The Standard - 2015 December 18 - Friday

VOL. XXIX NO. 309 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 FRIday : dECEMBER 18, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Poe asks Comelec: Combine my cases

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duTerTe CoC ok’d wiTh CoNdiTioNs

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Christine F. Herrera

The Commission on elections on Thursday said that it accepts the Certificate of Candidacy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the presidential candidate for the PDP-Laban in 2016, but said he had to hurdle a pending disqualification case filed by broadcaster Ruben Castor.

Speech down south. Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Gringo Honasan greet Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao after his speech in General Santos City, his hometown, in which he urged his audience to support Binay’s presidential run in next year’s elections.

Binay grateful for Rody’s promise of support VICE President Jejomar Binay on Thursday said he was grateful for the unexpected announcement by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that if he is disqualified, he would campaign for Binay in the 2016 elections.

“I am very thankful for what Mayor Duterte had said. But I would like to emphasize that Mayor Digong is very much qualified. We have the same beginning. We are both models

for correct governance in the executive department,” Binay said in a radio interview.

Duterte has earlier said he would support Binay instead of administration bet Manuel Roxas II, if he and Senator Grace Poe are disqualified from running in the 2016 elections.

“I don’t care if I’m disqualified but this much I can say: I do not have any respect for you,” Duterte said, addressing Roxas in a tele-

vision interview. “If Grace and I are disqualified, I will campaign for Binay.”

But Binay urged Duterte to continue his campaign.

Also on Thursday, Binay said if he wins, all Filipinos, particularly in Mindanao where power problems are rife, will have access to cheap electricity and a secure, long-term supply of power.

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“After due deliberation yesterday afternoon, the commission voting 6 to 1, resolved to acknowledge and accept the Certificate of Candidacy for president of Rodrigo R. Duterte being a ministerial function of the commission,” said Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista.

Bautista said the Comelec agreed to include Duterte in the list of candidates for the 2016 elections after he submitted the correct CoC and other documents accepting the nomination of the PDP-Laban as its substitute candidate on Nov. 27.

“What this means is that he is now in our list of candidates. So that was an administrative decision that the Comelec en banc made,” he added.

Bautista said they resolved the matter without prejudice to Duterte’s disqualification case.

Commissioner Rowena Guanzon was the only one who opposed the majority decision to accept Duterte’s CoC. In her brief dissenting statement, Guanzon said that the Comelec should verify first his CoC since the petitioner had claimed that the documents submitted by Duterte allegedly contained misrepresentations.

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Many areas isolated by Typhoon ‘Nona’

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Poe asks for consolidation anew

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THE camp of presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe asked the Commission on Elections to consolidate the two motions for reconsideration filed before the poll body’s 1st and 2nd divisions to save time.

In this way, the Comelec en banc could more effectively resolve the controversies and finalize the official list of candidates on Jan. 8, 2016, Poe said through her lawyer George Garcia.

In a recent interview, Garcia said it would be unjust for them to have to answer all the points raised in the four petitions, particularly if they offered the same arguments.

Consolidating the cases would also mean that Poe’s camp would not have to file several cases before the Supreme Court if they lost in the Comelec.

“Considering that all parties have made public statements that they will bring these cases all the way to the Supreme Court, a separate resolution will not only be counterproductive, it will also put the aggrieved party twice in jeopardy for the same event,” the motion stated.

There are four pending petitions against Poe that the Comelec en banc needs to resolve.

On Dec. 1, the Comelec 2nd Division ruled in favor of petitioner Estrella Elamparo, who said Poe had committed material misrepresentation in her

Binay...

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Gridlock. The traffic on Edsa and Kamuning was bumper-to-bumper around noon on Thursday. Lino SantoS

Duterte...

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She also wrote that there was also an issue regarding Duterte’s notarized documents, the truth or falsity of which must be determined before his CoC is accepted.

In his petition, Castor said Duterte was not qualified to be a substitute for Martin Diño, the PDP-Laban standard bearer, because Diño had filed a certificate to run for mayor of Pasay City.

Castor also alleged that the PDP-Laban could not nominate Duterte as Diño’s substitute since the Davao mayor was not a member of the party.

On Wednesday, Guanzon said that Comelec en banc had subpoenaed the two lawyers who notarized Duterte’s CoC and other documents, despite a decision on Tuesday to submit the petition for resolution.

The 1st Division, headed by Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, is the one handling the Duterte disqualification case. Its members are Guanzon and Luie Tito Guia.

The 2nd Division earlier dis-

missed the petition filed by the poll body’s law department to declare Diño a nuisance candidate.

It also granted Diño’s motion to withdraw his CoC and the law department’s subsequent motion to withdraw its petition against him.

Duterte then went to the Comelec office on Dec. 8 to ask if he needs to correct his CoC but the Law Department said that there was no need for him to file another CoC. Malacañang on Thursday distanced itself from the disqualification case filed against Duterte.

“It is up to the Comelec to decide on issues regarding the CoC,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a text message.

The camp of presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe said they welcomed the decision of the Comelec to accept Duterte’s CoC. “As stated before, we believe that in a true democracy, individuals should be allowed to offer themselves to the electorate to serve the country,” said Poe’s spokesperson Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian.

“We will pursue legislative measures to address the energy need, including the liberalization of the constitutional policies on foreign investments,” Binay said.

He noted the importance of getting more investors in the power sector and vowed to streamline the application

“People should be allowed to choose their next leaders from a complete list of candidates,” he added.

He noted that in a democracy, the freedom to choose is the most powerful tool of the people.

With this positive decision, Gatchalian said they are hopeful that the Comelec en banc applies consistency in rendering its decision on Poe’s motion for reconsideration, after two divisions voted to disqualify her from the presidential race.

The ruling Liberal Party on Wednesday hailed the Comelec decision, saying it demolished the “Only Mar” scenario peddled by the militant leftist groups and opponents of LP standard bearer Manuel Roxas II. LP campaign manager House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the Liberals welcome the Comelec decision and stressed that the ruling “augurs well for giving the electorate more choices for presidential candidates.”

“It is the LP’s position from the start that the more choices for president for the electorate, the better,” Belmonte said.

Senatorial candidate Leyte

certificate of candidacy.

On Dec. 11, the Comelec 1st Division also found that Poe had misrepresented details of her residency and her status as a natural-born citizen.

The 1st Division handled the petitions of former senator Francisco Tatad; Dela Salle University professor Antonio Contreras; and University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez.

The camp of Poe has already filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc, separately, to reverse the decision of the 1st and 2nd Division.

But Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said recently that they were not keen to consolidate both cases because Commissioner Christian Robert Lim had decided to inhibit himself from the Elamparo petition.

On Thursday, Poe said the government must have more newborn screening facilities to ensure the health of a new generation of Filipinos.

Poe also pushed for greater government subsidy of the newborn screening package of the Philippine National Health Insurance Corp. to include transport costs for poor families living in far-flung areas. process for the construction of power plants.

“My administration will cut down the bureaucratic inefficiencies that delay the construction of new power plants. It currently requires 160 signatures gathered over two years before a new power plant is approved,” he said.

“We will streamline the application process for new power plants to rampup Mindanao’s power supply,” he added.

Vito Barcelo

Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is one of Duterte’s guest candidates, said the proper judicial bodies should settle all electionrelated soonest to pave the way for credible, peaceful and honest elections.

“The flurry of election-related cases before the Comelec and the courts creates uncertainty and doubt on the part of candidates and their supporters as well as voters. This is not good at all since by this time we should be focusing already on platforms and what we can offer to the people,” Romualdez said.

LP campaign spokesman Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo said Roxas will win but not because of a lack of opponents.

“Contrary to what Mar’s opponents have been irresponsibly claiming, the latest decision of the Comelec allowing Duterte’s substitution demolishes the ‘last man standing’ theory being peddled to bring down Mar’s reputation and candidacy,” Quimbo said.

“We all want free, fair, credible and peaceful elections next year. I believe it is imperative to dispose of all pending electionrelated cases now so that we can concentrate on substantive issues

during the campaign period,” said Romualdez, who was also adopted as a guest candidate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, standard bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance.

Romualdez was also one of the “Champion 6” endorsed by the 39-strong Party-List Coalition in the House that promised to deliver 15.5 million votes.

The favorable ruling on Duterte prompted Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who is running under the senatorial slate of frontrunner Senator Grace Poe, to press the Comelec to also allow Poe to join the presidential race.

“I just hope that the Comelec would also allow Senator Grace Poe to run as president so that the Filipino people would be the judge of who they want to be president in the elections next year,” Colmenares said.

The militant Anakpawis earlier urged all opposition and non-administration presidential aspirants to unite against and oppose a possible “only Mar” scenario amid the disqualification cases against Poe and Duterte. With Sandy araneta and Macon Ramosaraneta

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Justice completes Mamasapano case

Hearing. A policeman takes his oath during a hearing on the Mamasapano incident at the Justice Department on Thursday.

Danny Pata

Bets dared: Declare position on budget FORMER national treasurer Leonor Briones and budget watchdog Social Watch Philippines on Thursday challenged all the presidential bets to make public their stand on the P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016 that still contains pork barrel funds and illegal DAP-like features.

Briones, also SWP convener, said the presidential bets should state their position on President Benigno Aquino III’s tactic of snatching from the House its “power of the purse.”

Only Vice President Jejomar Binay, the standard bearer of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, has openly denounced the pork barrel and lump sum-filled national budget.

“All of us are taxpayers and the people’s money affects everyone. One area of intervention is to affirm the importance of the budget as an election issue,” Briones said.

“We should choose leaders based on platforms on the budget and public finance which pursue sustainable development, uphold the Constitution and maintain the balance of power in the government.

“We urge the presidential candidates to divulge their stand on the 2016 budget, pork barrel and lump sums.”

Briones made her statement even as Budget Secretary Florencio Abad hailed Congress’ approval of next year’s P3.002-trillion budget.

“We are happy to hear of Congress’ ratification of the P3.002-trillion 2016 National Budget, capping as it does the DBM’s hard work in crafting a national budget that will create greater inclusive growth,” Abad said in a statement.

“More importantly, this budget will be the final one created under the

Aquino administration, and one that is vastly different from the budgets that were created before President Aquino’s term.”

The national budget will now be transmitted to Aquino for his approval and signature into law before Christmas.

“With the budget bill up for approval into law, it is important to recognize that its impact will essentially be passed on to the next administration,” Briones said.

“In the context of the 2016 elections, citizens should challenge those vying for elective positions to disclose their stance on the 2016 budget, including the crucial issues and concerns that come with it.”

Briones noted the Conference Committee Report Summary indicated budgetary increases to the agency budgets amounting to P11.295 billion and Special Purpose Funds or SPFs with P7.791 billion.

She said the major amendments included P1.2 billion for the pension of indigent senior citizens under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P2.7 billion for the capital outlay of state universities and colleges and the Tulong Dunong Program, P4.004 billion for the disability pension of veterans, and P7.442 billion for the financing of the first tranche of the modified Salary Standardization Law, among other amendments, which the bicameral committee integrated in the 2016 General Appropriations Bill or GAB. “The modifications were sourced from the budgetary reductions from within agency budgets (P7.33 billion) and SPF (P19.08 billion); there were also realignments from within the unprogrammed funds (P6 billion) to cover Additional Equity Distribution,” Briones said.

She said the amended amounts approved by the Bicam were as follows: P1.663 trillion for the departments and agencies (from P1.651 trillion) and P408.288 billion for the SPF (from P419.583 billion).

The total new appropriations remain at P2.139 trillion while the automatic appropriation of P930.695 billion was untouched.

“While amendments and realignments have been done to the budgets of some agencies, SPF and unprogrammed funds, it is painful to note that the Bicam did not examine the more critical issues that will have an impact on the overall budget,” Briones said.

“The body merely retained the erroneous provisions on the definition of savings, augmentation and realignment of funds as proposed in the Bicam-approved 2016 Budget.”

As a result, Briones said, whatever amendments that had been passed by both Houses could easily be withdrawn by the Executive.

“Unconstitutional declaration of savings and transfers will continue,” Briones said.

In its analysis, the SWP found the following red flags on the authority and conditions to create and use savings, as well as on the meaning of augmentation and realignment of funds as reflected in General Provisions Sections 64-68 of the 2016 General Appropriations Bill (HB 6132) and supporting special provisions in key agencies: “In Section 65a, we argue that the qualifier stating that savings can be declared “during the validity of appropriations” means at any time of the year. This means that the 2016 Budget will continue to authorize the declaration of savings by January or any other time of the year since the General Appropriations Act is deemed released, in accordance with the GAA-as-release document directive,” the SWP said.

Moreover, it said, it was unclear whether or not the finality in the discontinuance or abandonment of projects meant such discontinued or abandoned project would be included in the succeeding GAAs. Christine F. Herrera and Sandy araneta

THE Department of Justice on Thursday submitted for resolution the criminal charges against 90 commanders and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups who are implicated in the death of 44 Special Action Force commandos during a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25 this year.

The department made its move after its prosecutors decided to conclude their preliminary investigation in which the respondents were given a chance to refute the allegations against them.

And as in the first hearing on Nov. 27, none of the respondents showed up despite the repeated summonses to the MILF leadership and local officials.

The department also summoned 30 members of the SAF commandos to the hearing, but only four PNP-SAF officials, led by Chief Supt. Noli Talino, appeared before the hearing to execute their affidavits.

Talino said the majority of the 30 members of the 84th Seaborne Company had already been transferred to another unit, and he suggested that they be sent subpoenas through the PNP Direc-

torate for personnel and records.

Only two lawyers appeared before the hearing and they represented only three of the 90 respondents.

Lawyer Ronald Hallid Torres represented Mustapha Tatak, a village chairman in Sapakan, Mamasapano, and civilian Lakiman Dawaling, who is accused of being one of the field commanders of the MILF involved in the killing of 35 SAF men in Tukanalipao village.

Torres said his clients were not members of any rebel group as shown in their counter-affidavits.

Lawyer Carlos Valdez represented alleged MILF field commander Pendatun Utek Makakua, who denied the charges and claimed to be a farmer.

He submitted a certification from the MILF headquarters signed by Abdulwahid Tunduk to support Makakua’s claim.

Three other respondents wrote the department asking for copy of the criminal complaint.

The respondents are accused of acting “in conspiracy with one another to attack, employ force, seriously intimidate or resist the SAF commandos who were uniformed police officers and thus persons in authority.”

Rey Requejo with Pna

DepEd looks into plan to hike poll allowance THE Department of Education on Thursday said it is looking into a proposal to increase or double the allowance of teachers who will serve in next year’s elections.

“The budget for these teachers would be under the Comelec [Commission on Elections] budget, but as far as I know there is already a request made,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista earlier said they would definitely look into increasing the honoraria of teachers who would be volunteering to serve as Board of Election Inspectors during the elections.

“We will definitely look into increasing their honorarium,” Bautista said.

Assistant Education Secretary Reynaldo Laguda said they were still waiting for the Comelec’s

advice on the preparations to be made for the elections.

“The preparations will come some time after the school ends,” Laguda said.

“Then we can conduct seminars for the teachers on how to use the [election] machines, but the preparations will be on a regional basis.

Laguda said there would be no problems about teachers serving as Board of Election Inspectors once they had finished working on the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed House Bill 5412, also known as the Election Service Reform Act. He said they were anticipating the full automation of the 2016 elections, which would only require 300,000 teachers.

John Paolo Bencito

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Many remote areas isolated

By Francisco Tuyay

THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council struggled on Thursday to take stock of the effects of Typhoon “Nona” as many towns in several provinces remained isolated and beyond the reach of rescue and relief teams.

Flashflood alert. Hydrologist Richard Orendain of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration shows the catch water basin that will likely be affected by the release of water from Angat Dam on Thursday. LINO SANTOS

‘Sendong’ victims still homeless

By Froilan Gallardo CAGAYAN DE ORO—More than 5,000 families are still without basic shelter despite the millions of pesos poured by the national government and donors four years ago when Tropical Storm “Sendong” destroyed their homes four years ago.

Ermin Pimentel of Xavier University’s Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana-Social Involvement Office blamed “local politics” and the absence of a local government agency to coordinate efforts to provide shelters for typhoon victims.

“There are still more than 5,000 flood victims without decent basic shelter four years after Sendong.

That is very sad,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said political bickering between Mayor Oscar Moreno and the city council is threatening a project that would have been funded by a Japanese government grant to build 722 houses for Sendong victims.

He said the opposition-dominated city council have blocked the passage of a resolution that would allow the city government to release P27 million to buy a five-

hectare parcel of land for the flood victims because of the fear of corruption.

“The city council composed of councilors against Mayor Moreno have consistently ask for many requirements that we are scared that the Japanese government would take away the grant money,” Pimentel said.

Councilor President Elipe of the opposition Padayon Pilipino party said the city council is demanding the requirements to ensure the equitable distribution of benefits after former Mayor Vicente

Young officer killed in mudslide

By Florante S. Solmerin ARMY First Lieutenant Michelle Mae Delariarte was killed while three other soldiers were injured after their vehicle was swept away in a mudslide Wednesday night along the national highway in Infanta, Quezon.

According to Col. Rodel Mauro Alarcon, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, said the incident occurred past 11 p.m. after the troops were stranded by a landslide that hit a portion of the road.

Alarcon said Delariarte was the civil-military operations officer of the 1st Infantry Battalion based in Infanta at the time of her death.

Injured in the incident were First Lieutenant Sarah Jane Bagasol, 24, personnel and logistics officer of said battalion; Corporal Cheryl Esguerra Ramirez, 24, and their driver Private Renato Cayanan Villanueva, 32.

The troopers were on their way to their battalion headquarters after purchasing raffle prizes and give away gifts from Taguig City for their Christmas party when tragedy struck them.

At 10:30 p.m. their battalion commander called Delariarte through her cellphone asking their location and she reported that they were stranded because of a landslide several meters ahead of them.

Their commander told them to stay put and that he will personally fetch them with their six-by-six truck.

After several minutes, around 11:15 p.m., Delariarte called her battalion commander to inform him that their vehicle with them onboard were already being washed away by a thick mudslide.

Alarcon said the victims’ vehicle rolled over several times and Delariarte suffered severe head injuries that caused her death.

Emano claimed many residents from Moreno’s hometown of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental where given houses to the detriment of Sendong victims.

Pimentel denied the charge adding the recipients of relocation shelters were those listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Emano was defeated by Moreno in the 2013 elections largely on allegations that the former mayor mishandled the rescue and recovery efforts at the time of Sendong.

Mahar Lagmay, chief of the Department of Science and Technology’s Project Noah, said the flooding caused by Nona could even equal the devastation of Typhoon ‘‘Ondoy’’ in 2009 which caused official states of calamity in Metro Manila and 25 other provinces.

So far, only the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon have already declared states of calamity but many towns in several provinces remained isolated and the NDRRMC still could not ascertain the extent of the damage.

At press time, the NDRRMC has only confirmed eight deaths, but more reports are expected to come when provincial disaster councils are able to reach isolated areas.

In its Situation Report no. 9, issued Thursday morning, the NDRRMC said Nona has already affected 15,336 families, or 68,100 people, in six cities, 137 municipalities in 17 provinces of Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5 and 8.

Of these, some 12,229 families or 53,850 people were staying in 248 evacuation centers.

Damage to infrastructure (P94,764,324) and agriculture (P225,261,386.96) was already estimated at P320,025,710.96 in Regions 4-B, 5 and 8.

A total of 109,065 houses were damaged (13,330 total and 95,735 partially) in Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5 and 8.

It added that total cost of government assistance for the affected families has reached P43,404,386 worth of relief goods and medicines from combined resources of DSWD and LGUs for the affected families in Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5 and 8.

Christmas crush.

Shoppers compete with vehicles for space on a street in Manila’s Divisoria district which is a favorite bargain shopping spot for Metro Manilans and those from nearby provinces.

EY ACASIO

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Flood control summit pushed SENATORIAL aspirant and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday called for an immediate national summit on floods to achieve a comprehensive and long-lasting solution to the seemingly unstoppable problem.

Romualdez noted that the government never runs out of press releases or statements on supposed billions of pesos worth of flood control projects in various areas nationwide, but as always, in just an hour or two of heavy rainfall, floods and its accompanying inconveniences like traffic jams, automatically follow.

“Everyone must make an effort to show malasakit [compassion] and see how we can all pitch in to address the flooding problem and find out why it hasn’t been solved despite all the money spent on flood control measures,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said the summit should include representatives from the national government, local government units and the private sector, including informal settlers on waterways or flood-prone areas.

He said current floodcontrol programs and projects must be thoroughly reviewed, evaluated and if necessary overhauled with inputs from LGUs and the people.

“A financial and performance audit of all flood-control projects and the implementing agencies must also be conducted in the summit.

Romualdez-penned bill on PWDs ratified

By Macon Araneta

THE Senate and the House of Representatives have ratified the bicameral conference committee report of a bill exempting persons with disabilities from the 12-percent valueadded tax on certain goods and services.

The bill, which seeks to expand the benefits and privileges of PWDs under Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta of PWDs, was principally authored in the House by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and co-authored in the upper chamber by Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay and Ralph Recto.

The House version of the bill was sponsored by ways and means vommittee chairman Rep. Miro Quimbo.

“We in Congress recognize that there is still a lot to be done in uplifting the status of PWDs in our society. I thank our colleagues for the smooth passage of this bill which aims to give reprieve to the plight of over a million PWDs in the country,” said Angara, sponsor of the bill and chairman of the Senate ways and means committee.

Based on the 2010 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, there were more than 1.4-million Filipino PWDs or those who are suffering from restriction or different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

Under the bill, PWDs will be exempted from the VAT on land transportation, domestic air and sea travels; on fees and

Compassion for the handicapped—Leyte Rep.

