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UNSTOPPABLE CHINA FACTOR

By Recto L. Mercene

HINA, according to an internationally recognized academician, should not be totally blamed for ignoring the South China Sea (SCS) ruling handed down by the International Tribunal in The Hague in 2016, saying, “the United States likewise does not follow international law.”

“If you look at the United States, it does not follow international law. Not only are they not signatory to the Unclos [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], but the US will do to you without regard to the UN Security Council,” said Dr. Henry Chan, a Singapore-based development economist and senior visiting research fellow at the Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace. Chan cited the case of ousted Panamanian leader Manuel Antonio Noriega, whose regime, he said,

was toppled by the US without the benefit of a trial. Noriega was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989 who enjoyed long-standing ties with United States intelligence agencies but was removed from power with the American invasion of Panama. According to Chan, Filipinos must remember that the Unclos was developed under Western law, “which is based on no historical claim.” “In Western law there’s no historical claim. All of a sudden China

realizes it, that’s why when [retired Supreme Court] Associate Justice Antonio Carpio talks about Unclos, he should remember that you’re dealing with an ascending power [China],” he said. The statement was in response to an admonition (BusinessMirror, November 27, 2019) that China should not begrudge the ruling of the international tribunal annulling its historic claim to the whole of SCS “because it gained what it lost by having the means to explore the resources of the high seas.”

China ignored the Tribunal’s 2016 ruling which, in effect, invalidated its expansive claims to the whole of SCS, based on history of continued presence in the contested waters since time immemorial.

Rule of the game

“THE rule of the game is that you cannot use judicial angle when looking at things. You have to use the pragmatic, political tools and international diplomacy to deal with issues. I’m sorry to say [this], Continued on A2

Venice’s fraught future caught between tourist crowds and rising tides

WO weeks after high tides and fierce winds produced the worst flooding in Venice in more than half a century, sirens sound about 6:30 a.m. to warn the fragile lagoon city’s weary residents that “acqua alta” is arriving again. Less than two hours later, temporary wooden platforms are in place to allow pedestrians to move through ancient cobblestone streets. Vendors hawking cheap water-proof boots appear out of nowhere to cater to ill-prepared tourists. Sergio Boldrin, one of Venice’s most renowned mask makers, is used to the ritual. But the floods aren’t the only sign of decay. The feeling in the city is that climate change is hastening a downfall that started with mass tourism.

“The city has become ugly. It’s lost its soul,” said Boldrin, as thrifty day trippers stream by to gawk at but not buy his masks, which can cost as much as €1,000 ($1,100). “These people just don’t recognize its real beauty.” The son of a gondolier, Boldrin is a living embodiment of Venetian tradition. From the stool of his tiny atelier Bottega dei Mascareri near the famous Rialto Bridge, the 62-year-old sees a string of small canvas-covered stands selling cheap trinkets, in-

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.7980

TOURISTS stand by closed cafés and stacked chairs in Piazza San Marco. GERALDINE HOPE GHELLI/BLOOMBERG

cluding low-grade plastic and ceramic knockoffs of his masks for as little as €10. The city—improbably spread across more than 100 small islands in the Venetian lagoon—attracted an estimated 30 million visitors this year. The crowds strain resources but provide little value for the local economy. Three-quarters of the tourists stay for just a few hours and spend an average €13 on souvenirs, according to research by Confartigianato Venezia, an association of local trade businesses. Artisans are struggling to compete with the influx of cheaper products made abroad, and many can’t afford rents that have been driven up by real-estate speculation. Skilled craftspeople in the city’s historical area have dropped by half since the 1970s to about 1,100 in 2018. “A lot of it is generational change,” said Enrico Vettore of Confartigianato Venezia. “Often there’s no one in a family who Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4639 n UK 65.5802 n HK 6.4903 n CHINA 7.2209 n SINGAPORE 37.2037 n AUSTRALIA 34.3750 n EU 55.9286 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5469

Source: BSP (November 29, 2019 )

TANAONTE | DREAMSTIME.COM

Expert presents the ‘other side of the coin’ in SCS territorial dispute

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A2 Sunday, December 1, 2019

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Venice’s fraught future caught between tourist crowds and rising tides

A CITY worker helps a woman who decided to cross St. Mark square on a gangway, in spite of prohibition, in Venice, Italy, November 17, 2019. AP/LUCA BRUNO Continued from A1

can take over the business,” but there’s also the lack of demand as day trippers “don’t buy real artisan products.” On the nearby island of Murano, Luciano Gambaro is waging a battle to preserve centuries of local glass-making traditions. The number of people working to produce the colorful, hand-blown vases and figurines has also halved, partly due to the impact of counterfeit products from eastern Europe, China and India, says the 54-yearold, who runs the family’s company and heads a consortium of business that promotes Murano glass.

The floods, which have become more frequent, disrupt the city’s rhythm, suspending Vaporetto boat lines that connect stops on the Grand Canal to outlying sites like Murano, Burano and the barrier island of Lido. Just before midnight on Nov. 12, Venice’s “acqua alta” reached 184 centimeters (6 feet) above sea level. It was generated by a combination of rising tides and powerful winds of more than 75 miles per hour. City officials estimated the damage at about €1 billion. Like many others, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro blamed climate change. “I love my town, we’ve raised four children here, but the city has changed for the worse in the

TOURISTS and residents resume their normal routine at a bar in Venice, Italy, November 17, 2019. EMILIANO CREEPS/ANSA VIA AP

last five years,” said Giovanni Giol, president of the Benedetto Marcello music conservatory. Housed in a palace built in the early 1600s, manuscripts and books in the library were soaked in this month’s historic flood. The worst affected items were sent to a restoration facility in Bologna, while others were carried to higher levels of the building and are drying out on floors of the museum alongside 17th-century musical instruments. “The storm brought home the reality of the situation,” said Jane Da Mosto, executive director of a non-profit organization trying to reverse the community’s decline by controlling tourism, including a

ban on cruise ships. “Venice is close to falling off the precipice. There’s no control room.” About 1,000 residents leave every year, and about 50,000 people now call the lagoon home. The former city-state has been governed together with its larger mainland neighbor Mestre since they were linked in 1926 by Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Activists like Da Mosto say the city’s issues are so unique that it needs to be separate. On Sunday, Venetians will vote on a referendum to give the community its own administrative structure, but it’s non-binding and opposed by the mayor, who has called the effort “folly” because it risks creating

bureaucratic bottlenecks and discouraging investment. That puts more focus on the fraught MOSE anti-flooding project. Embroiled in several corruption probes, the system of water gates is way over budget at €5.5 billion and counting, and won’t be ready until 2022— more than two decades after construction began. And it will likely be useless in stopping rising tides, according to Nelli-Elena Vanzan Marchini, an Italian historian who has written several books on Venice. Global warming has raised sea levels about 8 inches since 1880, according to Climate Central, an independent organization of sci-

entists and journalists. The rate is accelerating and a recent report by the group predicted that high-tide lines could permanently rise above land occupied by around 150 million people by 2050, including 30 million Chinese. That’s a bleak outlook for residents like Boldrin. Along with creating masks, the artist paints images that evoke the “Death of Venice” theme—dark, solitary figures crushed by the weight of the city’s decline. “Many of us Venetians are tired,” he said in the studio he founded with his brother in 1984 and hopes to pass on to his daughter. “Venice is suffocating.” Bloomberg

UNSTOPPABLE CHINA FACTOR Continued from A1

but that is the reality of history. To deal with a powerful nation and you talk about law? Try it on the White House,” Chan said. His comment was met with giggles from his audience that included journalists and author Carmen NavarroPedrosa and Wharton-educated George Sy, head of the think-tank IDSI, a non-profit global network of institutions studying innovations and events to propose integrated, implementable frameworks. Dr. Chan, whose primary research interest includes AseanChina relations and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, said judicial interpretation should not be used to interpret political decisions. “In the international arena, that’s very dangerous.” He said China has a longer historical presence in the SCS, “and of course it is closer to the Philippines and we have this Unclos ruling.” Chan said the key to understanding the underlying issues in the SCS is to consider that officially, the Philippines, starting in 1521, has a 600-year history, compared to Singapore’s 200 years since it was founded in 1819 by Thomas Stamford Raffles. Raffles negotiated a treaty whereby Johor allowed the British to locate a trading port on the island, leading to the establishment of the British colony of Singapore. He said historically, China has been fishing in the SCS for thousands of years and has named some of the islands and shoals and reefs with Chinese names. “The Filipino fishermen were coastal fishermen and never ventured more than a few kilometers away from the shores on their small fishing boats, or bancas,” Dr. Chan said. The facts on the ground indicate that there’s an ascending China, he said. “Everybody now agrees the US can slow down China but it cannot

‘I

’M sure if many Filipinos trace their family tree, maybe somewhere, somehow, they have a trace of Chinese blood flowing in their veins.”

—Dr. Henry Chan, a Singapore-based development economist and senior visiting research fellow at the Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace stop China because China’s growth momentum is indigenous—you cannot stop it. “So from the Philippines point of view, based on reality, we have to look at what can the Philippines gain from this power transition.” He said in considering the country’s interests, usually politicians and policy makers don’t really care about the United States, or about universal human values. “We also don’t care about how China bullies us, so long as we’re defending our national interests,” Chan added.

Reality check

ACCORDING to Chan, China has the natural advantage over Southeast Asia in the same manner that the US has an advantage over the Caribbean Sea. “You cannot change that.” Added to this is the Filipinos’ cultural affinity with China since the country is much closer physically to the Asian giant than to the United States. “I’m sure if many Filipinos trace their family tree, maybe somewhere, somehow, they have a trace of Chinese blood flowing in their veins,” Chan pointed out. “What I’m trying to say is this: From the Philippines vantage point of view, because of the Filipinos’ geographic proximity with China, you have some natural links that are in favor of China. That’s very clear,” he added. “You are close to China so China should be your trading partner. Who is now your numberone source of tourists, China? It’s

cheaper for the Chinese to visit the Philippines, than for the Chinese to visit the US, right?” he said. “That is the natural advantage of China, because of their proximity and presence in Southeast Asia,” Chan concluded.

Trends

CHAN said that based on current trends, the population of nonwhites in America will overtake the “whites” in 2050. He said the whites will not take this sitting down and that’s why when Barack Obama was elected in 2009, “this scared those white Americans because until now they refused to admit that in 2050, white Americans are going to be the minority.” Chan added that when Donald Trump followed Obama as the next president, “Trump, instead of moving toward that direction [of allowing more people of color to dominate US society]…moved in the opposite direction, defending the soon-to-be minority whites. “Remember US history: who is the most violent group in America? They’re the KKK [Ku Klux Klan] and they’re all whites,” he said. However, Chan warned of America’s “generational capability,” or their claim of “exceptionalism.” He said observers must remember that “American history has that element of violence, how they handled the native North American Indians and the Mexicans, [and yes, the Filipinos and] remember how the US empire expands.”

