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By Lenie Lectura
USINESSMAN Ramon S. Ang has formalized an offer to acquire the 45-percent stake of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) in the Malampaya gas-to-power project, which provides fuel to power plants that deliver about onefifth of the country’s electricity demand. Ang affirmed, via text message, that San Miguel Corp. submitted a nonbinding offer to the operator of the gas field. It was in September last year when Ang confirmed the company’s interest to buy the entire stake of SPEX, which said that the divestment is part of an “ongoing portfolio rationalization.” Ang joins the group of Manuel V. Pangilinan in making an offer. The latter said last week that First Pacific Co. Ltd. and Philex Mining Corp. submitted a nonbinding offer on February 26. There is no word yet if SPEX is considering either offers. “We made an offer. Actually, it’s not just First Pacific, but also Philex Mining was part of that group that made a joint offer, and one or two banks. It’s a group effort that made an offer,” Pangilinan said. Both groups have the financial muscle to compete, but Dennis Uy’s Udenna Malampaya LLC is expected to exercise its contractual rights under Service Contract (SC) 38. SC 38 was awarded to SPEX, Chevron Corporation (45 percent) and PNOC Exploration Corp. (10 percent). The service contract will expire in 2024 unless the DOE extends it. With only three years left, the government is faced with such a daunting task to discover another petroleum field the size of the
As the Department of Energy reviews the technical, legal and financial ramifications of the Chevron-Udenna sale—prior to final approval— business leaders Ramon S. Ang and Manuel V. Pangilinan pitch offers for SPEX’s 45-percent stake in Palawan’s critical gas-to-power project. the facility,” said Gatchalian.
Other issues
Malampaya gas field in Palawan.
Udenna stake
UDENNA Malampaya bought Chevron’s stake for $565 million, but the deal has yet to be approved by the DOE. Lawmakers are alarmed by Udenna’s sizable stake in the gas field, which may have implications on the security of the country’s power supply. Now, Udenna wants to acquire the 45-percent operating interest of Royal Dutch Shell’s domestic exploration unit in Malampaya, alongside the Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC). The keen interest of Ang, Pangilinan and Uy to buy into the Malampaya gas field has renewed calls for the DOE to thoroughly evaluate their technical, legal and financial capacities. “There is a lot of interest in the gas sector. We have to be more stringent because the next stake up for sale already involves the operational aspect of the Malampaya gas project,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who leads the Senate Committee on Energy, said in an interview.
Gatchalian’s concern
IF and when Udenna Malampaya once again secures an additional 45 percent, the senator is worried how the Uy-led firm would be able to operate the multibillion-dollar
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.5730
GATCHALIAN: “We have to be more stringent because the next stake up for sale already involves the operational aspect of the Malampaya gas project.”
BRIGUEZ: “Technically and financially, we are not yet ready to take over such magnitude of operations.”
deep-water gas-to-power project considering its lack of technical capability and experience in the oil and gas industry. Udenna Malampaya’s corporate papers showed the company was established only last year. “The goal is to assure the country’s energy security. How do you do that? One, make sure the operator is technically qualified. Two, it must also be qualified to look for future gas resources because the Malampaya gas field is running low. In short, it should be qualified to operate the existing gas platform and qualified to explore and develop future gas resources. These are the two most important goals,” stressed Gatchalian. DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in an interview, gave assurances that UC Malampaya is technically capable because, for one, it has retained Chevron’s technical personnel, which has years of experience and knowledge in the upstream oil
and gas business. Moreover, Chevron’s previous consultant company, VGS and Associates, Pty and RISC, would still provide UC Malampaya with technical assistance related to decision opportunities. Gatchalian is not disputing this. He pointed out that while UC Malampaya would take in former Chevron technical experts, the decision makers would come from a totally different group. “For example, what if the operating company says it needs this amount of money to finance capex [capital expenditure] projects that underscore energy security, but the new owners would not approve the proposed amount because it’s too high. That will surely affect the operation. “My point here is major decisions will have to be made by a new set of board that will be composed of the new owners. Their decisions must be right to assure us, Filipinos, of uninterrupted supply from
OTHER senators shared the same view. Moreover, they pointed out in recent hearings that Malampaya faces a number of issues, such as the “lack of direction from the government” on the expiration of SC 38. Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III, who represented the agency in the Senate hearings that tackled the gas industry, said the Chevron-Udenna sale is not considered final and concluded without DOE approval. “Our legal services held that it would fall squarely within that Department Circular and we should require an evaluation of the technical, legal and financial capacity of the transferee, so the DOE may approve such transfer,” Pulido said, adding that the sale is voidable if the agency would not approve it. Gatchalian said the committee might schedule another hearing in two weeks to get updates on the ongoing review of the Chevron-Udenna deal by the DOE. “We will definitely call on them again,” said the lawmaker, who earlier expressed a view that there was a violation in the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) as it had no prior approval from the DOE. A check with the DOE has it that the review—meant to determine if the sale contract between Chevron and Udenna is voidable or not—is still ongoing. “I am still awaiting the final report of the review, which is being conducted very carefully,” said
Cusi in a text message. The said transaction is governed not only by a DOE Circular but also by Presidential Decree 87, which requires the agency’s approval on such transfer of shares in upstream petroleum ventures. The DOE was urged to craft rules on the entire sale process, including a timeline as to when it would hand down its decision on whether or not to approve similar transactions and, most importantly, the capabilities of a gas operator must be spelled out. “There must be an IRR [Implementing Rules and Regulations] that will govern the review process. For our part, the committee’s primordial concern is that the country’s energy source is secured,” said Gatchalian. Meanwhile, a government takeover of the Malampaya gas field is not possible. “Technically and financially, we are not yet ready to take over such magnitude of operations,” said PNOC-EC President Rozzano Briguez, adding that PNOC-EC’s planned gas field projects must take off first for it to gain the experience needed. The energy industry awaits the next move. Will Udenna Malampaya exercise its right of first refusal to buy Shell’s Malampaya stake and eventually take over the gas project? Will government approve the Chevron-Udenna deal? But more importantly, will the country find and develop another petroleum field that could turn in commercial scale discovery that is of the magnitude of Malampaya?
n JAPAN 0.4499 n UK 67.5116 n HK 6.2603 n CHINA 7.5065 n SINGAPORE 36.3244 n AUSTRALIA 37.5226 n EU 58.1419 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.9490
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Chinese vaccines sweep much of the world, despite concerns T
By Huiuzhong Wu & Kristen Gelineau The Associated Press
AIPEI, Taiwan—The plane laden with vaccines had just rolled to a stop at Santiago’s airport in late January, and Chile’s president, Sebastián Piñera, was beaming. “Today,” he said, “is a day of joy, emotion and hope.”
The source of that hope: China—a country that Chile and dozens of other nations are depending on to help rescue them from the Covid-19 pandemic. China’s vaccine diplomacy campaign has been a surprising success: It has pledged roughly half a billion doses of its vaccine to more than 45 countries, according to a country-by-country tally by The Associated Press. With just four of China’s many vaccine makers able to produce at least 2.6 billion doses this year, a large part of the world’s population will end up inoculated not with the fancy Western vaccines boasting headline-grabbing efficacy rates, but with China’s
humble, traditionally made shots. Amid a dearth of public data on China’s vaccines, fears over their efficacy and safety are still pervasive in the countries depending on them, along with concerns about what China might want in return for deliveries. Nonetheless, inoculations with Chinese vaccines have begun in more than 25 countries, and the shots have been delivered to another 11, according to AP’s tally, based on independent reporting in those countries along with government and company announcements. It’s a potential face-saving coup for China, which has been determined to transform itself from IN this July 15, 2020, photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, Sinovac staff members work in a purification area to be used in production of Covid-19 vaccines in Beijing. Sinovac and Sinopharm both rely on a traditional technology called an inactivated virus vaccine, based on cultivating batches of the virus and then killing it. AP
‘W
e’re seeing certainly real-time vaccine diplomacy start to play out, with China in the lead in terms of being able to manufacture vaccines within China and make them available to others.”—Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University an object of mistrust over its initial mishandling of the Covid-19 outbreak to a savior. “We’re seeing certainly realtime vaccine diplomacy start to play out, with China in the lead in terms of being able to manufacture vaccines within China and make them available to others,” said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University.
Aid and diplomacy
CHINA has said it is supplying “vaccine aid” to 53 countries and exports to 27, but it rejected a request by the AP for the list. Beijing has denied vaccine diplomacy, and a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said China considered the vaccine a “global public good.” Chinese experts reject any connection between the export of its vaccines and the revamping of its image. China has targeted the lowand middle-income countries largely left behind as rich nations scooped up most of the pricey vaccines produced by the likes of Pfizer and Moderna. And despite a few delays of its own, China has largely capitalized on slower-than-hopedfor deliveries by US and European vaccine makers. Like many other countries, Chile received far fewer doses of the Pfizer vaccine than first promised. Chinese company Sinovac acted quickly, sending in 4 million doses. The choices are limited for Chile and many other low- and middle-income countries. Vaccine deployment globally has been dominated by rich nations, which have snapped up 5.4 billion of the 7.8 billion doses purchased worldwide, according to Duke University.
China’s vaccines, which can be stored in standard refrigerators, are attractive to many countries that may struggle to accommodate the ultracold storage needs of vaccines like Pfizer’s. Sinovac and Sinopharm rely on a traditional technology in which a live virus is killed and then purified, triggering an immune response. Some countries view it as safer than the newer, less-proven technology used by some Western competitors that targets the coronavirus’ spike protein, despite the lack of publicly available safety data on the Chinese vaccines. In Europe, China is providing the vaccine to countries such as Serbia and Hungary—a significant geopolitical victory in Central Europe and the Balkans, where the West, China and Russia are competing for political and economic influence. Hungary is the first EU country to use a Chinese vaccine. But China’s vaccine diplomacy will be only as good as the vaccines it is offering, and it still faces hurdles. “The Chinese vaccine, in particular, there was insufficient data available compared to other vaccines,” said Ahmed Hamdan Zayed, a nurse in Egypt who overcame his initial reluctance and got Sinopharm’s vaccine. Sinopharm, which said its vaccine was 79 percent effective based on interim data from clinical trials, did not respond to interview requests.
‘Slow and spotty’ release of data
CHINESE vaccine companies have been “slow and spotty” in releasing their trial data, compared to companies like Pfizer and Moderna, said Yanzhong Huang, a global health expert at the US think tank Council for Foreign Relations. None of China’s three vaccine can-
didates used globally have publicly released their late-stage clinical trial data. CanSino, another Chinese company with a one-shot vaccine that it says is 65 percent effective, declined to be interviewed. There is also confusion around Sinovac’s efficacy. In Turkey, where Sinovac conducted part of its efficacy trials, officials have said the vaccine was 91 percent effective. However, in Brazil, officials revised the efficacy rate in late-stage clinical trials from 78 percent to just over 50 percent, after including mild infections. An expert panel in Hong Kong published data submitted by Sinovac to health regulators that showed the vaccine was just over 50 percent effective. Globally, public health officials have said any vaccine that is at least 50 percent effective is useful. Receiving countries are also worried that China’s vaccine diplomacy may come at a cost. In the Philippines, where Beijing is donating 600,000 vaccines, a senior diplomat said China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, gave a subtle message to tone down public criticism of growing Chinese assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea. The senior diplomat said Wang didn’t ask for anything in exchange for vaccines, but it was clear he wanted “friendly exchanges in public, like control your megaphone diplomacy a little.” The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue publicly. Still, the pandemic’s urgency has largely superseded hesitations over China’s vaccines. “Vaccines, particularly those made in the West, are reserved for rich countries,” said one Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. “We had to guarantee a vaccine. Any vaccine.”
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BSP won’t act on inflation till there’s evidence of second-round effects By Bianca Cuaresma
B
ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno expressed confidence that the acceleration of prices in February are still supply-side in nature and will likely taper off in the coming months. In his statement after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced on Friday that inflation hit 4.7 percent, the governor said: “The projected upward trend in inflation is seen to be temporary, driven primarily by supply side factors.” “The sources of near term inflation are supply side shocks in nature that should not require a monetary response unless they lead to second round effects,” Diokno told reporters. The governor said these supply-side shocks are best addressed by “non-monetary interventions” that ease domestic supply constraints. “The overall balance of risks to future inflation continues to lean toward the downside, owing mainly to the continued uncertainty caused by the pandemic on domestic and global economic activity. Meanwhile, upside risks could emanate from the possibility of an early roll out of Covid-19 vaccines in the Philippines,” he said. ING Bank economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa also said that since inflation seems to be coming from a supply side constraint, the BSP is likely to keep all monetary policy levers unchanged until at least the third quarter of the year. “BSP Governor quelled concerns about a possible policy rate hike in the near term, highlighting the supply-side nature of the recent surge in price...For
the meantime, Diokno does appear confident that inflation will eventually taper off in the second half of the year once direct supply side remedies to food supply shortages take root. We expect BSP to remain sidelined for 2021 while inflation will likely remain elevated in the near term before gradually decelerating by the third quarter,” Mapa said. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) economist Michael Ricafort, meanwhile, said that while the higher inflation does indicate a long pause on monetary policy movements for the year, rate cuts are still not off the table for 2021. “For the coming weeks/months, any further monetary easing measures, especially any further cut in banks’ RRR, remain possible, especially if inflation stabilizes, as the economy needs all the support measures that it could get at this time largely due to the adverse economic effects of the Covid-19 lockdowns/pandemic, amid the lack of additional funding for more fiscal stimulus measures, thereby making more monetary easing measures possible to help improve prospects of economic recovery, going forward,” Ricafort said. Mapa also said that Diokno did indicate that monetary authorities were on the lookout for signs of second-round effects, like wage or transport fare adjustments, and if the recent spike in prices could affect the inflation outlook over the policy horizon. “The Monetary Board will consider carefully recent price developments that could influence the outlook for inflation along with evidence of second-round effects during the monetary policy meeting on 25 March 2021,” Diokno said.
