BusinessMirror December 16, 2019 by BusinessMirror

Monday, December 16, 2019 Vol. 15 No. 67

Rice import rules vs dummies, WTO told By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

There is a need to strengthen registration procedures for importers of planting materials and plant products, and specify the validity of the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance.”—DA

ANILA has formally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its amended rules on rice importation that seeks to limit the entry of the staple by weeding out unscrupulous and dummy players through stringent registration requirements.

in MO 28, institutionalizing additional requirements for interested rice importers in a bid to remove unscrupulous players.

The Philippines submitted a notification to the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures on December 11, informing the body that it has implemented revised requirements for registration and renewal of importers of rice.

The order also requires importers to ship out their rice consignments from the country of origin within the prescribed date in their approved sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC). Continued on A12

In its notification, the Philippines submitted Department of Agriculture (DA) Memorandum Order 28 which institutionalizes additional requirements for interested rice importers in a bid to remove unscrupulous players.

P25.00 nationwide | 5 sections 30 pages |

PHL TO GET BUSY WITH TRADE DEAL TALKS By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

HE government will have its hands full with free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations next year, as it will begin one with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well, in a bid to secure cheaper oil. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the Philippines and UAE will begin FTA negotiations next year in a bid to have a trade deal concluded before 2021. He argued it is but right to strike one with Abu Dhabi, as Manila can import oil from it, and export industrial and agricultural products in return.

“I got an idea [of a trade deal] because many of their products, they import. They produce nearly nothing except oil. By that, our products are complimentary: we import oil and then we export everything that they might need,” Lopez told reporters last week in Dubai. The Philippines and UAE are currently engaged in a joint economic cooperation, which is most likely the stepping stone toward heading into FTA discussions. In his high-level meeting with UAE trade officials and diplomats, Lopez opened up the possibility of a trade deal between the two parties, to which his counterparts agreed to. See “Trade deal,” A2

Ping vows to bring up pork issue with Duterte By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

EN. Panfilo Lacson, pursuing a tough stance against alleged pork-barrel funds inserted in the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020, is set to elevate his crusade to Malacañang before President Duterte signs the annual money measure into law. See “Pork,” A2

THE SOUTH SHAKES, AGAIN The municipal hall of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, is among the buildings left heavily damaged after a 6.9-magnitude quake rocked the province on Sunday, just eight weeks after the serial strong temblors in October shook large parts of Mindanao. Story on page A12. ANTHONY ALLADA

Despite FIRe disruptions, 210K jobs to be created By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

T least 210,000 jobs are still expected to be generated in the country despite the job displacements caused by new technologies and work schemes from the so-called fourth industrial revolution (FIRe), according

PESO exchange rates n

to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Citing a 2018 study from Oxford Economics and Ciscp, Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique R. Tutay said this is the projected number of employment opportunities with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.

She said such net employment will come mainly in the following sectors: manufacturing; wholesale and retail; hotel and restaurants; finance and insurance; construction; transport; and the agriculture sector. “Greatest net increase in employment will come from the services and sales [sector],” Tutay said. See “Jobs,” A2

US 50.7330 n japan 0.4641 n UK 66.8255 n HK 6.5018 n CHINA 7.2187 n singapore 37.4607 n australia 35.0464 n EU 56.4861 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5285

Source: BSP (13 December 2019 )

News

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A2 Monday, December 16, 2019

As OSG reverses self, DOT says Intramuros not for sale By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

NTRAMUROS is not for sale. That was the message of the Department of Tourism (DOT), after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in November reversed its opinion that had earlier recognized the titles of a private couple over lots on which the Maestranza quarters in the walled city have been standing. “The favorable opinion of the OSG now paves the way for the immediate completion of the rehabilitation work on the Maestranza,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in an interview with the BusinessMirror. The DOT, through its attached agency the Intramuros Administration (IA), wants to transform the Maestranza chambers into a curated hub for the arts. Earlier targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2020, the rehabilitation work was put on hold when Dario and Amelia Coronel sought to recover Lots 1 and 3 of the compound. Lot 1 is currently used as a parking lot by the IA Employees Association, but had hosted informal settlers before they were resettled to Cavite in 2006. The next step, according to IA administrator, lawyer Guiller Asido, is to “file a case to revert to the government and cancel those titles on lots being claimed by the spouses Coronel.” He added the IA is now “coordinating the filing of the case with the OSG [who will represent the IA] and the Land Management Bureau [LMB].”

Pork. . .

Continued from A1

Lacson said over the weekend he is set to meet Monday with Senate President Vicente Sotto III before going to meet with Duterte, hoping to provide the President a clear presentation of what could be considered for line-item veto, following guidance of the Supreme Court decision outlawing pork barrel. In a radio interview on Sunday, Lacson explained the rationale for his and Sotto’s meeting with the President: “Anyway sabi ko may last hope na idedetalye nating mabuti ito at ipapadala sa Pangulo, at irerekomenda natin kung pwede i-line item veto, at bibigyan namin ng explanation. Kung pakinggan ng Pangulo, maraming salamat at umaasa ako, dahil nagawa niya ito noong 2019 [I said my last hope is to detail these well before the President, and suggest which can be subject to line-item veto. If he listens, thank you very much; he did this before in 2019].” On the other hand, if the Palace finds the last-minute budget insertions of pork funds to be okay, he will take it as “a presidential prerogative”to avert further debates that could delay enactment into law of the 2020 national budget. “And if Malacañang deems it okay to include some items, then that’s fine, because that’s the President’s prerogative. That’s why I relented, rather than for us to keep debating in the bicameral conference committee and risk delaying the budget again, considering we were under a strict timeline to submit an enrolled bill. Our last chance was to have the Senate President sign the enrolled bill; and of course, the budget documents have to be printed,” the anti-pork crusader conceded, in

The LMB is an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources tasked with administering, surveying, managing and disposing of Alienable and Disposable lands, and other government lands not placed under the jurisdiction of other government agencies. The Maestranza creative hub has 44 chambers that will be turned into artist studios, exhibition spaces, and areas where workshops can be conducted. Some chambers can also be leased for restaurants and cafes, as well as a business center, according to IA’s plans. The hub will stand on the 270-meter wall that overlooks the Pasig River. The property has been the subject of major rehabilitation program of the DOT since 2004, and involves the reconstruction of the curtain wall. According to sources, some 50 security guards allegedly hired by the Coronel spouses, “by intimidation and force, took over the peaceful possession of IA over the property,” on September 15, following the OSG’s opinion issued in May, recognizing their titles as valid. a mix of English and Filipino. Still, Lacson stressed the need to have a detailed budget law listing down amounts for specific projects, as stated in a 2013 Supreme Court ruling outlawing “post-enactment identification” in the disbursement of P70 million for each congressman and P200 million for projects identified by senators. “The SC ruling said post-enactment identification of projects is prohibited. If you recall, when the court had not yet declared pork barrel unconstitutional, each congressman had P70 milliion and each senator, P200 million, for projects they will identify after the budget is passed. So that’s clearly pork barrel,” Lacson recalled, citing findings this is tantamount to “grave abuse of discretion” as such projects to be funded were not identified in the budget law signed by the President. Comparing this to the current items he questioned for being “vague” in the 2020 budget bill, Lacson said the proposed P50million asphalt overlay attributed to an entire city—“without us knowing the specific location”—also smacks of post-enactment identification that the SC ruling had called pork barrel and unconstitutional. “It’s the same. It’s still a post-enactment identification of a project. It’s impossible that they meant to propose the asphalt overlay of an entire city. Your P50 million won’t be enough.” Lacson cited more examples of lump sums for nonspecific projects: ■ P25 million for road repairs in Nasugbu, “but it did not specify where exactly in Nasugbu.” ■ P50 million for asphalt overlay in Catbalogan City. ■ P25 million for “asphalt overlay, various roads in Quezon City.” ■ P15 million for“concreting, rehabilitation

This led to a standoff between the Philippine National Police and the Coronels’ security personnel, but “to keep the peace, the parties eventually agreed to vacate and lock the property.” However, the new OSG opinion rendered on November 27, 2019, and signed by SolGen Jose C. Calida, said, based on new facts presented by the IA, “the National Government, through the IA, owns the subject lots [Lots 1 and 3], or the Maestranza property.” It added, “The description or condition of the Maestranza property as a national park, is inalienable in nature and character has not changed for several decades, and thus it cannot be subject of private ownership.” The OSG also underscored that Intramuros and its walls had been declared national historical monuments through Republic Act No. 597 (An Act to Declare Fort Santiago a National Shrine and to Provide for the Preservation of Historical Monuments in the Walled City of Manila) issued in 1951. “Indubitably, Intramuros, including its walls, is part of the public domain and not susceptible of alienation and disposition.” Asido averred that the IA also presented evidence showing that the titles supposedly held by the spouses Coronel was fake. This included a letter from the Manila City legal officer dated August 2019, saying that the transfer of title on Lot 1 was made using a fake certificate of payment dated May 23, 2016. In its latest opinion, however, the OSG questioned the title held by one Hector Bechayda for subject Lot 1 issued on July 28, 1981 when in 1979, Presidential Proclamation 1925 was issued by then-President

of roads in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.” ■ P22 million for “construction works” in Candaba, Pampanga; ■ P18 million for “construction of roads” in apalit, Pampanga; and ■ P30 million for “concrete widening of roads” in Tumauini, Isabela. “This is what I will point out to be clear pork because it constitutes post identification of projects after a budget law is signed— something the Supreme Court ruling prohibited,” Lacson said. He reminded officials that apart from the Supreme Court ruling defining pork-barrel funds, the SC said lump-sum allocations without a clear description of projects are considered pork funds. Lacson recalled that another definition of pork includes “all informal practices of similar import and effect that the SC deemed to be tantamount or subject to grave abuse of discretion pork.” He cited the Tulong Dunong program that he sought to be removed, adding, “why do we need a scholarship program for college, when we already legislated free tertiary education?” He expressed worry that the scholarships might be used for sheer political patronage. The senator said earlier that based on his findings, the pork funds were inserted in two files he described as “source and list.” Other questionable items he cited were flood control projects worth P3.179 billion. He said Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go had wondered aloud why eight flood control projects got a uniform P60 million. “Are the waterways there the same; and the work that must be done, are they the same?” In response, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) submitted details for such by way of an “errata.” The DPWH also did the same when they questioned the P507-million allocation for Kennon Road’s construction and repair. The DPWH later submitted details of the project, with kilometer by kilometer specifics.“So, we allowed that because when they clarified with the subsequent submission, it was clear it was just an oversight or typographical error.”

Ferdinand Marcos, “reserving for park and other public purposes of the Intramuros Administration a certain parcel of land of the private domain of the national government situated in the district of Intramuros…” Bechayda had supposedly sold the lot to the spouses Coronel. “It cannot be overemphasized therefore that Original Certificate of Title (OCT) No. 10951 and its derivative titles issued over the subject Lot 1 are void.” While no law declares Lot 3 in the public domain, the OSG noted the IA’s argument that Lot 3 was supposedly covered by a 99-year lease under an Insular Government Lease Agreement and Antonio R. Chua/Nasugbu Commercial Corp., which was supposed to have ended in 2016. The company, however, failed to produce said lease agreement. Also, the ARC building which was constructed on the lot, “was abandoned in April 2006, and later demolished and vacated.” IA took over the Maestranza property, including Lots 1 and 3, until it was cordoned off by the Coronel spouses in 2016. The Coronels had alleged that improvements on Lot 3 had been made by a predecessor, which caused the issuance of OCT 10922. “In sum, the OSG opines that reversion and cancellation of title proceedings, subject to the completion of a report and supporting documents, may prosper as regards [a] Lot 1/1-A based on violations of PP No. 1925 and Republic Act No. 730, and [b] Lot 3 based on violations of RA No. 730. Issued in 1952, RA 730 permits the sale without public auction of public lands of the Philippines for residential purposes to qualified applications under certain conditions.

Trade deal. . . Continued from A1

“At the technical level, first, we are engaged in a JEC, the joint economic commission. I broached the idea during the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs that this is something we can start and they said they are excited. They want to look at it in terms of trade because UAE is our 16th largest trading partner and over $1.2 billion is our total trade,” he disclosed.

South Korea, US

Aside from the UAE, the Philippines is actively pursuing FTA negotiations with South Korea, initially targeting to get it done last November, but forced to push it back to next year on disputes on several market access issues. Manila is also expecting Washington to activate free trade talks by next year. Once the United States concludes its agreement with Canada and Mexico, it is eyeing to launch FTA talks with the Philippines next, American businessmen here earlier said. Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) records, bilateral trade between Manila and Abu Dhabi jumped 42.7 percent to $2.1 billion last year, from $1.5 billion in 2017. Bulk of the trade was due to imports from the Middle Eastern country. PSA data showed imports doubled to $1.7 billion, from $831.2 million, while exports declined nearly 37 percent to $418 million, from $658 million. Imports from the UAE comprise mostly oil and petroleum products, which are essential to the country’s economic activities. Further, in terms of services, there are over 700,000 Filipinos working in the Gulf state, mostly in the construction sector. On the other hand, the Philippines ships refined copper cathodes, fresh bananas, output and input units, as well as static converters and storage units to the UAE. Lopez and a team of several trade officials were in Dubai last week for the international launch of the country’s participation in the World Expo 2020. The Philippines will be showcasing the bangkota—ancient Filipino word for coral reef—which will house arts, crafts, visuals and products from the country.

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Concerned citizens boost fight vs illegal wildlife trade–Cimatu By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

NVIRONMENT Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Sunday lauded concerned citizens for reporting suspicious activities involving illegal trade in wildlife. This after authorities, acting on a tip by concerned citizens, arrested three suspected wildlife traders engaged in the lucrative exotic pet trade and rescued various native species caught in the wild. A total of 56 heads of wildlife species—including the endangered green iguana and red-footed tortoise—with a total estimated value of 300,000 were recovered following a raid by operatives of the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade, or Task Force Pogi, at the residence of one of the suspects in Barangay Banus in Gloria town in Oriental Mindoro. In a statement, Cimatu noted how ordinary people reporting suspicious activities to authorities make a difference in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. “Members of the public play an important role in protecting wildlife species, particularly reporting suspected violations of the country’s wildlife protection law,” Cimatu said. He urged the public to continue being the DENR’s “eyes and ears” in the street to stop illegal activities.

Quake. . .

Continued from A12

Several shoppers in Gaisano Mall in Davao City panicked, and many of them collapsed and had to be taken out of the area by ambulance. The mall was vacated shortly after the temblor. Matanao Mayor Vincent Fernandez said his two-story town hall was badly damaged by the intense shaking, along with two bridges and several buildings already weakened by previous quakes. “The shaking was different this time, it wasn’t swaying. It’s like a roller was rumbling by underneath,” Fernandez said in a radio interview from an emergency shelter. As he was being interviewed, he paused briefly, saying the ground was shaking again in the latest of dozens of aftershocks. Fernandez appealed for food packs and tents to be used by residents who needed immediate shelter from the rainy weather. Many buildings that can be used as evacuation centers have been damaged by recent earthquakes, he said. The Davao region has been hit by several earthquakes in recent months; causing some deaths, and scores of injuries and badly damaging houses, hotels, malls and hospitals. The Philippine archipelago lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur. It’s also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, making the Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 million people one of the world’s most

Jobs. . .

Continued from A1

Tutay attributed the additional jobs from the said industries from the “productivity gains” expected to be brought about by robotics and AI in the services and sales sectors. She said this will help offset the expected 1.1-million job losses in the country that will be caused by both innovations. To ensure the country will end up with employment gains from FIRe, the labor official stressed the importance helping the affected workers to transition to new jobs by reskilling, retooling or training opportunities. “The burden of transition will fall most

Illegal wildlife trade is considered a major driver of biodiversity loss. It was learned that Task Force Pogi received a tip that an alleged illegal wildlife trader residing in Oriental Mindoro was temporarily sheltering various wildlife species from Palawan before these are transported to different buyers across the country. This prompted Task Force Pogi operatives to conduct surveillance to validate the report. After confirming that endangered wildlife was indeed being kept in the house of a certain Fernando Zamoranos Jr., Task Force Pogi immediately planned the raid with law enforcers. Zamoranos, together with Zam Angelo Zamoranos and Jessie Dacutanan, were arrested and charged with violation of Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Under the law, violators could face a jail term of up to 12 years and a fine of not more than P1 million. Task Force Pogi is a composite team of wildlife law enforcers from various agencies including the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau and the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) in Oriental Mindoro assisted the task force in carrying out the raid.

disaster-prone countries.

Govt aid

President Duterte ordered all concerned government agencies to provide aid to areas affected by the earthquake, according to Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo. “All concerned agencies of the government have been mobilized to respond to the present conditions and provide immediate assistance to those in need,” Panelo said in a statement. Malacañang appealed to those affected by the temblor to stay “calm but vigilant” due to the possible aftershocks and to disseminate only validated reports to avoid causing panic. “The Executive Branch, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and the Office of Civil Defense, together with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, is closely monitoring the situation in Davao del Sur,” said Panelo. Panelo issued the statement after announcing that Duterte and his family are safe in their home in Davao City. “The President was in his house in Davao City with his daughter Kitty when the earthquake struck. The First Lady Honeylet Avanceña was on her way home when the ground rumbled and moved. She said the car she was riding was swaying. They are unhurt,” he said. As of press time, the NDRRMC said it is still gathering reports from the areas devastated by the earthquake. Manuel T. Cayon, Samuel P. Medenilla and AP

heavily on elementary workers and skilled agricultural workers,” Tutay said. She said they are now coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to start the crafting of the industry road map for FIRe starting January 2020. “We hope we could have something for both industries and workers to prepare them for disruption in jobs, and transform select industries into 4th industrial revolution,” Tutay said. Among the issues they want addressed by the road map, she said, are problems that may come from FIRe such as worsening skills mismatch; acute Information Technology (IT) skills of many members of the local work force; and mental-health problems.

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, December 16, 2019 A3

11 yrs after SC order, govt to discuss Pasig River rehab By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE heads of a dozen government agencies tasked by the Supreme Court to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay would discuss the rehabilitation of a key source of the bay’s pollutant, more than a decade after the SC issued its writ of continuing mandamus in 2008. In a statement, the office of Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) would lead, in his capacity as chairman of the Manila Bay Task Force, the high-level inter-agency meeting for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

C i m at u s a id t he me e t i n g would serve as an opportunity for the DENR to touch base with other agencies covered by the continuing mandamus. On December 9, Cimatu issued a memo circular directing all DENR offices and officials involved in the Manila Bay rehabilitation to link arms with other “mandamus agencies” for close coordination and oversight of all ongoing efforts to rehabilitate Pasig River pursuant to the 11-year-old high court directive. The environment chief specifically ordered Environment Undersecretaries Juan Miguel Cuna and Ernesto Adobo Jr., the Manila Bay Ground Commander and Manila Bay Task Force Secretariat Head, respectively, to ”coordinate and collaborate” with

mandamus agencies, and concerned local government units and private sectors on the matter. The rehabilitation of the Pasig River is important in rehabilitating Manila Bay, which was found to have a high concentration of various harmful pollutants, including fecal coliform, because of the direct discharge of untreated wastewater that, eventually, drain into Manila Bay. Studies showed that about onefifth of the organic pollution load to Manila Bay came from the Pasig River basin, which connects Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. To rehabilitate Manila Bay, the DENR chief deemed it important to stop the pollution loading in the Pasig River, starting with erring business establishments that fail to comply

with effluent standards set under the Clean Water Act. Cimatu vowed to make Manila Bay swimmable. He earlier issued an order to clear the 24-kilometer Pasig River of obstruction for the smooth operation of the recently revived ferry service. The ferry service in Pasig River is being eyed to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila roads and provide alternative means of transportation that is fast, safe and reliable. Aside from illegal structures, the DENR and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which is also led by Cimatu, has intensified the removal of garbage and water hyacinth in Pasig River and its tributaries.

PHL EAGLE RESCUED BY FISHERMAN

AVAO CITY—An adult Philippine eagle was rescued last Friday by a fisherman, saying the bird was last seen circling the waters off Celebes Sea for the last three days. The rescued bird was the second rescued in Sarangani province in three years, after a juvenile Philippine eagle was found in nearby Maitum town. The eagle weighed 5.185 kilograms and was retrieved from Celebes Sea, a hundred meters from the shoreline. Members of a fishing crew in Sitio Dampilan, Barangay Lumatil, reported seeing the eagle flying around fishing boats for three days. It was rescued by the Kamal family at around 2 p.m. on December 13. They reported the rescue to the local municipal environment

and natural resources officer. “Based on the initial assessment of our rescue team, the bird is suspected to be an adult female. The closest possible habitat of the bird is at the forests of Mount Busa in Maasim town,” Jayson Ibañez, research and conservation director of the Davao City-based Philippine Eagle Foundation, told the Sarangani Communications Service. “As our standard procedure for rescued eagles, the bird will undergo x-ray to see any bone or internal injuries, and possible gun pellets embedded inside the bird’s body. Blood samples will also be drawn to measure basic blood values, for DNA sexing and for disease screening,” Ibañez added. He said swabs of bodily fluids would also be drawn to test the bird for avian flu and Newcastle disease. Manuel T. Cayon

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A4 Monday, December 16, 2019 Republic of the Philippines

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MR. KAIYUAN LI/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YANG SUN/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YISHENG ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. WEIRUI REN/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIEJIE XU/ Chinese

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SIMING WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIE YANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JINGBIN LIN/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. LANYING WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HENG LIN/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIANPING ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XUANGANG AI/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

MR. QUANFENG BAI/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LICHENG XIONG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YE HUANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HAOJIE ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Name and Address of Company/Employer

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Brief Description of Functions

Name and Address of Company/Employer

Monday, December 16, 2019 A5

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Brief Description of Functions

C & F MANUFACTURING PHILIPPINES CORP. FCIE-SEZ, Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

MR. ARVIND MAURYA / Indian

New Product Development Cum Tooling Manager

DONG WU PLASTIC INC. PEZA-CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

MR. JYAEGYUN PARK / Korean

President/ Business Development Executive

CANON BUSINESS MACHINES (PHILIPPINES), INC. FPIP, Tanauan City, Batangas Name of Alien:

MR. YUKI SHIGETA / Japanese

Purchasing Control Department Technical Advisor 2

CANON BUSINESS MACHINES (PHILIPPINES), INC. FPIP, Tanauan City, Batangas Name of Alien:

MR. YUTARO TAKEHARA / Japanese

Purchasing Control Department Technical Advisor 1

BLOSSOM PRINTING INDUSTRIAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIE WU / Chinese

LEADING SUCCESS (PHILS.) GARMENTS INC. Maduya, Carmona Cavite, Carmona, Cavite

MR. YUANBO WEN / Chinese

Sewing Technician

LEADING SUCCESS (PHILS.) GARMENTS INC. Maduya, Carmona Cavite, Carmona, Cavite

MR. GUOLIANG ZUO / Chinese

Packing/Pressing Supervisor

LEADING SUCCESS (PHILS.) GARMENTS INC. Maduya, Carmona Cavite, Carmona, Cavite

MR. YONGQIAN XIA / Chinese

Embroidery Supervisor

MS. XUEMEI ZHANG / Chinese

Sample Personnel

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LEADING SUCCESS (PHILS.) GARMENTS INC. Maduya, Carmona Cavite, Carmona, Cavite

MS. YI-PING CHEN / Taiwanese

Finance Manager

MR. JIN YANG / Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LEADING SUCCESS (PHILS.) GARMENTS INC. Maduya, Carmona Cavite, Carmona, Cavite

MR. JUN YU/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHONGHE KE/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHIWEI YANG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIAOKANG ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. . YANSHENG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. . ADIYANTO/ Indonesian

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. DONGDONG NIE/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JUNYA ZHAO/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YUCHUAN ZOU/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HAILI WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. LANXUE ZHANG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

MR. JUN ZHENG/ Chinese

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. GUANWEN RUAN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. XIAOLI WU/ Chinese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JUN LIU/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

MR. DUNLIN LUO/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

MR. HENG LUO/ Chinese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LEI SHI/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HUAN WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 100 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. WEIHUA CAO/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QIHAN SHI/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 101 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. WEILIN SUN/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 102 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. CHUANG ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 103 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIAO LUO/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. BINLUN WEN/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 104 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QINGYI LI/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SHENGHU WU/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 105 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LUOHE HE/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JUNXIN CAI/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 106 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. LI CHEN/ Chinese

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIANGYU HUI/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 107 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. DENGXUE WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIANGJU LONG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 108 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. CHANGJIN LI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. MARCEL MICHAEL KRANZ / German

MR. ZHENYUAN ZHANG/ Chinese

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION CIP 1, Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna

Senior Manager Operations

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 109 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SONGCHUAN HU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

ATLANTIC GULF & PACIFIC COMPANY OF MANILA, INCORPORATED AG&P-SEZ, Brgy. San Roque, Bauan, Batangas

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 110 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ALAN THOMPSON / British

Piping Superintendent

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 111 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YONGZHI LI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SILIN LIU/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YUANSHENG YANG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. CHAO PAN/ Chinese

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LE RAN/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HUAN LIU/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. DONG QIU/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LIZHI DONG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHICHENG DENG/ Chinese

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. RUIQIANG ZHOU/ Chinese

LANCE EXPERT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. Brgy. San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

Plant Manager

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

BusinessMirror

A6 Monday, December 16, 2019

Name and Address of Company/Employer

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 112 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. KAI ZHANG/ Chinese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 113 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

Position and Brief Description of Functions

Name and Address of Company/Employer

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Brief Description of Functions

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 144 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HUILONG HUANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. ZHENYAO HUANG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 145 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HONGTAO ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 114 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHONGJIE CHEN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 146 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. FACHENG FENG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 115 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIA FAN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 147 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHONGYONG LIN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 116 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. JINFEI HU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 148 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YAZHOU ZHAO/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 117 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. KEMIN MAO/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 149 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YOUPENG LOU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 118 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. ZHONGQING WANG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

MR. XUNQIN LIN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 119 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 150 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. XUE ZENG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

MS. YUANYUAN HU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 120 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 151 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIANHUI MA/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 121 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QINGWEI NIU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. XIANG CAO/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 152 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 122 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. YUXIANG SHI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MS. GUOYUE ZENG/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 153 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 123 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HAILONG QIAN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 154 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZEFANG YU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 124 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. FUCAI XU/ Chinese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 155 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YAFEI FU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 125 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. XINGQIAO QIAN/ Chinese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 156 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. QILIN HU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 126 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SHUAI LIU/ Chinese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 157 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. FUSHAN LIN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 127 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HANG LI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 158 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YINGKUN LENG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 128 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHAO WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 159 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZENGWEN XING/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 129 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LIANHAI CHEN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 160 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YUHUI XIE/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 130 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XUPEI SUN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 161 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JINWEI HUANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 131 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XINYONG SU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 162 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YUHUI XIE/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 132 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. BO SUN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 163 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. CAIBO WANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 133 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. RENHUI QIU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 164 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIAOJUN LU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 134 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. ZHIZHEN LIAO/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. LUTONG GAO/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 135 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 165 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HUI CHI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. JIAMING SUN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 136 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 166 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. BO TAN/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 137 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SHUBO LI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. TING LIU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 167 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 138 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YOUFENG LIANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

MR. HONGTAO LI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 168 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 139 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. QIANRONG ZHANG/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 140 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. WEI ZHAO/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 141 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. KANG NIU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative Customer Service Representative (Chinese) Chinese Customer Service Representative

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 142 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. CHENGHAI XU/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 143 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YONGHENG LI/ Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

HENRY JOHN S. JALBUENA Regional Director

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph AEP20191007291

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, December 16, 2019 A7

Manila, Abu Dhabi eye investment protection deal By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

HE Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working on an agreement that will safeguard the investments of both economies, which the country’s trade chief expects will result in an influx of Emirati capital. In an interview with reporters in Dubai last week, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said Manila and

Abu Dhabi investment officials are crafting an investment promotion and protection agreement. The Ippa, he said, has long been a plan of the governments of two countries, but is almost always put aside for labor deals. “We have been discussing this for a long time, but it keeps on getting stalled. Hearing [about] what the investors are looking for, every time they ask if we have an Ippa in the Philippines, I think it’s time we

have one for them to look at the Philippines,” said Lopez. “Apparently, that’s what they are reallylookingfor,soit’simportantthatwe also develop one in the same way that we developed one for Qatar. Just early this week, we are also reviving earlier drafts we did with Oman,” he added. Lopez said Gulf state firms usually invest in countries that have an Ippa, especially those like the Philippines that are far from the Middle East and is relatively a new rising economy.

This Ippa gives Arab investors the confidence because it secures their capital by allowing them to freely move their money from one place to another. According to the trade chief, the contents of an Ippa are already found in Philippine laws and regulations, but the investors just want a separate document for themselves. “Usually, these are assurances that their investments will be protected with all the necessary rules. Frankly, most of these assurances are

‘More registered unions in 2018, but fewer CBAs inked’

WORKERS assemble a car in a factory in Santa Rosa, Lagunan in this BusinessMirror file photo. NONIE REYES By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

EWER collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) were forged last year, but the number of registered labor unions was higher in 2018, according to the latest data released by the government. In its Labor Relations Overview Report, the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) said the number of registered unions rose by 1 percent last year to 17,562 unions from 17,424 in 2017. Labor Assistant Secretary Benjo M. Benavidez attributed this to the reforms implemented recently by the BLR, such as the online union registration. The BLR is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “The upward trend is the number of registered unions will continue as it is so easy to organize a union and have it registered,” the former BLR director told the BusinessMirror via SMS.

However, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the hike in the number of registered labor unions is due to the government’s drive against illegal contractualization. “We attribute the increase in registered unions to the regularization order of [President] Duterte [and] his directive to companies to hire employees directly,” said Tanjusay. The order to regularize employees, according to Federation of Free Workers (FFW) Vice President Julius Cainglet, “emboldened” more workers and triggered a “renaissance” of organized labor.

Lower CBA coverage

HOWEVER, the increase in the number of registered unions did not translate to more registered CBAs. In fact, registered CBAs last year fell to 995, from 1,159 recorded in 2017. BLR defines CBA as the contract, which is

the result of “the process of negotiations between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions.” A similar trend was also observed in the 2017/2018 round of the Integrated Survey on Labor and Employment of the Philippine Statistics Authority, which covered firms with 20 or more workers. The PSA conducts the ISLE every two years. “CBA coverage rate [proportion of employees covered by CBAs to total paid employees] was at 7.1 percent, or around 362,000 of the 5.060 million total paid employees were covered by CBAs in 2018. A minimal decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the 7.2 percent CBA coverage rate posted in 2016,” the PSA said. Tanjusay said this may be explained by the usual cycle of CBA renegotiations, which usually happen every three to five years. However, Cainglet said the decline in CBA coverage could be attributed to the refusal of employers to recognize legitimate labor unions and the government’s weak enforcement of union regulations. “They [employers] simply refuse to negotiate and don’t recognize trade unions, and their employee’s right to organize and bargain collectively,” he said. “These are contrary to law as their acts constitute refusal to bargain. The DOLE is supposed to come in and make them sit at the negotiating table, but they have not. Thus it becomes symptomatic of the problem of weak enforcement,” he added.

