DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY
2018 BANTOG DATA MEDIA AWARDS CHAMPION
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Sunday, March 3, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 144
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TERROR MEDIA BLITZ By Rene Acosta
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HE Philippines, an Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS)-designated province in Southeast Asia, should brace for an intensified activity by the Arab-based international terrorist group, notably in the area of media disinformation, which may come in tandem with possible terrorist attacks.
The warning was aired by the Israel-based The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC), as it noted ISIS’s continuing buildup of its media networks in areas where it internationally operates, or the areas it considers as caliphate provinces. In the country, the IS, whose foray into Mindanao through the Marawi siege in 2017 was nipped in the bud by the government, is already operating an information apparatus that is being steered with its central leadership, according to
the center. “A central media office operates in the province, and its media products are disseminated by the platforms of ISIS’s central leadership,” the center said of the Philippines in its analysis of the group’s developments and future courses of action in information dissemination.
Twice in a row
IN July 2018, a Moroccan identified as Abu Garib Makrehdi, who was onboard a vehicle loaded with
explosives, blew himself up near a military outpost in Lamitan City, killing security forces. The target of attack, according to probers, was the 4,000 children who were about to graduate from a feeding program in the capital city of Basilan. In January this year, an Indonesian couple on a suicide bombing mission also detonated bombs at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu, while it was packed with parishioners for Sunday Mass, killing themselves and 21 others.
OLEG ZABIELIN | DREAMSTIME.COM
ISIS READIES PR MACHINERY, MORE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PHL, SAYS ISRAELI INTEL GROUP
The IS, through its web sites, claimed responsibility for the successive suicide bombings.
Terrorists’ PR
ISRAEL’S counterterrorism center said that ISIS’s effort to strengthen its information dissemination and media apparatus in areas where it claims to have a presence was borne out by its realization of the importance of public relations. As a result, its central leadership decided to give higher priority to the Continued on A2
Even without Dengvaxia scare, US faces anti-measles ‘vaccination hesitancy’ By Lauran Neergaard | The Associated Press
Here are some questions and answers about measles:
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ASHINGTON—The US has counted more measles cases in the first two months of this year than in all of 2017—and part of the rising threat is misinformation that makes some parents balk at a crucial vaccine, federal health officials told Congress Wednesday. Yet the vaccine is hugely effective and very safe—so the rise of measles cases “is really unacceptable,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, which means it was not being spread domestically. But cases have been rising in recent years, and 2019 is shaping up to be a bad one. Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the House Energy
and Commerce subcommittee hearing bemoaned what’s called “vaccine hesitancy,” meaning when people refuse or delay vaccinations. “These outbreaks are tragic since they’re completely avoidable,” said Rep. Brett Guthrie, Republican-Kentucky. “This is a public health problem for which science has already provided a solution,” agreed Rep. Frank Pallone, Democrat-New Jersey.
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 51.7690
How dangerous is measles?
Measles typically begins with a high fever, and several days later a characteristic rash appears on the face and then spreads over the body. Among serious complications, 1 in 20 patients get pneumonia, and 1 in 1,000 get brain swelling that can lead to seizures, deafness or intellectual disability. While it’s rare in the US, 1 or 2 of every 1,000 children who get measles dies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How does it spread?
IN this February 8, 2019, file photo, people hold signs at a rally at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington, to oppose a proposed bill that would remove parents’ ability to claim a philosophical exemption to opt their school-age children out of the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. A House committee advanced the measure on February 15, 2019, and it could come up for a vote before the full House in the coming weeks. The vote comes amid a measles outbreak that has sickened more than 50 people in the Pacific Northwest. AP/TED S. WARREN
By coughing or sneezing, and someone can spread the virus for four days before the telltale rash appears, Fauci warned. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air or on nearby surfaces. Nine of 10 unvaccinated See “Vaccination,” A2
n JAPAN 0.4645 n UK 68.6612 n HK 6.5950 n CHINA 7.7342 n SINGAPORE 38.2907 n AUSTRALIA 36.7198 n EU 58.8924 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.8051
Source: BSP (March 1, 2019 )
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A2 Sunday, March 3, 2019
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TERROR MEDIA BLITZ allocation of “necessary resources in terms of money and skilled personnel” for media operations in areas considered by the group as caliphate provinces. Aside from the Philippines, which it considered as a caliphate province in East Asia, the IS also operates and seeks to establish similar caliphate provinces in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran (Khorasan province); Sinai; West Africa; Somalia; Libya; Yemen and the Caucasus. The international terrorist group characterized these areas as outside of its “core province,” which is Iraq and Syria, where US-backed forces are in the process of rooting out ISIS fighters in the last territory that they were holding on in Syria. The ITIC said the group’s activity in the Philippines is centered on the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which joined the ISIS in 2014, and its center of activity is Mindanao. Isnilon Hapilon, the ASG leader in Basilan and the emir of ISIS in Southeast Asia, was killed during the Marawi battle. “The main targets for attacks are the Army and the Philippine security forces, against which ISIS operatives carry out ongoing terror and guerrilla activity,” it said.
Decentralized media ops
ISRAEL’S counterterrorism center said that while IS’s media network has steadily declined from 2016 up to the middle part of 2018, it, however, picked up during the remaining months of 2018, a trend that
went on up to February this year. The collapse of the caliphate in Iraq and Syria last year paved the way for the decentralization of the group’s media network, and in the process, made the central leadership realize the importance of the semi-autonomous provinces outside Iraq and Syria. “This network survived the collapse of the Islamic caliphate, and in 2018 it displayed resilience and recoverability despite the considerable pressure exerted on ISIS in Syria,” ITIC said. “This was due, to a great degree, to the transition to a more decentralized network in which the organization’s supporters, who are not directly subordinate to the organization’s main media apparatus, began to fill the vacuum that was created,” it added.
Growing sophistication
THE ITIC said the ISIS’s official media network uses many foundations which specialize in the production and dissemination of media materials, including regular announcements about military activity, videos, photos, speeches and verses encouraging Muslims to join jihad and bolstering the morale of its operatives. The media materials are distributed mainly on web sites, in social media, file-sharing web sites and an Internet radio station. The center said that most of the publications are distributed in Arabic and even in English, Turkish, Russian and other languages. Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, the IS spokesman, runs the media organization and its networks. Israel’s counterterrorism cen-
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Continued from A1
ter identified these networks as the Al-Furqan and Al-Hayat Foundations and the Amaq and Mu’ ta agencies and scores of other foundations that include Al-Furat; AlAbd al-Faqir; Muharir al-Ansar; Ahl al-Tawhid; Al-Battar; Al-Yaqin;
Al-Ajnad; Remah; Al-Wafa; Maktabat al-Himmah; Al-Dhakhair; AlDar’ Al-Sunni; Radio Al-Bayan; Furat Media; Turjuman al-Asawirti Media Production; and the Muntasir Media. The web sites are identified as
the Al-Ghurabaa; Shabakat Shumukh Al-Ikhbariya; Akhbar alMuslimeen; Nasher News Agency; Al-Saqri lil-Ulum al-Askariya Foundation; and the Ashhad Foundation. Videos and stories about the
attack of Marawi and how the Islamic fighters fought government troops were carried by some of IS web sites and have shown the pledging of allegiance of Mindanao-based militants to the IS beginning in 2014.
Even without Dengvaxia scare, US faces anti-measles ‘vaccination hesitancy’ Continued from A1
people who come into contact with someone with measles will catch it. Fauci called it “one of the most contagious viruses known to man.”
How widespread is measles?
In the US, the CDC has confirmed 159 cases so far this year in 10 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. That compares to 372 cases last year, and 120 in 2017. But measles is far more common around the world—the World Health Organization (WHO) said it claimed 110,000 lives in 2017. The WHO says there’s been a 30-percent increase in measles cases in recent years. Unvaccinated Americans traveling abroad, or foreign visitors here, can easily bring in the virus. For example, a huge outbreak in Madagascar has caused more than 68,000 illnesses and 900 deaths since September. But you don’t need to go as far as Madagascar—common tourist destinations like England, France, Italy and Greece had measles outbreaks last year, noted CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier. Nearly 83,000 people contracted measles in Europe in 2018, the highest number in a decade.
How many US children are vulnerable?
Overall about 92 percent of US children have gotten the combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, known as the MMR vaccine. Two shots are required, one around the first birthday and a second between age 4 and 6. Full vaccination is 97 percent effective at preventing measles. But the CDC says 1 in 12 children doesn’t receive the first dose on time, and in some places vaccination rates are far lower than the national average. For example, an outbreak in Washington state is linked to a community where only about 80 percent of children were properly vaccinated.
CHILDREN and their parents troop to a health center at an informal-settlers community in Manila to have their children vaccinated following an outbreak of measles that already spread to four regions in the country and has claimed the lives of more than five dozen victims, February 16, 2019. The volunteers also conducted house-to-house vaccination due to the reluctance of parents to have their children vaccinated following a controversy involving an anti-Dengue vaccine known as Dengvaxia. In an effort to convince the parents, the Department of Health has tapped the services of President Duterte and Filipino boxing champion and now senator Manny Pacquiao to allay fearful parents. AP/BULLIT MARQUEZ
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes, said Fauci and Messonnier, who point to decades of use by millions of children each year— and who made sure their own children were vaccinated. In the late 1990s, one study linked MMR vaccine to autism but
that study was found to be a fraud, and Fauci said later research found no risk of autism from the vaccine. Still, misinformation about MMR safety is widespread. Fauci said the solution isn’t to criticize people who have no way to know what’s false. Instead, “we need to
education them to show them what the evidence is.”
Why isn’t everyone vaccinated?
Some people can’t be immunized for medical reasons—including infants and people with weak immune systems—and most states
allow religious exemptions. But while vaccination against a list of contagious diseases is required to attend school, 17 states allow some type of non-medical exemption for “personal, moral or other beliefs,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In Washington state, lawmakers are debating ending that personal or philosophical exemption, as are several other states. California ended a similar exemption in 2015 after a measles outbreak at Disneyland sickened 147 people and spread across the US and into Canada.