Epidemiologist raises concern over potential rise of Covid-19 variants in NCR and Region 7
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
T
he Department of Health (DOH) on Friday reported additional B1351 (South Africa) variant cases, 31 B117 (UK) variant cases and 42 cases with mutations of “potential clinical significance.” The DOH said that the additional cases were detected from the 9th batch of 350 samples sequenced by the UP-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC). In a Kapihan session with health reporters, Dr. John Wong of Epimetrics Inc., an epidemiologist working with the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, said that these additional cases of variant could be “alarming.” Although Dr. Wong noted that samples are continuously being collected and the extent of the variants are yet to be determined, the number of cases is already something to be “concerned” about. “ Pe o p l e s h o u l d d o m o re . . . b e f o re t h e hospitals get overwhelmed,” Dr. Wong said as he encouraged the public to strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards to prevent the increase in cases.
Genome sequencing
The genome samples came from the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 7, and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) in response to the increased number of cases in these areas. Of the 52 cases who tested positive for the B1351 variant, 41 have indicative addresses in
NCR, while 11 cases are being verified if these are local cases or ROFs. One case from NCR has recovered, while the remaining 51 cases are currently tagged as active and are being managed. On the other hand, 28 of the B117 cases also have indicative addresses in NCR, while three cases are being verified if these are local cases or ROFs. All 31 are active cases. Lastly, of the 42 cases with mutations of potential clinical significance, 34 have indicative addresses in Region 7, six have indicative addresses in NCR, and two cases are being verified if these are local cases or ROFs. These are cases found with N501Y and E484K mutations. Twenty-two of the 34 cases from Region 7 have so far recovered. Meanwhile, the remaining 12 Region 7 cases, all 6 NCR cases, and both cases being verified are tagged as active cases. The DOH and its concerned Centers for Health Development is coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units in NCR and Region 7 to institute measures to contain fur ther transmission of these variants and mutations. La s t ly, e ve r yo n e i s re m i n d e d o f t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l re s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o f o l l o w t h e minimum public health standards at all times and in all settings. The conscious effort of properly wearing a mask and face shield, and observing physical distancing will keep you and everyone around you protected from Covid-19.
Pampanga sets the pace in housing development By Ashley Manabat
M
ABALACAT CIT Y—The Province of Pampanga is setting the pace for countryside housing development amid the noted brisk sales of housing units despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic. Th i s wa s s t ate d b y h o u s i n g c z a r a n d Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario during his site visit and inspection of Xevera Mabalacat Township project here on Friday. Del Rosario was accompanied by Pag-Ibig CEO Acmad R izaldy Moti and D eput y CEO Marilene Acosta during his site inspection. They were welcomed by Mayor Cris C. Garbo and Vice Mayor Geld Aquino. M o t i s a i d Pa g - Ib i g F u n d ’s f o r m u l a , particularly for Xevera projects, has turned out to be a success despite the pandemic which gravely affected the housing and construction sector for the past 12 months. The DHSUD chief cited Xevera Mabalacat township in attributing his pronouncement about Pampanga province’s pace setting mode in housing and development projects. “The availability of local jobs particularly in the economic zone, the huge number of
OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] based in Pampanga and its proximity to Metro Manila have boosted the province’s resiliency and opened a host of opportunities for a sustained mass housing programs in the province,” del Rosario pointed out. “Against that backdrop, this par ticular township’s key features such as affordability, complete amenities, access and availability of housing units have driven homebuyers and borrowers to pursue with their dreams of finally owning a house,” del Rosario said. During his visit, del Rosario affirmed his agency’s commitment to Westchester Realty and to its qualified home buyers and borrowers in aiding for the quick processing of housing loans. “A l o n g t i m e a g o , t h i s t o w n s h i p development project somewhat set the pace in the development of affordable housing with complete amenities,” he said. “The new leadership acknowledges this— that’s why we decided to pursue the rebuilding of an otherwise model housing community,” del Rosario added. Westchester Realty has targeted the end of this year to deliver the 4,000 housing units to achieve 100 percent completion of the project, way ahead of its agreed timeline with Pag-Ibig Fund.
Saturday, March 6, 2021
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As Feb inflation rises to 4.7%, Neda pushes lower pork tariffs A
By Cai U. Ordinario
S inflation was reported on Friday to have accelerated in February, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said the Cabinet-level Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (CTRM) will submit its recommendation to temporarily lower pork tariffs. On Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s average inf lation rate increased to 4.7 percent, the highest since December 2018, due to more expensive pork products. In a statement, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said the CTRM recommendation proposes to immediately lower pork tariffs to 5 percent within the minimum access volume (MAV) and 15 percent outside the MAV for 3 months, with a slight increase to 10 percent within the MAV and 20 percent outside the MAV for 9 months. “These rates are significantly lower than the current 30 percent within the MAV and 40 percent outside the MAV, and takes into account the concerns
of various stakeholders raised during the public consultations,” Neda said in a statement. Chua lamented that the recent increase in inflation, particularly of pork, was due to the raging African swine fever (ASF) outbreak. In a briefing, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said prices of fresh pork pure meat products increased 55.2 percent year on year to an average of P323 per kilo in NCR in February 2021 from P208 per kilo in Februar y 2020. For fresh pork meat with bone, Mapa said prices increased 48 percent to P298 per kilo in February 2021 from P202 in February 2020. For areas outside of the National Capital Region (AONCR), fresh pork pure meat products increased 53 percent year on year to an average of P317 per kilo in February 2021 from P207 per kilo in February 2020. For fresh pork meat with bone, Mapa said prices rose 55 percent to P280 per kilo in February 2021 from P181 in February 2020. “We know how important it is to keep prices low and stable, especially
at this time of limited economic activities when people generally have lower income. It is unfortunate that we continue to face ASF outbreaks and weather disturbances that have been affecting production and driving up food prices,” Chua said. Chua added that hog repopulation programs in “green zones” or ASF-free areas need to be prioritized. The program includes the prov ision of sw ine livelihood enter prise, establishment of breeder multiplier farms, and intensive and modernized production. He also underscored the need to facilitate unhampered delivery of agriculture and fishery products, and the continued strict implementation of Food Resiliency Protocol in coordination with local government units. “ The government’s immediate interventions have eased inf lation for some items but some policy actions will take some time before we feel the effects. What is important is to keep doing more and doing it faster to ensure poor households do not suffer twice, first from loss of income, and then for having to pay
for higher prices,” Chua said. Inflation surging 4.7 percent in February is the highest since December 2018 when inflation was at 5.1 percent. Inflation in January was at 4.2 percent and in February 2020, was at 2.6 percent. In the first two months of the year, the average inflation was at 4.5 percent. PSA said the increase in the country’s inflation was mainly brought about by the uptick in the inflation of the heavily weighted food and nonalcoholic beverages at 6.7 percent during the month, from 6.1 percent in January 2021. Contributing also to the uptrend in the overall inf lation during the month were the higher annual increments recorded by Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 12.2 percent; Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 0.9 percent; and Health, 2.9 percent. The data also showed there an increase in Transport at 10.4 percent; Communication, 0.3 percent; and Restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.2 percent.
PHL banking system gets 2nd warning on asset quality
F
itch Ratings put a negative outlook of the Philippine banks’ asset quality, as further deterioration is likely on the back of expected rise in bad loans for the year. This comes after the S&P Global Ratings recent assessment that the local banking system will continue to be under pressure in 2021 on account of rising bad loans. “Fitch Ratings expects the quality of Philippine banks’ credit portfolios to deteriorate further in 2021. This is driven by the expiry of a debt moratorium that will prompt more non-performing loans [NPL] to be recognized and lingering
challenges in the operating environment amid an anemic economic recovery,” Fitch Ratings Associate Director Tamma Febrian said. The credit watcher further said that the recent passage of the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act may help banks to offload NPLs, though pace of disposal will likely hinge on implementation and economic recovery. NPLs are also known as soured loans as these are credits that remain unpaid 90 days after their due date, while NPL coverage ratio is the amount of provisions banks set aside to
cover for unpaid loans so their balance sheets and operations won’t be gravely affected by the consumers’ inability to pay. Just last month, S&P Global Ratings made a similar assessment, saying the Philippine banking system’s financial performance is not expected to “return back to normal” in the next two years, as bad loans are expected to start rising in the first quarter of 2021. Their assessment was also on the back of an expected “jump” in NPLs in the first three months of this year as loan moratoriums and fiscal support are phased out.
Fitch Ratings expects NPLs to rise to 5.5 percent to 6 percent of the total banking system’s loan portfolio for 2021. This is around the same level as S&P’s 6-percent NPL ratio projection and a strong acceleration from the 3.7-percent actual NPL ratio towards the end of 2020. “We expect Philippine borrowers to have a harder time meeting their debt obligations after the expiry of the moratorium than borrowers in more developed markets where aggressive fiscal stimuli have resulted in larger cash handouts and stronger employment support,” Fitch Ratings said. Bianca Cuaresma
Duterte slashes RPT burden of IPPs to shield NG from fiscal load
P
By Samuel P. Medenilla
R E S I D E N T D u te r te h a s i s s u e d a n e w executive order (EO) granting tax relief to power generating facilities of independent power producers (IPP) under a Build-OperateTransfer (BOT) scheme, in a bid to shield the national government from the domino impact of the fiscal burden that will be assumed by the state corporate sector. In his two-page EO 126, Duterte declared a reduction in all real property taxes (RPT), including special levies accruing to the Special Education Fund, for calendar year (CY) 2020— on property, machinery, and equipment actually and directly used by IPPs for the electricity under a BOT scheme and similar contracts with government-owned-or-controlled corporations (GOCC)—as assessed by local government units and other entities imposing RPTs for all years up to CY 2020. The reduction will be equivalent to the tax due if computed based on an assessment level of 15 percent of fair market value of said property, machinery and equipment depreciated at the rate of 2 percent per annum, less any amount paid by the IPPs. “A l l i n t e re s t s a n d p e n a l t i e s o n s u c h
deficiency RPT liabilities are hereby condoned and the concerned IPPs are relieved from payment thereof,” Duterte said. Paid RPTs made by IPPs over and above the reduced amount as what is prescribed in EO 126 will be applied in the RPT for succeeding years.
Domino effect
Duterte said concerned government offices, which will violate his new issuance, would face sanctions in accordance with civil service laws and regulations. He explained he issued EO 126 since some local government units (LGU) have opted to impose tax including RPT for IPPs, which serve as source of large tax revenues by the national government. The said RPTs for IPPs are contractually assumed by the National Power Corporation/ Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation and therefore shouldered by the national government. “ Th e c o l l e c t i o n o f R P T b y t h e LG U s concerned will trigger massive direct liabilities on the part of GOCC, thereby threatening the financial stabilit y, the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, the stability of prices, and may even trigger further cross-defaults
PAL, Cebu Pacific transport Covid vaccines to the regions By Recto Mercene
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hilippine domestic carriers—Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB)—on Friday transported Covid-19 vaccines to several provinces as part of their contribution to the speedy distribution of life-saving jabs. PAL said it carried 10,580 doses to Iloilo (PR2141); 17,480 doses to Cebu (PR1845); 6,600 doses to Bacolod (PR2129); 17,940 doses to Cotabato (PR2959); 8,940 doses to Butuan (PR2934); 2,680 doses to Tagbilaran (PR2773); and 6,900 doses to Tacloban (PR2983). Earlier on Thursday, PAL flew 17,400 doses to Cagayan de Oro (PR2519); 21,600 doses to Davao (PR8811); 12,000 doses to Legazpi (PR2923); and 4,200 doses to Cotabato (PR2959). PAL also flew 12,000 doses to Davao via PR8809 and 7,200 doses to Cebu via PR1845 last March 3. So far, PAL has transported 145,520 vaccine doses to various parts of the country. CEB, for its part, said it transported 21,000 doses of vaccines on Friday to Zamboanga and Tuguegarao, an airline news statement said.
The statement added that the vaccines arrived at the CEB Cargo warehouse at around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday. After its standard screening protocols, all 35 boxes (17 for Zamboanga, 18 for Tuguegarao) were stored in a 20-footer refrigerated carrier reefer van, equipped with cooling systems to preserve the condition of the vaccines. A total of 21,000 doses were carried by Cebo, operator of Cebu Pacific’s turboprop fleet. Upon arrival in Zamboanga City on Friday morning, the vaccines were turned ove r to t h e l o ca l g ove r n m e nt f o r p ro p e r handling, in preparation for distribution to medical facilities. The shipment for Tuguegarao is estimated to arrive by 3 p.m. also on Friday. “We are happy to support the rollout of the government’s vaccination program. As a public service with the widest domestic network, we will do all we can to help ensure the timely and successful distribution of vaccines across the country, as we all work together to pave way for the recovery of our economy,” said Alex Reyes, president and CEO of Cebgo.
and and significant economic losses across all sectors,” Duterte explained. He also said it could cause more costly electric power or the implementation of rotating
power outages if the IPPs could not afford the RPTs imposed by LGUs. EO 126 took effect last Thursday after it was signed by President Duterte.
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5.
ZHANG, QUANHUI Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
1.
6.
ZHENG, ZHIJUN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
7.
ZHOU, SHAOPAN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
ALL ASIA AIR CENTRAL, INC. Unit 4a & 5a Bldg. 4 Salem Complex Bldg. Domestic Rd. Brgy. 191 Pasay City 8.
LO CHUN KI ALEX Chinese
JUNIOR FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
ANDES CONSULTING ADVISORY INC. 22/f Robinsons Summit Center 6783 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City
NO.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
POSITION
NO.
33.
LU, SHIXIONG Chinese
PROJECT MANAGER (MANDARIN)
63.
LUO, YANNAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
98.
LONG, JINGWANG Chinese
MANDARIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
34.
MA, WEIBO Chinese
PROJECT MANAGER (MANDARIN)
64.
QIN, ZHIQIAN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
99.
TAN, YUTING Chinese
MANDARIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
35.
ZHANG, PEIHONG Chinese
PROJECT MANAGER (MANDARIN)
65.
SHEN, JIAJUN Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
SERENERGY PHILIPPINES, INCORPORATED #74 Ramona Tirona Street Bf Homes Parañaque City
66.
WEN, GUOWEI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
100.
67.
ZHANG, ZHANHUI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
DELONE-PHILIPPINE CORP. Unit A&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City 36.
YUAN, ZHONGKAI Chinese
MANDARIN BUSINESS MARKETING CONSULTANT
37.
ZHU, MINGTAI Chinese
MANDARIN BUSINESS MARKETING CONSULTANT
38.
