The Standard - 2015 August 16 - Sunday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 185  3 Sections 24 Pages P18  SUNDAY : AUGUST 16, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CHANGE IS COMING TO PH CALL CENTERS

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COMELEC LEASE DEAL FACES HOUSE SCRUTINY

By Maricel V. Cruz and Sara Susanne Fabunan

A MEMBER of the Makabayan Bloc on Saturday sought a congressional probe of the new deal struck by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM) Corp. involving the lease of 93,977 new optical mark reader (OMR) machines for possible breach of election laws.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon also stressed the need for Congress to revisit Republic Act 9369 or the Automated Election System Law that is apparently tied to and dependent on the Smartmatic-TIM. “It has been clearly reported that Comelec will lease new machines from Smartmatic. But we need to ask – are these machines compli-

ant with existing election laws, especially the provision in Section 10 of RA 9369 which states that systems used for elections should first be tested successfully in either a local or foreign elections?” Ridon asked.

Smartmatic, on the other hand, said it should not be blamed for the situation because the refurbishment was delayed by all the legal

cases and Comelec’s own actions or inaction.

Smartmatic President Cesar Flores said Smartmatic had been proposing the refurbishment of the PCOS machines since 2013 and they had been vigorously recommending the option as a means for the government to save money and to maximize its investment.

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BOAT WITH 544 ABOARD CATCHES FIRE; 3 INJURED

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—At least three people were injured when MV Wonderful Star of Roble Shipping Lines caught fire Saturday morning in Ormoc City while in a dock at the port area, Ormoc Coast Guard commander Giovanni Bergantin said.

“There were three minor injuries suffered by the ship’s crew while combating the fire,” Bergantin said.

An investigation was being conducted by the fire department in Ormoc.

As of 11:53 p.m. Saturday, fire was already under control but not yet put out.

The fire started at 4:20 a.m.

According to Bergantin, the MV Wonderful Star had 855 authorized number of passengers but it only had 544 actual passengers during the incident.

The boat had carried 17 children and 14 infants, said Bergantin.

The passengers were safely evacuated before flames engulfed the ship.

In July, at least 60 passengers were killed when a boat carrying about 189 people capsized in Ormoc city shortly after it left the port.

STILL SMOKING. The passenger and vehicle ferry MV Wonderful Stars was still smoking hours after a fire broke out inside the vessel while docking at the Port of Ormoc City in Leyte province before dawn Saturday. While the passengers were shaken by the incident, only three crew members were injured . MEL CASPE

‘MARCOS’ DRAFT BBL NEEDS REVISION’

By John Paolo Bencito DAVAO CITY—The Senate’s version of the controversial Basic Bangsamoro Law still needs some refinement even after the 115 major and minor changes Senator Bongbong Marcos has drawn up after more than a dozen hearings by three Senate panels.

“Even that replacement bill needs a lot of refinement,” said the 81-year-old Pimentel who was Senate president from 2000 to 2001.

“Among other things I want it clearly understood that the Sharia law – even if it is adopted as part of the law of the Autonomous Region of the Bangsamoro – must only ap-

ply only to controversies among Muslims,” he said.

“So if the controversy is between Christian versus Lumad, Muslim versus Lumad or Muslim versus Christian, then national laws would apply,” Pimentel said during the Mindanao convention of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

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A2 COMELEC From A1...

Ridon, however, said the new OMR machines may not possess the exact specifications and software as those previously used in past Philippine elections, thereby needing to undergo renewed evaluation, as provided under RA 9369.

Section 10 of RA 9369 amended the provision on procurement of election equipment of RA 8436 to read as follows, “To achieve the purpose of this Act, the Commission is authorized to procure, in accordance with existing laws, by purchase, lease, rent or other forms of acquisition, supplies, equipment, materials, software, facilities and other services, from local or foreign sources free from taxes and import duties, subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

“With respect to the May 10, 2010 elections and succeeding electoral exercises, the system procured must have demonstrated capability and been successfully used in a prior electoral exercise here or abroad. Participation in the 2007 pilot exercise shall not be conclusive of the system’s fitness.”

Ridon also expressed concern with the revelation that Comelec’s hands were practically tied when it came to deciding which election equipment will be used in the upcoming polls.

“The old PCOS machines, numbering 81,896, will now be useless scraps of metal. By approving the new lease deal, Comelec just wasted P10 billion worth of taxpayers’ money, excluding costs for storage and maintenance,” Ridon said.

“Despite this fact, Comelec still decided to proceed with the new lease agreement, apparently under duress,” the lawmaker stressed, referring to Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Sheriff Abas’ recent statements which reveal that Comelec was practically “pushed to the edge” by Smartmatic to select the lease deal.

In a statement, Commissioner Guanzon said one of the primary reasons why Comelec resorted to the lease deal was Smartmatic’s refusal to join the bidding for the refurbishment of old PCOS machines.

“It is now revealed to the public that Smartmatic-TIM practically coerced Comelec to enter the new lease contract. Smartmatic now practically has a monopoly over the Philippine electoral system – and such monopoly may jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming elections,” Ridon said.

Ridon’s statement was echoed by Joint Venture Stone of David, Avante and Dermalog, which entered a bid to refurbish the old PCOS machines.

Although it said that it accepts and respects the decision of the Commission en banc, Dermalog Identification Systems CEO Gunther Mull lamented why the government allowed a particular company to monopolize all projects that would automate the May 2016 polls.

“I think for sure, the vendor in this position is trying to monopolize. And i think it is quite obvious... Maybe the Comelec would also appreciate in the future to have more choices. Because monopoly means it’s more expensive and less service,” Mull said in a press conference a day after the Comelec announced its final decision.

Mull said their participation in the recent public bidding was an “unfortunate incident” given that there was an apparent monopoly in terms of automating the election system in the country following the recent decision of Comelec entering a deal with Smartmatic - TIM supplying the 93,977 OMR machines.

“I think if we want to get into this market, we are not happy about the monopoly. I don’t know how the Philippines feels about it. But monopoly, in normal life, means I have to pay more, and I get less service and less quality.

That is normally the consequence of monopoly for sure,” Mull said The Joint Venture Stone of David, Avante and Dermalog has participated

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in the public bidding for the refurbishment of 81,896 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, which was used and procured thereafter in 2010 and 2013 elections.

But during the second bidding, the joint venture was the lone bidder and the Special Bids and Awards Committee 2 (SBAC 2) found Dermalog to be “ineligible”, thus declaring e refurbishment public bidding a “failure of bidding”.

Dermalog then filed a motion for recinsideration but was likewise denied by the SBAC 2.

Avante Tech International Technologies CEO Kevin Chung said that the joint venture have the expertise and capability to refurbish the PCOS machines and have it ready for operational and functional use in two months.

Chung said they can complete the refurbishment and upgrade project by December 2015.

“If all the arguments have been done by, for example, September 15, then we can have the 80,000 delivered by December,” Chung said.

Chung also said that the refurbishment project will also help the Comelec from saving at least P5-billion against leasing new OMR machines.

Avante Tech International Technologies operations director Linda Lim, meanwhile, said that it would have been much cheaper if the Comelec had opted for the refurbishment contract noting that most of their factories are located in the Philippines.

However, despite its unfortunate experience here, Mull said that Dermalog is not thinking of filing a petition against Comelec’s decision.

“Let me say both of our companies are engineering companies. We are not lawyer companies. And we are not interested in court cases. So if anybody still would have interest in some refurbishment, we would be more than happy to do this. If there’s less interest or no interest in this, we will also accept this,” Mull said.

“We will accept any decision of the Comelec. 100 percent sure, I can tell you, we will not do what some other competitors in our market do – to go to court. We won’t do this,” he added.

Mull said that although they did not get the refurbishment contract, their joint venture will participate in 2019 senatorial elections when Comelec opens its public bidding to refurbish the old PCOs machines.

“We are not looking only at this (2016) elections. We are also looking at the future, and see how we can establish our presence here and contribute to the elections,” he said.

He added that during their meeting with Comelec chairman Andres Bautista last Friday morning, Dermalog has already expressed their intention to participate in the next bid since the poll body has earlier announced that the old 81,896 PCOS machines will still be refurbished to be used for 2019 midterm elections.

Meanwhile, in the wake of this new development, a Palace official called on the public to be more vigilant about any factors that may affect a clean and honest elections in 2016 Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said that despite the controversies involving the new deal with Smartmatic, the Aquino administration believes in the credibility of the winning technical provider.

“Yes, given the Smartmatic is a company, because of the 2010 elections and their engagements in the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) machines and their share of controversy...have made people more aware and have made people more vigilant about any factor that mat affect a clean and honest elections, as it should be naman,” Valte said over a state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

She added that the Comelec has the freedom to decide whatever they deem is right for the betterment of the coming local and national elections and as long as the process is legal.

Valte said that the public should understand the decision since the Comelec has a timetable to follow.

‘PH HAS REBUILT STRONG FRIENDSHIP WITH JAPAN’ THE Philippines said Saturday it had rebuilt a “strong friendship” with former foe Japan as Emperor Akihito said in an address marking the 70th anniversary of his country’s surrender in 1945 that Japan felt “deep remorse” over its actions during the Second World War. Many Filipinos still have long, difficult memories of the Japanese Occupation from 1942 through 1945, but Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement on Saturday that Japan “acted with compassion” after the war.

“We must never again repeat the devastation of war,” Del Rosario said in a statement on the 70th year anniversary of the end of World War II. The Philippines has been working with the international community to rebuild after the war, and “in establishing and promoting international norms and institutions, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, that help ensure global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Del Rosario said.

“Since the middle of the 20th century, the Philippines’ relationship with Japan, in particular, has been characterized by trust and unfailing support in so many fields, as Japan has acted with compassion and in accordance with international law, and has more actively and more positively engaged the region and the world,” he added.

“This 70-year history demonstrates to the world that through their relentless efforts, peoples of two countries can attain a remarkable achievement in overcoming issues of the past and establishing

strong friendship,” he said.

Japan is now the Philippines biggest source of development assistance and the two countries have also been strengthening defense cooperation in the face of separate territorial disputes with China.

Today, the Philippines’ biggest trading partner is Japan, with about $1 billion in exports and about $500 million in imports.

Japan is also the top Official Development Assistance lender, holding 36 percent of all development loans.

Del Rosario made the remarks shortly before Akihito made a rare statement of Japan’s “deep remorse.” ‘‘Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse over the last war, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated,” Akihito said.

Akihito also emphasized that Japan’s peace and prosperity stand on “the people’s tireless endeavors and their earnest desire for peace,” and renewed his war-renouncing pledge.

Del Rosario’s comments were in stark contrast to reactions from China and other Asian victims of Japan’s wartime aggression.

Beijing called Abe’s statement a non-apology while North Korea derided it as an “unpardonable

mockery of the Korean people”.

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye said the speech “left much to be desired” and stressed the need for Japan to resolve the issue of Asian women forced to work in Japanese wartime brothels.

A Philippine group representing dozens of former sex slaves denounced Abe’s pronouncement that future Japanese generations should not be compelled to apologise for past aggression.

“He wants a gag of silence. That is unacceptable. You can’t commit a crime and set conditions... Our grandmothers didn’t set conditions when they were victimized,” Rechilda Extremadura, executive director of Lila Pilipina, told AFP. Only 70 of the estimated 1,000 Filipina “comfort women” are still alive, many of them ill and in their twilight years, she said.

The women are demanding an “unequivocal apology”, an acknowledgement of the war brothels policy and compensation from the Japanese government, she said.

“I am very angry because Japan does not want to close this chapter. Will they wait for another 80 years? 100 years?” she said.

Earlier this year, the Philippine and Japan for the first time signed an agreement to strengthen defense ties, particularly on maritime security as they each face China over disputed territory in the South and East China seas.

The Philippines has expressed support for any relaxing of Japan’s post-World War II pacifist constitution that would allow it greater involvement in external defense.

‘MARCOS’

public of the Philippines.

By including a provision in the substitute bill to ensure against possible secession, Marcos said these fears were allayed while making the idea of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region more palatable to the public and to government leaders.

Marcos said such provision should not be taken as an insult to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders or to mean that the MILF’s declaration that it will abandon secessionist plans cannot be trusted.

“My contention is although we trust our partners in peace in the MILF now, we do not know who will be their leaders in the future and perhaps they will not have the same assurances for the Philippines about not separating,” he said.

Despite his efforts to address the infirmities of the BBL, Marcos still expects a lively debate on the substitute measure next week.

“In a measure as contentious as this one, you can expect many of the other senators to propose amendments that we can introduce to further refine the provisions of the bill,” Marcos said.

He said that while 17 senators have signed his committee report, several of them have expressed their intention to interpellate and introduce their own amendments to the measure.

By his own reckoning, Marcos thinks the debates on the proposed law will take about 6 weeks. The du-

ration of the process will depend on the decision of the Senate leadership.

“The Senate President, I think, will have to assess how the deliberations are proceeding so he can decide if we need to speed things up—if we need to have morning sessions, things like that,” Marcos said.

He noted that there are other priority measures up for deliberation in the Senate, including the proposed 2016 budget. The filing of the certificate of candidacy in October for candidates in the 2016 elections could also get in the way of the deliberations on the measure.

It is also hard to predict, according to Marcos, how the bicameral conference committee proceedings would go after the Senate and the House of Representatives approve their own versions of the measure.

For this reason, Marcos said he is not sure if the measure can be enacted before the term of the current administration ends.

Still, Marcos said it is encouraging to note that the MILF has expressed its assurance that it would continue to work for peace even if the proposed measure fails to pass under the current administration.

Marcos has dedicated his substitute measure to the slain 44 commandos of the Special Action Force and their families whose sacrifice provides the imperative to pursue peace in Mindanao.

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The PDP-Laban stalwart also asserted the need for a freedom of the press which is absent in the Senate version of the bill.

“There must be a freedom of speech which includes the freedom of the press,” Pimentel said. “The BBL only acknowledges freedom of speech but not of the press. I think it is important that it be put there,” he said.

Marcos lsat week submitted the committee report on the Senate’s version of the BBL, which was named Basic Law on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (Senate Bill No. 2849), which will be opened to debate next week.

SB No. 2849 was the product of 12 public hearings, one briefing, and two separate hearings of Senate constitutional amendments committee chairperson Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. Hearings were held in Cotabato, Marawi, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo and Zamboanga.

In his sponsorship speech, Marcos said the substitute measure addresses the constitutional flaws of BBL, protects the country’s interest and sovereignty, and also promotes the interest and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

He noted that many Filipinos feared that the original proposed BBL could lead to separation of the Bangsamoro territory from the Re-

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NEWS

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PASSENGERS ASKED TO BE MORE PATIENT By sara susanne d. Fabunan MALACAÑANG appealed to the public for more patience over the heavy traffic situation plaguing Metro Manila, especially during rush hours, encouraging the people to provide ample time allowance when they are traveling.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said they received a report that there was a big number of people who were not able to make their flights because of the ongoing construction works in the Villamor air base area.

“Unfortunately, there are still infrastructure work being done there, and again, we continue to appeal for everyone’s patience,” she told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Let us adjust our times accordingly for our travel to afford us ample time to get to the airport, considering the expected heavy volume of traffic because of the construction that is being done in that area,” she said.

Valte said that in order to improve the traffic situation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the local government units will continue to deploy traffic enforcers.

She also said she hopes the operators of South Luzon Expressway will deploy more toll collectors to ease slow moving traffic at the tool gates.

The administration said there are newly completed projects that are expected to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila such as the Daang Hari Road that connects to SLEX from Bacoor.

When President Aquino vis-

ited Japan in June, the Japanese government committed to help the country address the problem of traffic congestion.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency has come up with a detailed proposal to decongest the Metropolis in the future by putting up major infrastructure projects.

Valte made the appeal after thousands of airline passengers missed their flights on Friday due to bumper-to-bumper traffic that snarled three busy roads leaving to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Airport officials could not give precise data on the number of affected passengers, but they said many passengers were forced to walk with their luggage in tow along Andrews Avenue, Airport Road and Sucat Road starting 10 a.m. Friday.

Arriving passengers are also got stuck up at the airport terminals as both public and private vehicles were marooned at roads leaving the airport.

Traffic was still not moving at 6 p.m. and many passengers were seen walking or haling pedicabs around the NAIA’s four terminals.

The traffic was blamed on the construction of the NAIA Expressway project which closed several lanes of the busy thoroughfares around the airport with only one lane available for vehicles.

The P15.4-billion ($349.17 million) expressway project aims to link NAIA’s three main terminals with the casino and entertainment complexes being developed in Pasay City.

RIZAL ALIH DIES IN PNP HOSPITAL

By Francisco tuyay THE renegade policeman who led an uprising at a military camp that resulted in the death of more than a dozen people in Zamboanga City in 1989 died Friday night at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Quezon City.

PNP Spokesperson Wilben Mayor said former policeman Rizal Alih, 66, was pronounced dead on arrival by three physicians around 6:45 p.m after he was brought to the hospital due to chest pains.

Mayor said the authorities have yet to determine Alih’s official cause of death, but his niece Shiela Ria Tan had already executed a waiver of autopsy and the former cop’s remains were flown to Zamboanga City on Saturday morning.

Alih became a household name after he held hostage Army Brig. Gen. Eduardo Batalla, his aide Col. Romeo Abendan and several others at Camp Cawa-Cawa in Zamboanga City on January 5, 1989.

The former police officer was detained in CawaCawa prison facility for his reported complicity in the assassination of Zamboanga

City Mayor Cesar Climaco on November 14, 1984.

