The Standard - 2015 August 19 - Wednesday

VOL. XXIX NO. 188 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 wedNeSday : auguSt 19, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Abaya just like his boss Aquino’

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Not mE, sAys mAr Roxas: LP has nothing to do with cases filed vs Poe By sandy Araneta

NAGA CITY—Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II denied Tuesday having any role in the cases filed against Senator Grace Poe over her qualifications to hold public office.

In an interview on the sidelines of ceremonies marking his predecessor’s third death anniversary, Roxas said he did not know the petitioner Rizalino David, and did not recall meeting him.

“I would like to clarify, eye to eye. I do not know Rizalino David. I have no recollection of him or of even knowing him.

We (Liberal Party) have nothing to do (with him). I have nothing to do about the cases he has filed against Senator Grace (Poe),” Next page Roxas said.

Trillanes brother is his pricey consultant By christine F. Herrera SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV made his brother among the most highly paid of his 55 consultants by giving him P71,200 a month, Senate documents obtained by The Standard show.

The brother, Juan Antonio Trillanes, raked in a total of P427,000 from July to December 2014.

During the same period, Trillanes spent P7.5 million on consultants, P4.46 million more than the P3.04 million allotted.

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High court lets Enrile out on bail

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Doing the wave. Senator Grace Poe greets the audience in the gallery during the resumption of the Senate sessions on Tuesday. Ey AcAsio

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Trillanes From A1...

Wooing Leni? President Benigno Aquino III joins Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor Robredo during an open forum at the Naga City Hall. MaLacañang Photo Bureau

Release funds for shelter aid, local officials ordered Tacloban, it is only now that they are starting to distribute the money,” Soliman told reporters.

She said the longest period that the money should stay in the hands of local governments is from two weeks to a month. Beyond that, she added, her agency would be forced to take the money back and distribute it themselves.

Soliman said some local officials said they failed to release the funds immediately because they were having a hard time validat-

ing the names of beneficiaries.

Soliman issued her statement after a priest said typhoon survivors were being asked to sign their names on a list of ESA beneficiaries even though they have received no money.

The priest, who asked not to be named, said a town official in Dapdap in Alangalang, Leyte, has been asking people to sign the document showing they have received the P30,000 to P10,000 in financial support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The source said the local officials told the survivors that this would speed up the release of funds from the municipal government.

Soliman said she would investigate the reports.

Under the ESA program, Yolanda victims in Tacloban, Leyte and Samar are supposed to be given

P10,000 for houses partially damaged by the storm, and P30,000 for houses that were destroyed.

Soliman said her agency has already released, in tranches, P7 billion out of P8 billion fund to all local government units since November 2014.

“We were able to release P2 billion in November 2014; and P5 billion in May 2015 and June 2015,” she said.

She then called on all civil society, concerned organization and the media to monitor the release of funds and asked those public officials why they have yet to distribute the funds to the survivors.

She also denied that the Aquino government only releases the funds to local officials who are allies.

She pointed out that the administration gave Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez P235 million as early as November 2014.

tion to the coalition, to the President, and all those who believe in daang matuwid to create a From A1... strong ticket, a strong candidacy Roxas met Poe Sunday to continue, fight for daang manight at her Greenhills resi- tuwid,” he said.

Roxas also has not ruled out dence and invited her to be his running mate, but the inviting Camarines Sur Rep. senator told the Liberal Par- Leni Robredo to run as his vice ty standard bearer that he presidential running mate, sayshould not wait for her, and ing she has the integrity, ability confronted him with infor- and experience needed for the mation that his men were be- position.

Robredo, however, has said hind the attacks against her.

Roxas said he told Poe he was she has no interest in running willing to have his people face for vice president in 2016 and the senator and offer her their would seek re-election as a congresswoman. assurances.

On Tuesday, an ally of Presi“We respect her decision. According to her, she is not yet dent Benigno Aquino III, Minready to make a decision,” Roxas doro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali, said Roxas should take said Tuesday.

“However, I have an obliga- the cue from Poe and find an-

other running mate.

“That’s my reading (that Poe will not join Roxas),” Umali said. “Every time we talk about this, she has something negative to say, and I think that’s like looking for a reason not to be part of LP.” Umali, the ruling Liberal Party’s national political council deputy spokesman, also criticized Poe for her lack of political experience.

“Except for popularity, there is nothing much to show,” he said of the senator.

“Senator Grace came in 2013.

Three years is too short of time to say that she is ready,” he added.

Umali also denied Poe’s claim that some of Roxas’ party mates and allies were stabbing her in

the back.

Senator Francis Escudero vowed Tuesday to support Poe whether she decides to run for president or vice president in 2016.

He refused to comment, however, on Roxas’ effort to recruit Poe as his running mae.

“I’m not aware of the (Roxas and Poe) meeting,” he said, adding that there was no need for the senator to inform or update him on her plans in connection with next year’s elections.

Escudero, who is the presumed running mate of Poe should she decide to run for president, asked members of the media to wait for the official announcement from those running next year. – With Joel Zurbano

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

TACLOBAN CITY—Local officials here have been asked to release all funds under Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to 239,000 typhoon Yolanda survivors by the end of August, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman said Tuesday.

Soliman said if mayors and town officials fail to do this, the national government would take back the money and have her agency release the funds instead.

Soliman said her agency has already released P8 billion in ESA since June 2015 and that she expected the local government units to start releasing assistance of P10,000 and P30,000 to all families badly hit by Yolanda.

“What he have agreed on is that they should release all the funds by the end of August…. Here in

Not me

On a monthly basis, Trillanes spent P1.25 million a month on his 55 consultants, or more than double the budget allocation for a senator’s office for consultancy services amounting to only P506,262 a month.

The senator also listed as a consultant one Eddie Ybanez, who received only P3,500 a month.

The Senate documents were prepared in response to a Commission on Audit (COA) memo to Senate President Franklin Drilon asking him to account for the P231.88 million spent on Senate consultants in 2014.

In the memo, supervising auditor Mario Lipana said several senators’ offices incurred consultancy expenses beyond the agency’s budgetary allocation.

“Analysis of subsidiary ledger account consultancy services which mostly consists of expenses for consultancy services of different offices of senators reveals that there were several senators’ offices that exceed the budgetary allocations,” the COA said.

“Further review of the accounts including the corresponding liquidation documents for the senators’ cash advances and the disbursements vouchers for the claims for consultancy services paid directly through check, disclosed that the reason for exceeding the budgetary allocation for the said account is due to hiring of many consultants wherein a Senator’s office hired more than 60 consultants and also of giving a consultants’ rate as high as P94,000 per month,” the COA said without naming names.

Senate documents show Senator Alan Peter Cayetano paid his consultants as high as P94,000 a month.

Aside from his brother, Trillanes paid three other consultants—Segundino Orfiano Jr., Ian Lee Punongbayan and Jayme Torrato— P71,200 a month.

Sherwin Sanusie was getting P71,100 while Sonny Madarang received P71,300 a month.

Others consultants received P40,000, P50,000 and P60,000.

None of the claims for consultancy services came with any accomplishment report, the COA said.

“We also noticed that there were no resumes or other documentary information on the consultants attached to consultancy services claims that may show their qualifications for being hired as a consultant,” the COA added.

The COA said the work of these consultants could not be ascertained because their services were considered “confidential in nature.”

“Hence, the importance or indispensability of hiring consultants could not be determined,” the COA said.

The COA required the Senate to submit an explanation or justification for the “sudden increase of expenses for consultancy services.”

The COA required Drilon to explain why the expenditures for consultancy services continuously increased from P147.57 million in 2012, P188.96 million in 2013, and P231.88 million in 2014.

Drilon was also asked to explain why the budget earmarked for the consultants had no corresponding increase resulting in higher expenses than the budget allocated.

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‘Abaya as insensitive as his boss’

By Joel e. zurbano

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya is following the footsteps of President Benigno Aquino III when it comes to being insensitive to the plight of the people, an administration critic said Tuesday.

Forum in Manila. Former Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno says the Philippines needs to shift to the parliamentary federal system from the presidential system during a forum at the University of the East in Manila on Tuesday. Danny Pata

Supreme Court lets Enrile out on bail THE Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the appeal of 91-year-old Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail for his temporary liberty in connection with the corruption charges filed against him at the Sandiganbayan.

Voting 8-4, the high court granted Enrile’s plea to reverse the anti-graft court’s ruling denying his plea for bail and set his bail at P1 million.

“The Court granted the petition for bail of petitioner Juan Ponce Enrile subject to the terms and conditions to be specified by the Court in its order, which will be forthcoming,” Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te told

reporters.

He made his statement even as Reps. Silvestre Belo III, Rodolfo Albano III and Gus Tambunting welcomed the high court’s decision.

But Malacañang said it was determined to pursue ilts anti-corruption campaign despite the high court’s decision on Enrile’s case.

The group Karapatan slammed the high court decision.

If Enrile could be freed, “why can’t they release the political prisoners?” group secretary-general Cristina Palabay said.

Te did not provide details such as the names of the magistrates who voted

to grant the petition and the justices who rejected Enrile’s plea for bail.

But Te said Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza did not participate in the deliberations since he handled the case during his stint as Solicitor General, while Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes was on leave.

The high court decision came a week after it granted Enrile’s request for a bill of particulars in his plunder case.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Estela Perlas Bernabe and Marvic Leonen dissented with the majority

decision.

A high court insider said the decision on Enrile’s plea was written by Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, and that the majority of the justices cited “humanitarian reasons” in granting bail to Enrile.

Enrile, one of the three senators accused of plunder in connection with the multi-billion-peso pork barrel anomaly, is under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital, while his co-accused Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada are detained at the PNP custodial center. rey e. requejo, Maricel V. cruz, Sandy araneta and rio n. araja

House acts on absenteeism THE leadership of the House of Representatives will conduct an all-party caucus “anytime soon” to address quorum woes, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said Tuesday.

He acknowleged that the quorum problem in the House had affected the passage of the priority bills of the Aquino administration, such as the Bangsamoro Basic Law. “Yes, we will conduct an all-party caucus to address the problem,” Belmonte said.

But he said he was opposed to the idea of resorting to a “shame campaign” by publishing the names of absentee lawmakers.

He said he would rather have the names of the congressmen religiously attending sessions published as a reward.

“I’d rather look at it the other way around: to publish the names of those who are present,” Belmonte said.

“And those who are [always] present—let us reward them.”

Belmonte said he hoped the

House leadership would be able to muster the needed number of House members to continue its business in the plenary On Monday last week, the House ended its plenary session without tackling important bills in the plenary, such as the BBL, after Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza questioned the lack of warm bodies at the session hall despite the declaration of a quorum.

A total of 185 lawmakers responded to the roll call during Monday’s session, but Atienza said there were only 88 representatives as per his count.

“How can there be a quorum when I only counted 88 heads?”

Atienza said.

Makati Rep. Abigail Binay defended the quorum count by saying the lawmakers appeared in the plenary hall before the roll call began around 6:30 p.m.

But Atienza insisted that warm Quorum matters. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. bodies should be the basis for de- talks to reporters about the House’s plan to solve its claring a quorum. Maricel V. cruz quorum woes on Tuesday. Maricel V. cruz

Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of the left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, made the statement in reaction to Abaya’s statement that the heavy traffic that might come as a result of the construction of the Light Railway Transit extension may not be “fatal” at all to motorists and commuters.

“Secretary Abaya echoes what the President used to tell the victims of Yolanda that they did not die: Buhay pa naman kayo di ba?” Reyes said.

“For Abaya, the traffic situation is not fatal. Neither are the long lines and decrepit trains of the MRT and LRT. Everything is well as far as they’re concerned.

“Abaya will make a good running mate for Mar Roxas. They will continue this regime’s penchant for making light of serious issues.”

Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metro Manila Development Authority described the potential traffic in the area to be affected by the LRT-2 expansion project as “bloody”.

“Madugo ito. Many will be affected when the construction starts because we have a number of subdivisions, residential areas and schools here,” Tolentino said.

But Abaya, in a television interview, said “Hindi naman siguro fatal yan.”

He later explained that “not fatal” meant “not burdensome to the daily lives of the people.”

In November 2013, reports of lawlessness and massive devastation—and even a call to impose emergency rule—caused President Aquino to briefly walk out of a meeting with local disaster officials in Tacloban City, which was the hardest hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

What seemed to irk the President during that meeting was a businessman who asked him to put the city under martial law after his store was ransacked by looters. The businessman said he got shot at by an armed looter but he was able to take cover.

The President retorted: “Buhay ka pa naman di ba?”

Just recently, the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay called on Abaya to resign, deriding him as the poster child of the Aquino administration’s incompetence and insensitivity.

“The best advice we can give is for you to resign, Secretary Abaya, and leave the problem to competent people who are better-suited to the job,” said Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesman, in response to Abaya’s challenge to his critics to offer solutions to the problems at the MRT, including accidents and stalled trains, and long queues in deteriorating stations.

Senator Grace Poe supported the calls Abaya to resign.

“I cannot blame those making those calls,” said Poe, who added the Transportation Department needed technically qualified people and not lawyers who do not understand the MRT problems.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT President Benigno S. Aquino III has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following ranking officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Laurcris P. Tumanda and Alan R. Arrojado - Brigadier General; and Gerald L. Naldoza, PAF – Colonel The public may submit any information, written repor t or sworn complaints or oppositions in for ty (40) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6 th Floor, PNB Financial Center, DiosdadoMacapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824,834-2706,831-1566 and 834-2713.

18 August 2015.

ARTURO L. TIU Secretary (TS-AUG. 19, 2015)

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New licenses.

An employee of the Land Transportation Office shows the new set of drivers’ licenses which is set to be released this month.

Student permits will now be colored orange, yellow for conductor’s licenses and blue for both professional and nonprofessional.

LINO SANTOS

MNLF: Plan vs Nur meant to shame OIC

By Francisco Tuyay SECURITY forces are massing around the suspected hideout of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari in a move apparently calculated to derail looming talks with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the MNLF claimed on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, Mohagher Iqbal, chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said Congress should pass “a good Bangsamoro Basic Law” or the Philippine government will be answerable to the international community.

MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza, however, said the

deployment of security forces in the vicinity of Indanan, Sulu was an apparent attempt to derail a meeting with OIC officials who are seeking to reconcile the BBL with the 1996 Jakarta agreement that the government signed with the MNLF. Cerveza said the meeting with OIC officials is scheduled for

September 6 in Manila and it is meant to include the terms of the 1996 Jakarta agreement in the controversial BBL which has been criticized as having excluded key sectors in Mindanao society.

“The OIC initiated [the meeting] and we responded favorably, but it appears the government now wants to embarrass the OIC by creating a scenario which will be inimical to the interest of peace in Mindanao,” Cerveza said.

“The MNLF is very disappointed with this government because while the OIC made the overtures to see if we can still come and negotiate in the negotiating table or not, the government is blocking it,” said Cerveza, who has been

tasked to represent Misuari in the talks.

Cerveza said he was supposed to meet with Misuari on Tuesday, but the meeting was postponed after the revelation of the deployment of forces in Indanan under the pretext of a continuing military operation against the Abu Sayyaf Group which also operates within Indanan.

“Whoever is responsible for this plan should think twice.

We do not want to shed blood just because of the mischievous misadventure of some people in government,” Cerveza said.

“We do not want to plunge the country in more turmoil.”

“Their plan to arrest Misuari could trigger renewed war,” he warned.

Disaster teams on blue alert for ‘Ineng’ THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council placed its rescue personnel on blue alert Tuesday evening after Typhoon “Goni” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was locally renamed “Ineng.”

NDRRMC Executive Director Alexander Pama said half of the agency’s personnel were ordered to stand by for emergencies while local disaster councils were advised to monitor the weather due to the rains brought by typhoon-enhanced “habagat”.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Ineng, the ninth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year, will enhance the southwest monsoon and will affect Visayas and Mindanao by Wednesday.

The storm is expected to affect the western part of Luzon, including Metro Manila by Thursday until weekend.

Pagasa forecaster Manny Mendoza said typhoon Ineng entered the country at 12 noon Tuesday and was located at 1,420 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan packed with maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph.

He said the typhoon is forecast to move west-northwest at 20 kph, but is not expected to affect the country until Wednesday when the typhoon is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao.

By Thursday until weekend, rains would be experienced in western part of Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, he said.

He added the typhoon has high chance to make a landfall in extreme Northern Luzon or in the provinces of Batanes or in Calayan by Friday because of the presence of a high pressure area that blocks the movement of the typhoon. PNA

Pinoy hurt in Thai blast

By Vito Barcelo THE Philippines denounced the horrific bomb attack near a Hindu Temple in Bangkok on Monday which killed a number of people and injured more than 100, including a Filipino, and described the incident as an apparent intention to sow terror.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to identify the injured Filipino who was immediately brought to a nearest hospital, but Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario advised Filipinos in Bangkok to remain calm and observe necessary precautions.

“We condemn this act in the strongest terms,” Del Rosario said in a statement. “The Philippines stands in solidarity with the government and people of Thailand at this trying moment.”

DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok will provide assistance to the injured Filipino who was already in the hospital and warned the 14,000 to 15,000 Filipinos in Thailand to avoid crowded places and places frequented by foreigners.

“We are assessing the security situation in Thailand to determine our next course of action,” he said, adding that “Filipinos abroad should always carry with them identification card, like a passport, if he or she is a tourist.”

The death toll from a bomb blast in the Thai capital rose to 20 on Tuesday with 123 wounded, police said, with eight tourists from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore among those killed in the attack.

Police said 20 were killed in Monday’s bombing of the popular Erawan shrine in the heart of Bangkok’s tourist and commercial centre, revising down an earlier toll of 21 dead.

“The bomb aimed at killing as many people as possible as the shrine is crowded at around 6 to 7 p.m.,” police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP. Prawut’s office released a breakdown of nationalities caught up in the blast that showed two Chinese, two Hong Kongers, two Malaysians, one Singaporean, an Indonesian and five Thais were confirmed killed. – With AFP

Enduring friendship. Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez gives former Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu a token gift during the luncheon meeting with the members of the World Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce at the Golden Bay Restaurant in Pasay City. VER NOVENO

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Poll campaign extension shelved

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan The Commission on elections said on Tuesday that it will no longer extend the campaign period for all candidates who will run in the May 2016 polls.

Comelec commissioner Christian Lim said that the agency’s law department advised against extending the campaign period for 120 days since such a plan is illegal.

“Based on the opinion of the Law Department, we cannot do that legally,” said Lim, the chairman of the Comelec – Steering Committee for the May 2016 elections.

“We cannot start the campaign period on January 10,” he said, adding that the agency has already finalized its Calendar of Activities for the 2016 elections.

Lim said that Republic Act 8436, prohibits Comelec from adjusting the start of the campaign period.

“When we looked at the deliberation of Congress, it was clear that the Comelec does not have any authority to move the campaign period,” Lim admitted.

Comelec will thus keep the original campaign period of 90 days for candidates for national positions and 45 days for those running for local office.

“For national candidates president, vice president, senators and party-lists, the campaign period will start on February 9 and for local candidates, it will be on March 25,” Lim said.

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista on the other hand called for a law against premature campaign activities. “We need a law to basically amend the current law so as to prohibit premature campaigning,” Bautista said. he said the decision now lies among the wisdom of the voters whether or not they

will vote those candidates who blatantly conduct promotional activities even before the campaign period starts.

“I think our voters should take that into consideration when choosing who they will vote for in 2016. If they believe that some candidates are circumventing the spirit of the law then they should not vote for these candidates,” the poll chief said.

Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law provides that “any person who files his certificate of candidacy (COC) shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period” and that “unlawful acts applicable to a candidate shall be in effect only upon that start of the campaign period.”

Meanwhile, the Comelec said it will make the source code available for review twice with the first one coming as early as October and the other one sometime in February 2016.

Bautista said the first one to be reviewed will be the base code or the source code of the automated election system (AeS) that has yet to be customized by the Comelec while the other one is the exact source code to be used by the voting machines on election Day. “We know in previous elections, the source code was not made available for review until the latter part of the elections. So we wanted to do something against that… there will be two reviews to be conducted in this regard,” he said.

The source code is defined as the human readable instructions that dictate what the automated election system will do.

Virus free. A doctor at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 uses a thermal flu scanner on a passenger in a bid to ensure the country remains free from the dreaded MERS-CoV and Ebola virus. RuDy C. SANTOS

MMDA: 20 more disaster vans in place

By Joel E. Zurbano The Metro Manila Development Authority is boosting its efforts aimed at disaster preparedness with the deployment of additional 20 storage units in strategic locations in the metropolis just in case the dreaded Big One earthquake hits Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the 20 container vans are loaded with emergency rescue equipment, which will be used mainly by rescue volunteers to help people who may be trapped by collapsed structures.

The container vans will be deployed in strategic areas of epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Balintawak-Cloverleaf, Tandang Sora Avenue, Navotas, Valenzuela, Abad Santos and Nagtahan Bridge. each van contains 56 different tools and personal safety equipment. It also loaded with screw drivers, pliers, hammers,

claw bars, shovels, hacksaws, bolt cutters, tents, hardhats, safety googles, raincoats, and first aid kits with medicines and water containers “It is important to have the right tools and the right training to save more lives,” said Tolentino.

The prepositioning of the storage vans is part of MMDA’s Oplan Metro Yakal earthquake contingency measure.

The MMDA initially deployed 22 vans in high-risk areas in Manila, Pasig City, Quezon City and Marikina City.

The agency’s contingency plan came based on studies and recommendations of experts from Japan International Cooperation Agency.

A 2004 study conducted by JICA dubbed the Metro Manila earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMeIRS) showed that Metro Manila is vulnerable to powerful earthquakes.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Renato

Solidum said with an Intensity 8 earthquake, the scenarios of fire incidents, collapsed structures and hazardous traffic incidents would occur.

“You will not be able to move during such strong quake,” said Solidum, whose office earlier made a warning that a massive quake would occur if the Valley Fault System moves.

Solidum suggested the “duck, cover and hold” action so people can do this when earthquakes strike, noting that such action will help people reduce their chance of injury from earthquakes.

When earthquake strikes, he added, people must duck or drop to the floor before the shaking knocks them down.

Solidum said people must cover their heads and necks using their arms and get under desks and other shelters that are sturdy. he also advised the people to either hold on to their shelter or continue covering their heads and necks until the shaking stops.

Valisno bus franchise may be revoked

By Rio N. Araja VALISNO express which recently figured in a fatal road mishap in Quezon City could face the revocation of its franchise, a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board official on Tuesday warned.

Ariel enrile Inton Jr., one of the LTFRB members, vowed to recommend the revocation or cancellation of the franchise of the entire fleet of Valisno express (formerly Gasat express) belonging to Rosalinda Cando Valisno for alleged misdeclaration of its annual net income.

“Apart from commission of contempt, what is more material is, the bus company submitted to our office its financial statement showing only a net income of P42,000, or less P4,000 per month,” he told The Standard.

“That is unbelievable. The firm’s financial records also showed tax payments

of P16,000, Inton noted.

The LTFRB earlier summoned Valisno and George Pacis, driver of the wayward bus involved in a road accident that killed four people and injured 18 others between the boundary marker in Quezon City and Caloocan City in Barangay Lagro on Aug. 12.

On Tuesday, Valisno failed to show up and just sent her lawyer, Francisco Blanes, to attend the LTFRB hearing.

Valisno could not appear in the hearing because she has not yet recovered from stress and depression brought about by the accident, Blanes said.

But Chairman Winston Ginez rejected Blanes’ justification over the absence of a medical certificate of Valisno’s psychological condition.

Ginez was prompted to issue a showcause order requiring Valisno to explain in 24 hours why her bus company’s franchise should not be cancelled or revoked.

LTFRB chairman Winston M. Ginez is flanked by Ronaldo Corpus (left) and Ariel Inton during the hearing on Valisno Express Bus incident held at LTFRB office in Quezon City.

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‘Torre’ revives Erap-Lim rivalry

Lawmaker urges probe of IPs’ forced detention

By Rey E. Requejo

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Manila City government has admitted that there was violation of the city’s zoning ordinance in the construction of the controversial Torre de Manila condominium that ruins the iconic sight line of the monument of national hero Jose Rizal in Luneta Park.