The World

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Angel R. Calso

BusinessMirror

Sunday, December 1, 2019

China financial warning signs are flashing almost everywhere

rom rural bank runs to surging consumer indebtedness and an unprecedented bond restructuring, mounting signs of financial stress in China are putting the nation’s policy-makers to the test. X i Jinping’s gover nment faces an increasingly difficult balancing act as it tries to support the world’s second-largest economy without encouraging moral hazard and reckless spending. W hile authorities have so far been reluctant to rescue troubled borrowers and ramp up stimulus, the costs of maintaining that stance are rising as defaults increase and China’s slowdown deepens. Policy-makers are attempting to do the “minimum necessary to keep the economy on the rails,” Andrew Tilton, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., said in a Bloomberg TV interview. Among China’s most vexing challenges is the deteriorating health of smaller lenders and regional state-owned companies, whose financial linkages risk triggering a downward spiral without support from Beijing. A landmark debt recast proposed this week by Tewoo Group, a state-owned commodities trader, has raised concerns about more financial turbulence in its home city of Tianjin. Similar concerns have popped up across the country in recent months, often centered around

smaller banks. Confidence in these institutions has waned since May, when regulators seized control of a lender in Inner Mongolia and imposed losses on some creditors. Authorities have since intervened to quell at least two bank runs and orchestrated bailouts for two other lenders. In its annual Financial Stabi lit y Repor t released t his week, China’s central bank described 586 of the country’s almost 4,400 lenders as “high risk,” slightly more than last year. It also highlighted the dangers associated with rising consumer leverage, saying household debt as a percentage of disposable income jumped to 99.9 percent in 2018 from 93.4 percent a year earlier. The People’s Bank of China and other regulators have long warned about the risks of excessive corporate debt, which climbed to a record 165 percent of gross domestic product in 2018, according to Bloomberg Economics. For now, investors appear to be betting that policy-makers can manage the country’s financial risks and keep the economy afloat.

Japan’s jobs-for-life system ditched by food firm Ajinomoto A group of tourists take a ride on a ferry crossing the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China, on February 26, 2018. Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

The government’s sale of $6 billion in sovereign dollar debt this week was oversubscribed, while volatility in the Chinese stock market has dropped to the lowest level since early 2018, in part due to optimism over the prospects for a trade deal with the US. Yield spreads on the shortterm debt of lower-rated Chinese banks relative to AAA peers have narrowed in recent months, a sign that smaller lenders are finding it easier to secure funding. The central bank and other regulators have said they are forcing troubled banks to increase capital, cut bad loans, limit dividends and replace management. They have also floated a sweeping package of measures that would encourage mergers among smaller institu-

tions and enlist local governments to support them. On Thursday, China’s Financial Stability and Development Committee, chaired by Vice Premier Liu He, called for more ways to beef up capital strength at smaller banks and set up a longterm mechanism to prevent and resolve risks. Earlier this week, China’s top securities regulator said more efforts should be made in protecting shareholders, especially retail investors, while actively guarding against liquidity and credit risks in the capital markets. In one sign that authorities may be growing more concerned about downside risks to the economy, China’s finance ministry said on Wednesday that it had ordered local governments

to speed up the issuance of debt earmarked for infrastructure projects. The move put a fresh spotlight on the policy dilemma facing China’s leaders: While such support measures may help bolster economic and financial stability in the short term, the risk is that they leads to even bigger debt problems down the line. Authorities have been trying “to bring discipline into the market, but every time that happens, the consequences become frightening so they back away,” said Michael Pettis, a finance professor at Peking University. “The longer you take to solve it, the more distorted the market becomes and the more painful the resolution becomes.” Bloomberg News

Shorter shopping season means a more intense scramble

EW YORK—The mad scramble b et we e n T h a n k sg iv i ng a nd Chr istmas just got si x days shorter. Black Friday once again kicks off the start of the holiday shopping season. But with six fewer days than last year, it will be the shortest season since 2013 because Thanksgiving fell on the fourth Thursday in November—the latest possible date it could be. That means customers will have less time to shop and retailers will have less time to woo them. Adobe Analytics predicts a loss of $1 billion in online revenue from a shortened season. Still, it expects online sales will reach $143.7 billion, up 14.1 percent from last year’s holiday season. T he Nat ion a l R et a i l Federat ion (NRF), the nation’s largest retail trade group, baked the shorter season into its forecast, but it says the real drivers will be the job market. It forecasts that holiday sales will rise between 3.8 percent and 4.2 percent, an increase from the disappointing 2.1-percent growth

seen in the November-and-December 2018 period that came well short of the group’s prediction. Last year’s holiday sales were hurt by turmoil over the White House trade policy with China and a delay in data collection by nearly a month because of a government shutdown. This year’s holiday forecast is above the average holiday sales growth of 3.7 percent over the previous five years. NRF expects online and other nonstore sales, which are included in the total, to increase between 11 percent and 14 percent, for the holiday period. Black Friday is expected to once again be the largest shopping day of the season, followed by the last Saturday before Christmas, according to MasterCard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across all types of payments including cash and check. Thanksgiving Day isn’t even on the top 10 holiday shopping days, according to MasterCard. The 2019 holiday season will be a good measure of the US economy’s health. Many retail CEOs describe their customers has

financially healthy, citing moderate wage growth and an unemployment rate hovering near a 50-year low. “The overall picture is positive,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consultancy. “People are spending out of positive cash flow as opposed to borrowing.” Economic growth has moderated since earlier this year, with growth at just 1.9 percent in the July-to-September quarter, down from 3.1 percent in the first three months of the year. Analysts blame at least part of that on the US-China trade war, which has forced many companies to delay plans to invest and expand. That’s left consumers as the main drivers. So far, Americans have kept up their spending, allaying fears of a recession. With more holiday deals happening earlier to compensate for the late start, many have already started to shop. More than half of consumers have already started their holiday shopping and nearly a quarter of purchases have already been made, according to the

European business leaders lose confidence amid trade tension

ONDON—A survey of dozens of Europe’s top business executives shows their optimism is waning as trade tensions and other geopolitical uncertainties cloud the outlook for the global economy. A poll of 50 CEOs and chairmen carried out by German research group ZEW on behalf of the European Round Table for Industry, a trade association, shows that while the expectations for business remain slightly positive overall, employment and investment prospects are down. Only about 25 percent of

executives expect to increase investment in Europe in the next six months, with less than 50 percent expecting to create more jobs. The findings highlight economists’ concerns that the stresses on manufacturing and trade created by the US-China trade war and Brexit are affecting the wider economy. Some experts estimate that the world economy will grow this year at its slowest since the global financial crisis. Yet, unemployment is low in developed economies and services industries are

holding up so far. Should the trouble in trade and industry begin to drag down other parts of the economy, the global slowdown could be more severe and painful. The report by the ZEW surveyed executives of major companies like consumer goods maker Nestle, telecoms company Ericsson, steelmaker ArcelorMittal, among others, and was seen by The Associated Press ahead of its release Friday. The European Round Table for Industry said the findings should encourage the

incoming European Commission to focus on bolstering innovation, particularly in the digital and environmental sectors, and further integrating the economies of the European Union. “While European industry’s current outlook is broadly positive, there are real structural challenges inhibiting companies from investing, creating jobs and competing with the rest of the world,” said Martin Brudermueller, chairman of chemicals conglomerate BASF and the head of the ERT’s group on innovation. AP

annual survey released by the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The survey of 7,917 adult consumers was conducted October 31 through November 6. “This is further evidence that the holiday season has grown far beyond the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Matthew Shay, president and CEO of NRF, said in a news statement. AP

apan Inc.’s jobs-for-life system, which for decades has brought stagnant wages and crimped corporate mobility, is withering away. The latest evidence comes from food company Ajinomoto Co., which said Friday it is seeking to eliminate 100 jobs through manager buyouts as the seasoning maker seeks to recover from three straight years of declining operating profit. Ajinomoto got its start more than 100 years ago after its founder Kikunae Ikeda discovered monosodium glutamate and named its associated taste, umami. Japanese companies have been chipping away at the concept of lifetime employment as economic growth stalls. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said changing the way Japan works is one of the biggest challenges in reviving the economy, and the lack of worker mobility is one reason economists say labor-market reform is badly needed. Many Japanese companies have traditionally retained a wage system based on age, but managers who earn high salaries have been criticized for not working as much as they earn. In May, Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda said it was getting harder for companies to retain lifetime employment. Tokyo-based Ajinomoto said in a statement that as it reorganizes in an effort to sustain growth, “there may be some managers who would like to demonstrate their expertise and strengths outside of the Ajinomoto Group.” The company said eligible employees include all managers age 50 or older as of June 30, and it will provide support services to those who take the buyout. The company will release the impact on its earnings outlook after it determines the number of applicants. Earlier this month, Ajinomoto cut its full-year outlook after posting a secondquarter loss. Bloomberg News

Sunday, December 1, 2019

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Markets show US gaining upper hand over China in trade war

he US is starting to overtake China in the trade war, at least in financial markets.

Treasuries have held on to this year’s rally, the dollar remains strong despite three interest-rate cuts and US stocks have been notching a string of records. Meanwhile, Chinese shares, the yuan and the country’s government bonds have recently struggled to find momentum. The outperformance has been especially notable in the past months, with the S&P 500 Index trading at its priciest multiple ever relative to the Shanghai Composite Index. It highlights the diverging forces driving sentiment in the countries’ financial markets: the Federal Reserve’s dovish tilt the past year has supported risk sentiment in the US, whose economy has held up better than anticipated. In

China, the central bank has stuck to its prudent approach to stimulus despite a string of disappointing economic data. The fallout has included increased financial stress and economic growth expanding at the slowest pace since at least the early 1990s. “The US stock market has been really strong, while momentum in Chinese stocks seen at the beginning of the year has kind of waned,” said Gerry Alfonso, executive director of the international business department at Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co. “China’s slowdown has impacted investor sentiment even more than developments on the trade front.” In August, the US and Chinese stock benchmarks were the most highly correlated in four years. But

that relationship evaporated, with the S&P 500 climbing 7.2 percent since June 30 while the Shanghai Composite has lost 3 percent. “Global investors see a trade war leading to greater risk for investment in China,” and emerging markets than the US, said Hyde Chen, an equity analyst with UBS Wealth Management in Hong Kong. “US stocks fared better because Asia’s economy as a whole suffers more from trade impact.” Investors have been demanding the most compensation to hold Chinese sovereign bonds relative to US Treasuries in two years. The spread between the countries’ 10year bond yields widened to 1.6 percentage points in October, as liquidity concerns kept China’s bonds from joining in on a global debt rally. The currency of a country easing monetary policy often weakens. But the ICE US Dollar Index has risen more than 2 percent this year while the yuan has struggled, in August weakening beyond 7 per dollar for the first

time since 2008. That weakness prompted the US to label Beijing a currency manipulator. Falling transaction volume shows yuan traders are preferring to stay on the sidelines for now, as a US bill supporting Hong Kong protesters threatens to get in the way of a phase one trade deal. The Shanghai Composite Index is up 16 percent for the year, versus a peak of 31 percent in April, posting a relatively solid per for mance consider ing the headwinds facing China’s economy, according to analysts at both Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley. Both brokerages this month cut their view on A-shares to neutral from overweight after this year’s advance, saying foreign inflows may slow following this year’s heav y purchases. Meanwhile, sub-6 percent economic growth in China—which Goldman Sachs is predicting for 2020—may provoke “concerns among market participants.” Bloomberg News

Italian police uncovers plot to create a new Nazi party

talian police arrested 19 farright extremists in raids across the country that uncovered a cache of weapons and a range of Nazi paraphernalia. The suspects were trying to form the Italian National Socialist Workers Party and were making contacts in southern Europe, according to a police statement that said the operation Black Shadows had been the result of two years of investigations. In busts from cosmopolitan Milan to a provincial town in central Sicily, the officers seized rifles, crossbows, swords, knives as well as Nazi flags, photos of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini and books on the late dictators. With hate crimes on the rise, it remains to be seen whether this probe will unveil a larger network and the extent of its ties to the mob. The police said the head trainer of the self-styled militia was a member of the Calabriabased ‘Ndrangheta mafia. Bloomberg News

