The Standard - 2015 December 31 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX NO. 322 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSday : dECEMBER 31, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Poverty, lack of jobs still persist’

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anomalous mrt deal under fire By christine F. herrera and Maricel V. cruz

SENATORIAL candidate Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Wednesday demanded a congressional investigation into the P3.81-billion “sweetheart deal” the government signed with a Korean-Filipino joint venture for the long-term maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit-3 without a public bidding.

Romualdez also questioned why the contract between the Department of Transportation and Communications and the consortium of Busan Transportation Corp., Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile Inc., TMICorp Inc. and Castan Corp. does not contain provisions to ensure against “hidden fare hikes.”

“The DoTC should justify the award of the contract as they failed

to meticulously observe the bidding process, particularly since it involves a big amount for the maintenance of the system. Congress should also guarantee that no provisions for hidden fare hikes are included,” Romualdez, who heads the independent minority bloc in the House, said.

Romualdez slammed the government’s lack of compassion (malasakit) in failing to protect and champion the public interest in the

sweetheart deal.

“The sweetheart deal is obviously inimical to the interest of the government and the taxpayers,” he said. “Congress must seriously look into this.”

“It is incumbent upon the government to spend taxpayers’ money wisely. We should not condone wasteful spending for MRT3 without really improving its service Next page

Air show. President Benigno Aquino III witnessed the flyby of the Philippine Air Force’s air assets during the commemoration of national hero Jose Rizal’s 119th death anniversary at the Rizal Park. MAlAcAñAng Photo BureAu

Binay: Put an end to politics of vengeance

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More troops sent to battle Moro rebels

By Francisco tuyay MORE troops have been sent to North Cotabato and Maguindanao to thwart renewed attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, following a series of attacks on villages on Christmas eve.

“We are deploying additional forces

even during this holiday season,” said Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano. Last week, BIFF forces launched separate attacks on different military installations and civilian targets in North Cotabato and Maguindanao, sparking firefights that killed six farmers, two soldiers and 26 BIFF rebels.

“While we are not seeing any full-

blown conflict, it is better to be prepared always,” Ano said.

At least 1,102 families have been displaced by the series of assaults carried out by BIFF while civilians in Kauran villages in Ampatuan town are reportedly arming themselves in an attempt to ward off possible rebel attacks.

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Commemoration. President Benigno Aquino III leads the commemoration of the national hero Jose Rizal’s 119th death anniversary at the Rizal

Park on Wednesday. MalaCañang Photo Bureau

Poverty, joblessness still unchanged, group says

By Christine F. herrera

POVERTY, unemployment and hunger have remained unchanged in the last nine years and are unlikely to improve next year, Social Watch Philippines said Wednesday.

Former national treasurer and SWP convener Leonor Magtolis Briones played down the impact of an economic uptick next year.

“The expected spike in gross domestic product [GDP] next year will be driven by an election budget, and will not have sustainable impact for the poor and unemployed,” she said.

University of the Philippines professor Marivic Raquiza, an SWP co-convener, added: “While we are now looking at a P3.006-trillion budget next year, we must remember that poverty, unemployment and hunger virtually remained the same for the past nine years.”

Briones said red flags in the national budget—hidden pork barrel, lump sums, and the erroneous defiition of savings to enable the executive department to juggle funds—would make it difficult to reduce poverty and hunger and generate employment.

Compared to the country’s neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines has been slow to reduce poverty, Raquiza said.

“We also failed to accomplish 19 out of 28 MDG [Millennium Development Goals] indicators. These are proofs of the lack of

correlation between economic growth and poverty and inequality,” Raquiza said.

Despite the poor performance, Briones said it was not surprising that many Filipinos are optimistic about 2016.

“As people of faith, they never lose hope that things will change for the better. They have remained optimistic during wars, famine, and natural, political and social calamities. They are looking forward to elections, which will give them cash, free food, and temporary jobs. The question is, is the good news about 2016 sustainable?” Briones said.

A 7.5 percent to 8.5-percent growth next year, spurred by election spending, could create the impression of progress, Briones said.

“The question remains whether electiondriven growth will be sustained for the long term and whether it will directly benefit the poor and the marginalized,” she said. “Will this be sustainable enough to lift people out of poverty?”

According to the Philippine Statistical Authority, Briones said, GDP grew by 6.0 percent during the third quarter of 2015.

However, she said, its distribution remained dismal since the agriculture sector only posted 0.4-percent growth while the major growth drivers in services and industry sectors posted 7.3 percent and 5.4-percent growth, respectively.

On the other hand, she said, PSA estimated poverty incidence among the Filipinos at 25.8 percent during the first semester of 2014.

“This will fall short of the MDG target of 17.2 percent by 2015,” Briones pointed out.

Briones said based on Social Weather Stations data, some 15.7 percent of the Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger

during the third quarter of this year.

“There also seems to be a little change in unemployment and underemployment.

During the third quarter of this year, PSANational Statistical Office recorded unemployment at 6.5 percent and underemployment at 17.7 percent. A year before during the same period, unemployment stood at 6 percent while underemployment at 18.7 percent. And considering that persons at work are defined by the Labor Force Survey as those working even for an hour a week, these figures appear understated,” Briones said.

Another SWP co-convener, Isagani Serrano, said there was a need to rethink the government’s approach in adopting a framework for promoting sustainable, lowcarbon development.

As SWP has been campaigning since 2006, Serrano said the national budget should be a genuine equalizer in addressing poverty and inequality and a powerful tool for improving people’s lives and shaping a resilient future.

“Social Watch along with its network of budget advocates urges the public to examine whether the 2016 budget tackles problems of poverty, hunger and unemployment. A huge budget does not certainly ensure that economic growth is enjoyed by all, especially the poor and vulnerable. It has to focus on the sectors where the poorest are and where unemployment is highest. Let us not forget the statement of Neda director general Balisacan, that economic growth is necessary but not sufficient for sustainable development,” Briones said.

Briones also challenged presidential aspirants to state publicly their stand on pork barrel and lump sum funds.

since commuters still have to cope with higher fares, longer queues, and frequent breakdowns that threaten public safety,” Romualdez said.

The government earlier announced that the P3.81-billion deal will take effect in January and run for three years, and said it resorted to a negotiated contract because two previous public biddings had failed.

But Romualdez rejected the DoTC’s claim that the “emergency situation” justified doing away with the regular bidding process, saying that the government must ensure transparency in awarding contracts.

He called on the public to elect leaders next year who care about the people’s interests.

“This government lacks compassion for the people. In the coming elections, we should elect compassionate leaders,” Romualdez said.

Also on Wednesday, a consumer group asked President Benigno Aquinom III why, if he had been raised well by his father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., he chose to ignore his advice to never break promises that he made.

Elvira Medina of the National Council for Commuter Protection referred to Aquino’s 2013 campaign promise that the LRT would extend to Cavite by the end of 2015 or the President and Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya would have themselves run over by a train. “[The President] even included the name of his father, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. [in his speech] so the people, the commuters are really asking if the President’s words will come true,” Medina said.

In that speech, Aquino also recalled: “My father told me that if I made a promise, I need to make it happen.”

“The word of the President shouldn’t be taken as a joke. It cannot just be taken lightly as the train issues are affecting millions of commuters every day,” she added.

The Palace on Monday has since then said that the President’s promise was merely “an aspirational statement.”

“The President was speaking with a sense of urgency when he announced his desire to see the project within two years,” Coloma said. “Any reasonable person would understand this to have been an aspirational statement. Despite the delays, the government continues to pursue the project.” With John Paolo Bencito

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“We are all for peace but we have to be prepared to defend ourselves against any lawless group out to harm us and our families,” a farmer from Aleosan said.

BIFF rebels shot six farmers at close range while tending their farm in Kauran town last week.

The displaced families came from villages in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

The villagers were forced to abandon their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire after fighting broke between BIFF rebels and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Rommel Sinarimbo, Office of Civil Defense deputy operations officer in Centeral Mindanao, said the displaced families are currently staying with their relatives in safer areas.

The security atmosphere remains volatile as sporadic fighting still erupts, and it is not safe yet for residents to return to their homes, he said.

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Here to toast the new year. Thousands of domestic and international travelers, most of them Filipino workers returning from the Middle East jammed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday to celebrate the new year with their families. ERic aPoLonio

‘Rizal taught us we were exceptional’ “AS WE commemorate the death of our hero Dr. Jose Rizal, let us remember what he taught us through his life and work,” Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday.

She said Rizal taught Filipinos that they were an exceptional people who were able to stand out in the world as a result of their resilience and dedication. They taught them to value equal rights for all.

“We should also value that education is a weapon against exploitation

and an instrument for progress, and that the power of the pen can inspire a people to nationalism,” Poe said.

“He told us that the youth can change the course of history by using their talent and skills in the service of country and people.

“These lessons still resonate today and will continue to guide Filipinos as we chart our future together towards a progressive and inclusive Philippines.”

Macon Ramos-araneta

Binay seeks end to vindictiveness

VICE President Jejomar Binay said Wednesday he hoped the era of vindictiveness and selective justice would soon end as the entire world celebrates the New Year.

“The year 2016 was declared as The Holy Year of Mercy by Pope Francis. The Holy Year is a response to the world’s need for a revolution of tenderness from which justice and all the rest derives,” Binay said.

Binay and the other political opponents of the Aquino administration have criticized its supposed selective justice and vindictiveness by filing corruption charges against its political rivals while turning a blind eye to the sins of its allies.

Binay had earlier said he would not get back at his political opponents should he be elected president in 2016.

“It is in this same vein that I pray that the new year will usher in new hope that the era of vindictiveness and selective justice will soon end.

A new hope that everyone—not

just a select few—will reap the benefits of economic progress,” Binay said.

“A new hope that we will have a government that is just and compassionate and responsive to the needs of the poor and needy.

“All of our so-called economic achievements mean nothing if these are not felt by everyone. Let this be our guide as we choose competent leaders who will build a truly benevolent nation that respects the dignity of all Filipinos.

“May we all have a truly meaningful New Year.” Vito Barcelo

Duterte takes another jab at Roxas

Rally. Village officials and residents of Project 6 in Quezon City rallied on Wednesday to warn the people to avoid lighting firecrackers on New Year’s Eve. Lino SantoS

RUNNING after criminals is not for the faint-hearted or the “teka-teka” (wishywashy), presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, said Wednesday as he took another jab at Manuel Roxas II, the administration’s standard-bearer.

Following the attacks of the rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on Christmas Eve, Duterte promised he would increase the government’s security forces to bring peace to Mindanao.

“The criminals are fearless, so we need a brave solution. Hindi pwede dito ang pateka-teka. This problem is not for the

faint-hearted,” Duterte said, referring to Roxas who gained the nickname for allegedly putting many infrastructure projects on hold, subjecting them to endless feasibility studies instead of starting them because they were sorely needed.

Vice President Jejomar Binay had earlier called Roxas teka-teka in an apparent reference to the former Interior secretary’s supposed weak leadership.

“I will add 3,000 more regular men in the Armed Forces and train them either as scout rangers or special forces to combat lawless elements,” Duterte said.

“If they [Muslim rebels] will continue with their atrocious acts despite our efforts to spread economic development, then we will meet them head on. We will hunt them down. I will not subject my people to suffering.”

Duterte’s running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, said they would push for a Mindanao Peace and Development Plan that will address the region’s decades-old problems.

“Through this plan, Mayor Duterte and I want to allocate at least P800 billion worth of guaranteed funds for 10 years in order to harness the potentials of various sectors

in the region including education, health, agriculture, livelihood, housing, tourism, infrastructure, and transportation,” Cayetano said.

“On top of this, we plan to allot P1 billion per region, particularly to Mindanao, for micro, small and medium enterprise financing.”

Cayetano said they were pushing for federalism as a unifying peace framework in Mindanao. He said any discussion about peace and development in Mindanao must be based on a just, inclusive and lasting framework among all stakeholders. John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-araneta

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Pinoys rush home for 2016

By Eric B. Apolonio, Joel E. Zurbano and Rio N. Araja

THOUSANDS of passengers crowded airports, seaports and bus stations at the turn of the year as Filipinos rushed to make it home for the usually noisy and sometimes deadly celebration to welcome the New Year.

In Manila, the city government is expecting a massive crowd coming from different places in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to join the various New Year’s eve activities in the city’s public parks.

In Quezon City, chaos has once again dominated the large bus stations in the city and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board official Ariel Inton has admitted that many out-of-line provincial buses have been observed amid the exodus.

In an interview, Antonio Ariel Enrile Inton Jr., LTFRB board member, said he spearheaded the inspection of provincial buses in Cubao and “observed” that there were already about 80 units without special permits as early as 8 a.m.Wednesday and still “counting.”

“The LTFRB was able to issue 800 special permits since November to allow several provincial buses to enter the metro, load passengers and bring them to their points of

destination, and conversely,” he told The Standard.

“However, the LTFRB does not have the authority to apprehend out-of-line buses without LTO.” Manila’s parks development chief Arsenio Lacson Jr. said they have spruced up the city’s parks, especially Rajah Sulayman Park along Roxas Boulevard, which will be the venue of “Sulong Manila!,” the New Year countdown of the city government.

The highlight of the occasion will be a pyro-musical spectacle that will treat Manileños and the general public to a grand light-andfireworks show coupled with lively music.

Lacson said they also cleaned and cleared the Baywalk area between Rajah Sulayman and the worldfamous Manila Bay. They also re-

painted the plant boxes, pruned the trees, and further beautified the Park to ensure that it will be an eyepleasing backdrop for the occasion.

“We are also assisting the National Parks Development Committee in beautifying and cleaning Rizal Park for the expected huge number of visitors and gatherings this New Year’s Eve,” added Lacson, the youngest son of former Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson. Rizal Park, more widely known as Luneta Park, has traditionally been the favorite destination of thousands of families for rest and recreation.

Lacson said PDO is maintaining the cleanliness and order of Manila’s 48 parks, monuments, and Center Islands spots all year round and they have assigned scores of personnel to preserve sanitation in these public spaces.

Amulets vs evil. A street-side vendor arranges amulets to welcome the lunar Year of the Monkey, which begins Feb. 8, at her stall in Manila’s Binondo district. DANNY PATA

Firecracker injuries reach 148 THE number of firecracker-related injuries reached 148 as of Dec. 30, the ninth day of the Department of Health’s “Iwas-Paputok Injury Reduction” campaign.

So far, no additional case of stray bullets has been recorded and fireworks ingestion is still at zero based on the reports submitted by DoH’s sentinel hospitals.

“The 148 cases recorded so far was 68 cases, or 31 percent, lower than the fiveyear (2010-2014) average and 28 cases, or 16 percent, lower than the same period last year,” said DoH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy. From the total number of cases, 120, or 83 percent, involved children less than 14 years old. Of them, 110 suffered hand injuries. There were 14 eye and head injuries through the firecrackers.

A total of 107 injuries were caused by piccolo, a banned firecracker which is popular among children. This kind of firecracker, which looks like a match, is sold by pieces in small stores. Other firecrackers included “kwitis,” Five Star, and other lesserknown types.

By area, Metro Manila is the topnotcher so far with 67 cases, followed

by Bicol with 27 cases; Davao with 15; Calabarzon with nine cases; Soccsksargen seven; Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative Region, six cases each; Western Visayas fives cases; Central Luzon three cases; and Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas. PNA

PH still among hot spots for journalists

By John Paolo Bencito THE Philippines remains one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the world as it ranked 141st out of 180 countries in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index of the international media group Reporters Without Borders.

RWB said seven journalists were killed in the Philippines this year and three of them were confirmed to have been due to their work.

In August alone, RWB noted that three journalists were killed over two weeks starting on Aug. 18 when 65-year-old Gregorio “Loloy” Ybañez, president of

the Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club and editor of the Kabuhayan News Services, was shot multiple times as he was going home.

On Aug. 19, another radio broadcaster Teodoro “Tio Todoy” Escanilla was shot multiple times in front of his home.

Escanilla was also the spokesperson of Karapatan, an NGO defending human rights in Sorsogon province, as well as the local representative for the Anakpawis party, a populist political party supporting farmers’ rights.

On the evening of Aug. 27, radio broadcaster Cosme Diez Maestrado, known for

his hard-hitting comments and scathing criticism of corrupt local officials, was shot dead near a shopping center in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental.

While the local police have reportedly identified four suspects through footage they recovered from a CCTV camera near the scene of the murder, they have yet to be taken into custody.

A total of 110 journalists worldwide were killed in connection with their work or for unclear reasons in 2015, with 67 journalists of them were targeted because of their work or were killed while reporting.

Model youth. Students from different colleges and universities in Metro Manila are recognized by the Knights of Rizal as this year’s Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines during the awarding ceremony at the Luneta Park. DANNY PATA

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Justice supports measure on CCTVs

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has backed the enactment into law of a House of Representatives’ bill requiring private and public facilities to install closed-circuit television cameras.

In a single-page legal opinion, the DoJ said there is no legal impediment for the adoption of the substitute bill entitled “An Act Requiring Business Establishments, Public Offices and Facilities, School and Local Government Units to install CCTV cameras to deter the commission of crimes and prescribing penalties for violation thereof.”

The Justice department lauded the House’s revision on earlier bills to remove distinction between public officers and private individuals in application of 30-day compliance period in cases of violations.

“Seeing that Section 19 [Penalties] of the new draft substitute bill substantially complies with our suggestion, we interpose no further objections,” read the opinion signed by Asst. Secretary Adonis Sulit.

“We also commend the TWG [technical working group] for adopting our prescribed penalty for the bill which is imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine of not exceeding P50,000 or both,” the DoJ said.

The DoJ opinion was issued last Dec. 14 at the request of the TWG of the House committee on public order and safety.

‘Elections will not hamper Senate work’

By Macon Araneta

SENATE President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said he would not allow the “election fever” to paralyze work in the Senate since there are still important legislations remaining on their agenda with the 16th Congress ending in July 2016.

He said that the Senate will maximize the remaining months in session to focus on these priority legislations.

“Even if the 2016 elections are fast approaching, we are not done yet and the public can expect more laws to be passed for their benefits and to address their most pressing needs,” stressed the Senate chief.

Upon the resumption of Senate session on Jan. 18, 2016, he said

the senators will act on 35 bills including the proposed Customs and Tariff Modernization Act. He said they will also resume work on 67 other legislation pending on second reading, such as the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and PublicPrivate Partnership Act. He attributed the gains made in the 16th Congress to a strong and vibrant working link between the executive and legislative branches

that resulted in the passage of many landmark legislation which were previously stymied under past administrations.

He said that some of the laws passed under the Aquino administration were stalled under previous administrations such as the Philippine Competition Act, the amendments to the Cabotage Law, as well as the Graphic Health Warning Act and the amendments to the Sandiganbayan law.

“These are laws that we thought would never see the light of day. But thanks to the close coordination between the leaderships of the Senate and House of Representatives, we were able to steer the passage of several landmark measures, and some of them were part of the common legislative agenda that was defined at the start of this admin-

istration,” Drilon said.

Pointing to the Philippine Competition Act and the amendments to the Cabotage Law, Drilon said, “these economic laws are among the milestones of the 16th Congress.

Meanwhile, the amended Cabotage Law (RA 10668), allows foreignflagged ships to call at multiple ports within the country, to bring down costs of products.

Drilon said that the Congress also passed this year the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (RA 10708) to make transparent the fiscal incentives being issued by the government to the private sector, and the Strategic Trade Management Act (RA 10697) to impose stricter controls on the transfer of dual-use goods and technologies which may be used for weapons of mass destruction.

Rizal Day rites. Honor guards hold the Philippine flag during the 119th death anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal at the Luneta Park in Manila on Dec. 30, 2015. AFP

Ople: Donate blood money to Zapanta kin

By John Paolo Bencito

Cheers and joy. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada hands out gifts and bags of goodies to orphans of Damas Filipinas in Paco, Manila. EY ACASIO

SENATORIAL bet Susan Ople on Wednesday urged the government to donate part of the P23-million blood money raised to save Joselito Zapanta to his family and help other overseas Filipino workers on death row.

“Joselito left behind two children, who are only 13 and 11 years of age. His mother, Ramona, is also in need of

medical attention. I appeal to our government to provide much needed assistance to the family, especially now that Joselito is gone,” Ople said.

The Saudi Arabian government on Tuesday executed Zapanta, 35, who was found guilty of killing Sudanese national Saleh Imam Ibrahim with a haammer following a rental dispute.

Ople called for a review of the government’s policy on blood money

cases as 90 Filipinos are on death row in various parts of the world, with some of them also requiring blood money.

“In Joselito’s case, the government was able to raise P23 million which is now in a bank account opened by the Philippine Embassy for the aggrieved Sudanese family. Since that amount had been rejected by the Sudanese widow thus leading to Joselito’s execution, would the government be amenable to

donating some amount to the grieving Filipino family? That is a policy decision that needs to be clarified,” Ople said.