This admission shifted the conflict between incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada and former Mayor Alfredo Lim over the regularity of the permit granted to developer DMCI Property Development Inc. During the fourth part of the oral argument at the Supreme Court Tuesday, lawyer Jose Alberto Flaminiano admitted there was a violation of the city’s zoning ordinance in the construction of the controversial building.

However, Flaminiano, counsel for Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, put the blame on Lim who issued the permit despite violation of the requirements under City Ordinance No. 8119 for exemption on the sevenstory limit for building. The lawyer recalled that the city council during Lim’s term in July 2012 suspended the project until compliance with the requirement, but Mayor Lim nonetheless allowed the construction.

Flaminiano disclosed that the city council also passed Ordinance No. 8310 regulating construction that would ruin or line of sight or vista of all historical sites in the city, but it was vetoed

by Mayor Lim for being beyond the powers of the council.

Upon interpellation of Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, former city planning officers Melvin Balagot and Resty Rebong could possibly be held administratively liable for serious or grave misconduct over the violation of the city’s zoning ordinance in Torre de Manila’s case.

Earlier, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay told the SC the liability for the violations of the construction of the building lies with the Manila city government.

He agreed with petitioner Knights of Rizal that the local government violated Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, and Ordinance No. 8119 in issuing permit for the building.

A MINDANAOAN lawmaker on Tuesday called for a congressional inquiry into the Haran situation where around 700 indigenous peoples (IPs) are being held under inhumane conditions, abused and used as “unwitting actors” in protest rallies that are held on the streets of Davao City.

North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco, in a privilege speech, said the House committee on indigenous peoples will look into the matter, together with the House committees on human rights, justice and other committees that have legislative jurisdiction over the so-called the “Haran controversy.”

Haran is a walled compound located on Father Selga Street in Davao City that is owned and operated by the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP).

Catamco, IP committee chair-

man, said since 2014, large groups of IPs including members of Catamco’s tribe, the Manobos, have been staying there where—the congresswoman claimed—they are being held against their will, forced to live in makeshift tents, and made to suffer unhealthy, unsanitary and inhumane conditions.

Various groups, most of which are associated with the Left, are running the Haran camp. The groups claimed that the IPs are evacuees or “bakwits” who voluntarily came to Davao to seek refuge

from the fighting and militarization that are supposedly taking place in their ancestral lands.

But Catamco disputed this claim through audiovisual footage that she showed during her privilege speech last Monday.

In videotaped interviews she presented, Catamco said several members of the Matigsalug tribe of San Fernando, Bukidnon narrated how they were deceived to go to Haran.

The Matigsalug tribe said their tribe received a letter last January from a New Peoples Army (NPA) commander ordering them to send more than 20 members of their tribe to Davao City to attend a three-day dialogue with President Aquino, Mayor Duterte and Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

They said they were promised that those who would go will be given a sack of rice each, pots and pans, agricultural tools and slip-

pers. They were also told that each one will get P5,000, Catamco said.

On Feb. 3 this year, she said 23 members of the Matigsalug tribe arrived in Haran, where they saw other IPs from various parts of Mindanao. The compound, they said, had concrete walls and a steel gate that was kept padlocked.

“They were not allowed to leave, not even to buy cigarettes, and those who had cellphones were asked to surrender these to the camp administrators, purportedly for their own safety,” Catamco said.

“In Haran, they were made to listen to lectures on human rights, farmers’ rights, military abuses and other things. It was during one of these lectures that they learned that they were “evacuees.”

They were also taught how to act during protest rallies, how to carry placards and flags, and how to parrot whatever the leaders shout,” Catamco said.

Dengue awareness.

Students of a public school in Quezon City learn some techniques using an oversized spray during the dengue awareness campaign initiated by the city government, Health and Education departments. LINO SANTOS

Trader defies political row, posts robust gain

Antonio Tiu

THE company of controversial businessman Antonio Tiu, Agri Nurture Inc., has recorded a robust 14 percent growth in the second quarter of the year, posting a consolidated revenue of nearly P800 million.

Tiu, who took over the helm of the company in late May, credited this remarkable showing to strong fundamentals that ANI has been experiencing despite efforts to drag the company to a political controversy involving the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“We are upbeat and we

remain out of the political limelight and for that we continue to grow. There is avery positive turnout. It is clear that the fundamentals are strong and no matter how we are besmirched, ANI will prevail,” Tiu said in a statement on Tuesday.

Records culled from the Philippine Stock Exchange website indicated that despite the odds, nearly P800 million was gained by ANI in the second quarter, up from the P702 million posted in the first quarter of the year.

This means that from a continuous net loss in the pre-

vious quarters, ANI has recovered with a P3 million net income as compared with a net loss of P41.7 million from the previous quarter.

According to Tiu, the company has continued to aggressively expand its network and take in investors here and abroad.

ANI is a listed fruit and vegetable company whose two key officials resigned last May. Tiu took over as president and chief executive officer while Kenneth S. Tan was named chief financial officer.

Tiu is the alleged dummy owner of Binay’s 350-hect-

are estate in Rosario, Batangas, where Tiu’s Sunchamp agritourism park is located.

Tiu admitted that Greenergy owns Sunchamp but denied that he is Binay’s dummy.

“They are all lies and the the facts have unfolded,” he said.

He said they did a number of cost-cutting measures, including divestment of the company’s non-performing assets.

The company’s operations are divided into exports, local distribution, retail and franchising, banana farming, and others. It exports bananas, coconut water,

mangoes, and pineapples to mainland China, Hong Kong, Middle East, North America, and Europe.

Its foreign operations consist mostly of fruits and vegetable trading in Hong Kong China and Australia.

AgriNurture is also commercially distributing fresh fruits and vegetables to retail establishments, as well as to hotels, restaurants, public wet markets, and catering companies through its subsidiaries, First Class Agriculture (FCA); Fresh and Green (FG); and Lucky Fruit and Vegetables (LF).

w e d n e s d ay : a U G U s T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

UP campus to rise in Clark

By Dexter A. See

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—The Bases Conversion and Development Authority said it’s all systems go for the establishment of the University of the Philippines global campus in Clark Green City.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed last week, the BCDA would provide the premier state university a 70-hectare lot in the envisioned smart, disaster-resilient and green city.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Casanova and UP President Alfredo Pascual signed the MOA at the Board of Regents Room at UP Diliman.

“The UP global campus in Clark Green City will play a pivotal role in jumpstarting the Innovative and Academic District in Clark Green City,” Casanova said.

He said the vision for Innovative and Academic District of Clark Green City is to be the brain capital of the Philippines. The UP global campus will be the melting pot of new technologies, innovation, and creative industries.

Casanova also said that the BCDA is committed to help UP achieve its vision of social transformation through education.

“For every poor Filipino who needs to be educated, there must be a place that UP could provide.”

Fruit heaven. A young girl looks at passion fruits, freshly harvested from Atok, Benguet. DAVID CHAN

Gov: Probe entry of cheap carrots

By Dexter A. See

LA TRINIDAD—Benguet Governor Nestor B. Fongwan challenged the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture to strengthen their monitoring of the reported influx of imported carrots which directly compete with local produce, resulting in heavy losses among thousands of farmers in the province.

Fongwan said government must be vigilant of the influx of smuggled and imported vegetables because of the planting season of the crops in the province. This will avert the unscrupulous practice of smugglers to sneak into the ports semi-temperate veg-

etables from China.

“We will monitor the smuggling of agricultural crops because we do not want the local vegetable industry to suffer the fate of the onion industry. Concerned agencies must be on their toes in watching the clandestine activi-

ties of importers and smugglers,” Fongwan stressed.

Earlier, local vegetable traders and farmers expressed concern over the sudden drop of the buying prices of carrots by at least P5. Reports of the presence of smuggled carrots at the Divisoria and other major markets in Metro Manila have forced local officials to seek the assistance of government agencies.

Fongwan also asked the Bureau of Quarantine to intensify the implementation of pest task analysis and other laboratory tests necessary to prevent unwanted vegetables from being dumped in the country that often leads to farmers incurring heavy losses

because of the sudden drop in prices.

He reminded concerned government agencies that vegetable production is one of the major sources of livelihood of over 250,000 people in the 13 municipalities of the province. Flooding the market with cheap and imported crops from neighboring countries would greatly affect their source of livelihood by virtue of heavy losses.

Benguet is still the source of over 80 percent of the semi-temperate vegetables like carrots, cabbages, potatoes, beans, cauliflower among others which are sold in the different markets in the lowlands and Metro Manila.

Govt to build North-South railway, Naga airport runway

By Sandy Araneta

Maintenance work. Linemen of the Cotabato Light and Power Company do some work along Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato City. OMAR MANGORSI

NAGA CITY—The government will build a P171-billion, 600-kilometer, North-Southrail project and a P3.5-billion Naga City Airport runway beginning 2017.

President Benigno Aquino III announced these as he visited Naga City on the third death anniversary of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

At a multi-sectoral forum held at the Naga City Hall, Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the North-Southrail project will extend from as far North as Tugueragaro and down South to Matnog—600 kilometers long.

The detailed engineering design will take 15 to 18 months.

“We are confident that by 2021, this railway will be operational,” said Abaya.

Meanwhile, the new Naga City Airport runway would take two years to construct. The runway will be sideways or diagonal, so it would not hit Mt. Isarog.

According to Abaya, this would cut the prices of tickets of commercial planes by half. Currently, only turbo prop commercial planes are able to use the runway.

W E D N E S D AY: A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

COCK-EYED AND HAREBRAINED

[ EDI TORI A L ]

YOU’RE STILL ALIVE, AREN’T YOU? FOR sheer callousness, nobody holds a candle to President Aquino, who once snapped at a Tacloban City businessman, when he had the temerity to complain about looting days after super typhoon Yolanda flattened the city.

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” the President told the stunned businessman, in front of his peers in an emergency meeting in the devastated city.

The low bar set by the President that day had apparently encouraged his subordinates to follow his example. Thus, Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, followed suit by refusing to provide aid to Tacloban City until its opposition mayor agreed to turn over power to the national government, reminding him of the feud between the mayor’s and the President’s families with these words: “You are a Romualdez, and the President is an Aquino.” If the mayor refused, Roxas continued, then their lives were their own lookout.

Not to be left out, the worst Transportation secretary in recent memory, Joseph Emilio Abaya, sought to cement his membership in the gang with a blasé sound byte of his own.

Interviewed on television about the huge traffic snarls that would ensue in Antipolo, Marikina, Cainta and Pasig as a result of the Light Railway Transit (LRT) extension, Abaya quipped: “Hindi naman siguro fatal yan. (I don’t think it’s going to be fatal.)”

Perhaps realizing how bad the sound byte turned out and remembering that he might run for office next year, Abaya tried to soften the blow, saying that “fatal” in this case meant “not burdensome to the daily lives of the people.”

But the echoes of “You’re still alive, aren’t you?” were unmistakeable, and Abaya’s explanation did little to cover up how casually he viewed the suffering of commuters and motorists. This, after all, was the same Cabinet secretary who blurted out that riding the MRT was “a personal decision” and that he would not go out of his way to convince people ride it—after a coach derailed, slammed through a steel barrier and fell into the street below, injuring some 40 people in August last year.

In response to calls for him to ride the MRT so that he could experience the difficulties encountered by commuters every day, Abaya did so with a glaring lack of sincerity—during a non-peak hour; escorted by bodyguards, one of whom trailed him carrying an umbrella; and on a special train reserved for senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities.

What can we do in the face of such feckless leaders? Be happy we’re still alive, so that we can finally vote them out of office next year.

PLAN D LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES IT’S a question that’s been bugging me for some time: Why can’t Mar Roxas, the administration presidential candidate, find a suitable running mate?

Doesn’t Roxas have the endorsement, the resources and the machinery that should by now have everyone who wants to be vice president (and perhaps President someday) breaking down the massive doors of his family’s manor in Cubao? If there

are really that many adherents of this administration’s philosophy of the daang matuwid, why aren’t they flooding Mar with their resumes and demanding that they be picked, instead of everyone treating him like he’s been stricken with the political equivalent of the Ebola virus?

It’s pretty obvious that no one is interested in becoming Mar’s partner for the 2016 race. Not Senator Grace Poe, not Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, not even Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, whom Roxas and President Noynoy Aquino himself wooed in Naga City yesterday, during the third anniversary of Jesse Robredo’s death in a plane crash.

Poe has basically told Roxas to stop bothering her already—and to order his men to stop blackmailing and backstabbing her, while he’s at it. Santos-Recto has, in a much nicer, less publicly acrimonious way, told Roxas the same.

Unless I am very much mistaken, I don’t think Robredo will join Roxas in his quest either. Despite the attempts of a small, palacebacked, pro-Roxas group to make it appear that a “grassroots” campaign to draft Robredo is under way, I think Jesse’s widow is much too smart to fall for the blandishments of the President and his anointed.

So I sought out a source knowl-

A9

If no one whom Mar and Noynoy want joins them, then Kris would be asked to become the LP’s number two.

edgeable about how the Roxas campaign operates about the difficulties encountered by Aquino’s Chosen One. And I asked why no one seems to be interested in joining Roxas as he continues the reforms of his boss.

After some thought, my source threw me a question by way of a reply: “Have you ever wondered why Aquino and Roxas only seem to want a woman to be the Liberal Party’s vice presidential candidate?”

I admitted that I had never considered the importance of the gender of Mar’s running mate.

“Then you’ve never heard of Plan D?” my interviewee-turnedquestioner asked.

You got me, I said. What’s Plan D? “Think of Grace Poe as Plan A of the Aquino-Roxas administra-

tion,” my source said. “That means Vilma will be Plan B and Leni, the current favorite, is Plan C.” Okay, I said. I think my next question is, who is Plan D? “Kris Aquino,” my informant said. “If no one whom Mar and Noynoy want joins them, then Kris would be asked to become the LP’s number two.” *** That got my attention. A reprise of the Aquino-Roxas ticket in 2016, but with a twist?

“It makes perfect sense, if you’re part of the administration,” my source explained.

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

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

“Kris certainly has the winnability; her own formidable powers as a commercial endorser may even get some votes cast for Mar.” But is Kris up to the task of campaigning? Will she be able to take the mudslinging that will certainly accompany this grueling and bitter campaign in particular?

“Roxas and the Aquinos have no choice,” my source said. “Noy thought long and hard before he even agreed to endorse Mar, given that Mar is really a hard sell, despite the resources and the machinery; they cannot take the chance of losing not only the presidential race, but the vice presidential race, as well.”

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

That may be true, I replied. But it still doesn’t answer the question of whether Kris can survive the campaign.

“She’s always been a quick study, that one,” my source said. “And she has a work ethic that would certainly put her brother to shame.”

According to the source, the preparations for a Mar-Kris tandem started as a contingency, in case Roxas had trouble finding a running mate. Part of the strategy was for the Aquino sisters, who have always been close to Vice President Jejomar Binay, to say that they will stand by their brother.

Continued on A11

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

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

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

THE monster traffic leading to and around Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 because of the elevated extension highway construction has caused thousands of airline passengers to miss their flights. This, even as the NAIA still hasn’t gotten out of its notoriety as the world’s worst airport.

Yet, we have the gall to bid for the next FIBA world basketball championship when construction of this major project won’t be completed until 2017. China with its ready infrastructure and modern airport after hosting the Beijing Olympics won the bid to host the FIBA tournament and spared us from further embarrassment One can imagine the visiting teams coming from all over the world cussing the country because they can’t even get out of the airport upon arrival. There are also reports that incoming flights had to be kept on a holding pattern because there were not enough landing berths available.

The passengers who missed their flights the last three days, for sure have spread the word about their nightmarish experience through social media. From an exclamation point, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez’s “It’s more fun in the Philippines” has become a big question mark.

This administration never ceases to give us reasons to hate it. Its officials match the government’s incompetence with incredible excuses as cock-eyed and hare-brained as the planning that went with the highway construction.

“Traffic is a sign of progress and we have to bear with it for its long-term result,” was the lame excuse of administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas. This government is a work in progress since it assumed power and will still be when it leaves office on June 30, 2016. The dire prospect the people face is that Mar Roxas could be elected to continue President Aquino’s twisted and gridlocked government.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and the private constructor should have put their heads together to foresee the adverse effect to traffic around the airport area and provided an alternate road to bypass the Skyway under construction. Airport authorities have provided free shuttle buses within the airport complex so they can transfer from Naia 1 and 2 which they claim are not as congested as Terminal 3. But passengers who failed to make their flights said the road traffic leading to Terminals 1 and 2 are also heavy because of spillover traffic around Terminal 3.

Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, Mar’s ultimate underling, joins his boss in dismissing traffic jams as “not fatal.”

Because Abaya and Roxas go around the Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

W E D N E S D AY: A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

COCK-EYED AND HAREBRAINED

[ EDI TORI A L ]

YOU’RE STILL ALIVE, AREN’T YOU? FOR sheer callousness, nobody holds a candle to President Aquino, who once snapped at a Tacloban City businessman, when he had the temerity to complain about looting days after super typhoon Yolanda flattened the city.

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” the President told the stunned businessman, in front of his peers in an emergency meeting in the devastated city.

The low bar set by the President that day had apparently encouraged his subordinates to follow his example. Thus, Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, followed suit by refusing to provide aid to Tacloban City until its opposition mayor agreed to turn over power to the national government, reminding him of the feud between the mayor’s and the President’s families with these words: “You are a Romualdez, and the President is an Aquino.” If the mayor refused, Roxas continued, then their lives were their own lookout.

Not to be left out, the worst Transportation secretary in recent memory, Joseph Emilio Abaya, sought to cement his membership in the gang with a blasé sound byte of his own.

Interviewed on television about the huge traffic snarls that would ensue in Antipolo, Marikina, Cainta and Pasig as a result of the Light Railway Transit (LRT) extension, Abaya quipped: “Hindi naman siguro fatal yan. (I don’t think it’s going to be fatal.)”

Perhaps realizing how bad the sound byte turned out and remembering that he might run for office next year, Abaya tried to soften the blow, saying that “fatal” in this case meant “not burdensome to the daily lives of the people.”

But the echoes of “You’re still alive, aren’t you?” were unmistakeable, and Abaya’s explanation did little to cover up how casually he viewed the suffering of commuters and motorists. This, after all, was the same Cabinet secretary who blurted out that riding the MRT was “a personal decision” and that he would not go out of his way to convince people ride it—after a coach derailed, slammed through a steel barrier and fell into the street below, injuring some 40 people in August last year.

In response to calls for him to ride the MRT so that he could experience the difficulties encountered by commuters every day, Abaya did so with a glaring lack of sincerity—during a non-peak hour; escorted by bodyguards, one of whom trailed him carrying an umbrella; and on a special train reserved for senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities.

What can we do in the face of such feckless leaders? Be happy we’re still alive, so that we can finally vote them out of office next year.

PLAN D LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES IT’S a question that’s been bugging me for some time: Why can’t Mar Roxas, the administration presidential candidate, find a suitable running mate?

Doesn’t Roxas have the endorsement, the resources and the machinery that should by now have everyone who wants to be vice president (and perhaps President someday) breaking down the massive doors of his family’s manor in Cubao? If there

are really that many adherents of this administration’s philosophy of the daang matuwid, why aren’t they flooding Mar with their resumes and demanding that they be picked, instead of everyone treating him like he’s been stricken with the political equivalent of the Ebola virus?

It’s pretty obvious that no one is interested in becoming Mar’s partner for the 2016 race. Not Senator Grace Poe, not Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, not even Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, whom Roxas and President Noynoy Aquino himself wooed in Naga City yesterday, during the third anniversary of Jesse Robredo’s death in a plane crash.

Poe has basically told Roxas to stop bothering her already—and to order his men to stop blackmailing and backstabbing her, while he’s at it. Santos-Recto has, in a much nicer, less publicly acrimonious way, told Roxas the same.

Unless I am very much mistaken, I don’t think Robredo will join Roxas in his quest either. Despite the attempts of a small, palacebacked, pro-Roxas group to make it appear that a “grassroots” campaign to draft Robredo is under way, I think Jesse’s widow is much too smart to fall for the blandishments of the President and his anointed.

So I sought out a source knowl-

A9

If no one whom Mar and Noynoy want joins them, then Kris would be asked to become the LP’s number two.

edgeable about how the Roxas campaign operates about the difficulties encountered by Aquino’s Chosen One. And I asked why no one seems to be interested in joining Roxas as he continues the reforms of his boss.

After some thought, my source threw me a question by way of a reply: “Have you ever wondered why Aquino and Roxas only seem to want a woman to be the Liberal Party’s vice presidential candidate?”

I admitted that I had never considered the importance of the gender of Mar’s running mate.

“Then you’ve never heard of Plan D?” my interviewee-turnedquestioner asked.

You got me, I said. What’s Plan D? “Think of Grace Poe as Plan A of the Aquino-Roxas administra-

tion,” my source said. “That means Vilma will be Plan B and Leni, the current favorite, is Plan C.” Okay, I said. I think my next question is, who is Plan D? “Kris Aquino,” my informant said. “If no one whom Mar and Noynoy want joins them, then Kris would be asked to become the LP’s number two.” *** That got my attention. A reprise of the Aquino-Roxas ticket in 2016, but with a twist?

“It makes perfect sense, if you’re part of the administration,” my source explained.

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

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

“Kris certainly has the winnability; her own formidable powers as a commercial endorser may even get some votes cast for Mar.” But is Kris up to the task of campaigning? Will she be able to take the mudslinging that will certainly accompany this grueling and bitter campaign in particular?

“Roxas and the Aquinos have no choice,” my source said. “Noy thought long and hard before he even agreed to endorse Mar, given that Mar is really a hard sell, despite the resources and the machinery; they cannot take the chance of losing not only the presidential race, but the vice presidential race, as well.”

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

That may be true, I replied. But it still doesn’t answer the question of whether Kris can survive the campaign.

“She’s always been a quick study, that one,” my source said. “And she has a work ethic that would certainly put her brother to shame.”

According to the source, the preparations for a Mar-Kris tandem started as a contingency, in case Roxas had trouble finding a running mate. Part of the strategy was for the Aquino sisters, who have always been close to Vice President Jejomar Binay, to say that they will stand by their brother.

Continued on A11

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

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

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

THE monster traffic leading to and around Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 because of the elevated extension highway construction has caused thousands of airline passengers to miss their flights. This, even as the NAIA still hasn’t gotten out of its notoriety as the world’s worst airport.

Yet, we have the gall to bid for the next FIBA world basketball championship when construction of this major project won’t be completed until 2017. China with its ready infrastructure and modern airport after hosting the Beijing Olympics won the bid to host the FIBA tournament and spared us from further embarrassment One can imagine the visiting teams coming from all over the world cussing the country because they can’t even get out of the airport upon arrival. There are also reports that incoming flights had to be kept on a holding pattern because there were not enough landing berths available.

The passengers who missed their flights the last three days, for sure have spread the word about their nightmarish experience through social media. From an exclamation point, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez’s “It’s more fun in the Philippines” has become a big question mark.

This administration never ceases to give us reasons to hate it. Its officials match the government’s incompetence with incredible excuses as cock-eyed and hare-brained as the planning that went with the highway construction.

“Traffic is a sign of progress and we have to bear with it for its long-term result,” was the lame excuse of administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas. This government is a work in progress since it assumed power and will still be when it leaves office on June 30, 2016. The dire prospect the people face is that Mar Roxas could be elected to continue President Aquino’s twisted and gridlocked government.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and the private constructor should have put their heads together to foresee the adverse effect to traffic around the airport area and provided an alternate road to bypass the Skyway under construction. Airport authorities have provided free shuttle buses within the airport complex so they can transfer from Naia 1 and 2 which they claim are not as congested as Terminal 3. But passengers who failed to make their flights said the road traffic leading to Terminals 1 and 2 are also heavy because of spillover traffic around Terminal 3.

Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, Mar’s ultimate underling, joins his boss in dismissing traffic jams as “not fatal.”

Because Abaya and Roxas go around the Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

W E D N E S D AY: A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

CRITICAL OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO THE Manila Overseas Press Club has a tradition: President’s Night when the chief executive makes a mini-State-of-the-Nation Address.