He was set to be transferred to Manila, but he protested the move and Batalla summoned him to a meeting at his office in Camp Cawa Cawa, but the meeting turned into a shouting match and Alih and his group were able to overpower Batalla and his men.

The incident prompted then Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Gen. Renato de Villa to flew to Zamboanga City to resolve the hostage situation which lingered for several days.

De Villa urged Alih to surrender and release his hostages but the call fell on debt ears, prompting De Villa to order an assault. Alih managed to escape unhurt despite the volley of gunfire, leaving Batalla and Abendan dead.

Alih fled to Sabah, Malaysia aboard a speed boat, but after a year, he was arrested

by Malaysian authorities during a raid at a criminal den in Jampiras, Sabah where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

After eight years, he was deported to the Philippines and eventually landed at the PNP detention in Camp Crame.

More patience please. The Aquino administration is again asking for more patience from the public as they face the daily challenge of time-consuming traffic jams in various places in Metro Manila. sonnY espiritU

BINAY CAMP HITS DEMOLITION JOB

By Maricel V. cruz

The opposition United Nationalist Alliance on Saturday said it is expecting the demolition job against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family to intensify as the 2016 presidential elections draw near.

UNA president and Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco said the government’s continuing effort to topple Binay proved that the Vice President remains to be the candidateto-beat in next year’s presidential derby.

Tiangco said the Binay camp would not be surprised if the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee investigations on the alleged overpricing of the Makati parking building, which was headed by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III,

will be forced to continue until it is able to achieve its goal.

“We expect these hearings to continue, they [Binay critics] will not stop,” Tiangco pointed out, stressing that the “demolition job” was intended to diminish Binay’s chances of winning in next year’s presidential electiosn.

“The demolition job against Vice President Binay will continue and they are using the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee as a

venue,” Tiangco added.

Tiangco maintained that Binay will answer all the allegations leveled against him “at a proper forum.”

“It’s not a matter of (whether) we are worried or not, it’s a matter of how we will counter [the continuing demolition job against the Vice President],” Tiangco said.

Meanwhile, 1-BAP partylist Rep. Silvestre Bello III expressed belief that Binay still enjoys the support of majority of Filipino voters despite the corruption allegations hurled against him.

“I think he can still make it in 2016. The Vice President is enjoying the support of the vast majority of the Filipino people, especially in the provinces,” Bello, a House deputy minority leader, said.

In fact, Bello said, the Vice President gained the highest

approval rating among government officials in the latest surveys.

For instance, Bello said the Pulse Asia survey released last June 22. showed the Vice President is the most trusted top government official with a 57 percent trust rating or a 15-percentage point increase from 42 percent last March.

The Pulse Asia survey was conducted from May 30 to June, with 1,200 adult respondents.

Similarly, Bello said a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey last March also showed Binay scored eight “excellent” ratings and seven “very good” ratings of the 15 surveys conducted by SWS since he assumed office in 2010. The SWS survey conducted from March 27-30, with 1,200 adult respondents.

Medical Mission. Officials of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry join physicians and beneficiaries who participated in a medical and dental mission in Barangay Gargato in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental that addressed the needs of more than 700 residents.

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OPINION

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OPINION RESIGNING, SORT OF

By Randall Hackley

IN THIS country, most resignations of public officials are done out of courtesy and are treated as mere suggestions.

One has to emphasize the word “irrevocable” in a resignation letter for it to be taken seriously. Otherwise, it’s a coy act better expressed in Filipino as “pabalat-bunga” —superficial, insincere.

We get a peek into this from the recent show of resignation by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II after being declared as the Liberal Party’s presidential bet for the 2016 elections.

He tried to quit—but his boss just would not let him go.

This propensity to take resignations lightly has shown itself in several other instances—for instance, with former Customs Commissioner Rozanno Rufino Biazon, who made a show of resigning after President Aquino castigated his agency during a State-of-the-Nation Address, and Ronaldo Llamas, political adviser, who attempted to quit after he was caught shopping for pirated DVDs at a local mall AND then carrying unlicensed firearms in in his vehicle soon after.

Biazon eventually quit again, and the President allowed him the second time, because his involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam as well as his ineptitude in managing the bureau took its toll on the administration in general.

Mr. Aquino, however, must realize that Candidate Roxas suffers with every day Secretary Roxas keeps his job and does the rounds of local governments in the country using government funds, under the guise of doing his work. The fact that the President condones—no, encourages—this also says a lot about the sense of propriety of the man who claims to faithfully tread the “daang matuwid.”

The candidate suffers, because the more discerning voters see that he is taking advantage of government machinery especially given the fact that his survey ratings have remained lackluster however hard he tried.

We know Mr. Roxas has family money, but who’s to say it’s not the DILG spending for those pricey ads? This administration, after all, has been notorious for blurring the lines in terms of spending for “priority” projects.

A party-list member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Carlos Zarate, has pointed out that even the Palace spokesperson, Undersecretary Abigail Valte, has now taken to answering questions on behalf of the presidential hopeful.

The yellow-shirted members of this administration make a big deal out of being honest and incorruptible. They are driven by love of country and integrity, they say.

Taking their rhetoric with how they are actually comporting themselves, we conclude they’re not serious, their claims to righteousness also superficial and insincere.

Roxas should quit, and not seek permission like a boy asking his mother if he could go out and play—if has any shred of the integrity he claims to have.

TOWER OF BABEL issue but also provides wise counsel that is comprehensible and acceptable to all stakeholders.

Achieving the latter, of course, would be almost impossible given that the opposing parties in the case have already dug deep trenches to fortify their respective positions; as far as each party is concerned, theirs is the only correct position. Thus, any decision of the honorable court would be met by great jubilation, or alternately, great disappointment and consternation by either side.

So will the honorable judges of the highest court in the land find merit in the arguments of the culture activists who want developer DMCI Holdings to tear down the

Everyone seems concerned with how the tower would photobomb the national shrine, but not about the fact that the ideals, teachings, and works of the national hero seem irrelevant and alien to most of our young. almost-complete 46-storey residential building because it mars the sightline of the historic Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, or will it side with DMCI which has

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DRY SPELLS GIVE TASTE OF COMING WATER CONFLICTS

[ EDI TORI A L ]

LIKE many others, I await with bated breath the decision of the Supreme Court on the Torre de Manila case. It’s a landmark case for many reasons, foremost of which is that it has turned culture and heritage conservation into a legal issue whose ultimate resolution has been put in the hands of a select few. Everyone is hoping, of course, that the honorable court would render a decision that not only resolves the long-simmering

ADELLE CHUA

consistently maintained the construction of the tower has not violated any law and that destroying the tower would send a chilling message to business and indus-

try? Will culture and history get vindicated or will business and industry prevail?

I have refrained from commenting on the Torre de Manila issue because I was honestly taken aback by the rather intractable position both parties have taken on the issue. I understand the stakes are just too high. On the part of DMCI, we’re talking billions of pesos that would go down the drain – and possibly lawsuits from those who have bought units in the tower, as well as a number of reputational risks. On the part of culture activists, it is preservation of national heritage.

But I maintain that a win-win solution could have been reached

very early on if people were proactive and collaborative.

I am also for culture and heritage preservation (and I have staunchly supported a number of efforts in this regard), but I have always been turned off by advocacies that engage in demonization. To my mind, the possibility of enlightened debate is unfortunately killed when people start demonizing those on the opposite side of an argument. At the same time, I have been alarmed by the seeming insensitivity that DMCI has displayed all this time. Surely, DMCI has realized the Torre

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de Manila is not just an “issue” - it happens to be a tangible and fixed monstrosity that will not disappear from the public eye. It will stand there – a constant source of aggravation to many.

Thus, all creative solutions that have offered have been dismissed almost contemptuously by both parties. There were suggestions to make the darn building complement the Rizal Monument such as painting it over with the Philippine flag or with other designs. Someone proposed turning the monument around so that the national hero would have its back

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toward the building. Others have suggested lowering the height of the tower.

Still others have suggested building some artistic structures within the park behind the monument so the tower is obscured when taking pictures from the monument. There were many more suggestions, all of which have been immediately dissed. Of course none of the suggestions were perfect solutions, but it would not have hurt anyone to project the attitude that they were open to working together to solve the problem. Like I said, we all know that the stakes were too high for Continued on A6

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THE world has plenty of water—it’s the ultimate renewable resource. So why do we seem to be running out of it? In the spring of 2015, California imposed its toughest-ever water restrictions as a drought stretched into its fourth year.

Shortages are sparking conflicts and policy changes from Turkey to Taiwan, as governments try to balance the needs of residents, farms and industry. What’s going on? Scientists suspect that climate change is playing a role. There’s no doubt that humans are using more water.

There are more of us, for one thing. Rising standards of living also mean more intensive water use. By some estimates, more than a billion people live in regions where water is scarce, a number projected to grow to 3.5 billion by 2025.

Thirsty Brazilians are drilling through their basements for water. Iran is short of water from border to border as its lakes and wetlands shrink. Taiwanese chipmakers are searching for alternate water supplies as cities there struggle against a record drought. Droughts in China, India and South Africa have power producers and beverage makers interrupting operations or facing protesters saying don’t take our water. Overpumping in places like California’s Central Valley and the Great Plains’ Ogallala basin has depleted some of the world’s biggest aquifers. Water played a role in instigating civil war in Syria, and scientists suggest that Yemen could collapse as a state over an even more serious lack of water.

Egypt and Ethiopia have long bickered over shared Nile River water, while the only thing that Iraq and ISIS agree on is that Turkey is storing too much water from the Euphrates River. Quality is also a vast concern: more than 20 percent of the Earth’s 7 billion people drink contaminated water.

Solving local water shortages by moving it to where it’s wanted is as old as the canals of Mesopotamia, and ancient Roman aqueducts still span valleys across Europe. But water transport has its limits. And the amount of water consumed by industry, agriculture, energy and municipal users has grown globally at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. Today, it takes about 40 barrels of water to produce a barrel of oil despite improved efficiencies, and coal-fired generators use large volumes. Water footprint analyses show about 450 gallons of water, about 1,700 liters, is needed to make a quarterpound hamburger. Climate change isn’t just exacerbating droughts. It’s intensifying downpours and speeding up evaporation, both of which make it harder to harvest water produced by the rain cycle. And rising sea levels bring salt into freshwater sources in places like Florida Continued on A6 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S U N D AY, A U G U S T 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

A4

OPINION

EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION RESIGNING, SORT OF

By Randall Hackley

IN THIS country, most resignations of public officials are done out of courtesy and are treated as mere suggestions.

One has to emphasize the word “irrevocable” in a resignation letter for it to be taken seriously. Otherwise, it’s a coy act better expressed in Filipino as “pabalat-bunga” —superficial, insincere.

We get a peek into this from the recent show of resignation by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II after being declared as the Liberal Party’s presidential bet for the 2016 elections.

He tried to quit—but his boss just would not let him go.

This propensity to take resignations lightly has shown itself in several other instances—for instance, with former Customs Commissioner Rozanno Rufino Biazon, who made a show of resigning after President Aquino castigated his agency during a State-of-the-Nation Address, and Ronaldo Llamas, political adviser, who attempted to quit after he was caught shopping for pirated DVDs at a local mall AND then carrying unlicensed firearms in in his vehicle soon after.

Biazon eventually quit again, and the President allowed him the second time, because his involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam as well as his ineptitude in managing the bureau took its toll on the administration in general.

Mr. Aquino, however, must realize that Candidate Roxas suffers with every day Secretary Roxas keeps his job and does the rounds of local governments in the country using government funds, under the guise of doing his work. The fact that the President condones—no, encourages—this also says a lot about the sense of propriety of the man who claims to faithfully tread the “daang matuwid.”

The candidate suffers, because the more discerning voters see that he is taking advantage of government machinery especially given the fact that his survey ratings have remained lackluster however hard he tried.

We know Mr. Roxas has family money, but who’s to say it’s not the DILG spending for those pricey ads? This administration, after all, has been notorious for blurring the lines in terms of spending for “priority” projects.

A party-list member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Carlos Zarate, has pointed out that even the Palace spokesperson, Undersecretary Abigail Valte, has now taken to answering questions on behalf of the presidential hopeful.

The yellow-shirted members of this administration make a big deal out of being honest and incorruptible. They are driven by love of country and integrity, they say.

Taking their rhetoric with how they are actually comporting themselves, we conclude they’re not serious, their claims to righteousness also superficial and insincere.

Roxas should quit, and not seek permission like a boy asking his mother if he could go out and play—if has any shred of the integrity he claims to have.

TOWER OF BABEL issue but also provides wise counsel that is comprehensible and acceptable to all stakeholders.

Achieving the latter, of course, would be almost impossible given that the opposing parties in the case have already dug deep trenches to fortify their respective positions; as far as each party is concerned, theirs is the only correct position. Thus, any decision of the honorable court would be met by great jubilation, or alternately, great disappointment and consternation by either side.

So will the honorable judges of the highest court in the land find merit in the arguments of the culture activists who want developer DMCI Holdings to tear down the

Everyone seems concerned with how the tower would photobomb the national shrine, but not about the fact that the ideals, teachings, and works of the national hero seem irrelevant and alien to most of our young. almost-complete 46-storey residential building because it mars the sightline of the historic Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, or will it side with DMCI which has

A5

DRY SPELLS GIVE TASTE OF COMING WATER CONFLICTS

[ EDI TORI A L ]

LIKE many others, I await with bated breath the decision of the Supreme Court on the Torre de Manila case. It’s a landmark case for many reasons, foremost of which is that it has turned culture and heritage conservation into a legal issue whose ultimate resolution has been put in the hands of a select few. Everyone is hoping, of course, that the honorable court would render a decision that not only resolves the long-simmering

ADELLE CHUA

consistently maintained the construction of the tower has not violated any law and that destroying the tower would send a chilling message to business and indus-

try? Will culture and history get vindicated or will business and industry prevail?

I have refrained from commenting on the Torre de Manila issue because I was honestly taken aback by the rather intractable position both parties have taken on the issue. I understand the stakes are just too high. On the part of DMCI, we’re talking billions of pesos that would go down the drain – and possibly lawsuits from those who have bought units in the tower, as well as a number of reputational risks. On the part of culture activists, it is preservation of national heritage.

But I maintain that a win-win solution could have been reached

very early on if people were proactive and collaborative.

I am also for culture and heritage preservation (and I have staunchly supported a number of efforts in this regard), but I have always been turned off by advocacies that engage in demonization. To my mind, the possibility of enlightened debate is unfortunately killed when people start demonizing those on the opposite side of an argument. At the same time, I have been alarmed by the seeming insensitivity that DMCI has displayed all this time. Surely, DMCI has realized the Torre

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de Manila is not just an “issue” - it happens to be a tangible and fixed monstrosity that will not disappear from the public eye. It will stand there – a constant source of aggravation to many.

Thus, all creative solutions that have offered have been dismissed almost contemptuously by both parties. There were suggestions to make the darn building complement the Rizal Monument such as painting it over with the Philippine flag or with other designs. Someone proposed turning the monument around so that the national hero would have its back

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toward the building. Others have suggested lowering the height of the tower.

Still others have suggested building some artistic structures within the park behind the monument so the tower is obscured when taking pictures from the monument. There were many more suggestions, all of which have been immediately dissed. Of course none of the suggestions were perfect solutions, but it would not have hurt anyone to project the attitude that they were open to working together to solve the problem. Like I said, we all know that the stakes were too high for Continued on A6

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THE world has plenty of water—it’s the ultimate renewable resource. So why do we seem to be running out of it? In the spring of 2015, California imposed its toughest-ever water restrictions as a drought stretched into its fourth year.

Shortages are sparking conflicts and policy changes from Turkey to Taiwan, as governments try to balance the needs of residents, farms and industry. What’s going on? Scientists suspect that climate change is playing a role. There’s no doubt that humans are using more water.

There are more of us, for one thing. Rising standards of living also mean more intensive water use. By some estimates, more than a billion people live in regions where water is scarce, a number projected to grow to 3.5 billion by 2025.

Thirsty Brazilians are drilling through their basements for water. Iran is short of water from border to border as its lakes and wetlands shrink. Taiwanese chipmakers are searching for alternate water supplies as cities there struggle against a record drought. Droughts in China, India and South Africa have power producers and beverage makers interrupting operations or facing protesters saying don’t take our water. Overpumping in places like California’s Central Valley and the Great Plains’ Ogallala basin has depleted some of the world’s biggest aquifers. Water played a role in instigating civil war in Syria, and scientists suggest that Yemen could collapse as a state over an even more serious lack of water.

Egypt and Ethiopia have long bickered over shared Nile River water, while the only thing that Iraq and ISIS agree on is that Turkey is storing too much water from the Euphrates River. Quality is also a vast concern: more than 20 percent of the Earth’s 7 billion people drink contaminated water.

Solving local water shortages by moving it to where it’s wanted is as old as the canals of Mesopotamia, and ancient Roman aqueducts still span valleys across Europe. But water transport has its limits. And the amount of water consumed by industry, agriculture, energy and municipal users has grown globally at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. Today, it takes about 40 barrels of water to produce a barrel of oil despite improved efficiencies, and coal-fired generators use large volumes. Water footprint analyses show about 450 gallons of water, about 1,700 liters, is needed to make a quarterpound hamburger. Climate change isn’t just exacerbating droughts. It’s intensifying downpours and speeding up evaporation, both of which make it harder to harvest water produced by the rain cycle. And rising sea levels bring salt into freshwater sources in places like Florida Continued on A6 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S U N D AY, A U G U S T 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

A6

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

CHINA’S DEVALUATION BECOMES JAPAN’S PROBLEM

By William Pesek AMONG the clearest casualties of China’s devaluation is the Bank of Japan (BOJ). The chances were never high that Governor Haruhiko Kuroda was going to be able to unwind his institution’s aggressive monetary experiment anytime soon. But the odds are now lower than even skeptics would have previously believed.