Ferdinand Martin Romualdez gave away a number of brandnew wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in ‘Yolanda’-stricken areas last Christmas to show compassion or malasakit for their welfare. The lawmaker, who is on his last term in Congress and running for the Senate under the United Nationalist Alliance, is main author of the bill exempting PWDs from paying the 12-percent VAT on certain goods and services.

charges for medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of attending doctors in all government facilities as well as in all private hospitals and medical facilities; on cost of medicines; on funeral and burial services; on fees and charges in hotels, restaurants and recreation centers; and, on admission fees in theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, and

other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement.

The measure also grants incentives to taxpayers who are caring for and living with a PWD, who are within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the taxpayer.

“As long as the PWD, regardless of age, is not gainfully employed and is chiefly dependent upon the taxpayer,

the taxpayer caring for them can claim additional personal exemption under our Tax Code. We must ensure that these taxpayers are accorded the same privileges insofar as having dependents are concerned,” the lawmaker explained.

If this bill is enacted, it will align the PWD law with that of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act which provides

a VAT exemption on top of their 20-percent discount on particular goods and services.

The Department of Finance pegged the estimated foregone revenue at P4 billion but the ways and means chairman argued that “the benefits that will be enjoyed by the PWDs and their families from this measure far outweigh the supposed revenue loss to the government.”

BIR told to return P699-m in excise tax to San Miguel

New unit. Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento (right) leads the inauguration of the Philippine National

Police’s Anti-illegal Drugs Group with PNP Chief Ricardo Marquez and AIDG chief Antonio Gardiola conducting the ceremonial unfurling of the provisional unit flag at Camp Crame in Quezon City. LINO SANTOS

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

THE Court of Tax Appeals has directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue to return over P699-million “erroneously” collected excise tax to San Miguel Brewery, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp.

In an 18-page order, the tax court en banc upheld the previous decision of the Third Division that San Miguel Light should not be subject to higher excise tax rate because it was a new product.

Contrary to BIR’s revised classification, the court said SML was not a variant of the old San Miguel Pale Pilsen that would subject it to a higher tax bracket.

San Miguel Brewery paid the tax in protest in 2010 to be able to withdraw from warehouses and

distribute the product.

The tax court said San Miguel Light was different from San Miguel Pale Pilsen since it was labeled by the manufacturer as a new fermented liquor.

According to the CTA, the size, shape, and color of the two products were different.

It said San Miguel Light was introduced in the market between January 1997 to December 2003, the BIR classified it then as a new brand.

Pursuant to Section 143 of the Tax Code, the court said the classification by the BIR could not be revised except by legislation, hence its lower tax schedule cannot be unilaterally prescribed by the BIR. Rio N. Araja

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Fil-Am disowns bullet at Naia Anti-graft body sacks top Cebu officials

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday sacked top Cebu officials over an anomalous procurement of the Cebu International Convention Center.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the perpetual disqualification and dismissal from the service of provincial administrator and bids and awards committee chairman Eduardo Habin, and BAC members—Bernard Calderon, Marino Martinquilla, Cristina Giango, Adolfo Quiroga, Necias Vicoy Jr., Roy Salubre, Emme Gingoyon and Eulogio Pelayre—for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty in connection with the procurement of the CICC project in 2006.

She directed Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III to immediately implement the decision.

“In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s one-year salary,” she said.

The Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office in Visayas filed a complaint against the Cebu officials, accusing that in 2005, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated Cebu as the venue for the 12th Asean Summit scheduled in December 2006.

In February 2006, the city government decided to construct the CICC facility with WT Construction Inc. as contractor.

Based on the audit of the Commission on Audit, it was established that respondents allowed WTCI to proceed with the site development, structural, architectural, plumbing and electrical work without the benefit of public bidding, no written contracts and without approved appropriations.

The procurement for phase II amounting to P59.6 million, structural steel works of P307 million and other works were awarded via negotiated procurement or limited source bidding.

By Joel E. Zurbano

AIRPORT authorities arrested a Filipino-American passenger who was caught with a bullet in his bag at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Fil-Am Joseph Ocasiones, 35 years old and resident of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, was about to travel with his five-year-old son back to California Tuesday night when a bullet was found inside his bag while being checked at the departure area of Naia Terminal 2.

Members of the Aviation Security Group detained Ocasiones overnight at the Avsegroup office.

The next day, policemen brought Ocasiones and his son to the Department of Justice in Pasay City where he was charged with illegal possession of ammunition.

But the prosecutors ordered his release for further investigation of the case.

Ocasiones denied owning the bullet, saying he doesn’t have or want to carry a gun. “I was shocked because I thought some-

thing would happen to me. I don’t have a gun in the US or here in the Philippines.”

He said he and a friend were the ones who packed his things in the bags before going to the airport, and there was no bullet put in his bag.

Ocasiones said he and his friend padlocked the bags because they learned of thebullet-planting scheme happening at the airports.

He said they visited the Philippines upon the invitation of a friend for a tournament.

Airport officials have ordered the installation of additional close circuit television cameras to monitor personnel screening the luggage

of passengers. They also imposed a “no-touch” policy to prevent incidents of “bullet-planting.”

Chief Insp. Samuel Hojilla, spokesperson of the Aviation Security Group, said despite warning signboards and the installation of “last-look booth” for passengers to check their baggage, airport cops continue to apprehend passengers with bullets.

A lifestyle check is also being conducted 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.

Temporary shelter. At least 100 families of informal settlers are left homeless by a fire that razed several houses in Tondo, Manila on Thursday,

Dec. 17. DANNY PATA

Court inspects INC compound; raps belied

The INC is rapidly expanding all over the world, with 64 chapels established in the last five years, in 12 countries on four continents. In the United States alone, 37 chapels have been dedicated from 2009 to 2015, with six more to be put up in 2016 in the following areas: Bakersfield, California; Lubbock, Texas; Jersey City, New Jersey; Orange Park, Florida; Corona, Southern California; and High Point, North Carolina.

THE court-supervised inspection at the Iglesia Ni Cristo compound on Dec. 16 has proven the falsity and absurdity of the allegations made by expelled members Angelo Manalo and Lottie Hemedez especially in regard to their claims of threats to their freedom of movement and that they were barricaded within the compound against their will.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala stressed that contrary to reports, the inspection was requested by officials of the INC, who asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 222 to inspect the INC-owned compound

at No. 36 Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City currently being occupied by Manalo and Hemedez to identify the occupants of the compound.

“We wish to emphasize that it was the INC leadership that requested the court for an ocular inspection, because we wanted the court to see for itself that we are in no way restricting the movements of Manalo and Hemedez in the compound, and that they are free to come and go as they please,” explained Zabala.

“We are glad that we were able to show the authorities that the claims of the expelled members are absurd and false.”

In October, the INC filed a petition for injunction barring unauthorized visitors in the compound following reports that unknown masked and hooded persons were going in and out of the property which is just beside the INC Central Office including a report of armed persons seen inside the said property. The court ordered the ocular inspection to ascertain the number and identity of persons occupying and visiting the property.

Zabala stressed that their camp also requested the court to compel Manalo and Hemedez to provide a list of the persons inside the compound, but

the two have yet to comply with the court directive.

“The house being occupied by Manalo and Hemedez is owned by the Church. Having been expelled from the Church, Manalo and Hemedez no longer have the authority to stay in the property,” Zabala clarified.

“As custodian of the Church, the INC leadership has both the legal authority and the moral responsibility to ensure that Churchowned properties are not being used for illegal activities and for purposes contrary to the teachings of the Church,” added the minister. With a report from Rio Araja

F R I D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ilocos Norte pays tribute to migrants THE provincial government of Ilocos Norte will inaugurate the Ilocano Migrants’ Monument today on Airport Avenue, Laoag City, as a tribute to the contribution of Ilocano overseas Filipino workers to socio-economic development in the province.

The inauguration coincides with International Migrants Day, an event declared by the United Nations General Assembly 15 years ago to recognize the efforts and contributions of migrants worldwide.

It also commemorates the international convention on the protection of migrant workers’ and their families’ rights.

Provincial Tourism Officer AianrAee Racquel shared, “It’s our first historic tribute to our OFWs, Ilocanos who are working abroad—who have been abroad for generations.”

Gov. Imee Marcos has said the monument is for returning migrants and others who work hard in other countries just to bring in dollars and remittances to Ilocos Norte.

Ilocano migrants have been assisting the provincial economy since laborers were recruited in the 1900s to work in Hawaii sugar plantations.

Sixty-one percent of Ilocano families receive financial assistance from abroad —the highest percentage worldwide.

“Today, ours is a strong transitional economy, growing rapidly at 16.7 percent...

Our human development index remains high. We should recognize also our social capital—the great Ilocano network of families, barangays and communities,” said Marcos in her 2015 State of the Province Address.

While representatives of national agencies working on OFW issues will attend the inauguration, it is the families of these migrants who will be honored.

Region 8 reports 68 new HIV/AIDS cases in Nov. ’15

By Mel Caspe

The Department of Health Regional Office (Eastern Visayas) has reported 68 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection for the month of November 2015.

Compliant. An officer of the San Miguel Group of Companies in Burayan, San Jose, Tacloban City signs the marker declaring that the company is compliant with labor laws. MEL CASPE

This figure is higher than the 54 new cases reported in October, according to Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the DOH regional epidemiology and surveillance unit.

Sixty-four of the 68 new cases are male.

Since 1984, Eastern Visayas has recorded more than 2,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. Common means of transmittal is through male to male sexual intercourse.

The development prompted the DoH to establish satellite treatment hubs in every province to ensure that those with infection will have access to antiretroviral drugs.

“Anti-retroviral drugs are given free to those positive of HIV/AIDS. They do not need special hospitals to manage them. They can go to any hospital if they show any manifestation of the disease,” Cerro said.

He added that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse an infected person, breastfeeding of mother with HIV, use of needle that was used by infected person, and blood transfusion.

Cerro encouraged those who have multiple sex partners to undergo HIV test, which could be done in hospitals throughout the region. Results of the test will remain confidential, he said.

Lightning kills soldier, fisherman

By A. Perez Rimando

Taking a bite. Bauang, La Union Mayor Martin de Guzman tastes a watermelon during the opening of the Baggak Festival. CHRISTINE JUNIO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—An Army soldier and a fisherman were killed when they were struck by lightning in separate incidents during heavy rain Tuesday afternoon here, police said.

A report received by Sr. Supt.

Angelito Casimiro, Zamboanga City Police Director, identified the fatalities as Army Cpl. Eduardo R. Talanayan, 29, of the Army’s Alpha Co., 1st Infantry Battalion, and Rey M. Masucang, 43, of barangay Buenavista in Curuan district.

The report said Talanayan was resting near an electric

post inside his outpost at Sitio Malasugat, Barangay Sangali Port Area when lightning hit, causing his electrocution. Residents in the area took the troop to the nearby Mindanao Central Sanitarium where he was declared dead on arrival.

Masucang was onboard a banca with companion Dilario Huesca, 45, fishing off the sea of the coastal village amid bad weather. This was when the lightning struck.

Huesca paddled the sea craft to the shore and reported the incident to the district police office guard who helped Huesca take Masucang’s body to a nearby funeral parlor.

F R I D AY : D E c E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDiTor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

theater of the abSurd

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BacK cHannel aleJanDro Del roSario

US economy finally recoverS The United States raised its interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday for the first time in over nine years, signaling to the world that the biggest economy is finally over the hump.

The US rate hike will have some negative repercussions on the rest of the world, including the Philippines, as the move will generally prompt other central banks to increase their respective interest rates to make their currencies competitive, and consequently increase the cost of business operations.

But the US rate hike presents a bigger economic picture—the American economy is doing well again and has recovered from “the worst financial crisis and recession since the Great Depression.”

The 2008 financial crisis nearly made the US bankrupt and forced the US Fed to hold interest rates to near zero levels to support economic recovery.

The ensuing rate hike, in the words of Fed chair Janet Yellen, “takes place in the context of a US economy that is doing well, and is a source of strength to the emerging markets and other economies around the globe.”

Yellen adds: “It also recognizes the considerable progress that has been made toward restoring jobs, raising incomes, and easing the economic hardship of millions of Americans. The first thing that Americans should realize is that the Fed’s decision today reflects our confidence in the US economy.”

Global financial markets welcomed the US Fed move, as stocks rallied after experiencing an extended volatile period. A strong US economy should be good for Asia and the rest of the world. It gives exporters in the region, including the Philippines, a bigger opportunity to sell their goods to the US, given the improved purchasing power in the north American nation.

Philippine businessmen, meanwhile, must adjust to the new economic order. every emerging economy will vie to increase its pie in the US market.

The Philippine government, for its part, should do its share to make local products more competitive. It can start by lowering the cost of electricity, a major production cost, and improve the business climate to lure more foreign investors.

Suicide by train

It’s just not going to happen.

Like so many other promises Noynoy Aquino made before and since his election as President, he’s not going to allow himself to get run over by a train by the end of this year.

I’ve been replaying a video of Aquino vowing in 2013 that he and his transportation secretary, Joseph Emilio

Abaya, would throw themselves under a train if, by the end of 2015, the Light Rail transit Line 1 extension project still isn’t finished.

Aquino made the bold statement while stumping for his team PNoy in Cavite, where he promised that 250,000 residents of the voterich province would be riding the extended LRt Line 1 from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite every day.

“I don’t have a thick face, I was taught to be a simple person and truthful to everyone I talk to,” Aquino

bragged, in his now-familiar self-praising manner. “My father taught me that when I give my word, whether it’s difficult or easy, it has to happen.”

Then Aquino made his vow to complete the extension of the train line: “If this doesn’t happen, secretary Abaya, who is overseeing the project, is here; the two of us maybe will let ourselves get run over by a train.”

It’s just over a week before the year ends, and some people have started a countdown to the day when

A9

aquino has made so many promises that he never had any intention of keeping over the years.

Aquino will make good on his promise. And regardless of what Aquino’s father taught him, the people of Cavite are about as near to enjoying rides on the extended LRt Line 1 as they were when Imelda Marcos built the original train system nearly 35 years ago.

I don’t think that Aquino is

crazy enough to throw himself under a train just because he promised to do so, if he failed to do something. And I’ve been told that Aquino’s everindustrious spokesmen have taken the position that the President was merely joking when he made the vow.

That is not my point, even

if I don’t see how dragging his dead father’s name and his teachings to him are part of a morbid attempt at hilarity on Aquino’s part. All I’m saying is that Aquino has made so many promises that he never had any intention of keeping over the years, like extending the LRt’s Line 1.

Aquino, after all, is on record to have promised a Freedom of Information Act, self-sufficiency in rice, a showcase Public-Private Partnership program that would bankroll and complete all infrastructure and other

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-

capital-intensive government projects and many other things. None of these things ever happened, for reasons only Aquino really knows.

As for the consortium that won the contract for extending the LRt’s Line 1, Aquino himself has admitted that it is now trying to collect P7.5 billion from the government for the latter’s failure to comply with contractual obligations made for the P65-billion project. And in a bizarre twist, Abaya, bless his incompetent heart, has been exposed as the collector of

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MEMBER

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the consortium for the payment of the fine.

All of this, you could argue, is enough reason to throw yourself under an onrushing train, if only for shaming the memory of your father, who supposedly taught you to not have a thick face and to always tell the truth. But I still believe that Aquino will not commit suicide in this manner—to say nothing of dragging Abaya with him in a double railway suicide if he ever does.

Continued on A10

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

It wouLd have been hilarious if it weren’t so damn deplorable. two presidential candidates—davao Mayor Rodrigo duterte and the ruling party’s Mar Roxas—are behaving like school boys spoiling for a fight. The two public officials acting like clowns in the theater of the absurd are not exactly our ideal candidates seeking the highest post in the land. Feisty senator Miriam defensor santiago is a picture of civility by staying in the sidelines to watch her two rivals make fools of themselves. Fortunately, the two have come to their senses to end their word war.

It all started when Mar said duterte’s legend as davao’s “enforcer” was all myth. Furious and fast with his lips without checking the facts, duterte shot back to say Roxas’ wharton degree was fake and he would slap Mar if their paths crossed on the campaign trail. Mar took up Rody’s challenge and gave him his home address in Cubao, Quezon City. No need to wait for their paths to cross. But it’s doubtful whether duterte, for all his bravado, would be foolhardy to barge in on Mar at the Araneta family compound. As a lawyer, duterte knows that would be home invasion even if Roxas had dared him. I’m waiting with bated breath when Mar Roxas brings his campaign to duterte’s turf in davao.

Mar brought the decibel level up a notch by saying “slapping is for girls. Suntukan na lang ” even as he asked whether duterte is ready to be slapped after wharton confirmed Roxas graduated with an economics degree in 1979 from the prestigious Pennsylvania school.

If duterte and Roxas really want to mix it up, I suggest they bring it on at the Araneta Coliseum or at a neutral venue at the Mall of Asia Arena with the gate receipts going to charity. A three-round boxing match should do it. I don’t foresee a knockout but I expect someone will collapse from sheer exhaustion. I’m putting my money on Mar, the younger man against the 70-year-old duterte. For sure, Mar works out at the gym to keep up with wife Korina sanchez’s energy.

Probably realizing Mar is more physically fit, duterte changed his challenge to a shootout.

Mar, however, is wrong for saying “slapping are for girls.” In old world Europe, when a man slaps another, it 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

F R I D AY : D E c E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDiTor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

theater of the abSurd

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BacK cHannel aleJanDro Del roSario

US economy finally recoverS The United States raised its interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday for the first time in over nine years, signaling to the world that the biggest economy is finally over the hump.

The US rate hike will have some negative repercussions on the rest of the world, including the Philippines, as the move will generally prompt other central banks to increase their respective interest rates to make their currencies competitive, and consequently increase the cost of business operations.

But the US rate hike presents a bigger economic picture—the American economy is doing well again and has recovered from “the worst financial crisis and recession since the Great Depression.”

The 2008 financial crisis nearly made the US bankrupt and forced the US Fed to hold interest rates to near zero levels to support economic recovery.

The ensuing rate hike, in the words of Fed chair Janet Yellen, “takes place in the context of a US economy that is doing well, and is a source of strength to the emerging markets and other economies around the globe.”

Yellen adds: “It also recognizes the considerable progress that has been made toward restoring jobs, raising incomes, and easing the economic hardship of millions of Americans. The first thing that Americans should realize is that the Fed’s decision today reflects our confidence in the US economy.”

Global financial markets welcomed the US Fed move, as stocks rallied after experiencing an extended volatile period. A strong US economy should be good for Asia and the rest of the world. It gives exporters in the region, including the Philippines, a bigger opportunity to sell their goods to the US, given the improved purchasing power in the north American nation.

Philippine businessmen, meanwhile, must adjust to the new economic order. every emerging economy will vie to increase its pie in the US market.

The Philippine government, for its part, should do its share to make local products more competitive. It can start by lowering the cost of electricity, a major production cost, and improve the business climate to lure more foreign investors.

Suicide by train

It’s just not going to happen.

Like so many other promises Noynoy Aquino made before and since his election as President, he’s not going to allow himself to get run over by a train by the end of this year.

I’ve been replaying a video of Aquino vowing in 2013 that he and his transportation secretary, Joseph Emilio

Abaya, would throw themselves under a train if, by the end of 2015, the Light Rail transit Line 1 extension project still isn’t finished.

Aquino made the bold statement while stumping for his team PNoy in Cavite, where he promised that 250,000 residents of the voterich province would be riding the extended LRt Line 1 from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite every day.

“I don’t have a thick face, I was taught to be a simple person and truthful to everyone I talk to,” Aquino

bragged, in his now-familiar self-praising manner. “My father taught me that when I give my word, whether it’s difficult or easy, it has to happen.”

Then Aquino made his vow to complete the extension of the train line: “If this doesn’t happen, secretary Abaya, who is overseeing the project, is here; the two of us maybe will let ourselves get run over by a train.”

It’s just over a week before the year ends, and some people have started a countdown to the day when

A9

aquino has made so many promises that he never had any intention of keeping over the years.

Aquino will make good on his promise. And regardless of what Aquino’s father taught him, the people of Cavite are about as near to enjoying rides on the extended LRt Line 1 as they were when Imelda Marcos built the original train system nearly 35 years ago.

I don’t think that Aquino is

crazy enough to throw himself under a train just because he promised to do so, if he failed to do something. And I’ve been told that Aquino’s everindustrious spokesmen have taken the position that the President was merely joking when he made the vow.

That is not my point, even

if I don’t see how dragging his dead father’s name and his teachings to him are part of a morbid attempt at hilarity on Aquino’s part. All I’m saying is that Aquino has made so many promises that he never had any intention of keeping over the years, like extending the LRt’s Line 1.

Aquino, after all, is on record to have promised a Freedom of Information Act, self-sufficiency in rice, a showcase Public-Private Partnership program that would bankroll and complete all infrastructure and other

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-

capital-intensive government projects and many other things. None of these things ever happened, for reasons only Aquino really knows.

As for the consortium that won the contract for extending the LRt’s Line 1, Aquino himself has admitted that it is now trying to collect P7.5 billion from the government for the latter’s failure to comply with contractual obligations made for the P65-billion project. And in a bizarre twist, Abaya, bless his incompetent heart, has been exposed as the collector of

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

the consortium for the payment of the fine.

All of this, you could argue, is enough reason to throw yourself under an onrushing train, if only for shaming the memory of your father, who supposedly taught you to not have a thick face and to always tell the truth. But I still believe that Aquino will not commit suicide in this manner—to say nothing of dragging Abaya with him in a double railway suicide if he ever does.

