The Standard - 2015 October 24 - Saturday

VOL. XXIX NO. 254 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 SATURdAy : OCTOBER 24, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Poe camp tells bets: Say no to black prop

A3

camPaign dole ‘LP tandem using CCT to buy vote in South’

By John Paolo Bencito and Sandy Araneta

THE militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Friday slammed the ruling Liberal Party’s candidates for President and vice president, Manuel Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo for using the government’s dole program as camouflage for early campaigning in Mindanao.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the shameless use of public funds and government resources by the ruling Liberal Party for its electoral campaign. We will take action against these continuing violations of the law,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said in a statement.

Reyes accused the administration of using events related to its conditional cash transfer program—also known as the 4Ps—to promote the candidacy of Roxas and Robredo.

Next page

UNA hits selective giving of storm aid

Sinkhole. This handout photo shows an aerial shot of a road that collapsed on Oct. 22, swallowing four houses and creating a sinkhole following heavy rain brought about by Typhoon ‘Lando’ in the mining town of Itogon in Benguet. AFP

THE United Nationalist Alliance denounced the Aquino administration Friday for not extending relief to towns damaged by Typhoon “Lando” where mayors did not belong to or were not allied with the ruling Liberal Party.

“The reports we are receiving are lamentable. The mayor of San Miguel, Bulacan himself told us that the [Department of Social Welfare and Development] did not give them any help for those affected by Typhoon Lando,” said UNA spokesman Mon Ilagan.

“Even the citizens of Baler and the towns of Cabiao and Bongabon in Nueva Ecija were also not given any help because their mayors are members of parties not allied with the administration,” he added. “Is this how things should be done? Selective Next page

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A2 UNA...

From A1

relief? If you are not an ally, you don’t get government aid?”

San Miguel Mayor Roderick Tiongson, who ran under the Liberal Party in 2013, is now vying for the governorship of Bulacan under UNA. Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa belongs to PDP-Laban.

“This is Yolanda all over again. Politics has sadly reared its ugly head in times of distress. We are certain that the situation would be different if the mayors are part of the LP,” Ilagan said.

“Is it really necessary that government aid for Landoaffected areas should go through party-mates rather than the local government?”

“Even Attorney Edwin Lacierda, who is the spokesman of Mar Roxas, has said that it is more important that aid must reach the people. We agree with this. In the end, what is really important is that government aid reaches those who need it most.”

“We only wish [Lacierda] made the same remark when the distribution of aid in Casiguran, Aurora was withheld because they had to wait for the arrival of the President,” he added.

Ilagan also scored Aquino administration for tacitly allowing members of its Cabinet to use government resources to advance the presidential bid of Roxas in 2016.

“While aid is being withheld from those who are not party-mates, the allies of the administration are riding on the projects of the DSWD for their campaigns,” he said.

As Typhoon Lando approached super typhoon strength as it approached Luzon last Saturday, the LP standard bearers for President and vice president were spotted in a gathering of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

The event was organized by DSWD, was also attended by Secretary Corazon Soliman.

Even Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya made a slip of the tongue when he credited Tourism Ramon Jimenez for providing him a copy of the survey results saying among others the preference of Filipinos to the continuity of Tuwid na Daan.

“What is the business of the DOT in political matters? Foremost in our mind is this question: Will the results of this political survey aid in explaining the failure of the Department of Tourism to get its 10-million tourist target?” Ilagan asked.

He also questioned if Jimenez had used public funds to commission the political survey that was not part of his office’s mandate.

Opposition candidate for vice president, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said Friday the government should

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

provide all available assistance to farmers affected by Typhoon Lando to enable them to rebuild their lives as soon as possible.

“Assistance to the victims should not end with just the distribution of relief goods.

We should give adequate support to our farmers so they can resume planting and return to normal as soon as possible,” Marcos said.

For starters Marcos said the government should provide cheap credit facilities to the affected farmers.

Another vice presidential candidate, Senator Francis Escudero asked Friday why no releases have been made since June 30 from the P1-billion People’s Survival Fund that was aimed at boosting long-term mitigation and adaptation programs for local government units in light of climate change.

“Why is that money still there? What is the point of having this special fund if nobody uses it?” he said.

“It’s been three years since we passed the law—has the PSF even been useful to anybody? What is stopping the government from releasing the money?” he added.

As local government units continued to grapple with the unmitigated impact of extreme weather, Escudero called on the government to immediately release the special fund.

“You cannot just go from storm to storm, flood to flood. Climate change is behind these frequent and extreme weather events; LGUs should be more proactive in addressing the problems at the root, instead of being merely reactionary,” he said.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, meanwhile, said allotments continue to keep ahead of last year’s rates, with 96.4 percent of funds already released to departments and agencies as of Sept. 30.

The DBM said allotment releases to agencies over the first nine months of 2015 outpaced last year’s figures, with P1.29 trillion already released compared to last year’s P1.1 trillion, he said.

“While most of this year’s national budget has already been released to agencies, we still have around 60 percent of Special Purpose Funds available. For example, only 26.6 percent of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund has been released to date,” Abad said.

“While it may seem like we’re lagging in this regard, the availability of these funds for release means we’re prepared to address the aftermath of calamities hitting the country like Typhoon Lando,” he said.

Fund releases in 2015 as a proportion of the total P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act reached 90.2 percent or P2.350 trillion, Abad said. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta

Haze. A woman takes a picture from a building of a thick haze, believed from Indonesia’s forest fires, engulfing Davao City on Friday. AFP

Crop damage caused by ‘Lando’ hits P8.6 b

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales and Ferdie G. Domingo

THE Agriculture Department said Friday that the damage done to crops, livestock and fisheries by Typhoon “Lando” has reached P8.6 billion as of Oct. 22.

Lando affected 317,063 hectares of rice, 15,822 of these with no chance of recovery. Production losses for rice reached 510,439 metric tons with a value of P7.09 billion.

Lando also damaged 38,373 metric tons of high-value crops worth P1.4 billion.

Some 14,472 hectares of corn were also damaged, 986 hectares of which had no chance of recovery. Production losses were placed at P146.5 million.

Damage to fisheries amounted to P 20.9 million while damage to livestock amounted to P 8.7 million.

Campaign...

From A1

“Using the 4Ps event to promote the candidacy of the Liberal Party bets is nothing short of early vote-buying using the billion-peso CCT funds. Roxas and Robredo both have nothing to do with the DSWD. Roxas is not even in government anymore,” Reyes said.

“What is happening under the Aquino regime is no different from what Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did during her run in 2004. Once again the Daang Matuwid is exposed as a sham,” he added.

On Oct. 17, the administration standard bearers were invited as guests of honor at a Department of Social Work and Development event in Mindanao for the CCT. “The entire event was decorated in yellow, with even the DSWD Secretary [Corazon] Dinky Soliman herself wearing the campaign colors. Even the presidential table was yel-

Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson Palad said the agency has already ordered its regional offices and units to release prepositioned bags of rice and corn for immediate replanting of damaged farms.

Palad said the department is now focused on rice and corn but measures for high-value crops and livestock are being prepared as well.

He said the country has sufficient rice stock to cover the ensuing supply shortage due to the typhoon.

While the damage has been considerable, the department added that the rain brought by the typhoon would offset the devastating effects of the El Niño on agricultural production.

On Friday, Nueva Ecija was placed under a state of calamity, with damage to agriculture in the province estimated at P3.3 billion.

Gov. Aurelio Umali said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos declared the state of calamity to help speed up rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.

He said the provincial government would use at least P75 million as calamity

low. It was obviously a campaign sortie disguised as an official government event,” Reyes said.

The militant group also chided the Palace for using public funds to promote events of the Liberal Party on social media and the official government website www.gov.ph.

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said he was confident that voters would elect those who would continue the administration’s work.

Speaking at the 119th general meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, he expressed hope that the industry would work closely with his successor to move Philippine manufacturing into the global spotlight.

“I will only be in office for the next eight months, and over the course of my term you have been one of the best partners we could have asked for. You took a chance on us; you trusted that we would be true to our word. You devoted your time and your resources to help us generate the neces-

funds for the province.

A province-wide suspension of classes in all levels has been in effect since last Saturday to give way to the continuing relief and rehabilitation efforts and allow the affected communities to recover from the devastation.

Umali, chairman of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, said that based on an initial damage assessment by the provincial agriculturist, some 134,000 hectares of farmlands planted to palay were damaged.

In addition, some P66 million of vegetables and fruits were damaged in 438 hectares of land.

Farmlands are still under water in the towns of Gabaldon, Jaen and San Antonio, and Cabanatuan City.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Friday requested all parishes, shrines and chapels in the Archdiocese to again ask for a second collection from the faithfuls during Masses this Sunday for the victims of Typhoon Lando and the Church’s disaster fund. With Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

sary skill sets for the labor you need. You were one of the first to take us up on our offer to help different industries, and our willingness to trust in and work with one another has obviously paid off,” he said.

The President then played up the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for producing workers for the semiconductor and electronics industries.

At the same time, he warned that his administration would not tolerate corruption, saying that even its allies are being made to account for alleged wrongdoing.

Aquino spoke to chief executive officers, presidents and other executives of 260 foreign and Filipino semiconductor and electronics companies in the Philippines.

“We have all of the websites that have been put in place to afford even anonymous tipsters the capacity to share with us leads to ferret out all of these corrupt individuals,” Aquino said.

Aquino’s comment was

made after Mario Ravancho, of Vishay Philippines, a semiconductor company, told the President at the forum that the electronics companies are still victims of red tape and corruption by government employees and asked what measures are being taken to address this.

But Aquino said the salary standardization program would bring public salaries in line with those in the private sector, and give government workers incentives to perform better.

“We admit that there are still instances of corruption.

There are some agencies that have so much rooted corruption in them. But, I guess, the challenge is for us to continue weeding out these people and not just tolerating the situation. Perhaps, if I may just add, whenever anybody talks about corruption, they talk about the person in government; but what about the necessary partner who is the briber? A bribee doesn’t exist without a briber,” Aquino said.

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A3

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Shun mudslinging, bets advised SENATORS Grace Poe and Francis Escudero will not get tired reminding all candidates in next year’s elections to refrain from mudslinging and other forms of negative campaigning that are counter-productive, their spokesman said Friday.

Mock election. Elderly voter Patricia Chua smiles as her biometrics are taken during a mock election in Quezon City on Friday.

Jansen RoMeRo

‘Pacquiao more than qualified for Senate’ SARANGANI Rep. Manny Pacquiao is more than qualified to run for the Senate than most politicians despite his absenteeism in the House of Representatives, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta partylist candidate Mark Sambar said Friday.

“I can tell you right now that Congressman Pacquiao has more projects than most politicians, and many of his projects came from his personal funds and not from taxpayers’ money,” Sambar said.

“Also, don’t forget the pride and glory he brought to our nation as a boxing legend.”

Sambar made his statement even as Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee asked the Supreme Court to

permanently restrain the Bureau of Internal Revenue from garnishing his assets to pay more than P3 billion in taxes that he allegedly owes the government.

The Pacquiaos also asked the high court to set aside the Court of Tax Appeals’ order requiring him to deposit P3.2 billion in cash bond or P4.9 billion in surety bond to stop dunning him over his alleged deficient tax payments.

Sambar said he suspected that the petition filed against Pacquiao was part of the black propaganda intended to derail his run for the Senate.

“The petition is suspect. How can a Makati resident allege that Manny Pacquiao did not adequately represent Sarangani?”

Sambar said.

“There is nothing in our election laws or even in our Constitution that prevents Manny Pacquiao from seeking a Senate seat.

Just let the people decide if Manny deserves the position or not.

“Besides, I think that he is sincere enough when he said that he will retire from boxing and focus on his job as a public servant.”

Another PBA party-list candidate, Koko Nograles, said there was no question that Pacquaio’s agenda in running for the Senate is due to his genuine desire to help the people and give back to the public the many blessings that he achieved as an international boxing superstar. Maricel V. cruz and Rey e. Requejo

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said if some candidates or groups felt alluded to and were offended by his previous statements warning against mudslinging and black propaganda, he was sorry but his appeal would stay.

“Batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ‘wag magagalit,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“Is it wrong to fight traditional politics of personalities, mudslinging and black propaganda instead of platforms?”

Gatchalian made his statement even as Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to his fellow candidates to abandon smear tactics and adhere to issue-related campaigning.

“We owe it to the electorate to elevate the level of the discussion, especially of the pressing issues facing the country today such as our problems on drugs, rising prices and criminality and how we plan to address them,” Marcos said.

“While mudslinging could be entertaining to some, it will not help us at all,” said Marcos

who is running as the vice president of presidential candidate Senator Miriam DefensoSantiago.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II on Friday claimed he had nothing to do with the accusations of black propaganda being attributed to him and the members of the ruling party.

“I know what I do, have done, have spoken and I have not, in any case, in any way have led into these cases,” Roxas told reporters.

Gatchalian vowed that Poe and Escudero would keep campaigning on a highly professional level and maintain fairness to all candidates, and that they expected the others to do the same.

He said negative campaigning and dirty politicking had no place in Team Grace-Chiz.

“We will keep the level of discourse high and respectable and we will not engage in negative campaigning,” Gatchalian said. Maricel V. cruz, Macon Ramos-araneta and John Paolo Bencito

Romualdez ready for tax battle MALACAÑANG does not consider the proposals to reduce the personal and corporate taxes as priorities, but Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Friday he was looking forward to tackle the measure when Congress resumes its sessions on Nov. 3.

He said he was optimistic that the bills aimed at reducing personal and corporate income taxes would pass the House of Representatives as Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. had vowed to include them in the list of legislative priorities.

“We have been reiterating our call for Malacañang to put on their list of legislative agenda the measure to cut taxes that we have considered as a ‘malasakit

gift’ for the millions of Filipino workers this Christmas,” Romualdez said.

“If passed into law, this measure will surely benefit millions of ordinary workers,” he said.

Romualdez, who is seeking a senatorial post under the Lakas-UMD party, praised Belmonte’s stance on the bills seeking to cut taxes.

Belmonte has said the House leaders will again sit down with President Benigno Aquino III to convince him to approve the tax cuts.

“The statement of the speaker is a welcome development because we have been appealing to them to please include in the priority list the approval of the tax-cut measures,” Romualdez said.

open forum. President Benigno Aquino III fields questions during an open forum hosted by

the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. at The Bellevue Hotel in Alabang on Friday. Malacañang Photo BuReau

sat urday : O CtO B E r 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

A4

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

UP scores campus intrusion

By Rio N. Araja, Maricel V. Cruz and John Paolo Bencito

CHANCELLOR Michael Tan of the University of the Philippines complained to the Department of National Defense on Friday over the “unauthorized military intrusion” into the university’s campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

In a statement posted on the university’s official website, Tan said the administration is deeply concerned over an alleged violation of a 1989 agreement that was signed by then UP president Jose Abueva and then defense secretary Fidel V. Ramos.

“Our concern is that there has been a violation of a provision in the agreement between the university and the DND, requiring prior notification of the university of any military operations in any of our campuses,” Tan said.

“No such request was received by UP Diliman.”

On Oct. 21, the university’s spe-

cial services brigade sighted “suspicious activities” involving six men inside the campus’ Roxas and Regidor streets near the College of Education and in the Sunken Garden.

“They were using two Toyota Innovas. Our SSB and UP Diliman police were able to question the men and one of them introduced himself as an Armed Forces of the Philippines officer,” Tan said.

The men, however, refused to give other information divulge any more information and the other five men remain about their iden-

tification, he added.

“The UP security personnel accompanied the six men to the Quezon City Police Department and the case is now considered to be under the QCPD,” his statement read.

Meanwhnile, a member of the Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives on Friday sought a congressional probe into the reported military intrusion in UP Diliman.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon called on the House committees on higher and technical education, and national defense to carry out a joint congressional inquiry into the matter even as he denounced the reported surveillance.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the recent incident in UP Diliman, wherein the UP police apprehended military surveillance officers for illegally entering the university and snooping on students,” Ridon said at a news conference.

Ridon, who is a former UP student

regent, noted that the intrusion of the military is a violation of a 1989 pact between UP and the Department of National Defense that disallows military and police entry in the university premises without due notice and prior approval of the UP administration.

On Wednesday, the UP Diliman police apprehended six men on board two vans who were spotted near the Sunken Garden. Upon questioning, one of the men introduced themselves as members of the AFP. Ridon also noted that student leaders of UP Diliman reported receiving text messages meant to harass them.

“There is great suspicion that this military surveillance incident is connected with the preparations for the Manilakbayan camp-out next week,” Ridon said.

Ridon said he will file a resolution at the House of Representatives to enable the concerned committees to conduct the congressional inquiry when Congress resumes session in November.

Lumad caravan. Representatives of religious groups and leaders of indigenous peoples, called lumad, gathered at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila on Friday to support some 700 tribesmen who are undertaking a caravan from Mindanao to Manila. The caravan, called Manilakabayan ng Mindanao 2015, was in Legazpi City on Friday and is expected to arrive in Metro Manila on Oct. 25. DANNY PATA

Turkish diplomat new IDB chairman TURKEY Ambassador Mustafa Pulat is now the new chairperson of the sevenman Independent Decommissioning Body tasked to oversee the decommissioning of weaponry and combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Pulat succeeds Ambassador Haydar Berk, also of Turkey, who led the team that was instrumental in guaranteeing a smooth decommissioning of the initial 145 MILF combatants and 75 crew-served and high powered armaments last July.

Aside from Pulat, the IDB is also being reinforced by the appointment of Norway’s William Hovland as chief of staff.

Hovland previously served as the Chief Operations Officer of the International Monitoring Team, another integral body that is part of the ceasefire mechanism between the government and the MILF. He led the IMT in restoring the ceasefire that broke down on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano and in conducting the IMT’s own investigation on the incident.

Hovland is joined by three other Norwegians who will head the Joint Verification and Monitoring Teams of the IDB who are taking turns in administering the weapons storage area of the decommissioned firearms inside Camp Iranun (Abubakar) in Barira, Maguindanao.

These three are Inger Grete, a retired female police officer, and Jan Stenvik and Asbjorn Lode, who have previously served in various peacekeeping capacities in different parts of the world. Sandy Araneta

Aquino signs new college scholarship law PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has signed into law a proposal from Congress to improve access to quality tertiary education by prioritizing poor but deserving students in state-funded college scholarships and loans.

Republic Act No. 10687, signed into law on Oct. 15, provides for a comprehensive and Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or UniFAST. “The existing publicly-funded national government programs for Scholarships, Grants-in-Aid, and Student Loans for Tertiary Education are hereby unified and harmonized to improve their efficiency and to ensure that deserving Filipinos are given equitable access

to educational opportunities,” RA 10687 said.

According to RA 10687, a student enrolling in tertiary education, whether in public, private, national or local institutions, can avail of any one or more of the said modalities of the student financial assistance program.

RA 10687 also creates a UniFAST Board to be chaired by the CHED, and co-chaired by the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Ex-officio members include the secretary of the Department of Education, and representatives from the Department of Labor and Em-

ployment, National Economic and Development Authority and the National Youth Commission.

The board shall formulate and approve the policies and strategies concerning the three modalities of the StuFAP. CHED has lauded the passage of the UniFAST law as a “landmark social legislation” of the Aquino administration benefiting the Filipino youth.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, principal author of the bill, had said the government had in place up to 62 StuFAPs across 17 agencies. Though some programs performed relatively well, he said, majority had low coverage.

Flock of believers. Thousands of Jesus Is Lord fellowship members flock to the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park on Friday to attend their 37th founding anniversary celebration. DANNY PATA

sat urday : o cto b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

A5

News

sports@thestandard.com.ph

Shopping beauties.

Miss International contestants Rachel van der Meulen of the Netherlands (left) and Janicel Lubina of the Philippines pause from their shopping at the Shibuya fashion district in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2015.

The Miss International beauty pageant 2015, with representatives from 70 countries and regions will be held in Tokyo on Nov. 5. AFP

Cops hit relief of police chief

By Francisco Tuyay

AFTER Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan said the provincial police did well in preparing for Typhoon “Lando” last week, police officers slammed Interior Secretary Mel Sarmiento for blaming provincial police chief Sr. Supt. David Lacdan for the number of deaths due to the storm.

“Pati ba naman bagyo kasalanan ng PNP [Even typhoons are the fault of the PNP]?,” the group Police Officer for Genuine Transformations, consisting of police officials all over the country.

The group said Lacdan “was hanged for a fault not his own,” adding that forced evacuations are not really under the jurisdiction of the police, but the municipal and provincial disaster offices.

“The mayor or governor should be accountable for any neglect in the implementation

of DILG’s Operation ‘Listo,’ which aims to implement precautionary measures and mitigate the impact of an incoming weather disturbance,” the POGT said.

But even Fongwan admitted that the high number of casualties in the province during the typhoon was “beyond our control.”

“In fairness to the police, they did their work very well,” Fongwan said on Thursday after he criticized the decision to relieve Lacdan for purported inefficiency in preparing for Lando which killed 14 people in Ben-

guet alone.

Benguet was among the provinces hardly hit by Lando after it whipped Aurora province damaging thousands of houses and isolating several provinces, including Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pangasinan.

The sacking of Lacdan was similar to the circumstances behind the relieved of Eastern Visayas regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Soria in the aftermath of Ylando that struck in the region in January 25, 2013 that claimed the lives of thousands of residents.

Soria was sacked from his post for declaring that as many as 10,000 people died in Tacloban City because of Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

Malacañang had criticized Soria for giving “official figures” on the wake of the deadly typhoon and was also summoned by then PNP chief Alan Purisima to explain the basis of his pronouncement.

Iglesia official belies illegal detention raps

By Rey E. Requejo IGLESIA ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca II and his wife Jinky denied on Thursday they were being held against their will at a compound of the religious group even as the Supreme Court ordered the church to produce the couple before the high court.

In an affidavit dated Oct. 22, the Menorca couple said they voluntarily submitted themselves to the protective custody of the church leaders along with their family at the church’s compound in Barangay Central in Quezon City.

“We hereby declare and state that even as of this date, we are under the protective custody of the Church Administration and we are also the ones who have requested the Church Administration about this matter in behalf of ourselves and of our family,” the Menorca couple said.

The affidavit was issued after a petition for writ of amparo and writ of habeas corpus was filed by their relatives before the Supreme Court.

They also asked the SC to enjoin the INC leaders “from doing further harm and even from approaching or transacting” with their family.

“We were never, at any instance, forced, threatened, coerced, influenced nor tricked or promised any material reward or consideration to issue this and the aforementioned statements, as we have executed them voluntarily and willingly,” the couple added.

According to them, they feared for their safety and that of their family members “and, thus, we requested the INC Administration that our family be placed under their care and protection, and voluntarily submitted ourselves to the protective custody of the Church” “Because of this, INC allowed us to stay inside the INC Central Compound together with our child.