The real question, though, is what China’s move means more broadly for Abenomics. A sharply devalued yen, after all, is the core of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s gambit to end Japan’s 25year funk. Abenomics is said to have three parts, but monetary easing has really been the only one. Fiscal-expansion was neutered by last year’s sales-tax hike, while structural reform has arrived only in a brief flurry, not the avalanche needed to enliven aging Japan and get companies to raise wages.

China’s devaluation tosses two immediate problems Japan’s way. The first is reduced exports.

As Beijing guides its currency even lower, as surely it will, the yen will rise on a trade-weighted basis. And Bloomberg’s Japan economist Yuki Masujima points out that trade with China now contributes 13 percent more to Japanese GDP than the US, traditionally Tokyo’s main customer.

“Given China’s rise to prominence, the yen-yuan exchange rate now has far greater influence on Japan than the yen-dollar rate,” Masujima says.

The other problem is psychological. Japanese households have long lamented their rising reliance on China, a developing nation run by a government they widely view as hostile. But the BOJ was glad to evoke China’s 7 percent growth -- and the millions of Chinese tourists filling shopping malls across the Japanese archipelago -- to convince Japanese consumers and executives that their own economy was

The real question, though, is what China’s move means more broadly for Abenomics. A sharply devalued yen, after all, is the core of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s gambit to end Japan’s 25year funk. in good shape. Now, the perception of China as a growth engine is fizzling, exacerbating the exchange-rate effect.

“To the extent that the depreciation reflects weakness in China, then that weakness -- rather than the depreciation per se -- is a problem for Japan,” says Richard Katz, who publishes the New York-based Oriental Economist Report.

It’s also a problem for Abe, whose approval ratings are now in the low 30s thanks to his unpopular efforts to “reinterpret” the pacifist constitution to deploy troops overseas. The prospect that Abe will enrage Japan’s neighbors by watering down past World War II apologies at ceremonies this weekend marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the war is further damping support at home.

The worsening economy, which voters hoped Abe would have sorted out by now, doesn’t help. Inflation-adjusted wages dropped 2.9 percent in June, a sign Monday’s second-quarter gross domestic product report

for the may be truly ugly.

It’s an open question whether such an unpopular leader can push painful, but necessary, structural changes through parliament. “Already,” Katz says, “Abe has backpedaled on many issues to avoid further drops.”

After 961 days, all Abenomics has really achieved is a sharply weaker yen, modest steps to tighten corporate governance and marketing slogans asking companies to hire more women.

There could be a silver lining here: China’s move may catalyze Abe to act. By undercutting Japan’s devaluation, China might increase Abe’s urgency to boost competiveness, innovation and wages.

Already, Abe’s surrogates are setting the stage for more BOJ easing. One top advisor, Koichi Hamada, told Bloomberg News that “the magnitude of China’s shock is much larger than that from Greece.” China’s devaluation, he added, “can be offset” by fresh BOJ action.

But Abe would be wise to react with far more than just another yen devaluation. If Japan offers a cautionary tale, it’s that weaker currency alone isn’t the answer. If Abe had used the yen’s 35 percent plunge since late 2012 to good effect -- passing big reforms on labor flexibility, import tariffs, tax policy, supporting startups, reducing red tape -- Japan might not be facing the prospect of another recession. Unless the prime minister changes course, Abenomics will be remembered as a policy that primarily benefited stock-trading hedge funds, not average households.

In a rare press briefing, China’s central bank downplayed fears of huge moves that destabilize markets. Yet as growth sputters, Beijing will weaken the yuan as much as it can get away with geopolitically. Depending on how Tokyo reacts, this could be the moment Abenomics gains traction or becomes a $4.6 trillion casualty of China’s ascendancy. Bloomberg

Dry spell... From A5 and low-lying South Pacific islands.

There are two ways to change the equation leading to water shortages—make more water by desalinization or use less of it. Either way, water is likely to cost more. High prices not only discourage waste but provide funds for modernizing water systems. In the US, Atlanta, Seattle and San Francisco charge the most for water.

Desalinization has been successfully used in Israel, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, but it’s expensive and energy-intensive. Other approaches include smart meters to monitor water usage and detect leaks, “toilet-to-tap” water re-use, rationing, rainwater harvesting and ripping out thirsty lawns. Australia has had great success by monitoring every drop of water and creating markets on which it’s traded like any other commodity. Adopting such measures elsewhere would require legal and cultural changes. In the US, land rights and water rights are tied together, creating incentives to drain down aquifers. And even with greater efficiencies, few think that farms in California will be able to use 80 percent of the state’s water indefinitely. In more stressed areas, the United Nations deputy secretary general sees an urgent need for “hydro diplomacy’’ to keep water wars from turning into shooting wars. Bloomberg

Tower... From A5 both sides, but surely nationalism and patriotism is also about respecting the interests of other Filipinos?

Whatever the decision of the Supreme Court on the case will be, there are certain lessons that can already be drawn from the whole imbroglio. Quite frankly, the response of the culture activists and the government agencies concerned were not only late, it was also slow. It was also inadequate. It was like they waited for the tower to reach a certain height before they got their acts together, pretty much the way they begin caterwauling only when the demolition teams have already arrived at the scene to tear down national heritage structures. If they really are serious about their advocacies, a more proactive and strategic plan of action – such as getting our legislators to pass stringent laws and doing a comprehensive information campaign that would rally people to action - would be preferable to late-minute screeching. Business organi-

zations need to be more sensitive to cultural issues because truly there are more important considerations than money in this country; having the law on one’s side does not constitute license to disrespect sensibilities of others.

But above all, everyone must realize that nationalism is a concept that needs constant kindling and nurturing. Everyone seems concerned with how the tower would photobomb the national shrine, but not about the fact that the ideals, teachings, and works of the national hero seem irrelevant and alien to most of our young. Many were concerned about how the tower will mar the vista of a park they would not dare spend time in because doing so is beneath their social class. There are many more proactive manifestations of concern for cultural and national heritage sites other than liking status messages in social networking sites, starting with actually visiting these sites, patronizing businesses that support them, or just simply learning more about them.

YASUKUNI: JAPAN’S CONTROVERSIAL WAR SHRINE KEY questions and answers about Tokyo’s Yasukuni war shrine, which comes under the spotlight on the August 15 anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, when politicians—and bereaved families—visit the site, enraging Japan’s neighbours.

Q: What is the Yasukuni Shrine?

A: Yasukuni was founded under orders from then-emperor Meiji in 1869 as a Shinto shrine to commemorate individuals who died in the civil strife that helped restore his authority after centuries of rule by shoguns.

Its role was subsequently expanded. Adherents to Japan’s native religion of Shintoism believe the souls of 2.5 million departed ancestors who died in Japanese conflicts up to and including World War II are enshrined there, with their names and other personal details recorded.

Although it was stripped of its state sponsorship by allied occupiers in 1945, it retains a powerful pull and was visited on eight occa-

sions by wartime emperor Hirohito until 1975. Many ordinary people go to pay their respects to relatives and friends who died in combat.

The leafy sanctuary in the heart of Tokyo’s bustling downtown is also popular for viewing cherry blossoms in spring and the fall foliage.

Q: Many countries have memorials to their war dead. Why are China and South Korea annoyed about this one?

A: Japanese nationalists, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, like to argue that Yasukuni is no different than the US National Cemetery at Arlington.

But unlike Arlington, Yasukuni promotes a view of history that many find unpalatable. The attached museum portrays Japan more as a victim of US aggression in WWII and makes scant reference to the extreme brutality of invading Imperial troops when they stormed through Asia— especially China and Korea—in the 20th century.

Significantly, 14 World War II leaders—including army general and prime minister Hideki Tojo —who were indicted as war criminals by an international military tribunal, were secretly added to the Yasukuni honor list in 1978. This only became public knowledge the following year.

Q: If it causes so much trouble, why do Japanese leaders insist on going?

A: Not all do. Only 15 premiers since WWII—about half—have paid respects at the shrine and the present emperor has never been (his father stopped going before the 14 senior war criminals were enshrined). Six premiers have gone since the war criminals were added to the list.

Before Abe visited the shrine on December 26, 2013, the first anniversary of his coming to power, no sitting prime minister had been since Junichiro Koizumi in 2006.

Abe did not go during his first term in office from 2006-2007, and

stayed away on this year’s anniversary.

Senior politicians who visit insist they are doing what their counterparts in most other countries do when honouring fallen soldiers.

A small but vocal section of the political right believes Japan is unfairly criticised for its violent wartime past, saying Tokyo’s empirebuilding was no different from that of European powers.

They believe Japan has more than made amends for the past -- they point to payments made to Seoul as reparations in the 1960s, and to numerous apologies.

For some of them, a visit to Yasukuni is part of a move to strike a more balanced view of the past, and to demonstrate their nationalist stance.

Q: What has happened since Abe’s visit in 2013?

A: Relations between Japan and its neighbours sank after the visit.

However, since late 2014, there has been a thaw in icy relations

between Japan and China, which share extensive business and trade links.

Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping met twice on the sidelines of international forums, and they are reportedly considering another meeting next month.

But the two Asian giants have long sparred over territorial disputes, with observers warning that a clash—caused by accident or bravado—is increasingly possible.

Japan and South Korea have made little progress toward improving their ties, with Seoul continuously pushing Tokyo to apologise for its war-time acts and offer compensation.

Abe has not met with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye. The United States, which is allied with both South Korea and Japan, finds the squabbling between the two infuriating at a time when it has turned its focus towards Asia in the face of an increasingly powerful and vocal China. AFP

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news

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‘floating’ customs exec hits pre-lina reshuffle

By Joel E. Zurbano A FORMER Port of Limay collector, one of the relieved Customs officials and placed under floating status last year, on Saturday asked Commissioner Alberto Lina to enforce the decision of the Civil Service Commission ordering the bureau to reinstate her in her original post.

The CSC granted the appeal of lawyer Elvira Cruz questioning the legality of the Customs Personnel Order issued by then commissioner John Sevilla on May 25, 2014 transferring her from Port of Limay to the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) based at the Department of Finance.

Sevilla’s directive, which was approved by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, cited Section 3 of Executive Order 140 signed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2013 which stated that “CPRO shall be composed of organic personnel, augmented and reinforced by personnel from the DoF and Bureau of Customs as well as those detailed or seconded from other government agencies.”

But Cruz argued that her “temporary position at the CPRO without knowing the duration for holding such office brings out a direct impression of a floating status which is tantamount to a constructive dismissal and also a violation of her security of tenure.”

In a decision signed by Commissioner Robert Martinez on July 29, the CSC stated that the competencies required of the personnel at the CPRO is different from that of the Collector of Customs position.

“Thus, the contention of Secretary Purisima does not appear persuasive since the competencies of Cruz as Customs Collector do not appear to jibe with the required competencies of her detailed position.”

The eight-page decision also ruled that Sevilla’s order just “cited Executive Order 140 without expressly mentioning the scope of duties and functions requiring the expertise and skills of Cruz which may have justified her detailed to the CPRO. Clearly, the requirement of exigency of the service of Cruz’ detail is lacking.”

FArmErs’ woEs. leyte rep. ferdinand martin “fm” romualdez (left) discusses the farmers’ irrigation problem with isabela governor

Bojie faustino dy (center) and Vice-governor tony pet albano during the isabela’s agricultural sector asean integration summit at fl dy coliseum in cauayan city, isabela. romualdez vows to support the officials in solving the farmers problems in the province . VEr NoVENo

Water team begins probe of butuan mess

By Alvin T. Guanzon

BUTUAN CITY—A five-man fact finding team formed

by Administrator Andres F. Ibarra of the Local Wawter Utilities Administration has three months to finish its investigation on Butuan City Water District and submit its final report.

The Butuan Water Rights Alliance requested Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Commission on Audit (COA) central offices in Manila to conduct probe on their complaints against the only water firm supplying potable water to nearly 300,000 residents of Butuan.

The LWUA fact finding team composed of top LWUA middle level executives with support staff arrived in Butuan City August 11 and returned to Manila yesterday

afternoon of August 14.

Last February, the Butuan City Government declared the entire city under “State of Water Crisis” after a month-long water supply interruption caused an uproar from city residents prompting private and government sectors to help affected city residents through water rationing.

BWRA lead convenors Dr. Potenciano Malvar who is also ButuanAgusan Hotel and Restaurant Association President and former Butuan

City Rep. Charito Plaza requested in their letters to the LWUA Administrator to conduct performance audit on BCWD’s operations, administration and inspection of water facilities construction and condition of the water supply allegedly no longer potable as it is required by the law that created water districts.

The law requires all water districts in the country to make its water supply safe to drink and safe for human consumption and make available water supply flow up to the last water pipe and farthest communities it can reach.

Malvar complained one of the setbacks affecting Butuan City tourism initiatives, problems affecting hotel and restaurant businesses is the lack of water supply and the high cost of water, BCWD allegedly imposed on commercial and business establishments and even residential houses.

According to BWRA lead convenor former Congresswoman Ching Plaza, the LWUA fact finding team is composed of Roberto San Andres, Engr. Danilo De Leon, former BCWD General Manager Alfredo Bayanin, who is LWUA in charge for Mindanao operations; Maria Luz E. Del Puerto and Jesselyn Catapang.

The team collected water samples from BCWD ato be brought to Manila for laboratory testing after BWRA showed to the LWUA Administrator some samples of water from BCWD which were allegedly smelled like rusty steel.

The team requested no media interviews or photos saying it wanted to conduct the investigation away from the limelight.

San Andres however promised to go public with the final findings of the probe team.

anti-drug campaign nets 114 in taguig

proJEcT hopE. former congressman carlos o. cojuangco (left), representing his father eduardo cojuangco Jr. during the launch of project hope in tarlac city, urges the learners to seize the opportunity provided by project hope to hone their skills, become productive changers in their community and begin a life path for the future. envisioned by ambassador eduardo cojuangco Jr., project hope aims to bring a significant segment of the unemployed to the mainstream of productive livelihood in his home province. project hope is a classic example of an undertaking that could only be possible with teamwork from the public and private sectors working toward a common goal, said carlos.

OnE hundred and fourteen people have been arrested in six months of police operations as part of a crackdown on drug dealing in Taguig City.

The campaign, involving Antinarcotics Unit and Special Operations Group and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, also led to the capture of bulk of prohibited substance, particularly methamphetamine hydro-chloride, popularly known as shabu, and marijuana leaves.

Taguig City police chief Sr. Supt.

Arthur Felix Asis said the number of arrested individuals related to drug dealing for the first half of the year increased by 70 percent from the same period last year and included high profile members of drug syndicate.

He said the arrest and search warrants were a direct result of intelli-

gence-led policing.

In a recent operation, the authorities nabbed suspected drug dealer Richard Silvestre and six other persons, and seized shabu and other illegal substance worth more than P200,000.

Police tagged Silvestre as the 4th most wanted person in the city’s watchlist of suspected drug traffickers.

“This is a victory for us because we put 114 drug pushers behind bars just for the first half of the year,” said Asis.

Suspected members of the notorious Abone Group led by Jackie Abone were also arrested early this year.

Abone has been listed no. 2 most wanted by the Taguig City - Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group and no. 10 in the list of the national Capital Region Police Office—Illegal Drugs Target Personalities. Joel Zurbano

A8

SUNDAY: AUGUST 16, 2015

editorial@the standard.com.ph

NIA HEAD’S OUSTER SOUGHT BY EMPLOYEES

By Rio N. Araja WORKERS belonging to the National Irrigation Administration are asking Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Secretary Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan for the ouster of Administrator Florencio Padernal because of “his poor performance, unprofessional and arrogant behavior, and apathy toward the welfare of NIA employees nationwide.”

Victorino Aron, national president of NIA Employees Association of the Philippines, wrote Pangilinan expressing the hope “ that our agency be led by a true leader, sensitive to the needs of employees (to) lead us to a better NIA.” President Benigno Aquino III, officials of the Government on Good Governance for Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporation and all union district presidents were furnished copies of the formal communication.

“We, the undersigned officers and members of the National Council of the NIAEASP, are calling on OPAFSAM Secretary Francis Pangilinan to immediately replace NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal based on the following grounds,” the employees’ manifesto read.

“That because of Administrator Florencio F. Padernal’s leadership or lack of it, NIA’s performance in 2014 was unsatisfactory ir 63 percent based on GCG’s evaluation. When Administrator Padernal assumed office in July 2014, the agency’s physical accomplishment on CY 2014 projects was at 3 percent. By October 2014 on his 100 days, NIA’s accomplishment was at 14 percent and bt February 28, 2015 or 240 days after he became administrator, the NIA’s physical accomplishment was merely 37 percent despite the fact that the 2014 targets were significantly smaller than the previous years.”

Aron and district presidents complained about Padernal’s “rude and arrogant manners in managing the operations of the agency.”

The Standard could not reach Padernal or NIA’s public information officer.

NIYUGNYUGAN FEST. Marking the week-long “Niyugyugan” festival, Quezon holds a grand parade complete with float competition and street dancing along Quezon Avenue in Lucena City. BENJIE A. ANTIOQUA

EL NIÑO THREATENS FARMS, FOOD SECTOR

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THE government is bracing for the onslaught of El Niño drought next month particularly in the agriculture sector, which may impact on food production, a Palace official said on Saturday.