Continued on A10

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

It wouLd have been hilarious if it weren’t so damn deplorable. two presidential candidates—davao Mayor Rodrigo duterte and the ruling party’s Mar Roxas—are behaving like school boys spoiling for a fight. The two public officials acting like clowns in the theater of the absurd are not exactly our ideal candidates seeking the highest post in the land. Feisty senator Miriam defensor santiago is a picture of civility by staying in the sidelines to watch her two rivals make fools of themselves. Fortunately, the two have come to their senses to end their word war.

It all started when Mar said duterte’s legend as davao’s “enforcer” was all myth. Furious and fast with his lips without checking the facts, duterte shot back to say Roxas’ wharton degree was fake and he would slap Mar if their paths crossed on the campaign trail. Mar took up Rody’s challenge and gave him his home address in Cubao, Quezon City. No need to wait for their paths to cross. But it’s doubtful whether duterte, for all his bravado, would be foolhardy to barge in on Mar at the Araneta family compound. As a lawyer, duterte knows that would be home invasion even if Roxas had dared him. I’m waiting with bated breath when Mar Roxas brings his campaign to duterte’s turf in davao.

Mar brought the decibel level up a notch by saying “slapping is for girls. Suntukan na lang ” even as he asked whether duterte is ready to be slapped after wharton confirmed Roxas graduated with an economics degree in 1979 from the prestigious Pennsylvania school.

If duterte and Roxas really want to mix it up, I suggest they bring it on at the Araneta Coliseum or at a neutral venue at the Mall of Asia Arena with the gate receipts going to charity. A three-round boxing match should do it. I don’t foresee a knockout but I expect someone will collapse from sheer exhaustion. I’m putting my money on Mar, the younger man against the 70-year-old duterte. For sure, Mar works out at the gym to keep up with wife Korina sanchez’s energy.

Probably realizing Mar is more physically fit, duterte changed his challenge to a shootout.

Mar, however, is wrong for saying “slapping are for girls.” In old world Europe, when a man slaps another, it 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

A10 Family and mercy PoPe Francis has been busy opening doors lately—the celFR. RANHiLiO ebrated Holy Doors cALLANGAN that a pontiff opens at Rome’s Patriarchal AQuiNO Basilicas when a Jubilee Year begins. It used to take 25 years before the next Jubilee Year, and so, provided one was strong, one could count oneself lucky to see three of them. There have been extraordinary Jubilee Years, however, like the one proclaimed by St. John Paul II on the eve of the millennium.

This, too, is an extraordinary jubilee year, and Pope Francis has asked the world to fix its gaze on vultus misericordiae… the face of mercy.

Significantly, the very first Holy Door Pope Francis opened was not in Rome, but in Bangui, in the African continent, in the heartland of a region of the earth rent by so much cruelty: both the cruelty of factions in relentless wars of attrition as well as the cruelty inflicted on those left in misery and poverty as the rich nations of the world grow even richer! The cruelty that sent six million to gas chambers and starvation camps remains a defining moment on human contemporary history. But the cruelty has not really ended. Not too long ago, the prone, lifeless body of a toddler who had drowned in an attempt to migrate with his father from war-ravaged lands became a potent—if truly heart-rending—indictment of the world’s mercilessness: the arrant cruelty of a continuing war fanned both by an insatiable lust for power as well as by religious fanaticism, and the cruelty of countries that have been closing their borders to migrants, forcing them, in many instances, back to the sea and to almost certain death.

There is much cruelty Why can people be so cruel? It will not do in families today. Many to say that there have Filipino families are always been cruel perstarved for mercy. sons in human history.

The Infancy Narratives in the Gospels are splattered with gore.

But the fact of human evolution makes it a valid question: Should we not have evolved by now from the cruelty so characteristic of more primitive phases of the evolution of the human spirit? Do not our laws, so refined and pointed in their concern with the vulnerable and the weak, attest to the law’s aspiration that we be more merciful?

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines —not really intending the coincidence—had marked out 2016 as the Year of the Family, just as the year before was the Year of Consecrated Life and of the Poor. But there is something to be learned from this fortuity.

A person learns mercy in the family. The Hebrew word of mercy—one of the remaining fragments from an utterly forgettable course on Biblical Hebrew from seminary days —rahamim, has much to do with a mother’s feelings for a child. Mercy, from this perspective, is a family commodity. A mother holding a crying child close to her chest, and nourishing him at her breast is one of the most poignant images of mercy. It is also how the child learns what it is to be merciful—by being the beneficiary of mercy. Regrettably, however, there is much cruelty in families today.

Many Filipino families are starved for mercy! There can be hardly anything that impresses itself more lastingly in a child than the rancorous separation of parents and sundering of everything that has been safe and familiar. And what is there that can induce in the human heart callousness for the prodding of mercy more than the cruelty visited on a child who is sexually molested by those supposed to protect him? or made to work long and difficult hours either in the home or in some form of clandestine employment? or shamed and screamed at, reminded of his worthlessness at almost every waking hour, finding solace only in sleep, and only when he can get it?

What about the cruelty of old age, because our society has made of youth an obsession and of aging, a dreadful malady? In many homes, the aged members are left by themselves to spend long, seemingly endless hours with none who show them the mercy of care, attention, affection and acceptance? Far more important than the discounts to which senior citizens are entitled by law is the mercy that no law can really bestow: the mercy of com-

PeNsees

F R I D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

TraFFic soluTions From davao WHeN Davao City Mayor Digong Duterte was asked in a nationwide radio interview how he would phase out our 15-year-old jeepneys, he replied without any hesitation that he would first strengthen the mass rapid transportation system and then deploy them to service the shorter routes in-between the MRT stations and those that are not usually served.

In other words, he would not completely phase out but still integrate this quarter of a million jeepneys into our transportation system.

That sounded very reasonable technically. From the political standpoint, it was also palatable because our jeepney drivers were not being excluded from our daily lives although they would have to abdicate their thrones as “Kings of the Road.”

He must have realized that millions of our low-and middle-income citizens still patronize jeepneys for short and even long intra-city trips, not minding being cramped together inside these jeepneys that are often overloaded and blaring with their loud music to attract passengers.

As he had often observed, “every time a jeepney stopped to pick up passengers, there was a mad scramble among the poor commuters.”

His approach to the phaseout was so unlike what officials of the Land Transportation office have contemplated: Replace 90 percent of these jeepneys with modern units. Their plan, which was outlined in their draft memorandum circular, unfortunately, was carelessly leaked to the leaders of jeepney associations.

Thus, when threatened with a nationwide jeepney strike, these LTo officials denied the phaseout saying that the draft remained unsigned and would not be implemented.

Certainly, my senior citizen friends and I couldn’t help but think that Mayor DU30 had been forewarned about the question and given enough coaching on how

suicide... From A9 So I am forced to conclude that Aquino merely has a very strange sense of humor on top of a penchant for making promises he has no intention of keeping. And that, in the same way that he got elected by trotting out his dead parents at every opportunity, he never hesitated to use Ninoy and Cory, if that’s what it takes for him to get what he wants since his election.

If you never hear Aquino mention the LRT Line 1 extension ever again, don’t be surprised. No

to handle this very sensitive issue about our most popular means of public transportation.

Most of these fuel-inefficient and smoke-belching jeepneys—we think—are being driven by reckless macho drivers who behave as if they were still “Kings of the Road.”

Indeed, we car owners have started to blame for our traffic woes the jeepneys and their less efficient and more smoke-belching cousins, the tricycles. We suspect, though, that daily commuters are blaming us car owners for driving our cars with only us as passengers and using the roads inefficiently on a per capita basis. of course, we are also quick in blaming government for our traffic woes. By paying traffic enforcers very low salaries, it is getting the unconcerned and untrained, some of whom prefer extracting “kotong” from gullible violators than enforcing traffic rules.

Despite the rapid increase in vehicles, the government has not added new roads nor widened them.

Many among us still don’t realize that President Ferdinand Marcos has given us a solution to our traffic problems as early as September 1981. Ahead of our now more prosperous neighbors Singapore and Thailand, he has constructed an elevated light railway or rapid transit that cut across the heart of Metro Manila from Baclaran to and from Monumento.

It first opened on Dec. 1, 1984 and was completed on May 12, 1985. It was a highly subsidized system that earned its first profit only 20 years after, in 2005.

It took another 11 years, or by oct. 15, 1996, for government to resume constructing another line over edsa. This happened during President Fidel Ramos’ administration. The first section from North

Avenue to Buendia was completed on Dec. 15, 1999, and its extension to Baclaran, on July 20, 2000. President Joseph estrada inaugurated both openings.

These mass rapid transits have operated quite well as dependable means of transportation. They are economical and fast without the usual delays associated with ordinary bus and jeepney travels.

But toward the second half of PNoy’s administration, they have become unreliable and plagued with dangerous breakdowns. even in early June, Mayor DU30 has already disclosed his views about transportation—“Subsidizing mass transport would greatly help the country’s bleeding economy…

Government must really shoulder part of the transport cost of ordinary wage earners and office workers to ensure equitable and inclusive human development in the city… those who will use it are ordinary people who earn very little.”

“We would like our workers to be productive, but how could they be productive when they come to work late and tired because of the jostling to get a ride, not to mention the fact that a huge chunk of their daily earnings go to their transportation fare?”

He promised a different government, stating that: “I can’t imagine why our government could be so insensitive to the plight of the poor workers. Not only is public transport so expensive, it demeans the human beings who are cramped inside the MRT and LRT like cattle.”

Already, Mayor DU30’s Davao City has announced that the Korea engineering and Construction has started doing the feasibility study for a 13.6-kilometer railway system in the city.

Win or lose in his presidential bid, we would soon witness how Mayor DU30 has again demonstrated how to solve an emerging transportation problem in the same successful way he has made his city a peaceful and progressive metropolis.

one wants to be reminded of how wrong he’s been, regardless of who his parents were and what they taught him.

And if this sounds like a joke to you, maybe you’re one of the few who still adores the President no matter what he does or fails to do.

But you’ll pardon the rest of us, I hope, if we’re not laughing. *** The Philippine Council of Management Research Institutes recently honored independent Philippine tobacco manufacturing

concern Mighty Corp. with its Outstanding Corporation of the Year award. The wholly Filipinoowned company received the award on the occasion of the PCMRI’s 40th National Management Congress held in Makati City.

PCMRI is a federation of professional and technological societies, management developments, institutions, members of the academe, business and professional managers dedicated to the development of management and improvement of its practices.

FiLiPiNO PeNsiONeR HORAciO TeMPLO

pany, of the patience of those who care for them, of those who assure them that they do count, and very dearly!

The Year of Mercy has to be the year of the family’s rebirth and, if anything at all, for us in the Philippines, it should mean getting families together again. It is supremely ironic that a “wired generation” like ours that has refined modes of communications in ways that were but the stuff of science fiction only a few decades ago is also a generation of non-communicative family members. Texting and networking keep us busy, even at family gatherings, and grown-up children seem to have no room among their “contacts” for members of their own families,

particularly the elderly.

It is a pious exercise to pass through a Holy Door— most cathedral doors are—and to recite the prayers that the Church assures us will grant us the benefits of this blessed time. But it is perhaps more pious still to make of the doors of each home holy doors through which mercy may once more pass so that a family renewed may emerge from within! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

PH cannot meet emissions cuts at the two-week climate change summit participated in by 195 countries in Paris early this december, President BS aquino iii led a forum by countries most affected by global warming. The group called on the world’s major polluters to enable the world to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change.

The gesture was nice for photo op and press release purposes.

The truth is that even the Philippines itself cannot meet its own greenhouse gas reduction targets without putting in place aggressive policies. Without those policies, the Philippines cannot contribute to limiting global warming to below 2°c—the threshold committed to by all nations at the Paris summit.

The science-based climate action tracker considers the Philippines’ commitments as “the least ambitious”—trabahong tamad, to use our language. cat is an ngo of scientists that tracks emission reduction commitments of countries. even “the least ambitious targets” cannot possibly be met by 2025 because the Philippines has in the pipeline coal plants with aggregate capacity of 10 gigawatts, warns cat. fossil fuels like crude oil and coal are the biggest contributors to pollution which in turn trigger global warming.

Philippine projections indicate a growth in electricity demand of 4.2 percent per year between 2010 and 2030 and a growth in renewable electricity generation of only 1 percent over the same period.

The World Bank has made projections for transport and electricity production showing steeper growth in emissions than these targets. The higher transport and emissions from electricity are included in the maximum range of the current policy projections by the Philippines. emissions growth in the Philippines will come mainly from transport and coal-fired electricity generation.

Without the renewable energy target and energy efficiency targets emissions under current Philippine policies (excluding land use, land use change and forestry or lUlUcf), emissions are expected to increase by up to 250 Mtco2e in 2020 and 350 Mtco2e in 2030, an increase of 63 percent and 129 percent, respectively, from the ghg (greenhouse gas) emissions of 153 Mtco2e in 2010, excluding lUlUcf. if all coal power plants—more than 10 gW—that were announced this year are constructed, total emissions will hit the high end of the Philippines’ current policy projections. The new coal plants alone could result in about 60 Mtco2 of additional emissions by 2025.

Mtco3 is million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This measure can aggregate different green house gases into a single measure, using global warming potentials. one unit of carbon is equivalent to 3.664 units of carbon dioxide.

The Philippines’ “national renewable energy Program” sets

technology development and transfer, and capacity building, that will be made available to the Philippines.” The target covers all emissions from all sectors, including land use, land use change and forestry.

When assuming that industriout a tripling of renewable en- al, energy and agricultural emisergy capacity by 2030 along with sions (emissions excluding lUa share of 40 percent of electric- lUcf), were also to be reduced ity production from renewables. by 70 percent below BaU, the clialso, “The energy efficiency and mate action tracker, estimates conservation roadmap” man- that this could, at best, result in dates energy savings equivalent to emissions excluding lUlUcf re10 percent across energy demand verting to 1990 levels. sectors in 2030. These, however, if the target were (partly) unare just plans. They are not firm conditional, and directed at enpolicies. They require political ergy, industrial and agricultural will to enforce. emissions we would rate it “sufif the Philippines fully imple- ficient,” says cat. ments its current policies and however, the Philippines has proposed targets, most notably not put this forward and, given the tripling in renewable power the large uncertainty around how capacity by 2030, compared to much mitigation it plans for lU2010, and achieves its 10-per- lUcf emissions and how much cent energy efficiency target, to- emissions excluding lUlUcf, tal ghg emissions in 2020 and cat has given the Philippines 2030, cat estimates, could in- the lower rate of “medium.” crease to approximately 190 and The “medium” rating indicates 230 Mtco2e, respectively. that the Philippines’ climate comThis would be a reduction of 11 mitments are at the least ambipercent in 2020 and 25 percent in tious end of what would be a fair 2030 compared to the lower end contribution. This means it is not of cat’s current policy projec- consistent with limiting warming tions for the Philippines. to below 2°c unless other countries on oct. 1, 2015, the Philip- make much deeper reductions and pines submitted its intended comparably greater effort. nationally determined contria (partly) unconditional rebution, including a conditional duction target, also specified for greenhouse gas reduction target emissions excluding lUlUcf, of 70 percent below business as could therefore be proposed, usual levels by 2030. along with providing the used The indc states that the tar- BaU, to increase the transparget is conditional on “the extent ency of the indc. of financial resources, including cat says this could move the

theater... From A9

himself in a manner with more élan. Mar could have laughed off Digong’s boorish behavior. Although too late now, here are some suggested response for Roxas: “I’d rather listen to the sound of violins, rather than violence threatened by an old man’s ranting.” Or “Is this the man who wants to be president? I dread how many faces, including Cabinet members, will be red from being slapped.” Or “Okay, let’s do it with swords at ten paces.” The last riposte would

show his sense of humor, not cowardice, for not stooping to Duterte’s level. *** Typhoon ‘‘Nona’’ (nee Nonoy) dumped tons of rain in Metro Manila, stranding commuters way past midnight on Tuesday.

Business was brisk at bars and restaurants in shopping malls as employees tried to sit out the torrential rains. But the rains did not ease up. Streets were flooded and traffic was snarled.

Taxicab drivers were charging twice the price for the usual fare to bring passengers home. Some

is the height of insult and a challenge to duel to the death either with swords or pistols at ten paces. For Duterte and Roxas, an alternative is spitting at each other which they have already done in public with their childish verbal exchange.

I don’t blame Mar for reacting the way he did. Being threatened with a slap after all in the Filipino culture is “nakakalalake.” But he lost the opportunity to conduct

#failocracy

who could afford it just checked in at hotels in the Makati business district.

Coming from a Christmas party at the Hotel Intercontinental, I walked 10 blocks to get home instead of waiting for the rain to let up.

An umbrella which I had the good sense to bring shielded me from getting completely soaked.

A typhoon in December with Christmas only 10 days away is unusual. A new storm, Onyok, is approaching even as Nona exits, leaving Luzon

Philippines to a “sufficient rating,” meaning climate plans are at the most ambitious end of its fair contribution. This means it would be consistent with limiting warming to below 2°c without requiring other countries to make much deeper reductions and comparably greater effort, cat points out.

Meanwhile, from the perspective of the climate action tracker, the december Paris agreement will positively influence the world’s ability to limit the adverse effects of climate change. for the first time, cat notes, an international climate agreement has, at its core, a goal to not just hold warming below 2°c, but critically specifies this goal as holding warming well below 2°c and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°c above pre-industrial levels. in addition, and as another first, this agreement looks beyond emissions reductions over the near term, and specifies that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and removals have to “balance” in the second half of the century. cat interprets the latter as global anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions needing to reach zero, and notes that iPcc (intergovernmental Panel on climate change) scenarios assessed in the UneP emissions gap reports show that this emissions objective fits with the temperature limits, if this is achieved by 2060-2080. biznewsasia@gmail.com

and the Bicol provinces reeling. This is the new normal brought about by climate change. If the man on the street can’t understand what climate change and the recent Paris Conference of Parties was all about, this is how it affects us all. Super typhoon Yolanda which swept Eastern Visayas and left 8,000 dead gave us portents of the worst to come from this apocalyptic phenomenon.

Nature’s force awakens those who are still complacent about protecting our planet.

chong ardivilla

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Dubs bounce back with a vengeance LOS ANGELES—The Golden State Warriors bounced back with a vengeance from their first defeat of the NBA season, routing the Phoenix Suns 128-103 on Wednesday.

Klay Thompson scored 43 points including 27 in a third quarter in which the Warriors led by as many as 40.

Golden State, the reigning NBA champions, saw their historic 24game season-opening winning streak halted by the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

But three days’ rest and a return to their home floor in Oakland saw the Warriors back to their winning ways.

It took the Warriors some time to fire. They trailed 42-38 eight minutes into the second quarter before a 21-4 scoring run put them in charge.

“We were real sloppy in the first quarter,” Thompson said. “We made the adjustment.”

Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green combined to make eight straight shots, including five three-pointers, in the secondquarter flurry.

Curry finished the game with 25 points and seven assists in only 30 minutes on the floor.

Thompson, who improved on his prior season-best of 39 at Indiana eight days ago, was playing just his second game since spraining his right ankle late in that win over the Pacers.

He scored 12 when Golden State lost 108-95 in Milwaukee.

The Warriors will get another crack at Milwaukee when they host the Bucks on Friday.

The Bucks have lost the first two games of their Western road trip, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and dropping a 103-90 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers

on Wednesday.

- Ailing Wade leads Heat Dwyane Wade scored 28 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 104-98 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn, hours after a sore and swollen tongue forced him to miss his team’s morning shoot-around.

“I wasn’t worried about it, I knew I would play basketball,” said Wade, who connected on 13 of 17 attempts from the floor to lead five Heat players in double figures.

The Heat won their third straight, and Wade himself bounced back from a tough 3-of-16 shooting night on Monday in his team’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks. AFP

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors shoots against the Phoenix Suns at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Forward this champ goes

By Peter Atencio CHAMPIONS are never satisfied. They want to improve everyday, knowing fully well that their biggest challenge, is with themselves.

It’s the same across all sports, but more so in running, where improvement is easily measured by time.

Love Joy Cordovilla is one of those champions.

After ruling the 3-km (2013, 2014) and 5-km (2015) regional finals of the Milo Marathon in Naga City for three straight years, Love Joy said it was high time to level up.

In the 39th staging of the country’s premier marathon competition, right in the grandest stage of all – the National Milo Marathon Finals held in Clark, Angeles City in Pampanga, the 13-year-old Love Joy ran in the women’s 10-km and came up with a performance so fast, her older rivals didn’t know what hit them.

Following instructions from her father-cum-varsity coach Jay, who went on to run in the 42-km event, Love Joy reached the SM City-Clark finish line ahead of Tarlac qualifier Cherry Doronilla.

She had an impressive time of 36 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the 37:28 of Doronilla, followed by veterans Maricel Maquilan and Flordeliza Donos, who had 38:50 and 39:19, respectively.

For someone so young, who had never ran in this distance before, Love Joy’s time was the fastest in recent memory.

So far, the lowest time clocked in the women’s 10km run was the 34:41 by Feliz Marie Hernandez in 2011, while the Philippine record was set by Christabel Martes way back in 2001 with a time of 34:40.3.

“Nag-enjoy lang po ako,” said Love Joy, a freshman at Cabangan High School after the race, while she waited for the official time inside a tent, with her father, a pedicab driver, who started joining fun runs back home in Legazpi, Albay two years ago.

“Ako ang nag-encourage sa kanya. Nakita ko ang ability niya nu’ng maliit pa. Malakas talaga sa takbuhan. Sabi ko, may potential itong anak ko,” said Jay, who used to be a baseball player from grade school

to high school, before shifting to running in recent years.

Jay said that when his daughter turned nine, he let Love Joy join small fun runs and got impressive results from them.

By the time she was 10, Love Joy finally participated in her first serious running activity--the Philhealth Run-- where she placed 16th in the 3-km event.