Filipino coffee farmers to undergo skills training via Indonesia-backed project By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

OPIKO maker PT Mayora Indah Tbk and the Indonesian government will support the training of 10 Filipino coffee farmers to increase their productivity, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). The training grant, which is a joint project between Philippine and Indonesian organizations, seeks to expand Filipino coffee farmers’ “knowledge and skills on coffee farming and processing.” The DA said the training would boost farmers “productivity and help arrest the declining supply of locally grown coffee in the Philippines.” The Philippine-Indonesia Partnership: Coffee Farmers’ Training Grant is a project by the DA, the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. (PCBI), Indonesian food and beverage manufacturer PT Mayora Indah Tbk and the Embassy of Indonesia in the Philippines. The training grant “will provide advanced trainings in the Philippines, as well as Indonesia,the fourth-largest coffee producer in the world,” the DA said. “This training aims to contribute to the local government’s program in improving productivity, product quality and profitability of the

country’s coffee farms through a competitive and sustainable value chain from farming to manufacturing,” said PCBI President Chit Juan. Juan said the goal of the training grant is to expand bean production across key coffee-producing provinces nationwide, such as Benguet, Quezon, Ilocos, Negros, Davao, Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat. “Smallholder coffee farmers in these provinces already plant Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa coffee beans, but still have the potential of further generating incomes and supporting livelihoods with sustained quality production,” she said. “Through the educational grant, we hope to help reboot the country’s coffee industry by equipping our coffee farmers with the necessary knowledge, skills and mindset to derive the most economic benefit from their produce,” she added. The DA said the 10 coffee farmers were selected after a “rigorous selection and vetting process by government and nonprofit partners, including the DA; Department of Trade and Industry; Philippine Commission on Women; Washington, D.C.-based ACDI/ VOCA; and PCBI.” “Farmers who qualified for the grant should own at least a hectare of land planted with coffee, and must

have produced at least 1 metric ton [MT] of coffee a year,” it added. The 10 selected coffee farmers are: Allan Canam and Catherine Alipit-Canam from Benguet; Ronald Peña (Cavite), Jennifer Rimando (Mountain Province); and Jonecy Tomilas (Nueva Vizcaya); Joy Cañete and Christian Romay both from Negros Occidental; Kadafhie Butted (Bukidnon); Jocelyn Mamar (Davao del Sur); and Criss Tutanes (Sultan Kudarat). “I hope that this program will bolster the needs of coffee since one of the purposes of this launch is to increase the production of local Philippine coffee beans to contribute to the development of the local coffee industry,” said Dr. Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Philippines. “I am optimistic that this program would be a good start, and will also open other new opportunities between our nations to get even closer and gain mutual benefits,” he added. The country’s coffee output in the third quarter fell by 0.34 percent to 5,790 MT from 5,810 MT recorded last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. The PSA attributed the decline to reduced harvesting of berries due to delayed flowering of coffee trees and occurrence of pests.

found in our laws already: the right to remit the profit, the dividends, even the investments. It will make life easier for them, that when they invest here they can manage their capital fluidly,” said Lopez. Lopez and a team of several trade officials were in Dubai last week for the international launch of the country’s participation in the World Expo 2020. The Philippines will be showcasing the bangkota—ancient Filipino word for coral reef—which

will house arts, crafts, visuals and products from the country. The Philippine government is expecting its participation in the World Expo will improve the country’s profile to the international community, and will lure investors to do business here. World Expo 2020 will run from October 2020 to April 2021 in Dubai. Organizers are projecting over 25 million visitors in what they branded as the world’s greatest show.

Group wants jail time for refusal to give workers’ 13th-month pay

HE country’s largest labor group wants to put in jail and slap a fine on employers who will not give employees their 13th-month pay, a benefit that is required by law. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) President Raymond Mendoza floated the idea of enacting a measure that will criminalize the nonpayment of 13th-month pay. He said the penalties could be similar to those slapped on persons guilty of theft or robbery. Under the Revised Penal Code, theft is punishable by a fine and imprisonment, while those guilty of robbery get only jail time. The concurrent representative of the TUCP party-list said the move aims to deter employers from violating Presidential Decree 851, which mandates the grant of 13th-month pay that is equivalent to their employees’ one-month salary on or before December 24 of every year. “It is revolting to know that many businesses, employers and labor middlemen are not [fulfilling] their 13th-month pay obligation. We are inundated by workers’ rants

[about this] every year,” said Mendoza. Currently, Mendoza said the only recourse of workers, who have not been given their 13th-month pay, is to file a complaint with the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment or the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). “Employers who failed to give 13thmonth pay will be charged with money claims, and would have to pay more in moral and exemplary damages if found guilty,” he said. Mendoza said employees of multinational firms may file their complaint with the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry “to question their International Standard Organization certification” or the Bureau of Immigration. “Recalcitrant foreign employers can be subject for deportation with a complaint to the Bureau of Immigration,” he said. Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the government could issue compliance orders against firms that will not give the 13thmonth pay of their workers. Samuel P. Medenilla

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China says phase 1 deal in trade war with US lessens uncertainty

EIJING—China expressed cautious optimism on Saturday about a first-step trade agreement that dials down a trade war it blames the US for starting.

Chinese experts and news media joined government officials in saying the deal would reduce uncertainty for companies, at least, in the short term. They remained cautious, saying both sides will have to show a willingness to compromise to resolve the more fundamental differences between them. “It at least stabilizes the situation and lays a foundation for the next round of trade talks or canceling additional tariffs in the future,” said Tu Xinquan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. “I cannot predict what achievement can be made during the future talks.” The two countries announced a “phase one” agreement on Friday under which the US will reduce tariffs and China will buy more US farm products. Chinese officials said the nine-chapter text, which includes intellectual property, technology transfer, financial services and dispute settlement, has to undergo

legal and translation review before it can be signed. At a late night news conference in Beijing, timed to coincide with the US morning, the officials said the United States would begin phasing out tariffs on Chinese imports, rather than continue to raise them. The deal was announced just two days before higher tariffs were set to kick in. China would make similar tariff cuts, the officials said, but they gave no details. China portrayed the agreement as in line with the opening up of its economy and the deepening of its economic reforms. Increased imports of high-quality products from the United States and elsewhere will “meet the growing needs of the people for a better life,” said Wang Shouwen, a deputy commerce minister and trade negotiator. Bai Ming, an economic expert described as being close to the commerce ministry, told the state-owned

IN this September 29, 2019, file photo, a man eats a snack while passing an “I love China” decoration at a popular shopping mall in Beijing. China is putting a positive face on an agreement to start dialing down a trade war that it blames the US for starting. Chinese experts and news media said the deal would reduce uncertainty for companies and lay the foundation for further talks. AP

Global Times newspaper that the US tariff cuts demonstrate a positive attitude. “They are not showing enough of it, but it’s an improvement,” he was quoted as saying. In a separate piece, the Global Times called the agreement a new beginning. It pointed to stock market gains in recent days as word of a

possible deal emerged. The dispute between the world’s two largest economies had rattled markets and depressed global growth. “China and the US have been locked in a trade war for about 20 months and neither side could overwhelm the other to recklessly impose its own will on the other,” said the

newspaper, which is known for its nationalistic views. It added, though, that both countries are capable of prolonging the trade war, and that resolving their differences will require patient negotiations. “Rome was not built in a day,” it wrote. AP

US approves fish oil-based Argentina raises export tax to fund spending drug for cutting heart risks

rgentina, the world’s biggest seller of processed soybean meal and oil, raised export taxes on Saturday as the government seeks to fund spending under new President Alberto Fernandez. After the peso’s 37-percent slump this year, the new administration is replacing a levy of 4 pesos per dollar with a fixed charge of 9 percent, according to a decree in the official gazette. But the document didn’t specify soybeans in a list of products, leading Eugenio Irazuegui, head of research

This undated photo provided by Amarin in November 2018 shows a capsule of the purified, prescription fish oil Vascepa. On Friday, December 13, 2019, US regulators approved expanded use of the medication for preventing serious heart complications in high-risk patients already taking cholesterol-lowering pills. AP

RENTON, New Jersey—US regulators on Friday approved expanded use of a fish oilbased drug for preventing serious heart complications in high-risk patients already taking cholesterollowering pills. Vascepa was approved years ago for people with sky-high triglycerides, a type of fat in blood. The Food and Drug Administration allowed its use in a far bigger group of adults with high, but less extreme, triglyceride levels who have multiple risk factors, such as heart disease and diabetes. In patient testing, it reduced risks of potentially deadly complications, including heart attacks and strokes, about 25 percent. Amarin, the drug’s maker, set a list price of $303.65 per month. What patients pay will vary by insurance, and Amarin said it will offer financial help. The Irish drugmaker estimates the new approval makes Vascepa, which is pronounced vasEE’-puh and also is called icosapent ethyl, appropriate for up to 15 million US patients. High triglycerides can clog arteries and boost chances of developing heart disease, suffering heart attacks or strokes, needing a bypass or artery-clearing procedure, or being hospitalized for chest pain—just like high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure can do.

Amarin funded a five-year study of nearly 8,200 patients at high cardiac risk who were already taking medicines to lower bad cholesterol or control diabetes. The half who took Vascepa capsules along with those medicines had a 25 percent lower chance of heart complications and a 20 percent lower risk of death, compared with those adding dummy capsules of mineral oil to their medicines. Slightly more patients getting Amarin’s drug had an irregular heartbeat than those taking the dummy capsules, but other side effects were minor. Previous studies testing other fish oil drugs to cut cardiac risk had flopped. Heart disease affects an estimated 121 million American adults, causes about 1 in 3 deaths and costs more than $500 billion annually for treatment, according to the American Heart Association. Millions of Americans take nonprescription supplements of fish oil, also called omega-3 fatty acids, for their supposed heart benefits, but their dosages are far below Vascepa’s potency. Vascepa sales brought Amarin just $287 million over 2019’s first nine months, but analysts forecast the much-broader approval could boost annual sales to $3 billion or more. AP

at grains brokerage Enrique Zeni, to interpret that the oilseed and grains, such as corn and wheat, will revert back to a previous maximum rate of 12 percent. Given soybeans and processed soy products already have an additional 18 percent charge, that would mean shipments of the oilseed would be taxed a total of 30 percent. The government said the move was urgent to meet its fiscal needs. Fernandez took office on December 10 amid a severe economic crisis, challenging creditor talks and a record $56 billion International

Monetary Fund credit line. He has said the nation is unable to meet its debt obligations if the economy doesn’t grow. Argentina is also enduring a severe drought in the Pampas growing belt. The move had been widely telegraphed by farmers, whose crops are worth a third of all the nation’s export dollars. The head of the Society for Rural Argentina, Daniel Pelegrina, said the new taxes “will have a very big impact for the farmer,” according to newspaper La Nacion. Bloomberg News

Chinese envoy threatens Germany with retaliation

hina’s ambassador threatened Germany with retaliation if it excludes Huawei Technologies Co. as a supplier of 5G wireless equipment, citing the millions of vehicles German carmakers sell in China. Resistance against Huawei is growing among lawmakers in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s governing coalition, who have challenged her China policy with a bill that would impose a broad ban on “untrustworthy” 5G vendors. “If Germany were to take a decision that leads to Huawei’s exclusion from the German market, there will be consequences,” Ambassador Wu Ken said on Saturday at a Handelsblatt event. “The Chinese government will not stand idly by.” President Donald J. Trump’s administration has sought to enlist US allies in squeezing out Huawei as a 5G supplier. A lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission this month marked Huawei’s latest attempt to fight US sanctions and curbs that threaten the world’s largest networking business. While the German legislation doesn’t explicitly name Huawei, it’s tailored to the Chinese company and comes after months of debate about 5G security. Huawei has repeatedly rejected allegations of its equipment’s potential for espionage and sabotage. The ambassador said Huawei has no legal obligation to provide data to the Chinese government, then reminded the audience that German manufacturers account for a quarter of the 28 million cars sold in China last year. “Could we say one day that these German cars are no longer safe because we’re in a position to manufacture our own cars?” he said in a video on the newspaper’s web site. “No. That is pure protectionism.” Bloomberg News

Mahathir shows no sign Australia earmarks $69 million to boost recycling innovation of power handover

Daniel Moss Anwar, alaysia Prime who was among MahaMinister Mahathir’s deputy prime minthir Mohamad isters when he was presaid he’ll step down only mier between 1981 and after resolving problems 2003, was ousted and inherited by the previous jailed for charges of sodadministration, raising omy and abuse of power. questions about a hanThe two became bitter ridover in power that’s exvals before teaming up for pected to take place before the elections last year to mid-2020. overthrow Najib Razak, The 94-year-old leader, who was speaking at MAHATHIR BLOOMBERG the former premier Maa forum in Doha, didn’t hathir had previously give a definitive time frame on when supported. he’ll step down or whom his top choice Anwar, who cut a deal to become would be. He has previously said he’ll the country’s next prime minister hand over power to former rival Anahead of 2018 polls, said in September war Ibrahim once the country is on there’s “no ambiguity” about a hangood footing. dover of power, adding that “this is a “I have promised that I will step transition government.” In an earlier down once I have resolved some of interview with Bloomberg, Anwar inthe major problems that have been dicated the handover should happen left by the previous government,” Maaround May 2020. hathir said in response to a question Questions over Mahathir’s sucon whether his leadership is needed cession plan have cast a shadow over beyond 2020. “I promised that I will Malaysian politics. A conflict between step down and give the leadership to Anwar and Azmin Ali, the minister of a candidate that has been named by economic affairs widely seen as his the coalition.” rival, has raised the possibility that To another question on whether AnMahathir will extend his stay in powwar would be the best person to take er. He looks set to stay until at least over, Mahathir said he couldn’t make November next year, when he plans any guarantees because he’s had bad to become the only prime minister to experiences, when identified successors have hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic went on to do “different things” after Cooperation leaders’ meeting twice. taking over. Bloomberg News

new A$100 million ($69 million) investment fund aims to boost the proportion of refuse recycled in Australia and encourage innovation to prevent trash from ending up in landfills, the government said. The Australian Recycling Investment Fund, to be managed by the Clean Energy Finance Corp. (CEFC), is part of a A$167 million government plan to tackle plastic waste and halve food waste by 2030, Environment Minister Sussan Ley said in a statement Sunday. “The Australian Recycling Investment Fund will provide the

CEFC with the capacity to support waste and recycling technologies by making investments which attract private-sector support and by working with strategic financing partners to attract additional investments into this sector,” Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann said in the statement. The government has invited applications to address Australia’s waste and recycling challenges to the corporation, which has facilitated more than A$24 billion of clean energy projects since its inception in 2012, it said. Bloomberg News

IN this file photo, dozer moves refuse evenly over a landfill cell, at Cleanaway’s Melbourne Regional Landfill site in Ravenhall, Australia. Bloomberg

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Monday, December 16, 2019 A9

Johnson’s win may deliver Brexit but could risk Britain’s breakup L

ONDON—Leaving the European Union is not the only split British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has to worry about. Johnson’s commanding election victory this week may let him fulfill his campaign promise to “get Brexit done,” but it could also imperil the future of the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland and Northern Ireland didn’t vote for Brexit, didn’t embrace this week’s Conservative electoral landslide— and now may be drifting permanently away from London. In a victory speech on Friday, Johnson said the election result proved that leaving the EU is “the irrefutable, irresistible, unarguable decision of the British people.” Arguably, though, it isn’t. It’s the will of the English, who make up 56 million of the UK’s 66 million people. During Britain’s 2016 referendum on EU membership, England and much smaller Wales voted to leave bloc; Scotland and Ireland didn’t. In Thursday’s election, England elected 345 Conservative lawmakers—all but 20 of the 365 House of Commons seats Johnson’s party won across the UK. In Scotland, 48 of the 59 seats were won by the Scottish National Party, which opposes Brexit and wants Scotland to become independent of the UK. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said her party’s “emphatic” victory showed that “the kind of future de-

sired by the majority in Scotland is different to that chosen by the rest of the UK.” The SNP has campaigned for decades to make Scotland independent and almost succeeded in 2014, when Scotland held a referendum on seceding from the UK. The “remain” side won 55 percent to 45 percent. At the time, the referendum was billed as a once-in-a-generation decision. But the SNP argues that Brexit has changed everything because Scotland now faces being dragged out of the EU against its will. Sturgeon said on Friday that Johnson “has no mandate whatsoever to take Scotland out of the EU” and Scotland must be able to decide its future in a new independence referendum. Johnson insists he will not approve a referendum during the current term of Parliament, which is due to last until 2024. Johnson’s office said the prime minister told the Scottish leader on Friday that “the result of the 2014 referendum was decisive and should be respected.” The Scotsman newspaper summed up the showdown on Saturday with front page face-to-face images of Sturgeon and Johnson: “Two landslides. One collision course.” “What we’ve got now is pretty close to a perfect storm,” said historian Tom Devine, professor emeritus at the University of Edinburgh. He said the UK is facing an “unprecedented constitutional crisis” as Johnson’s refusal to approve a

SCOTTISH First Minister Nicola Sturgeon poses with newly elected MPs of Scottish National Party (SNP) during a photo opportunity as they gather outside the V&A Museum in Dundee, Scotland, on Saturday, December 14, 2019. Sturgeon delivered a landslide election victory for the SNP, with a campaign focused on demands for a second referendum on Scottish independence, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flatly rebuffed the idea of another vote. ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA VIA AP

referendum fuels growing momentum for Scottish independence. Politically and legally, it’s a stalemate. Without the approval of the UK government, a referendum would not be legally binding. London could simply ignore the result, as the Spanish government did when Catalonia held an unauthorized in-

dependence vote in 2017. Mark Diffley, an Edinburghbased political analyst, said Sturgeon “has said that she doesn’t want a Catalonia-style referendum. She wants to do this properly.” There’s no clear legal route to a second referendum if Johnson refuses, though Sturgeon can apply political

and moral pressure. Diffley said the size of the SNP’s win allows Sturgeon to argue that a new referendum is “the will of the people.” Sturgeon said that next week she will lay out a “detailed democratic case for a transfer of power to enable a referendum to be put beyond legal challenge.”

Devine said the administrations in Edinburgh and London “are in a completely uncompromising condition” and that will only make the crisis worse. “The longer Johnson refuses to concede a referendum, the greater will the pro-independence momentum in Scotland accelerate,” he said. “By refusing to concede it, Johnson has ironically become a recruiting sergeant for increased militant nationalism.” Northern Ireland has its own set of political parties and structures largely split along British unionist/ Irish nationalist lines. There, too, people feel cast adrift by Brexit, and the political plates are shifting. For the first time this week, Northern Ireland elected more lawmakers who favor union with Ireland than want to remain part of the UK. The island of Ireland, which holds the UK’s only land border with the EU, has proved the most difficult issue in Brexit negotiations. Any customs checks or other obstacles along the currently invisible frontier between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland would undermine both the local economy and Northern Ireland’s peace process. The divorce deal struck between Johnson and the EU seeks to avoid a hard border by keeping Northern Ireland closely aligned to EU rules, which means new checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. AP

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editorial

Can the US dollar be dethroned?

T the height of the US-China trade war in July, an American financial writer, Jeff Siegel, wrote an interesting article—“With the Death of the Dollar Comes the Death of America”— saying it’s not aircraft carriers and nuclear missiles that make the US one of the most feared countries in the world. “It’s our currency,” he said, “and this country has a long history of weaponizing the dollar in an effort to make its enemies crumble. But this practice is about to backfire. Because if you threaten folks long enough and screw with their money, they’ll eventually strike back. And there is mounting evidence that this is what’s happening right now.” Siegel said the US dollar is the foundation on which the United States has built its superpower status, and it has never been afraid of wielding this power to call the shots on an international stage. He added: “We’ve used it countless times to bring our adversaries to their knees. And we’ve continued to use it even more aggressively over the past 20 years. But this trend is starting to put the US at risk of losing everything, as other nations are now starting to join forces to strip the US of its power by seeking alternatives to the US dollar. If such a thing were to happen on a large scale, the US would lose much of its power—and wealth.” Is the reign of “King US Dollar” as the unchallenged world reserve currency about to end? History tells us that global reserve currencies don’t last forever. The pound sterling looked invincible at the height of “the empire on which the sun never sets”…except it did. The US dollar has been the official reserve currency since 1944. Global pundits said recent events on the surface seem to be more about the demise of the petrodollar than anything else, but given that annual oil trade is roughly $14 trillion and that the dollar is used in 99 percent of the trade, this is a very big deal not just for the petrodollar, but in world reserve currency stakes, as well. Russia, a major oil producer, wants to ditch the US dollar. Since 2013, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has been trying to reduce the number of transactions conducted in US dollars, either for domestic payments or foreign trade. Currently, it continues to encourage its trading partners to avoid the dollar in favor of local currencies. A key reason for its emphasis on de-dollarization is that US sanctions are extraterritorial—they target all companies using the US dollar or operating stateside subsidiaries. Ditching reliance on the dollar is, therefore, seen as a way for Russia to circumvent sanctions, according to Agathe Demarais, Global Forecasting director at the Economist Intelligence Unit. China has started its own version of de-dollarization and has celebrated the first anniversary of an oil-futures market denominated in yuan, with an annual turnover that is already the equivalent of $2.5 trillion. The Shanghai Futures Exchange, where oil futures are traded, also announced plans to offer forward contracts in rubber, nonferrous metals, and other commodities—all to be transacted in yuan. These events should raise questions in the minds of foreign holders of US securities, particularly with the existence of another currency with a deep and liquid market issued by an economy as large as the US. Obviously, that currency is the euro. On the other hand, there is also the renminbi, the currency of an economy that experts predict may be larger than the US 50 years from now. Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Short-term and long-term wins

With the proposed sports school, in case it materializes, and the world-class training facilities here in our country, our athletes have a better chance at winning more medals at international sports competitions. Of course, we do hope that the government will continue to extend support for our athletes every step of the way.

Aside from serving as training ground for local athletes, foreign athletes and groups are also said to be looking at the opportunity to train here, specifically in New Clark City, because of the first-rate sports facilities and amenities that we managed to build initially for the SEA Games. The first Filipina marathon runner to qualify for the Olympics, Mary Joy Tabal, apparently “had goosebumps” when she saw the

chance at winning more medals at international sports competitions. Of course, we do hope that the government will continue to extend support for our athletes every step of the way. It is but fitting and fair to mention at this point, and to laud, the administration’s move to substantially reward with cash incentives our medalists in the 30th SEA Games. That kind of encouragement is also a good way to show the athletes that they are valued and appreciated. As far as the economy is con-

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

till high from our wins at the recently concluded Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, it appears that the country has just started to put serious investment in sports. With the construction of the New Clark City (NCC) Sports Complex and a proposal to build a national sports high school (Philippine High School for Sports), the Philippines may be able to develop or hone better and stronger athletes.

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NCC Sports Complex for the first time. She said in her Instagram post: “You would feel like crying because we finally have something we can be proud of. I never imagined that it would be this beautiful, our stadium is really like that of in [sic] Singapore.” With the proposed sports school, in case it materializes, and the worldclass training facilities here in our country, our athletes have a better

everal years after the passage of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (VAWC) of 2004, the number of women suffering from domestic violence and intimate partner abuse remains high. One in 4 women aged 15 to 49 (24.4 percent) has experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse committed by their husband or partner. Seventeen percent of these women have experienced physical violence since age 15. Two in 5 (41 percent) of these women never sought help to end violence or told anyone about the violence. Men are at the heart of domestic violence. Eight of every 10 perpetrators of physical abuse are men (Guerrero and Sobrithcea, 2000). If these men stop abusing their partners, domestic violence would be greatly reduced. On the other hand, abusive men are willing to change, but they need help and, must be helped, to initiate change (Lee, 2004). Most men assume leadership positions in families, communities and organizations, both public and private (Lee, 2004). With resources at their disposal (e.g., time funds, facilities, personnel, etc.), these male leaders can mobilize themselves, other men, and their groups and organizations, to help halt and

prevent domestic violence. It is in this light that the Philippine Commission on Women conceptualized the involvement of men and invited male representatives from different agencies to participate in the brainstorming discussions on the possibilities of men’s support in ending domestic violence. In 2006, the “Men Oppose to VAW Everywhere” convener was organized and initiated by the PCW with the goal of involving men in the effort of ending VAW in the Philippines. MOVE is a pro-active organization composed of men from various national line agencies and local government units (LGUs) continuously striving to develop and impart among its

members the appropriate VAWrelated knowledge, attitude and practices; and mobilize individual members to spearhead in their respective communities and organizations on the advocacy against VAW, among others. One of the key objectives of MOVE is to institutionalize and to support the national quest for a VAW-free Philippines by integrating the Gender and Development programs in the programs of national agencies, LGUs and other government instrumentalities. MOVE has, as its core values: n M-Moral uprightness We live by what we advocate, we are what we want other men to be. n O-Obligation conscious We are officially aware of our commitment and responsibility as a MOVE member. We are duty-bound. n V-Vow to never commit, condone and be silent about vaw We vow to never commit, condone and be silent about gender-based violence against women and children. n E-Equality We believe that all men and women are equal. n R-Respect for human rights We believe that everyone has the right to live a gender-fair and violence-free society. n S-Sustained commitment We commit ourselves to sustainability. (Taken from the Report of Ricky A. Bunao, “Addressing

cerned, there is at least one gain: an approximate 0.1-percent increase in GDP this year because of the expenditures for the SEA Games. This is based on what RCBC Chief Economist Michael Ricafort told CNN Philippines in an interview. According to another senior economist from ING Bank, the Philippines will hit its target of 6-percent growth this year because of the country’s SEA Games hosting. Many industries or sectors—like the hotel, retail, tourism and F&B— posted gains from the 12-day sporting event, not only from the athletes, themselves, but also from the sports fans, companions and guests of the athletes. Additionally, because we now have world-class sports facilities, it is not a remote possibility for the country to host yet another international sporting event, like the 2030 Asian Games. This is one of the country’s gains this year—for the sports community, our athletes and, in some ways, for our economy. Congratulations to all the SEA Games winners, athletes and organizers for a job well done!

G ender -B a sed V iolence a nd Criminalities,” 2019) MOVE, to date, has chapters in the Department of National Defense, Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Commission on Elections, Civil Service Commission Central Office, Sandiganbayan, Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Office, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Housing Authority, Department of Health-Region 4A, National Economic and Development AuthorityRegion 4A (Bunao Report, 2019). MOVE also has LGU Chapters in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon Province, Pampanga, Zambales, Bohol, Aklan, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Mountain Province, Southern Leyte, Northern Leyte, Bulacan, Occidental Mindoro, Samar, Nueva Vizcaya, Pasig (Ibid). MOVE Chapters and LGUs nationwide aim to continue their partnership with women in ending men’s violence against women by being a social change organization committed to dismantling the belief systems, social structures, and institutional practices that oppress women, children and dehumanizes men, themselves. MOVE’s Mantra—“Real Men Respect Women.”

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A vote for provincial bus Collateral kinsfolk terminals outside Edsa Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

Thomas M. Orbos

STREET TALK

ut of more than 14,000 buses plying the roads of Metro Manila, about half of these are interregional or provincial buses, meaning these are the ones that serve the public transport demands to and from Metro Manila and the provinces. Given the present lack of an adequate train system, these buses carry the bulk of public provincial commute with an average of 100,000 commuters per day, not to mention the bulk commercial cargoes that they transport. The problem, however, is their terminal stations. Spread all over the metropolis are more than 80 provincial terminals, with around 47 of these in Edsa. Except for maybe the big and established bus company terminals, most are just literally holein-the-wall terminals that were put up just to secure the conditions for their franchise and business permits. Some smaller bus companies even do illegal terminal operations along the curbside—you find these usually at night along Airport Road, Baclaran, Buendia, and the Balintawak-Monumento stretch. These terminals, without any argument, lead to traffic congestion, and are both unsafe and inconvenient for their passengers. In 2014, then MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino initiated the issuance of an executive order taking out these terminals in Metro Manila and in place establishing three central transport terminals. These would cater to commuters taking the northern, southern and southwest corridors. The agency tasked to implement this program was the Department of Transportation. Two successful tenders then resulted, with Megawide winning the right to establish and operate the southwest terminal and which is now operating; and the Ayala group winning the right to put up the southern terminal to be located in the old FTI complex. The study for the location of the third terminal was not yet done at the time the new administration came in. This proved to be a blessing as the sites recommended by the assigned consultant were at the fringes of the metropolis but very much along Edsa, namely in Balintawak and Monumento, fortunately an unsolicited proposal was submitted to DOTr offering the Philippine Arena complex as the venue for the northern corridor terminal, which was more appropriate for the purpose. Earlier this year, the MMDA moved for the banning of the terminals, specifically the ones along Edsa and utilizing the interim terminals of Valenzuela and Santa Rosa. Because of this, the Quezon City government announced the nonrenewal of

business permits for the terminals in their jurisdiction. The LTFRB, on the other hand, also issued a statement on the modification of routes of the affected buses. Everything was set for the move to the interim sites. However, a temporary restraining order was issued by a Quezon City trial court, with a number of bus companies understandably praying for the said issuance. True, there are valid points against these provincial terminals. Those opposed to the terminals, particularly the affected bus operators, and some legislators and commuter groups point out the inconvenience and higher cost of commute of the passengers. They envision passengers paying and being inconvenienced more with the need to take an extra ride on city buses to and from the terminals. But DOTr addresses this already with the commitment to bring in more dedicated P2P buses for the terminal—city routes at a cost that is equal if not cheaper than what passengers would be paying now. Another point raised by the opposition is that private vehicle and not buses are the ones causing congestion. Such argument fails to acknowledge that each of the more than 100,000 passengers utilizing these terminals ride in either private vehicles or taxis to and from these stations. That is 100,000 vehicles a day taken out from Edsa once provincial bus terminals are placed outside the city premises. Our transport regulators should remain steadfast in pursuing the eventual operations of these central transport terminals, notwithstanding the current legal impediments. Provincial bus terminals in Metro Manila must go. And not just for reducing traffic congestion. Such a move will ensure a safer, more convenient and more efficient travel for our metro—provincial commuters. Thomas Tim Orbos was former DOTr undersecretary for roads and general manager of the MMDA. He is currently undertaking further studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu

hilippine law recognizes a compulsory system of succession, that is, whenever a person dies, a certain portion of his estate goes to compulsory heirs—children, parents in the absence of the children, and the surviving spouse. In general, those collateral relatives—siblings, nephews, and nieces, and those related up to the fifth degree (aunts, uncles, and cousins are included in this list) may only inherit in the absence of the compulsory heirs. These blood relatives are called collateral, as opposed to lineal, and are not the preferred heirs under the law. Nonetheless, any person can write a will to bequeath a part of his estate to any of his collateral relatives. Like most Filipinos, I have a substantial number of collateral relatives living abroad. Four of my five siblings have migrated to the United States for more than 30 years. Seven of my 10 nephews and nieces were born in the United States, and most of them have attended or are attending good schools—Johns Hopkins, UC

Berkeley, Brown University, University of Florida, among others. Who could ever imagine that my father and mother, coming from humble beginnings, could produce such grandchildren with impressive credentials? One standout among my nephews and nieces is Enrique. Born with autism, Enrique has managed to obtain an associate

