February 2015 'A' issue

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

Businessmen welcome fourth-quarter economic rebound, press for ‘inclusive’ growth MANILA - The business community is elated over the performance of the Philippine economy in 2014, even as inclusive growth remains a work in progress.

“MBC is pleased with our GDP growth of 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter, pushing 2014 GDP to 6.1 percent, making us 2nd fastest in Asia next to China,” Peter V. Perfecto, Makati Business Club executive director said in a text message.

The government today reported that fourth-quarter gross domestic product reversed the deceleration seen in the first three quarters of last year on the back of robust manufacturing, construction, services, household spending and external trade.

GDP is the amount of final goods and services produced in the country and so measures economic performance.

“Given that the growth is broadbased, featuring expansion in the

three major sectors, we believe that this lays the foundations for more robust growth this year, especially in the first quarter [of the year],” Perfecto said.

He said the increase in public and private construction in the fourth quarter of 2014 can help meet this year’s growth goal of at least 7 percent.

“Furthermore, the most expensive PPP projects—airports, subway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway—will be bid out and some even awarded this year, which will drive up construction activities again,” he said.

Henry Schumacher, executive vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), said last year’s economic growth was “respectable,” adding that more growth in manufacturing and agriculture through local and foreign investment will be needed to make it sustainable.

“Inclusive growth remains a target,”

Schumacher said.

According to Perfecto, inclusive growth is so much more than just hitting the country’s growth targets.

“Inclusive growth requires the rolling out of well-planned and longterm multi-sectoral efforts. I believe that we still continue to work in silos rather than march forward as a nation.

Poverty is too big and too complicated a problem to leave to government alone,” Perfecto said.

To sustain this growth momentum, “we need policies that will further boost investor confidence, thereby creating more jobs,” he said.

“Such measures include stable tax regulations and reforms, amendments to BOT Law to facilitate infrastructure projects, as well as a competition policy for improved business environment,” Perfecto said.

“We still believe that easing economic provisions of the Constitution will also enhance the environment for

doing business,” he added.

John Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), agreed that more reforms are needed to to sustain growth and reduce poverty.

“The Philippines has been growing more slowly than it ought to be for the longest time. To grow as fast as it could —9-10 percent—and to reduce poverty faster, there has to be more reforms, to build much more infrastructure, solve

property rights issues, reduce the price of rice and power, enable responsible mining, and revive the agricultural sector, where much of the labor force works,” Forbes said.

“The private sector is doing its part as seen by the strong growth in manufacturing and construction.

The public sector, while better, is not doing enough by underspending and overregulating,” he added. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 1:47 PM

AirAsia brings back Manila-Davao flights, offers seat sale MANILA - The Philippine unit of AirAsia is reviving its Manila-Davao flights starting March 27.

In a statement, AirAsia Philippines said it is offering promotional seats with all-in-fares from as low as P799, one-way.

Promo seats are available for booking starting today until February 1, for travel starting March 27, 2015 to March 26, 2016.

“Davao City is an important gateway to Mindanao. We are partnering with local government units and various stakeholders in the region to develop

products and services to further boost tourism and promote Davao as a major tourist destination to local and foreign visitors,” AirAsia Philippines’ chief executive Joy Cañeba said.

Access between Cebu and Davao is also available on AirAsia’s twice daily flights from Davao International Airport to Mactan Cebu International Airport.

AirAsia Philippines last December bagged Senate approval of its acquisition of Zest Airways. This follows a similar consent given by the House in February last year.

Under Republic Act No. 9183, any

change in a carrier’s ownership has to be approved by Congress.

Malaysia’s AirAsia Group owns 40 percent of AirAsia Philippines, while Marianne Hontiveros, Michael Romero, Antonio Cojuangco and Alfredo Yao each own 15 percent.

AirAsia Zest and AirAsia Philippines operate a combined fleet of 18 aircraft servicing domestic destinations such as Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Cebu and Tacloban. They also fly to China and Korea. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 6:23 PM

Metro Pacific Group poised to take over SCTEX MANILA - The Metro Pacific Group is poised to bag the operations and maintenance contract for the SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) after no one else submitted offers for the project.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the state-run company did not receive any offer from the two potential challengers.

The two parties that earlier bought bid documents for the SCTEX price challenge were San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and the Aguirre, Abaño, Pamfilo, Paras, Pineda and Agustin law firm for an undisclosed client.

To recall, BCDA in 2008 signed a business and operating agreement (BOA) with Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) for the operation of the SCTEX for 28 years or until 2043.

MNTC is controlled by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).

President Aquino had ordered the price challenge after two rounds

of negotiations between BCDA and MNTC yielded no consensus on a revenue sharing scheme acceptable to government.

Under the terms of reference for the price challenge, the agreement shall now be awarded to MNTC. “We have observed all the transparency required for this deal and worked hard to preserve the integrity of the process,” Casanova said.

“This just proves that the latest improved offer of MNTC is the best offer in the market,” he added.

Two years ago, MNTC had offered to increase BCDA’s revenue share to P90 billion from the original proposal of P64 billion.

MNTC also offered a longer period—until 2019 from the earlier proposal of 2016—within which the company would subsidize payment of BCDA’s debt to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which the government tapped for a P31 billion loan to build the SCTEX.

In February last year, MNTC again offered to pay the government P2.9 billion upfront, P600 million for the SCTEX integration with North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), and a 50-percent share of toll revenue.

“We are grateful the project was not contested by other parties. We are now ready to take over the operation of SCTEX,” Rodrigo Franco, MNTC president and chief executive said.

“Hopefully by next week we will get the notice of award and the confirmation of the concession to us,” Franco said, adding that the BOA will also be amended.

Franco said the company expects to take over the operation of SCTEX by the latter part of February.

He said MNTC will spend about P650 million to integrate SCTEX and NLEX, which the company also operates under a Toll Operations Agreement with state-run Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC).

The integration agreement between MNTC and BCDA is expected to be signed on February 5.

SCTEX is a 94-kilometer fullyoperational four-lane expressway traversing the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.

Traffic grew by an average of 20

percent between 2009 and 2013.

Toll collections are expected to have reached P1.2 billion last year, up from P1.04 billion in 2013.

InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which like MPIC is chaired

by Manuel V. Pangilinan. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

World Bank to PHL: Raise excise tax on oil to minimize revenue losses amid plunging oil prices WA SH I NGT ON - B A SE D World Bank urged the Philippine government Friday to raise the excise tax on petroleum in order to offset the revenue losses from oil imports arising from depressed global prices of the commodity and have more money for much-needed investments that will support growth in the long run.

The impact on fiscal will be significant unless government will find a way to offsetting measures, World Bank senior country economist Karl Kendrick Chua told reporters in a briefing in Taguig City.

“In the Philippine economic update, we proposed that we use this window of opp to raise excise tax on petroleum as this is one of the most equitable, efficient,” he said.

The economist said excise tax is one of the major taxes on oil, but this has not been adjusted since 1997, resulting in huge losses to revenues and gross domestic product (GDP).

“Since 1997 up to today, we have been losing on average 1 percent of

GDP, close to P120 billion a year,” Chua said.

Apart from excise tax, the Philippine government has been losing at least P20-30 billion from value added tax (VAT) on petroleum due to the huge decline in oil prices, he said.

“This decline is already causing us around P30 billion in VAT because the prices have gone down. As you know, the VAT is 12 percent on the price,” Chua said.

In the same briefing, World Bank director of development prospects group Ayhan Kose said oil prices in world markets are expected to stay weak in the next two years.

“In the latest commodity outlook, we foresee [an average price of] $53 per barrel in 2015 and in 2016 the price will be $57 per barrel,” he said.

This means bigger revenue losses for the country, Chua said, especially with a pending bills in Congress to

lower the corporate and individual income tax rate.

“If you add the reforms, the bills in Congress that have not yet been enacted, to lower the income tax rate... you will see an even more pressing need to find offsetting measures,” he said.

“And one of the easiest is raising the excise tax on petroleum,” he added.

Higher revenues will allow government to spend more on the critical infrastructure, the World Bank economist said.

“Over the medium term, if you want your growth to be faster, you need to invest more. You need a stable source of revenues,” Chua said.

“Our projection is that we will reach our potential GDP by 2017. What it means is that if we do not have more investment in power generation, in roads, then we will hit our potential – it will be very hard to grow about 6 percent starting 2017,” he explained.

In 2014, Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) grew 6.1 percent, below the 6.5 to 7.5 percent government

forecast for the period, dragged down by slow government spending in the third quarter.

The economy was then fueled by household consumption, which accounts for 70 percent of GDP. With oil prices continuing to slide, household consumption will be stronger, driving the economy, Chua said.

“So we see GDP actually increasing by 0.3 percent. But then there are many other factors—whether government can recover from the spending slump, whether exports can recover, whether investment can be sustained,” he said.

“The underlying… how do you make sure investments are there?

You have to improve governance and accountability of public spending. You have to find new sources of revenues, and the best way to do it is to remove from high-rate tax system that exempt so many people into a broader-based tax system where rates could be lower but everyone is treated at an equal footing,” Chua noted. ■ Danessa O. Rivera /

KG, GMA News / January 30, 2015 / 1:35 PM

Philippines’ chief economist warns peace dividend at risk after deadly clash with MILF MANILA - The Philippines’ chief economist today warned that last Sunday’s deadly clash between the police and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) runs the risk of erasing the dividend from a peace agreement forged last year.

“Obviously, we should all be concerned, not just the government but every Filipino should be concerned because it affects each one of us no matter where we live. It affects us all and the impact on the economy of the conflict has been quite substantial,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said during a forum organized by Ayala Corporation and the University of the Philippines School of Economics.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the peace dividend adds 0.1-0.3 percentage points to gross domestic product (GDP)

NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan

growth. GDP is the amount of final goods and services produced in the country and as such measures economic performance.

Citing a 2005 study by the Human Development Network, Balisacan, who is also director-general of the NEDA, said the conflict in Mindanao cost the Philippine economy some P5 billion-P7.5 billion a year.

“We all know the potential of Mindanao, in the economic power base. So, it’s a foregone opportunity, missed opportunity if we don’t resolve this problem in the soonest time possible,” he said.

Yesterday, President Aquino called on Filipinos to help keep the peace after last Sunday’s clash with the MILF left more than three dozen members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) dead and several more wounded.

The deadly encounter happened

despite a ceasefire between the MILF and the government, which has been pushing for the passage in Congress of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Congress has since suspended discussions on the BBL, a bill that would lay down the contours of the future Bangsamoro autonomous region and so end decades of war in the southern Philippines.

“Negative publicity always harms a country’s image, but investors look at many business climate indicators, many of which have been strong and improving in the Philippines,” John Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) said.

“Overcoming this incident and going forward with the peace process will send a positive signal to business,” he said.

Peter V. Perfecto, Makati Business Club executive director, agreed that the government should not allow the peace agreement with the MILF to derail.

“With a just and lasting peace, there would be economic benefits for more people especially our Muslim sisters and brothers. The continuing war has stifled progress in Mindanao for far too long now,” he said.

Henry Schumacher, executive vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), said security remains high on the list of concerns of investors. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 7:41 PM

Lopez Group wins partial award in dispute with US-based SunPower MANILA – The Lopez Group secured a favorable ruling from an international arbitration panel on a dispute with the Philippine unit of U.S.-based solar wafer manufacturer SunPower Corporation.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exhange, First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH) said its subsidiary First Philippine Electric Corporation (First Philec) won a partial award from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in arbitration proceedings against SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd. (SPML).

In 2012, the Lopez Group and SPML traded allegations of breach of their wafering supply and sales agreement, which the American solar panel manufacturer had purported to terminate.

Both parties, which had formed First Philec Solar Corporation (FPSC), also accused each other of violating their joint venture agreement. Later that year, the Lopez Group elevated its dispute with SunPower to the ICC. In its ruling, the arbitration panel found SPML “to be in material anticipatory breach of its obligations”

to First Philec under their supply agreement for silicon solar wafering services.

The arbitration body also found SPML to be in material breach of its obligations to First Philec under their joint venture agreement, which the SunPower subsidiary had sought to terminate.

The arbitration panel ordered SPML to purchase First Philec’s shares in their joint venture for the price of $30.3 million by February 2, 2015 or such other date as may be agreed upon.

Within 14 days of the transfer of the shares, SPML should also pay First Philec $25.3 million, representing compensation for wafers produced and for unpaid silicon solar wafering services under their supply agreement.

“The transfer of shares to SPML and the price of the shares are potentially subject to further orders which may be given by the tribunal in due course in one or more future awards, which will also deal with the matter of which party or parties will be responsible for the costs of the arbitration,” FPH said, citing the arbitration panel ruling. ■

Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 11:05 AM

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

Lending business fuels surge in BPI’s fourth-quarter net income Ecozone investments seen picking up this year MANILA - Philippine economic zones could see a bigger increase in investment commitments this year, but congestion at the country’s main ports of entry loom large as an investor concern.

“We are looking at single-digit growth this year at around eight to nine percent,” Lilia De Lima, directorgeneral of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), said during today’s launch of Mitsubishi Motors’ plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

PEZA’s forecast for investment pledges this year is faster than the slight uptick in 2014 when commitments rose 1.2 percent to P279.48 billion from P276.13 billion in 2013.

De Lima said there is strong interest among manufacturers to locate in the Philippines. Manufacturing was among the drivers of economic growth in 2014.

Despite the big potential for

manufacturing investments, congestion at Manila’s ports is eroding the viability of locating in the Philippines, de Lima said.

To recall, the Manila City government early last year expanded a truck ban, causing containers to pile up at the Manila International Container Terminal and the Manila South Harbor.

The Manila local government lifted the truck ban only last September, but the backlog has yet to be addressed, with yard use still hovering above the threshold of 80 percent.

The government has since unveiled measures to divert cargo traffic to alternative ports, such as those in Subic and Batangas, both of which can also receive international ships.

“Once the port congestion is resolved, it will be all systems go,” de Lima said. ■ Chelsea Cruz / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 6:44 PM

BPI cardholders. We have mobilized our firm to focus more sharply on customers—and this bodes very well for our future financial performance,” Consing said.

Despite the strong fourth quarter results, full-year earnings of P18 billion were 4 percent lower year-on-year, as trading gains were halved to P3.1 billion last year from P6.3 billion in 2013.

BPI said lending to the corporate and retail segments drove growth, as loans climbed by more than a quarter year-on-year to P800 billion. Loan growth was financed by P1.176 trillion in deposits, which grew a slower 19 percent from 2013 levels.

According to the bank, low-cost current account and savings account (CASA) deposits comprised 69 percent

of its deposit liabiities, allowing net interest income to increase by a sixth to P34.8 billion.

However, non-interest income — which represents gains from fee-based and trading—fell by 5 percent year-onyear to P21 billion in 2014, on the back of weak income from securities and foreign exchange trading. Excluding trading gains, non-interest income would have increased by 13 percent to P17.8 billion Even with strong loan growth, BPI however improved on asset quality, with its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio dropping to 1.51 percent last year from 1.74 percent in 2013. The lender also is better insured against probable losses, with loan loss reserves comprising 110 percent of NPLs. ■ InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 5:16 PM

ORIGINAL CREATION & COPYRIGHT RESERVED BY © HELLO PHILIPPINES 2015

Congestion at the country’s main ports of entry however is eroding the Philippines’ viability as location for manufacturing.

MANILA - Loan growth pushed Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) profit by nearly three-quarters in the final three months of 2014.

In a statement, the Ayala-led lender said its earned P5.2 billion in the fourth quarter of last year, up 72 percent from the P3 billion in the same three months of 2013. With the improvement, BPI’s board approved a cash dividend of P0.90 a share.

“BPI enters 2015 with good momentum,” said BPI president Cezar Consing.

“In 2014, we used the capital that we raised to invest for the future and meet robust loan demand. At the end of last year, we inked a [joint venture] with Century Tokyo Leasing, to broaden our suite of products for corporate clients,” he said.

At end-2014, BPI had ample buffer against financial difficulties, with its capital adequacy ratio of 14.2 percent and Tier 1 ratio of 13.3 percent both above the minimum required by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

This after BPI raised P25 billion from a stock rights issue a year ago.

“We also announced a strategic partnership with Global Payments, as we look to better serve our merchant clients and enhance the experience of

8

BUSINESS & FINANCE

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

Mitsubishi Motors begins production at Ford’s former Philippine plant MANILA - Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) today inaugurated a new facility it acquired from the local unit of American carmaker Ford.

Osamu Masuko, chairman of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, said the acquisition of Ford’s plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is part of a plan to expand the Japanese carmaker’s Philippine operations.

“The Philippine market is expected to show the most growth among all the countries in Asean, which is the most important market for our company. Therefore, it is positioned as one of the pillars of our Asean

business,” Masuko said.

MMPC aims to grow sales by more than a quarter this year after closing 2014 as the Philippines’ second topselling auto brand.

The 21-hectare factory acquired from Ford can produce 50,000 units a year, with space for expanding production to 100,000. Before moving into the Sta. Rosa facility, MMPC used to assemble vehicles at an 18-hectare plant in Cainta, Rizal.

Mitsubishi Motors assembles the Adventure utility vehicle and L300 van in the Philippines, but is considering a third model.

Masuko said any decision to invest

in a third line would require a market for another 50,000 units.

“We need one model with big number. If we can produce 50,000 units for one model, we can invest big amount of money,” he said.

Hikosaburo Shibata, MMPC president, said any investment would depend on the government’s auto industry roadmap.

“Production of a new model should be supported by a sound auto manufacturing policy from the government that is supposed to strengthen competitiveness of local vehicle and parts manufacturing operations among other Asean

President Aquino (3rd from left) accompanied by (from left) MMC chairman Osamu Masuko, MMPC president Hikosaburo Shibata and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo during tour of Mitsubishi Motors’ Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant.

Photo by Malacañang Photo Bureau.

production facilities,” he said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has yet to release the roadmap, but last year Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the government is contemplating on providing as much as $600 million in incentives to investors.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa said the Aquino administration should expedite

release of the roadmap as competition in Asean for investments has become tighter.

“The automotive industry is without a doubt, a key contributor to the national economy. Taking this into account, we hope the Philippine government will implement the proposed automotive industry road map as early as possible,” he said. ■ Chelsea Cruz / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 7:18 PM

Philippines’ dollar hemorrhage in 2014 revisits crises levels MANILA - The Philippines closed 2014 with its largest balance of payments (BOP) deficit since the global financial crisis.

In a report, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the BOP reversed to a deficit of $2.88 billion last year from a surplus of $5.085 billion in 2013.

Last year’s hemorrhage was the biggest since 2009 under the BSP’s new computation, and the largest since 1999 -- when Asia was amid its worst financial crisis -- if the old computation were used.

The BOP summarizes the country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world, with a deficit indicating that foreign

exchange payments exceeded receipts.

Persistent deficits erode the country’s gross international reserves (GIR), an ample amount of which helps prop up the peso and keep domestic inflation at bay.

Inflation last year averaged 4.1 percent, within the BSP’s target range of 3-5 percent.

Despite the multi-year record deficit, it was still within the BSP’s forecast of $3.4 billion after the country garnered its biggest surplus for the year of $843 million last month.

Up until September last year, the BSP was expecting a surplus of $1 billion for 2014.

The country failed to recover from the $4.48 billion BOP deficit in January last year, when foreign funds pulled out of the Philippines in response to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to start withdrawing its economic stimulus.

The Fed’s stimulus at its height amounted to $85 billion in bondbuying, which released money in search for higher yields in emerging markets like the Philippines.

For 2015, the BSP forecast a BOP surplus of $1 billion. ■ Scarlet Venilia / InterAksyon.com / January 20, 2015 / 6:40 PM

Energy department pushes back auction of more oil, gas exploration areas MANILA - The Philippines is giving investors more time to prepare bids for oil and gas contract areas that would be auctioned off this year.

Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada that the agency decided to move the timetable for the fifth round of the Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR 5).

The new schedule moves the opening of bids for oil and gas exploration and development contracts from March to June, and the endorsement of winning offers to Malacañang from June to September this year.

