The Standard - 2015 August 22 - Saturday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 191  3 Sections 24 Pages P18  SATURDAY : AUGUST 22, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

DFA warns Filipinos in Korea of coming ‘war’

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‘LIKE DYING EVERY DAY’ 2 Coast Guard men tell of captivity at the hands of Abu Sayyaf

TWO Coast Guard men trembled and cried Friday as they recalled their harrowing four months as captives of Abu Sayyaf bandits who beheaded one of their fellow hostages.

Sporting long beards, Gringo Villaruz and Rod Allain Pagaling said luck and quick wit aided their escape from the Abu Sayyaf bandits on the remote southern island of Jolo.

“Each day I felt like I was going to die,” Pagaling told reporters shortly after arriving in Manila, as his 3-year-old daughter, Allaina, clung tightly to his shoulders.

“It was very difficult. We had

nothing else to turn to except prayer.”

The men, who were abducted in May along with another hostage, were blindfolded, stripped of their shirts and made to beg for their lives on their knees as their masked captors held machetes to their necks.

A video of the desperate plea was posted on the video-sharing website YouTube as the bandits demanded an undisclosed ransom.

The decapitated remains of the other hostage, Rodolfo Boligao, were found on a dark, deserted Jolo highway last week.

The beheading prompted elite military forces to launch a risky operation to free 11 hostages held by the Al-Qaeda-linked militants— including the two Coast Guard officials, as well as two Malaysians, a Dutch national and a South Korean.

After the military engaged the

militants in a firefight late Wednesday, Villaruz and Pagaling were able to slip away.

“The fighting was so intense.

There was no time to think hard,” said Villaruz.

“We just made a run for it while there was chaos all around.”

Found an hour apart, they did not know of each other’s escape until they saw one another Thursday at a local military hospital.

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4 killed as typhoon lashes N. Luzon

By Francisco Tuyay

FOUR people died and eight others were missing after typhoon Ineng whipped Northern Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region, flooding several vil-

lages, disaster officials said Friday.

The Office of Civil Defense in Region 1 reported that among the victims were brothers Eric, 26 and Markim Selo, 21, both buried in debris caused by a land-

slide at a road in Benguet, while Icar Mayon, 11, died in a mud slide in Cabangan, Mountain Province.

The other fatality, Herminio Tabuyo, was pinned by a fallen mango tree while he was traveling on a motor-

cycle along the Nueva Era Road in Pinili, Ilocos Norte.

Eight other people were reported missing after they were caught by rampaging waters while crossing a river in Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Next page Kalinga.

Wet Friday. Residents cross a flooded street in Montalban, Rizal, that was inundated by the rain brought by Typhoon ‘Ineng’ on Friday. LINO SANTOS

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Home again. Coastguard Rod Allain Pagaling is reunited with his daughter Allaina and wife Judith in Manila on Friday following his escape from his Abu Sayyaf captors. AFP

Ex-PMA chief insists: Traffic jams can kill REACTING to a remark by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya that traffic snarls in Metro Manila are not fatal, a doctor and leader of the Coalition of Clean Air Advocates of the Philippines (CCAAP) said Friday that bad traffic can trigger heart attacks, strokes and sudden death.

“The fatal effects of air pollution, from the millions of motor vehicles plying our streets daily, includes life-threatening diseases such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension, heart attack, strokes and even sud-

den death,” said Dr. Leo Olarte, CCAAP chairman and former president of the Philippine Medical Association.

He said traffic jams can aggravate all the risk factors in all these dangerous diseases.

“If you’re a patient with cardiovascular ailments (or predisposed to them) the intensive particulate matter or soot exposure that you can be subjected to, when caught in monstrous traffic jams for several hours, can possibly trigger life-threatening episodes… right there and then even when you’re inside your air conditioned cars,” Olarte said.

Olarte said 80 percent of the deadly air pollution in Metro

4 killed

fled their homes for fear of a possible storm surge of up to two meters brought by Ineng.

At press time Friday, Ineng maintained its strength and was located east of Calayan, Cagayan and was moving in the direction of west northwest and was expected to hit Batanes and the Babuyan group of islands—now under Signal No. 3—by Sunday, before exiting the Philippines Monday.

The weather bureau said the rest of Cagayan, Northern Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Norte remain under Signal No. 2 (winds of 61-100 kph expected in at least 24 hours).

The rest of Isabela and the provinces of Ifugao, Mt. Province, Benguet, La Union and Ilocos Sur were under Signal No. 1

The National Disaster Risk reduction and Management Council reported a total of 127 families or 377 persons preemptively evacuated at Barangay Caroan in Gonzaga, Barangay Balatubat in Calayan and Barangay Simbaluca in Teresita, all in Cagayan.

The weather bureau alerted residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces under storm signals against possible flash floods and landslides while storm surges of up to 2.5 meters are possible along the coastal areas of Cagayan.

Fishermen were advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, the seaboard of southern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

The estimated rainfall amount

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Disaster workers have launched search and rescue operations for the missing victims.

Ineng also brought heavy rain to Baguio City, causing rocks to fall along the stretch of the Itogon and Bontoc roads, prompting the Public Works and Highways Department to close them. The Marcos Highway and Naguilian Road, however, remained open.

At a low lying area of SitioRang-ay in Barangay Kaawakan, residents were forced to flee to higher ground due to rising flood waters.

At the eastern seaboard of Cagayan and Isabela, residents

Manila can be directly traced to the unabated emissions of motor vehicles. Stagnant traffic, he said, multiplies exponentially the dangerous effects of these air pollutants.

He also blamed the Land Transportation Office for doing a poor job in its mandate to conduct emission testing on all vehicles.

Abaya apologized for his remark Thursday. – Macon

Ramos Araneta

The Abu Sayyaf militants are believed to be holding nine remaining hostages.

Authorities are continuing to pursue the group, said Capt. Antonio Bulao, a military spokesman in Jolo.

Fifteen Abu Sayyaf militants died in the fighting on Wednesday.

Impoverished Jolo is a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a loose band of several hundred armed men set up in the 1990s with seed money from Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network.

The group engages in kidnappings to finance its operations, often targeting foreigners and sometimes beheading captives if ransoms are not paid.

It has also been blamed for the worst bomb attacks in the country, including the firebombing of a ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.

Also on Wednesday, one soldier and three Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed in Basilan.

Capt. Roy Trinidad, chief of staff of Task Force Zambasulta, said six bandits were also wounded in the firefight in Sitio Punoh Timuguen, Barangay Biwas, Sumisip.

“The firefight lasted for one hour before the bandits withdrew in different directions. We’ve one casualty while three bandits were killed and many of them were wounded,” Trinidad said.

Trinidad said ground troops received artillery and air support. – AFP, Florante

S. Solmerin

was from moderate to heavy within the 600-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

The state weather bureau said that the typhoon-enhanced monsoon would continue to bring occasional rain over the Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region and Western Visayas.

Some 11 domestic flights were canceled Friday due to typhoon Ineng.

The Manila International Airport Authority said PAL Express canceled four flights on the Manila-Laoag-Manila and ManilaTuguegaroa-Manila routes.

Cebu Pacific canceled four

flights on the Manila-Tuguegaroa-Manila, Manila-Roxas-Manila and Manila-Caticlan routes.

Skyjet canceled its Manila-Basco-Manila flight.

The Palace said government agencies were working to ensure the safety and welfare of affected residents.

“The directive of the President is being carried out now on the affected areas by Ineng,” said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

The Office of Civil Defense said the storm also brought power outages in Ilocos Norte.

In Ilocos Sur, authorities were on red alert with rescue teams on standby. In Vigan, tourists were still out and about, though in smaller numbers. – With Rudy Santos, Sandy Araneta, PNA

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Visit. President Benigno Aquino III visits the tomb of his father Benigno Aquino Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park on Aug. 21, the same day the ex-senator was assassinated in 1983. Malacañang Photo Bureau

Flawed audit used for ‘ghost’ report A MAKATI social welfare official on Friday rejected the alleged “ghost senior citizen” scam narrated at a Senate subcommittee hearing by a Makati city official appointed by acting Mayor Romulo Peña.

Ryan F. Barcelo, head of the Makati Social Welfare Department, said the findings on the alleged ghost senior citizens in Makati were based on a flawed and questionable auditing procedure.

He dismissed the report of Arthur Cruto, officer-in-charge of the Makati Action Center, that more than 45 percent of the senior citizens listed in the Blu Card Program of the MSWD were “ghost senior citizens”.

He said the “auditing” by Cruto’s staff was faulty because he simply went to the house of a senior citizen, asked if the senior citizen was there, and if told the senior citizen was not around he simply put an “X” across the name of the person.

“The staff apparently did not bother to ask where the senior citizen was at the time, or if the said senior citizen had died,” Barcelo said.

which demeans the oversight function of the Senate,” Roque said.

Binay’s camp on Friday said it was considering taking legal action against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in connection with the ghost senior citizens issue.

“We will leave it to our lawyers,” Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said.

“Senator Trillanes raised the issue outside the Senate.”

Cruto said the Makati City government would be expanding his probe on the senior citizen issue.

He said the city government was losing about P367.5 million annually because of the ghost senior citizens who were receiving benefits from the city government.

Barcelo said there should have been a collateral interview of the senior citizens.

“They should have asked where the senior citizen was and not simply put an X beside the person’s name when they found out the person was not around.

There are a number of reasons a person is not in his house at a certain time,” Barcelo said. — Vito Barcelo, Joel E. Zur-

“There is a difference between who left the house and who died. They did not investigate.”

Barcelo made his statement even as two lawyers said the Senate investigation on the corruption charges against Vice President Jejomar Binay was no longer being made for legislative purposes.

Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Vicente Joyas and UP law professor Harry Roque Jr. said it was now necessary to ask the Supreme Court to stop the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearings on Binay’s alleged corruption.

“This Senate investigation is no longer in aid of legislation but in aid of election. The senators are fishing for evidence,” Joyas said.

“It has become an institutional hatchet machinery versus Binay, bano and Rey E. Requejo

JPE visits Estrada, Revilla in Crame A DAY after being freed following a Supreme Court ruling releasing him from jail in Camp Crame, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile visited his fellow opposition Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada in Camp Crame on Friday.

National Police spokesman Wilben Mayor said Enrile went back to Camp Crame and visited his fellow senators for one hour at the PNP Custodial Center.

Like Enrile, Revilla and Estrada are facing plunder charges before the anti-graft court.

Enrile was ordered released by the Supreme Court on humanitarian reasons after it allowed him to post bail on the charges against him in connection with the pork-barrel scam.

Enrile’s incarceration was his second after the Cory administration ordered him detained in Camp Karingal in Quezon City for allegedly being complicit in the 1987 uprising led by then Col. Gregorio Honasan against the Aquino regime.

He was released few days later for lack of evidence.

Between 1986 ad 1989, Enrile was accused of hatching a series of coup attempts aimed at the Corazon Aquino administration but the government failed to put him in jail for lack of direct links to the military uprisings.

Enrile said his faith in the country’s judicial system had been vindicated following his release.

He vowed to return to the Senate.

“My faith in the probity and justness of our judiciary has been vindicated. I will go back to my work and serve no interest except the interest of the country,” Enirle said. Francisco tuyay

Aquino, sisters assemble at father Ninoy’s grave PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III visited the tomb of his father, former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque on Friday as the country commemorated his 32nd death anniversary.

Aquino’s sisters Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee, and Aurora Corazon “Pinky” AquinoAbellada also visited their father’s grave to offer prayers.

The Aquino family was joined by Cabinet officials including Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Budget

Secretary Florencio Abad and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

The older Aquino was assassinated at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983, an event that led to the Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986 and catapulted his widow, Corazon C. Aquino, to the presidency.

In 2010, Benigno’s son was elected President of the Philippines.

“It has been thirty-two years since Senator Ninoy Aquino lay down his life for his country,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement on

Ninoy Aquino Day on Friday.

“He came home to try to convince the dictator to restore democracy to avoid plunging the country into a violent revolution, but he paid for this idealism with his life.

“His assassination inspired millions to fight against the dictatorship through peaceful means.

Today, these sentiments remain strong even among those who were not yet around at the time as history has seared this image of ultimate sacrifice into our collective memory.” Sandy araneta

Protest. Members of various youth and student organizations mass in front of Benigno Aquino Jr.’s monument in Quezon City on Friday to condemn what they say is the rising number of human rights violations iln the country. Lino SantoS

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Palace assures traffic solution

In memoriam. Fourteen-year-old

Emilio Aquino and his sister Martha, grandchildren of the late former Senator Butch Aquino who died August 17, brought the urn of their grandfather’s ashes to the spot in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where his brother, former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was killed in 1983. RUDY C. SANTOS

Filipinos alerted after Korean clash

By Vito Barcelo OVER 40,000 Filipinos living and working in the Korean peninsula were advised to be alert and cautious after North Korean troops were ordered onto a war footing after an exchange of artillery fire with South Korea at their border.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was monitoring the situation even as the Philippines also urged restraint from both Koreas and called for the immediate deescalation of tensions in order to maintain regional peace and stability.

While the situation in South Korea remains “normal,” the Philippine embassy

in Seoul has imposed a “state of alertness” for Filipinos there.

The heightened alert was called after North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered his frontline troops onto a war footing Friday to back up an ultimatum for South Korea to halt high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the border or face concerted military action.

The move came as military tensions on the divided Korean peninsula soared following a rare exchange of artillery fire on Thursday that put the South Korean army on maximum alert.

Kim Jong-Un has given similarly bellicose orders in the past, most recently in 2013 when he declared “a state of war” with the South.

Technically, the two Koreas have been at war for the past 65 years, as the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a ceasefire that

was never ratified by a formal peace treaty.

Kim chaired an emergency meeting late Thursday of the North’s powerful Central Military Commission which endorsed the ultimatum for the South to switch off its propaganda unit loudspeakers by Saturday afternoon.

According to the official KCNA news agency, Kim ordered frontline, combined units of the Korean People’s Army to “enter a wartime state” from Friday 5 p.m. (0830 GMT).

The troops should be “fully battle ready to launch surprise operations” while the entire frontline should be placed in a “semi-war state,” KCNA quoted him as saying.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff responded with a direct message to the KPA, urging it to refrain from any “reckless acts” and warning that it would react strongly to any further provocation.

AMID worsening traffic, particularly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals, Malacañang said it is addressing the congestion, but offered no concrete plan how to ease the traffic that has forced many local and foreign travelers to miss their flights.

“The government continues to address the issue and ensure the comfort and welfare of the public” was all Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. could say in response to criticism that traffic around the country’s premiere gateway has become a nightmare.

But the Manila International Airport Authority had earlier developed a plan that has so far not made the traffic congestion around the NAIA complex any easier.

MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado convened the MIAA Security Council with representatives from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the governments of Pasay and Parañaque to deploye more traffic enforcers.

But traffic around the airport continued to worsen due to construction of the NAIA Expressway project, creating a worrisome situation for airport passengers who worry or complain about missing their flights.

Honrado said the MIAA might not be able to hasten the construction of the expressway—which is slated for completion two years from now.

However, together with agencies concerned, they can ease traffic flow especially for those going to and coming from the airport, Honrado said.

As agreed upon, the deployment scheme to be employed will make the airport police department in charge of the immediate vicinity of all four terminals while the MMDA and the LGUs are tasked with taking care of the major thoroughfares.

The deployment scheme is as follows: Ninoy Aquino Avenue— MMDA and Parañaque Traffic; MIA Road—MMDA; Domestic Road— MMDA; Andrews Avenue—MMDA and Pasay Traffic and Sales Avenue —MMDA and Pasay Traffic.

Sandy Araneta

Media slays assailed MALACAÑANG condemned on Friday the killings of two media men who were murdered in just days apart during the week.

“We condemn the killing of Teodoro Escanilla. The authorities will go after the suspects and will bring them to face justice,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a text message to the Malacañang Press Corps yesterday.

Escanilla, a radio broadcaster in Sorsogon, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants outside his house Wednesday evening, police said.

Supt.

Nonito Marquez, spokesman of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, identified the victim as Teodoro Escanilla, 59, a block timer of DZMS station in Sorsogon, resident of Barangay Tagdon, Barcelona town.

The killing of Escanilla followed the death of Gregorio Ybañez, another media worker, who was shot dead by a lone gunman in Davao del Norte Tuesday.

Escanilla hosted the radio program “Pamana ng Lahi” aired every Saturday over DZMS. Police said Escanilla is also a spokesman of the human rights group Karapatan and chairman of Anak Pawis chapter in Sorsogon.

Marquez said Escanilla was shot by an Armalite rifle and 9mm pistol at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday. Crime scene investigators recovered five cartridges of M-16 rifle and three slugs of caliber 45 pistol.

Escanilla was talking to somebody outside his house when one of the supposed suspects appeared and shot him. A task force has been formed to resolve the case swiftly.

From Tacloban with thanks. Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez thanks more than 600 members and officers of the Rotary Club of Lipa for helping the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City in November 2013. VER NOVENO

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Chiz scores health plan

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Francis Escudero scored on Friday the Aquino administration’s universal health coverage plan, saying the government has little to show for the more than P25 billion that has been allocated for the improvement of health facilities the past two years.

Pacific Angel 2015. Air Force Capt. Jacquelyn Corpuz, a flight nurse, questions a patient about his health during healthcare services outreach of the multilateral humanitarian assistance operation, called Pacific Angel, in Tagbilaran City in Bohol province on August 16. US AIR FORCE / T. SGT. AARON OELRICH

Hazing ruling affirmed

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has upheld the judgment of the Calamba, Laguna Regional Trial Court convicting two members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity for their involvement in the hazing of University of the Philippines Los Baños student Marlon Villanueva in 2006.

In a 39-page decision penned by Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, the SC’s Second Division sustained the imposition of penalty of reclusion perpetua or 20 years and 1 day to 40 years imprisonment, by the Calamba, Laguna RTC, Branch 36, against Dandy L. Dungo and Gregorio A. Sibal Jr. It was the first conviction under Republic Act 8049, otherwise known as the Anti-Hazing Law.

The high court affirmed the lower court’s ruling that the prosecution irrefutably proved that the victim was seen with Dungo and Sibal when they entered a resort where the initiation rites were conducted and that they were the same people who brought the victim to JP Rizal Hospital.

The lower court said while there was no evidence that Dungo and Sibal participated in the initiation rites, there were evidence that the two brought the victim to the venue where the final initiation rites was conducted and where the victim sustained injuries that led to his death.

Aggrieved by the trial court judgment, the petitioners filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals assailing the RTC decision, but the appellate court affirmed

the lower court decision.

This prompted Sibal and Dungo to petition the SC assailing their conviction, saying prosecution failed to prove that they actually participated in the hazing of Villanueva.

The petitioners also stressed that what the prosecution proved during the trial was their participation was only persuading Villanueva to join APO and go through the initiation rites.

However, the SC ruled that the two did not only induce the victim, they also accompanied him to the venue of the final initiation rites.

“The hazing would not have been accomplished were it not for the acts of the petitioners that induced the victim to be present,” the tribunal stressed.

“Implementing a universal health coverage plan without making sure that there are enough facilities and quality health workers means spending a lot of money with little chance of better health results, especially for the most marginalized sectors of society,” he said.

“That would render the national health insurance program useless,” said Escudero, the former chairman of the Senate finance committee.

He bewailed the lack of vital medical equipment, like X-ray and ultrasound machines, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanners, electrocardiogram machines and ventilators in the country’s health institutions.

He said some remote areas do not even have doctors although the Aquino administration asked Congress to allocate P13.5 billion in 2014 and P13.2 billion in 2015 for the government’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) under the Department of Health.

Through the HFEP, rural health units, barangay health stations and local government-run hospitals should be able to acquire the necessary equipment and hire trained health professionals that would make them more responsive to the population’s health needs.

The HFEP would also help them meet the accreditation requirements of PhilHealth, which would allow more indigents to seek treatment in public health care facilities.

However, with public health facilities still unaccredited by PhilHealth, many PhilHealth members seek treatment in private hospitals, where they are forced to shell out more money to pay their bills.

Last year, PhilHealth made a total of P78 billion in benefit payments, 23 percent of which went to private hospitals and clinics.