Reunion for a cause Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT Conclusion

he “Liron Liron Sinta” Alumni homecoming of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business (VSB and formerly the UP college of Business Administration) on December 7, 2019, was a very successful reunion full of significant events. With more than 350 alumni and guests trooping to the UP Promenade park grounds, I, as the new dean of the VSB, launched five initiatives that were intended to further strengthen the VSB’s relationship with its alumni and various stakeholders. I signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with UP College of Business Administration Alumni Association represented by Chairman Manuel Villar Jr., and the UP Masters in Business Administration Alumni Society represented by Chairman Francisco Josef. This MOU shall ensure that the VSB’s relationship with its alumni continues to be a strong and positive one. I also focused on enhancing the communication system between the school and the alumni and other stakeholders. Prior to my assumption of the deanship, the VSB had been relying on the issuance of its e-mailed Alumni Newsletter and its web site (http://vsb.upd.edu.ph/home) to communicate with its community. Every year, less than 20 electronic Newsletters are being sent. To address the clamor of our alumni to

get more updated and frequent information, I launched the enhanced social network platforms with more school news being posted on the VSB Facebook (https://www.facebook. com/vsbcbaofficial/) and Twitter (@ UPVSBtweets) accounts. During the homecoming, I also launched the first issue of the VSB Vantage Point Journal. This is a full colored publication that chronicles the important developments in the college. This Journal is my brainchild intended to communicate to the VSB community the many plans and activities of the School and serve as a sharing platform for all VSB stakeholders of their ideas, suggestions and milestones. This journal will be published quarterly, and available in printed and electronic versions. I also announced during the homecoming the Alumni and Cor-

Opec+ deal isn’t worth the paper it’s written on By Julian Lee Bloomberg Opinion

here was an elephant in the room during the recent Opec+ meeting: The recordbreaking initial public offering of Saudi Arabia’s mammoth oil company Saudi Aramco occurring at exactly the same time. The coincidence meant that the output cuts agreed by Opec and its allies were designed as much to bolster the share price of Saudi Arabian Oil Co., as they were to balance the oil market going into 2020. This will greatly complicate matters for Saudi Arabia when it finds itself having to impose discipline on fellow producers looking for ways to adhere to their targets without actually cutting production. The deal is much weaker than it looks. The headlines out of Vienna took markets by surprise. The group cut their collective output target by a further 500,000 barrels a day for the first quarter of 2020, taking the

reduction from 2018 baselines to 1.7 million barrels a day. Saudi Arabia, the kingmaker in all oil matters, said it would reduce its own target by a further 400,000 barrels a day on top of that—as long as all the other participants adhered to their pledges. That appeared to indicate that Opec+ output would be slashed by a very substantial 900,000 barrels a day, with 770,000 of them coming from Opec and the rest from its partners. But in reality, the difference the agreement will make to physical production is really quite small, even if everyone sticks to their new goals. Saudi Arabia’s new voluntary target of 9.744 million barrels a day is just 5,000 barrels a day below what it pumped on average over the past nine months, according to the production numbers it supplies to Opec. That’s no cut at all. In fact, by tying the 400,000 barrels a day to full compliance by everybody else, its offer was actually a thinlydisguised threat that the kingdom

would increase output if any of the other countries fail to meet their commitment. Angola’s production will also go up rather than down in the coming months. The West African country has no new projects to offset steep decline rates at its deep-water fields after the 2014 price crash killed off foreign investment in its oil sector. In November, it pumped about 200,000 barrels a day below its target. Oil Minister Diamantino Azevedo has no realistic prospect of boosting his country’s output to its target level, but should be able to restore about half of its shortfall now that maintenance has ended at key fields. So even if everybody else does what they have promised, the real cut in output from November levels will be closer to 385,000 barrels a day. And even that is optimistic. The group’s biggest problems are Iraq and Nigeria. Iraq must contribute almost half of the outstanding Opec cut, but has failed to get

Will Saudi Arabia follow through with its threat to open the taps if the rest don’t step up? This game of chicken is a high-stakes one. With many in the Opec+ group already pumping close to capacity, a Saudi output boost might not start a production free-for-all, but it would certainly undermine oil prices. And that wouldn’t help the share price of just-listed Saudi Aramco. anywhere close to its 2019 target so far. For seven out of 11 months this year the group’s second-largest producer has actually been pumping above its baseline—rather than below—for cuts as spelled out in the agreement. Things have at least been moving in the right direction in recent months, but Iraq remains the group’s biggest over-producer. If anti-government protests spread to oil fields, civil unrest may do what government action has so far

Monday, December 16, 2019 A11

degree and be gainfully employed in a horticulture company in Florida. He even comes up with different bird drawings, have them professionally printed as greeting cards, and sells them from time to time. Aside from collateral relatives, I also have a few close friends, who, though not related by blood, I consider them as family. One of these friends is US Navy Captain Dan Gruta. A graduate of the US Naval Academy in 1986, Dan moved to the US in 1972 from Cavite. Wanting to stay in a Catholic high school, Dan even worked as a janitor to partially pay for his tuition. After a 28-year respectable service in the US Navy, he is back in government service as a program analyst for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command. What makes Dan different from most of my Filipino friends in the US military is the fact that he remains true to his Filipino roots as best as he can. His network of friends in the Philippine military is quite commendable. But his ability to forge, bridge, and maintain relationships from both sides of the world makes Dan an excellent

friend. In the Bible, Proverbs 12:20 tells us, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” In our lives, we can have someone like Captain Dan, who can serve as a big brother to us, though not a blood relative. All of us are products of the people we surround ourselves with. In the case of my nephew Enrique, his success against the challenges of autism was largely due to the untiring and selfless efforts of his parents Eric and Irene Estores. In the case of Captain Dan, he attributed his success to people around him who helped him all throughout his naval career. There is a need for us to nurture friendships with people, related by blood or otherwise, who can bring a positive influence in our lives. Conversely, we need to stay away from friends for convenience and learn to walk away from broken friendships. On a personal note, whenever I go through hard times, I know that I have collateral kinsfolk all over. We all do.

I also announced during the homecoming the Alumni and Corporate Networking Directory initiative. Presently, the school has limited information on a small number of less than 1,000 alumni. This project intends to increase the number of alumni with updated and pertinent information in the school’s data rolls.

between the VSB and its alumni and other supporters on providing financial support to assist in the implementation of the (1) more than 65 activities and projects distributed in 11 categories under the my LIRO plans for the college; (2) “Now and After” Infrastructure Development projects; and, (3) the events and activities of the College. Finally, the spirit of Christmas was not forgotten during the homecoming. The alumni were invited to participate in the “Gift ko Wish ko” (Gik Wik) initiative that I put in place last month. This Gik Wik project invited members of the VSB community to drop by in the school and to put in the big Christmas tree displayed in the main lobby their message and wish for their alma mater for this Christmas season and the coming new year. With all of these activities engaged in by the alumni and the school community, this year’s homecoming truly has turned out to be a reunion for a cause.

For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

porate Networking Directory initiative. Presently, the school has limited information on a small number of less than 1,000 alumni. This project intends to increase the number of alumni with updated and pertinent information in the school’s data rolls. This directory will be published by June 2020 and will finally address the many requests of our alumni for networking information of their batch mates and fellow VSB colleagues. The updating and registration of information shall be done online. The details on this will be provided soon. During the homecoming, three jubilarian batches donated to the VSB. Batch 1959 donated a LED Viosk Display valued at P200,000; Batch 1969 and Batch 1994 gave cash donations of P1.5 million and P1.2 million, respectively. I personally extend again my appreciation to these batches for their generous support. Other batches and alumni are expected to contribute and support their alma mater with the launching of the “Looking In Reaching Out” (LIRO) Sponsorship Program. This program is a collaboration

Joel L. Tan-Torres is the Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. He was the former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue from 2009 to 2010, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy from 2014 to August 2018 and a partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co., CPA, from 2011 to October 2019. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. This column accepts contributions from the business community, especially articles that are of interest to the accountancy profession, in particular, and to the business community, in general. These can be e-mailed to boa.secretariat.@gmail.com

failed to deliver. Nigeria is trying to reclassify some of its output as condensate—a light form of crude extracted from gas fields. Because Opec doesn’t regulate such production, the change would allow the biggest oil producer in Africa to comply with the new goals without actually cutting production at all. At the Vienna meeting, Russia, the key non-Opec contributor to the cuts, secured such an exemption, allowing it to deliver another 40,000 barrels a day of cuts without actually removing a single additional barrel. Other Opec+ producers with significant condensate volumes— Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman and Malaysia—may seek similar treatment. We could easily end up with a deal that is met on paper with very little new oil taken off the market. Will Saudi Arabia follow through with its threat to open the taps if the rest don’t step up? This game of chicken is a high-stakes one.

With many in the Opec+ group already pumping close to capacity, a Saudi output boost might not start a production free-for-all, but it would certainly undermine oil prices. And that wouldn’t help the share price of just-listed Saudi Aramco. Foreign investors balked at a $2 trillion valuation for the company, leaving the IPO a decidedly local affair. The valuation of Aramco was at the heart of Saudi thinking at the Opec and Opec+ meetings, according to one delegate who was in the closed-door sessions. And that fixation will continue as the kingdom seeks to maintain the company’s stock price. The $2 trillion valuation was reached, briefly, on the second day of trading in the stock. How it will fare over the long term is a different matter, and may be even harder to control than Opec+. Saudi Aramco may be forced to keep cutting its own output to bolster the share price whatever the rest of the producer group does.

A12 Monday, December 16, 2019

Quake collapses building, kills 1 in Davao del Sur

STRONG earthquake jolted Davao del Sur on Sunday, killing at least one person and causing a three-story building to collapse, setting off a search for an unspecified number of people who were feared to have been trapped inside, officials said.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao del Sur on Sunday afternoon sent a fresh wave of panic across many parts of the Davao region, North Cotabato and South Cotabato. These areas were jolted by three earthquakes last October.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake struck an area about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of Padada town in Davao del Sur at a depth of 30 kilometers (18 miles). It was tectonic in origin and occurred at 2:11 p.m.

A child died in a village in Davao del Sur’s Matanao town when a wall of her house tumbled down as the ground shook and hit her in the head, officials said. Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas said a three-story building housing a grocery store collapsed in downtown Padada during the quake, trapping an unspecified number of people inside. Initial reports from a local disaster officer told the Philippine Information Agency that the town’s favorite grocery store, the three-storey Southern Trade, collapsed and trapped shoppers. Four of them, all injured, have been rescued. It was not known if others were still

The shaking was different this time, it wasn’t swaying. It’s like a roller was rumbling by underneath.” —Matanao Mayor Fernandez

trapped beneath the rubble. Search and rescue efforts were under way, he said in a radio interview, adding that a still unknown number of people were injured in his province. See “Quake,” A2

LGU share in natl wealth up by 75% in 2020 T HE local government units’(LGUs) share in the state wealth next year would rise by 75 percent to P5.6 billion from P3.2 billion on the back of higher revenue collections in their jurisdictions, a House leader said on Sunday. Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the fund would be allocated to provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays where “the economic utilization of resources such as energy reserves and mineral

deposits is generating not only gainful employment, but also additional income for the national government.” The P5.6-billion allocation is part of the government’s P4.1-trillion budget for next year, Pimentel added. “The P5.6 billion is 75 percent higher than the P3.2 billion share of local governments this year in the money obtained from the productive use of the national wealth within their jurisdictions,” he said in a statement on Sunday. Under the Local Government Code,

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING LUZON EASTERLIES AFFECTING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY as of 4:00 am - December 15, 2019

LGUs are entitled to 40 percent of the National Treasury’s annual gross earnings “from mining taxes, royalties from mineral reservations, forestry charges, and fees and revenues collected from energy resources” on top of their internal revenue allotment, Pimentel said. “Under the law, once the local governments receive their portions, they have to use the money to fund local development and livelihood projects,” Pimentel said. “In the case of local governments

that get their shares from the harvest of energy assets, they must use at least 80 percent of the money solely to reduce the cost of electricity in the communities that supplied the resources,” Pimentel said. Pimentel said “regions that produce a lot of hydrothermal, geothermal and wind energy, as well as those with plenty of metallic mineral and coal mining activities, are expected to get the bulk of the new money.”

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Listing for PHL voters abroad back on Monday

ORE Filipinos abroad will have the opportunity to participate in the 2022 elections with the resumption of voter registration for overseas Filipino voters on Monday. In Comelec Resolution 10619, the poll body said the latest round of voter registration for firsttime Filipino voters abroad will be from December 16, 2019, until September 30, 2021. However, those applying for Transfer from Post to Philippine municipality/city will only run from December 16, 2019, to August 31, 2021. The commissioner in charge of the Comelec Office for Overseas Voting (Ofov), Rowena V. Guanzon, urged all overseas Filipino to register for the 2022 polls. “You have a big contribution in the country’s economy. It is, therefore, just right that you participate in our democratic process,” Guanzon said in a video message. Those who will qualify for the new round of Ofov registration are Philippine citizens who are abroad or will be abroad during the 30-day voting period; at least 18 years old, and not disqualified by law. Filipinos who have already lost their Filipino citizenships; have committed an offense punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year; and declared insane by competent authority as verified by the Philippine Embassy or consulate, will not be allowed to register. Qualified applicants may register at any Philippine Post abroad or at designated registration centers outside the Post or in the Philippines. Comelec was able to register over 1.8 million registered overseas voters during the 2019 polls. Of these, 578,185 were “deactivated” by Comelec for failing to vote in the 2016 and 2019 elections. Samuel P. Medenilla

Govt docu on anti-drugs drive skirts direct clash with critics’ narratives By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

DOCUMENTARY providing a glimpse into the ill effects of illegal drug use and how the government is working to prevent the country from fully slipping into a “narco state” has been launched by the Duterte administration. The 50-minute film, titled Gramo and produced by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), debuted for public viewing over government television station PTV4 and government social-media sites on Thursday night, offering a sneak peek into the anti-illegal drugs campaign, with its producers apparently hoping to change the usual narrative that critics here and abroad have spread about it. While the anti-illegal drugs drive, launched under President Duterte’s term, had been dubbed by many as vicious and bloody due to the number of related deaths, the documentary, did not directly address this criticism, and instead focused on the “evil” side of drug use, how state agents were legally carrying out the crackdown and how the problem has penetrated the country. The documentary, launched along with a magazine on the same issue, also gave a short glimpse of how Davao City became drug-free under Duterte, then still a mayor, leading to its consistently landing on the list of the five safest cities in Asia, as claimed by its presenter. “We hope that both the documentary and the magazine will help enlighten everyone on the wholeof-nation approach the government is taking to address the problem of illegal drugs,” PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement issued ahead of the documentary’s screening. The documentary opened with two drug-crazed individuals holding hostage and killing their family

members in two separate cases. “Shabu shrinks your mind,” Duterte was heard saying in the background after the grisly crimes were played. The scenes then shifted to the operations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Tondo, Manila, where agents were shown legally serving search warrants, making some arrests and seizing illegal drugs. Both the PDEA and Philippine National Police narrated how a number of their operatives, 60 by their latest total count, have been killed in the course of the antiillegal drugs operations, while at least 454 policemen have also been dismissed from the service for their involvement in drugs.

Origins of problem

The documentary then tackled how illegal drugs first came into the country and how it developed and transformed into a national problem, while highlighting the efforts of succeeding administrations to fight it with the arrest of drug lords and drug hauls in big volume. The documentary also highlighted the success of the anti-illegal drugs campaign “Oplan Tokhang,” which was first implemented in Davao under Duterte as the mayor before it was carried out on a national scale under Duterte as the President, with the surrender of 1.3 million drug users in 2016. It also showed officials of Bagong Bario in Caloocan City claiming relief after their barangay was cleared of the influence of drugs as a result of the government’s campaign, thus boosting its peace and order situation. The film ended with the PNP attributing the consistent decline in the country’s overall crime volume to the anti-illegal drugs drive, which as of December this year, was recorded at 300,000 from the 580, 000 cases in 2016.

Rice import rules vs dummies, WTO told Continued from A1

The rice imports should also arrive not later than 60 days from the indicated “must ship out” date in their SPS-IC. The DA’s order last November 11 strengthened the current registration procedures for importers of rice and also prescribed a validity period for SPS-IC issued to eligible traders. “There is a need to strengthen registration procedures for importers of planting materials and plant products, and specify the validity of the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance, to safeguard from entry, establishment and spread of exotic plant pests and comply with food safety requirements,” the DA said in the MO. The MO clarified certain provisions of Republic Act 11203, or the rice trade liberalization law, pertaining to the deadline on the arrival of imported rice in the country.

Tighter rules vs dummies

Under the MO, first-time rice importers and those renewing their registration are required to comply with the additional requirements that seek to determine their market capacity. For initial registration and renewal of importers, they are now required to submit a proof of existence and authority to use warehouses that include proof of ownership, physical sketch and GPS of the exact location of the warehouse,

5R pictures of the warehouse with a dated newspaper and distributed areas of the imported rice. Furthermore, rice importers are now also required to submit their annual income tax return with audited financial statement of the last three years. In a press briefing on November 21, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar pointed out that the additional rules are aimed at unmasking and weeding out unscrupulous players in the rice trade, particularly farmer cooperatives acting as dummies for bigger firms. Aside from additional registration requirements, the DA has also implemented other nontariff measures to limit rice imports in the country, such as compliance with the government’s more stringent measures covering heavy metal content, pesticide residue, filth contaminants and microbial presence. (See “PHL to curb rice imports via nontariff measures,” November 22, 2019). The DA chief cited the BusinessMirror’s stories about “dummy” cooperatives edging out legitimate traders in rice imports as among the reasons for their decision to go after these groups (See “Farmer groups ‘top rice importers’—are they?” in the BusinessMirror, November 21, 2019, and “Pre- and post-rice trade liberalization law, big traders gaming farmer groups,” in the BusinessMirror, October 31, 2019).

Companies BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, December 16, 2019

D&L has solutions for firms affected by possible ban on single-use plastics By VG Cabuag

@villygc

HEMICAL firm D&L Industries Inc. said is it ready to provide solutions to companies with the potential ban on single-use plastics.

The firm, through its units D&L Polymers and Colours Inc. (DLPC) and First in Colours Inc. (FIC), is the only company in the Philippines that manufactures biodegradable plastics and additives that are internationally certified. D&L said it has the capability to service the local plastic industry and even the export market, should they decide to switch to

SMC’s elevated Edsa proposal now with DOTr

more sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials. “The potential ban on singleuse plastics presents both challenges and opportunities to everyone in the industry. “While this will likely put pressure on manufacturers of singleuse plastics, there is a greater opportunity for us to increase our relevance to customers, and

I V ER SIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has formally offered its investment proposal for the construction of an elevated expressway above Edsa to decongest the arteries of Metro Manila. The proposal, initially dubbed by government officials as the Elevated Edsa Expressway, was “submitted last month” to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to SMC President Ramon S. Ang. Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar, who heads the infrastructure cluster of the Duterte Cabinet, confirmed this development. “It’s now with the DOTr for OPS,” he said, referring to the granting of the original proponent status, which is a prerequisite for unsolicited proposals. The Elevated Edsa Expressway is envisioned to be a 10-lane thoroughfare between the cities of Pasay and Caloocan. With five lanes per direction, the expressway will run from Macapagal Avenue in Pasay to either Samson Road in Caloocan or Balintawak, Quezon City. It is expected to have dedicated exits and lanes for bus rapid transit systems to hasten travel in Metro Manila. Ang has said that his group can finish the project within two-and-a-half years from the issuance of the notice to proceed, given that the infrastructure will be made of steel, almost similar to those in Japan and Europe. The thoroughfare will be connected to the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, and is seen as one of the answers to the chronic bottlenecks in Metro Manila. The facility may cut travel time along Edsa by more than half should the government allow vehicles to run along the Elevated Edsa at a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour, similar to the Skyway System.

doing research in the development of environment-friendly and sustainable plastic materials space, and was able to come up with two product lines. “These products make plastics biodegradable, and are certified by international standards,” Lao added. “We are optimistic on the potential of biodegradable plastics as the world shifts toward more sustainable and environmentfriendly materials. “Over the long term, we continue to innovate by investing in R&D as part of our strategy to stay ahead of the curve. In addition to biodegradable plastics, there are several other product developments in the pipeline that provide runway for growth,” D&L President and CEO Alvin Lao said.

With capex impacted by legal tussle, concessionaires hold water projects By Lenie Lectura

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

provide innovative and higher value-added products,” Lester Lao, managing director of DLPC and FIC, said. From a practical standpoint, however, he said it may not be possible to completely ban the use of single-use plastics immediately since it is used in medical, personal care and other sectors where single-use plastics are necessary for sanitary and safety purposes. “Plastic is a technological advancement that continues to play a crucial role in modern-day society. We believe that educating people to properly dispose, sort and segregate is the key to address the negative environmental impact of single-use plastics. At the same time, plastics must be reduced, reused and recycled,” he said. Lao said the company has been

@llectura

ITAL water projects included in the capital expenditure (capex) program of Maynilad Water Services Inc. are now put on hold amid the ongoing legal tussle between the two water concessionaires—Maynilad and Manila Water Co.—and the Duterte administration. And if no win-win solution is implemented soon, the concessionaires may have to declare bankruptcy. “If they cancel the extension, bankrupt ang dalawang kompanya [the two companies will go bankrupt]. Under our loan covenants, any material change in the contract will automatically make the loans due and demandable. That is standard in all contracts,” said Maynilad Vice Chairman Isidro Consunji. DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI) is the partner of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which has the controlling stake in Maynilad, which services the West Zone. Maynilad’s loans amount to P42 billion, according to Consunji. And, because any material change in the contract or a loan renders the obligation due and demandable, he explaned, “So, technically, puwede call-in ng lahat ng bangko ’yung loan nila. If and when that happens, sarado both companies. Maynilad

and Manila Water siguradong closed [So technically, the banks can call in the entire loan. If that happens, Maynilad and Manila Water will surely be closed],” said Consunji. If its contract with the government is not renewed when the original expiration comes around in year 2022, Maynilad would not be able to finance its capex program, which includes the Putatan Water Treatment Plant and the Dagat-dagatan Sewage and Septage Treatment plant. “For now, all our capex is suspended. The Putatan and Dagat-dagatan, they are suspended until this thing is resolved. My last count is 30-something billion [pesos] worth of projects. It appears that if the contract is shortened, the capex to provide for supply, wastewater treatment will be suspended dahil hindi kayang bayaran iyan by 2022 [because the obligations covering this investment cannot be repaid within that period],” Consunji explained. The point, he added, is to avert a water shortage in the future “because this capex is meant for additional water supply and additional wastewater treatment,” and yearly capex is about P12 billion to 15 billion. President Duterte earlier threatened to pursue charges of “economic sabotage” and economic plunder against the two concessionaires’ top officials and lawyers. The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has revoked the extension of the con-

cession agreements with Maynilad and Manila Water since it had “no legal basis,” according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, whose team led a monthslong review of the concession agreements, as ordered by Duterte at the height of the water crisis in March 2019. The government’s concession contracts with the Ayala-owned Manila Water and the Pangilinanled Maynilad were originally signed in 1997 during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos. While the agreements were set to expire yet in 2022, the government, in 2009, extended it for another 15 years or until 2037. This was done during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an ally of President Duterte. The apparently premature extension was one of the points that Guevarra had cited among the questionable provisions they saw in the review. The DOJ team also flagged the virtual exclusion of the government from the decision-making in the tariff settings; and the provision allowing the private firms to pass on their “losses” to the government. These provisions made it possible for an arbitral panel in Singapore to grant, in separate cases, the bid of Maynilad and Manila Water for compensation from the Philippine government for such losses, with Maynilad awarded P3.4 billion and Manila Water, P7.3 billion.

Meralco banking on improved performances by subsidiaries

HE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) expects its subsidiaries to perform better, following their positive contribution to the utility firm’s bottomline in the past three quarters of the year. “We are on the lookout for more opportunities for these subsidiaries as they continue to pour in resources to better our customers,” said Meralco President Ray C. Espinosa. Some of Meralco’s subsidiaries and affiliates are Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corp. Group, CIS Bayad Center Inc. (Bayad Center) Group, Meralco Energy Inc., Radius Telecoms Inc. (Radius), MSpectrum Inc. (Spectrum), mrail Inc., Meralco Powergen Corp. (MGen) Group, eSakay Inc., Comstech Integration Alliance Inc., Clark Electric Distribution Corp. (CEDC) and Shin Clark Power Group. He cited “meaningful contribu-

tions” from CEDC, as well as from Bayad Center and Radius, which all provided an “uplift” to the Meralco bottomline. CEDC, Meralco’s 65-percent owned subsidiary, posted growth of 11 percent, 10 percent and another 10 percent in sales volume, net systems input and peak demand, respectively, at end-September this year. The additional sales volume came from new hotels within the zone, as well as higher volumes from its existing locators. Meralco expects demand within the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, to grow over 5,000 kilowatt this year. Meanwhile, Radius and Bayad Center mainly contributed P566.4 million to Meralco’s consolidated core net income at end-September this year. Radius delivers end-to-end fiber

optic solutions, while Bayad Center is a multiplatform payment channel. Espinosa also cited Spectrum’s installed rooftop solar facilities totaling 14.3 megawatts; while eSakay has part of its portfolio a 10-km development route from Mandaluyong City Hall to the MRT Buendia station. “The core distribution business, which continues to drive the growth of Meralco, shall be supported by the contribution from MGen’s San Buenaventura Power Ltd. beginning September 26, 2019, when it declared commercial operations,” added Espinosa. Meralco posted a core net income of P18.5 billion from January to September this year, 11 percent higher than in the same period a year ago. Reported net income stood flat P18.3 billion in the same period. Lenie Lectura

De Lima appeals to Grab PHL: Don’t abuse public

ROM detention, Sen. Leila de Lima has made a plaintive appeal to ride-hailing giant Grab Philippines, asking it not to take advantage of the high demand during the holiday season by letting its booking rates spike. “It has come to my attention that the booking prices of Grab have surged lately, sometimes even double the usual fare. And because it is the holiday season, I was told it is also much difficult now to book a ride, especially during rush hour,” the senator said in a statement sent to media outlets on Sunday. She noted that the ride-hailing app company has cited higher demand as the cause of the surge, but noted, as well, that Grab was recently asked by authorities to refund its customers for overpricing the cost of their rides.

“My appeal to Grab is this: Asking your users for more patience is not enough. Ensure you are fully committed to the rights of your consumers. Do not take them for a ride with excuses; do not deceive or cheat them,” said de Lima. Amid higher transport fares and the difficulty of getting a ride—not to mention the unceasing traffic problems, many Filipinos resort to using ride-hailing apps like Grab to avoid such burdens, or avoid getting sanctioned at work, “and, most important, in order to be able to come home early and be with family,” the senator said. She then urged Grab Philippines to reward such patronage with more concern, and with just and orderly services. De Lima also urged relevant authorities to keep track of the situation and stop any possible abuse.

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, December 16, 2019

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 13, 2019

Net Foreign Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Stocks Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED 53.75 53.9 53.75 53.9 53.75 53.9 1,000 53,820.5 159.8 160.1 157.7 161.8 157.1 160.1 2,492,770 397,088,147 BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS 90.45 91 90.5 91 89.1 91 1,450,450 130,951,910 24.95 25 25 25.05 25 25 14,500 362,610 CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK 12.96 13 13.04 13.04 12.8 12.96 222,400 2,876,328 67 67.5 67.7 67.7 66.5 67.5 2,346,710 157,172,906.5 METROBANK PBCOM 20.5 20.8 20.5 20.5 20.5 20.5 5,600 114,800 36.15 36.2 37 37.7 36.1 36.2 171,600 6,317,155 PHIL NATL BANK 57.15 58.45 58.45 58.45 57.1 58.45 2,340 134,631 PSBANK RCBC 24.15 24.5 24.1 24.2 24.1 24.15 6,400 154,760 199 200 200 200 196.3 200 421,270 84,032,943 SECURITY BANK UNION BANK 57.8 58.4 58.25 58.25 57.8 58.25 10,560 612,820 0.95 0.96 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 1,000 940 BRIGHT KINDLE BDO LEASING 1.78 1.89 1.95 1.95 1.76 1.76 139,000 250,790 COL FINANCIAL 18.1 18.2 18.2 18.2 18.2 18.2 3,500 63,700 3.91 4.07 4.07 4.07 4.07 4.07 2,000 8,140 FERRONOUX HLDG MANULIFE 805 839.5 810 839.5 810 839.5 240 196,680 0.79 0.83 0.79 0.83 0.78 0.83 55,000 43,150 NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH 173 174 174 174 173 173 820 141,948 1,805 1,850 1805 1,805 1,805 1,805 50 90,250 SUN LIFE 1.05 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 8,000 8,720 VANTAGE INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 2.32 2.34 2.26 2.37 2.21 2.32 2,945,000 6,775,400 ALSONS CONS 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.25 83,000 102,390 34.4 34.45 34.15 34.65 33.85 34.45 836,700 28,791,970 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.23 0.231 0.235 0.235 0.23 0.231 1,520,000 351,170 24.7 25.45 24.5 25.45 23.65 25.45 2,770,500 69,102,845 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 70.2 70.5 71.5 71.5 70.1 70.2 47,940 3,373,027.5(1, MERALCO 318 319.8 317 322.2 315 318 207,240 65,897,720 10 10.02 11.06 11.06 10.02 10.02 11,537,900 120,521,878 MANILA WATER PETRON 4.16 4.18 4.34 4.34 4.16 4.18 3,504,000 14,711,570 3.82 3.89 3.9 3.9 3.89 3.89 8,000 31,160 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 11.1 11.4 11.1 11.5 11.02 11.5 102,800 1,161,520 33.5 33.55 33.5 33.55 33.4 33.5 623,700 20,890,540 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 7.72 7.83 7.84 7.85 7.71 7.72 99,000 771,649 VIVANT 15.5 15.8 15.56 15.8 15.54 15.8 11,200 176,590 13.46 13.6 13.54 13.74 13.42 13.6 214,900 2,893,180 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.83 2.85 2.93 2.95 2.8 2.85 2,646,000 7,589,400 88.35 99.95 99.95 99.95 88.35 99.95 30 2,882.5 BOGO MEDELLIN CNTRL AZUCARERA 19 19.4 19 19 18.52 19 3,400 64,074 15.24 15.26 15.38 15.38 15.12 15.24 12,933,200 197,102,992 CENTURY FOOD 5.12 5.16 5.16 5.23 5.16 5.16 347,500 1,809,050 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 8.8 8.85 8.61 8.88 8.61 8.8 3,560,000 31,281,720 7.19 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.18 7.2 192,400 1,385,180 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 87.75 89 88.45 89 87.4 89 71,290 6,311,808.5 0.54 0.55 0.56 0.56 0.54 0.56 147,000 80,560 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.15 1.16 1.1 1.16 1.09 1.15 23,343,000 26,233,820 40 40.7 40.5 40.7 39.15 40.7 4,000 160,335 GINEBRA 221.2 221.4 217 223.2 216.2 221.2 875,710 193,094,352 JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR 41.65 48 48 48 48 48 100 4,800 7.12 7.33 7.15 7.31 7.15 7.15 48,000 344,901 MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP 11.5 11.88 11.3 11.96 11.3 11.9 306,300 3,607,590 0.155 0.17 0.155 0.155 0.155 0.155 20,000 3,100 MG HLDG PEPSI COLA 1.9 1.91 1.89 1.91 1.89 1.9 32,354,000 61,371,010 SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.86 9.98 9.9 9.98 9.9 9.98 2,313,200 23,010,316 2.09 2.12 2.15 2.18 2.04 2.12 4,532,000 9,469,700 ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP 5.34 5.35 5.35 5.35 5.34 5.35 45,500 243,410 0.116 0.12 0.116 0.116 0.116 0.116 300,000 34,800 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 144.5 145 145 145.7 144 145 3,897,040 564,216,700 1.12 1.13 1.13 1.15 1.13 1.13 870,000 986,930 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.43 2.56 2.59 2.59 2.56 2.56 9,000 23,280 CONCRETE A 67 69 77.5 77.5 69 69 1,660 117,118 72.5 77.45 81 81 72.3 72.4 1,470 113,482.5 CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG 2.13 2.16 2.12 2.15 2.1 2.13 1,731,000 3,676,880 14.56 14.82 14.54 14.8 14.52 14.56 22,800 336,734 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 9.9 10.02 10.1 10.1 9.9 9.9 370,400 3,687,544 13.56 13.9 13.56 13.9 13.56 13.9 311,100 4,321,952 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 16.64 16.88 16.8 16.88 16.56 16.88 723,100 12,197,002 PHINMA 9.75 10.06 10 10.08 9.75 9.75 44,200 442,476 0.89 0.9 0.89 0.9 0.86 0.89 11,777,000 10,321,650 VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL 165.1 170 170 170 170 170 410 69,700 2.06 2.07 2.01 2.06 2.01 2.06 5,000 10,250 CROWN ASIA LMG CHEMICALS 4.73 4.99 4.73 4.73 4.73 4.73 2,000 9,460 3.18 3.45 3.48 3.48 3.48 3.48 1,000 3,480 MABUHAY VINYL 5 5.15 5.01 5.16 5 5 42,100 210,543 PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION 27.1 28.1 28.1 28.1 28.1 28.1 200 5,620 2.01 2.02 1.95 2.03 1.93 2.02 14,276,000 28,436,930 ( GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 7.71 7.73 7.73 7.8 7.7 7.73 904,600 6,991,542 1.37 1.39 1.24 1.37 1.24 1.37 16,000 20,710 IONICS PANASONIC 5.07 5.59 5.12 5.12 5.05 5.05 17,800 90,522 0.86 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.86 0.86 54,000 47,120 SFA SEMICON 4.21 4.22 4.2 4.35 4.17 4.22 231,000 979,350 CIRTEK HLDG

