April 2015 'A' issue

Kapuso stars’ top travel destinations

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Connecting Global News & Views For The Community

UK & Europe Edition

April 2015

Volume 6 - Number 7

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MARIAN RIVERA CELEBRATES WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES DAY AT CONGRESS KAPUSO Primetime Queen Marian Rivera lent her star power to the House of Representatives’ observance of Women’s Month by gracing the celebration of Women with Disabilities Day Monday.

Marian, the House’s Ambassador for Women and Children with Disabilities, was the guest of honor for the daylong forum and training session for women with disabilities sponsored by the House committee on women and gender equality. The event had the theme “Juanang Maykapansanan, Kapasyahan Mo ay Mahalaga sa Bayan.”

The actress had graced a similar event organized by the House last year.

At the forum, Carmona town Mayor Dahlia Loyola discussed the program she had launched in the town to help women with disabilities work with their families to become functional, employable, and highly independent individuals.

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Marian Rivera with poses with Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus (second from left) and Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (farthest right) at the celebration of Women with Disabilities Day at the House of Representatives. Gabriela Party-List

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She expressed optimism that the program will be a best practice that other local government units can emulate in helping women with disabilities earn a living.

Earlier in the day, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emmi De Jesus led hundreds of medical staff and patients in marking the global antiviolence campaign One Billion Rising at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City with a community dance that celebrated the victory of the cancer treatment center over attempts to sell it to property developers.

March was declared as Women’s Role in History Month in the country through Proclamation No. 227 in 1988, while March 8 was proclaimed as National Women’s Day with the enactment of Republic Act 6949 in 1990. n Xianne Arcange l /JST, GMA News / March

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Benitez family secures court order stopping transfer of JASMS property to STI MANILA – A Quezon City court has stopped STI’s bid to foreclose the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) campus.

In an order signed by Judge Fernando T. Sagun Jr., the C Regional Trial Court said it “temporarily suspended” the foreclosure until such

time that a separate court in Manila rules on a corporate rehabilitation petition filed by the Benitez family matriarch, former senator Helena Z. Benitez.

The Benitez family owns Philippine Women’s University (PWU), whose basic education unit is JASMS.

The suspension order puts on hold the results of an auction in which STI won.

To recall, STI moved to foreclose on the PWU campus in Manila, the JASMS campus in QC, and a third set of properties in Mindanao after the Benitez family failed to repay its debt.

STI in 2011 entered into a debtfor-swap deal, in which it would assume PWU’s debt to BDO Unibank provided the university transfers its assets to sister-firm Unlad Resources Development Corporation. In return, Unlad should have issued shares giving STI control.

That deal however fell through late last year, leading STI to issue notices of default. Besides PWU’s debt to BDO, STI also lent Unlad a separate amount, which was backed by collateral covering the JASMS campus.

Call center employees seen to benefit from minimum wage hike—solon EVEN highly-skilled employees in the business process outsourcing sector are seen to benefit from the P15increase in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers in Metro Manila as employers seek to correct the wage distortion caused by the wage hike.

In a statement on Sunday, House committee on higher and technical education chair Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said that while several call center employees may not be directly covered by the increased minimum pay, the incremental jump in wages will nonetheless create wage distortions in their favor.

The Labor Code defines wage distortion as “a situation where an increase in prescribed wage rates results in the elimination or severe contraction of intentional quantitative differences in wage or salary rates between and among employee groups in an establishment as to effectively obliterate the distinctions embodied in such wage structure based on skills, length of service, or other logical bases of differentiation.”

It is usually corrected through commensurate pay increases for those employees not initially meant to be covered by the specified increment.

Over half a million minimum wage workers in the private sector in Metro Manila are seen to benefit from the National Capital Region’s Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board’s decision last week to increase the minimum wage by P15.

Upward revisions. The new P481 statutory floor wage for nonagriculture sector workers, as well as the P444 new minimum wage for those in agriculture, will take effect

sometime next month after the order has been published in newspapers.

The increase is expected to set off similar upward revisions to the minimum wage in other regions across the country.

Romulo expressed optimism the projected commensurate increase in call center workers’ salaries will not dampen the rapid expansion of the country’s highly labor-intensive, information technology (IT) and BPO sector.

“We do not see the P15-inrcease in the daily minimum wage (for private sector workers in Metro Manila) influencing the decision of BPO players to either step up, or slow down hiring,” he said.

Even with the anticipated wage increase, Romulo said the Philippines remains more competitive than India and other BPO hubs since their wages are rising faster.

Forex fluctuations. He noted that foreign exchange rate fluctuations

tend to have greater weight on BPO operations than wage increases since BPO firms spend for their local operations in pesos while they generate revenues in US dollars from transactions with overseas clients.

A weak peso against the dollar is considered beneficial to BPO firms. In contrast, they may be disadvantaged by a rising peso and a declining US currency.

According to Romulo, BPO firms gained more when the peso-dollar rate averaged 44:1 in 2014 versus 42:1 in 2013.

The IT and Business Processing Association of the Philippines sees the sector directly employing up to 1.3 million Filipinos and yielding some $26 billion in annual revenues by 2016.

The sector includes contact centers, back offices, data transcription, animation, software development, engineering design, and digital content. n Xianne Arcangel / LBG, GMA News / March 29, 2015 / 2:47 PM

After STI moved to foreclose on the PWU and Unlad properties, the Benitez family matriarch filed for corporate rehabilitation of the university, citing advances she made. The Manila RTC hearing the rehab case already ordered the start of proceedings on the Benitez’ petition.

The Benitez family claims the Manila RTC order suspends the auction of PWU’s properties, but STI counters that the court only suspended the auction until such time that it rules on the corporate rehab petition.

Unlad not party to PWU rehab In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, STI Education System Holdings Inc said Unlad is not a party to the rehab petition, and so it should have no bearing on the JASMS property auction.

STI cited Republic Act No. 10142 or

the Financial Rehabilitation Insolvency Act of 2010, which provides that the properties of a surety and third-party mortgagor like Unlad are exempt from the coverage of a suspension order.

“A surety can be pursued independently of the debtor and therefore, STI Holdings should therefore be able to foreclose on the QC properties of Unlad in spite of any stay or suspension order in favor of PWU,” STI’s statement read.

“It is therefore the position of STI Holdings that no valid ground exist, which prevents or prohibits the foreclosure of the QC properties owned

by Unlad. STI Holdings is therefore prepared to defend its rights to foreclose on the QC properties owned

by Unlad before the proper court,” the statement further read. n Cassandra Lee /

InterAksyon.com / March 27, 2015 / 9:02 AM

Cheaper oil, higher incomes boost consumer confidence MANILA - Filipinos turned less pessimistic in the first quarter of the year, as lower oil prices and a strong peso gave them more bang out of every buck.

In the first-quarter round of its Consumer Expectations Survey, the BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the overall confidence index improved to -10 percent from the -21.8 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

The index measures sentiment by subtracting the number of optimists from pessimists. A negative figure means the pessimists still outnumber optimists, but the lower figure means an increase in the latter’s numbers. Respondents are asked about three major aspects: the country’s economic condition, the family’s financial situation, and the family income.

Measuring consumer confidence is important since household spending accounts for two-thirds of the Philippine economy.

Among the reasons for the lower pessimism in the first quarter are as follows: lower oil prices and stable prices of other commodities; higher family income that allows them to save; more jobs available and an increase in the number of employed family members; the peso’s appreciation; and improvement in roads.

Respondents also ascribed their improved confidence to less calamities, the perception of less corruption in government and its assistance in the form of PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program.

According to the BSP, the improvement in the consumer outlook was broadbased, with the middle-income group showing the least pessimism, followed by the low-income group. The high-income group remains the most bullish about their prospects.

For the second quarter, consumer outlook remained in positive territory and rose to 4.4 percent from the 0.7 percent in

the previous three-month period.

The outlook for spending however turned for the worse, with the index sliding to a record low of 30 percent in the second quarter from the 41.8 percent in the previous three-month period.

The drop stemmed from respondents expectations of a slowdown in inflation in the next 12 months.

Majority of respondents said they would spend more on basic goods and services, bu their numbers declined quarter-on-quarter, pointing to a slowdown in consumer spending in the near term. Except for water, the spending outlook index across commodity groups dropped, with those for fuel, food, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, transportation and communication falling the most.

As for purchases of big-ticket items, the number of respondents who said they would invest in durables hit a record high of 28.4 percent this quarter from the 24 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

Real estate registered the most bullish response, followed by consumer durables and motor vehicles, the indices for whichi hit their highest since the first quarter of 2007.

Going forward, the buying intentions index for big-ticket items in the next 12 months rose to 11.6 percent from the 10.4 percent previously.

The first quarter also marked a record high in the number of respondents who reported savings at 31.6 percent from the 25.7 percent in the previous quarter. All household groups reported savings, with the middle-income group saying they had the biggest increase in savings, followed by the low-income group.

Savings were earmarked for education, health and hospitalization, retirement and business capital and investment. More than two-thirds of savers had bank accounts. n

InterAksyon.com / March 27, 2015 5:02 PM

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Kapuso employees rewarded for ingenuity

Photo shows GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon (fourth from left), GMA President and COO Mr. Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. (fifth from left) and GMA EVP and CFO Mr. Felipe S. Yalong (third from right) together with the winners and their respective department/group heads, First VP and Head of Content Management and On-Air Systems, Engr. Jose Severino V. Fuentes (leftmost); Senior VP and Head of Engineering Group and concurrent Head, Transmission and Regional Engineering, Engr. Elvis B. Ancheta (rightmost); Senior VP for Finance and ICT, Mr. Ronaldo P. Mastrili (second from left), and VP for ICT, Ms. Ma. Nenita E. Cruz (third from left). GMA Network

Cebu Pacific’s passenger traffic up ahead of summer travel season

MANILA – Passenger traffic at Cebu Pacific and sister-company Tigerair Philippines increased in the low teens ahead of the peak summer travel season.

According to Cebu Air Inc (CEB), the two carriers flew a combined 2. 5 million passengers in the first two months of this year, a 13. percent increase from the 2.42 million in the same period of last year. This as they increased flights by 14.1 percent to 21,219 from last year’s 18,602.

However, load factor, which is the percentage of occupied seats per flight, dropped to 8.4 percent from 81.9 percent in 2014.

Gokongwei-owned CEB earlier reported a 6 percent uptick in profit to P853.5 million last year from P511.95 million in 2013. This as revenue grew by 2 percent to P52 billion from P41 billion over the same period. Passenger revenue comprised percent of total revenue and increased by 2 percent year-on-year.

Cebu Pacific and Tigerair Philippines are seeking additional flights to Singapore after the citystate and Manila agreed to increase the number of seat entitlements between the two countries. n Cassandra Lee / InterAksyon.com / March 27, 2015 / 7:37 PM

EMPLOYEES from GMA Network’s Information and Communications (ICT) Department and Engineering Group-Content Management and OnAir Systems Department (CMOSD) were named as winners of the Company’s Continuous Improvement Awards Program (CIAP) for 2014 during the Network’s 1st Quarter General Assembly held recently.

Initiated by GMA’s Human Resources Development Department in 2004, the CIAP is a year-round

sues cardiologist over

A cardiologist practicing his trade at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City was sued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue before the Department of Justice for alleged tax evasion over the last seven years from 2006.

The BIR accused Dr. Benedict Lazatin of willful attempt to evade or defeat tax, and deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in his income tax returns for taxable years 2006 to 2013.

He was also accused of willful failure to file value-added tax returns for taxable years 2006 to 2012, and for the first, second, and fourth

shops from the owners’ stable of fastfood offerings (Jollibee, MangInasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon and Highlands Coffee) and BDO, the flagship bank of the SM Group, which is DoubleDragon’s strategic partner in unit CityMall Commercial CentersInc, which is in charge of securing the sites.

CityMallArnaldoRoxas also counts among its locators some of the offerings of rival retalier Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc, including MiniStop, Robinsons Supermarket, Handyman and Robinsons Appliances. Owned by the Gokongwei family, Robinsons Retail is also one of the SM Group’s key competitors in the retail space.

quarters of taxable year 2013. He also failed to register as a VAT taxpayer. These infractions violated Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 or the Tax Code.

The BIR said that in order to determine the doctor’s true and correct income, access letters were sent to St. Luke’s College of Medicine, St. Luke’s Medical Center and Maxicare Healthcare Corp., which all provided certifications on income payments made to him.

“Records of the BIR, however, showed that Dr.Lazatin declared no income for taxable years 2006 to 2012 and that he declared income amounting to only P1.32 million for 2013.

operating expenses. Project VICC saved the Company almost P6 million from 2005 to 2013.

The winning team, which received cash and plaques, is composed of Mr. Melvin H. Ambrosio and Engr. Jayson E. Dela Torre from the Engineering Group-CMOSD and Mr. Joseph Bhernie M. Bague, Ms. Vanessa Marie V. Grepo, and Ms. Adoracion S. Lapada from the ICT Department. The Project was nominated by Ms. Remedios D. Reyes. n GMA Network/ March 27, 2015 / 4:45 PM

M ta evasion

The BIR said Lazatinunderdeclared his correct taxable income by P2.72 million in 2006, P1.43 million in 2007, P1.93 million in 2008, P3.38 million in 2009, P2.13 million in 2010, P2.37 million in 2011, P3.5 million in 2012, and P1.93 million in 2013.

“Having breached the P1.5 million threshold by earning P2.27 million in 2005, he likewise failed to register as a VAT taxpayer,” the bureau said.

The BIR computed Lazatin’s total tax liability at about P25.79 million in deficiency income and VAT from 2006 to 2013, including surcharges and interests. n Mark Merueñas / VS, GMA News / March 27, 2015 / 7:16 PM

PNoy tells Fil-Chinese traders to ‘give employees a little more’ PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Friday urged Filipino-Chinese businessmen to “give employees a little more.”

In a speech before the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), Aquino said labor and management in the Philippines have already become “too adversarial.”

“The true path to sustained profit and growth lies in empowering our workers,” Aquino said.

The President is particularly pushing for higher income for private sector workers, which he said will increase demand and drive economic growth.

“Increasing their disposable income increases demand, and therefore

ou le ragon opens first

MANILA - The property joint venture between the founders of Jollibee and MangInasal today marked its entry to the mall business with the opening of its maiden CityMall.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, DoubleDragon Properties Corporation said its CityMall-ArnaldoRoxas opened its doors to the public on Friday. The mall sites on a 1.4-hectare property along Arnaldo Boulevard in Roxas City, Capiz and provides 7,000 square meters of retail space.

According to DoubleDragon, its first CityMall is 100 percent leased out. Locators include retail

competition and incentive program that promotes efficiency, creativity and innovativeness among employees by rewarding their efforts in optimizing company resources.

GMA’s ICT Department and CMOSD developed an in-house application called “Project VICC,” which gives six interconnected groups quick access to lists of programs, commercials and plugs for both local and international airing, eliminating the need to set-up work stations and effectively reducing

increases competition. It logically follows that this pushes companies to strive for greater productivity and efficiency, allowing them to become even more competitive,” Aquino said.

“This is the approach that allows for a situation where, truly, everybody wins,” he added.

‘Current momentum’. In the same speech, Aquino once again enumerated signs of economic “transformation” under his administration.

He cited the 6.3-percent growth in the gross domestic product from 2010 to 2013, high net foreign direct investments, and credit rating upgrades from global debt-watchers.

“Indeed, in such a short span, the Philippines has recaptured the imagination of the world, and I am

certain that all of us want to build on our current momentum,” the President said.

He called for continued support from the business sector for his administration’s efforts, particularly in port decongestion and post-disaster rehabilitation.

“Those of you in this room are all captains and lieutenants of your respective industries, and I wish to talk to you about the vital role you play in this regard, and in the future of Philippine commerce at large,” Aquino said.

Two years ago, Aquino openly admonished some Filipino-Chinese businessmen for supposedly failing to pay and file income taxes. n Andreo Calonzo / VS, GMA News / March 27, 2015 / 11:49 AM

it Mall

Other locators in DoubleDragon’s maiden mall are Fun Nation, Expressions, Dunkin Donuts, Daiso Japan, RRJ Apparel, Penshoppe, Lifestyle Attitudes, BiscochoHaus, Rose Pharmacy, Ideal Vision Center, Abubuts, Kettle Corn, Shawarma House, FruitZilla Jr., MemoXpress, CD-R King, San-Yang Furniture, Time Network, Perfume Express, Picture Picture, Rusty Lopez, Infinite Phone Access, Cherry Mobile, CebuanaLhullier, Midas, JEMS Barbershop and LBC. DoubleDragon plans to open 100 CityMalls across the country in the next five years. It already has 20 sites

in key provincial areas, with some of these already under construction. The company plans to open 25 CityMalls by yearend.

DoubleDragon is jointly owned by Jollibee founder Tony Tan Caktiong and MangInasal founder Ed “InjapSia. n InterAksyon.com / March 27, 2015 / 5:56 PM

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Nickel Asia’s earnings quadruple on doubling of ore sales In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, NAC said it earned P11.008 billion in 2014, or 325 percent more than the P2.586 billion the

The Taganito HPAL plant work area.

STATEMENT

previous year. This as revenue more than doubled to P24.745 billion from P11.109 billion over the same period.

The more than twofold increase in revenue owed to sales or ore, which comprised 97 percent of total revenue, with the balance contributed by sales of services.

The company ascribed its strong performance last year to higher ore prices and record shipments of ore.

Nickel Asia shipped 28 percent more ore at 17.9 million wet metric tons (WMT) last year from 14 million in 2013.

Shipments to Japan and to one of two local processing plants which Nickel Asia owns accounted for the

rise in sales of ore amid a decline in demand coming from China.

Indonesia’s ore ban continued to boost prices, with the average realized price for ore exports at $45.10 per WMT, more than double the $21.28 in 2013. The price of nickel sold to two processing plants which Nickel Asia partly owns also rose to $7.69 per pound from $6.70 over the same period “The much improved market conditions and higher ore production and sales resulted in record-breaking earnings last year,” said Gerard H. Brimo, Nickel Asia president.

“We are also delighted at the results of the first full year of operations of the

Makati Business Club asks Congress to put peace process back on track

AS the nation commemorates the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the Makati Business Club reaffirms its continuing and unwavering support for the Mindanao peace process, and we renew our call to the government to put the peace process back on track at the soonest possible opportunity.

To enhance the prospects for peace in Mindanao, we urge Congress to resume discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at the earliest time. Consistent

with the position released by 14 esteemed framers of the Constitution last January 9, 2015, MBC shares the belief that the Constitutional principles of genuine human development, social justice, and lasting peace underlie the CAB and, ultimately, the proposed BBL. In this context, we respectfully urge Congress to not allow revisions that would contravene these values nor run against the aspirations of the Filipino people to attain a just, harmonious, and progressive Philippines.

It has been more than two months since the Mamasapano incident. While the search

for truth continues, we reiterate our stand that as the nation steadily moves forward from this tragedy, we must not allow political manipulation to take advantage of the legitimate grief and emotion that continues to pervade the public’s consciousness. Rather, sobriety, unity, and reason must be cemented as the guides that will steer efforts of government and the private sector towards genuine peace and in preserving the noteworthy gains that we have achieved in the last four-and-a-half years.

At this crucial juncture in the peace

process, let us move forward with sobriety and courage as one united Filipino nation in search of justice and peace. n InterAksyon.

com / March 27, 2015 / 9:11 PM

new Taganito HPAL plant, which has met all expectations,” he said.