Some 90 million Filipinos are enrolled in PhilHealth. Of this, 43 million are indigent members and their dependents.

3 agencies get fund boost

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan and Commission on Audit will get substantiallyincreased budgets in their 2016 budgets and should enable them to pursue corruption cases more aggressively.

In the proposed General Appropriations Act of 2016, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said the Ombudsman was allocated P1.78 billion —a cumulative 68-percent increase from its P1.06-billion budget in 2010.

“This should enable the Ombudsman, which receives around 10,600 new complaints every year, to aggressively investigate and prosecute officials accused of graft and corruption,” Romulo said.

The Sandiganbayan gets P505.9 million next year—51 percent bigger than its allocation in 2010.

“The fresh funding will cover the creation of two new divisions of the special anti-graft court and speed up the resolution of cases filed by the Ombudsman,” Romulo said.

A total of 3,105 cases were pending

before the anti-graft tribunal as of June 30, 2015.

Romulo acknowledged the role of the Sandiganbayan which hears and decides criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in state-owned corporations.

Meanwhile, the COA is allotted P9.13 billion next year—an increase of nearly 140 percent from its allotment in 2010—to build up its audit services via the hiring of additional staff and the adoption of new technologies.

“We have very high hopes that these incremental investments in the Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan and COA will help suppress malfeasance and generate new savings for taxpayers,” Romulo said.

Romulo authors a measure in the House of Representatives that seeks to compel all government officials and employees to settle their cash advances within specific deadlines, or risk criminal prosecution for embezzlement of public funds.

Parañaque fire. A lineman cuts electricity wire after 300 houses in Barangay

San Martin De Porres in Parañaque City were gutted in a fire on Thursday evening.

The fire reached alarm level “Echo.” DANNY PATA

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Over 1-m overseas voters set to register for 2016 polls

By Vito Barcelo and Sara Susanne Fabunan

OVER one million overseas Filipino voters are expected to participate in the 2016 national elections as more than 600,000 overseas voters have already registered with still two months left before the registration period ends, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

“At the current pace of registration, the 2016 Presidential elections will be the first to have over a million active registered overseas voters. Attaining this goal can definitely be a game changer,” Office of Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said.

Seguis, who is concurrently chairman of the Department

of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat, said there are at present 600,823 new overseas registrants.

Of the number, the Foreign Service Post (FSP) in the Middle East and Africa processed the most number of new OV registrants at 249,512, followed by the FSP in the Americas at 123,993; the European FSPs with 68,124 and

91,088 from Asia and the Pacific while the OVRCs in the Philippines contributed 68,106.

In the Philippines, six overseas voter registration centers (OVRCs) were opened last July at the DFA’s Regional Consular Offices in Davao, Cebu and San Fernando, Pampanga and also at the DFA’s Satellite Offices at Robinson’s Galleria, SM Manila and Ali Mall.

“This is in addition to the nine OVRCs that have already been processing applications for registration/ certification for OFWs, immigrants, seafarers and students who are about to leave for abroad and who are not yet registered as overseas voters,” Seguis said.

Last June, the iREHISTRO online system that provides another way of accomplishing forms for voter registration-related process went global.

Filipinos in the Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa region now have the option of filling up the forms from the comfort of their homes, workplace, Internet café, or anywhere they have access to reliable Internet connection.

The optional appointment feature of the system allows for better time management since it provides an easy way to schedule the voters’ personal appearance at the embassy, consulate, mission or mobile/field registration site. iREHISTRO applicants

still have to appear personally at Foreign Service Posts or Mobile/Field registration site to sign and submit their duly-accomplished printed form, and for biometrics capturing.

All Filipino citizens who expect to be abroad during the thirty day (09 April –09 May 2016) overseas voting period for the 2016 Presidential Elections, at least 18 years old on May 9, 2016, and not otherwise disqualified by law, may personally register as an overseas voter, at all FSPs, including the three Manila Economic and Cultural Offices (MECO), 15 OVRCs in the Philippines and at other COMELEC approved field mobile registration centers.

Anniversary report. President

Benigno S. Aquino III receives a copy of the SONA Technical Reports from 2011-2015 and the Directory of Government Acronyms presented by PMS Head Julia Andrea Abad and PMS officers and staff during the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) 45th Anniversary at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Thursday (August 20, 2015).

MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

‘No CCTV, no inspection’ urged at Customs

By Macon R. Araneta NO inspection of balikbayan boxes should be done by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the absence of CCTV cameras, said Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Friday.

Recto said that while he understands that part of the BOC’s mandate is to go after smugglers, he said travellers should also be protected from abuses perpetrated by unscrupulous personnel of the said government agency.

The BOC earlier announced it would selectively and randomly open balikbayan boxes for inspection over suspicions that a few are being used to smuggle taxable goods.

“If they are to do this, there should be videos. If a consignee

complains that something went missing, the BOC has a proof no anomaly occurred when balikbayan boxes were opened,” Recto said.

This is also for the protection of BOC personnel. They would be able to do their job secure in the knowledge that they’re on candid camera,” he added.

Recto said the practice of taking video footages in business transactions is commonplace nowadays.

He said the BOC can not complain that it has no money to buy CCTV cameras because last year, it was given a budget of P3.2 billion.

The senator added that in the same period, the agency collected an estimated P1.01 billion each day.

This year, it has revenue goal of P436.6 billion or P1.2 billion per day.

Recto said that with that kind of

money, the BOC can certainly afford to set up a CCTV system, or “Customs Closed-Circuit TV,” so that whenever its personnel will open a balikbayan box, that inspection is duly recorded by a camera.

“The BOC cannot give the excuse that affordable CCTVs would be hard to buy locally. There have been flooding of these gadgets in Raon and Binondo. The BOC should know this because they passed through them,” he added.

He said the bigger issue is for BOC to run after big-time smugglers, those who, for example, bring in rice in ships as big as a mall, or as in the case of the reported smuggling of oil and fuel, in tankers which are a million times bigger and easier to spot than a balikbayan box.

Road reblocking resumes in Pasig, Parañaque

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday advised motorists and commuters in the cities of Pasig and Parañaque to brace for heavy traffic after it allowed the resumption of a reblocking operation and other road repairs in the areas.

Lawyer Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said the Department of Public Works and Highways will commence road works at 10 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 21) until 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 24) in Pasig, along the northbound inner lane of C-5 Road between SM Warehouse to FR Cement going to Lanuza Street-Parañaque City and along South Super Highway, East Service Road.

Carlos advised motorists and commuters to avoid the affected areas and use alternate routes instead. He added all affected roads will be fully passable by Monday.

DPWH National Capital Region director Reynaldo Tagudando has recommended the reblocking and repair of the said areas for maintenance purposes.

MMD chairman Francis Tolentino assured motorists the agency is managing the timing of numerous infrastructure and road projects in Metro Manila and added that they are taking steps to avoid the overlaps that could lead to gridlocks on major thoroughfares.

‘Pamana’ was killed for fun—official

By Rio N. Araja PAMANA, a three-year-old female Philippine eagle released last June 12 to her natural habitat in time for Independence Day, was shot and killed “just for fun,” according to Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.

“Napagtripan,” Lim said in a television interview.

“She was killed using a pellet gun, said Lim, who added that metal fragments were found inside the eagle’s cadaver.

Pamana’s cadaver was dis-

covered inside the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site Mount Hamiguitan Range, a protected area.

Kim Atienza, television host and Philippine Eagle Foundation ambassador, has offered a reward money for any information that could lead to the arrest of Pamana’s killer.

The bounty has been increased from P100,000 to P200,000.

Atienza said he and his wife were able to raise an additional P50,000, while Davao Oriental Gov. Cora Malanyaon put up the other P50,000.

S AT U R D AY : A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Typhoon’s wrath. A farmer inspects his farm, even as he braces for its landfall by setting up greenhouses made from heavy duty plastic and bamboo to protect their crops from inclement weather. Strong winds and heavy rains brought about by typhoon Ineng, however, damaged some of the greenhouses in La Trinidad, Benguet a major vegetable producer up north. DAVID CHAN

NAIA agents find 2 kilos of heroin hidden in soles

By Rudy C. Santos

SECURITY officials of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) warned the public to take extra precaution when buying goods from pre-loved store, otherwise known as “Ukay Ukay” after its Intelligence group discovered two kilos of high-grade heroin hidden in the soles of branded shoes.

NAIA Supt. Melchor Delos Santos, Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) chief said they are now conducting thorough inspection of all the items that were due for donation

after his agents recovered P10 million worth of heroin concealed inside the shoes that were abandoned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1, last Monday.

Delos Santos said they rcovered the illegal drugs “accidentally” after they they chanced upon pairs of branded shoes that weighed suspiciously heavy.

He said the shoes were apparently abandoned inside their warehouse since six months ago. When they sorted out the items to be disposed for donations to different institutions and victims of calamities, they discovered the illegal drugs.

Delos Santos said the agents, who requested anonymity, were sorting out the items at the Terminal 1 warehouse when they found

a black pair of Clark Active Air Shoes which weighed “suspiciously heavy.”

Delos Santos said upon closer inspection, the agents found 500 grams of the yellow, powder-like substance hidden in the sole of a shoe while another 500 grams were concealed in the other pair that when operatives cut and opened the soles of the shoes.

Delos Santos added that another brown pair of Clark Active shoes was found inside the box of unclaimed footwear which also contained another kilogram of heroin.

It was observed that the drugs were carefully wrapped inside a dark plastic material shaped like the bottom of the shoe. These were placed inside the soles of the shoes which were then sewn carefully back together, said Delos Santos.

Delos Santos added that both pairs of shoes and the drugs were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which confirmed that the substance as heroin.

The two kilograms of heroin have an estimated street value of P10 million, according to Delos Santos.

Transport group wants Uber, Grab taxis probed A TRANSPORT leader on Friday urged lawmakers to investigate the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) issuance of accreditation for the Internet and mobile app-based transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber, GrabCar and GrabTaxi.

Efren de Luna, chairman of the Alliance of Concerned Transportation Organization, said the safety of the passengers of such transport service providers is not assured under the accreditation scheme.

“These providers do not have the franchise, unlike the (traditional) taxis,” he said.

He also said that the business operation of the franchised taxis is expected to suffer income losses with

the proliferation of mobile app-based transportation providers.

De Luna said the increase in the number of Uber, GrabTaxi and GrabCar units on the road could only cause more bottleneck.

De Luna’s sentiments, however, were welcomed by Atty. Ariel Enrile Inton Jr., a member of the LTFRB board.

“Uber and the likes have their own market. There are passengers who prefer such, while others would rather choose the traditional taxi service,” Inton said.

Inton also urged operators of appbased transport operators to thoroughly screen the background of the drivers applying for their companies, and not to hire drivers with bad driving history.

Good job. South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) operator, Manila Toll Express-

way Systems, Inc. (MATES) president Manuel M. Bonoan commended and rewarded toll supervisor Charles Sarmiento and toll clerk Julie Anne Bender for their honest service. Bonoan (second from right) found a bag containing cash and valuable documents at Alabang Toll Plaza that she quickly turned over to Sarmiento who immediately notified the bag owner. The owner thanked Sarmiento and Bender. Also shown in photo are (left to right) Administration Manager Jessica Zeta, Toll Collection Manager Ann Suriaga and Chief Finance Officer Melvin Nazareno.

Science Museum now DOT accredited THE Department of Tourism recently accredited the Rice Science Museum in Nueva Ecija as a tourist facility and as a Local Government Unitlicensed tourist establishment.

The Rice Museum, which is located at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, was relaunched in September 2014.

Philrice said since the relaunch, the Rice Science Museum has highlighted rice science, art, and technology through material culture of rice-farming communities in the country, labor-and cost-reducing machines, and rice seeds.

Collections of species found in the rice environment, rice ecosystem, rice grains, and art works have also been exhibited.

Philrice said with the accreditation, the Rice Museum is the only DOT and LGU-listed tourist facility in Nueva Ecija registered in the http://visitmyphilippines.com, a DOT-operated website.

In Central Luzon, the Rice Science Museum shares similar accreditation with the Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac City.

Ronaldo P. Tiotuico, DOT director in Region III, said that the museum is a “good place to visit and the contents are intellectually stimulating as they present rice culture, traditions, and science in a way that the public will appreciate and understand.”

Recently, the Rice Science Museum went mobile, in partnership with the Museo Pambata, to encourage children to build a career on ensuring the country’s food supply.

S AT U R D AY : A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

POLITICS IS PERSONAL

[ EDI TORI A L ]

POOR EXCUSE TWELVE years ago, Antonio Trillanes IV seemed like an idealistic young soldier who became frustrated with the system. He was one of the leaders of a team that camped out at Oakwood Hotel to protest widespread government corruption, especially in the military.

That stint earned him a stay in jail, from which he campaigned to become senator. He cornered more than 11 million votes despite his imprisonment. To some people, the imprisoned man was a crusader.

He again staged a mutiny soon after, walking out of court during his trial and occupying the Peninsula hotel, also in Makati, in 2007.

He was eventually freed by a new administration and allowed to discharge his functions as a senator. Since then, however, the people’s hopes have turned into dismay. Trillanes always chose a tough stand even when he stood for nothing.

He bragged, for instance, that he was a back channel negotiator with China, muddling the country’s position on the West Philippine Sea. Harping on the need for honesty in government, the senator was part of the sub-committee that accused the Vice President and his family of corruption.

He went as far as accusing Court of Appeals justices of taking bribes but had no proof beyond hearsay.

Trillanes has unabashedly declared his intention to run for vice president, after saying that the country is not yet ready for a Trillanes presidency.

We don’t think we will ever be.

These days, Trillanes is busy fending off criticism about his hiring of expensive consultants to help him with his Senate job. In fact, no less than the Commission on Audit has asked the Senate President to explain the sudden spike in his consultation expenses—public money—including his deal with his own brother whom he paid P71,200 monthly for a six-month period last year.

Somewhere in this country, there are consultants who are worth that much— but sadly, Senator Trillanes’ brother—who has not even submitted a resume or an accomplishment report—is not one of them.

Did Senator Trillanes become a better senator after engaging 55 such consultants? If we are to answer this question on the basis of well thought out legislation and reasoned behavior within the Senate, the answer is a resounding no.

Now the self-righteous crusader is exposed, not only as a loose cannon, but as a hypocrite as well—using taxpayers’ money to give his brother and other socalled consultants a living.

They say the Senate is good breeding ground for the next leaders of the country. Here they are given enough exposure to national issues and the opportunity to let their true value shine.

This will not work for Senator Trillanes, however. Nothing shines here.

REDEMPTION BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO FERDINAND Marcos, Jr. is a man on a mission. He wants to stop the country’s skidding and falling off the edge of the cliff where BS Aquino’s straight path has taken it. Some say we are actually already in the abyss.

High unemployment, poverty, runaway crime, official corruption, inefficient public transport system are only

some of the myriad problems besetting the country under PNoy’s watch. Is it any wonder there are at least six presidential candidates who think they can do better than Aquino who’s on the way out?

So far, however, it has only been Senator Bongbong Marcos who has spelled out his vision for the country. The senator, in a speech before Asia’s CEOs and captains of industry, gave a roadmap of what his government would be like in case he decides to join the 2016 presidential

race. There are strong indications he will because there is a clamor.

A Marcos run for president in 2016 does not only look possible. His prospects of winning are actually gaining traction given the unfolding events in the political situation and a field of presidential candidates that do not give voters much of a choice.

He is also driven to redeeming the Marcos name.

Redemption is a consuming passion that propelled him into politics. In a way,

A9

Senator Marcos can redeem the family name by being the true leader this country desperately needs.

the Marcos brand in Philippine politics has never lost its luster even after the family was driven into exile after the 1986 People Power revolution. Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos is congresswoman representing the Second District of Ilocos Norte, daughter Imee Marcos is the province’s governor, while Bongbong Marcos won nationwide mandate for a seat in the Senate where he has shown his mettle as chairman of the committee on local government. This committee reviewed and revised the constitutionally flawed Bangsamoro Basic

Law being pushed by the Aquino administration. The Ilocos Norte legislator submitted a substitute bill to the BBL which will be taken up for debate in Senate plenary.

Of the Marcos siblings, only Irene Marcos shunned politics. The matriarch, Imelda, is 86 years old and there are only two things she would like to see in her lifetime. First is to have her husband Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. This is a matter of fam-

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-

ily honor which Ferdinand Edralin Marcos deserves as a former President and a war hero but denied by BSA III. Imelda’s second wish is to see Bongbong not only become president of the Republic but redeem the family name by being the true leader this country desperately needs.

There are divergent views on how former President Marcos handled the internal security threat then

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

facing the nation during those perilous times of his presidency. Detractors say the New People’s Army’s number grew during Marcos’ time when the reality on the ground was that he had the situation under control even as he was dealing simultaneously with a secessionist movement in the South. When seen in light of the present Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Abu

Continued on A11

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

DEPENDING on how long I will stay in this world, the 2016 national elections may be one of the last few that I may be a part of. No, I am not sick and do not (yet) have a condition needing any maintenance drugs. It is basically just the numbers, the age.

As a child, I do not have political memories. All I knew was that we were poor. But so were most of the people I knew. However, life then was much simpler, it was as if all one needed was to work hard and there would be food on the table. Yes, I remember how difficult my mother’s life was but I attributed it to other things.

There were floods, yes. I experienced walking through almost waist-deep water in flood-prone San Juan in the 70s to go home after school. But it only got flooded after many days of heavy rains and it was not scary. In fact, walking around San Juan under the rains with my friend Marissa was enjoyable. We did just because we wanted to.

Now, even just a few hours of rain can already submerge many of our streets, even those that never knew flooding before. We have also seen how heavy rains and floods can kill not a few. It gets scary and people need to take all sorts of precautions. Walking under the rain is no longer fun.

Indeed, there was traffic but it was not much of a problem.

People were not immobilized because of hours of being stuck in a sea of unmoving vehicles.

Then, I knew that I had to get an education to be able to move forward in life. The best part was that the public education system worked. I wanted to be an engineer (because I was good in Math) and my biggest dream was to own an owner-type jeepney.

Then, graduates of public school could compete with those from private schools without needing “special” policies so we could enter good universities, including the University of the Philippines (UP) system. Now, especially with the proliferation of the use of jejemon, a lot of students cannot even properly spell words both in Filipino and English languages. It is difficult to think how public high school graduates now will make it in the real dog-eats-dog world beyond.

Indeed, the world has changed a lot. But in my view, past and present administrations were remiss in the

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

POLITICS IS PERSONAL

[ EDI TORI A L ]

POOR EXCUSE TWELVE years ago, Antonio Trillanes IV seemed like an idealistic young soldier who became frustrated with the system. He was one of the leaders of a team that camped out at Oakwood Hotel to protest widespread government corruption, especially in the military.

That stint earned him a stay in jail, from which he campaigned to become senator. He cornered more than 11 million votes despite his imprisonment. To some people, the imprisoned man was a crusader.

He again staged a mutiny soon after, walking out of court during his trial and occupying the Peninsula hotel, also in Makati, in 2007.

He was eventually freed by a new administration and allowed to discharge his functions as a senator. Since then, however, the people’s hopes have turned into dismay. Trillanes always chose a tough stand even when he stood for nothing.

He bragged, for instance, that he was a back channel negotiator with China, muddling the country’s position on the West Philippine Sea. Harping on the need for honesty in government, the senator was part of the sub-committee that accused the Vice President and his family of corruption.

He went as far as accusing Court of Appeals justices of taking bribes but had no proof beyond hearsay.

Trillanes has unabashedly declared his intention to run for vice president, after saying that the country is not yet ready for a Trillanes presidency.

We don’t think we will ever be.

These days, Trillanes is busy fending off criticism about his hiring of expensive consultants to help him with his Senate job. In fact, no less than the Commission on Audit has asked the Senate President to explain the sudden spike in his consultation expenses—public money—including his deal with his own brother whom he paid P71,200 monthly for a six-month period last year.

Somewhere in this country, there are consultants who are worth that much— but sadly, Senator Trillanes’ brother—who has not even submitted a resume or an accomplishment report—is not one of them.

