The Standard - 2015 December 12 - Saturday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 303  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  SATURDAY : DECEMBER 12, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Davao’s safe image a myth, LP says

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POE TAKES 2ND HIT Comelec 1st Division cancels her CoC, cites ‘misrepresentation’

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Commission on Elections 1st Division cancelled the Certificate of Candidacy of Senator Grace Poe on Friday, dealing a second blow to her run for the presidency.

Like the 2nd Division that ruled against Poe last week on a similar petition, the 1st Division said Poe committed material misrepresentation in her CoC when she claimed she was a naturalborn citizen and that she had resided in the Philippines for 10 years—both requirements for running for president.

Voting 2-1, the 1st Division headed by Commissioner Christian Robert Lim favored the petitions of former Senator Francisco Tatad, University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez, and De La Salle University professor Antonio Contreras.

“Upon reviews of the facts, applicable laws, and jurisprudence, the Commission resolves to grant the petitions and cancel the Certificate of Candidacy of respondent,” the resolution said.

Poe twitted the commissioners for ignoring the facts and said it was “hurtful” that her very identity was being taken away from her.

“We submitted evidence of my citizenship and residence, putting our full faith in a just process,” Poe said.

“However, it is sad the Comelec 1st Division has chosen to ignore the facts just to deny me the chance to better serve our countrymen, and also deny our people their choices in an open election. “I am a true Filipino from birth. I was raised as a Filipino, lived, studied, got married in the Philippines, and wish to serve my fellow Filipinos as a Filipino,” she said.

Poe’s lawyer, George Garcia, said the 1st Division decision would not stop the senator’s candidacy.

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Losing her identity. Independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe was not surprised that the Commission on Elections again ruled against her on Friday, but she was hurt by attempts to take away her very identity.

Mar no expert in helping people—Binay

By Vito Barcelo THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay lashed back Friday at Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, accusing him of disrespecting and twisting the law to advance his own selfish agenda.

On Thursday, Roxas mocked Binay as an “expert in graft and corruption,” after he explained the difference between the

two to a group of students in Dumagete City in Negros Oriental, a Roxas bailiwick.

Roxas “commended” the vice president for sharing his “expertise” on the subject.

Binays spokesman, Rico Quicho shot back Friday.

“The vice president was speaking as a lawyer. The difference between graft and corruption is something clear to lawyers and those who understand and respect the

law,” Quicho said.

“This is something that is lost to Secretary Roxas and the LP administration, who do not respect the rule of law and twist the law to advance their narrow and selfish political agenda.”

Quicho also twitted Roxas, saying the administration had no expertise in improving the lives of poor Filipinos.

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Opposition mayor gets suspended in Cebu

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Aquino won’t offer advice to successor

By Sandy Araneta

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said Friday he will not give any unsolicited advice to the next president of the country after he steps down from office in June 2016.

“One would hope that the person who replaces me does such a great job that there is no need to criticize or to fiscalize,” said Aquino during an interview at the Bulong Pulungan Forum at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

“I guess I inherited it also from my mother. I’m really not one to offer unsolicited advice. I would rather not. I would not want to put my successor in the same situation of having to deal with a lot of times, well meaning, but unfortunately not very good advice,”Aquino added.

Aquino said he would pray that his sucessor build upon the foundation that his administration has laid down.

Aquino said that he watched his mother, President Corazon Aquino, at work from a distance, he assumed he had some knowl-

edge of the demands of the presidency.

“But having even that inkling was not enough for all of the challenges that we had to surpass. At the end of the year, you know Christmas season when you want to relax…we had a lot of the most difficult challenges,” he said, citing the calamities such as typhoons Pablo, Sendong, Yolanda, the Zamboanga siege and the Bohol earthquake.

With only six more months in office, the President said he looked forward to visiting Boracay and staying longer, after he steps down.

“On day one, I probably will get up sometime in the late afternoon. I will not read any newspaper. I will enjoy feeling no pressure whatsoever on that day. Then, of course, I will have to try and touch base

again with the old neighborhood… which probably means eating a lot of fast food in the neighborhood. Hopefully, I’ll get to all of them on the same day,” Aquino said.

“Everybody in the Philippines would probably have a Bora experience. Hopefully, it is still an experience that I can experience… Let me contextualize that.

One of the best pictures my mother ever had was really being at peace walking at the beach in Bora,” Aquino said.

“To be honest, I had the same opportunity to visit Bora for a total of about 40 minutes. We had to inaugurate the Caticlan airport’s improvements… but I never got to the beach. I never got to the water.

[The next time] I will stay for longer than an hour,” he said.

Aquino, a bachelor, said that with more time on his hands by then, he plans to visit the Saint Jude Shrine near Malacañang to pray to the patron saint of lost causes for his love life.

“It might help,” the President said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “When we’re alive, everybody should have hope.”

Trading barbs. Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party, both running for president in 2016, explain their views on countryside development during a forum at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City amid their word war on service to the Filipino people. JANSEN ROMERO

Mar...

From A1

“Its expertise is in ruining independent institutions and misusing the law against political enemies.” Quicho said.

Quicho also criticized the Aquino administration for being unable to improve the lives of Filipinos.

“If you look back at the track record of the administration that Roxas wants to continue, it has failed to lift the poor from poverty, provide food and jobs for majority of Filipinos.” he said.

In a forum on countryside development organized by Galing Pook, Binay also blamed Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for the administration’s underspending.

In the last Cabinet meeting he attended,

Binay said, President Benigno Aquino III asked each department why it was underspending. Each agency head pointed to Abad, Binay said.

Binay said Roxas was the one behind the smear campaign against him, and his remarks Thursday only confirmed that belief.

In a presidential forum Friday at the Ateneo de Manila University, Binay repeatedly denied that he was involved in graft and cor-

Poe...

From A1 “We are still a candidate, and our name is still in the list,” said Garcia, who said the fight would go on until the Supreme Court has had the final say.

Referring to Poe’s claim that the data entered in her CoC for senator in 2013 was an “honest mistake,” the 1st Division said it was “incredible to think that an educated woman and already then a public servant with full staff support, including a legal team, would not know on how to declare the facts in her CoC during the senatorial elections in 2013.”

The poll body added that the CoC form for a senatorial candidate is “very clear” that what is required to be stated was the period of residency up to the day of the 2013 elections.

“Ignorance of the law excuses no one. Respondent [Poe] is presumed and expected to know the law. She is bound by its effects and consequences in case of violation thereof,” the Comelec said.

Moreover, the Comelec also agreed that Poe is not a natural born citizen because she was adopted as a foundling with unknown biological parents.

“To emphasize, the letter of the 1935 and 1987 Constitutions are clear and unambiguous; jurisprudence likewise are unmistakable and definite. A simple reading thereof yields what is already obvious and apparent conclusion—that respondent [Poe] is not a natural born citizen,” the division said.

“The clarity of the law, notwithstanding, respondent chose to ignore and brush aside the Constitution and jurisprudence and misrepresent herself as natural born citizen, clearly in order to serve her purpose and suit her intent of running for the presidency,” the Comelec said.

Commissioners Luie Guia and Rowena Guanzon voted to cancel Poe’s CoC while Lim dissented, citing three reasons.

First, he argued that Tatad’s petition cannot be treated as one to deny due course to, or, cancel, Poe’s CoC. “The Tatad’s petition should have been dismissed outright for availing a wrong mode to assail the qualifications of the respondent,” Lim said in his 81-page dissenting statement.

Secondly, on the issue of residency, Lim said that both Valdez and Contreras failed to take in to account that Poe was able to show actual, physical and personal presence in the Philippines since May 24, 2005 and therefore, he said there was no material misrepresentation committed.

Third, Lim said, Valdez did not squarely put in issue the fact that Poe is not a natural-born citizen, only that she cannot claim to be natural born-citizen based on her reacquisition of her Filipino citizenship.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said that in the wake of the Comelec’s latest ruling, Poe was in danger of having her name removed from the official ballots.

“The decision foreshadows what will happen at the Comelec en banc,” he said in a text message.

Macalintal also advised Poe to prepare a strong petition to the Supreme Court in an anticipation of an unfavorable ruling from the Comelec en banc.

Unless the Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order against the Comelec decisions, Poe’s name is in danger of being deleted from the ballots for president, Macalintal added.

While Poe admitted that the chances of a favorable decision from the Comelec were not good, she said she would not back down from the race.

“I assure you that I am still a candidate for president. Let us fight for genuine democratic elections, where the people’s welfare takes front and center,” said Poe. She added that what was at stake was not only her candidacy but the rights of all foundlings, who should not be disadvantaged for circumstances that were not of their doing. With Sandy Araneta

ruption cases.

Roxas, in a chance interview, said Binay should answer the accusations against him rather than point fingers at other people.

“Is it true that the [Makati Parking] building was overpriced? It’s very simple.

Even the [Makati] medical building. He can just say whether its true or not. For me, he had all the opportunities,” Roxas said.

With John Paolo Bencito

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Tight watch. Policemen keep a close watch on Carriedo Street in Manila on Friday as they increased their visibility to deter crime. Danny PaTa

Roxas belittles Duterte’s claim ADMINISTRATION standard bearer Manuel Roxas II said Friday that Davao’s claim to being the “fourth safest city in the world” was a myth.

In an obvious reference to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, whose platform of government is improving the peace and order situation in the country, Roxas said the crime problem could not be solved by using a magic wand.

“Just for the record also, Davao has the fourth highest number of crimes in the country,” Roxas said in a presidential forum at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“There’s no magic wand in life.”

Roxas made his statement even as the group Karapatan slammed Duterte’s admission to killing the criminals in Davao City.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to

such an affront to human rights especially in light of our horrific experience of the brutal suppression of all democratic rights under the USbacked Marcos fascist dictatorship,” group secretary-general Cristina Palabay said in a statement.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano lashed back at presidential candidate Grace Poe for saying Duterte was not fit to lead the country.

He also criticized Poe’s running mate Francis Escudero.

“If Senators Poe and Escudero think that Mayor Duterte is not fit to lead the country, then why did they ask for his endorsement in the 2013 senatorial election? “ Cayetano said.

“And why did Senator Poe ask if she could be Mayor Duterte’s vice president earlier this year?”

Roxas, who served as Interior secretary during the Aquino administration, cited statistics from the Philippine National Police saying Davao City ranked fourth in terms of the criminal cases reported in its 2014 report, or just behind Quezon City, Zamboanga and Manila.

Duterte’s supporters on social media claimed that Duterte would make the Philippines a safer country with his 22-year record of making Davao City the fourth-safest city in the world, according to the online website Numbeo.com.

Roxas said the crime rate in Metro Manila dropped dramatically when he was Interior secretary. John Paolo Bencito and

Macon Ramos-araneta

Binay to push for big projects in the regions VICE President Jejomar Binay on Friday said he would push for “one mega project per region and one major project per province” to spur regional development once he was elected president.

“I will convene the regional development councils to identify, implement and monitor major infrastructure projects in their regions,” Binay told a forum in Quezon City.

He said the national development programs should be guided by the plans submitted by local government units.

“Local governments are required to prepare an annual development program,” Binay said.

“I think the assistance or the intrusion of the national government must be guided by that annual development program rather than the national government coming up with a separate development program.”

Binay, a local executive for more than two decades, said LGU empowerment was vital to achieving inclusive growth.

He said the progress of every province and region depended on the lo-

cal leadership, adding it could only be achieved if the local leaders were given broad authority.

He vowed that under his presidency, the government would give a bigger share of the internal revenue allotment to the LGUs. He said the poor municipalities needed more allotments to enable them to implement projects and programs for their constituents.

“The bigger the LGU’s land area and population, the bigger its IRA. That sounds perfectly equitable.

The trouble is, usually the smaller the LGU the smaller its local income, so it needs more allotments from the national government,” Binay said.

“Therefore, should I be elected, the Binay administration will ensure that the IRA shares of the poor municipalities will be increased so they will have the resources to promote the welfare of their constituents.” he added.

Binay questioned why the IRA needed to go through the Department of Budget and Management, making it open to abuse. Vito Barcelo

Marcos cites govt failure in housing sector SENATOR Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday gave the Aquino administration a failing mark for what he called its failure to solve the country’s 5.5-million housing backlog.

During separate dialogues in San Jose and Norzagaray in Bulacan, Marcos criticized the backlog and blamed it on the insufficient funds being allocated to the housing program.

“The problem of housing is very, very simple: there’s no funding,” Marcos said.

“There are no funds to build houses and the Philippines lacks

5.5-million units.”

Marcos also said he was baffled why the government’s campaign against the big-time drug lords was not making any significant progress when their identities were known to the authorities.

“We all know who they are these drug lords,” said Marcos who is running for vice president in next year’s election.

He told an open forum during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Pasay on Wednesday that the officers of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency knew who the drug lords were.

“Why are we not arresting them, putting them in jail and throwing the keys away?” Marcos said.

He said another miscue in the government’s housing program was the non-provision of basic services in the relocation sites.

He said a complete relocation program does not only entail the building of housing units but also the provision of basic needs like water, electrical connection, schools, markets, access to transportation and jobs in the relocation areas that the government is failing to accomplish.

Macon Ramos-araneta

Landmark. Light streaks from vehicles complement the light from the Chinese arc in Chinatown, Manila, on Thursday night. Danny PaTa

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Rama yields to suspension

By Junex Doronio CEBU CITY—Mayor Michael Rama yielded his post to Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella on Friday following a 60-day preventive suspension meted by Malacañang over the demolition of a street’s center island and lights last year.

Biased pay hike. Government employees representing various offices express their disappointment on the passage of the recently passed Salary Standardization Law of 2015 which they described to be biased. LINO SANTOS

Chiz: Pay airport victims

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Joel E. Zurbano VICE presidential candidate Senator Francis Escudero wants the government to compensate victims of bullet-planting incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport even as 11 more passengers were arrested for carrying ammunition at the airport Chief Insp. Samuel Hojilla, spokesperson of the Aviation Security Group, said airport cops continue to apprehend passengers with bullets despite sign boards warning passengers and the installation of glast look booth h for passengers to check their baggage,.

Reports showed that three persons were arrested at the Naia Terminal 1 while one of the two passengers caught with bullets at Terminal 2 was released after present-

ing firearms license card.

Hojilla reported that four other passengers were placed under investigation at the Terminal 3 but ordered released later, while a foreigner was also arrested at the Terminal 4.

The Avsegroup noticed a significant decrease of apprehension of passengers carrying bullets compared last month with 81 the number of persons placed under its custody.

Meanwhile, Avsegroup director Pablo Francisco Balagtas welcomed the result of the probe made by National Bureau of Investigation in connection with the socalled tanim-bala scam where four of his men were charged with extortion.

“Our job is to maintain peace and order, but our primary, as aviation police, is the anti-hijacking,” Balagtas said.

A lifestyle check is also being con-

ducted in accordance with the directive of President Benigno Aquino III to the National Police to take concrete steps in addressing the controversy over the “tanim-bala” modus happening at the airports.

But Escudero said the filing of the charges only confirms that this modus operandi exists at our international airports, and not simply a media hype as some camps had tried to portray it.

Due to this, Escudero urged the government to devise a system to compensate the passengers who were victimized by the bullet-planting scheme.

“The victims had to endure delays, miss their flights and shell out money for wrongdoings they did not commit.

The government could at least give them financial aid as a way of compensation,” he said.

“Ampingi ang City Hall [Take care of city hall],” Rama told Labella who claimed the suspension was politically motivated because Rama is seeking reelection against former Mayor Tomas Osmeña, a leader of the ruling Liberal Party.

Rama, a member of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, said he did nothing wrong and admitted that he was hurt by the preventive suspension order signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. last Dec. 2.

“We will not stop respecting and upholding the law... but it’s the rule of law that is preventively suspended. It is you that are preventively suspended,” Rama said before his supporters who gathered at city hall grounds Friday.

Labella explained that the mayor only demolished a 28-meter structure that a barangay chairman had constructed in the middle of Salvador and Katipunan Streets and the demolition underwent due process as shown by a notice from the district engineer.

“We would like to inform that said structure posed danger to the traveling public and [is] a clear violation of the policies stipulated in the Philippine Highway Act. Hence, please be advised to immediately remove the said structure,” Labella quoted district engineer Fernando Cruz as in the notice issued in 2014.

Nonetheless, Malacañang ordered Rama’s 60-day suspension over accusations of culpable violation of the Constitution, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression.

Rama was a member of the ruling Liberal Party until he joined the opposition party UNA of Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2012. Rama is UNA’s regional coordinator in Cebu as well.

Rama was not in at the Cebu City Hall when the suspension order was served by the Department of Interior Local Government director Danilo Almendras, Regional Director Rene Burdeos and legal chief Aiza Fiel Nogra.

LPA seen arriving Dec. 12 A LOW pressure area over the Pacific Ocean is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility and intensify into a tropical depression by Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Friday.

Pagasa weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the LPA was still 1,700 km east of Mindanao, but once it enters the PAR and intensifies into a tropical cyclone, it will be named “Nonoy.” the 14th to affect the country this year.

Nonoy has a slim chance of making landfall but it will affect the eastern side of Visayas and Mindanao.

The state weather bureau still expects one more cyclone to affect the country before the year ends.

Meanwhile, fair weather is seen in most parts of the country on weekend except for

isolated rain showers.

The trough or extended cloudiness of the LPA will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato and Davao Del Sur. With the presence of northeast monsoon, locally called “hanging amihan,” cloudy skies with light rains is expected over Batanes and the islands of Calayan and Babuyan while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

In its advisory, Pagasa said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over northern Luzon, and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Thankful for the compassion. Senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand

Martin Romualdez (right) hands over a plaque of appreciation to Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo and his wife QC Councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo for their help to the people of Eastern Visayas during their time of crisis because of super typhoon ‘Yolanda.’ VER NOVENO

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Lumad rap 24 groups in slays

By John Paolo Bencito THE Aquino administration and 24 militia groups armed by the militarty are the ones to blame for the violations of the human rights of indigenous people in Mindanao, called the lumad, according to a group of tribal leaders who have been lobbying for an end to the rights violations.

Kerlan Fanagel, one of the leaders of the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao, made the accusation after United Nations country representative and humanitarian coordinator Ola Almgren called for an end to the rights violations and the comprehensive implementation of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act. “President Aquino has a lot to answer to the UN for most of the policies he issued under his term have brought a long list of human rights violations to the lumad people. Hence we call him as the main perpetrator of lumad killings,” Fanagel said.

“These kind of policies have targeted the lumad because of our continuing resistance against the plunder of our resources. As long as the Philippine government prioritizes the needs of foreign companies over the needs of the lumad people then the killing of lumad will never stop,” he added.

Fanagel lauded Algrem’s statement because it supports the call for justice of the oppressed lumad.

“We laud UN Country Representative Algrem for putting forward these measures. We also hope that the UN country representative can pressure President BS Aquino and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to pull-out military troops in the community as this is one of the primary reasons why there are continuing killings, harassments and displacement of lumad,” said Fanagel.

He added that the UN humanitarian coordinator should also look into reports pointing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the one behind the lumad killings and the coddling of paramilitaries responsible for the lumad killings.

Life’s leftovers.

Three children pore through ashes of their homes after a big fire that razed a number of houses and killed nine people in Quezon City’s New Manila district on Friday.

JANSEN RoMERo

SC: ‘Utmost wisdom’ will decide poll cases

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court will resolve cases related to the general election next year with utmost wisdom and without political consideration, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno vowed during the high court’s Christmas party late Thursday.

Sereno admitted that the justices are aware of the significance of the decisions they will make on election related cases.

“I think that whatever decision we may make on the petitions that are filed before us and that will be filed before us, it must be with the utmost wisdom that we should look at these things,” Sereno said.

She said the SC’s actions “will tell the world whether we live by the rules we have set for ourselves or whether politics trumps everything else.”

According to her, she personally see the cases involving the general elections not just a contest of who will win and take power for the next six years.

“The impact of whatever decision will come out from us

as well as the election itself will have long-term consequences for our country. It will measure our ability to really be a modern democracy,” she said.

Sereno added that the justices have in fact started preparing for the expected influx of poll cases, revealing that their respective offices “are already undertaking preliminary research and some preliminary reading” on the reported issues.

“It is also incumbent upon us, it behooves us to listen closely, to have an open mind about the facts that are going to be relayed before us or the legal arguments that are going to be set before us,” she said.

The chief magistrate also said the SC is aware of the urgency in resolving several election-

related cases.

“In fact, we understand and it is clear to us that this Christmas season will not be a usual season for us. There might be things that we need to set aside because of the urgency of matters that need to be resolved,” she said.

“So we are keenly aware of all of those and you can see that most of the justices will be making themselves available for any eventuality… We need to work hard because this is the only process by which we can ensure that the right, just outcome will result,” she said.

Among the 2016 election cases pending in the SC is the one involving the eligibility of Senator Grace Poe, a frontrunner in the presidential race, over questions on her citizenship.

11th power tower bombed

By Alena Mae S. Flores ANOTHER power transmission tower was bombed in Mindanao, bringing the total number of towers bombed to 11 this year, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Friday.

National Grid, in its advisory, said the transmission tower in Pikit, North Cotabato was bombed Thursday night, confirming the cause of power interruption along Tacurong-Sultan Kudarat line.

Affected are customers of Cotabato Light, Cotelco and Magelco, and part of North Cotabato, Cotabato City.

Power interruption started at 8:15 pm Thursday.

“Attempts to activate NGCP’s Tacurong-Sultan Kudarat 69 KV line, as an alternate line to immediately restore power, failed. NGCP line personnel will

begin line patrol as soon as the area is secure,” it said.

Earlier, three towers in Patani, Marawi City were bombed then another tower in the same area was targeted last Nov. 6.

Tower No. 13 along Agus 2 - Kibawe 138-kilovolt line 2 in Guimba, Marawi City was bombed by yet to be identified perpetrators, making it the 10th tower bombed this year.

“This is the 10th tower bombed by lawless elements in 2015 alone, with five towers bombed within the month of October. We are very concerned that this situation seems to be escalating, with each incident happening progressively closely to each other,” the company said earlier.

Last Oct. 29, three towers along the same transmission line were also bombed.

Going organic. A stall at the Old Market of Baguio City offers a variety of organic rice from the Cordillera Highlands, including Balatinaw, Brown, Bontikan and red rice varieties as well as commercial rice, amid growing demand for organic rice in the country. DAVID CHAN

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A6 Polish man stranded at airport after cabbie drives off with bags

By Eric B. Apolonio MANILA—A Polish national who arrived in the country from Poland four months ago and visited his Filipino girlfriend in Butuan City found himself sleeping in one of the airport’s comfort rooms upon returning to Manila after a taxi driver ran away with his luggage on Monday.

