The Standard - 2015 June 30 - Tuesday

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2015 VOL. XXIX  NO. 130  4 Sections 40 Pages P18  TUESDAY : JUNE 30, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Be a man yourself, Nene says to Jojo

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TENSION GRIPS MAKATI ANEW

Vice President Jejomar Binay exhorts Makati City residents to continue supporting his son, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, who is again the subject of a suspension order from the Ombudsman over the construction of the Makati City Science High School. DANNY PATA

Aquino offers Lito someone to talk to

By Sandy Araneta PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III lashed out Monday at former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña for suggesting that the ruling Liberal Party would misappropriate the P14.4 billion payment made by an international contractor to upgrade, operate and maintain the Mactan airport for campaign funds for the 2016 elections.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new passenger terminal building of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the President referred to Osmeña without mentioning his name.

“Before I continue, I was told there was someone who said that the P14 billion will be used by the Liberal Party for the elections next year,” he said.

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budsman issued a new suspension order against Mayor Jejomar Erwin MORE than 200 riot police were de- Binay Jr. in connection with the alployed near the Makati City Hall leged overpricing of the Makati SciMonday after the Office of the Om- ence High School Building. Next page

By Joel E. Zubano

Top Red shot dead in Davao City raid

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Palace tells VP: Don’t tell tall tales

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Manila mum on documentary Tension From A1...

The presence of riot police and some 600 Binay supporters who rallied outside city hall set the stage for the second confrontation in four months over the government’s efforts to suspend Binay. The authorities are expected to serve the order early Tuesday.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, the mayor’s father, arrived at the city hall building shortly after noon and said the police contingent reminded him of the martial law years.

Binay supporters and city hall employees said they feared the presence of the police would disrupt business and operations in city hall over the next few days.

Makati City police chief Ernesto Barlam said most of the policemen were members of the PNP Civil Disturbance Management team who were dispatched to prevent any untoward incident in case the Department of Interior and Local Government serves the suspension order.

“The suspension order has not been served yet,” said Barlam.

Four months ago, the government deployed some 2,500 SWAT and Special Action Force commandos after the Ombudsman issued a suspension order against Mayor Binay and other city officials of the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building 2.

The mayor, who holed up in his office at the time, challenged the suspension order before the Court of Appeals, which granted him temporary relief.

The standoff caused the city government to suspend operations, however, and at one point Makati had two mayors—Binay and his vice mayor.

At a press conference Monday, Mayor Binay accused President Benigno Aquino III of being behind the new suspension order issued against him.

“At this point it’s hard for us to believe that President Aquino had nothing to do with this. Nothing is impossible. They are capable of breaking the law,” Binay said.

Binay’s camp said the second suspension order has no legal basis and accused the Ombudsman of acting with grave abuse of discretion.

The Office of the Ombudsman issued the suspension order a few days after the Vice President resigned from the Cabinet and criticized the administration.

Mayor Binay said the second suspension issued against him was part of a grand conspiracy and well-organized plan called “Oplan Nognog” initiated by the administration to destroy his family, particularly his father, who is a strong contender in the May 2016 presidential elections.

“This is the second time a suspension order issued against me, and this is out of ordinary. There are other big cases out there but they’re not moving [on them].

Clearly, they want to stop our Vice President from pursuing his plan,” said Binay, who decided to stay overnight at his office.

Outside Makati City Hall, hundreds of residents coming from different barangays gathered and expressed their support for the mayor.

Binay’s lawyer, Claro Certeza, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II has directed the National Police to implement the suspension order based on a complaint filed by the Field Investigation Office of the Ombudsman.

The suspension order, if one is to be issued... has no factual or legal basis,” said Certeza, adding that the Ombudsman Act requires strong evidence of guilt for a preventive suspension to be issued validly.

In a statement, the lawyer argued said the statement of Mario Hechanova, former general services chief of Makati, “should not be given evidentiary value” because it was not based on his own per-

sonal knowledge but was merely relayed to him by another person.

Hechanova alleged that he was told by former city engineer Nelson Morales that Vice President Binay, who was the mayor at that time, gave instructions that the bidding for the design and construction of the Makati Science High School Building project be rigged to favor certain parties.

“Under our prevailing rules, this is what is known as hearsay evidence, which has no probative value and will be rejected by the courts,” Certeza said.

He said since Morales was deceased, there was no longer any way to test the truth of Hechanova’s statement, which should therefore not be given any evidentiary value.

Certeza also refuted another allegation that Mayor Binay conspired with his corespondents, calling it a “bare-faced lie” without any supporting evidence.

“The complaint is bereft of any statement as to the participation of Mayor Junjun Binay in the planning, preparation and perpetration of the alleged conspiracy.

Participation in the conspiracy according to the Supreme Court cannot be established by merely stating that the accused signed certain documents allegedly used in the conspiracy,” he said.

Renato Bondal, who ran but lost to Mayor Binay in the 2013 polls, led the filing of the criminal charges with the Office of the Ombudsman in December last year.

Bondal accused the incumbent mayor and his father of conspiring to defraud the local government of Makati City of P862 million in the construction of the 10-story school building when the elder Binay was still mayor of the city and when his son took over from 2007 to 2013.

The complaint stated that the project was built at the cost of P1.3 billion when the original cost estimate was only P470 million.

Also named respondents in the case were former and incumbent councilors Ferdinand Eusebio, Arnold Magpantay, Romeo Medina, Tosca Puno-Ramos, Alethea Casal-Uy, Virgilio Hilario, Monsour del Rosario III, Vince Sese, Nelson Pasia, Salvador Pangilinan, Ilias Tolentino, Ruth Tolentino, Henry Jacome, Leo Magpantay, Nemesio Yabut Jr., Armand Padilla, Israel Crusado Ma. Theresa de Lara, Angleliro Gatchalian and Ricardo Javier, and members of the Makati City School Board in 2009.

Bondal was also one of the complainants who filed a plunder case against the officials for the alleged overprice of the Makati City Hall Building II. In a statement issued Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of Binay and 14 other respondents in seven administrative cases, all for grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, in connection with the alleged irregularities that attended the Makati Science High School building construction worth P1.3 billion.

The Binays and 21 others are also facing a preliminary investigation before the Ombudsman for graft, malversation and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act in connection with the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2.30overprice/pageone The Vice President on Monday branded as faulty the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee against him, saying they were based on testimony given by his former vice mayor that was based not on facts but “mere conjecture and erroneous assumptions.”

The Vice President, the first among presidential aspirants to declare that he would run in 2016, said former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado’s testimony was part of the script of his political opponents.

The Senate should have looked into the truthfulness of the statements of their favored resource persons and not accepted

them at face value, Binay said.

“In any fair judicial proceeding, evidentiary value is given to testimonies of impartial witnesses because they have no personal stake in the outcome of the case.

They will not stand to lose or benefit regardless of the findings,” the Vice President said.

Binay lashed out at his former ally, Mercado, accusing him of spreading nothing but lies and baseless accusations since he first appeared before the subcommittee.

“The senators leading this supposed investigation in aid of legislation should have first looked into the interests of these resource persons hurling allegations me and my family before their bare and self-serving statements were admitted into the records.

But given how these resource persons are being favored and pampered in the hearings, this is no longer a surprise,” he said.

The Vice President said Mercado’s testimonies show his pattern of lies and his propensity to perjure himself. Binay went on to debunk Mercado’s allegations one by one.

“Mr. Mercado claims I was supposedly received a 13 percent kickback from all infrastructure projects in Makati City. He himself admitted that this is based only on what engineer Nelson Morales allegedly told him. However the rules of court state this claim is inadmissible for being hearsay evidence. What’s worse is that he is attributing statements and acts to a person who is already deceased,” he said.

“Mr. Mercado testified that our piggery in Rosario, Batangas was air-conditioned.

However, based on the ocular inspection of the property conducted by the members of the subcommittee themselves, there was no air-conditioned piggery whatsoever,” he added.

Binay also noted that Mercado stated under oath there were luxurious mansions as well as a 40-car garage in the Rosario property. The ocular inspection, however, proved otherwise.

“Mr. Mercado also claims that the I own the property in Rosario, Batangas. However, the bare claim of Mercado was debunked by the testimony of businessman Mr. Antonio Tiu,” he said.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes himself stated that there is no evidence that The Vice President owns or has ever owned the property in Rosario.

De Los Reyes also said there is no need for DAR to investigate the Vice President since the documents show that the latter did not have any property under his name in the area.

“Mr. Mercado said under oath the property in Rosario consisted of 350 hectares of land. However, in the succeeding hearings, it was revealed through an examination of the titles and other documents that the Rosario property is merely composed of at most 145 hectares, or less than half of the 350-hectares claimed by Mr. Mercado,” the Vice President said.

“Mr. Mercado also said architect Rodolfo R. Bongato designed our supposed rest house in Rosario. But this claim was categorically denied by architect Bongato himself who said his signature in the document presented by Mercado was a forgery,” Binay added.

“Another lie of Mr. Mercado said under oath is that he supposedly paid for and was aboard the helicopter that was rented to take aerial pictures of the property in Rosario. However, the flight manifest later revealed he was not aboard the helicopter.

Instead, the manifest shows that it was actually a staff of Senator Alan Cayetano along with Ariel Olivar, Mercado’s cousin, who were on board,” he said.

Moreover, while Mercado testified that Binay has a log cabin in Tagaytay Highlands, Belle Corp., developer of Tagaytay Highlands, released an official statement denying Mercado’s allegation. – With Rio N. Araja and Vito Barcelo

THE government on Monday declined to comment on Chinese accusations that the three-part documentary Kalayaan was aimed at misleading and deceiving the public into believing that the Philippines is the victim in its territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea. “The documentary Kalayaan is part of the nationwide information, education, and communication campaign of the Department of Foreign Affairs to increase the level of public awareness and understanding of the issues relating to the West Philippine Sea,” the agency said.

“We have already stated the objective of the documentary,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said.

He did not directly address a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying accusing the Philippines of spreading misinformation and “creating the illusion” of being a victim and inciting the people of the two countries.

Hua added: “China and the Philippines are long-term friends and good neighbors and have shown that they have been able to fully and properly handle the South China Sea issue through friendly consultations.”

The documentary, aired on

state-run PTV4, coincided with Independence Day celebrations this year, and highlighted the economic and environmental damage of China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, including parts of the Kalayaan Island Group, a municipality of Palawan province.

The documentary also focused on history--providing counter-arguments and evidence against China’s nine-dash-line claim that it uses to bolster its claim over 90 percent of the South China Sea. In one episode, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio showed a Spanish-era map that clearly showed that the Scarborough Shoal was part of the Philippines.

China has become increasingly assertive in the potentially energy-rich South China Sea, building artificial islands in areas over which the Philippines and other countries have rival claims. The moves have sparked alarm regionally and in Washington. – Vito Barcelo

Aquino

ers,” Osmeña said in his letter, which was written in Cebuano.

“I hope the rumors that this is the Liberal Party’s way of raising funds for the elections are not true. If they’re proven true, you’re shameless.”

GMR-Megawide won the auction for the 25-year publicprivate partnership (PPP) contract last year, after offering the government a premium bid of P 14.4 billion. Operations and maintenance of the airport were turned over to the consortium in November 2014.

The deal has been challenged before the Supreme Court by Senator Sergio Osmeña III, a cousin of the former governor, as well as a group of businessmen.

Reacting to Osmeña’s letter, a member of the Cebu provincial board sought an update on the status of the P14.4 billion payment.

“It is better to discuss where the money will go to be transparent and to find out who will be held accountable,” Ouano told the SunStar.

In a press conference, Osmeña said he believed most of the P14.4 billion would end up in Manila.

Asked what was the basis for saying this, he replied: “History repeats itself over and over.”

He added that with 14 billion, all of his hopes to improve infrastructure in Cebu could be addressed.

“No more traffic, no more flooding. We will have plenty of water; not floodwater, but water from MCWD,” he said.

But provincial board member Peter John Calderon said the money went directly into the National Treasury and did not pass through the provincial government.

He suggested that it was a way of justifying why Osmeña would run for governor again.

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Addressing the former governor directly, he added: “Maybe you do not have anyone to talk to. I will talk to Secretary Dinky Soliman so that the Social Welfare Department will help you find someone to talk to.”

Aquino said the accusation was an insult to people’s intelligence.

“Do you know of any thief who would tell you what he will steal before he steals it, and then hope he would be successful?” the President said in Filipino.

“Is he saying our party is made up of thieves and at the same time, we’re stupid?”

“This is too much of an insult. But that’s life,” Aquino continued, noting that the P14.4 billion went directly to the National Treasury, and that only Congress could decide how the funds would be used.

He also told Cebuanos how difficult his job was.

“Do you know how difficult my job is? You are all witnesses to the insults I have received. All my moves are criticized. No matter how big the accomplishments are, they would still look for the smallest mistakes, just so they will look good,” he said.

But he said his administration had accomplished much as he marked his fifth year as President.

Earlier, the SunStar newspaper reported that Osmeña had mentioned the P14.4 billion paid by the GMR-Megawide consortium in an open letter to the President.

“You succeeded in selling the pride and honor of the Cebuanos in the next 25 years at a cost of P14.4 billion to foreign-

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Veep slams LP ‘fund drive’ THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday slammed the Liberal Party, the political party of President Benigno Aquino III, for raising funds for the coming elections and allegedly planning to source those funds from the Metro Rail Transit whose maintenance contract could be awarded to a new company identified with the ruling party.

Bail hearing. Pork barrel witness Ruby Tuason arrives at the Sandiganbayan courthouse in Quezon City to attend the bail hearing of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. LINO SANTOS

“The Liberal Party has tried almost every means to raise funds for the coming elections and sourcing funds from an MRT deal would not be an exception,” lawyer Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesman for political affairs, said in a statement.

Quicho made his statement even as the opposition United Nationalist Alliance dared Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to fully explain the “hijacked P302 billion” in Internal Revenue Allotment funds, which the Commission on Audit said was not automatically and directly released to local government units in 2013 in violation of the Constitution.

Citing a COA annual report, UNA interim president Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the IRA funds were unconstitutionally impounded and placed in a Department of Budget and Management-administered “Fund 103.”

According to the commission, Tiangco said, Fund 103 was in violation of Section 6, Article X of the Constitution.

The Budget Department said a total of P317.9 billion was released as subsidies to LGUs in 2013, but the P302.8 billion IRA share was placed under “Fund 103,”a DBM-administered fund pertaining to subsidies for LGUs as special-purpose funds.

Quicho said that the Department of Transportation and Communications

recently awarded contracts to four maintenance providers to cover rail tracks and permanent ways, buildings and facilities, communications systems and the automated fare collection system for the MRT3.

He said the contracts would take effect on July 5 this year until a longer-term maintenance provider was assigned.

Binay’s camp has also criticized Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for his failure to solve the worsening problems in the overburdened train systems.

“Secretary Abaya’s partisanship and totally wrong, faulty, and ineffective leadership contributed a lot to the MRT woes our people experience on a daily basis,” Quicho said.

He said cheap stunts like riding the MRT would certainly not solve the problem. Those would only remind the people of Abaya’s predecessor who, in the hopes of building media mileage, would do anything from directing traffic to riding a motorcycle.

“Lest we forget, they knew about the problems years ago and in fact attempted a solution with the planned purchase of additional coaches, but greed got in the way that no less than the Czech ambassador had to expose the extortion attempt of personalities allied with Secretary Abaya’s party,” Quicho said. Vito Barcelo and Christine F. Herrera

Palace challenges Binay to do his worst MALACAÑANG on Monday told Vice President Jejomar Binay to “bring it on”—to dish out more criticism—after Binay slammed the Aquino administration for its alleged incompetence and persecution of its critics.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also accused Binay of spreading lies in his speeches after Binay resigned from the Cabinet as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers on

Monday last week.

He denied that Malacañang had called for the resignation of Binay’s allies who are occupying high positions in the housing agencies.

“No such call from the Palace,” Lacierda said.

“Had VP [Vice President Binay] diligently read the transcript of Undersecretary [Abigail] Valte and not merely [relied] on his minions to spin, he would not have arrived at his inaccurate conclusion.”

Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya also weighed in after

Binay criticized the decrepit MRT 3 train system.

He said the MRT3 issues were technical in nature, and that technical issues could not be solved by political statements.

“VP Binay never approached us to convey his comments, recommendations and solutions to the rail issues,” Abaya said.

“I have always remained approachable and always kept an open mind for any ideas. Not once did he bother to discuss rail issues with me.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also

slammed Binay for saying there was a double standard in the admission of witnesses in her department’s Witness Protection Program.

She was reacting to criticism that she was taking her own sweet time processing the application of a whistle blower in the case of the Armed Forces’ allegedly anomalous P1.2-billion helicopter deal.

Lacierda denied that the Aquino administration was performing badly.

“On bad governance, he was with us for almost 5 years; where

were his proposed solutions as a Cabinet member?” Lacierda said.

“Bad governance? Let me quote you the exact words from his own mouth: ‘We also need to acknowledge the positive impact of the reforms initiated by President Aquino. These reforms triggered renewed interest in the Philippines and a re-appraisal of our economic potential. We therefore make our commitment to continue and, if needed, expand the reforms initiated

by President Aquino beyond 2016.”

Sandy Araneta

‘No proof Jojo’s allies have fled’ JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima said Monday there were no documents showing that two associates of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who are also accused of involvement in the alleged anomalies at the Makati City Hall, had left the country as claimed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. But she did not discount the possibility that Binay’s financial officer Gerardo Simpao Limlingan and personal secretary Eduviges Baloloy might have used the back door and chartered a plane to leave.

The Bureau of Immigration on Monday confirmed that no documents showed that Limlingan and Baloloy had left the country as claimed by Trillanes.

Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesman for political affairs, lashed out at Trillanes for spreading lies.

“In the first place, the Immigration chief has said Mr. Limlingan and Ms. Baloloy have not left the country,” Quicho said.

“Clearly, this is another conspiracy theory of the senator.”

De Lima said she ordered Immigration to check the travel records of Limlingan and Baloloy, but the agency found no record of Limlingan traveling abroad since 2003, while Baloloy had not left the country since 2014.

“I’m asking NBI to check the available sources to find out the possibility that they left the country recently via [the] back door, especially [by] chartered plane,” De Lima said.

She said her department was ready to cancel Limlingan and Baloloy’s passports if, indeed, they had left the country.

The Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee, which is investigating the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II and other alleged anomalies committed by Binay, has recommended that Limlingan and Baloloy be charged with plunder.

Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

Love conquers all. Jesus Bascal kisses Michael Ellis during a ceremony of the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Queers in Manila on Monday, shortly after the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the US which, however, remains invalid in the Philippines. AFP

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Heighten anti-drug activities, PNP told

Airport inspection.

Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez (2nd from left) chats with President Benigno Aquino as they inspected the Puerto Princesa Airport along with Korean Ambassador Kim Jae-Shin (right) and Korean Export-Import Bank Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) country director Yongkeun Oh. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

By Francisco Tuyay

THE Philippine National Police has ordered its 150,000 policemen to intensify counterintelligence operations against PNP scalawags linked to illegal drug syndicates .

PNP Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo ordered the police Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) and the Intelligence Group to intensify its counterintelligence operations nine policemen, including two officers, were nabbed in separate antiillegal drugs operations from January to May this year.

Chief Insp. Roque Merdeguia, spokesman of AIDSOTF, said Garbo’s order was to identify and arrest active policemen involved in the direct selling and distribution of illegal drugs within their area of assignment and beyond their jurisdictional coverage.

Of the nine policemen arrested, one was a senior superintendent, an inspector, three police officers-1, three PO3s and one senior police officer-1. They were all slapped administrative and criminal charges.

The cops were based in Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite and the National Capital Region, “They were all arrested during buy-busts,” Merdeguia said.

He said the PNP-Intelligence Group is currently identifying other cops involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs.

“We are now coordinating with the IG to identify other policemen involved in distribution of shabu so that we can immediately arrest them through buy bust operations, including their cohorts,” added Merdeguia.

Last March, the Police Regional Office in Pampanga filed criminal charges against two police officers, including its chief intelligence officer and 12 other policemen for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, arising from a fake drug bust the policemen had conducted.

Ranking Red leader slain in Davao raid

By Florante Solmerin

THE Philippine military has shot dead an infamous communist guerilla leader in a blow to one of the world’s longest-running Maoist insurgencies, authorities said Monday.

New People’s Army commander Leonardo Pitao was killed in a mountainous hamlet near the major southern city of Davao on Sunday by army special forces, the military said.

A woman believed to be Pitao’s medic was also killed as the months-long operation targeting the most famous guerrilla leader in the main southern island of Mindanao ended, a military statement said.

“He’s an NPA idol, and now they will see how the long arm of the law finally caught up with their leader,” Major

General Eduardo Ano said of the rebel leader also known as “Commander Parago”.

“This is not only going to be a big setback; this is going to be what you call the fall of the NPA in the Davao region,” Ano told reporters.

AFP spokesman Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala agreed and said Pitao’s killing has seriously deepened the leadership vacuum in the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“Pitao’s death is a big blow to the morale of the CPP-NPA’s

Southern Mindanao Regional Committee,” Kakilala said.

“We have reports that the SMRC has also been marred with infighting among its cadres and commanders because of internal politics. Sooner or later this CPP-NPA front in Mindanao will crumble or self-destruct,” Kakilala said.

The news of Pitao’s demise elated outgoing AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. even as he lauded the troops responsible for his neutralization.

“The AFP has to work harder in preparing southern Mindanao in particular and the whole of Mindanao in general for economic development. The AFP should sustain its ‘Bayanihan’ program among stakeholders by freeing NPA-influenced areas so that investments will come in,” Catapang said.

Pitao, the commander of the

NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command (PBC1), together with her medical aide identified as Kyle Hermosa Limpag, 22, were killed in an encounter at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Purok 9, Barangay Pañalum, Paquibato District, Davao City.

Limpag was a resident of Baragay Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley.

After the 20-minute encounter with government troops, the rebels escaped leaving behind the two fatalities. Two M16 Rifles, three backpacks and several rounds of rifle grenades were also recovered.

“Pitao has several standing warrant of arrests for various crimes ranging from murder, multiple frustrated murder and robbery. He gained notoriety as an NPA Leader in Southern Mindanao since late 80’s,” Kakilala said.

Be a man too, VP told

By Macon Ramos-Araneta FORMER Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel defended his son, Senator Koko Pimentel, from Vice President Jejomar Binay’s criticism that the incumbent senator should “be a man” and push through with his plan to ask for an audit of agencies Binay oversaw as housing czar.

“He should also be man enough to face all the attacks. Call to answer gutter language... Koko doesn’t like that. No truth and nonsense,” said the elder Pimentel who, as PDP-Laban partymate and interior secretary in 1986, was close to the vice president when he was named officerin-charge of Makati.

The elder Pimentel said Binay should answer the call for an audit at the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and its housing agencies after he quit the Cabinet of

President Benigno Aquino III. In attacking the Aquino administration, the elder Pimentel said Binay merely wanted to divert the attention of the public from the accusations hurled against him.

Meanwhile, the younger Pimentel said Binay’s finance officer Gerry Limlingan and his secretary Ebeng Baloloy, both linked to the corruption allegations against the Vice President, are still free to leave the court.

In a phone patch interview, he told senate reporters that the duo were merely ordered arrested by the Senate Blue ribbon committee and not by the court. He noted that only a court can issue a hold departure order against a person who was charged in court.

Even if one is included in a “watchlist,” he said it cannot be used as a basis to prohibit one from leaving the country.

Nacionalista Party view. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) explains at a

news forum in Manila the current stand of the Nacionalista Party which has yet to decide whether to field its own standard-bearer in the 2016 elections. Also at the forum was Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Ireneo Maliksi, who is himself a leader of the ruling Liberal Party. EY ACASIO

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A6 Step up biometrics info drive —Recto

By Macon Araneta

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COA: Tech promo body cash awash, misses goal

By Rio N. Araja

requirements to qualify for

percent or P17,489,890.97 had

Technology, said they ex-

senATe President Pro Tembank loan guarantee. been paid, leaving an unpaid erted efforts to meet with pore ralph recto has asked the Those that qualified were balance of P57,548,426.03 the Land Bank of the Philipgovernment to use the P1 bil- THE Commission on Audit is urging the actually given assistance in which has been outstand- pines to discuss and thresh lion savings from the scrapped Technology Application and Promotion In- the form of guarantee on the ing for at least ten (10) years out viable measures to make sangguniang Kabataan (sK) extended by the Devel- to as much as eighteen (18) the IGF more accessible to elections to intensify the stitute to find ways to bolster its financial loans opment Bank of the Philip- years. The fund balance as of client-inventors.

Commission on elections’ inpines with an accumulated December 31, 2014 stands at In its recommendations, support for Filipino inventors since it has sufformation campaign on the use amount of P75,038,317, it P148,084,871.82,” the report CoA told TAPI that it must of biometrics in the 2016 polls. ficient funds to do so. added. read. revisit its policy guidelines, recto said the money can It called the attention of a span of 21 years since the of the 15 inventors whose “While there has been a such as the submission of be used to fund the ways that loans were guaranteed, only notable amount of cash re- collateral and documentary will prevent the disenfran- TAPI for failure to achieve Inventors’ Guarantee Fund chisement of the four million its objective because of its was created, except for cash four were commercially ac- wards granted to 22 inven- requirements. voters whose biometrics have strict policy guidelines that awards/incentives and travel tive, while the rest were con- tors for their inventions, “As much as possible, to yet to be taken. make it very difficult for ap- assistance given to 22 in- sidered inactive. these inventions have so the barest minimum, like He said a special provision plicants to benefit from the ventors of P2,179,864.98, “since 2005 until this far, not been translated to the number of income tax attached to the P16.8 billion program. only 15 project proposals of report, no more loan as- successful commercial ven- returns from three to one Comelec budget for 2015 auIn a 2014 report released inventors out of the 42 pro- sistance was granted to in- tures.” year only. on the collateral thorizes the independent body on Monday, the Commis- cessed and assessed were ventors. so far, of the total officials of TAPI, an at- aspect, the business itself or to re-channel savings for the loans guaranteed amounting tached agency of the De- a chattel mortgage would purchase of equipment and in- sion said from December able to pass the strict col1993 to Dec. 31, 2014, or in lateral and documentary P75,038,317.00, only 23.30 partment of science and suffice,” it said. formation materials. “so if the glitch is due to lack of equipment, then the P1 billion saved from the postponement of the sK polls can be used to acquire more,” recto said.

“If its lack of information materials or the money for an information drive is not enough, then this unused fund can also be tapped,” recto said.

The General Appropriations Act for 2015 had allocated P 937 million for the conduct of sK elections. It also sets aside P156 million for the registration of voters in the youth polls.

But on March 25 this year, President Aquino signed into law republic Act 10656 which moves the sK elections to the last Monday of october 2016.

“This frees up a billion pesos in the Comelec budget, and the budget language allows the Comelec to reassign this to activities which need funding,” recto said. recto, however, expressed confidence that the drive to convince four million voters to have their biometrics recorded by the Comelec database could push through without fund augmentation.

“They have a P1.2 billion for “preparatory activities” for the 2016 elections. This covers voter’s registration,” 200 homeless. At l east 200 families lost their homes when a four-hour fire on Sunday gutted 60 houses at Airport Village Moonwalk Paranaque City. recto stressed.