The sun sets over the south-west of Milan in this view from the Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral, in Milan, Italy, on November 29, 2011. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti said he presented his plans to curb the euro-region’s second-biggest debt to European finance chiefs meeting in Brussels. Gianluca Colla/Bloomberg

North Korea may deploy ‘super-large’ rocket launcher soon

EOUL, South Korea— North Korea said Friday the latest test-firing of its “super-large” multiple rocket launcher was a final review of the weapon’s combat application, a suggestion that the country is preparing to deploy the new weapons system soon. South Korea’s military earlier said North Korea fired two projectiles, likely from the same super-large rocket launcher, on Thursday. It expressed “strong regret” over the launches and urged North Korea to stop escalating tensions. On Friday, the North’s Korean Central News Agency confirmed

the launches were made with the presence of leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials. “The volley test-fire aimed to finally examine the combat application of the super-large multiple launch rocket system proved the military and technical superiority of the weapon system and its firm reliability,” KCNA said. It said Kim expressed “great satisfaction” over the results of the test-firing. Analyst Kim Dong-yub at Seoul’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies said North Korea appears to be entering the stage of massproducing and deploying the rocket launcher. He wrote on Facebook that the weapons system may already have been deployed. Thursday’s firing was the fourth testlaunch of the rocket launcher since August. Some experts say the flight distance and trajectory of projectiles fired from the launcher

In this undated photo provided on Monday, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, inspects a military unit on Chagrin Islet in North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

show they are virtually missiles or missile-classed weapons. The projectiles fired Thursday flew about 380 kilometers (235 miles) at a maximum altitude of 97 kilometers, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday called the projectiles ballistic missiles. North Korea has fired other new weapons in recent months in what some experts say is an attempt to wrest concessions from the United States in stalled nuclear diplomacy while upgrading its military capabilities. A US-led diplomacy aimed at persuading North Korea to scrap its nuclear program in return for

political and economic benefits remains largely stalemated since the February collapse of a summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in Vietnam. Most of the North Korean weapons tested since the Vietnam summit were short-range. Attention is now on whether North Korea resumes nuclear and long-range missile tests if Trump fails to meet a year-end deadline set by Kim for Washington to offer new proposals to salvage the negotiations. Trump considers North Korea’s self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests a major foreign policy win. AP

An employee uses binoculars inside the control tower of the Kieldrecht lock as shipping cranes stand beyond at the MPET terminal at the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, on May 10, 2017. The port is Europe’s second-largest seaport and stands at the upper end of the tidal estuary of the River Scheldt. Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg

How Belgium became Europe’s den of spies, a gateway for China

hen a suspected Chinese spy was extradited to the US last year, the Department of Justice praised the “significant assistance” given by authorities in Belgium. Xu Yanjun was arrested in Belgium after going there to meet a contact “for the purpose of discussing and receiving the sensitive information he had requested,” according to the US indictment. Xu was charged with attempting to commit economic espionage, with GE Aviation the main target. The case is pending. Belgium may seem an unlikely destination for a Chinese agent. In fact, it’s a den of spies, according to domestic intelligence agency State Security (VSSE). It says the number of operatives is at least as high as during the Cold War, and Brussels is their “chessboard.” Host to the European Union’s institutions and North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters, Belgium is an alluring draw card for aspiring espionage-makers. Diplomats, lawmakers and military officials mingle, sharing gossip and ideas, while Belgium’s strategic location makes it important to China in its own right as a place to exert influence in Europe. “The mere fact that we hold international institutions such as Nato and the EU makes Belgium a natural focus for China,” said Bruno Hellendorff, a research fellow at the Brussels-based Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations. “It’s common knowledge that there are many spies in Brussels, and these days espionage from China is a major and growing concern.” In February, German newspaper Die Welt cited an unpublished assessment by the EU’s foreign and diplomatic wing, the European External Action Service, that about 250 Chinese spies were working in Brussels—more than from Russia. The Chinese mission to the EU said it was “deeply shocked” at the “unfounded” reports. “China respects the sovereignty of all countries and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries,” it said. And yet the incidents keep coming. The Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the VUB Brussels University was barred in October from entering the EU’s passport-free Schengen area for eight years after being accused of espionage, a charge he denies. An insight into the methods employed by China are outlined in the indictment for Xu, whose duties allegedly included obtaining trade secrets from aviation and aerospace companies in the US “and throughout Europe.” He used aliases and invited experts on paid trips to China to deliver presentations at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, operated by the information ministry. He ensured targets carried a work computer whose data could be captured. The US remains at the core of Beijing’s espionage activities—the head of the FBI said in July that China was trying to “steal their way up the economic ladder at our expense.” Yet Europe appears increasingly in focus, with cases of so-called interference by China identified in Poland, France, Germany and the UK. “The Chinese are becoming far more active than they were 10 or 20 years ago,” said Charles Parton, a former British diplomat with more than two decades of experience of China. Espionage is “the far end of the spectrum” of interference that ranges from academia to “technological spillover”—collecting data to send back to China for mining, said Parton, a senior associate fellow at the Londonbased Royal United Services Institute. Belgium’s elite generally has a relaxed attitude toward China that can open it to charges of complacency. A fractured political system makes it harder to craft a unified strategy—there’s still no government six months after elections. A delegation to China this month included four ministers responsible for trade relations: a federal minister plus one each for Dutchspeaking Flanders, Francophone Wallonia and Brussels. Even as the EU adopts a more skeptical stance toward China—losing its naivety, as one senior European official put it—Belgium is opening the gates to Chinese investments in strategic areas from energy to shipping and technology. Belgium is responding to China’s rise “in a pragmatic way,” stressing its advantages in areas such as logistics while ensuring “attention to the sustainability of the projects and respect for international standards,” according to the Foreign Ministry. “They have very advanced technologies that China needs,” Wang Yiwei, director of Renmin University’s Institute of International Affairs and a former Chinese diplomat based in Brussels, said of Belgium’s appeal. “Through Brussels you can access Europe and even the United States.” He said that Chinese innovation is fast catching up with the US and talk of industrial espionage was exaggerated. All countries make efforts to win over hearts and minds, and much influence-building is legitimate diplomatic activity. But there’s also a gray zone and it can be “difficult to tell the hand of the Chinese state from a much more diffuse web of influence-peddling,” the European Council on Foreign Relations said in a 2017 report. Brecht Vermeulen, who was chairman of the Belgian federal parliament’s home affairs committee until losing his seat this year, joined the assembly’s China friendship group soon after his election in 2014 as a lawmaker for the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, the largest group in the then-ruling coalition. Over the course of his five-year term, Vermeulen made several trips to China, where officials briefed him on technological advances in artificial intelligence, facial recognition and cyber security. During that time, N-VA policy evolved from sympathizing with efforts by some in Taiwan and Hong Kong to keep a distance from China, toward what Vermeulen called Realpolitik. Bloomberg News

Science

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

BusinessMirror

Sunday

Sunday, December 1, 2019 A5

9 EXPERTS RECEIVE FACES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AWARD The Filipino Faces of Biotechnology award is bestowed on nine scientists, educators and science communicators during its fourth annual event held by the Department of Agriculture at a hotel in Makati on November 26. The event is part of the weeklong National Biotechnology Week celebration. This year’s awardees are: Dr. Nathaniel Dugos, Outstanding researcher in bioengineering; Dr. Ernelea Cao, Outstanding educator, researcher and advocate on biotechnology; Dr. Candida Adalla, Outstanding leader in pioneering developmental initiatives for biotechnology; Dr. Gisela Concepcion, Outstanding researcher on medical and cosmetics through biotechnology; Dr. Milagros Greif, Outstanding researcher on urban pest control through biotechnology; Dr. Cynthia Hedreyda, Outstanding advocate for biotechnology education; Dr. Gabriel Romero, Outstanding researcher on rice genetics and crop biotechnology; the late Dr. Monina Villena, Outstanding science communicator for biotechnology (her husband, Nathaniel Villena, receives the award); and Dr. Claro Mingala, Outstanding livestock biotechnologist. They are joined by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research Assistant Director Digna Sandoval (left), Agriculture Undersecretary Rodolfo Vicerra (second from right) and DA Biotechnology Program Office Director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia. LYN RESURRECCION

PEOPLE ARE LOSING THE ABILITY TO READ CRITICALLY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Deep reading: An endangered human activity By Stephanie Tumampos

Correspondent

ERLIN, Germany—The human brain is an incredible work of science. According to scientists, it is estimated that the brain contains around 100 billion of neurons and controls everything that happens in our body. From actions to reactions, to simply storing a lot of information and solving problems, it is, perhaps, the most complicated system there is on Earth. It is by far the only natural supercomputer that has a lot of mysteries yet to be solved, such as how it shapes the way people think and feel through reading. Speaking at the Falling Walls Conference in Berlin during the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf explained how the quality of human thinking is greatly influenced by the quality of how people read. “My work is studying the reading brain and how it is changing literally under our own fingertips. And my mission is to literally help you understand that literacy is a basic human right and that its changes have implications all the way to our democracy,” she said. Wolf emphasized that reading is not just what one reads, but how one reads as well, because “literacy changes your brain, it changes the brain of a society and, ultimately, it changes our species.” She explained the adverse effects of digital screen reading on children and on adults, as well. Wolf said screen reading “short circuits reading” and “does not give time for inference, analogy, empathy, critical analysis and insight.”

The human brain system HAVE you ever thought how the brain works when reading or when you read but nothing gets inside your brain? Wolf explained to the BusinessMirror in an interview that the brain incorporates a lot of its parts when reading. “The circuit that’s necessary for reading incorporates both the hemispheres of the brain, four lobes of each hemisphere and five layers of the brain, so you use the beautiful term that when the child learns to read is like having this fantastic playground,” she said, She pointed out that many people have taken this system in the brain for granted “as if it is the easiest thing in the world.” The cognitive neuroscientist explained that each human brain is unique. It takes around 280 milliseconds (ms) to pull together the visual, phonological and semantic process in the brain. (A millisecond is a thousandth of a second.) Wolf added that putting all words together in one sentence, taking into

consideration that all information is already there, happens in less than a second. “Within 280 milliseconds, we’ve gotten a lot of information about the word. What happens next is that, as we usually do, we see that word in a sentence we have information before, and that we have to move on to the next piece of information, so our attention centers around 280 milliseconds that is actually helping us move on,” Wolf explained. She added: “So we’ve kept the image of what we’ve just read in our short-term memory, and then we move around that point. If we are skimming, we just keep going. But if we aren’t skimming, if we are getting the whole consciousness and attention, then we are able to bring in, after 400 milliseconds, the more complicated processing. So that’s like inference, analogy, the critical and analytic processes.” Wolf noted that the human brain uses its neural network groups which is the same during face and object recognition. “Through the visual cortex, at the back in the lower left of the head, you see a face that you’ve known before, you’ve made a representation of a whole working group of neurons that is responsible for that face, and we use the same neurons to identify characters or letters,” Wolf said. She emphasized that automatically identifying letters and characters is the same neural system the brain uses for facial and character recognition, hence, that allows people to recognize and identify words immediately. In her talk at the Falling Walls Conference, Wolf said, “The reality is that none of you were ever born to read. You were born to speak and see him [a person].” She then cited how Chinese and Japanese speakers have more interesting right visual cortices. She said, “They usually have to have [learned] 5,000 characters by the time they’re in the fifth grade and we are complaining about 26 measly little letters [of the alphabet].” This means that brains are unique from one another. “The reality, however, is that the brain, the models, gives us an indication that there is no one circuit. The circuit is plastic,” meaning it can be easily shaped or molded.