Nickel Asia owns 22.5 percent of Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation, as well as 10 percent of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation.

Taganito HPAL buys ore from Taganito Mining Corporation, a 65-percent owned subsidiary of Nickel Asia. Coral Bay procures ore from Nickel Asia’s Rio Tuba mine.

In a meeting today, Nickel Asia’s board approved a regular cash dividend of P0.70 per share, a special cash dividend of P0.30 per share, and a 100 percent stock dividend. The board also approved the appointment of Taganito Mining vice president Jose Anievas as Nickel Asia’s new chief operating officer following the retirement of Jose Saret.

The board also approved the conversion of a one-year P446 million loan to and P474 million investment in Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) into a 66 percent stake in the company, which is drilling two “slim holes” at the Montelago geothermal field, Mindoro Occidental, convertible to equity at Nickel Asia’s option.

EPI has signed agreements to sell 40 megawatts to the electric cooperatives of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. n

InterAksyon.com / March 27, 2015 / 1:09 PM

ORIGINAL CREATION & COPYRIGHT RESERVED BY © HELLO PHILIPPINES 2015

MANILA – Nickel Asia Corporation’s (NAC) net income rose by more than fourfold last year on a doubling of its ores sales.

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Security Bank poaches on Ayala’s BPI for new CEO to lead expansion into consumer banking MANILA - Security Bank has firmed up the expansion of its consumer finance business with the appointment of a veteran retail banker as its new chief executive officer.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Security Banking Corporation said its long-time CEO

Alberto S. Villarosa will soon become chairman to replace Frederick Y. Dy, who will assume the role of chairman emeritus.

Poised to succeed Villarosa as CEO is an outsider, Alfonso L. Salcedo, who heads Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) Corporate Clients Group but

Photo from top-destination-choice-the-philippines.com

has built a 30-year career as a retail banker, half of that period with BPI and before that, another 10 years with Citibank. He served as president of BPI Family Savings Bank for six years before his current post at the thrift lender’s parent firm.

The appointments will be formalized during Security Bank’s annual stockholders’ meeting next month.

In a separate statement, BPI said it welcomed Salcedo’s departure, announcing his replacement by Daniel Gabriel M. Montecillo, who is president of BPI Capital Corporation and who in turn will be succeeded by Simon R. Paterno, head of BPI’s Financial Products and Services.

“Mr. Salcedo leaves a lasting legacy in the corporate banking business of BPI, a bank that is built on the individual talent and collective strength of its people. Mr. Salcedo is an asset to any organization that he

elects to join,” said BPI president Cezar P. Consing.

Salcedo’s looming appointment comes as Security Bank aims to grow its consumer portfolio to become the third pillar of its business, which is strong in wholesale banking and financial markets. Last year, it reorganized its portfolio, promoting its consumer business into a separate retail banking segment.

“Mr. Salcedo will be a prized addition to the bank’s already winning management team. His 30 year experience in retail banking and finance will serve well in reinforcing our consumer banking strategy.”

Villarosa said.

Last October, the lender’s board moved to absorb thrift arm Security Bank Savings, formerly Premiere Development Bank prior to its acquisition in 2012. Security Bank also forged abancassurancetieup with FWD Life Insurance Corporation,

a unit of Hong Kong-based Pacific Century Group of Richard Li, son of Asia’s richest man, Li Ka-Shing.

Security Bank grew its net income in 2014, as gains from its lending business grew by a third. The bank closed 2014 with a network of 256 branches after adding 12 outlets last year.

Regina Capital Development Corporation rates Security Bank as a “buy,” citing the lender’s above-averae net interest margin, below-average non-performing loans ratio and low exposure to the property sector.

Maybank ATRKE Securities also rates Security Bank as a “buy” because apart from its asset quality, the lender has a strong corporate banking franchise and ample capital to support its venture into consumer finance, not to mention efforts to boost fee-based income through its joint venture with FWD Life. n InterAksyon.com / March 24, 2015 / 9:00 PM

Business community again seeks deferral of passive income submission to BIR MANILA – Business groups again have asked the government to put off a requirement that annual income tax returns (ITRs) include taxpayers’ extra income.

In a joint position paper submitted to the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the groups pressed the suspension of Revenue Regulation No. 2-2014 and Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 9-2014, both of which require that taxpayers fill up the supplemental information return (SIR), which details information on passive income.

Such information includes proceeds of life insurance, retirement benefits, pensions and gratuities, personal or real properties received as gifts,

bequests and devises, as well as gains from the sale of properties.

Signatories to the position paper include the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tax Management Association of the Philippines.

“We respectfully request that compliance with the SIR requirement be made optional again on the part of the taxpayer for income tax returns starting calendar year 2014,” the position paper read.

The BIR last year also consented to

optional filing of the SIR for taxable year 2014 after business groups and legislators raised possible violations of people’s right to privacy and of the Bank Secrecy Law. They also said the SIR would be redundant since taxpayers already submit such information individually to the BIR. “It is to be noted that one of the attractions for choosing investments with tax free or net of tax yields is the exemption from the hassle of accounting for and reporting of income received from said investments in the case of individual taxpayers. The requirement to account for and report such income negates that advantage,” the position paper read.

The deadline for filing ITRs fall on endApril. n Chelsea Cruz, InterAksyon.com / March 31,

2015 11:25 AM

P30 billion in extra cash for employees as increased take-home bonuses start this June MANILA - Employees will enjoy higher mid-year benefits starting June, as the implementing rules of the new law raising to P82,000 the maximum amount of obtainable tax-free bonuses takes effect, House Deputy Majority Leader and Makati City Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay said Sunday.

“We expect an additional P30 billion to be put into the pockets of public and private sector employees, in terms of productivity and performance incentive pay, loyalty award, gifts in cash or in kind, 13th month pay, Christmas bonus and other benefits of similar nature,” Binay said in a news release.

“Many state agencies and private firms traditionally distribute these perks starting June, by way of midyear bonuses, so the money should

starting coming in soon enough,” Binay said.

Binay is one of principal authors of Republic Act 10653, which increased to P82,000 from P30,000 the ceiling for tax-exempt bonuses that may be

received by employees every year.

Malacañang approved the new law on Feb. 12.

Revenue Regulation 3-2015, which sets the implementation rules of the law, takes effect on April 1. The

Bureau of Internal Revenue published the order on March 16.

“We are hopeful the P30 billion in incremental bonuses for salaried employees, coupled with the P15increase in the mandatory minimum wage of workers in Metro Manila starting next month, will help drive household consumption spending and sustain economic growth in the months ahead,” Binay said.

Binay has been batting for highly progressive taxation that would put more income at the disposal of Filipino families, whom she said “tend to be more productive spenders than government.”

She recalled that Malacañang drew up the highly controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) precisely because government

agencies were found to be overly slowmoving when it comes to spending.

“If this is the case -- that many government departments are inefficient spenders anyway -- then we might as well give the money back to the families of salaried employees who are now being slapped up to 32 percent in withholding income taxes,” Binay said.

Binay is also author of bills seeking to exempt from income taxes all night shift differential and overtime pay received by employees.

As proposed by Binay in House Bills 2836 and 4682, all overtime and graveyard shift wages will be expressly excluded from the computation of the gross taxable income of all workers, regardless of their hourly pay rate. n

InterAksyon.com / March 29, 2015 / 10:55 AM

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

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9

US grandma appeals to keep name of PHL street GLENDORA, Calif.

– PilarMenciasKierulf will turn 90 in October, and she hopes to celebrate the milestone with a victory for her family.

Kierulf recent wrote a letter the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the mayors and council members of the cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong, to preserve the name of the street where she grew up and the legacy of the heroes it honors: revolutionary icon Gen. Antonio Luna and Dr.Bonifacio Lopez Mencias, her father.

Luna Mencias, the street between the cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong, is where the Pangasinan-born Dr.Mencias built a home for his wife, Barbara Sacro, a nurse, and their six children, in the 1930s.

Dr. Mencias lived and died for his country. The graduate of Colegio de San Juan de Letran was an epidemiologist was dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Santo Tomas from 1938 until he was captured by Japanese while tending to guerrillas in World War II. That mission to save lives led to his capture by the invaders. He was never seen nor heard from again. His children later learned that he was executed—beheaded—for abetting the underground resistance.

For his ultimate sacrifice, grateful town authorities attached his name to

that of General Luna.

Threatened. But the honor is threatened by efforts to rename the national road by the family of another departed resident, former Congress member Rufino D. Antonio.

The move prompted street resident Mariel KierulfAsiddao, 28, to alert her grandmother and relatives in Manila, Northern and Southern California, Chicago, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Antwerp, Belgium, to appeal the name change.

“At the start, my motivation was merely pride, that the name of the street where I live honors my greatgrandfather,” said Asiddao, a marketing executive at an IT and consumer electronics multinational company while pursuing her MBA as a senior at UP Diliman.

“In my short research, I found out details of a man’s life that aweinspired me—I could not believe that his accomplishments exceed what we alI knew. I realized it was up to me and my family to defend his memory.

Lolo may not hold a prominent place in history books, but in this corner of the city where he bought the land and built his home and brought up his family, he enjoys well-deserved recognition.”

She and her mother, Marian K. Asiddao, embarked on a campaign to illuminate city officials on their ancestor’s gift to Philippine history.

“This appeal is to ensure that he and his great deeds are not to be forgotten,” said Asiddao.

She produced flyers heralding her Lolo’s accomplishments, which she distributed at the February 24 hearing of the San Juan City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Committee.

Similar case. Mariel Asiddao also discovered a similar case last year in Lucena, where local officials had renamed part of a street originally named after the city’s first Catholic priest, Fr. Mariano Granja, after Felix Y. Manalo, founder of the Iglesiani Cristo (INC). The INC has a church on the street in contention.

A resident protested the renaming and brought the matter before the commission.

NHCP chief Maria Serena Diokno in a letter to Council Member Benito Brizuela, head of Lucena’s committee on tourism and cultural affairs and main proponent of the renaming, objected to the change.

Such renaming “would tend to disrupt the continuity of the street name,” Diokno said in a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Besides noting the impracticality of the change, Diokno questioned the propriety of renaming part of a street that “has been sanctified by usage and therefore has attained a degree of historical association and importance

Dr. Bonifacio Lopez Mencias. Photo courtesy of family

in the community.”

In the case of Luna Mencias, the heirs of Dr.BonifacioMencias hope that the NHCP will adhere to its responsibility to conserve and preserve the country’s historical legacies by objecting to the renaming of the entire street that begins at P. Guevara Street in San Juan City and ends at Shaw Boulevard.

Nine families since the early 1930s have continuously resided in the Mencias clan compound, including Margarita Mencias Castaneda, one of the two surviving daughters of Dr.Mencias.

“Our father’s name was attached to that of revolutionary hero Antonio Luna as testimony of how our neighborhood had recognized his important contribution to our community, country and history,” Mencias -Castaneda said in her letter to authorities. “Changing

this street’s name erases his legacy of hard word, perseverance, love of country and achievement.”

Castaneda’s eldest son, Bernardino M. Castaneda, Jr., is a “Kagawad” or member of the barangay council. Like his grandfather, he has chosen a life in public service. Many of his siblings and cousins also chose the same path as their patriarch in the fields of medicine, education, journalism and humanitarianism. One of them received the 2006 Philippine Presidential Award for Overseas Filipino Organizations and Individuals for service to Filipinos in the United States.

“While we can understand the Antonio family’s wish to honor their ancestor, we appeal to you to prevent them from doing so at the expense of the memory and legacy of our grandfather who died so that others may live,” the Mencias grandchildren said in a joint letter to the NHCP head, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez and Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr, councilors and the Addition Hills barangay captain.

“Our grandfather never met us but he lives in us. Some of us have transplanted ourselves in other countries, but we remain rooted in our home country, the heart of which is Luna Mencias,” they emphasized. n Cherie M. Querol Moreno / Philippine News / March 25,

2015 / 1:31 PM

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

South Korea opens door to 4,600 more OFWs CLOSE to 5,000 Filipino workers are allowed to work in South Korea’s manufacturing sector this year under the Employment Permit System (EPS), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday.

This was after South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) raised the ceiling for new Filipino workers in the manufacturing sector from 4,400 to 4,600 for 2015.

Labor Attaché Felicitas Bay of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) said there was an increase in the demand for OFWs in the manufacturing sector after the country

captured 13.98 percent of the alloted quota for new entrants.

“If we go by the total number, there was an increase in demand for OFWs. Last year, the quota for the Philippines was at 12.71 percent. In 2013, out of the 42,600 quota, we were given a total of 4,400 slots, or at 9.86 percent of the workforce allowed in the manufacturing industry,” she said.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Philippines’ good standing in the EPS was partly due to the decrease in the number of undocumented Filipin workers in South Korea.

The number of undocumented

workers went down by seven percent in 2014, lowering the number of illegal migrants from 6,548 to 6,005 since 2013.

Meanwhile, the total of Filipino workers under the EPS system rose from 20,632 in 2013 to 23,948 last year.

South Korea set this year’s overall foreign workers quota in the manufacturing sector at 42,000. Of this number, 32,890 are apportioned for new entrants, while 9,510 are allocated for returning foreign workers. n Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March

25, 2015 / 9:22 PM

Pinoy’s entry disqualified from Singapore songwriting contest DESPITE rave reviews from netizens, a Filipino-penned song was disqualified from a songwriting competition in Singapore commemorating the country’s 50th founding anniversary.

A report on Channel News Asia said Singaporean media company MediaCrop disqualified Jude Gitamondoc’s “As One”

because the contest was open only to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

The song was not selected as a finalist despite an admission from MediaCorp deputy CEO Chang Long Jong that the song was well-liked by the judges.

Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community

Ex-ambassador to Nigeria gets 17 years for malversation THE Sandiganbayan has convicted a former Philippine ambassador to Nigeria for misusing over P3 million assistance fund intended for kidnapped Filipino seafarers in 2007.

MasarangaUmpa, who was ambassador to Nigeria from 1996 to 2008, was sentenced to up 17 years in jail, according to a news release from the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday.

The anti-graft court said Umpa committed three counts of malversation of public funds over the misuse of the AssistanceTo-Nationals (ATN) Stand-by Fund totaling $80,478.80 or P3,749,948.98.

“Ombudsman prosecutors were able to prove that in February 2007, the Philippine Embassy to Nigeria received US$95,856.08 to cover expenses needed for the negotiations and repatriation of 25 Filipino seafarers who were kidnapped in Port Harcourt and Warri Delta State, Nigeria,” the Ombudsman said.

It said the prosecutors were also able to present the results of an independent verification made by the Internal Audit Service Team of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which showed that Umpa fabricated liquidation documents and that

several transactions or expenses he reported were fictitious.

The Sandiganbayan also pointed out that as a former accountant of the Commission on Audit for over a dozen years, the irregularities in the ATN fund would not have escaped Umpa’s notice.

Ultimately, the Sandiganbayan said that as head of post and head of the negotiating team working for the release of the kidnapped seafarers, Umpa was not only accountable for the fund but was also immediately and primarily responsible for it.

“He cannot legally pass on or transfer his accountability and primary responsibility for said ATN Funds to his AO (Administrative Officer) and FO (Finance Officer), because, as head of the government agency who received and entrusted with government fund, he was still accountable,” the court said.

In addition to his jail sentence, Umpa is also permanently disqualified from holding public office and was ordered to repay the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) $80,478.80 or the equivalent of P3,749,948.98 that he misused.

Umpa, 74, has appealed the conviction, according to a March 18 report on the Manila Times. n Patricia

Denise Chiu / KBK, GMA News / March 24, 2015 / 6:46 PM

and Youth & Second Minister for Ministry of Communications and Information, expressed puzzlement over the song’s rejection in a post last March 9.

While he acknowledged MediaCorp’s qualifying criteria, he said that no one should be barred from contributing art for Singapore’s 50th anniversary.

“Let’s have an inclusive celebration, and embrace all who share our values and ideals, and want to join us in making our Golden Jubilee a truly special one!” Wong said on the People’s Action Party social media account.

In a post on his Facebook page, Gitamondoc said he was flattered that one of the songs he wrote “caused quite a stir online” despite its disqualification.

Singaporean company Sophie’s World Productions commissioned the songwriter in 2014 to write two songs for the Gift of Song competition.

Gitamondoc credited JadBantug of 1032 Recording Studio for the instrument arrangements, Ralph JuntillaMallapre for vocals on their demo, and Isaias Herrera Zantua for creating their music video.

He also thanked executive producers Elaine Rachel Tang and Tracy Nicollete Tang and Dwight HandroBuot for giving him the project. n Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 24, 2015 / 8:50 PM

rescued tra ficking victims taken rom

SIXTEEN victims of illegal recruitment who were already in government custody were believed to have been taken again by the recruiter through people posing as their relatives, a report on “24 Oras” said Wednesday.

The report said people identifying themselves as relatives of the 27 victims—all women from Mindanao, three of them minors—started harassing the non-government organization tasked to take custody of the women Tuesday last week.

“Tuesday pa lang, mayroon nang nangha-harass. May pumunta doon [sa safehouse] na namimilit na gusto

nilang kunin yung kanilang kamag-anak kasi kinukulong daw namin,” said Cecilia Obeando, president of Visayan Forum, the NGO tasked to take care of the victims as the Department of Social Welfare and Development prepares the case against the recruiter.

“Nung Linggo, mas marami na po silang pumunta. Tapos pinukpok daw po nila yung gate namin tapos pinagbabato hanggang sa magiba,” she added.

She said the supposed relatives’ were in expensive vehicles when they fetched the 16 victims, leading them to believe that they were agents of the illegal recruiter.

“In the first place, saan sila kukuhan ng

sa e ouse

resources?” Oebando asked. “They have expensive vehicles.”

The report said the remaining women were transferred to another safehouse while the police investigate the case.

The report said the victims were promised jobs in Saudi Arabia but were instead locked in a basement. They were rescued last March 10 after one of them managed to escape and seek assistance from Parañaque City officials.

The report said the 16 women who left the safehouse may have grown impatient with the supposed slow progress of their case. n Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 25,

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Pinoy, US veterans reenact Bataan Death March in New Mexico

Bataan Death March remembered in New Mexico. Saying their sacrifice will not be forgotten, thousands of marchers from all over the United States and even the Philippines on Sunday, March 22, paid tribute to Filipino and American World War II veterans by taking part in the reenactment of the infamous Bataan Death March. More than 6,000 marchers, including PHL Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr., joined surviving Filipino and American veterans at the 26th Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in Alamogordo. Elmer Cato, PHL Embassy

THOUSANDS of Filipinos and Americans paid tribute to World War II soldiers who died during the infamous Bataan Death March at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico last Sunday.

More than 6,000 marchers participated in the annual 26mile march, considered the largest commemoration of the event outside the Philippines.

“The Bataan Memorial Death March began and will continue to provide a way to honor those who perished and those who lived through a horrific chapter of World War II,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Coffin, commander of the White Sands Missile Range, during the event.

More than 72,000 people participated in the march since it

was suggested by the Army ROTC Department of the New Mexico State University in 1989.

The event commemorates the sacrifices made by 5,000 Filipino and American soldiers who were forced to march from Bataan to Pampanga on April 9, 1942.

Approximately 10,000 Filipino and American troops died during the 65-mile march and more perished at the concentration camps and prisoner of war ships they were transferred to after the incident.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia Jr. told participants that the event not only honored “the men and women who helped defend” the Philippines, but also paid tribute “to those who came after them who until this very day form the core of the alliance between the Philippines

and the United States.”