The President has been watching the situation carefull even before the recent news about the coming El Niño in September, deputy presidential spokesper-

son Abigail Valte said I on dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

As part of government preparations, Valte called on all government agencies to ste up efforts

UNWAVERING APOSTOLIC WORK The Wong Chu King Foundation, Inc. represented

by Executive Director, Mr. Alexander D. Wongchuking, receives a Plaque of Appreciation from Xavier School President Father Aristotle Dy, S.J. for the construction of the Sacred Heart Chapel of Xavier School in the New Senior High School Building. This commemorates the strong friendship between WCKF Chairman Emeritus Founder Mr. Wong Chu King, Xavier School founder Father Jean Desautel, S.J., and longest serving Xavier School President Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, S.J.

to mitigate or address the effects of El Niño, which threatened the country as early as last April.

She said that there are measures in place since all concerned government agencies has already carried out similar preparations last summer when some areas in the country had experienced less or even zero rainfall.

“That experience is helping us plan and prepare for the coming El Niño as projected by the Department of Science and Technology,” she added.

Valte said the DOST has made guidelines on cloud-seeding, wa-

ter preparation for irrigation, among others, for the farmers who are most likely to suffer the adverse effects of the prolonged dry spell.

The government , she said, has widened its preparations compared to the preparation the government made during the onslaught of El Niño 15 years ago.

Of course, the situation has changed since we experienced El Nino more than 15 years ago,” she said. “What’s on our side... is that we have more lessons from the and there is more technology that can help aid in the solution.”

CALAMITY-PRONE TIWI TOWN TO GET NEW SCHOOL BUILDING A NEW school building in Tiwi, Albay will soon rise.

BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the country’s largest bank, has sealed an agreement with Philippine Geothermal Production Company for the construction of a four-classroom school building in Tiwi Community College in calamityprone Tiwi, Albay.

The memorandum of agreement was signed by PGPC president Antonio F. Yee, BDO Foundation treasurer and member of the board of trustees Lucy Co Dy, BDO Foundation corporate secretary and member of the board of trustees Lazaro Jerome C. Guevarra, and BDO Foundation president Maureen C. Abelardo.

Abelardo said the construc-

tion of new classrooms in Tiwi Community College fulfills two advocacies. BDO Foundation is making a significant impact on stakeholders by delivering on its disaster response advocacy while pursuing an education-related initiative.

The initiative will address the need for more classrooms in the college, which currently holds classes in the evening just to accommodate students.

Students residing in neighboring municipalities take up education and office administration courses in Tiwi Community College, which was founded in 1994. The college is one of the identified evacuation centers in Tiwi accommodating two vulnerable coastal barangays. It is also a venue for disaster prepared-

ness and climate change adaptation trainings.

The planned school building in Tiwi Community College is the second project jointly undertaken by BDO Foundation and PGPC. As part of its postYolanda rehabilitation projects, BDO Foundation, with contributions from PGPC, completed and turned over a four-classroom, two-storey building to Baybay Elementary School in Catarman, Northern Samar in 2014.

PGPC is a Filipino corporation operating the Tiwi and Mak-Ban geothermal facilities.

Allfirst Equity Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of SM Investments Corporation, holds 60 percent of PGPC’s outstanding shares, while the remaining 40 percent is held by Chevron Geothermal Philippines Holdings, LLC.

SUNDAY: AUGUST 16, 2015

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

BUSINESS

B1 Aspect Software executives discuss the future of call centers in a news conference at Makati ShangriLa Hotel. Shown are (from left) senior vice president and chief marketing officer Jim Freeze, senior director for marketing in Asia-Pacific Edwin Ong, managing director for South Asia and the Middle East Sanjay Gupta and Philippines country sales manager Alfred Lallana Jr.

CHANGE IS COMING TO PH CALL CENTERS

CHANGE is coming to the Philippine call center industry, with a former newsboy who now heads the local unit of a US software company delivering the compelling message.

“Customers expect to receive service where, when and how they want it. By 2016, more than 60 percent of inbound customer service interactions are expected to come from devices other than your landline,” says Alfred Lallana Jr., country sales manager of Aspect Software, a world leader in call center technologies.

The rise of millennial generation, or individuals aged 18 to 34, to the corporate hierarchy is leading this change. These young customers want omni-channel experience, instead of talking to call center agents, in dealing with companies, says Jim Freeze, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Boston-based Aspect in a news conference at Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Sanjay Gupta, managing director of Aspect for South Asia and the Middle East, says call centers are going through an interesting transformation. “The reason for this is that consumers are changing,” he says, adding that technology is also playing a role.

“Now, customers are looking at more information. They are looking at superior customer handling.

The fact is that the role of agents is changing. This is a very interesting shift,” says Gupta.

Freeze says that instead of picking up the phones to talk to call center agents, the millennial population prefer browsing the

interactive Websites of companies on their smartphones to avail of services, in the same way that they can now do financial transactions through banks’ Websites without dealing with a teller.

Lallana, who graduated with a degree in Electronics Engineering from Saint Louis University in 1990, grew up delivering newspapers in Baguio City as a young boy. At the news conference in Makati Shangri La Hotel, he delivered news about the changes coming to the business process outsourcing and call center industry, which may affect the employment of more than 1 million Filipinos.

Lallana knows the industry well, having a 25-year experience in the information technology sector, including 15 years in call centers.

Prior to joining Aspect in January 2015, Lallana was a vice president at Diversified Technology Solutions International, a business partner of Avaya, which powers most inbound call centers in the Philippines. Aspect’s technologies dominate outbound call centers.

He was also a former overseas Filipino worker who served as a telecom engineer at the Electrical and Electronics Contracting Company Ltd. (Panasonic-Office Automation) in Saudi Arabia.

A new Aspect survey developed with millennial expert Jason Dorsey shows that companies need to quickly address the

Aspect country sales manager for Philippines Alfred Lallana Jr. customer engagement preference of the millennial demographic or risk going out of business.

“Nearly a third of consumers would rather clean a toilet than talk to customer service,” results of the Aspect Consumer Experience Index: Millennial Research on Customer Service Expectations show.

Results also show that 56 percent of millennials moved their business from at least one com-

pany in the past year due to poor customer service. About 73 percent of consumers say they should have the ability to solve most product and service issues on their own.

Freeze says companies that fail to respond to the generational shift will be left irrelevant. “Tons of companies are in the ash of history because they did not respond to generational changes. Failure to do so will lead companies to

shrink or ultimately become irrelevant,” he says.

Freeze says the big opportunity is for companies to enable consumers help themselves and let them do it with text and other digital channels. He says 65 percent of all generations and 69 percent of millennials feel really good about both the company and themselves when they are able to answer a question or solve a problem related to that company on their own.

Lallana says to help companies respond to the generational shift, Aspect introduced Customer Experience Platform or CXP 14.1, which has self-service and omnichannel features.

“It is my only seventh month in Aspect. When I started in the first quarter, when we started to preach our solutions, especially the CXP omni-channel, they were surprised. Companies asked can you do that? We told them yes. The banks we talked to, they now want initial workshops and discovery sessions. Our channel partners, they are now calling us to do presentations for their customers,” says Lallana.

Freeze says the Philippines is a key market for Aspect. “We invested heavily in completely redoing consumer service and interface to one that is browser based, incredibly intuitive and colorful,” he says.

“We believe that consumers are reimagining and redefining how they interact with companies that they do business with. We feel this very strongly. Customers are CONTINUED ON B3

SUNDAY: AUGUST 16, 2015

B2

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

By Othel V. Campos

CONSUMER electronics company Panasonic Philippines has launched a new line of professional cameras, giving events organizers, the broadcast media and hobbyists the opportunity to enhance their craft.

Panasonic System Solutions Asia Pacific head of regional product marketing for imaging network solutions Supachai Chanyasawad visited Manila to present the new professional series of Panasonic cameras to potential business to business or B2B partners.

With background in architecture, graphics and 3D animation, Chanyasawad’s wealth of experience in the broadcast and creative industry pivoted Panasonic as the most preferred brand of most broadcast networks.

“Admittedly, the Philippines is a bit behind camera technology but it is catching up fast. For us, the broadcast industry is one of the big markets we are looking at in the Philippines but there are also other segments that we think can sustain growth,” he said during the “P2 & Friends” event at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City.

“P2 & Friends” is an annual event established since 2008 to bring industry partners together to showcase concepts and solutions complementing Panasonic P2 cameras.

The objective for “P2 & Friends” is to showcase Panasonic broadcast technology together with partners, creating an opportunity for networking and enhancing company presence in the broadcast and media industry.

Panasonic highlighted four important P2 products in the recent event - 4K production technology, ENG wireless technology, IP camera solution and studio solution.

Within the line-up of its 4K production camera are Panasonic Varicam 4K and the new unique 4K handheld AG-DVX200.

“We introduce 4k for high-end movie production and AVX 2000 for mainstream production for people with less budget. We want to introduce this lineup because right now, the trend is that people are using DSLR cameras for creative production like documentaries and some programs but they do not get the cinematic effect they hope to achieve. And while cellphone

PANASONIC SHOWING

THE FUTURE OF CAMERAS Panasonic System Solutions Asia Pacific head of regional product marketing for imaging network solutions Supachai Chanyasawad presents the new professional series of Panasonic cameras.

cameras are getting better and better, there are many functions that a professional camera can address,” said Chanyasawad.

“Our B2B customers appreciate that we are a real system company who always seek out solutions for our customers. Panasonic broadcast customers always have a chance to choose the compliment equipment out of their own preferences,” he said.

He said Panasonic emerged as the market leader for broadcasters and video professionals ever since the introduction of P2 format 10 years ago. Panasonic set the technology trend to record on solid state device and allowing customers to work more efficiently on tapeless workflow.

In fact, Panasonic has been sup-

porting digital broadcasting since the first P2 camera was launched in 2004.

Nowadays, broadcasters not only need to move towards not only digital broadcasting but also IT based technology as well. Because P2 equipment are using file-based technology, they are already digital and IT converged by nature.

“This will be the technology trend. The event highlights are proof of our concepts to support digital broadcasts and IT workflow like multiple CODEC camcorder, IP wireless camcorder control, files transfer and streaming through cloud service which will eventually be the essential broadcast technology in the near future,” Chanyasawad said.

He said 4K technology is the

thing to come, “but to invest in 4K technology today or not is also a similar question when broadcasters are moving from SD to HD. So if you are a content production houses today asking about whether it is worth producing or not, I would say yes. Holding 4K content today is future proving. Your 4K masters can be down converted to HD for viewing and broadcasting today. And there will be chance to sell it internationally because they are starting to look for more 4K contents especially in US and China.”

“Today, TV stations are not broadcasting programs in 4K yet.

Some has just moved from SD to HD. Moreover, there are only a few 4K TV out there in households. But since IT technology evolves very

fast, we may be able to see 4K contents from internet before they are coming from conventional broadcasting,” he said.

“At Panasonic, we understand how important it is for broadcasters to ensure that a phenomenal viewing experience is delivered to their audience. From breaking news stories to hard-hitting or heart-warming documentaries, crisp and clear imagery is critical to ensure every little detail is captured and explored perfectly.

With the AG-DVX200 complementing the existing VariCam series, Panasonic is proud to help production teams in Asia Pacific produce quality films and documentaries with smooth, crystal clear visuals that tell a beautiful story every time,” he said.

Panasonic hopes that the launch of the new P2 products in the Philippines will enable the local unit to realize a 50-percent sales growth in the next three years from the projected P540 million in 2015.

For broadcast products such as cameras and other information gathering devices, the Philippine unit is expecting P140 million in sales this year.

Ranking third in global positioning for broadcast devices, the company’s direction now is to increase the volume of professional handheld cameras.

Panasonic is one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of consumer goods with stakes in industrial and business solutions systems globally.

SAN MARINO TUNA BAGS READERS’ DIGEST GOLD AWARD SAN Marino has solidified its reputation as the most trusted corned tuna brand in the Philippines when it won gold in the recent Readers’ Digest 2015 Trusted Brand Awards.

The gold award was also bestowed on San Marino Corned Tuna in 2011 and 2012 by the prestigious international publication. The citation represents a “seal of approval”, a vote of trust and confidence from consumers,” according to the Readers’ Digest July 2015 issue.

The accolade was based on the votes from 5,000 respondents in Asia, who were asked to name their most trusted brand in each of the more than 40 product categories based on six general criteria.

These criteria include trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovativeness and social responsibility.

“The popular brand, earned gold points for its trustworthiness and credibility, being a product introduced in the market by Food-

sphere Inc., a company with 40 years of solid experience in food manufacturing,” sats Pilar de Guzman, category brand manager of San Marino.

The product boasts of its high-quality being manufactured in one of the most modern manufacturing plants in Asia.

“Quality marks the production cycle of San Marino corned tuna, from raw materials selection to processing using state-of-theart technology to logistics, distribution and marketing,” says De Guzman.

“Through this product, we offer the best value for money to the Filipino consumers, which is the key to building consumer loyalty across income classes,” she says.

Foodsphere introduced the product in the market in September 2009 based on thorough understanding of the needs of the Filipino consumers, achieved through stringent research and consumer insights gathering and analytical R&D works.

“Moreover, the food company invested

much in technology to come up with a revolutionary product offer that changed the landscape of the canned tuna industry.

Combining the delicious taste of corned beef and the healthy benefits of tuna, San Marino Corned Tuna emerged as one of the most innovative product in the market,” De Guzman says.

Because of its innovativeness, it gained consumer acceptance in a short period despite the presence of aggressive competitors. The brand became a market leader after several months, and was the number one corned tuna product in the Philippines in terms of sales according to a study conducted by research company AC Nielsen.

In terms of corporate social responsibility, Foodsphere, through its humanitarian arm Odyssey Foundation Inc., undertakes various health and nutrition program across the country. A part of the profits earned by San Marino goes to a fund a supplemental feeding program managed by the Foundation for

undernourished children.

“This is just one of the many activities that showcases the company’s deep sense of social responsibility. Aside from its humanitarian missions, the company is committed to providing the Filipino people with innovative, healthy and affordable food products and help the government in ensuring food security in the country,” says De Guzman.

“It is our responsibility to provide Filipino consumers with the best product in the market without sacrificing quality and ensure that they have access to best-value food products,” De Guzman says.

Readers’ Digest consumer poll is an annual consumer research-based project which aims to recognize brands that have become the benchmark for product excellence and consumer service.

Readers’ Digest has conducted the Trusted Brands survey for 17 consecutive years in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

SUNDAY: AUGUST 16, 2015

B3

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

PAY TV EXECUTIVE BULLISH AMID YOUTUBE THREAT

A FILIPINO pay television executive remains bullish about the prospects for the industry, despite the rise of the Internet as a medium for delivering new Hollywood shows.

Rene Esguerra, the 44-year-old country head for the Philippines of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, believes that great exclusive and fresh content will win the attention of Filipino viewers.

“Great exclusive content is something Filipino viewers really appreciate. They want it now and live. We are very, very active in the Philippines. We do a lot of on-the-ground events. We are also aggressive in our marketing efforts.

Admittedly, we are new, but we are really very aggressive,” Esguerra says in an interview, referring to the two channels carried by RTL CBS in the Philippines.

RTL CBS, a new regional player, is a venture formed in August 2013 between RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, and CBS Studios International, the top US supplier of programming to the international market place.

The company, based in Singapore, launched RTL CBS Entertainment and RTL CBS Extreme in the Philippines in early 2014.

“We have an advantage because of our parent companies and our access to great content. It is less difficult for us, compared to other networks,” he says.

Esguerra says with great content, RTL CBS gives Filipinos a viewing experience that not even videosharing Websites such as Youtube can provide. “Everybody wants to put out the best show, the best program. It is something the Filipino viewers appreciate although there are trends now, that most people get content from the Internet,” he says.

“It [Youtube] is not really a threat. The way I see it, television viewing is fixed viewing. It is also about the experience. If you watch something as great as House of Cards and you watch it on your gadget, you don’t get the feel of it. If you watch it on your wide screen, with full sound setup, then you enjoy it a lot more. That’s where we are coming from—with definitely very good quality programs and you get the full television experience,” he says.

RTL CBS Entertainment, the flagship channel, airs on Channel 53 and 196 (HD) on Sky Cable. It is also carried by Cable Link, Destiny Cable, Dream and provincial cable operators. “Your stage for the world’s best entertainment.

We really try to deliver on that.

We entered the market October 2013. We are already widely distributed already. We are on Sky, Destiny, Cable Link and we are also being distributed by our representative, Viva Communications to provincial cable systems.

We penetrated the market quickly,” says Esguerra, Esguerra, a father of two female teenagers, oversees the operations of the network in the Philippines with a focus on distribution and advertising sales. A seasoned executive of the local pay-TV industry, he has over two decades of experience in distribution, channel operations and advertising

sales. Before joining RTL CBS, he had worked at Accion for 17 years as its general manager and chief operating officer where he oversaw the interests of international broadcasters like Discovery, Disney, Star (now Fox International Channels) and NBC Universal.

Esguerra says RTL CBS Entertainment carries awards shows such as Golden Globe Awards, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and Critics Choice Awards; reality shows such as X Factor UK and Britain’s Got Talent; talk shows such as The Late Late Show with James Corden and Late Show with Stephen Colbert; entertainment news such as Entertainment Tonight and The Insider; dramas such as House of Cards, Extant, Elementary, Under the Dome and Limitless and com-

edy series such as Marry Me and The Odd Couple.