Every president from the time of Manuel Roxas has appeared before the MOPC. President Aquino, since he assumed office in 2010, has not. Why? For the past several years, MOPC President Babe Romualdez has tried his best to invite the President. But Mr. Aquino has kept on telling him that “so long as Emil Jurado is there, I’ll never speak before the MOPC.” When I, as chairman emeritus, was told about it, I filed my resignation. The MOPC Board of Governors rejected it. I don’t know what President Aquino has against me personally.

I say the so-called straight path has become a mockery.

It seems he takes my criticism as a personal affront.

I find that rather surprising, since in my 65 years as a journalist, no other president has felt that way.

President Aquino should welcome criticism if only to recognize the existence of a free press.

If I have been critical of the Aquino administration, it’s all about his much-avowed “Daang Matuwid” that has become a mockery. The so-called straight path applies only to critics and the political opposition. In the meantime, his allies, friends and supporters laugh all the way to the bank. In the past five years, corruption has gotten worse.

I have often been asked why I am so critical of the President when he is perceived to be honest. In fact, he has never been accused of committing corruption.

I must confess I did not vote for President Aquino. This is because I have known him as a nonperforming member of Congress, both as Tarlac representative and as senator. It was only public sympathy (his mother died less than a year before the 2010 polls) that catapulted him to the presidency.

Honesty to me involves integrity. It is being true to one’s profession. Among others, honesty implies humility, sincerity and probity, with no intention to deceive.

So was the President honest when he made his best friend, then-suspended and now-dismissed Police chief Alan Purisima take charge of “Oplan Exodus”?

The operation ended with 44 members of the Special Action Force slaughtered in Maguindanao.

During our last MOPC board meeting, Babe told me he had given up hope that President Aquino would ever speak before our group.

I knew PNoy’s father well. I used to drop by their house on Times Street on my way to our home in Philam Homes.

Ninoy loved to expound for hours on his advocacies and ideas before journalists. A conversation with him would give me enough column material for a week. And Cory would always be there to give us coffee.

I often told Ninoy that he should ask Cory to join us. And he always said that women were for the kitchen. He was a true male chauvinist! But that’s history. *** When President Aquino assumed office in 2010, I remember there were only a handful of us critical of the Aquino administration. The first two years are almost always the honeymoon period with the press.

There were two or three national broadsheets that could be classified as proAquino, two neutral, and one neither here nor there.

Soon after, on the third and fourth years of the Aquino administration, criticism grew especially when the President was perceived to have bribed members of Congress to pass the Reproductive Health Law, and then impeach and convict Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Then came the Supreme

AWASH WITH CASH AT first blush, Filipinos have little, if any, to ask for more, from their banks, from their central bank, and from their government.

The Philippine banking system is safe, sound, strong and stable, declares Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. It is one of only two (out of 69 banking systems) rated by the credit ratings agency Moody’s to have a positive outlook. The other is Spain’s.

The non-performing loans and ratios of the banking system are at their lowest in a decade, if not longer. Commercial banks are lending at a fast clip, by about 20 percent.

Loan growth has been at double digit rate in the past five years.

Only less than P2 of every P100 of loans of commercial banks is in danger of not being paid. For instance, less than 20 centavos of every P100 of auto loans is considered non-performing.

The BSP, our central bank, is held up before the world as a model for its financial inclusion programs, for its faithful reporting of Philippine foreign debt, and in general, for the integrity of its data and people. The central bank has managed inflation marvelously. It has always met its inflation target, year by year. And the monetary system is stable.

Governor Tetangco himself has been declared one of the world’s best central bank governors at least six times.

Unemployment, the bane of many a rich country, especially in Europe, is at its lowest in the past decade, at 6.8 percent.

The Philippine economy has been growing at 6.2 percent per year average in the past five years. That’s the highest five-year clip in 40 years.

President BS Aquino III is lucky.

He has not faced a recession. All previous presidents before him, from Ferdinand Marcos to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, coped with a recession or two, with among the most debilitating recession the world has ever known.

It’s hard to say no recession is a divine gift. The last time the Pope visited Manila, President Aquino scolded him for sins of the past. He claimed Spanish friars helped oppressed Filipinos during the 16th to 19th centuries of Spanish occupation. And Catholic Church bishops did not raise their voice during the presidency of Gloria Arroyo when she was supposedly committing human rights violations. Aquino has a different sense of history and it surfaces at the wrong time and place, like when Pope Francis was being welcomed by him at the Palace, last January.

Court decisions finding the Priority Development Assistance Fund and that mongrel called the DAP or Disbursement Acceleration Program illegal.

Opposition to Malacañang grew, especially after the slaughter of the Fallen 44. Their families are still crying out for justice, which is very slow in coming despite the promises of Malacañang.

Now, I’m no longer a voice in the wilderness. I

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ The Philippines is awash with cash. About P32 for every P100 value of economic production (what is called GDP or gross domestic product) is saved. Considering that the GDP is at least P14 trillion, 32 percent translates into P448 billion of extra cash.

In terms of foreign exchange earnings, the Philippines has $79.5 billion reserves, a little down from previous years’ levels, but still more than three times what is considered ideal. About $80 billion can buy more than 10 months worth of imports. Ideal is three months. Most of the nearly $80-billion reserves are parked abroad, as foreign investments.

In 2014, the Philippines attracted $22 billion of gross foreign investments, of which $6.4 billion is foreign direct investments (FDI), which level is the largest ever. As to the balance of the $22 billion, don’t bother. It is called “hot” money, which is volatile and predatory.

The government itself has recordhigh budgets. The budgets are so huge the government itself does not know how to spend the money. The underspending has meant less cash going to infra and less cash going to productive activities. The result: Slower than targeted economic growth rates as what happened in 2011 and 2014.

Whenever the government borrows money, its IOUs are classified as investment grade, meaning you can be sure it will be paid, on time, if not ahead of maturity.

For decades before the Aquino presidency, Philippines sovereign debt was considered junk, meaning the creditor could lose sleep over it.

All the major credit ratings agencies consider the Philippines investment grade—S&P, Moody’s, Fitch, and Japan’s Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I).

Says the BSP: “The S&P credit rating upgrade was based on the following: improvements in structural, administrative, institutional, and governance reforms in the country; the continued strong external liquidity and internal investment positions; combined with an effective monetary policy framework relative to the country’s income level; and the sustained low inflation and interest rates.”

The S&P upgrade was followed by another upgrade on July 9, 2014

find comfort in the fact that so many opinion writers are dismayed that the change that President Aquino vowed he’d make never happened. Poverty and joblessness have not been addressed.

The broadsheets I earlier said were pro-Aquino are now somewhat fair, even critical at times. One remains neither here nor there. Opinion writers are now more critical than ever. The Standard has al-

from Japan’s Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) which raised the country’s long-term foreign currency rating a notch higher from a minimum investment grade of BBBto BBB with a stable outlook. The R&I also maintained the country’s short-term debt rating at A-2, indicating a high probability of servicing short-term debt.

Says the BSP: “The upgrade by R&I was in recognition of the country’s strong growth momentum on the back of brisk investment and robust private consumption, that is supported by ample remittances from abroad; improvements in the country’s management of government debt and tax collection, which resulted in a healthy fiscal position as well as the within-target inflation rate; and the enhanced infrastructure and industrial developments that were seen to contribute significantly to increasing growth and raising per capita income levels in the future.”

Proof that the Philippines does not need to borrow despite the investment grade ratings is that in 2014, the government borrowed only $1.5 billion in ten-year global dollar bonds. The government relies more on domestic (86 percent) than on foreign borrowing (14 percent) for its funding requirements.

Even the private sector is a timid foreign borrower. In 2014, it borrowed only $650 million in 10-year corporate bonds. These borrowings, notes the BSP, (are) “largely from power and investment corporations, were oversubscribed on positive market sentiment following the sovereign rating upgrade by S&P in Q2 2014. Proceeds from the bond floatation were intended to refinance existing debt as well as fund working capital expenditures.”

The two biggest sources of foreign earnings are the remittances of some 10 million Filipino expats, and business process outsourcing (BPO) and call centers (simply called IT BPO). Expats send in $25 billion annually. IT BPO makes $20 billion a year.

By next year, OFW remittances and BPO will make the same—$25 billion each. That’s $50 billion, which at P45.50, is equivalent to P2.275 trillion—enough to finance 75 percent of the P3-trillion 2016 budget of government. This means that the government can divert the entire P3-trillion budget, not to the pork of greedy congressmen and senators, but to uplift Filipinos, about 25 million of whom are simply dirt poor. biznewsasia@gmail.com

ways been truthful about things, reporting facts and defining the news. Santa Banana, ABS-CBN, which had always been pro-Aquino is even critical at times.

GMA-7 just reports the news and tells us what it is without taking sides, for what’s what we in the press are there for.

The most unfortunate thing about the Aquino administration is that it could go down in history without any meaningful

legacy. Some people tell me that they can’t wait for President Aquino to step down nine months from now in June 30, 2016.

I must say that if people really want transformation, there must be a structural change in our system of government. More importantly, there should be a change in our values.

Perhaps then, we can say we are seeing the change needed to make this country great again.

W E D N E S D AY: A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO TAKING great pride in the strides of the Philippine economy in the last four years, administration spokespersons keep saying the best is yet to come, pleading to the electorate for continuity. The greater problem is how the next administration can, as it should, make the benefits of GDP growth felt by the soft underbelly of worsening poverty.

Meanwhile, dark clouds hover.

The devaluation of the Chinese yuan or renminbi and the corresponding increase in the value of the American dollar vis-àvis the Philippine peso bring the economy to another crossroad.

Within days, the peso sank from 45 to 46.28, and is likely to reach 47 to the dollar in the next few weeks. That will make imports more expensive for a consumptiondriven economy. While it will give OFWdependent families some instant gratification, they will pay the gains back whenever they buy goods and services. We hardly manufacture anything in this country that has no imported component, and if you go to our malls, practically everything you buy is made elsewhere.

Exports will be priced lower, but except for fruits from Mindanao, what exports do we have that are not heavily importdependent for raw materials and factory supplies? So the devalued peso will have minimal positive effects on our exports.

Counter-balancing the monetary decline though is the relative decline in oil prices.

But that too will be more expensive because we pay for oil in dollars, and I am not betting on the medium term that oil prices will remain low. *** Our foreign loans will be more expensive to service as a result of the decline in peso value vis-à-vis the dollar. The National Food Authority, for one, inherited what President Aquino and his economic managers call a “legacy debt” from the Arroyo administration of close to P178 billion.

Because of much lower NFA rice imports in the first two years of the Aquino government and the economic managers’ policy of giving the private sector greater play in the matter of rice imports, that legacy debt went down to P147 billion in two years.

But heavy NFA rice importations in the last three years has brought the “legacy debt” going back to the P170 billion level.

Plan D.. From A8 “But while the political strategists of Malacañang were able to predict that Roxas would find it difficult to get a suitable, winnable running mate, they didn’t think they would need to bring out Plan D,” the source said. “But now

#FAILOCRACY

DARK CLOUDS The NFA of course had to resort to bigger rice importations from 2013 to the present because of price spikes in 2013 and 2014, where the staple shot to the 44 to 50 peso level in the commercial retail trade. NFA’s 25-percent broken rice had gone up to 32 pesos retail in 2014, although they maintain a 27 peso price for regular-milled rice which is hardly available in the markets these days.

What brings ominous clouds is the fact that the El Nino brought down our palay production last summer, and with the intensification of the drought in the next few months all the way to next year, palay production will register significant decreases. It is bad enough that the selfsufficiency promised by the Department of Agriculture failed to materialize (expectedly); what is worse are the effects of the strongest El Niño in memory.

Even Vietnam paddy farmers are complaining about the effects of the El Niño.

Rice fields beside the huge Mekong River may not be as gravely affected, but those in the north will suffer severe production declines. Which means rice prices are likely to spike next year.

In a country where the poor eat rice and more rice (120 kilos per person per year, as compared to 67 kilos per person in Japan, for instance), palay production can hardly cope with the demand. Our urban poor eat rice and buy instant noodles as viand (carbo loading is the norm in our cities, laced with artificial flavoring), “muramurang lamang tiyan.” Our rural poor eat guinamos or camote with their rice.

PNoy inherited P178 billion in “legacy debt” from Gloria due to NFA’s sovereignguaranteed debts. What will the next president inherit from PNoy? Same-same “pamana”?

The bigger immediate problem for the administration though is how to control rice prices from going up during the campaign season. The medium-term problem for the incoming administration is how to come up with a realistic rice policy for the future in the light of the expiration of our World Trade Organization-granted quantitative restrictions on rice by June 30, 2017.

The severe El Niño will hit fish production (rising sea temperatures), hog and poultry production (unless owners air-condition their piggeries and chicken coops), and vegetable farming as well.

Which means food inflation will rise.

When we joined the World Trade Organization in 1994, we were given a ten-

year period within which we could impose quantitative restrictions on rice imports, so as to protect our palay farmers, while the agriculture department makes them more price-competitive. In 2005, we asked for another 7-year extension. Then in 2014, we were belatedly given another non-extendible extension up to 2017.

While there have been increases in palay production, our per-hectare yield is still low compared to other countries, and our cost of production much higher. Our total production simply could not match increased consumption by a population which will be 101.6 million by the turn of this year.

Our country has an area of only 30 million hectares, scattered among 7,107 islands at that, some of them with thin topsoil and no water sources, where nothing but weeds can grow. Thailand is all of 46 million hectares, virtually in one contiguous land mass. The Philippines is beset by some 20 typhoons each year, and if a strong one hits the rice granary during the harvest season, millions of tons of palay could be lost in one day. (This happened in September 26, 2011, when a typhoon hit Central Luzon a week before harvest). Thailand is typhoonfree. Even neighboring Vietnam is protected from strong typhoons because they hit the Philippines first.

In 1978, bigger Thailand and smaller Philippines had almost the same number of mouths to feed—44 million Filipinos and 43 million Thais. There are now 65 million Thais. There are 101.6 million Filipinos.

Go figure why rice self-sufficiency is virtually unattainable in these islands of “fun.”

Go figure, too, why Thailand exports rice to us, even if we Filipinos keep reminiscing about those days when Thai students enrolled at UP Los Baños. “Sa atin lang natuto, bakit ganoon?”, even media persons ask.

Numbers. Everything is about numbers.

And the numbers, for the Philippines, ain’t looking too good. *** Goodbye, gentle soul. As we write this article, news about the death of a good friend and Thursday Group lunch “addict”, Sen. Butz Aquino, is texted to us. The last time we saw him was about a month ago, when he joined us but hardly ate. Butz who religiously attended every wedding in my family, had been looking frail through the past several months, but was still as jolly as ever.

There will be no wake. Butz wants to be remembered the way he was, always smiling, always your every day friend. Ave atque vale, dear friend.

their worst fears have come to pass, and they feel they have to bring out the big guns.”

Then my source said he had to leave to get back to work. “I don’t want to be like that LP congressman-general who is now in the doghouse with Mar,” he said.

What did the lawmaker do that was

so bad? “Well, he was in an LP strategy meeting with Mar when his phone suddenly rang; Mar bawled him out and told him to leave the room. The poor man was so embarrassed that he never joined us again.”

Good luck with Plan D, I managed to say. But he had already left.

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

A11

Cock-eyed.. From A9 metropolis in PNP helicopters, they don’t experience the travails that commuters go through every day.

Business around the Resort World casino complex has also been affected as gamblers avoid the area where traffic is heavy, even in the evening, because of late night departure and arrival of international flights.

A rising star Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo is a reluctant rising star in Philippine politics. Popularly known as Leni, the widow of Local Government and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, is being courted by the Liberal Party as the vice presidential running mate of LP standard bearer Mar Roxas who failed to convince Senator Grace Poe to team up with him.

Mar is also looking at Batangas Governor Vilma Santos but her husband Senator Ralph Recto shut the door on any overture for his wife to seek higher office.

Vilma herself said that there would be no more politics for her after 2016.

A draft-Leni Robredo movement has been launched to prod her to team up with Mar who had assumed the DILG post when her husband’s political career was cut short in a plane crash off the Masbate coast exactly three years ago yesterday.

The Camarines Sur congresswoman is only on her first term after she defeated Nelly Favis Villafuerte of the powerful Villafuerte political dynasty. When her husband died in the line of duty, Leni Robredo could have asked President Aquino to appoint her as judge as she is a lawyer by profession. Instead, Leni Robredo wanted to go into public service on her own terms so she decided to challenge the Villafuerte clan’s candidate for Camarines Sur’s 3rd district.

The Villafuertes were stunned and didn’t expect an upset. The rest, as they say, is history.

Consider this not so unlikely scenario. If Leni agrees to run beside Mar and wins because of the combined women’s and Bicol bloc votes, the country could have a historical first of both women as president and vice president That is, of course, assuming Grace Poe also wins and hurdles the residency and citizenship challenge against her. Talk about women empowerment!

Maverick Senator Serge Osmeña III, who is still an LP member last I looked, thinks Leni Robredo can beat fellow Bicolano Senator Francis Escudero, Grace Poe’s chosen one. When asked why, Osmeña said “she’s got the appeal among voters.”

Leni may be able to draw votes on her own, but can she prop up Mar’s candidacy? The history of elections in this country is that the president and vice president who are elected do not come from the same political party.

I was told by another Bicolano politician that Chiz Escudero isn’t exactly wellloved by his fellow Bicolanos.The senator from Sorsogon at the height of his popularity was carried by the Bicol bloc but if Bicolanos were made to choose between Chiz and Leni as VP, Osmeña is putting his money on the widow.

CHONG ARDIVILLA

WE DN E S DAY : AUGUS T 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Blatter hits back at Moong-Joon’s ‘corrupt’ comment

PARIS—FIFA president Sepp Blatter has slammed comments by Chung Mong-Joon, a candidate to take over football’s world body calling it a corrupt organization.

Blatter said he was disturbed by the South Korean industrialist’s outspoken comments at a press conference in Paris on Monday where he officially launched his candidacy.

Chung went on the attack against Blatter and UEFA leader Michel Platini, his rival in the FIFA race. “The real reason FIFA has become such a corrupt organisation is because the same person (Blatter) has been running it for 40 years. Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Chung said.

“It is disturbing, to say the least, to hear Dr. Chung Mong-Joon describe FIFA as ‘a corrupt organization’,” Blatter said in reply.

“Even more so when one recalls—and as Dr. Chung cannot have forgot-

UAAP, NCAA spikers clash Games today 1 p.m.- Ateneo vs EAC 3 p.m.- NCBA vs La Salle 5 p.m.- St. Benilde vs NU

ATENEO and National University shoot for their fifth straight wins and spots in the semifinals as they take on separate rivals today even as La Salle and National College of Business and Arts try to bolster their own semis drive in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.

But focus will be on the Ateneo-Emilio Aguinaldo College clash at 1 p.m., a duel of collegiate champions tipped to go down to the last hit. Although the Eagles are lording it over the field with the Bulldogs with a 4-0 mark, the Generals are expected to match up well with the UAAP champions.

For one, the Generals are raring to get back on track after absorbing a stinging five-set loss to the St. Benilde Blazers last Monday that sent the reigning NCAA titlists reeling to their second loss against the same number of wins.

“EAC is not the NCAA champion for nothing. We have to find ways to slow down (Howard) Mojica,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro.

ten – that he was a FIFA Vice-President and a FIFA Emergency Committee member for 17 years from 1994 up until 2011.”

Blatter said in the statement that “personal attacks” made by Dr. Chung at the press conference were “particularly disrespectful to all concerned.”

“I would like to stress again that FIFA is dedicated to improving the organisation and will continue to strengthen its governance and accountability.

Our work in this area continuously evolves, and we are focused on achieving the highest standards for the international football community.”

Chung made several attacks on FIFA’s leadership at the campaign launch in a Paris hotel saying that it was in a “profound crisis” over police inquiries into two corruption affairs. He said Platini should not be a candidate because he was too linked to FIFA’s past system.

AFP

Rafael Nadal addresses the media in a press conference during Day 3 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFP

Nadal confident he can end awful season on high note CINCINNATI—The ever-positive Rafael Nadal is confident he can end a disappointing season on a high note as he prepares for an assault on the US Open.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner is competing this week at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters, which he won in 2013, the last time that he played the tournament.

After an injury absence which decimated his 2014 season, the 29-year-old has been fighting all year to make improvements to a ranking which dropped to tenth after

he failed to win a tenth Roland Garros title in June.

“The last part of the season is important. I want to finish feeling better than when I started,” said the eighth seed.

“This is an important week for me.”

Nadal arrived in the Midwest after losing a Montreal quarter-final to Japan’s Kei Nishikori,who

withdrew from the American tournament with a hip muscle problem which should be right for the US Open starting in a fortnight.

“I played OK in Montreal, but every week is a different test - a different story. I’m working more than ever to change the dynamic,” said Nadal.

With a two-hour rain interruption slowing a full day’s schedule Ivo Karlovic still found time to produce the first upset of the week as the Croatian hammered 35 aces in a 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 defeat of French 10th

seed Gilles Simon.

Belgian 13th seed David Goffin beat Lu Yen-Hsun 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Former top 10 American Mardy Fish began winding up his Cincinnati career with a defeat of Serb Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-2.

- ‘Disrespectful’ Monfils Fish, who has suffered from a heart-scare problem and full-fledged anxiety attacks, will end his time on court at the US Open after dealing with his worries since 2012.

“I was a little surprised at my level, I hadn’t practised a ton or (practised)

particularly well for a little while. I was struggling with my serve,” said the winner, 2010 finalist against six-time champion Roger Federer.

Fish moved into a secondround challenge with third seed and world number two Andy Murray, who comes to Cincinnati after his Montreal title at the weekend over Novak Djokovic.

Australian Bernard Tomic reached the second round over Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-3 while fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis eliminated Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. AFP

80-year-old bungee jumps off Europe’s highest bridge

Football for a Better Life. Philippine Azkals’ Chieffy Caligdong and Simone Rota are

shown with the organizers of Pru Life For A Better Life football clinic in Calauan Laguna, led by Belle Tiongco, Chief Marketing Officer of Pru Life UK, Sister May of Buklod Kalinga, British Coach Chris Thomas and the wards and supporters of Buklod Kalinga. The nationwide and year-round Football for a Better Life program goes to Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Aug. 22 and 23 for its next leg.

SOFIA—A Bulgarian octogenarian has made a lifelong dream come true by bungee jumping from one of Europe’s highest bridges, the woman told AFP on Monday.

Penka Baleva leapt from the 190-metre (620-foot) Europe Bridge, near the Austrian city of Innsbruck, on Saturday.

“It was quite scary but I kept my head together and did it,” Baleva, who turned 80 in June, told AFP over the phone.

“It was beautiful, with these spectacular natural views all around. And I always take pleasure in jumping!”

The retired midwife from

the Black Sea city of Varna discovered parachute jumping 13 years ago, and has accomplished 14 tandem skydives and 39 bungee jumps so far.

After giving up her hopes to make it to South Africa and jump from the 216-metre-high Bloukrans Bridge, Baleva set her sights on Innsbruck.

Baleva explained she had picked August 15 as the day for her jump because it marks the Assumption of the Virgin Mary—the feast day celebrating Mary’s rise to heaven—which she believed would bring her good luck. AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

I’m no IAAF underdog, says Bubka BEIJING—Sergey Bubka on Monday denied he was the underdog in the battle for the IAAF presidency with Sebastian Coe, insisting he was “very confident” of victory between two legends of track and field.

Bubka goes head-tohead with Coe when the 214 member federations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) vote on Wednesday on whom they think should take over from incumbent Lamine

Diack, who is stepping down at the age of 82 after 16 years in charge.

Some media outlets have tagged up Coe, the British two-time Olympic 1500m champion, as frontrunner, but Bubka, who also won Olympic pole vault

gold and 10 world titles for Ukraine, insisted this was not the case.

“I’m feeling very good.

I’m very confident, I have a lot of support from federations,” the 51-year-old told a small group of journalists including AFP. Turning to reports that 37 federations had publicly backed Coe compared to just five for Bubka, the Ukrainian responded: “I don’t know how they count, how do they get these numbers.

“Monaco, Montenegro and Iceland have said they didn’t give any permission (to go public as having backed Coe) and you can find many countries like that.

