak Abdul Wahab in the frontcourt.

Meneses said their stint in the Fr. Martin Summer has boosted the outlook of the team.

“At the start, nobody expected us to go this far. Sabi sa kanila, lets go for it,” said Meneses.

The Heavy Bombers are playing this year without Michael Mabulac and sharpshooter Phi lip

Paniamogan, who already played out their eligibility years.

As for Pontejos, he will be there to back up a muchimproved Tey Teodoro.

“Pao’s return gives the team more flexibility because he will be the sparkplug of our second team,” said Meneses.

The 6-10 Poutouochi, who is coming out of residency, is a big factor to JRU’s interior defense.

With 6-8 Abdul Wahab, the two can be a menacing defensive presence underneath.

Last year’s junior MVP Darious Estrella is also around and is expected to make a difference. Meneses sees bigger things to happen for the Heavy Bombers because of this.

“We’re not afraid of our opponents. It’s my team that I’m worried about if they don’t perform well,” said Meneses.

Making up the rest of the JRU squad this season are veterans Marco Balagtas, John Ervin Gorospe, Gio Lasquety, James Astilla and Jordan de la Paz. Rookies Mark Cruz and Kim Aurin will also be there to do their share for the team.

“Our goal is to make the Final Four first and then we can start thinking of the finals,” said Meneses.

Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers team captain Paolo Pontejos is upbeat about leading the Bombers back to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four this year. PETER ATENCIO

OCHOA GRABS SECOND WORLD JIU-JITSU TITLE

By Ray Vidal WHILE many other athletes wait around for government funds to compete internationally, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Meggie Ochoa skirted that handicap by turning to crowd funding.

It is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. The idea is genius and made possible because of the Internet. Anybody who is interested can help fund a worthwhile venture like Ochoa’s trip to the Mundials by giving however little amount that they could spare.

With no government money and little corporate sponsorships, Ochoa turned

to crowd funding through www.makeachampion.com to help pay for expenses to compete in the 2015 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Long Beach, California, USA. She managed to raise over $2,300 for the 2015 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation world championships in Long Beach, California. Ironically, she is actually more motivated to win because of how she obtained the resources which allowed her to compete.

“Kahit mag-isa ka sa mat na lumalaban, alam mo na hindi lang sarili mo ang nakapagdala sa iyo doon.

So bawat panalo hindi para lang sa sarili ko, kungdi para sa lahat ng tao na nagbigay, na tumulong para makaabot ako roon,” said Ochoa.

“Mas motivated ako manalo. Hindi pressure. Mas gusto

ko talaga manalo. Kasi gusto ko gawin para sa lahat.”

It won’t always be like this of course. Ochoa hopes that at some point, the sport and its thousands of participants will eventually get that government recognition and support.

“Para sa akin ang mga wins na ito. Mag push sa akin naman na hindi ako naghihintay sa support kaya ako nag-crowdfunding. Habang wala pa ang structure for government support gusto ko to win titles para maipakita na merong potential ang sport na ito,” said Ochoa.

Ochoa, from Atos JJ Philippines, won the Female Rooster division in the blue belt in the 2015 World Jiu Jitsu Championship of the International Brazilian JiuJitsu Federation.

She won last year, but in the white belt. Her goal is to win five world titles at five belt levels. With world titles now in two levels, she believes she can help the sport grow in the Philippines and make a big enough of an impact to gain government recognition.

Weeks off her win at the Mundials Ochoa is already preparing for another major competition in September.

“I’ll be joining the Asian Open this September with the rest of team Atos. Preparations for that will start pretty soon. I have a long way to go. I still have so much to work on with my game, so much to improve on. I’m less than halfway towards the goal of winning the title at every belt level.

Back to the drawing board,” she said.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practioner Meggie Ochoa drapes the Philippine flag around her shoulders after winning her second world title in the sport at the Mundials in Long Beach, California, recently. FROM MEGGIE OCHOA FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

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SPORTS

ARMAN ARMERO EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

B7

ARE THE

TOP THREE NBA PICKS DESTINED FOR GREATNESS?

By Jeric Lopez Photos by AFP

FOR basketball analysts, the recent 2015 National Basketball Association Draft was all about three players.

As expected, Kentucky’s versatile big man Karl-Anthony Towns, Ohio State spitfire D’Angelo Russell and Duke inside operator Jahlil Okafor were selected as the top three players in the draft given collegiate credentials.

In most of the analysis of experts leading up to the draft, these three players with a lot of potential are head and shoulders above the other aspirants.

There was a very interesting debate as to who deserves to be taken at No. 1 by the Minnesota Timberwolves between

D’Angelo Russell, picked second goes to the Los Angeles Lakers.

collegiate elite big men Towns and Okafor.

Just like the predictions of most, the Timberwolves went with the more allaround player in Towns, who can contribute well on both ends of the floor, over Okafor, who is a proven lethal threat down the post but is still not that prolific on the defensive end.

With his size and capabilities on both sides of the game, the 6-foot-11 Towns c ertainly has the chance to be a great player in the NBA given that he will have a golden opportunity in Minnesota, who

Jahlil Okafor, the no. 3 pick went to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Karl-Anthony Towns, the top pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolve.

expects him to be that elite man in the middle that the team needs.

Also, Towns will be mentored by one of the best big men in league history in former Most Valuable Player Kevin Garnett.

The looming team-up of Towns and last year’s Rookie of the Year and top pick Andrew Wiggins will certainly have Timberwolves fans excited for the season ahead.

While many thought that the Los Angeles Lakers will automatically go with Okafor with their No. 2 pick, they made a mild surprise and tapped a dynamic playmaker in Russell instead.

With superstar Kobe

Bryant nearing the end of his storied NBA career, the Lakers are hoping that Russell can be a franchise player in the years ahead given his prolific playmaking skills, incredible passing and offensive capabilities.

Competing in the Western Conference where a team is almost required to have a do-it-all guard to compete given the likes of league MVP Steph Curry, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Russell needs to show that he is worthy of the No. 2 pick as he will his work cut out for him.