Jay said Joy’s performance was fast for her age and so he continued to encourage her daughter to keep on improving her own time.

For three consecutive years, Love Joy took top podium finishes in the Milo regional legs in Naga and always qualified for the national 3-km finals in Manila afterwards.

This year, her father encouraged her to go to a higher distance, the 5-km run in the Naga regionals to see how far she can go.

Jay had a hunch that Love Joy can do better after she made it to her school’s varsity team again. Last year, she was able to make the cut in the 800-meter action. And now, she made it to the 1500-meter and 3000-meter events as a varsity runner.

Last August during the Milo Marathon regional qualification event in Naga, Love Joy topped the 5-km run in 21 minutes and 24 seconds.

It was a performance that was so impressive her father planned to ask her to go for 10-km in the National Finals in Angeles City.

But Jay didn’t have to say a word as Love Joy volunteered to try the longer distance.

“Siya mismo ang nagsabi na gusto niyang i-try ang 10-km. Ako naman as a father, in-encourage ko lang siya dahil alam kong may potential siya,” added Jay, who himself joined the Naga qualifiers and landed 39th place with a time of 1:41.50, becoming one of 141 finishers, who made it to the national finals.

Jay has been joining the Milo races since running became his passion in 2006, with his daughters, wife and family watching him run.

“Umiiwas lang ako sa sakit, kaya tumatakbo ako,” said Jay, who landed no. 401st in the National Milo

Donaire wants title defense in Manila

By Ronnie Nathanielsz NEWLY crowned Wold Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino” Flash Donaire is hoping his next title defense will be in Manila so he can repay the fans, who have supported him especially after his gallant performance against Cesar Juarez of Mexico to win the WBO super bantamweight title for the second time.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum indicated Donaire will defend his title sometime in late April, most likely to be against Evgeny Gradovich, the former featherweight champion nicknamed the “RussianMexican.”

Donaire, who arrived early Thursday morning from Los Angeles with wife Rachel and their two sons, said they plan to stay in the country until February, but if the title defense in Manila pushes through, he will stay and train in the country until then.

Donaire said Gradovich has been calling him out and although they are friends and he was a sparring partner when he prepared for the Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. title fight, it’s all business and nothing personal.

Perpetual, PMMS win

Love Joy gives joy to her father Jay with her 10-km champion’s trophy.

Marathon Finals after clocking 4:26.18 But while Jay became part of the 505 runners, who completed the men’s 42-km route in Clark, his heart and mind were with his daughter, who was to run in the 10-km later.

“Siya ang nasa isip ko noong tumatakbo ako, pero confident ako na maganda ang itatakbo niya,” said Jay, whose confidence in his daughter was affirmed later with Love Joy’s conquest of the 10-km run.

Now that Love Joy has proven herself in a longer distance, Jay is still mum if he will encourage her to go for the lung-busting 21-km.

It may not be next year or the year after, but Love Joy’s champion’s heart, will definitely seek that longer distance in the near future, with or without her father’s encouragement.

After all, champions of the Milo marathon move forward by getting better every year.

THE University of Perpetual Help Altas stormed to their second straight win while the Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners started their bid with a bang recently in the 12th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament at the Far Eastern University gym in Morayta, Manila.

The Altas, with Cameroonian Nick Omorogbe calling the shots, took the solo lead in Group B at the expense of the Philippine College of Criminology, 82-66.

The PMMS Mariners leaned on the heroics of Rocky Antonares, who had 15 points, and their defense in the last 48 seconds to repulse the FEU Tamaraws, 70-68, to post their first win in Group A. The Altas took charge right away with AJ Coronel and Daryl Singontiko hitting 18 and 17 points.

This put them at the top of Group B ahead of the University of the East Warriors and the PCCr Criminologists.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Tapales earns title shot

Makati, Manila softbelles win UNBEATEN Makati continued to dominate the field, posting another shutout 12-0 win, this time over Marikina while Manila subdued undermanned Woodrose School, 11-5, at the resumption of the 2015 National Inter-Secondary Girls Softball Championships in Marikina yesterday.

Not even the one-day postponement due to inclement weather could slow down the Makati lasses, who flashed fierce form just the same to dispose of the hosts at the Barangka Baseball Field and stretch their win run to seven in Bracket A. Already assured of a semis spot, Makati shoots for a sweep against defending champion San Mateo in the final day of elims today.

Over at the Sto. Niño field, Manila leaned on a late charge to defuse Woodrose and hike its record to 7-1 in Bracket B to nail the second semis seat in the week-long tournament sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier headed by sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier.

With Trisha Mae Tiozon coming through with a three-run homerun, the Big City girls took a 3-1 lead in the early going but Woodrose struck back with a three-run binge in the fourth frame to wrest the lead, But Ma. Celyn Ojare and Denden Corbillon stepped up in the sixth inning as Manila exploded with seven runs against Alisha Vergara and Lucia Lorenzo while holding Woodrose, who missed the service of top hurler Kevyn Lacson, to just a run en route to posting the victory and dealing Woodrose its first loss in six games.

“We are entering the crucial phase of the tournament and I’m glad to see our local teams doing well. We can see a lot of potential talents here and we’ll do our best in Asaphil to hone them,” said Lhuillier.

Chiang Kai Shek, St. Paul prevail CHIANG Kai Shek College and St. Paul-Pasig gave De la Salle-Zobel School double heartbreaks even as Philippine Women’s University emerged champion in the premier 25-years and Under class of the recent 28th Women’s Basketball League sponsored by Milo at the Xavier School gym.

PWU banked on Most Valuable Player Charlene Camba in trashing Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 48-40, for the 25-U crown.

Enderun Colleges, meanwhile, nipped University of Santo Tomas, 34-33, for third place.

St. Paul-Pasig also edged DLS-Z, 33-31, to claim the 13-Under Division championship of the tournament organized by the multi-awarded Best Center (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center), founded by former national coach Nic Jorge.

DLS-Z then took another loss, bowing to Chiang Kai Shek College, 39-49, in the 17-U Competitive Division final.

By Ronnie Natanielsz PROMISING 23-year-old Filipino Marlon Tapales from the Rex “Wakee Salud” stable scored a spectacular secondround TKO victory over fancied and unbeaten Japanese Shohei Omori in a WBO title eliminator at the Shimazu Arena in Kyoyo, Japan to earn a title shot against Thai world champion Pungluang Sor Singyu next year.

But Tapales will have to wait for the outcome of a voluntary title defense of Sor Singyu approved by the WBO

against another Filipino Jetro Pabustan ( 26-2-6, 7 KO’s) on Jan. 15.

Leon Panoncillo, WBO fight supervisor and chairman of the Asia-Pacific region of the rapidly growing organization, told The Standard/boxingmirror. com after Tapales had annihilated the very popular Omori that he felt the Japanese was overconfident and thought that “Tapales is actually a very good fighter.”

Panoncillo described the title eliminator as “a really good fight with Tapales putting on a very impressive performance.” He is certain to give Pungluang

Champion horse. Dixie Gold, ridden by Pat Dilema, makes a victory run in 2015 PCSO 43rd Presidential Gold Cup at the San Lazaro Leisure Park, Carmona Cavite. The winning horse is owned by businessman Joseph Dyhengco.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

1.

2.

Sor Singyu a great fight.”

Former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa, in the corner of Tapales and helped out former boxer turned trainer Fernando Ocon, who was making his debut as a trainer, provided a classic insight, telling Tapales to throw a right hook which he did and sent the favored Japanese crashing to the canvas.

A small Filipino contingent, led by manager Salud, Penalosa and his wife Goody jumped for joy as referee Moret stopped the one-sided bout and proclaimed Tapales the winner.

Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300

Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300

INVITATION TO BID FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF 21 UNITS SERVICE VEHICLES UNDER BAC PUBLICATION NO. 004-2015

INVITATION TO BID FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS UNDER BAC PUBLICATION NO. 005-2015

The Provincial Government of Basilan intends to apply part of the sum of NINETEEN MILLION NINE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P19,950.000.00), being the approved Budget for the Contract for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF 21 UNITS SERVICE VEHICLES intended for the Offices of the Provincial Government of Basilan .

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

The Provincial Government of Basilan now invites bids for supply and delivery of 21 Units Service Vehicles intended for the Offices of the Provincial Government .Bidders should have completed within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of the eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Document, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders.

1.

The Provincial Government of Basilan intends to apply part (Construction materials cost only ) of the sum of the following projects; Project Title

Approved Budget Cost

1

Hj. Muhtamad development Project (Const of R.C. Pier and Development Back up Area )

2

Maluso Port Development Project (Construction R.C. Pier and Roro ramp)

P49,250,000.00 39,400,000.00

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

2.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

The Provincial Government of Basilan now invites bids for supply and delivery of the needed construction materials for the above project. Completion of the Works is Within 330 calendar days for the HJ. MUHTAMAD PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (Const. of R.C. ,Pier and Development Back up Area ), Hj Muhtamad , Basilan and 300 calendar days for MALUSO PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (Construction of Reinforced Concrete Pier and Roro Ramp), Maluso , Basilan .Bidders should have completed within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project.

The description of the eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Document, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders.

3.

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from The Provincial Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5pm.

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

4.

6.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fees for the Bidding Documents in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,000.00) and ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) for the letter of intent.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from The Provincial Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5pm.

6.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fees for the Bidding Documents in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,000.00) and ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) for the letter of intent.

3.

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

4.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids.

7.

The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 9:00 am, December 28, 2015 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province, which shall be open to all interested parties.

8.

Bids must be delivered on Bid Opening to the address below on or before 9:00 am, January 11, 2016, at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province.

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids.

7.

The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 9:00 am, December 28, 2015 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province, which shall be open to all interested parties.

8.

Bids must be delivered on Bid Opening to the address below on or before 9:00 am, January 11, 2015 , at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

9.

The Provincial Government of Basilan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10. For further information, please refer to: The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Ground Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417

(TS-DEC. 18, 2015)

(SGD) OMAR G. SUHUD Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

9.

The Provincial Government of Basilan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10. For further information, please refer to: The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Ground Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417

(SGD) OMAR G. SUHUD Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee

(TS-DEC. 18, 2015)

F R I DAY : D E C E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Shootout looms in 98th PH Open TARLAC—With the skies cleared after days of heavy downpour, the 98th Philippine Open presented by ICTSI finally gets going today, with the elite field all raring to put on a strong start for the momentum needed in a toplevel event reduced to 54 holes.

Top local Miguel Tabuena hones up his pitching around the practice green as the Luisita course remained closed Thursday for maintenance.

Manila

Standard Republic of the Philippines

TODAY Department of Agriculture Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines www.philmech.gov.ph INVITATION TO BID

SUPPLY OF LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PHILMECH BIO-PROCESS ENGINEERING BUILDING

A shootout looms right in the first round with defending champion Marcus Both drawing local ace and former Asian Tour No. 1 Juvic Pagunsan and Thai ace Thaworn Wiratchant in the featured 7 a.m. flight on No. 10 of the tight Luisita Golf and Country Club here.

Both, a three-time Asian Tour winner, needs to fire on all cylinders against a talentladen field which includes talented Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, Paul Peterson of the US, who is the

highest ranked player this week, and multiple winner Gaganjeet Bhullar of India.

The $300,000 Asian Tour event, sponsored

by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., was shortened to 54-holes, with the opening round delayed to Friday due to persistent rain. The Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed layout was closed in the last two days and most players will play enter the first day without playing a practice round.

“I played nine holes on Monday and an-

other nine on Tuesday.

I’ve seen the course but how much it is going to change with all the rain, we will know tomorrow. Everyone will be going out there like a practice round!

Guys will figure out the course by the second round so you need to take advantage of the first day,” said Both.

The Australian dramatically won the Philippine Open last year after losing his Tour card. He is staring at a similar position again where he sits in 132nd position on the Order of Merit and will need a victory to retain full playing rights on the 2016 Asian Tour season.

But he will be up against the smoothswinging Pagunsan, who hopes to finally nail the major crown missing in his vast

trophy collection, and Wiratchant, a former two-time Asian Tour OOM winner, ensuring a spirited battle right in the opener of the event sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT, Metro Pacific, Amon Trading, Central Azucarera de Tarlac and Ayala Land, Inc. with San Miguel Corp., Suntrust Properties and Sta. Lucia as hole sponsors.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Tabuena, who is CYAN battlingMAGENTA a cold YELL and high fever, will take advantage of his course knowledge after winning here on the local circuit last September with a winning total of 22-under under preferred lies, which will also be applied this week.

1. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) through its General Fund intends to apply the below specified sums, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) as indicated herein to payments under the contract for the Supply of Labor and Materials for the Design and Construction of PHilMech Bio-Process Engineering Building. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid opening.

2. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization now invites bids from eligible contractors with PCAB License of Medium A for the following: PROJECT SUPPLY OF LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PHILMECH BIO-PROCESS ENGINEERING BUILDING

ABC

CONTRACT DURATION

PhP 25,247,709.49

240 CD

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II Instruction to Bidders.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/ sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4. Interested Bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of PhP 25,000, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB. The method of payment will be in cash. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective Bidder or his authorized representative. 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 clarification.

Members of the Hobe Bihon-Cars Unlimited team display their championship trophy and the symbolic cheque amounting P200,000, personally handed by Marikina Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz and the city councilors after the team won the 5th DELeague Basketball Tournament Champions, Tuesday night at the Marikina Sports Center.

6. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization will hold a Pre-Bid Conference open to all interested parties on December 22, 2015, 10:00am at Executive Lounge, PHilMech Main Office, CLSU Compound Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Hobe Bihon claims its 3rd DELeague title

7. Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered on or before January 18, 2016, 10:00am at Executive Lounge, PHilMech Main Office, CLSU Compound Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid security in the form and amount stated in the Bid Data Sheet or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

8. Bid opening shall be on January 18, 2016, 10:00am at Executive Lounge, PHilMech Main Office, CLSU Compound Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bid documents.

9. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR POSTHARVEST DEVELOPMENT AND MECHANIZATION (Formerly BUREAU OF POSTHARVEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION) Main Office :CLSU Cmpd., Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Tel. No. (044) 4560287 / 4560213 FAX No. (044) 4560110 Liaison Office : 3F ATI Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City Tel. No. 9274019 / 9274029 FAX No. 9268159

(TS-DEC. 15 & 18, 2015)

(SGD) RAUL R. PAZ BAC Chairman

HOBE Bihon-Cars Unlimited subdued Far Eastern UniversityNRMF, 81-76, Tuesday night at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City, to claim the title of the 5th DELeague Basketball Tournament Champions.

It was the third title won by Hobe Bihon in three years.

Hobe seized the 2012 and 2013 DELeague championships, but bowed to Siargao Legends in 2014.

With 27 seconds left in the game and Hobe leading by five, 78-73, the Tamaraws were able to close the gap by two, 7678, after Leo Avenido drained a triple.

The Tamaraws’ fouling spree

sent to the free throw line Roger Yap, who sank one of two free throws to give Hobe a three-point lead, 79-76. Hobe increased its lead further when Wilbert Morales hit his freebies for the final tally.

Rodrigue Ebondo of Hobe came up with 16 points and was named Most Valuable Player of the league supported by Mayor Del De Guzman and sponsored

by PSBank, Accel Sportswear, PCA -Marivalley, Fat Cousins, Angels Burger, Mckies Construction Equipment Sales and Rentals, Luyong Panciteria, Azucar Boulangerie and Patisserie, JAJ Quick Print Advertising, Mall Tile Experts Corporation,

Jay Marcelo Tires, Polar Glass and Aluminum Supply, and Mr. and Mrs. Dot Escalona.

Ebondo was also a part of the Mythical Five, alongside Francis “Kiko” Adriano (Sta. Lucia Land Inc.), Leo Avenido (FEUNRMF), Prince Eze (FEUNRMF) and Bon-bon Custodio (Hobe Bihon-Cars Unlimited).

Meanwhile, Bright Akhuetie came up with 17 points, 11 rebounds for the Tamaraws, who were undefeated in the elimination and semifinal rounds and had a twice-to-beat advantage in the finals.

FEU-NRMF took home second place and the P100,000 prize.

F R I DAY : D E C E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Dableo nails individual chess crown

By Arman Armero

San Miguel Beer’s Junemar Fajardo, shown here making his move against Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, put up monster numbers of 43 points and 20 rebounds, but the Beermen still fell to the Aces, 97-103, Wednesday night.

GlobalPort seeks 5th win in a row; Star vs Blackwater

By Jeric Lopez

GLOBALPORT seeks to keep its amazing run going when it takes on a Talk ‘N Text team aiming to keep its place in the Top 6 in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game-time is 4:15 p.m.

With an eye on a quarterfinal berth, struggling Star (3-7), which is at No. 9, and Blackwater (2-7), which holds the 10th and last ticket to the playoffs, clash at 7 p.m., trying to stay alive in the hunt for a berth in the quarterfinals.

Fourth-running GlobalPort (73) is the league’s hottest team having won four in a row, while the sixth-placed Talk ‘N Text (5-4) is trying to lock the No. 6 seed.

The Hotshots and the Elite, along with No. 11 Mahindra (2-8), are currently involved

in a three-team chase for the last two available berths in the quarterfinals.

The Hotshots and the Elite still haven’t clinched a berth in the playoffs, while the Enforcers still have a shot with one more game left in their calendar.

Should Star win, it will clinch No. 9 to advance to the playoffs.

The Elite will figure in a knockout game against Mahindra during their last assignments this Sunday.

“We keep telling our players the importance of our last games. Para makapasok kami, we really need to win our re-

maining games,’’ in the next round, Friday said Blackwater SmartGames the red-hot Batang Araneta Coliseum: coach Leo Isaac.

Pier still aims to 4:15 p.m. - Talk ‘N Text vs. GlobalPort On the other keep its winning run 7 p.m. - Star vs. Blackwater hand, if Blackwater going. It wants to comes out victorifinish its elimination ous, it will enhance its chance round schedule on a high note of making it and put Star in a for much-needed momentum dangerous situation. In case of a heading into the playoffs. three-way tie between the HotCurrently holding on to the shots, the Elite and the Enforc- last twice-to-beat incentive at ers, the quotient will come into sixth place, Talk ‘N Text cannot play to determine the two teams afford to slip as it is aiming to that will advance. keep its spot for a comfortable The Elite came up with a huge set-up in the next round. win in their last assignment, postThe Tropang Texters need to ing a surprise 116-92 rout of Bara- prevail in their last two games ko Bull last week behind Carlo to ensure their place in the Top Lastimosa’s career-high 38 points. 6 and secure an incentive in the On the other hand, the Hotshots quarterfinals. However, should suffered an 83-101 drubbing at the they win only one of their last hands of the Energy last Sunday. two games, there is still a chance Already in the quarterfinals that they can keep their place at and assured of a spot in the Top No. 6 depending on how No. 7 6 with a twice-to-beat incentive Barako Bull ends its campaign.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—International Master Ronald Dableo, David Elorta and Henry Roger Lopez all won with the black pieces in the ninth and final round to grab the Top 3 places with identical eight points in the individual event of the 2nd Manny D. Pacquiao Random Chess Championship at the SM Mall here late Wednesday.

But it was Dableo, coach of both the men’s and women’s varsity chess teams of the University of Santo Tomas, who took the title due to a superior tiebreak over Elorta and Lopez.

Dableo beat eighth-round solo leader Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus.

Elorta, of Sta. Ana, Manila, downed Joel Pimentel, while Lopez, a paraplegic, scored the biggest upset in toppling GM Joey Antonio.

Dableo, Elorta and Lopez split the combined 1st to 3rd place cash prizes of P100,000 and won P33,333, each.

NM Hamed Nouri, Literatus and Marc Christian Nazario all finished with 7.5 points and won P11,000 each, while NMs Jerad Docena and Leo Mercado, Pimentel, Merben Roque, GM Darwin Laylo, Angelo Vince Medina, Alfredo Rapanot, Kevin Arquero, Francis Glenn Panes all had seven points and each will take home P6,000.

Also given prizes were the winners in several categories, with 9-year old FM Alekhine Nouri as top elementary student, Joh Marvin Miciano as top high school student, WIM Janelle Mae Frayna as top female player and Ibrahim Alawi as top senior. All won P2,000 each.

The top three players in General Santos were also awarded cash prizes. Sheider Nebato emerged as the top GenSan player and won P3,000; Elias Banguiran was the second best GenSan player and won P2,000, while Jeazzir Kline Surposa was the third best GenSan player and won P1,000.

Arcilla seeks sweep of net crowns

Johnny Arcilla guns for a third Open title

JOHNNY Arcilla gears up for a tough outing against an equally top-conditioned rivals as he guns for a sweep of the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala Open crowns in the Dagitab Festival Open Tennis Championship firing off today at the Naga City Tennis Club in Cebu.

Arcilla, the many-time PCA Open champion, bested a talent-laden field to cop the Tuna Festival Open title in Gen. Santos City last September then flashed the same form to capture the Pintaflores plum in San Carlos early last month.

“I’ve prepared hard for this since I want to win Palawan Pawnshop’s year-end tournament and complete a sweep,” said Arcilla. “But I expect the

field to be doubly tougher, especially PJ (Tierro).”

Tierro, a veteran Davis Cupper like Arcilla, is the event’s top seed and is expected to meet the likes of either No. 3 Vicente Anasta, fifth-ranked Fritz Verdad or No. 7 Roel Capangpangan for a crack at the crown while Arcilla, at No. 2, is tipped to get through No. 4 Ronard Joven, sixth-ranked Arvin Ruel or No. 8 John Mari Altiche for a shot at a third Open title in the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and held as part of the Dagitab Festival celebrations.