(3,229.5) (19,878,313) 5,314,279 214,818 (13,181,789) (1,793,125) (7,245) 7,953,954 (610,495) (940) (1,760) 66,580 (0) 27,768 5,020 (1,230) 3,658,325 (2,320) 10,564,740 705,566.4999) 18,209,828 (83,216,818) 4,374,420 11,891,125 (20,448) (176,590) 133,234 852,770 (883.5) (1,854) (173,686) (256,880) (7,291,580) (600,480) (1,822,772.5) (237,450) (43,905) 102,460,374 14,300 3,380,630 (21,375,540) (852,472) (240,205) (8,272,988) 144,939.9997 (2,560) (724) (2,272,210) (29,114) (1,723,062) (2,515,900) (5,083,822) (20,160) 13,050 156,889.9997) 5,160,185 132,059.9999

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL 0.74 0.75 0.75 0.76 0.74 0.75 2,358,000 1,760,020 760 11.3 11.5 11.58 11.6 11.5 11.5 1,100 12,700 ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP 781.5 782 790 810 779 782 633,880 498,810,950 (150,596,300) 51.55 52.4 51.15 52.45 50.95 52.4 2,023,480 104,987,121 16,214,290.5 ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL 11.16 11.2 11.16 11.26 11.1 11.16 7,538,000 84,451,378 (18,464,128) 3.08 3.09 3.05 3.09 3.05 3.08 656,000 2,012,720 (571,320) AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR 6.48 6.72 6.72 6.72 6.72 6.72 300 2,016 0.69 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.68 0.71 155,000 107,570 (680) ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.93 0.95 739,000 699,870 ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B 0.96 0.97 0.96 0.97 0.96 0.97 363,000 349,980 118,620 1,275 1,718 1300 1,300 1,275 1,275 15 19,375 (6,375) BHI HLDG COSCO CAPITAL 6.7 6.76 6.99 6.99 6.7 6.7 3,732,500 25,032,225 (3,918,486) 5.55 5.59 5.23 5.79 5.23 5.55 33,278,800 184,042,297 976,367 DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV 13.04 13.28 13 13.26 13 13.26 56,100 741,286 890 895 895 898 883 895 114,250 102,246,805 11,790,720 GT CAPITAL 81.8 81.9 82.05 83 81.5 81.9 1,934,970 159,051,169.5 12,839,874.5 JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5 5.33 5 5 5 5 15,000 75,000 40,000 0.48 0.5 0.485 0.5 0.485 0.5 49,000 23,810 LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG 3.78 3.84 3.8 3.8 3.76 3.78 57,000 215,860 (113,670) 11.88 11.9 12 12.04 11.86 11.9 1,722,000 20,542,878 (12,137,282) LT GROUP 0.56 0.57 0.56 0.57 0.56 0.57 11,000 6,170 MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV 3.01 3.02 2.82 3.14 2.76 3.01 234,896,000 711,864,880 (195,948,030) 4.65 4.94 4.4 5.1 4.4 5.05 48,000 235,670 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 1.3 1.36 1.37 1.37 1.3 1.37 94,000 122,530 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.25 7,000 8,650 SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID 201 202 200 205 197 202 19,980 4,003,684 1,061 1,069 1070 1,071 1,057 1,069 724,810 773,765,065 525,819,090 SM INVESTMENTS 153 153.5 152 153.8 151.8 153 262,860 40,110,440 (17,552,712) SAN MIGUEL CORP WELLEX INDUS 0.215 0.223 0.215 0.215 0.213 0.213 550,000 117,860 0.2 0.209 0.2 0.21 0.2 0.209 1,150,000 233,880 20,000 ZEUS HLDG PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.84 0.85 0.84 0.85 0.83 0.85 1,161,000 971,780 (840) AYALA LAND 46.85 46.9 45.8 47 45 46.9 8,712,500 403,386,920 200,758,435 1.38 1.46 1.38 1.45 1.38 1.45 17,000 24,560 (1,380) ARANETA PROP BELLE CORP 2.01 2.02 2 2.02 1.99 2.01 247,000 494,540 (170,140) 0.72 0.73 0.7 0.73 0.7 0.73 595,000 427,070 (710) A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.84 0.86 0.83 0.84 0.83 0.84 2,000 1,670 (840) CROWN EQUITIES 0.181 0.19 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.19 190,000 34,850 (1,800) 6.34 6.4 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 400 2,536 CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS 4.69 4.7 4.74 4.74 4.7 4.7 206,000 970,770 32,900 0.54 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.54 0.54 1,910,000 1,037,850 (11,340) CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY 0.395 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 530,000 212,000 19.44 19.46 19 19.48 18.98 19.46 190,700 3,675,642 (300,352) DOUBLEDRAGON DM WENCESLAO 10.16 10.18 10.2 10.2 10.16 10.2 28,900 294,464 (189,720) EMPIRE EAST 0.42 0.43 0.415 0.42 0.415 0.42 70,000 29,150 1.51 1.52 1.5 1.52 1.5 1.52 4,975,000 7,508,940 (439,480) FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 1.16 1.19 1.17 1.2 1.16 1.16 733,000 856,140 14.8 14.84 14.84 14.86 14.8 14.8 316,700 4,697,274 (192,480) 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 1.26 1.27 1.3 1.31 1.26 1.27 853,000 1,088,230 12,800 0.71 0.76 0.77 0.77 0.76 0.76 5,000 3,820 CITY AND LAND 4.3 4.33 4.3 4.35 4.3 4.3 62,501,000 269,722,260 (143,040,140) MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.218 0.219 0.202 0.221 0.202 0.219 37,890,000 8,115,590 (11,650) 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.01 2.02 105,000 211,120 PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND 26.7 26.8 26.65 26.95 26.5 26.8 2,142,200 57,342,055 3,541,915 2.11 2.14 2.11 2.15 2.1 2.14 122,000 257,140 27,520 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 3.15 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.15 3.24 27,000 85,720 2.37 2.44 2.4 2.46 2.36 2.46 2,242,000 5,385,590 (7,140) STA LUCIA LAND 41.7 41.8 41.5 41.95 41.3 41.8 7,638,500 318,921,260 44,284,675 SM PRIME HLDG VISTAMALLS 5.26 5.48 5.49 5.5 5.3 5.48 12,800 69,901 1.11 1.12 1.11 1.13 1.1 1.12 694,000 777,180 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND (19,704,557) 7.1 7.2 7.47 7.49 7.1 7.1 3,938,900 28,971,353 SERVICES ABS CBN 16.42 16.5 16.5 16.9 16.4 16.5 216,800 3,634,640 GMA NETWORK 5.24 5.25 5.27 5.27 5.2 5.25 51,200 268,179 0.39 0.4 0.39 0.39 0.385 0.385 60,000 23,300 MANILA BULLETIN GLOBE TELECOM 1,975 1,978 1978 1,980 1,940 1,978 38,855 76,735,485 15,460,500 1,001 1,002 1003 1,015 999 1,001 89,210 89,395,620 (18,345,725) PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.042 0.043 0.042 0.042 0.042 0.042 5,600,000 235,200 (4,200) DFNN INC 5.25 5.59 5.16 5.25 5.16 5.25 3,000 15,570 0.099 0.1 0.099 0.1 0.099 0.1 350,000 34,760 ISLAND INFO ISM COMM 3.35 3.38 3.44 3.47 3.27 3.35 2,906,000 9,817,130 122,240 2.61 2.63 2.57 2.65 2.54 2.62 1,248,000 3,253,800 (46,380) NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.28 0.285 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.28 1,330,000 373,150 84,000 2.55 2.6 2.56 2.6 2.55 2.56 425,000 1,088,570 99,269.9999 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 9.7 9.9 9.62 9.98 9.62 9.7 7,400 72,080 (969.9999) ASIAN TERMINALS 16.28 18.5 18 18.5 18 18.5 203,500 3,713,000 1,859,400 4.99 5.03 5.1 5.11 4.88 5.03 1,292,800 6,439,936 (110,481) CHELSEA CEBU AIR 90.6 92.4 89.95 92.4 89.95 92.4 78,830 7,164,534 1,479,771.5 126 126.2 122.9 126.6 120 126 2,882,280 359,198,675 (31,979,002) INTL CONTAINER LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.89 0.9 0.89 0.89 0.89 0.89 85,000 75,650 17.1 17.2 17.1 17.2 17.02 17.2 219,800 3,757,472 118,614.0002 MACROASIA 0.99 1 1.05 1.1 0.99 0.99 34,000 34,350 METROALLIANCE A PAL HLDG 7.5 8 7.5 8 7.5 8 6,600 49,550 1.18 1.19 1.21 1.21 1.16 1.18 379,000 447,360 77,880 HARBOR STAR ACESITE HOTEL 1.5 1.52 1.43 1.52 1.43 1.52 26,000 39,010 (1,430) 1.95 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 9,000 17,640 (15,680) DISCOVERY WORLD WATERFRONT 0.61 0.62 0.6 0.63 0.6 0.62 978,000 595,530 6.9 7.08 6.91 7.08 6.91 7.08 1,700 11,764 CENTRO ESCOLAR 890 890.5 890.5 890.5 890.5 890.5 30 26,715 17,810 FAR EASTERN U IPEOPLE 7.78 8.19 8 8.19 8 8.19 200 1,619 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.67 0.64 0.65 912,000 597,140 138,140 STI HLDG BERJAYA 4.14 4.16 4.12 4.17 4.03 4.14 2,392,000 9,765,240 (147,480) 10.98 11 10.98 11.16 10.96 11 2,080,500 22,939,654 3,152,370 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 2.49 2.58 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 20,000 50,000 (50,000) LEISURE AND RES 2.69 2.71 2.69 2.71 2.69 2.71 30,000 80,950 3.35 3.39 3.39 3.4 3.39 3.39 35,000 118,660 MANILA JOCKEY PH RESORTS GRP 4.41 5.29 5.75 5.75 5.45 5.45 1,100 6,025 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.6 0.57 0.58 953,000 552,230 (391,270) PREMIUM LEISURE ALLHOME 11.44 11.48 11.46 11.5 11.46 11.48 1,894,500 21,747,622 (500) 2.1 2.11 2.09 2.14 2.09 2.11 545,000 1,151,040 (4,220) METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 40 40.5 39.35 40.5 39.25 40.5 1,222,300 48,754,480 (9,607,960) ROBINSONS RTL 73.75 74.9 74.9 74.95 73.65 74.9 93,370 6,990,158.5 (2,438,456) 146 150 149.9 150 149.9 150 350 52,499 (51,000) PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 2.5 2.51 2.52 2.52 2.49 2.5 2,593,000 6,484,250 4,802,040 18.3 18.5 18.18 18.5 17.9 18.5 2,663,300 48,590,738 3,277,610 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.43 0.445 0.43 0.44 0.43 0.44 190,000 83,100 (39,400) 8.3 8.36 8.36 8.37 8.3 8.36 10,400 86,924 EASYCALL GOLDEN BRIA 420 425 417.8 425 417.8 425 30 12,678 5.7 7 5.5 6 5.5 6 6,400 38,020 8,020 IPM HLDG 0.435 0.44 0.43 0.44 0.43 0.44 1,310,000 571,550 111,100 PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 8.77 9.09 8.75 9.09 8.75 9.09 7,600 68,478 MINING & OIL ATOK 10 10.94 10.96 10.96 10 10.96 3,700 37,750 (0) APEX MINING 0.95 0.96 0.96 0.99 0.95 0.95 533,000 511,380 (245,690) 0.0015 0.0016 0 0.0015 0.0015 0.0015 0.0015 16,000,000 24,000 (1,500) ABRA MINING ATLAS MINING 2.4 2.49 2.42 2.42 2.41 2.42 56,000 135,510 (2,410) 1.09 1.19 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1,000 1,090 (1,090) BENGUET B COAL ASIA HLDG 0.27 0.275 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 520,000 140,400 2.7 2.73 2.69 2.72 2.69 2.7 1,305,000 3,528,710 (10,880) CENTURY PEAK 7.11 7.29 7.12 7.33 7.11 7.11 6,200 44,125 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 1.58 1.59 1.55 1.59 1.55 1.59 4,106,000 6,466,060 788,440 0.2 0.207 0.206 0.207 0.2 0.207 50,000 10,260 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.095 0.097 0.097 0.097 0.095 0.095 90,000 8,710 0.094 0.099 0.092 0.092 0.086 0.086 770,000 69,530 LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A 0.0082 0.0084 0 0.0081 0.0082 0.0081 0.0082 17,000,000 138,400 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.93 736,000 685,990 MARCVENTURES 1 1.03 1.03 1.03 1 1.03 41,000 41,300 (10,300) NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 2.96 2.98 2.95 3.01 2.93 2.96 2,963,000 8,780,270 (2,929,970) 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.78 141,000 105,840 9,000 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 2.93 2.99 2.93 2.95 2.93 2.93 102,000 299,270 20.4 20.5 20.2 21.2 20.2 20.4 4,309,400 88,444,710 (21,375,545) SEMIRARA MINING 0.0055 0.006 0 0.0059 0.006 0.0059 0.006 2,000,000 11,900 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 7.03 7.2 6.86 7.39 6.86 7.2 258,900 1,825,964 218,478 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 16,000,000 191,000 ORNTL PETROL A PHILODRILL 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 19,600,000 214,600 8.99 9 8.95 8.99 8.8 8.99 453,200 4,044,891 74,115 PXP ENERGY PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 97.7 99.65 97.75 97.8 97.65 97.7 41,240 4,033,222 (977) AC PREF B1 500.5 501 500.5 500.5 500.5 500.5 10 5,005 (5,005) 101.3 103.3 101.3 101.3 101.3 101.3 10 1,013 (1,013) ALCO PREF B AC PREF B2R 505 507 501 505 501 505 17,010 8,541,610 (10,060) 100.2 100.9 100.3 100.3 100.2 100.2 7,000 701,900 DD PREF SMC FB PREF 2 997 998 997.5 997.5 997.5 997.5 50 49,875 498 508 506 508 500 500 6,200 3,101,360 GLO PREF P 960.5 999 999 999 995 999 6,000 5,971,200 GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B 976.5 1,000 1000 1,000 1,000 1,000 13,550 13,550,000 1,021 1,025 1022 1,025 1,022 1,025 6,050 6,183,235 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3A 1,025 1,038 1025 1,035 1,025 1,035 250 258,250 1,065 1,069 1055 1,055 1,055 1,055 6,050 6,382,750 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C 78.2 78.45 78.4 78.45 78.2 78.45 4,030 315,838.5 75.2 75.7 75.3 75.45 75.3 75.45 10,000 753,850 SMC PREF 2D 75.05 76.1 75.95 75.95 75.95 75.95 22,580 1,714,951 SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2H 75.6 75.85 75.7 75.7 75.7 75.7 9,000 681,300 76.75 76.85 76.75 76.75 76.75 76.75 1,000 76,750 SMC PREF 2I

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR

15.72

15.7

15.68

15.72

411,000

6,541,612

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.15

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ITALPINAS 4.12 9.87 KEPWEALTH XURPAS 0.84

1.42

4.2 9.9 0.85

4.19 9.76 0.87

4.31 10.04 0.87

4.12 9.76 0.85

4.12 9.9 0.85

306,000 37,100 2,875,000

1,298,590 366,972 2,459,590

(8,400) 133,200

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

117.5

(547,946)

118.1

116.2

118.1

116.2

118.1

13,890

1,627,414

42,120

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SEC Bacolod: Attendance at Yanson group’s meeting does not make it valid

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said its attendance to the stockholders meeting involving the feuding parties of the Yanson family—owners of the bus company Vallacar Transit Inc.—does not make the said meeting valid. In its certification, the SEC Bacolod Extension office confirmed that it attended the bus company’s stockholders’ meeting held on December 7, pursuant to the request of the group of the Yanson camp led by Roy V. Yanson, Ricardo V. Yanson Jr., Emily V. Yanson and Ma. Lourdes Celina V. YansonLopez. They are collectively called by the lawyers as the Yanson Four. The attendance as an observer, explained SEC Bacolod, was in line with the general supervisory powers of the SEC over registered firms. “The attendance of SEC Bacolod Extension office to the said meeting as observers of a corporation with pending intracorporate disputes was neither

confirmation of the validity of the meeting nor of the claimed shareholdings of abovenamed individuals, nor the affirmation of a quorum during the meeting, but acted strictly as observers of the proceedings,” the SEC said in the certification signed by Annabelle F. Corral-Respall, the SEC Bacolod officer in charge. It added that the SEC representatives did not participate in any manner during the meeting and did not give any opinion or legal advice. Vallacar Transit, the country’s largest bus transport company, earlier assailed the SEC for attending the said meeting. In a letter dated December 9,

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

SHARE prices gained for the second straight week after the United States and China agreed to a phase one deal which led to the scrapping of fresh tariffs on Chinese goods that were supposed to take effect on December 15. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 75.91 points to close at 7,877.63 points. Almost all the gains came on Friday after being down for most of the week. Trading volumes were below average with turnover value at P25.05 billion or just an average of P5.01 billion for the week. Foreign investors were net sellers at P1.42 billion. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had its final policy meeting for the year after the US Federal Reserve meeting, also held last week. Both bodies kept their respective rates steady. All subindices ended the week with gains except for Holdings Firms Index due to massive losses in the shares of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., DMCI Holdings Inc. and Ayala Corp. These companies continued to lose market share for a second week in a row due to their ownership of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co., the two biggest water concessionaires. The regulator decided to cancel the extension—from 2022 to year 2037—of the concession agreement between these companies and the government. The broader All Shares index was up 16.11 points to 4,662.07, the Financials index gained 28.56 to 1,903.17, the Industrial index rose 166.65 to 9.722.08, the Holding Firms index fell 117.51 to 7,633.31, the Property index increased 94.06 to 4,193.94, the Services index climbed 25.84 to 1,525.19, and the Mining and Oil index added 3.95 to 7,521.46. For the week, losers edged gainers 131 to 89, and 28 shares were unchanged. Top gainers for the week were Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., IPM Holdings Inc., MRC Allied Inc., United Paragon Mining Corp., Berjaya Philippines Inc. and Euro-Med Laboratories Philippines Inc. Top losers, on the other hand, were Synergy Grid and Development Philippines. Inc., Manila Water Co., ISM Communications Corp., Fruitas Holdings Inc., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. B and Pacifica Holdings Inc.

This week

Share prices may again rise as this week is the last full trading week for the year, with many hoping for the so-called Santa Claus rally. “So far, December has been good to us as the main index is currently up 1.8 percent. This may already be the Santa Claus rally that everyone was hoping for. Despite the rally not being as robust as we would have liked to see, gains are still much better than losses. We may see this minor rally continue into next week as the general sentiment improves,” Christopher Mangun, research head at AAA Securities Inc., said. Foreign funds have been flowing out in the last few weeks but with the strengthening of the local currency, and with stock prices being at multiyear lows, they may come back and take advantage of the current environment, Mangun said. Meanwhile, broker 2TradeAsia expects a volatile trading week since it is the last full week of trading for 2019. It sees immediate support level for the main index at 7,700 and resistance at 7,950.

Stock picks

Broker Regina Capital Development Corp. gave a buy recommendation on the stock of Ayala Land Inc. after being sold down last week. The selloff and its recovery the following days allowed AyalaLand to find new support at P44.67, followed by P42.65, after being on a general downtrend for several days, it said. “Despite the relatively strong uptick in price...the stock remained well below its shortand long-term moving averages. It is also not enough to cause a reversal in the indicators’ bearish sentiment,” it said. AyalaLand share price closed Friday at P46.90 apiece. Meanwhile, it advised investors to sell during rallies on the stock of SM Prime Holdings Inc. after its stock price has been on a general uptrend for a while and has been trading above both its short- and long-term moving averages for the past two months. “Despite the stock’s upward trajectory, the indicators have not yet waded into the oversold regions and are already showing signs of tapering momentum,” it said, as it place target price on the stock at P40.65 per share. SM Prime shares closed last week at P41.80 apiece. VG Cabuag

2019, Vallacar Transit lawyers also asked SEC-Bacolod office in charge to cease and desist from interference, aiding and abetting the said Yanson Four stockholders. The said law yers represent directors and officers led by Cofounder and Yanson matriarch Olivia V. Yanson, Leo Rey V. Yanson, Ginnette Y. Dumancas, Charles M. Dumancas, Anita G. Chua, Arvin John V. Villaruel and Daniel Nicolas P. Golez, who were elected at the company’s principal office in Bacolod City on December 7, 2019. Under the company’s bylaws, the annual stockholders’ meeting should be held every first Saturday of December at its principal office in Bacolod City. The law firm said that SECBacolod has no authority and/or jurisdiction to interfere with the intra-corporate dispute of the two parties and that there is no court order directing them to attend the alleged meeting.

mutual funds

“You and/or your representatives’ actions amount to judicial interference of the RTC-Bacolod and Court of Appeals vis-à-vis the parties’ pending intra-corporate cases,” the legal counsel said. “Even if you and/or your representatives claim to be a mere witness, your presence nonetheless created a misconception that Y4’s alleged meeting was regular when in truth and, in fact, it was not. With the highly publicized suits between the parties, you and/or your representatives should have acted with extreme caution so as not to be used by the Y4 in their propaganda,” lawyers said. Vallacar Transit is the largest subsidiary of the Yanson Group of Bus Cos., the firm behind Ceres Liner and Sugbo Transit. It has 15 bases of operations in Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao, Pagadian, Dipolog, Bohol and Batangas.

December 13, 2019

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 249.36 -1.26% 1.25% -0.69% -1.13% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.3969 0.42% 1.66% -2.29% -3.05% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.6535 -6.29% -1.75% -2.94% -6.39% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.8901 -0.26% n.a. n.a. -1.21% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.8409 1.71% n.a. n.a. 2.46% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 5.284 0.49% 2.38% -0.48% 0.2% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,6 0.8463 1.16% -1.54% n.a. 1.15% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 105.38 -8.48% n.a. n.a. -9.28% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 50.8284 2.93% 3.67% n.a. 3.26% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 528.38 2.35% 2.31% -0.08% 2.65% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,8 0.9992 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.2769 1.35% 2.97% 0.98% 1.83% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 37.592 2.25% 3.87% 0.86% 2.62% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.0096 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 5.1775 4.07% 4.43% 1.86% 4.41% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 863.65 3.93% 4.3% 1.81% 4.25% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.848 -1.76% 1.26% n.a. -1.4% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.1624 1.88% 3.42% 0.9% 2.55% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9915 3.56% 4.09% n.a. 3.9% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.6126 2.79% 5.23% 2.53% 3.19% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 115.8208 4.3% 5.03% 2.8% 4.58% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities 4.53% ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $0.9915 6.17% 0.08% 6.72% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.344 14.84% 8.75% n.a. 21.61% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5526 -6.26% -2.36% -3.92% -5.97% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.1785 -1.09% -0.51% -1.15% -1.39% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6145 3.38% 2.7% -0.94% 2.81% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,5 0.2284 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Grepalife Balanced Fund Corporation -a 1.329 1.68% n.a. n.a. 1.89% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9547 6% 3.14% 1.29% 6.06% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.7624 6.26% 2.33% 0.4% 6.6% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.8443 5.72% 2.22% 0.35% 5.89% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.1089 1.85% 1.96% 0.92% 1.92% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.8274 4.35% 3.17% 0.71% 4.82% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d,2 1.0077 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9873 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9842 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.964 4.06% 2.42% -0.11% 4.59% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03824 9.23% 3.06% 2% 8.33% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -a $1.0048 7.7% 3.8% 0.54% 9.97% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.8429 11.82% 6.97% 3.75% 16.15% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,7 $1.117 9.19% 4.27% n.a. 11.14% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 356.99 4.12% 2.76% 2.28% 3.94% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.8993 2.41% 0.22% -0.59% 2.16% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.1087 4.92% 5.16% 5.2% 4.46% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2187 4.22% 2.44% 1.87% 4.2% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3517 6.56% 2.22% 1.52% 6.65% Grepalife Fixed Income Fund Corp. -a P 1.6068 2.78% 1.12% -0.34% 2.71% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.3535 11.16% 2.71% 1.68% 11.06% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.7572 7.7% 2.69% 1.34% 6.83% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 0.9583 7.46% 1.31% n.a. 7.53% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.0584 10.62% 4.83% 2.42% 10.58% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.6908 9.93% 4.33% 1.87% 9.8% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $467.73 4.48% 2.75% 2.75% 4.31% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.83 3.53% 1.71% 1.35% 3.37% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.205 7.19% 3.1% 2.55% 7.04% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0258 3.61% 1.46% 1.37% 4.03% Grepalife Dollar Bond Fund Corp. -a $1.7089 1.2% -0.09% 0.08% 1.11% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -a $1.0949 6.37% 1.39% -0.85% 5.65% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.403 11.46% 3.66% 2.92% 10.7% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0603159 5.89% 2.29% 1.96% 5.82% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1797 10.79% 3.1% 2.54% 10.71% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 125.6 4.15% 2.81% 2.16% 3.9% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a,3 1.0303 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.2533 6.23% 2.86% 1.67% 6.04% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2627 3.78% 2.86% 2.31% 3.57% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0364 2.09% n.a. n.a. 2.02% Feeder Fund Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,4 $0.99 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Launch date is January 3, 2019. 2 - Launch date is January 28, 2019. 3 - Launch date is February 1, 2019. 4 Launch date is November 15, 2019. 5 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 6 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 7 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019. 8 - Launch date is December 09, 2019. "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com. ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

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Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Monday, December 16, 2019 B3

SC orders FDCP to stop getting amusement tax

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed its decision declaring as unconstitutional the provisions of Republic Act 9167 mandating local government units (LGUs) to remit amusement tax to the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). However, in a 12-page decision penned by Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, the Court en banc directed the Cebu City government to remit to the FDCP the amount of P76.8 million, which the FDCP was entitled to prior to the Court’s final decision declaring as invalid and unconstitutional Sections 13 and 14 of RA 9167, or An Act Creating the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Court records showed that sometime in

1993, the City of Cebu, in its exercise of its power to impose amusement taxes under Section 140 of the Local Government Code, passed City Ordinance 69 titled “Revised Omnibus Tax Ordinance of the City of Cebu.” Sections 42 and 43, Chapter 11 of the ordinance requires proprietors, lessees or operators of theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, boxing stadiums and other places of amusement to pay an amusement tax.

IMPERIAL DECORATION Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. (right) received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, in a conferment ceremony held at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence on December 11. The award, conferred by Ambassador Koji Haneda on behalf of his majesty the Emperor of Japan, was given in recognition of Tetangco’s invaluable contribution to strengthening the relations between Japan and the Philippines in the financial sector. In his congratulatory message, Haneda lauded Tetangco’s leadership of the BSP for 12 years, and expressed his appreciation for his strong support on the full liberalization of foreign banks’ entry into the Philippines in 2014. Tetangco also actively played his part in regional finance stabilization by promoting both regional and bilateral financial cooperation led by Japan, including the bilateral currency swap arrangement and joint working group on financial cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, RA 9167 was passed by Congress on June 7, 2002, creating the FDCP. Sections 13 and 14 of RA 9167 provided for the tax treatment of certain graded films. Film producers were to be entitled to an incentive equivalent to the amusement tax imposed and collected by the cities, subject to various rates depending on the grade of their film, to be remitted to the FDCP. The FDCP argued that from the time RA 9167 took effect up to the present, only the City of Cebu, among the covered cities, has failed to comply with the mandate of the law. Thus, the FDCP sent demand letters for unpaid amusement tax reward with 5-percent surcharge for each month of delinquency due to the producers. Because of the persistent refusal of the proprietors and cinema operators to remit the amounts as FDCP demanded, and Cebu City’s assertion of a claim on the amounts in question, the Cebu City government filed a petition before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cebu City Branch 14 and sought for the declaration of Sections 13 and 14 of RA 9167 as invalid and unconstitutional. Similarly, respondent Colon Heritage filed before the Cebu RTC Branch 5 seeking to declare the same provisions unconstitutional. “Accordingly, Cebu City’s motion seeking non-application of the operative fact doctrine in favor of FDCP to retain the subject amusement taxes it withheld, as well as to collect payments accruing to it during the covered period within which Section 13 and 14 of RA 9167 up until the finality of the main decision is denied,” the SC said. In this regard, the SC’s directive to Cebu City to turn over to FDCP the amount of P76,836,807.08, which represented the amount that should have been remitted by SM Prime Holdings Inc. to FDCP at that time, remains,” it added. On the other hand, the Court ruled that FDCP failed to raise new arguments that would warrant the reconsideration of its decision declaring Sections 13 and 14 of RA 9167 invalid and unconstitutional. “On the constitutionality issue, FDCP’s

Phoenix Petroleum lists P3-B commercial papers

HOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. announced last week that it listed on December 11, 2019, some P3 billion worth of short-term commercial papers (STCP) with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. The commercial paper is the third series (CP Series C) of its Securities and Exchange Commission-registered threeyear P10-billion Commercial Paper Program with PNB Capital and Investment Corp. as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and bookrunner. The proceeds of the listed STCP will be used to finance working capital require-

ments for its importation and sale of petroleum products. “As Phoenix Petroleum grows bigger in size and complexity, I am honored to be part of a team and an organization that continues to challenge themselves and learn,” Phoenix Petroleum Chief Finance Officer Ma. Concepcion F. de Claro said during the listing ceremony. “More than a fund-raising activity, for us, the STCP program is a simple, ingenious approach in meeting working capital requirements in an efficient, cost-effective way.” A pioneer in utilizing the Securities Regulation Code IRR Rule 12.1.2.5, Phoenix

Petroleum issued and listed the first of its series in December of 2018 for the aggregate amount of P7 billion (CP Series A) under the P10-billion Commercial Paper Program. This was followed by the second series (CP Series B) worth the aggregate amount of P3.5 billion in August of this year. The CP Program also received the Best Debt Deal for the Philippines during the 2019 Asian Banking and Finance Corporate & Investment Banking Awards, with Phoenix Petroleum and PNB Capital Senior Management attending the awarding ceremony in Singapore last July.