“I prefer not to guess who will win. I’m a man of results so we’ ll see the results on Wednesday!”

Bubka acknowledged, however, that there was little animosity between him and Coe, who both currently serve as IAAF vice-

presidents to Diack.

“We’re friends, colleagues, we work together,” he said. “It’s good, it’s competition, it’s good for sport.”

While Coe will only be standing for president, Bubka has hedged his bets and will also stand for reelection as vice-president should his bid to succeed Diack fail.

Turning to the doping allegations that have rocked the sport in recent weeks, Bubka reiterated his

“zero tolerance” of athletes who cheat.

“Whoever violates the rules will pay the price, will be punished,” he said, stressing that “sport alone will not succeed in this matter”.

“We as IAAF, and I personally, are strong believers and supporters of the fight against doping. Zero tolerance. We must protect clean athletes. The IAAF is the leading international federation with many initiatives.” AFP

PBA Draft Combine today THE Philippine Basketball Association will hold the 2015 Gatorade Draft Combine today and Thursday at the Hoops Center along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.

Scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the two-day activity gives coaches of the 12 PBA teams a chance to size up the rookie hopefuls they intend to select in Sunday’s Rookie Draft.

On Day 1, the 64 applicants will be divided into two batches for the morning and afternoon half-day sessions.

Activities include all sports tests such as Anthropometry (includes basic measurement like height, weight and arm span), Functional Movement Screen (identifies movement patterns, limitations, tightness, muscle weaknesses that can reduce mobility of an athlete affecting his physical conditioning), Single Leg Hop Test (identifies injury risk of an athlete) and Performance Test (measures skills such as agility, speed, endurance and strength).

Day 2 will feature a mini-tournament with the players divided into eight teams. PBA assistant coaches have been invited to call the shots for the teams. The team that will emerge champion at the end of the tournament stands to get P50,000.

“This undertaking is a must for all applicants so I hope everyone will be there. For the coaches, this gives them the chance to assess their prospects for Sunday’s Draft,” said PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.

A draft applicant who fails to attend the mandatory activity risks being dropped from the final list of candidates for the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.

Down and out? A rider from team Novo Nordisk sits on the ground after a crash during Stage 1 of the 2015 USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. AFP

Injury-hit Oden heading to China NCAA’s stars show wares in All-Star game LOS ANGELES—Injuryplagued former No.1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden will try to relaunch his career in China after signing for the Jiangsu Dragons, US reports said Monday.

Oden, snapped up by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2007 draft, has signed a one year deal worth $1.2

Cebu league backed. Cesafi

Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy is all smiles as Viva Communications president and Chief Operating Officer Vincent del Rosario hands over a check as part of Viva’s developmental support for the Cebu collegiate league in various sports, while Ronnie Nathanielsz of Viva Sports looks on.

million, several reports said.

The 27-year-old center has played just three seasons in the NBA after suffering a string of knee injuries which have required seven operations.

After leaving the Trail Blazers he tried to comeback in 2013-2014

after joining the Miami Heat, but played just 23 games after a three-year layoff.

Oden, who worked out with the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets earlier this summer, averaged 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 105 games during his NBA career. AFP

THE best and the brightest stars of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, headed by reigning Most Valuable Player Earl Scottie Thompson of Perpetual Help, will showcase their wares in the All-Star Game slated on Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Thompson, who is expected to go high in the PBA rookie draft this year, will spearhead the East team composed of players from his school, reigning five-peat champion San Beda, Arellano University, Jose Rizal and San Sebastian.

Letran’s high-scoring troika of Kevin Racal, Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac, instrumental in the Knights’ early Season 91 success, will lead the West team that also comprises of cagers from St. Benilde, Lyceum, Mapua and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

To spice up the 4 p.m. showdown are the threepoint shootout and slam

dunk competition slated at 2 p.m.

The league will also announce the top three Ms. NCAA winners today.

The inaugural All-Star Game last year was a smashing success and league Management Committee chair Melchor Divina of Mapua said this will now be an annual affair.

“It was a success last year and we expect more success and excitement this year,” said Divina.

Notable stars who made it to Thompson’s East squad were Arellano’s Jio Jalalon, Jose Rizal’s Tey Teodoro, San Beda’s Arthur dela Cruz, San Sebastian’s Bradwyn Guinto and Perpetual Help’s Nigerian star Bright Akhuetie.

The West, for its part, will have St. Benilde’s Jonathan Grey, EAC’s Sydney Onwubere, Lyceum’s Joseph Gabayni and Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme are among its more popular members.

W E D N E S D AY : A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Abueva to fill void left by Pingris

By Dennis Principe

STAR Hotshots standout Marc Pingris considers Calvin Abueva of the Alaska Aces as the one capable of filling the void he will leave with the next National basketball team.

Pingris recently declared his unavailability to join the Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 training pool, citing a need to spend more time with his family and a chance to recover from an undistinguished PBA season.

The Pozzorubio-native dribbler,

however, sees no reason for the team to miss his services as Abueva would be able to provide the kind of energy that he contributed during his Gilas stint.

“Si Abueva ang pwedeng ipalit sa akin kasi nakita ko naman ‘yung

laro sa PBA. Puwedeng-puwede talaga,” said Pingris.

Abueva is part of the 16-man pool that left for Estonia Monday night where the national training pool led by American-Kiwi coach Tab Baldwin will be competing in a pocket tournament.

Pingris, however, admitted, Abueva must learn how to fully focus on using the upside of his game to the team’s advantage.

“Nandoon ‘yung attitude na gustong manalo every game.

Nandu’n ‘yung gulang. Ang pinagkaiba lang, ako gumagamit

ng siko, siya dumidila lang,” said Pingris.

Pingris was a mainstay of one of the most successful national teams ever assembled in years.

The three-time PBA Defensive Player the Year became an integral part of the country’s silver medal effort during the FIBA Asia 2013 in Manila and the first-ever victory by a Philippine national team in a World championship tournament after more than four decades.

His time with the Gilas squad, however, prevented him from vis-

iting his father who is based in France and in some ways affected his performance in the PBA as his numbers dipped last season.

Pingris also denied insinuations that his team’s management had a hand in his decision to skip the Gilas team.

“Kahit na sabihan ako ng management ngayon na maglaro ako, desisyon ko pa din na hindi maglaro. Sana tigilan na ‘yung intriga kasi talagang over-fatigued na ako kaya wala na din ako siguro maipapakita sa kanila,” said Pingris.

La Salle boasts of a balanced roster

By Peter Atencio

Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing (center) announces the staging of the 7th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Racing Festival on Aug. 29 and 30 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park during his guesting at the PSA Forum in Shakey’s Malate. He is joined here by Philippine Racing Commissioner lawyer Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr. (right) and MJCI marketing manager Nathan Mazo.

7th Mayor Bagatsing Cup eyeing record sales HAGDANG Bato, Pugad Lawin, Sky Hook, and other thoroughbreds campaigning in the elite ranks are expected to join the 7th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Racing Festival on Aug. 29 and 30 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park.

The event being held in honor of the late Manila Mayor was founded in 2009 by his sons Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing and Philippine Racing Commissioner lawyer Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr. The racefest has broken sales records over several incarnations and morphed from a simple memorial raceday into a gigantic weekend fiesta crammed with big-money races.

This year’s total prizes amount to P8.5 million for 18 out of the 25 races for the weekend, the highest amount ever for the annual event.

Congressman Bagatsing also said in the Philippine Sportswriters As-

Pacman...

From A16

The celebrated Hall of Fame trainer said Mayweather, who is expected to beat Berto handily and equal heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0, will face Pacquiao again because there is “too much money to be

sociation Forum on Tuesday that organizers are eyeing to top last year’s record sales that amounting to P43.4 million.

Proceeds of the races will be for the benefit of the Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran in tandem with the non-government organizations.

“We will be providing free medicines, free check up and consultations, and free laboratories. Sa mahihirap po kasi ang libreng gamot at konsultasyon ay luho na,” said Bagatsing, who was joined in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. by his brother Atty. Bagatsing and MJCI marketing manager Nathan Mazo.

“Also through the staging of this event, we are commemorating the life and achievements of a respected and well-loved mayor of Manila, and providing support and incentives to

made if he fights Manny again.”

Pacquiao has made a seemingly amazing recovery from surgery for a tear in his right shoulder rotator cuff suffered in his May 2 Fight of the Century against Mayweather.

The Filipino, who claimed the injury hampered him in the fight, is likely to return to the ring early next year

the racing industry,” said Rep. Bagatsing in reference to his late father, who will celebrate his birthday today (Aug. 19).

The Bagatsing racefest, he added, was patterned after the Araw ng Maynila Gran Copa de Manila event at the old MJC San Lazaro Hippodrome in Manila, that the late mayor built into a much-awaited annual tradition.

Among the event’s richest races this year, with P1 million each in prizes from first to fourth, are the PhilracomBagatsing Cup Division I, open to 4YO and older local and imported horses; and the Resorts World Manila Cup, open to all 3YO local horses. Both will be run over 1,750 meters.

Another major race is the P400,000 Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-Bagatsing Cup Division II, a mile race for 3YO local horses who have not participated in any Philracom stakes or PCSO stakes

and is hoping that a win over Garcia will set up another megabuck fight against Mayweather, although it admittedly won’t draw the same attention and the kind of money they made in the first contest which was by all accounts, a disappointment.

Roach claimed that Pacquiao’s shoulder is healing well after surgery and that he’s been swimming and

or maiden races.

Four other P400,000 races, sponsored by Philracom, PCSO, MJC, and Midas Hotel and Casino; and five P500,000 races sponsored by Resorts World Manila, Solaire Resort and Casino (two), City of Dreams Manila, and San Miguel Corporation will be run.

All the races are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30.

On Saturday (Aug. 29), the racefest will feature an additional P1 million in added prizes, with five P200,000 races backed by Stradcom (two), EEG Development Corp., DLTB Transport, and SMART Corp.-Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto.

As in past stagings of the event, the Bagatsing family will award a prize of P5,000 and a sack of rice worth P1,500 to each winning groom, along with giveaways from Red Bull Energy Drink and Kabaka Foundation.

playing a little basketball and should be ready to resume training in three to six months.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was in the meantime jetting to London to meet with the handlers of Amir Khan to look into the possibility of a Pacquiao-Khan fight in the middle east which is a lucrative market Arum wishes to break in to.

Khan and Pacquiao met in London early this year and agreed to fight sometime this year, but the Mayweather fight got in the way and Khan is hoping there won’t be any more obstacles to his facing former stablemate and sometime sparring partner.

Khan has predicted that if he fights Pacquiao, it’s bound to be a terrific fight.

A BALANCED mix of veterans and rookies will make up the La Salle Green Archers’ roster when Season 78 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament gets going on Sept. 5.

La Salle coach Juno Sauler announced his final lineup last Monday, with veterans Jeric Teng, Jason Perkins and Thomas Torres leading the core of the Green Archers, who are bidding to return to the Final Four, while additional scoring options are expected from Prince Rivero, Julian Sargent and Abu Tratter.

“We have a very young team. We have new players eager to show that they can play at the collegiate level.

And it’s a challenge for the senior players to show leadership to the younger players,” Sauler said.

Also joining the team are nine recruits, namely shooters Andrei Caracut from San Beda and Jollo Go from Hope Christian School, Lorenzo Navarro from San Sebastian and Fil-American cager Joshua Torralba from the University of Texas.

Completing the team’s roster are big men John Gob from La Salle Greenhills, Daryl Pascua from University of Perpetual Help, Larry Muyang from Pampanga, another Fil-Am in Andrew Langston from Virginia and the team’s newest recruit, Aniel Joson, a 6’6” prized find from Florida.

La Salle tapped Joson to fill up the vacant spot at the middle left by 6’5” Cameroonian Ben Mbala, who was ruled ineligible to play in season 78 after he was discovered to have played for a pre-season league, which was a clear violation of the league’s residency rules.

Meanwhile, Langston, a 6’3” guard, is said to have played for one of the top high school basketball teams United States and averages around 10 points a game.

W E D N E S D AY : A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

A15 LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richie Garcia said sending as many Filipino athletes as possible to the Rio Olympics is their primary goal during an appearance at the PSA Forum in Shakey’s Malate.

P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

‘Viloria a dangerous opponent’

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Garcia: 15 to 20 athletes to Olympics will be good PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia on Tuesday said the primary goal leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics is to qualify as many Filipino athletes as possible.

“If we can get 15 to 20 athletes to Rio, that will be good,” said Garcia during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

“That will be an accomplishment we can be proud of. If we go back to the past few Olympics, we haven’t been sending many athletes,” he said.

In the 2012 London Olympics, the Philippines only had 11 qualifiers in eight sports, and none of them got close to the medal rounds.

Garcia told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp.,

Shakey’s, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., that the PSC is fully behind the country’s Olympic drive.

“We are willing to spend.

Funding will not be a problem as long as we qualify,” said Garcia who, however, said it’s too early to think of how much will be spent.

He said qualifying athletes to Rio will be costly because the PSC will have to spend for each athlete hoping to qualify in any of the 28 Olympic sports.

The qualifying events, Gar-

cia said, are expensive because sometimes, the athletes in individual and team events have to travel as far as Europe to join the qualifiers.

Once they qualify, the PSC will also have to spend for their training, but once they get to Rio, everything will be shouldered by the International Olympic Committee.

“Pinakamura ang Olympics (It’s the cheapest),” said the PSC chairman.

But Garcia issued an appeal before the different NSAs (national sports associations) to make sure the athletes they send to the qualifying events are “qualified.”

“As long as they are qualified we have no problem. Let us not spend our money on athletes

with no chances of qualifying,” said Garcia.

So far, Eric Cray of track and field, a double gold winner in the last SEA Games, is the only Filipino athlete assured of a slot to the Rio Olympics.

Garcia is also counting on 2014 Asian Games gold medalist Daniel Caluag of BMX to make it but was surprised the USbased rider has yet to join any qualifying event.

“We have all the tournaments lined up. There’s no sense of urgency,” said Abraham Tolentino, PhilCycling president Garcia said the PSC just received a budget request of $17,000 from Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines regarding Caluag’s drive to Rio.

Chiefs surprise defending champ Lions, 88-84; Perpetual Altas outlast Bombers in overtime

By Peter Atencio ARELLANO University saved their best in the final period, as it turned back defending champion San Beda College, 88-84, to end its first-round assignment with a bang in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Areana.

Jiovani Jalalon scored 22 points, including a trey in the middle of a 10-3 run in the final six minutes that gave the Chiefs a 73-67 spread.

The Red Lions, however,

scored four unanswered points, capped by a triple from Roldan Sara to keep the score close, 7173, but Allen Enriquez and Jalalon scored on drives to move Arellano ahead for good, 77-73.

Zach Nichols scored six points for Arellano, but it was his second trey that made the difference as it gave the Chiefs the lead in the last 6:37 after a long chase.

With the win, the Chiefs improved to 6-3 at fourth spot, while the Red Lions dropped to a tie for second spot with the University of Perpetual Help

Altas, who earlier outlasted the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in overtime, 86-83.

“Super big win. I told them ‘play your best, sacrifice your bodies for Ola, Tankoaua and Art,’” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera.

Pierre Tankoua had 22 points for the Red Lions, while Sara added 16.

Olaide Adeogun, who was warned for destroying the glass partition of the team’s assigned dugout at halftime, had 10 points, but was held scoreless in the second half.

Bright Akhuetier led the Altas with 31 points, including 10 crucial points in overtime.

The Heavy Bombers, meanwhile, slid to 5-4 at fifth.

In junior action, Pedro Alfaro unloaded 23 points to lead the San Beda Red Cubs past the Arellano Braves, 86-81, to stay unbeaten with nine wins at the close of the first round.

In the other juniors’ match, John Torre scored a seasonhigh 39 points as the JRU Light Bombers dumped the Junior Altas, 89-66, for only their first win after nine games.

THE trainer of undefeated poundfor-pound No. 2 ranked World Boxing Council flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez said former two-division world champion Brian Viloria is a dangerous opponent, as the fighters step up preparations for their classic clash at the Madison Square Garden on the undercard of the blockbuster middleweight title fight between Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux on Oct. 17.

Boxing Scene quoted trainer Arnulfo Obando, who said Gonzalez faces “a difficult fight” against Viloria, “although a lot of people are talking about his age (34).”

“Viloria is a very dangerous man who is experienced, hits hard and has excellent combinations,” Obando said. “Viloria will be coming to fight . I don’t think he will run because he is under pressure to leave a good image for HBO (which will telecast the fight card).”

The trainer recalled he saw Viloria when he scored a 10th-round TKO victory over Hernan Marquez to win the World Boxing Association flyweight title on Nov. 17, 2012 in a fight, where he dropped his foe in Rounds 1, 5 and 10 to win the crown.

“Viloria really hits hard with his left. He does a lot of damage with that hand,” Obando said.

While there were efforts to have Gonzalez fight former champion Giovanni Segura, who was battered into submission in eight rounds by Viloria on Dec. 10, Obando said the Filipino “is the best opponent Chocolatito can face.”

He said Viloria also put on a great fight against Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada, who captured the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association titles of the Filipino in a split decision win in Macau on April 6, 2013.

“Viloria is one of the strongest fighters at 112 pounds,” Obando added.

Viloria is currently training at the Wild Card Gym under Freddie Roach and his Filipino assistant Marvin Samodio, while Gonzalez plans to train for five weeks at Big Bear in California.

Gonzalez has a record of 43-0 with 37 knockouts and is coming off a devastating second-round TKO of former world champion Edgar Sosa, while Viloria, who has a record of 36-4 with 22 knockouts, is coming off a spectacular first-round knockout in a rematch with Omar Soto last July 25 when he dropped him three times in the opening round.

A16

W E D N E S D AY : A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS Jason Day of Australia (right) and Jordan Spieth of the United States wait on the 12th tee during the final round of the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. AFP

Changing of the guard Pacman prefers Garcia over Khan

By Ronnie Nathanielsz WORLD Boxing Council welterweight Silver champion Amir Khan’s dream of facing eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao after being rejected three times by undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. may be shattered once again as the Filipino ring icon is reportedly looking at a title fight against Danny Garcia.

The chief proponent of a Garcia fight is trainer Freddie Roach, who was quoted as saying: “The fight we want is Danny Garcia.”

Roach claimed that a fight against the undefeated American, who knocked out Khan, would be “the easiest fight in the world.”

Pacquiao, himself is aching for a rematch with Mayweather, even though Floyd has insisted his Sept. 12 showdown with Andre Berto at the MG Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will be his last, which Roach refuses to believe.

Continued to A14

KOHLER—With the 20-something trio of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and newly crowned PGA Champion Jason Day atop the world rankings, golf’s changing of the guard is complete.

The triumvirate have now won five of the past six majors—and they’re just part of a talented crop of young players that also includes Players Championship winner Rickie Fowler and 23-year-old Japanese Hideki Matsuyama—winner of the Memorial this year.

“Our generation is strong. It has taken over now,” said Day, and there was no cause to argue the point after 39-year-old Tiger Woods—floundering all season— missed the cut at his third major in a row.

Nor was five-time major champion Phil Mickelson a factor.

The 45-year-old can still wow a crowd with his scrambling bird-

‘15 to 20 athletes to Rio will be good’ TURN TO A15

ies, but he hasn’t won a US PGA Tour title since 2013.

Today’s young stars are measuring themselves not against the game’s ageing names but against each other.

“Golf is very healthy,” Day said. “Rory came out and was really dominating as number one and now young guys like myself, Jordan, Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama are starting to challenge.

“I’m looking forward to the sheer competition of being able to fight against these guys each week because it’s going to be a lot of fun over the next five or 10 years,” said 27-year-old Day, who

triumphed at Whistling Straits in epic fashion —his 20-under winning total the record for a major championship.

Spieth, 22, admitted there was simply nothing he could do to stop Day. But with a runner-up finish three strokes adrift he ended McIlroy’s 55-week reign atop the world rankings.

McIlroy—who won the British Open and PGA Championship last year and at 26 has occupied the number one spot for a total of 93 weeks—left Whistling Straits with plenty of positives, his 17thplace finish offering reassurance that a ruptured ankle tendon won’t have a lingering effect on his career now that he’s returned to action.

“It’s exciting for golf right now,” said former US Open champion Justin Rose of England. “I think

Bagatsing Cup eyes record sales TURN TO A14

golf is in a great spot. Rory, Jordan obviously have been leading the way. Jason has been knocking on that Majors door for a long time...

It’s just good for golf.”

Spieth has been the real revelation of 2015. He is the secondyoungest player to reach number one—after Woods at 21 in 1997.

His performance in major championships was historic—his combined 54-under par over the four tournaments is a record.

Spieth’s march to victory at Augusta National earned the Masters its highest television ratings since 2011—a sign that the self-effacing yet fiercely competitive Texan can be the kind of draw golf needs as Woods’s star wanes.

“The game’s in good hands,” Mickelson said at Whistling Straits. “We’ve got a good quality group of guys that are great players but also great people.” AFP

B1

WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 19, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

business@thestandardtoday.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

New ANA jets. Star Wars droids C-3PO (second from left) and R2-D2 (third from left) pose with Japan’s airline All Nippon Airways president Shinobe Osamu (third from right) and Walt Disney Japan president Paul Candland (second from right) and flight attendants as they unveil scale models of ANA Boeing 787-9 and 777-300ER aircraft in the livery of Star Wars droid characters at a news conference in Tokyo on August 18, 2015. ANA’s R2-D2 livery jetliner will be launched for overseas air routes in October while the BB-8 livery jet plane will be launched for the North American air route next year. AFP

PSe comPoSite index Closing August 18, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500

BayanTel purchase bypassed Congress

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. wants the National Telecommunications Commission to reverse its earlier decision on the takeover of Bayan Telecommunications Inc. by rival Globe Telecom Inc. The country’s largest telecommunications company said in an appeal the regulator’s “justification for the approval of joint application is not only contrary, but is also without any basis in law.”

“With all due respect, [NTC] erred in exempting Globe and BayanTel from the required prior Congressional approval considering that the debt-to-equity transaction between Globe and BayanTel is not

contemplated under the equity of treatment clause,” PLDT said.

PLDT added the regulator also erred in ruling that the joint application of BayanTel and Globe would not result in a gross disproportionate assignment of radio frequency in favor of Globe.

“Despite the admitted fact that BayanTel had not been utilizing its frequencies and rolling out its CMTS [cellular mobile telephone services] operations as required under its provisional authority, [NTC] sanctioned an outright

UP building global campus in Clark

By Othel V. Campos THE University of the Philippines has signed a deal with state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority to build a global campus in Clark Green City in Central Luzon.

UP president Alfredo Pascual and BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Casanova signed a memorandum of agreement at UP Diliman in Quezon City for the development of a 70-hectare lot in the proposed Clark Green City into an educational hub.

“The UP global campus in Clark Green City will play a pivotal role in jump starting the Innovative and Academic District in Clark Green City,” Casanova said.

Clark Green City, covering 9,450 hectares in Pampanga and

Tarlac, is envisioned to be the first smart, disaster-resilient and green city in the Philippines.

BCDA said the Innovative and Academic District in Clark Green City was envisioned to be the brain capital of the Philippines, a melting pot of new technologies, innovation and creative industries.

“For every poor Filipino who needs to be educated, there must be place that UP could provide for them. For every creative and innovative mind that our country could produce, UP must be able to provide the opportunity for them. The UP Clark Green City will make this happen,” Casanova said.

Pascual said UP was ready to present the conceptual plan of the UP Campus in Clark Green City to the BCDA. He said the state-

owned university had the initial funds to implement the project, which was scheduled to break ground by the first quarter of 2016.

Under the agreement, BCDA will turn over some 70 hectares through a deed of conveyance to the premier state university, subject to a final ground survey that will be jointly conducted by both parties.

UP will develop the property into an academic and research campus of the UP System and operate and manage the said property. UP will develop the property at its own expense in accordance with the parameters, land use plan and other guidelines provided in the Clark Green City master development plan.

The agreement has a term of 50 years, which is renewable for another 50 years.

transfer of the radio frequencies disguised as a gradual takeover of BayanTel by Globe,” PLDT said.