The postponement comes as oil prices slump to multi-year lows on the back of weak global demand and the international oil cartel’s refusal to cut production. Weak prices erode margins, if not cash flow, thus discourages exploration, which is a very costly venture.

Since last year, exploration permit holders have sought government consent to push back their timetables. Last December, the government cleared the extension of Gas2Grid’s work program in Cebu. This follows another Australian firm’s bid to

similarly push back its timetable.

“The revision will enable the potential proponents to review and evaluate the additional available marine seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation in the offered areas. Additional data will be made available on February,” Monsada said.

PECR is the government’s public bidding round for oil and gas exploration and development projects.

The DOE earlier offered 11 petroleum

blocks to interested investors through the PECR with the largest located east of Palawan Island covering 576,000 hectares.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla earlier said an initial six companies had purchased data for the offered contract areas.

“I’ve also talked to some people. Yan ang magde-decide kung merong interesado,” Petilla said. ■ Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo / InterAksyon.com / January 29, 2015 / 12:05 PM

Manila Water forms joint venture for leak reduction in Zamboanga MANILA Manila Water Company Inc has bagged the contract to help the water distributor of Zamboanga City address leaks over the next decade.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Manila Water said it signed a joint venture with Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) for a leak reduction project.

Under the 10-year agreement, Manila Water shall own 70 percent of the joint venture company, leaving 30 percent in the hands of ZCWD. The joint venture company will

undertake non-revenue water (NRW) projects in ZCWD’s service area, which suffers from water losses of about 47 percent due to illegal connections and leaking pipes.

Manila Water is the concessionaire of state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the east zone of Metro Manila and Rizal province.

The Ayala-led company also has interests in utilities in Boracay, Laguna, Clark, and Cebu. The utility likewise has lent its expertise to a utility in Vietnam. ■ Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo

/ InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 4:54 PM

HELLO PHILIPPINES IS PUBLISHED FORTNIGHTLY BY MSHARE LIMITED. THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHTED AND ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UK & EUROPE EDITION • NORDIC, IRELAND, ITALY, SPAIN, AND FRANCE • WWW.HELLO-PHILIPPINES.COM

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Miss PHL-Canada visits Cagayan for nature awareness program HAILED as the personification of Filipino beauty in Canada in 2014, Miss Philippines Canada Krisgelle Maramot joined Lal-lo residents in Cagayan in planting trees as part of her prizes.

Maramot planted a Lubeg or Philippine Cherry tree during a ceremony with the Lal-lo residents to help promote solutions to environmental problems, climate change, hunger and malnutrition.

Lubeg cherries are used in making

wine, candies, jam, and other products by women’s groups in Lal-lo and has been adopted as the official municipal tree.

Under the Lal-lo official One Town One Product (OTOP) Program, income from Lubeg by-products are donated to projects by the municipal nutrition committee.

The Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation, the organization behind Miss Philippines Canada, invited Filipinos in the North American

country to join their projects in 2015.

Filipino workers and immigrants in Canada can enter as either Miss Philippines Canada, Little Miss Philippines Canada, or Mrs Philippines Canada.

Potential candidates may visit the PCCF website or inquire at the following e-mails: www. philippinecanadianfoundation.com, pageantsphilippines@gmail.com, and pinoyfiestatoronto@gmail.com ■ Rie

Takumi / KBK, GMA News / January 28, 2015 / 4:03 PM

Pinoy honored in Australia for short film about poor children A Filipino scholar in South Korea had won an award in the first Mirvac Film Competition in Australia for his two-minute film about poor Filipino children.

Nash Ang, a scholar of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, won the adult’s under 5 minutes category of the Western Australian competition for his “My Reason for Existence,” a film about children living in a dumpsite in the Philippines.

Interviewed via email, Ang told GMA News Online that his decision to feature urban poor Filipino children was inspired by Jose Rizal and his belief in the youth.

“Like what Jose Rizal and my film is saying... I want to say that we need to educate the youth because we need them

in order for our nation to progress,” he said.

The filmmaker is furthering his education at the Korea National University of the Arts after a four-year stint at Polytechnic University of the Philippines for a degree in broadcasting.

“I was encouraged to continue my studies in Seoul when I met one of the the staff of the university [in] 2010 in the DMZ Film Festival, where my first full-lenghth docu ‘Water Ghetto’ was one of the official selection,” he said.

The theme of the competition was “My Place, My Story.” Out of 400 submissions from all over the world, there were only three selected finalists per category screened at the Mirvac WA Short Film

Festival 2015.

The winners were announced last January 15 at Meadow Springs Open Air Cinema, Mirvac Australia.

Mirvac was not Ang’s first win in an international film competition.

In 2010, Ang won the SEADocs Southeast Asian Student Documentary Awards and the ASEAN Korea multimedia competition. The following year, he won the Ani ng Dangal.

An actor on the side, Ang will premiere his next full-length documentary film “Paraiso” at the Singkwentro International Film Festival on February 21 in Manila. ■ Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / January 29, 2015 / 2:17 PM

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

We are the yayas of the world

The rest was history. She did what she had set out to do: sweep the floors of London mansions, clean bathrooms, take care of British children.

And she didn’t do it in just one household.

She did it in two, sometimes three, or how many her time would allow her.

She would find kind employers along the way, one a famous restaurateur in London, and they would help her obtain a work visa.

Eventually she would meet my stepfather, marry him, and become a British citizen.

It is a story heard many times around the world, a story said in codes, to avoid the judgment of neighbors who would raise eyebrows at the idea of being a yaya.

But it is a story I am proud to tell.

It was around 2001 when then-Prime Minister Tony Blair boosted the UK’s National Health Service or NHS, opening the doors to thousands of Filipino nurses and caregivers.

From being a helper, my mother would join the NHS, and so would a lot of other mothers and fathers, allowing them to raise their families and build a life in England, and giving birth to second generation British-Filipinos — a generation I would have belonged to had I stayed when my mother petitioned me.

So many movies have been made to tell this story. Ever since I turned 18, I have wanted to tell a different version. One with less crying, less drama, compared, for example, with the Sharon Cuneta starrer in 2008; one that truthfully and accurately tells the story of Filipinos who became caregivers, like my Mother.

It’s not such a bad thing. Through it my sister and I were able to live good lives, the kind of life that did not require either of us to do what she did for work.

It’s clear now why she had to labor for over 20 years in a foreign land. It was to give us a choice.

Migration of the Young. It is also the new emerging demographic for the 2.2 million OFWs today — young people with a choice.

In 2011, 23.6% or the biggest cut of the OFWs were people aged 25 to 29. Why are these young people still choosing to migrate?

I met 25-year-old Abys Maureen Delicano through the Internet. We were connected by a friend because she apparently read my essay on why I chose to stay in Manila rather than live in London.

She is an accountant in a Shipping and Cargo Company in Sharjah, UAE, and she has been there for already two years: “I never wanted to become an OFW. OFW na ang Tatay ko, alam ko kung gaano kahirap na lumaki nang walang magulang.”

(I never wanted to become and OFW. My father was an OFW and I know how difficult it is to grow up without a parent.)

But her father had reached the end of his contract in UAE and was set to come home for good, her mother is a housewife, and one sibling is still in High School: “‘Yung P15,000 na suweldo ko sa Pinas, nagiging P12,000 na lang dahil sa tax, hindi na

My mother visits me in the Philippines once a year, while I visit her and my sister in England every two years.

Abys and her mother, Marilyn.

IT’S 1991 in the modest town of Moncada, Tarlac. Her husband just died. Her father followed shortly after. She’s 30 years old, a mother of two — the youngest just 6 months old.

And up until that moment, she has not worked a day in her life.

She could take over the family business — a small news stand at the town market.

She could make good of her Communication degree. She could become a teacher like her older sisters. Maybe she could go to Manila to find her fate. Or she could fly overseas to clean bathrooms and sweep floors.

She chose to do the last, as many Filipinos would from 1991, beyond that, and the years after.

That year there were 615,019 Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. My mother, Lorina, became one of them.

Her story is one of the better ones. I have heard of men who, in local slang, tumalon sa barko or who took on a European cruise to jump off at the port in their country of choice, living undocumented lives until they become legal.

I have heard of men hopping onto small boats watching sharks swim the Pacific Ocean, wishing there is a pot of gold at the other side. Women who go to the Middle East, applying as helpers to rich families, waiting for them to take a vacation to Europe, and upon getting there, leaving their hotel room with everything they can take in their bag, wandering the city and hoping to God they will find something, or something will find them.

My mother found a local fixer in Manila, paid her a little over P100,000 for a one way ticket and her sneaky skills. She got three tries. She first applied for Australia and Canada, for which she got rejected by both embassies. United Kingdom was her last shot.

The fixer found out that an International Club delegation from Manila was going to Scotland for a conference. My mom had to take seminars and in the end, her oath as a club member to make it all look legitimate.

They faked a business permit in Taguig completely set up with phone numbers, so a person would answer to confirm she is indeed a wealthy businesswoman attending a conference, and not a poor single mother from the province looking to enter the UK. Her tourist visa was approved, so she flew to Scotland, hung around the delegation’s hotel for a day, packed her bags and took the train to London.

Helpers and caregivers of the world.

kasya,” says the CPA from Mexico, Pampanga.

(My P15,000 monthly income would be cut down to P12,000 because of tax, and we could no longer live with just that.)

So at 23, Abys put herself up for the responsibility. She applied for jobs in UAE and when an opportunity came, she packed her bags and left.

“Now I’m the official breadwinner,” Abys said, “I look at my batch mates’ Facebook photos and I see how they’re enjoying their youth, working for just themselves, traveling, feeling ko parang nagmadali ata ako.” (I felt like I rushed through my life) At that point in our conversation, I felt like she was talking about me, someone who’s enjoying her youth, working for just herself, traveling, and taking her time.

I asked her what drew her to my essay.

“You had the guts to choose a life in the Philippines over a good life in London, at sana may sapat din akong lakas ng loob para gawin yun.” (I hope I’m also brave enough to do what you did.)

But between the two of us, she’s the brave one.

I relish the comforts of Manila thinking about nothing but making my dreams come true.

Like a game of Eat Bulaga’s Laban o Bawi, she chose to fight, leaving everything that was familiar and safe, not just for her dreams but for the dreams of her entire family.

Beside her I am a coward.

The Price you Pay for Leaving. As young Filipinos become more and more empowered, there is this rhetoric about nationalism that demands the young ones to stay and contribute. I respect that rhetoric; I am part of that rhetoric.

But Abys represents a side of the conversation that is important to discuss.

My mother didn’t have a choice but to clean bathroom floors. Abys has a choice and she chose to pursue her profession in UAE rather than pour all her talent here.

There is a changing of contexts, but the root problem remains the same: as a country, we still struggle to provide quality lives to our people.

A problem that is so deep-rooted even the most educated, most talented young people don’t find the opportunities here sufficient enough to stay.

A problem so deep-rooted that the talented young photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani would work years as a helper in Hong Kong before the world could notice her haunting images.

A problem so deep-rooted that Abys’ father who worked abroad so his children wouldn’t have to, still ended up seeing her off to the airport to follow the same path he did, even when he had given her a college degree and that thing that my mother gave me: a choice.

When Pope Francis visited the Philippines last week, he made several mentions of OFWs, calling their contribution “neglected” in front of the President himself and all his Cabinet Secretaries when he delivered a speech at the Malacañang Palace.

Later that day, he would face families at the MOA Arena, with a core message of Humanae Vitae and the Sanctity of Marriage, but still

My mom and my stepdad Nigel have been married for 15 years.

My mother, Lorina Buan Taylor, is a case study for OFWs.

remembering to pay tribute to the “families who had to be separated by migration, their search for employment, and financial problems straining their households.”

I ask Abys of this strain. She said her mother never fails to call or message her everyday, even if it’s just to say Good night or I love you. She did, however, lose a boyfriend because of the long distance.

The strain is the most difficult part to tell in our family’s story. Over the years we have grown so much apart that it’s easier to love each other now from a distance. My sister and I will admit that it will be challenging for us to live together again. My mother and I can barely last a week under the same roof.

It’s a dysfunctional kind of relationship, but one that has weathered so many storms, with wounds, bruises, and all to proudly show for it.

Changing Perspectives. Last June when I was visiting England, my mom, my sister and I were approached by a man inside a pub in London, asking if we were Filipinos. He would later ask us if we were willing to take care of his aging mother.

My sister, an English and Philosophy graduate from the University of Dundee, felt so insulted. I told her to look at the bright side: that at least we weren’t asked if we were willing to be his bride.

What I should have told her is that being asked to take care of people is never an insult.

After all, we may just be the best yayas of the world.

Saudi journalist Rawan Radwan searched three years to find her Filipina yaya Marie Ning, and would travel to Nueva Ecija in the Philippines just to thank her again for loving and caring for her as though she were her own.

When veteran documentarist (and my boss) Howie Severino covered the prodemocracy rallies in Hong Kong last October, he observed a change of character among the teenagers leading the protests — the young ones were more polite, vibrant and determined than the young once he had met many years ago in his many visits to the country.

This generation, he wrote, was a Filipina yaya-raised generation.

We lent our mothers and sisters to the world, and as a result, we raised good children all over. Isn’t that a proud battle scar?

But I get my sister, too. Sometimes it gets tiring having to live with that reputation.

And that is where people like Abys bear a responsibility — the responsibility to change perspectives on behalf of all Filipinos around the world.

“Lagi kong ginagalingan kasi parang kargo ko ang maitaas ang tingin nila sa mga Pilipino,” Abys said.

(I always have to be the best in my field because I feel like I carry the burden of raising the bar for Filipinos)

Greatest Contribution. In this year’s Ms. Universe pageant, the top 5 candidates were asked this question: “What is your country’s greatest contribution to the World?”

Ms. USA boasted of their financial aids, Ms. Colombia discussed lessons of perseverance and Ms. Jamaica answered Bob Marley. Had Ms. Philippines been in the top 5, I would expect no less than this answer — That our actresses and actors are bringing London West End into a new era, our fashion designers are changing the face of American Couture, that we supply Europe’s Health Care Workers, Middle East’s engineers, Asia’s teachers, we are the drivers in the war zones in Iraq, we are the seafarers in oceans where there are pirates, we are the peacekeepers in Golan Heights and that our missionaries are risking their lives everyday in Sierra Leone and Guinea fighting Ebola.

We take care of everyone, and I guess in that sense, whether one is a nanny or a helper like my mother or a professional like Abys, we really are the Yayas of the World.

Our greatest contribution to the world is our people. We gave the world our greatest assets, so selflessly, so bravely, so proudly.

The story before was that Filipinos seek the help of other countries for a better life.

The story has changed.

Other countries seek the help of Filipinos for a better society.

It is both a point of pride and a challenge for every one of us, especially our leaders, that this is still a work in progress.

Somebody has to step back and examine where we are and how we got here.

It began in the 1970s when unemployment in the Philippines was at its peak, and there was a rising demand for blue collar workers in the Middle East and in Asia.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos would then sign the Labor Code into law, creating provisions that promoted overseas employment. At that time, it was the Government’s response to an emergency, and they were successful. In just a decade, the number of employed Filipinos boomed, more than 300,000 of them were overseas.

Our economy would come to enjoy the millions of dollars in remittances, and we would proclaim our OFWs heroes. From being a temporary solution, we have now fully embraced that Filipinos have to leave the country just to give their loved ones quality life.

This story also needs revision.

Families need to be kept together, and above all societies, ours should be the ones to benefit first from its own people.

It has been a pleasure sharing our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters with the world.

But we hope they come home soon.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of this newspaper. ■ Lian Buan / January 30, 2015 / 1:24 PM

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

Pinoy wins 5kg gold in Dubai, to use it to help sick dad in PHL A Filipino worker has won 5kg gold worth Dh741,250 at a raffle in a Dubai mall and is planning to use it to save the life of his cancer-stricken father in the Philippines.

John Francis Angel won the gold after joining a raffle during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) following his purchase of a pair of earrings as a gift for his mother from Joyalukkas, a leading gold retailer in Dubai, according to a report on Gulf News.

The promo offers customers a chance to win 1kg of gold and a one-carat diamond every day of the

month-long festival. A weekly draw offers people 5kg gold for every purchase of gold and jewellery worth Dh500.

It was the first time Angel joined a raffle, the report said. His mother works as a midwife in Leyte, which has been devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

The report added that the first person who came to Angel’s mind after winning the gold was his father, a retired lawyer in the Philippines who was diagnosed with colon cancer late last year.

“He is suffering quietly, but now that I have won, it will go a long way in getting my father the treatment he needs,” the report quoted Angel as saying.

According to the report, Angel’s father has refused conventional medication because he did not want to burden the family with prohibitive costs.

Angel moved to the United Arab Emirates last year, the Gulf News report said. He works as an administrative staff in Dubai. ■ KBK, GMA News / January 29, 2015 / 8:16 PM

Wounded Pinoy in Libya hotel attack to be airlifted to Turkey THE Filipino engineer who was injured in Tuesday’s terrorist attack in a Libyan hotel will be airlifted to Turkey for better treatment, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Thursday.

In a statement, Baldoz identified the victim as Engr. Veron Pesigan Matoto, who sustained two gunshot wounds in the chest, one in the arm, one in the knee, and one in the leg during the incident.

Matoto will be airlifted from a hospital in Tripoli to a facility with better equipment in Turkey while awaiting repatriation, Baldoz said.

“Once she is repatriated, her family and she will receive proper assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration even if she is not an active member,” said added.

OWWA will also help Magtoto undergo psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, and transport assistance to her home province.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) will assist Matoto in receiving her salaries and benefits from her employer. She is an employee of APR Energy Libya Company, but POEA records show she was deployed as employee to Kentz Engineers and Constructors.

Matoto and several others were hurt when gunmen stormed Corinthia Hotel, which is popular with diplomats and

officials, on Tuesday in an attack before blowing themselves up.

Nine people were killed, although the Philippine government denied reports that two of them were Filipinos.

The latest attack highlights the danger faced by hundreds of Philippine nationals working in the country, which has been plagued by several months of civil unrest.

Due to the volatile security situation in

Libya, the Philippine government placed the North African state under crisis level 4. Under this phase, all Filipinos are encouraged to avail of evacuation being offered by the Philippine government.

According to Department of Labor and Employment, at least 4,333 Filipino workers have been repatriated from the country as of November last year. ■ Rie

Takumi / KBK, GMA News / January 29, 2015 / 7:39 PM

Kin grieve for fallen cops at necrological service. Relatives of the 44 slain PNP-SAF commandos killed in the January 25 Mamasapano clash attend the wake and necrological service at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on Friday, January 30.

President Benigno Aquino III offered his condolences to those left behind by the heroes. Photo by Danny Pata.

Pinoys in Kuala Lumpur to offer Mass for 44 slain SAF men

2 Filipinos among 9 killed in Tripoli hotel attack. Libyan security men are seen near the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli on Tuesday, January 27, where nine people—including two Filipinos and three other foreigners—were killed by armed men before blowing themselves up. The attack claimed by the Islamic State group, underlined the fragile security situation in the Libyan capital, which is controlled by a patchwork of militias allied with one of two governments claiming to rule the country.

THE Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur will offer a memorial Mass on Saturday for the 44 elite policemen killed in last Sunday’s encounter with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the beloved families and colleagues of these brave young men who gave their lives in the pursuit of justice and in the line of duty,” the Embassy said in a post in its Facebook page.

The Embassy’s flag was flown at half-mast on Friday, joining other Philippine institutions and military installations which also lowered their flags at half-mast.

Friday, January 30, has been

declared as National Day of Mourning for the slain policemen, who were all members of the Special Action Force, an elite unit of the Philippine National Police.

The Embassy said the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur will join its officers and staff at the memorial Mass.

The Mass will also be held in memory of the Embassy’s former Labor Attache Dr. Alicia Santos, who passed away a year ago.

The Mass will be celebrated at the St. John’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur, with the St. John’s Tahanang Filipino Chorale singing the hymns. ■ KBK, GMA

News / January 30, 2015 / 4:56 PM

PHL seeks judicial review on case of Pinay drug mule facing execution in Indonesia FOREIGN Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine government “is aware of the case” and has already sought judicial review.