Perspectives Customer experience is the new battleground

HE quest for growth in transport and logistics revolves around the customer. Those companies that know more about their customers and harness that understanding to deliver a superior all-round experience, are likely to achieve greater success. A commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of KPMG last January 2019 reveals that, across multiple sectors, the top 25 customer experience leaders achieved five times the earnings growth and seven times the revenue growth of the bottom 25. Transport and logistics companies recognize this shift and are reappraising what customers want and need: n 80 percent of transport and logistics leaders say their companies are focused on improving customer experience and yet; n 85 percent say their businesses cannot define a differentiated customer experience. Offering a superior, differentiated customer experience takes on even greater importance when you consider the macroeconomic and competitive forces impacting the sector. The decade-long shipping crisis has hit margins, while local public transport financing difficulties have slowed down mass transportation improvements. Developments like the Paris Agreement on climate change are accelerating a move toward lower carbon,

requiring billions of dollars of investment in electric mobility and digitization to improve efficiency. Competition is also heating up. Technology start-ups are increasingly targeting the industry, often via platforms that “own” the customer. Meanwhile, retail groups are moving into the logistics space, building their own service networks. As they consider how to become more customer focused, transport and logistics companies need to address two key challenges: n Understanding what a good customer experience looks like; and n Reorienting the entire organization around the customer to ensure a strong consistent experience across every channel. In our experience working with companies across the sector, those organizations that master these two challenges tend to exhibit the following characteristics: n Excellence: A commitment to excellence and competitive superiority as part of a “customer first” culture. They know what customer first means to their company and then align processes, operations, culture and behaviors around this goal. n Engagement: High levels of staff engagement and employee experiences that connect with the customer experience. n Execution: An obsession with

high-quality execution. They design and deliver a seamless, personal customer experience that meets evolving expectations across all physical and digital touch points, to drive engagement, satisfaction and loyalty. This calls for full integration of all payment technologies for a convenient, secure and consistent transaction experience. n Economics: Clarity on the economics of experience; which means understanding the costs and benefits of delivering customer experience, as well as the value it brings to customers and shareholders. They harness data insights to engage with customers across channels, while also maintaining data integrity, privacy and security. When combined, these four capabilities create a connected experience for customers, whether linking retailers and consumers, being a trusted carrier for B2B enterprises, or as key players in passenger mobility.

This excerpt was taken from the article titled “The connected experience in transport and logistics.” © 2019 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent member-firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, you may visit www.kpmg.com.ph.

arguments in its motion are mere rehash of its position in the main and, hence, cannot be sustained,” the Court declared. In declaring the said provisions unconstitutional, the High Tribunal said that in the legislation of RA 9167, Congress, in effect, earmarked the income on amusement taxes imposed by LGUs in favor of the FDCP and the producers of graded films—as though it were legally within its control—under the guise of setting a limitation on the LGU’s exercise of

their delegated taxing power. The SC ruled that Sections 13 and 14 infringe on the principle of local autonomy enshrined in the 1987 Constitution: “This, undoubtedly, is a usurpation of the latter’s exclusive prerogative to apportion their funds, an impermissible intrusion into the LGU’s constitutionally protected domain which puts to naught the guarantee of fiscal autonomy to municipal corporations enshrined in our basic law,” it held.

Green Monday BusinessMirror

B4 Monday, December 16, 2019

Climate change is the new reason a flight is delayed

xtreme weather is no longer exceptional, and that’s forcing changes at some of the world’s most diligent storm trackers: airlines.

Travelers walk through Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C., US, on November 22, 2017. The trade association Airlines for America has projected that 28.5 million passengers will travel on US airlines during the 12-day Thanksgiving air-travel period, up 3 percent from 2016. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Weather delays in the US have been trending higher in the past four years, upending historical patterns and jumping to an 11-year high for this year’s summer storm season, according to government data for the 30 biggest airports. In June, for example, United Airlines Holdings Inc.’s Denver hub registered as many disruptive storms as it had for the entire previous summer. “ We’re going to anticipate t hat t he su mmer weat her is probably going to be a little more difficult than traditionally—that this is not going to be changing,” Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said in an interview. “We’ve seen a pattern here, certainly in the last couple of years.” Fast-moving summer storms tend to cause more last-minute disruptions because they’re hard to predict. But airlines have also noticed that those events—as

well as, ice and snowstorms in winter—last longer than in the past, said Jim DeYoung, United ’s vice president of network operations, citing conversations at industry gatherings. The airline industry’s experience tracks scientific consensus that global warming is affecting the vast systems responsible for nor’easters, blizzards and thunderstorms. Climate change is causing increasingly erratic behavior in the summer jet stream, which may be linked to “remarkable weather extremes” in recent years, said Michael Mann, director of the Penn State Earth System Science Center and coauthor of a 2018 study on the topic. To environmental activists, airlines aren’t just victims of climate change; they’re also perpetrators, as burning jet fuel emits greenhouse gases. But whatever the cause, carriers

have been forced to address the effects, as have industries from dairy farming to auto retailing. United has overhau led its system to reaccommodate passengers and improved how it routes planes around storms. American A irlines Group Inc. is beefing up staff to handle diverted f lights. Delta is throwing out its old assumptions about how bad storms will be. In the winter, carriers cancel flights and move planes and crews to unaffected airports so service can resume quickly once a storm system has passed. Severe weather outbreaks from last winter into this summer were “a turning point,” DeYoung said. “Rather than the storms affecting operations for two or three hours, they seem to last all day,” he said. Chicago-based United is building tools to respond more quickly to thunderstorms that “pop up out of nowhere.” United and other carriers are ensuring that smaller airports that receive diverted planes during storms have the staff and equipment to handle them. United a lso is prov id ing crews and passengers with more specific details on how weather will affect f lights. “Our perspective is, climate change is real and we now have to prepare to deal with that reality,” DeYoung said. Beyond more frequent, longer storms, airlines also have detected more choppy air. Course and altitude changes to avoid turbulence cost US carriers as much as $100 million a year and consume an additional 160 million gallons of fuel, according to a recent study by insurer Allianz SE and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Each minute of delay costs an airline $74.20, according to the

trade group Airlines for America. That puts the total tally at more than $1 billion for the roughly 14 million minutes of weather-related flight delays tracked by the Federal Aviation Administration at the 30 biggest US airports for the latest fiscal year. Delta no longer can assume that delays will be relatively consistent year-to-year so is resetting its assumptions annually based on new data. The Atlanta-based carrier also is bringing in more employees, from pilots to tarmac workers, sooner during storms to help offset shortages caused by delays, CEO Bastian said. Delta and other airlines are also adding buffer time to their schedules for periods prone to storms so that staffing plans and passenger itineraries don’t have to get changed at the last minute. While Southwest Airlines Co. said it hasn’t adjusted operations in response to changing weather trends, it does have new tools to deal with delays. The Dallas-based carrier recently began rolling out an automatic rebooking function for when flights are disrupted and started scanning bags at planes to better track when they are loaded on a new flight because of a cancellation. American has begun using more airports to take diverted flights from its Dallas-Fort Worth hub— reducing its reliance on Austin, Texas—and has increased staffing to coordinate diversions. The Fort Worth-based airline also has invested in improved forecasting and is developing an app to help displaced flight crews find hotels faster, said JonCarlo Gulbranson, American’s vice president of operations and crew performance. “It’s predominantly technology and being smarter with our current resources,” he said. Bloomberg News

Saibon shampoo bar: One bar, one tree T his holiday season, why not give a gift that makes a lasting impression not only on your loved ones but also on the future generation. The Saibon shampoo bar is a gift that plants a tree. For every shampoo bar you get for a donation of only P380, native tree seedlings, such as narra, kamagong and antipolo will be planted as part of the Forests for Life movement, a campaign that brings back Philippine forests. Handcrafted by organic farmers in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, the Saibon shampoo bar is made with natural ingredients—both good for you and the environment.

It comes in t hree va r ia nt s — C a l a m a n s i , Cu c u m b e r a nd A c t i v at e d C h a rco a l . Ever y seedling donation is maintained by local farmers. This covers seedling preparation, planting, and three years of protection and maintenance by partner communities. The shampoo bar’s biodegradable wrapper also serves as a ticket to one of Haribon’s tree-planting activities in 2020. Donate. Receive. Volunteer. Each bar restores the Philippine forests, one tree at a time. The Saibon shampoo bar is available at http://bit.ly/saibon, or on Shopee at http://bit.ly/ saibonshopee.

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Whiskey makers making a play for climate-conscious drinkers

Bill Gaunce pours a glass of Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey directly from a barrel at the company’s distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, US, on February 25, 2011. Woodford Reserve, a Brown-Forman Corp. brand, uses copper pot stills and a triple distillation process to handcraft its small batch bourbon. John Sommers II/Bloomberg via Getty Images

s the climate crisis accelerates, fueling powerful storms, unprecedented droughts and wildfires, more consumers are focused on making purchases that are environmentally sensitive. Companies hoping to capture their dollars are increasingly trying to do something— anything—to show they are part of the solution and not the problem. Some of them are in the alcohol industry, which with its reliance on water, wood and energy to distill and ship its products has quite the carbon footprint. There are a growing number of booze makers putting their own spin on making greener alcohol. Given the critical role wood plays in the production of spirits, protecting trees has become a common focal point. Westland Distillery’s Garryana whiskey, limited to about 3,000 bottles a year, is a hit with aficionados and collectors because of its unique, piquant flavors. It’s also a good example of how spirits makers are becoming more ecologically aware. For the past four years, the Seattle-based company has made Garryana with a blend of its single malt whiskeys, some of which were aged in barrels made of Garry Oak—an almost extinct Pacific Northwest species (the barrels are made from trees that fell naturally). “Our interest in Garry Oak was initially a purely whiskey-focused one,” said Westland Cofounder and Master Distiller Matt Hofmann. “But as we learned more about our native species of oak, we saw firsthand how severely endangered it has become.” Garry Oak now only grows in 5 percent of its former habitat, Hofmann said. The distillery’s Garry Oak Project with land conservationist organization Forterra involves planting new trees throughout Washington state while protecting existing stands. Commercial Director Chris Riesbeck said employees take part, working “the land twice per year to ensure that we are setting a good example for land stewardship.” “By using this oak for whiskey production, we’re shining a bright spotlight on Garry Oak,” Hofmann said. “The broader ecosystems supported by Garry Oaks are good for the region— the environment, the wildlife and the people.” Roberto Serrales, a sixth-generation rum, maker with a doctorate in chemical engineering, said there are many ways alcohol production can be harmful to the planet—including packaging, shipping and fuel consumption. The No. 1 problem, however, is water waste that needs to be treated before being returned to the environment. “A large distillery that is producing 50,000 [gallons] per day will generate around 400,000 gallons of wastewater per day,” said Serrales, who consults on environmental issues for Don Q rum and other distilleries. “A large distillery like that may typically operate on average around 300 days per year.” Jason Nally is focused on water, too. As Maker’s Mark’s Environmental Champion (his real title), he conceded that the high climate cost of shipping spirits is something that—for now—can’t be avoided.

Loretto, Kentucky-based Maker’s Mark is instead focusing sustainability efforts on the “activity inside the distillery,” Nally said. And that means water. “Production begins with water, which is why we created the protected watershed around our lakes,” Nally said. “By owning, managing and preserving our own water source, we’ve eliminated the need for piped-in, chemically treated and cleaned water from a municipal source, allowing us to rely instead on the natural limestone of our lakes to filter our water.” Nally said that wastewater resulting from distillation is treated before it’s released, and spent grains, or stillage, goes to local farms where it’s repurposed as livestock feed. “While we certainly don’t claim to have ‘solved’ each and every impact that our industry has on the environment,” he said, “we care about our planet’s future, and recognize the role we play.” Maker’s Mark has two main sustainability projects in the works, Nally said. One centers on water management between its two lake ecosystems, the other is forest management, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky’s oak research project. Like the Garry Oak Project in Washington state, the latter is aimed at ensuring healthier future tree populations. Beyond sustainable sourcing of water and wood, other alcohol purveyors have taken a more novel approach to green branding. At Copper & Kings, a Louisville, Kentuckybased brandy maker, they make their Mystery spirit by distilling all the discarded tasting samples and other unused spirits together rather than tossing it all out. Additionally, the distillery also houses a monarch butterfly way station, makes use of solar paneling and even hosts two beehives. Until recently, bee preservation wasn’t given much mainstream thought. But now that industrial crop production, pesticides and the climate crisis have threatened these critical pollinators, consumers are starting to pay attention. Caledonia Spirits, which grew out of a Montpelier, Vermont, apiary owned by Todd Hardie, has become one of several distilleries producing honey-based spirits (another is Catskill Provisions) that have sought to protect the bees. By supporting the beekeeping industry and donating to organizations that create more hives, Caledonia Spirits said it’s doing its part to help keep pollinators alive. “Bees are gentle creatures that feed us,” said Caledonia head distiller Ryan Christiansen. “It’s important to solve this problem.” Along with educational events for both adults and children held at the distillery’s own nature preserve, Caledonia holds an annual, weeklong fund-raising event featuring Bees Knees cocktails, made with its honey-based Barr Hill Gin. (The gin, lemon and honey cocktail has a curious history that involves the Titanic.) This year, the campaign took place in over 1,000 bars and restaurants, Christiansen said, adding that it’s raised $61,000 since 2017. The beneficiary changes annually: this year, it was the Bee Cause Project, a nonprofit dedicated to raising bee awareness through early education.

Wyndham Destinations helps save sea turtles

ORONG, Bataan—A team from the Wyndham Destinations service center in Clark, Pampanga, gathered in Morong, Bataan, over the other weekend to join a local conservation center safely release sea turtles into their natural habitat. Olive ridley tur tle hatchlings at the Pawikan Conservation Center were released at Nagbalayong Beach, after they hatched under the sand and scrambled from their nests. The center, which sits on the coast of Morong, is known as a nesting site for 3 out of the 5 species of marine turtles found in the Philippines: the Hawksbill sea turtle, Olive ridley sea turtle and Green sea turtle.

To further support the center’s efforts, the Clark team raised P10,000 through a workplace fund-raising activity for the center’s program that protects sea turtle eggs and rehabilitates injured marine turtles. Wyndham Destinations ser vice center Director of Operations Jerry Estrada, said the activity was one of the team’s biggest environmental initiatives of the year. “We are proud of our staff, who organized t h e i r ow n f u n d - ra i s i n g c a m p a i g n a n d approached their families and friends, in order to raise awareness and much-needed funds to protect these beautiful creatures,” he said. “Sea turtles are important members of the

marine ecosystem in the Philippines and we must do our best to preserve them. The challenges they face go beyond natural predators—their population is falling due to climate change, damaged beaches and plastic pollution. “We would encourage businesses, local communities and the younger generation to join us in supporting the Pawikan Conservation Center build safer and secure nesting areas free from rubbish and away from predators,” he added. The staff earlier participated in a briefing on the importance of sea turtles to the ecosystem and simple practices they can adopt to keep the beaches clean. They also took part in a beach clean up, with the aim of minimizing waste on

Nagbalayong Beach, and scattered rubbish in nearby huts. O p e n e d i n O c t o b e r, t h e Wy n d h a m Destinations service center in Clark, supports four other corporate offices, 20 preview centers and 69 resorts across Asia-Pacific and Europe. The service center boasts of numerous green features and policies, such as LED lighting, eco-friendly furniture, waste segregation and recycling programs. Wyndham Destinations has also rolled out numerous sustainability initiatives, such as eliminating the use of plastic straws in an effort to reduce consumption of single-use plastic through its global WYNDGreen program.

Dragonfly’s lucky charm Apparently attracted by the scent of a lemongrass, a dragonfly lands on a lemongrass at a backyard in Santiago City, Isabela. Many believe that seeing one indicates that rain is on the way while some see it as a sign of good luck or prosperity. CEASAR M. PERANTE

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Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Monday, December 16, 2019

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Elephant hunt 2.0: Botswana trying again after global outcry

o t s wana , w h i c h h a s o u t r a g e d conservationists by lifting a hunting ban on wildlife, is making a second attempt to restart commercial hunts for its elephant population, the biggest in the world. The government issued a quota for the killing of 272 of the animals in 2020, of which foreign hunters will be allowed to shoot 202 elephants and export trophies. Seventy licenses will be reser ved for Botswana nationals, according to government documents. The auction for some of the licenses will take place soon, said Moeti Batshabang, deputy director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The hunting season will last from April to September, spanning the dry winter when the African bush is thinner and animals are easier to find. While the government said earlier this year it would allow the killing of 158 elephants by foreign tourists in the 2019 season, auctions for hunting licenses never took place. President Mokgweetsi Masisi put elephants at the center of Botswana’s politics this year as he campaigned for October elections that the ruling party won. By lifting the hunting ban in May, Masisi broke ranks with his predecessor Ian Khama, who had garnered international praise for

Botswana’s wildlife policies. Botswana has about 130,000 of the animals nationwide. Farmers have complained of a growing number of incidents with elephants, which, at times, destroy crops and trample villagers to death. While hunting won’t meaningfully reduce the size of the elephant population, income from the sport can benefit local communities, according to the government. Conservationists worldwide have opposed the changes, warning that tourists may go elsewhere. Tourism accounts for a fifth of Botswana’s economy. By lifting the hunting ban, Botswana has brought itself in line with its neighbors. The number of hunting licenses are below the 400 cap it set itself, and compares with 500 licenses in Zimbabwe and 90 in Namibia. Zimbabwe has the world’s second-largest elephant population. The all-in cost of an elephant hunt typically involves several hundred dollars a day for the professional hunters who accompany the tourists, as well as accommodation and taxidermy fees. Hunts can last 10 to 18 days on average. Most trophy hunters in Southern Africa come from the US. In Zimbabwe, the right to shoot an elephant costs at least $21,000.

Urban biodiversity fortifies cities against disasters, improves health

n cities where buildings and concrete often dominate the landscape, green spaces are few and far between, and are often a luxury.

The green spaces offer sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle, giving city dwellers the occasion to improve their health and well-being by connecting with nature. S t u d i e s p r e s e nt e d at t h e Asean-India Workshop on Urban Biodiversity in Singapore recently show that city residents exposed to greener y are generally healthier and calmer in

disposition when dealing with day-to-day challenges. Moreover, cities with substantial tree cover are usually 3 degrees Celsius cooler than cities that are devoid of greenery. When biodiversity is integrated in the design and building of these green spaces, they can even protect cities against disasters. The Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wi ld l ife Center (NA PWC), a

23.85-hectare protected area in the heart of Quezon City has a lagoon, a garden of native plant species, rescued wildlife like the Philippine eagle and a variety of indigenous trees. As many as over 55,000 visitors go to the park every month to walk among the thriving biodiversity in the area, go boating in the lagoon or simply relax with nature. Originally, around half of the trees in the park were nonnative. NAPWC’s Management is currently reforesting the park with species native to the Philippines, especially having observed that compared with nonnative species that easily fall, native trees in the park are more resilient against flooding and typhoons.

Bloomberg News

U.N. biodiversity body provides advice for 2020 Biodiversity Conference

he Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) subsidiary body on science recommended elements that will be used at next year’s biennial UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China, that will include discussions on an ambitious, transformative and effective Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.   Some 673 delegates representing 118 countries convened in Montreal for the 23rd meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-23), held from November 25 to 29. The agreed recommendations include decisions suggested to be adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference.   “The results of SBSTTA-23 illustrated the critical role this scientific body of the Convention plays in ensuring that all work under it is underpinned by sound science,” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, acting executive secretary. “To that end, Parties have identified key elements of the scientific base for the development of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. While much work remains to be done, we are well on our way to achieve a framework that is both ambitious and effective,” Mrema added.  In late 2020, the 196 Parties to the Convention will adopt the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The global agreement will offer an unparalleled opportunity to advance progress on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity, while strengthening interlinkages between biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development agendas.   Development of this framework is based on an open and transparent consultative process, engaging all Parties and stakeholders in a meaningful and integrated manner. The process is informed by best available science and evidence base learning also from relevant global and other assessments, such as the IPBES Global Assessment.  At SBSTTA-23, governments agreed on the following recommendations: n Informing the scientific and technical evidence base for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework The Parties stressed the need for action to address indirect and direct drivers of biodiversity loss, and to tackle climate change and land degradation in an integrated manner. This includes scaling up existing measures and initiating steps to achieve transformative change. They recognized that to achieve the 2050 vision of the CBD, “Living in harmony with nature,” changes are needed in finance and economics that support pathways to sustainability.

Biodiversity and climate change

The Parties recognized that biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification and land degradation are inseparable, interdependent challenges of “unprecedented severity.” They noted that limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels is not sufficient to halt biodiversity loss, but would significantly reduce it. They added that nature-based solutions provide approximately 37 percent of climatechange mitigation needed by 2030 to keep warming below 1.5 degree Celcius . Ecosystem-based approaches to climatechange adaptation, mitigation and disasterrisk reduction are indispensable to achieving multiple globally agreed goals, including the Paris Agreement and the sustainable development agenda.  Possible elements of work on the links between nature and culture in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Scientific Body built on the results of the previous 11th meeting of the Convention’s Working Group on Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. They considered increased interagency cooperation bringing together the CBD,  Scientific and Cultural Organization, IUCN and indigenous peoples and local communities, and other partners to integrate biological and cultural diversity— nature and culture—in the development of the post-2020 framework.

Sustainable wildlife management

The Parties recognized the importance of the sustainable use of biodiversity in wildlife management, including the contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities. They agreed to strengthen collaboration among multilateral environment agreements and international organizations to tackle illegal, and unsustainable use and trade of wildlife trade. Additional work is still required to implement decisions on sustainable wildlife management, and voluntary guidance for a sustainable wild meat sector.

Technical and scientific cooperation

The importance of technical and scientific cooperation to implement the post-2020 framework were, likewise, recognized. Such cooperation will need to extend across a wide range of fields and disciplines to support the mainstreaming of biodiversity. SBSTTA asked for additional views and suggestions for matters, such as technology horizon scanning, assessment and monitoring, and examples of effective institutional mechanisms, partnerships, networks, and regional and subregional institutional arrangements.  Results to facilitate the description of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean The Parties considered the outputs of a regional workshop that described 17 areas that are meeting the criteria for Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and adjacent areas. These results fill an important geographical gap in the work under the Convention to describe EBSAs globally. They acknowledged the collaboration of the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, and the Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission and their pioneering work related to EBSAs in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. They encouraged continued efforts to describe EBSAs using the best available science and emphasized that EBSAs can inform the development of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

In the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, a 23.85-hectare protected area in Quezon City, over 55,000 visitors go to the park every month to walk among the thriving biodiversity in the area, go boating in the lagoon or simply relax with nature. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

Strategically integrating biodiversity in urban landscapes helps protect cities from disasters like flooding, said the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) during the 78th International Federation of Landscape Architects Asia-Pacific Regional (IFLA APR) Congress 2019 held in Cebu City recently. ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim encouraged cities along coastlines to preserve their mangroves, as these trees act as a buffer to floods and storm surges. Lim also cited Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore as an example of urban biodiversity improving health and well-being. The hospital has a waterfall, and an abundant garden of native species and edible plants that attract birds, butterflies and dragonflies. With all the healing nature around them, patients there can easily get well, Lim said. “When we integrate biodiversity in cities, our biodiversity does not only thrive, but our communities also have a better quality of life,” Lim emphasised. IFLA APR President Damian Tang affirmed the importance of integrating biodiversity in urban planning, saying that “it is especially important in addressing climate change.” “We, at the IFLA, are working to integrate biodiversity more in our designs in landscape architecture to respond to the needs of the times,” Tang said. Landscape architects, urban and environmental planners, foresters, professionals in related fields and policy-makers from the region attended the IFLA APR Congress.

Feds agree to review grizzly protections in contiguous US

ILLINGS, Montana—Federal officials will review whether enough is being done to protect grizzly bears in the contiguous US states after environmentalists sued the government to try to restore the fearsome animals to more areas, according to a court settlement approved Monday. The review must be completed by March 31, 2021, US District Judge Dana Christensen ordered. Grizzly bears have been protected as a threatened species in the US—except in Alaska—since 1975, allowing a slow recovery in a handful of areas. An estimated 1,900 of the animals live in por-

tions of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington state. Tens of thousands of grizzlies once populated western North America before hunting, trapping and habitat loss wiped out most by the early 1900s. Federal wildlife officials said in 2011 that additional areas should be considered for grizzly bear recovery, but that work has never been completed. In a lawsuit filed in June, the Center for Biological Diversity sought to force officials to consider restoring grizzlies to parts of California, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. “There are a lot of places where

New and emerging issues

The Parties deferred consideration of whether synthetic biology would be classified as a new and emerging issue to its 24 meeting, and recommended that pending the outcome of that meeting, the Conference of the Parties not to add new and emerging issues to the SBSTTA agenda in the coming biennium. The SBSTTA, the intergovernmental body responsible for providing scientific, technical and technological advice related to the implementation of the Convention, plays a key role in assessing the current status of the world’s biodiversity, identifying solutions and in bringing emerging issues related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to the attention of the global community. UNCBD

A grizzly bear and a cub are seen along the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Frank van Manen/The United States Geological Survey via AP

grizzly bears used to live where we believe they could currently live,” said Andrea Santarsiere, an attorney for the group. The US Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to the grizzly status review that could lay the groundwork for new restoration plans, though that’s not guaranteed. Agency officials did not immediately respond to telephone and e-mail requests seeking comment. One a rea prev iously mentioned by federal officials as having potential for grizzlies is southwestern Colorado’s San Juan mountain range. Advocates of returning bears and other predators to the state

have grown more vocal in recent years. They are now trying to get an initiative on the 2020 ballot to have the state reintroduce gray wolves west of the Continental Divide. Ranchers, hunters and other interests are campaigning against the proposal. A review of the states in the continental US would look at potential habitat for grizzlies, people who live in those areas and how far they are from existing grizzly populations, said Chris Servheen, former coordinator of the government’s grizzly bear recovery program. But Servheen said in his opinion that the review would distract from efforts already under way to bolster struggling populations of grizzlies in areas like the North Cascades of Washington state and the Bitterroot region of Montana and Idaho. “It just doesn’t make sense to look for new places for bears when we don’t have enough money to deal with the existing areas we have,” Servheen said. The agreement between the government and environmentalists does not fully resolve the June lawsuit, which also seeks an update to the government’s recovery plan for grizzlies. Representatives of the ranching industry have intervened in the case to oppose a new recovery plan. They say it would hinder the government’s efforts to lift protections for grizzlies in and around Yellowstone National Park. Environmentalists successfully sued last year to block grizzly hunts planned in Wyoming and Idaho. The hunts were scheduled after the Fish and Wildlife Service determined about 700 grizzlies in and around the park no longer needed federal protection. Christensen disagreed and ordered protections restored. AP

B6 Monday, December 16, 2019

New World Makati Hotel heralds the yuletide with a Silver Tree Lighting Spectacle on its 25th Anniversary

EW World Makati Hotel welcomes the holidays with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 26 with guest of honor Makati Mayor Abby Binay, hotel executives Regional Vice President and General Manager Marcel van Mierlo and Director of Sales & Marketing Jann Delgado, and the evening’s host, television personality Pia Guanio-Mago, with her husband Steeve and daughters Scarlet and Brooklyn. As the hotel proudly celebrates its

25th anniversary, the 25-ft tall Christmas tree was adorned in stunning silver and white holiday ornaments to highlight its milestone year. Leading up to the most awaited part of the night, the audience was serenaded by the hotel’s beneficiary - SOLV Foundation Children’s choir –as they sang a medley of classic Christmas carols. Pia’s daughters led the countdown along with the mayor and hotel executives and moments after the switch button was

pressed, the towering tree of silver, white, and gold was finally lit. Male classical and pop group Opus One then came down the lobby’s staircase singing “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” as guests looked on at the sparkling tree. The SOLV Foundation Children’s Choir were handed sweet Christmas Santa treats by general manager Marcel van Mierlo as a token of appreciation for their endearing performance. A party at the hotel will be done in their honor later in December for all 45 children as well as volunteers at SOLV Foundation. A portion of the hotel’s proceeds for the same month will be donated to their foundation, a non-profit organization that cares for street children in Barangay Palanan in Makati, providing them with a home and quality education. To help raise more donations for the SOLV Foundation and in celebration of its silver year, New World Makati Hotel is holding an ongoing Holly Jolly Raffle, giving away 25 exciting experiences and prizes. Promo runs from 1 to 31 December, and for a minimum spend of PHP5,000 entitles the guest to one raffle ticket. For information, call +63 8811 6888 or email Reservations.manila@ newworldhotels.com.

Hino supplies modern PUVs to Mandaluyong Transport Cooperative

INO Motors Philippines (HMP), one of the pioneer participants of the PUV program, turned over 30 modern jeepney units to the Mandaluyong Transport Service Cooperative in a ceremony held at the Philippine Red Cross Function Hall in Mandaluyong City. A one-stop shop for trucks and buses, Hino now manufactures its own lineup of PUVs compliant with Philippine National Standards (PNS) set by the government to promote safety and ensure driving and riding efficiency. This initial batch of PUV units turned over by Hino U.N. Avenue to the Mandaluyong Cooperative consists of Class II 4-wheeler AC modern jeepneys with 19 front-facing seats. “It is our honor to be part of this transformation in Philippine transportation and we are grateful to be the preferred partner of the Mandaluyong Transport Service Cooperative. This is only the first batch of units that we are providing them, and we are certainly looking forward to and gearing up for more. We are committed to giving them the Total Support that

Hino has always been known for,” Hino U.N. Avenue President and CEO Mr. Leoncio Lei Yee Jr. said. Hino is keen to partner with more transport cooperatives in support of the country’s PUV modernization program. As of now, more than 16 cooperatives are already using Hino modern jeepneys to ply various routes nationwide. Continue to stay updated with Hino’s announcements through its official website and social media pages on Facebook at facebook.com/ HinoMotorsPH/ and on Twitter at @HinoMotorsPH. NEWLY-ELECTED UNITED PRINT MEDIA GROUP PHILIPPINES BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR 2020-2022., from left: Marvin Nisperos Estigoy (BusinessMirror)- Director, Jong Arcano (Philippine Daily Inquirer- P.R.O., Marisa Consuelo (Gadgets Magazine) -Director, Annie Grefal (Manila Standard) - Auditor, Barbie Atienza (Manila Bulletin) - President, Election Committee Member Noel Godinez, Election Committee Chair Jacinto Jr. Aluad, ElectionCommittee Member Ken Lerona, Jay Sarmiento (PhilStar Media Group)-Vice President, Vivienne Motomal (Journal Group) - Treasurer, Sherly Ojo Baula (Chinese Commercial News) - Director &amp; Janette Dominguez (BusinessWorld)Secretary. UPMG Philippines elected their new set of officers on November 25, coinciding with their Christmas Party hosted by Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. held at the Manila Prince Hotel.