They even let our ailing mother stay closer with us from the residence provided to widowed minister’s wife, and allowed our relatives and friends to visit us,” they revealed.

“It is our own personal choice that we remain under INC’s care and protection, until threats against us and our family disappear,” the couple said. “We were never, at any instance, forced, threatened, coerced, influenced nor tricked or promised any material reward or consideration to issue this and the aforementioned statements, as we have executed them voluntarily and willingly.”

Profession regulators hold annual summit ThE Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Board Members Inc. in cooperation with the Professional Regulation Commission will hold its 4th Philippine Professional Summit.

Representatives from the country’s 43 PRC-regulated professions will gather during this momentous event to discuss how professionals can participate significantly to the Philippines’ regional and international commitments.

The theme for this year is “Professionals in Asean Economic Community 2015 and Beyond: Facilitating Regional and Global Mobility Through Recognition of Qualifications.”

Continuing professional development units will be awarded to participants.

The following are some of the renowned personalities who will share their expertise: Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as keynote speaker, Guntur Sugiyarto, Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista,

hubert D’ Aboville, Tony Tan Caktiong, Marife Zamora, Dr. Cecilio Pedro, and Mario Balboa.

With a favorable climate of compatible frameworks and qualifications regionally and globally, the Filipino professionals’ competencies will be further enhanced and accepted worldwide thus facilitating labor mobility.

Those interested can contact the PAPRB Secretariat at (02)7356933, 0929-9578029 and 0939-2093991 for registration fees and other details.

New energy chief. President Benigno S. Aquino III inducts into office ad interim Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada during a ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañang Palace on Friday. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Transport to use new license rules

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Transport Department said on Friday it would implement new rules governing the issuance of driver’s licenses by next month to ensure the safety of the passengers.

“The revised rules will serve two purposes: first, they will better ensure the fitness and capability of license card holders to drive on our streets; and second, they will streamline the application process and make it more convenient for the public,” Transport

Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said.

Abaya said the administrative orders, which will be published today, will cover all four types of licenses issued by the Land Transportation Office namely the professional driver’s licenses, non-professional driver’s

licenses, student permits, and conductor’s licenses.

Under the new rules, LTO will implement a merit system to incentivize good behavior and disciplined driving among license holders.

A PDL or NPDL holder who has not committed any violation during the three-year validity period will be entitled to a five-year validity period for his/her next license upon renewal. For those who have committed a violation, they will be eligible for the regular three-year validity period only

upon renewal.

Currently, licenses have a three-year validity period reckoned from the holder’s date of birth.

The LTO is also imposing higher standards and requirements for professional driver’s license applicants, with a view to restricting the industry to truly qualified drivers.

For instance, applicants for PDLs to operate light vehicles must have had a valid SP for at least six months prior to the application.

In cases of heavy vehicles,

the PDL applicant must have either a valid NPDL for at least 1 year prior to the application, or a valid PDL to operate light vehicles for at least 6 months prior to the same.

Currently, a 5-month holder of an SP or a 4-month holder of an NPDL may apply for a PDL. LTO is also tightening its eligibility criteria by disqualifying PDL applicants who have had two or more citations for reckless driving during the validity period of their existing license.

This is meant to incentivize

disciplined, law-abiding, and orderly driving among would-be PDL applicants.

These restrictions will apply to the four types of PDL examinations: those for tricycles, for light vehicles, for heavy vehicles, as well as for conductors.

For the convenience of applicants, the LTO will begin accepting medical certificates issued by any duly licensed and practicing physician, instead of restricting these to accredited doctors stationed at LTO offices.

Aviation company launches simulator

By Eric B. Apolonio

Fire. Residents save their properties in the aftermath of a fire at Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City. The fire gutted 100 houses and killed a fire volunteer. JANSEN ROMERO

MANILA—An aviation industry start-up inaugurated Friday its aviation-training facility and their state-of-the-art Six degrees of freedom (6DoF) Full Motion Simulator from the United States, the first in Asia and the Philippines.

Precision Flight Control Philippines Inc. is a training facility that offers space rentals and equipment usage for the growing aviation training organization.

Present in the launch was Emirates Capt. Franklyn Desiderio, the first Filipino pilot to fly the Airbus A380, the worlds largest passenger airliner that can comfortably accommodate 544 passengers in three class configuration.

In an interview, Desiderio encouraged student pilots to persevere in their studies and jumpstart their careers in the Philippines. He said that Filipino pilots and other aviation professionals have come a long way adding that a lot of them are now based in foreign assignments working for the world’s big-name airlines.

Wilson Agbayani, Precision’s president and CEO, said that they expect a big number of student pilots to want to

traind on their 6DoF simulator that can handle training lessons for Cessna 172, Baron 58, Citation 500/550, King Air 200 and Caravan jet type of aircrafts.

Training cost is competitive at US$100 per hour as compared to foreign counterparts.

“We are expecting more applicants like students from India, Papua New Guinea, Korea and from some Asian countries because our rates are much cheaper as compared to other countries.” said Agbayani.

He added that foreign student pilots preferred to be trained in our country because of our weather and aerodrome restrictions where there are enough space to fly as compared to other foreign countries.

Records from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said that certified pilots are categorized under four categories: these includes Student Pilot license, Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License, and Airline Transport Pilot License, the highest-level pilot license that allows the license holder to fly professionally as a pilot in command of multi-crew aircraft with any commercial airline company.

Customs seizes P13.7m worth of smuggled sugar

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Customs seized some P13.7 million worth of smuggled refined sugar from China declared as assorted items.

Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said the bureau filed smuggling charges against the proprietor of Blue Chelsea Enterprises Esteban Lajac for the foiled smuggle try.

The shipment which arrived at the Manila International Container Port was ordered confiscated for unlawful declaration of

shipments that violates numerous customs laws.

Lina said the shipment, contained in 11 container vans consigned to Blue Chelsea arrived in the country last month.

“Upon inspection, the shipments contain general merchandise that includes vacuum flask, chess board, plastic kit, plastic tumbler, storage box, basketball sponge, plastic hairpin, jackets, paper cups, children’s bike and other goods of the same kind,” the customs chief said.

“It was also surprising that there was no bags of

refined sugar found in the shipment,” he said.

He said the importation of sugar without appropriate import permit and clearance duly issued by the Sugar Regulatory Authority constitutes to a violation of the SRA’s Rules and Regulation.

“We are relentless in our battle against agri-smuggling. Customs will not yield to anyone or anything in this campaign against smuggling because we want to help local farmers and help Philippine sugar industry to prosper,” Lina said.

Water. Victims of Typhoon ‘Lando’ wade through a flooded street in Calumpit Bulacan. AFP

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Cash transfer beneficiaries mark day vs poverty

By Mark Navales KORONADAL CITY—Thousands ofly beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program, joined the recent celebration of “Freedom from Poverty Day” held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center here.

Many of those who participated in the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty came from South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City in central Mindanao, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the event’s organizer.

DSWD Director Bai Zorahayda Taha said the beneficiaries showcased their local products which they had made themselves.

“This event was highlighted by testimonies of our partner-beneficiaries of how they survive poverty. They shared their achievements and success as recipients of this government program for the poor,” Taha said.

The beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program prepared for this event for months, Taha added.

Fifty-two-year-old widow Cerena Sumatra from Arakan, North Cotabato, thanks the government for the religious implementation of the 4Ps, saying she was able to send her child to college because of it.

“The program is a big help. My child is now in third year college, is taking up education major in biology, qualifying for the expanded Students Grants In Aid Program For Poverty Alleviation.”

Another child is also taking up secondary education, majoring in mathematics, while one is in high school while the other is in elementary. Alma Lintongan, from Sultan Kudarat province, said: “I have learned many things from being a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary. I was chosen as a community health team member in our barangay, I have learned the importance of family planning, and I was also chosen to be the voice of our community by being a member of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team.”

She added: “Pantawid Pamilya has empowered me as a person and I have my strengths and talents. When I became a recipient of Sustainable Livelihood Program, our family no longer relied from loan sharks or borrowing money with high interest rates because our group was given the chance to avail of capital fund assistance of P190,000 and now we have a roll back of P106,000 already that may help other beneficiaries who needed the funds.”

This is what we do. A group of indigenous Bla’an beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program show their rituals during the ‘Freedom from Poverty Day’ celebration in South Cotabato. MARK NAVALES

Lando sets record rainfall level in Cordillera history

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY—The Cordillera office of the Office of Civil Defense and the local office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Super Typhoon “Lando” brought to this area the highest rainfall level for a 24hour period in the history of the region.

Andrew Alex Uy, OCD-CAR regional director, said that the 24hour rainfall brought by Lando from 8 a.m. of Oct. 19 to 8 a.m. of Oct. 20 recorded the highest rainfall at 763 millimeters compared to the rainfall brought by Typhoon “Pepeng” in October

2009 and Tropical Cyclone Ineng in August this year.

“The over saturation of our soil, especially those in geologically hazardous areas, was the primary culprit on the occurrence of numerous landslides that claimed innocent lives and inflicted heavy

damage on both public and private properties regionwide,” Uy stressed.

Records show that the 24hour rainfall of Typhoon Pepeng was more than 680 millimeters while Tropical Cyclone Ineng brought to the regions estimated of over 500 millimeters of rainfall in one day.

From 8 a.m. of Oct. 18 to 8 a.m. of Oct. 19, Lando’s rainfall was recorded to be over 161 millimeters while its rainfall from 8 a.m. of Oct. 20 to 8 a.m. of Oct. 21 was 94 millimeters.

However, Lando’s total rainfall for three days which was registered to be over 1038 millimeters was not sufficient to overcome

Pepeng’s accumulated rental of over 2,000 millimeters spread over a period of five days following its Fujiwara effect.

Uy explained the unpredictable weather condition and the stronger typhoons nowadays are the effects of climate change. The people must be ready to confront this through disaster mitigating measures to prevent loss of lives and damage to property.

The civil defense official reminded the public to continue taking precautions amidst the improvement of weather in order to lessen the impact of the over saturated mountain slopes to the safety of life and limb.

Albay to celebrate disaster response, development gains ALBAYANONS are putting together a series of activities to mark the development gains they have achieved in the past nine years, specifically in the field of disaster response.

Rodel Alzaga, spokesman for the civic groups, local government units and agencies, academic, professional and youth organizations groups said their events would focus on environment protection, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

The activities, scheduled on Oct. 26, will coincide with the birthday of Gov. Joey Salceda, who is regarded as instrumental in transforming Albay into a disaster-resilient and economically robust province.

The events will include tree and mangrove planting, coastal and river

cleanups, health and dental civic actions, anti-drug abuse seminars in barangays, food production and backyard gardening, concerts and feeding programs, among others.

The group’s initiatives, Alzaga said, would convey their appreciation of Salceda’s “successful and game-changing leadership and remind Albayanons of their contribution to the gains achieved.”

“It will allow them to recommit themselves to their goals and sustain their common efforts.”

Salceda has repeatedly stressed that the “issue is not about being the best, but about what they can do together.”

Every year at around the same time, the whole province undertakes environmentrelated activities. In 2012, Albay planted over a million trees in just over a week.

Merit at work. Manila Toll Expressway Systems Inc. management recently promoted traffic supervisors of

South Luzon Expressway Ezer Nicolas, William Elican and Leandro Dator (2nd, 3rd and 4th from left) as heads of the Traffic Management unit, Security unit and Traffic Safety unit, respectively.

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

ARE WE READY FOR WOMEN LEADERS?

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE IT COULD be said that the Liberal Party tandem of Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo, this early, enjoys a distinct advantage over its opponents.

To be sure, Roxas and Robredo are not leading the surveys just yet.

Their more popular competitors are emerging as frontrunners in different surveys, but they do not seem fazed.

Why should they be? They have tremendous resources at their disposal.

Last week, a super typhoon battered Luzon and submerged entire towns in floodwater. Winds destroyed structures and landslides endangered lives and property. Dozens died and more were injured.

Thousands were displaced, having to leave their homes and stay in evacuation centers.

Crops were damaged, as well, and business operations ground to a halt. The poor, who had been struggling to make it from one day to another, were plunged even deeper into their misery.

It was a trying time for many Filipinos, but it was also the perfect opportunity for the Liberal Party’s bets to show their compassionate side.

They really had no business going around distributing relief goods.

Mr. Roxas had stepped down from his post as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, where he is best remembered for his dismal performance.

Rep. Leni Robredo, on the other hand, may have the genuine desire to reach out to those affected and sincerely know how she could help. But she also did not have any business handing out relief packs.

Her sworn duty is to her constituents in Camarines Sur—which was spared by the typhoon this time around.

And no, this is not a smear drive. It is an honest observation of the excesses and inadequacies displayed by administration members in these last few months of President Aquino’s rule. These yellow-clad people are the first to proclaim their righteousness and moral high ground.

Their shameless, post-Lando show of opportunism does not fit the narrative they wish to impose on us.

CIRCUMVENTING THE LAW BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO WHAT was the Bureau of Immigration thinking when it issued a deportation order against American Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, the accused in the murder of transgender Jennifer/Jeffrey Laude? The trial being conducted by the court in Olongapo where Laude was killed is not yet over and a decision could be due this December.

Yet, the immigration bureau already wanted to deport Pemberton, who if found guilty is going to spend some years in a Philippine prison. After only serving his sentence can he be deported as an undesirable alien, The BI will have to wait for due process to be completed before it can have jurisdiction over the accused American.

The immigration bureau is notorious for allowing other accused foreigners to escape justice in this country either by deporting them or simply allowing them to slip through. The BI is best remembered for allowing the so-

called “10 little Indians” to flee the country. The Indian nationals were accused of drug trafficking and, like many other Chinese arrested for the same offense were able to leave the country. *** What’s with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte? Will he or won’t he run for President? After declaring he’s not interested in the presidency, Duterte is now saying he’s leaving it to the PDP-Laban to decide. Duterte even said the PDP’s Martin Dino filed a certificate of candidacy for president as a strategy to leave a small window for substitution at the last minute.

Let the people see for themselves whether Miriam can withstand the rigors of a hectic presidential campaign.

A9

Dino himself said he was willing to give way to Duterte if the PDP thinks the Davao mayor was a more viable candidate.

Duterte may have kept himself in the news this long but he only succeeded in making himself a mere distraction in the 2016 presidential race. How can voters elect some one who’s indecisive? No wonder Duterte’s former campaign supporter and strategist Lito Banayo remarked “helehele, pero quiere.” That’s “pakipot” in Pilipino and “wishy washy” in English.

The Commission on Elections, according to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, could declare Dino a nuisance candidate if the poll body determines he’s only a stand-in and not truly in-

tent on running for president.

“Substitution in this case would only make Dino a nuisance candidate,” said Jimenez. The commission, in the process of cleaning up the list of 130 candidates who filed their COC’s for president has thrown out 96 dubious aspirants. This includes a certain Manuel Antonio Roxas who clearly wants to confuse the voters and take away votes from former Interior Secretary and Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Araneta Roxas.

We have a surfeit of delusional presidential wannabes afflicted with a serious mes-

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-

sianic syndrome who think they can be the savior of this benighted land. But the loonies who joined the presidential race cannot be blamed after seeing how an Aquino diminished the persona of the Presidency. *** Speaking of a candidate’s fitness for the presidency, why is there so much fuss about Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s refusal to make public her medical record? The senator revealed six months ago she has lung cancer but claimed recently she has been cured. There are of course skeptics who think no one can be

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

cured of stage 4 cancer. But miracles do happen, not only with the outcome of election results in this country despite the use of “highly advanced technological” voting machines.

No one insisted in 2010 when there was a call for then candidate Noynoy Aquino to release the records of his psychiatric consultations when he was in Boston.. The rest is history. Five years of the Aquino administration would show the public should have pressed its demand to see Noynoy’s medical history.

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 Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

THE cards are laid. The official candidates for the 2016 elections are now known for the electorate to scrutinize and choose from. Interestingly, of the major contenders for the presidency, two are women, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For vice president, there is Representative Leni Robredo.

As I said in an earlier piece, for the first time in the country’s electoral history, there exists a possibility that the two highest positions in government will be both occupied by women. This is a welcome development for those of us working on women’s rights, and particularly, on a more substantial women’s political participation.

The fact that there are several women vying for the top government posts gives the impression that the country is now more accepting of women leaders. I say “impression” because we need to analyze the candidates’ backgrounds to validate such acceptability.

While all three candidates presently hold important positions, it is only Santiago who can be considered as being elected on her own merits. Both Poe and Robredo are by-products of the popularity of male family members who have passed on. Their cases are much like the one of former President Corazon Aquino who was brought to the public eye because of the assassination of her husband Ninoy.

Poe and Robredo are qualified to run for office even without the benefit of their kinship with the king of Filipino movies, FPJ in the case of the former, and the well-loved Jesse Robredo for the latter. However, I doubt it very much if they would have won in 2013 based only on their own persons. FPJ and Jesse were the keys to their victory. Grace and Leni were the recipients of a huge number of sympathy votes because of the passing on of FPJ and Jesse.

Moreover, if they were unrelated with these men, they would not have been chosen to run for 2016 for such high positions.

Therefore, while women occupying vital government positions are no longer frowned upon, the quickest and surest way still, is to be related with popular men. I hope for the day when women are considered and elected solely based on their own qualifications and merits.

Then and only then can we say that our society has matured enough in accepting women in leadership roles.

Despite the manner by which Poe and Robredo became candidates, the possibility of having a women-led government remains real. But how Continued on A11 realizable is this?

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 : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

ARE WE READY FOR WOMEN LEADERS?

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE IT COULD be said that the Liberal Party tandem of Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo, this early, enjoys a distinct advantage over its opponents.

To be sure, Roxas and Robredo are not leading the surveys just yet.

Their more popular competitors are emerging as frontrunners in different surveys, but they do not seem fazed.

Why should they be? They have tremendous resources at their disposal.

Last week, a super typhoon battered Luzon and submerged entire towns in floodwater. Winds destroyed structures and landslides endangered lives and property. Dozens died and more were injured.

Thousands were displaced, having to leave their homes and stay in evacuation centers.

Crops were damaged, as well, and business operations ground to a halt. The poor, who had been struggling to make it from one day to another, were plunged even deeper into their misery.

It was a trying time for many Filipinos, but it was also the perfect opportunity for the Liberal Party’s bets to show their compassionate side.

They really had no business going around distributing relief goods.

Mr. Roxas had stepped down from his post as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, where he is best remembered for his dismal performance.

Rep. Leni Robredo, on the other hand, may have the genuine desire to reach out to those affected and sincerely know how she could help. But she also did not have any business handing out relief packs.

Her sworn duty is to her constituents in Camarines Sur—which was spared by the typhoon this time around.

And no, this is not a smear drive. It is an honest observation of the excesses and inadequacies displayed by administration members in these last few months of President Aquino’s rule. These yellow-clad people are the first to proclaim their righteousness and moral high ground.

Their shameless, post-Lando show of opportunism does not fit the narrative they wish to impose on us.

CIRCUMVENTING THE LAW BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO WHAT was the Bureau of Immigration thinking when it issued a deportation order against American Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, the accused in the murder of transgender Jennifer/Jeffrey Laude? The trial being conducted by the court in Olongapo where Laude was killed is not yet over and a decision could be due this December.

Yet, the immigration bureau already wanted to deport Pemberton, who if found guilty is going to spend some years in a Philippine prison. After only serving his sentence can he be deported as an undesirable alien, The BI will have to wait for due process to be completed before it can have jurisdiction over the accused American.

The immigration bureau is notorious for allowing other accused foreigners to escape justice in this country either by deporting them or simply allowing them to slip through. The BI is best remembered for allowing the so-

called “10 little Indians” to flee the country. The Indian nationals were accused of drug trafficking and, like many other Chinese arrested for the same offense were able to leave the country. *** What’s with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte? Will he or won’t he run for President? After declaring he’s not interested in the presidency, Duterte is now saying he’s leaving it to the PDP-Laban to decide. Duterte even said the PDP’s Martin Dino filed a certificate of candidacy for president as a strategy to leave a small window for substitution at the last minute.

Let the people see for themselves whether Miriam can withstand the rigors of a hectic presidential campaign.

A9

Dino himself said he was willing to give way to Duterte if the PDP thinks the Davao mayor was a more viable candidate.

Duterte may have kept himself in the news this long but he only succeeded in making himself a mere distraction in the 2016 presidential race. How can voters elect some one who’s indecisive? No wonder Duterte’s former campaign supporter and strategist Lito Banayo remarked “helehele, pero quiere.” That’s “pakipot” in Pilipino and “wishy washy” in English.

The Commission on Elections, according to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, could declare Dino a nuisance candidate if the poll body determines he’s only a stand-in and not truly in-

tent on running for president.

“Substitution in this case would only make Dino a nuisance candidate,” said Jimenez. The commission, in the process of cleaning up the list of 130 candidates who filed their COC’s for president has thrown out 96 dubious aspirants. This includes a certain Manuel Antonio Roxas who clearly wants to confuse the voters and take away votes from former Interior Secretary and Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Araneta Roxas.

We have a surfeit of delusional presidential wannabes afflicted with a serious mes-

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-

sianic syndrome who think they can be the savior of this benighted land. But the loonies who joined the presidential race cannot be blamed after seeing how an Aquino diminished the persona of the Presidency. *** Speaking of a candidate’s fitness for the presidency, why is there so much fuss about Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s refusal to make public her medical record? The senator revealed six months ago she has lung cancer but claimed recently she has been cured. There are of course skeptics who think no one can be

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

cured of stage 4 cancer. But miracles do happen, not only with the outcome of election results in this country despite the use of “highly advanced technological” voting machines.

No one insisted in 2010 when there was a call for then candidate Noynoy Aquino to release the records of his psychiatric consultations when he was in Boston.. The rest is history. Five years of the Aquino administration would show the public should have pressed its demand to see Noynoy’s medical history.

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 Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

THE cards are laid. The official candidates for the 2016 elections are now known for the electorate to scrutinize and choose from. Interestingly, of the major contenders for the presidency, two are women, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For vice president, there is Representative Leni Robredo.

As I said in an earlier piece, for the first time in the country’s electoral history, there exists a possibility that the two highest positions in government will be both occupied by women. This is a welcome development for those of us working on women’s rights, and particularly, on a more substantial women’s political participation.

The fact that there are several women vying for the top government posts gives the impression that the country is now more accepting of women leaders. I say “impression” because we need to analyze the candidates’ backgrounds to validate such acceptability.

While all three candidates presently hold important positions, it is only Santiago who can be considered as being elected on her own merits. Both Poe and Robredo are by-products of the popularity of male family members who have passed on. Their cases are much like the one of former President Corazon Aquino who was brought to the public eye because of the assassination of her husband Ninoy.