THE motor and sensory regions of the brain’s cerebral cortex. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

COGNITIVE neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf at the Falling Walls Conference in Berlin during the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9. FALLING WALLS BERLIN

Deep reading vs skimming MERRIAM-WEBSTER Dictionary defines skimming, with the root word skim, as to read, study or examine superficially and rapidly. It also means to pass swiftly or lightly over. It, therefore, has a high contrast compared with deep reading and analyzing what one is reading. “There is a great difference in being able to read at a level where you are decoding, you are putting all the letters and the sounds together, and you’re using very basic information about how that brain puts things together,” Wolf told the BusinessMirror. She added that the truly elaborate brain takes years to form. As each brain is unique, the processing and how it works depends on each person. There will always be fast readers and there will be slow readers. “The same system that we use for facial or object recognition, is now being used to automatically identify letters and characters. It’s amazing and astonishing what we’ve done. So you make these representations and that is what allows us to do things automatically,” she explained. Skimming is another situation. “If we are skimming, we just keep going,” without using these inferences and analytic processes, and just glance over characters, letters and words.

Skimming: Reading during the digital age THE new digital platform has definitely advanced the lives of humans in many different levels. But it has also drawn back or limited the capabilities of humans to think, decode and elaborate the brain’s functioning processes. Wolf explained that the problem

with technology “is that we regress to a very basic form of reading rather than use the entirety of this very sophisticated network.” She added that interesting changes happen. She noted that it’s not because humans can’t use sophisticated processes and technology, rather “it’s the reading on a screen where it is transitory.” Wolf said that this causes one to move faster, making the habit become skimming. “When you skim, you are giving this basic circuit [the brain] a lot of information, you get fast and then you move on, and then the screen hastens you along but you don’t give the deeper processes time to work. So the technology is not the problem. The problem is that our circuit reflects the characteristics of the technology,” she said. Wolf said it is for multitasking. It is “for doing things that don’t allow enough time for critical analysis. “The No. 1 problem with screen [reading] is that it short circuits reading. It doesn’t give enough time for inference, analogy, empathy, critical analysis and insight,” she pointed out.

Books allow deep-learning processes HOWEVER, books are physical, real and concrete. “You have a space, you are holding it [book or any printed material]. And that all adds to more sophisticated, more time demanding milliseconds of what I call deep-learning processes,” Wolf explained.

Dangers of digital skimming on children THE reading brain has no one shape. It is plastic, she said. By that plasticity, it

allows the brain to go far beyond its basic circuitry of adding things that one will know “because human beings are analogy makers.” Yet, the reality of today is that many people—especially children—have become reliant on technology. Wolf cited in her lecture that every form of medium has its pros and cons, but “the digital medium has threats that we never realized until now.” With technology, such as phones and tablets, Wolf noted that in eye movement research, eyes do a “Z” (zigzag) or an “F” movement of word spotting or browsing in front of the screen. “The reality among our children is that they are often distracted 27 times per hour. Now, if you think about the circuit and the attention that you need to concentrate, it makes memory and consolidation of what we’re learning almost impossible,” Wolf said. What interests her, she added, is what happens inside the brains of children “who do not have that formed expert-reading brain.”

Problems caused by distraction PEDIATRIC neurologists found out that after taking brain imaging of children who are being read to, they have better language development by the age of two. “With older children, we’re seeing all kinds of differences in attention and how they are responding to what is basically continuous partial attention, and the repercussions of what everyone here knows when they go offline, they say, ‘What?’ What do our children say? ‘I’m bored’,” Wolf explained. It is a human thing that the more distracted one person is, the less likely that one’s attention is focused. “If your attention is not focused, it won’t be consolidated in memory. That’s a problem for kids. And it is a problem for us, too. Because when we skim, we’re less likely to capture important details that are important for understanding,” she said.

Kids understand better when reading from print IN a study mentioned in Wolf’s book titled, Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World, she said that a study from 2000 and 2017 involving

171,000 young people from all over the world given the same task—to read the same story but in different mediums, print and screen. The research showed that children who read through print understood the context better than those who read on screen.

Empathy formed through deep reading IT is important to note that, in a research at the Max Planck Institute by Tania Singer as mentioned by Wolf, empathy is also formed through deep, elaborative reading. “You see [in this research] that empathy is not just a feeling but also about understanding the other. A theory of mind, critical analysis pulls together all of these analogical, inferential skills. This allows us, even if we are only talking about 200 milliseconds, to evaluate, to discern the truth value,” she said. “Your right frontal and your left frontal [parts of the brain] do a dance when you’re evaluating the truth. We’re literally going back and forth. We’re trying to understand what is true or what is not. We are evaluators. When we do not have that, we are losing something precious and essential as citizens,” Wolf added. She added that the less critical analysis and empathy there is, and that if readers are going only in concentrated avenues of information, “then we will have susceptibility, a vulnerability in our citizens to falsely raised hopes, falsely raised fears, [believe in] fake information and all the detritus of demagoguery.” Yet, with all of the claims on how technology works the brain, Wolf told the BusinessMirror that her hope is to make a biliterate brain, “one that could literally do good things in either medium.” The biggest wall, Wolf said, is a failure to understand that if people become ever more surface skimmers, “we will be literally susceptible to fake news, false news, false fears and demagogues. There is a direct connection between a skimming population who isn’t thinking about what they’re reading and their inability to judge truth, and, therefore, [unable to] chose their leaders wisely.”

Faith A6 Sunday, December 1, 2019

Sunday

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion •www.businessmirror.com.ph

Bishop to youth: Give more time to Jesus than to your cell phones

CATHOLIC bishop called on young people to free themselves from addiction to mobile phones and instead give more time to Jesus. Addressing the delegates of this year’s Tagbilaran Diocesan Yout h Days recent ly, Bishop Alberto Uy said that while cell phones are useful tools, it must be used in the right way. “Let us give Jesus more time, more than the attention we give to our gadgets. Love Jesus more than you love your cell phones,” he said. T he pre l ate w a s s pea k i ng in his homi ly dur ing Mass to a l so ce lebrate t he Fea st of

C h r i st t he K i ng at t he Holy Na me Un iversit y Ba rder Gy m i n Tagbi l a ra n C it y. The gathering, attended by more than 3, 000 delegates from different parishes, was also held to culminate the diocesan celebration of the “Year of the Youth.” Uy also encouraged the youth to be missionaries for Christ, and “wherever you go, carry Jesus in your heart.” “In social media, be peacemakers, not bashers; be evangelizers,

1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: ’LUKE 24:37-44’

The Third and Fourth Coming of Christ MSGR. JOSEFINO S. RAMIREZ SUNDAY GOSPEL IN OUR LIFE

T BISHOP Alberto Uy gives communion to young people during Mass for the Diocesan Youth Day at the HNU Barder Gym in, Tagbilaran City, on November 24. UY’S FACEBOOK

not self-promoters,” he said. Ref lecting on the feast, he said to have Jesus as our King is to give Him “a special place in our homes, schools, offices and other places of work.” “ H a v i n g i m a g e s o f Je s u s and ent hroning t he Bible are

impor tant e x pressions of our love for t he Lord,” he added. “On a deeper level, we prove t hat Jesus is our K ing if we a llow Him to inf luence our lives, ou r word s a nd ac t ion s, ou r minds and hear ts,” Bishop Uy sa id. CBCP News

The Church of Jesus Christ Temple lighting

ODAY we begin the liturgical season of Advent, which consists of four week s that will usher in the season of Christmas. Advent is a celebration of the coming of Christ. Christ came for the first time on the first Christmas, when He entered the world as the Word-made-flesh. Christ will come a second time at the end of the world to judge all men. On the first occasion, Christ came as a poor little child, to invite us to friendship with God. On the second occasion, He will come in all His glory, to give the just reward or punishment based on how we, men, have responded to His merciful invitation. The first part of advent, until December 16, reminds us of the second coming of Christ. From December 16 to 24, we recall the first coming of Christ. But we can also speak of a third coming of Christ, and this is very important coming. Christ has to come into the life of each one of us, now and wherever we might be. We need to have a personal encounter with Christ, not in anonymity and obscurity. Christ is seeking our personal intimacy. And how can we achieve this? We will have our personal encounter with Christ in and through the Church. By Church, I do not mean just the external structure or the physical aspect of the temple.

The Church is the living and vibrant organism, founded by Christ Himself to continue His salvific work. He has constituted the Church as His own mystical body, consisting of the people who share in the communion with God, because the deposit of revelation has been entrusted to the Church. It is through the Church that we find the divine life, the channel of grace and reconciliation with God. It is through the Church that we shall find that dynamic life of Christ, that we have to make our own. Those who have encountered Christ and have persevered in His friendship are the saints of the Church. We can learn from them how to achieve the encounter with Christ and to grow in it. We can learn, not only from the canonized saints, but from the many hidden saints, those persons who try to be fully consistent with their Christian commitments. It is indeed worthwhile to cultivate this third coming of Christ into our daily lives. Thus, we shall be prepared for yet another coming, which we can call the fourth one. It i s t h e e n c o u nt e r w it h Christ, which takes place at the moment of our death, when we come face to face with Christ at our particular judgment. May that moment be not a meeting of strangers, but a reunion of old friends.

HOW A FILIPINO BISHOP LOST, THEN REDISCOVERED HIS FAITH

THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines held the lighting of their temple in White Plains, Quezon City, on November 23, in time for Christmas. Leading the temple lighting were (from left) the Church of Jesus Christ Elder Taniela Wakolo, Sister Anita Wakolo, Vicky Mandap (Hindu), Venerable Miao Jing Shih (Buddhist), Sister Susann Bangerter, Quezon City Councilor Peachy de Leon, Elder Steven Bangerter, Prof. Pablito Baybado (Uniharmony Partners Manila and UST Institute of Religion) and Rev. Fr. Richard Babao (Ministry for Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs, Archdiocese of Manila). Education Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali (not in photo) shared his inspirational message. The discussion on “Light the World One by One” campaign through the Giving Machine was the highlight of the program. PHOTOS BY LYN RESURRECCION

SOME 40 members of Quezon City Mission Choir of the Church of Jesus Christ serenaded the Church members and guests with Christmas songs. Besides the Philippines, the missionaries, aged 18 to 25, come from different countries.