Nothing to Lose: Novuhair meets Michael Learns To Rock

OVUHAIR’s team had the meet-and-greet opportunity with Michael Learns To Rock (MLRT) composed of Jascha Ritcher, Mikkel Lentz, and Kare Wansher. It was indeed a nostalgic 90’s retro night for the Manila fans serenaded with some of the band’s greatest hits like 25 Minutes, Paint My Love, Out of the Blue, The Actor, and Nothing To Lose. Novuhair, a natural hair loss remedy uniquely formulated with 19 of nature’s finest ingredients,

offering an effective and safe solution to hair loss prevention and maintenance for a decade now. Supported by a clinical trial, Novuhair helps reduce the progression of hair loss – decrease in hair shedding and size of bald patches, increase in hair density and thickness and without unwanted harmful side effects commonly found among chemical-laced products. To know more about the product, visit www.novuhair.com. Choose natural. You’ve got Nothing To Lose.

SM CITY TARLAC ELEVATED TO BELENISMO’S HALL OF FAME. SM City Tarlac was named the Grand Champion in the Grand Monumental – Non Municipal Category during recent 12th Belenismo sa Tarlac Awards Night, elevating it to the Hall of Fame for winning the title for three consecutive years. The 42 foot Belen, which showcases indigenous and upcycled materials, signifies God as the source of life, purity and wisdom with a 9 foot fountain using recycled water from the mall’s sewage treatment plant with indigenous jute bags and bagasse fibers around it. Its intricate design is given life by one of Tarlac’s main agricultural products – sugarcane.

PCCI CONFERS POSTHUMOUS AWARD TO AURELIO PERIQUET JR. For his contribution to the advancement of Philippine business and for leaving an indelible legacy to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Aurelio O. Periquet, Jr. was recently honored with a Posthumous Award during the gala night of the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo. Annually, the PCCI recognizes past Chamber Presidents and business leaders who have greatly contributed to the growth of the organization, the business community, and the Philippine economy on a macro and micro level. Periquet is regarded as one of the outstanding pillars in the chamber movement, having served as president for five consecutive terms and upholding PCCI’s role as the voice of Philippine business and proactive catalyst of development. Periquet will always be remembered for illustrating that the Filipino businessman can truly make a mark in the uplifting the country and earn the respect of fellow businessmen globally.

A TOKYO 2020 banner stands in front of the Azuma Baseball Stadium, a venue for baseball and softball at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as large black plastic bags (inset, left) containing radioactive waste are stacked behind a family cemetery in the abandoned town of Futaba in Fukushima prefecture in Japan. AP

Sports BusinessMirror

| Monday, December 16, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

RECOVERY OLYMPICS

UTABA, Japan—The torch relay for the Tokyo Olympics will kick off in Fukushima, the northern prefecture devastated almost nine years ago by an earthquake, tsunami and the subsequent meltdown of three nuclear reactors. They’ll also play Olympic baseball and softball next year in one part of Fukushima, allowing Tokyo organizers and the Japanese government to label these games the “Recovery Olympics.” The symbolism recalls the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which showcased Japan’s reemergence just 19 years after World War II. But tens of thousands still haven’t recovered in Fukushima, displaced by nuclear radiation and unable to return to deserted places like Futaba. Time stopped in the town of 7,100 when disaster struck on March 11, 2011. Laundry still hangs from the second floor of one house. Vermin gnaw away at once intimate family spaces, exposed through shattered windows and mangled doors. The desolation is deepened by Japanese tidiness, with shoes waiting in doorways for absent owners. “This Recovery Olympics is in name only,” Toshihide Yoshida told The Associated Press. He was forced to abandon Futaba and ended up living near Tokyo. “The amount of money spent on the Olympics should have been used for real reconstruction.” Olympic organizers say they are spending $12.6 billion on the Olympics, about 60-percent public money. However, an audit report by the national governments says overall spending is about twice that much. The government has spent ¥34.6 trillion ($318 billion) for reconstruction projects for the disaster-hit northern prefectures, and the Fukushima plant decommissioning is expected to cost ¥8 trillion ($73 billion). The Olympic torch relay will start in March in J-Village, a soccer stadium used as an emergency response hub for Fukushima plant workers. The relay goes to 11 towns hit by the disaster, but bypasses Futaba, a part of Fukushima that Olympic visitors will never see. “I would like the Olympic torch to pass Futaba to show the rest of the world the reality of our hometown,” Yoshida said. “Futaba is far from recovery.”

The symbolism recalls the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which showcased Japan’s reemergence just 19 years after World War II. But tens of thousands still haven’t recovered in Fukushima, displaced by nuclear radiation and unable to return to deserted places like Futaba.

The radiation that spewed from the plant at one point displaced more than 160,000 people. Futaba is the only one of 12 radiation-hit towns that remains a virtual no-go zone. Only daytime visits are allowed for decontamination and reconstruction work, or for former residents to check their abandoned homes. The town has been largely decontaminated and visitors can go almost anywhere without putting on hazmat suits, though they must carry personal dosimeters—which measure radiation absorbed by the body—and surgical masks are recommended. The main train station is set to reopen in March, but residents won’t be allowed to return until 2022. A main street shopping arcade in Futaba is lined by collapsing store fronts and sits about 4 kilometers from the nuclear plant, and 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Tokyo. One shop missing its front doors advertises Shiseido beauty products with price tags still hanging on merchandise. Gift packages litter the ground. Futaba Minami Elementary School has been untouched for almost nine years and feels like a mausoleum. No one died in the evacuation. But school bags, textbooks and notebooks sit as they were when nearly 200 children rushed out. Kids were never allowed to return, and “Friday, March 11,” is still written on classroom blackboards along with due dates for the next homework assignment. On the first floor of the vacant town hall, a human-size daruma good luck figure stands in dim evening light at a reception area. A piece of paper that fell on the floor says the doors must be closed to protect from radiation. It warns: “Please don’t go outside.” The words are underlined in red. “Let us know if you start feeling unwell,” Muneshige Osumi, a former town spokesman told visitors, apologizing for the musty smell and the presence of rats. About 20,000 people in Japan’s northern coastal prefectures died in the 9-magnitude earthquake and

resulting tsunami. Waves that reached 16 meters (50 feet) killed 21 people around Futaba, shredding a seaside pine forest popular for picnics and bracing swims. A clock is frozen at 3:37 p.m. atop a white beach house that survived. Nobody perished from the immediate impact of radiation in Fukushima, but more than 40 elderly patients died after they were forced to travel long hours on buses to out-of-town evacuation centers. Their representatives filed criminal complaints and eventually sent former Tokyo Electric Power Co. executives to court. They were acquitted. When Tokyo was awarded the Olympics in 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assured International Olympic Committee members that the nuclear disaster was “under control.” However, critics say the government’s approach to recovery has divided and silenced many people in the disasterhit zones. Under a development plan, Futaba hopes to have 2,000 people—including former residents and newcomers such as construction workers and researchers—eventually living in a 550-hectare (1,360-acre) site. Yoshida is unsure if he’ll return. But he wants to keep ties to Futaba, where his son inherited a filling station on the main highway connecting northern Japan to Tokyo. Osumi, said many former residents have found new homes and jobs, and the majority say they won’t return. He has his own mixed feelings about going back to his mountainside home in Futaba. The number of residents registered in the town has decreased by more than 1,000 since the accident, indicating they are unlikely to return. “It was so sad to see the town destroyed and my hometown lost,” he said, holding back tears. He reflected on family life, the autumn leaves and the comforting hot baths. “My heart ached when I had to leave this town behind,” he added. Standing outside the Futaba station, Mayor Shirou Izawa described

plans to rebuild a new town. It will be friendly to the elderly, and a place that might become a major hub for research in decommissioning and renewable energy. The hope is that those who come to help in Fukushima’s reconstruction may stay and be part of a new Futaba. “The word Fukushima has become globally known, but regrettably the situation in Futaba or [neighboring] Okuma is hardly known,” Izawa said, noting Futaba’s recovery won’t be ready by the Olympics. “But we can still show that a town that was so badly hit has come this far,” he added. To showcase the recovery, government officials say J-Village— where the torch relays begins—and the Azuma Baseball Stadium were decontaminated and cleaned. However, problems keep popping up at J-Village with radiation “hot spots” being reported, raising questions about safety heading into the Olympics. The baseball stadium is located about 70 kilometers west of Futaba, J-Village is closer, about 20 kilometers away along along the coastal area. The radioactive waste from decontamination surrounding the plant and, from across Fukushima, is kept in thousands of storage bags stacked up in temporary areas in Futaba and Okuma. They are to be sorted—some burned and compacted—and buried at a medium-term storage facility for the next 30 years. For now they fill vast fields that used to be rice paddies or vegetable farms. One large mound sits next to a graveyard, almost brushing the stone monuments. This year, 4 million tons of those industrial container bags were to be brought into Futaba, and another million tons to Okuma, where part of the Fukushima plant stands. Yoshida says the medium-term waste storage sites and the uncertainty over whether they will stay in Futaba or be moved is discouraging residents and newcomers. “Who wants to come to live in a place like that? Would senior officials in Kasumigaseki government headquarters go and live there?” he asked, referring to the high-end area in Tokyo that houses many government ministries. “I don’t think they would,” Yoshida said. “But we have ancestral graves, and we love Futaba, and we don’t want Futaba to be lost. The good old Futaba that we remember will be lost forever, but we’ll cope.” AP

ACTING Russian Athletics Federation President Yulia Tarasenko fights for her athletes’ rights.

Russian athletics head claims athletes could compete as neutrals

CTING Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) President Yulia Tarasenko has claimed it is still possible for athletes from the country to be cleared to compete as neutrals at Tokyo 2020, despite the suspension of the governing body’s reinstatement process. Tarasenko, who replaced Dmitry Shlyakhtin after he was among the RusAF officials charged with obstructing a doping investigation, revealed she was expecting Russian athletes to be given the opportunity to participate at next year’s Olympic Games. World Athletics froze the reinstatement process for RusAF and warned it would consider expelling the organization, following the “serious anti-doping breaches” alleged by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). It also agreed that the current system of allowing Russian athletes to compete as Authorised Neutral Athletes should be put on hold. Russia has since been handed a four-

year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), after an investigation found data from the Moscow Laboratory had been tampered with before it was handed over to the global watchdog. The sanctions from Wada mean Russia’s flag will be banned from major events, including Tokyo 2020, while the country is also set to be stripped of World Championships it has been awarded. Wada ruled that Russian athletes who can prove they had no involvement in the doping scandal, or the cover-up, will be able to compete—a condition Tarasenko claims should apply to track and field competitors. “It’s possible under a neutral flag, like with all other sports as far as I understand,” Tarasenko, whose appointment as acting president was met with criticism from some Russian athletes, said. RusAF confirmed it had sent its response to the AIU by yesterday’s deadline, following the charges against officials at the governing body.

Criticism mounts on WADA decision in Russia doping case

RITICISM of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) sanctions against Russia mushroomed Friday with a rebuke from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) coming on the heels of the outraged resignation of a member of the Wada athlete committee. The USOPC and British Paralympian Victoria Aggar each expressed their disagreement with Wada’s decision not to issue a blanket ban on the Russians in wake of evidence that government officials doctored data that was supposed to be used to prosecute cases stemming from the country’s long-running doping scandal. Aggar, a Paralympic rower, announced her resignation from Wada’s athlete committee, saying “I simply can no longer be part of an organization that places politics over principle.” Hours later at its quarterly meeting, the

USOPC board debated the wisdom of sanctions that called for innocent athletes to be able to compete as neutrals at next year’s Olympics, even though determining who really is innocent has been made more difficult because of the data manipulation. “It’s very difficult for us to see how justice can be served and how there will be a true deterrent versus future corruption, if any of the athletes from Russia have a right to compete in Tokyo under any flag, neutral or otherwise,” USOPC chair Susanne Lyons said. “If the data truly has been corrupted ... it’s very unclear how you can decide and siphon out who’s been part of the doping and who has not.” Earlier in the week, the Chairman of the British Olympic Association called for “the fullest possible sanctions to be taken against Russia at Tokyo 2020.” AP

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TIGER, U.S. TEAM RALLY TO VICTORY M

ELBOURNE, Australia—High emotions, fierce hugs from Tiger Woods, this time as a winner both ways in the Presidents Cup. Woods capped off a big year that began with his 15th major at the Masters by playing and leading his US team to another victory in the Presidents Cup on Sunday at Royal Melbourne. The first playing captain in 25 years, he opened the 12 singles matches by beating Abraham Ancer to set the Presidents Cup record with his 27th match victory, and set the tone for the rest of his team. The scoreboard was filled with American red scores all day as they rallied from a two-point deficit to win the Presidents Cup for the eighth straight time against an International team that faltered at the worst time. Matt Kuchar delivered the clinching putt, a 5-footer for birdie that assured him a halve against Louis Oosthuizen and gave the Americans the 15 1/2 points they needed to win. “For us to be in a hole, to come back and win this thing...to win it as a team, but to do it with Tiger Woods as our captain was just a huge thrill,” Kuchar said. They result was 16-14, and, at least, this one was a contest. The US victory two years ago at Liberty National was so resounding that it nearly ended on Saturday. International captain Ernie Els was determined to turn it around. He created a new logo for the International team. He relied heavily on analytics. It still wasn’t enough. “I followed a plan, and it didn’t quite work out, but we came damn close,” Els said. “If you compare our team on paper with other teams in other sport, you would have laughed us out of the building. But we gave it a hell of a go and we came mightily close to winning and upsetting one of the greatest golf teams of all time.” Els thought back to Friday, when the Americans won two matches with birdies on the 18th hole and rallied to halve another to keep the International lead from growing. On Sunday, all he saw was US momentum that couldn’t be stopped. “We gave you everything we had,” Els said to Woods at the closing ceremony. “You were the better team.”

Reed’s caddie out after conflict with fan

ELBOURNE, Australia—The caddie for Patrick Reed was not on the bag in the final session of the Presidents Cup after shoving a spectator who he felt was encroaching too close to Reed while cursing him. The tour announced the decision after Saturday’s dual session, which ended with the International team holding a 10-8 lead. Reed said in a statement he respected the decision and that everyone was focused on winning. Kessler Karain, the brother-in-law of Reed, says he heard heckling for three days at Royal Melbourne, some had taken it too far and he’d had enough. Reed was a singular target of the American team this year because of a rules violation last week in the Bahamas. He twice removed a clump of sand from behind his ball in a waste area at the Hero World Challenge. When he was shown the incident on video, Reed accepted the two-shot penalty. Reed failed to make a birdie in fourballs Saturday morning as he and Webb Simpson lost for the third straight time. “Riding on the cart, guy was about three feet from Patrick and said, ‘You (expletive) suck.’ I got off the cart and shoved him, said a couple things, probably a few expletives,” Karrain said in a statement to “Fore Play,” a podcast operated by Barstool Sports. Karrain said security arrived and he left in the cart. “I don’t think there’s one caddie I know that could blame me,” Karrain said. “Unless his bones break like Mr. Glass, the most harm done was a little spilled beer, which I’m more than happy to reimburse him for.” US captain Tiger Woods said the situation involving Reed, one of his four picks, was not a distraction. “We came here as a team. We rallied around our teammate and we’re excited about tomorrow,” Woods said. AP

Tiger Woods plays his second shot from the rough on the first hole in his singles match. AP Woods hugged everyone hard, players and vice captains alike, wearing a smile not seen since he walked off the 18th green at Augusta National after becoming a Masters champion again after injuries that nearly ended his career. “We relied on one another as a team, and we did it—together,” Woods said, his voice choked slightly with emotion. “This cup wasn’t going to be given to us. We had to go earn it. And we did.” Els fashioned the youngest International team from a record nine countries from everywhere outside Europe and took a 10-8 lead into the final day, the first time it had the edge in 16 years. It wasn’t enough. Patrick Reed, whose caddie was benched for shoving a fan who had cursed Reed from close range Saturday, built a six-up lead through seven holes before eventually putting away C.T. Pan to

win for the first time this week. Webb Simpson, who played with Reed as they lost all three team matches, never trailed in beating Byeong-hun An. Everyone on the US team contributed something. With so much red on the board, Tony Finau might have been his team the biggest boost. He was four down through 10 holes against Hideki Matsuyama, won the next four holes and earned a half-points. It came down to the final hole in South Korea four years ago. This time, the Americans were assured of a tie if the Internationals were to win the last three matches, creating at least a little drama. But it was a familiar ending. The Americans now are 11-1-1 in an event that began in 1994. “It’s hard to digest,” said Adam Scott, who has played in nine Presidents Cup without ever winning.

“It’s incredibly disappointing but...I like where this team is going, and I’ll be working really hard now to be on the team in two more years.” The only International victory was in 1998 at Royal Melbourne, and several players from that team came to Australia this week to conjure up good vibes. It only worked for so long. The Americans won the singles session for the first time since 2009. Most years, their lead was so big it wasn’t critical. This time it was. They hadn’t trailed since 2003 in South Africa, the year of the tie. So inspired was the American play that none of their six singles victories made it to the 18th hole. The next Presidents Cup is in 2021 at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina. In the meantime, the Americans will try to get on another team and win back the Ryder Cup, which gives them far more trouble. AP

NBA hosts prison pickup games in social justice effort F OLSOM, California—The National Basketball Association (NBA) is sending players and coaches into prisons to host pickup games with inmates as part of a new effort designed to lessen the stigmas around those behind bars. The Sacramento Kings kicked off the first in a nationwide series of contests this week at Folsom State Prison, made famous in the Johnny Cash song. Team members and coaches first held a discussion Thursday with inmates and representatives of the Represent Justice Campaign who are themselves formerly incarcerated. The campaign organized the Play for Justice

initiative as an effort to bring hope to those in the criminal justice system who are disproportionately people of color and the poor. Kings coach Luke Walton then joined one of the two inmate teams for an hour-long pickup game coached by Kings players. “We’re proud to be the first participant in the Play for Justice initiative, which is shining a bright light on the unique issues facing incarcerated people in communities around the country,” Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé said in a statement. “Sports franchises have a unique opportunity to bring about positive change.” He noted the Kings and Milwaukee Bucks in

the last year brought together leaders from the two cities to share ways of combating social injustices. The Kings will visit the Bucks on Feb. 10 for the second installment of that Team Up for Change program. The Bucks will host the next Play for Justice event later this month. The NBA and WNBA plan to host more such events next year. “With the support of the players involved in Play for Justice, we are taking our message of humanizing system-impacted people far and wide,” former California inmate Adnan Khan, a Represent Justice co-founder, said in a statement. AP

LeBron’s son steals thunder from dad’s alma mater

OLUMBUS, Ohio—They crowded into Nationwide Arena, 13,000 strong, cheering every shot, roaring with every basket. Many were not there to see the game. They came to see LeBron James. Both of them. Bronny James made his Ohio debut Saturday, and hit the go-ahead shot in the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers’ 59-56 victory over the St. Vincent-St. Mary Irish. Sierra Canyon is 8-0. Watching, cheering loudest of all and pacing the sideline, was LeBron James, National Basketball Association great, father to Bronny, and St. Vincent-St. Mary’s most famous alum. The elder James led the Irish to three state titles in four years, bringing their games to the airwaves of ESPN airwaves and the pages of

Sports Illustrated. Now it’s Bronny’s turn. More than 400 credentialed media encircled the court to capture every pass, every dribble, every shot of the King’s firstborn, who would likely have worn an Irish jersey had the family not moved west so James could shine for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James put Akron’s St. Vincent–St. Mary High School on the map nearly 20 years ago and has donated $2 million to the school, renovating the gymnasium that now bears his name and writing a $250,000 check to buy new uniforms for athletes and band members. His best friend, Willie McGee, is the athletic director. But his heart Saturday was clearly with the Trailblazers, as he yelled tips and encouragement from his court-side seat. With a timeout, James walked halfway

on to the court, calling, “Let’s go! Let’s go!” to the Sierra Canyon bench and leaping to his feet when the Trailblazers took a first-half lead. “Before LeBron went to the Lakers, it was assumed Bronny would stay in Ohio and play at St. Vincent -St. Mary, and carry on the tradition,” Zach Fleer of 270 Hoops, central Ohio’s premiere prep basketball site, said. “Among freshman class, he is among the elite players, but he is not the best player in country. He’s not like his dad yet—he still has a ways to go, Right now I think he is a better shooter than LeBron was at that age. He’s 6-foot-2 now. If he stretches out to his dad size, there is no telling how good he can he.” James took a private plane from Miami to watch his son play high school ball live for the first time, but the game was about more than family by blood. AP

DAVID STERN suffers a brain hemorrhage while having lunch not far from league headquarters. AP

EW YORK—Former National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner David Stern had emergency surgery after suffering a brain hemorrhage while having lunch not far from league headquarters. The league had no update on his condition Friday. The 77-year-old Stern underwent the operation at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital after he was stricken at a midtown Manhattan restaurant. Stern served exactly 30 years as the NBA’s longest-tenured commissioner before Adam Silver succeeded him on February 1, 2014. The league made the announcement about Stern in a statement, saying its thoughts were with him and his family. Stern has remained affiliated with the league, holding the title of commissioner emeritus. He has remained active in his other interests, such as sports technology. Stern oversaw the growth of the NBA into a league whose games were televised in more than 200 countries and territories, and in more than 40 languages. The league was staging a regular-season game in Mexico City between Dallas and Detroit on Thursday night when it revealed the news about Stern. Support for Stern has come from across the game. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson tweeted that he

EMERGENCY BRAIN SURGERY

and wife Cookie were praying “for my good friend who helped save my life.” Johnson announced he was retiring because of the AIDS virus in 1991 but returned the following year at the All-Star Game with Stern’s backing, Johnson would later rejoin the league with Stern’s support, even while some players voiced concern about playing against him for health reasons. Stern has stayed busy after leaving as commissioner, traveling overseas on the league’s behalf, doing public speaking and consulting. He was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. Stern oversaw the addition of seven franchises, and the creation of the WNBA and NBA Development League, now called the G League— which will have a franchise in Mexico starting with the 2020-21 season. Stern had a hand in numerous initiative, including drug testing, the salary cap and a dress code. He would not allow staffers to use the word “retire” when he left his office, because he never intended to stop working. He has kept an office in New York and regularly travels into Manhattan for work on the projects he pursued once he turned the league over to Silver. AP

Trump touts new pro sports option at Army Navy game

HILADELPHIA—President Donald J. Trump used his appearance at the annual ArmyNavy football game to pitch to the players an administration policy change that clears the way for athletes at the nation’s military academies to play professional sports after they graduate and delay their active-duty service. To cheer in each locker room before the 120th playing of the game, he said he was giving those athletes with pro potential the chance ``to make a fortune and after you’re all finished with your professional career, you’ll go and you’ll serve and everybody’s thrilled.’’ Turning to Army’s coach, Jeff Monken, the president joked, ``It probably gives the coach no reason to ever lose another game.’’ A memo signed in November by Defense Secretary Mark Esper spelled out the new guidelines. It said the athletes must get approval from the Pentagon chief and it requires them to eventually fulfill their military obligation or repay the costs of their education. The Obama administration put a policy in place allowing some athletes to go to the pros and defer their military service. In the Navy locker room, he congratulated the favored Midshipmen on ``a hell of a season,’’ but added, ``You know, it’s only a great season, you know it has to happen today, otherwise you wouldn’t call it a great season. So you better go out there and play hard.’’ With impeachment looming in Washington, Trump made the day trip to Philadelphia for the second year in a row for the storied game. Trump, who also went in 2016 as president-elect, is the 10th commander in chief to attend the contest. In 2016, Army snapped Navy’s 14-game

President Donald Trump throws the coin before the start

winning streak and has won three years in a row. But the Midshipmen routed Army’s Black Knights 31-7 on Saturday. They had entered the game as a significant favorite. Trump was accompanied by Esper and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley. The president was on the field for the coin toss. The crowd cheered as Trump walked off the field after the national anthem. He put on a red Keep America Great hat. Trump emerged during the first half and sat on the Army side of the field, near the 50-yard line. There were sporadic shouts of “Trump!” and “Let’s go Trump!” He crossed the field to the Navy side for the second half and left in the third quarter to return to Washington for an evening fundraiser at his hotel. Trump has closely linked himself to the

Perlas Spikers give ba G

IVING back to the sport that they love, the BanKo-Perlas Spikers conducted a volleyball outreach workshop to kids in Odiongan in Romblon over the weekend. The club has been working since its inception as one of the pioneer Premier Volleyball League teams in 2017 to promote the sport to children in various grassroots communities in the Philippines through volleyball camps. “Ever since its inception, BanKo-Perlas’ program has always included grassroots development clinics and workshops in our annual activities. It’s our way of giving sustainability to the sport that we love by ensuring that we bequeath our knowledge to the future generations,” team manager Charo Soriano said. The day-long clinic, which drew more than a hundred of kids across Romblon, is backed by Nicole Tiamzon’s Spike and Serve program, Globe and Liberty Insurance in cooperation with the Municipality of Odiongan and its Sangguniang Kabataan. “It’s overwhelming because I didn’t expect

THE Perlas Spikers pose for posterity with the enthusia

to come back this year,” said Tiamzon, the Perlas Spikers’ team captain. Among the BanKo-Perlas standouts who

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New triathlon season gets going in Subic

FTER delivering the first two gold and silver medals of the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games, triathlon in the country opens a new decade with the 2020 season of the National Age Group Triathlon series which fires off with close to a thousand participants. A joint project of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the season opening race will feature competitions in the Standard Distance (1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run), Sprint Distance (750-meter swim, 20-km bike and 5-km run) and Super Sprint Distance (500-meter swim, 13-km bike and 2.5-km run) with San Bernardino serving as the main venue for the start, transition and finish areas. At stake in the event supported by the SBMA, the Philippine Sports Commission, Standard Insurance, FINIS and Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines are gift packs and winners’ medals for the top 3 finishers of each age group per distance, as well as the team relay category. Entry fee is set at P3,750 for Standard Distance, P3,000 for Sprint Distance, P2,500 for Super Sprint Distance and P7,500 for the Team Relay. Inclusive with the entry fees are the postrace meal, the finisher’s medal and race t-shirt. Registration will end on December 31 or when all slots have been filled up. For more information, contact the TRAP at trapsecretariat@gmail.com

Monday, December 16, 2019 C3

CHICANO SETS GOALS HIGHER J ohn Chicano sets his sights on the bigger stage after his convincing victory in the triathlon competitions of the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games in Subic. The soft-spoken Chicano, a native of Olongapo City, said he plans to return to sharp form after the holidays as he prepares for the Asian Championships in Japan next year. “I will have a short break because there are many competitions next year. I need to be back as soon as possible because there’s a tournament in January,” said Chicano, also a member of the mixed gender gold medal winning team in the SEA Games.

The 28-year-old Chicano said he will buckle down to action in the Triathlon Association of the Philippines’s National Age-Group Series in Subic on January 26. But the bigger objective, Chicano said, will be the Asian Championships in April in Japan where he hopes to improve on his 22nd-place finish in the Gyeongju (South Korea) 2019 edition last June. “It would be the highlight of my year,” he said. Joining Chicano are women’s SEA Games champion Kim Mangrobang and silver medalists Kim Remolino and Kim Kilgroe in the Subic and the continental championships. The Philippines, meanwhile, will

JOHN CHICANO focuses on the Asian championships next year.

bid for the 2020 Asian Skateboarding Championships following a successful SEA Games campaign. Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines President Monty Mendigoria said the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee expressed their support for the bid that would potentially bring in the continental tournament in April. The bid is strengthened by the worldclass skateboard facility that Tagaytay City, through POC president, Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, built for the SEA Games. Also in the pipeline are the 2020 Asian Swimming Championships at the world-

class New Clark City, 2023 Fiba World Cup Philippine co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia and an ambitious effort to host the 2030 Asian Games. Tolentino was instrumental in building the skatepark at the Tagaytay City Oval where Margielyn Didal and her teammates claimed a total of six gold medals. Didal won golds in the women’s Game of Skate and street events, while bagging a gold each were Christiana Means (women’s park), Kiko Francisco (men’s park), Daniel Ledermann (men’s Game of Skate) and Jamie Delange (men’s downhill). The Asian championships features competitions in park, street, Game of Skate and downhill. Ramon Rafael Bonilla

Lopez resumes Tokyo 2020 bid B

t of the Army-Navy college game in Philadelphia. AP

military, promoting increases in defense spending and overseas triumphs such as the October killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria. The game comes amid a renewed push by the White House to deliver moments that depict Trump governing—such as his visit to Nato in London last week and his successful lobbying for a new US-Canada-Mexico trade deal—that it believes stands in stark contrast to the Democrats’ impeachment effort. In the coming week, Trump is expected to become the third president impeached after the House votes on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump also has drawn the ire of many in the Pentagon. He has clashed with military leadership on a number of fronts, including on pushes to withdraw some US forces from the Middle East

and the Korean Peninsula as well as his at times lackluster support for military alliances such as Nato. His first defense secretary, James Mattis, resigned last year over Trump’s decision to pull troops out from Syria. Last month, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer was fired amid tensions between the Pentagon and the White House after Trump intervened to reverse sentences against three service members accused of committing war crimes. Trump ignored Pentagon leaders who had told him such a move could damage the integrity of the military judicial system, the ability of military commanders to ensure good order and discipline, and the confidence of US allies and partners who host US troops. Among the other presidents to attend the Army-Navy game are Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Gerald Ford and John F. Kennedy. AP

ACKTO-BACK Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Pauline Lopez will compete in the Wuxi World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champion Series starting on Thursday in China as she harnesses her bid for a possible qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Called the “Darling of Philippine Taekwondo” because of her stunning good looks, the taekwondo star out of Ateneo is hoping to hurdle the Asian Qualifying Tournament for Tokyo 2020 set April 10 and 11 next year that Wuxi is also hosting. Lopez bared her plans after her successful SEA Games campaign in a television appearance on Sunday. “That’s [Wuxi tournament] is the stepping stone for the next goal—the Olympic qualifying,” Lopez said. Lopez also won gold medals in the Asian Championships, Korea Open and Pan Am Open. She clinched a bronze medal in the Singapore 2015 SEA Games and last year’s Jakarta Asian Games. She beat Cambodia’s Aliza Chheoung, 12-4, to win the

PAULINE LOPEZ has her sights on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

women’s under 57-kilogram gold in the recent SEA Games. In the World Taekwondo (WT) Olympic rankings, five quota placements will be given to top ranked athletes in each of the eight weight divisions on the Tokyo 2020 program.

ack to Romblon kids

astic kids of Romblon.

took part in the program were Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball bronze medalist Dzi Gervacio, Sue Roces, Jem Ferrer, Ana Gopico,

Roma Joy Doromal and Chi Sindayen. “I’m very grateful that BanKo-Perlas is also a platform for reaching out to the generation of next athletes. After the victory we have achieved in the recent SEA Games, it was clear that it was also time to give back to the community that molded me to become the person that I am today,” Gervacio said. “During that time, I was with the company of people whose lives have drastically changed because of volleyball and I wanted to share the kids that no dream is too big so long as you put your heart and mind on it,” she added. The Perlas Spikers received a reception like no other in the island province to grow the game. “There’s a warm welcome every time I go here. At the same time, we already build a relationship before and the players we’re responsive not just inside the court but also outside volleyball. Even the volunteer coaches and players were so great because willing silang matuto and they’re super hungry to learn more and improve volleyball here sa province,” Tiamzon said.