Did Senator Trillanes become a better senator after engaging 55 such consultants? If we are to answer this question on the basis of well thought out legislation and reasoned behavior within the Senate, the answer is a resounding no.

Now the self-righteous crusader is exposed, not only as a loose cannon, but as a hypocrite as well—using taxpayers’ money to give his brother and other socalled consultants a living.

They say the Senate is good breeding ground for the next leaders of the country. Here they are given enough exposure to national issues and the opportunity to let their true value shine.

This will not work for Senator Trillanes, however. Nothing shines here.

REDEMPTION BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO FERDINAND Marcos, Jr. is a man on a mission. He wants to stop the country’s skidding and falling off the edge of the cliff where BS Aquino’s straight path has taken it. Some say we are actually already in the abyss.

High unemployment, poverty, runaway crime, official corruption, inefficient public transport system are only

some of the myriad problems besetting the country under PNoy’s watch. Is it any wonder there are at least six presidential candidates who think they can do better than Aquino who’s on the way out?

So far, however, it has only been Senator Bongbong Marcos who has spelled out his vision for the country. The senator, in a speech before Asia’s CEOs and captains of industry, gave a roadmap of what his government would be like in case he decides to join the 2016 presidential

race. There are strong indications he will because there is a clamor.

A Marcos run for president in 2016 does not only look possible. His prospects of winning are actually gaining traction given the unfolding events in the political situation and a field of presidential candidates that do not give voters much of a choice.

He is also driven to redeeming the Marcos name.

Redemption is a consuming passion that propelled him into politics. In a way,

A9

Senator Marcos can redeem the family name by being the true leader this country desperately needs.

the Marcos brand in Philippine politics has never lost its luster even after the family was driven into exile after the 1986 People Power revolution. Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos is congresswoman representing the Second District of Ilocos Norte, daughter Imee Marcos is the province’s governor, while Bongbong Marcos won nationwide mandate for a seat in the Senate where he has shown his mettle as chairman of the committee on local government. This committee reviewed and revised the constitutionally flawed Bangsamoro Basic

Law being pushed by the Aquino administration. The Ilocos Norte legislator submitted a substitute bill to the BBL which will be taken up for debate in Senate plenary.

Of the Marcos siblings, only Irene Marcos shunned politics. The matriarch, Imelda, is 86 years old and there are only two things she would like to see in her lifetime. First is to have her husband Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. This is a matter of fam-

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-

ily honor which Ferdinand Edralin Marcos deserves as a former President and a war hero but denied by BSA III. Imelda’s second wish is to see Bongbong not only become president of the Republic but redeem the family name by being the true leader this country desperately needs.

There are divergent views on how former President Marcos handled the internal security threat then

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

facing the nation during those perilous times of his presidency. Detractors say the New People’s Army’s number grew during Marcos’ time when the reality on the ground was that he had the situation under control even as he was dealing simultaneously with a secessionist movement in the South. When seen in light of the present Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Abu

Continued on A11

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

DEPENDING on how long I will stay in this world, the 2016 national elections may be one of the last few that I may be a part of. No, I am not sick and do not (yet) have a condition needing any maintenance drugs. It is basically just the numbers, the age.

As a child, I do not have political memories. All I knew was that we were poor. But so were most of the people I knew. However, life then was much simpler, it was as if all one needed was to work hard and there would be food on the table. Yes, I remember how difficult my mother’s life was but I attributed it to other things.

There were floods, yes. I experienced walking through almost waist-deep water in flood-prone San Juan in the 70s to go home after school. But it only got flooded after many days of heavy rains and it was not scary. In fact, walking around San Juan under the rains with my friend Marissa was enjoyable. We did just because we wanted to.

Now, even just a few hours of rain can already submerge many of our streets, even those that never knew flooding before. We have also seen how heavy rains and floods can kill not a few. It gets scary and people need to take all sorts of precautions. Walking under the rain is no longer fun.

Indeed, there was traffic but it was not much of a problem.

People were not immobilized because of hours of being stuck in a sea of unmoving vehicles.

Then, I knew that I had to get an education to be able to move forward in life. The best part was that the public education system worked. I wanted to be an engineer (because I was good in Math) and my biggest dream was to own an owner-type jeepney.

Then, graduates of public school could compete with those from private schools without needing “special” policies so we could enter good universities, including the University of the Philippines (UP) system. Now, especially with the proliferation of the use of jejemon, a lot of students cannot even properly spell words both in Filipino and English languages. It is difficult to think how public high school graduates now will make it in the real dog-eats-dog world beyond.

Indeed, the world has changed a lot. But in my view, past and present administrations were remiss in the

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

POE SHOULD HISTORIC GRADUATION OF ATENEO SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT CONFRONT THE ISSUE AGAINST HER TODAY, 22 August 2015, the Ateneo de Manila School of Government will be holding its commencement exercises, with Representative Leni Robredo as our commencement speaker. It is our biggest graduation ceremony ever with more than 200 being recognized by the school as having completed their Masters in Public Management. This number includes those who obtained their MPM degrees, majoring on rural development from the Development Academy of the Philippines under a joint academic program with ASoG. This is my final commencement exercise as Dean of ASoG. As I promised to myself and to former Ateneo de Manila president Fr. Ben Nebres SJ, who asked me to come home from Washington DC in 2006 so I could run the school, that I would stay only for ten years in ASoG so that the school can be renewed. In June 2016, the ten-year mark would be surpassed. It is time to go for new adventures and perhaps a new mission.

When our graduates begin their march, I will recall the words of the late Father Horacio de la Costa SJ who spoke before the graduating class of Ateneo de Davao in 1953, and asked these questoins:

“When a brand-new plane taxies up to the runway and pauses for a moment before the take-off, one question is uppermost in the minds of everyone on board. Will it fly? Tonight, you are like a row of brand-new planes ranged at start of a runway. And all of us, your loved ones, your teachers, are asking the same question. Will you fly?”

Today, I will ask this question to our new alumni: will you fly as eagles? And to answer this question, I will propose this checklist: (1) Are you persons of practical excellence? (2) Are you persons of principles: (3) Are you persons for others, for the people? (4) Are you leaders? (5) Are you servants of God? Our graduates should be persons of practical excellence, what Fr. De La Costa described in his 1953 speech as “persons of judgment”. Their Ateneo education should make them a better bureaucrat, manager, administrator, supervisor and employee —in short, a more effective public servant. Practical excellence means that we have given them a set of competencies that will enable our graduates to deliver services better and more effectively to the people.

Our graduates should be persons of principles.

From the beginning, we insisted that our students learn how to think ethically. To know your principles, and to stick to them, you must learn how to navigate the di-

lemmas of politics. In my own career as a public servant, the most difficult challenge has been—how can I do the right thing the right way? It is not enough to do the ethical thing; it is just as important to do it the right way so that you are able to implement decisions, defend your actions, and actually solve problems.

Our graduates should be persons of the people.

To be a public servant is to be a servant of our people, and especially for the poorest in our society. A public servant is a person-for-others. Let me quote directly again from Fr. De La Costa, as his words, 62 years later, still resonates loudly for you our graduates today: “We need national leaders; the best we can get. But make no mistake: it is local and regional community leaders that our people need most of all. Not leaders who reside in some distant capital, out of touch with them, out of their reach, but leaders who are right here with them, who know them and whom they know; who understand their problems, their hopes, their dreams, and who can, because of the education they have received, give substance to these hopes and dreams.”

Our graduates should be leaders. We always say that the Ateneo School of Government is above all a graduate school of leadership and public service.

Our mission is to mold leaders who will have the kind of impact on the world that Ignatius Loyola

did. To quote from Chris Lowney who wrote a book on leadership as practiced by the Jesuits: “Genuine leadership—focuses on the possible, the future.

Love-driven leaders seek out and honor the potential in self and others. Heroic leaders seek to shape the future rather that passively endure whatever unfolds. And ingenuitydriven leaders uncover ways to turn human potential into achievement and a vision of the future into a reality.”

Finally, we hope that our graduates are servants of God. And if true that they are persons of God, then they will be persons of practical excellence, their judgments will be based on truth and God is truth.

They will be persons of principles for the Lord will give them strength and courage to do the good thing the right way. They will be persons for the people, persons for others, for God is love. And they will be leaders, like The Lord, our true King who led by becoming like us, who in weakness found grace, who died so we may all live.

Today, on the final commencement ceremony I will attend as ASoG Dean, I will congratulate my students and remind them it is a great honor to be now our alumni, and with great honor comes great responsibility. I am sure they will meet that expectation and their teachers.

all intents and purposes.

Whether she did that for convenience or to secure employment is beside the point. What is clear is that she abandoned her Filipino citizenship.

When she reacquired her Filipino citizenship in July 2006, she again did that to qualify for the office that was offered her by this tuwid na daan, as head of the Movie and Television Review and Censor Board. Yes, she reacquired her Filipino citizenship but now as a naturalized Filipino citizen. Both her decision to renounce her Filipino citizenship and her decision to re-acquire it were consciously done by her knowing that for every act she commits would

have repercussions on her status in relation to the office she now is aching to get. She was already of age when she renounced her Filipino citizenship.

However, when she opted to re-acquire her Filipino citizenship, that did not restore her original status as a natural-born Filipino citizen.

Even if Poe claims that she is relying on the dual citizenship privilege that was enacted into law by politicians having in mind of enticing Filipinos to return to the Philippines just to vote, still that would not suffice because the US recognizes only one citizenship for its people. The US would never surrender its citizen to our jurisdiction even if it

is alleged that he is sporting two citizenship. That should have been clear to the minds of our stupid politicians. Besides, the concept of dual citizenship that was invented by politicians like Senator Edgardo Angara cannot be used to collaterally amend the Constitution which strictly requires one to be a natural-born Filipino citizen to become President of this wayward Republic.

By adding color is on how she come to this earth with her mother dramatizing that she was found at the front of the Jaro Church in Iloilo neatly wrapped in white cloth and was given her birthday dated as September 3, 1968, will not serve

to erase the fact that she is not qualified for the office. On the contrary, the insistence, even threatening to openly flaunt the laws, is telling of the possible bad trait about her. To put it straight, whether she has accomplished something while serving as senator would not make her eligible for the office.

Maybe that would serve to enhance her popularity, but again that would not erase the fact that she is not qualified.

It is most suggested that she stop blaming people for her predicament that now appears to stall her ambition.

Rizalito David is simply doing his job as a good citizen to ensure Continued on A11

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN AT stake is the qualification of the person who, once elected by the people, would govern this Republic for the next six years. The fate of more than 100 million Filipinos would then be on that person’s hands, and this explains why only a natural-born Filipino can be elected as President.

Thus, the case filed against Senator Grace Poe by an honest crusader for good government, Rizalito David, cannot be termed as harassment or an act of bullying, but a rightful demand from an ordinary Filipino that the Constitution be faithfully observed.

It would be a downright insult on the intelligence of the Filipino people seeing that the person whom they elected President swears upon assumption to office that, “she will faithfully and consciously fulfill her duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute the laws, and do justice to every man, consecrate herself to the service of the nation” knowing that she openly violated the law upon which she swears to uphold. That means we will be having a President who is above the law.

Anybody who is not qualified for the office should know at the outset that she has no legal and moral ascendancy to govern. Her mandate does not erase the fact that she is not qualified or that her election absolves her from possible criminal liability arising from her act of misrepresentation or perjury.

Her mandate automatically fizzles out because that is appli-

cable only to those who are qualified to run, while her election is based on a different parameter; that she obtained the highest number of votes as against her rivals.

Surely, the learned justices of the Supreme Court cannot be dissuaded by the simpleton theory advanced by Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte for the fact that Grace Poe is popular, the Constitution must now bow down to her wishes.

Not even an unschooled citizen would subscribe to that idiotic theory.

This actress named Jesusa Sonora, a.k.a. Susan Roces should stop making all her nonsensical blah blah blah of her daughter being a foundling child or one who was deserted or abandoned by unknown parents because that is not the issue. It is not even her lack of residence that is in question because even if she has fulfilled that requirement, that could not restore her status as once a natural-born citizen. All one can say is that she is a naturalized Filipino citizen. As said, a naturalborn citizen is one who need not perform any act to complete her citizenship, and such is not difficult to understand.

Yes, Senator Grace Poe was once a naturalborn Filipino citizen.

Even if she claims to be a foundling child whose parents cannot be determined, still that would not affect her status as a natural-born citizen because there is always that legal presumption that foundlings born or found within the jurisdiction of this country are naturalborn Filipino citizens.

But when she opted to become an American citizen in October 2001, she became an alien for

Would we have a president who feels she is above the law?

Facebook page: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

GETTING BACK AT BEIJING; AN AWARD FOR A DICTATOR

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA THE communist government in Beijing has been and is always sensitive to adverse propaganda. For their leaders, propaganda in favor of the nation is very important, even if nobody in the free world believes it.

As early as 2003, Communist China had already been engaged in bullying tactics in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing claimed ownership of islets and shoals in the area by a dubious historic right. While Beijing’s military flexed its muscle against its neighbors, its leaders hypocritically professed a desire for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional problems. That is obvious duplicity.

Because Communist China lusts for certain islands found within Japanese territory, Beijing wants to keep Japan as neutralized as possible. Thus, Beijing makes it a point to remind the world about Japanese military atrocities during World War II each time Japan considers re-arming itself to maintain a balance of power in East Asia. Of course, Beijing conveniently fails to mention that North Korea is the rogue state that it is today because of its undying support for the Korean communist dictatorship in Pyongyang.

Each time Taiwan entertains the idea of officially separating from Communist China, Beijing threatens Taipei with the use of military force. Of course, Beijing is reluctant to carry out its threat because the nationalist government in Taiwan is ready to put up a fight in the event of an invasion from the communists.

While Beijing is not too keen on keeping an aggressive stance against Taipei, it does not have second thoughts about

Politics.. From A9 performance of their responsibilities to our people.

The kind of politics in our country is generally not conducive to a people-centered development paradigm. In fact I think that our kind of personality and clan-based, expensive politics run counter to people’s interests.

Even our government system and form can hardly be considered as friendly to serving people’s welfare.

And these worry me.

In a few years I will be entering my senior years and it pains me that despite claims of economic growth, a big part of our population remains impoverished.

The way our people suffer because of the near-breakdown of infrastructure especially in the transport and urban planning sectors is frustrating. The callousness and insensitivity displayed

seizing Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea because the Armed Forces of the Philippines is not in a position to repel any invasion, unlike its counterparts in Taiwan and Japan.

The situation slightly changed in the months prior to Beijing’s hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games. Beijing’s expansionist activities in the West Philippine Sea ceased momentarily and Beijing’s propaganda factories began promoting Communist China as a center of peace in Asia. All of a sudden, the red giant portrayed itself as the friendly, peaceful, economic partner of its neighbors. Beijing even went soft on Taiwan.

Red China became prim and proper during this brief period because it did not want any country to boycott the Beijing Olympiad. This became obvious because right after the Olympics, Beijing resumed its systematic land grabbing operations in the West Philippine Sea, oblivious to both world opinion and international law.

When Manila decided to take its case to the United Nations international arbitration tribunal in the Netherlands, Beijing protested, and even urged Manila to withdraw the case and consider bilateral talks. That, of course, was typical communist propaganda. Previous bilateral talks between both countries yielded no tangible results because of Beijing’s unreasonable conditions—which virtually demand that Manila abandon its claims lock, stock, and barrel.

Now that Beijing is certain to host the 2019 World Cup competition in basketball, East and South East Asian countries should expect Beijing to speed up its aggressive, expansionist operations in

by our public servants to people’s problems directly brought about by their inaction and irresponsibility infuriate me. The way they trivialize people’s suffering and insult people’s intelligence are enough to make one desperate.

I feel hopeless with the selective anti-corruption initiatives undertaken by government and angry at how many of our politicians squander the people’s money for their vested interests. I want to puke every time politicians of all colors speak as if they do no wrong.

My heart bleeds knowing that people in god-forsaken communities eat food unfit for human consumption and live inhumane lives while many of our politicians stay sheltered in their offices and mansions totally detached from the very people they are supposed to serve.

Poe.. From A10 that we elect people who are qualified for the office. He is not engaged in harassment. In fact, Grace Poe

A11

the West Philippine Sea from now until the prelude to this much-anticipated international athletic competition— when Beijing will again project itself as a peace-loving nation. The reason is the same: Beijing will not want any boycott of the world cup basketball tournament held in its territory.

This presents an opportunity for the Philippines, its neighbors in South East Asia, as well as Japan, Australia, and the United States—nations with a stake in keeping the maritime lanes near the Chinese mainland free and unobstructed. A multi-national boycott of the 2019 World Cup basketball games by these countries will certainly upset and embarrass Beijing, and emphasize that Red China is a bully. The move will also reduce the communist government’s anticipated revenues from the sports event. It will also complement Manila’s case in the international arbitration forum. *** North Korea, which is Beijing’s Frankenstein monster, is in the news again.

The international media recently reported that the communist government in Pyongyang has decided to adjust its official time by a half-hour because the old one was a relic of the period when the Korean peninsula was a Japanese colony.

The adjustment will not really matter because North Korea does not trade with the outside world. Its economic activities are limited to transactions with Red China.

Next month, the Sukarno Education Foundation, an Indonesian group led by Rachmawati Sukarnoputri (a daughter of Sukarno, Indonesian’s founding president) will give Kim Jong-un, the incum-

What kind of a society are we bequeathing to our youth?

I now have two grandkids and I do not want them to grow up in an environment of suffering and desperation. While I am confident that my grandchildren are luckier than many because their parents have the capacity to provide for them, this is not the case for millions of Filipino children born to poverty-challenged parents.

If we fail to fix what ails us as a country, we will not be judged kindly by the next generations. We owe it to our youth to make our politics conducive to their full human development. It is our responsibility to create an environment where our young people can flourish.

Politics to me, because of how it affects people’s lives, is personal.

Despite everything, I remain steadfast in the belief that electing the right

is free to file a libel case against her detractors once the case questioning her citizenship is dismissed. Senator Poe and her idiotic supporters should confront the issue squarely

people to office, people with a real vision, political will and courage to take the difficult decisions to make things right by our countrymen and women is key.

At the same time, people’s participation and active vigilance in public affairs beyond elections must not only continue but be further strengthened.

The political changes we need are not cosmetic.

Rather, they are systemic, ideological, and substantial. These are difficult to achieve and as one nearing her senior years, I take this challenge personally.

For my grandchildren, I take politics as a personal issue. For the future of all Filipino children, we should make the political changes we need as our personal crusade. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on FaceBook

much that if resolved in her favor, she would be the first to benefit from that decision. But she could sense, the court may not decide the case in her favor.

bent North Korean dictator, an award for his supposed role in “peace, justice, and humanity.” The group dismissed accounts of the communist dictator’s wanton disregard for human rights as “western propaganda.” The decision to honor Kim Jong-un has been criticized and ridiculed all over the world.

Every civilized country in the world should condemn this move. Giving Kim Jong-un such a lofty-sounding award which he obviously does not deserve will only embolden him to remain a ruthless violator of human rights and a threat to peace and political stability in the world.

Past honorees of the Foundation include the Mahatma Gandhi of India and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma—genuine icons of peace, justice, and humanity.

The award to Kim Jong-un is an insult to these two icons. *** Most Filipinos who work in European embassies in the Philippines behave haughtily towards their fellow Filipinos.

They are ill-tempered, and they act as if they enjoy diplomatic immunity from any type of local prosecution. They are no different from many of the Filipinos who used to work at Camp John Hay in Baguio City when the base was still operated as a rest and recreation facility of American military forces in the Philippines. Those camp employees comported themselves as if they were Americans and treated many Filipino visitors to the camp like dirt. They were only nice to those who were obviously affluent or well-connected to the base authorities.

On the other hand, whenever they deal with an American, they behave like lowly, docile servants.

Redemption.. From A9 Sayyaf rampage, it would seem FM handled the Muslim insurgency more firmly than his successors did. Marcos, the strongman, drove Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari into exile in Libya, refusing to yield an inch of the national territory to the Muslim rebels. Compare this to Aquino’s government negotiators who gave away too many concessions to the MILF in order to sign a peace treaty at all costs.