YUAN, SIQI Chinese
MANDARIN FINANCE MANAGER
EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila 39.
LIU, CHAO Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
40.
WEI, FU Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
YANG, TAO Chinese
MARKETING AND SALES AGENT
41.
ECHOTECH SERVICES INC. 18/f Philamlife Tower 8767 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City 42.
WANG, ZHENG Chinese
MANDARIN SITE TECHNICAL OFFICER
FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Malate Bayview Mansion 1781 M. Adriatico Street 076, Brgy. 699 Malate Manila
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION
MAX INFOTECH ACCENT INC. 18th Flr. Vector 3 Bldg. Northgate Cyberzone Fcc Alabang Muntinlupa City
102.
MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 70.
LI, XINQIANG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
71.
LIU, YUEXIA Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
72.
PAN, ZAIBO Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
73.
QU, MINGZHE Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
74.
WANG, FEITING Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
75.
YUE, JIAOYAN Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
11.
OOI YONG KHAI Malaysian
MANDARIN SPEAKING FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
44.
12.
PANG YEE SOON Malaysian
MANDARIN SPEAKING FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
45.
CHEN, KAI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
46.
YANG, YIBING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City
47.
YAO, YAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
76.
48.
ZHOU, YONGBIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
AWAYTEAM CORP. Rm. 1015 Bldg. O Sorrento Oasis Condo. C. Raymundo Ave. Rosario Pasig City 14.
TEW, MATTHEW RONALD Australian
PRESIDENT/CEO
B. BRAUN MEDICAL SUPPLIES, INC. 15/f Sunlife Centre 5th Ave. Cor. Rizal Drive Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 15.
YEONG LIH CHYUN Malaysian
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 12/f One/neo Bldg 26th St. Cor 3rd Ave., Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 16. 17.
ZENG, ZHIJUN Chinese
5G NETWORK PLANNER (MANDARIN)
CHEN, YUNSHENG Chinese
5G TECHNICAL CONSULTANT (MANDARIN)
49.
HOO CHENG SEE Malaysian
MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE
FUXINGYING CAIYUN HENTONG, CORP. 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Floor Eton Ewestpod Chino Roces Avenue Cor. Yakal & Malugay Streets San Antonio Makati City 50.
WEI, LUQIAN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 11/f Aseana I Bldg. Bradco Ave. Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City 51.
HU, HENGJIE Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor Silver City 4, Ortigas East Ugong Pasig City LU, XIAOQUAN Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING
FU, YUQING Chinese
5G TECHNICAL CONSULTANT (MANDARIN)
52.
19.
HU, WANDA Chinese
5G TECHNICAL CONSULTANT (MANDARIN)
20.
ZHANG, YOUXUN Chinese
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (MANDARIN)
HECTECHURE CORP. Units A&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City
XU, WEI Chinese
CHINESE ACCOUNT MANAGER
DENG, YIWANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CABLING INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNICIAN
23.
LIU, YI Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CABLING INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNICIAN
24.
LI, WEN Chinese
IT SPECIALIST
25.
WANG, YUNPENG Chinese
IT SPECIALIST
26.
TAN, YI Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING PROJECT MANAGER
27.
PAN, WEIJIE Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING PROJECT SUPERVISOR
18.
21.
22.
28.
WEN, ZHIYONG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING PROJECT SUPERVISOR
53.
KOU, WEI Chinese
MANDARIN NETWORK AND SYSTEM SPECIALIST
HMR PHILIPPINES INC. Pioneer Cor Reliance Brgy. Highway Hills Mandaluyong City 54.
BWEHENI, TIMOTHY Papua New Guinean
WAREHOUSE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
JIDA COMMUNICATION (PHILIPPINES) INC. 99 Comclark Reliance Center E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Ugong Pasig City 55.
ZHANG, XU Chinese
PURCHASING OFFICER
MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 26/f, 27/f, 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City 56. 57. 58.
CAI, JUNJIE Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
CHEN, GUIYU Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
DUAN, HUBO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
SALES MANAGER
CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT (MANDARIN SPEAKING)
43.
PARK, YOUNGSIK South Korean
LI, CHENGLI Chinese
ZHANG, XIANGQI Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
13.
101.
69.
HSU, SHU-HAN Taiwanese
ASIAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. 11/f Tower 2 Double Dragon, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City
SHSY ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION 3/f Salcedo One Center 170 Salcedo St. San Lorenzo Makati City
SMCC PHILIPPINES, INC. 6/f Peninsula Court Bldg. 8735 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City
10.
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
PRESIDENT AND CEO/ DIRECTOR
CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT (MANDARIN SPEAKING)
9.
CHEN, HAIJUN Chinese
GUNDERMANN, MATTHIAS JOHANNES Dutch
POSITION
ZENG, FANGCHENG Chinese
MANDARIN SPEAKING FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE
FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY
68.
CHUANG, YING-TING Taiwanese
BIAN, XIXIA Chinese
NO.
ITO, AKIRA Japanese
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
TIANYU TECHNOLOGY INC. 23/f Pbcom Tower Ayala Avenue Cor. V.a Rufino Street Bel-air Makati City 103.
HONG, SIQI Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
104.
LI, NING Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
105.
ZHANG, ZHIJIA Chinese
CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City 106.
CHEN, PEIYUAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
107.
DI, JIANWEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
108.
HUANG, CHENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
109.
LAI, DABAO Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
110.
LIAO, CHENGLIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
111.
LIU, GUANGWEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
112.
LU, JIAKUN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
113.
YANG, FENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
114.
YANG, ZHIJIAN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
115.
ZHANG, SHUFENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
CHEN, DENGMING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
77.
FAN, QILIANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
78.
GAO, JINCHENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
JIN, MIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
LIANG, JIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
81.
LIU, FUHANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
82.
LIU, MEIRONG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
83.
MENG, YANXU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
116.
SUN, WEILING Chinese
CHINESE IT SPECIALIST
84.
TANG, GUANGQIANG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
117.
WANG, LIXIA Chinese
CHINESE IT SPECIALIST
85.
WANG, ZHIWEI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
118.
WEI, YUZHI Chinese
CHINESE IT SPECIALIST
86.
YANG, LUPENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
VN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., INC. U-1202 Bonifacio High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 1 Fort Bonifacio Taguig City
87.
YANG, YIMIN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
119.
NGUYEN VAN SON Vietnamese
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
88.
YANG, FEN Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
120.
TRAN THI BINH Vietnamese
VIETNAMESE FINANCE OFFICER
89.
YE, XUEYI Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
90.
ZHAO, DONGSHENG Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
91.
ZHAO, QIU Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
92.
ZHENG, GUANGQING Chinese
CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
93.
MELANI PRASTUTI Indonesian
INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
94.
WONG PAU HIUNG Malaysian
MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
95.
HAY MAN HNIN Myanmari
MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
79. 80.
NATURALLYPLUS (PHILIPPINES) INC. Unit 104 G/f Sm Makati Cyberzone Ii Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City
29.
HUANG, YONG Chinese
MARKETING MANAGER
59.
GUO, GANHUA Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
96.
HIROSE, ICHIJO Japanese
30.
CHEN, LIN Chinese
MARKETING MANAGER (MANDARIN)
60.
LI, JIE Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
POWERSOURCE GROUP DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 10/f The Athenaeum Bldg. 160 L.p. Leviste St. Bel-air Makati City
31.
CHEN, ZHENLIANG Chinese
MARKETING MANAGER (MANDARIN)
61.
LI, SHUHAO Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
97.
32.
CHEN, QIAN Chinese
MARKETING SPECIALIST
62.
LIU, XUGUANG Chinese
CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF
PRANCING DESEN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES INC. Unit 1620 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila
KARUPPIAH RAJA Indian
PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER
VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Dd Dragon Plaza Dd Meridian P Edsa Ext. Cor. Macapagal Ave. Brgy. 076 Pasay City
VOLENDAY INC. U1406 14/f Pacific Star Bldg. Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Ave. Bel-air Makati City 121.
ZHENG, HUAN Chinese
DEPUTY PROJECT DIRECTOR
122.
LI, SHENGHUI Chinese
PROJECT CONTROL MANAGER
W-TECH SOLUTIONS INC. 5/f Eco Plaza Bldg. 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn. Magallanes Makati City 123.
CHEN, LU Chinese
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
WNS GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9/f 1880 Bldg. Eastwood City Cyberpark Bagumbayan Quezon City 124.
DUTTA, SHANTANU Indian
SENIOR GROUP MANAGER OPERATIONS *Date Generated: Mar 5, 2021
Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.
LABORATORY IN CHARGE
ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR
www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Angel R. Calso
Ohio man admits paying poor Filipino moms for child porn
S
IDNEY, Ohio—A registered sex offender from Ohio has admitted using dating sites to connect with impoverished women in the Philippines and offering them money in return for sexually explicit photos of their children. Charles Lee Frazier, 41, of Sidney, pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempting to produce child pornography, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. He faces at least 25 years in prison and up to 50 years when he’s sentenced later this year. Frazier also sent the mothers child porn images and discussed committing violent acts against children, prosecutors said. Frazier sent money to women in the Philippines from April through July 2019, prosecutors said. Among them was a mother who said she needed the money for food. AP
New Zealand says tsunami threat has eased after strong Pacific quake
N
e w Zealand downgraded a tsunami warning Friday, allowing thousands who evacuated coastal areas in the north of its North Island to return home. “GNS Science has advised that the largest waves have now passed, and therefore the threat level is now downgraded to a Beach and Marine threat for all areas which were previously under Land and Marine threat,” the National Emergency Management Agency said in a news statement. “All people who evacuated can now return.” The nation had been on tsunami alert all morning after a powerful 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck near the Kermadec Islands. It was the third large quake recorded north of New Zealand in a matter of hours. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of volcanic and seismic activity that rings the Pacific Ocean. People near the coast in northern areas of the North Island were ordered to move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as possible, as strong currents and unpredictable surges near the shore were expected for several hours. A 7.1-magnitude quake off New Zealand’s east coast was widely felt around the North Island overnight. It was followed by a 7.4-magnitude near the Kermadecs that triggered a tsunami warning. That was later canceled, but the third, larger quake prompted a new warning.
Bloomberg News
The World BusinessMirror
C
A5
China’s modest growth target signals policy shift from world
C
hina set a conservative economic growth target that signals more restrained monetary and fiscal policies this year, in contrast to other major nations still pumping in stimulus. The government set a growth target of above 6 percent for the year, well below what economists forecast, and will narrow the budget deficit to 3.2 percent of gross domestic product, Premier Li Keqiang said Friday at the opening of the National People’s Congress (NPC). While the fiscal gap is lower than last year, it’s above the 3 percent expected by many analysts, signaling Beijing still sees a need for spending to support the recovery. “A target of over 6 percent will enable all of us to devote full energy to promoting reform, innovation, and high-quality development,” said Li. “China will continue to face many development risks and challenges, but the economic fundamentals that will sustain long-term growth remain unchanged.” After emerging from the pandemic as the only major economy to expand last year, Beijing is now shifting its focus to tackling imbalances made worse by last year’s stimulus -- such as dependence on investment in property and infrastructure funded by corporate debt. That contrasts with other major economies such as the US, “The government has set a more flexible economic growth target to leave room for structural reform and pandemic uncertainties,” said Bruce Pang, head of macro and strategy research at China Renaissance Securities Hong Kong. It’s almost certain that China will achieve that growth rate this year, which suggests authorities are shifting their focus to the quality of growth instead of speed, he added. The government said in its report that spending will be weighted toward “projects which will help significantly improve the people’s wellbeing.” It listed programs such as renovation of old housing, better public services in smaller towns, raising the basic pension, and increasing child-care and assistance for the elderly. It also pledged to improve the health-care system by reforming public hospitals, supporting the development of private hospitals, and setting up a mechanism to cover outpatient medical bills. This year’s meeting of the NPC, China’s main legislature, had added significance because of the release of a new
five-year plan covering 2021-2025. A key focus of the plan is boosting spending and driving research into cuttingedge chips and artificial intelligence, laying out a technological blueprint to vie for global influence with the US. The government also projected defense spending growth of 6.8 percent this year, the largest increase since 2019, amid tensions with the US and key neighbors.
Slow consumer recovery
“The foundation for achieving our country’s economic recovery needs to be further consolidated, impediments to consumer spending remain, and investment growth lacks sustainability,” Li said. “Our innovation capacity in key areas needs to be improved. Some local governments have serious budgetary deficits. In forestalling and defusing risks in the financial sector and other areas, we face formidable tasks.” China’s V-shaped recovery alongside a recession in the US and elsewhere puts it on course to become the world’s largest economy by 2028, two years earlier than expected, according to projections by several banks including Nomura Holdings Inc. However, there has been a build-up in debt and worries about asset bubbles alongside that recovery, fueling expectations that policy makers will withdraw the monetary and fiscal stimulus unleashed during the pandemic last year.