Forty-one-year-old Tomasz Chalot Stanislaw took a taxi with his luggage bound for Naia terminal 1 to confirm his flight back to Poland.

As he stepped out of the taxi, however, the driver sped away with his luggage containing his clothes and other belongings including cash leaving him penniless while waiting for his scheduled flight Friday.

“I roamed around Naia Terminals 1 and 2 to find someone who can help me for my food and at night, I slept at the comfort room at the terminal 1 curbside,” Stanislaw said.

In an interview at the Naia medical clinic where concerned airport attendants brought the still chilling polish national, he said that he went to Butuan to offer marriage proposal to her long time girlfriend. “I promised her that I will be back in a couple of months to prepare everything in Poland as I planned to bring her there” he added.

He said he was still fortunate that his passport was in his pants pocket.

Penniless, Stanislaw was seen drinking water in a faucet inside the comfort room as building attendants narrated how they found him.

The building attendants provided some biscuits and mineral water for Stanislaw.

They also brought him to the clinic.

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Lawmaker wants home for abandoned seniors

By Maricel V. Cruz

A HOUSE member on Friday batted for the enactment of a measure that seeks to establish a nursing home for abused and homeless senior citizens in Quezon City.

Quezon City Rep. Alfredo Vargas III, author of House Bill 6295, said while the population of the senior citizens continues to grow, the number of unattended, neglected and abandoned elderly is also increasing.

“The problem is often attributed to migration of young family workers and the costs for elderly care which may be unbearable for low-income households,” Vargas said.

Vargas, vice chairman of the House committees on health and on social services, said the protection and promotion of the welfare of senior citizens and the government’s duty to care for them are enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.

Vargas said the construction of a nursing home for the abused, abandoned and homeless elderly will contribute to the care of the elderly who remain to be major

contributors in building a strong Filipino nation.

Under the bill, elderly abuse refers to any intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. It can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse.

The bill defines an abandoned senior citizen who has been deserted, permanently or temporarily, by his relatives or persons who have general or legal responsibility over the senior, or from whom all basic care have been withdrawn, whether willfully or not.

An elderly who lacks a fixed,

regular residence, or whose current residence is unfit for human habitation is referred to as a homeless senior citizen under the measure.

“The nursing home may accept donations and grants from private domestic and foreign groups, non-government and civic organizations, and foreign governments for the purpose of the nursing home’s construction, establishment, staffing and continued operation,” Vargas said.

The nursing home shall be exempted from the payment of customs duties, taxes and tariffs on the importation of equipment and supplies used directly and exclusively by the nursing home pursuant to this Act, including those donated to the nursing home.

Justice call. Victims and families of trafficked workers join a rally in front of the Department of Justice during the International Day Against Trafficking. LINO SANTOS

Labor Department closes Makati ‘entertainment club’

By Vito Barcelo

Stranded. Tomasz Chalot Stanislaw gets medical attention at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after he lost his luggage to a taxi driver. ERIC APOLONIO

THE Department of Labor and Employment has padlocked an entertainment club in Makati for employing teenage girls as guest relations officers and for violating labor laws.

Labor Secretary Rosalina Baldoz said the closure of Ivory Music Lounge and Restaurant was part of the government’s drive against child labor and human trafficking, adding that it had also violated numerous labor laws.

“I am pleased of the DoLE-NCR’s lowkey but sustained action against child labor and human trafficking,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz said the government is serious and determined to stamp out child labor and human trafficking.

The closure order of the establishment

stemmed from a petition by the AntiHuman Trafficking Division of the National Bureau of Investigation filed with the regional office in September.

“The NBI sought the immediate and permanent closure of Ivory Music Lounge and Restaurant for violation of R.A. 7610, as amended by R.A. 92310. I issued an Order for the Permanent Closure of Ivory on 2 November 2015 after due consideration,” DoLENCR Regional Director Alex Avila said.

“Ivory Music Lounge and Restaurant remains closed and cannot engage in business,” he added.

Baldoz said this latest action of the DoLE-NCR should serve as a warning to other business establishments employing child laborers.

sat urday : de c e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ombudsman fires 8 Zambo town workers

By A. Perez Rimando

Intercrop. A farm worker sprays plots of tobacco seedlings in an experimental farm in Bgy. Patrocino, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Tobacco, a cash crop, is used as an intercrop for corn, the town’s staple. BOBBY LAGSA

Bank official: P800-m loan not yet released to Samar

By Mel Caspe

THE Provincial Government of Samar has yet to submit some requirements prior to the trancheby-tranche disbursement of its P800-million loan, but the loan has been approved, an official of the Land Bank of the Philippines said.

The state-owned bank has approved the loan application on Oct. 12, according to Samar Land Bank Lending Center head Buenaventura Leyva.

“The first tranche will be released upon completion of necessary requirements. The local government is still complying pre-release requirements. It is no longer

within our control.”

The Land Bank official responded to media queries after some groups in the province protested the bank loan for fear that it will be used for politics.

The pre-disbursement requirements have been set by the bank and the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas.

The pace of loan disbursement heavily relies on the speed of implementation of the project listed on the local government’s spending plan, according to Leyva.

The official said that Samar provincial government is qualified to secure loan per bank’s assessment and scrutiny of the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

The P800-million loan request is not even half of the provincial government’s P2.4-billion borrowing capacity, he said.

“We are not exposing a certain amount if it is not within the borrowing capacity of local government,” Leyva added. “Our appraisal department will also monitor the utilization of the loan.”

MOLAVE, Zamboanga del Sur —Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered last week the dismissal from the service of eight employees in this first class municipality who her office found guilty of anomalous purchase of medicines worth some P2 million.

The ousted employees were Molave town accountant Matin Blanco Jr., his assistant Eleuterio Galleto, and Bids and Award Committee members Gasmelba Felicitas, Marcos Bahinting, Melita de los Santos, Nikki Omboy, Jerry Gene de los Santos and Lina Lou Gitalan.

The accused were found to have been involved in the irregular purchase of overpriced medicines in 2009, according to Morales who directed the town mayor to immediately enforce the order.

Commission on Audit findings showed that “the medicines were overpriced by as much as 152 to 836 percent even as the process did not undergo public bidding, no eligibility check done, and no bid bonds from the bidders.”

The delivery, inspection and payment for the questionable medicine were also processed in one day after the opening of the bids, CoA said, adding it also discovered that P1.2 million worth of the purchased medicines “were still undelivered during the auditing process.”

The state audit body also noted that the purchased medicines included Vitamin A capsules “worth P645,000 which were provided free by the Department of Health,” said Morales who consequently canceled the dismissed employees’ eligibilities, forfeited their retirement benefits and perpetually disqualified them from reemployment in other local or national government service.

Farmers need information campaign on agri training

By Dexter A. See

Sweet treats. Children from the Baseco compound are treated to unlimited cotton candy, games and dance numbers at an early Christmas party by Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance in Tagaytay City. EY ACASIO

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—The management of the Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center must continue conducting aggressive information and education campaign to allow farmers to understand the benefits derived from the operation of the multi-million facility, Mayor Edna C. Tabanda said here recently.

The local chief executive, who is also a member of the BAPTC project steering committee, said many farmers and agriculture industry stakeholders still do not understand the benefits they can derive from the facility and its impact on the trading of semi-temperate vegetables.

“Farmers must understand that the primary purpose of the BAPTC is to establish a one-stop trading center for highland vegetables and to help them gain access to local and global markets as well as for locally grown crops to be globally competitive

during the implementation of the Asean free trade,” Tabanda stressed.

She added BAPTC management must be able to make farmers understand that the facility is an economic enterprise, thus, its operations will be self-liquidating and not absolutely free for those interested to trade their agricultural produce in the facility.

According to her, the existing operation of the biggest trading center in the country is on an experimental basis.

She added that BAPTC management and agriculture industry stakeholders must accept the birth pains of the start of operations.

“Appropriate adjustments must already be put in place prior to the full operation of the trading center which will cater to wet market buyers, institutional buyers and other foreign buyers from Asean once the free trade agreement is implemented.”

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

DICK GORDON AND VOLUNTEERISM

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A CAVALIER PRESIDENT

WHAT appears to be good news is that there is no syndicate that is responsible for the bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which has become notorious for the numerous cases when bullets have mysteriously turned up in the luggage of passengers.

The definite bad news is that the extortion racket is real, and that it is being perpetrated by “unscrupulous airport personnel.”

A task force in the bureau concluded that the airport personnel from the Office for Transport Security acted on their own planting the bullets, holding the passengers and extorting money from them. Desperate to board their flights and terrified of being imprisoned, the passengers agree.

The task force gathered documents, interviewed airport personnel and passenger-victims and analyzed previous bullet-planting incidents to come up with their conclusions. Six airport personnel have been criminally charged before the Justice Department for their supposed role in the scheme.

Travelers and their kin who are expecting a strong statement and drastic actions from the Palace as a result of these findings will continue to be disappointed, though. Malacañang said it would refrain from commenting until it had read the bureau’s final report. This reinforces President Aquino’s dismissive attitude to the racket, saying it has only victimized a small portion of the millions of passengers who use Naia.

In this respect, the bureau gives us greater comfort than the President does. It has at least acknowledged the problem. In contrast, Mr Aquino has continued to protect his relative, airport manager Jose Angel Honrado, under whom this racket has gone on, and transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya who has had the gall to be arrogant despite his incompetence to address the country’s many transport woes.

That it is the holiday season and the airport will be busier than ever gives us even fewer reasons to be confident that this government will be able to protect us from scheming individuals, whether they are part of a syndicate or acting on their own.

In the end, the first step to solving any problem is to acknowledge it is there. Mr. Aquino’s cavalier attitude gives us reason to expect that the bullet-planting incidents will never be addressed so long as he’s in charge.

THAT IMPORTANT VOTE FOR VP POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO NEWS just came in that the Commission on Election’s First Division has also disqualified Senator Grace Poe from running for President. Poe now pins her hopes on the en banc and if it similarly decides, the last arbiter, the Supreme Court. If the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s voting results (where Justices voted to disqualify her) is an indication of the SC’s temperament, the senator may also lose there.

Other presidential contenders are not worry-free. Vice President Jejomar Binay faces the possibility of arrest because of corruption cases that could be filed against him anytime. At least one disqualification case has been filed against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s health is a big question mark since her public statement that she is battling cancer.

Some quarters are saying that because of the administration candidate’s very low numbers, the strategy is to literally eliminate Mar Roxas’ viable opponents. Should Poe and Duterte suffer the same fate of disquali-

fication, and if Binay goes to prison, the electorate will be left to choose between Roxas, Defensor-Santiago, and Seneres for the presidency. This could possibly result in a Roxas victory.

If this happens and people see that his getting elected is brought about by treacherous machinations, expect a lot of opposition against a Roxas administration. The president might be hounded by controversies and the next six years will not be pretty.

If Duterte succeeds against disqualification, this mayor known for strong-arm tactics might win given the popularity he now enjoys. But Duterte is

A9

We have to choose carefully.

also first to say that he might not last six years in office. Besides his age (he is 70), he acknowledges that his kind of leadership can earn him vicious enemies. Duterte makes no bones about shooting and killing “criminals.” If he does not change even as he becomes president, he might be involved in shootouts. I would not like this to happen but if it does, Duterte might not get lucky.

If Poe gets very lucky, does not get disqualified and wins in the SC, her administration perhaps will be the “safest” in terms of threats of being ousted.

If Binay wins (whether he goes to jail or not), we can expect many quarters to be quite critical of his government. I am not a lawyer but if corruption cases are filed and these are

kept alive, we may see a president who needs to defend himself in Court. The best that can happen in this situation is his administration’s credibility will suffer.

If Defensor-Santiago wins, we have her health to worry about. Six years is a very long time when it comes to cancer.

I usually look at the brighter side of things. However, because of what I see and know about the present political configurations as well as the obvious dirty tactics employed by the various camps, I see the next six years to be quite challenging. I would like to be

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-

hopeful. I would like to be wrong in my reading of the situation. Perhaps I am just being overly pessimistic.

While there are many “ifs” in the kind of scenario I outlined, the possibilities are there. Just look at what are happening now despite the fact that the official election period has yet to start.

It is messy and will get messier still.

We are going to elect the next president in May for sure. But I am already looking beyond the elections. Whoever wins among the candidates, I do not see a pretty picture. Certainly, I do not wish to lose a duly elected president

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

again especially if it is due to sickness or accident, however, the country has to be ready.

We need to choose our next vice president very, very carefully. In my view, never has our choice for VP been this important.

Generally, the vice president is considered as a spare tire. Although the VP is the second highest official of the land, its importance is lost to most of us. We do not exert as much care in choosing a VP compared with how we choose our president.

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

ALTHOUGH Senator Grace Poe does not meet the requiremens for the highest office of the land on account of her failure to satisfy citizenship and residency requirements imposed by the Constitution, her admirers can find solace in one of her candidates for the Senate who deserves to be mentioned for his consistent dedication to the cause of public service and volunteerism. That candidate is Richard “Dick” Gordon, who served as senator from 2007 to 2013, and is a distinguished alumnus of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines.

Gordon began his career as a public servant in 1970 when he was elected a delegate, representing the lone district of his native Zambales, to the 1971 Constitutional Convention—the assembly which drafted the 1973 Constitution. He was the youngest delegate to the convention and, as the Benjamin of the assembly, he administered the oath to the convention president, Diosdado Macapagal.

As a young lawyer, Gordon obtained his litigation experience from a big law firm in Makati. Public service, however, beckoned.

In 1980, Gordon was elected mayor of Olongapo City. As oldtimers will attest, the city had a seedy reputation back then, on account of its proximity to the Subic Bay naval base, the headquarters of the Seventh Fleet of the United States Navy.

By 1982, Gordon succeeded in changing the image of his city to a clean, orderly, and safe metropolis. The streets became free of garbage, and fines were imposed on anybody who littered, including famous and powerful personalities who visited the mayor, and who were seen extinguishing their cigarettes on the floor.

Gordon made an exception, though, for a popular lady economist who discarded her cigarette on the sidewalk.

“Next time, I’ll fine you ...,” Gordon told his guest, but with a smile.

When I visited the city in 1982, the public market was so clean, anyone could actually lie down on the floor without getting dirty.

Under Gordon’s watch, city cops made sure that hooligans caught in the streets spent time in detention. To ensure the safety of commuters, jeepney drivers were required to wear uniforms, and to display their identification cards prominently inside the jeepney. Laws and ordinances were enforced with an even hand on everybody, including American military personnel who, in times of old, often got away with infractions because they intimidated the policemen.

As city mayor, Gordon mobilized many volunteers who joined him in disaster relief operations. They were quick to visit and assist areas devastated by fires, typhoons, and earthquakes. On one occasion in the late 1980s, I saw Gordon and his volunteers help out in Quiapo after a dilapidated building there collapsed on a several people.

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

DICK GORDON AND VOLUNTEERISM

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A CAVALIER PRESIDENT

WHAT appears to be good news is that there is no syndicate that is responsible for the bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which has become notorious for the numerous cases when bullets have mysteriously turned up in the luggage of passengers.

The definite bad news is that the extortion racket is real, and that it is being perpetrated by “unscrupulous airport personnel.”

A task force in the bureau concluded that the airport personnel from the Office for Transport Security acted on their own planting the bullets, holding the passengers and extorting money from them. Desperate to board their flights and terrified of being imprisoned, the passengers agree.

The task force gathered documents, interviewed airport personnel and passenger-victims and analyzed previous bullet-planting incidents to come up with their conclusions. Six airport personnel have been criminally charged before the Justice Department for their supposed role in the scheme.

Travelers and their kin who are expecting a strong statement and drastic actions from the Palace as a result of these findings will continue to be disappointed, though. Malacañang said it would refrain from commenting until it had read the bureau’s final report. This reinforces President Aquino’s dismissive attitude to the racket, saying it has only victimized a small portion of the millions of passengers who use Naia.

In this respect, the bureau gives us greater comfort than the President does. It has at least acknowledged the problem. In contrast, Mr Aquino has continued to protect his relative, airport manager Jose Angel Honrado, under whom this racket has gone on, and transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya who has had the gall to be arrogant despite his incompetence to address the country’s many transport woes.

That it is the holiday season and the airport will be busier than ever gives us even fewer reasons to be confident that this government will be able to protect us from scheming individuals, whether they are part of a syndicate or acting on their own.

In the end, the first step to solving any problem is to acknowledge it is there. Mr. Aquino’s cavalier attitude gives us reason to expect that the bullet-planting incidents will never be addressed so long as he’s in charge.

THAT IMPORTANT VOTE FOR VP POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO NEWS just came in that the Commission on Election’s First Division has also disqualified Senator Grace Poe from running for President. Poe now pins her hopes on the en banc and if it similarly decides, the last arbiter, the Supreme Court. If the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s voting results (where Justices voted to disqualify her) is an indication of the SC’s temperament, the senator may also lose there.

Other presidential contenders are not worry-free. Vice President Jejomar Binay faces the possibility of arrest because of corruption cases that could be filed against him anytime. At least one disqualification case has been filed against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s health is a big question mark since her public statement that she is battling cancer.

Some quarters are saying that because of the administration candidate’s very low numbers, the strategy is to literally eliminate Mar Roxas’ viable opponents. Should Poe and Duterte suffer the same fate of disquali-

fication, and if Binay goes to prison, the electorate will be left to choose between Roxas, Defensor-Santiago, and Seneres for the presidency. This could possibly result in a Roxas victory.

If this happens and people see that his getting elected is brought about by treacherous machinations, expect a lot of opposition against a Roxas administration. The president might be hounded by controversies and the next six years will not be pretty.

If Duterte succeeds against disqualification, this mayor known for strong-arm tactics might win given the popularity he now enjoys. But Duterte is

A9

We have to choose carefully.

also first to say that he might not last six years in office. Besides his age (he is 70), he acknowledges that his kind of leadership can earn him vicious enemies. Duterte makes no bones about shooting and killing “criminals.” If he does not change even as he becomes president, he might be involved in shootouts. I would not like this to happen but if it does, Duterte might not get lucky.

If Poe gets very lucky, does not get disqualified and wins in the SC, her administration perhaps will be the “safest” in terms of threats of being ousted.

If Binay wins (whether he goes to jail or not), we can expect many quarters to be quite critical of his government. I am not a lawyer but if corruption cases are filed and these are

kept alive, we may see a president who needs to defend himself in Court. The best that can happen in this situation is his administration’s credibility will suffer.

If Defensor-Santiago wins, we have her health to worry about. Six years is a very long time when it comes to cancer.

I usually look at the brighter side of things. However, because of what I see and know about the present political configurations as well as the obvious dirty tactics employed by the various camps, I see the next six years to be quite challenging. I would like to be

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-

hopeful. I would like to be wrong in my reading of the situation. Perhaps I am just being overly pessimistic.

While there are many “ifs” in the kind of scenario I outlined, the possibilities are there. Just look at what are happening now despite the fact that the official election period has yet to start.

It is messy and will get messier still.

We are going to elect the next president in May for sure. But I am already looking beyond the elections. Whoever wins among the candidates, I do not see a pretty picture. Certainly, I do not wish to lose a duly elected president

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

again especially if it is due to sickness or accident, however, the country has to be ready.

We need to choose our next vice president very, very carefully. In my view, never has our choice for VP been this important.

Generally, the vice president is considered as a spare tire. Although the VP is the second highest official of the land, its importance is lost to most of us. We do not exert as much care in choosing a VP compared with how we choose our president.

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

ALTHOUGH Senator Grace Poe does not meet the requiremens for the highest office of the land on account of her failure to satisfy citizenship and residency requirements imposed by the Constitution, her admirers can find solace in one of her candidates for the Senate who deserves to be mentioned for his consistent dedication to the cause of public service and volunteerism. That candidate is Richard “Dick” Gordon, who served as senator from 2007 to 2013, and is a distinguished alumnus of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines.

Gordon began his career as a public servant in 1970 when he was elected a delegate, representing the lone district of his native Zambales, to the 1971 Constitutional Convention—the assembly which drafted the 1973 Constitution. He was the youngest delegate to the convention and, as the Benjamin of the assembly, he administered the oath to the convention president, Diosdado Macapagal.

As a young lawyer, Gordon obtained his litigation experience from a big law firm in Makati. Public service, however, beckoned.

In 1980, Gordon was elected mayor of Olongapo City. As oldtimers will attest, the city had a seedy reputation back then, on account of its proximity to the Subic Bay naval base, the headquarters of the Seventh Fleet of the United States Navy.

By 1982, Gordon succeeded in changing the image of his city to a clean, orderly, and safe metropolis. The streets became free of garbage, and fines were imposed on anybody who littered, including famous and powerful personalities who visited the mayor, and who were seen extinguishing their cigarettes on the floor.

Gordon made an exception, though, for a popular lady economist who discarded her cigarette on the sidewalk.

“Next time, I’ll fine you ...,” Gordon told his guest, but with a smile.

When I visited the city in 1982, the public market was so clean, anyone could actually lie down on the floor without getting dirty.

Under Gordon’s watch, city cops made sure that hooligans caught in the streets spent time in detention. To ensure the safety of commuters, jeepney drivers were required to wear uniforms, and to display their identification cards prominently inside the jeepney. Laws and ordinances were enforced with an even hand on everybody, including American military personnel who, in times of old, often got away with infractions because they intimidated the policemen.

As city mayor, Gordon mobilized many volunteers who joined him in disaster relief operations. They were quick to visit and assist areas devastated by fires, typhoons, and earthquakes. On one occasion in the late 1980s, I saw Gordon and his volunteers help out in Quiapo after a dilapidated building there collapsed on a several people.

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

DECIPHERING OUR VOTING BEHAVIOR BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN TRADITIONALLY, candidates for national positions court incumbent local position to increase their chances of being elected. All presidential aspirants observe this system of kowtowing, often accompanied by cash consideration to clinch the deal that more or less the province, district or city would go for them. But for a presidential aspirant who enjoys the privilege of being endorsed by the lame duck President, such strategy no longer works.

Manuel “Mar”” Roxas blindly remains loyal to the person who gave him the break of being nominated as the candidate of the Liberal Party believing that, “he who holds the purse holds the key” to winning the election.

Mar Roxas is the only candidate who cannot see the difference.

Some see Mar Roxas as more of a prisoner of President Benigno “Simeon” Aquino much that there is really no way for him to disengage from his benefactor despite ominous signs that PNoy’s kiss is a kiss of death to his grand political ambition. Political soothsayers are almost one in their assessment about his faint chance of winning. Maybe the only adrenalin that gives him hope is the promise of magic that this administration could do, as if to certify the poll survey that is doing more the job of an adulating clapper.