1972 Isabela arms landing Speaking of internal threats, there is an interesting footnote to the MV Karagatan attempted weapons landing in Digoyo Point off the coast of Isabela in July 1972. It was an NPA operation to arm communist rebels for an all-out offensive against the government and not a Marcosorchestrated plot to justify martial law as his detractors claim. But for stormy weather and gale-force winds that lashed northern Isabela and sank the ship, the rebels would have advanced to Manila. The clandestine cargo containing thousands of rifles was discovered when the crates spilled into the sea with some drifting ashore.

Aside from AFP renegade Victor Corpuz, a former member of the leftist group Kabataang Makabayan also revealed his role in the Karagatan incident. I have no reason to doubt the story of this former KM militant given his active participation in student street protests during the tumultuous seventies and his eventual exile to communist China where he stayed for six years.

I have decided to withhold his name for now and wait for the publication of a book which devotes a chapter on the Karagatan arms landing in Isabela as well as never-told or -known stories about the Marcoses.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Tiger roars with lowest round in 2 years GREENSBORO— Tiger Woods fired his lowest round in two years Thursday, launching his quest for a place in the Fedex Cup play-offs with a sparkling six-under-par 64 at the Wyndham Championship.

Shakey’s Girls’ volley elims on NATIONAL University and Hope Christian High School kick off their respective bids, along with eight other schools, in what promises to be a slam-bang Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League Season 13 National Capital Region leg qualifiers firing off today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lady Bullpups clash with the Kings’ Montessori School squad at 4 p.m. after the 3 p.m. duel between Academy of God’s Children and Escuela De Sophia of Caloocan while the Hope CHS tossers battle the Adamson U side in the 5 p.m. main dish of the opener of the week-long tournament sponsored by Shakey’s for the 13th year and organized by Metro Sports headed by Freddie Infante.

The 10 team field is divided into two groups with NU heading Pool A that also includes De La Salle-Zobel, University of the East, MGC New Life Christian Academy and Kings’ Montessori while Hope CHS is grouped with University of Santo Tomas, Escuela De Sophia, Academy of God’s Children and Adamson in Pool B. The top four teams from each side after the single round robin elims will clash in the crossover semis with the winners disputing the crown and the lone berth in the grand finals along with the other winners of the eight other regional legs of the league featuring the country’s top high school volley teams that has produced the likes of Alyssa Valdez, Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Aby Maraño, Dindin SantiagoManabat, Jaja Santiago and Ennajie Laure.

MILO Sports Executives Andrew Neri (left) and Robbie de Vera (center) are shown during the launch of the South Luzon leg of 2015 MILO Little Olympics Inter-School Youth Sports Competition, set on Aug. 28 to 30. EY ACASIO

Iloilo, Laguna host Milo Little Olympics

By Peter Atencio ORGANIZERS of the 28th Milo Olympics expressed confidence that more young, budding athletes will participate in this year’s edition, which gets going next weekend.

Milo Sports executive Robbie de Vera said that for this year, the most recognized and longest-running inter-school youth sports competition will have two regional legs, which will be hosted for the first time by two cities, namely Iloilo in the Visayas region and in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, which will host the National Capital Region leg.

“These two areas have generated

interest. Participation is good here,” said de Vera during the launch of the event at the Shakey’s Pizza Restaurant in Malate, Manila.

Trophies, medals and other prizes are up for grabs in 15 regular sports, which include athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, lawn tennis, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, sepak takraw and scrabble, while two new sports events, arnis and karatedo, will be introduced as demonstration sports.

De Vera said the event emphasizes Milo’s unwavering commitment to help the country find the next generation of sports heroes.

He added that under its “One Child, One Sport program,” Milo has reinforced its commitment to grassroots development.

The first of four legs will be held in Cagayan de Oro City from Aug. 21 to 23, and is expected to attract the attention of young and budding athletes from the Mindanao region.

The next eliminations will be held in South Luzon from Aug. 28 to 30, in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, before shifting to North Luzon from Sept.

4 to 6. It will then go to Iloilo on Sept. 11 to 13, before the national finals take place on Oct. 23-25 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Racasa joins Asian memory sports tourney ROBERT Racasa, acknowledged as the father of memory sport in the Philippines, left for Hong Kong to compete in the First Asian International Memory Championships slated Saturday and Sunday at Kowloon Road in Hong Kong.

Racasa, whose campaign here is supported by Mary Ann Gonzales of QNF Multi-Purpose Cooperative, will battle wits with more than 100

participants from Asia in 10 categories, including Historic Dates, Spoken Numbers and Speed Cards.

Memory sport is still in its infancy stage in the Philippines and Racasa, who introduced the unique competition in 2010, has focused on training and mentoring athletes.

He has already produced two Grand Masters and three International Masters. Now, he is going back

to active competition beginning with this two-day tournament that will award the Asian Master of Memory title to the top finisher.

The title will be conferred to those who will be able to memorize 700 digits in 30 minutes, 7 decks in 30 minutes, 1 deck in 70 seconds and a total 4,000 points in the event that follows the standard of the World Memory Sports Council. Randy Caluag

Woods, bidding to bounce back from a disappointing missed cut at last week’s PGA Championship, roared back to form with seven birdies and a bogey at Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club.

The performance was the former world number one’s lowest on the PGA Tour since a secondround, nine-under-par 61 at the 2013 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

It was also Woods best score in an opening round in three years, when he carded a 64 on the opening day of the 2012 Deutsche Bank Championship.

The round left Woods two off the lead, behind William McGirt, Erik Compton and Tom Hoge, who all carded eight-under-par 62s.

Woods, who is playing the Wyndham Championship for the first time, needs to win this weekend to force his way into the post-season picture.

A victory would guarantee him a spot in the first leg of the fourtournament playoffs, although a solo second finish could also be enough to elevate him into the top 125 players eligible for the post-season.

A relaxed and smiling Woods, showing no sign of the gloom which has enveloped his game this year, said afterwards his putting display had been key to the round. AFP

Warriors prove they are team to beat in CESAFI University of San JoseRecoletos’ Olago Navarra (right) tries to score against a University of San Carlos’ defender in a CESAFI game won by the Warriors, 90-75.

By Mikey Izumi CEBU CITY—The University of San Carlos Warriors proved they really are the team to beat in the 15th season of Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. basketball tournament as they trounced the hapless University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 90-75, Thursday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors, who barely escaped with a win against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats last Aug. 18, came up with a sizzling start as they established a big 20-point lead at the end of the 1st quarter, 32-12, led by Cameroonian import Shooster Olago and local boy Ian Jefferson Tagapan.

Their momentum continued until

halftime as they led 22 points, 49-27.

In the third quarter, the Jaguars tried to inch closer behind the efforts of sophomore player Ralph Jude Dinolan and rookie Jaybie Mantilla as they closed gap to 13 in the middle of the quarter.

But things got a bit frisky as the scramble for a loose ball by both teams almost led to a bench-clearing scuffle as cooler heads entered to try and separate and pacify the players.

When the smoke cleared, USJ-R’s Ferdinand Risma and Kent Moral were both ejected for entering the court prematurely.

The Warriors then began to restore order as the lead grew to 16 at the end of the third period, 67-51, and they never looked back as USC’s Charles Pepito and last year’s CE-

SAFI Mythical Five member Victor Rabat took over the Warriors’ offense and kept the momentum until the final buzzer.

Pepito was named “Best Player of the Game” by Viva Sports TV panelists Rico Navarro and Sandi Grumo following his doubledouble performance of 17 points, 13 rebounds and one block. Olago had his usual stellar performance with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Rabat added 16 points for the unbeaten Warriors, who have a 4-0 card.

Dinolan led USJ-R with 19 points and 4 rebounds before sustaining a leg injury in the fourth, while Mantilla and Mark Labares combined for 35 for the Jaguars, who suffered their fourth defeat in five outings.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Roger joins Novak in quarterfinals CINCINNATI—Roger Federer engineered a 6-1, 6-1 rout in less than an hour, outclassing the bigserving Kevin Anderson to join Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters on Thursday.

Switzerland’s Federer swept the first set in 21 minutes and began the second set with a break of South African Anderson.

“I’m pleased with a rock-solid performance,” said the six-time champion. “I know it’s only the quarters but I’m playing great tennis. I hope I can keep it up tomorrow.”

While the second seed was able to make it all look easy, it was a slog for an exhausted Andy Murray as the third-seeded Montreal title-winner needed a shade under three hours to put down Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.

Dimitrov led a set and two breaks before Murray hauled the second set back. The Bulgarian then owned the third 5-2 but could not close it out despite getting to match point.

Murray gathered the last of his reserves to take the win, his 26th at the tournament which he won in 2008 and 2011.

Djokovic also survived a scare in the pursuit of a first career Cincinnati title, with the top seed holding off David Goffin 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Djokovic, aiming to become the first man to win all eight Masters 1000 events, nearly found himself on the sidelines as his 13th-seeded Belgian opponent won the second set and went two breaks up in the decider. AFP

Poland’s Weronika Wedler and Marta Jeschke jump as they pose on the podium during a practice session ahead of the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium in Beijing. AFP

Bolt, Farah eye history books as world athletics’ meet starts BEIJING—Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt makes his bow in the 100m heats on the opening day of the World Athletics Championships on Saturday, when Briton Mo Farah will bid for an unprecedented six consecutive global track distance titles in the 10,000m.

Bolt’s appearance at Beijing’s iconic Bird’s Nest stadium comes seven years after he stormed to treble gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in the Chinese capital, a period during which he has dominated sprinting.

“Beijing was where it all started for me at the Olympic Games in 2008,” the tow-

ering 29-year-old said.

“I have great memories of this city and the stadium.

It’s great to be back here, I’m looking forward to getting on the track on Saturday.”

After missing six weeks of competitive sprinting because of an early-season injury, Bolt rebounded with back-to-back winning times

of 9.87sec at last month’s Londond Diamond League meet.

“I’m in great form and I’m ready to go,” he said.

Farah, who came through the youth and junior ranks alongside Bolt, has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent months, with his American coach Alberto Salazar accused of violating several anti-doping rules.

Salazar has strenuously denied all the accusations against him and Farah, who was not accused of any wrongdoing, has vowed to stick by his coach unless any allegations are proven.

Since losing to Ibrahim Jeilan in the Daegu worlds in 2011, Farah has won five global track distance titles in a row. He rebounded to win the 5000m in Daegu, and followed up with 5000m-10,000m doubles at both the London 2012 Olym-

pics and the 2013 world championships in Moscow.

Should Farah triumph in the 10,000m in Beijing, he will have strung together an unprecedented six consecutive global track distance titles (with a chance to make it seven in the 5000m).

Farah will undoubtedly face a tough challenge from the Kenyan and Ethiopian trios, with US training partner Galen Rupp, fastest in the world last year and silver medallist behind the Briton at the 2012 Olympics, also expected to be in the mix.

One notable absentee from Saturday’s action, featuring three medal events, will be New Zealand’s four-time world champion Valerie Adams, who misses the women’s shot put after failing to regain her form sufficiently after complicated double surgery on her shoulder and elbow. AFP

Smith back as a Cav CLEVELAND—JR Smith, who opted out of the final year of his contract after the NBA finals, said Thursday that he is re-joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Smith tried but failed to land a another deal with a different NBA team so is now headed back to Cleveland.

The 29-year-old Smith came to the Cavaliers last season after three years with the New York Knicks and averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 70 games.

“Happy to say that I am returning to the Cavs! It’s been a long ride this summer but I can say for sure, well worth the wait,” Smith posted on his social media Instagram page. AFP

Rugby fans remember Wilkinson, Mandela

Nelson Mandela hands the Webb Ellis Cup to South Africa captain Francois Pienaar during the 1995 Rugby World Cup

AS THE world eagerly awaits the start of Rugby World Cup 2015, a new report from MasterCard has unveiled what rugby fans across 13 leading rugby nations believe are the most Priceless moments throughout the history of the Tournament.

According to the report, Nelson Mandela handing South Africa captain Francois Pienaar the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa’s victory over New Zealand in 1995 (23%) was voted one of the most priceless moments in the history of Rugby World Cup. Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal in 2003 was the only moment to narrowly top this with 24% of the votes, whilst Ireland’s shock victory against Australia in 2011 (13%) made up the top three.

The “Priceless Moments Report” from MasterCard, the Official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, also revealed the best tries ever scored throughout the Tournament’s

history. New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu’s second try against England in the 1995 semi-final, renowned for its display of physical dominance over English backs Mike Catt, Will Carling and Tony Underwood took the crown with over 27% of the votes. Fellow New Zealander John Kirwan’s length of the field try against Italy in 1987 (15%) ran a close second, only narrowly surpassing Stephen Jones’ outstanding team try for Wales against England in 2003 (14%).

The Southern hemisphere domination continued when the report revealed that over a quarter of respondents (27%) voted New Zealand’s 2011 squad as the best team to ever compete at a Rugby World Cup. Martin Johnson’s winning 2003 England Rugby World Cup squad (18%)was the only Northern hemisphere team to make the top five, as the 1987 New Zealand climbed above Australia’s 1999 line-up

to round-off the top three.

The survey also uncovered which nations rugby fans would like to see lift the Webb Ellis Cup if not their own.

New Zealand proved the most popular nation with 27% of the votes, a trend backed by Japan where almost half (44%) of respondents opted for New Zealand. Surprisingly over a quarter of English rugby fans would actually like to see their old rivals Wales lift the Trophy.

With just over one month to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks-off, rugby fans around the globe have tipped MasterCard ambassador Dan Carter to be the stand-out player at this year’s Tournament in England. Other players expected to make an impact include Welsh speedster George North (14%) and Ireland’s talisman Jonny Sexton (13%). Meanwhile, Canadian rugby fans have tipped Scottish fullback Stuart Hogg to steal the headlines.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Philracom backs 5th Import, Local Challenge

Practice session. Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the first practice session at the Spa-Francorchamps ciruit in Spa, ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix. AFP

UST Tigresses seek 2 spot nd

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas hopes to ride the crest of its tough five-set win over National Collegiate Athletic Association champion Arellano University last week as it shoots for solo second against winless University of the Philippines as quarterfinal action heats up in the Shakey’s VLeague Season 12 Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan today.

Blowing a 0-2 set lead, the Tigresses put their act together in the decider to foil the rallying Lady Chiefs, 25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 24-26, 15-12, and force a three-way logjam at second with the National U Lady

Bulldogs and the Far Eastern U Lady Tams at 3-1.

But a victory in its 12:45 p.m. face-off with UP will give UST solo second place behind the unbeaten Ateneo side (4-0) heading to its last two games against

two title contenders NU guest setter Alyssa Teope and FEU. hope to sustain their But UST coach Emil form against the Lady Reyes will have none of Maroons and go to their the NU or FEU worries at match with the Lady Bullthis stage as the dogs next week Tigresses train brimming with Games today their sights on confidence.

12:45 p.m. • UP vs UST the Lady Ma- 3 p.m. • Arellano vs Ateneo But expect roons, hardthe Diliimanpressed to sweep their last based squad to pour it all three games to salvage at out behind Isabel Molde, least a playoff for the last Justine Dorog, Diana semifinal berth in the mid- Carlos, Marian Buitre, season conference of the Alyssa Layug and playleague presented by PLDT maker Jewel Lai as the Home Ultera.

Lady Maroons try to salThe power-hitting En- vage the win and keep njie Laure, skipper Pam their slim hopes alive in Lastimosa, Chlodia Cor- the conference sponsored tez, Marivic Meneses and by Shakey’s and backed by Jessey de Leon along with Mikasa and Accel.

The match will be aired live at 12:45 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel 11, according to the organizing Sports Vision. Today’s matches, including the 3 p.m. duel between Ateneo and Arellano, can also be viewed live via streaming on www.v-league.ph.

The Lady Eagles also brace for a tough outing against the Lady Chiefs, who are in a must-win situation with a 2-2 card.

Arellano is currently in fifth but after Ateneo, it will take on two struggling teams in La SalleDasmariñas and St. Benilde and is tipped to get through the Final Four.

TRACK icon Pugad Lawin sees action again on Sunday in the 5th leg of the Philippine Racing Commission Import/Local Challenge stakes races, to be held at Metro Turf racecourse in Malvar, Batangas.

The 2,000-meter race pits Antonio Tan’s Philippine-bred veteran champion against the likes of stalwart locals Be Humble, Dikoridik Koridak, Macho Machine, and Messi, and Australian imports Bentley, Silver Sword, and Strong Champion.

Pugad Lawin has won the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup in 2013 and the PCSO Silver Cup in 2014, among many other honors.

“Our mandated support for racing,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, “covers all types of Thoroughbreds running in the country, and this race pits some of the best locals against talented imports.”

The first to fourth legs of this series were won by Strong Champion, Captain Ball, Messi, and Oh Oh Seven respectively. Considered the last leg of the Challenge is the Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup on Nov. 8 at Santa Ana Park.

Philracom provided a total of P500,000 in total prizes from first to fourth place for this race, with an additional P15,000 purse for the breeder of the winning or best-placed local-bred horse.

2 Filipinos beaten in big Melbourne fight card

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Celebration. Joana Heidrich of Switzerland celebrates during the 2015 ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball at the TrueCar Course at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach, California. AFP

TWO Filipino boxers were beaten in a big fight card in Melbourne, headlined by the 10-round battle between returning Danny Green and Argentina’s Roberto Bolonti at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne, in a fight card staged by multi-titled Australian promoter Peter Maniatis.

Maniatis reported that the crowd of nearly 9,000 fans enjoyed a “highly entertaining bout over six rounds,” between 26-yearold Filipino bantamweight Ronerex Dalut and Australia’s undefeated 24-yearold Andrew Moloney, who

actually won by a 60-54 shutout on the scorecards of all three judges.

With the loss, Dalut dropped to 9-17-2 with 2 knockouts, while Moloney improved to 4-0, with 2 knockouts.

The 23-year-old super bantamweight Danilo Gabisay, who faced Moloney’s twin brother Jason, produced fireworks as the former dropped the latter early in the fight with a powerful right hand but could not finish his foe.

Moloney rallied in a toeto-toe, action-packed bout that had the crowd on its feet, before Gabisay suffered a cut from a punch, forcing referee Malcolm Bulner, a former Sri Lan-

kan Olympic boxer to call a halt aty 2:14 of the 5th round.

With the loss, Gabisay fell to 6-5 with 4 knockouts, while Jason Moloney remained undefeated with a record of 4-0, with 4 knockouts.

Meanwhile, four-time world champion Green comfortably outpointed Bolonti over 10 rounds.

Green won by a shutout, with female judge Samantha Bulner, wife of respected referee/judge Malcolm Bulner, a former Sri Lanka Olympic boxer, Andrew Campbell and Ignatius Missalidis all scoring the bout, 100-90, in favor of the fighter known as “The Green Machine.”

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

For country?

OBVIOUSLY concerned with the public backlash over its failRONNIE ure to release some of NATHANIELSZ its stalwarts to the Gilas Pilipinas national team, including a boycott of its products, San Miguel Corporation has tried to salvage the situation and hopefully turn it around, but in the process have compounded their problems by effectively blaming the players concerned and not the SMC management.

Purefoods’ governor Rene Pardo’s published statement that they have “no control over our players’ decision when it comes to competing for the national team,” insults our intelligence because having been associated with the PBA since its inception until we stopped watching the games for the past year, we are well aware of how the PBA operates and to what extent team owners control their players because, after all, they pay them well and provide them with so many perks.

Pardo even suggests that they “debate on the merits of them joining as a professional player.

However, in the end representing your country is an incomparable honor. You can’t argue with that.”

Question then is, what is there to debate about?

In his statement, Pardo said SMC management will “continue to encourage” its players “to make themselves available” for the national team.

In effect, he was trying to turn things around by blaming the players and not management when we all know that the players, especially Marc Pingris, has long wanted to play for the Gilas team.

Otherwise, why would he cry when bidding farewell to his teammates and state he was constrained by things beyond his control.

Dead giveaway. Now SMC tries, in its desperation, to lay the blame on the players.