Poe and Robredo are qualified to run for office even without the benefit of their kinship with the king of Filipino movies, FPJ in the case of the former, and the well-loved Jesse Robredo for the latter. However, I doubt it very much if they would have won in 2013 based only on their own persons. FPJ and Jesse were the keys to their victory. Grace and Leni were the recipients of a huge number of sympathy votes because of the passing on of FPJ and Jesse.

Moreover, if they were unrelated with these men, they would not have been chosen to run for 2016 for such high positions.

Therefore, while women occupying vital government positions are no longer frowned upon, the quickest and surest way still, is to be related with popular men. I hope for the day when women are considered and elected solely based on their own qualifications and merits.

Then and only then can we say that our society has matured enough in accepting women in leadership roles.

Despite the manner by which Poe and Robredo became candidates, the possibility of having a women-led government remains real. But how Continued on A11 realizable is this?

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 : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A PREMATURE DEPORTATION ORDER BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN THE premature order issued by the Bureau of Immigration to deport US marine private first class Joseph Scott Pemberton while a case for the murder of Jeffry “Jenifer” Laude is pending in the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court, Branch 74, is already sending a chilling message of what is in store for us in our so-called “military alliance” with the US.

What Immigration did was to show its most contemptuous act of disrespect to the court.

On the surface, the premature and pre-emptive order to deport appears to be the result of pressure possibly from Malacañang, it having exhibited the most disgraceful subservience to the US, and possibly from the US Embassy. But those nincompoops in the Bureau of Immigration should have restrained themselves. There is a precedent to what we are saying as when people from the Department of Justice suddenly barged in to the Makati City Jail, where US service man Daniel Smith was detained, to allow him to leave the country before the court could render a verdict on him for rape. The BI authorities were aware that the court has already acquired jurisdiction, and the case now awaits decision. What the BI did was to show its most contemptuous act of disrespect to the court.

It seems that the Bureau of Immigration can do things on its own, like unilaterally deporting an alien, especially if there is pressure, like deporting known drug lords and other criminal syndicates

they know are oozing with bribe money just to mollify whatever judgment awaits them. Definitely, there is in this case visible markings that the BI was pressured to issue that deportation order which is the exact opposite to what it should have done by imposing a “hold departure order” to Pemberton, so as to allow the court to decide whether to order his deportation or to let him serve his sentence first, if found guilty.

Time and again, this kind of embarrassment is bound to happen because the US does not allow its servicemen to be placed under the jurisdiction of our courts for any crime they commit in the country where there are stationed. They treat their military personnel as an extension of their sovereignty; that to surrender them to our local courts would be tantamount to giving up the jurisdiction of the US government which they will never concede. Though the issue is focused on the arrest of a US serviceman accused of committing a crime in this country, the issue of jurisdiction has always been considered non-negotiable to any bases agreement they enter into, which reason also why most countries refuse to allow their territory to be converted into a US military base.

They value their sovereignty and independence more than they value their security interest. Seeing the issue of jurisdiction as something they could not bargain, they would rather do away with the US bases. In our case, such has repeatedly happened, for it seems this cycle of humiliation has now become a part of our national psyche. The return of the US military bases has earned for us the distinction of being the only country in the world to voluntarily allow itself to be re-colonized, and woefully by the same imperialist power that trots as the defender of freedom and of democracy.

The world is laughing at us, for up to now we remain credulous to believe that the US is here to protect us. In fact, under the Visiting Forces Agreement and now under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, we practically turned over to them the entire country

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

TELEVISION AND POVERTY

IT COULD be an interesting day for motorists traveling in the North Luzon Expressway today. This is because of Eat Bulaga’s “Tamang Panahon” grand celebration at the Philippine Arena, 55,000-seater Iglesia ni Cristo owned stadium in Bulacan. “With the AlDub team, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza (Yaya Dub), at the height of their popularity, thousands are expected to converge in this biggest arena of the country.

One would have thought that with the advent of the internet and social media, that television would now be a sunset industry.

Apparently not, as we are now witnessing with the AlDub phenomenon.

Indeed, since its advent in the 1920s, television has become the preeminent social medium that shapes the behavior and transforms perceptions, beliefs, choices and opinions to life and stereotypes. Its transformative effect has become so pervasive and profound that its influence transcends cultural, ethnic and territorial boundaries. People have become so dependent on television for news, information, and entertainment that life is unimaginable without it. Advertisements and propaganda are powerful tools that affect people’s choices and perceptions.

We only need to know the number of media and television personalities

who have been catapulted to political prominence because of national television exposure.

Television is, however, not all about fun and entertainment. Among others, television plays a vital role in information transmission; however, it can also serve as a Janus-faced device that plays on the emotional and psychological state of its viewers.

By watching typical news programs, we are inclined to say that news broadcasting is stereotypically negative in content. There is a tendency to overemphasize negativity and news sensationalism, capitalizing on the emotional content of the suffering of others.

In light of these, the scrutiny and examination of morality and ethics in televised mediation and how the divergent audiences respond to the display of suffering and poverty on television have been made the subject of academic inquiry. There are innumerable Western studies that lay down the normative framework on media and communications ethics. Theories and models attempting to explain the moral dynamics of the medium and its audience have been offered.

In particular, approaches have been advanced to explain the ethical inquiry on how suffering and poverty are and should be depicted in media, and how they ethical impact

on various media players.

Jonathan Corpus Ong, a brilliant young Filipino intellectual who lectures in the University of Leicester, grapples with these questions in his book “The Poverty of Television: The Mediation of Suffering in Class Divided Philippines”. A sociologist (his PhD in sociology is from Cambridge) and communications specialist (he obtained his first degree in communications, summa cum laude, from Ateneo de Manila) by training, Ong essays an ethnographic Filipino perspective on how suffering and poverty are represented on television and how audiences belonging to different economic and social classes respond to this process of representation.

His scholarly treatise offers a solid characterization of Filipino audiences’ consumption of televised suffering as they function within their respective social milieu.

What is unique about Ong’s approach is his use of ethnographic observation and interviews with different groups of audiences in Manila, providing him with empirical material of how a class-divergent local setting gives an explanation of poor’s strategic suffering on television and the elite’s disengagement from their undesirable others.

For example, in examining the popular noontime

show “Wowowee” (also in the news because of the criminal charges that have been filed against its host Willie Revillame for alleged abuse of a minor) as an entertainment genre, Ong observes that audiences from different classes differently perceive the presence or absence of agency in the programs “sufferers.” For upper-class audiences, there is no or very little concern with the success or failure of a contestant over another. Ong suggests that this disinterest is rooted on the belief the contestants are homogenously poor and therefor equally deserving.

Within this class, there is frequent reference to the exploitation by the sufferers. For lower and middle class audiences, the very act of queueing up a night before is paradoxically an indicator of both agency and victimhood.

On the newscasting front, Ong draws primarily from focus groups supplemented by expert interviews. He posits that news offers diverse forms of sufferings brought about by a variety of victims/sufferers and situations—from individual to collective, man-made to natural disasters etc., unlike “Wowowee” “where programme conventions recognize and reward highly specific claims of victimhood in participant’s strategic suffering.”

Continued on A11

on a silver platter, for the US to select which area to convert as their military base or even the entire archipelago if they wish.

Moreover, our agreement does not only include the privilege of extra-territoriality or immunity from any criminal offense they commit here, but extend to such privileges as exemption from payment for water and electrical consumption, and even for us to erect facilities for their use.

Whoever is that stoolpigeon who wants to ingratiate this tuwid na daan and the US Embassy was likely lured by the offer of visa in exchange for betraying his own country. The Bureau of Immigration put the country in an awkward position, and even jeopardized the equally off-key diplomatic offensive being carried out by a sheepishly pro-US Secretary

Del Rosario. Thus, as we press hard to assert our claim of sovereignty over those islets in the Spratlys, these morons in the BI made a laughing stock to our claim. China may not openly tell us that but impliedly, they are telling us that we cannot even enforce our jurisdiction over those US soldiers who violate our laws well within our territory, yet we have the gull to claim islands in the China Sea imagining that the US will be on our side.

One must recall that it was the Philippines through Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario and Secretary of Defense Voltaire Gazmin that heightened the tension with China over our claim in the China Sea area. But how would we rely on the US to protect us when there is much doubt they would ever honor their agreement

with us? Even if the Pemberton case is not directly related to our conflict with China, the case somehow spells out the demarcation line as to where the US stands. Even in the remotest possibility that the Permanent Arbitration Court will decide the case in our favor, could we invoke on our defense pact with the US to help us enforce that decision?

Such observation is relevant, for admittedly, there are punctuated holes in our relations with the US that serve to prevent us from exercising full jurisdiction within our own territory. Although there are limitations to our exercise of jurisdiction and assertion of sovereignty, somehow we could have capitalized on our clout and respectability if other countries, including China, do not see in us as openly parading ourselves as stooge of the US.

Somehow China would be sympathetic and understanding to us, as they managed to understand Taiwan now.

But as it is, China looks at our claim as pursuant to US interest. From that perspective, China would never allow us to play proxy to advance US interest in the region. Our inability to prosecute US servicemen who commit crime here now stands as a black eye that reduced the credibility of our claim as an independent state. Moreover, for the fact that the US refuses to acknowledge our defense pact with them as a treaty, but a mere executive agreement, is ominous that our role in that alliance is for us to fight their enemy but not for them to fight for an enemy identified as common to both countries. (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

AN UPDATE ON DUTERTE AND CAYETANO

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA SEVERAL days ago, it seemed certain that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was going to join the presidential race, and that he will run with senator and vice presidential aspirant Alan Peter Cayetano. Supporters of the controversial Duterte were expecting him to show up at the head office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros. Alas, the certainty was replaced with disappointment when Duterte proved to be a no-show. Pressed for an explanation, Duterte informed the news media that he was leaving to Divine Providence the final decision on whether or not he will throw his hat in the presidential derby. No elaborations were made.

Duterte’s non-appearance at the Comelec head office may have disappointed many, but Cayetano is far from discouraged.

Last Oct. 16, a virtually unknown former barangay official filed his certificate of candidacy for president under the the PDPLaban, the same political party Duterte has identified himself with for the May 2016 national and local elections.

Observers believe that since the ex-barangay official does not have the indications of a serious and viable candidate for president, the PDP-Laban expects him to eventually give way to Duterte as the party standard bearer. Under the law,

the party has until Dec. 10 to substitute their current standard bearer with Duterte.

Since Duterte consistently refuses to categorically rule himself out as a presidential contender, the suspected last-minute Duterte candidacy for president is a strong possibility.

If Duterte is seriously considering running for president

by December, analysts opine that his procrastination may undermine his political campaign. From now until December 2015, Duterte’s potential supporters as of October 2015, disappointed at the news of Duterte’s apparent disinterest in the presidency, may commit themselves to supporting other presidential candidates. Should that happen, Duterte cannot expect these supporters to shift their allegiance anew and return to the Duterte camp.

The proscrastination, of course, has its upside. At least, from now until December 2015, Duterte will be spared the same public scrutiny his challengers are already subjected to in the news media, and in on-line sites.

Despite his equivocal public statements, Duterte has been repeatedly predicting that Cayetano will be the sure winner in the vice presidential race. In turn, Cayetano has returned the kind words from the mayor with the accolade that Duterte will be the best president the country will ever have, or will

never have. This mutual exchange of praises between Duterte and Cayetano also fuels speculations that their belated political alliance will be announced soon. Political analysts will be interested to know that according to the grapevine, Duterte invited Cayetano to visit Davao City this weekend.

As discussed in an earlier essay, a Duterte-Cayetano tandem may be a force to reckon with, considering the reputation of Duterte for instant justice, and Cayetano’s anti-corruption record in the Senate. The entry of this anticipated tandem in the campaign trail will also trigger interesting, if not fiery presidential and vice presidential debates.

Undoubtedly, Duterte’s participation in the presidential polls as Cayetano’s running mate will be welcome news for the Cayetano camp. Duterte’s votes are expected to include Cayetano, and since Duterte promises to be quite a political showcase, Cayetano will not find it too difficult to attract a following in their provincial sorties. It’s also too lonely for Cayetano to campaign without a presidential running mate.

While Cayetano has much to gain in the event that Duterte does run as his presidential contender, Cayetano’s supporters assert that the senator is a feasible candidate in his own

right. They underscore Cayetano’s unrelenting campaign against corruption, as seen in the investigations Cayetano has continuously pursued against powerful officials and influential establishments long before the election season started. Indeed, nobody can argue against the observation that Cayetano is a hard-working senator, considering that many of his non-performing colleagues seem oblivious to their duties as lawmakers in the first place.

Also, Cayetano got elected to the Senate on the basis of his record as an uncompromising political opposition leader in the House of Representatives.

This can hardly be said of some of Cayetano’s fellow senators, particularly the film and television personalities who simply exploited their mass appeal to catapult them to high public office, and the president’s relative who obviously used family ties (and even tried to look like his famous uncle) for the same selfserving purpose. Unlike Cayetano, these opportunists in the Senate have nothing to be proud of in terms of accomplishments as legislators.

The Cayetano camp is particularly emphatic about how their bet for the vice presidency won his way to the Senate through his past work in the House.

Again, this cannot be said of some of Cayetano’s colleagues who never had any prior experi-

ence as a legislator.

Cayetano’s supporters also stress that their candidate is not involved in any corruption, scandal or irregularity since he became a member of Congress.

For them, one who cannot be corrupted after so many years in high public office cannot be corrupted when he holds even higher public office. A record of public service unblemished by any graft case is, by itself, and correctly emphasized by Cayetano’s camp, is an achievement worthy of emulation.

Cayetano’s camp argues that the senator, a relatively young man in a field often associated with senior or near-senior citizens, is one of a few veteran legislators who can understand and identify with the Filipino youth.

Cayetano does not appear to be beholden to vested interested groups. This cannot be said of another candidate for vice president whose list of wedding sponsors includes the names of owners of big business interests which are subject to strict Philippine government regulation.

Likewise, it appears that Cayetano never abused the perks and privileges of his office. The absence of any news to the contrary ought to attest to that. It is also nice to know that Cayetano never exceeded the number of consultants he is allowed to hire to assist him in his legislative work.

Are we...From A9

because of her low numbers and lately, her defense of the Marcoses, as well as her refusal to make public her medical records, a vote for Santiago is still one less vote for Poe. Unless of course Santiago later on pulls out of the race and endorses Poe. There is also the question of the various disqualification cases against Poe. I personally hope for these cases to be decided with finality before elections because if she wins, those against her will not stop and her administration will be saddled with these cases which might impact on her performance and/or perception of her legitimacy as president.

Let us not forget that we have not had a woman who was clearly elected to the presidency.

Cory Aquino was installed in Malacañang via Edsa 1. Former President Macapagal-Arroyo

via Edsa 2 against Erap Estrada, and was accused of cheating FPJ when he ran against her. Therefore, the question whether a woman can clearly win a presidential election remains valid.

Will Poe be the first to do it? It remains to be seen.

Poe is up against equally strong candidates. Vice President Binay has planted seeds with many local government units for many years.

Mar Roxas on the other hand, is fully backed by the machinery and resources of the administration and Liberal Party.

The lone woman candidate for VP, Leni Robredo is quite likeable. Her statements make her stand out among the women candidates. My disappointment with Poe mainly stems from the fact that I have not heard her verbalize any plan in relation with women’s rights. Robredo, on the other hand, has made clear her

advocacy for women’s rights and experience in responding to the needs of the marginalized, including women.

She also asserts her being her own person different from her late husband. She wants people to vote for her because of her own merits.

Robredo, to me, is the more feminist one compared with Poe. Robredo is like a breath of fresh air in this electoral exercise.

However, her numbers are still low and she is running against veterans like Senators Escudero, Honasan, and Marcos.

Lastly, it is unfortunate that it seems that not too many voters are now ready to vote for a woman president and another woman for VP. Many still doubt women’s capacities and will probably select just one woman to vote for. Thus, I think that a vote for Poe or Santiago is one less vote for Robredo and vice-versa.

Sadly too, a women’s block vote does not (yet) exist. Even among women voters, going for women for the two highest positions remains unlikely.

We have not reached that level of consciousness where we do not look at the candidates’ sex or gender and solely focus on their program of government, credibility, qualifications, and track record. Our minds are still clouded by stereotypes of men and women and our choice for government leaders are still influenced by such notions.

Yes, in 2016 we might have a woman president and another woman as VP. This is history in the making IF they are able to beat the odds. And there are many.

First, I am of the opinion that Defensor-Santiago’s entry in the race is a minus for Poe. I thought that Santiago’s announcement of her desire to run for office was a deal-breaker. Not a few who were considering Poe said that they would go for the more experienced and better qualified Miriam instead. This is understandable considering the differences between the two candidates.

Also, some of those who want someone with a strong personality in Malacañang (and there are many) would possibly go for Santiago. This may happen especially with Duterte’s continued rejection of calls for him to run for the presidency.

While Poe leads in the surveys, and no matter if I think that Defensor-Santiago will not win

Television...From A10 The Poverty of Television concludes that class is an important determinant of television consumption even as television dynamically “shapes and reproduces class”. Ong points out how, in Philippine television’s practices of over-representing the poor and under-representing the elites, the media maintains and sometimes amplify class divides. His scholarly work uncovers that, in contrast

to existing Western scholarship, Filipino upper-class respondents who avoid local television share much in common with a few Western experiences who regularly turn away from images of suffering.

At the same time, majority of Ong’s lower class respondents who live in poverty and identify themselves as suffering do not fit squarely with existing scholarship and conventional assumptions that greater affective consumption of

suffering would lead to “desensitization”, indifference, and “compassion fatigue.”

Ong observes, however, that lower-class Filipinos do not avoid suffering in the news and entertainment—rather, they seek it out, noting that they do not watch television to escape into the fantasy worlds of opulence and luxury but to “actively seek compassionate practices of recognition and redistribution for sufferers like them.” He contends that audiences responses to the

image of suffering include both experiences of avoidance/shock/indifference and affective consumption involving identification, hope and conferment of moral judgments. This everyday experience of poverty, as well as historical, social, cultural and religious beliefs about suffering, are important factors that shape how audiences respond.

Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on FaceBook

Circumventing... From A9 Let the people see for themselves whether Miriam can withstand the rigors of a hectic presidential campaign. If she can’t, the voters themselves will strike her off their list. Who knows, an outpouring of sympathy votes might just propel her to the presidency she nearly won against Fidel Valdez Ramos. Senator Santiago has a strong following among new and young voters, She could draw away from Senator Grace Poe the women’s and the students’ votes. It would be interesting to see whether the next poll surveys will reflect Miriam crowding Poe, Binay and Roxas for the lead.

So, who’s afraid of Miriam Defensor Santiago? All the three other presidential candidates who,we are told, accepted then backed out to be guests at a weekly Kapihan news forum when they learned Miriam was coming. So much for the presidential debates being proposed by Comelec chairman Andy Bautista.

Sat urday : o cto b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

A12

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Big guns join HK golf meet HONG KONG—The big guns in the Hong Kong Open started to show their class after the first round Thursday -- with Justin Rose setting himself up for the tournament by hitting five under to sit in joint second after a “solid” performance.

The two joint leaders were Taiwan’s Lu Wei-chih and Italy’s Andrea Pavan who shot six under par rounds at the par 70 course.

Lu’s journey to the top of the leaderboard was even more remarkable given he had a brain tumour removed just three years ago.

Another surprise package was Ian Poulter -- who only arrived in Hong Kong Wednesday evening after the European Tour found him a last-minute place in a bid to save his season.

Graeme McDowell, who by his

own admission has had a disappointing year, said he got his confidence back after hitting four under.

McDowell, who won the 2010 US Open, said Thursday he was carrying his newly rediscovered form onto the Hong Kong course.

“The two weapons in my bag which have misfired this year are my driver and my putter -- those are the two things that have hurt me the most,” he said.

“But today I felt loose on the greens and I putted nicely.”

Rose, whose previous visit to the Fanling course resulted in a long weekend on the town after he failed to make the cut, said he was happy with his performance.

“I began to build some confidence today and I played a really good, solid, patient round of golf,” he said.

One of Rose’s highlights was a birdie on the 10th - the first of four in the back nine which saw a strong finish from England’s world number seven.

The USA’s Dustin Johnson, ranked number eight, recovered from two bogeys on the first two holes, hitting an eagle on the third and a birdie on the 15th to end the day at one under par.

Unexpected entrant Poulter took the place of American Rich Beem so he could complete the minimum 13 events necessary to retain his European Tour membership and

keep alive his hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup next year.

The Englishman, who has seen his world ranking plummet and now sits outside the top 50, appeared relieved after shooting three under.

“Overall, I’ve played pretty nicely, on a course which I’ve had to get to know again pretty quickly,” said the former Hong Kong Open champion.

“I left a few putts short but I have to be happy with that landing last night.”

The 39-year-old revealed he had since thanked Beem in person.

“I saw him in the hotel, so I went over and said, that’s awfully kind of him to do that,” he said.

Taiwan’s Lu, whose six under was not beaten all day, said he had a difficult start before he birdied the fourth, fifth and sixth holes and ended feeling “very comfortable”. AFP

Practice session. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi rides out of the garage during the first practice session of the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit. AFP

De Asis, Baran lead netfest KIANA de Asis and Karl Baran seek another title romp as they banner the field in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Pintaflores Festival age-group tennis tournament which got under way yesterday at the San Carlos City Tennis Center in Negros Occidental.

De Asis, one of the top juniors players from La Carlota, has dominated the last two Visayas legs of the country’s premier junior circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop, scoring a pair of two-title romps in Pontevedra and Panaad and making her the player to beat in the four-day Group 5 tournament.

But she faces a tougher challenge this weekend with top seed Tracy Llamas out to live up to her billing in the girls’ 14-, 16- and 18-and-under categories of the event presented by Technifibre and held in conjunction with Pintaflores Festival celebrations.

“While focus will be on De Asis and Baran, we expect the other players to step up and spring some surprises that had been the fare in this long-running, nationwide tennis program for the youth,” said Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

The event also serves as a prelude to next week’s Open Championship, which features the country’s leading players, also at the San Carlos Tennis Center.

For details, call Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP organizer and sports program development director at 0915-4046464.

Others tipped to crowd De Asis and Llamas for the crown are Angela Cabaral, Valerie Desoyo, Bliss Bayking and Dorelle Laguda in 18-U; Amor Decendario, Ellaine Bahonsua and Kim Galanza in 16-U; and Beam Wayco and Shyryn Salazar in 14-U.

UP seeks solo lead in V-League Game today 12:45 p.m. – UP vs Coast Guard Games tomorrow (Sunday) 12:45 p.m. – Kia Forte vs Navy 3 p.m. – Army vs PLDT Home Ultera

TOP notch volley action resumes today as University of the Philippines takes a rare crack at the solo lead against Philippine Coast Guard in the Shakey’s VLeague Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Maroons drew strength and inspiration from the comebacking Katherine Bersola as they turned back the Navy Lady Sailors, 19-25, 25-23, 2523, 25-23, in the opener of the season-ending conference of the league where it started.