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HOW THE WORLD’S CLEANEST BANKS BECAME A HAVEN FOR RUSSIAN CROOKS
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WEDBANK AB regularly topped rankings of Europe’s safest banks half a decade ago. On Thursday, Sweden’s finance ministry told regulators to explain how the venerable institution had become enmeshed in allegations of money laundering. Like Danske Bank A/S of Denmark, Swedbank built its reputation in one of the world’s richest corners, until allegations tying the lenders to Eastern European strongmen, North Korean weapons dealers and Russian oligarchs wiped billions of dollars off their market values. Danske in 2018 admitted to being at the center of a $230-billion dirty money scandal and last week, Swedbank was linked to the case. The common thread is allegations that the Nordic banks, which piled into their neighbors across the Baltic Sea in the 2000s after Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the European Union, enabled money laundering via their operations in those countries. Danske was adored by investors after delivering record profits in 2017. The bank has lost 50 percent of its market value in the past year following accusations it was the go-to firm for Russian criminals eager to smuggle their spoils into the West until as recently as 2015. Swedbank shares have fallen more than 20 percent in a week. Bill Browder, an investor who’s devoted his life to chasing money launderers, says Danske’s Estonian unit became a European hub for Russian crooks. His evidence is backed up by testimony
from a whistle-blower, and the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating the case. Danske says it’s cooperating with those probes. Browder focused on Danske in trying to find out who benefited from the murder of his colleague, Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in a Moscow prison cell after exposing a taxcorruption scandal. Browder says he has evidence suggesting Nordic banks were an integral part of Russian money laundering. The allegations against Swedbank suggest former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych was among those who benefited from the bank’s services. He’s currently hiding in Russia to escape charges of treason in his home country. For the Swedish institution, the scandal was compounded by questions over the honesty of some of its public statements. The bank has hired an external investigator and is being probed by local regulators. Also Thursday, the US Embassy asked for a meeting with Swedish regulators to discuss reports of money laundering, Dagens Industri reported. Browder says part of the issue was simple greed. “You had a bunch of Nordic banks that were looking to expand their business beyond their home markets, and the logical place to expand their business were neighboring markets, new markets,” he said in an interview this week. Bloomberg News
Casino mogul and GOP donor Adelson getting treatment for cancer
IN this February 10, 2017, file photo, Chief Executive of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sheldon Adelson is seen at a business roundtable with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington. Adelson is not in good health and has not been at his company’s offices in Las Vegas since around Christmas Day 2018. Adelson’s poor health was revealed Monday, February 25, 2019, by one of his company’s attorneys during a court hearing in a yearsold case brought by a Hong Kong businessman. Attorney James Jimmerson told the court the condition of the 85-year-old billionaire is dire. AP
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AS VEGAS—Casino magnate and GOP donor Sheldon Adelson has cancer and has not been at his company’s offices in Las Vegas since around Christmas Day. Adelson’s poor health was revealed earlier this week by one of his company’s attorneys during a court hearing in a years-old case brought by a Hong Kong businessman. The founder and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. did not participate in the casino operator’s conference call with analysts and investors following its earnings report in January. Attorney James Jimmerson told the court Monday that he learned last month “of the dire nature of Mr. Adelson’s condition, health.” The comment from the attorney came when d i sc u ssi ng whet her A de l son could sit for a deposition in the case and was first reported by The Nevada Independent. Las Vegas Sands Corp. on Thursday told The Associated Press that Adelson has cancer. “Mr. Adelson is still dealing with certain side effects from medication he is taking for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” company spokesman Ron Reese said in an e-mailed statement Thursday night. “These side effects have restricted his availability to travel or keep regular office hours.” The effects haven’t prevented
Adelson, 85, from fulfilling his duties as chairman and CEO, Reese said. The company expects he’ll return after he completes treatment. Adelson also suffers from peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects the nervous system. The billionaire and his wife, Miriam, gave President Donald Trump’s campaign $30 million in 2016. They followed that by contributing $100 million to the Republican Party for the 2018 midterm elections. Adelson is Las Vegas Sands’ largest shareholder and regularly participates in the company’s earnings calls, but was absent when it reported results on January 23. Sands President Robert Goldstein said at the time that Adelson was “a little bit under the weather.” “We met with him yesterday,” Goldstein said of Adelson during the January call. “He’s taking some medications making him a bit drowsy, so he decided this morning to take a rain check on this one.” Adelson was expected to testify in the case brought by Hong Kong businessman Richard Suen and his company, Round Square Co. He testified in 2013 and 2008 in the case’s two previous trials. Suen has been seeking compensation because he said he helped Sands secure business in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau. Sands has argued Suen didn’t help get crucial approval to build casinos in Macau and deserves nothing. AP
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US prepares final China trade deal as hawks urge caution
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NITED States officials are preparing a final trade deal that President Donald J. Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could sign in weeks, people familiar with the matter said, even as a debate continues in Washington over whether to push Beijing for more concessions. The US is eyeing a summit between the two presidents as soon as mid-March, said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the preparations are confidential. The planning has been complicated by Xi’s need to lead China’s annual National People’s Congress in early March, as well as make other foreign trips, the people said. A W hite House spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump will have the final call on the US side. At a summit in Vietnam this week with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the US president showed he’s willing to walk away if he doesn’t like the terms on the table, including with China. Talks with North Korea broke down after Trump refused to lift sanctions on the country, he said. “Speaking of China we’re very well on our way to doing something special. But we’ll see,” Trump said at a news conference in Hanoi on Thursday. “I am always prepared to walk. I’m never afraid to walk from
a deal, and I would do that with China, too, if it didn’t work out.”
Economic damage
IF there is no deal and the US imposes the threatened 25-percent tariffs on $200 billion of imports from China, it will damage the economies of both nations. The International Monetar y Fund estimates that would cut 0.2 percentage point from US growth this year and 0.6 percentage point from China’s expansion. Asian stocks edged higher Friday as the latest reading on China’s economy came in above expectations. Treasury yields held on to gains after a mixed set of economic signals in the US.
More work
THE preparations for a Trump-Xi summit come amid conflicting signals from the Trump administration over the prospect of a deal. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday the two nations are working on a 150-page document that would turn into a “very detailed agreement,” though
he cautioned that “we still have more work to do.” Spea k ing shor t ly before Mnuchin, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the countries are on the verge of an “historic” pact that would commit Beijing to cut subsidies on stateowned companies and disclose when its central bank intervenes in currency markets. “The progress has been terrific,” Kudlow, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, said in an interview on CNBC. “We have to hear from President Xi and the Politburo of course, but I think we’re headed toward a remarkable historic deal.”
Deep change
HIS optimism came just a day after Trump’s top trade negotiator struck a more cautious tone. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told lawmakers that more work needs to be done and said the administration won’t accept a deal that doesn’t include significant “structural” changes to China’s state-driven economy. He also stressed the need for a enforcement mechanism, allowing the US to take unilateral action if China breaks the rules. Lighthizer is considered one of the more hawkish advisers among Trump’s trade team, along with White House official Peter Navarro, the author of Death By China. At Lighthizer’s testimony this week, several lawmakers urged the administration to push for deep reforms to China’s statedriven economy, rather than accepting a deal composed mostly of one-time promises to buy more
American goods. Mnuchin on Thursday downplayed the notion of a rift within the administration on China. “There’s been a lot of chatter about different parts of the administration,” he told CNBC in an interview from London. “We are completely united on these discussions.” Negotiations with Beijing to address structural economic reforms are taking place on a track that’s separate from the talks about the quantity of American products the Chinese may agree to buy to reduce the US trade deficit, one of the people briefed on the matter said. The Chinese have offered to ramp up purchases of American goods by $1.2 trillion over six years, according to the person. It’s still unclear how Beijing would follow through on those purchases if retaliatory tariffs remained in place and other trading barriers aren’t removed, the person added. China bought $130 billion in US goods in 2017, according to US figures. After several rounds of faceto-face meetings between US and Chinese officials since last year, the sides are now in regular contact via phone and video-conference to hammer out the details of a deal, according to the person. The US Trade Representative’s office said on Thursday it will publish a notice in the Federal Register delaying the increase of tariffs on Chinese imports until further notice. Trump had previously planned to raise tariffs on March 1, but on Sunday dropped the threat amid progress at the negotiating table. Bloomberg News
J.C. Penney closes more stores after a weak holiday season
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EW YORK—J.C. Penney is closing more stores following weak holiday sales season for the retailer. Net income tumbled nearly 70 percent, and a key measure for health dropped 4 percent in the fourth quarter, the most crucial period of the year for retailers who bank on strong holiday sales. The company did top expectations for the fourth-quarter results and under new CEO Jill Soltau, the department store rid itself of unprofitable inventory and said it will have positive free cash flow this year. Shares jumped more than 22 percent on Thursday. Soltau, who came on board in October, faces numerous challenges in avoiding the fate of Sears or other retailers that have filed for bankruptcy protection, or vanished. Under Soltau, jettisoned major appliances accounted for 2.7 percent of J.C. Penney’s sales last year, but dragged on the company’s operating profit. It’s focusing instead on women’s clothing, and goods for the home like towels or bed sheets, which carry higher profit margins. Furniture is still available, but only online. That reverses the course followed by predecessor Marvin Ellison, who three years ago began selling major appliances again in an attempt to capitalize on problems at Sears. In a conference call on Thursday, Soltau said she has spent time with customers, suppliers and workers and she said she’s convinced that the company can establish a path of “sustainable profit growth.”
IN this May 16, 2018, file photo, the J.C. Penney logo is seen hanging outside the Manhattan mall in New York. J.C. Penney Co. reports financial results on Thursday. AP/MARY ALTAFFER, FILE
Changes will be swift, methodical and based on what customers want and expect from J.C. Penney, Soltau said. “This is not businessas-usual,” she said during a conference call Thursday. “Our current reality is clear.” Department stores like J.C. Penney are trying to reinvent themselves in an era when Americans are buying more online, or turning to discounters like T.J. Maxx for clothing. Bringing back shoppers has proven exceedingly difficult, even for iconic brands. Momentum appears to be slowing at Macy’s, which released fourth-quarter results this week. It reported weaker profit and total sales, as well as meager growth in sales at established stores, a key measure for a retailer’s health. Nordstrom reported late Thursday that its fourth-quarter profits surpassed Wall Street expectations but had a sales shortfall. Kohl’s reports next week.
Among the four stores, only Kohl’s has seen its stock move higher over the past 12 months, but just barely. Shares of Sears and J.C. Penney are down more than 60 percent in the past year. And the path back to prosperity appears especially tenuous for J.C. Penney. It is trying to claw its way back after a disastrous reinvention plan in 2012 by its former CEO Ron Johnson, who dramatically cut back on promotions and brought in new brands to attract young shoppers. Sales at J.C. Penney went into a freefall as it suffered massive losses and once-loyal customers moved on. That situation has stabilized, but establishing an identity in a retail landscape that undergone seismic changes continues to elude J.C. Penney. “The central problem for [J.C. Penney] is that it no longer gives shoppers reasons to visit stores and to make purchases,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. “In other words, it has
lost sight of why it exists. This is evident across both stores and online where a hodgepodge of products are thrown together in a seemingly random fashion.” The company reduced inventory by 13 percent last year and that will continue throughout 2019. Soltau said more uncluttered stores will allow people to find what they want more easily. New executive hires were also announced Thursday, including chief merchant, the person who decides what goes on store shelves. Saunders lauded Soltau’s leadership so far, saying J.C. Penney’s travails predate her. But he said time is limited. J.C. Penney posted net income of $75 million, or 24 cents per share, for the quarter. That compares with $242 million, or 77 cents per share, a year ago. Adjusted per share was 18 cents per share, 7 cents better than analyst had projected, according to a survey by FactSet. Revenue including credit income, fell more than 8 percent, to $3.78 billion, but that was also better than expected. Even though profit and sales fell, investors were elated that it wasn’t worse. Shares jumped 30 percent, but that brought the price to just $1.59 each. Before the economic crisis hit a decade ago, shares cost about $70. The department store said Thursday that it would turn the lights out at 18 department stores, including three that were announced last month. It will also close nine home and furniture stores. It will take charges of $15 million in relation to those closings during the first half of this year. AP
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US anti-Huawei campaign likely exaggerated–experts
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INCE last year, the US has waged a vigorous diplomatic offensive against the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, claiming that any nation deploying its gear in next-generation wireless networks is giving Beijing a conduit for espionage or worse. But security experts say the US government is likely exaggerating that threat. Not only is the US case short on specifics, they say, it glosses over the fact that the Chinese don’t need secret access to Huawei routers to infiltrate global networks that already have notoriously poor security. State-sponsored hackers have shown no preference for one manufacturer’s technolog y over another, these experts say. Kremlin-backed hackers, for instance, adroitly exploit Internet routers and other networking equipment made by companies that are not Russian. If the Chinese want to disrupt global networks, “they will do so regardless of the type of equipment you are using,” said Jan-Peter Kleinhans, a researcher at the Berlin think tank Neue Verantwortung Stiftung. One of the most common US fears—that Huawei might install software “ backdoors” in its equipment that Chinese intelligence could use to tap into, eavesdrop on or interrupt data transmissions—str i kes some experts as highly unlikely. Priscilla Moriuchi, who retired from the National Security Agency in 2017 after running its Far East operations, does not believe the Huawei threat is overblown. But she called the odds of the company installing backdoors on behalf of Chinese intelligence “almost zero because of the chance that it would be discovered,” thus exposing Huawei’s complicity. Moriuchi, now an analyst at the US cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, said she was not aware of the NSA ever finding Huawei backdoors created for Chinese intelligence but also cautioned that it can be extraordinarily difficult,