VERYONE has a moment of doubt, a moment when one questions one’s faith, a moment that comes unexpectedly. Even men of the cloth have their own moments of questions, moments of crisis, moments of looking into what they are going to do with life’s challenges. Bishop Midyphil Billones, auxiliary prelate of Cebu Archdiocese, admitted that he too almost lost the faith, but then rediscovered it in a most unexpected place: in the midst Manila’s traffic jam. A “great crisis” in his life came when his 74-year-old mother became ill a few years back. His only prayer was for an “extension” of her life. It was not granted. The future bishop was not just ready to lose his mother. His father passed away earlier, 10 years after, his sister, and only sibling, also died. “It was really painful when my mother died,” said the soft-spoken bishop. “Because of that, I stopped praying, especially the rosary,” he said. “I stopped praying the rosary because Mary left my mom,” he added. “She turned her back on me,” he said, sobbing. Then a priest of the Jaro Archdiocese in central Philippines, Billones said he continued his duties as seminary rector even if he was falling away from his faith. He said he was doubting his priestly vocation because of grief and depression. “I felt so distant from the Lord and also from Mama Mary,” he said. One time, when he was in Manila, he was caught in bad traffic jam. The driver of the car he was riding opted for a short cut, only to find out that the road was blocked. They were trapped. Amid the traffic jam, and while still emotionally struggling from the loss of a loved one, the priest again began to question his existence and God’s plan for him. But sometimes some things happen in unexpected places. While braving the traffic, the car stopped near a gate where a poster bearing an image of the Virgin Mary was plastered. “Am I not here who am your mother?” read the writing on the poster. The priest broke down into tears. “I cried because of pain, because of my sense of loss. I did not really grieve my mother’s

CEBU Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones celebrates Mass on the feast of Nuestra Señora de Regla, at her national shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, on November 21. SAMMY NAVAJA/UCA.NEWS

death because I have to be strong and I have a lot of work,” he said. “But I was so ashamed of the thoughts that I felt she did not care, and on top of everything, I cried because I learned that she did not leave me,” he added. Billones made his “confession” in his homily during the Mass to celebrate the feast of the Nuestra Señora Virgen de Regla, or Our Lady of Rule, on November 21. It was the sixth death anniversary of his mother. “I came here not just to celebrate Mass but, together with you all, I’m here as one child of the Virgin de Regla,” he said. Streamed live on social media, the bishop’s homily got more than 6,300 shares and about 254,000 views as of November 27. When he was ordained bishop last August, the moment turned emotional when Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of Manila, the ordaining prelate, wished that his family was present. “But I believe they are here. And the family of God is here...bound to you not by blood but by love,” Tagle said. At 50, Billones is among the youngest bishops in the Philippines today. In the midst of Manila’s crazy traffic, the bishop said he experienced the “grace of healing.” He said the Blessed Mother saw and brought him back into the heart of God. “Believe it or not, the next day I started praying again,” he said. Roy Lagarde/Uca.News via CBCP News

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Sunday, December 1, 2019

On its 18th year, Nurture Wellness Village sets its sights on medical tourism and wellness lifestyle

‘W

By Carla Mortel-Baricaua Photos by Teddy Pelaez

HEN we started, we just wanted to share wellness,” says Cathy Turvill, founder, co-owner and president of Nurture Wellness Village. With just a 500-square-meter property and four Ifugao huts as accommodations at the start, she then led a 10-person team and pioneered the spa and wellness industry in the country. Eighteen years later, with 1 and 1/2 hectare of land, 17 rooms and 150 employees, Nurture is now ready to grow beyond the confines of its market niche. On its 18th anniversary event, Turvill and her team proudly disclosed partnerships, new service packages and product lines as part of Nurture’s introduction of its wellness lifestyle to the public. One such development is the creation of Wellness Coalition packages that ties together the medical and wellness industries in offering services that help people become healthier, happier and more productive. Dr. Sam Dizon MD, a licensed nurse, nutritionist and dietitian, will lead a team of medical professionals and create customized packages for individuals. For corporate groups, the Nurture’s Work Well Project will be offered where healthier lifestyles and team building activities aim to gain wellness and increased productivity. In addition, a partnership with the International Health Services Department of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, represented by Chief Executive Andres Licaros Jr. and Chief Strategy Officer Sharon Hernandez, was forged so that local and international patients may avail themselves of executive checkups at the hospital, while wellness intervention packages will be offered at the Nurture Wellness Village to alleviate lifestylerelated health conditions. Nurture also partnered with San Sage Advanced Aesthetic Clinic, headed by Dr. Michelle Rivera,

for its advanced aesthetic treatments that utilize the latest noninvasive technology. Diagnostic services will also be available in Nurture through its partnership with the Health Peak Clinic led by Dr. Andrew Camara. According to Turvill, “now, we are bringing together medical and wellness to the international market,” since these services will allow travelers to experience transformative Filipino medical and wellness treatments in an ecotourism resort. To help clients incorporate health and wellness practices into their daily lives, Nurture also launched the Nurture Farmacy retail range of plant-based products, such as bottled salads, dressing, jams, chips and dips, among others, as healthier alternatives to the ones available in the market. Nurture Farmacy Salad Solutions are bottled salads and dressings consisting of ingredients chosen to address specific conditions: glow for antiaging, protect for immune-boosting and purify for detoxification. Instead of salty and calorie-laden snacks, there is the Nurture Farmacy SuperChips made up of carrot, turmeric, tahong (mussel), malunggay, ampalaya chips and more. There is also the O’Kale crackling snack made from the superfood kale greens. The O’Kale range carries the superfood kale added with calamansi for a cold drink and dark chocolate as a hot drink. Part of the proceeds of Nurture Farmacy products will be donated to Young Focus, a nonprofit organization which provides a comprehensive program of education, nutrition and values formation to the children of Tondo, an impoverished area in Manila. T he most h igh l ighted a n-

MICHAEL WILLIAM and Cathy Turvill proudly show off Nurture Farmacy’s retail products.

NURTURE Wellness Village President Cathy Turvill (center) partners with Asian Hospital and Medical Center Chief Executive Andres Licaros Jr. (third from right) Also in photo are Asian Hospital’s Chief Strategy Officer Sharon Hernandez, Nurture’s Senior Medical Adviser Dr. Sam Dizon MD (second from left), and Chairman of the Board Michael William Turvill.

PLANT-BASED meals are served with farm-fresh ingredients.

GROUP activities celebrate Nurture Wellness Village’s 18th anniversary.

NURTURE Wellness Village is a pioneer in the country’s spa and wellness tourism.

GUESTS tour Nurture Farmacy and learn more about wellness.

nouncement was the revelation of Nurture’s bold expansion plans that seek to consolidate all the developments in fostering the wellness lifestyle to future clients. “Nurture has matured so we are

taking the next step. Our five- to 10-year plan envisions significant expansion. At the moment, we have several rooms. In the next five years, we will have 100 rooms with a complete ecosystem. Our

product will include a mix with condominium units so you do not just come here for the weekend, you can live and experience the lifestyle we’ve been working so hard to make a reality. We will be

promoting a lifestyle of wellness and Filipino culture beyond Tagaytay,” shares Jose Antonio Palma, the chief financial officer. “But, we’re definitely taking it one step at a time.”

The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts’ youngest department Antipolo opens Earth-friendly Xmas Fiesta head breaks new industry record with double feat T

JEL LAGMAN-VILLARIN bags a major Virtus Award.

N October 13, The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts’ Marketing Manager Jel Lagman-Villarin continued the hotel group’s four-year winning streak as she was named the Outstanding Sales and Marketing Manager of the Virtus Awards, spearheaded by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA). She was given the prestigious accolade for her proactiveness, attention to detail, ability to talk a blue streak, and ability to engage and build connections—essential skills in becoming a successful hotel sales and marketing professional. This was followeby by Villarin’s win at the Mabuhay Awards for the Manager Category.

VILLARIN (fourth from left) takes a snapshot with Mabuhay Awards judges and The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts executives.

Villarin won by unanimous decision because of her track record in creating unique promotions to significantly increase revenue, her strong advocacy in providing service with a heart, her dedication to continuous improvement not only for her professional development, but also for her team and her company, her proactive mentorship, and her will to pursue her personal and professional goals despite all the challenges. Being the first Mabuhay Awardee for The

Bellevue Hotels and Resorts in 17 years, Villarin also achieved a first-ever double victory at the Mabuhay Awards and Virtus Awards on the same year. From a telephone operator to the youngest department head leading the marketing team of The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, Villarin is living proof that dedication, hard work, and humility are the keys to success, however no true success comes easy. The 31-year-old marketing maven started

her journey to becoming a hotelier when she joined The Bellevue Manila as a telephone operator. As an information-technology graduate, she felt like she didn’t belong. But with her persistence, the guidance of her mentors and the unwavering support of The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts management, Villarin flourished into one of today’s leading marketing professionals in the industry. She truly knows what it means to “start from the bottom and work your way up.” “It didn’t matter if I started at the very bottom. Years after and several companies in the middle, here I am, leading the marketing team of The Bellevue Group, back in my home—where it all started,” shares Villarin in her acceptance speech at the Mabuhay Awards 2019. When asked what’s next for the multiaward-winning marketing manager, she said, “I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities I have received, and for the awards I have been given. It still feels surreal. I’m happy to have represented my Bellevue family. Now, I believe it’s time to pass the baton. There are many young and exceptional members on my team who deserve the same chance I was given, and I cannot wait to see them on that stage giving their own acceptance speeches. Until then, we will all be in the office doing what we do best—working as a team and supporting each other as one whole family.”

HE City of Antipolo recently lighted its Earth-friendly Christmas tree to usher in its colorful monthlong Christmas Fiesta. According to Mayor Andrea Ynares, the tree used recycled plastic bottles, cups and cartons as part of the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability in its governance programs. She said that their Earth-friendly thrust is in compliance with the YES (Ynares EcoSystem) to Green Project which covers clean and green environment, and livelihood opportunities through recycling and utilization of raw materials and by-products of local produce. The project is based on Executive Order 11 issued in 1993 by Rizal Provincial Gov. Rebecca Ynares. The city is a recipient of the Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) Platinum Award 2017 from the Department of the

ANTIPOLO lights up its ‘green’ Christmas tree.

Interior and Local Government (DILG), which includes the enactment of its Basura Code, regular tree-planting activities, Linis Creek Program, and other environment-related measures. Antipolo’s Christmas Fiesta includes a grand parade, drum and lyre, marching band contests, choral competitions, the Mutya ng Antipolo pageant, Earth-friendly YES parol and belen design contest, musical concerts featuring rock bands Ex Batallion and Woopis, various sporting events, and the 144th Sumulong Day as a tribute to its homegrown nationalist Don Juan Sumulong. Religious activities include the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the traditional Simbang Gabi, the visit of the Black Nazarene, and the 15th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

A8 Sunday, December 1, 2019

Sports BusinessMirror

Editor: Jun Lomibao | mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

BATTLE FOR GOLDS ON! By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

LL eyes will be on Subic as the Philippines shoots for the 30th Southeast Asian Games’ first gold medal in the triathlon competitions that will kick off Day 1 of actual hostilities in the 11-nation 56-sport biennial competition the country is hosting for the fourth time. Kim Mangrobang carries the favorite’s tag on her shoulders in the women’s race and so is John “Rambo” Chicano in the men’s side of the swim-bike-run sport where the gold medals are potentially within reach for a host nation trying to pull off the best Games ever amid organizational glitches days ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The 28-year-old Mangrobang, the winner in 2017, will see action in the individual women’s category kicking off with the swim event at the Subic Boardwalk at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Mangrobang will be paired with Filipino-foreigner Kim Kilgroe as they shoot for a 1-2 finish. The same goes for Chicano, who clinched silver behind the retired Nikko Huelgas in the men’s individual in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition. Cebuano Kim Remolino is the other Filipino bet in the race. The Games opened on Saturday night with one of the best presentations ever in the biennial Games—all the glitter and pomp shrouded by a possible wrath Typhoon Tisoy could bring along its path. At the Iñigo Zobel Polo field in Calatagan, Batangas, the mixed polo team shoots for the gold medal if they hurdle defending champion Malaysia in the 4-6 event at 3 p.m. The national team—composed of captain Stefano Tuban, Gus Aguirre, Tomas Bitong and Miguel Lopez—buried Indonesia, 6-4.5 last Thursday. The Filipinos actually had a fumbling start with an 8-8.5 opening day loss to Brunei but regained their confidence against the Malaysians. World champion Carlos Yulo, meanwhile, starts his bid for a sweep of the seven events in men’s artistic gymnastics in the qualification rounds at the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum.