“Being here with you on the year that we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Philippines, is the least I can do to pay tribute to the Filipino and American soldiers who gallantly fought together in Bataan during the Second World War,” Cuisia said in his early morning address to participants.

Cusia later took part in the march, accompanied by his wife Ma. Victoria and Minister Elmer Cato, Maj. Gen. DelfinLorenzana, and Chief Supt. Jose Gentiles of the Philippine Embassy and members of the Filipino-American Community in Washington, D.C. led by former US Consul General Sonny Busa of the Philippine-American Foundation for Charities. n Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March

24, 2015 / 5:41 PM

Pinay in UAE seeks $40k for son battling leukemia A Filipina is seeking a financial assistance of $40,000 to have a stem cell transplant for her son who is confined in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates due to acute myeloid leukemia.

MemelynTeodosio Rose, 60, said her son Larry Castro, 35, needs an urgent stem cell transplant but has no money for it, Gulf News reported.

“I desperately want to save my baby. Please help me,” she appealed from the Philippines.

She said that while she was identified as a perfect match for her son, they could not afford the procedure.

Mrs. Rose said Larry, her only child from her first marriage, suffered

a second relapse in 2011 and has been confined to a Dubai hospital since.

For his part, Castro said it pains him to see his mother in despair.

“She cries all the time. I pray that we can go through the transplant as early as possible. A hospital in New Delhi is ready to do the procedure but we do not have the money for it,” he said.

Castro said he was healthy until 2011 when his gums started bleeding and he developed fever.

He spent five months in a hospital in the first year and five more after his first relapse in 2013.

“With the second relapse now, I have been in hospital since November 2014.

I have had enough of this and want to lead a normal life and put a smile back

on my mother’s face,” he said. $40k. The Gulf News report cited a copy of a medical report from the Delhi hospital saying Castro needed an “urgent Haplo identical donor transplantation.”

Such a procedure may cost $40,000 – not even counting Castro’s medical bills in the UAE. “There is no way we can raise such a huge amount. In fact, I have no idea how I will even clear my current hospital bill in Dubai which has already crossed Dh110,000,” Castro said.

Dubai social worker Pam Gouri said Castro is only 35 “and has a whole life ahead of him.” n Joel Locsin

/ LBG, GMA News / March 22, 2015 / 7:54 AM

Palace: Govt doing everything to spare Pinay from Indonesia death row MALACAÑANG on Saturday reassured the kin of Mary Jane Veloso – the Filipina facing execution in Indonesia over an attempt to smuggle 2.6 kilos of heroin – that the Philippine government continues to do everything possible to save her from death row.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine government is moving within Indonesia’s legal framework to save Veloso.

“Ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan ang ating magagawa within the legal framework of Indonesia. (Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario) said the Philippines will continue to push other legal avenues to help her case,” she said on government-run dzRB radio, amid appeals from Veloso’s mother for compassion.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Friday, said an initial appeal for judicial review of Veloso’s case was denied by the Indonesian Supreme Court.

But del Rosario reiterated the government “will continue to exhaust all possible diplomatic and legal means

to save Mary Jane’s life.”

Last March 24, del Rosario made a humanitarian visit to Veloso at the Yogyakarta Penitentiary to check on her condition and to personally offer comfort.

He also reassured her of the Philippine government’s continued support for her.

“We wish to assure her family that the Philippine government is giving its full attention to this case and that

it stands ready to provide them with all the assistance they may require,” he added.

Veloso was arrested in April 2010.

The government has since hired a private lawyer to help Veloso pursue a legal review of her case.

The DFA also arranged for Veloso’s family to visit her in prison from February 19 to 21. The DFA remains in close contact with Veloso’s family. n Joel Locsin / LBG, GMA News / March 28, 2015 / 1:19 PM

Mother of death row Pinay appeals for compassion MARY Jane Veloso’s relatives in the Philippines were grief-stricken when they heard that Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected the Philippine government’s request for a judicial review of her case in hopes of saving her from the death sentence.

In a report on “24 Oras” Friday, Celia, Veloso’s mother, pleaded with the Indonesian government to reverse its decision on her daughter’s case.

“Napakasakit po dahil parang hindi ko kaya yung ganon,” she said.

“Sana po baguhin niyo yung hatol sa anak ko. Maawa po kayo sa dalawa niyang anak.”

Veloso, 30, was sentenced to die by firing squad in Indonesia after she was apprehended at the Yogyakarta Airport in April 2010 for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage.

Celia said the drug seized from her daughter’s luggage was secretly put there by a relative.

Veloso’s son expressed similar disappointment over the turnout of his mother’s case.

“Palayain niyo po si mama.

Pagbubutihin ko yung pag-aaral ko para po ‘di na siya malungkot,” he said.

Meanwhile, Veloso’s father, Cesar, said all his children are Godfearing and live through hard work and sacrifice.

“Binuhay ko sa hirap ‘yan, kung ano-anong trabaho pinasok ko.

Bote, bakal, ganon.Namumulot ako ng plastic sa mga lansangan.

Pinangaralan ko ‘yang mga anak ko na ‘yan na matakot kayo sa Diyos, ‘wag kayong gagawa ng kung anuano,” he said.

The rejected appeal was the third measure the Department of Foreign Affairs took to bring the Filipino home from Indonesia. Before the request for a judicial review, a plea for clemency had been previously dismissed.

A second appeal for judicial review is being considered, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who is confident that there will be no execution within the next two weeks.

“We are nevertheless doing everything possible to explore all other options including a request for a second judicial review,” he said. n Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 27, 2015

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Meet the 1st Pinay graduate of Japan National Defense Academy

2nd Lieutenant Karen Eve E. Mante, the first Filipina graduate of the Japan National Defense Academy, taking her oath before Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.

Photo courtesy of PHL embassy

A native of Davao is the first Filipina graduate of the Japan National Defense Academy.

Second Lieutenant Karen Eve Mante took her oath before Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Monday.

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday said Lopez also administered the oath-taking and donning of rank of Second Lieutenant to Mante.

“A native of Davao, Second Lieutenant Mante spent a year in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) before being sent by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the JNDA as a full scholar. She spent five years of cadetship training in the JNDA, which since 1953 has produced officers for the Japan Self-Defense

Forces (SDF),” the embassy said.

Mante will join the Philippine Air Force, and was one of the first two foreign female graduates of the JNDA. She received an award as an outstanding cadet along with a badge for excellence in physical training.

Commencement ceremonies of Mante’s batch of 492 graduates were held Sunday, March 22, at the Japan National Defense Academy Compound in Yokosuka.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other dignitaries graced the occasion.

Mante said she was initially hesitant to accept the scholarship to Japan as it would involve more years of study.

But she accepted “because opportunity knocks only once,” and expressed willingness to go through

the same experience if asked to do so again.

Among those who witnessed the oath-taking and donning of rank ceremony were: Navy Captain Samuel amar Felix, Philippine Defense Attaché Col. Noel ablan Plaza, incoming Defense Attaché Colonel Hideo Takahashi and Colonel Hiroko Konno of the Japan Air Self Defense Force, Air Staff Office seven Filipino cadets studying at the JNDA. The embassy said Takahashi was Japan’s defense attaché in the Philippines from 200 to 2010. He helped organize scholarships for Filipino cadets in Japan.

For her part, Konno was the first female graduate of the JNDA. n Joel

Locsin / KBK, GMA News / March 24, 2015 / 7:15 PM

Pinoy helpers in UAE face vacation trip delay over exit clearance FILIPINA household helpers in the United Arab Emirates who want to go home for the Holy Week and summer (dry season) may face long delays in getting clearances at the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi, a UAE news site reported Thursday.

Employers of the Filipino housemaids are complaining about the long waiting period for the exit

clearance or overseas workers travel permit, Gulf News reported.

“My maid had to visit the embassy twice last week but could not get a form. The queue was that big,” said an Emirati sponsor.

He said his helper had to wait “more than three hours for her turn.”

Some domestic helpers had to line

up outside the embassy premises as early as 6 a.m., the report added.

Another sponsor said his helper waited from 7 a.m. until noon to get the travel clearance.

The clearance is a requirement for OFWs to return to the UAE after vacationing in the Philippines. n Joel Locsin / LBG, GMA News / March 26, 2015 / 7:47 AM

Pinay gets 7 years in Qatar over money laundering PHL to appeal Pinay’s case anew A Filipina working as a sterilization technician in Qatar was sentenced for seven years in prison over money laundering, GMA News’ “QRT” reported Friday.

Her case is the first recorded money laundering crime perpetrated by a Filipino worker in the independent state, the report said.

After the unnamed Filipina serves her sentence, she will be deported back to the Philippines, it added.

The report said authorities will also confiscate the remaining money in her bank account and charge her with a

before Indonesia high court

SR2 million fine.

The Embassy of the Philippines in Qatar said the Filipina accepted huge amounts of money from a Dutch national regularly in her bank account, with transfers going as high as $3 million.

From her bank account, the money would then be transferred to accounts in Singapore, Malaysia, China, and the Philippines.

Authorities said this was part of a Hong Kong-based company’s illegal operations. n Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / March 27, 2015 / 7:40 PM

ter ears o figured u ai accident finall ome

AFTER nearly two years, an overseas Filipino worker who spent almost two years in a United Arab Emirates hospital after being paralyzed in a traffic accident finally returned home to Cebu.

Teresita Castro arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport past 4 p.m. Thursday – after her townmates in Asturias raised funds to get her home, GMA Cebu reported Friday.

Castro, who lost the ability to move or speak, was transported

to the town’s infirmary clinic from the airport via an ambulance.

“May fracture siyasa pelvis perona-operahan naman. Tapos, may severe injury siyasa brain,” said nurse Crystal Balatayo.

An investigation showed Castro started work in Dubai as a domestic helper in March 2013 to support her six children.

But she figured in an accident and spent nearly two years at Rashid Hospital.

Her town-mates in Asturias

banded together to raise funds to bring her home.

“Gumawa kami ng grupong makaka-raise ng funds para matulongan siya at kanyang pamilya rito. Tapos, may mga volunteer din na nakabase sa Dubai na siya ring nag-process ng kanyang documents upang makauwi siya,” said Jehann Aguanta, one of those who raised funds for Castro’s return. n Joel

Locsin / LBG, GMA News / March 28, 2015 / 3:15 PM

THE Philippine government will again ask Indonesia’s Supreme Court to review the case of Filipino Mary Jane Veloso, who was sentenced to death for smuggling prohibited drugs.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday said no hearing was conducted by the Indonesia’s high court, which rejected Manila’s appeal for a judicial review on the basis of documents that was submitted to them.

“We’re doing everything possible to explore all other options including a request for second judicial review, that’s where we’re at,” Del Rosario told reporters at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Veloso, 30, was apprehended at the Yogyakarta Airport on April 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. Indonesia imposes death penalty to drug smugglers.

Veloso was sentenced this year to die by firing squad, along with other foreign convicts, which included two Australians.

Del Rosario believes that no execution will take place until the Philippines receives a copy of the high court’s decision.

“The decision of the court is supposed to be handed down in two

weeks. Our lawyer then can only receive it after two weeks. But I’m taking the position that there will be no execution for at least two weeks until the documents come down from the court,” Del Rosario said, adding Manila is trying to get an advance copy of the document.

Del Rosario said the Philippine government can better understand how to pursue a second judicial review once it obtains the court decision.

An appeal to Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo, he added, is also being worked out “as soon as we know exactly how to appeal.”

Separately, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said under Indonesian laws, all death penalty cases are entitled to “at least one review.”

Jose said even the Philippines’ lawyer in Indonesia was “surprised” with the court’s decision because he believes that Veloso had a “strong case.”

Manila, which argued that Veloso was not provided a capable translator in the course of her trial, sought a judicial review in a bid to commute her sentence to life imprisonment.

“We will request for a new appreciation of the case,” Jose said. n

Michaela Del Callar / KBK, GMA News / March 27, 2015 / 5:22 PM

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INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS

www.hello-philippines.com

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Nigerian president quits voting station after tech glitch OTUOKE, Nigeria - Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan turned up Saturday to accredit himself and his wife Patience for his re-election bid but problems with new voting technology forced to him to temporarily abandon his plans.

The incumbent leader, who is seeking a second term of office, arrived at his hometown polling station of Otuoke in southern Bayelsa state at about 0820 GMT to begin the accreditation process.

But handheld technology being used

who had been waiting for both election officials and materials to turn up.

“We’ve been here since six o’clock and now it’s half-past nine,” fumed Ismail Omar, a 65-year-old builder.

“No one has shown up from INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission).

“They told us accreditation will start at eight then end at one, and so far we think something is fishy. This is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the elections.”

Another voter, Mohammed Awwal, added: “We don’t want to fight anyone but are ready to die to defend our rights.

“This is our fundamental right that is being denied for whatever reason.

We will not leave here until we are accredited and then allowed to vote.” n

for the first time to “read” biometric voter identity cards apparently malfunctioned, forcing Jonathan to stand around in the scorching heat before leaving.

The 57-year-old, whose ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns about the technology and election officials’ ability to use it, acknowledged that “there may be an issue”.

But he joked, “Maybe it’s me?” while calling for patience.

“If I can endure, you see my sweat?

I plead with all Nigerians to be patient, no matter the pains we take,” he told reporters outside the polling station.

“It’s the first time we are using this technology, PVCs (permanent voters card), card readers,” he said, adding that he was “not worried”, despite reports of difficulties in other states

across the country.

Jonathan later returned and was accredited using the old manual system.

“Because it’s new, anything new must have its challenges,” he said, adding that he would return again once voting proper gets under way from about 1230 GMT. The main opposition candidate for the presidency MuhammaduBuhari, whose party backs the technology, had no problem getting accredited in his hometown of Daura, in northern Katsina state.

But one polling station in Abuja suffered major delays, with the readers struggling to confirm voters’ fingerprints, an AFP reporter said.

There were also problems in the north’s biggest city of Kano, where tensions rose among thousands of voters

AFP / March 28, 2015 / 9:00 AM

After the ruling, Japan said it would not hunt during this winter’s Antarctic mission, but has since expressed its intention to resume “research whaling” in 2015-16.

In a new plan submitted to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and its Scientific Committee, Tokyo set an annual target of 333 minke whales for future hunts, down from some 900 under the previous programme.

It also defined the research period as 12 years from fiscal 2015 in response to the court’s criticism of the programme’s openended nature.

“By collecting scientific data, we aim to resume commercial whaling,” agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in the city as he attended a ceremony for their return.

Japan killed 251 minke whales in the Antarctic in the 2013-14 season and 103 the previous year, far below its target because of direct action by conservationist group Sea Shepherd.

Despite widespread international

opprobrium, Japan has continued to hunt whales using the scientific exemption, although it makes no secret of the fact that the meat from the creatures caught by taxpayer-funded ships ends up on dinner tables. n AFP / March 27, 2015 / 8:36 PM

Japan whaling ships return home from Antarctic with no catch JAPANESE whaling ships returned home from the Antarctic on Saturday for the first time in nearly 30 years with no catch onboard, after a UN court ordered an end to their annual hunt, local media reported.

The two ships -- the 724-ton Yushinmaru and the 747-ton Daini (No 2) Yushinmaru -- arrived at a port in western Shimonoseki city, a major whaling base.

It was the first return by Japanese whalers without catching any whales since 1987 when the country began the annual “research” hunt in the Antarctic, the Asahi Shimbun said.

The two ships did not face any attacks by anti-whaling activists during their three-months voyage, the daily

added.

Tokyo had said this season’s excursion would not involve any lethal hunting.

Harpoons normally used in the capture of the giant mammals were removed from the vessels.

Crew members on the two boats carried out “sighting surveys” and took skin samples from the huge marine mammals, news reports said.

The non-lethal research came after the International Court of Justice -- the highest court of the United Nations -- ruled in March last year that Tokyo was abusing a scientific exemption set out in the 1986 moratorium on whaling.

The UN court concluded Tokyo was carrying out a commercial hunt under a veneer of science.

The Japan Coast Guard patrols Ayukawa port as a whaling fleet departs from Ishinomaki City on April 26, 2014

Saudi ground troops would face Yemen ‘quagmire’: experts DUBAI - Saudi-led airstrikes alone are unlikely to crush Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels but a ground incursion would risk a bloody “quagmire” and escalating tensions with Tehran, experts say.

Saudi Arabia pledged to do “whatever it takes” to defend its ally President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after launching aerial raids against the Huthi Shiite fighters and their allies.

Despite the kingdom’s formidable firepower, analysts say dropping bombs alone is of limited effectiveness.

“History shows that airstrikes without corresponding ground forces do not produce a decisive victory,” said Frederic Wehrey of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

He said this week’s raids appeared to be aimed at fixed, pre-identified targets like airbases and command centres, rather than mobile Huthi units, urban fighters or supply lines.

The coalition said that anti-aircraft defence systems, missiles and artillery positions “were completely destroyed” on the first day of strikes.

But the raids risk provoking a

backlash among the civilian population if the death toll rises.

Officials at the rebel-controlled health ministry said Friday that dozens of civilians had been killed in more than 24 hours of Saudi-led raids.

“If Saudi Arabia relies only on airstrikes and civilian casualties start mounting they will lose support very, very quickly,” said Sultan Barakat, research director at the Doha-based Brookings Institution.

‘No clear exit’. Sending in ground troops is seen as a last resort given the risks.

“It is hard for me to see the Saudis deploying ground forces to eject the Huthis, given the likelihood of a quagmire without a clear exit,” said Wehrey.

A possible exception would be

a buffer zone on the Saudi-Yemeni border, he added.

A Saudi spokesman for the Arab coalition carrying out operation “Decisive Storm” told reporters on the first day of strikes Thursday that there were no immediate plans to put boots on the ground.

A protracted conflict in emen could also empower Sunni extremists in the impoverished and deeply tribal country.

“Just crushing the Huthis will change the factional dynamics, which could help ultra-radical Sunni groups,” said Jon Marks, a Middle East expert at London-based think-tank Chatham House. emen is home to what the United States considers the deadliest branch of Al-Qaeda, which claimed the Islamist

Yemeni men loyal to the Huthi movement brandish their weapons on March 26, 2015 during a gathering

attacks in Paris in January and has repeatedly clashed with the Huthis.

The rival Islamic State jihadist group has also surfaced in Yemen, claiming responsibility for attacks on Huthi mosque that killed 1 1 people in one week.

The Huthis, whose influence had long been confined to the mountainous north, belong to the Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam -- a minority in Yemen where almost 70 percent of the population is Sunni.

In their push towards central and southern regions, the Huthis received support from powerful military units loyal to former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, himself a Zaidi who was forced to resign in 2012 following a year-long uprising.

The wealthy ex-president has remained influential, enjoying the loyalty of commanders of many army units that he built during his threedecade rule.

Yemen has long been the scene of clashes between rival factions and tribes, and experts agree that the Saudi-led intervention is unlikely to restore stability.

“The prospect of Saudi Arabia or other Arab states putting regular troops on ground in Yemen will remain remote,” said Britain-based consultancy group Verisk Maplecroft.

Saudi Arabia “will not want to get bogged down in a conflict which could morph into a protracted counterinsurgency -- and risk a more direct confrontation with Iran,” it said.

The White House has voiced concern about “reports of Iranian flow of arms into Yemen”.

And Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, accused Iran of “aggression” across the region and backing the Huthi power grab.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly mobilised 150,000 troops near the border but said Thursday it has no plans yet for a ground operation.