“This is going to be another slam-bang battle with PJ, Anasta and Joven going all out to foil Arcilla’s bid for a sweep of the Open crowns,”

said Palawan Pawnshop CEO and president Bobby Castro, also the man at the helm of the country’s longest-running, nationwide, year-long age-group tennis circuit.

The winner will receive P40,000 with the second and third placers to get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively, according to Bobby Mangunay, PPSPEPP organizer and sports program development director.

Focus will also be in the doubles event with Arcilla teaming up with Joven and Tierro partnering with Anasta. Other teams vying for the top P20,000 purse are Leander Lazaro and Verdad, and John Accion and Deo Talatayod in Palawan Pawnshop’s final tournament for another banner season.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B1

FRIDAY: DECEMBER 18, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PSe comPoSite index Closing December 17, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,905.70 97.98

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 17, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.395

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

ISO certification. The mall business of SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest integrated property developer, receives an

International Organization for Standardization certification. The ISO 22301 certification affirms the company’s commitment to meet the needs of its stakeholders, especially in times of disasters and calamities. Shown receiving the certificate is SM Prime president Hans Sy (sixth from left) from TUV SUD PSB Philippines general manager Femelyn Lati. With them are executives of SM Prime, Shopping Center Management Corp. and EIAN Management Consulting.

Shell sues Philippines over Malampaya row

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SHELL Philippines Exploration B.V. is taking the government to an international arbitration court in Singapore over a P53.14-billion income tax dispute from the Malampaya natural gas project.

A reliable source said Spex, a unit of Royal Dutch Shell Plc. which operates the Malampaya gas project in Palawan, filed the arbitration case with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre against the Energy Department, which issued the project’s service contract.

Aside from Spex, other members of the Malampaya consortium are Chevron Malampaya LLC and PNOC-Exploration Corp., a unit of state-owned Philipine national Oil Co. The Commission on Audit earlier said the government should collect P53.14 billion in in-

come taxes from the contractors of the Malampaya project, on top of the 60-percent royalties.

The source said Spex filed the case “so they won’t pay the income tax.”

Spex filed for arbitration ahead of the final decision of the Commission on Audit, which asked the Energy Department to collect the back taxes from the Malampaya contractors. The Energy Department appealed the ruling with CoA, saying the decision would have repercussions on government’s energy contracts.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada did not confirm the arbitration case as of press time, but sources said the agency’s legal department and the Office of the Solicitor General were now handling the arbitration case.

Monsada said in a recent interview the matter was still with CoA. “CoA has not replied to the MR [motion for reconsideration] of DoE,” she said.

CoA ruled in May that service contractors’ payment of income tax for the Malampaya project should not be included in the government’s 60-percent share in Malampaya royalties.

The Energy Department, however, warned that imposing the P53.14-billion income tax-

es on Malampaya contractors would send a wrong signal to investors.

The department said in a 30-page motion for reconsideration the CoA decision “sent a very wrong signal to the existing and future petroleum exploration investors in the country.”

It said petroleum exploration, especially offshore, involves great risk, huge capital and high technical capability and foreign investors decide where to put their money based on “the certainty and stability of investment rules and regulatory regime of a country.”

“The trust and confidence of foreign investors in the stability and certainty of our investment laws and regulations that the government, for a long period of time, has painstakingly built and nurtured, has been greatly damaged,” it said.

“In the face of this tight competition with other countries for foreign investors, the Philippines, if it is to achieve its aim of energy security and incidentally, overall economic progress, needs to discover other Malampaya by intensifying the exploration and production of its indigenous petroleum resources,” it said.

HIGH P47.212 LOW P47.395 AVERAGE P47.305 VOLUME 690.700M

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 Thursday, December 17, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

47.3240

Japan

Yen

0.008185

0.3873

UK

Pound

1.500600

71.0144

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129039

6.1066

Switzerland

Franc

1.009387

47.7682

Canada

Dollar

0.725268

34.3226

Singapore

Dollar

0.710026

33.6013

Australia

Dollar

0.720305

34.0877

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657666

125.7714

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266560

12.6147

Brunei

Dollar

0.707514

33.4824

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027724

1.3120

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8857

Euro

Euro

1.090900

51.6258

Korea

Won

0.000850

0.0402

China

Yuan

0.154481

7.3107

India

Rupee

0.015019

0.7108

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.231911

10.9750

New Zealand

Dollar

0.677094

32.0428

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030560

1.4462 Source: PDS Bridge

Bangko Sentral keeps rates steady despite US Fed interest hike

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday kept policy rates unchanged for the tenth consecutive policy meeting since October 2014, despite the decision of the US Federal Reserve to raise its interest rate for the first time in nearly a decade.

The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral, said key policy rates were kept at 4 percent for overnight borrowing and 6 percent for overnight lending.

“The Monetary Board’s decision is based on its assessment of inflation dynamics and the risks to the inflation outlook over the

policy horizon. Latest baseline forecasts indicate that average inflation would likely settle below the target range of 2 to 4 percent for 2015,” Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said.

Inflation rose in November to 1.1 percent from the record-low 0.4 percent in October, bringing the average in the first 11 months to 1.4 percent, below the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Tetangco said the US Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rate would calm global financial markets and benefit emerging economies.

The US central bank’s policysetting committee raised the range of its benchmark interest

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

rate by a quarter of a percentage point to between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent.

“The Fed’s action brings an end to the liftoff uncertainty. The Fed’s statement should anchor confidence on the path of growth and inflation in the US. We may see the US yield curve flatten, which would be positive for EMEs [emerging market economies] that have exposures in the long end of the curve or are planning to tap this sector for funding,” Tetangco said in a text message.

He said the regional currencies, including the peso, already moved lower against the US dollar in recent weeks.

“The Fed promised gradual

hikes. That may be further moderated as the US enters an election year. That said, on balance, the Fed action should be constructive for EMEs…,” he said.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the Fed’s action was necessary to prevent mis-pricing of risks and assets. He said the rate hike was widely expected, and thus, allowed markets to price in its effects.

“Indeed, we have seen the impact of the anticipated liftoff across the region—but after the usual knee-jerk reactions, proof emerges that markets do differentiate economies based on fundamentals,” Purisima said.

He said even the peso showed weakness against the dollar, like

other regional currencies, the local currency was among the few that had depreciated the least so far, which could be traced to the country’s solid macro-economic fundamentals.

“We are confident our economy is resilient from increased rates.

The Philippines has been a current account surplus country for 12 straight years, and we expect this record to be maintained further by falling oil prices. We are on track to post a surplus of $14.2 billion this year, equivalent to 4.4 percent of GDP. Foreign reserves remain ample at $80.6 billion, able to cover 10.3 months of imports as of end-November 2015,” Purisima said.

FRIDAY: DECEMBER 18, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Thursday, december 17, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 30.5 91.5 137 80 361.2 57 180 1700 124 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 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 0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.3 2.71 46.15 46 104.50 100.90 84.15 83.00 38 37.8 2.45 2.45 1.34 1.25 15.1 14.7 18.4 18.1 1.8 1.75 700.00 700.00 0.550 0.520 80.95 79.4 16.80 16.60 51.55 50.35 101 99 122 122 290 289 32.95 32.5 139.6 136.4 1460.00 1455.00 56.25 56.80 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp.

40.1 40.75 39.95 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.7 4.74 4.58 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.78 0.74 0.72 1.86 Alsons Cons.

1.38 1.41 1.39 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.32 10.5 10.12 32 C. Azuc De Tarlac 99.95 90.00 90.00 15.32 Century Food 16.5 16.86 16.48 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20.5 20.7 20.4 29.15 Concepcion 44.3 44.5 41.3 1.5 Crown Asia 2.3 2.34 2.29 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.7 1.71 1.61 10.72 Del Monte 12.46 12.88 12.2 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 8.900 9.4 8.970 9.04 Emperador 9.00 9.10 8.80 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 6.04 6.24 6.09 8.86 EEI 5.09 5.22 5.12 20.2 First Gen Corp.

22.45 23.25 22.5 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 67.5 67.6 66 13.86 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 11.56 12.28 11.50 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.50 14.50 14.30 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.76 5.89 5.78 2.370 2.230 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.230 173 Jollibee Foods Corp.

205.00 211.80 209.00 LBC Express 12.3 12.3 12.04 34.1 Liberty Flour 27.00 30.00 29.90 2.3 LMG Chemicals 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.2 3.2 3.02 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.8 25.2 24.8 17.3 Maxs Group 20 21.25 20 5.88 Megawide 5.87 5.87 5.87 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 323.60 324.00 315.40 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.82 3.94 3.88 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.02 7.14 7.00 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.50 11.50 11.32 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.75 3.78 3.65 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.59 1.64 1.61 1 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.3 2.37 2.3 4.02 RFM Corporation 4.00 4.02 3.95 5.9 Roxas Holdings 4.55 4.55 4.5 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 121.9 121 120.1 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.45 2.6 2.45 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.145 0.145 0.144 1.02 TKC Steel Corp.

1.08 1.07 1.01 2.19 2.20 2.17 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 152 Universal Robina 176 181 176 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.54 4.53 4.53 0.640 Vitarich Corp.

0.61 0.63 0.59 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.08 1.10 1.08 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.385 0.385 0.385 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.1000 57.0000 56.2500 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 16.00 16.56 16.00 6.62 Anscor `A’ 6.49 6.30 6.30 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.221 0.220 0.219 0.23 ATN Holdings B 0.220 0.220 0.219 634.5 Ayala Corp `A’ 757 762 756 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.9 8.1 7.88 12.8 DMCI Holdings 12.98 13.90 13.00 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.45 5.9 5.46 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.35 4.37 4.10 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.220 0.230 0.210 837 GT Capital 1258 1295 1260 IPM Holdings 9.81 9.95 9.80 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 69.00 71.85 70.00 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp.

6.92 7.14 6.8 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.72 0.7 12 LT Group 14.4 14.5 14.2 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.2 5.39 5.25 0.030 Pacifica `A’ 0.0300 0.0320 0.0310 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.260 1.290 1.270 0.550 Prime Orion 1.900 1.920 1.850 59.3 San Miguel Corp `A’ 45.60 46.00 44.65 751 SM Investments Inc. 828.00 850.00 835.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.15 1.15 1.15 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.70 0.71 0.70 80 Top Frontier 70.000 70.500 69.900 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2850 0.3000 0.2850 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.1960 0.1960 0.1960 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.240 0.250 0.240 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.000 7.050 7.000 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.20 6.01 6.01 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.84 0.85 0.83 1.2 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.060 1.070 1.070 0.192 Arthaland Corp.

0.208 0.208 0.208 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 17.8 62 88.35 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59

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. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

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

SHARES 10,987,116 61,721,546 102,983,065 134,179,735 102,185,422 102,731,517 520,135,301

2.8 46 100.00 83.00 38 2.50 1.32 15 18.08 1.7 700.00 0.520 79.4 16.76 51.40 102 122 289.4 32 136 1440.00 56.80

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.89 46.15 104.50 84.00 37.9 2.45 1.34 14.7 18.4 1.8 700.00 0.530 80.95 16.70 50.40 101 122 289 32.95 138.3 1455.00 56.80

3.21 0.33 4.50 1.20 -0.26 -2.00 1.52 -2.00 1.77 5.88 0.00 1.92 1.95 -0.36 -1.95 -0.98 0.00 -0.14 2.97 1.69 1.04 0.00

3,930,000 10,900 1,883,920 918,510 5,800 17,000 20,000 96,300 92,900 41,000 160 110,000 3,058,440 23,900 325,730 3,110 66,690 8,440 14,700 308,190 90 49,530

40.5 4.71 0.72 1.41 10.3 90.00 16.78 20.5 44.5 2.29 1.65 12.82 9.400 8.90 6.21 5.21 22.5 66 11.52 14.50 5.8 2.350 211.20 12.2 30.00 1.8 3.19 24.9 20 5.87 319.00 3.94 7.00 11.32 3.76 1.61 2.3 3.99 4.55 121 2.54 0.144 1.07 2.19 180 4.53 0.59 1.08

1.00 0.21 -7.69 2.17 -0.19 -9.95 1.70 0.00 0.45 -0.43 -2.94 2.89 5.62 -1.11 2.81 2.36 0.22 -2.22 -0.35 0.00 0.69 5.38 3.02 -0.81 11.11 0.00 -0.31 0.40 0.00 0.00 -1.42 3.14 -0.28 -1.57 0.27 1.26 0.00 -0.25 0.00 -0.74 3.67 -0.69 -0.93 0.00 2.27 -0.22 0.00

2,986,500 269,000 40,000 491,000 1,300 480 375,800 1,298,800 21,600 271,000 463,000 763,200 19,477,900 259,400 6,960,000 281,900 1,840,100 125,100 9,500 88,900 31,400 7,245,000 742,590 96,000 5,000 1,000 8,000 4,835,600 1,528,800 187,200 115,200 180,000 628,200 1,000 69,000 188,000 36,000 1,183,000 14,000 29,440 2,107,000 1,660,000 38,000 1,064,000 2,998,460 372,000 229,000 88,000

0.385 56.9500 16.40 6.30 0.219 0.219 759 7.9 13.48 5.88 4.10 0.230 1261 9.95 71.15 6.8 0.72 14.4 5.33 0.0310 1.290 1.880 46.00 850.00 1.15 0.70 69.900 0.2850 0.1960 0.250

0.00 1.52 2.50 -2.93 -0.90 -0.45 0.26 0.00 3.85 7.89 -5.75 4.55 0.24 1.43 3.12 -1.73 4.35 0.00 2.50 3.33 2.38 -1.05 0.88 2.66 0.00 0.00 -0.14 0.00 0.00 4.17

10,000 884,650 9,279,200 20,000 1,610,000 1,100,000 139,470 7,931,600 9,632,600 25,700 38,000 1,060,000 69,655 970,500 904,060 1,083,900 13,000 551,300 42,043,700 19,600,000 103,000 744,000 314,800 225,420 34,000 20,000 1,250 3,500,000 100,000 920,000

7.000 6.01 0.84 1.070 0.208

0.00 -16.53 0.00 0.94 0.00

1,078,600 700 457,000 1,000 20,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

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

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Primex Corp.

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 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 3.2 2.46 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 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 1.95 1.8 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. 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 Macroasia Corp.

Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.0098 17.24 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 0.021 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 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 0.013 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’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

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

TA Petroleum

-12,586.50

70 553 120 8.21 12.28 111 1047 84.8

33 490 101.5 5.88 6.5 101 1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred F

-47,500.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

341,080.00 104,554,163 -24,430,520.00 -3,790.00 -481,500.00 -504,166.00

-14,562,756.50 -4,134,570.00 -423,400.00 467,295 2,608,529.00 73,000.00 -1,870,784.00 -57,850,110.00 70,100.00 -137,490.00 -385,202.00 -4,430 5,641,088.00 61,766,508.00 -1,486,218.00 23,555,081.00 308,741.00 -25,573,110.00 465,067.00 918,160.00 -10,440.00 -416,740.00 62,905,878.00

-76,923,130.00 1,501,455.00 267,672.00 -4,159,210.00 708,250.00 -775,271.00 -3,396.00 241,500.00 2,224,870.00 -3,472,555.00

-109,000.00 -50,421,387.00 1,685,160.00

-12,572,929.00 7,009,920.00

29,981,930.00 27,015,116.00 52,935,510.00 105,000.00 19,115,155.00 28,374,814.00 -4,406,185.00 1,923,620.00 11,444,750.00 41,360.00 -9,325,630.00 -11,168,895.00

3,650,940.00

Alterra Capital Italpinas Xurpas

High

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

36.200 34.900 34.900 3.07 3 3.03 5.15 5.15 5.15 0.56 0.55 0.56 1.080 1.020 1.08 0.124 0.120 0.121 0.455 0.450 0.450 25.85 25.25 25.35 0.830 0.820 0.820 0.156 0.156 0.156 1.06 1.03 1.03 1.90 1.82 1.82 4.37 4.27 4.33 0.078 0.077 0.077 8.63 8.53 8.6 27.75 26.90 27.25 1.48 1.4 1.41 3.15 3.14 3.14 22.75 22.30 22.50 0.74 0.74 0.74 7 7 7 0.860 0.870 0.890 5.200 5.120 5.130 SERVICES 7 7.15 7 7 63.2 64 63.4 63.4 1.15 1.15 1.12 1.15 0.475 0.490 0.490 0.490 11.56 11.78 11.5 11.78 22.6 25.5 24.75 25.5 4.55 4.80 4.44 4.57 0.0420 0.0430 0.0420 0.0430 3.37 3.33 3.22 3.3 81.5 82.4 81.4 81.5 4.99 5.10 4.95 4.95 955 956 956 956 1815 1899 1677 1870 6.80 6.99 6.81 6.97 1.26 1.29 1.21 1.21 68.4 70.35 68.4 68.95 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.155 0.158 0.156 0.156 1.3800 1.3700 1.3700 1.3700 1.9 1.95 1.95 1.95 7.99 8.40 7.99 7.99 4.34 4.50 4.69 4.31 1.11 1.11 1.11 1.11 2.29 2.30 2.30 2.30 1.98 1.98 1.93 1.98 2.38 2.52 2.39 2.45 3.74 3.79 3.75 3.78 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.840 0.880 0.850 0.860 18 18.48 18 18.48 9.44 9.1 9.1 9.1 102.50 102.50 102.50 102.50 20.95 21.15 20.60 21.15 2026.00 2088.00 2042.00 2042.00 0.465 0.480 0.465 0.480 0.700 0.740 0.700 0.700 33.55 34.40 33.55 34.25 62.70 64.00 62.70 62.70 6.08 6.19 6.07 6.10 3.78 3.92 3.66 3.66 0.460 0.465 0.450 0.455 3.6 3.7 3.51 3.55 0.310 0.320 0.315 0.320 4.200 4.110 4.110 4.200 MINING & OIL 0.0048 0.0049 0.0049 0.0049 4.18 4.24 4.15 4.15 0.6 0.64 0.62 0.64 0.59 0.58 0.55 0.58 7.20 7.70 7.05 7.20 0.7 0.72 0.69 0.7 0.275 0.285 0.280 0.285 0.179 0.184 0.179 0.179 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 2 2.14 2.04 2.09 6.3 6.45 6.34 6.34 2.78 2.81 2.71 2.79 1.2600 1.3400 1.2600 1.2700 0.0099 0.0099 0.0099 0.0099 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 3.54 3.59 3.50 3.52 4.69 4.700 4.65 4.65 1.30 1.360 1.30 1.32 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 133.60 135.50 135.00 135.50 2.2 2.18 2.11 2.15 PREFERRED 65.85 65 64.05 64.5 515 516 516 516 115.6 120 119 119 6.46 7 6.46 7 1.12 1.13 1.13 1.13 108.6 107.6 107.5 107.5 1018 1025 1025 1025 82 83 83 83 80 80 79.1 80 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.620 2.630 2.600 2.620 SME 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.23 3.29 3.13 3.17 15.04 15.78 15.2 15.78 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 111.4 113.1 112.1 112.7

-2.79 1.00 0.00 0.00 5.88 0.00 -1.10 1.40 0.00 -0.64 0.98 -0.55 1.41 -4.94 0.47 2.64 -3.42 -1.88 2.27 0.00 13.82 -1.14 1.18

17,814,500 2,064,000 5,200 5,476,000 36,000 610,000 2,250,000 975,200 220,000 80,000 1,494,000 27,808,000 23,739,000 700,000 194,700 8,887,400 140,000 13,000 23,445,800 428,000 100 484,000 8,536,000

53,420,680.00 -344,190.00

0.00 0.32 0.00 3.16 1.90 12.83 0.44 2.38 -2.08 0.00 -0.80 0.10 3.03 2.50 -3.97 0.80 0.00 0.65 -0.72 2.63 0.00 -3.56 0.00 0.44 0.00 2.94 1.07 0.00 2.38 2.67 -3.60 0.00 0.95 0.79 3.23 0.00 2.09 0.00 0.33 -3.17 -1.09 -1.39 3.23 2.19

28,300 3,190 6,000 10,000 3,000 6,101,000 8,309,000 1,900,000 599,000 2,166,960 33,000 3,180 80,440 45,400 169,000 1,280,990 200,000 790,000 140,000 22,000 638,900 982,000 7,000 5,000 69,000 6,420,000 4,823,000 140,000 7,126,000 3,200 2,000 155,790 102,600 146,370 570,000 38,483,000 1,541,600 1,931,670 1,416,600 11,490,000 3,590,000 366,000 20,000 43,000

2.08 -0.72 6.67 -1.69 0.00 0.00 3.64 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.50 0.63 0.36 0.79 0.00 0.00 -0.56 -0.85 1.54 0.00 1.42 -2.27

1,000,000 96,000 414,000 202,000 88,600 1,911,000 20,000 2,440,000 200,000 500,000 154,000 2,346,200 60,000 112,000 41,000,000 100,000 42,000 532,000 126,000 1,300,000 231,520 31,000

-2.05 0.19 2.94 8.36 0.89 -1.01 0.69 1.22 0.00

108,270 2,000 10,300 1,100 16,000 2,000 50 10,130 14,590

0.00

84,000

-3.03 -1.86 4.92

82,000 1,448,000 3,764,300

-54,140.00 18,555,392.00

1.17

52,590

2,254.00

-107,490.00 45,500.00 5,778,005.00 41,500.00 -1,213,220.00 -24,736,130.00 1,343,415.00 2,234,630.00 -152,350.00 195,002,560.00 700.00 -10,120,981.00

14,858,960.00 -130,020.00 -100,561,305.50 46,464,570.00 171,600.00 3,634,323.00 1,000.00 -18,720.00 -157,898.00 66,760.00

-4,356,420.00 733,220.00 172,200.00

454,495.00 17,326,530.00 -2,643,880.00 31,217,240.00 10,416,456.00 244,906.00 -1,113,570.00 736,000.00 -213,290.00

-49,800.00 310.00 -54,880.00

-42,000.00 3,918,480.00

-545,700.00 -4,598,409.00 -2,588,182.00

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,547.96 (UP) 31.83 INDUSTRIAL 10,859.99 (UP) 146.74 HOLDING FIRMS 6,505.61 (UP) 116.91 PROPERTY 2,968.95 (DOWN) 5.32 SERVICES 1,519.82 (UP) 14.60 MINING & OIL 10,488.2 (UP) 78.73 PSEI 6,905.70 (UP) 97.98 All Shares Index 3,964.32 (UP) 46.75 Gainers: 101; Losers: 60; Unchanged: 47; Total: 208

Close

35.900 3 5.15 0.56 1.02 0.121 0.455 25 0.820 0.157 1.02 1.83 4.27 0.081 8.56 26.55 1.46 3.2 22.00 0.74 6.15 0.880 5.070

T op g ainerS VALUE 607,450,962.12 1,376,289,115.62 1,148,878,991.71 1,859,864,198.67 1,245,716,348.13 53,979,185.612 6,361,432,492.86

Low

Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Starmalls

7

13.82

Anchor Land Holdings Inc.