Ople recommended the formation of a special unit to handle death penalty and blood money cases involving OFWs, adding that there should be a more cohesive and transparent mechanism and policy to resolve pending and urgent blood money cases involving OFWs in other countries.

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A6 House bill to promote Lanao cave as tourist spot

By Maricel V. Cruz A BILL declaring the Mighty Cave Park and its premises a tourist spot has been submitted to the House of Representatives for plenary discussion.

House Bill 6111 of Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo was approved by the House committees on tourism and appropriations recently to help promote the national government’s advocacy of enhancing the country’s tourism sector as a pillar of national development.

Dimaporo, a member of the House Majority Bloc, said the Mighty Cave is a newly discovered cave located in Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte. It is blessed with amazing natural scenery of surrounding springs and waterfalls, not to mention the cool weather in the area.

“With these natural blessings, it is now known as the amazing cave in Mindanao,” Dimaporo said.

Dimaporo said the town of Tagoloan has devoted its resources to develop the cave as a tourist attraction because of the site’s tourism potentials and the corresponding economic benefits that it may bring the municipality and its residents.

Improvements were introduced and the Mighty Cave Park was formally inaugurated on June 21, 2009 during the 40th Araw ng Tagoloan celebration and was opened since then to the public, she added.

“However, so much is yet to be desired in terms of developing the site as a viable tourist destination without compromising its sustainability as an ecologically-sensitive natural site, a task that far exceeds the capabilities of the host LGUs,” Dimaporo said.

Dimaporo said the bill declares the Mighty Cave Park as a national tourist spot to develop it to its maximum potential and promote it as one of the leading tourist destinations in Mindanao and the country with its natural beauty and unique attractions.

“Doing so will certainly increase awareness and appreciation for the site and will foster both local and international interest and attention that may eventually increase economic activity in the host municipality and promote the province of Lanao del Norte as a viable tourist destination,” Dimaporo said.

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91 suspects nabbed in police crackdown

By Joel E. Zurbano

POLICE operations against criminal elements have led to the arrest of 91 people last week, the Southern Police District said on Wednesday.

The Dec. 20-26 crackdown dubbed as “One Time Big Time Operation” covered SPD cities such as Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Pateros town.

SPD director Henry Ranola Jr. said the crackdown was being conducted regularly. Ranola said his men were able to arrest 91 persons including 10 suspects listed in Top 10 Target Illegal Drugs Personalities; three were Most Wanted Persons while others arrested were the subjects of warrant of arrest for illegal

drugs, carnapping, robbery and murder cases.

He added his men also seized during the operations a total of 1,943.694 grams of suspected shabu, four firearms (2 units cal. 22 revolver, 1 unit cal. 32 pistol, and 1 unit cal. 38 revolver) and assorted ammunitions.

Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, director of the National Capital Region Police Office, said he was hoping that the arrest of wanted men would reduce if not stop criminal activities in Metro Manila.

He earlier ordered all district

directors—SPD, Manila Police District, Eastern Police District, Northern Police District and Central Police District—to intensify police street patrol as crime deterrent.

Pagdilao deployed 314 Police Officers-1 (PO1s) and 123 newly graduates of Philippine National Police Academy to keep watch on the metropolis.

Policemen focused on street patrol along major thoroughfares, vital and financial installations, and places of convergence in Metro Manila such as Metro Railways and Light Railways Transit systems, bus terminals and shopping centers.

The One Time Big Time operation is part of the Oplan: LambatSibat strategy where all-out police operations are simultaneously

conducted against illegal drugs personalities, most wanted persons, loose firearms and all other form of crimes.

“The result of this operation reflects the untiring support of our field commanders. We all dream of a drug- free region. We will do our best to achieve peace, we will continue this effort until we see significant results. We will foster more activities in the Metro area to support the Chief PNP and Secretary Sarmiento’s commitment to address criminality in the country,” Pagdilao said.

He emphasized the importance of collective effort with the local government units and the general public and encouraged their involvement in all NCRPO programs, especially in crime reporting.

PRC chairman Richard Gordon consoles an elderly, one of the victims of Typhoon ‘Lando’ that struck several towns of Nueva Ecija.

Typhoon-hit Ecija families receive P5m in cash grants

Spreading the cheers. San Miguel Foundation, Citra and St. James renewal movement bring cheers to 350 families in Muntinlupa. Last week, San Miguel Foundation and Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. and their CSR partner, St. James Renewal Movement of St. James Parish in Ayala-Alabang Village prepared a short program and had a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated for the 350 families of Sitio Espeleta, a depressed community in Muntinlupa City.

THE Philippine Red Cross, the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, supported by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, distributed more than P5 million in unconditional cash grant to more than a thousand Typhoon “Lando”-affected families in Nueva Ecija.

PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon said a one-time cash assistance of P3,500 each was extended to some 1,545 families in 12 different barangays in the Nueva Ecija municipalities of Bongabon, Gabaldon, Laur and Palayan City.

“Kahit ngayong Kapaskuhan, nandito kami sa Nueva Ecija para tulungan ang mga nasalanta ng mga dumaang bagyo gaya ng Lando, Nona at iba pa. Yung bibigay namin ngayon sa tulong ng IFRC

ay para matulungan sila to meet some of their immediate needs. Nauna na tayong nagbigay ng relief na may lamang food and non-food items,” Gordon said.

“Ang pangunahing pakay ng Red Cross ay maiahon ang paghihirap ng tao, that is to alleviate human suffering, kaya naman we reach out to the most vulnerable para matulungan sila. Ngayong panahon ng Kapaskuhan, habang tayo ay masayang nagdiriwang, yung mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng bagyo ay salat na salat.

Kaya layunin naming kahit papaano ay maibsan ang kanilang paghihirap,” he added.

The distribution was held at the Bongabong Municipal Gymnasium in Bongabong from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. last Tuesday, Dec. 29. The activity was facilitated by the PRC

through the Nueva Ecija Chapter. Gordon led the distribution together with Patrick Elliot, IFRC head of operations; former Gov. Tomas N. Joson III, chairman of the PRC Nueva Ecija board of directors, former Vice Gov. Edward Thomas F. Joson; vice chairman, of the PRC Nueva Ecija BOD; and Elena M. Ladignon, chapter administrator. Local officials of the municipalities also attended including Bongabon Mayor Allan Xystus Gamilla and councilors.

Beneficiaries included families from the following barangays: in Bongabon— Kaingin, Labi, Palomaria, and San Roque; in Gabaldon— Bagting, Calabasa, Malinao, Tagumpay, and Bugnan; in Laur—San Fernando, and San Vicente; and Sapang Buho in Palayan City.

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Mindanao governors welcome ceasefire

Diocese to ‘hoverboarding’ priest: Take leave, reflect

By Sara D. Fabunan

By Sandy Araneta MINDANAO governors welcomed on Wednesday the government’s unilateral declaration of suspension of military and police operations against communist rebels, saying that it allows families and communities to celebrate the Yuletide season in peace.

“Our people have suffered too much for too long. Communities often bear the brunt of the crossfires even without being party to the conflict,” said Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel.

“The government’s unilateral declaration of ceasefire against the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/ National Democratic Front is a goodwill gesture to every family and community who fully deserve a break from fear and threat,” he added.

He appealed to the communist rebels “to do the same and not use the ongoing ceasefire to merely further atrocities on the ground.”

Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolf Edward Plaza said he hoped that “the CPP/NPA/NDF would respect those who want to reconnect and rest from the gunfight this season and not spoil the spirit of the season so that families can celebrate in peace.”

“Especially for us at the local, the ceasefire is a gift to every family longing to see their loved ones this season. Laying down your arms—regardless of whether you are a rebel or a soldier—gives you an extra hand to embrace your wife and children waiting for you at home,” Plaza said.

“At the end of the day, we are all Filipinos and should end atrocities with each other,” said Plaza.

On the other hand, Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas said that “the ceasefire—alongside peace and development initiatives—can be taken as a sign of government’s commitment to peace. It is a gesture that shows how the government has always kept the welfare of the Filipino people in mind.”

THE Diocese of San Pablo said on Wednesday the priest who received flak for riding a hoverboard during mass inside a church was ordered to take a leave of absence from the parish so that he could reflect about the incident.

Round fruits, anyone? Filipinos believe having round fruits, like this bunch of lanzones, on the table on New Year’s Eve will bring prosperity. CHRISTINE JUNIO

In a statement released on Wednesday, the diocese also said that Fr. Albert San Jose of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish owned up to his mistake and apologized for his action.

“He will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event. He would like to apologize for what happened,” the diocese wrote in a statement posted at the official website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

San Jose said that the incident was a “wake-up call” for him and promised that “it will not happen again.”

San Jose was caught on video, which went viral, riding a hoverboard while singing to the congregation before the final blessing of the Christmas Eve Mass.

As a way of greeting his parishioners, the priest sang a Christmas song, while going around the church.

“That was wrong,” the archdiocese said rejecting San Jose’s recent action.

The diocese said the Eucharist is the Church’s “highest form” of worship and that should not be involved of any action that would get the attention of the parishioners.

“The Eucharist demands utmost respect and reverence. It is the Memorial of the Lord’s Sacrifice. It is the source and summit of Christian life,” the diocese said.

“Consequently, it is not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people,” it added.

Cop dies, 1 wounded in fight with criminal gang in Albay

By Francisco Tuyay

Conversation piece. This car once overshot its target and landed on the ground. It is now an attraction of the Baguio Museum. DAVID CHAN

A POLICE officer was killed and another cop was wounded after a firefight broke out between them and a criminal syndicate led by an ex-Army man at the outskirts of Libon town in Albay early morning Tuesday.

Reports reaching Camp Crame identified the police officer as Senior Inspector Joerem Kallos, deputy chief of Police of Libon Municipal Police Station. The identity of the wounded cop was not immediately available.

Initial investigation said that Kallos together

with policemen from the Albay provincial police office led by Chief Inspector Rodel Pescuela were on a manhunt operations against Gilbert Concepcion, former Army personnel at Sitio Pinagbadilan, Barangay Buga, Libon when the incident took place.

Concepcion is one of the Most Wanted Persons in the Bicol region for his involvement in numerous cases of high-profile crimes like murder and robbery.

The joint police operations group was at a checkpoint at Pinagbadilan to serve the warrant of arrest against Concepcion when

they were fired upon by the suspects.

The group of policemen retaliated at the suspects sparking a 15minute firefight where in Kallos was hit and was immediately rushed to the Ligao City Hospital but died upon arrival.

The intense fighting also hit the police patrol car. Police reinforcement arrived at the scene of fighting to engage the armed suspects but they had fled towards an unknown direction.

A pursuit operations has been launched against the armed men and to locate the whereabouts of Concepcion.

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

CHINA’S FLIRTATION WITH SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD

[ EDI TORI A L ]

KEEPING, BREAKING TRADITIONS

By Adam Minter

FILIPINOS respect and honor tradition because it reminds us of our roots.

There is a measure of comfort at reliving how things used to be when we were younger, and at knowing that this is how things will remain long after we are gone.

The New Year holidays are a perfect example of upholding tradition.

We can think of numerous age-old practices: Gathering round fruits on the table and preparing numerous dishes, so that the coming year would be prosperous. Using firecrackers and making noise, to drive away evil spirits. Listing New Year’s resolutions, in an attempt to become better persons. Taking portraits, so one could track how the family has grown and changed over the years.

But as much as there are hope and optimism for 2016—Filipinos by nature always look forward to better times—perhaps it is also time to revisit what we have been doing repeatedly and ponder its effects on the status quo.

Some people may keep a tradition because it has an emotional meaning for them. It may remind them of family members who have since passed on or bring back memories of a happy childhood which they want to pass on to their own kids. Some do so because they are superstitious—nothing will be lost if they keep it up, anyway.

Some, however, follow tradition for the sake of doing so, without questioning why or wondering if perhaps it must be tweaked to keep up with the times. For example, why risk one’s life and limb using firecrackers tonight when there have been many senseless deaths and injuries that have arisen from it? Why accumulate too much food on the table when they would surely rot a day or two after, assuming they are not consumed or given away?

As a nation, we have traditions we keep, as well. It is customary for people, for instance, to expect the generosity of their politicians during a holiday season preceding elections. Outside of the season, we are used to hearing sound bytes and campaign promises from those courting our votes. By tradition, we vote for those whose last names we are familiar with. We put all our hopes in one person, believing he or she can save this nation—or province, or city, or town.

Traditions are good. They define who we are. Blindly keeping them without introspection, however, is one habit we can all happily break. And perhaps we would begin to see substantial change.

STILL SEARCHING FOR HEROES DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA THE nation commemorated yesterday the 119th anniversary of the execution of our national hero, Jose Rizal in Bagumbayan field which is now known as Luneta Park. It is a yearly ritual punctuated with the obligatory flag-raising ceremony at his monument

in Luneta.

(The monument, by the way, was designed by Swiss sculptor, Richard Kissling.

The contest for the design and construction of the monument was actually won by the Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli. He also won the price of P5,000 which in this day and age is pittance but very respectable in 1907.

But because Carlo Nicoli did not come to receive his price and build the monument, the jury decided to give the

contract to the second prize winner Richard Kissling.

Incidentally, too, the Luneta monument is not the only Rizal monument of its kind. There is one which is almost as big in a park in Madrid. Story has it that the original plan was to put up a small replica of the Luneta monument but the proponents went ahead and built a much bigger monument. The Madrid authorities to their credit did not stop the construction

A9

One hundred and nineteen years on, the legacy of Rizal is still relevant.

and it stands there today for Filipinos who happen to be traveling in Spain can visit.)

One hundred and nineteen years on, the legacy of Rizal is still relevant. His life and work continue to inspire the youth who are the hope of the future of this country. We Filipinos look up to our heroes who fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

They had great vision for the future of the country if they succeeded in their revolutionary undertaking.

They even debated which common language to use,

whether Spanish will be retained or use one of the native languages.

They had foresight. Like in many fields, we started the ball rolling in Asia when it came to independence movements and had it not been for the intervention of the Americans, we would have been the first people during those times to have won independence from their colonial masters by force of arms. Most of our heroes of that period died

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-

young. Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Del Pilar, Jacinto and others died before reaching 40. Even General Antonio Luna who died at fifty was relatively young. The past couple of years saw the production of movies about the lives of our heroes. First was Andres Bonifacio then followed by General Antonio Luna. Both movies were commercially successful and both were also critically acclaimed.

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

Even those who normally did not go and watch Filipino movies were impressed and felt very proud of Continued on A11 both movies.

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume next week.

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

A STUDIO portrait of eight sibling toddlers went viral in 2011 on Chinese social media. According to news reports at the time, two of the children were born to a wealthy couple in Guangzhou, and the other six were born to surrogates hired by the couple to skirt China’s onechild population-control policies.

Chinese social media users, ever sensitive to class divisions, turned the portrait into a viral outrage, stoking the widespread belief that population policies don’t apply to the rich and well-connected.

Four years later, that incident and others like it appeared to capture the attention of Chinese lawmakers. China’s new two-child policy, which takes effect on New Year’s Day, was drafted with an outright ban on surrogacy designed to dissuade population-control policy circumvention.

But in a surprising move last weekend, that provision was expunged by lawmakers concerned that prohibition would drive surrogacy underground and overseas.

For a government that prefers to make policy behind closed doors, this was an unusually public flip-flop.

Though not nearly as consequential as the two-child change itself, the decision to refrain from banning surrogacy highlights the rapid change in attitude that the Chinese government has made as it tries to blunt the potentially disastrous economic impact of China’s aging population. Things that might once have been outlawed are now tolerated or ignored in hope of engineering a much-needed baby boom.

But actually engineering that baby boom is proving to be difficult. Of course there’s the burden of 30 years of onechild population planning to overcome.

Beyond that, according to the China Population Association, 12.5 percent of the women of child-bearing age were infertile in 2012, up from 3 percent in 2002.

The precise reasons for that increase are unknown, but China’s pollution crisis and modern sedentary lifestyles are believed to be contributors. So are later marriages and childbirth.

Even before China turned to promoting parenthood and two-child families, in-vitro fertilization was legal and booming in China. It’s probably going to become even more popular now that older parents can have a second child. But for parents for whom IVF doesn’t work, the options are more limited. Adoption, though available, isn’t widely accepted due to cultural beliefs about children and family blood lines. So that leaves unlucky prospective parents either childless, or, if they can afford tens of thousands of dollars in fees, considering surrogacy.

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

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

CHINA’S FLIRTATION WITH SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD

[ EDI TORI A L ]

KEEPING, BREAKING TRADITIONS

By Adam Minter

FILIPINOS respect and honor tradition because it reminds us of our roots.

There is a measure of comfort at reliving how things used to be when we were younger, and at knowing that this is how things will remain long after we are gone.

The New Year holidays are a perfect example of upholding tradition.

We can think of numerous age-old practices: Gathering round fruits on the table and preparing numerous dishes, so that the coming year would be prosperous. Using firecrackers and making noise, to drive away evil spirits. Listing New Year’s resolutions, in an attempt to become better persons. Taking portraits, so one could track how the family has grown and changed over the years.

But as much as there are hope and optimism for 2016—Filipinos by nature always look forward to better times—perhaps it is also time to revisit what we have been doing repeatedly and ponder its effects on the status quo.

Some people may keep a tradition because it has an emotional meaning for them. It may remind them of family members who have since passed on or bring back memories of a happy childhood which they want to pass on to their own kids. Some do so because they are superstitious—nothing will be lost if they keep it up, anyway.

Some, however, follow tradition for the sake of doing so, without questioning why or wondering if perhaps it must be tweaked to keep up with the times. For example, why risk one’s life and limb using firecrackers tonight when there have been many senseless deaths and injuries that have arisen from it? Why accumulate too much food on the table when they would surely rot a day or two after, assuming they are not consumed or given away?

As a nation, we have traditions we keep, as well. It is customary for people, for instance, to expect the generosity of their politicians during a holiday season preceding elections. Outside of the season, we are used to hearing sound bytes and campaign promises from those courting our votes. By tradition, we vote for those whose last names we are familiar with. We put all our hopes in one person, believing he or she can save this nation—or province, or city, or town.

Traditions are good. They define who we are. Blindly keeping them without introspection, however, is one habit we can all happily break. And perhaps we would begin to see substantial change.

STILL SEARCHING FOR HEROES DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA THE nation commemorated yesterday the 119th anniversary of the execution of our national hero, Jose Rizal in Bagumbayan field which is now known as Luneta Park. It is a yearly ritual punctuated with the obligatory flag-raising ceremony at his monument

in Luneta.

(The monument, by the way, was designed by Swiss sculptor, Richard Kissling.

The contest for the design and construction of the monument was actually won by the Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli. He also won the price of P5,000 which in this day and age is pittance but very respectable in 1907.

But because Carlo Nicoli did not come to receive his price and build the monument, the jury decided to give the

contract to the second prize winner Richard Kissling.

Incidentally, too, the Luneta monument is not the only Rizal monument of its kind. There is one which is almost as big in a park in Madrid. Story has it that the original plan was to put up a small replica of the Luneta monument but the proponents went ahead and built a much bigger monument. The Madrid authorities to their credit did not stop the construction

A9

One hundred and nineteen years on, the legacy of Rizal is still relevant.

and it stands there today for Filipinos who happen to be traveling in Spain can visit.)

One hundred and nineteen years on, the legacy of Rizal is still relevant. His life and work continue to inspire the youth who are the hope of the future of this country. We Filipinos look up to our heroes who fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

They had great vision for the future of the country if they succeeded in their revolutionary undertaking.

They even debated which common language to use,

whether Spanish will be retained or use one of the native languages.

They had foresight. Like in many fields, we started the ball rolling in Asia when it came to independence movements and had it not been for the intervention of the Americans, we would have been the first people during those times to have won independence from their colonial masters by force of arms. Most of our heroes of that period died

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-

young. Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Del Pilar, Jacinto and others died before reaching 40. Even General Antonio Luna who died at fifty was relatively young. The past couple of years saw the production of movies about the lives of our heroes. First was Andres Bonifacio then followed by General Antonio Luna. Both movies were commercially successful and both were also critically acclaimed.

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

Even those who normally did not go and watch Filipino movies were impressed and felt very proud of Continued on A11 both movies.

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume next week.

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

A STUDIO portrait of eight sibling toddlers went viral in 2011 on Chinese social media. According to news reports at the time, two of the children were born to a wealthy couple in Guangzhou, and the other six were born to surrogates hired by the couple to skirt China’s onechild population-control policies.

Chinese social media users, ever sensitive to class divisions, turned the portrait into a viral outrage, stoking the widespread belief that population policies don’t apply to the rich and well-connected.

Four years later, that incident and others like it appeared to capture the attention of Chinese lawmakers. China’s new two-child policy, which takes effect on New Year’s Day, was drafted with an outright ban on surrogacy designed to dissuade population-control policy circumvention.

But in a surprising move last weekend, that provision was expunged by lawmakers concerned that prohibition would drive surrogacy underground and overseas.

For a government that prefers to make policy behind closed doors, this was an unusually public flip-flop.