A ground assault would be a “significant climb up the escalatory ladder toward Iran,” Wehrey said.

The Saudis “may use the air operation to have greater leverage in negotiations for some sort of powersharing agreement,” he added. n Rene Slama / March 27, 2015 / 5:23 PM

INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

www.hello-philippines.com

17

Russia ‘to join China-led development bank’ MOSCOW - Russia is to sign up to the Chinese-led development bank AIIB, first deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov said Saturday at an international forum in China, cited by Russian news agencies.

“I’d like to inform you that Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken the decision that Russia will participate in the capital of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB),” Shuvalov said at China’s Boao Forum, quoted by RIA Novosti state news agency.

The Beijing-backed AIIB, unveiled in October, is a multinational lender that the United States perceives as a threat to the Washington-led World Bank.

It has proved highly successful with

countries that are US allies, however, with Britain, Germany, France, Italy and this week South Korea all saying they intend to join the 50 billion (46 billion euro) bank.

Russia has sought to align itself more closely with China in recent years and these efforts have intensified amid a freeze in relations with the Western powers, which have imposed harsh economic sanctions over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine conflict.

“We are glad to have the opportunity to build up cooperation in the format of China and the Eurasian Economic Union,” Shuvalov said, referring to a free trade union championed by Putin made up of Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus, which came

into force in January.

“We in Russia are sure that joint work in developing Eurasian partnership and the Silk Route economic belt will create further opportunities for the development of the countries of the Eurasian Union and China,” he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang i said this month that “practical cooperation between China and Russia is based on mutual need” and has “enormous internal impetus and room for expansion.”

China is hungry for Russia’s vast hydrocarbon resources, while Western sanctions have made seeking stable markets an urgent need for Putin, whose economy has been hit hard by

Construction of a Disney amusement park in Shanghai, pictured on February 2, 2015

the fall in prices for oil, a major source of revenue.

Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council,

Ma or sacrifices re uired to retake

BAGHDAD - Retaking the city of Tikrit, where jihadists have rigged streets and buildings with explosives, will require “major sacrifices” on the part of Iraqi forces, a senior intelligence officer said Saturday.

Iraqi forces and allied paramilitaries have been fighting to retake the city since March 2, but halted ground operations for more than a week in what officials described as a bid to curb human and material losses before pushing forward again.

“The task of liberating Tikrit requires

major sacrifices and street fighting, and our forces are ready for these sacrifices,” the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity, indicating that the pause in

Iraqi government forces hold a position on the western outskirts of Tikrit, on March 27, 2015

operations only deferred the inevitable cost.

The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group has planted bombs in streets, rigged houses and other buildings with explosives, and built defensive works including berms and tunnels, also booby-trapped, the officer said.

IS spearheaded a sweeping offensive last June that overran much of Iraq’s Sunni Arab heartland, and the operation to retake Tikrit is Baghdad’s largest to date against the militants.

A US-led anti-IS coalition began

ikrit

carrying out air strikes in the Tikrit area on Wednesday, a move that increased available firepower in the air but has at least temporarily curbed it on the ground.

Key Iranian-backed militia forces that have done much of the heavy lifting in the drive to push IS back suspended offensive operations after the strikes began, commanders told AFP. The Pentagon conditioned its intervention on an enhanced role for regular government forces and Friday hailed the withdrawal of “those Shiite militias who are linked to, infiltrated by,

where they have in the past jointly used their veto power against Westernbacked moves such as in the civil war in Syria. n AFP / March 28, 2015 / 7:16 AM

ra

o ficer

(or) otherwise under the influence of Iran”.

Iran had been the most prominent foreign partner in the operation, but Baghdad eventually requested the US-led strikes after the drive stalled.

The battle has continued in the absence of the militia forces, with an army colonel saying there was heavy fighting on the southern outskirts of the city.

The advance was slow due to bombs planted by IS but security forces have gained some ground, the colonel said. n

AFP / March 28, 2015 / 9:54 AM

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

FREE LISTING of events in HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper.

Please email info@hello-philippines.com to include your event.

D I S C L A I M E R : The Events Diary r listing does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or fa f vouring by HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper and/o / r the Publisher. What’s On is a Filipino Events Diary r listing fo f r UK and Europe.

201 DATE / TIME

EVENT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – UK & EUROPE VENUE

May 2nd 2015 TBC

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2015

Manchester (Venue to be confirmed), Manchester, UK

Saturday June 6th at 09:00 - 18:00

Independence Day sa Newcastle at Pista sa Nayon Yorkshire Barrio Fiesta 2015 26th Philippine National Day dinner and dance

Blaydon Rugby Club, Hexham Road, Swalwell, NE16 3BN, Newcastle, UK

Sunday June 14th 10:00 -17:00 Friday 26th – Saturday 27th June 08:00 – 18:00 Saturday, August 8 10:00am - 5:00pm

Bradford Barrio Fiesta Hertfordshire Barrio Fiesta

Every Sunday.

14:00pm - 18:00pm.

Lahing Kayumanggi Rehearsals

Every 2nd SUN. 14:00pm.

Filipino Family Mass at English Martyrs Catholic Church

Lady Hill Park, Allerton, Chapel Road, Bradford, BD15 7RJ Fairlands Valley Park Showground Arena (opposite Stevenage Football stadium) SG2 8RH Hewitts Farm Court Road, BR6 9BX Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church Hall, Frognal Lane (corner Finchley Road), London NW3 7DY. Nearest tube: Finchley Road.

English Martyrs Catholic Church.

Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, HA9 9EW.

June 7th Saturday 13th June 2015

OFBA 6th Barrio Fiesta 2015

Ripley racecourse, Ripley, Yorkshire, Ripley, UK Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgware Road, London W2 1JU

ORGANISER

CONTACTS / REMARKS

MPUK

Jassin Fuentes Tel: 07557551624 Website: mutyaunitedkingdom.com Sally Sellars: 07886742417 Bong Bangayan: 07859811648 Rodger Mangnding: 07725892489 Lolita Boddy

FWA-UKDulia Prado

Dulia Prado 07944678525 duliaprado@btinternet.com & Bing Cabatic 0208 902 1016 rcabatic@tiscali.co.uk Nelson Ginez: 07823338947

N&N Independent Team Fil-Herts Barrio Fiesta organization Ofba Orpington

Joseph: 07534711757, Ivy: 07428184063 Michael: 07447588971 Email: barriofiestainhertfordshire@yahoo.com

LKDance

Contact Laurence at 07840 602 944 or Avery at 07805 239 801 or email info@lkdance.org.uk.

Hosted by: Alyssa Gonzales

Becky at 07949857699 / Lina B at 07579418510.

FREE LISTING of your events in HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. If you know of any events please contact us via info@hello-philippines.com to submit your event.

DISCLAIMER: The Events Diary Listing does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Hello Philippines newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper. This is merely an Events Diary Listing of what is happening within the Filipino Communities in Europe. This is for general information only.

1st Saturday

201

MONTHLY FILIPINO COMMUNITY MASSES IN GREATER LONDON

5:00pm

Devotion in Honour of Our Lady of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary / Benediction / Mass) St Pius X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB – Oliver Abasolo – 07782 661 922 2:00pm Five Precious Wounds Parish, Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 8ER 1st Sunday Mervic Monocillo – 07894 636 140 5:00pm Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Friary Road, Peckham, London SE15 1RH 1st Sunday Allen Abeleda – 07713 625 888 4:00pm St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 103 Woolwich New Road, London SE18 6EF 2nd Saturday Moises Espanola – 07894 648 639 2:00pm English Martyrs Church, Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 9EW 2nd Sunday Becky Sarinas – 07949 857 699 / 07425 761 519 / Lina B – 07579 418 510 2:00pm St Dominic Catholic Church, 243 Violet Lane, Waddon, Croydon CR0 4HN 2nd Sunday Merlie Mirto – 07722 216 462 2nd Sunday 4:00pm St. Anselm and St. Cecilia, 70 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3JA Feliciano Ramirez – 07733 680 748 3:00pm Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Priory, Quex Road, Kilburn, London NW6 4PS 3rd Sunday Sheidrick de Leon – 07738 210 202 3rd Sunday 3:00pm Blessed Sacrament Parish, 157 Copenhagen Street, Islington N1 0SR Christy Sangalang – 07709 119 969 Last Saturday 6:00pm Our Lady of Dolours, Servite Parish Church, 264 Fulham Road, London SW10 4EL Fr Allan Satur – 020 7352 6965 / fulhamroad@rcdow.org.uk / Roland Adap – r_adap@hotmail.com Last Sunday 12:00pm St Pius X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB Oliver FREE LISTING of your events in H E L L OAbasolo P H I L I P–P 07782 I N E S n661 e w s922 paper. If you know of any events please contact us via Last Sunday 2:00pm St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 218 Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4LE info@hello-philippines.com to submit your event.

Rafael Santiago – 07795 254 451 D I S C LSunday A I M E R : T h e E v5:00pm e n t s D i a r y L i s tHoly ing d o e s n o t nCatholic e c e s s a r iChurch, l y c o n s t20 i t uBrixton te or im p l y i Oval, ts end o r s e m eSW9 n t , r6BU ecommendation, Every Redeemer Road, London or favouring by Hello Philippines newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or Ben Ortiz – 07723 318 486 reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper. This is merely an Events Diary Listing of what is happening within the Filipino First Wednesdays 6:30pm and C o m m u n i t i e s i n E u r o p e . T h i s i s f o r Filipino g e n e r a lMass infor m a tNovena i o n o n lto y . Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception (Jesuit House Chapel), on 114 Mount W1K 201 M O N T H L Y F I L I P I N O C O M M U N I T Y access MASS ES IN G R EStreet, A T E RLondon LOND O N 3AY – Josie Ramos – 07723 024 1st Saturday 5:00pm Devotion in591 Honour of Our Lady of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary / Benediction / Mass) St Pius X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB – Oliver Abasolo – 07782 661 922

NEWS

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

www.hello-philippines.com

19

Pinoys in Singapore pay respect to Lee Kuan Yew FILIPINOS in Singapore are one with the city-state in grieving over the death of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, dubbed as the father of modern Singapore.

The Philippine Embassy lowered its flag to half-mast “in solidarity with our Singaporean friends and in honor of the former prime minister,” said Consul General Victorio Mario Dimagiba.

Some Filipinos also joined the very long queue of Singaporeans for the public viewing of Lee’s remains at the Parliament House Filipino students, most of them scholars of the Singapore government, expressed their gratitude to Lee, who died at the age of 91. Lee was a

staunch advocate of meritocracy in all aspects of his governance, most notably in education.

Although getting scholars from other countries is a strategic move to improve university rankings and foster good international relation with future leaders of their home countries, scholars nevertheless feel a deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to Singapore and to Lee. “Farewell, Mr. Lee Kuan ew.

Thank you for enabling conditions of possibility for young and aspiring Filipino scholars, especially those of us from modest backgrounds, to pursue higher studies in one of Asia’s leading universities. This person will forever be grateful,” said Dr.

Filipino scholars join the tribute to Lee Kuan Yew at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. Photo by DazzelynBaltazar Zapata

Gene SegarraNavera, a scholarship recipient at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who now teaches at the same university.

Lee was an alumnus of NUS, known back in the 1940s as Raffles College. The university gave a fitting tribute to him at its Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), where his philosophy of governance is now being taught.

Filipino LKYSPP alumni and former scholarship holders were in attendance during this tribute. Windel Anne Lacson shared her condolences: “We are deeply saddened by this, though we may not be Singaporeans, we have benefited a lot from Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s work and Singapore’s success as we are recipients of scholarships for our education in Singapore.”

McRhonBanderlipe, on the other hand, commented on the many lessons he continues to learn: “I feel that there’s so much we can learn from Singapore and hopefully when we all go back to our country, we can apply what we have learned to transform our country and I am very fortunate to be at this point in my life. That I could celebrate his life, and I can celebrate his works and the inspiration he has provided.”

Hazel Galimba-Guiling, for her part, shared: “I would just like to thank Singapore and Mr. Lee Kuan yew for dedicating his life to building this nation which I now call my second home. Thank you very much and I hope that being a recipient of

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the Father of Modern Singapore.

his goodness and commitment to this country, I will be able to share this with our kababayans.”

Gilda MalgoteMalaluan, a foreign domestic worker in Singapore for almost 22 years, fondly recalled the time she saw Lee at the Botanic Gardens in the mid-90s.

Malaluan said she was with her friends spending their Sunday day off when they saw Lee alight a caddy car at the Orchid Garden.

“Binati namin ng ‘Good afternoon Sir ’ Ngumiti siya at kumaway. Kaya ang impression ko, mabait siyang tao, hindi isnabero. Natuwa talaga ako kasi mataas ang katungkulan niya pero binigyang pansin kami,” she said.

Lee’s son, Lee Hsien Loong, the current prime minister and son of LKY, shared in his Facebook account that transforming Singapore into a

garden city was his father’s enduring passion.

The elder Lee opened the National Orchid Garden where Malaluan and her friends saw him. The same garden now houses the hybrid orchid after Lee’s namesake, the Aranda Lee Kuan ew. The departed leader is referred to by his staff as Singapore’s chief gardener and dearly acknowledged as Singapore’s transformation architect.

Lee is honored as one of Asia’s greatest leaders. He is the only leader to transform his country from third to first world in just one generation, from a dirty port city to the bustling rich city-state that it is now.

At present, Singapore is the second home to approximately 160,000 Filipinos, according to the Philippine Embassy. n Dazzelyn Baltazar Zapata / KBK, GMA News / March 27, 2015 / 1:08 PM

Filipinos in ‘affordable’ London more likely to send money home than those in millionaire hotspots Bromley and Lewisham beat Chelsea and Fulham FILIPINOS living in modestly priced parts of London are much more likely to send money back home than those who live and work in the city’s affluent West End. Research by the online money transfer service WorldRemit found the rate of sending money from Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich was almost 5x higher than in Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Westminster.

London’s richest areas have some of the largest Filipino populations thanks to a ready supply of service industry jobs, however WorldRemit’s data suggests that those living elsewhere in the city maintainmore active financial ties with friends and family in their homeland.

Sending rates were calculated using the number of money transfers sent to the Philippines compared to each borough’s Filipino-born population.

Commenting on the research, WorldRemit founder and CEO Ismail Ahmed said: “These findings give a

fascinating insight into the economic activity of Filipinos in London and their connections with their homeland.

“While the media tends to generalize about people who come to the UK for work and what they do with their money, we see that there are huge variations across this one nationality.

“It’s difficult to say exactly what is behind these patterns - whether it is more recent arrivals heading for particular borough, or some job types paying more than others - but there are clearly significant differences in behaviour”.

One of the only wealthy boroughs to buck the trend was Richmond upon Thames which is London’s 6th most expensive borough to live in and had the second highest rate of sending to the Philippines.

The top 6 boroughs by rate of sending were: Bromley Richmond Upon Thames Harrow Lewisham Greenwich Kingston Upon Thames

The bottom 6 boroughs by rate of sending were: Kensington and Chelsea City of London

Enfield Hammersmith and Fulham Haringey Westminster

Barnet n Data came from WorldRemit transactions, Detailed country of birth 2011 Census and Average house prices by borough

20

www.hello-philippines.com

HEALTH and Lifestyle

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Diabetes and your unborn baby DIABETES is a condition in which the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too high. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods, such as bread and rice. Insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas, helps your body to use glucose for energy.

Three types of diabetes can affect you when you’re pregnant. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are long-term conditions that women may have before they get pregnant (pre-existing diabetes).

Gestational diabetes develops only in pregnancy and goes away after the baby is born.

Most women with diabetes have a healthy baby, but diabetes does give you a higher risk of some complicataions.

Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabtes develops when your body can’t produce any insulin. It usually begins in childhood, and most women with type 1 diabetes will be aware of their condition before they become pregnant. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to control their blood glucose.

Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced doesn’t work properly.

It often occurs in overweight people and is usually diagnosed in women aged 40 or over. However, it can happen at a younger age, particularly in black and Asian people.

You may be aware that you have type 2 diabetes before you become pregnant, or you may be diagnosed during your pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes can usually be treated with tablets to lower blood glucose, but some pregnant women require insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes only occurs in pregnancy. It can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second half. It occurs when your body can’t produce enough extra insulin to meet the demands of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes goes away after you’ve given birth.

It’s important to know that you’re twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life if you have gestational diabetes when you’re pregnant.

Having diabetes when you’re pregnant can put you and your baby

at risk of complications (see below).

You can reduce this risk, but it partly depends on what type of diabetes you have.

If you already have diabetes. If you already have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may be at a higher risk of: having a large baby – which increases the risk of a difficult birth, having your labour induced or a caesarean section having a miscarriage People with type 1 diabetes may develop problems with their eyes (called diabetic retinopathy) and their kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), or existing problems may get worse.

Your baby may be at risk of: not developing normally and having congenital abnormalities – particularly heart and nervous system abnormalities being stillborn or dying soon after birth having health problems shortly after birth (such as heart and breathing problems) and needing hospital care developing obesity or diabetes later in life

Reducing the risks if you have pre-existing diabetes. The best way

to reduce the risk to your own and your baby’s health is to ensure that your diabetes is controlled before you become pregnant. Ask your GP or diabetologist (diabetes specialist) for advice. You should be referred to a diabetic pre-conception clinic for support before you try to get pregnant.

Find diabetes support services near you.

You should be offered a blood test called an HbA1c test, which helps to assess the level of glucose in your blood. It’s best if the level is no more than 6.5% before you get pregnant, as long as this does not cause problems with hypoglycaemia. If your HbA1c is higher than this, you would benefit from getting your blood glucose under better control before you conceive, to reduce the risk of complications for you and your baby. Your GP or diabetes specialist can advise you on how best to do this.

If your HbA1c is very high (above 10%), your care team should strongly advise you not to try for a baby until it has fallen.

Folic acid. Women with diabetes

should take a higher dose of folic acid.

The normal daily dose for women trying to get pregnant and for pregnant women is 400 micrograms.

Diabetic women should take 5 milligrams (mg) a day. Your doctor can prescribe this high-dose folic acid for you, as 5mg tablets are not available over the counter. Taking folic acid helps to prevent your baby from developing birth defects, such as spina bifida. ou should take folic acid while you are trying to get pregnant, until you are 12 weeks pregnant.

Your treatment. Your diabetic treatment regime is likely to need adjusting during your pregnancy, depending on your needs. If you take drugs for conditions related to your diabetes, such as high blood pressure, these may have to be altered.

It’s very important to keep any appointments that are made for you, so that your care team can monitor your condition and react to any changes that could affect your own or your baby’s wellbeing.

Expect to monitor your blood glucose levels more frequently during pregnancy. Your eyes and kidneys will be screened more often to check that they are not deteriorating in pregnancy, as eye and kidney problems can get worse. ou may also find that as you get better control over your diabetes, you have more hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar) attacks. These are harmless for your baby, but you and your partner need to know how to cope with them.

Diabetic eye screening in pregnancy.

If you have pre-existing diabetes (you had diabetes before you got pregnant) you will be offered diabetic eye screening at recommended intervals during pregnancy. This screening test is to check for signs of diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy.

Everyone with diabetes is offered diabetic eye screening, but screening

is very important when you are pregnant, because the risk of serious eye problems is greater in pregnancy.

Diabetic eye screening is strongly recommended in pregnancy. It is part of managing your diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy is treatable, especially if it is caught early. If you decide not to have the test, you should tell the clinician looking after your diabetes care during pregnancy.