when backdoors are found, to determine who is behind them. European a l lies have been reluctant to embrace a blanket anti-Huawei ban even as US officials continue to cast the world ’s No. 1 telecom-equipment maker as little more than an untrustworthy surrogate for Beijing’s intelligence ser vices. The top US diplomat for cybersecurity policy, Robert Strayer, says Huawei is obliged to heed Chinese Communist Party orders by a 2017 intelligence law that “compels their citizens and their companies to participate in intelligence activities.” Strayer provided no specifics when pressed by reporters on Tuesday as to how Huawei gear might pose more of a security threat than other manufacturers’ switches, routers and wireless base stations. The diplomat spoke at Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest wireless trade show, in Barcelona, Spain. The American rhetoric has included threats. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested in a TV interview last week any use of Huawei equipment could jeopardize US intelligence sharing and might even be a reason to locate military bases elsewhere. The remarks may have been targeted at Nato allies including Poland and the Czech Republic, where Huawei has made significant inroads. A spokesman for the US National Security Council declined
to comment or to provide any officials to address specifics. A State Department spokesman referred The Associated Press to a press statement on Strayer’s remarks in Barcelona. Huawei, founded in 1987 by a former military engineer, overtook Sweden’s LM Ericsson in 2017 as the lead company in the market for wireless and Internet switching gear. It says it supplies 45 of the world’s top 50 phone companies and has contracts with 30 carriers to test so-called fifth-generation, or 5G, wireless technology. US companies are not serious competitors in this market, having pulled back over the years. Huawei’s major rivals are European—Ericsson and Finland’s Nokia. The US has provided no evidence of C h i n a pl a nt i ng es pionage backdoors in Huawei equipment despite as 2012 congressional report that led the US government and top domestic wireless carriers to ban it and other Chinese manufacturers from their networks. “The backdrop for this is essentially the rise of China as a tech power in a variety of domains,” said Paul Triolo, tech lead at the Eurasia Group risk analysis consultancy. Now, he said, “there is a big campaign to paint Huawei as an irresponsible actor.” In January, US prosecutors filed criminal charges against Huawei and one of its top executives, alleging the company stole trade secrets and lied to banks about embargobusting company dealings with Iran. Canada earlier arrested that Huawei executive—who is also the daughter of the company’s founder—at US behest; she is currently awaiting extradition to the US. Huawei has denied wrongdoing. On Thursday it pleaded not guilty to charges that it stole trade secrets from T-Mobile. One irony of the situation is that the US has actually done what it accuses Huawei of doing. According to top-secret documents released in 2013 by former NSA
With 5G, some equipment needs to be more trustworthy than ever. But probably not all.”—Levy
contractor Edward Snowden, the US planted surveillance beacons in network devices and shipped them around the world. The affected equipment included devices from Cisco Systems, a Silicon Valley company whose routers were blacklisted by Chinese authorities after the Snowden revelations. Washington’s closest ally has taken a different approach to any potential threats from Huawei. Britain’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) long ago placed multiple restrictions on Huawei equipment, including disallowing it in any sensitive networks, agency director Ciaran Martin noted in a speech last week. According to Kleinhans, who has studied the agency’s practices, Huawei can’t conduct any direct maintenance on mobile base stations in the UK, and instead must allow local wireless carriers to handle the work. Those carriers can’t use Chinese equipment to conduct any law-enforcement wiretapping. The British agency also requires redundancy in critical networks and a variety of equipment suppliers to prevent overreliance on any single manufacturer. In its annual review of Huawei’s engineering practices published in July, the NCSC found “shortcomings” that “exposed new risks in the UK telecommunication networks.” But none were deemed of medium or high priority. Martin called the problems manageable and not reflective of Chinese hostility—though experts say it’s often difficult to tell if vulnerabilities are simply coding defects or intentional. “With 5G, some equipment needs to be more trustworthy than ever. But probably not all,” NCSC technical director Ian Levy wrote in a blog. Like the British, German officials have indicated they’ll reject a blanket Huawei 5G ban. In December, the head of Germany’s cyber-risk agency, Arne Schoenbohm, said “for such serious decisions as a ban, you need evidence.” Last week, the nation’s Interior Ministry told The Associated Press “the direct exclusion of a particular manufacturer from the 5G expansion is at the time not legally possible.” AP
Trump demanded top-secret clearance for son-in-law
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ASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump last year ordered officials to grant top-secret security clearance to his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, according to a report published Thursday by The New York Times. Kushner was granted the high-level clearance last May after a lengthy background check. The Times, citing anonymous sources, said Trump demanded Kushner’s clearance despite the concerns of intelligence officials, then-Chief of Staff John Kelly and then-White House counsel Don McGahn. The newspaper said Kelly wrote in an internal memo that he had been “ordered” to give top-secret clearance to Kushner. McGahn wrote a memo in which he advised against such clearance. Peter Mirijanian, a spokesman for Kushner lawyer Abbe Lowell, responded Thursday to the Times stor y with a statement, saying: “In 2018, White House and security clearance officials affirmed that Mr. Kushner’s security clearance was handled in the regular process with no
TURKEY’S President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right), shakes hands with Jared Kushner, US President Donald J. Trump’s adviser, prior to their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday. Erdogan met with with US President Donald J. Trump’s adviser and sonin-law for talks that are expected to center on his planned Mideast peace initiative. Turkey’s Economy Minister Berat Albayrak, who is Erdogan’s son-in-law, was also present. AP
pressure from anyone. That was conveyed to the media at the time, and new stories, if accurate, do not change what was affirmed at the time.” White House Press Secretary Sarah
Sanders declined to comment on the Times story. Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said Thursday that the Times report “indicates
that President Trump may have granted access to our country’s most sensitive classified information to his son-in-law against the advice of career staff—directly contradicting the President’s public denials that he played any role.” Trump told Times reporters in January that he “was never involved” with Kushner’s security clearance. Cummings, Democrat-Maryland, noted that his committee has launched an investigation into the security clearance process and requested documents and interviews relating to Kushner’s clearance. “To date, the White House has not produced a single document or scheduled a single interview,” Cummings said in a statement. “The Committee expects full compliance with its requests as soon as possible, or it may become necessary to consider alternative means to compel compliance.” Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and Kushner’s wife, said in February that the president did not play a role in granting security clearances to her or Kushner. AP
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ISRAEL’S NETANYAHU JOLTED BY CORRUPTION RECOMMENDATIONS
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ERUSALEM—Israel’s attorney general on Thursday recommended criminal charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a series of corruption cases, shaking up an already tumultuous election campaign and threatening to end the Israeli leader’s decades-long political career. The potential charges stretch across an array of embarrassing scandals that have painted Netanyahu as a hedonistic, and sometimes petty, leader with a taste for expensive gifts and an obsession over his public image. They include allegations he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars of champagne and cigars from billionaire friends, and allegedly used his influence to help a wealthy telecom magnate in exchange for favorable coverage on a popular news site. While a final decision on charges is still months away, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s recommendations threatened to hurt Netanyahu’s standing in the heat of a tight reelection battle. Netanyahu quickly faced calls to immediately step aside while he deals with the distraction of trying to clear his name. Appearing on national TV late Thursday, Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as an “unprecedented witchhunt” by political opponents intent on seeing him lose the April 9 election. He called the timing of the recommendations “outrageous” and accused prosecutors of caving in to pressure from “the left.” Appearing emotional at times, he called the case a “blood libel,” said he would debunk all charges and vowed to remain prime minister for many years. “This house of cards will collapse,” he said as he addressed voters. “Don’t let this witch-hunt affect you.” Mandelblit announced his recommendations after more than two years of intense investigations and deliberations by police, legal experts and financial regulators. “The attorney general has reached his decision after thoroughly examining the evidence collected during the investigations,” his statement said. Netanyahu was not formally charged. Under Israeli law, he is entitled to defend himself at a hearing before charges are officially filed. That process is expected to take many months and be completed long after the election. Tomer Naor of the Movement for Quality Government, a watchdog group, said the hearing process could take about a year. While charges are not guaranteed, he said most of the cases, particularly the bribery case, appeared to be solid. The recommendations nonetheless plunged Israel into uncharted legal waters, marking the first time in its history that a sitting prime minister is so close to facing criminal charges. While Israeli prime ministers are not required by law to resign if charged, the prospect of a prime minister standing trial while simultaneously running the country could increase calls, even from his allies, to step down. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who spent time in prison for corruption, stepped down a decade ago, months before police completed an investigation against him. As opposition leader, Netanyahu called on Olmert to step down before his indictment, saying he could not devote his full attention to governing. Netanyahu has a solid base of hardline, nationalist and religious voters who are likely to rally behind him. For now, Likud officials and his current coalition partners are also supporting him. But polls have indicated that the upcoming vote, in which Netanyahu is seeking a fourth consecutive term, could be swayed by a small number of voters who abandon him in favor of a new centrist party headed by a popular former military chief, Benny Gantz. Those voters could well be turned off by Netanyahu’s lengthy rule and neverending scandals.
Gantz, whose campaign has focused heavily on Netanyahu’s character, late Thursday called on Netanyahu to resign immediately to deal with his legal problems. He said Israel could not afford to have a “part-time prime minister.” “Let’s imagine our reality when the prime minister needs to divide his time between court and dealing with the critical issues facing the state of Israel,” he said. Even before Thursday’s announcement, Netanyahu’s campaign had shown signs of trouble. The alliance formed by Gantz and Yair Lapid, another centrist leader, has been welcomed by voters. Their “Blue and White” alliance enjoys a slight lead in opinion polls, making them the first credible threat to Netanyahu’s decadelong rule. Lapid also called on Netanyahu to step down. “This is a sad day for the state of Israel,” he said. “If Netanyahu loves the state of Israel as he always says he does, then he needs to do what’s best for the country. He needs to resign, immediately.” Netanyahu has also come under fire, both in Israel and abroad, for forming a partnership with the political heirs of an ultranationalist party that was banned for its racist views toward Arabs. The campaign now appears to be morphing into a referendum on Netanyahu as he seeks to become the longest-serving premier in Israeli history. Netanyahu has been prime minister since 2009 and served a previous term between 1996 and 1999. Netanyahu had previously tried unsuccessfully to persuade Mandelblit to delay publication of his recommendations until after the election. And on Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected an attempt by the Likud Party to block publication.The most serious allegations against Netanyahu involve his relationship with Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Israel’s telecom giant Bezeq. Mandelblit recommended a bribery charge in the case based on evidence collected that confidants of Netanyahu promoted regulatory changes worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Bezeq. In exchange, they believe Netanyahu used his connections with Elovitch to receive positive press coverage on Bezeq’s popular news site Walla. A related charge against Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, was dropped. Mandelblit’s statement said there was a unanimous opinion among investigators that the relationship between Netanyahu and the Elovitches was “give or take,” constituting bribery. Mandelblit also filed breach of trust charges in two other cases. One involves accepting gifts from billionaire friends, including over $300,000 worth of champagne and cigars from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan. The second revolves around alleged offers of advantageous legislation for a major newspaper in return for favorable coverage. Mandelblit’s office said the timing of Netanyahu’s hearing would be set in the near future in coordination with the prime minister’s lawyers. President Donald Trump, with whom Netanyahu has forged a close connection, offered the Israeli leader a boost earlier Thursday. “I can say this: that he’s done a great job as prime minister. He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s strong,” Trump said in Hanoi, where he was holding a summit with the leader of North Korea. Yohanan Plesner, a former lawmaker who now heads the Israel Democracy Institute, an independent think tank, said he does not expect any dramatic changes in voting patterns, but there could be small enough shifts “that can actually make the difference.” Plesner said from a “practical standpoint,” Netanyahu should step down due to the severity of the charges. “But this will probably not happen,” he said. AP
Faith
Sunday
www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion
Sunday, March 3, 2019
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8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: ’LUKE 6:39-45’
Fruits of faith
MSGR. JOSEFINO S. RAMIREZ SUNDAY GOSPEL IN OUR LIFE
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HERE is no good tree that bears bad fruit, nor is there a bad tree that bears good fruit. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:43-45). Here we see that our Christian life cannot be kept only in the private and internal sphere. It has to pour out into our actions and into our social life. We can apply this teaching to the greatest supernatural gift that we have received from God—our faith. God seeks the fruits of all the graces that He has given us. If He has given us the grace of faith, which fills our life with light and meaning, it must necessarily be manifested in works. It must yield fruit of a more upright moral life spent in the service of God and neighbor. For example, it would not be enough to reduce the sphere of our faith to a few hours a week. We must live consistently as Christians in every situation in which we may find ourselves—in our places of work, in the intimacy of the family and when we are with friends. Besides, our Christian life must reach out to help the people around us. We must be interested in uplifting the material and spiritual lives of the members of the family, of the people who work with us and of all our friends. We can’t remain indifferent, for example, if we see that harm is being done to people, especially in their moral life. As we go through
the streets of Manila and see pornographic material being peddled around corrupting the morals of old and young alike, a living faith would be moved to do something about it. There are some who reject the faith outright, refusing to submit their minds to the light that God gives. At the bottom of this is an attitude of self-sufficiency even in those things in which man’s individual strength is clearly inadequate. Still others reject the faith while wanting to keep an appearance of respectability. They say they believe in God and in the teachings of the Church, but then their belief has very little bearing on their lives. When confronted by the greater demands of their faith, they get uneasy, or try to brush it aside like a bothersome pest. The weakness of their faith is manifested, above all, by the lack of fruits in their own lives and in the lives of the people around them. The need to do good, to uplift our neighbor, is an obligation for all Christians and not only for those who profess a consecration to God, such as priests and religious. Each and every Christian has the obligation to do apostolate, to make the faith he has received in baptism bear fruit. A faith that does not seek the improvement of oneself and of others, a fruitless faith, will eventually be taken away.
SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL, FOUNDRESS By Corazon Damo-Santiago
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N a mundane world, money is one of the most coveted possession. The World Inequality Report 2018 declared that the rich becomes richer, the poor poorer. Kate Hope of BBC said the world’s richest 1 percent get 82 percent of the wealth. Last year, Oxfam said that the eight richest individuals own as much wealth as the poorest half of world. Saint Katherine Drexel of the 18th century was acknowledged as heiress to a great fortune of his father, an international banker. But early in life she believed that God blessed people with wealth to be shared. She grew up in a family sharing blessings to the poor. She nursed her stepmother with cancer for three years. During her long and extreme suffering she realized that wealth cannot stop suffering, moreso death.
‘Be the missionary’
KATHERINE MARIE was born on November 26, 1858, in Philadelphia. Her father, Francis Anthony, a Catholic, is an international banker of Austrian descent. Katherine and her two sisters had the best education. Her mother, Hannah Langstroth, d i e d w h e n s h e wa s 5 we e k s o l d. H e r stepmother, Emma Bouvier, deeply inspired her to love the poor and encouraged her to pursue a religious vocation. Twice a week, food, clothing and even assistance to pay rentals for dwellings were distributed to the poor who lined up in 1503 Walnut Street. The widows and lonely single women, too proud to join the queue, were sought out and extended help. Sunday classes for children of the employees were held. She traveled with her father and saw the pitiful life of Indians living in squalor and despair. The 1868 federal treaty, which promised education for children, was not implemented. In 1885 her father died leaving them a $15.5-million estate that gave the three sisters earnings of $3,000 a day. Peter Finney Jr. in Legacy of Saint Katherine Drexel noted that $1.5 million was donated to several charities. They supported 65 schools, churches, centers in 21 states through the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She sought the friendship of Sioux Chief Red Cloud and the sisters contributed to Saint Francis Mission in South Dakota Rosebud Recreation. The three sisters traveled in Europe and Rome. In 1887, in an audience with Pope Leo XIII, Katherine briefed the pope about the urgent needs of the Indians.
She added that joining a congregation may not be the solution for she may be deserting the people that God wants her to help. So she humbly requested the pope “to designate a congregation that would give all its time and effort to the Indian mission.” The pope answered, “But why not be a missionary yourself my child.” On the same year, Katherine funded the establishment of the first school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Patroness for social integration
“MISS Drexel Enters A Catholic Convent, gives up 7 million,” the headline of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, surprised social circles in 1889 when she received her religious habit as a postulant in Saint Mary’s Convent, Pittsburg. On February 12, 1891, she took her vow as a religious with 13 companions as members of a New Religious Order, Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People. The Mother House of the new order, Saint Elizabeth Convent decided to accept black applicants. She lived so well her vows of “poverty, chastity, obedience, as well as mother and servant of the Indian and Negro races.” The First Mission Boarding School in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was opened, followed by another for native Americans in Mississippi and for blacks in Southern Part of America. In 1897 she requested OFM friars in Saint John Baptist to help in missions for Navajos in Arizona and New Mexico, and helped financed works with Pueblo Native Americans. A Navajo English Catechism of Christian Doctrine for Navajo children was printed in 1910. In the article “Legacy of the Saint,” it was said that she supported 65 schools, churches, centers in 21 states through the congregation. A Christian visionary, she worked for social justice for everyone. Benedictine Father Paschal Baumann of Belmont Abbey, North Carolina, said: “She was working for the advancement of social integration, and made that so clearly a mission of the Church not just a social policy.” In 1930 she suffered a heart attack. For the next 25 years she was in prayerful confinement. She died on March 3, 1955, at the age of 96. The patron saint for racial justice and philanthropists, she was canonized on October 1, 2000, by Pope John Paul II. Damo-Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.
VISITORS walk around the 40-foot Maryland Peace Cross dedicated to World War I soldiers on February 13 in Bladensburg, Maryland. AP/KEVIN WOLF
High court’s cross case could affect memorials in US
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ASHINGTON—A 40-foottall, concrete cross on public land in a Maryland suburb of Washington is at the center of a case before the Supreme Court. But similar monuments elsewhere in the country could be affected by the high-court ruling, states have told the justices. The District of Columbia-based American Humanist Association, which is behind the challenge to the Maryland cross, acknowledges that at least a handful of other monuments around the country could be affected if the court sides with them, though they disagree with those supporting the cross that the number is vast. The monuments most likely to be affected are large crosses on public, not private, lands and where there’s a prominent cross that isn’t part of a larger memorial or setting, such as a cemetery, said Monica Miller, an American Humanist Association attorney. By the same token, those monuments could be insulated from challenges if the other side prevails, as many observers think is likely given the court’s conservative makeup. A look at the cross at the center of the case and cross memorials in other states:
Maryland
IF the justices wanted to take a field trip to see the cross at the center of the case, it wouldn’t be hard. The cross is located on a large, grassy traffic median in Bladensburg, about 5 miles from
the Supreme Court. Sometimes called the “Peace C ross,” it w a s complete d i n 1925. A plaque on the base of the cross lists the names of 49 soldiers from the area who died in World War I. While a trial court judge ruled the memorial was constitutional, an appeals court disagreed. Those challenging the cross are telling the Supreme Court that it should be moved to private property or modified into a slab or obelisk. They also note that the nearly 100 -year-old monument has been deteriorating. Chunks have fallen off and restoration work planned years ago has been put off while the case has moved forward.
Florida
A 34-foot-tall concrete cross in Pensacola’s Bayview Park has been
the site of a sunrise Easter service for decades. The first Easter service was organized at the site in 1941. A wooden cross was put up for the gathering, which was organized by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1969, however, the group installed the concrete cross that stands today. Lighting and maintaining the cross costs Pensacola around $200 a year. Four people sued over the cross in 2016. They have the backing of the American Humanist Association, the same group behind the cross lawsuit now before the Supreme Court, and the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. Two lower courts have ruled against the cross.
Kansas
A CROSS near Lyons, Kansas, honors Father Juan de Padilla, a 16th century Franciscan missionary. Installed in 1950, the cross was a gift to the state by the Knights of Columbus. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter in 2018 objecting to the cross, asking that it be removed or moved to private property.
New Mexico
A BRONZE cross on a concrete pedestal stands in the town plaza in the center of Taos. Paid for by private donations and dedicated in 1960, the cross is part of a memorial honoring young men from
The reason we have a crucifix and a cross on our tower is so it represents both religions—Protestant and Catholic”—Arcemont
the area who fought and died in World War II. Beside the cross are flagpoles flying the flags of the United States and New Mexico, and in front of the cross is a sculpture of three soldiers. The town says it has been threatened with lawsuits similar to the one currently before the Supreme Court. If the high court doesn’t side with supporters of the Maryland cross, Taos told the justices, it would “virtually guarantee Taos would be drawn into costly and unjust litigation to remove its memorial.”
Texas
THE Seaman’s Memorial Tower in Aransas Pass used to be topped by a cross, but it’s been removed because of wear. The 80-foottall tower still has a crucifix on its front, however. Lu Arcemont, 82, who chairs a commission that oversees the tower’s maintenance, says she hopes to see a cross topping the tower again. Arcemont is the keeper of the tower’s history. It was dedicated in 1970 as a memorial to area fisherman who died at sea, their names on plaques on the tower. At first the tower was topped by a 22-foot wooden cross. A smaller, metal cross later replaced it. As for the crucifix on the tower’s front, Arcemont says her husband carved it out of a telephone pole. Arcemont hadn’t heard of the Maryland lawsuit, but she was quick to distinguish her town’s memorial. She called it a “living memorial” because names continue to be added to it. People also sometimes scatter family members’ ashes at the site. “The reason we have a crucifix and a cross on our tower is so it represents both religions—Protestant and Catholic,” she said. Aransas Pass is about 20 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. AP
FTS Foundation dedicates gift-giving to SM founder
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HE children of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Castres (CIC) became the beneficiaries of the first religious activity of the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation Inc. (FTS) for 2019. Officers and staff from 28 SM branches participated in the sharing and gift-giving in honor of SM founder, Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr. Ninety children eagerly waited to receive their gifts from SM donors which were distributed after a Eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Rey Reyes, SSP. CIC’s main charisma is working with the poor and taking care of the formation of children to uplift their way of life in the future.
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Science
BusinessMirror
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Sunday
Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph
Medical treatments fit for Pinoys’? Omic technology may be the answer
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ANY people are at times too late in finding out they are afflicted with ailments like cancer, diabetes or heart disease. They are also faced with concerns on whether they are taking the right medicines or treatments that suit the Filipinos’ genome. On top of these, they have to deal with high prices of medicines and medical procedures. These may soon be a thing of the past with the omics program being developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). S c i e n t i s t s a t t h e D O S T, through the Philippine Council on Health, Research and Development (PCHRD), are using a powerful tool to improve the ability of medical institutions in the country in handling lifestyle diseases affecting the Filipino population, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Science Secretar y Fortunato T. de la Peña introduced the genomics program and the successful projects of PCHRD in conducting researched on card iovascu lar d iseases, cancer, HIV and leptospirosis during a Technolog y Media Conference (TMC) at a hotel in Quezon City last Wednesday. “The efforts of the DOST are geared with a main purpose, that is to give the right medicine, with the right dose, to the right Filipino,” de la Peña said. According to the DOST head, “Our study on genomics and other omic technologies will aid clinical
diagnostics and preventive testing. It will help medical institutions and research facilities to identify new treatment that may be sourced locally. With this, we can lower the price of medicines and develop more effective preventive measures and therapies that better suit the Filipinos.” Entitled “Talakayang Heartbeat,” the TMC is the second installment in the series of DOST news conferences to promote awareness in science and technology programs and projects. Genomics is the study of all of a person’s genome—or the person’s complete set of DNA and genes— including interactions of those genes with each other and with
A DIAGRAM illustrating genomics. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
the person’s environment. By being involved in genomics, Filipino scientists and doctors can check whether the drugs given to patients really work. It provides health professionals the ability to develop medicines that will fit the individual needs of every Filipino. T h rou g h ge nom ic s, D O S T aims to develop new health products and services, and strengthen the health clinical-practice guidelines and policies in the Philippines. DOST is investing more in omics—or a field of study involving genomics, proteomics or metabolomics—for health research and development. From funding preliminary re-
The efforts of the DOST are geared with a main purpose, that is to give the right medicine, with the right dose, to the right Filipino.” —de la Peña
GENOMICS RESEARCH BUDGET ALLOCATION Y2014
31M
Y2015
29.5M
Y2016
60M
Y2017
71M
Y2018
312M
The research on genomics can also be used to have alternative sources of material for forensics identification (knee cap, foot bone and bones from the spine). This also delves in studies on paternity or identification of male sources of DNA, the improvement of Filipino population databases
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‘Gumamela’ hybrid named after Mariquit de la Peña, DOST chief’s wife
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search projects in genomics and other molecular technology, it is now investing in cutting-edge technologies/equipment/infrastructure to make the Philippines on a par with the rest of the advanced economies.
using different genetic markers for routine forensic investigations, and the establishment of the first Filipino population databases for individual identification and ancestry information. Recent studies show that everyone reacts differently to medicines and therapies. One’s ethnicity, diet and even environment play a big role on how one reacts to medication. Since most medication is formulated abroad, the formulation is adjusted to meet the needs of the people of its country of origin. The DOST views genomics research as a long-term investment. In the future, it hopes to provide evidence of integrating genomic testing for priority diseases under the Universal Health Care, just like what advanced economies are doing. Genomics research provides the possibility of going beyond medication, and changing one’s lifestyle to suit one’s personal health condition. The freedom to choose the right medication, at the right time and at the right price is the choice that the DOST wishes to give to ever y Filipino. S&T Media Service
E.U. COPERNICUS CUTTING-EDGE SAT TECH TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS, ENVIRONMENT IN PHL
Rasco, who developed the hybrid, described it as of medium height with very thick petals that bloom for two days. It has five ruffled and partly overlapped petals. Rasco added that the flower is tough and is generous with its blooms, similar to its namesake. A nurse by profession, Mrs. de la Peña left her promising nursing career in the United States to marry Mr. de la Peña. Later on, as their family grew, she decided to take care of her children and husband as a fulltime housewife. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis “Mariquit B. de la Peña” is among the many hybrids developed under the IPB Hibiscus breeding program that was started in 1994 by Reynold Pimentel. The program
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes
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SCIENCE Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña (right, seated) and his wife, Mariquit B. de la Peña, during the naming of the new gumamela hybrid Hibiscus rosa-sinensis “Mariquit B. de la Peña.” With them are DOSTPCAARRD officials (standing, from left) Livestock Research Division OIC Synan S. Baguio; Acting Deputy Executive Director for R&D Edwin C. Villar; Crops Research Division OIC Edna A. Anit; Applied Communication Division Director Marita A. Carlos; Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services Melvin B. Carlos; Acting Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora; and Management Information Systems Division Director Richard E. Amansec. At the foreground is the potted new hybrid gumamela with its flower. JAMSIE JOY E. PEREZ/ACD, PCAARRD
NEW gumamela hybrid was named after Mariquit B. de la Peña, the wife of Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrid named Hibiscus rosa-sinensis “Mariquit B. de la Peña” was developed by the Institute of Plant Breeding of the College of Agriculture and Food Science of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (IPB-CAFS, UPLB). The new gumamela hybrid has soft pink rose flowers with delicate white lines radiating from the eye to the middle corolla. Its unveiling was held recently during a simple ceremony at IPB-UPLB. It coincided on the de la Peña couple’s 40th wedding anniversary. IPB plant breeder Agripina O.