On his own, Mar can never propel himself as a likely winner. He relies more on the political largess of the administration that as one would put it, “Mar is the one who is practicing political patronage by his dependence on the financial support by the government, which he can, in

turn, use as his political war chest to bribe the voters”. Political patronage is done by the voters, much that it is they who offer to support a certain candidate in exchange for the promise of employment once elected. It is different from the corrupt practice of outright votebuying because there is no iota of fealty in that arrangement, except for the cash consideration.

Rather, Mar is the only candidate who could not see the difference. As it is, the administration, the yellow horde and the Liberal Party are the ones marshalling for him the local officials, promising them all the goodies in exchange for their support.

They could not see the pitiful danger that using the carrot-and-stick tactic is likely to backfire. Every politician knows that election is a contest for survival. It is war won by ballots, not by bullets. In this case, Mar and his adulating clappers failed to see that voters have their set of criteria whom to vote for the national level and whom to vote for the local level.

I heard it from the grapevine that even in his own bailiwick, Mar squandered the possibility of a hometown victory.

He opted to support a candidate for the congressional seat in Iloilo who belongs to the opposition, instead of drafting one from the LP. As if to aggravate the situation, he then proceeded to declare the district a “free zone,” which means that the administration will not be supporting any candidate for congressman. The net result is that the candidate he endorsed is likely not to support him because of his “free zone” declaration, and neither will he get the support of the other who have no love lost for him for nominating one from the outside.

Much that every incumbent local official appears to tow the line, they now treat them as their natural bailiwick that could ensure him of victory. He overlooked the fact that local officials have their own mindset whom to endorse for the presidency, vice presidency and for the senate, and usually they base their decision on the prevailing sentiment of the people in their constituency.

Aligning

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

AFTER MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

I WRITE this column with the news from Minister Laurent Fabius that the Paris climate change conference will be extended by one day, to Saturday, Dec. 12.

There are still serious issues that have to be resolved. Indeed, two allnight negotiations, participated in by the Philippine delegation, have failed so far to overcome the differences between countries on these issues.

There are three of these major cross-cutting issues: Differentiation, Financing, and Level of Ambition.

Differentiation is the question of how to distinguish between obligations of developed and developing countries in addressing climate change.

It includes clarifying the obligation of developed countries to provide support for developing countries’ actions and determining whether the more economically developing countries should be obliged to provide such support.

The issues around climate finance are always challenging in the climate change negotiations. It involves the setting a level of financing that is adequate, predictable and scaled up, that responds to the needs of developing countries, and that can be measured, reported and verified through a transparent manner. Assistant Secretary Joy Goco is leading a

superb interagency team from the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, and Department of Foreign Affairs in these negotiations. They are supported by experts from civil society in their tasks.

Finally, there is still debate around the level of ambition of the agreement—whether to adopt a 1.5oC or 2oC limit, linked to quantified targets for a pathway towards a lowemission, climate-resilient sustainable development. Should there be a long-term goal of the Paris agreement? Would a higher limit leave behind and make vulnerable millions of people in small islands and poor countries, exposing them to higher risk to climate change impacts? Would a lower limit be too much a barrier to sustainable development of developing countries?

The Philippine delegation, led by Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman, the visionary and strongwilled Vice-Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, has been very disciplined and focused in its work here.

Aside from ably leading the delegation, Secretary de Guzman has done a great job chairing the Climate Vulnerability Forum, a group of 43 countries that has found a united voice here in Paris.

Secretary de Guzman is joined here in Paris by

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and presidential adviser, Secretary Neric Acosta. They are supported by able senior officials and technical experts from various departments, including a number of skilled diplomats led by Assistant Secretary Gary Domingo. I am also happy that other senior joined us in Paris to help out, including DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones, Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Raymond Liboro, and Transportation and Communications Assistant Secretary Regina Ramos. In additional, several experts from academe and civil society has been playing critical roles in the Philippine delegation.

As the delegation spokesman and the most experienced among all its members, I am very proud of the work we are doing here in Paris. We are one of the most influential and admired. Already, we have won three Rays of the Day awards. This honor is given by global civil society to the delegation that has distinguished itself in the way that it has articulated and promoted the most climate-, planet-, and people-friendly positions on that particular day.

We have been working hard for a reference to a 1.5oC limit, even as part of a compromise on a broader range of 1.5oC or 2oC, linked to a clear

decarbonization pathway, where there is differentiation between developed and developing country obligations.

It looks like we will be successful with the inclusion of human rights in the agreement. Two provisions in the preamble address this priority of the Philippine delegation. Paragraph 11 acknowledges that climate change being a common concern to humankind, Parties should, when developing policies and taking action to address climate change, promote, respect and take into account their respective obligations on human rights.

Paragraph 12 is also important; it calls on Parties, when taking action to address climate change, to promote, respect and consider, in accordance with their respective obligations, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity.

The preamble also has a good provision on ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including oceans, and the protection of biodiversity, recognized by some cultures as Mother Earth, when taking action to address climate change.

Continued on A11

themselves with their constituents means additional votes for them as candidates themselves. They would not want to appear at loggerheads with their constituents in selecting our national leaders.

Since incumbent local officials from the congressional down to the barangay level are looked upon as padrinos and political kingpins, their constituents have not much choice but to vote for them and that is reinforced by the system of political patronage.

As said, while voters are not totally free to vote for their candidates for the local position for fear of possible political reprisal, they are however free to vote for candidates for the national officials. Although in public, incumbent local officials appear to support the administration candidate, that will only be good for as

long as they can expect something like the giving of fire trucks by the DILG, even if at times they could incur the ire of their own political leaders who may have committed themselves to support the more popular candidate for president.

No sooner after the manna has been distributed, the hooters will soon fade out like the fog in the morning breeze.

They will be supporting one who is likely to win based on practical consideration that in the event the candidate wins, the pipeline for financial support they enjoy will continue. Such is the likely scenario that would befall Roxas.

Besides, Mar never learned his political history: that prospective candidates are likely to part ways with the incumbent president, especially if he has become unpopular.

The president’s endorse-

ment now becomes a liability that people wanting to vent their ire are likely to vote against his candidate. Objectively, Mar Roxas could never contradict the truth that his sponsor is a political goner. He could not even be sure that the same brokers from the US Embassy, the US business community, and their local surrogates like the Makati business club will support him.

Indeed, it is a dilemma for Mar. Even if he distances himself now just to project an image of being an independent-minded leader, that would be too late. He has no political mass base, so to speak. For him to take that posturing could only lead to the total collapse to a carefully planned scheme of handing power to a conduit who will provide the legal cover against those who might give PNoy a dose of his own medicine. Roxas

should wake up that there is no legacy which this corrupt administration could bequeath. What the people are ready to recite is their litany of corruption, ineptitude, elitist oligarchy and hypocrisy.

The political record of Roxas will equally bear out that he has never been as good team player.

He betrayed the two presidents who gifted him with the opportunity of being a Cabinet member, and his betrayal focused much on his ambition.

He bolted from them because he wanted to remain in the good grace of the incoming administration, that when his time should come, he will be supported in his bid for the presidency. Unfortunately, his treachery and consistent disloyalty are the only ones people could remember. rpkapunan@gmail.com

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE WORLD’S SMARTEST BAD INVESTORS

By Noah Smith IN 1996, JAY RITTER, a finance professor at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business, published a rueful essay in the journal Financial Management, recounting a story of how he lost money in the markets. It started with a victory: Thinking he had detected a pattern in the futures market, he and some other professors bet some money on it and won. Encouraged, they doubled down, only to find that the pattern had disappeared. Eventually, Ritter learned that the legendary Fischer Black of Goldman Sachs had figured out what he and others like him were doing and had traded against him, thus taking his money.

Ritter is far from alone. His funny little joke on finance professors has found echoes in much bigger arenas, for much bigger stakes. Myron Scholes— who won a Nobel Prize in 1997 —helped found the hedge fund Long-Term Capital Manage-

ment, which famously blew up in 1998. After that fiasco, Scholes served as chairman of another hedge fund, Platinum Grove Asset Management. Platinum Grove suffered devastating losses in the financial crisis of 2008, and Scholes retired as chairman in 2011.

Other top academics have fared little better in market ventures. Robert Merton, who shared the Nobel with Scholes and was one of the most mathematically gifted financial economists of his generation, was also on the Long-Term Capital Management team. Andrew Lo, a legendary financial economist and head of MIT’s Laboratory for Financial Engineering, founded a money management company called Alpha Simplex Group, but its performance was underwhelming.

This phenomenon is not new.

Irving Fisher, a macroeconomist whose theories about monetary policy and inflation are still hugely influential, made a killing when he invented the rolodex. But he lost his fortune in

Dick... From A9 Like the tireless Rosa Rosal, Gordon is a prime mover of the Philippine Red Cross, which has saved countless lives through blood transfusions and emergency medical assistance to disaster victims. Gordon’s zeal for the Red Cross, which goes back to 1967, is traced to his mother, Amelia Gordon, who always brought the young Dick to assist in relief operations of the Red Cross.

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 was so violent, its ashfall virtually covered the whole of Central Luzon, Olongapo City in particular. Just when everybody thought that it was the end of the city, Gordon’s dedicated volunteers cleaned up the city and restored basic services, as well as law and order, in the area. When they were done, it was as if the city was never devastated by a volcanic eruption.

In 1992, the Subic Bay naval base, admittedly the lifeline of the city, was closed after the Philippine government refused to renew the lease on the naval facility. Again, just when many were ready to quit the region, Gordon got Congress to create an economic zone and a free port in the facility. Gordon

That... From A8 Maybe it is primarily because we do not think that we can lose a sitting president unless we kick him or her out of office. We are confident that whoever gets elected will stay for the duration of his or her term.

Perhaps our attitude towards the VP position is partly due to the fact that s/ he does not have specific responsibilities.

Even the Constitution does not assign him/her concrete functions besides being the-president-in-case. The VP’s work is fully dependent on the president’s wishes as written in the constitution. Sadly, s/he may or may not be given responsibilities by the president.

Article VII, Section 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution says, “ There shall be

the stock market crash of 1929, after making the famous, tragic statement that stock prices had reached a “permanently high plateau.”

These are some of the top finance and economics professors in history. Their deep and penetrating research has revolutionized the world of academic finance. To call them brilliant would be an understatement. So why have they stumbled in the private sector? And why do relatively few of their academic colleagues launch their own funds?

One possibility is that the kind of thinking that works for research is not suited to the business world. The private sector is fast-paced; academic research is slow and deep. Businesses rely heavily on teamwork; academia is often solitary. Isaac Newton would seem to confirm this theory. After losing his money in the South Sea Bubble of 1720, Newton reportedly declared, “I can calculate the movement of stars, but not the madness of men.”

This explanation overlooks

the fact that many academics do make a killing in the financial markets. The most famous example is James Simons, founder of the hedge fund management firm Renaissance Technologies. A legendary geometry professor, Simons was equally successful in the market, and is now a billionaire (and a major contributor to my university, Stony Brook, where he once worked). Another example is computer scientist and biologist David Shaw, who founded the hedge fund D.E. Shaw & Co. and also became a billionaire. Both of these firms, and many others, hire scholars to design and carry out their strategies.

Perhaps those who most successfully make the transition from academia to finance come from fields like math, applied math and computer science, rather than from economics and finance.

Economics is a theory-centric field. Until the last decade or so, theory dominated the literature and empirics took a back seat.

also made his volunteers safeguard the base from looters and vandals. As a result, the naval base remained intact by the time the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority began its operations under Gordon’s leadership. In stark comparison, Clark Air Base in Pampanga, closed in 1991, was left by Angeles City authorities to the mercy of looters and other criminal elements.

Ultimately, Olongapo City and the Subic Bay economic zone under Gordon’s administration became textbook examples of well-managed government faciliites. The spirit of volunteerism Gordon stirred in the many young men and women who helped in the city, the naval base, and in countless disaster areas became easily identified with his name.

In 2007, Gordon left the local government scene and won a seat in the Senate.

His tenure in the Senate was marked by legislation which brought much-needed foreign investments and investor confidence to the country. Even as a senator, Gordon, with his volunteers in tow and with help from the Red Cross, was always quick to the draw in providing help and relief to disaster areas anywhere in the country.

As the current head of the Philippine Red Cross, Gordon recently distributed almost a hundred ambulances and fire engines to different Red Cross chapters in the country. It was an effort aimed not only at improving the rescue capability of the Red Cross, but also to prepare communities to be self-reliant and ready in the face of calamities. Gordon also finds time to organize conferences on disaster management. Following his lead, many local government units and non-government organizations are now involved in volunteer work.

Last Thursday, and on the occasion of National Volunteer Month, Gordon’s exemplary role in promoting volunteerism in the country was recognized by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency. In simple ceremonies befitting the spirit of volunteerism, the Agency bestowed upon Gordon its Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, in the earnest hope that his example will serve as a continuing inspiration to the future leaders of the nation.

The friends and supporters of Dick Gordon believe that their candidate will get the voters’ nod in May 2016.

That is an event many are looking forward to.

a vice president who shall have the same qualifications and term of office and be elected with, and in the same manner, as the president. He may be removed from office in the same manner as the president.

The vice president may be appointed as a Member of the Cabinet. Such appointment requires no confirmation.”

However, we have to remember that the VP position is there to ensure continuity of governance. The VP is to make sure that someone will take the place of the president in case of death, permanent disability, or removal from office. This is the reason why the same qualifications are required of the president and the VP. The latter should be able to immediately step in and assume the responsibilities of the head of the country at any time this becomes necessary based on what the

Constitution provides for.

This is very important.

Our choice of VP becomes even more important in the face of the “controversial” options we are given for the presidency. Not a few are saying that this set of presidential aspirants leaves much to be desired. People are forced to choose the least “evil” of the lot, which, should never be the case.

Several of these candidates have issues that might possibly prevent them from finishing their term of office should any of them win. Then the VP should step in.

The vote for VP is a very important one. Choose very wisely. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on FaceBook

In the world of engineering and practical application, that is a recipe for trouble. Theories that have not been rigorously tested against data may get papers published and may win Nobel prizes, but they will not necessarily work when you try to apply them.

That is doubly true in the financial markets, where there are few permanent principles.

Asset prices move not according to the fixed laws of nature, but according to the actions of human beings—market participants, investors and traders.

Human actions may sometimes obey laws, but often they will not, and that is when economic theories will fail.

In other words, the heavy theoretical focus of economics may have hurt Scholes, Merton and the rest. That is, of course, just a theory on my part. But if it’s true, it means that hedge funds should look for academic talent in the fields of applied math and computer science instead of in economics departments and business schools. Bloomberg

Midnight... From 10 I am proud to claim that the human rights and ecosystems integrity provisions of the Paris Agreement are an outcome of close collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Ateneo School of Government. Those provisions were first proposed in Lima, Peru by Assistant Secretary Domingo and later on were advocated successfully by Foreign Service Officers Val Roque and Elaine Mae Laruan-Hernandez. My team from ASoG provided the legal and policy support for this important breakthrough that links human rights to climate change.

One particular issue that remains pending is the establishment of a lossand-damage mechanism through a stand-alone article in the Paris Agreement separate from adaptation. We need this to ensure the recovery, restoration and resilience of communities, livelihoods and ecosystems adversely affected by slow onset events, extreme weather events and other climate change impacts. Thankfully, veteran negotiator Alice Ilaga, from the Department of Agriculture, is ably leading this work.

The climate negotiations is being held in Le Bourget, Paris’ oldest airport. As we enter into the last day of this four-year process, will we be able to land safely all the “planes”—long term goal, loss and damage, human rights, ecosystems integrity, and climate finance—still flying in negotiation airspace or can a mishap or big crash still happen? Is it possible that we will fly home empty handed?

It’s past midnight in Paris. We will work beyond dawn. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. And when that happens, that moment when we remove all the brackets and adopt the Paris Agreement, we will celebrate and inaugurate a new era of international cooperation on climate action.

Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Durant’s triple-double lifts OKC LOS ANGELES—Kevin Durant posted a triple double as the Oklahoma City Thunder won their eighth game in the last 10 with a 107-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Thursday.

Forward Durant shot eight-of-14 from the field en route to 25 points, and added 10 assists and 12 rebounds in front of a crowd of 18,200 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

“I just try to play the game and make it simple for myself,” Durant said.

“I knew last time they expected me to be aggressive and score every time I got the ball. So I just tried to switch the game up. Get Serge (Ibaka) open. Get Russ (Westbrook) shots. Get Steven (Adams) shots.

“I think it’s contagious when your top guys do that. Russ did a great job of setting the tone.”

Forward Ibaka had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Westbrook finished with 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for Oklahoma City, who were coming off a 125-88 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies.

It was the first time Westbrook and Durant each had at least 20 points and 10 assists as the Thunder displayed the offence that they hope makes them a title contender in the Western Conference.

Guard Kent Bazemore came off the Atlanta bench to score 22 points on seven-of-11 shooting. Jeff Teague scored 18 points for the Hawks, but forward Paul Millsap was held to seven points and eight rebounds.

“They have good players,” Millsap said.

“When we make a run, they have players that can fill up the stat sheet and stop those runs. I think we did a great job of competing and getting back in the game.

But we have good players too, and we have to find a way to get over that hump.”

Atlanta began the season 7-1 but have now dragged through a 5-9 lull.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls protected a fourth-quarter lead and ended a three-game losing streak with an 83-80 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at the United Center arena.

The Clippers dropped to 13-10 as they had a three-game win streak snapped. Los Angeles, who had won five consecutive games against Chicago at home, shot a season-low 34.1 percent from the field.

Forward Pau Gasol scored 24 points to lead four Bulls in double-figures. Forward Blake Griffin, who was ejected with 5:59 left in the third for a flagrant foul, led the Clippers with 18 points and 11 rebounds. AFP

PCSO Gold Cup to be aired live on PTV4

Kevin Durant (35) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AFP

NU Bullpups eye 1st-round sweep NATIONAL University guns for a first round sweep against titleholder Ateneo in a rematch of last season’s UAAP juniors basketball championship at 3 p.m. today at the Blue Eagle Gym. Behind John Lloyd Clemente and Justine Baltazar, the Bullpups are looking good even with the graduation of their key players, racking up six straight victories for the top spot.

In other matches, De La Salle-Zobel battles Adamson University at 1 p.m., right after University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern

University-Diliman collide at 11 a.m. Winless squads UP Integrated School and University of the East clash in the 9 a.m. curtain raiser.

After bowing to the Junior Archers in the opener, the Blue Eaglets, starring last season’s Finals MVP Jolo Mendoza, streaked to five straight victories to gain a share of second place.

Tied with Ateneo at 5-1, De La Salle-Zobel is proving its worth as a title contender, as Aljun Melecio is making the most out of his final year.

FOR the first time, sports fans will be able to view the biggest horse race of the year—the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup—live on television on Sunday.

This was announced by Philippine Racing Commission Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, who arranged for the event’s live coverage on the government’s People’s Television Network, in a onehour show from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is the 43rd edition of the race that has been dubbed the most prestigious and most significant on the racing calendar. The first PCSO Gold Cup was won by Pedro Cojuangco’s Sun God. Last year’s winner was Mayor Benhur Abalos’s Hagdang Bato, which also won in 2012.

For the past several years, Philracom has been a co-sponsor of the race, providing P1 million in additional prize money on top of the purse allocated by PCSO. This year’s Gold Cup will be run over 2,000 meters at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park.

The final lineup comprises Joseph Dyhengco’s 4YO colt Dixie Gold, carrying 55 kgs, with jockey PR Dilema; Benjamin Abalos III’s 4YO colt Kanlaon, 55 kgs., VR Dilema; Ruben Dimacuha’s 4YO colt Low Profile, 55 kgs., MA Alvarez; Antonio Tan Jr.’s 6YO horse Pugad Lawin, 59 kgs., JPA Guce; Felipe Vergara’s 4YO colt Messi, 55 kgs., JA Guce; Atty. Narciso O. Morales’s 4YO colt Tap Dance, 55 kgs., JB Guce; Mayor Benhur Abalos’s 4YO filly Malaya, 54 kgs., JB Hernandez; and Felizardo Sevilla Jr.’s 6YO horse Penrith, 56 kgs., CB Garganta.

The PCSO Presidential Gold Cup was first held in 1973 and is the longest-running continuously-held sporting event in the country.

Magramo battles for flyweight title

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Sad fans. Fans of the Minnesota Vikings are shown during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings, 23-20. AFP

THE fifth in the exciting Magramo boxing clan, undefeated 21-year-old Giemel Magramo, seeks to follow in the footsteps of his father Melvin Magramo, popular uncle Ronnie “The Toy Bulldog,” Ric and Alvin, when he battles Jeny Buca for the vacant World Boxing Council International flyweight title at the Flash Elorde Grand Ballroom on Saturday.

Giemel has a record of 14-0, with 11 knockouts and is coming off a fourth round TKO victory over journeyman Roilo Golez last in a scheduled 10-round bout last Sept. 12.

Magramo, a stylish fighter with a powerful right hand, is not expected to have an easy time against Buca, a 21-year-old boxer with a record of 10 knockouts in 10 wins with 2 defeats.

Buca is coming off a second-round knockout win over Michael Padayag in a six-round bout last Sept. 26 after he was forced to retire with a broken nose in a title fight against Ardin Diale, who recently won the OPBF title.

Also seeing action on the card will be two grandsons of the late world junior lightweight champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde – 31-year-old Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde, who faces Indonesia’s Master Suro in a 10-round lightweight showdown, and 29-year-old super bantamweight Juan Miguel Elorde, who clashes with another Indonesian Rasamuddin, also in a 10-round bout at 123 pounds.

“Bai” Elorde is a southpaw with a record of 18-1-1 with 8 knockouts and is the current WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight champion, having won the title in March 2013. He is coming off a sixth-round TKO of Yakobus Heluka last Sept. 12.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

English, Kuchar seize golf lead

Year’s best team. The USA Women’s World Cup soccer team wins Olympic Team of the Year during the Team USA awards presented by Dow at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. AFP

MIAMI—Americans Matt Kuchar and Harris English combined for a 14-under par 58 in a scramble format Thursday to seize a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the 27th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida.

The three-day invitational event hosted by retired Australian star Greg Norman matches 12 pairs of golf’s top men’s players in three different styles, with Friday featuring a modified alternate shot and Saturday’s final round utilizing a better-ball format.

Kuchar and English, the only pairing to have played the event together more than once, won the Shootout in 2013 and finished second last year.