The family of the Filipino is also being provided regular updates on the case, Jose added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday confirmed that a Filipino woman is facing execution in Indonesia for smuggling large amounts of prohibited drugs in 2010.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippine government “is aware of the case” and has already sought judicial review.

Jose said the woman, who flew in from Malaysia to Indonesia, was arrested by authorities on April 25, 2010 for alleged trafficking of 2.6 kilograms of

heroin at the Yogyakarta airport.

In many countries, such as Indonesia and China, smuggling of large quantities of prohibited drugs is punishable by death.

Jose said the government is making “all the appropriate representations” with the Indonesian government at all levels on its intention to file a request for judicial review.

In coordination with her defense lawyer, Jose said the formal application for judicial review was filed on Jan 19, 2015 at the District Court of Justice of Sleman, Yogyakarta.

“We continue to provide the Filipino all necessary and possible assistance at all stages of the judicial process,” he said.

The family of the Filipino is also being provided regular updates on the

case, Jose added.

Since 2011, five Filipinos – all drug couriers – were put to death in China.

Unfazed by the executions, many Filipinos continue to engage in drug trafficking, refocusing attention to the government’s futile efforts to deal with criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable Filipino workers, who are used to ferry drugs for money or by trickery.

As of September 2014, the DFA recorded a total of 805 Filipinos who are detained abroad for drug-related offenses.

Of this figure, 341 are detained in Asia and the Pacific, 244 in Middle East and Africa, 116 in the United States and the Americas, and 104 in Europe.

■ Michaela Del Callar / KBK, GMA News / January 29,

2015 / 3:04 PM

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INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

2 Filipinos among 9 killed in Tripoli hotel attack GUNMEN stormed a luxury Tripoli hotel popular with diplomats and officials Tuesday in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group, killing at least nine people—including two Filipinos and three other foreigners— before blowing themselves up.

The assault on such a high-profile target underlined the fragile security situation in the Libyan capital, which is controlled by a patchwork of militias allied with one of two governments claiming to rule the country.

And if it is confirmed that it was carried out by Islamic State militants it would highlight the growing reach of an extremist group with ambitions to spread its influence throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

After setting off a car bomb outside the opulent Corinthia Hotel—where visiting world leaders have met local

dignitaries in the past—three militants rushed inside and opened fire, Issam alNaass, a security services spokesman, told AFP. They made it to the 24th floor of the hotel, a major hub of diplomatic and government activity, before being surrounded by security forces and detonating explosive belts they were wearing.

The head of Libya’s self-declared government, Omar al-Hassi, was inside the hotel at the time but was evacuated safely, Naass said.

The dead included three security guards killed in the initial attack, five foreigners shot dead by the gunmen and a hostage who died when the attackers blew themselves up.

Naass said the foreigners killed were an American, two Filipinas, a French citizen and a South Korean. He

did not give their identities.

Government officials in Washington and Paris confirmed the US and French deaths, with the American named by his company as a security contractor.

At least five people were also wounded, including two Filipina employees hurt by broken glass from the car bomb, Naass said.

The hotel’s 24th floor is normally used by Qatar’s mission to Libya, but no diplomats or officials were present during the assault, a security source said.

As of posting time, GMA News Online is still trying to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs for confirmation on the deaths of the two Filipinas and details of the incident.

Filipinos in Libya have been placed under mandatory repatriation due to the volatile situation there.

As of November last year, at least 4,333 Filipino workers have been repatriated, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

Assassination claim. In a statement on Twitter, the Tripoli branch of the Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility, the SITE Intelligence Group said.

It said the attack was in honor of Abu Anas al-Libi, an Al-Qaeda suspect who died in the United States earlier this month, days before facing a trial for bombing US embassies.

A video posted on jihadist forums

showed an image of one of the alleged perpetrators.

Security forces loyal to Hassi’s government, which is jostling for power with the internationally backed authority of Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, surrounded the building during the assault.

The government in Tripoli said Tuesday’s attack was an assassination attempt on Hassi it blamed on “enemies of the revolution and the war criminal Khalifa Haftar,” a former general who last year spearheaded an operation against Islamist militias in the second city Benghazi.

Ambulances, armored vehicles and pick-up trucks with mounted artillery could be seen around the hotel during the attack.

Security forces prevented journalists from entering the hotel afterwards, saying work was needed inside to ensure the assailants had not left behind booby traps.

‘Blow’ to peace efforts. The UN Security Council condemned the “heinous” attack and EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini called it “another reprehensible act of terrorism which deals a blow to efforts to bring peace and stability to Libya.”

She expressed “solidarity with the victims and their families”.

A new round of UN-mediated peace talks between Libya’s rival factions

kicked off in Geneva Monday as they seek to implement a roadmap on forming a unity government.

The North African nation has been wracked by conflict since the overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 uprising, with rival governments and powerful militias now battling for control of key cities and the country’s oil riches.

The Islamist-backed Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia alliance took control of Tripoli last summer, forcing Thani’s government to flee to the remote east.

The luxurious Corinthia was long considered a haven in a city beset by unrest, with officials, diplomats and foreign businessmen crossing paths in its lavish reception area.

In October 2013, gunmen seized then prime minister Ali Zeidan from the hotel, where he was residing. He was released after several hours.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy met top officials at the hotel in September 2011, when they were the first foreign leaders to visit Libya after Kadhafi’s ouster.

In Benghazi meanwhile 22 people were killed and 68 wounded in fighting since Monday evening, a security source said. ■ Ibrahim Hadeia / Agence France-

Presse / Luis Gorgonio / KG, GMA News January 28, 2015 / 7:30 AM

OFWs warned vs. agencies using illegal means to send maids to UAE DESPITE the virtual ban on sending Filipino household helpers to the United Arab Emirates, local recruiters have found ways to skirt this, a TV report said Wednesday.

Citing the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), the report on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” said such agencies lie to the OFW regarding his or her real job or occupancy, or reprocess them and issue two different working visas.

Some licensed recruiters also disguise themselves as referral agencies for unlicensed firms and create fake certifications from POEA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to further confound the system.

The report said around 20 agencies had been shut down since June 2014 while 10 others had been suspended for these infractions.

“Pagka may pinarusahan tayong Philippine recruiter, sabay nun yung UAE counterpart ay pinagbabawal na rin nating mag-recruit ng manggagawang Pilipino,” said POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac in the report.

He added the continued use of fake certificates means part of the fees paid by foreign employers were pocketed by unscrupulous individuals.

Cacdac clarified that while the Philippines had decreased the deployment of domestic helpers to the UAE due to its unified contract that is

not favorable to Filipino workers, there was no ban on the deployment.

“Walang ban... Sabihin na nating ang unified contract na ito ay hindi tugma sa mga Philippine standards of protection.

In other words, maraming kulang dun sa unified contract,” he said.

Last January 23, reports surfaced of a black market for Filipino household helpers emerging in the UAE due to the country’s standard contract for housemaids.

The contract and its subsequent circular stopping embassies from verifying contracts conflict with Philippine laws, creating a virtual ban on deployment to the UAE. ■ Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / January 28, 2015 / 3:02 PM

OFWs in UAE cautioned on taking out loans, issuing bouncing checks THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday warned overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates against availing loans through their credit cards that they can’t afford to pay.

The advisory was issued following the “alarming” increase in the number of Filipinos detained there due to unpaid loans.

According to the DFA, many OFWs are tempted to apply for loans in the UAE due to low interest rates.

“They (OFWs) are lured by low interest rates, without paying much

attention to the other charges which appear in the fine print, and the prospect of taking as much as 18

months of one’s salary,” the DFA said.

“Usually, banks require only a certificate of employment to approve a loan application,” it added.

Meanwhile, the DFA also reminded the OFWs that issuing a bounced check is a criminal offense in the UAE. “Lenders usually require borrowers to affix his or her signature on a blank check as a security measure. When the borrower defaults on his or her obligation, the check will bounce and criminal charges would ensue,” it said.

It added that if the signature

on the check is proven original and authentic, the case against the borrower is upheld in court.

“These cases also apply to comakers and guarantors of the borrower,” the DFA said.

The DFA also said that debt-related cases in the UAE become complicated to handle once the lender files a case against the borrower.

If a civil case is filed against an OFW who has an unpaid loan, a travel ban automatically ensues where the borrower is prohibited from leaving the country.

The DFA noted that in these cases, Philippine diplomatic missions cannot help OFWs since banks and private individuals in the UAE consider loans as a private matter.

“This situation also occurs in other Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and to a lesser degree in Saudi Arabia,” the DFA pointed out.

The DFA urged OFWs to be wise in spending and saving their money to avoid having to avail of loans there. ■ Andrei Medina / KBK, GMA News /

January 23, 2015 / 8:20 PM

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INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

N. Korean leader Kim Jong-Un set for global debut NORTH Korea’s leader Kim JongUn looks set to take an initial, tentative step onto the global stage with a visit in May to Russia -- his first trip abroad since coming to power three years ago.

Kim may not have the physique or bearing of a shy debutante, but Moscow will be his diplomatic “coming out” and minutely scrutinised, especially with other world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, expected to be there.

The Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that Kim would be among those attending ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Kim’s presence would set up some potentially intriguing meet and greets.

As well as Xi, US President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye have both been invited, but have yet to confirm one way or the other.

Obama is considered an unlikely participant given current tensions with Russia over Ukraine, while Park’s office says she is still considering unspecified scheduling conflicts.

A Kim meeting with virtually anyone would be news.

The young leader has received a number of high-ranking Chinese officials in Pyongyang, but the most prominent foreigner he has met in the

past three years is the former NBA basketball star, Dennis Rodman.

Formal talks with Vladimir Putin would mark Kim’s first summit, after a noted breach of protocol saw him snub the president of Mongolia who visited Pyongyang in 2013.

Why now? Analysts differ over why Kim has delayed any overseas visit for so long.

Some suggest he was observing a traditional three-year mourning period for his father and late leader Kim JongIl which ended in December last year.

Others say his relative youth and inexperience required him to grow into his role as supreme leader at home, before venturing abroad.

The North’s ruling Kim dynasty has never been big on overseas trips, with the exception of forays to traditional allies Beijing and Moscow.

Kim’s grandfather and North Korea’s founding leader Kim Il-Sung managed to visit most of the former Eastern Bloc, but the fall of the Berlin Wall and collapse of the Soviet Union left fewer destination options for Kim Jong-Il when he took over in 1994.

Kim Jong-Il also hated flying, and

limited his travels to train trips to China and Russia.

Kim’s choice of Russia for his foreign debut would be a reflection of warming ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, especially on the trade and economic front.

It would also signal Kim’s desire to reduce his country’s dependence on China, which remains North Korea’s main ally, diplomatic protector and economic buttress.

Xi and Kim have kept their distance since each assumed power and the Chinese leader’s first visit as head of state to the Korean peninsula last year was to the capitalist South rather than the North.

While protocol would require formal talk with Putin, it is unclear what interaction, if any, Kim might have with the Chinese president.

Learning from his grandfather.

Veteran North Korean watcher Andrei Lankov said Kim might be seeking to emulate his grandfather, who played Moscow and Beijing off against each other throughout the 1970s and 80s.

“Kim Il-Sung wrung a lot of concessions from both of them

without giving much away in return,” said Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul.

“It was a masterful lesson in diplomacy, that his grandson must surely have studied,” he added.

The same Cold War politics may no longer be in play, but Russia’s current estrangement from the West is opening doors to new friends -- even isolated states like North Korea.

“And while North Korea is not looking to escape China’s influence, it does want to reduce it, especially given Beijing’s obvious displeasure with its nuclear weapons programme,” Lankov said.

Russia is seeking to expand economic ties with North Korea and is eyeing a project worth about $25 billion (20 billion euros) to overhaul the country’s railway network in return for access to mineral resources.

Whether Kim’s Moscow visit will herald a flurry of diplomatic activity by the young leader remains to be seen.

“In fact, until we actually see him turn up in Moscow, there’s no guarantee he will actually go there at all,” Lankov said. ■ AFP / January 30, 2015

Political tensions behind China-Japan economic issues: Beijing POLITICAL tensions are partly to blame for Japanese investment in China recording its biggest fall for almost a quarter of a century, Beijing’s commerce ministry said Thursday.

Investment from Japan slid 38.8 percent to $4.33 billion last year, Chinese figures show, with a respected Japanese industry group saying the drop was the steepest since 1989, when it fell around 35 percent in the wake of the Tiananmen Square killings.

Commerce ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said that in 2014 economic reasons were behind “sluggish Japan-China trade and economic co-operation”.

But he added: “Undeniably the severe difficulties in the two countries’ political relations also had impact to a certain level”.

Asia’s two biggest economies have been at loggerheads over a maritime territorial dispute and disagreements over how to interpret and remember Japan’s invasion of China during the 1930s and 1940s.

Japan’s nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe angered Beijing in 2013 by visiting Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead including convicted war criminals from World War II. Japanese official figures show the country had a record 5.79 trillion yen ($49.1 billion) trade deficit with China last year, while according to Beijing’s own data, the

balance was in the other direction, with China in deficit by $13.6 billion.

Shen did not explain the contradiction per se, but downplayed the Japanese statistic, stressing it was denominated in yen.

“The Japanese yen has depreciated sharply in recent years and the foreign exchange rate of the yen has been very volatile over the long run, therefore the divergence between statistics in yen and those in the dollar was rather big.”

He called for Tokyo to “take concrete actions to implement” an agreement which paved the way for a meeting between the countries’

leaders at an Asia-Pacific summit in November, where the two appeared stiff and awkward.

The agreement papered over differences in the dispute over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that both sides claim, without making progress on a resolution.

Japan should also “continue to make efforts to improve bilateral relations to create positive conditions for the recovery, consolidation and further development of the two countries’ trade relations”, Shen added. ■ January 29, 2015 / 3:32 AM

A bird stretches out from a cage in search of food in a Lagos fowl market February 6, 2007

H5N1 bird flu spreads to 11 states in Nigeria: govt ABUJA - Nigeria on Thursday confirmed that the H5N1 strain of bird flu has spread from seven to 11 states within a week, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of poultry but no human cases.

Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina told an emergency meeting on the outbreak that “as of yesterday (Wednesday) a total of 11 states, have reported positive cases”.

Cases have been recorded in Kano, Plateau, Gombe and Jigawa in the north, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo in the southwest.

Imo in the southeast is also affected, with Rivers, Delta and Edo in the south.

The minister said that as of Wednesday, 232,385 birds were exposed to the virus and 51,444 had died -- up from nearly 140,000 exposures and just over 22,000 deaths on January 21.

“We are not in a state of any epidemic, we are closely monitoring the situation

and taking aggressive containment measures,” said Adesina.

“There is no cause for alarm but we must now move with greater speed and decisiveness.”

Kano, Nigeria’s largest state in the north, has been worst hit by the outbreak with 136,905 infected birds and 17,987 deaths; Lagos had 38,845 cases and 4,732 deaths.

Adesina said last week that the first cases were confirmed on a commercial farm in Kano city and at a live bird market in Lagos State on January 8.

The government has approved 145 million naira ($767,400, 676,000 euros) to compensate farmers by the outbreak.

The H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus has killed more than 400 people worldwide since it first appeared in 2003, most of them in southeast Asia. ■ AFP / January 29,

2015 1:50 PM

INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

www.hello-philippines.com

17

Obama tackles IS fight, Iran with new Saudi king RIYADH - US President Barack Obama led a heavyweight delegation to Saudi Arabia Tuesday to meet new King Salman and discussed the two countries’ ongoing fight against the Islamic State group.

The leaders also tackled the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme and human rights in the conservative kingdom, a senior US official said.

Riyadh has been part of the USled coalition carrying out air strikes against IS since last year and is a longtime regional ally of Washington.

But analysts say Riyadh has grown dissatisfied with what it sees as a lack of American engagement in crises elsewhere, including Yemen and Libya, as the US looks to Asia.

There has also been unease in the kingdom about Obama’s pursuit of a nuclear deal with Shiite-dominated Iran, the regional rival of Sunnimajority Saudi Arabia.

Members of the 29-member bipartisan US delegation, which included former Bush-era officials, said they wanted to show support for the US-Saudi relationship.

“I believe it is important that we demonstrate to the Saudis the importance that they represent to us,” said James Baker, secretary of state during the first Gulf War against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

“This is an extraordinarily critical and sensitive time in the Middle East when everything seems to be falling apart. And the kingdom in some way is becoming an island of stability,” said Baker.

The Americans arrived for a four-

hour stop from India, where Obama cut short a state visit following the death Friday of Salman’s predecessor, King Abdullah.

Saudi television showed Salman, 79, welcoming Obama and his wife Michelle at the bottom of a redcarpeted ramp before a military band played the US and Saudi national anthems.

In contrast to Saudi women, required to dress head-to-toe in black, Mrs Obama wore dark slacks and a blue top with her hair uncovered.

Crown Prince Moqren and Mohammed bin Nayef, the powerful interior minister who is second in line to the throne, were among those greeting the Americans.

The US president then boarded a black limousine taking him for talks and dinner with Salman at central Riyadh’s Erga Palace, the king’s private residence where the smell of incense hung heavily in the air.

“Good to see you,” Obama repeatedly said to his Saudi hosts before they dined on Arabic and Western dishes including shish tawook and baked lobster.

They then left the kingdom.

‘Some problems’. Obama last visited Saudi Arabia in March, when he held talks with Abdullah.

A senior US official said Obama and Salman discussed “the campaign against the Islamic State... the need to continue providing support to the opposition in Syria (and) the need to promote unity in Iraq”.

IS, a Sunni extremist group, released a video celebrating the death

Saudi King Salman at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on January 27, 2015

Saudi new King Salman (R) stands alongside US President Barack Obama (C) and First Lady Michelle Obama

of the “tyrant Abdullah” and said that, “Allah permitting,” they will invade the Arabian Peninsula soon, SITE Intelligence Group said.

Several other topics, including Riyadh’s human rights record -- heavily criticised by activists -- and Iranian nuclear talks, were also broached during Tuesday’s visit.

The US official said Obama discussed human rights “in broad terms,” but did not raise with Salman the case of blogger Raef Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes for insulting Islam and whose case has attracted international concern.

‘Major

bulwark’

against

Iran.

Former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft and Condoleezza Rice, secretary of state under George W. Bush, joined the US contingent, which included current Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan and General Lloyd Austin, head of US

Air Force One flies over the desert as it prepares to land at King Khalid International Airport

Saudi’s newly appointed King Salman (L) shakes hands with US Senator John McCain

Central Command.

They had all accompanied Obama to India but Secretary of State John Kerry and Senator John McCain joined the president especially for his Saudi trip.

McCain, a Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the kingdom was emerging “as the major bulwark” against efforts by Iran to expand its influence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.

The senior US official, who spoke

anonymously, said that while Salman had not raised the topic of nuclear talks, he “did say Iran should not be allowed to build a nuclear weapon”.

King Salman later said via his Twitter account that it was “a pleasure to host President @BarackObama We discussed our nations’ historic ties and strategic partnership to support world peace.”

Obama is the latest leader to visit Riyadh since Friday.

His reception was the most elaborate but sheikhs, presidents and prime ministers from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas all came to pay their respects.

Australia’s Governor General Peter Cosgrove also arrived Tuesday. ■ Ian Timberlake / AFP / January 27, 2015 / 6:10 PM

Venezuela authorizes use of deadly force at demos

Pinoys top fake diploma users in Saudi –report FILIPINOS were the users of most of the over 2,000 fake engineering diplomas confiscated in Saudi Arabia in 2014.

This was according to a list prepared

by Saudi Council Engineers (SCE), which said of the 2,000 confiscated bogus diplomas, 460 or 23 percent came from the Philippines.

The Philippines was followed by India (250), Egypt (180), Pakistan (110) and Jordan (50), according to a report on Arab News, citing sources.

Red Bual of the Filipino Computer Literacy Program said the report will have a large impact on the perception of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia.