Five women—Great Britain’s Jade Jones, Korea’s Lee Ahruem, Russia’s Tatiana Kudashova, Turkey’s Irem Yaman and Canada’s Skylar Park—has so far earned spots in the flyweight division for the 2020 Qualifiers. Ryniel Berlanga

Sevilla, Islander Mizuno set pace

Nico Sevilla cards 26 points at the Baguio Country Club.

ico Sevilla scored 26 points at the Baguio Country Club to help Islander-Mizuno into the top 3 after two rounds of the Am Championship of the 70th Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament on Sunday in Baguio City. The rivalry between X1R-Mizuno and Che’Lucontinues as the third round action in the Fil-Am division resumes on Monday at the Baguio Country Club. They first went at it in 2011 with neither team wanting to lose. Mizuno won the close encounter but only by count back as they wound up tied in regulation. After two rounds, X1R Mizuno holds a commanding 22-point lead largely because of the 128 output—led by the 37 of Justine Tambunting on Saturday at Camp John Hay. King Stehmeier made 33 and Ace Stehmeier and Gab Macalaguim each contributed a 29. Che’Lus I assembled 111 for 231. Mike Castro topscored with 35 and was backed by Warren Pelletier’s 27, John Quinata’s 25 and Jesse Quenga 24. “It’s a comfortable lead going to BCC. But we can’t be complacent in the last two rounds. We need to continue to play and score well,” said team owners Brixton Aw and Lovel Gopez.

Rick Olivares bleachersbrew@gmail.com

Bleachers’ Brew

A love for the game and the region

HE streaking Iloilo United Royals are gunning for their sixth consecutive win when they take on the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers on the 16th of December at the Imus City Sports Complex. The Royals, at 14-8, are just as flush with confidence as they are with the Holiday cheer. Why not? They are the hottest expansion team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Although an Iloilo team is always a possibility, how this current team was put together is a story onto itself. The germ of the idea for the Royals was hatched on the golf course with current team owner JJ Javelosa and current team assistant coach Nash Racela. The plan proceeded when Racela’s longtime coaching assistant Eric Gonzales was invited to join them at the golf clubhouse a week later. Racela and Gonzales had a pool from which to tap players (Far Eastern University) while Javelosa would bring in his son, Jay Javelosa who played for Ateneo. Basketball was in the elder Javelosa’s blood. His father was a teammate of Moro Lorenzo in the post-World War II Ateneo Blue Eagles squads. Jay won a juniors title with Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal and later played for Ateneo Team B in college. JJ was disappointed that his son was unable to suit up for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) team. The Iloilo MPBL team would give his son a chance to showcase his wares (Jay also played for the youth national teams). The idea was broached to Manny Pacquiao who greenlit the plan. Except that it hit a snag when the initial sponsor backed out. Luckily for Javelosa, he was able to secure some other help to make the Iloilo team a reality. “The reason why we added ‘United’ to our team name is because we want all Ilongos to get behind the Royals,” explained JJ who is from Jaro. In fact, the majority of the Royals hail from Iloilo making each game more personal. The word “Royals” was a reference to the city’s being known as the former ‘queen city of the south” before it was accorded to Cebu. Filipino-American Jasper Parker’s parents hail from the area. John Mahari’s mother is also from Iloilo. Ditto with Boy Sinco, Aaron Jeruta, Jesery Pedrosa, Andrei Pantin, Jason Li, Gerry Abadiano, and Leo Guion. The team has been a hit with the Illongos which says something as football is the local sport. Furthermore, the team runs on the tightest of budgets yet makes everything work from payments to operations. They aren’t the most moneyed team, but the Iloilo United Royals play like it has something to prove and a people to represent.

Football teams make modest improvements

HILIPPINE football made modest strides in the world rankings following impressive performances by the men’s and women’s national teams in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games. The men’s team Azkals improved two spots up the world rankings from 126th place to 124th with 1,136 points, and so did the women’s squad Malditas, who rose from 69th to 67th place with 1,369 points based in the latest Fifa ranking. The men’s world rankings is dominated by Belgium, France, Brazil, England and Uruguay in the top five. In the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rankings, the Azkals are at No. 24 on the table topped by Japan, Iran, South Korea and Qatar in the first five places. Vietnam at No. 15 and Thailand at No. 21 are the Southeast Asian countries that are ahead of the Philippines in the Asian ranking. In the world rankings, the two nations are 94th and 113th, respectively. The Malditas also upped their ranking by three rungs in Asia at No. 13. The Malditas’ improved ranking hinges on their scoreless draw with Myanmar and a 5-0 shutout of Malaysia in the SEA Games preliminaries. SEA Games gold medalist Vietnam, which bagged its sixth title, also jumped two spots from 34th to 32nd place with 1665 points. Myanmar, which defeated the Malditas (2-1) in the battle for bronze in the SEA games, moved one rank higher to No. 44. Ryniel Berlanga

Sports BusinessMirror

| Monday, December 16, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

South Korea withdraws its bid for the 2023 event just hours before the deadline, thus eliminating the possibility of a joint hosting with its neighbors from the north.

JOINT-KOREAN WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FIZZLES OUT H The Korean Football Association had initially pushed to jointly host the games with North Korea at the urging of Infantino but strained inter-Korean relations failed to realize a unified bid. South Korea, which hosted the 2002 men’s World Cup with Japan, announced its withdrawal shortly before Friday’s deadline.

OPES for a joint North-South Korean Fifa Women’s World Cup ended after South Korea withdrew its bid for the 2023 event just hours before the deadline. The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced its decision to withdraw this morning. According to KFA, strained inter-Korean relations meant a unified bid was not possible. It then dropped the idea of a sole bid due to Fifa rules for Organizing Committees that were not compatible to South Korean laws, with discussions for a compromise with football’s governing body also failing. KFA registered to bid for the tournament along with eight other countries in April, with the South Korean organization expressing an interest in bidding with the North Korean FA. Australia and New Zealand have since decided to join forces in their

bid to host the tournament after reaching an 11th-hour agreement before the deadline, while the Japan Football Association confirmed they submitted a bid yesterday. South Africa pulled out of the race with less than a day to go, claiming it wanted to focus on improving the women’s game, particularly the fledgling national league, before bidding for another international tournament. Brazil and Colombia were the final countries to have their bids confirmed, with Argentina dropping out of the process. Fifa will now implement an assessment process, including inspection visits to the member associations which are expected to take place across January and February. Once finalized, the evaluation report will be published and all eligible bids will be presented to the Fifa Council, which is set to select the host at its meeting in Addis

Ababa in June. North and South Korea are still looking at the possibility of hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games together. South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in September to discuss a possible bid. Soccer’s international governing body will now assess the bids from Brazil, Japan, Colombia and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand, which will include visiting each country. Evaluations will be submitted to the Fifa Council and a vote on the host will be held at the organization’s meeting in Ethiopia next June. The 2023 World Cup will feature 32 teams, up from the 24 that competed this summer at the tournament in France. The United States won its second straight World Cup title and fourth overall this year, and the event enjoyed unprecedented television viewership of 1.12

billion worldwide. “France 2019 was certainly a watershed moment for women’s football, and now it is Fifa’s responsibility to take concrete measures to keep fostering the game’s incredible growth,” Fifa President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “With the Fifa Women’s World Cup generating an unprecedented interest across member associations, we are ensuring that the process to select the hosts is seamless, objective, ethical and transparent. By the time the Fifa Council announces the hosts, there should be no doubt whatsoever as to why that choice was made.” The Japan Football Association has already launched a website hyping its bid, which encourages supporters to submit “My Dream of 2023’’ hopes for the event. Japan’s association proposes using eight stadiums, including the new National Stadium. Japan is hosting the Olympics next summer. Football Federation Australia

Crawford out to make his case as boxing’s best N EW YORK—Terence Crawford believes he’s the best fighter in the world and wanted more chances to prove it this year. He hoped to have three fights in 2019 but will be boxing for only the second time when he defends his welterweight title Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The boxer who has had the answers every time he’s climbed into the ring is stumped about why he fell short of his goal. “I really don’t know,” Crawford said. “Maybe budget. I don’t know.” Or maybe it’s because it’s hard enough just finding one guy who can give him a real contest. Egidijus Kavaliauskas (pronounced Egg-ID’-di-yus Ka-val-YAUS-kus) is the next fighter who will try in the main event of a card to be televised by ESPN following the Heisman Trophy presentation. It’s the second straight bout at Madison Square Garden for Crawford

(35-0, 26 KOs), who stopped Amir Khan in April. That was Crawford’s third consecutive stoppage since moving up to welterweight after unifying all the major titles at 140 pounds. There are many big names at 147 pounds who would make for an attractive matchup with Crawford, such as Errol Spence, Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman, but he’s been unable to get fights with any of them and seems tired of getting asked about it. He wanted to talk only about his bout with Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 17 KOs), a Lithuanian who is the mandatory challenger for his World Boxing Organization belt. “Like I said, I’m always looking to go out there and put on a great performance and show the world why I feel like I’m the No. 1 pound-for-pound over any other fighter,” Crawford said. The Nebraska native may very well be, with a combination of skill and power than can rival anyone. But his list of opposition falls short compared with other fighters in the discussion, a problem that may not be

and New Zealand Football announced the co-confederation bid Friday in Melbourne, just hours before the official bid book was submitted to Fifa. “There is so much untapped potential, not just in Australia but right across Asia and the Pacific region, that I really do believe we would offer something incredibly special,” said Sam Kerr, a striker for the Matildas, Australia’s national team. Brazil hosted the men’s 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympics. The Korean Football Association had initially pushed to jointly host the games with North Korea at the urging of Infantino but strained inter-Korean relations failed to realize a unified bid. South Korea, which hosted the 2002 men’s World Cup with Japan, announced its withdrawal shortly before Friday’s deadline. South Africa, which hosted the men’s World Cup in 2014, also withdrew an expected bid.

SOCCER IN MALAWI AKIN TO POLITICS

Terence Crawford celebrates after defeating Jeff Horn in a welterweight title match in Las Vegas in June last year. Crawford’s fault but critics can certainly hold against him. Perhaps a tough fight that forced Crawford to dig deep and overcome adversity would earn him extra appreciation, but he has no interest in getting into a slugfest just to do that and bristles at the notion that a fighter needs to risk injury to be interesting. “All those people that criticize boxers for boxing never been in a ring before. They never had the pleasure of getting

knocked upside the head for 12 rounds,” Crawford said. “You know, like, it’s not fun. We do it because it’s our job. But boxers go in the ring one person and leave a different person. “You go home, you eat your popcorn, you talk to your family, you say, ‘Oh, that was a great fight,’ but it was a great fight for you to watch. But you don’t think about the fighters that went through hell to entertain you.”

LANTYRE, Malawi—Police in Malawi used tear gas to quell protests against Walter Nyamilandu’s re-election as president of the country’s soccer federation. Police told The Associated Press on Saturday angry supporters of losing candidate James Mwenda had burned tires and attempted to climb a fence of the lodge where the elections took place to beat up delegates who voted 23-13 in favor of Nyamilandu. Eastern region police spokesman Joseph Sauka confirmed the clashes took place but said no arrests were made after protesters sneaked past two road blocks in an attempt to reach the delegates, who were locked in a meeting room for their safety. “There was indeed a fracas, luckily the police intervened and the elections continued,” Sauka told The AP. The build up to the election was marred by clashes at match venues between supporters for Nyamilandu, a Fifa council member, and Mwenda which forced the Malawi National Council of Sports to have the two candidates sign a peace pact to tame their followers. Pro-Mwenda followers released videos threatening to make Malawi football ungovernable if Nyamilandu were re-elected for a fifth four-year term, saying it was time for him to go because the sport had stagnated under his watch. Mwenda conceded defeat saying: “The affiliates have spoken. I wish the president all the best for being re-elected. This is not the end of my football career. I am not lost from Malawi football.” Tension began earlier this year when Nyamilandu announced he would not seek re-election only to make a U-turn when he won the Fifa Council post. Nyamilandu’s critics say he has overstayed his welcome in office and that the national team’s performance has deteriorated under his watch. However, Nyamilandu who was capped 12 times for Malawi and attended trials at Chelsea in the late 1990s, insists it is now time for the southern African country to benefit from his role at FIFA. AP

God of power and might

EAR God, You rescue us from darkness and restore hope in our hearts and minds. We praise You and pray: Fill us with Your spirit, oh God. Inspire efforts to secure adequate and affordable health care for all people. Relieve the suffering of the homeless, orphans and refugees. Heal those who anguish over broken or wounded relationships. May the Word of God be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, now and always. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com

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‘Black Girl Magic’ MISS UNIVERSE 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa MISS UNIVERSE INSTAGRAM

N a bittersweet moment, our own Catriona Magnayon Gray glided onstage as her farewell speech as Miss Universe was played. “As I close this chapter, I do so with a grateful heart,” she said, fighting back tears. “To everyone with a dream, know that your dreams are valid, and on your path you are never denied and only redirected.” It brought me back to the emotional speech that Lupita Nyong’o gave as she received her award for best supporting actress for 12 Years a Slave (2013) at the 2014 Academy Awards: “When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid. Thank you.”

That Catriona quoted an influential black woman, a Kenyan actress who grew up in Mexico, took on a powerful resonance as she relinquished her title to a black delegate, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa. At the time of her crowning at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 8, Zozi was the latest black woman to win a major pageant competition. Kaliegh Garris of Connecticut won Miss Teen USA, Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina as Miss USA, Nia Franklin of New York as Miss America, Emanii Davis of Georgia as Miss Earth USA, and Andromeda Peters of Virginia as Miss United States. At Miss International, however, the highestplacement was Uganda’s Evelyn Namatovu Kironde as second runner-up. At the Miss Earth 2019 pageant held at Okada Manila on October 26, the mixed-race Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico (with Dominican blood) was crowned. Then on December 14 at ExCel Arena, London, Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica won on sheer talent and wit. Black Girl Magic is unstoppable! And the domino effect is wonderful to behold. MISS EARTH FROM the onset, Nellys Pimentel, a psychology

CONTINUED ON D2

AND THEN SOME: PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC NOW OFFERS DERMATOLOGICAL SERVICES D4

Monday, December 16, 2019

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Hallee Hirsh, 32; Benjamin Bratt, 56; Sam Robards, 58; Billy Gibbons, 70. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Learn to be creative with your cash. Overspending will lead to undue stress and regret. Set up guidelines that will encourage you to make alterations that will help you save, not put you further in debt. Sell off things you no longer need, and focus more on personal gains, better health and fitness, and relationships with like-minded people. Your lucky numbers are 3, 16, 18, 24, 31, 36, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay on top of last-minute preparations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a busy time of the year, and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be disappointed or have regrets. A chance to socialize with an old friend will boost your morale and give you something to think about. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look for a deal, and set plans in motion. Booking a trip or indulging in traditions different from your own will be a welcome education. Keep your money, possessions and personal documents in a safe place. A passionate moment looks inviting. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

MISS EARTH 2019 Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico MISS EARTH FACEBOOK

MISS World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica URBANISLANDZ.COM

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stick to the truth. If you take a path that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t factual, you will face scrutiny. Take a greater interest in what others are doing. Listen more, say less and build friendships based on trust; what you receive in return will be monumental. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Black Girl Magicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CONTINUED FROM D1 graduate, was a favorite to be the 19th Miss Earth warrior. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Born and raised in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, the mixed-race beauty has made history as the first woman of known black ancestry to win the crown. She is the first Puerto Rican winner of the Miss Earth crown, as well as the first Caribbean winner,â&#x20AC;? noted @blackpageantqueens on Instagram. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this win, Puerto Rico also becomes the first country/territory to win all of the Big Six international beauty crowns (Universe, World, International, Earth, Grand and Supranational). Felicidades! Hat tip to @mrmccanngallego for alerting us about Nellysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; heritage and family background.â&#x20AC;? Asked about how she would convince climate-change deniers that it is a serious problem, Nellysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning reply was: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would have to say that addressing this issue of people not believing in climate change is more of a matter of lack of educationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and not only a lack of education but also the ignorance and not wanting to inform themselves of the fact

SKIN CARE THAT HEALS ACNE WITHOUT DRYING SKIN

TIRED of acne trouble? To the rescue is a new skin-care brand that offers a whole new approach to acne therapy. Kylaz (jyx.shop/kylaz) products is now available to Filipinos across the nation. Hailing from the makers of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IDS Aesthetics and IDS Skincare, the brand has come to the Philippines to change the way we see acne therapy with their breakthrough approach. Most acne treatments focus on reducing active breakouts which dries up blemishes but doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heal the inflammation at its roots, but Kylaz boasts of a nondrying formula providing a sustainable, long-term solution that treats acne at the source and helps maintain healthy skin for complete healing and protection. With its dermatologically tested three-step methodology, Kylaz breaks down acne treatment into a simple yet effective process. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as easy as Correct, Protect and Prevent. The three-part skin-care approach involves gently and effectively treating the root of acne within the dermis, where the source of the inflammation is. For complete healing to take place, it also protects the compromised skin, shrinks pores, and clears up comedones, blackheads and whiteheads. Going beyond healing, Kylaz improves skin health and immunity so that recurring acne is prevented. Kylaz was founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife team Janifer Yeo-Tan and Dr. SK Tan, who were motivated by their desire to see their children enjoy an active, empowering and acne-free youth.

that we are living in a planet that is our biggest home, and we have taken advantage of it instead of putting back what it is giving to us.â&#x20AC;? MISS WORLD MICHELLE MARQUEZ DEE was our last great hope of snagging a Big 4 crown, after the Top 20 placement of Gazini Ganados at Miss Universe, the Top 20 placement of Janelle Tee at Miss Earth, and the Top 8 finish of Patricia Magtanong at Miss International. But the legacy, the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, had a respectable place at the Top 12, in a staggering field of 111 delegates. Toni-Ann Singh, 23, became a front-runner when she won the Talent competition. She sang Whitney Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Have Nothing,â&#x20AC;? which she also performed at the Miss World Jamaica finals and again at the world finals. She is the fourth Jamaican to win the crown, after Carole Crawford in 1963 (we had no entry), Cindy Breakspeare in 1976 (our Joy Conde withdrew in protest against South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race policies) and Lisa Hanna in 1993 (Ruffa Gutierrez placed a heartbreaking third). Asked why she should win, the candid entertainer replied: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think I represent something specialâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a generation of women that are pushing forward to change the world. I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m different from any [of the] other women on this stage, but I will say that my passion for women and pouring into them and making sure [they have] the same opportunities that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had is something that sets me apart.â&#x20AC;? Lisa Hanna, now a member of Parliament, told Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Observer Online: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toni-Ann, Miss World 2019, is a special young lady who is not only confident, talented and intelligent, but she also captures the Jamaican spirit which surpasses all understanding.â&#x20AC;? MISS UNIVERSE DEMI-LEIGH NEL-PETERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Hollywood-sweetheart vibes, Tamaryn Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Iman elegance and Zozibini Tunziâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grace Jones grit. So, what happened was, these South African queens nearly achieved a three-peat at Miss Universe if our Catriona didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win in 2018. South Africa equals Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feat with three crowns each. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like meâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with my kind of skin and my kind of hairâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;was never considered to be beautiful. And I think that it is time that stops. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine,â&#x20AC;? Zozi declared in her speech that captured the $5-million Mouawad crown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You saw her walk and knew she was a winner. Then you heard her talk and knew she would take the crown,â&#x20AC;? wrote Margaret Gardiner, South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Miss Universe who won in 1978. Zozi follows the accomplishments of previous black queens such as 1977â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad and Tobago, the biracial Chelsi Smith of USA in 1995, 1998â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad and Tobago, 1999â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana and 2011â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leila Lopes of Angola. In recent years, however, 2006â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico has acknowledged her black ancestry. MISS UNDERSTOOD ZOZI first competed at Miss South Africa in 2017, won by Demi, wearing her hair long. Like what happened to Linda Evangelista when she cut her hair, Zoziâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision reaped great rewards. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first woman with Afro-textured hair to win Miss Universe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So here the crown sits, beautifully so on my kinky coarse hair,â&#x20AC;? she said on her Instagram. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re magical creatures the moment I realized that our hair could defy gravity. My skin absorbs the sun and my hair defies gravity. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell me Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not magicalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a black woman.â&#x20AC;? Zozi has gained admirers in Oprah Winfrey and Naomi Campbell. But she knows her win isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about a drastic change in hairstyle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It extends to more than just hair. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about accepting yourself for who you are and how different you are. I hope it just inspires women to be themselvesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;their authentic selves. If your authentic self is wearing big purple hair and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who you are, embrace it! Say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My perfect self is my big purple hair,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? she told Insider. Still, the struggle for acceptance as a black woman continues not just for Zozi but also for other women who are in the same exaltedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but heavily criticizedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;position as beauty queens and role models. This was her message after her winning Miss South Africa: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just want to take a moment to dedicate a post to the unkind comments that I have been receiving about my blackness since my crowning. To comments that are aimed at all brown-skinned girls at some point in our lives. Not because it hurts me or gets under my skin, but because I see an opportunity to educate and speak out on a serious issue. When people say hurtful, negative things about black women and black people in general, I do not quickly take offense and hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Society has previously been programmed in such a way that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing beautiful about being black. The furthest you are from being fair-skinned, the uglier you are. That unfortunately has been the universal standard of beauty, and it is very difficult for some people to unlearn it. I am going into Miss Universe with hopes to shatter whatever misconception and stereotypes people have of beauty. These comments are exactly why we should keep inserting ourselves in spaces where we have been told we do not belong and we will never make it. It is up to us [to] rewrite the narrative. To whoever else thinks that black is not beautiful, I cannot wait for you to experience the depth and magic of a black woman. I am a daughter of the African soil and I am beautiful. See your face reflected in mine.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;

CANCER (June 21-July 22):Explore your creative side, and you will come up with a surprise that will thrill the ones you love this festive season. With a little ingenuity, cash and preparation, you will outdo anything you have done in the past. Romance is featured. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Be the social butterfly, and you will attract plenty of attention. Avoid opinionated rhetoric, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make new friends and allies. Work-related events will give you the perfect platform to gather the information to strategize upcoming moves. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You need a change of scenery. A day trip will give insight into trends and some ideas that will help you please the people you hold close to your heart. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give away a secret or ruin a surprise. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Speak up if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like something. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential to stand up for yourself and those you love. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give in to pressure or bullying. Be passionate about the way you feel and think, and what you believe. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your heart on the line, say what you think and make your dreams come true. Stop pussyfooting around; show some spunk when it comes to your relationships and your plans for the upcoming year. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A change at home will help you prepare for something you want to pursue in the upcoming year. Look at your options, and explore the possibility of turning something you love to do into a moneymaking endeavor. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep life simple, be direct and make changes that are within your budget. Refuse to get trapped into emotional spending. You cannot buy love or trust, so put your wallet away and offer your time, understanding and devotion. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): How you help others will make an impression. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let what others do cause anxiety. People are who they are. You can speak only on your behalf and do what you feel is right for you and those you love. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Above all else, be honest and do your best to make a difference that will improve the lives of those you love. A chance to make a professional move or to make extra cash is apparent. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026; BIRTHDAY BABY: You are persistent, original and optimistic. You are playful and appealing.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;catching a breakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BY DAVID ALFRED BYWATERS The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Wine barrel 5 Dogs may pull one 9 It costs a boatload of money 14 Obama education secretary Duncan 15 Cookie ___ (certain Ben & Jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s center) 16 Mistake 17 Moralistic hikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path? 19 Landlordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contract 20 Reel holder 21 Come undone 22 Endures 23 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super cool!â&#x20AC;? 25 Mascara site, informally 26 Owlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s companion, in kiddie lit 29 Revival method: Abbr. 32 Daily crossword solving, e.g. 35 Cry of contentment 36 Liberate 37 Fairy-tale meanie 38 Vacation, briefly...or the letters added to the starred answers 40 Lounge around 41 Place to do laps

42 Large animal in the Rockies 43 Truman defeated him 44 Word before â&#x20AC;&#x153;surfingâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;tripâ&#x20AC;? 45 Whooping it up 48 Pretzel shape 50 Removing soap from 54 Rot 56 Credit-card motion 58 AFLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner 59 Alphabetically first month 60 Stage accessory make? 62 Depart 63 Hoot author Hiaasen 64 Prayer conclusion 65 Borders 66 Semicircular part of a church 67 Cancun currency DOWN 1 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Wonderful Life director 2 Archery projectile 3 Sarcastic 4 Beer barrel 5 Takes a powder 6 Bread units 7 Lake named by an Iroquoian tribe

8 9 10 11 12 13 18 24 25 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 36 38 39 43 45 46 47

Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s locale, in a song Censure loudly Regions Black bird that constantly bumps into windows? Party thrower Uno + uno + uno Fish in a stream Sales pitch Comic actor Bert Jerks Jerk Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time top goal scorer Depend (on) Optimistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feeling Very excited Anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boast about a fishing site? Runs away Monopoly amount thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest with a hotel In the manner of One vertex of the Summer Triangle Lots and lots Monastic authorities Little wave

49 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 61

Easily duped Caesarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;veniâ&#x20AC;? Dressed to the ___ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heaven forbid!â&#x20AC;? Strong wind Persuasive essay in the paper Humane org. Do a pre-Christmas task Bodak Yellow genre

Solution to Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzle:

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Monday, December 16, 2019

The men of MMFF 2019 A

T the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), there are always the usual suspects—and then there are the more interesting personas that spice up the often predictable lineup year after year after year. This year is no different. We have the movies of festival fixtures Vic Sotto, Coco Martin and Vice Ganda with overwrought titles that often make many of us cringe. But then again, the festival selection committee, which up to now has not yet officially

revealed the names of its members to the public, manages to include one or two gems that will balance its lopsided choices. We are excited about the inclusion of Brillante Mendoza’s Mindanao, a film that has started to get international attention and recognition over the past few weeks. We caught a special screening of the movie, wherein Mendoza successfully blends in animation to a family-themed drama that pushes all our available emotional buttons. We reckon that it is the acclaimed filmmaker’s most accessible film in recent years, one that reaches out to a larger audience. Lead actress Judy Ann Santos showed both restraint and resilience in her performance. The little girl (Yuna Tangog) who played the sick daughter was wonderful, too—raw and realistic. Allen Dizon was consistently on point in every frame, effortlessly amazing in his role as a man caught between his love for his family and his duties to his country. Depending on which category his producers will submit his name to, he will surely go neck-to-neck with the other outstanding actors in the festival come awards night. If Dizon is placed in the supporting actor category,

we think he will be the runaway winner. But if he is grouped with the lead actors, Aga Muhlach might just rain on his parade. Muhlach is the lead actor in the Philippine remake of the Korean hit movie Miracle in Cell No. 7 and those who have seen the movie are one in saying that his role is screaming “Best Festival Actor.” We are very happy that former theater actor Carlo Ledesma is directing the only horror film in the festival, Sunod. We met Ledesma when Rent, The Musical was staged in Manila two decades ago. A few years after, Ledesma chose to be behind the camera and was already starting to build a name as a director in Australia until he decided to come back to Manila to work for advertising agencies and production houses. Ledesma also wrote the screenplay for the highly touted 2016 MMFF entry Saving Sally. The underdog film in this batch is Write About Love from TBA Studios and it stars underrated actor Rocco Nacino. We already heard a lot of good stuff about the film directed by Crisanto Aquino, and we will make sure to catch it when the festival starts its run. The men of Culion are as interesting as the women who play the lead roles. Two of them got our attention

Bianca’s passion in chosen craft Talented, well-loved and passionate. These are just few of the words to describe GMA star Bianca Umali in doing what she does best: acting. She once again renewed her ties with the network on December 11. Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Worldwide Inc. and GMA Network Films Inc. President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan, Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling de Jesus-Bodegon, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, GMA Regional TV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Assistant Vice President for Business Development Department II Bang

Arespacochaga, Assistant Vice President for Talent Imaging and Marketing Simoun Ferrer, and GMA Artist Center Senior Talent Manager Tracy Garcia. For almost a decade, the public has witnessed Bianca grow into her craft with every character she portrayed in various GMA programs. Her strong performance in her last series Sahaya, where she played the titular character of the strong-willed Badjao girl, received rave reviews from viewers. Bianca is deeply grateful to all her supporters and for the network’s trust on her talent, “Thank you sa lahat-lahat po ng mga tao—and, of course, sa aking mga boss, sa aking network, at management sa tiwala at pagmamahal. Isang karangalan pong maging Kapuso. Hindi ko naman hiningi lahat, pero binibiyayaan po ako and binibigay po sa akin ang mga pagkakataon.” Currently, she is gearing up for a lead role in the international scene through HBO Asia’s Halfworlds.

Gozon shared how impressed he is with Bianca’s accomplishments: “Alam mo ’yan si Bianca, talagang homegrown ’yan. Ito ang nagpapatunay na itong ating mga homegrown na artista, hindi lamang kinikilala rin sa ating bansa, kundi hanggang abroad. Hindi balewala ’yang HBO. Talagang mahusay pumili ’yan kaya tayo’y hindi nagkakamali sa ating mga pinipiling artista.” Meanwhile, Gozon-Valdes praises the actress’s career growth, “We’re very, very excited for that, and I think she really deserves it. She started with us nine years ago, and we’ve seen her blossom into the beautiful girl that she is today. I think she’s one of the most talented actresses we have and, of course, one of the most beautiful.” Rasonable, in turn, excitedly revealed another big project for Bianca in the coming year, “She is one of the stars of a new prime-time soap in 2020. Bagay na bagay siya, another gamechanger with a very exciting powerhouse cast.”

and admiration. Nico Fowler is relatively new in the business, and, perhaps, it is fair to say that the Canada-raised Italian-American looker is still finding his rightful place in the industry. Fowler is a model, vlogger, brand spokesman, host and actor “wrapped in one delicious package,” as his producer Shandii Bacolod amorously describes his new protégé. “Nico is a precious gem. The more you get to know him, the more you will realize that life becomes more beautiful,” Bacolod enthused. Another interesting actor who aced an important supporting role in Culion is Mike Liwag. We saw him in a theater production not too long ago and was impressed by his many gifts and talents. We learned that he auditioned for his biggest film role to date, and worked very hard when he was filming on location in Palawan. Not endowed with towering height, Liwag compensates with his promising acting abilities and proves that some small packages can reveal the biggest surprises. Check out the films in this year’s festival and get to know more about what these marvelous men have to offer. n

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Monday, December 16, 2019

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DR. Eric Yapjuangco (center) and his wife Vina Yapjuangco (right) with brand ambassador Vina Morales

Plastic surgery clinic now offers dermatological services

REMEMBER a conversation I had a few months back with plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Yapjuangco, or Doc Yappy, about expanding The Icon Clinic to include dermatological services. Doc Yappy said he and his wife Vina, The Icon Clinic’s chief operating officer, realized that their clients also wanted and needed other services, aside from surgical ones. Doc Yappy is known for transforming his patients into the best versions of themselves. He is an expert on rhinoplasty, which combines his formal training as a plastic surgeon and eye for aesthetics. The Icon Clinic is known for transforming online personality Marlou Arizala to Xander Ford, a procedure which aired on Korina Sanchez-Roxas’s Sunday magazine show on ABS-CBN. The grand reveal of Xander, who underwent rhinoplasty, jaw augmentation, and Fraxel and Revlight treatments, on the show still holds the record of the highest ratings for the program in recent years. To mark its eighth anniversary, The Icon Clinic recently transferred to a bigger facility in Greenhills, San Juan. The new clinic houses state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that enable Doc Yappy to offer his patients worldclass treatments and procedures. It is at Unit

G3, BTTC Centre, 288 Ortigas Avenue corner Roosevelt Street, Greenhills, San Juan City. Among the procedures offered at The Icon Clinic are Revlite, a noninvasive laser procedure that makes the skin brighter, plumper and smoother; and Fraxel, a skin resurfacing treatment that addresses hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dullness and fine lines. In Fraxel, the energy from the lasers help stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin cells to replace old, damaged cells. Meanwhile, Venus Legacy is a noninvasive medical device used for treatment of body contouring, skin tightening, cellulite reduction and wrinkle reduction. Hydrofacial is a threestep process that includes cleansing, exfoliating and then infusing skin with intensive serums. This has been called a “universal procedure” because it is good for people, no matter what their age. The clinic also officially welcomed actresses Aiko Melendez and Vina Morales as two of its new ambassadors. Aiko and Vina Morales are supporting The Icon Clinic’s dermatology center, headed by one of the clinic’s medical consultants, Dr. Aileen dela Rosa. “I am so happy to welcome Aiko and Vina [Morales] to the growing family of The Icon Clinic. I am a huge fan of theirs. Aiko is one of the greatest actresses of the industry, while Vina [Morales] is not just an awesome actress but she is also a magnificent singer and performer. Both of them are so gorgeous and their beauty is timeless,” said Doc Yappy. “Aiko and Vina [Morales] are the perfect artists to represent the entire Icon Clinic brand. This will truly be a wonderful endeavor as they embody what the clinic really stands for—and that is the pursuit of excellence. We really believe that excellence is achievable, and that everybody deserves to be an icon,” he added. ■

CALVIN KLEIN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF ICONIC STYLE MARKING 50 years of unfiltered selfexpression and provocation, global fashion brand Calvin Klein— exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Stores Specialists Inc.—presents the CK50 collection, a special capsule of iconic styles featuring a limitededition CK50 logo treatment. The bold collection introduces classic silhouettes with unexpected logo placements, for everyday pieces with a modern twist. Prints include an all-over repeating monogram and high-impact logo detailing across women’s denim styles, dresses and sweatshirts, and men’s denim, relaxed hoodies and crewnecks. T-shirts, Modern Cotton

underwear and a curated selection of accessories round out the collection, which comes in a seasonal color palette of washed black, blue and red. Certain styles in the capsule are also finished with a CK50 leather patch. The campaign, photographed by Glen Luchford, features friends of the brand in a series of visuals that reflect historic moments and themes across multiple decades, conveying a journey from the space age to the digital age. Justin Bieber is back in his Calvins, this time alongside wife Hailey Bieber, marking the couple’s first campaign together. Also starring in the campaign are A$AP Rocky, Kendall Jenner, Troye Sivan, Liu Wen, Parker van Noord and Rebecca Leigh Longendyke. A celebration of Calvin Klein’s perpetual pop relevance, the campaign captures the rebellious spirit that has shaped the brand over the last 50 years.