Esguerra says RTL CBS is now present in 18 territories across Asia. “It is a joint venture between two giants. On one hand, you have RTL Group of Europe, which has more than 50 TV stations all over Europe and is widely known and powerful. The other is CBS, which is the largest content producer in the US,” he says.

“Basically, we get most of our programming from both parent companies. We were formed in September 2013 to service the Asia-Pacific region. For first 18 months of operation, we are already in 18 territories. That’s how fast we grew,” he says.

“We get content that is very good and we get it exclusively. We air it as live as we can. We have a term Xpress from the US or from the UK. For the award shows, we air it live on the channel,” says Esguerra.

“We have dramas, world’s biggest talents shows and we also have comedies on Friday night.

We have new releases from the US, and we air it on our channel exclusively,” he says. “We have the dailies as well which we air within 24 hours of US broadcast.

It makes no sense to air entertainment news that are old. Ours are very current, such as ET, Insider, the Late Show and the James Cordon Show.”

“We buy from other studios as well. So long as there is a good content out there, we try to put in on our channel and the direction is to air it as live as we can,” says Esguerra.

He says of the 18 territories covered by RTL CBS Asia in Asia, the Philippines is one of the top mar-

kets. “To us, the Philippines is a very important market. The Philippines is the only market where we have a dedicated feed. The rest of the region gets the same feed.

So there is a lot of opportunities for us to have local content or maybe some local flavor. That’s how important the Philippine market is,” says Esguerra.

He says aside from subscription fees, RTL CBS aims to tap more advertisers to boost revenues.

The company has to compete with about 30 to 35 networks in the local pay TV industry that are carried by around 600 cable systems nationwide.

RTL CBS works with distributor Viva Communications, which is in charge of distribution and selling channels to cable operators. “We are on track as far as targets are concerned. The following years, we can only see improvements. One thing why we consider the Philippines an important market is that advertising sales here are quite huge,” says Esguerra.

Esguerra cites the study of market research firm Media Partners

Asia, showing that in 2014, pay TV advertising sales rose 14 percent to P3.467 billion from P3.038 billion in 2013. It accounted for

RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network country head for the Philippines Rene Esguerra

6.5 percent of the total advertising sales of P53 billion in 2014, up from 6 percent in 2013.

“Annual growth of pay TV advertising for the next five years is projected to be between 10 percent and 12 percent per year.

It gives you an indication. We still have a long way to go. If the pay TV advertising just increased 2 percent, just imagine how much it could be. There is a lot for everybody,” says Esguerra.

“We want to ride on the growth and establish our channel in the general entertainment field,” he

says.

Esguerra says RTL CBS offers affordable packages to cable operators. “We are reasonably priced.

We have to be very reasonable, because we are coming in late and the market is already full. We want them to see and appreciate what we have and make it easier for them to take the channel and include it in their channel lineup,” says Esguerra.

“We feel that our content speaks for itself,” he says. “We are in a position to provide great content and that is what pay television is all about.” Roderick T. dela Cruz

CHANGE IS COMING... screaming that they want to solve problems on their own. Increasingly, we have a text savvy group of individuals,” says Freeze.

Freeze says customers, if possible, avoid talking to call center agents. “They want to solve problems on their own,” he says.

He says self service and excellence in customer service will define companies in the future. “The new standard for customer interaction is one-touch experience [which means] being able to touch a phone or screen as a way to interact,” says Freeze.

Freeze says within three years, millennials will control more of the economy than baby boomers [or those who were born between 1946 and 1964]. They are taking over our businesses. Their expectations are really impacting business,” he says.

Edwin Ong, senior director for marketing and alliances of Aspect in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, says the millennials are more demanding than baby boomers. “The millennials are increasingly more impatient than baby boomers, because they grew up with instantaneous gratifications. They are probably more demanding,” he says.

Freeze says a survey by Aspect show that 55 percent of millennials have higher expectations in terms of customer service. About 61 percent of the respondents say they don’t want to repeat themselves, when talking to call center agents.

“Majority of millennials have switched doing business with companies because of bad customer service. There is no loyalty. If you don’t want to give them customer service the way they want it, they will go somewhere else. It has huge, huge impact on business,” says Freeze.

About 70 percent of respondents also say they want to solve issues on their own, he says.

“We firmly believe that today’s consumers are very

FROM B1

different than five or even three years ago. When they contact you, they want you to know who they are. They are also mobile,” Freeze says.

Freeze says Aspect’s latest product―the CXP omni-channel enables companies to respond to the needs of the millennial customers. “That’s the kind of transaction customers want- to be able to go from one channel to another and they don’t have to repeat themselves,” he says.

“Over the past two and a half years, we have invested almost a quarter of a billion dollars in the US in acquisitions, investments in companies to bring these portfolio of omni-channel, consumer interaction capabilities, workforce optimization, back office optimization and cloud capabilities,” says Freeze.

“We think companies should increase the number of interactions, but they should do it in the way that consumers want, which is self service. And by doing that, you have more satisfied consumers,” says Freeze.

Freeze, however, explains that Aspect does not intend to steal jobs of call center agents. “The agents are not irrelevant. They are very very important.

Our technologies will help them so that they are not doing the mundane, which consumers can do for themselves,” he says, adding that the role of call center agents will be elevated to more critical tasks.

Lallana says Aspect technologies can help customer service divisions of banks, utilities, airlines and other companies achieve efficiency and increase the number of interactions in the BPO industry, without necessarily affecting employment in the sector.

“The Philippines BPO revenues now seem to overtake OFW remittances. Next year, estimated BPO revenues would be $25 billion while OFW remittances would be less than that. So we can now call BPO employees and call center agents as the new heroes of the Philippines,” says Lallana. Roderick T. dela Cruz

B4

world

sokor’s park says abe speech fell short SOuTH Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Saturday urged Japan to match its words with deeds, after a speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressing remorse over wartime aggression fell short of Seoul’s expectations.

“History can never be covered up,” Park said in a speech marking the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II that ended its 1910-45 colonisation of the Korean Peninsula.

“History remains alive through its witnesses’ vivid testimony,” Park said, noting the suffering of South Korean women forced to work as sex slaves for the Japanese military in wartime brothels.

The president said Abe’s much-anticipated statement on Friday had left “much to be desired” though she refrained from any specific critique.

While applauding Abe’s vow that previous national apologies for Japan’s aggression would stand, Park said Tokyo must follow-up such words with “sincere actions.”

Even as she spoke, a pair of Japanese cabinet ministers visited the controversial Yasukuni shrine, which neighbouring countries see as an ugly symbol of Tokyo’s militarist past.

Abe sent a ritual offering to the shrine which is dedicated to millions of Japanese who died in conflicts—including more than a dozen war criminals.

The South Korean foreign ministry suggested that the visits and Abe’s tribute jarred with the grief and remorse the prime minister had expressed in his statement on Friday. AFP

the bodies of syrian men wrapped in plastic bags are seen outside a make-shift hospital in the rebel-held area of douma, east of the capital damascus, following reported air strikes by regime forces, on august 12, 2015. at least 27 civilians were killed in syrian government air strikes on the eastern Ghouta region near damascus according to a monitoring group. AFP

27 die as shelling hits syria towns

Shelling resumed on Saturday in two government-held villages in northwest Syria and a rebel town near Damascus, state media and a monitor said, as a ceasefire for the areas collapsed.

The violence came despite talks about extending the truce that began on Wednesday morning and aimed at reaching a final deal to stop fighting in the three areas.

Syrian state television said a child and her father had been killed and 12 oth-

ers wounded in “terrorist shelling” on the regimeheld villages of Fuaa and Kafraya in Idlib province.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor, said rebels had fired about 20 missiles at the two villages and also reported shelling

on the rebel-held town of Zabadani.

In Fuaa, a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the bombardment.

“Today we’ve been hearing the sound of explosions since dawn,” the resident said. “The truce failed and the attacks have resumed.”

The truce agreement between rebel groups and proregime factions, including Lebanon’s Shiite militia Hezbollah, came into effect in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Before its expiry on Saturday morning, intensive negotiations had been under way for an extension of the ceasefire and a full deal.

The talks centred on the withdrawal of rebels from Zabadani and the evacuation of civilians from Fuaa and Kefraya, which are the last two government-held villages in Idlib province.

But the negotiations reportedly stumbled over an opposition insistence that thousands of prisoners be released from

government jails, according to Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

He said negotiations on the deal were continuing despite the ceasefire faltering.

“The talks are ongoing, but there are breaches in the ceasefire,” he said, citing sources close to the talks.

“It’s not clear if the breaches are attempts by the parties to improve the conditions of the deal or come from those who want to thwart the negotiations,” he said. AFP

mh370 search to be ‘refined’

malaysia’s transport minister liow tiong lai speaks during a short press conference on an update for Malaysia Airlines ill-fated flights MH370 and mh17, in shah alam, on the outskirts of kuala lumpur on august 12, 2015. an mh370 families organisation said on august 12, it would not accept the malaysian government’s declaration that wreckage found on an Indian Ocean island came from the ill-fated flight until more analysis is completed, and called for an impartial investigation. AFP

MALAYSIA, China and Australia will meet in September to “refine” the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 after part of the plane’s wing was discovered on an Indian Ocean island last month, more than a year on from its tragic disappearance.

On August 5, Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak said experts had “conclusively confirmed” that the debris found on the French island of Reunion —a piece of the wing known as the “flaperon”—came from the doomed flight, which vanished 17 months ago in one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.

However, French investigators

were more cautious, saying only there was a “very high probability” that the flaperon came from the plane, sparking anger from relatives over the ambiguity.

“With the discovery of the flaperon, we have to sit down with Australia and China to map the way forward to find the plane,” Malaysia’s deputy transport minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi told AFP. “We hope to refine and prioritise the search efforts. Definitely, the search will continue in the same area,” he said, adding that officials were working out the date for the gathering and the host for the meeting.

The jet disappeared from radar

on March 8 last year after mysteriously veering off its original flight path from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Investigators believe the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean.

Of the 239 people on board, the majority were Malaysians and Chinese. Australia has been leading the search for the plane, the largest multinational search operation in history.

More than 60,000 square kilometres of the seafloor have been searched so far, with no trace of the missing Boeing 777 found until last month’s discovery. AFP

S U N D AY : A U g U S t 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

B5

WORLD editorial@thestandard.com.ph

YEMEN GOVT FORCES TH RETAKE 5 PROVINCE 7 col x 10 cm

Gulf-supported forces loyal to Yemen’s exiled government on Saturday retook a fifth province in the country’s south, military officials said, as they continued their advance against Iran-backed rebels.

The rebels “withdrew” and “handed over” Shabwa to the pro-government forces after they were promised a safe route out of the province, a military official told AFP. Other army officials confirmed the rebel pull-out.

“The province was handed over” to the Southern Movement, a secessionist group whose militants have been fighting in loyalYemeni supporters of the Shiite Huthi rebel movement raise their weapons during a rally to protest against a military offensive by a Saudi-led coalition in the capital Sanaa.

Saudi-backed forces loyal to Yemen’s exiled government have seized a town south of the rebel-held capital, military officials said, in their latest advance against Shiite Huthi rebels.

Backed by a Saudiled coalition that has been carrying out air strikes since March, pro-government forces have been battling for months to restore President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, in exile in Riyadh, to power. AFP

ist ranks, said Salem al-Awlaqi, a political activist in Shabwa.

Loyalist forces in the south launched an offensive last month against the rebels, forcing them out of main southern city Aden in mid-July.

They later advanced retaking the provinces Daleh, Lahj, and Abyan, in addition to Shabwa— which has substantial oil reserves.

Complaining of marginali-

sation, the Shiite huthi rebels descended from their northern stronghold last year and seized capital Sanaa unopposed before advancing on second city Aden in March. renegade troops still loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who resigned in 2012 following a year-long popular uprising against his rule, have joined the huthis.

On the other side, the southern secessionists have joined ranks with pro-government troops as well as local Sunni tribes to form what they have dubbed Popular resistance Committees.

The conflict has cost nearly

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4,300 lives since March, half of them civilians, according to UN figures, while 80 percent of Yemen’s 21 million people need aid and protection.

The five provinces retaken by pro-government troops, along with Mahra and hadramawt, which the rebels never entered, comprise what was formerly known as the independent South Yemen.

It was its own state between the end of British colonial rule in 1967 and its union with the north in 1990.

A secession attempt four years later sparked a brief civil war that ended with northern forces occupying the region. AFP

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N. kOREA THREATENS TO NUkE SOkOR, US NOrTh Korea on Saturday threatened South Korea with “indiscriminate” military strikes unless it halts crossborder propaganda broadcasts, and issued fresh nuclear weapons warnings against the United States.

The threats came amid escalating military tensions on the Korean peninsula following a landmine attack South Korea blamed on the North and ahead of a major South KoreaUS joint military exercise condemned by Pyongyang.

They also coincided with celebrations in both Koreas to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean peninsula’s 1945 liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

Initially there were hopes the anniversary might be an opportunity for some sort of inter-Korean rapprochement, but instead ties have spiralled downwards to the familiar accompaniment of angry rhetoric and mutual recrimination.

After three landmine blasts maimed two South Korean soldiers on border patrol, Seoul this week resumed high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the heavily-militarised frontier, using batteries of loudspeakers that had lain silent for more than a decade.

Pyongyang rejected accusations that it was behind the mine incident as “absurd”, and its frontline army border command on Saturday demanded the broadcasts be halted immediately. AFP

4 killEd, 20,000 diSPlACEd iN NiGER FlOOdS AT LeAST four people have died and more than 20,000 have been affected by floods in Niger caused by weeks of heavy rain, the United Nations said Friday.

The bad weather has destroyed 2,170 homes and flooded nearly 545 hectares of agricultural land, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of humanitarian Affairs (OChA) said in a statement.

Around 3,100 displaced victims are currently living in schools or have been taken in by host families, the agency said citing Niger’s emergency civil protection services.

The bad weather is showing no sign of abating as the rainy season continues in the impoverished sub-Saharan country, which has often faced severe food crises due to flooding or drought.

Since late July, local media have reported repeated floods, particularly in central and southern Niger.

In the capital Niamey, the authorities have asked residents living near the edge of the Niger river to leave their homes because of the flood threat.

The water level is at 580 centimetres (19 feet), well above the “alert” threshold of 530 centimetres, according to the Niger Basin Authority (NBA).

Of the eight regions of Niger, only Diffa in the east, which is home to more than 100,000 refugees who have fled violence in neighbouring Nigeria, has not been affected by the bad weather. AFP

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S U N D AY : A U G U S T 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

REUEL VIDAL EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

ABUEVA

PURSUES FIRST STINT IN

NATIONAL TEAM

By Ray Vidal

TWENTY seven year old Calvin Abueva is one of the most dominant players in the Philippine Basketball Association.

He has had a celebrated amateur career winning a Most Valuable Player award during Season 87 of the National Collegiate Association and setting a league standard in leading all the important statistical categories (points, rebounds and assists) during a single season in his senior year.

It’s surprising therefore to find out that he has never made it to any national basketball team.

That will soon be a thing of the past as the man known as The Beast brings his trademark hard

work and perseverance to the ongoing tryouts for the Philippine team to the 2015 FIBA Asia to be held September in Changsha, Hunan, China.

Abueva was personally selected by national team head coach Tab Baldwin who has become a believer in his talent and his character.

“In my mind I had questions about Calvin coming in and being an international player.

There are lots of areas for Calvin to develop. But some really

Alaska Aces forward Calvin Abueva (8) drives to the goal against a San Miguel Beer defender. Abueva, one of the most dominant players in the Philippine Basketball Association, hopes to join the national team to the 2015 FIBA Asia.

Alaska Aces forward Calvin Abueva (8) protects the basketball against a Barangay Ginebra San Miguel defender. Abueva, one of the most dominant players in the Philippine Basketball Association, hopes to join the national team to the 2015 FIBA Asia.

smart PBA coaches, guys on my coaching staff, really talked me into it. And it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said Baldwin in a published report.

“I enjoy Calvin so much. He’s such a productive player. We’ve sat down. We’ve had some talks. I really feel that this is a quality kid.

Now that he’s in there. It would be tough for anybody to get him out.

I think he will really blossom with this experience.”

Abueva’s staunchest supporter in the national team is no doubt Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton who is also assistant to Baldwin. Compton is a daily witness to Abueva’s relentless drive and will to win during Alaska Aces practices and games.

“You can see what Calvin brings.

He’s a competitor. He kinda reminds me of a forward version of Ryan Reyes. I love to watch those guys (run) head-first to the wall for a ball. They might throw their bodies all over the place and Calvin is one of those guys,” Compton said in a published report.

“He’s so fast, he plays so hard, he doesn’t stop. He’s so passionate about the game. The guy can gain you possessions through 50-50 balls, by offensive rebounding, sprinting for the ball and getting deflections.”

Abueva’s biggest asset for any team he plays for is his attitude and belief that he deserves to gain possession of every rebound and every loose ball play. Abueva is relentless, unforgiving and

usually misunderstood.

People often mistake his confidence for arrogance and his relentless drive for belligerence.

Baldwin himself understands the value of a player like Abueva and has stepped out of his way to better understand how to utilize his talent to its fullest.

“I’ve had some discussions with Calvin that have been fruitful and productive. I think he understands what I’m looking from him as a coach. I think he’s a wonderful guy.