Yulo arrived in Manila last Thursday from his training in Japan. On Saturday, he had his feel of the renovated facility of the Philippine Sports Commission, one of the major venues that got a facelift from the P854-million support from Pagcor. Over at the Laus Group Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, Filipino fighters Rick Jayson Senales and collegiate standout Joshua Tablan aim for top honors in the men’s -90 kgs and +90 kgs category, respectively. Also representing the national team are John Baylon (-81 kgs) and Lloyd Dennis Catipon (-73 kgs) in the men’s division. In the women’s side, there is Helen Dawa (-52 kgs), Bianca Mae Estrella (-70 kgs), Estie Gay Liwanag (-63 kgs), Jennie Lou Mosqueda (-57 kgs) and Sidney Sy (+70 kgs). The squad of CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Chris Newsome and Jason Perkins begin their gold-medal quest in the 3x3 basketball at the Filoil Flying V Centre. They first face Indonesia at 12 noon, Myanmar at 1 p.m., Vietnam at 3 p.m. and Thailand at 4 p.m. Ronnie Magsanoc is the team’s coach. The women’s side of Jack Animam, Clare Castro, Janine Pontejos and Afril Bernandino banner the campaign against Myanmar at 10:40 a.m. and Malaysia at 12:40 p.m. Among the sports, arnis is tipped to get at least 15 golds from the 20 events at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City. In the first day of competitions, eight gold medals will be contested in men’s full contact live stick (55 kg and less), men’s (+55 kg less 60 kg), men’s (+60 kg less 65 kg), men’s (+65 kg), women’s (50 kg and less), women’s (+50 less 55 kg), women’s (+55 kg and less 60 kg) and women’s (+60 kg). There are at least five gold-medal projections the host nation is eyeing to earn from judo, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, sambo and wrestling. Dancesport is seen to provide 10 gold medals in the oneday contest at the Royce Hotel at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. In cycling, Arianna Dormitorio and Avegail Rambaon also go for 1-2 finishes in crosscountry of mountain Tagaytay City at the nearby Laurel 3-Skulls track.

THE colors are raised at the Sub Press Center and Accreditation Center in Manila, spectators strike a pose before the opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena, the Azkals stun the Malaysians in football and Angeline Gervacio and Floremel Rivera hold fort in beach volleyball.

PHL 3x3 dribblers favored for golds

HE Philippines is fielding an all-professional quartet in the men’s division and a well-experienced women’s squad in the first-ever staging of the 3x3 event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. But Indonesia and Thailand are out to clog the host squads in the race for the first gold medal for the event that will disputed in the two-day discipline at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The Gilas 3x3 men’s team is made up of San Miguel Beer’s Mo Tautuaa, Columbian Dyip’s CJ Perez, Phoenix Pulse’s Jason Perkins, and Meralco Bolt’s Chris Newsome. The Gilas ladies are composed of Jack Danielle Animam, Afril Bernardino, Clare Castro and Janine Pontejos. They made history for the Philippines when they made the quarterfinals of the Fiba World 3X3. Defending women’s basketball champion Thailand also secretly joined several tournaments abroad for its 3X3 team in a serious effort to make a double out of the basketball event. The Thailand women’s team includes Naruemol Banmoo, Warunee Kitraksa, Kanokwan Prajuapsook and Amphawa Thuamon while the Indonesian men’s team had Surliyadin, Sandy Ibrahim Aziz Muhammad, Rivaldo Tandra Pangesthio and Oki Wira Sanjaya.

AZKALS STUN MALAYSIANS T

HE Philippines scored a double kill on Friday night, sweeping Malaysia in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 30th SEA Games football in separate venues. The Malditas—starring striker Sarina Bolden—swamped the Malaysians, 5-0, advancing them to a historic semifinal appearance in the sport with their first win in Group A at the Biñan Stadium in Laguna. Bolden was a one-woman wrecking crew, netting a hat trick in the 24th, 41st and 47th minutes of the first half that pushed the hosts to an imposing 4-0 lead at the break that virtually settled the issue. Alisha del Campo scored the other goal in the 38th. Another striker Eva Madarang booted in the final goal in the 93rd minute as the Filipinas finished off the Malaysians, who absorbed their first loss, with a flourish. The win put the Malditas on top of the group with four points while the idle Burmese remained in second spot in the three-team group. The Filipina footballers reached the semifinals for the first time of the women’s tournament after failing to go past the group stage in their last four stints in the competition dating back to the 2005 Philippine Games. The thrills, however, were provided by the young Azkals, who nipped Malaysia, 1-0, reminiscent of the country’s upset of their opponents by the same score 28 years ago in the 1991 Manila Games also at the history-rich Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Skipper Stephan Schrock scored the winning goal, swirling his kick from the right corner past a phalanx of Malaysian defenders in the 74th minute while fellow veteran Amani Aguinaldo bullied his way in the goalmouth scramble to make sure that the ball would go in.

After a stinging 1-2 loss to the Burmese two days ago, the Young Azkals’ were back in semifinal contention with their first win in three matches, boosting them to third place in Group A with four points. Myanmar dumped Timor-Leste, 3-1, in the other match to seize top spot in the group with seven points with Cambodia in second spot also with four points but ahead of the Philippines on goal difference. The Malaysians were fourth with one point while the winless Timorese were in the cellar. The victories by both Philippine sides was a fitting gift for Mariano Araneta Jr.,

who was reelected as Philippine Football Federation for a third term by beating Negros Oriental Football Association President Ricky Yanson 25-12 just hours earlier at the nearby Century Park Hotel. The Azkals take a long break before capping their campaign against the Timorese on December 4. Sports action takes a respite with the formal opening of the sportsfest on Saturday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, before resuming on Sunday, with football featuring a triple bill of Group B matches at the Rizal Stadium and Biñan Stadium, respectively.

17th CMA Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year Romualdo Blanco Jr.

From all-around boy to award-winning boss

17TH CMA YOUTH MICROENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR ROMUALDO BLANCO JR.

From all-around boy to award-winning boss By Jt Nisay

Y2Z Editor

POSTER declares one corridor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as a “brisk-walk zone,” implying passers-by with less urgent agenda to make way for those on a rush to attend to matters of the republic’s Central Bank. But the walls were in pastel peach and the lighting just right, making it a passable background for an impromptu photo shoot, so Romualdo Blanco Jr. took his spot. To be fair, Blanco isn’t that much different from those who these halls are cleared for. He’s been moving in haste, coming right off the stage at the recent 17th Citi Microentrepreneurship Award (CMA) to receive his Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year Award trophy. A self-established owner of a putuhan in Batangas, Blanco took the hardware, shook a few hands, then proceeded to this shoot. After which a quick interview awaits. When that’s done, he needs to jump right back inside the hall to catch the rest of the award proceedings. On a macro scale, the life of the 28-yearold has been equally a blur. Blanco was working as a delivery boy of soft drinks in his home of San Pascual, Batangas, just seven years ago. He was earning just right to make ends meet, until his girlfriend told him she was pregnant. What was enough suddenly became insufficient. He needed a higher-paying job. Blanco’s coworker had a cousin in Manila who was looking for an extra hand. The post: an all-around boy at a putuhan in Caloocan. “Tinanggap ko agad ’yung trabaho,” recalled Blanco. “Nagsimula ako sa pag-

ROMUALDO BLANCO JR., 28, receives his Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year trophy in the recent 17th Citi Microentrepreneurship Award at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. With him onstage are Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed (left) and Monetary Board Member Juan de Zuñiga Jr. babalat ng kamote pang pichi-pichi saka nilupak.” From preparing the ingredients, Blanco was asked by his boss to take over the kitchen. From there, he was tasked with the deliveries. Blanco took pride in his new designation, confident not only with his driving skills, but with something that he believed would help him earn more. “Ma-alam ako sa sales,” Blanco said, smiling. “Noong ako’y nagde-deliver ng soft drinks sa Batangas, marami akong napabili ng product namin kahit sila’y exclusive sa kalaban.” While his predecessors only delivered between 10 and 20 trays of puto and other native rice cakes, Blanco went on his first trip with 30. His boss warned him that each tray Blanco fails to sell would be deducted from his salary. “Pagbalik ko sa aming store, nagulat ’yung boss ko. Sabi niya, ‘Wow, ubos agad,” Blanco said. “Sabi ko naman, opo, kulang pa.” The next day, Blanco loaded 40 trays. That became his average delivery amount for over two years, before he decided to quit. Blanco deemed that the experience he gained and the knowledge he learned over his stint were enough. He was ready to put

up his own business. Blanco studied everything from the quirks of operations to the intricacies of food preparation. It would only take the proper mindset plus capital, he believed. The second part of his equation, however, proved elusive. Blanco’s plans of running his own putuhan would have to wait, but his dreams couldn’t. He returned home to Batangas and detoured into selling fruits, then changed his product to fishballs for bigger profit. On what was a normal-enough afternoon, Blanco engaged in a conversation with one of his customers, per usual. He told him about his plans to put up a business that sells puto, but he didn’t have enough money to begin. The customer introduced himself as an employee of Bangko Kabayan, a microfinance-oriented bank. Blanco was told he could loan for capital, and he did. “Naglakas loob lang ako,” he said. Combining the loan with his meager savings, Blanco started purchasing cooking equipment in Divisoria. He opened the store and named it PK Maja’s Special, after his daughter. His vision was finally taking shape. He said the store became an instant hit, so much so that he was hitting break

even just one month into operations. Blanco said part of their success is the generous amount of ingredients used in PK Maja’s Special products. He also makes it a point that his puto, maja, pichi-pichi, nilupak and other offerings are bigger than usual. “Ang katwiran ko, gusto ko binabalik-balikan ng mga customer ’yung mga produkto namin,” he said. “Sabihin man ng iba na wala akong kikitain masyado, ang sagot ko naman, meron, kahit konti lang. Ok lang na ganun basta hindi magsasawa yung mga customer namin.” Today, PK Maja’s Special earns around P200,000 in monthly income and P60,000 in monthly profit. Blanco has already purchased motorcycles to deliver his products beyond San Pascual and into the neighboring towns of Lipa, Rosario, Malvar and Calaca on consignment basis. Blanco estimates that between his workers, delivery boys and the store owners that carry his products, he helps the livelihood of around 250 people, not counting their families. Having been able to uplift the lives of people together with his own was what won Blanco the Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year Award at the 17th CMA. Since its launch 2002 as part of Citi’s 100th anniversary celebration, the CMA has recognized 141 outstanding microentrepreneurs across the Philippines. The awards program is a signature initiative of the Citi Foundation, and highlights the efforts of partners BSP, Citi Philippines, and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. to strengthen microfinance and enterprise development, along with financial inclusion in the country. “The CMA winners serve as a constant reminder on the importance of investing in the economic growth of our communities,” said Aftab Ahmed, Citi Philippines CEO. “The compelling stories of the CMA winners speaks volumes about the winning spirit and the heart of the microentrepreneur.” Continued on Page 7

WeWork scales back on honesty-based snack and drink kiosks

EWORK is revising some of the amenities that boost its appeal to millennial and gigeconomy members. So-called Honesty Market stands, where tenants at select WeWork buildings can buy things like granola bars, potato chips and soda on the honor system at any hour of the day, have been shuttered in some US locations, according to people with knowledge of the matter. At these locations, free coffee, tea and other drinks are still available. Other locations will be shuttered by

the end of the year, some of the people said. “WeWork continues to operate Honesty Markets across many of our US locations,” said a spokesman for WeWork. “We are currently piloting new food and beverage offerings, which will inform improved amenities for our members in the future.” In a handful of locations in New York, the kiosks evolved into WeMRKT, which sell products from WeWork’s member-companies. That effort was spearheaded by Julie Rice, a cofounder of SoulCycle who was