TPP
Li also announced that China may join an Asia-Pacific trade pact comprised of key US allies that former President Donald Trump exited. In his work report to the NPC in Beijing, Li said China “will actively consider joining” the 11-nation agreement known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. It includes nations that China has sparred with recently such as Australia, Canada and Japan. The premier added that China would accelerate free-trade negotiations with Japan and South Korea, both of which rely on the US for defense, and quickly implement an investment pact reached with the European Union in December. “China stands ready to work with other countries to achieve mutual benefits on the basis of greater mutual opening,” he said. The annual report made no refer-
ence to the phase-one trade deal with the US, only saying China “will promote the growth of mutually beneficial China-US business relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect.” Trump withdrew the US from talks on the trade pact, then known as the TPP, shortly after he took office in January 2021. President Joe Biden’s administration is now seeking to rally what officials are calling “techno-democracies” to stand up to China and other “techno-autocracies.” China became the only major country to grow last year, eking out a multidecade low 2.3 percent expansion after shutting down most of its economy to fight the coronavirus. The world’s second-largest economy grew by 6.5 percent over a year earlier in the final quarter of 2020, while the United States, Europe and Japan struggled with renewed virus outbreaks. Li vowed to “work faster to enhance our strategic scientific and technological capability” seen by communist leaders as a path to prosperity, strategic autonomy and global influence. Those plans are threatened by tension with Washington over technology and security that prompted then-President Trump to slap sanctions on China’s fledgling telecom and other tech industries. The party will “regard scientific and technological self-reliance as a strategic support for national development,” Li said. Li promised to pursue “green development” following Xi’s pledge last year to ensure China’s carbon emissions peak by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. That will require sharp increases in clean and renewable energy in an economy that gets 60 percent of its power from coal and is the world’s biggest source of climate-changing industrial pollution. “We will expedite the transition of China’s growth model to one of green development and promote both highquality economic growth and highstandard environmental protection,” Li said. He promised to reduce carbon emissions and energy use per unit of economic output. The premier said Beijing will “improve the relevant systems” in Hong Kong “to safeguard national security” but gave no details of possible changes in the territory, where the ruling party is tightening control following prodemocracy protests. The party used
Xi to revamp U.N. EMBROILED IN MYANMAR CRISIS HK elections AS JUNTA DISMISSES SANCTIONS
hina is curbing the ability of democracy activists to win elections in Hong Kong, with local repor ts saying a vote for the territor y’s legislature would be delayed another year to September 2022. The National People’s Congress (NPC) will review a draft resolution on changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system in the coming days, according to an agenda published Thursday by the official Xinhua News Agency. For weeks Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials have called for “patriots” to run Hong Kong, effectively signaling that anybody deemed disloyal to Beijing couldn’t hold a leadership position. The action is Xi’s latest step to curb dissent in the former British colony following historically large and sometimes violent prodemocracy protests in 2019. The NPC imposed a sweeping national security law on the city last year and used it to arrest some 100 opposition figures, former lawmakers and activists, drawing criticism from business groups and sanctions from the US government. “For years, anti-China forces seeking to disrupt Hong Kong have been colluding with ex ternal forces in an attempt to seize the jurisdiction over Hong Kong, with clear goals and concrete ac tions,” Xinhua said Friday regarding what China calls the Hong Kong S p e c i a l Ad m i n i s t rat i ve R e g i o n . “ Ef f e c t i ve measures must be taken to block these pawns of anti-China forces from being elected to HKSAR’s governance architecture, and knock them out once and for all.” Bloomberg News
Saturday, March 6, 2021
T
he United Nations has turned into another battleground over the militar y coup in Myanmar, with the country’s anti-junta ambassador in New York refusing to give up his seat and the military’s actions coming under Security Council scrutiny. The continuing crisis in the Southeast Asian nation—Wednesday was the deadliest day of protests with 38 people killed—will be the focus of a closed-door Security Council meeting on Friday. It’s an early leadership test for US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who was confirmed to her post last week and holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for March. The military junta in Myanmar announced i t r e p l a c e d A m b a s s a d o r Ky a w M o e Tu n after he made a dramatic speech at the UN General Assembly last week in defense of the demonstrators while holding up the three-finger “Hunger Games” salute adopted by activists throughout the country. But the ambassador says he’s still the envoy, and he won support from Thomas-Greenfield, who met with him this week and commended his “courageous and compassionate statement.” In the latest twist, the deputy ambassador the junta installed in his place quit his post after facing criticism. The deputy’s decision to resign was confirmed by a letter from the Myanmar mission to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday seen by Bloomberg News. “I am the one who has received a good public servant badge, who has served for more than three decades,” Tin Maung Naing, the departing deputy UN ambassador, wrote on Facebook. “I am the one who is loyal to the state. Due to this situation, I
had to decide to leave my job, which I love and value very much.” Western powers are expected to try to ratchet up pressure on the junta at the Security Council meeting Friday. Yet diplomats and experts say it will be hard to win support from Russia and China for sanctions against the military leaders. “There will inevitably be calls for UN sanctions, but I don’t think China and Russia are ready to go that far, and the military have already declared that they are willing to absorb any sanctions anyway,” said Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group. Western powers want to “nudge the Chinese to use their influence to resolve the situation, or at least send a signal to the junta to ratchet down violence.” That effort follows China’s decision last month, which surprised many diplomats, to support a statement stressing the need to uphold democratic institutions, even as it stopped short of calling the February 1 takeover a coup. Ahead of Friday’s meeting, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, issued a report detailing the forced displacement of thousands of people and decrying the junta’s “unrelenting brutality.” He urged nations to “deny recognition of the military junta as the legitimate government representing the people of Myanmar precisely because they are not.” In his speech to the General Assembly last week, Myanmar’s UN envoy also appealed to the international community “to use any means necessar y to take action against the Myanmar military” while calling on the military “to immediately relinquish power and release those detained.”
While the US has led the international pushback against the military, Asian countries, by contrast, haven’t taken any concrete action. On Tuesday, foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Myanmar, in a statement called “on all parties to refrain from instigating further violence” but did not mention detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi by name or even use the word “coup.” “The military authorities in Myanmar, frankly, do not respond to economic sanctions, do not respond to moral opprobrium,” Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament Friday. “References to the Asean charter and human rights whilst essential are not sufficient to change their behavior, so we do need to be realistic in what we say or do.” UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told reporters on Wednesday that after she warned junta leaders that the Security Council might take strong measures they replied that they are “used to sanctions and ‘we survived the sanctions time in the past.’” “I also warned they will go in an isolation,” she added, saying they replied that “we have to learn to walk with only few friends.” It’s not clear if the junta will seek to install a different ambassador to the UN. If it does, the dispute over the leadership could head to the UN’s credentials committee, which reviews disputes over representation. “Let’s be honest here,” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for Secretary-General Guterres, told reporters this week. “We’re in a very unique situation we have not seen in a long time.”
Bloomberg News
last year’s legislative session to impose a national security law on Hong Kong under which dozens of activists have been arrested. “We will resolutely guard against and deter external forces’ interference in the affairs of Hong Kong,” the premier said. A spokesman for the legislature, Zhang Yesui, said Thursday it will consider unspecified changes to support “patriots ruling Hong Kong,” fueling fears Beijing plans to shut opposition voices out of the city’s political process. Speculation has focused on the possibility of reassigning votes in the 1,200-member committee that selects Hong Kong leader to cut out the small number of elected local district counselors. The ruling party earlier announced it achieved its goal of doubling economic output from 2010 levels by last year, which required annual growth of 7 percent. Xi has talked about doubling output again by 2035, which would imply annual growth of about 5 percent, still among the highest for any
major economy. The ruling party’s desire for the prosperity produced by free-market competition clashes with its insistence on playing a dominant role in the economy and reducing dependence on other countries. Li said Beijing will promote “domestic circulation,” a reference to official pressure on industries to use more Chinese-supplied components and technology and rely less on inputs from the United States, Europe and Asian suppliers, even when that increases costs. That emphasis on self-reliance has fueled fears the world might split into separate US Chinese and other industrial spheres with incompatible technologies, less competition and higher costs. The goal of “decoupling them from foreign technology and supply chains” is “more likely to harm productivity than help it” and will make hitting the 2035 target harder, said Mark Williams of Capital Economics in a report this week. Bloomberg and AP
ExportUnlimited BusinessMirror
A6 Saturday, March 6, 2021
PHL readies signing of halal export accord with Indonesia
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Products
By Elaine Cotoner | DTI-EMB
HE Philippines and Indonesia are working on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help Philippine exporters comply with Indonesia’s Law 33/2014 on Halal Product Assurance that has recently took effect. The MOU, now on its final stages, will facilitate trading of halalcertified goods through a governmentto-government arrangement. “This G2G agreement is part of DTI’s ongoing efforts to make the Philippines a trusted source for halal products. Through exporting in predominantly Muslim countries like Indonesia, we can also help Filipino businesses pivot to this new market,” said DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman. Indonesia’s Law 33/2014 re
quires all halal products for export to Indonesia to be registered with the Halal Products Certification Agency (BPJPH), a new government agency under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. To get a BPJPH certification, products must first be certified by a Halal Certification Body from the country of origin acknowledged by the BPJPH. The law
Food and beverages
17 October 2019
Deadline to Comply 17 October 2024
Traditional medicines and health supplements, cosmetics and other chemical and genetically modified products Over the counter medicine Hard medicine Wearable items, household and health supplies, household equipment, worship equipment for Muslims, food and beverage packing, stationery, and office supplies Medical equipment classified in risk category A Medical equipment classified in risk category B
17 October 2021
17 October 2026
17 October 2021 17 October 2021 17 October 2021
17 October 2029 17 October 2034 17 October 2026
17 October 2021 17 October 2021
17 October 2026 17 October 2029
regulates the processing, materials, and certification of halal products, in addition to Indonesia’s efforts in establishing partnerships with international halal agencies. With the implementation of the law, Philippine exporters of the following products shall comply with the halal certification requirements on the following dates:
Start Date
Jeremiah Reyes, Philippine International Trading Center Jakarta Commercial Attaché, said that “the MOU draft between the DTI and Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency is already final, pending the confirmation and/or any additional comments from the Indonesian side. So, we see this being signed as soon as possible.”
Once the MOU is signed, a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) will allow halal accreditation bodies in the two countries to recognize each other and eliminate the need for repeated conformity assessments. The said MRA will be facilitated by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) as mandated by Republic Act 10817 also known as Philippine Halal
Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016. It is hereby empowered to: (a) formulate accreditation policies and guidelines which shall govern the accreditation of halal certification bodies; and (b) grant or deny accreditation of halal certification bodies and suspend or withdraw such accreditation in accordance with established policies and guidelines. With more than 200 million Muslim consumers in Indonesia, the Philippines is strengthening its policies and programs on halal as it envisions to be a respectable player in the Global Halal ecosystem. For queries and clarifications, please contact: embhalal@dti.gov.ph; Jakarta@dti.gov.ph About the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB): The DTI-EMB is mandated to oversee the development, promotion, and monitoring of Philippine exports. The EMB provides the exporters the enabling environment to make them globally competitive. Web site: http://tradeline.dti.gov. ph/ Facebook: facebook.com/dti.export E-mail: exports@dti.gov.ph
Pricey sugar as India PHL-made products now on sale in 60 Woolies supermarkets in Australia misses export target S
I
NDIA is set to miss its goal for sugar exports this year because of a late start to shipments and logistical challenges, potentially providing further fuel to the sweetener’s blistering rally. The world’s second-biggest producer, grappling with massive stockpiles, will ship almost 20 percent less than the government’s target and a forecast from a top industry group, according to the median of seven estimates in a Bloomberg survey of traders and analysts. The risk to supplies comes just as the global market is on a tear. Raw sugar futures posted their 10th month of gains in February, the longest winning run in exchange data going back six decades. With a tightening market because of lower crops in Thailand and the European Union, coupled with robust demand in Asia, a setback to Indian exports may provide a further fillip to the market. “Although world prices have gone up, exports are going to miss the target,” said Yatin Wadhwana, a director at commodity trading and advisory company Gradient Commercial Pvt. India started shipping later than usual owing to a delay in government subsidies, while a container crunch and the approaching monsoon season will
hamper loadings at ports, he said. The country’s inventories follow a raft of bumper crops spurred by domestic prices that are above global levels. The government has granted a form of subsidy to bridge the gap, but that won’t be enough to reach the target. Shipments may be only 4.9 million tons in the year that ends in September, according to the survey. That compares with the government’s target of 6 million tons and forecasts for a similar amount from the Indian Sugar Mills Association. The nation exported a record 5.95 million tons in 2019 and 2020. Container shortages and competition for shipping services from firms exporting increasing amounts of rice and oilseed meal are contributing to delays. Most people in the market had expected India to be shipping strongly in the first and second quarters of 2021 as the big domestic crop was “well telegraphed to the market,” said Tom McNeill, director at Brisbane, Australia-based researcher Green Pool Commodity Specialists. “This has now led to a major disconnect in the market— there is plenty of stock in India to be exported, but very little has come out to this time,” he said in a report.
Bloomberg News
YDNEY, AUSTRALIA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Sydney, has revealed that Filipino products are now available in more mainstream retail stores in Australia. From Filipino sauces and mixes to vinegar, soy sauce, salty snacks, biscuits, rice noodles and other pinoy favorites, giant retailer Woolworths is ramping up the number of store locations where Filipino products can be found in its international food section in response to a growing multicultural population and increasingly adventurous Australian mainstream consumers. From only a dozen stores in 2019, the distribution has now expanded to 60 stores across Australia, with more stores to be added within the next three to five years as more Filipinos and Australians seek out Filipino products to enjoy. Alma Argayoso, the Philippines’s trade representative to Australia said DTI aims to grow the market and make Filipino products more available not only to Filipinos but also to Australian buyers. “The Filipino mom-and-pop shops will remain as they have unique offerings, style and culture catering to the Filipino community, but if we are aiming to target the majority of Australians, we have to be in the mainstream
stores,” Argayoso added. The demand for Filipino products increased during the pandemic when lockdown measures were imposed as stuck-at-home Filipino-Australians have turned into cooking more adventurous dishes and trying out new recipes, according to DHN Import/ Export Trading, the company that has pioneered stocking Filipino staple pantry goods in Woolworths. “We predict that the demand for Filipino products will continue to increase even beyond the pandemic.
There is an increasing awareness now about Filipino cuisine and the availability of products and ingredients in the mainstream supermarkets will further drive demand,” Bob Harris, the marketing consultant for DHN Trading, said in a recent interview. “Making the products available in mainstream shelves also offer unique opportunities and practical convenience for Filipino families where both adults work and for shift workers as Woolworths stores are open seven days a week from 7 a.m.
to 10 p.m. or 12 midnight depending on the area,” Harris added. Aside from traditional pinoy favorites, other Philippine-made products, either branded or toll-packed in the Philippines such as canned tropical fruit, fruit juices, banana chips, virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut flour and other coconut products are also available in the mainstream aisles of Woolworths. These products are more widely distributed in over 900 Woolworths stores in Australia.
OurTime BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, March 6, 2021 A7
PNA’s birth in 1973 came a year after death of PNS
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By Severino Samonte
ANILA—Many of the millennial Filipino journalists may be interested to know that the Philippines used to have its own news agency even before martial law was imposed in September 1972 by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Yes, that privately owned news outfit was the Philippine News Service (PNS), the predecessor of the present government-run Philippine News Agency (PNA), which marked its 48th anniversary on March 1. PNS was organized in 1950 as a news-gathering cooperative by the publishers of the then major and leading national newspapers—the Manila Times-Mirror-Taliba, Manila Chronicle, Manila Bulletin, Philippines Herald, Evening News, Bagong Buhay, and Fookien Times. Its main function then was to supply daily news and photos from the provinces to these newspapers as well as to those in the provinces. Radio and television stations also used the PNS stories for a fixed monthly fee or subscription. Foreign news agencies, such as the Associated Press, United Press International, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse, and a few private entities were also allowed to subscribe.