But with the tutelage of a 20-year veteran in Bryant, sky is the limit for Russell although he needs to work

on his individual defense first before he can get to where the Lakers want him to get.

“I want him (Bryant) to take me under his wings.

I’m looking forward to learning a lot from him in basketball,’’ said Russell minutes after being selected by the Lakers.

With Okafor still available, the Philadelphia Sixers snatched him at No. 3 despite already having promising big men in Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, both first round selections as well.

It’s hard to pass on a talent like Okafor that’s why the Sixers took him and plan on keeping him.

There’s no doubt that

Okafor can be a go-to guy down the post as he is a polished low block player but if he can also improve his stand on defense, his potential and upside is unlimited and he can very well put Philadelphia over the hump in years to come.

With all the talent surrounding those top three picks, it’ll be very interesting to see how they transition into the NBA and how they will fit in their respective teams and situations.

Based on talent and potential, Towns, Russell and Okafor are all capable of becoming All-Stars in the future and if they can go further, maybe even franchise players.

GLOBAL SOLIDIFIES PARTNERSHIP WITH SMART

DEFENDING United Football League champions Global Football Club officially sealed its sponsorship deal with Smart Communications, effectively cementing a partnership between two giants in their respective fields.

Global FC carried the Smart Prepaid brand on their shirts in the club’s maiden AFC Cup campaign earlier this year - the first time for a Filipino club to play in the group stages of this prestigious continental compe-

tition. Global FC played across four Asian countries and territories with significant Filipino presence: Malaysia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. The Smart Prepaid logo is also being used in Global FC’s 2015 UFL League, UFL Cup and RHB Singapore Cup jerseys.

Epok Quimpo, head of Smart Sports, sees Global FC as an obvious choice as partner. “Among the clubs here in the Philippines, Global has

been a consistent performer inside and outside the pitch.

Much like how Smart stands heads and shoulders above the competition in the telecoms industry.”

Mel Macasaquit of MelMac Sports Management believes that Global and Smart is a perfect match. “I believe that a world class club deserves a world class sponsor… (and) Smart is known for delivering quality services the same way that Global FC delivers quality

games to football fans.”

Quimpo also cited how Global FC has been an ardent supporter of the National Team and the grassroots level of the sport. “Definitely we are one with Global in implementing and supporting the grassroots (program)… the main thrust of Smart Sports is to be able to one day bring glory and honor, and of course medals, to the country.”

Team Manager Cian Palami definitely agrees with

the mission of Smart Sports: “I’ve seen with my own eyes how their tournaments were able to transform lives for the better, especially in the provinces. Much like what we do in Global, Smart also “plays to inspire” thousands of kids.” He adds that grassroots programs are very important in making the Philippines more competitive in the world stage, “I am happy that Global and Smart are heading in the same direction.”

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RieRa U. MallaRi EDITOR sports@thestandard.com.ph

SportS

MICHAEL MARTINEZ Perfecting his craft

By Peter Atencio

OLYMPIAN Michael Martinez is slowly finding out that if he wants to improve on his craft, he must take risks.

To become a better figure-skater, he has to work on a new routine and a new jump, which will help him take on new challenges in the second half of the year.

The challenge for Michael is learning how to do the quad jumps with perfection.

Quad jumps are among the most difficult and risky moves in figure skating, wherein skaters must make four revolutions when in mid-air.

“I’m praying about it. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, kaya mo ‘yan,” said the 18-year-old Martinez, who took a break last week to meet with his supporters from the SM Group of Companies.

Currently, Martinez’s ranking has jumped from no.

39th to no. 34th in the world, a position he wants to further improve on as he is set to see action in several international meets, competitions where he would like to include the quad jumps in his routine.

His mother, Teresa Martinez explained that the quad is not required during competition.

But, many of Michael’s rivals are doing it, or are prac-

ticing to do it already.

“Mataas ang point niya, but very risky. But if you fail to do it, malaki ang deduction mo sa points,” said Mrs. Martinez.

Aside from the quad jumps, Michael is also focused on perfecting the hip-hop routine, which his coach, Ilia Kulik, is working on back in New Jersey.

Kulik, who has been helping Michael since 2011, is the 1998 Olympic Champion and has also won titles in the 1995 European Championship, the 1997–1998 Grand Prix Finals and was the 1995 World Junior Champion.

“We’re fixing the program, working on the hip-hop routine. I’m happy with the way I skate. It’s getting better,” said Martinez. “My trainer has been very helpful.”

Martinez returned to the country last week after winning the gold medal in the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia for the second time in a row.

Last year, Michael beat Japanese Keiji Tanaka, who took the silver, while another Japanese, Ryuju Hino, settled for the bronze. This year, he beat Lee June-hyoung of Korea and Italian Maurizio Zandron.

Mrs. Martinez said that Michael’s participation in several coming tournaments is more than the normal number of competitions that his rivals join in. He is doing this because Michael has a lot of catching up to do in terms of points earned.

Michael is set to see action this July in Los Angeles, and in Detroit. In August, he will go to the Asian Tro-

phy in Bangkok, and then to the USA Classic in Utah this September. The Finlandia Trophy is next, followed by the Espoo Finland in October.

The Grand Prix of China awaits Martinez in November, and then the Golden Spring event in Zagreb this December.

Next year, Martinez will have a chance to represent the Philippines for regional dominance in figure skating in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur.

Five sports, including two winter disciplines could be introduced in the SEA Games – bridge, cricket, ice hockey, ice skating and Tarung Derajat.

“If I make it through, it would be an honor to represent the Philippines in the 2017 SEA Games, in hopes to win the gold medal for our country”, said Martinez.

His stints in the tournaments, including the SEA Games, will allow him to earn points in order to qualify for the next Winter Olympics, which will be in Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018.

“He’s eyeing the next Olympics. Yung injuries nandiyan na iyan. Every skater suffers repetitive injuries. It’s really difficult. They have to jump high, land on one foot on a very thin blade on very slippery ice,” said Teresa.

Micheal has learned he has to take the risks involved in order to be great. It’s okay. For he has also learned that champions never complain.