6.01

-16.53

Berjaya Phils. Inc.

25.5

12.83

C. Azuc De Tarlac

90.00

-9.95

Liberty Flour

30.00

11.11

Alliance Tuna Intl Inc.

0.72

-7.69

GMA Holdings Inc.

7

8.36

Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.10

-5.75

F&J Prince 'A'

5.88

7.89

MRC Allied Ind.

0.077

-4.94

Century Peak Metals Hldgs

0.64

6.67

Harbor Star

1.21

-3.97

Cityland Dev. `A'

1.08

5.88

Phil. Racing Club

9.1

-3.60

I-Remit Inc.

1.8

5.88

Liberty Telecom

4.34

-3.56

DNL Industries Inc.

9.400

5.62

Rockwell

1.41

-3.42

Ionics Inc

2.350

5.38

SSI Group

3.66

-3.17

FRIDAY: DECEMBER 18, 2015

B3

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

BPI arranges P10-b hydro loan

By Julito G. Rada

BPI Capital Corp., the wholly-owned investment banking unit of Bank of the Philippine Islands, has arranged a syndicated loan of up to P10 billion to finance the construction of a 68.8-megawatt run-of-river power plant in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon province.

BPI said in a statement Thursday the transaction was a landmark deal for the Philippine debt capital markets.

“The deal, in partnership with Aboitiz Power [Corp.] subsidiary Hedcor Bukidnon Inc., marks the first-ever financing arrangement that funds a run-of-river hydroelectric project of this scale,” BPI said.

The project is the Aboitiz Group’s latest foray into the renewable energy in addition to its 22 hydropower plants. The Bukidnon project is among the run-ofriver facilities under the Philippines’ feed-in tariff program of the Aboitiz Group.

“BPI Capital’s financing arrangement for the Bukidnon hydroelectric plant is a milestone not just for the investment bank, but serves as landmark deal for the renewable energy sector in the Philippines. Previous similar mid-sized renewable energy projects were funded mostly by equity as borrowing cost was too prohibitive,” it said.

It said while commercial banks generally shied away from renewable energy projects that were deemed as more expensive sources of electricity compared with

fossil-based fuels, changes in the feed-in tariff ’s regulatory framework and increased incentives had enhanced the project’s overall bankability.

“BPI Capital’s pursuit of providing innovative, industry-leading financing solutions has allowed it to spearhead a syndicate of local banks to engage the fledgling renewable energy space,” it said.

BPI Capital is the issue manager and bookrunner of the project, with SB Capital Investment Corp. as joint lead arranger and Asia United Bank as co-lead arranger.

The project, which taps into the rich hydroelectric power base of Mindanao, will help support the region’s growing power needs.

The Bukidnon project’s loan facility was signed in September 2015.

HBI received Renewable Deal of the Year award from magazine Alpha Southeast Asia, besting other entries from Southeast Asia. It is the first renewable deal of the year award to be given by the magazine.

BPI Capital was recently cited

by Finance Asia, a leading Hong Kong-based finance publication, as the Best Investment Bank and Best Equity Capital Market House.

Roxas’ profit falls 74% to P169m on cane lack

By Jenniffer B. Austria SUGAR and bio-energy producer Roxas Holdings Inc. said core net income dropped 74 percent to P169 million in the fiscal year ending September from P645 million year-on-year on lack of cane supply coupled with declining sugar prices and rising costs.

Roxas Holdings chairman Pedro Roxas said in a statement Thursday it experienced double whammy as it tried to plug the concerns in its plants while trying to combat the combined impact of declining sugar prices and escalating production costs prevalent in the global market.

“Our core income took a hit as our factories reeled from difficulties that prompted our sugarcane planters to go to other mills. This worsened the shortage of cane supply. We also had to spend roughly P700 million for new equipment and repairs to address the problems at the plant,” Roxas said.

The company said it tried to arrest the decline in the company’s core net income by adding the factory concerns and the plant repairs required.

Roxas Holdings said overall Philippine cane supply fell 5 percent in the past fiscal year, with the rate in Batangas at 10 percent compared with Negros Occidental’s 5 percent The group’s ethanol businesses cushioned the impact, with Roxol Bioenergy Corp. and San Carlos Bioenergy Corp Inc. registering a net income after tax of P215 million and P122 million, respectively.

Roxas Holdings in May acquired SCBI, which recently completed an expansion project that increased the plant’s capacity to 38 million liters per year from 32 million liters.

To abate the impact of unpredictable sugar prices and the concomitant challenge of declining cane supply, alongside the factory problems and the ongoing repairs, the company said it would tighten measures to prop up the sugar business and maintain its focus on ethanol.

The sugar group said it was also confident of gaining lost ground in the current fiscal year with the new leadership installed in the company, following the appointment of Hubert Tubio as president and chief executive and Celso Dimarucut, as chief finance officer, Tubio was formerly the chairman of the Bioeq Energy Holdings Inc. and previously served as president and chief operating officer of Victorias Milling Co. Inc. from 2009 to 2014.

Outstanding PH consul.

The Fédération Internationale des Corps et Associations Consulaires or World Federation of Consuls honors Timor Leste Honorary Consul General Lito Jimenez during the 11th World Congress of Consuls in Istanbul, Turkey.

Jimenez is cited for his exemplary work and other meritorious efforts in promoting and strengthening diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and Timor Leste, one of the world’s youngest nations. Jimenez (left) receives the FICAC Medal of Honor from AykutEken, FICAC Ppesident and chairman of the 11th World Congress of Consuls.

Market advances on Fed rate hike THE stock market surged Thursday after the Federal Reserve finally lifted interest rates for the first time in almost a decade.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 97.98 points, or 1.4 percent, to 6,905.70 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Gainers beat losers, 101 to 60, with 47 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, climbed 4.5 percent to P104.50, while chemical company D&L Industries surged 5.6 percent to P9.40.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain, rose 3 percent to P211.20, while DMCI Holdings Inc., which has investments in coal mining, power generation, water distribution and property development, rallied 3.9 percent to P13.48.

Asian traders, meanwhile, tracked global gains. Tokyo ended 1.6 percent higher, Shanghai put on 1.8 percent and Sydney climbed 1.5 percent. Hong Kong added 0.8 percent in the afternoon.

“What is clear is that equity markets are taking the rate hike as a positive,” said IG Markets analyst Angus Nicholson.

“The fact that the Fed were able to hike rates indicates that the US economy has finally developed enough upward momentum,” he added.

The widely expected US Fed rate increase was met with a surge in shares in New York and Europe as well as Latin America as the US central bank reiterated its view that the world’s number-one economy is in rude health.

It also brings to an end months of speculation and uncertainty that had rattled world markets and fueled concerns that the economy’s recovery was not as strong as thought.

“There’s a sense of relief that they finally raised rates,” said Chris Green, a strategist at brokerage and wealth management firm First NZ Capital Group in Auckland.

“This is a net positive in terms of market sentiment. It’s removed the point of lift-off from the discussion, we’re over that hurdle. Now

the question is: how gradual is that normalization profile and where do the risks lie,” he told Bloomberg News. With AFP

FRIDAY: DECEMBER 18, 2015

B4

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

GDP set to grow 6% in 2015

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

The Force is back!

PEOPLE who were able to watch the block premieres of Star Wars: The Force Awakens ahead of the regular opening in local cinemas yesterday came out grinning ear-to-ear, happy to see the originals even in cameo roles. Our fearless forecast is that moviegoers and Star Wars fans will experience a great sense of déjà vu. And though we are strongly resisting the urge to issue spoilers, let’s just say that a few came out wearing sad faces because of one major development in this J.J. Abrams film.

No doubt the movie will make a killing at the tills, but a lot of the moolah will come from the Star Wars merchandise that have been starting to flood the market – the light sabers, Stormtrooper masks, shirts, caps, socks, umbrellas, bags, brownies (brownies?!) heck, even costumes for pets!

Our personal favorite though is BB-8 – that round droid made

by Sphero, a robotics company. Early reviews say the cute droid (the real one will set you back $20,000) with a rolling body and a bowl-shaped “floating” head is app-enabled and can be controlled via Bluetooth from an iPhone or Android smartphone. It can make a lot of Star Wars sights and sounds and the app can utilize augmented reality to make BB-8 project holograms. It’s so cool, it even upstaged a lot of celebs during the film’s world premiere earlier this week. Only problem is, we still have to raise $130 to get a tennis ball-sized version.

OFW on death row needs P25 million Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy but to the family of overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta, it’s difficult to get into holiday mode with their loved one staring death in the face since he is facing execution in Saudi Arabia.

According to the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Zapanta worked as a tile-setter in Saudi Arabia in 2007. In June 2009, he was arrested and sentenced to death for the murder of his Sudanese landlord after a heated altercation over rent.

In November 2012, the aggrieved Sudanese family, in particular the widow, sought blood money amounting to SR 5-million or the equivalent of P50-million, later reduced to P48-million. The family, with the help of the government, was able to raise P23 million but they are still P25 million short.

“Unfortunately, the Sudanese family has refused any amount lower than their demand of P48-million. This means that the Zapanta family needs to raise P25-million in a span of two weeks, or maybe less, considering that a royal decree had already been issued for the implementation of the sentence,” revealed Senatorial candidate Susan Ople, who is also the Ople Policy Center president.

Joselito’s mother Ramona and sister Rosemary have sought the help of the Center to air their appeal for help through media. The family is hoping that some good Samaritans will step out to help the cash-strapped and extremely poor family, added Ople.

The OFW advocate was able to confirm the urgency of Joselito’s request from the Philippine Embassy last Monday during her visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss cases involving distressed OFWs. “I was in Riyadh to meet with Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh Ezzedin Tago. He confirmed that Joselito’s case has become extremely urgent. We are talking about weeks here, hence the need for the family to go public in order to seek everyone’s help,” Ople disclosed.

For those who wish to donate any amount to save Joselito Zapanta’s life, they can deposit or remit the money to: Philippine Embassy current account, Saudi Hollandi Bank, 037-040-790022. This bank account was specifically opened by the Philippine Embassy for the blood money to be given to the aggrieved Sudanese family. You may also contact the Ople Center (8335337) and/or the DFA-OUMWA for more information and for coordination.

••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

THE Philippine economy will achieve a fullyear growth of 6 percent in 2015, before picking up over the next six years, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Thursday.

“Our year-to-date performance reflects a steadily growing economy, and we are very optimistic that the Philippine economy will grow at 6 percent for full-year 2015,” Balisacan said in a year-end report.

“Taking into consideration the 6-percent GDP growth during the third quarter of 2015, we expect our high growth trajectory to continue in the fourth quarter of the year as domestic demand continues to be strong. Together with the recovery of advanced economies expected next year

and of the global economy in the medium-term, economic growth can accelerate to a level that can bring us to higher middleincome economy status by the end of the next administration,” he said.

Balisacan said the economy was expected to grow 8 percent by 2021, which would make it a higher-middle income country.

He said an annual growth of 7 percent to 8 percent under the next administration would be doable. “[The economy] should be

growing 6 to 7 percent or 8 percent in the next [six years].

[The] 7 percent to 8 percent, I believe is very doable. Our economy is still starting from a low base so we are not yet in that condition where you expect the economy to grow at a slower pace,” he said.

Balisacan said once the economy grew at this strong pace, the Philippines would join the ranks of higher-middle income economies. The Philippines is currently in the lower-middle income bracket, with a gross national income per capita of $3,500. The higher-middle income’ GNI per capita currently ranges from $4,126 to $12,735.

“If you continue the pace that we have now, we should be a member of the upper middle income country before the end of the next administration,” Balisacan said.

Toyota executives. Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., along with the Toyota Group of export suppliers, holds its bi-annual meeting with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. Shown are (seated, from left) TMP first vice president Blesilda Rodriguez, senior vice president Kazuhisa Kondo, senior executive vice president David Go, president Michinobu Sugata, Peza director generalLilia de Lima, Peza deputy director general for operations Mary Harriet Abordo, Peza deputy director general for policy and planning Tereso Panga and Toyota Special Economic Zone manager Shiela Marie Pidlaoan. With them are officers from the Toyota Group of export suppliers.

IN BRIEF 3rd party to inspect Montero

THE Trade Department said it will tap an independent third party expert to investigate the alleged “sudden unintended acceleration” of Mitsubishi Montero units.

Trade Undersecretary Victorio Dimagiba said the government was looking at two foreign technical laboratories in Germany to render technical assessment on the case, using a process called “electromagnetic compatibility.”

“There will be no recall yet, not until the third party has recommended that. We are considering four foreign experts but we have discounted Malaysia since their laboratory cannot assess a full vehicle. And since Montero Sports is made in Thailand, we eliminated that also. We’re now down to two German laboratories,” he said.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. said it welcomed the Trade Department’s recommendation to hire an independent third party expert.

“We assure all Montero Sport owners that we remain committed to a transparent resolution of this alleged SUA issue and to provide safe and quality vehicles. MMPC deeply regrets and sympathizes with its customers that have been affected by the alleged SUA issues. MMPC will continue to work with its customers to assure their safety,” the company said in a statement.

Othel V. Campos

PAL signs code share agreement

PHILIPPINE Airlines has signed a code share agreement with China Airlines for the Manila and Taipei flights.

Under the codeshare agreement, PAL and CAL will share three daily flights between Manila and Taipei. “The two airlines are considering future expansion of their cooperation to provide passengers with even more convenient and high quality air transportation services,” PAL said.

PAL and CAL are both aggressively developing their respective markets in Southeast Asia through route expansions. PAL currently flies to six Southeast Asian destinations, operating 166 flights a week. CAL operates 155 weekly flights to 16 Southeast Asian points.

For flights to the Philippines, apart from the 14 weekly flights on the Taipei (Taoyuan)-Manila route, there are also four weekly flights on the Kaohsiung-Manila route, and four weekly flights on the Taipei (Taoyuan)-Boracay route for a total of 22 flights a week.

China Airlines is Taiwan’s largest airline with a fleet of 104 aircraft and more than 12,000 employees worldwide.

Besides China Airlines, PAL has codeshare agreements with Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air and Etihad Airways. Darwin G. Amojelar

CebuPac flies to Fukuoka

CEBU Pacific on Thursday launched flights between Manila and Fukuoka, the airline’s fourth destination in Japan.

Cebu Pacific, the budget carrier led by tycoon John Gokongwei, said it would use brand-new Airbus A320 fleet for the thrice weekly flights to Fukuoka. With the launch of the new ManilaFukuoka route, Cebu Pacific is offering a promo fare of P6,778 all-in, or 51 percent lower than other airlines’ fares.

Aside from Fukuoka, Cebu Pacific operates direct flights from Manila to Osaka, Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya, and from Cebu to Tokyo (Narita). Darwin G. Amojelar

Hilton to manage Clark hotel

Hilton Worldwide and Hilton Hotels & Resorts said Thursday they signed a management agreement with Clark Sunvalley Resort to form and jointly manage the Hilton Clark Sunvalley Resort in the Philippines.

Hilton Clark Sunvalley Resort is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2017, strengthening Hilton Worldwide’s Philippine presence which now includes Conrad Manila and Hilton Manila.

“We are committed to growing Hilton Worldwide’s presence in the Philippines and the signing of Hilton Clark Sunvalley Resort is integral to our portfolio expansion plans for the country, which focus on key gateway cities, economic hubs and emerging secondary cities,” said Hilton senior vice president for development Andrew Clough.

Clark, Pampanga is an important hub for business, aviation and tourism in Central Luzon and has a thriving freeport zone.

Othel V. Campos

Trans-Asia gets feed-in tariff

TRANS-ASIA Renewable Energy Corp., a fully-owned subsidiary of Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Corp., has received a certificate of compliance from the Energy Regulatory Commission on the 54-megawatt San Lorenzo wind farm project in Guimaras province.

The certificate of compliance, which was received on Dec. 11, entitles Trans-Asia Renewable to a feed-in tariff of P7.40 per kilowatt-hour for a guaranteed period of 20 years, or until Dec. 26, 2034.

“This is a positive development…We can fully recognize generation revenues from our 54-MW wind farm in Guimaras...on our financial results for the year. We are committed to promoting clean and sustainable energy, and can move ahead with additional projects to expand our renewable energy portfolio as our contribution to addressing climate change,” Trans-Asia president Francisco Viray said in a statement. Alena Mae S. Flores

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RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

MOTORING mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A gearhead’s Xmas gift guide Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo

With Christmas Day just around the corner and traffic getting worse each day, stress levels are going up while Metro Manila is grinding to a halt.

Not to worry. For you gearheads, we’ve simplified and made easy what could be a tedious and time-consuming task of gift-hunting having gone through the process of selecting the best gift ideas. Here are the Standard’s Motoring section gift ideas for the car-loving bloke.

Black Rhino wheels Man up and get some Black Rhino wheels, which are designed with the off road truck and SUV enthusiast in mind. The rugged styling draws its inspiration from one of the toughest beasts in the world, the Black Rhino.

Each Black Rhino wheel is engineered to carry the heavy loads often associated with Trucks and SUV’s. All wheels are either hub-centric or supplied with centering rings to ensure a smooth vibration free ride.

All wheels are either hub centric or supplied with centering rings to ensure a smooth vibration free ride. The wheels come in a variety of 17”, 18”, 20” and 22” sizes in a variety of finishes - Matte Black, Gloss Black with Machine, Matte Black with Matte Machine, 5,6 and 8 Lug, all depending on what perfectly suits your truck, lifted truck and SUV. So when it comes to choosing well built, tough looking wheels for your off road truck, lifted truck or sport utility vehicle, go on and give it horns with Black Rhino Wheels.

Bedliners Protect and preserve with Maxliner, one of the world’s biggest outfitters of SUV’s and pick-ups encourages you to maximize your vehicles toughness and reliability with their line of bed liners. Designed and built to ISO 14001 BVQI standards, Maxliner bed liners are made of High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) material for high impact strength and makes your truck’s bed water and corrosion resistant. Maxliner bed liners have also undergone stringent testing in harsh environments to meet the demands of a global market to conform with global ISO standards.

Maxliner bedliners are also easy to install and fits most pickup models such as the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hi-Lux, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Strada and the Ford Ranger. Based in Thailand, Maxliner is an OEM certified supplier of global brands such as Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Ford, Nissan General Motors, and Tata. Shown in photo is an Isuzu D-Max fitted with a Maxliner bedliner and the Maxbox Concorde designed to be stylish and to contain your personal belongings safely. Like the bedliner, the Maxbox is tough and designed for all-weather reliability and theft proof for additional safety.

Engine protection Motul has excellent anti oxidation properties preventing premature thickening and ageing due to thermal stress. Its high performance anti-wear additive increases engine life duration and decreases wear by reducing engine internal frictions resulting in smooth and light acceleration. Motul’s anti-deposit and anti-black sludge power help maintains a clean engine, and also has properties for anti corrosion, antifoam properties that protects both the oil and engine from unwanted elements the car accumulates from usage. The patented synthetic technology that has been adapted from Jet planes to car racing and has been tested in actual conditions to provide ultra low-friction for more horsepower, incredibly smooth and almost no noticeable drop in rpms when shifting and instantaneous engine revs with noticeable gains in horsepower.

Friendly foil Foilacar Industries, the company which innovated automotive exterior makeovers, is a personalized film protection once exclusively enjoyed by the ultra rich, now made affordable by Foilacar. “It is the ultimate in car protection and aesthetics, initially developed for industrial use. We have different color hues to choose from and a professionally trained service crew. Imagine lesser maintenance and change of color anytime at a practical price. We also offer clear film protection to protect your valuable investment,” adds Lester Codog, CEO of Foilacar Industries.

Trail-proof your SUV Get tough and rough it up in the jungle trails with an off road gear designed to take on the punishment of Mother Nature. You won’t find a more thoroughly designed and manufactured vehicle protection system than Overland’s line of front, rear and side bumper protection. Engineering a bull bar requires careful consideration of a number of factors to ensure it properly serves its purpose. Factors such as vehicle design, crush rate, air bag deployment, approach angles, accessory fitment, strength, weight and aesthetics are accessed in every Overland bumper before it enters production.

Overland designs are engineered by people who are active 4-wheelers know first-hand the demands made on protection equipment. Overland 4x4 bumpers are designed to minimize vehicle damage and keep you moving. The standard Bull Bar replaces the front bumper completely with a robust steel bumper designed specifically for each application. Jim does not endorse a “one size fits all” approach to design Stopping power Brembo’s line of brake pads and discs are coated, slotted discs that optimize performance in wet conditions, constantly renewing friction material ensuring immediate braking response in all situations. The unique conformation of Brembo brake pads and discs ensures increased braking power during the initial stages of braking due to a higher coefficient of friction – resulting in shorter stopping distances and more effective braking action. Special asymmetric grooves on the surface of Brembo products also expel the hot gases released the friction material more rapidly while also indicating the degree of wear of the disc itself.