PHL can withstand influx of AI, automation
aims to produce new hybrids to enhance their commercial value, improve their status as an ornamental crop, and make them globally competitive. Other Hibiscus hybrids were named after former Commission on Higher Education Chairman Patricia B. Licuanan in 2014; UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita David-Padilla in 2015, and National Academy of Science and Technology Academician Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza in the same year. The day of the unveiling also kicked off the Industry Strategic S&T Plan for Ornamentals of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the DOST. Rose Anne M. Aya/S&T Media Services.
HE European Union Delegation to the Philippines will introduce for the first time the EU Earth Observation Copernicus Programme to the Philippines through a national conference on Copernicus Systems and Applications in Makati City on March 11. The conference is a platform for scientists, technologists, development workers and policy-makers and business people to discuss ways on how to maximize the use of the Copernicus Programme to address various challenges besetting the country. It will also bring together international, local scientists and experts, who will present local and regional case studies that demonstrate the use of Copernicus. The Copernic us Programme is a cornerstone of the European Union’s efforts to monitor the Earth and its many ecosystems from integrated space and ground-based data. C o p e r n i c u s ’s a m a z i n g f l e x i b l e technology is user-driven and provides six free-of-charge operational services in the areas of atmosphere monitoring, marine environment monitoring, land monitoring, climate change, emergency management and security. To top these all, the Copernicus Programme can be used by all interlocutors: n at i o n a l a n d re g i o n a l g ove r n m e nt institutions, international development partners, and the private sector from all over the world. Since Copernicus became operational in 2014, the EU has invested approximately €9.6 billion in the program with an additional €5.8-billion allocation proposed from 2021 to 2027. The program is already generating economic benefits two to three times higher than the original investment (excluding the nonmonetary benefits such
as environmental, societal and strategic). “Copernicus presents huge opportunities as it provides information on our environment, it monitors and helps mitigate climatechange impacts and improves security for citizens and communities faced with the threat of natural disasters. Copernicus also triggers investments in space technology and infrastructure, and it encourages downstream industry, namely the people who develop innovative applications and services thus helping creating growth and jobs,” said EU Ambassador Franz Jessen. “ We h o p e t h e co n fe re n ce w i l l allow participants to see the potential benefits of applications of Copernicus for Filipinos and that it will inspire future know-how exchanges and collaboration oppor tunities between the European Union and the Philippines for the benefit of the Filipino society.” This European system uses satellites for monitoring the Earth and is able to provide high-resolution imagery daily generating precise information with immense potential to be utilized in multiple fields. Data provided by the Copernicus system helps in handling some challenging issues many countries face— such as food security, deforestation, climate change, pollution and natural disasters. The high-resolution data provided by Copernicus is also used by innovative businesses to develop satellite-enabled products and services. The program is coordinated and managed by the European Commission and implemented in partnership with the EU member-states, the European Space Agency, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, EU agencies and Mercator Océan International.
RTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) and automation are the two words that have scared many people, especially those who are working in the businessprocess outsourcing (BPO) industry. Christian Lauron, a partner in advisory practices of SGV, told participants in the recent Data Brew forum that the Philippines could withstand the impact of the onslaught of AI and automation. “The Philippines can be a good destination for middle office work. It has young people who are good coders, and have knowledge of financial instruments,” he said. Middle office BPO services refer to services that are outsourced to the BPO companies. These services include, managing risk, calculating profits and losses of a financial services company. Lauron said those who usually handles the middle office chores include groups heading the informationtechnology department. With the anticipated of explosion robust data, compliance requirements, cost pressure and demand from external and internal stakeholders, Lauron said the middle office will experience an astonishing transformation. The outsourcing spectacle, usually associated with backoffice functions, has spread to middle-office functions, according to Lauron. He said data privacy and regulation are the vital factors for the success of middle office BPO services. The middle office BPO services have become familiar names among asset managers, who are responsible to boost the investments of their clients. With the growth of the middle office BPO services experiencing unprecedented degree, there was a rise in manual intervention, as the number of stakeholders got bigger.“We should promote the Philippines as the middle office capital of the world. This is another opportunity to make the country a powerhouse in the global market,” he pointed out. Lauron said there is a substantial pool of skilled programmers for the job. “The people should have at least competency in programming,” he said. He urged the government to redeploy the country’s data scientists into the agriculture sector to uplift the sector from its lethargic state. “The country has to tap our data scientists and assign them into the various sectors of the economy to develop the country,” he pointed out. Moreover, he said the country must democratize the access to data toward the capacity building of the country. Although there are several changes happening in the workplace caused by several factors, Lauron said there will be lots of opportunities for Filipinos. By developing capacity building measures, Lauron said the country and its work force could cope with the disruption. “The government will play a big role in this undertaking,” he said.
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Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua
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LOST IN TIME IN ST. PETERSBURG THE Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is an iconic landmark in the city much like its counterpart in Moscow, Saint Basil’s Cathedral.
ST. Petersburg’s cityscape is characterized by many beautiful palaces, government offices and domes of churches.
ONE of the masterpieces of the Italian architect Rastrelli is the Smolny Cathedral with its stunning blue-and-white exterior.
MANY vestiges of the city’s rich historical and cultural heritage can be explored on foot.
THE Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
THE Peter and Paul Fortress is a reminder of the city’s storied past.
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Story & photos by Joshua Berida
WAS on a train from Veliky Novgorod, the birthplace of Russia, bound for St. Petersburg, the former imperial capital and it was still early and dark; the sun hasn’t even shone yet. I was between wakefulness and sleep as the passengers boarded from and alighted to small, nondescript towns in between the two historical cities. Before I knew it, it was only a few minutes to my stop, as the crowd grew and occupied almost the entire cabin I was on. I figured these might be day workers who were just traveling to the city to work. The train shuddered and an announcement said—first in Russian and then in English—that I finally arrived at my destination. I took my bags and as the door opened, a whiff of cold air greeted me. I stepped out of Moskovsky Railway Station, one of the oldest
in the city dating back to the late 1840s, and took a glimpse of the city. The Stalinist, neoclassic-style buildings lined the street a couple of meters away and a mall with brands I’m familiar with were right next to a mini café. I talked to a taxi driver using broken English and a Russian translation of the accommodation’s address, and in a few seconds I was on my way. I was eager to discover what St. Petersburg had in store for me.
The names of the city
THERE’S something appealing about reinvention, the rising from the ashes, the changing of names, having a
new slate, or just wearing something new. This is especially true in a place where no one knows you and you know no one. You could walk into a bar and be the life of the party, or sit in a café and strike a conversation with a beautiful woman; where you slink into anonymity and no one calls you out. You could introduce yourself under a different name, one that you feel suits you better, and create an alternative past, present and future. Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg in the 1700s when his army defeated the Swedes and took Nyenskans, the fortress situated at the mouth of the Neva River. From a small town, it became the imperial capital where an empire arose. Art and culture thrived when the royal family and their court commissioned artists from different parts of Europe to build monuments and statues, create masterpieces and design their palaces. This golden era lasted for centuries with its apex in the mid 1700s to the late 1790s, guided by the clearheaded and ambitious Sophie Friederike Auguste von AnhaltZerbst, or more famously known as Catherine the Great. The Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov, also known as
Vladimir Lenin, changed the course of the city’s history. Revolution was in the air in the early part of the 20th century. Russia was eager to forget its imperial and lavish past that left a substantial percentage of the population destitute. Amid the uprising and a fervent desire for change, St. Petersburg became Petrograd. The new name needed a new state; Russia became part of the Soviet Union with Lenin as its leader. The sweeping reforms under the ideology of Communism changed the country and permeated in every action and decision of the government. Then Lenin died—Petrograd became Leningrad. New buildings, fountains and statues rose within the city, displaying the bravado of Stalin and his rise to power. Parades stomped the grounds of the squares and the masses plastered slogans on walls or recited them religiously. Soldiers plundered and burned churches, palaces and houses owned by the bourgeoisie, all in the name of a new beginning. Then it all ended in 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed, marking the end of an era. In search of a new identity or the restoration of an old one, the city reverted as St. Petersburg.
Of long walks and no itineraries
I SPENT hours just walking with no particular destination in mind. I just went where my feet took me, turned into a corner when I saw something beautiful. I went into random alleys and narrow streets where beautiful buildings lined the river, bathed in the soft glow of the clear, cloudless sky. True to its moniker, St. Petersburg is the “Venice of the North.” This is the closest I can get to the Italian city for now. I walked and walked, crossing the Neva River and into the Peter and Paul Fortress. This complex was many things throughout its history, from a garrison to a prison for political prisoners to a tourist attraction. I walked some more along Nevsky Prospect, passing by the Singer Building and the Kazan Cathedral, the latter of which will remind you of Italy with its columns, dome and beautiful sculptures. I passed a statue of Catherine the Great, the Anichkov Bridge that was more than a century old, and the Stroganov Palace and the Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace that were restored to their former glory. My feet got me to the Vosstaniya Square, where mass protests and
revolution electrified those that witnessed them a century ago. Buses and cars drove by, pedestrians came and went, and the bustle of the city went on without missing a beat. It was already dark when I returned to the Palace Square. The litup Winter Palace created a soft ambient light. Locals gathered around an artist that set up his instruments near the Alexander Column. He began singing, I couldn’t understand a word of the song, but the camaraderie was palpable. Some were tipsy carrying a bottle of beer, drunk, or just curious. The crowd started to sing along, or hum in between taking photos and videos. St. Petersburg may have many names throughout its history. The vestiges of what it was and what it could be are all over the city; the decrepit buildings about to be demolished, the restored palaces and churches, the Lakhta Center towering over its surroundings, the streets where royalty and revolutionaries walked, the lined and wrinkled faces of tired men and women who have witnessed its rise and the fall, and the bright-eyed faces of a generation who are looking ahead and hopeful.
Tieza steps up tourism infrastructure investment in 2018 sumed leadership in 2017, Asset Rehabilitation Program has been the priority of the Tieza board of directors to improve the agency’s owned and managed properties’ marketability and performance. There were short-term repairs conducted and long-term rehabilitation plans laid down for the following six operating assets: Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel, Club Intramuros Golf Course, Light and Sounds Museum, Balicasag Island Dive Resort, Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park, and Gardens of Malasag Ecotourism Village. Paragas remarked that this is the first major rehabilitation program in a decade.
Targeted infrastructure
MANILA’S Club Intramuros
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HE role of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) in rehabilitating Boracay and addressing the perennial flooding in the island tops the agency’s accomplishments for 2018. “We are proud that Tieza is helping make Boracay a sustainable tourism destination. Through this, generations of tourists will benefit from a cleaner and waste-free island,” Tieza Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas said. “We are fully committed to complete long-term engineering solutions which will permanently address the problems that beset Boracay.”