Though not nearly as consequential as the two-child change itself, the decision to refrain from banning surrogacy highlights the rapid change in attitude that the Chinese government has made as it tries to blunt the potentially disastrous economic impact of China’s aging population. Things that might once have been outlawed are now tolerated or ignored in hope of engineering a much-needed baby boom.

But actually engineering that baby boom is proving to be difficult. Of course there’s the burden of 30 years of onechild population planning to overcome.

Beyond that, according to the China Population Association, 12.5 percent of the women of child-bearing age were infertile in 2012, up from 3 percent in 2002.

The precise reasons for that increase are unknown, but China’s pollution crisis and modern sedentary lifestyles are believed to be contributors. So are later marriages and childbirth.

Even before China turned to promoting parenthood and two-child families, in-vitro fertilization was legal and booming in China. It’s probably going to become even more popular now that older parents can have a second child. But for parents for whom IVF doesn’t work, the options are more limited. Adoption, though available, isn’t widely accepted due to cultural beliefs about children and family blood lines. So that leaves unlucky prospective parents either childless, or, if they can afford tens of thousands of dollars in fees, considering surrogacy.

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

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE ENDURING RELEVANCE OF RIZAL POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

SOME people posted on social media yesterday: “Happy birthday, Jose Rizal!”

This is akin to the question, “Why was Mabini sitting on a basket chair throughout the film Heneral Luna?”

Sadly, the ills that he railed against— corruption, inept leadership, the influence of the Catholic Church over political and social affairs —are still eating away at the fabric of Philippine society.

The jury’s out on whether this points to the failure of a few students to pay attention in class, or to a systemic inadequacy of the current educational system to ably impart the facts and lessons of history.

What is clear, though, is that Philippine history needs to be brought alive for the present and coming generations, who are getting farther removed from the events of the past that still loom over our present.

We know Rizal’s thinking much better than we do many of the other figures of the Philippine revolution, because he was a writer and left a large body of work. His novels

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo remain good reads, even with the social relevance set aside.

For those who did not appreciate the stories in the Filipino translations we read in high school, find the English translations

by Leon Ma. Guerrero and Harold Augenbraum. For biographies, read Guerrero’s The First Filipino and Austin Coates’ Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr. For critical essays on figures of the Philippine Revolution, including Rizal, see Nick Joaquin’s A Question of Heroes.

The Coates bio skirts this side of hagiography, but understandably, for the writer was impressed with Rizal and his accomplishments.

Blessed with many talents and skills, the young Rizal was plagued with a “sense of purposelessness; but it was also the “very versatility of his talents,” said Coates, that in time “led him to the systematic budgeting of his time which from henceforth became the determinant of his daily habits…

“With absolute selfdiscipline…. he divided his time with a view to using each minute of it to the full. Each week he allowed so much time for the study of each of his subjects, so much time for creative work—poetry, sculpting, and sketching—so much time for the literary and other associations he belonged to, so much time for sleeping and eating, physical exercise and social relaxation, and above all, so much time for reading, thinking… and correspondence.”

Self-discipline, then, is the answer to the question “how was Rizal so prolific?” especially in that age without Internet, laptops, or even ballpoint pens. He made time to

ALPINE SKI RESORTS DEAL WITH LACK OF SNOW

By Andrea Rothman, Rudy Ruitenberg and Giles Broom THE town of Chamonix, France, opened a petting zoo to entertain children deprived of skiing.

In Laax, Switzerland, operators raised lift prices, to keep out skiers from lower altitudes. Helicopters are carrying snow to Meribel, and in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, the mayor asked locals to eschew the slopes.

It’s all a response to what’s shaping up to be the worst December in memory for snowless European ski resorts, the vacation destinations for movie stars and schoolchildren alike. On a continent where ski holidays are de rigueur, the mountain meltdown is putting a crimp in local economies that could be hurt more if bookings don’t improve.

More slushy ski seasons may be in store, said Daniel Goetz, a meteorologist and snow researcher at the French weather service.

“What’s expected with climate change is that winters with very little snow cover will become more frequent,” Goetz said. “In the future it will become more and more difficult to offer snowy slopes.”

Global warming has put 2015 on track to be the world’s hottest year, and second-hottest in Europe, just after 2014. There’s almost no snow on sunny slopes in the northern Alps below 2,000 meters (6,570 feet); farther south the snow has melted at as high as 3,000 meters.

Craig Jones, a London-based banker who loves to ski, had eagerly awaited the Christmas break so he and his wife could introduce their young daughters to the sport in Morzine, a French resort where they’d booked a chalet five months before.

It wasn’t his dream vacation.

With the slopes covered with little more than slush, rocks and mud, the family tried driving 40 minutes to Avoriaz, at a higher altitude. But it was jammed with others doing the same.

“We took the kids to the swimming pool,” Jones said. “We also had the iPads for entertainment, and we took some walks.”

In some areas even artificialsnow makers have been of limited help as the heavier, cold air has stayed in the valley, said Christoph Marty, a climatologist at the Swiss

do all the things that were important to him.

Today we call this “work-life balance;” back in the Victorian era of Rizal’s day, it was a gentleman’s responsibility to develop their full potential and find meaning and purpose for their lives. Now that’s still a good example for the youth to emulate.

Rizal, with his “todo” lists and strict budgets, and the development of his talents in science and art, pre-

Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

“We’ve been searching for other activities,” said Liz Mercer, coowner of BlackRock Ski Lodge, a sport-focused luxury chalet in Les Houches, near Chamonix. Chamonix and Les Houches have made a huge effort, she said, putting on ice skating and opening an animal park that’s normally used only in summer.

“The paragliding instructors have been very busy,” she said. “A lot of people have been very happy to put on their hiking boots and walk up to a mountain restaurant.”

Given that winter skiing is the classic activity for well-heeled families throughout Europe, it’s doubtful that a season or two of poor snow will dramatically change habits. In France, where many people get five or more weeks of vacation, families with children often take ski holidays at least once a year, aided by a school system that guarantees time off every February. Munich schoolchildren take ski classes in school and go on a ski trip once a year, and no proper Austrian misses a ski vacation.

than usual because of the artificial snow, the narrow slopes and the presence of rocks and trees, said hospital spokesman Johannes Schwamberger. While the number of patients is slightly smaller than last year, the injuries are more severe and paraplegia more frequent, he said.

“Normally, you break a leg and you fall, maybe you slide a bit further and hit the snow but that’s it,” he said. “Now, when you fall you slide and hit a rock, or a tree, break another bone, get a bruise, that’s where the multiple injuries come from.”

Because people often book their holidays four to nine months in advance, many resorts saw decent crowds over the Christmas break.

At La Plagne, the largest ski resort in France, bookings are at 97 percent of capacity, the same as a year ago, said spokeswoman Anais Alaurent.

That’s not the case everywhere.

“This year is the first in which we can’t say we’re fully booked in the period around New Year’s,” said Petra Nocker-Schwarzenbacher, head of the Tourism and Leisure Industry

This year, that can mean broken bones and worse. Innsbruck University Hospital,where complex cases are helicoptered in from resorts all over Austria’s Tyrol, is getting 100 skiers and snowboarders daily. They are hurt worse

chapter of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. “‘We’re at about 80 percent to 90 percent of capacity, and with the weather forecasts showing no snow until well after New Year’s, our phones remain silent right now.” Bloomberg

pared and empowered himself to conduct his life along the path toward the fulfillment of the mission he had set for himself: to uplift his homeland into a nation distinct from Spain.

A poignant passage in Noli Me Tangere foreshadows his own doom: “Such thoughts disappeared quickly from [Ibarra’s] mind as he spied a small hill in the fields of Bagumbayan. Rising next to the Paseo de la Luneta, the solitary little mount

now drew his attention, and he turned pensive.”

(Augenbraum translation) In Coates’ first chapter, he describes Rizal’s execution and final moments: “…the traitor, fully audible, said in a clear, steady voice, “Consummatum est!”.

Consummatum est— it is finished. With his death, Rizal knew his own work was done, but that the struggle for freedom would continue. For “the shot which that crowd had

just heard,” said Coates, “was the shot which brought the Spanish empire in the Philippines to an end.” For this we remember him on his death anniversary each year.

Rizal rejected the armed revolution that his own works fanned into flame, but by then the movement was bigger than just one man.

Sadly, the ills that he railed against—corruption, inept leadership, the influence of Continued on A11

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5

A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

MINORITY REPORT

2016 RESOLUTION

DANILO SUAREZ FILIPINOS are said to be one of the most optimistic and resilient people in the world. Despite suffering ordeals and what many would already consider a bleak situation, we find it, almost as a second nature, to move on.

We make do with less and believe in a better future.

It therefore not surprising that Filipinos almost automatically consider the New Year celebration to herald brighter times ahead, and equally for most of us, engage in the practice of setting resolutions to guide our actions in the year ahead.

In line with the impending change in administration in 2016, one resolution that is appropriate for the country would be to strictly follow our laws, starting with the Constitution. After all, this is something we have been deprived of due to the selective justice that

Still... From A9 Now, the life of General Gregorio del Pilar who died at the age 23 protecting the escape of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Tirad Pass is now apparently in production.

Next in line would perhaps be the life of Apolinario Mabini, an intellectual giant of his time who died of cholera at the age of 39 upon his return from exile from Guam.

Several years ago, another Spanish- era move was also produced to rave reviews. The movie was Noli Me Tangere of Dr. Jose Rizal. Judging from the enthusiastic and patriotic response of the public to these types of movies, they seem to be asking for more. And why not? The people must be scanning the political horizon of the current generation of leaders in the country and cannot see anyone to be worthy of adulation. This is perhaps the reason why we have to go back more than a hundred years in search of heroes.

Producers of biopic movies must also remember not to

The enduring... From A10 the Catholic Church over political and social affairs—are still eating away at the fabric of Philippine society, a can-

has been the norm for the past five and a half years.

Last Monday, the Supreme Court gave what may be deemed a belated Christmas present to Senator Grace Poe. The high court, headed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, issued two temporary restraining orders halting the implementation of the two Commission on Elections rulings disqualifying her candidacy in next year’s presidential election.

Consequently amended TROs were issued the following day requiring both private petitioners and the poll body to file their comments within 10 days from notice (the original TROs only required the Comelec to submit its comments).

The oral arguments have been scheduled for Jan. 19, 2016—the same day the SC will be holding its oral arguments regarding Rizalito

David’s petition contesting the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s ruling declaring Poe as a natural-born citizen.

For now, the TROs guarantee that the senator’s name would remain in the 2016 ballot.

Considering that it is the holiday season, what surprised me most was the fact that Senator Poe was able to secure the TROs on the same day that she filed her two petitions against the Comelec resolutions and those filed by lawyer Estrella Elamparo, and former Senator Francisco Tatad, former University of the East College of Law Dean Amado Valdez, and De La Salle University professor Antonio Contreras. News reports stated that Chief Justice Sereno decided on the issuance of the two TROs against the poll body’s First and Second Divisions herself and that the TROs are

overstretch the use of poetic license in portraying their heroes. They must try to keep as close as possible to proven history so that movie goers will be left to discern for themselves how events transpired during those trying and turbulent times in our history. It probably is not worth it to open old wounds.

There are still many gray areas of the dynamics among the leaders of the revolution that remain unresolved to this day.

The most famous of course were the deaths of Andres Bonifacio and General Luna.

Up to now, there are questions on who did it, the reasons, and under whose orders.

Of all our revolutionary leaders, Emilio Aguinaldo lived the longest, dying at the age of 95 in 1964. But even he became President of the country at a young age of 29.

Unfortunately, it is probably because he lived so long that the interpretation of events that happened during the revolution are sometimes not kind to him. Leadership conflicts when waging a revolutionary war is common

effective immediately.

The Comelec en banc had previously voted 5-2 to uphold the First Division’s decision disqualifying Poe from the 2016 presidential election based on questions of citizenship and residency raised by Tatad, Contreras and Valdez. The Comelec en banc similarly voted 5-11 upholding the decision of the Second Division on Elamparo’s petition to cancel Poe’s CoC because of her failure to meet the constitutional requirement of a 10year residency for presidential candidates.

As I had previously written in this column, the decision to apply for another citizenship is a significant one which should be given considerable weight by our magistrates and our voters.

By applying for citizenship in another country, an individual has demonstrated his/her commitment to that

place not only in this country but in other countries as well.

It is probably a lot better to simply study the lives of our revolutionary heroes for what they lived for and tried to do for the nation and less on the conflicts that transpired.

But why make movies only of our revolutionary heroes?

How about our more recent heroes? Our leaders during the independence movement from the United States and our heroes in the fight against the brutal Japanese occupation also deserve historical portrayals in the movies. Except for what we read in history books, we have not seen biopics of leaders like Quezon, Osmeña and others. Surely, movies about these leaders and what they did can be better appreciated if depicted in movies. We can also find other Filipinos who lived in more recent times who can equally inspire not only the youth but every Filipino to be proud of their country.

Let us continue to search for heroes. Happy New Year to one and all.

cer that will only be cured *** when the people rise up and To my dear Pop Goes readreclaim their nation from ers, thank you for accompathose who use their power, nying me over the past five money, and influence to fur- and a half years on a journey ther their own agendas. of discovery and analysis of

country and consequently, leaving one’s nationality speaks much about an individual’s loyalty to her original country. Definitely, you cannot be considered patriotic and committed to serving your country’s interests if you are not a legal citizen. Love of country is manifested through unconditional loyalty, care and sacrifice, and should be based upon expected comforts and privileges, much less foreseen economic and political opportunities.

Hopefully these and future developments on this critical issue will not be based on politics and not based on Philippine laws.

Likewise in becoming critical of who we should elect to lead our country’s future as president, we hope to reach a true manifestation of our customary greeting of a “Manigong Bagong Taon!”

China’s... From A9 Seeking a surrogate isn’t easy in China. In 2001, the Ministry of Healthbanned doctors from offering the service. But because it was a ministry rule and not a law, doctors—and many non-doctors—simply ignore the ban.

These days, a prospective parent can find Chinese and foreign providers online. But no matter how professional the clinic, there’s no getting past the gray-market nature of the service in China, or the potential difficulties that can emerge when hiring someone else to carry your baby.

Likewise, there is the fear that the desire to have a child might be misinterpreted by the authorities as an attempt at getting around population-control policies.

Still, determined couples try. According to a 2014 New York Times investigation, the number of surrogate babies born in China annually is well over 10,000. That number is supplemented by an unknowable number of Chinese surrogates born overseas, including to birth mothers in the United States. Yet they’re a tiny and notably affluent proportion of the millions of children born annually in China. From the government’s perspective, there’s little to be gained in cracking down.

As they loosen their grip over family planning, Chinese leaders shouldn’t turn their backs on surrogacy and surrogate mothers. Currently, China’s gray market offers no legal rights to women who take substantial physical and psychological risk to carry children for affluent couples.

Likewise, couples have little recourse if a surrogate mother breaks a contract and refuses to hand over a baby.

A law that recognizes and regulates surrogacy would take the industry out of the shadows. Though surrogacy alone will never create a baby boom, making it legal and respectable would be a big, symbolic step in China’s sudden expansion of reproductive freedoms. Bloomberg

Philippine current events as seen through the lens of culture and communication.

I wish a blessed, beautiful, and bountiful New Year to you and your families, and a

better and brighter future for our country!

Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember

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Horford powers Hawks past Rockets LOS ANGELES—The Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 19-point deficit to snap Houston’s home win streak, and LeBron James received an early birthday gift as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Denver on Tuesday night.

Al Horford and Paul Millsap posted double-doubles and the Hawks rallied to win a Texas-style shootout over the Rockets by a score of 121-115 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Horford finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds while Millsap tallied 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Hawks, who have now won their last four meetings with the Rockets.

Millsap also had a block of Rockets

centre Dwight Howard with 11 seconds left on the clock and Atlanta clinging to a 117-115 lead.

“We fought through adversity and got it done,” Horford said.

Hawks forward Kent Bazemore added 26 points on five of nine three-point shooting, while guard Jeff Teague finished with 22 points with eight assists in their final game of 2015.

Atlanta overcame another miserable

shooting effort from slumping guard Kyle Korver, who missed all 11 of his field-goal attempts. That included a record of zerofor-10 on three-pointers.

Houston led 47-28 early in the second quarter, 71-56 at the half and 98-88 with 10:32 remaining but scored just one field goal following a Howard dunk with just over eight minutes remaining.

The Hawks ground the Rockets’ offence to a halt by intentionally fouling free throw liability Howard down the stretch as the lead dwindled in the final quarter. Howard made just 10-of-18 free throws Tuesday.

Howard matched Horford with 30 points and added 16 rebounds, while Rockets guard James Harden scored 26 points, grabbed 10 boards and dished out eight assists.

“I think we should have stuck with the

same game plan we had in the first half,” Howard said.

LeBron James, who will celebrate his 31st birthday on Wednesday, scored 34 points and grabbed six rebounds as the Cavaliers defeated the Nuggets 93-87.

“It has been a long roll for me but I got a longer roll to keep going. I got to keep pushing the envelope,” James said. “Hard work pays off and tonight was an example of that.”

Will Barton scored a team high 29 points and Joffrey Lauvergne scored 14 for Denver, who have lost six of their last seven games.

The Cavaliers were playing their fourth game in five nights on this Western Conference road trip. They lost a hard-fought game to Golden State in an NBA finals rematch on Christmas Day before winning the last two. AFP

Bledsoe to miss rest of season PHOENIX—Phoenix Suns leading scorer Eric Bledsoe had season-ending surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

The Suns said in a statement that Bledsoe would undergo rehab and is expected to return “to full playing status for the start of training camp next fall.”

Guard Bledsoe suffered the injury on Saturday during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He was averaging 20.4 points and 6.1 assists in 31 games this NBA season.

Bledsoe had surgery to remove damaged meniscus in 2014. That operation sidelined him for more than two months.

FIFA ex-VP ‘took $50k a month in bribes’

Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks goes up for a dunk against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Wages of sin return to haunt football barons PARIS—Judges and prosecutors trashed the reputations of two of the leading Lords of the Rings in 2015 and criminal charges against Sepp Blatter and Lamine Diack were a warning that sport has got to clean up its act.

Bribes, doping, even more bribes, the sky seems to be the limit in the strictly cash underbelly of sports marketing and fixed sporting glory.

The jury is still out on whether the federation chiefs who dominate a sports industry that accounts for up to $700 billion a year -- one percent of world GDP -- will get the message though.

“If Blatter and Michel Platini are banned that will have no impact on other sports. But for sure there are other sports with similar problems,” said Sylvia Schenk, a sport expert for the Transparency International anti-corruption group.

Patrick Nally, a British entrepre-

neur who was one of the pioneers of sponsorship for the Olympics and other mega-events, is among the critics who see hope.

He said the focus put on FIFA, football’s world body, and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) means other governing bodies can expect the spotlight.

“It will mean all federations will become more transparent and I think we will see the International Olympic Committee taking a more active role in helping and encouraging federations to meet all the minimum criteria expected of international organisations.”

An early wake-up call at the luxury Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich on May 27 blew the lid on soccer’s chicanery.

The first seven FIFA officials were hauled away in a raid two days before Blatter had expected to seal an

Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left) holds a press conference in Zurich after the world’s football governing body announced its verdict on corruption. AFP

easy fifth term as head of football’s world governing body.

US attorney general Loretta Lynch said corruption was “rampant, systemic and deep-rooted” in football. Blatter said he suspected the arrests were politically motivated. The battle was on.

Blatter got his vote after his only challenger Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, a FIFA vice president from Jordan withdrew. But four days later Blatter announced that a new election would be held on February 26 and that he would stand down.

MONTEVIDEO—Fallen FIFA vice president Eugenio Figueredo received $50,000 a month in “improper payments” from sports marketing companies, authorities in his native Uruguay alleged Tuesday in an indictment.

The 83-year-old ex-football boss, one of seven top FIFA officials arrested at a Zurich luxury hotel in May, received “hefty sums” each month to ensure firms retained their exclusive broadcast rights to various South American tournaments, said the indictment published by a Uruguayan court.

Figueredo, who was extradited from Switzerland to Uruguay last week, faces charges of fraud and money laundering, and is currently in jail pending trial.

Detailing their case against him, prosecutors said records showed Figueredo received not only a monthly salary of $40,000 as president of South American football confederation CONMEBOL, but also $50,000 a month in bribes, which he invested in Uruguayan real estate.

The indictment said the sources of the illicit cash included Argentine firms Full Play and Torneos y Competencias, as well as Cayman Islands-registered T&T sports, all of which are in the cross-hairs of the US investigation that unleashed the corruption scandal roiling world football. AFP

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Small boats in line for big day

This handout photo from Rolex taken shows Farr Type 52 yacht Balance during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. US Supermaxi yacht Comanche won line honours in Australia’s gruelling Sydney to Hobart, staging a stunning recovery from damage which had nearly ended her race. AFP

Asian golfers shine, but tour future uncertain HONG KONG—While the stars of Asian golf shone brightly in 2015, the Asian Tour heads into an uncertain new year with players unhappy with a proposed European Tour merger.