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BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER life @ thestandard.com .ph

LIFE

CONFESSIONS OF A SUPER FIANCÉE (Or how a beauty queen, entrepreneur and future bride stays productive)

Lia Ramos is a pro when it comes to juggling responsibilities as an entrepreneur, model and beauty enthusiast. The founder and CEO of leading online beauty discovery platform, Glamourbox, Inc., she finds her current job as an entrepreneur LIA exciting as it helps her empower Filipinas.

RAMOS Her background and experience as a model/ beauty queen (Miss PhilippinesUniverse 2006) certainly makes her work a natural fit. Lia is preparing to tie the knot in November, and she has set out to prove that contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be a “bridechilla” in planning a beautiful wedding.

We’ve heard it all before – classic stories of brides-tobe becoming overly anxious about even the tiniest detail of their wedding, throwing a fit whenever things don’t go according to what they want and when they want it, and turning into more and more demanding and bossy (or morose in some cases) as “the big day” comes.

Understandably, brides go through a lot of stress, and some may be caught up with the tiniest details like finding the perfect lavender shade for the table decor (which may go unnoticed on the wedding day!). Who can blame them? Every “bridezilla” is determined to turn her dream wedding into reality.

In July last year, I added bride-to-be in my resume when my then-boyfriend Kevin Moss popped the question. Being an entrepreneur and beauty enthusiast, many (including myself) thought that I would easily turn into a bridezilla because of my beyond-hectic schedule.

Surprisingly, the opposite was true for me. Ever since the engagement, it has been a rather chill experience, and I must confess I owe this to having an amazing fiancé who has been sharing the decision-making process and proper time management. With everything that’s going on in my life, there are only a number of things that are humanly possible to accomplish in a day, which is why setting priorities and managing time are essential.

As a career woman who hops from one meeting to the next on a daily basis, and as a bride-to-be who needs to pay attention to every wedding detail, I needed a smartphone that would allow me to multi-task and be in touch with my Glamourbox team and my wedding planner at all times. Functionality and accessibility are the features that I deem necessary in a smartphone – and fortunately I found those in the new Microsoft Lumia 640 XL. As an entrepreneur, I am pretty much always on-the-go. Between meetings and product launches, I make it a point to be as productive as possible. Every minute counts for me, so a phone that allows me to be productive even outside the office is essential. Whether preparing presentations or organizing data in spreadsheets, I needed to be able to do work anytime, anywhere – and the Office 365 on my Lumia

comes in handy as it helps me get more work done with the latest Office applications including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. I also have the option to leave my laptop at work because I have my work files on cloud storage, thanks to my 1TB space on OneDrive, and access it anywhere, anytime! With all of these apps at work, I need not worry about my battery life because the Lumia has got me covered.

As a bride, I know what I want (and what I don’t) on my wedding day. I want a wedding that is personal and meaningful, and so does my fiancé. For one, we want to get rid of parts that we think are unnecessary, less frills and more to the point. As much as possible we want to spend more time celebrating with family and friends, dining and dancing all night. Although we hired a wedding planner to be on top of everything, we still make sure the wedding is as personal as it gets. As multi-hyphenates, we have developed a habit of listing down ideas and tasks on paper and post-its – a habit made more efficient by OneNote.

Most of my married friends tell me to savor the whole wedding planning process. It’s funny how you put a lot of time, energy and money on an event that goes by so quickly! Taking their advice, my fiancé and I are taking the opportunity to enjoy the time we spend together as we plan this whole shebang – from food tasting, to dance practice, to putting together our song playlist. More than anything else, we are thrilled to bring our loved ones together and share the beginning of the rest of our lives together.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

5 TIPS ON HOW TO BE A #SELFIEREADY BRIDE Your wedding day marks the start of another chapter in your life. It’s the day when your parents walk you down the aisle and into the arms of your husband-to-be, the day you are set free to explore and experience the world with that wonderful man.

But more importantly, your wedding day is the perfect selfie opportunity. That said, becoming your most beautiful and radiant self should be on top of your wedding list. Sure, you’re tired from all the preps, but hey, that’s not an excuse not to look your best.

HERE ARE FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO BE #SELFIEREADY ON YOUR BIG DAY: 1. Take care of your skin. Your flawless skin will be your best asset for that honest selfie. Keep your skin glowing and youthful by regularly exfoliating and moisturizing. Use your trusty facial products, or home remedies such as oatmeal masks to keep your face clean and free from dead skin cells and blackheads. Use a moisturizer that works best for your skin type to keep it soft and supple. Also, sunscreen should be your new best friend!

2. Sleep! As adults, we barely get enough sleep.

You’re considered lucky if you get six hours of sleep considering all the work you’re drowning in.

But just a warning: staying up all night can make you look like a hell-week stricken student (and you wouldn’t want that on your wedding day).

A well-deserved beauty rest can certainly do wonders for a bride-to-be! Adequate sleep is necessary to rejuvenate cells and prevent wrinkles and dark circles around your eyes.

It also recharges your body so you would feel energized the next day!

3. Find an exercise routine that works best for you. It’s time for you to shed those extra pounds you got from all the food-tasting and stress-eating.

Take time to look for an exercise routine that’s comfortable and convenient for you. You can try jogging or doing simple crunches and push-ups.

Either that, or you’ll end up having your designer dress altered – and we all know that’s such a hassle (not to mention, costly).

4. Eat healthy. We all know that even the most intense workout plans won’t work without proper diet. Sorry to break it to you, but that 30-minute workout plan you’re barely surviving to stick to? That’s no good if you also spend 30 minutes on cheeseburgers and other oily and fatty food. If possible, go for the healthier alternatives like fruits and vegetables, and you’ll see why your mom insisted that you eat your greens when you were a kid.

5. Keep it simple. On your wedding day, it’s important to not overdo your makeup. Tell your makeup artist that you’d like it as natural as possible. Start by moisturizing and using a primer for an even skin tone, then use concealer for a blemish-free look. Apply powder to get rid of the shine and keep your cover-up from sliding off. Pick a warm color for the cheeks, then go easy on the eyes with as little eye makeup as possible. Don’t forget to keep your eyebrow game on fleek, too! Finish off the look with a subtle tint to amp up your lips!