Exhaust pipes Designed and engineered to maximize engine output, KDM.Ph developed its hi-power Drift Xhaust with state-of-the art volume control exhaust system for both turbocharged and naturally aspirated applications. “ With our experience in drag and circuit racing, we have incorporated this new competition inspired offset muffler and piping design into a variety of street applications, which offers a greater flow and higher-PRM power gains due to the less restrictive design,” says GM Bugayong of KDM. Ph. Drift Xhaust with volume control system was developed locally for a variety of applications for Japanese, American, European and Korean high performance sports cars and compact cars. Drift Xhaust systems are made from SUS304 stainless steel muffler and tip assemblies with muffler tips measuring 96mm, 115mm and 120mm in diameter and piping diameters ranging from 55mm to 95mm. It is easy to install and use, just turn the exhaust sound to a minimum volume when passing through a school, village, church or just want to have a meaningful conversation inside the car.

Paint protection Protecting the car from the elements and preserving its paint from the mud and dirt is Sonax, the world’s most trusted auto care product from Germany. Sonax product range reflects the sum of all the experience gained from more than 50 years of research and development work in car care. Trusted by millions of motorists since the 1950’s, Sonax of Germany has been the car care product of choice by car lovers and automotive detailers in more than 90 countries Worldwide.

Through interchange and scientific institutions and joint research projects with leading automobile manufacturers, Sonax is constantly developing its knowledge of car care and protection even further. The simple yet effective application of products have been accredited and certified by independent and respected automotive organizations such as DEKRA, TUV and ADAC of Germany.

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Spy chief: Tone down criticism of Islam

Horsewoman. Druze horsewoman and trainer Rajaa Kheir battles to saddle a stray horse on September 17, 2015, at her ranch, the only Arab center in the area in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, in the southern foothills of Mount Hermon, north of the Golan Heights. Horses are an important part of the culture in the region’s ranches and cattle farms spread among the rugged hills and plains. AFP

China slams US sale of warships to Taiwan BEIJING—China has summoned the US envoy to protest Washington’s sale of warships to Taiwan, as part of a massive $1.8-billion arms package, Beijing said Thursday.

Taipei will get an array of missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and two frigates in the latest deal, which comes as the United States looks to shore up its Asian friends and allies in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness.

“China staunchly opposes America’s sale of arms to Taiwan,” a statement from the country’s foreign affairs ministry said, as US charge d’affaires Kaye Lee was called in for a dressing down.

It said Beijing would impose sanctions on any companies involved in the sale, and warned Washington to cancel the deal to “avoid causing further damage to Sino-US relations”.

Although it has been governed separately since the end of a civil war in 1949, China considers Taiwan a renegade province awaiting reunification.

It regularly lashes out at Washington and other powers for their dealings with Taipei, which it

labels “interference” in Chinese domestic affairs.

The US weapons sale—the first to Taiwan in four years—comes at an increasingly febrile time in East Asia, where China’s aggressive position on the territorial disputes with its neighbors has raised anxiety levels in the US and among allies from Japan to the Philippines.

Beijing is building islands with military-grade airstrips in the South China Sea, part of what observers say is an attempt to assert control over almost the whole of the body of water.

Several countries—along with Taiwan—also claim parts of the sea.

The US and its allies have carried out highprofile overflights of the sea, nearing the artificial islands, in what they say are routine “freedom of navigation” exercises in international waters.

Beijing says they are provocations and infringements of Chinese sovereignty.

In their meeting on Wednesday, Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang told Lee the weapons deal “severely goes against international law and the basic norms of international relations”, adding that it “severely harms China’s sovereignty and security interests”.

“US companies’ involvement in arms sales

with Taiwan constitutes a severe infringement of China’s sovereignty and security interests”, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said during a regular press briefing, adding that “the Chinese government and companies will not conduct cooperation of business with those kinds of companies.”

Washington, which is bound by domestic laws to supply defense materials to Taiwan, played down the impact of the agreement.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the deal was in keeping with long-held American policy and would not affect relations with Beijing.

“As for our relationship with China, that remains an important relationship that we’re going to continue to work at,” he said.

“There’s no other message that needs to be taken away from this, other than we take seriously our commitment to the defence needs of Taiwan.”

Relations between Beijing and Taipei have warmed under current Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.

China’s leader Xi Jinping and Ma met for a historic summit in November, the first leaders’ summit since the 1949 split. AFP

SYDNEY—Australia’s spy chief has told politicians from the ruling conservative party to tone down their criticism of Islam as it could pose a national security risk, according to reports.

Debate over anti-Muslim rhetoric in Australia has spiked after ousted prime minister Tony Abbott last week wrote in a newspaper column that “we can’t remain in denial about the massive problem with Islam”.

His remarks followed incendiary comments by US Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump, including for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States after a shooting rampage in California.

Duncan Lewis, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, has contacted politicians from the Liberal-National coalition requesting they soften their public remarks on Islam, The Australian newspaper said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Thursday she supported Lewis’ reported actions.

“If the director-general of ASIO has formed a view that the public debate might have the potential to put at risk the work that his organization is undertaking in counterterrorism, then of course he should speak out,” she said in Sydney.

While Abbott regularly used strong language against the Islamic State group, routinely referring to it as the “death cult”, current leader Malcolm Turnbull, who replaced him in a party coup in September, has taken a more moderate line.

Lewis’ reported calls came days after an interview with Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, where he stressed that fueling tensions with the Muslim community could hurt the fight against extremism.

“I think it behooves Australia and Australians to recognize that the backlash is something that is very, very dangerous,” he told the tabloid, adding that the country’s security agencies were working closely with Muslim communities in the big cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

“We are to a great extent very dependent on the information that flows from them (the Muslim community),” Lewis said. AFP

Dead after being sucked by jet engine MUMBAI—A technician working for Air India has died after being sucked into a jet engine as the plane pushed back for takeoff at Mumbai airport, the airline and reports said.

The freak accident happened Wednesday night when the co-pilot of flight AI 619 to Hyderabad in India’s south mistook a signal from ground staff and started the engine.

It sucked in Ravi Subramanian, who was standing close by, the Press Trust of India reported, quoting anonymous sources at Air India, the Asian giant’s national carrier.

The airline wrote on its official Twitter handle that one of its technicians had “died in a mishap during pushback of flight AI 619”, without specifying exactly what happened.

“The incident is being investigated. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” said the tweet.

Air India’s chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani said “we are deeply saddened & regret the tragic incident” at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji airport, according to the post late on Wednesday.

The state-run carrier, which

has not reported an annual profit since 2007, has been hit by a string of technical glitches and other embarrassing incidents, including staff turning up late for flights.

In April, the airline made headlines when it had to ground two of its pilots after a fight erupted between the pair just before takeoff.

Wednesday’s incident comes a week after a turboprop plane belonging to budget carrier SpiceJet hit a group of wild boars and skidded as it came into land at Jabalpur airport in central India. AFP

Premiere. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio meets fans at the Premiere Of

20th Century Fox And Regency Enterprises’ “The Revenant” at the TCL Chinese Theater on December 16, 2015, in Hollywood, California. AFP

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B8 Migrant crisis tops European summit BRUSSELS—EU leaders will tackle Britain’s reform demands and the migration crisis at a summit Thursday, twin challenges that threaten the unity of the bloc as one of the toughest years in its history draws to a close.

The 28 leaders will first debate a controversial plan for a new European Union force, which could shore up borders without the host country’s consent, to stem a record flow of migrants including refugees from war zones like Syria.

Over dinner in Brussels, Prime Minister David Cameron will then set out his reform demands for the first time to his counterparts, aiming for a deal at the next summit in February to prevent a “Brexit” from the EU. Cameron has vowed to “get a great deal for the British people” before holding a referendum on Britain’s membership by the end of 2017, which could see it become the first country to leave the bloc.

But the debate promises to be stormy as the other 27 leaders are almost unanimously opposed to Cameron’s main demand—a four-year wait before EU migrants working in Britain can claim welfare benefits.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Europe’s most powerful leader, warned on the eve of the summit that the EU’s integration was “not up for debate”, while EU president Donald Tusk said there would be “no taboos”.

“We still have a serious problem and we don’t know how to move forward on the welfare issue,” a senior EU official said.

The official urged Cameron to be “specific and open” about his demands so that there could then be “guidance from leaders” on the next steps, including possible alternatives to the migrant plan.

The debate in Britain has also been fueled by concerns over the migration crisis—the worst of its kind in Europe since World War II—which has seen nearly a million people arrive on the continent this year.

The summit wraps up an ‘annus horribilis’ for the EU. which has seen it confront overlapping crises—Ukraine, Greece, migration, the Paris attacks and Britain— that have threatened the post-war dream of a unified continent. AFP

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD UN moves to tighten net around IS finances UNITED NATIONS—The UN Security Council holds its first-ever meeting of finance ministers Thursday to adopt a wide-ranging draft resolution aimed at ramping up sanctions against the Islamic State group and cutting off its revenue flows.

Onstage. Singer Camila Cabello of Fifth Harmony performs onstage during 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2015 presented by Capital One at Allstate Arena on December 16 in Chicago. AFP

US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew will lead the 15-member council for the vote that comes amid a major diplomatic push to end the war in Syria, where IS jihadists control a large swathe of territory and have installed their de facto capital.

The draft resolution is expected to win unanimous backing from the council, including Russia, Syria’s ally which is now in the third month of its air campaign in support of President Bashar Al-Assad.

The measure builds on a previous resolution setting up an Al-Qaeda blacklist, which will be renamed the “ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda sanctions list” to signal the UN’s stronger focus on the IS extremists.

It calls on governments to ensure they have adopted laws that make the financing of IS and of foreign fighters who join its ranks a serious criminal offense.

The measure urges countries to “move vigorously and decisively to cut the flow of funds, and other financial assets and economic resources” including oil and antiquities to the IS group, and to “more actively” submit names to the sanctions list.

A Russian-drafted resolution on cutting off the extremists’ revenue streams was adopted in February, but diplomats complain that countries have been slow to take action to choke off sources of funding.

The latest measure would require all countries to report within 120 days on steps taken to target IS financing.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be asked to prepare a sweeping report in 45 days on the IS threat and its revenue streams.

“If we can get at ISIL’s wallet and its financial coffers in an intensified and even more aggressive way, that’s going to have a material effect on their ability to prosecute war,” US Ambassador Samantha Power said, using an alternative acronym for the IS group.

According to the London-based IHS analysis firm, the Islamic State group is pulling in $80 million per month, but Russian and US coalition air strikes on oil facilities are putting a strain on its finances. AFP

Hundreds of large firms paying no tax in Australia SYDNEY—Some 600 of the biggest firms operating in Australia, including Qantas and Glencore, paid no income tax in the 201314 financial year, data showed Thursday as the government vowed to keep targeting loopholes.

There has been a global push, including in Australia, for large local and multinational companies to stop using sophisticated structures to avoid or lower their

tax payments, which has seen governments lose billions in revenue.

The tax details of around 1,500 large corporations were released by the Australian Taxation Office as a “step forward in improving corporate tax transparency”, its Commissioner Chris Jordan said in a statement.

While Jordan said companies that did not incur a tax bill were not necessarily avoiding payments, he

warned multinational firms—some of which fronted a parliamentary inquiry this year on tax minimization—that their “aggressive arrangements” would be scrutinized.

“Some of these foreign-owned companies are overly aggressive in the way they structure their operations,” he said.

“We will continue to challenge the more aggressive arrangements to show that we are resolute about en-

suring companies are not unreasonably playing on the edge. If they do, they can expect to be challenged.”

Britain in March introduced a so-called “Google tax” on firms that divert profits overseas, while Australia recently passed a law to lift transparency requirements that would also see disclosures required for private companies with turnover of A$200 million (US$144 million).

The data showed that Apple raked in A$6.2 billion in total income in Australia for the 2013-14 year, but only had a taxable income of A$247.4 million and a tax bill of A$74.1 million.

Swiss commodity giant Glencore booked combined revenue of some A$17.4 billion for the same period for three reporting entities, but paid no tax for any of them. AFP

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

ST Y L E & BE AU T Y

LIFE The Magic of Christmas bubble bar

Father Christmas Fun

AND IT'S JUST A LITTLE LUSH!

Y

ou know you are near a Lush store if you smell fancy fragrance wafting in the air from a corner away. This holiday season, Lush delves into a world of “pure imagination” as it turns year-round favorite bath products into fun winter wonderland innovations.

Inspired by the desire to make bath time playful and interesting especially for kids and the young at heart, the store offers a myriad of colorful bath bombs, shower jellies, powder dust, bubble bar, and many more interesting items to take home for the holidays or gift to someone this Christmas.

You can even create your own customized shapes or characters to give as gifts with the soft and colorful Fun soaps – it’s like playing with clay but you can actually use this to soap your body or your hair. Create Santas, snowmen, or the Grinch – only your imagination will

set the limit. Every kiddo will sure love to take a bath with these goodies.

You may also check out the funny looking blob Santa Belly made from sea weed, glycerine and fresh apple juice. There are also products that look good enough to eat, and yes, are edible. So when they wash down the drain and go back to any body of water, they don’t pollute the environment.

As part of the brand’s campaign is to support sustainability, products in Lush are vegetarian and have not been tested on animals and are okay for the environment.

This Christmas, wrappers and ribbons are in demand but imagine the spoilage and wastage from every torn paper and opened boxes. But with Lush, you can avail of their gift wrapped items and still sleep well at night knowing that the company didn’t have to cut down any more trees as the packaging is recycled and recyclable.

Make your own Christmas character with Fun bath products at Lush

Pressing a Bubble bar

Continued on C4

Golden wonder

Stardust

The Night Before Christmas

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

HOLIDAY TREAT FOR THE TRESSES

W

ith a series of parties and another year coming to an end, December is the time when salons are usually busy and overwhelmed as gleaned from the buzzing noise of blow dryers and the stench of hair treatment chemicals. And if you can’t book an appointment, how can you look your best at the annual family reunion or welcome the New Year with healthy crowning glory?

The solution: hair treatment at home.

The chemicals and stress that our tresses had gone through over the year have made them lifeless, brittle, frizzy and dull. Given these bad hair scenarios, Kérastase Paris comes to the rescue this holiday season as it releases its four limited edition Christmas Coffrets sets, each of which targets different hair problems.

Colour-Protecting Christmas coffret

For hair that has gone dry due to straightening or perming or coloring, opt for Kérastase Paris Anti-Frizz Christmas coffret (P4,250) which features Kérastase Paris Nutritive Collection that works on dry to very dry locks.

Reveal the vibrancy of your color-treated hair with Kérastase Paris Colour-Protecting Christmas coffret (P4,730) featuring Kérastase Paris Reflection Collection that nourishes, protects and boosts the radiancy of dry and colored hair.

Got rebellious and stiff hair that is hard to manage? The Kérastase Paris Smoothening Christmas coffret (P4,730) comes with Kérastase Paris Discipline collection that makes your frizzy hair fluid and easy to control.

For a severely damaged crowning glory, seek hair reconstructive home treatment

Kérastase Paris Anti-Frizz Christmas coffret

found in Kérastase Paris Reconstructing Christmas coffret (P4,250) which rebuilds each strand’s internal structure from chemical and mechanical effects.

Since Christmas is the season of giving, when you buy both masque and texturizer from the four featured Kérastase Paris collections, you will receive a complimentary bath kit.

Inspired from the quest of finding the best way to keep hair beautiful, The Kérastase Paris technology is known for its unique formulation charter: formulas with powerful active ingredients, high-tech molecular

Reconstructing Christmas coffret

complexes and sensational textures. Kérastase Paris takes advantage of its 12 international testing facilities to meet the demanding needs of hairdressers worldwide.

The Kérastase Paris Christmas Coffrets guarantee nourished hair transformation even at the comforts of your home. The four limited edition Christmas Coffrets are available at Toni&Guy Trinoma, Toni&Guy Megamall, Emphasis Rockwell, Fabio Salsa Rockwell, Kérastase Institute in Makati and other leading salons nationwide.

Smoothening Christmas coffret

WHAT’S YOUR ADDICTION?

M YSL Black Opium table set-up

Models recreated the thrilling addiction of Black Opium

Host Sambie Rodriguez welcomed the guests

any people are addicted to food, some are addicted to gambling or shopping, others are addicted to video games, and there are those addicted to substances. Addiction, in a nutshell, is a disorder which has adverse effects to the person who has it. But the latest Yves Saint Laurent fragrance gives you a reason to get hooked without the destructive consequences.

Bottled in glittering black and radiating pink, the YSL Black Opium entices women, who follow the beat of their own drums, to unleash their true spirit.

Black Opium is the first female fragrance to use coffee in high doses, engaging the wearer in a tug-of-war of light and darkness.

The patchouli and cedarwood notes serve as the dark facet that harmoniously let the femininity in with floral accords.

The addictive pleasure is encapsulated in the coffee notes. It then seduces you to enter another realm of pleasure with jasmine and orange blossoms. Next, it shifts to the warm richness of lingering vanilla. Finally, it all adds up to a full coffee floral experience. It’s the perfect scent that bridges rebellious and elegant, and empowers women to release their inhibitions and be bolder.

Manila recently welcomed this daring and addictive fragrance at the newlyopened, hidden Bank Bar in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The guests were immersed in sensual, rebellious yet elegant installations.

Custom made cocktails were served and shisha

sets were made available, inspired by the notes found in Black Opium – coffee, coconut, vanilla, lemon and mandarin.

DJ Ornussa Cadness set the mood with her emboldened beats. Model and host Sambie Rodriguez welcomed everyone followed by a brief introduction on Yves Saint Laurent and Black Opium by L’Oreal Luxury Division general manager Clarisa Villaflor and YSL Fragrances brand manager Karla Almazan.

To keep the mood enigmatic and gripping, models wearing glam rock outfits by Fashion Designer Jerome Lorico walked in, unveiled the Black Opium bottle and opened the Black Opium room. Guests were captivated as they entered the room which featured a lighted mirror art installation and the riveting scent of Black Opium.

Celebrities and influencers Jake Cuenca, Victor Basa, Carla Humphries, Brent Javier, Tim Yap, Raymond Gutierrez, Kiana Valenciano, Charina Sarte, Janna Tee, Erica Abello, Kally Araneta, Sara Grace Kelly, Margo Midwinter, Natalia Ortega and Ella Pangilinan joined in the addiction and got hooked on this latest YSL fragrance.

Black Opium EDT 90ML

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium entices women to release their inhibitions. It is for young style-seekers moved by their desires— defiant, sensual and driven. Black Opium Eau de Toilette is now available at selected SM Department Stores in 50 ml and 90 ml bottles.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Stand out in these knee-high boots

Step out in style with Parisian shoes

Comfy and chic despite the holiday rush

Cozy up with Parisian boots

On trend and oh-so-fab with strappy heels

STEP OUT IN STYLE WITH PARISIAN’S LATEST COLLECTION

P

sychologists say your shoes reveal a lot about your personality.

Ankle boots indicate assertiveness, super high inch heels declare that you can be very calm and deliberate, while open sandals tag you as a liberal-minded woman. In fact, almost 90 percent of your traits and character can be gleaned through your choice of footwear – smart, shy, sensitive, outgoing, fun loving, a kid-at-heart, adventurous, casual, cool, or just simply stylish and fashionable.

This season, step out in style with the latest holiday collection from Parisian at SM. As this is the season that requires a lot of celebrations and parties, stand out and go on trend with laced-up and gladiator heels and flats from the Bohemian Escape Collection.

Rock the party with the Street Beat that features sleek boots and cutout heels. Don’t let the holiday rush get to you – go comfy and chic with sandals from the Sportif collection. Or give your look a Classic Reboot with pointed pumps, strappy heels and glittery flats revved up for a whole new generation of stylish women.

Whatever the party or occasion, there’s always a Parisian pair that suits your look and mood for the moment.

Here’s to the holidays!

The Parisian Holiday collection is available at all SM Stores nationwide. Get connected with Parisian through Parisian Shoes and Bags on Facebook and @SMParisian and @SMShoesandBags on Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forget to include the hashtag #SMParisianHoliday2015 when you upload those pics that show you stepping out in style!

Knee-high Yola boots

@LIFEatStandard

Androgynous appeal with Yogi brogues

Fierce Factor. Animal-print Ynez flats

Yoki heels with a mesh cut-out

Glam up with gladiator heels

Be a street style master with the Yuki Chelsea boots

Casual and Cool York sandals

Elegant Will heels

Knee-high Yeska gladiator heels

Fun and fabulous with gladiator flats

Pointed laced-up Yesha heels

Stylish yet versatile laced-up Wick heels

F R I D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 8 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

life @ thestandard.com .ph

18K Yellow Gold Miraculous Medal with diamonds

18K Yellow Gold Simple Scapular with black silicone cord

@LIFEatStandard

18K Yellow Gold Ornate Sacred Heart Scapular

18K Rose Gold Cross Scapular with diamonds

18K yellow gold Crown of the Virgin and Our Lady of Conception necklace with diamonds

MEANINGFUL GIFTS ALL YEAR ROUND

G

ift guides are always helpful especially when the people in your list are individuals who “have it all.” When putting together a list, it’s often easiest to classify them according to age, gender, style preference, hobbies and interests.

In a market that is able to offer just about anything and everything, shopping for holiday gifts tends to overwhelm the shopper. The tendency then is to purchase generic gifts that can be given out to a wide range of recipients.