Kuchar comes off a win in October at the Fiji International event on the Australasia PGA Tour while English has a best finish of second this year, losing a playoff at Torrey Pines.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, who won a US PGA Tour event last month in Mexico, and American Gary Woodland were one stroke adrift, sharing second with the US duo of Hunter Mahan and Billy Horschel. AFP

McIlroy seeking more major wins LONDON—World number three Rory McIlroy has undergone laser surgery to correct his vision as he sets his sights on more success next year.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman posted a picture of himself on Instagram wearing protective glasses and saying that the procedure went smoothly.

“Human version of the dreaded K-9 cone... Only for sleeping

though!” McIlroy posted, referring to the protective cones worn by some dogs.

“Laser eye surgery went well.”

McIlroy, who has four major titles to his name, formerly played with contact lenses, which he has

been wearing since he was 11.

He missed part of this season after damaging ankle ligaments playing football, but finished on a high note when he won last month’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship and defended his Race to Dubai title.

Meanwhile, teenage world number one Lydia Ko said Friday she will defend her Australian Open title against a strong field next year, including local hope Karrie Webb.

Ko was just 17 when she became the youngest player to win the title in Melbourne last February, her first tournament win after topping the rankings.

The New Zealander, now 18, said she was eager to take part in the US$1.3 million event, co-sanctioned by the USLPGA, which moves to a new home at Adelaide’s Grange Golf Club next February. “(The Australian Open) really helped to jump-start a great year

Abaring tops PGT qualifying school RICHARD Abaring closed out with a second straight 68 to edge Ramil Bisera by one for the low medal honors in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Aoki course in Cavite yesterday.

Abaring shot six birdies against two bogeys to post a second fourunder card for a 72-hole total of 286 as he led 49 others who regained their Tour cards after missing the Top 40 in the recent concluded 2015 PGT season. Abaring wound up 79th.

Bisera birdied two of the last

Kinetic pitch.

Rapper and songwriter Akon speaks during the unveiling ceremony of the Africa’s first kinetic football pitch in Lagos, . The pitch combines solar energy with innovative technology that harnesses the energy of player’s movement and converts into renewable electricity. The Lagos unveiling is second to the first solar powered pitch commissioned in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2014 and, also conceptualised by Laurence KemballCook. AFP

three holes to card a 71 and settled for second at 287 while Danny Zarate finished third with a 291 after a 73 in the four-day tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Jobim Carlos, who humbled the pros and topped last year’s Q-School but stayed as an amateur, ended up fourth at 292 after a 69 but will surely join the pros this time while Junro Mamaril and Belem Arancon tied for fifth at 293 after a 69 and 70, respectively.

Jovanie Abaño shot a 71 for a 294 while Artemio Murakami wound up eighth at 296 despite a 77 and

Miko Alejandro and Chris delos Santos tied at 297 after a 70 and 76, respectively.

Gerald Rosales, a former Phl Open champion, turned in a 73 and also secured his card after finishing tied for 11th at 298 with Al Cruz and Nelson Huerva, who shot a 75 and 76, respectively.

Four other amateurs made the grade with Justin Quiban of Southwoods rallying with a 68 for joint 23rd at 304, Joel Yamyamin ending up tied for 43rd at 309 after a 72; Gary Sales placing joint 46th at 310 after 77 and Nico Evangelista sharing 48th at 311 after a 78.

for me in 2015 and I am thrilled to be the defending champion,” Ko said.

“It’s always fun for us to play in front of our fans in Australia and we are already hearing good things about the Grange.”

Australia’s former world number one Webb, who has won the tournament a record five times, said she was pleased the tournament was returning to South Australia for the first time in 21 years. AFP

Fury asked to explain homophobic comments LONDON—Tyson Fury has been asked to attend a British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) hearing to explain his controversial recent media comments, the organization announced on Thursday.

Fury, 27, has been accused of homophobia and sexism since dethroning longstanding world heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf at the end of last month.

It has provoked a storm of criticism and after meeting on Wednesday to discuss the matter, the BBBC has summoned Fury to appear before it in the new year.

“Mr Fury has been called for an interview in the new year,” BBBC general secretary Robert Smith told Britain’s Press Association. No date has yet been set for the meeting.

Over 130,000 people have signed a petition calling for Fury to be removed from the shortlist for the BBC’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award.

He was also investigated

by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after a member of the public reported him for committing a “hate crime”.

In a BBC radio interview this week, Fury said: “Homosexuality, abortion and

paedophilia -- them three things need to be accomplished before the world finishes. That’s what the Bible tells me.”

But a GMP Police spokesman gave Fury a rare piece of good news when he revealed the fighter wouldn’t face action over the comments.

“The circumstances in which these comments were made suggest that no criminal offence has taken place and this matter will not be investigated any further,” the spokesman said.

Fury has also been accused of sexism after stating that a woman’s place was “in the kitchen and on her back”.

But in an interview with Sky Sports News broadcast on Thursday, Fury denied that he was sexist or homophobic.

“I’m not a homophobe, I’m not a sexist, I’m not any of those,” he said. “I’m not a bigot, I’m not a racist, I am a gypsy. I’ve (had people) being racist towards me for the past 27 years.

“You don’t hear me complaining about it, do you? I don’t write any newspaper articles about it.

“If the police are going to waste the taxpayers’ money in investigating Tyson Fury for being hated then that’s just a joke. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.” AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Donaire is trim, ready for battle

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FORMER five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. looked trim and ready at the official weigh-in for his World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title fight against No.1-ranked Cesar Juarez of Mexico at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday.

His trainer/father Dodong Donaire on the other hand, said he is excited to see Nonito perform in the ring following the best training camp they ever had.

The elder Donaire told The Standard/boxingmirror.com af-

ter the weigh-in where Nonito tipped the scales at 121.8 pounds, which was rounded off to 122, the same as Juarez, that his son had no problem making the weight, and that “unlike before, he didn’t look emaciated” by losing an av-

erage of six pounds in one day before stepping on the scales.

“That’s because he is now disciplined, doesn’t eat red meat, but all vegetables and fruits,” the trainer/father said. “I’m just excited to see Nonoito show what he’s got in the ring. When he sparred, he showed a lot of improvement.”

Donaire sparred against Fidel Navarette and Fred Bowen, who Donaire Sr. said were “inyour-face boxers who never backed off.”

He also revealed that he had asked the Puerto Rican Commission to make sure they appoint Puerto Rican officials to ensure strict neutrality.

Donaire himself said there is no room for any more setbacks after his sixth-round TKO loss to Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters.

“I know what must be done. I must win,” said Donaire.

Donaire-Juarez on ABS-CBN The fight promoted by Top Rank Boxing will be aired on ABS-CBN on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m.

Donaire looks to end his calendar year with another celebration and this time, a coronation for the eventual champion of the superbantamweight class. The Filipino Flash brings to the ring a 35-3 record spiked with 23 KOs while the 24-year-old pug from Mexico

is toting a 17-3 card with 13 KOs. The Pinoy boxing star is also coming off huge technical KO victories over William Prado of Brazil and Anthony Settoul of France in his comeback trail after dropping the title defense of his World Boxing Association featherweight belt to undefeated Jamaican, Nicholas Walters.

Fight fans can catch all the action on Sunday, starting 10 a.m. on ABS-CBN a replay at the ABSCBN Sports + Action at 10 p.m..

Follow ABS-CBN Sports on their website sports.abs-cbn.com for more information. Catch it live on Skycable Pay Per View on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

Mayweather wears shirt honoring 48th win WHEN undefeated former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. shattered the attendance record during a training clinic in Moscow aside from a number of other activities recently, the World Boxing Council reported that the Emeritus champion arrived in the gym wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the number 48.

“This t-shirt is in honor of my 48th victory, which was against Manny Pacquiao. The most important fight of my career. Lots of people were sure that I was avoiding a fight with Manny Pacquiao. But I proved all of them that they were wrong,” Mayweather said.

Mayweather won a 12-round unanimous decision in the “Fight of the Century” in Las

Vegas last May 2, after which Pacquiao claimed he hurt his shoulder in the fourth round and underwent surgery for a tear in his right shoulder rotator cuff five days later.

Pacquiao has since recovered following therapy and plans to return to the ring on April 9, although his adviser Michael Koncz told The Standard no opponent has been decided on.

The WBC internet site remarked: “Sensibly, Floyd Mayweather, who announced his retirements recently, was crystal clear, underlying his determination and resolution of not getting back into the ring, as he’s convinced that he has already proved he’s the best pound-for-pound after facing and defeating the best fighters.” Ronnie Nathanielsz

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING To All Stockholders: Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of AG Finance Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, 17 December 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Mahogany, Acacia and Narra Rooms of Manila Golf & Country Club, Harvard Road, Forbes Park, Makati City, to consider and act on the following matters: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

AGENDA Call to Order Certification of Quorum Approval of Minutes of the previous meeting Approval of Management Report and Audited Financial Statements Ratification of Management’s Acts Amendment of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation to: (a) (b) (c)

7.

Amendment of the Corporation’s by-laws: (a) (b)

8.

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11.

12.

change its name from AG Finance Incorporated to Ferronoux Metals Refinery Inc. change of principal address from Unit 220S-A, East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City to 16th Floor Citibank Tower, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City; increase the number of directors from 7 to 9. to increase the number of directors from 7 to 9 as stated in Article III, Section 1-a to change the date of the Annual Meeting from last Friday of June to last Wednesday of May as stated in Article II, Section 1

Change of Stock Symbol from AGF to FMR to take effect upon approval of the amendment to change name Election of Directors Appointment of External Auditor Other Matters Adjournment

Only stockholders of record as of 13 November 2015 are entitled to receive notice and to vote at the said meeting.

In case you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may appoint a proxy to represent you by submitting a proxy form to the Office of the Corporate Secretary not later than 5:00 pm on 07 December 2015 to: Attention: Atty. Diane Madelyn C. Ching c/o Marcventures, 4th Floor Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City Validation of proxies will be made on 11 December 2015.

An organizational Board of Directors’ meeting will follow right after the adjournment of the Stockholders’ meeting.

Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Very truly yours, (SGD) DIANE MADELYN C. CHING Corporate Secretary

(TS-DEC. 12, 2015)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived at a training clinic in Moscow wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the number 48.

Sta. Lucia, Caida Tiles prevail, near PCBL titular showdown STA. Lucia Realty and Caida Tiles pulled off similar hard-earned wins to move to within striking distance of arranging a finals’ showdown in the PCBL Founders Cup. On Thursday night at the JCSGO Gym, the Realtors and the Tile Masters displayed composure down the stretch to put one over their rivals.

Mac Montilla made clutch baskets in the endgame as Sta. Lucia nipped Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, 72-68, to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semifinals series, while Caida Tiles outlasted Euro-Med, 87-81, to also move to within a win away from securing a berth in the championship round of this tournament supported by Accel,

Ambucore, Spalding shove the Linoluem Giand Aquabest. ants to within a basket, The Realtors and the 70-68, with still 34 secTile Masters can wrap up onds remaining. the series with a win each But a breakdown on today (Saturday, Dec. 12) defense allowed the at the JCSGO Gym. Realtors to set up 6’6” Montilla hit a triple center Jun Gabriel for an with 53 easy short seconds stab and Games Today (JCSGO Gym) left to 2 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs. Jumbo Plastic J a m e s s h a t - 4 p.m. – Euro-Med vs Caida Tiles Ma r t i nter the ez’s desgame’s last deadlock, peration trey at the other giving the Realtors a end misfired as Sta. Lu70-67 lead. cia celebrated the win.

The Linoleum Giants In the first game, Jiotried to retaliate by set- vani Jalalon had a breakting up Macky Acosta out game, finishing with for a three-pointer, 20 points, six assists, but his shot failed to four rebounds and two hit the mark. Jumbo steals as his all-around Plastic, however, got a performance inspired second chance to clean Caida Tiles in taking the up their unproductive head start in its series thrust and Jeff Viernes against Euro-Med. was fouled in the proThe scores: cess by Sta. Lucia guard First Game Kent Salado.

CAIDA TILES (87)— Viernes could only Jalalon 20, Maiquez 16, split his charities to Terso 8, Lozada 7, Ru-

aya 7, Hayes 6, Robles 6, Corpuz 5, Gabawan 5, Leynes 3, Rios 2, Almario 2.

EURO-MED (81)— Custodio 18, Villahermosa 17, Llagas 15, de Leon 10, Cortes 8, Galanza 6, Jeruta 4, Abundo 3, Zamar 0, Celso 0, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 1814, 35-38, 60-59, 87-81.

Second Game SANTA LUCIA (72)—Ilagan 12, Bautista 11, Gabriel 11, Vidal 10, Montilla 9, Escosio 8, Salado 6, Wetherell 3, Onwubere 2, Camasura 0, Celiz 0.

JUMBO PLASTIC (68)—J. Lopez 14, Acosta 13, M. Lopez 12, Eguilos 10, Viernes 8, Arellano 7, Mandani 2, Martinez 2, Padilla 0, Taganas 0, Perez 0, Tayongtong 0.

Quarterscores: 13-12, 28-30, 43-49, 72-68.

S AT U R DAY : D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 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

‘Spectacular’ Romeo gets FIBA award

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

With Ateneo hearing the complaint of the BCAP, it decided to name Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin as Blue Eagles’ consultant, and not as head coach.

Baldwin is now Eagles’ consultant, not coach

By Peter Atencio

DUE to objections raised by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines, the Ateneo management has agreed to reconsider its decision of naming Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin as the Blue Eagles’ new coach.

Instead, Ateneo said Baldwin will assume the position of team consultant.

The BCAP earlier took to task the Ateneo management

for hiring a foreigner to coach the Blue Eagles a few days after Ateneo president Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin announced Baldwin’s appointment as Blue

Eagles’ coach.

Ateneo has yet to decide whether to hire another coach from outside the school to replace Baldwin, or name one from among its present roster of assistant coaches, or re-hire coach Baldwin to the post once questions on his appointment are clarified.

For now, assistant coaches Sandy Arespacochaga and Yuri Escueta will momentarily call the shots for the team.

“We’re still having a dialogue

with the BCAP if Baldwin can coach. For now, he is a consultant,” said Ricky Palou, Ateneo’s board representative to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

A recent court ruling bars foreign coaches from handling a position, which a local coach is equally capable of performing.

The BCAP is headed by former coach Alfrancis Chua.

Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo said they will comply with the law in Baldwin’s case.

TERRENCE Romeo of the GlobalPort team in the Philippine Basketball Association has been named the “Most Spectacular Player” in the FIBA 3x3 Awards, presented by the Qatar Basketball Federation in Doha on Thursday.

Romeo was among the best 3x3 basketball players, organizers and personalities rewarded at the inaugural edition of the FIBA 3x3 Awards, presented by the Qatar Basketball Federation on Thursday in Doha, Qatar.

Dusan Domovic Bulut (Serbia) received the World’s No. 1 player award after leading the FIBA 3x3 Individual World Ranking at the end of the season.

The list of decorated players also included Patricia Vicente (Andorra, World’s No. 1 Player - Women), Nina Aho (Hungary, World’s No. 1 Player U18 Women) and Nedim Muslic (Qatar, World’s No. 1 Player - U18 Men).

“Last but not least, Terrence Romeo (Philippines) was named the Most Spectacular Player of the year by the fans following a social media contest held on all FIBA 3x3 social media accounts,” FIBA reported.

Romeo had another superb performance on Wednesday as he led GlobalPort to its third successive victory in the PBA with 33 points.

He is a member of the Gilas national pool, under coach Tab Baldwin.

The changing times INSIDE SPORTS RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

MY longtime friend Alfrancis Chua is in the news once again with his opposition to Ateneo’s plan to hire Gilas national coach Tab Baldwin as a replacement for Bo Perasol and his being in the center of public criticism for smoking an e-cigarette during the Ginebra San Miguel game against Blackwater at the University of Angeles Gymnasium, which was seen on nationwide television to which the Department of Health drew the attention of the PBA. According to the internet site spin.ph, DOH

spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said that although laws on the use of e-cigarettes in public places have yet to be established, the PBA should take it upon itself to make sure that team officials refrain from acts that could set a bad example to the viewing public, especially the youth.

We checked with News Medical, an internet site which reported that flavoring chemicals in e-cigarettes have been linked to severe respiratory diseases.

While there is no law banning smoking of ecigarettes in public, it does not necessarily mean that a popular public figure like Alfrancis Chua should flout his tendencies especially when you consider the influence on our young

people and the fact that the game was played in a University gym.

While it may be a personal matter, the fact that Alfrancis was also in the headlines over another personal indiscretion some months ago certainly doesn’t enhance his image as the governor of the San Miguel Corporation basketball team and the head of the premier corporation’s basketball program.

We have long admired Chua’s flamboyant style especially when he was coaching Ginebra before being given major responsibilities by Mr. Ramon Ang, the man who calls the shots at SMC and have known him since the days he played for one of my favorite coaches, Joe Lipa.

But that was then when he was a comparatively young man with no major responsibilities.

But things have changed and Alfrancis needs to realize the position he is in and how he should conduct himself, especially in public in a basketball league that is an integral part of the everyday lives of millions of Filipinos and influences the thinking and the behavior of our youth.

Alfrancis Chua who is president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines has also taken a stand against the plan of Ateneo to recruit Tab Baldwin as coach of the UAAP team next season, citing a Court of Appeals deci-

sion some 13 years ago without taking into consideration that times have changed.

Times have changed in the world of sports. How can you reconcile Baldwin being able to coach the Philippine National Team and deny him the opportunity to coach a leading collegiate team from whose roster Tab may spot future national players as well as have an opportunity to size up players from other collegiate teams.

Even China was coached in the last FIBA Asia Championships by Panagiotis Giannakis of Greece, while several other teams have foreign coaches.

For the BCAP to refuse to accept the reality of the times, banking on a court

ruling over a decade ago and in very different circumstances, is questionable to say the least.

Imagine the ridiculous position of allowing foreigners to play in the collegiate league but, barring a foreigner from coaching.

It makes no sense at all.

Champion coach Nash Racela of Far Eastern University provided a most sensible attitude to the entry of Baldwin, pointing out that there were foreign coaches that led university teams to victories in volleyball and football and why should basketball be any different?

Racela’s “Welcome to our world,” invitation to coach Tab Baldwin showed good sense and a touch of class.

S AT U R DAY : D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 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

Blackwater’s Carlo Lastimosa penetrates an army of Barako Bull defenders, led by Chico Lanete in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Elite, 116-92.

Fan voting for NBA All-Stars on NEW YORK—Fan voting to determine starting lineups in the 65th NBA All-Star Game began Thursday for next February’s clash in Toronto, the first matchup between the elite squads staged beyond US borders.

An all-digital program allows NBA fans worldwide to vote for Eastern Conference and Western Conference starters in the Feb. 14, 2016, contest at Toronto at the NBA’s website or via the NBA App. Other outlets offering voting include Google Search, SMS text and social media networks including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram plus Sina Weibo and Tencent Microblogs in China.

All current NBA players are available to be selected, but fans can submit only one ballot a day.

Voting ends on January 18 and the All-Star starters will be revealed three days later. Balloting updates will be made public by the NBA on Dec. 25, Jan. 7 and Jan. 14.

The West won last season’s NBA All-Star Game 163158 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game is set to be played in Charlotte, North Carolina. AFP

Blackwater wallops Barako Bull, 116-92

By Jeric Lopez

DESPERATE times call for desperate measures.

Badly in need of a win to stay alive, Blackwater answered the call and turned in its best performance of the season at the right time, blasting Barako Bull, 116-92, to keep its hopes alive in the 201516 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Carlo Lastimosa torched his former team with a scintillating performance, scoring a career-high 38 points, including five triples, to lead the Elite’s charge in snapping its five-game losing streak.

Durant carries OKC Thunder TURN TO A12

Armed with a sense of urgency, the Elite, led by Lastimosa’s scoring, came out with guns blazing.

Blackwater zoomed to a 26-12 advantage at the end of one by using its precise play on both ends to seize full control right away and never looked back in the one-sided affair.

This was a vital win for Blackwater as it not only kept its chances of making the next round alive, it also tied Mahindra for the 10th and last quarterfinals berth on similar 2-7 marks with two games left for each.

“We know we needdouble of 15 points and Games Today ed to win this game to (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 10 rebounds.

3 p.m. - Mahindra stay alive and our playAt the half, Blackwater vs. GlobaPort ers stepped up,” said 5:15 p.m. - San Miguel Beer were comfortably ahead vs. Talk ‘N Text Blackwater coach Leo by 19 points, 56-37.

Isaac. “Carlo (LastiAfter the third, Baramosa) led us with his scoring.” ko Bull trimmed the deficit a bit Although Barako Bull slipped to at 66-81, but Blackwater was still 4-5 with the loss, it is already as- in firm control and even led by 21 sured of a berth in the next round. points, 58-37 early in the period afHowever, the loss slid the Energy ter a basket from Lastimosa. to seventh place in a tie with NLEX In the final quarter, it was just and its chances of making the top six about formalizing the victory for and earning a twice-to-beat incen- Blackwater as it continued poundtive in the quarters turned bleak. ing on the helpless Energy.

Rookie Art Dela Cruz likeBarako Bull played with a handwise had a career game, scoring a icap as it missed the services of career-high 21 points while Bam lead guard RR Garcia, who was out Gamalinda added with a double- with a right shoulder injury.

Baldwin is now Eagles’ consultant TURN TO A15

B1

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 12, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS Aboitiz gets P3.7-b solar loan PSe comPoSite index Closing December 11, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,735.01 85.59

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 11, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.235

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SAN Carlos Sun Power Inc., a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., signed a P3.7-billion loan agreement with BDO Unibank Inc. to finance a 59-megawatt solar power project in Negros Occidental province.

“The proceeds of the loan will be used to finance the construction, development, and operation of Sacasun’s 59-MW solar photovoltaic power generation facility located at San Carlos City, Negros Occidental,” Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

San Carlos, or Sacasun, is a joint venture between SunEdison Philippines Helios BV and Aboitiz

Renewables Inc., the renewable energy unit of Aboitiz Power.

Construction of the solar plant has started.

“Our solar venture with SunEdison in Negros Occidental aligns with our efforts to boost our portfolio nationwide with a balanced mix of renewable and non-renewable energy sources,” Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza said

earlier.

Aboitiz Power and SunEdison earlier awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the first joint solar power project to Nani Group Corp., the largest wholesale supplier of electric equipment in China.

The solar power project is set for commercial operations in the first quarter next year. It will be one of the largest solar power projects in the Philippines to date.

“Aboitiz Power will continue to pursue the right mix of energy sources to ensure reliability and a reasonable cost of power to the end consumers,” Moraza said.