Japeth Aguilar’s reason for pulling out was because he underwent surgery for an injured pinky finger with photos to justify his decision. But now, we’ve learned that he’s slam-dunking in the Ginebra practice!

LA Tenorio claimed he was too tired. What manner of man is this, who is too tired to play for his country, while our young soldiers lay their lives on the line in defending these same individuals day in and day out and get paid a comparative pittance?

While the public outcry has singled out SMC, we certainly must not forget Rain or Shine, whose owners in the past had given their wholehearted support to Gilas Pilipinas but now decided to deny coach Tab Baldwin the services of a genuine star in Paul Lee, whose value to the team is almost immeasurable with the absence of LA Tenorio aside from shooting star Jeff Tan. This regrettably reeks of a conspiracy to sabotage the national team, which is bankrolled by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan, whose passion for basketball and lifting the spirit of our countrymen through sports development and earning respect internationally, is legendary.

Spin.ph ran an excellent piece on the present situation and said: “Allow us to warn you: there is already simmering anger among fans over this Gilas mess, and a campaign to boycott not just the PBA but its member companies is gaining steam. While it may not come to that, better brace yourselves for a huge backlash.”

We recall that in 1990, our beloved friend and mentor, the late Rudy Salud, who served with distinction as PBA Commissioner, answered the public clamor for PBA players to be made available for the Asian Games.

Rudy ignored the feeble objections of some team owners and went ahead by appointing the “Living Legend” Robert Jaworski as head coach with Norman Black and Rino Salazar as assistants. That team trained for two weeks, but won a silver medal, losing to mighty China in the finals.

As his good friend and two-time FIBA president and longtime Basketball Association of the Philippines head, the late Lito Puyat intoned in his modulated baritone, “Para sa Bayan” was the battle cry then.

Seems to us, it means nothing to most of the PBA team owners and the PBA as an institution today.

Have we, as a people, lost the fervor of committing ourselves to God and country above all else?

This indeed would be a sad day for our nation.

INSIDE SPORTS

3 new players beef up PH Azkals vs Uzbeks THERE will be changes in the composition of the Philippine Azkals when they face Uzbekistan in their FIFA World Cup qualifier match on Sept. 8 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Philippine Football Federation has added three new players to replace defender Rob Gier, forward Mark Hartmann and goalkeeper Tomas Trigo. Gier was put on the back burner because of a knee injury while Hartmann and Trigo were taken out.

The three new players are Filipino-German goalkeeper Roland Muller, Filipino-Dutch midfielder Paul Mulders and United Football League team Global FC

goalkeeper Jun-jun Badelic of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Muller joined the Philippine national’s team training in 2011 and was eventually named in the final 20-man squad for the 2011 Long Teng Cup and the provisional Philippines under-23 squad for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

In 2013, he was named to the Philippine squad for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification campaign, which he helped qualify. Muller’s last played for

the Azkals in the 2014 Peace Cup. Mulders was a free agent in July 2013 and lent his services to the Global FC team to boost their campaign for the Singapore Cup. On January 20, 2014, Mulders signed an amateur deal with Dutch football club SC Cambuur playing in the Dutch Eredivisie until the end of the season.

Mulders played in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup and presently he is playing for Ceres La Salle FC in the UFL. Badelic played a year of NCAA football with Emilio Aguinaldo. He came on as a late substitute for Global in their tune-up game against the Azkals before the Suzuki Cup. He played in the AFC

Under-23 Championships and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

The team will play a friendly match against Maldives on Sept. 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium before meeting the Uzbeks on September 8 in a crucial qualifying game for the 2018 World Cup. Completing the Azkals squad are Amani Aguinaldo, Misagh Bahadoran, Kenshiro Daniels, Patrick Deyto, Neil Etherdige, Juani Guirado, Kevin Ingreso, Jerry Lucena, Manny Ott, Stephan Palla, Javier Patiño, Iain Ramsay, Patrick Reichelt, Simone Rota, Daisuke Sato, Stephan Schrock, Martin Steuble, Dennis Villanueva, Luke Woodland, and Phil Younghusband.

PBA Draft Combine. Rookie hopefuls Simon Enciso and Nico Elorde guard each other during the PBA Draft Combine.

Altas, Eagles take charge in Fr. Martin Cup THE University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Ateneo Blue Eagles won over separate rivals to take charge in their respective groupings over the weekend in the13th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the Arellano gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

The Altas stopped the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 85-82, in overtime in Group B, while the Ateneo Blue Eagles turned back Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 87-60, in Group A. JC Angeles scored the two winning charities with 21.4 seconds left, sending the Altas to their second straight victory.

The game went into an extra five minutes, following a buzzer-beating putback by Altas cager Chester Saldua, 78-all.

Cole Micek shot a game-high 21

points for the Blue Eagles, who also claimed win no. 2.

In the junior division, Charles Afurong split his charity shots in the last 7.5 seconds, propelling the Perpetual Help Junior Altas past St. Jude, and into their first win in two games in Group B. Daryl Singontiko shot 27 points for the Altas in their match with the Growling Tigers.

He made 19 when they repulsed the Letran Knights, 80-62, in a fight-marred encounter the other weekend.

In other collegiate games, Franz Abuda tallied 17 points for San BedaA in their 84-47 smashing of Diliman Colleges, while JRU waylaid San Sebastian College, 83-82.

Ruselle Ambon had 18 points for Manila Patriotic School, which thumped the Mapua Red Robins, 87-

74. This allowed both to share the lead in Group B of the junior side at 2-1.

The San Beda Red Cubs prevailed over Infant Jesus Academy, 84-74, while San Benildo swamped St. Joseph, 66-46, and Arellano won over San Beda, 79-69.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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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 James wows Filipino fans US NBA superstar LeBron James plays during an exhibition game as part of a clinic session in Manila. James is here to conduct basketball clinic to select talented baskeball players from disadvantaged families. AFP

By Peter Atencio

BASKETBALL superstar LeBron James wowed his Filipino fans for the second straight day as part of the Rise Tour to mentor the Rise players, inspiring them and young Filipinos to realize their true potential.

During his visit, James met with local street-ball children, played at an exhibition game and launched the new LeBron 12 Low. He also introduced the final 12 Rise players, who will play their final game as part of the Rise program on Sunday.

During the game, James wowed

the crowd with slam dunks, including a two-handed jam in the final second.

James then later took off his own shirt and tossed it to adoring fans at the upper box.

“Rise. Rise above everything. No matter what it is. Rise above the ad-

7 col x 10 cm

How do you want your news served today? www.thestandard.com.ph

versity. And these are what the kids are doing. So please, look out of them,” said James at the end of the activities.

On Friday, James went to the West Bicutan tenement in Taguig, and watched kids play at a makeshift basketball court.

He was moved at what he saw, and posted a statement on Twitter.

“Visited this amazing place in #Manila today. An abandoned parking garage that’s been taken over by more than 5,000 displaced family members. This basketball court is its heart and soul, and if it weren’t for #basketball giving the kids a distraction from the bad influences around them the state would tear it down.

Honored to have my likeness grace this space. Until next time,” said

James in his message to fans.

While in the tenement area, James led the unveiling of a basketball court, with his image painted on the floor.

After a short ceremony, he put his handprints on a cement cast.

Three NBA players have already played in the tenement, including Indiana’s Paul George and Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers.

On Thursday night, James played a pickup game of basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. He focused his attention on guarding Kristine Cayabyab, a 12-year-old girl, who eventually was chosen to become part of the Nike Rise 12 team.

Lebron, who played for Team White, decided to guard her because

of her outside shooting. He ended up teaching her how not to be intimidated by bigger opposing players.

“Sabi niya, magaling daw ako.

Shooter daw ako, at ayaw niya ako patirahin,” said Cayabyab from Dagupan City.

Cayabyab’s Team Black eventually won over Team White, 100-86.

Later, Cayabyab became the only recipient of gifts from James, an autographed ball and a pair of shoes.

The two-time NBA champion player, who watched the night’s activities seated at ringside, before later entering the court at halftime, was also impressed with Cayabyab when she won the three-point shootout, which also also saw Thirdy Ravena, RR Garcia and Ewon Arayi joining.

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SATURDAY: AUGUST 22, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

National broadband pushed

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE government should revive a plan to build a national broadband network to improve Internet speed in the country, former whistleblower and information technology expert Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. said over the weekend.

Lozada, who became famous as the NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower, said the best way to explain the current slow Internet speed in the country was the lack of digital highway, similar to the network

of roads and highways that linked agricultural and industrial areas.

“Those roads were built primarily by government for public transport use, allowing unhampered movements of people and

goods that led to the progression of the Filipino nation to what it is now,” Lozada said.

He said with the country now in the cusp of the digital era, it needed a national broadband network to facilitate movement and trade of digital products and goods.

“This is where the heart of the current problem lies. The government has not built any major digital highway for public use.

Practically all of the digital roads and highways are privately owned and imposes a ‘toll fee’ per use,” Lozada said.

Lozada said if the government

had built a national broadband network, the country could have been spared from the current slow Internet speed.

“That is similar to how government had built the public roads and highways during the agricultural and industrial era. It is a must for the government to provide for a big digital highway that allows very fast and free public transport of digital products and goods,” Lozada said.

A 2014 report by Ookla, an Internet broadband testing company, ranked the Philippines 160th out of 190 countries in terms of download speed.

The Philippines is also one of the most expensive among 64 countries with median monthly cost per Mbps at $26.60.

Lozada said with an NBN in place, private service providers would be limited to providing on a pay per use arrangement the last mile connection to end users and the local loop connection to the NBN. This design will provides a very fast and low-cost Internet service to the entire nation, to both cities and rural barangays, he said.

It will also effectively negate the Third World quality of Internet the country is experiencing right now, he said.

PSe comPoSite index Closing August 20, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,278.98 65.75

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing AUGUST 20, 2015 42

P46.500

43

CLOSE

44 45 46

HIGH P46.265 LOW P46.500 AVERAGE P46.369 VOLUME 699.700M

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

oPriceS il P today

PH-Japan relations. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa (seated right) hosts a dinner at his official residence

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene

for Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima seated left) and officials of the Department of Finance and attached agencies. Joining Purisima are National Treasurer Roberto Tan, Finance Undersecretaries Carlo Carag, Gil Beltran and Jeremias Paul Jr., Securities and Exchange Commissioner Ephyro Amatong and Finance Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan.

P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

Henann Group, AirAsia Zest form partnership

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, August 20, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.3060

Japan

Yen

0.008075

0.3739

UK

Pound

1.568100

72.6124

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128984

5.9727

Switzerland

Franc

1.035947

47.9706

Canada

Dollar

0.762602

35.3130

Singapore

Dollar

0.712809

33.0073

Australia

Dollar

0.733192

33.9512

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651113

122.7624

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266610

12.3456

Brunei

Dollar

0.710278

32.8901

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000072

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.028121

1.3022

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.6071

Euro

Euro

1.112600

51.5201

Korea

Won

0.000845

0.0391

China

Yuan

0.156360

7.2404

India

Rupee

0.015352

0.7109

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243659

11.2829

New Zealand

Dollar

0.656901

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030793

30.4185 1.4259 Source: PDS Bridge

THE Henann Group of Resorts has tapped AirAsia Zest to promote its world-class hotels in Boracay, Bohol and Palawan.

Henann Group under the partnership agreement will use AirAsia Zest A320 aircraft, painted in vibrant blue with Henann’s logo prominently displayed on both sides of the aircraft in an effort to promote the luxury hotel resort chain and further boost travel and tourism in the Philippines.

“We are thrilled and honored to carry a homegrown luxury resort brand that does not only proudly promote the Philippines but also values a strong, innovative service

culture, which are also the hallmarks of AirAsia’s brand of service,” AirAsia Philippines chief executive Joy Cañeba said.

“This synergy aims to bring more tourists into the country and offer them to experience the Filipino brand of excellent service,” she said.

Henann Group of Resorts is set to formally open its biggest hotel and resort property in Panglao Island in Bohol on August 22.

“Our partnership with AirAsia, a globally recognized brand, is anchored on a shared commitment which is to deliver value and the best quality service,” Henann Group of Resorts chairman Henry

Chusuey said.

“We are excited to be involved in this collaborative project to create brand awareness on the ground and in the skies, to encourage and engage guests from the airline’s massive network in the whole of Asean region and extending as far as China, Korea and beyond to come to the Philippines and enjoy the amazing beaches and our superb resort facilities,” Chusuey said.

The Henann Group of Resorts operates three top-rated properties in Boracay--The Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa, the Henann Garden Resort, and the Henann Lagoon Resort. The largest in Pan-

glao Island, Henann Resort Alona Beach, Bohol, has the longest and widest beachfront, all of 125 meters of white sand along Alona Beach.

AirAsia flies three times daily to Bohol from Manila. The airline is offering an all-in promo fares from as low as P688 to domestic and international destinations starting August 24 to September 6.

AirAsia Philippines signed a strategic alliance with Filipino carrier ZestAir in March 2013 and moved its operation from Clark, Pampanga to Manila’s major gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Zest Air was later rebranded to AirAsia Zest. Darwin G. Amojelar

SATURDAY: AUGUST 22, 2015

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

SEC probes 2 new firms

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Pepsi assistance. Pepsi Philippines executives led by vice president Jika Dalupan (third from left), along with Pepsi colleagues Rondell

Torres (left) and Thea Del Barrio (second from left) join Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary officials, led by district director and Rear Admiral Valentin Prieto Jr. (fourth from left); deputy national director for administration Rear Admiral Hilarion Dimagiba Jr.; and chief of staff Commodore Gerry Reyes during the live demo of Salba-Bote along Marikina River recently. Salba-Bote, the latest innovation from One Meralco Foundation in disaster preparedness, is an improvised flotation device made up of empty PET bottles placed inside a PVC-coated mesh tote bag with a water-resistant pocket for emergency supplies.

New ERC chief vows to cut case backlogs

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NEWLY-INSTALLED Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Jose Vicente Salazar has committed to expedite the processing of unresolved cases at the agency.

Salazar said the commission decided as many as 15 cases in a day last week, reflecting the agency’s efforts to rid the agency of pending backlog of cases.

“While there are priority cases, all undecided cases for many years now are also going to be in our priority list,” Salazar said.

The official said ERC had pending cases because of its lean work force. Salazar said one of his focus as the new ERC chairman was to increase the number of employees and raise their salaries.

“We are lobbying with DBM [Department of Budget and Management] to provide us with additional plantilla of personnel so that we can also address the policies of the DoE [Department of Energy],” he said.

Salazar said aside from the plan to raise ERC employees’ salaries by 25 percent, the agency was looking at providing transport service and additional health benefits.

Salazar also vowed to “fairly and impartially” decide on the pending anti-competitive behavior case

filed by the agency’s investigating unit against 12 companies.

ERC’s investigating unit earlier filed complaints against 12 companies for anti-competitive or market behavior that led to the price spikes during the Malampaya maintenance shutdown in November to December 2013.

The cases, filed in June this year, was the result of the report of the investigating unit that was completed after more than a year.

The companies cited were Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (for Malaya and Casecnan plants), Therma Mobile Inc., Manila Electric Co., 1590 Energy, CIP II Power Corp., TransAsia Power Generation Corp., AP Renewables Inc., Udenna Management Resources Corp., Strategic Power Development, GN Power Mariveles and SEM-Calaca Power

Corp.

“I’ve always been known to be not just impartial but fair. Even in my old job…I will consider all the arguments and then I will set aside all biases so that I can give a fair decision on the matter,” Salazar said.

“Of course, you have to remember that I am the chair but I have four other commissioners with me. I only have one vote out of the five. What I can assure you is that personally, I will study this thoroughly and will go through due process. I can assure you would be fair and that my decision will be fair,” he said.

Salazar, a lawyer, had served as Justice undersecretary before being appointed to ERC. Salazar joined the five-man commission composed of commissioners Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Josefina Patricia Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an advisory against two new companies that are allegedly being run by the same groups previously linked to investment scams.

SEC, in a advisory posted on its Web site, warned the public against investing in Global Intergold, the new company allegedly being used by Emgoldex Philippines, a company that claims to offer huge returns to clients who want to make money by trading gold bars.

The corporate regulator said it received reports that operators of Emgoldex Philippines were now using the name of Global Intergold to continue their “illegal investment-taking activities.”

“Per verification, Global Intergold is not also registered corporation or partnership. Likewise, Global Intergold is not authorized to solicit investment from the public as it did not secure prior registration and/or license or permit to solicit investments from the Commission as required under Section 8.1 of the Securities Regulation Code,” SEC said.

SEC said the selling agents of Global Intergold were also not authorized to offer for sale, sell and solicit investments from the public since no selling agents of the company have secured license from the SEC. “In view thereof, the public is hereby advised to exercise selfrestraint from investing their money into high yield-high risk investment scheme an to take necessary precautions in dealing with the above-named entity,” SEC said.

SEC also issued a warning against Forward Direct Selling Corp., which it said was found to be being operated by the same people behind One Lightning Corp.

South rail to increase Bicol tourism by 30% LEGAZPI CITY—Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the P171-billion south rail line of the North-South Railways system will boost Bicol region’s tourism by as much as 30 percent.

He said the tourism boost would be a part of the projected 24-percent economic returns the new railways system would bring to the countryside once fully operational.

The 653-kilometer railways project gained traction in the past four years with Salceda’s vigorous push with the Public-Private Partnership Center, Transportation Department, Philippine National Railways and National Economic Development Authority.

The Transportation Department recently started the bid process for the project, the government’s single biggest undertaking so far under the

PPP scheme.

The agency held the pre-qualification conference on Aug. 20 and set the deadline for the submission of qualification documents on Oct. 15.

Qualified bidders will be notified on Oct. 30 and the Transportation Department will release the bid documents and draft concession agreement on Nov. 6. The pre-bid conference was set Nov. 20 this year and submission of bid documents on March 28. The notice of award will be issued on April 27, 2016.

The winning bidder will “design, construct, install, commission, finance, operate, and maintain” the 56-kilometer commuter rail from Tutuban to Calamba in Laguna, and the 478-km long-haul rail from Calamba City to Legazpi City, according to the PPP Center project brief.

Bloomberg Philippines. MediaQuest chairman Manuel Pangilinan (center) led the toast during the grand trade launch of Bloomberg TV Philippines on Aug. 12. Bloomberg TV Philippines, the first 24-hour business channel in the country, is a joint undertaking between Cignal TV, News5 and global media giant, Bloomberg Television. With Pangilinan are are (from left) Shawn Yao, Michael Alimurung, Jean de Castro, Media5 president chief operating officer Jane Basas, Cignal TV chief operating officer Oscar Reyes Jr., PLDT president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno, Bloomberg Asia Pacific head of editorial Jeremy Custance, JP Ong, Rod Nepomuceno, Cignal TV president and chief executive Emmanuel Lorenzana, MediaQuest chief finance officer Ana Bengson, Regina Lay, Quintin Pastrana and Tony Abad.

SATURDAY: AUGUST 22, 2015

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

B3 Trader hits fake hair item sellers

By Othel V. Campos

Foundation scholars. The Wong Chu King Foundation awards checks to its top scholars (from left) Joyce Ann Piscos, who graduated cum laude in BS Computer Science from UP Manila; Leslie Allison Morin, who graduated cum laude in BS Molecular Biology from UP Diliman; and Karizza Rivera, who also graduated cum laude in Business Administration, Major in Marketing Management from Our Lady of Fatima University.

The scholars pose for a souvenir after interacting on economic and social responsibility issues with WCKF volunteers (from left) lawyers Reynaldo Esmeralda and Antonio Ocampo and retired Lt. Gen. Edilbert Adan.

Shell to close lube oil plant, readies imports

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. will likely import lubricant products as it prepares to shut down the automated lube blending oil plant in Pandacan by November in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

Shell country chairman Ed Chua said the company would have to abide with the Supreme Court decision ordering oil companies to remove their depots out of Pandacan.

“We have to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. We will have to import lubricants,” Chua said.

Shell lubricants accounts for about 20 percent of the company’s total business in the Philippines, he said.

The lube oil blending plant in Pandacan is designed to manufacture products with more stringent specifications. It uses an automatic batch blending system to produce a variety of lubricants.