An investigation is currently being conducted by the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah to verify the claims of SCE

and to learn the exact number of Filipinos who used fake certificates.

Consul General Leo Tito Ausan Jr. admitted to GMA News Online that many Filipinos walk in to the consulate to have documents authenticated, only to have these confiscated after they were proven fake.

Ausan said penalties for possessing fake documents in Saudi Arabia vary per case, as it depends on the judge’s decision.

However, he emphasized that faking seals entails a two-year jail sentence and lashes.

“Gawin po nyo ang tama kung ano po talaga ang kanilang natapos nang sa ganon ay maiwasan ang problema” Ausan appealed to would-be OFWs. ■ Ronaldo Concha and Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA / January

28, 2015 / 1:21 PM

VENEZUELAN soldiers can open fire on demonstrators if they feel their lives are at risk, under a new regulation published one year after antigovernment riots left 43 people dead.

The rules announced Thursday outlined procedures for soldiers to maintain public order, going up gradually from asserting an “imposing presence” to the use of deadly force.

The regulations were published just days before the anniversary of the start of anti-government riots that

erupted when Venezuelans vented fury over rampant crime, runaway inflation, corruption and shortages of basic goods in the country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

During those months of unrest, mainly in Caracas and the city of San Cristobal, protests often ended with hooded demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails at police who answered with tear gas, water cannons and—in some cases—rubber bullets.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino

Riot police take cover as a Molotov cocktail is thrown at them during an anti-government protest in Caracas on February 28, 2014.

Lopez said in a statement on Friday that the rule was a direct response to “last year’s violence,” which took weeks to quell.

He brushed aside criticism that “aims to twist and take out of context this magnificent document which fully respects human rights and human life —including the life of the protesters,” he said.

The new rules, nevertheless, were viewed negatively by many rights activists.

“One can never leave to the discretion of a government official, and even less to a member of security forces, to determine on the spot if they deem their life is in danger,” said constitutional lawyer Tulio Alvarez.

Rocio San Miguel, who works with an NGO called Control Ciudadano (Citizen Control) said it is right to regulate how soldiers behave but that the new rule is “dangerously vague and controversial.”

In a report released Thursday, Human Rights Watch said Venezuelan security personnel had routinely use force in an improper manner against unarmed demonstrators and passersby. ■ AFP / January 30, 2015

18

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

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201 DATE / TIME

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CONTACTS / REMARKS

The Amazing London Baden Powell Lolita Boddy - 07973-469450 / Praybeyt Benjamin 2 House, South Kensington, 0207-2444520 65-67 Queen's Gate, London SW7, 5JS, UK Lahig Kayumanggi St. Andrew’s United LKDance Contact Laurence at 07840 602 944 Rehearsals Reformed Church Hall, or Avery at 07805 239 801 or Frognal Lane (corner email info@lkdance.org.uk Finchley Road), London NW3 7DY. Nearest tube: Finchley Road English Martyrs Catholic Hosted by: Alyssa Every 2nd Sunday Filipino Family Becky at 07949857699 / Lina B at Church. Chalkhill Road, Gonzales 14:00pm Mass at English 07579418510 Martyrs Catholic Wembley Park, HA9 Church 9EW Sunday, Dinner & Dance As Asia, 277 High Street, Tekkit Events 07428 677 870 15th February 15 Featuring Banda Slough, SL1 1BN GBP £20 W/Buffet at 5:00pm Riversion Slough Saturday, TWO WORLDS IN Conway Hall, 25 Red Finest Workers UK Ltd in Contact: JHERMY 7th March 2015 HARMONY Lion Square, London association with ISH Magazine Tel: 07825509624 WC1R 4RL, UK 7:30pm - 10:00pm featuring: THE Website: www.fwuk.com WEST END MAMAS and THE WEST END PAPAS! Saturday, Mutya ng Pilipinas Manchester (Venue to MPUK Jassin Fuentes 2nd May 2015 2015 be confirmed), Tel: 07557551624 TBC Manchester, UK Website: mutyaunitedkingdom.com 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 nd 2:00pm St Dominic Catholic Church, 243 Violet Lane, Waddon, Croydon CR0 4HN 2 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 rd 3:00pm Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Priory, Quex Road, Kilburn, London NW6 4PS 3 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 Abasolo – 07782 661 922 Last Sunday 2:00pm St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 218 Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4LE Rafael Santiago – 07795 254 451 Every Sunday 5:00pm Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 20 Brixton Road, Oval, London SW9 6BU Ben Ortiz – 07723 318 486 First Wednesdays 6:30pm Filipino Mass and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception (Jesuit House Chapel), access on 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AY – Josie Ramos – F R E E L I S T I N G o f y o u r e v e n t s i n H07723 E L L O 024 P H I591 LIPPINES newspaper. If you know of any events please contact us via

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HEALTH and Lifestyle

Clinical depression DEPRESSION is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.

We all go through spells of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They’re wrong. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms, and it’s not a sign of weakness or something you can “snap out of” by “pulling yourself together”.

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery.

How to tell if you have depression.

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

They range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.

There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and complaining of various aches and pains.

The severity of the symptoms can vary. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while at its most severe depression can make you feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.

For a more detailed list, read more about the symptoms of depression.

Most people experience feelings of stress, sadness or anxiety during difficult times. A low mood may improve after a short time, rather than being a sign of depression. Read more information about low mood and depression.

When to see a doctor. It’s important to seek help from your GP if you think you may be depressed.

If you’ve been feeling low for more than a few days, take this short test to find out if you’re depressed.

Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it’s best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.

Sometimes there is a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such

as bereavement, losing your job or even having a baby, can bring it on.

People with a family history of depression are also more likely to experience it themselves.

But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.

Find out more about the causes of depression.

Depression is quite common and affects about one in 10 of us at some point. It affects men and women, young and old.

Depression can also strike children.

Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged five to 16 in the UK are anxious or depressed.

Treatment. Treatment for depression involves either medication or talking treatments, or usually a combination of the two. The kind of treatment that your doctor recommends will be based on the type of depression you have.

Read more about the treatment of depression.

Living with depression. Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol and eating more healthily.

Self-help measures such as reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also worthwhile.

Find out more about how self-help and improving your lifestyle can help you beat depression.

You can read other people’s experience of depression in our comments section below.

Symptoms of clinical depression.

The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people. But as a general rule, if you are depressed, you feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy.

The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.

There are many other symptoms of depression and you’re unlikely to have every one listed below.

If you experience some of these symptoms for most of the day, every day for more than two weeks, you should seek help from your GP. Psychological symptoms include: • continuous low mood or sadness • feeling hopeless and helpless • having low self-esteem • feeling tearful • feeling guilt-ridden • feeling irritable and intolerant of others • having no motivation or interest in things • finding it difficult to make decisions • not getting any enjoyment out of life

• feeling anxious or worried • having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself Physical symptoms include: • moving or speaking more slowly than usual • change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased) • constipation • unexplained aches and pains • lack of energy or lack of interest in sex (loss of libido) • changes to your menstrual cycle • disturbed sleep (for example, finding it hard to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning) Social symptoms include: • not doing well at work • taking part in fewer social activities and avoiding contact with friends • neglecting your hobbies and interests • having difficulties in your home and family life Depression can come on gradually, so it can be difficult to notice something is wrong. Many people continue to try to cope with their symptoms without realising they are ill. It can take a friend or family member to suggest something is wrong.

Doctors describe depression by how serious it is: • mild depression has some impact on your daily life • moderate depression has a significant impact on your daily life • severe depression makes it almost impossible to get through daily life – a few people with severe depression may have psychotic symptoms Grief and depression. It can be hard to distinguish between grief and depression. They share many of the same characteristics, but there are important differences between them.

Grief is an entirely natural response to a loss, while depression is an illness.

People who are grieving find their feelings of loss and sadness come and go, but they’re still able to enjoy things and look forward to the future.

In contrast, people who are depressed have a constant feeling of sadness. They don’t enjoy anything and find it hard to be positive about the future.

Causes. There is no single cause of depression. You can develop it for different reasons and it has many different triggers.

For some, an upsetting or stressful life event – such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries – can be the cause.

Often, different causes combine to trigger depression. For example, you may feel low after an illness and then experience a traumatic event, such as bereavement, which brings on depression.

People often talk about a “downward spiral” of events that leads to depression.

For example, if your relationship with

your partner breaks down, you’re likely to feel low, so you stop seeing friends and family and you may start drinking more.

All of this can make you feel even worse and trigger depression.

Some studies have also suggested you’re more likely to get depression as you get older, and that it’s more common if you live in difficult social and economic circumstances.

Stressful events. Most people take time to come to terms with stressful events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown. When these stressful events happen, you have a higher risk of becoming depressed if you stop seeing your friends and family and you try to deal with your problems on your own.

Illness. You may have a higher risk of depression if you have a longstanding or life-threatening illness, such as coronary heart disease or cancer.

Head injuries are also an often underrecognised cause of depression. A severe head injury can trigger mood swings and emotional problems.

Some people may have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) resulting from problems with their immune system.

In rarer cases a minor head injury can damage the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that produces thyroid-stimulating hormones.

This can cause a number of symptoms, such as extreme tiredness and a loss of interest in sex (loss of libido), which can in turn lead to depression.

Personality. You may be more vulnerable to depression if you have certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical.

This may be because of the genes you’ve inherited from your parents, or because of your early life experiences.

Family history. If someone else in your family has suffered from depression in the past, such as a parent or sister or brother, then it’s more likely you will too.

Giving birth. Some women are particularly vulnerable to depression after pregnancy. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as added responsibility of a new life, can lead to postnatal depression.

Loneliness. Becoming cut off from your family and friends can increase

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

your risk of depression.

Alcohol and drugs. Some people try to cope when life is getting them down by drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. This can result in a spiral of depression.

Cannabis helps you relax, but there is evidence that it can bring on depression, especially in teenagers.

And don’t be tempted to drown your sorrows with a drink. Alcohol is categorised as a “strong depressant” and actually makes depression worse.

Depression can be triggered by more than one factor. Diagnosing

clinical depression If you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day for more than two weeks, you should seek help from your GP. It is especially important to speak to your GP if you experience: • symptoms of depression that are not improving • your mood affects your work, other interests, and relationships with your family and friends • thoughts of suicide or self-harm Sometimes, when people are depressed they find it hard to imagine that treatment can actually help. But the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner your depression will lift.

There are no physical tests for depression, though your GP may examine you and do some urine or blood tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as an underactive thyroid.

The main way in which your GP will tell if you have depression is by asking you lots of questions about your general health and how the way you are feeling is affecting you mentally and physically.

Try to be as open as you can be with the doctor. Describing your symptoms and how they are affecting you will really help your GP understand if you have depression and how severe it is.

Read more about the symptoms of depression.

Any discussion you have with your GP will be confidential. Your GP will only ever break this rule if there’s a significant risk of harm to either yourself or others, and if informing a family member or carer would reduce that risk.■ NHS Choices

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HEALTH and Lifestyle food

Water and drinks YOUR body needs water or other fluids to work properly and to avoid dehydration.

This article explains how much we need to drink, how to spot the signs of dehydration and how to choose healthier non-alcoholic drinks. Water makes up about two-thirds of the weight of a healthy body.

Most of the chemical reactions that happen in our cells need water in order to take place. We also need water so that our blood can carry nutrients around the body and get rid of waste.

How much should we drink? To stay

healthy, it’s important to replace the fluid we lose when we breathe, sweat or urinate.

We get some fluid from our food but most comes from drinks.

The European Food Safety Authority recommends that women should drink about 1.6 litres of fluid and men should drink about 2.0 litres of fluid per day.

That’s about eight glasses of 200ml each for a woman, and 10 glasses of 200ml each for a man.

However, the amount a person needs to drink to avoid getting dehydrated will vary depending on

Types of drinks TRY to choose healthier drinks as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Many soft drinks are high in sugar. Food and drinks that are high in sugar are often high in calories, and having too many calories can make you more likely to gain weight.

Some energy drinks are high in both sugar and caffeine.

Checking the nutrition labels on soft drinks, such as fruit juices and fizzy drinks, can help you make healthier choices.

Drink plenty of water. Water is the healthiest choice for quenching your thirst at any time. It has no calories and contains no sugars that can damage teeth.

If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try sparkling water or add a slice of lemon or lime. You could also add some no-added-sugar or reduced-sugar squash or fruit juice for flavour.

Drink semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed milk. Milk is a good source

of calcium, a mineral that helps build and maintain healthy bones.

It also contains vitamins and other minerals, and doesn’t cause tooth decay.

For a healthier choice, choose semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed milk. Limit your intake of flavoured milks, milkshakes, condensed milk and milk-based energy or malt drinks because these contain added sugar, which is bad for teeth.

Milk is especially important for young children. They should drink

whole milk until they are two years old, because they may not get the calories they need from lower-fat milks.

However, cow’s milk should not be given as a drink until a baby is one year old, because it doesn’t contain the balance of nutrients a baby needs.

From the age of two, children can gradually move to semi-skimmed milk as a main drink, as long as they are eating a varied and balanced diet and growing well.

Juices, smoothies and 5 A DAY. Fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies contain a variety of vitamins that are good for our health.

A glass (150ml) of fruit juice counts as one of your recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables.

However, juice can only ever count as one portion a day, no matter how much you drink. This is because it doesn’t contain the fibre found in whole fruits and vegetables.

Fruit juice also contains sugar that can damage teeth. It’s best to drink it with a meal because this can help protect teeth.

The sugars found naturally in whole fruit are less likely to cause tooth decay because the sugar is contained within the structure of the fruit. When fruit is juiced or blended, the sugars are released. Once released, these sugars can damage teeth, especially if juice is drunk frequently. Even unsweetened fruit juice is sugary, so try to drink no more than one glass (about 150ml) of fruit juice each day.

When you buy fruit juice, check

a range of factors, including their size, the temperature and how active they are. So, for example, if you’re exercising hard in hot weather you’ll need to drink more.

All drinks count, including hot drinks such as tea and coffee, but water, milk and fruit juices are the healthiest. It is best to avoid alcoholic drinks.

Try to avoid sugary, soft and fizzy drinks that can be high in added sugars. These can be high in calories and bad for teeth.

Signs of dehydration. When our

the labels carefully and choose 100% fruit juice with no added sugar, which counts as one of your 5 A DAY. Watch out for “juice drinks”, which can contain as little as 5% fruit juice and a lot of added sugar, and do not count as one of your 5 A DAY. Smoothies that are 100% fruit or vegetable can count as up to two portions towards your 5 A DAY when they contain all of the edible pulped fruit or vegetable. This depends on the quantity of fruits or vegetables or the juice used, as well as how the smoothie has been made. However, juices drunk in addition to the smoothie don’t count as any more 5 A DAY portions in one day. This is mainly because juice contains less fibre than whole fruits and vegetables.

Fizzy drinks and squashes. Fizzy drinks, squashes and juice drinks contain lots of sugar and very few nutrients, so keep them to a minimum.

Their high sugar content means they are high in calories, and foods that are high in calories can contribute towards becoming overweight. Cutting down on these drinks is a good way of reducing the number of calories you consume, while not missing out on any nutrients.

Likewise, getting children to drink fewer sugary drinks is a good way of limiting the amount of sugar they consume. Children who drink a lot of sugary drinks are more likely to become overweight.

The added sugar in these drinks also means they can damage teeth.

If you do have sugary or fizzy drinks, drinking them with meals can help

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

bodies don’t have enough water, we are said to be dehydrated.

One of the first signs of dehydration is feeling thirsty.

If you think you may not be getting enough fluids, check whether you have any of these other common signs of dehydration: • dark urine and not passing much urine when you go to the toilet • headaches • lack of energy • feeling lightheaded Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take in.

When the normal water content of your body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugar) in your body, which affects the way that it functions.

Water makes up over two-thirds of the healthy human body. It lubricates the joints and eyes, aids digestion, flushes out waste and toxins and keeps the skin healthy.

Some of the early warning signs of dehydration include: • feeling thirsty and lightheaded • having dark coloured, strongsmelling urine • passing urine less often than usual A baby may be dehydrated if they: • have a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on their head

• have few or no tears when they cry • have fewer wet nappies • are drowsy The body is affected even when you lose a small amount of fluid.

reduce the damage to teeth.

The best drinks to give children are water, milk and milkshakes without added sugar.

If you or your children like fizzy drinks, try diluting fruit juice with sparkling water instead. Remember to dilute squashes well to reduce the sugar content in the drink.

Diet versions of fizzy drinks also contain very few nutrients, so milk or water are much healthier choices, especially for children.

or herbal substances.

The caffeine levels in these drinks vary, but there is often around 80mg of caffeine in a small 250ml can.

This is the same as two cans of cola or a small mug of coffee.

People who are sensitive to caffeine should consume highcaffeine food and drinks only in moderation.

Energy drinks are not suitable for babies or children.

Tea, coffee and caffeine

Tea and coffee contain caffeine, which is a stimulant. This means caffeine can temporarily make us feel more alert or less drowsy. Caffeine affects some people more than others, and the effect can depend on how much caffeine you normally consume.

It’s fine to drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet. But it’s important that tea, coffee or other drinks containing caffeine are not your only source of fluid.

Pregnant women should limit their intake of tea or coffee due to their caffeine content (see below). Neither tea nor coffee are suitable drinks for toddlers and young children.

Caffeinated drinks can also make the body produce more urine. Some people are more susceptible to this than others, but it also depends on how much caffeine you have and how often you have it.

Energy drinks and caffeine. Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine and are often high in sugar.

They may also contain other stimulants and sometimes vitamins and minerals

What

causes

dehydration?

Dehydration is usually caused by not drinking enough fluid or by fluid that is lost and not replaced. The climate, the amount of physical exercise you are doing and your diet can also contribute to dehydration.

You can also become dehydrated as a result of an illness, such as persistent vomiting and diarrhoea or sweating from a fever, or exercising in hot conditions.

Who is at risk from dehydration?

Anyone can become dehydrated, but certain groups are particularly at risk.

These include: • babies and infants – they have a low body weight and are sensitive to even small amounts of fluid loss • older people – they may be less aware that they are becoming dehydrated and need to keep drinking fluids • people with a long-term health condition – such as diabetes or alcoholism • athletes – they lose a large amount of body fluid through sweat ■ NHS Choices

Caffeine

during

pregnancy.

Pregnant women should have no more than 200mg of caffeine a day.

One mug of instant coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine.

High levels of caffeine can result in babies having a low birth weight, which can increase the risk of health problems in later life. High levels of caffeine might also cause miscarriage. Check the labels of energy drinks as they often say that the drink is not suitable for children or pregnant women.

For more detail on how much caffeine is safe during pregnancy, see Foods to avoid when pregnant.

Sports drinks. Sports drinks can be useful when you’re doing highlevel endurance sports and need an energy boost.

However, they are no different to any other sugary soft drinks, which means they are high in calories and contribute to tooth decay.

Unless you’re taking part in highlevel endurance sports, water is the healthier choice and the best way to replace fluids lost through exercise.

■ NHS Choices

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Scoop MJ Lastimosa on Miss Universe gown: ‘I’d rather keep my mouth shut’ 24

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MISS Philippines Mary Jean ‘MJ’ Lastimosa parades a white gown created by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza during the Miss Universe pageant in Doral, Florida on Sunday.

After initially asking her fans not to blame the gown for her loss in the 2014 Miss Universe pageant held in Doral, Miami, Mary Jean Lastimosa said she prefers not to talk about it in an interview with Philippine Star columnist Ricky Lo. “Hahahahaha! I’d rather keep my mouth shut!” was MJ’s loaded reply to Lo when the veteran scribe asked her about the controversial Colombiandesigned white mermaid gown that she wore on pageant night.

MJ talked to Lo during her brief stopover in Los Angeles where she arrived Tuesday (Wednesday, Philippine time) on her way back to Manila. The 27-year-old North Cotabato native admitted that while she would have wanted a “higher placement” in the pageant, she knew how to accept defeat and was happy with her performance.