Bersola came back strong from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury last UAAP season, accounting for four of UP’s 13 blocks and finishing with eight hits to power the Diliman-based squad past Navy last Oct. 10.

“She’s one of the pillars of this team and we will need her for this team to succeed,” said UP coach Jerry Yee of his prized ward.

Another win will give UP the early solo lead in the short tournament sponsored

by Shakey’s ahead of tomorrow’s keenly awaited match between Army and PLDT Home Ultera.

The league, presented by PLDT Home Ultera, holds another weekend volley festival where matches are shown live on GMA News TV Channel 11 beginning at 12:45 p.m.

11-team DELeague starts Sunday

VARIOUS teams will once again collide on the hard court as DELeague 5 starts this Sunday at the Marikina Sports Center Basketball Gymnasium.

This year, 11 teams will be seeing action, namely two-time champion Hobe Bihon-Cars Unlimited, Mindanao Agilas, Far Eastern University–FERN, Our Lady of Fatima University, and Metro Pacific Toll Corp–Tollways in Group A, and Sta. Lucia Land, Macway Travel, Austen Morris Associates, Philippine Christian University, Power Innovation Philippines, and Philippine National Police in Group B. Supported by Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman, the league is participated in by former Philippine Basketball Association players and collegiate stars from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Games on Sunday

(Marikina Sports Center) 4 p.m. Opening Ceremony 5 p.m. Hobe Bihon-Cars Unlimited vs Mindanao Gilas 6 p.m. Macway Travel vs Austen Morris

Expected to join this year are Nic Belasco, Ali Peek, Leo Avenido, Mac Belo, Karim Abdul, Charles Mammie, Francis “Kiko” Adriano, Estong Ballesteros, among other stars.

The league is supported by PSBank, Accel Sportswear, PCA– Marivalley, Mckie’s Construction Equipment Sales and Rentals, LUYONG Panciteria, Azucar Boulangerie and Patisserie, Quick Print, Mall Tile Experts Corporation, Jay Marcelo Tires, Polar Glass and Aluminum Supply, and Mr. and Mrs. Dot Escalona.

In the opening ceremony, the

league will name its Best Muse, who will bring home a Plaque of Recognition and gift items from Luyong Panciteria.

At the end of the season, the winning teams (champion, first runner-up and, second runnerup) will receive trophies and cash prizes worth P200,000, P100,000 and P50,000, respectively.

There will be no entrance fees required at the opening ceremony.

In the succeeding games held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting at 7 p.m., entrance fee is P10.

“For the past four years, our league has been successful because of the outpouring support and patronage of our residents as well as those coming from nearby cities. We fervently hope that with our continued love for basketball, we will be able to divert our youth away from bad vices,” Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman said.

Sat urday : o cto b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

A13

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Airmen eye victory no. 3 Games today (Saturday) 3 p.m. – Navy vs Air Force 5 p.m. – PLDT vs IEM

Looseball scramble. (L-R) Bayern Munich’s Slovakian guard Anton Gavel, Bayern Munich’s US forward Deon Thompson, Moscow’s guard Alexey Shved and Bayern Munich’s US guard Alex Renfroe vie for the ball during the EuroLeague Group A Basketball match FC Bayern Munich Basketball vs Khimki Moscow in Munich, southern Germany. Munich won the match 69-60. AFP

San Beda places 3 in Korea soft tennis rd

THE National Collegiate Athletic Association recently made waves in the international sporting arena after its representative San Beda College captured third-place honors in the 2015 Korea University Soft Tennis Tournament in Anseong, Korea .

“It’s always good news when the NCAA is recognized in the international sports organizations,” said 91st NCAA season chairman Melchor Divina of Mapua after being presented the Anseong City UNESCOthemed memorabilia.

The NCAA was invited by the Korea University Soft Tennis Association –recognized by

the International Soft Tennis Federation and the Asian Soft Tennis Federation – through the Philippine Olympic Committee affiliate Philippine Soft Tennis Association.

Official Kim Hun Soo expressed gratitude and announced the KUSTA will invite the NCAA as Philippine representative every year.

Based on the quotient point

system, the NCAA-San Beda squad place third behind champion Waseda University Japan and runner-up Dankook University Korea, while Anseong City and Chinese Taipei were the other teams.

The reigning NCAA women’s soft tennis titlist San Beda was led by captain Alyanna Viloria with teammates Guia Arzaga, Emily Vazquez, Virgie Perez and 90th edition MVP Chynna Mamawal .

The coaching staff included Jovy Mamawal and Kevin Mamawal in the Korea trip supported by San Beda College, University Perpetual Help sports patron Tony Tamayo and the Philippine Sports Commission.

AIR Force tries to make it three in row as it clashes with Navy in a duel of unbeaten teams as action in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1 Reinforced Conference resumes today at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Airmen posted a pair of 3-1 victories over Instituto Estetico Manila and Cignal to seize the early lead in the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera. But they are in for a tough challenge against the Sailors, who are seeking a follow-up to their 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18 victory over Sta. Elena Construction last Oct. 10.

Gametime is at 3 p.m. with the Airmen seeking at least a playoff for the last semifinal berth in the season-ending tournament of the country’s premier men’s volley league backed by Mikasa.

Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo will again lean on his hard-hitting foursome of Rodolfo Labrador, Reyson Fuentes, Ruben Inaudito and Jeffrey Malabanan, who combined for 52 hits against the Cignal HD Spikers.

San Miguel kids dominate Mindanao jungolf tourney SAN Miguel Elementary School cornered four of the five team awards disputed during the recent ICTSIJGFP Mindanao Inter-School golf championships at the Pueblo de Oro course in Cagayan de Oro. San Miguel swept all the team categories (Aspirants 1 and 2 and Girls 2 and 3), leaving Oro Christian Grace School to capture the fifth team award which was the juniors competition.

Delivering for San Miguel were Cyrus Arroyo Janvir Achas and Maverick Colim, who topped the Aspirants Division 1; Nino Minoza Rolando Bregente, Ivan Parilla, Cris Aparilla and Simon Washung, who ruled the Aspirants’ Division 2; Almica Minoza and Maura Quijano, who captured Girls’ 2 and Abigail Abracas and Riley Quino, who won unchallenged in Girls’ 3.

Ryu Rolida, Marc Lu Jacob Rolida and Janro De Leon lifted the winner’s trophy in the junior division for Oro Christian Grace School of the event backed by the

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Foundation and also supported by the Philippine Golf Foundation, Philippine Airlines, PacSports, Golf Depot and Inquirer Golf.

Individual winners were Jared de Leon in the seniors’ division, Jacky Mabaylan in the juniors’ division, Bregente in Aspirants’ 1, Zeus Sarah in Aspirants’ 2, Pamela Mariano in Girls’ Division 1, Minoza in Girls’ 2 and Marie Aparilla in Girls’ 3.

Highlighting the event was the official turnover of donated clubs from PacSports and Golf Depot to Pueblo de Oro president Huey Tan by JGFP executive director Jack Imperial for their jungolf program. The club also received a Jungolf Friendly certificate.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Junior Open conducted by the The Junior Golfers’ League and sponsored by the ICTSI Foundation will be held Oct. 25 to 30 at the Apo Golf Club and Rancho Palos Verdes courses.

SEA Fair Boat Show returns with new twist

Palarong Panlungsod. Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez leads the ceremonial toss during the opening of the Palarong Panlungsod 2015 themed “Atletang Parañaqueño Tugon sa Tuloy-Tuloy na Progreso” at the Parañaque Sports Complex and Social Hall. Olivarez is joined by city councilors Ryan Yllana and Tess de Asis.

SEA FAIR Boat Show 2015 returns with a new twist to water sports arena – Poker Run and Beach Tennis – in addition to the annual events Dragon Boat and Regatta Competition, plus Beach Volleyball.

Poker Run will be played on board boats sailing around “checkpoints” to pick up their corresponding cards when the sand and water sports activities kick-off on Dec. 5 and 6 at SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Beach Tennis and Beach Volleyball mark their debut in this extravagant outdoor Boat Show experience, which will surely enliven the crowds.

The action-packed serve and volley game of Beach Tennis will be played on the same beach volleyball sandlot.

Watersport enthusiasts will enjoy the trinity of sand, sea and sun when the Sea Fair Boat Show 2015, organized by

Legworks Events Management, holds its media dry run event on Oct. 27, starting at 1 p.m. at the SM by the Bay. World champion dragon boat paddlers will showcase their skills together with the members of the Philippine national sailing team, competing in the regatta event.

Simultaneous with these sand and water sports activities, the Sea FairBoat Show 2015 will hold a display for the coolest watersport gears and accessories, marine equipment and peripherals, and practically all boating, marine, and watersport industry-related stuffs.

The organizing Legworks Events Management and Consultancy invites all enthusiasts to visit its official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/seafairboatshow and may be contacted at info.legworks@ gmail.com and (632) 5084446.

S AT U R DAY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

PSL champ to carry PH flag in Asian tilt and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease.

The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139) 001143

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF CHARLES STEWART LEE to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

SCN CASE NO. 000603 000 x-------------------------- x

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is CHARLES STEWART LEE , but I have also been known since childhood as CHARLES STEWART LI or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) CHARLES STEWART LI. 2. My present place of residence is 21-B OCEAN TOWER, ROXAS BLVD., MALATE City/Municipality of MANILA and all my former places of residence are Province of (please indicate periods of residence) 1990-1995-15B Escolta Twin Tower, Manila 1995-2004-21B Ocean Tower, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila 2004-2007-Blk 14 3/F Rm. B, Braemar Hillmansion, Breamar Hill Rd, Northpoint, Hongkong 2012-2015-21 B Ocean Tower, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila 3. I was born on DEC. 31, 1990 , in MANILA Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of Hongkong.

4. My father's name is Li Ching Chung (Bernabe Luna) and he was born on NOVEMBER 29, 1963, in CHINA. He is a citizen or subject of HONGKONG. My mother's name is CINDY SZE MEI NGAR and she was born on AUG. 4, 1967 in HONGKONG. She is a citizen or subject of HONGKONG. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is Company Pres./Marketing Director and from which I derive an average annual income of P1,455,688.00, inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A. (Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: , (2) name of school: and (3) years graduated: ] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

SINGLE , I was married on N/A 6. My civil status is in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on N/A in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A .

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows: Name N.A.

Date of Birth N.A.

Place of Birth Residence N.A.

N.A.

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name of School

Place of School

Dates of Study

Uno Highschool

Manila

1997-2003

Uno Highschool De La Salle Univ.

Manila Manila

2003-2004 2014-2015

N.A.

N.A.

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [x] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [x] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [x] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [x] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [x] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [x] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [x] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition:

ered by American reinforcements in Ariel Usher and Amanda Anderson—is leading the pack with four straight victories.

Not far behind is Philips Gold, bannered by Bojana Todorovic and Alexis Olgard of the United States, as well as Petron, which is parading a pair of Brazilians in Rupia Inck and Erika Adachi.

Also expected to make a run for the title are RC Cola-Air Force, Foton and Meralco.

Petron served as the country’s bet in the previous AVC Asian Women’s tourney last month in Vietnam.

Although the Blaze Spikers finished eighth out of nine competitors, the experience they gained was very valu-

Looping shot.

Blackwater’s Carlo Lastimosa soars for a layup against two NLEX defenders in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Road Warriors, 90-86. Story on A16

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 12th day of August 2015.

CHARLES STEWART LEE Name ame and Signature of Petitioner Address: 21-B OCEAN TOWER, ROXAS BLVD., MALATE, MANILA Telephone Number: 0917-8007531

Tamaraws seek Final 4 seat REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF CITY OF MAKATI) S.S.

)

I, CHARLES STEWART LEE of legal age and a resident of 21B Ocean Tower, Roxas Blvd, Manila, after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

Date of Enrollment N.A.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara yesterday bared that Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. formally tapped the country’s biggest and most prestigious interclub league to spearhead the formation of the team that will slug it out against the best club teams from Japan, China, Thailand and other powerhouse countries in Asia.

Also a ranking executive of the AVC and International Volleyball Federation, Suzara said the PSL has what it takes to send a strong team, especially with all six teams being powered by two imports from four countries; United States, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Estonia.

So far, Cignal—pow-

able as they managed to battle some of Asia’s best players, while developing chemistry and fluidity inside and outside the court.

“The PSL Grand Prix will serve as the qualifier for the Asian Women’s Club Championship here in Manila next year,” Suzara said. “With the kind of intensity, strategy and action all six teams are displaying, I’m sure that the country will be well-represented in a top-flight tournament like the Asian Women’s Club Championship.”

Top volleyball officials are set to attend the AVC general assembly and executive council meeting on Nov. 17 and 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to formally accept the hosting chore and other requirements from the continental body.

After that, they are expected to buckle down to work and plot the hosting, which is expected to take place either in the third or fourth quarter of the year.

Clearances: NBI, Police, Barangay, Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Office of the City Prosecutor

Year One

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name and Place of School

14. My character witnesses are Michael Aguirre and Avelino M. Guzman, Jr. both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Unit 10 EDSA Mansion, 670 Edsa, Pasay City and 14 Cut-Cot, Pulilan, Bulacan respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

Highest Grade Completed Elementary

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: Tagalog.

Name of Child

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to Hongkong of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

THE ongoing 2015 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix is expected to further heat up as the champion team will gain the right to represent the country in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s Club Championship in Manila next year.

CHARLES STEWART LEE ame and Signature of Petitioner Name

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living.

I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold (TS-OCT. 10/17/24, 2015)

upset against the Tamaraws.

The Tamaraws easily won their last THE Far Eastern University Tamaraws assignment, as they mainly relied on the aren’t taking things for granted when offensive prowess of Mac Belo in leading they face the University of the East War- them to 68-57 victory over the University riors in the main game set at 4 p.m. today of the Philippines Maroons.

The win gave the Tamaraws an 8-1rein the 78th University Athletic Associacord, one game ahead of tion of the Philippines men’s Games Today erstwhile co-leader Univerbasketball tournament at the (Araneta Coliseum) Araneta Coliseum.

2 p.m. • La Salle v Adamson sity of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, who dropped a 74-80 4 p.m. • FEU vs UE In fact, FEU coach Nash decision to the Ateneo Blue Racela sees more room for improvement for the Tamaraws, who are one Eagles to fall to second place at 8-2.

The Eagles improved to 6-4 at third, win away from advancing to the Final Four.

“We are still looking for improvements. followed by La Salle at fourth with a 5-4 That’s something that we talked about in card.

Meanwhile, the La Salle Green Archthe last few days, how can we improve day ers take on the Adamson Falcons in the to day,” said Racela.

The Warriors, who share the same 3-6 2 p.m. schedule.

The Warriors share the same 3-6 card with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, will also try to improve card with the University of the Philiptheir record and would be looking for a huge pines Fighting Maroons.

By Peter Atencio

S AT U R DAY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

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

Vemosa Speedfest on Sunday

Jessie Francisco (center), shown with teammate Peter Gabriel Magnaye (right), makes a forehand return to Philip Joper Escueta and Keshya Hanadia during the 2015 Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament in Glorietta, Makati City. LINO SANTOS

Magnaye, Francisco advance JOINT third-ranked Peter Magnaye and Jessie Francisco fought back strong from an opening set setback and turned back Joper Escueta and Indonesian Keshya Hanadia, 13-21, 21-19, 21-18, to barge into the semifinal round of the Open mixed doubles of the Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament at Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati City yesterday.

Magnaye and Francisco proved steadier in a back-andforth second set duel then weathered Escueta and Hanadia’s rally in the decider with clutch smashes and drop shots to pound out the 45-minute victory for a Final Four clash with No. 2 and fellow PBA-Smash Pilipinas bets Alvin Morada and Alyssa Leonardo.

Morada and Leonardo combined well from start to finish and dominated Carlos Cayanan and

Alyssa Geverjuan to complete a 2112, 21-14 victory in just 25 minutes in the event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza and backed by official equipment Victor PCOME and official sports drink Gatorade.

Ronel Estanislao and Indonesian partner Marissa Vita posted the event’s biggest reversal late Thursday when they stunned top seed Paul Pantig and Thea Pomar, 21-12, 21-14, to clinch the first semifinal berth. The Estan-

THE sadly wayward ways of former World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona has ruined what was clearly a very promising career and an opportunity for our country to have another world champion.

But the curse of the “barkada” phenomenon has eroded Sonsona’s values and has enticed him to drink, move around with women and abandon a sport that could have given him so much.

Fighters need to realize that discipline is a cornerstone to success in the ring

cala of Allied-NVBA trounced Alvin Morada, 21-12, 21-11, also late Thursday to set up a semis duel with No. 4 R-Jay Ormilla, who bundled out fifth seed Jason Obaob, 21-14, 21-19, in the Open men’s singles of the event organized by EventKing Corp. and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez.

Also on tap are the Open women’s singles semis pitting the surging Mariya Sevilla against No. 4 Airah Albo and defending champion Gelita Castilo battling it out with second seed Sarah Barredo.

Alcala, on the other hand, tries to re-assert his mastery over Ormilla, whom he beat to cop the crown last year, in their 1:20 p.m. showdown while top seed Kevin Cudiamat and No. 8 Frell Gabuela dispute the other finals berth in the Open men’s singles.

Marvelous no more

INSIDE SPORTS RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

islao-Vita pair, however, will face defending champion Paul Vivas and Eleanor Inlayo for a crack at the championship.

Vivas and Inlayo primed up for their defense of the crown by subduing the other third seeded pair of Christian Bernardo and Joella de Vera, 21-11, 21-11.

The Estanislao-Vita pair and Vivas-Inlayo tandem dispute the first finals berth today (Saturday) starting at 11 a.m., also at Glorietta, while the Magnaye-Francisco team slugs it out with Morada and Leonardo for the other championship slot.

Victor-PCOME’s Danica Bolos and Jennifer Cayetano of Air Force also pulled off a 12-21, 21-16, 21-18 reversal over No. 4 Descka Calimlim and Fatima Cruz of Meralco to book the first semis berth in the Open women’s doubles.

Meanwhile, second seed Mark Al-

GEAR up for a thrilling sports adventure as Vermosa launches Vermosa Speedfest, a Motocross Challenge on Sunday.

Open to professional riders, Vermosa Speedfest is expected to draw more than 200 motorcycle enthusiasts, who will be vying for 18 categories. Participants of this exciting race will be one of the first to experience the newly launched Vermosa Motocross Tracks. Designed by 15time Philippine MX champion and 2003 Asian Motocross Series champion Glenn Aguilar, Vermosa MX Tracks features a variety of challenging terrain to work with that that both beginners and experienced riders can appreciate.

Aside from the exciting motocross race, families and racers can look forward to leisure and insight from other activities lined up like learn to ride tutorials and refresher courses, motorcycle safety lectures, onsite motorcycle sales including parts and mechanics, motorcycle wash, and remote control races, copters, crawlers, and off road RCTs. Vermosa, a sprawling 700-hectare estate that is master-planned to offer fundamental mixed-use components, is envisioned to be a modern suburban community that integrates healthy and active lifestyle with everyday living.

Among its many components is the Vermosa Sports & Lifestyle Complex, a premiere destination for athletes and wellness enthusiasts that aims to cater the Filipinos’ demand for an increasingly active lifestyle.

The Vermosa Motocross Tracks is one of the many sports amenities that the public can experience in VSLC. This world-class sports facility will also include an Olympic size pool, oval track, the country’s first purpose-built bike skills trail, and the most advanced and complete Sports Science Laboratory in the Philippines to be completed next year.

Interested participants for Vermosa Speedfest: Motocross Challenge may register on-site starting today.

and there could be no better example than eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao whose relentless training for a fight has amazed Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

The other sterling example of a disciplined fighter is reigning WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longestreigning Filipino world champion.

Donnie is small even for a light flyweight and the older he gets, the harder he trains which is the hallmark of his success in the ring.

Regrettably, Marvin Sonsona has failed to follow the

example of his General Santos colleague Pacquiao or even Nietes.

The sad part is that Sonsona is an unbelievably talented fighter, who is a southpaw, tall, young, quick-footed and with hand-speed and punching power—all the elements inherent in a great fighter.

Unfortunately, his lack of discipline, the tendency to follow a wild and woolly path, which reminds us of another great champion who squandered his career and indeed his life – former world junior lightweight champion Rolando Navarette.

The pity of it all is that internationally known promot-

er and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz and his Filipino partner Sammy Gello-ani have given Marvin all the chances in the world to mend his ways, bending backwards to accommodate his every wish, with Lewkowicz lining up some worthy opponents and fight purses that were more than most fighters would earn considering their standing.

Both Sampson and Sammy realized the inherent talent in Sonsona and while it is a given that if his career progressed like it could have —and should have—they too would enjoy their fair share of financial benefits and a

chance to share in the spotlight.

But Marvin threw it all away and failed in a very unFilipino fashion to discard the virtue of gratitude for all that his promoters had done for him, far beyond what they needed to do.

A prime example was when Lewkowicz, in order to free Sonsona of any distractions or concerns while training in Las Vegas, spent more than half-a-million pesos for Marvin’s mother’s urgent kidney operation at the National KIdney Institute in Manila and didn’t even think of deducting the amount from Sonsona’s purse from his last fight.

Marvin’s constant postponement of his departure for Las Vegas and his habit of always asking for advances on his fight purse have finally turned off Lewkowicz and Gello-ani, as well as the powerful Al Haymon, who has also invested in Marvin’s career. They have warned of serious legal implications should any promoter fall prey to Sonsona’s efforts to promote his fights.

At one time, Marvin Sonsona was “Marvelous” but that monicker has been painfully erased by his attitude, utter lack of discipline and worst of all his ingratitude.

What a crying shame!

S AT U R DAY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS San Beda’s Amiel Soberano and Letran’s Mark Cruz gets entangled in a rebound battle in Game 1 of the NCAA Finals. The Knights won, 94-90.

BROSI GONZALES

Taulava, Anthony lift NLEX to 1st win Game Today (Davao City) 5 p.m. - San Miguel Beer vs. GlobalPort

By Jeric Lopez AGELESS wonder Asi Taulava flexed his muscles down the stretch, where he made the crucial plays to help NLEX list its first win, 90-86, at the expense of gritty Blackwater in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Taulava finished with a double-double and gamehighs of 19 points and 12 rebounds, going 4-of-4 from the line in the final minute to aid the Road Warriors secure the victory in their season debut. NLEX joined opening-day winner Rain or Shine at 1-0. ‘’Sean (Anthony) stepped up, Asi (Taulava) made his free throws and we played tough defense in the second half and that really helped us,’’ said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. ‘’We made some huge stops in the fourth.’’