If you develop gestational diabetes You’re more likely to develop gestational diabetes if: you’re overweight, with a prepregnancy BMI (body mass index) above 30 (use the BMI healthy weight calculator, but note that this calculator is not suitable for use during pregnancy) you’ve given birth to a large baby, weighing more than 4.5kg (9.9lb), in the past you’ve had gestational diabetes before you have a parent, brother, sister or grandparent with diabetes your origin is south Asian, black Caribbean or Middle Eastern If you’re in any of these higher risk categories, you should be offered a test to check for gestational diabetes.

You may be given a home testing kit to check your blood glucose levels, or you may be offered an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT or GTT) at 28 weeks or earlier.

A GTT test is a blood test that’s done after a period of not eating. You’ll be told how long not to eat for before the test (it’s often overnight). You’ll then be asked to have a glucose drink and take another blood test two hours later.

If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you’re at risk of: having a large baby – which increases your risk of a difficult delivery, having your labour induced or a caesarean section Your baby may be at risk of: stillbirth health problems shortly after birth (such as heart and breathing problems) and needing hospital care developing obesity or diabetes later in life

Controlling gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes can often be

controlled by diet. A dietitian will advise you on how to choose foods that will keep your blood sugar levels stable. You’ll also be given a kit to test your blood glucose levels. If your blood sugar levels are unstable, or your baby is shown to be large on an ultrasound scan, you may have to take tablets or give yourself insulin injections.

Whatever type of diabetes you have, you will have more frequent – and sometimes long – antenatal appointments to check you and your baby’s progress. You will be offered advice on diet and treatments to control your blood glucose levels.

Labour and birth. If you have diabetes, it’s strongly recommended that you give birth with the support of a consultant-led maternity team in a hospital.

Babies born to diabetic mothers are often larger than normal. This is because blood glucose passes directly from you to your baby, so if you have high blood glucose levels your baby will produce extra insulin to compensate.

This can lead to your baby storing more fat and tissue. This in turn can lead to birth difficulties, which requires the expertise of a hospital team.

After the birth. Two to four hours after your baby is born, they will have a heel prick blood test to check whether their blood glucose level is too low.

Feed your baby as soon as possible after the birth (within 30 minutes) to help keep your baby’s blood glucose at a safe level.

If your baby’s blood glucose can’t be kept at a safe level, they may need extra care. Your baby may be given a drip to increase their blood glucose.

When your pregnancy is over, you won’t need as much insulin to control your blood glucose. You can decrease your insulin to your pre-pregnancy dose or, if you have type 2 diabetes, you can return to the tablets you were taking before you became pregnant.

Talk to your doctor about this.

If you had gestational diabetes, you can stop all treatment after the birth.

You should be offered a test to check your blood glucose levels before you go home and at your six-week postnatal check. You should also be given advice on diet and exercise. n NHS Choices

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www.hello-philippines.com

HEALTH and Lifestyle food

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Why you should never wash raw chicken WASHING raw chicken before cooking it can increase your risk of food poisoning from campylobacter.

Splashing water from washing chicken under a tap can spread the bacteria on to hands, work surfaces, clothing and cooking equipment.

Water droplets can travel more than 50cm in every direction and only a few campylobacter cells are needed to cause food poisoning.

Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK, affecting 280,000 people a year, including more than 100 deaths.

Around four in five cases of campylobacter infection come from poultry and it is estimated that 65 of the chicken sold in the UK carries the bacteria.

Campylobacter poisoning can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.

Symptoms usually develop two to five days after eating the contaminated food, but most people recover without treatment within to two to five days.

In some cases, campylobacter infection can cause irritable bowel

syndrome, reactive arthritis, miscarriage and Guillain-Barr syndrome.

It can be fatal in young children, the elderly, and people who have a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV and cancer.

Infected droplets. Cleaning raw chicken or washing off visible blood does not make it any more hygienic or remove bacteria – only thorough cooking achieves this.

Freezing raw chicken reduces levels of Campylobacter but does not eliminate it completely. The safest way to kill all traces of Campylobacter is by cooking chicken thoroughly.

The advice itself is not new, but the call has been issued after a survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found 44 of people still wash chicken before cooking.

The survey also found that while most people (90 ) have heard of salmonella and E.coli, only 28 of people know about campylobacter.

“Campylobacter causes more cases of food poisoning than E.coli, listeria and salmonella put together,” said an FSA spokesman.

Prevent campylobacter poisoning

1. Cover and chill raw chicken Cover raw chicken and store it at the bottom of the fridge so juices cannot drip on to other foods and contaminate them with food poisoning bacteria such as campylobacter.

2. Don’t wash raw chicken Cooking will kill any bacteria present, including campylobacter, while washing chicken can spread germs by splashing.

3. Wash used utensils Thoroughly wash and clean all utensils, chopping boards and surfaces used to prepare raw chicken. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw chicken. This helps stop the spread of campylobacter.

4. Cook chicken thoroughly Make sure chicken is steaming hot all the way through before serving. Cut into the thickest part of the meat and check that it is steaming hot with no pink meat and that the juices run clear.

Treating campylobacter poisoning. Self-treatment involves drinking lots of water and taking

oral rehydration salts to avoid dehydration, resting and eating easily digested foods if you feel up to it. Severe infections may be treated with antibiotics. ou should seek medical advice if you have any of the following signs or symptoms: vomiting that lasts more than two days you are unable to keep liquids down for more than a day diarrhoea that lasts for more than three days blood in your vomit

diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus stomach cramps and abdominal (tummy) pain a lack of energy and weakness loss of appetite a high temperature (fever) aching muscles chills In most cases, these symptoms will pass in a few days and you will make a full recovery.

What to do. Most people with food poisoning recover at home and don’t need any specific treatment, although there are some situations where you should see your GP for advice (see below).

Until you feel better, you should rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Try to drink plenty of

NHS Choices

“

Food poisoning INTRODUCTION. Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. It’s not usually serious and most people get better within a few days without treatment.

In most cases of food poisoning, the food is contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli), or a virus, such as the norovirus.

Signs and symptoms. The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within one to two days of eating contaminated food, although they may start at any point between a few hours and several weeks later.

The main symptoms include: feeling sick (nausea) vomiting

blood in your stools seizures (fits) changes in your mental state, such as confusion double vision slurred speech signs of severe dehydration, such as a dry mouth, sunken eyes, and an inability to pass urine, or passing small amounts of dark, strong-smelling urine Always contact your GP if you get food poisoning during pregnancy.

Extra precautions may be needed. n

In most cases of food poisoning, the food is contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli), or a virus, such as the norovirus.”

water, even if you can only sip it.

Eat when you feel up to it, but try small, light meals at first and stick to bland foods – such as toast, crackers, bananas and rice – until you begin to feel better.

Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which are available from pharmacies, are recommended for more vulnerable people, such as the elderly and those with another health condition.

When to see your GP. ou should

contact your GP if: your symptoms are severe – for example, if you’re unable to keep down any fluids because you are vomiting repeatedly your symptoms don’t start to improve after a few days you have symptoms of severe dehydration, such as confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine you’re pregnant you’re over 60 your baby or young child has suspected food poisoning you have a long-term underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), heart valve disease, diabetes or kidney disease you have a weak immune system – for example, because of medication, cancer treatment or HIV In these situations, your GP may send off a stool sample for analysis and prescribe antibiotics, or they may refer you to hospital so you can be looked after more closely.

How is food contaminated? Food can become contaminated at any stage

during production, processing or cooking. For example, it can be contaminated by: not cooking food thoroughly (particularly meat) not correctly storing food that needs to be chilled at below 5C leaving cooked food for too long at warm temperatures not sufficiently reheating previously cooked food someone who is ill or who has dirty hands touching the food eating food that has passed its “use by” date the spread of bacteria between contaminated foods (cross-contamination) Foods particularly susceptible to contamination if not handled, stored or cooked properly include: raw meat and poultry raw eggs raw shellfish unpasteurised milk “ready-to-eat” foods, such as cooked sliced meats, p t , soft cheeses and pre-packed sandwiches n NHS Choices

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Scoop

ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Kapuso stars’ top travel destinations CELEBRITIES work hard making and promoting TV shows and movies.

They spend most of the year shooting, but just like many, they too, need time to rest. But where do they fly to take a break from the glaring lights?

With summer just around the corner, fans are surely more than curious to know what’s on their favorite artist’s travel itinerary. Here’s looking back at some of the Kapuso stars’ most memorable escapes inside and outside of the country.

Kris Bernal (Hiram na Alaala) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Cebu—Because aside from being the home of the tastiest lechon, it is also the home of white beaches. Not to mention the night market, the night life, secret caves, virgin forests, and kayaking sites.

There are just so many random things to do in Cebu.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Europe—I spent a month in Europe with my family.

We travelled from one country to another. Everything, every moment, was like being in a fairytale. We went to famous tourist spots that I had just seen in the movies.”

Aljur Abrenica (Sunday All Stars) Favorite travel destination in the Ph i l ippi ne s: “Davao—I love their lifestyle, the way they eat, and the things they eat.

I love durian. I am also a fan of durian coffee. I feel closest to nature when I’m there.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Singapore and Malaysia—‘Yun ang pinuntahan namin ng entire family ko and we got to bond more and we got closer to each other in that trip.” [“Singapore and Malaysia – That’s where I went with my entire family and we got to bond more, and we got closer to each other in that trip.”]

Sef Cadayona

(Sabado-badoo) Favor ite t r a v e l destination in the Philippines: “ V iga n —T he

vintage scenery in Vigan is so relaxing and it makes you have a glimpse on what the country looks like before.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Singapore—It’s all because of the food and a family vacation well spent.”

Enzo Pineda

(More Than Words) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Baguio—I love cold the weather.

Running is also so refreshing in Baguio because of the fresh air.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “San Francisco— It was memorable for me because I left my favorite pillow at the hotel we stayed in. We were about to fly to Philadelphia when I noticed it. So my Tita from San Francisco had to ship my pillow to Philadelphia. I was 7 years old that time and I couldn’t sleep without it.”

Gwen Zamora (Bubble Gang) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Coron, Palawan— Because of its beauty and all the activities you can do there, from island hopping, hiking, rock-climbing, kayaking, rafting, diving, spelunking, and safari trip. Plus the view, it’s simply breathtaking.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Amsterdam— One of the most beautiful cities I’ve had the honor to visit. The food is simply divine and the shopping experience is insane. I had a blast going thriftshopping in all their vintage stores.

And the art galleries there are super cool and chic. Pure love.”

Kristoffer Martin (Healing Hearts) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Boracay— For the place answers my need for party and chill vibe.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Sadly, I have never travelled outside the country. But I look forward to it in the future.”

Kim Rodriguez (Strawberry Lane) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Bicol—Kasi there are many places to visit in

Bicol, pagbaba mo ng plane kita mo agad ‘yung Mayon volcano. Pwede rin mag-visit sa old churches doon and explore the caves. Kung gusto mo mag-beach, meron din sa Caramoan.” [“Bicol – Because there are so many places to visit in Bicol; when you get off the plane, you see Mayon volcano immediately. You can also visit old churches there and explore the caves.

If you want to go to the beach, you can go to Caramoan.”]

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Never been outside the Philippines.”

Ruru Madrid (Let The Love Begin) Favorite t r a v e l destination in the Philippines: “Mt Pulag—I spent months in Pulag to shoot our film Above the Clouds. I love the feeling of being literally above the clouds.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Japan—I love the weather and the people. I was there for the Japan Filmfest and I have experienced their hospitality, their culture and I love their food!”

Andre Paras (The Half Sisters) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “I love going to The Fort because it’s very peaceful there and you can eat a lot there too.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Most memorable will be in the US because I was able to train and play basketball there and also because of the weather.”

Miguel Tanfelix (Once Upon A Kiss) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Palawan—There are many places to visit in Palawan and many activities to enjoy like snorkeling and cliff diving.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Los Angeles— It was my first time to go out of the country and I had the chance to meet our Kapuso abroad.”

Albert “Betong” Sumaya (Sabado-

badoo) Favor ite t r a v e l destination in the Philippines: “Boracay— Nothing beats Boracay’s pristine white sand. Marami ring pwedeng gawing activities aside sa pagpunta sa beach at iba ang feeling kapag nandoon ka, turistang-turista ka talaga.” [“Boracay – Nothing beats Boracay’s pristine white sand. There are also a lot of activities aside from going to the beach; and it feels really different there, like you’re a tourist.”]

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Los Angeles— Last year, naging part ako ng Kapusong Pinoy sa LA at ‘yun ang first time kong makapunta roon. First time kong bumiyahe ng 14 hours straight, humalik talaga ako sa lupa pagdating namin sa airport. First time ko ring makakain sa “In & Out,” isang sikat na burger chain sa US. First time makarating ni Antonietta roon para makapag-perform. At ang pinakamemorable ay nakita ko ang relatives ko sa LA na matagal ko nang hindi nakasama.” [“Los Angeles – Last year, I was part of Kapusong Pinoy sa LA and it was my first time to go there.

It was my first time to travel 14 hours straight, and I even kissed the ground when I got to the airport. It was also my first time to eat at “In Out,” a popular burger chain in the US. It’s Antonietta’s first time to perform there, too (Antonietta is the popular character Betong portrays in Bubble Gang). The most memorable thing for me was that I was able to see my relatives in LA whom I haven’t seen in a long time.]

Juancho Trivino

(InstaDad) Favor ite t r a v e l destination in the Ph i l ippi ne s: “I recently visited Coron, Palawan. Napaka-peaceful doon.

Nagiging emotional ako sa Coron dahil napakaganda ng beach.” [“I recently visited Coron, Palawan. It was really peaceful there. I became emotional after Coron because the beaches are so beautiful.”]

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Tumira ako sa States before for one year. It was memorable kasi siyempre, nakaapak na ako sa States. Malamig at medyo nahasa ako sa pagi-English doon.” [I lived in the States for a year. Being able to visit the country is memorable. It’s cold and I was also able to improve my English.”]

Ash Ortega (InstaDad)

Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Bohol—First time kong pumunta doon three years ago noong nag-shoot ako for an indie film.

Nalibot ko ‘yung lugar at sobrang ganda talaga. Sobrang naamaze ako sa Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers. That’s why kahit magpabalikbalik ako doon, hindi ako magsasawa.”

“Bohol – My first time to visit was three years ago when I shot an indie film. I was able to see the Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers. That’s why I won’t tire of going back.”]

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “When I represented the country for an ice skating competition in Malaysia, I won eight medals kaya ‘yun ang pinakamemorable travel destination ko.” [“When I represented the country for an ice skating competition in Malaysia, I won eight medals which is why that’s my most memorable travel destination.”]

James Wright (GMA Records) Favorite travel destination in the Philippines: “Baguio — First time I performed out of Manila and first time I was shivering while singing on stage.”

Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Hong Kong—It’s my home.”

Matet de Leon

(InstaDad) Favorite t r a v e l de s t i n at ion in the P h i l i p p i n e s: “Bukidnon—Nain love ako sa lugar na ‘yun noong nagpunta ako last 2011.

Talagang maganda sa Bukidnon, sobra! Nagustuhan ko rin ‘yung white water rafting sa Cagayan de Oro.” [Bukidnon – I fell in love with the place when I went there in 2011. It’s really beautiful there! I also liked the white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro.”] Most memorable travel destination outside the country: “Well, hindi pa ako ulit lumalabas ng bansa pero I’m happy nakapunta na ako sa Japan.” [“Well, I haven’t been out of the country lately but I’m happy that I’ve been able to go to Japan.”]

To get the latest updates about various Kapuso personalities and programs, visit www.gmanetwork. com/international. n

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Scoop GMA Network waives exclusive TV airing rights for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

IN true Kapuso fashion, GMA Network has waived its exclusive TV airing rights for the PacquiaoMayweather fight happening on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“GMA Network recognizes the magnitude of this fight and we want every Filipino to be part of this momentous event and unifying experience,” announced GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon in a message delivered by the Company’s EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong during a press conference.

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ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY

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Meanwhile, DZBB, Barangay LS and all RGMA stations nationwide, will carry the exclusive rights on radio.

As in previous years, GMA offers its sincerest support for its Kapuso, Manny Pacquiao, who is about to embark on what is touted to be the biggest highlight of his illustrious boxing career.

“Sa pagsampa mo Manny, sa ring laban kay Mayweather sa darating na Mayo, kaisa mo ang GMA Network at ang sambayanang Pilipino sa isip, sa damdamin, at sa pangarap na makamit

natin ang tagumpay,” expressed Gozon.

The Kapuso head honcho added that GMA will be “one with the entire nation in praying for the victory of Manny,” praising his unprecedented achievements in the boxing arena that “attest to the capability of the Filipino to excel in the global stage.”

The PambansangKamao has an ongoing show with GMA, MP Featuring Sport Science, and has starred in numerous programs on the Kapuso Network. His earlier fights were also

broadcasted on free TV exclusively by GMA. For his part, Mike Enriquez, GMA consultant for Radio Operations, said, “We are proud to once again be a partner of Solar [Sports] in bringing the latest Pacquiao adventure, this time against Floyd Mayweather Jr., live and real time from Las Vegas.”

The fight dubbed “Battle for Greatness” will air on May 3 via delayed telecast on GMA7, while DZBB will bring the blow-by-blow action on the same day. n

Atty Felipe L Gozon - GMA Network Chairman and CEO

PINATUNAYAN ng GMA Network ang tindi ng suporta nito para kay Manny Pacquiao nang pumayag itong i-waive ang kanilang exclusive TV airing rights for para sa nalalapit na laban ng Pambansang Kamao kay Floyd Mayweather Jr. ngayong May 2 sa Las Vegas.

“GMA Network recognizes the magnitude of this fight and we want every Filipino to be part of this momentous event and unifying experience,” pahayag ni GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon sa kaniyang mensahe na binasa ni GMA EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong sa

isang press con kung saan ginawaang malaking announcement.

Samantala, ang DZBB, Barangay LS at lahat ng RGMA stations nationwide, ang eksklusibong maghahatid ng laban sa radyo.

“Sa pagsampa mo Manny, sa ring laban kay Mayweather sa darating na Mayo, kaisa mo ang GMA Network at ang sambayanang Pilipino saisip, sadamdamin, at sa pangarap na makamit natin ang tagumpay,” saad ni Gozon.

Ayon pa rito, kaisa ng bawat Pilipino ang GMA sa pagdarasal ng tagumpay ng Pound-for-Pound champion. Pinuri rin ni Gozon ang kahusayan ni Manny

saloob ng boxing ring at kung paano siya nagsisilbing inspirasyon para sa marami.

“Sa pagbanggit ng pangalang Manny Pacquiao, kaakibat na nito ang hindi masukat na laki ng puso at determinasyong magtagumpay sa harap ng anumang pagsubok,” aniya.

“Ilang beses na itong naipakita ni Manny sa kanyang mga tagumpay laban sa mas malalaking katunggali sa larangan ng boxing. Ito narin ang pinaghuhugutan ng lakas ng mga kapwa Pilipino sa kanilang pagharap sa mga hamon ng buhay.”

Kasalukuyang may show si Pacquiao sa GMA 7, ang MP Sport Science,

habang ang mga nauna niyang laban ay eksklusibong napanood sa free TV sa GMA. Sinabi naman ni Mike Enriquez, GMA consultant for Radio Operations, na nagagalak silang maging bahagi ng nasabing makasaysayang laban, “We are proud to once again be a partner of Solar [Sports] in bringing the latest Pacquiao adventure, this time against Floyd Mayweather Jr., live and real time from Las Vegas.”