Role in Boracay rehabilitation
TIEZA has invested more than P1 billion to address the flooding problem in Boracay when they implemented Phase II of the Boracay Water Drainage Project. The construction period was shortened to two years instead of the original seven years. The implementation of Phase II is expected to be completed by end of 2019. Tieza continues to align its projects to the thrusts of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) to protect and preserve the island as a
prime tourist destination. The Tieza chief asserted their full support to the efforts of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote sustainable tourism and rehabilitate not just Boracay but other major tourist destinations in the country.
Investments in tourism enterprise zones and tourism enterprises
AS of October 2018, Tieza has already designated five flagship Tourism Enterprise Zones, which is projected to generate 1 million jobs in a span of 10 years while eight private TEZs with tourism enterprises will create 52,000 jobs during the construction and operation stage, and estimated investments amounting to P80 billion. Tieza has also awarded the certificates of registration to the Magikland Cultural Zone inside the Aton Land and Leisure TEZ, Kingdom Stadium inside Kingdom Global City TEZ in Davao, Lazuli and Kabote Beach Resort in San Vicente, and the Signature Suites in Boracay.
Asset Rehabilitation Program
THE Tieza chief explained that since they as-
“WE are now prioritizing the construction of tourism infrastructure projects of national interest and significance through the D.R.E.A.M.S thrust—Destination, Restoration, Eco-sustainability, Agri-tourism, Medical assistance, and Security and Accessibility,” the Tieza COO said. Tieza reported the completion of 26 projects in 2018, with 112 undergoing construction. In 2018, Tieza also installed floating docks to ensure safety and convenience in embarkation and disembarkation on the shores of Palawan, specifically in El Nido and Honda Bay. These were turned over to the respective local government units for proper maintenance and sustainable use. Tieza will soon highlight big-ticket projects, such as the Lighting of the San Juanico Bridge in Leyte and Samar; and Rehabilitation of the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao Province, which aims to spur tourism development within communities and preserve eco-cultural heritage.
Efficient travel tax collection
“WITH an efficient travel tax collection, we are able to lay down the foundation for the evergrowing and dynamic Philippine tourism industry by providing much-needed infrastruc-
ture in tourism destinations in the country,” the Tieza COO said. Fifty percent of Tieza’s share is mostly allocated to tourism-related infrastructure projects. The operational fees for the collection of travel tax are also sourced from Tieza’s share. It should be noted that almost 50 percent of the total gross travel collections were remitted through the airlines. Since Tieza authorized Cebu Pacific Air in 2017 to accept travel tax payments for their passengers departing for abroad, 82 percent of their outbound passengers paid online. “Through high-impact tourism infrastructure projects, we want to make sure that the travel taxes paid mostly by our Filipino travelers are all worth it,” Paragas stressed. Tieza launched the Online Travel Tax Payment System (OTTPS) in April 2018 to provide faster, more convenient and easier way of travel tax payment for all Filipino travelers. The system is undergoing continuous upgrade to expand its online-payment channels. Through the reforms initiated since 2017, the gross travel tax collections for 2018 increased to P6.4 billion, exceeding its five-year average collection of P5 billion. Latest data showed that gross tax collection was higher by 12.52 percent from the P5.68 billion collected in 2017. Republic Act 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009, provides that half of the proceeds from travel tax collection is accrued to Tieza, while 40 percent goes to the Commission on Higher Education and the remaining 10 percent is given to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. In view of these milestones and continuing projects, Tieza is further established as the builder of tourism infrastructure and facilities in the country to help boost the Philippines’s tourism potential and, in effect, contribute to the country’s inclusive growth and sustainable development.
THE Philippine delegation at the ATF 2019
Philippines makes a splash at the ATF 2019 in Vietnam
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ITH an estimated $475,000 business leads generated during the four-day event, the participation of the Philippines in the recently concluded Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) in Hanoi, Vietnam, was a resounding success for the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) with the Department of Tourism (DOT). A 270-square-meter booth was secured by TPB to showcase the inviting array of local destinations, attractions and special interest programs the Philippines has to offer. The Philippine Late Night FUNction, held on the third day of ATF, was very well attended, with fantastic prizes raffled off to lucky attendees. A spread of favorite local dishes was served at dinner, with talented Pinoy performers providing the evening’s entertainment. Spearheaded by Tourism Secretary and TPB Chairman Bernadette Romulo Puyat, the Philippine contingent to the ATF included DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., TPB Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Q. Tan and other officials, representatives from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), eight hotels/properties, 14 travel agencies/tour operators and an airline. The TPB’s goal is for visiting tourists to enjoy an optimal travel experience, thus extending their stay and spending more while in the country. To
achieve this, their active presence in international forums and events with high attendance of global influencers is deemed imperative. “Our fruitful participation to the Asean Tourism Forum 2019 really got us fired up as we kick off our various programs for the New Year,” said Tan. “We’re totally excited about the many activities we’re rolling out as a revitalized and invigorated TPB, as we ramp up our efforts toward placing the Philippines’ back on the global tourism map through targeted, high-impact marketing, promotional activities, and an array of exciting events.” Now on its 38th edition, the ATF is a cooperative regional effort, a must-attend tourism event that promotes the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations region as one tourist destination, with all the tourist industry sectors of the 10 member-nations of Asean participating. With the theme “Asean: The Power of One,” ATF 2019 drew over 2,000 delegates—including tourism ministers, leaders of national tourism agencies, international organizations and buyers—with the TRAVEX, a platform for the selling and buying of regional and individual tourism with over a hundred booths, serving as one of the major components.
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Sports BusinessMirror
Editor: Jun Lomibao | mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph
TOKYO 2020: NO SMOKING!
By Stephen Wade The Associated Press
OKYO—Tokyo is still a smoker’s heaven. Despite tougher laws enacted last year, smokers can light up in some restaurants and bars. Tobacco advertising is allowed on television, cigarette packages don’t contain graphic health warnings, and tobacco is cheap compared to other major cities. However, don’t expect to puff away at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Organizers on Thursday announced a stringent ban on all tobacco products and vaping devices. Smoking will be banned at any indoor or outdoor Olympic or Paralympic venue, including perimeter areas being run by the Tokyo games. Organizers say the prohibition it tougher than regulations for the last two Summer Olympics in London and Rio de Janeiro. “Tokyo 2020 aims to leave a legacy of improved health for the country at large,” organizers said in a statement. Japan’s national legislature last year approved a ban on smoking inside public
facilities, but the measure is seen as weak and excludes many bars and restaurants. Tokyo’s city government separately enacted tougher rules last year to protect from secondhand smoke. All provisions kick in during the run-up to the Olympics. Smoking is still allowed in small eateries and bars. They make up half of Japanese establishments, where it’s common to see a customer eating with chopsticks in one hand and a cigarette in the other. “Countering passive smoking has long been a concern,” Keiko Nakayama, a Tokyo city government health official, said in a
statement to The Associated Press. “We would like to push for approving more anti-smoking measures so people stay healthy longer.” The statement said the city’s smoking policy would be reviewed in five years. But more regulation will always face tough opposition despite the fact that smoking has declined in recent years. The Japanese government has a large stake in tobacco. It owns a third of the stock and is the top investor in major cigarette company Japan Tobacco Inc. The industry was a government
monopoly until 1985, and is a huge source of tax revenue. Smoking is cheap in Japan compared to other developed countries. A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs about $5. In London and New York it’s about $14, and in Sydney it’s $20. According to World Health Organization data for 2015, 32.7 percent of Japanese males smoke, compared to 24.4 in the United States. The highest figures were East Timor (78.0) and Indonesia (74.9), and the lowest two were in Africa: Ethiopia (7.6) and Ghana (7.1).
World karate body launches digital campaign for Paris 2024
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HE World Karate Federation (WKF) has launched a digital campaign as the body bids to keep its Paris 2024 Olympic hopes alive. Karate will make its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 after Japanese organizers selected it as an additional sport alongside baseball/softball, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing. That selection did not guarantee a place in the French capital, however, and the WKF
learnt that they had not been put forward by Paris 2024 earlier this month. Sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing were all retained with baseball/softball also removed and breakdancing controversially added. The decision still needs to be ratified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who will discuss the proposal before it goes in front of their Executive Board between March 26 and 28.
Provisional approval could then be granted at the IOC Session in Lausanne in June, before Executive Board confirmation in December 2020. This final stage would be four months after the conclusion of Tokyo 2020, with karate frustrated that the Paris sports have been proposed before they had the chance to show off on the Olympic stage in Japan. It is widely thought that the IOC deliberations are simply a rubber-stamping
COACH POP WON’T LOBBY FOR PLAYERS
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EW YORK—Now the US really is Gregg Popovich’s team. He’s been the Americans’ national team coach for a few years but there was never a guarantee he’d actually get to lead them in competition. The US first had to qualify for the
Basketball World Cup, where the Americans can then play their way into the 2020 Olympics. With that done, Popovich can lobby players to go to China with him. He won’t. “I just think that would be inappropriate for
me before games to go up to one or two guys on each team and say, ‘Hey, are you going to play for us this summer? I’d really like to have you,’” Popovich said. “He’s there to try to whip [us]. He’s got a different priority that night and I think it would be inappropriate for me try to do that.”
exercise, but the WKF have refused to give up by launching its #Karate2024 campaign. The campaign aims to “showcase the unity of the sport and requests the inclusion of the discipline in the list of additional sports to be added to the program of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.” Fans are encouraged to get involved by using the hashtag and spreading the message “KARATE: Olympic.” AP Jeff van Gundy guided the US through qualifying, earning a spot in China with teams comprised of mostly National Basketball Asociation (NBA) G League players. He finished 10-2 when the Americans beat Argentina, 84-83, on Monday night in Greensboro, North Carolina. “He was remarkable. Spectacular. Off the charts what he did to qualify the USA for the world championships,” Popovich said. “He put together about five different teams, mostly different players each time in a short amount of time they had to get them ready. If they didn’t do well, US doesn’t go and he deserves a lot of credit for doing that on his own and really grateful to him.” The minor leaguers will now give way to NBA stars this summer. Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs coach who was hired in 2015 to succeed Mike Krzyzewski following the Rio Olympics, said he doesn’t believe anybody has, thus far, committed to playing. The Americans compiled a national team pool of more than 30 players they can choose from, knowing top stars such as LeBron James are unlikely to want to play consecutive summers. They will trim that to a smaller number to invite to training camp in Las Vegas this summer, with the goal of getting the final roster of 12 players there. Unlike Krzyzewski, who rarely saw his prospective players while coaching at Duke, Popovich is around them all the time during the NBA season. “And hate half of them,” he joked. “It’s going to be really tough to coach them.” USA Basketball leaders haven’t begun reaching out to World Cup prospects yet, needing to devote their time first to the revolvingdoor rosters of the qualifying games. With that behind them, national team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo and director Sean Ford can begin assembling the next team— without Popovich’s help. AP
FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds the official ball for the Women’s Soccer World Championship. AP
Infantino sets June deadline for expanding ‘22 World Cup
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THE US is now Gregg Popovich’s team. AP
OME—Fifa President Gianni Infantino has hinted that his plan to expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48 teams won’t be finalized at next month’s council in Miami— leaving it for a June deadline instead amid ongoing geopolitical complications. Adding 16 teams would require Qatar to share games around the Gulf region. But Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in 2017 in an ongoing political dispute that prevents flights between Doha and the boycotting countries. Speaking at a Fifa summit in Rome, Infantino said: “It will be very difficult to organize only in Qatar for geographical reasons.... And the geopolitical situation is complex.... We need to decide by June this year because qualifying starts in the fall.” Qatar won a vote in 2010 to host the World Cup with 32 teams and is only building eight stadiums. A 48-team tournament is already planned for 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Infantino wants to fast-track that expansion and add 16 more teams for the first World Cup in the Middle East. Infantino says: “If it’s possible I’m happy. If not I’m happy. I’m always optimistic.” After Miami, Fifa’s next council meeting is scheduled for Paris in June ahead of the Women’s World Cup. Infantino also appears resigned to delays over his plans to revamp the Club World Cup and create a global Nations League. Fifa has a $25 billion offer from investors led by SoftBank of Japan to manage the new competitions for 12 years from 2021. But European soccer officials oppose the plan, citing Fifa secrecy about investors. A proposed Club World Cup worth $3 billion every four years could also challenge UEFA’s Champions League. “We need everyone aligned. We need to respect a democratic process,” Infantino said in comments translated from German. “It’s a bit difficult. We’re not just talking about money.” Still, Infantino seemed surprised that the $25 billion offer hasn’t convinced UEFA. “In any other sector if someone comes up with an agreement worth $25 billion people don’t say ‘no.’ They say ‘congratulations,’” Infantino said. “I can guarantee you that, considering the past, nobody in Fifa would ever consider doing something strange at a commercial level.” AP
YOUNG DESIGNER SET TO DRESS PETS TO THE NINES
KYNA GEM SY sporting her clothing designs for women and for pets. JOHN JINKY SY By Oliver Samson Correspondent
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ASHION designer Kyna Gem Sy is the first in the country to mass-produce high-end clothes for pets, as her love for elegance and pets roused her to indulge domesticated animals in luxury outfits. Designing and making avant-garde clothes for her own dog, rabbit and parrot since last year, Sy sees people take delight in dressing their pets as stylish as they can be. At times, the pets are even more fashionable than their owners but they don’t mind, the 22-year-old Filipino-Chinese said. People so love their pets that they are willing to pay the price to indulge them in luxuries that money can buy, Sy added. She noted the current boom of local pet businesses, as hotels and spas for dogs are
sprouting in key business areas. Some pet owners even make their dogs sleep in an air-conditioned room or even give them the best foods and health-care products available in the market.
end pet brand with confidence. “The market is growing,” she said. “It’s visible in the way my relatives and friends love to get their pets as fashionable as they can be.”