Anthony himself had a splendid with a near tripledouble of 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for more production for NLEX. With the game hanging in the balance in this gritand-grind contest, the Road Warriors had the game’s most significant run when they erected a key 21-9 spurt in a six-minute stretch in the middle of the payoff period, capped by Mark Borboran’s basket from a nice dish from Taulava, to take a vital 85-78 lead heading into the waning minutes.

The Elite fought back with a 6-0 run, finished by Reil Cervantes’ basket to make it a one-point game, 85-84, for NLEX with 51.2 seconds left.

However, Taulava’s four free throws kept the Road Warriors in the driver’s seat, 89-86, with under 20 seconds left.

With a chance to tie and force overtime, Blackwater went to Cervantes but his triple with around 10 seconds didn’t find its mark.

Knights near 1 title in a decade st

By Peter Atencio

LETRAN moved to within a win shy of quenching a decade-long thirst for a title, coming up with big plays in the endgame to get past the defending champion San Beda Red Lions, 94-90, Friday night in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With ring icon Manny Pacquiao watching and supporting from the bench, Mark Cruz scored three of four charities in the last 14.4 seconds, before Kevin Racal drove in 10 seconds later to put the Knights a win away from their first crown since 2005 in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Racal shot a game-high 28 points for the Knights, including a driving shot in the last four seconds to peg the final tally after Red

Lion Roldan Sara banged in a triple in the last 10.8 seconds that put the champs to within 90-92.

Rey Nambatac drilled in 18 points, while Cruz hit 17, with his three charities finding their mark in the last 14 seconds and allowing Letran to take a fivepoint edge, 92-87.

Olaide Adeogun tallied 23 points for the Red Lions, including two freebies in the last 26.1 seconds that kept San Beda within range, 87-89.

The Knights, who last

won the crown in 2005 against the Philippine Christian University Dolphins, have a chance to snatch the crown from the Red Lions if they sweep the series on Tuesday.

“We expected this kind of game. I know it will be a tough game. We know it will be a dogfight. Sabi ko sa mga players, ‘We just have to be tough. We just have to grab this opportunity because not all players and coaches are given this kind of opportunity,’” said Letran coach Aldin Ayo. Back-to-back triples from Nambatc in the last 5:38 handed Letran a fivepoint cushion, 80-75.

Meanwhile, Mapua’s big man Allwell Oraeme capped a huge season as he cornered three major awards yesterday in the awards ceremonies before Game 1 of the Finals between San Beda College and Letran.

Oraeme, who led the Cardinals from the cellar early in the first round to the Final Four, was named as the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

In earning MVP honors, Oraeme led all players in the statistical race with 69.67 points, beating San Beda’s Art dela Cruz, who had 60.67 by a wide margin.

He beat Perpetual Bright Akhuetie for top rookie honors, and edged San Sebastian’s Bradwyn Guinto for the Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Oraeme became the third player to receive an MVP and ROY award as the same time.

Two players did it before when Sam Ekwe of San Beda got it both in 2006, and Gabby Espinas of PCU took it in 2004.

Oraeme finished the season with a league-best

Games Tuesday (Game 2 at the MOA Arena) 2 p.m. San Beda vs Arellano (jrs) 4 p.m. San Beda vs Letran (srs)

averages of 20.28 rebounds and 2.94 blocks per game.

He placed seventh in the league in scoring with 16.33 points per outing.

The last time a cager won three major awards was in 2010 courtesy of San Beda’s

Magnaye, Francisco advance TURN TO A15

Sudan Daniel.

Oraeme and Dela Cruz were later by Perpetual Help’s Scottie Thompson and Akhuetie and Arellano’s Jiovani Jalalon in the Mythical Five.

Michael Calisaan of San Sebastian was named Most Improved Player, beating out Tey Teodoro of Jose Rizal University for the honor.

B1

SATURDAY: OCTOBER 24, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PH needs more rice imports PSe comPoSite index Closing October 23, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

7,236.38 118.60

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing OCTOBER 23, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P46.440

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE Philippines should import more rice to cover losses in the production of the staple food due to damage inflicted by typhoon Lando in Northern and Central Luzon, the Finance Department said Friday.

Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said more rice imports were needed to avoid a sharp increase in the domestic price of the commodity.

“The country may have to import more rice to replace these losses in domestic production and avoid triggering an inflationary spiral,” Beltran said in the latest finance economic bulletin.

The average inflation in the first

nine months of the year dropped below the government’s target of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Data from PSA showed that the inflation rate fell to 0.4 percent in September from 0.6 percent in August and 4.4 percent in the same month last year. The average inflation in the first nine months of year stood at 1.6 percent due to low oil prices and stable commodity prices.

Beltran said the rice buffer could drop below 50 days if the losses from the typhoon were not replaced.

“Rice buffer of close to the September 1 level of 58 days is needed to ensure rice price stability,” Beltran said.

He said farmers needed insurance protection to enable them to recover quickly from natural disasters.

“Information dissemination of the new Insurance Commissionapproved micro agri framework will enable private sector providers to start obtaining IC approval for micro-insurance products for sale to farmers,” he said.

Beltran also said an abrupt repair and rehabilitation of the destroyed infrastructure in the devastated areas must ensue.

“Aside from ensuring connectivity, infrastructure spending will generate non-farm economic activity that will mitigate the adverse impact of the disaster,” he said.

Meanwhile, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said rice importation was needed to prevent higher prices.

“It’s a choice you have to make, you import or you want the prices to sky-rocket again,” Balisacan said during the sidelines of press briefing in Mandaluyong City.

Baliscan said, however, that the P7.5-billion damage to agriculture in Central Luzon would not drag economic growth.

“So far the P7.5-billion damage on crops [is not that significant on the] almost P12-trillion economy,” he said.

HIGH P46.440 LOW P46.520 AVERAGE P46.454 VOLUME 1,101.500M

P417.00-P640.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.85-P43.35 Unleaded Gasoline P24.55-P28.00 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, October 23, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.5280

Japan

Yen

0.008285

0.3855

UK

Pound

1.539700

71.6392

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.0036

Switzerland

Franc

1.027855

47.8240

Canada

Dollar

0.763709

35.5339

Singapore

Dollar

0.717463

33.3821

Australia

Dollar

0.721189

33.5555

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656325

123.5935

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266745

12.4111

Brunei

Dollar

0.714898

33.2628

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.028082

1.3066

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.6690

Euro

Euro

1.111300

51.7066

Korea

Won

0.000884

0.0411

China

Yuan

0.157297

7.3187

India

Rupee

0.015406

0.7168

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233645

10.8710

New Zealand

Dollar

0.678380

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030855

31.5637 1.4356 Source: PDS Bridge

Investment opportunities. Trade Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo, Jr. (right) joins Parliamentary State Secretary Madame Brigitte

Zypries of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (center) and German Ambassador to the Philippines Thomas Ossowski at the sidelines of an investment briefing October 9, 2015 at the Industry and Investments Building in Makati City. Zypries led a business mission from the Germany–Asia Pacific Business Association that visited the Philippines from October 7 to 9. Manalo cited investment opportunities in manufacturing, specifically in the automotive/electronics sector and the energy and IT/BPM areas as well.

Weak exports expected to drag down GDP growth in third quarter LOWER merchandise exports are expected to hurt economic growth in the third quarter, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Friday.

Balisacan, who is also the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said despite the acceleration in public spending, the continued contraction in merchandise exports would drag down the thirdquarter gross domestic product growth.

“We continue to see the acceleration spending [and] that’s a

big plus. The downside, I think is the export. [It has] has been quite lower than we expected,” Balisacan said in a news briefing on the UN General Assembly and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Merchandise exports fell 6.3 percent in August from a year ago, marking the fifth consecutive month of contraction.

This brought total exports in the first eight months to $41.13 billion, down by 4.4 percent from $39.34 billion a year ago.

Exports were pulled down by lower demand for the country’s

agriculture and mineral products, brought about by recent developments in the global economy.

All selected trade-oriented economies in East and Southeast Asia posted negative exports growth in August, except Vietnam.

Exports to the United States fell 4 percent year-on-year,while shipments to Japan declined 1.6 percent. Exports to China plummeted 23.5 percent year-on-year.

Balisacan, however, said the robust exports of services would likely balance the drop in merchandise exports.

“Exports in services remain to be robust. I think that’s a good thing. Ten years ago, you know almost just 70 percent of our total export were simply electronics, but now we have exports of services,” he said.

Balisacan earlier said the government would not change the 7 percent to 8 percent growth target in 2015.

He also said there would be no adjustment in the target, despite the lower-than-expected 5.3 expansion in the first semester.

“I think the more prudent to do

is just let the 7 to 8 percent [target stay]. But we are not saying that it is achievable, but what’s the point of changing at this time? We forecast, [and] we target so we can appropriately plan,” Balisacan said.

“For me as a planner, just like in the private sector, when you perform, when you do not perform well this year, you have to work hard next year but you don’t reduce your target for this year so that your performance for the whole period will be better,” he said.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

SATURDAY: OCTOBER 24, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, OctOber 23, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

2.83 70 104.00 82.75 40 1.30 15.6 19.62 1.73 740.00 0.600 82.1 0.95 18.54 54.10 104 299 30 142.8 1520.00 56.95

47 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 17 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

35.9 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 8.61 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.37 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 161 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

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

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

Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

41.95 0.89 1.58 11.5 98.75 17 24.05 42.8 2.63 1.76 9.9 10.060 7.66 6.75 7.67 11.96 26.2 71.9 11.88 13.58 5.96 2.550 207.00 4 44.70 23.9 25 6 317.80 3.90 4.4 7.31 11.40 3.50 1.99 2.47 4.05 142.2 2.17 0.175 1.29 2.16 199.5 4.56 0.68 23.00 1.15

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.68 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.5 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 1.15 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 4.5 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘B’ Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.410 57.4000 18.00 1.07 6.39 0.255 0.250 759 7.4 12.50 3.5 0.250 1321 5.81 72.00 4.8 6.63 0.88 12.28 0.55 5.18 8.69 0.0330 1.280 1.950 48.00 2.96 875.00 1.20 0.84 107.000 0.3400 0.2300 0.305

10.5 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44

6.74 0.65 1.2 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property

6.520 0.70 1.080 35.000 3.44 5.07 0.58

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

SHARES 9,101,698 98,317,608 121,601,817 217,908,959 144,400,325 674,746,357 1,271,036,403

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.7 2.68 70.1 69.5 108.50 105.00 84.90 82.70 40.4 40 1.27 1.26 15.74 15.2 19.86 19.6 1.80 1.73 750.00 740.00 0.620 0.600 83.9 82.5 0.98 0.96 18.54 18.40 54.00 53.40 103.9 90 299.8 298 30.9 30.05 146 142 1560.00 1530.00 57.05 56.60 INDUSTRIAL 42.95 41.95 0.92 0.88 1.64 1.58 11.56 11 98.75 95.00 17.02 16.94 24.9 24 43.1 43 2.69 2.52 1.81 1.75 10 9.9 10.240 10.08 7.80 7.66 7.00 6.88 7.87 7.61 12.46 11.96 26.7 26.25 73.25 71.9 11.76 11.76 13.02 13.00 5.99 5.95 2.660 2.530 208.80 207.20 4 3.71 43.90 41.00 24.4 24 25.25 24.6 6.02 5.95 324.00 317.80 3.93 3.86 4.45 4.4 7.33 7.24 11.50 11.40 3.59 3.50 2.00 1.97 2.68 2.48 4.11 4.06 142.2 141.5 2.29 2.16 0.177 0.165 1.29 1.20 2.23 2.19 204.6 199.5 4.56 4.54 0.69 0.67 23.00 23.00 1.15 1.15 HOLDING FIRMS 0.410 0.410 58.2000 57.5000 18.30 17.98 1.12 1.12 6.50 6.48 0.255 0.250 0.26 0.255 777 776 7.52 7.42 12.90 12.50 3.65 3.65 0.270 0.255 1346 1322 5.81 5.81 73.30 72.00 4.02 3.62 6.91 6.64 0.88 0.83 12.44 12.3 0.57 0.52 5.25 5.18 8.69 8.8 0.0340 0.0330 1.210 1.210 1.980 1.900 48.50 47.80 2.93 2.71 887.50 879.50 1.23 1.19 0.83 0.77 107.800 104.100 0.3400 0.3300 0.2400 0.2300 0.330 0.315 PROPERTY 6.620 6.500 0.73 0.70 1.170 1.170 35.500 35.000 3.49 3.42 5.11 5.05 0.6 0.59

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.7 70.1 107.50 84.30 40.4 1.26 15.74 19.82 1.73 750.00 0.600 83.25 0.98 18.42 54.00 103.9 299.6 30.55 142.9 1560.00 57.00

-4.59 0.14 3.37 1.87 1.00 -3.08 0.90 1.02 0.00 1.35 0.00 1.40 3.16 -0.65 -0.18 -0.10 0.20 1.83 0.07 2.63 0.09

10,000 57,870 2,805,470 2,200,270 37,300 18,000 134,600 29,100 26,000 1,740 526,000 1,025,590 200,000 198,800 72,460 180 1,100 207,800 491,670 990 127,090

42.6 0.9 1.61 11 95.00 16.98 24.9 43 2.58 1.76 9.98 10.200 7.70 6.97 7.61 12.46 26.7 72.2 11.76 13.02 5.96 2.610 207.60 3.99 41.50 24.3 25 6 320.00 3.93 4.4 7.25 11.50 3.57 2.00 2.6 4.09 141.5 2.24 0.171 1.22 2.23 204 4.55 0.68 23.00 1.15

1.55 1.12 1.90 -4.35 -3.80 -0.12 3.53 0.47 -1.90 0.00 0.81 1.39 0.52 3.26 -0.78 4.18 1.91 0.42 -1.01 -4.12 0.00 2.35 0.29 -0.25 -7.16 1.67 0.00 0.00 0.69 0.77 0.00 -0.82 0.88 2.00 0.50 5.26 0.89 -0.49 3.23 -2.29 -5.43 3.24 2.26 -0.22 0.00 0.00 0.00

1,746,900 48,000 447,000 1,500 190 412,400 889,200 59,600 2,105,000 454,000 33,400 12,774,400 5,549,700 21,939,400 987,200 23,500 1,725,400 966,820 5,000 4,100 124,700 3,207,000 828,810 19,000 22,000 5,473,600 698,500 8,083,900 799,330 44,000 119,000 1,110,000 10,900 160,000 1,228,000 1,808,000 1,928,000 2,470 358,000 16,320,000 100,000 2,826,000 2,619,500 20,000 145,000 1,000 48,000

0.410 57.7500 18.00 1.12 6.48 0.255 0.255 774 7.45 12.60 3.65 0.260 1322 5.81 73.00 4.02 6.89 0.86 12.34 0.53 5.23 8.8 0.0340 1.210 1.920 48.50 2.93 885.00 1.20 0.81 107.800 0.3300 0.2330 0.330

0.00 0.61 0.00 4.67 1.41 0.00 2.00 1.98 0.68 0.80 4.29 4.00 0.08 0.00 1.39 -16.25 3.92 -2.27 0.49 -3.64 0.97 1.27 3.03 -5.47 -1.54 1.04 -1.01 1.14 0.00 -3.57 0.75 -2.94 1.30 8.20

20,000 1,763,110 7,429,200 19,000 26,400 1,970,000 90,000 317,260 2,093,900 5,265,300 2,000 1,020,000 117,890 1,500 2,550,060 6,000 4,641,000 491,000 3,669,200 3,425,000 33,083,700 2,320,000 34,300,000 10,000 6,037,000 151,900 10,000 532,320 45,000 376,000 6,570 9,160,000 180,000 60,000

6.520 0.70 1.170 35.300 3.49 5.05 0.59

0.00 0.00 8.33 0.86 1.45 -0.39 1.72

519,200 1,162,000 1,000 31,276,000 1,022,000 156,900 6,041,000

-165,923.00 60,987,487 58,002,443.50 -40,400.00 -141,298.00

32,000,294.50 -189,120.00 27,690.00 1,004,676.50 1,748,580 11,533,601.00 7,675.00 -206,236.00 22,164,740.00 16,000.00 1,396,612.00 2,528,400 525,540.00 -268,920.00 91,625,990.00 -21,233,188.00 22,702,722.00 -2,516,181.00 775,105.00 -9,688,522.50 -44,688.00 33,852.00 78,300.00 40,806,412.00 3,730.00 -116,001,255.00 -47,902,209.00 13,291,954.00 150,110.00 -2,004,872.00 190,080.00 15,000.00 -426,470.00 -66,850.00

-881,760.00 48,553,805.00 45,460.00

22,901,651.00 12,088,406.00

75,003,795.00 4,608,791.00 2,188,298.00 3,000,190.00 62,915,927.00 2,022,567.00 -8,700.00 -21,404,206.00 8,245,035.00 -175,400.00 86,950.00 -1,760,540.00 -73,572,885.00 -19,530.00 -216,717.00 9,900.00

-1,255,681.00 49,000.00 -454,183,035.00 1,991,810.00 -2,029,940.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 12.5 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 95.5 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

1.97 35.2 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 8.72 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 3.1 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 0.37 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

Close

City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

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

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

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

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

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

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

1.14 Yehey

0.0098 17.24 0.330 12.7 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 6.47 0.236 6.5 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

Abra Mining Atlas Cons. `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

70 553 525 515 8.21 12.28 1047 84.8

33 490 500 480 5.88 6.5 1011 75

1.34

1

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F Swift Pref

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15 88 12.88

3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

High

VALUE 752,265,105.32 1,766,481,679.42 1,736,178,655.21 2,147,120,611.60 1,355,454,780.152 271,602,339.556 8,114,038,553.262

FINANCIAL 1,585.35 (up) 27.86 INDUSTRIAL 11,539.98 (up) 164.68 HOLDING FIRMS 6,646.46 (up) 69.81 PROPERTY 3,045.32 (up) 41.74 SERVICES 1,782.44 (up) 43.66 MINING & OIL 11,617.07 (up) 230.99 PSEI 7,236.38 (up) 118.60 All Shares Index 4,160.64 (up) 56.55 Gainers: 119 Losers: 56; Unchanged: 40; Total: 215

Close

0.93 1.06 0.132 0.520 21 0.890 0.162 1.13 1.73 1.28 4.6 0.093 0.3000 0.3900 8.63 29.90 1.53 22.15 0.73 8.47 1.040 5.460

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.99 0.94 0.99 1.02 1.02 1.02 0.137 0.130 0.130 0.560 0.520 0.550 21.9 20.8 21.5 0.900 0.890 0.890 0.162 0.162 0.162 1.16 1.13 1.13 1.77 1.73 1.73 1.31 1.29 1.31 4.73 4.65 4.73 0.093 0.089 0.090 0.3000 0.2950 0.2950 0.4550 0.4550 0.4550 8.67 8.63 8.66 30.30 29.95 30.05 1.53 1.5 1.53 22.80 22.15 22.65 0.7 0.72 0.72 8.47 8.47 8.47 1.120 1.040 1.080 5.470 5.500 5.460 SERVICES 7.97 8.21 7.9 8.21 64.65 65.1 64 64.65 0.580 0.600 0.570 0.590 11.28 11.34 11.34 11.34 29 28 26.2 28 6.59 6.74 6.55 6.69 0.0560 0.0570 0.0540 0.0540 3.82 3.87 3.75 3.75 86.8 87.4 86.35 86.75 5.94 5.95 5.90 5.93 2310 2340 2286 2328 6.76 6.86 6.78 6.86 1.22 1.20 1.19 1.20 77.2 82 77.25 81.3 11.4 11.42 11.4 11.4 0.186 0.184 0.183 0.184 1.4200 1.4500 1.4000 1.4200 2.25 2.2 2.16 2.16 8.61 8.85 8.60 8.78 3.46 3.50 3.45 3.48 1.26 1.25 1.25 1.25 31.50 32.80 33.00 29.00 0.610 0.610 0.610 0.610 2 2 1.99 2 3.92 4.07 3.94 4.01 0.300 0.310 0.295 0.295 0.890 0.980 0.890 0.970 4.50 4.90 4.80 4.90 100.00 99.90 99.90 99.90 20.30 20.90 19.98 20.35 2294.00 2382.00 2284.00 2364.00 0.580 0.590 0.570 0.570 1.190 1.210 1.170 1.200 35.95 36.25 35.90 35.95 74.00 76.10 74.85 76.00 6.55 6.77 6.51 6.52 5.15 5.58 5.22 5.40 0.45 0.47 0.45 0.46 4.21 4.41 4.21 4.34 0.370 0.360 0.350 0.350 4.050 4.350 4.060 4.150 MINING & OIL 0.0049 0.0051 0.0049 0.0051 5.90 6.10 5.72 5.90 0.201 0.205 0.203 0.205 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 0.84 0.89 0.8 0.81 0.64 0.69 0.64 0.64 8.51 8.81 8.52 8.63 1.04 1.07 1.02 1.03 0.315 0.335 0.310 0.320 0.192 0.193 0.191 0.193 0.205 0.208 0.205 0.208 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.3 2.32 2.27 2.28 8.31 8.84 8.5 8.77 3.26 3.42 3.16 3.25 0.6700 0.6800 0.6200 0.6400 1.4000 1.4500 1.4100 1.4100 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 5.28 5.400 5.280 5.37 1.350 1.38 1.36 1.390 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0130 129.80 134.00 129.50 133.50 2.29 2.37 2.29 2.37 0.0077 0.0083 0.0080 0.0083 PREFERRED 66 66.1 66 66 512 515 515 515 525 525 525 525 519 518 518 518 6.51 6.75 6.7 6.75 1.1 1.12 1.11 1.12 1035 1035 1035 1035 82.1 82.75 82.5 82.75 79 79.2 79.2 79.2 78.9 79 78.9 79 80 80 79.95 79.95 2.9 3.09 2.02 2.9 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.810 3.100 2.900 3.000 SME 2.95 3 2.8 2.97 60 62.95 60.05 61.35 15.42 15.86 15.52 15.7 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.2 118.2 116.3 118.2

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

6.45 -3.77 -1.52 5.77 2.38 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.34 2.83 -3.23 -1.67 16.67 0.35 0.50 0.00 2.26 -1.37 0.00 3.85 0.18

10,000 3,000 34,530,000 43,671,000 3,055,500 537,000 10,000 1,551,000 13,987,000 541,000 29,629,000 4,140,000 430,000 10,000 205,900 6,080,900 470,000 21,060,400 613,000 100 5,771,000 10,071,900

3.01 0.00 1.72 0.53 -3.45 1.52 -3.57 -1.83 -0.06 -0.17 0.78 1.48 -1.64 5.31 0.00 -1.08 0.00 -4.00 1.97 0.58 -0.79 -3.96 0.00 0.00 2.30 -1.67 8.99 8.89 -0.10 0.25 3.05 -1.72 0.84 0.00 2.70 -0.46 4.85 1.11 3.09 -5.41 2.47

126,700 54,770 312,000 700 1,800 3,201,100 33,040,000 1,720,000 404,580 208,300 91,150 572,900 102,000 3,140,960 21,900 630,000 128,000 11,000 468,100 251,000 4,000 4,600 7,000 35,000 13,240,000 2,010,000 35,877,000 92,000 10 83,500 164,660 1,287,000 9,639,000 2,657,200 325,670 2,431,900 23,851,400 4,270,000 2,099,000 50,000 456,000

4.08 0.00 1.99 0.00 -3.57 0.00 1.41 -0.96 1.59 0.52 1.46 0.00 0.00 -0.87 5.54 -0.31 -4.48 0.71 0.00 0.00 1.70 1.47 -7.14 2.85 3.49 7.79

533,000,000 80,500.00 19,000 3,540.00 120,000 4,800 7,114,000 -497,190.00 3,837,000 6,500.00 51,300 -88,000.00 21,289,000 -5,970,000.00 1,720,000 950,000 30,000 600,000 1,000,000 343,000 -2,310.00 8,402,400 -1,487,654.00 6,087,000 -3,198,870.00 299,000 57,040.00 137,000 28,200.00 10,700,000 1,000 264,300 -94,010.00 243,000 -85,340.00 73,300,000 1,050,080 -14,846,515.00 149,000 4,000,000

0.00 0.59 0.00 -0.19 3.69 1.82 0.00 0.79 0.25 0.13 -0.06 0.00

186,110 1,000 970 110 46,800 469,000 1,000 23,600 12,500 110,500 211,500 36,000

6.76

278,000

0.68 2.25 1.82

76,000 2,850 4,802,800

1.72

77,980

-50,800.00 -4,569,000.00 -19,223,180.00 -1,620.00 -66,120.00 -5,131,830.00 82,615,380.00

-999,685.00 -325,530.00 -72,121,160.00 44,920.00 -16,362,657.00 672,246.00

955,959.00 66,400.00 -1,185,696.50 79,060.00 -78,321,180.00 -31,144,445.50 5,490.00 4,290.00 1,456,025.00

-38,640,760.00 -1,234,980.00 -65,595.00 127,035,810.00 -2,814,020.00 -20,031,735.00 471,344.50 -196,360.00 -20,201,696.00 -1,540,650.00 -598,690.00

-7,583,474.00

17,234,160.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Phil. Realty `A'

0.4550

16.67

Jolliville Holdings

4.02

NOW Corp.