Aboitiz Power and SunEdison in November last year announced a joint framework agreement to

explore, develop, construct and operate up to 300 MW of utilityscale solar in the Philippines over the next three years.

Aboitiz Power serves as the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution and retail electricity services. The company is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines with a portfolio of assets located across the country.

The company also owns distribution companies that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, including the second and third largest private utilities in the country.

SunEdison, meanwhile, is the world’s largest renewable energy development company.

HIGH P47.175 LOW P47.260 AVERAGE P47.229 VOLUME 486.700M

P487.00-P682.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.15-P42.40 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P25.03-P28.48 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, December 11, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1820

Japan

Yen

0.008224

0.3880

UK

Pound

1.516400

71.5468

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129026

6.0877

Switzerland

Franc

1.012043

47.7502

Canada

Dollar

0.734322

34.6468

Singapore

Dollar

0.712606

33.6222

Australia

Dollar

0.730620

34.4721

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657666

125.3940

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266581

12.5778

Brunei

Dollar

0.710076

33.5028

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000072

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027816

1.3124

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.8477

Euro

Euro

1.094100

51.6218

Korea

Won

0.000850

0.0401

China

Yuan

0.155333

7.3289

India

Rupee

0.014996

0.7075

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234962

11.0860

New Zealand

Dollar

0.676590

31.9229

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030526

1.4403 Source: PDS Bridge

E-retail payment. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov.Amando Tetangco Jr. (third from left) leads the ceremonial toast launching the National Retail Payment System. With him are (from left) Bankers Association of the Philippines chairman and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. president and chief executive Lorenzo Tan, non-bank, eMoney issuer representative and PayMaya Philippines president and CEO Orlando Vea, Bangko Sentral Supervision and Examination Sector Deputy Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr., Bangko Sentral Resource Management Sector Deputy Gov. Vicente Aquino, Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines president Tomas Gomez IV and Chamber of Thrift Banks past president and consultant to the board Benjamin Yambao.

Consumer confidence improved in the fourth quarter—BSP

By Julito G. Rada CONSUMER confidence improved in the fourth quarter from the previous quarter, amid expectations of brisker business with the onset of the holiday season, according to the results of a survey conducted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in October.

Bangko Sentral’s consumer expectations survey for the

fourth quarter showed that while the consumer confidence index remained in the negative territory, it improved to -8.1 percent in the fourth quarter from -11.6 percent in the third quarter.

This was also the highest result since reaching -7.9 percent in the third quarter of 2013.

Among the reasons cited by respondents were expectations of more jobs and increase in

the number of working family members, higher salary due to Christmas bonus and 13th month pay, stable prices of commodities, improvements in infrastructure, brisker business activities and effective government policies.

“The higher [but still negative] confidence index for the fourth quarter means that the number of households with an optimistic view increased but

was less than those who think otherwise,” Bangko Sentral said.

It said for the next quarter (first quarter of 2016), consumers’ optimism was sustained as the index was broadly steady at 5.7 percent, compared to the previous quarter’s survey results. “This indicates that the optimists continued to top the pessimists for the next quarter,” it said.

Consumer confidence in the

fourth quarter improved across income groups due largely to their more favorable outlook on the country’s economic condition which prevailed over their mixed views on family income and financial situation.

The survey was conducted on Oct. 1 to 12, 2015, with a sample size of 6,020 households nationwide. Bangko Sentral has been conducting the survey since 2007.

SATURDAY: DECEMBER12, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, december 11, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 1.01 100 30.5 75 91.5 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 0.225 78 17.8 58 62 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

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

2.78 46 100.70 82.75 38 2.48 1.30 15 18.4 1.7 0.550 79 16.50 23.00 51.90 31.65 137.2 1460.00 57.00 3

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 125 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 62.5 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173

79 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

34.1 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.37 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 161 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

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

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

LBC Express Liberty Flour Mabuhay Vinyl 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 Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

40.1 4.8 0.71 1.45 10.58 100.00 16.64 95 21.5 43.5 2.27 1.53 11.7 8.600 8.98 5.90 5.17 1.67 23.1 66.6 14.50 5.87 2.170 209.60 12.46 30.00 3.3 25 21.5 5.88 320.60 4.37 3.69 7.15 11.50 3.80 1.68 2.21 4.02 4.6 125.9 2.52 0.144 1.07 2.19 184.6 4.55 0.64 1.12

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

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 4.5 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 1.5 751 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.385 57.6000 16.22 1.02 0.225 725 7.7 13.54 5.79 0.255 1224 5.50 70.45 7.06 0.71 14.26 0.5 5.2 9.86 0.0310 1.270 1.760 47.50 2.69 840.00 0.71 72.000 0.2950 0.2050 0.290

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36

8990 HLDG 7.130 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.00 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.86 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.100 Arthaland Corp.

0.235 Ayala Land `B’ 34.600 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.08

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

SHARES 8,632,683 156,473,717 90,089,587 119,034,115 147,291,170 204,826,304 731,262,056

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.75 2.61 46.15 45.95 101.00 99.10 83.20 82.00 38.15 37.9 2.51 2.46 1.29 1.29 15 14.9 18.38 18.06 1.8 1.78 0.550 0.510 79.9 77.2 16.60 16.40 23.00 22.45 51.80 50.80 33.5 31.7 140 136 1490.00 1480.00 57.00 57.00 3 3 INDUSTRIAL 40.3 39.9 5.03 4.8 0.77 0.72 1.45 1.4 10.6 10.48 91.00 91.00 16.8 16.74 100 95 21.5 21.05 45.5 43.2 2.32 2.23 1.62 1.52 12.48 11.8 8.57 7.900 9.20 8.87 5.97 5.70 5.27 5.14 1.67 1.67 23.4 22 66.75 66.45 14.50 14.40 5.87 5.75 2.180 2.120 210.60 208.00 12.48 12.46 28.05 27.00 3.2 3.05 25 24.7 21.3 21.05 5.92 5.5 323.00 317.40 3.93 3.91 3.96 3.69 7.15 7.02 11.50 11.32 3.80 3.61 1.65 1.64 2.28 2.2 4.02 4.01 4.6 4.6 127 125.9 2.55 2.45 0.156 0.143 1.15 1.05 2.19 2.16 185.4 179.6 4.72 4.55 0.64 0.59 1.11 1.10 HOLDING FIRMS 0.385 0.380 57.1500 54.9000 16.50 15.60 1.10 1.00 0.226 0.223 732 724.5 7.88 7.7 13.54 13.30 5.79 5.69 0.255 0.238 1244 1220 5.50 5.50 72.00 66.80 7.1 6.92 0.71 0.7 14.28 13.8 0.5 0.5 5.19 5.04 9.66 9.43 0.0330 0.0310 1.300 1.160 1.810 1.770 47.50 46.10 2.40 2.40 848.00 814.00 0.72 0.72 75.000 71.650 0.3000 0.2950 0.2060 0.1950 0.280 0.260 PROPERTY 7.100 6.950 7.20 7.20 0.88 0.82 1.070 1.070 0.220 0.220 35.500 34.250 3.08 3.03

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.75 46.15 100.20 82.35 38.1 2.51 1.29 15 18.2 1.8 0.510 77.2 16.60 22.45 50.85 33 136.2 1480.00 57.00 3

-1.08 0.33 -0.50 -0.48 0.26 1.21 -0.77 0.00 -1.09 5.88 -7.27 -2.28 0.61 -2.39 -2.02 4.27 -0.73 1.37 0.00 0.00

31,000 10,600 2,476,820 1,046,440 150,700 21,000 20,000 129,600 38,400 10,000 1,339,000 1,646,640 10,300 32,900 267,930 18,300 390,630 185 10,360 1,000

40 4.9 0.76 1.45 10.48 91.00 16.78 100 21.35 44 2.3 1.59 12.38 7.980 9.00 5.70 5.20 1.67 22 66.6 14.40 5.75 2.150 209.00 12.46 27.00 3.2 24.9 21.2 5.65 318.00 3.93 3.69 7.02 11.50 3.76 1.65 2.26 4.01 4.6 126.1 2.54 0.144 1.09 2.18 181 4.72 0.64 1.10

-0.25 2.08 7.04 0.00 -0.95 -9.00 0.84 5.26 -0.70 1.15 1.32 3.92 5.81 -7.21 0.22 -3.39 0.58 0.00 -4.76 0.00 -0.69 -2.04 -0.92 -0.29 0.00 -10.00 -3.03 -0.40 -1.40 -3.91 -0.81 -10.07 0.00 -1.82 0.00 -1.05 -1.79 2.26 -0.25 0.00 0.16 0.79 0.00 1.87 -0.46 -1.95 3.74 0.00 -1.79

4,703,700 686,000 3,013,000 209,000 300 400 96,300 20 1,947,900 16,700 572,000 5,669,000 219,200 24,920,900 343,100 20,550,000 360,400 6,000 4,366,600 267,820 33,000 114,700 903,000 832,970 7,700 1,000 3,000 11,811,100 56,900 2,299,200 311,630 11,000 284,000 630,400 200 10,000 157,000 309,000 120,000 2,000 280,270 178,000 60,790,000 190,000 1,115,000 4,047,990 4,000 1,971,000 95,000

0.385 54.9000 15.60 1.10 0.223 725 7.78 13.30 5.69 0.238 1223 5.50 72.00 7.03 0.7 13.8 0.5 5.05 9.43 0.0310 1.160 1.810 46.55 2.40 820.00 0.72 74.000 0.2950 0.1950 0.260

0.00 -4.69 -3.82 7.84 -0.89 0.00 1.04 -1.77 -1.73 -6.67 -0.08 0.00 2.20 -0.42 -1.41 -3.23 0.00 -2.88 -4.36 0.00 -8.66 2.84 -2.00 -10.78 -2.38 1.41 2.78 0.00 -4.88 -10.34

200,000 2,299,780 9,401,900 117,000 650,000 293,650 2,448,900 3,482,300 13,000 650,000 69,595 35,000 3,613,220 2,048,300 58,000 1,064,600 650,000 33,977,700 782,500 19,300,000 124,000 709,000 232,900 70,000 403,540 70,000 182,550 1,000,000 720,000 1,230,000

6.990 7.20 0.83 1.070 0.220 35.500 3.04

-1.96 2.86 -3.49 -2.73 -6.38 2.60 -1.30

54,200 109,205.00 200 3,245,000 9,000 50,000 19,140,500 256,867,345.00 2,326,000 -876,320.00

331,480.00 90,343,614 25,561,172.50 422,910.00 -174,000.00 -319,648.00 26,500.00 -50,309,753.50 616,750.00 -59,071.00 -216,865 16,216,256.00 74,000.00 -570.00 -100,551,300.00 48,000.00

-146,204.00 30,400,520.00 377,900 3,006,130.00 1,227,886.00 -10,438,326.00 -1,832,798.00 -77,264,221.00 641,464.00 -79,379,755.00 8,920,831.00 476,180.00 -4,340.00 10,692,720.00 24,960.00 1,921,955.00 27,900.00 -4,866,650.00 1,011,260.00 -925,703.00

-48,100.00 -14,250,969.00

-108,000.00 -53,289,651.00 -81,820.00 55,500.00 -60,579,849.00 16,723,046.00 35,604,655.00 9,099,013.00 -35,129,120.00 -6,141,265.00 110,000.00 -41,194,587.00 -9,579,859.00 -188,126.00 42,837,703.00

-178,000.00 -5,108,160.00 -134,476,185.00 -17,457.50

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

5.59 5.6 1.44 1.97 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

4.96 2.8 0.79 1.1 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. 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. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 1700 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 95.5 1 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 830 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 3.1 0.650 6

0.62 1.040 6.41 4 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 3 2.28 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

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

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

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

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

Abra Mining Atlas Cons. `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 Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

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

TA Petroleum

70 553 525 515 12.28

33 490 500 480 6.5

1047 78.95 84.8

1011 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ GLOBE PREF P Leisure and Resort PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant Alterra Capital Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

VALUE 635,136,333.06 2,229,025,524.29 1,509,654,266.39 1,209,246,032.785 987,857,207.78 103,791,230.705 6,724,298,239.01

FINANCIAL 1,506.54 (down) 11.30 INDUSTRIAL 10,712.29 (down) 157.36 HOLDING FIRMS 6,320.22 (down) 93.72 PROPERTY 2,918.99 (up) 16.59 SERVICES 1,499.00 (down) 43.01 MINING & OIL 10,558.76 (down) 74.25 PSEI 6,735.01 (down) 85.59 All Shares Index 3,894.86 (down) 38.17 Gainers: 49; Losers: 111; Unchanged: 50; Total: 210

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

5.12 5.85 0.57 0.90 0.121 0.455 25 0.830 0.160 1.03 1.80 1.19 4.34 0.082 0.4100 8.6 27.00 1.43 3.12 21.15 0.73 0.900 5.180

5.12 4.2 5.12 5.01 5.01 5.01 0.57 0.56 0.57 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.124 0.121 0.121 0.460 0.455 0.455 25.25 23.8 24.75 0.830 0.830 0.830 0.160 0.157 0.157 1.05 1.02 1.02 1.83 1.78 1.83 1.18 1.13 1.18 4.41 4.18 4.2 0.080 0.078 0.078 0.4100 0.4100 0.4100 8.67 8.55 8.67 27.00 25.75 25.75 1.43 1.41 1.41 3.21 3.21 3.21 21.50 20.80 21.20 0.74 0.73 0.73 0.920 0.880 0.880 5.240 5.050 5.150 SERVICES 7.15 7.34 7.12 7.15 63.85 63.85 63.5 63.7 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 0.500 0.500 0.490 0.490 10.96 11.56 11.54 11.56 4.56 4.76 4.38 4.41 0.0440 0.0450 0.0430 0.0430 3.35 3.4 3.33 3.33 82.85 82.85 81.8 82.4 5.37 5.40 5.29 5.34 955 955 955 955 1841 1858 1790 1790 7.00 7.10 6.90 7.00 1.22 1.23 1.23 1.23 71.4 71.4 69 70.05 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.167 0.167 0.160 0.164 1.4200 1.3900 1.3800 1.3800 2.05 2.05 1.96 2.05 8.44 8.44 8.18 8.18 4.10 4.25 4.09 4.20 1.24 1.24 1.21 1.24 22.00 28.90 28.90 28.90 0.560 0.560 0.560 0.560 2.5 2.61 2.35 2.43 3.84 3.85 3.80 3.84 0.260 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.850 0.900 0.830 0.850 4.60 4.67 4.51 4.67 3.12 2.7 2.65 2.7 21.00 21.00 20.75 20.90 2054.00 2088.00 1972.00 1972.00 0.450 0.440 0.435 0.435 0.800 0.820 0.690 0.740 34.00 34.10 33.60 33.75 67.90 67.90 65.80 66.30 6.11 6.12 6.00 6.00 3.85 3.89 3.71 3.72 0.460 0.465 0.460 0.465 1.52 1.53 1.51 1.51 3.69 3.69 3.54 3.69 0.350 0.350 0.330 0.330 4.100 4.200 4.090 4.200 MINING & OIL 0.0048 0.0049 0.0048 0.0048 4.20 4.21 4.17 4.18 0.63 0.64 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.62 0.6 0.62 7.36 7.42 7.32 7.32 0.75 0.75 0.71 0.72 0.285 0.290 0.280 0.280 0.190 0.189 0.185 0.189 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.011 0.011 0.010 0.011 2.03 2.05 2.02 2.02 6.38 6.48 6.36 6.4 2.78 2.78 2.7 2.7 1.3100 1.3900 1.2800 1.2800 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 3.54 3.59 3.54 3.54 4.89 4.900 4.84 4.87 1.35 1.350 1.31 1.31 0.0110 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 136.30 135.80 133.70 135.00 2.22 2.25 2.18 2.18 PREFERRED 65.1 65 65 65 520 520 520 520 508 510 510 510 519.5 520 519 519 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1075 1075 1075 1075 1022 1023 1023 1023 79 80.7 80.7 80.7 83 83 83 83 79.5 80 79.5 79.5 80.85 80.8 80.5 80.5 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.650 2.640 2.450 2.630 SME 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.64 3.75 3.58 3.64 14.9 15.42 15.04 15.1 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 111.7 112.2 110.1 110.1

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

0.00 -14.36 0.00 8.89 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 -1.88 -0.97 1.67 -0.84 -3.23 -4.88 0.00 0.81 -4.63 -1.40 2.88 0.24 0.00 -2.22 -0.58

2,700 6,900 520,000 1,000 1,780,000 1,090,000 814,300 238,000 1,860,000 1,121,000 19,648,000 129,000 29,598,000 850,000 60,000 98,300 4,374,600 56,000 1,000 4,607,500 499,000 863,000 6,426,300

0.00 -0.23 0.00 -2.00 5.47 -3.29 -2.27 -0.60 -0.54 -0.56 0.00 -2.77 0.00 0.82 -1.89 0.00 -1.80 -2.82 0.00 -3.08 2.44 0.00 31.36 0.00 -2.80 0.00 -1.92 0.00 1.52 -13.46 -0.48 -3.99 -3.33 -7.50 -0.74 -2.36 -1.80 -3.38 1.09 -0.66 0.00 -5.71 2.44

68,900 3,280 25,000 1,215,000 2,000 8,814,000 22,900,000 9,000 325,790 205,200 10 123,370 31,400 16,000 894,940 5,000,000 930,000 678,000 52,000 409,400 568,000 2,000 200 185,000 14,894,000 10,357,000 650,000 22,334,000 3,000 2,000 8,500 187,845 300,000 40,285,000 150,900 821,560 1,854,100 3,269,000 1,580,000 110,000 109,000 130,000 58,000

0.00 -0.48 1.59 0.00 -0.54 -4.00 -1.75 -0.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.49 0.31 -2.88 -2.29 0.00 0.00 -0.41 -2.96 9.09 -0.95 -1.80

125,000,000 320,000 -485,820.00 18,000 20,000 300 4,426,000 -100,000.00 420,000 2,300,000 7,240,000 -150,000.00 1,200,000 17,600,000 -34,000.00 164,000 3,372,700 -6,719,416.00 96,000 406,000 100,000 34,000 150,000 -403,330.00 1,027,000 -353,450.00 40,200,000 526,720 -23,863,240.00 94,000

-0.15 0.00 0.39 -0.10 0.00 0.00 0.10 2.15 0.00 0.00 -0.43

69,150 4,000 10 1,480 37,000 140 41,000 153,480 10,000 34,220 104,960

-0.75

4,000

0.00 0.00 1.34

20,000 2,233,000 2,650,800

36,000.00 23,741,460.00

-1.43

10,680

33,180.00

28,560.00

4,280,980.00 -24,000.00 -8,272,750.00 -74,265,020.00 -35,490.00 342,000.00 -88,814,920.00 7,241,750.00 3,199,888.00

23,088.00 -11,481,420.00 -7,194,289.50 -9,550.00 -79,967,985.00 -7,939,609.00 -80,650.00 5,948.00

-12,232,340.00 5,710,840.00 19,400.00 -10,440.00 -179,493,575.00 -2,190,300.00 714,835.00 -8,497,917.00 -6,501,640.00 96,600.00

57,850.00

102,300.00 1,628,526.00 -830,000.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Manila Broadcasting

28.90

31.36

Cebu Prop. `A'

5.01

-14.36

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.0120

9.09

Paxys Inc.

2.7

-13.46

City & Land Dev.

0.98

8.89

Seafront `A'

2.40

-10.78

Anglo Holdings A

1.10

7.84

Zeus Holdings

0.260

-10.34

Alliance Tuna Intl Inc.

0.76

7.04

Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

3.93

-10.07

I-Remit Inc.

1.8

5.88

Liberty Flour

27.00

-10.00

Del Monte

12.38

5.81

C. Azuc De Tarlac

91.00

-9.00

Asian Terminals Inc.

11.56

5.47

Prime Media Hldg

1.160

-8.66

Chemphil

100

5.26

Premium Leisure

0.740

-7.50

RCBC `A'

33

4.27

MEDCO Holdings

0.510

-7.27

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 12, 2015

B3

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

Puregold spending P2.6b to add stores

By Jenniffer B. Austria, Othel V. Campos

PUREGOLD Price Club Inc., a supermarket chain owned by billionaire Lucio Co, said Friday it will spend P2.64 billion in 2016 to roll out new grocery outlets and convenience stores.

Puregold vice president for investor relations John Hao said the company would expand its retail network in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

“We have allocated P1 billion for Puregold supermarkets, P1 billion for S&R, P450 million for the rollout of Lawson convenience store chain and P150 million for the quick serve restaurants,” Hao said in a news briefing in Makati City.

The mother unit is spending

P1 billion for 25 new Puregold stores that will bring the Puregold supermarket network to about 300 stores by end-2016, he said.

The group also plans to spend P150 million to build 10 S&R New York Pizza.

Puregold vice president for operations Antonio delos Santos said once the target was met, “it will be a milestone for the company.”

The company expects to end

2015 with 274 stores nationwide with 6 stores located in Mindanao.

Delos Santos said the company was focusing on the Visayas and Mindanao to bring the benefits of low-priced, quality consumer goods “across islands, across regions.”

“We’re constantly looking for locations. Our focus is to spread across the Visayas and Mindanao since most of our stores are in Luzon. We just opened our first store in Cotabato City. This is a testament of how confident we are on the location. Next year, we are opening another [store] in Cotabato,” said delos Santos.

The company would fund the 2016 capex and possible acquisitions via cash flow, but was also open to short-term borrowing, according to Hao. Puregold recently launched

Pure Padala, an innovative way of sending remittances to OFW families in the Philippines where cash remittance is converted to benefits like groceries, tuition and payment for utilities.

Hao said despite the continued aggressive expansion, the company expected net income and revenues to grow by more than 10 percent.

Hao said the company would also continue to open at least 25 stores annually over the next five years.

Puregold had 267 stores nationwide as of end-September, including nine S&R stores and 13 S&R New York Style QSR. Puregold reported a consolidated net income of P3.2 billion in the first nine months, up 6.5 percent from P3 billion in the same period in 2014.

Inclusive business. Trade Undersecretaries Adrian Cristobal Jr. (front row, fifth from left), Nora Terrado (left) and Zenaida Maglaya (second from right) pose with government and private sector leaders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies during the high-level dialog on inclusive business on Nov. 12, 2015 at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City. Through the dialogue, the Trade Department expects to gain a common understanding and a deeper appreciation of inclusive business, explore its vast opportunities, and chart the ensuing steps.

PLDT, Bayad Center team up for online bills payment

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. said Friday its international marketing arm teamed up with Bayad Center to enable online bills payment for Filipinos working overseas.