Mapapanood sa GMA ang pinakaaabangang laban sa May 3 via delayed telecast, habang mapapakinggan naman sa DZBB ang live blow-by-blow action sa parehong araw. n

Kapuso Network, nagbigay daan para kay Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao

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Scoop

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY

Three Pinay hopefuls compete in ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ Cycle 3 ALWAYS the bridesmaid, never the bride?Hopefully not for the third time around.

After two consecutive runnerup placements in “Asia’s Next Top Model”, it looks like the Philippines is going for broke in Cycle 3 of the reality competition series for aspiring supermodels.

In the show’s first season, Stephanie Retuya was one of the two runnersup to eventual winner Jessica Amornkuldilok from Thailand. The following year, two Filipina contenders, JodillyPendre and Katarina Rodriguez, placed second and third to winner Sheena Liam of Malaysia.

This time, the country hopes to finally win the coveted title of “Asia’s Next Top Model” with not just one, but three hopefuls in the highly competitive series. Recently introduced to the media, Amanda Bianca Chan, Franchesca Denise Lagua and Marlena Monika Sta. Maria immediately left quite an impression on the show’s very first episode.

At 17, Amanda is the youngest among the 14 finalists that also include three from Indonesia, two from Malaysia, two from Hong Kong and one each from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and this season’s host country, Singapore.

Born and raised in Sydney, Amanda told InterAksyon and other media that she auditioned for “Australia’s Next Top Model” but did not make the cut. With her dad’s prodding, she came to the Philippines specifically for “Asia’s Next Top Model” and passed the Manila auditions.

On the show’s maiden episode that premiered Wednesday on StarWorld, Amanda had the best photo and received the first call out from judges Alex Perry, Joey Mead King and host Georgina Wilson as well as panelists Mike Rosenthal, Kenneth Goh and Marina Fairfax who hailed her as the “fastest learner” in her batch.

Franchesca at 26 is already a seasoned model which she has been doing for the last five years and has modeled for brands like Enervon and Bench. She also had stints walking the ramp at Philippine Fashion Week and believe it or not, was also SolennHeussaff’s stunt double in the film, “Sosy Problems”.

Prior to “Asia’s Next Top Model”, she had never joined any contest before. Her experience, however, pretty much served her in good stead.

In the first episode, Joey Mead King called her “so safe” but also told her

to step up her game if she wants to go very far in the contest.

At 23, Monika is also not new to the modeling world and is best known as one of the winners of the 2013 Century Tuna Superbod along with current Mister World Philippines John Spainhour.

Like Katarina, Monika is also a La Salle alumna. A Pyschology graduate, Monika revealed that she auditioned last year with Katarina and Jodilly but did not get in. That did not discourage her from trying out again as she was inspired by how far her two colleagues fared in last season’s competition.

Like Amanda, Monika was one of the darlings of the judges in the first episode where she also excelled during the first photoshoot. It will be interesting to see how she will perform the rest of the way.

The other contestants of “Asia’s Next Top Model” Cycle 3 are Aimee Rose Cheng-Bradshaw (Singapore), Barbara Akemi Katsuki (Japan), Duong Celine Thuy-vi (Vietnam), KirsteenChing Wing MacGregor Barlow (Hong Kong), AyuGani (Indonesia), Kiana AnoraGuyon (Thailand), Loretta Chow (Hong Kong) and Melissa Tan Li Hsia (Malaysia), Rani Ramadhany (Indonesia), Tahlia Raji (Indonesia)

From left, Amanda Chan, Franchesca Lagua and Monika Sta. Maria.

and ShareetaSelvaraj (Malaysia), who was the first to be eliminated.

As in previous seasons, this season’s 14 contestants will undergo a unique modeling boot camp that will immerse them in activities that define the modeling industry, including catwalks, fashion shoots and acting classes designed to develop their personalities and ready them for the rigors of the fashion world.

In each episode, the models will

learn basic and advanced skills designed to prepare them for a highly competitive environment with high stakes, high class and high fashion storylines where only one of them will emerge as “Asia’s Next Top Model.”

The series airs its new episodes on StarWorld every Wednesdays at 10:45PM with several replays scheduled for the rest of the week. n Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / March 26, 2015 / 9:15 AM

Comebacking Patricia Javier graces cover of FHM’s April issue IT’S like she never left.

Although she had started her career a few years earlier, it wasn’t until 1999 when Patricia Javier shot to stardom with the provocative “Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero” directed by the tandem of Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes.

That same year, another sensational actress became a household name when Joyce Jimenez was launched via Erik Matti’s “Scorpio Nights 2” ironically a sequel of sorts to the critically-acclaimed classic also directed by Gallaga. “Scorpio Nights 2” was directed by Gallaga’s former protégé Erik Matti.

Along with Ara Mina, Patricia and Joyce

ruled the box office as they starred in one sexy flick after another. But by 2002, Patricia, or simply “PJ” as her later fans would fondly refer to her, then embarked on a singing career and achieved some success as she went on to headline several concerts that showcased more than just her knockout figure.

At the peak of her popularity, however, PJ fell in love with American chiropractor Dr. Robert Walcher, married him and, in 2004, joined him in the U.S. to start their family that now includes two sons, Robert and Ryan. While in the States, PJ became a devoted wife and mother even as she found new careers as a licensed esthetician and

as DJ G Love, which sort of became an extension of her love for music.

After 10 years, PJ decided to return to the Philippines last year, this time with her family in tow. She announced her showbiz comeback with a surprise appearance as Ricky Davao’s naughty confidante in the glossy Cinemalaya ensemble drama “Separados”.

Now still looking youthful as ever, she’s back on the cover of the magazine she previously graced in 2000 and 2002.

“I’m doing this to influence moms like me, na hindi porke’t mommy eh losyang na. Let’s take care of our bodies. The more na tumatanda, the more dapat na

gumaganda!,” she told FHM writer Gelo Gonzales.

“This is my last FHM shoot, kaya they better get copies kasi wala nang susunod!,” she quickly added by way of a friendly warning.

If her sizzling men’s magazine photos are any indication, it looks like we’ll see more of Patricia Javier in the days and months to come. Whether it’s on television, the big screen or even back in the concert or club circuit, PJ should be a welcome sight for not only for longtime fans but also for new admirers. n Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com /

March 28, 2015 / 11:42 AM

Sharon Cuneta’s presence at One Direction concert draws mixed reactions AS one of several celebrities who were seen in the audience during the sell-out concert of popular British boy band One Direction last week, Sharon Cuneta was the picture of elation during the first night of the concert she attended with daughters Frankie and Miel.

“Wonderful! It was so nice.

Awang-awalangakoparang they were medyonainitanperoangganda ng concert (I feel bad that the boys looked like they were uncomfortable with the heat but it was a great concert). I was so happy that my kids had such wonderful time,” the overjoyed Megastar told ABSCBN News after the show.

On her Facebook account, Sharon would later share her own thoughts about the recent departure of Zayn Malik from 1D.

“Frankie, Miel and I are heartbroken over Zayn Malik’s leaving One Direction…We will miss you terribly, Zayn…Be happy and God bless you…,” she posted.

Apparently, Mega’s presence at the concert at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds did not necessarily sit well with other One Direction fans.

Gossip blog site FashionPulis.com posted a screenshot of a post by an unidentified social media user who claimed that, aside from her daughters and bodyguards, Sharon also brought a big umbrella and two posters that were supposedly not allowed in the venue.

When it started to drizzle, Sharon opened her umbrella and, as a result, blocked the view of those behind her who were forced to watch the concert

on the huge widescreen in the venue.

As proof, the person also posted a photo of Sharon with the open umbrella allegedly taken at the concert. The photo was reposted by FashionPulis.

Not everyone, however, was unhappy with Sharon’s presence at the concert.

Some netizens were actually thrilled to sit side by side with the Megastar. n Edwin

P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / March 29, 2015 / 10:19 AM

Sharon Cuneta uses an umbrella while watching the One Direction concert at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds on March 21.

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www.hello-philippines.com

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

PNoy’s speech on the 1st Anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro FOLLOWING is the English translation of the speech of President Benigno Aquino III on the 1st Anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, March 27, 2015.

One year has passed since the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

On March 27, 2014, we invited all those who worked hard to craft this agreement to Malacañang: the members of different government agencies, together with our uniformed services; peace advocates who had long awaited this agreement; the representatives of different countries who joined in our success; all the stakeholders of the Bangsamoro, they who are sick and tired of conflict and violence; and of course, our brothers and sisters in the MILF who, out of a desire to put an end to this decadesold conflict, wholeheartedly showed, and continue to show, that they are trustworthy, and that they, like us, aspire to peace. At the signing, we looked back on the long process of crafting an agreement that is just and fair to all. In drafting this, we laid out the transformation we wanted to bring to a system that had long been abused by many, and we put to record our dreams for the Bangsamoro. What I said then: “If we sustain the momentum for peace, by 2016, the MILF will have shed its identity as a military force, and transformed itself into a political entity, casting its stake in democracy by vying for seats in the Bangsamoro elections. The Bangsamoro shall form a perimeter of vigilance against the spread of extremism From this shared security, we shall enhance the era of prosperity that is dawning upon our region, and harness its energies towards creating a regime of opportunity and inclusivity where no one is left behind.”

Was it not a great honor to have achieved this agreement, and was it not gratifying to proudly tell the whole world that we Filipinos—though scattered among many islands, though possessing different beliefs—have a shared aspiration for peace That we can put aside our differences, and focus on what binds us as a nation It saddens me to see that, after only one year, we have seemingly forgotten the hope that we felt back then. Instead, we have replaced it with distrust, unwarranted suspicion, and anger.

The path to peace is not easy. The first thing we did: We identified the real problem, so that we would be able to implement the correct solution. Let us remember: The conflict in Mindanao began during the dictatorship because of land-grabbing. The law was used to exploit the uneducated, and deny them of their land. It is unfortunate

PNoy addresses nation a year after Bangsamoro peace accord. President Benigno Aquino III delivers another national address on Friday, March 27, a year after the Philippine government signed a comprehensive peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In his address, Aquino said he is enlisting the help of ‘citizen leaders’ to scrutinize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Rey Baniquet

that no one thought that if abusing the law was the root of the problem, then it would be reasonable, just, and acceptable that law also solve it. Until now, we feel the effects of neglecting this problem. But it is also clear that, today, your government adheres to a different point of view. We already have initiatives in place, for example, that protect indigenous rights and care for ancestral domains.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law is one of the most important proposed bills of our administration. It answers the two most pressing problems of our countrymen: poverty and violence.

This bill is the product of 17 years of extensive study and negotiations.

Even then, there are those who oppose its enactment. Unfortunately, their criticism solely stems from a lack of understanding of the BBL; take, for example, their statements that there will be a separate police force for the Bangsamoro once it is enacted into law. Should we trust those who say that the peace talks should be ceased, yet offer no other solutions If we believe these people, where will they take us For my part: If the proposed bill is lacking, it can be addressed by pushing through with the debates on it. With the continuation of hearings about the BBL in Congress, each one is given an opportunity to understand the proposed bill. We believe: An initiative that arose out of good intentions can be fixed by those who likewise have good intentions towards their fellowmen.

I am fully aware that the events in Mindanao, together with the incident in Mamasapano, have sowed doubt in the minds of our countrymen.

The result: it has pushed aside the objective evaluation of the BBL. To address this, I am inviting citizen leaders known for their wisdom and integrity to stand as independent convenors. These include Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice HilarioDavide, Jr., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Howard Dee, and Bai RohanizaSumndad-Usman.

They will gather other responsible and respected leaders to spearhead a National Peace Summit to deliberate on and discuss the BBL. They will dissect the proposed law in a calm and reasonable manner that will not incite anger and hopelessness. This way, the BBL can be improved. They will write a report that will be made public, so that everyone may be informed, and so that more of our countrymen may understand the matter. In this manner, we will be able to advance a reasonable decision as regards the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Expect that, as we move closer and closer to attaining our long-held dream for peace, the cacophony that aims to dismantle our trust in each other will also grow louder. It is only right and prudent for us to prepare, for them not to succeed. Thus, we must also carefully examine their motivations. If they truly desire to serve their constituencies, shouldn’t they be on the side of peace I get to wonder now: Are the ones calling to put a stop to the BBL those who will be the most affected by the transformation that we seek to make permanent for the Bangsamoro Perhaps, their sole intention is to lord it over our countrymen once more, the moment that the old system is restored.

There are also those who call for an end to the peace process. They say that all-out war is the way to go. And I ask them: What gain do you see from waging war Now that we are moving forward as a nation and are on the cusp of success, do they really think that we should advance violence, only to bring us back to the path of hardship Previous administration have tried an all-out war approach. Allout war has been the response since the 70s. How did that turn out for them and for us The only result: hundreds of thousands of casualties, ruined livelihoods, and a status quo of suffering in Mindanao. Is it not clear that their approach was wrong What were the results Did the conflict

end Didn’t such an approach lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos There were reports that, during the time of Mr. Marcos, blackouts were purposefully done to conceal the arrival of body bags, so that no one could see the large number of casualties.

Consider this: if the peace process is derailed once more, we will lose ground for sincere dialogue with leaders, and with all the Moros who are ready to listen to reason and who genuinely seek peace. Isn’t it possible that they too might be pushed to join those who want violence If the troubling situation in Mindanao worsens, the wounds would grow deeper, and more persons would resent their condition. Those who were previously neglected and abused by the system and by institutions will further feel mistreated. Those who have never been reached by the assistance of government will suffer all the more. Do you think that, should all this happen, they will be sincere partners in peace talks after being hurt, after shedding blood, and after being persecuted We all know the reasons behind the spreading influence of bandits such as the Abu Sayyaf. Some communities have long been denied service and care from the government. Given this lack of support from the government, the Abu Sayyaf compensated for the neglect. While the government only showed itself to these communities during elections or military operations, the Abu Sayyaf was there and, despite causing trouble, it saw to the needs of these communities.

Because of this, the Abu Sayyaf earned their sympathies. There were even those who coddled the Abu Sayyaf, because they benefitted from their presence.

This is the crossroads we face: We take pains to forge peace today, or we count body bags tomorrow. To those who have called for all-out war as the solution, do you think we’ll be able to talk peace after the shooting has started, when the wounds, and the failure of the talks, would be raw Perhaps it is easy for you to push for all-out war because Luzon and Visayas are far from the conflict. But if the conflict grows, the number of Filipinos shooting at other Filipinos will grow, and it would not be out of the question that a friend or loved one be one of the people who will end up inside a body bag. If this is where it will end up, the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for our much-desired peace would have been wasted. If you ask the soldiers, police, and other uniformed ranks, they would be the first to oppose war, because they would bear the brunt of it.

Let me make it clear: This decision is not just for the remainder of my term, but for the benefit of the next generations. To you young people, will you suffer a society in which you would be required to march into war instead of fulfilling your dreams To the parents: Would you want the next generation to inherit a future marked by conflict We will not allow for this to happen. We will continue on the path that will bring us closer to peace.

When before they stood on opposing sides, today, the MILF and our government are engaged in dialogue. But our partners in the MILF, Al Haj Murad and Mohagher Iqbal, are not getting any younger.

There is no guarantee that those who will follow them will show the same trust and the same desire to lay down arms. Should we fail to pass the BBL, how can we urge their men to continue the search for peace Should that happen, would it not be easier for the violent elements in their ranks to say, “See, negotiations and dialogue lead to nothing, our guns are still more powerful.” Let us remember: The potential of two generations has been wasted because of conflict. Now that we are all here, are we going to allow the succeeding generations to meet the same fate Allow me to emphasize, once again: Violence cannot resolve violence; anger can never come to an end, if it is also met with anger. Only compassion can put an end to violence; only love can extinguish anger. Is it too much to ask that Filipinos show compassion and love to their fellow Filipinos No one can deny that, if we attain peace, the standard of living in the Bangsamoro will rise. And when one region rises, so too does the entire country. Indeed: peace is the only path to our aspirations of inclusive growth.

On this day, God willing, may we be reminded that we have a golden opportunity at present to attain peace, and ensure that the positive fruits of laying down arms will enlighten those who wish to sow chaos. God willing, may we remember that a brighter future waits; we need only to strengthen and continue what we have already started. Let us reinforce our trust; let us reinforce our hope; these will be our contributions to an orderly and prosperous society, one that we can be proud of, and one that we can bequeath to the next generations. I do not pursue peace just to add to my legacy. What we are pursuing is a genuine peace that truly addresses the roots of the problems that led to violence. At this point in our history, I say to all of you: The BBL will make this a reality.

Good afternoon and thank you to everyone. n March 27, 2015 / 7:16 PM

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

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Cebu Archbishop reminds faithful Holy Week is for prayer, not vacation CEBU CITY - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has reminded the faithful to pray during the Holy Week instead of going into outing or vacationing.

“We have 52 weeks in a year, one is intended for the observance of the Holy Week,” Palma said.

This period of the year, he said, is dedicated for setting aside of routine to reflect on the passion of Christ.

“This is a moment of renewal and grace, not for vacation. As a bishop, I’m inviting everyone to participate in the several church activities. After all, Cebu is called the cradle of Christianity,” Palma said.

The Cebu prelate reminded the Catholics the Holy Week is the season when we remember that Jesus Christ “died poor on the cross” to save us from our sins.

He also reiterated that the church does not encourage the nailing on the cross and other “extreme” way of expressing one’s faith.

But he said the church is not stopping anyone from such display of faith, as doing so is already disrespecting the individual’s capacity to decide on his own.

“We respect their vows. But we consider it an extreme expression to inflict punishment and pain to their body. As a general rule, we discourage that but we respect the people who do such,” Palma said.

“The true spirit of penance is reform and change for the better. It is living away from sin, the denunciation of sin, and to change into being more Christian. Not so much on the physical penance,” he said.

The Holy Week officially starts during the observance of Palm Sunday this week.

One of the most observed aspects of the Holy Week is the VisitaIglesia, or the pilgrimage from one church to another, which is traditionally held on Holy Thursday.

It is done prior to the Last Supper mass, which remembers the night before Jesus was arrested, which prompted the start of His passion.

The next day, Good Friday, the Seven Last Words of Christ would be read and reflected on in the afternoon, when the last moments before Jesus died at 3 p.m. is reenacted.

The Easter vigil, the most important Holy Week activity, happens on Black Saturday, and is preceded by a mass centering on the blessing of fire and water.

Palma will lead the Black Saturday mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 8 p.m.

The Easter Sunday mass is done immediately after the “SugatsaKabanhawan,” or the meeting of the images of Mary and the Risen Christ. n PNA / March 29, 2015 / 7:57 AM

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. File photo by Bernard Testa

Palace: Aquino wants travel to provinces to be safe, convenient PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III wants Filipinos traveling to the provinces for their Holy Week and summer vacations not just to be safe but to be convenient as well.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday Aquino is concerned that the operation of toll gates may slow down traffic to the provinces.

“One of the concerns of the President was the toll gates... It was brought to the President’s attention over Christmas na imbes gumaan ang biyahe ng kababayan natin sa north, naging kalbaryo,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.

She said Aquino wants “syncrhonized” operations among toll operators including the North and South Luzon Expressways and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

Such syncrhonized operations should cut down on travel time, she added.

“That was one of the President’s directives. Apart from the safety of travelers... is to make sure it remains convenient,” she said.