I didn’t know that before. I didn’t know him at all. So he came into camp. He’s a great kid. I really enjoy having him in camp. And so far he’s done a tremendous job. His work ethic is excellent. And his attitude has been outstanding,” said Baldwin.

CEBUANAS PREVAIL OVER ILONGGAS

By Peter Atencio REVENGE is indeed a dish best served cold.

Danika Gendrauli had to wait two years but eventually gained revenge after teaming up with fellow Cebuana Jane Diaz to beat Ilonggas Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain.

Gendrauli and Diaz, representing Gilligan’s, beat Ceballos and Orendain of the Foton Tornadoes to rule the inaugural PLDT Home Ultera Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015 at Sands By the Bay in SM Mall of Asia last weekend.

It was sweet revenge for Gendrauli. Two years ago in Boracay, Southwestern University’s Cebuana pair of Gend-

Danika Gendrauli (right) digs the volleyball even as teammate Jane Diaz (2) looks on. The pair beat the Ilongga tandem of Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain to rule the inaugural PLDT Home Ultera Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015 at Sands By the Bay in SM Mall of Asia. PETER ATENCIO rauli and Raphril Aguilar failed to meet expectations in the women’s division of the Nestea

Beach Volleyball wars in Boracay. Central Philippines University with Ilonggas Ceballos

and Jovelyn Gonzaga won that tournament.

Looking back, Gendrauli said

her battle against Ceballos and Gonzaga was at a different level than the PSL tournament.

“Collegiate yun noon.

Ngayon professional na ito,” said Gendrauli who battled a high fever during the last weekend of the tournament.

She and Diaz got past Ceballos and Orendain, 19-21, 2114, 15-11, for the women’s title.

“My temperature was 38.4-degree celsius. I was really sick the past three days but I still did my best to train and come up with necesarry preparations,” said Gendrauli.

The Cebuana pair relied on their experience to beat the Ilonggas. Gendrauli and Diaz found the winds too breezy at Manila Bay and took care not to unleash strong spikes.

With the wind blowing the ball westward, Gendrauli and Diaz struggled to get the proper timing after Ceballos and Orendain took the first set, 21-19.

Diaz scored twice on attacks in the latter of the second set, handing them a decisive 17-11 lead, and after her balls landed behind Orendain.

“We changed our targets to Patty, because Fiola was scoring more,” said Gendrauli.

Getting their timing right in the third set, Gendrauli and Diaz scored on a net error, on a kill and a drop shot to grab a 13-9 spread in the final set.

Gendrauli, touched off a 3-0 run to give Gilligan’s a 5-3 advantage at the start of the deciding third.

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SPORTS

ARMAN ARMERO EDITOR

sports@thestandard.com.ph

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JUNE MAR FAJARDO

THE GENTLE GIANT SPEAKS

was then coaching SMB’s Asean Basketball League team, and Peter Martin.

Already tall at 6-5, but still skinny, June was immediately taken in and played in the ABL in its 2011 season.

His agent, lawyer Baldomero Estenzo, recommended him to the SMB managefment when the ABL team w disbanded in 2012.

June Mar admitted that before going into basketball, he was interested in playing billiards and bacame quite good at it as he was inspired by the exploits of Hall of Famer “Efren “Bata” Reyes.

“Medyo magaling na ako noon sa amin sa Compostela at kalapit na bayan.

Pero sabi nila ang tangkad ko daw bakit di ako magbasketball. Mas sisikat daw ako sa basketball at kikita ng malaki kapag natanggap sa PBA. So, yun,” he said.

“I never dreamt of earning big, kasi simple lang ang buhay sa amin sa probinsya, “ June Mar added. “On Sundays, I was earning good money selling candles in the church. “ “On All Saints Day and All Souls Day, malaki talaga nagiging benta ko sa simbahan at sa sementeryo.

For three days, nakakabenta ako ng 1,000 candles a day, he said with a chuckle. “Natutuwa kasi ang mga tao sa akin, kasi ang laki-laki ko nagtitinda ako ng kandila kaya bumibili sila sa akin.”

“Masayang-masaya ako sa naging buhay ko, “June Mar, also a 3-time Best Player of the Conference, “Blessed talaga ako at nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord. “pati sa mga teammates ko na walang sawang tumutulong sa akin. sa management at sa lahat ng supporters ng team.”

“Next season, I’ll try my best ma-improve ang game ko at makatulong sa team na ma-attain ang Grand Slam na gustong ma-achieve ni Boss RSA (SMB president Ramon S. Ang).

By Eddie Alinea

IMAGINE a 6-foot-10 behemoth, a back-toback PBA Most Valuable Player awardee who can dominate the paint at any given time.

Then picture the same man as a cocky bully who throws his weight around in and out of the playing court.

Was that June Mar Fajardo you just imagined?

Yes and No. June Mar is certainly every inch the MVP that he is, but his teammate over at the newy-crowned PBA Governors’ Cup champion San Miguel Beer, skipper Arwind Santos swears that June Mar Fajardo is far from what the uninitiated basketball fan perceives him to be.

“June Mar never raises his voice in the three years we’ve been together as teammates,” Santos, the man whom Fajardo succeeded as MVP the first time he earned his honor, attested. “Para ngang hindi makababasag ng pinggan.”

“I’ve never even heard him say ‘ta....a...d ..’ or something to that effect,” Santos, who is known as the”Spider Man” in the pro league.

Even during practices and huddles, June Mar, according to Arwind, does not say anything bad or trash talk an opponent. “He allows the other guys do the braggings then then gets on he floor and gives them lesson in humility,” Santos says.

Indeed, the only third man to win two sraight MVPs in the PBA seems too good to be true. OM a phone interview weeks after the Beermen swept the Alaska Aces for the Governors Cup title, June Mar was as accommodating

GENTLE GIANT. San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo uses

his size against his opponents to score inside the paint in these file photos. The back-to-back MVP awardee, however, is a different person outside the hardcout—shy, soft-spoken and gentle.

and as gentle as advertised.

“Hello po. Sorry po, di ko kayo agad natawagan. Nasa probinsya po ako nang tumawag kayo at mahina po ang signal dito sa Compostela (in Cebu),” he greeted me in a voice a little louder than a whisper.

A little later, June Mar told me his story.

“I actualy sttarted playing basketball during my elementary school days, “ he narrated. “Kaya lang laro-laro lang muna sa mga barangay. Kahit noong high school na ako sa Bato National high School in

Toledo City, wala pa ring pumapansin sa akin. Six-three na ako noon.”

“Nag-serious ako sa basketbal noong college na ako.

I walked in as a player-to-be sa University of Cebu were I enrolled as a HRM student,” added June Mar, the eldest of two sons of Bonifacio and Marites Fajardo.

It was at the UC where he was discovered by scouts from Manila, specifically by the late Bobby Parks, who

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

PCHRD’S RUN 4HEALTH RESEARCH

By Danny Simon

MAYOR’S TOSS. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte tosses the

ceremonial ball in the opening game between Royal Mandaya CMO and Montana Pawnshop in the Kadayawan Basketball Invitational tournament held at the Almendras Gym (Davao City Sports Center) as RM-CMO team owner Glenn Escando and Duterte Basketball League chief Regino Boy Cua look on. The tournament was organized by Bong Go which was also participated by Goldstar and the visiting MP Pacman team from General Santos City. DANNY SIMON

MISSION accomplished.

This was the declaration made

by Philippine Commission for Health Research and Development executive director Dr, Jaime Montoya, who spearheaded the initial salvo of the Run 4Health Research during the awarding ceremony at the Cultural Center of the Philippines ground in Pasay City held last weekend.

Over a thousand leisure,health, competitive and fun runners from Metro Manila and nearby areas, includign celebrities from sports and entertainment media and, along with Dr. Montoya himself, answered the starting gun promoting awareness for the innovation of health research through in the event organized by Streetwise Public Rela-

tion Events Management led by race director Kenneth Montegrande.

The overwhelming success of the PCHRD run which was held under the umbrella of the Department of Science and Technology in cooperation of Council of Health Research Development which is also its way of informing the publc particularly health enthusiasts of the the upcoming Global Forum on Health Research Innovation to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center from August 24 to 27, which is a worldwide advocacy.

The huge turnout last Sunday dawn at the CCP grounds inspired Dr. Montoya to set a much bigger event—Run 4Health Research2— in time for PCHRD’s anniversary celebration early next year.

“Brace for a bigger and colorful sequel of this successful advocacy

run event as we expect to double or triple our participants from enthusiasts who contribute in this novle endeavor that will benefit the public in Innovarive health research aspect,” said Montoya, who acknowledged the cited race director /journalist/event specialist Montegrande for a job well done.

In the competitive category of the race supported by Uni Silver Time Watch,New Market Link, Pharmaceutical Corporation, Nissin, NovaDynamics C500and Great Taste, Richard Velanya and Jander Tawagan ruled the 10k men and women’s category while veteran runner Marvin Guarte and Mary Ann Perez dominated 5k race, respectively bringing home cash prizes and elegant trophies while all finishers received race certificates,singlets and goodies from PCHRD.

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S U N D aY : a U g U S t 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

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

SportS RG RaiSeS hiS tRophy at the podium.

Speed fReak

SuperbikeS’

next big thing?

by Ramon D. boado Photos by Leo Cordova

WHAT is a budding film director doing in the world of motorsports, particularly superbikes racing?

Believe or not, Reghis Reginauld Romero V, or RG Romero to his close friends, says there is a link between these two totally opposite fields.

“Racing and directing in general require persistence and consistency. They both require practice and each and every time you race or you make a film, you learn something and make sure the next time you do it again, you learn from it and make sure you do better. On the other hand, in directing, you get several takes to perfect a scene but when it comes to racing, you only get one chance if not, you’ll lose. Hence, each and every time you go out, you have to give your best,” said RG, who recently won the Beginner’s Class of the Ducati Cup at the Clark International Speedway.

RG, who took Film Making at the New York Film Academy with Associates in Fine Arts, is a young man of many talents, and racing

has been an integral part of his life.

He was an Asian Karting Open Champion in 2009, when he also represented the Philippines in the International ROK Cup Final in Lonato, Italy.

Schooling momentarily took away RG from the racetrack and when he returned this year, he leveled up and took on the challenge of the more dangerous superbikes racing. After only a couple of races, he has already carved a name for himself in the sport as SIDO Motorad WRD Cup 2nd Placer, Ducati Cup 4th Leg Beginners’ Class Champion and third placer in the Pirelli Cup 3rd Leg Heavy Weight Class A. “Ever since I can remember, my dad has always been into racing. I can still remember him racing 4x4s and superbikes. At first, I didn’t want to do it because I didn’t think it would be any fun.

At the end of the day, I gave racing a try and I immediately fell in

love,” said RG, who likes superstar biker Valentino Rossi “because I want to still be able to achieve what he is currently achieving despite his age.”

He added: “I’ve always like the thrill, the speed and the adrenaline that comes with it. Also, that feeling of when you’re on the grid and you’re waiting for the red light to go off.”

His most memorable race came in the SIDO Cup.

the film makeR

RG in action

“It was my first wet race and I wasn’t able to mount my rain tires on time. All my opponents were on rain tires except for me. Also, I was third on the grid and after the first turn of the first lap I was already on the first position; but before I could finish the first lap, I was too overwhelmed by everything and I ended on a low side, being forced to retire from the race. Fortunately, I was still awarded as the 2nd placer despite

my crash,” he said.

Like all great champions, RG wants to keep getting better.

“I would like to keep practicing until I get to compete with the experts and see what I’m truly capable of. I finished California Superbikes School Level 1 & 2 and I really want to pursue levels 3 & 4, when I get the chance so I can improve more as a racer,” said RG, whose immediate goal is to become overall champion of the Ducati Cup (Beginners Class) “For the Pirelli Cup, I would just like to be in the podium because I just join to get as much experience as I can so I can be ready for nationals for 2016 PSBK Season,” said RG. His goal in the future?

“I want to be the next Philippine Superbike Rider and champion of the year. Also, I want people to know that I am the next big thing.

Hopefully, in 5, 10 years, I’m already recognized as the Philippine Superbike Champion. I would also like to share the knowledge and the gift that I have to the young and upcoming racers of the future. On the side, I still see myself competing internationally and represent the Philippines.”

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

S U NDAY L IF E

LIFE

ISSA LITTON:

A GIFT OF VOICE

I

n any event or occasion, anybody with good looks or great personality can draw a crowd, but it takes a certain talent to sustain the attention of a crowd because events can sometimes get tedious and boring. A good host is an essential ingredient to spice up the gathering and if you’re lucky to get invited to one of those events where Issa Litton is hosting, it’s a guarantee that your attention will be glued on the stage.

“Good evening everyone!” she’ll usually exclaim on the mic in an energetic and spunky manner and instantly the crowd will stop whatever they are doing and all eyes will be on stage. There is something about her energy that gives off a good vibe and wakes everyone inside the room. “Honestly events can be so boring, example if its an 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. corporate function, it is my responsibility to wake up the crowd and make them care. For me, I feed off the crowd, there is a collective energy in any group of people. If you know how to harness that, you know how to attack,” Issa explains. She attributes this tecnhique from her background in theater and the almost 16 years experience in holding the microphone.

From bar tours to PBA Live TV, to acting on TV and theater, to event hosting, there seems to be no stopping this Ateneo Communication Arts graduate who started when she was still in college. “Eight to 10, 10 to 12, three to five, six to nine, 10 to 12…” she was reciting time as she counted

BY TATUM ANCHETA PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

the numbers on her fingers, “Five! That’s how many events I can possibly do in a day!” she exclaims while everyone’s jaw dropped on the floor and I screamed in horror at the thought of going to all those functions.

“The key is staying in the moment, focus where you’re at,” she adds. “Also I have so much fun in any event I host, I don’t think it can get any better than – I get to go to an event and also be part of it. “ Hosting, like any publc speaking, is “power.” Commanding the crowd is the host’s responsibility and the message that will be conveyed all throughout the show is also dependent on him/her. “A good host doesn’t call attention to herself, you’re supposed to represent the company or function you are speaking for. Direct the attention of the audience, set something up, and make them care,” says Issa. “As a host, I believe that you use your voice as a gift; it is simply a means to a bigger picture.” She says she personally loves events that are

good for the country or events that have a bigger advocacy, or even corporate gatherings. “I get to see how companies treat their people.

They want to throw a party for their people, that’s why they hire someone like me, not to boast about their company but because they want to give their people the break and recognition that they deserve. “ A celebrity, an influencer, an actress, a teacher, an event’s host – just some of the hats Issa Litton plays in her daily life, but what gives her great pride is the job of being a mom to her two daughters. “If you ask my daughter what mom does for a living, she’ll say ‘Talking’!” she laughs.

Even with her busy schedule she finds time to be with her kids. “I’m still very hands on; technology helps. There are days when I’d be backstage for my play and while waiting I would be on the phone helping with their homework.

My daughter would take a picture and send it over to me and I would tell her if there was something wrong with her assignment.” Even

at their young age, they understand their mom’s chosen profession and Issa says she’s blessed to have such a good support team.

“Bella, when she was in grade one or two, they had this activity in school (where) she was given adjectives to complete – ‘black’… board; ‘pretty’… flower, ‘strong woman’… ‘my mom’.”

Issa says that everytime she recalls that story, it still brings tears to her eyes.

The name Litton has always been affiliated with the stage and the spotlight, from Issa’s famous uncle Johnny Litton, her late mom Grace Litton who was also an actress, and her sister Cesca Litton who is a TV Host. You can say the talent of “talking” runs in the family. The gift of “voice,” a talent that not everyone possesses.

When asked what will make her stop hosting, “It’s like asking…” she paused, the woman who is always talking couldn’t find the words. “If Uncle Johnny is my peg, then I’m set, hopefully hosting will always be there.

I love how Paolo Bediones said it, ‘You’re old, reliable,’ I don’t mind being that at all.”

Makeup by NYX Cosmetics Philippines.

Branches: SM Megamall Bldg A, SM Fairview, SM Cebu, SM North Edsa Annex, SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Makati, SM North Edsa, SM Manila. Makeup artist Blessida Laurio assisted by Edna Calalo.

Blue long dress by Eric delos Santos Special thanks to Facial Care Centre The Fort for lending us their posh clinic for the shoot location.

SUNDAY : AUGUST 16 : 2015

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

LARA ONE MEETS CUBBY WHO HAS NONE CAROTID ARTERY

BY TATUM ANCHETA

W

e had just landed at NAIA and as I was prepping to get up and fix my stuff, the flight attendant was giving the usual spiel over the microphone. And as I sat there watching people ignoring the message, I heard her again, this time in Tagalog. “Mga binibini, ginang at ginoo, kalalapag po lamang natin sa Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Ninoy Aquino.

Manatiling nakaupo at nakasuot ang sinturong pangkaligtasan hanggang ang ating sasakyan ay ganap ng nakahinto sa himpilan.

Sa ngalan ni Kapitan Alejandro, at sa lahat ng bumubuo sa amin, maraming salamat sa inyong pagtangkilik sa...”

I asked my friend seated beside me if she could repeat exactly what the attendant said, in pure Tagalog and as we tried to do so we both laughed at ourselves because honestly, we wouldn’t even know how to translate seatbelt in Tagalog had the attendant not said it. It is easy memorizing and saying something that is already written by someone else, but in our daily lives we don’t normally tell our kids in the backseat, “Okay mga bata, isuot nyo na ang inyong sinturong pangkaligtasan.” If we do, I’m sure they’ll just stare and start to giggle.