Having joined the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant three times before she finally won Miss Universe Philippines last year, MJ finished

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY

second runner-up to her good friend Shamcey Supsup in 2011 and, in a heartbreaker, ended only among the Top 12 semi-finalists the following year in the pageant won by Janine Tugonon.

But MJ persevered and after taking a hiatus from beauty pageants in 2012 came back strong last year to win the big one in Binibining Pilipinas and earned the right to represent the country in Miss Universe.

Insisting that she was not blaming anyone including pageant judge Manny Pacquiao for her disappointing finish, MJ looked at the bigger picture and pointed out that being part of Miss Universe is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and not every girl is given the chance to experience it.”

In another post-pageant video that she posted on her Facebook page, MJ thanked everyone who supported her.

On her Twitter page, she specifically thanked certain people who helped her in her journey, including her makeup artist, stylist, photographer, her training camp Kagandahang Flores, and Filipino designer Leo Almodal who designed some of the gowns she modeled in pre-pageant photo shoots but did not wear during the preliminaries and coronation night.

The day after the pageant, MJ took to Instagram and posted a photo of herself wearing one of Almodal’s gowns which her followers were quick to declare as superior to that muchmaligned white gown created for her by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza.

Curiously, MJ has yet to mention

Barraza and Binibining Pilipinas founding madam Stella Marquez Araneta among the people she thanked by name. Both Colombians have been blamed by many netizens for her failure to crack the Top 5.

MJ said that it was time for her to concentrate on her career, and joked, “para kumita naman tayo at manalo ng

Kabuhayan Showcase”. A Computuer Engineering graduate, MJ is a vegetarian and fitness advocate who owns and operates a fitness spa center in Davao City.

She also has not ruled out joining showbiz preferably as a TV host if she gets any offers. ■ Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.

com / January 29, 2015 / 11:43 AM

Miss Philippines Mary Jean ‘MJ’ Lastimosa parades a white gown created by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza during the Miss Universe pageant in Doral, Florida on Sunday.

PAGEANT FANS BLAME MJ LASTIMOSA’S LOSS ON COLOMBIAN-MADE GOWNS

Manny Pacquiao, ano ang regalo kay Prince Harry?

“NICE and humble person.” Ito ang paglalarawan ng “Pambansang Kamao” na si Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao kay Prince Harry na nakasalo niya sa hapunan sa Buckingham Palace.

Kasama ni Pacquiao sa naturang hapunan ang kaniyang maybahay na si Jinkee.

Bago sila nagtungo sa London, galing muna ang mag-asawa sa Hollywood para sa premier ng docu-

movie ni Pacman na, “Manny.”

Pagkatapos ng pagkikita nila ni Prince Harry, babalik sa US si Manny para mag-judge naman sa Miss Universe pageant na gaganapin sa Florida.

Sa kaniyang Instagram account, nag-post si Manny ng ilang larawan nila ni Prince Harry, at ang regalo niya ritong boxing gloves na may pirma niya. ■ FRJ, GMA News / January 23, 2015 / 4:03 PM

MISS Philippines MJ Lastimosa and Miss Colombia Paulina Vega in their respective evening gowns, both created by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza.

Given that the national costume and white evening gown that Mary Jean Lastimosa wore during the Miss Universe preliminaries on Wednesday did not sit well with pageant fans, many wondered why Binibining Pilipinas founding madam Stella Marquez Araneta went with the same unpopular gowns on pageant night.

Designed by Colombian Alfredo Barraza, that same white evening gown was slightly altered, supposedly to accentuate MJ’s figure. But considering that it did not fare well during the preliminaries, Marquez Araneta’s decision to let MJ wear it again during a very critical juncture of the competition was a

head-scratcher for many at the very least.

When MJ needed to pull out all the stops to at least make it to among the Top 5, her gown paled in comparison to the well-received gown worn by Miss Colombia and eventual Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega, which was also designed by Barraza.

A check with the Miss Universe website will show that her official evening gown photo has her wearing a more elegant and flattering red dress.

Barraza had been under fire for reserving his best work for his Colombian compatriot and recycling his creations for Miss Philippines. The outcome of this year’s Miss Universe only reinforced people’s perception of the controversial designer. Both he and Marquez Araneta are currently being blamed for MJ’s disappointing loss. ■ Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / January 26, 2015 /

3:38 PM

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

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GMA News’ “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” is Most Watched Papal Visit Coverage POPE Francis’ visit to the country has been a resounding success – providing an electrifying atmosphere in the five days that he was here and winning the hearts of Filipinos not only through his words and deeds but also because of his captivating smile and sincerity that communicate directly to the soul.

And just like in the past – during significant events that help shape the country’s history – more viewers nationwide trusted GMA Network as their primary source of news and information.

Pope Francis’ five-day apostolic and state visit to the Philippines, from January 15 to 19, is no exception as GMA-7 and GMA News TV’s joint special “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” emerged as the most watched coverage of the said Papal visit nationwide.

Based on household data from the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA-7’s “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” posted an average of 15% from January 15 to 19 (based on overnight ratings) in NUTAM

(National Urban Television Audience Measurement). It led ABS-CBN’s 11.7% by 3.3rating points.

The Kapuso Network’s special coverage, which was bannered by GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino and Jessica Soho, together with the full roster of GMA News and Public Affairs, registered even bigger leads in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.

In Urban Luzon, which comprises 77% of the total urban TV households nationwide, “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” got 16.9%, very much ahead of ABS-CBN’s 10.4%. Likewise in Mega Manila, which accounts for 59% of all urban TV households in the country, the Kapuso special coverage was the most watched with 18.2%versus ABSCBN’s 9.2%.

“Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” special coverage started with the arrival of Pope Francis on Thursday afternoon, followed by the Pope’s activities on Friday that included the state visit to Malacañan Palace, a

Eucharistic celebration at the Manila Cathedral, and a special meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena.

On Saturday, various GMA News teams covered Pope Francis’ visit to Leyte, which was shortened due to typhoon Amang. Highlights of his Leyte visit included the Pope’s hearttouching impromptu homily at the Holy Mass held at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban.

And on Sunday, “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” continued its coverage of the historic visit as Pope Francis headed a youth gathering at the University of Santo Tomas and led the record-breaking Mass celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, which was attended by approximately six million people.

“Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” also joined the country as it bade farewell to Pope Francis on Monday morning.

GMA Pinoy TV, the Network’s flagship international channel, aired the live coverage overseas through its carriers in the US, Canada, Middle East, North Africa and Asia-Pacific region.

The Network’s special coverage, available online via GMA News Online’s official papal visit microsite (gmanews.tv/popefrancis), was also a big hit with web users.

The microsite, with its liveblog, livestream, Pope Tracker, and the #BlessedByThePope section, consistently provided breaking stories and heart-warming human interest articles including that of the girl who managed to get a selfie with the Pope, the story of the father who lost a child due to an accident after the Tacloban mass, the girl who cried during the UST event, the image of the smiling Pope in the rain, and how almost

everyone was moved to tears during the Tacloban mass.

Moreover, GMA News’ hashtag #BlessedByThePope became a top trending topic in the Philippines and was also one of the trending topics worldwide for two consecutive days.

GMA News Online was also able to get noteworthy user-generated content, both photos and videos, through YouScoop. And its “The Filipino faith is waterproof” photo was shared by thousands.

The Network’s flagship AM radio station DZBB 594 kHz Super Radyo, on the other hand, also had its “Si Pope Francis sa Pilipinas” special coverage. ■

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ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITY

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

Stella Marquez Araneta softens stance on PH designers IN the wake of the Miss Universe debacle that saw Philippine candidate Mary Jean Lastimosa fail to crack the Top 5, which most netizens attribute to her lackluster Colombian-designed gown, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. issued a statement Wednesday to somewhat address the issue.

Sounding like it is heeding the longtime clamor of pageant fans to allow Filipino designers to outfit Binibining Pilipinas winners for international competitions, particularly Miss Universe, BPCI posted this statement on its official Facebook page: “Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. has always been the showcase of Filipino beauty and excellence. The world’s great pageant stages have borne witness to the elegance and grace of the Binibini queens, where the Philippines has consistently placed high since 2010.

Gaining the distinction of being among the top 10 also speaks highly of the Binibini queens since this means that they truly stood out from among so

many beauties from around the world.

BPCI, led by its Chairperson Stella Araneta continues to believe in Filipino genius and this has been emphasized in several instances in the past including the fashion accolades to the creations of Pitoy Moreno, the designs of young couturiers worn by its candidates in the annual National Costume competition, and the pictorials and fashion shows of local designers featuring Binibini queens.

“She also understands the passion of Filipino designers to clothe the Binibining Pilipinas queens for the international pageant stage and is open to the creations and designs of these brilliant Filipino talents. Mrs. Araneta enjoins Filipino designers to collaborate with BPCI in presenting the Binibini queens in the best designs that will enhance her innate grace and beauty.”

The statement has been interpreted by several pageant fans as an apology of sorts by BPCI founding madam Stella Marquez Araneta following her controversial pre-pageant television

interview where she defended her use of the gowns designed by fellow Colombian Alfredo Barraza because the designs “that were given to us (by Filipino designers) were no good for our candidates.”

As a result, Marquez Araneta’s interview drew more flak and prompted several fashion stalwarts to take exception to her “no good” remark.

To be fair, BPCI is correct in pointing out that its candidates had worn the creations of local designers including the legendary Pitoy Moreno and other up and coming names in the fashion industry in the past. This year, MJ Lastimosa herself modeled gowns made

by Leo Almodal which many thought she would wear during the actual pageant itself.

But as was the case in recent years, it was the gowns designed by Barraza as personally commissioned by Marquez Araneta that were ultimately worn by MJ during the Miss Universe preliminaries and coronation night in

Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta.

Doral, Florida.

With BPCI’s statement, it seems Marquez Araneta is finally ready to ditch Barraza whose much superior gown for Miss Colombia Paulina Vega might have contributed to the latter’s victory — a clear conflict of interest.

However, BPCI’s appeal to Pinoy designers seems to have done little to appease Marquez Araneta’s critics, who

reiterated the calls for the Miss Colombia 1959 to step down as BPCI chairperson and relinquish her leadership to a Filipino successor.

The BPCI madam was noticeably absent from Thursday’s welcome press conference for MJ Lastimosa following her arrival from Florida after a brief stopover in Los Angeles. ■ Edwin P. Sallan /

InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 4:07 PM

Ai-Ai de las Alas is first local artist to perform at The Theatre at Solaire WHEN The Theatre at Solaire launched in late November with an inaugural all-star, multi-genre extravaganza led by Lea Salonga, it was already widely known that it would formally raise its curtains with a three-weekend run of the Broadway musical “Chicago” in December.

The big question then was what local artist or production would debut at the swanky, state-of-the-art lyric theater that was now the gold standard for performance venues in the country. The answer came last week during a press conference for “Ai Heart Papa”, billed as a “romantic comedy concert” headlined by Ai-Ai de las Alas with Richard Yap as the featured guest.

Yes, Ai-Ai, the Comedy Concert Queen herself, will be the first

Ai-Ai de las Alas. Photo by Teddy Pelaez, ©InterAksyon

Filipino artist to hold a concert at Solaire Resort and Casino’s spanking new crown jewel. The irrepressible comedienne does not take the honor lightly. Or does she?

Out of respect for the venue, she said she just might deliver her opening spiel in straight highfalutin English and eventually switch to Tagalog as soon as her nose bleeds.

“Ang taray, ano?” she quipped to InterAksyon and other media.

“Hahalayin ko lang si Papa Chen, sa Theatre at Solaire pa.” (Impressive, isn’t it? I’m going to molest Papa Chen, and I get to do it at The Theatre at Solaire.)

Before Richard Yap became known as “Sir Chief” to fans of the morning soap “Be Careful with My Heart”, he first won the hearts of TV fans as Papa Chen, the dashing business tycoon whose union with Ai-Ai spawned Kim Chiu on the primetime drama series “My Binondo Girl”.

Ai-Ai is, of course, as excited to sample the cutting-edge light and sound technology on tap at The Theater as to be be reunited with her leading man and share the stage with him.

“Noon ko pa alam na kumakanta ‘yang si Papa Chen. Tumutugtog pa ng gitara. Ang alam ko, bago siya

“Hard to believe, but Ai-Ai swears she has been a fan of club music for many years.”

nag-artista ang pangarap niya lang maging lounge singer sa hotel,” she shared. (I’ve known for a while that Papa Chen can sing. He even plays the guitar. Before he became an actor, he dreamed of becoming a lounge singer in a hotel.)

She said the Chinese-Filipino matinee idol will perform two numbers in the concert, including a duet of the popular Chinese love song “Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin”.

“Bagay na bagay, di ba? Kasi hindi lang Valentine’s ang sine-celebrate namin dito. Pati Chinese New Year,” she noted. (How appropriate! We’re not just celebrating Valentine’s Day but also Chinese New Year.)

More than that, “I Heart Papa” will kick off Ai-Ai’s celebration of her 25th anniversary in show business, which will culminate in a major concert in November.

The actress may have achieved renown for her blockbuster comedy films like the “Ang Tanging Ina” series and “Sisterakas”, but it is only fitting that she mark this milestone on the concert stage because that, after all, was where she got her start — as a stand-up comedian and singer on the comedy bar circuit.

Don’t forget that she earned her title as “Comedy Concert Queen” with successful sold-out concerts like “Respect Me, Seduce Me” in 2000 and “OA Na Me, Araneta Na Kasi” in 2001.

“Maraming bagong makikita ang mga tao kasi nag-eevolve pa ‘ko as concert performer,” she said of her return to the concert stage. (I have many new things to offer because I’m still evolving as a concert performer.)

Last November, she raised many

eyebrows when she released the dance album “ADA: The EDM Diva” under Star Music. ADA stands for her initials, which she said was going to be her new stage name as a proponent of EDM (electronic dance music).

Hard to believe, but Ai-Ai swears she has been a fan of club music for many years. “Matagal na ‘kong mahilig sa EDM. ‘Yang mga tugs-tugs na ganyan. Naloka nga dati yung anak kong si Sancho dahil sobrang bago ng EDM song na pinapatugtog ko sa bahay,” she said. (I’ve been listening to EDM for years. Even my son Sancho was surprised one time when he heard me playing a new EDM song in the house.)

Ai-Ai will perform songs from the album in the concert, including the single “Nandito Lang Ako”. No surprise then that among the other guest performers — along with the G Force Dancers, Becky Belo, and Ms. Faith Cuneta — is DJ David Ardiente.

Directed by GB Sampedro, with Homer Flores as musical director, “I Heart Papa” is presented by Showbiz Mansion Entertainment in cooperation with Platinum Karaoke and supported by BDO, Teddy’s Burger, R2Buds Fish and Nail Spa, The Food Club, GAOC (Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center), Gluta Max, Country Bankers, and Nice Day Coffee.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld. For inquiries, call 8088450, 09255123983 (Sun), 09151346059 (Globe), and 09985556947 (Smart). ■ InterAksyon.com / January 28, 2015 / 4:05 PM

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

POPE’S ITINERARY Francis’ hectic five-day PH visit MANILA - Representatives from the Catholic Church and the national government on Friday disclosed the itinerary for Pope Francis’ state and apostolic visit to the Philippines this coming January 15 to 19.

The pontiff will be arriving at the Villamor Air Base from Colombo, Sri Lanka at 5:45 p.m. on January 15.

He is expected in Tacloban on January 17 at 9:30 a.m., to return to Manila on the same day at 5:00 p.m.

He will be leaving the country at 10:00 a.m. on January 19 headed for Rome, Italy.

Below is the schedule, as provided

by Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

January 15: 9:00 a.m. Sri Lanka time: departure from Colombo, Sri Lanka for Manila 5:45 p.m. Philippine time: arrival at the Villamor Air Base; simple official welcome follows January 16: 9:15 a.m.: Welcome ceremony at the Malacanang Palace; courtesy visit to President Benigno Aquino III 10:15 a.m.: Meeting with authorities and diplomatic corps at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall at the Malacanang Palace 11:15 a.m.: Holy Mass at the Manila Cathedral, to meet bishops, priests, lay persons 5:30 p.m.: Encounter with families at Mall of Asia Arena January 17: 8:15 a.m.: Departure by plane from Manila to Tacloban 9:30 a.m.: Arrival at Tacloban International Airport 10:00 a.m.: Holy Mass near the airport

12:45 p.m.: Lunch with Yolanda survivors at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo 3:00 p.m.: Blessing of Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo 3:30 p.m.: Encounter with priests, religious, seminarians, typhoon Yolanda survivors at the Palo Cathedral 5:00 p.m.: Departure for Manila 6:15 p.m.: Arrival at Villamor Air Base January 18: 9:45 a.m.: Encounter with leaders of various religions at the University of Santo Tomas 10:30 a.m.: Meeting with youth at the UST sports field 3:30 p.m. Holy Mass at Rizal Park January 19: 9:45 a.m.: Simple leavetaking ceremony at the presidential pavilion of Villamor Air Base 10:00 a.m.: Departure 5:40 p.m. Italian time: arrival in Rome “We cannot contain our joy and we want the whole Filipino nation to know of his good news,” said Tagle during the press conference at Arzobispado de Manila.

The visit was sure to bring blessings to the Filipinos, especially the poor, survivors of calamities, and victims of different types of injustice, he added.

He said that Jesus’ love would be palpable in the “person and presence” of Pope Francis.

Filipinos, in turn, should prepare for his visit by reaching out to the neglected and abandoned. “They should constantly listen to the word of God, attend Holy Mass, repent for their sins, and habitually do acts of justice and love.”

The theme for the pontiff’s

apostolic and state visit is Mercy and Compassion, said Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.

In this light, he said, Pope Francis would “go to the geographical and existential peripheries” of the country to extend God’s love.

Palo Archbishop John Du said in a prepared statement that the Church leader’s visit would help the country rise from the destruction unleashed by Super typhoon Yolanda last year.

“Let us prepare for this without bickering and undermining each other’s preparation,” he added.

Also in a prepared statement, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Lingayen-

PLDT, European data center operator tie up for ethernet service in UK MANILA - Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) has launched an additional point of presence (PoP) in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, PLDT said it partnered with Telehouse Europe, one of the world’s largest data center operators for the additional PoP in UK. This allows PLDT to offer panglobal connectivity from the Philippines to the UK, and with this deal signed through PLDT UK, the

company can provide clients with an Ethernet International Private Leased Circuit (E/IPLC) service from the UK to the rest of the world, as part of its Global Managed Ethernet service offerings.

The PLDT UK PoP has direct connections to Hong Kong and the U.S., enabling it to achieve optimal latency for its customers around the world. This builds on over 500 domestic ethernet nodes that it owns in the Philippines and POPs in Singapore, Japan, U.S. and Hong Kong.

“We are very proud to add the

UK to our ever growing managed international network”, Jovy Hernandez, PLDT first vice president and PLDT ALPHA Enterprise head said.

“Our constant drive to deliver world class service to our customers around the globe allows them to focus on what matters the most and allows their customers to do the same,” he added.

Michelle Reid, director of sales and marketing at Telehouse, said, “PLDT has made a great decision to expand their E/IPLC into the UK as the market becomes ever more significant in the global telecommunications infrastructure.”

“With over 535 connectivity providers now in the Telehouse Docklands campus, we look forward to enabling them to maximize the opportunity this expansion represents,” she added.

InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which is part of the PLDT Group. ■ Darwin G. Amojelar / InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 10:51 PM

Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that the days leading up to the papal visit would be frenzied ones.

“There will be an appetite for the minutiae, the littlest and even the most trivial things: what the Pope will eat, what he will drink, etcetera.

But the visit of Pope Francis carries a message of pastoral love, mercy, and compassion, and it is through the understanding and living out of this message that the grace of joy will flow,” he said. “When Pope Francis comes, he will show us the face of God. When the Pope sees us Filipinos, May he see the living God in us.”

Executive Committee for the Papal Visit member Ambassador Marciano Paynor requested the public to “hold themselves when they see the pope.”