On the fairways and greens all was well, as Asian players matched their international rivals and made an impression at events across the globe.

India’s Anirban Lahiri wrapped up the Asian Order of Merit with two wins in co-sanctioned Asian-European Tour events -- the Malaysian and Indian Opens -- and a slew of top10 finishes around the world, including an admirable fifth place at the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

South Korea’s An ByeongHun took Rookie of the Year honours on the European Tour and carried off the biggest prize

of his career with a stunning six-shot triumph at the PGA Championship at Wentworth to pocket a cool $1 million.

Evergreen Thai Thongchai Jaidee showed he was still young at heart with a game to match, winning the European Open in September, recording eight top10s and reaching a career-high world ranking of 28, at the tender age of 45.

His fellow countryman Kiradech Aphibarnrat won three times globally with nine other top-10s, while Wu Ashun became the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil when he lifted the

China Open trophy in Shanghai.

Thongchai then capped his stellar year by making his Presidents Cup debut against the United States in Incheon, South Korea, the first time the prestigious team matchplay event had been staged in Asia.

The event proved a roaring success with huge crowds and a nailbiting denouement.

The US won on the final green of the final singles match, when home favourite Bae Sang-Moon agonisingly fluffed a crucial chip to the 18th green to hand Bill Haas the winning point in a 15.514.5 victory.

It was a sad end for Bae, who now has his pro golf career put on hold while he serves at least 18 months compulsory national service in the South Korean military.

Off the course, meanwhile, major developments were brewing in Asia that will rumble on into 2016. AFP

SYDNEY—One of the smallest yachts in the Sydney to Hobart race emerged Wednesday as a favorite to win overall honors in the rugged blue ocean classic.

Local 33-footer Quikpoint Azzurro would have to meet a pre-dawn arrival deadline on Thursday to lift the treasured Tattersall’s Cup as handicap winner for the vessel that performs best according to size.

Owner Shane Kearns appeared set to make it to Hobart’s Constitution Dock in time, if he can avoid the worst of the light winds that have plagued the final stages.

Teasing Machine from France was one of numerous boats to hold the handicap lead over the past 36 hours only to suf-

fer on the pond-like Derwent River.

Skipper Eric de Turckheim needed to bring Teasing home by 5:30 am (1830 GMT) on Wednesday to top the handicap standings.

“From the entrance (of the river) we stayed maybe about three hours idle, nothing at all,” de Turckheim told Australian Associated Press after finishing 11th.

“Obviously frustrating, but that’s sailing, it’s not the first time you are leading overall and in the last few miles the wind goes.”

French 35-footer Courrier Leon also enjoyed time in the overall lead group but the JPK 1080 looked to be losing hope of making it two majors in a row after victory in the Fastnet Race. AFP

Al Jazeera seeks to clarify Manning controversy LOS ANGELES—Al Jazeera insisted Tuesday it had never alleged Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning used human growth hormone, the most explosive insinuation in the network’s major investigation into doping in sports.

Al Jazeera reporter Deborah Davies attempted to clarify the report in a follow up on NBC’s “Today” show saying, saying that the documentary had not stated that Manning had used the banned substance.

“We have not said that in the program,” said Davies.

Davies said the report had merely cited a former employee of the Guyer Institute in Indianapolis, Charlie Sly, who claimed to have knowledge that HGH was shipped to Manning’s wife Ashley.

“The only allegation in the program from Charlie Sly is that growth hormone was sent repeatedly from the Guyer to Ashley Manning in Florida,” she said.

“We’re not making the allegation against Peyton Manning.”

Manning has threatened to sue over the report.

“Let’s make it clear what the allegation is. The allegation in the program is very simple, that when Charlie Sly worked in the Guyer doing part of his training ... the clinic was sending out not one shipment but repeated shipments of growth hormone to Ashley Manning in Florida.

That’s it,” Davies said.

Most media following up on Al Jazeera’s report have seen a clear implication made in the documentary, “The Dark Side,” that Peyton Manning was the eventual recipient of the drug shipments.

In report, Sly said: “All the time, we would be sending Ashley Manning drugs. Like growth hormone, all the time, everywhere, Florida. And it would never be under Peyton’s name, it would always be under her name.”

Sly has since recanted everything he said in the documentary and alleged that some of his calls and conversations were recorded without his consent.

Hansen doubtful Russia will be in Olympics PARIS—European Athletics president Svein Arne Hansen has expressed doubts whether Russia, currently suspended from all athletics competitions following allegations of state-sponsored doping, will have made necessary reforms in time to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Russia were hit with an indefinite suspension by the International Association of

Athletics Federations (IAAF) last month after a World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) independent commission report revealed that Russia’s anti-doping agency had “routinely” violated global testing standards.

A team of experts named by WADA have begun work in Moscow to help Russia implement the necessary reforms with an IAAF inspection team due to visit Russia on January 10-11.

They will then report back to the IAAF Council by the earliest at its March 27 meeting in Cardiff, leaving just over four months before the Olympics get underway on August 5.

“For the moment they (Russia) have to fulfil the conditions, but I cannot really see them competing in Rio,” Hansen said in a interview with athleticsweekly.com.

No. 1 backer. LSU Tigers mascot Mike cheers from the fan section during

the second half of their game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. AFP

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PH hoping to send 1 boxer to Olympics THE Philippines is looking forward to qualify at least one boxer for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Roger Ladon, who is fighting in the 46 to 49-kg weight class in the men’s division, is among those who have the best chance of making it to the quadrennial meet.

Ladon is fourth in the Olympic rankings with 1050 points in his weight category, according to a list released by the International Boxing Association on its official website. He is joined by Mark Anthony Barriga, who has 350 points and is ranked no. 24.

“This is something to look forward to in 2016--more qualifiers to the Olympics. Hopefully, we can send two more in boxing,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo “Richie” Garcia.

Since Dec. 9, the AIBA has confirmed the first 60 qualifiers for the men’s boxing competition of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Ladon will have a chance to enhance his ranking in May in the World Championships in Kazakhstan.

The final qualification spots for both men and women will be held in Azerbaijan in June.

A total of 286 boxers will be fighting for the gold in the men’s and women’s events in August.

The AIBA Pro Boxing tournaments have produced 20 qualifiers, while Season V of the World Series of Boxing has 17 Olympians and 23 athletes, who have secured quota places.

“The qualification of 60 boxers is a demonstration of the hard work of the AIBA family in the development of the sport of boxing and I would like congratulate our member federations, the qualified boxers and all those involved,” said AIBA President Dr Wu Ching-Kuo of Chinese Taipei.

An additional 190 men and 36 women will be confirmed for Rio 2016 over the coming months, through more AIBA Olympic Qualifiers to be held in Argentina, Cameroon and China in March. Peter Atencio

Golf champs. Jobim Carlos (second from left) and Inigo Raymundo (second from right) hold their trophy as they pose with MVP Sports Foundation executive director Patricia Hizon (left) and National Golf Association of the Philippines president Caloy Coscolluela after winning the NGAP’s fifth National Doubles Amateur Golf Championship crown at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club last Tuesday.

UST, La Salle 1-2 in fight for overall UAAP crown

By Peter Atencio

EXPECT another tight race between University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University for the general championship of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The Growling Tigers, who topped last year’s race, currently lead in the senior overall race, but are only ahead by two points over the Green Archers at the end of the Season 78 first semester action.

UST finished the first semester with a runner-up finish in men’s basketball

to bring its total so far to 155 points in the unofficial tally to stay in the hunt for a record-setting 41 general championships.

The Tigers also took the titles in the combat sports of men’s taekwondo, poomsae and women’s judo events.

They also placed sec-

ond in men’s beach volleyball, women’s taekwondo, men’s judo and men’s table tennis, while placing third in women’s table tennis.

La Salle is running second with 153 points behind championship runs in women’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s table tennis.

The Archers wound up second in men’s badminton and men’s swimming, and finished third in women’s basketball, women’s badminton, men’s and women’s taekwondo.

They also emerged runners-up in poomsae, men’s judo and women’s

swimming.

Running third is Ateneo with 140 points as it rode on its title conquests in men’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and men’s judo.

The Blue Eagles took runner-up trophies in women’s basketball and women’s badminton, and placed third in men’s basketball, women’s beach volleyball and men’s badminton.

Banking on women’s badminton’s successful title defense, University of the Philippines is at fourth with 115 points, while Far Eastern University, which ruled the

men’s basketball tournament, has 90 points to be at fifth place.

National University, which completed perfect seasons in women’s basketball and men’s badminton, is at No. 6 with 84 points, while University of the East copped its first-ever men’s taekwondo crown and has 82 points in seventh spot.

Adamson, which failed to achieve podium finishes in any sport in the first semester, tallied 38 points in last place.

Second semester action begins with the volleyball tournament tentatively set on Jan. 30.

PH Junior Volcanoes crush HK bets THE U19 Philippine Volcanoes, the national rugby team, finished the year on a high after defeating the Hong Kong Junior Warriors, 49 points to 0, to win the annual 2015 First Pacific Cup. More commonly known as the Junior Volcanoes, the national team overcame horrid typhoon conditions on Saturday to outplay and outskill the touring Hong Kong team, scoring six unanswered tries in the opening half.

Key players for the Philippines were team captains Robert Villaluz McCafferty and Rhys Jacob Mackley, along with outside back Dan O’Rielly. Hamish Roxas

McWilliam also secured a hat trick of tries proving to be too strong for the opposition “The U19s national team is a platform for our next batch of future Volcanoes, this program helps develop and identify the next generation of elite athletes. It provides a pathway so our men’s national team can continue to be successful on the world stage,” said Assistant Coach and current Philippine Volcano Jake Letts.

Letts also said the coaching staff identified up to two players that will most likely get to graduate to the men’s program as early as next year.

“Robbie McCafferty had a great series, he showed real

maturity at this level and is no doubt pushing for selection in the National Men’s Squad,” said Letts.

The Philippine Development Team, however, was dealt a final blow in their second match after winning the opening game just three days earlier.

The Hong Kong Senior Warriors took out the Transcom Shield in a close encounter 13 points to 0 to hand the home team a one all record in the series.

The year has been a mixed one for the Volcanoes after securing both a bronze and gold medal at the South East Asian games earlier in June.

THE Philippine U19 Junior Volcanoes go up against the Hong Kong Juniors in stormy conditions.

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Batang Pier gatecrash PBA’s semifinal party

By Jeric Lopez

PERENNIAL contenders Alaska, San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine are back in the semifinals, but who would ever think that an upstart of a team in GlobalPort could gatecrash its way into the Final Four?

Of the four squads, the Aces earned the top seeding after the eliminations with the defending champion Beermen at no. 2 and Rain Or Shine at no. 3. The Batang Pier, seeded no. 5 after the elims, took the last spot after ousting Ginebra San Miguel, 8483, in overtime last Sunday.

The semifinals are set to start the week after the New Year as Alaska tests the mettle of GlobalPort, while San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine resume their rivalry. Both series will be a long best-ofseven affair.

The Aces and the Batang Pier start their duel on Jan. 4, Monday, while the Beermen and the Elasto painters begin their war the following day.

Without any major upsets in the tournament, the top three teams, Alaska, San Miguel and Rain or Shine, who had displayed consistent, high-level basketball throughout the tournament made it to the semis in relative ease, while GlobalPort, set to compete in the Top 4 stage for the first time in franchise history, is new to the semis environment but is likewise playing consistently well and has a lot of momentum on its side.

While the Aces and the Beermen, the two finalists from last season, had a comfortable path to the semis, the Painters and the Batang Pier endured tough challenges and obstacles in the quarterfinals to get to this point.

After losing its final elimination-round game against NLEX, Rain or Shine missed out on an outright semis berth and instead was forced to take a longer path.

The Elasto Painters were able to hold off playoffs’ newcomer Blackwater in a tough game in Phase One of the quarters before regaining their top form when they routed fellow powerhouse Talk ‘N Text in Phase Two to eventually reach their destination.

The route of GlobalPort was even harder.

Following its disposal of Barako Bull in the First Phase of the quarterfinals, the

Batang Pier needed a game-tying basket at the end of regulation, an extra session and a favorable break in the dying seconds against Barangay Ginebra before taking a thrilling battle in Phase Two to formalize its first-ever entry to the semis.

Superstars like two-time reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood, among others, are constant faces in the semis, but the two most anticipated debuts in this stage are those of young superstars Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle of GlobalPort.

Arguably the league’s best 1-2 punch, the prolific backcourt pair of Romeo and Pringle soared to new heights this conference as they are showing the entire league that they are for real by continuously lifting the Batang Pier, who heavily relies on their leadership and heads-up play.

Rain or Shine superstar Paul Lee, who hasn’t played a single game this season after dealing with a knee injury, is also expected to make his return as the Elasto Painters are banking on him to resume his quarterbacking role against the tough Beermen.

With the cast complete and everyone aching to go, fireworks are expected once the semis kicks off next week.

The two most anticipated debuts in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals are those of young superstars Terrence Romeo (right) and Stanley Pringle (center) of GlobalPort.

LOTTO RESULTS

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Monster Inoue demolishes PH boxer Parrenas

By Ronnie Nathanielsz A CLEARLY overmatched No.-ranked Warlito Parrenas was demolished by Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, who returned to action after a 52-week layoff due to rehabilitation following hand surgery.

The Japanese showed no ill-effects of his long absence from the ring as he scored a devastating second-round TKO over the overmatched Filipino challenger at the Arriake Coliseum in Tokyo.

The unbeaten 22-year-old Inoue methodically cut down Parrenas at the start of the second round, with the Filipino barely beating the mandatory eight count on wobbly feet and with glazed eyes. A volley of punches from Inoue dropped Parrenas for a second time in the round, following a right straight and a vicious left hook.

Referee Michael Ortega didn’t waste time in calling a halt to the one-sided bout at 1:20 of Round 2.

It was the 32-year-old Parrenas’ first loss in an eight-fight winning streak. He fell to 24-7-1 with 21 knockouts, while Inoue remained unbeaten and upped his record to 9-0 with 8 knockouts.

In a post-fight interview, Inoue said he is interested in a unification bout.

“I was itching all this year and trained like hell and I am relieved with the result. It was a great experience. I would like to fight in the United States too, if offers come along,” he said.

Inoue is the first Japanese boxer to win two world titles in just eight fights at the end of last year, when he knocked out defending champion Omar Narvaez of Argentina, also in just two rounds.

However, he injured his hand in the Narvaez bout and had surgery last March.

In a post on Facebook, Parrenas apologized to his fans for the defeat. “Sorry guys. He was very strong and quick.”

An awesome attendance THE Philippine Tournament Bridge Association Christmas Pairs was held in the residence of Madame Chris Tweddell in Forbes Park last December 14, 2015. As I stated last December 24, 2015 “the attendance was indeed a tribute to Chris--an unheard of 17 tables--in comparison to the dwindling attendance at the Saturday games.”

I congratulate particularly Lynn Gavino and Albert Quiogue who appeared with their surprise partnership at the game.

Quioque who is based now in SYLVIA LOPEZ ALEJANDRO

Pangasinan used to play regularly with me and tournaments abroad. I played with the Open Team representing the Philippines in Korea and Albert and Nonot Carreon were members of the team. As for Lynn Gavino we participated in representing the Philippines Ladies team to such places like Singapore and Thailand. Albert Quioque and Lynn Gavino topped the North/South Ranks.

I feature all the players who played in the Christmas Pairs and their standing. It may be quite for a while to get such an awesome attendance.

PTBA Christmas Pairs Dec. 14, 2015 Rank Pair Names (North/South Ranks) 1.Albert Quiogue & Lynn Gavino 2.Nena Ramirez & Pocholo Lozano 3. Linda Werhman & Ann De Guzman 4. Paul Potassy & Joli Kansil 5. Sylvia Alejandro & Joseph Maliwat 6. Mila Wales & Cora Rodriquez 7. Viksi Egan & Menchie Cu Unjieng 8. Suena Manalang & Phil Manalang 9. Ito Velhagen & Ditas Jalbuena 10. Justo Manlongat & Winston Arpon 11. Romy Virola & Chuchay Tuason 12. Margaret Kwok & Ellie Esteban 13. Glory Del Rio & Inday Canoy 14. Bernie Conroy & Satomi Suzuki

15. Bea Zobel & Maxine Cacho 16. Shrikant Wad & Slam Lall 17. Isabel Maloles & Abla Assad Rank Pair Names (East/West Ranks) 1. Toti Fernandez & Barry Randle 2. George Soo & Isabel Wilson 3. Nalin & Hiranthi Samarasingha 4. Bambi Harper & Mila Camus 5. Homer De Vera & Vincent Reyes 6. Harumi Ieda & Chris Tweddell 7. Charles Bates & Sydney Bates 8. Ching Holley & George Espaldon 9. Rj Omapoy & Bambi Rebamba 10. Mehbooba Khan & Alice Briones 11. Dina Velasco & Lani Tayas 12. Titang Montinola & Susan Kwee

13. Remy Romero-Salas & Ann Aspinall 14. Cynthia De Guzman & Fusako Breckner 15. Harriet Velayo & Pearl Goduco 16. Hector Tarrazona & Aiko Taylor As stated there was no closing ceremonies. A handsome trophy depicting my win with partner Michael Giguere at the National Open pairs championship under the auspices of the PTBA last July 11 was only handed to me albeit not by the president.

Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo

A16

T H U R S DAY : D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 5 RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS Charlotte snub fueled Kobe’s killer instinct Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers runs towards the court before the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Kobe Bryant says his passion for winning was shaped in part by the snubbing he received from the team that drafted him into the NBA back in 1996.

Bryant was just 17 and fresh out of high school when he sat down immediately following the entry draft with head coach Dave Cowens of the Charlotte Hornets who had selected him with the 13th overall pick.

“Charlotte never wanted me.

[Dave] Cowens told me he didn’t want me. It wasn’t a question of me even playing here,” said Bry-

ant after his farewell tour with the Los Angeles Lakers made a stop in Charlotte on Monday night.

Five-time NBA champion Bryant says the slight he received from the former Boston Celtics star player Cowens helped shape his championship character.

“I mean, I had grown up watching basketball. I knew who

7 col x 10 cm

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Dave Cowens was and was pretty excited,” Bryant said. “Then I was like, ‘Oh, all right.’ I quickly transitioned from smiley kid to killer instinct.”

After the draft Charlotte traded Bryant to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.

Bryant announced recently that he is retiring from the NBA at the end of the current season.

Besides his five championship rings with the Lakers, Bryant has won two NBA finals MVP awards, two NBA scoring titles and was named an all star 17 times in his brilliant career.

Bryant drew a thunderous applause throughout the evening from a sellout crowd of 19,632, the largest ever for a regularseason game at the Time-Warner Cable Arena.

The Hornets saluted him before the game with owner Michael Jordan delivering a videotaped message.

Bryant finished with a teamhigh 20 points in the Lakers 108-98 loss and said that he was moved by the cheers from the crowd.

“It’s been like that in every city, fortunately,” Bryant said.

“Here it is a little different be-

cause this is the city that drafted me. The journey started here. As brief as it was .... so it has more value to it.”

Lakers coach Byron Scott said Bryant deserves the respect he is getting in all the cities the Lakers have visited.

“It’s been remarkable,” Scott said. “The fans are showing him a lot of love, and rightly so. He’s put in 20 hard years and given everything he’s got, every single night.

“I think what the fans are doing everywhere we go so far are just showing their appreciation. I think it’s a beautiful thing.” AFP

B1

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 31, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PH joins China-led infra bank

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE Philippines on Wednesday confirmed its participation in the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to boost infrastructure development.

The Finance Department said Philippine Ambassador Erlina Basilio was scheduled to sign the articles of agreement of the AIIB before the deadline on Dec. 31.

It said the AIIB would augment and complement existing multilateral institutions in accelerating economic growth.

“Our shared pursuit of growth and development has only become more challenging as the global environment becomes increasingly complex. We thus welcome platforms where countries can work towards shared development goals

in the spirit of partnership,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said.

“In a globalized world, connectivity is the name of the game.

AIIB is a promising institution addressing investment needs, and will help close financing gaps in many countries. I also see this as a chance for greater collaboration with member countries, especially with Asean, on regional infrastructure goals,” Purisima said.

The Asian Development Bank earlier estimated that Philippine infrastructure financing needs would reach $127 billion from

2010 to 2020, requiring an annual investment of $11.56 billion.

Asean also has a financing gap of $1.08 trillion through the decade.

The Philippines, according to the ADB, stands to gain from closing the gap in terms of accumulated reduction in trade costs estimated at 15.6 percent of trade value and will result in a gain of about $220 billion in real income.

The total capital stock of AIIB is $100 billion, 20 percent of which is paid-in. The indicative paid-in capital of the Philippines is $196 million, payable in five years or $39 million per annum.

“The Philippines has taken the matter of our membership in AIIB very seriously. We have participated in the discussions leading to its creation, believing that good governance is just as impor-

tant in our international institutions just as they are at home,” Purisima said.