Dressed pets
Regain self-respect
SY said animals draw the smiles out of people and paint a shining joy on their faces as they cuddle or walk their pets in a park or a mall. “I think I’m going to make people happy,” she said. “It’s something funny; a cute happiness. Who would not want to see a dog dressed up in style?” The sight of a well-dressed pet can trigger the brain chemicals for happiness to surge, Sy said. Even non-pet owners are happily amused to see a dog walking around in a stylish outfit, she added. As long as pets are comfortable with the outfits, and the owners do not put clothes on them against their will, nothing is wrong in dressing animals, Sy said. Aside from luxury clothes for pets, Sy is also musing on designing and making high fashion bags and other accessories for owners, matching their pet’s clothes. The increasing awareness on animal welfare and the growing number of pet owners in the country provide Sy’s high-
SY said she admires an American TV host who supports at least 50 charities and foundations. She said she also likes a FrenchFilipino video jockey and fashion designer who had created designs for shirts made out of recycled bottles to raise funds for the construction of classrooms in public school across the country. Inspired, Sy bared her plans to establish a nongovernment group tied with her luxury brand for pet animals. Her group, she said, will work to help teach and encourage the marginalized sectors, like farmers, undercompensated workers, out-of-schoolyouth and the homeless. “I really wish to create a social enterprise to benefit the marginalized communities here in the Philippines.” But helping the less fortunate, like sharing with them money or food, should not be just an act of easing the conscience’s guilt over the sad condition of others, she said. Helping is not by spoon-feeding, but by em-
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powering and motivating them to find opportunities to provide their own needs. Sy said she plans to train farmers and workers to empower them to become more efficient at work. She thinks it is unjust that farmers cannot set their own prices for their produce, as coconut dealers always dictate the prices ever since. Aware and sensitive to the conditions of farmers and workers, Sy will also seek legislation of bills that support them and other marginalized sectors. According to her, the “homeless needs to appreciate human dignity again and realize that, despite their present condition, they can still rebuild their life.” They should regain self-respect and see that they can do better than begging and scavenging on the streets, she added. Right now Sy is building a partnership with lawyers, environmentalists and other people she met at the United Nations who similarly espouse empowerment of the underprivileged.
Engaging society SY said she became aware of the conditions of the underprivileged after hearing stories from their household workers and Continued on page 7
BusinessMirror
MUSIC
GRINDING IT OUT with Pianos Become the Teeth
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MARCH 3, 2019 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com
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PIANOS BECOM
TAKES A MOUTHFU by Rick Olivares
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T’S a cool Sunday night. There’s still some arctic chill in the air.
So, you will have to forgive folks ensconced inside Mow’s who could have thought that they were inside a sweatshop because it became bloody hot and steaming. Baltimore emo rockers Pianos Become the Teeth were in town—thanks to indie promoters Sleeping Boy Collective for an intense one-night show at Mow’s. The opening acts Warrior is a Child, Typecast, Dobrev, TNG,
and Tim Awa all performed electric sets that hardly anyone budged from the standing-only floor, lest they give away prized real estate and a front-row view. By the time the band, made up of vocalist Kyle Durfey, bassist Zac Sewell, guitarists Michael York and Chad McDonald, and drummer David Haik took what passed as a stage, the place was crammed with
some 200 people. And it was one of those rare occasions where every band in the line-up rose to the occasion. After Typecast delivered an awesome performance, people wondered: Who could top that? The main act, of course. And that was 50 minutes of moshing, pushing, sweaty palms, sweat-soaked shirts, as well as throaty and impressive sing-alongs to Pianos Become the Teeth’s music. One patron had to go out—never mind if he was losing his spot in front. “I need some fresh air and to clear my head. Even if just a moment.” He paused, then said excitedly: “I saw the set list. The last two songs are a killer. I have to go back in.” The songs.
War against silence
TRUTHFULLY, a Pianos Become the Teeth album or show is like waging war against silence. The songs drip with emotion and of stories of real people and experiences that rend, tug at the heartstrings and uplift. Special mention on the songs from their fourth album “Wait for Love” (on Epitaph Records), which feature a band dealing with adulthood and family. The album has the feel of Death Cab for Cutie’s classic Transatlanticism—except this is more emo, done more melodically. While some fans were shocked (some put off) at the departure from their supercharged songs of a decade ago, the men of Pianos Become the Teeth cannot fathom the criticism. “We cut two records: ‘Old Pride’ and ‘The Lack Long After,’ where we strung up a bunch of riffs and screams in making a punk emo record,” wondered York. “I… We… are immensely proud of those records. But we will not write songs like that again. They are like a time capsule. That was us then; this is us now.” The now is Pianos Becoming the Teeth celebrating the first anniversary of Wait for Love’s release on the road. They might have shifted from the “screamo emo” to a more melodic sound, but it is no less powerful. The songs don’t follow the typical verse-chorus, verse-chorus structure. In the words of York, the band writes a song with a beginning and the end. “The challenge,” he pointed out, “is making it interesting to get there.” The approach and somewhat post-rock feel has allowed for more textured sonic landscapes, giving a more
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soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com | MARCH 3, 2019
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SIC ON PRINT
ME THE TEETH
UL OUT OF MANILA cinematic feel. And it gives more latitude for Durfey’s words and vocals to penetrate further into one’s consciousness. And they do.
More fans here
SIX hours before they took the stage at Mow’s, Pianos Become the Teeth’s frontman and his bandmates sat down to talk and reflect about the album and their initial sojourn to Asia. “It is a pleasant surprise to learn that we have fans in this part of the world,” he said with a pleased look. Then he chuckled: “It seems we have more fans [here than in] our own hometown.” Touring has given the songs on Wait for Love more life.
“Before, we’d tour for a month after an album’s release,” interjected Haik. “But one year into this, we can now see what works and what doesn’t. In the process, we make the songs better.” “There are subtle changes in the various nuances of the songs,” further explained Durfey. “It’s something we wished we thought of, or saw, when we were recording them, but it is with more clarity that we see them now. And I think the changes have made them stronger.” If not sung with more passion and gusto. When Pianos Become the Teeth launched into their first song of the evening, Charisma, the fans in one joyous and sweaty mass joined
Durfey in singing: “And what a way, and what a way, and what a way, you won me over!” Clearly, it was going to be a special show. Like that Spidey-sense of déjà vu or the music video for Houses We Die In when the band rocked like a hurricane amid the roiling emotions of a death in the family. When they played Fake Lightning in the middle of their set—the song which opens Wait for Love—the propulsive drumming of Haik provided the impetus for a crowd still giving it their all despite the stifling heat. (Sewell remarked after the performance that all the beer he drank prior to the show was sweated out).
With one salvo, they joined in: “So come, confess something dire and nothing less, and hold your breath, hang your head, this language like acid in your chest, we wait for love, and it’s getting so late.” By the time the 50-minute, 14song set was done, it was close to midnight. Durfey and company— all drenched in sweat—smiled and made their way to the backroom to hydrate and rest. The 200-plus members of the audience sauntered out into the sleepy metropolis, still on holiday, with smiles and amazement written all over their faces. Like it was presaged in their album, the long “Wait for Love” was all worth it. One worth savoring and sinking teeth into.
Ransom Collective: Promising indie/folk-pop act
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NDIE/FOLK-POP band The Ransom Collective has just signed a recording deal with mustard music, a sublabel of Universal Records Philippines. Comprised of Kian Ransom (guitar), Redd Claudio (drums), Jermaine Choa Peck (percussions), Leah Halili (bass), Lily Gonzales (keyboards) and Muriel Gonzales (violin), the band fuses unique percussive patterns, acoustic guitar-driven leads and full vocal swells to create their distinctive sound. The six are best known for their songs Tides, Settled, and Open Road—all of which have been released under their selftitled EP released in November 2014, and their full-length album “Traces” that was issued in May 2017, both having received high praises from music critics and peers. In their short time as a group, The Ransom Collective has established a strong presence in the local music scene, played in the country’s major music festivals and have represented the Philippines at the Laneway Festival in Singapore, the AseanIndia Music Festival and the Udaipur World Music Festival, along with various local and
international collaborations. The contract signing was held on February 22 at the Universal Records office in Quezon City. Present during the signing were the bandmembers, Universal Records’ Managing Director Kathleen DyGo, Operations Manager Peter Chan and Business Manager Raymond Fabul. Talking about the signing, Ransom said, “We’ve been in talks with Mustard for a few months now. It’s been comfortable, and we were able to address all the things we’d like to do.” The band lead added, “We feel like we’re going to bring our music to a new level with the teamwork and influence that Mustard can have. The band and I are really excited for this next chapter, and we’re really looking forward to putting new music out really soon.” Watch out for their debut track under the label, along with more content from the band this year. Mustard Music, on the other hand, is the latest venture from Universal Records Philippines. The sublabel aims to promote the best acts in the OPM industry, while also becoming an environment that fosters and
nourishes up-and-coming homegrown talent in the country. The label focuses on buildingup the individuality, creative freedom and musicality of each artist. The Ransom Collective leads the promising mustard music roster composed of hip-hop duo Good Kid$, singer-songwriter
Issa Rodriguez and rapper-producer Joey tha Boy, with more artists joining soon. Follow Mustard Music on Facebook: @mustardmusicphilippines, Twitter and Instagram (@mustardmusicph) and subscribe to the Mustard Music YouTube Channel: mustardmusic.
THE band: Jermaine Choa Peck (left), Muriel Gonzales, Kian Ransom, Leah Halili, Lily Gonzales and Redd Claudio
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MARCH 3, 2019 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com
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MUSIC ON PRINT
‘Rocketman’ looks to duplicate success of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
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FTER Twentieth Century Fox’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” became the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time, Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures is looking to find success with another legendary artist: Elton John. The studio released a trailer for “Rocketman,” which depicts the British rocker’s rise during the 1960s and ’70s. Taron Egerton, known for the “Kingsman” films, stars as John. The movie, scheduled for May 31, seems well timed. Last year’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which chronicled the career of Freddie Mercury and Queen, racked up $212.3 million at the domestic box office and $854.6 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo.
The performance vaulted it past “Straight Outta Compton” and “Walk the Line” to become the No. 1 musicthemed biopic. “Bohemian Rhapsody” also was nominated for five Oscars at the Academy Awards, including best actor (for star Rami Malek) and best picture. With “Rocketman,” Paramount may be covering some similar themes. Like Mercury, John is a gay man and was heavily involved in the fight against AIDS in the 1980s. But the trailer doesn’t emphasize his sexuality. One criticism of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was how the film handled the star’s relationships with men and his AIDS-related death. Critics will likely be watching closely how “Rocketman” depicts those themes.