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Monday, December 16, 2019

How to break up with your bad habits

By Judson Brewer

reaking habits is hard. Put simply, reward-based learning involves a trigger (for example, the feeling of hunger), followed by a behavior (eating food) and a reward (feeling sated). These three components show up every time we smoke a cigarette or eat a cupcake. This is especially true at work. Each time we try to soothe ourselves from a taxing assignment we reinforce the reward, to the point where unhealthy distractions can become habits. Here’s how to get started:

Map out your habit loops

The first step to breaking a habit (no matter what it is) is to figure out your triggers.

See what you actually get out of those actions

The next step is to clearly link up action and outcome. Pay attention to how you feel when you partake in your habit.

Replace the reward with curiosity

Find a new reward that is more rewarding than the existing behavior. The brain is always looking for that bigger, better offer. If you’re curious to see how well this might work for you, now is a good time to give it a try. Judson Brewer is the director of research and innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center.

Are businesses ready for deglobalization? By Dambisa Moyo

s we enter a new decade, characterized by rising economic complexity and geopolitical divisions—US-China tensions, populism and nationalism in Europe, and the looming risk of a global recession—forward-thinking business leaders are developing strategies to mitigate the longer-term risk of deglobalization. It is increasingly understood that this ever-more siloed world directly affects three pillars of global corporations: technology, global recruiting and the finance function. In recent years, corporate leadership has rightly prioritized cyber risks, the threat of technological obsolescence and the rise of the jobless underclass stemming from increased automation. However, there are now mounting concerns about the emerging “splinternet”— an increasingly fragmented Internet with competing China-led and US-led platforms. The shift in the US and Europe toward more stringent immigration intensifies the war for global talent. The risk of further restrictions on immigration has climbed

Kiosea39 | Dreamstime.com

My time spent studying the behavioral neuroscience of how habits form, and the best way to tackle them, helped me find a surprisingly natural way to break habits: mindfulness. By using mindfulness training to make people more aware of the reward reinforcing their behavior, I can help them tap into what is driving their habit in the first place. Once this happens, they are more easily able to change their association with the reward from a positive one to a more accurate (and often negative) one. The reward value of the habit decreases because it isn’t as gratifying as people remember. Mindfulness training can help workers improve their productivity, morale and overall performance by teaching them how to overcome the habits that may be holding them back from thriving.

in importance on the leadership agenda as it threatens the corporation’s ability to hire across borders. Global companies derive enormous benefits from a centralized finance function. In most cases, this more centralized model means corporations are able to borrow at a lower cost than they would if their regional and national subsidiaries had to confine themselves to local currency markets, which tend to carry greater risk and volatility. A more siloed world means corporations will struggle to extract their investment capital and return profits to shareholders. Ultimately, the way forward will depend on whether a company’s leadership views deglobalization as an enduring phenomenon or a passing fad. If business leaders believe deglobalization is here to stay, then real consideration must be placed on upending the prevailing global corporate structure to make it better match the deglobalized world. Dambisa Moyo is an international economist who serves on the boards of Barclays Bank, Chevron and Seagate Technology.

The AI roles some companies forget to fill By Megan Beck, Thomas H. Davenport & Barry Libert

rtificial intelligence is almost everywhere in the news today, and the drive to create and implement AI solutions is creating an enormous talent gap. However, AI talent goes far beyond machine-learning PhDs. Equally important and less understood are the set of talent issues emerging around AI product development and engineering. Most firms have not filled these roles, and their AI projects are suffering as a result:

The ai engineer role

statistics can be very helpful. The role encompasses such capabilities as: knowing what data sources are useful to address an AI question or problem; being aware of how data is used in algorithms; assessing data quality; cleaning and treating data; having a focus on detail (and being a stickler for data quality); possessing the strength to push back at technical teams; and knowing the typical ways to transform data.

The ai data czar role

The business leader and ai translator roles

Most companies need engineers to help develop products and production applications, rather than a researcher to help push the boundaries of AI technique and technology. These engineering skills include creating technology architectures that scale, writing and deploying bulletproof software, and integrating AI capabilities with existing systems. This is typically a position that is created over time through experience rather than filled by someone hired right out of school, although education in computer science or

AI groups also need someone at the intersection of business strategy and AI methods. Such a person, usually a somewhat senior execu-

tive, is able to translate strategic objectives and business models into the types of AI that can advance them. The businessperson who fills this role does not need to become a programmer, know the best AI tools from vendors or delve into the nuances of neural networks versus logistic regression. He or she does, however, need to understand the basics of how different types of AI work, and the data sets that will be deployed with them. Megan Beck is chief product and insights officer at Open Matters, where Barry Libert is chairman. Thomas H. Davenport is a professor at Babson College.

The two big reasons that digital transformations fail By Mike Sutcliff, Raghav Narsalay & Aarohi Sen

lenty of cash is flowing into digital initiatives at large, industrial companies. In fact, the executives we surveyed recently at 1,350 of these businesses globally reported investments in digital reinvention, totaling more than $100 billion between 2016 and 2018. Most of the leaders we surveyed (companies representing 17 countries and 13 industries) reported poor returns on their digital investments. The primary reason: unsuccessful efforts to scale digital innovations beyond early pilot work. What are the companies that are experiencing better returns on digital investments doing

differently from the rest? To answer this question, we asked the executives in our study to tell us in detail about their returns on digital investment. Then we looked at how well companies across our sample had scaled projects from the proof-of-concept stage. W hen we mapped those two critical parameters— higher-than-average returns and more successful scaling—we saw that 22 percent of our sample had demonstrated both. We then dove deeper into that group to learn what they did differently. Two critical challenges—and their remedies— emerged from that analysis: n Unspoken disagreement among top managers about goals:

If top managers aren’t on the

same page, it makes it difficult for their direct reports to agree on what to prioritize and how to measure progress. The remedy: Define and articulate not only the opportunity but also the problem it solves, and how the company will build the organization around the desired solution before investing. n A divide between the digital capabilities supporting the pilot and the capabilities available to support scaling it: W hen this

problem isn’t addressed, companies may face a choice between accepting long delays in ramping up production or attempts by leadership at rapid, unwieldy change to meet what they have promised. T he remedy: Look outside to close gaps or nurture

pilots internally, ramping up digital capabilities across the organization from the get-go. Many of the leaders in our st udy have sidestepped t h is challenge entirely by building internal “ innovation factories” inside the larger organization to develop and ex pand pilot projects. When companies anticipate the challenges we’ve outlined here, they’re better positioned to make a compelling case for funding. And they’re much more likely to succeed with their innovations. Mike Sutcliff is the group chief executive of Accenture Digital. Raghav Narsalay is a managing director at Accenture Research in Mumbai. Aarohi Sen is a manager at Accenture Research in Delhi.

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Davao DepEd fetes 50 outstanding teachers and school officials

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—The regional Department of Education here recognized 50 teachers and school authorities last week for outstanding work for the school and the community in an annual award running for five years now that was designed after the iconic Philippine eagle.

Davao del Norte accounted for the most numerous outstanding performers among teachers and principals, with 10. It included its component cities, Tagum and Panabo, which have five each, making it have a total number of 20 awardees. Compostela Valley, now called Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental,

each have seven awardees from their respective school divisions. But for Davao Oriental, it would have a total of 11 if it would include its component city, Mati, which has four. Davao City has six awardees, while Digos City of Davao del Sur, has four. The newly created Davao Oc-

cidental province, which has the municipality of Malita as its capital, has two awardees. The awardees stood out from a field of 20,000 teachers, 10,000 nonteaching personnel, and the management comprising about 2 percent of the DepEd work force in the region. Evelyn R. Fetalvero, acting regional director, said the topranked awardees would receive P5,000, and the second and third ranked performers, would receive P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. “The more important item here is the recognition and the commendation for promotions for the awardees. It’s the points earned for professional advancement that is significant as a way of recognizing their contribution to the school and the community,” she said. The awardees were selected in the annual search for the Agila Awards, or the Achievement of Great Instructional Leadership Award. Former Regional Director Alberto T. Escobarte was credited

for conceptualizing the program “to recognize teachers and educational leaders with outstanding accomplishments, instructional competence and teaching effectiveness.” It said the Agila Award would also recognize “leadership potentials, professional and community involvement, personal qualities and character, and professional competence.” “All of these comprise nobility,” it added. Fetalvero said one awardee was able to get one class “which has zero nonreading learner.” “This award is among the many innovations and improvement the DepEd has been implementing to improve student aptitude and competence, and increase student attendance and attention span,” she added. “We are also implementing the industry program to match what the industry needs, the reading brigade to increase the reading competence and apprehension of pupils and students,” she added.

Ilocos Sur lass tops PhilHealth area level quiz bee

ALASIAO, Pangasinan—A 16-year-old Grade 10 student from San Juan National High School in Ilocos Sur will participate in the Philippine Health Insurance Co.’s (PhilHealth) National Quiz Bee in February next year to represent the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera Administrative Region. Venice Kristine Myr Veloria won the area level quiz bee on Tuesday with the total score of 17 from the three categories, two points ahead of Analene Andress Bongat of Namillangan National High School in Ifugao. “I did research with the help of my coach and prayed to God. That is what I will do again in preparation for the national [competition],” Veloria said in an interview. She also lauded the Universal Health Care (UHC) law as a “big help” for Filipinos as it provides financial risk protection, among others. PhilHealth’s National Quiz Bee is part of the agency’s information drive campaign to instill knowledge on UHC among the young. “We thought of ways on how to disseminate information about the law. Then we thought why not use the students as advocates and so we partnered with the Department of Education [DepEd],” PhilHealth-2 Vice President Arsenia Torres said in a forum Tuesday here. The two agencies’ partnership resulted in inclusion of UHC law as part of the K to 12 cur-

Venice Kristine Myr Veloria (fourth from left), 16, of San Juan National High School in Ilocos Sur, wins the area level of quiz bee of the Philippine Health Insurance Co. on December 10 held at Calasiao, Pangasinan. Veloria bested students from Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera Administrative Region. PNA/Hilda Austria

riculum of DepEd, particularly on the subject Mapeh (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health) under the consumer’s health topic, she said. “After we finished the learner’s material, we asked DepEd to use it, and we are working on adaption and certification for the learners in private schools to use it, as well,” Torres said. Prior to the National Quiz Bee, she said, a poster-making contest was conducted by PhilHealth and DepEd, where the winning pieces were used in the 2019 calendar

distributed by PhilHealth. “We thought of quiz bee as we wanted more schools to participate and it is not just about UHC law but also about health,” she added. The quiz bee was opened to Grade 10, 11 and 12 students from the different schools in the country who competed first on the division level. Winners advanced to the provincial, regional, area and to national level. The questions were derived from PhilHealth learner’s material, PhilHealth web site and circulars, UHC law, other health-re-

lated materials or references and general information. Veloria as area level winner received P10,000 cash prize, while her coach and her school received P5,000 each. The first runner-up and the second-runner up won P6,000 and P4,000 cash prize, respectively. Meanwhile, the area level winner will have the chance to win P100,000 cash prize, computer package for her school and P30,000 cash for her coach when she emerged as the national champion. Hilda Austria/PNA

Tesda amends housekeeping training regulations

he Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) amended its training regulations (TRs) for Housekeeping NC III and IV qualifications, which will take effect in 2020. “These [amended TRs] will take effect for the delivery of training programs, assessment and certification within one year after the conduct of training of Regional Lead Assessors [RLA],” Tesda Information Officer Rogelio Llovit said last week. The RLA, Llovit said, is an activity wherein assessors would be

trained and oriented about the details of the amended TR. The RLA is being organized and will be conducted as soon as possible, he added. Llovit said it is still possible to have the RLA before year-end, and Tesda just needs to gather the assessors from around the country. In a statement on Tuesday, Tesda Secretary Isidro Lapeña said the revised TRs aim to further promote qualifications and competencies that are in-demand and environment-friendly, and ensure their compliance with prevailing industry standards.

“The demand and skills requirements of hotel and restaurant businesses are constantly changing, and so Tesda should also keep up with the training we provide,” Lapeña said. Training hours were expanded from 76 hours to 264 hours for Housekeeping NC III, and from 112 hours to 357 hours for Housekeeping NC IV. Further, the training would include competencies in planning and scheduling routine maintenance, repairs of physical assets, planning and managing housekeeping services for guests, man-

aging lost and found procedures, managing inventory, storage and issuance of linen and uniform, and managing laundry/valet service. Graduates of these qualifications may also be hired as public area supervisor, linen/uniform supervisor and laundry supervisor, according to Tesda. NC IV graduates may also become housekeeping assistant manager, housekeeping manager, head housekeeper, assistant housekeeper administrator, assistant executive housekeeper, and laundry manager, it added. Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA

High-school students in Iloilo province use their cellular phones during a class break. Iloilo Vice Gov. Christine Garin said she will author a resolution urging the Department of Education to reinforce the regulation of cellular phones during class hours. PNA/Gail Momblan

Iloilo vice gov wants phone use regulation in schools

LOILO CITY—Iloilo Vice Gov. Christine Garin pushed for the Department of Education (DepEd) to reinforce the regulation of students’ use of cellular phone during class hours. In her privileged speech during the regular session of the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) last week, Garin said current learners need Internet, smartphones, iPads and other devices in the field of education. She, however, said the society cannot discredit the harmful impact of the technology to studies. “Some of our students or learners would rather go online and play games instead of studying their lessons. Some learners have become experts in interacting with others through social media but become reserved and awkward when speaking with others in person,” she added. She said she had a meeting with Dr. Roel Bermejo, DepEd-Iloilo Division Superintendent, and was informed that numeracy and literacy rate in the province is also “highly affected because of the poor study habit of our students in school.” In addition, the Program for International Student Assessment in 2018 of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showed the Philippines ranked the lowest out of 79 countries on reading comprehension with a score of 340. “There is currently no scientific study on the link of numeracy and

literacy to the use of cell phone, but, somehow, technology has a prevalence effect on the study habit of our learners,” the vice governor said. In an interview shortly after the session, Garin said the DepEd has put in place a department order in 2003 that regulates schoolchildren in elementary and secondary schools from using cellular phones during class hours. She said the intent of the issuance of the DepEd Order 83 in 2003 is to help the students focus on their learning. “We just want to reiterate and reinforce again to the teachers because there were some who enforced the department order and there were some who did not,” she said. She said teachers could allot space to keep all the cellular phones during class hours. Garin clarified that the communication and correspondence rights of the students will not be taken away because the move is to “regulate and not to prohibit.” “In times of emergency and they need their phones, it will be allowed. The phones can also be used if it is needed in the lessons, especially in science, as long as its use is within the bounds of the classes,” she said. After her privileged speech, Garin said she will pass a resolution urging the DepEd-Iloilo to carry out Department Order 83 to regulate the use of cell phones during class hours when necessary. PNA

Outgoing UP VP is the new Searca deputy director

rof. Joselito G. Florendo, outgoing vice president for Planning and Finance of the University of the Philippines (UP) System, has been appointed as deputy director for Administration of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) effective December 1. Florendo is an associate professor at the UP Diliman (UPD) Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business. Having served as vice president for Planning and Finance of UP from May 2014 to November 2019, Florendo brings with him an extensive experience in administration. He earlier served as assistant vice president for Planning and Finance, UP System; director of UP System Budget Office; chief accountant of the UP System Accounting Office; assistant executive director of the UP Foundation Inc.; executive director of the UP Provident Fund; director of the UPD Business Concessions Office; and chairman of the Department of Accounting and Finance, UPD Virata School of Business. Florendo has also worked in financial management at the Departments of Budget and Management, of Social Welfare and Development, of Education (DepEd), and of Commission on Higher Education. Not completely new to Searca, Florendo served as Financial Adviser on Accounting, Audit, Investment, and Finance at Searca from 2003 to 2007. Florendo has conducted training programs for Citigroup, United Coconut Planters Bank, the Chartered Business Administrator Program of the Philippines, and for overseas Filipino workers in Dubai. He has authored chapters in the Philippine Corporate Finance (2009 Textbook Edition), and a case study on the arts and culture management in the Philippines in 2003. A distinguished educator, Florendo was

Prof. Joselito G. Florendo

awarded the Most Outstanding Finance Educator of the Philippines by Deloitte-Finex in 2015. He is also the recipient of the Philippine Civil Service Dangal ng Bayan Award conferred by President Duterte in 2016. In April, Florendo was named runner-up for the PwC Philippines’s 2019 National Accounting Teacher Award on its inaugural year of honoring “the accounting teacher who is a distinguished model of excellence and who has helped uplift the standards of the teaching profession.” Florendo is a certified public accountant with a BS in Business Administration and Accountancy from UPD. He holds an International Masters in Small and Medium Enterprises from the AsiaEurope Institute of the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He was also a research fellow of the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Hosted by the Philippine government on the campus of UP Los Baños, Searca is mandated to strengthen institutional capacities toward agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia through its programs on graduate education and institutional development, research and development, and knowledge management.

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How can I prepare myself to face challenges? PR Matters

Bulat Silvia | Dreamstime.com

By Millie F. Dizon

Part Two

N last week’s column, Jocelyn G. asked how we could prepare ourselves to face day-to-day challenges as we go about our PR work. We replied that to say that PR is challenging as an understatement, and every day brings about things that will surprise even the most seasoned practitioner. And we have to prepare for this. We got a little help from an article, 10 Exercises That Will Help You Develop the Mental Strength You Need to Crush Your Goals in Inc.com, by Amy Morin for our response. “If you want to be able to tackle bigger challenges, and overcome more obstacles, you need mental strength” she says. In the same way that working out is helpful in keeping us healthy and fit; it is also important for us to be mentally strong to help us face challenges and achieve our goals. And she shared with us 10 exercises that can help us start developing the mental

Campaign A.O.Y. 2019: The Philippines and the Prestigious Awards its Agencies Received at the Campaign Southeast Asia A.O.Y. Awards

SINGAPORE—As awards were given out last night at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia in Singapore for the annual Campaign Agency of the Year Awards, the Philippines brought home a stack of trophies awarding its local teams of their continuous commitment to strive for creative excellence. All in all, it was honored with a total of 21 awards, including the Agency of the Year awards per category, and one impressive win in the People category. The Philippines Creative Agency of the Year honored Ogilvy Philip-

pines with gold, BBDO Guerrero with silver, and TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno with bronze. Under the Philippines Digital Agency of the Year category, the teams that received the highest honors were Ogilvy Philippines with gold, SVEN with silver and Dentsu Jayme Syfu with bronze. Recognizing the best in media in the Philippines for the Media Agency of the Year title, the judges gave the prestigious title/s to Mindshare Philippines for gold, MediaCom Philippines for silver and Wavemaker for bronze. The Philippines also prides itself with very competitive and creative independent agencies. Last night, these teams were recognized at the Campaign AOY Awards: Seven A.D. with gold, The Huddle Room with silver and SVEN with bronze. Moreover, the Philippines topped the award for Southeast Asia Best Culture, where IdeasXMachina received gold, and DDB Group Philippines received silver. The bronze award was bestowed to Ogilvy Singapore. Impressively, the country bagged

strength we need. We tackled the first five in last week’s column, including n Reframe negative thoughts; n Create goals; n Set yourself up for success; n Do at least one difficult thing a day; and n Tolerate discomfort for a greater purpose. We will discuss the other five exercises that will help us get mentally fit in this week’s column

Balance your emotions with logic. Balance between our

unless you know the overall purpose,” says Morin. Why is it that you want to hone your craft or earn more money? Focus, she says, is key, but suggests that we first “write out a clear and concise mission statement about what you want to accomplish in life.” And while we focus on our daily objectives, “make sure the steps you’re taking will get you to a larger goal in the long run.”

for explanations, not excuses. 8Look

logic and emotion, says Morin, will help us make the best decisions. “Being overly anxious, angry, or excited can cause you to make an emotional decision,” she says. It’s best to “write down a list of pros and cons for each decision you make. Reviewing this list will enhance the logical part of your brain and help balance out your emotions.”

If you feel falling short of your goal, Morin says it is important to “examine the reason. Rather than make excuses for your behavior, look for an explanation that can help you do better next time.” Part of developing mental toughness is taking “on the full responsibility for any shortcomings without placing blame. When you face and acknowledge your mistakes, you can learn from them and avoid repeating them.”

7Fulfill your purpose.

9Use the 10-minute rule.

“It’s hard to stay the course

all the honors for the Southeast Asia Talent Development Program of the Year: gold was awarded to IdeasXMachina, silver to DDB Group Philippines and bronze to BBDO Guerrero. Several other honors that the Philippines received were: n Southeast Asia Experiential Marketing Agency of the Year— bronze to The Huddle Room n Southeast Asia PR Agency of the Year—silver to The Huddle Room, and bronze to The Eon Group n PEOPLE Categories: Southeast Asia Creative Person of the Year— Melvin Mangada, TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno

Movie Review: Dwayne Johnson and the Jumanji Team Deal with New Challenges, and Characters in ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ Back in 1995, Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt starred in a unique action-adventure film wherein their characters became part of a board game. That was the first Jumanji. In 2017, Dwayne Johnson,

Being mentally strong

Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Nick Jonas starred in an updated version of that first film as each of their characters became avatars within a video game. That was Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. It’s now two years later and the crew has reunited, but it would seem rather unwittingly because the video game is damaged. Welcome then, to Jumanji: The Next Level. The gang of Spencer Gilpin (Alex Wolff), Fridge Johnson (Ser’Darius Blain), Martha Kaply (Morgan Turner), and Bethany Walker (Madison Iseman) stayed in contact after emerging from the world of Jumanji two years ago. Spencer and Martha actually started dating in real life but have kind of been growing apart recently. As the Christmas holiday approaches, the three send Spencer a text saying that they should reunite in their hometown diner; something Spencer doesn’t necessarily want to happen. Spencer comes home to find that his Grandpa Eddie (Danny

means being productive when you don’t feel like it. And let’s face it, there are times when we don’t exactly feel enthusiastic about the work at hand. When you don’t feel motivated, Morin says “there is a 10-minute rule that comes in handy when you are tempted to put off something important.” This means telling yourself to get moving for just 10 minutes.” Then, things can go either way. If your mind is still fighting your body after 10 minutes, it might be okay to give yourself permission to quit. But more often than not, “once you take that first step, you’ll realize your task is not nearly as tough as you predicted. Getting started is almost always the hardest part, but your other learned skills can help keep you going.”

10 Prove yourself wrong.

“The next time you think you can’t do something, prove yourself wrong,” says Morin. “You are more capable than you give yourself credit

DeVito) has moved into his room and that they’ll be roommates for the holidays. Eddie has been estranged from his old business partner, Milo Walker (Danny Glover) since Milo sold his part of the business. Missing how strong he felt as the character Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Johnson) in the game, Spencer tries to fix the damaged cartridge in hopes of playing it again, but something happens. Bethany, Martha, and Fridge figure out that Spencer has returned to Jumanji and the only way of rescuing him is for them to play the game, as well. When they do enter the virtual world though, things are different. Martha is still Ruby Roundhouse (Gillan) but Fridge ends up in Professor Shelly Oberon (Black) while Bethany is initially missing. They’re all shocked to find Grandpa Eddie as Dr. Bravestone while Milo is occupying Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Hart), or where Fridge used to be. Jumanji itself is glitching as a new villain, Jurgen the Brutal

for, so make it a habit to prove yourself wrong. Over time, your brain will stop underestimating your own potential.” In the same way that we achieve physical strength over time, mental strength does not happen overnight. It takes time to grow stronger and become better. But with consistent exercise, “you can build the mental strength you need to crush your goals and live the life of your dreams.” PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdombased International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie F. Dizon, the senior vice president for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman. We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com. (Rory McCann), has arisen and the game has become even more unpredictable. Martha and Fridge have to deal with educating Eddie and Milo on how the game works and what their abilities are while also searching for Spencer and Bethany, as well as trying to survive this even more dangerous version of Jumanji. Needless to say, anyone who will be watching Jumanji: The Next Level needs to at least watch Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle first in order to be familiar with the characters. That familiarity is critical, especially later in The Next Level when a couple of things happen that involves avatarswitching again for these characters. The undeniable chemistry between Johnson and Hart has been evident in several films now but this movie allows them to add another twist: Johnson trying to act like DeVito and Hart doing his best impression of Glover. Black also switches from playing airhead Bethany previously to the frustrated jock that is Fridge this time around.

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THE DANGERS OF DEPICTING GRETA THUNBERG AS A PROPHET By Ellen Boucher Amherst College

THE CONVERSATION

So it’s no surprise that many people—along with media outlets like The Irish Times, The Telegraph and The Washington Times—have cast Greta Thunberg as a prophet. When Time announced her as “Person of the Year,” it continued the trope, using an evocative photograph of Thunberg standing on a rocky shoreline, staring at the heavens, for the cover. As a researcher on the history of childhood, I’ve been disturbed to see Thunberg described and depicted as a prophet. To me, it risks distorting her message. And it can easily be exploited by climate deniers seeking to counter the appeal of her activism.

Is a climate messiah even necessary?

TO some, Thunberg resembles Joan of Arc, the teenage visionary who led the French army into battle in the 15th century and was later canonized as a saint. To others, Thunberg exemplifies the Judeo-Christian tradition of prophets who speak truth to power; according to one Christian blogger, she offers “a prophetic voice to shake us out of our complacency.” Yet presenting Thunberg as a prophet is deeply misleading. Classically, prophets are messengers who communicate the voice of God. They convey divine revelation that was previously unknown or misunderstood. Ezekiel predicted the destruction and restoration of Jerusalem. Moses received the Ten Commandments. Muhammad revealed the

LEEDSN | DREAMSTIME.COM

HE came from obscurity and ignited a global movement. Beginning with a small but persistent act of protest outside the Swedish parliament, she inspired millions to join her. Her fiery speech to the United Nations in September 2019 warned of the end of the world. Her unfailing determination and passion makes her appear otherworldly, even uncanny, an effect largely attributed to her diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome.

Quran. Prophets, in other words, see truths that others cannot. They bring us messages that often defy human comprehension. Thunberg, on the other hand, is simply telling us what we already know. Within the scientific community, there is an overwhelming consensus—going back decades— that humans are causing global warming. Framing her as a prophet has opened the floodgates to all sorts of messianic theories. This recently took a bizarre turn when a 120-year-old photo with a girl resembling Thunberg surfaced. Now conspiracy theorists are calling Thunberg “a time traveler sent to save us.” Depictions like this are fodder for her opponents who dismiss what they call her “doomsday activism.” To them, she is a false prophet, and they can portray the people inspired by her as brainwashed cult followers. David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians who died alongside his followers in Waco, Texas, in 1993,

Framing her as a prophet has opened the floodgates to all sorts of messianic theories. This recently took a bizarre turn when a 120-year-old photo with a girl resembling Thunberg surfaced. Now conspiracy theorists are calling Thunberg “a time traveler sent to save us.” after all, called himself a prophet. So did Jim Jones, the founder of the Peoples Temple and orchestrator of the 1978 Jonestown Massacre. To Thurnberg’s credit, even she recoils at the idea that she should be viewed as some sort of savior. “I don’t want you to listen to me,” she told Congress in September. “I want you to listen to the scientists.”

Being a kid carries enough weight

I WOULD argue that the best way to think of Thunberg is to simply think of her as a child. This is not demeaning. Far from it. In recent years, young

people have offered numerous examples of their ability to exercise independent thought, visionary thinking and leadership. Melati and Isabel Wijsen were 10 and 12 when they began a successful campaign to ban single-use plastics in their native Bali. Malala Yousafzai was 11 when she began to advocate against the Taliban for girls’ right to education. The list goes on: Jazz Jennings, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, the Parkland activists. Like Thunberg, they challenge our culture’s view of children as powerless and dependent. Thunberg memorably began her September 2019 UN speech with the words, “This is all wrong.

I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean.” As Thunberg well knows, the fact that a child needs to scold grown-ups to act on an issue that threatens all of humanity is a powerful example of a political system gone horribly wrong. Even more critically, focusing on Thunberg’s youth highlights a central tenet of her message: fairness. As any parent can tell you, children tend to view the world in terms of moral absolutes—good and bad, right and wrong, fair and unfair. Indeed, researchers have recently shown that expectations of fairness are deeply ingrained in children, appearing in infants as young as 12 months old.

Ideas of fairness underlie many aspects of Thunberg’s message, from her emphasis on how climate change will affect the poor and marginalized, to her comments about how unjust it is to expect young people to fix a catastrophe caused by generations of political inertia. Her forceful call—“How dare you!”—is not the enraged cry of a petulant child. It is the determined statement of a girl who has not yet developed the moral flexibility that is so often the refuge of adult inaction. Thunberg is not unraveling the mysteries of our era, or a time traveler sent to stop climate change. Rather, she is a child admonishing selfishness and pleading for fairness. That’s not prophetic. It’s common sense. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation. com/the-dangers-of-depicting-gretathunberg-as-a-prophet-128813.