“We are confident that the bank’s organization design and oversight mechanisms are committed to transparency, independence, openness and accountability. We are likewise optimistic that AIIB’s decision-making processes are geared towards making it a lean, clean, green institution run like a true multilateral,” Purisima said.

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday gave the full powers to sign the AOA on behalf of the Republic to Purisima or Ambassador Basilio.

Among the 57 prospective founding members of the bank, the Philippines is the last to sign the AOA after 50 members already signed it on June 29, during the launch of the institution.

PSe comPoSite index Closing December 29, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,952.08 31.53

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 29, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.060

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

HIGH P47.040 LOW P47.165 AVERAGE P47.118 VOLUME 372.750M

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 Tuesday, December 29, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate

‘Arangkada Philippines.’ Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (fifth from left) meets representatives of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines and Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional/Operating Headquarters in Makati City to discuss the progress of Arangkada Philippines, JFC’s major advocacy to increase investment and employment in the Philippines. JFC is a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese and Korean Chambers in the Philippines and Pamuri, representing over 3,000 member companies engaged in trade and investment.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1660

Japan

Yen

0.008311

0.3920

UK

Pound

1.487900

70.1783

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129027

6.0857

Switzerland

Franc

1.012863

47.7727

Canada

Dollar

0.719424

33.9324

Singapore

Dollar

0.710631

33.5176

Australia

Dollar

0.726480

34.2652

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656042

125.2749

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.5766

Brunei

Dollar

0.708115

33.3990

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027678

1.3055

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.8433

Euro

Euro

1.097000

51.7411

Korea

Won

0.000856

0.0404

China

Yuan

0.154131

7.2697

India

Rupee

0.015132

0.7137

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.232829

10.9816

New Zealand

Dollar

0.684697

32.2944

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030481

1.4377 Source: PDS Bridge

Asean Economic Community comes into force without fanfare THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic community came into force on the last day of 2015, heralding a regional free trade which is expected to boost the economies of the 10 member states with a combined population of over 600 million.

The Asean Economic Community, a single market with a free flow of goods, capital and skilled labor across borders, officially starts today as provided for under

the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who hosted the 2015 Asean meeting, said in November the 10 member countries created a single market and production base with freer movement of goods and services with common standards, far greater connectivity and removal of barriers.

“In practice, we have already virtually eliminated tariff barriers between us under the Asean Free

Trade Area,” Razak said earlier.

“We now have to ensure that we create a truly single market and production base, with freer movement of goods and services.”

AEC has a combined market of more than 600 million people with total GDP of $2 trillion across 10 countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

An Asean scorecard showed

that as of end-October, the grouping had implemented 79.5 percent of measures committed under the AEC. Among prioritized measures, the rate was 92.7 percent.

Asean leaders in November unveiled another road map to a common community for the next decade even as the bloc missed targets for economic integration this year.

A study by state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies showed the Philip-

pines’ agriculture and fisheries was well-positioned for the Asean integration but should increase the volumes of the sector’s primary products bound for export.

PIDS said in a policy note titled “Improving the readiness of A&F industries to the Asean integration” the country should work harder to increase the volume of export-oriented products.

These products include coffee, cocoa, tuna, seaweed, shrimp and onions. With Bloomberg

B2 The top stories of 2015 WITH the year about to end, the time has come to look back again and identify the events that have made 2015 the year that it has been.

The year could not have started more badly in the dawn hours of Jan. 23. Two groups of PNP Special Action Force troopers attacked a Moro Islamic Liberation Front stronghold in the Maguindanao village of Mamasapano on a mission to capture or kill a high-value Malaysia target namely, a terrorist named Marwan. Thirty-plus force of troopers were all but decimated. The ensuing release of information that there had been no coordination between PNP headquarters and the Philippine Army unit nearest the scene of the encounter—a state of affairs that was caused by the fact that the de facto leader of the SAF mission was the ousted PNP Chief, General Alan Purisima—created much consternation and disgust. The consensus at yearend was that President Aquino will likely have to face an official inquiry when he steps down from office next year.

Not unexpectedly, the Philippines scored an international victory when the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration agreed to accept jurisdiction over the claim lodged by the Philippines against China for the latter’s violations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, recognizing the validity of seven of the fifteen UNCLOS related principles put forward by the Philippines. Predictably, there was chagrin in China, which has refused to recognize PCA’s jurisdiction in the matter notwithstanding its having signed UNCLOS. The Philippines has been asked to submit supplementary data. PCA is expected to hand down a ruling around the middle of 2016. A major factor in the Philippines favor has been the support of an international community that disapproves of bullyish behavior.

Three of 2015’s top stories had their origins in the continuing deterioration of the world environment. Two stories were negative in character. The third was a positive story.

In 2015, the Philippines was not visited by typhoons as destructive as 2013’s Yolanda and 2009’s Ondoy and Pablo, but typhoons Nona and Lando packed heavy punches and pummeled the usually vulnerable regions and provinces.

Severely damaged by Nona was Oriental Mindoro, through which it passed on its way out to the West Philippine Sea. While some parts of this country experienced a surfeit of water, other parts reeled from the impact of the worst El Nino phenomenon since 2007. Parched were many parts of Central Mindanao and North Central Luzon. The monetary authorities factored rising food prices into their forecasts of price movements, and the Department of Agriculture placed additional orders for foreign rice.

The current El Niño is predicted to persist until the early months of 2016.

The positive environment-related story of 2015 has been the 21st Meeting of the UN-convened Conference of the Parties for the Monitoring of Climate Change. Held in Paris in early December amid great expectations, COP21, which was attended by US President Barrack Obama and the leaders of many of the industrial countries, ended with a landmark accord calling for the limiting of the world’s mean-temperature rise by 2030 to 1.5 degrees Centigrade above the pre-industrial level. The accord likewise embodies provisions for financial compensation to countries that sustain loss and damage from global warming-related disasters. Another of 2015’s top stories was the Philippines’ hosting of the 26th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in mid-November. The Philippines first hosted the event in 1996. The physical arrangements necessitated by the meeting of the 21 heads of economies— especially the rerouting of Metro Manila’s traffic—generated resentment and frustration, but in the end there was general agreement that the Philippines had again demonstrated its ability to efficiently stage international-scale events.

The Philippine security community had undertaken a dry run for Apec with the visit to this country of Pope Francis at the start of the year. The five-day visit of one of the world’s highest-value public personages was a nightmare for the security community, but the Holy Father came to and departed our shares without incident. The Philippines was now ready for Apec.

On the legislation front, 2015 saw the passage, at long last, of a Competition Act. The passage of the new law was in response to the business community’s longstanding clamor for the revision or repeal of laws and business practices that have operated to stack the deck in favor of large and well-connected business enterprises and against small business establishments. The new law has not leveled the business playing field entirely, but it has gone a long way in that direction.

The latter part of the year witnessed something new in the history of the relations between the government and the non-Catholic Christian segment of Philippine society. The Iglesia ni Cristo, whose approximately two million members are said to unquestioningly obey the political instructions of their sect’s hierarchy, posed a challenge to the government over the Department of Justice’s decision to act on the complaints of INC officials who claimed to have been forcibly detained by their leaders. The government had yet to resolve the issue at year-end. How the issue will be resolved remains to be seen; what is certain is that the myth of INC monolithicness has been shattered, with all the implications of that for Philippine politics.

2015 likewise witnessed a criminal trial with important ramifications or relations with the Philippines and its No. 1 ally, the US. The circumstances of the criminal case – the involvement of a US serviceman with a transgender person in a motel in Olongapo City, which was host to a US naval base until 1992—inflamed passions and revived the heated debates over the existing Visiting Forces Agreement and the recently passed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement law, whose constitutionality has been challenged before the Supreme Court. At yearend, the serviceman, Joseph Pemberton, was convicted of homicide for the death of Jeffrey ‘Jennifer’ Laude. What effect the conviction and the place of incarceration of the serviceman will have on the Supreme Court case and Philippine-American relations in general, it is difficult to tell at this point.

This recitation of the developments that shaped the course of 2015 would by no means be complete without a discussion of the political maneuverings —with the attendant complications—in contemplation of the 2016 elections.

The Commission on Elections accepted the certificates of candidacy for the presidency of five individuals (Mar Roxas, Jejomar Binay, Grace Poe, Rodrigo Duterte and Miriam Santiago), the COCs of six individuals vying for the vice presidency (Lenie Robredo, Gregorio Honasan, Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Antonio Trillanes IV), and the COCs of around 25 serious candidates for membership of the Senate. These numbers will decrease if the Comelec and/or the Supreme Court approve some of the petitions for disqualification filed with them.

With the successful sojourn of Pope Francis in this country, 2015 began on a note of faith and unity. With the onset of the electoral season and all the attendant political noise, 2015 is ending on a note of disunity and doubt.

Best wishes for a joyous, peaceful and love-filled 2016.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 31, 2015

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

Firms raised P184b in new capital—PSE

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CAPITAL raising activities at the Philippine Stock Exchange jumped 21 percent in 2015 to P184.60 billion from P153.08 billion in 2014.

The figure represented the proceeds raised by companies from initial public offerings, follow-on offerings and private placements at the stock exchange.

PSE said the 2015 tally was the second highest in the history of the local bourse, but fell below the P200-billion target for the year.

“We expect that the stock market will continue to be a preferred venue for fund-raising activities of both listed companies and privately-owned firms that are considering listing at the exchange,” said PSE president and

chief executive Hans Sicat.

PSE said for 2016, it was hoping to see continued capital raising activities and product offerings, which would raise P200 billion.

Sicat earlier said he expected eight to 10 companies to conduct IPOs in 2016.

Seven companies have pending IPO applications, including Datem Inc. (P4.65 billion), DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc. (P12.3 billion), Pointwest Technologies Corp.

(P2.09 billion), TVI Resource Development Phils. Inc. (P1.51 billion), Philippine Primark

Properties Inc. (P1.2 billion), Gweilo Corp. (P95 million), Philstocks Financial Inc. (P188 million) and Green Power Panay Philippines Inc. (P290 million).

PSE is also working on a request for exemptive relief to acquire additional shares in the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. to be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PSE said it would continue its corporate governance initiatives, including the PSE Bell Awards. It started working with the Public Private Partnership Center to find ways for the stock market to be a venue to raise capital for PPP projects. The PSE will also continue to conduct its various market education and financial literacy programs.

MLQU anniversary. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (second from right), an alumna

of the Manuel Luis Quezon University, joins fellow illustrious alumni in the grand annual reunion of the university at the Quezon City Sports Club. With Baldoz are (from left) MLQU Alumni Association Inc. president Pete Principe, former Court of Appeals Justice and incumbent chair of the legal education board Hilarion Aquino and Court of Appeals Associate Justice Carmelita Manahan.

Big Davao coal plant to start operations

By Alena Mae S. Flores ABOITIZ Power Corp. is set to start full commercial operations of its second 150-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Davao City, bringing the project’s total capacity to 300 MW in January.

“Both units are now running.

Commercial [operations] may be third week of January,” Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza said.

Unit 2 suffered delays due to the technical problems arising from the seven-hour systemwide blackout in Mindanao on April 5.

Aboitiz Power earlier said the system-wide blackout damaged Therma South’s equipment which resulted

in the delay of commercial operations of unit 2 of the coal project by 10 months.

“Initial findings show that the disruption unfortunately caused damage to the auxiliary components to the boiler of unit 2. Affected areas and components include air-preheater as well as the electrostatic precipitator, which part of the power plant’s pollution control system,” Aboitiz Power said in a statement earlier.

Aboitiz Power said the damage would delay the commercial operations of unit 2 by 10 months.

Aboitiz Power declared full commercial operations of the first 150-MW unit of the Therma South Energy coal power project in September.

The power plant started to

deliver power to its more than 20 customers, including electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao on Sept.18.

“We have informed our customers and our stakeholders that we are now officially in commercial operations and supplying Mindanao with reliable and cost-effective baseload power,” Therma South Inc. president and chief operating officer Benjamin Cariaso, Jr. said earlier.

“We are here not only to help Mindanao solve the current power crisis. The Aboitiz group is committed to helping Mindanao sustain its economic growth and fulfill its potential,” Cariaso said.

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 31, 2015

B3

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

China Bank CBA. China Banking Corp. and China Banking Corp. Employees Association agree on a new collective bargaining agreement amounting to P511 million for two years. Shown during the signing of the CBA in Makati City are China Bank vice chairman Gilbert Dee (fifth from right), president and chief executive Ricardo Chua (fifth from left), CBCEA president Neilfredo de Venecia (fourth from right), along with members of the Management and Union panels.

PLDT set to allot P43b for next year

Govt keeps inflation target for next 3 years

By Darwin G. Amojelar

By Julito G. Rada

PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. said it will invest P38 billion or the bulk of its budget next year, to expand fixed and wireless networks.

PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said the 2016 capital expenditures would be “in the area of P43 billion or the same level as the 2015,” but the bulk or P38 billion would be for fixed and wireless networks expansion.

PLDT raised its capex to P43 billion this year from the original guidance of P39 billion.

“We are proceeding briskly with our network enhancements as evidenced by our capex levels.

We are talking approximately $3.7 billion in the last five years, ending 2014, and over $900 million this year. Our capex spend for the last six years including 2015 will therefore sum up to about $4.6 billion,” Pangilinan earlier said.

“That is no small change. We believe these expenditures are vital in order to provide the level of service required by the market and for PLDT to be robustly competitive for the future. These investments, as well as our growing portfolio of partnerships with the best in the global digital space, will serve to fortify our position as the country’s leading digital services provider and enable us in the emerging digital landscape,” he said.

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

PLDT’s net profit went down by 17 percent in the third quarter to P6.61 billion from last year’s P7.93 billion.

Core profit, excluding foreign exchange transactions and other non-recurring items, hit P27.08 billion, down by 5 percent from P28.86 billion a year ago.

THE inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee kept the inflation target at 2 percent to 4 percent for the next three years, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

The inflation target is expected to guide the government’s budget and private sector’s investment plan from 2016 to 2018.

Bangko Sentral said in line with the inflation targeting approach to the conduct of monetary policy, the DBCC issued Resolution No. 2015 on Dec. 29 to maintain the current inflation target range.

It said the fixed annual target for 2016 to 2018 set by the government “remains suitable to the Philippine economy and is consistent with the country’s evolving price dynamics and sustained economic growth objectives.”

Bangko Sentral said the current low inflation environment could be sustained over the medium term as underlying

structural inflation dynamics remained favorable, with the improved ability of the domestic economy to accommodate supply shocks.

It said compared to pre-inflation targeting period, the headline inflation had been observed to return faster to the target while the influence of the foreign exchange rate had diminished.

“Structural reforms in the economy could generate further productivity gains and raise the economy’s growth potential, allowing the economy to grow at a respectable rate while maintaining prices stable. Greater transparency in the conduct of monetary policy also enabled the firmer anchoring of inflation expectations to the inflation target,” Bangko Sentral said.

The medium-term inflation target was set by the DBCC in coordination with Bangko Sentral under the inflation targeting framework.

The announcement of the target was in line with the Bangko Sentral’s commitment to greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of monetary policy.

“Going forward, the BSP will continue to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains appropriate, consistent with its primary mandate of safeguarding price stability conducive to

a balanced and sustainable economic growth,” it said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. earlier said inflation rate in December likely accelerated from 1.1 percent recorded in November on higher power and food prices.

Tetangco said despite the expected higher inflation print for December, the average inflation for 2015 would fall below the 2 to 4 percent target range for the year. The government is set to release the December inflation after the New Year.

Inflation hit a record low of 0.4 percent in October and averaged 1.4 percent in the first 11 months of 2015.

The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral, on Dec. 17 kept the benchmark interest rates steady for the tenth consecutive time since October last year as inflation rate settled below the target range.

Key policy rates were maintained at 4 percent for overnight borrowing and 6 percent for overnight lending.

Phoenix Semiconductor defers P8-b project in Clark

By Jenniffer B. Austria PHOENIX Semiconductor Philippines Corp., a Korean-controlled company, said it will defer the construction of an P8-billion expansion project in Clark Freeport, amid slow global demand for semiconductors.

“The temporary deferral is in line with the slowdown in the demand of semiconductors as a result of the downturn in the economy of China, a major global consumer market and downstream manufacturer of electronics products,” Phoenix Semiconductor said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The company, which sells most of its products to Samsung, said negotiations with potential customers were currently ongoing which reflected the current waitand-see outlook of the semiconductor industry.

The P8-billion project was supposed to expand the manufacturing capacity of its plant within a 15-hectare property at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

The project involves expanding the production capacity of its memory modules and chips that will cater to new customers.

The semiconductor firm said it completed the engineering plans and awarding of the project to

general and specialty contractors.

Phoenix Semiconductor, which raised P1 billion from an initial public offering in 2014, said it would allocate P423.54 million for the expansion plan.

The amount would cover the construction of a new manufacturing building and structure costing P134.25 million and the acquisition and installation of production equipment and machinery costing P289.28 million.

“The company will disclose the necessary updates on the project as soon as firm developments take place. In meantime, the IPO funds remain to be placed in short-term

cash facility until such appropriate time of its utilization,” Phoenix Semiconductor said.

The company is primarily engaged in the construction, ownership and operation of a plant for the manufacture, assembly, testing and warehousing of semiconductor and memory devices and applications and related products.

Its products go into various applications such as memory chips and devices for computers, laptops and servers, as well as micro SD cards for mobile phones.

Share price of Phoenix Semiconductor on Tuesday closed at P1.61.

B4

Alsons readies hydro unit next year LISTED Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., which is owned by the Alcantara Group, plans to start construction of the 15-megawatt Siguil hydro power plant in Mindanao by the third quarter next year.

Alsons executive vice president Tirso Santillan Jr. said the construction timeline for the hydro project located along the Siguil River in Maasim, Sarangani would depend on certain factors.

“That depends on certain milestones to be achieved like the successful EPC [engineering, procurement and construction] bid and financial close,” he said.

The start of construction of the hydro project will herald Alsons’ entry into the renewable energy sector. The company also plans to put up solar power projects to diversify its portfolio.

Alsons is developing coalfired plants to help provide a stable source of baseload power to Mindanao and ensure longterm supply in the island.

The facilities are the 105MW San Ramon Power Inc. plant in Zamboanga City and the 210-MW Sarangani Energy Corp. station in Maasim, Sarangani.

The first 105 MW section of the Sarangani Energy plant is now in the advanced stages of testing and commissioning, and will begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2016 with an initial capacity of 105 MW. The Sarangani plant is expected to be operating at its full 210-MW capacity in 2018.

The San Ramon coal fired power facility in Zamboanga City, meanwhile, is expected to begin construction in 2016 and is slated to operate by 2019. Alena Mae S. Flores

Top General Trias investors. General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer (sixth from right) and Vice Mayor Morit Sison (seventh from right) pose with the representatives of the city’s top 10 taxpayers in 2014 in a simple ceremony at King Bee Restaurant in Barangay Manggahan December 9, 2105.

Shown (from left) are Lito Bungcasan of House Tech, Ariel Curay of Purefoods Hormel, Dulce Gaurino of Maxim Philippines, Renabel Olano of Amercian Power Conversion, Grace Kong of JAE, Emil Armas of Analog Devices, Kath Ong of Unilever Philippines, Via Lynne Galvez of HTI, Cris Martinez of Analog Philippines and John Elefante of Magnolia Philippines.

Globe upbeat, sees revenue picking up

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Globe Telecom Inc. said it expects to sustain its revenue growth trajectory next year on higher demand for content and data connectivity.

“Subscribers to us are important but it’s not the end-goal. We want to take up subscribers who really use the service and consume a lot of data, a lot of voice and SMS hopefully and so we need to acquire,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

“That’s why we marked the very big milestone of 50 million wireless consumers today or this quarter. Hopefully, this is going to become sort of a mode to gain more revenue and not the end,” he said.

Cu said the company was on track to meet

its P100-billion revenue target this year.

“We’ve been growing so we will be gaining market share and it is our intent to continue that momentum in the many years to come,” Cu said.

Globe senior advisor for consumer business Dan Horan said the company’s mobile data revenues once again exceeded expectations, maintaining its robust double-digit growth in revenues and traffic, as well as triple-digit growth in user base.

“We are confident that we can sustain this growth momentum towards the end of the year as the demand for data connectivity during the holidays is expected to soar. This shift to the digital lifestyle is part of our commitment to drive the country’s position as the world’s next social media capital,” he added.

Globe’s mobile browsing and other data revenues rose 48 percent to P15.1 billion in the first nine months of the year from P10.2 billion year-on-year.

The Ayala-led telecommunications firm said mobile data users grew 126 percent yearon-year, while mobile data traffic increased 89 perfect from the previous year’s level.

Horan said the co-branding agreement with Cherry Mobile was a strategic move for the company to attract at least 2 million to 3 million additional prepaid customers as it expandeds its reach in the mass market segment, enabling their digital lifestyle with call, text and data offerings that give value for money.