Unlike many biopics, “Rocketman” portrays an artist who is still alive and performing. The 71-year-old John is currently
on a 300-plus-show tour called “Farewell Yellow Brick Road.” He’s also an executive producer on the film. Bloomberg News
Gloc-9’s Maleta tops iTunes PHL
MALETA at the top of the iTunes Philippines All-Genres and Hip-Hop charts
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PM rap icon Gloc-9 continues to make his mark in the industry with yet another fresh collaboration that made its debut at the top of two iTunes Philippines charts. The track is “Maleta,” a collaboration with talented singer-songwriter Julie Anne San Jose, also an artist under Universal Records Philippines. This marks the first time the two OPM giants are collaborating on an original track, as they have previously performed together in various television shows and events in the past. It was timely too, that San Jose dropped a fiery-hot performance during a spot number of the GMA-7 musical variety show Studio 7 of Gloc-9’s verse on the Parokya Ni Edgar classic “Bagsakan,” which originally featured the late Francis Magalona. Prior to its release, the track was already at Number 1 on the list of iTunes Philippines PreOrdered songs, which inevitably led to its charttopping debuts on not just one, but two charts on iTunes Philippines: the All-Genres chart and the Hip-hop/Rap chart. Talking about the song, Gloc says:
“Goodbye song ko ito sa rap na ginawan ko ng kwento na parang relationship sa isang babae. [This is my goodbye song to rap, which I likened to being in a relationship].” Though this is in reference to his thoughts about staying in the rap scene, there seems to be no stopping the rap icon from putting out fresh music that still resonates with long-time fans and new ones alike. Maleta is released as a single ahead of Gloc-9’s upcoming EP, which is expected later this year. The track will be included along with “Lagi,” a partnership with fast-rising Pinoy rap artist Al James, which has now garnered more than 4.2 million views on YouTube. Aside from this, Gloc also penned and appeared on the track “Pamaypay” with R&B singer and Tawag ng Tanghalan-alum JKris, and has had various collaborations with Shanti Dope, which clearly indicates his support in grooming the next big acts in OPM and the hip-hop scene in the country. Maleta is now available for streaming on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music. Watch out for its music video soon.
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ET’S be real: For millennials, having an emergency fund is way down on the financial worry list, behind student loan debt, medical bills or saving for a down payment.
Some weeks, it can feel like you barely have enough money to get by, let alone put some away for a rainy day. But that cash stash can be crucial in preventing a debt spiral or keeping you afloat if you lose your job. Regardless of income, building your emergency fund doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Start small, build a habit FIRST, pick an amount you can put away on a regular basis, no matter how small. Then, commit to it. “It can be as little as $10 a week into a separate savings account,” says Lara Lamb, a certified financial planner at Abacus Wealth Partners in Los Angeles. Making a small contribution every week is less painful than shooting for an ideal final sum, she says. Automatically transferring the money to a separate account helps you succeed at saving. The saving habit—even if it’s small—is valuable for your finances in the long term, says Eric Gabor, a certified financial planner. A family with at least $250 in savings is less likely to face financial turmoil such as a missed utility payment or eviction, accord-
ing to a 2016 study by the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Any amount above that—$400, $500—improves your chances of navigating a setback. Getting started is especially important for younger adults. An Urban Institute study released this year found 35.6 percent of adults ages 18-34 surveyed in December 2017 had experienced “financial insecurity” in the previous 12 months. That was the highest among the study’s three age groups of adults under 65. It defined financial insecurity as the “inability to come up with a small amount of money to buffer negative economic shocks or to pay his or her credit card or nonmortgage loan.” Lamb suggests working toward one month’s fixed expenses, which includes rent, groceries, transportation and insurance. “Don’t worry about your eating-out money or shopping money,” she says. “If you are in an emergency or a transition, the whole idea is you would cut back on your spending.” A savings account that pays a high interest rate is a smart place to keep your fund, both planners say, so it can grow.
Make use of windfalls AN easy way to kick-start your fund is to use windfalls—part of a tax refund or even birthday money from relatives. Young professionals typically get tax refunds instead of owing money, Gabor says. The IRS allows you to direct deposit your refund in up to three accounts, so you can send part directly to your emergency fund. If no windfall is imminent, check your checking account. Leave a small buffer so
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Millennial money: Don’t freak out about your emergency fund
that you aren’t at risk of overdrawing and put anything else in the emergency fund to earn interest, Lamb says. There’s no ideal amount to keep in your checking account. But both financial planners warn that having a lot of extra “cushion” in a checking account carries the temptation to spend it.
Plan for non-emergencies IF you’re building the habit of saving for emergencies, use that muscle to plan for other expenses. Financial experts often use the terms “irregular expenses” and “unplanned expenses.” An unplanned expense is something you don’t foresee, such as an illness or car repair. Irregular expenses are predictable costs that come up during the year— think of car registration fees or holiday season spending. Ideally, an emergency fund shouldn’t
be used for irregular expenses, Lamb says. Instead, build a separate pool of money for them. “Sit down and look at last year’s worth of spending and look at the things that popped up periodically,” she says. “Think about the coming year and how that might change. Figure out the annual amount and divide by 12. That dollar amount is what you set aside every month in an irregular expense account.”
Use the money when you need it DON’T be afraid to use your emergency fund when you need it. Knowing the difference between unplanned and irregular expenses can help you decide when to tap it. If the alternative is maxing out your credit cards or taking a high-interest loan, it’s cheaper over the long term to use your cash, then immediately start rebuilding the fund. AP
Young designer set to dress pets to the nines Continued from page 2
conversation with undercompensated shop helpers and guards. “At Divisoria alone, some workers do not [receive] the minimum wage,” Sy said. “I want to help them, but it should come from the government. I’m thinking about how laws should be changed in such a way that they support the underpaid workers.” There are existing labor laws that require employers to compensate their workers properly, but the former do not comply, she said, alleging these employers bribe authorities to circumvent the laws. She didn’t name names. “The system itself is the problem.” Since changing the system is extremely difficult to achieve, Sy said it is wiser to create an NGO dedicated to the welfare of the marginalized sectors. “I saw injustice—and it’s big,” she said. “We are taught in Ateneo [de Manila University] to do something if we see an injustice, to not be indifferent and just watch [from afar] just because you have a luxurious or a comfortable life.”
Sy said she wishes to tell people, especially the underprivileged, to do something and not just watch at the sidelines when they see an injustice. The farmers and the undercompensated workers are not doing anything to address their concerns because they think they are powerless, she said. “They think their opinion will not be regarded as compared to people above them,” Sy added. “If they wish to change something, they should do it. And do it now.” An Information Technology Entrepreneurship graduate, Sy is happy for having friends who possess the same compassion she has for the underprivileged people.
Sewing skills SY carries on and enriches her forebears’ well-preserved tradition of elegance. Her mother, who owns a garment business, is a designer like her grandmother. “I feel like I was able to hone the skill of fashion designing and dressmaking because of them,” she said. She recalled being relentless, asking her parents’ seamstresses to explain every-
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thing how garments are pieced together. Sy prefers to call them “sewists,” the more hipster reference to somebody who sews and regarded as an artist. Sy said she was a high-school student that time when she constantly pressed sewists to show her how to sew. The haranguing paid off after sewing a pair of black shorts, her first ever, when she was a high-school senior. From then on, she designed and made more avant-garde clothes for herself and her pets. Usually, her pets’ outfits match hers. She painted her clothes, usually with social undertones, like feminism, societal love. The youngest of three all-female children, Sy and other younger generation Filipino-Chinese women advocate feminism. This, she said, has been less appreciated in the old Chinese culture, where women are expected to be submissive to men. “I want to promote feminism for peace and love,” she said. “Feminism is not just about equality in terms of gender, it’s also about peace and love among women.” MARCH 3, 2019
Social enterprise SY thinks making society better is difficult for the authorities, much more for citizens like her who wish to do their part in improving the lives of others. She believes that through social entrepreneurship, citizens can do their part in empowering the underprivileged. “I super love fashion and my advocacy for the marginalized sectors here in the Philippines is strong,” she said. “So I’m trying to merge them together by creating a social enterprise.” Sy currently attends the Fashion Institute of the Philippines to further enrich her knowledge and skills for the thing she does best. She is also eyeing to design and make clothes for other animals—big and small alike. She wishes to design outfits for turtles; even trying to contact Avilon Zoo so she can dress their orangutans. “The world is full of negativity,” she said. “The news and the stuff on social media are very toxic. [That is] why I made clothes for pets, in the first place, because I was thinking of a way to shine a little positivity.”
AI seen helping teachers ensure students’ well-being, education
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IKE other industries finding useful ways to use artificial intelligence, or AI, the education sector can benefit by finding meaningful ways to use this new technology to improve students’ lives.
Hence, Visible Internet Inc. (VII) launched its eponymous student platform, which is an “evolving technology that incorporates cutting-edge AI image-recognition algorithms trained to identify Internet activity that is non-conducive to the wellbeing and education of students.” “New digital learning solutions equipped with AI are now making revolutionary changes benefiting students with varied interests and capabilities,” VII CEO Tony Fawaz was quoted in a statement as saying. “With the advances in AI being incorporated in a technology used in education setting such as Visible Internet, we are duty-bound by placing student protection from any online risks at the heart of our innovation, helping them not only become digitally literate but responsible individuals.”
Custom-built
THE San Francisco, California-based VII cited a report as saying that experts expect AI in the US education sector to grow by 47.50 percent during the period of 2017-2021. Fawaz explained that, at its core, the AI deep-learning algorithm has the capability to capture the screen image straight off the student’s device and categorize its content, then notify a designated adult if the content includes bullying behavior, inappropriate, selfharm, games or social-networking content. Using custom-built AI image-recognition algorithm, the Visible Internet platform categorizes content to identify possible causeand-effect scenarios that are contributing to declining student well-being. To understand when students are viewing sites that promote self-harm, schools can get out in front of the issue before they escalate into life-threatening situations, VII explained. VII said its platform uses AI machinelearning algorithms in a pragmatic and logical way to push back against the destructive side of the Internet.
BY staying connected with a student, an educator can simply identify through the Visible Internet Student Application if he/she is going offtopic and eliminate any inappropriate Internet use.
Operationalization
patterns of possible cause-and-effect scenarios that contribute to declining student well-being, helping school staff get in front of the issue before it escalates into lifethreatening situations. With depression rates skyrocketing among students, the need to find out where the illness is starting is growing. The system, afterward, notifies a designated adult if the student Internet activity is categorized as inappropriate, games, social networking, bully behavior or self-harm.
THE company explained that the system captures a mirror image straight from the Internet device used by students. Using AI image-recognition algorithms, the system categorizes the image into different data sets. Afterward, content recognized as inappropriate, pornography, bullying language, self-harm is flagged. VII said the AI is trained to recognize
THE company explained that the Visible Internet platform “was designed with security and privacy first, with the help of Amazon cloud server and employing SSL [Secure Sockets Layer] encryption to protect information from unauthorized access.” While AI will not replace teachers altogether, VII said it believes it is possible that it will reshape the way teachers teach and
Replacement
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BY sending one-on-one or group notification, an educator can make students feel that they are not alone in their online journey.
students learn, “paving the way to create a learning environment that is far more productive and influential.” As the influence of digital technology, especially the Internet, has increased, the concern among educators about its impact has also grown, according to VII. “Even it offers unlimited opportunities to young students, it may also bring in risks to their way of life, undermining the so-called social fabric as they grow into adults.”
Engagement
BY implementing VII’s student app in schools, there will then be a shared responsibility between educators and parents, according to the company. “A solution integrated with our technology fosters engagement and coaches students whenever there is a disruption in their digital journey, which is mostly brought by online contents and media that is non-conducive to learning,” the company said.
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“Because everything had become intuitive now, even young children can learn anything on their own—technology and Internet, included,” it added. Let’s face the fact that there is nothing to dislike about the Internet but, as awesome as it may seem, the majority of us may not know entirely the risks it can bring, especially when the one using it is vulnerable to harm, VII said. The company clarified that its Visible Internet Student Application has been developed not to spy on young students’ online activities, but to promote well-meaning supervision. “Our company believes that now is the time to pivot our strategy toward one of our country’s most pressing problems—that is, to ensure children and young students understand the direct implication, consequences and best practices when using devices, social media and the internet,” VII’s statement read. Rizal Raoul Reyes