He asked that Filipinos keep themselves from becoming a “people surge,” blocking the roads where the pope would pass, and thus preventing him from keeping his schedule. This was a problem during the visit of Saint John Paul II in 1995, explained Paynor.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said President Aquino had already directed all the concerned government agencies to extend their assistance to the Church in preparation for the visit.

He asked that the public be patient as they implemented the measures necessary for the event.

Ochoa declined to provide details on the pontiff’s security, but assured that they would “secure the Pope.” In fact, “95 percent” of preparation being done on government’s part was on security.

He said that they were also concerned with the Filipinos in general, seeing as how zealous they could be in celebrating their religion.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene was just an example.

“We are a bit worried if this is what our behavior will be when the Pope comes. We are considering a lot of things when it comes to security,” he

said. “We are preparing for everything, including the surprises.”

Ochoa added that the government is also considering declaring certain days of the papal visit non-working holidays so as to ease the flow of traffic along the Pope’s route.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said that there would be an international media center inside Manila Hotel, a Vatican media center at the Diamond Hotel, and a field press center in Tacloban.

Episcopal Commission on Social Communications chairman Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said that more details would be made known in the following days.

He also invited the public to log on to the official papal web site www. papalvisit.ph, which contains the latest news and updates, information on the Pope, background information on the places he will visit, and his activities leading to his visit.

The public masses were open to all Filipinos, but certain events, such as the encounter with survivors of Yolanda, would be exclusive to a certain number of representatives from the different sectors or provinces due to the size of the venues.

Paynor also clarified reports insinuating that families were being relocated in Leyte for the papal visit.

Even before the papal visit was announced, there were already movements because of the effects of Yolanda. He pointed out that, from the beginning Church officials were requested not to unnecessarily move people around, that they even altered their plans so as to relocate as few people as possible.

Whatever movements of people that are going on are part of the postdisaster rehabilitation, and are in no way related to the papal visit, he added.

■ Patricia Aquino / InterAksyon.com / November 14,

2014 / 9:25 PM

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

ADDRESS TO THE NATION Full transcript of

Aquino statement on Mamasapano mission PAHAYAG ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III Pangulo ng Pilipinas Ukol sa insidente sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao [Inihayag sa Palasyo ng Malacañan noong ika-28 Enero 2015]

Mga kababayan, Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat.

Humaharap po ako sa inyo ngayon upang iulat ang ating nalalaman ukol sa nangyari sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao, nitong nakaraang Sabado at Linggo. Ginagawa po natin ito hindi upang pangunahan ang board of inquiry na itinalaga upang tuklasin ang buong katotohanan, kundi dahil karapatan ninyong malaman ang alam natin sa puntong ito.

Noong Sabado ng gabi, ika-24 ng Enero, isang grupo ng mga kasapi ng Special Action Force ng ating Philippine National Police ay tumungo sa Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Ang kanilang misyon, ipatupad ang mga outstanding warrants of arrest sa dalawang notorious na teroristang matagal nang pinaghahanap ng mga awtoridad: Sina Abdulbasit Usman at Zulkipli Bin Hir, alias Abu Marwan. Sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkulin, 44 sa ating mga pulis ang napatay, habang 16 naman ang sugatan, kabilang na ang 3 sibilyan, ayon sa huling tala ng ating NDRRMC. Bilang Pangulo, bilang Ama ng Bayan, napakalungkot pong isipin na kinailangang magbuwis ng buhay ng ating kapulisan sa misyong ito. At kung mayroon nga pong depinisyon ang bayani, sila na iyon: Silang mga humarap sa panganib upang pigilan ang banta sa ating kaligtasan; silang mga nasugatan; silang naghandog ng buhay sa ngalan ng kapayapaan. Bilang paggalang sa mga ng mga nasawi, magdedeklara tayo ng isang National Day of Mourning bilang sagisag ng pagdadalamhati at pakikiramay ng ating buong bansa.

Hindi po pangkaraniwang kriminal sina Marwan at Usman. Mayroong mahabang listahan ng mga warrant laban sa kanila; kay Usman pa lang po, mayroon nang di-bababa sa walong outstanding warrant, habang may di naman bababa sa dalawa kay Marwan.

2002 po ang isa sa mga pinakamaaga rito, kaya’t ang ibig sabihin, Congressman pa lang ako ay pinaghahanap na sila. Lilinawin ko lang po: Kapag may warrant laban sa isang tao, bawat alagad ng batas ay tungkuling ipatupad ito. Kaya nga po, dati pa, marami nang mga operasyon para madakip o subukang madakip sina Marwan at Usman, pati na ang iba pang terorista, ang isinigawa ng iba’t ibang sangay ng security sector, kabilang na ang AFP, PNP, at NBI. Hindi sa bawat pagkakataon ay hinihiling nila ang pahintulot ko, dahil impraktikal naman kung hintayin pa nila ang clearance mula sa akin. Ang tungkulin ko:

siguruhing ginagampanan nila ang kanilang responsibilidad. May pagkakataon naman pong inaakyat nila sa atin ang sitwasyon para makapagbigay tayo ng payo, tingnan sa malawak na pananaw ang sitwasyon, o ipaliwanag ang maaaring maging implikasyon nito.

Halimbawa po nito ang pagtugon sa rogue MNLF elements sa Zamboanga, ang paghuli sa pinakamatataas sa ating listahan ng Most Wanted Persons, o ang paglusob sa ating mga peacekeeper sa Golan Heights.

Sa kaso po ng Golan Heights, hindi naman puwedeng ang battalion commander lamang doon ang magdedesisyon sa kanilang pag-alis.

Bilang may pangunahing responsibilidad sa ating ugnayang panlabas, kinailangan tayong abisuhan upang masigurong natututukan pati ang ating mga obligasyon sa United Nations.

Bahagi po si Marwan ng Central Committee ng Jemaah Islamiya, na nagsagawa ng Bali bombing sa Indonesia. Dito, dalawang magkasunod na pagsabog ang nangyari, kaya’t tinamaan pati ang first responders at iba pang hindi umalis. 202 katao ang nasawi dito, at suspek po si Marwan dito. Sa Cagayan de Oro noong 2012, tinangka ni Marwan na gayahin ang modus na ito; nadiskubre ang pangalawang bomba kaya’t hindi ito sumabog, ngunit dalawang katao pa rin po ang nasawi sa pangyayaring ito. May alegasyon na noong 2006, kasama ni Umbra Kato, pinamunuan ni Marwan ang pagtatanim ng bomba upang pagtangkaan ang buhay ng gobernador ng Maguindanao noong panahon na iyon na si Andal Ampatuan. Dahil miyembro si Marwan ng international terrorist networks, na may koneksiyon sa iba pang mga grupong terorista, siya ay may kakayahang kumuha ng kaalaman, kagamitan, salapi, dagdag pa sa paglikha ng safe havens para sa mga kapwa niya terorista. Ito ang dahilan kung kaya’t itinuring siyang pangunahing target ng operasyon. Iniuugnay naman si Usman sa siyam na insidente ng pambobomba sa Mindanao. Siya ang pangunahing akusado sa pambobomba sa General Santos City noong 2002, kung saan 15 ang namatay at 60 ang nasugatan.

Kasama ang isa pang terorista na ang ngalan ay Mawiyah, sina Marwan at Usman ang nagsagawa ng terorismo sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Mindanao. Kilala ring trainer ng paggawa ng bomba ang dalawang ito. May mga ulat pong mayroon silang pagawaan ng mga improvised explosive device, na siya nilang ibinebenta sa mga kapwa nila terorista.

Marami na silang nasaktan at napatay, at habang malaya sila, patuloy ang banta laban sa kaligtasan ng ating mamamayan.

Ididiin ko lang po: Sa Article II, Section 4 ng Saligang Batas, nakasaad na “The primary duty of government is to serve and protect the people.” Kaya nga po, nang nalaman ng ating kapulisan ang tutok na lokasyon nina Marwan at Usman, nagdesisyon silang kumilos upang ipatupad ang mga warrant sa mga ito. Actionable intelligence po ang nakalap ng ating mga awtoridad: Hindi lamang rehiyon, o probinsiya, o munisipyo ang natukoy nila, kundi ang mismong mga bahay na pinagtataguan ng dalawa.

Kung hindi aaksiyunan ang kaalamang ito, maaaring makatakas sina Marwan at Usman, at kakailanganin na namang simulan ang mahabang proseso ng paghahanap sa kanila.

Pasado alas-4 ng umaga ng Linggo nang umabot ang Special Action Force sa kutang pinagtataguan nina Marwan at Usman. Sa nangyaring engkuwentro, diumano’y napatay ang pangunahing target na si Marwan. Nang marinig ang putukan, nanlaban naman si Usman at ang kanyang mga kasamahan. May mga non-combatants na nakita sa mga tirahan nina Marwan at Usman; kinailangan talagang dikitan sila ng ating mga puwersa para maiwasang madamay ang inosente. Unang inatake ang bahay ni Marwan; rumesponde naman sina Usman at nawala ang element of surprise na siyang magpapahirap na matupad ang kanilang misyon. Kaya naman, minabuti ng SAF na umatras at makipag-rendezvous sa mga kasamahan nilang nagbabantay ng kanilang daraanan papalabas sa lugar ng engkuwentro. Lumalabas pong sa withdrawal na ito nangyari ang pinakamadugong bahagi ng sagupaan.

Gaya po ng marami, may mga katanungan din ako ukol sa insidente, kaya inaasahan natin na mahahanap ng binuong board of inquiry ang katotohanan ukol sa insidenteng ito. Sa mga briefing na ibinigay sa akin ng PNP ukol sa continuing operation laban kina Marwan at Usman, makailang ulit kong idiniin ang pangangailangan ng tama, sapat, at napapanahong koordinasyon. Kumplikado ang sinasabi ngang terrain sa operasyong ito: ‘Yung mismong lupa maputik, may mga swampland, marshes, at kailangang tumawid ng ilog upang marating ang destinasyon ng ating SAF. Maraming mga puwersang nagkalat sa lugar na ito: Nariyan ang BIFF, MILF, at mayroon pang Private Armed Group. Kahit pa ba magkahiwalay na ang MILF at BIFF, marami sa kanila ang magkakamag-anak sa dugo o sa pag-aasawa. Hindi basta-basta maaaring pumasok ang mga estranghero. Kailangang tahimik at dahan-dahan ang pagpasok ng ating mga tropa; kung hindi, maaaring maalerto ang kanilang mga target.

Lalo pa’t dahil hindi kalakihan ang puwersa ng SAF kumpara sa mga nakapaligid na maaaring makialam, mahalagang nakaantabay ang Sandatahang Lakas upang maiposisyon nito ang mga tropa, kasangkapan, at kagamitan tulad ng mga kanyon kung sakaling kailanganin ng suporta ng ating kapulisan. Kailangan po nila ng sapat na panahon upang mailagay ang kanilang puwersa sa kung saan ito pinakamakakatulong. At sa ganitong klaseng bakbakan, kung kakailanganin ng ayuda mula sa Sandatahang Lakas, hindi ora mismo ay makakarating ito, lalo pa’t may iba’t ibang mga tungkulin ang mga kasapi ng 6th Infantry Division na siyang pinakamalapit sa aksiyon.

Sa paulit-ulit kong pagpapaalala sa pangangailangan ng koordinasyon, ang isinagot po sa akin ng direktor ng SAF, “Yes Sir.” Ang sabi lang niya, kailangan din ng operational security, o ang pagsigurong ang dapat lang makaalam ang masasabihan ukol sa operasyon. Gayumpaman, idiniin kong kailangan pa ring ialerto ang ibang mga

sangay o ang kanilang mga hepe; kailangan nasa tamang oras ang abiso, at kumpleto ang impormasyon, para makapaghanda nang maayos.

Tanong ko: Bakit at paano nga po kaya nangyari na malapit na sa jump-off o nakajump-off na, nang sinabihan ang batalyon ng AFP na malapit sa operasyon? Ang problema po dito, nagkalat sa iba’t ibang lugar ang mga sundalong kasapi ng batalyong ito na nagbabantay sa main supply route sa lugar na ito. Sa madaling salita, dikit na sa oras ng engkuwentro ang abiso, at mahirap masabi kung nagkaroon ng sapat na panahon upang ihanda ang ayuda kung kakailanganin. Kung may compliance pong nangyari sa atas kong siguruhing may sapat na koordinasyon, parang sinagad po itong very minimum compliance. Nagulat nga po akong malaman na ang pinuno ng Western Mindanao Command, o maski ng 6th Infantry Division, ay tila naabisuhan lamang matapos ang unang engkuwentro laban kina Marwan at Usman; palabas na ang puwersa ng SAF, at nagkakaroon na ng problema sa puntong ito.

Sa panig naman po ng MILF: Napakalaki na ang mga hakbang na nagawa natin dahil nagtiwala tayo sa isa’t isa. Napatunayan natin na kaya nating magtulungan: Noong 2014, isang Japanese national ang nailigtas sa Maguindanao; sa taon ding iyon, napigilan ang pagpapasabog ng isang bomba sa Maguindanao din. Nabasa ko rin po ang pahayag ni Chairman Al Haj Murad ukol sa insidente sa Mamasapano; magandang unang hakbang ang pagbubuo nila ng isang Special Investigative Commission upang matukoy ang mga detalye at katotohanan ng pangyayari.

Inaasahan kong sa lalong madaling panahon, mas kongkretong patunay ng pakikiisa sa paghahabol ng kapayapaan ang ipapakita ng MILF, tungo sa paghahabol ng katotohanan, at sa pagpapanagot sa mga may kasalanan.

Iwasan na rin po sana ng lahat ang pagkakalat ng haka-haka ukol sa mga pangyayari. Ang sabi nga po sa bibliya: The truth shall set us free. Mayroon na pong board of inquiry na itinalaga upang makalap ang buong katotohanan. Abangan na lamang po natin ang resulta nito.

Napakalayo na po ng ating narating tungo sa kapayapaang matagal na nating minimithi para sa Mindanao. Ibayong tiwala po ang ipinamalas ng lahat ng panig upang maabot ang puntong ito. Sa nangyaring insidente sa Mamasapano, mayroon na pong mga nagsasamantala ng trahedya para mabawasan ang tiwala; nais nilang mabigo ang proseso ng pangkapayapaan. Mayroon na nga rin pong nagmumungkahing itigil ang pagsulong ng Bangsamoro Basic Law sa Kamara at Senado.

Hindi po dapat mangyari ito. Nakataya sa batas na ito ang buong peace process.

Kung mabibigo ang pagpasa ng batas sa lalong madaling panahon, mabibigo ang peace process, mananatili ang status quo.

Kung ganoon, ano pa ba ang aasahan natin kundi pareho ring resulta: Mga taumbayang nawawalan ng pag-asa at namumundok; mga napagkaitan ng hustisya na pinipiling gumawa ng karahasan sa kapwa. Para na po nating

tinulungan sina Marwan at Usman na maabot ang kanilang mga layunin. Gusto po ba nating bumalik sa punto kung kailan palaging nakahanda ang mga komunidad na tumakbo sa mga evacuation center, dahil palaging may banta ng putukan? Kung ganoon ang mangyayari, sino ang makikinabang? Kung mabibigo ang prosesong pangkapayapaan, ilang libingan pa kaya ang kakailanganin nating hukayin? Ilang bata pa kaya ang iidolohin ang mga tulad ni Marwan; ilan pa ang gugustuhing maging Usman; ilang inhinyero pa ang pipiling gumawa ng bomba, kaysa magtayo ng gusali?

Isipin din po natin: Ang mga kasapi ng Special Action Force ay nasawi habang tinutupad ang kanilang tungkuling panatilihin ang kaligtasan. Kung hindi magtatagumpay ang prosesong pangkapayapaan; kung babalik tayo sa status quo, o kung lalala pa ang karahasan, di ba’t ito mismo ang kabaliktaran ng kanilang pinagbuwisan ng buhay?

Di po ba: Sa hinaharap nating hamon upang maisulong ang kapayapaan, lalo pa tayong dapat magkapit-bisig, at lalo pa dapat nating ituloy ang mga susunod na hakbang tulad ng pagpapasa ng Bangsamoro Basic Law; ang pagbubuo ng Bangsamoro Transition Authority; pagpapalawak ng oportunidad sa lahat; at pagwawasto sa sistema ng pulitika kung saan may iilang nakikinabang sa kapahamakan ng napakarami nating kababayan.

Sa mga pamilya naman po ng mga nasawing kasapi ng Special Action Force: Damang-dama ko ang pinagdaraanan ninyong dalamhati.

Alam ko ring maaaring may katuwang itong agam-agam para sa inyong kinabukasan, lalo na kung tumatayo na breadwinner ang kaanak ninyong nagsakripisyo para sa operasyong ito.

Sinisiguro ko po sa inyo: Ibibigay ng estado ang sagad na maaari nitong ibigay ayon sa mga batas at patakaran. Sa pagkakataon pong ito, diretso kong pinapakiusapan ang publiko na kung puwede po ay magbigay din tayo ng ayuda, at isagad ang pagtulong sa mga pamilya ng nasawi, bilang pagkilala sa kadakilaan ng mga bayaning nag-alay ng buhay tungo sa minimithi nating kapayapaan.

Sa harap ng ating pagluluksa, sa harap ng mga pagnanasa ng ilang bumawi at maghiganti, sa harap ng bantang magiba ang tiwalang pinanday natin sa napakahabang panahon, ngayon, sinusubok ang kakayahan nating magpamalas ng ibayong malasakit sa ating kapwa. Kaya nga po, sa lahat ng kapwa kong nag-aasam ng kapayapaan, mula sa mga mambabatas, sa mga kasapi ng unipormadong hanay, sa mga pinuno at kasapi ng MILF, sa mga kababayan natin sa Bangsamoro, sa bawat disenteng Pilipino: Ipakita natin kung ano ang kayang abutin ng isang bansang binubuklod ng nagkakaisang adhikain. Siguruhin nating hindi masasayang ang sakripisyo ng mga nasawing kasapi ng Special Action Force. Mararating natin ang katarungan, harinawa, sa loob ng tamang proseso, at nang hindi bumibitaw sa mga pangarap nating makamtan ang malawakan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan.

Maraming salamat po, at magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. ■ President Benigno Aquino III / Republic of the Philippines / January 28, 2015 / 7:31 PM

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February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

ASEAN Urged to Consider Reaching Out to International Community on South China Sea Issue FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario called on ASEAN to respond to China’s continuing reclamation activities in the South China Sea during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat in Kota Kinabalu.

“The massive reclamation issue presents a strategic policy dilemma for ASEAN,” the Secretary said. “Our inaction on this would undermine the principle of centrality, since we are unable to address in a unified and collective way such a critical issue in our own backyard.”

Because the massive reclamation

developments threaten peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Secretary Del Rosario urged ASEAN as a regional force “to consider reaching out to the responsible international community to say to China that what it is doing is wrong – that it must stop its reclamation activities at once.”

The Retreat is the first meeting under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015, which bears the theme “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”. In addition to launching the ASEAN Community by 31 December 2015, ASEAN will also

develop its Post-2015 Vision and seek to increase public awareness of the organization during the year.

Aside from the Code of Conduct (COC), the Philippines’ priorities in ASEAN for 2015 include: good governance and human rights; women’s empowerment, including their increased economic participation through small and medium enterprises (SMEs); and cooperation to address environmental threats through the Philippines-based ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). ■ Philippine Embassy

Philippines / January 28, 2015

US execs hope to bring more good news about PH to Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. – When the leadership of the US-Philippines Society led by Ambassador John Negroponte call on President Aquino in Manila next week, they expect to be able to bring back with them more good news that would help further raise the profile of the Philippines in the United States. “ Our meeting with President Aquino presents a timely opportunity for us to learn more about all the exciting new developments in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Negroponte, who cochairs the US-Philippines Society with Filipino tycoon Manuel Pangilinan.

“We also want to examine ways on how we can be even more effective in carrying out our mission of raising awareness in the US about today’s Philippines and promote business opportunities,” said Negroponte, a

prominent American diplomat who had previously served as US ambassador to Manila.