Through the old mail system (using stamps and envelopes), it also maintained a news exchange agreement with foreign news agencies such as Antara of Indonesia, Bernama of Malaysia, Kyodo of Japan, Yonhap of South Korea, Central News Agency of Taiwan, and Tass News Agency of the former Soviet Union, among several others. When Marcos declared a nationwide state of martial law under Proclamation 1081 on September 21, 1972, PNS was forced to cease its 24-hour daily operations since its major clients—newspapers, radio, and TV stations–were padlocked and guarded by government troops. At the time of its closure, PNS had some 120 news correspondents from all provinces and cities of the country. About four months after the imposition of martial law and shortly after Marcos allowed a handful of newspapers and broadcast outfits to
reopen, a group of former newspaper editors asked then Department of Public Information (DPI) Secretary and later on Sen. Francisco S. Tatad to explore the possibility of opening a government news agency by acquiring the World War II-vintage teletype machines and other equipment of the PNS. The persistence of such a group of editors to once again set up an even more dynamic wire news agency bore fruit when PNS was allowed to reopen but under a new name— Philippine News Agency (PNA) as the government’s official news outfit. Negotiations for the acquisition of the PNS equipment were done by a group of former newspapermen from Tatad’s office at Malacañang, including the late Bureau of National and Foreign Information (BNFI) Director Lorenzo J. Cruz and the late Press Undersecretary Amante Bigornia. The amount paid by the government for the old PNS teletype machines, typewriters, mimeographing machines, and a photo darkroom plus few cameras was used to pay the delayed salaries of the PNS staff in Manila from September to December 1972. Jose L. Pavia, the late former executive editor of the defunct Philippines Herald, was appointed as the first general manager of the infant news agency. He headed its initial 11-member staff, with the late Renato B. Tiangco, also formerly of the Herald and a foreign news agency wireman as managing editor; and Severino C. Samonte, a holdover from
the PNS, as national and provincial news editor at the same time. As the government news agency, PNA was created under a Special Department Order issued by Tatad. It was placed under the BNFI, its first mother bureau that provided its fund. Launched on March 1, 1973 as the national government’s official news agency, PNA initially used the editorial offices vacated by the PNS on the second floor of the National Press Club (NPC) of the Philippines Bldg. along Magallanes Drive in Intramuros, Manila. The first set of PNA’s correspondents were picked from the former PNS stringers covering the country’s then just 70 provinces and 60 cities. A number of former staff members of the defunct Manila newspapers later joined the PNA Central Desk as editors, reporters and photographers. At the outset, four PNA correspondents were assigned each to cover the then existing four Philippine Constabulary (PC) Zones in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. These were the 1st PC Zone in Camp Olivas, Pampanga; 2nd PC Zone in Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna; 3rd PC Zone in Cebu; and 4th PC Zone in Davao. When Secretary Tatad turned on the switch to launch the PNA in the afternoon of March 1, 1973 in Malacañang, he said: “The Philippines News Agency will be operated in the best tradition of the world’s professional news agencies.” During the martial law years, the PNA, together with the so-called Big
Four news agencies—Reuters, AFP, AP and UPI—covered the entire archipelago, bringing news around the Philippines to the outside world as much as possible. For a while, PNA even entered into a news exchange agreement with some of these foreign news agencies. A year after its birth, PNA inaugurated its first domestic bureau in Cebu City, opening a new era for the media in the country’s second-largest, most cosmopolitan city. Seven tabloid-sized newspapers there began to carry current national and foreign news through the PNA wires, a radical departure from their former purely local coverage. This placed them in a position to compete for circulation in the Visayas and Mindanao with the major national dailies published in Manila. The year 1974 also saw the opening of similar PNA bureaus in Iloilo, Baguio, Davao, San Fernando, Pampanga; Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and Dagupan. These were followed by Lucena City, Legazpi, Cotabato, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Iligan, Laoag, Tuguegarao, San Fernando, La Union; even Jolo, Sulu; and Los Baños, Laguna. The peak number of domestic bureaus stood at 23 in 1975, with the opening of additional bureaus in Cabanatuan City, General Santos City, and Tagbilaran City. However, this number of bureaus was reduced drastically as a result of cost-cutting measures in later years. After the February 22-25, 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, with
the opening of a number of new newspapers in Metro Manila, a number of PNA-trained reporters tried their hands at actual newspapering and in the broadcast field. Many of them became editors and columnists in several national newspapers after they had once cut their journalistic teeth at the PNA newsroom. Until early 1986, the PNA, through the former Office of Media Affairs headed by then Information Minister Gregorio S. Cendana (RIP), had overseas bureaus in San Francisco, California; Sacramento, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Toronto (Canada), Sydney (Australia) and Jeddah. These were closed down after the Edsa Revolution. During the government reorganization in 1987, the BNFI was abolished and replaced with two new bureaus—the present-day News and Information Bureau (NIB) and the Bureau of Communications Services. At present, PNA remains a division of the News and Information Bureau headed by Director Gigie R. ArcillaAgtay. The agency is an attached agency of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office under Secretary Martin Andanar. In its 48 years of existence, PNA has transferred seven times—five times around the Intramuros area in Manila and twice in Quezon City, the latest in 1996 when it settled on its present headquarters at the second floor of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bldg. along Visayas Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City. PNA
Documentaries on PHL intangible cultural heritage now on view
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ANILA—The International Information and Networking Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific region (ICHCAP) under the auspices of Unesco has recently launched 10 video documentaries on different Philippine intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements. The documentaries, which run for an averageof27minutes,canbeviewedintwo versions, one in English (with English subtitles) and the other with Korean subtitles, on ICHCAP’s official YouTube channel. The ICH elements featured are the use of mud in traditional Ifugao textile dyeing (“Using Mud as Mordant in the Traditional Dyeing Process of the Ifugao of Northern Luzon”); piña weaving of
Aklan (“Piña: The Pineapple Textile of Aklan, Western Visayas”); the traslacion procession of the Black Nazarene image of Quiapo, Manila (“Poong Nazareno: The Traslacion of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo, Manila”); the moryonan Lenten penitential ritual in Marinduque (“Moryonan: A Lenten Tradition in Marinduque Island”); the craft of making moryonan masks (“Mukha ng Moryonan: Mask Making for Moryonan Lenten Tradition of Marinduque”); the giant Christmas lantern tradition of San Fernando, Pampanga (“Parul Sampernandu: The Giant Christmas Lantern Tradition of San Fernando City, Pampanga”); the feast of Our Lady Peñafrancia of Naga City, Bicol Region (“Ina: Our Lady of
Season of the lens By Nick Tayag
MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH
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H Lord, make me chaste, but not yet.” I chuckled when I first encountered those words taken from the Confessions of St. Augustine. But come to think of it, the said saint captured the kind of relationship many of us have with God. One foot in the path of redemption, the other in the murk of sin. I beg the indulgence of my readers if I suddenly shift to religious discourse with this article. It’s after all the Christian season of Lent. As a young Catholic, the Lenten Season was portrayed by my elders as an enforced time of the year to lead a virtuous life for 40 days (cuaresma), characterized by various practices of mortification designed to cleanse the soul of sins committed during the year. Now that my spirituality has matured, “Lent” has personally become synonymous with the word “lens” as in “to see, focus, and reflect.” It is a time
to look inward and take stock of and replenish our spiritual resources from which to draw during the dry days of the soul. I have not abandoned the traditional observances and rituals of my youthful days but now, I look at them through a different lens: as spiritual disciplines to have a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. We Filipinos deem ourselves to be religious. Many Catholics like me still go to mass every Sunday and observe the religious rituals and practices that at times border on the superstitious. Other Christians, specially those of the fundamentalist bent, love to share excerpts from the Bible, even if many times they are taken out of context. But how deep is our faith? As Christians, how many of us are ready to commit ourselves to Christ’s call to “take up your cross and come follow me?” As I see it, our response is more of the type of “Lord, we will follow you
THE statue of the Black Nazarene is one of the images of Jesus Christ that inspires intense veneration among Filipinos. Every year, the image is brought out for the commemoration of its transfer or traslacion or arrival at Quiapo Church from another church in Bagumbayan. PNA
but not totally yet.” Saka na. Maybe later, but not now. It is all drama, pakitang tao, pangako na napako. Let’s be honest, it’s a compartmentalized expression of faith and commitment.DuringHolyWeek,wegothrough all the rituals prescribed by the Church. We proudly display the ash rubbed on our foreheads during Ash Wednesday, abstain from eating meat on Fridays, pray the Stations of the Cross, and so on. But the rest of the year, it’s ok to go with our sinful deceitful ways. It’s a split-level Christian life. One for appearance’s sake. The other is a hidden life only known to us. My friend Del, a painter, was once gushing over a gifted evangelizer and articulate defender of the Christian faith. To humor him, I looked this man up and watched his recorded talks on YouTube. Indeed his videos show him as a charismatic, mesmerizing and knowledgeable speaker. He knew his bible and could articulate his arguments very logically. He was, in fact, a well sought-after speaker in Christian circles around the world, and I’m sure got highly paid for it. But something about his glibness did not endear himself to me. Sometime ago, his demise was reported. Soon after, revelations of his hidden life began to trickle through the news. My friend was devastated when he learned about it of course, and deeply embarrassed that he had highly recommended the said man’s videos to me. I consoled him half-sincerely by saying
it’s the message not the man, that he was just a channel of God and so on. Now back to ourselves. Are we deeply committed? The truth is I am not ready or willing to take Christ’s call literally. I have strived to nourish my spiritual life even in the midst of a harried life. I try to be a good provider for my family, a devoted husband, and bring a fatherly presence at home. But not perfectly, of course. Yet I always look at my daily actions and the daily happenings as a form of prayer, which I silently offer to God unworthy as they are. To me the irritations and frustrations, domestic altercations, health issues experienced day after day are mini crosses that I must bear in response to Christ’s call. Above all, they serve to nourish the life of the spirit in me. Not to justify my procrastination, there are other ways to take up the cross. To me it is giving 100 percent of your effort as you observe rituals and rites. Truth to tell, I love Catholic rituals. After all, as someone said, rituals are like ladders, they take you to a higher place. When I go to mass, I give my full attention to the message of the readings and the homily no matter how bad the acoustical system, how atrociously the lector or priest mangles the enunciation of words. I exert effort to contemplate on them and try to envision their applications in my daily life. I now look at the consecration or the mystery of transubstantiation in deeper
Peñafrancia”); the buklog ritual of the Subanen of the Zamboanga Peninsula (“Buklog: The Ritual System of the Subanen of Zamboanga Peninsula”); the igal of the Sama people of Tawi-Tawi (“Igal: Traditional Dance of the Sama of TawiTawi”); and the boat building practices of the Sama people of Tawi-Tawi (“Lepa and Other Watercrafts: Boat Building Traditions of the Sama of Tawi-Tawi”). These documentaries are part of ICHCAP’s video documentation of the ICH project in the Asia-Pacific region, which is being implemented since 2015. Journalist and cultural researcher Roel Hoang Manipon, who is the main writer of documentaries and the director and co-director of several of them,
focus, while asking God to increase my faith. When I do abstinence, it is not out of obligation but because it is a means of offering it as a small sacrifice for other souls who are in a state of struggle. But above that, I strive to put my wholehearted commitment in practicing what Jesus says is the greatest commandment: love. He assures us in the Gospel that “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.” For in the end, God will ask us: How much love did you put in all the things you’ve said and done? By all means, let us strive for excellence and abundance of worldly achievements, but remember, without love, without service, all these are empty and devoid of true meaning and fulfillment. Christ never sacrificed others to save self. He sacrificed self to save others. I don’t remember who said that but it’s a good meme to remember. Let us therefore put effort in living meaningful lives in serving others, not shallow, vain, and empty lives serving only ourselves. Even if you give tons of money and material goods to the poor to gain karma points, but have not love, you gain nothing, says St. Paul. There is also another insight I picked up somewhere. If God forgives us, let us not just stop there. Do likewise to others. Invert the word “forgive,” and you have “give for.” If you want to forgive, you must learn to give for. But I must confess, it’s better
said ICH elements “are some of the most impactful factors in shaping civilization and culture,” ones that “yield invaluable insights into many aspects of social relationships and human development.” “However, they are also ephemeral and highly mutable, depending mostly on memory,dedication,andcommunityforits preservationandcontinuity.Especiallynow with the rapid growth of urbanization and globalization, ICH elements, especially the traditional ones, are in danger of vanishing and/oralteration,”Maniponsaid.“Modern technology,however,alsoprovidedawayto safeguard these ICH elements, enabling us todocumentthem,intensifyawarenessand makethemmoreaccessiblethroughaudiovisual means.” PNA
thought than done. In spite of my endless resolutions to mend my ways, I still find myself being beguiled and succumbing to worldly temptations. God understands, I’m sure. Look at St. Augustine. He fled the “hound of heaven,” resisting Him, all the while saying “not yet, not yet.” Finally he gave up, and reached the ultimate realization: “Thou hast made us for Thyself and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” As St. Augustine tells us, God doesn’t need our lies, nor our excuses. He is just waiting, biding His time and guiding. For God created human beings as free enough even to defy the Divine will. Our struggle, our resistance, restless delaying efforts are all a means of grace. The arc of a sinful life may zigzag along the way and make all kinds of detours but it eventually leads towards God. The Church has wisely set aside Lent to give us time for deeper intimacy with God, to look at Him through a lens, a mirror that reflects Him, in the same way we look at the eclipse of the sun not directly but through its reflection in a mirror. That lens, that reflective mirror is within our soul and that is where we can see God, if we care to adjust our focus. Then, once that is done, we now must reflect the Divine in our life every day of the year. Be a mirror, rather than a self-proclaimed savior. Through this lens we can always see the good in others.