“PLDT, therefore, implores.... to reverse its ruling in the assailed decision or, in the alternative, require the divestment of BayanTel and Globe’s excess frequencies,” it added.

PLDT added Globe already had a disproportionate amount of radio frequencies against its consumer base.

PLDT earlier said with the acquisition of BayanTel, Globe would have control over 22.5 megahertz (MHz) of the 1800 MHz 2G bandwidth.

The NTC last monthsaid the approval of joint application of BayanTel and Globe would enhance competition in the cellular mobile and broadband markets, rejecting the claim of rival Smart Communications Inc. that it would result in grossly disproportionate assignment of radio frequency.

Globe acquired 98.26 percent of BayanTel’s loans and 100 percent of Radio Communications of the Philippines Inc.’s liabilities. RCPI, a unit of BayanTel, is owned by the Lopez Group.

The acquisition cost of $130 million was lower than the $400-million face value of BayanTel. After the NTC approval, Globe agreed to buy the remaining stake of the Lopez family in BayanTel for P1.83 billion.

The transaction involves up to 70,763,707 BayanTel shares and increases Globe’s equity interest in BayanTel from 56.87 percent to 98.57 percent of the outstanding capital stock.

6000

7,333.45 3.39

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing AUGUST 18, 2015 42

P46.355

43

CLOSE

44 45 46

HIGH P46.320 LOW P46.390 AVERAGE P46.350 VOLUME 468.600M

P475.00-P675.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.10-P45.35 Unleaded Gasoline P25.30-P28.55 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, August 18, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

46.2870

Japan

Yen

0.008037

0.3720

UK

Pound

1.558400

72.1337

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128959

5.9691

Switzerland

Franc

1.022495

47.3282

Canada

Dollar

0.764292

35.3768

Singapore

Dollar

0.710530

32.8883

Australia

Dollar

0.738607

34.1879

Bahrain

Dinar

2.649709

122.6471

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266610

12.3406

Brunei

Dollar

0.708015

32.7719

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.028266

1.3083

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.6020

Euro

Euro

1.107900

51.2814

Korea

Won

0.000846

0.0392

China

Yuan

0.156380

7.2384

India

Rupee

0.015284

0.7075

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243784

11.2840

New Zealand

Dollar

0.657678

30.4419

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030841

1.4275 Source: PDS Bridge

WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 19, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Tuesday, augusT 18, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 17 30.45 2.6 100 30.5 75 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 12.02 19.6 1.02 78 17.8 58 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. Metrobank PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

2.93 70 99.90 91.10 42.5 2.45 16 20.15 1.79 84.4 18.50 25.80 62.05 303 38.55 133 1500.00 57.65 3.24

47 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 241 12.5 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

35.9 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 8.61 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 173 8.65 2.3 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.37 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 161 1.55 0.138 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

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

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

Lafarge Rep LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Vulcan Ind’l.

43.5 0.94 1.78 11 93.00 17.88 27.6 45.9 2.71 1.5 12 10.800 9.75 6.55 9.25 1.82 13.74 24.75 75.4 13.86 13.26 5.88 190.00 10.12 2.02 1.7 24 25 5.9 290.00 4.00 4.58 8.35 4 11.42 3.39 2.16 2.65 4.16 1.83 6.2 162 1.8 0.135 1.91 188 4.22 0.66 1.13

0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 9.66 0.0670 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 1.15 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 4.5 3 0.030 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 170 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Transgrid Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.450 57.5000 22.30 6.90 0.250 0.24 760 7.46 11.82 3.09 2.86 4.30 0.188 1310 6.46 68.60 6.87 0.63 14.6 0.54 4.96 7.9 3.6 0.0440 2.090 2.85 55.60 900.00 1.21 0.68 140.00 77.650 0.2800 0.1640 0.250

10.5

6.74

8990 HLDG

6.990

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

SHARES 6,593,842 62,891,535 528,505,557 100,749,669 107,709,660 592,604,382 1,399,470,875

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.99 2.85 70 68.6 101.00 99.70 91.00 89.20 42.5 42.5 2.54 2.54 16.2 15.98 21.1 20.1 1.78 1.63 84.9 82.3 19.00 18.50 26.00 25.70 62.50 62.00 306.6 301 38.8 38.5 133 130 1500.00 1500.00 57.40 57.00 3.24 3.24 INDUSTRIAL 43.5 42.6 0.96 0.91 1.78 1.65 11 10.22 93.00 93.00 17.88 17.52 27.65 27 46.4 46 2.93 2.7 1.46 1.46 11.86 11.74 11.000 10.72 9.78 9.50 6.54 6.40 9.46 9.25 1.82 1.82 13.62 13 25.15 24.5 75.75 74.8 13.30 13.30 13.26 13.22 5.85 5.91 190.00 188.70 10.16 10.12 2.04 1.92 1.7 1.7 24.1 23.7 25 24.35 6.3 5.81 292.60 287.20 3.85 3.50 4.64 4.55 8.30 8.03 4 4 11.60 11.30 3.39 3.22 2.17 2.04 2.75 2.6 4.20 4.15 1.83 1.83 6.25 6.25 163 160 1.8 1.75 0.138 0.130 1.96 1.91 192 188.1 4.2 4.2 0.69 0.66 1.18 1.13 HOLDING FIRMS 0.450 0.440 57.5000 57.1500 22.25 21.60 6.90 6.80 0.235 0.235 0.24 0.24 770 761 7.6 7.39 12.08 11.78 2.8 2.8 2.87 2.87 4.25 4.25 0.194 0.184 1305 1289 6.74 6.70 68.75 68.15 6.9 6.64 0.67 0.6 14.58 14.32 0.58 0.57 4.94 4.82 7.82 8.01 3.61 3.61 0.0540 0.0430 2.120 1.970 2.85 2.85 55.75 55.00 900.50 898.00 1.28 1.28 0.65 0.65 140.00 140.00 78.000 77.650 0.3000 0.2850 0.1750 0.1620 0.250 0.250 PROPERTY 6.960 6.800

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.99 69 101.00 91.00 42.5 2.54 16.18 20.2 1.78 82.3 18.80 26.00 62.05 301 38.75 132 1500.00 57.05 3.24

2.05 -1.43 1.10 -0.11 0.00 3.67 1.13 0.25 -0.56 -2.49 1.62 0.78 0.00 -0.66 0.52 -0.75 0.00 -1.04 0.00

107,000 44,800 2,170,870 1,002,080 108,900 2,000 46,000 12,100 37,000 1,288,790 123,900 200 10,380 240 1,069,100 553,960 100 8,290 8,000

-20.00 2,050,878.00 29,555,293.00 2,265,197.00 1,729,750.00

43.5 0.92 1.73 10.6 93.00 17.52 27.3 46.4 2.89 1.46 11.74 10.760 9.60 6.42 9.44 1.82 13.2 24.55 75.05 13.30 13.22 5.85 190.00 10.12 1.92 1.7 24.1 24.4 5.82 288.60 3.50 4.58 8.29 4 11.60 3.30 2.07 2.73 4.18 1.83 6.25 163 1.75 0.134 1.92 190 4.2 0.68 1.13

0.00 -2.13 -2.81 -3.64 0.00 -2.01 -1.09 1.09 6.64 -2.67 -2.17 -0.37 -1.54 -1.98 2.05 0.00 -3.93 -0.81 -0.46 -4.04 -0.30 -0.51 0.00 0.00 -4.95 0.00 0.42 -2.40 -1.36 -0.48 -12.50 0.00 -0.72 0.00 1.58 -2.65 -4.17 3.02 0.48 0.00 0.81 0.62 -2.78 -0.74 0.52 1.06 -0.47 3.03 0.00

1,843,500 2,904,000 1,889,000 9,700 10 690,600 468,100 407,500 7,734,000 8,000 38,500 7,568,300 517,100 13,281,500 25,700 25,000 66,000 1,229,100 319,040 2,100 33,300 119,400 452,230 369,700 109,000 3,000 562,700 113,300 70,000 405,940 76,000 2,990,000 1,205,900 4,000 8,800 136,000 758,000 2,859,000 2,616,000 1,000 100 380 1,190,000 2,760,000 1,194,000 2,255,660 1,015,000 404,000 73,000

0.450 57.5000 21.60 6.81 0.235 0.24 770 7.4 11.94 2.8 2.87 4.25 0.184 1294 6.70 68.40 6.83 0.62 14.44 0.58 4.92 8.01 3.61 0.0510 2.000 2.85 55.75 900.00 1.28 0.65 140.00 78.000 0.3000 0.1740 0.250

0.00 0.00 -3.14 -1.30 -6.00 -0.41 1.32 -0.80 1.02 -9.39 0.35 -1.16 -2.13 -1.22 3.72 -0.29 -0.58 -1.59 -1.10 7.41 -0.81 1.39 0.28 15.91 -4.31 0.00 0.27 0.00 5.79 -4.41 0.00 0.45 7.14 6.10 0.00

60,000 1,158,770 -3,259,864.50 8,412,900 -8,578,035.00 23,100 -99,270.00 40,000 60,000 142,590 19,284,305.00 1,545,200 2,594,928.00 6,102,300 -8,861,370.00 340,000 7,000 9,000 540,000 209,130 -43,312,885.00 200 2,111,710 -22,922,785.50 2,150,900 -1,454,921.00 234,000 1,185,300 1,279,168.00 21,000 29,797,000 14,026,200.00 660,600 -78,300.00 3,000 460,300,000 -53,000.00 11,115,000 -279,200.00 5,000 188,760 -5,616,737.50 102,760 -24,084,740.00 7,000 56,000 70 3,130 -97,150.00 1,210,000 210,000 130,000

6.880

-1.57

164,500

-179,156.00 4,160.00 -58,340,122.50 -296,000.00 55,364.00 357,785.00 21,571,747.00 75,000.00 -237,083.00 -8,700,700.00 210,130.00 334,530.00 8,852,808.00 2,700,000.00 -3,263,915.00 15,056,830.00 -381,106.00 8,699,902.00 -1,502,488.00 -21,977,750.00 -124,992.00 -3,648,120.00 5,810,284.50 -92,860.00 -53,205,380.00 -633,638.00 -2,260,590.00 -7,365.00 4,469,566.00 -895,050.00 -637,431.00 136,860.00 220,580.00 2,562,520.00 1,136,730.00

52,800.00 -40,300.00 95,044,207.00 -4,200,000.00 6,600.00

59,080.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 1.99 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 4.88 0.180 0.470 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 8.59

0.65 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 2.75 0.090 0.290 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

Close

A. Brown Co., Inc. Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld Corp.

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Vista Land & Lifescapes

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

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

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

DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

7.59 SSI Group 0.63 STI Holdings 5 Travellers 0.315 Waterfront Phils.

1.14 Yehey

0.0098 17.24 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 6.47 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

70 8.21 12.28 1047 76.9 84.8

33 5.88 6.5 1011 74.2 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred C

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

88 12.88

13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

High

VALUE 542,137,101.20 1,480,203,911.76 1,206,501,882.323 746,468,083.31 1,088,474,886.30 155,990,726.245 5,225,523,381.14

FINANCIAL 1,593.17 (DOWN0 5.57 INDUSTRIAL 11,144.84 (DOWN) 9.04 HOLDING FIRMS 6,682.93 (DOWN) 14.93 PROPERTY 3,028.74 (UP) 3.29 SERVICES 2,003.54 (UP) 0.88 MINING & OIL 11,021.37 (DOWN) 83.22 PSEI 7,333.45 (DOWN) 3.39 All Shares Index 4,183.98 (DOWN) 7.45 Gainers: 61 Losers: 103; Unchanged: 42; Total: 206

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.68 0.221 37.65 3.16 5.13 0.78 1.13 1.05 0.120 0.430 12.68 0.830 0.170 1.16 1.90 1.32 4.49 0.100 0.2750 7.31 28.95 1.62 3.24 20.00 0.72 7 6.760

0.68 0.65 0.67 0.221 0.221 0.221 38.10 37.55 38.00 3.29 3.16 3.2 5 4.9 5 0.79 0.77 0.77 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.05 1.01 1.05 0.120 0.110 0.119 0.435 0.425 0.425 12.64 12.3 12.42 0.830 0.830 0.830 0.170 0.168 0.170 1.17 1.12 1.15 1.92 1.88 1.92 1.27 1.27 1.27 4.47 4.27 4.28 0.100 0.094 0.100 0.2750 0.2750 0.2750 7.31 7.3 7.3 29.00 28.40 29.00 1.62 1.63 1.63 3.24 3.24 3.24 20.45 19.94 20.00 0.73 0.69 0.72 7.16 7 7.16 6.900 6.720 6.810 SERVICES 10.08 10.4 9.32 9.48 61.9 62 60.4 60.4 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 0.580 0.580 0.550 0.550 11.82 12.88 12.88 12.88 6.99 7.36 7.01 7.19 0.0710 0.0730 0.0700 0.0710 4.11 4.1 3.89 4.06 88 90.8 88.2 90.5 10.1 9.9 8 9.9 4.75 4.99 4.99 4.99 2600 2630 2572 2620 6.54 6.55 6.50 6.51 1.25 1.26 1.23 1.24 105 104.8 101.6 102 3.50 3.75 3.75 3.75 12.18 11.88 11.52 11.88 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.170 0.183 0.170 0.180 1.3000 1.4100 1.3000 1.4100 2.2 2.26 2.2 2.26 8.28 8.20 8.29 7.79 2.10 2.15 2.10 2.10 0.640 0.640 0.640 0.640 2 2 2 2 6.35 6.34 6.1 6.3 0.310 0.300 0.290 0.300 4.95 4.95 4.95 4.95 102.00 100.10 100.10 100.10 18.40 18.42 17.90 18.42 2704.00 2740.00 2706.00 2740.00 0.640 0.640 0.630 0.630 1.330 1.330 1.280 1.320 35.50 35.60 34.20 34.20 73.25 74.00 72.00 72.95 4.88 4.97 4.56 4.67 6.94 7.01 6.64 6.72 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.63 4.75 4.98 4.65 4.65 0.325 0.320 0.320 0.320 2.390 2.530 2.390 2.490 MINING & OIL 0.0057 0.0060 0.0057 0.0058 4.80 4.80 4.70 4.76 0.6 0.64 0.62 0.64 0.66 0.72 0.65 0.71 6.70 6.60 6.38 6.40 1.22 1.25 1.20 1.21 0.295 0.300 0.295 0.295 0.198 0.199 0.183 0.189 0.201 0.205 0.182 0.195 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.5 2.55 2.5 2.51 8.6 8.65 8.1 8.3 3.5 3.62 3.39 3.4 0.5800 0.6200 0.5800 0.5800 1.7000 1.7000 1.6400 1.6400 0.0090 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 4.10 4.02 4.00 4.00 5.03 5.050 4.750 4.76 1.50 1.490 1.430 1.46 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 123.50 121.00 123.90 121.00 4.49 3.5 2.5 2.9 0.0090 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 PREFERRED 61 61 59 59 6.6 6.61 6.45 6.61 1.11 1.1 1.1 1.1 1020 1020 1019 1019 75.45 75.5 75.4 75.4 80 80.8 80 80 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.450 3.500 3.450 3.450 SME 69.5 60.25 60.25 60.25 11.02 11.2 10.7 10.98 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.7 120.1 119.5 119.6

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

-1.47 0.00 0.93 1.27 -2.53 -1.28 -8.85 0.00 -0.83 -1.16 -2.05 0.00 0.00 -0.86 1.05 -3.79 -4.68 0.00 0.00 -0.14 0.17 0.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.29 0.74

136,000 400,000 5,555,200 2,664,000 187,800 3,365,000 3,000 24,000 10,270,000 1,740,000 536,700 90,000 190,000 4,130,000 13,034,000 5,000 30,480,000 1,830,000 800,000 168,000 495,100 371,000 3,000 15,019,100 1,475,000 14,000 264,000

-5.95 -2.42 0.00 -5.17 8.97 2.86 0.00 -1.22 2.84 -1.98 5.05 0.77 -0.46 -0.80 -2.86 7.14 -2.46 -8.33 5.88 8.46 2.73 0.98 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.79 -3.23 0.00 -1.86 0.11 1.33 -1.56 -0.75 -3.66 -0.41 -4.30 -3.17 1.61 -2.11 -1.54 4.18

1,456,400 34,230 1 855,000 600 29,471,200 6,870,000 302,000 752,350 1,500 1,000 38,835 166,800 475,000 609,050 1,000 4,000 20,000,000 6,420,000 2,930,000 37,000 2,435,600 86,000 34,000 20,000 387,900 90,000 24,000 230 374,100 89,565 57,000 7,106,000 2,805,700 1,494,260 8,180,000 10,428,400 1,059,000 1,139,000 250,000 94,000

1.75 -0.83 6.67 7.58 -4.48 -0.82 0.00 -4.55 -2.99 0.00 0.40 -3.49 -2.86 0.00 -3.53 1.11 0.00 -2.44 -5.37 -2.67 0.00 2.07 -35.41 -11.11

511,000,000 0.00 140,000 -70,940.00 280,000 2,280.00 578,000 18,000 2,830,000 -118,530.00 580,000 5,170,000 2,730,000 200,000.00 500,000 712,000 -454,240.00 3,771,200 -13,010,139.00 1,063,000 23,000 70,000 8,250.00 1,000,000 11,500,000 126,500.00 25,000 1,505,700 256,710.00 1,135,000 -19,550.00 21,100,000 453,910 21,414,586.00 16,165,000 652,810.00 10,000,000

-3.28 0.15 -0.90 -0.10 -0.07 0.00

151,010 700,000 100,000 1,785 139,870 16,790

0.00

105,000

-13.31 -0.36

1,000 404,900

43,370.00

-0.08

10,320

25,097.00

14,617,705.00 -2,419,530.00 -742,970.00 384,650.00

533,200.00 79,582.00 -74,700.00 -721,990.00 2,935,230.00 -80,420,860.00 -144,950.00 4,767,485.00 -270,560.00 -72,147,669.00 -727,607.00 2,222,782.00 69,000.00 9,432,499.00 18,082,772.50 -19,246,860.00 4,310,114.00 23,760.00 -102,460.00 -56,550.00 693,390.00 8,400.00 1,851,624.00

-521,834.00 23,932,260.00 7,850.00 793,760.00 67,331,181.50 1,118,890.00 577,140.00 -320,000.00 -1,251,430.00

-181,971.00 4,547,198.00 -5,035,083.50 -304,800.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Pacifica `A'

0.0510

15.91

TA Petroleum

2.9

-35.41

Asian Terminals Inc.

12.88

8.97

IRipple E-Business Intl

60.25

-13.31

ISM Communications

1.4100

8.46

Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

3.50

-12.50

Coal Asia

0.71

7.58

United Paragon

0.0080

-11.11

Mabuhay Holdings `A'

0.58

7.41

F&J Prince 'A'

2.8

-9.39

Imperial Res. `A'

3.75

7.14

City & Land Dev.

1.03

-8.85

Unioil Res. & Hldgs

0.3000

7.14

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.011

-8.33

Century Peak Metals Hldgs

0.64

6.67

ATN Holdings A

0.235

-6.00

Crown Asia

2.89

6.64

2GO Group'

9.48

-5.95

Wellex Industries

0.1740

6.10

Philex `A'

4.76

-5.37

WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 19, 2015

B3

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

Megaworld building 2 malls Stocks extend losses to 5th day STOCKS fell for the fifth day, tracking the movement of Asian markets, with Shanghai hit by fears a pick-up in the property market will stymie government stimulus while a deadly blast in Bangkok sent Thai shares plunging.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 3 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 7,333.45, the lowest in more than two months. Despite the loss, the gauge was still up 1.4 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also dropped 7 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,183.98, on a value turnover of P5.2 billion.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. rose 2.9 percent to P7.19, becoming the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. added 1.3 percent to close at P2,740.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. gained 1.3 percent to P770, while BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender, added 1.1 percent to P101.

Property developer Megaworld Corp. tumbled 4.7 percent to P4.28, while Puregold Price Club Inc. retreated 3.7 percent to P34.20.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets traded lower Tuesday. Tokyo closed down 0.32 percent, or 65.79 points, at 20,554.47.

Sydney fell 1.20 percent, or 64.55 points, to 5,303.10 and Seoul dipped 0.62 percent, or 12.26 points, to close at 1,956.26.

Shanghai slumped 5.09 percent in afternoon trade while Hong Kong shares dropped 0.63 percent.

Thai shares notched their steepest decline this year and the baht slid to its lowest level since 2009 after a bomb attack killed at least 20 people and injured scores in Bangkok. With AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp is investing P4 billion to build two new malls in the 15.4-hectare Uptown Bonifacio district in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Megaworld first vice president and head of commercial Kevin Tan said in a news briefing the two malls would have a total of 110,000 square meters of leasable space, boosting the company’s total retail leasable space to 414,000 square meters.

The first shopping mall, called Uptown Place, is a fivelevel upscale mall covering 85,000 square meter of retail and commercial spaces.

“Finally, we are introducing our flagship mall with new, innovative concepts and offer-

ings. From the retail mix to the mall facilities and amenities, Uptown Place is envisioned to be a major shopping, dining and leisure destination in Fort Bonifacio,” Tan said.

Tan said Uptown Place would redefine the lifestyle, retail, leisure and entertainment landscape of Fort Bonifacio with various offerings.

It will also have state-ofthe-art cinemas including Megaworld’s Signature Ultra Cinemas, a rooftop sky plaza overlooking Uptown Bonifacio skyline, a lifestyle tower,

chapel, Las Vegas-style water feature at the mall’s ground level and al fresco dining areas.

The second mall,called Uptown Parade, is a 25,000-square-meter strip that is expected to become Manila’s newest dining hub, offering

Two new shopping malls are set to rise in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City

specialty restaurants serving international cuisines.

Megaworld saidUptown Parade would also include

an 8,000-square-meter party place called Palace Superclub.

It now houses the Valkyrie Nightclub and The Palace Pool Club, the country’s first day club and pool club.

Tan said the two upcoming retail developments were already 90-percent leased out.

Tan said the opening of the two new malls was a part of the Megaworld’s target to have 20 malls by 2020.

The 20 new malls are expected to boost the company’s gross leasable space by 600,000 to 700,000 square meters.

Aside from the two new malls, Megaworld is also building several luxury residential condominiums in Uptown Bonifacio and office buildings, including the 20-story Alliance Global Tower, which will serve as the headquarters of the companies under the Alliance Global Group Inc.

Batangas port’s growth. Sustaining its outstanding performance in 2014, the modern Batangas Container Terminal managed

by Asian Terminals Inc. has continuously handled growing volumes in the past seven months, while operating at increasingly higher terminal productivity. From January to July, BCT handled over 81,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of international containers, up by more than 230 percent from a year ago. Shown are BCT personnel, led by ATI assistant vice president Simon Waterman (center as they celebrate the terminal’s record productivity in July, exceeding 30 gross moves per hour, the highest since the terminal began operations in 2010.

BPI expects peso to depreciate to 46.8 per dollar by yearend

By Julito G. Rada BANK of the Philippine Islands, one of the top lenders, said Tuesday it expects the peso to depreciate to 46.8 against the US dollar by the end of the year.

“Our year-end projection was for a 46.8 exchange rate given the impending Fed rate hike. We had expected this forecast as we projected two rate hikes by the Fed [this year],” Nicholas Antonio Mapa, research officer at BPI’s financial markets and treasury division, said.

“Given current developments,

we are retaining this call despite the possibility and likelihood of only one rate hike by the Fed because of the surprise PBOC [People’s Bank of China] move to devalue the CNY [Chinese yuan],” Mapa said.

Mapa said the yuan devaluation had similar effects on the exchange rate and “thus we still see the 46.8 level by yearend.”

The peso, which has been trading above the 45-a-dollar mark since June 8 this year, breached the 46-a-dollar level on Aug. 12.

It closed at 46.355 Tuesday, the weakest in five years.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said earlier that the exchange rate target average of 43 to 46 a dollar this year remained doable despite the volatilities in the global financial markets.

Guinigundo said the Philippines remained a resilient economy with strong growth prospects, lower inflation forecasts and robust external payments position. “Thus, the P43 to P46 exchange rate assumption continues to be realistic,” Guinigundo said.

FBangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the peso’s

decline was brought about by initial market reaction on the announcement of the yuan devaluation.

He said the peso would continue to be affected “by external developments, such as this, but market participants are also expected to put weight on the country’s sound macro-economic fundamentals.”

Tetangco expressed optimism that the country’s positive economic outlook, investment-grade status and sustained structural foreign exchange inflows would moderate any weakening pressures on the exchange rate.

Economists from the First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said in a report the peso would depreciate further against the greenback as the US economy continued to recover and the Federal Reserve was expected to increase interest rates this year.

The economists predicted that the peso would average 45.43 to a dollar in July, and weakened further to 45.51 in August. However, they expected the local currency to slightly recover in September, averaging at 45.356 against the greenback.

B4 Robinsons in Meycauayan.

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group opened its latest Robinsons Townsville outlet in El Camino Road, Sto.Niño, Meycauayan City Bulacan province.

The Gokongweis joined the community mall bandwagon by launching the brand Robinsons Townsville this year. At the Meycauayan opening rites are (from left) Bambi Samson, leasing manager; Ana Theresa Arceo, Meycauayan mall manager; Maria Glendaly Pelayo, Cabanatuan mall manager; Joel Delfin, assistant vice president for mall division; Ma.Jocelyn Bognot, Pulilan mall manager; Herbert Paul Nucup, BF and Buhay na Tubig mall manager.

MANNY PALMERO

PLDT company bares new purchase

Shell sees rebound after ’13, ’14 losses

By Darwin G. Amojelar By Alena Mae S. Flores VOYAGER Innovations Inc., the digital innovations unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Group, said Tuesday it acquired a Singapore-based ecommerce platform start-up for $5 million.

Voyager Innovations through Takatack Pte. Ltd. signed an agreement to purchase the issued share capital of Paywhere Pte. Ltd. for $5 million, which was expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2015.

Voyager will pay $3 million upfront at the completion date and the balance of $2 million in deferred mode.

Paywhere is the company behind online store creator TackThis!, a cloud-based eCommerce platform that operates on a software as a service (SaaS) model. It enables entrepreneurs and businesses to set up their online store in just a few steps and allows them, among many other things, to showcase their products on various online platforms, manage their store inventory and accept payments through a variety of local providers.

TackThis! allows merchants to easily integrate their stores to social media sites like Facebook, as well as blog sites like Tumblr and Blogspot, or personal blogs.

The TackThis! eCommerce platform has around 30,000 registered users across Southeast Asia where it is complemented

by Takatack, an online shopping discovery platform for various products, including those posted using TackThis! Over 400 merchants, meanwhile, are already part of the TackThis!

Concierge program.

PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp., the smaller oil refiner, expects a financial turnaround this year due to stable oil prices, a senior official said Tuesday.

“Last year, we suffered losses because there was a huge decline in prices. We’re hoping [net income] will be positive [this year],” Shell country chairman Ed Chua said.

Chua said oil prices this year were “more or less stable.”

“Actually low prices are good for sales because products are more affordable. Volume is higher and there is no inventory losses,” he said.

Chua did not cite a net income figure in 2014. He earlier said Shell’s losses likely widened in 2014 from 2013 due to the drop

in world oil prices, adding the 2014 numbers were “very bad” because of the inventory level” He said Shell’s inventory level stood at 5 million to 6 million barrels while the value of oil products dropped by $50 per barrel from June to December, resulting in losses of about $300 million.

Chua said Shell reported a loss of about P1.2 billion in 2013 and that of 2014 was likely bigger.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the parent of Pilipinas Shell, earlier this year announced it would cut spending by $15 billion over the next three years in the wake of

low oil prices.

Shell, however, remains bullish on its projects in the Philippines.

Chua earlier said Shell expects to complete three major projects in 2015 that would expand operations and boost revenues in the Philippines.

These include the project of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., the oil and gas unit of the Shell Group in the country.

Chua identified the projects as an oil import terminal in Cagayan de Oro City, phase 3 of the Malampaya natural gas platform of Spex in northwest Palawan and the upgrade of the oil refinery in Batangas province.

Shell is putting up a multi-billion-peso fuel import facility in Cagayan de Oro that is expected to meet the rising energy needs of residents, motorists and other consumers in Visayas and Mindanao.

Spex, operator of the Malam-

paya gas-to-power project, along with partners Chevron Malampaya LLC and PNOC Exploration Corp., is embarking on a $1-billion expansion of the field.

The consortium has completed phase two of Malampaya development, which involved the drilling and development of two additional deep water wells to bring more gas from the Camago Malampaya reservoir.

Phase 3 involves the construction of a second offshore platform in the middle of the year.

The Malampaya project, completed in 2001 at cost of $4.5 billion, supplies natural gas to fuel three power plants in Batangas with a combined capacity of 2,700 MW. Shell is upgrading its refinery at a cost of $100 million to $150 million that will make its 110,000-barrel-per-day capacity compliant with the Euro IV requirement by January 2016.

PH fishers catching smaller fishes and earning less FILIPINO fishermen are catching less and less from depleted oceans, and thus are earning less than in previous decades.

Decades-long overfishing, the catching of young or juvenile fish and illegal activities have contributed to the scarce supply.

“It is unfortunate that the country’s small and commercial fishermen are fishing themselves out of business, but this trend can be reversed,” said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana (Philippines) Inc., at the launch of the ‘Kapihan sa Isla’ media forum in Quezon City.

Due to overfishing, the country’s fishermen are now content with catching less and smaller fishes, and some wantonly catch juvenile fish like ‘danggit,’ said Ramos during the August 14 forum, which coincided with the

first anniversary of Oceana Philippines.

The previous average catch of Filipino fishermen was more than 10 kilograms in the 1950s, before dropping to more than 5 kilos a day in the 1970s, and to less than 5 kilos in the 1990s, said Jimely Flores, a senior marine scientist of Oceana Philippines.

Fishers today catch only less than two-thirds or 62 percent than those caught by their counterparts in 1980s, added Dennis Calvan, executive director of NGOs for fisheries reform.

He said the use of destructive methods like cyanide and dynamite remains unhampered, as about 150,000 kg of sodium cyanide are sold yearly, and an average of 10,000 dynamite blasts occur daily, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Another problem is that juvenile yellow fin and big-eye tuna gather around ‘payaos’ or fish aggregating device, and are caught along with skipjack tuna that are the target species, said Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines.

He proposed an amendment to BFAR Fisheries Administrative Order No. 226 issued in 2008 to increase the weight of tuna that is legally caught and traded from 500 grams (average weight of juvenile tuna) to at least 15 kg, the average weight of mature tuna species.

If managed properly, Philippine oceans can be harnessed to feed its growing population of more than 100 million, inlcuding six million directly dependent on fishing for food and livelihood, said Rocky Sanchez Tirona, vice president of Rare Philippines.

“We therefore need to take a concerted action--among small and commercial fishers, government, private sector and NGOs--to reverse the declining trend in fish catch and save the oceans by putting in place science-based fisheries management, and equally as important, making our laws work,” said Oceana’s Ramos of Oceana.

Oceana during its first year in the country focused on several advocacy campaigns. Among them are protecting Tañon Strait, the country’s biggest protected seascape between Cebu and Negros, from commercial fishing and reclamation projects, and assisting BFAR, DENR and concerned agencies and host LGUs in strengthening capacity in enforcing laws against all forms of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

W E D N E S D AY : A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

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

Parrots and aliens SENATOR Grace Poe may appear as the frontrunner in current surveys with many businessmen reportedly gung-ho about supporting her, but we know of at least several who are hesitant to throw in their lot with her because of several gentlemen identified with her. Teodoro Daniel Misael “Neil” Llamanzares, better know as the husband of Grace Poe, is identified with San Miguel Corp. and there are “concerns” that she could be influenced by SMC boss Ramon Ang— something that her supporters told Happy Hour is ridiculous, pointing out that the lady is “her own man” as seen in the way she stood firm on the Senate findings that said the president must bear responsibility for the Mamasapano debacle.

Some of our buddies with overactive imaginations figure that the SMC connect must have fueled the “lasengga” rumors propagated by certain groups that must be so afraid of the lady senator derailing the chances of their preferred candidate. Some bright boys are encouraging the disqualification case against Senator Grace hoping to use it as a leverage to force her hand into agreeing to slide down to VP for 2016—but wouldn’t that disqualification case also apply even if she scales down her political aspirations and throws her lot with their preferred presidential candidate?

While there are many who are sympathetic to Poe (we Filipinos usually have a soft spot for anyone perceived to be the underdog or getting persecuted), we know of quite a number who are also bothered by the thought that she could be an alien—not the ET kind of course but as an American citizen. Although the burden of proof lies in the accuser, an interview with her son Brian—who is described as a broadcast journalist--left many (purists most especially) uncomfortable when they heard the young man speaking in Tagalog with an “accent.” Sure, many rich kids who grew up with English as their “native tongue” also have a funny way of pronouncing Tagalog words but hey, what’s the likelihood of them becoming “First Children”?

On the other hand, the prospect of Mar Roxas as next president is not also a comforting thought to many, and for obvious reasons.

The poor guy (we don’t mean literally of course because he comes from affluent clans) seems so lost trying to find his own identity, our heart sometimes just melts in sympathy. After Mr. Palengke, nothing seems to have really worked. Boy Bawang? Boy Barker? Boy Pukpok?

Naah…

This time though, it looks like Mr. Roxas has just acquired a new moniker as Mr. P--not Mr. President although his Liberal Party rahrah boys are tickled pink at the thought. His statements at the recent Philippine Sugar technologists Association in Cebu brought tears to our eyes (as we rolled on the floor clutching our tummy) when he opined that traffic congestion is a sign of prosperity and economic activity. Try telling that that to the millions of commuters who have to waste hours waiting in line for a ride on disreputable, claustrophobiainducing MRT and LRT trains and chances are, you’d get lynched.

Or what about passengers who get stressed when they see the clock ticking but they’re not moving an inch and the thought of missing their flight becomes a certainty?

Somebody better give the Interior Secretary a copy of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) report that says P2.4 billion in terms of productivity is lost every single day due to traffic, and that the hours wasted on the road are also taking their toll on families with parents unable to spend quality time with their children because they arrive home late and beat due to traffic, then wake up early the next morning while the children are still asleep because they want to avoid being stuck in traffic that now seems to happen regardless of the hour. *** Cheers! to our buddies in Quezon City who can afford to loll on the bed for a while longer because today happens to be a special nonworking holiday in commemoration of the 137th birthday of Manuel L. Quezon, who was our president from 1935 to 1944 during the Commonwealth. Quezon had a lot of quotable quotes, the most popular of them being “I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos to a government run like heaven by Americans…”

But before you roll your eyes in disagreement, remember the other half of the quotation that goes: “Because, however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it.” Yup, let’s count the days until May 9, 2016 when we can truly feel the power of Quezon’s words. Or as Obama said, “Change, we can!” *** For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you.

Cheers!

B5

DMCI’s net profit rises 28% to P6.6b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DMCI Holdings Inc. said Tuesday first-half consolidated net income climbed 28 percent to P6.6 billion from P5.1 billion year-on-year on higher profit contribution from coal mining, power and real estate businesses.

DMCI’s coal mining and power unit Semirara Mining and Power Corp. accounted for P2.67 billion of DMCI’s total net income, up 78 percent from P1.5 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.

DMCI Homes, the conglomerate’s real estate unit, contributed P1.7 billion to the total profit, up 4 percent, while water subsidiary Maynilad Water Services Inc. accounted for P1.14 billion, up 22 percent from last year’s level.

DMCI Mining also delivered P454 million in net income, up 24 percent from a year ago level, while DMCI Power contributed

P215 million, up 72 percent.

Meanwhile, net income contribution from the group’s construction arm, DMCI Construction Inc., declined 44 percent in the first half of the year to P333 million from P591 million in 2014 due to the delayed implementation of major public infrastructure projects and lower variation orders booked compared with last year’s.

“We delivered a good firsthalf performance and remain on track to meet our profit guidance of P12 billion,” DMCI chairman and president Isidro Consunji

said.

The Environment and Natural Resources Department last week lifted the cease-and-desist order against the Panian operations of Semirara after several days of suspension due to a landslide on July 17. The accident killed nine miners in Semirara’s East Panian expansion project in Caluya, Antique province.

Semirara said it received on August 10 the order from the DENR lifting the suspension of the ECC “on the basis of its findings that there is no adverse effect or damage to the environment in relation to the landslide... at the northern edge of the Panian Mine...”

Consunji said the mining suspension affected just four days of operations for the month of July and another seven days in August. he company hopes to accelerate operations in September and October to ramp up production.

Nutrition month. Valenzuela City, through the Health Department and the Nutrition Council, celebrated the 2015 nutrition month. The celebration held several activities, such as nutrition education and counseling, physical fitness and community competitions such as cooking and gardening. Shown are Claire Papa (leftmost), United Laboratories Inc. director of external affairs, and Dindo Danao (rightmost), executive director of Odyssey Foundation, turning over 100 copies of Nutrition Manuals to Valenzuela City health department head Jaime Exconde and Valenzuela City nutrition officer-in-charge Bernadette Bordador on July 30, 2015 during the nutrition month celebration.

Power in 15 Iloilo, Antique towns back

By Alena Mae S. Flores NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines has fully restored power transmission services to 15 municipalities in Iloilo and Antique provinces last week after dealing with an uncooperative landowner.

The 69-kiloVolt Sta. BarbaraSibalom line tripped at 11:25 p.m. on August 7 due to a toppled structure in Barangay Mambog, Oton, Iloilo.

Working through the night despite inclement weather, National Grid immediately restored the Sta.Barbara-San Miguel line section at 2:01 a.m. on August 8.

The repair of the entire line, however, could have been completed earlier had a landowner

immediately allowed the inspection and repair of the toppled structure within his property.

National Grid stressed to the land owner that in the interest of public safety, the repair and correction work it planned to conduct was of an urgent nature and must be immediately implemented.

Despite negotiations and repeated pleas, however, the landowner did not immediately allow National Grid’s line personnel to enter his property, delaying the restoration of power to customers in the franchise areas of Iloilo Electric Cooperative 1 and Antique Electric Cooperative, where the outage occurred.

The landowner finally relented and let National Grid linemen in

the property on the evening of August 8.

“Power interruptions and accidents cannot be entirely avoided.

As with any high-tech system, mechanical failures cannot be entirely avoided. NGCP works hard on its maintenance and expansion programs to minimize these incidents,” National Grid said.

“But we can only conduct our maintenance and expansion programs if we are allowed unimpeded access to the facility sites.

Restoration times can be substantially shortened if NGCP gets the cooperation of everyone involved, especially the concerned landowners. The cooperation of landowners themselves is most crucial to having safe and reliable power services,” it added.

WEDNESDAY: AUGUST 19, 2015

B6

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

Govt sells P25-b 5-year bonds ments with similar tenor.

“This is expected. The price that like to or preTHE government on Tuesday sold P25 bil- fer towebe would in is between the two lion worth of newly issued five-year treasury relatively liquid bonds which bonds, which fetched slightly higher interest have remaining life of 4.27 years and 5.59 years. So it’s rates, according to the Bureau of Treasury. very much within those two National Treasurer Roberto Tan price of 3.375 percent, or 9.1 basis tenors,” said Tan. Tenders for the five-year said the agency fully awarded the points higher than the average rate five-year bonds at an “expected” of 3.352 percent for debt instru- debt facility reached P51.603 billion, or P26.603 billion higher than the governGoods-2015-005 Republic of the Philippines Metropolitan Naga Water Water Meter (Brand New, Class B) ment’s offer of P25 billion.

40 J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City P.R. # 15-07-0245 “It’s a combination of MNWD, Naga City things. There’s increased INVITATION TO BID FOR THE trading lately. A lot of invesSUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF WATER METER tors are positioning. I think (BRAND NEW, CLASS B) we got a very good auction The METROPOLITAN NAGA WATER DISTRICT (MNWD) through its approved Corporate volume which reflects the Budget, intends to apply the sum of THREE MILLION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (Php 3,258,750.00), being the Approved Budget for the demand, the seriousness of Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF WATER METER (BRAND NEW, CLASS B) CONTRACT REFERENCE NO. GOODS 2015-005. Bids received in those who are bidding,” Tan excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. said.

The MNWD now invites bids for the SUPPLY & DELIVERY OF WATER METER (BRAND NEW, CLASS B). Delivery of the Goods is required within THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS. The newly issued bonds Bidders should have completed, within the last two (2) years, from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an will mature on Aug. 20, 2015. eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Meanwhile, Tan said finance Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non officials would meet Wednesdiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. day to tackle the P300-billion Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions debt swap approved by Bangko for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the MNWD and inspect the Bidding Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Documents at the address given below starting from 8:00 AM – 12:00 NN and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

“We’re reaching that point.

We’re meeting again... so we’ll decide probably tomorrow [Wednesday]. The new money component will really just be for administrative and transaction expenses, so there’s really no new money for cash,” he said.

The Treasury raises most of the government’s financing requirements from the domestic market, which consists mostly of short-term Treasury bills and long-term bonds.

Tan earlier said the government’s debt swelled to P6.422 trillion this year, or up by P1.7 trillion from P4.718 trillion in 2010.

Members of the House appropriations committee asked Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to disclose the loan contracts the Aquino government signed over the past five years.

“We demand to know why the country’s debts have been

increasing? What kinds of loans have you contracted and where did all these money go?” Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap said.

Tan, howevewr, said the debt burden had lessened due to the government’s improved revenue collection and better expenditure program.

Tan said the deficit is projected at P308.7 billion in 2016, representing 2 percent of gross domestic product.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said only a third of the national government’s outstanding debt was foreign.

Tan said this year, of the P5.8 trillion being serviced, domestic debts accounted for P3.8 trillion while foreign loans accounted for the balance of P1.976 trillion.

“Further consolidation of debt created a sustainable fiscal environment and improving the debt metrics resulted in lower reliance on foreign debt,” Purisima said.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders starting on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 to SEPTEMBER 8, 2015, from the Office of the BAC Secretariat c/o Administrative Division, Ground Floor MNWD Building, MNWD, 40 J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City, and upon payment of non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php 5,000.00).

The MNWD will hold a PRE-BID CONFERENCE on AUGUST 26, 2015 at 1:30 PM at 2nd Floor, Conference Room, MNWD Building, 40 J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 at 1:30 PM at the Office of the BAC Chairman c/o Planning and Design Division, Second Floor MNWD Building, MNWD, 40 J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

BID OPENING shall be on SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 at 1:30 PM. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

For further information, please refer to: ENGR. MELVIN B. MACARAIG Planning and Design Division MNWD Compound, 40 J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City Tel. No.: (054) 472-1685 local 119; Fax No.: (054) 473-9288 E-mail address:mnwdbac@yahoo.com (SGD) MELVIN B. MACARAIG BAC Chairman (TS-AUG. 19, 2015)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY OF MAKATI CITY ) AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS I, DIANE MADELYN CHING, of legal age, Filipino, married, and with office address at 16th Floor, Citibank Tower, 8741 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City after being duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

I am the Assistant Corporate Secretary of Prime Media Holdings Inc. (formerly First e Bank Corporation and herein referred to as the “Corporation”). I am the custodian of all vital records of the Corporation.

On February 2015, all documents and records of the Corporation were transferred from Parañaque to Makati in the custody of the undersigned.

Upon review of the documents turned over, Stock Certificate No. 3603 for one (1) share issued to First e Bank Corporation, now Prime Media Holdings Inc. by Valley Golf and Country Club, Inc. on 20 June 2001 was not included in the files transferred to the undersigned. Upon verification with the previous custodian, all records of the corporation has already been transferred hence, any document not turned over to the undersigned may have been lost.

Despite diligent efforts and extensive search, I could no longer locate the said certificate of stock. Hence, to the best of my knowledge, the same may be considered lost beyond recovery.

The lost certificate has not been sold, pledged, mortgaged or in any way encumbered by the Corporation and that it is free from any lien or encumbrance and as of the execution of this document, the Corporation remains to be the absolute owner of the shares of stock covered by the said Stock Certificate.

The Corporation is willing to post a bond or other security effective for a period of one (1) year, for such amount and in such form and with such sureties as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors of Valley Golf and Country Club Inc. for the issuance of a Certificate of Stock before the expiration of one year from the time of the last publication of the notice of loss as mandated under Section 73 of the Corporation Code.

In the event that the lost certificate should hereafter be found or located, I undertake to report and surrender the same to the corporation for appropriate action or disposal I am executing this affidavit for the purpose of securing from Valley Golf and Country Club, Inc. a new certificate to replace the lost stock certificate mentioned above and to request Valley Golf and Country Club Inc. to take notice of this matter to prevent the transfer or encumbrance of the said share.

AFFIANT FURTHER SAYETH NAUGHT:

IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this AUGUST 14, 2015 at MAKATI CITY DIANE MADELYN CHING Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this AUGUST 14, 2015, 2015 affiant exhibit to me her Competent Evidence of Identity by way of ________________ issued at ___________on____________

SSS chief in Europe. As part of its coverage and collection

efforts, the Social Security System led by president and chief executive Emilio de Quiros Jr. recently visited Rome, Italy and other countries in Europe to encourage overseas Filipino workers to register as SSS members so that they can enjoy social security benefits upon their retirement in the Philippines. Inset shows de Quiros (left) with CBN Group director Ben Javellana.

BDO receives Asian Bank awards A NEW SET of recognition was received by BDO Unibank, this time from Singapore-based financial publication Asian Banking and Finance.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 144, MAKATI CITY ROXANNE DEL MUNDO ANCHETA, Petitioner, -versusSP. RPOC. NO. M-7780 For: Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce and/or Enforcement of Foreign Judgment RAMON JESUSITO MIGUEL V. SILOS III Respondent x-----------------------------------------------x SUMMON RAMON JESUSITO MIGUEL V. SILOS III 41 Florida St., Merville Park, Parañaque City Greetings: You are hereby required within fifteen (15) days after service of this Summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the petitioner your Answer to the Petition, copy of which is attached together with the Annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002, to observed restraint in filing a Motion to Dismis and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the petitoner will take judgement by default and may be granted in the relief applied for in the petition.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 31st day of March 2015.

(SGD) ATTY. JOAN G. BOLINA-SANTILLAN Branch Clerk of Court

(TS-AUG. 19,26, SEPT. 2, 2015)

(TS-AUG. 19 & 26, 2015)

BPI, in the recently concluded Wholesale and Retail Banking Awards 2015 in Singapore, won the Philippines’ Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year, Trade Finance Bank of the Year and Project Finance Bank of the Year under wholesale banking category.

It was also awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year (Silver) and Online Banking Initiative of the Year for retail banking category.

Since 2012, ABF has been recognizing the most innovative projects and the best practices in Asia’s wholesale banking sector.

Meanwhile, its Retail Banking Awards, now on its 10th year, continues to honor Asian banks that rise above the rest with their groundbreaking strategies and unparalleled services.

ABF magazine proudly continued its long tradition of honoring Asia’s best and brightest banks at this year’s awards, which was attended by 200 bankers from over 30 countries.

“This year marks the 10th year of our Retail Banking Awards, and the 4th year of our Wholesale Banking Awards. ABF is immensely proud to have produced a long and esteemed roster of winners composed solely of Asia’s most impressive banks,” said ABF editor-in-chief Tim Charlton.

W E D N E S D AY : A U G U S T 1 9, 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Shortages hound Venezuelans VALENCIA, Venezuela—All the lady wanted was some chicken. But in shortage-plagued Venezuela, she waited in line five hours, only to go home empty-handed.

“I got here at 5:30 am and came away with nothing! It is just not fair that you have to work so hard—and then put up with these lines,” said an exasperated Lileana Diaz, a 49-yearold receptionist at a hospital emergency room.

Venezuelans have been enduring shortages of the most basic goods, such as toilet paper, for more than a year.

In Caracas, a cottage industry has emerged with people who will wait in line for you—at a price.

But things are even worse outside the capital.

The problems are staggering here in Valencia, an industrial city west of the capital of this oil-rich country.

Valencia has big factories that produce food and other essentials. Still, the list of goods in short supply is long.