PLDT said the partnership would empower Filipinos abroad to securely and conveniently manage and process their payables back home through an easy-to-use web-based payment facility.

Among the accredited biller companies of Bayad Center are Meralco, Maynilad, Visayan

Electric Co., Davao Light, PLDT, Bayantel, Digitel, Smart, Cignal, Manila Water, Laguna Water District and Pag-IBIG Fund.

“We are relentless in our pursuit of improving the lives of our overseas Filipinos, and this partnership will now allow them to directly and securely settle their typical family bills over the Internet, which is very similar to how they did it before —as if they never left home,” said PLDT and Smart executive vice president and head of enterprise, international and carrier business Eric Alberto.

PLDT Global Corp. president Alex Caeg said the Bayad Center online bills payment facility was one of the enhancements in the Smart Pinoy Store.

“With the addition of Bayad Center under Smart Pinoy Store, the online portal continues to expand its offerings while cementing its leadership as a onestop overseas Pinoy retail store,” Caeg said.

PLDT Global operates in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom and plans to expand its operations in Australia, India and Latin America next year.

PLDT Global’s business pillars include mobile virtual network operations, international load dealership, e-commerce, remittances and enterprise business.

PLDT earlier reported a net income of P25.3 billion in the January to September period, down by 9 percent from P28 billion last year.

Excluding foreign exchange transactions and other nonrecurring items, core profit hit P27.08 billion, down by 5 percent from P28.86 billion last year.

Consolidated revenue was flat at P127.87 billion in the first nine months of the year.

Market tumbles; ALI tops gainers

STOCKS fell for the second day, dragging down the benchmark index to its lowest level in 17 months, as global markets reflected the slump in oil prices.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 85 points, or 1.3 percent, to close at 6,735.01 Friday. It was the gauge’s lowest level, since settling at 6,730.96 on June 20, 2014. It was also down 6.9 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 38 points, or 1 percent, to finish at 3,894.86, on a value turnover of P6.7 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 111 to 49, while 50 issues were unchanged.

Only two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by property developer Ayala Land Inc., which climbed 2.6 percent to P35.50. Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. rose 2.2 percent to P72.

Chemical producer D&L Industries Inc. was the biggest loser among the most active stocks, as it fell 7.2 percent to P7.98. Conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. dropped 4.7 percent to P54.90.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets sank Friday at the end of a painful week for global equities defined by an oil rout that analysts warn could continue for some time.

Crude prices extended losses and have now tanked more than 10 percent since last Friday when the Opec grouping decided against capping output despite an oversupply and anaemic global demand.

Dealers are also keeping tabs on next week’s Federal Reserve policy meeting, where it is expected to hike interest rates for the first time in nine years.

“It’s difficult for shares to move much ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting,” Hitoshi Asaoka, a senior strategist at Mizuho Trust & Banking Co. in Tokyo told Bloomberg News.

“Oil prices haven’t stabilized yet so we can easily enter a wait-andsee mood. I expect the market to continue to be unstable,” he said.

The Opec decision last week has sent oil to around sevenyear lows, and with the global economy struggling, China’s growth subdued and the dollar tipped to strengthen further, the commodity is expected to remain beaten down until possibly 2017.

Shares in Hong Kong sank 0.9 percent in the afternoon— having fallen in the previous six sessions—with CNOOC and PetroChina leading energy firms lower.

On other markets Shanghai slipped 0.9 percent, Sydney was 0.2 percent lower and Seoul sank 0.2 percent. With AFP, Bloomberg

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 12, 2015

B4

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

IN BRIEF PSE seeks extension THE Philippine Stock Exchange said

it will ask the Securities and Exchange Commission for a 45-day extension to submit an amended business plan to consolidate the equity and fixed-income markets by buying out the other shareholders of Philippine Dealing System & Holdings Corp.

The deadline for the share purchase agreements that the PSE signed with various shareholders of PDS Holdings expired last month.

A PSE source said while the deal was “as good as dead”, PDS Holdings’ shareholders who expressed interest to sell their shares to PSE had not informed the exchange they were canceling the deal.

“Its kind of legal limbo that is why we also need time,” the PSE source said.

He said the company’s strategy of merging the exchange and the bond markets was the same model that major markets in Southeast Asia, like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, were doing.

“If you look at their models [Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia], they are all integrated exchanges. Fixed income is just a division or part of them, depository functions is part of it,” he said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Globe online bazaar GLOBE Telecom Inc. and Shopify unveiled

the country’s first-ever online bazaar that gives customers hassle-free shopping experience this Christmas season.

“With DigiMall, Globe myBusiness aims to shift the focus from the weekend bazaars and shops to the online stores. This is why we have also solidified our partnership with Shopify so that more and more merchants can expand their business and digital footprint,” Globe muBusiness senior vice president Martha Sazon said. “The holidays is the perfect season to demonstrate this as shopping now happens on-demand with the rise of mobile access.”

“As more business owners put up their own online stores, they are able to serve and cater to a growing number of customers who live the digital lifestyle which includes shopping and e-commerce,” she added.

The DigiMall Shopify-powered sites or “virtual booths” of selected merchants with unique items—from handwoven baby sandals to alcohol-infused cupcakes—will run from December 18 to December 20, 2015.

Darwin G. Amojelar

PEMC-Singapore deal PHILIPPINE Electricity Market Corp., operator of the country’s electricity market, and its counterpart Singaporebased Energy Market Co. signed a cooperative agreement to develop stronger electricity markets in their respective countries.

The two signed the agreement in Thursday’s Philippine Electricity Summit 2015 (PES 2015) jointly conducted

by PEMC and system operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said PEMC and EMC, two leading pioneers of market operations in Asia, signed the agreement “to ensure that our respective markets will deliver timely innovations and developments especially with the changing and more competitive global business environment.”

“In line with the agreement, PEMC and EMC have identified areas of mutual interest and shall assist each other in conducting trainings and seminars, advising on technical and commercial issues, information exchange and effective knowledge management in exploring opportunities for the immediate revolution of our markets,” Monsada said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Red tide spreads THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources warned the public that more coastal areas are now positive for red tide.

The agency in a recent bulletin identified the coastal areas positive for red tide toxin as President Roxas in Capiz, Leyte in Leyte; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; Dauis in Bohol; Daram Island in Daram; and Villareal, Maqueda, Irong-Irong and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar.

The coastal waters of Carigaga Bay in Leyte, Pilar and Sapian Bay in Capiz, Altavas, Batan and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan are also positive for reed tide.

The BFAR added that Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo and coastal waters of Naval, Biliran Island Province were also positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit.

BFAR director Asis Perez warned that all shellfish or alamang gathered from these areas were not safe for human consumption. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Outstanding corporation. Mighty Corp. bags the Philippine Council of Management Research Institute’s prestigious Outstanding Corporation of the Year award on December 10, 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati. Mighty received the award because of its outstanding achievements in the fields of economics, finance, agriculture, business and industry, e-commerce and IT, strategic management and economy of scales, leadership and governance, adherence to nationalism and anti-monopolism; and social, cultural and religious activities that impacted on the country and the society. Mighty president Edilberto Adan (second from right) receives the award, with (from left) PCMRII board of trustees Bernard Karganilla, Timoteo Acedo and Rogelio Asignado.

Foreign investments surge to record $1.5b

By Julito G. Rada

NET inflow of foreign direct investments in September posted a record-high $1.5 billion, more than double the year-ago level of $680 million on increasing confidence on the country’s macro-economic fundamentals.

The September net inflow was also significantly higher than the $526-million net inflow in August this year. Net inflow in the first nine months, however, declined 5.5 percent to $4.5 billion from $4.8 billion a year ago.

“The surge in FDI inflows in September 2015 reflects investor confidence in the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, sustained GDP growth of 5.8 percent in Q2 2015, man-

ageable inflation, consistent build-up of foreign exchange reserves, and stable exchange rate,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in a statement Friday.

Equity capital investments during the month increased more than three-fold to $600 million, as gross placements of $1.2 billion more than offset withdrawals of $553 million.

The bulk of equity capital placements came from the United

Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan, the United States, and Germany.

By economic activity, equity capital investments were channeled mainly to manufacturing; financial and insurance; construction; wholesale and retail trade; and real estate activities.

Investments in debt instruments increased 90 percent percent to $869 million from $458 million on significant inter-company borrowings, especially in the transportation and storage, and construction industries.

Reinvestment of earnings, meanwhile, declined 17 percent to $51 million.

Equity capital investments in the first nine months reached $1.4 billion due to the 38 percent increase in gross placements to $2.2 billion, which exceeded

withdrawals of $789 million.

The equity capital investments came largely from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Singapore. Investments were channeled mainly to manufacturing; financial and insurance; real estate; wholesale and retail trade; and construction activities.

Meanwhile, non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments reached $2.5 billion, down 16 percent from the previous year’s level of $3 billion. Reinvestment of earnings fell 11.7 percent to $575 million.

Foreign direct investments in 2014 posted a record-high net inflow of $6.2-billio, well above the target of $4.4 billion. The 2014 figure was also 66 percent higher than the $3.737-billion net inflow registered in 2013.

IFC earmarks P700m to micro and small enterprises

By Gabrielle H. Binaday INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp., the investment arm of the World Bank group, said Friday it will lend up to P700 million to micro, small, and medium enterprises, micro-finance borrowers and women’s groups.

IFC said in a statement it would course the amount through the CARD Bank Inc and CARD SME Bank Inc. to support the development of SMES and MSMEs in rural areas.

CARD Bank will receive P540 million from the lending facility to expand its micro-finance client base and establish new branches, especially in rural areas, while

CARD SME Bank will get a maximum of P160 million for lending to MSMEs. The IFC loan will mature in seven years.

IFC said almost three-quarters of the poor in the country live in rural areas. Poverty among farmers is three times higher than in other sectors.

“Without access to formal financial institutions, a majority of the population borrows from informal sources. Increasing MSME access to financing will enable the sector to create jobs, while affordable microfinance will better meet the capital needs of the poor,” IFC said.

“CARD Bank and CARD SME Bank were founded to help poor people work them-

selves out of poverty,” Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, chairman of both banks, said. “We are privileged to have IFC as a long-time partner in our mission.”

IFC has provided advisory services to CARD Bank since 2007, when it helped develop an SME lending platform, which CARD SME Bank implemented in 2009.

In 2013, IFC helped CARD SME Bank design an agri-finance strategy, which was expanded in early 2015 to reach more regions and farmers. In 2014, IFC assisted CARDPioneer Micro-Insurance develop insurance products to protect farmers from typhoon risks.

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Awardees. Honorees Lisa Vanderpump, Olympian Audley Harrison and actress Joan Collins attend A British Winter WonderLand UKares 2015 awards at The British Residence in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Climate deal expected Saturday Savants invent machine that learns like a human WASHINGTON—Scientists have invented a machine that imitates the way the human brain learns new information, a step forward for artificial intelligence, researchers reported Thursday.

The system described in the journal Science is a computer model “that captures ahumans’ unique ability to learn new concepts from a single example,” the study said.

“Though the model is only capable of learning handwritten characters from alphabets, the approach underlying it could be broadened to have applications for other symbol-based systems, like gestures, dance moves, and the words of spoken and signed languages.”

Joshua Tenenbaum, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology, said he wanted to

build a machine that could mimic the mental abilities of young children.

“Before they get to kindergarten, children learn to recognize new concepts from just a single example, and can even imagine new examples they haven’t seen,” said Tenenbaum.

“We are still far from building machines as smart as a human child, but this is the first time we have had a machine able to learn and use a large class of real-world concepts even simple visual concepts such as handwritten characters in ways that are hard to tell apart from humans.”

The system is a called a “Bayesian Program Learning” framework, where concepts are represented as simple computer programs. AFP

LE BOURGET, France—Sleep-starved envoys tasked with saving mankind from catastrophic climate change aim to wrap up a historic Paris accord on Saturday after battling through a second all-night session of UN talks, the French hosts said.

Eleven days of bruising international diplomacy in the French capital appeared to finally open the door to an elusive deal, now expected to be delivered one day after the original Friday evening deadline.

“It will be presented Saturday morning for adoption midday,” said a source at the French presidency of the climate talks, an annual gathering that frequently misses deadlines by days.

“Things are moving in the right direction,” said Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who is presiding over the talks, according to the source who spoke to AFP. Releasing a fresh draft of the pact on Thursday night that showed progress on some key issues, an increasingly confident

Fern top choice in NZ flag referendum WELLINGTON—New Zealanders have chosen a silver fern on a black-and-blue background as their preferred option if the South Pacific nation decides to dump Britain’s Union Jack from its national banner, officials said Friday.

The design beat four other contenders in a nation-wide referendum, according to the preliminary results released by the New Zealand Electoral Commission.

Simply titled “Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue)”, the design will go head-to-head with the existing flag in a second referendum in March next year.

“While this is a preliminary result, New Zealanders can now turn their attention to deciding whether to keep the current flag, or replace it,” Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said.

Prime Minister John Key has led the push for reform, saying the existing ensign is a colonial relic that is too easily confused with Australia’s flag.

He had previously nominated the winning design as his favorite, describing the silver fern as an instantly recognizable symbol of New Zealand.

The flag and an almost identical

banner from the same designer, Kyle Lockwood, were clear winners in the five-way race, each receiving more than 550,000 first-choice votes of the 1.5-million ballots cast.

The second-placed design simply changes the color of one section of the flag’s background from black to red.

However, polling indicates the current flag is still on track to beat any contender in next year’s runoff referendum.

Formally adopted in 1902, it has a Union Jack in the right corner alongside four red stars representing the Southern Cross on a dark blue background. AFP

Fabius had said a deal was “extremely close”.

Fabius instructed the ministers from 195 nations to make unprecedented compromises on the outstanding issues: extremely complex rows primarily pitting rich countries against poor that have derailed previous UN efforts.

World leaders have described the Paris talks as the last chance to avert disastrous climate change: increasingly severe drought, floods and storms, as well as rising seas that engulf islands and populated coastal regions.

The planned accord would seek to revolutionize the world’s energy system by cutting back or potentially eliminating the burning of coal, oil and gas, which leads to the release of Earth-warming

French entry.

This picture taken on December 10, 2015, shows Miss World France Hinarere Taputu during the 10th China (Sanya) International Orchid show in Sanya, southern China’s Hainan province. The 65th edition of the Miss World Grand Final will kick off on December 19 in Sanya. AFP

greenhouse gases.

UN efforts dating back to the 1990s have failed to reach a truly universal pact to contain climate change.

Developing nations have insisted established economic powerhouses must shoulder the lion’s share of responsibility as they have emitted most of the greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution.

But the United States and other rich nations say emerging giants must also do more, arguing that developing countries now account for most of today’s emissions and thus will be largely responsible for future warming.

They are arguments worth hundreds of billions of dollars, which still need to be resolved before the negotiators can leave Paris.

Among the most striking developments in the latest draft of the agreement is wording that seeks to resolve a dispute over what temperature limit target to set. AFP

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Bangladesh arrests popular satirist DHAKA—A popular satirical writer has been arrested in Bangladesh for posting articles poking fun at the government, an official said Friday, hours after a threeweek ban on Facebook for security reasons was lifted.

Rapid Action Battalion officers detained Refayet Ahmed Thursday night under the country’s controversial Internet law for posting pieces on Facebook, the elite force’s spokesman Major Rumman Mahmud said.

“He was arrested for his provocative Facebook posts against the government and the state,” Mahmud told AFP. The RAB accuses Ahmed of writing under a pen name for a page called “Moja Losss?” (“Are You Making Fun?”), which has won popularity for taking a satirical look at Bangladesh’s conservative society as well as rampant corruption and law-andorder problems. AFP

Two Koreas hold talks to try to ease tensions SEOUL—North and South Korea sat down to rare, high-level talks Friday aimed at building on an August agreement to ease cross-border tensions after a flare-up brought them to the brink of an armed conflict.

Although any dialogue between the two Koreas is welcomed as a positive step, past experience suggests the talks being held at the vice-minister level are unlikely to produce a significant breakthrough.

Previous efforts to establish a regular dialogue have tended to falter after an initial meeting reflecting decades of animosity and mistrust between two countries that have remained technically at war since the end of the 1950-53 Korean conflict.

The last such sit-down, with the mandate to discuss a range of inter-Korean issues, took place nearly two years ago.

“Let’s take a crucial first step to pave the way for reunification. I hope various pending issues will be solved one by one,” South Korea’s chief delegate Hwang Boo-Gi told his North Korean counterpart Jon

Jong-Su as they shook hands.

The talks were held on the North Korean side of the border in the jointly-run Kaesong industrial zone which opened in 2004 and has survived as a rare symbol of inter-Korean cooperation.

Jon said the talks were an opportunity to overcome the decades of mistrust and confrontation.

“Let’s make efforts to break down the barrier, fill up the cracks and make a new and wide road together,” he said.

Analysts say a positive result would see the two sides simply agreeing to continue the dialogue and offering some encouraging noises about future cooperation.

“The outcome this time could have a significant impact on the path the overall inter-Korea relationship takes next year,” said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the Sejong Institute think tank

in Seoul.

The elephant in the room for any North-South dialogue is Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

But while Seoul may well raise the issue of denuclearization, experts said the two sides were likely to focus on more achievable targets.

“The North’s denuclearization needs to be seen as the ultimate goal of inter-Korea dialogue, not a precondition of it,” said Kim Keun-Shik, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

The talks came a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said the country had developed a hydrogen bomb a claim greeted with skepticism by US and South Korean intelligence officials.

There was no set agenda in Kaesong but both sides have clear if not necessarily complementary priorities.

The cash-strapped North wants the South to resume the lucrative tours to its scenic Mount Kumgang resort, which Seoul suspended in 2008 after a female tourist was shot dead by a North Korean guard.

Restarting the tours would be a useful propaganda victory for

Kim Jong-Un, as well as providing a source of much-needed hard revenue.

South Korea, meanwhile, wants the North to agree to regular reunions for families separated by the Korean War. Currently, the reunions are being held less than once a year and with only a very limited number of participants despite a huge waiting list of largely elderly South Koreans desperate to see their relatives in the North before they die.

For South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, who came to power with pledges of closer engagement with Pyongyang, a deal on the reunions would represent a welcome feather in her cap.

Park has repeatedly talked up the prospect of eventual Korean reunification, but has offered little in policy terms to ease tensions with the perennially belligerent North.

With only two years left until the end of her term, Cheong said Park was “running out of time” to try to build a legacy when it comes to inter-Korean relations. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLO Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004 INVITATION TO BID FOR THE LEASE OF FIFTY (50) UNITS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL PRINTERS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF) 1.

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The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for FY 2016, intends to apply the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 3,500,000.00), being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Lease of Fifty (50) Units Multi-functional Printers in the Department of Finance (DOF) (the “Project”). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The DOF, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the Lease of Fifty (50) Units Multi-functional Printers in the Department of Finance (DOF). Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC for the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens, sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. St. Roxas Boulevard, Manila starting December 14, 2015 during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on December 14, 2015 from the BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo Sr., Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00).

The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the PhilGEPS and the website of the DOF, provided that the Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows: ACTIVITIES Posting of Invitation to Bid Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Request for Clarification Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin Deadline for Submission of Bids Opening of Bids

SCHEDULE December 12, 2015 Starting December 14, 2015 December 21, 2015, 11:00 am December 25, 2015 (by email) December 28, 2015 January 4, 2016, 9:45 am January 4, 2016, 11:00 am

Bids must be delivered at the 7th Floor, EDPC Building cor. P. Ocampo Sr. St., Manila on or before January 4, 2016, 9:45 am. The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two (2) separate envelopes in the bid box located at the abovementioned address. All the Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Instructions to Bid (ITB) Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on the date indicated above at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

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“LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.” The DOF reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Lilia R. Tan, Head - BAC Secretariat Department of Finance BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo, Sr. Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila Telephone No.: 526-8475 Telefax No.: 525-4227 Email Address: ltan@dof.gov.ph

(TS-DEC. 12, 2015)

(SGD) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-BAC Chairman

All-girl band. This picture taken on December 10, 2015, shows members of North Korea’s Moranbong band walking out of their hotel in Beijing. North Korea’s premier pop group, formed by leader Kim Jong-Un, is electrifying audiences in China in shows aimed at harmonizing out-of-tune ties between the traditional allies, reports and the venue said on December 9. AFP

Canada welcomes first Syrian refugees OTTAWA—Canada welcomed 163 Syrian refugees late Thursday, taking in the first of a planned 25,000 in a matter of months and promising them a better life as they flee their country’s horrific war.

The refugees arrived just weeks after Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would pull its fighter jets from a US-led coalition targeting Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Trudeau and several members of his Liberal government were on hand to greet the Syrians as they arrived on a troop transport plane in Toronto.

Dozens of volunteers, interpreters and immigration officials helped the Syrians through the formalities of admission and gave them blankets, snow boots and other welcome gifts.

Over the course of the day, good Samaritans came to the airport to donate winter clothes and try to greet the Syrians who had set out from Beirut.

But in the end the tired travelers were admitted through a terminal that was closed to the public.

“Tonight they step off the plane as refugees. But they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada with social insurance numbers, with health cards and with an

opportunity to become full Canadians,” Trudeau said.

The government hopes to bring in 10,000 Syrian refugees and another 15,000 by the end of February.

“We will all remember this day,” Trudeau said shortly before greeting the refugees, many of them women and children.

Syria’s grinding four-year civil war has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced four million others.

The new Liberal government, elected in October, had campaigned on a pledge to resettle 25,000 Syrians this year. AFP

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PROPERTY jdlacsamana@gmail.com

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

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PamPanga residents aPPeal to Pag-ibig Fund : save our homes

B going uptown DATEM Inc. together with Megaworld, recenty held a concrete pouring ceremony for the Uptown Ritz in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig to mark the beginning of the building’s construction. The Uptown Ritz is a 45-storey upscale residential condominium to be completed on February 2018. It is strategically located at Megaworld’s Uptown Bonifacio township, a 15-hectare community of residential condominiums, corporate hubs and the Uptown Place Mall. At the concrete pouring were (from left to right): Joey G. Ganub, DATEM Inc. project manager; Emerito A. Alcala, DATEM Inc. area manager BGC; Gary M. Aranilla, Megaworld Uptown assistant vice president; Engr. Alvin B. Haguisan, Megaworld Uptown senior quality assurance & quality control manager; Levy V. Espiritu, DATEM Inc. president; and Morris S. Agoncillo, DATEM Inc. vice president for engineering.

world-class mEdical facility. Centuria Medical Makati’s Centers of Excellence were recently launched by Century Properties. Centuria Medical Makati is a 28 storey medical arts building along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City that houses more than 600 doctors’ clinics and facilities. The Centers of Excellence will host medical services in primary care, multi-specialty surgery, dermatology and cosmetic laser treatment, multi-specialty dentistry, cosmetic and facial surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology/laser eye surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, urology, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, orthopedic, dialysis, and wellness and complementary medicine. “We look forward to becoming a center of medical tourism in the Philippines, as well as in the Asia region,” said Antonio. At the blessing were (from left to right): Centuria Medical Makati general manager Rey Dimaano; Century Properties COO Jose Marco Antonio; Dr. Cristina Puyat of Asian Stem Cell Institute; Drs. James and Sally Joaquino of The Surgery Center; Century Properties chairman and CEO, Jose E.B. Antonio; Dr. Oscar Cabahug of The Executive Screening Center; Dr. Farah Aure of The Surgery Center; The Surgery Center COO Zena Bernardo; and Dr. Gentry Dee of The Executive Screening Center.