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then WeWork’s chief brand officer. She set out plans last year to open 500 WeMRKT stores, but left the company in March, according to her LinkedIn profile. The decision to remove some of the Honesty Market stands was made several months ago, some of the people with knowledge of the matter said. Since then, WeWork has sought to reduce costs after its botched initial public offering led to a cash crunch and subsequent bailout by Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp. The company has reined in its global expanDECEMBER 1, 2019

sion ambitions as it seeks to turn profitable and reassure investors about the sustainability of its business model. The company told staff that US job cuts would begin “in earnest” this week, while European employees were put on notice of layoffs earlier this month. The company reported a net loss of $1.25 billion in the third quarter, outpacing its sales and more than doubling its loss from the same period a year earlier. Bloomberg

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REMIX AND MATCH SANDWICH: MIKE DIZON, DIEGO CASTILLO, MYRENE ACADEMIA, MONG ALCARAZ AND RAYMUND MARASIGAN

THE RESTLESS SOUL OF SANDWICH By Tony M. Maghirang

PM band Sandwich is one pleasurable fare that will never go stale. Currently a fivepiece rock machine, Sandwich continues to remain relevant abetted by its frontman Raymund Marasigan, whose colorful resume includes stints with The Eraserheads, Pedicab, and Squid 9, aside from various collaborations in the electronica and hip hop spheres. Raymund’s fellow members in Sandwich are no slouches in the creative department either, consisting of drummer Mike Dizon of Teeth, bassist Myrene Academia lately of Imago, guitarist Mong Alcaraz formerly of Chicosci, and Diego Castillo of Aga Muhlach Experience and DJing duo The Diegos. Their collective bond has resulted in some of the most memorable Pinoy rockers of the past 20 years, indie-hating jeproks be damned.

It should come as no surprise that their new album titled Space/ Spase is another expression of the band’s restive musicality. Basically an album of remixes, it breathes new life to well-loved Sandwich classics, inspired by record digging, hip hop breaks, Olongapo funk, house and other dance genres. It’s got “Betamax,,” “Procrastinator” and “2 Trick Pony” harnessed for dance floor maneuvers. No guitars is how Raymund

describes the origin of Space/Spase tracks. He elaborates, “The idea (behind the album tracks) was how to play Sandwich songs without guitars. If we play live, what would Sandwich sound like with samplers,

keyboards and no guitars? He added, “Besides, we’ve been playing as DJs in small clubs where there is no space for a full rock band Continued on page 6

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Rico Blanco leads an all-star band in a spec By Edwin P. Sallan | Photos by Bernard P. Testa

‘W

E’RE all fans here.’ That’s how Rico Blanco pretty much sums up the all-star jam of classic songs by the Irish rock band U2 that took place last Monday at 12 Monkeys music hall and pub. The event, dubbed by Smart Music Live as Prelude to U2: The Gig, materialized following a tweet by Rico wondering if any of his musician friends would be interested in jamming U2 songs with him. The modern day Fab Four is currently headlining The Joshua Tree world tour that includes a scheduled performance on 11 December at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Heeding Rico’s call are some of the country’s reputable rock musicians namely Barbie Almaibis,

The Dawn’s Francis Reyes, former Rivermaya bassist Japs Sergio as well as former Eraserheadsa members Raymund Marasigan (now with Sandwich) and Buddy Zabala (now with Moonstar88). During the concert, the band who did not go by any name but just the same was referred to by event host Cara Eriguel (from O Shopping) as The Joshua 6 (which none of them looked really comfortable with) performed 12 of U2’s greatest hits. Highlights include Raymund’s rat-tat-tat thumping that opened “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and his inventive drum fills on “Bad” and “With or Without You.” There’s Barbie’s jaw-dropping guitar solo on “Angel in Harlem” and her lone, sweet turn on lead vocals in “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

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There’s also 1-2-3 punch of guitarists Francis, Barbie and Rico happily shredding on numbers like “I Will Follow,” “Where The Streets Have No Name” and “New Year’s Day” that would make The Edge proud and to a certain extent Keith Richards, who along with Ron Wood have mastered what they call, “the fine art of weaving.” Japs, whose bass stylings particularly stood out in “New Year’s Day” and Buddy who manned the keyboards and provided what Rico described as “all the amazing sounds the rest of us could not play” were pretty steady as they kept everything chugging along and complemented the rest of the band. And then there’s Rico, who somehow made all these songs his own. No one could do Bono

like Bono but Rico’s voice, with its rough edges and occasional strains managed to perfectly serve the U2 songs that were performed that night. His loud wail at the tailend of “One” was quite astonishing as were his well-timed falsettos in “All I Want Is You” and “Stay” which closed the well-received set. Rico even managed to add a Pinoy flavor to “Bad” with some excerpts from Juan dela Cruz band’s “Himig Natin” and “All I Want Is You” which began with him singing some lines from Yano’s “Senti.” And his spiels in between songs that are often witty (“No politics tonight, let’s leave that to Bono”) and even sometimes revelatory (“This is the first time I played two guitars in one show, this is all new to me”) kept the proceedings very

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cial U2 tribute concert

Tanya Markova, Juan Karlos, IV of Spades to headline ‘Resurgence’ music fest

PM hitmakers Juan Karlos, Tanya Markova and IV of Spades will headline the first ever Resurgence Music Fest happening on December 14, 6PM at the Circuit Concert Grounds in Makati. Now a household name thanks in large part to their monster hit, “Buwan,” Juan Karlos is a band fronted by singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo who started his career in the talent search series The Voice Kids. Known for their often outrageous costumes and make-up, Tanya Markova, best known for big hits like “Picture Picture” and “Disney” is a band known to bring the house down with every performance. With a sound best described as funk rock, IV of Spades is one of the most sought after artists today, thanks in large part to their signature song, “Mundo” which

entertaining to behold. At one point, Rico said that while it’s true that all of them are much better performing their own original songs, it was also undeniable that they were having the time of their lives covering the music of the iconic band that’s obviously a big influence to them. “If you’re enjoying this, we’re enjoying this 10 times more,” he quipped at one point.

While the gig was obviously intended as an additional promotional activity for the upcoming U2 concert, it became so much more for the lucky fans who witnessed the strictly invitational event. Given how much fun everyone had that night, this may not be the last time we would see a supergroup jam, even one as hastily put together as the socalled Joshua 6.

now has over 100 million views to date in YouTube. Sponsored by Resurgent Corporation and Renegade Branding Concepts, the upcoming music fest showcases Filipino artistry and will also feature Telegrama, Drive of Daydreams, Kithara and This Band. Tickets for #ResurgenceMusic Fest2019 concert will soon be available for purchase at TicketNet outlets nationwide and online via www.ticketnet.com.ph. As an added highlight to the event, patrons will be treated to over 40 food kiosks curated by famous celebrities and artists at the venue.

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Surrenders to Blackness | Deafheaven Live In Manila By Karl R. De Mesa

singular and unique force. Nominated for a Grammy and hailed as Vice magazine’s “Artist of the Decade,” the band immersed the Filipino audience in an almost-hour long set that opened with the rousing “Brought to the Water” off of 2015’s New Bermuda, and then segued to “Honeycomb,” a brooding and elegiac track with references to Argentine writer Julio Cortazar’s stories that clocks in at 11 minutes from their latest album Ordinary Corrupt Human Love. Frontman George Clarke was a ripped, tall, rangy leader of kvlt ritual, waving his arms through the lengthy instrumental breaks like a mad conductor punctuating the drama. Traditional black metal is often an exercise in redundancy of form and convention, almost earnestly parochial in its insularity, and yet Deafheaven are nothing if not

metalheads first. They parlay all the aesthetics of the genre: the tremolo picking, the blast beats, the guttural Cookie Monster vocals made for atmosphere rather than as setup to something a crowd can sing along to. But there is also a deep passion here for shoegaze, ambient music strains like post-rock, and more than a little bit of psychedelic stoner metal. Even as the surplus of notes and attack cover the black metal checklist, the atmospheric elements exist not only for texture or a quiet-loud dynamic, but to fill the soundscape with color, more room for shades beyond black, white, or grey that’s commonly the only palette of the Norwegian and Scandinavians black metallists. For Clarke and guitarists Kerry McCoy and Shiv Mehra, bassist Chris Johnson, and drummer Daniel Tracy it’s a crucial, palpable time for meditation.

As the band went through the rest of their set with “Glint” and “Sunbather,” both lengthy songs that work in suite movements clocking in at 10 minutes plus, the mosh pit had stirred again, provoking itself for more intense dancing as the final movement of “Sunbather” writhed into climax. Like their modern black metal contemporaries, Deafheaven are taking the idea and appreciation from the Scandinavian genre’s cold toolkit and making it their own: expansive, colorful, and undeniably American. They are a firebrand for these times and their journal is full of this decade’s pain and beauty. By the time they closed their set with the epic “Dream House,” off of 2013’s Sunbather, it was clear Clarke and his comrades are shamans of the first order, intuitive and sans pretense in taking other people with them on a trip to sonic glory. Clarke queried himself in that dissonant kvlt scream as the band soared through “Dream House’s” ambient denouement of trilling notes and crashing cymbals: “I’m dying / Is it blissful? / It’s like a dream.” These metalheads from San Francisco may not have an exact map to get from Point A to Point B, but they will entertain you all the way to the gates of ecstasy. And Deafheaven know this ritual well.

started tinkering with one song and before we knew it, after a few months, we had 10 remixes or something already." “Originally, we were doing to for ourselves lang really. When we realized it was a set, we told ourselves, ‘Hey, maybe people would want to hear this.’” That was the time Space/Spase became part of the Sandwich discography. “But it’s not retro,” Diego butts in. “We chose music that’s luma and bago and plugged it to new technology.” Space/Spase does depart somehow from the Sandwich rock and roll canon. “Sunburn” starts on an electro drift then slips seamlessly to an easy soul/funk cavort. “Walang Kadaladala” loses its moral lesson in the repetition of shuffling feet-friendly beat. In fact, it can be argued that all the mixing and matching only emphasized the dance acuity of Mike Dizon’s drum attack on the original tracks. Just saying. It does not help

any that Space/Spase could be a holding pattern (or space in between new recordings) after the massive hoopla for their 20th anniversary celebration last year. Raymund even lets some kind of secret cat out of the bag. Sandwich will be recording a brand new and possibly an album of all-original tracks in a few weeks and it will be ready for release next year.

Quite probably, the itch to try out something new got in the way. The restless spirit again showed its happy head to seduce Sandwich into sneaking out of their comfort zone that’s fluidly evolving anyway. Hats off to a fresh Sandwich each time they step into the limelight. (With interview excerpts by Edwin P. Sallan)

HERE will always be room for shamanism in black metal. After all, rock stars are some of the best kind of shamans. And the front men of modern black metal in particular have now eschewed the traditional trappings of the genre’s leather vest and pants, steel-pointed arm bands and shin guards, and the ubiquitous corpse paint to ambitiously both purify and amplify the uniquely harsh hymns of the Scandinavian cold. Which is a roundabout way of saying that Deafheaven, the metal act that has crossed the kvlt divide and brought the indie kids into the embrace of the northern cold, was a revelation to see live. Deafheaven was the headliner for the All of the Noise Music Showcase organized by the Rest is Noise Ph, held last November 23 at the Century City Mall Events Hall in Poblacion, Makati City. When Deafheaven took the stage at around 1AM, it was clear right away why this quintet, who’d converted so many indie kids to their blend of black metal and modern shoegaze, was a very

The Restless...