0.970

8.99

Macay Holdings

41.50

-16.25 -7.16

PAL Holdings Inc.

4.90

8.89

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.0130

-7.14

Araneta Prop `A'

1.170

8.33

Prime Media Hldg

1.210

-5.47

Zeus Holdings

0.330

8.20

TKC Steel Corp.

1.22

-5.43

United Paragon

0.0083

7.79

Waterfront Phils.

0.350

-5.41

LR Warrant

3.000

6.76

AG Finance

2.7

-4.59

City & Land Dev.

0.99

6.45

Omico

0.6400

-4.48

Cyber Bay Corp.

0.550

5.77

Asiabest Group

11

-4.35

Nickelasia

8.77

5.54

Holcim Philippines Inc.

13.02

-4.12

SATURDAY: OCTOBER 24, 2015

B3

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

DoE grants permit to Roxas solar plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Department granted Roxas Green Energy Corp. a renewable energy service contract for a 50-megawatt solar power plant in Nasugbu, Batangas.

The department, following its mandate to explore and promote the development of renewal energy, recently signed a service contract with Roxas on the project.

Roxas Green Energy, a 100-percent owned subsidiary of Roxas & Co. Inc., said it planned to operate the facility by the first quarter of 2016 to meet the feed-in tariff deadline.

The project is being developed within the 2,000-hectare Roxas property in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Roxas & Co. earlier said the first phase with 30 MW with a projected cost of P1.7 billion, was scheduled to come online in the third quarter.

The company tapped the services of Poyry Energy, Inc., a engi-

neering and consulting company from Finland, for the engineering, design, procurement and construction management.

Roxas & Co. has expanded its different business ventures in recent years.

Roxas & Co. chairman, president and chief executive Pedro Roxas said the group needed to act fast to keep up with the changing demands of the times.

“We are always on the lookout for opportunities, and we need to act decisively for us to address and help alleviate the rising demands that come with the globalization of the economy,” Roxas said.

Roxas & Co. also continues to

expect strong prospects for Roxas Holdings Inc., the country’s largest integrated producer of sugar and ethanol, as it continues to scout for additional acquisition opportunities.

Roxas Holdings recently acquired San Carlos Bioenergy Inc., the first integrated, sugarcanebased, fuel bioethanol distillery and power co-generation facility in Southeast Asia.

This is in addition to Roxas Holdings’s existing successful subsidiaries Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc.m Central Azucarera de la Carlota Inc., Roxol Bioenergy Inc. and HawaiianPhilippine Company Inc.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. opens SM Center Sangandaan, its 55th mall in the Philippines and first in the populous city of Caloocan, one of the 16 cities in Metro Manila. The new mall provides an additional 38,622 square meters in gross floor area, giving SM Prime a total retail space of 6,825,206 sqm, the largest footprint in the country.

SM Prime opens first shopping mall in Caloocan City

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM PRIME Holdings Inc., one of the leading integrated property companies in Southeast Asia, on Friday opened its first shopping mall in Caloocan City and its 55th in the country.

SM Prime said in a statement SM Center Sangandaan, the company’s first shopping mall in Sangandaan, Caloocan City, has a gross floor area of 38,622 square meters, increasing the group’s total retail space to 6.825 million square meters.

“SM Center Sangandaan re-

flects SM Prime’s commitment to be part of the growth across communities. We are very pleased to open our first mall in Caloocan City which is a testament to the fact that Metro Manila is far from being saturated by modern retail facilities,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said.

SM Center Sangandaan is strategically located along the busy intersection of Samson Road and A. Mabini Street Sangandaan. This will give SM Prime access to the northern tip of Metro Manila, bringing a unique shopping experience closer to the highly dense cities of Mala-

bon, Navotas and Caloocan.

SM Center Sangandaan is the fifth SM mall to be opened this year, after Cherry SM on Shaw Boulevard with a GFA of 24,165 sqm and SM City Cabanatuan.

SM Prime senior vice president and chief finance officer Jeffrey Lim said the company was also set to open SM Seaside City Cebu on Nov. 27, 2015.

The P7.5-billion SM Seaside City Cebu will the company’s fourth largest mall in the country.

SM Seaside City Cebu is a fourlevel circular shaped mall with gross floor area of 470,000 square

meters. It is situated within the 30-hectare South Road Properties also being developed by SM Prime.

The development of SM Seaside complex was patterned after the 60-hectare SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Aside from a huge shopping mall, the complex will also have a convention center, hotel, BPO office buildings and a sports/concert arena.

By the end of 2015, SM Prime will have 56 malls in the Philippines and six in China with an estimated combined gross floor area of 8.301 million square meters.

Market tops 7,200; ICTSI leads advances STOCKS advanced Friday, sending the benchmark index above 7,200 points for the first time in two months, as prospects of continued monetary stimulus in Europe and the US spurred demand for riskier assets.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 118 points, or 1.7 percent, to close at 7,236.38, its highest since Aug. 20. The gauge was also up 0.1 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also rose 56 points, or 1.4 percent, to settle at 4,160.64, on a value turnover of P8.1 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 119 to 56, while 40 issues were unchanged.

Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. was the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks, as it jumped 5.3 percent to P81.30.

BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender, gained 3.4 percent to P107.50, while Energy Development Corp., a renewable energy producer, rose 3.3 percent to P6.97. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. added 3.1 percent to close at P2,364.

Meanwhile, Tokyo stocks extended a global equities rally Friday morning, with the benchmark index surging 2.35 percent on dovish comments from the European Central Bank and upbeat US corporate earnings.

Wall Street powered higher Thursday, following big jumps in eurozone markets after ECB chief Mario Draghi hinted at fresh stimulus measures to kickstart the bloc’s weak economy, as markets look to a possible easing moves by Bank of Japan policymakers next week.

“Mario Draghi and his elves at the ECB practically confirmed there will be an early Christmas present,” Evan Lucas, a market strategist at IG, said in a note.

“In short, all options are on the table for the ECB, also meaning the Bank of Japan and the Fed are now live events as well.”

After its latest policy meeting on Thursday, the ECB unveiled no new measures but Draghi said: “The degree of monetary policy accommodation will need to be re-examined at our December meeting.”

The comment inflamed talk the bank will ramp up its already vast bond-buying scheme -- essentially printing more cash -- in a bid to fan chronically weak inflation and kick-start torpid growth.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index advanced 433.97 points to 18,869.84 by the lunch break, while the broader Topix index of all first-section shares gained 2.10 percent, or 31.81 points, to 1,550.03.

The gains followed a 0.64 percent drop the previous day, as losses at drugmakers and profittaking dragged the Nikkei lower.

With Bloomberg, AFP

SATURDAY: OCTOBER 24, 2015

B4

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

IN BRIEF

Moratorium on laws PHILIPPINE Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Alfredo Yao on Friday called for a moratorium on new laws, saying there are enough legislations in the country.

“We don’t need a new law. I think we just have to revisit old laws and amend them a little bit. A little adjustment that will update these laws,” he said during the pre-event briefing of the 41st Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the group’s office in Bonifacio Global City.

He said the long list of Philippine laws might create confusion, adding some of there were counter-productive to the economy.

“We have the negative list that deters the progress of healthy foreign investment setting. We have so many laws that only needed some tinkering the make them relevant and functional to the country’s needs,” Yao said.

The business conference aims highlight the country’s competitiveness as a regional and global player.

The business conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on October 26, 2015. Othel V. Campos

Asean swap renewed. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other Asean-member central banks sign the 5th supplemental memorandum of understanding renewing the Asean Swap Arrangement for a period of another two years starting on November 17, 2015. The swap involves the provision of $2 billion in short-term foreign exchange liquidity support for Asean countries that experience balance of payments difficulties. Bangko Sentral Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. signs the document for the Philippine central bank.

Counterfeit products PHILIPPINE National Police Chief Director-General Ricardo Marquez ordered PNP Deputy Director-General for Operation Danilo Constantino to intensify the campaign against counterfeit products.

Constantino instructed the CIDG and all police field commanders to strengthen the country’s campaign against counterfeit products, including fake cigarettes, in coordination with other concerned government agencies like the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Constantino noted that several apprehensions had already been made on distributors and suppliers of fake cigarettes found in some shopping malls, markets and even ambulant vendors. An arrest resulting into the filing of criminal cases for violation of RA 8293 were made by Llanera, Nueva Ecija Police and in Sitio Pulo, Brgy. Anabu 2C in Imus City.

Police personnel from Imus, Cavite and San Jose City, Nueva Ecija recently responded to complaints from some wholesale stores that a vendor of fake Mighty and Marvels cigarettes was circulating around the city.

Climate change meet SEVEN of the largest business groups in the country committed to implement concrete measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as the El Niño weather phenomenon on water resources.

The Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Business for the Environment, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines, Federation of Philippines Inc. and the Financial Executives of the Philippines signed the Manila Declaration, the private sector’s statement of solidarity and support to low emission development.

Top leaders of the country’s leading corporations also launched the Water Alliance, a partnership among chief executive officers which will address issues and create solutions to impending water problems in the Philippines.

PBSP noted the Philippines was withdrawing more than double the average world usage of water per person per year and water scarcity is being experienced in many parts of the country.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Globe broadband GLOBE Telecom Inc. on Friday unveiled a new portfolio of high-speed broadband services in a bid to outdo its rival telecom company.

The Ayala-led telecommunications firm said the new pricing scheme of its high-speed broadband effectively put the Philippines at par, if not better, against other countries such as the US, Thailand and Indonesia in terms of affordability.

With the new Globe Platinum Broadband Plans, customers can enjoy a broadband plan with Internet speeds of up to 50 megabytes per second (Mbps) at Plan 2499, 100 Mbps at Plan 3499, 200 Mbps at Plan 4499, 500 Mbps at Plan 7499, and 1 Gigabits per second (Gbps) at Plan 9499.

All plans are bundled with unlimited data with no data cap and free access to Spotify, NBA League Pass, and HOOQ. “We are very excited to offer our new Platinum Broadband Plans as our way to provide Filipinos, one area at a time, with high-quality broadband services that need not be costly,” Gilbert Simpao, senior vice president for consumer broadband at Globe said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Cargill readies PH poultry production

By Othel V. Campos

SINGAPORE-BASED Cargill Asia Pacific Holdings Inc. Pte. Ltd. is seriously considering investing heavily into poultry production in the Philippines through local unit Cargill Philippines Inc. to meet the increased demand during the peak season.

“There is more room for animal business in the Philippines.

We’re looking at getting into new things like investing in poultry,” Cargill chairman for the Asia Pacific Alan Willits said in a briefing Thursday.

Cargill, a major food producer, noted that chicken supply in Philippines was traditionally deficient during the peak season, or during holidays and the school period.

The company plans to supply industrial and big food establishments such as Jollibee, McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken to avoid displacing small poultry raisers.

Cargill assured it would not compete with wet market poultry and eat into the share of domestic integrators.

As an expert in animal nutrition and a big player in the animal feeds

category, Cargill expects its animal feeds division to complement plans for poultry raising and marketing in the Philippines.

It will earmark production for local consumption and may consider exports as operations become more stable.

“I would think that with the growth in the Philippines and the size of the population, there’s plenty of opportunity to serve the domestic market. That’s our initial intent, we can’t exclude the potential of exports at some point. I could see that the initial investment is worth as the market is growing,” said Willits.

Cargill still has to decide on the location and the business model that will fit the Philippine settings and the supply chain it will focus on.

“There might be some nuances

like consumer preferences we need to understand,” said Willits.

Cargill has thriving poultry operations in Indonesia and China, where it has a fully-integrated poultry production facility.

It made the $300-million China-facility avian-influenza free and fully-air conditioned with no outside interaction.

The company declined commit a date on the start of the project.

“I wouldn’t speculate on the timeline but this kind of project like this usually within a year. I think it is an interesting opportunity here so we’d like to invest if we can find the right opportunity,” said Willits.

“So with this serious growth opportunity, we have some further capabilities on processing in terms of innovation. But how it exactly it will play out is still under study,” he said.

Inflation rate to drop below 2015 target range—BSP

By Julito G. Rada INFLATION is expected to settle below the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year due to slower increases in food prices, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in a report Friday.

“Latest baseline inflation forecasts show that inflation is likely to settle slightly below the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015 before rising gradually toward the midpoint of the target range [of 2 to 4 percent] in 20162017,” the report for the third

quarter this year said.

“Risks to the inflation outlook continue to be broadly balanced.

Pending petitions for power rate adjustments and the impact of stronger-than-expected El Niño weather conditions on food prices and utility rates are seen to pose upside risks to the outlook,” it said.

Downside risks, on the other hand, could stem from slowerthan-expected global economic activity and petitions for lower transport fares.

It said while inflation expecta-

tions have breached the lower end of the 2015 target band, they remained within the inflation target range over the policy horizon.

“Nevertheless, domestic economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace, as credit and liquidity growth remains in step with the overall requirements of the economy. Volatility in the global financial market resulting from slower growth in China and the expected normalization of monetary policy in the US could be an important consideration for the inflation outlook in the quar-

ters ahead...,” the report said.

Inflation in September further slowed down to 0.4 percent from 0.6 percent in August. It was also significantly slower than the 4.4 percent during the same month last year.

This brought the average in the first nine months to 1.6 percent, way below the government’s official target of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015. The downtrend was primarily due to the annual declines in the indices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and transport.

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

B5

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Myanmar’s jade sector monopoly of the rich BANGKOK—Myanmar’s secretive jade industry is worth an estimated $31 billion, far higher than official accounts, with most profits going to powerful military and ex-junta figures instead of the state coffers, a corruption watchdog said Friday.

Shady income derived from the trade has long driven conflict in Myanmar, undermining efforts to stabilize its nascent democracy ahead of landmark elections next month, an investigation from London-based Global Witness said.

Jade mining, which was firmly in the hands of the military and elites during the final years of junta rule, remains cloaked in secrecy despite reforms under a quasicivilian government that came to power in 2011.

In a report published Friday, Global Witness estimated the value of jade produced in 2014 was around $31 billion—far exceeding the $3.4 billion sold at Myanmar’s gem emporium last year, the country’s only official market for international sales of the precious stone.

The estimated value of last year’s jade haul would amount to almost half of the impoverished country’s GDP. “The numbers are staggering,” said Juman Kubba from Global Witness, saying the country’s jade trade “may be the biggest natural resource heist in modern history”.

She added that there had been a “massive escalation” in jade extraction ahead of the November 8 elections since large-scale mining resumed last September.

The vote is likely to be swept by Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition, which is contesting a general election for the first time in 25 years, if free and fair.

The watchdog also alleged links between jade firms and powerful figures in the military, drugs trade and the former junta, including strongman Than Shwe’s family.

“You are talking about the people with the most to lose from genuine democracy making huge amounts of money so that raises questions,” said Kubba.

The Myanmar government did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment. AFP

WORLD

In the mall. Miss International contestant Miss Honduras Jennifer Valle visits the Shibuya 109 shopping mall in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2015. The Miss International beauty pageant 2015, with representatives from 70 countries and regions, will be held in Tokyo on Nov. 5. AFP

Top envoys hold talks over the war in Syria VIENNA—The top diplomats from Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will hold talks on the war in Syria Friday, after Moscow thrust itself into the heart of the conflict with its bombing campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

The envoys from Washington, Riyadh and Ankara—all of which back groups battling against Assad—will look to sound out Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Vienna after the embattled Syrian strongman made a

surprise visit to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin this week.

On September 30 Russia launched air strikes in Syria THAT have shifted the dynamics of the brutal four-and-a-half year war— allowing Assad’s battle-weary forces to go on the offensive and overshadowing a US-led coalition bombing the Islamic State group.

The US and its regional allies have decried Russia’s strikes, insisting Moscow is not mainly targeting Islamic State as it claims, but other groups battling the regime in Damascus, and that the Kremlin’s intervention will only prolong the fighting.

US Secretary of State John Kerry geared up for a one-on-one with Sergei Lavrov by meeting Saudi

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and Turkish counterpart Feridun Sinirlioglu on Friday morning. The four are then set to meet together later.

Ahead of the talks in the Austrian capital, Assad’s fate remains a major stumbling block and, after years of failure to stop the bloodshed in Syria, there was scant hope of any major breakthrough.

Washington and its regional allies have long insisted Assad has to go for there to be any chance of a political solution to fighting that has cost more than 250,000 lives, but Moscow says it must first help him defeat IS and other “terrorists” before talks can start on any reforms.

“The aim of the US is to get rid of Assad, probably that is so, our

aim is to defeat terrorism, to battle terror, and to help President Assad claim victory over terror,” Putin said Thursday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

“In this way, we can then create the conditions for the start and, I hope the successful reaching of a conclusion, of the political process to find a settlement.”

Meanwhile, Kerry said in Berlin that while all sides agreed on the need to find a political solution and battle IS only “one thing stands in the way... a person called Assad— Bashar al-Assad”.

Assad’s surprise visit to Moscow on Tuesday -- his first known trip abroad since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011 -- has now placed the Kremlin as the key link to the strongman. AFP

Crocs rest with one eye open for danger

The topic is Syria. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir chat upon Kerry’s arrival for a meeting to discuss the Syrian conflict on Oct. 23, 2015, in Vienna. AFP

SYDNEY—Saltwater crocodiles can rest with one eye open to watch for threats, Australian scientists said Friday, with further research likely to show half of the mammal’s brain could be conscious even while asleep.

The scientists found that crocodile—slike birds, their closest living relatives—engaged in “unilateral eye closure” during hostile situations.

“Birds like to sleep like humans, with both eyes closed, but when they feel threatened they’ll have one eye open and they’ll orientate that eye towards the threat,” lead author Michael Kelly of La Trobe University told AFP.

“And the crocodiles were behaving in this way as well. So most of the time when they were resting, they’ll have both eyes closed, but then when we present them with a threat, they would open one eye and they’ll keep that eye orientated towards the threat.”

The study, which was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, was conducted using three young saltwater crocodiles placed in separate tanks and observed individually over 12 months last year.

Kelly said further research was needed to monitor crocodiles’ brain waves to see if the creatures also sleep with half of their brain

shut down—called “uni-hemispheric sleep”.

The study that could eventually reveal that the human behavior of sleeping with the brain totally unconscious is rare in the animal kingdom.

Birds and some marine mammals can control whether they have both halves of their brains or just one half shut down when they are sleeping, with the open eye connected to the grey matter that is awake.

“I think this could possibly change the way humans think about sleep... which is a complete shutdown of the brain, where we’re unaware of our surroundings,” Kelly said. AFP

B6

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Hurricane threatens Mexico MANZANILLO, Me x i c o — Hu r r i c a n e Patricia roared toward Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday, prompting authorities to evacuate villagers, close ports and urge tourists to cancel trips over fears of a catastrophe.

Rio returns howler monkeys to forest RIO DE JANEIRO—Scientists have given Rio de Janeiro something to shout about with the reintroduction of howler monkeys to the city’s famed Tijuca forest after a century’s absence.

Tijuca, a thick forest rising up to the towering Corcovado and statue of Christ the Redeemer, is one of the world’s largest urban woodlands.

But environmental degradation has stripped the area of its fauna.

Now, Brazilian scientists are working to bring those riches back, including by releasing native howler monkeys, properly known as Alouattas.

“The howlers disappeared more than 100 years ago. We decided to reintroduce them because it is a resistant species. They essentially eat leaves and fruits, so they are relatively easy to reintroduce,” said Fernando Fernandez, a scientist with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

The first five monkeys were released in early September, a key moment in the program which has been in the works since 2010.

And the creatures are more than just a pretty—or furry—face.

In addition to filling the silent forest with their trademark cries, the monkeys’ excrement, pushed, around by dung beetles, helps fertilize soil and trees.

That’s important because the authorities also want to save the endangered Atlantic forest, which once covered the Brazilian coast but today is reduced to about seven percent of what European explorers would have found 500 years ago.

In Rio, the Tijuca forest covers 39.5 square kilometers and has been preserved despite being just minutes from neighborhoods of the teeming city that will host next year’s Olympics.

Tijuca administrator Enresto Vivero de Castro says the area can become “a laboratory for the rebuilding of the fauna that could work for other parts of the world.”

The first monkeys let loose in Tijuca were all rescued from animal traffickers. AFP

The exodus continues. Migrants walk through the countryside to cross the Croatia-Slovenia border on Oct. 23, 2015 near the border town of Kljuc Brdovecki, Croatia. Crowds of refugees and other migrants camp by roads in the western Balkan countries in worsening autumn weather after Hungary sealed its borders with Serbia and Croatia, causing a chain reaction in other overwhelmed states. AFP

The US National Hurricane Center said Patricia grew into a potentially catastrophic Category Five storm in the five-level SaffirSimpson scale, with maximum sustained winds rising to 295 kilometers per hour.