The plant, estimated to cost around P450 million when it was constructed, has a rated capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year, according to company data.

Chua said the company would be forced to import its lubricant requirements from neighboring countries.

He said the depot relocation would affect many employees but Shell would try to absorb as many workers as possible, Shell manufacturing communications and social performance manager Cesar Abaricia, meanwhile, said importing lubricants would not necessarily result in higher prices as imports could even be cheaper.

He said Shell had an inventory that could last after November.

Shell officials assured all of its 14 oil tanks would be dismantled at the Pandacan depot by

November.

“We are disappointed [by the ruling] but this does not define our whole relationship with the government,” Chua said earlier.

He said Shell would absorb the price difference arising from the transfer of the depot from Pandacan to Batangas and downplayed any possible price increase.

“It’s still market forces,” Chua said.

The Supreme Court decision rendered in November last year directed Shell, Petron Corp. and Chevron Philippines Inc. to remove their oil depot facilities from Pandacan, Manila and not merely cease operations.

Shell has been resisting the Pandacan oil depot removal, saying it would raise pump prices and create logistical problems.

A PROFESSIONAL hair product distributor sought the help of the Trade Department after several outlets misrepresented the Brazilian Blowout brand in the Philippines.

Beauty Lane, importer and distributor of premium hair products, filed a complaint after reports of copycat products caught the attention of its manufacturer in the US. The distributor filed the complaint on August 13, 2015 seeking assistance from the government after numerous negative feedbacks on the authenticity of the product. Consumers complained that the so-called “after-treatment” life of the procedure did not live up to what was advertised.

“First of all we want the public to know that Brazilian Blowout is a brand that produces amazing results for women all over the world and not a hair treatment as advertised by copycat products, mostly originating from China,” Beauty Lane owner and chief executive Dina de Villa Tobojka told reporters in a briefing.

Beauty Lane, she added, planned to file similar complaint before the Intellectual Property Office for trademark infringement against Chinese products and other manufacturers using the Brazilian Blowout brand.

She claimed many smaller chain of salons had been branding their keratin treatment as Brazilian Blowout, when in fact they were using copycat products.

Other products do not misrepresent the brand but some salons peddle the same keratin procedure as Brazilian Blowout.

SATURDAY: AUGUST 22, 2015

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

Global market rout deepens HONG KONGAsian shares slumped on Friday, tumbling further into the red after weak manufacturing data from China added to fears about the health of the world economy.

The dollar notched more losses, down more than two cents against the euro from where it stood before minutes from the US Federal Reserve dampened hopes for a rate rise next month.

Tokyo shares slumped 2.98 percent, or 597.69 points, to finish at 19,435.83, a three-month low and down 5.28 percent on the week.

Seoul fell 2.01 percent, or 38.48

points, to 1,876.07 as tensions climbed with North Korea, and Sydney dropped 1.40 percent, or 73.98 points, to close at 5,214.60.

Shanghai lost 2.46 percent in afternoon trading, heading for its worst weekly rout in four years after a survey showed manufacturing activity hit a 77-month low in August.

Hong Kong fell 2.05 percent, heading for its fifth day of losses

after the benchmark index entered a bear market, down more than 20 percent from its April peak.

“Global markets are in panic mode as the full scale of China’s slowdown becomes clearer and the market pricing for a Fed September rate hike is unwound,” said Angus Nicholson at IG Markets.

“China’s currency devaluation, further stock market declines, and now another weak PMI appear to have put it front-and-centre in investors’ minds.”

US shares sank more than 2.0 percent Thursday, with the Dow dropping to its lowest level for 2015 as worries spread about the

strength of the world economy.

Gold gained as investors looked for safer bets, rising to $1,161.68 in Asia compared to $1,138.80 late Thursday.

Market sentiment has nosedived since China’s central bank devalued its currency last week in a surprise move widely seen as aimed at boosting the country’s flagging exports.

Stoking concerns, the preliminary reading of Caixin’s Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) came in at 47.1 this month, its worst reading since March 2009 and significantly below analysts’ forecasts.

The news sent Shanghai stocks

plunging to lows not seen since before Beijing launched a huge rescue package last month to stop a rout that wiped some four trillion yuan off the benchmark.

“The [Chinese] economy continues to be on a downward trend and it’s not likely to pick up soon as there’s no clear driver for growth,” said We Wei, an analyst at Huaxi Securities in Shanghai.

“The stock market may drop further to seek a lower support,” he told Bloomberg News.

Commodity shares continued their slide as concerns about a slowdown in China, the world’s top importer of industrial metals and energy, continued to weigh. AFP

Oil falls further to $40.78 per barrel SINGAPORE—Oil headed for its eighth straight weekly decline in Asia Friday, as sharp falls in equities added to worries lackluster global economic growth will hurt energy demand in an oversupplied market.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery, a new contract, lost 54 cents to $40.78 a barrel in afternoon trade, while Brent crude for October tumbled 62 cents to $46.00 a barrel.

The WTI September contract closed 34 cents higher at $41.14 in New York on Thursday, scraping off recent six and a half year lows.

“Oil prices continue to be plagued by the supply glut problem,” said Bernard Aw, market strategist at IG Markets in Singapore.

“Sharp falls in global equities, particularly US shares, further contributed to worries that global growth would be sluggish.

This suggests that demand for energy may remain tepid,” he told AFP. Asian shares fell on Friday, continuing a global sell-off in equities that hit Wall Street overnight and saw the Dow reach its lowest level this year as concerns about the health of the world economy snowballed.

Analysts fear a slowdown in China, the world’s secondbiggest economy, could drag on global growth and curb energy demand--bad news for oil prices at a time when markets are already oversupplied with crude.

Oil has managed to hold above the key $40 a barrel mark, but US banking giant Citigroup said on Wednesday prices could fall to $32 a barrel, a multi-year low last seen in 2008.

Investors will be watching the weekly US oil rig count, due on Friday, to see if a slump in crude prices has started to dampen production in the world’s top consumer. AFP

Slumping Dow. NEW YORK--A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the afternoon of August 20, 2015 in New York City. The Dow Jones continued its plunge south, losing over 350 points Thursday. AFP

China manufacturing index falls to 77-month low BEIJING—A key indicator of China’s manufacturing activity slumped to a 77-month low in August, an independent survey showed Friday, fueling concerns of further deceleration in the world’s second-largest economy.

The preliminary reading of Caixin’s Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) came in at 47.1 this month, the Chinese media group said in a joint statement with Markit, a financial information services provider that compiled the survey.

The figure, which fell from July’s final reading of 47.8, was the worst since a reading of 44.8 in March 2009, according to Markit’s data.

It was also significantly weaker than the median estimate of 48.2 from a poll of economists by Bloomberg News.

The index, which tracks activity in factories and workshops, is seen as a key barometer of the

country’s economic health. A figure above 50 signals growth, while anything below indicates contraction.

Caixin took over sponsorship of the PMI survey from British banking giant HSBC last month.

“There is still pressure on the front of maintaining growth rates,” He Fan, an economist at Caixin Insight Group, said in the statement.

“To realize the goal set for this year, the government needs to fine tune fiscal and monetary policies to ensure macroeconomic stability and speed up the structural reform,” added He. Beijing earlier this year set the annual target for economic growth at “around seven percent.”

China’s economy, a key driver of global growth, expanded 7.4 percent last year, its weakest since 1990, and has slowed further this

year, growing 7.0 percent in each of the first two quarters.

Nomura economists said Friday’s PMI data suggested growth momentum had weakened in the July-September period.

“We expect monetary policy easing to continue,” they said in a note.

Authorities accept the need to steer China’s growth lower to make it more sustainable and driven by consumer demand rather than investment, but have taken stimulatory measures to put a floor under the slowdown.

Chinese stocks--which have been extremely volatile in recent months--extended falls after the figures came out, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 3.04 percent by the break.

Julian Evans-Pritchard, an analyst with research firm Capital Economics, blamed the disappointing August PMI reading on last week’s massive explosions in

the northern port city of Tianjin, which killed at least 114 people and caused more than a billion dollars in financial losses.

Factory closures in Beijing and surrounding areas to ensure blue skies above the notoriously polluted city for a huge military parade next month commemorating victory over Japan in World War II were another factor, he said in a report.

“We still think the downside risks to short-run growth are now overstated,” he said, adding the government “has plenty of policy ammunition” and will not allow growth to slip much further.

In a bid to boost activity, the central bank has cut interest rates four times since November and has also lowered the reserve requirement ratio--the amount of money banks must put asidethree times. AFP

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ceSar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Chinese tourists still going to Thailand

BANGKOK—Busloads of visitors from China flocked to Bangkok’s glittering Grand Palace on Friday but, days after a bomb at another of the city’s popular attractions killed five Chinese tourists, Thailand’s biggest spending holidaymakers are rattled.

Monday’s attack on a Hindu shrine, particularly popular with Chinese devotees, did not prevent Jay Chou and his family from traveling to the kingdom, though it has left them on edge.

“We are closely following the news, we shouldn’t go to any place which is dangerous,” said the 18-year-old engineering student from Shanghai outside the palace where an already heavy security presence was boosted in response to the bombing.

The attack on the shrine, apparently by a still-unidentified young man who placed a backpack with explosives under a bench, killed 20 people and injured more than 100 others.

Most of the victims were ethnic Chinese tourists from around Asia, with five of the dead from mainland China and two from Hong Kong.

While Thai authorities have yet to make an arrest or say which group was behind it, they have repeatedly said it was clearly aimed at damaging the tourism industry.

Though in the midst of confusing and sometimes contradictory information on the investigation, one message from authorities has been clear Chinese tourists were not the target.

For the country’s ruling generals, losing their biggest spending group of visitors is a hit the kingdom cannot afford as it struggles to revive a sclerotic economy.

Tourism accounts for around 10 percent of Thailand’s economy.

Chinese holidaymakers spend far more than any other group of visitors 190 billion baht ($5.3 billion) in the first half of this year, according to Thailand’s tourism authority.

This is more than five times the spending of Malaysians and Brits, the next two largest spenders.

And the number of Chinese visitors soared by 138 percent in the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2014, when Bangkok was paralyzed by often violent protests before May’s military coup. AFP

world Iraqis use Arbil to leave their country for good ARBIL, Iraq—Iraq’s gateway to Europe, the northern city of Arbil, is the first bottleneck on a long and uncertain journey for a growing number of Iraqis choosing exile.

Onstage. Singer/songwriter Pia Mia performs onstage at American Express’ UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence Concert, with BORNS, Gavin James, Pia Mia and Rae Sremmurd at El Rey Theater on August 20 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

“We’re selling a lot of one-way tickets these days. More than ever. People are desperate,” said Emre Shawkat, who runs a tourism transport business in Arbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region.

In 2014, tens of thousands of Iraqis fled when the Islamic State jihadist group launched an onslaught that overran large areas and brought the country to the brink of breakup.

The militants have carried out atrocities from beheadings and mass executions to enslavement and rape in the territory they control in Iraq and in neighboring Syria.

Unemployment, poor services and corruption are other factors in making Iraq one of the main departure points of migrants scrambling towards Europe.

Iraqi citizens made up the fifth-largest group of people seeking asylum in the European Union in the first quarter of 2015, and their numbers tripled compared with the same period a year before, according to EU data.

“Nothing good is going to come out of this country,” said Ihab al-Ajili, a 25-year-old from Baghdad, waiting for his bus outside Shawkat’s office.

“I’ll do anything. Any job in Europe will be better than staying here,” he said.

Germany usually tops the list of preferred destinations, followed by Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, where they believe the benefits for asylum seekers are the most generous.

They have seen footage of asylum seekers being rescued in the Mediterranean, but appear to have limited awareness of the difficulties that await.

“We are now going to Turkey, to Izmir.

There are smugglers there. They put us on boats and dinghies to Greece,” said Ajili’s friend Hussein al-Shammari.

He then recited their journey to Austria, where they plan to split up: Athens to Macedonia by train, then through Serbia and Hungary to Austria with the help of smugglers. AFP

Australia considering joining the campaign against IS PERTH—Australia is considering a request from the United States to extend its air campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq into Syria, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Friday.

The United States has been leading a coalition of Western and Arab powers carrying out air strikes against IS fighters in Syria and Iraq since last year.

Canberra using six RAAF F/ A18 combat jets and two support

aircraft based in the United Arab Emirates joined the raids in Iraq but not the strikes on targets in Syria, citing legal concerns.

Australia has also sent about 500 soldiers, including around 170 special forces troops, to serve as advisers in Iraq.

Abbott said while there were legal issues around any involvement in Syria, Australia would “carefully consider” the Pentagon’s request and reveal its decision in a

few weeks.

“We have a formal request from the Americans to extend our air strikes into Syria,” the prime minister told reporters in the western city of Perth. “(IS) is a movement of almost incalculable, unfathomable evil and it’s very important that Australia play its part in the campaign to disrupt, degrade and ultimately destroy this death cult.

“While there is a little difference

between the legalities of air strikes on either side of the border, there’s no difference in the morality.”

The Australian military’s chief of joint operations Vice Admiral David Johnston said in a media briefing on Wednesday that his country’s involvement in Syrian air strikes, if it does occur, would not be a “game-changer”.

“The contribution of Australia, while always welcome, isn’t a game-changer one way or the

other,” Johnston said.

“In part, there is a bit of a zerosum game. We’ve got a number of aircraft there. Whether we’re operating in Iraq or in Syria, the capacity is the same.”

The request from Washington came as the Australian government said Thursday it stopped seven young suspected jihadists from leaving the country this month to fight for militant groups in the Middle East. AFP

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WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Pot economy thrives in Uruguay MONTEVIDEO— Working at a decidedly un-slackerly pace, employees are racing to get ready for the opening of the latest marijuana boutique to sprout up in pot-friendly Uruguay.

Waiting. Migrants rest while waiting to pass the Greek-Macedonian border, guarded by Macedonian police near the town of Idomeni, northern Greece, on August 21. Macedonian police have reinforced control at the border with Greece in a bid to stop the influx of migrants, but a few hundred Syrians managed to cross the frontier overnight into August 21. Police prevented reporters to access a no-man’s land where on August 20 officers had been in a standoff with about 1,500 migrants and refugees who wanted to cross into Macedonia. AFP Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan MUNICIPALITY OF LIMAY INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay through the SEF FUND Budget Year 2015 invites registered contractors to apply for eligibility to bid of the following projects/contracts; Name of Project/Contract

Location

Sources Duration Approved Cost of Budget of Bid FUNDS Cost(ABC) Doc’s.

Construction of Deepwell Sitio Bacong, SEF 150 Days 2,712,800.00 3,000.00 with Overhead Tank at St. Brgy. St. Francis FUND Francis Elementary School 2 Limay, Bataan Construction of Deepwell Brgy. Duale, with Overhead Tank at Limay, Bataan Limay National High School Soil Investigation of Limay, Bataan proposed school buildings locations

SEF FUND

150 Days 2,997,600.00 3,000.00

SEF FUND

120 Days 1,325,000.00 2,000.00

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Bidders should have completed, within ten(10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the bidding documents, particularly, in section II, Instruction to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat of the Municipality of Limay and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Cost of Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the BAC-Secretariat/TWG Office, 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building on or before September 15, 2015 until 1:00P.M.and to be opened at 2:00 P.M. of the same day at the Multi-purpose Room, Ground Floor, Limay Municipal Building. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB. 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.

Submission of Class “A” documents and Financial Statements at least seven(7) calendar days and the Technical documents(completed/on-going projects) at least fifteen(15) calendar days before the deadline for the submission of opening of bids.

The Municipality of Limay 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: RONNIE LATANAFRANCIA BAC Secretariat/TWG – Office 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building, National Road, Brgy. Townsite Limay, Bataan (047)6138026

(TS-AUG. 22, 2015)

(Sgd) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC Chairman

19 years jail for two for journalist attack HONG KONG—Two men were jailed for 19 years Friday for a brutal knife attack on a Hong Kong journalist in what the judge called a “cold-blooded” crime that intensified fears over press freedom in the city.

Kevin Lau, former editor of the investigative Ming Pao newspaper, was stabbed in broad daylight in February last year.

The attack came just weeks after he was removed from his position and replaced with an editor deemed to be pro-Beijing.

His sacking triggered staff protests and widespread fears that Beijing was tightening control over the press in the semi-autonomous territory.

Yip Kim-wah and Wong Chiwah, both 39, were last week convicted of causing grievous bodily harm, with the jury tak-

ing less than four hours to reach a unanimous verdict.

But questions remain over why they carried out the attack and who offered them an alleged payment of HK$100,000 ($13,000).

Lau has called for the “mastermind” of the crime to be brought to justice.

Judge Esther Toh sentenced Wong and Yip to 19 years each, describing the attack as “senseless” and “brazen”.

“They carried out this coldblooded attack for financial gain,” she said, adding that neither defendant had shown any remorse.

“Life will never be the same for him (Lau) because he will forever carry the scars of the attack, both psychologically and physically,” she added. AFP

About 20 such stores have opened for business in Montevideo, the capital, in the past year and a half, since Uruguay became the first country in the world to not only legalize marijuana but create a regulated market for it.

“This is just the beginning. The market is wide open to everyone,” said 34-year-old Marcelo Cabrera, one of the business partners behind the latest grow shop, Tu Jardin (Your Garden).

The landmark marijuana law passed in December 2013 under former president Jose Mujica, a folksy iconoclast known for living in a run-down farmhouse and giving most of his salary to charity.

Under the law, Uruguayan citizens and residents can buy up to 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of weed a month from pharmacies, grow it themselves at home or join cannabis clubs where members pitch in to garden the plants together.

Before the legislation took effect in April last year, Juan Vaz planted marijuana illegally.

Today he is paid to do it and manages a local growers’ club.

“Many people don’t buy on the black market anymore. They plant at home or in a cannabis club. So part of the money that went to drug trafficking before is now going to the community, creating new jobs,” he said.

The law still leaves some gray areas.

One of them is the selling of seeds not prohibited, but not regulated either.

That has resulted in a sort of legal limbo.

“You can import them if they were not illegally exported elsewhere,” said Laura Blanco, president of the Cannabis Studies Association or AECU. Pharmacy sales, the most controversial part of the law, have yet to begin and it is unclear whether they will any time soon under the new president, Tabare Vazquez, a cancer doctor who has openly criticized the policy. AFP

‘Dementia occurrence stabilizing’ PARIS—The occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may have stabilized in some wealthy nations, according to a study released Friday.

A review of data from Sweden, The Netherlands, Britain and Spain showed the percentage of the population with dementia the umbrella term for neurodegenerative diseases of the brain holding steady, along with the number of new cases, said the study, published in The Lancet Neurology.

The findings, however, were sharply contested by other experts.

Researchers led by Carol Brayne, a professor at the Cambridge Institute of Public Health and the University of Cambridge, compared dementia occurrence in old people across two time periods spanning the last several decades.

They found little change across the two periods, and in one case even a small decline, in the percentage of the population affected.

This unexpected trend could be the result of better living conditions and education, as well as improvements in the

prevention and treatment of vascular diseases that lead to stroke and heart attack, the researchers said.

“The suggested decrease in dementia occurrence coincides with improvements in protective factors ... and a general reduction in risk factors over recent decades,” Brayne said in a statement.

If borne out, the findings are very good news, and suggest that an impending “dementia epidemic” due mainly to an ageing population could be less severe than feared. AFP

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PROPERTY jdlacsamana@gmail.com

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

B7

A big AdvAntAge. Rockwell Primaries recently launched The Vantage, its first highrise and integrated vertical development in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

The development sits on a prime location and caters to families, young professionals, and executives who want easy access to the growing local food scene in the Kapitolyo area, as well as key shopping malls, schools, offices and hospitals. The Vantage will have two high-rise towers with a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom formats, ranging from 29 sqm to 91 sqm. It will also have unique landscaping with terraces, a courtyard and a boardwalk, as well as swimming pools around the amenity deck. The Vantage will be turned over by 2020.

New schools divisioN office iN MuNti caN withstaNd 8-9 iNteNsity quake School principals and local officials recently inspected the new Schools Division Office in Laguerta, Tunasan, Muntinlupa which can reportedly withstand a magnitude 8-9 earthquake Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Schools division superintendent Dr. Mauro de Gulan and school officials convened last week to visit the three-storey building which will replace the former area in Muntinlupa Elementary School compound in Poblacion.