Birthday light up. Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, the first international serviced residence in this booming business district, recently celebrated its first anniversary with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and launch of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga. The non-profit organization provides basic meals to undernourished and underprivileged children, including children from La Union who will be this year’s beneficiaries of Ascott’s CSR fundraising drive. At the light-up were Ascott BGC Manila’s residence manager, Philip Barnes (middle) together with Gawad Kalinga’s head of new initiatives, Mark Lawrence Cruz and Ascott’s human resources director, Rosa Manalo.

Since Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila opened its doors in late 2014, the property has already reaped prestigious recognitions such as the 2015 Philippine Property Awards for best in hotel interior design and best hotel development, as well as won the best in hotel architectural design in 2014 and 2015. Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila is also a green property and was recently given the Green Mark Award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) - the first international serviced residence in Bonifacio Global City to be BCA Green Mark certified.

uyers of a controversial residential development project in Pampanga have asked Pag-Ibig Fund officials to resolve their claims of legal ownership to the housing units they purchased five years ago.

Officials of the Homeowners Association of Xevera- Mabalacat, representing more than 1,700 affected home buyers, are asking the housing fund agency to start accepting their monthly payments and re-establish their respective records, among others.

“Inamin na ng Pag-ibig na walang nawalang pondo (walang utang),nakatayo lahat ng bahay (complete amenities), ready magbayad ang buyers,. so, documentation lang and kailangan…bakit ayaw ng Pag-ibig maayos ang problema at puro appeal ginagawa nila para tumagal and kaso?” said Rolando Santos, president of the Xevera homeowners group.

The predicament of the Xevera townhouse owners began four years ago when court cases broke out between the Home Development Mutual Fund or “Pag-IBIG Fund” and the subdivision developer.

In a letter addressed to PagIBIG Fund President and CEO Darlene Berberabe and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Chito Cruz, a copy of which was sent to The Standard, residents expressed fear they would lose their homes.

“Pag IBIG Fund claims to be the victim of fraud allegedly perpetrated by one of its housing developers,” the letter said. “On the other hand, Delfin Lee and his development company GlobeAsiatique, say they are victims of political persecution.”

Calling themselves “the real victims in the housing controversy,” Santos and the residents of the two subdivisions said that as buyers in good faith and borrowers from Pag-IBIG in good faith, their respective balance payments should be accepted by the Home Development Mutual Fund

(HMDF or Pag-IBIG).

“Bakit po kami ang naiipit? Nakarating na po tayo sa Korte Suprema. Kailan po ba matatapos ang kalbaryo namin? (Why are we on the brink? We already reached the Supreme Court. When will our ordeal end?),” they asked. day in court Since some buyers are reportedly hesitant to continue with their installments because of uncertainty, the residents are appealing to government to give them the assurance that their right to acquire the housing units they paid for will be protected.

They also appealed to Berberabe to protect not just the Pag-IBIG as an institution, but its members and borrowers as well, whose welfare and interests are kept in the balance while Lee is in jail.

“At least he (Lee) can get his day in court; his chance to prove his innocence,” they said. “But what about us? How and to whom do we prove that we are the real victims here? Do we also get our day in court?” fix thE proBlEm now Rolando Santos, one of the Xevera homeowners, cited that almost four year ago, a Makati City trial court already ruled that it was PagIBIG that was guilty of breaching its contract with Globe Asiatique, and that Pag-IBIG should not be allowed to escape liability with impunity by simply alleging that the defaulting buyers-borrowers are fictitious and spurious.

Santos said that the court also ruled that based on admitted and undisputed evidence, that Pag-IBIG approved all the fund membership and loan applications of the buyer-borrowers and post-validated their eligibility for loans.

By these premises, the residents are asking how it is that they, as buyers in good faith of the Xevera housing projects in Pampanga through a P6.65-billion agreement between Pag-IBIG and Globe Asiatique, be deemed as spurious buyers.

Ecology warriors. SM Prime Holdings Inc. was recently recognized at the 2015 Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards for its support of the government’s energy efficiency program. SM Prime-managed buildings One E-Com Center, Two E-Com Center, SM Cyber Makati One, and SM Cyber Makati were given the prestigious award, together with two energy managers, Engr. Rod Angelo O. Paredes and Jose Marie Nicholas G. Dela Cruz for significantly reducing their energy consumption. This is the second consecutive outstanding award for One Ecom Center and SM Makati Cyber One, both of whom were recognized last year for their energy savings. The Don Emilio Abello Efficiency Award is a prestigious recognition given to private companies that have achieved significant improvements and savings in their energy consumption patterns. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. is the property arm of the SM Group of Companies. Shown in photo are awardees of the SM Prime Holdings team (from left to right): Neil Anthony J. Pascual, Rod Angelo O. Paredes, Aldo Antonio B. Penaflorida, Melchor O. Nocomora, Jose Marie Nicholas G. Dela Cruz.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY Tech seT To improve how we buy real esTaTe T

he Philippines’ transport industry—privatized yet heavily regulated—is a textbook example of how public transport shouldn’t be run.

It is inefficient, and the ones who lose are the riding public.

This is one of the reasons tech disruption, in the form of ride-sharing and taxi-hailing apps, are very successful. Smartphone apps like Uber and GrabTaxi are changing how the public is demanding service: whenever and wherever they need it. Although the response of taxi companies and regulators is to maintain the status quo, the public marches on with technology.

What if there could be an Uber of Philippine real estate? If tech innovation could disrupt an inefficient industry, what’s to stop others from disrupting real estate? In fact, whether the industry likes it or not, property hunters’ behavior is rapidly shifting, and they’re taking their home-search online. Here’s why:

Tech innovaTions puT The power To homebuyers In the not-too-distant past, people looking for properties drive by neighborhoods or leaf through pages of Sunday classifieds to find apartments for sale or for rent.

This is quickly changing.

A 2014 survey by Lamudi Philippines found that 9 out of 10 real estate agents said that the Internet is now the preferred tool during

daTa can inForm agenTs’ markeTing decisions What if agents can know what time of the day homebuyers browse properties online, which locations they look at more frequently, and which property features interest them? Listing portals can provide data on these, and a lot more.

Gone are the days when marketing is all about gut-feel. Real estate agents can now use data and determine their target customers’ preferences on price, location, and property type so they can align their marketing strategies accordingly.

peek into the future. Searching for homes online will be commonplace.

the house-hunting process, while a 2015 survey conducted by the real estate portal found that Facebook, Google, and other online means are used by homebuyers in looking for properties 92 percent of the time.

This puts the power to homebuyers, who until recently have to rely on information fed to them by real estate agents. Homebuyers now can choose the property that falls within their requirements, regardless of which broker is handling it. In effect, they get to choose the property that falls within their budget, and let the

agent do the grinding later.

Mere descriptions won’t cut it If you have you ever seen classified ad posts of properties for sale or for rent, then you know how short and unhelpful they are. It’s not because brevity for them is a virtue, but because every square inch of newspaper is expensive.

Hence, it’s not unusual to see an advertisement like this: “2br condo makaTi Flood-Free p50k/m.”

Besides generic location, number of bedroom, and price, there’s

not much you’ll know about the property, so you have to see it for yourself. Imagine the inconvenience of driving to the property only to find out that it’s too rundown for your taste.

Since listing portals are created to list every available property in the market, each listing can be as detailed as possible and have plenty of features, from map view, 360-degree photography, videos, and even loan calculators, capturing more targeted customers and saving time on probing on the part of the agent.

agenT raTings may change The way proFessionals do business If customers can leave comments or feedback on their experience with a resort, a restaurant, or an airline, there is no reason not to apply this to real estate agents. After all, these professionals offer a service, and their customers have every right to write a glowing assessment or express dissatisfaction.

In fact, agent ratings are not new. U.S.-based portals like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin have this feature put in place. Although there are those who can potentially game the system, strict guidelines can be put in place to ensure that only legitimate comments from legitimate clients can submit a review.

baTaan resorT Trolls for mice markeT

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he recent expansion in Bataan’s heritage resort, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, is an ostensible strategy to lure the growing MICE market to the Central Luzon peninsula.

Known in the hospitality industry as groups with planned meetings, incentives, conventions and events, MICE tourism is a key factor to a hotel’s existence. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the 200-room resort by the sea, and the newly built Hotel de Oriente Convention Centre, are major bets of the development’s investors to precisely reel in this particular business.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is currently drumbeating a pro-

motion, dubbed Mice Weekday, to attract this specific market to Bagac, the largest town in Bataan province where the 400-hectare resort is perched.

Rates as low as Php 3,100.00 per person on quad sharing with overnight room accommodation, are on tap, with the use of function room, meals, and spa service thrown in. Those staying for two nights can avail the same inclusions for as low as Php 5,300.00.

This exclusive deal is for a minimum of 10 rooms booked and is valid from Sunday to Thursday.

The resort hosted to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit – Bataan Leg in June 2015 when the finance min-

TbT luxury. Guests can pick their brains and do planning activities, while enjoying old world, artistic surroundings.

isters held their functions at the large meeting halls in Hotel de Oriente Convention Centre.

The Bataan International Tri-

athlon was also held at the resort last November (The resort has a beach area to-die-for, ideal for sports and team-building

events), as well as a number of camera club activities which capitalized on the stunning sceneries all over the place.

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

P OP CU LT U RE

LIFE

Consumers try out the balance board to test their skills and practice before the run

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International professional skater Jordan Maxham

THE DEW TOUR COMES TO MANILA T International professional skaters Sean Malto, Justin Schulte, and Jordan Maxham

International professional skater Justin Schulte

International professional skater Sean Malto

Winners of the Dew Tour AM Series: In first place, Renzo Feliciano, second place Demetrio Cuevas, followed by Al Rasheed Rasheed in third place and crowned as the best overall run.

Pinoy amateur skaters put their skills to the test for a chance to take home top honors

he skateboarding scene in the Philippines is young, discreet and usually sidelined by Filipinos’ more favored sports basketball and boxing. Skateboarders here don’t really have a lot of options when it comes to skating areas; they often make do with pocket and make-shift skateparks or idle streets and spots in Ayala, Bonifacio Global City and Intramuros.

Despite the scarcity of support and facilities, active and passionate skateboarders keep the Philippine skating culture alive and flourishing. People on the streets are becoming more lenient to skaters and more interested in the sport; specialty skate shops are multiplying, and proper skateparks are rising. Last year, the first urban concrete skatepark in Metro Manila opened in the 21-hectare mixedused development Circuit Makati.

Parokya Ni Edgar ends the night with an electrifying concert

The Mountain Dew Skate Park is now home to skaters and other action sports athletes who want a proper venue to practice their tricks and techniques for an affordable rental fee. Last November, the new skate park played host to the first-ever Dew Tour AM Series by Mountain Dew. Fueled by PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew, the Dew Tour Series serves as an international action sports platform that hosts grassroots events as well as amateur and professional competitions. More than 12 countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Korea and the Philippines have hosted the Dew Tour skate contests to date. The Manila leg was the culmination of the expansion of the tour.

Globally-recognized professional skateboarders Jordan Maxham, Justin Schulte and Filipino-American Sean Malto flew in to witness the two-day skating competition, which was open to all Filipino amateur skaters, 13 years old and above, male and female.

Bagging the top prize was Renzo Feliciano who won P60,000. Second place was Demetrio Cuevas who took home P30,000, while Rasheed Al Rasheed took the third spot and P20,000 cash prize.

Rasheed also won P10,000 for having the best overall run.

On the last day of the event, Maxham, Schulte and Malto also showed off their skills to the delight of the audience that numbered more than a thousand. Guests were also treated to a concert by Parokya ni Edgar.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

THE SNEAKY HUMBLEBRAG THE GIST

BY ED BIADO

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here are plenty of despicable people on the Internet and we’ve pretty much learned to stay away from them. We protect our accounts and devices with complicated passwords so we don’t get hacked. We don’t open shady emails. We don’t give out our personal and credit information to just any website or service. We try out best. In terms of trying not to have our identities stolen, our children cyber-bullied and our reputation tainted, we got ourselves covered digitally.

What we can’t protect ourselves from are the subtle yet powerful psychological, mental and emotional effects of social media because we fail to recognize the toxicity of certain people in our networks. Sure, we may hide the posts of and mute ultra-negative individuals – you know, those who always complain and whine about everyone and everything, and pepper their posts with inspirational quotes to remind themselves not to be so shitty or to justify their own shittiness – and those whose beliefs (moral, political, religious, etc.) are too far out.

But we can’t filter everybody.

And the kind of people who usually slip through the cracks appear to be quite sane, quite grounded, quite normal and even quite smart.

But these sneaky sons of bitches are actually among the worst types of social media contacts.

Folks, meet the humblebrag.

Humblebragging is a postmodern art that spun off from the concept of false modesty, which Cambridge defines as “a behavior in which a person pretends to have a low opinion of (his) own abilities and achievements.”

False modesty is considered polite. At a party, when someone introduces you as a very successful person in your field, the appropriate response is to acknowledge the fact and be gracious about the compliment, but downplay your success either by joking a bit about it or saying something equally, if not more, impressive about someone else in the group. It’s a social dance that we all participate in for us not to be thought of as arrogant and too full of ourselves. It’s a normal and expected response.

The humblebrag takes false modesty to a whole new level.

They insert their own achievements and abilities into conversations without cues from another participant. But instead of simply casually mentioning it and saying it’s not a big deal, they fabricate an implausible negative aspect to the story. Oxford defines the humblebrag as “an ostensibly modest or self-deprecating

statement whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud.”

As in, “The other day I was at the mall just to buy shampoo. But I ended up going to the Prada store and buying five bags. I must have an addiction.” One, no one asked. Two, you don’t have an addiction. Three, you’re just trying to let us know that you’re rich and make us feel bad because, unlike you, we don’t have the money to randomly purchase five Prada bags.

While this happens in the offline world, it’s much more prevalent in social media because we are given boxes upon boxes to populate with our most mundane thoughts. It’s where you can just share with the world that you were backstage at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show but were too shy to talk to the models. (Humble: too shy to talk to models. Brag: in the presence of models.)

Selfies can actually be considered examples of humblebrag posts when they come with self-critical captions such as, “Ugh, I hate my pimple” or “I’m feeling so ugly today.” These types of posts only exist to seek validation from your audience. Their purpose is so people can respond to them

with words of affirmation and admiration like “You’re still beautiful” or “How can someone as perfect as you ever feel ugly?”

Bragging is fine if you’re truly proud of what you’ve accomplished.

In fact, and you can look this up online, people respond better to flat-out bragging than the cunning maneuver of humblebragging.

Personally, I think we all need to brag once in a while because it demonstrates self-worth and truly gives us our own “moment.”

I want to be happy for you if you’ve done or achieved something good. But I cannot be happy for

you if you’re disguising your selfcompliment as a self-insult. How can I celebrate your success when you are portraying it as something inconsequential, or worse, the opposite of success?

Humblebragging is dishonest and misses the point entirely.

It makes you sound whiny and unappreciative of what you have and/or have been given. And if you do it often, you’re just annoying. I might just mute you one of these days, if I haven’t already.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @EdBiado

IT’S A KIDS’ WORLD AT MANILA CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

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his holiday season, fun and learning are in store for kids and kids-atheart at the Manila Children’s Festival, slated until December 13 at the Megatrade Hall 3 in SM Megamall.

The festival caters to parents and children through co-located events – the Manila Children’s Book Fair and Superkids 2015.

The Manila Children’s Book Fair gathers publishers of children’s literature and reading materials using both print and electronic media, while Superkids 2015 will be the platform for families to explore educational, engaging and family-bonding activities for children with their parents.

The MCF is set to help children learn new skills through enjoyable workshops and activities, as well as enable parents, educators, and other professionals to help children unleash their full potential.

The event started with a film showing of Minions last December 11, with children having the time of their lives meeting and greeting the yellow stars of the film courtesy of Magnavision. Kids also got creative during a Design Your Own Christmas Cookie workshop with Chef Ria Aplasca of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies, while a workshop entitled Parachutes: Santa’s Delivery introduced the rudiments of engineering. Parents meanwhile enjoyed the talk by award-winning author Dr. Queena Lee-Chua’s session entitled “Growing Up Wired” where the intricacies of the digital generation was tackled.

December 12 will see the Minions again entertaining kids with a film showing, while The Learning Library will hold a storytelling session. Little fashionistas will enjoy the Christmas Masquerade kiddie fashion show by Tiddletots, while the musically-

inclined can prove their talent during the MCF Kiddie Karaoke Competition at 1 pm.

Other activities include Parachute Time with Gymboree; a session on “Basic Laws of Money” with Rose Fausto of FQMom. com; an engineering activity called Poppers: Let It Snow and cupcake decorating with Nicole Alysson Uy. On December 13, there will be another film showing of Minions at 10 am, followed by a yoga session by Nica Hechanova-de Erquiaga of Urban Ashram Yoga. National Bookstore will hold the launch of Around the World with the Googley Gooeys, a coloring book by Tippy Go and The INKcredible Coloring Book.

Jenny Yoon, a math and science expert from South Korea, will also hold “Enhancing Math and Science Skills Through 4D Frame” while Jomike Tejido, an artist and illustrator, will hold a book signing event.

Exhibitors include Adarna House, Inc., Adbox Book Distributors, Inc., Anvil Publishing, Asia Parks Amusement & Development Corp., Engineering for Kids, Grolier International, Inc., Gymboree, Jump Bounce & Play, Learning Library, Learningway Enterprises, Magnavision, Mindwerks - The Toy Shoppe, National Book Store, Inc., OMF Literature, Inc., Phoenix Early Learning Services, Inc., Precious Pages Corp., Propan TLC, Stabillo (Euro Pacific) & Okiedog (DMTE Marketing), Tupperware Brands Philippines, Inc., UNICEF, and WS Pacific Publications, Inc. The Manila Children’s Festival is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with the Overseas Publishers’ Representatives Association of the Philippines (OPRAP). The event is sponsored by Anvil Publishing, Inc., Engineering for Kids, Selecta, and Challenge Island.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Tired and hungry shoppers can head to Tutuban Center's FoodStreet where a wide array of grilled and fried food favorites are offered. On some days, bands also perform live to entertain diners

TUTUBAN CENTER’S FOOD STREET

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here is something about street food that excites the Filipino palate – the grilling, the endless array of entrails (isaw), pieces of meat and seafood, the merriment in the atmosphere and the raw presentation of straight up comfort food. A culinary expert once said that the only thing she’s not critical with is “street food.”

“I mean, if I go to a five-star restaurant, there are certain standards that I look for in their food. With street food, it’s there, it’s in your face, raw, you can’t argue whether it’s good or bad, I can’t ask the vendor to plate it, it’s street food,

it’s fun, unpretentious, just make sure it’s clean!” she said.

This Christmas, brave the traffic and head to Tutuban Center’s FoodStreet for some good old food adventure with your family and barkada. The street food haven is open from late afternoon till late at night (until there are diners), and there are days when accompanying bands sing live to entertain the guests.

Just behind Tutuban Centermall, tired and hungry shoppers can head to the FoodStreet to get their hunger satiated. Tutuban Center’s FoodStreet is bustling with hungry tummies and a vast array of stalls selling affordable chow and snacks that any hungry Juan might be looking for. Reminiscent of Singapore food stalls or Thailand’s street vendors, the FoodStreet has stalls offering an assortment of grilled favorites and fried food that are cooked fresh right in front of you. Choices range from rice meals, anything partnered with sinangag and itlog, mami, siopao, siomai, shawarma, all kinds of sandwiches, and anything that’s good grilled – tilapia, chicken, liempo, dried squid, and bangus.

Hungry yet? Call your barkada and start heading to Tutuban early!

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Special needs students get boost from Adobe and College of St. Benilde

@LIFEatStandard

CSB and Adobe have partnered to provide hearing-impaired students with higher digital literacy to make them more employable

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ducation is said to be the great equalizer, and technology is empowering students with special needs to cope with the challenges that they face. The partnership between the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and global technology leader Adobe Systems for instance will allow hearing-impaired students of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies to learn and apply creative thinking skills via the Adobe Creative Cloud suite that will provide them with higher digital literacy that would make them more employable.

The alliance between Adobe Systems and CSB is a significant enabler of the school’s strategic vision to offer broad and in-depth creative curriculum for students of the digital era, with universities all over the world adopting real-world solutions to give students a leading edge when entering the workforce.

DLS-CSB has taken this approach one step further by establishing a specialized learning program for deaf students in 1991.

Today, it is creating a new generation of artists and designers who work with the best technology and gain valuable experience on design and graphic tools that will be useful in their future careers.

Adobe Creative Cloud gives SDEAS students significant opportunities to learn a range of skills outside the regular curriculum. This includes volunteering

Adobe Creative Cloud gives SDEAS students significant opportunities to learn a range of skills outside the regular curriculum

with non-government organisations for deaf advocacy programs, developing collaterals from websites and newsletters to logos and videos.

More importantly, companies are fully supportive of the graduates, with the program fast becoming a flagship for CSB. Prospective and current employers have expressed high regard for the students, many of whom have become important members of their creative

teams. No surprise then that graduates of the program have already found work with a wide variety of companies from the publishing and media industries to the hospitality and business outsourcing industries.

“Empowered with the tools and software from Adobe’s Creative Cloud, our students have a leading edge when entering the workforce and are at the forefront of the evolution of design and graphics,” said

Brother Dennis Magbanua, president and chancellor of DLS-CSB. “Our students at SDEAS excel at visual communications as it is something in which they face no limitations. I am proud to say that DLS-CSB continues to remain as one of the few tertiary schools in the country that gives excellent education and career opportunities to the deaf.”