Education BusinessMirror
A8 Saturday, March 6, 2021
Editor: Mike Policarpio
Filipino historian gets Spanish university’s highest honors
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FILIPINO historian was recognized with the highest academic honors by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid— Spain’s most prestigious academic institution.
Dr. Ros Costelo was given the mark of sobresaliente cum laude—the highest possible mark that can be bestowed by the Spanish educational system—after the presentation of her doctoral thesis: “Public Works and the Spanish Colonial Agenda of Sanitation, Order and Social Control in the Late 18th to 19th Century Manila.” She defended her thesis on January 28 before a panel composed of some of the most well-known historians from both Spain and the Philippines. In her dissertation, Costelo detailed the way Spanish colonial policies helped or hindered the lives of Manileños through the creation of public works such as water systems, public streets and lighting, slaughterhouses, public markets and cemeteries. The panel lauded her work for its original research and its contribution to the study of colonial life in the waning days of the Spanish empire in the Philippines, with her research having produced several original maps of Manila in the 1800s drawn solely from her analysis of archival texts. The historian’s writing analyzed and documented not just the physical infrastructure created by Spain’s colonial power, but also how these works themselves served to create or reinforce existing social stratification in Manila by way of the physical control they exerted over the city’s inhabitants. According to the Philippine Em-
EDUCATION Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat (left) receives a laptop for alternative learning system teaching from USAID Office of Education Chief Thomas LeBlanc.
USAID ships learning tools for DepEd’s ALS
bassy in Madrid, Costelo could only exclaim “Wow!” in response when the head of the academic tribunal announced that they were awarding her the highest honors.
Overcoming odds
OBTAINING a Doctorate in Contemporary History with flying colors in a foreign country came at the end of a long road for Costelo; yet, she never forgot her family’s sacrifices to help achieve her dreams. Hailing from the municipality of Tunga in the province of Leyte, Dr. Costelo is the sixth of eight siblings born to the late Francisco Costelo and Cleta Costelo, who is a publicschool teacher. Theirs was a classic story of a Filipino family who did everything possible to ensure an education for all of their children. Through hard work, talent and an irrepressible passion for learning—particularly for Philippine history—Dr. Costelo obtained her Bachelor’s degree in History and landed a coveted spot as a lecturer at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman’s History Department—a job that she said allowed her to share her passion with equally enthusiastic students. As is often the trajectory of Filipino historians studying the colonial Philippines, she eventually found herself deep in research within Spain’s archives, and then studying for a Master’s degree at the “Universidad….” Even with
DR. Ros Costelo (second from right) at the conclusion of her thesis defense, with members of her doctoral thesis panel. FB: PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SPAIN
the added challenge of having to learn Spanish while simultaneously studying and researching, she earned a sobresaliente in her Master’s course. While in the midst of preparations of her doctoral thesis defense, the pandemic spread across the European country, and a lockdown eventually ensued. Dr. Costelo was not spared from contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). In her own words: “Learning a foreign language and adapting to new ways of living were some of my first struggles in Spain. Last year, the pandemic brought so many uncertainties for everyone. In my case, it began with the closing of universities, libraries and archives. Also, news from home was dispiriting: Our [father passed, and my mother] got ill.” “Then, I tested positive for Covid-19 while I was in the final stretch of thesis writing. But I carried on,” relayed Dr. Costelo. “History has taught us with many narratives of people’s responses to the challenges of the times.” She added, “In the end, this
achievement would not have been possible, if not for the support and prayers of many people and institutions. I am beyond grateful. I hope that my work can contribute to the fuller understanding of our nation’s story.”
Way of giving back
NOTWITHSTANDING the demands of her studies and obligations to her students in UP Diliman, Dr. Costelo still found ways to give back to the Filipino community during the lockdown in Spain—including her participation as a resource speaker and moderator in the virtual events organized by the Philippine Embassy in Madrid. For Dr. Costelo, it was just another way for her to share her skills and resources with her fellow Filipinos in Spain—a community that has made her feel at home in the six years she has been so far. The “Universidad” counts ilustrados and Philippine national heroes such as Jose Rizal and Antonio Luna among its distinguished alumni. DFA
Benildean Press Corps dominates recent Best-Designed Campus Papers of PHL Awards
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HE Best-Designed Campus Papers of the Philippines (BDCP) Awards granted six recognitions to The Benildean Press Corps (BPC)—the official student-journalist’s organization of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB)—for its inspiring feature stories and innovative news layouts. Hosted by BDCP Designers and Creatives PH Inc.—the creative arm of Aloha Events and Marketing Solutions (Aloha PH)—the BDCP Awards is the first and only nationwide award-giving body that acknowledges and celebrates visual, as well as creative excellence in the content and news design of various Philippine campus publications. BPC received The Most In-depth Feature Story Award for Unsolved Mysteries And False Promises: Lumad Edition by Marinel Peroy and Beatrice Quirante. The exclusive article, which debunked Davao City’s claim of being one of the safest cities in the world, narrated first-hand stories of the Lumad people and their outcry for their lands and their right to education. Likewise, BPC earned The Most Inspirational Feature Story Award for Br. Dodo: When an artist
becomes a leader. Written by Marinel Peroy and Zophia Emmanuelle Tendido, it introduced Br. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC—DLS-CSB’s brotherpresident—as an artist and an excellent serviceoriented leader with a vision of strengthening the college as a forward-looking institution. The Best Frontpage Design and Best Features Spread Design were clinched by The Benildean’s “Clickbait” issue—BPC’s magazine-journal that delivers truth behind the rumors, claims and stereotypes through interviews from victims and professionals. Meanwhile, The Benildean’s “Updates” release—BPC’s first-ever full online issue that highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant with the current news as the world transitioned to a new virtual landscape—also won The Best School Paper Color Schemes Award. It likewise received the Medallion of Visual and Creative Excellence Award for being one of the Top 10 Best-Designed Campus Papers in the Philippines. Joining The Benildean in the prestigious nominee list were UPLB Perspective of University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Atenews of Ateneo de
Davao University; The Guidon of Ateneo de Manila University; Scientia of Bicol University-College of Science; The Defender of Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga Campus; The CSU Promethean (Silakbo) of Cagayan State University-Carig; The Luzonian of Manuel S. Enverga University; Ang Lalik of Batangas State University, and The CSU Communicator of Cagayan State UniversityAndrews. The Benildean’s “Clickbait” issue was also nominated for the Best in Photo Editing, Most Child-Friendly Design and Best School Paper Color Schemes Awards, while the said publication also competed for Best Infographics. BPC was a top contender in the following categories: Fire it Up: Can the Philippines take the heat by Bea Mendoza for Best SciTech/Innovation Story; Under (Green) Pressure by Anna Laganzon and Aaron Metierre for Best Environment Story; and Ok, Boomer, Let’s Play The Blame Game by Marinel Peroy for the Most In-depth Feature Story. For its second season, BDCP—which recognized campus papers from grade school to tertiary levels—received 197 entries under 34 categories.
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school activities, promotes a safe and secure platform for collaboration, automates processes and stores records digitally in a
centralized system. “NDKC’s partnership with Globe Telecom’s education solution on Campus Link SMS is our response to the challenges brought by the new normal in the education sector,” shared Br. Arnel S. Alfanta, FMS, NDKC’s president. “With the ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic, the need for relevant technological adaptation has led us to rethink the way we do things— specifically in the areas of admission and enrollment procedures, student-record keeping, communication, and institutional data management.” He confirmed: “With the efficient and
handover to DepEd of laptops, printers, projectors, and learning materials. USAID had also provided five “e-Skwela Centers” with equipment to expand their outreach to vulnerable out-ofschool youth who want to enroll in the ALS. This assistance is part of USAID’s Opportunity 2.0: a fiveyear, P1.9-billion (approximately $37.5 million) project that supports DepEd, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and local governments in their ongoing programs that are providing relevant education, employability skills and work experience to out-of-school youth. Over the course of the program, USAID’s assistance will benefit 180,000 youth in more than 12 cities across the Philippines. Meanwhile, Opportunity 2.0 is implemented by the USbased Education Development Center together with DepEd, Tesda, Accenture, Philippine Business for Education, Catholic Relief Services, Voluntary Services Overseas, and Seameo Innotech.
Edukasyon.ph names CEO
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COVER of The Benildean
Applications were meticulously screened by a roster of industry experts composed of local and world-renowned graphic designers, art and creative directors, layout artists, esteemed campus publication specialists and established journalists from various publishing and news agencies. The virtual ceremony, which reminded the student-journalists of their crucial role in carrying the banner of press freedom and ethical journalism, was conducted through the official Facebook page of the BDCP Awards: @bestdesignedph.
Notre Dame-Kidapawan adjusts to changes in the new normal
CHOOL management has become a challenge in today’s new normal, given the absence of face-to-face interaction. Efficiently adapting and adjusting to the challenges of virtual education, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) partnered with Globe Telecom for its School Management System (SMS). NDKC secured licenses for Campus Link—an SMS that manages day-to-day activities in school and establishes a communication platform for school stakeholders: staff, teachers, students, and parents. Campus Link equips educational institutions with an ef ficient system that digitizes
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ART of the United States’s ongoing commitment to support the Philippine government’s Basic EducationLearning Continuity Plan during the pandemic, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently turned over 371 laptop computers worth more than P16 million (or about $333,000) in total to the Department of Education (DepEd). At a ceremony inside the DepEd Central Office on February 19, USAID Philippine Office of Education Director Dr. Thomas LeBlanc handed the laptops to Education Assistant Secretary for Alternative Learning System (ALS) G.H. Ambat. The devices will support ALS teachers and coordinators in the field who provide education to out-ofschool children and youth. ALS teachers and administrators will use the equipment to continue working with students, updating lesson content, innovating teaching methods, and monitoring learners’ progress. This new donation supplements an October 2020 USAID
easy-to-use SMS, we not only bridge the gap between stakeholders, but also reduce our operational costs.” Located in the province of Cotabato, NDKC is a Catholic institution led by the Marist Brothers, or Fratres Maristae a Scholis—a Catholic religious order from France. The school offers elementary, high school, senior high school, college and post-graduate courses in consortium with Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and independent programs. NDKC is a member of the Notre Dame Educational Association and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.
DUCATION technology (ed-tech) platform Edukasyon.ph recently announced the appointment of Grace David as its new CEO—a post she assumed in October 2020. The start-up’s Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer Henry Motte-Muñoz, who launched Edukasyon.ph in 2015, will continue his full-time role as founder, executive chairman and head of growth. David joined Edukasyon.ph in 2019 equipped with more than 15 years of experience in brand management, marketing and sales in large local, regional and global institutions including San Miguel Corp., Kraft, Mondelez and Kerry. As a staunch education advocate, David will lead Edukasyon.ph into the next phase of youth-centered engagement and product innovation to guide students toward a successful and fulfilling future. “Our Filipino youth, especially high schoolers, often feel uncertain about choosing the right course, right school or right career path,” said David. “We envision Edukasyon.ph becoming their go-to platform: the [older sibling] who empowers them to explore their options and gain holistic learning, so they can make better-informed decisions for themselves.” “We’ve always anticipated that we would separate the founder and CEO roles, and we believe we’re at the right junction of growth and opportunity to effect this change,” MotteMuñoz pointed out. “We chose the best person for the job, and we couldn’t be prouder to have [David] lead us and join the grow-
DAVID
ing field of female tech CEOs in the Philippines.” Meanwhile, Edukasyon.ph closed in the fourth quarter of 2019 the second tranche of its Series A financing round of an undisclosed amount. Investors in the ed-tech start-up for the second tranche include Alternate Ventures, French Partners, Lorinet Foundation, KSR Ventures, Mustard Seed, and other new investors. Since the initial close of its Series A financing round, Edukasyon.ph has reached milestone achievements—including its fully rebranded platform, 700 listed school-partners in the Philippines and abroad, as well as 500,000 registered student-users. Edukasyon.ph offers 10 million annual student-visitors an online marketplace to search, compare and apply to higher-education institutions and online courses; a platform to engage with leading corporations, foundations and nonprofit organizations; and a resource for guidance and advice to pursue a successful path from education to career. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes
Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror
Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua
Saturday, March 6, 2021 A9
Beyond Angkor: Wanderings along the Royal Roads TA PROHM complex near Tonle Bati south of Phnom Penh is frequented by tourists.
Ruins embraced by the jungle, Banteay Cchmar.
The iconic first gate of Preah Vihear makes it to their banknote.
Story & photos by Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero
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ambodia’s Angkor Wat is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.
Those who have seen it can attest to its overwhelming presence. It is after all, the largest religious monument in existence. And the amazement does not stop there: Angkor extends much further as this enigmatic site sprawls over 400 km2 in total. Nearby Siem Reap, this vibrant city is the most ideal base that has everything a tourist needs: cheap finds, amazing food, tireless night bars, friendly locals. But, with Angkor receiving around 2.6 million tourists a year (prior to the pandemic), it may be difficult to expect that one can enjoy the temples all to him or herself. Those who do are simply 20 years too late. I first saw Angkor in 2012 and then again in 2015 as part of a technical visit during the Unesco-UNWTO Conference. The observed increase in visitors was not only apparent, but also concerning. Nevertheless, what is impressive about this country is that Angkor is not the only temple complex it offers. There have been times when I felt more amazed by other temples nestling deeper in the countryside. The Angkorian site of Beng Mealea, for example, is not far from Siem Reap, yet it offers a less commercialized visitor experience. There are three other sites that deserve more attention, and my experience in exploring them have been some of the most memorable excursions I have had. Preah Vihear temple and its location are phenomenal. The complex is older than Angkor, and it was a major pilgrimage place for Khmer kings. It is also one of only three World Heri-
tage Sites that are inscribed solely due to being “a masterpiece of human creative genius,” the two others are Taj Mahal and Sydney Opera House. The temple’s extensive 800-m-long layout is unique, and the galleries surrounding its central sanctuary served as inspiration for the outline of Angkor Wat 300 years later. Its ornamentations also clearly influenced the detailed and captivating Banteay Srei. Sitting atop the Dangrek mountains and right beside a 600-meterdeep ravine, Preah Vihear offers excellent views of the “Golden Triangle,” the meeting point of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. The temple environs, however, were heavily disputed between Cambodia and Thailand, and military crossfires in the past painted a picture of this site as unsafe and undesirable until only recently. Nevertheless, I made my visit there only weeks after a shootout encounter in 2012. Back then, the trip from Siem Reap took five hours. With improved infrastructure, the travel time is now reduced by half. The International Court of Justice 2013 ruling finally awarded the adjoining contested forest zone to Cambodia, and now Preah Vihear is peaceful and can be enjoyed by many. It may be difficult to imagine ancient temples lying just south of Phnom Penh. But then again, the Khmer empire was architecturally prolific, leaving relics as far as Thailand and Laos. The rural Takeo province is considered as the “cradle of Cambodian civilization,” and it is quite convenient to visit several sites
The image inside Yeay Peau near Ta Prohm.