Oatmeal mask

Sleep

Exercise

Eat healthy

Keep it simple Photos courtesy of corbisimages.com

Of course, a selfie won’t be perfect without an exceptional camera. But no worries, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL has got you covered!

With its HD 5.0MP front-facing and 13MP main cameras, you can take as many wedding selfies as you want! So go ahead, follow these simple tips and let your #SelfieReady beauty radiate from within!

SAY YOUR VOWS IN PANGLAO

Revel in the romance and exclusivity of an Eskaya wedding

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eddings are supposed to be blissful events. A romantic moment for the couple who finally decided to spend the rest of their lives with each other.

And a joyous occasion for the guests who are witnesses to one of the highlights of their love story.

But a celebration as special as a wedding can easily become a taxing task to undertake when we talk about the complex preparation that goes with it. Bliss turns into stress faster than finding the perfect venue for that momentous day.

But believe it or not, soon-to-wed couples can keep the bliss as it is. A wedding can be simple and feel exclusive without compromising romance.

Picture this: march on a sandy aisle with emerald green trees, cerulean sky and powder blue sea as backdrop. One such place that checks all those criteria is Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa nestled in Panglao Island in Bohol.

This luxury boutique resort offers a complete wedding package so brides and grooms only need to think about looking their best on their special day.

The couple and their guests will surely have a relaxing and luxurious stay in the resort’s villas (or balais). Being Eskaya’s major attraction, the bahay kubo-inspired villas, designed by architect Bobby Mañosa, are made of concrete and indigenous materials (bamboo, cogon, grass, wood, nipa and rattan). The style and architecture of the balais will remind visitors of the old stone houses that were popular in the country during the Spanish era.

Since the Panglao resort banks heavily on offering guests exclusivity, the villas come with semioutdoor bathroom and hot tub and mini swimming pool area, aside from the resort’s infinity pool.

The interiors of the villas further evoke the grandeur of the past with generous spaces, high

ceilings, well-curated furniture such as an antique closet or “aparador,” among others. Amid these elements that elicit old world charm are modern conveniences such as air conditioners, ceiling fans (to maintain the Filipino flavor), Wi-Fi and personal refrigerators.

But perhaps the scene stealer of each villa is the canopy bed covered with a white, thin, veil-like material, much like the mosquito net of the old days, but more welcoming and more romantic.

A night in a villa can set you back from US$500 to US$4,200.

Eskaya has three options for food and beverage for you and your guests: P2,500, P2,100 and P1,700 (plus 12 percent VAT) per head for lunch or dinner.

To ensure a stress-free, or at least a little less stressed, wedding day, the resort also offers optional add-ons: church-use, judge or priest, event styling, wedding cake, makeup, video and photography, bridal car, live band, lights and sound system, fireworks display and overall coordinator. And since it’s in Bohol, the couple can also tap the renowned Loboc Children’s Choir to sing at the wedding.

The resort is also a perfect venue for honeymoon.

The 16-hectare paradise affords honeymooners a number of fun and romantic activities such as scuba diving, island hopping, beach volleyball and barbecue by the beach. Eskaya also offers guests exclusive tour packages to visit Bohol’s tourist sites: the Loboc River, centuries-old churches, chocolate hills; and to mingle with tarsiers.

After a full day of enjoying Bohol’s offerings, the couple can relax in the privacy of the resort’s Handuraw spa that offers traditional Filipino massages.

For more information on Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, visit http://www.eskayaresort.com or call (+632) 576-3082, (+632) 576-3051, (+632) 584-3180.

Seaview deck dining

Infinity Pool

Each villa comes with a lovely canopy bed

Dinner by the poolside

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

El Nido Resorts in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, is becoming as much the focus of attention as the bride and groom in the destination weddings being staged there. This was certainly the case in this photo by Pat Dy of media celebrities JC and Bianca Intal.

Couples seeking solemnity and intimacy with their guests are likely to select El Nido Resorts as the stage for their nuptials as captured in this photo by Richard Oppusunggu.

The Lagen oratory chapel, a white sand cove carved out of a limestone cliff set up with benches, is a favorite venue for tying the knot.

PHOTO BY PAT DY

For the bride and groom and their guests, an El Nido Resorts wedding also means a memorable vacation packaged with activities like snorkelling, kayaking, island hopping and barbecues in private coves.

PHOTO BY PAT DY

Dramatic backdrops come naturally with the wedding package which also includes a bridal bouquet, two-tiered wedding cake and floral set up for the wedding ceremony.

PHOTO BY MARK CANTALEJO

Europeans as well as local residents have discovered that the stunning surroundings provide a great stage for an intimate, relaxing time.

PHOTO BY RICHARD OPPUSUNGGU

“I DO” IN PARADISE

Weddings at the last ecological frontier

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very couple wants their wedding to be as perfect as possible, and choosing the right wedding location goes a long way in making that special day one of the most romantic, elegant, and joyful in their lives.

One of the venues that easily comes to mind is El Nido Resorts in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, whose natural beauty – limestone cliffs, stunning sunsets – makes a great backdrop for the radiant bride and beaming groom.

Couples seeking solemnity and intimacy with their guests are likely to select El Nido Resorts as the stage for their special day. Known as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines, Bacuit Bay offers dramatic rock formations that date back to ancient times; marine sanctuaries globally distinguished by their rich biodiversity; and lush forests teeming with wild life. Three of the four El Nido Resorts – namely Lagen, Miniloc and Pangulasian which are named after the islands that host them – are located here. The fourth resort, Apulit, is in the neighboring municipality of Taytay.

In the past few years, the resorts have been winning prestigious global awards including the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards for the community benefits category. El Nido Resorts’ increasing international popularity has resulted in more bookings for destination weddings – with Europeans and Australians leading the list of couples tying the knot there. More local residents, who are not comfortable with the stares of gawkers and passersby who would otherwise be present in other Philippine beach destinations, are also booking their weddings at the exclusive island resorts.