It includes coffee, cooking oil, cornmeal, soap, detergent, you name it.

Chicken is one of the most coveted.

Frustrated shoppers like Diaz are legion.

One tells the story of people who climbed over a fence to get a good place in line outside a store, prompting police to intervene and stop scuffles that broke out.

Another female shopper shows off a nasty bruise on her right leg, thanks to a fight she got into as she tried to buy disposable diapers.

In recent weeks, the lines of people waiting hopefully outside supermarkets and stores have grown longer in cities away from the coast, such as Maracaibo, Puerto Ordaz and Cumana.

Venezuelan media have reported situations of nerves running very, very high and shoppers coming close to looting.

At times it has gotten that bad, in

fact. In late January, one person died and dozens were arrested in the chaos of a looting outbreak at stores in the town of San Felix in the southern state of Bolivar.

Pedro Palma, an economist, says that historically governments in Venezuela try to keep Caracas better stocked with essentials, to the detriment of other cities.

“It is in their interest to avoid critical situations in Caracas so as not to see a social explosion with truly dramatic consequences,” Palma told AFP. In another supermarket in Valencia, a line 50 meters long snakes away from the entrance.

“We call these ‘holding out hope lines,’ because once you get inside, there is nothing on the shelves,” said Oscar Oroste, a 53-year-old chef.

Oroste said that, until recently, people would wait in line knowing what was available to buy. “Now, people are in line but do not even know what they will be sold.”

Venezuelans go from supermarket to supermarket, and store to store, clamoring for basic necessities which have prices regulated by the leftist government.

But some buy just to resell at a handsome profit, and economists say that is another source of the shortages.

Egne Casano, a 28-year-old homemaker, said things are a bit better in Caracas. “I went there not long ago and saw that there is a better supply,” she said.

No one knows exactly how bad the situation is, in numbers.

The central bank has not released figures on shortages since March 2014. Then, it said 29.4 percent of the items the average household needs is in short supply. AFP

Trump dismissed after reporting for jury duty NEW YORK— Flamboyant billionaire Donald Trump took a break from running for president Monday by turning up for New York jury duty in a limo, signing autographs and fist-bumping a supporter.

The tycoon, who is leading Republican polls in the race for the White House, spent the day at the New York State Supreme Court but was dismissed without being picked to serve.

A court spokesman told AFP that the former reality TV star was sent home in the late afternoon. He was photographed in a Duane Reade pharmacy during his lunch break.

The 69-year-old real estate magnate and would-be politician reported late, arriving eight minutes behind schedule at 9:08 am

(1308 GMT) dressed in a sharp blue suit and striped tie.

He strode up the sweeping steps of the court surrounded by a phalanx of police, television cameras and photographers, signing an autograph for one fan and fist-bumping tour guide Joe Lepore.

“2016 all the way, Donald. It’s going to be a landslide,” shouted an ecstatic Lepore as Trump marched into court.

In celebritydrenched New York, it is not uncommon for stars to be called for jury duty, even if they end up a distraction.

Madonna, unlike Trump however, got preferential treatment in 2014 –sent home after just two hours when officials deemed her superstar celebrity was a hindrance rather

than a help.

Monday was a rare break in Trump’s he ad line-g rabbing , bombastic run for the Republican nomination for president, which saw him offer children free rides on his helicopter while in Iowa over the weekend.

On Sunday, he unveiled an immigration platform that calls for millions of undocumented immigrants to leave the country and an end to America’s birthright citizenship.

Trump is himself the husband, son and grandson of immigrants.

He tops Republican polls, but has enraged the party establishment and Democrats by trash-talking Mexican immigrants and making a crude remark about a woman debate moderator. AFP

and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease.

The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF GINA TAN ANG to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. x-------------------------- x

SCN CASE NO. 000588

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is GINA TAN ANG , but I have also been known since childhood as N.A. or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) N.A. .

2. My present place of residence is Unit 6 St. Martin Village AS Fortuna St. City/Municipality of Mandaue, Province of Cebu and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) Since childhood-1985-No. 278 Villa Abrille, Davao City 1986-1991- No. 7515 Santillan St., Makati City 1992-1997- Sunset Village, Angeles City 1997-2002 - Metro Green Village, Sta. Lucia, Pasig 3. I was born on Aug. 31, 1996, in Davao City Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of China.

4. My father's name is Eng Tiong Ang and he was born on February 16, 1927, in Amoy, China. He is a citizen or subject of China. My mother's name is Erlinda Lim Tan and she was born on November 27, 1936 in Magallanes, Davao City. She is a citizen or subject of China.

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is VP-Finance Dept of Virginia Food Inc. and from which I derive an average annual income of P2,000,000.00 , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N.A. and from which she derives an average annual income of P N.A. (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: N.A., (2) name of school: N.A. and (3) years graduated: N.A.] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is SINGLE , I was married on N.A. in N.A.My wife's/husband's name is N.A. and she/he was born on N.A. in N.A. . She/he is a citizen or subject of N.A. and presently resides N.A. .

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N.A. granted by N.A.. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N.A. in N.A..

8. I have N.A. child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows: Name N.A.

Date of Birth N.A.

Place of Birth Residence N.A.

Place of School

Dates of Study

Davao Chinese H.S.

Davao City

1972-1975

Davao Chinese H.S. Davao Chinese H.S. Ateneo de Davao University

Davao City Davao City Davao City

1975-1978 1978-1982 1982-1986

Highest Grade Completed Grade 1-3 Grade 4-6 1st yr.-4th yr.

B.S.C. Major in Accounting

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: Cebuano and Bisaya 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name of Child

Name and Place of School

N.A.

N.A.

14. My character witnesses are Nenita R. Setenta and Lucy M. Puro both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Lamac Yati, Liloan, Cebu City and Sarphil Village Bajada Davao City respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ / ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ / ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: a. NBI b. Police Clearance c. Office of the Provincial Prosecutor-Clearance d. MTC Certification e. RTC Certification f. Barangay Certification PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 23RD day of March 2015.

N.A.

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name of School

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to China of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

Date of Enrollment

GINA TAN ANG Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: Unit 6 St. Martin Village AS Fortuna St., Mandaue City Cebu Telephone Number:

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON CITY) S.S.

)

I, GINA TAN ANG of legal age and a resident of Unit 6 St. Martin Village AS Fortuna St., Mandaue City Cebu, after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

N.A.

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living.

I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

GINA TAN ANG Name ame and Signature of Petitioner

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success (TS-August 19/26 & September 2, 2015)

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

‘Suspect known in Thai bombing’ B A N G K O K — Thailand’s junta leader said Tuesday a suspect had been identified in the bombing of a packed Bangkok religious shrine, condemning the blast that killed at least 20 people as the “worst ever attack” on the kingdom.

The blast occurred on Monday in one of the Thai capital’s most popular tourism hubs, ripping through a crowd of worshippers at the Hindu shrine close to five-star hotels and upscale shopping malls.

Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Indonesian and Malaysian citizens were among the 20 people killed, police said.

More than 100 other people were injured as the blast left body parts strewn across crushed pavement, alongside shattered windows and incinerated motorcycles.

Junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Tuesday branded the bombing the “worst ever attack” on Thailand, as he gave the first indications of who authorities believed were responsible.

“Today there is a suspect... we are looking for this guy,” Prayut told reporters, adding the man was seen on closed circuit television at the blast site.

He also said he believed Facebook messages apparently warning of an imminent danger to Bangkok ahead of the bomb came from an “antigovernment group” based in Thailand’s northeast—the heartland of the kingdom’s anti-coup Red Shirt movement.

“We are looking for them now, some of them are in Isaan (northeastern Thailand),” Prayut said. AFP

Turtle protectors. Tourists watch as volunteers from the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Turtles open a turtle nest to excavate trapped hatchlings before releasing them at night into the water at Alagadi beach, East of Kyrenia, on the northern coast of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, on August 17. AFP

No survivors in crashed plane JAYAPURA, Indonesia—A plane that crashed in eastern Indonesia was Tuesday found “completely destroyed” with the bodies of all 54 passengers and crew strewn amid the wreckage in a fire-blackened jungle clearing, officials said.

Rescuers finally reached the debris of the Trigana Air plane, which went down Sunday in Papua province during a short flight in bad weather, and after abandoning search efforts a day earlier due to mountainous terrain, thick fog and rain.

The black box flight data recorders, which could provide clues about the cause of the crash, were retrieved. Money—some of it burnt—was also found among the wreckage of the plane, which had

been transporting 6.5 billion rupiah ($470,000) in cash.

“The plane has crashed, it is completely destroyed,” Bambang Soelistyo, head of the country’s search and rescue agency, said of the ATR 42-300 plane after teams reached the site in the morning.

“Everything was in pieces and part of the plane is burnt.”

It is just the latest air accident in Indonesia, which has a poor aviation safety record and has suffered

major disasters in recent months, including the crash of an AirAsia plane in December with the loss of 162 lives.

Photos of the site showed a fireblackened clearing in thick jungle strewn with debris. The twin-turboprop plane was carrying 54 people—49 passengers and five crew— and officials said all the bodies had been found.

The team of about 100 rescuers, including soldiers and police, who reached the crash site found some bodies were not intact while others were badly burnt.

The harsh conditions meant authorities were planning to lift the bodies from the site by helicopter, the search and rescue agency said.

Efforts to retrieve the dead were suspended on Tuesday afternoon

due to thick fog with none of the bodies yet recovered, Soelistyo told reporters in Jayapura, Papua’s capital. A fresh attempt would be made Wednesday.

The money on the plane, which was being carried in four bags by postal officials, was government social assistance funds to be distributed to poor families in the remote community of Oksibil where the plane had been heading.

Soelistyo did not say how much money had been found. He said he had instructed the rescuers to hand all items recovered, including the money, to the authorities.

The plane had set off from Jayapura on what was supposed to be a 45-minute flight to Oksibil.

But it lost contact with air traffic control about 10 minutes before

reaching its destination, soon after the crew requested permission to start descending in heavy cloud and rain to land.

Captain Beni Sumaryanto, Trigana Air’s service director of operations, said “unpredictable weather and mountainous terrain” had likely caused the accident, adding that the plane was in good condition and the pilot experienced.

Small aircraft are commonly used for transport in remote and mountainous Papua and bad weather has caused several accidents in recent years.

Last week a Cessna propeller plane crashed in Papua’s Yahukimo district, killing one person and seriously injuring the five others on board. Officials suspect that crash was also caused by bad weather. AFP

Pollution fears in explosion city

Competition. A tattoo artist works on a model during a tattoo competition in Kerobokan on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on August 18. AFP

TIANJIN—Heavy rain fell Tuesday on the remains of a Chinese industrial site devastated by giant explosions, complicating clean-up efforts and heightening fears about toxic contamination as ceremonies were held to mark the disaster’s 114 deaths.

Around 700 tons of highly toxic sodium cyanide were at the site in the northern port of Tianjin, officials say, and water could spread it more widely.

Rainwater could also disperse chemical residues on the ground into the air when it evaporates, and some of the many substances on the scene could react with it.

Amid public anger over the disaster more details about the site operator were reported and a se-

nior work safety official was put under investigation.

Officials have insisted the city’s air and water are safe, but locals and victims’ relatives have voiced skepticism, while international environment group Greenpeace has also urged transparency.

“I’m worried because we don’t know what’s in the rain,” said a taxi driver as he made his way through the morning deluge. “It could be full of poison.”

Out of 40 water testing points, eight showed excess levels of cyanide on Monday, all within a cordoned-off area surrounding the site of the blasts. The highest reading was 28.4 times official standards, said Bao Jingling,

chief engineer at the Tianjin environmental protection bureau.

The chemical had been detected at another 21 points and cyanide traces were detected at four other seawater testing points, he added.

Authorities have built a dam of sand and earth around the blasts’ central 100,000-square-meter “core area” to prevent pollutant leakage, Bao said, and drained water from pits and pipelines to make space for the rain.

Sodium cyanide, which has a variety of industrial uses including gold mining, is a toxic white crystal or powder. It can release hydrogen cyanide gas, used in gas chamber executions in the US. AFP

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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 WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

H OME & L I V ING

LIFE

Salone del Mobile 2015

MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES A year ago, Maison&Objet Asia made its debut in Singapore.

For those unfamiliar the name, CALEIDOSCOPE with Maison&Objet WORLD is one of

BY CAL TAVERA the m o st prominent trade fairs dedicated to Interior Design held biannually in France for the last 20 years. For the past two decades, a significant number of design innovators and talents have participated in this important event. For the Singapore edition, a curated batch of designers from our country was given the opportunity to exhibit their level of originality and craftsmanship in design.

One of the groups invited to join the Philippine delegation was Schema by Kalikasan Crafts. Schema exhibited lighting designs that combined both tradition and modern with the humble metal wire as its medium, propelling the brand to become one of our most significant design influencers with its unique creations.

Back in 1994, Kalikasan Crafts originated as a business that manufactured holiday decorations with the metal wire and fabric as its fundamental ingredients. For the next 11 years, owner Celia Gamboa Jiao developed Kalikasan Crafts as an export company to retailers and wholesalers.

From 1994 to 2005, the company was able to grow and refine its operations through its consistent business with clients from Asia, the United States and Europe. In 1998, she decided to exhibit the ornaments at the Manila FAME International, our local Design and Lifestyle Trade show. Since then, the company has become a staple in this biannual event, which also happens to be one of the longest running design platforms in Asia Pacific.

In 2006, Celia continued to experiment with metal wire and fabric by expanding the offerings from holiday trimmings to home wares and accessories, ranging from embellished trays and adorned baskets to vases and candle holders. A year after, the fabric material was dropped from the formula, leaving only the metal wire to stimulate the next creations. This gave birth to the “Iron Basket,” a successful collection that drew inspiration from our traditional rattan baskets’ woven technique.

The welded metal wires were introduced and helped conceive Celia’s first table lamp, the “Iron Basket Round Table Lamp.” Since then, the malleable metal wire has been present in all of the succeeding collections where simple patterns are molded into complicated, innovative shapes.

In 2013, Kalikasan Crafts was invited to be part of Design Philippines, a program by the Department of Trade and Industry to help launch the country as a global contender in the world of design.

With additional assistance from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions – the export marketing arm of DTI – Kalikasan Crafts was able to develop Schema, a local brand that would soon be recognized for its appealing Filipino yet global designs. According to the owner, Schema was the ideal trademark for the products, a word that translates to “a plan.”

The plan was to continue creating unique home products through passion and group of artisans.

Since the collaboration, the company has traveled a long way, finding its path to the global stage and establishing its presence at several fairs abroad such as the Maison et Objet for both the Paris and Singapore editions, Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, International Furniture Fair in New York and Ambiente in Frankfurt.

Schema, along with other revered Filipino designers and brands, was part of the very

A Cote lamps in white and copper

Maison Objet ASIA 2015

first Philippine delegation that exhibited in the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in 2013 showcasing contemporary pieces that paid tribute to their humble roots. It was instrumental in staging an introduction between the designers to key buyers from notable companies such as Roche Bobois, Alessi and Philips, and created an impression on influential media platforms like Marie Claire Maison and Interni magazines.

Manila FAME October 2014

Despite its current success, the people behind the Schema brand will not rest on their laurels.

They will continue to expand its distribution network to more International markets that share their appreciation for handcrafted home accessories and furniture. It is the work ethic and passion in creating these Schema products that make this local brand a world-class act.

Follow me on Instagram @cal_tavera

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES

[The Pleasures and Treasures of Raising Kids Pinoy-Style]

LIV.E SIMPLY

BY LIV E.

M

y grandmother is halfAmerican, half-Spanish; my grandfather is halfFilipino, half-Chinese.

I guess I’ve got a good portion of the United Nations swimming in my bloodstream. And yet, care of my other set of grannies, my blood is predominantly Filipino, as are my heart, my hearth and my home. You know what they say about home: there’s no place like it, right? And so it is in this home of 7,107 islands that my hubby and I have chosen to raise our boys.

Some might ask, “But why?”

When many Pinoys have grabbed the opportunity to seek greener pastures in other lands, why do we count ourselves among those who have decided to stay rooted in these islands, where negative news rather than positive stories often win the battle for space on our daily headlines?

The answer to that comes to me easily. We stay because we see wonderful treasures that arise from raising our kids Pinoy-style: Sisig, Bibingka, Puto At Iba Pa My eldest son will eat sisig any day (I wonder if any other country has it?). My other son will eat anything ube. We probably wouldn’t recognize a cold December morning if it came without piping hot bibingka and puto bumbong. Let’s face it: food is central to Filipino life. The cheerful greeting “Kain tayo! (Let’s eat!)” – heard everywhere from street corners to office pantries – is an invitation to partake of not just food but friendship, too. In my home, dinnertime lasts for hours as the hubby and I do heavyweight bonding with our boys, passing each other equal helpings of food for both the body and the soul.

Mano Po Kissing the hand (mano) is the easilyrecognized Filipino sign of respect for elders. But it’s not the only one.

Pinoy kids learn that there are various ways of showing their high regard for those older than them: They mind their opo and oho along with the tone of their voice. They don’t think twice about taking the arm of lola and helping her cross the street. They are acutely aware of the imminent danger of answering back or talking sass to their parents. I love that my kids grow up knowing that respect for anyone older (whether related by blood or not) is not just a nonnegotiable “must” in their repertoire of values, it is also a recognition of the legacy of wisdom given by those who have walked along life’s paths longer than they have.

Tuloy Po Kayo I’m convinced that the extraordinary warm welcome and eagerness to serve, so prevalent in Philippine hotels, has its roots right in the homes where Filipino children grow up. In Filipino homes, friends are synonymous to family. My boys’ friends know that our home is open to them 24/7, just as I’m pretty sure their friends’ homes are havens for them as well. On a larger scale, there are our fiestas, when homes and huts (and dinner tables, too!) are open to anyone walking by. That spirit of camaraderie, of warm hospitality, of unity and brotherhood: I do want to foster that in my kids!

Kiss Your Tita It’s amazing how the Filipino family extends all the way to the far reaches of the country, even transcending blood ties. Everyone that you can call a friend becomes kin: our kids automatically call our friends Tita or Tito (complete with the cheek buss) minutes after meeting them. And they know if they ever need anything, Tito and Tita would be more than willing to help out. Family is a big thing in this country, and when I say big, it’s literal: you’re related to, or kind of related to, everyone. Who wouldn’t want their kids to grow up in the arms of a nationwide family?

Okay lang yan Resilience, this ability to bounce back, to keep going even when the going isn’t great: this is the

True happiness lies more in reaching out and sharing what little they have with those who have not.

There’s a joke for that, too. I love that a cheerful spirit practically pours out of the pores of every Filipino. It helps us get through the worst of times and it binds us together through the best. I love that my kids learn not to sweat the small things. After all, everything tastes better when taken with a spoonful of humor.

advantage of growing up in a country that has suffered the effects of corruption, poverty, and the aftermath of some terrible calamities. Being surrounded by a collective fighting spirit just naturally instills in our kids the ability to persevere, to never give up, to keep their focus on the hope of a new tomorrow peeking through the horizon.

Diyos Ko I’ve often repeated to my kids that the Philippines is called the Pearl of the Orient because ours is a country that has been blessed with so much: exceptionally bountiful lands and oceans, the friendliest people, a sense of humor in the midst of big problems, and over and above all that, strong, unwavering faith in God. What country has dared to stop a bloody coup d’etat, facing heavily armored vehicles armed only with flowers, rosaries, and a statue of the Blessed Virgin? What country has churches on every corner offering multiple Masses every day? Where is there a nation that automatically turns to prayer for everything? I know I’m living in it, and I’m delighted that I get to raise my kids in it.

Hahaha or Hehehe or Hihihi It doesn’t really matter how it’s spelled, it’s all the same: it’s the sound of laughter. And there’s a lot of it in this country. So you slipped and made the biggest blunder of your life? Call a friend and laugh about it. So the politician you voted for turned out to be a mistake?

Of course, inasmuch as I’ve come up with a list extolling the virtues of raising kids in the Philippines, I could just as easily come up with a list of the trials and travails of living in a Third World Country.

But I choose not to. Because I truly believe that it’s all about perspective.

Precisely because we live in a

country where not everyone has everything, our children learn that happiness does not lie in having things. That true happiness lies more in reaching out and sharing what little they have with those who have not. That true joy calls for seeing everything with a deeper vision. When they’re stuck in horrendous traffic, they can either view it as a pain in the neck or a chance to trade stories with each other. When the sweltering heat melts their faces, they can either complain or enjoy a fresh, cold shower. There’s always a choice, and growing up here helps them learn to make the happy choice.

My happy choice is to raise my kids right here where I grew up, too.

Sure, the Philippines has much to improve on, but despite all its warts and wounds, this country is mine.

One day my kids will learn that, like their mother country, their own mother is far from perfect. I’d like to think that, just as I raise them to love their mother country and to celebrate being Filipinos, they will also be more forgiving with my imperfections and be proud to be called mine. Because their mother country will always hold them in her island arms, just as I will always hold them in mine, and together our arms will always be their home, no matter how far from us they roam.

Follow me on Twitter @ LivE_ LiveSimply. Like my page and send me feedback @ Facebook/liv.esimplywithLiv

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

The Manila Hotel’s new Fiesta Pavilion has a total renovated space of 1,522.79 square meters

Resident manager Gerhard Doll welcomes the guests.

The Chairman of the Board Basilio C. Yap with executive vice president, Dr. Enrique Y. Yap, Jr. during the lighting ceremony that officially launched the Fiesta Pavilion.

@LIFEatStandard

Cutting-edge lighting fixtures and an artfully lit ceiling liven up the newly renovated Fiesta Pavilion.

From left: The Manila Hotel’s Resident Manager Gerhard Doll and family with MTR Corporation’s John A. King and wife Alicia

Asia’s Nightingale belts out a powerful performance onstage to entertain the guests.

AN ICON REIMAGINED

The new Fiesta Pavilion evokes elegance and grandeur

T

he Manila Hotel writes a new chapter in its history in the recent transformation of its cherished grand ballroom – the Fiesta Pavilion – into a luxurious event space suitable for hosting global events.

Once the home to fabulous debuts, memorable weddings, nostalgia-laden anniversaries and countless state functions and historic occasions graced by leaders from around the world, the Fiesta Pavilion embarked on the Herculean task of renovation that reaffirms the Grand Dame’s reputation as the perfect destination for meetings, conventions and intimate affairs.

“To date, the Fiesta Pavilion has a total renovated space of 1,522.79 square meters and can now accommodate 1,300 people for a sit-down dinner or buffet and 1,800 people for cocktails, making it the premier choice for business conferences as well as social functions,” said Dr. Enrique Y. Yap Jr., executive vice president of The Manila Hotel.

The newly renovated event space is equipped with cutting-edge lighting fixtures and updated theater-like set-up with an artfully lit ceiling and wall panels that adapt to the mood and nature of the event. The new design is an epitome of elegance and evokes new heights of grandeur in keeping with the distinct status of The Manila Hotel as a historic landmark.

At the unveiling of the new Fiesta Pavilion, guests were welcomed by Gerhard Doll, the resident manager of the Hotel. The Manila Hotel president Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr. led the Board of Directors through a ceremonial toasting to mark the occasion, while chairman Basilio C. Yap presided at the unveiling complete with a light and sound

(From left) PLDT’s executive vice president Ariel Fermin with wife Paulyne, The Manila Hotel’s Nian Liwanag-Rigor, DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, The Manila Hotel’s president Atty. Joey Lina and executive vice president Enrique Y. Yap Jr.

The ceremonial toast by The Manila Hotel executives and board members.

The Manila Hotel’s President Atty. Joey Lina formally leads the ceremonial toast.

Nian Liwanag-Rigor with former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Manny Samson of Manny Samson & Associates.

The Manila Hotel’s Board of Directors: executive vice president Dr. Enrique Y. Yap Jr., chairman Basilio C. Yap and vice chairman Dr. Emilio C. Yap III.

show that showcased the ballroom’s state-of the-art ceiling and lighting fixtures featuring the color-changing LED systems that performed an intricate light show. Hosting the event was multi-awarded broadcast and print journalist David Celdran.