The storm was expected to strike the coast on Friday afternoon or evening, the Miami-based center said.

Forecasts show that Patricia will make landfall in the western state of Jalisco, near the neighboring state of Colima.

The region includes the major port of Manzanillo in Colima and Jalisco’s tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta, which Mexican officials said could face a direct hit.

“Some fluctuations in intensity are possible [Friday], but Patricia is expected to remain an extremely dangerous Category Five hurricane through landfall,” the US center said.

Some businesses boarded up their store windows in Manzanillo as rain began to fall in the city.

“Better be safe than sorry.

Hurricanes are unpredictable,” said Enrique Esparza, manager of El Gran Mueble furniture store, which is near the seafront.

Rosa Elba Figueroa, a housewife, left a supermarket with a bag full of canned tuna, powdered milk, bread, water and batteries.

“We’re running home to put wood and tape on the windows,” she said.

Jose Maria Tapia Franco, director of the National Disaster Fund, said 400,000 people live in vulnerable areas but that local authorities will decide whether to conduct evacuations.

At the beach village of Boca de Pascuales, authorities took 70 people to a shelter while another 30 drove to the homes of relatives further inland.

“We are patrolling communities on the coast in the Puerto Vallarta area as well as Melaque and La Huerta, urging the most vulnerable population to get to safety,” Jalisco state civil protection director Jose Trinidad Lopez Rivas told Foro television. AFP

42 killed in crash of French pensioners’ coach BORDEAUX—At least 42 people, most of them elderly, were killed when a coach collided with a lorry and caught fire in southwest France on Friday in the country’s worst road accident for three decades, officials said.

Many of the victims were thought to have died in the fire, according to fire officials and local authorities in the department of Gironde.

The two drivers were killed, while the rest of the victims were

passengers on the coach, officials said.

Images shown on French television showed the coach as a charred shell that had been entirely burned.

“I saw a cloud of smoke,” said local resident Yvette Seguy on France’s i-Tele TV station, adding that it took place in the countryside on a bend that is known to be dangerous.

The two vehicles collided headon near the village of Puisseguin north of Bordeaux.

The crash is the deadliest in France since 1982.

“The French government has fully mobilized after this terrible tragedy,” President Francois Hollande said from Athens, where he is on an official visit.

“We are plunged into sadness due to this drama,” he added.

Five passengers managed to escape from the coach. Three others were unharmed, local authorities said.

Several emergency vehicles were

dispatched to the scene.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Transport Minister Alain Vidalies were also on their way to the site, according to the transport ministry.

It had not been ruled out that Hollande might cut short his visit to Greece to visit the crash site.

Valls expressed his “emotion in the face of this very heavy toll” on Twitter, and promised his “support to the families of the victims”.

The coach, which was carrying 49 passengers and a driver, had departed early Friday from a village near the site of the accident to take its elderly passengers out on an excursion.

Pierre Henri-Brandet, spokesman for the interior ministry, told BFMTV that four people “were extremely severely injured” -- two with burns and two with head injuries.

“It’s an incredible tragedy with an extremely heavy toll. It’s a catastrophe,” he said. AFP

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 : 2 0 1 5

PROPERTY jdlacsamana@gmail.com

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

B7

art of living

Rockwell Land recently launched the Proscenium Residences, a tower of 59 floors designed by Carlos Ott whose creations already dot the skylines of Paris, Toronto, Dubai, and Florida. The Proscenium is the tallest of the five residential towers within the Proscenium enclave and hosts a mix of 100 studio units, 122 1-bedroom units, 241 2-bedroom units, and 100 3-bedroom units. Its two-leaf design hews to Ott’s vision that the Proscenium’s design will be unlike any existing Rockwell building. Not far from the tower is the Performing Arts Theater (Shown in photo) that can accommodate over 500 guests, and the Lopez Museum, with its collection of paintings by old masters, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, as well as works by National Artists including Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, Cesar Legaspi, and Arturo Luz.

Serviced apartmentS get booSt from touriSt Surge

s

BusinEss huB south of phi. Dusit Thani Residences in Davao is the international hotel chain’s bid to add to the serviced residences options in the Philippines. The property is scheduled for turnover in 2018.

Ergo tEams up with snowsound. Ergo Contracts Philippines, Inc., known more as Ergo Office and Ergo Home brands, recently partnered with Caimi Brevetti, one of the leading manufacturers of design oriented furniture and accessories. Ergo is known for “high performance architectural and interior solutions” in the Philippines, and in the South East Asian region. Ergo President Philip Ng said the partnership brings to the Philippine market a technology that will redefine “comfortable and pleasant acoustic environment”. The innovative technology Snowsound is created

by Caimi Brevetti, a company known for new technologies and materials, focused on functionality, sustainability and design. Demonstrations of Snowsound acoustic panels are conducted daily at ErgoHome, L3 SM Aura Premier

erviced apartments — fully-furnished apartments with amenities usually available in hotels — are becoming popular because of the growing need for accommodations in many parts of the Philippines.

With the upswing in the tourism industry, serviced apartments fill a need: a cheaper alternative to hotels, making it ideal for both short and long term stays, but with quality amenities for both business travellers and tourists.

According to Colliers International’s Second Quarter 2015 Research and Forecast Report on the Philippines, the number of foreign arrivals to the country grew in the first five months of 2015, with year-to-date 2015 figures representing an 8.15% rise from the same period in 2014.

“The booming economy equals new businesses, which equals to more executives looking for efficient places to live in

the central business districts in the Philippines,” said Andrew Sparrow, development director for Dusit Thani Residences Davao.

“Serviced apartments are relatively new in the Philippines, and this presents an opportunity to establish this kind of accommodation, aside from hotels,” Sparrow said.

Choosing to establish outside Manila is intentional. The Colliers report also notes that the prevalence of direct flights from international locations to provincial destinations such as Cebu and Davao make stopping in Metro Manila unnecessary.

This trend caters to a unique sector of the tourism market.

Sparrow stressed Davao’s increasing dominance as a key economic hub in the southern part of the Philippines. Being the country’s second largest and fastest growing city presents an opportunity for the entry of more international quality of accommodations and amenities.

Bpo’s choicE? Midea, a commercial air-conditioner manufacturer, is gunning to become the primary choice for the local business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. It recently completed the installation of the second Midea V5X Series Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) in the Philippines at the Iloilo branch of services provider Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS). Midea’s air-conditioning solutions form part of the portfolio of Concepcion Building and Industrial Solutions, which delivers end-to-end solutions from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) to elevators and escalators. “The Midea V5X is ideal for establishments that operate 24/7 because of its integrated part load value (IPLV) rating of 7.5, one of the most energy efficient VRF solutions in the market,” said Raymond Lavarias, head of building solutions partner of Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company (CCAC).

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 : 2 0 1 5

B8

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY Investors buff up Cebu’s shIne

C

ebu has been growing as one of the Philippines’ bright spots in the property scene over the last few years, thanks to attention from some of the country’s biggest real estate players.

Recent transactions have shown how bullish local developers have been in shaping the city’s future.

During the local government’s recent auction of two properties on reclaimed land in South Road Properties, the Ayala Land and SM Prime consortium won the bid for a 26.3-hectare parcel, which was sold for Php10 billion, making it the largest single ticket transaction in the country since late 2013. In the same auction, Filinvest won the bid for a 19.2 hectare property, and sold for Php6.7 billion.

“With South Road Properties slated to be transformed into a mixed-use central business district, these deals will influence the dynamics of Cebu’s real estate market,” said KMC MAG Group Managing Director Michael McCullough. “This upcoming central business district will account for significant real estate activity in the future. With townships becoming the norm, these deals may also encourage local developers to become more aggressive, especially if similarly-sized parcels become available

in Cebu in the near future.”

The office market in Cebu seems just as robust. Filinvest rolled out the first tower of its Php5 billion Cyberzone complex, and Norkis is expected to complete the first office tower in Norkis Cyberpark later this year. Ayala Land is also rolling out Php8 billion for Central Bloc, which is located within the Cebu IT Park.

Lastly, Megaworld is expected to add 150,000 sq m to its Mactan Newtown property by 2021.

Infrastructure will be the key to Cebu, and other urban centers in the Philippines, retaining their shine to property developers.

Poor infrastructure and connectivity remain to be drawbacks, and industry observers like McCullough believe that the government should pay extra attention to these two issues, as these can dictate the country’s future economic growth, as well as its attractiveness to foreign investors.

“Low rental costs can bring investors into the Philippines, but the quality of the infrastructure and the limitations in connectivity can keep the Philippines from sustaining and even improving on its growth,” McCullough explained. “The government cannot afford to have these issues further impact the ease of doing business and the quality of life.”

sproutIng townshIps. Mixed-use central business districts will dictate the dynamics of Cebu’s real estate market.

InfrastruCture Is key. The Philippine government will have to make transportation and communication easier across the islands, or the advantages of growing cities like Cebu would be imperilled.

peppermInt ago-go. NorthPine Land, Inc. (NLI) recently launched its Peppermint model house in Parkview, a sub-community in Greenwoods, the company’s 80-hectares project in Dasmarinas, Cavite. The Peppermint model covers a lot area of 185 square meters, with a 162 square meters-floor area. Greenwoods has several communities in the development with their own identities: Greenwoods, Greenwood Heights, Norfolk Ridge, Parkview, Primrose Place, Rosewood, and The Prime. “We offer the serenity of suburban living, as well as access to the busy city lifestyle at Greenwoods,” said Ferdinand Macabanti, executive vice president of NLI. Greenwoods is about an hour’s drive from Metro Manila. The development of the Skyway extension, Intermodal Transport System (ITS), LRT 1 Cavite Extension, LRT6 Project and Cavite- Laguna Expressway (CALAX) likewise ensconces the development in a strategic spot.

Indulgent lIvIng. Anya Resort & Residences recently announced its inclusion to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) group. Anya, a luxury resort being built in Tagaytay, is the only SLH-accredited resort within a leisurely 90-minute drive from Metro Manila. “The SLH seal testifies to the impeccable service that Anya will soon offer,” said Santiago R. Elizalde, Roxaco Land Corporation’s President. Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a group of luxury boutique hotels and resorts from around the globe. Of the 1,000 hotel applications received yearly, only five percent meet SLH’s standards and are given membership. Set to open early 2016, Anya covers seven hectares on the quieter side of the Tagaytay-Calamba Road. A big draw will be Anya’s dining areas which will be managed by Relais & Chateau-recognized chef Emmanuel Stroobant (Shown in photo). His concepts will highlight the fresh local produce and a healthy, yet indulgent dining experience.

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 : 2 0 1 5

TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

P OP CU LT U RE

LIFE

C1

DOES YOUR VOTE COUNT? Young author speaks on the ‘sacred task’ of Filipino voters in May 2016

M

ajority or about 47 percent of voters for the Philippine general elections in 2016 are millennials, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

And these young voters, who will be aged 18 to 36 next year, are those who are classified as “always connected,” “confident” and “open to change” but also “cynical.”

While the youth could very well dictate the outcome of the upcoming election, experts and officials believe however that the youth sector has grown apathetic and does not easily believe that elections bring positive change.

But for young author Rei Lemuel Crizaldo, choosing our next leaders is an enormous and “sacred” task.

In his book published under OMF Literature entitled BOBOto ba Ako?: How to Think Smart and Vote Right, Crizaldo, who has a degree in Theology, uses a Biblical lens in giving the exercise of voting a deeper meaning.

“Recognizing that the leaders we are putting into office are not just public servants but, as the Bible says in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2, ‘God’s ministers’ to put order and implement justice in society, voting becomes a sacred task – a Godly endeavor of selecting people who shall govern well,” he says.

As the title suggests, BOBOto ba Ako? also provides a guide for Filipinos to see whether they are well-informed voters or clueless of the true value of this right.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TONY MAGDARAOG / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

“The book is an invitation to reflect deeper on this fundamental human right, something so many Filipinos are seemingly prepared to throw in the garbage can, perhaps out of ignorance of its inherent value or disillusionment on the state of politics in the Philippines,” explains Crizaldo.

But even in the face of a seemingly problematic government, this writer, educator and advocate of public theology, encourages every eligible citizen to assert his right and fulfill his responsibility to carry out this “sacred task” of casting a ballot on election day.

“Despite what most politicians would like us to think that the destiny of our beloved country lies in their hands, we need to remind ourselves that they are actually at the mercy of a discerning voter. Our Constitution insists: power resides in the people,” asserts Crizaldo.

With this power comes the responsibility to vote wisely. But when each candidate claims to be the “redeemer” of the nation, how does the average Filipino discern a worthy leader from the pack?

Crizaldo has this challenge for everyone before casting that ballot.

“Put today’s political candidates side-by-side with Jesus Christ. Up until today, He remains to be the gold standard of what it means to be a servant-leader willing to sacrifice His own life for the welfare of those in need, brave enough to

stand with those at the margins of society, and wise enough to handle well the trappings of power as one enters the dirty game of politics.”

BOBOto ba Ako?: How to Think Smart and Vote Right is available at all OMF Literature bookstores, National Bookstore, and Philippine Christian Bookstore.

OMF Literature is the Philippines’ longest-running publisher of inspirational, instructional and insightful reading materials. OMF Literature books address people’s continuing need for spiritual nourishment, personal development and biblical guidance for everyday life. To know more about their books, visit www.omflit.com.

C2

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS EXTREMISM Last week's episode of Scandal introduced t he ter m “dog-whistle politics” into THE GIST the lexicon and it

BY ED BIADO couldn't have happened at a more appropriate time. The phrase refers to the use of coded language that means one, usually harmless, thing to the general population but means a different, usually malicious, thing to a target subgroup.

Politicians and people in media typically employ dog-whistle politics in their statements to avoid offending their constituents and audiences. And they're not the only ones. Most of us average Joes and Janes sugarcoat the things we say because we know that if the world finds out what's truly in our minds, we'd be ostracized.

We're afraid of offending religious groups, minority groups, other races, other genders, other cultures, conservatives, prudes, old people, young people, sensitive people, insensitive people – everyone. Because right now, everyone seems to be so easily offended.

Suddenly, there are online articles on what we should never say to introverts because apparently, we have to tiptoe around them.

Not to be outdone, extroverts have their own list of statements to avoid in their presence.

If someone points out the obesity problem in America, they're fat-shaming. If someone calls out the fashion industry for preferring skinny models, they're thin-shaming.

Whatever happened to free speech? It's still there but if you don't want Nicki Minaj asking you “What's good?”, maybe it's best to not be so honest.

If a guy says on his Tinder profile that he prefers blondes with big boobs, he's a misogynist. And he's definitely racist if he says he doesn't like [insert any race here].

Because in 2015, we are not allowed to not like any race. We're supposed to love everyone, but not too much that we adapt their cultures into our lifestyles and appearances. Because that would be cultural appropriation. No, we absolutely cannot have that.

In September, Taylor Swift faced backlash for releasing an allegedly “racist” music video for her single, “Wildest Dreams.” USA Today explains, “The video depicts Swift as an early20th-century movie star who falls in love with her married co-star, played by Scott Eastwood, while filming a movie in Africa.

It contains sweeping shots of the African landscape, plenty of African animals, and what appears to be no African people. Some say this is inappropriate in 2015.”

Why? Because it supposedly romanticizes white colonialism. What the actual fudge? Can't it just be a period piece about a Hollywood movie star who's filming a Hollywood movie in Africa? Must there always be a racially charged undertone to everything?

Katy Perry received similar criticisms last year. She's been called out for cultural appropriation and “[attempting] to commodify black female sexuality.” Www.jezebel.com opines that “she's set up a bit of a pattern of ripping off other people's culture in order to profit and sell more records.” But what the hell is so wrong with that?

It seems to me that people are consciously seeking out things to be offended by. Case in point: A Buzzfeed video shows that young

Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams music video

Some say that making Jim Sturgess look Asian in Cloud Atlas (2012) is a form of yellowface

Katy Perry's controversial 'geisha-inspired' American Music Awards performance in 2013

Asians take offense at vintage Hollywood films for using yellowface in depicting Asian characters because, you know – sarcasm alert! – yellowface is such an important issue the world is facing today.

Another example is that giant mess that came out of a local apparel company's billboard featuring a real-life gay couple holding hands. The hands appeared to be painted over, which turned out to be self-censorship on the part of the brand.

Without knowing what exactly happened, some people just went on and on about how it's wrong and oppressive and homophobic.

And who did they blame? The Ad Standards

If we were to believe Buzzfeed, we cannot say anything to anyone anymore

Council, which didn't have anything to do with the brand's self-censorship.

Think about if the hands were visible.

Surely, a different group of people will be offended. Either way, someone's bound to react negatively. And because there's no such thing as bad PR, either way, there will be conversations and the brand wins.

This is actually something that marketers know too well, which is why they're always on the lookout for a new way to offend us and let us know what offends (or should offend) us.

In the Cracked.com post “5 Ways Our Generation Has Ruined 'Being Offended',”

this is revealed, “Being offended is clickbait now. It's good marketing. It sells. So of course people are going to try and manufacture it, because that's what capitalism is. Clickbait sites are going to give every offensive thought any random person has as much exposure as possible for the same reason filmmakers keep cramming love triangles into movies and comedians keep telling edgy, offensive jokes: because we all want attention, and we all want to feel important.”

And we all always fall for it. Guess the joke's on us.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @EdBiado

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 : 2 0 1 5

C3

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

LISTEN IN STYLE WITH SONY’S LATEST AUDIO PRODUCTS

W

ho says Walkman is dead? Far from it, as Japanese electronics brand Sony reignites our love for the vintage audio player with its latest lineup of stylish headphones and a Walkman with a distinct finish in a wide variety of colors that match individual styles.

Revel in your music like never before as High-Resolution Audio brings your favorite tunes so much closer to the true sound with Sony’s new “h.ear on™” headband-type headphones, “h.ear in NC™” Noise Cancelling (NC) in-ear headphones, “h.ear in” in-ear headphones, and Walkman®.

Bring your music wherever you go with the sleek h.ear™ (pronounced hear) series and the new Walkman range (NW-A25 and NW-A26HN) that comes in deep shades of viridian blue, cinnabar red, charcoal black, lime yellow and bordeaux pink, matching different tastes and personalities. The NWA26HN Walkman® comes bundled with High-Resolution Audio compatible Digital Noise Cancelling headphones allowing you to enjoy your music away from all distractions. With advancements to Sony’s S-Master HX™ full digital amplifier, music is played with more delicate and dynamic sound than ever before.

Style, fit and function come together in Sony’s “h.ear on™” headband-type headphones. This stylish and portable

I

audio accessory’s High-Resolution Audio compatibility and accurate bass responses are complemented by the 40mm HD driver unit that reproduces sounds of up to 60kHz, while lightweight CCAW voice coils yield highlinearity responses in high-pitched sounds.

For those moments when you need to focus on your music alone, there’s “h.ear in NC™” Noise Cancelling in-ear headphones that feature a compact 9mm high sensitivity driver unit, resulting in slim and compact in-ear headphones that can reproduce frequencies of up to 40kHz. To ensure an immersive musical experience even in the noisiest of places, these compact inear headphones feature battery-powered, state of the art dual noise sensor technology and the Automatic AI Noise Cancelling technologies that filter out any unwanted noise for up to 16 hours

The third product in the h.ear series is the “h.ear in™” headphone, designed with an aluminum housing that suppresses vibrations and reproduces high quality sounds. It features a 9mm high-sensitivity driver unit that supports High-Resolution Audio. Beat Response Control helps improve the transient characteristics in the bass and delivers the rhythm accurately.

Sony’s new range of h.ear headphones include MDR-NW750N (black/white, P5,999), MDR-100AAP (black/red/yellow, P8,999) and MDR-EX750AP (black/red/ blue, P3,999) are available in select Sony Centers nationwide; together with the Walkman® series: NW-A25 (black/red/ yellow/silver, P9,499) and NW-A26HN (black/red/yellow, P14,999).

3D-PRINTED SHOES: THE FUTURE OF PERFORMANCE FOOTWEAR

magine walking into a footwear store, running briefly on a treadmill, and then getting a pair of shoes that is so personalized it matches the contours and pressure points of your feet.

That is the ambition of sporting goods label adidas, especially in this age of readymade footwear that come in various styles and sizes. Hence, the 3D-printed midsole for performance shoes that serve as flexible, fully breathable carbon copies of the athlete’s own footprint that make for the best running experience.

Dubbed as the Futurecraft 3D of the Futurecraft series, it’s a forward-looking initiative that uses the advance technology of 3D printing which provides the ultimate personalized experience for all athletes through a unique 3D-printed running shoe midsole which can be tailored to the cushioning needs of an individual’s foot.

The production breakthrough will take the running shoe standard to the next level,

offering unprecedented individualized support and cushioning for every foot, to enable athletes to perform at their best.

“Futurecraft 3D is a prototype and a statement of intent. We have used a one-of-itskind combination of process and material in

an entirely new way. Our 3D-printed midsole not only allows us to make a great running shoe, but also to use performance data to drive truly bespoke experiences, meeting the needs of any athlete,” said Eric Liedtke, executive board member of adidas AG.

The Futurecraft 3D story is the first chapter of the adidas Futurecraft series, which demonstrates the brand’s commitment to innovating throughout all areas of production.

“Futurecraft is our sandbox. It is how we challenge ourselves every day to explore the boundaries of our craft. Driving material and process innovation, bringing the familiar into the future. Marrying the qualities of handcrafting and prototyping with the limitless potential of new manufacturing technologies. Futurecraft is stripped back – fast, raw and real – it is our approach to design,” said adidas creative director Paul Gaudio.

True to the Futurecraft vision of creative collaboration, Futurecraft 3D is possible through an open source partnership with Materialise, a pioneer and leading specialist in 3D printing. The Futurecraft initiative will announce more groundbreaking design innovations in the coming six months.

S AT U R D AY : O C T O B E R 24 : 2 0 1 5

C4

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

IG SPY

QUICK BEAUTY FIX

P

Mirror, mirror on the wall, how can I perfectly shape a pair of eyebrows?

utting on makeup is not easy. From applying the right amount of foundation that matches your skin tone to perfecting that wingtip eyeliner so you won't look like a drunk panda, anyone new to the world of lipsticks and brushes can easily feel overwhelmed. Makeup is art, and it requires a long process of trial and error and a lot of practice.

For the clueless ladies (and men) who have little to no experience in makeup application, YouTube tutorials are like gifts from heaven. But while these

fun-to-watch videos are comprehensive enough to help you achieve that natural, “no makeup” look, watching a 20- to 40-minute vlog can be timeconsuming. The next best thing comes in the form of Instagram posts.