The Lagen oratory chapel, a white sand cove carved out of a limestone cliff set up with benches, and other secluded beaches with memorable views over calm waters, have been earmarked as venues for the wedding ceremony. The Lagen oratory is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.

From the chapel and other venues, as many as 200 guests are usually treated to a sunset cruise and then ferried to

a nearby beach club dotted with sand lanterns for an al fresco evening reception – attractions that are included in the wedding package. The couple also has the option of having their reception in one of the island’s clubhouses.

According to sales and marketing director Joey Bernardino, the El Nido Resorts’ team has helped many couples plan all the details that add up to a memorable wedding. Part of the wedding package includes a bridal bouquet, a two-tier wedding cake, floral set up for the ceremony and assistance to the bride and groom in finding suppliers who operate in this part of Palawan.

“The islands of El Nido Resorts invite you to kick off your shoes, feel the sand and enjoy the moment in this piece of paradise,” says Bernardino. In this island setting, bride and groom and their guests are set up to relax, bring down their guard and just be themselves. “It’s a great formula for an intimate and enjoyable wedding – which is what the many other couples have experienced.”

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NAT MANILAG AND THAT PERFECT WEDDING DRESS Simply known as Nat Manilag in the Philippine fashion industry, this young AB Communication Arts graduate at the Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City is fast becoming a sought-after designer for brides-to-be who want to look their very best on that most special day.

After finishing his studies at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines with a major in Basic and Advanced PatternMaking and Haute Couture, he further honed his natural skills at the Central Saint Martins in London where he studied six programs such as Fashion London, Designing for the Fashion Market, Draping Women’s Wear Design, Fashion Designing and Marketing, How to Start Your Own Fashion Business, and Summer Study AbroadFashion Designing.

He has since become a favorite designer of numerous Filipino celebrities, showcasing various collections for both men and women – his designs incontrovertible proof that the Philippines is home to many talented and artistic young men and women.

Nat, who started on his career path as a wedding fashion designer in 2007, shares some of his secrets in designing the wedding gown that would highlight the natural beauty, radiance and elegance of every bride-to be. “The needs of my bride are my priorities. I always see to it that their needs and concerns will be considered in order for me to deliver a very beautiful design for them,” he says.

His definition for that perfect wedding gown is straightforward: it should have a perfect fit, the artistic details are tasteful and most of all, the creation is something that would make the bride smile with happiness and satisfaction.

“Nowadays, wedding gowns with voluminous and soft fabric matched with creative patterns of embellishments are in,” he enthuses. And like most designers, he has a dream bride whom he would like to see in his creation some day. For Nat, it is “Taylor Swift. I always dream of designing Taylor Swift’s wedding gown when she gets married. She’s such an angel and I would love for her to wear my creation.”

S U N D AY : J U N E 2 8 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

SUNDAY : J UNE 2 8 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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Members of theUP String Orchestra, more popularly known as UP ARCO, will travel to Europe to perform in 2 music festivals

UP ARCO in 2 YOUTh MUsiC FesTivAls in eUROPe

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he UP String Orchestra, more popularly and fondly known as the UP ARCO, has been invited to represent the Philippines for the very first time in two prestigious music youth international festivals in Europe this July.

The first festival takes place in “a city with one of the best locations in the world that enchants, impresses, and fascinates at the same time, and where no visitor can resist its beauty.” It is in Budapest, Hungary, “by the beautiful blue Danube,” that the UP ARCO has been invited to partici-

pate in the Budapest Music Festival from July 2 to 6.

The second is the International Youth Music Festival I, where the UP ARCO has been invited to compete with children’s, youth and adult choirs and orchestras from all over the world in Bratislava, Slovakia, widely recognized as a city of music, from July 9 to 12.

The two invitations come after the successful participation of the UP ARCO in 2012 in the Festival International Musique Universitaire in Belfort, France, marking the first time that a Philippine orchestra ever performed in

the festival’s concert stage.

It is the shared goal of these two summer festivals to bring together talented musicians from around the world in an effort that will prove mutually beneficial to all. The unique musical and cultural experience that will be generated by these festivals is sure to inspire musicians as they perform and learn together in both Budapest and Bratislava, two fabled cities in the world famed with great musical traditions.

The UP ARCO stands to gain from these ample opportunities to perform in concert halls and beautifully

ornate churches, all boasting of exceptional acoustics, and outdoor settings in the historical and cultural centers of the two cities.

After the twin festivals, the UP ARCO proceeds to Milan and Genoa in Italy to do concerts before the Filipino community in the area, and for which the orchestra has prepared an all-Filipino repertoire.

The members of the UP ARCO are Julienne G. Bonacua, Junyeong Cho, Stephen John D. Cruz, Dan Bi OH, Vince Arnel A. Placido, Othelo Tron Z. Salatan, Anna Janine O. Sa-

Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez is UP ARCO's conductor

maniego (concert master), Luisito R. SantoS, and Ye Yun YI, on the violin.

Pamela Lee S. Almeda, Hwan Hee Kim, Christine N. Laron, Lovely C. Masaquel, and Emlyn S.g Ponce, on the

viola; Patrick John C. Espanto and Celyn S. Ponce, on the cello; and Jerome Aldrian N. Naval, on the double bass.

Prof. Edna Marcil M. Martinez is director and conductor.

QCinema’s international doCumentary line-up

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he Quezon City Film Development Competition announced five full-length documentary films that made it to the DoQC International Documentary Competition.

The documentary films will be featured at the QCinema International Film Festival that will run from Oct. 22 to 31 at Trinoma, Gateway, and UP Film Center cinemas. They are Of Cats, Dogs, Farm Animals, and Sashimi

by Perry Dizon; The Crescent Rising by Sheron Dayoc; Audio Perpetua by Universe Baldoza; Traslacion: Ang Paglakad

Will Fredo’s Traslacion

Universe Baldoza's Audio Perpetua

Choy Pangilinan's Bingat

sa Altar ng Alanganin by Will Fredo; and Bingat by Choy Pangilinan, Qubry Quesada, Joolia Demigillo and Abet Umil.