Ambassador Negroponte and other US-based personalities will be in Manila from 29 to 31 January to attend the annual board meeting of the US-Philippines Society, a Washington-based non-profit organization launched during President Aquino’s official visit to the US in 2012.

Aside from Ambassador Negroponte and Pangilinan, the Society’s binational board includes more than 30 prominent Filipino and American private sector and community leaders led by Washington Z. Sycip and Maurice Greenberg who both concurrently serve as Honorary Chairmen.

In addition to Negroponte, three former US ambassadors to the Philippines sit in the Society’s board: Tomas Hubbard, Frank Wisner and Richard Murphy. The

President of the Society, Ambassador John Maisto, and its Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, were also diplomats who served at the US Embassy in Manila.

After their courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacanang, the members of the Society’s board will meet with members of the Cabinet, among them Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

“The US-Philippines Society has been an effective partner in sharing the Philippine narrative to mainstream Americans,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., an ex officio member of the board. “We expect the Society to continue helping us deliver the good news about the Philippines upon their return to the US.” Ambassador Cuisia said that since its

launching, the Society has not only been busy raising the profile of the Philippines in America but has also been actively supporting efforts to assist communities in Leyte and Samar that were devastated

by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Last year, the Society channeled more than $2 million worth of assistance to typhoon victims from donations received from various US-based groups, community organizations and private individuals as well as raised funds from the “After the Storm” benefit concert at Washington’s famous Kennedy Center.

According to Ambassador Maisto, the Society was able to assist typhoon victims by working closely with more than a dozen recipient organizations, including the PhilamLife Foundation, the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF),

the PHINMA Foundation and the SM Foundation.

“The US-Philippines Society has also been successful in strengthening its bonds with the Philippines through close partnerships that brought programs on education, governance, conflict-resolution, resilience and the dynamic Philippine economy to influential groups in the US,” said Ambassador Maisto.

“We look forward to building on this solid record with an ambitious agenda for 2015,” he added. Aside from the board meeting and their calls on President Aquino, Ambassador Maisto said the Society leadership will also be visiting some of the projects the organization funded in typhoonaffected communities in Tacloban. ■ Philippine Embassy USA / January 23, 2015

4th Philippines-Pakistan Policy Consultations Held in Manila

Udersecretary for policy Evan P. Garcia (8th from left) and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaundhry (9th from left), together with Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Minda Calaguian-Cruz (7thf from right ), Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Domingo Lucenario (6th from right), Pakistan Ambassador to the Philippines Safdar Hayat (7th from left) and other participants in the 4th Philippines-Pakistan Policy Consulattions.

The Philippine delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Udersecretary Evan P. Garcia, discusses bilateral issues with the Pakistani delegation, headed by Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Pakistan Aizaz Ahmad Chaundhry.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaundhry pays a courtesy call on Secretary Albert F. del Rosario after the conclusion of the 4th Philippines-Pakistan Policy Consulattions.

THE 4th Philippines-Pakistan Policy Consultations was held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on January 22 with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia leading the Philippine delegation and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs heading the Pakistani delegation.

During the policy consultations, both sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations between their two countries since the last meeting held in Islamabad in January 2011. They discussed cooperation in various fields such as defense, economics, trade, labor and education, counterterrorism, science and technology, consular matters and culture.

Both sides agreed to fast-track work on proposed agreements related to defense cooperation, diplomatic training, banking, securities and exchange, information technology, science and technology, and cultural exchange. The two sides expressed optimism that some of these agreements would be finalized within the year and would move forward bilateral relations.

They also exchanged views on

regional issues and multilateral issues of common concern such as the West Philippine Sea, pull-out of NATO and US forces in Afghanistan, and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The Pakistani delegation also paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. Secretary Del Rosario congratulated both delegations for the successful conduct of the 4th Philippines-Pakistan Policy Consultations. He expressed gratitude to Foreign Secretary Chaudhry for the assistance that Pakistan previously gave to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. He also extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the Peshawar school massacre.

For his part, Foreign Secretary Chaudhry stated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government is focused on economic development and that Pakistan also seeks to increase its economic engagement with ASEAN member states. He said that he is pleased with the friendly relations between the Philippines and Pakistan and that he looks forward to further improving cooperation between the two countries in several areas. ■ Philippine

Embassy Philippines / January 28, 2015

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EDITORIAL Deception and insincerity on Mamasapano

PRESIDENT Aquino went to great lengths on Wednesday to give context to the slaughter of 44 members of the National Police’s Special Action Force. Context of course is important, particularly an understanding of a long history and larger objectives, given that there can be no avoiding one fact: This was indeed a slaughter, in the sense of the Republic’s loss in this one mission having been utterly complete, unrestrained, un-mitigated.

Let us await the findings of a specially constituted “board of inquiry”, our Commander-in-Chief said. In the meantime he proceeded with the history and objectives that led to the airlifting of more than 300 of the PNP’s finest from Luzon to an unfamiliar and, until then, unheard of swamp of a barangay in war-torn Maguindanao.

First, PNoy reminded, remember that we are committed to a global war on terror. “High-value targets” Marwan and Usman not only had a combined $7-million bounty on their heads, they are mass murderers with the DNA of alQaeda and Jema’ah Islamiyah, perhaps in recent months preening for an order from ISIS. The Malaysian Marwan, in particular, had a warrant for his arrest since 2002, for orchestrating the Bali Bombings.

PNoy asked: What kind of President would stand in the way of the serving of a warrant, especially given that the fugitive has embarrassingly found safe haven in our own territory, if within a recognized enclave of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)?

As if anybody had argued for that. In truth, with regard to the matter of the greenlighting of Mamasapano, the most important question put to President Aquino was not “Why?” but “Who?” As in: Who gave the go-ahead for this fatally flawed mission? More pointedly, PNoy was asked: Was it not you?

The President was glib. He said that permission was never sought and, frankly, was never needed. In any case, he said: “Isn’t the question rhetorical?”

Marwan is a terrorist, there is a warrant for his arrest, and such serving of warrants, and such effecting of arrests, is the job of the police. So why should anyone even bother the President with a by-your-leave just to do his job?

Here’s one reason: To cover one’s ass. Which is not always a bad nor inappropriate motive. In this case, it is the practical and responsible move.

SAF was smart enough to acknowledge that maybe there is a larger picture to consider. This was after all a mission that could potentially derail an ongoing peace process. Negotiations with the MILF had in fact entered a crucial and fragile phase. Congress, under time pressure, is deliberating the passage of a contentious Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the promulgation of which could set Mindanao on a path to sustainable peace and progress – if it doesn’t undermine Philippine sovereignty first.

Why ask permission to carry out a lawful mandate? It is because in this case, there is shit, and up there is a fan, and should the twain meet…

The SAF commander who was sacked in the aftermath of the Mamasapano massacre, Director Getulio Napenas, needed to brief the President. More than once, on every occasion prior to the launch of the mission. Nobody, it seems, other than PNoy was consulted – not the DILG secretary, not the acting chief of the Philippine National Police, not anybody in the military (the Armed Forces chief and the relevant units near the area were told when the police commandos were already on the ground, and firing had by then begun), not the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. Napenas has more than owned

‘I FEEL WHAT YOU FEEL’ MANILA – “Damang-dama ko ang nararamdaman ninyo (I feel what you feel),” President Benigno Aquino III told the families of the Special Action Force commandos who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday as he recounted how he overcame his own grief at the assassination of his father,

up. He has owned it all. But clearly, responsibility for the debacle falls on all who knew and chose to keep it between the two of them.

President Aquino says he told Napenas to coordinate as necessary.

(As in: “O, ikaw na bahala.”) The commander of SAF said: “K.” And that was supposedly that. The Commanderin-Chief presumed that implicit in his reminder was the presumption that the PNP and AFP and DILG would indeed be informed, though it never struck him as strange that none of them were ever in the room, nor ever cc’d in the invitations to the briefings.

It is the implausible - and insultingly riddled - narrative offered

by Malacanang that has the people shaking their heads.

Never mind the MILF’s own plea that nobody coordinated with them either. The one point that the public is willing to allow government in this tragic mission is that the MILF, too, has a lot to explain, and is in no position to demand anything of anyone. Certified terrorists were coddled in an area under MILF control. Either the MILF was complicit and conniving, or it was ignorant and impotent. Either way, Filipinos ask, how in Allah’s name could the MILF be trusted to run even an autonomous barangay?

President Aquino tries to frame the people’s resulting dismay and distrust, and their demand for such accountability - from government and from the rebels - as baying for war, and then raises the straw man with its fist in the air, just long enough to call for the sobriety that nobody has actually lost. As upset as Filipinos are, it would be a stretch to say that any significant portion of the population has called for the peace process to be abandoned.

Said PNoy: “Let us also consider: The members of the SAF perished in

The President during address to the nation on the Mamasapano incident. Photo by Ryan Lim, ©Malacañang Photo Bureau.

the course of pursuing their duty to maintain security. If the peace process does not succeed, if we were to return to the status quo, or if violence were to worsen, wouldn’t this be the very opposite of what they died for?”

The line would be moving if it weren’t so dishonest. Rich, coming from a government that ordered the SAF into terrain they did not know, with no cover, no backup, and no chance in hell. It was the government that has cast uncertainty as to what comes next.

Let us now be the ones to remind: SAF was not sent to Mamasapano in the name of peace. They were ordered to arrest a fugitive. By higher-ups who knew or should have kept in mind the full context and larger objectives in Maguindanao, Mindanao, the BBL, the peace process, but who trumped it all with a mission to satisfy… whom, Mr. President?

Let us now be the ones to clarify: There are two contexts here, not one, and they are separate. The global war on terror is not necessarily intertwined with the quest for peace in Mindanao.

They complicate each other, but not to the point of interdependency.

President Aquino knew, or should

have known, that any bumbling in Maguindanao would have the potential to derail the peace process.

For something so important, it is unfathomable - though more and more it seems in the realm of his character or competence - that the President would so easily relinquish responsibility. It is therefore he who insulted the SAF - even before he disrespected their mandate and professionalism when he, the “Father of the Nation,” chose to look at gleaming Mitsubishi cars at their plant in Laguna over bowing before the caskets of our men as they arrived at Villamor Air Base from the killing fields. How dare he use the slaughter into which they were ordered to cover for how their leaders’ decision-making has critically injured the BBL and the peace process.

Filipinos will grant that mistakes were made. They will even grant good faith. For all their anger and fury, they will await the report of the board of inquiry. But in exchange they demand at least sensitivity, transparency, and accountability.

So far the President has failed them on all counts. ■ InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 1:10 PM

Aquino tells families of SAF 44 to be strong, recounts loss of own father

anti-dictatorship opposition leader Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1993.

Aquino, speaking at the necrological rites for the 44 slain policemen at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City Friday devoted close to half his speech on recalling how difficult it was to lose his father and how even more difficult it was to move from anger to acceptance.

President Aquino talks to relatives of one of the fallen SAF personnel at the wake for 42 of the 44 men at Camp Bagong Diwa on Friday. ©Malacanang Photo Bureau.

The service, which had begun earlier Friday morning, was halted twice, first for around 30 minutes to wait for Aquino, who was scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m. and, later, when he met privately with the families of the slain policemen after condoling with them.

In his speech, Aquino acknowledged that Sunday’s mission, intended to get Malaysian terrorist Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and his Filipino cohort Abdul Basit Usman, left several questions begging for answers, begging with “Why?” He admitted he could not answer the question.

He nevertheless vowed to get Usman.

Although government has said Marwan was killed in the operation, there has yet been no hard confirmation of this information.

“We have already directed our forces to plan a better operation ... We will prove that we are enforcing the law. I assure you, we will get Basit Usman,” he said.

At the same time, Aquino said he cannot

let emotions get the better of him despite the massive loss of lives.

“Hindi ako puwedeng magpadaan sa emosyon. Hindi puwedeng daanin sa barabara. Kung idadaan sa galit, baka lalo ko pang madagdagan ang problema (I cannot let emotions get the better of me. We cannot be too hasty. If I give in to anger, I might be worsening the problem),” he said.

He assured the families that all possible help will be extended to them, including scholarships and employment opportunities.

A day earlier, Aquino drew brickbats for his absence at the arrival in Manila of the remains of 42 of the fallen commandos to be at the inauguration of an automobile plant in Laguna.

Upon his arrival, Aquino, wearing a black armband, was accompanied by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, acting Philippine National Police chief Leonardo Espina, and new SAF commander, Chief Superintendent Noli Talino, as he made the rounds of the 42 coffins, standing by each one for a brief

prayer and handing medals to the slain policemen’s families.

At one of the coffins, the widow of the fallen policeman from Bataan did not take the plaque offered her by Aquino. Her mother did so in her stead.

At the start of the ceremonies, two police officers gave messages honoring their colleagues and vowing that their heroism would not be forgotten.

“Marahil hindi po ninyo alam ang SAF, dahil hindi po iyan ipinamamalita. Ito po, kami po ang SAF (Maybe you don’t know the SAF because this is not often in the news. This, we are the SAF),” one of the officers, Chief Inspector Victor Lacwasan, said.

Earlier Friday morning, more than a thousand graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy marched from Fort Bonifacio to Camp Bagong Diwa in a “sympathy walk” to demand justice for their fallen comrades. ■ Lira Dalangin-

Fernandez and Dexter San Pedro / InterAksyon. com / January 30, 2015 / 9:36 AM

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More than 1,000 PNPA grads in ‘sympathy walk’ for slain comrades MANILA – More than 1,000 graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy went on a “sympathy walk” Friday morning, marching more than eight kilometers from Fort Bonifacio to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City as they demanded justice for the 44 Special Action Force personnel who perished in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.

Radio reports said more than 500 other PNP alumni and SAF personnel staged a similar march in Cebu City.

The Metro Manila march kicked off around 6 a.m. from Bayani Road in Fort Bonifacio, with the PNP alumni wearing black armbands and carrying placard demanding justice for their

fallen comrades.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who counts as fraternity brothers in the Alpha Phi Omega six of the SAF 44, caught up with the PNPA marchers later.

He also issued a statement on the National Day of Mourning, thanking the Fallen 44 commandos for their sacrifice and example of dedicated service.

He expressed hope the grief of their families would be eased by the thought that an entire nation appreciates their sacrifice.

The best way to ensure they did not die in vain is to help them get justice, which only a transparent and objective investigation can guarantee,

he said All those liable for the carnage in Mamasapano should be punished, Binay said.

At the same time, he cautioned against allowing a desire for revenge to derail the nation from the difficult path to peace and development in the South.

Nonetheless, he said, it was not wise to rush the process, especially now that other complications have arisen. These must all be addressed, first by ensuring all stakeholders are given a fair chance in crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Camp Bagong Diwa is where the remains of 42 of the slain SAF commandos were brought Thursday after being flown into Manila from Cotabato City and where they were

More than 1,000 graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy went on a “sympathy walk” Friday morning from Fort Bonifacio to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Photo by Gel Francisco, ©InterAksyon.com.

given a necrological service Friday morning.

Two others had been flown to Zamboanga City earlier.

The SAF personnel died in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano,

Maguindanao in the course of a covert operation to get Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Filipino Abdul Basit Usman, both bomb experts with ties to international terrorist networks for whom the US has put up a combined bounty of $7 million. ■ Jaime Sinapit / InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 9:21 AM

LOSING SENIOR INSP. RYAN Acting SAF chief weeps as he recalls last radio message from doomed men MANILA - The acting chief of the PNP Special Action Force, Chief Superintendent Noli Talino, broke down Friday as he delivered a eulogy for the 44 police commandos killed Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, recalling the last radio transmission he received from the ground.

After a furious exchange of messages with the field units seeking reinforcement, there was a prolonged radio silence, he recalled, and then he realized the voice from the other end, Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, “will never be heard again.”

Talino was the last among the senior officers who delivered eulogies for the 44 members of the elite unit, deployed on Jan. 25 to serve arrest warrants on Southeast Asia’s most wanted terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his Filipino cohort, Abdul Basit Usman.

The two men were pinpointed by intelligence as having taken sancturary in a marshy village in Mamasapano town, supposedly controlled territory of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front but where its breakaway wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), also has a presence.

Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas: he put duty over family, wife says, and understands that. But she wants justice. Acting SAF chief breaks as he recalls last radio message from Pabalinas, and realized with a chill, “that voice will never be heard again.”

Most of the eulogies from the officers praised the bravery and patriotism of the SAF men, most of whom had distinguished themselves in previous high-risk missions, including putting an end to the Zamboanga siege of 2013.

In delivering his eulogy, Talino stopped momentarily several times as he choked, recalling that fateful day the mission was launched.

Early in the day, he had received a text message saying “mike one (Marwan) bingo.” And he concluded that the mission had been accomplished, not realizing the danger that lay ahead as the men on the ground were about to take Marwan’s body. According to initial reports, Marwan’s security, alerted after the commandos had shot the Malaysian inside his nipa hut in the cornfield, started firing.

Soon, the outnumbered police commandos were pinned down by relentless gunfire from both the BIFF and the bigger force of the MILF. Talino said the men on the ground asked for reinforcement as early as 7 a.m.

There was a frenzied to and fro of radio messages, with authorities trying to ascertain how exactly and where the SAF men were positioned in a vast riverside cornfield that would become their killing field.

Suddenly, the radio crackle stopped, and there was a long silence. With a chill, Talino said he realized that voice will never be heard again.

That voice, he said, choking with tears, belonged to Police Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas. It was Pabalinas’s wife, Erica, who was tapped to deliver the response on behalf of the slain commandos’

families, who gathered for the two-day wake for the 42 of the 44 fallen heroes at Camp Bagong Diwa’s multipurpose hall Friday morning.

She appealed to the public to stop entertaining the notion that the 44 men went on that mission for the huge bounty ($5 million for Marwan and $2 million for Usman). They went because they wanted to stop a very dangerous man from killing more people. She said her husband had been on similar missions (presumably, also with rewards) but did his duty simply.

Otherwise, she added, “we would have been richer” by now.

She said, “my husband gave his life to claim peace,” and this is what she remembers most to console herself. ■

With a report from Dexter San Pedro / InterAksyon. com / January 30, 2015 / 4:23 PM

Suspended PNP chief dared to come clean on role in Mamasapano mission MANILA – Suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima has been challenged by Vice President Jejomar Binay and a lawmaker to come clean about his supposed role in Sunday’s disastrous anti-terrorism operation that cost the lives of 44 Special Action Force personnel in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

News reports have alleged that, despite his suspension on graft charges, Purisima supervised the operation to get Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Filipino Abdul Basit Usman, both bomb experts with ties to international terror networks for whom the US has put a combined bounty of $7 million.

Both Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who has direct supervision over the PNP, and acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina have admitted being kept in the dark about the Mamasapano mission.

President Benigno Aquino III, following an address to the nation earlier this week to address the Mamasapano debacle, said Purisima

had a direct hand in planning the mission until he was ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman but also admitted that the suspended PNP chief had helped “explain the intricacies” of the operation.

Aquino has also denied giving the green light for the operation even as he accused relieved SAF Director Getulio Napenas of ignoring his advice for close coordination with other police units and the military.

“Nagdadalamhati man tayo ngayon, dapat nating hanapan ng kasagutan ang mga katanungang bunsod ng masaklap na pangyayaring ito (Even as we mourn, we need to seek for answers to the questions this unfortunate incident has raised),” Binay said in a statement.

“Dapat ding basagin na ni General Alan Purisima ang kanyang katahimikan. Sa lahat ng lumalabas na ulat, nando’n palagi ang pangalan ni Purisima bilang pangunahing nagplano at nagpatupad ng nasabing operasyon kahit siya ay suspendido na sa kanyang tungkulin (General Alan

Purisima should also break his own silence. In all the reports comming out, Purisima’s name is always mentioned a the main planner and implementor of the operation even if he has been suspended from his duties),” Binay noted.

“Sino ba ang nagplano at nag-utos ng operasyon? Sino sa bahagi ng MILF at BIFF ang nag-utos na tambangan ang mga miyembro ng SAF (Who planned and commanded the operations? Who

Suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima

in the MILF and BIFF ordered the SAF members ambushed)?” Binay asked.