The Sunday fire was the second in as many months to hit the area. DANNY PATA

Bongbong at PHILCONSA meet

Resiliency forum. Person with disability Vladimir Amadeus Medina (center) is joined by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Renato Solidum Jr. (left) and Bien Mateo Vice President for operations of SM Supermalls during the first Earthquake Resiliency Conference for PWD and Senior Citizens, a forum spearheaded by SM Cares to make PWDs and the elderly better prepared for earthquake and other calamities held at SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia, Pasay City. MANNY PALMERO

ConGressMAn Ferdinand Martin G. romualdez and Manuel M. Lazaro, president and chairman, respectively of Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) announced that Philconsa will hold its Membership Meeting on today, June 30, 2015 at 6:30 in the evening at the historic landmark Manila Hotel, one rizal Park, Manila. senator Ferdinand r. Marcos, Jr., will be the Guest of Honor, speaker and the Awardee of Philconsa’s “The Great Protector of the Constitution Award”. senator Ferdinand r. Marcos Jr. is expected to share his invaluable findings, perceptions, and unfettered insights on the constitutionality, merits, and acceptability of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He took an active part in senate public hearings in different places. More importantly he has accessed the different stakeholders on

their views and sentiments on the proposed BBL. Governor Leonida B. ortiz will lead the singing of the national Anthem while Former Governor Margarita r. Cojuangco, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, will deliver the Invocation. Justice Lucenito n.

Tagle (ret.), and former CoMeLeC Commissioner, will lead the Philconsa Creed.

The welcome remarks will be delivered by Cong. Ferdinand Martin G. romualdez, president.

The new members to be inducted, Former senator and Cabinet member, Francisco “Kit” Tatad, Former secretary of national Defense norberto B. Gonzales, Archbishops ramon Cabrera Arguelles, Fernando Capalla, romulo de la Cruz, and Bishop Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, and Atty.

Jeremy Gatdula will be presented

by Former Governor/representative romulo B. Lumauig, Deputy secretary General, to be inducted

by Former Chief Justice reynato s. Puno (ret.), President emeritus, assisted by Justice Bernardo P. Pardo (ret.), Consultant. Former Justice oswaldo D. Agcaoili (ret.), Vice-President for Constitutional reforms, will introduce Marcos as the Guest of Honor and speaker.

The Board of Governors and officers will present “The Great Protector of the Constitution Award” to Marcos. The citation shall be read by Dr. Hezel P. Gacutan, secretary General.

After the address of Marcos, an open forum will be held with former Commissioner Manolo B. Gorospe, executive Vice-President, as moderator. Chairman Manuel M. Lazaro will be the Master of Ceremonies.

T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

No special privileges for Janet, says DOJ

Air retirees’ day. The Philippine Air Force celebrates retirees’ day at Clark Airbase in Pampanga in honor of the men who valiantly dedicated their services in protecting the Philippine skies. Guest of honor is Lt. General William K. Hotchkiss lll (ret) who is escorted

by Air Force chief General Jeffrey Delgado as they troop the color. Hotchkiss in a speech reiterated his proposal to make the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines into an Air Force reserve unit. ERIC APOLONIO

SC tells money council: Comment on Estrada plea

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has directed the Anti-Money Laundering Council to comment on the petition filed by detained Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada assailing the validity of AMLC’s Inquiry Report on his and wife’s bank accounts in connection with his plunder case that is pending before the Sandiganbayan.

In an en banc resolution dated June 16, 2015, the high court gave the AMLC a period of 10 days to file its comment justifying its action to inquire into the senator’s and wife Precy’s bank accounts.

“Acting on the Petition for Certiorari, Prohibition, and Mandamus (With Prayer for TRO/Preliminary Injunction), the Court Resolved without giving due course to the petition, to require the respondents to Comment therein within 10 days from notice hereof,” the resolution stated.

The plunder case filed against

New tune, old plaint. Members

of various organizations storm the National Office of the Department of Education in Pasig City to air their opposition against the K12 program of the Aquino administration. The groups performed a flash-mob dance protest to the tune of “Nae Nae” to call for the immediate halt to the implementation of the K12 Nationwide.

LINO SANTOS

Estrada arose from the P183.79million in alleged kickbacks he received for allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund to bogus non-government organizations of suspected pork barrel scam architect Janet Lim-Napoles.

In his petition, Estrada stressed that the Sandiganbayan committed grave abuse of discretion in setting aside his motion for the exclusion as prosecution evidence of the AMLC “Inquiry Report on the Bank Transactions related to the Alleged Involvement of Sen. Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Es-

trada in the PDAF scam.”

Jinggoy and his wife Precy insisted that their “constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure,” among others, have been violated by the AMLC’s action.

He also lamented that the Sandiganbayan violated the existing bank secrecy law.

Estrada said that his right to privacy “extends to include an individual’s financial privacy rights.”

The detained opposition senator also accused that the AMLC report was made from 2005 up to 2012, before the AMLA was amended in June 2012, through Republic Act No. 10167, to allow ex-parte bank inquiries.

Because of this, Estrada said he should not be covered with the same because the law cannot be retroactive in application.

“Because most of the bank accounts subject of the AMLC inquiries were opened prior to the enactment of RA No. 10167, the old Section

11 should apply… Thus, the proper procedure should have been that the relevant bank inquiry orders should not have been issued without notice being given to the owner of the bank accounts,” Estrada pointed out.

Besides, the petitioner accused the AMLC of engaging in fishing expedition after including other related accounts in the inquiry.

“The disclosure of ‘related accounts’ imposed by the amendment to Section 11 of the AMLC is clearly a “fruit of the poisonous tree’ obtained by the fishing investigation conducted by the AMLC as part of the objective to fish for evidence which may be used against [Estrada],” the petition stated.

“The AMLC Inquiry Report on the accused Estrada’s bank accounts may directly provide the link that he amassed, accumulated or acquired ill-gotten wealth, the aggregate amount of which is at least P50 million,” the petition said.

SUSPECTED pork barrel scam architect Janet LimNapoles is not being given preferential treatment at the Correctional Institute for Women, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Nonetheless, De Lima admitted that Napoles was indeed transferred to a ward called Dormitory 8, which is known in the CIW as disciplinary ward for women inmates, following her involvement in an altercation with a fellow inmate and a CIW employee.

Bureau of Corrections Director Ricardo Rainier Cruz already visited the CIW to determine why Napoles was transferred to another ward and his preliminary assessment was that there was no special treatment given to her, De Lima said in an interview.

“What triggered her transfer was she got involved in an altercation with certain inmates and a CIW employee.

That’s why for the meantime, she was first transferred to the mothers’ ward,” De Lima added.

Asked if Napoles was transferred to isolation room, De Lima replied: “I don’t think she’s really in that portion.”

De Lima stressed that the decision of jail officials to move Napoles to another ward was justified because her security is a top priority until the plunder cases against her, Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile and several other lawmakers have already been resolved by the Sandiganbayan.

“For some reason, we are still trying to determine the cause of altercation. Why did she get involve in a spat with the other inmates. I still don’t have those details yet,” De Lima said.

“So, my standing instruction to Gen. Cruz is to closely monitor the situation,” she added. Rey Requejo

Make use of amnesty program for ‘illegals’ in Bahrain, Pinoys told

By Vito Barcelo THE Philippine government urged all overstaying Filipinos in Bahrain to apply for the general amnesty for illegal foreign workers in Bahrain which will start on July 1.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the amnesty period will run for six months until December 31, and will cover foreign workers who are overstaying or are considered runaway cases.

Illegal/undocumented foreign workers in Bahrain who face police/criminal cases or travel ban cases are not eligible under the Amnesty Program.

Under the Amnesty Program,

illegal/undocumented foreign workers in Bahrain may avail of the following options: (1) Leave Bahrain without paying any immigration penalties/fines and with the possibility of return at any time regardless of legal status (no blacklisting); or (2) Legalize their employment status in Bahrain with a new employer without the consent of the previous employer, and subject to certain conditions.

The Philippine Embassy in Manama is coordinating with the LMRA on the implementation details of the Amnesty Program and has began disseminating initial information to the Filipino community in

Bahrain, and will update them accordingly.

Filipinos wishing to avail of the amnesty program are advised to be ready with copies of their passports and Central Population Registry (CPR) cards, which are necessary for purposes of immigration status check.

“There are no fees involved in availing of the Amnesty Program. Filipinos in the kingdom are warned against unscrupulous people posing as agents or middlemen and charging fees for this purpose,” the DFA warned.

Bahrain is the eighth largest destination for Filipino domestic workers in the Middle East with over 45,000 Filipino domestic workers as of July 2012.

T u E S D AY : J u N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDItor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

eaGLe eYeS DeaN toNY La VIÑa

Laudato Si’S approach to Science

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Nowhere Near perfect In the past few days, young people graduating with distinction from university have given us something to talk about.

Biology major tiffany Grace Uy, who registered the highest post-war General Weighted Average of 1.004 at the University of the Philippines, has become popular online. Uy obtained a grade of flat 1.0 for all subjects except an art course where she got 1.25.

After the news of Uy’s feat broke online, there emerged vicious comments questioning her Chinese lineage, emphasizing that she was not a pure Filipino. there were also social media posts about high grades not being the measure of true intelligence, and some reference to Uy as her parents’ puppy – deriding her as an obedient child who complied with all school requirements but accomplishing little else.

In her graduation speech last Friday, however, Uy was the first to acknowledge that “despite all the high marks, achievements, and accomplishments under our belt, we come to the stark realization that there are many things school has not prepared us for.”

Amid her attempts to sound lighthearted and humorous, Uy said that the wilderness she and her friends are entering poses “far greater tests of fitness.” she also acknowledged those who came before her generation who have not been able to solve the overwhelming problems of the nation.

Uy believes that limitless human potential will allow this county to overcome its ills. In no way does she say she’s made, or done. the girl with the amazing grades says there is still a lot to do.

Over at UP Visayas, class valedictorian Raoul Manuel said he wished to be known not for being his campus’ first summa cum laude but for being a good friend and student leader. He makes a pitch for student activism amid perception that it derails young people from their goals.

He asked, what purpose would perfect attendance be in a school with insufficient facilities, or with tuition is so steep that not many can afford to enroll?

Uy and Manuel are just two of numerous students who inspire the old and the young alike. despite their early achievements, they recognize that much more needs to be done for their country. there is no air of self-congratulations and a bragging about achievements while maligning those who came before them, those who criticize them or those who do not share their opinion. there is no hint of hubris as they rally their classmates and fellow graduates to do good things for the nation. Finally, there is no thinking that they – nobody else – could save the country from its ills.

It’s not a perfect society. Claims to perfection and infallibility, all empty, have no place here.

The sTaTesman-Troll LowDowN jojo a. robLeS A PResIdentIAL lackey once declared that President noynoy Aquino should spend the rest of his days after leaving office just being “a statesman.” But what a foul-mouthed statesman he’d make – and it’s not just because of the nicotine on his breath.

If you’ve ever wondered

where the viciousness and the bile that is routinely spewed out by the supporters of Aquino come from, look no further than the President himself. Because when it comes to classless putdowns more worthy of an Internet troll than of a head of state, no one can touch the titular head and sole inheritor of the Yellow political heritage.

Aquino’s trademark style of insulting speech was on full display yesterday in Cebu City, when he declared that a critical former gover-

nor of Cebu, Lito Osmena, only needs someone to talk to. What follows is the actual quote in tagalog from Aquino, because the statement loses a lot of its sting when translated into english: “Kaya itong nagsasalitang ito, wala kang kausap. Kakausapin ko po si secretary dinky soliman na tulungan ka ng social welfare na ihanap ng kausap.” this, apparently, is what passes for political discourse as far as Aquino is concerned.

He will not directly answer

A9

what beautiful words from our leaders, who were supposed to have been brought up in proper, uppercrust families.

the charge made by the former governor that the President’s Liberal Party could steal the funds set aside for Cebu’s proposed new airport; instead, he wants to drag Osmena down to the gutter so that he can trade grade-school insults with him there.

I wonder how the late Cory Aquino, who was such a friend of Lito Osmena that she made him the running mate of her anointed successor Fidel Ramos in 1992, would react to her son’s language. For all her faults, after all, the prim and proper Cory would never dream of

talking trash like her son – not even in the heat of her regular mahjong sessions.

(It’s been pointed out to me that Aquino’s filthy language shows that he has a lot more in common with his sister Kris than with his mother Cory. After all, when last heard from, Kris was offering to buy an online critic of hers some decent underwear, apparently because she had rummaged through the guy’s posted photos and found

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-

out that his drawers were not even Calvin Kleins; really classy siblings, these two.)

Aquino, after all, once famously told off a businessman complaining about the looting and lawlessness his disaster-stricken community with: “But you did not die, right?”

Oh, and before I forget, Aquino was once again backstopped in Cebu by his favorite spear-carrier, the tonto to his Lone Ranger, Mar

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

cYaN MaGeNta YeLLow bLacK

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Roxas. to Roxas, of course, will forever be attributed the words – spoken to other calamity victims at another time – “Bahala kayo sa buhay niyo!”

What beautiful words from our leaders, who were supposed to have been brought up in proper, uppercrust families, no less. What dirty, insensitive mouths they have that need to be washed out thoroughly with laundry soap.

Continued on A11

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. Verzosa Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

I WAs tempted to break this series and write on the United states supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.

But quickly I realized that this much-acclaimed and -criticized decision requires more reflection if I were to be thoughtful and faithful to my beliefs. It actually deserves a series of its own. In the meantime, I go back to my series on Laudato si’, the papal encyclical, and reflect in this column on Pope Francis’ approach to science and technology.

Laudato si’ provides a vision of ecological culture, which is “a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality which together generate resistance to the assault of the technocratic paradigm.” In the encyclical, Pope Francis calls for a bold cultural revolution that recognized that humanity “has changed profoundly, and the accumulation of constant novelties exalts a superficiality which pulls us in one direction.” We must reject this and continue to wonder about the purpose and meaning of everything; “Otherwise we would simply legitimate the present situation and need new forms of escapism to help us endure the emptiness.” the encyclical presents a powerful critique of technology. It points out: “the specialization which belongs to technology makes it difficult to see the larger picture. the fragmentation of knowledge proves helpful for concrete applications, and yet it often leads to a loss of appreciation for the whole, for the relationships between things, and for the broader horizon, which then becomes irrelevant. this very fact makes it hard to find adequate ways of solving the more complex problems of today’s world, particularly those regarding the environment and the poor; these problems cannot be dealt with from a single perspective or from a single set of interests.” (Ls 110) From this insight of the need for a more holistic approach, Pope Francis advocates “a science which would offer solutions to the great issues would necessarily have to take into account the data generated by other fields of knowledge, including philosophy and social ethics.

He acknowledged that, in this age of fragmented knowledge, this not easy. He also points to the lack of “genuine ethical horizons to which one can appeal”.

According to Pope Francis: “Life gradually becomes a surrender to situations conditioned by technology, itself viewed as the principal key to the meaning of existence. In the concrete situation confronting us, there are a number of symptoms which point to what is wrong, such Continued on A11 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

T u E S D AY : J u N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDItor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

eaGLe eYeS DeaN toNY La VIÑa

Laudato Si’S approach to Science

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Nowhere Near perfect In the past few days, young people graduating with distinction from university have given us something to talk about.

Biology major tiffany Grace Uy, who registered the highest post-war General Weighted Average of 1.004 at the University of the Philippines, has become popular online. Uy obtained a grade of flat 1.0 for all subjects except an art course where she got 1.25.

After the news of Uy’s feat broke online, there emerged vicious comments questioning her Chinese lineage, emphasizing that she was not a pure Filipino. there were also social media posts about high grades not being the measure of true intelligence, and some reference to Uy as her parents’ puppy – deriding her as an obedient child who complied with all school requirements but accomplishing little else.

In her graduation speech last Friday, however, Uy was the first to acknowledge that “despite all the high marks, achievements, and accomplishments under our belt, we come to the stark realization that there are many things school has not prepared us for.”

Amid her attempts to sound lighthearted and humorous, Uy said that the wilderness she and her friends are entering poses “far greater tests of fitness.” she also acknowledged those who came before her generation who have not been able to solve the overwhelming problems of the nation.

Uy believes that limitless human potential will allow this county to overcome its ills. In no way does she say she’s made, or done. the girl with the amazing grades says there is still a lot to do.

Over at UP Visayas, class valedictorian Raoul Manuel said he wished to be known not for being his campus’ first summa cum laude but for being a good friend and student leader. He makes a pitch for student activism amid perception that it derails young people from their goals.

He asked, what purpose would perfect attendance be in a school with insufficient facilities, or with tuition is so steep that not many can afford to enroll?

Uy and Manuel are just two of numerous students who inspire the old and the young alike. despite their early achievements, they recognize that much more needs to be done for their country. there is no air of self-congratulations and a bragging about achievements while maligning those who came before them, those who criticize them or those who do not share their opinion. there is no hint of hubris as they rally their classmates and fellow graduates to do good things for the nation. Finally, there is no thinking that they – nobody else – could save the country from its ills.

It’s not a perfect society. Claims to perfection and infallibility, all empty, have no place here.

The sTaTesman-Troll LowDowN jojo a. robLeS A PResIdentIAL lackey once declared that President noynoy Aquino should spend the rest of his days after leaving office just being “a statesman.” But what a foul-mouthed statesman he’d make – and it’s not just because of the nicotine on his breath.

If you’ve ever wondered

where the viciousness and the bile that is routinely spewed out by the supporters of Aquino come from, look no further than the President himself. Because when it comes to classless putdowns more worthy of an Internet troll than of a head of state, no one can touch the titular head and sole inheritor of the Yellow political heritage.

Aquino’s trademark style of insulting speech was on full display yesterday in Cebu City, when he declared that a critical former gover-

nor of Cebu, Lito Osmena, only needs someone to talk to. What follows is the actual quote in tagalog from Aquino, because the statement loses a lot of its sting when translated into english: “Kaya itong nagsasalitang ito, wala kang kausap. Kakausapin ko po si secretary dinky soliman na tulungan ka ng social welfare na ihanap ng kausap.” this, apparently, is what passes for political discourse as far as Aquino is concerned.

He will not directly answer

A9

what beautiful words from our leaders, who were supposed to have been brought up in proper, uppercrust families.

the charge made by the former governor that the President’s Liberal Party could steal the funds set aside for Cebu’s proposed new airport; instead, he wants to drag Osmena down to the gutter so that he can trade grade-school insults with him there.

I wonder how the late Cory Aquino, who was such a friend of Lito Osmena that she made him the running mate of her anointed successor Fidel Ramos in 1992, would react to her son’s language. For all her faults, after all, the prim and proper Cory would never dream of

talking trash like her son – not even in the heat of her regular mahjong sessions.

(It’s been pointed out to me that Aquino’s filthy language shows that he has a lot more in common with his sister Kris than with his mother Cory. After all, when last heard from, Kris was offering to buy an online critic of hers some decent underwear, apparently because she had rummaged through the guy’s posted photos and found

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-

out that his drawers were not even Calvin Kleins; really classy siblings, these two.)

Aquino, after all, once famously told off a businessman complaining about the looting and lawlessness his disaster-stricken community with: “But you did not die, right?”

Oh, and before I forget, Aquino was once again backstopped in Cebu by his favorite spear-carrier, the tonto to his Lone Ranger, Mar

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

cYaN MaGeNta YeLLow bLacK

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Roxas. to Roxas, of course, will forever be attributed the words – spoken to other calamity victims at another time – “Bahala kayo sa buhay niyo!”

What beautiful words from our leaders, who were supposed to have been brought up in proper, uppercrust families, no less. What dirty, insensitive mouths they have that need to be washed out thoroughly with laundry soap.

Continued on A11

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. Verzosa Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

I WAs tempted to break this series and write on the United states supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.

But quickly I realized that this much-acclaimed and -criticized decision requires more reflection if I were to be thoughtful and faithful to my beliefs. It actually deserves a series of its own. In the meantime, I go back to my series on Laudato si’, the papal encyclical, and reflect in this column on Pope Francis’ approach to science and technology.

Laudato si’ provides a vision of ecological culture, which is “a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality which together generate resistance to the assault of the technocratic paradigm.” In the encyclical, Pope Francis calls for a bold cultural revolution that recognized that humanity “has changed profoundly, and the accumulation of constant novelties exalts a superficiality which pulls us in one direction.” We must reject this and continue to wonder about the purpose and meaning of everything; “Otherwise we would simply legitimate the present situation and need new forms of escapism to help us endure the emptiness.” the encyclical presents a powerful critique of technology. It points out: “the specialization which belongs to technology makes it difficult to see the larger picture. the fragmentation of knowledge proves helpful for concrete applications, and yet it often leads to a loss of appreciation for the whole, for the relationships between things, and for the broader horizon, which then becomes irrelevant. this very fact makes it hard to find adequate ways of solving the more complex problems of today’s world, particularly those regarding the environment and the poor; these problems cannot be dealt with from a single perspective or from a single set of interests.” (Ls 110) From this insight of the need for a more holistic approach, Pope Francis advocates “a science which would offer solutions to the great issues would necessarily have to take into account the data generated by other fields of knowledge, including philosophy and social ethics.

He acknowledged that, in this age of fragmented knowledge, this not easy. He also points to the lack of “genuine ethical horizons to which one can appeal”.

According to Pope Francis: “Life gradually becomes a surrender to situations conditioned by technology, itself viewed as the principal key to the meaning of existence. In the concrete situation confronting us, there are a number of symptoms which point to what is wrong, such Continued on A11 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

T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

The charges are ready TO THE POiNT Emil P. jURAdO

ThIS made me laugh.

A study of middleaged Japanese men, 35 to 50 years old, showed that one out of four were still virgins.

This report compelled some enterprising groups to teach these men sexual education like painting women in the nude.

There is now another study being conducted in middle-aged Japanese women to find out if they are still virgins. Santa Banana, that would be a revelation.

The reason given by these virgins is that they have been devoted to their jobs in Japanese firms. *** A group of former law deans, ranking members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other legal luminaries is now fine-tuning all the cases to be brought against President Aquino when he steps down from office in 2016.

According to sources, this group has been meeting regularly since 2011. They will bring legal action against President Aquino with the discovery that he bribed some 188 members of the house of Representatives to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona and likewise, members of the Senate to eventually convict and oust Corona.

The group has also found basis to charge President Aquino criminally and civilly for the botched “Oplan Exodus.” Forty-four police commandos were killed during the sensitive Mamasapano operation where a suspended police chief – who happens to be a close friend of the President – called the shots.

Criminal and civil cases will also be filed against members of the Aquino Cabinet involved in the P10 bil-

lion pork barrel scam of Janet Lim Napoles, and many other acts of graft and corruption. My gulay, there’s also the alleged bribery of members of the house to railroad the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Santa Banana, we may well see the wheels of justice turning against a vindictive leader. This is known as “karma.” Indeed, what goes around comes around. *** Vice President Jejomar Binay has said that the Aquino administration lacks compassion and sensitivity to the plight of the poor. Inept and incompetent, the

There is a group of legal experts that has been meeting regularly to put together cases against the President as soon as he steps down from office.

Aquino administration practices selective justice, with different standards for the President’s friends and for his opponents.

Instead of answering the questions Binay has raised, the Palace now calls the Vice President an ingrate and reminds him of the functions given to him in the Cabinet, like being housing czar and adviser on overseas Filipino workers concerns.

That office at the Coconut Palace is also being mentioned, as if it were a big favor done for Binay.

Presidential spokespersons are now saying that government officials identified with Binay should also resign.

Actually, all the

Love, firsT time) that featured some holy imONE of the most telling conseARE WE ages “redesigned” to show that quence of recent decision of the THERE YET? Jesus Christ also loves the LGBT Supreme Court of the United States community. I was also taken aback giving same-sex couples the right to BONG C. by one picture that showed a gay marry was that one got to know the AUSTERO man kissing on the mouth what stuff one’s friends and acquaintances were truly made of. Reading various commen- appeared to be a representation of Jesus Christ on taries in social networking sites over the weekend the cross and two women kissing while simulaton the issue was an educational and informative ing being nailed to the cross. The pictures were task, although also quite amusing and agitating obviously political in nature – they were meant in many instances. Although there were a num- to assert ownership of their own religious beliefs. ber of really heartwarming and enlightening mes- In a way, the act was an extreme variation of the sages from people, including priests, political and way certain people turn the Santo Nino into a doll religious leaders, still the question that was top of and present him in various depictions that make mind over the weekend was: how can some people him one of them – a judge, a policeman, a farmer, even an entertainer or an overseas Filipino workbe capable of so much hatred in their hearts?

There were those who openly applauded the er. We’ve also seen images of saints being subdecision and immediately turned their profile merged in water or made to gyrate and rock in pictures in Facebook into a mosaic of rainbow the street. The act may have been more symbolic colors, thanks to an app that made it possible. of redemption than an act of defiance. But the I was one of those who did this. But then, ex- real message was to push tolerance further. After pectedly, there were those who expressed disap- all, it is when we see images that incite intense pointment, confusion, anger, and yes, outrage feelings within us when our capacity to really acover the decision. The vitriol was particularly cept and tolerate is tested. But more important, more pronounced the day after the decision was those images where not necessarily representative rendered when the celebratory spirit started to of the beliefs and practices of the whole LGBT community – many are actually devout Catholics wane.

In many instances, people just needed to be en- with particular devotions to specific saints. It is lightened; their negative reactions borne mainly wrong to hold these images up as a form of conout of lack of information or inability to process demnation of all members of the LGBT just as it the whole picture. For example, one of my for- would be wrong to hold up the many husbands mer students decried in his Facebook account who beat up their wives or children as representawhat he thought was a question of inequity, es- tive of straight men.

Lost in the whole discussion was the fact that sentially wondering why it is okay for gay people to express pride in their sexuality but not okay for the SCOTUS decision affirmed the legal bases straight people to do the same. I had to explain for same-sex marriage for those who so desire, it that straight people actually express their pride did not prescribe a new morality for everyone. It in their sexuality 24/7 through the various posts did not prescribe same-sex marriage for all. Neithey make about their significant others, when ther did the decision change anything about how they post those lovely pictures and videos of their people practice their faith or religions. Anyone engagement parties or of their weddings, those with a strong faith should have nothing to fear as ultrasound pictures of the babies that they are the decision has not decreed that anyone change conceiving, and even when they display pictures the way one observes his or her faith.

Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, tried to put of their husbands and wives and children at work.

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders, obvi- everything in context in a Facebook post he made ously, cannot do the same things. Thus the need where he exhorted people to “love first, everything else later.” Of course the Jesuit was attacked to stress pride in their sexuality.

Quite a number of people expressed shock and by so many religious zealots who claimed to be anger over pictures (purportedly of the celebra- spokesperson of God himself. The priest’s mestion in the Castro District in San Francisco, or sage was lost on them, particularly the one that probably, taken in some other place at some other said “Everything else is meaningless without love.” charges brought to fore

by Binay against the Aquino resonate with the people whom Mr. Aquino loves to call his “bosses.”

I find the denial of “selective justice” by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima pathetic when everybody knows she is sitting on the third batch of lawmakers linked to the pork barrel scam. Among these officials are Technology and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva, who is running for the Senate, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriquez, who made a 180-degree turn after the President

talked to him about the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and many other lapdogs.

Those bribery charges thrown for the railroading of the BBL is now becoming apparent with the ongoing congressional hearings on a Chinese crime lord who reportedly gave immigration officials millions to steamroll the BBL for plenary hearings.

Now that the gloves are off, we may soon see lines drawn for the 2016 presidential polls. *** In many organizations, both private and public, it is normal for newcomers to be

the butt of new jokes, pranks and other initiation rights.

I feel that Dean Andres Bautista, the new Commission on Elections chairman, may be at the receiving end of this by Comelec “Little Garcis” and other corrupt people at the commission.

Bautista must be aware of the strength of their numbers, and must not allow them to run circles around him.

Word is that former Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes still holds considerable influence at the Comelec and still calls the shots via his faithful follower, Commissioner Christian

Lim, who became the officer-in-charge before Bautista was named to his post last May 4.