“The DoQC International Documentary Competition signals QCinema’s thrust in putting the spotlight on local documentary filmmaking,” says Festival Director Ed Lejano.

These films will receive funding of P200,000 each and will compete with five other Asian features for the Pylon Award of the DoQC International Documentary Competition.

For more information, log on to www.qcinema.ph.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ROSEmaRiE DEWitt’S FamiLy UnDER SiEgE After a series of acclaimed turns in film, television and theatre, Rosemarie DeWitt’s grace, style and charm are at the heart of several highly-anticipated projects in which she collaborates with some of the industry’s most honored talent. She has shone in both starring and supporting roles, working consistently across television, theater and film.

Now she brings her considerable talents to Poltergeist, where, alongside her friend Sam Rockwell, she plays the mother in a family dealing with a devastating supernatural nightmare in the depths of suburbia. It is Rosemarie’s first foray into the horror genre.

Poltergeist is set in the rapidly fading, disenfranchised American ideal we know as suburbia.

Dewitt who plays Amy Bowen, is a mother of two whose husband has recently been laid off from work. The family then moves to a rundown, cookie-cutter community of three-bedroom homes, unkempt yards and chain link fences in an Illinois neighborhood that sets the scene for the unsuspecting protagonists, the Bowen family. It reminds audiences that life in suburbia can sometimes be a long way from comfort and safety.

But it is the children who first notice that something is off about the house, even before the Bowens take ownership. Griffin (Kyle Catlett), the middle child, catches his younger sister Mad-

Driector Gil Kenan, Dewitt and Sam Rockwell

Rosemarie Dewitt plays a mother whose family is under siege by poltergeists

dy (Kennedi Clements) having a conversation with an unseen… something…in what will soon be her bedroom closet. By the time the family moves into their new home, the stage is set for the discovery of otherworldly forces.

“It almost felt like we were making two movies, one with the horror and the scare of it all, and one was a character-driven piece with a really solid cast, especially

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 79 80 84 85 86 87 88 91 92 93 95 96 97 98

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Brief summary 6 Jacques, in song 11 Buddy 15 On the fritz 20 J.R.’s mama 21 Discourage 22 Winter warmer 24 Single-handed 25 Round gem 26 Volcanic output 27 Amusing satire 28 Minstrels 29 Kelly the clown 31 Downhill ski run 33 Part of MIT 34 Not condensed 35 Hypocrisy (2 wds.)

37 Steelers player Swann 39 Mouse alert 41 Psst!

42 Go-getters 43 Festoon 44 Planet’s course 46 Breathe hard

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Earlier, in combos — -kneed (timid) Film terrier Between ports Fellow feeling Heavy hydrogen discoverer Make compost Flutist Herbie — Scrooge’s partner Trickle Water softener Fine, to an astronaut (hyph.)

Where Florence is Mardi Gras follower Zenith opposite “Song of Hiawatha” tribe (var.)

Even as we speak Billiard sticks Cheese portion Large herring Prairie state

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Largest mammal Kindly River islets Devoutness Stoic founder Square root of IX “Parks and Recreation” town Opposite of malo Place for flowers Inclined Numerical prefix Round starters Resin source Coco — of perfume To boot Globe Ready to eat Carrot-top Gardener, often Pub orders Nature outing Meadow murmur 35mm cameras “Nick of Time” singer Stare rudely — & Young Dust collector Utmost After midnight A honey of a job?

Upright Skip Daunt Fall or winter “Heavy” music Clover leaves All kidding — “Phantom of the —” Harden Turn inside out Knight’s mount Raises corn Candle Joy Adamson’s pet

for a genre movie,” DeWitt says. “I don’t feel they often go after that, like it’s not always as important, and that made it really, really fun.”

In the film, the family home is built on a cemetery that was supposed to have been moved before the house was built. But while the tombstones were relocated, the actual bodies were left underneath.

This caused a group of wandering souls to be stuck in the “in-between” and fiercely determined to get through to their eternal destination. The spirits need Maddy and her innocent source of light to guide them to the afterlife, where they will be set free.

Taken by the script, “Poltergeist” marks DeWitt’s first horror movie, “When I read David’s [Lindsay-Abaire] script – he’s pretty amazing, a playwright and screenwriter from New York – it was clear he’d written really relatable characters. I think we all related to the element of disconnect in our society, and I think we’re a little scared of where that’s going to take us. I think that’s very much where we’re at, and I think part of what we fear for our kids is the unknown. So I guess the poltergeist could really be anything; it’s whatever we put on that’s evil or dangerous, and Madison – the youngest daughter – is pure, so she communicates well with them.”

Poltergeist in 3D from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros is now showing in theaters nationwide.

Lynne Ona, marketing manager Angel Sy, G-Force managing director, and Rosa Ramos Cinco, New Summit Colors Inc. president

Cynos inks partnership with G-ForCe

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rom salons and catwalks, Cynos® Inside Hair Care takes its magic to the dance floor with its recent partnership with G-Force.

As the group’s official partner, Cynos will be providing hair care and maintenance for its members, including cut, color, and treatment using Cynos’ Glamer Color and Deep Repair Hair Mask as well as hair extensions using their new brand, Victoria Hair Extension. The exclusive services will be rendered at Bench Fix Salon’s three outlets in Trinoma and SM the Block.

Cynos, an expert in hair care and a leading international brand of professional salon products, is not new to such kind of collaborations that promote artistry and creativity. In the past, Cynos has worked with talented hairstylists in the country in putting together the brand’s Lookbook showcasing fresh concepts, new techniques and trendy hair color and styles.

In addition, it has been instru-

mental in helping hairdressers and salon professionals improve their craft by way of a nationwide seminar held each year.

Cynos’ recent partnership with G-Force highlights the brand’s continuous commitment to support homegrown talent.

G-Force is a hip and young group founded nine years ago composed mostly of students from colleges and universities with a shared passion for dance. Headed by its artistic director Georcelle Dapat Sy and managing director Angel Sy, it is the youngest dance company to hit the concert stage both here and abroad.