Besides Cherry Mobile, Globe teamed up with Oppo to strengthen its foothold in the prepaid market. It also recently teamed up with Google to bring Chromecast to the country, giving users a new way to stream their favorite entertainment content at home.

Globe earlier reported a net income of P14.14 billion in the January-September period, up 34 percent from P10.53 billion it booked in the same period last year.

Trade, Health caution against buying hoverboards

By Othel V. Campos THE Health and Trade Departments and the Consumer Protection Group called on the general public to be more careful in buying toys for children, especially two-wheeled, gliding motorized scooters, popularly known as hoverboards.

The government agencies issued the warning amid an investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the US and a product recall in Australia.

The CPSC since August 2015 reported an increase in hoverboardrelated injuries based on reports from hospital emergency rooms,

where injuries included fractures, strains, sprains, contusions, lacerations and head injuries.

The CPSC also warned against possible sudden explosion and fires caused by batteries that could result in injuries requiring hospitalization. It also caution on potential electric shock while charging.

Initial investigation of the CPSC points to poorly-designed lithium-ion batteries installed inside the devices that cause overcharging and may lead to overheating, fires and explosion.

Fire safety advocates advised consumers to avoid leaving the devices unattended while they

charge, and let the devices cool off before recharging them.

Riders, who balance on the platform that may be difficult to properly control, are prone to unsteady driving position that could result in higher risk of falls and injuries.

The Food and Drug Administration regulation under the ISO 8124 standard for toys allows the use of 24 volts and below for electronically-activated toys for children under 14 years old of age.

In other countries, however, there are no specific regulations for hoverboards, further raising safety concerns on the use of the devices.

The Health Department and the Trade Department’s consumer protection group advised parents against buying hoverboards for children under 14 years of age.

Adults planning to buy hoverboards are urged to use extreme caution in riding the scooters as the risk of falls are highly likely.

The government advised buyers to read and understand all the safety, learning and riding tips, follow the manufacturer’s instruction when using or charging the batteries, take precautions and use appropriate safety equipment such as helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads to minimize the risk of an accident.

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Crude prices stay above $37 a barrel OIL fell, giving up some of a rally Tuesday that helped push US stocks toward a gain for 2015.

Chinese shares in Hong Kong fell as the offshore yuan touched an almost five-year low, while the US dollar extended its advance.

West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 1.7 percent, holding above $37 a barrel. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures fluctuated and Euro Stoxx 50 Index contracts were little changed. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell for a third day, widening a divergence with mainland equities, while the yuan fell the most since September in Hong Kong.

The MSCI All-Country World Index was little changed, leaving it 2.9 percent lower in 2015.

Australian sovereign bond yields jumped, tracking Treasuries.

“The China market is likely to remain volatile in the first half as growth will slow further and the yuan is expected to weaken,” said William Wong, head of sales trading at Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co. in Hong Kong. “H shares are vulnerable as more US rate hikes will affect the economy in Hong Kong as well as market sentiment.”

China suspended cross-border currency business for some foreign banks, Reuters reported citing people familiar with the matter, as the gap between the onshore and offshore yuan exchange rates widened. US consumer confidence and homeprice data that showed the world’s biggest economy continues to strengthen helped boost the dollar and Treasury yields Tuesday, with data on pending home sales due Wednesday.

Global equities are heading for their steepest annual drop since 2011, dragged lower as the weakening of China’s economy exacerbates the biggest yearly retreat in commodity prices in seven years. The Bloomberg Commodity Index is down about 25 percent in 2015, while global bonds lost 2.7 percent, according to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch index. The S&P 500’s rally Tuesday left it 1 percent higher for the year. Bloomberg

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Asian market rally fizzles on oil retreat TOKYO—Most major Asia-Pacific stock markets turned lower Wednesday as another retreat in oil prices dented buying sentiment, but Tokyo ended on a high note as one of the best-performers of 2015.

Regional selling picked up as crude resumed its decline ahead of closely watched US oil stockpiles and production data, keeping alive concerns about demand and the strength of the global economy.

“Risk sentiment is very much subject to crude oil prices,” Hiroyuki Yamamuro, an analyst at Ueda Harlow, told Bloomberg News.

Seoul lost 0.25 percent by the close, Singapore was down 0.36 percent and Taiwan fell 0.17 percent.

But Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 ticked up 0.27 percent on Japan’s last trading day of the year.

The index climbed more than nine percent in 2015 to rank among the world’s top-performing major markets, outpacing most of its rivals in the US and Asia-Pacific.

Japan’s financial markets will close Thursday and reopen on January 4 after the New Year’s holiday.

Meanwhile, Sydney finished 1.00 percent higher, Wellington closed up 0.43 percent and Shenzhen gained 0.87 percent.

“We’ll keep on being moved by the oil price,” said Chihiro Ohta, general manager of investment

information at SMBC Nikko Securities.

“We’ll have to keep being aware of this for the first three months or the first half of next year as well.”

The broad decline in Asia followed a tech-driven rally on Wall Street, where a brief rise in crude prices and upbeat US data lifted the mood.

Amazon closed at a new record of $693.97, up 2.8 percent, rising for a second day after Monday announcing record holiday sales of its premium delivery service.

Meanwhile, the US Conference Board’s index of consumer confidence rose to 96.5 in December from 92.6 the prior month.

The report offered an upbeat view on the world’s top economy following the Fed’s interest rate hike announcement this month.

The Dow jumped 1.10 per-

cent Tuesday, while the S&P 500 gained 1.06 percent and the Nasdaq ended 1.33 percent higher.

European equities also rose.

Chinese shares in Hong Kong extended the biggest sell-off in Asia this year on concern the nation’s deepening economic slowdown will sap corporate earnings. The offshore yuan weakened to a five-year low and bonds fell.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slid 1.3 percent at the close, completing a third day of losses. China Life Insurance Co. and GF Securities Co. led declines by financial stocks. The Shanghai Composite Index closed 0.3 percent higher. The offshore yuan depreciated 0.4 percent after earlier falling to 6.6094, the weakest level since December 2010. China’s 10year bonds dropped the most in two weeks. AFP, Bloomberg

Unusual weather. A producer from the Perigord region checks her ripe strawberries, due to the unusual warm temperatures, on December 29, 2015 in Cendrieux, southwestern France. Strawberries from the Perigord and aspargus from Alsace harvested for Christmas, Mimosa flowers of the French Riviera blooming for New Year’s Eve: the exceptionally mild temperatures of the year-end disoriented nature.

Emerging market sentiment turns more bearish on Fed rate hike SENTIMENT for emerging-market assets is turning more bearish with oil below $40 a barrel and ahead of further US interest-rate increases.

Measures of developing-nation stocks and currencies fell for a third day, and are set for the biggest annual losses since 2011 and 1997.

Chinese shares traded in Hong Kong led declines on Wednesday, while the offshore yuan dropped to a five-year low on speculation the central bank will favor depreciation to help revive the slowest growth in more the two decades.

South Korea’s won depreciated on its last trading day of 2015, poised to round off the worst annual performance since the global financial crisis as investors dumped the nation’s shares. The world’s two-biggest economies are diverging, with China’s slowdown curtailing demand for commodities, while rebounding US consumer confidence reaffirms the Federal Reserve’s case for monetary tightening next year.

“Markets can quite clearly see that there doesn’t seem to be a durable positive impulse from

the wider commodity markets, in particular oil,” said Vishnu Varathan, Singapore-based economist at Mizuho Bank Ltd. “With the slightly firmer US confidence data, it’s a gentle reminder that the Fed may not be done hiking.”

The MSCI Emerging-Markets Index dropped 0.3 percent to 797 as of 1:32 p.m. in Hong Kong and a gauge tracking 20 developing-nation currencies fell 0.1 percent. For 2015, they are headed for losses of 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Investors will be closely watching Chinese manufacturing and services data on Friday for any signs the economy gathered strength in December. The Bloomberg Commodity Index has dropped 25 percent this year, a fifth annual loss and its steepest slide since 2008.

Brent crude is down 35 percent and reached an 11-year low of $35.98 on Dec. 22.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of mainland stocks listed in Hong Kong slid 1.6 percent on Wednesday and is down by the same amount this month. Bench-

mark indexes in China, South Korea and Taiwan were also lower.

The MSCI Emerging-Markets Index is currently valued at 11 times its 12-month estimated earnings, compared with 16 for the MSCI World Index, which dropped a smaller 1.3 percent in 2015. Seven of the 10 industry gauges in the developing nation index fell on Wednesday, led by financial and industrial companies. China Construction Bank Corp. dropped 1.3 percent and China Life Insurance Co. declined 2.3 percent. Bloomberg

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Global mergers hit record $5t Tokyo shares up on 4th year of gains

LONDON—The volume of mergers and acquisitions worldwide set a new record in 2015 at more than $5 trillion, with tie-ups in the healthcare sector leading the way, consultants Dealogic said Tuesday.

The $5.03 trillion annual total represents a massive rise of 37 percent from 2014, Dealogic said, and the three months to December scored the highest figure for any single quarter on record.

Pfizer’s proposed $160-billion merger with Allergan to create the world’s biggest pharmaceutical group, announced last month, is the second-biggest tie-up ever, and the largest ever in healthcare.

The two companies estimated their merger will deliver more than $2 billion in operational

synergies over the first three years after closing.

Thanks to that operation, the healthcare sector chalked up the largest share of 2015 merger and acquisitions volume with $724 billion, followed by technology, $713 billion, and real estate, $458 billion, Dealogic said.

The year’s second-largest deal was the $117.4 billion bid by top global brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev for its closest rival SABMiller, also announced in November.

The blockbuster transaction will bring together InBev’s top lagers like Beck’s, Budweiser and Stella Artois with SABMiller brands Foster’s, Grolsch and Peroni.

Belgian-Brazilian behemoth InBev is eager to tap into booming developing markets in Africa and China, where SABMiller’s joint venture produces Snow— the world’s best-selling beer by volume.

Dealogic said the year’s top two operations are among only eight mergers in history topping $100 billion.

The third-largest deal was a $81.5 billion tie-up between Royal Dutch Shell and BG Group, flagged in April. The deal is aimed at helping Shell boost its weakening output thanks to BG’s strong

position in liquefied natural gas, a cleaner alternative to coal and nuclear energy.

This year was marked by particularly large mergers. There were 69 deals in 2015 exceeding $10 billion, more than double last year’s level and also a new record.

Mega deals of $50 billion or more accounted for nearly one in six of all the year’s deals—a share for heavyweights never seen before.

This year’s total was more than double that seen in 2009, the year following the outbreak of the global financial crisis.

Goldman Sachs was the world’s leading advisor for mergers and acquisitions this year, followed by Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan, Dealogic said. AFP

JAPANESE shares rose, with the Topix index ending the year with its fourth straight annual gain, as equities tracked a rally in the US and Europe.

The Topix rose 0.3 percent to 1,547.30 at the close in Tokyo for the final trading day of 2015. That brings the measure’s annual advance to 9.9 percent, extending a 93 percent climb over the past three years. Trading volume was 24 percent below the 30-day average.

The gauge rose for a third straight day, giving it a 9.7 percent increase for the quarter. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.3 percent to 19,033.71. The yen traded at 120.38 per dollar, up less than 0.1 percent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index jumped 1.1 percent on Tuesday to restore its gain for the year and nearly erase a monthly decline as retailers and technology shares led a rally in light trading. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 1.4 percent.

“The currency is stable and global shares, including the US and Asia, rose, which is supporting the rebound in Japan,” said Tomomi Yamashita, a fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management Co., which oversees $6.3 billion. “Going into next year, Japan’s economy looks good.

Earnings are growing and the stock market isn’t too expensive.”

Bridgestone Corp. added 0.4 percent after the tire maker backed down from a bidding war with billionaire investor Carl Icahn over auto-parts retail chain Pep Boys. Toshiba Corp. gained 7.7 percent, extending this week’s rally, after saying it’s seeking a second credit line from banks and following last week’s 23 percent plunge. Utilities, food producers and retailers led gains among the 33 Topix industry groups.

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. dropped 4.2 percent, leading declines on the Nikkei 225. Its schizophrenia drug Latuda’s patent expiry in 2019 will lead to a “considerable damage to A man walks past a share prices board flushing numbers of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on December 30, 2015. Tokyo’s shares ended the year earnings,” Nomura Holdings Inc. said on a high note, climbing more than nine percent in 2015 to rank among the world’s top-performing major markets. On December 30, the Nikkei ticked up 0.27 percent, or 51.48 points, to close at 19,033.71. AFP in a report. Bloomberg

China to combine two big shipping companies in reform push SHANGHAI—China will combine two of its state-owned shipping giants, the companies said, the sector’s second multi-billiondollar merger in a month as the government pushes consolidation of its nationalized enterprises.

Sinotrans & CSC Holdings Co., the nation’s third largest shipping company, will become a whollyowned subsidiary of China Merchants Group, a conglomerate with interests in transport, finance and property, according to

company statements.

Both are among the more than 100 state-owned companies which report directly to the central government, though Sinotrans will no longer do so after the restructuring, said the Stateowned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which oversees them.

Earlier in December, China approved the merger of another two of its biggest state-owned shipping companies, China Ocean

Shipping Group (Cosco) and China Shipping Group.

The moves follow China’s release in September of broad reform guidelines for state-owned companies aimed at making them more competitive internationally.

The latest merger will help the companies to build “the world’s best company to compete globally”, CMG said in its statement late Tuesday.

Sinotrans has assets of more than 100 billion yuan ($15 bil-

lion), while China Merchants holds assets of 624 billion yuan, the Xinhua news agency reported.

On Wednesday afternoon, CMG’s transport arm China Merchants Holdings (International) was down 1.20 percent in Hong Kong.

Logistics provider Sinotrans Ltd. fell 1.41 percent but another unit, Sinotrans Shipping, gained 2.67 percent, both in Hong Kong.

China, the world’s secondlargest economy, is overhauling

its dominant state-owned sectors to make them more efficient as it grapples with stalling growth.

Beijing has already merged its top two train makers—China CNR Corp and CSR Corp.‚—into a single conglomerate, aiming to avoid competition between the two as China vies for lucrative rail contracts overseas against industry giants such as Germany’s Siemens and Bombardier of Canada.

AFP

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Vaping catches fire in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR—At the Malaysian e-cigarette outlet Vape Empire, customers kick back and puff out thick, aromatic clouds of vapour in funky flavors like Horny Mango and Creamy Suckerz’ Banana Anna.

Clash. People run away from tear gas and water cannon as they protest against curfews on December 29, 2015, in Diyarbakir.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the leader of the main Kurdish party Selahattin Demirtas of “treason” over his call for autonomy for the country’s Kurdish minority. AFP

Hollande slammed over terror convicts PARIS—President Francois Hollande’s call for convicted terrorists to lose their French citizenship if they have a second nationality has triggered an uproar among those who see him adopting right-wing ideas that recall dark moments in France’s history.

Ever since the French Revolution in the late 1700s, “le droit du sol” (“the right of the soil”) has been a fundamental principle, giving everyone born in the country the right to citizenship.

But in the aftermath of November’s jihadist attacks in Paris, Hollande announced to an extraordinary session of both houses of parliament that he would seek changes to the constitution so that dualnationals could be stripped of

their French passport.

Patrick Weil, a political scientist who met Hollande and advised him against the decision, said France would become “the first democracy in the world” to enshrine in its constitution the principle of unequal treatment of dual nationals.

“It introduces the idea of a different penalty for the same act, just because of the random chance of their birth,” said Weil, who teaches at Yale University in the United States.

“That people—who sometimes don’t even know they have a second nationality—can be banned is like the return of banishment as a penalty.”

For many in Hollande’s Socialist party, and others on the left of French politics, the move is little short of ideologi-

cal treason.

“In wanting to steal the thunder of the far right, we risk implementing their program,” said Cecile Duflot, a former minister in Hollande’s government.

Economist Thomas Piketty, author of the blockbuster book on inequality “Capital in the 21st Century”, wrote on his blog: “To its economic incompetence, the government has now added infamy.”

As well as breaking a legal principle, the measure also touches a raw nerve from France’s history, say critics.

The Vichy regime, which collaborated with the Nazis in the 1940s, stripped thousands of Jews and foreigners of French citizenship during World War II.

Dissenters say Hollande has borrowed from the playbook of the right wing, not least since the treatment of immigrants was one of the few areas where there was clear daylight between the two mainstream parties.

When right-wing leader Nicolas Sarkozy raised the idea of removing the “droit du sol” from some types of violent criminals in 2011, he was blasted by the Socialists.

Worse still in the eyes of the left, it was an idea first mooted by the far-right, anti-immigrant National Front (FN).

FN leader Marine le Pen happily took credit when the new reforms were outlined last week, saying it was a direct result of her party’s record tally in recent polls. AFP

Chilean architecture passes earthquake test SANTIAGO—Some people run into the street during an earthquake, but Rene Lagos would rather be indoors— preferably on the top floor of a skyscraper.

The Chilean engineer crunched the numbers for some of the tallest buildings in Santiago, and he loves to feel them move when earthquakes strike, as they do regularly in Chile, one of the world’s most seismically active countries.

“Everything that’s going to fall has already fallen,” says Lagos from the 24th floor of a high-rise in the Chilean capital.

“When a strong earthquake

comes along, I just try to enjoy it.... I spend my life designing buildings for this occasion, so I can’t let myself get so nervous I don’t experience it.”

Chile is located on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” a seismically turbulent region where many of Earth’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

In the past five years, the South American country has had three huge earthquakes with a magnitude greater than eight.

But it is also resilient, thanks largely to its demanding building code. The standard is that buildings must save lives dur-

ing an earthquake by remaining standing.

Chilean law also holds builders liable for construction deficiencies, giving them ample incentive to make sure their structures are quake-resistant.

That means investing in enough steel, concrete and anti-quake technology to last a building’s lifetime.

“The engineering design [of a building] is fully integrated into the architectural design,” said Fernando Guarello, a former director of the national architects’ association.

Keeping buildings upright through years of quakes large and small is no small feat, he

added.

“There will always be damages. They may not be very visible. But the materials will always suffer when they’re squeezed and stretched,” he said.

The country learned some key lessons from an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck on February 27, 2010. The quake and subsequent tsunami killed more than 500 people.

One of the lasting images of the disaster was of lowincome housing projects that collapsed like a house of cards because the builder had used steel rebar that was thinner than required. AFP

“Vaping” is soaring in popularity in Malaysia, the largest e-cigarette market in the Asia-Pacific region, but authorities are threatening to ban the habit for health reasons -a move that has sparked anger from growing legions of aficionados.

Backing a ban, Malaysian religious leaders this month declared a fatwa on the “un-Islamic” habit, but it remains to be seen whether the decree will dampen enthusiasm.

“The business is growing very fast because there are many people trying to convert from tobacco smoking to vaping,” Vape Empire’s cofounder Muhammad Sharifuddin Esa said, adding that his business has expanded to 57 locations since it opened just two years ago.

The pastime has proved a particular hit in the moderate, Muslimmajority nation, where other vices such as alcohol and drugs are especially frowned upon.

Now several Malaysian states say they may impose a ban from January 1 and have threatened to stop issuing new merchants’ licenses—a potential blow to a sector worth an estimated 2.8 billion ringgit ($650 million) last year, according to reports.

The industry, which is expected to grow by more than 13 percent year-on-year to 2025, is currently unregulated, and many say forbidding e-cigarettes -- already outlawed in Thailand and Singapore for health reasons -- is a big mistake.

“The government must regulate and not ban, because vaping is the future,” Sharifuddin said.

Research on health risks remains split and like Malaysia, few coun-

tries have introduced national legislation to regulate the sector.

The devices function by heating flavored nicotine liquid—or ejuice—into a vapor that is inhaled, much like traditional cigarettes but without the smoke.

Some experts warn vaping can produce cancer-causing formaldehyde and one US study said vaping is up to 15 times more harmful than traditional tobacco smoking. The World Health Organization has called on governments to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

But other research suggests vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes and manufacturers tout them as harmless aids to quit tobacco.

Enthusiasts in Malaysia say banning the habit doesn’t make economic sense.

“Vaping communities are fighting for their rights because the vape scene actually brings profits to the country,” said Muhammad Imman, marketing manager of the colorfully named Fcuking Flava vape shop, one of thousands that have popped up across the country.

Marketers cater to local tastes, selling e-juice flavored with snake fruit, lychee and even durian, the notoriously pungent Southeast Asian fruit.

The juices are marketed like single-malt whiskies or perfumes, as seen at a recent vaping convention in Kuala Lumpur, their creators extolling organic and other premium ingredients.

Aficionados gather daily in Malaysia’s vape shops, sometimes for “cloud chasing” competitions to see who can produce the biggest vapour puffs and to show off vape prowess by blowing rings into the foggy air. AFP

2 n d N OTIC E TO:

A ll c re dito r s of ap p r ove d Rehabilit at i o n p lan of S t . Pat r i c k ’s H ealt h C are S ystem, Inc . (S P CA R E)

Amount due for the year December 2015 is now ready for payment.