In a season that celebrates the spirit of giving, we highlight gifts that hold meaning and significance all year round. Jewelry is a characteristically personal item that may bear different sentimental value to a similarly wide range of wearers.

Scapular necklaces, originally a monastic parcel of accessory traced back to the Order of St. Benedict in the 7th century, have recently become a preferred piece of jewelry for individuals who want to wear pieces that remind them of their beliefs. Scapulars were primarily made out of brown pieces of cloth with images of saints, symbols and other various religious insignia. Each scapular corresponds to a prayer, pledge, promise, way of life or belief,

18K Yellow Gold Round Sacred Heart Scapular

18K Yellow Gold Psalm 23 Scapular inscriptions that translate to: 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.'

which makes them gift items for loved ones to last a lifetime.

The more current designs today for devotional scapulars offer a variety of ways to wear one’s favorite piece of jewelry. From selection of shapes, use of materials to range in medal sizes, there is a fitting scapular for anyone and everyone.

THE SACRED HEART AND MOTHER OF MERCY

One of the most popular scapulars is that with the image of the Sacred Heart on one medal and the Mother of Mercy on the other.

The scapular represents Jesus’ love for humanity. More importantly, it reminds the wearer of the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart.

While scapulars were originally created using brown cloth and thread, more ornate versions in gold and silver have been rendered as classic jewelry.

Done in yellow or white gold, the rectangular version of the

18k Yellow Gold and Silver Sacred Heart Scapular

Sacred Heart scapular has turned heads not only among devotees but also for those who appreciate good, meaningful pieces of jewelry.

True to their original form, medals are located on both the front and back of the bodice. Traditionally, the chain should drape around the shoulders instead of the neck as done in more contemporary times.

Other modern renditions of the scapular include the Simple Sacred Heart Scapular. The dimensions of each medal measure 1.2cm by 0.8cm, making it ideal for layering other pieces of jewelry. Some people also find scapulars ideal presents for children due to their delicate, petite size. While the classic design will utilize a gold chain, other options such as silicone cords (available in black or brown) offer a more modern and stylish approach to wearing the scapular.

Similar to the Simple Scapular but bigger in size are the Standard Sized Scapulars with medals that

Miraculous Medal Pendant with chain

measure approximately 2cm by 1.4cm. These pieces are available in silver or a combination of both 18K yellow gold and silver.

Those looking for more intricate designs will appreciate the Ornate Sacred Heart Scapulars. Inspired by sculptural Renaissance art, these 18K yellow medals measure about 2cm by 1.4cm and are in both glossy and matte finish. Just as unique are the Round Sacred Heart Scapulars that feature a more minimalist design sensibility. A round frame (measuring 1.7cm in diameter) encompasses the intricately carved golden images of the Sacred Heart and Mother of Mercy.

WEAR YOUR SCRIPTURES

Verses from the Psalms are also another way to express feelings, emotions and beliefs through poetry. Of the 150 in the Old Testament, the most popular is Psalm 23 which reads, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not

want.” This verse, in summation, symbolizes empowerment, faith and abundance. The Psalm 23 Scapular is one piece of jewelry that allows the wearer to uniquely express his or her faith.

OTHER MEDALS

Apart from scapulars, medals are popular gifts to give to special people on equally special occasions.

Among the most preferred are St. Benedict (worn by most for protection) and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (preferred by Marian devotees who believe in Mother Mary’s power as Mediatrix).

These medals are also hand-carved using 18k gold and may also be worn as a pin.

Shop online at www.vitostudio.com, for updates on the latest items visit them on Facebook at VITO Studio, follow them on @vitostudiodotcm for Twitter and @vitostudio for Instagram.

AND IT'S JUST A LITTLE LUSH! From C1

Holiday Cheer

Festive Friends

Joy to the World

5 gold Rings

bubble bar The papers and ribbons were sourced Established in November 2010, Columbia form part of the product from community projects around the The SLush Fund project is inspired base. To date, the £1.2 million raised world and the reusable scarves are with the brand’s vision of moving has supported the development of 32 made from recycled bottle tops or ethical buying practices beyond projects in 19 countries. printed onto organic cotton. Same with simply buying fairly traded In the Philippines, Lush has helped the new concept store displays, the ingredients. Rather, it creates a PETA Asia Pacific for its educational cabinets and tables are reused wood, supportive partnerships with the materials against animal testing. sourced locally here in the Philippines. communities that produce them. For 2016, a portion of product Philippines, Lush also opens its Charity Pot Part of the new formulation purchases will be donated to Lush is exclusively distributed by products with its brand new self- are Rosewood oil from Cara Welfare Philippines Stores Specialists, Inc., a member preserving formula that benefits Peru; ylang-ylang oil from to support their work on of SSI Group Inc., and is located at worthy causes aside from Swedru, Ghana; geranium animal welfare.

Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio softening and cleaning your oil from the Mountain So if you’re still High Street, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt skin. Charity Pot is a scented Organic Farming, out in the mall and 3, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangrihand and body lotion made Nanyuki, Kenya for the finishing your last La Plaza Mall, SM Annex North with a new formula that fragrance; fresh aloe minute Christmas EDSA, SM Mall of Asia and Snow Fairy includes seven materials leaves from the Laikipia dusting powder shopping, Lush Trinoma. Visit www.lush. sourced from Sustainable Women’s Aloe Groups products might be com.ph to keep updates Lush Fund (SLush Fund) and Permaculture Centre, a good idea for gifting. from the brand, or like projects. Every purchase Kenya; moringa oil from them on Facebook at Lush of the product goes Techiman, Ghana; Fair If you’re interested in Charity Philippines, and follow directly to carefully selected Trade shea butter from Pot project, visit them on Instagram causes where the focus is the Women’s Ojoba www.facebook.com/charitypot @lushcosmeticsph and in helping the community Collective, Ghana; and Fair for more information and @LushPhilippines on Twitter. and preserving animals and Trade organic cocoa butter email charitypot@lush.co.uk Visit www.ssilife.com.ph for Father First Snow the environment. from the Peace Community in for your inquiries. In the more information.

Christmas Fun

dusting powder

F RIDAY : DECEMBER 18, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Ryan agonCillo From driFt racing to taxi driving

By nickie Wang

T

elevision host and actor Ryan Agoncillo is shifting gears literally and figuratively. The 37-yearold father of two is busy hosting and acting. On the side, he’s also indulging in various hobbies like photography and his sport of choice, racecar drifting.

And all these helped Ryan prepare for his new role – a taxi driver.

“To be honest, it’s hard. Considering the traffic congestion and meeting different people and passengers, driving a taxicab is a test of patience. But having two children as backseat drivers, you know, the chaos, and dealing with other motorists on the road prepared me for this,” Ryan said smiling.

The actor will assume the role of a taxi cab driver and show host in the 13-episode series Cash Cab Philippines, the first local show produced by AXN. Adam Wood devised the show that originated in the United Kingdom and has been licensed to television networks in numerous other countries.

“Cash Cab Philippines is the first

locally produced show for AXN in this market and we are very excited for its debut just in time for Christmas. Our viewers are really going to love watching this show filmed against recognizable landmarks in Manila,” said an AXN Networks Philippines official during the program’s media launch last week.

The game show on wheels is based on the Emmy –award winning format but created especially for local audience. In this show, Ryan will drive passengers to their destination while quizzing them on trivia questions and general knowledge. Questions asked during the ride will start easy and become trickier with contestants winning cash prizes for every correct answer.

“This show is perfect for Metro Manila traffic. Traffic becomes another factor in the game. It works both ways for the show producers and contestants,” Ryan told the press.

He explained that the longer the passengers are inside the cab the higher the chances that they would bring home big cash, but the twist of the game - the longer the ride

the higher the possibility that the passengers would lose the winnings if they’d give incorrect answers.

Ryan furthered that the Cash Cab will appear as a regular taxi, however, upon entering the vehicle passengers will find themselves as contestants on the mobile game show. Passengers get 15 seconds to answer. They will be entitled to two shout outs or call-a-friend. Three wrong answers and passengers get booted out of the cab and return whatever they’ve won until that point of the ride.

“Our passenger contestants are very random. At one time, there were two professionals; probably they came from a night out. They had to ask for a selfie with me.

They said they will use the picture to show their wives why they came home late,” Ryan shared.

Cash Cab Philippines premieres on Dec. 22 at 8:50 p.m. with an encore on Dec. 24 at 9:15 p.m.

AXN is seen on SkyCable Ch 49, Cable Link Ch 38, Cignal TV Ch 61, Destiny Cable Ch 61, Dream Ch 20 and GSAT Ch 51.

Ryan Agoncillo hosts the local edition of mobile gameshow Cash Cab Agoncillo talks about his new hosting assignment during the media launch of the AXN show

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F RIDAY : DECEMBER 18, 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

PeOPle

...aRE taLking abOUt

MainE MEnDOZa In a short span of time, she’s practically achieved what other celebrities could not even accomplish in their lifetime.

And it’s favorable that in this stage of her career, she gets nothing but good press. A lot of positive words have been spreading around regarding the deeds of the other half of AlDub. From helping out random strangers on the streets to defending and consoling a colleague, the rising star has proven that she is more than what people see on TV.

Maine Mendoza

a SECOnD ChanCE In its fourth weekend at the tills, the romantic movie is still being shown on multiple screens in movie houses. Thus, it came as no surprise that the John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo starrer has already made box office history.

According to Star Cinema, the film has already made P442 million domestically, a feat it achieved in just 10 days. A few days more, this film will already be named the top-grossing local film of all time.

Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz

DEniSE LaUREL We’ve known her more as an actress rather than as a singer, let alone a performer. Thus, when she appeared in Your Face Sounds Familiar, people were a bit amazed that she has other skills to show off. That’s the reason why she emerged as the grand winner of the second season of the hit competition, besting her co-finalists who are known for their musical background. She came to the show and surprised us all.

Denise Laurel is YFSF grand champion

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 42 43 46 47 48 50

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Flow slowly 5 Pocket janglers 9 Small job 13 Summit 14 Young screecher 15 Workout result 16 Rundown car 17 River or wine 18 Crayola choice 19 Sell in a hurry 21 Flight board info

22 “The Clan of the Cave Bear” author 23 Brings action 25 Explains further 27 Be disgraced (2 wds.)

31 Pleasure craft 35 What the hen did 36 Prunes a hedge 38 Ripple pattern 39 Midnight teller 40 Raw-fish delicacy

52 54 55 58 60 64 65 67 68 69 70 71 72 73

Anybody’s sister Cat calls Animated character “Et tu” time Action-movie name Double-checked (2 wds.)

Prepare tea Prom rental Bungle Scribble down Hoodwinked Countess’s spouse It merged with BP Mystique Sidle past Serena’s sis Salon rinse Did batik Moon — Zappa Latin I verb

DOWN 1 Waikiki’s island 2 Candid 3 Enthusiasm 4 Bare 5 Utility bill abbr.

6 Newsman — Abel 7 Gossipy type 8 Levelheaded 9 Hot sauce 10 Freedom org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

11 12 14 20 24 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34 37 41 44 45 47 49 51 53 55 56 57 59 61 62 63 66

Elisabeth of “Soapdish” Boat’s bottom Hardships — Wiedersehen Reconnoiter Beaver project Andes ruminant Movie with a posse Musicians Carly or Paul — — salts Ashram dweller Straighter Know somehow Reef Shades of blue Tottered 35mm camera Cut off Eerie feeling (2 wds.)

“Down Under” bird Females Corn, to chickens Godiva’s title Natural impulse Braxton or Tennille Filmmaker — Bunuel Sea eagles Evening out Mow

...aRE nOt taLking abOUt

Daniel Padilla Rich is now part of top-rating Little Nanay

Rumoured couple JenDen

DaniEL PaDiLLa He used to rule the record bars and music charts, but it seems the Kapamilya star is losing the throne to Alden Richards.

The latter scored another lead against the Kapamilya actor when his first recording album recently topped nationwide sales reports. Not that it indicates one is better than the other, but there’s a bigger picture that obviously tells people who’s the more in demand star.

RiCh aSUnCiOn There was this time that she had to keep her romantic life secret in hopes that it would further her career. Now, the Kapuso actress is spilling the beans disclosing stories, which she tried to avoid discussing many times over in the past.

This time, it is with the same objective, which is to generate buzz or in other words - to salvage her career. It didn’t work when it was a secret, so how would it work now there’s no mystery to keep?

DEnniS anD JEnnyLyn From the time they started working together again as an onscreen couple, they’ve been very careful in answering questions on the real score between them. Even in separate interviews, they both answer the same way – “We’re just friends.” So, tell us, what do we call two adult people holding hands while walking in Amsterdam? Call us malicious but their body language tells us more than they’re actually telling the press a big lie.

F RIDAY : DECEMBER 18, 2015

C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Is sarah GeronImo ‘The GreaT Unknown’?

From C8

Sarah Geronimo continues with her amazing musical reinvention with the release of her 12th and brand new album entitled The Great Unknown, and here, the musical “Popstar Royalty” takes the best bits from her two previous hit albums and expands them further.

An even mix of ballads, midtempo numbers and upbeat tracks, the album starts off with the piano driven ballad “Unbroken.”

Written by Philpop finalist Melvin Morallos, “Unbroken” finds Geronimo in a romantic yet somewhat pensive mood. Those strong emotions only serve to beautify the song, of course, and you can hear it on the singer’s execution all throughout, especially on “The Great Unknown,” the title track that she collaborated with alt-pop band Hale.

The laid back feel continues on romantic songs such as “Ako’y Para Lamang Sa’Yo.” A track composed by hit maker/singersongwriter Totop Suzara, formerly of Freestyle. Picking up the tempo a bit, Geronimo takes on the R&B tinged pop number written by Geraldine Lim entitled, “Baby You’re The Reason.” Also making a first time appearance in an SG album is her close friend, pop-rock singersongwriter Yeng Constantino who contributes a song in and is featured in “Kaibigan Mo.”

Sarah Geronimo's The Great Unknown album cover

Once more, The Great Unknown is exclusively an all-original affair, and Geronimo meticulously picked the best songs from the

most promising songwriters-from next-gen tunesmiths like Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana, Nica Del Rosario, Emmanuel

Sambayan and those in between, such as Edmund Perlas, who wrote the endearing “Only For You” and Hale’s Roll Martinez in

the alt-pop flavored “Kapit.”

Highlighting The Great Unknown is a triple-treat of catchy, upbeat modern pop tunes: starting with the subtle, electro flavored “Sabi Mo Sa Akin” (written by Mark Villar). Geronimo works anew with beats-meister Jumbo “Bojam” DeBelen who whipped up a smorgasbord of beats with Nica Del Rosario and Emmanuel Sambayan in the dubstep fringed “Tala.” Closing the album with a bang is the Thyro Alfaro-Yumi Lacsamana track “Misteryo.”

The Great Unknown is produced

by Civ Fontanilla and Sarah Geronimo and is released by Viva Records. The album was released on Dec. 4 and is now available on iTunes for download and can be listened to on music apps like Spotify, Deezer, Rdio and Guvera.

The Great Unknown is also available on CDs at Odyssey branches (SM Fairview, North Edsa, Megamall, MOA, Farmers Plaza, Alimall, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Festival Mall, Alabang Town Center, and Market-Market and provincial branches in SM Cauayan, Clark, Calamba, Batangas, Olongapo, Pampanga, Baguio, Dasmarinas, Rosario, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Ayala Cebu, Limketkai CDO, Citymall Dagupan, Citymall La Union, NE Pacific Mall) and Island Citymall Bohol.

‘rakrakan na’ Tomorrow nIGhT

R

OCK music, art, food and skateboarding competitions will highlight this year’s Rakrakan Festival: Rock ‘Till You Drop at the Globe Circuit Events Grounds in Circuit Makati tomorrow.

A total of 70 mainstream and indie musicians will perform in three stages of the festival – Mosh, Move, and Groove –, organizer Keith de la Torre said during the event’s launch at Gweillos Bar and Restaurant in Eastwood City in Quezon City recently.

“It is more diverse this year in terms of activities, in terms of audience. We are not only catering to people who love music, but also those who are into sports, food and the arts,” De la Torre added.

The festival will be held from 2 p.m. on Dec. 19 and end at 4 a.m. the following day.

The Mosh stage will be for loud, heavy rock, hardcore and metal music.

Performers here include last year’s regulars Slapshock, Queso, Wilabaliw, Chicosi, Kjwan, Skychurch and Valley of Chrome. Urbandub, which is among last year’s crowd favorites, will be around with Rocksteddy, Callalily, Mayonaisse,

Band members (from left) Bong Borde of Subculture, Gracenote vocalist Eunice Jorge, Kleggy Abaya of Banda ni Kleggy and Julius Publico, Rakista Radio admin, are shown during the launch of the festival

Gracenote, 6cyclemind and Drive Me to Juliet.

Music in the Groove stage will come from Tropical Depression, together with Brownman Revival, Jeck Pilapil and Peace Pipe, the Chongkeys, Autotelic, Flying Ipis and Tricia Garcia.

Wolfgang will be around for the first time with The Late Isabel and the Cebu-based Faspitch on the Mosh stage.

Franco, all-female band Rouge and Nobela will be seen and heard on Move.

An open skateboard jam session and mini competition will take place at the Mountain Dew Skate Park, while the best three art crews will be awarded.

Many activities like face painting, henna tattooing, band meet-and-greet and free Segway rides are also in the pipeline.

The annual Merch Bazaar will feature no less than 60 brands such as Nick Automatic, Evil Genius, D Grave Apparel, Turbohectics, Frankenstee and many more.

De la Torre said they expect a crowd of 15,000, which was an unexpected turnout last year.

Organizer Keith de la Torre talks about Rakrakan 2015.

Michael Holme

Isha Sesay

CNN ‘DefiNiNg MoMeNts 2015’

a

nother year of terror, as ISIS expands its reach beyond Iraq and Syria, staging attacks in Lebanon, Egypt and France; the Syrian refugee crisis intensifies across Europe; in the U.S., victory for marriage equality, and one man dominates the presidential campaign. These are among the stories that defined 2015.

In a must-see and engaging hour, CNN’s Michael Holmes, Isha Sesay, Robyn Curnow, Paula Newton and Samuel Burke discuss the most riveting and talked about stories of the year. CNN was there on the frontlines in Paris, Athens, Havana and across the globe,

as major events unfolded. The correspondents also openup about their own defining moments of the year; find out the stories that moved them the most and the events that made 2015 a most unforgettable year.

Watch Defining Moments 2015 on Dec. 25 at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on CNN International, also at 12 midnight, 7 a.m., 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Jan, 1, 2016.

Airtimes: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei Friday December 25 at 0900 and 1600 HKT Friday January 1, 2006 at 0000, 0700, 1500 and 2200 HKT

F RIDAY : DECEMBER 18, 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Christmas with the FilharmoniC

SM Mall of Asia’s giant Christmas tree has over 500 ornaments and is embellished with red and white Christmas balls in stripes and polka dots with cute little Santas and small gift boxes with a string of sparkling 40,000 LED lights.

ISAH V. RED SM Mall of Asia recently launched their holiday festivities with the lighting of a giant Christmas Tree, gift giving, and an exclusive homecoming concert of The Filhamornics, the sensational voices behind the movie, Pitch Perfect 2.

The Filhamornic is an all-male Filipino American a capella group considered unique because of their musical talent and cultural diversity.

The group of Filipino American youngsters was featured in NBC’s hit musical competition, The Sing-Off in which it reached the semi-finals. The group was also part of the first Sing-Off national tour, and sharing the stage with Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas and Pentatonix. And the group was featured in the soundtrack of Pitch Perfect 2 kicking off their amazing journey.

During their exclusive concert, they amazed the audience with their super cool and upbeat voices in their own renditions of well-loved carols like “All I Want for Christmas,” “Pasko Na Sinta Ko,” “Flashlight,” and “Last Christmas.” They also performed the songs “Chains,” “One More Night,” “Shut Up And Dance,” “Treasure,” “Monster Mash-Up,” “Stay,” “September,” “Kilometro,” “Beat Box Battle,” and “This Is How We Do It” in their signature style.

The event also featured the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, which has been part of the SM Mall of Asia holiday tradition since 2006. The 54-feet Christmas tree, said to be the tallest indoor tree in the country, has over 500 ornaments and is embellished with red and white Christmas balls with stripes and polka dots, cute little Santas, and gift boxes around the tree. The base is an enchanting little house where Santa and his elves watch over his ruby red couch.

Sharing honors with the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas tree were SM SVP for Operations for Premier Malls, Steven Tan with the members of The Filharmonic, Joe Caigoy, VJ Rosales, Niko del Rey, Trace Gaynor, Barry Fortgang, and Jules Cruz.

Being the season for sharing, one of the event highlights was the turn over of the three gift boxes to beneficiaries. Twenty kids from Asilo de San Vicente de Paul received gift packs and a Playground set from Toy Kingdom, gift packs and gift certificates from National Bookstore, Health and Wellness Products from Watson’s for Operations Smile and gift packs and gift certificates from National Bookstore for Pangarap Foundation.

More excitement awaits the shoppers for the Grand Festival of Lights ever Saturday of December until Dec. 25. ➜ Continued on C7

The members of The Filharmonic, Joe Caigoy, VJ Rosales, Niko del Rey, Trace Gaynor, Barry Fortgang, and Jules Cruz graced the ceremonial lighting ceremony of the SM Mall of Asia’s 54 foot Christmas tree Asia. SM SVP for Operations for Premier Malls Steven Tan shares the Christmas joys with them.

The Filharmonic, the sensational voices behind the movie Pitch Perfect 2, capped the launch with a homecoming concert.

Santa’s elves assisted him in distributing gifts to lucky mallgoers. These included laptops, gift packs from S&H, Toy Kingdom, Watsons plus Gift Certificates from Blo Bar and Barbie.