The group has since produced several dance troupes under the G-Force banner, each with its own personality and signature dance routines: G-Force Stallions, Femmes, Angels, Poppers, Megaminds Unique, and Bhelai.

Cynos Inside Hair Care is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by New Summit Colors Dist. Inc..

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015

143 Bathrobe fabric 144 Nylons shade DOWN 1 Drive away 2 Fragrant resin 3 Device that grips 4 Buenos — 5 Threw snowballs 6 Rx monitor 7 Acquire oxygen 8 Moral codes 9 Ms. Witherspoon 10 Lead-in for while 11 Vaccine amts.

12 Daydreaming 13 Storrs coll.

14 Lows 15 Japanese theater 16 Mr. Greenspan 17 Glider’s place 18 Not deserved 19 Easily irritated 23 Take-home (hyph.)

30 Type of wife 32 Broncos great John — 36 Extremely 38 Wild ox of Tibet 40 Auction site 43 Percolate 44 Muppet grouch 45 Soft lid 46 June sign 47 Powerful explosive 48 Stretch out 49 Become tiresome 51 Formal court order 52 Cliffside abode 54 Volvo rival 55 Sufficient, in verse 56 “My Way” composer 58 Josephine of mystery 59 Coffee dispensers 60 Be evasive 63 Sandra and Ruby

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Poorly San — Obispo Groovy!

Darn it! (2 wds.)

— alai Ms. Lupino Dove shelter “— a good time?”

Transmit Fleming of 007 fame Never, to Wolfgang Brandish “Breathless” star

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Big name in trains One-dimensional Returns Tows Writer — Grey Nile creator god Guthrie of folk music Sensible Jaunty hat Omigosh!

Prof’s degree Cheerleading yells Means of escape

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Walleyed fish Desists Ex-Bruin Bobby — Hang around Exasperates Foul-smelling Elev.

Livestock source Moose feature Gabby Hayes films More uncanny Vex (2 wds.)

Pay by mail Rodeo venue

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Outfit (hyph.)

Grounds for a suit Stitch loosely Of the Vatican Grenoble’s river Benchmarks Grind, as teeth Feel concern Change address Do horoscopes RR terminal Ben & Jerry rival

SUNDAY : J UNE 2 8 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Fully Loaded Afternoon on GMA 7 features shows anchored by, from left, Rhea Santos (Tunay Na Buhay), Kara David (Power House), Arnold Clavio (Alisto), and Jean Garcia (Love Hotline)

GMA’s ‘Fully loAded AFTernoon’ From C8

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he Kapuso Network further intensifies daytime viewing with “Fully Loaded Afternoon.” It coincides with the first anniversary of its afternoon strip this month.

“Fully Loaded Afternoon” features the impressive line-up of programs Alisto, Tunay na Buhay, Powerhouse, Reporter’s Notebook, and Love Hotline, which will deliver more information and inspiration at 4:50 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

It kicks off with the public service program Alisto with Arnold Clavio every Monday.

The show continues to encourage viewers to always be alert as it gives practical tips on how to handle difficult situations. The program

will also feature Kapuso stars to immerse in the program’s various missions.

On Tuesdays, Tunay na Buhay looks into into the most personal and private lives of the show’s subjects— visiting their homes, work places and old haunts, meeting their family members and friends, going back to their hometowns and schools— to get a glimpse of their childhood and struggling years. Hosted by Rhea Santos, the show believes in the saying that everyone has a story to tell and that every story has a lesson etched in one’s heart and mind.

Powerhouse, every Wednesday with Kara David, unravels stories of high-profile personalities and their secrets to success.

The multi-awarded tandem of Jiggy Mani-

cad and Maki Pulido continues to take a closer look at some of the country’s most pressing issues in the investigative news magazine show Reporter’s Notebook. Airing every Thursday, it is now on its tenth year. It won a Bronze World Medal in this year’s New York Festival.

In matters of the heart, Love Hotline, is what every Kapuso waits for every Friday. The show deals with the struggles of people trapped in troubled relationships filled with deceit, betrayal and even violence. Every conflict featured in the show is dramatized featuring Kapuso stars. The problem is resolved through an intervention with the help of a professional love expert and the show’s host. Jean Garcia.

all-new PowerPuff Girls makes its worldwide debut in 2016

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he reimagined series, about three girls juggling school and saving the world before bedtime, is slated for a 2016 global launch and will include a brand-new television series, produced by Cartoon Network Studios, and a full licensing program that will roll out across all domestic and international regions.

Featured at a Cartoon Network Enterprises event to kick off the annual industry trade show were the multi-talented voice actors portraying the lead characters from the upcoming animated series including: Amanda Leighton as Blossom, Kristen Li as Bubbles, Natalie Palamides as Buttercup and Tom Kenny, who will be reprising his role as the Narrator/Mayor.

The new series will be executive produced by Nick Jennings, who won an Emmy® Award for his work on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, and Bob Boyle creator of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! will co-executive produce. Rounding out the creative team is a diverse group of talented artists and writers, many of whom grew up watching the original series and come with a special affinity for the characters and overall project.

“It has been wonderful to see this new show team bring such passion and positive creative spirit to this iconic property,” said Chief Content Officer, Rob Sorcher. “We know that fans of every age will appreciate this new take

Powerpuff Girls' new voice cast includes, from left, Amanda Leighton as Blossom, Kristen Li as Bubbles, and Natalie Palamides as Buttercup

on saving the world before bedtime.”

To support the worldwide launch in 2016, Cartoon Network is assembling an all-star roster of licensing partners to create a full consumer products program for the franchise. Spin Master, Ltd. will anchor the program, creating a line of toys including plush, figures and playsets, dolls and more available worldwide in autumn 2016.

The Powerpuff Girls is one of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series. Created

by Craig McCracken, the series premiered in

1996 and earned two Emmy® Awards along with five nominations and countless animation honors throughout its 78-episode run.