For inquiries or further datails, please call Tel. No. 533-9740 or visit SPCARE office. ( T S - D E C . 31, 2 015 )

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Top aide to Kim dies in accident SEOUL—A top aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un who oversaw relations with the South has died in a traffic accident, Pyongyang’s state media said Wednesday, a loss seen as a setback for reconciliation efforts.

Kim Yang-Gon, who was a secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party, “died in a traffic accident at 6:15 am Tuesday at age 73”, the Korean Central News Agency said without giving further details.

It described the deceased as the leader’s “most trustworthy aide” and said a state funeral would be held.

Leader Kim has earned a reputation for ruthlessness after sacking previous high-ranking officials and having his uncle executed.

One South Korean analyst said there was no evidence of foul play in the death but it could

not be ruled out.

“Kim Yang-Gon was becoming too close to the leader, which must have incurred great jealousy among political rivals,” Professor Yang Moo-Jin of Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies told AFP. While announcing the members of a state funeral committee, the North indirectly confirmed the reinstatement of two other officials.

Among the 80 names on the list were Choe Ryong-Hae, a vice marshal and Kim Jong-Un’s confidante who had reportedly been sent to a farm for re-education, and another dismissed official Won Dong-Yon, a one-time deputy to Kim Yang-Gon. The reversals of fortune, along with two similar cases earlier this year, have prompted suggestions the leader Protest. Former ‘comfort women’ Lee Yong-Soo (seated, second left) and Gil Won-Ok (left), who were forced into wartime sexual may be rolling back a slavery for Japanese soldiers, attend an anti-Japanese rally commemorating the death of nine former sex slaves this year in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on December 30, 2015. South Korean comfort women and their supporters vowed to step up the purge. AFP protests against a deal between Seoul and Tokyo on resolving a long-running row over the comfort women. AFP

Sex slaves criticize Japan deal SEOUL—South Korean women forced into wartime sexual slavery and hundreds of supporters held a rally Wednesday against a “humiliating” deal with Japan designed to settle the issue, and vowed to keep fighting for justice.

Japan offered an apology and a one-billion yen ($8.3-million) payment Monday to the 46 surviving South Korean women, under an agreement that both nations described as “final and irreversible.”

The plight of the so-called “comfort women” forced into World War II army brothels is a hugely emotional issue that has for decades marred ties with Japan, which ruled the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

The landmark deal has met with an angry reaction from victims and activists, who took issue with Tokyo’s refusal to accept formal legal responsibility.

Japan said the one-billion-yen payment was aimed at “restoring the women’s dignity” but was not official compensation.

“The fight is still on,” survivor Lee YongSoo said at the protest in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul, attended by one other victim and about 250 protesters.

Gatherings have been held weekly there for years, demanding Japan’s formal apology and compensation.

“We will continue to fight to make Japan take formal, legal responsibility and apology so that victims who have already perished will have justice,” 88-year-old Lee added.

The rally was sombre as the lives of nine former sex slaves who died this year were commemorated, but later turned angry with protesters shouting slogans denounc-

ing Japan and its prime minister Shinzo Abe. Protesters held portraits of the late victims and waved banners condemning the deal, particularly Seoul’s pledge to remove a statue symbolizing the victims which stands in front of the embassy.

Some chanted slogans of “Cancel the humiliating agreement!” and waved banners that read: “Say no to relocation of the statue!”.

South Korea’s government must now win public support for the deal, which has had a mixed reception with the media also taking issue with the terms.

The handful of comfort women who have spoken about the agreement have mostly rejected it, but the views of the others are not known.

However, a recent poll showed 66 percent of the South Koreans opposed the relocation of the statue.

Up to 200,000 women in Asia, many of

them Koreans, are estimated to have been systematically forced to provide sex to Japanese soldiers during World War II. Japan has long maintained that the dispute was settled in a 1965 agreement which saw Tokyo establish diplomatic ties and make a payment of $800 million to Korea.

But Seoul has said the treaty did not cover compensation for victims of wartime crimes and did not absolve Tokyo of responsibility.

The compromise agreement also drew a mixed reaction in Japan, with some far-right activists and newspapers criticizing Abe for offering the apology.

There has been an angry reception in Beijing, which wields popular anger over Japan’s wartime atrocities in China -- including the use of Chinese “comfort women” -- as a tool against its regional rival Tokyo.

Chinese state media slammed the longawaited mea culpa as insincere and insufficient. AFP

Taiwan, China launch hotline

Visit. Iraqi security forces gather at a temporary bridge built by the corps of

engineers in the Iraqi army south of Ramadi during a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (center) on December 29, 2015, after government forces recaptured the city from the Islamic State jihadist group. AFP

TAIPEI—The first hotline between China and Taiwan was launched Wednesday, in a move designed to build ties between the two sides following a historic summit between their leaders.

Taiwan’s President Ma Yingjeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to set up the hotline between senior officials during a landmark meeting in Singapore in November.

The talks reflected a rapprochement between the two sides since Ma came to power in 2008, but which has stoked fears of growing Chinese influence in Taiwan.

Andrew Hsia, chairman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), talked with China’s top Taiwan affairs official Zhang

Zhijun on Wednesday morning, according to a statement from his office.

“Chairman Hsia said in the phone call the hotline is an important concrete outcome from the meeting of the leaders of the two sides. He expects the two sides can communicate more smoothly in urgent matters through the hotline,” the statement said.

It described the hotline as “another important step forward” in exchanges between China and Taiwan.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, confirmed the call had taken place, Beijing’s state news agency Xinhua reported.

“We hope the two authorities will make efforts to maintain and promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations,” Xinhua quoted Ma as saying.

November’s summit was the first time leaders from the two sides had met since their traumatic 1949 split.

No agreements were announced between the two, which still refuse to formally recognize each other’s legitimacy, and Ma Ying-jeou’s participation faced significant opposition at home.

Tensions between Taiwan and China have decreased markedly since Ma, of the China-friendly Kuomintang party, (KMT) came to power promising to beef up trade and tourism links. AFP

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

W EL L BEING

LIFE

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HEALTHY CHANGES FOR 2016

BY WEIZEL GULFAN

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t’s that time of the year again when we swear to make lasting changes for the better. Some we keep, but most we don’t. Either way, this shouldn’t stop us from trying to commit to better resolutions. After all, life is a constant series of trials and errors. Who cares how many New Years it actually takes to make one promise good? So long as eventually we do, that is all that matters.

1. STRESS LESS by seeing your work as your personal mission and not just a way to pay off bills. No one ever got great doing something he didn’t feel was his calling, and if you cant see yourself feeling that way about your work now, then do yourself and everyone else a favor by quitting.

To quote the late Steve Jobs, the ones who change the world are the crazed-eyed few who didn’t quit doing what they do even when everyone else was moving on to easier ventures.

Outlast not outwit is the name of the game.

When all odds are stacked against you, the only way you’re not going to abandon ship is if you’re blindsided by love for what you do. As Mr. Jobs so generously tipped us, there are only two important loves in this life – the one you marry and the work you choose and, he continues, if you have not found it yet, keep looking because as with all matters of the heart, “You’ll just know.”

2. SAVE MORE by spending nothing on what you don’t need and by not scrimping on what you do need. See every purchase as an investment and as a vote of confidence and you’ll soon find yourself secondguessing every item on SALE. 3. EAT MORE BUT WEIGH LESS by eating real food and not “what looks like food.”

Give-up or limit: Processed food. Anything that comes in a package and lasts 12 months is simply unhealthy. Ingredients you can’t pronounce and cannot picture. Put it down. It was grown in a lab, not a kitchen.

Dair y. Because it only causes acne and sinusitis. We’re all lactose intolerant by default; our bodies just learn to accept dairy with continuous intake the way it would nicotine and alcohol. Try giving it up for a month and see how your body automatically reverts to rejecting milk products. Opt for whole plant options like almond milk, nut cheese and coconutbased ice creams instead.

Refined sugar. It is highly acidic and very addictive. Opt for low glycemic options like coconut nectar, dates, Stevia, Grade A maple syrup and treat high glycemic Grade A honey as medicine, not as a sweetener.

Agave is no longer healthy in a syrup form as this, too, is highly glycemic.

Trick: To lessen the sugar content of tropical fruits like mangoes, add a dash of lemon or calamansi on them.

Cured meat. Especially bacon. Yes, if you haven’t heard it yet, processed meat like bacon, sausage, ham and the likes are proven to cause cancer. While you’re at it, cut down on your animal protein as we’re all in danger of consuming too much of them. Excess animal protein is stored as fat (belly bulge, double chin, love handles) and acidifies the body, making us high at risk for diabetes, heart disease, allergies and cancer. Eat meat as a treat not as a staple and you’ll immediately look and feel great.

Healthy changes you can start today: Chew well. Your stomach lining does not have teeth; the first line of digestion begins in the mouth. To avoid packing on unwanted weight, make sure to chew every spoonful 30 (if it is vegetables) and 50 (if it is meat) times for the digestive enzymes to act properly.

Eat fish with probiotics. All of the seafood now are highly radiated and mercerized. There is no such thing as organic seafood. If you have to have fish, you can lessen the toxicity by pairing it with high probiotic sources such as sauerkraut, fish-sauce free kimchi, pickled ginger and daikon or water kefir.

is the highlighted reel of everyone else’s behind-the-scenes, it’s all glammed-up, cropped and edited to look real when most of it is staged and faked.

4. TRAVEL in a foreign place where you don’t know anyone and drop the masks you wear to keep up with perceptions of you. Discover facets of yourself you never thought existed when you find yourself lost and helpless in a new road. Be surprised by the kindness and generosity of most strangers you will encounter along the way. Come back with a better grasp and appreciation for who you are, the people around you and the place you call home.

5. LEARN A NEW SKILL. Like a new language! Dialects carry within them the culture of the native speaker. From the curb of their phonetics, to the arrangement of their grammar, to the very meaning of their words – a foreign language intimately reveals the secrets of its people to those who care enough to twist their tongue and lock lips with it.

8. MAKE LOVE with yourself. Really get to know who you are without judgment. Take away your title, your family, your peers and your belongings… Who is the person left?

That is the real you.

Too often we confuse who we are from what we do and whom we are with and that is the root of all dissatisfaction. Why haven’t we achieved enough? Why don’t we look like this, drive that, and be with them?

Pull yourself back and remember who you really are before you got so busy building who you want to be. Appreciate that person and you’ll soon find yourself embracing the people around you for who they really are instead of what they do for you as well.

6. MAKE RANDOM CONNECTIONS. Outside Tinder, please. Get over yourself and greet the doorman the next time you enter a lobby. Say “thank you” to the waiter for serving your food warm and give compliments to the chef if your food turned out great. Smile to the passerby on the way to the gym and ask if you could share someone’s table at the cafeteria.

We’ve forgotten how to be intimate with strangers without our smartphones; it is high time we welcome back the romance of a chance encounter.

9. VOLUNTEER. Giving is a gift by itself.

Begin to be grateful about being in the position to share instead of having to be the one to receive. Drop people’s I OWE YOU’s and you’ll soon find yourself getting high from the pleasure of empowering others with your abundance. It doesn’t have to be material things; be generous with what you have a lot of. Do you sing well? Then serenade the elderly. Do you have a penchant for writing? Offer to tell stories to children. Blessed to have “craftsy” hands? Impart crafts that can be turned to livelihood for single moms. Whatever it is you have a gift for, capitalize on that by generously sharing it with others and watch how it betters you as well.

7. DETOX FROM SOCIAL MEDIA. People are too busy posting their lives to actually live it. Try going to a concert minus the mandatory OOTD or selfie and free yourself from needing other people’s approval and appreciation. Social media

10. LET GO. Forgive the past; it has done what it had to do in order to bring you a step closer to where you need to be. Even for the parts that hurt, be thankful, that, too, is a gift. Our hearts break so it can open up to give and accept love.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

A BATTLE AGAINST LUNG CANCER Lung cancer survivor talks about his struggles and triumph

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ike Espina will never forget the moment he found out he had lung cancer.

In a blog entry chronicling his story battling the disease, Mike described what he felt when the doctor confirmed that the mass found in his left lung was stage four cancer.

“I remember, it was like in a movie: Suddenly everything stopped and movements became in a slow motion. I could not comprehend what my doctor was talking about, it could not sink into my head,” Mike related.

“I was enveloped by fear because I felt I would die too soon not achieving things I wanted to happen in my life.”

A SHOCKING REVELATION He said being diagnosed with lung cancer was the last thing he thought would happen to him as he was living a healthy lifestyle. He ran regularly, ate healthy, and did not smoke.

But shortly after he returned to the Philippines, he lost weight, his body grew weaker and he became easily tired, until one night he spat out blood – at that time, he felt the need to have himself checked. He took a series of tests until a biopsy revealed that he had lung cancer.

Though smoking is considered the top cause of lung cancer, heredity, pollution, exposure to high doses of radiation and industrial and chemical carcinogens also increase the risk of a person to develop the disease.

The doctor said his exposure to petroleum refineries, while he lived and worked in Kuwait as a product development specialist for a telecommunications firm, has triggered the development of cancer cells in his left lung. The trigger was heightened by stress during Mike’s time as a graduate student in Germany.

Mike’s pulmonologist recommended that he take oral therapy for three months to shrink the mass, after which, they decided on a treatment plan.

A SIGH OF RELIEF After his oral therapy, Mike underwent another CT scan procedure to check if the mass in his lung had shrunk. They were expecting that the mass would only shrink, but were astonished to

Mike Espina, Angel Jacob, Makati Medical Center oncologist Dr. Gary Lorenzo and St. Luke’s Medical Center oncologist Dr. Gerry Cornelio headline a forum during the Lung Cancer Awareness Month

discover that it had been eradicated completely. For Mike, his recovery was nothing less than a miracle.

Mike is now preparing to face another chapter in his life as he sets out to migrate to the United States. He also devotes time to painting, a habit he acquired from his support group as part of his therapy. And whenever there is a chance, he finds opportunities to share his story.

“I share my experiences so I can help raise awareness on how we can overcome lung cancer. I am grateful to have been healed by God, and I hope others can be inspired by my healing.”

A FLICKER OF HOPE Mike’s story gives hope to many who are diagnosed with lung cancer. Though the World Health Organization sees a spike in lung cancer diagnosis, developments in lung cancer treatment now give patients more options.

“Chemotherapy remains one of the common ways of curing cancer, but there are recent breakthroughs in lung cancer treatment that can help more patients,” says Dr. Gary Lorenzo, an oncologist from the Makati Medical Center.

Dr. Lorenzo explained that other forms of therapy include radiation therapy, which kills cancer cells, and targeted therapy, which counters specific abnormalities in cancer cells. Of all the

treatment options available to patients, he pointed out that a form of treatment called immunotherapy proved very promising in clinical trials abroad.

Immunotherapy is a form of treatment where the body’s immune system is trained to recognize and ward off cancer cells. Results of clinical trials presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology conference this year show that immunotherapy is effective against lung, melanoma, kidney, bladder, and head and neck cancers.

Dr. Lorenzo and Dr. Cornelio talk about the recent breakthroughs in lung cancer treatment

St. Luke’s Medical Center oncologist Dr. Gerry Cornelio, however, still acknowledges that despite these developments in lung cancer treatment, nothing beats a healthy lifestyle when it comes to treating lung or other cancers.

“A sound and healthy lifestyle, and a clean environment remain important factors in lung cancer treatment,” he emphasizes. He also mentions that a support group, much like Mike’s supporters from church, can increase a patient’s chances of survival.

Lung cancer survivor Mike Espina shares his story of battling the disease—from the diagnosis to his recovery

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Agriculture can be a positive force in the fight against climate change

MONSANTO COMMITS TO BE CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2021

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merican agriculture company Monsanto announced plans to make its operations carbon neutral by 2021 through the unique carbon neutral crop production program targeted across its seed and crop protection operations, and through collaboration with farmers.

“Climate change is one of the biggest issues we face in agriculture, as well as one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity,” said Monsanto

chairman and CEO Hugh Grant.

“That’s why we have pledged to do our part within our own business and to help support farmers and others. While progress has been made to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint, we must work collectively to do even more if we are going to sustainably feed 9.6 billion people by 2050,” Grant said.

Monsanto Philippines country head and CEO Sandro Rissi noted the importance of innovative climate change mitigation measures: “Considering the

critical and complex challenges posed by climate change, Monsanto Philippines recognizes its responsibility to contribute its fair share in the global climate change action. The carbon neutral crop production program itself hopes to contribute in mitigating the serious impacts of climate change and natural hazards, while at the same time creating sustainable agriculture for local Filipino farmers.” The Philippines is ranked the 13th most climatevulnerable country in the world

in the 2016 Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) released by risk analysis company Verisk Maplecroft.

The carbon neutral crop production program will be implemented across all Monsanto business units, including the Philippines. The program focuses on seed production, crop protection and data sharing. The company also will work with farmers to promote and drive the increased adoption of carbon neutral crop production methods.

Carbon neutral crop production can contribute in mitigating the serious impacts of climate change and create sustainable agriculture for local Filipino farmers

Data models indicate that carbon neutral corn and soybean production, in the United States alone, has the potential to reduce crop production emissions equivalent to 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equal to reducing 233 million barrels of oil consumption per year.

At the center of achieving and verifying carbon neutral crop production is the advancement of data science in agriculture.

Innovations from The Climate Corporation, a division of Monsanto, and other data scientists have allowed farmers to plant and harvest crops more precisely.

The continued integration of this data allows farmers to make better decisions, and when used in conjunction with agronomic best practices, can lead to carbon neutral crop production.

“This program is a critical step in the agriculture’s overall effort to mitigate climate change,” said Dr. Chuck Rice, the author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. “The recent IPCC report indicated that agriculture is a significant pathway to mitigating greenhouse gases. Similar to other formalized carbon offset and renewable energy credit programs, organizations have started to invest in verified offsets originating from agricultural activities. Agriculture can be a positive force in the fight against climate change, and it’s important to see Monsanto stepping forward in this way.”

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

IBEX GLOBAL PARTNERS WITH 24/7 GYM

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usiness process outsourcing company IBEX Global Philippines recently inked a partnership agreement with leading gym franchise Anytime Fitness in a bid to foster the health and wellbeing of its employees.

IBEX Global, an innovative BPO company that has been operating in the Philippines for more than a decade, provides valuable and reliable services to its clients across the globe while maintaining a strong commitment to keep its employees happy and healthy with innovative HR initiatives. In addition to operating an on-site IBEX Clinic staffed with a fulltime doctor, and maintaining an IBEX Bistro that serves affordable nutritionist recommended dishes, IBEX Global now offers its employees the opportunity to boost their health and wellness with a first class partner gym that they can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The partnership allows employees to avail of a generously discounted monthly rate for the use of Anytime Fitness gym facilities located anywhere in the world. The gym franchise also waived the joining fee for current IBEX Global employees, who may simply present their valid company IDs to avail of the exclusive offer.

Other perks that IBEX Global employees can enjoy through this fruitful corporate

partnership include enrollment in a Circuit Training Class sponsored by Anytime Fitness held once a month at IBEX Parañaque; invitation to an educational talk conducted four times a year and hosted by a health expert; monthly health assessment; gym usage tracking; and weekly health and wellness tips through internal IBEX communication media.

“We are very excited about the partnership with IBEX Global and even though our services are worlds apart, our values are very closely aligned,” shared Anytime Fitness director Johannes Raadsma.

“Anytime Fitness aims to break down the barriers to a healthier lifestyle, providing convenient and affordable services to the growing workforce of IBEX employees.

The 24/7 access of Anytime Fitness is ever so relevant as the Philippines continues to dominate in the booming BPO sector.”

IBEX Global prides itself in being a people company. Its success is driven mainly by its employees, and this partnership only serves to prove how much benefits the company is willing to provide for its people, Ibex Global said.

For more on IBEX Global, visit its website at http://www.ibexglobal.com or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ ibexglobalphilippines

From left: IBEX Global Senior VP and general manager of Philippine Operations Eric Kaufman, Anytime Fitness Director Johannes Raadsma and IBEX Global VP for Sales and Marketing-Asia Pacific Ian Zafra

Anytime Fitness facilities

HOW TO LOSE THOSE POST-CHRISTMAS POUNDS

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ave you checked the extra pounds you stocked in your body this entire Christmas season? As you celebrate New Year tonight, for sure there will be a lot more binging that will happen pre and post midnight. After all the holiday partying, eating, and no-exercise days, come January look into the weighing scale again and kiss those extra pounds goodbye and start going back to a healthy you.

The best way to shed all those unwanted fat is to start with detoxing your body. The way to kick start your healthy regimen is through juice cleansing.

Consuming fresh fruit and vegetable juice regularly gets rid of built-up toxins from unhealthy food and habits. It also helps the body absorb the nutrients it needs to jumpstart metabolism for weight loss.

There are a lot of shops and online deliveries that can provide you with juice cleanse packs but the easiest and cheapest way would be if you do the juicing at home.