The situation at the Comelec now is through the courtesy of the same people who brought us the midnight deal of their favorite supplier, Smartmatic TIM. These are the same people who did not allow the inspection of Precinct Count Optical Scan machines, it had acquired from Smartmatic and feedback from third-party experts.

The question is: With Smartmatic again be in the running for bids?

Can’t they even be subtle?

T u e S d aY : J u N e 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

UP MANILA’S AGULTO AND JAMIR GET LONG-AWAITED JUSTICE

Back in December 2014, this column some government property. agulto and discussed the plight of Manuel agulto his officers lamented that during the enand Joselito Jamir, two administrative tire incident, not a single security guard officials of the University of the Philip- was around to protect them. How the pines-Philippine General Hospital com- violent mob managed to reach the eighth plex in the heart of the nation’s capital, or floor without the security guards knowwhat is commonly known as UP Manila. ing about it was not clear.

The UP Manila complex is made up By that time, the contract of the secuof a medical college, a nursing school, rity agency concerned was due to expire. a dental college, an institute for related The agency insisted that it had a right to medical sciences, a school for under- an automatic renewal of its contract, but graduate college students, a medical the UP Manila administration made arresearch center, a nuclear research fa- rangements for a public bidding for secility, and a public hospital. It houses curity services as required by law. Soon, expensive medical equipment and sup- the relations between UP Manila manplies, including radioactive materials for agement and the security agency deteresearch purposes. Thousands of stu- riorated, and there was unrest among the dents, teachers, researchers, school and security guards all over the UP Manila hospital personnel, suppliers, patients, complex. The possibility of the security and visitors enter the complex every day. personnel pulling out of UP Manila on To say the obvious, security in the entire short notice caused agulto and Jamir complex is an important daily concern. much anxiety.

Security services are provided by a secuconsidering the administrative and rity agency. security nightmare that may take place agulto was the chancellor of UP should the security agency pull out its Manila and Jamir was the Vice chancel- guards from UP Manila, agulto and lor. They are both physicians, and they Jamir contracted the services of another spent decades of their productive years security agency to protect the UP Maas academics and administrators of UP nila complex. although the new security Manila. They retired from the service agency was reputable, and the contract in 2014. price of the new agency was the same as The year 2013 was unsettling for both that for the first agency, the contract for agulto and Jamir. Theft was rampant the new agency was not subjected to a in the campus, and on March 15, 2013, a prior public bidding. violent mob attacked the office of agulto agulto and Jamir explained that unat the eighth floor of the Health Scienc- der the circumstances then obtaining in es building of UP Manila. agulto and UP Manila, immediate action was neceshis personnel managed to barricade the sary to prevent damage to or loss of life doors to their offices and prevent the or property, and to restore vital public mob from entering. Before the mob left, services. it defaced the premises and destroyed They stressed that contracting the

Laudato.. From A9 as environmental degradation, anxiety, a loss of the purpose of life and of community living.” (LS 111) More positively, Laudato Si’ shares a vision of ecological culture which “cannot be reduced to a series of urgent and partial responses to the immediate problems of pollution, environmental decay and the depletion of natural resources.” according to Pope Francis: “There needs to be a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality which together generate resistance to the assault of the technocratic paradigm. Otherwise, even the best ecological initiatives can find themselves caught up in the same globalized logic. To seek only a technical remedy to each environmental problem which comes up is to separate what is in reality interconnected and to mask the true and deepest problems of the global system.” (LS 111) The Pope points also to “the fact that people no longer seem to believe in a happy future; they no longer have blind trust in a better tomorrow based on the present state of the world and our technical abilities.”

People no longer equate scientific and technological progress with the progress of humanity and history; that there is “a growing sense that the

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way to a better future lies elsewhere”.

He described humanity as changing profoundly, with “the accumulation of constant novelties” exalting “a superficiality which pulls us in one direction.” (LS 111) Laudato Si’ lament how difficult it is “to pause and recover depth in life.” It observes: “If architecture reflects the spirit of an age, our megastructures and drab apartment blocks express the spirit of globalized technology, where a constant flood of new products coexists with a tedious monotony. Let us refuse to resign ourselves to this, and continue to wonder about the purpose and meaning of everything. Otherwise we would simply legitimate the present situation and need new forms of escapism to help us endure the emptiness.” (LS 113) Laudato Si’ has been criticized for being anti-science and technology. There is no basis for this criticism. In fact, Pope Francis acknowledges and praises the contributions of science and technology.

He only urges wisdom in how we use is. Thus, he proposes: “We have the freedom needed to limit and direct technology; we can put it at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral.

Liberation from the dominant technocratic paradigm does in fact happen sometimes, for example, when cooperatives of small producers

services of the new security agency without public bidding was warranted under the procurement law.

The first security agency filed criminal and administrative charges against agulto and Jamir before the Ombudsman in early 2014. agulto and Jamir denied any criminal or administrative culpability, and maintained that what they did was valid and legal.

On October 13, 2014, the Ombudsman announced its ruling. In the criminal case, the Ombudsman found probable cause to warrant anti-graft charges against agulto and Jamir. as regards the administrative complaint, the Ombudsman ordered the forfeiture of all retirement benefits of agulto and Jamir, and imposed other administrative penalties upon them. agulto and Jamir sought a reconsideration of the ruling of the Ombudsman.

They emphasized that UP Manila is not just a school but an academic and medical complex where the security of the thousands of people who enter it every day cannot be compromised even for a minute. attention was also invited to the need to secure the radioactive materials housed in UP Manila.

On March 2, 2015, the Ombudsman issued a Joint Order dismissing the criminal case against agulto and Jamir, but sustaining the administrative ruling against them. The Ombudsman dismissed the criminal case on the ground that agulto and Jamir acted in good faith when they negotiated the contract for the second security agency, it appearing that the circumstances obtaining in UP Manila at that time warranted the quick, re-

adopt less polluting means of production, and opt for a non-consumerist model of life, recreation and community. Or when technology is directed primarily to resolving people’s concrete problems, truly helping them live with more dignity and less suffering. Or indeed when the desire to create and contemplate beauty manages to overcome reductionism through a kind of salvation which occurs in beauty and in those who behold it. an authentic humanity, calling for a new synthesis, seems to dwell in the midst of our technological culture, almost unnoticed, like a mist seeping gently beneath a closed door. Will the promise last, in spite of everything, with all that is authentic rising up in stubborn resistance?” (LS 112) What can we conclude from these reflections on science? Pope Francis calls us “to move forward in a bold cultural revolution.” Let’s be clear on what to do: “Science and technology are not neutral; from the beginning to the end of a process, various intentions and possibilities are in play and can take on distinct shapes. Nobody is suggesting a return to the Stone age, but we do need to slow down and look at reality in a different way, to appropriate the positive and sustainable progress which has been made, but also to recover the values and the great goals swept away by our unrestrained delusions of grandeur.”

medial action taken by agulto and Jamir.

On the other hand, the administrative ruling was sustained on the ground that agulto and Jamir were guilty of grave misconduct for the same act. as expected, the dismissal of the criminal case was welcomed by agulto and Jamir. Nonetheless, how and why they could remain guilty of grave misconduct in the administrative case, after a ruling that they acted in good faith, is a mystery.

The law defines “good faith” as “that state of mind denoting honesty of intention,” “being faithful to one’s duty or obligation,” and “an honest belief in the validity of one’s act.” In turn, “grave misconduct” is defined as a “clear intent to violate the law” or “flagrant disregard of established rules.” a simple comparison of the definitions shows that a finding of “good faith” cannot co-exist with a finding of “grave misconduct.”

Being so, agulto and Jamir will take their administrative case to the court of appeals on the simple argument that they cannot be guilty of grave misconduct when it was categorically held that they acted in good faith – with regard to one and the same contract. agulto and Jamir believe that the Ombudsman merely overlooked this detail, and they are optimistic that the appellate court will eventually grant them the justice that has eluded them these past three years. at any rate, agulto and Jamir are happy with the dismissal of the criminal case. It’s the least the government can do for these two public servants who chose public service over a lucrative private practice of Medicine.

The statesman.. From A9 *** When I broke the story of Tiffany Grace Uy, the University of the Philippines summa cum laude who achieved a general weighted average of 1.004 two weeks ago, I failed to mention her obvious chinese ethnicity. But I really thought that the fact that Uy, a BS Biology graduate, earned the highest-possible 1.0 grade in all the courses she took save for one (where she received the next-highest grade of 1.25) was the more important “angle.”

That was silly of me. at least two members of the UP faculty, of all people, have since belittled Uy’s amazing feat – with one of them insinuating that she got her high grades because she was not patriotic (and by extension Filipino) enough to join protest actions on campus.

In her graduation address last weekend, Uy ignored the envious barbs and the poorly concealed ethnic slurs. She only talked about how her own stratospheric marks were not as important as her own desire to become a doctor someday so she could help the people.

Now, that’s class. and because she took the higher ground when she could have justifiably taken offense and lashed back at those who bullied her for the “crime” of having chinese roots, I can only say that my admiration for Uy has only increased. as for her detractors, I’m sure a lot of them are only too willing to celebrate anyone with the slightest connection to the Philippines, embracing with misplaced “Pinoy Pride” an excellent athlete or entertainer who can’t even tell the difference between adobo and his or her abdomen. But let someone like Uy, who was born and raised here, excel at something like academics in UP and all of a sudden, she’s not even Filipino.

I’m even willing to bet that these people are aquino supporters. They sure have the troll act down pat.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Gatlin blazes to 19.57 in 200m

Watson wins via sudden death CROMWELL—Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson rolled in a birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Paul Casey and capture the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship on Sunday.

Watson, who led after the first two rounds, stuck his approach shot on the final hole to within seven feet, while Casey found the bunker on his first two shots then blasted a sand shot over the green to all but eliminate himself from contention.

“Casey played great. I watched him make birdie on 17 from 16 green, and you know, I hung on and that’s what we’ve got to do sometimes to win,” said Watson.

The 36-year-old Watson closed with a three-under 67 to become the fourth player this year to earn two tournament victories. Casey posted a five-under 65.

The left-handed American finished at 16-under 264 in a tie with England’s Casey, who made a late charge by making birdie on three of his final five holes of regulation to get into the playoff.

Both players parred the first sudden death hole, sending them back to the 18th tee for the third straight time in the round played under a light drizzle.

Watson’s drive landed in the middle of the fairway and then he hit a brilliant approach shot onto the green.

He eventually made the seven-foot birdie putt, but the final hole was more about what Casey didn’t do right.

His tee shot landed in the sand on the right side of the fairway and then the second shot found the bunker again just off the green. AFP

EUGENE—Controversial sprinter Justin Gatlin fired a World Championships warning shot Sunday, winning the 200m title at the US athletics championships in a blistering 19.57sec.

Justin Gatlin competes in the Men’s 200 Meter Dash semifinal during Day 4 of the 2015 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. AFP

PSA Forum tackles triathlon THE Triathlon Association of the Philippines is today’s main guest in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

No less than TRAP president and Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Tom Carrasco will be on hand to talk about the future plans of

Sepak takraw player quits after crash SINGAPORE—Singapore’s Azreen Sairudin has quit sepak takraw after he was seriously injured and lost his younger brother in a motorbike crash during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a report said on Monday.

The 25-year-old told The New Paper it was “too painful” to continue in the volleyball-style sport after the crash on June 7, a day before Singapore’s first match at the multi-sport SEA Games.

Azreen was giving his brother Aqil, 21, a lift when they were both flung from his motorbike in the earlyhours accident on one of the city-state’s highways.

“I can still hear my brother’s voice in my head,” Azreen told the newspaper.

“We were both lying on the ground and he told me, ‘Azreen, I’m in so much pain’.

“Those were his last words.”

Azreen broke an arm and a little finger in the crash and suffered severe bruising and abrasions which required skin grafts. He spent 13 days in hospital, including three in intensive care.

His psychological wounds remain acute after the loss of a brother with whom he was so close that they used to share a bed at the family’s three-room public housing apartment. AFP

one of the most accomplished federations during the recent 28th Southeast Asian Games.

Sharing the limelight with Carrasco in the session aired live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 and presented by San Miguel Corp., Shakey’s, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is for-

mer World Cup champion and PSA Athlete of the Year CJ Suarez.

The ex-national bowler will talk about his latest project as head of sports development for SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. Accompanying him is SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. pr manager Stephanie Henares.

“I wanted to come out and make a statement, and that’s what I did,” Gatlin said after a career-best that improved on the seasonleading 19.68 he set on the same Hayward Field track at the Eugene Diamond League meeting in May. The 33-year-old, who completed a four-year doping ban in 2010, is now the fifth-fastest man of all time in the event, behind Usain Bolt -- who holds the world record of 19.19 -- Yohan Blake, Michael Johnson and Walter Dix. With his dominance this season -- he also owns the fastest 100m time of the year of 9.74sec -- he has set the stage for a scintillating showdown with Bolt in both the 100m and 200m at the August 22-30 World Championships in Beijing.

“I’d say the 100, just because it comes first,” Gatlin said of his best world title hope. “But I’m going to put all my effort into both of them.

“A lot of people try to peak for the World Championships. I just want to maintain,” added Gatlin, who came off the turn well in front and powered home.

“I know I had a great

start, attacked coming off the turn and ran a great 150,” said Gatlin, who called it “the most complete technically 200 meter I ever ran.”

His training partner Isiah Young was a distant second in 19.93 with veteran Wallace Spearmon third in 20.10.

Even as he has dominated the sprint world this season, Gatlin has found his past doping transgressions in the spotlight, as has US team-mate Tyson Gay -- who booked his Beijing berth with a 100m victory on Saturday.

Current allegations also cast a cloud over these championships, after Alberto Salazar, coach of US distance runner Galen Rupp, was accused in a BBC/ProPublica documentary this month of infractions.

Kara Goucher, one of the athletes who has leveled allegations against Salazar, fanned the flames on Sunday, hitting back at the coach for branding her a liar.

“I stand by my statements,” Goucher said, even as Rupp again voiced support for his coach and their practices. AFP

‘Be Like Mike’ slogan now 23 years old TWENTY-THREE years ago, Gatorade launched a gamechanging campaign in honor of a celebrated athlete whose name has come to be associated with greatness in sports.

The catchy and upbeat Be Like Mike campaign became a global hit when it first came out in 1992, cementing Michael Jordan’s niche as a sports legend.

Today, Gatorade celebrates this enduring and historic partnership of sports excellence and legacy. In commemoration of this milestone, Gatorade recently released a digitally remastered version of the iconic television commercial, which also coincides with the top sports drink’s 50th anniversary.

As part of the celebration, Gatorade also launched a digital campaign inviting netizens to send photos or videos showing how they can #BeLikeMike. The most creative posts will win special Be Like Mike premium items.

According to Tony Atayde, Pepsico Philippines marketing manager for hydration, the long-standing partnership with Jordan reiterates Gatorade’s niche as the top-of-mind sports drink for the world’s finest athletes.

“As the most researched sports drink in the world, with more than 50 years of scientific and athletic testing to back it up, Gatorade has demonstrated its effectiveness in fueling sports excellence,” Atayde added. “Just as Gatorade was there with Jordan through all his victories, the brand

is here for today’s new breed of athletes who want to make their own mark in sports history.”

To view the remastered Be Like Mike video, check out Gatorade Philippines’ YouTube channel.

More than two decades later, Jordan’s legacy continues to resonate among today’s athletes and active youth.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Martinez, Velez bag net crowns

Cage champ. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Vice Chairman and General Manager Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II (fifth from left) and Atty. Lauro

A. Patiag (fourth from left), Assistant General for Administrative Sector and Sports Committee Chairman, awarded the championship trophy to Conrado C. Zabella (sixth from left), Assistant General Manager for Gaming, Product Development, and Marketing Sector on June 29 at the PCSO Head Office in Mandaluyong City. The Gaming Sector team emerged champion of the 2015 PCSO Sectoral Basketball Tournament held at Dumlao Sports Center in Mandaluyong City. Others in photo are Draw Division Chief Ariel De Ocampo, Gaming and Technology Department Manager Arnel Casas, Sports Committee Vice Chairman Orlando Malaca, and Information Technology Officer Bobby Tamayosa. JOSEPH MUEGO

Casimero’s trainer to protest referee Doggett’s officiating

By Ronnie Nathanielsz FORMER International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero, who lost in his bid to win the IBF flyweight title against Thai champion Amnat Ruenroeng in an ugly, foul-marred fight at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium Saturday night, returned home Monday morning dejected by his loss.

Casimero returned with bruised and painful legs caused by the numerous Muay Thai-style takedowns and an aching neck due to the numerous headlocks, resorted to by his foe.

Promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who handles Casimero in partnership with international matchmaker and manager Sampson Lewkowicz, told The Standard/boxingmirror.com, he would formally write IBF president Darryl Peoples and Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker, protesting the failure of referee Larry Doggett to stop the persistent foul tactics of the Thai champion, which emboldened him to continue.

Gello-ani noted that the American referee did nothing to stop the champion from repeatedly sending Casimero to the canvas in takedowns, constantly holding and grabbing for long spells and catching him in a headlock and around the throat several times.

He also pointed out that Doggett failed to call a clear knockdown in Round 3, when Casimero caught Ruenroeng with a perfectly timed left hook, with the groggy champion allowed time to fix his loose laces that helped him recover.

Doggett ruled a knockdown in the previous round when Ruenrong connected with a much less

cleaner punch and dropped an offbalanced Casimero.

Gello-ani said he would ask the IBF to preserve Casimero’s No. 1 ranking so he could use the nearest opportunity to fight again.

“Doggett was confused and didn’t know what to do,” said Gello-ani, who commended Casimero. “He tried his best in an ugly fight which was a combination of wrestling and muay thai and not boxing.”

Gello-ani and Lewkowicz said Casimero will be back in Las Vegas after one week and prepare “for several opportunities,” but dismissed the thought of a rematch since “Ruenrong will never fight outside Thailand because he would surely be disqualified.”

Trainer Jhun Agrabio revealed he was taken aback because referee Doggett didn’t implement any of the instructions he gave in the dressing room prior to the fight and the managers’ meeting.

After his third takedown in Round 5, in which Casimero connected with a great counter left, Ruenroeng was warned by the referee after another takedown. The Thai

followed up by pushing Casimero down near the corner and hitting him, while he was on his haunches.

In Round 6, Ruenroeng pushed Casimero through the ropes and almost out of the ring and then caught the challenger in one of his many headlocks.

An utterly frustrated Casimero, who tried desperately to push the grappling Ruenroeng away to give himself room to punch, tried to get out of the champion’s clutches by punching him on the thigh and catching him with a couple of low blows in the 11th round.

Doggett continued his pathetic officiating when he called a slip by an off-balanced Casimero in Round 7 as a knockdown. The clinch in the same round, as noted

by TV5 commentators Carlo Pamintuan amd James Velasquez, lasted 40 seconds, while the referee stood in front of the two fighters and did nothing.

Doggett warned Ruenroeng once again for holding in Round 8, followed by two subsequent takedowns.

Viloria aching to fight Ring’s no. 2 Gonzales WHILE former two-division world champion Brian Viloria is right now concentrating on his upcoming “stay-busy fight” in Glendale, California against an opponent yet to be named, he told The Standard/boxingmirror.com, “I’m licking my chops,” in anticipation of a possible title fight against undefeated Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez, who has zoomed to the No. 2 spot in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. “I am now concentrating on getting myself ready as they (his promoters) look for a possible opponent,” said Viloria.

He said he’s been training for the past two months at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

Roach works with Viloria at times, but most of the time, it’s Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez, who is a fighter/trainer and was described by him as “really good, especially on the punch-mitts and is slick.”

Viloria’s regular trainer and the assistant of Roach, Filipino Marvin Somodio, is currently in the Philippines attending to the papers of his wife so she could go to the United States with him.

“I welcome and am looking forward to this (fight with Gonzales). It should be a great fight,” said Viloria, who pointed out that Gonzalez is “a well-schooled fighter.” Ronnie Nathanielsz

Superliga outfitter. Philippine Superliga President Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara and Accel President Willie Ortiz display an Accel uniform shortly after they signed an agreement making Accel as the official outfitter of the inaugural 2015 PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup which fires off July 18 at the MOA Beach Volleyball Court in Pasay City.

JYLE Cyrin Martinez played true to form and foiled unranked Klyde Lagarde, scoring an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 victory to capture the crown in the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala regional age group presented by Technifibre at the Digos City Tennis Club in Davao del Sur yesterday.

Martinez’s final round romp capped his domination of the boys’ 14-andunder division that saw him drop just four games in four matches and deliver the lone victory by a local bet in the fourday Group 3 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop.

The Davao bets stamped their class in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association with Patricia Velez racking up two victories for the second straight week to re-stake her claim as one of the country’s rising players in the distaff side of the country’s biggest ranking junior tournament.

Velez, who pulled off a pair of tough wins to clinch the 16- and 18-U plums in the circuit’s Isulan leg in Sultan Kudarat last week, duplicated the feat although this time, she cruised to a 6-4 (ret.) win in the 16-U class and trounced Clarizza Caorte, 6-3, 6-1, in the premier 18-U category.

Chessfest listup on THE Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship 2015 holds the second leg of its five-stage regional elims in the Visayas on July 4 and 5 with a maximum field of 300 expected to vie for top honors in various divisions at SM City Cebu.

Registration is ongoing. For details, call Odillon Badilles at (0933) 619-0210 or Alex Dinoy at (0918) 3705750. Interested participants may also opt to download registration forms at www.shell.com. ph/shell_chess. sThe country’s longestrunning chess circuit is using a three-division tournament for the first time in 23 years as energy and gas technology leader Shell puts emphasis on the mid-teen age bracket, further expanding the base of chess talents that has grown in numbers the last few years.

T ue s day : j un e 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Cone wary of former team

By Jeric Lopez

IF there’s somebody who knows how capable Alaska can be, it’s no other than its former longtime coach Tim Cone.

Calvin Abueva of Alaska, shown here penetrating the defense of Star’s Rafi Reavis and Allein Maliksi, will be one of Hotshots’ Coach Tim Cone’s primary concerns in the semifinals.

Hapee determined to join pro league HAPEE Toothpaste fell short in its bid of winning a back-to-back championship in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League, but Lamoiyan Corporation Chief Executive Officer and President Dr. Cecilio Pedro won’t be discouraged from joining the PBA ranks next season.

That dream, Pedro stressed, stays on.

“The letter of intent is already done and we are going to submit it in to the PBA office as soon as possible,” said Pedro. “We really want to join the PBA long time ago, but the problem is will the PBA allow us to bring several of

our star players?”

If they can get a concession —bringing in at least three of their star players—then Pedro sees no problem with their entry since three current members of the league—Rain or Shine, Blackwater and Globalport—are their contemporaries in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League.

Bernard Yang, Pedro’s long-time lieutenant, said if allowed to bring in their star players they intend to elevate two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks, Garvo Lanete and Troy Rosario.

“Will be happy if we can bring the three players...but again that will depend sa

PBA,” said Yang.

According to Yang, Pedro was inspired with their gallant showing in the deciding Game 3 of their Foundation Cup title series with Café France that he wants to fast track their entry to the PBA. Though they lost, 56-55, to CafeFrance, Pedro gave his team a surprise bonus in recognition to their inspiring performance despite playing minus five key players, including three San Beda players, due to various reasons.

So Hapee decided only to play with eight players to protect San Beda players—Ola Adeogun, Baser amer and Art

dela Cruz —from aggravating their injuries that may affect their performance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, where the Red Lions are chasing a record straight title.

“With just three days left before the opening of the NCAA, we don’t want to aggravate the injuries of Ola and Baser,” said Yang. “Though we lost, the boys fought courageously that’s why Dr. Pedro and his family were very happy.”

“We’ll be happy if San Beda wins again because some of their players gain more exposure while playing with us,” added Yang.

Looking ahead to the best-of-five semifinals tiff between the Star and Alaska which starts Wednesday night, Cone admits that his Hotshots definitely will face an uphill climb against Alaska given how prolific his former squad is.

“It’s hard to think about playing Alaska. They’re playing high-level basketball and high-level defense,’’ said Cone. ‘’They are a formidable team.

They have it all.’’

In their game in the elimination round, the Aces beat the Hotshots, 92-86, a loss that has remained fresh in Cone’s mind.

“They handled us very easily in that game,’’ said Cone.

But as far as most people are concerned, the semis clash between the two titans will be a tossup.

Although Alaska is the top seed and is playing consistent and efficient basketball throughout the conference, defending champion Star is peaking and playing championship basketball in the last few weeks, having won seven of its last eight games dating back to the eliminations after struggling in the early part of the tournament.

The Hotshots needed to turn back GlobalPort twice in three days the past weekend to defy the odds in the quarters and advance, while the Aces easily disposed of Barangay Ginebra last Friday to move forward.

This series will also serve as a renewal of the rivalry between these storied franchise since this will be the fifth time in the last eight conferences that they will face each

other in the playoffs.

In those last four times that they faced in the postseason either in the quarterfinals or semifinals, Star won their last three encounters, including a dominant 2-0 sweep last conference in the quarters of the Commissioner’s Cup. On the other hand, Alaska last won against Star in the playoffs in the semis of the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup where it eventually went on to win the crown under then coach Luigi Trillo.

It will now be a question of whether the Hotshots can sustain their mastery of the Aces in the playoffs in recent memory, or the Aces can turn the tides around and use revenge as their motivation to come out on top.

This season, Alaska has been the steadier team, having been to the finals in the Philippine Cup where it was inches away from winning the crown before falling short and now getting back to the semis, while Star, after a disappointing All-Filipino conference campaign where it just made the quarters, is now back in its second straight final four appearance.

Meanwhile, the other team already in the semifinals is No. 3-ranked Rain or Shine. The Painters now waits for their dance partner, which can either be No. 2 San Miguel or No. 7 Meralco.

As of press time, the Beermen and the Bolts are figuring in a their own knockout duel in the quarterfinals after Meralco forced a door-die game by winning last Sunday.

Barrios downplays Gilas’ FIBA Asia lightweight bracket

By Dennis Principe SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Sonny Barrios has cautioned Filipino basketball fans about the supposed easy preliminary schedules of Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA Asia Championships in China.

Last weekend, the Philippines saw itself being bracketed in an apparent “lightweight” Group B, where it will be joined by Kuwait, first-timer Palestine and either Hong Kong or Mongolia.

“Guarded optimism siguro

ang puwedeng description because lahat ng countries are improving and hindi naman tayo lang. If you recall, ka-bracket natin ‘yung Hong Kong noon sa FIBA Asia and medyo nahirapan tayo sa umpisa,” said Barrios.

Group A will be composed of Iran, Japan, Malaysia and a team from South Asia. The top three of this group will join the top three squads of Group B to form one of two groups in the quarterfinals.

The six countries that will comprise the other quarterfinalists will come from the top three teams of the two other groups.

Under Group C are South Korea, China, Singapore and Jordan, while Group D is composed of Chinese Taipei, Lebanon, Qatar and Kazakhstan.

“I’d like to look at it with optimism katulad ng ibang observers pero at the same time, kailangan kumpiyansado pero bigay todo pa rin,” said Barrios.

Meantime, naturalized player Andray Blatche cannot wait to return to the country and start training camp with the Nationals.

According to Barrios, Blatche is almost a cinch to be the country’s naturalized player for the

FIBA joust this September.

Marcus Douthit is the other naturalized player available and is coming off a gold-winning performance in the recently concluded SEA Games in Singapore.

The 28-year-old New York native Blatche recently signed a three-year, $7.5 million deal with the Xianjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association, tournament which ended its 2015 season last March.

Before his China campaign, Blatche led the Philippines to a respectable showing in the country’s long-awaited return to the

FIBA World Cup August of last year.