The series also spawned a feature film with Warner Bros. Pictures in 2002.

With more than US$2.5 billion in retail sales generated since its debut, The Powerpuff Girls is one of the top-grossing Cartoon Network brands of all time and it has endured as a global fashion brand with a range of apparel partners and fashion collections around the world.

C7 ‘Heneral luna’ kiCks off nationwide sCHool tour The Heneral Luna school tour kicks off from June to August in 30 schools nationwide.

Organized in cooperation with Dakila, the forum titled “Bayani Ba ‘To?” aims to inspire cultural healing and critical thinking, reawaken patriotism and rekindle a deeper appreciation for Filipino history and culture among today’s youth.

Directed by Jerrold Tarog, the historical action epic based on the life and works of General Antonio Luna features John Arcilla in the title role, Mon Confiado (as Emilio Aguinaldo), Epy Quizon (as Apolinario Mabini), Leo Martinez (as Pedro Paterno), Nonie Buencamino (as Felipe Buencamino), Bing Pimentel (as Doña Laureana Luna), Mylene Dizon, and Ketchup Eusebio, Arron Villaflor, and Paulo Avelino.

The school tour will feature a 10-minute preview, as well as interviews with the director, cast and crew.

Among the schools included are Isabela State University (June 30), PHINMA-University of Pangasinan (July 3), Xavier University Cagayan de Oro (July 10), University of San Agustin Iloilo (July 16), Central Philippine University (July 18), Holy Cross of Davao College (July 25), University of San Carlos, Cebu (July 27), Foundation University Dumaguete (July 31), Ateneo de Naga University (Aug. 3), Bicol University (Aug. 8), Baliuag University (Aug. 12), La Consolacion College Malolos (Aug. 15), University of St. La Salle-Bacolod (Aug. 20), Ateneo de Zamboanga University (Aug. 22), Lyceum of the Philippines Laguna (Aug. 24), Adamson University (Aug. 26), U.P. Los Baños (Aug. 29), and Miriam College (Sept. 7) More schools and dates will be announced later on.

The Heneral Luna school tour was formally announced during the special screening held on May 29 at the Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Complex, attended by more than 150 students from different universities all over Metro Manila.

Supported by the National Youth Commission and the Student Alliance of the Philippines, the event was also highlighted by the keynote speeches of special guests TV5 host/multimedia personality Lourd de Veyra, Heneral Luna director Jerrold Tarog and historian Alvin Campomanes.

Heneral Luna opens in theaters in September.

SUNDAY : J UNE 2 8 : 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ JulIE AnnE SAn JoSE ‘Tidal Wave’ in ‘Sunday all STarS’ ISAH V. RED Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose wrapped up shooting for three music videos in San Francisco and New York. It was a co-production with VIM Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based company.

GMA Records will distribute the three music videos worldwide.

One of the music videos shot in the United States is for “Tidal Wave,” San Jose’s single, which was arranged by Sidney Brown, better known as Omen, an American music producer from Harlem who has produced for artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne, and Ludacris.

On June 21, San Jose’s rabid fans got an exclusive treat as Asia’s Pop Sweetheart and multi-platinum recording artist launched the music video in GMA Network’s musical variety program Sunday All Stars.

Julie exudes a great amount of excitement talking about her experience in filming “Tidal Wave.”

“I got to skateboard. Inaral ko siya before the shoot. Syempre malamig dun, tapos naka-jeans at crop top lang ako, kaya lamig na lamig talaga ako. Pero masaya kasi I got to work with a lot of people in great teams, tapos they were so nice to me. Sobrang accommodating nila.”

As it promises to highlight a different side of Julie, the singer-actress claims that she was able to show different emotions while filming the music videos.

While shooting “Tidal Wave,” she felt butterflies in the stomach.

“Nag-enjoy akong i-film yung music videos, and since ‘Tidal Wave’ is very light, more on kilig, I’m sure maraming makaka-relate sa song.”

Meanwhile, Julie’s other two music videos are set to premiere in the following months.

HHHHH GMA wins biG At Us internAtionAl FilM & Video FestiVAl At the recently concluded 2015 US International Film & Video Festival, GMA Network brought home seven medals and 13 certificates.

GMA’s Front Row bagged the Gold Camera Award in the documentary category with “ALS”, a feature on the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The

same documentary also won a Gold World Medal just last April in the 2015 New York Festivals.

24 Oras won a Silver Screen Award for its special coverage of Typhoon Mario in September 2014. “Pagbangon”, the special documentary about the rehabilitation efforts and rebuilding of lives of those affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda one year on also won a Silver Screen Award in the Current Affairs category.

GMA News TV’s Brigada and I Juander each received a Silver Screen Award in the Environment/ Ecology and Social Issues categories, respectively. Brigada’s award was for its “Balon ng Ginto” episode, which featured a quiet community in Bicol that has become a hotbed for illegal small-scale gold mining.

I Juander’s “Hanggang Saan ang Kayang Gawin ni Juan Para Magaral” tackled the state of education in the country and attempted to answer the question just how far a Filipino would go to get an education.

Two other show also received Silver Screen Awards – Sunday All Stars in the Entertainment Variety Programs category and Ang Dalawang Misis Real in the Telenovela category.

In addition to the Gold and six Silver medals, a total of thirteen Certificates were also awarded to various News and Public Affairs programs: two Certificates for I-Witness and one each for Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Tunay na Buhay, Investigative Documentaries, Reel Time, and Pop Talk, news programs 24 Oras Weekend, State of the Nation and Balita Pilipinas Ngayon, as well as the mini series Sa Puso ni Dok and Illustrado and the GMA News TV Station ID.

Julie Ann San Jose's music video for the single "Tidal Wave" shot in the US is now available 24 Oras Weekend anchors Pia Arcangel and Jiggy Manicad

Vicky Morales, Mike Enriquez, and Mel Tango anchor 24 Oras

➜ Continued on C7

As it promises to highlight a different side of Julie, the singer-actress claims that she was able to show different emotions while filming the music videos A scene from Ilustrado

Sa Puso ni Doc star Dennis Trillo