A power juicer is a handy gadget that can save you more money and let you control your juice regimen.

Though this can be done at home, not all machines are the same. Some waste parts of the fruit or vegetables, causing more spoilage. Philips has come up with the Viva Collection Juicer – the perfect appliance for both beginners and long-time juice enthusiasts. Its 700-W motor effectively blends and mixes the fruit and veggies up to two liters of juice in one go. Its 75mm extra-large feeding tube allows you to juice larger fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and beetroots without pre-cutting. It gives maximum amount of juice and minimal spoilage on the nutrients.

“We at Philips believe in the power of homemade food and how it can change the lives of consumers.

That’s why we continue to create products that make it easier to prepare delicious and healthy food,” says Reah Ronsayro, business development manager for kitchen appliances. “The Philips Viva Collection Juicer is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of juicing, especially after the holidays. The Juicer ensures that consumers get delicious juice with every single use, making it the perfect gift for any health buff out there.”

Start juicing today and reap the benefits this 2016.

Remember, summer is just a few months away. Philips Viva Collection Juicer is available at leading retail stores. To learn more about Philips products, log on to www.philips.com.ph or check the Philips Home Living Philippines Facebook fan page.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 3 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Back-to-back Best Actress winner and Female Celebrity of the Night Jennylyn Mercado

Dangwa star Janine Gutierrez announcing the nominees for the Best Picture category

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Yassi Pressman joins Pop Girls in their Ariana Grande number

MMFF Gabi ng Parangal hosts Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion

Nilalang star Maria Ozawa in a sexy dance prod

Singers Mark Bautista, Monica Cuenco and Ronnie Liang

Male Celebrity of the Night Cesar Montano presenting the Best Actress award PhoTos by MAnny PALMero

Less gLiTTery gAbi ng PArAngAL

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he 41st Metro Manila Film Festival was held on Dec. 27, Sunday night at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. The venue was jam packed, but in a low-key fashion.

The Gabi ng Parangal that saw Quantum Films’ Walang Forever and Buy Now, Die Later and Octo Arts Films’ My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More bagged the Best Picture, 2nd Best Picture and 3rd Best Picture awards, respectively, quite missed the glamour quotient as only few stars attended the awarding ceremony of what could have been the biggest film event of the year. Not even the biggest names that headline this years’ top-grossers were

by nickie WAng

there to support the annual event making the red carpet that supposed to welcome these stars at the venue lobby useless.

It’s good to note that these crowd-puller stars were all present during the festival parade but failed to show up in the most important part of the festival – the Gabi ng Parangal, which serves as the culminating event of the whole exercise.

Although it’s never mandatory for these celebrities to attend the awarding ceremony, their non-appearance gives people the impression that they are either afraid to glam up and yet walk home empty handed or they just simply snub the awards night for the same reason

that they only promote their films to do well at the tills.

Incidentally, the stars that top bill the less popular film entries that obviously need the boost that an award can bring were almost in full force.

Among the no-shows were the festival’s biggest names like Vic Sotto, Alden Richards and Ai-Ai delas Alas (My Bebe Love), Vice Ganda and Coco Martin (Beauty and the Bestie), John Lloyd Cruz (Honor Thy Father), Kris Aquino, Derek Ramsay, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Ian Veneracion (All You Need is Pag-ibig), and Alex Gonzaga, Vhong Navarro and Iza Calzado (Buy Now, Die Later).

Even Best Actor winner Jericho Rosales, Best Supporting Actress Maine Mendoza, and Best Director Erik Matti were not there to accept personally their trophies.

Mendoza is currently in Japan, while director Matti intended not to attend the awards night in protest of the disqualification of his film Honor Thy Father from the Best Picture race. Instead, a representative, who read out his swipe against MMFF, accepted the Best Director plum on his behalf.

Back to back Best Actress winner Jennylyn Mercado (Walang Forever) did not have much competition for the Female Celebrity of the Night award and so was

Julia Montes as Sara

Julia Montes as Kara

Carmina Villaroel

LuCiLLe’s rage intensifies, antonio dies

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sad New Year faces Kara and Sara (Julia Montes) as their father Antonio (Allan Dizon) dies in the Kapamilya Gold series Doble Kara.

As his vital signs drop, Sara rushes and asks help from doctors but despite their efforts, they fail to revive Antonio. With her husband’s death, Lucille’s (Car-

mina Villaroel) rage for the twins intensifies and stops them from attending Antonio’s wake despite their plea.

Will Kara and Sara get their chance of seeing Antonio for the last time? Will their father’s death be the way of mending their relationship as sisters?

Don’t miss the exciting scenes

in Doble Kara, Monday to Friday, after It’s Showtime on ABS-CBN Kapamilya Gold.

For more information about the program, visit the official social networking site of Dreamscape Entertainment Television at Facebook.com/DreamscapePH, Twitter.com/DreamscapePH, and Instagram.com/DreamscapePH.

Cesar Montano who was named as Mercado’s counterpart.

The entire program was a bit tedious with the audience waiting for a few minutes in between takes. Some were less than thrilled about what delights the night hold where production numbers staged for the lack of better amusement to showcase.

The show was hosted by Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion.

Celebrities that provided entertainment during intermission numbers were Yassi Pressman, Maria Ozawa, Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel, Mark Bautista, Alonzo Muchlach and Ronnie Liang. The program was opened by a production number by Bella Padilla.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 3 1, 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

SUPERStAR NORA AUNOR iN ‘tONight With ARNOLD CLAviO’

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very special guest graces the maiden episode of Tonight with Arnold Clavio (TWAC) in 2016, with no less than Superstar Nora Aunor joining Igan on Jan. 6.

This is the first time Arnold Clavio sits down with the highly esteemed actress, who officially became part of the Kapuso network last year through the primetime drama series Little Nanay playing the character of the groovy grandmother Lola Annie.

It’s an interview viewers will not want to miss. Aunor shares with Igan some behind the scene stories about her TV series. The Superstar will also disclose the other side of her many people, not even her millions of fans, knows of.

Moreover, Igan reveals things about the country’s most respected actress such as her quirks and which celebrity she would befriend if she ever goes on Facebook.

This special episode of Tonight with Arnold Clavio airs on Jan. 6 on GMA News TV.

TWAC host Arnold Clavio with Nora Aunor

ABS-CBN reCApS greAt SportiNg yeAr

t Letran finally conquers San Beda after three Finals series breaking their decade-long title drought

Gretchen Ho and Benjie Paras bring you all the good stuff that happened in the sporting world for the year 2015

FEU breaks their 10-year title drought in UAAP Season 78

Ateneo Men's Volleyball Team's breakthrough title in last year's UAAP competition

Nonito Donaire's successful comeback fight against Brazil's William Prado in Pinoy Pride 30

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 39 40 41 42 43 44 47 51 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Tarmac area 6 Left, on a map 10 — — the picture!

14 Flock 15 Big laugh (hyph.)

16 Srta. in Paris 17 Put cargo on board 18 With, to monsieur 19 Flag holder 20 Route for Ben-Hur

21 23 25 26 27 29 32 33 36 37 38

Doesn’t lose (2 wds.)

Grendel’s foe White Sale buys Windsor’s prov.

Clan leader Dig discovery Sketches Colorful carp Fox’s dream date Clear the windshield Long sighs

Pullet Clenched hands Dog-paddles Trellis coverers Pasture sound Mummy locale Loudness unit Spellbound Fictional plantation — vera Tiant of baseball Bonet and Kudrow Luigi’s dollar, once Deficiency Licorice herb Proofer’s word Hearty laughs A certain wolf

DOWN 1 Improvise (hyph.)

2 Utter foolish talk 3 Cowboys’ event 4 Snow under 5 Beatty of films 6 Pier 7 Icicle site 8 Mets’ former ballpark 9 Gridiron action 10 Loom 11 Catcher’s need 12 Ms. Barkin

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

13 21 22 24 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 57

High-school kids Diner order Round Table titles Berlin conjunction Goes against gravity Major — Hoople Quiet sound Shade Raggedy doll — -majeste Chiang — -shek Electrical unit Shuttle’s destination As though sunk in gloom Standing by for Late afternoon Kangaroo pouch Fix leftovers Converted sofa Daily trio Pitch-black Boutique Office furniture Mr. Rathbone Delete a file High-tech beam Feast with poi Enjoy a lollipop Philosopher — -Tzu

he year 2015 presented arguably one of the greatest sporting years to date and ABS-CBN Sports was in all the action.

Tonight and Friday on New Year’s Day, ABS-CBN Sports lets the fans relive all the sporting action that took place in their year ender special, “TRENDING #GALING: 2015 SPORTS YEAR ENDER” at 10 p.m. on ABS-CBN Sports + Action.

The special is hosted by basketball great Benjie Paras, who is also one of the personalities anchoring NBA sa Dos, and former women’s volleyball hotshot, Gretchen Ho. Relive the moments of Pinoy boxing heroes like the triumphant return of IBO Super Bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, or the continuous rise of ALA Gym’s undefeated “Prince” Albert Pagara. Not to be discounted is the longest-reigning Filipino champion, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes’s exploits in keeping his belts, as well as getting the recognition from the revered Ring Magazine.

And who can forget the Fight of the Century when the “People’s Champion,” Manny Pacquiao fought the flamboyant and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather, Jr.?

Reminisce with the UAAP champions FEU Tamaraws and NCAA champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights as they look back on a fruitful 2015 campaign that saw both teams ending a decade-long title drought.

Witness once more the ascent of the Golden State Warriors to the top of the NBA food chain during the show as well as a host of other, great moments in the sporting world. Catch also LeBron James triumphantly returning to his home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers and their valiant effort against the eventual champs.

Don’t miss Jason Day’s incredible moment from the PGA Tour, nor the bloody fights of transcendent former UFC Women’s Champ Ronda Rousey, as well as her brutal knockout loss against former women’s boxing star Holly Holm. Not to be outdone, watch Connor McGregor’s one-punch man in his demolition job of UFC Featherweight champ Jose Aldo, Jr., who was undefeated for an entire decade.

Tune in to ABS-CBN Sports + Action tonight and tomorrow for their two-part special “TRENDING #GALING: 2015 SPORTS YEAR ENDER” hosted by sports personalities Benjie Paras and Gretchen Ho.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 3 1, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

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A look AT PhiliPPines’ beAuTy queens in 2015 by eTon b. ConCePCion

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he country’s triumph at the 64th Miss Universe pageant ended the year 2015 in Philippine pageantry with a big bang and may be considered the country’s second golden year after 2013. Victories in various beauty competitions around the world achieved

by Filipinos in a single year in record fashion is one for the books which included wins in diverse competitions for women, men, children, transgender and even scuba divers, highlighted by a rare back-to-back feat.

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach made her Miss Universe journey in her third attempt at the Bb. Pilipinas national search. Realizing her dream to become Miss Universe was well within her reach, she promised not to fail her countrymen’s high expectations in the most anticipated beauty event of the year.

Wurtzbach brought her A-game in the national costume, interview, swimsuit and evening gown competitions to succeed in capturing the country’s third Miss Universe crown, the most win for any country in Asia and Europe. Famous Miss Universe judge Perez Hilton best described the newest toast of Hollywood. “To me, there was a real beauty and grace and elegance in her, she was Miss Universe.” As Wutzbach said after her merry mixed up ascension to the Miss Universe throne, “After 42 years of drought, it now finally reigns.”

The year’s sling of title conquests came first in the distaff side of women’s pageants, courtesy of dashing police officer Mariano Perez Flormata, Jr. at the Mister International 2014 contest in Ansan, South Korea held on Valentine’s Day, Febr. 14.

Besting 28 other contestants from around the world, Flormata’s victory was dedicated to the memory of his batch mates in the police academy who were among the SAF 44 killed during the tragic Mamasapano encounter.

Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Ann Lorraine Colis brought home the Miss Globe 2015 title from among 32 contestants in Toronto, Canada on Oct. 8. Colis, a 22-year-old beauty from Mexico, Pampanga, and a graduate of BS Management degree at the University of Santo Tomas, became the fourth Filipina to win the title.

Angelia Ong achieved a rare back-to-back win at the Miss Earth 2015 pageant succeeding compatriot Jamie Herrell during the finals held for the first time in Vienna, Austria on Dec. 5. Ong, a 25-year-old, Fil-Chinese beauty from Iloilo City bested 85 other

delegates to become the third Filipina to win the Manila-based Miss Earth pageant.

Miss Gay Manila 2015 Trixie Maristela bagged the Miss International Queen 2015 in Pattaya, Thailand on Nov. 6. A graduate of European Languages at the University of the Philippines, the 29-year-old, Viva contract artist and winner of Super Sireyna 2015, Maristela is the second Filipino transgender to win the title.

Cindy Madumma, a 27-yearold, nursing graduate from Palawan State University, bested 17 open water scuba divers to win the Miss Scuba International 2015 pageant held at Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on Nov. 27. Madumma drew a landscape painting of Palawan St. Paul Underground River, new wonders of nature during the finals of the pageant that promotes the welfare and wonders of oceans and underwater world through beauty queens.

Bb. Pilipinas Christi Lynn McGarry almost made it a double celebration finishing first runner-up to Miss Russia Valentina Rasulova at the Miss Intercontinental 2015 pageant in Magdeburg, Germany, on December 18, two days before the Miss Universe pageant. The statuesque 25-year-old, Fil-American beauty from New Jersey, USA, who studied at New York’s PACE University’s Lubin School of Business in Marketing and Advertising and a minor in Fine Arts, was named Miss Intercontinental - Asia and Oceania, the same special title she won when she first competed at the same pageant in 2010.

Bb. Pilipinas Parul Quitola Shah, a native of San Nicolas, Pangasinan, was named third runner-up at Miss Grand International 2015won by Anea Garcia of Dominican Republic, held in Bangkok, Thailand on Oct. 25. Shah, a 27-year-old, Filipino-Indian beauty and Nursing graduate of the University of Cordilleras, was also named best in national costume.

Bb. Pilipinas Janicel Lubina, a 5-foot-9, 20-year-old, Tourism Management student at STI, finished in the Top 10 semifinalists at the Miss International 2015 won by Miss Venezuela Edymar Martinez, held in Tokyo, Japan on Nov.5. Lubina, who said she once worked as house helper in her hometown in Narra, Palawan to help support her family, was awarded the Miss Best Dresser special award for fabulous Swarovski-beaded white evening gown made by famous Filipino designer Leo Almodal.

Clockwise from left, 1. Miss Universe 2015 Winner Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, 2. Miss Earth 2015 Winner Angelia Gabrena Ong, 3. Miss Globe 2015 Winner Ann Lorraine Colis 4. Mister International 2014-2015 Winner Mariano Perez Flormata, Jr. 5. Miss International Queen 2015 Trixie Maristela, 6. Miss Scuba International 2015 Cindy Madumma, 7. Miss Intercontinental 2015 1st Runner-up Christi Lynn McGarry, 8. Miss International 2015 Finalist and Best Dresser Janicel Lubina, 9. Miss World 2015 Finalist and Multi-Media Awardee Hillarie Ang Parungao, 10. Miss Grand International 2015 3rd Runnerup Parul Quitola Shah, 11. Miss Global 20154th Runner-up Candice Ramos, 12.

Princess Universe 2015 Winner and Best in National Costume Patricia Angela Cruz

Hillarie Danielle Parungao, a 24-year-old, freelance print and photographic model also finished among the Top 10 at the finals of Miss World 2015, won by Spain’s Mireia Lalaguna, a first for their country, held in Sanya, China on Dec. 19. Parungao, a student at Trinity University of Asia from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, also won the Miss World Multi Media special award.

In the Princess Universe pageant exclusively for children and teens, 11-year-old Patricia Angela Cruz bested other teens from five continents around the world to win the title and best in national costume during the finals held at the St. George Palace in Syet Blas in Burgas, Bulgaria. Cruz, who is a student at Chen Kuang High School and wants to be become a lawyer, is the daughter of Mrs. Universe 2015 Superstar Special Award Jennifer Cruz.

Other runner up finishes were achieved by Candice Ramos, fourth runner up at Miss Global

2015 held in Manila on Oct. 22 and won by Miss Australia Jessica Peart; Alfe Marie Nathanile Uy, first runner-up in Miss Asia 2015 held in Kochi, Kerala, India; and Divine Ezrha Canaceli, second runner-up at the first World Beauty Queen contest, held in Incheon, Korea on Aug. 22. Athena Catriz also placed third runner up at Miss International Summer 2015 held in Baranquilla, Colombia in March. Bb. Pilipinas Rogelee Catacutan settled for a Top 20 finish and Top 3 best in evening gown at Miss Supranational 2015 pageant held in Poland.

Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International 2015 Leren Mae Bautista is vying against 60 contestants at the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015 today, New Year’s Eve. A 22-year-old, Marketing Management graduate of Letran College, the Laguna native may as well win it all the year’s last beauty title already won by Filipinas thrice.

‘RepoRteR’s Notebook’ RouNds up 2015 The upcoming episode of Reporter’s Notebook on this afternoon (5:15 p.m. GMA 7) rounds up the biggest issues, controversies, and tragedies the GMA News and Public Affairs show probed this year.

The Kentex fire, M/V Kim Nirvana disaster, and the Nepal earthquake were just some of the tragedies that tested the faith of Filipinos this 2015. The deplorable aftermath of some of these tragedies were personally witnessed by hosts Jiggy Manicad and Maki Pulido.

Reporter’s Notebook also focused on the violence and conflict that shook the southern part of the Philippines, such as the death of the 44 PNP-Special Action Force (SAF 44) members in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and the alleged killing of lumads in Mindanao.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 3 1, 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ KApUso stArs In GMA CoUntDown to 2016 ISAH V. RED Tonight, the brightest stars of GMA Network will come together as they welcome the New Year.

Dubbed as Countdown to 2016, join hosts Kris Bernal, Andrea Torres, Betong Sumaya, and the Pambansang Bae Alden Richards as they introduce and take part in exciting production numbers.

Expect a spectacular event in welcoming the New Year as the Kapuso Network invites everyone to grace the event in their best and most colorful costumes. And since GMA Network promotes the theme “Magmahalan Tayo Ngayong Pasko”, everyone will have the chance to celebrate the last chapter of the year with the Pambansang Bae by posting greetings and selfies with the hashtag #kapuso2016.

And when it comes to comic relief, excellent song renditions and fiery dance numbers, GMA Network is sure to provide the audience quality entertainment.

Join Kapuso artists Rocco Nacino, Mark Herras, Sef Cadayona, Julian Trono, Winwyn Marquez, Mayton Eugenio, Gerphil Flores, and the Starstruck Top 6 in ushering 2016 with a bang.

Also spicing up the evening are the charming love teams of Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid; and Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix as well as other fabulous GMA stars.

And the most awaited part of the event should not be missed as the Kapuso Network closes the night with the most beautiful and thrilling fireworks display that will surely be enjoyed by the fans and viewers of all ages.

Be part of a magnificent celebration in GMA Countdown to 2016 that will be held on the SM Mall of Asia Seaside Boulevard.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the live telecast starts at 11:00pm.

HHHHH MFFF Controversy The recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal was without the usual amount of controversy. Prior to the ceremonies, the MMFF issued a statement disqualifying Honor Thy Father from the best picture race of the annual awards citing non-disclosure of its producers of its participation in a

previous film festival, particularly Cinema One Originals.

The film won several awards though, including Best Director for Erik Matti, who ignored the ceremonies and sent someone to read a statement that accuses the MMFF for treating unjustly, not only his film, but other films as well in favor of more commercially viable films.

The Directors’Guild of the Philippines sent us this note via a private message on our Facebook account.

HHHHH A DIsHonor to tHe InDUstry To The Executive Committee of The Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 As a creative institution with goals of further improving the evolving industry of Philippine cinema, the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. condemns the disqualification of the film Honor Thy Father from the Best Picture category because we believe the film was not given its rightful due process.

The MMFF gave a technical justification for disqualification that begs the following questions: Since MMFF already knew of the opening film screening of CinemaOne Originals, why wasn’t it disqualified early on? Or at least given notice that they could be disqualified from MMFF if they pursued the invitational screening? And why was the disqualification declared only a day before the awards night?

There is injustice in the unfair disqualification of Honor Thy Father and this practice will continue with impunity if left unchecked. We enjoin our fellow film workers, especially those involved in the festival, to stand united and remain vigilant against all forms of injustice.

The DGPI stands against arbitrary and unfair practices in the MMFF: we demand fair play, we demand transparency, and we demand change. (sgd) Mike E. Sandejas President Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. HHHHH I seem to agree with the group. If the MMFF knew that the film had a participation in an earlier festival, it should not have taken it as an official entry. There were other films waiting in the wings. In that, they could have avoided the controversy that has now reached Congress.

It’s such a waste of time and energy.

Kris Bernal Alden Richards

Andrea Torres

Rocco Nacino

Betong Sumaya

Sef Cadayona

Miguel and Bianca Gabbi and Ruru

Klea Pineda

Migo Adecer

Ayra Mariano

Elyson de Dios