THE 10th century brick Prasat Neang Khmau, as known as the ‘Black Lady’.
The unique Avalokiteshvara of Banteay Chhmar temple
Author (far left) with monks before climbing up the Phnom Chisor in Takeo Province.
The view 600 meters high from Preah Vihear temple
there on a day trip from the capital. In 2010, my family and I climbed the promontory of Phnom Chisor to see the 11th century temple thought to be the twin-temple of Preah Vihear. Arriving early at the base, we found ourselves in the company of monks in conquering the strenuous 412 steps to the top. The view from the temple, nevertheless, was nothing less than rewarding. Not far away are two 10th century brick towers called Neang Khmau
(“Black Lady”). There used to be a third tower that once stood on the site of the modern pagoda beside them. On the way back, the 12th century Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau are also worth a visit. Ta Prohm especially features well-preserved carvings. These temples were constructed near Lake Bati where visitors can get hold of fresh palm fruits to quickly recharge. Banteay Chhmar, on the other hand, lies close to the western bor-
der with Thailand. Several international organizations have painstakingly worked for its conservation, but there are still a lot to learn about this least understood site. It is also largely reclaimed by the jungle even now. Banteay Chhmar (“Citadel of Cats”) houses an outstanding testimony to a military victory over the Cham, a rival kingdom that occupied modern-day Vietnam. The intricate carvings in the eastern gallery depict an almost complete chronicle of a
historic war, which has no parallel elsewhere. The most iconic reliefs, however, are those in the west: the 32-armed multi-headed Avalokiteshvara and another 22-armed one. Originally, there were eight of these figures, two of which were only reconstructed from the rubbles in 2018, two are displayed at the National Museum, while the last two remains missing from a 1998 looting. All these temples—along with hundreds more—stand along the royal roads to Angkor. There were virtually no other sightseers at the time of my visits, rendering the experience truly remarkable and intimate. In fact, Banteay Chhmar only sees less than 1,500 visitors a year up to now. Banteay Chhmar is being positioned to become Cambodia’s next World Heritage Site, and Phnom Chisor is also on its way already.
Nuwa Manila and Nuwa Spa recognized anew with Five Stars in 2021 Forbes Travel Guide Awards
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Uwa at City of Dreams Manila once again achieves two Five Stars in the 2021 Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Awards for the hotel and its spa. The awards follow close on the heels of Nuwa being named one of the first hotels in the world to achieve the Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide certification, a comprehensive facility verification for compliance with expert-validated best practices on health and safety protocols. “These 2021 award winners are a testament to the resiliency of the hospitality industry,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “During an unprecedented time, these top properties adapted to numerous adversities all while maintaining high service levels and ensuring the health security of their guests and staff,” he added, “We hope that these excellent properties will inspire travelers for when they are ready to venture out on their next trip.” The properties in the 2021 list were in-
NUWA Manila
spected prior to the pandemic and when regional restrictions allowed for the safe return of guests. Lawrence Ho, chairman and chief executive officer of Melco, said, “As one of the world’s most prestigious and renowned
NUWA Crystal villa
travel standards, we are honored that our entire portfolio of integrated resorts is once again recognized by Forbes Travel Guide. This is a further testament to Melco’s commitment to excellence and the Company’s contribution
in pushing boundaries to provide the most memorable and exciting experiences for our guests. We thank our team for their dedication—and for helping establish Melco as a
leading integrated resort operator.” The recognition contributes to the collective total of 97 stars achieved by Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s portfolio of inte-
grated resort properties in Macau and Manila, which is considered the IR with the most Five-Star rating in Asia. Nuwa Manila and Nuwa Spa maintained their Five-Star rating for the fourth and second consecutive year, respectively since 2018. Geoff Andres, City of Dreams Manila Property president, added: “It is always an honor for Nuwa Manila and the Nuwa Spa to be consistently awarded a Five-Star rating by the world-renowned authority in genuine Five-Star service. This recognition inspires us to continually outdo ourselves in setting the benchmark for luxury and guest safety. We are proud of our colleagues who continue to be the driving force behind this achievement especially during these unprecedented times.” The only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas also recognized the two other hotels in City of Dreams: Hyatt Regency Manila and Nobu Hotel Manila with Four Star rating for four years running.
BusinessMirror
A10 Saturday, March 6, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
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K-pop releases disappear from Spotify platform
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F you are a K-pop fan who relies on Spotify for your daily music fix, you might have woken up on March 1 to the realization that most of the songs you usually listened to were gone from the streaming platform. Among the artists affected were IU, Jessi, HyunA, CL, Sunmi, Hyolyn, Younha, Epik High, Seventeen, Nu’est, Astro, Mamamoo, Gfriend, Pentagon, Monsta X, SF9, The Boyz, Loona, 4Minute, Vixx, Infinite, Dreamcatcher, Momoland, Zico, Block B, Beast, WJSN, BTOB, Golden Child, Victon, Lovelyz, Oneus, Kard, CNBLUE, DIA and many more. The streaming platform has said it is trying to reach an agreement with distributor Kakao M. Spotify launched in South Korea on February 1, 2021 without music from artists with licensing deals under Kakao M. Not all K-pop artists songs are gone from Spotify but fans called it the Thanos snap. In a statement, Spotify said artists with distributing licenses under Kakao M have been removed from the platform after they failed to reach an agreement with the Korean company to renew streaming rights. Following this development, many K-pop fans globally have canceled their Spotify Premium memberships. Songs by some of the Korean artists, including Jessi and HyunA, have eventually found their way back on Spotify. Kakao M is South Korea’s top music distributor. It also owns and operates Melon, the country’s top music streaming service, with 8.81 million monthly active users. “We have been making efforts in all directions over the past year and a half to renew the global licensing agreement so that we could continue to make Kakao M artists’ music available to fans all over the world, as well as our 345 million users in 170 different regions. However, in spite of this, we were unable to reach an
CONVERGE JOINS FIGHT AGAINST ONLINE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES
agreement about renewing our global license,” said Spotify in a statement. Kakao M claimed, however, that it was Spotify which chose not to renew their agreement, even after a request on the Korean company’s part. “Unrelated to the domestic contract, which we are still negotiating, we separately received notice of the expiration of our license on February 28, and we requested a renewal of our existing global contract. Due to Spotify’s policy that they must proceed with the domestic and global contracts at the same time, our global contract has currently expired,” they continued. “We are currently continuing our negotiations about the supply of music,” said Kakao M. For now, what are our options? We could go for YouTube Premium, which gives us access to YouTube Music; or we could subscribe to Apple Music. Or we could just play those CDs in the albums we’ve been buying. ■■■ ALSO, I received a press release about something called PLDT Home WiFi Mesh (www.pldthome. com/wifimeshsystem), a system that boosts Internet connectivity and provides wider coverage without having difficulties with dead spots in the house. This PLDT Home WiFi Mesh has dual-band Wi-Fi technology so it’s supposed to detect the best connectivity possible for any device. This means that whether you’re accessing basic applications and doing everyday tasks—such online surfing or doing research for homework, attending online classes, and watching videos for educational purposes—the WiFi Mesh technology can help identify the connection most applicable to your current use. Connectivity management is easy, thanks to the mobile app where you can see all connected devices even while you’re on the go. No need to change for multiple sign-ins; you only use one WiFi name for the whole household. For those with minors in the house, the WiFi Mesh system has powerful parental controls to keep them safe. You can set multiple up user profiles on your network and assign timed usage and blocked content. These WiFi Mesh devices are available for as low as P298 per month for a starter kit, which already comes with two mesh units. Subscribers who need more Internet coverage at home can also avail themselves of an additional mesh device for as low as P149 per month. ■
Globe At Home now gives 24/7 health protection for the family THESE days, we take every precaution to keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy. Globe At Home (www.globe.com.ph) not only helps families stay connected but it now also extends extra care at home with free medical consultation access through the KonsultaMD Family Plan. Existing customers get unlimited 24/7 access to licensed Filipino doctors through voice or video consultations, and will be able to receive e-prescriptions or e-lab requests via SMS or e-mail as needed for six months. All of these can be had from the comfort of their own homes. “As we strive to continue providing Filipino homes with reliable Internet connectivity, we also take extra care of our customers through relevant offers that go
beyond connection. Now Globe At Home gives families free access to health care through KonsultaMD,” said Darius Delgado, vice president and head of broadband business at Globe. All current subscribers of Globe At Home can enjoy this extra care benefit. They just need to go to the Globe At Home app to get the free voucher and register to KonsultaMD. Apart from free health-care access with every subscription, new customers are able to choose from various postpaid plan options with popular plans ranging from unlimited 20 Mbps up to 100 Mbps based on the family budget. These plans also include a free three-month access to Amazon Prime Video, HBO GO, and Viu. This promo runs until March 31.
CHILD pornography is one of the challenges being faced by children while surfing the Internet. This became a huge concern especially during the long Covid-19-related lockdown when the young and older folks alike were forced to study and work remotely. In line with this growing online threat, Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. (Converge) recently installed the required available technology, program and software compliant with the National Telecommunications Commission guidelines. “People stuck at home during the pandemic continue to seek human connection through the online community. In light of Safer Internet Day, we would like to remind parents and guardians of children to take proactive steps in using the Internet responsibly,” said Converge founder and CEO Dennis Anthony H. Uy said in a press statement. “Converge will continue to implement safety and security measures such that explicit and malicious content will not continue to propagate online.” Uy said the firewall system installed by Converge can check the data that flows into the network then substantiates it if it is safe to pass through to the business. He added this technology prevents unauthorized access to or from a private network, preventing the circulation of explicit or malicious content. Furthermore, Uy pointed out that Converge has a Secure Domain Name Solution that blocks at the domain level those web sites carrying child pornography material. He also assured the tools used by Converge for Firewall and DNS Solution are sourced from the most reputed companies in the industry. Through its online channels, Uy said the company is also doing its share in the fight against false and malicious information, providing positive content that includes needed information in encouraging the public to remain vigilant against the same. Likewise, Uy stressed young Internet users are given access to high-quality online experiences if they are more exposed to positive online content such as materials that enable individuals to learn and develop their analytical and creative skills. He said these experiences enhance their awareness on safety through positive content. Quick access to online support is offered by Converge to all its subscribers so they may all stay connected in a secure manner. Any report of inappropriate or illegal content and behavior online is taken seriously and immediately acted upon. “In delivering our promise to elevate the Filipino’s Internet experience, security is our top priority as we seek to empower individuals to explore the digital experience with minimum risk,” said Uy. “Converge continues to invest in the right technology to ensure a better online environment for people of all age groups, but most especially for the younger generation. We believe that we are in the position to create an environment that encourages secure online services through self-regulation of content and services so that Filipinos may achieve success.” Washington-based International Justice Mission pointed out in its study that the Philippines is the global hotspot for online child sexual exploitation, worsened by lockdown restrictions. Increased risk of harm through the spread of false information or malicious content that is especially dangerous for children puts Converge in a position to protect the younger generation by promoting the responsible, respectful, critical and creative use of digital technologies.
Multinational comms company empowers women in tech IT’S no secret that women in the tech world are severely underrepresented. According to International Data Corp. (IDC), women in senior leadership positions accounted for only 24 percent of the tech work force in 2019. For years, the public has called on these tech companies to do better, though problems of gender discrimination, wage gaps, and a cultural lack of support for women continue to be reported. Rakuten Viber, however, is a notable exception. In the Philippines alone, all its leadership roles are filled by women. Most recently, the communications company announced that it is appointing another woman as public relations lead for the entire Asia-Pacific region. Lana Macapagal, previously the PR manager for APAC, now spearheads not only all public relations
activities in APAC but also the social media and influencer marketing efforts in the region. With more than 10 years of experience in marketing, brand management, business development, and public relations, Macapagal has proven to be a valuable and insightful leader as Viber continues to dominate the regional market. She joined Rakuten Viber in May 2018, managing business development partnerships and activities in the Philippines. Prior to joining Viber, Macapagal held marketing and comms roles at several companies and agencies including SM Supermalls, Adenip Inc. and AdSpark. She graduated from De La Salle University with a Masters in Marketing Communication. “I’m very proud to be working for a company
like Viber, which has always valued my ideas and insights,” says Macapagal. “As a woman in the tech world, it’s very rewarding to be supported and empowered by a multinational communications giant. I am looking forward to expanding our reach in the Asia-Pacific region and making sure everyone is updated about the work we do at Viber—providing secure, reliable and functional communication tools that enable us to stay connected, especially during these extraordinary times.” Macapagal’s appointment is a testament to Viber’s continued commitment to provide equal opportunities for all women, standing as a trailblazer for a more progressive tech future wherein the lack of diversity and gender parity would be a thing of the past.