According to the Muntinlupa engineering department, the new division office is rooted in a three meters double layer foundation to fortify the structure which would reportedly surpass the destructive aftermath of an earthquake.

Arch. Loisa Isabel Dooc, one of the creators of the office’s design, said the building is equipped with shock resistant film in its windows to strengthen the frames and fire protection services such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms.

She also said it has an anti-water back flow which facilitates continuous current in the drainage system in times of rainy season, and a rain water collector which conserves water for utilities. Dooc added that closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) have been set up, and a command center is located in the building.

Installation of solar panels is currently being mulled by the board to complete the structure’s application for “green building” status.

The new schools division office will house administrators of the Department of Education - Muntinlupa, and will serve as facility for educational trainings and capacity-building seminars.

Construction is ongoing for other facilities by the local government of Muntinlupa in Laguerta, such as the Tunasan High School, City Health Office, and Muntinlupa Police Headquarters .

kitcheN cabiNet. Expect good chi when whipping up a gourmet spread for guests in your unit at Viridien in Greenhills.

Kitchens at the luxury condo’s 141-square-meter unit, for example, are contemporaryclassic affairs complete with a pantry, Viro casa cabinets, Kohler sink and Grohe faucets fit for a Michelin chef, or one aspiring to be. The Viridian, a 53-storey residential tower, is at the corner of Connecticut and Missouri Streets. Units range from 38 to 207 square meters, and residents can take a pick of unobstructed views of the mountains, Ortigas skyline, and Wack Wack Country Club.

Ortigas & Co. is the property developer of the Viridian.

FIRING UP THE TROOPS. New San Jose Builders recently held a grand sales rally at Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City. Motivational speaker Francis Kong inspired the crowd, estimated at over 1,000 salespersons together with their brokers, who gathered to celebrate their performance for the first semester of 2015. NSJBI chairman and founder, Jose Acuzar, thanked th e sales force for their hard work. Groups who whooped up at the rally included teams marketing NSJBI properties in Metro Manila and nearby cities like Fort Victoria, Victoria Sports Tower, Victoria de Manila, Victoria de Makati, Victoria Towers, Victoria de Morato, Isabelle de Valenzuela, and Metro Manila Hills.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

On a clear day¼ . The 35th floor Sky Pavilion.

Residents can work out at the gym, swim a few laps, or unwind at the pool bar and lounge, while playing at being ‘King of the World.’

AyAlA lAnd Premier unveils lAtest Premium residence in cebu

A

yala Land Premier (ALP) launched last week its third residential building in Ayala Center named The Alcoves. Both the national and Cebu media were shown last week a model of the 37-storey tower rising above Ayala Center Cebu with no less than seven residential concepts, including a showroom featuring creative abodes such as a 1 bedroom Zen unit, aimed at Cebu’s growing Japanese market.

Japanese tourists are now the fastest-growing arrivals in Cebu, according to statistics from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

They are also the third largest tourist spenders among visiting foreign nationals.

Many Japanese visit Cebu for the climate, cosmopolitan culture and for leisure and recreation like golf, diving, snorkelling and other aqua sports. Cebu has begun to present an ideal second home destination complete with education, health facilities, direct flights and

city to sea conveniences. Some even choose to reside permanently in the region. ALP plans to tap the potential of this growing market with The Alcoves. third in A string of successes ALP’s previous luxury developments in Cebu have been 1016 Residences, launched in 2010, and Park Point Residences in 2012.

“What is special about The Alcoves is the unique unit offerings geared towards the Japanese market. These features are not present in existing ALP projects in Cebu,” said Leya Moya, project development group head of ALP. The Alcoves is a mixed-use tower with a retail podium and high-rise residences. Two residential blocks are connected by a shared elevator core. Retail and dining establishments are on the second and third floors, while a private access to Ayala Center Cebu provides residents with even more options.

Along its facade are six levels of the Alcove Gardens, 40-sqm. green spaces with a wall three storeys-high, and seating where residents can relax, and take in views of the city and beyond. signAture concePts One of its signature residential concepts can also be perceived from the facade. These are the Alcove Suites, 112 sqm. bi-level residences with two bedrooms, a powder room, ensuite bathrooms and maid’s room.

Only six units of these well-designed residences are available.

Another exclusive residence is the Sky Alcove, a unit one of its kind, perched on the 36th level with grand views of the city and the Sky Pavilion. This 153 sqm.unit has two levels and comes with two bedrooms, a galley-type kitchen, en-suite bathrooms, utility area and maid’s room.

The Alcoves also has the 1 Bedroom Classic at 58-69 sqm. and the 2 Bedroom Classic at 106 sqm. “Own-

housing technology thAt mAkes sense.

The Thai Olympic Fibre Cement Co. (SHERA) recently received a certificate from the Accreditation of Indigenous Technologies for Housing (AITECH) committee of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

SHERA’s fibre cement materials got the nod for the company’s innovative housing technology.

The certification acknowledges the structural soundness and cost-effectiveness of SHERA fibre cement products, and recommends their use in various socialized housing projects of the National Housing Authority (NHA). SHERA products are used in a variety of construction applications such as roofing and walling. SHERA’s technology produces non-asbestos fibre cement roof, wood substitute, ceiling, wall, and floor board products, which exhibit green features. Shown in photo are Mahaphant Group vice president for marketing Veerasak Kittinanthakool (center) formally receiving the award from NHA general manager Chito M. Cruz at the Coconut Palace, Manila.

southern exPosure. Ayala Land Premier’s team wants to do more than turn heads in Cebu with The Alcoves. From (L-R): sales head Mike Jugo; marketing head Eunice Acejo; ALP head Jose Juan Z. Jugo; project development group head Leya Moya; and studio head Manny Illana

ers may sometimes prefer to have more diverse living spaces so we’re providing the option of combining adjacent 1 Bedroom Classic units together. This allows them to essentially create a truly flexible living space tailor-fit to their lifestyle. The owner is given this option once the units are turned over,” Moya added.

There are also Grand Corner Suites at 134-136 sqm., two-bedroom corner units with large balcony areas. On the 35th level are the only three Sky Suite units in the building. These are residences

131-136 sqm in size, with two bedrooms, a walk-in closet for the master’s bedroom, en-suite bathrooms, maid’s room and powder room.

The Sky Villas are on the 36th and 37th floors, huge living spaces at 250-259 sqm., with three bedrooms, Asian-style gourmet kitchen, utility area, two dining areas and balcony area.

These residences at The Alcoves start at P9 million, with the largest units going for up to P56 million. The Alcoves is expected to be completed by 2020.

down by the riverside. CDC Holdings, Inc. recent topped off its River Green Residences South Tower, a project located in Santa Ana, Manila along the historic Pasig River. The ceremony was led by Elsie Chua, CDC Holdings president and CEO. River Green is CDC Holdings’ second project in Santa Ana, and will be composed of 750 units. There two other projects in the area, but the company claimed it enjoys a strong demand for its units. Chua said they have sold more than 80% of the units for both its North and South Towers. “This is our second project in Santa Ana,” said Chua. “We are grateful for the support of our buyers. We see this as a testament of the community’s confidence in CDC Holdings and the product that we offer.”

River Green promises bridge the old with the new, and make it an attractive avenue where a new generation can learn about the Santa Ana district’s wealth of history.

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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

P OP CU LT U RE

LIFE

C1

Photo by Hadrian / Shutterstock.com

What happens when Facebook goes down... for good?

(Part 1 of 2)

W h e n Facebook went down for one hour back in January, American o u t l e t s THE GIST reported that

BY ED BIADO a few folks at home actually called 911 to “report the emergency.” The social networking site is that important to some people and they feel that not being able to access their social selves for merely 60 minutes constitutes a life-threatening crisis.

A website failing to work may be caused by a variety of factors; internal glitches, hacker attacks, etc. But what if, for reasons unknown, Facebook – one of the largest brands on the Internet – mysteriously disappears? Without a trace. For good. As in, going to facebook.com on your browser will take you to the “This website is for sale” page.

Facebook has around 1.5 billion monthly active users and in this thought experiment, we’re going to explore how the “event” impacts these people (which include you and me, naturally!). We’re not going to speculate what Mark Zuckerberg and the gang will be doing because really, who knows what happens in Menlo Park?

So within the first hour of Facebook’s disappearance, most people will not think any of it and simply chalk it up to a glitch.

The more active social media users will take to Twitter and post “Facebook is down”

posts. The hashtag #facebookisdown will shoot up to the top of the trends instantaneously. Additionally, enterprising brands will take advantage of the situation by tweeting messages connecting their wares to the “event.” Think along the lines of “Have a break, have a KitKat.” Of course, Facebook Messenger will not be working as well, so Viber and other IM apps will see a surge in user count and usage. It also can’t be helped if a handful of panicky people dial 911 again.

If the domain name facebook.com is for sale – and in this case, it is – someone will immediately purchase it and may have an entirely new website up within the hour.

This will further confuse users and cause mild to moderate concern. Online media will be providing blow-by-blow updates on the event and some of them will reach out to Zuckerberg et. al. to find out what the hell is going on. We’re assuming that the company’s PR team will claim that it’s a temporary error, they’re working as hard as they can to fix it and things should be running smoothly soon enough.

Duh! Did you think they are going to admit that they’re as clueless as we are? The fact is all our data is gone and this is a secret they’ll be keeping as long as they can. At some point, tongues are going to wag and there will be leaks of the truth on some

obscure techie sites. Eagle-eyed journalists will eventually spot these tidbits and report them to the public.

Meanwhile, as all this is unfolding, people are getting anxious. Between the second and fifth hours, tensions are high.

Posts about the outage will reach fever pitch and will probably clog other Internet services, freezing them up and causing glitches left and right.

Quora and Reddit will likewise be flooded by questions and posts. Visitor count to sites like Down For Everyone Or Just Me, Down Detector and Down Right Now will dramatically spike. Google and Yahoo will also experience a surge in queries and searches. The unnatural increase in activity may cause problems for these websites, slow down the servers and lock some (or a lot of) users out.

More websites will go down, either because of traffic or errors caused by failed Facebook login functionality. News outlet sites are at risk, too, due to an insane amount of reader comments on stories about the “event.”

Around this time, conspiracy theories will start coming in. YouTube, Tumblr and blog sites will be the hotbeds for these kinds of things. If Twitter is still running, it will be where these posts are shared.

Conspiracy theories are wild, irrational and implausible. But this is a wild, irrational and implausible event so unbeknownst to all of us, at least one of these seemingly crazily ludicrous ideas is the truth.

To be continued next Saturday...

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @EdBiado

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

NOT a Diary: Oversharers and social media Just how much is too much? There are people who do not seem to know how to stop, especially when it comes to their social media behavior.

BY KAI MAGSANOC

A

nyone who uses social media – whether actively or not – would have experienced this at some point: we scroll through our news feed and come across a post that bothers or disturbs us. It may not be immediately discernible why, but something about a post irks us.

We eventually realize that it was because the post violated us in some way, or it was a series of posts that we personally thought was unnecessary.

Welcome to the world of the oversharers.

“Social media is the extension of the self,” begins Chris Cahilig, social media and PR expert. “The lack of direct contact between people today makes it a perfect excuse for people to use social media as a form or medium of sharing updates about themselves.”

In order to better understand these people and their motivations, Cahilig classified oversharers into five groups, with one group having three sub-groups.

motivation is to brag (about) the material possessions they have,” says Cahilig.

1. THE DIGITAL KSP

3. THE PROMOTERS

They are the online version of the “kulang sa pansin.” They try to seek attention from other people, whether relatives, friends, workmates, or anybody else they want to attract.

The Digital KSP can be further classified into three types: Emotional Netizens – They react on anything that has to do with their emotion, whether it’s anger, sadness, or happiness.

They find a lot of reasons to express their emotion on social media.

“It gets very annoying because it gives one an impression that they’re very emotionally unstable,” says Cahilig.

Flaunters – They flaunt their fashion (purchases), food, travels, gadgets, and other material possessions. “Their

Narcissists – They are the ones who keep posting selfies, body pics – anything that has to do with their physical appearance.

“They want validation from people about their physical appearance,” says Cahilig.

“They want to show their faces and bodies all the time.” Think gym or fitting room selfies, folks.

“They attract voyeurs who want to see flesh. That’s the whole idea,” adds Cahilig.

“Many of their pictures are products of filters. They show off their cleavage, their bodies, and then use filters heavily. These are the ones you won’t recognize in real life.”

2. THE OPINIONATED

They react heavily on anything, from personal issues to entertainment issues to political issues. They have an opinion about anything and everything. They will not stop until others comment. They will even pick fights.

They own small businesses or are in show business. “These are people who promote products, clothes, their business, projects, events,” says Cahilig. “They would even tag others because they are using their social media accounts to reach out, create business, and promote their interests or endeavors.”

4. THE COMPULSIVE LIKERS AND SHARERS

Have you noticed someone in your friends’ list who keeps on liking whatever you post, and then they share it? If the Emotional Netizens seek validation online, the Compulsive Likers and Sharers give it.

They make people feel good by liking and sharing other people’s posts. They have a high level of interest about others.

“When you use Instagram and then receive a notice that you’ve received 150

likes, and then discover they came from just one person. That’s them,” says Cahilig.

“I have a feeling they lack original content. These are people who like and share quotes, which is why quote accounts are thriving,” he adds.

5. THE OVER-REACTORS

The Opinionated have a point of view or a stand; the Over-reactors take things out of context and over react. “Their favorite feature on social media is the comments section,” says Cahilig. “They do not necessarily have a valid point of view or stand. They just want to react, to the point that they start conversations and exchanges on other people’s pages.”

Remember: for anything you do on a page or wall of another person, that person will be notified. When you over-react or over-participate in a thread, it can get bothersome – especially if it’s someone’s personal page. It encroaches on the

person’s privacy. Business or fan pages are a different matter.

“Anything that’s too much – whether in real life or on social media – is not acceptable, unless you are a news organization or a source of information,” says Cahilig, when asked if there are cases when oversharing is acceptable.

“This means people look for content from you, updates. Live posts on live events (political, sports, entertainment events) are also acceptable,” he says. “People would follow you because they solicit this type of content from you.”

All action and reaction on social media create a ripple effect on all your contacts.

They create noise.

“The same way a neighbor who sings karaoke out of tune the whole day can be annoying, so can a person who makes so much noise on social media,” says Cahilig.

Bottom line: Be sensitive. Think before you post.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

UNDERSTANDING FILIPINO MILLENNIALS

FEU spearheads pioneering survey to understand aspirations and life goals of Gen Y-ers

T

o simply pigeonhole the definition of a “millennial” as an individual “aged 18 to 34 in 2015” or someone “born after 1980” does not cut it.

Neither does it do justice to attribute certain traits or characteristics to an entire generation (also known as Generation Y) – like having the audacity to answer phone calls during interviews, being Narcissistic (selfie, anyone?) or totally self-centered (me, me, me!)

In a bid to get a deeper insight on Filipino millennials, the Far Eastern University Policy Center took the lead in conducting a pioneering study that determines the impact of college experience on the learnings, beliefs, priorities, opinions and values of today’s youth. The survey profiled young people aged 16 to 18 enrolled in FEU and the other universities that participated, namely Adamson University, Baliuag University, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology, National University, and the Philippine Women’s University.

“Countless studies have been made in an effort to understand millennials, but it is only now that particular focus has been given to the uniqueness and intricacies of the Filipino youth,” said FEU professor and scholar in residence Dr. Auxencia Limjap, the survey’s co-proponent.

In the survey, 4,325 Filipino millennials in their freshman year were profiled based on their high school backgrounds; the locations of their permanent residence; their parents’ marital, economic, and educational status; their living arrangements in college; the factors that determine their school of choice; their educational and work aspirations, the activities they most frequently or never engage in; and their life goals and what they want to get from their college education.

Among the insights that stood out in the survey is that Filipino millennials seem to be an entrepreneurial generation, with 55 percent of the respondents

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Education and Career Aspirations

indicating success in owning their business as a value that most appeals to them.

According to the survey, millennials also tend to be concerned with the environment, with 46 percent of the respondents citing “adopting green practices to protect the environment” as another appealing value.

Interestingly, the survey showed that Filipino millennials seem to

Morals and Values

be conservative as the respondents strongly opposed the legalization of divorce, yet were also strongly in favor of reinstating the death penalty in the Philippines.

Among the significant findings are: The presence of (maledominated) schools offering engineering programs (AdU, FEU Tech, MIT, and NU) notwithstanding, for every

Filipino millennials seem to be an entrepreneurial generation, but financing their college education is a major concern.

college freshman, there were still 1.11 college freshwomen. This is consistent with the stylized fact that women tend to invest in schooling more than men; 86.3 percent of the college freshmen are graduates of the immediately preceding school year. In other words, relatively few students take a few years off after high school to do other things, like travel or work;

73.1 percent are willing to take a part-time job even though most do not have any working experience. This may be because financing their college education is of some concern for the majority of the freshmen (as 89.7 percent are primarily financed by family resources).

“In its initial iteration, the survey has already given some very thought-provoking insights into what Filipino millennials are all about,” explained FEU president and the survey’s lead proponent, Dr. Michael Alba. “What’s even more interesting is how their opinions, beliefs and values may be correlated to their profiles – the environment they live in, economic status, family background, high school education, and their own circle of influencers. Cumulatively, this research will help us find out how their beliefs may change or be reinforced as they go through college, one of the last major formative events in a person’s life,” Alba added.

The four-year study will progress throughout the millennials’ academic years, with surveys featuring similar questions to be conducted on the same students during their sophomore, junior and senior years – and the results shall be compared to provide indications on how millennials think. “The same students will be tested again every academic year henceforth as they are promoted until graduation, with a fresh batch of freshmen being added to the sample every time,” the FEU president reiterated, admitting that there is “a need for more studies that will allow us to understand the psyche of today’s generation.”

Nevertheless, the survey is a good starting point, as it allows for better appreciation of the “values this generation holds dear, what they aspire for, and how universities, the government, the private sector and other stakeholders should respond given this information,” concluded Dr. Alba. +++

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

IG SPY

STYLISH KIDS ON INSTAGRAM These trendy tots probably have more clothes in the closet than you. They most likely have nailed many outfit combinations better than you’ve ever had. And you’re possibly wondering how on earth these little human beings could be so much more stylish than you and many other adults. Sure, these kids may not be the ones picking clothes and dressing themselves up (props to their parents!), but the way they smile, pose and carry themselves are enough to earn them a thousand awws, wows and IG “hearts.” So let us introduce you to five of the many stylish kids on Instagram who are certainly giving fashion personalities a run for their money.

@kristinapimenova2005 Dubbed as “the most beautiful girl in the world,” 10-year-old Kristina Pimenova, a Russian model who possesses an angelic face with enchanting blue eyes and an impeccable style, is taking over the world of fashion. This long-legged young beauty started modeling at the tender age of four and has since worked with famous designer brands Armani, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli and Benetton, and graced the cover of Vogue Bambini. Her IG account, which has 902,000 followers as of this writing, is handled by her mother, Glikeriya. Check it out to see her latest fashion adverts and daily life. Observation: she looks as stunning in designer clothes as in simple tank tops and shorts.

@2yungkings These twin boys got more swag than you, that’s for sure. M and D, or collectively 2yungkings, dress in matching outfits from head to toe, showing us the right and fashionable way to do twinning. From matching Ray-Ban sunglasses, trench coats, fedoras, scarves, to boots and boat shoes, the twins have a bright future ahead of them. Their Instagram account is handled by their equally stylish mom and has 120,000 followers to date. We believe many grown-up men are taking their cue from these boys.

@miss_gabby_13 She’s not even in the first grade, but four-year-old Genesis Gonzales could very well be the pint-sized trendsetter this world needs. With a doll-like face and adorable smile, Genesis can wear ripped jeans, fringe top and leather jacket better than many. Her mom, who styles and runs her IG account which currently has 89,000 followers, takes her cue from their favorite adult fashionistas when dressing Genesis for a younger and cuter version. Whether she pouts, smizes or smiles, we can’t help but give her all of our IG hearts.