“Gusto na nga niyang makarating dito pero sinasabi muna natin na huwag muna dahil wala pa ‘yung mga kasama niya. As you know, hinihintay pa natin na matapos ang PBA para ‘yung mga kasama ni Andray mag-ensayo na,” said Barrios.

The FIBA Asia is this region’s qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where only the gold-medal winner will advance to the quadrennial meet. The event will be staged from Sept. 23 to Oct. 3 in Hunan, China.

T UE S DAY : J UN E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

A15 LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Blu Boys fall to Guatemala in world tilt UFL champs. Global, powered by seven players who trained in UK with the support of PRU Life UK and the British Council, won the United Football League U13 Championship, edging out the Green Archers United, 3-2, with the winning goal scored by UK trainee Shemrei Marabillo, while teammate Vin de Jesus scored the team’s two other goals. Photo shows the 7 PRU Life-backed players Jil Pillora, Greg Naquines, Marabillo, Most Valuble Player Fonsy Escibin, Chevey Celeste, Robert Orr and Vin dela Cruz, with Little Azkals Team Manager Albert Almendralejo.

San Beda banks on 2 rookies to stun Mapua

By Peter Atencio

THE DEFENDING champion San Beda College Red Cubs drew big plays from two rookies in crushing the Mapua Red Robins, 80-63, yesterday at the start of 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

Six-foot-six Germy Mahinay took charge underneath, along with Joshua Tagala to lead the Red Cubs to their first win, with 13 points apiece.

Mahinay, a 10th grader, also had eight rebounds.

He struck with a putback in the last 1:08 of the first period to give the Red Cubs a seven-point lead in the first period, 17-10.

The win signaled a strong start

for the the Red Cubs, who made it to the Palarong Pambansa secondary basketball semifinals under the Calabarzon banner, as they gun for a record sixth straight crown.

“This is a good sign for us.

Game 1 namin, at Mapua pa. Malayo pa naman at marami pang puwedeng mangyari,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.

It was actually the Red Cubs’

first victory over the Red Rob- digits for the Arellano University ins since they last met and Braves, who smothered the Jose beat Mapua in Game 3 of their Rizal University Light Bombers, best-of-three finals showdown 103-34. last year.

The Braves held Games Today Ryan Nelle added the Light Bombers to Juan Arena) seven points, includ- 10 a.m.(San only 10 points in the Perpetual vs LPU (jrs) ing three treys in the second period and 12 nn LSGH vs Letran (jrs) remaining 7:06 of 2 p.m. Perpetual Help vs LPU (srs) went on to post a 454 p.m. CSB vs Letran (srs) the second period, 10 halftime lead. allowing the Red “Maraming bagong Cubs to take a 24-12 spread. players sa amin. Pero pinaghanAnother triple from Pedro daan namin ito,” said Braves coach Alfaro followed by Mahinay’s Tylon Darjuan over JRU, which is inside foray gave San Beda a still grieving over the death of CJ 17-point spread, 36-19, before Servillon last summer. halftime.

Meanwhile, the Perpetual Romuel Junsay scored 19 Help Altas go into battle against points for the Red Robins. Mi- a new-look Lyceum Pirates at 2 chael Enrquez and Jasper Salenga p.m.today for a share of the lead added 16 apiece. with San Beda and Jose Rizal in In the second game, Ira the senior division of the 91st Bataller scored 14 points, while NCAA basketball tournament at four other teammates finished in The Arena in San Juan City.

South Korea’s Choi claims 9th triumph on LPGA Tour ROGERS—South Korea’s Choi Na-Yeon holed out from the fairway for eagle on the 16th hole en route to a two-under 69 to claim the LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship.

The 27-year-old Choi won by two shots, finishing the week at 15-underpar 198 at the Pinnacle Country Club. Sunday’s win was Choi’s ninth on the LPGA Tour and her second of the season.

Mika Miyazato fired a four-under 67 to take sole possession of second

place. She ended the week at 13-under 200.

Last year’s champion Stacy Lewis held the outright lead prior to Choi’s eagle, but her three-under 68 was not quite enough.

She finished tied for third with Azahara Munoz (66) and Anna Nordqvist (70) at minus-12.

World number two Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, cruised to an eightunder 63 and ended one shot further back in a tie for sixth at 11-under 202 with Paula Creamer (66) and Lee Min-jee (68).

Choi nailed an eagle and a birdie in the final three holes, knocking in an eight iron from 140 yards on the par-four 16th.

Choi added a birdie at par-three 17th hole to stretch her lead. She then parred 18 to clinch her ninth career USLPGA Tour win.

It marked her second title of the season after winning the January season opener in Florida.

She is projected to move from No. 20 to No. 13 in the world rankings. AFP

THE Philippines found itself in a precarious situation after absorbing its second loss in the Men’s World Softball Championship after being shut out by Guatemala, 4-0, late Sunday night in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada.

After battling their rivals to a standstill in the first two innings, Guatemala blasted three runs in the third, then came up with another one in the fourth to finally gain control of the match.

The Blu Boys, however, earned an automatic win against Southeast Asian Games rival Indonesia which withdrew from the tournament, rewarding all its opponents with a victory for its first win in the event.

This came a day after the Filipinos were beaten soundly by Czech Republic, 12-5, for a 1-2 record.

“The boys need to double their efforts in their remaining games if we want to advance to the playoff round,” said ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The Philippines tests New Zealand on Monday, faces Great Britain the following day, takes on Argentina next, before wrapping up its campaign against host Canada.

The other games in Pool A saw the Czech Republic edging out Great Britain, 4-2; and Canada out-steadying New Zealand, 2-1. Argentina also got its bonus win versus Indonesia.

Pool B games had Denmark blanking the Netherlands, 2-0; Dominican Republic nipping Mexico, 4-3; Japan posting a close 5-4 victory over the United States; and Australia beating Venezuela, 3-1.

Na Yeon Choi of South Korea imitates a “selfie” as she poses with the trophy after winning the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. AFP

T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

REUEL VIDAL A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

ALL EYES ON NOVAK, SERENA LONDON—Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova take centre stage as Wimbledon gets underway on Monday while Lleyton Hewitt hopes for a long goodbye on his 17th and final appearance at the All England Club.

World number one, top seed and defending champion Djokovic plays his first tournament since Stan Wawrinka ended his latest bid to win a French Open and complete a career Grand Slam in Paris three weeks ago.

The Serb, who was also Wimbledon champion in 2011, has never lost in the first round at the tournament but he faces a tough opener against world number 33 Philipp Kohlschreiber who made the quarter-finals in 2012.

Djokovic holds a 6-1 career advantage over the 31-year-old German.

Kohlschreiber’s only victory

Gatlin blazes to 19.57 seconds TURN TO A12

against Djokovic came at the 2009 French Open and the Serb has won the last five on the spin, including a straight sets victory in the US Open fourth round last year.

But the champion is wary of the potential pitfalls as he opens play on Centre Court at 1200GMT. “When you see Kohlschreiber in the first round, you don’t look any further in the draw,” said eight-time major winner Djokovic.

A victory for the Serb could give him a second round match-up against 2002 champion Hewitt, the last man outside of the big four of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael

Nadal and Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon title.

Hewitt, 34, will be playing the All England Club for the final time before retirement after next year’s Australian Open.

The former world number one, who made his All England Club debut back in 1998, starts against 33-year-old Finn Jarkko Nieminen, a quarter-finalist nine years ago.

Women’s top seed Serena Williams, the five time champion and bidding for a calendar Grand Slam, gets her 16th Wimbledon started on Court One against Russia’s Magarita Gasparyan, the world number 113.

Moscow native Gasparyan has only appeared in the main draw of a Grand Slam once—losing in the first round at the French Open this year. She has also yet to win a match on the main WTA Tour in four years as a professional.

Williams has swept to Australian

Cone wary of former team TURN TO A14

and French Open triumphs over the last six months and the world number one returns to the All England Club within two major titles of becoming the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to claim the four top titles in one year.

The 33-year-old American also won the US Open to end 2014 on a high and is heavy favourite to continue that dominant run by taking the Wimbledon title for the sixth time.

“Personally it doesn’t make it feel any different, which I think is a good thing because I don’t feel any pressure to win all four,” said Williams.

Sharapova, the 2004 champion, has only got beyond the fourth round once in the last eight years.

The fourth seeded Russian is second-up on Centre Court against Britain’s Australianborn Johanna Konta, the world number 146. AFP

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic hits a shot at the practice courts at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London on the eve of the start of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament. AFP

B1

TUESDAY: JUNE 30, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PH to withstand Greek crisis

By Julito G. Rada

THE Philippine economy is strong enough to withstand the risks of the Greek debt default, economic officials said Monday.

“Asian EMEs [emerging market economies], may be affected by this, but there is fundamental robustness in domestic economies, including the Philippines, that should help shield us from any fallout,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a text message.

Asian stocks fell Monday, as a Greece default on its debt repayment looked imminent this week.

Greece announced that banks would be closed until July 6 to limit withdrawals to avert bank-

runs.

“The developments in Greece may cause volatility in financial markets, as some participants shy away from positions until there is clearer direction in next steps in the EU[European Union],” Tetangco said.

Philippine Stock Exchange president and chief executive Hans Sicat said fears Greece would default on its debt payment could affect the local equities market. “The Greek situation is clearly unsettling the Eurozone

and is spilling over because of the psychological and negative signalling effects,” he said.

“In theory, it should be contained given that the Greek economy and liabilities are small compared to Euro group. So it will be question how Asia believes the situation will or will not create contagion,” Sicat said.

Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan said he expected the local equities market not to be severely affected by the debt crisis in Greece.

“It should have no effect on us because we have no exposure in Greece. That is why it should not be much of an issue for us,” Limlingan said.

Limlingan said he expected the

PSEi to test the 7,300 level in case the Greek debt crisis worsened.

The index fell 54 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 7,567.38 Monday.

The peso also shed 0.2 percent of its value to close at 45.19 against the US dollar on Monday.

International Monetary Fund resident representative to the Philippines Shanaka Jayanath Peiris said the Asian region was expected to be relatively resilient to financial market volatility related to the Greek crisis.

“In the region, the Philippines is of low vulnerability given the limited foreign participation in local debt markets, large foreign exchange reserve buffers, and current account surpluses that are seen as offering protection,”

Peiris said.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry president Alfredo Yao said there was little likelihood the Philippines would be directly affected “but the global effect will somehow trickle down to smaller countries.”

Yao said interest rates of global financial institutions might rise, taking its toll on the country’s debt servicing.

“These probability of rates increasing will affect less developed countries. Fortunately, we have lessened our foreign debt,” said Yao. With Jenniffer B. Austria, Othel V. Campos

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 29, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,567.38 54.67

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JUNE 29, 2015 42

P45.190

43

CLOSE

44 45 46

HIGH P45.170 LOW P45.230 AVERAGE P45.200 VOLUME 474.100M

P480.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P41.20-P47.85 Unleaded Gasoline P28.85-P32.20 Diesel

ATM rush Greeks queue to withdraw cash from an Alpha Bank ATM in central Athens on June 28, 2015. The ECB pledged continued emergency

cash for Greece, but no extra help to guard against a feared bank run that could set off financial chaos leading to a euro exit. As the Greek crisis spiralled after talks between Athens and its creditors broke down, Greek citizens have queued at bank machines, heaping pressure on the government to impose capital controls. AFP

Renewable energy board offers lower wind rate

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE National Renewable Energy Board has proposed a lower feedin tariff rate of P7.94 from P8.49 per kilowatt-hour for wind projects under the new installation target.

“It was updated based on the IRR [implementing rules and regulations and WACC [weighted average cost of capital] parameters set by ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] in their recent decisions,” NREB chairman Pete Maniego told reporters Monday.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla confirmed that NREB filed for a revision of the feed-in

tariff rate for new wind projects with the ERC. “They revised it but that’s not yet final, it’s subject to ERC approval. But ERC definitely will not give more than P8,” Petilla said.

The Energy Department earlier endorsed the additional 200-megawatt installation target for wind projects at a feed-in tariff rate lower than the approved P8.53 per kWh. The additional 200 MW will bring the installation target for wind to 400 MW. Petilla said that while the initial recommendation of NREB was to increase the installation target to 500 MW, the department ap-

proved an additional 200 MW. “We’re made it a race, it is for the purpose that only real investors come in,” he said.

Petilla said the additional installation target for wind would allow other serious companies in the wind sector to avail of the feed-in tariff, namely Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp.’s 54-MW wind project in Guimaras and Alternergy Wind One Corp.’s 54 MW-wind farm in Pilillia, Rizal.

“But they cannot get the same FIT rate as the first….It would be decided by ERC,” Petilla said.

The department, meanwhile, is evaluating four wind projects

with a total capacity of 190 MW for confirmation of their declaration of commerciality that would allow them to proceed with construction and help secure the country’s power requirements.

The wind projects includes the 50-MW Mt. Redondo Wind Power Project of Pan Energy Corp. in Subic, Zambales; 70 MW Bernacci Mountain Wind Power Project of Cornerstone Energy Development Corp. in Libmanan, Camarines Sur; 25-MW Malay Wind Project of Tri-Conti Elements Corp. in Nabas, Aklan; and the 45-MW Tanjay Wind Power Project of Constellation Energy Corp. in Negros Oriental.

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, June 29, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.1420

Japan

Yen

0.008075

0.3645

UK

Pound

1.574600

71.0806

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128994

5.8230

Switzerland

Franc

1.070893

48.3423

Canada

Dollar

0.812084

36.6591

Singapore

Dollar

0.741565

33.4757

Australia

Dollar

0.764994

34.5334

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

119.7337

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

12.0385

Brunei

Dollar

0.738825

33.3520

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029586

1.3356

UAE

Dirham

0.272309

12.2926

Euro

Euro

1.116300

50.3920

Korea

Won

0.000892

0.0403

China

Yuan

0.161057

7.2704

India

Rupee

0.015740

0.7105

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.265491

11.9848

New Zealand

Dollar

0.683013

30.8326

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032249

1.4558 Source: PDS Bridge

TUESDAY: JUNE 30, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Monday, June 29, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 4 17 30.45 10.4 0.92 2.6 890 100 30.5 75 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 8.7 12.02 19.6 6.12 0.74 1.02 625 78 17.8 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

Metrobank PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

8.7 73.75 108.90 96.00 45 2.53 1.86 10.2 15.96 19.9 6.55 0.44 1.8 845.00 93.25 18.06 28.40 68.60 93 305 41.8 164.2 1520.00 59.95 3.15

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 32 15.32 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 8.61 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 173 8.65 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 161 1.55 0.138 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Jollibee Foods Corp.

Lafarge Rep LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

44.8 1.46 1.05 1.95 10.6 59.8 92.00 18.7 28.45 56.5 2.42 1.52 11.8 19.200 9.03 7.65 10.00 1.7 11.98 25 82.8 13.40 5.92 200.00 10.08 2.01 2.73 56.00 24.95 25.65 6.2 291.00 4.88 9.00 12.00 3.73 2.03 3.39 4.20 2 179 1.64 0.146 2.18 197.5 4.5 0.79 22.50 1.29

0.44 48.1 20.85 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 3 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 4.5 0.030 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 80 0.211

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs

0.480 57.9000 23.00 6.79 0.244 0.231 789.5 7.89 13.30 4.52 0.214 1371 6.56 71.85 3.71 5.9 7.22 0.67 13.5 0.63 4.82 6.01 0.0350 1.790 60.55 896.00 1.22 81.350 0.3450

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 17 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 241 12.5 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 238 3.28 0.315 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

High

Low

FINANCIAL 8.6 7.9 73.65 72.8 109.10 107.30 96.00 93.80 46 45 2.55 2.45 1.87 1.81 10.2 10.2 15.96 15.8 19.94 19.86 6.80 6.80 0.65 0.65 1.80 1.61 840.00 835.00 93 92 18.00 18.00 28.40 28.40 69.50 67.25 93.95 93 305.6 302 42.5 40.7 166 162 1520.00 1515.00 60.20 59.95 3.16 3.15 INDUSTRIAL 45 44.05 1.47 1.46 1.04 1.03 1.95 1.92 10.6 10.5 59.85 56 89.80 89.80 18.7 18.4 28.45 27 57 55 2.52 2.27 1.5 1.46 11.7 11.48 19.520 18.86 9.04 8.87 7.64 7.40 9.99 9.71 1.77 1.77 12.1 11.88 25 24.65 82.8 81.25 13.98 13.40 5.92 5.81 199.90 195.00 10 9.82 2.2 2.19 2.7 2.7 58.50 58.50 25 24 24.9 24.4 6.18 5.98 292.00 285.80 4.9 4.78 9.15 8.80 12.00 11.98 3.84 3.70 2.04 2.00 3.67 3.1 4.20 4.17 2.07 1.89 172 167.5 1.59 1.59 0.146 0.144 2.17 2.15 198.5 192 4.49 4.15 0.79 0.77 22.90 22.90 1.22 1.22 HOLDING FIRMS 0.480 0.465 58.0000 57.0000 22.80 21.90 6.90 6.90 0.246 0.233 0.270 0.230 789.5 771 7.94 7.78 13.48 13.00 4.52 4.50 0.215 0.205 1372 1350 6.84 6.56 72.00 70.00 3.71 3.71 5.5 5.4 7.22 7.06 0.67 0.66 14.02 13.6 0.62 0.61 4.8 4.65 5.99 6.05 0.0340 0.0330 1.960 1.790 61.00 60.10 895.00 877.00 1.27 1.22 82.500 82.000 0.3500 0.3450 PROPERTY 7.350 7.100 0.72 0.69 0.230 0.220 37.90 37.45 3.38 3.35 5.25 5.05

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

8 73.65 108.10 94.80 45.8 2.55 1.81 10.2 15.96 19.9 6.80 0.65 1.8 835.00 92.45 18.00 28.40 67.25 93.95 305.6 40.8 163 1515.00 60.05 3.15

-8.05 -0.14 -0.73 -1.25 1.78 0.79 -2.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.82 47.73 0.00 -1.18 -0.86 -0.33 0.00 -1.97 1.02 0.20 -2.39 -0.73 -0.33 0.17 0.00

75,000 15,500 1,139,320 1,661,790 23,700 28,000 101,000 100 833,100 1,361,700 1,500 10,000 15,000 250 1,939,610 3,000 1,000 75,960 830 26,310 158,200 299,310 130 28,650 164,000

45 1.47 1.04 1.93 10.5 59.85 89.80 18.4 27.9 56.95 2.44 1.46 11.5 19.340 8.99 7.50 9.85 1.77 11.88 24.65 81.25 13.88 5.82 199.80 9.94 2.19 2.7 58.50 24.25 24.6 6 290.00 4.88 9.05 12.00 3.70 2.00 3.26 4.18 2 172 1.59 0.146 2.16 197 4.49 0.79 22.90 1.22

0.45 0.68 -0.95 -1.03 -0.94 0.08 -2.39 -1.60 -1.93 0.80 0.83 -3.95 -2.54 0.73 -0.44 -1.96 -1.50 4.12 -0.83 -1.40 -1.87 3.58 -1.69 -0.10 -1.39 8.96 -1.10 4.46 -2.81 -4.09 -3.23 -0.34 0.00 0.56 0.00 -0.80 -1.48 -3.83 -0.48 0.00 -3.91 -3.05 0.00 -0.92 -0.25 -0.22 0.00 1.78 -5.43

2,646,100 12,000 75,000 569,000 5,300 20 10 238,100 601,300 637,590 8,088,000 281,000 18,800 2,856,100 2,735,400 13,343,400 99,500 2,000 13,000 3,286,000 263,120 2,800 475,300 331,510 438,800 4,000 25,000 100 898,100 109,800 2,849,000 306,690 1,491,000 1,902,500 2,000 226,000 1,062,000 13,128,000 74,000 21,000 2,780 23,000 720,000 380,000 2,362,050 7,000 834,000 1,000 38,000

0.475 57.9000 22.50 6.90 0.246 0.270 779 7.8 13.32 4.52 0.212 1364 6.84 72.00 3.71 5.4 7.18 0.67 13.98 0.62 4.7 5.99 0.0340 1.900 60.35 884.00 1.27 82.000 0.3450

-1.04 0.00 -2.17 1.62 0.82 16.88 -1.33 -1.14 0.15 0.00 -0.93 -0.51 4.27 0.21 0.00 -8.47 -0.55 0.00 3.56 -1.59 -2.49 -0.33 -2.86 6.15 -0.33 -1.34 4.10 0.80 0.00

1,540,000 408,160 3,407,900 9,000 480,000 210,000 358,730 889,900 18,012,400 43,000 210,000 177,590 25,200 1,743,410 1,000 13,100 1,270,800 14,000 6,402,100 55,000 19,675,000 364,400 1,100,000 35,314,000 125,470 289,250 5,000 6,140 1,250,000

1,022,167.00 -34,908,848.00 -98,211,021.50

1,906,646.00 216,984.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 4.88 0.180 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 2.75 0.090 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Century Property 0.87 City & Land Dev. 1.22 Cityland Dev. `A’ 0.97 Crown Equities Inc. 0.133 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.455 Empire East Land 0.880 Ever Gotesco 0.176 Global-Estate 1.24 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.85 Interport `A’ 1.30 Megaworld Corp.

4.92 MRC Allied Ind. 0.112 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.4400 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 23.50 Primex Corp.

7.17 Robinson’s Land `B’ 28.50 Rockwell 1.72 Shang Properties Inc. 3.35 SM Prime Holdings 19.96 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.75 Starmalls 7.19 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.820 Vista Land & Lifescapes 6.300

0.87 0.85 0.86 1.24 1.23 1.24 1.03 1.97 1.03 0.131 0.126 0.128 0.455 0.440 0.440 0.860 0.850 0.850 0.180 0.180 0.180 1.25 1.21 1.21 1.86 1.81 1.85 1.33 1.31 1.32 4.91 4.71 4.81 0.113 0.113 0.113 0.4400 0.4400 0.4400 23.50 23.00 23.00 7.2 7.17 7.2 28.70 27.60 28.70 1.73 1.7 1.72 3.36 3.34 3.36 19.92 19.40 19.84 0.75 0.73 0.75 7.2 7.2 7.2 0.810 0.820 0.820 6.500 6.180 6.450 SERVICES 6.25 6.3 6.16 6.2 62.4 62.4 62.3 62.35 1.13 1.14 1.14 1.14 0.630 0.630 0.620 0.630 13 13 13 13 8.78 8.78 8.66 8.70 0.0920 0.0900 0.0900 0.0900 3.98 4 3.83 3.83 86.1 86.4 84.55 86.1 10 10.12 9.52 10.12 960 995 910.5 910.5 2574 2590 2526 2526 6.59 6.62 6.40 6.45 17.02 17.04 17.02 17.02 1.34 1.35 1.30 1.35 111 111 109.8 110.5 11.88 11.88 11.88 11.88 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.210 0.209 0.201 0.204 1.3100 1.3100 1.2600 1.3100 9.20 9.21 9.14 9.20 2.80 2.75 2.55 2.55 1.24 1.24 1.22 1.22 0.650 0.650 0.650 0.650 2 2 1.96 2 5.64 5.62 5.3 5.4 0.480 0.465 0.465 0.465 18.08 18.88 18.1 18.88 4.88 4.88 4.60 4.60 124.00 118.00 118.00 118.00 18.90 18.90 18.18 18.90 2842.00 2844.00 2800.00 2836.00 0.690 0.680 0.670 0.670 1.240 1.240 1.200 1.200 37.15 37.20 36.50 37.00 74.00 76.50 72.50 76.50 9.56 9.55 9.45 9.48 0.66 0.65 0.65 0.65 5.29 5.29 5.25 5.27 0.330 0.320 0.315 0.320 1.600 2.110 1.630 1.880 MINING & OIL 0.0054 0.0053 0.0050 0.0052 6.58 6.69 6.50 6.53 11.38 11.40 11.04 11.40 0.245 0.250 0.245 0.245 0.94 1.02 0.94 1.01 0.8 0.8 0.78 0.78 6.98 7.20 6.98 6.99 1.63 1.71 1.61 1.71 0.315 0.325 0.310 0.320 0.227 0.227 0.223 0.223 0.237 0.232 0.228 0.228 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0130 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 3.49 3.52 3.43 3.49 24.45 24.4 23.9 24 3.87 3.91 3.82 3.85 0.5800 0.6200 0.5800 0.6200 2.0900 2.1000 2.0500 2.1000 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 4.31 4.35 4.30 4.35 6.09 6.16 6.09 6.09 1.98 2.000 1.910 1.91 0.015 0.015 0.014 0.015 142.50 142.40 139.00 139.90 10.8 10.84 10.38 10.4 PREFERRED 62.75 63 62.75 62.8 525 525 525 525 532 548 548 548 120 120 118.1 120 6.45 6.5 6.5 6.5 1.1 1.12 1.1 1.11 110.5 112 112 112 1149 1149 1148 1149 75.25 75.25 75 75.15 89 89 88 89 1.9 2 2 2 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.750 3.780 3.700 3.780 SME 10.32 10.38 10.1 10.14 5.51 7.5 6 6.89 67 67 60.1 67 10.92 10.98 10.68 10.98 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.7 124.2 122.3 123.2

-1.15 1.64 6.19 -3.76 -3.30 -3.41 2.27 -2.42 0.00 1.54 -2.24 0.89 0.00 -2.13 0.42 0.70 0.00 0.30 -0.60 0.00 0.14 0.00 2.38

1,855,000 29,000 89,000 8,010,000 360,000 1,288,000 50,000 617,000 25,278,000 222,000 24,579,000 240,000 10,000 2,300 40,400 2,221,900 166,000 67,000 7,965,400 668,000 1,000 75,000 19,632,800

-155,000.00 33,410.00 28,280.00

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 1700 2720 8.41 70.5 1.97 119.5 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 12.28 3.32 2.53 1 2.46 15.2 1.040 22.8 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1 11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 830 1600 5.95 17.02 1.23 102.6 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 6.5 1.91 1.01 0.650 1.8 6 0.37 14.54 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

-0.80 -0.08 0.88 0.00 0.00 -0.91 -2.17 -3.77 0.00 1.20 -5.16 -1.86 -2.12 0.00 0.75 -0.45 0.00 0.00 -2.86 0.00 0.00 -8.93 -1.61 0.00 0.00 -4.26 -3.13 4.42 -5.74 -4.84 0.00 -0.21 -2.90 -3.23 -0.40 3.38 -0.84 -1.52 -0.38 -3.03 17.50

39,700 9,350 2,000 964,000 300 3,918,000 1,900,000 178,000 393,100 800 1,000 86,700 343,200 2,100 52,000 679,070 13,100 15,500,000 5,080,000 15,000 225,100 523,000 24,000 6,000 31,000 7,103,700 30,000 14,500 24,000 285,960 14,800 86,625 5,043,000 96,367,000 1,914,000 2,021,500 3,399,200 500,000 847,600 50,000 3,018,000

0.0098 17.24 25 0.330 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 6.47 9.43 0.236 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

Abra Mining Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum

-3.70 -0.76 0.18 0.00 7.45 -2.50 0.14 4.91 1.59 -1.76 -3.80 -7.14 0.00 0.00 -1.84 -0.52 6.90 0.48 0.00 0.93 0.00 -3.54 0.00 -1.82 -3.70

669,000,000 394,300 -850,681.00 400 20,000 4,816,000 733,000 3,950.00 5,900 10,331,000 6,655,610.00 860,000 4,770,000 600,000 9,800,000 3,100,000 156,000 -111,660.00 2,385,900 32,120,810.00 4,348,000 38,300.00 260,000 455,000 6,150.00 2,100,000 50,000 548,500 -597,842.00 3,243,000 895,970.00 4,100,000 12,600.00 302,170 -15,654,758.00 417,900 73,800.00

70 553 525 120 8.21 12.28 111

33 490 500 101.5 5.88 6.5 101

76.9 84.8 1.34

74.2 75 1

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred B SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred C Swift Pref

0.08 0.00 3.01 0.00 0.78 0.91 1.36 0.00 -0.13 0.00 5.26

113,000 1,600 20 6,650 70,000 167,000 80 2,365 141,780 23,630 3,000

42,500.00 -9,000.00 -48,800.00 -20,135,680.00 -42,240.00 -1,528,310.00

MST

0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.5 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 0.0670 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 10.5 1.99 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59

Close

6.74 0.65 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

SHARES 9,507,974 63,232,049 117,724,705 115,965,073 151,186,051 723,209,492 1,182,953,123

7.380 0.70 0.238 37.95 3.38 5.25

7.200 0.71 0.230 37.65 3.35 5.06

-2.44 1.43 -3.36 -0.79 -0.89 -3.62

514,800 515,000 60,000 5,361,500 2,895,000 616,000

83,500.00 33,499,359.00

2,863,359.00

386,820.00 -2,752,920.00 35,839,669.00

-180,032.00

11,695,820.00

3,120.00 38,600.00

756,198.00 2,760.00 -20,425,030.00 -903,790.00

-2,556,302.00 -11,331,150.00 2,669,507.00 649,910.00

-20,219,835.00 -2,823,539.00 -22,258.00 41,230.00 14,371,503.00 1,959,578.00 -54,000.00

-5,897,315.00 24,500.00 -650,060.00 4,071,670.00 2,806,500.00 322,485.00

22,260.00 751,980.00 379,490.00 394,400.00 36,570.00

227,842,703.00

-3,719,336.00 -29,642,960.00

-92,899,660.00 3,964,740.00 21,383,076.00 175,940.00

134,740,185.00 -131,400.00 39,358,092.50

-2,013,493.00

4,655,184.00

10,179,700.00

21,211,900.00 -4,008,786.00 -48,888,485.00 -330,000.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

-761,040.00 49,870.00

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

58,987,930.00 1,850,490.00 -432,583.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 746,061,519.602 1,211,882,031.00 1,781,591,781.89 813,886,061.45 1,124,322,074.537 193,234,123.6786 5,903,430,576.153

78,000 953,100 25,700 130 1,058,400

-0.40

90,430

-35,229,244.00

17,220.00 -75,055,298.00

15,500.00 -5,210,399.00

58,250.00 4,259,349.00 -32,068,550.00

-13,194,976.00

30,900.00

686,501.00 -406,850.00

-25,121,424.00 9,300.00

0.00

17,093,450.00 68,000.00 65,830,780.00 34,355,430.00 -91,757,137.00 -6,314,381.00 -325,000.00 1,021,660.00 37,000.00

-2,856,805.50

455,000.00

-2,039,096.00

391,966.00 3,245.00 5,500,372.00

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,722.24 (DOWN) 13.33 INDUSTRIAL 11,602.58 (DOWN) 61.88 HOLDING FIRMS 6,790.35 (DOWN) 52.61 PROPERTY 3,033.68 (DOWN) 19.60 SERVICES 2,082.18 (DOWN) 7.71 MINING & OIL 13,612.42 (DOWN) 210.47 PSEI 7,567.38 (DOWN) 54.67 All Shares Index 4,331.41 (DOWN) 27.25 Gainers: 63 Losers: 109; Unchanged: 43; Total: 215

0.80 -1.74 25.05 0.00 0.55

23,427,600.00 -205,760.00

Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

First Abacus

0.65

47.73

Liberty Telecom

2.55

Makati Fin. Corp.