Now that we are celebrating “Buwan ng Wika” for the whole month of August, I wanted to do a social experiment in the office to ask the editorial to just speak pure Tagalog in normal conversation. I wonder how the engagement will be like. When I was still in advertising I asked my creative team to translate this in Filipino: “The chocolate pastries from the bakeshop only use organic produce, supplied regularly by nearby farms.”

Everyone would try and pause at the word “supply.” “Ano nga ba ang Tagalog word for ‘supply’?” Everyone’s instinct was to go to Google translate and they ended up with the word “panustos,” and we’re just bewildered at how to use the word. One of my officemates tried to speak pure Filipino in one of our brand briefings just for fun and we all wanted to throw our pens at him because it took forever for him to convey sentences and it was so painful to hear words that don’t really blend well together if said in Tagalog.

During the past days I’ve been bugging my friends whose kids are in grade school to share with me some insights on how they converse with their kids and how they are in their Filipino subjects and all I got were rants and screenshots from other moms complaining on social media on how hard Filipino subject and Araling Panlipunan is. In a society where kids are raised to speak in English, it is getting harder to educate them in Filipino as they progress in grade school. “My son Enzo did pretty well in his Filipino class, he got a 98 in his report card. I’m learning while teaching him, too. I talk to him in Tagalog so he would learn. The challenge is how to make him speak it because he understands Tagalog but he can’t say it properly,” shares Nichole Austria, a professional makeup artist who raises two kids, an eight- and a three-year-old.

“One time, my kid was asking help for his assignment and he kept saying, “Magdikit ng Lara One.” He kept asking me what “Lara One” meant and I just kept asking who is Lara and if there is a Lara Two. He was so frustrated, so he just handed me his notes and apparently it was ‘magdikit ng larawan’!”she laughs.

I could cite a few more anecdotes from my other friends and it can be compiled as

endless scripts for a standup comic. Like the story when “Cubby Has None.” One time, I overheard my former office mate Laurie Lee, Client Service Director of DFCB who raises her eight-year-old son Kaiyan in grade school, laughing as she shared the story about her son’s Araling Panlipunan homework.

She kept saying “Cubby has none” and I asked who is “Cubby.” Apparently her son was referring to kabihasnan or civilization, just one of the many things she dreads when her kid brings Filipino homework as she has a hard time speaking the language herself.

“He barely even understood the difference between babae and lalaki so that’s when I panicked. I enrolled him in a special Saturday class for Filipino and to my surprise, the classrooms were packed!”

I guess this proves that there are a lot of frustrated parents needing help to educate their kids about our own language.

“I still see the value of Filipino language but kids need to learn Filipino in a more conversational manner,” Laurie adds. Right now if extra classes won’t suffice, parents are getting creative in teaching their kids, either downloading Filipino apps, using flash cards and simple Tagalog books or having Tagalog nights where parents speak straight Tagalog at home.

“I think, in general, if children do not practice or use the Filipino language regularly (at home or in school) then they will find it hard to use it, much more learn it in school,” explains Teach for the Philippines’ programming and training manager, Jhon Hayden Bale. “Furthermore, if children do not find the use of Filipino in their lives, then it will be very hard for them. The modern approaches to teaching Filipino can include teaching strategies that will be most effective in teaching kids, be it Filipino, English, Science or Math.”

Teach for the Philippines is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide education for Filipino children by enlisting young educators to teach for two years in public school throughout the Philippines.

“In Filipino, we can use Constructivist Approaches where teachers can start where

the students are and build concepts from what the students already know. Teachers can also use the Four-Pronged Approach to develop the love for reading and then eventually discussing the concepts and skills for Filipino.

But whatever approach will be used, be it modern or traditional, if the students do not find the meaning, relevance or use of the topic/subject to them, they will find it hard to learn,” he adds. “If schools will be true to the K to 12 Curriculum, then the modern way to teach Filipino would be through storybased approach and remembering that the purpose of learning Filipino is learning how to communicate effectively.”

I think as early as possible, parents should be teaching their kids to speak and understand bi-lingual communication as English and Filipino are often used in daily lives whether in normal conversation or work. I once stopped my sister-in-law from talking to Caleb, her two-year-old son in Tagalog as it confuses him. But I was wrong, because talking to him both in Filipino and English teaches my nephew to understand and speak both languages. Now when he tries to explain something and you don’t seem to understand he would translate what he is saying, “Ninang down! There there, down, baba! Baba! Puppy! Aso!” and you just feel stupid cuz he makes you feel like you don’t understand English.

“I think the Filipino language is currently in a predicament as it fights for relevance and existence in today’s society,” Jhon says. “This predicament could be a good thing if it helps strengthen the country’s identity as a whole.”

He explains that as Filipinos accommodate words from other languages, including ‘Beki’ words, the society might think that it dilutes the essence of our language. “I think it just proves that the Filipino language is alive and dynamic and responds to the needs of the society. In schools, Filipino language is used for communicating and relating to other people. We should always remember that the main purpose of language is for us to communicate, and the Filipino language in schools, helps us achieve that objective.”

SUNDAY : AUGUST 16 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

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COMMITMENTS

Home buddies.

During a recent trip to Vancouver.

Gone fishing.

AGAINST ALL ODDS

BY TEENA BARRETTO Photos courtesy of Chito (@chitomirandajr) and Neri’s (@little_lulu___) Instagram accounts

P

arokya ni Edgar frontman, Alfonso “Chito” Yanga Miranda Jr., and TV personality Nerizza “Neri” Presnede Naig, are the first to admit that never once did they imagine they would end up together and make that trip to the wedding altar.

“Unexpected love story! Hindi siya ’yong guy na na-imagine ko na pakasalan before, and siya naman, never niya na-imagine na magpakasal (He wasn’t the guy I imagined I would marry, and he never thought he would get married),” Neri shared, admitting in previous interviews that Chito wasn’t really her type. He performs in a band, is tattooed, and is at times unpredictable.

It didn’t help that Chito had an image of being a “serial dater” and was always surrounded by other women who adored him. Chito didn’t exactly fit the mold, so to speak. Neri, who is a self-confessed “probinsyana,” got somehow intimidated by Chito’s rockstar persona.

But as fate would have it, Chito and Neri did end up together and they did make that proverbial trip to the wedding altar on two occasions: a civil rite on December 13, 2014 in Taguig City, and a symbolic garden wedding in Angelfields Nature Sanctuary, near Tagaytay City the following day, December 14.

“Chito married me and made me the happiest girl on earth,” Neri shares. Chito, for his part, says Neri just “stuck with me when I was at my worst.”

Asked if marriage has changed a thing about their four-year relationship, Neri says, “Wala talaga (none whatsoever)!”

Taken right after they exchanged “I dos” last December 13 during their civil wedding ceremony officiated by Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

And it’s a good thing. Yes, marriage would bring your relationship to another level, but it should not change a thing about you and your partner. Chito and Neri are the same homebodies who like spending their free days at home, eating, watching TV, playing with their cats and dogs, and doing nothing. This very simple and down-to-earth couple are goofy individuals who can laugh at themselves and talk about even the most mundane of things.

Neri, as Chito puts it, is the “perfect wife.”

Neri, after all, has no airs. She takes pleasure in spending hours in ukay-ukay shops, digging through piles of bargain items for surprising finds. She makes a regular trip to the palengke to buy ingredients and other stuff that she needs for Chito’s favorite dishes.

Neri created this area in their porch which serves as her afternoon tea spot and Chito’s “tambayan” with his buddies.

Chito, Neri says, is the “ideal husband.”

Not many know that this funny guy is at his happiest when he’s at home, just hanging out and spending “kulitan time” with Neri is enough for Chito. I guess that’s the best thing about marrying your best friend – you don’t really feel the need to “do something” – being together is more than enough.

In each other’s arms, Chito and Neri have found the life that they’d always dreamed about. They don’t need to live in the lap of luxury to be truly happy.

“Sobrang saya! Parang mag-boyfriend girlfriend pa rin kami, (very happy! Like we’re still boyfriend-girlfriend)” Neri says, adding that Chito is caring, sweet, and thoughtful. “I cook; he eats. Hahaha!”

This husband and wife are in no hurry to have kids. But if ever they do get blessed with little Chitos and little Neris, they want to have three to five kids. For now they are happy playing “mom” and “dad” to their pets.

Chito and Neri have many things to tick off in their bucket list. Traveling the world together is one of them. They’ve been to Dubai, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, the US and Canada.

Their ultimate life goal, according to Chito, is to “travel more, and to make more money while working less.” They’re investing their money wisely so that they can retire young. Neri adds, “We’ve done everything that we’ve wanted to do. We just want to make more memories by traveling more.”

Chito and Neri are taking married life one day at a time. They have many plans for themselves and for the future family that they’re building, but they don’t want to plan too far head that they’d forget to live in the moment and appreciate the here and the now. “We are thankful for everything. What we want is just to live a simple life while making money and doing nothing except enjoying ourselves,” Neri adds.

Looking back, Chito and Neri both agree that their “kilig” love story made them experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But the important thing, as Neri points out, is that “the highs outweigh the lows.”

The greatest life (and love) lesson that they’ve learned? “To always love and respect one another,” Neri concludes.

With their babies: Golden retriever Colt, and German shepherd Riley.

With another one of their “babies,” fluffy Persian cat Snowy

This is Neri’s “too-excited-for-words” look during a recent book sale in Manila. She loves going to thrift shops and finding the best bargains.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

International A-list stars in their moment: Robert Miller, Atty. Mela Bengzon, Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno with Madame Agnes Roscigno and Ito Curata.

Handsome couple Issa Litton and Philip Cu-Unjieng.

Suzette Hahn-Lopez with Noy Anson and Elaine Rojas Villar channeling Monaco’s Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly.

Salome Uy channeling Audrey Hepburn in the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

@LIFEatStandard

Visual artist and philanthropist Marivic Rufino.

Ablaza royalty: Czarina Ablaza-Syquia and artist Jun Jun Ablaza in their royal ensemble.

Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhua looking elegant as ever.

Dapper businessman Mario Stark can be mistaken for Iron Man in the flesh.

Johnny Litton in his element as he relived his many years in the movie, television and entertainment industries and expressed his appreciation to guests.

Philippine haute couture designers with their lovely muse Diplomatic connections: (seated) Consul Mellie Ablaza of Businessman Richard Tiu with Consul Fortune Ledesma Guatemala, Consul Luis Ablaza, Jr. of Zambia; (standing of Monaco and CATS Motors’ Felix Ang. Mia Borromeo of Tatler Traveller – knit-queen Lulu Tanfrom left) socialite Mayenne Carmona, this columnist and Gan and Ito Curata.

Joseph FK Assad.

Businessman Philip Dizon with former First Lady and now Congresswoman Imelda Marcos who was one of the iconic personalities he has photographed.

OH YES, TO HOLLYWOOD! I Images captured by PHILDIZ Photo Gallery (www.phildiz.com)

Hollywood chic ladies, Atty. Mela Bengzon, Rachel De Guzman and Hera Geriene.

Max and Zelda Kienle enjoying their Hollywood moment at the party.

Fit for Hollywood royalty, A-list couple Mikee and Sheila Romero.

Grand dames Consul Evie Costa of A lady of style and Togo and Madame Nene Leonor. substance, Linda Ley was the spitting image of Chinese actress Gong Li.

Oriental beauties Susan Vergara, Aida Cobankiat, Charlene Tiu and Ruby Chua.

Sheree Chua with equally beautiful mother Flora Chua.

Shining star Myrna Yao.

would like to set the record straight: of the grand ballroom (spotted were I did not get the golden ticket to Maleficent, Queen Elsa, and Cleopatra Hollywood (I have no imminent in the flesh “ushering” guests in), avid plans to shift careers), okay? I to greet the “man-of-the-moment” a have received something far more very happy birthday. significant – a personal invitation to I was favored to have attended Johnny Litton’s birthday bash as it goes Johnny Litton’s many birthday parties by the theme “Hollywood Glamour” #INTHEMOMENT (on several occasions) of years past this year.

BY FRANCIS DE LEON when I was an hotelier and then as The setting was not in Hollywood, now, it’s always well attended. An Los Angeles, USA, but the glitz and invitation to his lavish parties was glamour for the birthday celebration of everyone’s considered his grand gesture of appreciation for favorite high society arbiter transported me to the old the love given to him by his family and friends. He Hollywood era. A period, I would like to believe, that is, after all, the consummate master of ceremonies was the height of star power and lucid sophistication. for many milestones and grand occasions (so now It was, by all account, a fabulous affair. It seemed you know why people say “Oh Yes” to Johnny). that everyone in café society (the “who’s who” in Needless to say, he has touched so many hearts Manila’s diplomatic, business and social scenes) especially those he has meaningful connections with came in full force, all dapper and glammed up, to in both business and (pardon the pun) pleasure. celebrate the man they adore.

Fortunately, I was at the receiving end of his wisdom The red carpet was ready for that paparazzi moment and mentorship when I was starting out in the of the guest list composed of Manila’s crème de la industry. My respect for him was forged with deep crème (mind you, with shiny cherries on top and gratitude and love. all the frosted bling fillings) in their regal fashion.

On the occasion marking the day of his birth, The Mayuree Ballroom of Dusit Thani Manila was your columnist asked the celebrant on what makes decked out with floral adornments, and the tables him feel “in the moment” the most, to which he were set with silver and crystal. The buffet of antipasti immediately replied: “Whenever I am with family and decadent desserts were a feast for the eyes and and friends who love me.” definitely meant to satisfy the palate. The flowing And so loved (with a heartfelt expression of wine and bubbly kept the crowd luxuriously hydrated. admiration) he was! Tito Johnny, I wish for your It was, after all, the yearly party where everyone moments to be filled with so much love and more toasts Johnny Litton’s many years of life, love laughter as they unfold. and laughter!

I can’t wait for next year’s celebration! Cheers!

Johnny welcomed more than 400 guests who all trooped to the Hollywood-studio inspired setting Follow me on Twitter or Instagram @francis_deleon8.

S UNDAY : AUGUST 16, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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BOBSON UNVEILS NEW DENIM STYLES

M

ention the words “closet staple” and jeans automatically come to mind. As the go-to outfit that can easily create fuss-free yet fashionable looks, it’s important to invest in a good pair that will last through daily activities and numerous washes. Pure Japanese denim brand Bobson that has the quality, comfort, and style you are looking for has just the right pieces for both men and women who want their closet staple with the clean and crisp Japanese aesthetic.

Four different jeans make up each of the men and women’s collections, all crafted to reflect the superior craftsmanship of Japan. All are simple with streamlined cuts that provide the perfect fit. They’re also versatile and can be worn in many ways with various types of tops and shoes and can even be cuffed for that extra twist.

Headlining the men’s denim line is the Okayama, which takes off from the name of Japan’s denim capital where Bobson was born. It’s the mid-rise original cut, slightly tapered, and best worn with relaxed shirts.

Kanagawa is the slim straight cut jeans, which look stylish with tailored polo shirts, while those looking for a low-rise tapered fit can put on the Tokyo jeans.

Women looking for their new no-fail pair can rely on Bobson’s styles for women like the skinny Natsuki jeans.

The super low skinny style is one that flatters and can be dressed up with a slim belt for added impact. Those into jeggings (jeans + leggings) will also take delight in the Juri jeans, which can be cuffed and worn with tucked-in tops. The Tami is Bobson’s tapered denims for women and makes for extra polished looks especially when worn with button-up polos. Bobson also joins the high-waist trend with the Ria, which look extra chic with plain colored or cropped tops.

Dress up in that winning, effortless look with Bobson jeans and update your wardrobe with a pair of new closet staples that bring quality, comfort, and style.

Visit BOBSON’s official Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/BOBSONJapan or bobsonjapan.com for more information.a

WHICH BROTHERS BURGER ARE YOU?

B

Blues Brothers Burger

rothers Burger’s designer and premium burgers all taste like heaven but each is delicious in its own way. Are you simple and straightforward like the classic Brothers Burger or are you more bold and adventurous like the Sicilian burger? Which Brothers Burger is most like you?

Classic. When people have had a long, tiring day, you’re always the first one they turn to. You know just what they need, and welcome them with a warm, familiar sense of home. Much like the Brothers, AllAmerican Cheeseburger, and Ranchero burgers with their timeless, melted cheesy goodness, you’re one always worth coming back to.

Extreme Bacon Burger

Extreme. You love living life on the wild side and never hesitate to put a surprising spin on things if you can. Always out of the ordinary and yet never too much to handle, you’re a lot like the inventive Extreme Bacon with bacon in the meat.

There’s always an adventure to be had with you around—and that’s what people love about you.

Premium. You know what you want, and what you want leans towards the finer things in life. You never settle for less than the best, which is why the Black Angus burger with its grade-A patty, Brothers Lamb burger with feta cheese and homemade pesto, and Blues Brothers burger with creamy bleu cheese are perfect for you. With the choicest,

Pounder

top-rate ingredients that keep those at the next table staring, these burgers are dressed to impress and grilled to perfection.

Hearty. You fill the room with your presence as soon as you walk in, fascinating those around you. While you might seem daunting at first, you’re too good to resist.

But people can’t get enough of you, like the uber-satisfying Double Brothers, Big Brothers, and Brothers Pounder burgers that are crowd favorites and keep the folks coming back for more.

Brothers Burger has always been known for their mouthwatering patties made even better by their ingenious toppings and ingredients. Whatever size, style, or

Sicilian Burger

appetite you walk into a Brothers Burger with, there’s always going to be a burger just for you.