Here are some of the many Instagram accounts of people, who make applying false lashes, contouring and highlighting look so easy. Just follow when you need a quick makeup tutorial or inspiration for a night-out or job interview.

@nikkietutorials A hair and makeup artist, Nikkie posts “mini” tutorials on curling hair, drawing on point wingtip eyeliner and putting rouge lipstick in short videos on her Instagram account that has 1.4 million followers to date. This blonde beauty showcases the power of makeup as she bravely features before and after shots of herself showing awesome transformation. And if you want to know how to achieve her looks, Nikkie also lists down the products she uses for her MOTDs (makeup of the day), plus promo codes for some of her sponsor brands. She's a pretty badass chick, too, as she asserts that we should wear makeup for ourselves and not to impress anyone. Right on!

@hellofritzie They say our eyes are the windows to our soul, and Fritzie Torres makes sure her windows are beautifully “curtained” with on point eyebrows, vibrant eyeshadows, perfectly drawn eyeliner and voluminous eyelashes.

For many, putting on eye makeup is the hardest part of the process but Fritzie makes it look like you can do it, too, with her posts that show step-by-step guides from doing your eyebrows down to your waterline.

Her more than 176,000 followers also get to see more beauty tips and a glimpse into her life as someone who's passionate about makeup.

@kandeejohnson Kandee Johnson, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles, California, transforms from a beautiful redhead lady to a charming blonde guy (complete with facial hair) in a few seconds on her Instagram account, which has over 1.1 million followers as of this writing. Get inspiration from Kandee, whose IG posts include her amazing transformations, red carpet looks, favorite makeup brands, and her wonderful life as a mother. Should you want to replicate Kandee's MOTDs, this “magician” shares her tricks as she lists down each product she uses on herself and her clients.

@pochoy_29 Our very own Paolo Ballesteros is popular as one of the hosts of the Philippines' longest-running noontime shows, as the pretty Lola Tidora, and as a talented artist who wowed the world with his spot-on #makeuptransformation that ranges from Caitlin Jenner to Michelle Obama. Paolo's makeup skills has also landed him on magazines and online websites abroad, and while he has yet to appear on The Ellen Degeneres show, his 1.2 million followers on Instagram are always looking forward to the personality this 32-year-old actor would replicate next.

Bonus, he also posts a couple more images showing his life as a noontime host, a performer, a father and basically as a good looking individual, with or without makeup.

SAT URDAY : OCTOBER 24 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

JasmIne CurtIs and smart sPread Joy wIth daIly gadget gIveaways

I

f you see Jasmine Curtis in any of the public places you usually go to, expect something to happen.

Recently, the Kapatid star visited a restaurant in the vicinity of University of Sto Tomas in Sampaloc, Manila and a convenient store in a gas station in Magallanes and surprised everyone in those two establishments by giving, first, each a gift to two individuals in each of the establishment. When the two recipients opened the boxes they got, they were surprised to find in each an iPhone 6. They were speechless, naturally, as they weren’t expecting anything more than the new gadget.

And, Curtis didn’t stop there, she gave each of the persons in both establishments a gift, doubling the excitement among those who were lucky to have been at the right time and right place.

Exciting times are indeed ahead for Smart subscribers as the unrivalled leader in mobile. Smart Communications (Smart), announces the daily Share the Joy Gadget Giveaway promo that has been giving consumers their most awesome, surprise-of-your-life moments.

Under this new consumer-empowering campaign, Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, and Smart Bro subscribers are experiencing the ultimate joy felt only when you get a new premium gadget for FREE. Poised to equip all its subscribers with his or her digital swag, Smart’s gadget giveaway promo will allow more Filipinos to live the Smart

Life and further realize their passions with each new device seeking its rightful owner the way a Fairy Godmother grants an unexpected turnaround for lucky subscribers.

PullIng all the stoPs “We do our best to be consistent in our advocacy to allow more Filipinos live the Smart Life,” said Smart executive vice president and consumer business head Ariel Fermin.

“So after rolling out useful apps and mobile content, introducing exciting promos, and bringing subscribers to concerts here and abroad, we are now pulling all the stops to empower our subscribers to live out their passions and experience the Smart Life. Now that you know how to live the Smart Life, we now equip you with the means to continue doing so,” he added.

This also serves as a testament to Smart’s consistent dedication to inspire and take care of its subscribers. And to amplify the spirit of inspiration in this promo, Smart has tapped Jasmine Curtis to be the face of this new offer.

“I’ve heard several stories of unfulfilled passions and that drives me to continuously help in campaigns that inspire and empower people,” said actress-host and Smart brand ambassador Curtis. “This is why I feel honored to be the face of this new promo, which allows more Filipinos to live the Smart Life.”

She further adds that this is a good step towards helping more subscribers to experience the power of digital living in the same way that she does every day. “These

gadgets aren’t mere gadgets, but a gateway to awesome moments with loved ones and a wealth of exciting opportunities – whatever your passion may be,” she emphasized.

Smart’s new promo is all about sharing the joy of living the Smart Life by giving subscribers a chance to win instant gadgets, load and enjoy exclusive discounts until December – for every registration to top Smart Prepaid promos or through recontracting or subscription to a new Smart Postpaid Plan.

To join the promo, Smart Prepaid subscribers simply have to register to top Prepaid promos like any Big Bytes or Unli Call and Text promo to get a letter. Complete the word JOY and automatically get a prize of Free Big Bytes 10 or a brand new smartphone.

Smart Bro Prepaid users, meanwhile, simply have to register to Big Bytes 50 to earn a letter, then complete the word JOY for a chance to win a brand new tablet or Smart Bro Pocket WiFi. On the other hand, recontracting or new subscribers of GSM and Smart Bro are encouraged to play the “Spell J-O-Y” slot machine game for a chance to win the latest smartphones or Smart Bro Pocket WiFi. So what are you waiting for?

Watch out for ways to win new gadgets and live the Smart Life today! For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph/joy and follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ SmartCommunications) and Twitter (@SMARTCares).

C5

Curtis hams it up for the camera while lucky customer shows up gadget

Jasmine Curtis distributes gifts to customers in cafe near UST

Curtis suprises a customer

The nicely wrapped gift from Smart

OlsOn BrOthers answer ‘OperatOr’ Call

Luke Goss plays a demoted cop in Operator

Mischa Barton and Ving Rhames in Operator

Directors Amariah and Obin Olson talk about the inspiration for their new film Operator now in cinemas nationwide.

When a veteran 911 call center operator’s daughter is held hostage, she’s left desperate with no choice but to follow a caller’s rules; send a message through dispatch for all Los Angeles police and fire units to scatter to remote destinations where they are met with chaos; cars crashing, explosions, and gunfire.

Not knowing who or why, the one thing Amanda knows is if she fails to secretly collaborate with one of the police, her ex-husband - she’ll be the sole person responsible for facilitating the biggest crime of the century. Now she must race the clock to make the choice of her life - save the city or save her daughter.

The Olson Brothers

Operator stars Mischa Barton, Luke Goss, Ving Rhames, Michael Pare.

Operator is an action/thriller exploring an aspect of society that is important but often overlooked: 911 call center operators and emergency dispatchers,” says director Amariah Olson “The story was compelling for us as directors because of the insight it provides into these unsung heroes, men and women faced with so many crimes and having to

learn to deal with these situations as the first response team... and then throw in the thought of “what if this system were taken over by a criminal to pull off the biggest heist of the century?” We thought this idea would be very interesting to explore as a film, thus Operator was born,” he added.

Olson explains the film is about everyday people who get thrown into extraordinary situations. “Luke Goss doesn’t play a superhero cop.

In fact, he’s just been demoted and is struggling with his personal life. Mischa Barton’s character is a mother, a behind-the-scenes type of hero. Ving Rhames isn’t just the bad guy. He had to play an intense character with only a phone, no other actors to play off of. Michael Pare’s character is a cop that toys with greed and with frustrations that seem common these days.”

SAT URDAY : OCTOBER 24 : 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

‘KUng Pag-ibig MO’y ULan’ iS aSOP SOng Of thE yEaR

“

Kung Pag-ibig Mo’y Ulan,”by Christian Malinias of Benguet province, swept the top prizes of the UNTV Life-produced songwriting tilt, A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival Year 4 on Oct. 13 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.

The song was awarded the “Song of the Year” by ASOP Music Festival juries headed by Ryan Cayabyab.

This award came with P500,000

cash prize. The Voice Season 2 finalist Leah Patricio bagged the Best Interpreter award for the same, taking home P50,000 in cash.

Twelve monthly finalists vied for the “Song of the Year” honors and some special prizes. A record P1.3 Million total cash prizes was given this year, ASOP Music Festival’s 4th Year.

The runners-up included the grand finalist “Pakamamahalin Din Kita,” composed by Dennis Aveni-

do (1st runner-up), crowd-favorite “Jesus, I Love You” (2nd runner-up), and “Pahintulutan Mo” penned by Leonardo De Jesus II (3rd runner-up). Niño Alejandro, RJ Buena and Philippe Go interpreted the first, second, and third runner up winning masterpieces, respectively.

The other members of the judging board included ASOP resident judge and arranger Mon del Rosario, singer/songwriter Mr. Jett Pangan, Gospel songwriter, Jungee

Marcelo, record company executive, Lachmi Baviera and Filipino singer and actress, Celeste Legaspi.

BMPI Chairman and CEO Daniel Razon acknowledged the original proponent of ASOP Music Festival – Bro. Eli Soriano, Overall Servant of the Members Church of God International (MCGI).

Kuya Daniel, as he is also known by the public, bared that ASOP the songwriting tilt has been around in MCGI for 11 years already until

Bro. Eli suggested air the show on mainstream television.

The winning songs of ASOP debuted on mainstream radio beginning Oct.18 at 5-6 a.m., through Wish FM 107.5 kHz. The people’s favorite was “Dakila Ka Ama” by Ella Mae Septimo and interpreted by Ruth Regine Reyno. Selected as Best Music Video was the work for “Sabik Sa ‘Yo” by Joseph Bolinas and interpreted by Ney Dimaculangan.

Christian Malinias (third from left) of Benguet won ASOP's Song of the Year. The song was interpreted by Leah Patricio (fourth from left), while show host Richard Reynoso (leftmost), Toni Rose Gayda (second from left) and Daniel Razon (rightmost) look on

First Argentine Film FestivAl The first-ever Argentine Film Festival takes the spotlight at Shangri-La Plaza’s Shang Cineplex on Oct. 28-31. The exciting line-up showcases the five films from best of contemporary Argentine cinema, including the short film The Queen by Manuel Abramovich, the experimental-adventure film The Gold Bug by Alejo Moguillansky and Fia-Stina Sandlund, the animation Underdogs by Juan José

Campanella, the drama Wild Tales

by Damián Szifron, and the satire The Corporation by Fabián Forte.

In The Queen, Ambramovich delves into the world of child beauty pageants, illustrating the ironies, illusions, and contradictions its young participants are manipulated into believing and emulating. The eleven-year-old Memi is one of these young girls, and her journey in this deceptive universe is an unhappy one. The film won awards in nearly fifty film festivals around the world, including the Melbourne Film Festival, Documenta Madrid, BAFCI, and the Los Angeles Film Festival.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43 45 47 48 51 52 54 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Cosmic 5 Inventory wd.

9 Eject lava 13 Salt or pickle 14 Cartoon shrieks 15 Snake venom 17 Nerve network 18 Darth’s daughter 19 Slip past 20 Closed violently 22 By oneself

24 25 26 29 31 32 33 36 37 40 41 42

Chills Changes Wild horses Pretense Fab Four member Griffin of TV White Sox org.

Grounded bird Ached for Sweater letter — Moines, Iowa Goes on the run

66 67

Sunders Aromatic salves Long-eared hound River in a waltz Art studio, maybe Magazine work Symbolic flowers in Buddhism Land rover?

Was, to Ovid Verdi’s princess Steakhouse order (hyph.)

Point the finger at 101 and I-94 Gave the once-over Victorian oath Sudden urges

DOWN 1 DVD predecessors 2 “The Mammoth Hunters” author 3 Baja Ms. 4 Crowded 5 Free-for-alls 6 Scouts do good ones 7 Snowmobile part 8 Hairy twin 9 Snitches

The Gold Bug, loosely based on the story of the same name by macabre-master Edgar Allan Poe, is a thrillingly dizzy combination of adventure, philosophy, political treatise, and satire. Rafa, an actor onset of a film in the middle of production, poses to the producers a new film to shoot instead, motivated by his critical views of Europe and colonialism. He instigates a search for a treasure that seems to promise answers to all of his existential questions.

Underdogs, inspired by the short story Memoirs of a Right Wing by Argentine writer Roberto Fontanarrosa, centers on a young

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015

10 11 12 16 21 23 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34 35 38 39 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 55 56 57 60

Nice to deal with Ooze out Dentist’s request Jarrett and Sparks Running back LeSean — Pretty green Multiplied Hoarfrost Unwelcome obligation Lysol target Coffee makers Lady’s honorific Natural elevs.

Fill a semi Arrest, slangily DeGeneres sitcom Alehouse order Sea inlet Gaseous fuel Put up with Sent packing Door ding Hacienda brick Shatner’s costar Burro alternative It may be spliced Location Blissful spot Get smart with Tattered cloth

foosball player who accepts the challenge of his longtime rival. It is an underdog match, prompting him to seek the help from an unexpected source. The film broke the record for highest grossing opening Argentine film at the box office, and is the most expensive Argentine and Latin American animated feature of all time.

Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the 2015 Oscars and also for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2014, Wild Tales is an anthology film made up of six stand alone short dark comedies and dramas, all weaved together by the theme of

vengeance and absurdity.

An urban thriller, The Corporation sheds light on the façades of consumerist and patriarchal society as it follows the marriage of Felipe and Luz. They both seem to be leading a happy marriage until it is revealed that their happy life together is a sham. Felipe bought it as a service from The Corporation, a company that provides its clients their ideal partner and an idyllic life—but for a high price.

The festival is made possible with the Embassy of Argentina in the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Shang Cineplex.

SAT URDAY : OCTOBER 24 : 2015

C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Ketchup Eusebio

Jana Agoncillo is Ningning

NiNgNiNg aNd macmac iN SurpriSe weddiNg propoSal From c8

Diligence and determination are the values in the top-rating Kapamilya tanghali serye Ningning.

Ningning’s (Jana Agoncillo) father, tatay Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio), shows viewers how hard work can lead to great success in life.

Lolo Kiko (Freddie Webb) encourages Dondon to take risks especially in business. Dondon tries his luck to experiment in cooking daing in barbecue sauce. As his newly created recipe becomes an instant favorite in their family, a determined Dondon begins to sell his creation, which he calls Daing Q with the help of Lolo Kiko.

At first, Dondon encounters a series of challenges while selling his new product, but his diligence and determination to succeed pay off in the end.

Ningning will also shed light on the romance of Otep and Eva and how Ningning and Macmac will have a role in a wedding proposal.

In the ongoing romance between Otep and Eva, Otep (Vandolph Quizon) realizes that he is actually prepared emotionally and financially to get married after his serious pep talk with Lolo Kiko. Otep then decides to pop the question to his girlfriend, Eva (Mercedes Cabral) with the help of Ningning and Macmac (John Steven de Guzman) to add more fun and love in his surprise wedding proposal plan.

How will Dondon surpass the challenges in his journey to become an entrepreneur? What ideas will Ningning and Macmac suggest to their kuya Otep in their surprise wedding proposal plan to Eva? Ningning aims to promote the goodness and good values in everyday life among its viewers.

HHHHH StarStruck with NiNgNiNg Jana Agoncillo’s charm is really magnetic that even Senator Grace Poe has been infected. Poe even posted a photo she took with Agoncillo in one occasion on her Instagram account.

A scene from NingNing with Agoncillo, Eusebio and Freddie Webb

“I met Ningning’s lead child actress their community fabric. today, it was so nice to see you Jana!

Howie Severino and his I-WitYou truly are a talented and smart ness team witness this exuberant young girl :) All the best dear :),” event and how the vinta brings Grace captioned the photo. residents of diverse cultural backNot many know that Poe was grounds together, a far cry from once a child actor appearing the ethnic divisions that the conmostly in movies of Fernando flict slashed open.

Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces.

Amid the festivities, Howie Grace played the daughter of meets survivors of the siege who Paquito Diaz in Durugin si Totoy join the race, part of a proud city’s Bato. effort to heal and move on.

She also appeared in a movie I-Witness airs Saturday, after titled Dugo ng Bayan. That’s apart Celebrity Bluff, on GMA-7. form the 1979 movie that also Howie Severino starred Charo Santos-Concio.

It’s not surprising to know that FPJ and Susan Roces’ daughter is natural among children. In fact, protecting children’s rights has become her advocacy as a senator.

One of the bills Poe filed in the Senate is First 1,000 Days, which aims to protect the well being of children until they reach the age of two years.

HHHHH ZamboaNga’S viNta iN i-witNeSS From the charred ruins of the bloody Zamboanga siege rise colorful vinta sails. Two years after the conflict that tore their city apart, Zamboangueños are racing again, having revived the annual regatta of traditional sailboats that has been an essential part of

HHHHH JeNNylyN exerciSeS with alex JaZZ Every time Jennylyn Mercado goes for a work out, she is with her son Alex Jazz. Even when she is super busy with her commitments in show business and her own business, she always makes time for her son. That’s why she does her daily exercises right at home and with Alex Jazz. It’s some kind of bonding for the mother and son who also likes to try out the routines her mother does.

HHHHH halloweeN treat All Saints Day and All Souls Day are commemorated on Nov.1 and 2 every year. It is, likewise, the time to remember our departed loved ones and visit them in memorial gardens and cemeteries.

Today, GMA News TV’s top rating lifestyle show Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo Na Toh (GRR TNT) features eerie tales of ghosts passed on to one generation to another. Are these true and factual or merely products of our ancestors’ rich imagination?

Oct. 31 is Halloween and kids indulge in “Trick or Treat.” Adults organize parties where they can do Costume Play … dressing in their favorite characters’ attire.

You will see Superman, Batman, Catwoman, Bionic Woman, Cinderella, Snow White, a lovely fairy, Malifecent and Michael Jackson among others.

Mother Ricky invites you to sample scary but yummy cuisines such as dinuguan, bopis and papaitan all made from animal blood, intestines, lungs, heart, kidney and gallbladder.

The beauty guru offers you a liquor concoction Bloody Mary that looks like human blood in a wine glass.

Stay tuned to the segment in which experts teach us Illusion Transformation while the show’s comic gay Chicadora will play Live Escape to show us how noted escapists cheat death and how.

Maricris Garcia

HHHHH maricriS garcia getS emotioNal GMA Artist Center star Maricris Garcia will launch her latest music video entitled “Ako Na Lang Ang Bibitaw” under GMA Post Music Production. This exciting venture is a first for GMA Post Music Production, since they will be releasing it commercially.

“Ako Na Lang Ang Bibitaw” is a mellow song about breaking up and letting go, and is written and arranged by in-house composer Arlene Calvo.

Maricris was handpicked by the production team to interpret the song and she instantly agreed to do the project upon hearing the music and lyrics.

“This one is very different from the videos I’ve made before because this is the first time I cried on screen. I literally broke down and I couldn’t believe na kaya ko pala. I was really nervous,” shares the Kapuso singer-actress.

Taking the role of Maricris’ leading man is Kapuso actor Enzo Pineda and she discloses that working with him and the entire production team was a breeze. “Hands down to them! I’m very grateful kasi of all the GMA artists they chose to do this project with me. They were very accommodating and open to everyone’s ideas kaya sobrang dali nilang katrabaho.”

Under the helm of Vince Gealogo, the music video is directed by and will soon premiere on GMANetwork.com. The song will also be released on several digital platforms this November.

C8 Young JV treats fellow Ilonggos with the launch of his new single in a party ahead of its release in Metro Manila

SAT URDAY : OCTOBER 24 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

young JV’s new song

Heartthrob singer-actor Big scored gold three years Young JV, with a string later. YJV released just this of highly touted urban year has already notched pop original songs una hit song with “Ale.” He ISAH V. RED also performed with Dunder his belt, released his latest single “Flashback” can Ramos, a Philpop fithrough the MYX Channel Premiere seg- nalist, in “Hang Out Lang,” which earned ment. It is expected the song would be viral nomination at Awit Awards for Best R&B and popular among music listeners. The recording. premiere TV broadcast (Channel 23 on To many, he deserves to be labeled as Skycable) of its music video is scheduled to Chris Brown of the Philippines, especialair at 6 p.m. today. ly that he considers the foreign star as his To drum up the occasion, the multi-tal- biggest influence. ented celebrity flew to his hometown in After the Iloilo “Flashback” launch, Iloilo and joined his fans, who endearing- Young JV will be back in Manila as he is ly call themselves Younglings, for #Flash- scheduled to perform at MYX MO’s 15th backTwitterParty at 4 p.m. today. He’ll be anniversary presentation at MOA Conhosting the activity, which also serves as an cert Grounds on Oct. 31. The show feaearly Christmas treat for his supporters. tures today’s hottest Pinoy acts. That’s one Yesterday, FM station MOR 91.1 Iloilo awaited Halloween party as he will peractually launched the single that features form live his latest “Flashback.”

Emmanuelle. The single is from his latest Well, one of the big new stars in the CD, YJV, and the release was a big treat to field has just provided a cool soundtrack the singing star’s hometown fans. to netizens’ love for anything “throw“The song ‘Flashback’ conjures images back,” especially memories of the heart. of a romantic affair that forever resides in HHHHH a special place in one’s memory,” shares Plane Crashes and Young JV who celebrates the release of a suPer systems promising track expected to groove in with In the new season of Why Planes Crash, this year’s cool Yuletide air. pilots and passengers relive the rare and The Star Magic talent also known for horrifying occasions in which malice, huhis natural gift in playing basketball is set man error or technical faults turn routine to play ball on Saturday alongside selected flights into nightmares. pretty boy models from Iloilo and against The search takes viewers inside some of an esteemed selection from Dumaraw in the most terrifying situations imaginable Capiz. Pinoy Big Brother’s Fourth Solo- with the aid of shocking archive footage mon will join Young JV in his team, thus, and dramatic animated reconstructions. doubling up the anticipated fan hysteria.

What brought troubles to these planes?

Popular among teens and anyone with The answers are on the way as Why high regard for celebrities with more than Planes Crash airs 9:50 pm. Thursdays. enough talent and good looks, Young JV is The most complex systems help make currently making waves for his well-craft- our world a better and more livable place. ed recordings and significant acting bits In a new season on Discovery Science, Suincluding as Gregg in Honesto, Captain per Systems returns and pulls back the curin Budoy and Benjamin in Nathaniel. His tain on some of the incredible people and debut album, Ready Or Not, went plati- machines that keep the planet ticking. ➜ Continued on C7 num in 2009 while the follow-up Doin’ It