Vendors on Saturday started selling palaspas (palm fronds) in time for Palm Sunday, which marks the start of the Holy Week for Catholics.

For its part, the Philippine National Police issued safety tips for travelers who may need to leave their homes for the Holy Week break.

As part of the safety measures, the PNP said that as much as possible let as few people know about your vacation plans, and keep the window curtains closed.

“Ngayong summer, dagsa na naman ang ating mga kababayan na uuwi ng probinsya o darayo sa ibang lugar upang doon gugulin ang kanilang bakasyon,” the PNP public information office said in an infographic. n Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Philippines Returns to the 56th International Art Exhibition in Venice after 50-Year Hiatus FIFTY-ONE years after its 1964 participation in the Venice Art Biennale, the Philippines finally returns to one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious exhibitions of contemporary art, with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

Patrick Flores’ curatorial proposal titled Tie A String Around the World was chosen by a panel of distinguished experts from among 16 submissions as the Philippine representative in the 56th International Art Exhibition organized by La Biennale di Venezia, which will run from May 09 to November 22, 2015 in Venice, Italy.

Flores’ work centers on Manuel Conde’s 1950 classic Genghis Khan, co-written and designed by Carlos Francisco and screened at the Museum of Modern Art at the Venice Film Festival in 1952, where it competed with the films of Chaplin, Clement, Fellini, Bergman, and Mizoguchi.

“Being the most lucid mirrors of sensibility, harnessing the arts in this Philippine entry can be a most effective and peaceful way of enabling other people to see the world as Filipinos

perceive it,” said NCCA Chairman Felipe M. de Leon, Jr. who also serves as Commissioner for the Philippine Pavilion.

The newly-restored film will be exhibited at the Philippine pavilion, which will occupy three rooms at the European Cultural Centre-Palazzo Mora, and will be positioned in conversation with the contemporary art projects of intermedia artist Jose Tence Ruiz and filmmaker Mariano Montelibano III. The Pavilion seeks to initiate discussion on the history of the sea and its relationship with the current world, claims to patrimony, and the struggle of nation-states over vast and intensely contested nature.

De Leon further stated that Filipino values “if vividly expressed and vigorously promoted through the arts, can help make the world a more peaceful, creative and inspiring place to live in. The present Philippine participation in this prestigious Biennale is a grand undertaking in this direction.”

Meanwhile, DFA Secretary Albert F. del Rosario stressed, “Culture, viewed as a tool of statecraft, is a compelling element in projecting a country’s status

or power. As art lovers and culture watchers the world over converge in Venice this year, and with nearly 100 other countries expected to take part in the Biennale, the Philippines’ participation provides an invaluable opportunity to foster greater mutual understanding and more active people-to-people exchanges through culture.“ Senator Legarda, principal advocate of the project, also expressed jubilation over the country’s participation in the Biennale after five long decades of absence. “It has been 50 years since we last joined this prestigious contemporary art exhibition. We have many talented Filipino artists worthy to be given the chance to showcase their talent in this event. Furthermore, we should also take this opportunity as a platform to engage the international community at a cultural level. I am confident that our artistry and culture would leave other nations in awe.”

Legarda explained that Tie A String Around the World was chosen for its “poetic and political reflection on the history of world making, the links between geography and politics, and the notions of nation, territory and archipelago.”

The Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Philippines will have a pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015

Established in 1895, the Venice Biennale is considered by many as the “Olympics of contemporary art” that exhibits global trends and engages in critical discourse. For the past century, it has become the breeding ground for

world-renowned artists and has played a pivotal role in shaping the canon of art history. In 2013, it has attracted over 475,000 visitors which made it the most visited art exhibition in Italy. n Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 27, 2015

DFA Continues to Work for the Cause of Mary Jane Veloso THE initial appeal for judicial review of the case of Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was denied by the Indonesian Supreme Court.

It may be recalled that the petition for judicial review was initiated by the Philippine Government early this year after being informed that Indonesian President Joko Widodo rejected the appeal for clemency made by President Benigno S. Aquino

III through a letter dated 23 August 2011.

Indonesian law allows a judicial review of all death penalty cases. The Sleman District Court endorsed the case files to the Supreme Court following two hearings on the petition held on March 3 and 4.

From the time of Ms. Veloso’s arrest in April 2010, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta and the Office of the

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), has been actively monitoring the case and extending all necessary assistance to Ms. Veloso and her family. This includes hiring the services of a private lawyer to help Ms. Veloso to pursue a legal review of her case.

The DFA, in coordination with Indonesian authorities, arranged for Ms. Veloso’s family to visit her in prison

from February 19 to 21. The DFA remains in close contact with Ms. Veloso’s family to keep them updated of developments.

On March 24, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario made a humanitarian visit to Ms. Veloso at the Yogyakarta Penitentiary to check on her condition and to personally offer comfort and reassure her of the Philippine Government’s continued support.

In response to the recent decision

of the Indonesian Supreme Court, Secretary Del Rosario reiterates, “We will continue to exhaust all possible diplomatic and legal means to save Mary Jane’s life. We wish to assure her family that the Philippine Government is giving its full attention to this case and that it stands ready to provide them with all the assistance they may require.” n Philippine Embassy Philippines /

March 27, 2015

Ambassador, Consuls General, Tourism Directors Tour Launched in Southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania THE 10th Ambassador, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) was launched on March 21 in Southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It was organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York in cooperation with the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia (FECGP) and the Philippine-American Chamber of

Commerce (PACC) of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey at the Philippine Center in Cherry Hill.

In his remarks, Philippine Consul General De Leon said that community members can help in promoting ACGTDT to Filipino-Americans and tourism to mainstream Americans, including students. Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia are areas which

host many universities and colleges.

American students as well as academic institutions can be encouraged by the Filipino community to consider the Philippines as a destination for shortterm study abroad and immersion, particularly in the areas of social entrepreneurship and social tourism.

Ms. Ruth Luyun of FECGP thanked the Consulate General and community

Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon (7th from left) poses with Ms. Ruth Luyun (5th from left), Mr. Brad Baldia (7th from right), Consul Bong Cariño (rightmost), Ms. Michelle Narvaez of PAL (2nd row, 7th from left), and Ms. Azucena Pallugna (2nd row, 4th from right) and FECGP and PACC.

members for their support to the activity, noting that its objective is to help the country through tourism promotion. Meantime, Mr. Baldia of PACC invited participants to get involved in the community through the White House Initiative on AsiaAmericans and Pacific Islanders Initiative where a small business boot camp open to small business owners will be held in Philadelphia on April 21.

Ms. AzucenaPallugna, representing the Philippine Department of TourismNew York, gave a brief presentation on the ACGTDT travel packages and encouraged participants to join this year’s expanded tour which includes Cebu. She added that this year has also been designated as Visit Philippines year 2015 by the Department of Tourism.

The ACGTDT activity was made possible through the assistance and sponsorship of the Filipino community of the FECGP led by its current

President, Ms. Ruth Luyun, and supported by PACC-PA led by Executive Director Mr. Brad Baldia.

The Consulate General hopes to cap promotional activities on ACGTDT with a similar activity in New York City

by May. Community members also welcomed the resumption of flights to the US East Coast of Philippine Airlines, as represented by Ms. Michelle Narvaez.

PAL is currently providing four flights weekly Manila-New York via John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK airport) with a layover in Vancouver.

A short Q&A and feedback session on PAL followed. Certain challenges experienced by Filipino travelers were discussed, such as lack of direct flights from Philadelphia necessitating a shuttle service from southern New Jersey to JFK airport in New York, and competitive rates offered by other Asian airlines. n Philippine Embassy Philippines

/ March 26, 2015

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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD

April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

Secretary Del Rosario: South China Sea Dispute Concerns International Commitment to Uphold Rule of Law FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario strongly conveyed the need for the international community to uphold the rule of law in the South China Sea at a Special Forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) today, March 26, at Marco Polo Hotel, Pasig City.

“Allow me to state at the outset that the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China goes beyond the issue of maritime entitlements.

This is about the principled stand of the Philippines to defend its legitimate rights which are currently being violated. It concerns the international community’s commitment to uphold the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the Constitution of the Oceans, which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. It concerns the need to uphold the rule of law which is the bedrock of peace, order

and fairness in modern societies,” Secretary Del Rosario said.

The Secretary was the keynote speaker at the Special Forum, which featured presentations by party-list Representative Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo and Association of Chinese Studies President and former ABC Beijing Bureau Chief Chito Sta. Romana. Professor Jose Antonio Custodio served as the reactor. There were an estimated 80 people in the audience composed of FOCAP members and representatives from the local media, academe, government sector and business community.

Secretary Del Rosario apprised the audience of developments on the arbitration case which was filed by the Philippines against China under Article 287 and Annex VII of the UNCLOS in January 2013. He recalled the country’s recent submission of a 3,000-page document containing supplemental arguments that “leave no doubt that the tribunal has jurisdiction

over the case and that the Philippines’ claims, including in particular its claims concerning the ‘nine-dash line’, are well-founded in fact and law.”

“Even as the Philippines filed arbitral proceedings under Article 287 of UNCLOS, however, China continues to undertake unilateral measures that form part of a pattern of forcing a change in the regional status quo in order to advance and realize its ‘nine-dash line’ claim of undisputed sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea,” the Secretary added, referring primarily to China’s continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea and massive reclamation activities in disputed areas.

Secretary Del Rosario likewise highlighted the international community’s significant support for the Philippines’ advocacy for a peaceful and rules-based settlement of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario answers questions from the members of the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines at a Special Forum on the South China Sea on March 26, 2015. On the stage are panelists (from left) Representative Francisco Ashley Acedillo, Association of Chinese Studies President Chito Sta. Romana and Professor Jose Antonio Custodio.

He closed his speech by emphasizing that “Even as we face a formidable challenge, we have the law on our side.

International law is the great equalizer.

We are, moreover, in the right and right is might.”

As one of the premier media

organizations in the country, the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines hosts regular fora with top officials and subject experts to discuss the day’s political, economic and social issues. n Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 26, 2015

PHL Embassy in Jakarta Celebrates Family Day in Surabaya, Provides Overseas Voting and Consular Services

(Photos from left) Philippine Ambassador Maria Lumen Isleta addresses the FLCOMIN in Surabaya in her first community gathering outside of Jakarta since assuming her new post in the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta; (Seated from left, 2nd row) Honorary Consul Eddy Surohadi, FILCOMIN President Mr. Edgardo Fuentes, Ambassador Isleta, Consul General Roberto Manalo, Consul Shirlene Mananquil, and retired Honorary Consul Carmelito Sagrado.

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen B. Isleta and other Embassy officials were in Surabaya on March 21 to attend the Family Day Celebration of the Filipino Community (FILCOMIN) in Surabaya and to provide consular and voter registration services as part of the Embassy’s outreach activities in Indonesia.

Ambassador Isleta commended FILCOMIN for its role in helping Filipinos in Surabaya to unite and come together to undertake productive endeavors.

She also reminded the Filipinos of

the on-going voter registration and encouraged them to exercise their right to vote in the coming elections by registering as voters.

The Filipino Community group in Surabaya (FILCOMIN) was established in 1990. It has a membership of around 200 Filipinos who are engaged in various professions.

The Family Day Celebration is the first of three main events celebrated by FILCOMIN annually, the others being Independence Day and Christmas. n

through interchange flyover construction, thereby contributing to socio-economic development of Metro Manila and the surrounding suburbs. The FRMP aims to mitigate flood risk in Cagayan de Oro River Basin through the construction of new dikes and improvement of existing bridges in Cagayan de Oro, among others.

Japan continues to be the

Philippines’ top source of official development assistance. Japan’s assistance, through loans, grants and technical cooperation, covers a wide range of areas, including public works, socio-economic infrastructure, transportation and communications, agriculture, and capability-building, among other areas. n Philippine Embassy Philippines / March

Philippine Embassy Philippines / March 27, 2015

Philippines, Japan Sign Agreements on Six ODA Projects FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa signed and exchanged notes on four Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant projects amounting to JPY 2.789 billion (approximately PhP 1.195 billion) and two yen loan projects amounting to JPY 19.5 billion (approximately PhP 8.356 billion).

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima and Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative NoriakiNiwa also signed the two yen loan agreements.

The Grant Aid program for the Project for Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao worth JPY 1.117 billion will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote conflict prevention and peace-building in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao.

The Grant Agreement for MiniHydropower Development Project

in the Province of Ifugao worth JPY 893 million was increased to JPY 922 million. It will be implemented

by Department of Energy (DOE) to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of hydropower projects along irrigation canals administered by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

It also supports the hydropower development program of the DOE and helps it attain its “Renewable Energy Policy Framework” target.

The Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese SMEs Products worth JPY 250 million will be implemented by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration - Department of Science and Technology (PAGASADOST) to support the procurement of weather, rainfall and river observation systems by PAGASADOST and various equipment and machinery by DPWH.

The Non-Project Grant Aid on the Provision of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Equipment and Facilities 2014 worth JPY 500 million will be implemented by various agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to support and assist the national and local governments in responding and adapting to climate change and disasters.

The two Yen Loan Programs for Metro Manila Interchange Construction Project (MICP) Phase VI worth JPY 7.9 billion (approximately PhP 3.345 billion) and the Flood Risk Management Project (FRMP) for Cagayan de Oro River worth JPY 11.6 billion (approximately PhP 5.011 billion) will be implemented

by DPWH. The MICP’s objective is to alleviate serious traffic congestion and enhance transportation capacity and efficiency around Metro Manila

26, 2015

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

VP Binay meets with parents of OFW on Indonesia’s death row MANILA - Vice President on Sunday assured the parents of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia that the government would exhaust all “legal remedies and options” to spare the life of their child.

Celia and Cesar Veloso, parents of Mary Jane Veloso, reiterated to Binay their daughter was framed by a relative whom she trusted, and who asked her to hnd-carry a bag that turned out to have illegal drugs.

Binay, the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, discussed with them the Philippine government’s next move to save the younger Veloso from the death penalty.

During their meeting, Binay called up Assistant Secretary MindaCalaguian-Cruz of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs. She assured the Vice President that the government will be filing a second

petition for judicial review.

“Let us check what we can do.

(Veloso) is a first time offender and a widow with two young children,” the Vice President told Calaguian-Cruz.

Jakarta has previously said it will wait for any outstanding legal appeals to conclude before executing all 10 drug convicts – including Veloso – at the same time.

Veloso, 30, was sentenced to die by firing squad after she was apprehended at Java’s Yogyakarta Airport in April 2010 for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage.

An emotional Celia denied the heroin seized from Mary Jane’s luggage was her daughter’s, and said the drugs were secretly put there by a certain Christine, who she said was the wife of her daughter’s godbrother.

“Hindi ngapoalam ng anakko.

Walapotalagangkaalamalam [My daughter knew absolutely nothing about it],” Celia told Binay.

“Bag lang pong maliit ‘yong dala ng anak ko. Dalawang piraso lang po. Kaya lang po matalino ‘yong (si Christine) talaga. Binilhan po ng maraming damit. Noon pong aalis na raw po [papunta] sa Indonesia, may nakita raw siyang papasukan do’n, inabot po ‘yong maleta [My daughter originally had only a small bag, and two sets of clothes. But that Christine is wily. She bought more clothes for my daughter, and before Mary Jane left, she handed her the luggage], ” she added.

The couple sought the Vice President’s help after the Indonesian Supreme Court denied the Philippine government’s request for a judicial review of Veloso’s case in hopes of saving her from the death penalty.

In their appeal for judicial review, Veloso’s lawyers argued that the Filipina was not provided with a capable translator during her trial.

Appeal to Widodo. Meanwhile,

Cesar and Celia Veloso, distraught parents of OFW Mary Jane Veloso, meet Sunday with Vice President Binay, who assured them the government through DFA was doing everything possible to save her life, and was filing for a second petition for judicial review. Handout photo from The OVP

Binay recently renewed his appeal to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to commute the death sentence of Veloso.

The Vice President also wrote Widodo earlier this month to “convey

to (Widodo) the (Filipinos’) hope and prayer that the the Supreme Court of Indonesia will look kindly and with compassion on the circumstances surrounding the case of (Veloso).” n InterAksyon.com / March 29, 2015 / 4:43 PM

Palace will cooperate with House on Mamasapano probe PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Sunday reiterated that even if the House of Representatives has confirmed that President Benigno Aquino III will not be invited to the House probe on the Mamasapano clash, the administration is still willing to cooperate.

“Handa po kaming magbigay ng paliwanag, tulad ng sinabi po ni Pangulong Aquino, dito po sa BOI (Board of Inquiry) na nagbigay rin siya

ng kanyang mga diskurso. We have never shied away from helping, cooperating with the truth,” Lacierda said in an interview aired over state-run DZRB. House leaders confirmed last week the resumption of hearings on April 7 and 8.

A separate investigation by the PNP Board of Inquiry (BOI) found that Aquino, then suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima and PNP Special Action Force Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. bypassed the chain of

command by keeping information about the Mamasapano police operation to themselves.

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas were out of the loop on the operation to serve warrants on three international terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

More than 60 people, including 44 SAF troopers, were killed in a firefight between police and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other armed groups in the area.

The MILF, which signed a peace agreement with the government, has said its fighters were acting in self-defense.

Senate hearings on the clash revealed that lack of coordination with the military meant that the Army’s 6th Infantry Division could not immediately send support.

The president has said that he had ordered Napeñas to coordinate with Espina and the military on the operation but that the sacked Special Action Force

director had failed to do so.

Purisima was also found to have violated the suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman by taking part in planning the operation. Purisima has denied this.

“At no time did I usurp any official authority or function while under preventive suspension. I never misrepresented or falsely represented myself to be chief [of the] PNP,” Purisima said in a position paper sent to the Senate panel investigating the clash.

Meanwhile, in the same interview, Lacierda also stressed the co-equal nature of the three branches of government.

“We are willing to cooperate but, again, recognizing the respect of the three co-equal branches of government,” he said.

National Peace Summit. Meanwhile, Lacierda also downplayed insinuations that the council of leaders Aquino formed to study the Bangsamoro Basic Law will take over the role of Congress.

Instead, Lacierda said, the aim of the peace summit is to speak directly with

stakeholders.

“The National Peace Summit was convened to engage more stakeholders.

There are many stakeholders who are out there and this is an instrument by which all the stakeholders can converge and discuss peace. Iit does not supplant the legislative process,” Lacierda said.

On Friday, Aquino invited several personalities, including those from the Catholic Church, to study the proposed BBL. The BBL, if passed into law, will pave the way for the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with the Bangsamoro political entity.

Among the “citizen leaders” Aquino invited to join the process are Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See and Malta Howard Dee, and Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman. n

Patricia Denise Chiu / JDS, GMA News / March 29, 2015 / 4:23 PM

Aquino ‘terrorizing people in the name of peace’, UNA claims THE United Nationalist Alliance on Sunday accused President Benigno Aquino III of “terrorizing people in the name of peace” by pushing for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which it said is legally flawed without saying how.

In a statement on Sunday, United Nationalist Alliance interim president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said that Aquino’s speech to mark the first year since the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro “[sowed] fear instead of reason and rational disourse on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.” “What’s going on in the president’s head when he said pass the BBL now or count body bags later? Has PNoy turned into a terrorist? He is already

bordering on his terroristic tantrums.

PNoy cannot bring out his tantrums for his self-serving quest for the Nobel Peace prize,” Tiangco said, referring to a rumor that the Palace is lobbying to have Aquino nominated for the prize.