6.89

25.05

Keppel Holdings `A'

5.4

-8.93 -8.47

Yehey

1.880

17.50

AG Finance

8

-8.05

ATN Holdings B

0.270

16.88

Manila Mining `A'

0.0130

-7.14

LMG Chemicals

2.19

8.96

PAL Holdings Inc.

4.60

-5.74

Century Peak Metals Hldgs

1.01

7.45

Vulcan Ind'l.

1.22

-5.43

Omico

0.6200

6.90

FEUI

910.5

-5.16

Cityland Dev. `A'

1.03

6.19

Phil. Seven Corp.

118.00

-4.84

Prime Orion

1.900

6.15

Melco Crown

5.4

-4.26

Swift Pref

2

5.26

Maxs Group

24.6

-4.09

TUESDAY: JUNE 30, 2015

B3

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

Greece fears hit Asian markets ASIAN stocks, including the Philippines, tumbled Monday on expectations of a Greek eurozone exit after Athens announced a referendum on creditors’ proposals.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 54.67 points, or 0.7 percent, to 7,567.38 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion.

Losers overwhelmed gainers, 109 to 63, with 43 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. lost 1.3 percent to P779, while unit Globe Telecom Inc., the second-largest telecommunications firm, sank 1.9 percent to P2,526. Subsidiary Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdbiggest lender in terms of assets, fell 1.2 percent to P94.80.

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Hen-

ry Sy Sr. fell 1.3 percent to P884, while Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of office spaces, declined 2.2 percent to P4.81.

Chinese stocks, meanwhile, gyrated wildly after losing some 20 percent in the past two weeks.

Shanghai saw a 10 percent swing from gains to losses, extending a painful sell-off since hitting a June 12 peak. A weekend central bank interest rate cut was unable to offset profittaking and the effects of a tightening of trading rules.

Tokyo ended down 2.88 percent, or 596.20 points, at 20,109.95, Sydney shed 2.33 percent, or 123.4 points, to 5,422.5, and Seoul was 1.42 percent off, giving back 29.77 points to 2,060.49.

Hong Kong tumbled 3.63 percent at one point before ending down 2.61 percent, or 696.89 points, at 25,966.98 Shanghai, which rose 2.5 percent in early trading, slumped by 7.58 percent at one point despite the rate cut, but ended down 3.34 per-

cent, or 139.84 points, at 4,053.03.

Shenzhen, which added 1.77 percent in the first few minutes, closed 6.06 percent lower, giving back 151.56 points to 2,351.40.

China’s strict capital controls and limits on foreign investment mean its stock markets are largely detached from other major bourses.

Their recent ascent has been driven by domestic policy factors.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stunned world markets at the weekend when he announced the national poll for July 5 in which voters will be asked to decide on creditors’ reform proposals, after five months of talks failed to find common ground.

The EU and IMF responded by refusing to extend Greece’s bailout beyond its June 30 expiry date, meaning it will default on a key payment and possibly crash out of the eurozone.

Tsipras has now imposed capital controls throughout the country to avoid capital flight, with banks closed until July 6 and ATM withdrawals limited to 60 euros a day. With AFP

UnionBank cards. UnionBank of the Philippines brings contactless technology and EMV chip-enabled cards to its customers for a more

convenient and secure way to pay for everyday transactions. The combination of Visa payWave technology and EMV-chip security will ensure that UnionBank credit card holders can take full advantage of the convenience of contactless payments. Customers can now pay for their purchases by simply waving their cards in front of Point-of-Sale terminals that do not require signatures for transactions below P2,000. Shown at the launch are (from left) UnionBank senior vice president and credit cards product business head Manuel Santiago Jr.; UnionBank assistant vice president and cards business head Ana Aboitiz Delgado; UnionBank product manager Tricia Ingco; Visa director for business development J-Ann Reyes-Lauron and Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam Stuart Tomlinson.

Pryce seeks 10% stake in Palawan oil prospect

By Alena Mae S. Flores LISTED Pryce Corp., through unit Pryce Gases Inc., plans to acquire a 10-percent stake in service contract 55 off southern Palawan from Otto Energy Ltd. of Australia.

Pryce Gases made a firm offer to acquire from Otto a 10-percent participating interest in SC 55 through the Energy Department for the exploration, development and exploitation of petroleum resources.

“The offer is essentially subject to the condition that PGI is to receive 20 percent of the Filipino Participation Incentive Allow-

ance under the service contract and will be entitled to 10 percent of the cost recovery pool,” the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday.

Pryce said the offer had not yet been accepted and might “still be subject to amendments and counterproposals.”

“There is likewise no certainty or assurance that any agreement will be reached relative to PGI’s offer,” it said.

Pryce, formerly Pryce Properties Corp., is a property holding and real estate company incorporated in 1989.

Its lone subsidiary Pyrce Gases

produces and sells industrial gases and engages in the importation and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas under the Pryce Gas brand name, Otto, meanwhile, owns 73.18 percent of SC 55, Palawan55 Exploration & Production Co. holds 6.82 percent while Red Emperor Resources NL of Australia has 15 percent.

Red Emperor is raising funds of about A$5.76 million (P199 million) to finance the drilling of Hawkeye-1 prospect in SC 55 scheduled in late July.

Red Emperor disclosed to the Australian Securities Exchange the issuance of 72 million new or-

dinary shares at 4 pence (A$0.08) per share was oversubscribed and raised £2.88 million (A$5.76m) before expenses.

“Proceeds from the raise and existing cash resources will principally be used to fund the upcoming drilling and potential appraisal activities in the Philippines, where the company has a 15 percent interest in Block SC55 in the southwest Palawan Basin,” it said.

SC 55 is a deep-water block in the middle of a proven regional oil and gas fairway that extends from the productive offshore Borneo region in the southwest to the offshore northwest Palawan.

Moody’s: PH, other banks in Asia solid

By Julito G. Rada GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said Philippine banks, like other lenders in the neighboring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are well-placed to comply with Basel III capital and liquidity ratios.

Moody’s said in a report Monday banks in the Asean bloc— namely those in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—were expected to comply with stricter capital and liquidity requirements under the Basel III regime.

“Moody’s-rated banks in the Asean region are well capitalized and can meet the higher minimum capital requirements under Basel III,” Alka Anbarasu, a Moody’s vice president and senior analyst, said.

Anbarasu said as for the 60-percent minimum liquidity coverage ratio under Basel III, in many cases, the banks were already 100-percent compliant, though national differences make it difficult to compare the reported ratios across different banking systems.

“On the issue of additional banking regulations, we note that regulators in the region appear hesitant to embrace the wider bail-in and total loss absorbing capital guidelines as they await more clarity from the Financial Stability Board,” Anbarasu said.

Anbarasu also expects selective issuance of Basel III securities by banks across Asean, especially the replacement of legacy old-style securities which will be callable over 2015-2017.

Moody’s analysis was contained in its just-released presentation titled “Asean Banks Well Placed for Basel III Capital and Liquidity Ratio Compliance” and authored

by Anbarasu.

Moody’s said liquidity coverage ratios had already been implemented in Singapore and Malaysia. Given the predominance of retail funding as well as government bonds in the investment portfolio, Moody’s expects most rated banks in the region “will be able to comply with the 60-percent minimum requirement by end-2015; in many cases banks are already 100-percent compliant.”

“However, national differences on the definition of high-quality liquid assets and outflows, whether or not LCRs should be assessed based on a consolidated or standalone basis, and LCR requirements in different currencies could make it difficult to compare the reported ratios across different banking systems,” Moody’s said.

B4

Cemex power plant.

Cement manufacturer Cemex recently inaugurated a $20-million ‘waste heat to energy’ facility at its Solid cement plant in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Technology provided by Sinoma Energy Conservation Ltd. of China will capture Solid cement plant’s excess heat from its machines to produce up to 6 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to 25 percent of the plant’s total power requirement. Attending the inauguration of the power facility are Rizal Governor Nini Ynares (fifth from left), Cemex Philippines country president Pedro Palomino (fourth from left) and Sinoma-EC chairman Zhang Qi (fifth from right).

CebuPac bares plan to build new hubs

PH delays joining China infra bank

By Darwin G. Amojelar

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

CEBU Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, said Monday it plans to establish more hubs in the Philippines for its new turboprop aircraft.

“Our plan is to set up a lot of additional hubs outside Metro Manila. We’re gonna station a lot of ATRs in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Caticlan so that we can fly direct and connect cities together without necessarily going to hubs like Manila or Cebu,” CEB president Lance Gokongwei said.

Gokongwei said a number of islands and communities in the country could not be reached by big jets, compounded by limitation on slots in Manila.

“I think the big market is really connecting these communities or secondary cities directly with the turboprop aircraft, which is a prudent aircraft,” he said.

Cebu Pacific currently operates in 30 airports out of the 90 airports in the Philippines.

Gokongwei said the jet operations would be under Cebu Pacific, while turboprop planes would be under Cebgo.

The Gokongwei-led budget airline earlier announced it would acquire 26 turboprop jets for $673 million. The acquisition includes 16 firm orders of ATR72-600 and options to acquire another 10.

The new order will replace the airline’s fleet of eight ATR 72-500 aircraft, which will be retired as the new aircraft enter service. The turboprop fleet serves Cebu Pacific’s inter-island routes in the Philippines.

The company allocated $280 million in capital expenditures this year, up 12 percent from $250 million last year.

“It’s primarily for the acquisition of four Airbus 320 as well as pre-delivery payments on our upcoming ATRs and A321 neo aircraft,” Gokongwei said.

THE Philippines on Monday refrained from joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as a founding member, saying it needs more time to study its membership in the China-led multilateral lender.

“As the deadline is on December 2015, the Philippines is taking the time given to prudently consider its membership. Not signing today does not preclude us from signing before the aforementioned deadline,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said in a statement.

The Philippines and China are disputing ownership of islets lying in the West Philippine Sea which was seen as one of the risks in signing the AIIB. The Philippines brought the issue to a United Nations arbitral tribunal and rallied international support against China’s massive

island-building activity in the West Philippines Sea. Fifty countries from five continents formally signed up Monday to the AIIB, a potential rival to the Washington-based World Bank and Manila-based Asian Development Bank, as Beijing steps up its global diplomatic and economic role.

Australia was the first country to sign the articles of association creating the AIIB’s legal framework at a ceremony in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, followed by 49 other founding members.

Seven more are expected to do so by the end of the year.

The bank will have a share capital of $100 billion, with $20 billion paid in initially, the document showed. China will be its biggest stakeholder with 30.34 percent share.

The signing “is an embodiment of the concrete action and efforts made by all countries in the spirit of solidarity, openness, inclusion and cooperation”, Chinese President Xi Jinping said after the ceremony.

Aside from Australia, the other founding members that signed the articles of agreement were Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Russia,

Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Seven other countries including the Philippines said it would wait until Dec. 31, 2015 to sign the articles of agreement to become one the founding members of the multilateral lender. After the said deadline, application to become a member will then be set for approval of the bank’s board of governors.

Purisima said earlier the Chinaled investment fund would complement the roles of US-backed World Bank and the Manila-based Asian Development Bank.

The Philippines initially showed its interest in AIIB as it signed a non-binding agreement in October to be involved in meetings and discussions meant to thresh out issues ahead of the bank’s formal establishment.

With AFP

Albay reaps fruits of economic strategy—Salceda LEGAZPI CITY — Albay employs a game plan centered on the “main thing” strategy to complete an economic transformation.

Governor Joey Salceda said Albay was now reaping the initial fruits from the game plan, after having completed two of its threephase strategy, and was now well on the third stage towards the 2016 deadline.

Salceda compared Albay’s winning development strategy with his favorite NBA team-- the Golden State Warriors whose head coach, Steve Kerr, executed a plan centered on the “main thing” concept or “play small” strategy, which sealed the team’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The game plan, according to

Salceda, is “equivalent to what AIM [Asian Institute of Management] professors taught me – Una Cosa or the single most important factor or key driving force to an organization or an event.”

Albay’s three-growth stages represent Salceda’s three consecutive terms as Albay governor.

From 2007-2010, with the province being regularly mauled by calamities, Salceda’s administration bannered the Albay Mabuhay program focused on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation as its “main thing,” with significant results.

For his second term, 2010-2013, under the “Albay Rising” theme, Salceda sealed the attainment of the UN Millennium Development

Goals in education and health.

In the current 2014-2016 term with “Albay Boom” as theme, the “main thing” focus is tourism plus high value crops and small and medium size enterprises, especially in value-added processing.

Salceda already set the stage for the “Albay Rocks” phase beyond his three terms, with a triumvirate of infrastructures-- the Southern Luzon International Airport in Daraga town, the Southline Railways and the Southern Luzon Expressway Extension from Lucena to Legazpi City.

Also lined up are the Megabridges from Cagraray to Batan islands and Batan to Rapurapu mainland town. The governor will run for congressman of Al-

bay’s 2nd district in 2016, where he will pursue the cityhood of Daraga and Polangui towns.

Albay’s successes in Albay Mabuhay, Albay Rising and Albay Boom produced three Gawad Kalasag awards and a Hall of Fame niche for DRR/CCA from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council; two Galing Pook awards, and a Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award as best province for three consecutive years from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction declared Albay as its DRR/CCA Global Model and Salceda as its senior global champion.

T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

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

B5

Why I use an Android phone A FRIEND who is the proud owner of the original f i rst-generat ion iPhone likes to rag me from time to time about Android users who have a hate-on for Apple.

An Apple user through and through (he uses an iMac desktop, a MacBook Pro, an iPad Air and an iPhone 6), he believes that the company Steve Jobs built makes superior products and admits that he is perfectly happy in the walled garden in which they exist.

If he reads this, he will likely laugh and say, “E tu, Brutus?”

So let me quickly get one thing out of the way: I don’t hate Apple.

In fact, I have been a satisfied user of Mac laptops for a number of years, and love how thoughtfully the hardware is put together, and how most things just work on OS X. On the other hand, I have never been a fan of the iPhone or the iPad because both devices are significantly more closed off from the rest of the world than the Mac. This garden within the walls that Apple built around its iOS devices might be really cool and wonderful—but I like to get out once in a while.

And that’s the main reason I use an Android phone instead of an iPhone—I don’t like restrictions.

OS X doesn’t stop me from installing free and open source software such as LibreOffice or Gimp, and I don’t even have to go through its App Store to get these onto my MacBook Air. That’s cool. What isn’t cool is that on an iPad or iPhone, the only way you can get software is through App Store, which Apple unabashedly censors.

It makes sense, of course, to vet apps to make sure they run properly on your device; it is altogether something else to censor them for other, non-technical reasons.

Just this month, the company purged all American civil war games featuring the Confederate flag, then backpedaled by reinstating those that did not include the flag in their icons or screen shots. In 2013, Apple removed an iPad game from its App Store called Sweatshop, worried perhaps that people might make a connection to reports that workers in the factories of its contractors in China were killing themselves from overwork. In another documented case of censorship that same year, Apple compelled the company Treehouse to remove a chapter on Android from its technical education app before allowing it into the App Store.

Android, too, has an official app store called Google Play, but Android does not stop you from installing applications from other sources, such as a developer’s website or a third-party app store.

There are risks to this approach, to be sure, but the choice is ultimately yours to make.

Another reason I use an Android phone is that it costs less, even though the hardware specs are comparable. The cheapest iPhone 6 lists for almost P36,000. You wouldn’t need to pay that much for an Android phone with comparable specs because there’s a lot more competition among multiple manufacturers.

Which brings me to the third reason I use Android—variety.

With so many manufacturers making Android phones, there’s a wide range of hardware from which to choose. In contrast, Apple releases two new models a year—not much of a choice.

In the Android world, you get to choose from many competing brands to find a model with the design, size and the specs you need. The choice extends to price. Can’t afford a high-end phone?

Drop down to a lower-priced model or brand.

After using Samsung phones for a few years, I switched to a Sony Xperia not only because I liked its design and specs, but simply because I felt like a change.

My last reason for using Android is that it fits my fondness for tweaking and customizing systems. I do that a lot on my Linux desktop and my MacBook Air, and I don’t see any reason I shouldn’t be able to do it on my phone.

On an Android phone, you can easily replace any of the default apps with those of your own choosing. In fact, one of the first things I did on my newest phone was to change the default keyboard, the messaging app and the browser. The Android system makes this kind of customization very easy.

As I was writing this column, I read that Apple will release an Android app to help users migrate their data from their Android devices to iOS. It is a curious one-way portal into Apple’s walled garden and as intriguing as it sounds, I think I’ll pass. I’m not ready to give up my freedom for the golden handcuffs of iOS. Column archives and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

Livestock expo.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (center) officially opens the Livestock Philippines 2015, the biggest biennial livestock expo in the country, which features a wide array of innovative technologies and insightful seminars in animal health, feed, livestock and meat production. With Alcala are assistant secretary for livestock Davinio Catbagan (left) and UBM Exhibitions Philippines Inc. president M. Gandhi.

Auto-hub strategy attracts developers

By Siegfrid Alegado

DEVELOPERS are expanding into industrial estates as the government moves to make the nation a car-manufacturing hub have sparked interest from Japanese automakers.

“We haven’t seen this kind of interest from Japanese companies since the mid-1990s,” said Rick Santos, chairman of CBRE Group Inc. in Manila.

“The industrial sector gets a boost from robust foreign demand,” Santos said.

That is attracting builders such as Ayala Land Inc. and Megaworld Corp., which are now developing industrial properties to diversify their portfolios, recognizing the increasing demand for industrial space, said Antton Nordberg, head of research at KMC MAG Group Inc., Savills Plc.’s Manila

associate.

President Benigno Aquino met business groups in Japan this month, after policy makers on May 29 approved tax incentives for automakers to support production of new car models in the country. These are meant to help stimulate an economy growing at its weakest pace in three years.

“Japanese manufacturers are closely looking at setting up shop in the Philippines,” said Carmelo Bautista, president of GT Capital Holdings Inc., the Philippine partner of Toyota Motors Corp.

Japanese companies including Toshiba Corp. and Seiko Epson Corp., enticed by cheaper labor and real estate costs, have also expressed interest to expand operations in the Philippines.

The average annual rent in Philippine industrial estates is as much as $5 per square meter, compared with China’s $7, according to data from CBRE. Ayala Land, the country’s largest builder by revenue, has at least 100 companies in its 244-hectare manufacturing hub south of Manila, company vice president Rowena Tomeldan said.

Commercial space in Megaworld’s first industrial estate, unveiled last year, is sold out, while half of the industrial lots in the 350-hectare area south of Manila have been sold, the company said in an e-mail reply to questions. Tenants are mostly Japanese and Chinese manufacturers. Bloomberg

SMC, Nestle most preferred employers

By Othel V. Campos SAN Miguel Corp. and Nestle Philippines Inc. have topped the list of companies that Filipinos aspire to work for, results of a survey conducted by an online jobs site show.

Jobstreet.com, the country’s most popular online job site, said results of a recent survey showed that San Miguel emerged as the most admired company of choice this year, followed by Nestle.

“This survey is the result of our three months of work. We had a total 4,157 people from among roster of registered subscribers on the [Philippine] site who are still active users that responded to our survey,” Jobstreet.com marketing director Yoda Buyco said.

Third on the list is global manage-

ment consulting and outsourcing company Accenture while the fourth and fifth companies are energy giant Shell Philippines, Inc. and consumer goods manufacturer Procter and Gamble Philippines Inc., respectively.

SM investments Corp and BDO Unibank Inc. placed sixth and eighth on the list while ABS-CBN got the eighth spot.

Completing the roster are Coca Cola Femsa and Unilever Philippines Inc. rounded up the list as ninth and tenth most aspired companies, respectively.

Jobstreet.com collated three months worth of data from its database starting March 2015 to come up with the recent findings.

Based on the survey, benefits and incentives such as performancebased bonuses, health insurance,

retirement pay, car and housing loans figured as the top reasons for aspiring to work with the top ten most aspired companies.

“Benefits and incentives not just salary are considered the best reason for working in a desired company.

Salary and learning and development are the second and third primary considerations for working in the top ten companies,” said Buyco.

Company reputation and the work environment and culture within the top ten companies add to the come-on of these companies as most admired companies.

The survey also found out that the top ten companies has a reward system wherein employees that stay longer in the company gets upgraded benefits and incentives that directly increases over time.

TUESDAY: JUNE 30, 2015

B6

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

China Bank gets $158-m loan

By Julito G. Rada

CHINA Banking Corp., one of the big banks controlled by retail tycoon Henry Sy, raised $158 million through a three-year term loan facility from regional and international banks.

China Bank said in a statement Monday, the loan marked the bank’s “triumphant return” to the international markets since its successful $125-million floating rate certificates of deposit issue in 1996 and 1997.

“Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and to support the growth of China Bank’s dollar assets. The facility carries an interest margin of 1.40 percent per annum over three months Libor... Drawdown is on June 30, 2015,” the bank said.

China Bank president and chief executive Ricardo Chua said international lenders responded positively to the transaction. “... It reflects the international FI’s [financial institutions’] confi-

dence in China Bank’s solid fundamentals--strong capital levels, well-diversified loan portfolio and quality assets, and strong balance sheet with sustainable growth,” Chua said during the signing of the facility agreement on June 25, 2015.

The syndication was launched on May 18, 2015 in Taiwan, attracting strong interest from financial institutions based in Asia and the Middle East, some of which are supporting China Bank for the first time.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. was the mandated lead arranger and book runner. KDB Group (The Korea Development Bank-Seoul head office, KDB Asia Ltd.–Hong

Kong) and Mizuho Bank Ltd.Singapore branch were the mandated lead arrangers.

Doha Bank Q.S.C. was the lead arranger. The arrangers were Mega International Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., CTBC Bank Co. Ltd. Singapore, The Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Ltd., Taiwan Cooperative Bank and Taishin International Bank Co, Ltd. Founded in 1920, China Bank is the country’s first privatelyowned local commercial bank and now the fifth largest domestic private universal bank in the country with over P477 billion in assets.

It serves the banking needs of the corporate, commercial, and retail markets. With the acquisition of Planters Development Bank (Plantersbank) in 2014, and its eventual merger with China Bank Savings, China Bank is building a stronger platform for SME finance.

The China Bank Group now has 483 branches to date (319 China Bank, 86

New ecozone exporter. Yamaichi Seiko Philippines Inc. president Hideki Nakano (left) signs a registration agreement with Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima as an ecozone export enterprise to engage in the manufacture of molds and dies and molded parts for electric appliances and automobiles at First Philippines Industrial Park II–Special Economic Zone. Shown in photo are (standing from left) Yoshihiro Hamano of SCS Global Business Solutions, Jocelyn Sembrero of SCS Global Business Solutions, Mitsuhiro Kido of Yamaichi Seiko Co. Ltd., Takaaki Masatomi of Pla Matels Corp. and Kazunari Honda of Yamaichi Seiko (seated, right)

Suy Sing bullish, plans 5 more depots

By Othel V. Campos CHINESE consumer goods consolidator Suy Sing Commercial Corp. is putting up at least five more depots in the next three years to increase sales by 10 percent in 2015 to P22 billion from P20 billion 2014.

The 69-year old company is currently serving Luzon and Mindanao with six depots strategically located in Bulacan, Pangasinan, Paranaque, Binondo, Taguig and Cagayan de Oro. The company owned five depots, while sixth one is under a lease contract.

“We’re a wholesaler so our mission is to serve independent groceries, mini marts and sarisari stores. Unlike supermarkets, we do not sell to end-users,” said

company president Tina Tan. The company is directly supplying to 7,000 bigger stores with links to 30,000 smaller outlets nationwide.

Apart from the Visayas, the company is looking for better sites out of the Greater Manila Area.

Tan said that company was financially strong and a reliable partner in delivering goods to customers.

“That’s the reason why we’re not in such a hurry to list in the stock market. We expand by reinvesting what the company earns. And it’s no joke to put up a depot. The capital expenditure runs to hundreds of millions of pesos since you need a site, a building, racking and the inventory,” she said.

Suy Sing has at least 300 suppliers ranging from big multinational

companies like Nestle Philippines Inc., Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc. and Unilever Philippines Inc. to big local companies like Universal Robina Corp.

At any given time, the company has at least 4,000 stock keeping units.