@andimanzano The five-month-old first child of restaurateur GP Reyes and radio jock and host Andi Manzano-Reyes is totally adorable. A product of good-looking parents, Pilar Olivia is the right dose of cuteness that you need on your Instagram feed.

Andi loves taking photos of her adorable daughter in cute OOTDs and we can’t help but say, “more, please!” Olivia wears jeans and cropped top combo, onesies, and tutu skirts so adorably that all of us are excited to see more of her as she grows up. Check out Andi’s IG, which has 225,000 followers as of this writing, for more photos of her and her baby.

@andieigengirl Andi Eigenman’s little belle, Adriana Gabrielli or Ellie, is the cute and stylish little version of her mom. Whether she’s with Andi in the frame or not, this tisay toddler can definitely charm everyone with her adorable smile and innocent look.

Ellie gives the simple shirt, skirt and sneakers combo a fresh and cute take and looks très chic in a Rajo Laurel dress. Perhaps, the 729,000 followers are not only the fans of Andi but also of Ellie.

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SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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Pinoy K-PoP StAr WinnerS in WorldWide K-PoP comPetition

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25-year-old singer and seven-member cover dance group won this year’s recently concluded 2015 Pinoy K-pop Star contest held on Aug. 15 at SM Mall of Asia Center Stage.

Hergie Manlucot won in the singing category with his rendition of ‘Winter Love,’ originally sang by Korean singer The One (Won Jeong Soon) for the Korean Drama That Winter, The Wind Blows. Manlucot received P 20, 000 and will represent the Philippines in the online regional finals of the 2015 K-pop World Festival.

Coming in at second place was Val John Librea, who sang “So Good” by Jay Park. Placing third was last year’s grand-prize winner Jean Kiley Manguera. Manguera sang “Tears Stole the Heart” by Ailee. Librea and Manguera won P 15, 000 and P 10, 000, respectively.

It was a sweet victory again for Se-Eon. The dance group that covers the popular K-Pop group BTS is composed of Carla Chua, Candy Chua, Angelou Villanueva, Leonides Barron Jr., Stellvester Ajero, Josh Santos and Kane de Guzman.

Se-Eon danced their way to success with the remix of BTS songs “We are Bulletproof Part 1”, “N.O”, “I NEED U” and “Dope”.

Last year, the group also won the competition. They represented the Philippines in the global stage for the promotional event of Incheon Asian Games. For this year, the group won P20, 000 and will represent the country in 2015 K-pop Festival in South Korea.

Placing second to Se-Eon was Sheeny for their SHINee cover dance piece and finally in third is the EXO cover dance crew AMIGO. Both groups took home P 15, 000 and P 10, 000, respectively.

The event is comprised of two separate event-competitions from Korea, namely the K-Pop World Festival as well as the K-Pop Festival.

The judges for the singing competition were Oh Choongsuk, director of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), Jo Jeong Jin, K-pop Singing Instructor of KCC, Hong Nam Ki, musical actress and KCC musical trainor, Hong Young Jun, musical director, theater actor, professor, and Happee Sy-Go, singer and vice-president, PULP Live World.

For the cover dance competition, the judges were Oh Choong Suk, Hong Nam Ki, Hong Young Jun, Dasuri Choi, K-pop Dance Instructor, and Millet Mananquil of The Philippine Star.

Val John Librea, second place winner in the singing category

Hegie Manlucot receives his prize from Oh Choong-suk and Millet Manangquil for winning in the singing category

Sheeny, first runner in the dance category

Se-On won P20 thousand and a chance to represent the country in the 2015 K-Pop Festival in Korea

Dianne MeDina: Beautiful Stranger She is beautiful, but she is not a stranger. Dianne Medina has become popular in her career as news anchor, TV host, actress, and entrepreneur.

Dianne admits she is very happy with her rich spiritual life. She serves in the church as a lector/ commentator and has a daily quiet time with the Lord Jesus.

She is also very contented with her love life, celebrating her and her boyfriend’s eighth anniversary this year.

It is her social life that may have taken a back seat because of her busy schedule. Dianne juggles so many roles – she is a news anchor of Good Morning Boss on People’s Television Network, a live segment host for Ever Bilena in Unang Hirit on GMA 7 every morning, an actress in GMA’s new series Beautiful Strangers, and a proud owner of her own events company.

In Beautiful Strangers, Dianne plays Monica Aragon, the best friend of Kristine, played

by Heart Evangelista, who is back at work after her much-publicized wedding with Senator Chiz Escudero in February. Real-life couple Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino star in in a love triangle with Heart.

“Working with ate Heart is a great privilege, and it’s a dream come true working with Rocco and Lovi,” says Dianne.

By roBBie PAngilinAn

Medina is also an endorser of YSA

Dianne started in show business when she won the Wazzup Wazzup news comedy show contest that secured for her a contract in Studio 23. That time, she was also doing her on-the-job training at ABS-CBN. Director Edgar Mortiz noticed her and listed her up for the youth-oriented show Let’s Go with Alex Gonzaga, Bangs Garcia, and Charee Pineda.

Ever since Dianne started in showbiz, YSA has taken care of her skin. Dianne believes that YSA has the best and most advanced skin care technologies.

“YSA will not just take good care of your skin, maganda sa kanila yung relationship nila sa ‘yo talagang aalagaan ka. Parang family talaga. Kaya alam mong in good hands ka,” attests Dianne, whose usual procedures include Diamond Peel, Whitening Mask, Radio Frequency and Cavislim.

Poster showing Dianne Medina in Beautiful Strangers

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

JULia MOntES’ MOSt CHaLLEnging ROLE gLEnn REgOnDOLa

Julia Montes is preparing for what she considers the most challenging role she is going to play on television, that is, a dual role in the upcoming Kapamilya Gold series Doble Kara.

In the afternoon drama, the 20-year-old actress essays the characters Sarah and Kara, who were separated when they were little children. Surviving sickness, Kara was raised by a well-to-do family, while Sara stayed with their original family.

At the press con for the afternoon series, Julia was asked which of the two characters could she easily relate to and which one would be the most challenging to portray.

She answered, “Both characters are challenging to play and I can easily relate to them because they are kind-hearted in nature, and they’re both fighters in different ways. Maybe, this is different from the character I did in Mara Clara but the life lessons are almost parallel.”

In the series, she is going to work with Carmina Villaroel

Julia Montes says her role in Doble Kara is really very challenging

and Mylene Dizon who play the roles of two mothers.

She said excitedly, “I was so glad when I learned that I’m going to work with Ate Mye (Mylene). I know how good and professional she is because we had a chance to be in the same project before. This is the first time that I’m working with Ate Mina though, and when we did our first scene, I really got star struck. Both of them are very supportive as well. They give me tips,

which are very helpful to ensure I’m effective in the role I’m playing.”

HHHHH

to The Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 15 could be considered the most romantic collaboration of the two singers for this year. Without even mentioning that they are rumored to be sweethearts, the two make a perfect pair on the concert stage.

Dubbed as the “King and

Erik Santos and Angelin Quinto's concert at the Araneta Coliseum was a big success

Queen of Theme songs,” both proved that this isn’t just a moniker, as they actually deserve the title being two of the most active singers in the industry today.

Their recently concluded show was divided into three segments.

First, Angeline did a medley of classic love songs she recorded for the ABS CBN teleseryes. Then she called Coco Martin onstage, thanked him for being her first leading man, and even hugged him (that was the high-

light of this segment).

The second segment was when Erick took center stage and sang the theme songs he popularized.

The third part was the meeting of Erik and Angeline to serenade the audience with some pop melodies.

The duet of their special guests, Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera, was also one of the most applauded numbers. Indeed, it was an almost perfect rendezvous of four great talents in one night.

BenediCt CumBerBatCh in Cnn’S ‘talk aSia’

H

e’s Hollywood’s man of the moment. From starring in the Academy Award winning The Imitation Game, to the hugely successful TV adaption of Sherlock Holmes, Benedict Cumberbatch is captivating audiences around the world.

CNN’s Talk Asia catches up with the actor in Shanghai where he opens up about his legions of superfans as well as the British invasion of Hollywood.

Cumberbatch, who has been named “sexiest man alive” by numerous magazines, tells CNN’s

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 40 41 42 44 47 48 49 50 53 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

Wallach or Lilly Perched Cheerful Pours gently Stalls Ask a question Likable prez?

Hoity-toity (hyph.)

Sour Vast region Electricity Water, in Tijuana Black hole, once Shady place Cornhusker st.

Vague about details Laments loudly Freshman, usually

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Repel, with off 5 Cheech’s partner 10 Icy coating 14 Helm position 15 Colonel Potter’s aide 16 Ancient Roman poet 17 Gave a buzz 18 Pedro’s friend 19 Yin complement 20 Most of the air

22 24 25 26 29 33 34 36 37 38 39

Popsicle flavor It may be poached Classical face Obediently Charming Keep in stitches Do an office job Droning sound TV network Harness-racing horse Fortify

DOWN 1 Raise the alarm 2 Jai — 3 Budget item 4 College conferrals 5 Mountainous 6 Harness part 7 Wednesday’s god 8 Old horse 9 More nifty 10 K.C. baseballers 11 One of the Karamazovs 12 Chinese dynasty

Anna Coren about his childhood, his charity work, and his new films. The star also reveals what he really thinks about his female admirers called “Cumberbabes” and meeting his Chinese fan base who describe him as ‘Juan Fu’ (Curly Sherlock).

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Sidle past Leer at Operated Young screecher Pre-recorded Mosey along Swing or rock Tara family name Clouded, as a liquid Oscar cousins Erroneous Here, to Pierre “Wheel” host (2 wds.)

Lap dog, slangily Chic Honey factory Go-ahead Restaurant patrons Whip Nick and Nora’s dog Cameron — of films Intuition Click-on item Ex-Met Tommie — Country cousin Incredible tale Suffix for press

Watch Benedict Cumberbatch in CNN’s Talk Asia, 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 3 and 11:30 a.m. the following day and on Saturday Sept. 5 at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m., also on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 13.

Benedict Cumberbatch is featured in CNN's Talk Asia

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Senator Chiz Escudero's twins, Joaquin and Cecila, enjoy reading before going to bed

reAding AS A wAy of bonding with kidS from c8

The children of Senator Chiz Escudero are crazy about reading.

In fact, it has been two weeks since they last played with their gadgets.

The senator revealed this recently.

Says Chiz, he fulfills his promise to her twins –Joaquin and Cecilia – to join them while reading every night. That is despite his busy schedule as a senator.

“When possible, I go home early to see my kids still awake and join them while their are reading.

When I was growing up that was exactly what I did and I want them to experience the same,” he said, adding. “ It makes me feel good to see my children enjoying while reading. We did that for several nights until we all felt sleepy.”

Joaquin enjoys reading Hardy Boys, while Cecilia loves the adventures of Nancy Drew.

Chiz bought the complete volumes of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew when his twins were jus toddlers and couldn’t read yet.

“That was a long time ago. I kept all them and waited till they are able to read, and now we read them together,” he said.

Also, the senator said that he is glad to see his children studying

you have to be patient and after which I refrain from eating or move so much so that the make up won’t get splotched,” says the actress.

But that doesn’t mean she’s no longer talking to her co-stars, in fact, says one production person, she is even more “makulit.”

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Lovebirds Lovi and Rocco on the set of their new soap

The major players of Beautiful Strangers, from left, Bejamin Alves, Dinna Bonnevie, Dianne Medina, Kier Legaspi, Christopher de Leon (third from right, standing), Rez Cortez (second from right), Rocco Nacino Lovi Poe and co-star Nar Cabico in a (extreme right), Lovi Poe (extreme right, seated) and scene from Beautiful Strangers Heart Evangelista (second from right, seated)

hard. When he goes home early he sees them still doing their homework.

“Our dining table doubles up as a study table for the kids. So you see all their things spread out on it. But still when it’s time for dinner, the kids put the things in their school bags so we can use the table to eat,” Chiz says laughing.

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Sweet couple All the members of the cast of Beautiful Strangers are getting close to each other. So, the set’s

aura exudes positivity and love.

Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino have gotten even sweeter. They display their affection for each other in public. Who cares? They are really off-screen sweethearts.

The fans of the couple are thrilled to see them so in love with each other, they eve steal shots while the two are cuddling each other or simply saying sweet nothings to each other.

And they post those photos on social media.

This is despite what Lovi Poe is

going through in the series. She said she is focused on her career these days with emphasis on the role she is playing in Beautiful Strangers after she got very favorable reviews for her performance.

In particular, the reviews cited when she appeared as taong grasa after their house was razed to the ground.

Lovie admitted that it’s no joke to go through prosthesis so she can look really like a street person dirty and stinky.

“It takes a long time, really and

AgAinSt the current in MAnilA The one and only American poppunk rock band Against The Current returns to Manila. They’re sure to set the stage on fire at the Metrotent in Metrowalk, Ortigas 8 p.m. on Sept. 5.

The band consists of lead vocalist Chrissy Costanza, Dan Gow (guitarist) and Will Ferri (drummer).

They will perform their hits “Dreaming Alone”, “Gravity,” “Another You” and a lot more. The Neo-soul pop/ rock band, Midnight Meetings will be the front act.

Tickets are priced at P5,000 (VIP include M &G), P3,500(Gold/GA).

Avail of their bundle promo by buying four Gold tickets and get one free plus ATC Landyard/ID lace. Available at all SM Tickets (470.222) and TicketWorld (891.9999) or www.ticketworld.com.ph.

What fans can expect in Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in PH

g

et ready for the biggest musical experience of your life as the country’s no. 1 mobile brand Globe Telecom presents Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Feb. 24 and 25, 2016.

The Pop Queen and everybody’s “Material Girl”, who is visiting the country for the very first time, is expected to captivate her Filipino fans with her heart-pumping performance and signature hits that span across many generations. Her constant reinvention of herself has endeared her to millions of fans worldwide regardless of age, gender, and geographic location.

“Together with millions of Filipinos who are ecstatic about Madonna’s first trip to the Philippines for the country’s biggest musical

spectacle to date, Globe is very excited to celebrate this big entertainment milestone that will surely be the talk of the town for many years.

Bringing a global music icon and superstar closer to her fans is part of our commitment to make music an integral part of the Filipino lifestyle,” shares Globe Telecom Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing Issa Cabreira.

As the lone presentor of the concert, Globe held an exclusive ticket pre-sale to its customers for two days last July 24 and Aug. 1 to give them first dibs to reserve and purchase tickets, which expectedly sold out in a matter of hours.

A series of teaser videos uploaded on Rollingstone.com gave fans a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into the rehearsals of the six-month-long tour. The videos showcased the different

costumes, routines, production set-up, props, and dance moves that will go into each show.

In her recent Rolling Stone cover story, Madonna shared just how involved she is in every aspect of her concerts. “I’ve always been that way, and then it’s just developed over the years, as I’ve done more things,” she explains. “I really want to see everything. If it’s around me and it’s part of my show, I need to be a part of all of it. From the creation of the music, to the surface of the floor, to everyone’s hairstyle, to the details with the buttons and the bows and the snaps and the zippers. All of those things!” she says.

In another article by wwd.com, Madonna revealed the top designers she will work with for the tour.

According to the article, Madonna has enlisted the world’s top designers, most famously Jean Paul

Gaultier, to collaborate on the costumes. She revealed exclusively to WWD the designers who made the cut, which includes Jeremy Scott and Alexander Wang. Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele also pitched in.

In terms of set list, wwd.com also said that “Vogue” and “Holiday” will make appearances on the tour, just like Madonna’s teasers on her Instagram account.

She has also been posting snippets of looks she’s been working on with her longtime costume designer, Academy Award-nominated Ariane Phillips.

Early this year, the seven-time Grammy Award-winner released her 14-track album Rebel Heart with hit singles “Bitch, I’m Madonna”, “Living for Love”, and “Ghosttown”, to name a few. With household hits such as “Like a Vir-

gin”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Vogue”, and “Like a Prayer” among others, Madonna’s musical career has already breached over three decades. She has sold more than 300 million records globally and has recently marked a new world record by being the only artist to have 45 number one songs on any chart in Billboard history.

The Rebel Heart Tour is the 10th worldwide concert tour by Madonna in support of her 13th studio album, Rebel Heart. It will kick off next month in Montreal, Canada and continue throughout North America, Europe and Asia, finally concluding on March 2016 in Australia.

Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in Manila is produced by Live Nation Global Touring and MMILive and is presented by Globe Telecom.

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ 6 kids advanCe to

‘The Voice Kids’

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grand finals ISAH V. RED Six young artists with big voices and big dreams are ready to battle it out this weekend as they sing for public votes in the highly anticipated live semi finals round of The Voice Kids.

Who among Kyle Echarri and Zephanie Dimaranan of Team Sarah, Elha Nympha and Sassa Dagdag of Team Bamboo, and Reynan Del-anay and Esang De Torres of Team Lea will stand out?

The four artists who will get the highest percentage of votes from the public will move to the grand finals next week. This means that one of the coaches might not have a representative in the grand finals, or could have two star artists in the Final 4, just like what happened to coach Sarah in Season 1.

Make sure to tune in to the semi-finals as the full voting mechanics will be revealed during the live show.

“I believe they will be up to the challenge of live shows. They know how to tell a story and their hearts are strong and big,” said coach Lea Salonga about her top artists Reynan, 11 and Esang, 8, the youngest artist in the Top 6.

Reynan touched viewers in the pilot episode of the competition where he wholeheartedly sang “Tagumpay Nating Lahat” and even impressed the coaches when he said he wanted to make his Manobo tribe in Bukidnon proud.

And from being coach Lea’s “Mini Me” in It’s Showtime, Esang got the coveted three-chair turn in her blind audition and has never looked back since.

Coach Bamboo, meanwhile, sees real potential in his two remaining artists Elha, 10 and Sassa, 12.

Belter and banana cue vendor Elha entered the vocal competition to help her family. Now, coach Bamboo helps her reach her full potential to achieve her dreams.

Another standout in the blind

auditions was Sassa, whose unique sound and performance of “Chandelier” captivated the coaches. Coach Bamboo also considers her a true artist and “a talent that I think I can hone.”

Coach Sarah, on the other hand, promises to help Kyle, 13 and Zephanie, 10 get better and make them shine on stage.

Kyle, the football heartthrob of Cebu, was the first-ever young artist to appear in the Season 2 of “The Voice Kids,” and since his blind audition, he has charmed viewers with his good looks and sweet voice.

Not to be outdone is the young diva from Laguna, Zephanie, who has shown a lot of improvement in the Sing-offs with her explosive and fun performance, a far cry from the reserved artist audiences saw in the blind auditions.

Whose voice will prove the strongest? Which artists will advance to the grand finals next weekend?

Since The Voice Kids Season 2 premiered on Philippine television, viewers nationwide have watched the kids share their dreams and sing their hears out, making it the most watched TV program in the country in June and July. It recorded its all-time high national TV rating of 46.3 percent, based on data from Kantar Media.

Don’t miss the live semi finals in The Voice Kids Season 2 this 6:45 tonight and 7 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday on ABS-CBN. For updates on the program, visit thevoice.abs-cbn.com, like www.facebook.com/thevoiceabscbn on Facebook and -follow @ thevoiceabscbn on Twitter and @ abscbnthevoice om Instagram.

The Voice Kids shirts and other items are now available at the ABSCBN Store and at select Robinsons Department Stores and Metro Gaisano Market Market. Visit www.abs-cbnstore.com to order online or facebook.com/TheABSCBNStore for more information.

Products will also be on sale at the lobby of Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila during the live shows. ➜ continued on c7

1 The Voice Kids hosts Luis and Robi, coaches Sarah, Bamboo, and Lea, and top 6 artists Reynan, Esang, Sassa, Elha, Kyle, and Zephanie 2 Team Bamboo’s Elha Nympha 3 Team Bamboo’s Sassa Dagdag 4 Team Lea’s Esang De Torres 5 Team Lea’s Reynan Del-anay 6 Team Sarah’s Kyle Echarri 7 Team Sarah’s Zephanie Dimaranan

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