The Palace denied this in June 2014 when BagongAlyansangMakabayan first made the allegation based on “credible sources.”

In his speech, Aquino argued against all-out war in Mindanao and pushed for passage of the BBL, which will implement the peace agreement with the MILF by creating a Bangsamoro political entity that will have more autonomy but will remain part of the Philippines.

“This is the crossroads we face: We take pains to forge peace today,

or we count body bags tomorrow. To those who have called for all-out war as the solution, do you think we’ll be able to talk peace after the shooting has started, when the wounds, and the failure of the talks, would be raw?” the president said in his speech.

“Perhaps it is easy for you to push for all-out war because Luzon and Visayas are far from the conflict. But if the conflict grows, the number of Filipinos shooting at other Filipinos will grow, and it would not be out of the question that a friend or loved one be one of the people who will end up inside a body bag,” Aquino also said.

‘Legally flawed’. Tiangco stressed that Congress must make sure the Bangsamoro Basic Law, if it is passed, falls within the Constitution.

“Trabaho po namin na siguruhin na sumusunod sa Konstitusyon ang mga batas na aming ipinapasa. If the BBL does not follow the Constitution, then how can it guarantee lasting peace?” he said.

He added that the government can only blame itself for “signing a peace pact that is legally flawed.”

Tiangco did not elaborate.

“The MILF and the peace panel relied on the president’s popularity at that time, and thinking that they can get away with its constitutionality.

Probably, iniisipnila that the president’s popularity was a license for them to set aside legality,” Tiangco said. n JDS, GMA News / March 29, 2015 / 10:55 PM

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What’s the best birthday gift for Pagasa’s 150th?

Modernization law, says Recto MANILA - Senate President ProTempore Ralph Recto on Sunday urged Congress to give Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) a modernization law as birthday gift for its 150th anniversary.

Recto said the Senate will soon begin floor debates on a bill upgrading Pagasa’s equipment, staff pays, and research capabilities and communication reach which its author says “is the best birthday gift on the weather bureau’s 150th year.”

“The bill modernizing Pagasa will be reported out the moment the Senate resumes its sessions in May,” he said.

Recto, who also chairs the Senate science and technology panel, said “the ferocious, fickle and frequent storms” climate change brings call for “a strengthened weather agency, which can warn and guide the public on how to respond to threats to lives and properties.”

“A key component of climate change preparation is a well-equipped weather bureau, manned by highly-competent and well-compensated professionals,” he said.

‘Stop Pagasa forecasters from leaving PAR’. “We want a modern Pagasa that can warn us about

typhoons and weather disturbances coming our way and which has a working environment which prevents forecasters from leaving the Philippine area of responsibility,” he added.

The bill Recto will recommend for approval has seven modernization components: equipment and operational techniques, data center, information services, human resources, regional and field weather presence, research, and global linkages.

“The idea is to adequately arm Pagasa so it can give us adequate and up-to-date weather information to help us prepare for, and to be protected from, typhoons, floods, landslides, storm surges, El Nino, and extreme climatic events,” Recto said.

Shopping list costing P3.9 billion. The cost of immediately needed equipment and buildings is P3.9 billion, based on a “preliminary shopping list” Pagasa has submitted to the Senate.

To finance this, as well as future needs, the Senate bill will tap both budgetary and “off-budget” sources.

Included in the latter is a proposed P3 billion from the net income of Pagcor, to be taken from the 50 percent share of the national government, which in 2013 was P13 billion.

“If we need to get it from gaming

revenues, so be it. We need the money so we don’t have to roll the dice in predicting if it will rain tomorrow,” he said.

Recto said investments in Pagasa dwarf the “damages caused by typhoons in this climate change-era when they’re coming in at unexpected places, unexpected strengths, and unexpected times.”

“That P4 billion initially requested

by Pagasa is small compared to the P116 billion in combined damages to property and infrastructure that only four typhoons have caused: Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009, Yolanda in 2013, and Glenda last year,” the senator said.

2nd most disaster-risk country. The Philippines ranks 2nd in the world as the most disaster-risk country, according to the World Risk Index 2014, a report of the UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security and the German Alliance Development Works.

Also envisioned in Pagasa’s modernization is for the agency to effectively market and disseminate information it has generated “even at pinpointed local areas,” Recto said.

“Going local” is also the principle that will drive its equipment modernization, Recto stressed. “It is

specified in the bill that Pagasa has to expand its regional reach, provincial presence, and field services.”

At present, this need is serviced by a string of 10 Doppler radars from Aparri, Cagayan to Hinatuan, Surigaodel Sur. Five more are being built.

“But we all know that equipment is only as good as the people manning it, and the bill creates a package that will reward and train Pagasa personnel,” Recto said.

Under the measure, a new salary scale for Pagasa personnel will be drawn up, Recto said. “It will also provide a ‘personnel retention incentive,’ representing a portion of the base pay, for meteorologists and forecasters.”

Training incentives shall come in the form of scholarship grants.

‘Not a foul-weather friend’. One of the oldest government agencies, Pagasa traces its beginnings to January 1865,

when two Jesuits started recording daily weather data in the Observatorio Meteorologico of the Ateneo in Intramuros. The observatory soon became a public institution through a Spanish royal decree.

At present, Pagasa has a total of 1,034 staff positions. For 2015, it has a budget of P3.4 billion, P2.5 billion of which is for capital outlays.

Recto said Pagasa’s mandate goes beyond hourly weather bulletins during storms.

“It is not a foul-weather friend.

Its inputs are needed in polices and preparedness plans dealing with water resources management, agriculture, transportation, health, tourism and other sectors,” he said.

“Planting intentions, holiday plans, construction schedules are weatherdependent. To achieve this, we need a dependable weather service,” Recto said. n Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / March 29, 2015

Manila to use tire clamps in intensified campaign vs. illegal parking

Isko leads clamping of illegally-parked vehicles. Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno supervises the clamping of illegally-parked vehicles along United Nations Avenue in Manila on Friday, March 27. The Manila City Hall on March 18 suspended indefinitely the towing activities in the city. Danny Pata

MAY BBL O WALA CAGAYAN de Oro City – During a dialogue early this week at the Bishop House at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City, MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal assured the audience and guests that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will push for peace no matter what happens with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“No matter what happens, the MILF will not disengage in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao. Even if Congress will not pass the law in this term, we will pursue it in the next,” said Iqbal.

Iqbal acknowledged the problems that BBL is now facing, which was aggravated further after the Mamasapano incident where 67 persons were killed, including 44 commandos from the Special Action Force, 17 from the MILF and four civilians.

“We have compromised so much for the pursuit of peace. For years the MILF

FOLLOWING the suspension of towing services in Manila due to complaints of alleged abuses, the local government has resorted to using tire clamps in its campaign against illegal parking, a report on “24 Oras” said Friday.

According to Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau Chief Carter Logica, there will be no sacred cows in their new intensified campaign against illegal parking.

“Wala po tayong pinipili. Tulad ng sinasabi nip angulong Mayor Joseph Estrada na kahit mahuli ang kamaganak niya o anak o asawa niya, basta nagkamali sa batas trapiko ay hulihin,” he said.

To show they were serious about the implementation of the new scheme, Logica and his team put tire clamps on cars supposedly owned by government employees that were seen parked illegally on Manila streets.

Owners of these vehicles will have to pay a P900 fine at the Manila City Hall before the clamps are removed, the report said, citing Logica.

The tire clamps are usually attached on a car’s front wheels to lock them.

Attempts to forcefully remove them may damage the tires, the report said.

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said there was no need for violators to park illegally since there are parking spaces in various parts of the city.

“Kung iikot ho kayo sa Malate area, to support our businesses there, may mga portion na pinaparadahan natin.

Meron naman pong paradahan sa Robinson. Katabilang ‘yun ng Supreme Court at DOJ. May mga private parking naman, may mga open spaces na nagooperate ng parking,” Moreno said.

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza approved an ordinance connected to tire clamping in 2005, the report said. n Andrei Medina and Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

MILF to continue pushing for peace in Mindanao, Iqbal says

struggled to defend our position for the call of independence. From the start of the peace negotiation, we had conceded ground and opted for a more peaceful solution by working with the government on the peace process. Our appeal is that we hope and trust in the collective wisdom of Congress to pass the BBL,” said Iqbal who is also the vice chairman of the MILF. Iqbal pointed out the long years and process the BBL went through to get to the point where it is now.

“The original draft that we wrote on the proposed BBL that was initially submitted to the office of the President was revised by about 60%. Then, time and again, several revisions were discussed and resolved until this, the current form. Our appeal is that we are open for improvement and enhancement of the BBL, but I hope Congress will not water it down,” he said.

Adding that the BBL was designed to solve a problem, Iqbal said turning it down

will not address the problem.

“The worst that could happen is that a BBL will be passed but diluted. I would prefer a BBL that is not passed than a BBL that is watered down.

“At least no one can blame us and we would have a chance to pass it in a future administration,” said Iqbal.

“In the past, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was offered to the MILF three times, but we turned it down for the fact that it was not a solution to the Bangsamoro problem. It never addressed the real problems of the people, that is why it was a failure,” pointing to the problems the ARMM has created and not resolved since its conception.

But Iqbal reiterated that there would be certain problems out of the control of the MILF if it loses face and the trust of the people in the area.

“There is so much expectation of our people, and I believe that from

this expectation, the people already established certain hopes that would be a huge frustration if they are not met. I am speaking of reality, if in case the BBL is not passed, then MILF will lose its grip and legitimacy, thus losing control over our people,” Iqbal warned.

“Nobody wants war, especially with people battered enough already. I’ve been in this struggle for more than 40 years. We

hope that everything will still turn out fine and that the BBL will be passed,” Iqbal concluded.

The guests that attended the interfaith gathering and dialogue were later made to understand certain parts of the BBL that raised issues among those who did not understand the law.

n Erwin Mascarinas / InterAksyon.com / March 27,

2015 / 4:59 PM

MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal speaks on a dialogue with audience from different sectors and religious background at the Bishop house in Cagayan de Oro City. Photographed by Erwin Mascarinas

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All over the world, wherever there are Filipinos, they bring with them this Lenten tradition along with many other cherished Catholic traditions.

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The 'PABASA' (which mean 'reading') is a Filipino Lenten tradition of continuous chanting the account of salvation history in Filipino poetry form. The Pabasa lasts for around 16 hours, with one or two people/groups alternating in singing verses from the Pabasa.

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April 2015 – No. 7 • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING

Nonito Donaire wins in two rounds, ‘Ahas’ Nietes defends title on home soil WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes and Filipino boxing star NonitoDonaire sent their countrymen home happy after scoring big victories in their respective matches on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino boxing world champion, made a sixth successful defense of the title he won back in 2011 after

©InterAksyon.com/Ver Marquez

BOXING

Continuation from page 40

Mayweather-Pacquiao revenue expected to reach $400M There will be only about 1,100 seats at $10,000, none of them for public sale, according to the report.

Boxing’s record for pay-per-view purchases is the 2.4 million buys from Mayweather’s 2007 split-decision victory over Oscar de la Hoya, but with Mayweather-Pacquiao having taken more than five years to come together with the planet’s top pound-for-pound fighters, expectations of 3 million pay-per-view buys at about $100 each could bring $300 million in sales for US, Puerto Rican and Canadian markets alone.

“We wouldn’t have gotten a fraction of these numbers if we made the fight five years ago,” Arum said. “It turned out that we’re doing the fight at the right time, I guess, not that we’re geniuses for waiting this long.”

Global rights are expected to ring up another $35 million, with a record $10 million already spent for rights in the Philippines, where Pacquiao is a

Congressman as well as an iconic figure.

“Between the gate, the foreign television sales and the closed circuit, which we can’t even calculate yet, you’re looking at over $120 million. And that’s before one pay-per-view has been sold in the US,” Arum told ESPN. Arum said Tecate beer, a long-time Pacquiao sponsor, won title sponsor rights with a $5.6 million bid, $400,000 more than rival Corona, a long-time backer of Mayweather.

“We’ve never see anything like that on a beer sponsor,” Arum said. “Both companies were after it. It’s a huge number.”

Mayweather’s camp receives 60 percent of the revenue with Pacquiao’s side taking home 40 percent.

Arum said the contract gives Pacquiao the choice of who sings his homeland’s national anthem before the bout while Mayweather decides who will sing “The Star Spangled Banner.” n AFP / March 24, 2015

Azkals hero Chris Greatwich ‘taking a break’ from national team duty FOOTBALL

PHILIPPINE national men’s football team veteran Chris Greatwich announced Tuesday that he won’t be suiting up for the Azkals anytime soon.

Greatwich said he did not join the Azkals training tour in Bahrain this month as he wants to “take a break” from national team duty and spend more time with his family.

“Last week I met with Coach (Thomas) Dooley and told him I would be taking a break from International football for a while,” Greatwich wrote in an Instagram post.

“It has been the greatest privilege to play for Philippines for the past 10 years but for now I like to spend more time with my family, especially my baby Nico.

“Thanks to all the players, staff and fans who’ve supported us over the years and I wish the team the best of luck in the future.”

Greatwich, 31, has seven international goals under his belt, almost all of them memorable as he played hero many times for the Azkals.

a 10th round technical knockout victory over Mexican Gilberto Parra.

The champion (35-1-4, 21 KOs) knocked Parra down in the eighth round and the challenger was unable to answer the bell after the ninth round.

Donaire, a former world champion himself, needed even less time as he clinched a stoppage victory over Brazilian William

Prado at the 2:16 mark of the second round. He outclassed his foe completely, ending the fight with a series of punches that left the referee with no choice but to wave the fight off.

It marked a successful return for Donaire, who fought for the first time since losing to Nicholas Walters in October last year. n InterAksyon.com /

March 29, 2015 / 3:00 AM

BASKETBALL

SMB’s Fajardo leads BPC race despite early exit; Purefoods’ Bowles on track for Best Import DESPITE suffering an early exit, San Miguel Beermen prized center June Mar Fajardo is still leading the statistical race for the Best Player of the Conference award for the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Fajardo, also the reigning Most Valuable Player and the BPC last conference, led all locals with 33.9 statistical points after averaging 16.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.

However, Fajardo’s bid for another BPC plum could take a blow as his Beermen failed to make it to the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

Following Fajardo are Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro (32.2 SP) and Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee (32). The two guards will be playing in the semifinals after their squads dispatched their respective quarterfinal opponents.

Completing the top ten are Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter (31) and

GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo (30.4) who led all locals in scoring during the elimination round with 20.8 points a game, Ranidel De Ocampo (29.2), NLEX’s AsiTaulava (26.3), GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle (26.1), Talk ‘N Text rookie Matt GanuelasRosser (25.4) and Meralco’s Gary David (25.2).

Meanwhile, Purefoods reinforcement Denzel Bowles is currently on track for another Best Import award after garnering 59.8 SP. Bowles averaged 33.4 points, 15.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 blocks during his five-game stint in the eliminations. Purefoods are now in the semifinals facing Talk ‘N Text.

Kia behemoth PJ Ramos, the league leader for imports in scoring (35.9) and rebounding (21.2), came in second with 59.5 SP. Also included in the top five are Rain or Shine’s Wayne Chism (56.3 SP), Talk ‘N Text’s Ivan Johnson (53.2), and Barako Bull’s Solomon Alabi (50.6). n InterAksyon.com / March 29, 2015 / 9:34 PM

©Sports5/Paul Ryan Tan

BASKETBALL

TICKING BOMB: ‘El Granda’ Gary David explodes at perfect

time as Meralco makes first final four appearance

©InterAksyon.com file

He was instrumental in the team’s Cinderella run to the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup semifinals in 2010 that catapulted the squad to national consciousness.

The Filipino-English midfielder also scored the winning goal in an epic semifinal win with Maldives in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup last year that brought the Azkals to the tournament final for the first time.

Greatwich is currently playing for Kaya FC in the United Football League. n InterAksyon.com / March 24, 2015 / 10:06 PM

MERALCO’S Gary David picked a perfect time to start dropping bombs for the Bolts.

On Sunday, the player they call ‘El Granda’ was simply explosive as he scored 31 big points, leading his Meralco team to a come-from-behind victory over NLEX and send his team through to its first appearance in the PBA’s final four.

“Na-challenge rin lang ako kasi nung Game One, yung depensang ibinigay nila sa akin iba,” David told sportswriters after the game.

“Ngayon, pinaghandaan ko lang.

Gumamit ako ng ibang option tsaka strategy.”

In the opener, David had a quiet 13 points as he took a backseat to teammate Mark Macapagal, who erupted with 22 points off the bench.

But with his team badly needing him in this one, David knew he

had to step up to the plate and start swinging.

He scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and was instrumental in a 26-point turnaround that was them overcome a 64-44 third quarter deficit to force an overtime period and eke out a win.

For David, the trust and confidence given by head coach Norman Black gave him added boost to play more comfortable on the floor.

“Ang sabi ni Coach Norman, just take the shot when needed if that’s what it takes to get the W,” David shared. “So tumira lang ako. Hindi siya nawalaan ng kumpiyansa sa akin.”

David had to step up big as well knowing that Jared Dillinger is out because of a knee injury. That meant making up for Dillinger’s absence not just on offense but the defensive side as well.

“Tsaka sabi ni Coach Norman yung key talaga sa panalo rito hindi lang sa opensa, pati sa depensa,” said David.

The Bolts will be one of the last four teams standing for the first time in the history of the franchise – and David is glad that they are now earning respect everyone, including the fans, their opponents and the public in general.

He feels like as representatives of Meralco, they have a responsibility to play to the best of their abilities all the time.

“Alam mo naman kapag Meralco, marmaing galit minsan dahil mataas ang kuryente,” David joked.

“Kailangan makuha namin yung respeto nila lalo na sa sports. Mga ambassadors kami ng Meralco, so kailanganmaglaro ng maayos,” he added. n Rey Joble / InterAksyon.com / March 29, 2015 / 9:58 PM

sport

Nonito Donaire SMB’s Fajardo leads BPC race despite wins in two rounds, ‘Ahas’ early exit; Purefoods’ Nietes defends Bowles on track for Best Import title on home soil

BOXING

Story on page 38

Story on page 38

MAYWEATHERPACQUIAO REVENUE EXPECTED TO REACH $400M

TICKING BOMB: Azkals hero ‘El Granda’ Gary David Chris Greatwich explodes at perfect time ‘taking a break’ as Meralco makes first from national final four appearance team duty Story on page 38

Story on page 38

RECORD-SHATTERING revenue totals for Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming boxing showdown with unbeaten Floyd Mayweather could surpass $400 million, promoter Bob Arum told ESPN in a report Monday on the sports network’s website.

The welterweight title unification fight May 2 in Las Vegas will generate $74 million from just over 15,000 tickets at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Pacquiao promoter Arum told ESPN, flattening the old mark of just over $20 million for Mayweather’s 2013 fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the same venue.

Promoters first aimed for $40 million, then boosted the ticket prices from $1,000 to $1,500 at the low end and $5,000 to $7,500 for the best seats due to huge demand for the ducats, Arum said.

But organizers have now shuffled the number of seats in various price ranges and boosted top seats to $10,000 to raise the live gate total from $50 million to $74 million.

“It’s crazy, but it is what it is,” Arum told ESPN. “It’s amazing.”

And few if any seats will be available for public sale, with promoters, telecasters HBO and Showtime, the fighters and the host venue each taking a share of the tickets.

“We’ll probably have a handful of tickets that will go on sale to the public next week,” Arum said. “It’s mania.”

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