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equipment. Like, the challenge was “Can we play in a cramped space without a drum set and guitar players?” Their common love of music, both old and new, provided the clue. Mong Alcaraz, remembers, “We dug into our record collection then juxtaposed and mixed and matched what we like in the groove and sound. It was sort of a cut and paste process. literally a collage in music. Instead of playing the music physically, we manipulated it.” “It was very liberating,” Diego hastens to add. “You got the essence of what you like from a record, then you tweak or even mangle it in such a way that you don’t recognize anymore (where it came from)." While creating and recording music feels as easy as mix and match, the tracks took some time to coalesce into a full album. Mike describes the journey, “We just

GEORGE CLARKE OF DEAFHEAVEN (PHOTO BY KEITH DADOR)

New gen of chefs taught that experience ‘makes the master’ By Pauline Joy M. Gutierrez

ORBERT GANDLER, executive director of the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM) in Quezon City, debates the age-old question: What’s more important, skill or experience? From his years in academe, he said that “experience makes the master,” but there’s always a gray area when it comes to theoretical knowledge versus practical understanding. He added that a good chef has a good sense of what goes in between. “When it comes to cooking, not everything is as easy as what’s written in the book. You really need to know what to do, why you do things, and what to do when things go wrong,” Gandler said, adding that veteran instructors can help teach such things. “Finding the right school with experienced chefs is like apprenticing under a great mentor where you are able to pick up skills gained through years of experience.” “They don’t just teach,” he said. “They show how it’s done.” Gandler noted that the main faculty of ISCAHM has more than 20 years of industry experience and an employment record in four- or five-star hotel operations. Instructors are also under permanent employment with the school to ensure consistency in the teaching of their curriculum. The school’s flagship offerings are the Diploma courses in Culinary Arts and Kitchen Management with Australian Certificate III in Culinary Arts and Pastry, along with Bakery Arts and Kitchen Management with Australian Certificate III in Patisserie. Other lessons include Tesdacertified intermediate courses, such as Tesda National Certificate II in Cookery, and Tesda National Certificate II in Bread and Pastry Production.

CHEFS Joey Herrera and International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management Executive Director Norbert Gandler during a cooking demo “The Australian Certificate III is a certificate that is recognized by the 53 membercountries of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as other countries all over the world,” Gandler said. “This means our students can study the same subjects and materials, gain the same competencies here in the Philippines as they would if they enroll overseas, at a much affordable price.” As part of their culinary training, ISCAHM students cook for the school’s entire staff and a student population of almost 200. “The challenge for a school is always if the students cook enough, if they have enough hands-on work,” Gandler said, adding that it is crucial to prepare students for working at a restaurant. “That’s why we have a lot of good feedback from restaurants and hotels, saying that our students are ready to work. I remember when I was still working in the hotels, I was amazed that some students don’t even know how to cut.” ISCAHM is the first culinary school to offer technical-vocational courses to senior

ISCAHM Director for Pastry and Bakery Arts Chef Ernie Babaran shows students how it’s done. high-school students, namely, TechnicalVocational-Livelihood Track-Home Economics Strand, with an NCII in Cookery for Grade 11, and NCII in Bread and Pastry Production and NCII Food and Beverage Services for Grade 12. This, of course, doesn’t come cheap.

“The tuition fee is P370,000 for the 14-month diploma courses,” Gandler said. “But if you compare apples to apples, then it’s not expensive. You have to look at the hours you get, the days you get. We hold classes five days a week. We do a big food production 80 percent of the time, and the students are provided with meals.” He also noted that fairness is important to the school. “Cooking is a highly recognized profession,” Gandler added. “When we have an open house, sometimes parents would ask us what their sons’ and daughters’ position will be when they graduate. You don’t buy a position. You earn a position. You don’t become a master chef or a celebrity chef overnight. But if you have a good education from a good school, you will climb much faster.” ISCAHM has campuses in Quezon City, Pampanga and Cebu. For more information, contact 89268888 or 0917-8368772; email sales@iscahm.com or visit iscahm.com.

From all-around boy to award-winning boss Continued from Page 2

In his keynote address, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said that the CMA honors the men and women whose transformed lives and journey as entrepreneurs demonstrate the power of microfinance as a poverty-alleviation tool. “Most of these microentrepreneurs started with close to nothing, and yet were able to build and grow a business that sup-

port their families and even their communities,” Diokno said. “Theirs is a story of empowerment. And this is what microfinance is truly about.” The National Winner at the 17th CMA was Eduardo Azores of Koronadal City, South Cotabato. He owns AliAli Pastil restaurant, which serves one of the most popular and affordable delicacies among Muslim Filipinos, pastil, or steamed rice with dry shredded beef, chicken, or fish, wrapped in banana leaves. From his

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restaurants earnings, he was able to open a convenience store, a catering business, a lodging inn and another restaurant branch. Azores received a cash prize of P200,000 from the CMA, while regional winners and special awardees, including Blanco, were given P100,000. They also received a laptop, life and health insurance coverage for one year, and access to grassroots entrepreneurship management and basic computer literacy training at the Citi Microenterprise DECEMBER 1, 2019

Development Center, another Citi Foundation program in partnership with Bayan Academy. The winners’ loan offices and microfinance institutions partners were also given a plaque of recognition and cash incentive of P10,000 each. Blanco advices those inspired by his success to not only work hard, but to work smart. “Dapat hindi lang sipag, hindi lang tyaga. Dapat may diskarte,” he said. “’Yun ang naging puhunan ko.”

Break free of your parents’ money patterns By Sean Pyles

NerdWallet

OU can likely thank (or blame) your parents for some aspects of how you turned out. Maybe you have your mother’s eyes or your dad’s habit of chewing with your mouth open. How you manage money is another thing you likely picked up from your parents—whether they intended you to or not. While nearly 90 percent of parents believe it’s important for their kids to grow up with good financial habits, almost half don’t know how to discuss money with their kids, according to a 2019 survey of 1,000 parents conducted by Edelman Financial Engines, a financial adviser firm. Further, 25 percent of respondents never or almost never talk to their children about household finances, the survey found. If your family avoided financial topics, you may find yourself uncomfortable managing money and unaware of the effect your parents had on your financial behavior. But part of growing up is acknowledging what you learned from your parents—both good and bad—and correcting course as needed. To claim your financial independence, define what your money goals are, understand how to achieve them through daily actions, and focus on long-term financial freedom.

A PEDESTRIAN is silhouetted against a ray of sunlight hitting a downtown courthouse in Atlanta. Part of being an adult is acknowledging what you learned from your parents, and what you might have to learn for yourself. This is especially true when it comes to managing money. AP

KNOW YOUR HISTORY AND YOUR IDEAL FUTURE IF you don’t already, track your money management for a month. Document your income, bills and savings. Now think about how your parents managed money while you were growing up. Look for areas of overlap to understand the money habits you learned. Did your parents carry loads of credit-card debt or run behind on bills? Maybe they were frugal savers. If you aren’t sure how your parents handled finances, ask them. “I think having the money conversation with your parents is important, especially if you come from a household where money wasn’t actively talked about,” says Paul Golden, managing director of communications at the nonprofit National Endowment for Financial Education. “Ask about the challenges they dealt with and how they managed them.” Next, think about where you want to be.

“Put financial goals in perspective of life goals,” says Kristen Holt, CEO of GreenPath Financial Wellness, a credit counseling and financial wellness organization. “Maybe you want to retire early, or spend time writing a book, or spend time with kids when you have them. What’s the life that you want to have?” TIP: Compare your money history to the financial future you desire. If you dream about being a homeowner, for example, but find that you aren’t saving enough monthly to build up a down payment, see how you can adjust your spending habits.

REWORK YOUR MONEY HABITS AS you reviewed how you handle money, you probably started to see some patterns. Financial habits are built on daily actions. Identify those you can take to meet your money objectives. “Once you have your goals articulated

and prioritized, understand that you can’t make everything happen all at once,” says Levi Sanchez, founder of Seattle-based Millennial Wealth, a financial planning firm. “But you can start the better behaviors and habits that can get you there.” Budgeting is a simple, powerful habit. The 50/30/20 budget, where half your income covers needs, 30 percent goes to wants and 20 percent covers debt payments and savings, is an effective method to ensure you channel your money in a way that supports your vision. Sanchez recommends automating habits so your goals are easier to achieve. If you want to increase your emergency fund, set up regular transfers from your checking account or paycheck so you don’t have to think about it. TIP: Break your goals into smaller, easily achievable actions. Each of these steps will help you build the money habits that create financial independence.

FOCUS ON THE LONG TERM THE point of carving out your financial independence is to ensure you are making informed money decisions that reflect your values. But it’s also about setting yourself up for long-term financial success. That means sticking to healthy habits but being flexible enough to respond to life changes. “Part of your money habits should be regular assessments of how you’re doing,” Golden says. “We all need to be realistic that things financially are not always static. You’re going to ebb and flow out of different circumstances.” TIP: Your financial goals and priorities will likely change over time. Check to make sure your habits are on track every quarter. And reevaluate your goals annually, so your money management evolves along with your priorities. AP

Protecting the youth online By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

HE Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has recently launched a campaign to safeguard the youth against the dangers of the online world as part of its nationwide cyber-wellness program. The campaign, which is under the Asean-Japan Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for the Youth Project, is led by the PIA in partnership with the InfoComm Media Development Authority of Singapore, with funding support from the Japan-Asean Integration Fund (JAIF). “This is not just limited to online awareness, but also includes promoting cyber wellness as well,” focal person for Asean and PIA Anne Lorraine Macadaeg said in a recent press briefing. She added that Facebook was invited to the first phase of the program of the cyber-wellness campaign, while they explore future partnerships with the social media giant. Macadaeg said they are encouraging schools to sign up on cyber wellness to reach out to more students. The target audience of the campaign are students between ages 12 and 15 years old. The official logo and branding of the campaign is focused on #cyberREADI. READI represents the five Asean Core Values on Digital Literacy adopted by the

Asean Ministers Responsible for Information in May 2018. The values include Responsibility, calling on people to be accountable of their online behavior; Empathy, which is about how respectful and thoughtful online interactions can bring positive effect to others; and Authenticity, or a call to sincere online relationships. The last two values are Discernment, a reminder to critically evaluate online information before taking action; and Integrity, which prods people to do the right thing and stand up for what is right. Following the launch of the logo and branding, the PIA has released various multimedia materials and resources that are developed with the help of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation Inc. These materials are products of an audience analysis on youth’s level of awareness regarding online safety, using focus group discussions conducted with Filipino youth representatives in different areas in the country. Also greatly considered in the production of these materials were the insights on the changing media consumption habits of the youth, as well as initiatives and best practices in promoting media and information literacy as discussed during the Asean-Japan Forum on Media and Literacy: Cyber Wellness for the Youth in March 2018. A dedicated Web page for the cyber wellness campaign is also in the works.

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DECEMBER 1, 2019

PIA regional and provincial offices are rolling out their respective activities to further spread the cyberREADI advocacy. Deputy Secretary-General for Asean Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak stressed that the cyber-wellness campaign is a timely project since digital media has increasingly become the primary source of information among Asean people. “There is a need to build information resiliency among the youth and protect them from the risk of getting misled by fake news and misinformation,” Phoak said. “With enhanced media and information literacy, the youth is expected to become smart consumers and responsible producers of online information.” “Through this project,” he added, “we hope young people would better understand, inquire, create, communicate and think critically while being digitally engaged.”