Brothers Burger branches in Metro Manila are in Convergys Makati, Petron Dasmarinas Village, Westgate Alabang, Greenhills, Paseo de Magallanes, RCBC Plaza Ayala Avenue, Ortigas, Lucky Chinatown Mall Binondo, Trinoma, and Bonifacio High Street. And outside of Metro Manila it is in Davao, Nuvali Sta. Rosa Laguna, and Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

For promos and updates, please follow Brothers Burger at facebook.com/ OfficialBrothersBurger, twitter.com/ brothersburger and instagram.com/ brothersburger.

S UNDAY : AUGUST 16, 2015

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SHOWBITZ

EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Big Jazz Balloon feat.

Pierre Oser

WIN BIG WITH LG G4 AT LG’S BIG SALE LG Mobile has a treat for those wanting to have the chance to get their hands on their own LG G4 this weekend. Consumers can enjoy a big P4,000 slash off LG G4’s original price.

This promo lets consumers get the genuine vegetable-tanned leather-backed powerhouse smartphone in tan, black, and red from P32,990 down to P28,990 only. Or if they’re after the sleeker version of the most ambitious smartphone to date, they can get the metallic back with diamond-cut detailing in titan gray, shiny gold, or ceramic white from P31,990 down to P27,990 at the sale.

The LG G4 is equipped with impressive camera features: 16-megapixel laser autofocus rear camera with f/1.8 aperture level perfect for low light photography, 8-megapixel front camera, RAW file format capability, and the Manual Mode which enables the user to adjust ISO levels, brightness, aperture level, shutter speed, and white balance similar to a professional DSLR camera. The mobile technology leader is letting users enjoy this by including a FREE 32 GB microSD Card valued at Php 1,000. If that’s not enough, LG is also including an additional 100 GB worth of Google Drive storage with a two-year period extension valued at Php, 2,200.

SILENT FILM SHOWCASES FILIPINO-GERMAN COLLABORATION German silent film musician and composer Pierre Oser is coming to Manila for the third time this year to grace the 9th International Silent Film Festival from Aug. 27 to 30 at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Working with Pierre for this gig is Filipino virtuoso Jaimar Pierre Oser Palispis, associate director of the group KontraGaPi (Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino), an official ethnic music and dance ensemble of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Pierre and Jaimar have been exchanging notes for months in preparation for the festival. Together, they are writing the musical accompaniment to Germany’s entry, Walther Ruttmann’s one-hour documentary about the German capital entitled Berlin, die Sinfonie der Großstadt (“Berlin, Symphony of a Great City”). Pierre, Jaimar and his band, Big Jazz Balloon, will accompany the screening live on Aug. 29, 5:00pm at ShangriLa Plaza’s Cinema 2.

Jaimar and Pierre are coming up with a piece that will incorporate an assortment of indigenous Filipino instruments, and will

showcase a brand of jazz spiced with a unique Filipino flavor. Big Jazz Balloon’s “ethnic section” will include sets of Kulintang, Agong and Gandingan from Mindanao and a number of bamboo instruments from the Cordilleras.

Pierre Oser will be in Manila by the invitation of the Goethe-Institut, the German Cultural Center in the Philippines, which promotes cultural exchange between Germany and the Philippines. Pierre is a veteran of countless silent film productions and is the man behind most musical rearrangements of German silent film classics.

The International Silent Film Festival Manila will feature nine films from nine countries on its ninth year. Participating countries alongside Germany are the Philippines, Spain, Japan, Italy, France, Thailand, Austria and the United States. Admission to all screenings is free and open to the public. Seats will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more information, send an e-mail to program@manila.goethe.org or visit the festival Facebook page: FB.com/ InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Evening gown fabric 6 Cohort of Sneezy 11 “Destry Rides —” 16 Monastery dweller 21 Aileron locale 22 Use Artgum 23 Locale of Margaret Mead study 24 Fencer’s move 25 React to a funny joke 26 Cut gemstone feature 27 Murphy’s Law word 28 Traffic no-no (hyph.)

29 Not there yet 31 Violinist — Stern 33 Mach 1 exceeder 35 Primary color 36 Sock part 37 Europe-Asia divider 38 Jason’s ship 39 Flood barriers

ISAH V. RED

41 42 44 46 51 52 53 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75

Hot time in Quebec Verse Madrid’s Louvre Lodestones Binds up Indy winner A.J. — Slow pitches Cooks’ attire Smaller than mini Tractor preceders Strike out Thin wedges Well-known Heroic tales Alaskan town Feel under par More cunning Search high and low Oscar-winning Meryl Casually Piltdown Man, e.g.

Windy City airport Jogs the memory Listens to

77 78 79 82 83 84 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 101 103 104 105 106 108 110 111 114 115 117 120 121 123 125 127 129 131 133 134 135 136 137 138

Marlins’ city Conduits Guaranteed Bankrolls Printer’s option “Macbeth” trio Get ready (2 wds.)

In poor taste Ocean’s motions “A Boy Named —” Shore indentation Egg parts Freeway cloggers Whale’s diet Autumn mo.

Make dirty End Start walking Hot rum drink WWW addresses Blissful spot Hold the title to Twig-and-mud homes Did footnotes Pillbox or bowler Sneak attack Board game pair Particles Grassy square Barney Rubble, to Fred Flintstone Pedro’s aunt Hitch — — Kind of vaudeville Inner self Cheese portion Rodeo gear Lessen the courage of The slow lane Notifies Pay homage Jones or Kelly Nevada lake

Get a free LG G4 Quick Circle Case valued at Php 1,500 when your purchase the metallic or ceramic variant of LG G4.

The LG G4 is one of the remaining smartphones to retain its removable back plate that exposes its removable battery and expandable memory with microSD Card slot. And for those who are anxious to know the feel of genuine leather on their hands, LG’s including one leather-back case for free valued at P1,500 in different limited edition colors—light blue, yellow, pink, and orange—when they purchase the leather back variant.

For those who will be purchasing the metallic LG G4, they can also get a Quick Circle Case free in gray, gold, and white, also valued at P1,500.

“We are happy that the LG G4 has been welcomed in the Philippines with positivity since we launched it here. Through this sale, we want to express our gratitude to our customers who have been loyal to our brand and our products,” Vice President for Mobile Communications Jay Won said.

So on top of the P4,000 price slash off, consumers can enjoy up to a total of P4,700 worth of freebies when they get their LG G4 at a steal.

The big LG G4 sale will be running until today only. For more details about the “LG 3-Day Big Sale,” visit http://www.lg.com/ ph/inside-lg/3-day-big-sale.

To learn more about LG G4, visit www.lg.com/ph; like LG Philippines’ Facebook page; or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015

139 To date (2 wds.)

140 Makes smooth 141 Restaurant patron DOWN 1 Divide 2 Bowie’s last stand 3 Gray-brown 4 He wrote “Picnic” 5 Indira’s father 6 Overcomes 7 Apollo’s priestess 8 Treaties 9 Language suffix 10 Sherpa’s sighting 11 Teeming 12 Home annex 13 Former oil giant 14 Type of microscope 15 Badgers 16 Like some piecrusts 17 Groove 18 Desensitize 19 See eye to eye 20 Tears to pieces 30 Stews over 32 Authority (hyph.)

34 Ribs, slangily 40 Remote control button 42 Kitchen gadget 43 Collies do it 44 Kind of explorer 45 Blended whiskeys 46 Kenyan tribe 47 Plant parasite 48 Cook outdoors 49 — de guerre 50 USN rank 51 It “keeps on ticking” 52 Bach opus 54 Regularly 55 Half- — idea 56 Ginger cookies 58 Chichen Itza builders

59 62 63 64 65 67 68 69 71 73 74 76 77

Native New Zealander Boxer — Patterson Defrauds Bill, briefly Kind of potato Woolly mammals Of ill repute Minority groups — kidding!

Moo companions Viking letters Champagne word Oozy

78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 89 90 93

Extinct birds Winery process Monsieur, in Madrid Cannon boom Takes a spill Be accepted (2 wds.)

Whisper on stage Beach scavengers Graf rival Knells Fixed the piano Tentlike dwelling

94 95 96 98 99 100 102 105 107 108 109 110 111 112

Helper Some bout enders Hwys.

Raw fish dish Honored in style Utter, as devastation Veld grazer Walks the beat Manor Hem in Most aloof Accommodated In reserve Craze

113 “Bounty” captain 114 Every morning 115 Peer Gynt creator 116 Marsh grass 117 Short and thick 118 Weight unit 119 Prevent 122 Whodunit terrier 124 Wapitis 126 Mystery writer — Paretsky 128 Electrical unit 130 “— Girls” 132 Wheel buy (2 wds.)

S UNDAY : AUGUST 16, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C7

POE’S SON WON’T STOP MOM FROM RUNNING From C8

Senator Grace Poe’s only son, 23-yearold Brian Poe Llamanzares, has declared their family’s unequivocal support for his mother, should the senator decide to run for higher office.

Brian, who took a leave from CNN Philippines where he works as a reporter, said their family would not stand in the way of the senator being in a position to help more Filipinos.

“We are aware of the sacrifices we may have to make as a family if she runs, but we won’t be the ones to stop her from achieving her dreams for this country, which she loves so much,” Brian said.

“We see her dedication as a public servant, and things are falling into place for her in ways that amaze even us. I just pray that she would be brave enough when destiny comes calling,” he said.

Brian also said their family would support Senator Francis Escudero should he decide to run because their family has proven his loyalty and good intentions.

He said he remembers Escudero as the one who helped his grandfather Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004 and his mother in 2013.

“Senator Chiz was with my mom at her lowest, when no one wanted to back her up because of her low ratings at the start of the 2013 campaign,” Brian said.

“He supported Papa Ronnie (FPJ) and my mom even when it was not the popular thing to do. I think that says a lot about the character of Chiz as a person,” he said.

The veteran lawmaker brought Poe along in his campaign sorties because she lacked the machinery to back her candidacy. Poe ran as an independent then.

Three years later, after topping the 2013 senatorial race, Poe has proven her credibility and competence in the Senate, despite criticisms that she is not ripe for the presidency.

Brian said his mother’s “ability to do great things for our country” was obvious in the way she handled the Mamasapano hearings and proposed meaningful legislation such as the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill and the Standard Feeding Program.

“Our people deserve a better future, and if my mom can lead them to it, then we will not oppose that. Her family is 100 percent behind her,” he said. “We can’t afford to be selfish because we know the difference she can make.”

Brian, who studied political science at the Ateneo de Manila University and did an ex-

A sweet ending to the festive night is taken care of the Dessert Department’s special Coconut Jelly for dessert.

Do not miss the celebration at 7:15 tonight in Idol sa Kusina on GMA News TV. ★★★★★

CARLA RAE JEPSEN’S GIG POSTPONED

Brian Poe Llamanzares, Senator Grace Poe’s son, has no objections to his mom running for higher office

change program on writing at the Fordham University, took a potshot at those who are out to bring down his mother and mislead the Filipino people.

“Some people keep harping about experience, but what have they done in all the years, even decades, that they were in government? The Philippines needs someone with a heart for the people and the strength to lead this country where it needs to go,” Brian said.

Concert Republic announced that Carly Rae Jepsen’s concert in Manila on Aug.12 will be rescheduled. The promoter said it was with much regret the show had to be postponed.

They added that this was due to the recent typhoon, which also affected Carly Rae’s other Asian show dates.

A collective decision was made by the artist’s management to reschedule her show in the Philippines. This will also coincide with Carly Rae’s recently announced appearance at the MTV World Stage Malaysia 2015 on Sept. 12,.

Carly Rae Jepsen Live In Manila is set on Sept. 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Purchased tickets will be valid for the rescheduled date.

For more information, contact Ticketnet Hotline: (+632) 911-5555 or e-mail: ticketnet@ticketnet.com.ph ★★★★★

★★★★★

ASAP 2O TOPS SUNDAY NOONTV RATINGS

BEA BINENE COOKS FIESTA FARE Today, the whole family can have a festive moment even at home. The secret is to learn how to prepare dishes that are perfect for big gatherings and celebrations.

In the Idol sa Kusina set is actress Bea Binene who will give hosts Chef Boy Logro and Bettina Carlos a hand in cooking this week’s menu.

No celebration is complete without some Chicken BBQ, that’s why the gang are preparing not one, but two grilled chicken favorites—the Classic Pinoy BBQ and the tasty Chicken Inasal.

A different twist is given to the traditional pancit with the Pancit Kalabasa. The hosts alosso give tips on how to stay healthy.

Adding flavor to the already delicious set is a plateful of Sweet and Sour Lapu-Lapu.

Bea Binene is Chef Boy Logro and Bettina Carlos’ guest in Idol sa Kusina

More viewers watched ABS-CBN’s ASAP 20, the longest running and outstanding variety show in Asia, last Sunday (Aug. 9) despite the launch of a new show by a rival network.

Based on Kantar Media national TV ratings data, ASAP 20 scored 17.1 percent, versus GMA’s Sunday Pinasaya’s 16.1 percent.

More big stars and exciting production numbers will come your way weekly, says the show’s producer.

The audience can party every Sunday with Asia’s trending and multi-awarded variety show 12:15nn, on ABS-CBN. Meanwhile, viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of ASAP 20 through ABS-CBNmobile. For more information, please go to www. abscbnmobile.com.VisitASAP.abs-cbn. com to hangout live with stars at ASAP.

THE KRATT BROTHERS ARE BACK Zoologist brothers Chris and Martin Kratt are back with their animated selves in an all-new, educational and action-packed fourth season of Wild Kratts.

The Kratt Brothers travel to all corners of the world to meet amazing new animals while using their Creature Power Suits to rescue their creature pals.

In the season’s premiere episode, they will meet the new species of speedy Praying Mantises scientifically-named after the Kratt Brothers - Liturgusa Krattorum.

Sticking with the brothers are their ever-loyal Wild Kratts crew – Aviva Corcovado, Koki and Jimmy Z, who are aided by the Wild Kratts Kids from all over the planet.

Tune in as the Kratt Brothers save wildlife creatures from the evil-doings of the show’s classic villains, which include fashionista Donita Donata, her companion Dabio, chef Gourmand Tato, robotics inventor Zach Varmitech and his Zachbots.

Learn about endangered and newly discovered species in the latest season of the awesome 2D adventure of Wild Kratts, premiering on August 18, airing Tuesdays at 5 p.m., on Discovery Kids.

Chris and Martin Kratt, the animated lead characters of Wild Kratts, are back

S UNDAY : AUGUST 16, 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

The SM Mall of Asia Music Hall rocked with the beat of “Geronimo” and other Sheppard hits

MANILA FANS GO CRAZY OVER

ISAH V. RED Australia’s Sheppard, the pop band that popularized the song “Geronimo” arrived in Manila Monday evening for a one-night engagement the following night at the SM Mall Asia’s Music Hall.

The group flew in from Jakarta and was met by shrieking fans outside the arrival area of Naia 2.

They have been waiting for the arrival of the band since lunchtime.

And when they saw the group coming out of the arrival area door, in unison, they screamed their lungs out.

The group was led by lead singer George Sheppard and siblings Amy Sheppard and Emma Sheppard and other band members Jay Bovino, Dean Gordon, and Michael Butler who gamely posed for souvenir photos with their fans before proceeding to their hotel a few minutes away from the airport terminal.

On the following night, fans had jam packed the open-air music hall of the country’s biggest mall since 4 p.m. and even little children patiently waited for the group to go on stage.

A few minutes before 8 p.m., one by one, the members of the

Sheppard’s lead vocalist George making all the young girls scream in ecstatic delight At the airport, George and other members of Sheppard smile for the cameras

The band waiting to be cleared at the Immigration

band emerged up on stage and the entire hall (actually the whole first floor on the side facing the Manila Bay) was enveloped with the banging of drums, the loud sound from the guitars and the vocals of George and Amy blasting through and making everyone moving to the beat of the drums.

Performing their hit single “Geronimo,” and their latest release, “Let Me Down Easy,” the crowd at the music hall seemed oblivious of what’s happening in other parts of the mall as they were all mesmerized by the band’s performance.

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI), the lifestyle and entertainment arm of the country’s largest mall operator of SM Prime

Holdings Inc., together with Music Management International (MMI), brought Sheppard to the Philippines and gave the mall’s clients access to the free concert.

Sheppard’s. “Geronimo” was the highest selling single of 2014 in Australia with a five times platinum ceritification. The track has since achieved platinum sales in the USA in excess of 1 million sales. It has impacted American Top 40 radio, making Sheppard the “third Australian group to impact Top 40 in the 21st century,” alongside 5 Seconds of Summer and Jet. Currently, the single has exceeded 138 million Spotify streams worldwide.

In the middle of the concert, the crowd went wild when George took off his shirt and threw up in the air resulting to eardrum-breaking scream from the fans.

To date, Sheppard has written and produced over 30 tracks and amassed a strong international following while constantly developing their presence, infiltrating the music scene with their alternative indie pop sound and youthful vulnerability.

From Manila, they proceeded to Japan for an Aug. 15 concert in Osaka and August 16 gig in Chiba Prefecture. Continued on C7 ADDITONAL TEXT AND A RRIVAL PHOTOS

BY ERIC B. APOLONIO AND RUDY SANTOS

Amy Sheppard gives Sheppard’s music a distinctive character with alto-soprano voice

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI), the lifestyle and entertainment arm of the country’s largest mall operator of SM Prime Holdings Inc., together with Music Management International (MMI), brought Sheppard to the Philippines and gave the mall’s clients access to the free concert At the VIP lounge, the band faced members of the press