As the evening progressed, “Asia’s Nightingale” Lani Misalucha – the first Asian to headline in a main showroom of the Las Vegas Strip – serenaded the guests from the

diplomatic corps, high society and industry partners who filled the ballroom and enjoyed the sumptuous feast prepared by The Manila Hotel Chefs.

“Truly, the opening of the new Fiesta Pavilion of the Grand Dame marks another triumph in this gracious white and green stucco building where Manila’s heart, its dreams, romance, and history all live within its walls,” affirmed Nian

Liwanag-Rigor, AVP for public relations and corporate communications.

Positioned as the true heart of the Philippines, The Manila Hotel is the country’s premier five-star and flagship hotel. It is located at One Rizal Park, Manila. For more information, call 527 0011 or visit www.manila-hotel.com. ph; follow us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/TheManilaHotel and on Twitter @ ManilaHotel and Instagram @manila_hotel.

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Secret Garden from the Urban basic collection

W E D N E S D AY : A U G U S T 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

South beach from Lifestyle Pick 'N Go

BEDROOM TALK

Canadian Bedlinens introduces its new fashionable collection

I

s your bedding Instagram worthy?

The demand for more designs and colors in bed linen collection reflects on the lifestyle of many Filipinos.

According to Canadian Bedlinens, one of the leading providers of luxury bed linen in the country, the Philippine market consumes a great demand for bedding designs in comparison to United States and Europe.

“Filipinos are conscious of the quality of their sleep (and the) comfort of their children, but they also want something new all the time,” says Chand Daryanani, sales and marketing director of Canadian Bedlinens. “Unlike in the United States and Europe where designs and colors are repeated for many years, in the Philippines, homemakers come back every six months looking for new designs.

That’s the beauty of the Filipino market: they keep you on your toes, and they have a keen eye for fashionable merchandise.”

And to meet the demands of the local market, Canadian Bedlinens recently released its latest collection with new designs and colors that befit diverse preferences and personalities. There are 50 new designs to choose from under the Lifestyle Urban Premium, Urban Basic, and Pick and Go lines of bed linen.

The Lifestyle Urban Premium line comes in several classic designs and colors to choose from. The linen is upgraded to 300-threadcount, 100 percent cotton from the previous 220-threadcount, increasing the fabric quality and giving the sheets better luster and softness.

The Lifestyle Urban Basic Collection comes with an expanded selection of design in fun and cheerful colors in geometrics, floral and quilt type prints suitable for playful and creative customers.

The Lifestyle Pick-and-Go collection is the most affordable line that caters to

Indigo from Urban Living Premium Collection

a younger market. Any room will look animated in pop playful colors that go well with the Millennial taste.

For the kids and kids at heart, a new collection is introduced this season for Hello Dolly, an affiliate company of Canadian Bedlinens that produces infant apparel, children’s apparel, baby beddings, baby gift sets, towels and regular beddings.

Hello Dolly carries licensed character designs including Fisher Price, Classic Pooh, Disney Baby, Baby Einstein, Disney Cars, Disney Princesses, Disney, Looney Tunes and Snoopy.

Lifestyle by Canadian’s collection of bed linen and bath products and Hello Dolly’s infant wears and baby items are available at major department stores nationwide. For details and new collections, visit its website at www. canadianbeddings.com. For promotions and updates, visit Lifestyle Bed Linens and Hello Dolly Infants Wear on Facebook.

Night Shadow from Urban Living Premium Collection

BATHROOM MADNESS H FROM AMERICAN STANDARD

omemakers who have been wishing to get their hands on luxurious bathroom fixtures now have a chance to jazz up the bathroom environment with American Standard’s Bathroom Madness promo that runs until September 30 at leading home depots, hardware and DIY stores nationwide.

Select luxurious bathroom fixtures and fittings are available at up to 25 percent less – allowing consumers to express their own style by choosing exclusive designs that reflect their personality and create a beautiful and harmonious bathroom space.

Owned by LIXIL Corporation, a global leader in housing and building materials, products and services business, the

American Standard brand features innovative designs and combines them with the latest technologies for the comfort of the body and the mind.

Advanced technologies deliver performance that help make life more comfortable, with innovative products that feature antibacterial properties to inhibit bacteria growth, dual flush toilets that help conserve water significantly, and super lowlead faucets (for safer water), among many other features. Among the products on sale are toilets, wash basins, faucets and showers from various collections.

With the Bathroom Madness promo, achieving the ultimate bathroom design is now possible without breaking the bank.

American Standard makes life healthier, safer and more beautiful at home, at work, in the community and throughout the world. Offering total project solutions for residential and commercial customers around the world with respected brands such as American Standard®, DXV™, Safety Tubs®, Crane Plumbing®, Eljer®, Fiat® and Decorative Panels International®.

American Standard Brands is owned by LIXIL Corporation (TSE Code 5938), a global building products company. For more information, see posters, print advertisements and flyers.

Learn more at www.americanstandard. com.ph, or follow on Facebook https://www. facebook.com/AmericanStandardPH.

W EDNES DAY : AUGUST19: 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

NOW SHOWING

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SCAN THE ICON TO CONNECT TO SURESEATS.COM AND CLICK THE CITY

A GUiDE To WhAT’S iN ciNEmAS ThiS WEEk ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING

Absolutely Anything

The comedy follows a disillusioned schoolteacher, Neil Clarke (Simon Pegg) who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wishes, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens, watching him from space. As he struggles to deal with these newfound powers and the events that subsequently arise, he calls upon his loyal canine companion to help him along the way.

PG

HITMAN: AGENT 44 - NEW

The Richard Gomez – Dawn Zulueta tandem returns in the highly anticipated movie. In the story, Richard plays a loving husband who is trying to come to terms with the realization that his wife played by Dawn cheated on him. This drama asks the question: Does getting hurt gives a person the right to hurt others back?

PG

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

The story is focused on a young woman named Katia van Dees who teams up with Agent 47 in order to find her father and her true ancestry. They both discover that Katia is a genetically engineered assassin just like 47. Together, they fight the Syndicate to find Katia’s father.

PG

Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, the action adventure film centers on a duo who are forced to put aside longstanding hostilities.

The duo known as CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin are up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization, which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

PG

INSIDE OUT - NEW

Inside Out

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith).

G

THE VATICAN TAPES - NEW

A young woman begins to exhibit strange behaviors that seem to coincide with terrible tragedies involving anyone close to her. When demonic possession is suspected the Vatican is called upon to perform an exorcism that quickly proves to be no match for the ancient satanic force inhabiting Angela’s body. Realizing the entire world is in jeopardy, a priest is brought in to wage war for the young woman’s soul and for life as we know it.

PG

LUMAYO KA NGA SA AKIN - NEW

2011 satire novel by Filipino writer Bob Ong gets big screen treatment.

Starring Maricel Soriano and Herbert Baustista, the movie is divided into three parts: Bala sa bala, kamao sa kamao, satsat sa satsat; Shake, shaker, shakest; and Asawa ni Marie. These three parts, which are of different genres, all contain criticisms on the different aspects of Philippine television and media in general.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

PG

Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin

VACATION - NEW

Rusty Griswold, the youngest child from 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation is all grown up with a family of his own and fond childhood memories of a certain family road trip to Walley World, “America’s Favorite Family Fun Park.” Like his father, Rusty wants to forge closer bonds with his own family so he buys a souped-up Albanian van and convinces them to set off on their own crazy cross-country jaunt to Walley World.

R18

Vacation

THE GIFT - NEW

Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) are a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon’s high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. The seemingly coincidental series of encounters proves troubling, a horrifying secret from their past is uncovered after nearly 20 years.

R13

COMPILED BY NICKIE wANG

KIA THEATRE OPENS AT ARANETA CENTER

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he country’s entertainment scene gets another boost with the rise of the Araneta Group’s New Frontier Theater, now known as Kia Theatre.

The theater seats 2,385 and is equipped with state-of-the-art audio, visual and lighting technologies.

Kia Theatre is set to be a leading performing arts venue in the country.

This early, in fact, the theatre is already booked for a formidable line-up of shows, the first being the highly anticipated Disney Live!

Mickey’s Music Festival. Running from Sept.1 to 6, the touring show will feature Mickey as well as other famous characters from Disney movies Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story.

While retaining the classic-looking shell of the iconic New Frontier Theater, the new structure comes in a contemporary, world-class design. It comes with an elegant drop-off point, which leads to a grand lobby.

Here, guests and stars can climb the posh staircase to a swanky Theatre Lounge in the mezzanine,

ideal for meet-and-greet sessions as well as press briefings.

The theatre’s façade will also feature Kia Motors’ logo and a 305.96 square-meter Kia showroom, following a multi-year agreement with Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the assembler and exclusive distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in the Philippines.

Finally, an array of cafes, restaurants, and retail shops will be found along the theatre’s perimeter, making the area a promising dining and leisure district especially for residents of the metro’s North.

The Araneta Group’s New Frontier Theater, which will now be named Kia Theatre.

Interiors of the Kia Theatre (upstairs)

Interiors of the Kia Theatre

W EDNES DAY : AUGUST19: 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Single by choice nicKie Wang Some TV/movie stars found love in the industry. While some ended up in marriage, others found themselves in splitsville, like Shaina Magdayao.

For the record, Shaina is stressfree at the moment, though she is not closing her doors to any romance, be it with another celebrity or a non-showbiz person, the Kapamilya actress is savoring her moment of singlehood because now, she can only think about herself, work and family. And that’s the very reason why she is now civil and feels convenient working with anyone, including her former lovers.

During her recent public appearance, at the press gathering for Cinema One miniseries called Single\Single, the 25-yearold actress recalled her meeting with ex beau, John Lloyd Cruz. More than three years after

their breakup, John Lloyd and Shaina reunited in an episode of family drama, Nathaniel.

“It’s not the first time that we bumped into each other, but I think it only became a big deal because it’s the first time we worked together. We’re civil, we’re okay,” the Kapamilya star told the entertainment press.

And when asked whether she’s dating, Shaina said, beaming at everyone in the venue, “I’m happy right now. I am single by choice.”

Shaina tried to relate her being loveless with the character she is playing in Single\Single, an original Cinema One TV series that merges engaging comedy and relevant issues for the urban singles living in a complicated, modern world.

The series follows the story of Joee (Shaina) and Joey (Matteo Guidicelli), two single strangers who exchange sparks or non-sparks as an odd couple forced to share an apartment for practical reasons.

The show’s lead stars also serve as role models to millennials.

Shaina, who grew up in showbiz, is one of the many young celebrities who managed her finances well.

She owns several business ventures, including a salon and a summer camp for kids. Meanwhile, Matteo who hails from Cebu, also has a background in entrepreneurship as his family has established businesses in his hometown.

Single\Single is helmed by independent cinema director Pepe Diokno, who also marks his first venture into cable TV and comedy. The 13-episode miniseries will premiere on Aug. 29 on Cinema One. New episodes will air every Saturday at 8 p.m. with encores on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m.

Smart educational app Mobile leader Smart Communications has recently launched Batibot Android application, the first learning app in Filipino designed specifically for kids in kindergarten up to Grade 3.

The Batibot app has interactive features like the classic game “Alin Ang Naiba,” Filipino stories “Kwentong Batibot,” and funfilled games that can help children in their formative years develop essential thinking skills.

Shaina Magadayao: Happy to be single

“Batibot app promotes learning, it was designed to promote literacy. Most of all, this digitized version of Batibot addresses the need of children for localized educational content,” said Mon Isberto, Smart public affairs head.

Isberto added that they hope Batibot app can help make learning a shared experience between teachers and parents, who grew up with Batibot TV show.

The mobile app, which can be downloaded for free, was also unveiled as part of the Smart Technocart program.

Since its launch in June, the mobile giant has deployed Technocarts in 15 public kindergarten schools identified by the Department of Education as initial beneficiaries. The cart is a mobile digital laboratory and each set contains 20 tablets preloaded with Batibot app, a laptop and a projector (to be used by the teachers), a pocket Wi-Fi, and Smart One Campus, a learning management system that helps administrators and teachers track and measure their students’ academic performance.

Platinum KaraoKe introduCes its ‘Birit’ amBassadors

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Platinum's ambassadors: Angeline Quinto and Vice Ganda

he makers of high quality and high definition karaoke machines and accessories perfect for every home recently launched its two new exciting products Major HD10 and Bravo together with the introduction of their “Birit” brand ambassadors –Vice Ganda, and Angeline Quinto.

The HD Wireless Bravo boasts excellent high-definition sound, quarterly song updates, multimedia playback, and multiple HD video backgrounds. It comes with over 6,600 OPM and English Songs, and has a remarkable porta-

croSSWord puZZle 42 43 45 47 49 50 51 54 60 61 62 63 64

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Chalky mineral 5 Roman naturalist 10 Young beef 14 Bogus butter 15 Oohed and — 16 “Watermark” chanteuse 17 Be vaguely menacing 18 Ore trucks 19 Rushes off 20 Outlaw

22 23 24 25 29 33 34 36 37 38 39 40

Thick of things Shoguns’ capital This, in Latin Soup go-with Rents a rental Confused struggle Volt or watt Neck and neck Geologic division Where Asia begins Vexation Like a wet dishrag

Ancient cosmetic Brand of spandex Pet shop buys Threw lava Sure thing!

Bard’s prince Shore up Weather gauge Per Stadium fixture Timber wolf Opposed “The Wreck of the Mary —” Planets and eyes Place for your data

65 66 files 67 Took the risk 68 Jeepers!

DOWN 1 Recounted 2 Burn soother 3 Some August people 4 Engage in a contest 5 Regular customer 6 “Tomb Raider” heroine 7 — — no idea!

8 Verne skipper 9 Fabric meas.

10 Sled or taxicab

bility feature with its own carrying case. It has high-resolution image and background videos of nature, international MTVs and clips as well as animated 3D characters.

The Major HD-10 Karaoke, on the other hand, is equipped with high-end specifications, which include a dual core processor, 1 TB Hard Disk Drive storage, creating a reliable and very powerful karaoke player. It has innovative multimedia functions that enable the user to play, store, edit and copy any media files in the karaoke player acting as a media console at the same time.

The brand is likewise definitely

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

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Oklahoma town Nay opposites Endure Falco or Sedgwick Wild crowd Rough shelters Detect a rat Falcon’s home Burro alternative Italian money Window ledges Force out Pied-a- — Golfer Sam — Uh-uh Luau strummers Fortune-teller Good farm soil Holiday tradition (2 wds.)

Start of a bray Placed a call Form droplets Jaipur princess Statutes La — Tar Pits Microbiology gel Seldom seen Corrida sight Wanes — Hashanah Like some socks

all about fun and happiness and the chosen ambassadors are indeed the epitome of both -- Vice Ganda and Angeline Quinto.

Vice Ganda said, ‘To my amazement, their song list is more updated than the karaoke bars and with sound so superb that even my non-singing friends suddenly sounding like pros! What’s more, I am sharing this delightful endorsement with someone that is almost a sister to me, my good friend Angeline Quinto!’

As a champion singer, Angeline Quinto is Platinum’s confident choice to embody its

high-definition features.

She said, ‘Very significant ang Platinum Karaoke sa career ko kasi malaki ang tulong sa akin nito sa pag-aaral ng mga kanta. Minsan, hindi ko na kailangang humingi ng study materials dahil using my own Platinum Karaoke, naaaral ko na ang mga ito at the convenience of our home. Saan ka pa?’

Platinum Karaoke is available in all leading music stores nationwide.

For more information, please visit www.platinumkaraoke.ph, like The PlatinumKaraoke in Facebook and follow Twitter and Instagram accounts @platinumkaraoke.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Sherwin Gatchalian eyeS Senate Seat in 2016

De inv B. R sup C. R sup D. S con Se E. CE

From c8

If you remember, Congressman Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City nearly became a name familiar among showbiz folks when he had a brief liaison with a young star named Pauleen Luna, now the girlfriend of Eat Bulaga host Vic Sotto.

“Actually si Pauleen ang first encounter ko sa showbiz, kasi nire-recruit namin siyang mag councilor. Pero iba naman ang kanyang napasukan,” he recalled.

Yes, Sherwin and Pauleen once were tabloid fodder, but only for a very short time as their relationship didn’t last long.

“Mahirap dahil reverse ’yung time (namin). Day person ako, I wake up early, I work in the day.

Pero sa showbiz kasi baligtad dahil ’yung taping pala sa gabi,” he said.

Sherwin and Pauleen remain friends to this day, sometimes catching up on each other via the messaging application Viber.

“Nagkakamustahan lang kung ano ang ginagawa namin. Usually ang topic namin ay work lang.

Kung ano plano namin sa mga career namin,” he said.

When he learned that Pauleen and Vic have ended up in each other’s arms, Sherwin wasn’t surprised.

He said that when she was with him he and she had a 15-year age gap.

“Actually, masu-surprise ako kung parehong edad o masyadong bata ’yung kanyang magiging boyfriend.”

Sherwin won’t say no if Pauleen would invite him to her and Vic’s wedding, if ever.

“Malaking bagay na maimbi-

Sherwin Gatchialian: The Valenzuela congressman has his eyes trained on the Senate in 2016 Deadpool is that latest Marvel superhero to invade the big screen

Reynolds seems at ease with playing another superhero character

tahan ako. Maski sa reception okay na,” he maintained.

Sherwin has remained loveless after his breakup with Pauleen in 2008. He attributes this to the demands of politics.

“Saka hindi pa dumadating, with all honesty,” he said.

The Valenzuela lawmaker will be busier in the coming months as he prepares to launch his senatorial bid under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Not that it is stopping him from admiring beautiful women from afar.

Among those he finds attractive are Iza Calzado and Liza Soberano.

“I really admire her because of her talent and beauty,” he said of

Iza. “In fact, ’yung brother niya ay nagaaral sa Valenzuela kaya I get to talk to her sometimes.”

Apart from his achievements as Valenzuela Mayor, Sherwin is an honoree for public service in The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards in 2011.

He graduated with a Business Administration degree at Boston University in Massachusetts and also finished advanced studies in Corporate Finance at the Euromoney Institute of Finance.

Sherwin was never a nerd.

“Sabi kasi sa akin ng daddy ko bago ako umalis eh, pwede ko daw gawin lahat ng gusto kong gawin basta tapusin ko daw pagaaral ko kasi hindi daw siya nakatapos ng pagaaral,” he said.

DaviD fOster is air asia’s new glObal ambassaDOr

AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline for seven consecutive years announced the appointment of David Foster, 16-time Grammy award winner as the new global brand ambassador for their premium product range, marking another collaboration with a world- renowned personality for the airline.

A special unveiling event was held in Kuala Lumpur where David Foster’s appointment was announced to the surprise of the guests at the event. Foster was scheduled to be in Kuala Lumpur for his Asia tour but surprised fans with an earlier arrival in time for this big announcement with AirAsia.

Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia says, “David is an old friend and we’ve created many hits together over the years. David is a legend and I’m looking forward to creating many more hits through this collaboration, especially on our Premium offerings. Premium Flex is a one of a kind product which offers travellers flexibility and value-for-money with complimentary 20kg baggage, in-flight meal of their choice, up to 2 times flight changes with

David Foster (third from left) with Air Aisia CEO Tony Fernandes and the Air Asia ladies

seat selection, priority baggage, check-in as well as boarding.”

“This partnership with David for our Premium Flex and our award-winning Premium Flatbed to start, will bolster both products to another level, creating a new market for us as we continue to evolve from being just a low-cost carrier to a true value-carrier with the best product proposition,” added Fernandes.

Foster says, “AirAsia is a highly regarded brand that is nothing short of an amazing success story.

Congratulations on the recent milestone of flying 300 million guests in the short span of only

14 years! I am happy to represent their excellent premium product range and I look forward to a great relationship with AirAsia as we embark on this partnership.”

AirAsia’s guests can look forward to exclusive campaigns featuring Foster aimed to further elevate AirAsia’s premium product range, as well as various engagement activities which may win them a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Foster at one of his concerts.

For further updates on AirAsia, follow our official social media accounts on Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia).

Ryan Reynolds play the most powerful superhero Marvel has created

OffiCial ‘DeaDpOOl’ reD banD trailer

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0th Century Fox recently released the official trailer of Marvel’s Deadpool starring Ryan Reynolds in the title role. Deadpool possesses a superhuman healing factor with enhanced strength, agility and reflex.

Directed by Academy-Award nominee Tim Miller from a screenplay by Simon Kinberg, Lauren Shuler Donner and Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool is based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool. It tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade

Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Co-starring in this most-awaited superhero with Reynolds are Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, and Brianna Hildebrand.

Deadpool arrives the Philippines on Feb. 3, 2016 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

W EDNES DAY : AUGUST19: 2015

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

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O WOW! A stAr-studded AfternOOn And OverflOWing snAck treAts ISAH V. RED Sunday afternoon at Trinoma, a multitude has occupied the Activity Center. O wow! There were snack booths courtesy of Oishi, and there were stars from television as well.

That’s double O Wow for fans of Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Elmo Magalona, Slater Young, Ramon Bautista and the latest Oishi endorser Alex Gonzaga, Together with the help of Team O, Oishi did not fail in delivering an even bigger, fun-filled event that left everyone in awe, or more likely, “O, Wow!” “I was really looking forward to hosting this year’s Snacktacular with the help of Elmo and Slater,” said Bautista. “Last year, sobrang nag enjoy talaga kami. We got to see Oishi-lovers get creative with designing their own snacks, such as White Cheddar Prawn Crackers and Wasabi Ketchup Marty’s Chicharon. And this year, hindi talaga nagpatalo ang Oishi making their second Snacktacular even better, especially since may bago kaming Team O member!”

Oishi fans created their own snack at the Make Your Own Snack booth.

From a selection of Oishi chips, flavors, and packaging, they got to mix and match to create a one-of-akind custom treat. Oishi Snacktac-

ular also featured a special O-Twirl Booth where guests were able to experience soft-served ice cream made with Oishi Choco Chug with various different savory and sweet toppings like Oishi Pillows, Wafu Leche Flan, Gourmet Picks Potato Chips and the like. For a refreshing drink from all the festivities, Oishi also created a new booth called the Slush C+ booth, where they transformed, the very popular, Smart C+ drink into ice-cold slushies!

“This year, Oishi also brought back Snack Shack where fans can bring home their own two-feet Giant Pack. There’s a new twist however, as fans have to choose what goes into their Giant packs in 60 seconds! “I filled up my 2 ft. Giant pack with all the Marty’s Chicharon!” Team O member Daniel Padilla exclaimed.

Oishi is brand that always aims for fresher and more exciting ideas, and this year they introduced a new addition to the Snacktacular experience: the Oishi Snack Catcher!

This is Kathryn’s favorite part, telling us, “Hindi ako mahilig kasi sa mga shooter games at racing games sa arcade noong bata pa ako. I really liked the claw machine because I wanted to win the cute stuffed toys and candies! That’s why it is so cool that with the Oishi Snack Catcher, YOU get to be the claw machine.”

The Snacktacular also welcomed the newest endorser for Crispy Patata, Alex Gonzaga, upping the O,

Wow! factor to its already star-studded list of endorsers. When asked about how she feels about being the newest face to the brand Crispy Patata, she explained with excitement that “Sobrang saya ko talaga when Oishi asked me to be a part of the Team, kasi love ko talaga yung personality nila at feel ko we get along so well! When it comes to chips naman, gusto ko yung may something that excites me. Kapag kinain mo, you will want more. The kind na hindi ka masasatisfy sa isang piraso lang! At ito talaga yung Crispy Patata, may something.”

After such an exciting, funfilled weekend and a growing Team O, audiences can’t help but wonder what else Oishi has packed up their sleeve.

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Oishi fans created their own snack at the Make Your Own Snack booth.

From a selection of Oishi chips, flavors, and packaging, they got to mix and match to create a one-of-a-kind custom treat

1 The O Team: from left, Ramon Bautista, Alex Gonzaga, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Elmo Magalona, and Slater Young 2 Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo had the Oishi fans screaming their lungs out 3 Alex Gonzaga is the newest member of O Team 4 Elmo Magalona gets the loudest cheers after Daniel Padilla 5 Slater Young is the most low key among the members of the O Team 6 Maxene, Arkin, Clara and Saab jon the crowd in getting the snacks for themselves 7 The Magalona brood: Pia, Arkin and Frank