“Our long-term relationship with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is of great significance and pride to Adobe, and acts as a source of ongoing motivation as our teams push to innovate,” said Paul Robson, president of Adobe Asia Pacific. “This continued partnership and commitment to Adobe software is a strong validation of our solutions and further strengthens our valued partnership. We’re honoured to support the college in pursuit of its mission goals and to help empower its students with creative thinking.”

As Adobe Creative Cloud becomes a core part of the program’s curriculum, the College has big plans to use it and continue growing its nation-leading program for the deaf.

For more information, visit www.adobe.com/sea.

For additional information on Adobe’s Education solutions, visit www.adobe.com/sea/creativecloud/buy/education.

For updates and promotions, check out at www.facebook.com/AdobeSEA.

ZALORA’s Biggest Online Shopping Sale of the Year Today!

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re you still staring online at that lovely dress, bag, and watch you wish to gift your special someone this Christmas?

You’re in luck, because Asia’s online fashion destination Zalora is having its 12.12 Online Fever today, where you can get the best deals for the best fashion finds on their site. Once the clock strikes 12:00 a.m. this December 12, visit www.zalora.com.ph/online-fever/ and Zalora’s mobile app to get the ultimate fashion deals across categories from both local and international brands.

“12.12 Online Fever is the one day of the year when customers can expect the best fashion offers from

both local and international brands that are available only in Zalora,” says co-founder and managing director of Zalora Philippines, Paulo Campos.

Take advantage of the best discount on their site today and splurge on the items you’ve been wishing for all year long. Remember, once the clock strikes 12:00 a.m. the next day, everything will go back to its normal price. So get those cursors down at www.zalora.com.ph and start filling up your shopping cart now.

For more information, visit www.zalora.com.ph or follow them on Facebook at Zalora PH and @zaloraph for Twitter and Instagram.

SAT URDAY : DECEMBER 1 2, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Mar, KorIna host ChrIstMas thanKsgIvIng for MedIa

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Poster for the opening of MI Department Store, Christmas dsplay, and show with the Explorer sisters

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ar Roxas and wife Korina Sanchez hosted a simple and heartfelt thanksgiving Christmas party for the members of the entertainment press at Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.

The entertainment press was delighted and amused to see the lighter and fun side of the couple. For years, Mar has been known as one of the most honest and hard-working public servants of the country while Korina gained popularity as a hard-hitting broadcast journalist. So, it came as a pleasant surprise to the press to see the two letting their hair down and having fun with them.

Politics took a back seat that night as Mar and Korina thanked the press for the love and support they gave the couple for many years. Some members of the press joined the parlor games the couple prepared for them.

An impromptu performance

by Mar and Korina was one of the highlights of the gathering. Mar first gave a short Christmas message and expressed his gratitude and love to the members of the entertainment press and Regal Films’ matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde who braved the traffic to join the revelers.

He then surprised the guests with an impromptu song number as he sang the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” with Congressmen and former actors Dan Fernandez and Alfred Vargas. Likewise, Korina gamely obliged to sing a song on the spot, right after Mar’s performance, with the request of the entertainment press. Korina, on the other hand, was very nervous at first, but eventually got the hang of her singing as she performed the OPM classic “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.” Mar, Korina, and the entertainment press had an enjoyable evening.

Poster for the Animated Display opening

Korina, Mother Lily & Mar Korina SanchezRoxas The nation's biggest animated Christmas display in Dapitan City

The Nativity creche

PhiliPPines’ biggest animated Christmas disPlay

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Mar with Congressmen Alfred and Dan

Some of the members of the entertainment press

t is not in Quezon City and neither in Makati nor Greenhills in San Juan, but the biggest and newest attraction, purportedly the Philippine’s biggest animated Christmas display is in faraway Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte.

Dapiteños call it Gloria de Dapitan. The animated display is titled “A Christmas Story: Ang Pasko Nang Pilipinas.” It premieres on Tuesday (Dec. 15) when as the clock strikes seven in the evening, the lights will be switched on and the display becomes animated.

Prior to the launch, the Dapiteños will be treated to a night with the most popular lolas in the nation – Lola Nidora, Lola Tinidora and Lola Tidora – in a mini show before the Grand Premiere of the Christmas display.

Also, another highlight of the night is the grand opening of MI Department Store, which is the first shopping haven in Dapitan City.

The organizers call the three big events as Gloria’s Christmas Triple Treat.

“Mula Aparri Hanggang Jolo, iisa ang ating puso at pag-iisip pagdating sa Pasko (From Aparr to Jolo, we have one heart and mind when it comes to Christmas).” That’s what the Dapiteños feel during the holidays.

Christmas remains the longest celebrated season in the Philippines. Perhaps it is because of the warm memories created at the Family Noche Buena table.

Perhaps its excitement is inspired by the exchange of gifts that Filipinos place under the Christmas tree, or, because on Christmas day love is celebrated.

Love, that, according to Dapiteños, God showed mankind through His most precious gift, His only begotten Son, baby Jesus born in a manger yet honored by people across the world.

This strong belief is the foundation of our Faith as Filipinos, and this is why from North to South, from tribal ethnicity and minority, we honor this tradition.

This Larger than life Animated Christmas Display in Dapitan aims to depict exactly how Filipinos are joined by their faith in God and in the holy Child in the manger born on what is now known as Christmas.

To show the unity of Filipinos as a people in this special season called Christmas, a time when the values of love, family, hope and faith hold dear in their hearts, the larger-than- life papier mache figures embellished in color and complex and awesome details by artist Rolando de Leon make this 360-degree angle display a beauty to behold.

With grand music and lights, this display made up of 150 giant figures encompasses 10,000 square feet atop a two- story complex and brings the Christmas story alive, an reminder why Christmas remains the Filipinos most awaited season of all time.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Martin nievera at Casino Filipino angeles Nora Aunor is Gusi Peace Prize laureate for International Excellence in Performing Arts

IT’S RaInIng aWaRDS fOR SUPERSTaR nORa aUnOR

By SEymOUR BaRROS SanChEZ

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he year 2015 has been fruitful for acclaimed actress Nora Aunor, not only projects but also in awards.

The Superstar was recently honored with the Gusi Peace Prize for International Excellence in Performing Arts. This happened just months after being awarded the Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Para sa Sining for Film and Broadcast Arts as well as the Natatanging Gawad Urian by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Aunor, who was recognized for her significant contributions in film, stage, television, and music, is the lone Filipino among a group of 19 Gusi prize laureates worldwide. The Gusi Foundation gives the award to those who work toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity. It is also a charitable institution which primarily aims to recognize individuals or groups worldwide in various fields such as the academe, scientific research and discovery, physiology or medicine, chemistry, physics, journalism, statesmanship, philanthropy

or humanitarianism, economics, cinematic excellence, performing arts, visual arts, engineering technology, religion, politics, poverty alleviation, literature, cultural heritage, internationalism, architecture, archaeology, ecosystem and biodiversity and biology.

Apart from bagging the Gusi prize, Gawad CCP, and the Natatanging Gawad, she was also conferred another Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards in Sarawak, Malaysia for her remarkable acting career spanning almost 50 years. She also registered her eighth international Best Actress win at the St. Tropez International Film Festival in France for her role in Perci Intalan’s Dementia, which eventually won Best Foreign Language Film.

In addition, she was recognized as a cultural icon by different universities and colleges, among them Bicol University, Ateneo de Naga University, National Teachers College, Far Eastern University, and De La Salle University.

Nora was also considered one

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DOWN 1 Sasquatch cousin 2 River in England 3 Techie 4 Sea bass 5 “Macbeth” prop 6 Paul Drake’s creator 7 Love god 8 “Little Red Book” author 9 Fellow feeling 10 Steering a raft

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ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Yin complement 5 Considers 10 Brownish-purple 14 Anon’s companion 15 Matrix 16 Kan. neighbor 17 Pamplona runner 18 Murkiness 19 Noted limerick writer 20 Caters to

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Light benders “Ulalume” poet Cloudburst Falling star Knickknack stand Frighten Gross!

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of the Iconic Movie Queens of Philippine Cinema at the recent FAMAS Awards. She also starred in Brillante Mendoza’s Yolanda-inspired drama Taklub, which was screened at the Un Certain Regard category in Cannes Film Festival. It was cited with a Special Mention by the Ecumenical Jury.

Now, she plays Lola Annie opposite Kris Bernal’s Tinay in the GMA primetime soap opera Little Nanay. She stars as a Binukot, a maiden chosen to be the fairest among the women in her village, in the 2016 Cinemalaya film Tuos directed by Derick Cabrido. – Photos: Boying Capistrano and Art Barbadillo)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015

Boat runway Randolph of old movies Amazon Chic Actress Goldie — Bireme mover Lustrous materials More dowdy Nest builder Slicker Dog in “Beetle Bailey” Low voice Renoir models Gambling town Some little piggies Rock shop curiosity Zoo transport

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Nora Aunor receiving her laureate

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Hula accompaniment Quahog Cornfield sight Tower over Estuary Postgame discussion Tropical bird Ms. Verdugo Narrow down Social mores Melees In dire need of gas Wish for Shade tree Not alert Shut angrily Open-air garage Thick-skinned herbivores Holm or Fleming Soup or salad Elite police team Woody’s son Monsieur’s pate Mutt moniker Bulrush or cattail Centurion’s route Long-active volcano House component Prompter’s hint

Fans of the country’s one and only Concert King Martin Nievera will have the chance to see him perform live in his first-ever concert at Casino Filipino Angeles on Dec. 29.

Nievera’s show will serve as an early New Year’s treat to his fans and Casino Filipino goers.

“I will try and sing songs that make us cheer, sing along and remember. Since it’s my first time to perform for Casino Filipino, I will try and squeeze in as many of my 33 years of music as I can in one show,” he said.

The Concert King expressed his excitement for his first-ever CF stint. “I am really looking forward to it. It’s an honor to be added to CF’s already very prestigious line-up of performers. After years of performing in some of the big major casino resorts all over Las Vegas and the world, it’s about time I perform in one right here at home,” Nievera said.

His fans are eagerly awaiting Nievera’s performance of his timeless hits during his CF show like ‘Be My Lady,’ ‘Each Day With You,’ ‘Please Don’t Ask Me’ and ‘Say That You Love Me’, among others.

Casino Filipino Angeles has been holding big celebrity concerts since it launched its “We Never Stop” tagline on Aug. 20,.

Some of the big names recently featured in the branch include Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Vina Morales, The Company and Alden Richards.

Branch Manager Redentor Rivera said these big celebrity

Martin Nievera at Casino Filipino Angeles

shows have greatly contributed to the performance of Casino Filipino Angeles. “Our entertainment shows have been drawing huge crowds to the casino. We are very happy that even non-casino goers now visit the casino to watch these shows,” he said.

Rivera also shared that apart from leveling up their celebrity shows, they will also improve their facilities to give a better service to CF Angeles customers in 2016.

“By January, there will be special LED lights on the casino’s façade to make it prominent and to attract people. We will also be renovating our stage, improve our sound system and lights so the audience will experience how it feels to watch a concert in Manila,” he said.

Rivera added that the goal of the branch is to never stop improving. “This way, our customers will experience change pag-pasok at pag-labas ng casino. Patuloy naming bibigyan ng magandang experience ang mga players.”

For more inquiries about the Martin Nievera concert and other CF Angeles offerings, please call the branch’s Customer Hotline at (045) 625-76-04 or the branch’s Marketing and Entertainment Section at (045) 625-75-97 local 218, 219 and 311. You may also like CF on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pagcor.artists.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Ylona Garcia and Bailey May

SuSan RoceS no planS to Join politicS

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Connie Junsay (President of ManCo Productions, Inc.), Beth Mercado (Managing Director of Royale Chimes Concerts & Events Inc.), Bernd Schneider (General Manager of Novotel Hotels & Resorts) and Joy De Mesa (Director of Sales and Marketing of Novotel Hotels & Resorts)

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enator Grace Poe was surprised to read that her mother, Susan Roces, will substitute for her in case she would be disqualified to run for president in 2016. “When we saw that item in the newspapers, it really surprised me because my mother and I never discussed about those things,” Poe said when interviewed about her reaction to that item.

Apart from the fact that there is no legal basis for Roces to substitute for Grace Poe on account of being an independent candidate, Roces has no interest in politics.

That’s what Grace Poe said.

“She’s happy with what she is busy with while enjoying the benefits of being a senior citizen,” added Grace.

Yet, Roces is confident, Grace would be able to hurdle all the

challenges she is facing now, particularly those cases meant to disqualify her from running in 2016.

HHHHH bailey, ylona Spice up otWol Bailey May and Ylona Garcia spice up the evening viewing habit of TV viewers. The two joined the cast of the top-rating On the Wings of Love.

While Clark (James Reid) and Leah (Nadine Lustre) are on vacation in Ilocos, Clark’s cousin Harry (Bailey May) meets Leah’s second cousin Audrey (Ylona Garcia). Will their encounter mark a start of a new love story?

When this happens, will their Kuya Clark and Ate Leah approve? Don’t miss the kilig moments in On the Wings of Love, weeknights on ABS-CBN.

HHHHH novotel Manila WelcoMeS Jack JoneS Novotel Manila in Araneta Center will be the official residence in the Philippines of American singer Jack Jones.

Connie Junsay (President of ManCo Productions, Inc.), Beth Mercado (Managing Director of Royale Chimes Concerts & Events Inc.), Bernd Schneider (General Manager of Novotel Hotels & Resorts) and Joy De Mesa (Director of Sales and Marketing of Novotel Hotels & Resorts) signed the agreement.

Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart is on Dec. 29 and 30, 8 p.m., at KIA Theatre. Special guests are Jose Mari Chan and Gerphil Flores with the participation of the Kilyawan Consor-

tium of Voices.

Part of the proceeds of the show will be donated to Kaagapay ng Tagaligtas, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated primarily to raising funds and organizing programs for the benefit of the orphans and dependents of the Forty-Four (44) Special Action Force personnel (SAF 44) who were killed in action during anti-terrorist operations conducted in Tukalinapao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao early this year.

Tickets are available at the Ticketnet box office and online.

For sponsorships, special ticket discounts and block buyers, call (0918) 4972121 or (0906) 4180786 and look for Murphy.

You can also search for the official Facebook page of the concert, Jack Jones Manila 2015.

year oF Streamed muSiC in the PhiliPPineS

by Jao gavino

Last week, music streaming giant Spotify released its annual list of the top artists and songs that its Filipino users listened to the most, with artists such as Ed Sheeran and Sarah Geronimo, along with bands like Eraserheads and Maroon 5 topping the charts for 2015.

As for the top tracks that resonated with Spotify’s Filipino listeners the most, Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” comes out on top with the highest number of Filipino listeners, with Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do,” and Maroon 5’s “Sugar” trailing behind as the second and third most streamed tracks, respectively.

One of the most iconic Filipino bands, OPM pioneers Eraserheads lead the charge on the local music scene, being the top OPM artist of the year for the second year, with pop rock band Up Dharma Down in second place, and pop superstar Sarah Geronimo in third.

Sheeran once again sits comfortably at the top of the list for the most listened-to artist overall in the Philippines, with pop bands Maroon 5 and One Direction following closely behind in the second and third positions, respectively.

Spotify on the global Scene This year, more than 75 million listeners enjoyed over 20 billion hours of music, cre-

Hiphop artist Drake is Spotify’s most streamed artist for 2015

ating more than 2 billion different playlists, catering to different tastes, different genres and different people. With Spotify, music fans across the world discovered more new music and artists this year – streams of the company’s “Discover Weekly” personalized playlists, refreshed every Monday, reached 1.7 billion streams in 5 months.

Drake, the man behind such hits as “Started from the Bottom,” “Headlines,” and 2015’s “Hotline Bling,” topped Spotify’s 2015 global charts, being the most-streamed artist of this year, with 1.8 billion streams this year alone, and with a massive 46 million listeners.

Drake unseats last year’s most streamed artist, Ed Sheeran, who, despite this setback, zoomed past Drake in the overall rankings, becoming the most-streamed artist of all time, amassing a whopping three billion streams to date, with over 59 million listeners this year.

With over one billion streams and 57 mil-

lion listeners, pop superstar Rihanna closes in behind Drake, as 2015’s most-streamed female artist.

As for the year’s most-streamed song, Major Lazer’s “Lean On,” featuring MØ and DJ Snake, tops the charts, sitting pretty with Spotify users listening to it 540 million times this year. “Lean On” also surged even further up the charts, becoming Spotify’s most-streamed song of all time.

With such big names, some credit must be given to the up-and-coming artists of the year, spearheaded by Norwegian DJ and producer, Kygo, crowned as the breakout artist of the year, becoming the first Spotlight artist to reach 1 billion streams, with hit songs like “Firestone” and “Stole the Show.”

“2015 has been a crazy year for me, and Spotify have supported me right from the start. It’s an honor to be their Breakout Artist of the year, and I’m super excited to see what we can do together in 2016!” Kygo said.

With music streaming experiencing on the rise, Spotify has become the most successful music streaming service globally, and the second biggest source of digital music revenue for European music labels. With 2015 providing such a wonderful roster of artists new and old, we’re all looking forward to what 2016 brings to the music scene.

Finale oF StageS SeSSionS on Sunday The Stages Sessions is a bi-monthly acoustic concert set at the 26th St. Bistro by The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

The Stages Sessions’ debut season hit a very clear X on a spot of buried musical treasure. From a slow start, lovers of the show have shared kind words with us to show support and appreciation. For a project like this, it’s getting people to fall in love with it that counts the most. Requests for more shows, repeat performances, more frequent video uploads, even questions about how to become a STAGES talent themselves are just some of the Stages Sessions team’s best memories of the season. But you know what the best part was? When artists themselves expressed the same thankfulness. One talent even dared say that her time with Stages Sessions reminded her of what her art was about and made her want to sing again.

Season 1 ran from September to December and featured Christian Bautista, Ryan Christopher, Nanette Inventor, Bullet Dumas and Aicelle Santos with Polly Cabrera, Dane Hipolito, and Issa Rodriguez as guests.

Stages Sessions will have its finale on Sunday with Morisette Amon at front and center. The season may be coming to a close but, Stages Sessions has been renewed for a second season and fans, old and new alike, can have something to look forward to.

A lot of things are to thank for the Stages Sessions’ great reviews. Top of mind, the one thing that got Stages Sessions to where it’s at is how it stuck to its ethos: Stages Sessions performances are always unscripted, authentic and sincere.

Fans want to see what artists are like off stage, to hear about the stories behind every note, every verse; to validate that what they felt when they first heard a lyric was what the artists themselves were feeling when they had first touched a pen to a blank page and written it down.

The talent who was reminded of why exactly she pursued singing as a career is a shining example of this. Singing at big shows is exhilarating, but remembering why musicians do what they do can get lost in the shuffle. Stages Sessions allows artists to reconnect with these reasons, and this is exactly why you should go. Go to watch artists get back in touch with their true passions, their real selves.

SAT URDAY : DECEMBER 1 2, 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Neil Ryan Sese

Sid Lucero

Missing sid Lucero and neiL ryan sese ISAH V. RED They used to be very visible on the boob tube. Critics shower Sid Lucero and Neil Ryan Sese lavishly with praises being the industry’s most competent of actors working on both television and movies, mostly in independent productions.

But, lately, we are missing the faces of these two fine actors in their home network’s drama series.

Well, we accidentally watched Sese for several days in the recently ended Beautiful Strangers as a doctor who diagnosed Jennylyn Mercado and Mikael Daez’s daughter as suffering from aplastic anemia, an incurable condition among children. Despite the brevity of his role, Sese brought some sensibility in terms of performance in the super melodramatic exercise on GMA Network’s primetime block.

Lucero, meanwhile, was last seen in 2014’s My Destiny playing supporting role to the Kapuso love team of Tom Rodriguez and

Carla Abellana. After the show bade adieu, we didn’t hear what the guys over along EDSA were planning for the actor.

But then as they say, you can’t put a good actor down, and thanks to the flourishing independent movement in local filmmaking, actors like Sid Lucero and Neil Ryan Sese are a staple in movies with sensible storyline directed by zealous individuals who want to make a difference in the local movie industry.

I met Sid Lucero recently at the press conference for Toto, a certified indie project by John Paul Su, a Chinese Filipino Tisch School of the Arts Asia graduate with Master of Fine Arts degree major in Film and Television. Su was the student of Carlitos Siguion Reyna who lectured in the school’s Singapore facility.

Toto, Su said, was his thesis in the graduate program, but some enterprising young men and women, including Siguion Reyna’s wife, screenwriter/director Bibeth Orteza saw the potential of the project, pooled their resources ¡et voila!, Toto evolved into a full-length feature film.

Lucero plays Antonio “Toto Estares who is from Tacloban City and has a dream to be in the United States of America, thanks to his father who made it to Las Vegas and worked as a dishwasher, a far distant from his dream of becoming a stage act. What his father earned, he wasted in alcohol and gambling.

And when he died, he left his family in the Philippines in penury.

Toto’s philosophy in life is summed up in just three words –whatever it takes – and that becomes his guiding rule in his goal to get a visa that will allow him entry to the land of milk and honey, He works as a room boy in a hotel and tries everything he can to get anyone’s assistance to get him a visa.

Su, the director, sees this as an opportunity to fashion a comedy of errors about a guy obsessed with obtaining a US visa. As an immigrant, he is attracted to Toto’s story.

Lucero, on the one hand, finds Toto an amusing character and is honored that the director trusted him with the role. Though not known as a comedian, he is confident that the situations involving Toto will somehow carry him

Sid Lucero and Toto director Jonh Paul Su

over from drama to comedy.

“No, this is not a physical comedy,” he said, “This is more about the funny things Toto does to make sure he gets a visa, including trying to seduce hotel clients.”

Neil Ryan Sese plays a bit role in the movie, as Toto’s friend who will try to help Toto obtain bogus documents to be shown to officials at the US Embassy.

“My role is very brief, but it is essential in understanding Toto’s character,” he said.

The Film Ratings Board gaveToto an “A”, entitling it to a hundred percent tax rebate.

It will be shown at the New Wave section of the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival a week before the scheduled festival

opening on Dec, 25.

For this, those who are looking for no-nonsense performances of actors like Lucero and Sese, go and watch this film. You may find this better than most of the mainstream movies that will be screened during the festival.

In the meantime, I ask, when will Lucero and Sese get significant roles in Kapuso drama series? Are the network’s production people no longer interested in their services, or are they just willing to gamble on inexperienced talents that seem to populate their shows from morning till midnight? Oh, the shows are rating, they say, but some other networks are easy to say, “Not that we know.”

Well, I’m just asking, nothing personal though. ➜ continued on c7