Unlike Puregold Price Club, Suy Sing is not into retail although it has another sister company, Super 8, that is in the same business.

“We have very good relationship with our suppliers. How reliable we are in terms of delivery is also the measure of reliability of our suppliers,” said Tan. She added Suy Sing customers had grown with the company, with some having over 50 years of working relationship and with second and third generation customers.

An afternoon with Antonio Calipjo-Go SEVERAL years ago my attention and interest were caught by a newspaper story that detailed the campaign of Antonio Calipjo-Go to rid Philippine textbooks of the multitude of errors that they had apparently been carrying for a long time. As the publisher and CEO of Mind, the only Philippine magazine devoted exclusively to education, I felt that I had no choice but to meet and evaluate Go, who was, and remains, the academic director of Novaliches-based Marian College. Accordingly, I drove one afternoon to Novaliches with Mind’s editor-in-chief to speak to the man whose family name sounded very much like Calypso Joe. We found Go in his office, surrounded by the dozens of books that he had discovered to be replete with errors. The place seemed more like the editorial room of a publishing house than the office of the academic director of a medium-sized suburban college.

Considering the vehemence with which he had been expressing his views to the media, my colleague and I expected Antonio Calipjo-Go to be a very forceful and highly voluble leader of a campaign to remove the errors that were all over the textbooks used by this country’s students. To our great surprise, we found an individual who was calm, deliberate and soft spoken. ‘Calypso Joe’ lost no time trying to impress upon my colleague and me the gravity of the textbook errors problem. “Our country is facing a very serious problem here,” I recall him saying. “It is more than just some errors in some textbooks; this is about our children’s education.”

Distributed around his ample-sized office, predictably, were dozens of books, all neatly arranged presumably according to whether they were for high school or for the lower grades. To which books did he give priority, I remember asking him. “No particular priority,” Go replied. “Errors are errors wherever they occur.”

Next I posed the quintessential question. Why was he doing what he was doing? Go’s answer: “Because this work has got to be done. I wish that other people were doing it, but they are not.”

Did he realize that in doing what he was doing he had stirred a hornet’s nest and had created many enemies, some of them powerful? Antonio Calipjo-Go said that, at the start he knew that he would be stepping on many powerful toes, but the job just had to be done and he felt that he had to do it.

How did he go about his correction work, my colleague and I asked. Because he was alone, he said, he had to be as methodical as possible, thereby getting the greatest mileage out of his time and resources.

The one quality that the Marian School official exuded throughout our discussion was a sense of dedication to the work upon which he had embarked. He had to press on with the correction work, he said, because he could not countenance the idea of Filipino students’ imbibing information that was erroneous.

I suggested to Go that the best place for him, considering the work that he was doing would be the government, where he would have abundant personnel and other resources at his disposal. Would he consider an appointment to a high position in the Department of Education? His reply was a resounding and firm No. He would be co-opted if he joined the government. He wanted to remain free to say and do whatever needed to be said and done.

I don’t think I would be going overboard if I suggested that Antonio Calipjo-Go deserves a high public award--why not a Magsaysay Award?--for his enormous contribution to the cause of providing students anywhere in Asia, not just the Philippines, with textbook information that is reliable and error-free.

As we left the Marian School compound, my colleague and I felt that we had spent a truly rewarding afternoon in Novaliches.

May the Lady after whom your school is named always be at your side as you go about your difficult but noble work, Antonio Calipjo-Go. E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

t u e s D aY : J u n e 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Great Wall is slowly vanishing, report says BEIJING—Around 30 percent of China’s Ming-era Great Wall has disappeared over time as adverse natural conditions and reckless human activities—including stealing the bricks to build houses—erode the UNESCO World Heritage site, state media reported.

The Great Wall is not a single unbroken structure but stretches for thousands of kilometers in sections, from Shanhaiguan on the east coast to Jiayuguan in the windswept sands on the edge of the Gobi desert.

In places it is so dilapidated that the estimates of its total length vary from 9,000 to 21,000 kilometers, depending on whether missing sections are included. Despite its length it is not, as is sometimes claimed, visible from space.

Construction first began in the third century BC, but nearly 6,300 kilometers were built in the Ming Dynasty of 1368-1644, including the much-visited sectors north of the capital Beijing.

Of that, 1,962 kilometers has melted away over the centuries, the Beijing Times reported.

Some of the construction weathered away, while plants growing in the walls have accelerated the decay, said the report Sunday, citing a survey last year by the Great Wall of China Society.

“Even though some of the walls are built of bricks and stones, they cannot withstand the perennial exposure to wind and rain,” the paper quoted Dong Yaohui, a vice president of the society, as saying.

“Many towers are becoming increasingly shaky and may collapse in a single rain storm in summer.”

Tourism and local residents’ activities are also damaging the longest human construction in the world, the paper added.

Poor villagers in Lulong county in the northern province of Hebei used to knock thick gray bricks from a section of wall in their village to build homes, and slabs engraved with Chinese characters were sold for 30 yuan ($4.80) each by local residents, it said.

Under Chinese regulations, people who take bricks from the Great Wall can be fined up to 5,000 yuan, the state-run Global Times said Monday. AFP

Festival closes. Revelers wait for sunrise in the Stone Circle area of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near

the village of Pilton in Somerset, south west England, on June 29. The Glastonbury festival drew to a close on Sunday with US crooner Lionel Richie stealing the show with a hit performance that drew tens of thousands. AFP

Brutal IS ‘caliphate’ enters its second year BEIRUT—The Islamic State group’s “caliphate” enters its second year Monday with the jihadists expanding their territory in Syria and Iraq and their global reach by claiming attacks in Tunisia and Kuwait.

The extremist group headed by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced on June 29, 2014, that it was reviving a form of Islamic government known as the “caliphate,” pledging it would “remain and expand”.

In the year since, the group has gained more territory in Syria and Iraq despite an attempted fightback supported by a US-led coalition air campaign.

It has also attracted a string of affiliates—in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan and elsewhere— and sought to project fear on an international scale.

Last week, the group claimed responsibility for the attack in Tunisia in which 38 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed at a seaside resort.

And it said it was behind a suicide bomb at-

tack against a Shiite mosque in Kuwait that killed 26 people.

IS also appeared to be the inspiration for an attack in France in which a man rammed his van into a gas factory and beheaded his boss.

“It’s not clear that these actions are centrally planned or coordinated by IS,” said Yezid Sayegh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center think tank.

“That said, we may be seeing the start of a long campaign conducted by IS members or sympathizers who have been trained and then sent back home to their countries to take their own initiative in planning and conducting attacks, depending on their abilities, resources, and opportunities.”

Already, IS has inspired fear and horror with its rule over territory in Syria and Iraq, where mass killings and brutal executions have become its hallmarks.

The group controls about 50 percent of Syria’s territory, though much of it is uninhabited, and perhaps a third of Iraq.

In Syria alone, it has executed more than 3,000 people in the year since announcing its “caliphate,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said on Sunday.

Nearly 1,800 of them were civilians, including 74 children, it said.

They include more than 200 people killed in the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane during an IS attack last week, and over 900 members of the Sunni Muslim Shaitat tribe who were killed in 2014 after opposing the jihadist group.

There are no reliable figures in Iraq, but the group is believed to have executed thousands there, including as many as 1,700 mostly Shiite recruits at the Speicher military base near Tikrit.

Thousands more have died battling IS in Syria and Iraq, including Syrian rebels and government forces, Kurdish fighters in both countries, and Iraqi government troops and Shiite militias.

But few of those forces have had much success against the group, with the Iraqi army in particular facing criticism for abandoning territory to IS during a push by the jihadist group in mid-2014.

Iraqi government forces had “no clear command structure,” said Zaid al-Ali, author of “The Struggle For Iraq’s Future.”

“Clearly, Baghdad should have enough forces at its disposal to control territory, but not all the anti-IS forces take their instructions from Baghdad,” he added. AFP

Record payout to British child migrants SYDNEY—Former British migrants who were physically and sexually assaulted at a notorious school in Australia on Monday won the largest compensation payment for survivors of mass child abuse in the country’s legal history.

A class action lawsuit was brought by almost 150 former residents of Fairbridge Farm School, which housed British child migrants, against the Australian and New South Wales state governments after they were abused between 1938 and 1974.

Slater and Gordon lawyer Roop Sandhu said the A$24-million (US$18.3-million) payout marked a

major milestone in the acknowledgement of institutional child abuse.

“Our clients have suffered a lifetime of serious physical and psychiatric injuries as a result of their time at Fairbridge,” Sandhu said, adding that it was the largest settlement for survivors of mass child abuse ever in Australia.

“They were all vulnerable children in need of care and protection, but instead they were subjected to horrific physical and sexual abuse, which in many cases has scarred them for life.”

The case was one of the first class actions against an Australian government connected with child

migration—a practice under which thousands of underprivileged British children were sent to Australia without their parents last century in the hope of giving them a better life.

It alleged the Fairbridge Foundation, the New South Wales government and the Australian government allowed a system of institutional abuse to develop and persist at the school over decades.

Lawyers said hundreds of students, some as young as four, arrived from Britain at the school in the New South Wales town of Molong and often never saw their parents again. AFP

Mass. Cardinals and bishops attend a mass celebrated by Pope Francis for the imposition of the Pallium on the new metropolitan archbishops and the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 at St Peter’s basilica in the Vatican. AFP

T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

B8 Student leader in Hong Kong assaulted HONG KONG—Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong, the teenage face of the city’s pro-democracy protests, was assaulted in the street with his girlfriend in an attack he said Monday sent a “chill to my heart.”

The motivation for the assault is not known but previous attacks against prominent media figures have raised concerns that tensions from Hong Kong’s deep political divisions could turn violent.

Wong, 18, was leaving a cinema near Mong Kok—the scene of some of the most bitter clashes in last year’s street rallies—with his girlfriend late Sunday when the assault occurred.

The male attacker punched Wong in the face and when he and his girlfriend gave chase both were assaulted, he said on his Facebook page.

“Being attacked on the way home after going on a date, and even attacking my girlfriend, it’s shameful,” he said.

Police said Monday they had yet to make an arrest, confirming that Wong had “suddenly been attacked” by a suspect in his 20s and had sustained injuries to his eyes and nose.

“The suspect tried to flee but the two victims followed, and when the female tried to take pictures of the suspect he then attacked the male and female victims,” a police spokeswoman said.

Last year’s mass protests were sparked after Beijing insisted that the candidates for Hong Kong’s next leader must be vetted by a loyalist committee, a decision campaigners including Wong derided as “fake democracy.”

The electoral proposals were voted down earlier this month after a protracted debate that divided the city. “[The assault] implies activists are facing the danger of attacks in their daily lives, not only during protests. This is what sends a chill to my heart,” Wong wrote in an emotional Facebook post.

“It’s not only a problem with universal suffrage—it’s about the limited freedom and legal system slowly being obliterated by these violent acts. AFP

cESAr bArrioqUiNTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world Global markets plunge as Greece closes banks ATHENS—Markets across the world tumbled Monday as Greece ordered its banks to shut for a week and imposed capital controls after its citizens emptied ATMs.

Premiere. Actress Emilia Clarke arrives at the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “Terminator Genisys” at the Dolby Theater on June 28 in Hollywood, California. AFP

But in a narrow ray of hope, creditors left the door open to Greece for a last-ditch debt deal—in order to try and avert a potentially calamitous default that could spark a Greek eurozone exit and raise serious questions about the future of the European Union.

Global stocks slumped, with Frankfurt and Paris losing more than four percent after an earlier collapse in Asia as investors feared a Greek euro exit.

The Greek government issued a decree to close banks until July 6—the day after a referendum on creditors’ bailout proposals—with a 60-euro ($65) limit on cashpoint withdrawals. Foreign tourists, a vital engine of the Greek economy, will be exempt.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged calm after ATMs across Greece ran dry, and the Athens stock market shut down until July 7.

“Any difficulties that may arise must be dealt with calmness. The more calm we are, the sooner we will get over this situation,” Tsipras said, adding Athens had again requested a “prolongation of the [bailout] program.”

The drastic measures—designed to protect Greece’s banking system against the threat of mass panic—also sent the European single currency sliding.

The rapid escalation of the Greek debt crisis came after the European Central Bank froze the level of its emergency lifeline for Athens on Sunday, despite a growing bank run.

That capped a weekend of high drama that began with Tsipras’s unexpected call for a July 5 referendum on the creditors’ latest reform proposals after the bailout talks in Brussels collapsed.

In reaction, eurozone finance ministers angrily rejected a request to extend the bailout beyond its expiry on Tuesday, sparking fears Greece could default on a key IMF loan repayment due the same day— and potentially crash out of the eurozone.

The EU commissioner of economic affairs, Pierre Moscovici of France, declared Monday that “the door is always open to negotiations” for Greece, adding negotiators had been “a few centimeters” from a deal when the talks broke down. AFP

Imams deported for ‘preaching hatred’ PARIS—France has deported 40 foreign imams for “preaching hatred” in the past three years, a quarter of them in the last six months, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Monday.

The minister vowed to clamp down on mosques and preachers inciting hatred after a suspected Islamist beheaded his boss during an attack on a gas factory last week.

The attack, which had the hallmarks of a jihadist act but is also believed to have personal motivations, was the second in six months in France, which is battling to curb radicalization that has seen hundreds of citizens leave to wage jihad in Iraq and Syria.

Any “foreign preacher of hate will be deported,” said Cazeneuve, adding that several mosques were being investigated for inciting terrorism, and if found to be doing so “will be shut down.”

“We have deported 40 preachers of hatred since 2012. Since the beginning of the year we have examined 22 cases, and around 10 imams and preachers of hatred have been expelled,” said Cazeneuve.

Yassin Salhi, 35, on Sunday confessed during interrogation to killing his boss and pinning his head to a fence of the Air Products factory near the eastern city of Lyon.

The severed head was discovered

flanked by two Islamic flags and it later emerged he had sent a selfie of himself with the head to a number believed to belong to a French jihadist now in Syria.

While Salhi was known to security services for links to radical Islamists in France, and his crime bore the hallmarks of a jihadist act, sources close to the investigation have suggested a personal dimension after a dispute with his employer two days earlier.

“There is no doubt of the personal motivations but there is a symbolism taken from the most atrocious, abject images of terrorism,” said Cazeneuve. AFP

Festival. Kyrgyz men smile as they stand close to a camel during the 5th International Festival of Kyrgyz National Applied Arts in the village of At-Bashi, 400 km from Bishkek, on June 28. Craftsmen from all over Kyrgyzstan took part in the festival that received support from the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation. AFP

T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 : 2 0 1 5

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER life @ thestandard.com .ph

LIFE

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UK Ambassador Asif Ahmad (4th from left) and Tesco Senior Commercial Manager for International Retail Luke Elliott (5th from left) were the guests of honor during the traditional cake cutting ceremony at SM Supermarket Aura. Also in photo are SM Markets Vice Chairman Herbert Sy (2nd from left), SM Hypermarket President Robert Kwee, SM Vice President for Business Development Pascale Jimenez and SM Supermarket President Joey Mendoza.

Tesco products on the shelves

GOING BRITISH WITH TESCO

BY BING PAREL

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ans of Tesco are happy that the largest retailer and purveyor of Britain’s favorite food and lifestyle brand is now in the Philippines. At the recent launch in SM Supermarket Aura graced by no less than British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad, shoppers were pleasantly surprised to see a wide range of great British favorites – from snacks, sauces, beverages, baking needs, beans and condiments, to personal care, kitchen items and home aids – prominently displayed on the shelves.

“I am pleased that many of Britain’s favorite Tesco items are finally available for Filipinos to enjoy,” said Ambassador Asif Ahmad. “In the UK, Tesco is a household name and long-established brand. We would like to congratulate SM for successfully bringing Tesco to the Philippines,” he added.

According to Tesco Senior Commercial Manager for

International Retail Luke Elliott, SM was the best partner for the British brand because they share the same values which is very much about putting the customer first. “All key retailers across the world put the customer first, and with the supermarket being very much about people, we knew that at SM, customers come first. Tesco is number one in the UK and SM is number one in the Philippines so it seemed like a natural fit,” Elliot said.

Initially, Tesco items will be available at SM Supermarket Makati, Aura, Megamall A and Mega B, North EDSA, Southmall, Pampanga, and Cebu as well as at SM Hypermarket Mall of Asia, Pasig, Clark, and North EDSA branches, but there are plans to expand the British brand’s presence into more metropolitan areas across the Philippines. “The launch program is very much SM’s call and how they’d like to roll out more and

where it is best suited. We’re starting small today but we hope to expand across more range (of items) in the future to include frozen goods and other categories of products,” Elliot disclosed.

Tesco’s wide selections of items embody the British lifestyle that everyone from housewives to working moms and dads to their kids embrace. “Whilst the British expats will know the Tesco brand very well, we know a lot of people are also pleased that Tesco is here. When Filipinos see the products on the shelf they will see that the price point is very competitive particularly for an imported brand. We are confident that we will be able to bring some of the British-ness and value that Tesco has become famous for,” Elliot shared.

With Tesco now here, Pinoys will have a chance to experience British living simply by visiting their favorite SM Markets store.

Globe Globe Telecom Telecom unveils unveils Slipstream Slipstream 2.0-exclusive 2.0-exclusive myLifestyle myLifestyle Plan Plan Customers Customersget get33months monthsfree freeSpotify SpotifyPremium Premiumand andHOOQ HOOQplus plusexclusive exclusiveaccess accessto toHuawei’s Huawei’slatest latestsmartphones smartphones PART of its commitment in enabling the Filipino digital lifestyle, postPARTleader of its commitment in is enabling Filipinoedition digital lifestyle, postpaid Globe Telecom offeringthe a special of its revolupaid leader Globe Plan Telecom offering a only special edition itsstaging revolutionary myLifestyle for a is limited time in line withof the tionary myLifestyle Plan for a limited time only line with the staging of Slipstream 2.0 at the Bonifacio Global City, anin event celebrating the of Slipstream 2.0 at the Bonifacio Global City, an event celebrating the journey of Marlon Stockinger as the first and only Filipino to make his journey of Marlon Stockinger as the first and only Filipino to make his way into the competitive world of Formula One racing. way into the June competitive world of Formula racing.

Beginning 25, 2015, customers whoOne will avail of Plan 999 and June 25,get 2015, customers who will avail of Plan and up Beginning will automatically 3 months of free access to the latest999 music up will automatically get 3 months of free access to the latest music hits through Spotify and best movie and TV titles via online entertainhits through Spotify Plan and best movie andoffers TV titles via to online entertainment service HOOQ. 999 originally access either Spotify ment service or HOOQ only.HOOQ. Plan 999 originally offers access to either Spotify orThe HOOQ offeronly. comes on the heels of the telco’s commitment to provide The offera comes on the heels of the telco’ s commitment to provide customers complete digital experience with access customers a complete digital experience with access to a vast portfolio of entertainment content services to a as vast portfolio of entertainment such music streaming and movies. content services such as music streaming “We are happy to takeand themovies.

Slipstream 2.0-mania “We are happy to take the Slipstream 2.0-mania to the next level with our exclusive myLifestyle Plan to the next level with our exclusive myLifestyle offer available for a very limited time only. With Plan the offer available for a verymyLifestyle limited time only.

With the Slipstream 2.0-exclusive Plan, customers Slipstream 2.0-exclusive myLifestyle Plan, customers get full access to HOOQ and Spotify for 3 months for get full access to HOOQ and Spotify for 3 months for uninterrupted access to millions of songs and thouuninterrupted access to millions of songs and thousands of international and local movies and TV shows sands of international local”movies TV shows alongside their favoriteand devices, says Erliand Valdez, Vice alongside their favorite devices, ” says Erli Valdez, Vice President for Postpaid Business at Globe.

President for Postpaid Business at Globe.

Globe Postpaid will also have its own booth at SlipGlobe have itss highly-connected own booth at Slipstream 2.0,Postpaid bringingwill to also life Marlon’ stream 2.0, bringing to Located life Marlon’ s highly-connected and fast-paced lifestyle. at the Bonifacio High and fast-paced lifestyle.booth Located the Bonifacio High Street, the experiential willatallow the public to Street, the experiential booth will allow the public to learn about the myLifestyle plans through various inlearn about the myLifestyle plans through various interactive activities. Guests can get to have their photos teractive can getthat to have their photos used to race taken withactivities. the veryGuests first Go-Kart Marlon Stockinger taken with the very first Go-Kart that Marlon Stockinger to Hot race in. “Build your own myLifestyle Plan” games using Megaused Bloks in.

“Build your own myLifestyle Plan” games using Mega Bloks Hot Wheels will also pique on guests’ creativity as they vie for the exclusive Wheels will also pique on guests’ creativity as they vie for the exclusive freebies and prizes up for grabs. freebies prizes up fortograbs.

Globe and customers first experience Huawei P8, P8 Lite and TalkGlobe customers first to experience Huawei band B2 with the limited edition myLifestyle Plan P8, P8 Lite and Talkband B2 with the limited edition myLifestyle Plan postpaid plans are Combined with the limited-edition myLifestyle Combined with the limited-edition myLifestyle postpaid planscan are the best smartphones and devices from Huawei that customers the best and devices from that customers can fully enjoy.smartphones With its strong partnership withHuawei Huawei, Globe is offering fully enjoy. With its strong offering its postpaid customers firstpartnership dibs to the with latestHuawei, HuaweiGlobe P8, P8isLite and its postpaid customers first dibs to the latest Huawei P8, P8 Lite the TalkBand B2 to give users an enriched mobile experience withand its the TalkBand aesthetics B2 to giveand users an enriched mobile experience with its revolutionary features. revolutionary aesthetics and features. style and functionality of the In keeping with the breakthrough In keeping with the breakthrough style and design functionality of the P series, the Huawei P8 boasts of its minimalist that comes P series, the Huawei P8 boasts of its minimalist design that comes

in silver, gold, black and gray. It is only 6.4 mm thin and has a dual in silver, black gray.

It is only 6.4 mm thinnetwork. and hasIta also dual SIM card gold, feature thatand works seamlessly with a 4G SIM on card that930 works seamlessly with a 4Gthat network. also runs thefeature new Kirin 64-bit Octa-Core chipset boostsItperruns on the new Kirin 930 64-bit Octa-Core chipset that boosts performance. formance.

The P8 Lite, on the other hand, is the mid-range version that also The P8a Lite, thecard other hand, isathe mid-range version thatand also features dualon SIM support, 32GB microSD card slot features a dual SIM card support, a 32GB microSD card sports slot and an octa-core Hi-silicon Kirin 620 CPU 8 at 1.2GHz. It also a an octa-core Hi-silicon Kirin 620 CPU x8720 at 1.2GHz. It also sports 5-inch gorilla glass screen with a 1280 HD display, 5MP fronta 5-inch gorilla screenIt with a 1280 xwith 720 2GB HD display, front and 13MP backglass cameras. is equipped of RAM,5MP Android and 13MP back cameras.

It is equipped with 2GB of RAM, Android 5.0 Lollipop and a 2200mAh battery capacity.

5.0 Lollipop and a 2200mAh batterywearable capacity. device TalkBand B2, Huawei also introduces its newest Huawei also introduces its newest wearable device TalkBand B2, which has a more professional design which showcases smarter which has a more professional design which showcases smarter fitness tracking functionalities and enhanced fitness tracking functionalities and enhanced synchronization with mobile devices.

It is not synchronization with mobile devices. It isdenot only a convenient health management only a convenient health management device, but also a perfect combination of a Bluevice, but also a perfect combination of a Bluetooth headset and sports bracelet. tooth headset P8 andissports bracelet.

The Huawei available for free at Plan Thewith Huawei P8 is calls available for free Plan 1999 unlimited and texts to at Globe 1999 with unlimited calls and texts to Globe and TM, 5GB of data for mobile internet, Phoand TM, for 5GBaccess of datato forInstagram, mobile internet, Photo Pack InstaSize, to Pack for access to Instagram, InstaSize, PhotoGrid, PhotoRepost, all-month access to PhotoGrid,freebies PhotoRepost, access to Facebook, such asall-month Navigation Pack, Facebook, freebies such as Navigation Pack, Explore Pack or Fitness Pack for 1 month, GadExplore or Fitness for 1 month, Gadget CarePack coverage for 1Pack month, 1 GB Globe get Care coverage for 1 month, 1 GB Globe Cloud Storage for 24 months, and exclusive Cloud Storage Spotify for 24 months, exclusive free 3 months Premiumand and free 3 free 3 months Spotify Premium and free 3 months of HOOQ access. months of HOOQ access.

Meanwhile, the Huawei P8 Lite with the Meanwhile, the Huawei P8 Lite with the TalkBand B2 is available for free at Plan 1499 TalkBand is available for free with unlimited calls and texts B2 to Globe and TM, 3GBatofPlan data1499 for with unlimited to Globe and TM, Messenger, 3GB of dataKafor mobile internet, calls Chat and Packtexts for access to Facebook mobile internet, Chat Pack for access to Facebook Messenger, Kakao, Line, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, all-month access to Facebook, kao, Line, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, all-month access to Pack Facebook, freebies such as Navigation Pack, Explore Pack or Fitness for 1 freebiesGadget such asCare Navigation Pack, Fitness PackStorfor 1 month, coverage for 1Explore month,Pack 1 GBorGlobe Cloud month, Gadget Care coverage for 1 month, 1 GB Globe Cloud Storage for 24 months, and exclusive free 3 months Spotify Premium agefree for 24 months,ofand exclusive and 3 months HOOQ access.free 3 months Spotify Premium and free 3 months of HOOQ access.

During Slipstream 2.0, booth visitors can also join the raffle for a During Slipstream 2.0, booth visitors also join the customers raffle for a chance to win a new Huawei P8 Lite and acan TalkBand.

Globe chance to win a new Huawei P8 Lite and a TalkBand.

Globe customers are also entitled to get exclusive discounts in Jamba Juice and Figaro are also entitled to get exclusive discounts in Jamba Juice and at Bonifacio High Street, while the first 30 Globe Postpaid BlueFigaro cusat Bonifacio Highthe Street, while first 30viewing Globe Postpaid Blue the customers can watch event fromthe a private section along tomers can watchGlobe the event a private section along the race track.

Eligible Blue from customers willviewing receive an SMS invitation racecan track.

Eligible customers will receive an SMS invitation they present toGlobe enter Blue the exclusive section. they can present to enter the exclusive section.

TUESDAY : J UNE 30 : 2015

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

H E A LT H

ALLERGOLOGY 101:

Know when to take the allergy challenge test

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eeling nauseous and itchy all over your body after eating shellfish? Can’t stop sneezing when cleaning your room?

You could be allergic to certain substances. The best way to find out if you have allergies is to see your allergologist.

“Allergy testing can determine what substances trigger your allergic response. A detailed medical history and a thorough physical exam give you precise information about your allergy concerns and how you can best manage them,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

Some types of allergies are easy to determine because symptoms appear upon contact or ingestion of the allergen, like allergy and dust, which results in successive sneezing. However, certain types of allergies are harder to diagnose and can trigger fatal symptoms. Seek emergency treatment if you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. Its warning signs include swollen throat or a lump in your throat that makes breathing difficult, rapid pulse, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, and severe drop in your blood pressure.

An allergist or a doctor who specializes in allergies may be prompted to conduct an allergy test if you report various symptoms after exposure to certain substances, including skin itchiness, watery eyes, nasal congestion, wheezing, chest congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and swelling of the face or other parts of the body.

F

TYPES OF ALLERGY TESTS

Allergy testing can be performed in a variety of ways. One of the fastest and most proven ways is skin allergy testing, which studies your body’s reactions to suspected allergens by introducing them through your skin. It includes a skin prick test, which lets a drop of an allergen solution penetrate your skin through scratches or needle pricks; an intradermal test, which directly injects the allergen solution into your skin; and a skin patch test, where a patch containing an allergen is taped to your skin for 24 to 72 hours to determine contact dermatitis.