“Hindi ba dapat at makatarungan lamang na panagutin ang mga tauhan ng MILF at BIFF na walang awang kumitil ng buhay ng mga kasapi ng SAF? (Is it not just to hold accountable the MILF and BIFF members who mercilessly killed the SAF members)?” he added.

“General Purisima should be man enough to come out and tell everything

he knew about the SAF operation since he was the one acting as conduit between SAF Director (Getulio) Napenas and President Aquino,” Navotas Representative Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday.

Gatchalian claimed his sources had “confirmed” that Purisima knew of Sunday’s operation.

“The least that the suspended PNP chief can do is to take the flak for the botched operation and in so doing, absolve his subordinate officer, (Napenas), and protect his commanderin-chief from being pilloried for his failure to ensure the safety of the SAF commandos in the Mamasapano operation,” he said.

The lawmaker said Purisima cannot escape responsibility for the deaths of the SAF commandos, pointing to reports quoting Napenas as saying it was the suspended PNP chief who had called the shots.

He also cited Aquino’s admission that Purisima had briefed him on the botched mission. ■ Lira Dalangin-Fernandez /

InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 11:53 AM

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37

Truth Commission to probe deaths of SAF commandos, Magna Carta for PNP men pushed

MANILA – Senator Teofisto Guingona III on Friday called for the creation of a “Truth Commission” to conduct an impartial probe into the deaths of 44 Special Action Force policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, for his part, pushed the speedy passage of the Magna Carta for the PNP Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Personnel, which would grant special financial, scholarship and employment assistance to the families and beneficiaries of police personnel who die or are disabled in the line of duty.

In a statement, Guingona, who hails from Mindanao and also chairs the Senate committee on peace, reconciliation and unification, said while he respected the creation of a board of inquiry by the Philippine National Police, he stressed that the far-reaching implications and consequences of the Mamamasapano incident made an independent commission necessary.

He said the deaths of the police commandos in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters “struck at the very heart of the nation and of the peace process.” he added.

He suggested the following to compose his proposed commission: former Supreme Court Chief Justices Reynato Puno and Hilario Davide Sr., and former Senator Wigberto Tañada.

“I shall ask them to lend their wisdom and sobriety to the search for truth,” Guingona said. “I believe that an independent commission alone can help us get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident and to find the answers to the questions the nation is asking.”

Among these questions, he said, are: • Why did it happen?

• Did this have to happen?

• Could this have been averted?

• Who are responsible and accountable for what happened?

• Was the chain of command disregarded?

“It will be a cruel injustice if the truth behind the incidents that led to their death is not uncovered,” he said, adding an impartial probe “is vital to the restoration of an atmosphere of calm in Mindanao and will help the government understand what steps to take next to save and advance the peace process.”

Meanwhile, Angara’s Senate Bill 2594 grants the beneficiaries special financial assistance equivalent to six

months’ salary, including allowances and bonuses, tax free.

“Habang tayo’y humihingi ng hustisya, huwag sana nating kalimutan at pabayaan ang mga naiwan nilang pamilya at mahal sa buhay. Nararapat lamang na bigyan sila ng sapat na suporta at pag-aaruga—isang maliit na bagay kumpara sa kabayanihan at sakripisyo na iniaalay ng ating mga kapulisan para sa bayan (While we seek justice, let us not forget and neglect the families and loved ones they left behind. It is fitting we give them adequate support and care -- a small thing compared to the heroism and sacrifice our police have offered

for our country),” Angara said.

“This proposed Magna Carta seeks to put dignity into the country’s premiere police force. The government should provide support to foster a highly efficient and competent PNP. It’s the least we can do as they put their lives at stake in their commitment to preserve peace and order and protect the lives of Filipino people,” Angara said.

Under the measure, children of the deceased or permanently incapacitated PNP personnel will be given scholarships up to college, while the surviving spouses will be given priority in employment in a government

agency or office for which he or she is qualified.

If the spouse is already employed or not employable, or waives the employment privilege, the employable son or daughter will be offered the job.

The bill also grants “remote assignment” and special hardship allowances, each equivalent to 50 percent of the basic monthly pay, to uniformed personnel assigned to remote or isolated areas where they are exposed to hardship, combat and other hazards besides their usual peacekeeping, crime prevention and investigation duties.

The measure also entitles PNP personnel cost of living, clothing, quarters and subsistence allowances, and a longevity pay of 10 percent of their basic monthly pay for every five years of continuous, efficient and meritorious service in the government.

Aside from this, it grants other benefits such as reasonable leaves and retirement programs, and a holistic PNP development program which includes provisions on merit promotions, performance evaluation, in-service training, overseas and local scholarships, training grants, incentive award system, among others. ■ Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 11:10 AM

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‘Please, our President, please help us’—SAF officer’s widow to Aquino

MANILA – “To our President, we seek your help to attain justice. Please, our President, please help us.”

This was the tearful plea of Erica Pabalinas, speaking on behalf of the families and friends of the 44 Special Action Force commandos slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday, during the necrological rites in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City late Friday morning.

Erica’s husband, Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas of the 55th Special Action Company, was among the 44 slain during the operation to get terror suspects Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Abdul Basit Usman, after they clashed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“Slowly, I began to accept that my husband cannot be with us anymore,” Erica said, adding that she consoles herself with the thought that her husband died a hero.

But, she added, “All I ask is justice for my husband ...and for everyone who fought and fell.”

She also appealed to the public to dismiss the thought that her husband and the other SAF

personnel joined the operation because of the multimillion dollar US bounty for Marwan and Usman.

She said they would be rich by now had her husband fought for money since he had been in similar operations against wanted persons a number of times.

Erica, who hails from Isabela, Basilan, recalled that on the day Pabalinas left their home for the last time, she and their daughter tried to hold him back.

Their daughter, she said, worried that her “Daddy” might end up being caught by the “bad guys.”

But, to her pleas, Erica said, “He replied, ‘Mommy, ayan ka na naman, hindi mo na naman naiintindihan’ (Mommy, there you go again, you can’t understand),” and then bade them goodbye.

“It’s a clear manifestation that my husband has put duty first before family, and I understand,” Erica said.

She also encouraged the wives of her husband’s fallen comrades to hold on and be strong.

“Behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife,” she said. ■ Lira Dalangin-Fernandez / InterAksyon.com /

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People offer flowers at the main gate of Camp Crame Friday, National Day of Mourning for the 44 SAF commandos who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Photo by Krisken Jones, ©InterAksyon.com.

The ensemble par excellence! FATIMA we will be there on the 13th June for the Anniversary of the Apparition, AVILA - St Therese Jubelee -, GUADALUPE (Spain), LOURDES, ZARAGOZA and more by coach: there is no other way to enjoy & visit all these places!!! all visits / entries included, hotels in dinner/ room and breakfast with AT LEAST 4 lunches INCLUDED as well!

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38

SPORTS

www.hello-philippines.com

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING

As Mayweather watches NBA game, fans yell out: ‘Fight Pacquiao!’

FLOYD Mayweather recently watched an NBA game, but even basketball did not allow him to take time off his much-anticipated bout with Manny Pacquiao.

US-based journalist Robert Morales said fans at Staples Center taunted Mayweather during the Los Angeles Clippers’ 123-84 win over the Brooklyn Nets last Friday.

Pacquiao has already agreed to the terms for the megafight, but

BOXING

Mayweather has claimed the bout is still a long way off. The undefeated American is also blaming Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum behind the delay of the negotiations.

It wasn’t the first time that Mayweather stole the spotlight during a Clippers game. Just nine days ago, the boxer trash-talked forward Matt Barnes during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. ■ InterAksyon.com /

©AFP

January 26, 2015 / 4:56 PM

Report: During rare meeting, Mayweather tells ‘speechless’ Pacquiao to ‘stop lying’

POUND-FOR-POUND king Floyd Mayweather reportedly told rival Manny Pacquiao “to stop lying” during their much talked-about encounter in an NBA

game on Tuesday (Wednesday morning Philippine time) in Miami.

Citing anonymous sources, Ben Thompson of Fighthype.com wrote in

Screengrab from NBA.com

an article that Mayweather confronted Pacquiao and his adviser Michael Koncz about their claims of having signed contracts pertaining to their much-anticipated megafight.

“According to one source, Mayweather told both Pacquiao and Koncz to ‘stop lying’ about signing any contracts. The same eyewitness tells us that Mayweather then informed Pacquiao that he’s been told multiple lies,” the report said.

“Mayweather explained that ‘he’s been trying to make the fight happen’ and chose to stay silent throughout the negotiation process because ‘I don’t entertain (expletive).’”

Pacquiao has been vocal to the media about him agreeing to the terms of the fight and just waiting for Mayweather to sign the deal.

The report added that Pacquiao was “speechless” as Mayweather continued to

confront him and Koncz, who then blamed boxing promoter Bob Arum.

“Another source tells us that Pacquiao was ‘on hush mode’, speechless as Mayweather repeated, ‘stop lying,’ and asked him ‘what contract’ he signed,” the report said.

“As Mayweather reiterated to both men that lies are being told, Koncz began stuttering before attempting to lay all the blame on promoter Bob Arum, telling Mayweather that he’s only saying what Arum has been telling him, Mayweather then informed both men that it’s not professional to lie and ‘if you’re not going to tell the truth, it’s best to stay silent.’”

Pacquiao and Mayweather then hugged and exchanged numbers which, according to Pacquiao, would allow them to directly communicate with each other about the fight.

Miami Herald’s Joseph Goodman also

heard that Mayweather wanted to tell Pacquiao about “all the lies” surrounding their proposed fight.

In an interview with ESPN’s Dan Rafael, Koncz refused to reveal what he, Pacquiao and Mayweather talked about during the short conversation.

“We did meet and chat but I don’t want to say what we discussed,” Koncz said. “It was a private discussion. They had a private, friendly discussion, and that’s all I really want to say.”

Pacquiao has already given Mayweather a deadline of until the end of January for his decision about their fight, although it remains to be seen if their brief meeting would have any impact on the ongoing negotiations.

Mayweather, for his part, is expected to announce this week his next opponent which fans hope would be Pacquiao. ■ InterAksyon.com / January 28, 2015 / 5:11 PM

Amir Khan looms as Manny Pacquiao’s backup BASKETBALL plan if no Floyd Mayweather fight, says Bob Arum FIBA’s Patrick Baumann impressed by Philippines’ BOXING

FILIPINO boxing champion Manny Pacquiao already has a backup plan set should his bout with rival Floyd Mayweather won’t push through.

Promoter Bob Arum told ESPN. com’s Dan Rafael that Pacquiao could fight on May 30 likely against Amir Khan with potential venues being in Las Vegas, New York, London and even Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates.

“A lot of places around the world want to host a Manny Pacquiao fight,” Arum said. “He’s an international icon, and I have been approached by a number of people looking to host a Manny Pacquiao fight.”

The 36-year-old Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) and the 28-year-old and Khan (30-3, 19 KOs) also know each other well as they have sparred together when Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach handled Khan.

According to Roach, Khan, who trained with him until 2012, was even knocked down by Pacquiao “frequently” during their sparring sessions, a story which the British denied.

Khan last fought in December 2014 when he outclassed Devon Alexander in a victory believed to have gained him a good chance of a tussle with Mayweather this year.

Khan remains optimistic that the undefeated American would agree to fight him despite Mayweather’s own

negotiations with the Filipino ring icon.

Khan is ranked third on the welterweight rankings by Ring Magazine behind champion Mayweather, top contender Pacquiao and fellow British Kell Brook.

Pacquiao already met with Khan during the Filipino’s visit in London where he attended a dinner hosted by Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace last week.

The British royalty is also trying to host a Pacquiao fight and Arum said a bout with Khan “would certainly make sense” should the bout take place in London.

While Khan is the leading candidate for Pacquiao’s next foe, Arum said

Screengrab from NBA.com

other opponents considered are former junior welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia and junior welterweight slugger Lucas Matthysse of Argentina.

But Arum said that Pacquiao’s main priority is still making the muchanticipated bout with Mayweather a reality.

“But remember — all that is a backup plan. We are still trying to nail down the Mayweather fight. We need Mayweather to say yes,” Arum said.

“Hopefully, it won’t happen and we won’t need this plan because Manny will be fighting Mayweather. But you have to plan ahead.” ■ InterAksyon.com / January 26, 2015 / 4:20 PM

‘competitive’, ‘ambitious’ bid to host 2019 World Cup INTERNATIONAL Basketball Federation secretary general Patrick Baumann said there were a few concerns but still came away impressed with the Philippines’ presentation in its bid to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. “Your bid is very competitive and a lot ambitious,” Baumann told media during the press launching held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.

Bauman said that Philippines proved its capacity to host the event, although there are still a few issues that need to be addressed, particularly in the completion of construction for additional venues, like the SM Group’s site in Cebu and the one planned by the Solaire group.

“Overall, you have the capacity (to host) but there’s still very little concerns,” said Baumann.

Baumann, who has been in the country several times before, had witnessed the country’s capability of staging major events. Manila served as the host of the FIBA Asia Championship in 2013 then a year later and would also stage the first-ever indoor FIBA 3×3 World event.

But the World Cup is expected to be much larger in scale, not only compared to past events that the Philippines has

©News5 screencap file

hosted, but even compared to last year’s world tournament held in Spain.

Baumann, however, said that the lack of completed venues won’t hurt the Philippines’ hosting bid as the evaluation is still in its preparatory stage.

“This wont jeopardize your bid to host the event. The ability is there, but your country has to get it done,” he said.

“This is just the preparatory phase. We will compile all the bids and discuss on April.”

The FIBA evaluation commission is expected to make its decision in June.

Outside of the presentation, the FIBA official praised the dedication that the Filipino people show with regards to the sport.

“You nurture basketball everyday and that’s your biggest advantage.” ■ Rey Joble / InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 5:22 PM

SPORTS

February 2015 – No. 3 • UK & Europe Edition

www.hello-philippines.com

39

Marqus Blakely posts 26 points, 18 boards as Purefoods opens campaign with win over GlobalPort MORE SPORTS

OLD reliable Marqus Blakely showed why he’s still one of the league’s best imports, putting up 26 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks to lift defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots to an 83-70 victory over GlobalPort Batang Pier in PBA Commissioner’s Cup action Friday night at Cuneta Astrodome.

The undersized Blakely, Purefoods’ import for the past two editions of Governors’ Cup who is temporarily filling in as the team awaits for the arrival of Daniel Orton, stamped his class as early as the first quarter where he registered 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks.

Blakely also outmatched his taller counterpart CJ Leslie who led GlobalPort with 25 points and eight rebounds.

The Hotshots were just up by one after the first quarter, 21-20, and held a seven-point lead, 41-34, late in the second quarter as they couldn’t break away from a gutsy Batang Pier squad.

A Terrence Romeo layup eventually put GlobalPort up, 42-41, early in the third period. But a 16-0 run led by Blakely lifted Purefoods to a commanding 57-42 cushion.

The Hotshots had extended their advantage to as much as 18, 68-50, with 8:16 left in the game before

GlobalPort launched a 12-5 run capped by a Leslie three-pointer to keep Batang Pier within 11, 73-62.

But the Hotshots ignited a 10-3 Purefoods spurt punctuated by a Blakely alley-oop slam that gave them the lead for good.

Mark Barroca scored 11 points and eight rebounds while Alex Mallari had 10 markers as they filled the void left by veteran PJ Simon who sat out the game due to back spasms.

Romeo added 19 points in GlobalPort’s losing effort as they failed

to have a 2-0 start to the conference and beat Purefoods for the first time in franchise history.

The scores: Purefoods 83 – Blakely 26, Barroca 11, Mallari 10, Yap 9, Melton 8, Pingris 6, Devance 6, Maliksi 5, Reavis 2, Alvarez 0, Pennisi 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0.

GlobalPort 70 – Leslie 25, Romeo 19, Miranda 10, Pringle 4, Ponferada 4, Semerad 3, Taha 2, Isip 2, Pinto 1, Buenafe 0, Caperal 0, Nabong 0, Baclao 0. Quarterscores: 21-20, 41-36, 57-46, 83-70 ■ InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 9:40 PM

Photo by Nuki Sabio, ©PBA

BASKETBALL

Barako Bull’s Sol Mercado embraces PBA journeyman status: ‘All part of God’s plan’ BARAKO Bull’s Sol Mercado has become a journeyman in the PBA but he doesn’t really mind being shipped from one team to another.

In fact, the talented, spitfire guard believes that every trade that has been a blessing in his professional career.

“Being a journeyman, in my eyes, is all part of God’s plan. I’m not a very open person so going from team to team challenged me to open up to a lot more teammates than I would have had playing with just one team,” wrote Mercado in a text message.

“I’m blessed because of that. To me this life and career is temporary so I try and get the most out of this borrowed time I have,” he added.

Mercado is currently playing for his fifth PBA team after getting traded on

six different occasions. He started his career with Rain or Shine but has made stops in Meralco, GlobalPort and San Miguel before finding himself on Barako Bull.

He immediately made an impact in his debut, scoring 20 points to lead all local scorers on his team in a win over Blackwater.

Despite accepting his status as a journeyman, Mercado is hoping to one day find a champion team and hopefully stick around.

“Of course, I’m praying one day I will end up with a team with championship pedigree and be able to contribute to winning. I believe that’s every basketball player’s goal or at least should be,” he added. ■ Rey Joble / InterAksyon.com / January 30, 2015 / 2:14 PM

sport

As Mayweather Report- During rare meeting, watches NBA Mayweather tells game, fans yell out- ‘Fight ‘speechless’ Pacquiao to ‘stop lying’ Pacquiao!’

Story on page 38

Photo by Bernard Testa, ©InterAksyon.com

BOXING

AS DEADLINE NEARS, MANNY PACQUIAO ’80 PERCENT’ CERTAIN FLOYD MAYWEATHER WILL FIGHT HIM ©AFP

Story on page 38

Barako Bull’s Sol Mercado embraces PBA journeyman status- ‘All part of God’s plan’

Marqus Blakely posts 26 points, 18 boards as Purefoods opens campaign with win over GlobalPort

Story on page 39

AS his deadline for Floyd Mayweather to finalize their megabout deal nears, Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao expressed confidence that the muchawaited fight will finally happen this year.

“I think it will happen, I believe that,” Pacquiao told Sky Sports 1’s Ringside Special. “If this doesn’t happen now I don’t think it will, so now is the time.

“If you ask me what the percentage is, it’s 80-20.”

Pacquiao has said that he already agreed to the terms of the fight, including the May 2 date, the venue at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the blood testing and the 60-40 purse split which would favor Mayweather.

Pacquiao has already given Mayweather a deadline of until the end of January to announce his decision whether he wants the bout to push through.

But Mayweather has denied that the fight is close to being agreed, insisting that Pacquiao doesn’t have any say as the undefeated American is the “A team” that has control over the deal.

Mayweather is also blaming promoter Bob Arum behind the delay of the negotiations, an issue which Pacquiao said should no longer be a factor.

Story on page 39 “I think he’s got pressure. He’s got no alibi – blood testing is no longer a problem, Bob Arum the promoter is no longer a problem, now there are no more problems,” he said.

“The fans are pressuring him. I tell them we have agreed everything, the rules and regulations are not a problem.

“We are just waiting for you to sign the contract.”

Amid the Filipino’s statements, Mayweather is reportedly announcing his next opponent this week and there is a huge possibility that he could not be Pacquiao.

The Independent’s Steve Bunce wrote in a column that Miguel Cotto looms as a “heavy favorite” for Mayweather’s next foe. The two already fought in 2012, with Mayweather coming away with a victory.

According to Bunce, a rematch between them would be more favorable to Mayweather as he would get to win his sixth world title at different weights and hold three belts at the same time.

Arum has earlier declared that Amir Khan looms as Pacquiao’s backup plan should Mayweather refuse to fight the Filipino once again in a bout projected to shatter revenue records. ■ InterAksyon.com / January 27, 2015 / 10:26 PM

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