LANA MACAPAGAL of Rakuten Viber
BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
• Saturday, March 6, 2021 A11
Twitter cracks down on Covid vaccine misinformation SAN FRANCISCO—Twitter says it has begun labeling tweets that include misleading information about Covid-19 vaccines and using a “strike system” to eventually remove accounts that repeatedly violate its rules. The company said on Monday that it has started using human reviewers to assess whether tweets violate its policy against Covid vaccine misinformation. Eventually, the work will be done by a combination of humans and automation, it said. Twitter had already banned some Covid-related misinformation in December, including falsehoods about how the virus spreads, whether masks are effective and the risk of infection and death. “Through the use of the strike system, we hope to educate people on why certain content breaks our rules so they have the opportunity to further consider their behavior and their impact on the public conversation,” Twitter said in a blog post on Monday. People with one violation—or strike—will see no action. Two strikes will lead to an account being locked for 12 hours. Five or more will get a user permanently banned from Twitter. Facebook has also stepped up its vaccine misinformation fight after years of half-hearted enforcement. It announced an expanded policy last month that includes all vaccines—not just those against Covid-19. San Francisco-based Twitter said the new labels only apply to Covid vaccines, not others. AP
In tech we trust L
AST week, the GSMA hosted the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai, one of the first in-person technology trade shows since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 200 companies and about 20,000 people attended the three-day “hybrid” event combining unique in-person and virtual elements— something that could become the norm for future conventions. This year’s theme was “Connected Impact,” and the agenda showcased how the digital ecosystem supports global recovery and transforms lives. 5G technology once again took center stage, highlighting the benefits of a connected industry, AI and start-up innovations. During one of the forums, Huawei said countries should address the politicization of technological advancements. “We must reach a global consensus on this issue and believe in the power of technology to leverage it for the benefit of the society,” Catherine Chen, Huawei senior vice president and board member, said in her keynote speech at the Connected for Shared Prosperity Forum. “Looking back over history, we’ve seen how large social changes happen in lockstep with breakthroughs in science and technology. But today, technological advancements are hyped and politicized, sometimes demonized. Many have stopped believing in the power of technology because of fear and distrust. Some are going to great lengths to hinder the development of technology,” she noted. “I recently read a report which said that any important digital platform that is dominated by China will be highly dangerous to the US if not effectively contained, and that 5G was one such platform.” 5G is a standardized technology defined by its high bandwidth, low latency and broad connectivity. It helps traditional industries transform and can benefit all. Wide-scale 5G deployment can already be seen in multiple industries around the world. “If we claim that technology is critically important but its development is ideologically wrong, this will only result in division, confusion and regression.” Chen urged we must reach a global consensus on this issue and believe in the power of technology to leverage it for the benefit of the society. Officials of the EU Parliament and several European countries likewise opposed the
politicization of technology and praised the contribution of Chinese firms. “It is important to note that 5G is turning into something of a political battleground,” said EU Parliament member Frances Fitzgerald adding the development of 5G should be a global enterprise, and no arbitrary borders should impede it. “In the years ahead, as we look to the rollout of 5G and the development of 6G, it is critical that political leaders ensure there are no artificial divisions,” she noted. In the Philippines, both PLDT Inc. and Smart. have partnered with Huawei for their 5G networks. PLDT inked an agreement with Huawei in 2017 for the development of its 5G network, which involves the establishment of an innovation laboratory and showcase network. The two also signed a $28.5-million deal to overhaul PLDT’s wireless service delivery platforms. Last December, Smart and its technology partners successfully tested 5G Carrier Aggregation (CA), making it one of the first mobile operators in Asia Pacific to test CA in the live 5G network. Smart also successfully tested 5G CA on the 5G low-band 700MHz (n28) and the 5G mid-band 3.5GHz band (n78), with Huawei’s Mate 40 Pro 5G smartphone. This combination of frequency enables greater flexibility, where the low band provides wider coverage, and the mid-band provides higher capacity where required, like in sports arenas and open-air event venues, for example.
FROM ‘POSSIBLE’ TO ‘INEVITABLE’
SINCE 2016, 5G has been embedded in Smart’s network planning and its initiatives form a large part of the PLDT Group’s sustained investments in their network, which totaled some P260 billion from 2015 to 2019. With the surge in demand for data, PLDT and Smart are prepared to invest between P88 billion and P92 billion in 2021 to meet the requirements of mobile and fixed line customers. All throughout the pandemic, technology served as a lifeline for both business and consumers. Without fast and reliable connectivity, the shift to digital would have been more difficult for business and work-from-home arrangements wouldn’t have been possible. We might have been forced to be physically distant, but thanks to the Internet we were able to maintain our social connections, hold virtual parties and even reconnect with long lost family members. And while we were stuck indoors, all we needed was a few taps on our smartphones to keep ourselves sane and entertained with YouTube, TikTok, Viu and Netflix. It was almost the same time last year when Crash Landing on You became our national K-drama of sorts as Pinoys avidly followed the love story of Captain Ri and Yon Seri, providing a reprieve from the problems brought about by the pandemic. Who would have thought that just a few months after the series ended, Capt Ri himself, Hyun Bin,
would become Smart’s ambassador for its 5G campaign. In August, it was Son Ye-jin’s turn to join the Smart family for its new 5G Signature plans. So from something that seemed “possible” it soon became “inevitable” as the reel-turned-real couple appeared in a their first TVC together sending our hearts aflutter in time for Valentines. Smart said it was a lot of hard work to have the K-drama power couple reunite on screen but they weren’t going to disappoint the fans who came up with the #InSmartWeTrust hashtag. The TVC even got international attention appearing in various Korean entertainment news outlets and thrilling local and foreign fans. After all, it was the first time to see them together following their January 1 confirmation of their romance. The two TVCs also shared the spotlight with folk pop OPM band Ben&Ben which composed and performed the song “Inevitable,” as the two searched and found each other in a crowded city with the help of Smart’s 5G technology. Last February 28, more than 200,000 watched “The Inevitable Drone Show,” a oneof-a-kind musical display with Ben&Ben performing as Smart released the second BinJin TVC. As we were writing this column, there was a teaser that Smart’s next endorser would be a big Hollywood name. The campaign is said to be one of the biggest initiatives produced by Smart and the first-ever Hollywood A-List brand ambassador is the lead star of the highest-grossing film of all time—and a film franchise which has grossed more than US $10-billion worldwide. Now, that could mean several guys from Marvel’s Avengers series, as Avengers: Endgame is the highest grossing movie, but the next clue (“To infinity and beyond”) might just be the giveaway that it could be Chris Evans, as he will be playing the role of the Buzz Lightyear in the upcoming movie Lightyear, although that clue could still be a swerve. Could it also be a sign that we might finally get Disney+ in time for Falcon and The Winter Soldier? I’m keeping my fingers crossed. ■
TikTok owner ByteDance to pay $92-M in US privacy settlement SAN FRANCISCO—TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance has agreed to pay $92 million in a settlement to US users who are part of a class-action lawsuit alleging that the video-sharing app failed to get their consent to collect data in violation of a strict Illinois privacy law. The federal lawsuit alleged that TikTok broke the Illinois biometric privacy law, which allows suits against companies that harvest consumer data without consent, including via facial and fingerprint scanning. Illinois is the only state with a law that allows people to seek monetary damages for such unauthorized data collection. “While we disagree with the assertions, rather than go through lengthy litigation, we’d like to focus our efforts on building a safe and joyful experience for the TikTok community,” TikTok said in an emailed statement. Facebook agreed to a $550 million settlement under the same law last February. The TikTok settlement must still be approved by a federal judge. Privacy advocates have praised the law as the nation’s strongest form of protection in the commercial use of such data, and it has survived ongoing efforts by the tech industry and other businesses to weaken it. Illinois is one of three states that have laws governing the use of biometric data. But the other two, Texas and Washington, don’t permit individual lawsuits, instead delegating enforcement to their attorneys general. AP
Sports BusinessMirror
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| Saturday, March 6, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
PAULINE: I’M READY
P
AULINE DEL ROSARIO hasn’t lost her appetite for winning three months after edging Princess Superal in the second of two Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) bubble tournaments at Riviera, all geared up for another title chase in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Eagle Ridge Challenge unfolding Tuesday
at the Aoki course in General Trias, Cavite. Through that long layoff, del Rosario kept her form in good shape through regular workouts and drills while sneaking in a round or two to improve not just her muscle memory but also gain a greater sense of distance and depth. “My focus is to always play my best,” said the first Filipina to win on the LPGA of Taiwan
Tour, who dominated the LPGT with four victories in her rookie season in 2017. “To get ready [for a competition], I’m sticking to my program—working out, drills and rounds.” But she has opted to tone down the level of expectations for another title shot, saying: “No expectations since everyone in the field is capable of playing good golf.”
Superal, for one, is out for a payback after failing to compete a sweep of the two Riviera tournaments that marked the re-start of the ICTSI-backed circuit disrupted by the global health crisis last year. But the rest of the compact field are also raring to get going and spoil the projected del Rosario-Superal title clash, including former
three-time Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodriguez, Taiwan LPGA Tour veterans Daniella Uy and Marvi Monsalve, along with Gretchen Villacencio, Pamela Mariano, Sunshine Baraquiel and Chanelle Avaricio. Amateur Laurea Duque spices up the cast in the 54-hole championship as the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit continues to provide the youth the venue where they could hone their talent and skills and get a feel of competitive play. Meanwhile, listup for the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Championship, slated March 23-25 at the Norman layout, ends on March 12. For details, log on to www.pgt.ph.
PBAPC fetes Gin Kings’ Cone outstanding coach in bubble A NOTHER championship, another individual accolade for Tim Cone. For steering Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the Philippine Cup title in the most challenging period in the 45-year history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Cone will be feted with the Outstanding Coach of the Bubble honor in Sunday’s virtual PBA Press Corps Awards Night at the TV5 Media Center. The Kings defeated the TnT Tropang Giga in five games of the bubble Finals at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga to claim their first
all-Filipino crown in 13 years. And Cone did it despite the uncertain time brought about by the current pandemic and the health status of his players. After big man Greg Slaughter decided to skip the season, Cone was also faced with the specter of key players LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar not exactly in game shape entering the bubble due to personal reasons. But the brilliant coach that he is, Cone found a way to keep the Kings competitive until both Tenorio and Aguilar were healthy enough to anchor
TIM CONE gets another feather for his cap.
the team’s campaign again. The end result had the Kings winning their 13th championship overall, trying the fabled Crispa Redmanizers at No. 4 overall in the all-time winning list, while Cone solidified his legacy as the league’s most accomplished coach with 23 titles tucked under his belt. Cone will be joined by 2019 Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year winner Leo Austria of San Miguel on center stage during the special two-in-one awards night presented by Cignal TV. The program will be shown over PBA Rush on March 8.
PAULINE DEL ROSARIO is focused to always play her best.
Also receiving major awards are Commissioner Willie Marcial as Mr. Executive and Chairman Ricky Vargas, recipient of the 2019 Danny Floro Executive of the Year. To be recognized with the President’s Award are the 12 member teams for the sacrifices they made to help restart the league’s 45th season, along with 2019 winner Vergel Meneses, current Bulakan, Bulacan mayor and one of the 25 Greatest Players in league history. NorthPort veteran Sean Anthony meanwhile,
will be honored as the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. The rest of the awards to be given include Top Bubble D-Fender (Justine Chua), All-Bubble D-Fenders (Calvin Abueva, Chris Ross, Mark Barroca, Christian Standhardinger, and Chua), Mr. Quality Minutes (RJ Jazul), Scoring Champ (CJ Perez), Game of the Bubble (Barangay Ginebra-Meralco Game 5 semis) and the All-Rookie Team (Aaron Black, Arvin Tolentino, Roosevelt Adams, Barkley Ebona, and Renzo Subido). A special citation will also be handed out to the PBA staff for its non-stop work to ensure the wellbeing of the Clark bubble.
GINEBRA GETS C-STAN’ FOR BIG 7-FOOT GREG
STANDHARDINGER
B
By Josef Ramos
ARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel finally acquired Filipino-German Christian Karl Standhardinger from Northport in exchange for 7-footer Greg Slaughter on Friday in a blockbuster one-on-one trade that created a buzz in social media the past few days. The Gin Kings’ grand slam Head Coach Tim Cone confirmed to B usiness M irror about the trade done by the San Miguel Corp. franchise, saying the deal benefited both parties. “They’re both premier big men with different skills. I believe Greg will put up much bigger numbers than he had at Ginebra and elevate NorthPort,” said Cone, noting the trade reminded him of the Ramon FernandezAbet Guidaben 1988 traded between San Miguel Beer and Añejo Rum in 1988. “The trade reminds me of the old days when Mon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben would be traded for each other,” Cone said. The 6-foot-8 Standhardinger was fifth in scoring in the bubble season, averaging 19.9 points, 12 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Batang Pier in 10 games. But Northport only won one of its 11 games and exited early.
SLAUGHTER “C-Stand’s strengths and hardworking plays will fit well with what Ginebra needs as a team,” Cone said. “We certainly wish Greg all the best and thank him for the championships he brought to Ginebra, and we welcome C-Stand to the Ginebra family. I think the Gin fans will appreciate his style of play. He’s a throwback to the Ginebra players of old,” he added. Standhardinger will be joining a starstudded Ginebra team composed of Stanley Pringle, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio and Jared Dillinger. For Northport Coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio, acquiring Slaughter absolutely provides the Batang Pier a legitimate post threat and a taller player than Standhardinger. “Acquiring Greg through a trade, we already have an inside presence that we are looking for a long, long time. It’s a rare chance to get a player like Greg,” said Jarencio. Slaughter, who bagged the Best Player of the Conference award in the 2017 Governors’ Cup, averaged 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in that conference. He averaged 11 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks in the last Governors’ Cup in Season 44 before skipping the last season.
Aces up our sleeves–Teng J
ERON TENG vowed the Alaska Aces will be a surprise package with a rejuvenated winning mentality in the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup. “We’ll surprise a lot of people this upcoming season, we are a hardworking team,” Teng told BusinessMirror on Thursday. “We care about our own improvement as a team. We control what we have control of.” The Aces lost starting power forward Vic Manuel in a recent trade with Phoenix Super LPG for Brian Heruela and signed free agents Gab Banal and veteran Yousef Taha in the offseason. Teng said the modest goal is to improve on their quarterfinals finish in the Clark bubble last season. “It will be an exciting season because we
have a lot of new guys. Gab Banal, Yousef and our upcoming draft picks,” added Teng, who averaged 11.09 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.09 assists in 11 games in the shortened 45th season. Alaska will be selecting sixth overall in the first round and twice in the second round—16th and 21st—in the online Rookie Draft set on March 14. Teng, 26, recently signed a fresh threeyear contract with the Aces that will culminate with a maximum P420,000 a month in the last two years. The 6-foot-2 Teng is joined by holdovers Mike Digregorio, Maverick Ahanmisi, Kevin Eboña, Abu Tratter, Rodney Brondial, Robbie Herndon and veteran Jayvee Casio in the Aces camp. Josef Ramos