If you have a medical condition that may interfere with skin testing, your allergist may perform blood allergy testing as an alternative. One of these tests is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA or EIA), which measures the level of immunoglobulin E or IgE in your blood. People who have allergies typically have higher IgE levels.

For suspected food and medication allergies, you may be asked to take the allergy challenge test, where you inhale or orally take a very small amount of allergen under your doctor’s supervision.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE

Always make sure to see an allergist for allergy testing to get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Licensed

allergists also use allergen extracts or vaccines that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Avoid unsafe and unproven allergy tests. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) has identified a list of allergy testing methods that are ineffective and may lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. These include applied kinesiology, which links allergy to your muscle strength or weakness; cytotoxic testing, which determines your food allergy based on the reaction of your blood cells from blood samples

that are placed on a glass slide coated with food allergens; skin titration, which places varying amounts of allergens on the surface of your skin; urine autoinjection, which injects a small amount of your urine into your skin; and sublingual provocation and neutralization testing, which places allergens under your tongue.

MediCard has 12 free-standing clinics located in key cities nationwide that offer consultations, diagnostic tests and specialty medical services for young and adult patients. Visit www.medicardphils.com for more information.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3

ish oil has been known to contain Omega-3 – a nutrient that helps keep the body in tip-top shape. The two important fatty acids in fish oil are called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The body however is incapable of producing Omega-3 and its benefits can only be absorbed through a healthy seafood diet. Tuna, mackerel, salmon, bluefish, sardines, anchovy, sardines, trout and herring are rich in Omega-3 Once consumed in healthy amounts, Omega-3 can reduce the risk of heart disease because it lowers high triglycerides. It keeps the cholesterol level in check and helps the body maintain normal blood pressure.

Fish oil also improves bone health, reducing the risk of bone degeneration caused by aging. It also strengthens visual function, by lowering the risk of glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a popular “brain food” and can actually control depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s disease, and other thinking-related disorders. Omega-3 strengthens cognitive function that boosts brain power and memory. The fatty acid also supports the body’s ability to fight inflammation. When injured, it can help reduce joint pain and swelling.

Aside from regularly eating fish, the body can also take fish oil supplements to obtain the right amount of Omega-3. When choosing the right supplement it is important to read the label and carefully study the nutritional formulation.

Most Fish oil supplements contain only 300 mg of Omega-3 roughly, 180 EPA and 120 DHA. GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil contains a total of 900 mg of Omega-3 fatty Acids – 540 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA, three times the strength of regular fish oil supplements. GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil is also easy

to absorb because the gel capsule is coated in enteric. It breaks easily when swallowed allowing the supplement to head straight to the small intestines.

This reduces the inconvenient fish-taste burp.

Manufactured by GNC, Triple Strength Fish Oil went through five separate purification processes, an assurance to consumers that it is free from detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead and PCBs. Sourced from quality wild ocean fish, GNC sets the standard in the nutritional supplement industry with its commitment to truth in labeling, ingredient safety and product potency, while remaining on the cutting-edge of nutritional science.

For more inquiries about GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil, contact GNC at (+63 2) 836-5878 or email us at info@gnc.com.ph or visit us at www.gnc.com. ph. TOTAL NUTRITION CORPORATION (GNC PHILIPPINES) is the exclusive franchisee of General Nutrition Centers (GNC Live Well) in the Philippines.

Omega-3 from GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil

BARLEY’S SWEET PROMISE A study conducted in 2010 disclosed that barley significantly reduced blood sugar and lipid levels among diabetic patients. Type 2 diabetes subjects who given 1.2 grams of barley grass powder for a period of 60 days showed a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Non-HDL-C) and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.

“Results obtained suggest that barley grass powder holds promise to be used as a functional food to optimise the health of diabetic subjects,” the study said.

A promising product is Sante Barley Max that comes from pure and organic young barley grass from New Zealand. Certified organic by Biogro NZ, an international organic certification agency, the products are cultivated and carefully produced to maintain their rich vitamin, mineral, amino acid and live enzyme contents.

Sante Barley has exclusive rights to the largest and only organically certified barley grass farm in New Zealand, ensuring product quality and freshness. The product comes in 500mg of barley grass powder in vegetable capsules.

For more information, visit santebarleymax.com, call +632-6673722, or check out santebarleymax on Facebook.

TUESDAY : J UNE 30 : 2015

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

STAYCATION CHRONICLES: INDEPENDENCE DAY

BY ED BIADO

While the country was commemorating the proclamation of its independence, many of us were dying to be liberated from the heat. So when the Luxent Hotel invited The Gist over for a staycation to kick off its third anniversary celebrations, how could we say no?

The Luxent Hotel in Quezon City is a favorite venue for showbiz media events because of its proximity to the two big TV networks. And as we would find out during our stay, together with some other friends from the lifestyle press, it was also a great place to spend a relaxing weekend – even if you live just a couple of towns away.

In the tradition of luxury, but without all the excesses, the hotel is all about spaciousness. Some other properties within the same price points tend to skimp on space, especially at the lobby and corridors, but Luxent gives the aura of abundance by giving you more than enough room to maneuver your luggage and even dance around the halls (not that we did, but you could if you wanted to). The lobby has a wonderful high ceiling, which leads to the cafe and the elevators that are partially obscured by an artful circular installation.

Our group took a tour of the different suites and guest rooms, which are all likewise larger

than the ordinary. The presidential Luxent Suite, the grandest and most exclusive suite on the property, is fully appointed with two bedrooms (one has a decadent four-post bed) with integrated work space, a majestically decorated living space and a dining area with bar. It even has an outdoor hot tub perfect for a romantic evening.

The place is huge!

We stayed at one of the more modest rooms, of course, and it could easily fit a party of four. It has two queen beds and a well-equipped bathroom.

The room was made more comfortable with the usual features like cable TV and free Wi-Fi, and a wall-to-wall window that opened up to a view of the South Triangle commercial area. No claustrophobia right there.

The 14-story hotel has 117 rooms. In addition, there’s a bar and lounge area, business center, fitness center, levitated infinity pool, spa, multipurpose halls, and smoking area. According to sales and marketing director Mayette Sagales-Delfin, Luxent is expanding and will soon build a second tower to accommodate the increasing demand for function spaces, facilities and guest rooms.

The Luxent Hotel is located at 51 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City. For reservations and more information, call 922-8888 or visit www.luxenthotel.com.

Luxent Hotel’s Lush Bar and Lounge

Garden Cafe

Presidential Room with Queen Size Bed

Poolside

THE HIDDEN CHARMS OF TAWI-TAWI WORDS AND IMAGES BY AYUNAN G. GUNTING

Is Tawi-Tawi worth visiting?

Yes, of course.

Located at the southernmost tip of the Philippines, the sky in Tawi-Tawi can turn from bright orange to pink to deep red, marking the promise of another beautiful day to come.

I’m in love with its unspoiled waters, white sandy beaches, prehistoric caves and mountain vistas. My friend, Rep. Ruby M. Sahali, is vigilant about promoting its natural attractions and culture while addressing environmental concerns.

At Turtle Islands, a remote municipality of seven islands, visitors will be amazed to see marine and leatherback turtles hatching eggs, but the presence of human beings and artificial life could frighten and disorient baby turtles as they crawl into the sea.

This is why Rep. Sahali is working to have Turtle Islands declared as a wildlife sanctuary, authoring a bill that would enable tourists to enjoy the natural beauty without undue harm to the environment through zoning. “There should be a sector for the community and another for the turtles to lay their eggs. That hasn’t been defined. When turtles hear noise or see light, they won’t lay eggs. Where else will they go except in that island?” says Sahali.

Of course, the vision would need funding from the government to obtain the necessary equipment and manpower in protecting the turtles. “Tawi-Tawi’s main attractions are its pristine natural beauty, the variety of seafood and the smiles of the people. We are a thriving community of Muslims – the Sama tribes that live on the land and the sea, the Badjaos and Tausug – all of whom live in harmony,” she says.

Contrary to news that Tawi-Tawi is in the proximity of battles between the rebels and government troops, the island province has been relatively peaceful, Sahali states, adding that “although it is near Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi has been stable.”

Bongao, the provincial capital, is famous for its stunning hilltop views and coves. Bud Bongao, the highest mountain in the province, is sacred to the locals. They climb up to commune with Allah and ask for miracles. Climbers are greeted by macaques and local monkeys, who enjoy being fed with bananas.

At the time of my visit to Panglimasugala, 15 weavers were gathered around their creations – the much soughtafter baloy. Baloy is the term they use to refer to fantastically-hued mats made of dyed pandan leaf strips. The Sama Dilaut women normally weave inside their houses, but they brought their mats out for our group to see.

Simunul Island, the cradle of Islam in the Philippines, is a heritage site for the tomb of Sheik Karimul Makhdum, the first Muslim missionary who built the country’s first mosque in the 14th century. Dubbed the “Venice of the South,” Sitangkai (also called the carrageenan capital of the Philippines) is connected by waterways and foot bridges.

Since the only mode of transport is the boat, the Badjaos and Samas go about their daily life on these vessels.

Then there are other destinations that lend that otherworldly feel. Panglima Sugala (formerly Balimbing) is noted for its coral stones and ancient graveyards. Mapun (formerly Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi) beckons with its threecrater lakes, vestiges of volcanic eruptions, waterfalls, island marshes, flora and fauna. Gusong Reef is the second

Congresswoman Ruby M.Sahali with Marine Officer Jomz Leonardo Emino of the PNP Maritime Group.

largest producer of sea turtle eggs that are made into soups and an island for sea gull sightings. Sibutu is prolific with wildlife – hogs, wild roosters, kingfishers, orioles, parrots and canaries.

Representative Ruby’s mother, Juana Maquiso Sahali who is regional tourism president, has made the island province tourism friendly. There are daily flights from Manila and comfortable accommodations for business and leisure travelers. Visitors can check out the bars and restaurants, karaoke bars in Bongao or enjoy beach sports.

Markets are havens for Chinese and Malaysian products, foodstuffs and local delicacies.

“In the end, people want to see places untouched by nature and how we live,” says Sahali.

The colorful culture of the people of Tawi-Tawi.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH TODAY? Daily-themed buffet in Kapitolyo offers different cuisines 7 days a week

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hat about ribs on Monday, paella on Tuesday, stir-fried chicken on Wednesday, adobo on Thursday, and roasted porkloin on Friday?

In a delicious bid to satisfy everyone’s hankering for a taste of the world’s cuisines everyday, a buffet restaurant in the emerging food district in Pasig City, Kapitolyo, offers a daily-themed all-youcan-eat spread that changes everyday.

The Round Table is established by Executive Chef Mia Katigbak, a third generation of the Katigbak epicure.

Start your week right and discover some contemporary Latin flavors every Monday with the comforting allure of South American cuisine. Be captivated by the crisp flavors of country fried steak, hickory smoked finger ribs, salmon croquettes, and cajun chicken. Make sure to leave space for creamed potatoes, crab cakes, beef rolls and green beans with bacon.

Come Tuesday, have a grand tasting tour of Italy and all its scrumptious glory as the menu features a pasta bar filled with exciting options of spaghetti, fettucine and penne complete with red and white sauce. One of the must-tries is the pasta amatriciana and its irresistible spicy tasty sauce which come from black pepper, guanciale (cured pork cheek) pecorino cheese, and tomato. Lovers of

chicken and fish will also find satisfaction with Italian baked chicken and fish with garlic. Wonderful as a side side dish, the eggplant parmigiana and roasted tomatoes and melted cheese on pesto crostini offer equal parts tasty and guilt-free.

Wednesday hump day will surely release bursts of energy and excitement as the menu is all about hearty and heavenly Mongolian dishes. Savor delicately stir fried options of chicken, pork, fish or beef with vegetables topped off with gently seasoned sauces such as Mongolian, sweet soy glaze, and chili garlic. Since full-flavored mains with many mix-ins are enough to liven up the meal, rice, vermicelli, or flat noodles as a satisfying pair will surely encourage customized versions.

Thursday might leave anyone wishing for weekend, but the delectable Filipino Twist theme will surely bring people together for a festive and classic Pinoy food with a twist. Go for adobo sa mangga and sinigang sa miso. A well-sorted out strategy is a must for the mains as the menu is filled with swoon-worthy options such as tapa pasta, roast beef sisig, bangus sisig crostini, and sautéed pork mango with salsa on wanton cups.

As a grand welcome to the weekend, Friday is all about Roast Carving featuring the show stopping action of slicing and dicing a roast beef, roast

porkloin, and herbed roasted chicken.

Commingled with a refreshing tossed green salad with Q dressing plus an over the top bacon potato salad, this menu certainly feels like a complete thanksgiving for a week that was.

Saturday and Sunday offer smartenedup menu versions guaranteed to punch up the mood. For the two days time off, diners are in for a surprise treat from Chef Mia starting off with luxurious French flavors such as fish in champagne hollandaise sauce, braised beef in tomato ragout, or chicken Provençal. A melting pot of sweet, spicy, and savory taste, the Asian menu is guaranteed to wake up lazy summer senses from the misono fried rice, pork buta kakuni, Asian orange chicken, and adobong puti. Last but not the least, the Spanish menu encourages a style of eating that is casual with a fresh take on favorite tapas and plato fuerte, from the pork salpicao, garlic chicken, fetas and gambas al ajillo, to paella valenciana.

Plan a visit soon and enjoy a very affordable rate of P195 for breakfast and P295 for lunch and dinner. Reserve ahead of time as the restaurant can only accommodate a maximum of 20 hungry diners.

The Round Table is located at 56 C & D E. Capitol Drive 1603, Pasig. For booking and inquiries, text or call Ash Salonga at 09228948509 or call (02) 706 1668.

Spiced Aglio Olio Pasta with Tomato & Mango Relish

Roast Beef

MAKING THE MOST OF MEAT (It’s all about the cut)

Unless you are a vegetarian, meat is something you eat at least two to three times a week. There is nothing more satisfying than a steak – cooked medium well – or a bowl of menudo enveloped in savory tomato sauce.

In most of our comfort food, meat and poultry are the main ingredients – from chicken arroz caldo and sopas to to pork sinigang and kare-kare. Never underestimate the power of meat as it provides nutrients that are good for our mind and bodies. Meat is a good source of protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins, which are essential nutrients for the body.

For best results, it is also important to know which cut is right for a certain dish.

For adobo and pork nilaga, the kasim or pork shoulder is best as it has a lot of flavor and is very tender. Pork loin is advisable for broiling, frying or roasting. This is also a very flavorful cut. For the Filipino favorite pork sinigang, it is good to use the belly or liempo because of the tasty layers of fat. If you want a sinigang that’s less sinful, go for the rib shoulder or tadyang.

For grilling, the logical choice would be pork chops. For barbeque, the ideal choice would be tenderloin.

For beef dishes like pochero, caldereta and mechado, basic beef cubes with a bit of fat would work. For roast beef, striploin is perfect. For mechado and morcon, you should choose the eye round because this cut works best with the slow-moist cooking method.

When buying meat, consumers must look for quality meat.

Monterey pork comes from grain-fed hogs that produce healthy, lean and parasite-free meat. The beef comes from Australian cattle fattened with grain. Monterey’s hogs and cattle are blast-chilled after slaughter to stop the growth of bacteria and thereby maintain its freshness. The meat is distributed in refrigerated vans to keep the temperature constant from the plant to Monterey Meatshops all over the Philippines.

In the Meatshops, the meats are kept in chillers and freezers to maintain their freshness and protect them from external elements and other possible contaminants. Also look for the NMIS (National Meat Inspection Services) certificate, which is a seal of approval that the product is fresh and of good quality.

Selected Monterey Meatshop Plus branches also offer basic “Paluto” services and even “ready-to-eat” viands. Each shop is

manned by a staff of butchers and merchandisers extensively trained in the Monterey Meatshop School. The butchers will help you with your purchases and even make special cuts for you, should you so wish.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR CUTS OF PORK AND BEEF, BASED ON CUSTOMER PREFERENCES AT MONTEREY MEATSHOPS:

Monterey Meatshop Plus sauces and condiments

Pork loin This is the cut that runs along the length of the pig’s back. Pork chops (kostillas), tenderloin (lomo), center loin (tagiliran) and the baby back ribs come from this cut. The meat from this section is ideal for broiling, braising, roasting and frying.

Beef Tenderloin (solomilo) The cut comes from the part of the cow that doesn’t move much so it is very tender. Tenderloin is the best cut to use for steaks and roasts.

Honey Pork

Beef Sirloin (tapadera) This beef cut isn’t as soft and tender as tenderloin but it is flavorful and an affordable alternative for dishes that require stir-frying, broiling or grilling.

Beef Shank (bulalo) This beef cut is a bit tough but definitely flavorful. Thus, it is best for slow cooking. The shank is perfect for nilaga with some vegetables and fresh corn.

Belly (Liempo) The belly is the most flavorful of the major pork parts due to the layers of fat in between muscles. It is the usual choice for sautéing, frying, stewing, braising, and grilling.

Pork Shoulder (kasim) This is considered one of the softest part of the pig. It has a bit of fat (but not as much as the pork belly) to make dishes like adobo and afritada flavorful.

Pork sisig

T UES DAY : J UNE 3 0 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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BalleT School celeBraTeS 30 yearS

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he Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (HCSB) celebrated recently an important milestone.

It marked its 30th anniversary, fittingly giving a tribute performance to its founder and artistic director Shirley Halili-Cruz for her enduring passion and dedication to her craft.

The dance tribute highlighted Summer Dance Divertissement 2015, a recital of the HCSB summer workshop participants.

The three-part event was mounted at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila. About 350 students of HCSB participated and showcased the elegance, diligence, discipline and passion inculcated upon them when they entered the portals of the school.

The choreography of the dances performed were impressive. The audience was doubly impressed when they learned that they were creations of Halili-Cruz like “Ang Aming Inay” and “Promenade” (first performed in 1988), “Bayan Ko,” “Da Coconut Nut” and “Butsekik” (1992), “Saranggola ni Pepe” (1993), “Pinoy ang Dating” (1994), “Le Valse Classique” (1994), “Dalagang Flipina” (1997)” and “Suite en Blanc” (1999).

HCSB did not earn the Aliw Awards Hall of Famer for Best Ballet Company in the Philippines and the Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia by Who’s Who in the Philippines Awards for nothing. Credit goes to Shir-

ley Halili-Cruz, who steered the school towards artistic excellence and unmatched success; and the equally passionate and competent teachers, her protégées – Grace Garalde-Perez, Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz, and Anna Tuazon-Balmadrid.

In her message, Shirkey Halili-Cruz, a ballerina and ballet teacher at the young age of 15, recalled how her seed of a dream of a ballet school materialized into the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet today that is now recognized here and abroad with awards after awards. It’s been three decades since she founded HCSB, guided by her strong principle that “sharing a child’s dream is one thing, making it come true is another. That is why the Halili Cruz School of Ballet exists.”

It was her biggest dream, to put up a ballet school and this came to fruition in 1985. “Thirty years and we’re still here to touch lives, to transform little awkward cygnets into elegant and graceful swans. We have pirouetted down history as an institution fervently dedicated to the art of dancing,” said Shirley.

This year, HCSB again received the 7th Ani Dangal Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Best Ballet School from the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards, and National Product Quality Excellence from the Philippine Awards for Customer Service.

Also this year, HCSB launched its official website (www.halilicruzballet.com).

Shirley Halili-Cruz with the teachers at the ballet school – Grace Garalde-Perez, Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz, and Anna Tuazon-Balmadrid

Students and alumni of the school performed during the 30th anniversary for Shirley Halili-Cruz

Shirley Halili-Cruz, founder and director of the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet

Callalily performing at Pinangat Festival

Rave party at Pinangat Festival in Camalig, Albay

Spongecola at Pulang Anggi festival in Polangui, Albay

RoCk staRs desCend at albay festivals

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ummer may be officially over, but the fun continues this jolly month of June in the alluring province of Albay with its colorful array of festivals.

The country’s top rock stars and dance celebrities rocked the night away and made festivities more fun.

Merry-making kicked off at the Pinangat Festival in Camalig with Rivermaya pumping up the adrenaline of the townsfolk led by the youthful Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. The Mark Escueta-led band

belted out their well-loved tunes, which left the crowd cheering them along the way.

The fest is inspired by the town’s culinary pride and signature Bicol delicacy--pinangat – which is made up of shredded gabi leaves, red ginger, tiny shrimps or slices of salted fish or pork and crushed pepper, and cooked in coconut milk.

Highlights included the street portrayal of the harvest and cooking process of the famed dish in a grand parade, and the holding of a 600-meter long line of pinangat, where some 3,000 servings were

eaten in a community boodle fight.

Callalily, another sought-after band in the big city, drew the curtains down to the twoweek event with their well-loved hits, which kept the sleepy town awake until the wee hours.

In Polangui, Spongecola fired off the red-hot Pulang Anggi Festival, one of Bicol region’s most-awaited tourism event, which tells the legend of Pulang Angui, a lovely maiden in red gown who roamed the forests in the town’s ancient days. The municipality’s name is believed to have evolved from this story

passed on through generations.

The locus of the fest is the street theater, which reenacts the life and times of its mythical lady.

Festivities drew to a close with a red-color themed Zumba session led by dance diva queen Regine Tolentino and Philippine Retro Queen Bennie Almonte, backed by the zin zumba dancers of Albay.

Polangui Mayor Cherelie Mella-Sampal said the festival also included the Search for Mutya ng Pulang Anggi, which selected the town’s ambassadresses of tourism and goodwill, musical

nights and entertainment shows which captured the fun-loving character of the townsfolk.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the province has positioned itself as “Planet Festival” because of its colorful and exciting festivities the whole-year round derived from its local lore, cottage industries, and traditional cuisine.

He noted that tourist arrivals in the province has risen exponentially because of the yearlong festivities, as well as its new unique destinations which supplements its iconic attraction, Mayon Volcano.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Kirsten Tan is Anthony Chan's One To Watch on CNN

WiTh gREaT POWER COmES ‘abSOLUTELy anyThing’

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he world’s fate hangs in the balance in the upcoming hilarious comedy Absolutely Anything starring Kate Beckinsale, Simon Pegg, Rob Riggle, Sanjeev Bhaskar, and Eddie Izzard.

In the film, one man’s actions stand between the survival of Earth and its absolute destruction.

The thing is, he hasn’t a clue.

Sharon, Kylie, Janet and Maureen make up the Intergalactic Council, a nasty bunch of creatures who have decided that the earth and its inhabitants should be eliminated.

Intergalactic Law stated however that before a destruction order can be placed, the inhabitants of the planet they have in mind must be given a chance to prove themselves.

One person must be chosen at random and given absolute power to do anything they wish with just a wave of their hand. And so, with the whirl of a futuristic Rolodex, Neil Clarke (Pegg), an unassuming, disillusioned teacher in North London becomes that person.

At first, Neil doesn’t realise that anything is happening. He gets on with his usual daily routine and when he chats with his best friend, Ray (Bhaskar), in the canteen over lunch and tells him that he wishes his rowdy class would disappear... he doesn’t realize that that is exactly what will happen...An explosion silences the canteen before chaos breaks out and they push themselves through the crowd gathered around the door to his classroom. His class has vanished!

Confused, Neil heads home to his flat and his loyal dog, Dennis. They watch TV together in silence as the News reports on the explosion. Neil can’t believe it could be anything to do with him!

Could it? But then something else happens and slowly he realises that that unimaginable

Singapore’S anthony Chen, KirSten tan in ‘Cnn oneS to WatCh’

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he program opens at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, with young Singaporean director Kirsten Tan taking her first steps towards the famous red carpet.

Born and raised in Singapore, Tan has lived and worked in Thailand, South Korea and New York and written and directed short films in each country. She was invited to Cannes to meet producers and financiers to help get her first feature film off the ground.

Anthony Chen, who won Singapore’s first ever film honors at Cannes when he took home the prestigious Camera d’Or in 2013, chooses Tan as his One to Watch.

Chen said, “I’ve admired her for a long, long time. I think she has a very unique eye, great visuals and I like her sensibility and tone. I think that’s something quite rare from our part of the world in South East Asia, that black humour. I see that, not

just in one film but something that’s recurring in a lot of films.

I think that if she can keep on and maintain that sensibility that unique quality in her feature film I think she will go very, very far.”

Also in CNN Ones to Watch this month is Steven Gaydos, an award-winning screenwriter for films including Road to Nowhere, winner of the 2010 Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Prize. He nominates Maisie Williams from HBO’s Game of Thrones as One to Watch in the world of film.

While Williams is already well-known globally as the feisty young girl Arya Stark in Games of Thrones, CNN Ones to Watch follows her first steps from TV into film. Actress Natalie Portman presents her with a Shooting Star award at the Berlin Film Festival and we hear from her co-star and producer Jessica Biel.

The show airs in Manila, 9:30 p.m. on July 10.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 40 41 42 44 45 46 50 52 53 54 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Big umbrella 5 Form 1040 experts 9 Teddy bear look-alike 14 Hydrox rival 15 — mater 16 Any of Charlie’s girls 17 Blowout or bash 19 Paper quantities 20 Wheel buy (2 wds.)

21 22 23 25 26 27 30 33 34 36 37 38 39

Forest browsers Bumper-car locales Bacon servings Liverpool poky Nutritious grain Work waiting Ski lifts (hyph.)

Nick of films Yale athlete Linen vestments Poet — Neruda Aloha in Rome Diner coffee

Bayou dish Goes belly up March 17 gab?

Brief homily?

Raised platform Beauty treatment Mustang Meditation guide Monastic title Princess topper Galvanized Sigh or murmur “Como — usted?”

Fix a shirttail Like a bird’s eye Charon’s river Movie lioness

DOWN 1 Succeed (2 wds.)

2 Gladiator’s place 3 Butte cousins 4 Food cooker 5 Frolic 6 Operates a ferry 7 Tsp. and oz.

8 Right to decide 9 Bar sing-along 10 Dramatist Eugene — 11 Petri-dish contents 12 Moon buggies 13 Unser and Gore

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015

18 22 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 37 38 40 41 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56

Hunches Ipso — — d’oeuvres Ernest or Julio London cop Mademoiselle’s eye Very willing — Mahal Splotch Explorer — Tasman Appellations Yellow moths Wars against Carthage Firm, for short Silo, maybe Disgusted (2 wds.)

Lit incense to Extra levy Stale and damp Run — of the law Gator cousins “The Castle” author Forkful of food Pro — Wind burst Movie popcorn size Second notes Country addr.

Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale star in Absolutely Anything

is happening to him...he can do anything he wishes!

But he can’t quite get the hang of it. In desperate need of a friend, Neil gives his dog the power of speech and rational thought. But it turns out that most of Dennis’ thoughts revolve around biscuits and shagging...no help at all! And so, Neil stumbles along, making mistakes along the way – from turning his best mate into the kind of man women would not only die for, but would worship to

the ends of the earth and back, to turning himself into the President of the United States, to – well let’s face it, what most men would do if they had 5 minutes spare and the ability to do anything – making his manhood larger...oh, and making the woman of his dreams – Catherine (Beckinsale), fall in love with him.

A comedy of intergalactic proportions happens when Absolutely Anything from Axinite Digicinema opens on Aug. 12.

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C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Bohol brothers teach Bamboo how to play diwdiw in The Voice Kids

Bedraggled BaCkyards BeCome Cozy outdoor living rooms

The 70s Superband

P

BamBoo learns To Play insTrumenT

H

e may be an OPM rock icon, but Bamboo does not just mentor kids in the The Voice Kids. He also enjoys learning new things from the kiddie artists in the top-rating and Twitter-trending singing reality competition.

In the blind auditions on June 28 and 29 on ABS-CBN, a duo from Bohol, (they are brothers, actually) showed off their singing voices while playing diwdiw, a string instrument their father made out of recycled materials like bamboo, pot (caldero), and bottles.

Bamboo was blown away by the brothers’ skills that he asked them to teach him how to play the diwdiw.

HHHHH rGma Pera sorPresa kicks off 4TH season It’s another season of opportunity for Kapuso listeners to win cash prizes via RGMA Pera Sorpresa 4.

RGMA Pera Sorpresa is a nationwide proof-of-purchase (POP) promo of RGMA Network,

from c8

Inc. encouraging the audience to send entries to win cash prizes.

From July 6 to Sep. 23, six lucky winners of P1,500.00 will be chosen weekly from each of the 15 RGMA stations, while an additional 30 bonus prize winners of P10,000.00 will also be drawn nationwide.

The Grand Draw, which has a whopping P1 million cash prize, will be held on Sept. 26. All non-winning entries during the promo period will be included in the draw. There will also be five winners of P25,000 - each one coming from South Luzon, North Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and Mega Manila.

RGMA teamed up with Petron, Bear Brand, and CDO Meat Loaf and CDO Beef Loaf in this latest season.

To join, simply write down name, age, address, contact number, and signature on a piece of paper and enclose it along with the required proof-of-purchase in a white envelope.

Then at the back of the enve-

lope, write “Pera Sorpesa 4”, week number, POP/brand attached, and RGMA Station listened to.

Participants can drop their entries into designated drop boxes at selected Petron outlets, RGMA Network Stations, or send them by registered mail to RGMA Stations.

For additional details on how to join, just listen to all RGMA stations nationwide, watch the Pera Sorpresa mechanics plug, see posters or visit www.gmanetwork.com/radio.

HHHHH 70s suPerBand aT Hard rock café 70s Superband is the featured attraction at Hard Rock Café (HRC) in a special performance, 9 o’clock, tonight. Fans and music lovers can look forward to an evening of nonstop retro music as 70s Superband dishes out live the greatest and most well loved power ballads and party anthems of the 70s.

For reservations call HRC at 893-4661 to 64.

repare to be amazed with landscape transformations as lifestyle channel FYI airs Outback Nation.

Jamie Durie helps families transform their backyards into the outdoor space they’ve always dreamed of 8 p.m. on July 27.

Say goodbye to overgrown gardens, decaying decks, and unkempt pools. Each episode finds Jamie helping a family reinvent their backyards to become outside living rooms made for comfort and relaxation. To make the overhaul more interesting, each family first immerses themselves in their own backyard by camping and experiencing it firsthand. Each member also is assigned with a special project during the renovation, making Outback Nation a show that’s both fun and collaborative.

Also premiering this month is the show The Coolest Places on Earth, which takes the audi-

The Coolest Places on Earth, which takes audiences on breath-taking journeys to some of the most astonishing places on the planet on July 7 at 8pm.

Catch Tiny House Nation on July 6 at 9pm as renovation experts John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin travel across America to show off ingenious and interesting small spaces

Jump into the Wild West

T

ogether with the team behind Emmy Award-winning series Hatfields & McCoys, History takes the audience back to a time in the all-new Texas Rising when the West was truly wild.

The grand television spectacle follows the events of the Texas Revolution and the rise of the Texas Rangers at a time when no one was safe from the attacks of the ferocious armadas and tribes. But one man, the heroic General Sam Houston, rose above those who cowered in fear and led his men to freedom, facing immense danger and insurmountable odds. A compelling tale of the power of the human spirit, join General Houston, the rag tag Rangers, and the legendary Yellow Rose of Texas as they fight the good fight 10 p.m. on July 24.

Another all-new series premier-

ing this month is Secrets of the Otherworld, which explores mind-boggling mysteries that even modern science can’t explain. Survivors and witnesses tell their tales and local phenomena are unearthed in this thrilling new production.

Airing on July 19 at 10 p.m., the series will take the audience deep into the heart of ancient Philippine legends as it looks into powers that amulets claim to possess, humans who may have been able to transform into other creatures, and wars won by ways which those who fought it did not know.

Also on HistorY this July is The Sultan of Brunei, which celebrates the life of Hassanal Bolkiah. In this onehour special airing 10 p.m. on July 12, watch the man who came from humble beginnings and is now considered the leader who ushered his country

ence on breath-taking journeys to some of the most astonishing places on the planet. Each episode highlights three must-see destinations around the globe, be it a supercharged modern metropolis, imposing ancient ruins, or jaw-dropping natural sights. Experience an unforgettable ride around this amazing planet, 8 p.m. on July 7.

With the exploding movement of the small space lifestyle comes the show Tiny House Nation. Here, renovation experts John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin travel across America to show off ingenious and interesting small spaces and the stories of the inventive people who live in them. It also helps new families design and construct their dream mini-home no bigger than 300 square feet. This design show with a cool, creative twist kicks off 9 p.m. on July 6.

FYI™ is available on SKYCable Ch 79 (SD) and Ch 200 (HD).

into the 21st century. Placing fourth in Ford’s Top 15 Wealthiest Royals, Bolkiah’s empire shows is shown in the magnificent array of footage and archived photographs that tell his story.

Rounding up the show line-up for this month is My Mosque, an incredible new series on the rich historical and cultural context behind these places of worship. Beyond housing people of the Muslim faith as they congregate and pray, in these structures lie troves of stories of the communities that surround them. Along with the local narratives, the series premiere s10 p.m. on July 30 with a glimpse of the landmarks and mustsee spots around these mosques.

HISTORY™ is available on SKYCable Ch 67; Cable Link Ch. 44; Dream Satellite Ch 30; Destiny Cable Ch 57; and Cignal Ch 118.

Follow host Jamie Durie as he helps families transform their backyards into the outdoor space they’ve always dreamed of beginning July 27 at 8PM on Outback Nation.

HISTORY takes us back to a time when the West was truly as wild in the all-new Texas Rising, premieres on July 24 10pm

My Mosque, an incredible new series on the rich historical and cultural context behind these places of worship. Catch the series premiere on July 30 at 10PM to get a glimpse of the landmarks and know the mustsee spots around these mosques.

T UES DAY : J UNE 3 0 : 2015

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

At the red carpet to the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN for the press conference of the movie

EVERyboDy’S DREAmboAt IS cool AnD cAlm unDER pRESSuRE ISAH V. RED Evidence of strong character is visible in the life of Piolo Pascual. Being in show business for two decades, he has had his share of controversies that would have, otherwise, affected his career.

Yet, the actor had simply brushed all those aside. To many, this attitude has helped him in maintaining his self-respect as well as his stature in the business he chose to be in.

“It wasn’t easy to keep your cool all the time, but being in this business all these years taught me to choose my battles.

I wouldn’t let issues get in the way and affect me or my family,” Pascual explains, adding “I surround myself with people that I love and do things that I love to keep myself happy.”

The actor recently won the Movie Actor of the Year at the 31st PMPC Star Awards and was voted at the Guillermo Memorial Mendoza Award as Movie Box Office King for his role in Starting Over Again. He also won in Gawad Tanglaw a Best Performance by an Actor for his role in Hawak Kamay.

Pascual is also proud ambassador of BDO Remit, Sunlife, Silka Papaya Soap, Under Armor and Essilor, Century Properties and ABS-CBN Mobile.

“My heart so full it will burst knowing how blessed I am. I just want to thank all my supporters who still believe in me.

I’d be forever grateful for all your love and support,” he says.

The actor is now excited with his big screen project that pairs him with showbiz’s PopStar Princess, Sarah Geronimo, in The Breakup Playlist. In this much-awaited movie, he gets to do two things that he loves - acting and singing.

Pascual portrays a rock musician who is collaborating with an aspiring artist named Trixie (Geronimo). Eventually, he falls in love with her.

“I will never get tired of doing romantic movies. It never ceases to amaze me how love can make everything all right. Yes, there

will be struggles but at the end of the day if the two of you were really meant to be together, no one could stop that!” he says.

Pascual and Geronimo are two of ABS-CBN’s biggest box-office stars, proof of which was the recognition both received at the recent Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Awards. Pop Star Princess Sarah was hailed as Box-Office Queen in 2013 with her record-breaking It Takes A Man And A Woman, while Ultimate Heartthrob Pascual won the 2014 Box-Office King award for Starting Over Again.

Together, the will set the silver screen on fire in The Breakup Playlist, believed to be the biggest romantic movie of season.

The Breakup Playlist is a love story that revolves around Gino (Pascual) and Trixie (Geronimo). Gino is a band vocalist who recruits law student Trixie as his singing partner. Their chemistry onstage leads to a real-life romance as they eventually become a couple.

Sadly however, Gino’s insecurities got the best of him and forced Trixie to quit the band. Fast forward to present day – years after their breakup, their paths cross again and they are forced to perform one last time due to fans’ clamor for a reunion concert.

Is theirbreakup really final?

Or is there a chance for Gino and Trixie to reunite as lovers?

The Breakup Playlist is a modern-day romance set against the backdrop of songs about dreams, choices and love. ➜ Continued on C7

The tandem between Pascual and Sarah Geronimo is expected to create box office history when The Breakup Playlist hits the theaters tomorrow

I will never get tired of doing romantic movies. It never ceases to amaze me how love can make everything all right. yes, there will be struggles but at the end of the day if the two of you were really meant to be together, no one could stop that!

With the rest of the cast and crew of the movie at the press conference

Piolo Pascual is excited to be in another movie after being hailed Box-Office Movie King by Guillermo Memorial Mendoza Award

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JUDITH S. ALBANO SUPPLEMENTS EDITOR

www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA 2015

NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

On June 11, 2015, The Standard was named “Newspaper of the Year” in the Rotary Club of Manila 2015 Journalism Awards. To our readers, advertisers and all who have supported us, without whom we could not have made it this far, we give our thanks.

It is an award that is meaningful to us.

There is the distinction and prestige that comes with being recognized by the august Rotary Club of Manila and its RCM Journalism Awards, an award-giving body known worldwide for honoring outstanding contributions and exemplary performance in journalism. We take it as affirmation of what we have set out to do: to create a source of credible, relevant news, information and content that creates positive change.

VOL. XXIX  NO. 83  3 Sections  32 Pages  P18  MONDAY, MAY 10, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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DFA: Case vs China ‘strong’

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House panel eyes secret vote on BBL

‘DODONG’ POUNDS NORTH LUZON Next page

But more importantly, we also recognize the responsibility that comes with the award: that of maintaining excellence, integrity and value in the performance of our work.

To be The Standard. It is who we are, and what we will always strive to be.

Dodong’s fury. The winds whipped by Typhoon “Dodong” created giant waves and pounded Manila Bay on Sunday. MANNY PALMERO

Barako grabs share of lead

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Another provocative GMA series

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It is with great joy that we receive the 2015 Newspaper of the Year award graciously given to us by the Rotary Club of Manila at the RCM Journalism Awards.

We are honored, and most importantly, we are thankful.

The Rotary Club of Manila’s Journalism Awards is renowned worldwide as a body that recognizes exemplary performance in Journalism. To be recognized in this manner is an affirmation that we are not just doing the right thing, but that we are doing it well.

From the time that we re-launched, we have set out to create a newspaper that will take advantage of the digital age, one that will be relevant in this fast-paced world of five-minute sound bites and memes.

We shifted to the tall man size and format (known as “the compact” in Europe) in keeping with the shifting trends in leading newspapers around the world such as The Independent, The Courier, The Gulf Times, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald and some 56 other newspapers in Europe, to be able to deliver the news in a refreshing new way– more convenient, in keeping with this convenience-driven world, with shorter and more engaging accounts that do not sacrifice journalistic principles of excellence.

Through our digital platforms, we deliver the news to more people– far more than can be reached through our physical newspaper. More than that, we allow them to reach out to us, to be sources of news, opinion and discussion through their digital devices.

But through these changes and innovations, there remains a constant: our identity and our purpose. At our heart, we are a newspaper that provides news and information that is credible, relevant and most of all unbiased.

And now, through innovation, providing those to people that it has not reached before. All to encourage thought, discussion, and action, in order to create change.

It is a vision we believe is shared by many, if not all, through the industry, and by the Rotary Club of Manila.

To all of you who share this vision and are doing your part in seeing it come to light, we give you our thanks, as well as our promise to not rest on our laurels, but move forward and work harder, until the change we want to see arrives.

Philip G. Romualdez Chairman CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

The Standard: The Vision I am extremely humbled by the Rotary Manila’s recognition of the Standard as the Newspaper of the Year. It reflects and rewards the hard work and dedication of the entire Standard staff since we relaunched the paper.

More than that, it sets the bar for excellence even higher and challenges us to strive even more as we work towards becoming one of the leading source of content for our readers. To be at the forefront: in news, in information, and in the minds of our customers.

We aim to be true to our essence: that of the visionary storyteller that cuts across all platforms. And with this award, we have the added incentive to achieve what we have set out to do.

Our goal is to establish the Standard as the most credible and relevant primary source of content for our target market. To define the news, as we say on our front page.

In the days ahead, we will work harder and go further in setting trends in the ways our audiences access news and content. Even now we are constantly seeking new ways to improve our product, and new technologies we can adopt to make our product more accessible.

Through our new formats, we can be more relevant, and even more importantly, mindful of the sentiments of our readers.

Whereas in previous years, the delivery of news was a one-way communications process, we recognize that in this age of interactivity, it is now necessary for the news to become a two-way conversation– a conversation with an involved readership that becomes both audience, communicator and news creator.

Because it takes all of us to define the news, just as it will take all of us to create change.

“A good newspaper... is a nation talking to itself.”

-Arthur Miller

To be named “Newspaper of the Year” puts a heavy load on the recipient.

While the paper’s stock perhaps gets a lift with the award, it weighs heavily on it at the same time to keep decency in its reporting. And so while we in The Standard are elated over this honor, we are humbled by the greater task of keeping that honor sacred.

The award came at a time when The Standard is in transition. We are making the crossover into the digital realm in a way that will give us a cutting-edge in news and information dissemination.

While at it, the print version has gone transformation both in size (“tall boy”) and content (varied and meaty) to keep pace with the fast-changing world of newspapering. This is all in sync with management’s thrust to bundle both print and digital platforms into a more cost-efficient tool to expand the paper’s reach and promote advertisers’ products.

In the face of these innovations to keep the paper a viable concern, one thing has remained unchanged: reporting news “as is.” Its DNA can be traced to The Standard’s precursor -- The Manila Standard -- founded in 1987. Then as now, that mandate to print unvarnished truth is enshrined in the newsroom and consciously observed by the editors and writers. Often putting them and the paper under undue external pressures.

Still, unwaveringly, we are committed to pursue objective journalism on the news side and constructive opinions in the editorial page as our way of giving substance to the honor bestowed upon us.

That, we owe no less to the reading public and the nation.

Again, thank you for this honor.

Arnold C. Liong President

Rollie G. Estabillo Publisher

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NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

The Standard Website The latest, to the minute news, changing by the moment, with the added bonus of engaging with likeor opposing-minded readers on the comments page.

What The Standard says It gives us, the men and women who work at The Standard, great pleasure to receive the coveted Newspaper of the Year award given out by the Rotary Club of Manila. And that’s because we consider the award a vindication of our efforts to work as a team, day in and day out, to come up with a newspaper that our readers have come to rely upon for unbiased news and unflinching opinion.

Over the years, The Standard has developed a reputation for telling it like it is, in the process gaining a very loyal and continuously growing readership base. Especially with the accessibility that the Internet has brought, “What does The Standard say?” is now a question heard more and more often, and one that is increasingly answered with ease for Filipinos who want to get a more complete and comprehensive picture of what’s going on.

The Rotary Club of Manila’s recognition of The Standard’s efforts tells me that more and more people are seeking out our unique way of reporting the news and of making sense of that news. And the captains of industry and leaders of various professions who make up RCM have merely confirmed what we already knew – that no one has a monopoly of the news and of opinion, and that there should always be room for a different or even a contrarian position on the various issues that interest our readers everywhere.

At this critical time in our nation’s history, when propaganda is often bandied about as absolute truth, The Standard is here to say that everything is not as it seems. And when the people who have been entrusted with our progress and well-being betray that trust, The Standard is here to point out the fact.

As someone who’s been with The Standard almost from the first issue and who’s witnessed its various permutations over nearly three decades, I’m happy to report that the current version of your favorite paper that you hold in your hands – or are reading online – is the best it’s ever been. With the help of an enlightened new ownership and a highly professional management, there is no way for dedicated and hardworking journalists at The Standard to go but even higher.

And we’re taking you, dear reader, along with us. It’s a promise the whole team at The Standard is making.

So yes, that’s what The Standard has to say about this much-appreciated (and long overdue, in our view) award.

Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Relevant and unobtrusive. The audience sees the news that matters most to them.

Engagement is closer and still possible.

The Standard Talks

In-depth expert opinions made easy to understand.

Making it easier for the ordinary reader to take a stand.

D3 The Standard Print Newspaper Just the latest news, please. Hard news is easier to read in our modern, more convenient tall man format.

Strictly breaking news in 140 characters.

The Anatomy of The Standard The Standard recognizes that in this day and age, a newspaper must not only run after the news, but after the audience themselves.

Whether we like it or not, this is an environment where the audience dictates what, where, when and how much engagement happens. In an environment like this, providing options is a necessity.

The multi-platform design of The Standard is created to provide these options. Multiple points of contact, with multiple options to engage in different ways.

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T U E S D AY : J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

THE STANDARD TALKS

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O R P Yes!

Con!

a e k TA d!

Stan

Staff Box Gina P. Verzosa Head, Ad Solutions

Judith S. Albano Head, Digital, Supplement & Special Projects Kaye Kho Project Manager Romel Mendez Layout Artist

Ad Solutions Specialists: Edith Angeles Jun Brum Lorna Hernandez Dianne Cuarto Rislyn Manas

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NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Rotary Club of Manila President,Frank Evaristo,leftmost,hand the ‘Newspaper of the Year’ award to The Standard’s President & CEO,Arnoild Liong,in dark suit,along with Standard Chairman,Philip Romualdez and Standard Editor-InChief,Jojo Robles as witnessed by Senator Grace Poe over yesterday’s Rotary Club of Manila’s Journalism Awards at the New World Hotel in Makati City. EY ACASIO

Dahil PhilHealth Member Ako...

ALAM KO na ako at ang aking mga qualified dependents* ay may benepisyong pangkalusugan.

* Ang aking mga qualified dependents ay ang aking asawa, mga anak na 20 taong gulang pababa, anak na may permanenteng kapansanan, at mga anakanakan (foster children)

ALAM KO na sagot ng PhilHealth ang bahagi ng aking mga gastusin sa pagpapagamot, in-patient at out-patient, na maaari kong ma-avail sa lahat ng pampubliko at mga pribadong pagamutan na accredited ng PhilHealth.

ALAM KO na may nakatalagang halaga ng benepisyo* sa bawat karamdaman o operasyon na dapat kong makamit. *

Malalaman ko ang bawat halaga ng mga ito mula sa website o maaari din ako tumawag upang sumangguni sa tanggapan ng PhilHealth

ALAM KO na ang PhilHealth ay mayroon ding polisiya na No Balance Billing* para sa mga Sponsored, Indigent at Kasambahay members kung saan sagot na lahat ang buong gastusin sa pagpapagamot at wala nang dapat bayaran pa. *

Ito ay maaari lamang magamit sa lahat ng pampubliko at piling pribadong pagamutan na accredited ng PhilHealth.

ALAM KO na lalagda lamang ako sa Claim Form 2 kung tama ang aking PhilHealth deduction.

Malalalaman ko na tama ang nakasaad dito sa pamamagitan ng pagkumpara nito mula sa aking Statement of Account.

Ano mang di pagkakatugma ay dapat ipagbigay-alam agad sa billing section ng ospital.

ALAM KO na dapat naibawas na ang halaga ng kaukulang benepisyo mula sa kabuuang halaga ng aking gastusin sa pagpapagamot, kasama ang gastusin sa ospital at doktor, bago ako lumabas ng pasilidad.

ALAM KO na kung may nais akong iparating ukol sa anumang paglabag sa polisiya ng PhilHealth mula sa napiling pagamutan ay dapat ko itong ipagbigay alam sa nakatalagang PhilHealth Anti-Fraud Team o PhilHealth Cares.

ALAM KO

Dahil dito, na dapat kong panatilihing updated ang aking record at kontribusyon sa PhilHealth.

action center

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www.twitter.com/teamphilhealth

ALEXANDER A. PADILLA President and CEO PhilHealth

action center

(02)

www.youtube.com/teamphilhealth

www.facebook.com/PhilHealth

www.twitter.com/teamphilhealth

www.philhealth.gov.ph

actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph www.youtube.com/teamphilhealth

www.philhealth.gov.ph

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actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph

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NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR www.manilastandardtoday.com editorial@thestandard.com.ph

The Standard Talks: Our Newest Platform For Enlightenment IMAGINE the country’s most informed experts on any given subject, from a wide variety of disciplines coming together to discuss the most important issues plaguing the country.

A panel of experts, influencers and opinion leaders from a range of disciplines and industries: business, politics, scie n c e / m e d i c i n e, art, education, religion, discussing matters that are hot-button issues, in ways that allow most of us, the non-experts and the man-onthe-street, to understand them enough to be able to form our own opinions and take a stand.

This is the vision behind The Standard Talks, a forum hosted by The Standard that presents varied, and often opposing views on different subjects, The first of the series, on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, was held on April 15, 2015 at the Manila Golf Club. Moderated

by The Standard Editor in Chief Jojo A. Robles, it featured speakers from both sides of the issue: Prof. Miriam Coronel- Ferrer, Sec. Senen C Bacani, Atty. Raissa Jajurie, and Hon. Abdullah Camlian for the BBL, with Cong.

Jonathan Dela Cruz and Atty.

Chito Avecilla arguing against.

Many said it proved to be sober yet very enlightening – in fact, a surprisingly restrained and intelligent discussion on what, for many, is an emotionallycharged, highlypolitical subject.

The second Standard Talks, tackling Diplomacy in the West Philippine Sea was held Thursday, May 21, at the Turf Room of the Manila Polo

Club in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Manila.

Moderated by The Standard columnist and veteran journalist Tony Lopez, it featured lawyer and columnist Harry Roque and Magdalo party-list Rep.

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Francisco Ashley Acedillo who gave presentations on their contrasting positions, and then answered questions from the audience.

The third Standard Talks is scheduled for the second week of July and

will tackle the eligibility of Sen. Grace Poe as Presidential candidate. As with the other two, it will be livestreamed over The Standard’s website so readers here and abroad may watch, listen and chime in with their own opinions.

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Present at the launch of Novotel Suites Manila are (from left) Adam Laker, AccorHotels Area General Manager Philippines and General Manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.; Marco R. Antonio, Chief Operating Officer of Century Properties Group, Inc.; Paul Stevens, AccorHotels Vice President for Operations for AccorHotels Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines; and Venessa Koo, AccorHotels Director Development – Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Century Properties ventures into its first hotel development under subsidiary Century Limitless Corporation, with Novotel Suites Manila (leftmost tower) at the Acqua Private Residences. It will be managed by the internationally renowned group, AccorHotels.

Century Properties and AccorHotels launch first Novotel Suites Manila Top developer introduces Century Acqua Lifestyle Corporation, which offers a game changing real estate product through the fractional ownership of hotel units After scoring development coups in the local real estate landscape, the top real estate developer Century Properties Group, through its subsidiary Century Limitless Corporation (CLC), is embarking on what it considers as the next frontier in the sector – leisure and hospitality. CLC has partnered with one of the world’s most renowned hotel groups, AccorHotels, to build its first ever hotel project, Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua.

“This project plays a significant part in the company’s thrust to push towards the allied sectors of real estate development, which are leisure and hospitality. We made sure to do this right by partnering with a globally trusted name in hotel management. With that, we are confident about the project’s quality and competitive edge, as well as its ability to serve the country’s fast growing tourism sector,” said Tim Hallett, Chief Operating Officer of Century Hospitality and Leisure, Inc. Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer for AccorHotels Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines, said: “We are excited to join hands and collaborate with Century Properties to develop a Novotel Suites hotel in the Philippines and appreciate the trust they have in our hospitality expertise. Once complete, this all-suite hotel will combine the latest design and innovation to create a perfect hotel for leisure, business and long stay guests looking to stay in the proximity of Makati.”

Novo tel is a 4-star international brand for business and leisure travelers, with 414 hotels and 79,220 rooms located in major international cities, business districts, and tourist destinations in 61 countries worldwide. As a member of the Novotel family brand, Novotel Suites offer suite-type rooms that are spacious and can be adapted into a working area or reception room. The rooms come with a kitchenette, separate toilet and washbasin from the bathroom, high-speed internet access, and amenities that cater to all types of guests and for all lengths of stays.

The tower will rise 41 storeys high and will be the 6th and last tower of Acqua Private Residences in

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Mandaluyong City. It will be located right across Makati City via the Estrella-Panteleon Bridge and is a few paces away from Metro Manila’s significant landmarks, business districts, shopping centers and transportation centers, making it an accessible place of residence for tourists and unit owners.

International hotel ownership now yours for the taking Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua is a multi-product property that introduces a hybrid of hotel suites, residential units for full-ownership, and preferred shares as fractional ownership units.

The 41-storey tower will be divided into 2 distinct areas. There are approximately 149 units of residences available for full residential ownership in the tower and 310 Novotel Suites. Century reveals an innovative twist in the project as fractions of hotel units will be sold as preferred shares under the Century Fractional Ownership Program by Century Acqua Lifestyle Corporation (CALC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLC. The remaining hotel units will be retained by CLC. “Through Novotel Suites Manila, we are introducing to the country the concept of fractional ownership for a hotel real estate property. This gives the subscribers of the preferred shares a number of usage nights in the hotel in a year with the remainder of the fractional being leased out. Owners will then be able to enjoy the benefit of a financial return on the lease,” explained Hallett, who is also the Chairman of CALC. The first of its kind in the Philippines, the Century Fractional Ownership Program allows the purchase of preferred shares of CALC. Preferred shareholders under the program are entitled to customized luxury vacation and business stays in units owned by CALC in Novotel Suites Manila, the option to enjoy multiple vacation destinations worldwide, hasslefree property management, and an annual return from the lease of the hotel units.

This fractional ownership model is different from a timeshare scheme, which usually comes without ownership and is limited to the usage rights of the property.

As an added benefit, shareholders get a oneyear Interval International Gold Membership, an independently operated exchange company based in Miami, Florida, which allows for hotel stay exchanges at its affiliated properties in different parts of the world. Preferred shareholders will also enjoy an Accor Plus membership. Under this program and subject to membership terms and conditions, a shareholder will be able to enjoy exclusive accommodation and dining benefits at over 500 Accor hotels and resorts throughout the Asia Pacific Region. Participating countries include China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, New Zealand and Indonesia.

A render of the Novotel Suites Manila Lobby

“This property is designed for those who want to personally enjoy and at the same earn from their investment. This is a good investment option for foreign nationals who enjoy vacationing in the Philippines, as well as Filipinos who are based or working overseas and come home each year. It’s similar to having a home away from home,” Hallet added.

Unit types for the hotel suites and fractional ownership suites include the Studio, Deluxe, Premier and Superior, with sizes ranging from approximately 31 to 87 square meters.

The tower’s shared amenities include a grand lobby, reception, restaurant bar and café, gym and fitness center, swimming pool and deck, lounge, a business center, and a spa.

Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua is targeted for completion in 2019.

For information, visit www.novotelsuitesmanila. com/fractional-ownership.